My name is Julia Tubog. Would you like to see what I like in my life?

Choices: Yes or Yes

Between sports and books, I’ll admit that I lean more on the latter. I have been reading in earnest since I was 12 years old. I began to take an interest in the quarterly books our Language subject would require. One of my favorites is the book to was introduced to us in Grade 6, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott.

My interests also progressed from Wattpad books, the Dork Diaries series, and eventually YA novels such as The Selection series by Kiera Cass, Legend series by Marie Lu, and the Divergent series by Veronica Roth (I clearly remember borrowing my classmate’s books during English Month more than 4 years ago). Once I became a teenager, I also began liking classical novels as well, such as Heidi by Johanna Spyri, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Historical fiction novels, such as The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry are included in my mini library.

What caused an impact to me the most, however, is the Harry Potter series. Before, I did not understand the hype about it. I was just a few months old when the movie series started (I wasn’t even born yet when the first book came out!), and 10 when it ended. However, over the summer before Grade 8 I began reading about the characters in wikis, and this sparked my liking to the series. I was 14 when I began reading the books. I remember finishing the series, from Philosopher’s Stone to Deathly Hallows, in the span of 1-2 months. What endeared me to the series are the facts that the characters have realistic flaws (Harry’s impulsiveness, Ron’s moments that stemmed from anger or jealousy, and even Hermione can be a straight-up know-it-all) and that we readers are able to see them grow up and undergo a huge character development. It’s as if we have watched Harry, Ron, and Hermione throughout the years, from innocent 11 year olds new to the school of Hogwarts, to 17-18 year olds that have gone through so much in the time of war.

Reading helps me immerse in the worlds of the characters, and it widens my imagination as well.

When I was in grade school, we had a subject called Agriculture. I remember memorizing two pages of scientific names for different plants and animals found in the Philippines, or the demonstrations our teacher would show us in the garden. I became a member of the Agriculture Club when I was in Grade 5, and there my interest in the subject grew.

My knowledge in nature and science expanded once I entered Quezon City Science High School. It was in that very school that my talent involving science has widened. However, I leaned more on the Biology part of it, then Earth Science. It has stayed that way for the past 5 years.

Now, college entrance exams are already less than a year away and I have to decide what course I’ll be – and fast. When it comes to that, I think I’ll choose an Agriculture or Biology-related one.

Just telling you, I am not a good dancer, I am not a good singer either. But somehow, depending on the situation, I enjoy doing them. Music is one thing that helps me strive in this stressful world, and I immerse myself in it daily.

At first, I have never understood why people prefer to wear earphones every time. My mom doesn’t approve of me having them – she thinks that earphones will damage my hearing. However, once I started liking music so much, I resort to buying my own set of earphones and chill out during my free time or my travel to-and-fro school. The songs I have range from the Hamilton soundtrack, to KPOP songs, songs from the early 2000s, and OPM.

My best friends in the classroom are fans of KPOP, and some of them are dancers. They are the reason why I want to learn how to dance well.

During my childhood, I was fascinated by cartoons depicting the kid protagonists riding around their town in their bikes. When I expressed my desire to have one, my father decided it was time for me to finally ride out.

I was 8 when I got my first bike, and to this day I still remembered what it looked like. It had training wheels, was coated in a shade of baby blue, and the front part was adorned with the addition of a white basket.

Of course, to level up, everyone must go through basic training, and hurt himself in the process. I can’t remember how many times I’d fallen down while biking with my friends. But that time, my father was there for me. He was my teacher until I learned how to balance myself on two wheels. Thus, bye-bye training wheels.

I was 10 when my bike leveled up to something larger, and suited to my age. During that time, I’d spend hours outside biking around my small subdivision. My great hindrances were my friends playing on my bike, giving me no time to ride it, how pedaling became heavy due to flat tires, and how I had to rely on the brake due to a loose chain.

Years later, everything isn’t the same as before. I do not own a bike anymore – it was given to a younger friend. I do not go outside to play due to the workload my high school has given me. As a result, I do not spend time riding around my subdivision anymore. But if those changes must come, then at least some didn’t: my skills in riding a bike, and my love for it.