I Have Difficulties in Writing, How Can I Improve?

Honestly speaking, I hated writing ever since I was in high school. Do you remember in English class when teachers ask students to make a composition? I really despised that. Writing essays for me was a big problem. I really could not think of ideas for my essay, but when I had some ideas in my mind, I would be facing another challenge, which is choosing one that would be discussed in my essay. Hence, I was never proud of my compositions in high school. Luckily in college, it was more on writing reports, so it was easier for me to accomplish. The problem happened again when I was required to take an English proficiency examination – the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. 

The reason I had to take the IELTS was my parents' encouragement for me to pursue a two-year course in Australia. One of the requirements for the school I was going to attend was an IELTS score. I was not familiar with the test so I checked online and right at that moment, I felt I was going to have a problem with the writing test. For me to be accepted in the college, I needed to take the Academic module. My parents bought me some reviewers. Yes, they were of big help but I just could not seem to understand the graphs and data for the writing task. I was so desperate that I looked for an IELTS review center for help. 

I found one on the internet and luckily they have a center in my city. During the writing class, I forced myself to write essays for the two tasks. My essay was returned the next day and it was filled with red ink for comments. The lecturer noted my weaknesses. I was having a hard time choosing the right words to describe the graph, organizing the ideas and keeping a smooth flow in my essay. The lecturer had one-one-one discussion on our essays and I was enlightened. They taught me how to make outlines, words and expressions to clearly describe graphs and most importantly, fixed my grammar errors. It was a long process for me to achieve a good score on mock tests until my mentors told me that I was already hitting my target for the IELTS.

Three months after, I took the test, I was nervous. All my hard work paid off when I got a band score of 8 on my writing test. The words "thank you" was not enough on how I appreciate my mentors' help. 

I have been here in Australia for almost a year now. School has been great. Indeed, IELTS review centers lead students to a good score in the IELTS. So for those who are going to take the IELTS, do not hesitate to accept that you need help and be surprised how effective IELTS review centers are.

Signs That Prove You or Your Friend Might be a Social Climber

Social climbers - these are people who claim that they are on the upper class or the elite part of the society when in reality, THEY ARE NOT. They are everywhere and sometimes they are very annoying because they are pretending to be someone they are not. Maybe these people do not know the meaning of being humble and be satisfied on what they can afford. We really cannot control people if their thinking is that way. It's totally fine if you buy expensive things as long as it is your money and others are not suffering. True sosyal people don't need to tell the world that they bought or own that kind of thing.

..and here are funny memes about social climbers. Bato, bato sa langit ang tamaan 'wag magalit!

Three Things to Look Forward in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games brought storm in the worldwide box office. It is indeed following the footsteps of the Harry Potter franchise. A lot of young adult books that were turned into films were not given  huge success despite its fan base - I am talking to The Mortal Instruments, Percy Jackson, Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles), and others. Many entertainment sites, particularly movie sites, were already considering Catching Fire as one of the most anticipated movie in 2013 even if it is still in the middle of production.d Why is it so? Find out the three main things why a lot of people are looking forward to this movie.

1. All Star Power, New Interesting Cast Added

In the second book, new and mysterious characters were added. One of these characters include Plutarch Heavensbee, who will be portrayed by award-winning and veteran actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Plutarch's character holds a very important role in the story. Apart from Plutarch, the head gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games, a.k.a., Third Quarter Quell, former victors of the Games are also brought back to the arena. It is like an all star game that left Katniss confused on who to trust. These victors are all experienced killers and it's going to be tough. The arena is filled with more danger with President Snow wanting to kill Katniss because of defying the rules in the previous Games. The love triangle is also heated up. There will be new friendship and another chapter of Katniss' life as a victor is about to unfold. 

Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman)

Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci)

2. Better Outfit, Make Up, and Special Effects

Upon seeing the trailer, a lot of us can already tell that the costume and make up, especially for the Capitol people, are a lot better. Trish Summerville is a great fan of long fake eyelashes, which is better because there's a better distinction between the Capitol people and those which are living in the districts. 

The training center - particularly in the simulation room, has been improved. The practice dummies in the training center in The Hunger Games was way so old fashioned as compared to the moving holographic people in the new training center in Catching Fire. Good job director! With the official stills released so far, it is expected that the costume, especially during the tribute parade and the interview will be a lot better. 

3. More Action and Intensity

Since Catching Fire will involve the Third Quarter Quell, expect a lot of actions and thrill. The uprisings have already started in some districts. The arena will have carnivorous monkeys, poisonous fogs, and electricity that will left no survivors. In the trailers and clips alone, you will already feel goosebumps and the excitement is heating up!

Can't wait to see the movie this November 22, 2013! You can find out more about the movie adaptations of The Hunger Games trilogy at http://www.hungergamesmovieseries.com. 

Three Things to Always Bear in Mind When Super Typhoons Strike

The world was alerted as a super typhoon strikes the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas (Leyte, Cebu, Bohol). The typhoon Haiyan, with the local name of Yolanda, was said to be the strongest one to enter the Philippines and the world this year. Yolanda left a  lot of damages and took thousands of lives. The major hit was in Tacloban City and neighboring towns as the typhoon brought a 17-ft storm surge. Most of the towns in Leyte that were hit were located in the coastal areas. Despite the preparations, a lot of people died because of drowning. The destruction was said to be one of the biggest in the world. Others say that it is a combined destruction of the Haiti earthquake and Indian tsunami. Major countries like the U.S., U.K., Australia, Japan and others have extended their relief operations to the Philippines.

In order to prepare ourselves for another super typhoon like this, we need to do the following:

1. Prepare needed things - ready to eat foods, water, emergency lights, tents, first aid kits, life jackets

First to prepare is our basic needs. Canned goods or any food that don't need fire to cook must be stored ahead. You should also store water for drinking as well as for your rest rooms. Expect that there will be a blackout because it is already a protocol that power supplies will be cut off by every electric companies to avoid further damages. Most of water supplies in the city are also dependent to electricity, so it is a must to store water.


2. Stay inside

One of the main reasons why there were still casualties in the typhoon is because people fail to remain on a safer place. Remember, super typhoons can take off roofs, trees, and even vehicles and houses. So, to lessen injury and avoid death from falling debris and flying objects, just stay inside. If the country's weather station warned of storm surges, be sure to stay at higher grounds. If your house is along the coastal area, you need to evacuate, even if your house has three storeys. You need to listen to the advice given by your local government to avoid casualties and further damages. Never mind your belongings, lives are more important.

3. Keep calm and pray.

Prayer is the always the key for any catastrophes. We also need to be calm because if not, we are going to absorb negative energy. Hold on to your faith and be strong. God won't leave us.

It is always a better idea to always prepare emergency bags that will contain all of the things we need when typhoons like Yolanda strike. Keep yourself updated with the news.

Cebu City Foods - Top Three Street Foods You Usually See in Cebu City

Cebu City is one of the most industrialized and popular cities in the Philippines. It is otherwise known as the Queen City of the South. There are a lot of people coming into the city for work, study, and for fun. One of the things you notice when you are in the city is the street foods. These street foods are usually on a travelling cart and are sold from one place to another. Selling foods via your cart can cover more customers, right? The following are the top three street foods you usually see in Cebu City.

Tempura/Kwek2x/Tokneneng/Fish Ball

Tempura on the streets of Cebu City is a downgrade version of the famous Japanese tempura. The tempura street food is made of dough with little seasonings. Fish balls are also made from dough with a little fish meat. Fish ball are on a shape of a disc while the tempura is elongated. On the other hand, kwek2x are quail eggs covered with flour. Tokneneng is similar to kwek2x, however, the egg used here are from broilers. Therefore, tokneneng are bigger version of kwek2x. Of course, quail eggs taste better than broiler eggs.

tempura photo source

Fish balls photo source

tokneneng photo source

kwek2x photo source

 

fish ball, tempura, kwek2x, and tokneneng photo source

These foods are deep fried into a pan of oil – the pan is mounted on the cart of the vendor. You will have to wait a little for it to be cooked. There are also different types of sauces provided. Typical sauces include hot, sweet, and spicy. Some vendors also provide free cucumbers for the buyers.

Today, these foods are now placed into a disposable paper plate with the stick. You will have to pour the sauces on top of the plate. This type of idea is better as compared to dipping the stick into the sauce. We can’t really tell if someone had already dipped their food that had been half eaten.

As of this moment, the above-mentioned street foods are sold at P10.00 for three pieces.

Fried Peanuts

Fried peanuts are also sold on the streets of Cebu City. These peanuts also come in different flavours. There are regular, spicy, and sugar-coated peanuts. Some vendors also sold cashew nuts. These can be bought at P5 and P10.

a fried peanut vendor photo source

coated peanuts photo source

Sweet Corn

Yep! Sweet corns are also sold on the streets of Cebu City. These sweet corns are skewed on a stick and boiled. You can also have the option to put cheese and butter on the corn once you decide to buy one. These are usually priced at P20, depending on the size of the corn.

sweet corn photo source

Other foods you can see in the Cebu City streets, especially during nights include pork/chicken barbeque and grilled fish. I'll be going to create another post showcasing these foods in the future. Stay tune!