Skip to main content

Updates

I just finished one semester of teaching. Technically speaking, the sem's not yet over because grades have not been released yet and there can still be appeals and last minute changes. But as far as teaching's concerned, my sem's over.

It was a good ride. There were moments when I felt that I could not connect to my students. I admit that those times were really frustrating. But God knows that I need re-affirmation once in a while. So when I start feeling down, He sends me good vibes - students complimenting me for replying to their texts and e-mails immediately or students sharing with me cookies that they baked because they love me or students bringing me Filipino treats because they know I miss them or getting good feedback for work that I've done. If God knows hu das not pay, He also knows who needs some TLC. Hehe.

One thing I learned from my first semester is that you should never judge a book by its cover. Oo, cliche. But this was so evident the past few months. I had students who did so well in class - good presentations, participative during discussions, etc. - but were not so good in exams. On the other hand, some quiet ones tend to perform really well during exams.

I had a class that I really dreaded. 75% of the students in the class were boys. And when you put teenage boys in one class, you know it will be a headache. It was in that class where I first showed my fangs. I scolded them, I almost walked out on them. I felt they were just hopeless. But they turned out to be really lovable and sweet and genuinely interested in our lessons. They didn't mind asking me if I were always "professional" because I was more strict with them. One time when they were too noisy so I kept quiet and appeared so serious, one of them asked me why I looked so angry. They wondered why I preferred to come to their country when they knew that the Philippines was more beautiful.

Do I look forward to the coming semester? I think so. I'm excited to meet new students and to have new adventures and journeys with them. I'd like to think that I know a bit better this time so hopefully, I can share more with them.

The exam period was quite stressful. We were under a tight deadline and there was so much to do. They really take their exams seriously. I hope the worst is over.

*****

Daddy Lo's in the hospital. They suspect he suffered a mild stroke. Hope he'll get better soon.

*****

We've had a couple of visitors the past few week and it was fun seeing relatives again. Yun nga lang, they make me miss home more, hehe.

*****

Things are quite light at work this week, which means I get more idle time. And idle time's not good for me (in the same manner that stressful times are not good for me either, hohum). It gives me time to think about serious stuff, which can lead to some anxiety. Will we extend? Will we get what we've been praying for soon? Unfortunately, I don't hold the answers to these questions. There are some things that are just beyond my control. So when I get tired of thinking, I always go back to that one thing that will appease me - the thought that everything will happen in God's own time. If they do not happen, then they're not meant for us. If they are meant for us, they will come eventually, sooner or later. And all the anxiety just goes away. :)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dream

I've been feeling tired, sluggish, overwhelmed, worried, etc. the past few days. You know that feeling when your body just seems too heavy to lift early in the morning and you'd rather stay in bed all day. I've been getting some extra minutes of sleep in the morning to make up for it.  It's a vicious cycle. I feel too sleepy at night so I go to bed early. Problem is, I end up waking up at dawn. I check my phone for about an hour then I go back to sleep. Then I feel sleepy again when I wake up in the morning.  This morning was no different. The little boy woke up at around 8. I felt too lazy to get up so I set an alarm for 10 minutes to get a bit of an extension. And as short as that extension may be, that was when Tatay finally visited me in my dreams. A first since he left us in November. A first even after numerous prayers at night for him to come into my dreams to reassure me that he's okay.  We were in Solenad. True Value to be exact. There was a political rally...
Post a Comment
Read more

Twelve Years Later

I've been sickly lately. I have not been updating this blog. I've been feeling bleak, sluggish, lazy, and all other negative adjectives you can insert here. Finally, I've got something nice to write about. Tonight, my husband, sister, and I are going to Hong Kong. I am so excited. I was there 12 years ago and I'm sure a lot has changed since then. At that time, we traveled with my parents. We had a number of kababayans who gladly volunteered to be our tour guide. This time, only my siblings and I are going there. Everything was planned by my hardworking brother. We're staying there until Tuesday. Hopefully, my blog entry will be ready by October. =) *picture courtesy of http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_5_1.asp
Post a Comment
Read more

Life Goes On

I've never been good with goodbyes. I used to cry when our helpers left. And nothing much has changed now. Our current all-around is going back home to care for her kids. She's trustworthy but we're not very fond of her. She can be annoying sometimes. She spends most days dillydallying just waiting for the hours to pass her by. Her cooking is inconsistent. Her cleaning leaves so much to be desired. She keeps on going back to her province for a variety of reasons. She's forgetful. She's easily confused. My husband and I talked in the past that it was really okay if she wanted to leave because she will not be that big a loss. Our yaya actually does more work than the all-around. So we should be rejoicing, right? Well, part of us is relieved because we can start anew with someone who will hopefully be better. But part of me is also sad because whatever you say, she's been with us for more than a year (the longest so far among our helpers). She knows the routine...
Post a Comment
Read more