Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Somewhere between things falling in to place and things falling in to place
I think they call it "in limbo". In my case, it's a happy limbo. The uncertainty is still there but for some reason I feel calm. Some people have been talking about taking time while others are pressuring you to take the next step. I'm okay where I am, and when I say that, I'm really sincere that I'm okay where I am.
Things falling in to place covers a lot of aspects in one's life. Top 2 would be career and lovelife. Let's just say, in my case, my dear friend and I had fun dialoguing last weekend.
Things falling in to place covers a lot of aspects in one's life. Top 2 would be career and lovelife. Let's just say, in my case, my dear friend and I had fun dialoguing last weekend.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Selective speed reader
(written on 30 July 2007)
I was able to finish 2 Erma Bombeck books over the past 4 days. My dear friend exclaimed that I am a speed reader. I explained that I read fast when I am reading something that interests me. I don’t expect to finish a 10 chapter novel on a cowboy’s life or a 2 page essay on how stock markets work. It doesn’t interest me. Rowling is a great writer. That’s what her many readers say. She’s already a millionaire and I think that is proof enough. I haven’t read any of her books or Lord of the Rings or Stephen King’s books. They don’t interest me. Classics like Shakespeare’s novels or even some of the famous children’s literary like Charlotte’s Web. Haven’t read them. I have said before that I am amazed on how some people I know and don’t know write so eloquently. And I believe their selection of reading material has greatly contributed to their style of writing. Pardon me…their great style of writing. But I honestly don’t want to force myself to read their selection of books because I want to write well. I want to read what interests me. And what interests me are works of people like Erma Bombeck and Robert Fulghum. What they write is what is true and real. Their stories don’t have wizards with magic spells but they have parents armed with skills in raising kids. Their stories have kids talking tomatoes not tomatoes talking to kids. I relate to their stories. Stories of childhood, maturity, hope, sadness, love. All these told without any pretense. The story as it is with a bonus of finding humor in it. For me, there is no better story to write about than what life is really about. I am so sure a lot of us have a couple of stories that we would want to share to the rest of the world to learn from or be inspired with. I know I have quite a few.
I could imagine that when Erma after reading one of her first few articles to her husband Bill, Bill exclaimed “You’re really a speed writer.” Nope, she just writes fast when what she’s writing interests her.
I was able to finish 2 Erma Bombeck books over the past 4 days. My dear friend exclaimed that I am a speed reader. I explained that I read fast when I am reading something that interests me. I don’t expect to finish a 10 chapter novel on a cowboy’s life or a 2 page essay on how stock markets work. It doesn’t interest me. Rowling is a great writer. That’s what her many readers say. She’s already a millionaire and I think that is proof enough. I haven’t read any of her books or Lord of the Rings or Stephen King’s books. They don’t interest me. Classics like Shakespeare’s novels or even some of the famous children’s literary like Charlotte’s Web. Haven’t read them. I have said before that I am amazed on how some people I know and don’t know write so eloquently. And I believe their selection of reading material has greatly contributed to their style of writing. Pardon me…their great style of writing. But I honestly don’t want to force myself to read their selection of books because I want to write well. I want to read what interests me. And what interests me are works of people like Erma Bombeck and Robert Fulghum. What they write is what is true and real. Their stories don’t have wizards with magic spells but they have parents armed with skills in raising kids. Their stories have kids talking tomatoes not tomatoes talking to kids. I relate to their stories. Stories of childhood, maturity, hope, sadness, love. All these told without any pretense. The story as it is with a bonus of finding humor in it. For me, there is no better story to write about than what life is really about. I am so sure a lot of us have a couple of stories that we would want to share to the rest of the world to learn from or be inspired with. I know I have quite a few.
I could imagine that when Erma after reading one of her first few articles to her husband Bill, Bill exclaimed “You’re really a speed writer.” Nope, she just writes fast when what she’s writing interests her.
How the german goes well with the sun
(written on 30 July 2007)
I would have panicked with the thought of being locked in my room for 4 days. To have no physical contact (most of the time) with any human for more than a day would make you go berserk. But did I go on a temper tantrum when the doctor said I should be in isolation? I didn’t. Well, first of all, I should be responsible enough not to infect the people who have not been vaccinated and has not gotten this sickness. I have German measles. However, the factor that’s top on the list on why I was comfortable to staying in my room for 96 hours is because I have a phone with a sun sim. I just loaded a card good for 5 days (which actually goes for 6 days and I’m grateful for that). My dear friend has a sun line, too. So, now that I’m at the tail end of my hibernation, I am thankful to sun for keeping me sane. Moreover, my dear friend and I have, I think, covered most topics in our phone conversations while we are both recuperating. (He’s not sure if he is infected so he also took a sick leave. But that’s another story.) I may not be able to recall all our conversations later on but I’m so sure I cherished all of them during my sick leave. I have spent almost a thousand on antibiotics but for me the best medicine was the hundred pesos load. And every peso was worth it.
I would have panicked with the thought of being locked in my room for 4 days. To have no physical contact (most of the time) with any human for more than a day would make you go berserk. But did I go on a temper tantrum when the doctor said I should be in isolation? I didn’t. Well, first of all, I should be responsible enough not to infect the people who have not been vaccinated and has not gotten this sickness. I have German measles. However, the factor that’s top on the list on why I was comfortable to staying in my room for 96 hours is because I have a phone with a sun sim. I just loaded a card good for 5 days (which actually goes for 6 days and I’m grateful for that). My dear friend has a sun line, too. So, now that I’m at the tail end of my hibernation, I am thankful to sun for keeping me sane. Moreover, my dear friend and I have, I think, covered most topics in our phone conversations while we are both recuperating. (He’s not sure if he is infected so he also took a sick leave. But that’s another story.) I may not be able to recall all our conversations later on but I’m so sure I cherished all of them during my sick leave. I have spent almost a thousand on antibiotics but for me the best medicine was the hundred pesos load. And every peso was worth it.
What would Erma say?
(written on 30 July 2007)
Last night, I found myself crying over cellphone messages of almost 2 years ago. I was actually reliving it. It takes talent to live the moment but what I have is the knack of living moments past. To actually feel the emotion I felt at that time. I would cry if I did cry 2 years ago. I would really get down to recalling the weather at that time, what I was wearing and whatever small details I need to be really in that moment. And last night, I was on a roll, my creative juices were overflowing. I even set the mood by putting on reflective music. I could have auditioned for the part and would have gotten it. What was scary about this reliving role playing was I felt so sad that I had to call up my dear friend. I had to tell him that I don’t want that moment to happen to me again. He told me to erase the messages. And he dared ask, hypothetically, “What would Erma say?” Oh, no! I know what Mrs. B would say. She would ask permission to use me as an example in one of her articles of how women are emotional. But in the same article she would say that being emotional also makes us endearing. Of course she would write this with so much eloquence.
This morning I just finished reading “Forever, Erma”, a collection of the best of the best of Erma Bombeck’s articles. (In my opinion all her articles are the best of the best.) When I was reading the Tributes, I found myself crying. (Well, it’s not as if I didn't cry reading most of her articles.) You could see how great a humorist she was by the amount of sadness people felt when she passed away. I never got to meet Erma but how I wish I could have at least written her to say how much inspiration she has given me. I may not be an American nor a housewife but her stories and how she writes them really strikes a cord in my heart and in my life. Each story seems to reflect some story of your life that is too good not to be written about. And here was a person who’s actually reliving it for you, writing it down and many readers relating to it.
And so, I cry tears, both tears of joy and tears of happiness. What would Erma say to the fact that I cry when I feel like crying? I’m pretty sure she would say that she’s proud of me.
Last night, I found myself crying over cellphone messages of almost 2 years ago. I was actually reliving it. It takes talent to live the moment but what I have is the knack of living moments past. To actually feel the emotion I felt at that time. I would cry if I did cry 2 years ago. I would really get down to recalling the weather at that time, what I was wearing and whatever small details I need to be really in that moment. And last night, I was on a roll, my creative juices were overflowing. I even set the mood by putting on reflective music. I could have auditioned for the part and would have gotten it. What was scary about this reliving role playing was I felt so sad that I had to call up my dear friend. I had to tell him that I don’t want that moment to happen to me again. He told me to erase the messages. And he dared ask, hypothetically, “What would Erma say?” Oh, no! I know what Mrs. B would say. She would ask permission to use me as an example in one of her articles of how women are emotional. But in the same article she would say that being emotional also makes us endearing. Of course she would write this with so much eloquence.
This morning I just finished reading “Forever, Erma”, a collection of the best of the best of Erma Bombeck’s articles. (In my opinion all her articles are the best of the best.) When I was reading the Tributes, I found myself crying. (Well, it’s not as if I didn't cry reading most of her articles.) You could see how great a humorist she was by the amount of sadness people felt when she passed away. I never got to meet Erma but how I wish I could have at least written her to say how much inspiration she has given me. I may not be an American nor a housewife but her stories and how she writes them really strikes a cord in my heart and in my life. Each story seems to reflect some story of your life that is too good not to be written about. And here was a person who’s actually reliving it for you, writing it down and many readers relating to it.
And so, I cry tears, both tears of joy and tears of happiness. What would Erma say to the fact that I cry when I feel like crying? I’m pretty sure she would say that she’s proud of me.
Viewing my glass
(written on 29 July 2007)
Since being locked up in my room for almost 3 days, I can’t help but think. Not the ordinary what-can-I-today think but more of what’s-been-happening-to-my-life think. I believe I’m one of the luckiest people in the world to have a dear friend whom I have a very dear relationship. It might not be where I want it to be right now but like what someone told me, as long as we are happy together then that’s okay. Is it? I was typing my dear friend’s text messages. This is something we both do. The messages I needed to type date back to a year ago. So, here I was typing away and realizing how far we’ve gone since 12 months ago. The content of his messages weren’t as sweet then. And it made me think about how I was feeling about the whole situation at that time. I still stuck it out with him. You have to give me credit for that. I, actually, stuck out with him. And this is despite other factors in our separate lives at that time. My dear friend would always talk about seeing glasses half full and Lord knows I’ve been trying to do that in my life. If you must know, my life is full of half filled stuff. But with regards to my relationship with my dear friend, I know it can be more than half-filled. Call me a pessimist but I see the empty half of the glass. I focus on that and I get frustrated. I know we can have something better than what we have right now. He loves me and I love him. He knows that and I know that. Who else knows that? That fact alone is the empty half of the glass.
However, I have moments that I am very positive about our future. It is usually during times when we would pester each other, laugh together or joke each other. I savor those moments and I think he does, too.
So, is it possible to have a glass filled to the brim? Give me credit because I believe it is.
Since being locked up in my room for almost 3 days, I can’t help but think. Not the ordinary what-can-I-today think but more of what’s-been-happening-to-my-life think. I believe I’m one of the luckiest people in the world to have a dear friend whom I have a very dear relationship. It might not be where I want it to be right now but like what someone told me, as long as we are happy together then that’s okay. Is it? I was typing my dear friend’s text messages. This is something we both do. The messages I needed to type date back to a year ago. So, here I was typing away and realizing how far we’ve gone since 12 months ago. The content of his messages weren’t as sweet then. And it made me think about how I was feeling about the whole situation at that time. I still stuck it out with him. You have to give me credit for that. I, actually, stuck out with him. And this is despite other factors in our separate lives at that time. My dear friend would always talk about seeing glasses half full and Lord knows I’ve been trying to do that in my life. If you must know, my life is full of half filled stuff. But with regards to my relationship with my dear friend, I know it can be more than half-filled. Call me a pessimist but I see the empty half of the glass. I focus on that and I get frustrated. I know we can have something better than what we have right now. He loves me and I love him. He knows that and I know that. Who else knows that? That fact alone is the empty half of the glass.
However, I have moments that I am very positive about our future. It is usually during times when we would pester each other, laugh together or joke each other. I savor those moments and I think he does, too.
So, is it possible to have a glass filled to the brim? Give me credit because I believe it is.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Trying not to cast the first stone
The reading last Sunday was very apt for what I was feeling that weekend. Well, up to now I am feeling that way. I am inspired by how Jesus was able to handle that situation. He who has not sin, cast the first stone. I believe this is one of the most powerful sentences Jesus has ever uttered.
It is difficult not to feel ill about people who wrong us or wrong people dear to us. Very difficult. I sometimes justify by saying that I have been good so I have every right to get angry. But I know I have not always been good. I know that there are times that I give in to sin. Even if it was a tiny sin, it was still a sin.
I am praying and hoping that I have a balance on how I will handle situations that calls for my patience and understanding. I also pray for people who have done wrong, which includes myself, that we would be aware of how weak we are without God's love. I guess we should also realize that what we need to throw to each other is love in the form of a listening ear, an understanding touch and a forgiving heart.
It is difficult not to feel ill about people who wrong us or wrong people dear to us. Very difficult. I sometimes justify by saying that I have been good so I have every right to get angry. But I know I have not always been good. I know that there are times that I give in to sin. Even if it was a tiny sin, it was still a sin.
I am praying and hoping that I have a balance on how I will handle situations that calls for my patience and understanding. I also pray for people who have done wrong, which includes myself, that we would be aware of how weak we are without God's love. I guess we should also realize that what we need to throw to each other is love in the form of a listening ear, an understanding touch and a forgiving heart.
Monday, March 19, 2007
The trouble with hello
One of the things I miss about being a homeroom adviser is having 40+ kids to know, to talk to, to play with, to understand, to scold (if needed) and to learn from. On every last day of the school year of each and every homeroom class I have had I remember being very emotional and teary eyed. As the last of my students step out the room, the sadness I feel is so great that it almost feels like I’m already a mother losing her child. Ironically, it’s one of the feelings that I wouldn’t exchange for anything in the world.
I find myself, a lot of times, questioning the ‘hellos’ in my life. Meeting a new friend, being close to my family, having a commitment with a special someone and of course, having all 6 of my homeroom classes. I question why I need to meet them, to grow close to them, learn to love them and enjoy being with them and then one day loose them. Loose them because they have a new girlfriend, or they have to move to the next grade level or they have to go to another place, earth and beyond earth. It’s really difficult to loose someone. And I always ask Him why these things happen. Answers don’t come in quick, enlightening moments. I hear stories, I read the gospel, or a dear friend tells me something that gives me hope.
Helena, one of my former counselees, went to my office this morning and was telling me that she was going to miss me. I am going to miss her, too. You see, today is the last day of school. I told her I’ll see her on April 11 when she and her mom gets her report card. She and I are looking forward to that.
This morning, my dear friend left (again) for Cagayan de Oro. He is not in the habit of saying goodbye. He always say, “I’ll see you soon”. I like hearing that and I like the feeling that comes when I hear that.
Maybe all my hellos seem to end with goodbyes but in the end, when we’re in that special place He has set for us, I know saying hello wouldn’t be trouble at all.
I find myself, a lot of times, questioning the ‘hellos’ in my life. Meeting a new friend, being close to my family, having a commitment with a special someone and of course, having all 6 of my homeroom classes. I question why I need to meet them, to grow close to them, learn to love them and enjoy being with them and then one day loose them. Loose them because they have a new girlfriend, or they have to move to the next grade level or they have to go to another place, earth and beyond earth. It’s really difficult to loose someone. And I always ask Him why these things happen. Answers don’t come in quick, enlightening moments. I hear stories, I read the gospel, or a dear friend tells me something that gives me hope.
Helena, one of my former counselees, went to my office this morning and was telling me that she was going to miss me. I am going to miss her, too. You see, today is the last day of school. I told her I’ll see her on April 11 when she and her mom gets her report card. She and I are looking forward to that.
This morning, my dear friend left (again) for Cagayan de Oro. He is not in the habit of saying goodbye. He always say, “I’ll see you soon”. I like hearing that and I like the feeling that comes when I hear that.
Maybe all my hellos seem to end with goodbyes but in the end, when we’re in that special place He has set for us, I know saying hello wouldn’t be trouble at all.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Good job
On moments that I am either very busy at work or I find my work too clerical, I find myself staring in to space and imagining what I would want to do for a day. Just for a day, what work would I want to do?
All of us are gifted with some kind of talent or skill or passion. Some of these talents, skills or passions may be in us for a lifetime and some might just be good for a day. Well, actually, I am not really sure about this opinion of mine. I am saying it on the context of what job I would want for a day because I may not last for more than 24 hours.
Let’s enumerate these good-for-24-hours-jobs (at least for myself):
1)Car washer – I enjoy watching the boys at the car wash when they clean my car. I find myself smiling because I like washing my car and I know I do it well also. Would I want to wash other people’s cars? I think I would but again I might just do it for a day.
2)Photocopy shop worker – I would want to photocopy, laminate, ring/wire bind books. I think I have the skill to do these efficiently. Again, I'm not sure if I would want to be exposed for more than 24 hours to those lights of photocopying machines.
3)Classroom bulletin board decorator – I was a homeroom adviser for about 5 years and I enjoy conceptualizing and decorating bulletin boards. I am waiting for any of my friends to ask me to decorate their bulletin boards. But again, after doing it, it’s up to the homeroom adviser to update her/his bulletin board.
As of now, these are the jobs I would want to do for a day.
Funny thing happened to me yesterday. I was buying some snacks our school would need for loot bags to be given during our outreach this morning. I was at cashier in the grocery when the lady at the cashier noticed that I lacked 1 pack of marshmallows (she knew I needed 50 packs). So I looked at the bagger and requested him if he could get 1 more pack of it inside the grocery. I even told him exactly where it is. As soon as he left, the lady at the cashier told me that the boy is not working at the grocery as an employee but he is working as part of his immersion for school. He is from Ateneo University and as part of their college life they should have some kind of immersion and he chose to be a bagger at Shoppersville. I did feel embarrassed because it seems that what I asked of him is not part of his immersion. Which led me to think about the immersion program of Ateneo. Are there limits to what comes with his ‘job’? Should he be given special treatment because he’s not being paid to do this? Good thing was, after only several questions in my head, the boy came back with the extra pack that I needed. He had a smile on his face which I think is a sign that he’s okay with what was asked of him to do. It may be a humbling experience for him. I am so sure, in the long run all that he's experiencing, including what I asked him to do, would benefit on how he views people in different jobs.
So, next time I have those staring moments, I should consider the benefits of having those so called good-for-24-hours-jobs. I think I may even add some more on the list. Maybe one of them may be good-for-a-lifetime. It might be another career change for me.
All of us are gifted with some kind of talent or skill or passion. Some of these talents, skills or passions may be in us for a lifetime and some might just be good for a day. Well, actually, I am not really sure about this opinion of mine. I am saying it on the context of what job I would want for a day because I may not last for more than 24 hours.
Let’s enumerate these good-for-24-hours-jobs (at least for myself):
1)Car washer – I enjoy watching the boys at the car wash when they clean my car. I find myself smiling because I like washing my car and I know I do it well also. Would I want to wash other people’s cars? I think I would but again I might just do it for a day.
2)Photocopy shop worker – I would want to photocopy, laminate, ring/wire bind books. I think I have the skill to do these efficiently. Again, I'm not sure if I would want to be exposed for more than 24 hours to those lights of photocopying machines.
3)Classroom bulletin board decorator – I was a homeroom adviser for about 5 years and I enjoy conceptualizing and decorating bulletin boards. I am waiting for any of my friends to ask me to decorate their bulletin boards. But again, after doing it, it’s up to the homeroom adviser to update her/his bulletin board.
As of now, these are the jobs I would want to do for a day.
Funny thing happened to me yesterday. I was buying some snacks our school would need for loot bags to be given during our outreach this morning. I was at cashier in the grocery when the lady at the cashier noticed that I lacked 1 pack of marshmallows (she knew I needed 50 packs). So I looked at the bagger and requested him if he could get 1 more pack of it inside the grocery. I even told him exactly where it is. As soon as he left, the lady at the cashier told me that the boy is not working at the grocery as an employee but he is working as part of his immersion for school. He is from Ateneo University and as part of their college life they should have some kind of immersion and he chose to be a bagger at Shoppersville. I did feel embarrassed because it seems that what I asked of him is not part of his immersion. Which led me to think about the immersion program of Ateneo. Are there limits to what comes with his ‘job’? Should he be given special treatment because he’s not being paid to do this? Good thing was, after only several questions in my head, the boy came back with the extra pack that I needed. He had a smile on his face which I think is a sign that he’s okay with what was asked of him to do. It may be a humbling experience for him. I am so sure, in the long run all that he's experiencing, including what I asked him to do, would benefit on how he views people in different jobs.
So, next time I have those staring moments, I should consider the benefits of having those so called good-for-24-hours-jobs. I think I may even add some more on the list. Maybe one of them may be good-for-a-lifetime. It might be another career change for me.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
On love being blind
Seen on the front page of a newspaper last February 14: Love is blind for 70% of Filipinos. I didn't read the article but I could imagine it talks about how we (or at least 70% of us) are suckers for love. So, are we? And if we are, what’s wrong with that?
I am no expert in love. I’ve had a few boyfriends and I can honestly say I did love each one of them. Yes, I’ve gone through that phase wherein I see beyond my boyfriend’s quirks and inadequacies. And, in one way or another, all of them had their share. I also accept the fact (and dear Lord, I hope this is a fact) that they also went through this phase with me. Obviously, I also have quirks and inadequacies.
My dear friend told me about this stand-up routine he heard. The comedian was talking about couples who claim that they’re so alike with each other. “What’s with that?!,” he said. At first I had to do a self-check. I might be guilty of such an outlook (in any of my past relationships). Maybe in a way I was, in my first 2 or 3 relationships. With the last one, not really. I say not really because we became friends first so it's understood that we are alike in a lot of ways. Or more alike compared to couples who didn't start of as friends. After doing a self-check, I realized how often this is indeed true for a lot of couples. And I don’t blame them. Who wouldn't want to end up with someone so much like them? Well, I guess this is so true for people who are told they are great persons. But there would come a point wherein you would want to be with someone who’s different from you in some ways. There’s nothing more stimulating than a healthy discussion of opposite opinions. My dear friend would call it “verbal love-making”. Being different from your beloved can be very interesting.
So, love being blind used wisely can actually be good. What I actually believe is when love becomes blind I try to make sure my heart and soul are doing all the seeing.
I am no expert in love. I’ve had a few boyfriends and I can honestly say I did love each one of them. Yes, I’ve gone through that phase wherein I see beyond my boyfriend’s quirks and inadequacies. And, in one way or another, all of them had their share. I also accept the fact (and dear Lord, I hope this is a fact) that they also went through this phase with me. Obviously, I also have quirks and inadequacies.
My dear friend told me about this stand-up routine he heard. The comedian was talking about couples who claim that they’re so alike with each other. “What’s with that?!,” he said. At first I had to do a self-check. I might be guilty of such an outlook (in any of my past relationships). Maybe in a way I was, in my first 2 or 3 relationships. With the last one, not really. I say not really because we became friends first so it's understood that we are alike in a lot of ways. Or more alike compared to couples who didn't start of as friends. After doing a self-check, I realized how often this is indeed true for a lot of couples. And I don’t blame them. Who wouldn't want to end up with someone so much like them? Well, I guess this is so true for people who are told they are great persons. But there would come a point wherein you would want to be with someone who’s different from you in some ways. There’s nothing more stimulating than a healthy discussion of opposite opinions. My dear friend would call it “verbal love-making”. Being different from your beloved can be very interesting.
So, love being blind used wisely can actually be good. What I actually believe is when love becomes blind I try to make sure my heart and soul are doing all the seeing.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Showing 5 years in 2 days
It's accreditation year. I feel that it's a bit unfair that we have to put together all 5 school years in 16 hours and in a 10 by 20 room. How I wish they saw several situations:
1) the kids crying in class when they realized how blessed they are after watching a video during Guidance class
2)a teacher taking time to visit a student in the hospital
3)the presentation of 7 year old girls during the Linggo ng Wika celebrations
There is much more to see (and hear) and it's just too bad they'll be here for only two days.
After a day of being interviewed by an accreditor and seeing the other accreditors going around and observing classes, I have realized that, indeed, you can show 5 years in 2 days. Not in the exhibit or in the lesson plans. How? In the end, the students actions and values will show the accreditors what did happen to them in the past 5 years.
It is never my goal to become an accreditor. Although I did jokingly mention to friends that only for the free food I would apply as one. But if ever I do become an accreditor, I would know what to look for. And I know where to look for it.
1) the kids crying in class when they realized how blessed they are after watching a video during Guidance class
2)a teacher taking time to visit a student in the hospital
3)the presentation of 7 year old girls during the Linggo ng Wika celebrations
There is much more to see (and hear) and it's just too bad they'll be here for only two days.
After a day of being interviewed by an accreditor and seeing the other accreditors going around and observing classes, I have realized that, indeed, you can show 5 years in 2 days. Not in the exhibit or in the lesson plans. How? In the end, the students actions and values will show the accreditors what did happen to them in the past 5 years.
It is never my goal to become an accreditor. Although I did jokingly mention to friends that only for the free food I would apply as one. But if ever I do become an accreditor, I would know what to look for. And I know where to look for it.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Thought that
(written yesterday at around 4:00 p.m. but I was having trouble posting it)
I have this dream that I come up with this original idea, concept, point of view or quotation. Somebody hears or reads about it and tells me I’m ingenious. This person would tell 10 other people who in turn tell 10 more people and before you know it I’m being interviewed by Larry King (top of my head, he’s the first person I thought of). There were a couple of times that I’ve gone through the first 2 steps of this dream, actually saying or writing something original and having someone amazed by it. But beyond the first 2 steps, I don’t think I’ve gone through that.
This dream stemmed from reading Erma Bombeck, Robert Fulghum and lately, Nora Ephron. Just a few minutes ago, I was looking at this website of famous quotations. I found myself saying (like when I read Erma), “I could have said that”. I know I have a lot of original ideas and stories in my head. Believe me when I say that they sound great inside my head. So, how can I go beyond the first 2 steps of my dream? I guess I need 2 things. I need time to write and the prowess to write. The first one is solvable. I know there are times I seize the moment and write, mostly on this blog. And there are times I regret that I don’t let my ideas come out. Time. I can find time. The second one is a bit difficult. I have always had difficulty in putting my ideas in words. I really would want to learn how to write well. Not eloquently, but well. I would want my ideas to be the highlight of my writing not my words. The simpler the words, the better. I have always admired writers who use simple words and yet after reading their work you find yourself nodding. That for me is writing well.
Will I ever write well? Erma Bombeck started writing professionally at the age of 37. I am 37 years old. Erma’s writings are mostly about her life as a mother, wife and woman. I am not yet a mother or a wife. I can write a whole lot about being a woman. Maybe, Erma had difficulty when she started writing. Who knows, maybe if she’s still alive now and read this post of mine, she would’ve said, “I could have written that”.
I have this dream that I come up with this original idea, concept, point of view or quotation. Somebody hears or reads about it and tells me I’m ingenious. This person would tell 10 other people who in turn tell 10 more people and before you know it I’m being interviewed by Larry King (top of my head, he’s the first person I thought of). There were a couple of times that I’ve gone through the first 2 steps of this dream, actually saying or writing something original and having someone amazed by it. But beyond the first 2 steps, I don’t think I’ve gone through that.
This dream stemmed from reading Erma Bombeck, Robert Fulghum and lately, Nora Ephron. Just a few minutes ago, I was looking at this website of famous quotations. I found myself saying (like when I read Erma), “I could have said that”. I know I have a lot of original ideas and stories in my head. Believe me when I say that they sound great inside my head. So, how can I go beyond the first 2 steps of my dream? I guess I need 2 things. I need time to write and the prowess to write. The first one is solvable. I know there are times I seize the moment and write, mostly on this blog. And there are times I regret that I don’t let my ideas come out. Time. I can find time. The second one is a bit difficult. I have always had difficulty in putting my ideas in words. I really would want to learn how to write well. Not eloquently, but well. I would want my ideas to be the highlight of my writing not my words. The simpler the words, the better. I have always admired writers who use simple words and yet after reading their work you find yourself nodding. That for me is writing well.
Will I ever write well? Erma Bombeck started writing professionally at the age of 37. I am 37 years old. Erma’s writings are mostly about her life as a mother, wife and woman. I am not yet a mother or a wife. I can write a whole lot about being a woman. Maybe, Erma had difficulty when she started writing. Who knows, maybe if she’s still alive now and read this post of mine, she would’ve said, “I could have written that”.
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