Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

A very powerful, enlightening poem. Speaks so much of a lot of values and virtues in life that are really important. If we reflect on this poem, we can discern it's profound meaning and apply it to our way of life. It gives us a refreshing perspective on life.... on the more positive way to look at it. That's why a lot of people really like this poem, myself included, because it reminds us to love ourselves more, to just be ourselves, to be optimistic but not idealistic. It's just the way we look at the world inspite of the harsh realities, the ugly truth in life.... there is still good in life.... in the world.... and that is what we should focus on. What's also striking about the poem is that it ignites hope, faith and a joyful attitude. I think if we just religiously instill the meaning of this poem, the world would be a happier place.

                                                                               1919, Mother Thunder

                                                                                                   Milky Way Galaxy 

                                                                                                   September 19, 1996

Dear Mother Earth,

                       Please do not go!! We will save you mother! We will be responsible hereafter! We will give you medication!!!You provided us everything we require to live. When we were thirsty, you gave us water, and when we were hungry, you gave us food .Thank you for allowing us the freedom to build our house on you. Thank you for the fruits, all the kinds of nutritious vegetables and fruits. Thank you for the variety of plants, trees and animals that is helpful in our everyday life. You nurtures our life freely and lovingly, and not just our life, but also many varieties of life. Thank you for not judging us on every time we take an advantage on you. But we were not happy and contented, we were greedy and wanted more and more comfort. I admit that sometimes, we don't appreciate you and we don't care. We are very very very sorry for all the bad things that we've done. Sorry for taking advantage on you. Sorry because we made you to suffocate by our industrial gases and made your skin burn with our highly poisonous chemical wastes, but still, you cleansed the air, allowing no poisonous gas for us to breath. You blessed us with picturesque sceneries, those jungles and forests, but then, we keep on destroying these picturesque sceneries for the sake of our own happiness. And now, I know that you are crying in pain because of us. We tend to destroy you. I know that you are now flooded with trashes that are harmful to the living creature. Sorry because you are now scarred, bruised and polluted. We are selfish beyond beliefs, but still, you continue to show us unconditional love and forgiveness. And now, we are scared, frightened, and tormented by a story of the past, of guilt, of shame, of many things. We, now, your children, whether we know it or not, need you now more than ever. I know that it's tiring because you are our mother. You have loved us, nurtured but then we don't care. Its either we will learn or we will lose you. We are now thankful and feel sorry because of our mistakes. Right now and tomorrow and for every day, we promise that we will take care of you and we will love you. On your grass, I feel safe, cared and loved. Keep on being amazing mother, because from now on, we will take care of you!

                           

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                          Sincerely yours,

                                                                                                          Claudette :)

THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNALS

PSWS # 1

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS: A tropical cyclone will affect the locality. Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. (When the tropical cyclone develops very close to the locality a shorter lead time of the occurrence of the winds will be specified in the warning bulletin.)

IMPACT OF THE WINDS: Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken. Some banana plants may be tilted or downed. Some houses of very light materials (nipa and cogon) may be partially unroofed. Unless this warning signal is upgraded during the entire existence of the tropical cyclone, only very light or no damage at all may be sustained by the exposed communities. Rice crop, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: When the tropical cyclone is strong or is intensifying and is moving closer, this signal may be upgraded to the next higher level. The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and become bigger and higher. The people are advised to listen to the latest severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA every six hours. In the meantime, business may be carried out as usual except when flood occur. Disaster preparedness is activated to alert status.

PSWS # 2

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS: A tropical cyclone will affect the the locality. Winds of greater than 60 kph and up to 100 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours.

IMPACT OF THE WINDS: Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken. Few big trees may be uprooted. Many banana plants may be downed. Rice and corn may be adversely affected. Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed. Some old galvanized iron roofings may be peeled off. In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small seacrafts Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed of movement and the intensity of the storm as it may intensify and move towards the locality. The general public especially people travelling by sea and air are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks. Outdoor activities of children should be postponed. Secure properties before the signal is upgraded. Disaster preparedness agencies / organizations are in action to alert their communities. PSWS # 3 METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS: A tropical cyclone will affect the locality. Winds of greater than 100 kph up to 185 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours. IMPACT OF THE WINDS: Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed. Almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be uprooted. Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses. Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction. There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services. In general, moderate to heavy damage may be experienced, particularly in the agricultural and industrial sectors. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: The disturbance is dangerous to the communities threatened/affected. The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all seacrafts. Travel is very risky especially by sea and air. People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas and to stay away from the coasts and river banks. Watch out for the passage of the "eye" of the typhoon indicated by a sudden occurrence of fair weather immediately after very bad weather with very strong winds coming gnerally from the north. When the "eye" of the typhoon hit the community do not venture away from the safe shelter because after one to two hours the worst weather will resume with the very strong winds coming from the south. Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the safety of strong buildings. Disaster preparedness and response agencies/organizations are in action with appropriate response to actual emergency. PSWS # 4

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS: A very intense typhoon will affect the locality. Very strong winds of more than 185 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.

IMPACT OF THE WINDS: Coconut plantation may suffer extensive damage. Many large trees may be uprooted. Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe losses. Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged. Electrical power distribution and communication services may be severely disrupted. In the overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: The situation is potentially very destructive to the community. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled. Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed since it may be too late under this situation. With PSWS #4, the locality is very likely to be hit directly by the eye of the typhoon. As the eye of the typhoon approaches, the weather will continuously worsen with the winds increasing to its strongest coming generally from the north. Then a sudden improvement of the weather with light winds (a lull) will be experienced. This means that the eye of the typhoon is over the locality. This improved weather may last for one to two hours depending on the diameter of the eye and the speed of movement. As the eye moves out of the locality, the worst weather experienced before the lull will suddenly commence. This time the very strong winds will come generally from the south. The disaster coordinating councils concerned and other disaster response organizations are now fully responding to emergencies and in full readiness to immediately respond to possible calamity.

I have learned that storm signal number 1 is the first storm/typhoon warning said in the TV news broadcasts when the local weather bureau (PAGASA) detects a storm. Normal classes usually are in service still.I have learned that storm signal no. 2can affect the locality win a wind speed of 60kph to 100 kph in atleast 24 hrs. The storm signal no.3 affects the locality with the speed of 100kph to 185kph in atleast 18hrs.The storm signal no.4 can affect the locality with 185 kph and above in atleast 12 hrs. I want to know more about the effects this storm signal to the community. I would like to research on how it is formed. I appreciate the fact that winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours. I can apply my learning and insights on sharing it to my friends.

The Fujiwhara effect or Fujiwara interaction, named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other.

When the cyclones approach each other, their centers will begin orbiting cyclonically about a point between the two systems due to their cyclonic wind circulations. The two vortices will be attracted to each other, and eventually spiral into the center point and merge. When the two vortices are of unequal size, the larger vortex will tend to dominate the interaction, and the smaller vortex will orbit around it.

The effect is often mentioned in relation to the motion of tropical cyclones, although the final merging of the two storms is uncommon. The effect becomes pronounced in these storms when they approach within about 1,500 km (900 mi) of each other and are at tropical storm strength or stronger.

The effect is named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, the Japanese meteorologist who initially described it in a 1921 paper about the motion of vortices in water.

1. I learned that named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonicvortices, causing them to appear to “orbit” each other.
2. I want to know more abouton how it affects the weather system. 

3. I would like to research on how it affects the weather in the Philippines.

4. I can apply my learning and insights on having a broader knowledge to further understand the Philippine weather.

Tropical Cyclones

I learned that Tropical Cyclone is a low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters and have gale force winds (sustained winds of 63 km/h or greater and gusts in excess of 90 km/h) near the centre. Technically they are defined as a non-frontal low pressure system of synoptic scale developing over warm waters having organised convection and a maximum mean wind speed of 34 knots or greater extending more than half-way around near the centre and persisting for at least six hours.

The gale force winds can extend hundreds of kilometres from the cyclone centre. If the sustained winds around the centre reach 118 km/h (gusts in excess 165 km/h). then the system is called a severe tropical cyclone. These are referred to as hurricanes or typhoons in other countries.

I want to know more about on how this phenomenon can affect, impact, put each and everyone in danger so that we can do ways on how to protect ourselves in case the emergency comes.

I would like to research on the different ways to predict the tail end of a cold front and on some proper ways of what we can do to prepare for the phenomenon.

I appreciate the fact that it doesn’t affect large areas. But it doesn’t also mean that we can relax about it. We should be aware with it is possible effects.

I can apply my learning and insights in understanding the weather phenomenon, be able to perform it on our daily life.And most important is, I can share my learning to my other fellowmen and widen their knowledge

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), or El Niño/La Niña–Southern Oscillation, is a quasiperiodic climate pattern that occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean roughly every five years. The Southern Oscillation refers to variations in the temperature of the surface of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean (warming and cooling known as El Niño and La Niña respectively) and in air surface pressure in the tropical western Pacific. The two variations are coupled: the warm oceanic phase, El Niño, accompanies high air surface pressure in the western Pacific, while the cold phase, La Niña, accompanies low air surface pressure in the eastern Pacific Mechanisms that cause the oscillation remain under study.

The extremes of this climate pattern's oscillations, El Niño and La Niña, cause extreme weather (such as floods and droughts) in many regions of the world. Developing countries dependent upon agriculture and fishing, particularly those bordering the Pacific Ocean, are the most affected. In popular usage, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation is often called just "El Niño". El Niño is Spanish for "the little boy" and refers to the Christ child, because periodic warming in the Pacific near South America is usually noticed around Christmas.

I learned that El Niño is a warm ocean current that flows along the equator from the date line and south off the coast of Ecuador at Christmas time.

I want to know more about El Niño, how it forms, how it develops, and what are the benefits and disadvantages of it.

I would like to research on different factors that affects the formation of El Niño.

I appreciate the fact that El Niño makes a fair and sunny weather. With this mater,l plants grow tall and green!

I can apply my learning and insights in understanding why there is sunny and warm weather. I can also share my knowledge to others to be able them to know what an El Niño is.

La Niña is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño as part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate pattern. During a period of La Niña, the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Oceanwill be lower than normal by 3–5 °C. In the United States, an episode of La Niña is defined as a period of at least 5 months of La Niña conditions. The name La Niña originates from Spanish, meaning "the girl," analogous to El Niño meaning "the boy."

La Niña, sometimes informally called "anti-El Niño", is the opposite of El Niño, where the latter corresponds instead to a higher sea surface temperature by a deviation of at least 0.5 °C, and its effects are often the reverse of those of El Niño. El Niño is famous due to its potentially catastrophic impact on the weather along both the Chilean, Peruvian, New Zealand, and Australian coasts, among others. It has extensive effects on the weather in North America, even affecting the Atlantic Hurricane Season. La Niña is often, though not always, preceded by an El Niño.

I learned that La Niña is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño as part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate pattern.The La Niña is usually described as a cooler than average sea surface temperature in this area of the Pacific. 

I want to know more about La Niña. How, when and where it forms and develop.

I would like to research on different factors that affects the formation of   La Niña. I also want to research about different technique on how to predict La Niña.

I appreciate the fact that La Niña has some influence in the climate. Like, it brings cold weather that helps other people for better production of their work or better life.

I can apply my learning and insight in understanding the weather conditions that occur in our country. I can also share my knowledge to other ordinary people like me to know what LaNiña is and how does LaNiña affects the country.

I learned that monsoon is a period of heavy rainfall, especially during the summer over South and Southeast Asia

I want to know more about monsoon, how it forms, how it affect the country, what are the benefits and disadvantages of it.

I would like to research on different factors that affects the monsoon and its effect on the weather.

I appreciate the fact that it brings rain into our country and helps to supply our water supply needs. It also helps us to prevent  suffering from drought.

I can apply my learning and insights in understanding why there is a rain during summer over.  

Tail End of a Cold Front

 The TAIL-END of a COLD FRONT is grouped as a LINEAR SYSTEM. This means that this 
phenomenon can be easily seen or detected. And I really agree on that because there are certain times of the year, like this, in which we experience this kind of weather.

A tail-end of a cold front is usually defined as a front 


boundary of two air masses, found in mid-latitudes.


And as I have personally experiences, cold fronts are usually 


associated with rainfall and cloudiness which 


further brings colder temperature to such regions at a certain


 period of time.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)


I learned that  TAIL-END of a COLD FRONT is grouped as a LINEAR SYSTEM. This means that this phenomenon can be easily seen or detected. And I really agree on that because there are certain times of the year, like this, in which we experience this kind of weather. 


I want to know more about the tail end of a cold front, on how it is formed, how does it affect the country, and its advantage and disadvantages.


I would like to research on different factors that affect the formation of tail end of a cold front and its step by step, and also I would like to learn on how does it affects the weather.


I appreciate the fact that it brings rain into our country and it helps to maintain our water supply needs. In addition, tail end of a cold front helps us to prevent suffering from droughts.


I can apply my learning and insights in understanding about our weather.It serves as a guide and answers to some questions,like, why there is the so called drought and flood?

I've enjoyed reading some facts about tail end a cold front! Hope you had enjoyed reading it too! :)

ITCZ

(Intertropical Convergence Zone)

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), known by sailors as the doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together.

The ITCZ was originally identified from the 1920s to the 1940s as the "Intertropical Front" (ITF), but after the recognition in the 1940s and 1950s of the significance of wind field convergence in tropical weather production, the term "ITCZ" was then applied. When it lies near the equator, it is called the near-equatorial trough. Where the ITCZ is drawn into and merges with a monsoonal circulation, it is sometimes referred to as a monsoon trough, a usage more common in Australia and parts of Asia. In the seamen's speech the zone is referred as the doldrums because of its erratic weather patterns with stagnant calms and violent thunderstorms.

The ITCZ appears as a band of clouds, usually thunderstorms, that circle the globe near the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds move in a southwestern direction from the northeast, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they move northwestward from the southeast. When the ITCZ is positioned north or south of the equator, these directions change according to the Coriolis effect imparted by the rotation of the earth. For instance, when the ITCZ is situated north of the equator, the southeast trade wind changes to a southwest wind as it crosses the equator. The ITCZ is formed by vertical motion largely appearing as convective activity of thunderstorms driven by solar heating, which effectively draw air in; these are the trade winds. The ITCZ is effectively a tracer of the ascending branch of the Hadley cell, and is wet. The dry descending branch is the horse latitudes.

The location of the intertropical convergence zone varies over time. Over land, it moves back and forth across the equator following the sun's zenithpoint. Over the oceans, where the convergence zone is better defined, the seasonal cycle is more subtle, as the convection is constrained by the distribution of ocean temperatures. Sometimes, a double ITCZ forms, with one located north and another south of the equator. When this occurs, a narrow ridge of high pressure forms between the two convergence zones, one of which is usually stronger than the other.

ITCZ Effects on Weather

It may affect our weather temperature.

Variation in the location of the intertropical convergence zone drastically affects rainfall in many equatorial nations, resulting in the wet and dry seasons of the tropics rather than the cold and warm seasons of higher latitudes. Longer term changes in the intertropical convergence zone can result in severe droughts or flooding in nearby areas.

In some cases, the ITCZ may become narrow, especially when it moves away from the equator; the ITCZ can then be interpreted as a front along the leading edge of the equatorial air. There appears to be a 15-25 day cycle in thunderstorm activity along the ITCZ, which is roughly half the wavelength of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO).

Within the ITCZ the average winds are slight, unlike the zones north and south of the equator where the trade winds feed. Early sailors named this belt of calm the doldrums because of the inactivity and stagnation they found themselves in after days of no wind. To find oneself becalmed in this region in a hot and muggy climate could mean death in an era when wind was the only effective way to propel ships across the ocean. Even today leisure and competitive sailors attempt to cross the zone as quickly as possible as the erratic weather and wind patterns may cause unexpected delays.

-Source: wikipedia

Near the equator, from about 5° north and 5° south, the northeast trade winds and southeast trade winds converge in a low pressure zone known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ. Solar heating in the region forces air to rise through convection which results in a plethora of precipitation. The ITCZ is a key component of the global circulation system.

Weather stations in the equatorial region record precipitation up to 200 days each year, making the equatorial and ITC zones the wettest on the planet. The equatorial region lacks a dry season and is constantly hot and humid.

The location of the ITCZ varies throughout the year and while it remains near the equator, the ITCZ over land ventures farther north or south than the ITCZ over the oceans due to the variation in land temperatures. The location of the ITCZ can vary as much as 40° to 45° of latitude north or south of the equator based on the pattern of land and ocean.

In Africa, the ITCZ is located just south of the Sahel at about 10°, dumping rain on the region to the south of the desert.

The Intertropical Convergence Zone has been called the doldrums by sailors due to the lack of horizontal air movement (the air simply rises with convection). The ITCZ is also known as the Equatorial Convergence Zone or Intertropical Front.

There's a diurnal cycle to the precipitation in the ITCZ. Clouds form in the late morning and early afternoon hours and then by 3 to 4 p.m., the hottest time of the day, convectional thunderstorms form and precipitation begins. These storms are generally short in duration.

-Source: geography.com

I learned that ITCZ or  Intertropical Convergence Zone is  is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together. The intense sun and warm water of the equator heats the air in the ITCZ, raising its humidity and making it buoyant. Aided by the convergence of the trade winds, the buoyant air rises. As the air rises it expands and cools, releasing the accumulated moisture in an almost perpetual series of thunderstorms.


I want to know more about the Intertropical Convergence Zone, on how it is formed, how does it affect the country, and its advantage and disadvantages.


I would like to research on different factors that affect the formation of ITCZ and its step by step, and also I would like to learn on how does it affects the weather.


I appreciate the fact that it brings rain into our country and it helps to maintain our water supply needs. In addition, ITCZ helps us to prevent suffering from droughts.


I can apply my learning and insights in understanding about our weather.It serves as a guide and answers to some questions,like, why there is the so called drought and flood?

I've enjoyed reading some facts about the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ! Hope you had enjoyed reading it too :)

Thank you for reading! :)