Many Thanks (September 01, 2007)

Many years ago, I met someone who has inspired me to become a better teacher. She is a woman filled with energy. She is always up and about. She became my mentor and my motivator. She instilled faith in me, to believe in myself.

One early morning as I arrived school, I met so much frustrations explaining to my assistant how work should be done. After being frustrated, I left the building and walked outside the school compound. My friend saw me. She took her car and asked me to get in. While driving around the village, she was ready to listen and was giving pointers on how to handle the situation. She was there to support and not to ridicule. She was there to listen and not to criticize. She was there to offer help. Up to this time, I cannot forget her valuable support.

That was many years passed. The last time I got hold of her was when I was in Bologna and she asked me to visit her for a day or two. I can't make it that time so when I arrived home, I made it a point to make contacts again. I failed to reach her but deep inside my heart, she will always be my good and best friend.

This month is her birth month. I dedicate the first of September to my beautiful and great friend Carol, thank you so much.

Reflections (August 31, 2007)

I enjoy the simplicity of things. No complications whatsoever. It is just like living in the past. I remember being happy playing with stones and mud back in our backyard when I was very young. I enjoy the swings we put right up the pine tree we had. I appreciate nature from the small pond we filled with fish and turtles. I won't forget the time I hurt myself when I climbed a medium sized coconut tree. Those were the fun times. No expectations. No competitions. No complications.

Then the times we are having now is very much different. Everyone is busy. Even weekends are filled up. My students' schedules are filled to the brim. My friends' schedules are teeming with appointments and parties. My co-workers' are always on the go, go, go. My schedule is now like most of them. I rarely stay at home now. I am always out and teaching.

If I have to reflect on what is happening to me, then I have to say I am growing to be unhappy. The dictates of society and the affairs of the world had been engulfing me like fire. I had been busying myself with the ways of the world.

I need to stand still. Reflect. Be happy.

Picking Up the Pieces (August 29, 2007)

I am amazed at how some parents would give their young children something of an excess and think that it is good parenting. I am talking about learning academics. I have met a lot of people whose concern in their young child's growth is the learning of the ABC's and numbers.

I grew up in a very strict family whose main concern is not that of education. However, I have to say that I came from a very academic school where I have to learn four languages from my preschool up to high school. Then I entered a university where I have to do two other languages aside from the two languages used in class. I have to say that it was exhausting to be a student.

I always wish that young children be given a chance to feel like children. That they be given the freedom to play instead of attending tutorial classes. That they be given the chance to interact and socialize instead of sitting and writing compositions as homework. That they be given a chance to be with nature instead of being crammed in special classes in piano, math, and the like.

I do not like to be a child again. But I wanted to go back so that I can live my lost childhood to the fullest and be happy.