It's Veteran's Day. And again, for me, no school. My kids may not know that I am more excited than they when it comes to days off school.
My enemy has came back to haunt me the past couple of months, but with Jesus' help, I shall beat it down, one day at a time.
I am beginning to feel comfortable with my morning drives. I still stay away from car transporters and fuel tanks. Those big bad boys still make me shudder.
On the subject of early morning commute, I am beginning to dislike car owners whose headlights can light up a whole stadium. It's kinda blinding wee little travelers like me, 'yo!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
awake
It's been awhile indeed. I am celebrating Columbus Day in the warm comfort of our home, in my robe, waiting to dry my hair.
I love my new school.
I am getting better at driving on the turnpike.
I love my husband.
I love my students, tutees and colleagues.
I love my friends.
I miss my family.
I love my God, I AM.
I love my new school.
I am getting better at driving on the turnpike.
I love my husband.
I love my students, tutees and colleagues.
I love my friends.
I miss my family.
I love my God, I AM.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
little boxes
i just found out that my downstairs neighbor passed. i never even wrote about her. she and the other small lady downstairs used to sit in the coop during the warm weather. she reminded me of my maternal great grand aunt who was a staunchy little lady who smoked like a kapre.
i hope she received Christ as her Lord and Saviour before her last breath.
i hope she received Christ as her Lord and Saviour before her last breath.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
newly weds
hubby and i have been adjusting to living together very well. the other day, as i was playing with my rings while waiting for the light to turn green, i noticed that i have a tan line on my ring finger. i smiled and thanked my Boss. it feels great to be married to an awesome man.
Friday, January 1, 2010
day 1
it's 10:10 pm on the first day of 2010. happy new year. this friday i am sitting on my couch, watching law and order SVU and trying to digest the other half of my yummy late lunch shared with friends.
i would say it would almost be perfect if hubby is sitting next to me giving me a foot massage as i blog away, or maybe just quietly watching from the other side of the couch, but oh well. as rookies in the marriage game, we both have a lot to learn. and tomorrow, we get to spend our first weekend of the new year.
blogging-wise, my 2009 was not as productive. this is not for lack of subjects and events to blog about. au contraire. 2009 was brimming with good stuff, and exciting events.
the most exciting and fulfilling of which was finding a church was set the stage for spiritual growth, meeting friends who feel like family, and the place where i exchanged vows with my love.
before my fingers go on strike from the mush of that last sentence, i'm going to log off and give my full attention to my tv.
see you tomorrow.
i would say it would almost be perfect if hubby is sitting next to me giving me a foot massage as i blog away, or maybe just quietly watching from the other side of the couch, but oh well. as rookies in the marriage game, we both have a lot to learn. and tomorrow, we get to spend our first weekend of the new year.
blogging-wise, my 2009 was not as productive. this is not for lack of subjects and events to blog about. au contraire. 2009 was brimming with good stuff, and exciting events.
the most exciting and fulfilling of which was finding a church was set the stage for spiritual growth, meeting friends who feel like family, and the place where i exchanged vows with my love.
before my fingers go on strike from the mush of that last sentence, i'm going to log off and give my full attention to my tv.
see you tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
i'm back
i almost wept when i saw that my last post was more than two months ago. i totally skipped most of april and the whole month of september. but what da heck, it's been crazy busy from my bird post. i went back to the middle school. back to the rigorous work of reading and writing strategies, practice, and the time consuming grading of papers. there's finishing my grad school work, thesis, the whole graduation affair.
i can't believe i finished grad school in one year.
oh, and did i tell you?
i got married.
i can't believe i finished grad school in one year.
oh, and did i tell you?
i got married.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
scales starting to grow...
this has been a stressful month for me. classwork in grad school is much more demanding and can get frustrating sometimes. my stress levels with grad school and wedding planning has driven me to sabotage my figure. today is the first day that i am cake free. for the last month i have been stuffing myself with red velvet cupcakes. i am happy to say tha i have been good with non-smoking.
work, at summer camp is just wonderful. i love what i do. last session i taught a mythology and heroes class. we ended the course with a final smackdown where my kids got to battle each other as their custom made super heroes.
for this session i am facilitating a newspaper writing class, and a comic book writing class. i am always surprised and amused by my kids' creativity and smarts. it never gets dull with kids around.
this week too i have picked up the neil gaiman book i have forgotten to read. The graveyard book is another spine tingling bite your nails i want my mommy kind of book.
tomorow, i go with my girls to fit and try on some bridesmaids dresses. wish us luck.
work, at summer camp is just wonderful. i love what i do. last session i taught a mythology and heroes class. we ended the course with a final smackdown where my kids got to battle each other as their custom made super heroes.
for this session i am facilitating a newspaper writing class, and a comic book writing class. i am always surprised and amused by my kids' creativity and smarts. it never gets dull with kids around.
this week too i have picked up the neil gaiman book i have forgotten to read. The graveyard book is another spine tingling bite your nails i want my mommy kind of book.
tomorow, i go with my girls to fit and try on some bridesmaids dresses. wish us luck.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Vacation Bible School
i just came from day 1 of vacation bible school at my church. i volunteered to help out, but ended up being one of the teachers since, hey, i do it for a living. :)
it's a new adventure, to say the least. i feel weird being there being a teacher and all, when i know i have a lot of learning to do when it comes to the bible. but y heart is in the right place. it was a joy to see little ones so enthusiastic to participate as romans, visiting Paul and the underground church.
i have the oldest kids, and because there were only two in my class, it was pretty easy. what caught my heart were the pre-K kids. they are so cute. i want to take one home.
during the drama part where we visited Paul in his prison cell, i felt a tear fall on my face. i remember Sunday school and for a second, i was reminded of my young self, sitting in class, listening to my sunday school teacher, basking in the wonders of Jesus' love for us. I thank my mom's family for instilling the value of worship at an early age. it faded during my smart ass/angsty stage, but when I reunited with Jesus, I felt i had that in me all along.
as i looked at the innocent faces of those children, the yearning to have one of my own became clear. if God sees it fit to bless me with a child, i know where i can raise him/her.
for now, it would be my joy to spend time with the little ones, and hear what they have to say.
it's a new adventure, to say the least. i feel weird being there being a teacher and all, when i know i have a lot of learning to do when it comes to the bible. but y heart is in the right place. it was a joy to see little ones so enthusiastic to participate as romans, visiting Paul and the underground church.
i have the oldest kids, and because there were only two in my class, it was pretty easy. what caught my heart were the pre-K kids. they are so cute. i want to take one home.
during the drama part where we visited Paul in his prison cell, i felt a tear fall on my face. i remember Sunday school and for a second, i was reminded of my young self, sitting in class, listening to my sunday school teacher, basking in the wonders of Jesus' love for us. I thank my mom's family for instilling the value of worship at an early age. it faded during my smart ass/angsty stage, but when I reunited with Jesus, I felt i had that in me all along.
as i looked at the innocent faces of those children, the yearning to have one of my own became clear. if God sees it fit to bless me with a child, i know where i can raise him/her.
for now, it would be my joy to spend time with the little ones, and hear what they have to say.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Getting an A
Dear Mr. J.B.,
I got my A because I am a more passionate "showgirl" in my classroom. I have learned to manage my time, resources and energy to come up with a bag of tricks i have designed for the entertainment, enjoyment and growth of my students.
I am a teacher reformed by my experience in teaching Special Ed. I smile more openly to my students and colleagues. I welcome each class with an unwavering vigor, because I know that I am blessed to love what I do.
I no longer seek to punish students who are lazy. I seek to recognize their efforts and their good points. When I enter a grade on the computer, I try to think far ahead into the future and see how a grade would impact my student's future?
I am now preparing for a presentation for my colleagues on how to enrich their bacg of tricks in the classroom using technology. I am excited to share with them the wonders of podcasting, short videos and, online collaboration. I am thrilled to help them befriend technology.
Thank you for being an A profoessor.
I got my A because I am a more passionate "showgirl" in my classroom. I have learned to manage my time, resources and energy to come up with a bag of tricks i have designed for the entertainment, enjoyment and growth of my students.
I am a teacher reformed by my experience in teaching Special Ed. I smile more openly to my students and colleagues. I welcome each class with an unwavering vigor, because I know that I am blessed to love what I do.
I no longer seek to punish students who are lazy. I seek to recognize their efforts and their good points. When I enter a grade on the computer, I try to think far ahead into the future and see how a grade would impact my student's future?
I am now preparing for a presentation for my colleagues on how to enrich their bacg of tricks in the classroom using technology. I am excited to share with them the wonders of podcasting, short videos and, online collaboration. I am thrilled to help them befriend technology.
Thank you for being an A profoessor.
oh the drama
there are times when i can do with a little drama, and then of course there are times when I wish I can be spared of it.
a few days ago, i have been approached by my co-teachers about my transfer back to the middle school. when they asked me how i felt about being transferred, i said, it was okay, it was like coming back home. i'm not overjoyed and leaping and dancing, but i welcome the idea of going back to a place that has made me a better teacher. i am glad to return to a family of not just co-workers, but also friends.
it did not occur to me that most of my coworkers at the HS would think that i requested the transfer.
i didn't.
my transfer back to the MS meant that someone from the MS would have to be transferred to the SH to cover my position. this teacher was not so happy with this change/transfer. she was upset.
i didn't understand why she was upset. but then again, when i got the job two years ago, wasn't too excited either. what baffled me about her reaction was the fact that she is a more experienced teacher than me. i did't think i had anything to tell her that she didn't already know.
i wish her and my kids the best.
in the world of possibility, this may be a whole new world of wonderful adventures.
a few days ago, i have been approached by my co-teachers about my transfer back to the middle school. when they asked me how i felt about being transferred, i said, it was okay, it was like coming back home. i'm not overjoyed and leaping and dancing, but i welcome the idea of going back to a place that has made me a better teacher. i am glad to return to a family of not just co-workers, but also friends.
it did not occur to me that most of my coworkers at the HS would think that i requested the transfer.
i didn't.
my transfer back to the MS meant that someone from the MS would have to be transferred to the SH to cover my position. this teacher was not so happy with this change/transfer. she was upset.
i didn't understand why she was upset. but then again, when i got the job two years ago, wasn't too excited either. what baffled me about her reaction was the fact that she is a more experienced teacher than me. i did't think i had anything to tell her that she didn't already know.
i wish her and my kids the best.
in the world of possibility, this may be a whole new world of wonderful adventures.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
lighting a spark
Roz and Ben Zanders shared stories in a world of possibilities when someone entertains, or even embrace the possibility in an otherwise hopeless situation.
I'm sure you've all had teachers who have lit a spark in your life, one way or another. They have left a warm ember in your heart that you kept within you, and before you know it, it had lit up inside of you and have resided in there, with a steady burn.
Although I'm an English teacher, it was not my favorite subject in school. It was not because I did have excellent teachers, it's just that my Social Studies teachers have always lit a spark in me.
I have always maintained close ties with my first batch of students. Most teachers will never forget the first batch of kids that they taught. On the weekend before my birthday, I saw 3 of my former students, all professionals, all grown up.
It always gives me pride to see them, and how well they have succeeded in life. We talked about their high school days, the laughable moments and the silly stunts they pulled. I look at the man and two ladies and for myself, I wish that from then until my last teaching day, I can light a at least a tiny spark in my students' life.
I'm sure you've all had teachers who have lit a spark in your life, one way or another. They have left a warm ember in your heart that you kept within you, and before you know it, it had lit up inside of you and have resided in there, with a steady burn.
Although I'm an English teacher, it was not my favorite subject in school. It was not because I did have excellent teachers, it's just that my Social Studies teachers have always lit a spark in me.
I have always maintained close ties with my first batch of students. Most teachers will never forget the first batch of kids that they taught. On the weekend before my birthday, I saw 3 of my former students, all professionals, all grown up.
It always gives me pride to see them, and how well they have succeeded in life. We talked about their high school days, the laughable moments and the silly stunts they pulled. I look at the man and two ladies and for myself, I wish that from then until my last teaching day, I can light a at least a tiny spark in my students' life.
scratch that...
i'm one of those kids who get very excited about new things. a new kin d of shampoo, new seasoning mix, a new candy flavor, new book.
a new program to create games.... hmmmm.
and so last year in my mythology class, i thought of using scratch. We didn't really get too far with it. I was a bat frustrated because I felt like an idiot most of the time. But then again, I wasn't a student of EDMT yet so it was not natural (yet) for me to get my fingers dancing on the keys to type and search for video tutorials.
I saw the video tutorials about scratch. it was simple enough, but I think someone, if not me, can make an easier and a simpler and ,ore effective video tutorial. My teacher in our Digital Media and Education Applications class have ingrained a standard in me about length and coverage of video tutorial. "keep it short and simple; break it down."
i'm gonna try scratch with my mythology class again. Maybe we'll get farther this year. :)
a new program to create games.... hmmmm.
and so last year in my mythology class, i thought of using scratch. We didn't really get too far with it. I was a bat frustrated because I felt like an idiot most of the time. But then again, I wasn't a student of EDMT yet so it was not natural (yet) for me to get my fingers dancing on the keys to type and search for video tutorials.
I saw the video tutorials about scratch. it was simple enough, but I think someone, if not me, can make an easier and a simpler and ,ore effective video tutorial. My teacher in our Digital Media and Education Applications class have ingrained a standard in me about length and coverage of video tutorial. "keep it short and simple; break it down."
i'm gonna try scratch with my mythology class again. Maybe we'll get farther this year. :)
Here's Showing you what I Know
Wow, This is it, the last day. Unbelievable. No bull, I didn't think I would like this course as much as I do. I love this course, I've learned so much about different aspects of Media Presentation, and I am embarrassed to say that I haven't even seen all of the tech advice my teacher has prepared for us. No excuses, Sir B. I do want to take your course, (I mean audit it) because I think I want to learn more so I can share more with my kids.
In terms of my final media project, I am still undecided as to which media I will use. I have learned though that thoughtful planning and insightful thinking are both beneficial for a good choice. I am comfy with making slide show with audio, but is that the best medium for mt thesis presentation. I'm still not sure.
Here's what I know though. Technology, or media presentation tools in particular have been created to make the teaching and learning experience mire dynamic and engaging. This generation of students are more challenging to engage, and it is up to us, to keep up their interest. It is our responsibility to give them our best so that we can cultivate the best in them. (yes, this is still, no bull doodoo).
I have my first day of camp tomorrow, and I still have last day of school, as in my work, so I can't make it to my first class in camp. I could have easily just asked for a substitute and give my kids some busy work until I can meet them on Tuesday.
BUT...
I want them to feel that I am thinking about them, and I am excited about learning with them.
Paper or plastic"
Eerr, I mean a letter or something else?
I got on my trusty Mac and recorded a laughable video of me talking to them since I can't be with them live.
I used Keynote, got some images off the nest and pasted their URLs, and voila, uploaded it on YouTube.
And oh, this is also to show my latest action figure.
Of course I could've made an a longer video, but then I had to stop myself and assess the situation. I just want to introduce them to the course. That 3 minute video is actually long and cold be edited, now that I think about it, but then there's tomorrow, and the next day and that gives me time to think of exploring other media to use in class.
I'm thinking of trying Mr. Smith's top picks of free 3D animation software for my class. I'm so excited, I'm so excited!!!!
Thanks Mr. B, for giving us some direction to make our presentation skills better, and more organized (crossing my fingers on that).
In terms of my final media project, I am still undecided as to which media I will use. I have learned though that thoughtful planning and insightful thinking are both beneficial for a good choice. I am comfy with making slide show with audio, but is that the best medium for mt thesis presentation. I'm still not sure.
Here's what I know though. Technology, or media presentation tools in particular have been created to make the teaching and learning experience mire dynamic and engaging. This generation of students are more challenging to engage, and it is up to us, to keep up their interest. It is our responsibility to give them our best so that we can cultivate the best in them. (yes, this is still, no bull doodoo).
I have my first day of camp tomorrow, and I still have last day of school, as in my work, so I can't make it to my first class in camp. I could have easily just asked for a substitute and give my kids some busy work until I can meet them on Tuesday.
BUT...
I want them to feel that I am thinking about them, and I am excited about learning with them.
Paper or plastic"
Eerr, I mean a letter or something else?
I got on my trusty Mac and recorded a laughable video of me talking to them since I can't be with them live.
I used Keynote, got some images off the nest and pasted their URLs, and voila, uploaded it on YouTube.
And oh, this is also to show my latest action figure.
Of course I could've made an a longer video, but then I had to stop myself and assess the situation. I just want to introduce them to the course. That 3 minute video is actually long and cold be edited, now that I think about it, but then there's tomorrow, and the next day and that gives me time to think of exploring other media to use in class.
I'm thinking of trying Mr. Smith's top picks of free 3D animation software for my class. I'm so excited, I'm so excited!!!!
Thanks Mr. B, for giving us some direction to make our presentation skills better, and more organized (crossing my fingers on that).
Friday, June 26, 2009
gym happy
i went back to gym after, oh two months. it took me long enough, huh? i have so many excuses i don't even know where to begin.
today was quite difficult, but the endorphons kicked in. i feel that i have ,melted a bite out of the cupcake i just ate yesterday.
48 thousand more calories to go.
48 red velvet cupcakes to go
5 cream puffs.
5 pieces of party puto.
huff huff huff.
i can do this.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Stick-'em!
Last night, the numero uno team chupacabras prime and our dear instructor for MAC got together last night for a session in skype and stickam.
We are so high-tech, I feel like a Jetson, I kid you not!
It never fails to bring me joy and excitemetn to talk about technology and its application to my everyday life and in the classroom, I really feel like a walking talking advertisement for FSO. I know it tickels the socks off of my mom when I tell her about a nerw thing I've learned in school, or a new gadget. Part of it is excitement and the other half is the joy, that there is something I can share with my mom, or teach her. Every now and then I would call her up when I have a grammar4 question that I can't seem to find an answer to. Thank goodness for international calling and the popularity of mobile phones in the Philippines.
Anyway, so the gang and Mr. Joe shared inisghts and of course a few laughs on some of the week's topics. i got kicked out a few times and managed to get back in live, a few minutes before we ended our session. Thank goodness we were on skype so I can still gen into the conversation as I tried to log in 48 million times.
Stickam still has a lot of glitches, but hey, it's free. I know pretty soon the web 2.0 community will come up with a fortified and more nutritious version.
I'm thinking of recommending stickam to my former students in the Philippines who are trying to organize their 10th year reunion. They have met on a conference chat via yahoo messenger. Although I am a loyal YM user,I can alreasy foresee the chaos of having 17 twenty somethings trying to group chat purely by text.
I told them to take advil 30 minutes before the conference.
I initally thoughtof Wimba, but then again, it's not a free program.
So thanks, Mr. Joe B, for introducing us to stickam.
We are so high-tech, I feel like a Jetson, I kid you not!
It never fails to bring me joy and excitemetn to talk about technology and its application to my everyday life and in the classroom, I really feel like a walking talking advertisement for FSO. I know it tickels the socks off of my mom when I tell her about a nerw thing I've learned in school, or a new gadget. Part of it is excitement and the other half is the joy, that there is something I can share with my mom, or teach her. Every now and then I would call her up when I have a grammar4 question that I can't seem to find an answer to. Thank goodness for international calling and the popularity of mobile phones in the Philippines.
Anyway, so the gang and Mr. Joe shared inisghts and of course a few laughs on some of the week's topics. i got kicked out a few times and managed to get back in live, a few minutes before we ended our session. Thank goodness we were on skype so I can still gen into the conversation as I tried to log in 48 million times.
Stickam still has a lot of glitches, but hey, it's free. I know pretty soon the web 2.0 community will come up with a fortified and more nutritious version.
I'm thinking of recommending stickam to my former students in the Philippines who are trying to organize their 10th year reunion. They have met on a conference chat via yahoo messenger. Although I am a loyal YM user,I can alreasy foresee the chaos of having 17 twenty somethings trying to group chat purely by text.
I told them to take advil 30 minutes before the conference.
I initally thoughtof Wimba, but then again, it's not a free program.
So thanks, Mr. Joe B, for introducing us to stickam.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Wk3 Ron Smith Interview Interactive Q & As
1. What is the name of the school where Mr. Ron Smith teaches?
Media Academy in Hollywood High School,
Hollywood California
2. What is the specialization of the Media Academy in terms of training students?
Mr. Smith teachers the students anything related to media as a training for the media industry in Hollywood.
3. According to Mr. Smith, what type of media do his students gravitate to?
Usually Flash animation and Video
4. In terms of engaging using technology in engaging his students, how does Mr. Smith view his class and his students?
Mr. Smith views his classroom like a laboratory and tests whatever new technology he has read up on or heard of on his students. Examples are podcasts and text messaging when they came out.
5. What presentation technology do teachers use that are already outdated for today’s students?
Examples of technology that are still used in the classroom that are not considered relevant to students are : power point, overhead projectors, and word documents projected on screen.
6. Why is digital media such as Flash, as a presentation tool, such a hard sell for most teachers?
It is a hard sell for most teachers to use digital media because it is
time consuming .
7. What is Scratch?
It is an open source software that lets you create your own game online or in your own computer.
8. What is SketchUp?
It is a Google program that lets you create 3D models.
9. What is Blender?
It is an open source 3D animation software.
10. How does Mr. Smith introduce the software to his students?
He does not tell too much information to his students, and he lets them explore and play with t on their own.
Media Academy in Hollywood High School,
Hollywood California
2. What is the specialization of the Media Academy in terms of training students?
Mr. Smith teachers the students anything related to media as a training for the media industry in Hollywood.
3. According to Mr. Smith, what type of media do his students gravitate to?
Usually Flash animation and Video
4. In terms of engaging using technology in engaging his students, how does Mr. Smith view his class and his students?
Mr. Smith views his classroom like a laboratory and tests whatever new technology he has read up on or heard of on his students. Examples are podcasts and text messaging when they came out.
5. What presentation technology do teachers use that are already outdated for today’s students?
Examples of technology that are still used in the classroom that are not considered relevant to students are : power point, overhead projectors, and word documents projected on screen.
6. Why is digital media such as Flash, as a presentation tool, such a hard sell for most teachers?
It is a hard sell for most teachers to use digital media because it is
time consuming .
7. What is Scratch?
It is an open source software that lets you create your own game online or in your own computer.
8. What is SketchUp?
It is a Google program that lets you create 3D models.
9. What is Blender?
It is an open source 3D animation software.
10. How does Mr. Smith introduce the software to his students?
He does not tell too much information to his students, and he lets them explore and play with t on their own.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
First thoughts on The Art of Possibility
photo from : www.coverbrowser.com
The Art of Possibility - Stepping Into A Universe of Possibilities
Let me just start that had this book could not have come to me, (even as a required reading) ata better time. I used to be one of those “too cool to care, or too cool to be kind” people, and I was too cool to be caught with an inspirational book.
Fast forward to June 2009, and I am loving every page of this book. I think if we “feed” a little bit of this book to every American, we will be a nation of shiny happy people. Organically happy. Seriously. There is just too much negativity in our society.
So much fear. So much hating. So much worrying.
You know I thought when I came to live here in the USA, I would be happier or my life would be better. Well, it is now. But before I got to this point of happiness and peace, I must say that I was more worried about making it here in US compared to making it in the Philippines. I am not putting the blame on America. I am pointing my fingers at our culture of fear, commercialism and our massive superiority complex. The bottom line is, even though we are more comfortable compared to other people living in less affluent countries, most of us are still not happy. I know I wasn’t.
I had to be reborn spiritually to come to where I am now.
And so I embrace the Zanders’ book with a warm hug. Here are a couple of thoughts on the first chapter.
On the two marketing scouts for a shoe company
“ A shoe factory sends two marketing scouts to a region of Africa to study the prospects for expending business. One sends back a telegram saying
SITUATION HOPELESS STOP NO ONE WEARS SHOES
The other write back triumphantly
GLORIOUS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY STOP THEY HAVE NO SHOES
Needless to say, this anecdote cracked me up. After a few moments of settling my laughter, this story made me reflect on my which kind of person I am. The anecdote made me ask myself, which one am I? Am I the like the first scout or am I like the second scout? I was very much like the first scout for most of my life. It’s been two years now that I seem to be more and more like the second scout.
When I resigned from work and got rehired by my district as a Special Ed High School English teacher, I was scared and worried. At one point I was grateful for getting rehired. However I also felt sorry for myself for being stuck with the school’s baddest of the bad. For a hile too, I thought I was being punished for making hasty decisions.
What a trip!
What was I thinking?! Teaching special ed has been a great blessing! It really is. And to quote my “kids” I say teaching special ed is a blessing. Dead ass. Do you want to know why? Because not every teacher can teach special ed and live to tell the tale. Being that I have been blessed to be in this field for 12 years now, I suppose you can say I have the right to say what I said.
Teaching special ed, for me was not a punishment. It was a privilege. It was a privilege to teac my kids and to be a able to get to know then. I feel that I have learned so much from my two years. I feel that I emerged from my experience a better teacher, equipped with new skills.
This coming school year, I am moving back to my original home, the middle school. My principal was able to get first pick, and I feel so loved that he asked for me to come back. A part of me is sad to leave my kids. We have a strong bond already. But see, If I wallow in sadness, then I would not see that I am embarking on a new adventure at the middle school.
I choose to step into the universe of possibility.
“We grow up in a world of measurement, and in this world, we get to know each other and things by measuring them (p. 18) ”
I was immediately struck by the similarity of this message to a passage from The Little Prince. There was part in the beginning of the story when Antoine de Saint Exupery’s pilot’s character when he was describing how grown ups put importance in numbers. This is so true. Sometimes, when I catch myself giving in to self pity because I don’t earn as much money as my childhood friends, I tell myself off and remind myself how blessed I am to love what I do. My fiancé reminds me every now and then, of how happy he is that I love my job. He’s right. I do love what I do. Who wouldn’t love waking up in the morning and preparing for a day full of surprises,( both pleasant and otherwise?) Who wouldn’t love playing dress up for school , dressing up for a show? Who would not love hanging out with teenagers and inviting them to express how they feel about stories written by people who have long gone, or of stories from another place and time, either real or imagined?
I know I do.
And though from time to time I am still plagues by values of measurement, I try my best to look at life as little adventures and my successes with them. After all, there is always something gained from experience, be it a good or a bad one.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Neil Gaiman-topia
I am a huge Neil Gaiman fan. my favorite book is American Gods. As soon as I finished the book, I became obsessed with the idea of putting up my dream cast for the movie version that I wish they would make. Of course there is no movie version. Yet. I am hopeful that some Hollywood execs might pick it up and make thousands of fan like moi, very mvery happy.
The premise of AMerican Gods is quite similar to another Brit great, Douglas Adams' Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. The only twist is, Ragnarok in Gaiman's novel take place between the old gods of ancient mythology and the new "American" gods such as Money, Technology, Media, etc.
I'm gonna sopt before I drool on my mom's netbook.
Anyway, as I was re-reading my favorite book I am already forming a dream team in my head. Shadow can be played by The Rock, his cheating wife can be played by Renee Zellweger. Johnny Depp can play the role of Wednesday (Odin) . Eminem can be a deity of television or MTV.
It is indeed an amazing and sometimes mind blowing thing to really absorb how many books are published each year. SO many books, so little time. And not much money to create film versions of the books. sigh.
I am still hoping for American Gods on the big screen. I'm hoping it's the real, old school hollywood movie without too much CGI, but any attempt will do.
Any takers?
The premise of AMerican Gods is quite similar to another Brit great, Douglas Adams' Long Dark Teatime of the Soul. The only twist is, Ragnarok in Gaiman's novel take place between the old gods of ancient mythology and the new "American" gods such as Money, Technology, Media, etc.
I'm gonna sopt before I drool on my mom's netbook.
Anyway, as I was re-reading my favorite book I am already forming a dream team in my head. Shadow can be played by The Rock, his cheating wife can be played by Renee Zellweger. Johnny Depp can play the role of Wednesday (Odin) . Eminem can be a deity of television or MTV.
It is indeed an amazing and sometimes mind blowing thing to really absorb how many books are published each year. SO many books, so little time. And not much money to create film versions of the books. sigh.
I am still hoping for American Gods on the big screen. I'm hoping it's the real, old school hollywood movie without too much CGI, but any attempt will do.
Any takers?
33
I turned 33 today. and like birthdays past, I spent a few minutes thinking of my mother. at how things were with her life when she was my age. it always amazes me how simlilar and different we are. at 33, she has three kids aged 16, 15, and 11. She was a single mom earning a living for 3 kids.
as for me, i am thousands of miles away from my mom and brothers. this is my 8th birthday away from them, and although it gets easy, there is till a part of me that wishes i can spend my day with them.
enough of the drama, for this is a day of thanksgiving to God. I am so blessed to be here, year 33, alive, fighting the fight and living with more love for everyone. this birthday is more special because I am in the middle (or 3/4, rather) of my master's degree program, I am engaged to my mahal, and most of all, I am saved.
I went out to lunch with my tutees today. They are an important part of my life. They teach me as much as I teach them. Indeed, the Lord has blessed me with them, because I get to experience the joy of being like a parent to them. I am so proud of them.
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