Writing exercises: 30-word Cinquains

I got the idea for this great writing exercise from Adria's Cinquain community project site; do check her site out at: http://incinq.blogspot.com and get in line with everybody's bigger picture of life, expressed in a few words.(as always, more power to you and thanks for the inspiration.)

I shared it among the writer pool, along with some pictures as topics, with a format of having 30 words (5 lines x 6 words on each.)

Below are what I came up for my part.

A.



B.





A. Living with hunger

I swallowed my pride in asking

The pain, deliberate hunger hid undertow

Getting weaker, death in the making,

Crawling, aching, feeling my blood flow

Hoping for pity you might bestow.

B. Toilet Blues

Gripping mayhem with hands trembling stiff

Cursing the heavens, running down fast

Holding, gastronomic gases that people sniff

In desperation, hold out the last

Letting out bowels, watching them splat.

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Source: Message in a Bottle

My writing exercises: Acrostics (poetry with acronyms)

What's in a name?
Well, I interpreted mine in poetic lines in our recently concluded exercises. Try yours and fire away!

The Eagle

Just as the sun rises in the east,

Over the silent hills, fertile valleys he seeks.

Vines and wires, the long miles he takes.

In search of prey, to fill his hungry heart with a feast,

Roaring courage like thunder, but swift as the wind;

A king is on the hunt again.

Master of the heavens, yet frail in manner,

An eagle is proud with no prejudice; yet a comical hunter.

To live by the claw and rule the clouds,

Over nature’s mercenaries, lay claim to their blood.

Naive yet a killer, merciless; an arrogant scream he cries,

Gone in a blink after a graceful killing; he takes to the skies.

Source: Message in a Bottle

Jason Mraz - Mr. A to Z magnifico!

“The Lord of layback music”. That’s the best title that I say truly fits Jason Mraz.

From the first time that I heard his songs (off from A to Z), the sudden burst of unique mix of beats, (That’s pleasing to the ears, mind you) coupled with fast paced lyrics somehow turned me into an instant sound addict that I want to hear the songs and sing them all over again for the rest of my office life! (Much to the moans of complaints from my office mates.)

Songs like: Geek in the Pink, Mr. Curiosity, Clock watching, Please don’t tell her, Did you get my message, Wordplay, and Remedy from his old album has been playing in my mind ever since and I find it very amusing that only a few artists can do this sensation to me, and kudos to Jason for doing that!

Try his sound remedy, I’m pretty sure you’ll get in the bandwagon in no time! if you don't believe me; feel free to check out his video, Wordplay.

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

The Loon Bohol Diarrhea Outbreak- (That pesky restroom urge)

With the recent news about an outbreak of diarrhea in the small town of Loon, Bohol (The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu 02/01/2007 / Jasmin Uy below) should teach not only the residents but us a lesson or two to keep sanitation a constant in our homes; this alarm has led to the hospitalization of hundreds of residents and claimed a couple of lives.

This just holds true to the fact (though a bit hard to admit) that with the coming of age for the Philippines, still a lot of our citizens, especially those that are living in far off countrysides, STILL DON’T HAVE TOILETS!

I find it ironic that as the country is slowly emerging in the business world and that the government sat busily promoting I.T. and exports, then news such as this comes along.

Man it’s 2007 and problems such these should have been long gone. I leave credits to the government because I find their information drive to be adequate but the real problem is in the people; because from what I’ve seen, even patches of small forests, beaches, and dark areas are not safe for would be- portable toilet seekers!

Just took a walk at a local beach once, I felt relaxed seeing the serene view and the calmness of the water, then all of a sudden Splat! I stepped upon a land mine (poop, I mean). There you have it; perhaps we should educate ourselves the right manners straight to our brains, because if we don’t then unhealthy events such as this pesky restroom urge will always leave us dry, once in a while.

DOH: Bacteria caused Loon diarrhea outbreak
The Freeman 02/01/2007

The presence of bacteria in the drinking water triggered the diarrhea outbreak that killed four people and hospitalized more than 400 others in Loon, Bohol, according to the Department of Health. DOH regional director Susana Madarietta said shigella flexneri, amoeba and e-coli are the kinds of bacteria that contaminated the drinking water of residents in Loon brought about by their unsanitary practices.

DOH confirmed the presence of bacteria in 12 out of the 14 rectal swabs from the diarrhea patients in the place. Test results showed that amoeba, e-coli and shigella flexneri bacteria have caused bacillary dysentery or diarrhea among the patients. Compared to amoeba, shigella flexneri spreads very easily.

The presence of the bacteria means that the water source of Loon has been contaminated. "The presence of shigella flexneri means water contamination from human feces," Madarietta said.

Loon Mayor Cesar Lopez, a doctor, said the bacteria came mostly from fecal oral root, which means that "it came from water and that it spreads through person-to-person contact." However, DOH is still awaiting the results of the water analysis from at least three water sources of Loon and two refilling stations. The water analysis is being conducted at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Even if DOH officials have already pinpointed the bacteria, they will still need the results of the water analysis for comparison. Madarietta said they have already put in place a command outpost in Loon that will provide medicine, fluids and needles to the residents, adding that they are visiting every household to educate them on proper sanitation and distribute packs chlorine.

Aside from boiling the water, DOH also recommended proper hygiene such as constant hand washing as well as proper waste disposal. Lopez said the public can already get water from their water source but for safety measures, each household should also practice self-chlorination.

He said one of the major problems in the town is that some houses, especially those in the mountain barangays, do not have toilets. Because of this, residents are used to disposing of their human wastes outside their homes. The incessant rains last December until the early part of January could have caused the fecal matter to seep into the water sources.

Lopez said with this development, the local government should implement the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, explaining that under the law, each household should have its own sanitary toilet. He said since Dec. 25, there have been 408 victims of the diarrhea outbreak with two fatalities - a three-year-old girl and a 57-year-old woman. But he added that the 58-year-old woman reported as the latest fatality died of infection in the upper respiratory system.

At least 369 patients were admitted to different hospitals in Bohol. As of yesterday, some 80 patients remain at the Natalio Castillo Memorial Hospital. - Jasmin R. Uy

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing exercises: Mama Sita (Reflection monologue)

Mama Sita, what was once the bold, now sits sadly on her rocking chair in a state-owned nursing home and is kept alive by social welfare. There is no one left to care for her; no immediate family, no relatives- with the passing years, they all went and were laid to rest in their graves.

Now a frail old woman, her wrinkles lay witness to the passing ages; sadly sit on her rocking chair, looks before the mirror to see a sad lifeless shell looking back, and slowly tears began to fall from her eyes…

“Never in my life have I imagined that this moment will come… its 2007 and all those years that have passed before me, lay wasted. How did I let myself be fooled by my two- cent conscience to believe that a life of celibacy would do me a great favor and will make a good example for other women in my time to be free- forever free from the burden of having to care for a good for nothing man, free from the burden of having to care for his children, free from the burden of carrying his children in my womb for nine months, and most of all to preserve my chastity.

Yes, I was popular back then, for my belief has attracted the attention of everyone but at what expense? Now that I am on my 98^th year at the peak of the ladder of life, I have no one to turn to except these white walls.

There is no more turning back, I will gladly face my death and accept defeat without even tasting that organic heaven that makes up a man.

How could I have feasted my body on that sizzling organic life form, squeezed its life juices until I’ve satisfied myself and enjoyed the joyous pain. I could have borne children, which could have cared for me when I have gotten old and would have gladly passed on the genes of their bold mother to the coming generations.

I could’ve made a family, a family that’s happy and full of life, and best of all I could have shared the cradle of happiness doing those nightly rituals with a better half.

Yes I’ve been a fool all along, how I envy the other patients when their families pay them a visit but here I am, sitting like a rotten apple awaiting death for the worms in this nursing home...I have no one to turn to and perhaps one of these coming days I’ll die, but on the bright side; I have no one to pass on my guilt. (Silently sobs).”

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing Exercises: The Reunion and the Loss (Scriptwriting)

Character description:

Gino Carpio: A “Balikbayan” Marine engineer who has recently been home fresh from his exploits in the United States, to the small town of Moalboal. They are childhood friends with Melvin but got separated for many years after Gino’s family moved to manila for him and his siblings to study.

John Peli: A proud owner of a popular “sari-sari” store chain in Moalboal’s town market. He has been longing to see Gino again but lost contact with his friend. After graduating college, he has managed to put up his own business and has been prosperous ever since.

Scene 1
One early morning, as Gino was jogging off in the town plaza, he decided to go around the town’s important places and see what changes had he missed after he left it.

As breakfast time is growing near, he decided that a bowl of “Utan bisaya” would be a great alternative to his usual American diet and a healthy one too, considering the parties and beers that he has taken up since he came home the other day.

So he decided to proceed to the town market and buy the vegetables that he need to brew up a healthy bowl.

He looked around at how his town market have changed, in infrastructure- far from his childhood days wherein he’d picture out cigar smoking fat ladies just selling their goods off from blankets all laden with the fruits, vegetables, and poultry products that the town has to offer.

He was just gathering up the items on his list when he happened to spot from one of the stalls, his childhood friend and confidant, John busily attending to his customers.

He came up to him, said his greetings and teary eyed gave John a hug and a kiss, (which was their usual greeting back in their childhood days) much to the amazement of onlookers.

At first, John was astonished and was not able to recognize him right away but after seeing Gino’s eyebrow, was able to recognize him and return the greetings.

Gino started a conversation with John, and started talking- reminiscing the times that they’ve spent together.

Gino: (after staring at Melvin for a minute) Did I ever tell you about Daisy? Daisy Fuentes I mean.

John: Err, did you say anything? Ohh yeah… Daisy now I remember! Why what’s up with her?

Gino: Yup Daisy, the girl whom I used to date back in high school, man how cute she has become! Just this morning I saw her jogging in the town plaza, and I recognized her right away. Man was she hot! Looking at those curves, wonder if she’s still single though; I haven’t got the chance to come up to her as I was going the other way.

John: I see, (looking at Gino with eyebrows raised) well she’s just around. News is that she’s married with two kids and she’s working at the municipal hall. She has been here in my place a lot and what a coincidence, just the other day she was here and asked a few questions about you too.

Gino: Dude, the guy that must have got her is the luckiest, I mean just by looking at her; she hasn’t aged a bit and the way I see it, she’s so sexy that she could easily pass as single in my eyes!

John: Err, hihihi. (drawing Gino’s attention to a bunch of spring onions) these would be great for “Utan” just add in the chicken and you’re good to go!

Gino: What’s up with you? I thought I told you I wanted to buy vegetables for “Utan” not “Tinola”!

John: Err, sorry… hihihi just got carried away. Anyway, I figured you might like to buy these too just in case

Gino: hahaha, man you still haven’t changed a bit, don’t you? You always seem to be thinking of something else whenever we’re talking

John: Err, yeah so I thought so anyway…

Gino: Now getting back to where we stopped, man Daisy….she’s the best! Anyways, so who’s the lucky guy?

John: Err, yup…me.

Gino: hahaha, your joking man, really… you?

John: Yup, I’ve been looking for ways to tell you this, but after you left her, we got engaged and got married. We now have two kids.

Gino: (Staring staring silently at Melvin) wooh no way! Really?... She married you?

John: Yup, and has always been for three years now

Gino: Really can’t believe it but anyways man, but I think it’s getting late and I have to cook these. Maybe, I could visit you at your house and meet with you guys one of these days?

John: Sure no problem man, but I think any day this week would be a bad idea. We’re so busy here (mouth starts to hone up bubbles, and starts to drool; drawing Gino’s attention)…maybe next week…

Gino: Hey your mouth’s watering man! Quit the joke already…hey, you guys (to the other sales clerks) lend me some help here! there’s something wrong with Melvin… hey, you ok? (catches a collapsing John) say something dude!...here…

John: Yes, I think the zoo is a terrific idea…

Lights dim, curtains close (End of Scene 1)

Writing exercise: A Blood- stained alibi (The most absurd alibis)

A blood-stained letter found posted on the fridge:

Hi Hon,

By this time you might be packing your things, and I can understand why, and don’t worry I don’t blame you but circumstance itself for what happened.

After the incident last night and after the sheer horror of seeing how you reacted so harshly with our large chef’s knife and cut off my better half.

I will just say here my side of the story in the hope that you’d listen, and hopefully after I have recuperated from this really numbing pain here in this stupid hospital, we will be given the chance to go on with our normal lives.

Hon, after you left the house at around 7:00 pm for your usual Saturday night grocery shopping, I just was lying on our sofa watching my favorite anime show. This went on for an hour, but I got bored and hot so I figured on turning on the air conditioner but the damned thing broke! Since no one was around, the crazy idea to just lie there completely naked came in to my head. When I got bored watching I changed channels but there were no sensible shows to watch, aside from Basic Instinct which is a new thing to watch (far apart from the gospel shows in channel 36 which I watch regularly.)

Suddenly Anna, our next door neighbor and a nursing student rang on the door. I got up and put on my boxers and answered her courteously. She asked me to help her with her assignment on some healthcare and birth control topics for her midterm exams due next week and knowing that I could very well help her with her problem that’s why I let her in.

The activities for the topics were very easy, I just explained to her about contraceptives and stuff (hence, the 3 condoms that are on top of the table which for the record, we never used.)

We were in the middle of this activity when I heard a sudden thud in the street outside. I checked the door and found a pair of handcuffs sitting on top of one of your rose pots (how it got there, I really don’t know. Perhaps our other neighbor, who’s a cop, might have dropped it there.)

I figured that he might look for it later, so I just put it on top of the living room table as well and got on with our activity with Anna.

How we ended up naked on the sofa when you came in, I’ll explain though this might come in a bit absurd. We were just about brushing things up with a recap when Anna suddenly blurted out jokingly if it would be possible for me to get naked and identify to her my hidden parts that she said a few women are able to see.

Man! I was dumbfounded, but in my playful sense got myself naked in her sight. She became red upon seeing ‘it’ and I identified to her some parts as well. After seeing her reaction, I jokingly opted that she get naked also, which to my surprise she willingly did! She asked me a few questions if her boobies were of a pleasurable sight and if her figure is fit. (Really no malice at all, that’s what we did.)

That’s the part when you came in and reacted so irrationally, but I cannot blame you after seeing such a sight, and oh one more thing before I end this letter as the pain from my wound is now unbearable, I bought for you last week, the book “How to Drive Your Lover Crazy in Bed” the book that you’ve been longing to read. I searched a couple of bookstores and luckily found one. You seem to have missed it when it’s sitting on top of the table all the time.

If you’ll be willing to listen please do me a favor and visit me here.

Loving you no less,

Honey

Writing excercise: I sold the empty cans (Tritina style)

To the junkyard, ill sell you empty cans
From that mountain of trash, I found you glittering
As I was scampering about in my neighbor’s backyard

There were loads of you lying hidden from my view in their backyard
I stared silently and scanned, searching for any metal and empty cans
Here and there, every heap I have to poke for anything that’s glittering

I have to fend off the others, who will scuttle at the sight of you glittering
My needs depend on you and anything I find useful in that backyard
Now ill pick you up and for food, ill sell you empty cans

...I sold the empty cans that were glittering in my neighbor’s backyard.

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

A Future with Robots (Article late this year)

Since my childhood years, I have always been fascinated with Robots. How I’d like to play my C3PO and R2D2 action figures and imagine them to be real - going about the crucial situations and conditions in our lives, whether it be at the battlefield acting as replacement for soldiers thereby minimizing lives lost in wars, in disasters such as fires and earthquakes, in medical emergencies acting as aide or replacement for doctors, as pets, and in our homes doing the daily chores (which I believe some of us hate).

Thanks to the advancement of 21st Century robotics, that dream seems to be slowly inching its way to reality.

Nowadays, there seems to be a growing trend towards developing more sophisticated robots that are not just mere “Toys” but can do just as much as their human counterparts or even better, robots that can do what might seem impossible for humans to do.

In this issue, we’ll take a peek at what is happening in the world of robotics, which has pit Governments, Independent Research facilities, private individuals, and Gadget companies in a blitz race to compete with one another to achieve the perfect machine, capable of making the lives of its human masters easier.

For starters, let’s have a look at the popular humanoid robots made by top Japanese firms Sony and Honda.

Qrio

Meet the playful Qrio
Sony Intelligence Dynamics Laboratories Inc. in their efforts to study how humans will react and accept partnership with robots, came up with a rather quite-small humanoid robot named Qrio. It is capable of walking uphill, singing, dancing, waving hello, wiggle its fingers and kick a ball with grace.

It has two digital cameras, one behind each eye, which helps it to map a room for future reference and recognize up to 10 different faces. This small robot can even converse in Japanese mind you!

Scientists tested Qrio by letting it participate in an experiment where it acted as playmate for toddlers at a nursery school in California.

At first the children where reluctant and did not know what to do with the robot but after a few hours of spending time together, accepted it as one of their own-even helping it get up when it falls, much to the excitement of its makers.

Scientists hoped that through this activity, they will be able to collect the necessary data that will help them alleviate errors in future experiments.

Asimo

Meet little wonder ASIMO and cousin ASIMO P3
From Honda Motor Co., comes a new small-lightweight humanoid robot named ASIMO (Short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility). This little astronaut, as commonly called because of its close resemblance, is capable of walking in a manner that is similar to a human being. Its hand and finger movements have also been increased, acting also similar to how a human would act!

This one is a product of Honda’s research of developing a robot that can be helpful to humans as well as providing practical use in society.

Earlier this month, did you know that for the first time in the history of the New York Stock Exchange, a robot rang the bell to start the trade! Yes believe it, it was ASIMO who rang the bell announcing the traditional start of trading, and not a famous personality or dignitary which has always been the usual custom.

These are but only a few of the advances made by today’s robotics, and the race still continues. Governments like the United States, Canada, Korea, and Japan are tapping on their military research facilities, and private firms to develop robots and unmanned vehicles that will someday replace their soldiers on the front lines, some armed and some for reconnaissance.

Someday in a not so distant future, robots will surely be working alongside us. Who knows maybe by then (God forbids, I still want to keep my job... giggles) we’ll have robots and computers in our offices that work by themselves without our aide.

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing Exercises: Minimalism - The Defense of the Weak

Pirates, munitions running out, sailed in retreat against stout hearts.
The battle raged, whilst no victor can be adjudged
Heaved mightily, to the last drop of blood
Weaklings, yet determined to defend their land
The townsfolk, manned the fortress guns
Fought against panic and fear
The fortress slowly crumbles
Hearts foul intent
Pirate cannons!
Boom!

Writing Exercise: The Integration of Beer drinking into the Educational Curricullum for High school

In a privilege speech at a Division School’s yearly forum with the DEPED secretary, Mr. Jovir Amatong, a high school P.E. instructor from Metropolitan Cebu, said:

Our beloved DEPED secretary Mr. Rolando Piñol, fellow high school teachers, friends, and colleagues, a pleasant good afternoon to you all.

I am very thankful for this opportunity that you have given me, so that I can speak to you and convey the idea that I share perhaps, along with more than a million teachers and parents across the country who finds it a necessity to add beer drinking as a part of our current educational curriculum.

Yes, you may go ahead and laugh at the absurdity of my idea, but let me tell you my point first before you add logic and judge my idea.

With the signs of the times and the ever changing values that our youngsters, the so called hope of the nation go through in life including the many “worldly” happiness, perhaps, it is time to teach them a lesson or two about drinking beer and being drunk.

Why don’t we, like let’s say allocate two hours, one hour for lecture and an hour more for field experience and call the new subject as “Drinking Arts and Body Ergonomics (DABE)” and incorporate Proper ways to drink beer, Proper ways to get drunk, the Best time and the Best beers to drink, Drunken self-management, and the whole lot of possibilities both advantageous and disadvantageous for them while they’re drinking.

With the incorporation of my idea into the curriculum, I tell you, we teachers and parents will be free from the burden of worries as our children go out at night with their friends, because they now know how to handle situations that may arise because of their drinking. Situations, that will lead them to the common good or evil of society.

I’m appealing to you now that with such a small amount of time consumed everyday by this subject, we’re giving only but small sacrifices to our pockets, all for the future of our youths who will someday rule the nation.

We will be giving them the opportunity at such an age, to experience the world and its vital component, one that we haven’t experienced back in our youth when drinking alcoholic beverages was considered evil and a mortal sin.

This way, they will be guided accordingly and therefore lessen the evils and wanton crimes that may surge because of their drinking.

With this in mind, I rest my case and leave all of this not only in the hands of our beloved secretary, but to all of us gathered here today to consider and contemplate for our future leaders.

Thank you very much

Here's to the night...