Reflections on Teachers and Teaching

Before the KYSD begins, I already planned to be one of the student teachers. I applied as member of the faculty handling the subjects Biology 2 and Geometry. I was no longer nervous at that time because I had already experienced that challenge. I know already the feeling to be a student teacher.

When I went to Madam Kerr for applying as Geometry teacher, I was afraid that there were already students who applied the said position. I was really wishing to pass because I like Math especially Geometry. But when I came there, I was the last applicant who Madam Kerr accepted. I already felt calmness at that time. I was assigned before the first day of KYSD. I was also assigned to assist Madam Kerr on the periodical tests of the first years on their computer subjects.

So I went to Bartlett class. As expected, I assisted Madam Kerr. The first year students called me “ate”. I don’t know how to react because I am shorter than them. Some of them are already my friends. But I’m still conscious to the other students.

After that hour, I have to go to Benton room and let them check their periodical tests. Not only that, I also have to explain to them the answers. What a challenge! But I was confident because Madam Kerr was so good to me and some of the Benton students are my classmates before. It was so enjoying because they are so jamming. I enjoyed a lot there. There were laughs and shouts there. I feel so welcome there. They made me feel happy and satisfied.

After 15 minutes, I went to Villamor class and again assist Madam Kerr. They also called me “ate”. Whatever they want to call me, I can assure to them that I can be their friend as long as they won’t be bad and as long as they would respect the higher years.

When I went back to Palma room, to where I belong, the people were amazed. They wondered where I came from. Then I told them I have classes in Bartlett at 1:00, in Benton at 2:00 and in Villamor at 3:15. Then they said that I was so busy that I was like a real teacher.

After that whole afternoon of teaching, I realize how hard but enjoyable it is to be a teacher. I knew that you must be very ready before facing your students.

On the first day of KYSD, I received my id and started to teach at that morning. I taught Biology. We were 4 teachers in 2 hours. Each of us has 30 minutes to discuss the selected lesson. I was assigned for “digestion”. I really prepared a lot for that. I really enjoyed discussing to them the lesson. I was happy that they really listen and they understood what I had discussed.

Wow, what a feeling! I will always remember those experiences. They serve as challenges to me and because of that challenges, I’ve learned so many lessons.

Cheaters on the way!

Once in our life we found someone we don’t like and we don’t want to be. But somehow it makes us realize how selfish we are not to treat them fair. How about someone who sinned against you? A sin which worth your freedom and even if your life? Would you forgive that person?

I had a schoolmate named Nena (not her real name). She is one year younger than me. She is also my neighbor. When I was grade 3, I joined a dance group with four members. She was also one of us. In our group, she was the slowest learner. Our choreographer always scolded her because of that. I feel pity on her so I encourage her to be strong.

When she reached grade 4, I’ve heard that she became an honor student. I was amaze of that because she didn’t have any awards before. She sometimes goes to our house and asks me to teach her on some of her lessons. So I thought she was changed. I thought she became more responsible. But I was really, really wrong.

I was a member of a Rondalla group in our school before. I had co-members who are her classmates. One of them had told me that Nena cheats. I was shocked upon hearing the news. She said that it was Nena’s seatmate who told her. Nena would peep at the book during the test. She often tells the checker to mark check her wrong answers. And because the checker was frightened at her, she would also follow Nena. Nena also asks her seatmate for the answers. If her seatmate refuses, Nena shouts her seatmate’s secrets. By that reason, her seatmate follows her. Have you ever realize how powerful she is to demand on her classmates?

Suddenly, I remember that there are times when she borrows my grade 4 books. She would return after 3 days. I wondered if she copied the answers of my book. So I investigated.

Starting from that moment, I always observe on her activities. And then one time, she borrowed my English book. She also brought her English book into our house. What?! She was comparing the answers. Then she put some marks on her book. She was also memorizing the answers. Isn’t it cheating? She didn’t see me because I was hiding behind the refrigerator. Oh my God?! I can’t imagine she can do that.

She was the number 1 issue in the campus. Everybody was talking about her. But there were still students who didn’t know about the issue. It is so shameful to say but I really hate her! After all the encouragements I gave her, she would just cheat on me! And don’t you know that she became the valedictorian of their batch? I hate her because she took away all the chances of the other honor students who were more deserving than her! I really feel pity on those students because I also had those experiences. I really hate CHEATERS! If I could hear someone who is a cheater, I would really hate him/her. Cheaters destroy our sacrifices! Cheaters block our path into our dreams! Cheaters stoop us to be successful! They are all obstacles in the way!

But I can’t be like this forever? What if she would say sorry to me? Should I forgive her? I can’t answer my own question. But as of now, I want to be sure that no one of my friends is a CHEATER because I HATE them ALL!!!

Jealous

We can’t deny that once in our lives we felt jealous of someone. Even though how loyal we are to ourselves; there are some things that can make us jealous. What really is jealousy? Jealousy doesn’t mean you’re not contented of what you have or what you are but it is something that you don’t have and you are not but you want to have or you want to be; but that is just according to people that I’ve asked. But for me, jealousy is something that can make me feel worse and loser. It makes me feel that I am that imperfect. I tried not to be jealous so that I will not feel that I am a loser. I try not to appreciate much the people so that it can’t develop jealousy. But even how careful I am not to be jealous, something can really make me feel jealous…

I can’t answer my own question. I can’t control my feelings. I don’t know why it must happen. I have no other choice but to face the truth that I am jealous, I am jealous of someone very close to my soul.

Whenever we are alone together, I feel there is contentment. But when people try to appreciate her, I feel I am under. I feel I am loser. I don’t know what to do; I don’t know what to say. I just keep quiet and bow my head. See, I’m very under.

Why do people love her because of that? Why do those people make me feel that I am not like that? They are not literally comparing but they are emotionally comparing. I feel bad and pity to myself.

Sometimes I ask my self why I am not like that. Sometimes I wonder why is she like that and why I am like this. I am jealous of her not because I want to get the people’s attention and appreciation but because I want to be loved by somebody I loved.

It’s so hard to be always like this. I can’t hide my self away from her because what I’ve said before, she is close to my soul. I’m not angry to her but the one that can make me angry is her pride. She is very proud to herself. She hates people who don’t appreciate her. She even tried to insult me. She is making me jealous!

Why is she like that? If she is just good to me and treat me that we are just fair, then I would never be jealous. If she would not make me feel jealous, then I would not be feeling this so hard.

Why do some people are like that? Why do they want someone to be jealous of them? Are they not contented of the appreciations they had? Why do they have to do this? Why do they have to hurt other’s feelings?

But don’t you know that I found someone who made me feel I’m better than her. He is Jesus. Every time I pray, I feel He is very proud of me. Every time I wish, He makes me feel that I am important. I wish there would be someone aside Him who can make me feel winner. I hope there would be somebody who could say, “ I love you because of who you really are”.

A Special Friendship

Have you ever had a special friend? What do you feel whenever you are together? Are you sure that you are just friends? Are you sure that he/she is just a FRIEND? Are you sure that you are just his/her FRIEND? Be SURE!!!

I had so many friends and I always had the same feelings with them. I am always together with them. We always share our secrets. But there was one friend of mine that I will never forget because of one special thing.

When I was kinder 2, I met Oishi (not his real name). He was my best friend. He was the only boy who was my friend. He was special to me because I feel very special to him. I remember before that every recess; he always shares his drink to me. He always obeys me when I want him to be quiet in class. He always follows me wherever I go. We play together after classes. He was like my brother at that time. That’s the first reason why he is special to me.

When we reach elementary, we were in the same school but we were not classmates. He is in another section. But still we were in contact. We had our own nicknames! Whenever we met at the end of the class, we eat together. He still remembers me. That’s the second reason why he is special to me.

We were not classmates until grade 5. But I was amazed when we became classmates in grade 6. I was really happy and he felt the same way too. And the most exciting is that we were seatmates!

But something has changed. We were still close to each other but he was not following me whatever I wanted him to do. I know I can demand on him because I am the president of the class before. But even if I am the president or not, he followed the other boys.

It took time for me to accept him again. But I realized that we were no more kids. We were already grown up friends. We already have our own crushes. We all have our personal problems.

He still told me secrets. He told me who is his crush. He told me everything. He told about his family. He told me about what he felt about his enemies. We became closer to each other.

Months gone by, I am no longer on his side. We no longer stick to each other. It’s as if that I am avoiding him. I don’t know why. There was a time when I saw him together with his crush. I don’t know why but I feel jealous. Oh my God?! What was that feeling?

I know it was been so hard for me to accept what I felt. I can’t control it, right? I know that you know what’s that feeling I felt, right? I know we can’t be because she liked another girl.

But I realized that maybe it’s just because I am so close to him. Maybe it’s just normal that I felt that way. I’ve already accepted the truth. But whatever I felt about him, I know that he is so special to me. And I know that I will always cherish this special friendship of ours.

My diary, my best friend

Have you ever found a friend that you consider as the best? Have you found someone who is always there to hear your words without even judging you? Have you tried searching for him/her? Or, have you realize how hard it is to have that kind of friend?

I had so many, many friends. Even if I can’t remember some of them, I always remember their faces and the memories we had. It’s such a happy feeling together with them. But I have to be honest that I still want someone, someone who doesn’t belong to them and someone I dreamed for. That someone is a best friend.

I want a friend who is always there for me. (Don’t worry; I’m not that demanding). I want someone who could accept my imperfectness and mistakes. I want someone who is loyal to me without even minding the gossips around. I want someone who is ready to sacrifice all for me because I will do the same thing whenever I could find that someone. But it’s so hard to search for that someone. I just realize that that a best friend doesn’t have to pass my standards. A best friend is someone you are very comfortable to say your feelings and secrets. And, I found one already. It’s my diary!

I have a diary before when I was elementary. I didn’t treasure it so well and already forgot some things on it. Now, I started to write on my new diary. But this time, it’s different. Instead of having “Dear diary”, I changed it into “Dear Lord”. Why? It is because Lord God is my best friend. Aside from praying, I write the things I want to say to the Lord. I consider Lord God as my best friend because I feel comfortable to Him. And it’s so magical, that even if I’ll only think of the words I want to say, He could already hear those words. But if I continue thinking about them, I will just forget about those things. So I decided to write all of those on my diary. All the things I wrote there is for the Lord God. I know He can’t me by words and by voice but He can answer me through mysterious ways. He can answer through the people He used as instruments. But don’t you know that I still wish to have a best friend. Yes, I’m still wishing to have someone like the Lord God. But at this moment, I already feel contented on what I have.

You? Do you have a best friend? How do you feel about them? Are you sure they are real? Have you tried to test them? If I were you, let God and destiny test them! It’s the best way to be sure if they are really real friends. But no matter what happens, always treasure those friends. We can’t deny the fact that they are still part of our lives. They are still in our hearts right now. Whoever they are, you just hope that they also cherish you. Whatever the memories you had, always keep them in mind. We don’t know when and where they will come again to your life.

As of now, I’m proud to say that my best friend is my DIARY!

Destiny and Friends

Do you have friends? How many are they? Are they still in your side? Do you still have contacts? Do they still remember you? Whoever they may be, the important thing is how you cherish them even if the time for you to be with them is limited.

9 years ago, I met Chin-Chin. She was my first friend who was very close to me. I met her when we were kinder 1 at Lahug Elementary School. She originally came from Manila. She went here in Cebu because her father was assigned here before. We were always together before. She made me feel I’m good. But unfortunately, her father was assigned to another place and she had to transfer into that place. That was the last time I saw her.

When I reached kinder 2, I met Genevieve. She was my ever-mean friend. She is so mean but I like her. Her mother and my mother were also friends. We go home together but before we go home, we go to my sister’s school, which is also her brother’s school. Obviously, my sister and her brothers were classmates. She was my friend whom I experienced sacrificing. I know it was just a simple sacrifice but it has a great meaning to me. It was an afternoon when we bought notebooks for our new subject. I saw a nice notebook, but when she saw it, she wanted it to be hers. So I gave it to her even if I really liked it. I expected that we would be classmates again in elementary but unfortunately, they transferred to another house away from the school. So she also had to transfer into another school near to them. And that was the last time I saw her.

When I reached grade 1, I met Jenny. Jenny was so talkative. The teacher always scolded her because of her talkativeness. But I found her enjoyable and funny. I became close to her. But she transferred to another school when we are about to enter grade 2. And that was the last time I saw her.

I met someone when I was in grade 2. I forgot her first name; I only remember her last name. It was Ronquillo. She was my classmate from kinder 2 up to grade 2. I was close to her even before kinder 2. But the time when I already appreciate our friendship, she transferred to another school. Again, that was the last time I saw her.

I remember Rosie. She was my classmate who I always tease. Despite of all the mean things I did to her, I appreciate her. She has a good voice and we were both members of the school’s choir. We were always together. Actually, we were seatmates. I really like her, but destiny keeps on playing. Our school found out that her father was working in abroad. And because our school is a charity foundation, it doesn’t accept people who can afford studying to another school. She was kicked out by grade 4. Unlike my past friends, it was not the last time I saw her.

When I was grade 4, I met Marianne. Marianne is so beautiful but silent. She is intelligent but poor. She is talented but shy. And most of all she is very good. I think she has the best attitude. She is so humble. She had nothing to be insulted. She’s almost perfect. Her face is as innocent as Mother Mary. She is so good to all. I liked her so much. But her father was fired from his job so she went to public school and there she studied. And that was the last time I saw her.

Remember Rosie? I saw her again when I was grade 5. Instead of being happy, I was shocked when I saw her. She had already changed a lot. She was not the shy and humble girl I knew before. She became very proud and boastful. And the worst of all, she just passed my way and did not greet at all. I was disappointed. At last, it was the last time I saw her.

When I reached grade 5, I got closer to Divine Grace. It sounds funny but she has the same name with Manny Pacquiao’s daughter. Divine had the most beautiful voice in the school but she is shy. She would only sing if she would be forced to. Teacher always scolded her because of her one attitude, being late in all things. She submits project late. She arrives in school late. She does things late. But my teacher just didn’t realize that she was never late in trying to be punctual. And she was never late in my heart. Because of the scolds she received from the teacher, she transferred to another school by choice. But that was not the last time I saw her because we promised to meet again.

Like what we promised, we met again. When we met, there was a change but this time it’s not from good to bad but a bad to good. She wasn’t shy anymore. She wasn’t even late. Because of that, I thought that her decision was right. It is now all right for me to be away from her as long as I know that she is now a better person that I can like more whenever we meet again.

See, I have so many friends that I thought I can be with until forever. But destiny keeps on taking them away from me. It had taken away the special people instead of the ordinary friends I had. Maybe they are destined to another person. Wherever they are at this time, I still remember them and I’ll always treasure the friendship we had before.

It was the story of my destiny and my friends…

What should I take?

Even if I’m just a second year high school, I’m starting planning on what course I will take in college. My first choice is mass communication. It is my first choice because I love to express my feelings in public through speaking. I want to be good in speaking. I also love journalism because like the mass communication, it helps me express my feelings, but this time through writing. I love to write my opinions on what is going on in the country. It is how I can share my own opinions with. I like journalism because it makes feel that I am free on what I wanted to do. But I got discourage a little when the issue about the killing of the journalists came out. I got frightened upon hearing the news.

I also have a plan to take music course. I want music because I love music. I am fun of playing instruments and I am still interested about music. I want to know more about music. In fact, I can harness my skills and abilities through taking this course. But I realize that if I am going to take music course, I want it to be in up school of music where most of the Filipino musicians came from. I know that my parents would not allow me to be away from them.

I also love psychology because as what they said, I’m good in counseling. I don’t know if I’m really like that but it made interested to take that course. Well, It’s a good course not just because it is not that expensive but because it makes you understand the livelihood of people and what they feel.

When I joined the debating society in school, I got so interested about law. When we first debate, it was so hard for me to adjust because I am not used to speak in front of people especially that in debate you have to speak in 7 minutes! They are not just ordinary people that I am talking about but are well-informed people. They are going to take down notes on what I will say and definitely will rebut those things that I will talk about. It makes me realize that what we are doing is just the same as what the lawyers are doing every time they are in the court. But it also made me shiver when I hear the word “law” because as what I heard of one of the teachers in UP, it’s very hard to take this course.

My mother wants me to be an accountant especially if I will be a certified public accountant. That course is all right for me because I’m not that bad in Math. She said that if I will be a CPA, it would be easier for me to gain money.

As now, I will promise to love whatever course I will be taking in college. I still have 2 years to decide. One thing I am sure of is that I will be good in my studies.

Beatrice

Well, it’s so hard to start a very broad story that will possibly reach a mile. I was really thinking about posting this entry. I was thinking if posting this entry can help Beatrice in her problem. Well, stop what you are doing right now. Just read this and please, if you have advice, please be kind to share it with me. It’s the reason why I post this entry.

I’ve decided to write this story on my first entry because I want it to be very special. Well, no more other things to talk about. I’ll start now with her story.


Beatrice is 2nd in their family. She is well known in their community because of her school. People describe her as mysterious because she seldom goes out from her house and no friends at all. She only talks to her childhood neighbors and does it very seldom, unlike her older sister, and this what they say as her weakness. Her sister is a friendly punk girl. She would always smile whenever you meet her. She is someone that you will be enjoying when you are together. See, they are very different.


Beatrice is silent while Alexandra is naughty. They both love music but they have different ways in liking it. Beatrice likes songs with beautiful meanings while Alex don’t mind about the meaning! They are also different as daughters of their parents. Beatrice is sweet while Alex is just….. a daughter in name. But don’t you know that they were very close to each other before?


When they were just in elementary years, they bath together, go to school together, eat lunch together and go home together. Wherever Alex goes, Beatrice is always with her and vice versa. They always stick to each other. But when Alex reached her high school years, she has already changed. Beatrice could no more talk to her like the way she want it before. Alex’s grades pulled down. She went home late. Beatrice wondered so far but still she couldn’t know why. She thought she was just ignorant about it because she was just in elementary at that time.


But when Beatrice reached high school, she is still wondering why she’s sister is like that. She didn’t see any bad influence in high school. But she doesn’t know that their schools are very different, so very different. Beatrice’s school is a school of the scholars. It is where most of the professionals came from. Alex’s school is huge, had many students, students who really differ from each other. Some students are dropouts from other schools. Not insulting but it has the most dull high school students in their province.


Days went by so fast. Changes also occur rapidly and terribly, specifically on her sister. Alex went home very late. Whenever she is asked why she’s late, she always has unbelievable reasons. She was always out and didn’t ask permission at all. Beatrice was very worried about her sister.


One day, it was Friday when it was almost 09:00 pm and Alex had not yet arrived, Mother worried so much. She asked Beatrice to call all the classmates of her sister. Beatrice did it. Alex was nowhere. She was not in any of her classmate’s house. She didn’t bring her phone. She didn’t even call, until mother received a message from an unregistered number. It was written there that,” Ma, I’m at the church right now. I will go home right away after the mass ends, Alex”. Because of mother’s anger, she called the number and asked who it was. He was Alex’s classmate. He said that Alex was just going to church at that time when she borrowed his phone. So, it means that before Alex texted to mother, she is still in the school. What might is she doing in school at that time? So they waited. It was 10:00 when Alex arrived. Mother scolded her so terribly. Beatrice was also frightened at her mother’s voice. But in the middle of their discussion, Beatrice noticed that her mother’s voice was no more in anger but already in sadness. She heard sighs. They were the cries of her mother inside the room where her she and Alex were talking. Beatrice stopped reading and turned the television’s volume down. She listened very carefully at every word her mother spoke. “ I don’t know why you changed like this. You are not the Alex that I’ve known before. What, what is the reason? Was there a problem about our way of disciplining you?”, mother cried as she said it. “ There’s no problem about you, it’s about… father and Beatrice”, Alex answered. “What is all about your father and Beatrice?”, mother respond. “ Father always appreciates Beatrice’s doings. He always insults me about my studies and my… life. After hearing those words, Beatrice’s tears started to fall. She said to herself, “What do she think of me? I’m not father’s favorite. She didn’t even know that I am jealous of her whenever our parents worry so much to her and care so much to her”.


After that incident, Alex never talked so much to her sister.


Now people, what can you say about the story? What advise can you give to Beatrice? What will Beatrice do on her sister? Will she leave the problem unsolved or do something to let them be close together again?