Reflection #15

Last week was one the most stressing week for me. I have been busy catching up on my assignments and it makes my life suck. So far so good though. I have come to know that waiting for the last minute is not a good thing for students like me. Doing all assignments at one time caused me no good. Now, I know that I should not wait till the last minute and do my assignments.
In class, the shyest student in our class made his class activity. From what he did in class, I know that shy students are capable of doing things. It is just that they are shy. When the boy did his class activity, I didn't believe that he'd do it. But because the in class activity worth his grades, he went on and did it. This makes me think that even the shyest kid can do whatever that active and talkative kid can. What he did in class left us audiences in pause and wonder. For me, I was like, what have gotten into him today? He is so energetic. This is what I want every other shy students to do and should aim for.

Holiday Spirit

Humming of the birds, there goes the singers. It was late when I got home from work. As I was walking down the street, cars and all other kinds of vehicles were gather near a church. I could hear the sounds of instruments played distances away from the church. When I got closer to the church, many people was surrounding the church. I went forward and see what was going on inside the church that the people were looking from outside for. There, I saw a punch of youth in line performing a dance. I stopped for a while and watched. As they were done dancing, they sang songs. Wow! There songs were amazing. I haven't heard the songs before and they made my night. The songs made me wanted to stay longer but the worst thing is, when I looked at my watch, it was already 11 pm. I then walked straight home. When I was two blocks away from my home town, I heard musics. They were also practicing. All around Majuro and I guarantee the outer islands too are busy rehearing for Christmas and all the other upcoming events. It is great to see that the people of the Marshall Islands are in the spirit of the holiday season.

Reflection #14

Just this week, on the Monday, I did my in-class activity. I prepared 5 types of poems for the class. I started off by letting them write a prompt that I saw on the internet and thought it was perfect to give them. I gave them five minutes to write on the prompt. After I called out the time, I wrote the 5 types of poems on the board with their meanings. Some of the poems were familiar with the class. I read out poems related to the 5 types of poems I gave them. When I was done reading out  the poems, I made the class to write two poems  out of the 5 types of poems. I gave them 10 minutes to write acrostic and free verse poems for class activity. When the 10 minutes were up, I asked them, actually I did not ask, I command them all to read out loud what they wrote. Of all the students, one of them did not share his work. The reason I did not ask but commanded them to share is I wanted to point out to them that there are times that they would not know the instructor or the teacher gives credits. As I was observing them while they were writing, I could see that they were studying hard and most of all writing to their very best. I was not surprise to see that of all, one of them did not share. I was expecting the person. I think that everyone to participate in class activities and discussions, there has to be more of a talking with mates. This is my goal for next week, make everyone participate in class.

Christmas

Yaaay! It is almost Christmas. People around the island are busy making loans for Christmas. Yesterday, I went to down-town. It was 6 in the evening and the Bank of the Marshall Islands was still open. The bank was fully full. There were many people inside as well as the outside, staying maybe waiting for their names to be called. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, people celebrates Christmas as it is the day Jesus was born. They would not pass the event. Christmas is like their most important event of all events. Just last night, I heard musics from the other side our village. I wanted to know what were all the musics for so went to look. There, I saw a punch of people dancing along while the music was playing. They were studying for Christmas Day. Christmas is such an important event for the people and they just can't stand not doing something to celebrate it. That is how religious the people are.

Reflection #13

This week has been a good one. On the Wednesday, as usual, our instructor gave us prompt. The prompt was a picture. Whenever there's picture prompt, I always find it difficult to write. I don't know what's happening in the picture. Sometimes, I write picture prompts and ends up with non relating sentences. I find this one of my weaknesses; It not just happens to me but also my classmates. Sometimes when I looked at them, they stick their mouths and ears with their pens or pencils. I think that the reason why they are doing such thing is because they can't think of what to write. There are others ways that I see them doing. I think that for us in the classroom not to think and act like this, we should just write. Just write about what you think of the picture even if it may not be related. What's important is for our hands to move faster than our brains.

I think that for my picture prompt to be improved, I just have to go with the flow. Just go on writing without thinking about what's going on in the picture. This is my goal for next class if there is going to be one.

Lost in the Bushes

It was a Saturday that me and my friends went on a picnic for our Reunion. Over slept and was rushing for breakfast. I was afraid that my parents would cancel my going because it was already late, almost 10 o'clock. Getting my things ready, my phone rang. "We are outside your house, come out,' the phone caller said. I looked outside my window and I saw my friends waiting in the car. I hurriedly pack my things and said good bye to my parents.
On our way, we encountered a traffic. There were two cars that bumped into each other so we had to wait for signals from the police officers for us to pass. It took us half an hour to pass. Deeply inhaling from the long wait, I got out a bottle of water and drank. We drove off and stopped at a grocery store. We went into the grocery store and bought some vegetables and fruits to add to our lunch. When we reached our picnic place, I got out of the car and looked for woods to start the fire. I went into the bushed and looked for woods. I was by myself. With all the woods I was holding, I didn't know where I was heading. I became scared. I shouted for help but nobody came. I was really far from where we left off.
I looked at my watch to check the time and it was 3 in the afternoon. I forgot that my cell phone was inside my pocket. Waited and waited but no refuge. It was already dark when I was touching and smelling my clothes if they smelled bad for staying up long under the sun that I felt something in my pocket. I slowly put my hand into my pocket and slowly pulled up the thing inside it. It was my cell phone. I thanked God I had something to call for help from. When I looked at my phone, its battery almost die so I hurriedly called my friends. Maybe because I was staying in the woods, signal wasn't really cooperating. But, I tried and tried. Finally, my friends understood what were I saying. After few minutes, they showed up. I cried when I saw them. They were crying with me too. "We didn't cook our food for we were searching for you" one of them said. "What happened to you?" another one said. I didn't really answer them for I was crying too hard.
They took me into the car and we left. On our way, I asked them not to say anything about my disappearing. If my parents knew, they wouldn't let me go out with them again. It was nice of them the didn't say anything. This is why it is important to have friends. They are there for you 24/7.

Reflection #12

This week was an awesome week. In class last Monday, I saw that many of my classmates did their homework. I did not expect them to do theirs because they don't usually do their homework. But, from what I saw that day, I kind of knew that they are respecting the class. The homework and class assignments that they are not doing, they might have done them but did not want to share it to the whole class. This is what's driving me nuts. I want to directly tell them to share their works but I don't want to hurt their feelings. I have seen students who would cry in class for it is her/his part to speak so I didn't want to do the same with my classmates. I just felt sorry for them. But, as I was saying, they did their homework for the day. I was surprised that majority of the class read out loud. I want them to continue doing their assignments and taking parts in class discussions. I know it is hard to take part and speak up in front of a group of people. Though, we just have to.

For reading, I just finished reading the assigned pages from last class and whosh, many new things. As I was reading the book, Writing Down the Bones, I learned new things. I now know that writing can be done with partners. Also, writing session can last 'till 3 PM. When I saw a line in the book that said this, I was surprised. I didn't know that writing session could take this much time. Other than this, I also found out that what our homework on page 133 is to write 10 short poems. Ten? This is too much for me. Even if this is too much for me, I will have to try to finish them before class Thursday. This is my goal for next week.

Last Saturday

            Woke up in the morning, getting ready to roll. It was a good day. I was all prepared for lab on the Saturday at Arrak Campus but didn't get the chance to bring along a machete. As I was waiting for our transportation, many other students were also getting ready to head to the other side of the island for picnic and community service. It took a while for us to really get to our transportation. On our way, the rain fell on the bus. The rain was unexpected so it lasted early. There is a saying where they say, “When it rains, it is blessed day.” As I was looking out, I saw the other students who were heading to Laura all wet for they were sitting at the back of pick-up. I felt sorry for them. It was really a good day for us Agriculture Science 101 students. We had one of the brand new school’s buses.

            It took us an hour and a half to reach our destination. When we were at the Arrak Campus, the rain started to fall again. We hurriedly ran to the cafeteria and waited for the rain to stop. As soon as the rain stopped, we all went straight to the school’s garden. Whish! The garden looked old to me. Though, many of the plants were ready to be harvested. There were different kinds of plants which I never knew of.  I was amazed by their bearing and how huge their fruits were. Despite all that I saw at the garden that were grateful and colourful, our instructor moved us to another garden but it was at the far right of the campus. There, the plants looked so wary and needed help. We, the students, had to bring them all back to life. We did a lot of work.

            Being exhausted from pulling up grasses to make spaces for the plants, our instructor told us we were going to the Taiwanese Farm at Laura. At the farm, it was like a miracle to me. I never knew that pigs can grow huge to how huge the pigs I saw. Their balls were as big as my head. Dang! As I was still didn't believe how big they were, one of the co-worker climbed into a pig’s room and took out a dead baby pig. They said maybe the mama pig might have been sitting on it for a long time. When I saw the dead baby pig, I almost vomited. I took a rest after I saw the commotion.

            All dizzy and tired, we headed back home. I didn't do many chores at home when I arrived for I felt dizzy and tired. I went straight and changed. I slept from the time I finished changing my clothes until the next day at 10 AM. Never slept like that ever before. It was just because I was tired. That’s all. 

Reflection #11

This week has been a great week for me. Last Monday, our instructor wanted us to work on our Generative Literature Project. Me and my fellow classmates gathered together in a group to work on the Generative Literature Project. As we were working on our project, I, being the writer, I could see that most of us did not want to participate, meaning talked. They just kept quiet. When I asked them if a sentence was okay for our project, some lifted up their eyebrows and some shook their heads to say yes. Me, being the writer, had to edit our projects. Even if they did not really talk and show their thoughts, I did not really care. Most of my mates are shy and embarrassed. I did not want to hurt their feelings by forcing them to answer me regarding our project. I just led them be. When the class ended, I congratulated them. As they walked out of the classroom, I could see that they were worrying about something. I was like they were carrying burdens with them. When I saw their reactions, I knew they did not mean not to answer questions and editing our project. They just could not do it at all. There are many different types of people. Some are shy and some are talkative and active.

From what I learned form that particular day, I was happy for being in class but sad at the same time. I could see in my mates' eyes that they want to participate but then they could not help their embarrassment. They might wanted to participate but did not want if their suggestions and comments rejected. It is always this feeling in many other schools. My advice is, try to take off the embarrassment and wear on your activeness. That way, you will be a great success.

Bad Day

The weather is a battle
Planned to go for a run
Decided to take a break
Visited the Hair Comb
It was very good impact
Everything was free

Even if everything was free
it was a battle
the impact
made me run
for the comb
it was really a battle

I took a break
To free
my mind from the comb
The battle
was still in process so I run
another impact

The impact
led me to another break
But again, I run
to free
the battle
of the comb

The comb
caused me great impact
Had to battle
to break
and have free
on the run

From all the run
the comb
broke free
the impact
took a break
from the battle

Reflection #10

This week has been the most difficult week ever in the semester. As the Monday started, I could see that there was something different about it compared to the other Mondays. In class, we discussed character setting and character possession. Our instructor instructed us to do homework for the next coming class about character setting and character possession. As she was explaining the process of character setting, I froze. It was like I was not listening at all. Same went with the explanation of the character process. It is not that I did not know the procedures but maybe because it has been a while and I heard the words again. On the Wednesday, we learned about Sestina. Sestina is a kind of poem. When our instructor introduced Sestina, to be honest, I almost felt. I did not get what our instructor was saying about sestina. She wanted us to write a sestina poem.None of us had done writing one. For me, I find it really difficult because it is my first time to write about sestina. I don't like the fact that I hate poems because now that sestina has come, it cost my life so much harder. Even though I did not finish writing one sestina down, my homework for the next class is to finish it. Being educated inside the classrooms is better way of solving what you don't know for your school works This one worked. Because I had a teacher who was assisting me, I a little bit understood. Going to school should be your first priority. If you want a bright future for your family, you should consider school as your first priority.

Deep in the Heart

Going home from my sister's funeral made me lost my appetite. Haven't for a week now. Father is looking for someone that might help me bring myself together. He goes to the doctor what could he do to make me eat since I don't want to go out. He brings my friends from the school and the neighbourhood but still it didn't help. Father looks so wary because of me. At fist, I didn't know how to manage and talk to him. Now that I see him doing everything he can for me, I am starting to regain again.
Early in the morning, I started to get out of bed. As I stood up, I felt down again. I stood again. I didn't want father to worry about me. I stood still and slowly walked out of the room. When I opened the kitchen door, he was cooking and it was like 5 o'clock in the morning. I didn't have my mother around to do all the cooking when I was really ill. When I show him, I shed tears. He didn't see me standing. I sneezed and he saw me. He saw me with tears and said "Darling, why are you crying? Somewhere hurts? Where? You shouldn't have get up at this hour. You need to rest." The crying voice cracked out. I told him "I don't want you to cook. I am okay now. I can cook. Hand me that." Father hugged me and we cried together. He said " I don't want to lose you that's why. You are the only one left now. I can't take the risks when you are gone." We ate and I was feeling better than before. I cooked and the do the chores in the house for us.

Character Setting

It is gloomy and the weather is kind of freezing. It is winter and the leaves are falling off the trees. The smell of the leaves flying around make me want to put them into my mouth. Cars are honking and I can't even close my eyes. Babies are crying and the mothers are telling stories. If I was a bad person, I'd called the police and report them immediately. The sound of the wind terrifies me. The roomy is not yet here. Papers, pens, and pencils are scattered around. Can't find a good place to lay down.
Being exhausted from school, I had to clean the messy room first. A dog came in front of the door and bark at it. I did not know what was he barking at. I was too busy cleaning the room. As soon as I got to the door, I heard something being smashed down. I didn't see anything but the dog. He was barking like there was something wrong in the house. Other than that, I saw a big rock under the trees. I thought maybe the rock was the reason the dog was barking. I slammed it closed and went in. Trying to look for the broom, the light broke down. Everywhere in the house was all dark. Had to look for a flash light but could not find any. As soon as I opened the door, leaving blew into the house. It was a madness. I led the door opened and start cleaning the kitchen and the living room. What a bad day.


In class, we had a homework regarding character setting. We were to choose a character setting from one of our peers in the community classroom and do one that's similar to theirs but different setting. 
This is a setting which I took from one of my friend Thierry Nguyen. Here is the linked to it: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103216080058595427694/posts/dEuX616E4sx?cfem=1

Character Possessions

Yawning; it is late at night and cannot sleep with those people knocking on that door. Mr. Millan is one the mayors in the city and I hope it is him those people are looking for since it is his door they are knocking on. The people waited and waited for the door to open. It took a while for the door to open. The people in Mr, Mayor's house were sleeping and they did not hear the people knocking. A young lady came out and opened the door. When the people saw her, they cried. It came to my mind that all the people that were staying outside the house were related. I had a bad feeling about death. Maybe there is somebody in the family who died. As I was looking, the young lady who opened the door went inside the house again. The second time she came out, Mr. Mayor was coming along too. I could see a man, maybe the eldest talking with the mayor.They talked for about half an hour and then the people left.

Early in the morning, there goes the man again. Mr. Mayor might have told him last night to come in the morning. I could see Mr. Mayor lending him money. He took the money and drove off. While Mr. Mayor was still preparing to go to work, a car stopped by. The people in the car was dropping off food and drinks for Mr. Mayor and family. Mr. Mayor thanked them and then got into his car and drove to work. I then went back to sleep.

As I was still sleeping from the distractions last night, my husband woke me up. "Hon, wake up, it is already 3 in the afternoon and you are still sleeping. Wake up and make us food. You might be weak by now. You have not eaten in the morning until this hour," he said. I woke up and went to prepare food for him. While we were eating, he told me a story about his working place. "You know us at work, we are going to the mayor's birthday and anniversary's celebration. Mayor gave $5,000 to the office for miscellaneous and those things. Isn't that great of Mr. Mayor," he said. I was not surprised of Mr. Mayor's doings to people. He is a great man of his words. 

Character Setting & Possessions: Donnie Moore

Donnie Moore is now living a healthy live. He stays at a hotel as if he owns it. He rents it. Actually, his working place is renting it for him. At the hotel, he gets access to internet, surfing, and many more. He even has a private pool just right outside his room. Donnie Moore is well-known for he is a kind hearted gentleman. At work, he gets to stop fire within no time. People recognize and salute him because despite his flaws, he has great skills and a talent. He can be depended on at any time.

Reflection #9

This week, I taught in class about different types of poems. When it comes to poems, I turn to a naive person. Again, poems are not my type. I find them difficult to read. When our instructor Ms. Elizabeth showed the different types of poems, I looked away. I knew that she was going to let us write on one of the different types. Even with all the difficulties I went through to write one, I managed to write one. Even if it might not have been perfectly written but, I am grateful that I did one. From writing the poem, I remembered back in high school when one of my teachers ask us, students, to write a poem about something. I remembered being hidden under my table just to not do the poem. I now know that being afraid of what we think might let us down for some reasons is not a good answer for us. Now that I have learned, I know that I can't always run from my weaknesses. They might be gone for awhile and then there, we see them again. It is better that we faced the most difficult task of our lives.

Unforgettable Pain

My most unforgettable pain.
Bundles of water dropping from the rain.
Had to look further again.

In my mind,
Everything was fuzzy behind
it. My grandfather died.

I wish
I was there to kiss
him. But, no chances.

I felt sorry
and worry
about my grandmother.

I was sad
but glad.
He is in peace now.

I live
to forgive
and give.

It was last
year that he passed
away.

I hope
I'd rope
to bring him up from his grave.

Reflection #8

This week has been a busy week for me. Though, something came into my mind and made me think deeper and wider about the upcoming days. What if I don't my midterms, what's going to happen to me? This thought rang in my mind. Without further a due, there was this part in the book where it encourages us to write even if you are in a difficult time. So, I did as it said. Reading from Writing Down the Bones is really a great help and I mean it by saying great help. If I were to not do my midterms, it encouraged me. This book is one of the books I enjoy reading. People tend to throw away their books whenever they are done reading. This happened to me at some points. But, I tell you that I will not be throwing this book away. I will carry it around with me. I think that if I take this with me abroad, it will be so useful for me with my writing papers. It is going to a big help for my writing. This is just what I think. What about you?

The Weather

Cloudy, windy, stormy, and freezing at outside. People, dogs, pigs, and ants are still sleeping and spending the freezing weather. Going outside is muddy, stinky, and yucky, I am sitting, looking, and observing things from inside the classroom. Trying to get a ride home, a vehicle ran over into a mud. I was all covered with mud and dirt. I was really mad for I got my bag wet. Going back to school for change. Have changed and I am feeling fresh right now. Rain stop, storm sleep, wind fade away, everything is in good shape now. I am off to bed.

Reflection #7

Recently, I have been reading Writing Down the Bones. While I was reading, I found some interesting and important details. I can only tell you one important piece. Here goes: For a good writer, you need to do and follow these three guides. They are: read a lot, listen well and deeply and write a lot. It also notes not to think too much. By doing these three things, you will be a successful writer within no time. I also found out that listening is receptivity. The deeper you listen, the better you can write. These two things interconnect each other. In the book, it show how to keep you mind set to your paper. If you have you mind wandering, bring it gently back. That way, you can have your previous mind directed to your paper. Also, from reading, I learned new words. The one that I found really new to me is SYNTAX. I never knew what syntax means. Fortunately, I now know what it means. Reading Writing Down the Bones is really a great help for us "writers."

Absent-Minded Professor

          Summer just ended and I am feeling goofy right now. I want summer to come again already. Instead, thinking of attending one of the cool professors (I though) slightly took away my summer spirits. I heard a lot of funny and impressive things about this professor I am going to taught by. Thinking of him made me want school to start already. I slept and slept over and over again for school would start fast if I woke up.
          The light of the sun broke an it sparkled down through my window. I woke up excitingly and rushed to shower. After preparation, I took my school supplies and went to school. I did not believe how crowded the school was. Pretending I was not afraid and scared, I stepped into the school's office. There, I met the professor. He did not look like the person I expected him of. Though, he looked kind of slightly a gentleman. I could not find anyone else that I could ask help from other than him. I slowly walked towards him and greet him. He looked suspicious and lost.
P: You talking to me? with a rough tone.
I: Yes sir. I am sorry to bother you but I am looking for my class, pointing to my schedule.
P:Well, I have never seen you before. You new?
I: Yes sir. I just moved here.
          Our conversations did not finish because the bell rang. Luckily, I met a neighbor and asked where the class was. I sprinted to the class. It was two buildings away from the Administration Office, where I was standing. When I entered the classroom, the professor that I was eager to join was there already. Class has started and everyone was like quiet. I looked for a seat to sit. The students were friendly that one of them invited me to sit beside her.
P: Good morning students, with a frown look.
S: Good morning Professor G.
Walking towards his desk with an expo marker in his hand to look for something to write with on the board, another professor came in.
What's up Mr. G?
P: Oh well, I am looking for my marker.
And what is that in your hand?
P: OH! My bad.
The professor laughed and went out. I smirked. Professor G then went to the board. He said we were going to study about Human Trafficking before the class started. Holding on to his marker, he did not know what to write. He stood up front for a while and then came up with a different topic.
P: We are going to learn about skip-jacks. One of the students asked what skip-jack was and he got angry.
P: What have I told you about this class? Have you not heard? He was kind of cranky and tough at the time. I was really scare but I kept myself out of the situation and sat still.
S: Sorry sir, I was just wondering but it is okay. You can proceed.
P: It is not okay Jay.
Jay was not the boy's name. Professor G could not memorize his students' names and the subjects he taught, even if took him years to teach them. Students spread rumors that he was an Absent-Minded Professor and he should not have taught in school. Better off teaching kindergarten.
          After class, on our way out, a boy form our teased Professor G. Professor G was so angry and mad that he chased the boy. The boy ran off. When Professor G was chasing him, he slipped into water on the hallway floor and got his pant all wet. Students laughed at him. When Professor G stood up, it was like he peed in his pant. Better or worse, he manged to walk all the way to the men rest room and change. Professor G was more unpredictable and uneasy than before. Nobody ever made fun of him ever again. For me, I kept quieter than before. 

Reflection #6

Creating Writing Course is one of the things I find interesting. I have learned so many new things from this course. I have so much fun in it. In class discussions, I find it exciting and fun. This week, I learned about tropes. I never knew what tropes are. Going into class discussions, I now know what tropes are and enjoy them. On going discussions are helpful in many ways for me. In class, we were able to come up with characters. In my entire life, I have never write about characters. Characters are fun to write about and play around them. I find fake character also interesting. I did not know that fake characters will turn this exciting and fun to write about. Being enrolled in this course is a lot better and fun than any other courses.

Character Sketch: Donnie Moore

         Donnie Moore is a 30 years old gentleman. He grew up in a poor family. After he graduated from University, he went back to London and work. Mr. Moore is living a healthy and wealthy live. Even with all the difficulties he faced during his childhood, he managed and overcame them. Donnie Moore is now a happy man.
          Donnie Moore is now working at a Fire Department as a fire fighter in Denver, Colorado. Despite his side illness, he still manages to behave like a normal person. Believe it or not, he is a deaf. Donnie, in his childhood, neglected and was beaten up every day. Donnie just got his hearing loss now that he is old enough. Donnie must have gotten this hearing loss from those beatings he had. People sometimes bully him for he is deaf. Gradually, Donnie gets his temper. But, he handles himself from being bullied. Donnie Moore is an excellent fire fighter. His supervisor depends on him more than the normal employees. His boss has promoted him just seeks ago and he is a superior in the department. When he says something, the workers will have to obey him. The good thing about Moore is even if he is really angry with workers, he does not fire them right away. He would go home if he is really mad and irritated with his mate. Donnie Moore is a good looking handsome young man. He usually do social networking at https://twitter.com/pamkaious when boredom strikes him.
          Donnie Moore and Magda were friends during their high school. Every single day, Magda and Donnie would walk to school. There were times that they would sleep at each other's houses. Their parents were best friends and they would allow them to sleep with each other. They did not think for a second that their sleeping together would cause them trouble. At school, they would act like they were couple. There were times that Donnie would get mad at Magda for telling stories with boys. Nobody knew about their affair other than themselves. One day, at school, Donnie and Magda planned to go on a field trip without their parents' knowledge. They went to the trip. They were gone for a week and their parents worried so much about them.
          On their trip, Donnie gave Magda a package of beans. When Magda opened the bag, beans were in it. She dropped it. Behind her back, standing a handsome young man who had been long for Magda. Magda knew that the guy wanted her. Because she was so mad at Donnie for giving her beans, she went with the handsome looking boy. When Donnie came back, he did not see her. Looking for Magda, Donnie saw her with the boy, holding on to his hands. Donnie was so mad that he went back home.
          Donnie's parents and Magda's parents asked Donnie where Magda was and he did not for a bit answer. He went straight to his room and locked it. The next day, he told his parents that they should move to another place. His parents asked him why but he did not state the reason. Donnie's parents, especially his mother knew that there was something going on during their trip. Donnie's mother then agreed on the moving because she knew that if Donnie's father knew about Donnie and Magda's affair, Donnie would have b
They moved and Donnie and Magda have not seen each other since then.

Reflection #5

I have been reading the book Writing Down the Bones lately and I could find interesting stuff in it. One of them is when writing, quickly jot down the ideas that float inside the mind. I find this helpful when I am writing. It keeps the capability of writing. Another one is metaphor. I think metaphor makes sense of the writing. When writing, we don't really think of what we are writing down. We might not think that we are writing metaphors. In the book, it also tells to keep on writing. Write during free times. By doing so, writing skills develop. I like the book more than any of the books I have read before.

Not On My List

Going back home from St. Louis was not on my list. Saying good bye to my friends made my tears felt down non-stop. I did not want to leave. The only thing that pushed me through the trip was my parents. They called the other day that I had to be on the plane the next day. It was really hard for me to leave my friends but I had no choice. I did not want to disappoint my parents since my mother was sick.
As soon as I landed, my brothers were already there waiting for me with a suitcase. They handed me the suitcase and took me home. When I woke up, I could not find my siblings. A talking dragon, about a 4 feet long, has big eyes, kind of fun to play. stared at me from the door. Did not really realizing the dragon, I went outside our house to look for my siblings. I did not where they went. While I was searching for them in the yard, the phone rang. I hurried back inside to answer but it hung up. It rang three times. The third time it rang, I picked it up hurriedly. Before I could answer the phone, the talking dragon told me not to listen to what the caller was going to tell me. I was confused. Why would he want me not to listen to and believe the caller. The person who called told me to go to the hospital. As soon as I heard the word hospital, I had a bad feeling about my mother. Rushing to my room for  change, a tree felt down, just right outside our house. I stopped and looked at it. The talking dragon got angry with me. He said if I did not have listened to the caller the tree would not have fallen over. Confusion was over my dead body. The strange feeling that I had for my mother rose up. He might have been right about not listening to the caller. But, other than the confusion about the tree falling and the talking dragon, I remembered my mother's gift. Her birthday was near and I brought her a present with me from St. Louis.
When I opened the curtain, I saw her lying down. My father stood behind me and my siblings were all crying. I was really confused. I asked them why were they crying but they could not answer me. I went outside and sat. After a while, my father came out and told me to go home. I was more confuse than before. Bending over his shoulder, I could see my mother taken away from her bed. Death rang in my mind. I cried. I did not believe that my mother way dying. I cried so hard that I fainted. As soon as I woke up, I cried and then fainted again. My father got worried about me.
The next morning, I received a phone call from my school counsellor from St. Louis about my friends. She told me they were at the hospital for they crashed into a big tree near our favourite spot. I did not believe what I just heard. All of them did not survive the accident. Grieving for my friends, especially my mother took me a while. I stopped going out and sadly, going to school. I could not help myself being apart from my family again, especially my father. I blamed myself for the death of my mother and friends. Losing them was not on my list too. Since then, the talking dragon became my playmate and friend in our house.

Reflection #4

Ever since I started this course, I still can't believe who I have turned into today. I think my writing process is getting there. I now spend times writing. Writing was not my thing but now, believe it or not, I am kind of addicted to. Writing has come to be one of my priorities. I sit down and jot down words for words whenever I am bored, trying to put them in one paragraph. just so I can do something other than bored myself out. Classroom discussion brighten up my days even though they might be hard and difficult at times. I have learned to do character setting stories too from classroom discussions. I think it is fun.

Greatest Gift

I was sitting outside my house trying to get some air, while my indoor was heating up. Slowly and slowly, winds wafted over to where I was sitting. Pretending not to know I was hot, a one year old came to me and asked for food and drinks. I did not know what to do. The first thing I asked him was his name. He could not even understand what I was asking him. He used a  lot of gestures and that's how I knew he was hungry. I took him inside my house to cook food so he could eat. He patiently waited for my cooking to be done so he could eat. While he was eating, my phone rang. I thought that it was his parents, but no. When the little boy finished eating, I took him to shower. I changed his diaper and dressed him with comfortable clothes. He spent the night with. I reported to the police that he was staying with me. Three months passed and not even a single sign of his parents. I took him into my house and raised him as my own. He is now 7 years old. I am a grateful woman/mother and I am proud to say that he is my son. He is my greatest gift from God.

Reflection #3

I have learned many things from the book and from inside class discussions. Every time I try to write, it takes me a whole day to think of what to write on. After discussions inside class and reading from the book, I fully understand that there are certain steps that we, writers, have to take before writing a paper. Jotting down ideas and brainstorming are two of  the essential steps that we should go through before writing. Now that I have learned about brainstorming and jotting down ideas, I go through these steps whenever I am writing since then. It is great that I learned these because in my life, I never wanted to be a writer. It gives me the strength to write and never stop.

Lost Sisters

Late in the afternoon, I received a call about my kids that they were dropped off at Wotja village. When I heard what happened to them, I started to cry. The first thing that popped up in my head was to look for the driver. Anger was in me. I did not wait but went to the road side. While I was sitting and looking for the driver, I called my husband telling him about what happened to our kids. He came home right away. When he came home, I was sitting near the road trying to look for the driver. He told me that I would not find him because I did not know who he was yet. The anger came and darken my mind. I was not thinking about what I was doing. My husband then walked me back to our house and told me to call the radio station to make announcements. I called the radio station and asked if they could make announcements to whoever the driver was that dropped off my kids at Wotja village to drive back and get them. It was not the driver who brought them home. It was a different driver. The driver that dropped my kids was lucky. If it were him that brought them back, I would have punched him in the face before giving my kids' taxi fare. I know you how if feels like to have our kids miles distance from us. I never ever let my kids ride in the taxis since then.

Reflection #2

I never thought that writing is great. As I went on reading the Writing Down the Bones, I learned a lot of things. Every time that I try to write something for my classes, I don't know what to write about. In the book, it shows us steps to write something. I now know that if we don't have topics to write on, we should brainstorm. It could be anything. From what we did recently is best. Before writing, list down all things that happened during that particular time. This is a great start. There is this phrase in the book where it says "Stop battling yourself with guilt, accusations, and strong-arm threats." When I read this phrase, there was this feeling that came to me that I should never ever do such things that are being mentioned. Every time I try to write something, these are what struggle me. Writing a way to success.

AC Be Stolen

The stealer that happened to steal the AC but could not might have been someone from the neighbourhood. Stealing AC is one thing that I find silly and funny. What was the stealer point of stealing the AC? Maybe the stealer might have wanted to have one but then he could not afford buying one his own so, he decided to steal from the school. Unfortunately, he did not get his chance. Stealing AC is an impossible thing when we look at it. How can one person drag down an AC from a higher place? It would be so embarrassing for him to carry it all around the hood trying to get to his house. People from the Marshall Islands are not supposed to do such thing because it is not appropriate when it comes to our traditional practices and custom. At homes, parents teach their kids to have well manners at all time. Even though the kids are being taught not to do bad things since they were young, they still do it and it is all because of how westernised and influenced we are today.

Reflection #1

I am not a good writer. Though, after reading the first few pages of  Writing Down the Bones, I kind of think that I am slightly into writing. During classes, actually before lectures, writing down the bones takes its place. Every time I read the book, there is this encouragement in me, feeling that gives me going. I now know that the more you write, the more successful you will be. It says in the book not to stop when you write. At first, I did not realized and understand what it meant. But, as I write each day in class, I am starting to realize and understand what it means. I think it is great not to stop for a moment to think about what we are writing. I have done it more than once and I can prove it that it is true. I feel more confident each day after staying in class and write. Also, after reading pages of the Writing Down the Bones.

5 years ago

5 years ago, on a beautiful Tuesday, my brother drove me to school. On our way, we encountered a big traffic at Small Island village. The traffic came from the Assumption School. While we were waiting for the traffic, a big construction vehicle, out of nowhere, hardly bumped into our car. Our car was hardly smashed and pushed away from the driveway. But, with the guidance and protection of the father above, neither of us got injured. Half an hour later, the police officers came. They hardly believed what just happened. God is good and He is good to us at all time.

Self Intro

HI,
     My name is Pam and my last name is Kaious. I am currently living in Delap village. I love to come to school because of many essential reasons. One of the reasons that I come to school for every day is to have a brighter future when I am all by myself. My major goal that I am aiming for right now is to become an Accountant. All my life, I have always wanted to be one of those who work and handle money. Marshall Islands is one of the many countries that are being corrupt. I don't want Marshall Islands to be one of those countries because when it comes to our custom, it is not right to do bad for the country, especially the people.