More Than The Thickest of Bloods

When someone asks me what I think about SPA, the very first thing that comes to my mind is family. The Special Program in the Arts, including the teacher and students, has been my home, my heart, and my pride for the past three and a half years. When other people get asked that same question, they may be more likely to answer that SPA is nothing but a joke. SPA isn't even that amazing. SPA is a sick excuse of "talented students" who are only good at mischief and "no-class" passes. But who gives a rat's arse, right? When people say crappy things about my hood, may it be rumors or hearsay with an ounce of truth, we just flip them the bird and continue by our own merry ways. The students in this amazing program know the truth, experienced it, and know how much the SPA has influenced us, our friends, our schoolmates, the teachers and even the school itself. We all know that the program isn't perfect, it never was and it never will be because no one and nothing is perfect. There are things that are frowned upon or ridiculed but there are definitely a lot more things that make the program deserving of its achieved success and status in the school. Oh wait, I almost forgot. So what if there are specializations that usually have no classes? I mean, come on, is that really enough to take down a curriculum that only had the interest of bettering and developing the student's talents? Is that really enough reason for a whole system that has produced and will continue producing competent and talent-developed students in arts? I don't really think so. It's common knowledge that teachers have hectic schedules and they have a very demanding job. So if a teacher is also active in school activities in need of their expertise and is in-charge of a whole lot of grueling students, it equals to an even busier agenda. And since these second-parents in SPA are these types of people, it is fascinating to know that they are still giving their really best towards their laborious profession. All teachers can attest to missing a few classes and so, it is completely relevant. (For me anyways). Anyways, not only is SPA just a program to, like I said, yield globally qualified students in Arts, it is also a doorway for high school kids to explore and learn more about their desired careers and, of course, at the same time, chill and relax. However, this program isn't just that for me. It is so much more than just that. I can't even register in my mind where I would be right now of I wasn't here. It's that unfathomable for me. It's because it's here in SPA that I found long-term friends, amazing experiences and the purest of bonds with the people I've never thought I'd develop relationships with. Not only for this program gave me the right nudge towards the path I never thought I would take, it gave me the relationships no blood-relations could possibly destroy. (Hopefully!) When they say 9th Grade is basically the start of high school, they are no more than right. But being in SPA unquestionably made it a hundred times better. Thanks to our ever wonderful teachers (I know you know who you are), we have basically composed two or three songs and made already a "legit music video." We have also made a movie adaptation with yours truly as the main actress (Well, for our group anyways). I can't even get started on our speech choir, it was magnificent and exhilarating. All these things and a whole lot more effectively made the class closer than ever. But these experiences aren't only limited to 9th Grade. Oh no! What about the whole class jamming? That right there is absolutely one of the best highlights of this SPA. THE WHOLE CLASS, I kid you not. Even if there still is a certain someone sitting outside the circle with their phones shoved at their faces, they're still singing and belting out the sing just like what everyone else is doing. There are also the class' secret signals, the very very "sabay" and laid-back president (na pasimuno ng lahat!), intense and whole class plannings and meetings (that I can guarantee is something only SPA can rock) and of course, our somewhat annual recital. Being a creative writer, I can't claim that during a recital we have the hardest of jobs. We explicitly also have a lot of pressure over our shoulders on the before and backstage of this event yet this is actually one of the greatest features about SPA. Especially during these times, you just can't help but feel elated, happy, exhilarated, and most importantly, proud of everything. The coordination, cooperation, hardwork and communication of a whole program. A whole program consisted of different age groups, different talents, interests and likes but is still capable of overpowering these challenges. Sometimes I feel like a really exultant and proud mama bear who just wants to bawl her eyes out due to overwhelmingly positive feelings. How did I even deserve this extraordinary people? Even with everything I said, I'm aware I can't possibly convince everyone to instantly see light over the Special Program in the Arts and have everybody throng over and enroll to experience the "magic." The only thing I can say to the people is that I'm a very lucky girl who is privileged and blessed by God so so much for being given the opportunity to enter here. Also, if I were given a choice (by a very stupid billionaire wizard) that my time her in SPA would be exchanged with a hundred Iphones, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Nah! I don't even like Iphones that much (don't believe me? Ask my friends!) but I really really love this family.

A View of Life in School

School is sometimes cool but sometimes not

Taking acid tests and stuff

But finding friends is still a joy

For me and you in school

School is not always good

Bullies and cliques and such

But if you're in need, a teacher will heed

And help you all the time

You deliver all your goods

And raring to the result

You're blood, sweat and tears

Will surely let you hope

School is not a sail through something

You sometimes sink or swim

But you learn to see things in different perspective

And understand the ways of life

You learn to never fear in the dark times

And have your heart in place

To try and explore all avenues

In succeeding in your life

You view your life in school

As a wonderful thing that happened

It may not be so perfect

But it helped me in all the ways

Ecology Song; Change

CHANGE

Ecology Song by Stills Stephens

Fortunes of time making up a rhyme
How do we save tomorrow
Given a voice can you make a choice
Is it black, is it grey, is it yellow

Mother Nature made it green
prettiest place you've ever seen
People don't know what they need

Open your window
what do you see
Do you remember
How it used to be

All of this crying, while the earth is dying
It's a shock they won't stop because of the money
America is lost, figurin' the cost
you can hang your head in shame
It's disgusting

Mother nature made it green
Prettiest place you've seen
People don't know what they need
Open your window
What do you see
Do you remember how it used to be

            The world, as we know it, is place where a lot of living things but it is mostly known as the habitat of humans. Moreover, it is where living things survive, reproduce and seek shelter or protection. The world was born billions of years ago. It was where the world was still full of beautiful and amazing things that now in the present are already gone, endangered or polluted. The world was once a place that now we could only imagine. The human civilization is too much for the world to carry.

            The song “Ecology Song” by Stills Stephens is a song about how the environment has changed for the bad. The line “How do we save tomorrow
, given a voice can you make a choice” is a line that truly shakes you up. It’s giving you a knock on your head to let you realize ‘Tomorrow’. It actually is a very good song that lets everyone open up their eyes and make the right choice. We choose the path of our lives based on how we could care for the Earth.

            The ‘change’ that happened to us was the time we started to abuse the abundance of natural things that were gifted to us. The line “Mother Nature made it green, Prettiest place you've seen, People don't know what they need, Open your window, What do you see, Do you remember how it used to be” lets us scan our surrounding; letting us realize and ask these questions ‘What would this place be if there weren’t buildings or malls or stores? What would it be like to feel the cold breeze against your face, or the kind sky that seems to brighten everyone’s day?’

            In conclusion, the song by Still Stephens is a song that really expresses the (what might be) feelings of the Earth towards the control and abuse of humans to the Earth. What I could say is that the world is our home so let us all try to protect, care, and conserve our home, Earth.

Pollution: Earth

        I really think this picture speaks a lot to me and to a lot of people. This is an example of how super-poor families would do if everybody would just throw garbage not just in bodies of water but also in other places. Everybody thinks that a piece of candy wrapper is a very small thing compared to whats in the picture, but if everybody in the world would each throw a piece of candy, how many would that be? A million? Billion? What if we all throw a plastic bag full of candy, each of us. That's just too much. Does the people even think about these families, the ones who can't buy a single thing, they just swim in the water to find some recyclable things that can be sell for food. I know everybody knows that, we just don't care because all we care about is ourselves.

Child in Polluted Water
Is that what you want?

             I really pity the child in this picture, seeing as he has half of his face submerged in the dirty, polluted water. I don't want to ever be in his position and I know that even you don't want to be in his position too. So, for the sake of everyone and of the Earth, we really should practice recycling and throwing garbage's properly. I know that all of you are so bored to hear that statement again and again and again, but is there any improvement? Go ask yourself that. Did I improve my cleanliness habit after hearing the words recycle and throw your garbage's properly?

           "Sooner or later, we will have to recognize that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans" by Evo Morales. This saying really lets you think about what the planet would be without us humans, it makes me covered in fear. In my imagination, the Earth would full of peace. A good thing or a bad thing?

        “One hundred and fifty years ago, the monster began, this country had become a place of industry. Factories grew on the landscape like weeds. Trees fell, fields were up-ended, rivers blackened. The sky choked on smoke and ash, and the people did, too, spending their days coughing and itching, their eyes turned forever toward the ground. Villages grew into town, towns into cities. And people began to live on the earth rather than within it.” by Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls. This saying is also a hit on the gut. Truthfully, I am also not a lets say "earth lover" but not a hater.

           Even though, the picture really just makes me want to change all the times I threw my garbage's improperly. I just wanna say that please be disciplined enough to understand the environment. 

FACING THE TRUTH

       Truth. A word that causes hurt, sadness and anger. This quote here “Face the truth or the truth will face you” by Mehmet Murat ildan, means that you need to be brave enough to face the truth because if not, the truth will destroy something precious in your life, like your family or your dignity or you motivation. It is better to adjust in the truth or live life in lies.

       Facing the truth is like picking a very beautiful flower with  sharp thorns, without using gloves. You know why I compare it? It is because the truth hurts. Like when you're boyfriend tells you he doesn't like you anymore you're so fat and ugly. but it's better that way, because he is giving you another chance to fall in love again. The Truth hurts, at first. Facing the truth now won't be the end of the world right?

 

        

         Also, not all people are honest right?So, there would be pretty little liars in the world. But, please remember, the truth often hurts, but be strong.

Character in Success

     Success. Another word for accomplishment of one's goals. The attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. And obsolete. "Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success" by John Hays Hammond means that if you have a bad attitude, you cannot have real success. What is real success? If you'd ask, it is when you are successful, you are also happy and other people beside you are also happy. and also, you know that what you are doing is the right thing to do.

    As a student, having a great character leads you to accomplishments. Achievements that shape your mind and knowledge that ease it. If you are a successor, and you have a bad attitude, what's the use of that success. Isn't it worthless? 

     

As for the young ones that is yet starting to school, don't hate it. Love it!

EDUCATION

      Education. It is a gift that will never be taken away. The saying "Education is the key to success" by Solomon Ortiz means that having education is the road to your triumph. Every one must be given a time to be educated because you will become civilized and you can have a decent job. Having a degree in education is always beared in mind and have a mark in your heart.

         As a student, to be educated is a gift. Because you have the knowledge of the basic necessities of life and have information of what is good and right. What I understand in Education is the key to success is that if you have educated, you will be lead to success.