An Inquisition of Erudition

Dear reader, I suppose that you have come across the term "research" but have you ever experienced conceiving one? Well, if you don not know or haven't cross upon the term research then I'll grudgingly give you its definition. Research is a diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/research). Hard to understand eh? Well, its your problem, not mine. Anyway, I'm gonna expose to you a research which was extensively scrutinized and analyzed by experts when it comes to this encumbrance.

This research was formulated by four teens who unconsciously came across the terms peanut, sand and hollow block. I'm one of those four, for your information. If you're asking why these terms have something to do with research, it is because the terms are the main components of the research entitled: "Peanut Pods Ashes as Substitute for Sand in Making Hollow-blocks". Having trouble analyzing the title? Then I'll give you the benefit of explaining to you what our research is all about. Our research is about substituting the peanut pod ashes with sand in making hollow blocks. I suppose that you understand what peanut pod ashes are? These are burnt residues of burned peanut pods. Peanut pod ashes are suppose to have the binding agent that are also found in sand, but the only difference is that peanut pod ashes are considered waste and are quite more cheap than buying sand. We all know that the world is advancing almost as rapid as a galloping horse and that is one of the reasons why using these peanut pod ashes crawled up to our minds. We presumed that using this isn't only gonna help the problem of waste management but also the strength of residential and commercial buildings. Isn't that quite an act for a Nobel peace prize category? After such brainstorming and discussions, we finally arrived at the point of making one. It was laborious, having to measure each factors equally but of course, researches has its imperfections and so is ours. Each of its the hollow blocks that we made had different ratios: 100% peanut pod ashes only, 75% peanut pod ashes and 25% sand, 50% peanut pod ashes and 50% sand, 25% peanut pod ashes and 75% sand and 100% sand only. Each of these hollow blocks are measured equally and its ratios are distributed equally also. After such a hard task, we let all our hollow blocks dry but unfortunately, the 100% peanut pod ashes only and the 75% peanut pod ashes and 25% sand collapsed, leaving with only three ratios. After the hollow blocks were seeped out of their wetness and were ultimately dried, we brought it to a testing center where we plan to weigh its compressive strength, or the strength of the hollow block to be compressed until it breaks. After we got the results, it was found out that the 25% peanut pod ashes and 75% sand had the greatest compressive strength, meaning, putting a small amount of the peanut pod ashes unto the hollow block could improve its strength but of course, the results were still questionable due to the number of samples available for each. In our case, we only had one for each.

Researches are needed by everyone. A lot of researches are conducted here and there and one sample for it, are the stem cells. Researches are needed for the betterment of everyone's lives. A lot of people are needing advancements yet these researches for advancement can't be made possible without the help of ourselves. In the end, we, ourselves, are the ones who are helping our own selves. So, we must be proud that among all the creations, we are given the ability to think rationally and critically. Until then, Monsieur Aronnax.

A Mortiferous Mishap

Greetings, my dear friend. I presume that you have read my previous recollection entitled: "A Demented Feat" because if you haven't, then you I advise you to go back and read it first, for this is a continuation of a ghastly recollection. Now, where were we last time? Oh, I remember now. Was it the aftershock of the grim actions made by dear Courage to the girls of platoon Babaytan? Correct, isn't it? Now, let us continue then.

After a gruesome action was committed by the inconsiderate "Courage", all the girls where expressing their thoughts and feelings in relation to what they had experienced under the excruciating leadership of Courage. Three of the girls: April Mae, Jessa and Jezza was so fatigued that they were close to collapsing and some were crying their lungs out. What's worse is that one of the Babaytan girls, named Gayle, became once again the victim of the cunning thief of IV-Tan. They all shouted for Courage to go inside the classroom and explain his side of the story. As he went inside the classroom, rage and fury burst from all the girls of the platoon, Babaytan. Another unexpected happened, Jezza collapsed because she could not bear the pain she is experiencing and was rushed quickly to the infirmary. As the commotion grew into a turmoil, Courage suddenly shouted, "I DEMAND FOR RESPECT!" which shocked almost half of the people inside the room. For me, his wish can't be exercised because he himself could not respect his fellow classmates. If that's the case, how could his classmates pay respect to him? After such a boisterous discussion, everyone agreed to leave this matter for now and conduct an open forum on a Monday, for our CWTS period is only on a friday. We all left the campus both irate and overworn, swearing vengeance secretly against Courage.

As we walked down a gangway named Molave, a close friend of mine, AJ, joked about being crashed by a car. I laughed about it and I never expected it that I could be a victim of colliding with a huge jitney. After we rode a jitney from Ayala to "Highway", me and Aj went down the vehicle as it slowed down at the center of the road, never expecting that a jitney was speeding along the part where I was standing. I was bearing a huge smile when I was bumped by the jitney, i felt a piercing pain at the back part of my hips. It was painful, as if you were rammed at the back by a rhinoceros. The pain was indescribable, all my things actually flew right out of my hand and I was tossed forward and landed at my buttocks. I was glad not to have any injuries at all, only a scratch at both my elbows. I was queried by the guilty driver if I was all right and I said "yeh", my pride overpowering me, as I experienced the continuing pain at the back of my hips. I never imagined, even in the wildest of my dreams that I could collide with a thing as big as a school bus. After such a torturous event, I went home, still experiencing the pain that the crash had afflicted upon me, like a curse of a hag, only that this time, no spells were used against me. I went to bed and thanked God for giving me a second life this time, if not, then you won't be reading this recollection at all. Till next time, my friend. Monsieur Aornnax.

A Demented Feat

Dear reader, if you had look upon this entry by mistake, then you are quite ominous because you are about to read a pestilential recollection. These are just the baneful things you might come across in this recollection: a jitney, an aching back, a flock of girls crying and an implacable officer. So, before you might read this awful recollection, I recommend you to close this window abruptly and find something more worthwhile to read, say, a boring biography of a Nobel peace prize winner or an essay on "Global Warming".

It was a warm and humid March 9 when a lot of terrible things happened. Even though it was Kim's birthday, a classmate of mine, was not spared from the barbarous incidents that happened during that appalling day. Everyone never thought that this day will be one of the most controversial episodes that happened in the 4 years of the batch. It all started on an ardent CWTS period, where everyone was busy carrying chairs to and fro from the Benton and Palma rooms towards the Arts and Sciences building. After such a laborious task, each of the officers assigned to the platoons called out the members of the platoon to file in and report to them immediately. One officer, "Courage" (not his real name), was assigned to an all girls platoon, the platoon Babaytan. After some of the Babaytan members filed in to report, Courage happened to notice that all the girls were not complete, and saw that some of the girls of Babaytan that didn't filed in were just leisurely walking towards the area where all the platoons were placed. The girls didn't noticed that they were summoned by the officer so after about 30-40 counts, that was just the time that they noticed that they were being called upon by the officer, Courage. It was only after 51 counts when they were all in line and ready to report. It is in the CWTS's law that when the officer exceeds his/her counting after 15 counts, he/she would subtract 15 from the exceeded counts and let them do a punishment, may it be push-ups (for boys), bombers (for girls), knock your head (for both) or sit on the air (for both). In the case of Babaytan, they were given 36 bombers. Why? If your good in mathematics, then you can answer why: 51-15, remember? Isn't 41 bombers easy? It could be, if your not in a state where blood gushes out from your v_____ effortlessly or in other words, your having menstruation. The harsh part is, that Courage, even asked who was experiencing a tormenting menstruation that time. A lot of the girls raised their hands but surprisingly, he ignored it and continued giving them ALL 36 bombers, regardless if your having a troublesome menstruation or not. He doesn't care.

After such all the brutal action was exhibited, all the girls went back to the room and guess what happened? It was an outburst of emotions, it was like a fusion of hatred, madness, pain, sadness and sympathy. It was like you were trapped in a room full of souls, agonizing in pain, burning in the flames of hell. Do you think what happened after that terrifying clamor? Then you should be patient, for I am to narrate it in my next entry entitled: "A Mortiferous Mishap". Until we meet again, my good friend. Monsieur Aronnax.

A Bodacious Legacy

Dear reader, ever thought of how you could never be forgotten by your family and friends? If you had, how would you do it? Jump from a 50-storey skyscraper in front of your family and friends or submit yourself to a pack of hungry wolves? If that's the case, then you will be remembered as an idiot somebody who was tore apart from limb to limb. Be a Nobel peace prize winner or be a national hero? Or just be yourself and do nothing? If you have no answer to these tormenting questions, then I advise you to close this window and quickly turn off the computer, so that you won't be consumed and be devoured by your own thoughts, literally.

If you were to ask me, I want to be remembered as somebody who left high school that was true to himself and was never ashamed of his imperfections. I am a person who is so happy-go-lucky and optimistic, a proof that I am a very confident person. I am not and will never be pessimistic in any way because I am a person who brings laughter and gaiety and not doom or despair. I want my classmates to think of me as a person full of dignity and never gave up on problems, instead, just laughed it all away or in short, brave. I was never ashamed of what I am and I am proud of it. I am unique in some way and I know that my classmates do think so too. I want to prove to them that I am an individual that will leave footprints in their hearts and I hope I could do that, and if I could, I hope it would not wash away, like footprints in the sand. Someday, when a classmate would open our yearbook and arrive at my profile, I would like to see her smile and say to herself: "I will never remember this guy because he had proved himself that he is what he really is and because he had put a mark on my heart and that is the greatest gift he had given me, friendship".

Being remembered is a great achievement in life because everything that I had done is appreciated and recognized. It isn't only honor and prestige but also gratitude because those I have left behind are thankful because I became a part of their lives. I have been there with them through all the dark and lambent times and I myself am proud of that. Being remembered is a proof that you are existing and that you have left a rubric impression on them, your friends. Jumping off a 50-storey skyscraper isn't enough to be remembered because you can only be remembered not only just by putting yourself on front of posters and books but imprinting yourself on each and every one's heart that you had met and becamse friends with. Even though your face isn't on a statue or a pedestal, be proud that your sparkling self is engraved on the memories of each and every one. That is all, for I am quite lethargic right now. Monsieur Aronnax.

An Ulterior Affection

Dear reader, once again, we meet. Have you ever had a relationship with someone yet, there was someone who would never get out of your head? Ever felt the feeling of true love? If not, then you're so unfortunate as to not experiencing the feeling that only a feeling can explain. If your answer is a yes, then your life is quite fortunate. Having felt love and to love at the same time is a gift from God that could never taken from you, so treasure it as if it was your life but beware, the next paragraph is full of gloomy opinions. If you are courageous enough to read the next paragraph, then you are courageous just like a knight in front of a fire-breathing dragon, ready to fight for your life.

Loving someone is such a complicated task but what is more complicated is when you love two or more than that at the same time. What do you think about that? Isn't the girl just as stupid as a stegosaurus? For me, loving more than one isn't stupidity or foolishness, it is just an urge that even you could not stop it. Love is a simple word but its meaning is so intricate that it could be compared to a labyrinth, where a lot could go in but only few could ever go out. Some consumed by obsession or extreme love for someone.

The Look
Strephon kissed me in the spring,

Robin in the fall,

But Colin only looked at me

And never kissed at all.
Strephon's kiss was lost in jest,

Robin's lost in play,

But the kiss in Colin's eyes

Haunts me night and day.
-- Sara Teasdale

In the poem "The Look" by Sara Teasdale ,the girl had a relationship with two guys, Strephon and Robin. Yet, what was confusing about it was that, she is actually falling in love with Colin, whom she does not even have a relationship with. Isn't that actually possible? Of course, love is unexpecting, it just sprouts out of nowhere, like a mushroom on a fallen, dead log. Love, is both deadly and vivacious. Deadly, as in literally, because a lot of persons that are excessively in love with another commit suicide because of some reasons that they could not accpet. Vivacious, on the other hand, because it is full of laughter and joy because love is a feeling that is beyond imagination. Being in love isn't a curse but a blessing because it is given to a few people who are worthy of receivng it. Love is unexplainable, even scholars nor scientists couldn't explain the behavior of love. Dictionaries could explain the word "love" but only those who are experiencing love could explain to us the real meaning of the word "love". We can't also judge those persons who fell in love at the wrong time, place and person because it is not their fault why they fell in love at the first place, they just simply met "love" along the way, an acquaintance, never knowing that "love" could be a part in their lives. Loving is being courageous because you have to have the courage the consequences of being in love because there are only two things that may happen to you: extreme happiness or a mournful death. This is all for now, till next time. Monsieur Aronnax.

A Grandiose Evening (Part 2)

We meet again, my dear friend. I presume that you had read the first part of what I am going to continue to type down, right? If your answer is no, then go back and find the entry with the title: "A Grandiose Evening (Part 1)". If you can't seem to find it their there are only two reasons why: its either you are blind or you just lack skills in looking for it. Anyway, if you had read the first entry, then I'll continue from where we left off. Umm, where did we just left off? Oh yes, my idiotic self claiming the legacy of Bibliophilia, I suppose? Okay, brace yourself for we are to dive into my recollections once again.

Okay, to continue what I was talking about, I was there, standing up with a blank expression on my face, it was as if my inner self was left in my house. I was petrified on the ground with faces staring at me, waiting for me to move. It was after some microseconds when I awoke in my senses and I terrifyingly received the enclosed letter that was handed down to me by the Senior. After all the legacies were given, we were given a salutation and frankly, I felt that I was special and I have a special attribute in my self. We went back to our seats and I was congratulated by my friends at our table and the next activity presumed. It was the lighting of the significant candle at the center of our table. After such a glorious event, the giving of tributes followed. This activity is characterized by giving the graduating Seniors a thing that they could treasure for as long as they like, in the Juniors' case, potpourri. After a solemn event, we sang our song for the Seniors, which they enjoyed a lot. After the last activities were finished, including the promenade dance, one of our teacher announced that it was time for the disco and we all cheered, hearing the good news.

The disco started with a rather slow song, intended for all the lovers inside the ballroom. It was really silent, except for a few whispers from various persons who could not relate to the lovers. The following tracks were enjoyable and full of life so all the people inside the room danced their way to the middle of the room and spent their time shaking their hips and twisting their bodies as if they were twisted Bristle cone Pines. After several songs were played, some went back to their seats, exhausted and hungry. Some went back to the buffet table to grab some food. It was really fun due to the interaction between the Juniors and Seniors that night. Both the Junior and Seniors boys were having a showdown, where some crawled and tumbled. After such a exhausting activity, the event ended and all of us went home, enjoyed and satisfied, especially the Juniors because for twice in their lives they had and they will experience the same feeling again, the feeling of friendship and bonding between the two year levels but before I could be found out lamenting and whimpering because of the said event, I would end this and once again, thank you for reading this recollection. Monsieur Aronnax.

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.