"And I’ll taste every moment...

.. And live it out loud
I know this is the time,
This is the time
To be more than a name
Or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life.. "

This song was sung by David Cook and the song title is "Time of My Life". As the title suggests, it is about living your life and having the best moment at that point. At the moment, I could relate to that because I have this experience to share with you. It is about my fist Sci-Camp to attend as a MARICIan here. It is mostly a trip - to Baguio! As a first timer, I was dreaming about what it felt like there, what it looked liked and how hard it was to live there. And so, I'll start the storytelling!

I learned from the preparation day that we would travel lightly but still have the items necessary for the trip. At the Main, I learned that we should be very very patient because we would get tired easily from waiting (9:30-11:00pm, which for excited Sci-campers, a forever!). And there also, you should know where and what to look for (your group for that matter) because you will be dealing with a sea of eager students. For me, I think that everyone was trying their best to keep everything in order. They also tried their best in organizing everyone for the bus loading. It wasn’t an easy job, but we all managed to go in our respective buses.

On the road, we started out with a prayer for a safe journey, hoping nothing would harm us during or drive. Most of us in the bus tried to sleep on the way. But some tried their best to stay awake to see what the roads were like. I slept a lot, waking up to a sign that says “Welcome to Baguio”. And I learned that the sleep would really benefit you for the upcoming events.

When we finally reached the Teacher’s Camp, we headed to Albert Hall (Mess Hall) for our much needed breakfast. I quickly learned that I would really need all the energy I could get because even in going to and fro the Halls were a tough job. Then, we lined up to get our snacks for the trip. Snacks are usually given after the main meals are served, providing you with something to satisfy your hunger during trips or activities. After that, we were to go to our Halls to check in, which placed our waiting skills to the test. The lobby was full of girls with their luggage waiting to sign in and pay the fee.

The climate in Baguio was totally different from Manila. Once you step out, you’ll feel the cold air fill in your lungs, which was really new to us. When you would wake up in the morning, you would shiver from the morning breeze from the window. Afternoons there weren’t as hot in Manila, where you would demand one cold shower afterward.

During tours were great because we were free to go down to a destination spot when we feel like it. We’d take pictures, buy stuff, and do whatever we were allowed to do. But oftentimes we have a time limit so that we would come back to camp on time for lunch. This time, you’d need the energy to perform the activities given to the groups. The activities let you understand more about Science and sharpen your mind on how to perform tasks with teamwork and cooperation with fun. I participated with most of the activities knowing that they’d benefit me. After all of them done, it’s off to dinner! But before you’d eat, you will face a very long fight of stairs (Albert Hall is on elevated ground) that you must climb.

On the afternoon of February 2 after lunch, we said goodbye to the Teacher’s camp. This time, we went home seeing the road we’ve passed (although some other paths we needed alternate routes...) and to pass the boredom, we sang in the ‘karaoke machine’ in the bus. Most of us were tired too, even though we just ate our lunch. Some people, those who were getting too bored of singing, tried to sleep the feeling away. Most of us, got headaches from the temperature and pressure differential in going down the zigzag roads of Baguio. I was one of those people who got sick and absented for three days after the trip.

The trip back home took about seven hours. It was one of the longest seven hours in our school days. But at that span of time, it made me ponder though the memories we have made during the camp. The way of the planning of the camp was good for me. It tested our skills in teamwork, cooperation, logical thinking, and physical strength. It also pushed our friendship bonds to the limits. Plus, I had fun in doing the activities and wandering around in Baguio was a blast! I would certainly join next year’s camp, providing I’d pass for sophomore year in MARISCI. =P

"Keep holding on..

.. 'Cause you know we'll make it though
We'll make it though
Just, stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you.. "

This was sung by Avril Lavigne and the song's called "Keep Holding On". I picked this song because I could relate to it at the moment, especially if you're a student at MARISCI. I also chose this song because its cool :3 I could relate because it is about not losing an attitude that we rarely realize- hope.

Hope is an attitude that for some reason, we do not often have when problems arise. We, as ordinary people often forget that we should have hope when fighting against a problem such as failing marks at class, unemployment, financial problems, family problems and other things that could bug us everyday. Most people look at the dark side first (hey, that includes you and me!) before looking for a solution to solve the predicament. Actually, that is the plain truth. And as said by Pauline R. Kezer: "When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.", we need to be involved so that we would feel that all is not lost. Getting involved makes the situation not only better, but also you feel (in some kind of way) happier and stronger for more pressing problems in your lifetime.

Let me share you an experience that I had.

I was already fed up with my group mates because they weren't doing what they were assigned to them. They were just sitting and talking, not getting involved in the project we were supposed to do. At the end of the meeting, I asked a friend on what to do. He told me a story instead. it went like this:

THE FOUR CANDLES

The four candles burn slowly. The ambiance was so soft you can hear them talking. The first one said: "I am PEACE! However, nobody can keep me lit. I believe I will go out." Its flame rapidly diminishes and goes out completely. The second one says: "I am FAITH! Most of all, I am no longer indispensable, so it doesn't make any sense that I stay lit any longer." When it finished talking, a breeze softly blew on it putting it out. Sadly, the third candle spoke in its turn: "I am LOVE! I haven't got the strength to stay lit. People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." And waiting no longer it goes out. Suddenly, a child enters the room and sees three candles not burning. "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit 'till the end." Saying this, the child begins to cry. Then, the fourth candle said: "Don't be afraid; while I am still burning, we can re-light the other candles because I am HOPE!" And with shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other candles.

My friend added, "Hope should never go out from your life and that each of us can maintain Hope, Faith Peace and Love!!" When he said that, I finally got the motivation to lead once again. This time, we achieved a grade of 93! =)

You see, we should never lose hope whatever happens. Take care, and see you!