resolutions, note-to-self check lists, and goals to achieve for the whole year. New Year is quite a motivat-ing phase for people who never stop dreaming and who keep a positive outlook towards life despite the un-deniably harsh reality of today's generation.

If we would only think of how New Year gives a sense of hope, a sense of new beginning--maybe, we'll all realize that change is something for us to work on and New Year's Day is just giving us the motivation and courage to get going through life. If we'll just keep an open mind, New Year has that ray of light which promises better days not hopeless beginnings on a not-so-starry night. So, cheers to a hopeful begin-ning full of starry dreams!

"New Year, New Me. New Year, New Begin-ning." These are just some of the lines we hear when it's nearing the end of De-cember. There are people who will get annoyed by just hearing these lines per-haps, the ones who used to say them. At some point, these people were once trying to make the begin-ning of each year a chance for them to change whatev-er they needed to change. What is the sad part? It was when it did not work the way they wanted, when they came to a point of giving up on the chance of change, and totally forgot what a New Year can do. But, of course, not for everyone.

People have differ-ent perspective on things, different beliefs, and differ-ent ways of visualizing the future. There are people who gave up on bettering

themselves and there are some who are working on making their best version. The latter are the ones who are excited, who are hopeful when it is nearing the New

Year celebration, who never lose hope on becoming a better individual for a better world. With their faith intact, they look forward to a fresh start on New Year's Day by even making New Year's

Celebrating the beginning of a new year can be one of the most enjoya-ble times of the year. Friends and family come together for large gather-ings and parties to bring in the New Year. For the stu-dents and teachers at KPRU, the New Year also comes a new term. After the holiday, many students will feel lazy to come back to school be-cause they will have new classes to study.

However, students should see the new term in the New Year as an oppor-tunity for a fresh, new start.

The thing I want my students to remember with their new classes in January is that with a new term, you can leave behind everything from the past and start over again. Instead of worrying about your tests and grades from last term, put all of your positive thoughts and energy into doing as well as you can this term.

It can be easy to feel lazy to study after hav-ing time for holiday, but starting the new term with high energy and confidence can help you do the best as you can in this new term. Now is the time for you to chance your attitude. If you failed your classes last term, this can be your chance to pass and even if you did very well last term, there is always ways to improve yourself and learn more.

HOPELESS BEGINNINGS By: Chamsy Navarra

PRESSING TOWARDS THE GOAL

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

How do you

celebrate. . .

2

Achieving

Goals

2

Thoughts to

Ponder. . .

3

The Power of

Determination

3

On the

importance . . .

4

Stories with

Aj.Sherry

4

Student

Corner

5

New Year; New Term; New Attitudes By: Chantale Yunt

THE TORCH J A N U A R Y — F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 6 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1 2

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF KAMPHAENG PHET

RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY | Language Center

P A G E 2

”It is very

important to

know that you

must have a good

start.”

ACHIEVING GOALS By: Dacel Tradio

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE NEW YEAR IN YOUR PLACE? By: Monica Villanueva

In almost every place, people choose to stay up late to watch the old year pass and the New Year come. In almost every-where, we can hear noise of fire-works, smell the good aroma of food, be with the ones dear to us, and feel the happiness brought by the season; but how do we really celebrate New Year?

Here in Asia, New Year is ex-pressed in various, colorful ways than we can imagine.

In the Philippines, peo-ple practice a number of rituals as they believe it can bring good luck for the whole year. Filipinos wear polka-dot-patterned clothes and put coins in their pockets, prepare different round fruits such as oranges, grapes, watermelons, and etc, as they believe that circles represent coins and money—all for the sake of good spirits and financial sufficiency to flow well.

In Thailand, New Year is celebrated on April 13-15, more popular in its festive name ―Songkran‖. It is definitely known

for its boisterous water splashing activities that actu-ally originates from the wash-ing of Buddha images, and sprinkling scented water on the hands of the elderly. Nowadays, people throw wa-ter to others in a more ―fashioned‖ way, such as wa-ter guns, water hose, huge amount of flour or powder and some colors to make it more lively and fun.

In China, their New Year is celebrated at the turn of the lunisolar Chinese cal-endar, which usually falls be-tween the 21

st of January and

20th

of February, and com-monly known as the ―Spring Festival‖. This time of the year is their ‗family time‘, as they spend their week-long holi-day with their families and loved ones. Right after the countdown on New Year‘s Eve, fireworks are launched to celebrate the New Year and to drive away the evil spirits. The older ones also give Red

Packets to young children, be-lieving that the money inside it will suppress the bad spirits, keep them healthy, and give them long life.

In Japan, people place pine and bamboo decorations or ‗shimenawa‘ braided straw ropes at the entrance of their houses and shops, as a custom of the Shinto religion. Japanese people usually eat soba (noodles) before the New Year strikes, to wish for a long life (as long as the noodles they are eating). It is believed to bring bad luck if they eat soba after midnight. On the first se-conds of the newly-welcomed year, the temple bells are rung 108 times done to forswear the 108 human desires.

These are just a peek

of the richness of culture in

Asia. In however we celebrate

our New Year, we pray for a

joyous, prosperous, and extrav-

agant year ahead of us! Happy

New Year!

Step 2. Take steps-even large, seemingly crazy ones-toward achieving your goals. The important thing is to kick-start the process. The fine-tuning can come later! You must try to focus on actions that will advance more than of your goals.

Step 3. Keep at it. You will probably fail period-ically, but you should not give up. You should pick up the pieces and start again. In fact, if you never fail, your goals are probably too easy and need to be revised.

Step 4. Have fun. You should enjoy the chal-lenge. You should learn how to fight your fears and weak-nesses in order to achieve your goals. It can be difficult, but it is also rewarding.

Step 5. Review the progress toward your goals on a dai-ly, weekly, and monthly ba-sis. You must have a note to guide you on your progress. It is good to remind yourself that you are almost there in achieving your goal.

As what Plato said, ―The beginning is the most important part of the work." This is the part where your plans are made, when your patience is being tested and your determination is being challenged. It is very im-portant to know that you must have a good start.

As 2016 begins, most of us make New Year goals. Goals that can make us a better person like changing our undesir-able habit or behavior. But, when we fail to achieve these goals, we feel discouraged. There are a lot of advices availa-ble in this topic, and there is not actually anything too tough or mysterious about setting and achiev-ing your goals.

The following are five easy steps to achieve success:

Step 1. What are you aim-ing for? You should write down your goals for the year and keep the list of your few top priorities.

T H E T O R C H

P A G E 3

“Always remember

that life is not

measured by the

number of breaths

we take but by the

moments that take

our breath away.”

THE POWER OF DETERMINATION By: Janessa Mondol

THOUGHTS TO PONDER AS WE APPROACH A NEW YEAR By: Donald Macayanan

Looking for some-thing seasonally appropri-ate for this New Year, I came across the following thoughts for the New Year. The credit should go to the late Raul Rocco, a political figure from the Philippines who passed away in 2005 but his in-sightful thoughts still very much applied to look at in 2016. The lines below talks about the way we live our lives.

―The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider roads but narrower view-points. We spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses but smaller families, more conveniences but less time. We have more de-grees but less sense, more experts yet more prob-lems.‖

―We drink too much, smoke too much, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry and read too little. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our val-

ues. We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often. We have been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We have done larger things but not better things.‖

―We have cleaned up the air but polluted our souls. We have con-quered the atom but not our prejudice. We plan more but accomplish less and we build more com-puters to hold more infor-mation but we communi-cate less.‖

―These are the times of big men and small character, steep profits and shallow rela-tionships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but more broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, dis-posable diapers, throwa-way morality, one night stands and overweight bodies. It is a time when there is much in the showroom but nothing in

the stockroom.‖ Raul Rocco‘s advice to us for the New Year: ―Remember to spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever.‖ ―Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it does not cost a cent.‖ ―Remember to say ‗I love you‘ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.‖ ―Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.‖ ―Give time to love and share the precious thoughts of your mind.‖ ―Always remember that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.‖ Happy New Year! May 2016 bring you peace, joy and prosperity!

of 9. The doctors predicted that he would never can walk again. Determined to walk, Glenn would throw himself off his wheelchair and pull his body across the yard and along a fence. Twenty-two months later, he took his first steps and through sheer determina-tion, learned to run despite the pain. This should be an inspiration to all. Life can sometimes throw stones on you, make you stumble and fall but you must be willing to lift yourself high. I know some students who gave up studying just because they have low intelligence quo-tient (IQ), failed in class, or discouraged by their teach-ers. They were judged by some for their incapacities and for this reason, they

Human beings on a natural sense sometimes feel hopeless when a situa-tion they expect to happen turns out the other way. This can mean an end to some. However, there are few who appreciate failures and use them as an inspira-tion to do better. This is difficult thing to do for sure, yet the best way for all. This is where determination comes in. Having determi-nation means pursuing things even after experienc-ing many disappointments and failures.

I want to share an inspirational true-to-life story about an athlete named Glenn Cunningham. He was horribly burned in a schoolhouse fire at the age

chose to stop chasing their dreams. This is not a good attitude for someone who aims for success. No bad situation remains as it is if you do not take an action to it. Moreover, no goal can be achieved if you lack determi-nation and optimism. Changing your positive out-look towards life will result to a positive outcome.

The power of deter-mination is your key to achieve your goals. Through this, you would be able to make things possible with-out doubt. This is the ray of light which pushes you to make things happen. As long as you have determina-tion, you can never go on a wrong way.

T H E T O R C H

P A G E 4

“The “bittersweet”

journey towards

achieving the goals

allows the person

to examine what he

really value most in

life. “

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOAL SETTING By: Genefe Cabutaje

“The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.” – Bill Copeland

2016 is finally here. A new year undeniably brings so much hope and gladness in the hearts of people. Every start of the year moreover, comes with it a hopeful anticipa-tion of yet another exciting adventure, worthwhile experiences and meaningful in-sights in the days ahead. Hence, for most people, the start of a new year is a per-fect time for goal settings.

What is a goal? Why do people set goals? Is it necessary?

These are three essential questions to ponder on when one encounters the word, GOAL. By definition, a goal means a desirable result that a person envisions, plans, and commits to achieve. Furthermore, this particular end result is set to be achieved within a specific timeframe. No wonder some people get dismayed when things don‘t work out as planned. However, not just on new years but every day actually is a chance for fresh starts.

People set goals for themselves in hopes to make necessary changes and

to become better individuals. Every person, from the deepest of his heart desires for some-

thing. Whether it is an ambition, short-term or long-term goals, this desire propels the person

to move forward. Such desire somehow gives a person a sense of purpose, meaning, and di-

rection. The ―bittersweet‖ journey towards achieving the goals allows the person to examine

what he really value most in life. It also helps him to believe in himself. After all, when all of

life‘s goals are achieved, what truly matters is what a person has become along the way in

fulfilling them. The determination to press on amidst challenges and to keep on believing

coupled with unfaltering faith-these are what can make a person better or rather the best.

The achievement of the goal, is just a person‘s best consolation price to enjoy and cherish.

Have a blissful new year!

STORIES WITH AJ. SHERRY: “THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE”

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and

proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The profes-

sor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The pro-

fessor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the

remaining open areas of the jar.

He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unani-

mous ―Yes.‖

―Now,‖ said the professor, ―I want you to recognize that this jar represents your

life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health and your

children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your

life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – such as

your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else, the small

stuff.‖

―If you put the sand into the jar first,‖ he continued, ―there is no room

for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your

time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things

that are important to you. You should pay attention to the things that are crit-

ical to your happiness. You should play with your children or take your partner

out for dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give

a dinner party, or fix the disposal.‖

―Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your

priorities. The rest is just sand.‖

T H E T O R C H

STUDENT CORNER:

“What is your dream vacation?”

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1 2

My dream vacation would be on a sunny beach, and Hawaii is a perfect

place to visit. I want to see nature‘s beauty. It is a paradise for me. I will go sun-

bathing, snorkeling and scuba diving. I will make sure to have fun and enjoy my

vacation to the fullest.

Venice is a beautiful place in Italy. It is a perfect place to spend vacation

with my family. I want to ride the gondola, go shopping in their famous depart-

ment stores and take pictures of their old and modern building structures. Also, the

romantic view at night will be perfect for me and my beloved. We can have a can-

dlelight dinner while watching the view. It is my dream vacation.

I want to go to the Unites States because there are lots of

places to visit like the beautiful temple of Jesus Christ. I want to

know how people spend their lives there. I want to experience their

culture and tradition. It would also be a good place to practice my

English skills. My aunt lives in California and she opened a Thai res-

taurant there. If I have a chance to go there, I would like to stay in

her place and help her wash the dishes. More than that, I know I will

have an excellent time there. It would be a perfect vacation.

NATTHARIKAN JANTHARARATTANASIRI | 3RD YEAR | ENGLISH

JIRAPON THONGMA | 3RD YEAR | ENGLISH

SUWANAN WANNAKAT | 3RD YEAR | ENGLISH

“We do not

remember

days; we

remember

moments.”

- Cesare

Pavese

KUSUMA KOOLTHAM | 3RD YEAR | ENGLISH

I dream to spend vacation in a surfing paradise like Hawaii.

From the airport, I will ride a luxurious car on my way to the hotel

where it is just a few minutes walk to the beach. In the morning, I will

watch the sun rise and enjoy the sound of the waves. I will spend my

lunch along the seashore, then go surfing until the sun sets. I will go

shopping and roam around the city. This Hawaiian adventure will be a

good and perfect vacation for me.

P A G E 6

T H E T O R C H

EDITORIAL BOARD

P H O T O C R E D I T : R O L A N D O C E M P R O N J R .

K A M P H A E N G P H E T R A J A B A H T U N I V E R S I T Y

L A N G U A G E

C E N T E R

6 T H

F L O O R

JANESSA MONDOL

Editor-in-Chief

SHERRY FAITH BERNALES

Associate Editor

BERNADETTE BALUYUT

Layout Designer

Contributors Chantale Yunt

Chamsy Navarra

Monica Villanueva

Genefe Cabutaje

Dacel Tradio

Donald Macayanan

Nattharikan Janthararattanasiri

Jirapon Thongma

Suwanan Wannakat

Kusuma Kooltham

ASST. PROF. PRADIT NAREERAK Adviser

Director, Language Center