Hello

Hello there.

So you have finally come. Now, to be frank, a course outline is still being worked out for each of our subject - respectively LIT102 and LIT104. As of now, let's sit tight for a while until then.

Right.

Anyway, for LIT102, I will be showing you a copy on Tuesday if at all possible, plus I will be giving a hard copy for the class officers. Ask them about it once it's given.

For LIT104, wait until Friday and Saturday.

Up to now, I am still waiting for the Eleap registration to kick in.

Well, good luck to everyone.


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Women and Self-worth: A question on body image

Last June 28, we in our class had discussed about women and the question of self-worth. In our discussion of Gary Killworth's short story "Songbirds of Pain," my students have fully realized the experience of many young women who most often see their body as linked to the realization of their self-esteem.

The short story in fact reveals that the factors that affect self-esteem not only comes from negative comments or doubled standards but from a very pampered life as well, where the woman in the story has no control of her life as every decision is already done for her by her lover.

The short story also portrays how women can often end up inflict pain upon themselves one way or another as means of physically enduring their emotional problems.

The following are reactions made by my students concerning such phenomena, and it is addressed as a letter to those women who are suffering from this type of dilemma.





Danielle Ramos

Dear you,

You are beautiful as God made you. There is someone out there that thinks you are a masterpiece. You don't have to change a thing about yourself. You should look at yourself in the mirror and smile. Be proud of what you look like and don't even think about feeling ugly, because God made each one of us beautiful.


Jefferson Escala

To whoever you may be,

You know what you gotta be proud of who you are. You’re the only one who knows yourself. You’re the only one who gonna make yourself happy or not. Happiness is a CHOICE. You’re unique; everyone is unique. Don’t feel too inferior to others. Surely, there is a certain characteristic of yours that’s incomparable to others. Boost your morale, boost your esteem and there is no one that can do it rather than you. Be happy and be proud of yourself.


Unknown friend

divine lacuna

to Anita and all the women who are not confident about themselves,
wag kayong mag alala sa sarili ninyo. be confident about yourselves.what is important is being confident on what God gave you and what you have inside, personality and character. through this,it will lead you to true beauty inside and out. :)

-divine

Bhea Amboy

July 1, 2011

Dear Anita,

Did you go on your trip to Brazil as you had hoped? How was it? I hope you did enjoy staying there. ‘Cause I know you really need to take a break. I heard what just had happened between you and Philip. I’m sorry to hear that. But, I’m still hoping that both of you are doing well despite of all the problems you’re going through.
Well, I would just like to tell you that I’m a friend. If you’re having trouble or if you’re down, I’m always here to lean on. Yes, I’m really worried. You know, you should not have done that. For us, you are beautiful. God didn’t create ugly people; He did it fair and square. You are indeed beautiful, inside and out. Philip loves you and so do we. What else could you ask for? You know, it is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. People can say anything about you. But who you truly are, only you know it, and only you decide it. Just cling to your imperfections; they are what make you unique. You may not be the prettiest, skinniest, and most popular. But, why be, when you can just be yourself?
I know it’s hard to be only just a mistress. You may not be his first, his last, his only. He loved before and He may love again. But, if he loves you now, what else matters? You’re tough, Anita. You try to hide everything that bothers you. You’re difficult. But if Philip makes an effort, you’re worth it. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. It’s not really all about appearances; it’s about one’s character. But sometimes, it’s better for two people to break up so they can grow up and make things better.
You don’t have to change even a single part on your body. Why not just learn from your mistakes and amend them? Just try to be a nice and better person, Anita. You don’t have to be physically beautiful for people to like and believe you. You’re just telling us that you don’t have a trust in yourself. You don’t believe in your own beauty and talent. You know, the most important thing in life is that you learn from whatever you take on, and you end up being a better person.
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. Take care of yourself, Anita.

Yours truly,
Bhea


daryl arceta
July 1, 2011

Dear Anita,
Did anybody tell you that you’re beautiful? If no one ever tells you that, I can. You’re beautiful so don’t be jealous of others even if they look more superior to you! Please be contented of who you are because I love you for how you look, how you smell, how you brush your hair and even how you laugh out loudly in public. Look at yourself. There are many things that you possess that others don’t have. You’re lovely, charming and angelic. Don’t put yourself down and lay down on bed all-day long. Go out, and show the world who you are because you are beautiful! If you are afraid to go out, why would you be? Is there something bothering you? C’mon tell me. Always remember that I’m here for you! And always remember that you are beautiful!

Sincerely yours,
Anonymous






Byte me!

I stumbled upon Darna!

It's been a long time since I wrote here, have I? Well, now... I'd say, looking at my past entries, it's been more than what? Five months?

Maybe.

To tell the truth, I've been quite busy for nearly a year now and, thank goodness, everything I've been working hard on is paying off.

And guess what I JUST PASSED MY THESIS DEFENSE FOR MY MASTERS! Isn't that great?!

Okay, so it is for me...

Oh, and the topic I chose is nothing much except that it's about all the collected works of Arnold Arre.

Anyway, I just happen to stumble on this site while looking up on the history of komiks on the web.

Truth is, I am spreading the address in hopes that it will be seen and funded by the right people.

I honestly am not a big fan of Darna, but looking at these pages here, I'd say I am reconsidering my stand.

Here's a sneak peek on what you will see...




Now, I dare you to tell me this don't deserve a graphic novel.
Byte me!

Announcements Prior to Next Week's Exams

Since UST ELeap is often unavailable outside, I might as well tell it here:
Perhaps many of you already know that since Monday, I've not been feeling well because of my incessant cough. The doctor told me yesterday that I should take a rest. Well, he's right. He's the one with an MD at the last name and I have none. When I'll be back, I have no exact idea. The medical statement says I must rest for four days but I might try it at three. Teaching in CTHM is so much fun I feel like a smoker experiencing regresssive symptoms right now. You simply can't stop.

Now, on to the announcements:

For my classes at HUMANITIES -

Lucky enough that the musical "LARAWAN: THE MUSICAL" is available on YOUTUBE. You can download it there using your own Youtube downloaders or a gresemonkey script for Firefox. Just remember that for some of you, the answsers to my questions are still to be answered. But I am extending it until a week after the prelims. At least you can get to watch the entire musical in the comforts of your own room.

For my classes in Philippine Literature -

Too bad we weren't able to watch anything before the prelims. But rest assured, we will afterwards, but not immediately. As you understand, we must stick to the reporting schedule, most especially to the fourth year sections. Well, you know what to study and so, good luck.

For my class in World Literature -

Now here's the bad part. Supposedly, we are to watch "Chocolat" in its entirely today up until Friday. And that it will be part of your prelim exams. However, I decided not to include them anymore in our prelims. Instead, it will be part of our activity during the second half of our term. Sorry guys.

----------------------

Anyway, that's it, then. Hope to see you soon. Good luck to everyone this coming week and rest assured your tests are easy enough. It's not like me not to see everyone. As you know I'm up to here with all the pressure my graduate studies are giving me, that and my preparation for my thesis defense.

And if you want to find out what exactly it is all about, look here...

As for now, I hope this message reaches the outside world as I am marooned here in one of the rooms in our house.

Bien Mabbayad out.

And to those who knows how to click the "Bye me" words below, here's a bonus feature...




Byte me!

World Literature Schedule

Luck... real lucky...

That's what I believe you are right now. Now with all that sudden holidays and leaves...

Real lucky.

And unlucky, if you will.

I mean, what will we gain after all these.. vacations?

Now, for you to be prepared - and you know that being prepared makes one feel at least in control of things - I guess you need to plan ahead. And this little schedule I prepared will suffice for that.

Now, kindly take note of the Fridays. I love Fridays. Lots and lots of fun things to do on Fridays, don't you think?

But that's just my opinion, of course. Well, just take a look.


University of Santo Tomas
World Literatures
Course Outline


NOV 19 What is Literature

NOV 22 •“Literature of Knowledge and
Literature of Power”
– Thomas de Quincy

NOV 24 •“Educating the Literary Taste”
– Pas Latorena

NOV 26 •“Why Literature?”
– Mario Vargas Llosa

NOV 29 “Songbirds of Pain” – Garry Kilworth

DEC 1 “Sonnet 29” – William Shakespeare

DEC 3 QUIZ

DEC 6 "The Lawsuit"
Naguib Mahfouz

DEC 8 "Running Shoes"
Rick Barret

DEC 10 Quiz

DEC 13 "Chabela Wedding Cake"
from Like Water for Chocolate
Laura Esquivel

DEC 15 film viewing

"Like Water for Chocolate"
or"Chocolat" starring
Johnny Depp

DEC 17 Review [paskuhan]

CHRISTMAS VACATION (as if you don't know)

JAN 3 "After Great Pain A Formal
Feeling Comes"
Emily Dickinson

JAN 5 "Management of Grief"
Bharati Mukherjee

JAN 7 Quiz

JAN 10 "Mlissa"
Alice Walker

JAN 12 "The Blank Page"
Isak Dinesen

JAN 14 Quiz [review]


JAN 17-21 PRELIMS


JAN 24 "At The Portagee's"
Alex La Guma

JAN 26 "Nightsong City"
Dennis Brutus

JAN 28 Quiz

JAN 31 Reporting 1


FEB 2 Reporting 2

FEB 4 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 7 Reporting 3

FEB 9 Reporting 4

FEB 11 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 14 Reporting 5

FEB 16 Reporitng 6

FEB 18 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 21 Reporting 7

FEB 23 Reporting 8

FEB 25 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 28 Make Up Reports

MAR 2 Make Up Reports

MAR 4 Make Up Reports

MAR 7 Make Up Reports
MAR 9 Make Up Reports

MAR 11 Make Up Reports

MAR 14 Review

MAR 16 Review

MAR 17 Review

MAR 21 TO 25 FINAL EXAMS


Oohh... and did you see the dates of your major exams?
Tough one, eh?




Byte me!

What we need is a textbook!

Okay so it's a bit late in the afternoon, but still I am a man of my word.

For our subject in World Literatures, here is what we are to use,

Views: Between Borders, Beyond Barriers
Understanding Peoples and Cultures Through World Literatures

This is by:
Ferdinand Lopez, Luciana Urquiola, and Remedios Biavati

It costs about P395 so you better save it instead of using it to watch the latest Harry Potter film.

Well... See you tomorrow, kids.

And just a fair warning... we only have a few meetings before Christmas break, can you believe that?

Just look at this

Anyway... here's my favorite Batman film, next to The Dark Knight.



Byte me!

Welcome!

Welcome to the second semester.

I hope that anyone reading this is seated cozily, tucked and comfy.
And for your delectable entertainment, I shall brief you now that you are with me for the rest of the school year.

Now, for starters, please be reminded that for the MWF classes only 15 minutes is allowed for you to be late, those arriving after 15 minutes may still be admitted in class yet will already be considered absent.

For those in TTH classes, 30 minutes is the maximum grace period.

Also, since all of us use the same classroom with all other classes, we might as well be courteous and have a responsibility to at least keep the premises as clean as can be. We don't want to have... "new" classmates, do we now? You know what I mean.

With regards to the use of mobile phones, I am not too strict. Knowing that we cannot stop anyone from texting or calling us, be at lease courteous enough to ask permission and take the call outside.

Well, that's it for now...

Now remember, kids, it's good to be good because it isn't bad.

And here's a little reminder from our dearest friend, Bert the Turtle...
These are happy times!






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