What If?

What if... a question I posed every now and then especially when I am reflecting on things before bedtime. Thinking of having the opportunity to take another fork of the road, then I could be something else.

What if I did take a science course and finished a medical degree? It was my first choice of all the professions I knew from before. What if I continued to Religious Studies and became a priest afterwards? The possibility was there since I am a Philosophy and Oriental Religions major. What if I pursued a doctoral degree in Education? Though I am already tired of running from school to university to home, and then studying till late at night. These are the what ifs of my life. As I do not know what could be there for me upon taking another course of action, these became questions as to whether I will be more successful and happier in any of these mentioned careers.

As a medical practitioner, I could been driving a car now and running back and forth to appointments. I could be assisting missions and working for doctors without borders. As a priest, I could be quietly sitting down and meditating in a small church upcountry. Or I could be the change that the country need in order to make proposals to population issues and religious challenges. As a doctor of philosophy, I could be lecturing to professors and would be teachers in a university at this time. Also, I could be instrumental in the way educational reforms should be made to better the system.

Since I won't be going back to school, I then remain as a regular educator. An educator whose humble existence is just a minuscule compared to the outside world. Yet I still make a point to be different through my own effort: helpful (just like the doctors), mindful (just like what priests practise), and conscientious (just like what all educators should be).Lastly, I basked myself not in material wealth but in knowledge, love and patience.


Kudos to all educators!

Growing Moss

Time is our friend or enemy, depends on how you see life. When we were young, we always asked ourselves when will we be older so we could drive a car, party day and night, or have sleepovers with our friends. But as we grow older, we wish we have been younger so we could do what we failed to accomplish, and sometimes, regrets are formed.

But no matter what we do in life, we should always be mindful of where we stand and where we go. When I was young, I cannot understand why I was always asked to do housework when I was busy doing my homework in sets of three different languages. I didn't have any time to play. When I was older, I was given a responsibility to manage a shop alongside my sister and we were busy buddies. I had to be home on time, given no chance to wander around town, so I could help in our business. The business didn't thrive in terms of profit but I learned a great deal.

My dad took his time to instill in me the value of work and the value of time. Work is not just physical labour, but work is something that will make me a better person. The work I did before became cornerstones of my growth as a person: being responsible, industrious and resourceful. The time I spent manning the business were well-spent time as I learned to be busy in a good way. The time I gave to honour my job became the foundation of how I value what was given to me; being punctual and giving importance to the now, the present.

Right now, the moss gathered from my formative years had been with me as I am conscientious of what I do. I am proud of what I earned in terms of knowledge. I am humbled by the experience of learning the trade early and applying them in later years. I am wary of the importance of seconds and minutes in an hour. I am made to go forward rather than retreat and be lazy.

So when I reminisce old days, I should not be pointing fingers to my dad for being selfish and taking away my childhood. I should be thankful, if not with all those hardships, I won't be strong enough to face my life on my own. I learned early and by doing so, I reaped my labour as well.

Happy Father's Day!

Cinderella, a Ballet

I have had the opportunity to be invited to attend a dance recital by one of my former students in class. She is four years old and has been taking ballet lessons with a dance studio called Rising Star. I accepted the invitation and was very glad to have seen the show.

The show was indeed splendid what with all 250 participants including some of the teachers dancing to the story of the all time classic Cinderella. Yuko Nakamura who played the lead role was a beauty to behold, not just physically but also with her graceful dancing and stand as a ballerina. I thoroughly enjoyed the presence of the fairies where they danced so well that there was no room for critique. Not that I will but it was so joyous I was smiling with their turns and bows.

My darling Kristine came as one of the bluebirds and she made me so proud. She wasn't the same Kristine I knew because she was very attentive and in sync. Dancing must be her first love as she performed so well that afternoon. Her parents must be equally proud of her for her splendid performance.

I thank Kristine and her family for a wonderful school year and for showing me growth and confidence in action. I am proud of her, as much as I am proud of each and every individual who attended my classes be it in music, drama, or in academics. Best of all, teachers collect their rewards not through monetary terms but through the love they give back as a token of their appreciation. I wish her and her family the best as they move back to the States. I will miss you Kristine!