"Nagsimula na pero wala na 'kong balak na tapusin. 'Di ibig sabihin 'pag 'di tinapos, ako'y hihinto na rin." - SB19

Update: Very Busy!

 Hello, everyone, Eurielle here. It's been a while since I've posted something. I'm currently very busy with my internship and part-time job, as well as my classes. I'm now on my last semester! of college and will be graduating this December. Part of my class is an internship - and I have tasks every week. I didn't have time to create any post at the moment. I want to concentrate on my classes as well since this is my last semester - so some of my moments are dedicated to studying. I hope you'll understand. 


Best,

Eurielle

Acrostic Poem | Pier

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or repost to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Past the plain, gilded wheat field
Is the clear streams of a brook,
Emerging into a old, big oak in the middle of a clearing
Resting beneath a family of deer and rabbits

Acrostic Poem | Jewelry

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or repost to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Jade-colored eyes twinkling under the bright shining light
Emerald earrings swinging from dainty, small ears
Wavellite heavy on the bodice of her long gown
Epidote settles on her thin wrist 
Lizardite on her small ankles
Red realgar against rubies on her midnight hair
Your Highness, the Princess, here  

Acrostic Poem | Zeppelin

 By Eurielle


Pleased o not post or copy to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Zenith, 'tis I whom power thou convey
E'erlasting energie below this lowly Earth
Pardon mine blunder for which I have sinned
Prithee, Heaven Above, my plea thou listen to
End mine misery for thy child suffers
Longer and might find mine self lost
In this torture creatures of this land put me through
Ne'er to recuperate ever again

Acrostic Poem | Vent

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or repost to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Violet plucks a blue violet in the fields of a little town called
Evergreen where fields of flowers run the hills and line the dirt roads
Nearby houses a mile away from each other, yet 
Timely gathering for the harvest makes their hearts nearer to each other

Acrostic Poem | Signpost

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or repost to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading. 


Soldier, put your Kevlar on 
In this war against humanity
Great numbers stand taller and bigger
None shall be afraid of the enemy
Present yourself in battle
Override the fear and
Saturate yourself in courage 
This time, we're taking over


Dedicated to my Alliance in Last Fortress: Underground. You've been my rock, and I shall be your boulder.

Acrostic Poem | Jerry Can

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or repost to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Joyrides are fun when I'm with you
Every harmonies along the way
Reminds me our lives together
Remembers soft touches of your hand in mine
You never let it go

Come three winters later
And you said your goodbye, as you turned your back
Never letting yourself drown in our memories

Acrostic Poem | Scaffolding

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or repost to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Safely tucked away from eyes flaming with anger
Carefully hidden from hands ready for punching
Are we tired of the same heartache?
Freedom seemed so far and gone
For someone like us
Or should I cry and scream
Looking for help that may not come
Dilly-dallying underneath the oppressive shadow
In the hours of the dark night
Never again see the blinding light
Giving us up to the ones above


Article | Just A Bit of Life Summary

 By Eurielle


Written on June 14, 2022


Please do not copy or post to another stie. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


It's been a while since the spring semester of my university ended. It's very momentous for me because it was the second-to-last semester before I graduate on December. I have been very busy with work for the last month or so. I started working at during the finals week. You might think that decision would kill me, but it really didn't. I've already finished most of the project-finals a week or more. As for the exam-finals, they're all online. I did really great with my courses, so I was very happy.

At my work, I am always busy because I do most of the housekeeping and bookkeeping part of the job. I am always on my feet. But although I am very tired most of the time, I look forward to the salary I get every two weeks. Since I do not receive grants anymore, I had to ask my family to pitch in money for my tuition fees. I love and am thankful for their support, but I want to pay for my tuition fee myself. I am actually the type of person who doesn't ask others for something. Whatever they're willing to give me, I receive it wholeheartedly. I think I've become like that because there were times back then that I asked and didn't receive. 

In addition to finishing a semester and finding a work. I successfully snagged an internship for fall semester. For my last semester, it is required that I do some field experience or thesis paper. I chose field experience - which is a minimum of 135 hours internship. I still haven't told my professor because I haven't receive the paperwork from the organization I'm interning at, but still, I'm looking forward to it. I think I will enjoy working with them even though it will be through Slack and Zoom. That's another thing - I'm not really sure if remote work is allowed for the field experience course? Although I asked my friend and fellow classmate and she said that it is. August is in two months. I can only sigh.

In addition to the internship, I'm planning to retain my work as a part-time employee, and  I am also still going to volunteer every Friday at the hospital where I volunteer at. I don't know what will happen, but hopefully I do not have to choose between the three.

Please wish me luck. :{)

Poem | A Way Away

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


I am at a crossroad
The intersection of my young life
My heart tells me to walk in a direction
Opposite from my mind's

There is a fork in front of me
Options I never thought I had
A steady, wide, and colorful path;
A narrow, obstacle-ridden bridge

There are four Cardinal Directions:
North, South, East, and West
But why do the heavy waves of the ocean
Push me against and in-between

I have the stars guiding me
And an old compass, too
In this boat ride of life
I hope I find my own island.

Cinquain Poem | Sandcastle

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Cinquain Poem | Swimsuit

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Cinquain Poem | Sunflower

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.





Article | Spring Break Spring Organizing

 By Eurielle


Written April 11, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Organization in our house seemed to fall on me. I don't hate it. In truth, I enjoyed organizing different places at home. I'm very particular on how our pantry, for example, should look like. However, there are those organizing bins or jars sold at Amazon, for example, that are too expensive for me to buy. Thankfully, we are near the local 99 cents store. I love the 99 cents store organizing bins. They're very durable and comes in different shapes sizes, and colors. There is also a nearby dollar store that I haven't check out. Maybe one of these days, I can drop by to buy more organizing bins and/or jars.

Cinquain Poem | Watermelon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Accents and Why They Shouldn't Be Use to Discriminate!

 By Eurielle


Written on January 28, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


I think one of the reasons why I fell in love with Public Health was my professors in that they were so much against racism and discrimination because their work opened their eyes to what health disparities could do to certain groups of people, especially those of people of color. 

One of the first health science classes I took when I changed major was Problem Solving for Health Sciences. It was the most basic class I could take in my roadmap, but it was the only one I have A- on (in the meantime. Hopefully). My professor for that class was Asian-American, and she faced discrimination while doing her work. She once told us a story wherein she went to a convention of some sorts if I remembered correctly, and another person kept telling her that she "had an accent" in an offensive, stating-the-obvious kind of way. Well, my professor sounded very annoyed/irritated when she was talking about the scenario, so I assumed it was said in a discriminatory way. She took it as a racist remark. 

It occurred to me that it happened to me as well a long time ago. I just didn't make a connection because at that time, and even when she was telling us the story, I thought that the other people were only making observations and they were telling me. However, I did remember feeling offended back then.

It happened in high school around freshman year. I was probably only more than a year in the United States after I migrated from the Philippines. I remembered several classmates of mine, I could call them acquaintances or peers by this time since I had them in several classes, kept on telling me I had a strong accent. It made me feel small like I didn't belong. At that time, I couldn't make a comeback. I kept on denying that I do have an accent. "No, no, I don't have one." I was a child. 14 years old? I didn't even know how to defend myself, let alone be proud of my accent and my English. 

Filipino children were very lucky to learn English in school from a young age. We learned and retained it even if the usage, especially those who live back in the province, weren't used as much. There were even Filipino people who didn't have a formal education of the English language but understood and spoke the language in a relatively well and understandable manner. So what if they had a "weird" (to the foreigners; or locals, in my case) accent? At least they could communicate with foreigners, and communication was always the key to a good conversation. 

So going back to my story, I wish my 14-year-old self could've answered back "You do, too" in a chill manner because that was the truth. The United States of America was such a huge country that every region had its own accent when speaking English. Some people who were born and raised in this country didn't realize how our accents were different from one coast to another and used it as leverage to become prejudiced people who discriminate against others. Maybe everyone should learn to get up and see the world (literally). 

I guessed I like for those who read my articles to take this piece and use it as a tool of learning. Since then, I've only met cool and amazing people. I didn't even become close with these people later on - I guessed that's another lesson. Let go of those who made you feel bad about yourself.  
 

Cinquain Poem | Sea

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Off Jumpol's Birthday Cake? + More

 By Eurielle


Written on January 22, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy Reading.


So yesterday, Friday, the 21st, my dad bought a cake. Apparently, my mom asked him to buy a cake for their facility. I guess someone's celebrating their birthday at her work. Well, my dad, a diabetic, bought another cake for us because he felt like it.

Cinquain Poem | Sunglasses

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Fires Where I'm From

 By Eurielle


Written on January 19, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


A palm tree on fire

On January 12th, there was a palm tree on fire behind a neighboring house's backyard. Thankfully, the fire truck was fast and efficient when it comes to watering it away. However, there were times, especially where I was from and during summer, in particular, that fires were harder to put out. 

A fire could start because of a manmade mistake or because it was blazing hot in the summer. Either way, it was a dangerous scenario that could affect the environment and the people living in the area. In addition, fires also produced bad air which was quite dangerous when a person inhaled it.

There were times I would wake up and see a saturated sky - the atmosphere was glum and gloomy. It was very depressing. It was also very concerning. 

However, not only plants on fire were the concern, especially in our area. Sometimes, there would be reckless drivers out there. If I remembered correctly, it was more than a month ago, there was another fire behind our house along the main road. The air smelt like burned tires and there was a huge black smoke climbing the sky. Then, a couple of years ago, a whole building was on fire. Once again, it was along the main road. It was such an old building as well, part of the city's history. I think it was an abandoned building, like most in this dying city, but it was still part of it. However, only scorched walls were left, and the city completely brought it down. The location remained empty until this day. 

I was bewildered for taking a picture so perfect - dark and gloomy background, and a red-orange fiery fire atop a tall palm tree. The black smoke polluted the air. It reminded me that there were too many precious things around us, but only when it was in the destruction that we learn to appreciate them. And no, this was not in the late afternoon or whatever, but life, it seemed, looked as gloomy as this these days. 


Cinquain Poem | Flip Flops

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. thank you. Enjoy reading. 




Article | First Attempt to Press Flowers

 By Eurielle


Written on January 19, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Back in December, my sister had her commence walk/graduation. Although she graduated in 2020, because of the pandemic, she could only walk last year. Before going to the university, we dropped by the nearest on-the-way Stater Bros to buy gifts for our fellow friends and classmate. My parents decided to get her a bouquet of flowers, too. 

Ultimately, after the ceremony and we were back home, they put the flowers in an existing vase in the living room. However, because the flowers have been out of water for more than 4-6 hours, 2-3 days after her ceremony, they were already bowing down.

Then I remembered thinking of making pressed flowers - it's one of those arts and crafts I wanted to try for so long. So, I checked out what I needed to do and went with book pressing. It was the most arduous one because I had to wait for a month before it fully dried up and thinned out.

Books I used to press flowers

Paper I used as to not stain the book

Sadly, or rather, unfortunately, I didn't have parchment paper or whatnot that absorbs moisture from the flowers very well. However, I read from an online blog about flower pressing that you can use magazine paper or newspaper paper. I used an advertisement paper from some magazine - I think it was Dr. Leonard's, if I remembered correctly - and this brown paper here. It did look like a parchment paper, but I doubt it was it. However, they'd do. 

It took about 2-3 weeks before the flowers look dried up and thin as paper, but I have a huge, one-piece flower that seemed to need addition week or two, so I gave them a whole extra 2 weeks.

Pressed flowers

Pressed flowers

These were the pressed flowers after pressing for about 3-4 weeks. The smaller ones were pretty much paper-thin, even the one with its stalk. My problem was the red, big flower. In the picture, it did look very thin and pressed, but in reality, it didn't feel like it.

Then, about 2-3 days ago, my sister and I set up the family photo gallery in the hallway. It took the whole afternoon - about 3-4 hours. I didn't really count. Ultimately, we have a few extra picture frames. So, today, I put these pressed flowers inside the picture frame. I had a hard time because I didn't really have those picture frames that were for pressed flowers only. I have a regular picture frame. I was also frustrated because the smaller ones would slide to the bottom once I lifted the frame. I had to put scotch tape at the back of each flower.

Pressed flowers framed

These flowers were special because they were from my sister's college graduation. I planned to give this to her during our birthday in February. 






Cinquain Poem | Umbrella

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Art Class in High School Was A Moment

 By Eurielle


Written January 17, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


One of the best moments of my high school life was the art class. It was an elective I had to take unless I chose to be in the performance art or other alternatives. Either way, I was not really an artsy type of a person, but I liked being creative; thus, my ever ongoing arts and crafts projects and totally newbie paintings. I think I'm decent at drawing, and if put more effort into it, I can be good at the harder parts of arts - like shadowing, perspectives, and so on.

One of the assignments I did was scratch art using an X-Acto knife. As I mentioned, I'm not really good with drawing or anything unless I'm following something. Thus, I printed out pictures online. Back then I was into Inuyasha. For the record, Inuyasha was once a childhood anime t.v. show I enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed the idea of time-traveling and half-demons. However, during this time, I wasn't particularly crazy about the anime. In truth, I was reading a bunch of Sesshoumaru x Kagome fan fiction stories on Fanfiction.net. So, I chose Shippo as a subject.

Shippo from Inuyasha
circa High School

I didn't even know or remember how I made it so "perfect." I think it's one of those one-time things wherein you did something so perfectly, you couldn't do it again even if you try. 

In addition to Inuyasha, I was into Naruto as well. Unlike Inuyasha, I watched episodes of Naruto Shippuden and some Naruto movies in addition to reading fan fiction stories. Naruto fan fiction stories and their authors were really hardcore. The authors would write hundred thousands of words and multi-chapters that goes on and on - and mind you, there were lots of them who were really good at writing. So, what's the simplest picture I could reference/copy when it comes to Naruto? The Konoha symbol.

Konoha Symbol
circa High School

You might call this a practice. It wasn't really that good. The problem with scratch art, especially using a sharp metal like an X-Acto knife, was scratching away the second layer behind the black upper layer. Sometimes, even though you didn't scratch away the second layer, still there would be some visible scratches on the surface. For example, unlike the white second layer with Shippo's, this one had a silver second layer. The material for the second layer, especially with this color, made light reflect on it along with the scratches. If this wasn't a Konoha symbol, which if you think about their hitai-ate (forehead protector) then the scratches would be appropriate, then the art wouldn't be that good because of those scratch reflections.

Although I wasn't that good with freestyle, I did one of a random girl - anime style, but poorer quality. 

A Random Girl
circa High School

As you can see, it's really just one of the simple people I could draw. Truthfully, art-wise, I really couldn't draw a whole body of a person. Portrait-wise, I could only draw this style and was never really a real person. It was sad, but I think did very well with the texture of clothes and hair but imagine a person with arch-like eyes. Shuddered. I still think it's really pretty though.

I think challenging oneself in things we think we'll enjoy is part of life. We can learn more about ourselves that way. Scratch art is something I want to do again in the future, and maybe there will be others like me who like making it or wants to try it as well. 




Cinquain Poem | Beachball

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | High Recommended Manga "Angel Densetsu"

 By Eurielle


Written on January 17, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


(c) mangahere.cc

Angel Densetsu by Yagi Norihiro

This manga was a surprising one and in a good way. It highlighted society's tendency to judge people and categorize between good and bad and no in-between. Angel Densetsu was about Kitaro Seiichiro who was kind and pure-hearted. Sadly, due to his horrifying appearance, he was oftentimes misjudged and would get into trouble.

Eurielle's Diary

 Hey folks!

Here's a new blog site accompanying my Poems and Short Stories blog. This one is called "Eurielle's Diary" A new perspective from 'her,' and explores her past, present, and future. 

Check it out now!

Also, do not forget to join September Acrostic Poem 2022 words/phrases recommendation. See this Acrostic Poems page in the Projects menu tab or here. Comments are welcome. Just follow the rules. Or proceed to a form using this link to do your recommendation.

Thank you!

Best,

Eurielle

Cinquain Poem | Sun

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




OffGun AU - Take Her To The Moon (DISCONTINUED)

Sadly folks, I will be discontinuing Take Her To The Moon, my OffGun AU. I realized that I'll be very busy with my newfound work to work on it. In addition, I will be entering my last semester at the university next Fall with a 135 minimum hours of internship I need to complete. But not only that, although it is hard to take in, the plot and character development of my story does not panned out the way I wanted them to, and I don't want to serve a half-baked story to every just so I can say I have something to post. 

However, here's a gift to everyone who read the story so far: Take Her To The Moon Google Drive Folder

I've actually written up to chapter 121 of the story, but I don't have time to re-read, edit, and make sense of the plot anymore. 

Best,

Eurielle

Article | Sports Manga I Fell In Love With

 By Eurielle


Written on January 17, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading. 

Sports manga was one genre of manga I totally enjoy reading. My category for great sports manga were those that seemed life-like or didn't exaggerate on things that happened inside the court or game base. For me, sports manga didn't stop with ball games but expanded to board games, dances, and even swimming. Although most hardcore sports manga focuses mostly on the game or training, and so on, I love to read those that also added "life" into it, like school life, house life, love life, and so on. 

Here are some of the sports manga I fell in love with (limited to those that I've read before; anime not included - like SlamDunk, Hajime no Ippo, etc.)

Cinquain Poem | Bumblebees

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading. 




Article | I Was a Fan of Nodame Cantabile

 By Eurielle


Written January 17, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


(c) IMDb
Despite my frustrations with Chiaki, I continued reading Nodame Cantabile because of its wonderful, true-to-life cast and ensemble. Plus I learned to appreciate classical music more than ever.

Nodame Cantabile was about a pianist woman in a music college. She's eccentric, tends to lose focus, lazy, and a bit of a hoarder. Through her teacher, she met Chiaki-sempai, a musical genius who mainly plays piano. Their adventure together started when Nodame kept pestering Chiaki because of her "love" for him.

Cinquain Poem | Rainbow

By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




 

Article | When You Thought It Was A Love Song...

 By Eurielle


Written on January 10, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Last year in December, Korean music producer Ohwon Lee released his song "Love Yours" featuring Filipino boy group SB19. I thought it was a love song based on its title, but in reality, the song was about loving yourself.

My sister, a fellow fan of SB19, said she was confused when she was listening to the song, and I agreed with her. I also thought the song would be something about a break-up or maybe even a song dedicated to someone you loved.

Cinquain Poem | Monarch

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Cooking Atchara With My Mom

 By Eurielle 


Written on January 6, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Atsara
  I watched a Christmas Eve vlog a couple of days ago, and the content creator mentioned they have atsara. I began looking for the recipe online two to three days ago.

     Today, my parents decided to go grocery shopping. I think my ma was thinking of going to Costco, but I mentioned several groceries that they couldn't definitely find in that particular supermarket - mainly my Lucky Me Pancit Canton and Nissin Top Ramen. They decided to go to Seafood City instead, where most Filipino and other Asian products are sold.

Cinquain Poem | Clover

  By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | If Only I Could Make A Sims Version Of This Floor Plan 2

 By Eurielle


Written January 3, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.



In the previous article, I went over the first floor, the garage, and the exterior of the house. Now, I will go over the second floor.

Before that, here's the floor plan:

Cinquain Poem | Romance

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | If Only I Could Make A Sims Version Of This Floor Plan

 By Eurielle


Written on January 3, 2022

Please do not post or copy to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


It was a little messy, but this floor plan? I put a lot of effort into it. I haven't been clear as to what kind of house I want for myself in the future. I mean, I'm just a student with no job who asks his family for tuition money. I don't think I have the right to think about houses or floor plans and whatnot. But I'm a dreamer, and what do dreamers do? Dream. I can dream to have a house I want. 

Lately, I've been watching The Sims4 Speed Building projects/videos by SimLicy. Check out her YouTube channel. I really like all her builds, especially those big family houses that she builds from the ground up. I love all the decorations, furniture, and the stories she put in every one of them. But mostly, I love the builds.

Cinquain Poem | Sparrows

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Lately, It's Been Cold, So The Family Cooks...

 By Eurielle


Written on January 3, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Once in a while, I like eating soup. I think soup makes the food hearty and it can be comfort food for those who need care. In some cultures, soups are the main staple when you are sick because not only does soup have some ingredients that are nutritional, they're also easily swallowed and chewed. When I'm sick, my parents usually cook lugaw and other nilaga dishes. Sometimes, my sister will cook egg-drop soup or tofu miso soup - both taste so delicious. 

Cinquain Poem | Blossoms

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Ranking 'Pagsibol' Album by SB19

By Eurielle


Written on January 1, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


Ranking SB19 songs don't mean I like one over the other. SB19 and their songs have different impacts and they are all as important as the other. I'm ranking the enjoyment I feel when I'm listening to them, not whether one is better than the other. You'll find that the ranking for Pagsibol doesn't really have many differences from each other.

Enjoyment: 1-Meh, 2-Normal, 3-Enjoyed

1. Mana (Enjoyment: 3)


Unfortunately, Mana doesn't have any music video yet. I'm not sure if the boys will create one for it. Either way, their live performances of mana always delivered and I love every single one of them. I think the reason why it is first on my list is because of the instrumental (kinda) chorus and the dance steps on that part. In addition, I like the lyrics of the song. It has tons of figurative languages, and Pablo's double-meaning lyrics are on work here again. Plus, it has swag. And reminds me of Trese. 

2. SLMT (Enjoyment: 3)


The song is cute, uplifting, and refreshing. The tune is so playful, but I tell you, the lyrics easily touch the heart. It is a song full of thanks and the story that the lyrics speak about makes me glad I'm an A'Tin. The music video is newly uploaded, so it's still fresh, but I've watched them perform this live a couple of times before and the dance steps are so cute. 

3. Bazinga (Enjoyment: 3)


Like most of the songs in Pagsibol, SB19 performed Bazinga a couple of times, and really, I love all of those performances. This music video, though, is dope. Like, Pablo on his motorcycle? Josh's abs? The song itself is already so powerful in meaning and in tune, but the music video brought out their amazingness once again. Thanks to Justin, again, as the creative director, the set of Bazinga is really one of the most impactful amongst their music videos. (Plus Ken's bridge T.T)

4. Mapa (Enjoyment: 3)


The lyrics video of Mapa, like most of their music videos in this album, has tons of symbols and patterns that are very deep and meaningful. The song is so beautiful. It's a song dedicated to all the parents, acting parents, and guardians all around the world, and really, I don't recommend listening and singing along while driving because the waterworks are really going to flow. If you want to listen to this without crying, listen to the Ben&Ben and SB19 version because it's lighter. Whenever I listen to this song, it makes me wish I can tell these words to my parents soon(er) because they're getting old, and they need to rest, retire, and have fun.

5. What? (Enjoyment 2.9)


When they first dropped this song at the beginning of the year last year, it was mindblowing. When you first listen to it, you'll be like - What? Literally. The song changes chords(? Sorry, don't know the musical terms) and it's like a puzzle with different sides and patterns, but put together, wow. Simply wow. I love the dance break as well. In the music video, again, the creative director is Justin, and he puts symbolism as much as Pablo uses figurative language in his lyrics. The song is so beautiful, swag, and literally my anthem when I feel like I'm lost. See >> Article | It's Been A Year Since...

6. Ikako Rap Version (Enjoyment: 2.8)


Not that I have anything against the original, which I think is a really great one already, but the rap version is more uplifting, and Pagsibol actually has this version in the album and not the original. Every single time this song comes up in the playlist, I am always ready with Pablo's rap lyrics on hand. I enjoy doing it and it is so much fun. 

For more videos and information about SB19, visit Official SB19 YouTube.
 

Cinquain Poem | Dragonflies

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Ranking 'Get In The Zone' Album by SB19

 By Eurielle


Written on January 1, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Ranking SB19 songs don't mean I like one over the other. SB19 and their songs have different impacts and they are all as important as the other. I'm ranking the enjoyment I feel when I'm listening to them, not whether one is better than the other. 

Enjoyment: 1-Meh, 2-Normal, 3-Enjoyed

1. Love Goes - EDM/Love Goes (Enjoyment: 3)



What's not to love? When I first heard this song of SB19 in their YouTube FanFest performance video, I was ecstatic. I literally love it so much, I think I became a total fan of them right after. I jammed to this song as much as I can, and every time they performed it live, I go crazy over it.  

Cinquain Poem | Chicks

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Top 5 Activities I Enjoy

 By Eurielle 


Written January 1, 2022

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


We are looking at these different legends:
Difficulty: 1- Easy, 2-Normal, 3-Difficult
 Enjoyment: 1-Meh, 2-Normal, 3-Enjoyed


1. Reading/Writing (Difficulty: 2.5, Enjoyment:2.5)


I am a reader. I enjoy reading, and although I say I read any genre - that's not true. If possible, there should be an element of romance. I started reading romance novels - pocketbooks, paperbacks, then hardcovers - when I was in fifth or sixth grade (11 to 12 years old). At first, I read Filipino pocketbooks from My Special Valentine and Precious Hearts Romance. It was harder to find PHR in the wet market back in the day. There were more MSV back then. However, the first romance pocketbook I've read was a PHR because during that time, ABS-CBN, a network in the Philippines, took it in their hands to create live-action of the Bud Brothers Series. Since then, I've gone from Filipino pocketbooks to English paperbacks and hardcovers. Now, I mostly read contents online.

As a reader, I also envisioned myself writing; thus, I have this blog. Reading in itself is easy. I would have ranked it 1, but the writing made things difficult. I don't like the excuse "English is not my first language, so please excuse the poor grammar" because, in truth, English is one of the languages I learned since Kindergarten. Although it was the least used - speaking-wise and listening-wise - we still use it at school.  Writing, for me, is about imagination and creativity. Without those two, I really don't have anything to write about. Grammar is secondary. It is important, very much so, but as long as the thoughts come across, I think it's fine. 

The reason why I don't enjoy reading and writing as much is that stories are sometimes repetitive and it gets boring. I actually read from different genres, media, and forms. I read manga/manhwa/manhua, English-translated Chinese novels, fan fiction, etc. I have a lot to choose from, but sometimes things get saturated and I cannot pick the good ones. I sometimes use my hours looking for stories to read than reading and it makes me want to frown thinking I wasted so much time. I guess that's the part I don't enjoy. 

2. Singing/Karaoke (Difficulty: 2.9, Enjoyment: 3)


Like most Filipinos, I like singing and karaoke. Unlike popular belief, not all Filipinos know how to sing. I can carry a tune, but I make more mistakes than singing songs correctly. At home, we have our own karaoke machine connected to our television. My sister and I love singing together, but sometimes I will find myself singing alone. When I am frustrated or stressed, I like to bring out all the built-up tension inside me by shouting and moving around. I go crazy doing karaoke at home. 

It is difficult because I breathe heavily after only about 4-5 songs, maybe even less. By the time an hour passed, I'll be stretching my throat and the organs in there just so I can get a note right (or belt... whatever). But I always end up enjoying the activity. Singing and listening to music come to me whatever I'm doing, especially cleaning/organizing. For me, a day without music is like a month of a depressed soul - it is sad and too quiet. 

3. Painting (Difficulty: 2.7, Enjoyment: 2.5)


Painting is more like a hobby than a habit. I only paint when I am totally free from other responsibilities (read: summer and winter vacations). I love painting because I like to see colors. I love colors because I see symbols and patterns. To me, painting is like a metaphor of life - white canvases are really great to look at, but when colors touch the surface, magic comes alive. Painting is part of healing. Painting is calming.

The difficulty is a little bit high because I'm not a good painter. My painting pieces are really just practice pieces in which I follow YouTube painters online on how to paint. The difficulty comes with not having the tools or colors, or the technique is very sloppy. I get frustrated while painting. It's true that painting is healing and calming, but sometimes, when you don't follow through the steps and end up with something questionable, it's really hard to be calm. However, in the end, like I said, it's a hobby. I enjoy doing it, but not something I do most of the time. 

4. Arts and Crafts (Difficulty: 3, Enjoyment: 1.9)


I love arts and crafts. I have had different projects over the years - arts and crafts that don't have anything to do with painting. Some projects were failures some were successes. Then there were those I ended up abandoning because it didn't make sense to continue.

Usually, I find myself in the arts and crafts part of YouTube, and they inspire me to do things myself. I think it's sad that I don't have a crafts room where I can put all my art supplies and crafts supplies. The difficulty comes from not having all the materials needed. I think the most difficult one I created was a brick house made from cardboard boxes. The house turned out great, but not the best. I created it for days and I was all over the place because I didn't have anywhere to put my supplies. Anyway, I still like how it turned out. It was really cute. Sometimes, crafts are really easy. There are a lot of DIY crafts online and on YouTube that is easy to do, but I always find myself doing the hard ones. I enjoy them, but sometimes, I'm more like meh, a waste of my time.

5. Cleaning and Organizing (Difficulty: 3, Enjoyment: 3)


Like painting and arts and crafts, cleaning and organizing only come to me once or twice a year. Sometimes, for example, even when I see my room in so much disarray, especially the laundry, I don't have the initiative to clean. However, when something strikes me, I enjoy cleaning and organizing so much. 

Yes, the difficulty is high. The reason for such a high score is because I am the type of person who takes everything off from the room as much as I can, clean up all the surfaces, then put and organize things back together. When I cleaned my room about a week or so ago, it took me the whole afternoon to do it. I don't clean the whole house, too. Truthfully, I don't have much motivation unless there's some music as well. This week, last Thursday, my mom and I cleaned up the kitchen. I actually cleaned up the refrigerator and the pantry. I like organizing things, but sometimes it's frustrating because, after a week or a month, everything is in disarray, which kind of dampen the efforts, then it takes months before I get inspired to do cleaning/organizing again. 



Cinquain Poem | Bunnies

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Going Back To...

 By Eurielle


Written on December 26, 2021

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


I found myself enjoying painting outside our back porch even though it was in the middle of a chilling December afternoon. I had fun setting up my working table, putting magazine papers all around to prevent acrylic paint from dislodging on the table's surface and crevices. 

On the 23rd, I painted this painting of a night sky and mountain ranges covered in snow while pine trees and forest of greens surrounded it. I added "splashes" of white acrylic paint to make it look like it was snowing. Actually, I am not a good painter, I just do it as a hobby. I usually follow Jay Lee Painting and Wow Art because their tutorials/painting videos are really awesome. Both painters are really amazing especially when they're using unconventional painting tools like cotton buds, pieces of a cotton, fork, and paper tape. In truth, back in elementary, I used cotton buds (or Q-tips, if people don't know the generic name) during art classes for painting. In addition, I used papaya and/or banana stalks for watercolor painting. They're really beautiful - these stalks. You have to cut the stalks and use the pattern part to dip on the painting, then stamp it on the paper to create a beautiful painting - abstract paint or whatnot. Sadly, there are no papaya or banana plant available at home. 



Today, the 26th, I painted the cherry blossom tree among the wildflowers' garden. I envisioned it as a field of flowers, then there's that one tree that happened to be a cherry blossom. To make the field look wide, I added those pine trees from afar and a wide, cloudy sky. Generally, this one was easier to paint than the first one, not only because of the size of the canvas but because I wasn't really copying either Jay Lee Painting or Wow Art this time. The idea was from their videos, yes, but I didn't have a particular video I was following as opposed to the painting above.

Also, the above painting, if you look closely, has a black moon. I didn't intend to do that. I was having a hard time using my white acrylic paint because it became so watery (I actually just needed to shake the bottle really, really hard), so I was painting with a runny white paint. Then, I had trouble painting the mountain. I felt like I wasn't getting the right shape or not following Jay Lee's "instructions" at all. Even now I still feel like it wasn't good enough. When everything was said and done, I looked at it, and there in the middle was black paint. I agonized a bit, but I thought, "Why not make it into the moon?" so I used a fine tip small brush and spread it clockwise to create a perfect circle.

I always enjoy painting although it was only a hobby. I put my paintings inside my room where no one really come inside. I like being crafty and artsy and I feel that this hobby is another way for me to relax. In addition, I like learning things - and the best way to learn is through a hands-on one. 

Cinquain Poem | Reindeer

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or paste to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Article | Fried Egg Noodles and Egg Rolls

 By Eurielle


Written on December 26, 2021

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


First and foremost, a name change! My real name is so long, it's so hard to type every single time, so I decided to go with the pseudonym "Eurielle." Eurielle is a name close to my heart. It's been with me for years. In my younger years, I studied at a private Catholic academy and one of my teachers was a nun. She told me that my angel is either Angel Gabriel or Angel Uriel, both are archangels. I believe that there are angels by our side, so I always pray to Angel Gabriel, but Angel Uriel's name stuck in my head and I found the name very pretty. I've used the name since then, but with a different spelling. According to Learn Religions, the archangel Uriel is known as the angel of wisdom and his name means "God is my light" or "fire of God." Starting from now on, I will use this name. Please to meet you all.




Now, let's talk about this fried egg noodle. Truthfully, I still want to eat noodles, but unlike the noodle soup from this post, the noodles this time are fried. I used the same egg noodle brand since I still have extra from last time. I put the same sauce - oyster sauce, soy sauce - and herbs - parsley, savory, etc. - and the taste was very similar to the noodle soup. However, I put chili flakes on this one, so it was a little bit hot. In addition, I fried Minh mini egg rolls - 6 of them - and I ate 4 (my sister asked for two). The sauce on the side was a small soy sauce and vinegar; the ratio was about 1:2, respectively. 

It was a sumptuous meal and I really liked it. 

Cinquain Poem | Gifts

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.




Short Story | First Encounter at the Library

 By Eurielle


Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.


First Encounter at the Library



It was not something I always do even when I love books; however, I found myself in the campus library on the evening of our first encounter. 


It was not the typical guy-approaches-girl-who-reads-in-the-corner or guy-and-girl-reaches-for-the-same-book first encounter. 


It was when I saw you at the neighboring aisle of tall bookshelves between the gaps of various books about this world’s history.


You are looking for a reference book for your Japanese-American World War II concentration camps paper, browsing so seriously that you never seem to notice me.  


It was fascinating, really, looking at you. I might be biased, but I felt that you’re one of the most beautiful humans I’ve ever seen - barring those idols and celebrities I found myself watching from time to time. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and then I felt ashamed.


I thought, with my careless personality, that I wouldn’t care if I looked pretty in another person’s eyes. I thought, with my negative regard for romantic relationships, that I wouldn’t fall in love so easily. I thought I wouldn’t be one of those people who gets attracted to physical appearances but instead adored the inner nature of a person. But alas, I seemed to be one of those shallow types of people who only cared about outer vessels.


Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s true that physical appearances were really what attracted people the most initially. There were times when people would think beauty is equal to kindness or talent or general outstanding characteristics. An angelic face meant the person also had an angelic personality. 


But was that true? Some. Not at all times. Why, back in elementary, I had a crush on this guy and he was the most handsome in our whole class, but then wasn’t his personality actually sucked that one time? 


Although I didn’t mean to bring him up in this narrative. I still think you were much better than him. Although you seemed serious, the quiet type of a man, there was a gentle aura coming from you that charmed me. I would take a couple of glances at you. Mind you, I never did this before. 


But before I could admire you more, you seem inclined to return to your desk. I forced myself to focus on my own list of references. Returning to my own desk, I was surprised you sat next to mine. What was this coincidence? Or, to hope upon the stars, a destiny?


I cautiously approached my seat like a mouse afraid to break the silence which surrounded us. Within this corner of the library, on its third floor, there were only you and me. I set my books down while biting my lips. I still didn’t understand why I was so anxious at that time. 


It was my most magical night.



Moon and sun exchange hi and hello for more than a month. The semester was ending. I thought I would never see you again. Shockingly, I was still the same old me even when I fell in love with you - shy, inactive, and totally pessimistic about love. 


But my negativity did not stop me from visiting the library nearly every night, sitting on the same spot, letting my night pass by doing assignments and projects while waiting for you to show up. Yet you never did. 


You never did until three nights before the final week. 


Friday. As usual, I entered the library’s elevator from the main floor and pushed the third-floor button with anticipation. Since you’ve never returned since that one time, I didn’t have any hope that you’d ever be. 


Yet you did. 


But I didn’t expect it to be like this.


When I arrived at our secret corner - debatable since it was a public area - I found my seat already occupied by another person’s backpack. I was disappointed. Why, of all times, did someone use my reserved seat when it might be my last evening (this semester, at least) after a month-long availability. I couldn’t complain because the owner was not there.


I was annoyed. However, I managed to calm myself and rationally thought that this might be time for me to sit on your chair. The one you’ve used that evening. That night I fell in love.


I put my belongings down, then went to check that bookshelf again. I was pacing back and forth looking through the gaps like that first encounter we had. But you weren’t there. Giving up, I rounded the corner, and to my astonishment, you were there.


You were smiling brightly. You were laughing silently. You seemed to be enjoying yourself. You look more ethereal now.


Then you reached out your right arm. And you tucked a hair behind the ear. And you tightened your hold on those hands. 


And I heard my heart break.



You reached out your right arm across and caressed her sweet, pretty face. From her cheek, you tucked her mischievous hair behind her small ears. You brought down your arm and took a hold of her dainty hands and tightened your hold.


And I was there witnessing them all. I was there when you leaned in to put butterfly kisses on her lips. I was there when you saw each other eye-to-eye, forehead-to-forehead. I was there.


I wished I was not there. 


 I wished.


Oh, how I wished.





Featured Post

Update: Welp... Spring Semester Started Last Week!

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading. So here's what's going to happe...

Popular Posts