NorthStar Flags

I remember my high school days. We used to celebrate UN day every 24th of October. I remember we’d start early in the morning. The morning chill didn’t stop anyone from their enthusiasm; everyone was having fun decorating the classrooms. We’d put in all our efforts to try to make the place look like different life-sized postcards that you could actually walk into.

Other classes crafted costumes from different countries for dolls in full detail. I remember we’d play loud music which made everyone more lively, and we’d sing along to songs while working. Later in the day, we’d change into colorful costumes. Students would go around the school grounds. Some would go into the ‘life-sized postcards’. Some would go and have a parade, and they would wave twirler flags from different countries. There was dancing and fun all over the place.

Exhibits showed everyone’s creativity. Different talent contests displayed unity and hard work. I remember that our class would never win at any contests, even though we put all our efforts in it. And it was very exhausting, yet it was enjoyable.

We always thought that everything we did was worth all our efforts even if some of us exhausted too much money with all those art materials that we used. At the end of the day, the people would go out of the school gates, still with the smiles on their faces. It was, for many of us, another one of those days to remember. I’d remember leaving those banners, and those pretty mini flags decorated outside the buildings, still fluttering in the warm afternoon breeze…

How nostalgic. But a lot of people at that time probably didn’t even know what that day was really all about that it was the day when the world celebrates and remembers the value of peace and equality, self-determination and freedom.

When I was small (and literally small too!) I have always been fond of looking at knights in their glorious moments in televisions, pictures in books, and in video games that featured such images. They ride on a sleek strong proud horse, wear a sturdy lustrous armor and make it look so light, a sword sheathed on their waist. They gallantly rode through the deluge of people cheering for them, their left hand driving the horse and the other, an extravagant looking crest flag of such “grand-ness”. Seeing such images, as a child, always made me drool about how they delivered an impressive show of force, without even drawing the sword.

Such admiration for such things led me to do what every child would do: imitate them! Well, hey, I was a kid. Need I say more? I requested my dad to give me a toy sword as a birthday gift. Lo and behold, he gave a toy sword which I actually have until now . . . and I still play with it sometimes, too. A few months later I opted for the expensive looking flag of ..err … grandeur but no, he didn’t give me one. Not at all, said it was expensive and not worth it. Said I should be content of the toy sword. That day was where my obsession about knights stopped but it didn’t mean I stopped admiring them.

Years passed by my admiration about knights slightly faded. Years of reality knocked some sense into me. Being a knight meant I’d have to be ready to die for the country, for the people, and I wasn’t totally raised to be the patriotic type. Even it meant me not being able to carry the crest flag, I’d happily pass. But the image of the glorious knight in shining armor still lingers in my head.

Have you enjoyed paradise and cocktail at the same time? A cool cocktail and with all the women around, wouldn’t you enjoy the scenery and the pleasure at the same time? We all heard about the white sand beaches like Bora Bora, Bali, and Phuket. But why go to a faraway Pacific Island when you could enjoy Jamaica. Jamaica has a lot to offer. As I have said, enjoying a cocktail in a beach, especially if it is flooding with sexy girls is truly a sight to behold. Doctor’s Cave Beach Club is the place to be. The beach is clean and the view is breathtaking. It truly represent the beauty of Jamaica and can proudly display the Jamaican Flag. With white sand, beautiful girls, beautiful view and a hotel that would accommodate your every need Jamaica is the place for relaxation and peace. Try and experience what I have tried and go to the place that you can consider a paradise.

Other than being one as a nation even in a national perspective, it is also the home of the greatest reggae artist in the world, no one else but Bob Marley. In this generation that I live in Bob Marley is still famous, he has hoisted the Jamaican flag, long before I went into college. The cool rhythm and the beat that would make you dance even if you were not up to it that is what I would call art. Bob Marley has been a personal Idol for me. The genre he produced was something that could make me relax even at the time of my distress.

The motto of the Jamaican people would be “Out of many, one people”. In my own perspective the motto itself tells about how the Jamaican people are united and well. I might be shallow to swallow there motto, but for me the motto itself speaks about the country.

Have you enjoyed paradise and cocktail at the same time? A cool cocktail and with all the women around, wouldn’t you enjoy the scenery and the pleasure at the same time? We all heard about the white sand beaches like Bora Bora, Bali, and Phuket. But why go to a faraway Pacific Island when you could enjoy Jamaica. Jamaica has a lot to offer. As I have said, enjoying a cocktail in a beach, especially if it is flooding with sexy girls is truly a sight to behold. Doctor’s Cave Beach Club is the place to be. The beach is clean and the view is breathtaking. It truly represent the beauty of Jamaica and can proudly display the Jamaican Flag. With white sand, beautiful girls, beautiful view and a hotel that would accommodate your every need Jamaica is the place for relaxation and peace. Try and experience what I have tried and go to the place that you can consider a paradise.

Other than being one as a nation even in a national perspective, it is also the home of the greatest reggae artist in the world, no one else but Bob Marley. In this generation that I live in Bob Marley is still famous, he has hoisted the Jamaican flag, long before I went into college. The cool rhythm and the beat that would make you dance even if you were not up to it that is what I would call art. Bob Marley has been a personal Idol for me. The genre he produced was something that could make me relax even at the time of my distress.

The motto of the Jamaican people would be “Out of many, one people”. In my own perspective the motto itself tells about how the Jamaican people are united and well. I might be shallow to swallow there motto, but for me the motto itself speaks about the country.

Back then, most people would think that one needs to be a pro to play golf. Today, people of all ages would play golf either for fun, exercise, tournament or just hanging out with friends and play a few holes. There are golf courses that would offer only 9 holes to play through but there are many golf courses which would offer the whole 18 holes for golfers who want to practice on their swings. There are also places called mini golf clubs where, instead of using a whole range of golf clubs, they would only give a putter wherein one has to putt the golf ball through various obstacles along the short path into the hole.

There are people who would think that golf is a boring sport, but no, it isn’t a dull sport as a lot of people think it is. When a golfer swings that perfect swing and sees his ball land on the green, the golfer and fans alike would cheer for the next putt may sink the golf ball into the hole. A good swing to the golf ball may also be considered when the golfer swings his golf club to hit the ball and the ball lands on the fairway other than the rough or the sand trap, or worse it goes out of bounds. For when it is already in the fairway, the hole can be now be very visible as the holes in a golf course are usually marked by golf flags. Theses golf flags are usually decorated with bright and vibrant colors so that golfers would know in what direction they would swing their golf clubs to hit the ball in order to sink the ball into the hole, if not, then land it on the green.

Other than golf courses, there are also places called driving ranges wherein people, professional golfers and amateur golfers alike, practice their swing on a very small place, similar to a batting cage but only bigger, to swing and hit the ball into holes that are only a few yards away from where they are standing. In driving ranges, you don’t walk, instead you are given a bucket of golf balls then swing away and practice your swings.

The game of golf itself is exciting and invigorating, especially since the objective of the game is to sink the golf ball into the hole with the lowest possible number of swings that you can. This is because some holes are exceptionally challenging even to the professional golf player. A breath of fresh air is simply priceless to a golfer. A cheer or two when the golfer gets a hole in one, this means that he sunk the golf ball into the whole with just one swing.

If you get really good in this sport you can win some tournaments and even win cash prizes to boot.

A few days ago, our street celebrated its patron saint’s feast day. Our small community had been doing that for years, but this year was entirely different. My mother almost annoyed me for saying every so often how merry this year’s celebration was. As if trying to make me feel like I missed a substantial part of my life.

Colorful banners and pennant streamers of all sizes are put up weeks before the feast day. Prayers and novenas and games for the kids and adults alike are assembled every night that is always with an abundance of food and drinks. That is how I remember our annual fiesta growing up. It has been two years since I last joined in the celebrations and it’s sad I did not get to join in now.

For this year’s activities, everything was more elaborate. Everybody in the street was involved and the chairman made sure everything was detailed and ornate. A major soda company offered and erected tents for the festivity as well as booths with sufficient supply of their products. It was the first time anyone ever did. A digital surround system was reportedly set up as well, thanks to our restaurant owner of a neighbor. A stage was put up for a band that was invited to perform. A temporary basketball court was also built for the mini tournament that gave away cash prizes. My brother also unpredictably sponsored his own darts tournament right in our garage. He never really joined in during these kinds of activities, but I told you this year was different. I do not know what has gotten into him. Guests trooped into our house when no one really ever did before except our relatives.

So it was all kind of like an extended holiday season for everybody in there while I mourned over school. What a shame.

Staring at blank flags by the beach is what I do with my extra time. If not writing stories I just enjoy the salty breeze of the sea. I often think of myself as a loner but apparently people think that I am sociable. Judging from what I have been in the past. I usually like it when I am alone and when it’s quite around me. It’s not because I was deprived of silence and peace. Serenity and calmness for me is everything. I love the peace and quiet of the sea. Trying to stay away from the busy and noisy world is fun and the sea is like a haven for calmness.

One of the greatest places I went to was in a place called Cannibad. It is located in the Philippines, particularly Samal. The locals called the place “The Secret Garden Paradise” and true to its name, it was really a paradise. The place is awesome. The resort itself is astonishing. With an open sea view and a mountain range behind you, calmness is at hand. Since the place is still unknown to many the resort only has a few people.

The place or should I say the resort is small. Considering that the place isn’t commercialized. This small garden paradise has a lot to offer. First, the view of the open sea and the soft and cold breeze of the sea is relaxing. Second, the calmness of the place is spectacular. It is the perfect place to find peace of mind and to escape the busy world. Third, the caretakers and the people are hospitable and warm. Lastly, the ecosystem and the corals would make the stay enjoyable.

Staying overnight at that place is fun, especially if you are with friends. With our departure, all we took were memories and as we went home I saw the blank flags bidding goodbye goodbye. I will be back.

I was bored staying inside the house so I decided to go to the mall. I was sitting on a bench while sipping my carrot juice but it got me bored nevertheless its worst if I stayed home. I wanted to go to a place where I could relax and unwind do I decided to drop by at my friend’s newly opened wellness center for the first time. I was so happy to see her after 6 months. Her place was so cool and comforting. I liked the lights, the music and all.

On the entrance, there were several mini flags advertising their services; one of those is a custom made welcome banner hanging with a caption Colon Hydrotherapy is a machine bought abroad and is one of the methods of detoxifying; it eliminates toxins from the body and helps people in reconnecting with their bodies to attain better health. The machine cleanses the colon, exercises the colon muscles, reshapes the colon and stimulates reflexes points. Though I was enthusiastic about it, I did not get the chance to see the equipment because it was being used.

After our small talk, she urged me to at least try one of their offered services. Since I’m already there and that I really wanted to pamper my body and to loosen up a bit I tried the body massage. It was so relaxing and soothing that I actually slept. ‘Twas really satisfying indeed.

The Whole thing was great, I mean really great for the reason that I did not pay for it because it was a treat; she told me it was an early gift for my birthday next week. My day wasn’t bad at all, so I then spent a restful and relaxing night.

The chill of the Christmas season was getting to me. It was 3 a.m.and I could not put myself to sleep. I looked at the rumpled person in front of me. Her hair was unkempt and her eyes, which looked tired and drowsy, had bruise-like shadows beneath them. Her cheeks were scrawny and her face was pale. She told me, ” You think too much”. I asked myself that, too. Do I? The question would always come up during those late hours of night, when there’s no hiding. I liked my life, the way it’s turned out. I was miraculously still at school, I had passed my favorite subject with the exact grades I needed, there is no problem with my home life, I had great friends and I have great years ahead of me. Or do I?

The shabby person stared back. Why was it that when we want to sleep the most, sometimes, we just can’t? Or was it just me? People change, but what if I do not want to change? Like, what if I just turn into a vampire one night and just live forever, unchanging? I just said I liked my life. Why was I whining?

For the longest time I had been debating with myself if I should ever feel this way. Edward and his beautiful face, his perfect chiselled body, and his old school ways, that’s all I can ever think of. Edward of the summer past. Edward smiled at me that me that one summer night and in the language of smiles, his smile, mirrored mine, said something – something that gave away nothing, and at the same time, everything. The first time I ever saw him, I was floored. He was unlike anything I have ever seen before. BY the time I first talked to him, I knew this was it. I made excuses to be with him. And every single time the excuses got flimsier and flimsier. I was practically stalking him already. I felt like a squashed veggie when I don’t see him even just for a day.

There was a glint of smile playing across the scruffy person’s face. She held a white flag. Suddenly, there were white flags all over, on the slightly opened window and above the door. And then I realized that person was me. But no. I am the master of my own destiny. To put it Dido’s way, there will be no white flag above my door. I’m in love, and always will be.

I wonder what our country’s flag is called. Or should flag names ever become essential, I wonder what ours is going to be. The United Kingdom has union jack, the United States of America has the star spangled banner or is that just their anthem?

My nephew’s just learning to work with crayons and coloring materials and I was fascinated at how great he was with colors. He drew the union jack with colors blue and red and I must say he did a pretty good job. I remember being in preschool eons ago and we were always asked to make a miniature flag of whatever nation for the United Nation’s Day. I always crafted – you guessed it – Japan’s for reasons extremely obvious. And even that hardly seemed like a good job for a preschooler. I sucked at art class.

Anyway, today is a pretty boring day. I went to school, sat around and went straight home. I lay around in my puny bunk bed for a while and started the rest of my day. I read the book I had been reading time and again for three years now I practically memorized everything already. After chuckling from time to time, I decided to write. Light materials like that make me want to be a writer too, though I don’t see how that would be possible. My imagination and wit, like myself in art class, suck.

I flinched when someone came knocking on my door, asking me to come eat dinner. I decided to come along since my stomach was making odd sounds already. A basketball game was on tonight so I watched. My team got the beating. And right now, there is nothing left to do but sleep. But I do not want to doze off right now. Not yet. I’m not done with something I should be doing; something that would please me in the end. Never mind if I should be up so early Saturday morning doing something that’s totally pointless. If only I had a choice, if only I had a choice.