Insights and Reflections: 2012

Desiderata (Desired Things) By: Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Desiderata is the famous poem written by Max Ehrmann which means “desired things”. This poem contains the list of the things we desired.

As I read Desiderata, it provides me with a refreshing perspective on life’s bigger picture. It provides me the simple truths of everyday life. How people compare themselves to others; how they try to be like others instead of themselves; how they distressed by their “dark imaginings”. As I read this poem, I realized that we can attain happiness by enjoying the simplicity of our lives, by enjoying the little things around us. And that happiness is about living a simple and contented life. It urges us people to see the beauty and troubles of the world through wise, hopeful and compassionate eyes.

This poem contains words of wisdom and messages of faith, hope and charity. Messages of faith, hope and charity that gives us the strength and inspiration of living our life. And most importantly, it urges us to be at peace with God. It urges us to be cheerful and happy

Whoever you are and whatever you do, Desiderata give you wisdoms and inspiration for living life to the full. It seems to want to urge you to soften the impact of life and to live in harmony with yourself and others. Whether you or I will achieve it - only time will tell.

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09/17-23/2012 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #16

It has been a nice and busy week. Again, the weather this week was very unpredictable. Like the other weeks that passed, I do the usual things I do to help mother earth. I do my job to be the steward of nature.

As usual, I conserve energy and lessen the carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere.

This weekend, I prefer to stay at home. I stay at our house to do my homeworks. I stay at our house to do my homeworks.

I also do other things to save mother earth. These are:

I prefer walking when going to near places;
I clean our house and our backyard;
I minimize the use of some appliances;
I unplug the appliances that are not in use;
I conserve water; and
I throw my garbages to proper places.

And before going to sleep, I turn off all the unnecessary lights and I unplug the appliances that are not in use.

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09/10-16/2102 Low Carbon diet Journal Entry #15

Another week had passed. Like the other weeks that passed, we experienced a very unpredictable weather. This week some of my teachers gave me and my classmates some quizzes. They also gave us some outputs and projects to do.

This week I can say that I have fulfill my duty to the environment. I do the simple and practical things to help save mother earth and to lessen the carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere. These are:

I just walk when going to near places, instead of riding a vehicle;
I clean our house;
I minimize the use of some appliances;
I unplug the appliances that are not in use.

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09/03-09/2012 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #14

Another week had passed. A week that had a very unpredictable weather. Sometimes it's raining, sometimes it's windy and most of the time it was very hot. Like the other weeks that had passed, i just do the usual things I do. i do different things to conserve energy and i help lessen the carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere.

This weekend I prefer to stay at home. I stay at our house to do some school works. I answer some homeworks and make some outputs.

I also do other things to save Mother Earth! These are:

Cleaning our house and our backyard;
Using a glass while brushing your teeth;
Unplugging the appliances that are not in use; and
Turning off the unnecessary lights.

These are very simple ways to save our planet, but if all of us will do these things, we can surely help.

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08/27-09/02/2012 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #13

It has been a nice week! Like the other weeks that passed, i fulfill my job. The job to be the steward of nature. I do different things. As usual I conserve energy and I helped lessen the carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere.

Saturday, me and my group mates went to Patric's house to do our project. We enjoyed working with each other. We used different kinds of papers in making our project. and after we used it, there are excess papers, so we just keep it. It's because we may used that excess papers in the next projects that we will do.

These are the things I do to help Mother Earth:

I clean our house and our backyard;
I help my mother in burying the dried leaves in the compost pit;
I minimize the use of the television;
I unplug the unnecessary appliances; and
I conserve water.

And before going to sleep, I always made sure to check if I turn off all the unnecessary lights.

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Insights and Reflections: Storm Warning Signals

Today, I learned that Public Storm Warning Signals are storm signals that are usually raised when an area is about to be heat by tropical cyclone. The Public Storm Warning Signal Number over a threatened/ affected locality may be sequentially upgraded or downgraded. This means that PSWS #1 may be upgraded to PSWS #2, then to PSWS #3 and to PSWS #4 as necessary when a very intense typhoon is approaching or downgraded when the typhoon is moving away. However, in case of rapid improvement of the weather condition due to the considerable weakening or acceleration of speed of movement of the tropical cyclone moving away from the country, the downgrading of signal may jump one signal level. For example, PSWS #3 may be downgraded to PSWS #1 or all signals from PSWS #2 may be lowered.

I will apply my learning about storm signals in my everyday life so that I am ready for the occurrences of typhoon, and so that I am ready for the possibility of raising the storm signal in our area.

Learning about storm signals is important because it helps us to become aware of the strength of the incoming typhoon. It is also important because the purpose of storm signal is to warn the impending occurrence of some meteorological conditions (like typhoon).

On a larger scale, I will share my learning about this phenomenon to others because; I want them to be also aware of the intensity and strength of the incoming storms. I also want them to be knowledgeable of how storm signals can help us in being ready for some typhoons.

I need to know more about storm signals so that I can be more aware of the incoming occurrences that will may affect our living. I need to know more about the larger scope of storm signals because my learning about this not enough for me to be completely ready and aware.

PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

PSWS #1

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS:

A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.

Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. (When the tropical cyclone develops very close to the locality a shorter lead time of the occurrence of the winds will be specified in the warning bulletin.)

IMPACT OF THE WINDS:

Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken.

Some banana plants may be tilted or downed.

Some houses of very light materials (nipa and cogon) may be partially unroofed.

Unless this warning signal is upgraded during the entire existence of the tropical cyclone, only very light or no damage at all may be sustained by the exposed communities.

Rice crop, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.

PSWS #2

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS:

A tropical cyclone will affect the the locality.

Winds of greater than 60 kph and up to 100 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours.

IMPACT OF THE WINDS:

Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken.

Few big trees may be uprooted.

Many banana plants may be downed.

Rice and corn may be adversely affected.

Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed.

Some old galvanized iron roofings may be peeled off.

In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities.

PSWS #3

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS:

A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.

Winds of greater than 100 kph up to 185 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours.

IMPACT OF THE WINDS:

Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed.

Almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be uprooted.

Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses.

Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction.

There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services.

In general, moderate to heavy damage may be experienced, particularly in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

PSWS #4

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS:

A very intense typhoon will affect the locality.

Very strong winds of more than 185 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.

IMPACT OF THE WINDS:

Coconut plantation may suffer extensive damage.

Many large trees may be uprooted.

Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe losses.

Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged.

Electrical power distribution and communication services may be severely disrupted.

In the overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy.

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Insights and Reflections: Tropical Cyclone

Today I learned that tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in the moist air. They are fueled by a different heat mechanism than other cyclonic windstorms such as nor'easters, European windstorms, and polar lows.

I will apply my learnings about tropical cyclone in determining its strength/intensity so that I can be aware on how it may affect our lives. And for me to be ready when it produces numerous thunderstorms and heavy rains.

Learning about this phenomenon is important because it may help us in becoming more aware about our environment. It also helps us on becoming more prepared about the different events or disasters that may occur.

On a larger scale, I will share my learnings on this phenomenon to others because I want them to be ready when tropical cyclone occurs. I also want them to be more aware of all the things they are doing that may affect our environment.

I need to know more about tropical cyclone so that I am able to understand its effects. And so that I am able to know the things that I do that may affect this phenomenon.

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08/20-26/2012 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #12

   It has been a busy week!! This week a program took place in the second year province. The program is all about the celebration for "Buwan ng Wika". There are different contests. Many of my classmates join the contests, and some of them won.
   Another long weekend! and just like the other weekends, I spent the day doing the usual things I do to help Mother Earth. I help my mother in cleaning our house and our backyard. I also help my mother in burying the dried leaves in the compost pit.
     I also do things to save energy. These are:

I unplug all the unnecessary appliances;
I minimize the use of the television and other appliances;
I used glass when brushing my teeth;and
Before going to sleep, I made sure that I turned off all the unnecessary lights.

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08/13-19/2012 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #11

It has been a nice week!! Our first rating period was over and it is our second rating period! Me and my classmates answer some pre-tests before we start the new lesson for the second rating.
A very long weekend and a very long rest! Because of this long weekend, I spent my whole day in our house, doing some school works.I just focus on doing my homeworks. And also because of the long weekend, I do the usual things I do to conserve energy and save Mother Earth.

I turn off the unnecessary appliances;
I turn off the lights before sleeping;and
I minimize the use of the television, computer, my cellphone, and other appliances.

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08/06-12/2012 Low Carbon diet Journal Entry #10

A very, very rainy week! This week we had experienced heavy rains. Heavy rains that caused floods and landslides in many places and provinces, including our province, Bulacan. These heavy rains are caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Monsoon is a wind system that influences large climate regions that influences and reverses direction seasonally. Southwest monsoon takes place in the form of cycles with the cool air of the oceans blowing towards the land and creating precipitation and releasing energy.

And because of the heavy rains and floods, classes are suspended. It is almost a week of no classes. Because of the suspension of classes, I just stayed at home and prayed for the safety of the other Filipinos.

I also do the usual things I do to save Mother Earth.

I am not able to go outside and clean our backyard because it was raining, so I just clean our house;
I lessen the used of the television and other gadgets;
And before going to sleep, I always made sure that I turn off all the lights and unplug the appliances that are not in use.

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07/30-08/05/2012 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #9

This week was our exams' week. Every night, I always review all my lessons for the tests. And because of that I had lessen the use of the television and other gadgets. And also because of that I helped conserve energy. There is no homework this time because we just got our exams...

I do the usual things I do to conserve energy and lessen the carbon dioxide emission.

I helped my mother in cleaning our house and backyard;
I also helped buried the dry leaves in the compost pit;
I throw my garbages to proper places;
I segregate my garbages; and
I lessen the use of the appliances and gadgets to save electricity.

This are just very simple and practical ways, but if all of us will do these, we can surely save our planet.

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07/23-29/12 Low Carbon Diet Journal Entry #8

   This week, a food fest took place in our school. Two of my classmates are contestants. me and my other classmates support our two classmates by joining or coming with them in the school's gymnasium where the food fest was held.
   A very busy weekend!! There are so many things to do this weekend. Because of that I just do my assignments, instead of watching the television or using any gadgets. By these, I can save energy and lessen the carbon dioxide emission.
   I also do other things to help conserve energy. These are:

Using a glass while brushing my teeth;
Using a pail while taking a bath;
Unplugging the appliances that are not in used;and
Turning off all the lights before going to sleep.

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Insights and Reflections #6: Low Pressure Area

Today I learned that low-pressure area is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is lower than that of surrounding locations.Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as cyclogenesis

I will apply my learning about this phenomenon to my daily life,and to other weather related topics and lessons.

Learning about this phenomenon is important because it is a hint or warning for us that a typhoon may occur in certain places.

On a larger scale, I will share my learnings about this phenomenon to others for them to be knowledgeable about it and what it can lead to. And for them to be aware about its effects.

I need to know more about low-pressure are, its effects and how we can relate this to our daily life.

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Insights and Reflections #5: El Niño

Today I learned that El Niño is defined by prolonged differences in Pacific Ocean Sea surface temperatures when compared with the average value. The accepted definition is a warming or cooling of at least 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) averaged over the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean. Typically, this anomaly happens at irregular intervals of 3–7 years and lasts nine months to two years.

I will apply my learning about El Niño in my everyday living for me to become aware about what is happening around me.

Learning about this phenomenon is important because if ever this will occur and we know what it is, we can easily overcome and be prepared about this.

On a larger scale, I will share my learning about this phenomenon to others because I want them to be knowledgeable about El Niño and its effects to us.

I need to know more about El Niño because it is one of the phenomenon that may caused drastic effects to us and our environment.

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