4th month part 1

Right, this is just part one since I am posting this few  minutes before I say goodbye to the internet and say hello to my Knight in Baggy Clothes. I have edited these  pictures for the occasion and I hope to have more photos tonight.

Do I sound so happy?


Well, I am definitely happy.

bestseller

A story can have more than one interpretation. It can be approached, inspected let's say, in different points of view. As readers, we have the right to choose whose side we are going to take, whose philosophy we are going to believe, whose ideology we are going to follow and live up to as our own principle. We have the right to choose our favorite characters even if it means deviating from the author's will of protagonists and antagonists. Still, the Author has the final say to whatever it is going to happen in the story--except if the reader insists making his own version and come-up with good fanfictions.

My life is a story. It is a novel that keeps on unraveling until I die. My life is an open book and people judge me either through what I want them to see or what THEY want to see. The same way, I look at them like how I look at books in a library where they sit in one corner sometimes forgotten and taken for granted, in a bookstore where they were dressed to impress consumers, and in my home where they were perused and sometimes scattered about.

I buy different books, read a lot, and favored some. I forget the books that I dislike or plain uninteresting, or unimportant and reread the ones that fancy my interest, and help me develop.

I pick my protagonists among the million characters in those novels and compilation of short stories. I pick the language that I am more comfortable with. When I dislike one plot, I don't care be it Shakespeare's or Hemingway's, I chuck the novel and get something new.

It is the same process I use with people. Of course, there is a very clean line between people and books and I know that. Still, isn't it funny that we forget those people we don't like and unimportant to us the same way we forget the characters in novels, even short stories that we find boring? Isn't it funny that we choose to believe our friends no matter what they tell us the same way we believe the "Diet for Dummies"? We don't like lending our favorite books to just anybody but to somebody we trust the like how we are overprotective and even possessive of our dearest friends. 

Just like with books written by authors we admire, we choose to believe those people that matter, who are interesting.

In my library, I have a number of favorite books. One of them is named Katherine Embudo Vera.

I think I have made my point.

dress to kill: battle suit

I am not so "conscious" with what I wear. I normally use the clothes that are comfortable which means hoodies, baggy shirts, pants, and sneakers. My main accessory is merely a necklace with a ring pendant, and wristwatch. In short, I seldom dress to kill. 


These days however, I often wear frilly shirts with puffy sleeves so that I will look different, more lady-like and "more" mature than my students. Most of the time that style doesn't do me and my effort any justice. I look younger than my students.


One former co-worker commented that I am an "avatar." Before you imagine me having blue skin and big yellow eyes, let me clarify that what she meant by avatar is what people often use as a representation of themselves in the world wide web when they can't find eye-friendly pictures.


She said that I normally look good in whatever I wear which is contradictory to what my parents think of my style. Not once have I heard my father say "baduy" before I leave for school.


Last October 15th, I made an experiment. I tried to dress up. WCC faculty and staff were required to wear modern semi-formal clothes and since I was not sure what that was, I rummage my closet and looked for at least a decent one. One simple dress. I swear, that was the only thing I had in mind. Why? I don't usually wear dresses. I avoid wearing one when I can help it. My point was since nobody had seen me wear a dress before, it would be something big.


Here is a photo of a sketch I had done the day before the concert.

Here is how it actually looked like :

with Ms. Anna Marigondon, my seatmate

I was quite satisfied with my clothes that night. Russ and his mom said that I should often sport the same fashion. I did not entirely agree with them because I thought if I would use the same style again and again, it would not be so surprising anymore. 

What do you think?

being innovative and all

Ms. Agustin with some of the students

To conclude the semester, WCC Caloocan English Department came up with an online exam for Communication Skills 1 last Oct 17th. Students needed to to go to what we call "Star Cafe" which by the way serves as an in-school Starbucks where students can use computers, drink beverages and eat sweets.

The kids were not to eat there however since the online exam had a time-limit. They needed to register before taking the exams, log-in, answer all of the items, and leave the Cafe. The scores would be directed to the page of the testmaker. And voila! Stress-free results.


Aside from the problem with the internet connection, the exam went on pretty well. Of course, it was difficult since the proctors had to be in the testing area the entire day. Ms. Agustin in particular had only slept a wink the night before because she had to finish the test.


At least we can say that the success of launching and administering the test was a already a reward. After all these, we could sleep peacefully. I remember Mrs. Brenda Ong from CKSC High School English Department , who had taught me that the more difficult the exam is made, the easier it is to check. This online exam is one of the best examples.


Congratulations to WCC-Caloocan College of Education, Department of English, Mr. Xyviel Edeson A. Beredo, Ms. Abigail V. Agustin, and yep, yours truly, me. 


Job well done.

*Oh, I do love rewarding myself with praises after accomplishing a remarkable feat. Uhuh, you might wanna try doing it too, one of these days.

1st sem

I will definitely miss the classes I have handled for my 1st semester of teaching here in WCC. I want to express my appreciation to those people who have complied to my requirements, standards, and expectations. I may have had stubborn students but they are nothing compared to those who have given their best. The names of those outstanding people are already stored in my memory; the rest, I have let the trash take them. Congratulations and see you next semester.

smurfy time

We have tried to motivate each other into seeing movies together. There was once when we were walking in the mall when I suddenly thought of seeing a movie but he refused, saying that he could easily get a good copy of any movie that I would want to see. Then came a time that he wanted to see a movie using his computer(if my memory serves me right, it's X-men Origins) and I kept on bothering him about my netbook.

In short, our attempts were utter failure (otherwise they wouldn't be called attempts anymore).

Last Friday was an exemption. The two of us plus his mom and grandmother saw a movie in his house. Guess what the movie is...Smurfs.

I therefore conclude that Smurfs united us as one. :P

seat greed

Yesterday morning, a stout woman and her 'daughter' attempted to bully me. Attempted because it is not like I will let any person bully me. I found the incident foolish. Why? She was fighting for a seat. God. A seat.

By the time I had arrived in the 'fx' terminal, a van to Monumento came. I opened the door of the passenger seat and as I was about to aboard the van, this lady with a very shrill voice shrieked at me, "Miss, dyan kamEEEEEE. Nagpahuli nga kami para makaskay jan eh." (Miss, that's our seat . We have stayed behind so we can sit there."

All the while I was thinking why she was telling those things to me so my answer was, "Ano naman ngayon?"

She hit the ceiling. Hehe.  "Anong 'ano ngayon'? Kaya nga kmi nagpahuli ksi jan kmi uupo!" Sheesh. Practically the same lines?

Realizing that it was her way of saying it more than what she was trying to say that irritated me so much, I couldn't hold my temper much longer. "My gosh woman, you're fighting with me over a seat? Unsophisticated, uneducated, unlearned!" With my dignity intact, I sat at the back.

I thought she was about to retort again. Good thing she never did. I had prepared a speech for her telling her that she acted like a street vendor and I don't fight with street vendors who just had their first chance to sit in a van.

Goodness. Some commuters ought to remember that if they are willing to kill for a seat, not all people are like them. I for an example won’t waste my time and my pride arguing for a well-used seat.  Give me a golden seat worth a million and probably I will change my mind.

confessions of an ugly stepsister... the beginning.

When we grow up, we learn

that it’s far more common for human beings to turn into rats

I think  I have mentioned once that I choose contemporary books for light reading along side a very boring one. This way I can read two stories at the same time, finish one eventually if the other proves to be one for a person who doesn't do anything but read in his life. That is what I am doing right now. It has been a month since I have written that heart-wrenching thing about Hawthorne's novel. Until now I haven't finished the book. I have moved a couple of chapters though but I am still a loooooooooong way from finishing it. In fact, I am not even half-way through it.

What I am about to finish is the other novel, Magguire's Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. I have only started reading days ago when epiphany has dawned to me that it is stupid to bring a novel no matter how thick it is if I am not to read it. I have left The House of the Seven Gables at home and downloaded an ebook from my netbook and read the copy through my phone. This makes everything lighter and easier since I often look at my cellphone anyway.

As of the moment, the book hasn't gone below my expectations. In fact, it continues to amuse me with its charming descriptions and unpredictable story-line. Okay, that is waaay exaggerated. Since the novel is a "fanfiction" of a famous fairy tale "Cinderella," I already have a clue of what is going to happen. However, the creativity of the writer sifts pieces of ideas together and forms a plot that stands on its own--I am thinking of appropriately making a book review about it.

My goal is to finish it within two days. I still have to squeeze reading in my busy schedule. In school, I have my classes. At home, I mind the grades, papers to check, and my unfinished cross stitch. Besides, I also spend good time with my boyfriend or friends. How do I read? I only maximize the benefits of traffic by reading my ebook while aboard the cab.

I am not expecting a happy ending from the book. I only want to be satisfied with it and find myself having a happy ending by finishing it.

Unlocking "The House of Seven Gables"

 As an English teacher, I  am aware that I have to update myself with new vocabulary, sentence structures and writing styles which any reading material can cater. I have to be not only a page away from my students but if possible, a library away . So here I am, trying to catch up on my reading and Nathaniel Hawthorne doesn't make it any easier.

 Yes, Hawthorne is such a pain. I was half-way through his Scarlet Letter last summer but I threw the book away from my sight after being stuck in a chapter for three weeks. Usually, three weeks is enough for me to finish three to four novels considering that I have a full time job and most importantly I have a life to live apart from reading.  However, there I was, flanked by Hawthorne's descriptive paragraphs for three boring weeks that I finally came to a conclusion that I was not ready yet for Scarlet Letter.

Being a very stubborn woman, and a competitive one if I may say (I do  love competing against myself by the way) I have given myself another attempt to finish one classic, and yes, it's Hawthorne's. It is the renowned The House of Seven Gables. Yup it's a classic and yes, it's pretty boring with all those 5-word adjectives per noun and right you are that I am out of my mind trying to finish this book. What can I do? The book seems to be innocent, easy to read as it appears so thin. It is even thinner than Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring, which I have read three times without cheating myself, yet I find myself drowned in the author's pool of words. I think I will still be able to finish another novel side by side reading this boring one.

What should I do then, given this hurdle? I will try my best until the author and his work have sapped all of the energy and motivation from me. I will then give my humble opinion and my unbiased judgment after finishing the book. I will never surrender without a fight. After all, this is not the first boring book I have ever read, or tried to.

cheater

I believe that beautiful girls don't cheat. It takes craning of the neck, widening of eyes and dislocating a vertebrae to cheat and these three don't contribute in making a girl beautiful. Habitual doing of one thing makes it permanent or if not, almost close to it. If a girl has started cheating since first grade, it is almost impossible for her to remove cheating from her system, therefore impossible to stop herself from craning her neck, widening her eyes, and abusing  her spinal column to extend to the left, or right side. It will not be a wonder if she'll grow old disfigured. Pity.

pink?!

That my nails needed polishing had not come across my mind until yesterday. I was walking along the winding isle of the Novaliches Bagumbong Market when I saw a stall selling nail polishes of out-of-this-world colors (in the Philippines, that is, since the colors are I think common in Korea). I then looked at my nails and I saw my left thumb nail begging to be polished as it still had the remnants of the last nail color which was silver that I had put on two months ago. Yup. I definitely had to buy a new color.

I bought the color that I thought was good for my skin tone and my current profession (I still am not sure how the college will take it once a teacher uses black nail polish so I restrain myself until I am sure enough that I am not putting a toe--or finger nails--out of the line). First look, it was peach-pink, just exactly what I was looking for because it was bright  enough to be spunky yet not too loud to be distracting.

Upon applying it this morning I have realized that the color looks pretty in the bottle but it doesn't look that adorable on my nails. It looks like old-rose pink, not even a hint of peach that I have been looking for. It's cute, yep. That's it. I guess it is what to be expected from a cheap nail paint--yes, you've read that right, paint as it looks like a paint on my fingers and it smells like one too.

Conclusion? Since I have polished my nails again, I can't see the point of trying to remove the color anymore. I will just have to stick to it as long as it sticks to my finger tips. After that, I can buy another nail polish and have my vengeance. heheh. 

endurance vs. patience

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He's the cause of my emotional disturbance. Having a relationship with him is like riding a roller coaster every day. One day I feel neglected. The next day, he makes me feel special. One afternoon he makes me angry without knowing. The next day he assures that he's taking things seriously despite his facade. It can be irritating at times. But I am beginning to see that I've been blessed to feel so much emotion. That though everything is topsy-turvy, I am moving—heading toward a direction. And I am not alone.

he said im pretty in this one.

a personal favorite. it's our first sweet picture

playing. hahah

you'd think that he's the serious one...wrong. ehehhe

sheesh. goofy selves again

because we're just this happy together

wasaaaaaaaaaak!!!

I will not endure him. Endurance is something I have when I am forced to do things I don't like. So I won't endure. I'll be patient instead. I pray that goes for him too.

my chipmunk and I

Some students don't know what they want. When you give them a lecture they don't listen. When you give them group activities, they say "again?" When you give them individual activities, they don't comply to your standards. Well guess what. My best way to teach them? Teach them how I like to be taught. At least I know what I want. Heheh.

WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD NOT DO IN GROUP REPORTS

1. Forget the group's index card-students taking up CS and EOC under my supervision know that I put their group grades in their respective index cards. These cards are my sole basis for computation of group recitation. NO INDEX CARD NO GRADE
2. Make fools of themselves by not showing mastery of the assigned topics-What is the report for if students only read their visual materials or handouts?
Who would want to listen to a discussion that is purely lifted from a textbook? This is one of the sins students commit in class. They are obviously not prepared for the report. They try to mask it by downloading things from the net 1 hour before the presentation. And it's all sugar-coated laziness.
3. Use visual materials that are hastily made--Teachers don't usually ask students to report immediately. I, for one, give students time to prepare from 15 minutes to one month. I abhor it when students given ample time to prepare present pieces of bond paper with undecipherable handwriting, post them on the board and force their classmates to follow what they are reporting.
4. Use crumpled pieces of paper as guides for reporting--crumpled paper goes to the trash. I haven't found someone educated who likes keeping trash in his or her bag for eons of years. If ever I would meet someone like that I am sure I would not like him or her…just a random thought. Point is, students who use crumpled paper look like beggars to me, I am sorry for the harsh word, and they don't have a space in my classroom. Wake up everyone.

Teachers have three reasons for assigning group reports:
1. To ensure that students also study on their own--some students don't study unless teachers tell them
2. For variation of discussions--some students get bored when teachers always discuss. And they don't listen. That's a fact.
3. For students to PREPARE--which is easier: an impromptu graded recitation or prepared report where they can be assured of getting good grades if they do their jobs right?
4. For students to practice exuding confidence(from sir Gozun)--"Students won't stay in classrooms forever. After graduating they will be talking to different kinds of people and the best preparation that they can have is speaking in class," Mr Simon Gozun shares. Need I say more?

Whether students believe it or not, teachers don't make grades. We only calculate. How in the world will we calculate from nothing? Sorry, I won't make an effort going to a different dimension just to look for floating figures. Besides I don't have the passport to go to another galaxy. If students don't comply to my standards then I guess I will keep on getting angry…but of course I have to stop somewhere. Yup, I consider zero as my period. Peace.

battle gear on

My CRIM1C students haven't  failed in exceeding my expectations and I hope they would keep it up until the end of the semester. I'll be even happier if they'll maintain their good performance until they finish their course in WCC. Also, I hope by their example, they'll be able to inspire and motivate students, criminology students or not, to do well in class. Full steam ahead, crim1c.

Proud of my criminology1C Snipers. 

so many questions

What does he see

what do I see

Why can't he shave his goatee off

why can't I let it be

Why do I always wear my hair down

why does he make an issue out of it

Do we have large noses

are his eyes more beautiful than mine

will we be having a more serious photo than this

so many questions yet the answers are so few.

I am reminded of side-A's song and I guess it will keep playing in my head for quite some time. a little bit of "head over feet" or "collide" somewhere. 

the clown

Time is too short for us. Sometimes everything is clear. Sometimes it's a puzzle.
And just because I don't like being confused...
I am taking a break...
and start being a half-masked clown again. peace. hahah

so much for june

add ons (they give my life a certain twist):

new workplace

new team

new family

new perspective

new relationship