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When I was enrolled in Grade 11, I had just gone through a year of many tears, sleepless nights, and sad songs. However, on the first day of school, I knew I wanted to change myself from the sad girl I used to be.

I started dressing more like other people around me. I would grow out my hair, wears skirts, and stop wearing my interests on my sleeve. Soon after, my life had gotten better and I was able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones along the way.

But when I look back on my life, sometimes, I can't help but miss that version of me.

Today, I look back on my Senior High School Journey and reunite with the faces of a person I once was.

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My name is Xena Isadora S. Diaz and I am a student of 12-Anchieta in Ateneo de Davao University. I am a 17 year old girl who dabbles in a variety of hobbies. I draw (digitally & traditionally), sing, write, play the electric guitar, play games, watch movies, and read. My favorite things to read and play in particular are classic literature novels, visual novel games, and text based RPGs. I dislike eating fish, loud scratchy noises, and bugs.

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I write my own stories and often illustrate them in my spare time.

I can listen to any kind of music. From EDM, rock, hip-hop, rap, pop- and many more.

I have 6 pet dogs and 3 pet cats.

I enjoy blue the most out of any other color. It reminds me of the ocean.

I have been an Atenean since Kinder.

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(Me, curious to see what's in store this school year :0)

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(Old photo from Grade 9 with my friend. I had short hair. I'm not allowed to have short hair anymore :( )

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Later on, I had become introverted all the more. Especially once pandemic started. Thankfully, I kept contact with my friends and had my family by my side. But after spending a good chunk of my developmental years locked at home, I struggled to reintegrate myself properly once face to face classes started.

I stopped making an effort to talk to my classmates, and would only ever talk towards people I saw as my friends. Because of that, I became somewhat of an awkward social recluse.

I mentally struggled, most especially once my bad habits led to me losing my friends for a year. I became more dependant on electronics, struggled to eat, barely slept, and would struggle to do basic tasks since I had no energy to get out of bed. Isolation hit me hard. 2023 was a painful year for me, and looking back on all those sad memories wells me with emotion.

But, in the years 2024-2025, I'm doing much better now compared to then.

Unlike the past, I actually have my best friends now. We settled our differences and talked about our experiences with each other, and now, we're as close as ever. In fact, I'd say I became a lot more open to other people more because of them.

I continued to draw and I never stopped drawing for even a second. My passion and love for creating was reimagined into something greater as my art improved.

Overall, while I'm still learning to be better and grow past my hardships and weaknesses, I'd say I grown a lot since the years back then. I'm sad I'm not as jolly and sociable as I was when I was a kid. In fact, I'd say I've grown to be someone socially awkward and down to earth. But honestly, it's something that just happens when you grow.

People always say you're getting older, but you're still growing up regardless. And honestly, there's no shame in that. That's something I came to learn once I got in a better situation in my life.

I'm glad I didn't stay the same. Had I stayed stagnant, that meant I never had the opportunity to learn or grow. I'm far different from the person I once was. In one year, two years- most especially ten, I'll be another person completely. What matters to me is that rather than looking back in my journey with self-pity and regret like I used to- I can say I'm happy to be me.

My journey, my life, will continue.

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I vividly remember my first day of enrolling into kindergarten. I was holding my mother's hand as she led me down the Ateneo building, all until I saw a colourfully lit classroom filled with cute drawings and fun toys.

The moment my preschool years started, I never caused any trouble, and I remember very clearly that I was a stickler for the rules and never disobeyed. My liveliness and love to play was still prominent. I even remember that I was very sociable around other kids. Looking back on a few of my interactions though, I think may have been a little overbearing sometimes lol, but I think my classmates had fun nonetheless which is nice.

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My elementary school years were always quite a blur to me. At least, a few memories to me are.

I remember that in my early elementary years, I had started to become less social. I assume that, because I'm looking back at this from the future, it was because I wasn't allowed to play outside anymore. My push to be initiative and independant had slowly faded over the years, as I started to be known as "that one shy girl in the back".

Because of this, I wasn't able to stay in contact with my friends in kindergarten and I had made less friends. Since I was inside all day, I'd spend my time watching TV, drawing, and playing alone with my toys. My sisters were too grown to play with me since our age gaps were pretty far apart, but we still hung out.

Even if I wasn't as active as I used to be though, I'm certain that this was the era in my life wherein I started to be more imaginative and creative. By around 2014-2016 or so, I picked up drawing after one of my sisters drew in my notebook just to show me something fun. Ever since then, I was inspired and wanted to draw all the fun things I wanted.

Since then, I never stopped drawing. Even in 2025.

Throughout my life, I always stayed quiet and friendly, but by 2019, I was a lot more sociable compared to before because I made a lot of friends in class (and had access to messenger for the first time). This is a very special period of time for me too, because 2019 would be the year I would meet my best friends. We have been friends for 6-7 years now and we're still close.

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As a toddler, I was actually quite active. I remember I would play with the neighbourhood kids and love playing with different toys. I vividly remember I was a little mean (lol), but only because I didn't understand social cues at the time. I was a very outgoing kid and I loved making people smile through singing silly songs and striking cute poses.

My mother said I was very playful and curious of the things around me. I was joyful, happy- albeit a little naive, but that's something expected at this age.

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On April 10th, 2008, I was born!

Apparently, I was a very fat baby with little curls atop my head. My mother said that I wasn't hard-headed and I barely cried, unlike my two sisters. I was very quiet and was supposedly very happy.

I was born in Davao City and was raised here all throughout my life. I vividly remember I spent a majority of my life at home and I'd cling to my mother very strongly.

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PerDev WW2 - Stressors and Coping Strategies!

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PerDev WW2 - Stressors and Coping Strategies!

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1.) Was the subject Personal Development helpful for you?

Personal Development was helpful for me because it was a subject that allowed me to personally explore my inner thoughts and emotions. It helped me learn aspects about myself that guided me to be a better person for myself and others. Through Personal Development, I learned various lessons that allowed me to explore at my own pace.

2.) How did this subject help you know yourself more?

Personal Development has taught me many things. This subject helped me know myself more through delving into lessons that allowed me to explore possibilities regarding my career, life, and family. Through lessons like "Career Planning", I was able to have a better understanding of my goals and aspirations for the future.

3.) What were your key takeaways from the subject?

My key takeaway from this subject is the importance of self-reflection and love. Throughout various lessons, I have realized that self-reflection is key in having better understanding of who you are, your life, and more. When I look back in PerDev, I will remember the important values I have realized.

4.) What two topics were your favorites and why?

My two favorite topics are "Personal & Social Relationship" & "Career Pathways". I personally find these topics to be my favorite as I find them to be the most essential lessons to know. It's important to understand the deep foundational values of love and relationships, as the people we surround ourselves with are key in how we grow. All the while, it's important to have foundational knowledge of your goals, aspirations, and greater interests for the future.