Fourth of July

Why celebrate one when it's possible to celebrate two? Happy Independence Day! =)

Sweet

Our work ethics handbook clearly states that no teacher may accept any favor or gifts from the students nor their parents. We make that clear to the students because we don't want to hurt their feelings by turning down or refusing them when they are already on the act of handing it to us. They understand that and they've figured a way. They don't give us anything but they leave us something on the last day of school! Smart, huh.

I was going over things that I wanted to move to my classroom for next year, when I noticed a bunch of paper bags at the corner of our classroom where I usually place my water bottle. I went over to check and found out that my students left me flowers, dainty scarves, spa set and boxes and boxes of chocolates (truffles!). There was just no way I could return them because they weren't around anymore...and also, they've turned tricky...they did not put their names on the bags so I wouldn't figure who it's from!

I couldn't help but smile. I know my students are sweet despite the way they are. They're just kids; they play around but they also appreciate (and yearn) affection. I wish there was more appreciating, hugging and just carefree moments with them---but there wasn't. Not that it's not allowed or there was no time---it's difficult to explain---it's simply just not possible.

I will surely miss them specially because I won't have them anymore after two years. I'm moving on to the little first graders next year. My next school year partner informed me that we will be going in snail pace...but I'm good with that. I'm up for going slow!

Wish granted!

Student: "Ms. Abarquez, is it going to rain today?" skeptical while staring at my rain boots.
Me: "Well, I read online severe thunderstorm this afternoon..." defensive...just then, the sun shines thru the cloudy skies. Dang! Can anybody just hand me flip-flops?

I was drenched with sweat from head to toe this morning as we were trying to have a year end party of chips and juice. No parting tears for this class because up until the last day of school they were still bickering and shoving eachother. I must have repeated myself a thousand times this year, telling them not to put their hands on their classmates---but they still did---up to the last day of school! I wish they just hug eachother, not hurt with their hands. As their teacher, I am very concerned that they only think of their arms and hands for hurting others and not for giving comfort. Yeah, they do try to hug for comfort, but the frequency of hurting others is like 60% versus 40%.

Anyway, so that stress add up to the sweating and they think it was the rain boots that was keeping me warm! But who's to blame for the rain boots? I was just wearing them. I was so convinced that my wish to have a temperate weather, up to the last day of school is granted, up until that moment they asked me.

Really, it has been a fine weather for the whole month of June. This has been very helpful in terms of keeping the class. The school secretary visited us today and commented that amongst the classes, ours has the most numbers of students present. Oh yeah, our students love us---my partner and I---they probably love hearing our voice all day long for the whole school year! Now, the worst....and actually some best parts of the year is over. I have to admit, I love our students no matter how they drive me insane with their endless "Ms. Abarquez (5x)!" each time they call me. Despite everything, I am proud and happy that most of them did well in the statewide and city tests. The number one in rank for our class is a student I give service to as Special Ed teacher. He is really brilliant, he just needs extra help with focusing and his anger management.

So the school year is over and I am happy that I have survived. I gave myself a gift for doing well this year---a touch screen phone. Not the iPhone coz I really just can't shell out $30 for data usage. It's just a phone which is a little bit fancier than my $5 current phone.

Successful CTT, good test scores, Satisfactory rating, nice colleagues and a fine weather for a meaningful schoolyear---it's a wish granted!

Cross training

I am not actually training for anything now but I guess that's the correct term for what I wanna talk about.

I felt bad when I learned that I could no longer swim. I lost access to the gym with underground pool. I know it's summer and there are open ground pools but you know, having that indoor pool gives me a promise of year-round swimming, at any time I want---but I lost it. I don't know if my partner still wants to continue, but at the rate of $3,000, it's unbelievably expensive! The whole thing just made me wish that we were living in Roosevelt Island...

Anyway, prior to my lost access, I was able to swim, run and spin twice a week. In a matter of 3 weeks, my leg muscles have noticeably grown stronger, consequently increasing my leg endurance. This is the reason why I want to keep swimming when I start running 5Ks. When I swim, I'm able to endure 5ks and spin for 45minutes or more. Swimming gives me that leg power without the stress of spinning or running. When I get out of water to spin or run, it feels so light that I can just keep going---showing that it builds endurance!

So, to people out there who are concern with increasing their endurance, start cross training to build those muscles without straining the same muscle groups.Goodluck!

TOSP Batch 1999 Tenth Year Reunion

The Outstanding Students of the Philippines Alumni Night this June 29th is actually for all the members of the community, however since it's 10 years after we graduated college, my batch is considering it as our 10th year reunion in a way.

I may not be able to attend this but still I am so excited that we're actually celebrating 10 years! Hmmm...will someone please send me my ID? I'm a proud lifetime member!*wink* What makes it even more special is that the community is growing and there'll be batches who will also be celebrating their 10th year in the near future.

To all alumni out there, you are all cordially invited to this special night:
TOSP Alumni Night
June 29, 2009, Monday
7:00pm
Banahaw Hall, Legend Villas
Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong
Metro Manila

Please contact Darlene or Prim