The School Talk

It feels like I'm back to my college days because I'm reunited with the theories of childhood development. Last Monday, our directress gave us a workshop on preschool teachers' responsibilities and lesson/theme planning. We tackled mostly on Piaget's and Vygotsky's theories and Bloom's Taxonomy. I encountered these topics last year though, when I was reviewing for LET but my mind turned into a tabula rasa when she began asking questions related to these theories (examples: What's the focus of Piaget?, Who introduced scaffolding?, What does SMART stand for?). Haay, I need to review my notes.

Since Monday, I haven't stopped thinking of what theme to use for this month. I spent hours checking one preschool site to another to get ideas because seeing my word document empty was a little bit frustrating. :p After 2 days, I was able to think of a theme for toddlers and make a web. 

My theme is about sea animals. My toddlers will learn about fish, octopus, and jellyfish. The activities that I'm going to use integrate the five senses, colors, and numbers. I made the activities more interactive (and hopefully interesting for them) because toddlers have short attention span. Anyway, I'm ready for the constructive criticism.

I'm not sure if my theme will get approved but I still searched on classroom decorating that is related to sea animals. I came across this blog and I was left in awe.

                 

Who doesn't want to work on fun sheets with this table? And who doesn't like being a star student? Kids will definitely feel like a star!

Well, what do you think? There's so much effort and creativity in this classroom! My favorite is the waterfall corner. ;) Unfortunately, we can't decorate our classroom like this because it's "multi-purpose". It's a preschool setting in the morning and it transforms into a tutorial class setting in the afternoon. Also, 1) Teacher Serie and I share the same classroom. 2) We're both dealing with different age groups. 3) We have different themes. 4) We only have a particular corner for our respective class. Hence, decorating a classroom as bongga as this one is not really possible. Oh well. :p

*Photos retrieved from Clutter-Free Classroom*

May mga alaala o bagay na kailangang ibaon sa limot... o sa loob ng kabinet. 

Ganun talaga. Wala tayong magagawa. Kung hindi talaga nakalaan para sa iyo, huwag na ipilit. ;)

The Lost City of Pompeii

If I were as eager as Patty Laurel when it comes to looking for good travel deals, I would probably have traveled to some of my dream destinations. Unfortunately, I have this habit of spending my money on clothes, accessories, and food so I always end up with little savings. But I'm trying to cut this habit by trying to stay away from malls and bazaars unless I need to buy something really important. Needs over wants. ;)

I came across Patty Lloren's blog the other day and read her entry about her recent trip in Italy. They had a tour in Pompeii, a town that had been buried due to Mt. Vesuvius' eruption. I remember when I was in my sophomore year in high school, I learned about Pompeii when we had discussions on different world civilizations. The lesson didn't focus on Pompeii though, but its pictures in the book has left me interested. From that time until today, I've been dreaming of touring this place in the near future.

Interesting, amazing, and perhaps, scary in a way (just looking at the petrified people gives me goosebumps). I'm 101 % sure that Pompeii will spark the imagination of whoever visits it. How it looks now will give the visitors an idea or snapshots of life in the past (most specifically, what happened on the day the volcano erupted).

" Plaster was poured into the empty spaces to create molds of the bodies, which are chillingly detailed – their writhing agony during a suffocating death, the terror on their faces, even the way their hair was styled that day are frozen forever in the casts. Some were found fleeing for their lives while others were found curled up on floors and beds with their hands covering their faces. One cast depicts a thief with his hand in the purse of a wealthy man who is seemingly unaware of the looting while trying to escape the catastrophe. Another cast portrays a frightened dog fruitlessly fighting against the chain that held him captive."- excerpt taken from an entry written by Vicki Landes

 

Wow! The city is like an open history book, don't you think? No wonder why it's called "the city frozen in time". It's good that it has been rediscovered and preserved for us to admire. :)

*Photos retrieved from Google Images*

The Idols

Tomorrow's the big day! Filipinos all over the world have been waiting for the season finale of American Idol and they can't wait to see the showdown between Philip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez. Both are great singers and they really blew us away with their refreshing song renditions. In my honest opinion, Philip and Jessica have what it takes to be the next American Idol and they deserve to win. If only we could have two American Idols. :p

"We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow... why don't you stay?" I was so mesmerized with this song! I think it's sweet and every girl would love to hear her special someone sing this for her. While watching Philip perform this song on our TV screen, I can't help but feel kilig! :p This song was his most heartfelt one, I must say. Just look into his eyes. ;)

Sometimes, I wonder how Steven Tyler feels when an American Idol contestant sings I Don't Want to Miss a Thing right before his very eyes. Well, it's Aerosmith's smash hit! It's a very delicate song and whoever attempts to sing this is already considered a "brave soul" (*ehem*Margaret*ehem*haha!). Going back, Jessica nailed this song. What an amazing performance, don't you think? She never fails to make us feel proud of her. :)

I congratulate them in advance for they have reached this far. :)

The 15th Day of May

We hold on to so many things, that's why it's hard for us to give up some of them. Sometimes, they no longer make us happy, but for some reason we aren't brave enough to cut the rope because we are somehow afraid to take risks and embrace change. Instead, we allow ourselves to cling tighter unto them for the reason that, whether we admit it or not, they have become our comfort zones.

With all the events that are going on in our lives, we tend to forget the things that matter. Once in a while, we need to slow down and make good use of our precious time to think about certain things over and evaluate ourselves--- Is this worth it? Am I happy? 

We are afraid to take risks and embrace change because we are worried about what other people might say. I read somewhere that being ourselves is life's greatest challenge because we live in a world where everything is being dictated to us. In a way, we're too scared of making mistakes for we are too busy giving people a good impression. As much as possible, we don't include the word "failure" in our vocabulary. The pressure is on and all we wanted is "perfection". That perfection is equivalent to happiness.

We've heard this cliche so many times before but we have to remind ourselves that nobody is perfect... that sometimes it is okay to make mistakes because making mistakes make us learn. Striving to be perfect is definitely not the key to happiness because in reality it only makes us feel more insecure, miserable, and emotional. That's why we have to learn to let go of the things that hinder us from attaining the happiness that we deserve. 

Let go of pretensions. Let go of insecurity. Let go of trying to please/impress other people. Let go of close-mindedness. Let go of fears.

Yes, letting go is not easy to do but if we never try, we'll never know.

The Freebie

When you work in a preschool and a kid celebrates his or her birthday, you will always get freebies whether you like or not. ;) In our case, we love the freebies that we get... just like this tiger cupcake.

I love my job, really. :)

The Ones Who Know Best

It's that day of the year again when we honor the most special woman in our lives--- your mother, my mother. But for me, mother's day isn't strictly for our biological mothers only but also to those who showered us with motherly love as we grow older and shaped us to become the person that we are today. 

With my Mama

With my Auntie Lucy

To my dearest Mama and Auntie Lucy, Happy Mother's Day! Thank you making my 21 years of existence meaningful. I will forever remember the things you've taught me and I will do my best to be the best daughter/niece you could ever have.

To all the mothers, soon-to-be mothers, and the women who played a motherly role in our lives over the years, Happy Mother's Day to you as well! :)

The Place to Be

One of the perks of living and working in the south is being surrounded by an environment where one can breathe a fresher air and appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature even more. My house is just three towns away from the place where I work, and the place where I work is just a stone's throw away from Nuvali. I'm sure this place is already familiar to you because I had mentioned it in my previous blog entries before. For those who aren't, it is a developing community in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and it's beginning to carve its own name in the field of leisure and business. In my honest opinion, it is like The Fort in BGC, only greener and wider. ;)

Sometimes, my colleagues-friends and I go to Nuvali to hang at our favorite place, Serenitea, after working hours. However, unlike before, we can't afford to visit Serenitea on our lunch break because of our hectic schedules. The teachers have never been this busy so when we have enough money in our wallet, we reward ourselves with our favorite cup of milk teas.  

Meet my Serenitea buddies: Hazel, Abby, and Serie! :D

One of the days when we super craved for a cup of Okinawa. And I love this shot. :D

While talking about life and school (naks!) over a cup of Okinawa and Pepper Corn, Hazel and I met a cute dog named Barney. He's so cute, isn't he? His master was so kind he allowed us to take photos of Barney. He was a little bit shy--- camera shy--- when we told him to look at Hazel's camera. Such an adorable dog! :p

When you are with Hazel, dapat may picture-picture sa restroom. Hahaha!

  

Thank you Hazel for the photos! :)

I just love after school dates at Serenitea, the place to be, with my colleagues-friends. :)

Nuvali is just minutes away from Alabang so if you're looking for a place that's close to nature and has a laid back ambiance or a venue for the ultimate bonding experience with family or friends, this is the perfect place for you. :)

The White Polka Dots

So this is officially my favorite top as of the moment. I realized that I always wear this top because it's versatile and it makes me feel comfortable in a lot of ways. :)

The Pancakes

Last Sunday, something unusual happened. As soon as I got out of the bed, I found my way to the kitchen because I was in the mood to make pancakes for breakfast. There I prepared the ingredients--- pancake mix, butter, eggs, milk... you name it! Ate Rosie helped me prepare the other things needed such as a cup of water, pan, and the mixing bowl.  It was totally bizarre because 1.) it all happened before 10am (my friends know that I'm such a heavy sleeper specially on weekends) and 2.) never in my life had I ever made breakfast for myself or for anyone else at home until this one sunny Sunday morning. It has always been Ate Rosie who cooks and prepares our meals. Anyway, I wasn't able to take photos of the ingredients and my actual hands-on experience but I made sure to take photos of the pancakes for "documentary purposes". :p

Besides the usual maple syrup, why don't you try spreading Nutella or condensed milk? Rest assured, your pancakes will taste even better. ;)

Here's another thing, my dad, brother, and aunt actually liked the pancakes! Now, it's a big deal. My dad and brother eat as they please but my aunt is hard to impress when it comes to food. I'd like to think that she said she liked the pancakes because they're really good and not because I made it. :)) On another note, I can't wait to go back to the kitchen hopefully this coming weekend and do something unusual again *ravioli*ahem*ravioli*. :) 

   

The Twenty First Day of April

April 21, 2012- Guess who spent the whole day with me and Margaret?

Tadaaaa! It's James! :) Margaret and I thought that he'll only eat lunch with us at Gerry's Grill in Nuvali but after he talked to someone on his phone, he shared with us the good news that he'll be spending the entire day with us. He was supposed to go to Alabang to report for work but I think his "charms" worked so the three hour bonding moment became six hours! :p

It was super duper hot that day so walking around Nuvali wasn't that easy for us. We felt like we were inside a big sauna! We stayed in Starbucks for a while para magpalamig. We also relied on James' cute umbrella to protect us from the sun's heat on our way to the parking lot. When we got bored in Nuvali, we went to Paseo de Sta. Rosa.

Thank you James for your time! It was a great day! And I'm hoping that this isn't the last. :)

The 90's Music Playlist

Every Saturday, I make sure to tune in to my favorite radio station to listen to the music from the past but not so distant past, also known as 90's music. ;) I have to admit that I kind of miss listening to the songs that used to dominate MTV back when I was still in late preschool and grade school years. Hearing these songs being played on the radio makes me nostalgic (and old in a way) because they remind me of my childhood.

Sooo allow me to refresh your memories. I've decided to dedicate this post to 90's music. There are so many great songs from this year and I'd like to share some of my favorites with you. And when you press the that red button that says "Play", please feel free to sing along. Haha!

Welcome back to childhood friends. :)

That Thing You Do by The Wonders

Stay by Lisa Loeb

Close to You by Whigfield

There She Goes by Sixpence None the Richer 

Sometimes by Britney Spears

I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys