Feature Sorcerer’s Meeting: Life doesn’t end here

03-29-11 EPISODE 5

                                  I am a writer. I do write. I love to write. I cannot live without writing.

                               It amazes me when the world curves down its lips making a sad face while I, with all smiles embracing the world with happy thoughts just because I have written a piece, whether engraved with grief or happiness. I make memories when I write or vice-versa, memories makes me write. Happy memories, sad memories, epic memories, name it I have written all of them down. Writing is an extension of my life or shall I say these words while I am still breathing, “The body may rest six feet under but the writings and pieces will always be there lingering for keeps, touching people’s lives, and making a difference within them”. It will be history.

                              I have written a hundreds and among them are 3 great articles that relentlessly give me an impact whenever I read them all over again. First is my Twisted Thoughts Editorial Column on our school paper, this serves as the groundwork in all the techniques and styles that I apply in writing. This is where I build an image, a character, a façade and a reflection of myself and my views on the world. Second is my autobiography which is constantly changing, after all life is a series of changes. It is a total package of who I really am and covers all my stories. Lastly is my very own Feature Sorcerer’s Meeting, The Saga, I consider it special because it gives me a kind of feeling that drives me to write and write some more. I put my heart into it that’s why I create MAGIC as well as LIFE.

                              With daggers not as sharp as looks, with books not as thick as my face, with songs not as harmonious as my unsounded utterance, with words unspoken, with pens and papers which speak on my behalf, and with all my heart’s sincerity, I thank you, *you-who-must-not-be-named* for bringing back the burning passion of my passion. You serve not only as an inspiration but also a living testimony of my works. Soon with God’s grace and guiding light, I can hopefully publish my very first book and it will be dedicated to YOU. :)

   
                                  With all the love this world brings,                                                                                                                           

                                  FeatureSorceress ♥

Feature Sorcerer’s Meeting: A GLIMPSE

03-10-11 EPISODE 4

I haven’t seen you these days but in one simple meeting you made me realize a lot of things.

One look can say a thousand emotions. One stare can make or break a person. In my case, it did not break me but it almost broke my shoes (HAHA!). One simple meeting could be so momentous with all the factors that could make it momentous. A small hallway, a bulky bag, a pair of shoes that is going to be worn out, and a “yagit” face (I don’t know the English equivalent of it. HAHA!) What else could be so momentous than that? Simple things do matter and every detail is important, a trifle shall I say. Little do we know that what is simple in our eyes is the one that matters the most and the one that matters the most are those things that brings happiness in those simple yet momentous incidents.

Our eyes are the windows of our heart. It makes you see wonders that will meet your heart’s desire. It makes you see things beyond your reach. It makes you see the spark that is not even there but is very visible in the eyes of a person whose delight is beyond compare just seeing a person that makes her day the greatest day of her life.

*Speechless* but I already have written two paragraphs. (HAHA!)

       One look, one stare, one gaze and one glimpse are the common denominator of my insufficient equation. It may not be so broad as Fourier analysis, linear systems theory, linear algebra, complex variables, differential equations, and probability theory. It may not also aid stuff like designing, integration and application of circuits, transmission processing information, amplifying electronic signals, adding binary numbers, and demodulating radio signals like most engineers do but I do believe it will inspire a person to do more and will become more.

                                                                                    With all the radiance in one’s eyes,

                                                                                    FeatureSorceress ♥

Bida Bayani: Rizal Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Philippines is the home of heroes in the making, heroes who choose life and live a life worth of its worth, to die with a purpose and to live with a motivation. It is within every Filipino blood and vein a hero ready to unleash and face life’s challenges with unbowed heads and unbent knees.

 There is this hero that all throughout these years have marked within me the sense of responsibility. He is Rizal, my all-time inspiration when it comes in handling responsibilities. I have known Rizal for almost 13 years through reading his life story, watching films, listening to my mother’s bed night stories about his bravery and valour. However, it is only now that I realize that Rizal had been an ordinary person who did not only dream big but also did big things to aid his big dreams. He was selfless and that was the trait that I admired most about him. He had been a man of principles, true to his word and to his heart. He had a firm disposition that cannot be blown away with prejudices, libel, and slander. Never did I meet a man as unyielding as Rizal in today’s generation. However, there are these people who steadfastly dedicated their lives to life. Every village and street has its own stories of courage, selflessness, valour and heroism. Once a hero is born, change is about to roll its way to the limelight.

Rizal’s brave act before manifested a modern day Rizal. For example, CNN Hero of the Year 2009, Efren Peñaflorida had done great efforts in taking a big step on finding a solution to the fast growing number of out-of-school youths in our country. Together with the Dynamic Teen Company, they are pushing themselves to the limit with their very own “Pushcart Classroom.” Such act of heroism should really be given such credit. However, in ordinary days in our ordinary lives we can do extraordinary things that contribute to a nation’s progress just as Rizal would have wanted us to do. Heroic tales of today does not come in commercially televised programs but in real-life act in the daily realities of our lives. We are superheroes in our own right if we just firmly believe to the ‘will to do’ power and faith within ourselves that we can make a difference in our indifferent society.

Tomorrow, setbacks will reveal how people move and run a society. We don’t want a chaotic world. Nevertheless, one can still choose to be a hero, to make a change for a better world. We must also pay tribute to those who had done great efforts just to make history a never-ending array of books ready to be read, to be analyzed, to be contemplated, and especially to be applied. In this fast paced world, we must always remember that we are the faces of reality of the wombs of tomorrow. We are the unmasked superheroes of our time and the surrogates of our destiny. As Rizal quoted, “The youth is the hope of the nation.”

The Kid in Me :)

Young and Free :)

Reminiscing childhood memories :'> 

As I grow, there's always been that kiddie feeling.

Until now, the kid in me will always linger for keeps :)

SWEET SOLILOQUY: DISCREET SECRETS (Random thoughts for having a rewarding life)

Every day is a blessing. Every day is love. People just don’t see the essence of living. Waking up with a purpose, embracing the new day’s tribute, cherishing every moment, every second with your loved one… This is LIFE. We just can’t see the simple thing that gives life because we always seek what is ahead of us, what is great and what is beyond. We don’t even notice that what is great and what is good is already in the palm of our hands. Contentment seems vague to people. We are not satisfied of what we have because we always follow the trend counter parting who we really are. We don’t see the beauty that beholds us. As what one author had quoted, “You are not an accident”.  We are not accidents. We are genuine. We are special.  Each one of us is created with unique blueprints that no one can ever decode except for Our Almighty, above. We are the master of our fates, captain of our ships. We play a unique role in this world. As what Shakespeare said, “The world’s a stage”. We are our own actors and actresses of our own soap operas. Life doesn’t have to be pretty all the time. Sometimes, make-up isn’t the solution for every pimple, blackheads, or whatever wrinkles in your face. It will still be seen and will be evidently visible. Think people. Simple water and soap which only cost 10 pesos from Aling Elena’s Sari-Sari store somehow is the best solution for all the distortions or shall we call “distractions” in your heavily “make-up” face. Life is all about simplicity. Live simply and surely you’ll get the best in life. It doesn’t mean you’ll dwell on what is less. You’ll end up being a mediocre. It’s not about that. It’s more on expunging limits, breaking the stereotypical images, widening horizons, envisioning the unimaginable, and believing in the power of possibilities. It may sound hard but the “will to do” is a powerful element that can drive people to fight for what their battle cries, clamors, and endeavors are getting. Life is comforting. It embraces you to the wonderful vistas of the east, it plunges you to deep sea waters of the bay, and it simply comforts you away from the city’s air. Life’s a beach. Enjoy. Live it. You have to be tan sometimes. A new color seems to change an old perspective. Laugh out loud (lol), for in silence you might not know what it is to breathe and scream freely with no holds barred. It is just you, your big mouth and your big thoughts. Think ahead. It is in anticipation where you find the threshold of experiences. Love like you have never been hugged. It is embracing what you know could make you happy and will make you happy for the rest of your life. Take a picture! For in pictures you can find every gamut of feeling in different focal points. Stolen shots are the manifestations of a quick shot and of life’s remarkable stories. Share your life for it is in sharing where you can find the greatest value of sacrifice and love beyond measure, love beyond compare.

It is not every day you are given a chance to live. Not only to live but “TO LIVE LIFE.”

Winning the Race of Life

Life doesn’t end at high school. Nevertheless, you still have to undergo many crossroads, decode puzzles, track down twist and turns, and win the race of life. Priceless lessons await you as you continue the pursuit of happiness, life, and love. Humps and bumps may be struggles along the way but unbowed spirits and optimistic hearts will fuel you up as you accelerate to the next level. Sometimes you need to slow down and take a break to let you learn by heart that big things come from small humilities. You need to bear in mind that success doesn’t come with biggies. Every fraction of combustion comprises the love and passion that you set on everything you do. Attitude is far more important than everything else. It defines you. As what Walter Reuther quoted, “If you're not big enough to lose, you're not big enough to win”. You need a pit stop to keep you in the race.  Reviving up and keeping up with the pace is the next thing to do. By that time, you’ll fast forward and face your victory as you end up in the finish line. As you see yourself standing their triumphant, a teardrop shapes at the curve of your cheeks signifying that your conquest has been a good one, never to be overlooked but will linger for keeps.

                                                                                                                                                                                          

ON PLAGIARISM IN DIGITAL AGE

        Plagiarism seems to be a perennial dilemma for students especially in dealing with homework, paper works, and the all-time research paper. The world advances with plagiarism. The system in following right citation of sources seems to be vague as students prefers the internet as their framework of ideas. Intellectual dishonesty somehow gets in and out of the limelight as students become unaware of their act resulting to a serious misdeed.

        Trip Gabriel’s article manifested two sides of the coin. Clearly, in his article he displayed right citations and credit to sources regarding his topic which is plagiarism in the digital age. He also revealed to us that plagiarism has become an unaddressed problem which results into a rippling effect of laziness into intellectual dishonesty.

         It is also stated in the article that today’s generation are somehow complacent. They do not easily grasp the sense of ownership since online information is paving way for an immediate aid for almost everything.

         I would like to stress Sarah Wilensky’s quote about plagiarism standards, “Plagiarism does not foster creativity, it foster laziness.” This is indeed true and somehow is the focal point of all plagiarism issues. Since we are on the digital age where modern technologies advances like a speeding bullet, values conceal and norms in the society eventually changes. We must not put the blame in our fast paced world but rather within ourselves. It is still us who choose to plagiarize. We are in the world of many choices and we can still choose what is right and satisfying within the depths of our heart’s content and integrity.  

The One Year Preparation

Hi *insert name here*
Hmm. I have something to tell you man gud pero I wasn't given a chance to tell you this personally kay una,
maulaw gyud ko. :/ Teehee. Tapos, busy kaayo ta sa atong life para hunahunaon ni na mga butanga. xD
Bitaw, mao gyud ni akong iingnon. :) As a part of the ab english program or akong course, I have written a novel or a book.
And the story revovles around you in other perspective. In short, ikaw ang inspiration sa akong book. :) Napansin
naman siguro to nimu ang mga gipang-tag ni Carl saimo sa fb. Amaw gyud kaayo si Carl, naulaw gyud ko ug samot saimo. :/
Well, those were just parts lang sa novel. Heehee. Lain man gud ko mu-channel sa akong feelings kay through pen and paper
gyud. I'm not that vocal when it comes to things like this. Hopefully, I can finish and publish the book after I
study law. Naga ipon pa ko karon and still in search for a publisher for my works. I hope wala ka nalain sa akong
gibuhat kay diba? kalain pud anang cge ko'g sulat-sulat without having the consent of the person to whom I dedicate
my work :) Ayaw'g kabalaka wala to syay libel and slander against you. HAHAHA! >:DD At least, dili na kaayo ko
ma-bother kay naingon na nako saimo though PM lang. And we barely know each other, so weird gyud kaayo ko no? xDD
BTW, if gusto nimo mag pursue ug Ab English after ECE, Most probably I'll be your teacher in the future. HAHA! Harsh
baya ko. xD JOKE lang. Mag-endorse sa ko kadali sa akong course. xD hmm. Ab English is a very flexible course, all
fields in english kay ginastudyhan including speech arts, mao nang pinakalingaw then literature, creative writing,
journalism and the like. It is also a good preparatory course for law. Many people see our course as a boring
and tiring one tapos wala daw job opportunities, they are really wrong since English is the medium of instruction
and universal language, you can be at any career you like. Plus no pressure and no worries kaayo amung course kay
tig 1hour and 30 mins lang ang major. HAHA! Nosebleed lang gyud kay kargado ug english.
Lingaw pa gyud kay it's more of the expressive, creative and
imaginary side of the person than technical and scientific stuff that deals with particular matters.
Mao pwede ra ma char-charan. HAHA!
Pero I know you like science that much since nag take ka'g ECE then I guess PSYSC member pud ka dati high school,
PSYSC officer man pud ko dati. So kato lang. Medyo taas-taas napud akong na sulti. xD My apologies for a very
long message and for a very informal manner of written conversation. Tabian man gud ko musulat bah (ay? mehganon? HAHA! Tabian musulat. HAHA!)
I just really want to wrap and clear things up :D so kato lang gyud. I hope wala ka nalain sa akong gi-confess.
Have a good day and God bless. :)
-featuresorceress/Audrey Kristina Maypa

Walking Through the Corridors of Learning: A Reflection

I wrote this for my mom. I hope you like it! :)

You can earn your way to be a dancer with the right training. You can do field studies to be an archaeologist or you can be a programmer with the access of computer studies but to be a teacher? It requires a lot of effort, attitude, and determination. You have to work your way up. Loads of paper works, clearances, class records, and a fitting uniform do not define a teacher alone but it is the passion that they pour and the commitment that they give. Style and theory comes second to work ethics and positive attitude of a teacher with a low income but with a big profit in this world.

In my 23 years in service as a teacher I see myself as a beacon of hope in every student that I tapped and touched. It is not only in the four corners of the room ended my training but also beyond those doors and upon those floors they are bound to. They will not be facing a fairytale ending or a fantasy world out there. You’d rather scan the pages of a reality check and find that the world is an array of books waiting to be read, to be proofread, to be analyzed, to be applied, to be fixed, to be arranged, and to be done. They will be prepared and geared up in the battle of life and to a test of time. It is my delight to see people who are before stubborn and hard-headed but now they are the successful people in their respective profession and the great individuals in our society. The time I spend with my class is beyond measure and the memories carved within the classroom are treasured. It is with priceless memories I find happiness and satisfaction in my work.

Down the memory lane, I always see myself not a teacher but more of a shape-shifter. I do not only teach but I mold. I do not only mold but I change people. It is one of the greatest achievements a teacher can be really proud of. It is indeed hard to be one of us, not to mention our low salary and loan updates. It is also because we are into a job of multitasking. It is like speaking while eating or dancing while singing. It is not only teaching what is on the class record but speaking to the hearts of each person that is willing to learn and to enter into the deep realm of knowledge. Teaching is more than an obligation. It is more of a mission, a vocation, or a calling. It is my duty to guide my students but it is within them where they can find the true meaning of learning. As what Galileo Galilee said, “You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find within himself.”

Dancers, Archaeologists, Programmers, and all types of profession do have one thing in common. They have teachers to serve as their guide, without them the world will never be a world.