Endings and Beginnings

Today marks the end of another schoolyear. It came too soon for me. It suddenly dawned on me when I was doing the hallway duty and kids were wishing me a great summer. Oh my gosh, this is it...it's really the end. I am not too excited as I was two years ago. I used to have a countdown in the calendar, marking each day by crossing it out. It's a little bit different this year. I think too much is going on in my brain that the idea of an end doesn't seem to make sense just yet. This semester was almost too good to be true that I subconsciously didn't want it to end. I have a million and one reasons why this semester turned out to be special. My co-teachers were just the most awesome guys in their own right. Teaching with them was challenging and fun. I will miss our lunches together and all the gossips that went with it. Unfortunately, Mr. O will be transferring to a different school and I might be able to teach only one co-taught economics class with Mr. K. It was a surprise too that I didn't really have so much of a hard time teaching this semester. The students were great and a pleasure to teach. This will definitely go down in my teaching history as one of the greatest.

Snowy Day in Georgia

Mark and Matthew are really lucky. They got to experience snow on their first winter here in the US. It was fun watching them play with snow and throw snowballs at each other. They wiped the ice off the yard. Watching the snow fall is a majestic sight. Being from a country with no snow, I am certainly filled with so much childlike joy as I watch our subdivision turned into a winter wonderland. It took only a few minutes for the snow to cover the ground. This is not common in Atlanta and I wish it can stay this way for another day or two. Days like these would be a perfect backdrop for just sitting back with a warm blanket, a new book and some hot cocoa. I actually borrowed a book by David Baldacci. Can't believe myself to be working today on my IEPs and modifications instead. I was probably in a motivated mood so I just took advantage of the momentum and fired away. At least, I got some done. The snow has stopped a bit now but temperatures are dropping. I hope to see more snow.

Proud of My Kids

Mark and Matthew made me feel proud when they showed me the sticker bumpers they got from school. It said "Proud Parent of an Honor Student". Yep, the two boys got all As in all their classes. They really deserve it. I see them working on their homework everyday when I arrive home from school and they take their projects and assignments very seriously. I just hope that they continue to be focused and not lose sight of their goals. These are blessings that are priceless and more than make up for all life's shortcomings. I am thankful to God for letting me be the mother of these two wonderful, hardworking and respectable gentlemen.

Just Being Myself

I found myself enjoying "the" moment. It was an ecstatic moment. All the elements are perfectly aligned and giving me so much joy. I was just clapping my hands and having a great time while I watch people receive their prizes during the school's annual Christmas party. I just laughed at the Principal's funny remarks and I was having a great time. I won a prize by the way, and that too, did not surprise me because I know it was going to happen. It was what I expected as soon as I wrote my name on the paper. I have been trying to understand that philosophy for awhile. How to practice expecting and letting go. Today, when I was not even thinking about about it, that is when it manifests itself. The Universe just taught me or reminded me what I already know but cannot comprehend. To get the most out of a certain moment or situation is to just live it and not stress on any aspect of it. We just need to let it be. It was really an "AHA" moment. I can't still fully describe it, I wish I can but my words are probably limited to do just that. I hope to catch myself enjoying life more and more to just be able to cherish events as they happen.

Front Yard

This is part of our front yard. It was our project this Spring. We really worked hard on this. I helped David design it. Ang laki ng initim ko sa pagagawa nitong mini garden. I chose the plants and helped plant it. One secret that I learned from my husband is using bone meal while transplanting. Medyo may kabantutan nga lang pero effective. Another thing is I used Miracle Gro for the flowers para alalayan ang kanilang pamumulaklak. The grass is not vibrant green yet kasi tagtuyot dito sa Georgia. We have watering restrictions. We can only water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday. Buti na lang at matiyaga si David sa pag-aalaga ng mga halaman. He also puts fertilizer for the grass. He told me that the one with iron will make the grass greener. Minsan nga, gumigising sya ng alas-singko, habang tulog pa ang lahat at sige ang pagdidilig. It pays off naman kasi maraming bumabati ng hardin namin. Minsan nga, sabi nung kapitbahay, "You should win the gardener of the year award" Kaya hayun lalo namang sumipag si David. I've learned a lot from David. Di pa naman ako expert but at least, mas na-appreciate ko yung kung ano-anong binebentang pang garden sa Walmart or sa Home Depot. I discovered too na may pagka green-thumb din ako.

Paul Potts and Connie Talbot

I have been to You Tube and crying a lot lately. Here's why. I have been watching "Britain's Got Talent". It is like the American Idol. These two talents sing very well. It was hair raising and would definitely give you the goose bumps. Oh well, here's the link. www.youtube.com. Simon Cowell can't help but give praises to these two contestants. I'm not really a music afficionado but I was so touched by their singing. I don't understand Paul's song since it is Italian but I was just feeling it inside me. It stirred me, if I can put it that way. He's a very humble guy and definitely deserved to be the winner. As for Connie, oh wow, that little girl has so much talent. I read somewhere that she also signed a contract with Simon Cowell's company. I particularly liked her rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow song. That song makes me cry all the time.

Chicken Parmesan

I'm excited that it is summer once again. I get to play around and try my hand in cooking. I prepared this dish yesterday. David liked it so much. I will definitely write the recipe down for future use. I have been trying to collect an array of recipes that are not complicated, healthy and will not cost a mint. This recipe fits the requirement.Another cool thing is that I took this picture using my LG camera phone. I swear, this is the best phone ever.

Have Faith in a Higher Power

Voltaire once said, "Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe." Having Faith in God helps me face all the trials in my life. It gives me peace of mind and a strong resolve that everything will be alright. It makes me courageous to stand up to the challenges that come my way.

I have read quite a number of inspirational books and I found it helpful to remember some of the positive quotes. When the going gets tough, I recite a line or two over and over and then eventually the sluggishness just goes away.

Getting back on my feet

For a long time, I haven't been blogging. I have so much to say and so much to write about but that's probably what contributed to my silence. You see, I'm probably like some people who clams up when overwhelmed with too many facts or too much emotion. I have been through a lot lately and that is what I am so eager to share. It is interesting to note that the last time I was in the mood for writing and visiting my blogs was at this time last year. I can't believe it has been almost a year. Time flies and things happen. Even my hardbound journal which I got 3 years ago also remained untouched and is collecting dust on the shelf. Not good. It is about time to stretch and loosen my fingers and let the juice flow once again. I hope to write about my adventures and the realizations I get from them. I intend to write about my life and the people that influence and motivate me on a daily basis.

Great vacation

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The last weekend of summer break

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Memories of Summer

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PTN 1st Anniversary

Stonehenge in the US

That's right! We found this replica of the famous Stonehenge on our way home from DC. It is called the Foamhenge. To get there from I-81, take Route 11 ( Natural Bridge exit). On the left you will pass the Natural Bridge Zoo, watch on the right, before you miss it. The megalithic structure is on top of a hill. Usually, the gate is open, just park, and walk up the hill. There is no fee for admission to enjoy this lovely site. My husband and I were really surprised to have a taste of England in that part of town. It might take years before I get the chance to see Europe and visit the real site or maybe not get the chance at all. Oh well, the foam version is still interesting. This replica is made up of styrofoam and painted to look like big boulders of stone. Those who created it did a pretty good job. Too bad, some people can't keep their hands to themselves and actually ruined some part of it by engraving their names. By the way, you can compare the pics with the real relic from this site.

A Day in D.C.

David and I went to D.C. to have my passport ammended and renewed. Since it was Monday, I got to attend the flag ceremony. Wow! It was an emotional moment for me to be able to do it again after four years. By the way, passport processing in D.C. was just one day since we were from out of state. Normally, passports are released the following day. It was a great experience. I was telling my husband that it has been my dream to have a picture at the foot of Abe Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial. It might sound corny but I was still in the Philippines when I saw the movie Planet of the Apes, and in that movie, Mr. Lincoln became a monkey. I thought I want to have a picture there before anything happens. I need to go back and explore the place some more. Here are some of the pictures and the link to the Philippine Embassy: http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/

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.