Reactions To "Desiderata" Poem by Max Ehrmann

            With a little introduction. ‘Desiderata”, w/c translates from the Latin word ‘things to be desired’ is a poem by the American writer Max Ehrmann in 1927.
        "Desiderata" seems to all appeal. The poor and the rich, everyone seem to love the poem.  Maybe because "Desiderata" gives many different ways to live a positive life. Getting through life circumstances is one hard challenge for each and everyone of us. And in the poem "Desiderata", its message is how to deal with problems and circumstances in our life. Being a better person is another message of the poem. After reading the poem for several times, I've had an idea on how to deal with myself and to others. In the poem, we are talking about a real life story. You could get some ideas on the poem that you can apply and use it to have an enjoyable and happy life. And a happy life is what everybody wants, a life free from problems and constraints. 
            "Avoid loud and aggressive partners, they are vexations to the spirit" - this is a very good line of the poem. By doing these, people like me tend to be more calm and peaceful. With people who are noisy and aggressive, we easily lose focus and get distracted on what we are doing. In life, focus is a very important key in pursuing our goals in life. "If you compare yourself to others, you will become vain and bitter" - this is my favorite part of the poem. It is important to appreciate life. People should not compete with others. Trying to compete with others will just make life harder for yourself. You will never have acceptance in yourself and it is possible to gain enemies by comparing yourself to others.
            And last but not the least is to be at peace with God for it is the most important of all. God is the reason for everything and it is essential to love Him than everything else in the world. Because with God, nothing can stop you in pursuing your dreams and peace will reign in your heart. 
This poem "Desiderata" is one of the greatest poems I've ever read for it appeals in every angles of our life. It is important to keep it in mind and in our hearts and apply it in our everyday life for us to have a peaceful and happy life. 

A Letter to Mother Earth/Nature as a Proponent of Environmental Awareness and Responsibility

                                                                                                                1 Tecson St., San Jose,
                                                                                                                 San Miguel, Bulacan 3011
                                                                                                                 Philippines
                                                                                                                 November 2012

Dear Mother Earth,
                 With no more further ado, here I am, writing this letter as part of the people that lives on you, saying that we thank you for all the uncountable things that you have shared and given us. And also at the same time, we are sorry for all the inhuman things that we've done on you, We know that apologizing won't correct all the mistakes and that it will take a lifetime to repay you. And here we are, asking for your forgiveness, and maybe someday we will realize our mistakes, the bad things we've done on you and all of your sacrifices on us.
                 We humans are careless. Not knowing that you are the reason for all of the things that kept us alive. We are selfish. We took advantage on you and yet we do nothing to love you back as much as you love as. We are ignorant, people continue to pursue technology that would make life easier for humans to live without considering your conditions. You, our one and only Mother Earth, are the reason we humans are alive and we humans are now the reason you are facing danger.
                 We promise to you, Mother Earth that we will start a new beginning, we'll make a change from each and every one of us so that you could live longer and share happy moments to those who love you.


                                                                                                                     Sincerely yours,
                                                                                                                     Jose Meliton D. Blas                                      

Public Storm Warning Signals

• I learned that Public Storm Warning Signals are levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone, storm or hurricane. 
• I want to know more what to expect from each of the signals given, what conditions and what are the possible precautionary measures to do during each signal.
• I appreciate the fact that these signals are invented in order to observe safety and to avoid danger. These signals must be followed by citizens. But discipline is still the bet thing to do. We do not have to wait for these signals for us to prepare. 
• I can apply my learning about the Public Storm Warning Signals in my everyday life. For example, a student asks me about this public storm warning signals, I could easily answer the query based on the limited knowledge I gained about this topic.

Fujiwhara Effect

• I learned that Fujiwhara Effect is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other. The two vortices will be attracted to each other, and eventually spiral into the center point and merge. 

• I want to know more about the origin of this phenomenon. And I found out that 'Fujiwhara effect' is named after Dr. Fujiwhara of Japan who performed a series of experiments and observations on water vortices from 1921 to 1923. The vortices would rotate cyclonically about an axis connecting their centres. The two vortices also had a tendency to approach each other and then merge together.

• I appreciate the fact that this effect contributes a lot to the weather system of the Philippines, but it also has its benefits.

• I can apply my learning about Fujiwhara Effect in my eveyday life. For example, a student asks me about it, I could easily answer the question with some limited knowledge I gained about this topic. 

Tropical Cyclone

• I learned that a tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in the moist air.

• I want to know more about its structure. And I found out that there are 3 main parts: the eye, the eyewall and the spiral bands. The eye w/s is circular in shape and the center of the structure ranging from 3 km to 370 km in diameter. The eyewall separates the eye from the spiral bands. The spiral bands are merely the component of the cyclone. It produces heavy rains and thunderstorms.

• I appreciate the fact that the word typhoon, which is used today in the Northwest Pacific, may be derived from ,Hindi/Urdu Persian and Arabic, which in turn originates from Greek Typhon, a monster from Greek mythology associated with storms.

• I can apply my learning about the tropical cyclone in my everyday life. For example, a younger student asks me about it. I could easily answr him/her with some limited knowledge I gained about his topic.

Tail End of a Cold Front

• I learned that the tail end of a cold front is the boundary of two large air masses that is found in mid-latitudes. It is also defined as the later portion of an advancing or leading edge of a large and cold air mass.It causes too much rainfall and cloudiness over affected areas.
• I want to know more about effects of these phenomenon on our daily lives. This phenomenon results on heavy and continuous rain showers, strong winds and thick clouds that envelops the land during a cold front. Too much rain can cause land and mudslides to other places.
• I appreciate the fact that a tail end of a cold front is called a tail end of a cold front not instead of a cold back is due to the reason that the tail end of a cold front is the back edge of the frontal boundary, not the back of the air mass itself.
• I can apply my learning about the tail end of a cold front on my daily life. I can now say that there is a cold front and I can prepare myself and my family in case of emergency.
  

Monsoons

• I learned that a monsoon is defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation. And there are 2 types of monsoon: the South-west or Habagat that brings rainfall and the North-east monsoon or Amihan that brings a cold climate.
• I want to know more about the duration of these monsoons in our country. And I found out that Habagat visits our country during the months of June to November and Amihan visits our country during the months of December to February.
• I appreciate the fact that the North-east monsoon is the only weather phenomenon that is not as dangerous as the others. In fact, we feel comfortable during the months of December, January and February for it is a cold climate.
• I can apply my learning about the different monsoons in the Philippines by proudly sharing it onto others who need the information.