• Alaska won the First Semis Game against the Sta. Lucia in a best of seven series, and I might even watch the Sunday live game….hope matuloy!!!

• Novak Djokovich wins the Australian open

(Though I wanted Jo Tsonga to win, okay lang, that was an unbelievable match up naman and I enjoyed it very much!

• Though UST Volleyball team had their first elim lost against FEU,okay lang coz I think they can still make it to the finals.. hopefully against DLSU, pero I think it would be FEU…

Life would be so boring without Sports!

Raggs!!!!!

There is High 5, Dora, Blues Clues and other kiddie shows. Since the Princess Sarah, Cedi and Nelo time, I was never really into this kind of shows anymore, of course coming of age, my preferences changed as well. Until…. I saw this show whose bidas are dogs! And before I know it, I am getting hooked up with RAGGS!!! So amazing to feel like a child again….. I can even talk about it with my 5 year old Austie student….cool!

This show educates kids, there’s a portion where in a cat interviews kids about, well anything..and I enjoy it sooooo much….super cute ng mga kids and the answers they give…Grabe!!! Then before it ends, they have this mini concert where they sing songs that always keeps me dancing with the beat. They, the dogs are the band members themselves! Would you believe that? They sing, they dance, play guitars and beat the drums!

It’s on channel 17, 2 to 2:30 pm, I think everyday they show it.

Enjoy!!!

Pulse Up!!!!

Am I Taking Care Of My Heart?

Yes!!! because…

…it’s filled with so much love

…it talks to Daddy Jess

…it is innocent and childish

…it is happy most of the time

…it is healthy

…it forgives easily and doesn’t resent

…it appreciates everything

…it is honest

…it feels pain once in a while but

…it doesn’t let pain change the way it is

…it cries when it’s hurting

…it jumps for joy when it’s glad

…it is not selfish

…it is careful in choosing the man to whom it’ll trust

…it listens sincerely

…it is smart in many ways

…it is generous

Tuesdays with Morrie...A Play

I’ve read the book back in college..I like how Mitch Albom wrote it…simple but in one way or another you could relate to what he ‘s telling in his stories. He is one of my favorite authors. Actually, I haven’t seen the movie back in 2003, I think I didn’t know then that there was. So, when Beepsie told us that we could see the last showing of the play Tuesdays with Morrie by Repertory, gosh! We grabbed it.

And it did happen just tonight. There were only two actors, Bart Guingona as Mitch Albom and Jose Mari Avellana as Morrie Schwartz. They were able to touch their audience, they were really really good. They made us listen, laugh and cry a lot! I didn’t know I would be so in love with their characters this much. I could not remember if I did appreciate them in the book, I really can’t remember, but two things stick into my mind after seeing the play:

First, I am fortunate to have this job, because I know even in my own little ways I am able to touch my students’ lives. I am so proud to be a teacher! I may not be the most knowledgeable, experienced, patient teacher they could ever have…. But I love them truly! That’s what I am sure… and I hope someday they would still remember their teacher Phnas ;)

Second, I’ve realized that I am really happy!

“Dying is sad…but being unhappy is something else”

All of us maybe are afraid to die, maybe because we aren’t sure what awaits us beyond this lifetime. Dying scares me a lot, I hate it because it causes all kinds of pain. I don’t have the courage even to think about it in the first place.

But living an unhappy life is another story. The moment he had said that line, tears started to fall on my cheeks because I’ve realized and I am sure that I am happy. Different kind of happiness I get from the love around me, not from material things but from my family, from my friends and people I know, things I do, the dreams I have and most especially the great love I receive from Daddy Jess. I was just thinking that, oh my! My death would not be a sad one at all! because I am living a happy life!

“When you die, things won’t matter, but the lives you’ve touched”.

I love Morrie! I love theater! I love me! And I love being happy!

“It is ok to feel scared because it means you still have something to lose.”

AGREE

Feeling scared in the first place makes you a human being…
Feeling scared makes you realize you are blessed…
And feeling scared teaches you to value what was given to you…

“There is no point of telling the truth if it would just cause pain.”

DISAGREE

Being ignorant causes you way more pain…


“The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion.”

AGREE

It is easy to be genuinely happy if you are surrounded with people you love and care for, with people who love you back and take care of you as well.

“When you start to let go…. Everything becomes a gift”

AGREE

But when would you know when is the right time to let go?
If you know there is a reason to expect something, wouldn’t you take the risk?

Letting go really hurts… so much..
But when you’re done with it….everything becomes wonderful…because you would start to appreciate…

I always say I am ready for change…to be open for new things. But living up with change is really huge for me. Changing even the smallest thing, simplest habit or attitude towards something is like taking a very big risk. Doing things I am not used to, not doing the normal stuff, being bold not following what’s imperative and hoping for what’s ideal. Gosh! I just hate me! Really! I’m scared what could happen if I can’t do it, if I made the wrong decision in changing one part of me and end up being unhappy. That idea scares the hell out of me! This is unbelievable and unacceptable! I know I am the one whose making my life complicated…All I want is to live simply…but that philosophy of mine makes everything else dense…

My girl best friend, Nica always tells me, that conditioning myself in welcoming new chapters in my life and preparing myself for it isn’t enough, that I need to do something about it. Gosh! I know that…but I just can’t set my one foot forward… and start.

I pray for myself, I pray for this, I pray that God, that Daddy Jess will teach me to grow up and be open to better perspectives and not be afraid to try, commit and fail.

The friendship...

It was never easy to fight for something really important to you....
To sacrifice a lot for someone who has been a big part of your life...

It has gone through so many unexplainable circumstances...
But it made a choice...the choice to fight for the right reason...

It was contested a myriad of times...
Doubted by the public...
Endured countless battles...
That it almost gave in...

Patience was the key...
It was tested by time...by distance...

Then, things just happened eventually...
The friendship started to grow and mature...

It teaches trust and understanding...
Happiness and contentment...
Unconditional and genuine love...

The story...our lives...the friendship... just go on ... hope till the end of our time

IN and OUT ver.2

IN

Good Days coffee (all varieties!)
annual physical check up
traffic-free Saturday for me!
seeing Andy again...
Knick-Knacks choco! (happiness!)
NMAT sched...
basketball Qfinals
Amazing Race Asia2
hotcakes!!!!(milky and sugary)
refrigerator at home (haaay happiness ulit!)
seeing him again and feeling really glad that he's ok :)
Beepsie seeing Vito!!!
may readers ang blog ko!!! (thank you..thank you)


OUT

upset stomach
injections...needles...blood..
weighing scale...
letting go of Jed...:(
washing my own clothes...(ouchy! kahit 1.2.3 lang yun, masakit pa dn sa kamay!)
the weather and the season...

Masarap magkaroon ng mga kaibigan na mababaw ang kaligayahan...dahil kahit corny ang mga jokes ko, may pumapatol pa din..hehehe... at the more important thing is alam kong may napapasaya at napapatawa ako....


be a source of happiness to other people!!!!

The Battle

“If there is one advocacy I would be willing to fight for, it would be joining the battle of children with dyslexia. To let them be accepted and understood and not be reckoned as stupid, lazy and useless. To help them realize their potentials and the millions of things they could do even if they have this learning disability“ - phnas

When I graduated I never considered working in any corporate setting. It won’t work for me! Coz I easily get bored. I hate doing things over and over again, robotic stuff. I’d just be sick and throw up everything I do and die! Seriously!

I was looking for a kind of work that will give me happiness, new knowledge and experiences, a positive environment, and lots of fulfillment. A kind of job that will make me grow and be a better person. (so ideal!)

I was accepted in a regular prep- school, named Kostka in Katipunan but decided to let it down last minute because I had a good chance of getting another job which I deemed as more challenging, and that is to be a special educator. I took the risk and fortunately I made it and got in. I signed up for a 3-year contract, it’s looong! But I know, that would be a good foundation for something.

Wordlab School:

When I first walked in Wordlab, I felt so small in terms of everything. I was a neophyte trying to absorb and learn their way of living. Believe me, people there are smart and competent. I was the little fish in a very, very, very big pond. I felt really insecure! But I stayed positive and believe I could do this…

I want to talk about so many things that I am learning from my job, the people I work with, the experiences I am having, and my amazing and lovable kids I handled and been handling. Next time….. 

Anyways, I’d like to give you a background information about the difficulty my kids are having. It’s called Dyslexia.

What is Dyslexia?

The b becomes a d. The g changes into a p or a q. Some letters seem to move across the page. Others disappear. For children with dyslexia, learning to read doesn’t come easy. Still, many of them are only too willing to learn.

Dyslexia is a condition that has been likened to many things: being stupid, lazy or slow. Sadly, some dyslexics are made to believe they are. It is none of these. Dyslexia is a learning disability.

Characteristics of Dyslexia
A child with dyslexia:
• Has difficulty learning to read
• Makes strange spelling mistakes
• Confuses letters such as b and d
• Mixes up letters in a word/ words in a sentence
• Has poor sense of direction
• Confuses left and right
• Has difficulty remembering sequences
• Cannot fully understand what s/he has read
• Has difficulty with the multiplication table
• Pays attention to everything
• Has difficulty focusing on a task
• Has difficulty coordinating movements
• Lacks confidence and exhibits low self-esteem

Bloopers

I love my kids soooooo much… for immeasurable reasons. When I am around them, I feel like a child again, a friend to them, their sister, mom and yaya all rolled into one. In short I become Super Teacher Phnas! Hehe.

They make me realize how lucky and blessed I am. They make me cry most of the times not because makulit sila or it’s a challenge to teach them, but because they are making me a better person and making me realize more that I can really make a difference.

But you know the best thing when I am with them?…. They never fail to make me laugh sobra! Here are some samples of their funny anecdotes:

T: (Teacher)
K: (kid)

T: What do you think are bristles?
K: When you’re in a fire, after it you get on your arms…like black color…
T: Ah…bruises!
--------
T: What can you say of people or person who does everything you say and does not complain?
K: Theyare…slaveable!!!
T: When you always obey somebody, you are?
K: Obeyful
--------
K: I am going to a party tomorrow (friend’s birthday)
T: Really? Where? What time?
K: in ATC (Alabang Town Center)…it’s none of your business.

We were about to make an aquarium…
K: Are we making a fish?
--------
Word to read: who
K: /whore/
T: (what!!!???)
--------
K: I have a new book teacher (9 year-old boy)
T: Really! Are you reading it?
K: Yeah! I’m in chapter 900!!!! (wahahahah)
--------
KWL chart (Listing down the things you Know, things you Want to learn and things that you’ve Learned after discussing the topic)
K: (posting a question about Tornado)
K: Why are tornadoes made by God?
T: (Oh my God!)…next question please….
---------
K: Mina, typhoon!
T: Yeah! We have a typhoon Mina.
K: Oh my gosh! Are we gonna die?
---------
While reading : Tonight in the Titanic”
T: What’s happening to the boat?
K: The boat is sinking….group yourselves into….

Ten years have passed

But you’re still in my heart

Though I think the feelings have changed

But my love for you still remains…

It could have been me…but I am thankful that it was never me because I would not be able to enjoy what we are now if that happened. I am proud of myself that, at last I can look into your eyes without feeling so awkward because I know I’ve moved on. For real…. Thank you God! *whew*

An Issue and the Weather

I think sibling rivalry never occurred between me and my brother. He was right when he said that we don’t have the usual brother-sister relationship like others do. Sometimes, our insensitivity made our relationship better, ironically. We grew up as independents that we don’t rely with each other most of the time. We can stand up on our own basically.

Nowadays, he shares more time with my mom as they live together in Rizal and me here in Alabang. I just see my mom during weekends and school breaks only and get to spend time with her when we go out and watch movies together. Before, I thought if I live separately away from her; it’ll give her a reason to miss me more, my presence in the house. Pero, I think that didn’t happen. L

Anyways, I feel that the issue of favoritism is beginning to bother me. Oh gosh this is so immature, I know! But it kills me and this makes me cry when I am alone in my apartment. I don’t know pero I hate the feeling. I came to this premise because of two things: first, she doesn’t prepare meals for me but she does with my brother, all the time. (I told you it’s so immature!). And to think na that is my only chance to savor “real meal” when I am at home because I don’t cook here and prepare good meals for myself. And secondly, she doesn’t treat me like she misses me.(haay…). In short, I’m jealous with the more attention my brother gets and I am pathetic! Haha.

Coping mechanism: I just think that it’s the weather that I have been feeling this! *shit*

How would the year 2009 change my life? hhmmmm

2009 will be a great year for me and my family, and I am really really excited about it, for the following reasons:

First, my contract in Wordlab will expire

Second, I will go back to school to study post-graduate courses or med if feasible by then

Third, I’ll be 24!

Fourth, I could get my new apartment unit in Quezon City and reside nearer my mom and brother, and say goodbye to Alabang, which has been a wonderful place talaga.

Fifth, I will get the job that I once dreamed of getting

Sixth, we will transfer to our new home here at San Mateo and start a new life! Just me, my mama, kuya and aunt

Seventh, endless reasons to be happier!

Question: Who do i want to meet?
Answer: Joachim “Sonny” Thoss!!!! ( "The Boss")

My gosh! Like 4 years ago, the first time I saw him on TV ( well I noticed him kasi he was one of the “kalbo guys” on court), he was just a rookie in the Alaska Roster and now his built has really improved a lot and that made him a stronger and better center at 6'7". He has this angelic and tamed looking face but when he is on court, astig!

Just today, against Talk N' Text, he scored his career high in this conference in rebound! Amazing!

Sana in one of the live Alaska Games i could see him and have an autograph!

Haaay..i could die after that!!! hahahaha. It will be like dream come true ang happiness ko nun!!!

Sobrang crush ko talaga siya!

Because FYI: When I saw Tim Cone (Alaska Head Coach) in Alabang Town Center, I was like super star struck and couldn’t help giggling. That was embarrassing! Really! coz people started to notice it! How come pa kaya with Sonny Thoss? I don't care!!!haha

My first poem

Time Parameter of Love

By: phnas

January 2, 2008 (3:49am- 4:03am)

Time ticks frantically fast

It will not pause nor end for you

Time moves at a rate that won’t last

It will not change nor bend for you to get through

But time doesn’t exist when I’m with you

All I care is to be owned by your arms

Everything stops, everything is on hold

We are the only people who exist in this world

Our love has its own time parameter

Our hearts can dictate if we want it to move

It can chase the rhythm of our breaths

It can dance with the tempo of our heart beats

And it can finally slow down if we are ready to rest

I won’t panic, I won’t get scared

If along the way I get lost in another lifetime

Because time travels in a borderless universe

And even there, our time parameter of love stays

six more days before i go back to work...
eight more progress reports on the go...
plus ten more remedial plans as well...
I am procrastinating!!!!!!

and i haven't finished reading my JD Salinger book pa :(

these are the kind of days that really passed me by without notice...
because my mind is so crammed with endless stuff to do, trying to beat my deadlines...

Slow down and live

Year 2007:

I wished for the graces of tears and patience. And indeed! I’ve gone through a lot of waiting and weeping times. Si God talaga, grabe! Well, maraming reasons, iba-iba, but mostly personal ones. I’ve been waiting for my aspirations and prayers to come true. I know I am patient pero when He tries you, ay iba talaga! Basta di ko maexplain, ang strict Niya! Pero He never failed to provide things I should be asking first, He knew when I needed things, and HE NEVER FAILED ME!!

Year 2008:

But this year, I am giving it a second thought if I would ask for the same graces(hehe) because it’s really hard to face the challenges. I knew there were instances na I shut down and couldn’t handle the things he had given me. I don’t know pa pero for this year the thing I would want to do is to give myself time to slow down and live my life.

Happy New Year to me and to my loved ones!!!!

mama, kuya thobby, tammy, jep, pauline, mommy
daddy, kuya elec and kuya eugene
all my friends and people who know me