Trees of Life

     Have you ever wondered how fast trees and other plants disappear in the Philippine forests? Do you know the importance of the woods?

      As the years pass by, our forest ecosystem starts to be degraded. Less people care for them. There are more and more illegal loggers in our country. This people do not realize the value of millions of trees that they, the environmental destroyers cut. They did not know what they are doing can also kill a lot of people. Soil erosion, which can bury people alive, is caused by the loosening of soil due to cutting of trees. Many have already lost the lives of their loved ones in tragedies like this. They also cut down trees to make way for areas to be used for garbage disposal. It’s sad to say that there is least garbage in the cities but we have a mountain filled with trash. The trees they cut aren’t really used for good or wise purposes but were also wasted.

                In the near future, the next generation might not see even an inch of the once millions of green plants and trees. The wrong, unforgettable doings of the people today will not only affect them but also the country of tomorrow. So, as we celebrate the International Year of the Forests, let us all encourage one another to plant a tree and save the future.

My Most Awaited Moment

When “ber- months” come, I get so excited. Because it means New Year is just around the corner.



I’m in the happiest mood when New Year comes. This is the time when my family gets together. We stay up late at night to wait for 12 midnight. We make ourselves busy with different kinds of activities. We watch television shows, sing karaoke, play games like stop dance, “Pinoy Henyo”, and bring me. We always had so much fun doing those things because there were lots of prizes that await the lucky winner. Prizes like Mickey Mouse coin purse, crisp new bills, pencil cases with cartoon characters and stylish pens.

Erika, my cousin and I always want to help in the kitchen by beating the eggs and mix them with condensed milk and evaporated milk to make super creamy and super delicious leche flan. We grate cheddar cheese for yummy spaghetti. We can’t help but giggle whenever we take milk from the can while our Tita Mom isn’t looking. By 11:30, everybody helps in setting the table. We arrange different kinds of fruits like banana, oranges, apples, and grapes on a tray. We placed the plates of appetizing foods on a big dinner table. There were orange shrimps, roasted chicken, “hamunadong itik”, luscious Chocó Mousse cake, spaghetti, pickled squid, “pancit palabok” and others. And by 12, everything is set. We always start our New Year with a prayer to thank God for the year that has passed peacefully and to ask for His guidance for the coming year.



We shoot fireworks in the sky. What a dazzling thing. I thought I was just dreaming because of its beauty. We ate a lot because of too much fatigue. We were very happy while   the whole family is eating together, telling jokes and experiences with each other. At around 1:00 a.m., everyone went to bed with a smile. But we still managed to get up early because we know that Lola and Tito Eric had put coins on every corner of the house. We raced to get those coins because whoever gets the most will have a prize. I always end up being the 1^st runner up and Erika is the winner because she gets up the earliest.

But whenever the last day of vacation comes, I feel so sad knowing they would be far from us again. And we will wait for another New Year to come. It is my most awaited occasion because my family unites.



Get Some Sleep!

            The amount of sleep you get can affect how well you learn. Children who are well rested tend to score higher on math and writing tests. Kids who do not get enough sleep have a harder time paying attention in class. This can affect future test performance.

        Lack of sleep can also affect your mood `and how you act, says Jodi Mindell, a sleep expert. “You’re most likely to be cranky if you don’t get a good night’s rest,” she says. “Sleep affects everything,”

Yolanda  Oredel and her classmates in fifth grade at Clara Barton Elementary School kept a sleep journal for a week. She said she was in better mood on the days she slept more. “I paid more attention in class too.”

             What is keeping kids up at night? One big sleep stealer is the use of electronics. More kids are using computers, playing video games, texting friends and watching TV at bedtime. “It’s a lot of bright light to your eyes at the time when your body needs dim light to help you feel sleepy,” explains Mindell.

             “It’s never too late to change your sleep habits. Put sleep on your to-do-list. Go to bed at the same time every night. Pull the plug on electronics in the bedroom. Try this challenge. Go to sleep early for a week, and then see how you feel. You will be stunned at the difference,” says Mindell

TFK, Sept 2011 issue

Creating a Bonsai Tree

         Many kinds of trees, plants and shrubs can be made into a bonsai. A bonsai is a miniature version of a tree planted in a pot. Japanese maples are ideal deciduous trees for creating beautiful bonsai. Using a method called air layering, it is very easy to make a branch sprout roots that will support it after separation from the tree. By selecting a nicely shaped branch, you can start a bonsai tree that will bring years of enjoyment. Here's how to create a tree that would normally take five years or more to develop from seed or cuttings.

          1.  Before you decide to get a tree you should do some research on raising and taking care of bonsai such as soil types, watering procedures, growth principles, and environmental requirements.

          2. When selecting a tree species its important to consider your geographic location. Some trees lose their leaves in the winter and require the temperature to drop below freezing so that they can enter a dormant state and prepare for the spring. Other trees will not survive long in the freezing weather. Some trees will require a lot of water during a hot summer while others are heat hardy. Research the kind of trees that do well in your area. 3

          3. Bonsai trees can be as anywhere from miniature (6 inches tall) to large bonsai (up to 3 ft tall). Decide what size bonsai you would like before actually going out to select the plant.

          4. Once you have decided which kind and what size bonsai you would like, you can go to a nursery or a bonsai shop and select the plant that you will use to make your bonsai tree. When choosing a plant, look for leaf color to make sure that the plant is healthy. Then look around at the selection of plants and imagine what each plant would look like after it is pruned. It's important to visualize the bonsai before you buy the plant and bring it home. You do not want to bring a plant home only to decide that it isn't immediately suitable to be a bonsai.





          5. Selecting the right bonsai pot has a lot to do with the desired size and style of the plant. Select a shape and color that you personally find aesthetically pleasing. The pot must be large enough to allow enough soil to cover the roots of the plant. You do not want to have such a small amount of soil in the pot that the tree roots can not retain moisture. You will kill the plant if you do not have a large enough pot. At the same time, you want to maintain the illusion of nature and select a pot just large enough to support the tree. The idea of a bonsai is to balance the pot with the plant and make the plant look like a miniature tree.

Sources:

http://woomg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/how-to-grow-bonsai.jpg

http://cache-images.writersnetwork.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/destination_site_medium/fotolia/Fotolia_19651401_Subscription_L.jpg


deciduous trees
http://www.uah.edu/admin/Fac/grounds/DECTREES.htm

bonsai pots
http://www.bonsaiforest.net/accessories/bonsai-rock.html

A Game Came True

I wished for a game that will give me excitement, and PopCap games presented and gave it to me- Plants vs. Zombies.

            When I first saw Plants vs. Zombies, I thought it was just another game that I will get bored of. But when I started playing it, I feel happiness in every click of the mouse. The plants I plant will protect me from the zombies who try to eat my brains. They guard my backyard and risk their lives to protect me. It’s just like a defense game but in every single way, it gives me laughter and joy. There are plants and zombies fighting. The plants protect me but the zombies keep on attacking. What should I do? I know! Just keep on playing.

There is an almanac in reality, which is in Plants vs. Zombies too. When I look at it, I see the names of plants and zombies I have faced. But of all the plants I’ve known, Cattail is the best because it is beneficial the same time cute. It is called Cattail but it barks! Among all the zombies, I like the Newspaper Zombie because it gets mad when its newspaper is gone and doesn’t wear shorts! It gives me the thrill I always wanted to have. I would scream if I would lose and restart. I would wine while playing and saying, “Please! I beg you! Let me win!” Then I would go to the Mini-Game area. Of all the mini-games I know, Zombotany is the worst! I would always lose.

Every time I would go to the Plants vs. Zombies icon, I would think, “When I open this laptop, I always open this icon. It’s like I’m always attracted to it and can help but press it. Am I imagining things?” I look around… “It is my favorite!”

At first, I didn’t know anything about Plants vs. Zombies, so I can’t relate to what my classmates are saying about it. I always thought that it wasn’t fun at all. I always thought that they were just addict about it. But now, I’m one of the biggest PVZ fans.

It’s like it just appeared in front of me and have a great time playing it. Plants vs. Zombies is a game come true.

Sources:

Plants vs. Zombies

http://jayisgames.com/walkthroughs/plants-vs-zombies/

Cattail

http://plantsvszombies.wikia.com/wiki/Cattail

Almanac

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/almanac

Title Background

http://free-foto-animation-digital-images.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-backgrounds-myspace-background.html

PVZ Survival Fog

http://kotaku.com/5512807/plants-vs-zombies-2-guaranteed-to-ship-in-next-decade-not-in-2010

Mini-Game Picture

http://www.chud.com/19504/mcp-review-plants-vs-zombies/

Video of Plants vs. Zombies Credits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N1_0SUGlDQ

Go Out and Play

In this fast advancing world of technology, even popular sports like basketball, football, soccer and billiards are continuously losing its popularity over cyber games and e-sports especially among children, teens and young adults.Kids these days are getting hooked on playing different games with their computers. They argue that playing computer games sharpen their minds as they are played competitively and on the real-time strategy. It may be true, but we must also remember that the real reasons in getting into sports is becoming physically fit, healthy and smart; it is also important in developing sportsmanship and leadership. You don’t get all these if you are

into cyber games and e-sports, while sitting down on your computer and not seeing your opponent face to face.

Promoting sports in school through intramurals and athletic meet is a good thing to fire up the enthusiasm of children in physical games. It is a school event that must be continuously observed because through sports, healthy citizenry will be developed not only on the physical aspect but more so, the moral and psychological aspect.

Instead of just sitting down in front of their computers, children must be encouraged to go out and play with friends during leisure time- because it is best for their hearts and minds. 

sources:

http://www.thekidstoysblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/red-rover-games.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Cyber_Games

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RTS.html