Just for you, our hero and inspiration

      She may be the toughest, the strictest, and somehow the most terrifying teacher I've met, but she will still be my inspiration.

      The first time we met wasn't the meeting I wanted to. She was our last period teacher and the first day was dreadful. From all of the news we've heard about her, it was somehow alright if we were parrying to her.

      But as soon as the classes started, we saw her true intentions to leave a legacy to us her students through teaching us by the heart. Even though no one escapes her strictness, she still shows the purpose behind these. She cares and is concern that's why she corrects our mistakes. The lessons she taught us are the lessons I'm keeping until I grow old.

      Sadly, she isn't our teacher anymore. But, at times that my classmates and I remembers her, our deepest gratitude will forever be there and we won't forget her.

      We may be scared and all, but Ma'am Pareja, please do remember us and our love and thanks to you. You're our hero and inspiration.

Time Travel

            TODAY IS THE DAY! I have an interview with the famous Albert Einstein. I just wish I could cope with his intelligence. *laughs* I conducted this interview not for the sake of compliance to any subject at school, but for my own fulfillment.

þ Letter of Appointment

þ Proper Attire

þ Questionnaire

þ Notebook and Pen

¨ Punctuality?

            OMYGOSH. It’s already 2:50 PM and I’m not yet there! I’m the one who should be waiting. NOT THE INTERVIEWEE! I still got a couple of minutes and the location’s just 5 minutes away. I can do this!

2:58 PM

            I’m heeeeere! Yipee. If I were Dash (The Incredibles), I would come here earlier. Well, I scanned the coffee shop-slash-book haven already, and he’s not yet here. Phew! I sat on a corner, prepared my recording materials and practiced my scr-- *kring kring* Oh, who might be calling?

Me: Hello?

…: Hello? Well, is this Audrey Angeles?

Me: Uh, yes, speaking. May I know who’s on the phone?

Him (I figured it out because of the voice): This is your interviewee. I’m already at the area. Where are you?

Me: Oh! Sir! I’m here at the corner beside the counter. From outside, on your left.

Him: I saw you already.

“Good afternoon Mr. Einstein.” I stood up and greeted him with a smile. He smiled back. An awkward silence followed.  “Uh, sir, maybe we could start.” I just said. I sat down and he followed.

Einstein: Yes, yes.

Me: Thank you sir for acknowledging my invitation to this interview. A normal teenager like me won’t always get the chance to talk to a FAMOUS person. Right?

Einstein: No problem. He said with a smile. It is a pleasure to somehow fulfill your thirst for knowledge. Especially to teenagers like you.

I smiled. I asked him to order something first. Then I said, “Let’s start, sir. Shall we?”

Einstein: If you may.

I turned the recorder on.

Me: Sir, a lot of people is curious on how you arrive with the discoveries. Is this a talent or a skill?

Einstein: No, it is not a talent nor a skill. I let my curiosity take over. I see things the other way people see it and I look up for explanations on why that thing occurred.

Me: Do you think your curiosity has something to deal with your intelligence?

Einstein: I guess not. Everyone’s intelligent. Everyone have their own skills and talents and strengths and weaknesses. And I am ‘just’ curious. If people say I’m intelligent, it’s just that I used my intelligence in a better way than most people did.

Me: But your IQ level is higher than those of the others.

Einstein: “People’s wisdom is not measured by IQ. It is how you use your mind to do things.”

Quote that, people! He’s so great. No doubt about that. I am so overwhelmed.

Me: Sir, let’s talk about your childhood. You were once a teenager like me, and how did you deal with the mistakes and challenges life has thrown on your way?

Einstein: Questions.

It took a while before I processed his answer.

Einstein: “I live in solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in years of maturity.”

Me: What do you mean by that, sir?

Einstein: Challenges thrown to your way in your youth will be very hard. Some of it might suggest to you to give up. But as you mature, you will learn that these challenges will be of big help during your adult years.

I was rendered speechless.

Me: Sir, all your discoveries were of course considered ‘right’. How do you make sure that every single thing you present to the world is right?

Einstein: “I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.”

Me: How did you attain that optimism, sir?

Einstein: “Well for me, weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract.”

He is indeed a walking book. He then added,

Einstein: “When the solution is simple, God is answering.”

Me: Do you believe in God, sir?

Einstein: Yes I do. Who wouldn't?

Me: Well, I think you can see, sir. But, a lot of scientists don’t believe in God thinking that science explains it all.

Einstein: God does exist. He created everything.

Me: But sir, there is evil in this world. Do you think evil is created by God?

Einstein: No.

Me: Then why do you think that evil is in this world, sir?

Einstein: “Evil does not exist, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God’s love present in heart. It’s like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light.”

I was again rendered speechless. And, he has his point. Right? If God is in the hearts of people, there'll be no evil in this world.

Me: Wow. Uhm, last question sir, what advice can you tell teenagers, like me?

Einstein: “Always remember: strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Another thing, “the significant problems we face can’t be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”

He talked about paradigm shift. It was a ‘saying’ known in almost the whole world from him. I turned the recorder off. We both finished our drinks and the interview is done.

Me: Thank you so much sir.

He stood up, and offered me his hand. I gladly stood up and accepted his hand.

Einstein: It was nice meeting you, kid.

Me: The pleasure was mine sir.

Then an unexpected thing happened. He was slowly dissolving into thin air. The next thing I knew, he was gone.

‘AUDREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY! You need to wake up! You’ll be late for school!’

It was my mom’s voice. If I didn't hear her voice, I will still consider that reality. Everything was a dream, undeniably. A very wonderful dream.

------------------------

            Given the chance to meet and talk to a historical person, I will talk to Albert Einstein. He is a very wonderful person and ever since, it was my dream to talk to him. The advocacy I presented in the conversation above is his belief about ‘intelligence’ and his belief in God. Paradigm shift was also mentioned.

Suicide is NOT the answer

            With all the burden, the problems and the challenges life throws at us, not everyone can fight. Some are not that strong to overcome these and give up. But suicide will never be the answer or the solution to all these problems. Killing oneself is a very severe sin to commit. It will never be for the better. It will even make things worse.

            As an advocate, I want to share all the things regarding suicide. What causes this, and we can do to prevent it. Life is beautiful if we learn to appreciate little things. We should always look at the brighter sides of things.

            I’ve looked through the internet and saw some of the organizations that are also anti-suicide. If you need help, you can call these hotlines:

Manila Lifeline Centre 

     Hotline: (02) 8969191

    Mobile phone: 0917 854 9191

Philippines Suicide Hotline: 028969191

Crisis Line Philippines: Tel. 893-7606 or 893-7603

HELP SAVE LIVES.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

            The story started on the day of the reaping in District 12. The lead character, Katniss Everdeen (16 years old), went out to the woods to meet her friend Gale to hunt for something to sell that day. As Katniss goes on to the woods, which is a forbidden place, it is shown that District 12 is impoverished. Katniss thinks of her younger sister, Primrose (4 years younger), and their mother. Katniss’ father died in a mine explosion when she was 11.

            Then came the reaping. Everyone is nervous about it because it will decide which boy or girl from ages 12-18 will be sent as tributes in the Hunger Games. There will be 2 tributes from each district and they will be sent to an arena where they fight to death. Only the lone victor lives. The game was meant as a punishment by the Capitol and to remind Panem of the Dark Days and how the 13^th district was eliminated by the Capitol.

            Primrose’s name was selected at the reaping. Horrified, Katniss takes the place of her sister and was the first volunteer from the district. Peeta Mellark (also 16 years old), a baker’s son, was picked as the other tribute. Katniss remembers how Peeta gave her a burnt bread when they were young so that she wouldn’t starve. Peeta being another tribute isn’t good for Katniss because she is expected to kill him for the games.

            Before the tributes leave, they were given a chance to say goodbye. Katniss says goodbye to Primrose, and her mother; Madge, the mayor’s daughter who gave her a mockingjay pin (an important symbol in the movie); to Peeta’s father; and to Gale, her best friend for whom her feelings were unsure of.

            Katniss and Peeta rode a train to the Capitol. They were given luxurious treatment, rare to people living in the lowest districts. They were with Effie Trinket, their escort and Haymitch Abernathy, their drunkard mentor and the only survivor of the past Hunger Games from their district. Haymitch, after seeing Katniss and Peeta, promises to be serious enough to help them survive the Games.

            When they arrived at the Training Center in the Capitol, both tributes meet their stylists. Katniss’ was Cinna, a simple young man. With the new tragedy in introducing them as a pair, riding a chariot, holding hands and glowing in fake flames, the entrance of the District 12 became the highlight of the entrance ceremonies and Katniss was addressed as the ‘girl on fire’.

            After the ceremonies, the training begins. Haymitch, as their mentor, tells the both of them to keep their strengths a secret- Katniss with archery, and Peeta with his strength. Katniss was already doubting Peeta, more than ever when he asked Haymitch to coach them separately just before the interviews. At the interview, Peeta confessed his love for Katniss giving the audience the belief that they are star-crossed lovers with the arena forbidding their love.

            The 74^th Hunger Games begins with the tributes raised from the ground, surrounding the metal Cornucopia, where the supplies and weapons are placed. Haymitch’s instruction was to run away from the Cornucopia, not towards it. But upon seeing the quiver of arrows, Katniss doubts the instruction but before she can even get it, she saw Peeta shaking his head to her. She grabbed a single backpack and ran off to the woods. She placed so much distance from the other tributes, but the only problem is that she can’t find any water.

            On the first night, while sleeping in a tree, she sees the Careers (tributes from higher districts) in an alliance, hunting the weakest ones. She saw that Peeta is part of the alliance and that triggered her anger more. The next day, she finally discovers a pond. The Gamemakers sent violent fires and explosions through the woods, another battle to fight.

            At night, the Careers with Peeta trap Katniss in a tree. Rue, a young girl from District 11, hiding in a close by tree points a nest of tracker jackers to Katniss. Katniss cuts the nest loose, and dropped it to the Careers and Peeta. It killed 2 tributes.

            Katniss made an alliance with Rue, her mockingjay the instrument to gain Rue’s trust. They decided to destroy the Careers’ food supply at the Cornucopia. They broke down the traps, destroying Katniss’ left ear in the process. When Katniss returned, she can’t find Rue.

            Following the screams, she found Rue speared by a boy from District1. Katniss kills him. She sings to Rue until she’s dead decorates the body with flowers. This was seen by the Capitol as an act of rebellion for the tributes must kill each other, not befriend them.

            With 6 tributes left, Claudius Templesmith, the Games’ announcer, declares a new rule. For the 74^th Games, 2 tributes can win as long as they are from the same District. The announcement led Katniss looking for Peeta, knowing that he is badly injured in the fight he had with Cato.  She found him camouflaged in mud and his injured leg severely infected. Katniss takes him to a cave and while in there, they played as star-crossed lovers, flirting with each other, to get gifts from sponsors which they badly needed.

            Claudius announces that there will be a feast at the Cornucopia and backpacks for each tribute will be provided. Knowing that the backpack will contain medicine for Peeta’s wound; Katniss sets off, ignoring Peeta’s pleas. At the Cornucopia, Katniss was pinned down by Clove, the girl from District 2. But even before Clove kills her, Thresh, the boy from District 11, kills Clove and frees Katniss. He did this, just for once, to payback for what Katniss did for Rue. Katniss then returned to the cave.

            The medicine in the backpack was effective that Peeta slowly recovers his strength.  Katniss and Peeta hunt in the woods, making Katniss remember Gale. But thinking both boys in her life just gets her emotions more mixed up.

            Knowing that the Gamemakers will soon drive all the tributes left for their final battle, the ponds and streams soon dried up, forcing them to go to the lake near Cornucopia. Both tributes from District 12 go to the Cornucopia to wait for Cato. Cato appears from the woods being chased by mutations, creatures made by the Capitol. These creatures are wolf-like but can balance on their hind leg. They represent each dead tribute, possessing the eyes and hair color. Peeta, Katniss, and Cato climb up the Cornucopia to escape the creatures. Cato grabs Peeta, but Katniss shoots Cato in the hand which caused him to fall on the ground. He was gnawed through the night and the next morning, Katniss shoots him.

            The tributes left believed that the Games are over. But, Claudius takes back the new declared rule. Only one tribute can win. But Katniss had a plan. They both prepared to eat poisonous berries which made Claudius take back his announcement. Katniss and Peeta were declared winners.

            Katniss and Peeta were nursed back to health. Before the interview, Haymitch warns Katniss that the Capitol isn’t happy about her actions. She needs to act like she is truly in love with Peeta so that she can’t be held responsible for her actions. During the interview with Caesar Flickerman, Katniss is quite convincing. Though, she doubts if Peeta is truly in love with her.

            The story ends with Katniss and Peeta riding the train back to District 12. The closer they get, the more confused Katniss is with her feelings and identity. She knows she must continue the act with Peeta, but is concerned for Gale. Peeta is also having his dilemma of confusion for Katniss’ feelings. He weighs on which is true and which is not. At the end, Katniss isn’t sure of whom she really is after winning the Hunger Games.

Plot: The Hunger Games is an annual tradition for the Districts of Panem. It is to punish the residents and to remind them of the Dark Days and how the Capitol was able to eliminate the 13^th District. Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl from District 12, volunteers to be the tribute in lieu for her sister, Primrose, who was chosen as the tribute first. She won the game with Peeta Mellark, another tribute from the same district, by defying the Capitol through committing suicide.

Main Characters:

• Katniss Everdeen - The girl on fire. She unexpectedly volunteers herself in lieu of her sister as a tribute for the annual Hunger Games. She is a rebel against the Capitol.

• Peeta Mellark - He is another tribute from the same district as Katniss’. He pretends to be deeply in love with Katniss for them to survive the Hunger Games.

Setting: The story took place in a dystopian city of Panem, with 12 Districts known in the first book.

Rising Action: Katniss volunteers to be the tribute for the 74^th Hunger Games.

Climax: The tributes from each district fight to death in the arena until only a lone victor wins.

Falling Action: Fighting for the new rule where 2 tributes can win as long as they’re from the same district, Katniss and Peeta tries to commit suicide to defy the Capitol.

Denouement / Resolution: Going back home, Katniss gets more puzzled with her emotions and her identity. The story is continued to the second part of the trilogy.