brdnjulia

[brdnjulia]

FINAL WEEK: Farewell, But not Goodbye

I cant believe how time flies by so fast. All I remember is that I was just starting on doing the exercises for the first week, wherein along with it were a couple of struggles and muscle sores from here and there. And in a blink of an eye, we have now set foot on the last few days of doing this activity. Along the way, I have gathered several insights on different kinds of things that I wasn’t even aware before. 

All I can say is that, for the past months I have noticed that I have become completely at ease, both physically and mentally; insecurities were slowly fading away as time have progressed, the exercises itself has alleviated all of the stress that I was feeling in this time of pandemic; and has boosted my self confidence much more.

Since we have reached the very last week for our FITT plan, I guess this would be the perfect time to be able to give a huge thanks and appreciation to Sir Christian, who is our PE teacher. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to be at this particular moment, where I have somehow gained the stability and confidence from both physical and mental assets. Even though doing this entire FITT plan has come to an end, I will for sure voluntarily do all of these exercises as much as possible and always bring with me the wisdom that was given to us by our teacher.

In order to view my vlog for this week, click the link right here:

Quote for the week:  “Exercise not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude, and your mood.” -Anonymous

Have a great day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

WEEK 3: Upper Focused

The start of this week, has been really fun because last Sunday we went to Sunset Bay Beach and went swimming very early. It was nice to be able to swim again for about an hour and a couple of minutes. I was supposed to add this as an extra exercise for this week’s routine but then I wasn’t able to take a quick documentation because I forgot since we also didn’t stay long in there.

Aside from that, for the past weeks I have constantly been focusing on my lower body and haven't really done much to my upper body. And so, I decided to discard one of my exercises which is the very last one, the jumping rope exercise and replaced it with an arm and shoulder exercise with the use of a multi-functional foot pedal. I forgot that we even own this equipment since it was hidden in our stock room and when I found it, I thought to myself why not use it? Furthermore, I can say that it may look easy when doing it but to be honest, after a while it gets kind of difficult to pull since our foot pedal contains a spring and the usual foot pedal that I see from the internet are the ones that has rope. So, it was somehow a little bit challenging but regardless, I was still able to execute it with the repetitions and sets that I wanted to have.

Also, during this week I got reminded of the reason as to why I removed squats in my exercise because as I scrolled down on my feed in Facebook, I saw an advertisement of it. To know further about why I removed squats in my exercise, you guys may watch it in this week's vlog which I will be putting the link down below.

Quote for the week: "There is no challenge more challenging that the challenge to improve yourself." -Michael F. Staley

In order to view my vlog for this week, click the link right here: https://youtu.be/Eb_RX8fZVj0 

Have a great day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

FINALS: Week 2 - Realizations for this Week

It's now the 2nd week of doing the new set of exercises, although not entirely new because I still did some of the exercises coming from my past FITT plan. My realizations for this week was that I knew all along that I was really capable of doing the Russian twists and I take what I said from the very beginning. I have realized that the only thing that was hindering me from doing this specific exercise was because of the intensity of the squats that I did before. Since from my very first FITT plan, the exercise that comes before the Russian twists was the squats and by doing the squats it somehow took all the energy and the strength of my legs that I need so that I can execute for the Russian twists. Now that I have removed the squats from my routine, I was able to perform the Russian Twists very well, in my opinion. Also, by removing the squats in my routine has also allowed me to perform more types of exercises including the jumping rope which has really made me get a hold of my breath once I am done doing it. 

This just goes to show that we just always have to try and try until such time we are already capable of doing such actions. To anyone out there who are somehow struggling to perform some exercises up until now, don’t worry as it’ll get easier and easier as time passes by. So far, my schedule for doing the exercises this week has been consistent. And personally, that's all that matters for me. 

In order to view my documentation for this week, click the link below to be redirected: https://youtu.be/ZdwBSCv_iz4

Quote for the week: “The body achieves, what the mind believes.”

Have a nice day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

F I N A L S: Week 1

Midterms has gone by, and the finals have just started. Since we had our midterms assessment, we were able to take a one week break from our exercises. Which is perfect because a month has already passed since we have been doing our FITT plan, and it's nice to be able to rest our bodies even just for a week.

And so, for the first week of doing my exercises during the finals I actually made some tweaks in  my workout routine. I removed the squats from my routine because I feel like the past month of exercising with squats was already enough for making some progress. Also, I wouldn’t want to reach the point where my thighs become super bulky that’s why I stopped doing the squats. Thus, I added a couple of exercises for my FITT plan during the finals which are: Russian twists, Glute bridges and doing the Jumping rope.

After the 3 day exercise for the first week, I actually feel a lot better unlike the last week when we didn’t perform the exercise. Overall, I honestly think that it’s good to finally get back on track and once again do the following exercises because it for sure gives several benefits to me.

In order to view my documentation for this week, just click the link below to be redirected:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX4DlH6s-h0

~Quote for the week: “Remember why you started. Breathe. Get back on track.” ~

Have a nice day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

Week 4: Turn of Events

Sometimes in our life, we get to encounter certain moments that completely hinders our way and contributes us to somehow struggle upon doing our work or activities. Even though we start off as extremely happy, glorious, p, we for sure come to a point where everything seems to twist to what you entirely didn’t expect in the first place. All I can say is, this week has come to a complete turn of events.

During the first and second day, it was the usual day wherein I was extremely motivated to start off the week with having a nice workout or exercise. With the first day, I was able to set off a nice pace and got astonished after I did the entire workout for this day. This is because I noticed that this day was really different from the past couple of days that I have worked out. The exercise that I did was giving me a very refreshing feeling, like my body was getting more and more used to what I have been doing unlike the past weeks of doing my FITT plan.

The second day I woke up early, got dressed for my workout clothes and ate a light snack a couple of minutes before doing my routine. It was still the same as yesterday, wherein I still felt very refreshed once I did the following exercises in my plan. I am extremely grateful, because even though during the first week I was still somehow struggling, it slowly payed off to what it is now.

Now, we’re down to the third day, and this is where the complete turn of events occur. Unlike the past two days, I really got unmotivated to do my workout for the third day. I was two days behind my schedule for the third day because my body feels very heavy. I believe that the main reason as to why I am feeling this is because of the unhealthy food that I was eating for the past days. 

So to wrap everything up for this week even though from the start I was really motivated, it suddenly halted and changed to being unmotivated. This week, I realized that the food that we intake would greatly affect us physically since first and foremost, this is where we get our energy. By that, consuming healthy food would somehow help us with our day to day activities and allows us to not be sloppy with our work.

In order to view my documentation for this week, you may click the link below to be redirected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTEWP7sFck8

Thanks for reading, and have a great day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

WEEK 3: Diving Unto The Benefits

Time flies by so fast, and it’s already been 3 weeks since I’ve done my FITT plan. No wonder why my body seemed to get caught up with the routine that I have been doing for a quite a while now.

This week, I was just really pondering on the benefits of all of the exercises that I have been doing due to an incident that happened last Sunday. Going back to the day of Valentine’s, my family and relatives were out on a beach trip. As I was swimming for almost a couple of hours with them, I suddenly had cramps in my feet and toes, which is not that surprising because it usually happens whenever I go swim. 

Because of this incident, it really made me think more about the exercises that I will be doing in the upcoming week. I thought to myself that I really need to perform all of these exercises because I know that it will be able to give me several benefits that will aid me in the long run, thus it can help strengthen my body. 

Although I know that the exercises that I’m doing this week aren’t really for the ones that I am concerned with. But the point is, the incident enabled me to think within a wider scope and be more consistent in doing and executing the following exercises in a well manner. By now, I allow myself to be engulfed in this routine considering the fact that it for sure does give us several benefits. 

So basically, my mindset for each day this week was all about focusing on executing the exercises. Because I believe that once I have been continuously doing these, it will pay off at some point and it’ll become a great benefit to me as well as my body. 

This just goes to show that through the experiences that go through especially to those that we really don’t want to happen, we are being reminded of certain things which in my case are knowing more about the benefits of doing the exercises.

To view my documentation for this week, you may click the link here for you to be redirected: https://youtu.be/5oBIwwPCSqw 

Have a great day ahead! ^-^ 

[brdnjulia]

WEEK 2: Being Strong-Willed and Focused

   I have now reached the 2nd week of performing the exercises in my FITT plan. From my own perspective, I believe that my performance for this week was somehow done quite well. Due to the fact that for the past 3 days this week, my body did not get sore after each day when I was doing the exercises. Unlike when I just started doing my FITT plan last week, my body at that time was still adjusting to the change, which is why now I am delighted to say that for this week I wasn't able to feel that soreness after every sets of exercise; and that feels rewarding, at least.

   For my first day this week, I was off to a fresh start since I was able to wake up extra early and walk our dog around the neighborhood. After walking, I then proceeded in doing my exercise. I was able to survive again the 3 sets of squats which is a little bit weary, but I'm glad that it goes off right away. In the second day, it was just a normal day and I got to perform all the exercises but the funny thing is that in the video, you can see that my cousin's tiny puppy, named Ori walked up to me while I was in the middle of doing the plank, thus my cousin had to get in the frame to take the puppy away. The third day for my exercise went pretty smoothly since my body got kind of used to the routine that I was doing, although I still really need to work on the plank that I did for the past days because I know it still isn’t that perfect, but hopefully I’ll be able to get there. 

    To wrap everything up, for this week I learned that we need to be driven and strong-willed in order to successfully perform what we need to do. As I was doing the exercises, thoughts were flooding my mind about being focused and telling myself that I can do every step. By telling this to myself, it allows me to have a specific mindset and set myself with terms that helps to build up my mood and allows me to have a better performance in reaching my goal. 

     To view my documentation for this week, click this link right here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eJbshKjiCZvbz22RkwHI1t3e6s9-P6-c/view?usp=sharing

Have a great day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

WEEK 1: Back to Being Fit

    As we grow from time to time, we need to take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally. Especially during this time of pandemic, there is no excuse for us to not be able to perform even the simplest exercises at the comfort of our homes. Exercising allows our bodies to not only maintain ourselves physical but it also gives us several health benefits.

   During the 1st week, I started my exercise pretty late since I got sick over the weekend including last Monday and Tuesday. Because of that, I had to do my workout for 3 consecutive days in order to not miss the deadline. And since I stopped working out last month due to a very busy schedule, I was still slowly going back to my routine. From the 1st day, I had successfully done all of the exercises in my FITT plan, although my only obstacle was my extensive runny nose resulting to not being able to perform well on some parts of the exercise. 

    The next day, my legs were a little bit sore since it has been a long time since I was used to this. But since it was a very windy day, and the breeze was very cool as it brushed my skin, I got really motivated to do the following exercises. I had to all of the exercises once again, but when it was time for me to do the Russian twist, I just couldn't perform it well enough unlike how I did yesterday. So I just decided to ditch that exercise and just perform a plank since it's much easier than the former one. 

    The third day went pretty smoothly, and I was able to perform all of the exercises although my runny nose was still there. Yet, I didn’t let that stop myself to perform all the exercises in my FITT plan. 

    Overall, the lesson that I learned from this week is that we don't have to force ourselves do things that we aren't that capable of doing so. By starting less, we are actually doing what we can to strive for the best. I believe that as we take little by little steps, we are actually already making a difference.

    To view my documentation for this week, click this link right here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rRZDiwKC1Ke9PvUXpD2hKRByvrK_f0Kx?usp=sharing 

Have a great day ahead! ^-^

[brdnjulia]

RACIAL BLUES

The Filipino’s creole identity,

Has always surfaced in reality.

The racial ambivalence that inheres,

Known everywhere for its evidence.

  Race folded into the language of class,

Skin color – the gauge of social difference;

Prejudice versus Overseas Filipino Workers,

Perhaps the most brutal forms of racial injustices.

  Running wild but shallow,

Incapable of changing directions,

The thinness and contingency of race consciousness,

Largely depends on social context.

[brdnjulia]

WAITING : A Reflection

by: Ron Darvin

       Through reading this entire story, I would say that it has somehow touched my heart because it shows how the mother in the story sacrificed her love for her profession and get a job in another country just so that she can sustain their needs especially for their son, Miguel. Even though at some point, she was told by her husband that this job that she will be getting is too embarrassing because imagine a teacher becoming a caregiver. But despite that, she still didn’t gave up and she pushed herself and the shame that she will get once she will step unto this path and I salute her for that because it’s a tough decision to make regarding this but when it comes to the future of their family there is no doubt that she would do it. Even though Isabel has gone through a lot of things, she still was too strong to handle everything. And I also feel kind of sad for her because all of her efforts were being neglected when the main reason of her doing these jobs and sacrificing herself is for her family and no one else. They didn’t consider the fact that Isabel was also suffering too much thus they weren’t even being too appreciative enough and that’s what hits me the most.

       As for the video that I have watched, we think that life of Filipinos abroad are easy but its more than just that, we weren’t just able to look at the other side wherein they are also struggling just so that they can support their families. But despite all of their hardships that they are going through, I can say that their strongholds are their families which make them keep on going even though they are already suffering.

[brdnjulia]

TURBAN LEGEND

What do you think is the real message behind the anecdote or the turban legend?

     As I’ve read through the excerpt “Turban Legend” by Zamora Linmark, I cannot disregard the fact that this excerpt depicts the life of Filipinos particularly to those who are working or to those who are residing in another country or continent. This excerpt also goes to show the longing of the Filipinos for their families in the Philippines and how they are able to treasure and value them through the little things. Even though being far apart from each other, Filipinos that have gone overseas always find some ways in order for them to still be able to connect with their relatives or friends, and these are specifically through sending or bringing with them these balikbayan boxes containing several pasalubongs for each members of the family, and by that we all tend to look forward to it whenever someone is outside or has come from another country.

   Though at some point it was also able to show their homesickness from their homeland wherein it reached to the point where they have gone through extreme measures just to ensure that they will be able to come home. Though in the excerpt, I would also not buy the story that was being told by the sister of the persona because it would be too impossible for that to happen, but I clearly get the point of that part, it only intends to show that Filipinos would do everything just so they can come back home to the place where they have grown fondly, especially during the one of the most awaited and looked-forward times which are the holidays because during these times it magnifies their homesickness of not being able to spend time with their family during this kinds of season.

    Needless to say, the overall message of the excerpt is that love will always prevail because even though Filipinos are far apart from each other they still manage to showcase their love and affection for not forgetting the people back at home and also they would do anything just so that they can come back to their homeland and be with the people whom they love the most, with all of these it has for sure engraved greatly into our minds.

[brdnjulia]

Why Do They Say That Our English Is Bad?: OUTLINE & SUMMARY

OUTLINE

Title of Work: Why Do They Say That Our English Is Bad?

1.0 Teachers and linguistics have sought and are still seeking for ways and strategies to teach English effectively especially in the light of teaching English as a second language or as a foreign language.

        1.1 One of the topics that the researchers have explored is the recurring errors in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and discourse of second language learners.

             1.1.1 Studying these recurring errors is necessary to address the supposed grammar problems of the Filipino college students.

        1.2 Saqueton found out that among the students’ essays, errors in the use of verbs are the most common, followed by the errors in the use of articles, conjunctions, pronouns; spelling problems are also evident.

             1.2.1 These “errors” are considered errors because of the certain standards that language teachers want their students to follow.

2.0 Educators want their students to master Standard English as second language learners of English. The problem here lies in the definition of “Standard” English.

        2.1 Dr. Andrew Moody, when asked during the International Conference on Word English and Second Language Teaching on how to maintain correctness and consistency when teaching English in the Philippines, said that it would be dishonest to teach Standard English as if it exists.

       2.2 According to Fairclough (1995), there is a need for particular standard in order to rationalize policies on the teaching of Standard English.

              2.2.1 He further stated that appropriateness figures within dominant conceptions of language variations.

3.0 Is there an implied claim then that students of English as a second language or as a foreign language speak a substandard kind of English because they do not follow the standards of General American variety?

       3.1 Andrew Gonzales (1985), in his paper, “When Does an Error Become a Feature of Philippine English?” pointed out that until Philippine English is really creolized, English is still a second language in the Philippines, and he believed that in teaching any second language, one must accept a standard.

4.0 There will always be different perspectives on this matter, especially that language issues seem to be a highly emotional matter. Educators and language policy planners have to decide how relevant English is to their students, and from there they have to decide what to teach and how to teach it.

SUMMARY

     The students still make the same mistakes in their own writing, no matter how hard teachers try to educate their students the rules of written English which is why English teachers are often found in a very frustrating situation in the Philippines. Although to effectively teach English, both teachers and linguists have sought and are still looking for ways and strategies. With that, various research studies have been carried out and various theories have been used to tackle the situation. These include the following findings: because of certain standards that language teachers want their students to follow, these "errors" are now considered to be errors; Teachers want their students to learn the language of Standard English, but the problem is the definition of what "Standard" English really is; and also English remains a second language until Philippine English is creolized. Above all of these, there will always be various perspectives on this issue, particularly that language problems seem to be a highly emotional matter. Deciding how relevant English is to their students is very important because educators and language policy planners will be able to decide what to teach and how to teach it.

[brdnjulia]

BIKO: A Filipino Delicacy

Biko or rice cake is one of the kakanin delicacies that are famous all over the Philippines without a doubt. According to my grandmother, she has made this delicacy over the past couple of years of her entire life the moment she was still a young girl. Whenever we have a special occasion to be celebrated, a platter of this delicacy wouldn’t be forgotten. Also, especially during the night of All Saint’s Day, Biko is always prepared and is afterwards distributed to our relatives in preparation for the next day. Yet she said that she doesn’t know where this food came from hence as long as our family loves it, that’s all that matters. Though most of the time, people just don’t really question its origin because they just can’t resist the gooey, sticky, sweet and delicious Biko. This food was traditionally being placed in banana leaves where it has to cool down and is devoured afterwards. Biko now has a wide variation of styles on how to cook, where some bake the food; and some even add their own touch to it by adding ingredients which isn’t traditionally part of the ingredients like for example Ube Biko, Yema Biko, and many more!

BIKO:CULINARY ANALYSIS

ORIGIN OF NAME

Biko (pronounced bee-koh) is one of the malagkit rice specialties or kakanin coming from the Philippines. It is no doubt a highly adored native delicacy where it is known to have a lot of names in the entire country. It has a long list of names from different places of the Philippines. For the places in the Luzon area, it is called sinukmani or sinukmaneng; in the Bisaya area, it’s what we commonly known as Biko; for Ilonggo, they call it as Suman; and as for the Muslim regions of the Philippines, it is known as wadjit in Tausug; wadit in Maranao; and wagit in Maguindanao. Some places even call it as Bibingkang Malagkit and Kalamay.

INGREDIENTS

This delicacy is traditionally made from glutinous rice or pilit, as what we call here in Leyte; with rich coconut milk or gata, water, brown sugar and is afterwards topped with ground roasted peanuts and a good amount of caramelized coconut milk and sugar mixture or what we call latik, which can be in curd form or in syrup. Though over the past years that have gone by, home cooks have levelled up their game of making Biko. Which is what we can see now, it can be prepared with other common Filipino ingredients. Examples include ube-biko which is made with ube halaya (mashed purple yam), and pandan biko which is made with pandan leaf extracts; these are characteristically deep purple and bright green, respectively.

THE COOKING PROCESS

Cooking it requires a lot of muscle – the more cooked the glutinous rice gets, the heavier it gets as well thus, making it harder to stir. (Joel, 2011) Though there are several ways to cook it but the most common and traditional way is by cooking the glutinous rice, with pandan leaves, first like you do in regular rice and then it will be added to the coconut-caramel mixture later on. The coconut milk will be boiled with water and brown sugar so that the texture will become thick. Traditionally, this delicious rice cake is placed over banana leaves in a bilao (round woven bamboo tray) and garnished with latik (cooked coconut milk residue) on top. There is also another way where you simply put the ingredients for the Biko together in a rice cooker and that is it. Practically if you do not have time and just want a quick snack.

FLAVORING

For added flavor – it can be added with a pinch of salt, a bit of vanilla extract to the latik syrup to make it extra delicious; adding pandan leaves extract while cooking the rice will also give it nice aroma and flavour; or even a cup of macapuno (coconut strings) in order to add sweetness of the food.

There are endless varieties of kakanin and one of these is the 6 different variations of Biko. First, is biko in its usual and most basic form. Second is Biko na Pirurutong, which is basically prepared with pirurutong (purple sticky rice) and white glutinous rice cooked in ginger, coconut milk, lemon rinds, brown sugar and topped with latik. Third is Bikong Navotas or Biko with Munggo which is prepared with glutinous white rice and green mung beans. Next is Pandan Biko where it is Biko infused with pandan essence. Another variation is Puto Maya where it sounds like puto but it is biko served like a puto. And last is Ube Biko which is Biko infused with purple yam.

SOCIAL POSITION

Just like what Adaengkantada said in her blog, it is best served with kapeng barako or brewed coffee. This delicacy can be found at every special occasion, from birthdays, family gatherings, holidays, fiesta to even just a plain simple day served as a merienda or afternoon snack.

It is a famous desert or mid-afternoon snack especially in provinces like Bicol and other Southern Luzon Regions whenever there are fiestas or other festivities.  There’s even a Sinukmani festival in Batangas City. During the first Sinukmani festival, a long table of this sweet delicacy were laid out to be shared among the local residents.

References:

https://m.facebook.com/LakbayMindanao/photos/a.2458237057547803/2973187199386117/?type=3&source=57&__tn__=EH-R

https://www.angsarap.net/2019/09/09/the-endless-varieties-of-kakanin/4/

https://www.foxyfolksy.com/biko-recipe-filipino-rice-cake/

https://patriciacelestial.wordpress.com/sinukmani/

[brdnjulia]

Decayed System

Philippine judicial system,

An atrocious imitation of the peculiar.

Having money for litigation,

Like a rotten fruit, wasted and spoiled,

Worthless as you may say.

Findings have been contradicted,

Dysfunctional systems on mere existence,

Deprived with inefficient investigation,

Letting us play a game of charades,

Second-guessing the conclusion.

  A miscarriage of justice unknowingly witnessed,

Penurious individuals being falsely convicted,

Confessing non-existing crimes they didn’t commit,

Unable to see any convincing evidences,

Thus still fearing for their lives in one blink.

[brdnjulia]

Pagbaton sa Kahadlok

Nag-inusara sa kangitngit,

Naglisod unsaon pag lakang sa kahayag.

Mga lihok nalukop sa kahadlok,

Naudlot na mga pagbati gipang taklob.

Adunay mga adlaw na ikaw magmalipayon.

Pero ngano sa pag-abot sa kagabhion,

Murag wala kana sa imo kaugalingon?

Nagtago-tago sa kadaplinon.

Nasayod ka ba niini?

Nasayod ka ba na sa kadamo sa imo nabuhat sa imo kaugalingon,

Aduna pa gihapon ang pagduhaduha,

Pirmi mubalik sa imong mga pang-hunahunaon.

Ayaw ug kabalaka, ingon sila.

Pero sa paglabay sa mga panahon,

Nahimong labing ka grabe naman hinuon.

Ingon nako sa akong kaugalingon,

“Muabot ang adlaw na makapangita ko ug kalinaw,

Muabot ang panahon na malampos nimo kining tanan,

Ug maatubang nimo ang kalibutan,

Sa labing dakong katuyoan.”

[brdnjulia]

LENGUA PARA DIABLO: Analysis

What does the story tell about the Philippine society?

The story tells us about how the workers, especially the father figure, in the Philippines are unemployed and how it affects them and their family members as well.  So it means that this story is all about the struggles of a family when it comes to the point where they live in poverty and it also shows that when a man or a father loses his job, they are slowly losing their dignity or purpose as the head of the family. To put everything together, it basically portrays the image of what Philippines is facing in the reality where poverty and unemployment are one of the main challenges that we are currently facing especially during this time of pandemic. Another take of the story is that it tells about how those affluent individuals are numb to the fact that they just easily take away the jobs of their employees without taking any considerations of what might happen if the workers lose their jobs.

Does this still exist up until today?

For me, I can say that we cannot deny the fact that it is still evident in which this issue still exist mainly in the Philippines up until today, especially right now where there’s a global pandemic. Though in general, some of their wives tend to blame their husbands and make it sound like their fault for losing their jobs and is not capable of providing for the family. And as for the pandemic, it has affected a lot of factors and has given us several complications which includes of losing jobs for several people since most of the enterprises here in the Philippines have been temporarily closed due to the current situation and the lockdown. It’s sad to think about fathers blaming themselves during these times where they are not able to fully support and provide for the family such as their primary needs, financial support and the rest.

[brdnjulia]

PRELUDES : A Reflection

Reading the story was a bit intense because there are a lot of things happening and you really need to think about it in order to produce or formulate assumptions about the real motive of the story and also the writing style of the author was interesting because it has been reversed where it makes you think about what scene goes first and what’s not. Judging by what I’ve read, the story is about infidelity and the conflicts of married couples.

At first my impression was that the man or the husband was dead only because of his illness and nothing more. But as I’ve ready the entire story all over again, a thought popped up immediately and made me realize that the man died possibly because Nenita was secretly giving those brew of herbal treatments, which are the dried purple leaves that has been suggested by her herbalista friend,  to his husband without him knowing it. And also I can say that it’s a possible theory because when you read along the lines in the last part which is, “And then she heard him choke; heave a breath before he sang: Perderte. Long Pause. Perderte. Another pause. Despues. And then there was applause, in which Nenita joined, still laughing at her silliness.” Isn’t that line, especially the last words pertaining to her laughing, suspicious enough for a person to commit a crime? And why would someone laugh to a person who they say they love the most, wouldn’t they feel sorrowful about it? But in Nenita’s case, she just kind of laughed at herself because she was somehow crazy enough to cause a person’s death.  So I guess, that line just proves that Nenita really did something to get rid of his husband, in a tragic way.