INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE FOUR WALLS

Here are the things I learned inside and outside the classroom.

ELEMENTARY:

1. I learned from my PE teacher not to drink water after "jogging" three times around the oval grounds. Take salt first. (Hmmm...) 2. I learned that pechay or pichay doesn't grow on their own. (Big Mystery: Who watered my garden everyday when I was in grade 4?) 3. I learned to cross rice fields upon going home instead of the paved and cemented road. Thanks to my adventurous classmates and muddy knees. 4. I never learned to write legibly and nicely even though my grade 2 teacher kept at school after class just to pratice writing. 5. I learned to eat hotcakes and Indian mango before going home in the afternoon.

HIGH SCHOOL:

1. I learned that swimming and jumping from the pier is fun. 2. I learned that your most annoying classmate is atually your biggest crush. (Trivia: it's a vise versa thing) 3. I learned that CAT training is so tiresome, bone- wearing yet a very momentous experience. (Trivia: You can boast this to your college friends.) 4. Consequently, I learned that shouting a command to a whole troop is satisfying. (I had the opportunity of substituting our batallion commander.)Don't be so strict for your classmates would hate you. 5. I learned that not having a JS Prom is actually fine. We didn't miss a half of our lives. 6. I learned different ways to "ask for help" during examinations from my classmates. (This part remains top secret.) 7. I learned that there were just days wherein I really forgot to wear my tie for my uniform and my belt which made me look pregnant. 8. I learned dozens of school rules and regulations and knew some people who broke them (The favorite sin is vandalism.) 9. I learned that I am not a good dancer, especially during ground demonstrations. (But hey! at least I was a part of it.) 10. I learned that no matter how much you tell yourself not to cry, crying is inevitable during graduation especially when singing the graduation song.

COLLEGE:

1. I learned from my first dorm (God bless Hall 1!) that 10 pm islights off time and 10 pm is the start of dorm life. 2. I learned that ghosts exist and ghost hunting is a really scary but fun. 3. I learned how to drink my first alcohol- lambanog! 4. I learned that sleeping on the beach under a star- filled sky is uncomfortable. 5. I learned that the kind of persons I only see in television and read in books actually exist. (Example: really bitchy girls and real geeks) 6. I learned that there are professors who just plain hates you. I also learned that there are those who seemed in love with you that it becomes annoying. 7. I learned that sometimes college life is a bitch and maintaining a tough hide is important. 8. I learned that my definition of "long line" is atually "short". 9. I learned the joy of transferring and knew that there are real differences between schools and students. 10. I learned that passing the exams and finishing the semester will never be a relief until ALL schooling is over. (I guess it will never be over.)