A Peek Into My Life

I realized that you guys probably don't know about who I am, what I'm doing and what exactly is this blog for.

Hahahaha!!! Sorry for withholding information. :)

Let's start the introductions, shall we?

My name is Andree. I was baptized Ma. Andree Isabelle M. Castillo. Yeah, I know. My name is sooooooo long. And yeah. Andree is a guy's name. But so what? I'm a girl at heart anyway.

I live in the Philippines, no need to say exactly where. I'm currenlty 15 years old and studying as a 4th year high school student. I consider myself to be privileged enough to study in a private school. I'm a consistent honor student and I hope to get into a good college next year. I'm hoping to take up Computer Science or Industrial Engineering as my course.

About my appearance, well, you can see the picture. So you decide if I'm pretty or not. :) Recently, my hair is becoming wavy instead of straight, just the way I like it. 

Reading and writing are my hobbies. I like the color violet/purple. (I think it's obvious from the appearance of my blog.) I love Math and English. I like watching television and surfing the net. I like dress-up and fashion games, even though I hate shopping. 

I'm a member of the Robotics varsity team and also the Math Varsity.

Here are random picture about my life.

Me, my teammates and my coach in the finals for the 12th Philippine Robotics Olympiad.

The Robotics Varsity Team

Me and my friends during my 15th birthday celebration.

My whole Tropa.

Prom!

Intramurals day.

Practice for a play.

Me inside our classroom during my Third Year.

Me, my classmates and my advises during Araw ng Wika (Language day for the Philippines.)

As for what this blog is for, well, I just want to share my interests to the whole world. This blog contains everything I love, and I hope my readers will like them too. So basically, this blog is a collection of everything that characterizes me. 

So yeah, that's it. I hope you enjoy reading through the rest of my blog. :) God bless everyone!!

We are Filipinos

I am a Filipino... I was born in the Philippines, and naturally, I plan to also die in the Philippines. I am the heir of a glorious past. I am the recipient of the rewards of the hardwork that my ancestors gave to fight for our freedom.
I'm proud to be a citizen of my country. You know why? These are the reasons...

1)We have incredible perseverance.

Even though our country is still considered as a developing country, we Filipinos sure try our best to succeed in life. In fact, most of the richest man in our country were once poor people, but through hardwork and determination, they were able to rise out of poverty and prove to others that your ascribed status doesn't matter; what matters most is your achievements and final status.

2)  We are hospitable.

You can't leave a Filipino's house without food in your stomach and your back rested. Even if you're a stranger to the house, as long as you have need or purpose for your visit, Filipinos will let you in, offer you a sit and serve you food.  

3) We are creative.

The Filipinos' creative cultures are preserved up to this day. Ethnic groups in the Philippines still hobby their cloths and many of us still use indigenous materials in making different things such as bags, wallets, clothes, etc.

Another proof of the Filipinos' creativity is found in the way we build our houses. Since most Filipinos are still suffering from poverty, we find creative ways to build sturdy houses from cheap materials.

Of course, Filipinos has their own share of paintings, sculptures and buildings.  Our masterpieces includes Spolarium, by Juan Luna and Transfiguration, by Napoleon Abueva.

4) We are optimistic.

Filipinos are always happy... and that's not an exaggeration. During hard times, we learned how to always look on the bright side of things. During typhoons and when a family is stranded, you can still see children smiling and waving at the news camera like they have nothing to worry about. You know why that is? It's because we Filipinos believe that everything will turn out right if we just ask for God's help and guidance. 

5) We are family-oriented.

Filipino families are tight-knit. It's the basic unit of the community. A Filipino individual's family is the one who teaches him the most basic of all basics. It teaches him the joy of life, the importance of just being yourself, and how to grow up not to make the same mistakes they did. 

It's normal to see  18 year-olds still living with their family. It's not like they're still dependent or anything, but they stay with their parents because they love them. Without a family, Filipinos will grow up misguided and unappreciative of relationships. This is why parentless orphans are the subject of pity in Filipino soap operas.

6) We are God fearing citizens.

The Philippines is one of the first Catholic countries in Asia. Influenced by the Spanish conquerors, Filipinos learned that there is Someone out there who is just and kind. We depend on Him, but we know that we still need to do some of the work. We follow by the Catholic laws and we do our best to be included in Jesus' salvation.

Trust in the Lord

I've been browsing a lot of blogs lately, and I've realized that my blog is lacking something: inspirational essays and stuff like that.
So here is my inspirational post for this day:

One day when I was still in grade school, I suddenly realize that "Hey, why am I not praying to God?" I don't know if it's just me, or a heavenly force made me realize that I'm not alone in this world and that there's someone out there who cares for us.

Since that faithful day, I started praying every night. Whenever I got problems, I pray. When I'm happy, I pray. When I'm sad, I pray. I learned to turn to God for everything. I tell the Lord even the most insignificant problem, like "Lord, please, let not the song I will pick for guitar class tommorrow be a hard one," or "Lord, please, let our breakfast tomorrow be hotdog and eggs". And you know what? All of my prayers are answered. Maybe not in the way I want it to be, but nevertheless, answered. I promise you that there was not a single problem that I relayed to God that wasn't solved. God never let me down.

Let my experiences inspire you to keep praying and to always trust in the Lord. My Christian Living teacher once told our class that in praying, we should have three (3) things: PERSISTENCE, HUMILITY AND TRUST. If you have these things, God will surely answer your prayer.

To end this post, let me share with you an inspirational true story...

A girl named Diane went to a party and stayed longer than she planned, and had to walk home.

She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.

As she walked under the tall elm tree, Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it.

However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing as though he was waiting for her.

Diane became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection.

Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been killed and raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she'd been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, Diane began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him.

She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she'd seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told that he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.

She asked if they would ask the man one question.

Diane was curious as to why the man hadn't attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered:

Because she wasn't alone.

She had two tall men walking on either side of her.

Amazingly, whether you believe it or not, you're never alone.

Did you know that 97 of teenagers won't stand up for God?

Repost if you truly believe in God.

PS: God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what.

"If you deny me in front of your friends, I shall deny you in front of my Father."

STAND UP FOR HIM!

Fanfiction

Who among you guys like fanfictions? You know, stories based on the plots of different fictional stories? Stories that uses the charcters of legally published books, television shows, movies or comics? Still don't get it?
For example:

After a mission gone wrong, Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke and the Akatsuki are turned into kittens and transported to our world. When they become the pets of a Naruto obsessed teenage girl and her friends, just what will happen?   

-Naruto Kittens by The-Anime-Loving Panda

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8592902/1/Naruto-Kittens

Sorry for the example. But don't think that every fanfiction has the genre of parody/humor/comedy. Fanfiction has a wide range of dramas: drama, romance, angst, tragedy, adventure, sci-fi. You name it, they got it. 

For example:

Edward Masen is the star of a top Dance Academy. Bella Swan is just the first year new girl who Edward teaches for partnering. But as an unfathomable connection emerges in the moonlit ballet studio, Edward and Bella become the breathtaking, beautiful combination of skill and passion. How can this work, though, when Edward refuses to acknowledge their dance had ever happened?

-Clair de Lune by Amberdeengirl

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6374993/1/Clair-De-Lune

Fanfiction. net is the most widely-used community and is the largest collection of user-made fanfiction stories. Of course fanfictions can be found in other sites such as wattpad.

If you're a first timer in the fanfiction world and some of the terminologies confuse you, then this list might help

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/moonbeam/terms.html

Did you know?

The trilogy "Fifty Shades of Grey" was originally a Twilight fan fiction. It was originally titled as "Master of the Universe", written by Snowqueen's Icedragon, E.L. James pen name.

If you have free time and happen to love Avatar: The Last-Airbender and the Percy Jackson Series, then read my story "Off to Save the World Again" by Dreisie at fanfiction.net.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9154500/1/Off-to-Save-the-World-Again

Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus Series

I am a huge Percy Jackson Fan... although not of the movies. The movies are terrible (I apologize to the makers of the film). They completely don't follow the wonderful plot of the books, which is a shame. 

The books are AWESOME (credits to Rick Riordan). The characters know how to make grave situations light, and there's just enough suspense to keep me anticipating for more.

I especially like the character of Leo (son of Hephaestus) in the Heroes of Olympus Series. He's even funnier than Percy, which I first thought to be impossible. In my eyes, he's probably the most powerful demigod after Percy (of course). I like characters that can control fire and like Leo, characters  that are lonely (awww) but still enjoys life.

I like the Heroes of Olympus series better than the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, but they're both awesome. Rick Riordan set the pace of the story perfectly and wrote it with just the right balance of humor and drama.

"The Percy Jackson Pledge"

I promise to remember Percy

Whenever I'm at sea

I promise to remember Annabeth

Whenever a spider comes at me

I promise to protect nature

For Grover's sake of course

I promise to remember Luke

When my heart fills with remorse

I promise to remember Chiron

Whenever I see a sign that says ''Free Pony Ride''

I promise to remember Tyson

Whenever a friend says they'll stick by my side

I promise to remember Thalia

Whenever a friend is scared of heights

I promise to remember Clarisse

Whenever I see someone that gives me a fright

I promise to remember Bianca

Whenever I see a sister scold her younger brother

I promise to remember Nico

Whenever I see someone who doesn't get along with others

I promise to remember Zoe

Whenever I watch the stars

I promise to remember Rachel

Whenever a limo passes my car.

I promise to remember The Stolls

when my home is beginning to unsettle.

I promise to remember Beckendorf

whenever I see someone working metal.

I promise to remember Silena

whenever a friend takes one for the team

I promise to remember Michael Yew

whenever I see a smile that gleams.

I promise to remember Briares

whenever I see someone playing hand games.

I promise to remember those lost in the Battle of the Labyrinth

whenever I see a cloth in flames.

I promise to keep people included

For Hestia when she was banished from the gods.

I promise to remember those campers who fought against Kronos

whenever I see someone go against the odds.

I promise to remember Jason

when I see a lightning bolt

I promise to remember Hazel

when I see a pot of gold

I promise to remember Piper

when I see a pretty girl

I promise to be nice to everyone for Leo

was the seventh wheel

Yes I promise to remember PJO

Wherever I may go...

Fairy Tail

In my opinion, Fairy Tail, is one of the greatest anime ever made (credits to Hiro Mashima of course). You know why? Because it's got everything- action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy. 

The plot is well-made, with a lot of twists and turns; you'll have to expect the unexpected. All events, even the seemingly minor ones, has a connection to the over-all plot. Characters that doesn't seem important at first, suddenly becomes the main character of an arc.

The story takes place at Earthland, a world that uses magic as medium for their jobs. The people who uses magic to earn money are called "wizards" (obviously XD). If you're a wizard, then you can choose to join a gulid, which are like companies for wizards. Wizards go out on jobs to earn money.

In a certain city called Magnolia, the most boisterous guild is found- Fairy Tail. You'll never find a more lively guild anywhere. There are fire wizards, ice mages, card magicians- almost any type of magician really.

That's not all there is to Fairy Tail. You know what else? Hot girls and handsmome guys.

Interested yet? Watch Fairy Tail episodes online at www.fairytailonlinetv.com