I Hear Ya', La Sallians!

As an undergraduate lecturer, I always strive to encourage my students to go beyond the four walls of the classroom and to think outside the box. This week, I was blown away by how far my students have gone.

Let me backtrack to a few weeks ago. You see, I attended the launch of The Rock Ed Original Project in partnership with Havaianas, where I found out about their contest for a grant for a youth oriented project. At first, I thought the event that I had attended was just a simple product launch, perhaps for a new line of flip flops or what not. However, as I went through the press kit and tried to get into what they meant with their "Original" campaign, I realized it was not just another way to get the public to buy flip flops, but there was something much more!

The whole idea for the grant project is quite interesting. To be honest, I started thinking myself what I would like to do, especially in light of research findings about mental health and the Filipino youth (Yes...I do get involved in research...I just don't like it!!!). If I were to propose a project myself, it would most likely have something to do with computer literacy, internet access, and the youth. Anyway, getting back on track, the launch happened to coincide with the class modules on Service Commitment and Leadership.

With those in my mind, I got the idea to require my students to identify an advocacy they would like to push for and to design a campaign for their message.

This week was presentation week. I was simply amazed! So much so that at the end of the class sessions, I flashed the project site, rockedoriginalgrant.multiply.com. I encouraged my students to pursue their advocacy's and to not just make it a class exercise, but to use it and go beyond my classroom.

I hope to see one of my students end up as the grant winner...this would be a true testament to learning outside the classroom!!!

Whether or not they win (or submit for that matter) I have to say being in my classes this week made me once again proud of my chosen profession.

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Tell Me a Story, Cigarette Girl

Over the past three years I have learned a lot from Cigarette Girl...I've learned to blog, for one, and to try out new things. I also learned to appreciate old favorites and past times, such as watching movies or reading books. She also taught me the fine art of photoshopping, and downloading stuff on the net, though I still have to learn how the darned torrents thing works hehe.

Anyway, today I ask her to tell me a story. Stories to be precise...As she purges her bookshelf and packs up her bags, I ask her for these three wishes so they can keep me company when she is away...

1. The Lovely Bones.
2. A Case of Need.
3. Red Dragon.

Why should I get these? Like I said...it's something tangible to remember her by :-) Of the three I've only read the first one, and I want it for sentimental reasons. The other two are written by authors I've always enjoyed, hence my desire to have this in my collection.

Lastly, if I win, then Cigarette Girl would have taught me something new again: that sometimes all you need to do is ask and you get it :-)

I wonder though if this will work if I ask for Prozac Nation too...

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Kids really do say the darndest things!!!

One of the perks of being a preschool teacher is being witness to the innocence and charm of the young ones. They really can make you crack up with the things they have to say.

Here are some snippets of things they've said lately to brighten up my day:

Robbi: Teacher, kita ko yung moon noong isang night. Parang happy face! Nakita mo? (Teacher, I saw the moon the other night. It looked like a happy face! Did you see it?)
Teacher: Yes, I saw it.
Robbi: Mukhang happy face, diba? (It looked like a happy face right?)
Teacher: Yes!
Anton: Eh, Teacher, kagabi kita mo? Sad face na siya!!! (What about last night, Teacher? It was a sad face already!!!!)
_____

Cara: Teacher Jam, long hair! (strokes teachers hair)
T. Jam: Yes, long hair. What about Cara?
Cara: Cara short hair.
T. Jam: Yes! Very good! What about Teacher Grace?
Cara: Teacher Grace long hair!
T. Jam: Yes! What about Teacher Ria?
Cara: (pauses, crinkles eyebrows for a minute) Teacher Ria....cutie!!! (mwahahahah!!! go girl!!!!)

_____

After observing the life cycle of a butterfly (which apparently was a moth not a butterfly)
Teacher Ria: See the pictures? Where's the caterpillar?
Bebe: It's a butterfillar!!!

Ang saya!!! (So fun!!!)

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Research, Life and The Fine Art of Conversation

Research. Yuck.

I spent Friday and Saturday trying to figure out how to translate research findings into a journal article for publication. Truly a big feat for someone who can’t even write her own thesis, right? While I did spend a whole lot of the time blatantly maximaizing the wifi access in the venue, I have to admit the whole workshop experience gave me a new point of view with research and if there is one thing I learned to appreciate in those two days, it’s the fine art of conversation. Granted that the workshop speaker was referring to conversation as a metaphor for research publication, it dawned on me that any form of writing, teaching, and even thinking is a conversation. The thing to remember is: do you have anything to say?


I suppose that’s one reason why I’ve been finding research so difficult. It’s because I really don’t know what to say. I don’t even know what I’m interested to know, at least in the realm of research. This brought to mind my so-called love life and why it has been hard for me to find a partner: it’s because I haven’t found someone who peaks my interest nor have I found that person I want to listen to and tell things to.

One of the exercises we did in the workshop dealt with coming up with what we want to say with regards to our research topics and how different is this from what’s already been said. According to our speaker, if you’re not saying anything new, maybe there is nothing to say. On the way home, that idea stuck to my head. It led to my second realization: know when to shut up. Ooohhh….I suck at this big time. I have gotten into trouble so many times because of F.M.D. (foot in mouth disease!). Though I may be a psychologist, I often am not able to read the subtleties of human behavior too well, especially non-verbal responses. For example, I either don’t easily pick up on signals people give, or I read too much into it. As a result, I overreact or unintentionally push to far.

Throughout the workshop one very important point that the speaker kept driving at was know your audience. Know what journal you plan to publish in for it will determine the kind of conversation you will carry. *Lightbulb lights up* Lesson number 3: not all conversations are conversations for all. I realized that I tend to be too much of an open book. Whatever conversation I carry out with one friend is carried out with ALL friends, even though they are friends from a different context. For example, I often talk to my so-called uncomplicated friend about my newer friends and forget that she does not really know these people so parts of the conversation are abstract concepts to her. In the same manner, when I had a run in with the ex-that-never was, I ranted this to a friend who had no idea what the heck I was talking about. Point here: know who you are talking to and what I can and cannot tell them.

The art of conversation is not one way, I realize. While research publication may seem to be a one-way avenue, as the author dictates the argument, it is not. These publications are either responses to earlier questions or comments posed, or perhaps become a springboard for a new topic. As such, the art of conversation is a give and take process. Even though I teach this construct all the time in class, I found myself reminding myself that I also have to listen. Coincidentally, another colleague of mine commented earlier in the day that she didn’t comment on a blog post I had earlier because she could not relate to the topic. Lesson number 4.

Perhaps the most important lesson I learned in the whole write shop thing is knowing that the most important part of a conversation is having it. More importantly, having it with the right people and in the right context. After all, what good is an idea if you never do anything about it right?

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Memory Gap

I really want a new computer. A bright, shiny new iMac. Why? For one it's getting frustrating to have limited memory left in my laptop. It's still a pretty good ratio (free and used space) but I noticed that my MacBook is getting slower, especially when I have lots of windows or tabs opened. It also seems that when I open my windows programs it takes longer than before. Hay. Wish I had the money!

Then again, I suppose I can add some memory to my laptop?

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Career Options

Don't get me wrong: I love being a teacher, but many times there are things I don't like about it. To top off the list, I can say waking up early and having to smile through a migraine are at the most unlikable things about it. Frustratingly difficult students (and their parents alike) closely follow. Not having a lot of money, having to think too much, and the need for research in the name of career advancement also make me question my goals every now and then.

Today as I was blog-hopping (a.k.a. avoiding the inevitable need to revise my thesis proposal) I came across a stay-at-home moms blog entry that dealt with the dilemma of career choices.

This got me to thinking: if I were not a teacher, what would I be?

As a child I dreamt of becoming a nurse. Nope, not a doctor, but a nurse. My family, however, said, why be a nurse when you can be a doctor? Why do the scut work when you're well equipped to go to med school? So I did consider that. In fact, I entered college believing I would end up being a doctor. Today, however, I am glad I am not, for I think a lot of who I am would not be the same if that were the case.

I've always also wanted to be a writer. I contemplated enrolling in Creative Writing for college, but was told but writing will not make you much money, unless you're someone like (so and so) and what not. Besides, they said, you've got the inherent talent for writing, you don't need to study it. Do it on the side And so I put that aside. In a way, I can honestly say I still am glad, because perhaps if I were a writer trying to beat a deadline all the time, the passion and love for it would not be the same.

I wanted to be a ballet dancer, ice skater or a gymnast. As a child I idolized Bea Lucero, Nancy Kerrigan, and Dominique Moceanu. But hello, being a fat kid with zero coordination made that impossible! Plus I don't have the discipline.

Of all the career options, however, the one I hold closest and dearest to me is being a Stay at Home Mom. To be a mother and housewife has always been my greatest aspiration. Many may find it corny or what not, but for me, this, I think is what I would like to do best.

Maybe that's why I am a preschool teacher...while I may not be a stay at home mom, being a preschool teacher is a good substitute for now. Plus it gives me the chance to explore other options till the time comes when I can shift gears and change careers. Or maybe not.

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The Evils of Classroom Wifi Access

The wonders and advances of technology never fails to amaze me. As a student, I remember we'd have to use manila papers and markers to present our reports. Our visual aides were all hand made, and if ever we'd resort to some technology, it would be limited to the overhead projectors. Oh, how I can still remember my undergraduate days: without laptops in class, no internet access anywhere, ginormous cellphones that had but call and text capacity....but today, technology in the classroom is so different.

These gadgets and tools have definitely grown leaps and bounds. Not only have overhead projectors become all but obsolete. Because of these, the attitudes and processes in the classroom has changed drastically. While definitely mostly for the good, there are many evils lurking from these technological changes.

Nowadays, classroom gadgets are LCD/multimedia projectors for powerpoint presentations. But because they are so accessible, the students no longer take down notes. Rather they take photos of the slides projected on the screen. Taking down notes is a rarity.

Nowadays, most students have laptops in class. Although doing class outputs (i.e. writing essays) is so much easier for them, it opens up the avenues for distractions...especially if there is wifi access in the classroom. Because of this, many times students do not pay attention anymore...as does the teacher.

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The Hatching!

I was getting ready for bed when I noticed that one of my pet caterpillar cocoons was empty. I touched it gently and saw some liquid seep out of the cocoon but no butterfly. I thought it was gone...

But lo and behold, I looked around and hanging on the branch I left in the terrarium was this!!!

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The Cocooning

The caterpillars are starting to cocoon. It's so cool! I'm crossing my fingers that they're still cocoons when I come back on Monday....

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Bug Update

Today I couldn't find half of my caterpillars. Apparently they've all decided to start burrowing. My patience is being challenged by this "whole waiting for them to cocoon" experience hehe!!! Nevertheless, I'm still so amazed.

A funny upside to my bug-mothering career: I haven't been late for work in three days. I keep waking up early to check on them kasi!!!!

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Growing Babies

Today my caterpillars, or at least two of them, turned yellow. Compared to last night, it's skin seemed a little looser. I was afraid I hurt it or something, because I ran out of the leaves it was hosting on so I put some other leaves in, just in case they'd feed on it as well.

Anyway, I would like to assume it is a normal phenomenon, and that it's really just part of the process of metamorphosis. They also stopped moving around the way they were yesterday, and the munching stopped!!!

I noticed by this evening, however, that they formed a tent-like structure (or as my cousin Maia said: a cocoon motel) and are getting quite squishy looking (meaning wet). I hope this means they'll pupate soon!!!

Anyway, my colleague Tina saw my teeny-tiny case c/o Bee, and said the caterpillars looked kinda cramped. So she brought me a big aquarium. Here's their new home!!!

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Teacher's Pets

Teacher picked up some new pets today. Quite by accident, I might add.

A few years ago, someone very special to me shared that she once took care of some caterpillars. After some time, they had formed their chrysalis and soon were ready for their rebirth...one in which they would become beautiful butterflies. She told me that as they emerged from their cocoons, it was a dirty, bloody mess, but a glorious dirty, bloody mess. Since then I had been curious about how it would look.

So today I found out that a bunch of caterpillars were feeding on a plant in our schools front yard. So I went and took the plant, put it in a terrarium and crossed my fingers that soon, I, too, would witness that birthing: the terrible beauty of metamorphosis.

In the first few hours of my new pet-caring career, I have learned that story The Very Hungry Caterpillar is true: the caterpillar never stops eating! The book didn't say it poops a lot, too, though. Cute looking poop at that hehe. I left the box of caterpillars in school while I went off to my undergrad classes, with a bunch of leaves. I thought that would be enough for the next day or two. Apparently not! By the time I got back in school to pick it up, there were no more leaves, just a bunch of poop.

Then I went home and set off to create my pets new crib, where hopefully they can thrive. My cousin Bee provided me with an old container she had, which was perfect as it was a plastic container with a cover that already had slots on them. I think it once held her pet white mice. With the cage ready, I lined the bottom with some damp soil and scattered leaves and put sticks and stems they were feeding on. As I write this post, I am watching them devour the plants in their cage. It's an amazing experience thus far. I just hope it makes it all the way to the end. By the way, it's amazing how they munch through the leaves. So cute!!! Here's their new home!

In many ways, it is not only the life cycle this metamorphosis represents, but even my own terrible beauty of rebirth as well. In the past five years, I've seen myself go from a very hungry caterpillar to an emerging butterfly. The journey has not been easy, but I know, and believe, that the journey will be worth the wait.

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Three Cheers for Teachers!

Before the day ends, let me greet all my fellow teachers out there a HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!!! I know firsthand how often thankless and tiring our jobs can get, so in behalf of all students out there (as I was once was) here is a BIG THANK YOU for....

being patient....
caring....
taking the time to go the extra mile...
trying so hard....
never giving up!

There is still so much to be thankful for, I'm sure, but there will never be enough I can say to show all you teachers how much you make a difference in the world.

Before I end, I'd like to share this message I received.

Doctors?
-save lives
Engineers?
-bridge islands
Lawyers?
-defends you honor
TV Journalists?
-reveal the truth
TEACHERS?
-made them all.
Thank you for being one!

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Teacher sa Pinas Po Ako

Yesterday I checked the balance of my ATM account. I had exactly five thousand nine hundred sixty three pesos and sixty centavos. That was it. For a moment, I felt so tiny… almost as tiny as my bank account. Granted I have it better than many of our fellow citizens who are starving and barely making ends meet, I suddenly found myself contemplating my career choice.

I am a proud teacher.


Being able to teach children, both young and old, has been such a tremendous blessing to me. It has changed my life in so many ways. Sometimes though, I have to question the practicality of my choice when I am faced with my dwindling bank account. At the end of the day, however, no matter how much I wish I had a bigger paying job, I can't get myself to leaving the job I have grown to love.
I say ‘grown to love’ because I have to be honest --- teaching was not something I had imagined myself doing as a young child. Back then I envisioned myself as a successful doctor, or perhaps a businesswoman running a lucrative company. I can even remember that early on in my college days, I proudly raised my hand when my block was asked who were planning to shift courses. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself where I am today. Due to a series of, as I'd like to believe, fortunate accidents, I found my calling in life. It is the classroom. Whether it is singing and
dancing with my preschoolers or discussing life events with my college students, this is who I am meant to be. It’s as if by being inside those rooms, I find my way to my soul where I find purpose, pleasure and hope.

I have to admit every term I am faced with a bulk of students who make me feel like all my hard work and my pursuit of teaching a waste of time. While being in the classroom is my calling, sometimes it is not an easy task, especially when you have difficult students. Couple this with the knowledge that my sister, who manages a clothing store in the U.S. makes thrice what I make an hour, I begin to question the practicality of my calling. Perhaps even more so, the practicality of my decision to teach here in the Philippines.

My friends and I have had endless conversations about that, especially in the face of the economic woes, political hoopla, and depressing cost of living in our country today. Even our college dean asked me not so long ago when I was planning to follow my sister to the states. I jokingly responded, “hindi na sir, kailangan pa ng La Salle ng magaling na teacher diba”. While I said that in jest, I realized that deep down inside, it wasn't a joke. I do want to keep on teaching here and being part of the lives of tomorrows Filipino youth.

In one of my classes, we discuss career development and awareness. In these sessions, I see how much of our youth envision themselves as earning dollars in the future. What warms my heart, however, is hearing that small minority say they still want to do something for their country. That in itself fans that small flame of hope I hold near and dear to my heart that someday, somehow, our country will become a better place for us to live in, where we can afford to live a good life without needing to work abroad and earn that proverbial dollar.

Staying in the Philippines may not be the most sensible decision. In the same breath, teaching may not also be considered to be a practical career choice, especially in comparison to the range of available higher paying jobs out there. But I will stay. I will stay and draw inspiration from what my very good friend Che simply said once in reference to her decision to become a doctor to the barrio --- why not? So as a new school year starts I say with the same conviction WHY NOT?

Now if only my bank account can say the same thing when I ask for more money :-)

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