Monday news

I still have the EPCOT photos to upload but maybe I will do it after this post. It's Monday and already, I have thrown some concerns behind my back, well, with a new major one in front of me now---but yes, I'm thankful that my observation is over.

I did not really stress so much about it. I mean, it's expected in my job. On my 10th year of teaching and I still get observed twice in a year---so, it's not really new. Although, there's a twist with teaching here. I have to think and speak English---and to be honest, there were several points in my class today (and several times before) that I got stuck with what to say next. It's when I want to elaborate or simplify what I am trying to teach that I experience this. My train of thoughts is just there, but finding the words that my students use or trying to explain the lesson in a context that they'd understand, has been difficult for me.

On top of that, there's these instructional jargons that I've been studying, but since I never use these words while I was learning/teaching back home in the Philippines, sometimes I still get mixed up. These words are not new to me---they're just used in a way that I did not.

So anyway, I finished the whole thing. I don't know if the AP saw my difficulty but I guess I breezed through the whole thing. I'm a teacher. I know what to do. What I do may not be perfect but these two things I am sure: I cut the lesson across and at the same time, I'm able to teach my students some values. Today, I continued teaching them the value of eye-contact; how important it is to show the person talking that he/she being listened to and respected; how eye-contact can be a measure whether the person is truthful or not. I repeatedly pointed out the value of respect and self-control. This attempt is merely a jiff of what I use teach back hom,e but I will continue to do this, because I can see in the eyes of my students that they're just waiting for some adults to help them exercise what's good inside each of them.

Knowing that my 'success' today is not on my credit only, I bought a Carvel ice cream for Alvin & JB. I asked them to pray for me before I left this morning & I knew that God heard their prayers. When I arrived home, I learned that JB has developed a fever. We're praying now coz there's 2 wintry forecast ahead. Starting tonight, there will be snow showers until tomorrow---and strong winds starting tomorrow too---which means that it's going to be terribly cold---snow and wind? A totally chilly combination! So, we hope and pray that JB will get well soon to stay healthy in this cold condition.

Too much for Monday news huh?

A Disney World Vacation review

With a lot of paper work for IEP meetings, formal class observation by my AP on Monday & upcoming Parent-Teacher conference by middle of next week, I still find time to squeeze this.
I intended for the whole thing to be a surprise for Alvin & JB. I told them other things about where we were going that weekend. I premeditated the whole thing---the budget, the dates, the flights, the hotel...everything. The whole thing was threatened to be canceled with the news of my sister from home. Two days before the day, I received news that she was getting better and was ready to discharge from the hospital, so I took that as a sign to pursue the trip.

I'd like this post to be informative especially for those who are planning to go to Orlando's Disney World. So, here are the things I've learned:

Booking the trip: I booked the trip online. It took me two months to wait for the right time and price. I studied the itirenaries & picked the one I liked. Tip: Don't be hasty when booking online. I'm not sure if I'm right, but I've noticed that prices seem to be lower on Sunday evenings and depending on what season you wanna go---low, regular or peak---prices will surely vary. Personally, I'll wait for low price season, after all, I think that good vacations need not drill a hole our family pocket.

Flights: I've realized that flight hours for de luxe vacation packages are not in the best interest of the customers but I'm not complaining coz it's expected. There's always a price that's $100+ per person to fly daytime that allows restful sleep.=) For this trip, we flew Jet Blue.

Orlando airport

Walt Disney Resort: We stayed inside Walt Disney World to save on time & to enjoy what they have to offer. What Alvin and I were so impressed with, was that there was almost no waiting time for the buses from the resort to the theme parks. And the monorails? We rode it again and again! The monorail connects the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT & 3 prime resorts.

The Grand Floridian resort's view from the monorail. Has an aura of Plantation Bay, Mactan.

Transportation was 100% hassle free! We were highly pleased with Disney's excellent service! From the airport, we took the Magic Express Coach bus straight to the resort.

The resort was very clean & attractive & accessible. The pools? Excellent! Our room was more than good enough for us, considering that we will be out the whole day anyway. I would highly recommend staying in a Disney resort for reasons that one will appreciate more, when already in Disney World.
The All Star Music resort.

Theme Parks: We visited only two theme parks out of the numerous parks inside Walt Disney World. I think it is smart to plan ahead like schedule where you want to be in the park for the whole day. It is best to visit the theme parks on low season, so time is not wasted waiting in line for the rides. While most of the people who go to DW plan to visit all the parks in one vacation, we were decided on leaving out the other parks for a reason to go back. =) Besides, the parks are so expensive. For three of us, it cost us $233-each park. I paid a ballpark estimate of $500 for the 2 parks. We were content to visit Magic Kingdom & EPCOT this time.

Magic Kingdom

How lucky could one get? We were there to witness the first lighting of the castle for Christmas!

My Youniverse

Aborted wintry forecast

There were two snow/showers forecast for next week. I started feeling bad about it because it means no more bike rides nor park jogs for me (until the roads are dry). Alvin & I prayed for a better weather before we went to sleep and thanks God, by today the wintry forecasts are gone! However, I expect some snow flurrries by the start of Thanksgiving week---which is more than a week from now. My first real snow last year was right after Thanksgiving.

Looks like the trip to Massachussetss will be a chilly one! =)

*Ahh, yes, I have not mentioned---it's already chilly cold up here in NJ to Upper Manhattan. We're starting to wear in triple layers---underclothes, regular clothes & thick winter jackets. But we're still watching the forecast coz a 50 degrees can feel like 60 under this thick heavy clouds. I hate dripping with sweat under my bulky cover ups. Maka-crazy!

Back from Walt Disney World