Desiderata: Seize it

Happiness is a dream to everybody. They have been longing for this since Day 1. Is it what people have? Because from what I think, most people are still in search for what happiness is to them. For me, I lost happiness a long time ago or may happiness is the one who lost me.

The thought of happiness is very complex. It could be a "where", a "what", a "when", a "who" and many more. It gets puzzling when you think about happiness. Ever since I step foot into high school, my view in life completely changed. High school brought a lot of anxiety, miserableness, insecurities and a lot more to me. It probably did take away my happiness from me. Not just happiness but also my freedom and more. But that's inevitable, isn't it?

I read this poem back in 6th grade, even had a speech choir performance to go with it but the effect it had on me was completely different. I probably don't even know meaning of the title back then but now, I saw and read a way different poem. A poem that slapped me in the face. A poem that opened my eyes and a poem that told me that I have to find my happiness ASAP.

In the poem, "Desiderata", it is filled with lessons you need to learn. My favorite of all is this statement, " And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. " This statement told me that the world waits for no one. It is going on while you're ready or not. Do what you have to do because time is gold. You have no time to waste. the earth is moving every second and every minute. Seize the moment. Seize the opportunities. The universe doesn't care about you. You are just one out of a billion other people who is standing there and waiting for their happiness. Seize every moment you get. Seize it.

Desiderata is a remarkable poem.  It consists of a lot of lessons that can help with any problems we can possible face. I found light in a task that I wouldn't do myself. This helped me with my perspective in life. Yes, life is very unfair but that won't stop me anymore. If you think of it, everyone is going through the same thing as you are, so that doesn't make you very special.

          We have a long way to go. I know, on the way we will find our happiness or at least comfort. Desiderata is an eye-opening poem. Encourages us to be something more. Despite the odds, we shall rise. Seize it. 

Turkey's Earthquake Preparedness Plan

Turkey is the 9^th country that is prone to earthquakes. Turkey falls within the seismic zone between Arabian, Eurasian and African plates. It’s very geographic location implies that an earthquake can hit the country at any point of time. Turkey is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, especially earthquakes. More than 80% of the population lives in areas prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and landslides.
   Turkey has taken this as a challenge they were willing to face. Earthquakes are associated with damage and loss wherever they may occur, the destructive effects of those in Turkey are exacerbated by the large volume of code incompliant buildings constructed with poor materials and workmanship. For years, they have been working on that and had a law in preparation for that. It has been there for years and it just got updated in 2018. That is the "Turkish Building Code" and it focuses on the engineering structure of the buildings to lessen the damages and the chances of collapsing. 
   The materials being used in most of the residential structures in Turkey is made out of cement and masonry. Those materials being mixed with steel can certainly be an earthquake safe structure but that definitely depends on how you work with what you have. How often you get your building assessed and etc. 

"Turkey" photo by Rueters

    In preparation and because it’s vulnerability to many natural disasters  like earthquake, Turkey has advanced disaster risk management (DRM) through initiating reforms to better-manage and reduce disaster risk and strengthens institutions for more proactive DRM. The country’s government has established agencies to respond to these disasters and to overcome institutional fragmentation. They established the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) in 2009. In 2015, the government adopted the Turkey National Disaster Response Plan to guide all disaster and emergency response. 

"Turkey: National Disaster Response Plan" 

Turkey didn't have the best record from the previous earthquakes they had. Destruction was there and all but over the years they have improved. This video shows a little bit of the history about the countries earthquakes.

Based on the information  the earthquakes that make Turkey such a vulnerable place,  the country is a dangerous area to be in especially during earthquakes on our point of view to this study. Because the country contains two large plates that are grinding against each other. This type of boundary is called Transform Boundary and this could make more faults. This makes Turkey very dangerous. Turkey being very prone to earthquakes alerted them. Prepared for upcoming quakes. I never knew that there are awards that show appreciation for how prepared you are for earthquakes. Turkey got a few. Turkey was awarded for the following awards:

• City Resilience Program: Program Development and Advisory Services Support 
• Strategies and Options for Scaling Up Disaster Risk Management in ECA Countries 
• Developing the South East European Multi-Hazard Early Warning Advisory System -                 Phase II
•  Support to Building Resilience and Mainstreaming DRM into Education Infrastructure in          Turkey
•   Improving Resilience and Resilience Impact of National Land and Geospatial Systems 
•   Building Resilience in Education Infrastructure for Public Schools 
•  City Resilience Program: Phase 1 
• Building Resilience in Turkey

As you can see, Turkey has quite a reputation when it comes to how prepared they are for any calamity that comes in their way and it’s quite overwhelming. 

Philippines and Turkey are both prone to earthquakes. Philippines being the 5^th country that is prone to earthquakes also had them very prepared. They had quite similar plans for evacuation. Philippines lies on the edge of the Pacific plate, which is traditionally a seismic hot zone that encircles the state. The danger posed by earthquakes to Manila is threefold. It is, of course, snug with the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it especially susceptible not only to quakes, but also to volcanic eruptions. The threat to Manila is worsened due to its soft soil, which presents the risk of ground liquefaction. With that situation and those threats, it made Philippines open their eyes and made them realize that they have to play their A game on when there are calamities. For the main priority of every country is the safety of the people.

Philippines' preparedness activities are organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF). The country undergoes plenty of drills to let people be aware of what to do during and after an earthquake. Same as Turkey, they also have an agency for disaster risk reduction and management which is Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Both preparation are quite similar. 

The preparation of these countries may change or improve in the next following years and though they may have not reached their highest potential in preparing, it is significant that both countries are giving attention and importance in responding for natural disasters.

All in all, we mostly think that Turkey is very prepared towards Earthquakes. Their situation already alarmed them and to think that they are part of the Top 10 countries that are prone to Earthquakes, this has clearly been shown to them that they have to take matters into their own hands.

Their buildings are strong enough that it could withstand an earthquake but that depends on how strong the earthquake in. I mean, if you think of it, it only takes a matter of time until a building collapses. Turkey was given recognition for having a very resilient. ‘City Resilience Program: Program Development and Advisory Services Support’ that is one of their awards for being very prepared and to be a country recognized for that, I would be very proud. 

After all the, research and article reading, we can conclude that Turkey is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to earthquakes. And because of it's geographical location, people of Turkey will continue to experience major quakes over the next following years. Possibly, after all the experiences, the country's way of being ready and responding to earthquakes may improve. Without the Risk Reduction Projects in the country, results will become worse and recovery will surely take long years. Therefore, preparation is crucial in risk and danger reduction. Whether the country you're living in is prone to natural disasters or not, it is always important to be prepared. natural disasters are unpredictable and inevitable and being unprepared will only make everything worse. Preparedness is the only way we can combat a natural disaster.

References

ListSurge  (2016). Top 10 Countries that are Most Prone to Earthquakes

BBC News (2010). Why Turkey suffers earthquake misery?

ScienceDirect (2015). Turkey's grand challenge: Disaster-proof building inventory within 20 years

Taylor and Francis Online (2015). Disasters and earthquake preparedness of children and schools in Istanbul, Turkey

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (2019). Turkey

Wikipedia (2019).  List of Earthquakes in Turkey

Google Image

Youtube Videos

My Getaway: The World Wide We

      

       Games are just everywhere. On your phone, your computer, you can even use your TV. Sometimes they become too much but they also get better. It's a thing now and we cant do anything about it. Not that all it brings to us is harm but to be honest, it actually helps us, a lot. I don't know with you but it helps me. I even consider it my getaway.

                One thing I can say is, life is just tiring. You get sick and tired of reality. You try to find your escape but sometimes, you just don't get to find it. People these days use the internet as an escape. Experts says Internet has become a happy place for everybody. Instagram has become the happiest place in the internet and it makes me glad that other people got to see the good part of being online.They live their lives through the screen. Well, it's not a big deal for me. I myself live a virtual life. It helps me a lot. (Psychology Says, 2016)

         

                When you hear the phrase, "Internet Addiction" all the things that goes to your head are just bad stuff but it actually helps us.Internet addiction doesn’t exist. It can’t, because it’s a logical impossibility, a category error, and there’s no good evidence that heavy internet use, in itself, is a risk to mental health.Internet addiction doesn’t exist. It can’t, because it’s a logical impossibility, a category error, and there’s no good evidence that heavy internet use, in itself, is a risk to mental health. But there will always be reason why they created the internet and that is to help us. We get to learn a bunch of things. Our vocabulary then sharpens, We get to read articles which widens our knowledge. That's why the internet is definitely very helpful to us. (MindHacks, 2007)

\

       Life is full of problems. These little, tiny or huge problems never really go missing. They seem to be one ingredient that makes our lives even more meaningful. Sometimes you just don't to deal with them. The internet becomes a place where you can just chill. When there's a problem, you can click the exit button immediately. Maybe, the internet is the secret to happiness. A life without problems is the exact definition of the internet. This could be an understatement but I trust you know exactly what I mean. (Daily Mail, 2018)

        

       The internet has become my best friend. No one can understand me better than it does, It has become my getaway.It's not harmful. It's not addiction unless you know your limit. Live your life the way you want it to be but for me, I'm fine for now but when I have a problem, I have a place to run to. I have a getaway.

Photo Credits: Google Images

Cats are Better House Pets than Dogs

Cats are better house pets than dogs. Yes, that is indeed true but dogs in the other hand, are created to be best friends and not house pets. In my opinion, dogs are better than cats.

From my experience, cats can be very affectionate. They snuggle you and ask food, to be petted or more but they only do that just to get what they want. Cats act all nice and cute just to get a favour or when they want or need a favour. Even cat owners admit that. Other experiences from cat owners were posted in Buzzfeed that cats can be adulaters. But dogs want their owners to be happy. They don’t want to do things just for themselves but also for their owners. I also read it on Pet Attack that cats are affectionate and cute but selfish while dogs are very playful and messy but selfless and I agree.

Cats are easy to take care of. That’s what Business Insider says. They do not need walks. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. Dogs need walks, which also encourages the owner to walk. Walking is a great form of exercise. Dogs keep us fit, unlike cats who prefer to just lay down and stay at home. In other words, cats are lazy while dogs are very active and it helps us to exercise.

Cats can be trained but it takes time to do that. According to The Spruce and Pets World, dogs can be easier than cats are. Even food motivated cats will soon get sick of training and walk away or just take the food out of your hand and eat it anyway. Cats are literally training their owner, better that the owner training their cat. The reason why dogs can be trained easier is because dogs enjoy training. Dogs enjoy work and they are highly motivated by food and attention. Both pets can be trained, but dogs are easier to be trained than cats.

Dogs are happy creatures. All they want to do  is to have fun and make their owners happy. Cats are better house pets that dogs but dogs will always be your best friend and not a house pet.

Nutrition Month Culminating Activity

Opening Program

             Last July 28,2017, we celebrated the Culminating Activity of our Nutrition Month, together with my fellow Asianistas. There were a few activities that we did and those are the Nutriwalk, the Zumba, the Nutrichef, the Ms. and Mr. Healthy Competition and etc. This blog will be talking about my feedback and opinion about the event.

Nutriwalk

NutriWalk

8-Integrity performing their Yell

             Right after the flag ceremony, we had our Nutriwalk around the school campus. It was quite fun. Each section was representing a fruit and our section was representing a green apple. We went around the campus and I think it's the best way to start off the event. After the Nutriwalk, we performed our Yell.

Zumba

Zumba

Zumba

                Right after the NutriWalk, we had our Zumba. It was quite funny and in my opinion, it was quite embarrassing for the steps were quite hilarious. We all danced and energized our bodies. It was a perfect thing to put our mood in a  really high level and it was the perfect thing to prepare ourselves for the upcoming activities.

NutriChef

NutriChef

NutriChef

Judging of Taste

                   After the opening activities, it was time for us to support and cheer for our representatives in the NutriChef Challenge. Our representatives were Daxen Penas and Kyle Emphasis. Actually, one of our representative's included their finger to cutted but it all turned out fine.Sadly, our representatives did not place but we are still very proud of them.

Ms. and Mr. Healthy and the Final Program

Ms. and Mr. Healthy 2017

Glee Club Members

Dance Club

Seniors Performing their Jingle

Award Giving

                 The last event was the Ms. and Mr. Healthy. Joining the program was a few intermission numbers from a few of our fellow JHS students.We cheered for our representatives with all our heart and luckily, both of them won the People's Choice Award. We were very proud of them but unfortunately, our male representative wasn't able to compete for the Question and Answer round for he got eliminated together with the other contenders. Our female representative won as the Second Runner Up and we were very proud of both of them. A few glee club members performed, the dace club performed and the Seniors preformed their winning Jingle dance. They also gave award to those who won during the events.

The Soul of the Great Bell: A Reflection of Society

Introduction

               The story, The Soul of the Great Bell is a Chinese Legend. This story is written by Lafcadio Hearn. Lafciado Hearn is a journalist whowas very interested in Oriental culture, especially Chinese Myths, Legends and etc. What’s amazing is he actually knew almost nothing about the Chinese Language and still completed all the Chinese legends he made.

My blog will be talking about the proofs and what’s behind this story. If the bell really existed and how is it helping the Chinese society and also how is it affecting it.  It will tell you some of their traditions, how is it important to them.  It will also talk about their emperors, rulers, dynasties and also their belief on astrology. It will show you how intriguing it really is.

This is the Yongle Bell of China

Body

                The Chinese Society considers the Yongle Bell as the great bell in the story. It is called the Yongle Bell after Ming Emperor Yongle who ordered it to be cast about 600 years ago and is probably Yung-Lo or the son of Heaven in the story. There are actually some rumors that Emperor Yongle was guilty of his deeds. The Yongle Bell is located in Beijing and Beijing was previously called as Pe-King according to the story and also in other references and they have been also displaying it at the Ancient Bell Museum of The Great Bell Temple and also have been calling it as the King of Bells in China because of its size.

This is how the Chinese women used to bind their foot.

                  Foot Binding, Foot binding is one of the famous Chinese traditions before. It also relates to the story for it to show how important it is to Ko-Ngai. According to Wikipedia.org, Foot Binding is the custom of applying tight binding to the feet of young girls to modify the shape of the foot. Foot binding became popular as a means of displaying status. Such as women from wealthy families, who did not need their feet to work, could afford to have them bound and was correspondingly adopted as a symbol of beauty in Chinese culture. Its prevalence and practice however varied in different parts of the country. Feet altered by binding were called lotus feet. And it was very important to Ko-Ngai for it was like a part of her and was their tradition and it symbolizes that her father’s greatness and hardwork.

The Astrological Signs

              Another Chinese belief is Astrology. The Chinese Society have a huge belief on astrology. Chinese astrology is based on the traditional astronomy and calendars. The development of Chinese astrology is tied to that of astronomy, which came to flourish during the Han Dynasty. Zodiacs, Zodiacs is part of astrology.  Zodiacs are also known as astrological signs.  There a lot of legends explaining where zodiacs come from. There are 12 zodiac animals, named as the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep or goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. And each every single one of them has their own explanation of how they started and etc.

The Ming Dynasty

                Dynasties, Dynasties was very famous in ancient China. There were 13 dynasties that ruled ancient China. The Xia Dynasty, the Shang Dynasty, the Chou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Six Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasty, the Song Dynasty,  the Yuan Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty and lastly, the Ming Dynasty. These are the 13 Dynasty. In the story they mentioned that Yung-Lo, one of the emperors, was a part of the Ming Dynasty. The last of the great Chinese dynasties is the Ming dynasty. The Ming Dynasty finished the Great Wall and built the Forbidden City, which is an enormous palace for the Emperor. The Ming dynasty was also known as the Empire of the Great Ming for about 276 years which was 1368 until 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty which only survived until 1683. The Ming dynasty came into power by overthrowing the rule of the Mongols. The Mongols was an invasion of China. The Mongols Invasion of China was a series of major military efforts by the Mongols to invade China proper. It spanned six decades in the 13th century and involved the defeat of the Jin dynasty, Western Xia, the Dali Kingdom and the Southern Song. The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan started the conquest with small-scale raids into Western Xia in 1205 and 1207. By 1279, the Mongol leader Kublai Khan had established the Yuan dynasty in China and crushed the last Song resistance, which marked the onset of all of China under the Mongol Yuan rule. This was the first time in history that the whole of China was conquered and subsequently ruled by a foreign or non-native ruler, but was still overthrown by the Ming Dynasty and gave them the power.

           The story left us a quote, “Gold and brass will never meet in wedlock, silver and iron will never embrace.” This quote meant that not all things are compatible. Things should not be forced to do certain things, that is almost impossible. Not all things should be forced to be done if you can’t but always remember, “If there’s a will, there’s a way” and Ko-Ngai was able to believe in that and she was able to save her own father for it.

Conclusion

             I realized that each and every person has somebody. Somebody who cares, somebody you could lean on and somebody who is willing to love you no matter what, and will do everything for you. An example of that somebody is Ko-Ngai. She loves her father unconditionally and is willing to do anything for him.  For in the end, love will always win in different ways. The way you expect it to be or the way you are not expecting.

References

• http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2016/06/the-soul-of-great-bell.html
•  http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/feature_2/Sino_ltaly_culture_year/Contrast/Religion/in_Beijing/t920873.htm
• https://theartofculturalvivisection.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/the-soul-of-the-great- bell-by-lafcadio-hearn/comment-page-1/   
•  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding 
•  http://www.historyforkids.net/d/nasties-of-ancient-china.html
•  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_dynasty
•  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_invasion_of_China
•  https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/ming.htm
•  http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese-religion/astrology
•  http://www.crystalinks.com/chinastrology.html
•   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology
•   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac