The Teacher Diaries

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

2008-11-10T03:53:00.000-08:00

A few days from now, it'd be Christmas once again. Yes, and one good evidence would be dragging myself out of bed every morning because it feels oh-so-good sleeping under a warm sheet of freshly laundered flannel blanket.

Ever since I was a kid, Christmas has been one of my favorite holidays of the year. I would be receiving gifts from my ninongs and ninangs and I love wearing new clothes for my Christmas party. I would wait for that special day when me and my family would eat a lot of tasty treats. This year, I guess would be a lot different. A few days from now, my dearest niece would be celebrating her very first Christmas. And instead of me waiting for gifts to open, it is her time to open her first Christmas gifts! I am so excited to buy her (Sofia) a gift for Christmas. This year, instead of having Christmas at home, my parents decided to celebrate it with the newest member of our family. The cutest baby of all! I hope this Christmas will be a happy one for her to remember. Even happier than the Christmas days that I have experienced and spent with my family.

Men and Rubberbands

2008-08-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus!" Yes, it is the ever famous book on knowing the opposite sex. A co-teacher of mine shared me this book that I have been longing to read. Since classes got suspended today, I got a chance to read a few chapters. One of which that I have read is about men being compared to a rubberband. I have been through many relationships already (before Gian and before we got back together) and it was only now that I have realized my faults (or mistake or whatever you may call it) in those relationships including my relationship with Gian right now. It is not that I worship the book or something. I just realized that, "hey, this makes sense!" I remember keeping a boxfull of rubberbands fo my hair. If you keep them so long and won't even use it, it will just break even using them for the first time. But when you use it more often, it gets a time to stretch and serve it's purpose for a longer period of time. Like rubberbands, men needs to stretch from time to time because if they don't, they might become brittle and break. In short, when men try to pull away, we need not stop them. Because they just need some space to stretch and them come back again. Stopping them would just cause bigger problems.

Maybe, even women are like rubberbands. We all need space sometimes, don't we?

I hate it when I feel this way

2008-07-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

I am super sad right now. I wanted to cry but I can't. I feel really bad. I hope I could get over this feeling by tomorrow. I feel really terrible. Can't breathe. :(

What If?!

2008-07-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while since my last post. Well, I was busy ( and still busy ) checking my students' output and adjusting to my 'new' workplace.

I still ask myself sometimes if I really made the right decision of resigning at HEDCEN and start teaching at poveda. I still have the 'what ifs' on my mind. What if I stayed? What if I come back? Would it make any difference? Would I be able to fulfill my dreams in life? I loved it there; I miss my dear students, I miss my "friends", I miss the times we would laugh our hearts out because of Sir Ramil's jokes after a day of very tiring work. I miss soccer, I miss the dorm. I miss everything that I have experienced there! But then, I have made this decision and there's no turning back. I know there are a lot of improvement after my exit from the company; promising salary, a more comfy feel in the teacher's area and so many other things that i have missed. I still ask myself "What if...?" but then there's this happy feeling inside of me knowing that I still am very lucky to have landed where I am right now. A new experience, a new journey!

Now, what if I did not resign at all? Maybe, I will not feel how blessed I am to still have a job. Also, If I did not resign, maybe I will not know who really cares. :D

I am Getting Married

2008-06-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Yup! It's true! We have finally decided and informed our parents about it. At first I was a bit hesitant to tell my parents and family about it but then suddenly it was my mom who broke the silence. I am so excited planning for our big day. We already have tried searching for some suppliers. Browsed through magazines and even tried wedding bands as early as now. Papa even gave some suggestions on where to have the reception. I can't wait until it's 2009 already!

Answered Prayers

2008-04-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

It has been 12 days after I resigned from work. Twelve days of very long sleep and non-stop food tripping. But then I could not stay this way forever! But God really knows what to do and when to do it. I have been through a lot of job-hunting stress even before my resignation took effect. If I remember it right I started looking for a new job as early as November. I tried applying for both public and private institutions. Some tried to hire me but I turned it down because they were asking me to resign from work right then and there which of course I could not do since I am bound by a contract. I really wanted that job but I think God really has his own plans.

To cut the story short, I was left with only one school to hope for. A school which I have dreamt of ever since I started taking up education. This morning, I received a call and told me that I have an appointment with the school's president for the job offer! I am so excited! Thank you Lord! :D

*resigning from work wasn't that bad after all! (but I still miss my old school, God bless them too!)

My Birthday

2008-03-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

Your Birthdate: April 7

You are an island. You don't need anyone else to make you happy.

And though you see yourself as a loner, people are drawn to you.

Deep and sensitive, you tend to impress others with your insights.

You also tend to be psychic - so listen to that inner voice!

Your strength: Your self sufficiency

Your weakness: You despise authority

Your power color: Maroon

Your power symbol: Hammer

Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Little Reporter

2008-03-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

Twenty years from now, my very first students will soon have their own careers. Others might become a doctor, a dentist or maybe even a politician (which I hope would "Change the World")! But as early as now, I could imagine one of my students, who is very dear to me, would become a very successful reporter! He was so cute while he was reporting about The Burning Situation . I am so proud of you Pito! Keep it up! :)

I need a job

2008-03-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

Or maybe the best line would be I need money. Summer classes would start early and I am in dire need of money! I need to enroll and sustain my transportation plus everyday meals during my month long time for studying. God bless me! I really need a job. :D

Things I will Miss the Most

2008-03-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

Thirteen days from now and I will no longer be a HEdCen teacher. I am just very thankful for all of the things that I have learned during my two years of stay. There are a lot of things that I will be missing, and I wanted to share them all to you.

I will miss -

1. My students who are all very dear to me (most especially Anton and Gabby)
2. my colleagues (and our faculty jokes)
3. my new found friends
4. Poker and Sequence
5. Coffee and long chat with friends
6. My bed (it's so comfy!)
7. Isaw
8. Going to Shopwise
9. Pinky's Grill :D
10. Wi-fi connection (LOL)

- and the list goes on. :)

getting wed

2008-03-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

There are times when I just could not stop myself from imagining myself wearing a soft, flowing white gown while walking down the aisle with Gian waiting for me on the other side. I would think of all the details I wanted to have on my very own wedding day. But then reality would strike me after. I really do want an elegant wedding - a very nice gown, classy reception and the works! But then we also have to stick with a budget. As I can see it, weddings nowadays would always cost a fortune! Even just a simple one. The church alone would cost around Php 8000. Of course, you will also have to consider the the food to serve so your guests would also enjoy the wedding as much as you do. Basically, it would cost around a hundred pesos for a very simple wedding.

I am not closing my myself to still dream, plan and pursue my dream wedding. But if our budget would not allow, it is still fine to celebrate a very simple one far from what I have been planning for. As long as I have my Gian waiting on the other side of the aisle, waiting for me to say "I do", it would still be a dream come true. :)

I lost my Wallet

2008-03-06T00:22:00.000-08:00

Shucks! I lost my wallet. I do not really know if I just misplaced it or someone really took it on purpose. I am really not after the money (well, not really, because it is still Php 500.00) but for my IDs and credit cards. I was able to call right away to have my credit cards blocked. But then, I would have to re-apply for my lost IDs which is really, really toxic. I just hope someone will return my IDs and I hope it would be soon.

*Note for the one who got my wallet: If ever you are reading this, please return my IDs. The Php 500.00 is yours. :D

Wanted: Tutees

2008-03-03T05:52:00.001-08:00

Last week, a friend of mine asked me if I know someone who is interested of tutoring a Korean. Knowing (but definitely not praying) for a fact that a few days from now, I might become a bum, told him I would like to have the job.

After my class this afternoon, I had an appointment with my supposedly tutee's father. He was based in Korea so I just talked to him through a video phone. I toll him that I wanted to be his daughter's tutor. He asked if I really teach the subject and I said yes. I will be tutoring his two daughters for two hours a day. Finally, we tried to settle the deal. He told me that he would pay me Php 110.00. I listened very carefully and tried to repeat what he said hoping what I heard was wrong. And shucks! I heard everything right and clear. Yes, he wanted to pay me Php 110.00, and mind you, that amount for tutoring his two daughters for two hours! What a deal! I told him that I charge Php 300.00 for tutorial and if he want, I could give him a good discount but of course not as low as what he wanted. LOL. He told me that the amount is very expensive and he would still think about it.

To cut the story short, I went home dismayed because I would have not tutees after all. But even then, that experience really made me laugh even for a while! I guess I will just have to look for another tutee then. :)

Field Trip Update

2008-03-02T06:40:00.000-08:00

Whew! Finally, we're done with the field trip. Well, the field trip ran smoothly (as far as I am concerned). However, some changes came up on the day itself. The itinerary includes a visit to Gardenia factory, Bioresearch, Aerosapace Museum and Yakult factory. Quite sad that our expected visit to Yakult factory (which I have been waiting for) was postponed due to some "company matter". I had to tell the students every now and then the reason why we cannot go to the said factory. Anyway, we still had fun! We had free slice of bread and a goldfish from Bioresearch. The children too had fun during our tour. Too bad one of my students was not able to enjoy the trip as much as the others did due to her motion sickness. It was very tiring, really. But then I am just too glad that everything fell in place and we came back to school safely after the trip. Until my next field trip (that time it would be a different set up)!

I love coffee

2008-02-24T06:06:00.000-08:00

Starbucks has been my "second home" since my boyfriend became a barista last April 2007. I would stay there until the wee hours of the day or even until the store closes. I really love staying there! The place is very cozy and I get to know new friends. Almost all of the baristas in their store are now my friends. They would stay with me when Gian is in duty and would make sure that I am not bored.

just tonight, I got my drink especially made for me! :D

Field trip - from a teacher's point of view

2008-02-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

I have always loved field trips! It was one of the many school activities that I would not want to miss at all. For me, going on a field trip means rest from school work. That was before I became a teacher.

Last year, I had my very first field trip at Zoobic Safari as a teacher. It was quite an experience. I did not know that field trip was not really relaxing, especially for a teacher like me. I had no time for sleep as I have make sure that all the children in our hands are okay. No junk food as well and I could not just eat anything that I would like to. And worst of all, I have to endure the sight of children throwing up. I even had an experience of a student who accidentally pooped just in his pants just in time for lunch. And mind you, we had a poor water supply in the park where we had our lunch so a co-teacher and I had to buy water from a nearby store to wash the poor child – poor us! No decent lunch for the day.

This year, the set field trip was not as far as the one we had last year. From what I could imagine, it would be something very simple. Just a visit to a factory or two, a lunch at a nearby park and that’s it. A lot of parents would be coming too. I just hope that this field trip would turn out well and everything would run smoothly. Now, I realized that field trips, are actually not that fun; that is, if you are a teacher. LOL. And please, I hope no one would poop this time! ☺

Finding Myself

2008-02-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

I have already given my resignation letter which will take effect on March 31, with no job waiting for me at all! I am afraid to be a bum. Of course, I wanted (and I need) some rest. But then again, I am so afraid of not getting a job before I leave my workplace now. Who would pay our electricity bill? How a bout my credit card?

Some people told me not to resign unless there is a job already waiting for me. They say it was not practical. But I think this is a different case. I only have two choices: To stay or leave. I chose to leave, and I have to face the consequences. I am happy with what I am doing. I wanted to teach, and there's no question about that. I just think that there is still a lot of things waiting for me outside of this school's walls.

Cards, anyone?

2008-02-15T06:45:00.001-08:00

It was when I went to HEDCen that I have learned how to play card games. My card card games knowledge was way beyond sea level. The most I could do with cards would be solitaire and playing pairs. When I was accepted and started working for HEDCen, my colleagues and dorm mates started teaching me several card games. The first one that I enjoyed most was Bridge. It was a nice game, really. However, I am not quite sure of the rules because the one who taught me had his own version and might have changed it unintentionally. LOL. I also learned "pusoy" which is I think, from my understanding is the Philippine version of Poker. :) Of course, I also learned how to play Poker wherein we would stay up late and try to bag the pot money (of not more than PhP 200). Lately, we have been addicted to playing Sequence. It is like playing pairs using a game board then you will have to form a sequence together with your team mate using your chips. It is really fun!

Valentine's Day Special

2008-02-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

Since high school, I have been used to the "normal" ways of celebrating Valentine's Day. Chocolates from suitors, cards and roses. This year's Hearts Day was quite different from the past years that I have experienced. This year, I received roses, chocolates and letters not from any suitors but from my students. Yes, my students. It was fun! I received bottomless hugs and kisses too! Shucks! I am really going to miss those little tykes. Would I still receive the same Valentine treat from my future students? I hope so 'cause it feels so good!

My very first vacation

2008-02-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

I love swimming even if I actually do not really know how to. LOL. Anyway, my boyfriend, friends and my boyfriend's brother is planning on a summer vacation. We have been choosing between Boracay and Puerto Galera. We have already checked airlines about the ticket rates and thought it was really expensive since besides the ticket, we also need to put in mind the accommodation, food and extra expenses. I checked blogs and resort sites of both destinations that were planning to visit but still got no answers to my queries. I didn't know my first vacation (what i mean by this is that this would be my first vacation that I would be planning on my own plus the fact that it is not a family event) would be this stressful. But even then, I am so excited and I hope everything would turn out well. :)

Sadness

2008-01-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

Sadness (and unknown cause of sadness) has been a problem of mine since time knows when. I easily get depressed for some reasons, and worst of all, I do not even know the reason at all! Today I am really upset. And again, I don't know why. This is such a bad feeling for I feel very sick every time I undergo this stage of getting depressed out of nothing. Shucks! Do I need professional help? Anyway, I know it would be over anyway, but then again, I want it out of my system. How? I still have to find out.

Me and my new found friend!

2008-01-14T00:56:00.000-08:00

Ever since I started working, I have dreamed of having a laptop of my own. It was something that I really wanted since I had no computer at home. I did not want something high end. I just wanted something that I could use to surf the net, do my tests, activity sheets, reports and other school related work. I actually begged Gian if I could buy a laptop and use my credit card but he won't allow me.

One night while waiting for him at his workplace, I mistakenly read his mom's message in his cellphone. I was curious because it was about laptops. Then I found that he wanted to surprise me for Christmas!

I got it last December 22 and it was really beautiful! An HP Pavilion dv6646us wide screen, with wi-fi, 2 gb RAM, and lots of other stuff that made it really beautiful. However, I realized having a laptop was not that easy. First, I am really not a "techie" type of person. And second, it is a vista and I find it very complicated! I have asked several people to help me go about it but they all surrendered. I had to call for a professional. My sister asked me to bring my laptop to her office and she would ask their IT personnel to do the job for me. Well, he did a good job fixing it!

I am now trying to know this friend of mine better. I hope it'd be very cooperative and would not give me a hard time using it. Good luck to me! ;-)

College Friends

2007-12-29T10:16:00.001-08:00

Just tried out photobucket. :-)

Wedding Bells

2007-12-29T04:11:00.000-08:00

Ever since high school, I have already been dreaming of my "wedding". I love reading magazines and journals about wedding and engagements. I would not want to miss any wedding that our family has been invited to. A friend of mine gave me this idea to start my wedding blog. And here it is.

Gian and I have been planning for our future. Well, of course, a wedding should start it all. We've been collecting fliers, visiting wedding sites and also asking dear friends who have already tied the knot about their preparations. Honestly, we actually do not have the means to get married yet. But we're trying to get there. We actually planned to have the wedding on 2009 but since Gian's parents are both abroad, we would be going for 2010. (yipee! still got three years to prepare!)

I do not have much to say yet. But I will definitely keep you posted on details! Till then!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

It has been "our" tradition to have a small Christmas party before the 25th. For the second year now, me and my closest friends celebrated our "annual" gathering at my bestfriend's place. We had food, wine and exchange of gifts! It was just a small gathering (not like the first one that I organized, we were overflowing then! LOL) which had me, Lee Ann, Gian, Charo and her "good friend" and Rose Ann as the guests. We really had fun! I won't get tired of organizing these kinds of event. Well, of course I am hoping and praying that we would have a different venue next year, so my dear best friend, I am really praying you'd recover very fast! :D