Informal Theme # 4.3 : Life and Death Choices

                  In a situation between life and death, you must always consider two important choices. A choice that can lead you to great success, but in this you need to sacrifice a lot; and another choice that may lead to downfall but can be the better decision because you may lose less. Considering these two options, what should you actually appoint? It's hard right? It's hard and very difficult for someone to choose something that he or she isn't sure of. Especially if the choices would be between your loved ones and responsibility. These kinds of situations were already conquered by the two most courageous heroic figures in the world, Aeneas of Aeneid and Hector of Iliad. 

                 

             In Book II of Aeneid, a war between Greeks and Trojans is occurring. It was the same night when Troy actually fell in the hands of the mighty Greeks. But before that happens, Aeneas decided to follow his instincts and immediately plan to go in another country. Of course, he will be going with his father Anchises, his son Ascanius , his wife Creusa and his fellow country men. But Creusa's feelings as a mother and a wife precede.She begs Aeneas to prioritize her and his son at the same time begs Anchises to come with them so that if something happens to Aeneas, Ascanius will still have a companion. She made sure that Aeneas will still consider his family first before anything else, no matter what happens. 

                     On the other hand, in the story of Iliad in Book VI, Hector is also preparing for a war happening in their land. Before his fight with Achilles, he went first to his wife, Andromache and his baby son Astyanax. There, Andromache pleads to Hector not to endanger his life anymore because Achilles have already killed her father and brothers. She doesn't have any companion anymore, and she was looking forward for his son's future. Hector felt his wife's concern, but he said that he must consider his responsibilities and duties as a fighter.Of course he was also thinking his son's future if he died in the battle, but a prince and solider like him must know his priorities. He must fight though he wasn't sure of the fate that  the Gods have given him.

                     The scenes of pleading between Aeneas and Creusa;  Hector and Andromache are both heart whelming. Both scenes implied the greatness of love you can give to your family especially the concerns of wives to their husbands. Creusa and Andromache both plead not only for their husbands' sake but also for their son's future. Every child needs a complete family to ensure their good future. And a mother always want what's best for their children.

                    But these two scenes also have differences. Like in Aeneid, Aeneas follow his wife's suggestions that says he must consider first his family. But unfortunately, Creusa's life led to death, but   still she gave a hint of what will happen to Aeneas' life. On the other hand, in Iliad, Hector followed his own instincts and point of view. He loved his family but for him, responsibilities and duty must take his priority. They will fight and die for honor of their home land. Soo afterthat, Hector died in the said battle. 

Informal Theme # 4.2: An Extreme journey towards a Sweet Victory

                  Hurting is permitted, lying is being implemented and killing is not a sin, just a  maledicted. One of the best examples of this kind of situation is the book by Virgil named Aeneid. Aeneid is all about war. War that started from Greeks and Trojans, war between Aeneas' life and self challenges until the war between Trojans and Rutulians which ended the story. In the course of the twelve books, uncountable death was recorded so the defeat and loss for both repelling forces. But in the end of the day, Aeneas still stand as strong as a lion but much stronger than what actually he was before. Why?  Well let's take a look on his journey way back from the start.

              Aeneas saw his home land being torn by the mighty Greeks. He know that he can defend his territory but he made a life and death decision that led him to flee from other country instead. In the middle of his journey, he opposed not only mortal enemies, ghosts and monsters but also the inevitable Gods of Olympus. He loss track of time, he seemed to waste a part of his life, he was one of the reasons why most of his countrymen died and worst of all, his decisions were always the one to blame whether they'll win or lose in a war. While trying to be the best leader, he can't hide his real feelings towards the consequences he had faced. His feelings towards the death of his first wife, Creusa, his father, Anchises, Pallas, an outstanding soldier that left mark to  every fighter and of course his fellow countrymen that have been part of what he gained in the end.   

                 Being competitive, hardworking, firm, fearless and intelligent are the key to his success. It was the best formula for a leader like Aeneas. That's why in the end, he won and led the victorious race of Romans, and his hard works have been paid by this prize. But as we all know, Aeneas really worked hard before he gained this kind of trophy. He never gave up, even through the obstacles, through some small defeats and even between the unexpected death of the people behind him. His victory is a sweet success. A big accomplishment for the life and death situations happened. He have seen his home turn into ashes, might be present when his loved ones died, he have been sliced and slashed an inch from death but what is important is that he received and gained an ultimate victory. 

Informal Theme # 4.1: The story behind his story

                   What would you feel if you see your home falling into ashes? How about your impression when you found out that your homeland is being destroyed? Would you mind if your mortal nemesis will take over your land, destroy your culture, kill your countrymen, and slowly abolish your entire being as a courageous fighter? I think everyone of us would surely be depressed, be destitute and some would surely gone insane. But Aeneas is an exception to this prediction. Why? Well let me tell you the story, behind his story.

                 In Book II of Aeneid, Aeneas tells the story of how Troy fell and was defeated by the mighty Greeks. He reminisce the story that happened ten years ago: Greeks and Trojans were between a very disastrous war that happened to be because of the love affair of Paris and Helen. One day, an enormous wooden horse came in front of the gate of the Trojans. A Greek named Sinon, said that he was left behind by his Greek army as a sacrifice for a bounteous journey. According to him, the wooden horse is a gift for Minerva (the goddess who protects the Greeks during the war). He said that if anything bad happens to it, Minerva will destroy the Troy by herself; but if the Trojans let it enter their city walls, then the goddess will be joining the Trojans' side. Because of this, the Trojans believe what Sinon said, letting the huge horse enter their territory. But what the Trojans don't know is that they were deceived by Sinon. While all the people were sleeping, the Greek fighters inside the horse's wooden belly went out and kill all the Trojans, who were mindlessly asleep. And because of that, the atrocious war continued. Due to lack of preparations, Troy fell in the hands of the intellectual Greeks. And as Aeneas tell this story to Dido, he can still feel the pain, affliction and sorrow he had feel ten years ago. 

                      Though I haven't been in the same situation as Aeneas, I can still feel all the distress, hatred and pain he had gained. I felt sympathy while I read that part because I can imagine the real happenings going on. How hard it is to abandon your own native land, to see your countrymen dying in uncivilized manner, and to be fooled by the treacherous Greeks. The way Greeks finished the lives Trojans is unfair. It was bigoted and the Greeks were culpable of doing it. For me, the Greeks should have fight properly. Without any of those nasty plans that kill almost all of the Trojans who weren't given the opportunity to fight for themselves. The Greeks should have fight accordingly. But what can I do? A war is a war. Deception and treachery wasn't as bad as killing. Rules were not being regulated.  And there's only one goal to be reached, and that is to win, in any way, and in any manner. 

Informal Theme # 3.5: Just Keep Smiling Mona Lisa

                              MONA LISA, a portrait made by a well known author named Leonardo DA Vinci, was acclaimed to be "the Best known, the Most Visited and the Most Written About" work of art in the world. It has been very controversial since it was made back in 1500. When you take a first look on this portrait, you may say that there's nothing really special about it. But as you continue to stare at it, you'll see how her magical picture tempts or I can say magnifies some stories behind.  Aside from her eyebrows, which have been said to be missing, her smile made an unconditional trick for the people looking at it.
                              Yes, her smile; an enigmatic, inscrutable, puzzling one. Her teeth were not seen, her gums were not visible, her lips were just curved in an unmannerly way, making her look like a fair lady smiling flimsy. How can you say that there's nothing really to bother about this tender expression? It wasn't a beam nor a laugh; it was just a soft simper that hides millions of ideas and driven hundreds of people crazy thinking about it. People talk about it often, telling different opinions, and evidences were scattered by means of  surveys, researches or special studies. But it seems natural that every time you look at Mona Lisa, you see something different from the others. Her smile was different in each angle and so her expression seemed to be unique. She was happy, angry or disgusted; we don't know! She meant to inspire, tempt or threat; no one knows! But me, myself have my own opinion

                              Her smile is creepy. In some ways it is mysteriously puzzling. For me, she seems to hide a secret that is as old as her. The truth is, her face seems unpredictable in every way, though her smile was still the same. An occult and cryptic expression. But, I also think that Da Vinci was just smart enough to make his portrait as unique at the same time admirable as this. Because this is the type of painting which will make its viewers think and enjoy. This is a portrait worth staring for. Cause I think even the world stops rotating, Mona Lisa will just keep on smiling.

Informal Theme # 3.4: A Priceless Day with the Bard of Avon

                I was almost sleepy as a hazy child, as hard to see as a long time blind. My head felt dizzy, my eyes wanted to cry, but still I'm not sure the reason why. You see that's how I feel when I read works of Shakespeare. I can't really understand where his words are coming? Aside from the fact, that he lived thousands of years ago, I can't think of any factor, why he wants to leave blood from my nose. I was really enjoying this enticing view of mine, especially this windy day where grasses sway by. I felt so comfortable reading under a maple tree, although I'm not sure if I really understand this book my hands are holding. I wish someone's here with me, someone who can explain this beautiful story. Who can also enjoy this fascinating scenery. Well honestly, I'm not expecting some dramatic entrance, but I felt uneasy when I saw a man walking towards my place. I guess he's in his forties, holding what I think is a notebook, but much older version and a quill. He's heading for the bench where I sit, and next second I just saw him sitting beside me. I think he looks familiar, his mustache and his hair, I really think I have seen him before.
                  And I guess I found the right guy to accompany me in this kind of day. How will I say this; I was astonished? stunned? I'm pretty sure no words can express my amazement. His eyes were full of stories, and time to time you can see his eye brows raise. The notebook was actually a scratch with these revealing words that look exactly the words in my book. And suddenly, I felt excited, cause finally, thousands of questions from my head will be answered. I was not yet able to absorb all the happiness, amazement and confusion at the same time; when he started to talk. His speech is something special, somewhat classical. The kind of man that can make you believe in what he's saying, whatever it is. I started to talk simultaneously, asking him like I was a bullet striking him. He was answering back, but seems in a different language, because of his classical accent. Then he saw the book I was holding, and he seemed much more amazed than I am. And that is when he started to tell his story, and the story behind his stories. I was really fond of listening to him, I can do it all day. Stories make me feel like escaping in the world where I am, and letting me wander around to the world full of impossible  things; and that is what he is making me feel. To wander and feel all the emotions you can imagine, like in his stories, poems and sonnets. Pain, love, happiness, magic, tragic and hundreds of more.  Somewhat, I think I  can see what he is imagining, I  can hear his voice telling his real purpose to the world, and I can feel what his stories meant, not only to me, but to thousands of generations waiting for him.
                        I understand him now, not only because I'm his number one fan. Though, I still get dizzy with his language, I think he really deserves to be the "Bard of Avon". I enjoyed this day, and thanks to Shakespeare. Now, I realized he was not just a poet, an author or a playwright. He was way too cool for being just the writer of the books and poems we're reading now. He was way too dignified, not compromised for he was much better than a boring person most of us know. He may not be a hero, may not been  president, may not been a politician, but I'm proud to say that William Shakespeare, one of my most cherished authors in the world, not only helped but made unmeasured progress in terms of literature and individual reflections in our lives. This day, I marked, is one of the most precious of all, a priceless day with Bard of Avon.

Informal Theme # 3.3: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here

                    I may not see yet the Inferno Dante described, nor felt the unconditional and eerie chill when this  pit opens up. How could I say this properly, I have no clue, I haven't been in hell but I feel like something is not new. Every person in this planet has his/her own hatreds, malevolent plans towards others or things, dislikes and beastly form. Each of us had done uncountable wrong decisions thus, letting us gain more sin and be overthrown towards deeper parts of the hell. And when I say sins, it means the sins and wrong deeds we have done either its huge or just a simple sin we did even in school or as a student.            

                         During school years or I can say, our "teenage crazy years", we have experienced all the funniest,  most enjoying and even worst deeds that we could ever do. And because of our unstable hormones as teens, our sins got larger and larger. I can say that there's only a foot distance between our tween crimes and the Seven Top Sins. And as a student, I have my own 7 circles of Violations in school.                                                            

                          Imagine you yourself is inside the hell, but this time it's my own version of Inferno. Let's start at the lowest part of the Major Circles of my School Violations which is my own Attitude Swings. I gained this sin because of being short tempered and always irritated, then suddenly, my mood will just changed to something that is the most opposite of the first. I assume my friends and fellow schoolmates  think that I' m out of my mind and that sometimes they say unnecessary things to me. At the sixth circle, I think  it is Anger. I'm always angry because of being the treasurer in the class and  I'm always frowning to my classmates and yelling to them. Because of this, I think that most of the people in the class also get mad to me easily. I admit that it is hard for me to to not be angry, but I'll do my best to loose this bad habit.  Being Over- Acting will be my sin at the fifth circle. Most of the times, I react very inappropriate. In other words I am OA. It is not good to see a girl like me to act that way I suppose. On the fourth circle, I think Laziness. I always got lazy all the time, thus, sometimes my project and assignments were not done in school. And because of this, my grades got lower and most of the times it affect me not only in school but also in our own house, making my parents angry to me.                 

                           Third circle, being so much talkative. Talking is not a sin, because God gave you a mouth to tell the truth and say what you need to share, but being so talkative is not that good. Sometimes I say some things to my fellow classmates that aren't suppose to be revealed. And I suppose it's a sin. That's why sometimes I get included to some misunderstanding because of being talkative. Cheating will be a sin in my second circle. Aye, even though I know the answer, I still cheat and look at my classmates's assignment. Sometimes I'm not even letting my parent sign my assignments because my notebook is still empty. Unlike the past few years that I won't go to school until I'm done with all of my home works. Because of this, some of the teachers got angry and scold us. My grades also got lower and sometimes I don't know what to do when it comes to the actual quiz and exercises. And last but the worst, the first circle will be all about not believing in yourself. I'm a negative thinker and I always make my self down. I'm not believing in my own instincts and not actually realizing my own abilities. Because of this, I count on someone else's answers, I don't accept my own decisions and most of all, I am not confident. Thus, most of the times I don't get what I want, and I can't achieve what I need. I don't believe in myself  so how can others trust me either? I think, that's my biggest problem. I need to be myself and be me.                         

                                So now, you have read my own Inferno. As you can see, each sin has its own consequences that you need to face. I hope all who read this, will also realize their own. So, if some of them reflect their own teenage sins like mine, they can do better and not do the same like what I did. I know that all people has their own little evil space between their minds, that's why they can commit a wrong deed. I just hope that people, as early age as mine, can realize their sins and do something about it. Always ask for God's guidance because only He can save us from all those things we have done wrong.

Informal Theme # 3.1: A Letter for Him

Dear Jehiel,

                        First impression lasts, but not all impressions stand as wrong as the first. You know why? Because if you ask me to describe you back when I first met you, I’d say you are an irresponsible and childish guy. I was really mad at you because you made our survey project miserable, but as I was saying, you cannot judge a person by just meeting him for the first time.

                          Things are apparently unpredictable. The way our friendship grew, seem much more reliable. Believe me, I don’t know what to say. But unless now you know, you’re one of the inspirations of my day. Your kindness to everyone, smiles that you offer to anyone. Those simple corny jokes and lively laughter seem to unease the tension and sadness. You are different to any guys. Your thoughts and actions seem always nice. The way you gesture and try to be polite, that’s the reason you have friends at your side. I never saw you fight, nor talk in unmannerly way. And the way you try to listen to anyone’s story without getting bored, it seems to be a very reassuring talent only special persons like you, have.

                            Well, at least now my feelings were revealed. I hope you’ll always be the same, as jolly and as understanding as ever. I hope our friendship lasts, like the memories we’ve got. And I’ll be hoping that you’ll still be the Jehiel  that I know, a man who never stop making me smile. J J J

                                             From your friend,

                                           Angel