.....Save the BEST for LAST!

This day will most probably mark another milestone in my whole life as educator.

In a person's life, pleasant experiences are expected but one must remember that we are also obliged to experience humiliations and frustrations. These two negative terminologies make my day.

The issue is, whether we like it or not, embarrassments and disappointments must be felt by any living human being in the universe. It is not therefore true, that even if we make a person's day, you are already assured that this person will be deprived of the feelings of embarrassments and frustrations. Believe it or not, one person's morning might be full of sunshine and a reflection of happiness would be prevailing; THESE are not guarantees that a person would end his or her day with SMILES!

Let me take you through this phenomenon...

I woke up early this morning though I must admit I am a sleepy head guys... I have to tell you that I went to bed late last night because I worked hard in the Materials Development Center just to finish the production of the Beginning Reading Program stuff. I have and I must do all of these just to meet deadlines. (not so bad, you know...). Anyway, there were people who had been there with me through thick and thin. Not to mention, Fernan, Coicoi, Flordy, Gagah, Gina, Tatah, Jector, Jimboy, Allan and all other BEAM fellows who make my life more productive and more meaningful with my immersion into Literacy world...

I arrived the office at about 7:10 AM and sat down outside the Mat. Dev. Center while waiting for Gagah who wa supposed to open the office in an earlier possible time. Soon after the city siren sounded, Gagah arrived and excitedly opened the office because she knew that we would be facing more rigid works and that we would be entangled with hectic schedules. We only thought of one simple objective that moment - that is SETTING our PRIORITIES for the day. It was our Training of Trainers day. We would be training group of teacher-mentors who will be delivering various Beginning Reading modules to ARMM teachers during our Cycle 4 Training for Phase II.

We started the Opening Program at about 8:30 AM and as usual, BEAM-conducted trainings were always one of a kind! Everyone was impressed upon the Introduction of the Program Overview and Early Years Learning Principles done by our knowledgeable Australian Lady Adviser. The feelings of contentment and satisfaction were evident from the participants' faces. The training indeed went smoothly. As the coordinator of the Reading Program, I was also amazed by the tremendous SUCCESS and REALIZATION of this ambitious dream of the ARMM teachers to be able to let our young learners read by Grade 3. (quite rewarding huh?)

Just like the calm and serene sea, I thought my life this day would go on smoothly. It would not also be a surprise for me to know that a calm sea would not forever remain calm. There comes a time when the sea will become rough and bustling and I, of course, know that this happens because it is caused. Oftentimes, turbulent weather causes the sea to yell angrily. You might be thinking that I was gnashing my teeth this day but nope...to tell you the truth. I just was just in a brain "downshift" when I heard from somebody that our Beginning Reading Program was a complete DISRUPTION! Who would believe that? All the while, I thought the Program had been relevant to the Project's goals and objectives. I wasn't able to control my feelings and I finally burst into tears. I poured out all my regrets of leaving my family just to help the Project just to hear that negative word - DISRUPTION....I shouldn't hear this word, should I? I was never been embarrassed in my whole life just like the humiliation I felt today. Because of this feeling, I only thought of one simple decision and that decision was as clear as my tear drops. I have to quit from my Coordinator's role and most importantly, I would not renew my contract any longer.
I know that this may not be the right way of healing the wound but I am pretty sure that TIME heals a broken heart. I might be broken hearted today, but one thing I'm sure of is that tomorrow and as times go by....my life shall be filled with laughter.
I have to SAVE the BEST for LAST....

Looking for a greener pasture...

It was a rainy morning on the 21st of August, 1982 when my father left for Malaysia. He left our home with sweet promises that he would be back after a year. He would try to look for a greener pasture just to realize his dream for her daughter. The night before was indeed a celebration of a very memorable farewell party. Even now, I could still vividly describe to you guys the happiness felt by everyone in the family and of course, the happiness was reflected on the happy faces worn by everybody.
Sorry....I have to go....I will continue this later...promise..

Musing over my life's experiences...

"I have to go out of the country soon because I want my daughter to become a Doctor of Medicine someday...In 10-year time, I can earn more than enough to support her studies and send her to one of the best universities in Western Mindanao..." These were some of the statements I heard from my dear father who had been away from us since 1982. (My parents were on a serious discussion re my father's adventure to Sabah Malaysia.)

These words were inculcated in my mind during my tender age of 8. Yes, these words had been humming all the times in my whole life, especially during my toughest battles with life's difficulties which came in various forms and in different degrees. There were times when the battle had to be very hard and bloody and there were times, too, when I had to fight moderately. Nevertheless, I will say it with pride that I fought all of these battles and most often than not, I ended up the victorious!

One of the possible questions you may ask me now is - Who was with me during those fights?

The answer will be on my next post....Have to go for a very crucial editing with some Beginning Reading stuff..

Don't you think this can be a very good beginning and a valuable hobby of reminiscing the joyful experiences and painful struggles in the author's life?

Till then..