Desiderata (Desire)

“A well-written Life is almost as rare as a well-spent one” said by Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish historian and essayist. It is true, that we cannot live a perfect life but we can have a good and peaceful life. Sometimes, we’re in the top of the world but most of the times, we’re struggling in the bottom, doing what we can do best. Well, it’s hard not to commit mistakes but sometimes, having error is good for some reasons. When you’ve had a mistake, you tend to learn from it and not to do it again. This, will lead us in having a better and peaceful life.

                Max Ehrmann had the best inspiration to write this poem. It shows us on how to live a healthy and beautiful life. Through this, I learned how to act maturely in different situations, to live well and simple and to smile through hardships and problems. If everyone in the society would understand and do the real meaning of this poem, then everyone can live a normal and happy life. To my fellow youth, this is a guide for us in dealing with the real problems of our lives. Moreover, an inspiration it would be for those people who are not doing well in their lives, those who are strayed, alone and callous.

                I want to know more about what made Ehrmann to write this beautiful poem and how we reacted that this was not named after him in almost two centuries. It is also interesting to know how this poem changes each person who would read it since it covers many good attributes of a good man.

                I would like to research on if Ehrmann had other poems like this and to know his story. This came to my interest. I appreciate the fact that this poem is written for everybody, for those arrogant, selfish, quitters, harsh, unkind, untruthful and weak. Admit or not, you have one of these characteristics. We have our own flaws but we can correct these flaws if we want to. Remember, a perfect life is not all about happiness but on how we stand up through falls of our lives.

                Everyday, I can apply my learning and insights in working and socializing with other people, in attaining my dreams and in inspiring others like how Desiderata inspired me.

Letter to Mother Earth

Dear Mother Earth,

                How are you? I know it’s quiet hard to live for billions of years and to be in your shoes at present is not an easy task. I know, you’re badly hurt. Trees are lying in the rivers, mudslides, flashfloods and super typhoons keep coming. Drought becomes drier and drier and many other disastrous events worsen.

 Global Warming- That’s the sad truth we are facing right now. A phenomenon that returns the consequences we haven’t taken for the past few decades. A phenomenon that would slowly help to the extinction of men. Would you wait for the moment it would make you suffer before doing something?

                Scientists have made studies. According to them, you could still live for another three billion years. The question is, will this three billion years would still be possible? Or if it will be possible, will it be years full of pollution and disasters?

No one wants you to go but not all have the sympathy we have for you. Others are still doing what they do even if they know they are hurting others, especially you. Factories emit darker smokes and deadlier toxics in their chemical processes. It is right that with innovation, these changes are included but they must have their conscience working to lessen or if possible, prevent its disastrous effects.

                We, Filipinos of the modern age are doing something. Doing small little steps that when combined together would help a lot. Little things like disposing a piece of candy wrapper properly help a lot. Segregation of trashes shall also be done. Trees must multiply rapidly with the help of men. We should be your caretaker not the destroyer of God’s beautiful creations.

                Let us remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Let us not wait for our doom before we make any action. Take an action before it is too late. There is still enough hope to save you, don’t ever lose hope, our only Mother Earth.

Sincerely,

Benedict Mendoza

Fujiwhara Effect

           “Two heads are better than one”, but what if it goes the other way? Double the trouble!-That is what will happen when two nasty objects meet just like in a Fujiwhara effect.

            I learned that it is due to the meeting of two tropical cyclones that would meet and merge. This may not happen always but when it happens, be ready to double your readiness for the upcoming disaster. The effect is named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, the Japanese meteorologist who initially described it in a 1921 paper about the motion of vortices in water. This is how Sakuhei described the phenomenon, “When the cyclones approach each other, their centers will begin orbiting cyclonically about a point between the two systems due to their cyclonic wind circulations. The two vortices will be attracted to each other, and eventually spiral into the center point and merge. When the two vortices are of unequal size, the larger vortex will tend to dominate the interaction, and the smaller vortex will orbit around it.

The effect is often mentioned in relation to the motion of tropical cyclones, although the final merging of the two storms is uncommon. The effect becomes pronounced in these storms when they approach within about 1,500 km (900 mi) of each other and are at tropical storm strength or stronger.”

            I want to know more about how disastrous are these storms and what are its effects beside from it strengthens it. These can help the people and raise their awareness about this matter.

            I would like to research on if there are other instruments used to help the people be aware of this phenomenon. In addition, I would like to know how the government would react in situations like this that we are doubling the power of a super typhoon.

            I appreciate the fact that PAG-ASA does its best to aware and help people in these tragic times of their fellows’ lives. It is a big help for them if the LGU in each province or municipality would make seminars to awaken the people on what could happen in this situation.

           I can apply my learning and insights in getting our household aware and ready during storms. I can also help government sectors in getting everybody involve on this matter. Besides, that is the responsibility of a meteorologist (sooner I’ll be one).

Public Storm Warning Signals

Heavy rains and powerful winds are almost upon us these days. Huge waves from the ocean result to more bay walks destroyed and ruined. Are you aware that they are coming? How is your readiness in this kind of situation? Are you well informed about these typhoons coming in and out of the country?

Well, there is one institution mainly liable for that responsibility in informing the Filipino people about these phenomenon, no other than, PAG-ASA or the Philippine Astronomical and Geophysical….They inform us about almost everything we need to know about these storms. Moreover, whenever they’re coming in, it doesn’t mean the suspension of classes but it means we need to get ready for the upcoming events that might happen in a few hours.

Whenever there are storms, PAG-ASA is giving out public storm warning signals to inform everyone for the upcoming heavy rainfall. I have learned that these public warning signals are not just indicators for the students to favor them when they are too indolent but for everyone to be aware of the condition of the environment in the next hours. For Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) #1, some nipa and cogon houses may be partially roofed and tree branches may be broken. If there is an approaching storm, expect for PSWS #2 and greater effects. For PSWS #2, houses may be partially or moderately damaged. Trees may be uprooted and coastal areas may expect bigger waves. PSWS #3 would mean a moderate to heavy damage to agricultural and industrial sectors. Houses may be heavily damaged and coastal areas will be very dangerous to all kinds of sea crafts. PSWS #4 brings electrical interruption and heavy damage to the community bringing a typhoon wind with at least 185 kph in speed. Such a terror, which no one aspires for!

I want to know more about how communities respond to these PSWS’s and if they are prepared for these kinds of calamities. I think we should raise the awareness of the people to lessen the destruction it might bring to our country. Moreover, I would like to research on finding alternatives to inform the whole community in an instant change in the environment if in case there is an emergency or a need to evacuate.

I appreciate the fact that many Filipinos are benefited by these PSWS and helped them a lot in their lifestyle. I can apply my learning and insights everyday and in sharing it to my colleagues and friends. 

Tropical Cyclone

Every year, there's plenty of them coming here in our country and every year, still, we do not learn our lesson about them.

But, how do these cyclones really originate?

A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting incondensation of water vapor contained in the moist air. They are fueled by a different heat mechanism than other cyclonic windstorms such as nor'easters, European windstorms, and polar lows. The characteristic that separates tropical cyclones from other cyclonic systems is that at any height in the atmosphere, the center of a tropical cyclone will be warmer than its surroundings; a phenomenon called "warm core" storm systems.

The term "tropical" refers both to the geographical origin of these systems, which usually form in tropical regions of the globe, and to their formation in maritime tropical air masses. The term "cyclone" refers to such storms' cyclonic nature, with counterclockwise wind flow in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise wind flow in the Southern Hemisphere. The opposite direction of the wind flow is a result of the Coriolis force. Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone.

With this, there were queries on my mind. I would like to know more about new gadgets that can be used to scout these cyclones. I would also like to research on the new HS3 or the Hurricane Severe Storm Sentinel from U.S.A. that will be used to help weather forecasters and meteorologists in studying weather patterns.

 I would also like to appreciate the fact that PAG-ASA is giving their best in providing weather forecasts even though we do not have complete gadgets to monitor the weather.

I can apply my insights and learning in my everyday living. I could also be a weather forecaster to others for the mean time when I will also monitor the weather through the internet and PAG-ASA. Plus, someday, It would help me a lot in being a great meteorologist.

Monsoons

Lately, we have experienced too much rains that caused flood.

To some, it is beneficial for it will provide water to dry croplands but to many, it is a burden. The heavy rain that we are experiencing lately is because of what we know as the Southwest Monsoon or locally known as "Habagat". And there is Amihan, the counter part of Habagat which brings cold winds from the Siberia and normally, it is experienced in Christmas days. But, let me focus to Habagat.

From articles and forecasts, I have known that it, affects the country from July to September, is very warm and humid, occurs when warm moist air flows over the country from the southwest direction, is characterized by heavy rainfall that may last for a week. It brings the rainy season to the western portion of the country. 

I want to know how the Filipinos respond to this. For 50 years, this was the firs time that it brought 470,000 L of rain in around 22 hours only which was more compared to what Typhoon Ondoy brought us. I would also like to research on the new gadgets and methods to alleviate these effects if possible or minimize them at least.

I would like to appreciate the fact that these people, who are affected, still have the courage to smile despite of the hardships they have been through. 

As a youth, I could apply my learning everyday to help in saving our nature and not to help global warming in killing Mother Earth. Let's do our own simple ways!

Tail End of A Cold Front

         In this month of August, the skies overhead are slightly gloomy? Why do you think so? Is it the end of the world? Of course not!

         

This is mainly because of a phenomenon called tail end of a cold front. What’s this?

From reading journals and articles, I have known that tail end of a cold front is a front boundary of two air masses, found in mid-latitudes. Here is the best way to describe it.

         From this, I would like to know more information about this cold front and its effects to us; most especially we are in the Northern Regions. It will help us in the most effective ways if we get ourselves acquainted with these terms so that we would not wonder so much and plan our activities well.

I would also like to research on how the PAG-ASA is informing everyone about it and how do they get ready for this or what. As a citizen, I appreciate the fact that I could inform others about these stuff. And I could apply my learning in sharing the information I obtained and the knowledge I have gained.

La Niña- the Little Girl

Of course, here is La Niña, the counter part of El Niño, also known as the “little girl”. Compared to El Niño, La Niña is more devastating, how?

Imagine this place to be yours.

I know its kinda hard. Yes, it’s true. It happened just last week.

From lectures and teachers, I have learned that La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific, as compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. Its effects are more destructible than El Niño. Why? Imagine 450,000 L of water made by Typhoon Ondoy last year which was an effect of La Niña. It causes many tropical storms and typhoons which could result to floods and landslides.

I would also want to know more on how we, Filipinos of today respond to these events. Its quiet interesting to know that there are simple actions that could lessen its effects. For example, you can help by keeping your small litters for a while when you don’t see trash cans around you. I would also like to research on modern methods on how we can predict its upcoming rainfalls and the like. I appreciate the fact that many of us nowadays are alarmed about this effect and everyone in the community helps to stop the destruction it brings to our country.

As a student and a youth, I could apply my learning and insights to help  in reducing the effects of La Niña. I know my voice is heard and I, with the other youth, could help stop illegal logging and other cases of landslides and floods. Remember, rain is a blessing from God but floods are effects of man’s unnatural activities.

El Niño -The Christ Lord

         Now that we’re living in a modern world, technology has really affected our lives and our environment. Through global warming, El Niño became stronger and drier. Though it was normal before to have this El Niño in our climate in the Philippines, it was not normal to have severe drought that causes devastating famine and severe drying of crop lands.

         As concerned citizens, we should know our responsibilities to our nature and how to lessen this effect that we are encountering. As years pass by, the temperature of the environment becomes higher and the surroundings become hotter, thus, animals and plants die which are our basic sources of foods.

Through reading and watching documentaries, I have learned that El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. El Niño is an oscillation of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific having important consequences for weather around the globe.

As an usurer in this world, I want to know more about how to lessen its effects. Maybe, if illegal logging is stopped, then its effects can be lessen and be less devastating. As we know, trees not only provide shade to us but could be source of food and sometimes water.  I would also like to research on how the local government and local authorities respond to the El Niño’s effects. Some do cloud seeding to produce artificial rain that can help the dry crop lands. I appreciate this fact that our local government does something about it, and I know, many farmers are happy about it.

         To be more practical, I could use these learning and insights every day, to remember that we need to save Mother Earth and minimize the use of things that could make El Niño stronger.

                                                 INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE

INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE

             I learned that one of the features of the Earth’s atmosphere is the Intertropical Convergence Zone. This Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a key component of the global circulation system.

             How do they originate?

             On or near the equator, where average solar radiation is greatest, air is warmed at the surface and rises. This results to a low pressure area that is found in the equator. The rising air comprises one segment of a circulation pattern called the Hadley Cell. . The rising air is replaced by the Trade winds approaching the equator from north and south. As the trade winds meet near the equator, surface convergence and uplift take place. For this reason the equatorial band of low pressure is called the Equatorial Trough, Intertropical Convergence Zone.

               

             click here to view other information about  ITCZ : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertropical_Convergence_Zone

            This ITCZ is also called Equatorial Convergence Zone, Intertropical Front and doldrums. It is an area with light winds that’s why it is called doldrums. . The convergence of the Southeast and Northeast Trade Winds, within the doldrums, creates a zone of Cumulus clouds and attendant shower activity. This activity includes some thunderstorms and precipitations. To some areas, this ITCZ brings drought and floods because of the wet and dry seasons it brings to the region. 

             

             To sailors, these doldrums are bad areas because there is a lack of horizontal air movement. Early sailors named this belt of calm the doldrums because of the inactivity and stagnation they found themselves in after days of no wind. To find oneself becalmed in this region in a hot and muggy climate could mean death in an era when wind was the only effective way to propel ships across the ocean. Even today leisure and competitive sailors attempt to cross the zone as quickly as possible as the erratic weather and wind patterns may cause unexpected delays.

             I want to know more about other features of the Earth’s atmosphere. I also wanted a deeper knowledge about ITCZ. ITCZ is an important feature of our atmosphere that when further study is taken, its effect to us can be resolved or at least be reduced. Another thing, I would like also to discover other great feature of our atmosphere that affects us in so many ways.

             I would like to research on how ITCZ will benefit us and how man can reduce the bad effects it brings. Over all, ITCZ is a phenomenon that has many disadvantages. This disadvantage brings disaster, famine and even death. These effects could be reduced by studies and being well prepared for the phenomenon itself.

            I appreciate the fact that ITCZ helps in the formation of tropical cyclones which gives the land enough water to sustain vegetation. This is one of the good effects of ITCZ. If sufficient water is supplied, abundant food can be harvested. With this, farmers can gain a bigger profit. Thus, the economy of the country can be increased.

            I can apply my learning and insights in my everyday living. I could inform others specially farmers about the information I gained about ITCZ. By informing them, they will gain enough knowledge on when it is best to plant their crops. Furthermore, they can be prepared for the effects of ITCZ such as drought and floods. Deaths and accidents can be alleviated if the community has enough knowledge about this phenomenon.