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.

ELL Strategies

I recently attended a training on ELL Strategies and here are a few tips:

Incorporate hands-on activities to demonstrate concepts - When students can experience and observe the process, their learning is more meaningful and concrete.

Visual Aids - Visual aids give the ELL students visual cues which help clarify meaning and solidify learning

Allow sufficient wait time - Ell students need additional time to formulate their answers in English. After a question, give them some time to think about the question before they respond.

Prepare outlines for lectures - I have been using this a lot with my ELL students and it has helped them a lot to follow along in class. It also helps them for their review

Reading strategies - Concept Mapping and Outlining helps the ELL students understand the material better.

Do not let them be embarassed in class - Most ELL students go through a silent phase. Forcing students to speak may make them embarrassed and overly self-conscious

Why do we procrastinate?

One of my biggest problem is procrastination. I don't know but I really have a tendency to put things off at the last minute. Somehow, I have trained myself to work only under pressure. This may work but it is certainly very stressful and unhealthy. I really wonder why this is one habit that is so hard to break. These are some of the reasons why we procrastinate according to Peter Murphy ( 7 Ways You Avoid Success)


1. Perfectionism.

If it's not going to be perfect then it is better not to do it at all. I am sometimes guilty of this. I usually analyze things too much that most of my time and energy is used in analyzing which will be perfect. Whether it is on lesson planning or any project. Bottom line, nothing is done.

2. Fantasizing.

I have met people who can talk about things that they plan on doing which can really knock your socks off for its gradiosity. However, it's just that. Dreams and Fantasies.

3. Fear.
Fear is something that causes me to procrastinate. Fear of failure, fear that the lesson may not be fun and interesting and other kinds of fear that just numbs my brain from being creative.

4. Crisis Maker.

This is me. I used to think that I am better in doing things under pressure but apparently it is not true. I usually wait until around 8-9pm to start doing schoolwork and before I know it, I am already so stressed out that I don't want to do anything anymore or I just do something so I won't feel guilty. Both of these behaviors certainly didn't bring out good results.

5. Angry.

Some procrastinates because they feel bad about doing a task. They are mad that they are being required or asked to do something that they don't like to do.

6. Overdoing things.

There are people who tends to do more than they should and in so doing loses time to do the more important things.

7. Pleasure Seeking.

This person just doesn't want to do anything that entails effort on his part. Everything is all about fun.

Friday or Caffeine?

It's Friday! What more can be better than that? I haven't really understood the value of weekends and the effect it has on people's moods until I came to America. I used to wonder when I watch foreign movies why weekends are a big deal. Now I am one of those who really look forward to these precious two days. My students have been commenting that I am the "coolest" teacher on Fridays. Maybe it's the aura or the smile that doesn't fade away or just the positivity that exudes from within. I'm amazed how nothing fazed me. Not even the student who kept on whining because he got only one piece of the muffin we made today nor the fact that some of them are talking while we watch a movie after cooking. I just felt and act great. Looking back, it might be the caffeine too. I had coffee this morning which is not normal for me and I bought one of those powerade drinks. It sure made me a little bit perky. Friday or coffee, it won't matter now. The day was a great one. A great Friday indeed.

Sleep deprived teens

In one of the breakout sessions at the conference I recently attended, I learned some interesting facts that helped explain why some teenagers are the way they are. According to Dr.Laurence Martel,President of the National Academy of Integrative Learning, Inc. most teenagers are sleep deprived. They actually need 9 hrs. and 15 mins of sleep everyday for the brain to fully function at its highest potential. Most students only have 4-5 hrs. of sleep. In my three classes I only have a handful of students who actually has 8 or more hours of sleep. Now, that can be a challenge to us teachers. We really have to make our classes really interesting and fun less we see them getting their needed sleep from our classes.

What's going on?

Allow me to veer away from posts about teaching and my life here in the US. It is disturbing to know that schools in Metro Manila are closed because of a coup attempt. I received an email from a friend which prompted me to check on inq7.net. True enough, something's going on. This is the way people are celebrating Edsa. I can only sigh and be sad on the plight of the Philippines. It is just one thing after another. Tsk..Tsk

At the end of the day

This is one of those days when I am physically exhausted but still energized from within. I can say that I worked for every penny I earned today. As usual, I was having a difficult time feeling inspired in the morning. Blame it on the weather, boring breakfast of peanut butter and jelly or probably just the lack of inspiration and the fact that I have first period off. I had to pray real hard for some motivation. God answered my prayer. My classes turned out fine. As soon as I started teaching, my lethargic moods straightened up. I had etiquette lab today. Students got to practice their table manners and etiquette. Everyone was excited. The smell of the pizza kept drawing unknown students to my room. Students practiced on setting the table and eating bread, soup, salad as well as practicing the european style and american style of eating on the good 'ol pizza. Overall, this day still turned out okay despite the bleak beginnings. God just has a way of turning anything into something wonderful. We just need to ask.

Productivity books

Here is a list of books on productivity and time management. I got this from a newsletter from TQ

365 Ways to Save Time
Lucy H. Hedrick

Awaken The Giant Within
Anthony Robbins

Blink : The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Malcom Gladwell

Clean Up Your Act!
Dianna Booher

Daily Reflections For Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey

Discovering Your Soul's Purpose
Mark Thurston

Do It! Let's Get Off Our Buts
John-Roger & Peter McWilliams

Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman

Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway
Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.

First Things First
Stephen R. Covey/A. Roger Merrill/Rebecc

Get Organized
Donald H. Weiss

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
David Allen

Giant Steps
Anthony Robbins

How To Get Control Of Your Time And Your Life
Alan Lakein

How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie

If you haven't got the time to do it right, when will you find time to do it?
Jeffrey J. Mayer

In Search of Excellence
Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman,

Life's Little Instruction Book
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices
Peter F. Drucker

Managing For Results
Peter F. Drucker

Meditations From The Road
M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Never Confuse a Memo with Reality
Richard A. Moran

Positive Thinking Every Day
Norman Vincent Peale

Practical Time Management
Marion E. Haynes

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
Set Godin

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question
John Miller

Strategy Of The Dolphin
Dudley Lynch and Paul L. Kordis

Success-Cybernetics
U.S. Andersen

The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management
Hyrum W. Smith CEO, Franklin Quest Co.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey

The 90 Minute Hour
Jay Conrad Levinson

The Be Happy Attitudes
Robert H. Schuller

The Bell Curve
Richard J. Herrnstein & Charles Murray

The Magic Of Thinking Big
David J. Schwartz, PH.D.

The Mind of the Strategist
Kenichi Ohmae

The One Minute Manager
Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. & Specer Johnson

The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey
Kenneth Blanchard/William Oncken, Jr. Hal

The One Minute Sales Person
Spencer Johnson, M.D.

The Opportunity in Every Problem
Scott L. Taylor

The Organized Executive
Stephanie Winston

The Personal Efficiency Program
Kerry Gleeson

The Peter Principle Why Things Always Go Wrong
Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull

The Portable Do It!
John-Roger & Peter McWilliams

The Portable MBA
Eliza G.C. Collins Mary Anne Devanna

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Norman Vincent Peale

The Psychology of Winning
Dr. Denis Waitley

The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Rick Warren

The Strategy Game
Craig R. Hickman

The Time Trap
Alec Mackenzie

The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell

The Two Income Trap
Elizabeth Warren, Amelia Warren Tyagi

The Winner Within
Pat Riley

Think And Grow Rich
Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill

Thinking Better
David Lewis, Ph. D. and James Greene, M.

Time Management for Dummies
Jeffrey J. Mayer

Time Management For Unmanageable People
Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell

Time Management Made Easy
Peter Turla and Kathleeen L. Hawkins

Time Management: Conquering The Clock
Barrie Hopson & Mike Scally

Time Tactics Of Very Successful People
B. Eugene Griessman

Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!
Robert H. Schuller

Unlimited Power
Anthony Robbins

Using Time Management To Get More Done
Lauren R. Januz & Kim M. Magon

Winning With People : Discover the People Principles that Work for You Every Time
John C. Maxwell

Work A 4-Hour Day
Arthur K. Robertson & William Proctor

Working Smart
Michael LeBoeuf, Ph. D

You Don't Have To Go Home From Work Exhausted!
Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell and

Cheesecake day

My students left my classroom happy. Frank McCourt ( author of Teacher Man) is right. There are two things to get through teenagers. First is food, and Second, topics on sex. Today, I saw a sudden change in my kids as soon as they placed their fork in their mouths and tasted the blueberry and strawberry cheesecake I made for them. I did a demo on making cheesecakes in all my three classes. It left me really tired at the end of the day.However, it was worth it. I was able to teach them something they can readily prepare and at the same time it saved me some headaches and stress. Students were all quiet as they savor their snacks. They did all their assignments with no complain. Their homework is to prepare it during the weekend and bring to class comment from parent whether on paper or a post on our class blogsite ( which is still in the infancy stage). Today is really a piece of heaven for me. Makes me feel grateful to God for making me a teacher.

Welcoming 2006

This picture of the sunrise inspires me to do better this year. I am not big on making resolutions but this year, I just resolved to make smarter choices and make my life more meaningful. Happy New Year! Happy New Beginning!

New Year at Vero Beach, Florida

My husband and I celebrated New Year differently this year. We went to the beach and watched the sunrise on Jan.1, 2006.

Corned Beef

Last Christmas, My mother-in-law prepared English Boiled Dinner for our Main Dish. She used Corned beef brisket. It was pretty much like our "nilagang baka" (A Philippine Dish). It was served in big chunks after being boiled in a crock pot for close to 3 hours. She added potatoes, the seasoning that came with the packet, carrots and cabbage. We were able to take home some of the leftovers and I made it into sauteed corned beef. I recycled it and it yielded good results. I flaked the big chunk using a fork and sauteed with garlic and onions. This is so much better than the canned ones. I ate it for breakfast with egg and sinangag. It reminded me of "cornsilog".

Last Day of School

These are my first block students. We were having our last day party. This group is very challenging. Teaching them is like learning to dance to a different tune. It was a little rough at first but everything straightened out as we got to know each other more and more each day. I got my evaluation from them too today. It made me laugh, cry and reflect on my teaching. There were so many realizations I got from their comments. I would say I felt good as a teacher. Majority of them said that the one thing they will remember in class is how I treated them with respect and the others commented on how I made learning fun. One activity that they really liked though is when I recorded their roleplays and made it into a movie. It was a different experience for them because they saw themselves act onscreen. They also got to watch other classes' presentations. The more successful they felt with each activity I let them do, our relationship as teacher and student also improved. Honestly, I have counted the days...and I really looked forward to this day but after the last student hugged me and wished me a Merry Christmas, I started to miss them.

My Nutrition Class

My class just finished preparing their chicken recipe. This was one of their favorite labs. Everybody was happy with the result.

Keeping In Touch with DCANS '87

I've never been so excited checking my emails until recently. I have been trying to keep in touch with my dear friends from high school and it always brings happiness to hear from them. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that the people I grew up with are all successful in their respective fields. I hope we can all re-connect if it's possible. We're nearing our silver anniversary already as a batch. It's really exciting...can't explain the feeling.

How to keep stress at bay

Teaching is not an easy job. It may be ranked as one of the most stressful jobs nowadays. As a teacher, I have always been on the lookout on how I can de-stress myself. The problem starts on my being very critical of myself and on the way I do things. You would think that I am a control freak. I worry too and feel very anxious about a lot of things. However, all these traits are not helping me any on my goal to have a happy and fulfilled life. Oftentimes, I feel like I don't enjoy life at all. There are mornings that I still dread going to work because going to school is like going to my prison cell. This past week, I did some changes on how I think and it really helped me a lot. I am less stressed and I feel happier. What I do is that I usually pause everytime I feel the stress pains in my abdomen and just breathe. I try to force myself to think that everything is going to be okay because I am doing my best. All I need to ask myself is whether I am doing what I think I am supposed to do and if my answer is "yes" then I just leave it at that. Knowing too that all this is temporary is also a lot of help for me. I am still trying to practice what they call as just living in the now. Everytime I catch myself dreading the future, I just go back and focus on the NOW. All these little steps had helped me a lot lately.