#STOPCHILDLABOR

Child Labor is one of the problems in the world. It is a kind of work that harms children physically and mentally where they do a lot of heavy work just to help their family or for other purposes. And because of it, it's preventing them to go to school and to do fun activities that they should experience while they're young.

So, when we had an activity about child laboring, it really serves as an "eye-opener" to us. It made us realize that every child in this world doesn't deserve to suffer child labor. And I'm very thankful because I don't have to work just to have money. 

We should help the children suffering child labor. We should teach them to voice out the pain they having. #STOPCHILDLABOR

MY FOREVER GOAL IN LIFE

There’s so many goal I want to achieve in my life. Like get perfect in exam, lose some weight, save money, or other personal goals. And some of those goals, I already accomplished it. But there is really certain goal that I already achieved but I want to continue for the rest of my life.

I remember when I was in Grade 1; my Father went to Korea to work there and my Mother left here, in the Philippines to take care of us. At such a young age, I have already goals in life and that is to study hard, make my parents proud and make sure that all their efforts won't go to waste. And all of my pains, sweat, effort, troubles get paid off. Say I’m being exaggerated or anything but who would not? I got in 2^nd place. What’s my parents’ reaction about it? Of course, they were so proud of me and I like it. It feels like my heart was so big. And then, I continue studying hard for them and for myself as well.

Months passed and I already in Grade 2. And my big sister got a scholarship in St. James Academy. I’m happy for her but there’s part of me feels envious? I don’t know. I have a feeling that my parent was MORE proud of her and I don't like it. My mother noticed quickly that I'm a LITTLE BIT jealous to my sister and as my mother she talked to me about it, like I shouldn't feel that way to my sister because she is working hard too, for her to have a good future not just for herself but for our family as well. My mind absorbed all the things my mother said. She’s right, being envious to others is not good, especially in your own family. And since that day, my sister and I got closer to each other. I mean more close to what we are before. We stick to each other like glue.

But I still remember what my mother said to me back then. “Just be who you are. Be proud. And remember, nobody’s perfect. If you make mistake, we'll correct you. That’s what parents are for right? Just be true to yourself.” My heart is like going to melt and I’m trying to hold back the tears that will fall anytime. It’s not the first time we had a heart to heart talk with each other but the things she all said, it already mark in my mind, not only in my mind but in my heart and soul too. From that day, I made a goal that even I achieved it, I will not stop continue what I'm doing. And that is to make my parents proud.

MY UFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Sheila Mae D. Calma                                                                                     Mr. Marco Meduranda

9- C. Aquino

DRAFT #2

MY UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

It was already in the middle of the night. I could see the twinkling sky, the frightening dark that surrounds everything on the outside of our cottage. Me and my cousin, Cherry sneaked out in the middle of the night. Yes, we sneaked out. Just because she wanted to know how it would feels if she swam in the middle of the night. And, while my parents and her parents are sleeping soundly in their room, we sneaked out. Cool, right? They told us before they sleep that we shouldn't go outside because it’s really dangerous. But, my naughty cousin will be always naughty. “Hey. Sheila! Hurry up. Mom and Auntie might catch us!” she whispered. “Ugh! Wait for me, Cherry. You are the one who planned this so you have to endure me.” I said to her while rolling my eyes. “Duh! I just want to try how would it feels to swim in the middle of the night.”  She said excitedly. “You’re weird. I mean, really weird.”  I said straightly to her while she just rolled her eyes on me. And when we’re in the middle of walking when there was a breeze came, I suddenly hugged my body. “Hey. Cherry!  I think we should stop this. I have a bad feeling it. Mom and Auntie will be mad if they knew about this!” I anxiously said. I don’t know what I said that, it just came out.

“What? Are you crazy? We are already here, so why back off?” She irritably said. “Look, how beautiful the sea is. You don’t want to miss it. Don’t you?” she said again. I sighed in defeated, knowing her she won’t give up easily. And in the wink of eye, I saw her already in the sea, swimming happily.

Minute passed but feels like years. She just swam there like a little kid that doesn't have any awareness on her surroundings. She was really happy, it’s like she didn't swim for years! And while I’m watching her swimming there, I didn't realize that she’s already going far and then my world stopped in the moment when I saw her drowning while pleading for help. I don’t know how to swim but I want to help her, but it’s like my feet was cement on the sand. And I just stood there, staring at her tensely. I still not realizing what’s happening in the moment but, it came back again when my Mom, tapped my space and asked what’s wrong. But I didn't reply, because I’m too shock to what happened. Then, I saw my Auntie saving Cherry. I sighed in relief. My mom still asking what happened but I was really too shock that I can’t even speak anything at the moment. Then, I feel something click in my head, I feel dizzy. Then suddenly, everything went black.

“I told you not to go outside, right? But why you still didn't listen to me?! You might know what may happen if we are not there!” Auntie’s voice echoed in our room. Her face was really red, her voice was trembling in anger but you can still see the concern in her eyes. I understand her because if they came late, Cherry might die. “Calm down, honey. It’s okay.” Uncle said calmly but I know that he’s angry of what happened. “But, I hope you've learned something on this. Hmm, Sheila and Cherry?” he said again while tapping the back of Auntie. How about my Mom? Well, she slapped me. Then told me what I did is wrong. And for me, it’s really fine; she had right to do that to me, she’ll always have. She’s my mother, after all.

After an hour passed, they let us go. It feels like years while us inside that room. Then, suddenly my eyes widen when Cherry shouted.  And I think I know what she’s going to do. “I told you not to go outside, right?!” I chuckled.  I’m right! Cherry is being naughty again. What she’s doing? She’s mimicking Auntie’s lectured to us while doing some crazy actions. “You never learn, don’t you?” I said laughing while moving my head. “I've learned something.” She said while grinning.  “And that is?” I asked.  “My mom’s newest lectured. It’s not like the other lectures she said to me. ”And we laughed like there’s no tomorrow. But I know, even though she’s really naughty, she learned something. How about me? Of course, I learned something, and that is to obey your parents no matter what happen because they know what’s right and wrong for us.

Whaaaat a Chance! ♥

"Take every chance you get in life, because some things only happen ONCE." - Unknown.

For 14 years that I'm existing in this world I always regret the things I let go whenever I got a chance.

When our English teacher, Mr. Meduranda, announce that our school got a chance to have a scholarship from US Embassy, called English Access Micro-Scholarship that will give us a chance to learn more about english like about right grammar, vocabulary etc.

And of course, who wouldn't feel excited about it? So, when we have an exam on it, I really really did my best to passed the exam. After that, Mr. Meduranda said that he will announce the result after a week or two.

And the day that Mr. Meduranda, announced who will passed in the English Access Scholarship, my heart was beating like crazy while I silently praying that I'm one of the students who got passed in the exam. And so on, and so on, some of my friends passed in the exam and I'm proud of them although I'm nervous 'cause I don't know if Mr. Meduranda will call my name. And then, when I heard that he say, "Sheila Mae D. Calma" Oh. My. My. And I think that's one of my eureka moment. My heart stopped. My mind went blank. But it went back to the reality again when one of my friend congratulated me.

And, the first day of our English Access Scholarship was really fun because we had a game, it's called Ice Breaker while we're having fun, we're getting to know each other too. It was really interesting and amazing game 'cause after that we got comfortable to each other. I thought that my first day will be miserable because I'm really nervous about it but it's not. Thanks to Mr. Meduranda and to the cooperation of my co-scholar student in the access.

And after that? I can really say that I learn a lot in the English Access. So from now on, I will do my best and I will always put effort to our activities, and always cooperate to my group mates if we're having group activity.

And I'm really really glad that I trust myself this time, that I take this chance to be part of English Access. So, all I can say it I'm glad I try it. And, I advice to the people who like me, who's afraid to take a risk is don't be afraid. Take a risk, 'cause you will never know it if you never try it. Make the weakness within you as a motivator to move forward, and make you realize that you can do yhings that you never thought can do. So be stronger, fiercer and a man that will always have faith in God! ♥