GREEK's CULTURE: A Rich One

HOMER

Homer, the blind poet and author of his masterpiece “Iliad” and “Odyssey” is revered as the greatest Greek epic poet. It is evident that he is a good writer because he is renowned all over the world.

Reading Iliad and Odyssey will impart us lessons in living our lives. In the Iliad, Homer cited reasons how could a man slump in destruction and how can a man attain succession. Good or bad in our eyes, Homer used some themes like nature of pride, inescapability of fate that they believe in fate and destiny and the importance of individual glory and honor. In Odyssey, Homer showed that the Greeks strongly believe in gods and goddesses that they even talk to them to seek for help.

 

In the stories, Greeks very much believed in gods and goddesses. They gave sacrifices and offerings so the gods will grant their wishes and they also took advices in dealing things. But, it will not hamper them in following their own decisions like in Odyssey, when Odysseus and company lost their way in the middle of the sea.

I also learned that the Greeks love their families very much. Even though distance separated them for a mission, they kept in touch within their minds thinking about each other’s conditions.

I acquired the knowledge that the Greek Culture is very rich. Many traditions and beliefs were practiced. We can relate in some of the events that happened and learn lessons from it. We may agree or disagree with their beliefs but we should appreciate and recognize them for the contributions they gifted in literature and in our society.

Achilles: The Redoubtable Warrior

A warrior is a man engaged in warfare or in some struggle or conflict. One should have the courage and strength to fight.

Achilles is a man full of courage and strength. Without hesitation, he quickly crossed the plain going to Hector with little effort. 

He is Achilles, the greatest warrior among the Achaeans.

“Achilles set off towards the city, his heart full, charging on like a prize-winning horse pulling a chariot at full speed across the plain with little effort – that’s how fast Achilles ran, sprinting with his legs and feet.”  (22.30-34.220)

He has a strong heart that he killed some of King Priam’s sons. He can do brutal things to bring honor and glory to the Achaeans. He was a godlike warrior that many people who come in his way were frightened, that even a king warned his son of how Achilles fights.

“And then my heart shed might shed its dreadful sorrow, for he’s taken from me many valiant sons. Some he’s butchered. Others he’s sold in islands far away.” (22.57-60.221)

Achilles is obedient with gods as he obeyed Athena. He agreed with Athena’s help in convincing Hector to stand against him.

“Glorious Achilles, beloved of Zeus, now I hope the two of us will take great glory to Achaean ships, by killing Hector, for all his love of war.” (22.278-280.226)

He is an intelligent warrior that he didn’t agree with Hector’s offer that nothing will be concealed.   He thought that it is very impossible that enemies to become friends or swear oaths between each other.

“Hector, don’t talk to me of our agreements. That’s idiotic, like a faithful promise between men and lions.” (22.336-338.227)

He is a good friend. He seeked revenge for his slaughtered companions and friend Patroclus.

“Right now you’ll pay me back, the full price of those sorrows I went through when you slaughtered my companions.”

Achilles is truly a great warrior. Even his toughest foe said that he is their greatest danger.  

“I hope you get this whole spear in your flesh. This war would then be easier on Trojans with you dead, for you’re the greatest danger.” (22.371-373.228)

He is aggressive, alert and merciless. He took his chance to kill Hector quickly. In just a click he strucked Hector. 

"As Hector charged, noble Achilles struck him there, driving the spear point through his tender neck." (22.422-423.229)

Therefore, Achilles, son of Peleus is truly great. A great warrior is measured on how he fights with his enemy and how he executes his strategy. He is a man who can easily kill others to have power and glory. His view in life is to fight the battle or die. I cannot say that he is greedy because as he pursue in reaching his dream, he is also fighting for the Achaeans against Trojans.

 

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warrior

Ramirez, Veronica E. English Across Continents. Makati City, Phils.

Diwa Learning Systems Inc. 2010 Print.

A Woman Built by Challenges

  

        “A good woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.”

-Danielle Hollister

     Women are precious in our society. In our everyday life, I can say that it is harder to be a woman than a man because of their high-cost maintenance. It is not just about money they spend in buying necessities but their hardships in dealing with the effects of being a woman. Even though they are living their lives more challenging than man’s, they are very strong and can accept many challenges. That is why I chose my mother to be my subject for my blog.

In life, people dream marry their loved ones when they become adult. Women accepted the challenge to become wives and mothers. For I know, being a mother is not as easy as playing a game. To be a mother is fulfilling but with hardships. Only strong women can survive being a good mother.  My mother is an example of a strong woman. She raised my three siblings and I patiently all by herself. She worked hard to provide all our needs and wants. Her rights for us as a mother are practiced because she gives time to bond with us and we live in the same house. My mother is a helpful person. I remember the time when she helped an imprisoned man accused of stealing a can of milk. She visited the family of the man and said what happened. Now the man is free and proved that he is not guilt. I am very proud that she is my mother because even though there are many obstacles, it didn’t stop her to help other people in need. We should help each other like brothers and sisters in establishing a good relationship with each people.

         I can say that my mother and all mothers are part of the history of our country and the world. They bare child and bring another life in the world. They help balance the cycle of man’s life. All children are blessings from God. When they grew up, they will help in making our country developed and united.

A Hardship Worth Working for Our Tomorrow

                      “Encourage and assist each child to strive for ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE and to make excellence his WAY OF LIFE.”

            It is one of the school’s missions in producing godly men and women. Taytay United Methodist Christian School, my beloved Alma Mater is always on the rank on achievement tests.

                       

            Education is what we need to be successful.  My fellow students, it is an honor for me to be admitted in this school. You may think that studying in this school is hard, yes it is. This school is academically focused but fun will never be out. At first, we may not excel academically here, but after these hardships college will be as easy as preschool. High standards of the school make its foundation stronger. Alumni are very proud that they came from TUMCS. Let us be proud that we will be one of those in the future.  I promise that every centavo of your tuition fee will be worth the knowledge you gained for your mind and heart.

My Best teacher named EXPERIENCES: A Good Speaker is to a person with Good Grammar Sk...

My Best teacher named EXPERIENCES: A Good Speaker is to a person with Good Grammar Sk...: " On a regular school day during our English time, our teacher distributed papers to us. I imme..."

A Good Speaker is to a person with Good Grammar Skills

            On a regular school day during our English time, our teacher distributed papers to us. I immediately looked at it. I found out that it was our errors in grammar from our blogs. I read the lines thoroughly and look for my error. Honestly, I do not know if my error is there because according to my classmate many bloggers used that sentence too. I think this blog will add another error to another paper.

         

              If I am the one who wrote that error, I won’t be offended because I know criticisms will help me correct my grammar. Grammar skills are very important in writing. Writers must have these skills in order to have an easy-to-understand piece. Speaking in English is tantamount to writing. We are studying English not just to speak well but also to write well. Studying grammar is related to writing in a way that correct grammar is the logic of speech, even as logic is the grammar of reason.

           

        

             To improve my grammar skills, I will study our lessons and learn to read stories. If I am not sure about the spelling of the word, I will look it up in a dictionary or internet. In learning to speak in English, we have to practice it by speaking. In learning to improve our spelling and grammar skills, we need to practice them. One of the most enjoyable ways to practice English is by writing it. Writing a journal is the easiest to write. We will have something to write with sense and I’m sure we won’t run out of words to write.

Make Life Easier, Work as a TEAM

          
           Our school, the Taytay United Methodist Christian School held its 26^th founding anniversary celebration last February 14-18. As students, we celebrated it by having field demonstrations and intramurals. These events are the most awaited for the school year.

    

        During our intramurals, game events were held like basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Camaraderie will always be there during a team versus team game. Each player of a specific team worked hard to win their goal. Everyone should help his teammates in his own good ways. Example, a volleyball player didn’t volley the ball to the opponent’s court, and then his teammate will strike the ball. Cooperation is also an example of teamwork which everyone follows their leader to have the product of success. Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect. It is not a question how each person work, the question is how well they worked together. In our school I witnessed fairness during the event; level brackets are there to have fairness. First and second year will have their match and same with the third and fourth year.

 

           

           

         I learned in this event that both fairness and camaraderie is important in our lives. We need someone to help us in things we can’t do with ourselves. As a quote says “No man is an island.” We should know the definition of fairness not just because we didn’t lose on a game. I learned fairness when I lose on a swimming contest and I accepted the fact that if I am good in that field there will always be a better swimmer. We should respect our fellow human being, treat them fairly, and disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.