LATEST NEWS AND TRENDS (Required)

Challenge for Today

One of the trending issues nowadays is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. We see movie actors and politicians took the challenge in an attempt to contribute to the fundraising activity. For the meantime, we enjoy looking at our favorite celebrities getting drenched in ice and water.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on someone's head to promote awareness of the disease ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and encourage donations to research . The challenge dares nominated participant to be filmed having a bucket of ice poured on his head and challenging other to do the same.Within 24 hours of being challenged, participant have to record a video, post and tag himself on social media. He has to announce his acceptance of the challenge followed by pouring ice into a bucket of water. Then the bucket is to be lifted and poured over the participant's head. And the participant can call out a challenge to other people.

Whether people choose to donate, perform the challenge, or do both varies. In one version of the challenge, the participant is expected to donate $10 if they have taken the challenge or donate $100 if they have not. In another version, taking the challenge is done in place of any donation.

Justin Bieber

Kris Aquino

The challenge became viral on social media and became a popular culture phenomenon, particularly in the United States with numerous celebrities, politicians, and athletes. In just few weeks, it has become a major fundraising for patients and organizations with ALS. Many people have seen videos of the challenge, but not many people know what ALS is. So before you dump a bucket of ice water on your head, be sure you know some facts about ALS. Here are some facts about ALS:

Lou Gehrig
 (famous baseball player who had ALS)

The ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenarative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language . 'A' means no or negative. 'Myo' refers to muscle, and 'trophic' means nourishment- "No muscle nourishment". When a muscle has no nourishment, it atrophies or wastes away. "Lateral" identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where options of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates, it leads to scarring or hardening ("sclerosis") in the region.

As motor neurons degenerated, they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that normally result in muscle movement. Early symptoms of ALS often include increasing muscle weakness, especially involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing or breathing. When muscles no longer receive the messages from the motor neurons that they require to function, the muscles begin to become smaller. And limbs begin to look thinner as muscle tissue becomes smaller.

No one is sure what brings about ALS. Heredity plays a role in about 5-10% of cases, but the cause is still a mystery and researchers are trying to get to the bottom of it so we can see if we are able to prevent it in the future. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure because the muscles in the respiratory system begin to fail and the person can no longer breathe on his or her own. Once diagnosed with ALS, the average person is only expected to live 3-5 years longer due to the rapid progression of the disease. Though roughly 10% of people with ALS live for 10+ years after diagnosis.

After the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media, public awareness and charitable donations to ALS charities soared. The New York Times reported that the ALS Association had received $41.8 million in donations from July 29 until August 21. More than 739,000 new donors have given money to the association. ALS Therapy Development Institute reported a ten-fold increase in donations relative to the same period in 2014, with over 2,000 donations made in a single day on August 20, 2014, while Project ALS reported a 50-fold increase.The ALS Association, which had raised $64 million in all of 2013, raised more than $10 million on Thursday, August 21, 2014 alone.

The things people do and how they do those things won't always make sense to every mind. There are still different opinions about this challenge.  Maybe, for others, the Ice Bucket Challenge looks like attention-seeking tool, while for some of us, it represents hope. At the end, there's a question "is this the best option?"

Example of QUATRAIN

                Alone

Have you ever really felt alone,

In a room crowded, with people

With the buzz of conversation,

Ignoring, wanting to decouple?

Have you ever really felt alone,

With someone lying next to you,

And you don't really feel her there,

When you belong to someone new.

Have you ever had to carry on,

That nothing seems to be amiss

And yet your mind is miles away

To where your heart still exists.

http://www.thepoetsgarret.com/2010Challenge/form1.html

Example of OTTAVA RIMA

Quickly did the tiger begin his fast run

Over hilly ground you see him fly and leap

The passive prey laying grazing in the sun

Suddenly its life that it wanted to keep

Tiger pounces, quickly getting the job done

The prey collapsing in a really big heap

Tiger sleeps as night takes over from the day

Will we ever see the hunter become prey?

https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/types-ottava-rima

My own example of QUATRAIN :

-> abcb rhyme scheme

      With You

Tell me that I have been so right           

Because it seems everlasting                  

When you take me to the sky                

My heart doesn't need a warning       

There is no cold and lonely night        

I hear your symphony singing                 

I hear you sing a lullaby                            

I can't help myself from falling                   

It felt so good holding you tight                 

Don't stop keep me believing                    

That our true love will never die                 

Though don't know where we're going       

My own example of OTTAVA RIMA:

-> abababcc rhyme scheme

            In Love

I can't help it when I get lost in your eyes

I can't be strong when I get weak in glance               

But I love the way my spirits rise                                     

Maybe that is the one thing they called romance               

Unknowing, you're taking me the skies                            

We are happy together winning the chance                      

The sound of love is a real tone of voice                          

It's truly directed to us out of choice

                 

TUTORIAL (Required) 

                              

Stressed and You

Stress can greatly affect your performance, your career, but most especially your health. Stress brings about many health disorders. It can worsen already existing illnesses such as asthma and diabetes, trigger headaches, can make you prone to depression and anxiety, and cause you to age faster than usual.
One of the most serious illnesses linked with stress concern the heart. Stress may have a direct effect on the heart, at the same time, it increases one's likelihood of smoking, or eating unhealthy habits that may also increase heart risks. Sudden emotional stress can trigger serious cardiac problems, such as heart attacks.


Other common signs of stress include fatigue, muscle tension, sleeping difficulties such as insomnia and dermatological disorders. Psychological symptoms include irritability, pessimism, feelings of discouragement and being overwhelmed, and cognitive difficulties such as reduced ability to concentrate or make decisions.
That's why before health problems even start, know what makes you stressed and how to prevent it.

Here are some examples of common stressors:
• Emotional and psychological stress. This includes an unhappy work situation, marital friction, negative thought patterns, or death of a loved one.
• Lack of sleep, relaxation and downtime. This is all too common in our society, where many people sacrifice sleep and downtime in order to get more done.
• Allergies. Allergens in food or in your environment can cause stress, and stress can in turn trigger allergic reactions. This results in a vicious cycle which is sure to wear on your adrenals.
• Poor eating habits and diet. A healthy, balanced diet is the foundation of overall health and especially adrenal health. Skipping meals, dieting, or cutting out macronutrients are all stressors.
• Excessive exercise. Staying active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but the mantra of "exercise more" is repeated so often people tend to think more is better. This is not necessarily true. Over-exercising is just as bad as not exercising at all, if not worse.
• Physical stressors. Whether it's a common cold or a sports injury, illness and physical trauma are stressors. Recurring infections, chronic pain or repeat injuries are especially stressful.
• Toxin exposure. This includes substances like refined sugar, chemical food additives (such as MSG), caffeine, nicotine, airborne pollution, chemicals found in household cleaners, toxins in our water supply, and the host of other chemicals and toxins we encounter every day.
The above list is meant to be used as a resource for identifying the top sources of stress in your life. It may not be possible to avoid every single one of these stressors - in fact, you are sure to encounter many of them throughout your life. But whenever possible, making positive changes in order to reduce the number or intensity of stressors you experience can have a substantial impact on your physical and emotional health.

Seven Keys to Reducing Stress: Once you've identified the top sources of stress in your life, it's important to take action and start moving things in a positive direction. Most people are amazed at the improvement they see in their health after making just a few small but very significant changes. Here are seven simple keys for reducing the stress in your life:

• Reduce Emotional and Psychological Stress: The impact of emotional stress cannot be underestimated, but this type of stress is often overlooked because it is difficult to make changes in this area. A difficult living situation, an unhappy marriage or a stressful job could be a source of major stress that is wearing down your health. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to move, get a divorce or quit your job, but it's important to look for ways to improve your situation in any case. If you're dealing with other stressors like depression, anxiety, or the loss of a loved one, you may want to seek counseling or join a support group that can offer you help. Although it appears small on the surface, negative thought patterns have a way of chipping away at our quality of life by compounding our stress. Establishing healthy patterns of enjoying the moment, reframing, and learning to forgive can have a very positive effect on your health.
• Prioritize Quality Sleep and Regular Downtime: The impact sleep can have on your life is well documented. Getting at least seven hours every night will balance your cortisol levels, improve your energy and brighten your mood. And just as important as sleep is downtime. It may take some rearranging if your schedule is packed with activities, but it's vital for your health to take time each day to relax and unwind. Taking a day off now and then and freeing yourself from a mile-long to-do list is very restorative as well. And by all means, if you can take a vacation and get away from it all, do it!
• Improve Food Quality and Eating Habits: It can't be emphasized enough: food is the foundation of your health. A balanced diet of natural foods is a must. All macronutrient groups (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) should be included in balanced ratios. Avoid skipping meals or under-eating. Your body needs quality food for nourishment.
• Avoid Allergens: If you have allergies, these can trigger a stress response in the body. Do your best to avoid allergens, which includes identifying food allergies so you can make better food choices. On the up side, if you deal properly with other stressors in your life, this may decrease the severity of your allergic reactions (which are, in part, a stress response of their own).
• Exercise: Make It Smart and Sensible: Exercise is very healthy, but it's important not to overdo it if you're otherwise stressed. Emphasize activities like strength training, yoga, walking and swimming. Avoid overtraining or doing too much cardio, which can exhaust the adrenals.
• Reduce Physical Stressors: If you get sick, injured or have to deal with chronic pain, try to get the rest and care you need so you can reduce the stress these cause on your body. Allow your body time to heal or, in the case of chronic pain, look for ways to treat the pain or the underlying cause that prevents you from living a normal, happy life.
• Avoid Toxin Exposure: Most of us can't completely eliminate toxins from our lives, but we can take measures to greatly reduce the amount of toxins our bodies must deal with every day. Filter your water, use natural beauty and cleaning products, eat organic foods, avoid chemical food additives and take the time to enjoy fresh air as much as you can.

References:

-The Philippine Star (newspaper)

- http://www.sott.net/

NATURE (Required)

                               The Beauty of Nature

Quezon Province is one of the largest provinces in the Philippines. In the middle Siera Madre, the Philippine Sea and Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon Province shares its natural resources wherein the land and water provide the basic needs of the residents. By entering the first town of Quezon, You don't need to hunt for the scenic view. You will see it continuously as you travel the land's vastness.

Going to Quezon will make you experience the long and winding highway bringing into view the forest and sea. You will take the Atimonan Zigzag road which they called as "Bitukang Manok." The name of this road is derived on the chicken intestines. Don't think that this is just an ordinary road to travel because it is very steep. Taking "Bitukang Manok" will make you experience the beauty of Quezon National Park. It is a well-kept forest that offers you the full view of Manila and Quezon at its pointed hilltop.

Quezon National Park

Well, for the almost seven years of residing in Quezon, I would say that aside from being with peace-loving people and fun means on festivities, it made made me believe that there are wonderful beaches exist in Quezon. If you will go to Pagbilao Quezon, don't waste your time, you have to experience the white sand beach which the peolple there called "Puting Buhangin". As it is named Puting Buhangin, the long stretch of the beach is covered with white powdery sand . Even though it is unknown to many, I treasured its beauty during spending Holy Week year 2007. This beach has clear water. This is lovely.  

Also, at the end side of Puting Buhangin, there's a small cave named "Kwebang Lampas." It has openings at both ends that's why they called it Kwebang Lampas. The water in it is shallow with big rocks under water and there are small fishes swimming. It's not too dark in this cave because of having openings at both ends.

The second beach that I had go over in Quezon is the Libjo Beach. It is located in Brgy. Libjo, Infanta Quezon. I stayed there for one day and one night because of our camping when I was in third year high school. I, together with my fellow girl scouts and with our some teachers and principal, enjoyed staying there. Aside from learning significant things and having activities, we enjoyed the beauty of the place. The sand is fine and light gray in color.

Even though Infanta's beaches are not really the attraction for others, the municipality and its neighboring towns and islands hold many gems which should provide a different kind of euphoria to the adventure-seeking kind. Also, if you want to chase waterfalls, you can visit the Cawayan Waterfalls. If you want to swim in river, you can go to Agos River.  And if you want to go to nearby islands, you can travel to the white beaches of Polilio.

Cawayan Waterfalls (Real, Quezon)

Balagbag Falls (Real, Quezon)

Agos Bridge 

Agos River (Infanta, Quezon)

Quezon Province is an amazing place where you can stay and enjoy the nature's beauty. The beaches of Quezon are belong to the God's wonderful creation. Nothing's going to stop me from enjoying one of God’s greatest and most beautiful creations. This world is beautiful. Only God could have created such a magnificent place. We are all so blessed.

You can deny anything as much as you want, but the time will come that your feelings will show.

I love you! 

It feels good to say it. Almost as good as it feels to feel it.

Dear Heart,

Do you still remember him? Or should I ask does he still remember me? It's four years passed since we drifted apart. The letters that he gave to me are still complete and the hearts which are the last things he gave to me are still whole. He made these simple things as precious materials for me. I still keep this in my secret envelope, as like as he kept his secret before.

"I have something to tell you," said Kel.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Uhm, never mind. Maybe, I'll tell you later."
"Hey! Tell it now. What's that?" I asked again.
"I'm getting cry."
"Hahaha! Tell it now. You look like stupid, you know?" I said in a jesting mood.

The last time I saw him cried served as a funny moment for me. He cried for just a simple thing I thought he didn't need to cry for.

Way back on our past early years. When I was in grade four, I transferred to another school. Being a transferee, all was new for me, new classmates, new teachers, new uniform, new environment, and new time of schooling because first, I was not well-practiced in a whole day class. The last school I attended from grade one to grade four had a half-day class only. I would say that I found the best set of friends in that school and he's one of my special friends.

Heart, for the years I spent with my friends, we developed strong camaraderie, the way we talk, the way we share jokes, the way we laugh, the way we help each other and the way the one person gave me a valentine card every February 14 is coming. 

They said that we were too close and I was the only one who makes him laugh the way he used to laugh. Anyway, heart, I wanna share to you the Valentine Cards that he gave to me. At first, I never thought that he's creative in making such cards.

The first card he gave to me had reflected images shape of hearts. In each heart, there's a written "I love you" and the point of his message was "I wish that our friendship will last long."

The second card was as the same as the first one.  It had many hearts and in every heart, there's a written "I love you". One of his messages was "I wish you're always happy, especially on this day."

The third card was more beautiful than the first two. Aside from the improvement of his penmanship, the hearts were in a better arrangement. In each heart, he wrote "I love you"; "I heart you"; or "LOVE" and one of his simple messages was "Hopefully, we will be friends until the next degree of our studies."

The fourth card was different from the other first cards. He said that this card is red, so it's okay that he didn't put heart on it. In all edges of this card, there's a written  continuous "I love you" and in the center of it, he wrote "Always stay the same. I do hope that you'll never change."

The fifth card was red and had a big white heart. It looked simple card. Inside the heart, there's a written "I'm always here. I love you."

The sixth card was a combination of red and white. There's no heart. On the white side of the card, he wrote "Thank you and I'm sorry for all. No forgetting."

The last was not a card as usual. He gave me seven hearts. In each heart,  he wrote "I love you."

I asked him "Kel, why are you giving me seven hearts?"

"Seven years is all about you."

"What?"

"Uhm, I mean, seven years of our friendship, since we are in a grade four until now.Right?" he said. "Seven hearts for the seven years," he added.

"Yeah, seven years," I ended.

One day on March, my friend Yan-Yan and I were in our classroom and talking about something while waiting for the graduation practice. Kel entered  into the room and joined with us. In a moment, he said "I have something to tell you."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Uhm, never mind. Maybe, I'll tell you later."
"Hey! Tell it now. What's that?" I asked again.
"I'm getting cry."
"Hahaha! Tell it now. You look like stupid, you know?" I said in a jesting mood.

Heart, he got out of the room for a moment.
Yan-Yan said "I think he's crying now.

And when he came back inside, tears fall from his eyes.
He talked to me again with Yan-Yan.
"I'm really getting cry," Kel said.
"Kel, you have to tell it now,"Yan-Yan said.
"Why are you crying? What makes you cry?" I asked.
'I dreamed." he said.
"And what's about your dream?"
"I dreamed that you got angry with me. You don't talk to me. Whatever I do, whatever I say, you don't mind me."
"Is that so? What makes you cry on that? What is crying for on that?"
"Forget it. Never mind about it."
"Maybe, he just don't like you to get angry with him in real life. He don't like to feel that you are angry with him," Yan-Yan explained while laughing.

A day before the graduation, Yan-Yan informed me about one secret.
"Friend, Kel has a secret," she said
"Secret? Why are you gonna tell his secret? It's his secret, isn't it?"
"I want to tell you simply because you are his secret."
"Me? How come it's me?'
"He loves you"
"I know. He loves me. He always put "I love you's" in letters even in the text messages. He loves me because we are friends," I said feeling irritated.
"No. He loves you more than that. Ah, wait, don't tell him that I had tell this to you, huh? He had just tell that to me because there's no one for him to tell this secret. But he wants this secret as a secret, okay?"

Heart, the secret was safe with me like the secret of knowing his secret. His secret became mine. It's four years that I don't see him. It's four years that I don't use to communicate with him. The last text message I received from him was like he usually wrote in letters, "I love you." After all, I didn't  text him. Did he forget me now? But heart, one thing for sure, I miss my friend. I miss the way he was.

Truly yours,
Miss Secret

BOOK/MOVIE REVIEW (Required)

THE THIRTY-THIRD HOUR
By: Mitchell Chefitz

The Thiry-Third Hour is a book written by Mitchell Chefitz. Mithchell Chefitz is the rabbi of Temple Israel of Greater Miami, and  the founder of the Havurah of South Florida. He has served as chairperson of the National  Havurah  Committee, editor of a nationally syndicated  weekly Torah column, and teacher at Havurah institutes and rabbinic conference. The author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller The Seventh Telling. He lives in Pinecrest, Florida.

The Thirty-Third Hour opens at midnight Saturday, in the study of Rabbi Arthur Greenberg, the leader of the largest synagogue in Miami. The Rabbi has until 9 a.m. Monday morning, thirty-three hours, to investigate a sex ethics charge brought against one of his colleagues by a member of the congregation, Brenda, an attractive widow and the mother of an autistic son.

That colleague, Moshe Katan, an associate from Arthur's seminary days, has been leading an experimental family education program at the synagogue, bringing together parents and children to explore the stories of the Bible in new and challenging ways. Now, piled on Arthur's desk are the video and audio recordings of these sessions and Brenda's journal, which he has to review in a desperate attempt to avoid a disastrous scandal. The reader becomes judge and jury as Arthur seeks to find out what happened and, in the process, undergoes a spiritual transformation himself.

This book was quite well-written mystery. I like the way the author provides many Jewish examples and values in an interesting fashion. I found the ending a little unbelievable and disappointing, but would say that the book was worthwhile. It provides insight about the potential possessed by a non-traditional rabbi, and how Judaism has much to offer.This is also an irresistible blend of spirituality and mystery. The best tales are those told simply, yet conceal and reveal layers of meaning. 

In this novel, the author daringly pushes the envelope of American Judaism, challenging Jews to reinvent their synagogues, their communities, and their own Jewish identities. It is revolutionary and original. Also, he brings an intuitive grasp of the mystical to everyday life. His teaching is disturbing, profound and inspiring. It is really a wise and humane book, rich with delightful stories.

The Thirty-Third Hour calls us to soul wrestling at its most profound and at its very best.

I'd Rather be a Teacher

I’d rather be a teacher than a business executive. A business executive works with facts and figures and lifeless pennies, but a teacher works with mind that is open, unfold future, and principles that grow continuously.

I’d rather be a teacher than a musician. I love music too but musicians play violin on strings and piano strings unlike a teacher who plays on the heart strings.

I’d rather be a teacher than a salesman. I know that a salesman makes a lot of money than a teacher. He sells many different materials but a teacher sells ideas for a lifetime purposes.

I’d rather be a teacher than an architect. An architect helps build buildings but a teacher helps build characters which will endure throughout eternity.

I’d rather be a teacher than a stenographer. A Stenographer may have a mahogany desk in the magnificent office of some great chief of industry. He/she helps to write letters, but I believe that a teacher helps write to careers. He/she touches keys, but I also believe that a teacher touches lives of thousands students.

I’d rather be a teacher than an artist. An artist paints pictures and fascinates the object in its beauty, color, and symmetry but a teacher makes great and unique impressions.

I’d rather be a teacher than a bookkeeper. A bookkeeper balances accounts but a teacher has the ability to help balance lives in a different ways.

I’d rather be a teacher than an orator. An orator stirs an adult to applaud and admiration. A teacher stirs young students to right choosing and noble thinking.

I’d rather be a teacher than a decorator. A decorator deals with perspectives harmony and lines in room. A teacher deals with perspective and harmony and line in temples not made by hands.

I’d rather be a teacher than a potter. A potter shapes vessels of clay, but a teacher shapes destinies.

I’d rather be a teacher than an interpreter. An interpreter interprets words and ideas but a teacher interprets motives, purposes, and endeavors.

I’d rather be a teacher than an archaeologist. An archaeologist unearths buried treasures but a teacher unearths talent.

I’d rather be a teacher than an explorer. An explorer explores uncharted seas but a teacher explores uncharted minds, and discovers untold possibilities.

I’d rather be a teacher than a statesman. A statesman deals with finished citizens but a teacher deals with future citizens.

I’d rather be a teacher than a scientist. A scientist studies the wonders of the rocks, the beauty of the stars, the miracles of the plants, and the glory of the skies. A teacher deals with more miraculous in the throbbing human hearts, unfolding human lives, and the formation of lifetime characters.