Geog Camp

If you noticed, this entry for last week is late. I usually post them during the weekends. The reason behind it was we had a camp for my Geog 1 class for the whole weekend.

It was my first time to go to a place farther than Manila. My family and I just go to different parts of Visayas and Mindanao for vacations and outings. We have never reached places beyond Metro Manila and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. So I was very excited despite the fact that my family is not with me. I really tried to be awake for the whole trip going there to observe the places we will pass. Fortunately, I was wide-awake. Before, I just sleep during travels since I easily felt dizzy especially when passing zigzag roads. But as I grew up, this feeling slowly vanished.

I don't intend to offend but honestly the roads, except highways, going there are small just like most roads in Visayas. Most of the two-lane roads looked liked one lane in Mindanao. I really think that this is because of the substandard construction due to the low budget of the government. I have said this since the Americans and the Koreans constructed most of the roads in Mindanao. This is really one of the things I want to observe during travels.

I was shocked of how far the camp location from the highway. It is part of a community but the community is small and very rural. There are no stores around. The phone signal is very rare. Good thing, our teacher already informed us about it so I didn't bother to bring my laptop with me. The place was so secluded that we were motivated to do the activities.

By the time we reached there, we were only given a time to fix our bags and take a lunch. After that, the activities immediately began. Knowing that we have many athletic classmates, we were very confident in physical activities. We were right. We almost won every activity that needs manpower. But when we had the activity that required vast knowledge in geography, we were losers. We did not expect how intelligent the other teams are. We got the last place in all those games. We really felt disappointed.

Despite having the feeling of losing, we still tried to do our best in the class presentation. For the first time, I really felt that we are united. This is because before the camp, we almost don't know the names of each other. I feel that every time I attend our class, my group mates and some course mates are the only people who know that I am in the class. Even landing on the second place, since the two other teams tied, at least we got the first place in the class presentation. It was a very good opportunity to know our classmates more.

In this camp, I experienced many firsts - like I said earlier, going to Northern Luzon; riding an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle); watching a paintball fight; playing airsoft; doing and obstacle course; and many more. I really did not expect that I will achieve (yes, achieve) all of these this early. But I think it was better when I am with my family.

This really proves that having bonding moments will be a way for acquaintances to be friends. This will give them memories that they will remember. This is a chance for people to know more about the people around them. This will encourage unity that they never thought possible. This is a way to just enjoy the company of others.

I really love this kind of activity. It helps me to explore the country . It is a chance to discover things that I can suggest to anyone. I do hope that I will experience more activities like this.

Sacrifice

If you really want something, you have to sacrifice your time and effort just to achieve it.

I had been very busy for the whole week. Because of the suspension of classes for the past week, we had to make-up for the lost time. Another reason is it was our last week to get signatures from the members of the org. I also attended my advising session for the next semester and our org Sportsfeast.

One whole week of sudden suspension of classes is a very great loss especially for subjects scheduled everyday like math. We need to have fast discussions so we can cope with the original schedule. But since they maybe felt that they were pushing us too hard, the teachers decided to move our third long exam from August 31 to September 5. I am very thankful since the weekend before the original schedule, I have a camp to attend. At least with the changing of plans, I have more time to study.

If changing the original schedule is not an option, then a make-up class is the last answer. In my Geog 1 class, our teacher decided to have a 3-hour make-up class. It will cover the two meetings we lost. And for our convenience, since most of us will attend the Geog Camp, he will have it there. For those who will not attend, he will give them a separate make-up class.

For my other subjects, which I think are not really affected by it, the teacher just moved our schedule for a week.

Since last week was the deadline of our signature sheets, I doubled my effort in getting sigs. On normal days, I go back to our dormitory for lunch but last week, I stayed in our tambayan. If I'll eat lunch, I made it sure that I'll be fast. And during afternoons, I stayed there from 4 to 6:30. Every free time I had was very precious. I never thought I could reach the minimum one day ahead. It may already seem a success but no. If I could complete them until the culminating party which is also the deadline, I will. I still had about 15 signatures uncompleted. It is a good thing that the members were very kind and supportive at that time. In exchange for their complete sigs, most of them asked for letters which is somehow convenient for me. But, there are others who were very demanding and asked for a sing or dance number. Even I don't have a good voice, singing is something I can "confidently" do. But dancing is a different thing. I am not good at it. I don't have the confidence for it. I tried to ask to change her requirement but she didn't accept it. I just hope she will change her mind when I will see her.

Also, last week, I had a schedule for advising for the next semester. Even I need to get sigs, I attended this. This is very important because it will somehow guarantee me a slot for the subjects I chose.

The last event of my week was the PsychSoc Sportsfeast. It was just a 4-hour event but for me it was still tiring because I have many things to do. When my friends decided to go home even the event was not done (they were still heading home to Batangas, and Pampanga), I went with them so I can go home early. And besides, I still had many things to do.

If was not for an org I really want to join, I won't have that very busy week. I really hope that my sacrifices will pay off. 

Destructive Monsoon

For the past week, all our classes were suspended. It was because of the heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon. Most of the National Capital Region and the nearby provinces were severely flooded. No one thought that the seasonal monsoon would cause a major disaster in the country.

As a toddler, I already came across this once. But I cannot remember the feeling and I was still unaware of the happenings. So I consider this as my first. Before, when I was still in the province, I haven't experienced it. Our province is surrounded with mountains so heavy rains cannot penetrate. Every time, I heard about typhoons and floods, it was not a big deal for me. When I saw the victims, I just felt sorry for them but not really thinking about them. Then, by the time I was already facing it, I have never thought that I became very worried. When I found out that the monsoon's rainfall exceeded Ondoy's rainfall last 2009, my anxiety grew more. The high floods also made me troubled. I have never imagined that I experienced it this early. But this incident taught me how difficult it is to live in a place frequently visited by storm. I also realized how lucky I am to grow in an environment where strong storms don't come.

My experience was a little bit scary particularly knowing that the places around me where flooded. I have never experienced flood or walking into it. I don't know how to deal with it if it reaches my place. That is why I salute those who deal with it every time the rain will be strong. If I were them, I think I will really find a new place to live.

In addition, I was very bothered by the intense lightning and thunder. I have never encountered it before. I have seen and heard them but they were not that powerful. We only have moderate and occasional lightnings and thunders. I have not thought that they will be very scary. They were like big flashes and loud bombs. I was always shocked by them to the extent that I woke up early morning because the thunders were very loud and terrifying and they occurred continuously. Since I'll stay here for a while, I think I'll be used to this.

With what happened, I realized that even how divided our country most of the time, in moments like this, we will always try to help one another. I am very delighted of those who sacrificed themselves just to save others. Also, I am pleased to those who donated relief goods and assisted in distributing them.  I am very proud that even only in these situations, we felt that we are one. I just hope that someday it will not be just during calamities but it will be permanent. It maybe impossible but who knows.

Pressure and Exhaustion

One of the things that will always be a part of a college student is stress. Most of us refer to stress as a feeling of being tired and a loss in interest. But, this perception is wrong. According to what I learned in PE 1, stress is the mind and body's response to a threat, event or change. Also, stress is not always bad. There is distress or the bad stress and eustress or the good stress. 

In the past week, I experienced distress. I think it is because of the many things I have been thinking. I was thinking of ways on how to manage my time and of choosing on what my priorities are. It was very hard especially when you think that they have almost the same importance. Most of the time last week, I was just contemplating about it that I did not accomplish anything. Even I am only a college student, I believe that this kind of problem is one of the hardest one can encounter. 

What happened last week is my first encounter with that kind of problem. Good for me, I always have a conversation with my parents even they are very far from me. Despite that I don't really tell them that I have a problem, I was able to express to them that I was having a hard time. They gave me words of encouragement. They said that I can do it. They always believed that I will overcome every challenge I will encounter. 

Because of it, every afternoon, I had headaches. So, for two consecutive days, I didn't stay at the nook of the org. I will still not sacrifice my health over the org. When I reached my room and before doing anything, the first thing I do is sleep. I know that this is the best medicine for my tried brain. After it, I started doing my tasks. With just a little time, I only finished my academic assignments. I cannot study for the org challenges. For me, academics will always be my first priority. 

As what I said, choosing our priorities is one of the hardest things especially when we all consider them as important. It is hard that you only think about it throughout the day. You are not able to concentrate on what's happening. So, I was trying my best not to think about it because it will ruin my mood for the day. That strategy somehow kept me calm. But after each day, I again remembered my problems. I always pray that everything will be fine. 

My post for the week is just short since I cannot share my problems. I can only describe how it affected me. I am just happy because most of my problems are solved. I will not give up. I know that the end will be good. 

Stressed

Many unconnected events that happened to me in the past week were very stressful. Two of those were the Dormitory Acquaintance Party and the completion of the my sigsheet. These made me very stressed that I almost want to sleep very early.

The first event was the Dormitory Acquaintance Party. I was not really stressed about what to wear, making the program, decorating the area and the like because I was not part of the house council and I did not volunteer to help in anything. What made me stress was the program and how they organized it. First of all, they were not clear about the dress code. They said that we must wear colorful clothes to describe how colorful our life is. But when we had our corridor assembly, one of the house council members said that we must wear the clothes that reflect our personality. It was really confusing. How can you wear colorful clothes when you are the emotional type of person? You cannot mix the both of them. Second, they did not follow their program flow. They started very late so obviously everything was moved. Also, one of the host forgot the sequence as a result her partner was at a complete loss on what to do next. Third, the schedule for food getting was not followed. It was supposed to be after the main program. But since come people already got some food, the dormers thought that it was okay. Therefore, most of the people at the back lost their focus on the program and they became very noisy. I don't know why no one reprimanded them. Fourth, the food distribution was not handled properly. Some just let the dormers get as many as they want. Some distributed it like giving food to hungry animals. Some just gave it to the people they know. I know that it is a rare type of observation but I cannot avoid it. I have also tried organizing programs but I am always trying my best to make it successful. Moreover, I don't think that when some people enjoyed the party then it is already enough. I am not saying that they did not do their jobs but I hoped that they somehow let us feel that they did it well.

The other thing that made me very stressed was getting the sigs from the members of the organization. If I did not have an ATM problem and long exams, I think that it will be easy. Unlike other organizations, PsychSoc has a very challenging way of getting sigs. They have three levels of sig getting — the signatures, code names, and the signatures for different committees. As of the past week, I only need seven signatures and it is excusable because most of them rarely stays at the nook. The second level is what I was very stressed  of. When I compared my sigsheet to other sigsheets, I was totally worried. Many of them completed at least five code names and I have not completed any. Since I know my priorities and they also said to focus on the academics, I chose to study for my long exams than memorizing all those names. So every time I stayed at the nook, I only get at least three letters. And it bothers me. My mind is full of things to think about that sometimes I thought of quitting it. But I realized that I already started it and I will also experience what I am experiencing now when I apply the next semester. So even I am very stressed about it, I will still do my best to be qualified. And also, I feel that they are very considerate as long as you have a valid reason.

Despite of all the stress I am a experiencing right now, I still believe that God will help me through all of these. I know that everything happens for a reason and these reasons are better than what we expected. Just stay optimistic and be faithful  to Him.

Time Management

It is very stressful when something happened against your plans especially when that event almost ruined your schedule. It will be very hard to adjust since your mind is already set on what to do. That is why I felt that I only accomplished few things since something happened to my ATM card that almost messed up my week.

Monday was somehow all right. Despite the fact that I hate attending meetings during no class days, I have no choice but to attend the General Assembly Meeting of our organization. After that, my classmates and I went to Palma Hall Annex to update our course profiles. Because I was expecting that my parents already deposited my allowance, I checked my account after lunch. When I tried to withdraw, the ATM machine disregarded the action so I assumed that maybe the bank had not encoded it yet. Then I informed my mother  and she said that my guess might be right.

The next day, before going to my P.E. class, I again checked my account. This time, I noticed something I have not read the other day. The machine posted a sentence which said, "No card record." So, I became alarmed. I immediately texted my mother about it. Then my father called me and asked what really happened. I explained it to him and he said that he will visit the bank and inquire about what happened to my account.

Again, when my mother informed me that the bank gave them a copy verifying that the money was already deposited, I checked it once more this time at the ATM machine of a different bank. The machine also ignored the action and it said that my ATM is not valid. As a result, my parents became worried after I informed them. My mother then went to the bank to tell them that there was something wrong with my account. The bank representative, without knowledge about the system's problem, suggested to just withdraw the money over the counter.

And that's where my schedule was ruined. Because of it, I spent so long trying to figure out how to fix the problem as soon as possible. Since my mother knew that I need an allowance, she just sent me money via a money remittance center while I cannot withdraw yet. Then, luckily, we did not have a class in Linguistics for my teacher judged a thesis defense. So, instead of hanging out in our organization, I went to their branch to do what was suggested.

When the teller said that she cannot find my account, I became very stressed. I right away called my mother and said that the only way to get it was to withdraw it to the branch where my parents deposited the money. She was very upset about it. After knowing that, I cannot stop thinking about it. Moreover, my mother instructed me to open an account on a different bank which added to the things I need to think about. The only thing I want to do after all those was to sleep.

While they were fixing their system, the bank representative promised to inform my mother by the time the system was already fixed. So we waited. Then, Friday at noon, my mother texted me that the system already worked properly. So after taking my lunch, I tried to withdraw the money and the machine accepted the action. I felt relieved after a week of stressful events.

There are times when something happens unexpectedly and sometimes it will ruin your entire schedule. But we must try to stay calm. Panic will just add to your problems. We must remember to stay focused, think of ways to fix the problem and to adjust to the situation.

The Unexpected

There were three unexpected things that happened over the week — the application for an organization, the assignment to watch a violent movie, and the results of my long exam and quiz.

Last Monday, while I was surfing the internet, my block mate messaged me asking if I already signed-up for an organization. I told her that I did not since I didn't have a companion. When she mentioned that she was going to attend an applicants' orientation of the UP Psychology Society, I immediately asked her if I can go with her. UP Psychology Society was the organization I wanted to join. So, it was a good thing that she messaged me.

Then, I went with her to the orientation. I learned there that it is not easy joining an organization. There will be many things you need to accomplish so you will be accepted. I then thought of not continuing it. But, I realized, if I will not join any organization, many will think I am a loner. Also, if I will join next year, I will have a small chance of having a companion. As a result, I decided pursuing it. I think that the challenges of the different organizations will always be part of an Iskolar ng Bayan.

Another unexpected thing that happened was our assignment to watch Battle Royale. When I heard it, I thought that it was an action film. But I was wrong . Our teacher told us that it was not really an action film but a violent movie. I can somehow stand watching these kind of movies. On the other hand, when I learned from my classmate that it was very violent, I became hesitant watching it. I had an idea of just reading a summary of it. But, I ignored it and still watched it. While watching it, I realized that it was somehow tolerable for me.

After watching the movie, I fathomed that even violent films have a lesson to portray. It may seem unbelievable but I am the kind of person who always want to understand the message of a film. So I was trying to discover what was it. At first, it was hard because all I saw was killing. Then, when it was almost finished, the message was revealed. It was "in a world full of pretenders, there will always be someone whom you can trust" which I think was unusual.

Then, the results of my long exam in Math and my quiz in French were given to us. Despite the fact that I was slightly confident, I was still nervous. My Math exam result was given first. I got 30 out of 40. I was not satisfied with my score since most of my mistakes were just because of carelessness. So, I promised myself to be more careful in the future exams. Then my French quiz were given back. I was very happy to get a perfect score. Thanks to the bonus questions, my mistakes in the spellings were saved.

Life is full of surprises. It may feel like it just happens in a certain time because some will be revealed all at once. Just remember to be prepared in whatever surprise you will encounter.