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.

Discrimination: To construct or destruct?

            To discriminate does not always mean to judge. It is our ability to see distinctions and differences between objects, subjects and concepts. Sometimes, we use discrimination in a negative way. For example, I am a native person from a remote province here in the Philippines and studying in a private school. My skin color is different from the others and my classmates who have likely similar skin tones will discriminate me that can lead to my depression. I always encounter discrimination in a negative way. Like what I have said, many people can’t understand each other’s differences, whether physical appearance, intelligence, attitude and other aspects.

            Experiencing discrimination isn’t easy. It forced me to accept my imperfections and differences from the others. I experienced being discriminated when I started swimming. My skin color changed from white to brown after weeks of training. Sun block lotions cannot protect my skin for two hours or more in the pool. At first, I never felt that I am criticized by others until my siblings started teasing me “negro”. Then others also started laughing at my skin color.

BEFORE

AFTER

            I am quite annoyed to people who discriminates me, but I know in myself that I can handle my emotions and should only execute proper actions. Dealing with those discriminators is not easy at first. You may be downgraded and depressed after hearing those words which may hurt you terribly. When I was in elementary, I remember that I answer back to my discriminators that will hurt them also. Now, as a more matured person, I deal with it by keeping silent so that they will be tired of repeating it again and again.

            I learned that it is not good to fight back to others who discriminates me because it cannot relieve your hurt feelings. If you believe that discrimination exists, it will. I realized that I should look on the positive side of being discriminated. If we do not want to be confused, we should look on things that are not complicated. Like in Math, simplest form is best. Lastly, we should watch our words in judging someone. As Martin Luther King Jr. said 

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

My Autobiography

                I was born on a hospital at the 15^th of September 1995 in San Juan Metro Manila here in the Philippines. I live in Taytay Rizal and I go to school at Taytay United Methodist Christian School. When I was born, my father and mother were 36 years old. My mother is very responsible that she would do everything for me, but sometimes like all brothers and sisters we have misunderstandings and fight like cats and dogs.

Things I have done...       

            My name is Rahli G. Delos Reyes. I started school when I was 5 years old. I went to kindergarten through second grade at Antipolo Lady of Lourdes School, and while I was there I won an award for being industrious. Then I attended Siena College from third grade to fourth grade, where I was joined in a swimming team to compete for different swimming competitions. When I transferred to my current school, my swimming career continued until I got my diploma graduated the elementary curriculum. Then on a summer before I become a high school student, I tried out my best to be a varsity of San Beda’s swimming team and be a 100% tuition fee scholar. Praise God I got in and passed the entrance examination of San Beda. I studied there just for one school year because I want to focus on my studies and aim high grades and we can’t afford to pay the tuition fee if I will be a regular student. So, I transferred again to my current school. I am now a third year high school student and I plan to finish high school here.

           

            Life to me means friends, family and God who you can trust and trusts you. I am pretty much on the happy side of life, but like all teens I do have my “days of”. That means I have days that I am sad because I don’t get what I want and anything that makes a person’s life sad.  I am thankful that I have someone to talk to whenever I need a listener. When I’m alone this thinking always comes into my mind that God will never leave me.

My Outlook on the future      

            The year 2012 will be a memorable year for me. This time I and my batch mates will be graduating high school and I am looking forward to be in college and choose my profession. I want the year 2016 to come because by this time I should be graduated in my desired college program Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation specializing in commercial flying. Even though it’s quite far during these days, time really flies. I want to pass the board exam and have a license of a professional pilot. I can see myself maneuvering an airplane who earns a lot and ride my family on a free vacation trip.   

 My Conclusion….

            When we’re happy we want time to stop and when we are bored we wish that time will go forward fast. Time is really important. We can do things we want because of this. I learned in my life that we should cherish everything around us and value what we have because we will realize our mistakes when we lose things because of evil things. Thank you very much for sharing your very important thing called time in reading my autobiography. I hope you learned something that will help you to be successful in your desired future.