5 - Helpless and Hunted to Death

"Write about a terrifying nightmare."

Photo from DeviantArt

It’s wonderful how anything can happen in a dream. Not being able to control it gives us surprises and makes it far more interesting. However, not every dream is a pleasant surprise. There are unpleasant ones too. And most of the time, the unpleasant dreams are the most unforgettable. Maybe that’s why we have a separate term for it. We call it ‘Nightmares’.

I had this crazy and weird nightmare; and it scared the hell out of me.

It went like this…

I was in a room, and everything was in the shade between black and white. It was like an old movie. No colors, no life. It’s just black, gray, and white. The room was rectangular which was like those of a small trailer camping trucks. There are a kitchen and a living room; and between them was the main door.  A few steps away from the door is where I stood.

Rough sketch of the Room

As I looked around, I noticed that I wasn’t alone. There’s a woman who seems to be cooking something in the kitchen.  I tried to talk to her but she ignored me. I kept trying and I stopped when I saw a figure of a person through the window. It was a man and that man was staring at the woman. Looking closely, I noticed that he has this scary smirk on his face. He was wearing a black sweat pants and a dark gray sweatshirt which makes him really creepy.

The atmosphere became heavy as he started to walk to our way. In his right hand was a kitchen knife. He was swinging it casually! He kept his gaze to the woman as he got closer to the main door. The air became heavier than it was.

“He’s going to kill her!” a voice shouted in my head

Immense panic hit me. I started shouting warnings to the woman. I screamed my lungs out until it hurts but she ignored me.

I froze on my spot when  the door opened. The creepy man passed through as he went straight to the kitchen. He literally passed through me!

Then, everything happened so fast. It was too late for the woman to notice the presence of this guy.

He stabbed her to death and I was helpless. I couldn’t do anything to prevent him from killing her. I just stared at her body. My legs shook as blood gushed out under her body.  Surprisingly, it was red when it should like everything else. 

Blood on the Floor

I looked up to the killer and I saw his gaze moved from the body to mine. It was as if I was the next victim. Then, my surroundings changed but it was still in blacks and whites. The killer was also there. I followed his gaze to my left. I realized that person would be his next victim. And again, I couldn’t do anything.

It happened two more times but the last one was different. I was his target.  I'm no longer a spectator. He was going to kill me. Luckily, before he stabbed me to death, I woke up. It really felt great to know that it was just a nightmare.

Until now, I still kept on thinking about it and I realized that it was a lot like Final Destination, a movie. The characters are being followed by death and only the main character knows who’s going to die next. But again, it was just a dream. A dream that made sleeping interesting and full of surprises. Nothing more, nothing less.

4 - How I Showed My Gratitude

"The Surprise"

There are two types of person in this world. The one who gets a surprise and the one who made the surprise. I am mostly the latter. Making surprises are something I'd always love to do for the persons I care about. There's no benefit from it. Just seeing that person, the one who gets the surprise, happy is enough of a gain. The important thing is to make a person happy and make them feel loved. 

I don't consider myself as a friendly person. If I was, I would constantly greet and talk to persons even if I'm not familiar with them and I might also be able to have a lot of groups of friends. Sadly, that's not how I am. That's not how I socialize. Making friends was really hard for me, and that's why I'm thankful for my 'circle of friends' during high school. They befriended me even if I looked snobbish. I'm really glad because they made me feel that I belong, that I am special in some way. So, how was this connected to surprises? 

My Seatmate, My Bestfriend and I

A lot happened in my fourth year of high school. My best friend migrated to Canada and my seatmate, who is my closest friend in the class, was going to migrate to. The sudden move to Canada of my best friend made me realize that I haven't shown them enough of how much I cared for them. I regretted it, and that's why I gave them a special birthday gift in that year. I made a video dedicated to the both of them. It was a really hard work. I had to talk to some of their friends which I, myself, am not close to. Thankfully, some of my classmates agreed to help me out, and they even let me borrow another digital camera which really makes recording a lot faster. I even had to lie to my seat mate. When she found that I was hiding something from her, she ignored me for a whole month.

I wasn't able to have a video chat with my best friend while she watched the video but she told me that she cried. I didn't know what my seatmate's reaction was from my gift for her but I think she really appreciated it. In the end, all the hard work and staying awake until two in the morning payed off. Seeing them happy was worth it.

3 - Let Go

"I know better now."

Life is a road trip. Our life is the car, and the places we've been through are our experiences. That's how one of my favorite authors, who is also a youth pastor, put it. It's up to us to decide whether we will let our Creator drive it or ourselves. And most of the times, it is us who drives it. It makes sense, because humans naturally want to be always in control, but are we? 

No we're not. If we were, I'm definitely sure that everyone would be living happily and be in a complete bliss. Life doesn't work like this. Just like any road trips, there will always be an unexpected event. There will be bad weathers that we have to drive through, potholes that we need to avoid, broken parts that we have to fix and an empty gas tank that we have to fill. These obstacles represent our troubles and fears in life. As for my own road trip, I'm happy to say that mine is just like everyone else's. I've been hurt, depressed and felt rejected. That's why after such things, I couldn't help being a control-freak.

There would always be a process of deep thinking before I make a decision. I don't dare take chances and risks. I'm too afraid to get hurt and pay for the price, but I realized that even if I calculate and plan things, not everything will work the way I want them to. Life couldn't be just fair. Every decision has its consequences. To be hurt and to be in pain is inevitable. In fact, everyone is somehow hurting in some ways different from another. The Bible even says that being hurt is normal. That expressing our pain is all right, but it's up to us if we want to continue dwelling on that pain and hurt; or to stand up and learn from it. These kinds of obstacles are what makes road trips or long drives a lot more interesting. I think life would be dull without this. 

Now, I know better than to be always in control because we don't have to be. There is Someone who knows where we'll be going and is definitely good at driving. He'll lead us to what is best for us. There might be good and bad experiences along the way, but these are what will make us stronger. So, let go of the control. Let go all the worries. A life that's full of uncertainties is a life worth enjoying.

2 - What Really Matters?

“What are the factors which are related to academic success in high school students?”

They say that education is the most important gift our parents can give to us. Without a doubt, it is. It can be the deciding point of whether or not we will achieve a rewarding and happy life. You will not be able to get a proper high-paying job without a college degree. Before you get accepted to your dream college or university, you will have to graduate from high school with passing grades.

 I too went to high school and I know exactly how hard it is compared to elementary. High school is the point where a student must learn to be independent.  This is the time where your parents can’t tutor you anymore nor can they hire someone else to do it. This is also the time where you yourselves are held responsible for every action and decisions that you will make. Despite all this, we, students, are still expected to be successful in our academic studies. So, what are the factors that affects a high school student’s academic success? For me, the most important factors are Family, Environment and Self-Discipline.

Our families, especially the parents, are the main people who affect our performance as a student. They are the ones who support and send us to school. But not every parent has the capabilities to do so. Financial problem is the most common reason for this. Some students have to depend on scholarships in order to get into a good school while others have to put up with public schools. Because of the lack of money, the students' capabilities are being hindered. Thus, limiting them to excel. There are also those  who have to deal with family problems. Not everyone is lucky or blessed to have a complete family. Some grew up with a single parent and some grew up with no parents at all. Others grew up with an abusive parent. These greatly affect a student emotionally and psychologically.  Too much of this burden may lead to a rebellious child and might result to dropping out of school. Without proper guidance from parents and family, a child may not be able to perform well and achieve success at school.

Environment also plays a big part in a student's success. Every person has a different style of studying. Some can study in a quiet place while others are all right with a noisy place. A student’s own preference helps him or her to focus more. Friends and classmate are also a part of the environment. Being with friends who has a lot of vices will never encourage you to do better at school. That’s why we always have to choose who we surround ourselves with. A right environment and good influences can boost a student’s performance.

The last factor which is self-discipline is the most important of all.  If a student does not desire an excellent performance, then he or she will probably be satisfied with a barely passing grade. A student with self-discipline will definitely achieve success. This kind of student does his or her assignment and projects before hanging out with their friends. They know their priorities well and they act according to it. Even if a student receives a proper support from  his or her families and has the right environment, he or she will not be successful without self-discipline.

Of course, some  might say, “ What if I’m just plain stupid?”. I think nobody is born stupid. If you really want to excel, then you’ll have to study a lot. You don’t have to be intelligent to success. A little bit of effort and hard work is enough. Our choice to be successful is always in our hands.  

In conclusion, a student’s success can be affected by a lot of factors. These factors are just some steps in achieving academic success. In the end, what really matters is his or her desire. The desire to study and to succeed. Studying without your heart in it will not make you successful. It’s not just some game where grades are scores that will determine if we succeed or not. 

1 - Curiosity Got the Best of Me

Picture from http://www.womenshealthmag.com

"A thoughtless act"

When I was a seven, I tried to smoke.

I remember collecting used stick of cigarettes. Then I gathered all the tobacco left inside each stick and I chose the most decent looking filter. I placed it side by side in a small piece of paper and used a tape to hold them all together. Using my uncle's lighter, I lit it up and tried to smoke. It didn't go very well. I ended up coughing a lot of times before I decided to stop. Then, I told myself that that will be the last time.

I grew up with an uncle who always smoke. I wanted to know why he kept doing it. I wondered if smoking does something good to his body because he just wouldn't stop. I wondered if people felt better after smoking. I had a lot of questions about smoking that eventually led me to trying it for myself. Though, part of it was that I was pretending to be a scientist. I guess, curiosity got the best of me.

The experience wasn't good but it taught me 'No Smoking' for life. I'm glad that I didn't like it. If I did, I might be one of those people hanging out in parking lots or smoking areas who kills themselves slowly with sticks of cigarettes. But up until now, I still wonder why smokers continue to do it knowing that it's really bad for their health. Maybe I'll understand someday.

Introduction to a creature called ME

Hello everyone! Welcome to my first blog ever!

Before anything else, let me introduce myself. I am Michelle Rose S. Suniga. I'm taking Multimedia Arts at Asia Pacific College. At first, I planned to take engineering. Thankfully, I did not because because I really love art. I think its great to study something you love to do and make it your career.

For the past 17 years of my life, I've been living in the Philippines. My parents are both Filipino which makes me one. As most Filipinos are deemed to be religious, I am not. I don't believe in religion but I believe in the Bible and that I am saved by what Jesus did on the cross. Don't worry. I'm not one of those who forces their beliefs to other people. I don't like arguing with other's beliefs but I'm fine exchanging my opinions with theirs

Anyway, the title of my blog is inspired from a song called Near Life Experience by Lifehouse. Honestly, I don't really know what this blog would become but I hope that it'll help me keep track and improve my writing skills and as well as my knowledge to grammars. Maybe this might be the start of a new hobby for me.

'Til next time :D