The Ocean of My Being

I have been teaching here in MSU for almost a year now (exactly one year in June) and I’d like to say that I have truly enjoyed the whole year. I have learned so much, not only about myself, but about a whole lot of things as well. I’ve tried so many things. There are so many things that I have come to realize. And, I know that there is still a whole lot more that I am going to learn and realize. One very important realization I've had is the fact that teaching really is it for me. It’s when I’m teaching that I feel I am at my best. I always enjoy teaching, even if it sometimes gives me migraine attacks. There was even one time in one of my last period classes that I had the worst migraine attack and so while I was explaining the use of conjunctions and transition words, tears were falling down my face. I couldn’t stop the tears as it felt like my head was really about to explode! I continued and my students could only stare at me in shock! Hehe:) Oh, but t...

It was my 27th birthday last Friday ( the 23rd ). It was a really good day for me. We started the day by jogging around the MSU Oval . We planned to start at 5:30 in the morning (that's the usual time MSUans start jogging), but we woke up at around 5:40. The sun was already up and my mom was teasing us about being too late. We still went. It was really fun. I loved how my day got off to a healthy start. Hehehe:) In the afternoon, we had the Ode to the Meranao: A Poetry Concert . We pulled a very good show despite the fact that the audience was much less than we expected. I felt really proud of my kids as each one of them read their pieces. My mind travelled back to the time when I was one of the readers and I'd feel so proud reading for my people. It was such a great feeling and I'd like to think that my readers also felt the same pride. In our own little way, we wanted to infect others with the love and the pride we have for our place, our lake, our people. ...

I just came from my Saturday classes and I suddenly felt the urge to blog, and so I am here! I am supposed to be in a meeting right now, but the venue was still closed when I checked a while ago. It's either I was too early or the meeting got cancelled without me knowing it! So, anyway, I am thankful for whatever the reason was because it gave me a chance to go to the nearest Internet Center and see what's been going on around the Cyberworld. :) As always, a lot of things have happened since I last blogged. I was in Manila for a few days. I went there to look for a book in UP and to attend my Mami Che's (and Dadi Albert) wedding. I had a wonderful time. I saw many of my friends. I saw UP. I actually stayed at IC (the dorm I used to stay in). I was able to do some of the things I loved to do when I was still there. I got to walk around UP a lot. I got to eat at the restos I was a regular in. I stayed only for four days (too short), but I had fun. And, the weddin...

When somebody I know dies, I'm usually affected a huge deal. Especially if death takes away someone important and special. It makes me so sad that it usually takes a long time before I finally get over it. People would say, " Life must go on... just be strong. We will all die, anyway. All of us will someday go "there," too. They just went ahead. " Sure, I understand that. I know that we will all eventually die and that life, for us, living, must go on. I know that. But, that doesn't change the fact that for the rest of my remaining years on earth, I will never see the departed one's smile. I will never hear his/her laugh and voice. I will never feel their gentle touch. That fact alone depresses me to no end. Two nights ago, my parents and brother came home very sad. They told us (me and my sister) that Mommy Rosie (our dad's first wife) had just passed away. I could only whisper a prayer and, for a few minutes, stare at nothing in particular. After p...

I am so mad at myself right now! Every single time my big, bad, stupid mouth works against me, I promise myself that I will never allow my mouth to get the better of me again! I always promise myself that I will always be careful not to say anything that might cause any person to think badly of another person. I don't know, but I just never seem to be able to keep my promise! And, I do try! I swear I do! The last time I had a problem with my big mouth, I was so disappointed with myself that I didn't know what to do or what to think. A friend of mine misunderstood something I said and took it against another friend. It was an honest comment/opinion. I never meant for things to go bad. Because of a little comment that I made about something I was asked about, two friends of mine almost had a fight! With that still fresh in my mind, you'd think I've learned my lesson, right? Oh, but no! I recently mentioned a favor a colleague asked of me to a very good friend of...

Oh-kay! My semester is officially over. I submitted my grades last Monday. It was a wonderful semester. I was so busy that I could barely take time to breathe, but it was a fun-filled semester for me. I am just hoping that my students won't forget the things we learned in our classes. I, too, learned a lot. I learned a lot from my students and I learned a lot about myself. There were many things that I didn't think I could handle, but I was able to. I believe that every single day that passed these past months made me stronger. And, I have teaching to thank for that! When people found out that I was going to teach, some were happy and some disappointed, even horrified! - "Wow! That's great! You'll make a good teacher!" - "Hay, kailangan ng kabataan natin ang mga tulad mo! It's good that you decided to teach!" (Oh, our youth need people like you!) - "Ay, teacher lang?! Sayang naman ang utak mong 'yan!" (A teacher?...

Hello everyone! I have been so busy these past weeks that I just haven't had the time to go visit any of the Net centers here. Mid-August up to the first half of September totally flew with me hardly noticing the days and time. I had so many things to do and I feel that that period had basically been my baptism of fire at the Department. Whew! I will write about everything... soon. I just wanted ro say hi to everyone. Hehehe:) Oh, and Ramadhan has once again come. Ramadhan kareem!

I am down. I am very sad. No, this has nothing to do with my current job. My sadness is a result of some things that have been going on in the world of football/soccer. In all the years that I've been a soccer fan, this is one of my lowest points. First, the French (my team) lost in their World Cup Championship Game against the Italians. I was sad, but it was okay because I don't really hate the Azzurri (Itlaian team). I really wanted Les Bleus (French team) to win, though. I was actually one of the few who were happy for the French's victory against the Brazilians in the Semi-Finals. Oh, and right now, I have nothing to say about Zidane's "grand exit." Bow. And then, today, I went to the Net Center to check the news about the match-fixing scandal in Italian Football, where my favorite team, Juventus , is a part of. Indeed, the verdict is out. Juve and two other teams ( Lazio and Fiorentina ) are relegated to Serie B (Italy's Second Divisi...

Weeeee! I'm back!!! :) This has been my longest hiatus from the internet world, and I didn't even plan it. I've just been sooo busy that I didn't have time to go visit our internet cafes. I guess I've become so used to having internet access in my own room (like in Manila). And, the schedule of my classes barely leaves me time to breathe. But, I'm enjoying every moment. :) I am now teaching here in MSU. It has always been my dream to be part of the English Department of this university so you can just imagine how happy I was when I got accepted in the Department. The screening was really tough and I can't thank God enough that I actually made it. When the department chairperson gave me the courses and sections I was to be handling, I almost cried. It was one of the happiest moments of my life! It is true that I've taught in this university for years, but I was with the Pre-University Center. Now, I am with my home department . I am exactly wher...

Anj tagged me. Salamat, Anj! :) Simple Pleasures of Life Instructions: Name ten of life’s simple pleasures that you like the most, then pick ten people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used. 1) curling up with a good book 2) feeling the drops of water from the shower as they touch my skin 3) discovering or learning about something new or something that i didn't know a single thing about 4) sitting alone just watching people and/or things around me 5) receiving a letter (snail mail) from friends and family 6) finding a book i've been looking for for the longest time at a book sale (especially if the book's in crisp condition) 7) playing with cats 8) exchanging stories with my sisters and my brothers 9) bonding with my mom and/or my dad 10) having an interesting conversation I tag: Not ten people, but anyone (especially from my Into Blogging section) who takes pleasure in the simple things.