Burdens Of Child Labor

Child Labor was one of our country's biggest problems and even in other. It was a situation where in children were involved in human trafficking, where in juveniles were working and carrying the burdens of life at their shoulders.

Last September 1, 2014, the United States of America just celebrated their Labor Day, a day created not just to have fun but also to promote and to put an end to the scary shadow of child labor. As an access scholar, it was our duty and privilege also to join their celebration, to be one of hem and to make a shout out to stop child labor.

At that day, me and my co-scholars were divided into different groups. Each one of us should create a differentiation (much better in venn diagram form) on how do Filipinos differ in Americans in terms of celebrating Labor Day. But one thing is for sure, both countries were using that day to make a move on how to stop child labor. Later that, we were given a task to make a diamante poem. 5 stanzas poem with limited words, it must be simple and short yet meaningful. 

I enjoyed the activity especially the diamante poem. Because when we were doing that, I have this weird feeling--pity, I guess. I don't know but I think I could relate to them. I think I understand them, their call for help, those children who are suffering instead of enjoying their youthful days. Somehow, I am already relieved. Glad to know that at least just for once, I became part of this protest, a protest that strongly objecting child labor. Not later, not tomorrow, but now! We should STOP CHILD LABOR NOW! 

#StopChildLabor 
  

Too Much Gaining is Losing!

     GOAL—1 word, 1 syllable and 4 letters. As a noun, it is the mark to reach in a race or sometimes called a purpose. A simple meaning for a simple word, yes. Yet, to do such thing is not as simple as its meaning, it is tough to achieve. I’ll just ask you something, have you heard of the word “wattpad”? Well, if it’s your first time to encounter with that alien word, let me tell you a brief description about that. Wattpad is one of those social networking sites. It is a website where you can read an online story and even share yours too for free! Yes, we all know that in this world, free is an unusual thing, but put that saying aside because wattpad is really for free. And I will going to be the star of my journey on achieving a goal.

     It was 20°C that time, the cloud was shading the color of gray, the heaven was shedding a lot of tears and the thunderous roar of thunderstorms was echoing all over the town. A features that says that the weather was not nice so you can’t be outside. I was lying down at our couch facing the laptop and just surfing the internet. I was looking for an e-book of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson just to kill the boredom who stroked my senses that gave me a lazy tooth. But instead of an e-books, Mr. Google gave me a mysterious website and when I opened it, an orange logo welcomed me. My eyes widened and my mouth left hanging open after I read their motto, ‘Unlimited sharing and reading of stories for free.’ “For real?” I said to myself as I sat down properly and put the laptop at my lap to focus on what I have seen. I scrolled down the page to discover more and after the long search, a TagLish story entitled “Teen Clash” written by iDangs tickled my mind. Curiosity was killing me, so with just a one click, internet sent me right a way to a whole new world,-- a world of poetry and creativity.

     Wattpad served as a haven for me. A site where I can be who I wanted to be and where I can escape stresses. Reading and commenting on other’s stories became my hobby until a crazy thought came and passed by my coconut shell. What if I make and share my own stories? What if I become famous because of my works? A lot of questions played like a broken record inside of me. I don’t know how those questions convinced me, but I came into a point of realization. “If they can do it, I can also do better,” I chant to myself to gain confidence. Since that point, creating a wonderful world that’s full of marvelous stories became my goal. I set my mind to that destination. I’ve worked hard for it. Every day, after class, I’m always having a bonding with my laptop and I liked playing with my minds to stimulate my creativity. I’ve consumed 7 ball pens and have jut down my stories in four 80 leaves notebooks. I really love what I’m doing and I’m enjoying it. After I finished my FIRST wattpad story entitled, ‘The Story of Us,’ I felt great because I’ve already gain the fruit of my work.

     Months past so fast and to my surprised, the reads of my story range from 10,000 to 11,000. There was a great explosion in me and I think my heart did a back flip in flatter. But after a while, I felt envious at other’s stories with a million reads and because of that, I’ve set another goal,-- To gain a story with a million reads. After some months, my reads didn’t grow. It just remains in 11,000. It made me disappointed, I sigh in frustration but I still tried to composed myself. And to that, I’ve realized that too much gaining can sometimes lead you to losing. I should have savor the moment where my story was in the peak of its popularity. Be contented on what you have. Well, all I can say is, let’s treasure what’s present in front of us and let’s dream big because it’s free. But be aware that being greedy can bring harm to you. So, be contented, soar high, break a leg but put your feet on the ground.

P.S.

You can follow me on wattpad at ShielaPottie at your own risk and be updated on my new works and updates at my ongoing stories. Read my finished one shot stories entitled That Should Be Me, Telefon, ‘Till We Meet Again and Jeepney Love Story to be inspired, be in love and feel the sweetness in the air. Cheerio! 

I Broke a Rule for Nothing!

                                                       I Broke a Rule for Nothing!

            Swimming through thousands of people that was like going against the current of a raging river was not easy. With these different faces of people bumping and shoving each other, you couldn’t even move a little and breathe well. But, when they opened the stereo, rolled the cameras and put the amplifiers volume to the max, my ears suddenly grew bigger as I witnessed and heard him strumming his guitar with his brows meeting half way, lip bits, chiseled jaws and irresistible swag that shines in his whole personality.

My eyes turned heart-shaped and my smile crept from lips to ears when belted out his newly launched song. For a moment, he looked at me; then, smiled. My heart jumped off my chest when he did that. It was as if the crowd suddenly disappeared; his voice became soft while I was savoring the lyrics until there were only him and me in the whole place.  “He looked at me,” “No! He looked at me,” It felt like there was a bucket of cold water poured into me as I heard the two girls at my back arguing because they said, ‘Daniel Padilla looked at them.’ I also thought that he looked at me, but the truth was… he looked at US,- the fans.

I just rolled my eyes in annoyance. Something urged me to look at my opposite direction until I saw the metal railings toughly blocking all the fans to pass through. My feet was about to drag me there until I saw something yellow hanging in it. It was a signage saying, “Fans are strictly prohibited here,” My lips pouted because of that. Why? I hoped I could get through it too bad I was not a staff- just a mere frustrated fan. I turned my back on the railings and had walked away for about 3 steps but I just found myself marching back again. I read the signage for another time and there was a light bulb turning on in my head and an evil grin started to tattooed in my face. I remembered my co-fan girl’s rule, “Fan girl’s Rule #5: Do break a rule if it’s needed. We have to get to Daniel!” I guess I’m in the right mind to do that rule, haha. Besides, it’s the matter of life and death situation, If I wouldn’t do it, It would be now or never. “Aja! I can do this!” I said to myself as I ran a marathon towards the fan girl’s mortal enemy,-- the railings. I hurriedly put my feet in there and began crawling upward just like Spiderman when a good-looking man with his rock liked biceps blocked my sight and stands in front of me then fake a cough.  “Oopps, sorry,” I said as I straighten myself. He just raised his eye brows at me that gave me shiver all throughout my body. 

After that martial scolded and told me the whole history about the rules and regulations of this event place and Do’s and Don’ts of a right fan, I slowly walked back to my assigned seat with my head looking down because of shame. As I got back to my seat, there was someone already sitting in there and Daniel Padilla’s performance was already done during the time when the martial caught me. I slightly tapped my forehead in disbelief. I broke a rule for nothing? I thought, it would be the best way to get to the stage of the man who ruled my life without going through the hole of the needle, but I was wrong! “This is the consequences of my actions now,”  I said in a low tone of voice feeling my emotions and leading me back home. 

After that event in my life, I realized that I should not really do that. I just put myself in embarrassment because of my mindless actions. But when it comes to my idols, I’m always thinking of ways, it’s either breaking or not breaking any rule just to be in touch with them, but on the other hand, I always look forward for the consequences of my actions. The more you do bad things, the more punishments you’ will receive. So, be good!  :) 

Got To Believe In Magic!

Do you believe in magic? In destiny or miracle? Well, believe it or not, it happened to me at my hopeless days. I haven't been decided if it is called destiny or magic, but whatever it is, it is a great pleasure! It's a great feeling and big blessing yet, its also a huge responsibility. 

As for this certain moment, I can still see my eyes twinkling, my teeth shinning, and my hand clasped together because of my overflowing feeling. That was my typical look and expression when a magic came. When they announced the English Access Micro-scholarship Program. At first, it was really puzzling, but when they explained it to us, I was like 'Oh my gosh!' And with that reaction, I think you already know what happened. I've believed in magic, haha. I joined  the program and thank God, I am one of the lucky 40 students who successfully passed the test. 

Who would have forget their first times? First love, first kiss and first everything? Of course, no one will do. And as for me, I'm like any other... I will never delete those magical moments in my memory and even in my life,-- My first day as an Access scholar. 

Every time I close my eyes, I can still smell the perfume that I used that day. I can still see the person that I've met that day. I can still hear my screaming co-scholars because of excitement. It was my best day ever, so far. That magical first day, we played a game called 'Ice Breaker,' to break the awkwardness that's filling the room. And it actually work! We became best of friends after playing that game. And after the fun, we are asked to do some tasks and lucky me, I really have fun! It wasn't my good day, it was the best! 

"Hey, Shiela! Accomplish your work now," I snapped back from reality when I heard my classmate's voice. Then I just found myself sitting at the Computer Laboratory of our school while creating a blog about my first day experience as an scholar. And if you're gonna ask me if I finished my work in time, yeah! You just finished reading it. You just finished reading the Magic in my life. :)