Storm of tears

in my home country in almost eight years, my heart still belongs to the Philippines. And this heart broke into a thousand pieces for my countrymen.

I thought back to the years when I was living in the Philippines, where impoverishment can be seen in the countless makeshift houses that shelter multiple families, but togetherness is evident despite the circumstances.

When I first heard through social media about Typhoon Haiyan striking the Philippines, I didn’t even bat an eyelash. After all, my homeland has a tendency of attracting natural disasters left and right.

I like to park in the lot at the top of Art Hill so that I have to climb the stairs for exercise, but let me tell you: the stairs are dark and creepy at night.

In that scenario, I find myself hurrying at a much more rapid rate than I normally would. My senses are heightened as I look in every direction at minute intervals to check for rogue attackers. I carry my keys in such a way that they stick out in between each finger and if I have to punch someone in the face, I’m gonna do some damage.

Maybe I seem paranoid, but I’ve heard the stories. I’ve read those emails that go around about all the ways that women are attacked around their parked cars. I know there are crazy people out there, and after all, this is Los Angeles. The crazies are on street corners everywhere.

I don’t want to end up a statistic. And I hope I never have to take another evening class.

And then, the numbers started showing up: hundreds of bodies washed up in the aftermath, thousands more feared dead from the devastating winds and accompanying earthquake, zero sources of food and water for the survivors. Pleas for donations spread like wildfire on Facebook.

What really did me in, however, were the photographs: a man writing an S.O.S. message on the ground, houses literally torn apart and flattened to an unrecognizable heap, body bags lining the streets and people struggling to identify the dead, tears on many of the survivors’ faces.

I thought of the millions of people left without homes, livelihood and even family at a time when they should be gearing up for the holiday season. They have to literally start from scratch and live off the generosity of others for the next few months.

Even though I haven’t set foot

It hurt. There’s no other way to describe how I felt when the full impact of the situation dawned on me. Years of exposure to the country’s strong tendency of empathy toward each other have trained me to be particularly sensitive toward the struggles of Filipinos.

I still can’t go through a single article on the storm without crying.

At the same time, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride to how my countrymen are handling the spotlight. Despite the circumstances, Filipinos have proven their resilience, togetherness and strength. It may take a while for them to fully recover, but they will.

I know I’m not the ideal spokesperson for my country -unlike many of my countrymen I lived comfortably when I was there -- but I do want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who has contributed to the help that I know will keep the Filipino spirit alive as my people struggle to come to terms with their loss. At a time when every penny counts, every bit of assistance means the world to us.

Pierce College in desperate need of school spirit

because they build elaborate sets to transport viewers to faraway places.

Tim Toton ttoton.roundupnews@gmail.com

It should come as no shock that the Los Angeles campus of Pierce College is a haven for film production, but the reason is not proximity to Hollywood – rather it’s the bare nature of school spirit. Film productions are costly

Opinion

Tracy Wright twright.roundupnews@gmail.com

So, if a location can offer a virtual blank canvas that requires little to no modification to turn it into anywhere in the country, then it is going to attract the movie industry.

Pierce is that blank canvas. Walking down the Mall or in any corridor on campus, one might think they are at UCLA because of the blue and yellow lanyards adorning many. Maybe we could be at Arizona State University or maybe one stumbled into a supermarket in the San Fernando Valley without noticing.

students reach while driving in the parking lots and around campus. The Pierce College website states the parking lots have an eight mile per hour maximum speed limit and the surrounding streets on campus are set at 25 miles per hour, yet you can guarantee the sound and sight of cars flying by at any given time.

With weathered stop signs and barely visible pedestrian walkways, it’s by sheer luck that Pierce College and its students haven’t been hit by

Yes, that’s it – Pierce is a supermarket of other school’s spirit and none of its own. Occasionally, a red shirt or hat may come out, but the odds of it being Pierce or CSUN runs about 50-50. School spirit seems dead in the wardrobes and hearts of many students.

It’s likely that some of the school problems plaguing the campus right now good old camaraderie on a campus-wide scale.

According to the latest Scorecard published by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, students are spending nearly six years at this two year institution. That education fatigue cars, or with a string of lawsuits.

Are students in that much of a hurry to get to class and learn something new or is it a common lack of regard or respect for laws set in place to protect people from accidents happening?

The Sheriff’s department at Pierce College issues tickets for speeding on campus, but I have yet to witness this occurrence and question if it’s enough to help reduce the problem and keep our is bound to be, well, binding. It would do the administration well to acknowledge it has this problem and give everyone a few sponsored days of ridiculous fun. Giving the Associated Students Association the Great Hall was a smart move towards good will and a step closer to reconnecting with the main goal of the school -- providing the student with a great time while receiving a great education. If the ASO and school administration work together on other benevolent endeavors then it may cost future film productions a fortune to paper and t-shirt over Pierce’s newfound school spirit. students safe while walking through the parking lots.

Students need to remember to plan ahead and get to class on time without risking the lives of innocent bystanders in the parking lot.

And if you happen to be a pedestrian in the lot as another car flies by ignoring your existence, just remember: never turn your back on them, even if they turn their back on you.

By: Tracy Wright

Colleges to be on campus

Representatives from UC Irvine will be on campus on Thursday, Nov. 14, UC Santa Cruz on Monday, Nov. 18, and UCLA on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Schedule your appointment online now through the Career & Transfer Center to ensure an opportunity to speak with the schools.

Assessment prep workshop [11/13]

A free math assessment prep workshop is available on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the first floor of the Library/Learning Crossroads. Students will find information on math courses, assessment tests, and be able to reevaluate math skills.

College Workshops [11/14 & 11/15]

A UC application workshop will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. and a CSU application workshop on Friday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m in the Career & Transfer Center. All students are welcome.

Last day to drop [11/17]

The last day to drop classes is Sunday, Nov. 17. All dropped classes must be processed online through the Student Information System (SIS) unless otherwise discussed with your professor.

HIV/AIDS awareness week [11/18-11/21]

Free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing will be provided through Nov. 18-21 in Lot 1 in honor of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week. No appointment is necessary. Classroom speakers are available during the week.

Spring schedule now online [11/18]

The Spring 2014 schedule is now posted online and registration for continuing students begins Monday, Nov. 18. The spring 2014 semester begins Monday, February 10.

Vintage market coming to campus [11/24]

The Vintage Market returns to Pierce Lot 7 on Sunday, Nov. 24. Over 180 vendors will be selling collectibles, antiques, and vintage clothing. There will be live music, food trucks, and local artists from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and children under 12 are free.

CSUN deadline [11/30]

The deadline to apply for the Fall 2014 semester at CSUN is Saturday, Nov 30. Students can make an appointment with campus counselors.