Knowing Me! by Andrew Puerto

Hello!

apuerto — 2025-07-03 14:19:13 UTC

I am Andrew Puerto, 16 years old, which makes me a GenZ student. Welcome to my personal padlet! Here, I will put anything I would like to share with you in a collage format.

More about me:

I am actually from Panabo City in Davao del Norte and ended up here since I was able to acquire a scholarship.
I consider myself to the opposite of a picky eater, but cannot stand chicken feet, head, and even proben. I don't want my food staring back at me!
I am not very adventurous, I mostly stay at home where I am comfortable. What gets me to go and travel is my family since I obviously don't want to be left behind.

To make this Padlet more enjoyable to read, I have integrated a short story which takes place in a mysterious mansion located in the woods.

A Quote I Resonate With

apuerto — 2025-07-03 14:33:08 UTC

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop"

- Confucius

I really like this quote because it just feels like the world moves too fast sometimes. School projects each come and go, the weekends gone in a blink, and I often feel like I can't keep up. But these words help me calm down and go in my own pace, neither too slow, nor too fast. Just right for me to keep a level head.

A Novel I Really Like

apuerto — 2025-07-03 14:34:42 UTC

That little dilemma with the ghost is very similar to the challenges the main character faces in this novel. This was the first book gifted to me during my section's Christmas party. The book is about a wizard and supernatural occurrences while having elements of a detective story. I really enjoyed this book since it has a really interesting plot that uses the seven deadly sins (any kind of strong emotion will do, but the book emphasizes on greed and lust) to power magic and a very expressive and troublesome protagonist that kept me thinking what was going to happen next. This was a very memorable for me since it was the first novel I read outside of my parents stack of books.

My 2025 Summer Highlight

apuerto — 2025-07-03 15:23:13 UTC

I want to talk about something that happened recently, specifically during summer break. This year me and my family went to Cagayan de Oro City just for for travels and to unwind. My mom does not want us always inside the house during summer, so she brought me and my sister along to Cagayan on her business trip. I was really excited to go because it would be the farthest I have been in Mindanao from Davao. Also, it would be and opportunity to pass by Bukidnon and Northern Mindanao. This is me striking a weird pose in front of a map of Mindanao, this picture was taken at high ridge in Cagayan.

Something Extraordinary

apuerto — 2025-07-03 15:32:07 UTC

This photo is also from our trip to Cagayan, but at a different location this time. This is the 'Rock Chapel' located in Amaya View. I want to share this because it was the first time I had seen a chapel like this, there is no glass wall behind the altar, just a platform with no railing. Not only that, the floor is also glass and you can see rocks underneath which is how it got its name I would assume. I was really sweating taking this photo as I am not a fan of walking on the glass but the tour guide said it was very sturdy.

Wow Talaga

apuerto — 2025-07-03 15:35:50 UTC

Here is another angle of the altar. This time, I worked up the courage to walk on the glass floor to snap this photo. Even though it looks like it, I don't think masses are actually held her since you need and entrance fee.

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Infancy

apuerto — 2025-09-10 10:46:27 UTC

This was me at 1 year old, my parents described me as a quiet child, rarely hearing me cry. At this stage, I am still figuring out the world around me like interacting with my surroundings, listening or trying to communicate to my parents, and observing others.

Early Childhood

apuerto — 2025-09-10 10:49:07 UTC

This photo was taken when I was about 2 and a half years old holding a stuffed animal that I carried everywhere until kindergarten. This stage is where I developed a sense of self, I started making my own choices and learned that it is okay to do so. I also became aware that I am similar to my parents and other people, but still unique enough that I can be differentiated from them.

Preschool Stage

apuerto — 2025-09-10 11:01:39 UTC

I grew more as a person in this stage, learning to decide for myself and taking initiative to decisions. For example, I asked my mother that my birthday theme would be "Cars" because I really liked that movie at that time and I was also the one to invite my classmates.

Elementary Stage

apuerto — 2025-09-10 11:02:24 UTC

This picture was taken at my first communion at elementary 5th grade. It was at this time that felt the will to do good in school and make my parents happy, I would participate more in class and learn that I can do things better the more effort I put into it. This made me more confident that I could do things and do them well.

Adolescence Stage

apuerto — 2025-09-12 15:21:06 UTC

This is the stage I am in right now, I have a grasp of the four aspects of my self concept, but I am still working to improve them. Forming relationships with my classmates and experiencing friend groups are what makes this stage memorable for me, both good and bad experiences shape me to have a clear view of who I am and who I want to be.

End

apuerto — 2025-09-12 15:22:23 UTC

Phew! That was a very exciting little adventure, thank you for your time and see you some other time.

A ghost has appeared!

apuerto — 2025-09-12 15:39:53 UTC

Oh no! A ghost is in the way. It does no look friendly, get ready for a battle.

Attack!

apuerto — 2025-09-12 15:51:29 UTC

You cast up a fiery tornado that scares the ghost away!

Good job! You have overcame your first encounter.

A Peculiar Guardian

apuerto — 2025-09-12 16:10:09 UTC

A gargoyle interrupts you as you were about to reach for the door handle of the main door. Suddenly, the wooden door turns completely into stone and the gargoyle speaks to you...

"Tell me a quote from the bottom of your heart, one you swear by and deeply connect to."

-Front Door-

apuerto — 2025-09-12 16:10:39 UTC

-Front Yard-

apuerto — 2025-09-12 16:10:56 UTC

A Peculiar Guardian

apuerto — 2025-09-13 02:36:49 UTC

After a long pause, the gargoyle seems content with your answer. The front door turns back into wood.

"You have a deep insight on your motto, you may pass."

-Main Lounge-

apuerto — 2025-09-13 02:52:36 UTC

-Long Hallway-

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The dim main lounge area of the mansion feels eerie yet calm, you look around trying to find something interesting. Old and dusty vases and various antiques rest atop vintage cupboards containing expensive looking tableware. The amount of dust built up makes it difficult to see their actual color, except for some gold that you can make out. You move on and find a jukebox that is most definitely broken, and a fire place that seems more like a spiders den with the amount of webs found.

You turn around and find several pieces of paper stapled together, out of curiosity you pick them up and start reading the contents.

Magic Mirror

apuerto — 2025-09-13 03:16:08 UTC

A strange circular mirror rest on the wall at the end of the hall way. It seems even older than the things you found at the main lounge, but this one somehow wants you to come closer. You give in to the soft glow in the mirror and move closer, the air gets colder as you do. Suddenly, your reflection appears in the mirror, only, that it is your younger self. Startled, you slip and a strong wind pulls you into the mirror and you find yourself flying through someone's memories.

-Front Yard-

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The memories of that person seem to still be ongoing, so you are abruptly thrown out of the weird space and crash down in the fountain at the front yard. You want to go back in, but you find only ruins where the mansion once stood. The first rays of dawn have already raced over the horizon and the morning greets you warm. You decide it is best to return another night and investigate some more and maybe bring friends along, what's the worst that could happen.

The Old Mansion

apuerto — 2025-09-13 03:52:41 UTC

After hearing about rumors from other apprentice wizards of a haunted old mansion deep in the woods near town which gets you curious, so you decide it is a good idea to search for it alone. You set off at sunset with food, water, a lamp, and your spell book and wand and trek for an hour and a half into the woods before reaching a dirt path lined with a tall brick wall on one side that leads to nowhere. You follow the path while keeping close to the wall and end up in front of a rusty and broken gate.

Excitement rushes through you as you swing the fence open with a great kick. Beyond that gate, guarded by high walls, was spacious front yard with a flower field, grass lawn and a fountain at the center. You follow the brick walkway to the front door while looking around the dim yard.

Second Grading Performance Task 2 (PT2)

apuerto — 2025-11-07 15:27:44 UTC

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My Overall Reflection For Personal Development (Answers):

apuerto — 2025-11-07 15:55:56 UTC

Yes, this subject has been a great help to know myself deeper. It helped me know my limits as an adolescent who experiences many stressors and how to deal with them, it also helped me identify my personality and its traits to understand better my actions and how I could control certain potentially harmful ones. Personal Development gave me the understanding and importance for mental health, socialization, and how to love myself unconditionally. Lastly, what makes this subject so incredible is that it will continue to have an effect on my life up until its end, the lessons here are life lessons that will always stick around and shape who I am and who I want to be.
My key takeaways from this subject is that mental health and social prowess should never be weighted more or less than academic and sports aspects in life. Each person grows holistically, meaning that they undergo physical, emotional, mental change, and sometimes even change in values or beliefs. This subject has taught me that behind every success story and just about any person, there is a person who is constantly trying to improve. A person who understands theirself and others around them, someone who will not compromise their own health just for more points, who adapts to any environment as best as they can, and a person who accepts the way they are and learn to live with their strengths and weaknesses.
My favorite lessons were lesson 1, knowing oneself, and lesson 11, Careers and Career Pathways. I favor these two because they are most intertwined, to know yourself is to imagine who you will be in the future. I also like that they are the first and last lessons, because this subject is all about growing and knowing yourself to prepare for the adult world and to choose the right career where I could see myself enjoying.