My Last Second Day – Maximizing All The Resources in Xavier

Today was my last second day in Xavier (hehehe are the “last” everything getting annoying?). Similar to yesterday, we had a few different orientations again. This time, we were oriented and given talks by our principal, assistant principals and student activity programs head about the different issues and things that we should keep in mind in our final year in Xavier.

They stressed the importance of making the most out of our last year and not wasting it by doing stupid things. They encouraged us to all be more involved in the different clubs and committees. As seniors, it is our responsibility to lead and be role models to the younger batches. Being a “senior” in Xavier hasn’t really sinked in yet. It seemed just like yesterday when I was a freshman looking up to the seniors and thinking that they were so amazing and that I wanted to be just like them.

A few quick years and here I am, a senior myself. This year, I will definitely try my best to step up, inspire my fellow Xaverians and simply leave a mark. Today was another chance to do just that. Just like yesterday, a few of my batch mates and I gave talks again to the lower batches and really tried to empower them to try out new things, take every opportunity, make the most out of high school and create lasting memories.

Something I really learned today is that we students pay so much to study here in Xavier that we should really maximize what the school has to offer and all its resources. We should take our studies seriously. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions and debate with our teachers. We should try out new things and join the different clubs and committees. We should use the different resources like the gym and library. SImply put, we should make the most out of our stay in Xavier.

The power of the internet has definitely changed the way we live but how has it also affected the way we think?

All these things are things that I wished I did earlier. I guess it’s never too late to change. I still have one more year and I really will maximize this last year. Aside from joining a few comms already, today, I actually visited the library and borrowed two books. Imagine that? Who actually still visits the library to actually read and borrow books in this day and age where everybody is so addicted and engulfed in their gadgets and in the internet?

It was only really last year that I discovered a love for reading books. Knowledge is power and instead of buying books, why not save money and borrow from the library? So this is what I’m trying to do this year. I’m going to try my best to read as much as I can and maximize the resources in our library.

The first book that I borrowed is titled, “Is the internet changing the way you think?” and the second book is titled, “In search of history.” From the titles themselves, these two books seem like very interesting books and from reading the first few pages, I’ll definitely be learning a lot more.

Excited to learn more about the transcending events in history!

Reading books about different topics helps you learn about things that you don’t learn inside the classroom. There are thousands and thousands of books in the library and I’m sure you’ll find one that will interest you. Knowledge is power and learning never stops, so the library is one of the best places you can go to in school!

To end this blog post, I want to share with you a quote that our assistant principal shared with us from the “Man of Steel” movie, “One day, you’re going to have to make a choice. You have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be.”

Senior year will definitely be about making choices and will play a vital role in helping all of us decide what kind of men we want to grow up to be as we enter college year from now!

Tomorrow will finally be the start of regular classes and I just can’t wait to meet my teachers for the school year!

-DOitChoco

Fleeting Moments, Eternal Memories – A Summer to Remember :)

Looking back, Summer 2013 was such a surreal and amazing journey in itself. It was the best summer I ever had and definitely one of the most memorable 3 months in my life.

It a was a summer full of first times and new experiences. It was a summer full of smiles, laughter and tears. It was a summer that brought out the best in me. I truly learned so much about myself and all the high and low experiences I went through this past summer helped me see life in so many different perspectives.

These are just a few of the many experiences I had this summer but these were definitely the highlights that stood out. These are moments that I will never want to forget. These are moments if I had an opportunity, I’d like to experience once more. These are moments that changed my life in so many different ways.

My summer just wouldn’t have been as surreal and as phantasmagorical if it weren’t for these moments. Moments that I want to eternalize, and moments I’ll forever look back to when summer 2013 is mentioned. So without further ado, here are the 8 highlights of my summer.

1. Anvaya Bonding withthe Backyardigans – March 10-11

There’s nothing like going with your friends to a beautiful resort to relax, have fun, try out new things, and off-course enjoy each other’s company!

2. Europe Trip – March 24 – April 8 

Every country has its own unique culture and exploring these countries and immersing yourself in these cultures is simply a breathtaking experience. When in another country, don’t be afraid to explore, to try out new things, to take pictures, to buy souvenirs, to eat exotic food and off-course to enjoy the culture!

3. HKUST campus visit – April 10

This was honestly the first time I visited a University and really explored it and man, I was amazed and blown away. HKUST had such a beautiful campus that I actually wanted to stay right there and start studying. No joke, the atmosphere was just that fervent and inspiring. I honestly can’t wait for college!

4.  Ateneo Chem Camp – April 15 – May 3

This was arguably the most memorable experience of this summer. I learned so many new things not only about Chemistry but about life. Chem Camp made me realize that learning can be fun and that knowledge truly is power. The importance of learning, curiosity, perspective and the way we see things are things that I will forever carry with me for the rest of my life.

I also met so many amazing, vibrant and talented individuals that in a span of 3 weeks became friends that made Chem Camp such a surreal and unbelievable experience. They were friends I shared so many smiles, laughter, joy, and in the end, tears with. Chem campers whom I will never ever forget for the memories we shared will always be one of the most transcending and surreal moments of my life! Once a Chem Camper, always a Chem Camper!

5. Xavier Basketball Summer Varsity Training – April 15 – May 8

My senior year stint with the team may have been a short lived but without a doubt, Xavier Basketball will always have a special place in my heart. All the grueling practices, bonding moments, tough losses and fulfilling wins are things that I will forever remember.

I’m really thankful that I got to be part of the team one last time and it was really one hell of a journey. It was also such a honor and blessing to be part of a team of such amazing individuals who strived each day for one goal. My basketball career not have turned out the way I expected but the values I learned, the memories I gained and the bonds I formed will be things that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

6. Tearing my ACL – May 8 

One of the lowest and at the same time highest moments of my life. Tearing my ACL was really an eye opening experience that truly changed my perspective in life. At first I was really devastated, but then I realized that things could be worse and that I am still very lucky. I really learned how to appreciate the little things and be thankful for my blessings.

Everything happens for a reason and tearing my ACL may just have been and blessing in disguise from God and a chance to start a new and try out new things.

7. Hands On Manila Orientation and Kindness Revolution 

Joining Hands On Manila was definitely one of the best choices I’ve made this summer. Hands On Manila opened the door for me in so many ways and is an outlet for me to share my blessings with the less fortunate through volunteerism. I also realized that we are all gifted individuals and the best way to use these gifts and talents of ours is to pass it on by volunteering.

8. Reviewing and taking the SAT – April – June 1 

Reviewing for the SAT was a completely different journey in itself. I’ll admit it, reviewing for the SAT was a really arduous and tedious process but looking back, it was definitely a memorable experience. It truly was a test of hard work, perseverance, critical thinking and discipline. It was the hardest I ever studied for a test and I really dedicated a lot of my time and effort in preparing myself.

Towards the end, I was actually enjoying reviewing and answering practice tests and seeing my score improve each time. Reviewing for the SAT at one point became a habit of mine. You’d see me bring around my vocabulary notebook everywhere I went. Those truly were fun times and no matter what score I got in that test, the build up to the testing day and all those hardcore review sessions will always be fond memories of mine.

My summer just wouldn’t have been the same if it weren’t for these 8 highlights. As summer 2013 comes to a close, I’m glad to say that I made the most out of this summer. It truly has been a summer filled with fleeting moments turned into eternal memories, a summer to remember indeed!

-DOitChoco

It’s Finally SATurday! May the Odds be in our Favor!

It’s finally tomorrow, the day I’ve been preparing for for a month now, the day of the SAT. Profuse amount of time spent learning both new and old concepts, thousands of new words stuffed into my brain, countless of hours answering worksheets and practice tests, tedious moments figuring out why I made a mistake, and it all boils down to one test and that test is tomorrow. To be honest, this is probably the one written test I’ve prepared for the most in my entire life. I don’t know if I’ve done enough but what I do know is that I’ve tried everything in my power to prepare myself to a certain extent given the time.

I’ve done everything that I can to control what I can control and learn what I can. Like they say, “Do your best and God will do the rest.” I just have this feeling inside me that this Saturday will be my lucky day.

Like the old adage also says, “Pray for the best but expect the worst.” Reviewing for this test has definitely been quite an experience in itself. From the early stages where I was still a bit lax and complacent to the past few weeks where I’ve been pushing myself to my limits. I’m really thankful for this experience for not everyone has a chance to apply to colleges abroad, let alone take the SAT.

 Reviewing for the SAT, reading success stories online, reading about tips and tricks from successful test takers and simply learning as much as I can has really opened my eyes to the power of knowledge and the joy of learning. I may have gone to an SAT tutor for a while to brush up on the fundamentals but towards the latter part, it was truly all on me and whether I was up to the challenge. The 8 hour a day self study sessions, the memorizing of vocab while eating breakfast, the late hours solving a math problem will all be fond memories of mine when I look back at this period of time.

Tomorrow, I’m shooting for the moon so even if I fall short, I’ll end up in the stars! I’m going to seize the day, give it everything I got and leave the testing room knowing that it definitely has been one hell of a ride reviewing for the test! I’ll probably forget a good chunk of the vocab words I’ve been cramming into my brain but all the profound and eye-opening insights, realizations and even the constant headaches I gained from reviewing for the SAT are things I’ll forever remember.

I may not have the best study habits, I may not have been the most studious student during the past years, but one thing I can say about the last few weeks is that I really gave my best in trying to make every second count as I prepare for probably the biggest written test in my life so far! Without a doubt, it’s been a growing process, and I’m proud to say that I didn’t just grow as a student or learner, but I’ve also grown as a person!

Good luck to everyone taking the SAT and may the odds be in our favor!

-DOitChoco

The Last Lecture (Chem Camp 2013) – “This is REAL LIFE!”

It’s been a week now since Chem Camp ended but everything I learned still remains in my heart and soul.

Something that I’d like to share with the rest of the world are a few lessons that I learned from the thought provoking “last lecture” in Chem Camp by our professor, Sir Henson Yu. 

1. Be Curious. Ask Questions. Sometimes, the questions you ask are more important than the answers you find. 

In a world where everything is so easily available and where almost everything is “google-able”, we have become complacent and our imagination has been stunted. Gone are the days where in we would be curious, go out of our way to ask questions, interview people, or even experiment to find out.

Today, everything is handed to us on a silver platter but in order for us to continue progressing and in order to succeed in life, we must go back to the basics. Life itself is a question and it’s up to us to explore it ourselves and find our own answers for that’s what living life is all about!

2. Look for something you will want to tirelessly know more about….be it Chemistry or not.

We only have so little time in this world. We don’t have enough time to master every single thing. This is why we have to follow our hearts and pursue what we love and are passionate about. When you are passionate about something, even the hardest of tasks and what may seem like tedious work to others is FUN for you.

Reaching master level in anything takes time, hard work, dedication, perseverance and most of all heart. Nothing in life is easy and mastering just one thing can take a lifetime. Don’t let this discourage you though from living your dream for anything is possible as long as you give it your all.

3. School is not about getting a good job. It’s a perspective. A world view. 

This statement really hit home for me and really encapsulated what Chem Camp was about. Throughout my high school life, I’ve always questioned as to why I even go to school for I couldn’t see even half the lessons being applicable in real life.

I always asked myself, “How do I apply this in my real life?” I never really found out the answer up until last Friday during the last lecture of Sir Henson.

His response to that question, “This is the REAL LIFE!” Going to school and learning about these things are the real life. It’s more than just about memorizing all those facts; it’s about being cultured, being humane.

If you think education is all about getting a good job, then just go to a vocational school. It’s really a matter of perspective and seeing things from a different perspective.

One of my favorite quotes from Sir Henson that reemphasizes this is: “A pessimist sees a glass half empty, an optimist sees it half full, while a Chemist sees it always full, half in the vapor phase, half in the liquid phase.”

Chem Camp helped me see learning from a different light. I realized that learning can and should be fun. It truly depends on how you approach it for “Life is what you make it.”

4. Using knowledge is power

The more things you know, the more powerful you are. There are so many ways how you can use knowledge and it’s incredible how unique and complex the world is. There are a million things out there that we don’t know and are just waiting to be learned. Obviously, the more you know, the better of you are.

Life is unpredictable. Right now, you may think that what you just learned won’t help you or benefit you whatsoever but a year from now, 5 years from now, or even 10 years from now, you never know, that simple piece of knowledge that you thought was useless could just save your life or better yet, save the life of others.

5. With great power comes great responsibility

This line has been repeated thousands of times for it simply states the truth. We are the youth, the future of the world. The knowledge we gain from school and from our everyday experiences empower us and equip us to be able to make a difference in the world in the near future.

How we use this knowledge, however, is in our hands. We can choose to sit about and do nothing, or we can choose to make the most out of our lives and what we have learned by starting a change, making an impact and quite possibly, leaving an everlasting legacy.

After 3 surreal weeks in Chem Camp, the last lecture of Sir Henson was the icing on the cake.

Thank you again Sir for everything you’ve taught us during the 3 weeks in Chem Camp but most especially, thank you for making a difference in our lives! You’ve definitely left your mark in us Chem Campers!

CHEM CAMP 2013 ❤

-DOitChoco

Weekly Writing Challenge: Mind the Gap – Ebook vs Paperback

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The rise in ebooks during the past few years has brought about its fair share of supporters and at the same time critics. Technology has truly revolutionized the way we live and in more ways than one, has made life a lot more convenient. Having said, ebook’s make it very easy to store and collect different books and at the same time saves paper. Although ebooks seem so much more better and stomps all over the traditional paperback, in my opinion, can still pack a punch and should not be forgotten.

Honestly speaking, nothing beats that feeling of buying a brand new book, taking it out of its plastic, laying in your bed and flipping through the first few pages. For me, that feeling will never ever get old. To be frank, I’ve actually never been a fan of reading books. It was only during the start of high school that I gained an appreciation for reading books of all kinds, and

I don’t regret one bit that I’ve started exploring and reading all types of books. I’m actually proud to say that I can be considered a book worm and I’m actually one of the few high school students in our school who actually claimed his library card and uses it.

There is nothing wrong with ebooks for they still have the same content as paperbacks and are actually very convenient, but what makes paperbacks so special is that it represents a different time and age. These days, almost everything c

an be done with laptops, computers, iPhones, iPads, etc. Almost every second, minute and hour of our lives we are exposed to these radio active materials. At times, we just need to take a break and grabbing the ol’ classic paperback may just be the best way to relax those eyes from all the radiation.

There was a time in my life where I had a hard time falling asleep and I’d just being lying there all night with such an uneasy feeling. A bit of googling here and there, and I found out that it was because of all the radiation I was exposed to before going to bed. Aside from that, another reason was that my mind was still very active from all the past activities. In order to counter this, I developed a routine of reading a few pages to a chapter of a book almost every night before going to bed. It has really helped me have a more peaceful sleep and I really suggest you try it out yourself. Aside from it helping you have a beauty sleep, you also gain all sorts of knowledge depending on the book you read. It could range from fiction novels, biographies, self-help or even sports books.

Another favorite time of mine to read paperbacks is after I’ve spent quite a time in front of my laptop. You know that very drained feeling usually accompanied by a heavy head after long hours spent in front of a laptop either watching videos for leisure or finishing up several projects. You need to unload and take a breather once in a while and what better way to do it than by grabbing a paperback.

In those two scenarios I’ve just mentioned, it would be counter productive to use an ebook for it would defeat the purpose of a reading book completely. Those are only a few but very powerful points as to why I think that one must never forget paperbacks and why they should still be appreciated.

-DOitChoco