Continuation...
There is no research that has found video games to be a primary factor in causing violence or that violent video game play could turn otherwise a normal person into a killer.
Playing computer games is also known to be a social act, here are a few figures.· Almost 60 % of frequent gamers play with friends. · 33% of frequent gamers play with siblings · 25% of frequent gamers play with spouses or parents. If a game player is playing a one player game, there is usually someone there with them watching and giving them advice, this may also be known as playing socially. There are however a lot f games available for multi player and whether ‘the players may be fighting to death on screen and growing closer as friends off screen’. Playing computer games is thought to boost people’s self esteem, “by playing a computer game for five minutes each morning, it would help you feel more secure and confident about yourself”.Three games have been created by researchers at McGill University in Quebec, Canada. The aims of these games are to try to get people to focus on positive, rather than negative, feedback'The results show that people who played the games were more positive and less likely to expect rejection’. 'It is thought that low self-esteem often stems from worries about whether people will be liked and accepted by people around them and these feelings may stem from their own negative feelings’. 'The researchers created computer games aimed at breaking these kind of negative thought patterns through repeated positive messages’. There are is a lot of research to do with computers causing many health problems to children. A BBC correspondent, Christine Stewart suggests that children running the risk of serious injury. Children learning to use computers are being put at risk of permanent injury, is a health warning from experts.It is thought that there are many children who already have health and medical problems due to playing computer games. Some of the problems include; neck ache, back ache, repetitive strain injuries, eyestrain, headache, chest pain, fatigue, mood swings, sleep deprivation.So far, there is no significant research into the risks of repetitive strain injuries among children, who spend hours on computers doing homework or playing games, has been carried out in the UK. Although, doctors are reporting an increase in the number of children who are complaining of computer-related injuries. However it has been recognized as being linked to prolonged computer use and incorrect posture in adults.
Computers weren't always fun. They used to be room sized machines that could do math. Then in the early 1960s, Steve Russell of MIT invented the video game Spacewar and the field blasted off.
Back in the seventies when I started making games, I could spend all my day drawing a line."Now a line is done in a split second, things really have advanced by orders of magnitude.And ever more complex games like Warcraft and Everquest boast virtual worlds where thousands of people can play together simultaneously. These games come with their own set of cultural rules and are quickly becoming one of the most popular activities among adolescents, according to the DIGRA website."For people under 30, they [digital games] are almost an indigenous cultural form," says Jim Gee, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin and a leading researcher on the role video games can play in learning.We are just beginning to understand that digital mediums. It is just considered as a small part of technology.

Leslie ; )

"Effects of Online Games"

Dear Diary,

Nowadays, as technology improves, People especially boys and men are fond of playing computer games.
This review has considered various studies which have investigated the effects of computer games on young children and which have found there to be both positive and negative consequences. Little research has been carried out into non-arcade electronic game playing as this was originally perceived as a harmless and enjoyable pastime. However, with the ever-increasing interest and participation of young children in this activity, much concern has been expressed about the effects of these games on children. Playing these on line games, affects the behavior of every people who play them.
Video and computer games are thought to lead a lot of youth violence. It is thought, ‘according to federal crime statistics, the rate of juvenile violent crime in the United States is at a 30-year low. Researchers find that people serving time for violent crimes typically consume less media before committing their crimes than the average person in the general population’.Scroll shootings in America by young offenders have also be linked to playing violent games. However it must be taken into account that the majority of young children who play violent computer games do not commit crimes.According to a 2001 U.S. Surgeon General's report, the strongest risk factors for school shootings centered on mental stability and the quality of home life, not media exposure.Aggression is also another factor that is usually linked with playing violent computer games.There is a lot of research that tries to prove that violent video games ‘may be more harmful than violent television and movies because of the interactive nature of the games’.By ‘playing violent video games like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D or Mortal Kombat can increase a person's aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviour both in laboratory settings and in actual life, according to two studies appearing in the April issue of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Furthermore, violent video games may be more harmful than violent television and movies because they are interactive, very engrossing and require the player to identify with the aggressor, say the researchers.
Computer games are often used to train soldiers to kill, some people therefore feel that this may have the same impact on their children who play similar games. The ‘former military psychologist and moral reformer David Grossman argues that because the military uses games in training (including, he claims, training soldiers to shoot and kill), the generation of young people who play such games are similarly being brutalized and conditioned to be aggressive in their everyday social interactions’. It is thought that Grossman's model will only work if:
· ‘We remove training and education from a meaningful cultural context. · We assume learners have no conscious goals and that they show no resistance to what they are being taught. · We assume that they unwittingly apply what they learn in a fantasy environment to real world spaces’. '‘The military uses games as part of a specific curriculum, with clearly defined goals, in a context where students actively want to learn and have a need for the information being transmitted. There are consequences for not mastering those skills. That being said, a growing body of research does suggest that games can enhance learning’. James Gee describes game players as active problem solvers who do not see mistakes as errors, but as opportunities for improvement, Gee (2003).Through research it is thought that violent video games may be one risk factor that contributes to violence. It is when it is mixed with other more immediate, real-world influences that it is more likely to contribute to anti-social behavior.

"Global Warming"

Dear Diary,
Base on a report, the country or the whole world is now experiencing a very hot temperature. Even if it is not summer time, the country still sweats a lot. And this could get hotter and hotter as summer will be coming. This is very dangerous. The ozone layer of the earth is having a hole. This is the reason why we are experiencing a very hot climate. And the hole gets bigger and bigger as the heat from the sun comes to earth. And also another reason why, is because the people do not care for their environment. They are very careless. They would just throw their garbages or waste chemicals anywhere especially those at the factory. Some of these goes to the sea, which contaminates the water. In these cases, sea creatures die, and when they die, people whose work or job depends on fishing, will surely loose everything. As the sea water goes above the clouds, they produce acid rain which is very dangerous to the environment.
Last week, we had a symposium about preventing the global warming. We were shown a video about Albert Gore Jr.'s sentiments and caring for the environment. I really idolize this guy. Not only he is smart but he has also o golden heart.
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. Models referenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict that global temperatures are likely to increase by 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) between 1990 and 2100.[1] The uncertainty in this range results from two factors: differing future greenhouse gas emission scenarios, and uncertainties regarding climate sensitivity. Global average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.74 ± 0.18 °Celsius (1.3 ± 0.32 °Fahrenheit) in the last century. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations,"[1] which leads to warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases are released by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, and agriculture. Other phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes have had smaller but non-negligible effects on global mean temperature since 1950.[2] A few scientists disagree about the primary causes of the observed warming. An increase in global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. These changes may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Other consequences include higher or lower agricultural yields, glacier retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors. Warming is expected to affect the number and magnitude of these events; however, it is difficult to connect particular events to global warming. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, even if no further greenhouse gases were released after this date warming (and sea level) would be expected to continue to rise for more than a millennium, since carbon dioxide (CO2) has a long average atmospheric lifetime. Remaining scientific uncertainties include the exact degree of climate change expected in the future, and especially how changes will vary from region to region across the globe. A hotly contested political and public debate also has yet to be resolved, regarding whether anything should be done, and what could be cost-effectively done to reduce or reverse future warming, or to deal with the expected consequences. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at combating global warming.
So while there i still time, let us prevent the world from disasters. Let us learn how to clean the environment. By this way, we could already save the world.

Leslie ; )

"Animal Killing Population"

Dear Diary,

We all know that the animals are very important to us. The creator made them to beautify our world. After he had finished making them all, he told us to take care of them. So now e need to love and care each animal.
But some people could never care for them. They even catch them and tie them or prison them inside a cage. For short, they do not have freedom anymore. And the worst thing people could do to them, is killing. Yes we know that they are helpful to us. Reasons why people kills them is that some parts of their body is helpful. An example is a sheep. Its fur can be used in making coats. The meat as food. The milk as a drink to help us improve our health. But we need not to do this. I have a question. “How many lives can be wasted just for a coat?”. Because of this, a lot of people in the world joined their forces upon depending the rights of every animal. I just read a news about the depending of animal rights. It says that people from different countries came to Italy. All of them were lying on the streets. And they were all naked. Each one of them were bringing banners with the shouts of animal depending. They were not afraid of expressing their feelings and being naked in front of many people.
This lesson asks students to focus on people's innate navigational abilities. They will first read about animal navigation and will then compare animal to human navigational capabilities. They will then create travel brochures for an Outward Bound-style company, providing customers with tips on how to find their way if they get lost and can't rely on their map and compass.
For the first time since 1995, the South African government is advocating killing elephants as one way of controlling growing populations. Without some kind of action, the animals will overburden many of the country's public parks and Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa's minister of environmental affairs and tourism, announced the decision yesterday at Addo Elephant National Park near the city of Port Elizabeth (South Africa map). Van Schalkwyk insisted that culling (killing for management purposes), should be undertaken only as a last resort. "Culling may be used to reduce the size of an elephant population, subject to due consideration of all other population-management options," he said. Among the other options in the proposal are moving elephants to less-crowded areas, expanding parks, and administering contraception—all of which are costly, cumbersome, and not without their own complications. For one thing, the proposal says, elephant contraception's "long-term social, physiological, and emotional impacts on elephants are not yet fully understood, and current contraception methods are highly invasive and should therefore be used with caution." (Related: "African Elephants Slaughtered in Herds Near Chad Wildlife Park" [August 30, 2006].) South Africa's cabinet has already approved the "draft norms and standards for elephant management." The draft is now open for public comment for 60 days before becoming official policy. Though some conservationists decry the proposed policy as inhumane, others welcomed the elephant plan and even characterized the proposal as a bittersweet sign of progress"Our conservation efforts have been too successful," said Graham Kerley, director of the Centre for African Conservation Ecology at South Africa's Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. private reserves, officials and conservationists say.
This was another news I just read in the newspaper. Poor elephants, these creatures will surely cry when they will be hearing the news.

Leslie ; )

"The Existence of Ghosts"

Dear Diary,

Nowadays, or even before, people were already fond in believing on ghosts. But some contradict their beliefs. They say that ghosts are only a part of people's imagination. They could never be true and cannot excist in the living world. But some people and especially those people with a sixth sense could see them. Do you ever believe in ghosts?
A ghost is usually defined as the apparition of a deceased person, frequently similar in appearance to that person, and encountered in places he or she frequented, or in association with the person's former belongings. The word "ghost" may also refer to the spirit or soul of a deceased person, or to any spirit or demon. Ghosts are often associated with haunting, which is, according to the Parapsychological Association, "the more or less regular occurrence of paranormal phenomena associated with a particular locality (especially a building) and usually attributed to the activities of a discarnate entity; the phenomena may include apparitions, poltergeist disturbances, cold drafts, sounds of steps and voices, and various odors. "Ghosts are controversial phenomena. According to a poll conducted in 2005 by the Gallup Organization, about 32% of Americans believe in the existence of ghosts. The term ghost has been replaced by apparition in parapsychology, because the word ghost is deemed insufficiently precise.
A ghost is also an alleged disembodied spirit of a dead person. Ghosts are often depicted as inhabiting haunted houses, especially houses where murders have occurred. Why some murder victims would stick around for eternity to haunt a place while others seem to evaporate is one of the great mysteries of the spirit world.Many people report physical changes in haunted places, especially a feeling of a presence accompanied by temperature drop and hearing unaccountable sounds. They are not imagining things. Most hauntings occur in old buildings, which tend to be drafty. Scientists who have investigated haunted places account for both the temperature changes and the sounds by finding physical sources of the drafts, such as empty spaces behind walls or currents set in motion by low frequency sound waves (infrasound) produced by such mundane objects as extraction fans.Some ghost experiences are attributed to sleep paralysis.
To tell you honestly, I do believe in this creatures. I could sometimes say that they really exist in this living world we are on. Why? Because I already experienced to see one. This really scared me. But what terrefied me most, was when my mother and other relatives share their experiences about ghosts. It just happend last year. It was during November 5, 2006, during the death ceremony of my friend. At the last night of the ceremony, we shared and talked a lot of things about her. While it was already her father's turn in speaking, i heard someone laughing. It was too impossible! All of us inside the chapel were wrapped with silence. As I was going to get a glass of water beside the comfort room, there I saw my friend. She was laughing at us. She was standing at that time beside the priest's dress. At that time, I don't even know how to react about it. I could not speak even a word. But although she was my friend, I would still never wish to see her in person or even any other ghosts.
Leslie ; )

"Women"

Dear Diary,

Today is the month of March, and we are celebrating the women’s month. This month, the color violet, purple, lilac and lavender will shine up in the hearts of every woman.
A woman plays an important role in our lives. They were the one who bore and cared for us in this world. But, some people in the society abuse the rights of every woman. Some could not see, and be contented on what they do for us. A husband and a wife were put together by marriage. They were tied up because of the sacred sacrament called, marriage. But some husbands could not be contented with them. Some of them commit adultery. Some batters them, and worst is killing them. Base on a Presidential Law, women should be respected, loved and cared not only because she is beautiful or rich but love her as the natural woman every person knows.
Way back centuries before we were born and Magellan had not discovered our country, women was the highest rank of people in the society. They were well respected and loved. They were never allowed to work on hard things. They were treated very nice at that time. But when our country and our ancestors were influenced by the colonialist from foreign countries, women were considered as the lowest people of the society. During the American colonialism, women had no right to vote. During the revolutionary periods experienced by our country, women were battered and raped, to serve as punishments to the uprisings of Filipinos.
Just this Friday, during our Reading class, we tackled about women’s month. Our teacher, Miss Ligaya Rabago Visaya, shared a lot of stories about women to us. One was about the treatment of Korean people to women. In a family, the father and the children eat first. After they will have their meals, the mother eats last. When they will walk, the first is the father followed by the children and the last was the mother. Our teacher had her experience on Korean men. They were her students. As they were walking down the street, these men left her. She was the last one to walk. So she complained to them, “Excuse me this is not Korea”. They then apologized to her. She also shared to us how the women’s month originated.
She said, it was about the women workers of a garment factory. Then at the same time and place, a big fire came. They were locked inside the room. So they did not have the chances of saving their lives. She then asks all about our theories about the incident that happened years back. I can say that this accident happened on the month of March and the color of their working clothes was violet, which is why the color of women’s month is violet. Still by now the said accident has no committed its justice. And the suspect of the accident still remains as a blank to us. We know how important are the women to us, so let us learn how to love them.

Leslie ; )

"Nature's Beauty Before"

Dear Diary,

Nature is one of the most important treasures of our environment. Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical universe, material world or material universe. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The term generally does not include manufactured objects and human interaction unless qualified in ways such as, human nature or the whole of nature. Nature is also generally distinguished from the supernatural. It ranges in scale from the subatomic to the galactic. The word nature derives from the Latin word natura, or the course of things, natural character. Natura was a Latin translation of the Greek word physis, which originally related to the intrinsic characteristics that plants, animals, and other features of the world develop of their own accord. This is well shown in the first written use of the word in connection with a plant. The concept of nature as a whole, the physical universe, is one of several expansions of the original notion; it began with certain core applications of the word by pre-Socratic philosophers, and has steadily gained currency ever since. This usage was confirmed during the advent of modern scientific method in the last several centuries. We benefit from nature. Some of the day to day needs of human beings can be found in nature. But as time to time passes by, and as the word technology grew bigger in our society, the beauty of nature slowly fade away. Before I see the tall trees of nature but now are tall infrastructure buildings. Before, I see the blue fresh waters of the sea and lakes, but now are contaminated and black, dirty waters. We learned how to cut down trees but can’t even plant another as a replacement. Human beings started to abuse the beauty of nature.

I can relate something to this topic. Before, my family and I used to have a picnic in Fuente Osmeña. This place was rich of green, tall grasses. You could even just sit in the ground without any cloth to cover on, because at that time it was a very clean place. But now, after five to six years, there are no more grasses to be found. Now the place is very dusty and don’t have any single grass to be found. Many addicts also stay there and sleep. It is very disgusting to see Fuente Osmeña now. Before, I used to sit on the green ground but now I prefer to sit on a bench. The maintenance for the cleanliness of the place was already deleted in the minds of the city government. If I were in their place, I would want to regain back Fuente’s beauty. This place was the most favorite hang-out before of some families, including me. I want to recall back the time when I still used to start walking, played and spent our Sundays in Fuente Osmeña. Those memories could never be erased in my mind.

So while it is not yet late, let us learn how to regain the beauty of nature.

Leslie ; )

"An Anime Addict"

Dear Diary,

Nowadays, a lot of people are addicted to anime. But actually, this started years back when the Japanese people brought this to our country. Even some of the senior citizens are addicted to this one. Through technological improvement, the population of anime grows up. And honestly, I’m one of these people from the different countries in the world. Because of anime’s famousness, you could already see them not just on televisions. Some are on posters, wallpapers, billboards, or even on people’s clothes! This is anime, never fades its famousness as time passes by.

Anime: in Japanese, but typically in English is an abbreviation of the word "animation". Outside Japan, the term most popularly refers to animation originating in Japan. To the West, not all animation is considered anime; and anime is considered a subset of animation. While some anime is hand drawn, computer assisted animation techniques have become quite common in recent years. Like any entertainment medium, the story lines represent most major genres of fiction. Anime is broadcast on television, distributed on media such as DVD and VHS, and included in video game. Additionally, some are produced as full length motion pictures. Anime often draws influence from manga, light novels, and other cultures. Some anime storylines have been adapted into live action films and television series. Totally amazing! You know, at an early age of four, I was already addicted to anime. The very first anime, which I saw was “AkaZukin Chacha”. Honestly, I will never ever forget this show. It is full of action, drama and comedy. That is why; anime has many genres typically found in any mass media form. I really idolize these, Japanese people who are experts in making anime characters. Someday, I want to be like them. After all, I really love drawing and I have a little bit of skill for drawing. Up to now, I’m still a great, big fan of anime. By now, I’m totally addicted with “His and Her Circumstances”. Another thing why I like anime is because of the beautiful and handsome characters. I even have three anime crushes. They are, Swichero of His and Her Circumstances, Kai of Beyblade, and Lee Shauran of Card Captor Sakura. Anime features a wide variety of artistic styles. They vary from artist to artist or by studio to studio. They are generally characterized by detailed backgrounds and stylized characters in a variety of different settings and storyline, aimed at a wide range of audiences. Anime also has its other term, “Japanimation” but still, the word anime exist to the hearts and minds of Anime addicts. But the majority type of anime I like is that the main casts are all girls. Like Sailormoon, AkaZukin Chacha, Magic Knights Rayearth, Super Gals, Winx, Sakura, and Totally Spice. I also love their costumes. When I was a kid, I used to mimic their lines, costumes, and scenes. How funny to recall years back, when I was mimicking Sailormoon, I followed the way she dressed. When my mother saw me, she hurriedly got her camera, and took a picture of me. After she developed the film, she showed to me that silly picture. How funny I look with that attire! To avoid showing them to other people, I stole it from our album and hid it in my room. Until now, it is nowhere to be found. But how I wish that picture would not show to us back again. Well, that could be all!

Leslie ; )

"Leaving A Sad Memory"

Dear Diary,

Today is March 6, 2007. This day belongs to, the saddest memory of my life. As far as I know, the remains and footsteps of this memory is still fresh in my and heart.

It was during one of the hot summer days of March’s sixth day, eight years ago. My grandfather died to this day because of an unexplainable event. Ten days before this, he was still very healthy. He even just plowed our rice field, and took care of our mango trees. But after that day, he felt some pains in his’ body as they were walking towards our other relatives’ house. He then collapsed. My relatives rushed him to the hospital. My aunt gave us a call from the province. My mother then decided to move him to Chung Hua Hospital, for the expectation that he would be safer in there. My aunt in Manila then hurriedly went in Cebu to check my lolo up. My other aunt also in Leyte hurriedly came. At that time, in school we were already starting to practice for our graduation. I really got sad heading towards home upon hearing the news. At that time, my mother was preparing to visit my lolo in the hospital. I really wanted to go with her so that I could see my lolo. But she told me that a child below 13 is not allowed to enter the hospital. At that time I was still six. I really wanted to kiss and hug my lolo. He was even the best lolo I ever had. He really loved me so much. During my birthday, my lolo comes and brings with him chickens and sweet mangoes. I really miss this scenario during my birthday. The doctors said that he had an illness in the kidney. But I can’t believe it. My lolo was always careful to his health. He just eats meat during occasions and seldom drinks “tuba”. Starting that day, I prayed every night for his immediate cure. But as days pass, his’ condition gets worst. Until the doctor said that his life will just stay in hours. And what was expected did happen. My aunts and uncle, decided not to let my mother know, for she has a weak heart. They made her believe that she needs to go to the province because they have some problems on the lands. But at that time, my lolo’s corpse was brought in the province. My father told our neighbors about it but told them on never tells even a single word to my mother. But one of their tongues suddenly slides. After she knew everything, she could not stop herself but to cry. Tears fell fast from my mothers eyes down to her cheeks. That morning I decided not to go to school. On the next morning, my mother went with me to school. That was my last attend for our graduation exercise. We immediately went home. Our belongings were already packed. The three of us were ready to go. After a four-hour trip, it was night when we reached our destination. We had to walk for half an hour because at that time, there were no more motor vehicles. We reached our house at one in the dawn. As I enter the house, it was full of grieve. My mother and I did not stop ourselves but to cry. Sad to say I did not have the chance of seeing my lolo and bid to him goodbye when he was still alive. He was buried after five days. After the burial, we hurriedly went back to the city for it was my graduation day. Instead of seeing a smile on my face, all you can see is a lonely face. After my graduation, on the next morning, we went back to the province. My father was left in the city because of his’ work but promised to come there after a week. It was the saddest event of my life.

Well after all, in our lives we loose the people whom we love more than ourselves. But all you have to do is accept it. Well that’s all!

Leslie ; )

February 13, 2007

Dear Diary,

Yesterday, we went to MV Doulus at Pier 1 in Cebu. I was really excited that night before our visitation to a great cruise. In fact, I did not have enough sleep. I prepared myself very well for this event. Wow! It was so amazing to go there. It was a very funny day! During lunchtime, I ate as fast as I could so that I could fix my hair and everything. Ernestine, my friend had a shortage of her viand. She hurriedly lined up in the canteen store to buy one. It took her fifteen minutes to buy her viand. While I was on my seat, I could not help to scold her. She ate as fast as she could. After a quick lunch, we then hurriedly went to the sink. We brushed our teeth and combed our hair. Then, we found out that the jeeps we rented for going to Doulus, already arrived. We ran fast towards the room. We thought that the jeep would leave us if we will be late. But whew! Thank God!

We were very happy and noisy in the jeep. We had a race between the jeeps. At first, it was section Palma who was the first. But we overtake their jeep. Yeepee!!! We won. I really can not wait to see how the ship looks. As we entered the gate, we were very noisy. Then a sailor man came and welcomed us with a scold. He even scolded our teacher, Mdm. Logarta. I was very angry at him but all vanished in the wind when we were about to enter the ship. I and my company directly went to the bookstore. MV Doulus is a bookstore which travels to the sea. It is very fantastic and cool. I really appreciated the beauty of the bookstore but the books were very expensive. After a bit long period of time on glancing and reading upon the books, I felt like it was time for me to visit the comfort room. I went to the comfort room with my friend. Their CR was nice too. After that business, we went back on our way to the shop. But sad to say, the security guard would not let us come in. and then. I glanced upon a sign, “No Re-entry back to the bookstore”. This made me very sad. But I did not loose my hope. I tried to find a way to go back there, but there were no ways. The security was very strict and keeps on an eye to every person. I then lost my friend. I just went to see the views of the islands and the deep blue sea. I got bored. Then I saw my other classmates, Danica and Lou Anne. They had a plan on how to go back to the shop. It was to cross the bars without letting the guards know. At first it was Lou Anne’s turn to do it. She did it successfully. Next was Gener, a second year student. But sad to say, one of the guards saw him. Thank God! I did not follow them. Because if I did, it would be a great shame for me. I then saw my friend back. I asked her where have she been. She told me that she entered back to the store with the help of one of the friendly staffs of the ship. So I tried what she did. But the guard was not convinced. Sir Elmer then negotiated with her. And so we were allowed to go back to the shop. The books really attracted me. But it is just I can only read them. But I enjoyed a lot. And before we went down the ship, their crew gave us two books. At least I have a souvenir from them. Well I hope I could go back there again sometime in the future.

Leslie ; )

"Mr. Cupid stop hitting on me!"

Dear Diary,

Today, is already the month of February, yet so close, I could already smell in the air, the breeze of love. Like, "Love is in the air!". It is still February 10, 2007, and the day of all the hearts is getting close. But anywhere I look, I could already see lovers, sharing their best and sweet moments. It adds more color to the Valentine's Day. Now, Mr. Cupid already strikes with his' bow and arrow to hit the hearts of lonely and loveless people in the world.

But how could you really show love to a loved one? It may be like those fairy tales, in which after the girl meets her prince charming and then they will encounter the evil people who wants to stop their love. Then after that they will marry each other and live happily ever after. Or it may be like some of those Shakespearian love stories, in which no matter hard is their situation, love will still rule. But those were just in the stories and not true to life. In the real life, a boy and a girl will meet anywhere and anytime. It could be by means of a friend, through text or even in the internet. Some consider this as destiny. Nowadays, some people influenced by some love stories, like in the novels, or by the Koreanovelas in the TVs. They would then dream to have a situation the same to these. Mostly do them are women. What is the matter with us? Why do we need to believe in destinies or what ever? But I can't deny to myself that I believe on them too. You know it is just only up to you in ,making your own love story. Of course you yourself is the author itself. Then for the cast of characters, you yourself is the "bida" and for those whom you think who is the hindrance of your love story, you could consider him or her as the "contrabida" of your story. Then to make this story more interesting, it needs it's own setting. The time and the place where the story will happen. The day to day happenings of your life, will serve as the events of your story. And the story itself also ends., it may be on a happy ending or sad, and can be on a hanging ending. But for me, the story never ends when you meet your loved one. For me, it ends when it could be your last breath here on the earth. We still do not know how our own stories end. Like me, as of now, I am loveless. In a common sense, I'm still too young to be involved in such relationships. But I have a crush. But as I realize, I should go away from it and prioritize my studies. Well my love life, could just stop on the crush chapter of my story. Maybe, I will go in these relationship when I am on the right age. And when I have my own permanent work. As of now, I still want to spend a happy Valentine with my parents. I really love them more than my life. And I will always love them until death. There are still lots of chapters in my life that I need to go on. Maybe my true love is waiting for me at the right place and time. So for all lovers there, take your time. And for those loveless people, just wait and Mr. Cupid is on his' way to strike up with his' bow and arrow to hit your hearts. Then be ready to fall in love. Happy Valentines to all!

Leslie ; )

"As Poverty Strikes..."

Dear Diary,

By now, poverty already strikes to our country. Out of one hundred, I think ninety-nine point nine-nine percent are on this state. The main reason is because of the graft and corruption made by our government, who do not have enough pity for us who need money to support our daily needs. And out of the people who experience poverty, I am one of them.

At an early age, I grew up with just a better life. My mother and my father could even sustain my needs in financial and in physical. But as I grew up and time came that I need to go to school, our life, gets poorer and poorer. Before, my father receives a meager salary. But now that there are already many school fees to pay, my father's salary gets lesser and lesser. Graft and corruption gives injustice to Filipino peoples. The tax we pay which we think would help our society and living status, goes to the pockets of the government. Nowadays, people need to work more harder and harder to earn more money, so that they could sustain on what there family needs. In terms of food, clothes and shelter. On the other side, these governors who lacks pity to us, are living on a very luxurious life. They could even buy anything they want for themselves and their family without caring nor' thinking of some Filipino people's situation. Now, there are only few government officials who cares for us. Because of graft and corruption our country had so many credits to other countries. And because the president needs to pay them, lack on sustaining school for some pilgrims, lack on salary increasing for Filipino workers, lack on books and chairs for public schools attacks to the list of problems of our country. When will time come that our country will experience a life living without credits and a complete sustainment for the children and Filipino workers? This could maybe never be happening when we see some graft and corruptors in our society. When will people learn to have pity for us pilgrims. On our situation, we sometimes lack money to buy our food we can eat daily. Plus, we need to pay our rental fee to our land lady. And another for my school fees and allowance. So, because of this I save some of my money, so that someday my family and I will have something to get when we need money. This is another way or technique to help you yourselves in improving your living status. We should learn to be thrifty. We need not to buy things that are not in need. When we buy something, we should decide very well. It should be useful to the whole family. In this way, our money that we kept on saving will get bigger and bigger. So for some kids like me who experience these situations will help there families by saving money. Poverty need not to be a hindrance to us and our goals in life. Indeed it serves for us to be a challenge for striving hard in our life. Well Diary, thanks for having me a little time on sharing with you some of my feelings all this time.

Leslie ; )

"Science and Technology, Improving the Lives of Filipinos"

Dear Diary,

This was what I promised you. The essay I made entitled, "Science, Technology and Lives”

As time passes, from generation to generation, technology improves through the help of Science. From simple ideas stocked in such creative minds, that was carefully planned and studied in such creative minds up to greater outcomes. Technologies not just only help us make our life easier, but mostly improve the living status of many Filipinos in need financially. Why? It is because, as Science and Technology improves, many vacancies on companies for their workers. By this way, the Filipinos who have no work before could earn the money they need because of the improvement of Science and Technology. By this way, they could now have enough money to sustain the needs of their family and especially on their own needs, physically and mentally. And as time to time passes, generation by generation Technology improves and in the future, more vacancies for workers wait for them. And of course these workers in need will have a meager salary for sustaining their financial needs on their families. On the other hand, Science and Technology could improve the lives of Filipinos by negotiating to other countries like Japan whom is rich and affluent on technology and in the fields of Science. We do not know that maybe ten to fifteen years from now, our country would be considered as the most affluent in technology in the whole wide world. Well hopefully this would happen. I do really appreciate Japan! They are very rich because of technology. Did you know that most of the machines in our country and in the other countries of the world came from Japan! Yes you heard it! All they invented were very useful to our day to day lives. If the technology on our country would improve, then we could pay the expenses we borrowed from the other countries. Like the United States of America, Korea and of course Japan. Since the Philippines encountered many problems, especially on financial needs because of the corrupters on our government. The president couldn’t sustain the other important needs of our country. There were lack of some books, chairs and schools on our country. But through the help of technology in our country, these problems would be solved as soon as possible. This is one way how Science and Technology improve mostly the lives of Filipinos in our country. How nice could it be to imagine that many, many years from now, Philippines would be rich in technology? Maybe as I encounter the future and hopefully I could reach my goals and ambitions in life, my life would be very nice as Science and Technology help me improve my life and my to my other Filipino “kababayans”. I could now consider Science and Technology as a part of my life.

Well diary this is just the content of my essay. I don’t think that my essay is nice to be read nor good to be heard. I maybe still lack more ideas to make a good essay. My mind maybe does not function very well today. Madam Gallo really made a good decision to choose Chanel to be the contestant for the essay writing contest. By her, the freshmen will surely win versus the sophomores, juniors and the seniors. Until next time diary! See yah!!!

Leslie ; )

"What I expected was..."

Dear Diary,

I am very excited for our Science and Technology week activity this February , 2007. This would be very great! As I have read our school bulletin board, the freshmen has lots of contests to join. Like the slogan, essay writing, and the poster making contest. And of these three, I choose the essay writing contest. Because of this, I made a piece just this afternoon. Our theme was, “Improving Filipino Lives through Science and Technology”’. Too bad I was not chosen by our Science teacher. It was my classmate, Chanel. Well, she deserves to be the contestant for this category. She’s very intelligent and affluent in English. Well I could still share to her my ideas for her essay. Or maybe I don’t need to. I really or all the students of UP High School, especially I-Villamor and our class adviser

much appreciated her goodness in writing in English form when a column of her, was published in The Freeman Newspaper on the June issue. It went out on Sunday. Then, the next morning, a lot of people approached her commenting about the column. They say it was very nice. When I got a copy of mine, I kept it at house. Even my mother and father who have read it praised her work. I really expected a lot for myself here in this school. Even for this contest I was expecting that our teacher will let us write our own piece. Then, she would let us read them one by one in front of our class. After reading them she would then choose some of us who has the best essay and of course I was one of them. Then my classmates would vote to whom does deserve to be the representative of the freshmen. They would then choose me. Wow! How nice could that be! But my expectations were wrong! Sometimes people need not to expect on things. They need to wait for the opportunity to come to their own ways. Too many expectations could lead you to trouble. And that is what I am doing today. I just want to be recognized because of my talent. I want to prove people that I could do lots of things in my life. And I deserve to stay in this school. Is it just too bad if you would just wish for something you want to achieve in your life? Well I have already received that don’t fit in the position. Maybe there are some more activities that await me in the future, that would surely fit me and my talent. After all, my classmates did not have the information that I know how to do one. Since I was in the elementary years, (somewhere in grade 5 and 6) when we were told to make some essays, my teacher then would praise my work. That is why I was expecting a lot for this activity. Well I can’t blame anyone. But, if only they get to know me very well. Well diary, maybe this would just be all! If you want to know my piece, I’ll just publish it on my blog. Okay!

Leslie ; )

"What the Stars and the Sky Tell Me About Life"

February 6, 2007

Dear Diary,

It is been already weeks or months since we have been together. I shared a lot to you on my daily experiences. On what happens to me day by day. About my feelings on people around me, how about trying a new topic which regards on my opinion about life. What about, “How the Skies and the Stars tell me about Life!”

Last week, February 3, 2007 we had an activity. It was about star gazing. Thank God! My parents allowed me to join the said activity. It was a night full of fun. Imagine gazing up to the stars would be very nice. Upon this, I could already say that we are astronomers in a simple form. But as I explore beneath the skies and the stars, there is something which comes to my mind. As I gaze upon them, I could imagine my own self reaching my ambitions in life one by one. Like they were telling me something deep inside my heart. Telling me that no matter how obstacles tamper my life, I still should fight till the end until I reach my goals in life. I have tried this many times in my life. I always think on the negative side. But somehow there is still a little hope and faith which remains in my heart. With the help of my friends and my parents, they give me the strength to strive hard and believe that I could reach my ambitions. And still I never forget to ask God’s guidance even though my faith to him is not that strong at all. My parents give me the most strength to believe upon reaching my goals. I just want to give them in exchange a bunch of the results on my life’s success. For when I was still at the young age, my parents worked harder for me each day to sustain my needs and to give me a good future. That is what I kept to reflect on in my life. The stars and the skies wanted me to reach for them. Even though how high they are. By now I am on the tenth stair towards reaching my dreams in life. Eight more stairs to step on, eight more storms and tornadoes of obstacles to encounter. And hopefully eight more taps at the back of recognition on my successes. For striving hard, I could already pay my parents sacrifices for me. As the stars shine so bright one by one, I could picture out from them the simple little girl named Leslie until she becomes into a successful woman into the future with flying colors. Hopefully this could happen that I may be the Leslie, as bright as the stars at the night and as wide and blue as the sky on a silent night. That one day I may be one of the people idolized by other people with lots of goals in life. But too bad to that day there were no stars at all! In the sky’s presence was only the moon. Lonely and full on the sky, this starts to loom into a pinkish background. A sign of a heavy rain is coming. That the moon starts to hide behind the black clouds of the night. Like the dreams of every people starts to vanish one by one. But thank God it did not rain. It was only that the moon needs to rest from a whole night work up in the sky. Giving his light to the darkness of the night. It could be that all I could say to you my dear diary. See you next time!

Leslie ; )

Reflections on Teachers and Teaching

February 1, 2007

Dear Diary,

I really missed the Know Your School Day activity we had last week. I applied for being a Social Science teacher. Than God! I was accepted. Well actually I was just the only one who applied for this position. I really want to experience being a teacher. Since I was a kid, I really wanted to be a teacher because I want to share my knowledge to other people. But as time passes and as I grew, my ambition changed. Now I want to be a nurse so that I could treat the ill. And the other reason is that now, there are many teachers. Their population gets bigger. So, the salary they receive gets smaller and smaller. And now other countries are in need for nurses. If hopefully I could go abroad, I could earn dollars.

Back to the topic, it is very hard to teach students especially for those who don’t listen at all! I could even say to myself that at that time, I was wasting my voice and effort. But that was just for one day! I really tried my best to share my knowledge to my fellow classmates or students as well. I really want for the KYSD to be done again. Hopefully if I could still stay here in UP, I would apply as many positions I could. What could be next? Well, I’ll still continue for Social Science, but I will also try other subject so that I could test my knowledge for the other subjects. Well my effort in teaching was not wasted at all even though others did not mind to listen. At the end of the program which was the awarding ceremony, I received an award. Well this is just an experience for me on teaching. Receiving a certificate of recognition for me would be very okay. This would just acknowledge my job for being a substitute teacher for my specialty subject, Social Science. My classmates would even say that I could be the future Madam Sofia Aliño Logarta. So to ride their jokes, I would act as Madam Logarta’s long-lost and now found granddaughter. Well it is really very hard to be a Social Science teacher. Imagine, on my position I still need to recall what we had for the past few days and start for a new lesson. I even got a hard time on jutting down the current events happening to our society. At the night before the KYSD, I still need to borrow our neighbor’s newspaper, listen to the radio and hurriedly take down all about what the reporter says. Ouch! My hands really got hurt! And after listing down that information, I still need to summarize them and write on a clean piece of re-used paper. My mother got pity no e, so she offered me a helping hand but I didn’t accept her offer. I slept at already 11:45 at that night and it wasn’t even finished at all. So I set up my alarm clock to 3:00am. I almost got late for school at that time. Imagine I was the teacher and I will get late? My subject was scheduled for being the first matter of the period. I almost forgot to bring my visual aids that I gave effort and time the night before! Well thank God that before I went out of our gate, my mother ran after me bringing them. At school, thank God I finished my job without any errors.

Leslie ; )

Miserable Day!

January 31, 2007

Dear Diary,

My day is not that good at all. This morning I almost got late to school. There was a big traffic. And after we encountered that traffic, the traffic enforcer captured the driver, I don’t even know why? I really wanted to confront the traffic enforcer but I tried to stop my temper. You know, I’m really that kind of person that doesn’t keep any marks of anger in my heart, coz’ it can cause you a sickness in the heart and in your brain, that is what my mother told me! And then, the other passenger beside me is very noisy. She kept on murmuring such understandable words. I really wanted to cover my own two ears that time.
Whew! That was close! The bell rang immediately when I entered the campus’ gate. Or I maybe I was late for a minute or two? Thank God the school guard was too kind and he let me enter the gate, without issuing any late slip. On the first period I just had chitchat with my friend Ernestine. Our mentor wanted us to clean the room. I didn’t clean at all coz’ I was very tired. So, I got a “zero.” But even though I got zero, my grade or average was still high. I got a big passing 91! Well for me, that doesn’t need a big nor simple celebration at all! Well, actually what made my day not that happy at all; one was when our Stargazers President, Miss Theresa Yee, announced that there would be stargazing on Friday. Too bad coz’ even though, I haven’t asked a permission to my parents, they would surely say “no.” Coz’ at 10am on Saturday, we will have our make-up classes for Health and Computer. You know, it is very exciting coz’ all the first year high school students are invited to join then the said activity, so this would mean that even you’re a non-stargazer, you could still join the said activity. This could be the chance of mine to sleep a night with my best friend. I want to discover what sleeping habits does she have! I could also benefit the said activity coz’ it is a study about astronomy and now our lesson is freshly about the heavenly bodies. Another is when my beautiful best friend, Miss Lhou Ernestine R. Lariosa, resisted again our plan to go to Ayala and buy there the materials we need for making a scrapbook for our Home Tech. Project. Her unreasonable reason is because she doesn’t have any fare for the jeep. She promised me that we would go there tomorrow. Well, hopefully we will surely go their tomorrow and no more postponements. I really hate to wait for a promise. And what really made mehate this day, is when during our lunch break, I joined my classmates when they played. The seeker captured me, so it was my turn to capture a new seeker. My classmate made fun of me at that time. Some of them pinched my nose. Slapped my butt and pulled my foot! They even stole my shoes! And Ernestine pulled my hair, which made my hair go messy. I hurriedly fixed the damage before our teacher came. Well I still need to ask my parents about the activity this Friday. I hope they would allow me to join, coz’ if not I will surely pray for a rainy Friday so that the activity would be postponed. Coz’ for me, the night would be so boring if I’m not in there. (joke!) Well thanks diary! See yah next time!

Leslie; )

A Strange Day

January 29, 2007

Dear Diary,

I had a very strange dream. You know I can’t tell it. Oh never mind! Well today I wasn’t too happy at school. Well I just can’t explain the happenings. It was very strange as my dream today. After having our flag ceremony, I ran towards the room as fast as I could for no reason. My mind was like flying through the clouds. Building the most impossible dream of my life. I was looking at the view, the soccer field at the back of the Cultural Center Building. Then somebody called up my attention, it was Ernestine, my best friend. It was when Madame Logarta, our Social Science teacher went inside our room for our first subject of the morning. I hurriedly went towards my locker and got there my Social Science book and notebook. Whew! That was close. She almost caught me running towards the locker. When she started up a new lesson, I didn’t even manage to listen, coz’ I was busy thinking of something. So that she couldn’t caught me not listening to the most boring subject of the WWW or whole wide world, I opened my book facing towards me, as to if I was following her as she discusses the new topic. I got drowsy after a few minutes. She then called up our attention especially too for those who wants to sleep. And I knew that it was me whom she is referring to. Oh my God! Thank God she didn’t mention my name. I she did, it would be a great big laugh to the class. And she would know from me that her subject is really boring. So I kept myself awake for the whole period. My drowsiness shoo away when Inah cried. From my seat I could see the tears roll down from her cheeks. The reason is because of the Inah-Jacque war 2007. It was a very long story. This started since January 24, 2007, Wednesday at exactly 8:45 AM, during our Reading Period. Up to now that monkey business has not yet came to its end. It wasn’t really the origin of that war. It was originally between Inah and Jacque. This war then went from Jacque’s mother up to the Guidance Counselor, Madam Annabelle Maglasang. And the next plan was to call the parents and face the principal. Would this call for a suspension? Hopefully not! Being one of the blabbermouth clan, I didn’t stop my mouth from telling them to my mother. She was totally surprised because of my news. She then told me not to get involved with such childish things. “Okay” I promised her. But still, I’m on Inah’s side coz’ I know she was right. And never on my side to be with Jacque, coz’ I also had a hatred to her. Imagine including you to her bad doings! Oh no! I really want to tear her into pieces! I will never forgive her until she asks forgiveness from me. I really am the kind of person who plants hatred to people. Well its 2007, change your bad habits. I’ll just try to do so. Thanks! Bye!!!

- Leslie ; )

Bad Day

January 30, 2007

Dear Diary,

I really don’t like this day! It’s very bad but except for what happened this morning. You know I can’t tell it to you coz’ it’s too private. I’ll just keep it as a secret on my own.

Well, what really made my day too bad is because of the happenings today. I think there was no good such thing happened to me today. It started when Ernestine told me to go to Country Crafts in Ayala. I was very excited of course. Our plan was to eat our lunch this recess. And so I did. At that time I really can’t wait for our lunch break to come. During I ate my lunch; accidentally drop my viand on the floor. It wasn’t meant to happen you know. What’s an accident to you? Later that time, after the bell had ringed, I felt that some of my classmates, (not to mention their names) were backbiting me. And of course it was too obvious that whom they meant was me! I was angry but I didn’t mind them. When lunch came, it was time to go to Ayala. Before we left I heard Dan and Ernestine talking about a certain topic related to what happened during snacks time. I immediately knew it was me. I interrupted their talk and let them hear my opinion. Then Dan got angry? I just kept inside coz’ if I tell it to him he’ll keep on denying. I just tried to stop my self. I then asked Ernestine to go. When we were on our way to the gate, we kept on quarreling on how to go there. She wants to ride a jeep, but I want to walk so that I can save my money. So I’ve decided to take her plan. When we were outside the gate and on our way to cross the street using the pedestrian lane, she then asked me for a watch. I didn’t have any I left it at home. I was on a hurry this morning so, I forgot to get it in my drawer. She turned away her back from me, and went inside the gate of the campus. I got angry at her. So I also went inside the gate and walked towards our room. She then followed me. Because of anger I didn’t manage to talk with her. I immediately went to the internet café and made my blog.

You know at that time I don’t want to talk with her, because of pride.

We just talked to each other just this afternoon because of our Science report. She then explained to me all about that lunch break happening.

She told me that the reason why she went inside the gate, coz’ she was about to borrow Kuya Charlie’s watch. I was totally ashamed because of what I did to her. But I can say too that she was wrong because she didn’t asked permission to me that is why I walked out from the scene. But now everything is clear to me. I had also fixed my problem with Dan. Hopefully, this won’t happen again tomorrow!

- Leslie :)

"Stuff Toy"

Ella, a very educated woman decided to marry Nick, who grew up in a very poor family. Not like Ella he only finished schooling up to Grade-III, But Nick was intelligent, although he wasn't given the chance to finish educating himself. Ella was abandoned by her parents because of here decision.
After 2 years, their love bore up a baby girl. She grew up very beautiful, smart and nice. Now that Nick knew that he is already a father, he needs to strive hard for his family.
In the morning, he works in the port as a cargo man. And in the evening as a janitor in one of the clubs in their
town. Most of the time, he goes home at 3 AM and rose up from bed at 6 AM. He could sometimes earn a high fever but still, this wouldn't stop him to go to work. " I will still work no matter what happens. I don't want Kayla to
be like me. Who grew up with no chance to educate himself.
The couple never failed to Kayla. As a reward, she gave them high grades.
After many years, Kayla will finally graduate from elementary and as a valedictorian. Her parents especially the father was very excited.
On the Graduation Day, the father hurriedly went to the mall to buy a gift for Kayla. The ceremony would start at 10 AM. Five more minutes to go and the program will start but still Nick wasn't there yet.
Until the ceremony had ended, the father didn't came. Being worried, they hurriedly went home. They were amazed on what they saw. Along the street, there were many people and an ambulance. Being curious, they went to see it.
There eyes grew big to see the father lying on the street bathed with its own blood. And on his side was a paper bag and inside was a stuff toy. She cried " Why father... why?"
Like it was the worst disaster of her life. That during the most memorable day of her life was her father's death.

(END)