Declamation Piece

Hi everyone! Actually I'm having a hard time making this piece so I asked my cousin and her friends to help me make this. And it turned out to be relatable to any teenagers out-there about their love life. Oh well, here it goes!

Have you ever been in love with your best friend? Have you tried loving him from afar because he loves somebody else? Well, I do. His soft voice, sweet words, warm touch, EVERYTHING! It makes me fall in love with him more and more.

I am Amanda, eighteen years old. I have few priorities in life-my family, my friends, and my studies. Not necessarily in that order but I do not tell my parents that or else they will keep me grounded for life. And yes, Drew. Oh, the thought of him is enough to give me goose bumps.

Goose bumps?!?! What am I talking about? This is not a horror movie but a love story more beautiful than that of Romeo and Juliet. He loves me and I love him. We enjoy each other’s company and we hang out all the time either in his place or mine. The best thing is unlike Romeo and Juliet, our parents are not enemies but childhood friends who would love to see Drew and I walk down the aisle… all the way to the altar … tan tan taran… tan… tan.. ta ran..
“Amanda, Drew is on the phone,” Ugh! My mother’s tinny voice is enough to turn any girl’s. and I mean any girl’s, most romantic daydream into her most horrible nightmare.

“Coming!” (Running)
“Thank you, Mom. Awww, what’s with the hairdo? Oh, not you, Drew. It’s Mom. She’s sporting this new do that makes me think of a cuckoo’s nest. What? I have to come over to your house? Right now? Okay.”
Off I go to Drew’s with a song in my head. “The smell of your skin lingers… ladida ladida…”
Here comes my prince charming. Mmm… yummy.. what a hunk…
“Amanda, I’m so glad you came.”
(Aside) “OMG! He’s glad I came!”
“Oh, you know I’m always here for you, Drew.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re my best buddy ever!” (Imaginary slap on Amanda’s Back)
“Yeow!” (exclaims in pain)
“Sorry. Well, it’s like this, partner, Jules and I, we’re having dinner tonight. I haven’t done my homework so could you please…”
“Jules?”
“Yes. Jules. My girlfriend? Are you okay? I got to go. I know I can count on you. Thank you so much, baby.”

Oh yeah. How could I forget about Jules? When you daydream about your best friend you simply omit the fact that he has a girl friend, right? When your best friend is a handsome, talented, and intelligent varsity player like Drew, you have to turn a blind eye to the tall skinny hot chicks he parades around all the time. Well, forget about him being intelligent because if he is, he will be right here with me, doing his homework, and thanking high heavens that he has me, a wonderful creature sent from above to correct his grammar, spelling, punctuation, pronunciation, capitalization, and totally accept him, warts, moles, smelly socks, unwashed hair and more!

I don’t know which hurts more – Drew thumping me hard enough to dislodge my lungs or him with Jules dining, dancing, and snogging! I just want to cry!
Pretend, just pretend, that this assignment is Jules. What am I going to do? Stomp on it!Slap it a hundred times! Rip it to pieces!

“Amanda, what are you doing?”
:Oh, you’re back. That was fast. How was your date?”
“Umm… Jules and I broke up.”
(Aside, sings) Halleluiah, halleluiah…
(Cry a little in sympathy) “I’m sorry, Drew. You must be heartbroken. But why?”
“I’m in love with someone else.”
(Aside, shouts) Again? Aaaaaaaarghhhhhhh!!!!
“Uh, okay. That’s good to hear.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me who is it this time?”
(Aside) Yeah, who is it? Annie with the red hair and the big boobs? Dana with the fake smile? Or Sharon with the voice so high-pitched it pierced the eardrums of anyone within one meter?
“Come on. It doesn’t really matter. You know I’ll always be here for you.”
“It matters to me. I’ve been with so many girls that I lost track of how many of them I actually dated and how many I paid just to make you jealous. I love you, Amanda. But you are my best friend and I though…..”
“Oh. Drew. No more thinking. It scares me when you think. I’ve been waiting for this for so long that I can’t wait a minute more. What are you waiting for? Kiss me, you dork.” (Aside – sings “Lucky I’m in love with my best friend…)

Well, I’m Amanda and I’m having the high of all highs. I have my family, my friends, and my studies. More importantly, I have my best friend who turned out to be my boyfriend. My life is perfect as it should be.

“Amanda, what’s with your room? Clean this mess up RIGHT NOW!”
“Ohh, Mom…”

And I hope you enjoy reading this. :) If you want to borrow it, no pressure. Just please don't own it. Thank you. :) 

-Jatsiee (c) Audrey Lopez

Life at its best!

Being a not-so-ordinary-teenage-girl is not a hard thing to do. No expectations. No commitments. No pressure.
But being a good-daughter-wanna-be, is the hardest and tiring job to fill in. You have to do everything just to please your parents, your relatives and all those people that surrounds you and those all eyes on you.

A perfect daughter? :)))

When I got eighteen, I didn't expect to have a luxurious debut party because I always thought of the expenses of my parents, especially my mother. Many people asks why, many agrees to my decision and many goes with the flow. It has always been expected that if your parents have a stable job and you're the only son/daughter, you will have the outstanding event. But I always wanted to have an adventurous one. I wanted to travel anywhere because for me, it's the memories with my mommy, my loved ones ( I think you know who am I referring to. LOL.) is what I will always keep forever.

yeah. and this is the man that I am referring to. :) haha!

And so as expected, we travel together with my mommy and friends from Cebu in the beautiful island of Camiguin. :)

I was standing for another souvenir picture in Katibawasan. :)

Me and Myrtle wanted to swim but the water is so cold. 

From left to right is Jazzie (Me), Paul, (boyfie), Mommy Joy, Vimvim, Mario, Myrtle and Ate Lalay in Camiguin's Katibawasan Falls. :)

It was indeed a great place. Sabi nga "ang sarap balik balikan." :) Me and mom went there when I was a kid to do her Thesis about Lanzones, and Family Reunion as well. When thinking, I told myself "Pauli-ulit nalang." But when we went the again for the sake of my friends who wants adventure, (and also me) I said to myself, there's no place like Camiguin Island.

A jumpshot taken by Paul at White Island, a seven-minute ride from Camiguin. Thank you for this Paw. :)) Background the ever famous Mt. Hibok-hibok

Now, I hope we'll realize that it's not about how "bongga" your debuts will be. The most important thing is that you're happy with your family, loved ones and friends and of course, thanking God for all of the blessings we received everyday.

My little salo-salo in our house at Butuan City.

Trying to pose how 18-year-old ladies looks like. 

I am eighteen now, though I'm not getting any younger, life has to go on. Every year is a new beginning, a new chapter in my life that I have to face. :) I am now part of the "Major People" hahah! I'm no minor anymore.

My eighteenth year has already started and I must face it with sobriety and maturity. As we go on life gets harder and gives you maximum responsibility. And I have to say, getting older is not a problem but it's a blessing because Life will always be at its best!

thanks for your time in reading my blog. If you want more pictures of ours in Camiguin or just want to see the places where we go, I'll put it in my new blog soon. :) Have a nice day ahead.

-Jatsiee <3