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!