The Gloomy Saturday

"My heart's a stereo, it beats for you so listen close. Hear my thoughts in every note... This melody was meant for you." :)

-Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine of Maroon 5

It has been raining here in Laguna since morning and I'd like to assume that it's also raining in Manila because some of my friends' tweets are all about asking the rain to go away, for they already made plans for the long weekend. I know how it feels when something you've been planning for a long time has to be canceled just because of the gloomy weather. Oh well. Let's just pray and hope that the typhoon responsible for this rain goes out of the Philippine area sooner.

Stay safe everyone and enjoy the long weekend! :)

Hello There, Teacher!

It's just a simple paper with doodles for some people. Maybe, the child got bored and had nothing to do that's why he wrote the numbers 1-8, and at the back of the paper, he drew seven sticks with circles... plus a pink box with a flower on top. But when you are a teacher in the preschool setting, this piece of paper means something more because every child's drawing has a story behind it.

Today, I got a surprise from two preschool kids and it's not even my birthday. Our enrichment program for the day had just ended and they were only waiting for their sundo. They saw my colored pens lying around the table and a piece of paper on a chair so they decided to draw. While checking the papers and organizing my things, one of them asked about my age then my birthday (trivia: one of them thought I was eight years old). I told them that my birthday is in October and no, I'm not eight years old. They continued drawing until Student 1 said, "Teacher, what color of cake do you like?" I said pink and ta-daaaah, they showed this to me:

Surprise! Well, friends, according to them, this is my birthday party. The pink box with the flower on top is my birthday cake. And I assume that the eight sticks with circles are balloons. How sweet of them!

For me, this simple piece of paper is worth keeping.

I can honestly say that teaching is not an easy task because I have to come up with bright ideas to be able to meet the standards and people's expectations of me. And I tell you that I have the days when I feel like giving up because I think I'm not giving my best. But when I see the kids, when I hear their awesome comments, when I have funny conversations with them, when they are happy to see me, and when they hug me, I change my mind. I'm more motivated to work harder and I strive to be stronger and braver. These kids can really brighten up my mornings and I forget about the things that somehow bring me down.

Some people tell me that there's no money in teaching but the hugs, the smiles, the unexpected presents, and the greetings that we get everyday are enough to make us feel like billionaires. We receive complements like "Teacher, you're beautiful!" and "I like your dress, teacher!", most specially on days when we feel like crap or ugly. Hearing these words from them never fail to make our hearts jump for joy and dance like a ballerina. Haha! Iba talaga ang pakiramdam at nakakatuwang isipin na maganda ka pala para sa kanila. And might I add, I'm sure we all feel like we're the happiest person on this planet once our little kiddos already know how to read the alphabet, identify the letter sounds, read, and sing a song on their own. Or when they achieved something great. Haay, it's truly fulfilling! The rewards that we get are totally priceless. :)

P.S. Just to clarify, the grades 7 and 9 students in my previous blog are in my tutorial class in the afternoon.

The Detour

I'm no good in math. In fact, it has been my waterloo since my grade school years. I am not friends with numbers and problem solving, and we have never had a great time together. I don't like solving equations and computing because they just give me headache. Having said this, I'd like to believe that I was born for the creative side and not for the analytical side.

But I guess God has a funny way of putting some twists and turns in our lives to make it more interesting.

Now that I'm teaching, my relationship with math has gone to the next level. Never would I have thought in my wildest dreams that I would teach math to my students. Grades 7 and 9 math to be exact. I remember, as a high school student, I cried over geometry because I got a low grade in my card. I never understood a single thing, no matter how much I tried studying until the wee hours of the morning just to prove why this figure is congruent to this figure... why a right triangle is a right triangle... things like that. Geometry and I broke up as soon as my junior year finished. But we're back together again. Bittersweet, isn't it?

I spent the week browsing through all the grade 7 books I found in our school's bookshelf and visiting different sites (yay for those that provide an answer key) in the world wide web to enlighten me on topics such as area, surface area, volume, and perimeter. My calculator and my iPod have always been by my side since Monday. Books, fillers, pens, scratch papers, chocolate wrappers and my notebook were all over my table. I felt like a student again.

With this experience, I learned two things: we don't always get what we want and God has a plan for everyone. Most of the time, we choose the path where we can carry less burden and feel care free. Easy-going. Happy-go-lucky. But sometimes, things that we don't want or expect to happen just happen. They may make us feel fearful but in time we will understand why they had to come into our lives. Maybe, this is God's way for us to overcome our fears and weaknesses. We may have to make little sacrifices but keep in mind that, quoting Bianca, "it all works out for the best in the end". God knows what is best for us. Trust and believe.

Studying geometry (trigonometry is next in line) is definitely challenging but I won't give up because I know I can do it. And yes, I'm beginning to appreciate math now. :)

On the Loop

If you're a regular reader of this blog (hahaha feeling!), you can tell how much I adore Filipino bands that make nice music. So tonight, I'm updating my "Proud to be Pinay" playlist by adding new songs from Up Dharma Down, Pupil, and Imago.

Indak by Up Dharma Down

Nothing beats to Armi Millare's soothing and captivating voice. Up Dharma Down is Up Dharma Down! I guess I have to agree with someone who said, "I told you, UDD came from a different universe". ;) I feel so lucky because I was given an opportunity to watch them perform live (and it was for free!) at DLSU during my last year as a college student.

20/20 by Pupil

Pupil's music is getting better as years go by. With Ely Buendia (the former vocalist of the Eraserheads) on vocals, Yan Yuzon (he's the brother of Yael, the vocalist of Spongecola) on lead guitars, Dok Sergio on bass, and Wendell Garcia on drums, I'm sure this band will go places. I won't be surprised if I'll see them on international charts one day. Check out the video too. It's refreshing to see an empty EDSA... no cars and no traffic at all.

Ang Huling Yakap ng Mundo by Imago

In my honest opinion, Imago is a versatile band. Imago has shown its versatility not only through the music it makes but through the music videos as well. And can I just say that Aia is so pretty in this music video?

Hey Daydreamer by Somedaydream

There's one solo artist who made it to my playlist and he's none other than Somedaydream also known as Rez Toledo. He's been making waves in the music industry for quite some time now. I think that Hey Daydreamer is a lovely song and the music video is so cute!

Happy weekend! :)

It's Monday Again

Chase that Monday blues away. Start the day right. Smile! :)

Last Friday Night

July 29, 2011- Rushed to Alabang Town Center after my last class to watch Deathly Hallows Part 2 with my bestfriend, Margaret. Felt so worried that time because both of us were still on our way, and the movie starts in thirty minutes. Made a "pact" that whoever comes first will buy the ticket. :)) Good thing she arrived earlier than me so she was able to see the part where Harry, Ron and Hermione talked to Griphook and Mr. Ollivander. ;) Was a little bit late and even though I missed those parts, it's okay. It was my second round after all.

The movie is superb and the interpretation of David Yates is almost close to the book. The scenes wherein the trio got stuck inside Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts, the mad yet brilliant idea of Hermione so they could go out of the vault, the the most-awaited kiss of Ron and Hermione, and the battle at Hogwarts left us breathless. But what really touched us is Snape's story. Who would have thought that behind that long black greasy hair and intimidating facade is a loyal, loving, and brave man?

After watching the movie, Margaret and I lined up for a cup of Serenitea. The line was much, much longer than the usual so we got to catch up and share our experiences in school while waiting for our turn. She ordered Hokkaido while I opted for Okinawa. I can't wait for her review on this awesome drink on her blog! :p

By the way, check out our names in the cup. The girl who served us (if I'm not mistaken she's the manager) heard my name and wrote my name right (yay!) but otherwise for Margaret. We don't blame her though. She might have been serving the moviegoers since the mall opened in the morning.

(Margaret's new name is Markel)


(Finally!)

Of course, the night won't be complete without the Kodak moments!

(Bakit nga ba ako tumatawa ng bongga dito? Haha!)

We were supposed to eat dinner but unfortunately most of the restaurants were closed (the movie ended at past 10pm) so we decided to eat at McDonald's at a gas station in SLEX, but changed our minds when we saw Yellowcab.

Finished the chicken alfredo pasta and left only two pieces of 14 inch New York Classic pizza as soon as we got home. Yes, we were that hungry! :)) It was a late dinner but still! Margaret had her nth sleepover in our house. :p Went to bed with a happy and contented feeling. Nabusog kami sa food at nabusog din sa kwento. ;)

All these combined together, I can proudly say, mischief managed. :)

And if in case the most abstract of colors fades away, I'll still be thankful for you each day...

Spongecola is back with its latest single, Regal. So far, this is the most beautiful song the band has ever written and the most heartfelt one. :)