Stanley Semilla

Failure  [feyl-yer]

–noun

1. an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success

That's the way Dictionary.com defined failure. But I find it not the best way to define failure in real life. Why talk about failure? Well, just continue reading and know the story of my second year, second semester in UP.

It started out when I am about to select the subects for this semester. I selected 2 majors (Physics and Discrete Mathematics), 2 electives (Internet Technologies and Prog. training), and 2 more GE subjects. But I was informed that I could advance 1 major subject (CS130, Mathematical methods in ComSci), so I removed 1 GE and replaced it with CS130. And then, I asked my adviser if I could take up CS197 (Intro to Computer Security), and fortunately, he allowed me to take the subject. So, bye GE!! But, during the enrolment week, my friend told me not to take CS120 since it would "boring". I didn't listen because I wanted to learn something about Internet Technologies. So, on my Form5A are CS120(Internet Technologies), CS130(Mathematical Methods in Computer Science), CS175(Advance Programming Techniques), CS197(Intro to Computer Security), CS197(Discrete Mathematics), Physics 72 and CWTS-2. Wow! That's 5 CS subjects and I'm only a 2nd year student. Am I advancing all subjects? Nope.

Well, everything started out good. But that's it. I had only 1 exam until December 2009. But when January came, I had a lot of exams ahead of me. I was worried and I was thinking if I can. That time, I was thinking of dropping CS120 because of the demand to learn and learn and learn more about this subject. But, I thought I can still manage to continue this subject. March 2010 came. Wow! I feel like giving up and just play around UP, but I got encouragements from different people so I had to continue and move on. I got better in other subjects but not with CS197 (Discrete Mathematics). I did not pass the first 2 long exams of this subject and was hoping that I could still cope up. When the 3rd exam came, I just realized, a bigger probability that I'll fail this subject is coming. Wow! My prof managed to check the papers quickly and give the results immediately, when I saw my average, I needed 128% percent more to pass the subject. How could  I possibly do that? So I emailed my professor, asked if there's anything I can do to pass the subject, but unfortunately, there's nothing he can do more for me. Woah?! So, I FAILED. But what's good is that there's an opportunity in every failure, there's a lesson behind it.

The reason why I don't agree with Dictionary.com's definition of FAILURE is the use of the word "success". Even though I failed to pass CS197, it doesn't mean that I did not have success over the matter. I did succeed. I learned a lot from it. God has blessed me with opportunities, and I think it really hurts when God disciplines us. I became  hard-hearted and didn't believed in God's power this sem, and I think, He just made Himself clear to me. I'm glad that the way God did it to me. Because if He'll let me pass, I will just get all the pride and boast about it. And God doesn't want a pride person, He wants a very humble person. Now, I'm moving on, accepting the fact that I failed but then God has made me succeed in different areas. God, thank you!

For those who prayed for me, encouraged me and made me feel comfortable over the matter, THANK YOU GUYS!! You really are God's blessings. Please continue to pray for me this summer. God bless everyone.

My Prayer Requests for this day::

1. CS120 First Project Demo (Feb. 18)
2. CS130 2nd Long Exam (Feb. 20)
3. Java Cup Competition (Feb.21)
4. ACM Programming Competition (Feb. 20?)
5. CS197: Discrete Mathematics 2nd Long Exam (Feb. 24)
6. Relationships with friends and family
7. Ministries (FBC, CCC, Stillwaters, Personal)
8. Disciples (modeling a Christian life to them)
9. Finances
10. Health & Strength
11. Confirmation of prayer requests

It's been a long time since I blogged updates about myself.

There's a lot to know about me. I am now taking the stand and proclaiming the whole world, "Hey, I'm Stanley Semilla and a proud follower of Christ."  I just started the 28-day devotion challenge by my discipler Leyron Ace Pendon. He gave me this material last week, but I haven't started it yet. Gladly, just a while ago, I started to open the material and read whats inside it. I was glad that I was able to study God's word this morning. It's a good start for me, since I really want to grow more in Christ. Hopefully, I may be able to finish this material and soon let my disciples know about it too. More and more each day, God is showing me who He is and how great are His plans for me. I wish that I may see it everyday and may be able to do something about it. I pray that God would really guide me as I study and commit 28-days of my life for this devotion material.

Hi guys, this site will be under construction for the whole month of February 2010. I hope to develop this for personal use. Thanks for your cooperation!