The Little Big Improvements from Exercising

Many of us today are exercising for good health. We exercise to improve our breathing, to increase our endurance and to achieve those six-pack abs that will have everyone going crazy over us. It's a noble thing, to exercise for the sake of our health. But sometimes, we don't notice the improvements that we gain from exercising. At first, you think that after exercising for weeks you don't see the belly you have shrink to a considerable size. You think that your efforts were nothing but a waste.

But you shouldn't just look at how it changes you physically outside. You have to see how it changes you physically inside. The improvements begins there. Exercising changes the way our body adapts to an ever-changing environment. When you don't exercise, climbing stairs has you breathing hard and your legs hurting.
But when you exercise, you'll notice how easy it becomes in climbing stairs. When you don't exercise, running around with kids or friends will have you winded. But when you exercise, you can catch them faster than the road runner.

Exercising also helps improve your sleeping, your thinking, your flexibility and everything else. You have to look at it from a different point of view. It isn't just for that hunky body type you want.While you may see that you don't look like a model, you will feel like a model.

Even the Buddha-looking guy is fitter than a scrawny nerdy guy. So keep on exercising and eventually, you'll have that model body you've been looking for. The greatest and fittest people of the world are above 50 years old. So what are you waiting? Get running already!

The Philippines is Beautiful! - Last Entry/Thesis

The Philippines is Beautiful

I. Introduction
Through the many years of history, the Philippines has become one of the well-known countries around the world. With its historic landmarks and natural resources, you would be saying the Philippines is Beautiful! But why is it beautiful? 

         A. Pearl of the Orient
During the Spanish colonial period Graciano Lopez Jaena, a Filipino propagandist, praised the Philippines by calling it "Pearl of the Orient". He called it so because he admired the beauty of the country as a whole. Long before the colonial period, the Philippines and other Asian countries were known collectively as countries of the "Orient" or what we know now as Asia. Many European countries had desires to venture to the Orient because of the stories of how the natural resources and goods obtained in these countries were exceptional. To say Philippines is the "Pearl" of the Orient shows that the Philippines stands out among the rest. 

        B. Sea Region

The Philippines has sea regions, all contained in the Philippine Sea, which is a marginal sea north and east of the Philippines. It has a complex and undersea relief, which means that some floors of the sea have risen due to geographical faults. Due some of this, islands are formed. 

The Philippine hosts an exotic marine ecosystem, About five hundred species of hard and soft corals occur in the coastal waters and 20 per cent of the worldwide known shellfish species are found in Philippine waters. Sea turtles, sharks, moray eels, octopuses and sea snakes along with numerous species of fish such as tuna can commonly be observed. Additionally, the Philippine Sea serves as spawning ground for Japanese eel, tuna and different whale species.

II. Because of its geographical features

        A. Land Features 


1. Sierra Madre
The Philippines has mountainous regions. But let's stick with one mountain that might be our own little Great Wall of China: Sierra Madre. Sierra Madre is known to have the longest continuous mountain range in the country. It starts from the town of Baler in the eastern part of the Quezon Province, and crosses the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Quezon. Can't picture that? Here's a map to show you:

Now that is our own Great Wall of China. Maybe we can build a wall too? 


         B. Bodies of Water


1. Boracay
Ah, yes, Boracay. It's the Philippines' celebrities' favorite beach spot. Boracay is, undeniably, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. Many natives and foreigners come and go to relax and unwind in the alluring sands of joy. 

Who wouldn't want to lie down in these spots all day?



Besides the beautiful beaches, Boracay has two seasonal patterns,  known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west. The indicator of seasonal changes is the direction of wind. The changes can sometimes be abrupt and sometimes be detected. The changes vary and may not be the same from the previous years. 


III. Because of its people


       A. "Average beautiful" 
Why are the people of the Philippines averagely beautiful? Because you have to look at the physical genes of the average Filipino. Long before the colonial settlements, the Filipinos were not tall, handsome and beautiful. The Filipinos' physical features were average. They had average noses, not big or not small. They had brown skin color, which unlike today have a much lighter color. They had an average height of 4 feet to 5 feet. But when colonial settlements happened in the country, the Filipino experienced changes in their physical structures. This was more felt in the American period, when the Americans altered the Filipino diet. With more nutrients in their bodies, the Filipinos had changed their physical looks. But they still retained an average look until now, but it's averagely beautiful. 


    B. Hospitable People


1. Tourists
Filipinos are known to be hospitable people. They always welcome people, whether they are strangers or friends, in their homes. This is felt by tourists the most who come to the Philippines. The Filipinos do their best to let the tourists feel happy, contented and comfortable. Filipino hospitality is unequaled and known the world over. 


IV. Because of its culture


    A. Tradition


1. Melting pot of mixed inheritance


The Philippine has a diverse culture and a melting pot of mixed inheritance. This goes way back in the pre-colonial period, when the first Filipinos had the early forms of society and social customs. They had their own alphabets and ways of communication. It gradually evolved when other countries outside the Philippines traded with the country. The Muslims, the Chinese and other countries had influenced the culture and everything else, such as our alphabet and our customs. When the Spaniards colonized the country, the Philippines gained even more influence in their culture and from there on, the Philippines continued to have mixed inheritance of different cultures. 


     B. Rituals


1. Fiestas
Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint (the Philippines is the only majority-Christian country in Southeast Asia) or to mark the passage of the seasons, depending on which part of the country you're in. The origin of fiestas go way back in the 1500's, before the Spaniards colonized the Philippines. In the old culture, fiestas were a way of pleasing their gods. So they made offerings to gods for luck and prosperity. They were many varieties of fiestas, such as tribes dancing and tribes whipping themselves repeatedly until they bled. They had different meanings according to what tribe they were in. These had gradually evolved into the fiestas we know today. 

V. Conclusion

   

    A. Summary

The Philippines is a very dynamic and complex country because of the land features, the sea regions, the people, the culture, and the history revolving around it. Like any other country, there is a world to explore in the Philippines. Whether you're frolicking in the sands of Boracay, trekking the Sierra Madre or enjoying that yummy puto you got from your Filipino host, we can conclude and say with a smile of enlightenment the Philippines is beautiful. 

Miguel Marfori: The Fix Up - 10th Entry

I'm going to look at myself and assess my positive and negative traits. It's a requirement for English. Although I'm going to keep it simple and short because I don't want people knocking on my door asking me if I'm really like this or like that. I want to keep myself small even in the cyber world. Here goes.

My positive traits are: I'm an ambivert, which means I'm part introvert and part extrovert. I can spend time with friends, and spend time with myself. I can read books and I can play arcade with my friends. I'm kind, generous, sweet, assertive, positive, confident, happy-go-lucky, helpful, open-minded and supportive. 

My negative traits, on the other hand, are: I can be very noisy sometimes. I laugh crazily. I sometimes joke too much. I sometimes make fun of people without being aware I'm hurting them. I'm clumsy and forgetful sometimes. I make mistakes. I sometimes procrastinate. I sometimes don't control my emotions when I get very angry or get very sad. I focus on one task for so long that when someone disturbs me, I get angry. I'm not so good at multitasking certain things. 

These are the traits I have as of now. But do I have intentions in fixing myself up? Of course. I am fully aware of them and I do my best to improve myself every single day, because it is my daily resolution. 

The Issue with Teaching English - 9th Entry

Being an native English speaker, I know it's important and valuable to become proficient in the English language. It is a necessity and an obligation for all of us. We need it in order to succeed in work, life and all areas of life.

We would be in difficult circumstances if we can't speak and write in English.

But I do have an issue how English is being taught to Filipinos. It is being taught for academics, not for life. 

Why do I see this as an issue? First, I haven't seen that many Filipinos adapt what they have learned in English to their lives. I know they can do well during class but when they're thrust into the real world, they suddenly forget what they were taught. The change here would be to have students use it even outside of the classroom. English must be used frequently for students to retain the lessons.They only use it as an obligation for school but never something to apply in life. Second, the methods of teaching English isn't dynamic and interesting enough to keep the students engaged. The students cannot learn well if all they do is routines, which is boring. That is why schools should have new ways of teaching English. An example would be to have challenges, such as using English to communicate what they want to say without feeling scared or shy. And lastly, there is no discipline when teaching English. The way English is taught here in the country is not sufficient enough to keep students engaged. Without discipline, it is difficult to make changes in teaching English. That is why teachers must instill discipline to keep students in line.

In short, English must be taught not just for academics, but for life as well. It must not be bound inside the classroom. This is the only way we can enrich the language and keep it for life. 

Academic Success - 8th Entry

Academic success is one of the things that many students want to achieve. It is that sweet feeling of passing all your subjects, gaining grades that induce jealousy and the right to boast with pride. It is the one thing your parents, your relatives, your close friends and you, yourself, want to see. But what are the causes that lead to academic success? 

One possible cause is an adjustment in attitude. It could be the student had a change of heart or he suddenly gained intellect. But whatever the change, having a change in attitude can lead to academic success. Another possible cause is the implementation of time management. Most students nowadays have difficulty managing their time for all their subjects. It's a hassle to prepare for a party night when the student find outs  he has 100-page Biology test coming up. But by implementing time management, the student has a clear view of how to use his time. He can balance the activities he does on a daily basis and set his priorities. Another possible cause for academic success is the competitive spirit in himself. This is related to the "adjustment in attitude". Students who strive for academic success are the A-type students, who strive for the best in everything. This instills a competitive attitude that gives them the drive to go for success. 

Now we know what causes academic success. But how about the effects of academic success?

One effect is the overall confidence in the student. Because he has achieved the academic success, it boosts his confidence. He believes more in himself. Another effect is how his peers will respond to it. It's either they will shun him or they will praise him. They may also be inspired by his success and be motivated to drive towards success as well. Another effect is the improvement in knowledge. The student becomes more knowledgeable about things in life because now that he has confidence and inspiration, he is able to gain more knowledgeable with his open mind.

In short, these are the causes and effects of academic success. We may not be like the student illustrated here in this article but we can mimic his ways of driving towards success and gain our own individual academic success. Study hard, play hard and have fun! 

The X Factor vs. American Idol - 7th Entry

Simon Cowell's The X Factor premiered on Studio 23 a few weeks ago. It was originally a British TV Show where he was also one of the judges and now he decided to bring it to America, as a way of competing against American Idol. I watched a few episodes and here's how it compares to American Idol, America's equivalent to The X Factor.

From the first few episodes, it already had potential and excitement oozing from the auditions. Unlike American Idol where the contestant was faced by the judges, in X Factor the contestant is now faced by not just the judges but also the audiences. This gives the contestant the chance to charm the audience and judges. To truly see how talented and charming a singer is, she or he has to prove that she or he has the X Factor. They may be good in auditioning but are they good with the crowd? This is one good point.

Another good point is the diversity of contestants. In American Idol, you had only contestants who were appealing to the youth. They never went below 17, and never went above to 30 years old. But in X Factor, they have contestants who are the ages of 14 and 42. They also have contestants who are moms, couples, dads and others who you thought didn't have the potential but after they sing, they have that X Factor everyone is looking for.

Another good point is the panel of judges. It's great to see Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul judge again. In contrast with American Idol, whose judges are not quite as good as the original, The X Factor brings back that fire, that thrill of seeing them judge again. It's also nice to see them argue once in a while, since that's also part of their chemistry. It's a nice change as well to have the new judges L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger join them. It gives the show a nice touch.

But there are also some parts of X Factor that can go a little bit over the top. In American Idol, the craziness of contestants is kept to the minimum. But in X Factor, there was one contestant who really took the X in X Factor to new heights. While he was singing his song, he intently unhooked his belt and exposed himself to the crowd. He was swinging his **** around and he got booed out. Paula was disgusted and she had to go to bathroom because she was sickened by the sight. Maybe the producers should have kept that out. Kids are watching the show too.

 The drama among judges, while it does give it some oomph, can sometimes be nothing but attention-getters that are not always needed to keep the show going. In American Idol, the drama wasn't always over-the-top. But in X Factor, the drama can be too much to handle that the show loses focus on what it's suppose to broadcast.

But both shows, when compared to each other, have similar goals: That is to entertain people and seek out who is the one that deserves to win. There are many talented people out there and both shows are in line to find out who is the most unique among all of them.

But overall, comparing and contrasting, both shows are in a fierce competition. But from my opinion, The X Factor has a potential to outclass American Idol. But we can't close the door on American Idol just yet. We'll see as the weeks and months go by.

Pablo Picasso - 6th Entry

I recently read on a book about Pablo Picasso, the artist who defied the conventions of art and made his place in the world of art. He was truly a genius and a visionary of his time. This is my assessment of him.
Picasso didn't go for the style he was popularly known for at first, because he actually did the conventional style of painters when he was still young. His family encouraged him to do painting and thanks to that, he nurtured his interest in painting and started to make paintings that conveyed what he had seen in childhood. This for me was a  good thing because what he draws in childhood conveyed a sense of happiness. When he becomes an adult, he suddenly and abruptly stops doing conventions and begins to create a style that upsets many of his followers and family. This is where his individualism develops. From here, I think it was a surprise for me but at the same time a  great development in his life because he creates the style he is most known for: Cubism. This is where it ignores the conventional form and conveys the mood or emotion of the situation or person he is trying to create. From here, his works go back and forth the convention and the unconventional but ultimately, he sticks to his style more often to create very thought-provoking pieces of art that you can't help but admire. In later years, even as he becomes old, his works never suffer from old age. He still works like that of a 20 year old. And so, I can say after reading about him, Pablo Picasso is the one of the great artists who defied the conventions of art and made his place in the world of art. He is unforgettable. 

Tuna Sandwich with Egg & Tomatoes - 5th Entry

When you're done exercising, all you'll ever think of is: FOOD. You have to refuel your body or all that effort in eliminating the excess fat in your body will be a waste. Luckily, we got a quick recipe for a snack that will sure whet your appetite and supply your body with the necessary nutrients to keep your metabolism running.

Let's make The Tuna Sandwich with Egg & Tomatoes! 

You'll need to prepare: 

1 can of Century Tuna 

2 slices of Gardenia Wheat Bread
1 egg
1 tomato
1 can opener
1 bowl
1 pan & spatula
1 plate

Let's begin in making the yummy treat. First, open the Century Tuna can with the can opener and drain the water out. Second, get your bowl and put the tuna in it. Third, get your pan and heat it up for a few seconds and spread cooking oil on it. Fourth, crack the egg and spread it on the pan and cook it well. Fifth, put the egg on the plate. Then get the tomato and slice into small pieces. Put it alongside the egg. Sixth, take the 2 slices of bread and put them on the plate. Get a spoon and spread the tuna evenly on the first slice of bread. Seventh, stack the egg and tomatoes on the tuna and put the second slice of bread. Lastly, enjoy your sandwich!

You've just done the delicious treat. You can also add mayo or mustard to add some zing into it.
When you're in need of fuel, get the Tuna Sandwich with Egg & Tomatoes! 

Paul Arden: The Eccentric Advertiser - 4th Entry

In the advertising world, ideas come and go. Whether it's an ad about flying cars, or an ad about chasing your dreams, advertisement ideas keep flying by to the view of the consumer to see what piques their interest and what they can do in helping businesses. Sometimes, ads are exceptional;  some are good; and some are just bad.But through the sea of ideas, there are ads that catch your eye and makes you wonder: How did he do that? One man who can give those kind of ads is Paul Arden, The Eccentric Advertiser. I discovered him 2 years ago, when I stumbled upon his book in a bookstore.


Who is Paul Arden? He was an eccentric advertiser with a keen eye for the unique and different. He worked as a creative director for Saatchi & Saatchi, an advertisement firm in London for 14 years. He had launched a slew of campaigns that propelled the clients involved to better sales and popularity, such as Toyota Cars, Fuji, The Independent (a newspaper line in London) and many others. He was also an author of books that had quotes and lessons about not just advertising but also about success in any chosen profession. The books derived away from typical topics of self-help and instead had unique topics that were not casual when read.


"Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite"

So why do I believe he's outstanding? Because: First, he has a very eccentric but unique look at advertising. Whenever he's coming up with an idea for an ad, he doesn't do it in the conventional way as most advertisers would do. He always goes for the wrong approach. He goes for the way that no one else does. He'll make mistakes, he'll make people mad but in the end, the result astonishes people. Second, he is very fond of thought-provoking lessons that somehow apply to life. His first two books, It's Not How Good You Are But How Good You Want To Be  and Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite are filled with advice that might make you question him but give an impact on how you view life. Some of the quotes that really intrigue and amaze me:

"If you want to be interesting, be interested"
"It's right to be wrong"
"Your vision of where or who you want to be is the greatest asset that you can have"
"Fail, Fail Again. Fail Better - Samuel Beckett "
"Do it, then fix it as you go"
"Don't be afraid of silly ideas"
"If you get stuck, draw with a different pen"


Third, his success with his clients truly fascinate me. It's hard to explain how he can come up with some of the best ads that encapsulate what the company is all about. One of the ads I liked was for the British newspaper The Independent:


IT IS - ARE YOU? http://www.adslogans.co.uk/site/media/.gallery/main8405.jpg

This ad alone shows his great skill. How did he come up with that? It just shows the newspaper and the line. But you can see that it he only made simple text with a powerful promotion.  And fourth, he is an inspiration for the rebellious and the unique. He doesn't conform to the standard and always praises those who are non-conformists. He is an individual and never looks back. He encourages everyone from a person who left school to managers to just about anyone to become the best in their field.

It isn't just advertising; he is an amazing individual and he inspires me to embrace myself. His personality, his intellect and his skills show just how good he was in his craft. In short, this is why I think Paul Arden is outstanding. 

Ubiquitous - 3rd Entry

The word "ubiquitous" means existing or being everywhere at the same time; widespread. 
It is derived from the Latin words  ubique (“everywhere”) and ubi (“where”). This word belongs to the adjective class of words. What differentiates this word from other adjectives is it's an expression. You're describing someone or something that is everywhere. The origin of ubiquitous comes from ubiquity, first used in 1830, which means the presence everywhere or in many places simultaneously.
An example of using the word can be used this way: "Ever since Steve Jobs introduced that product of his, the iPhone is a ubiquitous trend nowadays." Here is another example: "No matter what you do or say, war will always be ubiquitous". In short, if you feel you keep seeing something or someone everywhere all at the same time, you can say that person or thing is ubiquitous!

My Crazy Camp Experience - 2nd Entry

Back in high school, during my third year, I went to school camping along with my other classmates somewhere in the province of Laguna. It was required for clearance so I couldn't avoid it even if I wanted to. After preparing all of our stuff at the school gym, we set out at around 5am and headed out. We were staying at the province, I think for 1 or 2 days. This would be the start of My Crazy Camp Experience. 

During the first day, we did the usual drills. We did push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and other exercises typical for students in camping. Then we did some crazy activities, like rope jumping from a tower. It was fun and exhilarating  Afterwards, we all some good snacks to keep ourselves fueled up for the next long hours of torture and fun. During the rest of the day, we did some drills on how to use bamboo for survival, some drills on making fire and some drills on discipline. It went from being fun to being torturous. 

When night came, we had a presentation. It was for fun, to keep our minds off the torture we endured during the day. We had at least 4 or 5 groups. We were the last one group to present. I can't fully remember what our routine was but what I do remember was falling down on my knees after the routine. I scarred my knees, causing a big tear on my right knee. It was bleeding and I had to put a bandage it. Even worse; my belt buckle broke too and I was forced to use my jacket as a substitute belt all the way. I had to tigthen every now and then because if I had just let it be, everyone would be seeing my butt. Now who would want to see the full moon? 

When it was it sleeping time, we heard one of our superiors call out and say we were going to the mountains. In my mind, I said "WHAT? Is that superior nuts? What in the world are we going to do in the mountains? Hunt deers?". She said we were going to sleep in the mountains. We were shocked. It was a shame that we put up all the tents for nothing. It was a waste. But we went on without further complaining. It was 11pm when we started the climb and we arrived at the end point at 1am. We all laid our beds along the mountain path we walked and we slept afterwards. It was not a comfortable sleep, I tell you. I really hated sleeping there. Add to the fact I didn't have enough water to keep myself hydrated. I had to make do with what I got to survive the horror. 

I was awaken by the shouting of another superior. I checked my watch and saw it was 5am. I said to myself, "Huh? I slept for just 4 hours?!" This was truly crazy for me. But I tread on even if my mind was sprouting anger. After getting our stuff, the superior informed us we were going back to our camp to eat breakfast. We were excited for that. Then, another problem came. While I was walking with my friends back to camp, I felt something peel off on my foot. More like, I felt something peel off on my both my feet. I looked down and I was appalled. Both the sole of my pair of shoes peeled off! It flapped in and out, in and out when I walked. The worst part is, the ground was rough and rocky. It hurt my feet when I stepped on the ground so I had to walk slowly without letting my soles flap. I didn't even have any slippers to wear. Finally, we arrived at camp and ate our wholeheartedly meal.  

After we ate our breakfast, we were informed by our superior we were heading out to a resort a few kilometers from camp. It was our relaxation time but we had to tread through a cave and a river, with rocks on the way. I still had to keep my "belt" on and to keep my soles from flapping. My classmates and I moved out from camp and we did a walking trip for 2-3 hours to get to the resort. It was a challenge for me since I was concerned about my pants falling off and my shoes breaking apart. But thanks to my perseverance and determination, I made it through. We all got to the resort and we relaxed. We ate lunch, swam in the pools and enjoyed ourselves. 

After enjoying our time in the resort, we all went back to camp. Thankfully, we had a bus waiting for us. 

We were driven back to camp and it was time to go home. We packed our stuff in the bus. But before we could go back, we had to wash our dishes. What?! We went through all that torturous circumstances just to wash dishes? But we still did what we were told. After washing the dishes, we all went to the bus and headed back to school.

Looking back, it was a truly an experience to behold. But I'm not too keen on doing something like that again. I'm not going to sleep below the required hours of sleep or wear my jacket as a belt. If I am going camping, I'll do it my way, not their way. But at least I went through to know, this was My Crazy Camp Experience

My Grandfather's Determination for Fitness - First Entry

For many years, my grandfather in Australia was not always enthusiastic about working out or doing some cardio to keep himself fit. My father and I tried ways to inspire him but it didn't work. He was always happy about his shape but deep down, I think he knew he had to do something to get back in shape. Then several months ago, something happened that up to this day, still amazes me. 

My grandfather bought a phone that my dad asked to buy for him because the phone was not available in the Philippines. He told my dad he would send it in a few days because he needed to gather money for packaging fees. While waiting for the day, my grandfather used the phone for a while. He discovered a pedometer while he was using the phone. He was curious about it and decided to test it out. He walked around all day and when he looked at the pedometer, he was amazed at the distance he walked. He couldn't believe it himself; he walked a distance not many people his age could walk. It gave him a boost of confidence. So the next day, he tried it out again and went beyond the distance he walked the previous day. This went on for days and eventually, walking became his daily routine.

My dad and I thought my grandfather would stop when he sent the phone, but no, he kept on going. 

He became strong in every walk he did. It wasn't just walking that improved; his diet, his sleeping and his overall health had improved.  It was amazing to see how purchasing a phone and trying out the pedometer would lead my grandfather to attain the goal of being fit.  I was impressed by my grandfather's determination for fitness. He showed me that even an old man like himself can still have a chance in becoming fit. 

Miguel's Bio-Sketch

I am Miguel Anton R. Marfori. I'm 19 years old and currently studying in Far Eastern University Manila.
My course is Financial Management, and my college is the Institute of Arts, Business and Finance (IABF). People call me Migz or Marfori or Miguel. Call me however you want, just don't call me Migzy (It's a long story).

One of my hobbies as of now is studying Japanese language. My interest in the language dates back to my younger years, when I started watching anime (cartoons in Japan) . My first anime was Dragon Ball Z. I didn't really understand much of the story but I was hooked on the show because of its fantasy setting and the way the characters moved , unlike other cartoons during that time. I moved on to other anime, from Yu Yu Hakusho (or Ghost Fighter, as its known in the Philippines), Naruto and many others. The anime was drastically different from American and Filipino cartoons. There was something dynamic about them and it showed a bit of Japan in every way. As I watched more and more anime, I became interested in everything Japan had to offer. Along with watching anime, I also got into reading manga (comics in Japan) and they were just as good as watching anime. The art styles, the story, the characters and the variety kept my interest and until now, I read manga every week.

My interest in the Japanese language also extends to video games. I liked Japan's ingenuity and creativity when it comes to their video games. Some of them are weird, some of them are plain silly, and some can make people say "are you REALLY playing this Miguel?". And along with this I also got interested in learning about the country and everything about it.

Because of these developments, my interests in Japanese led me to start studying the language last December. I motivated myself to study it, not to be cool or to be popular, because it is a self-interest. I really just like it.
I might even plan on living there too but it's only a thought. We'll see what happens when I graduate college.
But I think what drew me more into studying the Japanese language besides motivation was the fun and uniqueness of it. Or maybe because it keeps my brain active. Whatever the reason was, learning the language is a benefit to me.

Since starting my studies, I am able to assess my level of proficiency in the Japanese language. First, I have become proficient in writing with the first two systems: Hiragana (the natural Japanese writing system) and Katakana (the Japanese writing system for foreign words and slang). Second, I have learned 80 of the 2,000+ kanji studied in the country, which to some is a hard feat considering that many of the kanji (Chinese characters used by the Japanese) have multiple meanings and readings. Third, I have learned some of the basic greetings, such as "Sumimasen" (Excuse me), "Ohayou Gozaimasu" (Good morning), and "Ogenki desu ka" (How are you?). Fourth, I have learned some ways Japanese do their everyday tasks, like how to order in a restaurant and how to introduce people in a party. Overall, I still have a lot to learn.

People are amazed I study the Japanese language. They wonder how I'm able to fit it in my everyday time, and how I can remember so many letters and words. Even I find it amazing myself. Every time I see some words used in Hiragana or in Katakana, I can't help but read them. It helps me to remember what I learned.
And I teach a few people in life what I've learned.

And so this is why one of my hobbies is studying the Japanese language.

ありがとう for reading!