Great to be driving again

I have not been driving for a long time. My husband drops me off and picks me up everyday. For a while there, I was enjoying the set-up, specially that I don't have to worry about Atlanta traffic. Just recently though, I saw that somebody is using my parking space in the school. It just dawned on me that I should be driving again. I was a bit uneasy when I started the car. I will say, it's a good six months since I was last behind the wheels. I drove for two hours today. It felt so great that I just didn't want to stop. Driving is a skill and I know I have to do it everyday to be good at it.

First Day After Spring Break

I felt like I was in a trance from the time I woke up until about first block. I felt that my system got used to the long uninterrupted sleep and stress free existence. Whew! Back to reality. I was wanting to go back and have some fifteen minutes more of snooze time but I finally got over it and just proceeded to take my shower. I got to work not so early but there was nobody in the school's parking lot. I had to check my time just to make sure that I wasn't too early. Geez, nobody seems to want to go to school today. I immediately set up my projector and computer for my lecture today. I looked into my lesson plan and found out that some of the copies I prepared were left at home. If this happened a week ago, I would have panicked. Not today, I vowed to myself that I will not let anything bother me. I just knew I prepared and will do my best to deliver my lessons my way. Got a bit of sore-throat for talking too much though but it was worth it. I knew that those who were paying attention got something from today's lesson. My students were grossed out with the digestive system and digestive disorders but I have to do a bit of a review for their quiz tomorrow. Some paid attention, others probably not but I was not at all affected. Gosh, this is what breaks can do. My tolerance level was really good. I was just laughing most of the time. I was a different teacher today, less stressed and less frazzled. I hope I can maintain this mood the rest of the week and through the rest of the semester. I still have 30 more teaching days to go.

Spring Break

I love Spring Break. This is the time of year where I can really be silent and alone. This is the time to get back on track, be grounded and try to put some order in my chaotic existence. Reading Jim Paredes's blog "Haring Liwanag" made me think of going back and searching about Zen. I have started studying it back in College but I lost track when I got here in the US. Little did I know that this is where the practice of Zen is really needed. It was hard in the beginning since I don't know the language of Zen and never practiced meditation. The idea of bringing balance and order to my life seemed to be another goal that's out of reach yet there is that yearning to live the best life I can potentially have, to live joyously and improve my outlook on everything. I'm up for this daunting challenge to myself although I don't know if I will ever learn and master this way of life. Right now, I'm still in a mess, got up this morning with little ambition. My desk reeks of unfinished business, skipped on my daily walking and feasted on potato chips. Clearing my mind and spirit is inevitable. Along with the traditional spring cleaning should be self-cleaning, mind and spirit. In a few days, I will be back in the frenzy of everyday busy-ness. For now, I will just enjoy what little is left of my spring break and bask in this chaotic existence. Hopefully, I will be able to emerge from this hiatus fully energized and restored.

Sylvia and her fiancee

I am so happy to have found Sylvia. It's been close to five years since we last communicated. It's amazing too how we were both wanting to contact each other. Talagang napapanahon na na magkausap kami ulit. Aba, at ikakasal na ang kaibigan ko next year around this time. Here's a picture of her and Louie. They are really meant for each other. I'm just so happy and thrilled. I wish you love and happiness my friend. You deserve it!

Life's Small Pleasures

Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel.
Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small
pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound
bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great
meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer.

-- Anonymous

I would like to add...some good movies too! I've seen two this weekend. The Unleashed starring Jet Li, Morgan Freeman and Bob Haskins and Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.