Cover Letter

August 30, 2013

Dear Bloggers,

What's inside my blog? Well, I try to bring inspiration. Each day, we learn, grow and develop to be the person God wants us to be. We strive to survive this world and everyday we have a chance to discover new wonders. That's is why my blog is quite "random" because you'll never know what life may bring you.

"1 Timothy 4 :12" is the name of my blog because I believe that even though I am only 17 years old, I could share my experiences and make a difference. That we are not too young to make change in this world and that we are capable of making the world a better place! As simple as smiling to another person or doing your assignments gives a big "difference" to the world. Why? because we tell them that teenagers (we) are not what they think we are. We show them that we are capable too.

I hope you'll enjoy my blog. I am still learning to write well so please bare, if there are any, my mistakes.

I just want to express my feelings and share my discoveries here so I hope you'll learn something and enjoy!

God bless.

Love,
Maxine Chua. A56A

Reflective Essay

          Writing is a skill that I am sure everyone has. The only difference that one might have with the other is the ability to write well. Their ideas, perspective, and imagination are unique but, one must always have coherence, clarity and completeness in writing. That is what I lack. At time I want to "write" and share my stories and imaginations but, I have weak grammar skills and at times I cannot easily express what I want to say. That is why ENGLCOM helped me a lot. Not only in writing but, in knowing myself as well.

          The most popular misconception on academic reading and writing is probably, you can never get anything when you read. Even though I might not look like it, i love books. I read books every time I have the opportunity to and that was my mistake. I never really understood that reading should be a daily basis until recently. I learned that reading should be constant so that everyday you could have the opportunity to improve your grammar, your comprehension and even your imagination-which are needed a lot in writing. Reading helped me a lot in making my blog entries. My blog entries are usually reflections about what is happening to the world and some say a bit inspirational, the thing is that I could never have written them without enough "knowledge" about them. You can never write if you have not yet read.

          Another difficulty that ENGLCOM helped me with is my ability to prove my stand. Like what I said a while ago, clarity and precision is my major problem in writing. I cannot easily express myself that is why I had a hard time in my essays, especially the argumentative essays. Yes, you might say that we have sources to refer to but, to be honest, i rely on my own stock "knowledge". For me, it is difficult to write about something you do not know about. Of course, I still consult sources but, sharing what I know is hard because I do not know how to put my words to it! This might sound ironic but, i was able to overcome my weakness through overcoming my weakness. I faced my "fears" and hanged on tight with the little ability that I have and accepted criticisms and correction. I was able to make my argumentative essay on time and I am thankful that I only got a few corrections. Same goes with my entry and exit essays. Somehow I saw the change in the style and coherence of my writing. I developed proper transition and i could say that I improved in my clarity in expressing myself. I think the factor that helped me improved my skills is the fact that I try to write everyday. The school blog really helped me express my ideas as well as improve my writing skills. The school blog encourage me in making a personal blog as well. Everyday, I make it a point to write an entry and I really know that it helped me a lot.

          I really learned a lot in ENGLCOM. It showed my capabilities as well as my weakness. The capabilities improved and my weaknesses, I overcome. The blog entries helped me a lot in knowing and expressing myself. The essays enriched my past knowledge and helped me know more about the world. Truly, writing became part of our lives this term and I am thankful that I was able to experience this subject. I am blessed to be able to study in a good university and I know I would not improve if I am not here.

Maxine Chua. A56A

Entry Essay : Wasted Potential

"Wasted Potential"

          "Social Issues", the Philippines has plenty of them. Corruption, poverty, high crime rates and even certain "shobiz issues" are considered one. A social issue that never gets off my mind though is the lack of education. Every time I was asked to write about a social issue, I write about the lack of education in my country. I believe that all the other social issues can be solved through education. Education can help the Philippines. That with proper education there could be a big difference in our country today.

          "Teach to Reach" is an activity brought by our school's SASS or Social Action Students Staff. This project aims to make us aware of the current condition of the lack of education in our country and for a day, the students get to experience being a teacher. I was able to teach a 7 year old girl named Janella who was very bright with a lot of capabilities and passion to learn how to read and write. My eyes were opened to reality that day. I saw how a brilliant girl would end up to nothing. How her potential will be put to waste without proper nurturing. A gem that could not be found if forgotten. Education tells us our potentials and capabilities! This girl has has a lot of gifts but, I am afraid she might not know them.

          The lack of education is an issue probably more than half of our population is experiencing! The government should provide more opportunities for the Filipinos. They should provide more teachers and classrooms that are suited for a proper education. The government should realize that if they want to solve majority of our country's problems, education is the key. The problem is, the government doesn't even care if the Filipinos lack education. It's not even the first issue in our country's budget list. What's more, some government officials take advantage of these uneducated Filipinos. They don't deserve this treatment. The Filipinos have the right to be aware and educated! If this issue would not be put to an end, what's going to happen in our country? 

          With proper education, we are able to create a vision- a dream. A vision that could make the Philippines a better place. An idea of innovation and a motivation to have a better country. Possibly a chance to end the lack of education in our country! Education is a vital part of ones life. It's the key to knowledge and to ones success.

           Being able to study in a good school is a blessing from God. Truly, we should really work hard and do well in our studies since not all people are privileged to study in a good school. I may only be seventeen but, I am trying my best to make the people aware of this social issue. I am hoping that someday I would be able to participate with an organization/ project for these Filipinos. I believe that everyone has a potential and discovering them is good but, making the world know that you have that potential- is the best!

Perks of being a Bilingual.

Perks of being a Bilingual.

Bilingualism, the ability to speak in two dialects, has been an interesting topic to scientists- particularly neurologists, psychologists and education specialists. Even reporters, teachers and some of the ordinary people count bilingualism as an "issue", something to be debated about. Moreover, most of the professional know that there is something special and unique about being bilingual.

Jeffrey Kluger, a TIME magazine reporter once said, "Never mind how well spoken you might be now, you will never again be as adept (skilled) with languages as the day you were born". Indeed, the youngest person in every room is almost always the best linguist among everyone else. However, linguistic ability fades fast as the child reaches nine months old. Some of our synapses start getting pruned away, therefore, decreasing our bilingual ability. Thankfully, most of the schools in the world did not forget the advantage of being bilingual or even multilingual. Although most of these schools provide the opportunity to study a second language, sometimes parents disagree. The reason of these parents is because bilingualism will deteriorate one’s identity, culture and language. But the truth is, it would help express one's self, improve one's cognitive ability and bring better job opportunities for their children in the future.

A bilingual person is someone who speaks two languages. A person who speaks more than two languages is called 'multilingual' (although the term 'bilingualism' can be used for both situations) (Borsch, 2000). People tend to look at bilingualism as a threat to one's identity, culture and native tongue. Many countries are paranoid about losing their language and individuality. Take for example, America. America is afraid of losing their English language after the arrival of Spanish, French, and other foreign languages in their country. Advertisements, which are widely available to the people, start to have publications in Spanish and in other dialects (Drefius, 2009). Are these Spanish advertisements wrong? Not at all. In fact, America should not be paranoid about anything. English is a universal language and is present in almost every country so, there is no need for America to be worried. Even other counties do not have to worry about losing their native tongue. Actually, today, no country is still monolingual. We should realize that we are living in a competitive generation- striving hard to always have foreign relations that would benefit the country and oneself. But how about the cuture and identity? One’s losing-of his identity, culture and language is not because of bilingualism. In fact, bilingualism would benefit one's country since one has the ability to converse in two languages, thus, giving a person the opportunity to share his or her culture and language to other nationalities.

The second perk of being a bilingual is the ability to easily express one’s self. "Express yourself". We often hear this phase ringing in our minds when we are caught up with insecurity and timidity. It is a phrase that we all know and we all find comfort in. We all need to freely express our desires and feelings. It is then vital to one's life, because without it we could never live fully. We would not be able to tell other about how we feel, what we believe in and stand for. Being bilingual would help a person express his ideas and feelings more because each language has a certain unique word that could not be translated into other languages. Take the "po" and "opo" expressions of the Filipinos. Can you think of any English, French or any other language that has the same meaning as "po" and "opo" regardless of the intonation you give? None. There is no way to be as polite as the way Filipinos speak. Another is the word "bayanihan". Even the universal language, English, could not translate "bayanihan" for us. "Bayanihan" has its own essence and meaning that only those who know Filipino could understand it. Knowing a second, third or even fourth language helps us express ourselves more because certain words could only be expressed through a particular language.

For many years, scientists-particularly neurologists and psychologists have been researching about bilingualism. Studies showed that bilinguals have a nimbler and quicker brain and could even resists Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. These professionals believe that bilingualism would help improve and develop one's cognitive ability. Ellen Bialystok is one of the cognitive neuroscientists who have spent almost 40 years learning about how bilingualism sharpens the mind. Her good news: Among other benefits, the regular use of two languages appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Through her studies, she was able to find that bilinguals have multitasking abilities and integrated cognitive abilities. Even at a young age, the ability to concentrate and comprehend is higher than those who are monolingual . Bilingualism is an interesting topic to scientists but, it may be an issue to other people (Kluger, 2009). In an interview Bialystok was asked, "Bilingualism used to be considered a negative thing- at least in the United States? Is it still?". Bialystok answered "Until about the 1960s, the conventional wisdom was that bilingualism was a disadvantage. Some of this was xenophobia. Thanks to science, we now know that the opposite is true." (Bialystok, 2004)

Lastly, bilingualism would open up doors of opportunity because bilinguals have the advantage and edge to enter a globally competitive world. Again, our generation today is different from the past generations. You have to learn how to use a Mac, iPod and other electronic gardgets in order to "survive" this technology advanced world. But aside from learning to be "techy" (a person who is advanced with technology), being bilingual is also important. Emergence of different foreign companies, the increasing number of OFWs abroad and the fast globalization of our world are just some of the reasons why being bilingual could give us "the" opportunity! Whether companies are conducting business overseas or trying to grab a larger market share at home, employers are increasingly seeking out bilingual workers, or people with the ability to speak and communicate in more than one language. In fact, a recent keyword search by Career Builder, turned up more than 6,000 job postings seeking bilingual applicants. Thirty-one percent of executives speak two languages, according to a poll of 12,562 visitors to the Korn/Ferry International Web site. An additional 20 percent speak three languages, 9 percent speak four languages and 4 percent speak more than four. Bilingual people have the advantage to accelerate in executive positions ones they are working.

Being bilingual would help a person express one's self, improve one's cognitive ability and bring benefits to one's future. Some words can only be expressed using a certain dialect, and there are some phrases that increase the essential meaning of a word. Like, "po" and " opo" which shows respect to the person you are talking to. Bilinguals also have the advantage of resisting Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Lastly, being able to converse with two dialects would help a person find a better job in the future- with high positions right away. We may not notice it, but we already live in a bilingual world. Face it, one will never survive this world without even knowing how to speak a few English words. Try studying a language now before it is too late. Learn, grow and achieve your goals. Be a bilingual.

Borsh, Laura.. "Why it pays to be bilingual". (Jan, 26, 2009). Retrieved August 8, 2013, from

     Jobs Website, http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2009/01/26/why-it-pays-to-be-bilingual

Drefius, Claudia."Bilingual Advantage".( May 31, 2009). Retrieved August 8, 2013, from

     New York Times Website http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/science/31conversation.html?_

"Life as a bilingual". (n.d.) Retrieved August 8, 2013, from 

      Psychology Today Website, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-bilingual

Maxine Chua. A56A

Never Give Up.

          “Never Give Up”. A phrase that I am sure everyone knows. Three simple words that gives us motivation (strength) and could even change our lives for the better. That was the advice given to me by Lee Juhan, A Korean musician, when I had the opportunity to ask him about his advice to aspiring musicians. Truly, we have to hang on and wait for the breakthrough of our lives because that is what “never giving up” means. 

         We all have dreams and we all want to accomplish them. I mean, who does not? But at times, we concentrate too much on our weaknesses or our limits and we feel like giving up. My dad never really wanted me to be too inclined with music. Before, when I was in High School, I asked him “Dad, what if I take Music for college?”. “I think you better make that as your sideline instead”, he replied. From then on, I never again thought of music as a “career option”. Until when I had the opportunity to ask Lee Juhan about it through Arirang Radio. To give you a bit of a background, Lee Juhan is a jazz-musician and leader of a Korean Jazz band, Winter Play. He plays the trumpet and is specially trained in the genre Jazz. I asked him “What is your advice to aspiring musicians? Especially to those who’s parents disagree?”. This was the most “serious” question out of all the other given ones during the broadcast. “Maxine!” he says, You know what, my parents... never really supported me in music completely. But, I just went on. I majored in Mechanical Engineering but, I still played music. My advice is... Music? The work of art which you're in Sam (the DJ) and which you know He-Won’s in is no easy job. And even if you hit the stardom it’s never easy. There’s low times and high times. So my advice is just simply...Don’t give up! You can’t give up.” “There’s no one way of accomplishing. There’s no one solution. The only one solution that I know is don’t give up! Don’t give up! What is my point in writing this essay? It’s because I know as first year college students, we are still finding ourselves and discovering our purpose of living! I want music but, at times I think I don’t really “have” enough capabilities like the other aspiring musicians or musicians themselves. But, again... what will I lose if I try? What if we “never give up” on our dreams and passion. Just like what Lee Juhan said to me, the only solution I know... is to never give up.

           In accomplishing something, we always experience bumps on the way. But, let us be strong and courageous admits the obstacles we face. If you want to be a professional football player, dedicate an hour or two for practice. If you want to be a doctor, start reading books and increase your knowledge of your dream field. If you want to be a musician... work hard, practice and never lose your passion to it. Whatever your dream is... Never Give Up. I know I won’t on mine. 

Maxine Chua. A56A

Exit Essay: We Need Education.

         Everybody knows that poverty is present in the Philippines. Almost everyone agrees as well that corruption is the main reason poverty exists. Well, is it? For me, corruption is just one of the many social issues that cause poverty. From a number of social issues, I believe that the lack of education is the main reason for poverty. Education would help the Philippines progress because it would help the Filipinos discover their capabilities, become more aware of their country and would help them know their purpose in their country.

          The first people who taught us the things that we know now are our family members. They taught us the alphabet and even a bit of math when we were little. But, out of all of these basics, the school is the one that provides all the intellectual knowledge that we have to learn. One of the great things about going to school is their desire for their students to know more about their capabilities. In school, we have about seven to eight subjects per day. We discover our weaknesses and capabilities through the tests and challenges we face in these subjects. For a math genius, he could be a professor one day or even an accountant. For someone good in art class, he could be a painter or even a fashion designer. The school provides us the opportunity to learn and discover our talents and skills. It helps us discover our capabilities with no limitations and distractions. Limitations and distractions such as some parents who force their children to do something they do not want to do and be someone who they do not want to be.

           Education would also help us become more aware of the situation of our country. As citizens of the Philippines, we have the right to know and learn about the happenings in our country. But how can we learn if we cannot read, write or even understand the circumstances that our country is facing? Let us take the elections as an example. Majority of our population are, sadly, uneducated. What do most of our politicians do about our Filipinos being uneducated?. They take advantage. Politicians take the opportunity to bribe, lie and cheat to these Filipinos because they know that all these poor Filipinos want is money-not proper leaders. These politicians know that they will all fall for money and so they use that as their tool for a sure win in the elections. We need education for these Filipinos because , again, we have the right to learn and we should not be taken advantage of. We all deserve to be educated not cheated.

          Lastly, education would help us know our purpose for our country. When we realize what we are good at and when we already understood our country's situation, that is where our purpose falls in. Knowing our purpose for our country is important because it helps us live and it gives us the chance to make a change in the world. Take our Filipino artists as an example. A lot of our Filipino artists, particularly our painters, create a beautiful picture of our country's culture and even a scenario in our country through their arts. They paint jeeps, which is one of our famous transportations, Sampaguita vendors, who depicts the poverty in our country which should give awareness to people, and a lot more. These paintings then travel around the world displayed in various exhibits and appreciated by many. You see, even though these things may seem so little, they bring our culture and identity as Filipinos throughout the world. These paintings tell how we Filipinos feel and it helps other people become aware of the things that we do not usually take as "important". Education would help us express our desires and it would help us discover our purpose for this world. Painting is just one of the talents that one might have, others might think it is small but, it actually brings a lot of light and change to the world.

          Education is the key to poverty. Knowing our capabilities, discovering our weaknesses and strengths, awareness of our country's circumstance and knowing our purpose in this country are some of the many things that education could bring. Even though our government does not prioritize education, I am glad that there are Non-government organizations (NGOs) who raise awareness about the lack of education in the Philippines. I am really grateful that I am given the opportunity to study in a good college. I know that we are all blessed to be a blessing to other people. I want the world to know that we have amazing gifts and talents waiting to be discovered. I want everyone to have the opportunity to shine their light. Let us make a difference and help others discover their capabilities. We would not want them to be put to waste don't we?

Game Boy.

GAME BOY

          As we can see, children or kids of our generation today are very fond of playing games. Online games and high-tech gadgets, such as PSP, Wii and DS; are one of the most common things kids use to play games. When asked, most of them spend hours on these things. The sad part here is that kids spend so much time in playing these games that they have no time for their family, siblings, and even school work. Surprisingly, some parents allow it. These games are so addicting that they have no idea how much time they have spent there. Other games give bad influences such as fighting, killing, shooting and so much more. It’s really important to be aware of these things and tell your brother or other family members who are addicted to these games to limit or stop. As for me, I always tell my brother to spend little less time for his video game usage because he might end up from a boy to a crazy game boy.