Good Old Days and Humble Beginnings

My 2015 has been a crazy roller coaster filled with ups, downs, and loop-the-loops. I think that's what all high schoolers feel, especially since I'm a Junior. Based on the experience of most people, the last two years of high school are one of the greatest years of your life. So far, I can tell you that it's true. Honestly, the highlight of my year is pretty simple. I had fun just being in school. Some people hate school. Probably because of their unconventional schoolmates, teachers from hell, or grades that sink deeper than the Titanic; but I'm proud to say that it isn't that bad.

This year, I was fortunate to meet amazing people and rekindle and catch up with good friends. I was given amazing teachers who I see as second parents, especially my adviser Ms. Jane and her co-adviser Sir Ferrer. At first, I was nervous about this year since this is the most crucial year for my grades and college applications. On the first day, week, month, all my teachers were tough cookies. They were all disciplinarians. They demanded that we submitted our work on time or they would give it a flat zero. They would expect us to know the lesson and do advanced reading and they absolutely despised noise. They were practically the Professor Stromwell of high school! I didn't like some of my teachers, but after the first month they started becoming less of superiors and transformed into mentors that we would cherish throughout the years.

© MovieClips via YouTube from Legally Blonde

Advanced reading on the first day? 

Not cool.

A great year would be nothing without a great class. This school year, I did not expect my section. My friends were practically beside each other, ranging from Junior A-C and E. Where was I? I was in the deep abyss of Junior I. I was really bummed out when I got the text from my dad saying I was all the way there. Since I'm the smallest one in my group of friends, my little legs would let me down from moving from I to A, B, C, or E. I was also nervous when I was moving into my class. I didn't have much friends in there and I was moving into a whole new realm. The people near my class number were the people I haven't talked to in ages or people I didn't know. However, things got better and my class and I started bonding. It turns out that most of us were in new territory, we were all trying to make new friends because all our main friends were in the upper sections. Things got even better when we won in our batch's first inter-class competition: Sabayang Pagbigkas. My section, unexpectedly, won 1st place! With yours truly as one of the sounds people. *hair flip*

 Bawa't Pagkabigo ni Conrado Fajardo

My first time winning any class competition!

It wasn't after our retreat and outreach my class took our relationship to a whole new level. We even decided to change our "label" from class to family. We shared secrets, bonded, and even had our own little sleepover. I realized that I have to respect everyone I meet because we all have our own battles to face and life is just a crazy roller coaster. We just have to find people who are willing enough to join the ride. This year's outreach-retreat taught me that that I should enjoy life to the fullest and to cherish the people in my life because it's all part of God's plan and that everything that has happened/is happening/will happen is for a reason that I have to figure out. 

Animal PJs are the best PJs

Junior I's Femme Fatales!

My fam is lit af!

Of course the best thing that I could ever ask for this year is that I got even closer to my dearest friends. I never expected to be with my friends. We are all different and unique in our way. Just being with them is the cherry on top of my high school experience. We laughed together, cried - tears of joy, and just enjoyed one another's company. I know that through thick and thin, we'll always be together.

© Andie Syyap

© Andie Syyap

My darling boylaloos! 

From left to right: Anton, Emilio, Wack, and Werner

© Andie Syyap

My gorgeous soul sisters! 

From left to right: Pia, Nikki (Me), Andie, Andrea, and Mica

© Andie Syyap

The Circle 

2015 has been a great year and it went even better than I expected. Meeting great people and rekindling friendships were things I did not expect. But what do I expect in 2016? I don't know. The only thing I expect is the unexpected and the only thing I hope for is great memories that I will treasure forever.

Cheers to a great year and the new year ahead!