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.

Oh My "Mamma Mia"

Oh My "맘마미아"

        Korean Broadcasting System, more known as KBS World, has released a new variety show called "Happy Sunday- Mamma Mia". It centers on the relationship of the celebrities and their mothers, revealing childhood secrets and getting to know more about each other. It has truly captured the hearts of many audiences and has been a hit since it aired last April, 2013. 

        I just recently discovered this show and I can say that it's a very unique and heart-warming program. It not only makes the audience laugh but, it gives a realization that mother's are truly a gift to us. Our moms are the ones who really brought us up to be who we are right now and we should be thankful of that. Mothers truly sacrificed a lot of their time and effort just to enrich and help up grow up in a proper way. I am really happy that a program like this was made because it gives our mothers the "spotlight". It's not about the dazzling dance performances, amazing singing voices or the celebrities this time but,  the love and affection of a mother.

        I personally admire the people of Korean Broadcasting System, KBS World, they never fail to create a program that entertains us at the same time exposes us to reality. They always hit two birds with one stone! "Happy Sunday-Mamma Mia", is one of these shows and I really recommend you to watch one. You will not only have fun but also realized that your truly blessed with a mother.  It's always been about us, now it's time for our mothers to shine. 

Dream High

DREAM HIGH

          We all have dreams regardless of how big they are. It can be as simple as being the class president in grade school or as significant as being your university's suma cum laude and in becoming a successful businessman in the future.  We can never escape the fact everyone has a goal and that there is something that “moves” us- that drives us out of our comfort zones and releases the inner courage in us. The existence of dreams is a very vital part of our lives. Dreams inspire, motivate and bring out our purpose in life.

          When we say something is inspirational it means something is giving us happiness regardless of the difficulties we face. A good attitude towards defeat and an unbreakable determination to achieve something. Dreams as inspiration gives us a new point of view in life. It makes us see the goodness of things and it changes our negative attitudes into positive ones. Let us take for example our belief about problems. Problems are a  part of our lives and we cannot do anything about it. We often see problems as adversities and simply something that ruins everything. An inspired dreamer on the other hand would look at adversities as blessings. He or she believes that life is full of trouble and the only thing that would change is our attitude towards it. With every problem comes a solution and with every struggle comes a step closer to our success. The fact that we need to learn and improve each day and that we will experience hardships and trials along the way to our goals help us understand that we need failure in order to achieve. Similar to riding a rollercoaster, life involves ups and downs, in the end you will always enjoy the ride. Our  dreams brightens up our day and it reminds us to live our lives well because there is always something good going to happen. That each day is a step closer in reaching our dreams. 

           Dreams inspire us to live life to it's fullest and then it motivates us and helps us have a "go go" attitude. Regardless the falls we experience in life's journey, our dreams give us the strength to go back up again and continue our journey towards our goal. It gives us light when everything else seems so dark.  It gives us hope when we think nothing is out there for us. When we have a dream, we would do anything just to make that dream happen and that is where courage comes in. Courage is present in every dreamer because without it we can never have the guts to get out of our comfort zones and pursue our goals. Ever since I started playing the guitar, I had a dream of becoming a worship leader. Every time I hear Hillsongs or just the worship team in  our church, I become more inspired in becoming like them. This year I took the courage to sign up my name in our church's music team. At first I was hesitant because I don't have enough confidence in my skills but, then my mom told me "You have to believe in yourself! Take courage and you'll achieve your dream. Remember there is no easy way out on things... You have to strive to become better and you have to try to know yourself". Courage, it is not the absence of fear, but rather it is not letting your fear control you. There are times that we feel weak and lacking.  We always face difficulties and problems through out our lives and at times people bring us down and belittle us. But, take courage and do not fear. With a vision and a dream nothing can stop us because we have a something to live for. We have an unending motivation and an unbreakable desire in pursuing our dreams. Remember that when you do not take that first step, you would always stay in the same spot.

          Lastly, our dreams are our purpose-givers. Our dreams keep us going and give us reason why we need to live. They tell us who we are and what we are here for because they lead us to our destiny. Just like why everything else has a reason, our dreams have meaning. God gives us such visions for us to follow so that we would not go the wrong way. Let us take for example mother Delia Tetreault. When she was young she had a dream to help children. She believes that each child has his or her own capabilities, that they are gifted and talented. When she was older, she then built a school, that we all know now as Immaculate Conception Academy. If she did not  have that vision, she would not know her purpose. If she did not have that dream of helping children, she would not be able to build a school for them. When you do not have a dream, what would you live for then? Imagine each day you're wondering what would you do in the future-  what do you want to be and who would you want to be?  Life is not complete without our dreams. Dreams lead the way in achieving our purpose and destiny.

          Dreams inspire us, motivate us and brings out our purpose in life. It is true that without courage we can never take the first vital step in reaching our dreams. Without passion and inspiration we can never see things differently admits the adversities present. Without purpose we would not know who we are and what we are here for, because there is no reason for living. Everyone has dreams no matter how big or small. Believe that you can achieve your goals. People may bring you down at times, but do not listen to them. At times you doubt your capabilities, but always remember you grow each day. Life may seem rough but, hang on tight to your dreams. Just like the famous quote from Walt Disney, "All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them". Learn to take risks and see where your brave heart can take you. Dream High.

Chua, Patricia Maxine O.  //   A56A

Beauty Lies.

 

Take a minute and watch the Dove Commercial .

          Why do most of us girls tend to cover our faces when a camera suddenly pops out? It’s like when we have no make-up, we have no confidence. What have we done wrong to be so afraid? Is there something wrong with our faces to be so shy? What I am experiencing and I concluded is that most of us are insecure. We are insecure because we are not the girls of media.

        Our generation today portrays the ideal lady as a woman who is sexy and pretty- those who had a nose job! Media wants women to wear short skirts, high heels and a plunging v-neck shirt. I am not saying that their is something wrong in being sexy, what I am saying is that media has a new definition of “sexy”. Sexy for media is girls who wear almost nothing, who are skinny as a stick and those who party all night long. Pretty on the other hand should be someone who is “attractive in a delicate way”, as Google Dictionary defines it. She should be gentle, calm and lady-like. Media ‘s “pretty” is totally different! Media says that to be “pretty” you should look like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Beyonce and other “stars”. Media somehow teaches us to be “uncontented” of who we are and what we look like. That we shouldn't have our own style and we should follow theirs. I actually am a victim of media and insecurity – I always wanted to look like the famous Korean girl group “Girls Generation”. For me, they were the perfect symbol of beauty! I always wanted to be as skinny as them ( because I am gifted with fats) , tall as them ( because I am short) and as pretty as them (because I wasn't contented with what He gave me). I was desperate to be like my idols and I wanted to copy them so badly. I thought when I became thin and when I had the right hair and the proper looks, I would be confident. The truth is, I ended up losing and I felt untrue to myself. Has that ever happened to you? Do you know how it feels to be insecure? It is very depressing and sad to not be who you wanted to be! But, I realized that it’s more stressful to not be who you are.

I learned that confidence is actually being comfortable- having your own style. It's about being proud of you who are. 

"For you created my inmost being;
     you knit me together in  my mother's womb/
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful.
      I know that full well."

          Says, David in Psalms 139: 13-14. Our beloved Father, knows what is best for us, that includes our looks! “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” From beginning, He already had a vision and a unique design of who should we be and what should each of us look like. We are created perfect and we are special! “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” You see, we are made in his image and likeness- His beauty and His grace! I bet we all know this verse and we always fail to remind ourselves of it! We know that God says “We are beautiful” but it gets blocked by media’s “You are not”. We know that we are special and unique in our own way but it gets buried down in our hearts because media says “ You have to be like her” and “You have to dress like her”.  Being human, it is really hard to always think of what God thinks of us. We are sinful beings- uncontented. We are also exposed to media and so it is very easy to believe and side with it. But, we can never escape the fact that we have a choice! That we can be different- in a good way. So then, what do you choose? Be dead in the false reality of what beauty is and what girls should be like? Or would you chose to be alive in Him and believe that you are perfect in your own way? Being beautiful isn't based on what you wear and what other say about you, it is based on your heart.  Don’t believe the lies and Photoshop!  You are beautiful just the way He created you and you are perfect just the way you are.

"Charm is deceptive , and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" -Proverbs 31:30

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF BEAUTIFUL.

Maxine Chua. A56A

Korean Wave hits Teenagers.

       

         I am sure everyone has heard a K-POP song. May it be Girls Generations “Gee” ,  2NE1’s “I Don’t Care”  or the more popular Super Junior’s “Sorry Sorry”.  K-POP is now spreading all over the world. Korea is definitely happy about this because  It gives their country fame and it boosts their economy since a lot of tourists wants to see their favorite K-POP Idol Groups.  K-POP  also influenced a lot of people, particularly teenagers. Sadly, K-POP became our life, our dream and our identity.

        “Life without music is wrong”, a popular quote that almost everyone believes. Music has become a part of our lives but for others it is their life. I am not referring to musicians who make music their “life”- that is understood, what I am referring to though is that some K-POP addicts make K-POP/ K-POP artists their lives. I heard from a Korean news broadcast that students in Korea skip school just to follow and stalk their favorite Korean Idol Group. They would spend all their allowances for taxi fairs just to follow that singer’s car. Weird? There is more. At times these students also sleep in the singer’s condominium parking entrance just to wait for the arrival of their king. They even barge in the singer’s unit! K-POP has become the lives of these students. They quite studying just to try and meet up with their idols which they don’t really meet at all! Strange, but true.

        A lot of news articles, particularly in Korea, also shows how students are desperate in going in the K-POP industry. They want to be famous admits the fact that Korean singer are mistreated and are paid low.  In Korea, aspiring singers are trained in a minimum of 1 year, depending on how “good” you are, and a maximum of 7 years just to be a K-POP star. They experience rigorous training and at times lack rest because of dance practices and because of the pressure from their perfectionist trainers. Regardless of this issue, people still want to be K-POP stars. They want fame more that anything! That becoming a K-POP star is a dream come true. A fantasy into a reality.  Statistics even show that Korean parents would prefer their child to be a superstar s rather than to be in a professional career. K-POP has truly become their goal in life.

Some statements from DBSK, a K-POP Idol group who sued their agency, SM Entertainment because of maltreatment and abuse.

“We are exhausted both physically and mentally from the intensive schedules both planned and initiated one-sidedly by our agency for the last 5 years since we debuted.” 

“Except for 1 week in an entire year, we ran schedules that allowed us to get only 3-4 hours of sleep per day.”
“A 13 year contract, in reality, meant a life-long contract. Including the time we would need to complete our military service, this contract would lengthen to over 15 years. This meant that there were still almost 10 years left in our contracts. Realistically, this meant that we would be bound until we retired from the Entertainment Industry."

        Lastly, K-POP has become our identity. The powerful influence of K-POP changed who we are. We love K-POP so much that we want people to know and see that we are K-POP lovers. We align are beliefs to what these artists believe in, we even adopted their weird hair colors and style. We no longer have our own identity. There is no originality! We want everything to be “K-POPped” and we want to be “Koreans”. There is actually nothing wrong with changing your hair color to red  because your K-POP Idol Star’s hair is red or with wearing shorts over pants and adopting the style of these K-POP Idols. The bad part is when we lose who we are and what we are here for because of K-POP.

        K-POP is a unique genre. You never know what they’ll give next. I like K-POP, but then I chose what I listen to. I can say I also want to go to Korea to learn more about their culture and style. Liking K-POP or Korea isn't wrong. Being controlled and losing your identity because of K-POP and Korea is what’s wrong.

-Maxine Chua. A56A