summer camp 2012: ALAB

©lizagarcia

                It was only a day before the camp when I finally decided to join, and by God's grace, my parents have enough money to send me to this activity...

Expectations: I expected the camp to be the fun, but I was preparing myself to be lonely too since I don't have a lot of friends in our church.

What happened: I was moved and stirred by God's revelation to me through the speakers, praise and worship, and even through my new friends. The place was really holy, though it wasn't that cozy. I had personal problems which I totally surrendered before God. 

             I was also blessed with the people I met in the camp. By the way, our team , which was composed of 40-50 people, chose me as their leader. I was really surprised since I was one of the youngest in the group and that I haven't had any leadership experiences in our church. AND YEAH! we got 2nd place in the game! wohoo!

           Most of all I brought christian friends with me who will continue to inspire and push me to achieve my purpose in life. I got involved more in the ministry. I just hope that God would help me balance my time as a student and as a part of a ministry.

( P.S. this is just my experience, i'm gonna post what I really learned next time)

             

UP FRESHIES TIP

        Freshman Tip:

Freshmen, prepare yourselves to be shocked. Ang mga professors sa UP ay hindi garden-variety teachers na tulad ng sa high school nyo. Ang aastig nyan. Hindi uubra ang mga pa-tweetums or paiyak-iyak dito. Kung akala nyong matalino kayo nung high school, dito ihanda nyo ang sarili nyong makatanggap ng lumalagapak na singko - every sem. Sa una masakit. Baka maiyak ka pa. Pero with enough practice, gagaan din yan.

Pero wag kayong mag-alala. You have a best friend in what we call the MRR, ang Maximum Residence Rule, which is defined as "the number of years a student must complete all requirements of the degree program. For undergraduates, the MRR is 1.5 times the number of years prescribed by your curriculum". Halimbawa, 4-year course ka, so 4 x 1.5 = 6. Yes, may six years ka para tapusin ang kurso mo. Ang saya di ba? Nagtataka nga kami sa iba na tinatapos nga nila ang college nila in 4 years. Ha?!! Kung ikaw ba binigyan ng 6-days stay sa Shangrila Boracay eh aalis ka na on the 4th day? Freshmen, ok lang naman mag overstay sa UP kasi sinungaling si Mickey Mouse. UP at hindi Disneyland ang the happiest place on earth.

(c) Diliman Republic

"I LOVE YOU": Say it when you're ready

from a child's perspective
©darrengarcia

                                                         

Infancy made me think that earth is a big bowl of food, and that everything that my hands touch is edible, even my own fingers; 

Childhood made me think that the world is an infinite  playground, and that everything that my eyes reach is a zone for me to venture; 

"Teenage-hood", however, made me realize that life is a battleground, and that everything you perceive can inflict dire predicaments upon yourself.

                A considerable number of teens nowadays engage themselves into boyfriend-girlfriend or M.U. relationships. Some people even form prejudices in their minds when they learn that you haven't had any relationships. Nevertheless, I keep myself unaffected and be on guard against these senseless convictions.

               Whatever the world might say or think about me, I'll keep myself still and be steadfast to the standards of God and not of man."Teenage-hood" is not even in the dictionary, it's the world who has corrupted our conception of what it should be. Teenage-hood is about preparing ourselves for manhood and not about pressuring and hastening ourselves in searching for partners.

       "EVERY SEASON IS A PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT SEASON."

               

             I know a lot of people who end up in regret after involving themselves in a relationship. Most teens find partners just to fill a hole in their heart, but in this very crucial stage of our lives, that hole may just be a cause of love deficiency within our family. Most people who have a strong bond with their family tend not to expedite things up; They cherish the moment of being single, so when the right time comes, they won't be wanting to escape and they won't be having the desire to feel single again.

      "RIGHT THING AT THE WRONG TIME, IS STILL THE WRONG THING."

            

           Many marriages today end up in divorce or annulment; Most of the cases are caused by ignorance. They feel, act, and think that they are still in teenage-hood, they miss the spirit of being free, they want to breakout from the bondage of marriage. This is because they have not enjoyed their moments of being single to the fullest. There's a profusion of options on how to be happy in life; Pressuring yourself to have a partner is not the key to such fulfillment.

My ideals in this matter:

1. I want to marry a woman who loves God more than me. I want someone who doesn't live in the standards of the world but of God.
2. I want to say "I love you" when I'm 99.9% sure that she's the one I want to marry. I avoid it to be said to my future ex, because I won't be having any "ex". I want it straight down the aisle. 
3. I want to be proud of my first kiss. I want it not to be hidden and forbidden from anyone. I want it to happen right after the line " You may now kiss the bride".

undesirable bitterness

©darrengarcia

                     I was enticed to buy this drink of its cheap value. You only need an additional Php 10.OO-22.OO (to value meals) to avail this offer. However, it was such a disappointment to be given such bland and bitter-tasting drink. I have tried all possible solutions to make the best out of it: add an ice cream, put sugar, etc. This is really an extraordinary drink since it did not get affected. I have nothing against McDonald's, but I just have to warn you that if you do not appreciate strong brewed coffee like i do, well, you have to think twice before falling into their business scheme.

The Time Traveler

Pyromusical display 04-29-12
©darrengarcia

     I have encountered numerous articles and documentaries concerning time travelling. They have pointed out that we can only travel to the future.We can only achieve it by travelling with the SPEED OF LIGHT. 


               However, what happened to me was in contrary with their belief. While I was in UPLB, there was a list to fill up. The girl who was in front of me indicate that her birthday was January 30, 1996 and that her age is "17". I was confused and dumbly copied her age as well since I was also born in 1996. After signing up, I was bothered and I realized that I am just 16 y/o. Well, that's a dumb and odd way of travelling into the future.