"The Long Lost Paradise"

As I was walking---mindlessly,

Along the shore of the blue sea

The only thing that I can see,

Is the sun that rise endlessly.

Gently as a young lady must,

Roaming with a soft spoken soul,

And this my heart that can't control,

Sound of waves I thought ne'er exists.

Blue skies appear above the hills,

This feeling that is filled with bliss!

How can be a country like this?

That looked splendid and gives me chills!

Words aren't enough to concise,

My trivial metaphors were strong--

But to ponder it were nothing.

Batanes, the lost paradise.

Remembering Rizal: A Hero, Our New Hope

"The youth is the hope of our future."

Do you know who Jose Rizal is? Yes, he is the national hero of the Philippines. He was born on June 19, 1861 in the town of Calamba, Laguna. His fearless acts upon the Spaniards and his great love to our country are what he is known until now.  Doubtless, he is indeed a hero. But, what is so good about him that we still remember all the deeds and things he has done to us? That is he truly believes that our youth is the hope of our future.  In the present time, we celebrate his birthday and important events that happened in the past that is connected to him. There are also movies, programs and plays that show his dauntlessness and affection to his homeland. One play that I have seen about him is the “Batang Rizal”. Its focus is on how he can be a great hero even to us teenagers.

Last 18^th of January this year, we went to Assumption Theater in Antipolo to witness a play that is about the childhood of Rizal. I was so giddy at that time because before we went to the said place, I managed to be a comelec on the election of our school. The student’s had lunch and time to prepare ourselves. We used jeepnies on our way to Antipolo. It was quite a good ride because I had fun with my gal classmates. We arrived at the place early and we waited for almost two hours outside. Not mentioning that it's in the afternoon and the sun's at its peak. At last, we entered the theater and I gasped in amazement. Yes, the theater was quite adequate except for one tiny detail, the seats. It was slanted. The unfortunate audience like me was partly annoyed because we can’t see the stage clearly.  The actors gave us reminders of what we have to behave while the show is running. After that, the lights went off and we awed in the sight. It started with Pepito, who was playing around with his classmates. Suddenly, they broke the head of the statue the mayor has given to them. Pepito was all to blame. While thinking of how he can fix it, he found an enchanted book that is about the life of Rizal. That’s the part where the play really started.

Reading the book, Pepito went back to the time of Rizal. It was chaotic for him that he doesn't recognize where he is. He met Rizal’s sisters and thought that he was Pepe. They teased and fooled him but he insist that he wasn't Pepe, but Pepito. He also taught them new words, including the ‘weh’ part. They sang the “Weh Song” which is so humorous. Pepito and Pepe became friends throughout the play and decided to go  to the present time. He was going to help Pepito on his problem about the broken statue. Pepe met Pepito’s classmates and the three bullies who intimidate him a lot. The two boys had a hard time with the three bullies, of course, they always tease Pepito. It was a very amusing and hilarious play. I laughed about a million times. Eventually, the students cooperate with Pepe and Pepito because the mayor threatened them. All of them had united to fix the statue. That’s the pleasurable part. I was delightful to see the youth helping each other for the satisfaction not only for themselves, but for others as well.

The whole play is impressive. The actors and actress were all good and entertaining. But the story is not just for pleasure and amusement. It teaches us lessons and scenes that will reflect to us. We, the Filipinos, should be filled with pride and stand proudly to present our national hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal. It’s not about being a hero to do good things. It’s all about teaching our hearts to be true and pure like Jose Rizal. It’s up to the youth of what the future is waiting for us. If you haven’t chance to see the play, then you missed a part of your life.

Cleaning A Fluffy Thing

  One of the hardest work in adopting a dog is bathing them. I don't know why but almost all dogs try to resist a bath at first. By learning these basic steps on how to bathe your dog properly might make them enjoy it soon and be comfortable at your hands. Having a regular bath time is important for your dog. It will help them lower their temperature and of course, it'll help them clean and get rid of the bad smell. People aren't the only ones who hate bad smell, dogs hate it too. These are the steps that I found in the internet.

  The first step in bathing your dog is finding a perfect place and prepare all the things you will need. Finding the perfect place  is based on the size of your dog. If your dog is small, you can use the counter of the bathtub to bath them. But if your dog is big, you can do it outside with a hose on. Don't let them just roam around or else you'll have a hard time when you bathe them. Next, prepare all the the things that you'll need. For the basic materials, you need a shampoo or a soap, a clean and big towel, a dog brush, and a blower if they have a thick fur. In choosing a shampoo, don't use the shampoo that human use. It might irritate their skin or they might be allergic to it. Use a shampoo that your veterinarian recommend.

  Second, check the dog's fur and if a brush is available, brush the dog's coat carefully. This way, the unwanted dirts will be removed and will lessen your work. If you found some ticks around your dog's fur, consult your veterinarian on how to cure them.

  For the third step, wet the dog's fur starting from their head to their body. Apply the shampoo. Wash the dog's head first. That way, the dirt goes into the next body part that will be washed. Stroke their back not the way we do, do it like your massaging them. That will help them feel relaxed and their fur will be washed. Be careful not to put shampoo near the eyes, nose and ears. This might lead to serious damages.

  Rinsing your dog is the fourth step. Rinse your dog until the water that flows from his fur is clear. Do not leave remains of shampoo because it might be the reason why your dog have ticks. Start it from the head to their body while massaging their fur.

  Lastly, get the towel and lay it over your dog's back and rub your dog dry. Clean the place where you will be placing your dog so the dirt would not stick  to them. Give them a treat for cooperating with you.

  Bathing your dog is the basic but the hardest work in dog adoption. Small or big, you have to keep them from struggling. After bath time, give your dog a treat for his cooperation. This way, it will lead him to an idea that he will receive an award if he follows your command. Soon, your dog might look forward to bath time.

A Beautiful Disaster (Descriptive)

   What do you feel when it's raining? Have you ever liked the sounds on the pavement? The breezy wind? The gray cloud? Have you ever felt the emptiness within it? The rain have great purpose in every way. We can't live without the rain. Everybody needs it. Do you like the rain? For me, there is nothing incomparable in the ambiance of a cold morning with a bliss of rain. 

   Many people might hate it when it's raining. But something in the rain makes it so special--the breezy wind, the sounds of drippling water on the pavement and the cool moist outside the window. The rain is something I'm fond of. The sweet-like smell, the tingling sounds in my ears and the cold feeling crawling through my body. I like the smell of the rain. My miniscule metaphors can't explain it why, but it feels so good as if my mind was flying in the world of ecstasy. Who would not like that kind of feeling? The wind, the sounds on the pavement and the cold atmosphere-- I'll just have to lay on my bed, start the music in my phone then read some good book. 

    The rain is nature's downfall. A friend told me-- my love, perhaps, told me that she reminds me like a rain. Well, that's partially true. The rain reminds me of myself-- making it so simple but sometimes a beautiful disaster. You may not know it coming but it would bring some clue. It's raining when it's gloomy and it's raining even if there's sunshine. So did I. I cry when I'm sad and tears would fall off too of I'm happy. The rain might be a disaster to anyone, but they didn't notice how important the rain is to humanity.

   The great feeling in this world is sleeping on a cold bed with a breeze of morning's shower. In other people's point of view, that may be unexplainable, or even absurd. But for me, I love the idea that the bliss of rain's the reason why our bed's cold. When it's raining cats and dogs outside, I always want my morning to have a sip of milk, tea or a hot chocolate while reading a book, eating something tasty while surfing the net. They may not see it as I do, but the rain is simply amazing and relaxing.

Tips to be an effective writer. (Sample Post)

1. Avoid redundant sentences.
As a reader, you wouldn't want to read the same lines all over again. Once or twice is quite bearable, more than that is a big no no. The possible sentences, line or words that should be repeated is the first and last sentence what readers wanted to read.
2. If there's a word for it, use it.
Some writers, wanted their choice of words a little different so they use a much deeper words. But making the words too deep might exhaust all readers and make them go away. When you can make the words more simpler, the more better. Being an eloquent writer is best for instructional and creative writing. This will also balance quality and quantity.
3. It is always 'your' not 'our'.
Who is writer here? It's you. You're the one who's telling and the one who is creating. Your readers will gain more confidence if it seems to them that you are in a far away place and not one of them.
4. Do not command, just suggest.
Your readers don’t want you to be commanding them to do things. Instead of saying “use this tool” say “I find this tool very useful”. Although the phrase points to you finding the tool “very useful” it will give the reader an idea that it is indeed good, and might use it. Everyone has their ego to protect, yes it applies here too. A declarative sentence is more favorable than a command sentence.
5. Strong words, strong memory.
Using of strong words in your sentences might automatically keep you from doing tip #1. A quote from a movie or in a book is a big impact to the readers and they can't just simply forget it.
6. Let them guess.
As a writer, you shouldn't give it all. Add a mysterious twist, leave a question, excite them that they will want for more. Keep on making them think, or say, “what’s next? what’s next?” but your goal should be “awww I want more!”
7. Figures of Speech.
Usually when a writer explains a piece of very complicated material there is always the worry of boring the readers to death.
8. Humor
You may add humor to lighten up the subject and make your readers feel at ease with you. It should not be forced, it should appear as naturally as possible. People deserve to smile while reading, and they will like you for making their hectic day lighter.
9. Try before suggesting.
Nothing beats experience, that is a fact. As a writer, you shall not suggest to the readers things that you haven't tried nor proven yet. Be cautious and share only what you have experienced first or has a good knowledge of, even theoretical.
10. Read other's work.
This way, it will give you knowledge about the current happenings. It will also give you an idea which readers would want to read and what they don't. Saying "I didn't learn anything from that" is nonsense, because you're just being careless or just thinking it wasn't effective.


Credits to the owner. (c)