Narrative Essay (Edited) Playin on the Clouds with Two Angels

Bigcat
English 1A
September 15, 2009


Playing on the Clouds with Two Angels


Manila, Philippines is where I grew up. My mother was a seller of fruit shakes and my father owned an electrical shop. Together with our parents, my four siblings and I lived in a small house. Our day started with my mother preparing breakfast and then going to the dry market to buy fresh fruits later sold as cold beverages. My father opened the shop for customers. My two siblings attended the nearest elementary while my eldest brother and sister go to high school. I stayed home and played with my toys like the rest of the kids. The day progressed as did any other day until something happened - an event that we will never forget.
It was 1987, and I was six years old. I bid Mama goodbye and reminded her to buy me some toys and snacks when she comes home. I helped Papa cleaned the shop and wished good day to my siblings. Soon, my friends would come and we would spend the rest of the day playing different games. Dusk approached, our energy was all consumed and our tummies gurgled. This was the time we go back home. Most of the time, my mother admonished me of having dirty feet and clothes, and she asked me to immediately take a bath. After freshening up and eating dinner, my tired body just wanted to lie in bed. Being the youngest, I had the privilege of sleeping beside my parents. I felt their warm arms across my chest and I am suddenly lulled to sleep.
Slowly my eyes opened and I looked towards my parents and I saw them peacefully asleep. Suddenly there was a bright light and I saw two images standing beside the door. I got up


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and to my surprise, I saw two angels. They were around my age. They looked exactly like the angel sculptures I saw in church. They wore white gowns, white wings, and had golden halos floating atop their heads. However, I noticed something unique. They were wearing gold necklaces made of heavy chains with a big shiny pendant as big as my hands.
“Do you want to play with us?” one of the angels said.
“Sure! I would love to!” I replied.
They led me to the kitchen and we climbed a ladder. I was not frightened. In fact I was happy and comfortable. We reached the end of the ladder and I found myself standing on the clouds. There were only three of us in a vast space of pure white playground. We were having so much fun that we did not realize how much time passed.
One of the angels halted, “Your parents might be looking for you at this moment. We should go back now,” he said. We went back to the ladder and I descended. My feet reached the floor and I felt a whip of cold wind that touched my cheeks and droplets of liquid running through my face.
My eyes slowly opened, and my vision cleared I saw the face of my mother crying. She was sobbing. I see my father beside her and both of them are holding me with the same arms that gave me warmth and security while I sleep. I saw my siblings around encircling me with tears in their faces. It was seven in the morning and I ask what happened.
“We thought you were dead,” my mother said.
“Your mother and I just woke up when we saw your stiff body, clenched teeth, not breathing, and turning blue,” my father added.


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My family was relieved when they saw me gasp for air to breathe, which I am certain was the same time when my feet landed the floor when I descended from the ladder. I told them my dream about the angels, what they looked like, the games we played, and how they helped me to return. They thanked the two angels for bringing me back.
It has been twenty-two years since the incident and I can still vividly recall all the details that happened during that day, the day I played on the clouds with the two angels.

My New Car 2010 Prius

Last week I've traded my 2008 Scion XD with a Package 4 2010 Toyota Prius with the Solar Panel. They said I should get it on the 28 but it came sooner and I'm not complaining. So Far, Im so so so uber loving it. I think the smart key is way cool. You dont need to have a key to lock, unclock and start the car. I love the lumbar support, seat heat (for winter) and the auto cool (for summer) Surely is a handsome car.







If you are interested to see more, here are some Prius Videos

Essay#2 Narration: Life after Death

Our essay assignment for this week is
1) Write an essay narrating events in which particular emotion reaction was dominant.
2) Write an essay that narrates an experience in which you learned something about human nature at its worst.

I chose #1
(note: still need to proof read)

Life after Death

(written by: AMESJR08)

Manila, Philippines is where I grew up. My mother was a seller of fruit shakes and my father owns an electrical shop. Together with our parents, my four siblings and I lived in a small house. Our day starts with my mother preparing breakfast, going to the dry market to buy fresh fruits and later be sold as cold beverage. My father opens the shop for customers. My two siblings attend the nearest elementary while my eldest brother and sister go to high school. As for me, I stay home and do the same thing like the rest of the kids in our block which is playing. The day progressed as it did like any other day until something happened, an event that we will never forget for the rest of our lives.

It was the year 1987, I was six years old. I bid mama goodbye and reminded her to buy me some toys and snacks when she comes home. I helped papa cleaned the shop and wished good day to my siblings. Soon, my friends will come and we will spend the rest of the day playing different games. The dusk approaches, our energy all consumed and our tummy gurgles, this is the time we go back home. Most of the time, my mother admonishes me with my dirty feet and clothes and asks me to immediately take a bath. After freshening up and eating dinner, my tired body just wanted to lie in bed. Being the youngest, I have the privilege of sleeping beside my parents. I feel their warm arms across my chest and I am suddenly lulled to sleep.

Slowly my eyes opened and I looked towards my parents and saw them peacefully asleep. Suddenly there was a bright light and saw two images standing beside the door. I got up and to my surprise, it was two angels. They were just like me who were around my age. They look exactly the angel sculptures I see in church. They donned a white gown, a pair of white wings and a golden halo floating atop of their head. However, I noticed something unique, they are wearing a gold necklace with a big pendant as big as my hands.

“Do you want to play with us?” one of the angels said.

“Sure! I would love to!” I replied.

They lead me to the kitchen and we climbed a ladder. I was not scared, in fact I was happy and comfortable. We have reached the end of the ladder and I found myself standing on the clouds. There were only three of us in a vast space of pure white playground. We were having so much fun that we did not realize how much time has passed.

One of the angels halted, “Your parents might be looking for you at this moment. We should go back now,” he said.

We went back to the ladder and I descended. My feet reached the floor and I felt droplets of liquid running through my face.

My eyes slowly opened, as my vision clears I see the face of my mother crying. She was sobbing. I see my father beside her and both of them are holding me with the same arms that gave me warmth and security while I sleep. I see my siblings all around with tears in their faces. It was seven in the morning and I cannot help but ask what happened.

“We thought you were dead,” my mother said.

“Your mother and I just woke up when we saw your stiff body, clenched teeth, not breathing and turning blue,” my father added.

My family was relieved when they saw me gasp for air to breathe, which I am certain the same time when my feet landed the floor when I descended from the ladder. I told them my dream about the angels, how they look like, the games we played and how they helped me to return. They thanked the two angels for bringing me back.

It has been 22 years since the incident and I can still vividly recall all the details that happened during that day, the day I was brought back to life after death.

Movie#20: Thunderbirds

Genre: Children, Family, Sci-Fi

Purrvorite Quote: "Thunderbirds are go!"

Purrvorite Soundtrack:


Movie Trailers/Scenes:


At A Glance(Netflix):
Dangerous missions are the bread and butter of the Thunderbirds, a high-tech secret force employed by the government. Led by Jeff Tracy (Bill Paxton), the Thunderbirds are at the top of their game, but their nemesis, The Hood (Ben Kingsley), has landed on their island and is attempting a coup by using the team's rescue vehicles. He'll soon discover that the Thunderbirds won't go down without a fight. Co-stars Anthony Edwards and Brady Corbet.

1) Likes (+1) - i like all the thunderbird machines and the fact that they have specific reasons for each and every thunderbirds. for example, thunderbird 5, orbits the earth and acts as a satellite from Olympus. I like the concept of colors associated to each thunderbirds the likes of power rangers, RED 1! Green 2! Blue 3! Yellow 4! Pink 5! but in this movie they dont blurt out their numbers and colors. Just like any other heroes, they also have a side kick. I think Lady Penelope was a unique side kick for our main characters.

2) Dislikes (+1) - None

3) Character/Actors (+1) - Vanessa Hudgens was in this movie and she was still young. (ahaha - not relevant). the character i most like is Lady Penelope and Parker. She looks sexy and elegant but she knows how to be fierce and fight. Parker on the other hand is the assistant of Lady Penelope that also has some tricks under his sleeves.

4) Overall (+1) - i like the movie as a whole even though there weren't really scenes that are memorable. if i was younger, it would appeal more to me coz i like these kind of movies way back them. although, i would still love it today but id be more discriminating. there is a good mix of action and comedy.

Purrfect to watch on: (+0.5) just rent it

Can you afford to miss this movie? (+ 0.5) maybe

Favorite Scenes (+1)
1) when Lady Penelope picked up the boys from school to go to Olympus. Everyone was starring and mesmerized by the pink automobile.

2) Alan was cornered by the hood, and the villain thought he got them, however they were able to manage to aim at the switch (behind the hood) and escaped.
3) the scorpion scene where tintin's power was revealed
4) they need a wire for the transmitter and they took it off to as where you see on the picture
5) when our little heroes was finally awarded with thunderbirds badges. thunderbirds are go!

1st Essay Assingment - Composition

> (Question # 2: If you have decided on what you want to major in or what your career plans are, please comment on what you plan to study and/or what career hope to pursue and give the reasons that have caused you to make this decision.)

Two Goals, One Ladder

It was in 2004 when I first joined the bandwagon of people taking Nursing as their major. Like everybody else, I took the course because it is a high-paying job. While studying, I realized that I wanted to become a nurse not because it is a lucrative profession but I really wanted to become one. I can say that learning is my addiction. I like human anatomy, human physiology, disease process, pathophysiology, pharmacology and appropriate patient care. Many students are squeamish and afraid when they see dripping blood, oozing puss from an open wound, dying person, cleaning a cadaver, assisting in surgical procedures, however I find myself bravely volunteering in each and every procedure thus eventually knowing more about the facts, theories and principles behind it. Besides the subjects in nursing that piques my interest, I also like the work environment. I see nurses in the hospital who immediately responds to a case and abruptly applies critical thinking of what needs to be done to help the patient. They are always in action and on the go and I aspire to be one of them. At the end of the day, nothing is more fulfilling than to know that I was able to assist, help and save somebody’s life. Finally, finishing nursing is like hitting two birds with one stone. I also wanted to become a teacher one day. Acquiring years of nursing experience and getting my masters would allow me to teach when I grow old and cannot cope up with the fast pace environment of nursing. I know I still have a lot of things to accomplish but taking the steps on the ladder slowly, I know I will reach my goals.

English Composition

"Writing is the hardest work in the world not involving heavy lifting." - Pete Hamill

English Composition
Tuesday
6:30pm - 9:45pm
Professor Theodore Brett

English is my least favorite subject simply because I struggle in composition. It is probably the most difficult subject to pass this fall semester. Piano requires practice, Chemistry requires memorization, Conversational Spanish requires memorization, practice and immersion, Anatomy requires memorization, drawing skills, dissecting a cadaver, English Composition on the other hand requires me to squeeze my brain out until I make a good composition (which takes me about 6 - 8 hours to write something out. Plus there are gazillion rules in writing).

Why did I took this Subject? Coz it is a preReq for RN Course

The Professor: To tell you honestly, the first 10 minutes of the class, I wanted to drop the section and change professor. Sitting on Brett's class was like watching a show in a comedy bar where they make fun of you. I was intimidated and scared that he might make fun out of me. But I was acclimated after a while and find my self laughing at his jokes. I guess this is just his way to make sure students stay awake while he teaches. Believe me, the teacher can punch 1000 jokes in a minute.

Then he took out his book, Punning For You Life, which made me think that there are a lot of things this teacher can share and learn from. Why not? He was able to publish a book which makes him a a more legit English teacher. (writing a book and being publish is a credential, isnt it? haha) I'm just saying that because there are some English teacher who would say, "I dont know. Im not a real English teacher."


I guess I just have to put my game face on when I attend this class and make my skin thick coz If I dont Im gonna be eaten alive.

My Official Fall Schedule

Monday

Intro to Chemistry Lecture - Professor Aronowitz
6pm - 8pm

Tuesday

Beginning Piano - Professor Chen
7:45am - 9:10am

English Composition - Professor Brett
6:30pm - 9:45pm

Wednesday

Conversational Spanish - Profesora Chun
6:15pm - 9:30pm

Thursday

Beginning Piano - Professor Chen
7:45am - 9:10am

Intro to CHEM Laboratory - Professor Aronowitz
6pm - 9pm

Friday an Saturday

Human Anatomy Lecture - Professor Sainten
12:45 pm - 2:20pm

Human Anatomy Laboratory - Professor Sainten
2:55pm - 6:15pm

Movie#19 - Tuli

Genre: Drama

Purrvorite Quote:

Purrvorite Soundtrack:

Movie Trailer/Clip:

At A Glance From Netflix
Although everyone assumes Daisy (Desiree del Valle) will follow in the professional footsteps of her father (Bembol Roco) -- the town's only circumciser -- she opts to go down another path in director Auraeus Solito's rite-of-passage drama. But bucking a vocational tradition isn't the only convention the discontented Daisy defies when she falls in love with a female friend. Vanna Garcia, Carlo Aquino, Luis Alandy and Eugene Domingo also star.

1) Likes (-1) - nothing striking for me

2) Dislikes (- 1) - the pace of the story was slow and sporadic/episodic

3) Characters/Actors (+0.5) - actors/actresses are definitely the best in their batch, Carlo Aquino, Desiree del Valle, Bembol Roco and Eugene Domingo. However, there was no character that captivated me

4) Overall (-2) - although this is the first movie I've watched where the concept revolves around Filipino culture such as TULI or circumcision, the movie was not appealing for me. There was nothing memorable nor striking about it. Nothing that affect my feelings nor inspired me. But I would merit the movie for showing many the Filipino ways such as how we celebrate Semana Santa, Harana, other social issues such as teen pregnancy and homosexuality. I just cant surmise how some scenes are relevant to the story or characters.

5) Purrfect to watch on (-1) - TV

6) Can you afford to miss the movie? (-1) - Definitely

7) Favorite Scenes (-1) - None

Schedules and Due Dates

September 5, 2009 Saturday - Finished all MPC1 and Mpc2 papers. Start to begin with all homeworks and assignments

September 6, 2009 Sunday - Church, Study, Continue to finish all papers to be hand - in for this week

September 7, 2009 Monday - Appointment in the Morning, Study and Finish all needs to be finished

September 8, 2009 Tuesday - Due: Piano - notes, chords, notation, timings, rhythm, practice beginners piano pieces.
Due: First Essay Homework for Composition; DUE: Read Chapters 1 - 3 for Composition Bryson; DUE: Read Chapters 1 - 4 McWhorty
Work: 10:40am appt for SK

September 9, 2009 - Wednesday - Due: Conversational Spanish - Review all handouts; greetings and Chapter One; read at least few pages of spanish book

September 10, 2009 - Thursday - Review for Piano; CHEM Hand In Chapter One HM for Lecture; CHEM Hand In Lab Reports for Lab; Reviewer for Chapters 1 and 2

September 9, 2009 - Friday - Hand In HW (Chapter 3, Tissue Drawings, Anterior Body and Labels) Flashcards, Chapters 1 and 2, Microscope

Composition Assignment

Which subject should I write about for the first writing composition exam? These are the choices:

1) It has been said that a college education is by far the best means of ensuring economic success, a healthier life, and a happier life. Is there any truth to this statement? Please comment on wheter you agree or disagree and why you feel as you do.

2) If you have decided on what you want to major in or what career plan are, please comment on what you plan to study and/or what career you hope to pursue and give the reasons that have caused you to make this decision.

3) It's five, or ten, or twenty (choose One) years from now. What do you hope to be doing? What do you hope your life will be like?

4) FOr five years, Webster's New Internationa Dictionary Included an entry for the word "dord." However, "dord" is not an actual word. (Even dictionary makers can make mistakes!) Invent your own definition for the word and write a paragraph using your newly defined word.

5) Create a super hero that the world needs. Your super hero must be entirely original, unlike any super hero you know of who has ever been created before. Is this hero male or female? What special powers does he or she have? What special problem does he or she solve for the world, or for certain population of the world? Will the hero solve a really important problem, or just a smaller, annoying problem?

6) An old family friend, about your grandfather's age, has been in a coma for many years. He or she does not understand what a video game is. Or an IPod. Or text messaging. Or cell phone and what they can do. Global positioning, camera phones and laptop computers mean nothing to this person. Pick one of these - or any other technological invention or process that wasnt around ten or fifteen years ago and explain what it is in terms that even the most un-technological person can understand.

Movie#18 - Despereaux

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family, Kids

Purrvorite Quote - not really a quote "in his heart he was a giant" dont you just love that. suddenly i feel like i can solve all my problems
Purrvorite Soundtrack:

Movie Trailer Clips


Purrview:

At A Glance(Netflix): This star-studded adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's Newberry Medal-winning book tells the tale of an unusually gifted mouse named Despereaux (voiced by Matthew Broderick) who falls in love with a human princess (Emma Watson). Despereaux's different from other mice in that he reads books and has disproportionally large ears for his body. But with help from a rat named Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman), he sets out to win the girl of his dreams.

1) Likes - i love animation that almost all animated movies I've watched. i love mice and rats and the fact that despereaux is unique. He is the only mouse who has that extra-large ear that makes him iconic (well at least Mickey's proportioned to his face i think). I also love soup coz it is food for the soul. So what not to like about a mouse + soup movie haha (+1 point)

2) Dislikes None (+1)

3) Characters/Actors - despereaux is my fav character because he is cute, brave, and valiant. i like the way he introduces himself "I am a gentleman." I wish i have a mouse like that ( +1point)

4) Overall - this movie is inspiring and reminding me that no matter how small i feel when big problems come my way, if my heart says that im bigger that problem, i know i can overcome everything. it also showed that this planet is not only for man but for animals as well. like us, we should also give them the respect of being a living thing. i love the ending of the story because it shows how people and their emotions are interconnected with each other. it is reminiscent of benjamin button scene. (+1)

5) a) Purrfect to watch on (recommended to watch on) BigSCREEN!
b) Can you afford to miss the movie? No (+ 1 point)

Purrvorite Scenes:
1) When the Roscuro fell on the soup and the Queen died because she cant believe she just ate a soup where the rat was bathing. Poor Roscuro
2) the teacher is teaching them to be a mouse meaning to get scared from humans and their tools. when the teacher prompted the knife, despereaux was the only one who did not cower

3) The council talked to the parents that Despereaux was not ordinary and as a proof, he drew a picture of a cat in his notebook
4) The Bad Guy was finally eaten by the Bad Cat

Movie#17 Temptation Island

Genre: Drama

Purrvorite Quotes: None
Purrvorite Soundtracks: None

Movie Trailer/Clips:



Purrview:

At a Glance (Netflix)
After setting sail on a yacht, four beauty pageant contestants vying for the coveted title of Miss Manila Sunshine end up stranded on a deserted isle when a shipboard fire scuttles their vessel. Marooned with an attractive young stud, a maid and the gay pageant director, Dina (Dina Bonnevie), Suzanne (Jennifer Cortez), Bambi (Bambi Arambulo) and Azenith (Azenith Briones) find life anything but dull in this wild Filipino romp.


1) Likes - this movie is brave, bold and aggressive despite the conservative culture during those times (1981). I just cant imagine how a film like that was able to make it on a big screen with all those sexy scenes where women take their top off (facing off camera) and the constant swearing of the characters. Laguardia would have prolly censored this movie if shown this time haha. So I gave it 1 point for the Risk factor. I also like the mix of drama and humor in some scenes. (+1 point)

2) Dislikes - None - (+1 point)

3) Characters/Actors - Out of all the actors and actresses, there were only two I know, Dina Bonnevie and Ricky Belmonte. However, the character that stood out is the Yaya of the rich brat girl. I like her character because she is funny and sometimes can be silly. At first, she accepts all the rants of her master towards her, but when she realized they weren't on the city that she is not a slave anymore, she fought back and reminded her master that she also has dignity.
(+0.5 points)

4) Overall - I dont know why I like watching old Filipino movies, maybe because I like the originality of the story or the classic lines each character throws. This movie came out in 1981 which is the year I was born. I was surprised to know that this movie and I has the same age. I have watched this movie about 3 times. Although the story can be predictable, it made me anticipate what the next scene would be. Old-fashioned Filipinos may not like the bold (bold in the context of being forward, to the point; and not nude) but they will like the classic story of girls fighting for the crown when an unexpected event (marooned in an island) change the course making them utterly appreciative to each other. (+1point)

5) Purrfect to watch on (recommended to watch on): DVD (+0.5 points)

Total Scores: 4 points

Purrvorite Scenes:

1) Not really a favorite but one of the interesting scenes where they try to survive by eating the flesh of their dead friend. This dead man is the gay producer of the pageant. His heart was broken when the man he likes got together with one of the contestants. Feeling miserable, he committed suicide. One of the girls said that he died thinking that he was the most useless among the bunch but it turned out that he will be the one saving them (the remaining survivors) and the most useful.

First Day, Second day, Parking Permit, English COmposition, Digital to Analog

First Day of School - First day of school and I was so excited the night before that I cant sleep. I'm glad that it was a Science subject (Chemistry) for the first day of the week coz it'll pace up the rest of the week. I would say the class was a bit crowded coz there were two sections in one room, boy i was glad that we are gonna split in half in laboratory.

The teacher was mellow that there was already a student sleepin in class, beat that haha. The teacher perseverates sometimes. She utters i know 4 - 5 times, uhm uhm uhm uhm, she just repeats some word redundantly.



Parking Permit - The mailman usually comes in the afternoon so I was surprised to see the mailman in the morning. I took the mail and there was my Parking Permit. I dont need my temporary parking permit after all. I prefer the old parking permit than the new one. THe new one looks like HighSchoolish permit, the old one looks more collegiate.


Digital to Analog - My TV stopped receiving channels 37 - 79, damn all my favorite channels. If you are having some problem, you might wanna check with your provider. For Comcast subscriber, we are entitled to get 2 free DTA equipments.

Second Day - I woke up early today to attend ANATOMY. I am #43 on the wait list, but you'll never know I might get in. I got into the building and as expected there were like 140+ students waiting outside. The teacher is Japanese and she asked the registered students to get in first then the waitlist students to wait for 10-15 mins. While waiting I was able to finish one chapter of my chemistry book. Then the teacher came out for the roll call. There were like 4 pages of wait list student and she is doing a full roll call. In my mind, what is the use of doing a full roll call when only 5 - 7 students out of 100 wait list will be registered.

I did not get it but i wasnt worried coz i still have two waitlist for Anatomy at San Jose City Colleges. I have a 99% of getting in, why not, im Rank#1 on the waitlist. I just have to choose between Friday-Saturday AM (8am - 1pm) or Fri - Sat PM (1pm - 6:30pm) section. I might be a good thing going to two different schools. Change of environment and people I'll get to meet. PLus it is close to Valley Fair and Santana Row. I can gallivant after class.

English Composition - technically, it is ENGL COMPO which is the second subj for the week. I was kinda scared of the teacher because I felt that he was in the boundary of being obnoxious and rambunctious. If a student doesn't have a strong personality, the teacher will eat you and devour you alive. I was thinking of changing sections coz I dont know if I will survive but i got acclimated. The class is every Tue 6:30pm - 9:45pm, believe it of not, in 30 mins, the teacher have already thrown 1000 jokes that breaks the ice. He makes everybody laugh. I just hope I'm not put into a spotlight. the feeling is that you are in a comedy bar that the host makes fun about you.

Now I wasnt surprised why he can throw jokes out of the blue, he took out his book he authored, "Punning for Your Life" by Theodore Brett, coz he is a joke book author.

op cors, in every cors, they hand out the ever important assignment hand out for the rest of the semester.