Making Connections ppt

Hi! Just type the URL below and it will take you directly to my Making Connections Power Point. This assignment is all about the city I call home, Manila, Philippines! http://www.slideshare.net/secret/gG2IekPMtVq5Md

Resolutions and an Update on my Strange Life!

Happy New Years! Can you believe it's a new year again? Because frankly, I can't. I don't know about you, but 2009 really rushed by! It just feels like that year isn't over yet, for me at least. I simply can't wrap my head around the idea that 2010 is finally here! But I guess, as I always do, I'll come around and get used to this fact. Anyway, every new year, almost everyone creates new years resolutions and tries to reach their goal. But honestly, how many of us have actually succeeded in fulfilling our goals? As a matter of fact, how many of us actually take the time to think of these goals? I'm just saying that some of us don't truly think about these things. Like in my case. I do occasionally make a resolution for the new year, but I have to admit that I often don't reach my goal. That's probably because I choose not to bother or care that much. But I hope this year will be different; I want to try and make an effort to reach my set standards. I guess we'll see! So now, let me share my goals!

1. Actually work on my goals and prioritize to complete and fulfill them.

I mean, you know, if I'm going to get anywhere, I've got to stay committed!

2. Get fitter and eat healthier.

My mom insists that I do a sport or something to stay fit and healthy, so I've decided to go ahead and try. As for eating healthier, I want to try eating more veggies, (gulp) and drinking a lot more water! You see, over break, I kinda got sick from lack of water, so I'll push myself to drink it more!

3. Be kinder and more thoughtful towards family, friends, and people in general!

For this goal, I'm mainly focusing on having these virtues when it comes to family. For example, my behaviour towards my parents and sister needs work. (Especially my behaviour towards my sister! But in truth, the way she treats me isn't really any better!)

4. Maintain relationships with friends and open up to new people.

This last goal is something that would be nice for me to reach, because once I make a decent batch of friends, I stay enclosed in that group. And I choose not to let others in . Which I know is an extremely bad attitude to have, particularly because I'm in an international school and I move a lot. So I will try to complete this successfully as well as my other goals.

Okay, now that I've got that first part out of the way, I'll work on the second half of the task. The task by the way, is to write a piece that can focus on whatever we wish to write about. It's free choice, with a minimum of four paragraphs. Now, I've chosen to plainly write about my life so far. As in, the main events occuring in my weird yet wonderful life. But be prepared, as some, maybe even most, of my topics will be pretty sad. At least, they aren't that happy. Here it goes!

Everyone has a favorite experience or moment from their holidays. Some, like me, have more than one. And many, have an event or moment that they absolutely loathed and hated. But in my case, I didn't really have anything happen on my Christmas holiday that I hated. I mean, the event that I want to focus on, is more on the sad side rather than the anger filled one.

My worst event during vacation was actually at the end of my holiday. When my mother, my sister, and I had to fly from the Philippines back to Malaysia. I wasn't sad because I had to fly on a plane or go to school; in fact, I quite like those things. I was unhappy because I had to leave my dad again. For your information, my dad was based there in Batangas (a province in the Philippines), which meant he had to move there. Most people would wonder why we couldn't have just gone and moved with him. Well, both my parents decided it would be best to allow my sister and I to finish our school year in Malaysia. So that is what we are doing. Sadly, my father still had to go. Without us. Tears rolled down my face like small raindrops falling from the sky when I had to say good-bye. That was literally the first time I've ever done that; when I come to think about it. You know, cry at the airport. It was pretty embarrassing, but hey, I couldn't help myself! I never realized how much I loved my dad until he actually left. Life is just isn't the same without his voice echoing around the house. And it's pretty empty without his lame jokes that still always seem to make my smile and giggle. I still and will always miss him. Until we move there at least. Oh yeah, did I mention we are moving there after I finish the sixth grade?

Well we are. That was the plan all along. That we move and rejoin with my dad back home in the Philippines. Once my sister and I finish the school year we started. To be honest, I'm not so sure how I feel about that. The moving I mean. I'm pretty much okay with it, I think. I'm pretty familiar with the routine; move into a new house, go to a new school, make new friends, settle down, etc. I'm fine with all those things. I can deal with making new friends and going to a new school. I've had lot's of practice throughout the years. Trust me. It's just that this particular move has a few differences in it's routine compared to the one I'm used to. A huge difference is that we won't exactly be living with my dad. My mom, my sister, and I will be living in Manila, whilst my dad continues staying in Batangas. This is much better than our situation now, but I still wish dad could live in the same house. I just like it that way. Plus, my dad gets lonely living all alone in his house! But my parents did tell me that we will all get together every weekend. At least that's the plan. (You can drive from Manila to Batangas or vice versa.) Anyway, another big difference to the move is that I might not have that hard of a time making friends and knowing the school. (The key word in that last sentence being "might".) I say that because one of my best friends from ISKL moved to Manila, and is going to a school that I may possibly go to as well! I am quite happy with this possibility. Already having a friend there would make adjusting to the school much easier! And I won't feel so isolated and lost, you know? This is just a thought. Okay, so the last big difference I can think of is the house we will be living in. I'm not trying to brag, but normally, when my family is abroad we live in fairly big houses. Not like a mansion of course, but luxurious and reasonable for our family. Now back on track; when we move to Manila the house we will live in is tiny! Since my dad is working in his own country, he gets paid less, so to save money, I'll live in a box. Or something similar! But the grounds and location of the apartment makes it worthwhile to live there. Oh I just remembered! Once I move, I can get a dog!

This is a definite upside to the big, nerve-wrecking move! My family knows how much I want a dog- a lot. They also know how long I've waited for the moment they will finally say yes- around forever. But, all that wishing and dreaming has finally become a reality! Finally! But, there is one condition. (Which was set by my mother, who by the way, doesn't seem too happy about a dog.) I am literally the only one in our house that will be taking care of the dog. As in, I have to do all the work all on my own! If I don't follow that rule, my mom will immediately take the dog to the pound! And that is a very bad and scary place for any dog! When I said I wanted a dog, I thought everyone in my family could pitch in with the work. But apparently, that's not what is going to happen. With the one condition, I'm not so sure about owning a dog anymore. I mean, when it comes to pets, I'm not the best owner around. I've had pets before, and to be honest, I didn't really care for them after about two months passed. I just get bored with them I guess. When that happens, they either pass away, or my mother is left to care for them. But since she said that won't happen this time, I can only rely on myself to be responsible and take good care of my dog. But that isn't something I can promise will work out. So, I don't think I'll get a dog. Maybe. I'm just afraid for my dog's life. It might not last long in my hands! But we'll see how things turn out. Who knows? Maybe a miracle will happen and my mom will change her mind about that painful condition! I really, really want a dog of my own, so I won't have to play with someone else's and have my heartbroken every time I have to leave! Take my best friend Cindy for instance, she has her own Golden Retriever. However for her, it's not so much of a struggle to care for it, because her whole family helps. (Sigh) I suppose I won't get my dream dog after all. When I really give the idea some thought, I realize it takes a lot of patience, time, and reliability to raise a dog, which is something I'm not ready for. Yet. People like Cindy are dependable enough to care, unlike me. Oh and speaking of Cindy...

By the way, this last paragraph isn't about really about Cindy, but relates to her in the sense that she is a best friend. In other words, this last section is about another one of my closest friends. Her name is Irene. I must admit, I haven't known her for very long, but she truly is a very dear friend. I know a whole bunch of different things about her as she does about me. We've shared many secrets and times together, and I can always rely on her to be there for me. She is in fact, one of the nicest people I've ever known. Therefore, I will miss her terribly when she moves. That's right, Irene is moving. She is leaving back for her home country, Korea. I know it shouldn't make that much of a difference since I'm leaving as well, but her situation isn't the same. I, like many of my other peers who are moving, are finishing this sixth grade school year. Irene unfortunately, is leaving in February. Which is quite far from the end of the year. As if that wasn't sad enough, her family has decided that she will not be attending school for the rest of her stay in Malaysia. She could continue, but there isn't really a point since she's leaving in around a month. I will of course try my hardest to keep in touch with her, but you know, it isn't the same. So, while she is still actually here, I'm making the most of it. She lives extremely close to me, so of course, there will be some sleep-overs and chatting. But her time to leave is coming quite fast. So Irene, if you are reading this, I've got a few things to say. Irene, you are as I've mentioned before, one of the nicest people I've ever met. I could always confide in you, and I could be sure that you'd keep my secrets safe. You're a very forgiving person, and I admire that. Thanks for supporting me in everything, and thank you for always being there for me. I'm going to miss you so much when you leave, but hopefully we can keep in touch. True, I haven't known you for that long, but I know you and will always know you as my best friend. Okay, I'm not sure if she will actually read that, but it's okay. I can always tell her later on. Anyway, this is the conclusion of my epic story. So far. You know, I have a lot more days ahead of me, along with many more stories to tell. So, until the next time!