A Unaccustomed Learning

Dear reader, I am in a festive mood because our paths had crossed again. I am to narrate to you a more serious topic and I know you'll be bored and all but I hope you can still have the time to lock your weary eyes on the screen. What I am about to discuss in this entry doesn't concern you yet it concerns me so, if you don't want to read this, then you should close this window and open another one.

It happened in a normal day, anything normal as usual but I happened to forget an important school activity. This activity is quite funny and at the same time informative because ordinary students like me(*a clue to my identity*), have the chance to be one of the faculty or one of the staff for a day or two. Well, isn't that exciting and creepy? You're actually seeing your good-natured classmates teaching you the lesson for the day! Now, could you stop your thought from drifting in the clouds and ponder this: "Could you really see your classmate as your respected teacher for a day?"

As the bell rang for the first subject, we were expecting the unexpected and of course, the unfamiliar. It was bizarre looking at our new teacher, a very common countenance that because we see him everyday, we could almost see the lines etched on his face, describing maturity and escaping adolescence and into adulthood. It was and odd feeling, looking at a classmate that was discussing a rather boring topic but the adjective "boring" was wiped from our minds and we were just staring at him with large, window-like eyes, stunned because of his strange demeanour. It was as if he was morphed into an organism who was utterly serious and very dedicated, in the sense that he is concerned with his so-called students, even for a day. It was a good thing that students were given a chance to be one of the faculty or the staff so that they could experience the annoyance when their students become too noisy and also the responsibility that they should teach their students with full care, as though the students were fragile and breakable. It guess it was a happy and at the same time, a peculiar experience. Besides the fact that it was strange listening to our own classmates, it was also a fun experience because we were fond of of looking at our classmates, faces strained because we were not giving such respect that we, as students, should give to our beloved teachers, who works everyday just to see our dreamy faces and talk the whole period, never knowing who's listening and aren't.

We should give our thanks and respect to our industrious teachers for their indefatigable patience and love for teaching. They had loved us and will never forget us because they had teached and cared for us for at least a year. They had exhibited hardwork, passion and love for both their work and their students. Imagine you, as a teacher, always looking at your students everyday without being bored or tired at your job. Isn't it frustrating just to make a lesson plan for your ungrateful students? Well, that is my question and it is up to you if you would answer that question or you would leave that to the others. That is all, I think. Monsieur Aronnax.

A Grandiose Evening (Part 1)

Dear my avid reader, I hope you are not getting tired of reading my ramblings and complaints to this world, but before I totally destroy my day just thinking of some petty discouragements because of this world, I would like to tackle on something more beautiful, magical and enchanting. I am talking about an event, an event that is naturally splendid and dainty. An event that is totally unforgettable. An event that is called the "Senior-Junior Promenade".

It was a warm February afternoon when the wind elemental whipped up my face as I rode with my father on our motorcycle. It was not the coldness of the wind whipping my face that are sending shocks down my spine but something else, something unexpected, something magical and I was about to experience it. As we nearly arrived at the said venue, I saw a towering giant, looming towards me like a titan looking at me with blaring eyes, ready to tear me from limb to limb but I disredarded it, I was not afraid, I was ready to face the horrible being and so I did. Me and my father went at the front of its mouth and I bade farewell to my father and I went inside the titan's mouth. As I was about to enter, I was expecting to see rows of teeth and a huge muscular tongue yet what I saw was different, very different. I saw ladies and gentlemen, wearing tuxedos and splendid gowns as if they were all lords and ladies attending a social ball. Our hall was at the second floor so I have to walk up the stairs and be stared by hundreds of people wondering what the heck was I doing there, walking up the elegant stairs, very well suited for a social gathering. As I reached the last step of the stairs, I was greeted with warm smiles by my classmates. I was excited and at the same time nervous of what was about to happen next.

Prior to the said event, we, the Juniors and the Seniors had been taught proper etiquette, the promenade dance and other activities which are needed for a promenade night to take place. After we were designated to our partners, we readied ourselves for the inevitable. As practiced, we first studied the introduction of the females and their escorts where the lady and her partner would "strut" their selves on an elevated platform and after mastering those so-called skills, we were taught how to do the promenade dance, which was a little bit confusing, especially the "exchanging partners" step. After which, we were branded as "ready-to-go" or in other words, we were ready for the awaited Promenade night.

Going back to the event proper, I was a little bit ecstatic about the coming night because of course, it was my first time to participate in such a formal event and it was also my first time to wear a formal attire, with the long sleeves, black slacks and the necktie. After becoming awed with myself and after the introduction of the ladies and their escorts, we all went to our designated tables but me and my friend, Jann Krystel del Mar, was still not going to our tables because we were both to lead the Opening Address and the Opening Prayer, respectively. After such necessities, supper was ready and we relish the delicious foods with gusto. After supper, we lingered in our tables for the opening of the second program, which involves the Prophecy and the Legacy. I was a "dubber" in our prepared prophecy and I was glad that the Seniors were joyful with our presentation, where we prophecized the Seniors 10 or 20 years from now. After the comical presentation of the Juniors prophecy, it was the Seniors' turn to hand down the legacies to us, Juniors. There were 19 legacies, all and all and all the Juniors were excited to what the legacies are and to whom they would give the legacies. I was ecstatic, yet I did not hope of receiving any legacy because I wasn't that popular or known to the Seniors, so I just sat in my sat and waited patiently. After several legacies, one legacy struck me most, the Legacy of Bibliophilia or the "love of books". I love books and it is a part of me that I couldn't live without. A part of me wanted that legacy but I think there are more people in my batch that deserves it the most, one example was my bestfriend, Bryan, who was known to be quite a reader and another part of me doesn't want to expect that it would be me. I was expecting that Bryan would receive the legacy, so I was unconscious when Kirby, the previous legacy-holder, announced the person who would receive the legacy because I was too absorbed in my thoughts. I was told by my partner that I was the receiver of the legacy and I stood up, unconscious of what I was doing and not knowing what an inescapable event awaits me. Till next time. Monsieur Aronnax.

A Jovial Connection

We meet again, my dear reader. I presume that you have read my two other recollections because this is still a continuation of the other two which are entitled: "A Sublime Reminiscence" and "A Rapturous Continuance", which are all about my high school life. Hope you can still delve and bear these recollections that I am about to show you. Relax and enjoy, then.

As I continue to walk on the path of maturity and awakening to the true colors of this ill-stricken world, I never noticed that I was in my third year in my high school journey. My third year came with ill-fortune. We were to encounter the most ardous subjects which includes Statistics, Trigonometry and Research. Not to mention our advance study of Chemistry and Biology. We all braced for our upcoming doom but instead of being afraid, we welcomed it with smiles and full of mirth. Call our batch idiots but we were too opmistic to mind those horrid subjects. This year was the best year of my life because I had the privilege to experience the Junior-Senior Promenade, an event where all the juniors and seniors had to place aside there nasty behaviors and be formal like lords and ladies in a royal banquet. Another was our Research project where it is required for the third years to come up with a project with connection to Science and Technology. I also experienced my first love during this year. I had a lot of small expeirences that I would treasure too, even small chats with my peers.

I was designated in a section full of serious and ambitious people. The once section Benton was divided between the sections, Bocobo and Sison. Sison was the bunch of noisy ones. Almost all of them were carefree but in our section, I was like in a dank cell with all the most hideous villains staring at me(no offense!). Our section was serious and totally concerned on winning activities but I still like the section because I was given the chance to mingle with a lot of personalities. Life in my third year was like a roller-coaster. Emotions rise and fall and the section almost fell apart because of a stupid play. Accidentally, two of the persons who were fighting that moment, became lovers. Believe it or not(*laughs*). I was totally shocked with the various personalities but still, I had adjust to the lot and the section was tied and bonded strongly. After a series of arguments, debates and programs, we all arrived to the most dreaded day of our lives. The Research project proposal. My research project was all about candles and my extra component, gelatin. I had discovered that gelatin could help decelarate the melting rate of candles because the gelatin has a property that could help slow down the melting rate of candles. Yet, my research proposal was not accepted because it was too easy and the variables are too few.

Even though my proposal wasn't accepting, I'm still happy to graduate without any worries and with my friends. It is so star-crossed that we have to leave a good friend and and batch mate, the ever-tactless Robert. Yet, what I learned from this year is to be patient and industrious because with these, we can really have what we desire. I had learned to be more discreet when it comes to criticizing because a lot could be hurt in the long run. I also learned that friendship is special and we all companions to guide and help us in our troubles and worry. This is my third year in my high school. My life. Me, Monsieur Aronnax.

A Rapturous Continuance

Good day to you my friend, I hope you have read my recollection on my first year of my high school. If not, then would you please close this window or press back so that you could read my previous recollection. This is merely a continuation of my high school life. What I would retell you in this recollection is my Sophomore year. Hope you would again bear to delve in my recollections. Good day to you.

My life continued with laughter and tears in my second year as a Sophomore. I was designated in a section called Benton. Benton was a section full of interesting and comical people. The section was always laughing due to out-of-place jokes omitted by my classmates both from sections Villamor and Bartlett(First Years Sections). Our section was composed of funny and humorous people from both sections. There was no day where we wouldn't laugh because of "corny" jokes. We were a bunch of happy-go-lucky teens as if we had no problems in this complicated world. We always lose to Palma(sorry if I have to say this..*laughs*). I presume because we were always taking things so lightly not like the other section which was full of intelligent and "responsible" people. Although this section was the most immature of all, I love this section because of the joys and sadness it brought to my own self.

In this year, we were not given a Botanical Fair not like the previous batch during the Science Week because of no apparent reason, but we were all thankful for that. Intramurals also came with a new pressure, we had to get the third place because it would be a huge scandal if we lost to the first years. I was again given the chance to play my most favored sport, table tennis and I was also a contender of scrabble. It was also this year where I received the biggest failure of my life. My failed grade in Geometry where I got a grade of 73. I felt very ashamed because I took the subject too lightly. It was humiliating. It was as if I was criticized by the whole school for getting a disgusting 73. The only lacking thing to do on that part of my life was to cover myself in a blanket and disappear in a swirl of robes. I wanted to become invisible for a moment, just to escape the judgmental looks because I was too fatuous in Geometry. On that day on, I cursed the subject and said to myself that I would prove myself worthy of appreciation on that wretched subject.

In this year, I learned to be more competent and serious when it comes to both curricular and extra-curricular activities. I learned to be more appreciative of the beauty of being an adolescent but again, I was too immature to see the beauty of being in love. I experienced the best days of my high school life in this year. Sadly, we have to say goodbye to two of our batchmates: the court hearthrob, Brent and the silent but brilliant Bea. Wherever they are, may God shine upon them. This is the story of my Sophomore life. Full of laughter and jokes. Full of sobs and comforts. Monsieur Aronnax

A Sublime Reminiscence

We meet again, dear reader. Can I ask a question? Have you ever reminisced something in your pastlife? An embarassing moment, the happiest moment of your life or the most memorable? If you ask me(even though I hate to admit it), I do reminisce a lot. This is what I'm gonna be doing right now my friend, I would be reminiscing my elementary and high school life. I would like to invite you to delve in my past and relive my memories. Hope you can come. I would really appreciate it.

Elementary, a time of my life where I was foolish and at the same time, unaware of the present condition of my surrondings. My life revolved on going to school, studying and going back to our house. I was never given the chance to relish my elementary years because I was very immature at that time. Even though I was full of medals and praises, I felt that there was something inside of me incomplete, it's like being a jigsaw puzzle with only one piece left to complete but was unfortunately lost. I couldn't find myself, I was totally left in a state of confusion. I was thankful when I arrived in grade 6, I was slowly understanding and discovering myself with the help of my friends. My life in elementary was a stepping stone in realizing my inner self and it helped me to truly understand what is my life's worth.

Elementary came so fast that I though it was all in a blur. High school came with an another problem: "How could I cope up with the new surroundings and people in my new school?" I felt like a newfangled outlander in a distant land, a stranger in an unknown world. Yet, I still remember my first day in my new school. I was subjected to new people, new faces and new selves. I was never that lonely and alone that time. I was like in a black, endless void: dark, dank and eerie but somehow, the darkness was vanquished and a ray of light hit my forehead like a bullet. I looked at it and what I saw where a group of persons beaming at me with huge smiles. What a wondrous sight! That's when I first met my friends today. They were like titans with a genuine brilliance, angels sent out to delete the darkness of my life. I was in my first year in high school and I was in a section named after a president of my school, Villamor.

Villamor was a section of the various specimens I had never thought existed. An interaction of intelligence, talent, gab and confidence was clearly evident in this section. This was the section with a chairman with the name of "Chairman", it is quite peculiar but we got used to it that until this day, we call Michael, "Chairman". I was given the oppurtunity to exhibit my talents in speaking when I won first place in an oratorical contest during our Communications Week. I also got the chance to experience my first Science Congress and Science Fair. These were two important occasions where we have to think of a science problem to be given a solution. Our science project was a candle made up of wax and coconut oil. It was a total success because some of the 2nd years that time bought it for their Botanical Fair, their project for Biology. I also experienced my first Intramurals with laughter and enjoyment. I was a player for table tennis where we won last place(*laughs*). I also found my three bestfriends during the year. We named ourselves as the F4 ("Futot 4") because the F4 mania was still rampant throughout the country. I also had my first crush(*smiles*). Unfortunately, two of my classmates fell behind us. The funny caricature, Caryl Kit and the silent giant, John Saint. Still, at the end of the schoolyear, I learned to adjust to a variety of people, to live with content and to love for the first time. This is my Freshman life and the start of a journey where bad and good experiences intertwine with each other. Monsieur Aronnax

The Veracious Companions

Greetings reader, haven't you ever had any friends to turn to in times of grief, desperation and loneliness? If you haven't, then that is really grievous but if you have, aren't you thankful for them? If you ask me, I am greatly thankful for these mammals that I treat as friends. I believe that you too, are greatful for them. I'll slit my throat, if not.

Friends, a word that signifies persons who are attached to me and you by affection. Isn't "affection" the word that is closely related to love? Can it be love? It could be considered. Why? Because it involves the heart. Friends are persons whom you can depend and rely to. You can present your secrets to them as though you were just handing out presents. You can even shout all your problems to them and they are all ready to receive those negative insults just because they consider you as their friend. Haven't you ever realized how evil you are to your friends? Yet, they are there to support and lend a hand. Hard eh? Yet again, when the heart is involved, all your imperfections are nothing to your friends. Some friends can even be your lovers, because they know all about you: your favorites, allergies and sicknesses. Even your childish dreams and fantasies! You are accepted as you are, even though you are a teenage drama queen or the world's most bullied person, they are there beside you, cheering you up and saying, "Hey, you still have us."

Friends are considered one of a person's treasures. They may not be made of gold or ivory or can not be sold or traded, but still it is considered as a treasure. Friends are persons who are dependable and trustworthy. Just give them a call or a shout, and there they are, running to comfort you. Cute isn't it? But cuteness may be a difficult thing because even friends can become evil artifacts. Some "friends" of yours whom you consider as friends can backbite at you when you are not with them and when you are with them, they become super-friends with huge smiles in their faces. Hideous isn't it? Some "friends" of yours may be the most suitable contender for being your number one enemy. Still, look at the bright side (as long you are not looking athe bright faces of your "plastic" friends). Be thankful because you have these friends to guide and help you in understanding love and friendship. It's a long way but still, your friends can be with you all the way.

To wrap things up, these treasures are to be kept and never be wasted because they are more valuable than all the gold and treasures in the world(it would be an exception if you are that greedy). Friends are people who cares and loves you. Who are always there to protect you and accept you for who you are even though they would have to risk their necks. I am proud of my friends and I love them dearly. I know you also love your friend and for that, "Cheers my friend". Till we meet again. Monsieur Aronnax