The Rainy Night

The Crystals | July 30, 2012

It has been raining cats and dogs... and hippos and elephants recently. That's how bad the weather is in the Philippines. Classes and even work were suspended because it's not safe to go outside. :( I wonder if we'll have classes tomorrow as it started raining again. Hmmm...

I took advantage of my "rest time" (I've been checking papers the whole day and uploading our kiddos photos on our Facebook group) and took photos of the things I find interesting in our living room. I just realized that our living room has a lot of vintage items--- from figurines, lights, to small paintings that depict life in the 20's and 30's. Here's one of the photos I took and I just love the effect: Classy yet mysterious. :)  

I hope everyone's safe and dry. :)

The Chocolate Chip Cookie

*July 20, 2012*

It's the first time I took photos of our kiddos' baon. Last Friday, our snack time table was loaded with food that contained chocolates--- a chocolate chip cookie, crackers with chocolate filling, and chocolate donuts. Chocolate overload, I must say. The food that really caught me off guard was the chocolate chip cookie. :)) It was so big and it looked so good. This week, I shall visit The French Baker's branch near the school to buy one for myself.

For the record, the kiddos never fail to make me and Teacher Mariel feel hungry or crave for the food they bring in school. Well, I'd like to believe that the preschool teachers out there can relate to us. This is the story of our lives. ;)

A Breath of Fresh Air

Change is the only permanent thing in this world, so they say. It is inevitable and we have no choice but to accept and embrace it with open arms. Well, at some point, it is not easy to accept and embrace change because we are afraid to let go of our comfort zones. But change is good, in my honest opinion, because it gives us a feeling of being a "brand new" and a better person.

Just in case you're thinking if I thought about this while driving home from work, oh yes I did. ;)

I've been reading a lot of articles from Thought Catalog lately--- the ones that talk about life and how great it is to live, specially if you are in your 20's. I'd like to think that life in the 20's is way cooler than in the teenage years because there's more freedom and more opportunities to explore the world. Quoting Ryan O' Connell, "One thing you don't realize in your 20's is that anything is possible... This is your moment." With this, I have to say that our 20's is our time to shine. :)

I also rediscovered my indie playlist and it's nice to hear songs that are only played on the radio (or in our local music channel) once in a blue moon. It's so refreshing and chill and very appropriate for my entry today. ;) So I end this post by sharing a nice song from the band, The Naked and the Famous. Press play and feel the youthful vibe of Young Blood.

*Quote taken from Things I Wish People Told Me When I Entered My 20's*

The First Day of July

Everyday, on my way home, I couldn't help but think of many things and reflect about the life I have since I graduated from college. I remember, as a fresh graduate from this prestigious university, I was really assertive when it comes to applying and sending my resume from one preschool to another, hoping that I would get a call back. My summer in the year 2010 was dedicated to demo-teaching and interviews with the high officials of schools. My communication skills and way of thinking were really challenged at that time. I gave my 101% in every task they asked me to do to show them that I'm the preschool teacher they're looking for. I was passionate. I had this spark, the spark that most fresh graduates have after stepping their best foot forward in the real world.

Now, the big question is, do I still have the spark? And then followed by, am I as passionate as I was two years ago?

I found myself reading this article from Philippine Star the other day. It was posted by a high school classmate on Facebook and as I read it, wow. Let me share with you the lines that struck me most.

 "The truth is, you will never be as passionate as your Fresh Grad self ever again. Make that passion last as long as you can. I don’t want to be dramatic, but really, that sparkle? Once it’s gone, you can never take it back. Oo, parang virginity lang.

So while you have it, savor the moment. Go make mistakes, while you’re still expected to be imperfect. Go cry in the cubicle, while your age allows it. Go sing Hand in My Pocket and You Learn at the karaoke bar, while you’re still “young and underpaid.” Go chase your dreams and change the world. The best time to change the world? It’s right after college, when you are f*cking sure you can."

It was like the author was talking to me. Just what I need. Coincidence, perhaps? Well, I'm not a fresh graduate anymore but in my honest opinion, this article is not only limited to the fresh graduates. It is also meant for anyone who considers quitting as the only way to get away with real world problems. Don't quit just because someone said you're not good enough, you're dumb, someone's better than you, or you don't fit their standards. Prove them wrong.

I've been teaching since 2010 but I still make mistakes. I haven't reached the level of perfection, if there's such thing. I cry, but I don't let my mistakes bring me down. Sometimes, I sing my heart out when I drive and I don't mind the odd stares I get from the people who can see me from the outside. ;) I let all the frustrations out of my system, and I replace them with positive things. Or sometimes, I talk to someone I trust. It really helps.

Now going back to the big question, do I still have the spark? I'm glad I came across this article. Pakiramdam ko kasi nawawala na ung spark/sparkle na nasa sa akin dati, at unti-unti na rin nawawala ung passion. I realize that I shouldn't let the spark/sparkle and the passion go. I still have a long, long way to go. And I'm going to need these in chasing my dreams and in helping change the world. This article is definitely an eye-opener for me.