The Chicken Sisters (May 23, 2008)

Another children’s story that I recently read with a student was this book. It tells about the tale of three chicken sisters who boast of their love for baking, the other for knitting and the last sister for singing.

In the story, the eldest who is fond of baking is not really a good baker but her sister appreciates the fact that she tries her best to bake for them. The youngest that is not that great in singing is still being supported by the sisters.

It is worth blogging because of the attitude amongst the sisters. They seemed to tolerate each others little faults, or big ones, but it surfaced evidently that they do accept the faults of each other.

Our society tolerates a number of things but had not been accepting of others. There are still the issues of religion, culture clash, gender and social class. There is still prejudice, bias and discrimination.

The earth is telling us many things with its changing climate and environmental issues. But until now, we have never managed to put our conflicting ideas aside to promote a better place to be in. Maybe our death will be the only answer.

A Year (May 21, 2008)

It’s a year now since I started blogging. I have no regrets but only praises for being able to blog my thoughts and feelings with a technology feel into it.
Blogging my feelings have been a tremendous help towards a more stable emotional life. Aside from the beauty of plants that surrounds me, blogging gives me the same pleasure as I write many instances of my life, be it good or bad. It is an outlet for releasing pent up emotions brought about by changes, rejections, move, and loss.

Blogging my thoughts had been helpful as I gain confidence in writing and in increasing my vocabulary I seldom use. It gives me an opportunity to send my ideas and messages to some chosen few who reads my blog occasionally. I have many things to share and have learned many things throughout that’s why blogging my experiences and thoughts in here makes me feel that I can be of little help to others.

So a one year anniversary for me. Thanks to blogspot.com.

Less Expectations (May 19, 2008)

I like meeting people but whenever I do, I always end up being disappointed because it is always not reciprocated with equally positive vibes. In my workplace, I always manage to make people upset because of my high standard of work. I was told many times by my supervisors to lower my standards so as not to upset myself and so that I can be more positive with my dealings with my co-workers.

In my social circle, I always expect an equal share of effort in communication so that I can be alive in my exchange of ideas and whereabouts. And when the fire in me is extinguished by neglect and forgetfulness, I tend to be disappointed and hurt.

The problem is mine and I knew it all along. So for now, it is better to just go on living with less of everything.

It's Too Much! (May 16, 2008)

I have met so many people in this lifetime of mine that’s I have this nerve in me that is still so sensitive when the issue of ignoring surfaces.

Considering I am “just” a teacher to some, I have been in many situations where I have to learn how to be doubly polite and deep down humble, dealing with some “rich and affluent” members of the society. And no matter how humble and polite I may be, I am always thrashed around if not completely ignored when I am around them.

I wonder why some people just cannot make an effort to respect others or simply give a nod and say, "Oh, you are there!" I am always wondering and always deeply hurt. I cannot understand why I am invisible to the eyes of some people. Is the world so materialistic they only look at money?

My only hope is that someday, I can walk with my head up high not as an arrogant person but as a good person in the eyes of my Creator. For it is only in His eyes, that I am equal with others.

Macaroons (May 13, 2008)

I had the privilege to eat two pieces of macaroons during a short meet with my colleagues. It was ecstatic. Having been off from sugary treats for quite some time, it was heavenly. The pastries came direct from France as a present from a former colleague I school. Those macaroons reminded me of two things: my travel to France and my lunch date with some good friends two Christmases ago.

Isn’t it funny that when we are faced with a certain situation, some memories just rush in like water. Remembering the fun times is far healthier than keeping grudges about the past.

Hanging In There (May 12, 2008)

I have met many people who had been away from their family, just like me, and been living a lonely life. The only difference is that they have a family they can call their own while I have none. I try to gauge whether I should be lonelier or they should and it’s me who is losing.

When we reach a certain age, we feel that our life is not complete because we are missing something. In my part, I am missing a family to call my own. It is a choice I made so I have no right to complain. It’s just that I wanted to show people how lucky they are for having a family they can call their own. So that when they get old and gray, they knew that there will be someone or some family members who will be there for them. As a friend commented, “I believe having my own family is the reason for living.”

I am getting old and feeling weary but I am hanging in there. I am hanging from a thread, a thread of hope, that someday my life will be complete.

Mother Spider (May 11, 2008)

As always, I was removing brown leaves and dead branches off my plants when I noticed something underneath a leaf. It was my dreaded arachnid, spiders in other words, manning her batch of eggs. I said dreaded because I was bitten twice, one in each hand in two different occasions and it was not a nice sight afterwards. My hands swelled and they were very itchy in the process. I waited for about three weeks for them to heal. Fortunately, I was fine. Unfortunately, I didn’t acquire super powers of climbing walls and shooting webs to buildings and poles.

Anyway, I wanted to speak of something interesting about these arachnids. It is the way they take care of their babies. I was once fascinated by their synchronized actions when I was blowing air on a family of spiders in my garden. They were on top of the leaf so I tried to blow some air to them and see what they reactions would be. Once the air hits the leaf and moves it, the entire clan immediately goes to the underside. After a few seconds, they all come back one by one. So I did it again and they all in one swift action disappeared from the top.

I am amazed how in even in the smallest world of species mothers are always and had been the source of inspiration, guidance and care. It seems that this motherly nature is inherent as one gives birth to a child, or in the case of the spiders, babies. It is so reassuring that mothers will always be there to protect and love, unconditionally.

Reunion (May 05, 2008)

It’s going to be the 25th! That’s a lot of years since I graduated from high school.

My high school life was what you might call ordinary. There were no frills and thrills you see in a coming of age movie or stories about teens. I wouldn’t say it was boring, it was just plain ‘attend school and go home’ kind of thing. Even weekends were not allocated for social gatherings. It was home-school-home.

Yet one of the best things in my life was attending high school. It was in high school that I learned how to cope with success and with failure. It was in high school that I learned to struggle with making my grades better. It was in high school that I saw the real meaning of being a meanie and a goody and I still remember them. It was in high school that I met nine outstanding individuals (and you know who you are).

The beauty lies not only in meeting nine different individuals but the years after that. Our camaraderie is tested by time. We see each other on a regular basis (if time permits) and update each other through electronic mail. So when I go back to reminisce high school, I just say, “I am one lucky chap!”

And I say, “Growth comes not just by living our lives but also by being with others.”

Sincere Caring (May 03, 2008)

It was raining the whole day but it was not an excuse. It was Sunday so I have to do my usual duty. I lined up the plastic pots and filled them half way with dirt. Then I took all the Laurentii I plucked from one side of the garden and started repotting them. I finished fourteen big pots that afternoon. I suffered with a back ache afterwards.

The Laurentii plants were from our school’s garden. When they were about to be thrown, I took them home as I saw the potential of those plants not only as decors for my garden but because I like the shape and coloration. I took them home and planted them in my garden. After some months, I was blessed with flowers so sweet and beautiful. It was an exhilarating moment seeing those many flowers blooming for quite some time.

Some people are like the Laurentii plant in my story. There are things that we don’t see in people that’s why we neglect their presence. If we happen to meet someone and our guts tell us that this person is a gem, accept the friendship. If our “new” friend is having difficulty to pursue life’s challenges, extend some support. It is in helping another person live that we get to see the beauty within ourselves. It is in leading another life to grace and honour that we gain merits of our existence.

To Paulyn (May 01, 2008)

When I started teaching, I met this friend who had been very supportive and friendly to me. She came up with help for new teachers and had been equally generous with suggestions and ideas. She was always there.

Along with another good friend, we became closer as years passed. After six years, al three parted ways to pursue better opportunities. That was fifteen years ago.

Just recently we connected again. Those many years passed were just recorded images as we traversed through events and joyful happenings in our friendship. We started making jokes about petty misfortunes and felt how trivial it was to be complaining the whole time. Life is different now. We have aged and matured to look back and reminisce the past as experiences that had help us with our continual living. We had embraced our growing old as part of the learning experience, to weather the challenges and live up to our standards.

It is good to see how I have grown as a person through someone’s eyes. It is also very encouraging to know that amidst those long years of silence and lost communication is a friendship untarnished and treasured.