Meeting Social Expectation is likeasjdhfgjsk

When I was in kindergarten, I go to school to learn, for me to use those learnings when I grow up. Fortunately, blessed with enough intelligence and skills to stand out, I did excel. When I was in Elementary, I go to school to learn, for me to use those learnings when I grow up. Fortunately, blessed with talents, I stood out, I graduated as Salutatorian. And there started such a small amount of expectation from everyone. When I was in High School, I go to school to learn AND to meet such a social expectation. I did not mind it. All I thought about was to study hard, get good grades and graduate as the Valedictorian. Though, pressure was on me, I manage to enjoy my high school by building my passion in leadership and fulfilling myself. Dreams were built. My idealism was in its peek. I graduated as the Valedictorian. And more pressure came from the society. And now that I am in college, I feel like I am not going to school to learn. I go to to school to meet such social expectations. And it's killing me inside.

I feel like society has taken away my freedom. I need to hide myself when I smoke. I need to go somewhere unpopular so that no one will see me drinking. I need to be careful when I go clubbing. I can't involve myself in a same sex relationship.

Taklong Island Adventure 2013

In everything that we do, we tend to learn new things, reflect oneself and applaud life. Thinking about the deadlines for papers, schedule for exams and other extra-curricular commitments plus the hangover I had that day, I found the trip to Taklong Island a hassle at first.

I woke up as early as 4 o’clock in the morning just to fix my things and to meet the assembly time of Sir Rex. Sleepyheads waited for the port for about an hour afraid of the threat of leaving those who couldn’t make it by 7o’clock.  We should have left for Guimaras without Sir and Meeko because they arrived at around 7:20 AM, good thing Meeko had made it right after Sir Rex arrived at the port. If not, he would miss such an adventure.  Bets were raised between Sadaba Team and Meeko Team to kill the boredom in waiting. Sir Rex arrived before Meeko did. And so, Sadaba Team reigned.

I could feel that it was not only me who just pushes ourselves for the trip because it’s a requirement. From the port, riding the boat to Guimaras Island to Lusaran, Nueva Valencia, we seized the travel time and went to sleep.

It was around a 2-hour travel from Iloilo to our destination and it was an opportunity of a 2-hour sleep for us. It was a little bit tiring, however when we arrived to Lusaran, exhilaration filled my being.  

The photo would explain why. And then I told myself, “Wake up sleepyhead! You’ll be Dora today! This is going to be an adventure!” A class meeting before March2, 2013, Sir Rex told us a glimpse of what will happen in the field trip. There will be a riding in a bangka, wading, meeting the mangroves and of course a lot of walking. Indeed we rode a bangka from Lusaran to Taklong Island. As far as I remember, it was my second time to ride a bangka. Scared yet excited, I challenged myself.

After riding a Bangka, we walked from the shore to the University of the Philippines Research Centre. And yes, expected that we would meet mangroves, we did. They welcomed us in such a beautiful and sleepy day.

We headed to our assigned rooms for a little rest and for us to prepare ourselves for the start of the “field trip.” Sir went to eat his big monay which he shared to us his students. With the mani of Aaron, everything went so fine. After a few minutes Sir Rex called the class for a briefing. Our goal of the day was to see different species available in the island and see the wonders of whatever Taklong Island has to offer.