Whatta Friday!

photo: I "Google" it.

Dear Earthquake, 

You used to visit us rarely and always in a short span of time. You bring us sudden burst of different emotion most often fear, nervous, panic, shaking, wobbling, terrified, pain (headache), scared and worried. We don’t know how to stop you since you’re so unpredictable and since before you were already existed. We do acknowledge your purpose though it’s quiet hard to fathom if it is either good or bad. Plus, we don’t know how to interpret your existence for you usually give us gigantic damage of our property not counting that result of your aftershocks. We also tend to lose some our loved ones that feed our heart with deep sorrow. So, Mr. Earthquake I am appealing you tonight, please be good even if you gave us 7.9 magnitudes already. I wish you won’t bring any tsunami effect.

On a lighter note and this is also reject the “in-denial thing” in me and to convince myself that still everything is under control, here’s what I realized while I was trying to feel the cadences of the seism earlier:

1.       Am I ready to die?

2.       What did I do with my life?

3.       Did I live my life to the fullest?

4.       Did I do everything what I want to do?

5.       Did I make people happy?

6.       Did I help those in need?

7.       Did I ask forgiveness to those people who I hurt?

8.       Did I show compassion?

9.       Did I give love enough?

10.   What I’m gonna do if I’ll have another chance? How am I gonna live and use it?

This is more on self-reflection. I don’t know. My mind is just amused with that experience. I hope everyone is safe. Let’s all pray.

Love

-Van

A Gifted Tuesday!

Allow me to cite this post to a famous adage of Paulo Coelho in his book The Alchemist: The Fable About Following Your Dream, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

I supposed to catch some rest because I didn't have enough rest few days ago especially last night but my mind is loaded with so many words that basically of course I need to unload in order for me to have a good rest after. Do I make sense? Okay, here we go... Earlier today, we just had our "Giftedness Identification and Intervention Seminar Part II" at Rajah Park Hotel. It was successful in the sense that we were able to address the topic clearly to our audience and personally, I learned a lot. I was amazed by the speakers' talk. I was magnified and overwhelmed by the friends' support outside EC2. I was blessed by the participants presence, their ability in listening and their attention span. I was in tune by my colleagues working attitude to make the event a successful one.

The half tarp

The EC2 team

 On the other hand, there were some part of the event that I thought to have an improvement. Personally, I need it. I realized, I lack marketing skills. I lack strategy. I even lack communication. I wasn't able to achieve my target participants though. I had trouble meeting deadlines and dealing with people's differences. But these realizations doesn't stop me of learning new things, of acquiring those skills I didn't have in coming days and of evaluating myself. I want some feedback. I would love suggestions. I'm excited to hear criticism - constructive. I look forward for the assessment by Teacher Ray and of my teammates. This is not just about the event, but this is about building my own self better.

Right now, if you will ask me how I feel? I am just GRATEFUL! I am HAPPY! I am BLESSED!

Grateful, happy and blessed because of the people around me. I can't help it but recognize them and their contributions of my present feeling especially in achieving the success of the above-mentioned event. My EC2 family, T. Ray, T. Mimi, T. Yami, T. Yanyan, T. Mod and Ivy, things aren't perfect. There's no such thing even. But even if we have individual differences, I still consider you guys as something I cannot take for granted. Each of your personalities give me the chance to grow and learn every time we sit down and talk about our lessons, our lives, EC2 stuffs, our personal and different encounters, our nonsense topics, our funny and laughing moments and our open forum. I may have some pessimistic opinions about you, to be honest but it doesn't mean I'm dealing with it most of the time. I preferably want to tag it "learning your attitude" every single encounter.

Moving on, my friends in Elim community such as Ate Karen Barte (our emcee) and Ate Faith who showed spiritual support and some of my friends in Elim way back in Danao, thank you guys for your prayers and intercession, I know by heart that you are praying for me and I cannot pay you for that. Patrick Bacalso for the design poster.

Dude, who helped and saved me in one of my pressured and "cramming mode". Those emailing moments late at night just to have my favors done were being treasured and again, I don't know how to pay you in return. Himoa lang ko og labandera for 1 day Dude, hehehe. You are a wonderful person not because you helped me but because behind your busy schedule is a deep personality whose heart is set to help others in any ways that you can.

Hmmm and lastly, I wish I can hug YOU physically Lord and tell YOU right to YOUR eyes "Thank You". I am happy! When things got in trouble (almost lang), I knew it, my conviction told me, that YOU will  always give ways and means. *crying

To end this, I wish to have all of you being mentioned in this note collaborating again on something that I can't tell in the next chapter of my "Book Of Life" called "Organizing Events". ^^

Along with the lessons I acquired out of that experience was also the fact that it was my first big event being handled. It hyped me to the highest level.LOL

The Brilliant Speakers

Mr. Gestalt Wellness Institute

The amazing audience

The EC2 team with Mayor Michael Rama

Photo credit to Ray Nobleza and Ivy Casiño. :)

Letting Go Some Clutter

Have you ever had a time where things get so crazy, friends were so busy and problems arise little too noisy? So much and so much that you can't even hear and see yourself doing better. 

It's always been a wonderful agenda to spend some quite time for yourself every now and then. You don't need to spend a lot or go to places far from your usual place for one day. 

I know how important it is to me already... and I wish it will be yours too! 

The fact that we know already what's this topic all about and we have our own different ways on how to let go something yet something is being neglected... I think... and before I'm going to continue this post, I would like to emphasize the word "disclaimer".

- letting go of the pain -

Whatever kind of pain we have, learn to let go of it. The beauty of recognizing our present feeling is what makes us accept the reality that we are in pain and there isn't anything wrong with it. But let's take responsible, it shouldn't be forever. I mean, we can take time to grieve then learn to rise up and fix our self.

- letting go of all pretentious -

You are what you are. Even twins are different. Make use of the uniqueness you have. Learn to let go of that pretentious stuffs that hinder yourself to do what you supposedly do. Learn to spread your wings confidently and fly the sky freely. In this way, good things will come your way easily. 

-letting go of your emotions

Different emotions! Happy, sad, hatred, joy, freedom, doubt, fear, in love, scared, etc. etc. Whatever it is, express it and be present on the particular feelings you have every moment. Chances are, you won't have time dealing with your grudges overnight.

-letting go of unimportant events or even people

There's nothing wrong of saying "no" of an invitation. If you don't feel like going, don't go! If you don't like the person, don't be! It's okay to choose. It's okay to refuse! And it is very much okay to eliminate unimportant people. Learn to exercise your freedom to choose. But don't be so nice following other people's choice or wants for you. It's always your account. 

-letting go of being close-mindedness

Be open for everything especially for the changes. It's the only permanent is this world. Try to unlock your heart for anything that is possible to happen in your life and learn from those past and ugly experiences you had. When you're free, you're also trying to avoid stress.

We know these things already but we aren't practicing and applying it to ourselves. Watch out from those little distractions, be careful and take care of your peace of mind.

Happiness is present always, we just have to choose and embrace it.

LOVE is...

Love is . . . Being happy for the other person when they are happy, Being sad for the person when they are sad, Being together in good times, And being together in bad times.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH.

Love is . . . Being honest with yourself at all times, Being honest with the other person at all times, Telling, listening, respecting the truth, And never pretending.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF REALITY.

Love is . . . An understanding so complete that you feel as if you are a part of the other person, Accepting the other person just the way they are, And not trying to change them to be something else.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF UNITY.

Love is . . . The freedom to pursue your own desires while sharing your experiences with the other person, The growth of one individual alongside of and together with the growth of another individual.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF SUCCESS.

Love is . . . The excitement of planning things together, The excitement of doing things together.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF THE FUTURE.
Love is . . . The fury of the storm, The calm in the rainbow.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF PASSION.

Love is . . . Giving and taking in a daily situation, Being patient with each other's needs and desires.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF SHARING.

Love is . . . Knowing that the other person will always be with you regardless of what happens, Missing the other person when they are away but remaining near in heart at all times.
LOVE IS THE SOURCE OF SECURITY.
LOVE IS . . . THE SOURCE OF LIFE !

~ Susan Polis Schutz ~

 Source: http://www.upload.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=465387130140779&set=a.368934739786019.96999.205187966160698&type=1&theater 

EverGreen Literature facebook account

Moving Forward in EC2

Time flies really fast! Everything I dreamed of last year happened little by little this year. My heart was set on to it. My goals were align to every decisions I made. I did a lot of hard work. I sacrificed a lot. There were times when another things tried to switch on the plans, but I stuck to it. I stood it. And now, I'm in the place where I dreamed and prayed of - Exceptional Children's Education Center (EC2).

The environment in the school is very new to me. The children, the ways how to handle them, the kind of attitude I must show them, the words I must speak... almost everything. In short, I must be firm, consistent and precise. At first, I knew I should do a lot work until when the first week of Summer class in EC2, then I realized, this isn't going to be easy!

But my determination to improve myself, to learn a lot and to widen my perspective pushed me to go through it. My job in the school is quite challenging for me, but again my heart is already set on to it. My mind is very open to explore everything about the world.

I'm blessed enough to have colleagues like T. Mimi, T. Yami, Yani bb, Ate Jackie and of course T. Ray, the school director to have a kind of environment that is nurturing and open. Their presence really affects my work and the quality of life I have at this moment and will have in the future. T. Mimi who is very kind, has a wide knowledge about handling precious children, humble and a good person/friend/Ate. She helps me grow in the field of teaching kids. T. Yami who is generous of her time, talent and treasure all about in the school. I appreciate her so much that despite of giving up her main task in the school which is already mine, she is still there to help me out. Yani bb who has dreams exactly the same as my dreams, is my precious buddy. The journey I have with you is always memorable. Ate Jackie who is quite but loud gives me a kind of impact that nobody can do. And T. Ray who I think is, perfectionist just like me a little, straight-forward, generous in sharing about everything he learns in life, and has a vast-range knowledge about academics. Wow! He's oozing that kind of stock area in his brain. Truly, the people around you will affect the kind of life you want to be.

More over, as of last week, we had our culminating program. Too soon we realized that Summer Class was over and we will miss the kids. Too soon regular class in June will start. Too soon we will be busy again. And too soon, we will work and help each other in shaping every kids' future.

Credit to the Facebook Account of EC2 for these photos!

My Teaching Philosophy

Photo by Google

"Teaching is a noble profession." "Teachers are agents to our future." "Teachers are facilitators of the learning process.".....

Those are just few of the famous lines I heard from the my teachers about being a teacher which made me realize that "teaching" can yield amazing result when right ideas and beliefs are implemented in the classroom and when all these important ingredients are present in the recipe of the learning process, the learners will surely have its good taste of the future. 

I personally have my own beliefs and ideas when it comes to teaching. As for me, I believe that teaching is not just all about giving facts or theories to the learners or pushing them to memorize something, or depending solely on textbooks, or feeding all the needed information and etc. It is indeed all about letting the learners understand the whole concept of the topic, encouraging them to have pleasure in understanding, to develop them their holistic ability and to be open-minded.

I also believe that as a teacher I must have a strong and solid knowledge about the learning process. I must know what to teach. I must master the subject matter. I must seek other sources and materials used to aid in my teaching. I must not depend more on memorization of facts or theories but rather apprise them to comprehend for better learning. Compassion for the learners is also needed so that they will be encouraged from time to time especially if some things are difficult for them to grasp.  

Moreover, I must be a facilitator in my classroom. And as a facilitator, I must guide my learners through the subject matter in order to assist them in their own discoveries. I must allow then to have hands on activities so they can learn at their best. The constructivist learning theory in which I also believe with the fact that learners can construct their own learning in the classroom "learning by doing". Furthermore I must also be a disciplinarian. It will be such a nice feeling if someday you will see your learners successful in the area that they choose and they will thank you for your contribution in their lives. That’s fulfillment! 

On the contrary, I know that I must be aware of how to be more effective in my teaching. I know that there are many strategies available to use in teaching yet no one fits all the content. So, I must work hard on how I am going to deliver the subject. Though I don't have that ideal voice good for a big class which I know is very important however, I know that with the proper approach and command of teaching, learning will be more fun and effective.

So, that's it, somehow maybe, we are the same. 

I want to be a teacher! My desire is to teach. If I won't be in this area, I rather not in anyone.

Inspiring^^

I supposed to doodle the journey I had today merely because I believed it was also inspiring however, I bumped suddenly to this post in my facebook account via My Attitude - My Life - My Rules and made me realized that this is more inspiring than my story today.  

http://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=329235087114380&id=167821829922374&refid=13&m_sess=1GNZEP-m0ZqfDXW&_rdr#329235917114297 

The Elephant Rope

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.

Thank you to the group Alternative Thinking for this post

ME and The 10 Things

Describing ones own personality is really hard. For me, the only person who can describe us are those people who have been with us for a long time like family and some closed friends who have been with us through thick and thin. Just like what Eleanor Rooseverlt, a famous author, "People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built."  Just like me, I won't be able build the traits I have at present if it was not because of the different experiences I had in the past and it helped building myself better mundane. I don't know why but these are some of the 10 things ME and the "________" photos in-line with tonight's post.

1. Me and the CHOCOLATES

Chocolates from someone special in the past. It represents life's sweetest memories of family gatherings, happy acquiantances with friends and some sweet-smelling encounters with a person closest to out hearts. He gave this to me because he knew that I love chocolates a lot and because he just came home from working abroad. There's always a great blessing when you give. Appreciation should be showed when someone gives us something even if we don't like it that much.

2. Me and the HEADBAND and GLASSES

When I started my life here in the city, I also started to learn how to take care more of myself like, getting dressed well, choosing an appropriate clothes for me, I mean better ones now, and buying some "kikay" stuffs like this pretty headband.The glasses that I used to wear now to see things clearly. It's like taking one step at a time, slowly but surely with clear vision that the decision is good and that will bring brighter tomorrows.

3. Me and the MONEY

Along with those physical changes I've done to myself, I also learned to budget, save and prioritize the things I needed to with my earnings.

4. Me and the SEA

Ever since I really like to go to the beach not because I want to swim, I should say I can't swim. But because it relaxes and refreshes me. If things go wrong and when I need time to think, I used to go to the beach or any place which has an overview of the sea. The waves are like trials in which I need to overcome. Luckily, when I try to look back, I am proud to say, I surpassed yesterday's trials and became a more profound individual.

5. Me and the GIANT HARP

One of my frustrations is to learn how to play an instrument. I always feel envious seeing my friends or family members who can play instrument. I feel like I was being deprieved of the chance to learn it but of course, I know that there are things that aren't good for me at the specific instances. Though I don't know anything about it, I am still dreaming that one day, I'll be able to learn even just the basic.

6. Me and the ZIPLINE GEAR

I realized that heights isn't that scary for me. Taking risk in life sometimes is like giving yourself a try on the doubtful things you know. Holding on to your beliefs and letting yourself continue to shine in the areas you know you are fully-geared up with all the casualties of life to pull you up.

7. Me and the BIKE

Learning how to bike at 25. Possibly can or can't? It's not yet too late to learn things we want to and it will always not too late to change wrongs decisions we have in the past.

8. Me and the FAVORITE HOBBY

I love sleeping. My friends know that.When irrirations strike up unexpectedly, the only cure is to rest. No side effects but surely after taking it for quite some time, you'll be better.

9. Me and the GROUND

Whatever happens I want to stay my feet on the ground. Nothing is worth to be proud of except doing good things for others. School achievements, beauty or wealth aren't the only things to boast. Character is the only thing I have.

10. Me and the 25th BIRTHDAY CAKE

I celebrated my silver year at the office because it was a regular working day. I was happy though. The most important thing happened to me was to realized that I am getting older and grateful. Every year I always look forward to celebrate my existence and to know the different changes that take place.