Farewell

        So many things has happened during this semester that I was not even expecting some of it. I knew for one that English has been one of my favorite subjects since I was in High School but I did not expect it to continue till College. Before our first meeting with Professor Mabuan, I thought that English would be one of the boring subjects that I was having this semester. But Mr. Mabuan proved me wrong.

        I did not know what was in him but every time he enters the room he got me listening to everything that he has to say. I learned a lot from him considering that he is a great teacher who never fails to amuse and educate us at the same time. There was never a dull moment with him. Even though I know that our attitude is not at its best, he still has a lot of patience left enough to joke around. I gained a lot more confidence in myself than before and I learned how to communicate better using the English language. During this semester, I also gained friends whom I never thought I would have and built a strong relationship with them.

        I was able to improve myself in every different ways and one of it was through listening to my Professors. I know that this semester is coming to an end but for me it is just the start of a new chapter in my College life that will lead me to a bright tomorrow.

Too Late to Regret

       During our discussion about a new topic, our professor asked us to narrate one of the touching moments that happened in our lives. I was about to do what is asked but I thought twice. It came to me that what I had in my mind was not so touching; rather, it was a moment that I dreadfully regret.

       About six years ago, my Father suddenly got ill. We later found out that it was Lung Cancer and it was already on its later stages. I thought that maybe it was really bound to happen since he often drank alcohol and smoked regularly. The Doctor said that he would probably last year or just a couple of months. But I was just at the tender age of ten and was not ready to lose any of my parents yet. So every time I was in front of them I pretended that it was just like the normal days. Seeing him at home with a dextrose stuck on one of his arm while trying to hide his pained expression hurt me the most but I did not let them see through me. I did everything I could to forget that he might leave us so soon and told myself that if I pray enough and ask God nicely then maybe he would prolong my Father’s life.

       It was that day when I woke up seeing my Mom and Dad cuddling each other that I started feeling a bit nervous. I knew for one thing that my parents were not the type of couple who often expresses their affection towards each other. They were always the casual type of couple. After doing some of our daily tasks I decided to take an afternoon nap. Later that day, I was awoken by the noises that came from the first floor of our house. Feeling a lot more stable, I forced myself out of bed and went downstairs only to find everyone in a mess. I asked them why they were were all panicking and looked for my parents but they were nowhere to be found. My grandparents told me that my Dad was taken to the hospital because he cannot take the pain anymore and was vomiting nonstop. I felt myself getting cold as I went back to my room denying myself of the possibility that my Father might not make it back home anymore.

        My grandparents tried to convince me to come to the hospital and see my Dad but I was so stubborn. Too afraid of what I might witness, I rejected all of their offers. Until that time of the night when I suddenly felt the urge to go and visit him. I started getting nervous again when we arrived at the hospital. It felt like my heart will come out my chest with every step that I take. I was ready to see him and tell him how much he means to me. I was ready to say the things I was not able to tell him before. But I guess I was too late because as I opened the door to his room, I saw my Father lying in the the hospital bed, lifeless. My heart began to shatter into pieces as tears began to roll down my cheeks like a waterfall.  It was a price I knew I had to pay for being so stubborn, and for being such a selfish little brat who only thinks about herself. I felt so awful because I was not there for him when he needed me most. I was so scared of what could happen that I did not even think of my Father’s feelings anymore.

        From that moment, I knew I could not take back what has been done. He was gone. I told myself that he was never coming back. He was not able to see or talk to me even in his last breath. I denied my Father of his right to see his daughter before he left this world and I hate myself for that. Up until now I could not help but cry whenever I remember that day. But it’s too late for everything, too late to regret.

English Week Events

        Last Friday, we were asked to watch an impromptu speech competition that was held at Lyceum's Mini Theater. The topic given was mainly about the relevance of using correct and proper grammar specially in this modern technological era. Although I felt that the participants were somehow a bit nervous, I still think that they all did well. There are just some people who really caught my attention because of their oozing confidence and their mastery with regards to the task given.
        After the contest, my friends and I went to see the Literary Exhibit that was being held at the second floor of the school's building. There were a lot of booths that were subject to every country's literature. Some of the country were Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, and many more.
        All in all, I was impressed to see how my fellow Lyceans carry out all their given tasks well. And I was glad to witness that kind of event.

What Would Happen Next?

        Let's just say that my friends and I waited for a long time to see this drama version of EXO's music video titled "WOLF". And after watching the video I can say that it was fairly good. I didn't expect the actors to act in such a way that you wouldn't even think that they were actually singers. I am not saying this to sound biased but I think they did a great job in editing the video, specially the song remix. It got me curious as to what will happen next because the video was yet tot be continued. I just wish that they could focus even in the simplest details so that they could make a perfect and much realistic music video.

It was About A Mermaid's Tale After All

        This year, the Korean Boy band named EXO released their comeback album titled "XOXO". One of the songs that were included in it was a song called "Baby Don't Cry". The song caught my attention since the time they used a part of it as an accompaniment for their teaser videos before their debut. I really liked the song even if I know that it was just a portion and still incomplete, I didn't even have any idea of what it was about.

        When EXO's album was released, "Baby Don't Cry" was the first song I listened to. And to my utter surprise, it became much more better than before. I was so curious as to what the song was about so I surfed the Internet till I found what I was looking for. I also found the English lyrics for the song.

        It turns out that the concept of the song came from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid". Then it all came out to me, that was why the song held such a strong feeling of regret and sorrow. It was like a point of view of the Prince after he realized that the Mermaid was the person he was looking for. But it was too late for him to change his mistakes because the Mermaid already turned into foam. I think that the boys of EXO did a really good job of showing the Prince's feelings using their voices. The strong and powerful voices of each vocalist formed a perfect harmony and did justice to the song that a tear began to fall from my eye after knowing the story behind a mermaid's tale.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE_OghBImxA

Improved Discipline

        The Million People March took place last August 26, 2013 at the Luneta Park. It has been witnessed by many that a lot of concerned citizens attended the event. But the big surprise was that the venue was almost though not entirely litter-free. Unlike the past outcome of the venue of other events, Luneta was not that trashed after the march. It was even seen that most people brought their own plastic bags to throw their trash to. And that was a positive thing for me to see my fellow citizens show their improved discipline.

A Fight Against Corruption

        Our country has long been invaded by corrupt politicians ever since then but people were afraid to take actions. But I was surprised to see how many people attended the Million People March last August 26, 2013. I guess the society can’t take the negative effects that it brings after all. In my opinion it was really a great start to show the government that we citizens are concern about our country too. Someday we will be able to live better.

Has His Dream Finally Come True?

        It has been a total of fifty long years since Martin Luther King, Jr. made his speech in Lincoln Memorial at Washington D.C. He was an activist, and the leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement who was known for using non-violent actions for the advancement of civil rights.

        

        On August 28, 1963 MLK was able to deliver an unforgettable speech about freedom and inequality. He bravely voiced his dreams of having equality between the black and white people, hoping that all the racism and discrimination would stop. King, together with his followers called for freedom without any delays. However, he still wished to obtain his goals without violent actions.

        It is true that the act he made fifty years ago made a lot of Americans see some sense but has his dream of having a unified country finally come true? If you try to ask me, I would probably say no.

        

        The degree of disparity in their country may have declined since the day King delivered his speech though as far as I can see, they are still far from being a racist-free society. His dream up until now may have not entirely come true but I believe that in time people will change for the better in order to reach the dream he once dreamt.