%!?$ '*' - the value of friendship - '*' $?!%

Being a grade six pupil means one thing… BEING BUSY! I finished my elementary school in a Christian school, and I’m proud of it. The first few weeks of being a grade six pupil was hard. I found it still difficult to adjust with all the assignments, projects and activities. It was still hard eventhough I wasn’t a new student (only in 4th grade). Of course at first, I admit, all I was thinking about was the competition. I knew we were all gonna be in one section. Rosa, Adelpha, Pearl Joy, Kimberly, Reina Jane and Rema. Especially Rema. They were all very clever students, I must say. When I was in grade 4 and still a new student Rema and Reina Jane were my best friends. We were very close in fact we eat together at my grandfather’s house ever lunch break.

All of a sudden that friendship was destroyed only by one thing. The gold medal. The three of us were eyeing on that stupid gold medal. It took me long before I realize the fact that the three of us shouldn’t be best friends. So since then, each of us went on our separate ways. Until summer started.

On the first the day of classes in grade 5, I took a glance on a paper on the door of grade 5-Peter, my classroom. The paper contains the list of students for that section. I was we were not classmates with Rema & Reina. But we were with Pear Joy & Kim. Now, to be honest, I didn’t really like these two at first. To me they were “weirdos”, “nerds” and maybe “aliens”. I felt like they had their own worlds. Everytime our section will had a small gathering they would “keep off” the group. I really thought they are socially unhealthy. And the funny thing is, there were speculations that they were witches, but of course, I didn’t believe them. I was old enough to sort out the “stupid and useless things” from the right and useful ones.

But, anyways, when I was in grade 6, I really lived my life to the fullest. I spent more time with my friends. I befriended those classmates that I ignore and was surprised to find out how good they were. I was conscience–stricken because I know I thought of bad things about them. I learned to value them and included them in my prayers. I treasured every moment with them. I avoided fights and quarcels. I thought that I should have built this kind of friendship with them the moment I step in to that school.

As the graduation getting near, I felt like I was drowning. Drowning because of the fears that I may never see these friends again. I know I had to do something. So, to avoid these graduation blues from getting worse, I did not waste time in letting them feel how much I feel for them. I said sorry for everything unpleasing that I have done. They usually say I have changed. I admit it. From the time that I realize how much my friends mean to me, I’ve become a better person.

'*' ^^ ...a sOmEtHiNg iN bEtweEn...^^ '*'

My family is a closely-knitted family. At home, we always eat together. My father, mother, my brother and I, oftentimes, go to our grandparents’ house and meet my uncles, aunts and cousins there, then stay and eat. That usually happens on Sundays and special occasions like birthdays. But there are times back at “when it is” O.A home, my father would always tell me “Bia, can’t you do something proper this time?” and then my mother would add saying, “You know, when we were at your age, we did what our parents told us to do. We were cooperative in school and obedient at home.” And then they’ll say “Don’t you love us?” Of course!! I do, isn’t that the reason why I have been studying hard to please them? Isn’t that the reason why I always say NO to my friends whenever they ask me to go out even though I am really aching to go with them? Isn’t that the reason why I defend them when my friends say that they’re just being overprotective to me? I defend them by saying “Oh, don’t mind them, besides it’s alright being overprotected to the maximum level. You’ll see.” But my God, it is not alright. With all that they’re doing I don’t even think I know who I really am. I don’t even know what I like doing the best. My parents tell me everything I do. I’m no longer a baby. They’re just like Marcos. It’s just like Martial Law. Dictatorship should I say. They tell me that they understand me and my needs as a 13 year old; however, with the way the things are going, I don’t think that they understand me at all.

You see, I’m 13 and I’m no longer a child, and not yet a woman. I’m just a something in between. Just like last night, my parents and I went to Ayala. When we got up the escalator, a young boy my age (I think), looked at me. I think it’s really pathetic and foolish but my father got angry because the boy looked at me. Then, another instance is when we were in the car and he was the one driving. I was sitting at the back seat by the window when we met a truck. The laborers on that truck looked at me then my father got so angry that he forgot that he was driving and we almost met an accident because of another car. I couldn’t understand. What the hell does he want me to do? Cover my face with a sack and hide? Then t worsen things up, last night, while I was sending a SMS to one of my classmates, a girl to be specific, he grabbed my phone and turned it off, and wonder of wonders returned it to me. So what I did, I turned it on and send a SMS to my classmate for the last time. Then he came back, I was shocked. He got angry and asked me why I was sending a SMS. He then accused me of getting the cellular phone from the altar! Do you think it’s just? He turned my phone off and gave it back to me then got angry because I was using it? I just can’t understand them. They are really driving me crazy.

Sometimes I wanted to run away from them, but I can’t. Simple, I can’t run away and leave them because I love them. I love my parents and I know they my parents love me so much. In fact they are the very reason why exist in this world. So instead of opening my mouth when they start scolding me, I just keep quiet and I don’t even think of defending myself, instead, I just cry my heart out. They may not understand me know but I’m looking forward to the time they would. They may have expectations of me that I seem to overlook, but I love my parents and I know sooner I’ll learn what my roles are. As of today, one thing is very clear, I’m no longer a child, not yet a woman; just a something in between.

%!?$ '*' - - -K.Y.S.D- - - '*' $?!%

In U.P. it feels good to be taught by the best teachers. But, how do you think would it look like if the students were the teachers. Sounds funny? Well it’s true, here in U.P., the students are given the once-in-a-blue-moon chance to go up the platform and teach their co-students. This happens through the K.Y.S.D (Know Your School Day) Activity. This is a 2-day activity wherein the teachers rest and the students teach. The students are personally chosen after their interview with the teachers of the subject they wish to handle. I myself applied for that sought-after job of being a Science A teacher, to no avail. During the interview with Madame Erlinda Gallo, I was really trembling but despite the nerve-wrenching nervousness, I still got the way out the mess (Was I right?), but, so much of that, I am here to tell you the feeling of being taught by a co-student. It is fun. It feels like you were just talking the normal talk between students. At the same time it is a little bit noisy, especially when there are too many student teachers like what happened in Filipino. So many applied for the spot and how lucky of them, there application forms were all approved by Madame Montaño. So many were talking at the same time (Ok, ok I admit I am one of them) with the student teachers (I think there were 7 or 8 of them). I was so excited at the same time afraid when I learned at first about this KYSD thing and all because I know that people in our classroom have really different temperaments and if one bursts out, the others will surely follow (You know what I mean), and of course I was very right when I said there would surely be arguments and conflicts, and that certain argument even reached our adviser. In our classroom, arguments always start with a joke. One person would release jokes on another person until he hurts that person without even knowing he did it.

The KYSD activity opened my eyes. I realized that even if it had been months since our first meeting, we still cannot completely adjust in our new environment, new classmates and all. Being taught by a classmate is not bad at all. It is in another way, something that tells us that everyone is given a gift by God. A gift that we should cherish until we die. Not everyone has the gift of intelligence, but he/she may have the gift of music or the gift of art. But I can assure you, everyone has a gift. Maybe, a gift of obedience like that of Ella of Frell, or maybe the gift of frankness like those of the mean girls (is that a gift or what??) or maybe the gift of beauty like those of mine… (char!!!)

Everyone must use their gifts in a way that we can help others and convert our weaknesses to strengths of ourselves.

Stargazing...^^ '*' mwahh!!!

Do you ever wonder why stars twinkle? Do you wonder what they bring to your life? Have you ever gone stargazing?

Stargazing is not a rare thing in U.P. As a member of the Stargazers Club of the University of the Philippines, we, the Stargazers always watch out for a stargazing activity or should I call overnight. Almost everyone, headed by the club president Ms. Theresa Yee of IV- Gonzales and the club adviser, Prof. Erlinda Bravo Gallo (who also happens to be our adviser in the same time our Science teacher) attend this overnight thing. You just pack your mats and put on your jackets, sweaters, etc., bring your pillows & blankets and a lot of food and water, binoculars and star maps (if you have any) and then you’re ready to go. Some people say overnight stargazing is boring. I was like, hello, our overnight stargazing here in U.P is really, really fun! It is so much fun having to spend a night with your friends. Let me tell you, spending the night with your friends is a totally different thing than spending the day with them. Aside from those “chit-chat” with my friends, we also get to meet prominent & influential people in the world of astronomy. Like Christopher Go, a world class and NASA acknowledge astronomer. A Filipino, he hails in Cebu. In his interview on a certain newspaper, he said that coming from a 3rd world country is difficult, especially in the international arena. Others would certainly find it hard to accept the fact that someone, not coming from Russia, Japan or United States is slowly carving his name on the foreheads of the people. They’d say that his fame is not going to last for long, or they’d say “Don’t mind him, his just got nothing to do with his life”. I can also see that it was also a risk for Mr. Go, because if he was wrong about his discovery, many would discriminate him and he’d certainly lose his credibility, but, so much for that.

To most of the people her in the U.P., stargazing is so much a part of their life (you’re only very lucky if you get your parent’s sweet “yes” and they’d sign your permit). I have only attended/joined two out of the three overnights or must I say stargazing, and I must tell you, I didn’t get bored. Who would get bored with the noise? If you can sense that you are sleepy you can go to the leader and watch whatever movie is playing there. If you think you’re hungry, you can eat. There is always someone hired to provide food for those “annoying” stomachs. With regards to the security, you don’t really have to worry. There are security guards, and besides, if the gate is already closed, no one is allowed to go inside and you’re also not allowed to go out.

So, what are you waiting for, come and join us. Watch as the stars bring happiness to each and everyone. %!?$ '*' -^^- '*' $?!%