Maria

         2025 is here, and I’m ready to take on the year with a fresh mindset! Every year, I hear the saying “New Year, New Me,” but this time I actually want to live by it.      First, I’m setting goals to help me grow. I want to be more organized, no more forgetting homework or losing important stuff in my bag. I’m also going to work on my health. That doesn’t mean I’m giving up snacks completely (let’s be real, chips are life), but I want to eat better and try to exercise more.           Another big goal is to focus on my mental health. I’m planning to write in a journal regularly and practice gratitude. Even when things get tough, I want to remind myself of the good things in life.           Lastly, I’m hoping to explore new hobbies. Maybe I’ll try painting, learn a new skill, or even just spend more time outdoors. The idea is to keep things interesting and challenge myself to step ou...

     Christmas vacation is always a special time for me, not just because of the holidays but also because I get to serve in church as an altar server. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I feel honored to play a role in the celebrations. This year, my Christmas was a mix of faith, family, and fun, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend it.      Being an altar server during the Christmas season means my schedule gets pretty hectic. At our barangay church, the Mass is at 6:00 PM, and at our parish church, it’s at 4:00 AM. Waking up early for those dawn Masses can be exhausting, but there’s something so peaceful about the early mornings, the cool breeze, the quiet streets, and the beautiful songs echoing in the church. Even though it’s tiring, it always feels rewarding to help serve and celebrate such an important season.      On Christmas Eve, after the final Mass, my sisters and I went to church together for the midnight service. I...