blessed_shaula

Out of nowhere, I decided to find out for myself what reputation would I leave to the world should I die tomorrow. I googled my own name then. There are only two traces that could tell something about me in the cyber world. I was kind of disappointed. First, it says I am nurse. Second, it says I am board topnotcher for the 2008 Midwifery exam. There’s got to be more… but there was none.

Having a reputation as a nurse and a midwife is just fine. But is that all I could be? I am thinking, I wanted to leave behind something greater. I am not after fame or legendary worldwide recognition though. I just want a legacy that would contribute to the entire human race. I want this life that God has given me to matter by inspiring people and helping them in whatever way I could possibly do.

If someone would write my biography, what would it contain? How would my life story affect the person reading it? Would it be worth reading or would it be just another boring or sad story?

How about if I start writing the first few pages of my biography and see for myself how it would appeal to me? Sounds like a wonderful idea! Maybe I should set aside a few moments for writing every day until I finish it. I guess this would basically mean I will write every single day until the day I die. Why not? It’s just like doing my daily journal.

According to my research, these are the questions that would be helpful on writing a biography:

What makes this person special or interesting?

What kind of effect did he or she have on the world? other people?

What are the adjectives you would most use to describe the person?

What examples from their life illustrate those qualities?

What events shaped or changed this person’s life?

Did he or she overcome obstacles? Take risks? Get lucky?

Would the world be better or worse if this person hadn’t lived? How and why?

I suppose writing my own biography is not that easy. It could be accurate but a third person’s point of view is still essential.

Anyway, the last question is a million dollar question! Would the world be better or worse if I hadn’t lived? This is like answering a Ms. Universe beauty pageant question on the finals night. If I am going to answer this right now… hmmm…my goodness… this is tougher than I thought! Whew! Can I call a friend please? Haha!

Jane Austen - A reverend’s daughter who grew up at the country who later on became one of the most famous English novelists. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite masterpiece! Due to my growing curiousity, I searched long and hard to secure a copy of the movie “Becoming Jane”. That’s how much I love her! haha

It’s a shame she died as early as 41 years old. She died as an accomplished and beloved writer and an old maid. 

Florence Nightingale

She’s my predecessor. I wonder what could have happened to our world if not for her contribution in healthcare. Going to hospitals might have been horrifying. This elite and pampered  Victorian girl left everything to pursue a career into something that has never really existed during her time…NURSING. Like Jane, she died as an accomplished and well respected old maid.

 

 

Queen Elizabeth Tudor

“I have a weak and feeble body of a woman, but I have a stomach and a heart of a King!” That’s my Queen Bessy! If Jane Austen raised the banner of women in the world of literature; Florence Nightingale in healthcare; Queen Bessy’s masculine heart and stomach knocked down the Spanish Armada! She’s an extraordinary picture of political leadership. She too died as highly respected and loved old maid.

         These three women are among the top of my heroes’ hall of fame because of their significant contribution to the world. As I study their lives, I could easily put myself in their shoes. Who knows, I can also end up like them… able to leave a significant legacy to the world… and dying as an old maid too!:)

        It’s weird how my sleeping lifelong dream had been awaken yesterday. I can no longer  remember how it happened. All I know is it didn’t make me sleep last night. It consumed every inch of me and every ounce of emotion I have.

       Since I was little, I have a thing for storybooks. I would love to spend a time alone with the books at our family library. There were two types of books that I usually had at my lap… Bible Storybooks and geography books. The story of Joseph is my favorite. I went over that book a hundred times! Then after I would get tired from reading  stories, I would pick a geograpy book and  be amazed when I see the actual maps and picture of places from the Bible storybooks. It was like magical for me!

      A little few years after, I learned to read longer stories. I went into classical. My favorite is Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain. I find it unparalled up to this time. What captivated me so much from that book was the part where Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn rode a hot air balloon and went all around Africa. The deserts, Pyramids and all the adventure stuff were brilliantly illustrated into words which instantly brought me into different dimension. From then on, it has become my wildest dream …to go to Egypt and ride a hot air balloon upon touring around!

      With my growing desire to be more passionate with God combined with my love for books and adventure, I resolved that I am going to Holy Land! And I am taking my family with me:) I still don’t know when I’ll be able to do this but this is definitely included in my Bucket List! I did some research and this is the best deal I found:

Tour Itinerary:Day 1: Arrive Cairo. Upon arrival, our local representative will take you to your hotel for dinner and overnight at Park Pyramids Inter-Continental Hotel. (D)

 

Day 2: Cairo. Full-day tour features the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Memphis (ancient capital of Egypt and believed to be the site visited by Abraham to address the Pharoah of Egypt), and the Step Pyramid of Sakkara (the oldest stone structure in the world). (B, D)

Day 3: Cairo. This morning, you visit the famous Egyptian Museum and to the old section of Cairo to visit a Jewish synagogue built on the site where Moses was found in a basket. Nearby is the San Serguis Church, the traditional site where Jesus was sheltered during the Holy fl ight. (B, D)

Day 4: Cairo / Goshen / Ismailia. Depart for the land of Goshen where you visit the cities of Ramses and Pithom. In middle kingdom times, the reigning pharaoh gave this land to Jacob. Jacob in turn blessed the pharaoh for his generosity and he called the area “the land of Goshen.” Moses was born and raised here. Overnight at Mercure Ismailia Forsan Island Hotel. (B, D)

Day 5: Ismailia / St. Catherine. This morning, you start at Succoth where Israelites gathered the day before the Exodus. From there, drive to Marah which overlooks the Bitter Lakes. Crossing the Suez Canal you arrive at the Springs of Moses where Moses hit the rock and twelve water springs appeared. Continue to the Wilderness of Sin (site of the miracle of Manna and Quails) and Rephidim where the Israelites fought the Amalekites. Arrive at Morgenloand Village Hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: St. Catherine / Nuwieba. This morning, you visit St. Catherine Monastery (built in 5 A.D. on the site of the Burning Bush) and the well where Moses met his wife Zebura (daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian). We drive to Nuweiba where you check in at the Sonesta Beach Resort on the Red Sea. Relax this afternoon at the beach or by the pool. (Optional sunrise hike to the top of Mt. Sinai available.) (B, D)

Day 7: Nuweiba / Aqaba / Petra. Morning is free. This afternoon, you take a thrilling one-hour high-speed ferry ride on the Red Sea to Aqaba, Jordan. Your Jordanian guide will meet you and take you to Petra through the ancient Edomite and Moabite territories. Dinner and overnight at Petra Panorama Hotel. (B, D)

Day 8: Petra / Amman. This morning, you visit Petra, the ancient Nabatean city built entirely by hewing out the rose-red rock mountains, where you see the Treasury, temples and more. Driving along the King’s Highway, you visit Karak, the imposing Crusader castle, before going to Mt. Nebo for a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley and Jericho. Dinner and overnight at Golden Tulip Grand Palace Hotel in Amman. (B, D)

Day 9: Amman / Dead Sea. This morning, you cross the Israeli border at Allenby Bridge and drive past Jericho to the Dead Sea. Here you visit Qumran to see the Cave where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and the Masada fortress. Overnight at Novotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. (B, D)

Day 10: Dead Sea / Jerusalem. Leaving the Dead Sea area, you drive via Old Jericho Road with a view of the Mount of Temptation before arriving in Jerusalem atop the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City. Stroll down the Triumphal Entry road to the Garden of Gethsemane. You cross Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion where you visit the Upper Room, David’s tomb, and the Church of St. Peter at Gallicantu. You also visit the Tower of David and the Shrine of the Book before fi nishing at Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. Check in at Grand Court or Ambassador Hotel. (B, D)

Day 11: Jerusalem. Today we visit the Old City including Western Wall, Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock, Pilate’s Judgment Hall, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb at Calvary. This afternoon, we will visit Bethlehem and the Sherpherds’ Field. Our fi nal stop is at the scale model of ancient Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 12: Jerusalem / Tiberias. We drive north along the West Bank. Stop at Beit Shean, Meggido, Nazareth, Cana and at the Yardenit Baptismal Center. Overnight at Kibbutz Ma’agan (or similar) by the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (B, D)

Day 13: Tiberias. We drive along the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, where we visit the synagogue and Peter’s house. We continue to Tabgha with the Church of Multiplication and the Mount of Beatitudes. On an ancient trade route, we pass Hazor and then go on to Dan. Here we do a nature walk and visit the high place where Jeroboam son of Nebat set up a golden calf. We continue to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter made his great confession. Our route then takes us over the Golan Heights, skirting Mt. Hermon, with a view toward Damascus. We end the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. (B, D)

Day 14: Tiberias / Tel Aviv. Leaving Tiberias, we drive to Mt. Carmel to see the site of Elijah’s great triumph over the priests of Baal. Continue south along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, the seat of Roman government, to see the Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman Aqueduct. Arrive in Tel Aviv. Balance of the day is free. (B, D)

Day 15: Depart Tel Aviv. You will be transferred to airport for departure. (B)

Land Package Includes:

• Hotel accommodations sharing double occupancy.
• Buffet breakfast and dinner daily except in Tiberias where St. Peter fish lunch is included
• Sightseeing as shown in the itinerary with knowledgeable English-speaking guide
• One-way speed ferry from Taba to Aqaba
• Exclusive air-conditioned touring vehicle for all services
• All entrance fees
• Airport transfers upon arrival in Cairo and departure from Tel Aviv, and transfers between hotel and the borders and the piers
• Personal meet-and-greet service for airport
transfers and at the international borders
• All local taxes and service charges for meals, accommodations and transportation.

Hmmm… It’s been a while since I last posted something in here. I am even quite surprised with the setting changes. This is actually way better than before.

The year is almost over but I feel like just getting started. I started this year dying… now it’s blasting! This is the very fulfillment of God’s message for me during my New Year celebration with Him at Boracay.

Whatever people may see or hear about me now… I beg to disagree that this is just all about how lucky I am. Luck never worked for me and it will never be. Behind my smiles were untold stories of pain, tears and sacrifices. It’s only God’s grace that sustained me during those impossible moments. This has been going on up to now. It is a continuous process of breaking and pruning.

Today, I have received what I have been promised. I came to the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel today to claim what God had in store for me. It’s the privilege of serving my country through my profession. I am now a full-fledged Nurse-Midwife… with the bonus of having a medal and a certificate of distinction.

The whole oath taking ceremony was supposedly very exciting for me… it turned out heartbreaking. I found out that the reasons why those sitting at the same table with me, cream of the crop as they call us, excelled at the boards. Mostly are very self-centered motivations. Nobody is taking the profession itself as a vocation or calling.

The board topnotchers were seated at the table in front of the hall. This basically gave me a good view of the entire hall. As I was sitting there, I was looking at the crowd of midwives that populated the oath taking ceremony. I was wondering how many of them are really going to pursue the hard core job of being a midwife. This country produces thousands of nurses, midwives and other health care professionals yet there always seem to have scarcity of health workers.

 I am talking from experience because I got best worlds when it comes to my practice as a Nurse-Midwife. I get to work at the hospital on regular working days then I also get to work at a community healthcare setting during day offs. Both are voluntary jobs though. At the hospital, we are always under staff. When I go to medical missions, all the more I get heart-broken because I work with foreigners. I was thinking… we don’t need them but why are they here? Why can’t we take care of our own people? For crying out loud… we have thousands of new healthcare professionals quarterly each year!

The reason why I did well on the midwifery boards was not because I am lucky or I am intelligent. I am neither of the two. I studied by heart not just by brains. As I was studying for the test, I was also listing all the dreams and plans that I got to conceive out of enthusiasm and disappointments as well. Little by little, I got to realize why God had opened this door for me. All along, He’s gearing me up for Public Health.

All the achievements I got this year, they were all conceived by dreams and battle cries… brokenness and disappointments. Every test I took has something to do with the path where God is navigating me. I can’t help but wonder during the ceremony today. How about the rest of them? Where are they heading? May God’s mercy be upon us all!

Most nurses took the test because they wanted to add another suffix to their names. The RN-RM thing  would probably help on gaining extra footage at the steep competition. Others took it because they were told to do so by their boss… basically to save the name of the school they’re working for. So they didn’t care less if their test credentials were hoax! Anything is possible in this country when it comes to legitimacy. A board topnotcher, an excellent student who always tops the boards, claims that she wanted to redeem herself by excelling at the tests because she wasn’t given just awards during her college graduation. It’s all about being the number one! Another topnotcher–offered by his school with 100,000 Php + free nursing education if he were to top the midwifery boards. On the other hand, let’s talk about a regular examinee. I’ve talked to a woman on her 40’s during my lunch at the 2^nd day of board exams. She only wanted to get a license because she’s planning to be a caregiver abroad. She doesn’t even need the midwifery license for that. Obviously, she’s lost. How about the younger ones that I got to mingle with during breaks? No one really wants to actually do the real midwife’s roles. They just want the license too. They can’t even say why.  

I can go on with more stories. It’s even worse if I get to tell the details. This is the sad reality we are now facing. Nobody knows where we are heading. The health care system of this country is at the verge of collapsing while everybody is so busy thinking of their own petty selfish issues.

The coziest and best ride I’ve ever had was when I was on my way to my Nurse’s oath taking at SMX Mall of Asia yesterday. With all my make-up being baked under the fiery sun of a hot summer noontime while on my all-white nure’s gala uniform, I couldn’t help but beg  for a knight on shining armor who would save me and bring me to SMX hastily and swiftly. But the least I could expect was to have an available taxi with a really good aircon. The sad truth is there’s always a scarcity of available taxi whenever you’re in badly need of it. I wonder why?

        I was already teasing my friend that I would ask for a ride whenever a good looking car would pass us by. I have never done it before but in a desperate moment, I know it’s not impossible for me to dare doing it. I was in the middle of my wishful thinking when a good samaritan woman opened her car carriage’s window and called out to me. My friend thought she would just ask us about something, a direction perhaps. As for me, I knew she’s a heaven sent. She came just the time I needed a miracle.

         The good woman asked me if we were going to MOA. That very moment my heart jumped in joy. I knew she’s about to offer a ride since she had an idea that we were inductees going to MOA. When she did, I said the most excited and liveliest thank you I could ever give. I instantly folded my umbrella, called out to my friend, opened the door  and went inside the car. That was indeed the most exciting ride I’ve ever had! May God bless accordingly for her good heart.She gave me my first hitch!

          To extend my heartfelt gratitude, I spent my time inside her car talking to her and the driver. In my surprise, I found some links between us that helped facilitating our conversation. I really thanked God for those. God’s simple blessings become so exciting  when they come in surprising ways.

How can I ever put into words the beauty of life and all its blessings. Every sky has its own beauty as the saying goes. I agree on that! To put 2007 in a nutshell, I can say that it’s a one heck of a tough and challenging year for me! But if I were not to experience all its tortures and mind-boggling dilemmas, how could I appreciate the beauty and sweetness of life itself that I am now enjoying. There’s always a time for everything. I thank God because He made our lives diverse and dynamic. We’re always opted to adapt to change because that’s basically how our lives are meant to operate.

I am so excited to unravel the path that God had already laid down before  me. I just came from a job fair.In my surprise, I find it very amusing.  I decided to look for a job that would keep me busy and productive as well while I am still waiting for the Board results and many other pending decisions that I have to deal with. I realized that I liked being there ( in the job fair) because it gives me a sense of authority to choose. Almost all my life, I have always felt that I was deprived of choices. I didn’t choose those things to happen… they just landed on my lap. But, of course, at the end, it always turn out that it’s for the best.

I have always wanted to have a sense of control because that’s the one thing that I believed I do not have over my life. As a result, I give my all out efforts and energies in whatever I do even if it’s actually something that I didn’t choose to do or pursue in the first place. I was so thirsty and hungry for independence. I had always longed for that day that I could just do whatever I wanna do. This "was" the real me. A sublimely strong-willed stubborn girl yet still  submissive.It has always been a struggle though. Let me tell an anecdote that reminds me of I am whenever I hear about it. It’s about a boy who was reprimanded by his parents to sit down while their car was running. BUt the boy didn’t want to stay still on his seat because he wants to play. His parents, knowing that it’s for his safety to sit down, strongly reprimanded him once again. The boy, "having no choice", finally sat down and told his parents that even if he’s sitting deep inside him he’s still standing!

That boy was very much like me. I did things and chose to do things because I believed that I just got to do them. I despised it yet deep inside I know that it would be for the best because it’s the right thing to do. I just didn’t want to admit it. Probably because it violates my crooked and egoistic principles.

Along the process I died. A time came when I had finally decided to bury my egoistic and self-centered beliefs and emotions. I learned that when everything seems to go against you, you’re probably on the wrong side. The reason why I struggled a lot was because I was indeed going against the will of God for my life.Then I learned what it really takes to be a submissive daughter (to God and to my parents), student and citizen. Since then, my life became bitter sweet. It has been a perfect combination. It’s like my favorite coffee that tickles my tastebuds everytime I take a sip of it.

Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for His sake will find it.

This is how I find life! This is the reason why I can now enjoy everything in life…. through a fresh new pair of eyes.

As I was roaming around the fair today, it was very tempting to say which job I want to have and where I want to have it. Which salary I deserve and all the other perks I can have. This has been  the moment I’ve been waiting for. A sense of independence to choose and decide for a major thing in my life. But no, in my gut it says brace yourself for the revolutionary tasks that God himself will give you. It’s no longer I who lives in me. I know the best is yet to come! It is going to be a blast!

Tik tak tik tak…

Clock is ticking so fast. Everything now is fast tracked which used to be the contrary of my life before. Indeed there is a time for everything. If yesterday was the time of weeping, today is for laughing. I thank God because everything is certainly bound to change. If I stayed at my previous state, Oh boy… I can’t imagine a future for myself.

I love change.. .though,unconsciously, i used to hate it since I was a little girl. It’s something which always kick me out of my comfort zone.Stretching has always been painful. Adjustments had been painstaking tasks.

I am now stepping into another chapter in my life. Until now I find it hard to believe. It doesn’t want to sink in my little hard cranium. Sometimes I find it amusing whenever I catch myself having selective amnesia. My board exams tomorrow morning is one of those. It’s like a miracle happening before my eyes. It was just like yesterday that I wasn’t sleeping nor eating just to comply with every requirement or demand in life. It was just like a minute ago when I was handed my diplioma at the stage. Everything seems to happen so fast now.

Few years ago, I never thought things would turn out into something like this. My life was a series of unfortunate events and things were very dragging. I felt like I was trapped on a dead end. I couldn’t turn back, sideways nor forward. I was at point blank.

Things have utterly changed into something very different now. I started to see the bigger picture and realized that all the bad things that happened in the past were essential parts of today and of the future.

I am so excited for tomorrow. . . literally and figuratively speaking.

I’ll be having my boards tomorrow. It’s the moment that I have dreamt of for the last couple of months. It’s a miracle that I will be taking it tomorrow. I still laugh whenever i remember the time I lost my papers and also those toxic moments including the the bus experience at EDSA. haahhahahaha Truly God speaks to me in so many surprising ways. When we were still completing our requirements for the Boards and we were having our hospital hopping for our forms to be signed by all the signatories, I was left behind by my friends during a bus ride. They were already inside the bus while I wasn’t able to get in. You know buses at EDSA… the typical pinoy style of picking -up passengers. We were at the loading area though. The Mamang MMDA saw me trying to get in so he made signals to the bus driver to stop. I was  tapping the side of the bus for crying it loud! hahaha But the driver didn’t understand the signal. He thought the Mamang MMDA will give him ticket. So he really didn’t stop. Mamang MMDA said, " sige mam, kaya mo pa naman habulin yun." There I was left behind by my friends and this man wanted me to run after the bus at EDSA. That experience was pretty  hilarious for me. I did think of running after the bus but another bus of the same route came so I hopped in instead. One of the most difficult things for me to do is suppress to my laughter attack. Man, I really had a hard time concealing it when I took my seat at the bus. All the more I burst into laughter when i saw that the bus, which my friends were riding’ had two words written at its back in very large fonts saying: GOD’S WILL. It’s good that I had a towel to cover my face that time. It was a very personal message said in a very surprising way. Everything has a reason indeed. That bus was stucked in a queue of buses because there was another bus that broke down which created the traffic. So I went ahead of time at our destination. God spoke to me through that experience and reminded me of so many things. It was such an amazing and hilarious experience.

I am so excited for tomorrow. I know there’s a bright future ahead of me. God has planned everything according to His perfect ways.

There is a time for everything….

Tomorrow i know it’s gonna be dancing and laughing!

Forty five minutes to go and my self-declared holiday will start! A moment like this is rare. I am so excited. A few days ago, I almost forgot my upcoming special day. It was only through my little sisters greetings that I was able to remember that I’ll be having my birthday soon.

I’ve been so busy with so many concerns. I barely have time to sleep and eat. I cannot complain nor fret though. I chose this kind of life because I know it will be for the best. I’ve been working on a lot of things and they are pretty diverse. Sixteen hours of hospital work in 2 different hospitals a day, working on a lot of paperworks,  lessons and exams and staying as late 3-4am for a very important work that requires all my creativity and patience. It was really only through God’s grace that I was able to finish it and survive everything. No sleep nor food on my tummy while working in the hospital is really something.

As I look back at my life last year, it wasn’t really very different from my life now. I’ve got a lot of sharks and I still get kinda depressed for a while whenever a special occassion would come. It reminds of my loved ones who are away from me. THEY ARE ALL AWAY FROM ME.

While attending the Sunday service tonight, I can’t help but get carried away by my thoughts. My mind started to wander until they carried my feet  back to the ground. I’ve been so busy and tired and occupied by so many things but I didn’t mind at all because I know what I am doing and where I am going . I’ve learned to tame my emotions and my body for the sake of the bigger picture that I’m into. However, in the midst of everything, I saw myself journeying alone. I felt so human. I lost my focus. My birthday reminded me of the good old days when I travel back home to spend my special day with my family and friends. Now, I don’t have that home that I used to have. Now my home is the entire world!

Cliche or not, home is where the heart is. Everywhere I go, whatever I do; As long as I pour my heart into it… I consider it my home. The hospital, Crossroad, my boarding house, my school, prayer mountain.. every place that I feel God’s presence.. that’s my home. Nomad as I may seem but my home is just found in one place. It’s in my heart where God is also residing.

In the midst of the busyness of my life, it is such a privilege to find peace and rest everywhere I would want to have that. It’s all in the mind and in the heart!:) It is so amazing to have that kind of feeling even if without sleep nor fuel. I have an unlimited source energy that keeps me going though my body seem to start failing. One thing I know, God has already planned everything ahead of time. "Bawal mamatay," as our life coaches would always tell us. I know, God will allow me first to fulfill the work that He has vested upon me. Though I  am so excited to meet Him in heaven which will be my home for eternity, I would still want to consider earth as my home for the moment. There are still a lot of work to do!:)

After some time of wandering while sitting on a sunday service, I was finally taken back to the ground. The big word FOCUS flashed on the screen. hahaha! That’s the message for me tonight and for the rest of this another exciting year that God has prepared for me.

Oh my gosh! it’s 12mn!:) My holiday officially starts now! As of today, work would have to wait though. Hahahaaha! It will resume tomorrow. My birthday prayer is very simple…. i want to spend quality time with God at HOME:)

         Last week, I was able to watch myself from the video recordings of SURVIVAL GUIDE SERIES that we did last year . I really really had a good and long laugh at it. I could still remember how I would always come late to our rehearsals because I was always not informed beforehand that I would be acting for that day’s play. And I would always come disoriented because of lack of sleep from my hospital duty. It’s really only by God’s grace that I was able to juggle things in my life that time.

        While doing those weird and funny roles, I never thought it  was far more than sending how-to-study messages to our audience and making them laugh as the same time. It was only yesterday that it finally sank into me that our youth today desperately needs direction ASAP. It is just now that everything I do for the youth ministry at Shire and all my prayers for the next generation of this country become so real to me that I can’t even close my eyes nor cover my ears just to lessen the pangs of ignorance around me.

          As an irregular graduating student who is now complying with every requirement that the school gives, I took an oral communication class for the third time. I was put in a class of teenagers who are in their 2nd year in college.  I wanted to cry as my classmates gave their impromptu speeches. We were asked to draw a question from the box then give our answer for two minutes. There were only four of us who were able to consume that very short span of time. The rest were only able to stand there and talk for 15 seconds or less! Can you imagine 2nd year college students who cannot even express their ideas?

            It is really heartbreaking how our culture now is being damaged. I cannot see even a glimpse of hope for these young people. All they could talk about is puro kababawan. One question went like, " What language would you want to speak given the chance that you could study it?" One student said, " Taiwan… uhhmmm… because my crush is Lei." After saying that she went to her seat right away. It was supposed to be for two whole minutes and Taiwan is not even a language for goodness sake! Another student answered  a question which was " If you could choose a time in history for you to live in… which one would you choose?" In a broken grammar she answered like," During the time of my grandparents… 18th century. After the Japanese and Americans are not here. I like because there are no gadgets that time and foods do not have preservatives." My goodness, I couldn’t even understand right away what she was trying to say though her voice was very loud while she was very poised and confident with what she’s saying. This one, she didn’t only make English haloobalooha but also  made history all mixed up! She didn’t even know that 18th century is the 1700’s.

               I have nothing against these people. I do not look down on them nor make fun of them. The truth is I really worry for them. My heart bleeds for them. What has happened to us? Where would we all be after a couple of years? We are bound to sink and stink if we would not do anything.

               I was so thankful that the question I got was, " If you were to change a system in our country, what would that be?" The first thing that came into my mind was of course the education system. Right there and then I tried to inspire them and let them realize that we should all be good students because the future of our country depends on us.  Two minutes is very short but I know I was able to say  the gist of my sentiments for them.  After my short speech, the whole class cheered so loud. I know this time it’s not sarcasm nor admiration from these teenagers.  As I looked at their eyes, I felt their hunger for direction and inspiration.