Submitted by Patricia Anne Mari R.

Samarita I-BS Accountancy

My Christmas 2011 has been such a blast. I had a handful of memories which I would definitely treasure for the rest of my life, not because the events have been so huge and marvellous, but because these moments were spent with the people closest to my heart.

For me, the best things about Christmas are not the expensive things you can buy out of your Aguinaldos nor the material items wrapped with fancy ribbons and bombarded with holiday greetings, although, I am pretty sure, everyone would want to receive those.

I personally believe that Christmas is about the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thus, it is about being thankful of the fact that we are given the chance to live our lives to the fullest.

The best things about Christmas for me are the family, friends, and most especially the memories we spend with them. The laughter and giggles we had with our family and friends are the best things that money cant buy. That is why I am willing to spend all my Aguinaldos just to be able to steal them away from all the stress provided by the work place.

I believe that a picture is worth a thousand words therefore, the best way to express my heartfelt thanks for the season is by showing you a gallery of my experiences during Christmas 2011:

They are the ones whom I share my joys and sorrows, my tears and giggles, my fears and wiggles. They have been a part of my journey and will always have a special place in my heart. But despite of all the happiness glowing from all the corners of our smiles, there is an inevitable fact that there is still a gloomy part of the season which cannot be taken away. What I am referring to are the victims

of the Sendong tragedy. Many people were left homeless and lost their loved ones.

Putting myself into the shoes of the survivors, I can say that it was really a traumatic experience. But nonetheless I should still be thankful because I was able to survive the furious rage. I am aware of the fact that I cannot bring back what has been lost nor redeem what has been destroyed. Perhaps the best thing that I can do is to look at the reality that there is a brighter day that would eventually come ahead of us.

As a student, I know I do not have the capacity to give as much as others can donate in terms of material things. But I believe that I have the maximum capacity, like anyone else to send forth my spiritual support. Through my prayers and the prayers of the entire Filipino nation, I am sure that God will surely hear our prayers. I may have donated just a small amount of denomination, but this small amount of denomination is enveloped with love, empathy, and hope. I believe that these things, more than anything else, is what our fellowmen needs during these time.

This season has thought me a lot. First of all it thought me to value life and live it to the fullest. It thought me that Christmas never ends and should never end. It also thought me to value the people that we have in our lives right now. In life, it doesnt matter how much breathes we take rather, it is about how much moments where there that took our breathes away. We will only know the value of something and someone lest we lose them. Let us not

wait for that moment. Let us discover in advance what the people in our lives are worth. Let us Live, Laugh, and Love.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

FAMILY SOCIOGRAM By Patricia Anne Mari R. Samarita

1. Dennis T. Samarita 2. Glen R. Samarita 3. Rommel Christen R. Samarita 4. John Carlo R. Samarita 5. Glen Miguel R. Samarita 6. Ruben Rollan 7. Victoria Rollan 8. Leodegario Samarita Sr.

9. Delia Samarita 10. Arlyn Rosales 11. Ayen Rosales 12. Marjorie Vergara
13. Eva Gracce Rollan-Soriano

14. Donna Mae M. Pletado 15. Myka Ruigi U. Rafael 16. Phoebe Grace Bonzo 17. Fe B. Evangelista 18. Raine Reyes 19. Christian Joy F. Dominguiano
20. Leslie Nastor

FAMILY SOCIOGRAM
1. What hearts did you draw first?

2. How do the sizes of the circles compare to each other? Who is larger, and who is smaller? Why do you think you drew them that way? 3. How are the circles placed in relation to each other (close, far away, on top, below, or next to each other)? 4. Did you erase or change anything. Why?

5. Hold your drawing at arms length, squint your eyes and look at it. Is there anything significant you did not mention previously that you now notice? 6. Who is the most popular (leader)? 7. Who is the least popular (isolate)? The isolate might also be the family scapegoat. 8. What are the major alliances? (Who is together?) 9. Are there any subgroups within the family? 10.Is the cohesion of this family high, medium, or low? 11.How do you feel about your familys sociogram? 12.What, if anything, have you learned?