|
| 5 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Dec.05.2006 @ 10:36 pm |
Hissy Toity Pusang Gala
Sa palagay ko, mali ang gising ko o mali ang foundation na ginamit ko kaninang umaga. Ang alam ko lang ay pumasok ako na handang magturo. Ang mga sumusunod ay bahagi ng isang hindi ko mailarawan na karanasan na naganap sa isang araw lamang.
8:15 Nasa meeting area na ang mga estudyante ko at ready na akong kumanta ng "I want to color my world Crayola." Excited ang mga bata dahil isasama ko ang pang- psych ward nilang paboritong kanta sa aking Greatest Hits Volume 2.
8: 25 Pumasok ang aking estudyante na may Down Syndrome. Itago natin siya sa pangalan na Ralph Lauren.
(background music: "Maalaala mo Kaya?")
Setyembre taon 2006
- nabigyan ako ng opisyal na listahan ng estudyante.
- binilang ko,dose, Kindergarten (naku! balik finger painting na naman ako)
- isang estudyante nagngangalang Ralph Lauren, severe/ non verbal/ has a full time health professional (ito ang mga tawag sa mga taong assigned upang siguraduhin na ligtas, kumakain nang maayos, napapalitan ang diapers at sumusuporta sa guro upang maturuan ang bata, hindi sila shadow teachers, ihalintulad na natin sila sa 24/7 na tutor ng isang bata na may special needs)
- Setyembre, nag email ako sa aking mga bossing upang linawin na may para ang batang ito at kailangan na i- follow up sa Region na ito ay nailagay na sa IEP (isang legal na dokumento)
- Setyembre, 3 linggo pa at darating na ang para
- Oktubre, umiyak na pumunta ang Nanay upang makiusap sa mga bossing ko, ang sabi sa kanya, 3- 4 na araw pa
- Nobyembre, sinabi sa akin na bago mag- thanksgiving meron na
** lahat ng nabanggit ko ay hindi natupad**
Sa pagitan ng mga pangyayari at sa loob ng halos 4 na buwan
- ako ay nakagat, nakalmot sa mukha, nasapak at naduraan
- umabot na siguro sa 80 beses na nag- follow up ako at PINAALALA sa KANILA ang kailangan na tao ni Ralph
- ang 12 na iba pang estudyante ay nakaranas na rin ng masalimuot na mga harassment galing kay Ralph Lauren
- lahat ay nakalagay sa papel at walang mintis na pinapasa ko sa opisina sa hangad na bigyang pansin ang kaso ng NAWAWALANG PARA NI RALPH LAUREN
8: 30 Nilagay si Ralph sa therapy chair, wala pang isang minuto, para siyan ahas na nakawala pero bago nito ay kamuntik na naman siya (ika- 100 na pagkakataon) na magbigti siya sa belt ng upuan
8: 32 Hinawakan si Ralph at nilagay sa paanan ko at tinangkang magturo, hindi ko na maalala ang lahat pero
- kinagat ako sa aking hintuturo
- tinadyakan si B1 at B2
8:35 ITO NA! (I had it!) PUSANG GALA! Hindi ko na kaya maghintay dahil baka sa susunod na linggo, mawawalan ako ng lisensya dahil naipit si Ralph Lauren sa Elevator dahil ang akala niya, Gates of Heaven ito
8:36 Pinakiusapan ko si Dr. Peace (aming counselor) na tingnan lamang nang 2 minuto ang klase at kailangan ko na dalhin si Ralph sa opisina.
8:37 Hinawakan ko sa kamay si Ralph (hindi ko siya kinaladkad) at masaya siyang lumakad dahil akala niya ay pupunta kami sa Gates of Heaven
8:38 Nakarating kami sa opisina, kumatok ako at bumati "Good morning Boss! I am sorry to disturb you but my class wants to learn but right now I can't" sabay pasa si Ralph sa kanya
- wala siya sinabi, hindi galit
- lumabas ako at nagsabing "salamat Boss"
** Paglabas ko, may tumatakbong tao sa akin, "Ms. T, I was sent here by your other bossing, I will take care of Ralph today."
- sagot ko, "Ngayon na pumunta ako diretso sa opisina, saka sila magpapadala ng tao. Apat na buwan na ako naghinhintay, hindi ako galit sa iyo pero punong puno na ako." Sinabi ko ito in my sweet non condescending voice
8:40 Bumalik ako sa klase at tinuloy ang pagtuturo na parang walang nangyari
8:45 Biglang sinugod ako ni other Bossing at parang aso na pinalabas
Ang mga sumusunod ay ang pinaka G force na narinig ko
"Don't you know it's illegal to leave a child in the office unsupervised!" (iniwan ko si Ralph sa BOSS, teacher din siya at siya ang Inang Anay sa school)
"You can talk to me, I TOLD YOU ALREADY! I am taking care of it, you need to wait." (Siguro ay hanggang June 27 bago mahanap ang nawawalang para ni Ralph)
"You didn't have to THROW A HISSY FIT in the office!"
!!!!!! Ito na ang dulo ng lubid... sagot ko na lang
"You should know me better OTHER BOSS! I don't throw hissy fits, I AM THE LAST PERSON TO THROW ONE!"
Ang mga sumusunod ay naganap na sa pagitan ng 11:05 - 3:15
1. Nilagay sa papel ang nangyaring "kabastusan" at akusasyon na NAG HISSY TOITY FIT. Pusang Gala ulit!
2. Tinawag ko ang UFT (union) at sinabi ang aking kaso.
- very eager dahil patong patong na pala ang violations ng mga bossing ko kaya pandagdag bigat pa ang kaso ko
3. Pumunta ako sa other other bossing ko, sinabi ang nangyari. "I do not agree with what she did to you but I suggest that you talk to her first, if she speaks to you in the same manner, then you can go to the union" (Hindi ako sorry, ginawa ko na ito dahil hindi ko na alam kung sino ang pagkakatiwalaan ko sa school)
4. Kinausap ko si other bossing at THIS TIME, malumanay na ang kanyang boses. Kinorner ko siya sa opisina. Sinabi ko na,
"I really felt bad with what you told me this morning, It was a safety issue so I decided that it was the best thing to do. I have been following up Ralph's case but it has been four months and still he does not have a para. And with me throwing a hissy fit (sabay tigil lahat ng tao sa opisina, TSISMIS TIME!) I am the last person to do that and I am professional enough NOT TO DO THAT. In my eight years of teaching, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I BROUGHT A STUDENT TO THE OFFICE because I cannot teach because he is putting everyone in danger."
Hindi siya makahinga dahil visibly na upset ako, malumanay niyan sinabi "I did not mean that, someone just told me that you threw one"
To end this story, ano ang sinagot ko sa kanya
"So Bossing, kung may umakyat sa opisina mo at sinabing nakikipag kyungkangan ako sa loob ng classroom, paniniwalaan mo ba kaagad? You should know me better because as you said, "I should have known you better."
Tumawa na lang na parang tupa at sinabing "Ms. T, it's cool" with her G force accent. Ngiting aso na lang ako at sabay lumabas ng office.
Ang lesson na natutunan ko, WALA. Ang alam ko lang, hindi na ako papayag na akusahan ako na nag HISSY TOITY FIT, wala sa bokabularyo ko ang FIT dahil ayaw ko ng Diet. Pwede pa siguro ang bitch pero Professional Bitch. Dito sa New York, fight fire with fire and a Fit with a formal complaint.
|
| 0 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Dec.03.2006 @ 1:24 pm | Lasted edited: Dec.03.2006 @ 7:50 pm |
Kagabi, pumunta ako sa baby/ adult party ng isa kong katrabaho. Hispanic siya and of course, pagbungad ko sa pinto, para akong inexport sa Sto. Domingo at Puerto Rico. Ang bilis nilang mag- espanol at ang musika ay sobrang bilis na ang naintindihan ko lang na salita ay Si. Masarap ang pagkain ng mga Hispanics, nakailang balik rin ako sa meat patties. Pero ang nakatawag pansin sa akin ay ang "bar" sa loob ng bahay. Umaapaw ang beer, whiskey, rum, vodka at tequila na nagmukha ng liquor store ang bahay. Nang tinanong ako kung ano ang gusto kong inumin, sabi ko tequila lang. Sampung tanong na ang tinirada sa akin, "How do you want it? With Soda? Juice? Shot? With Grape? With this and that?" Sagot ko na lang sa aking pagkahilo ay with orange juice. Mahirap talaga kung hindi ka marunong magsalita ng espanol dito sa New York. Ito ang pangalawang lenguahe ng mga NYorkers at feeling ko kailangan ko nang mag- hire ng interpreter. Hindi naman sila bastos at ilang tao rin ang nag- translate para sa akin. Siyempre ngiti at tawa na lang ang ginawa ko kahit hindi ko naintindihan. Magaling rin sila sumayaw ng Salsa at Merengue. Tinuruan ako ng Merengue, pasado naman pero hindi ako komportable kapag hindi ko kakilala ang kasayaw ko. Lumabas tuloy ang pagka- kawayan ng katawan ko. Dumating rin sa wakas ang isa kong kaibigan na wala ring clue sa spanish. At least may karamay na ako. Nakarelax na rin ako at nag- enjoy na rin sa party. Bago mag alas-dose, lumabas ang isang babae hawak hawak si Cuervo. Tinanong kung sino ang gusto mag shot ng Tequila. Wala pa akong sagot, may dumapo na isang shot glass, asin at lemon sa kamay ko. Nagtinginan na lang kami ng aking friend at sa bilang ng 3, sabay shot na. Ayun ang isang shot ay naging 5, naging sampu at hindi ko na mabilang. Okay lang dahil sanay ang katawan ko sa Tequila. Careful lang ako na huwag isama pa si Coors Light at baka lumabas lahat ng meat patties na nilamon ko. Hindi ko na alam kung anong oras ako hinatid ng mga kasama ko. Basta alam ko lang ay nag- enjoy ako. First hand experience ko na makasalimuha sa kanila outside ng trabaho. Language man ang barrier pero naalis ang ilan sa prejudice/ stereotyping/ judging na ginawa ko. Ngayong umaga ng Linggo, gumising ako na walang hang- over (thank you Ibufropen). Umiindak pa rin ang mga paa ko sa rythm ng music na narinig ko nang halos 6 na oras. Binuksan ko ang laptop at sinimulan na isulat ito. Sa ngayon, tama na muna ang "party animal" at balik na naman sa race track ng New York.
Kakabasa ko ang tungkol sa trahedya sa atin bayan, courtesy of Typhoon Durian. Nakakalungkot na makita sa internet ang buong balita at ang mga pictures. Ang mas nakakalungkot pa ay ang debate ng iba't ibang tao na hindi naman biktima ng trahedya. Ang sabi ng isa, dapat daw maging bahagi ng edukasyon ang tungkol sa disasters tulad ng tsunami at hurricanes. Sang- ayon ako dito pero hindi lang sa loob ng paaralan. Ang sabi naman ng pangalawa, "Hindi! Dapat daw ay may sapat na warning ang mga tao, lalo na sa tatamaan ng bagyo. Sila lang ba?, sa aking palagay buong Pilipinas dapat may warning. Paano kaya yung mga nakatira sa tuktok ng bundok o sa paanan ng bulkan? Alam ko na wala silang Nokia much less kuryente. Ang sabi naman ng pangatlo na totally agree ako "Ayusin ang ekonomiya ng bansa." Wala na akong masabi.
|
| 0 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.30.2006 @ 10:11 pm |
"Attitude Problem"
Nasa restroom ako kaninang hapon at masarap na nakikipag- chikahan sa aking co- teacher. Prep ko at iniwan ko talaga ang klase ko for 45 minutes para hindi ako mabaliw. Kung may dumaan o may isang tsismosa na nakarinig sa amin, malamang nakasuhan na ako ng profanity (severe). Ang aking katrabaho ay sobrang magmura din in her jamaican accent. Ako naman "Putang Ina!" na talaga namang tinatawanan niya. Bakit kami ganito magmura? DAHIL SA PAGOD, BULLSHIT na PINAPAGAWA sa amin (kala yata ng BOE eh kami si Darna o si Green Lantern) Lagi kaseng sumesemplang sa state exam ang aming paaralan. Second to the last kami sa failing (buong Bronx ito ha, bongga!) Ang lagay pa, ang daming absent na teachers kaya ang aming klase ay "dumping site". 18 na bata ang hawak ko kanina, okey lang. Isang bumbilya lang naman ang sumabog dahil sa init ng ulo ko. Composure and poise pa rin ang inisip ko pero sa totoo lang, Letse! ganito ba talaga magturo sa New York? Parang pahirap nang pahirap bawat taon. Hindi ko ito sinusulat para mawalan ng lakas ng loob ang mga applicants mula sa aking Inang Bayan, maraming magandang school dito sa Big Apple, ipag novena mo lang na huwag sa G force Community school ka ma- assign. Sa 30 minutos naming pag-uusap, limang bagay ang nasabi ng aking co teacher na pinagbago ko. May "attitude" na daw ako. Malaking halakhak at sabay high five kami. Ending ng conversation namin ay nagsisimula sa letrang F.
1. Marunong na akong mag say ng "NO" . Firm, hindi ako ngumingiti kase para akong tupa na pagtritripan dahil on probation pa.
2. "Good Bitch" na ako, in other words:mabait sa karapat dapat na mga tao at leon sa mga walang kwenta at yung mga nag- uutos na magsinungaling sa mga magulang.
3. Hindi na ako nagpapasa ng ibang "mandatory" papers. Siyempre ang mga needed records laging on time pero yung mga iba tulad ng Vote for this and that, agree ka ba o hindi na extend pa ang meeting o ito ang ibigay na Homework sa klase ko, Nevah! Alam ko kung ano ang kaya at hindi pa nila kaya.
4. LUMAKAS NA ANG BOSES KO to the 10th power. Kapag kumanta pa ako ng nursery rhymes, okey sa alright kase yung 2 klase na katabi ko, natuto ng colors dahil sa song na "I love the rainbow, I love the butterfly" Kabilang ito sa greatest hits ko Vol. 1.
5. Bronx "Bitch" na ako.... teka parang naulit ko na ito. Sinadya ko dahil isipin niyo na lang na ako ay parang kalyo, taon taon ay kumakapal hanggang maging bato (huwag naman sana yung may putik putik). Pero sa harap ng mga estudyante ko, pusong Goldilocks pa rin ako.
|
| 1 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.29.2006 @ 9:48 pm | Lasted edited: Dec.03.2006 @ 12:02 pm |
Pen Aquatic
I was rearranging and categorizing my collection of DVDs today. I was exhausted from work but it seems my mind refuses to take a break. This is a regular scenario in my life. A perfect example is when I am doing my Pilates, I am thinking of the life of Van Gogh and how displeased I am with how he was only recognized when he was six feet under. Now, let us get back to our topic which is..... my DVDs. Aside from the growing Anime collection, I noticed that I have 60 DVDs of horror such as massacres, vampires, flesh eating diseases, evil things that come to life and even a Japanese flick weirdly titled "Audition." I asked myself, "Aside from the money I spent on this stuff, what do I get from them?" Simple, I get inspiration for my writing. If Edgar Allan Poe drinks until he cannot differentiate reality from fiction, can write tales of the Black Cat and the Tell Tale Heart, why can't I indulge in my "inner sanctuary? " You may get spooked that I love vampires, werewolves, things that go up from wells, slimy, hacked body parts. To reassure you that I am quite normal, I was never diagnosed as schizophrenic or psychotic. I am just a plain eccentric writer. When I first watched "Night of the Living Dead" when I was in my elementary years, the gates of literary blood flowed through my veins. I started writing and reading like a crazed coyote. My teachers noticed that I can write about a topic upon command but there is always something peculiar about my story reports. I almost always sided with the antagonist(s) of the tale. I often pondered on the reasons that they are like that in the story. However, I know that the Catholic teachers were too prudish to confront me or they probably dismissed me as one of the "weird" ones. It has always been my pride that I never do a draft. Thoughts always flow like a river and I write down as fast as I can for fear of losing them. During the process of my thesis writing days, I was just forced to revise it and damn, I hated it! However, my book "New York is an Island" was different, ironic because I edited and revised it 50 times (yes, I do know how to count). High school days were my latency stage. I just wrote due to requirement without too much vigor and of course under the scrutiny of my religious high school. I felt trapped and I cursed even when my papers come back with a 9 out of 10 score. I wanted to write about the craziness of the world, the angst of people and how young people like me can fall in love at the wrong place and with the wrong person. One time, I did an essay on how Rizal, our national hero made an impact on how Filipinos think. I used a term "tumatalamak" (translated as impacting/ with force). My teacher crossed it out and noted "Change your word" in red pen. I still got a high grade but I tore that paper and come to think of it, I never think highly of Rizal who was chosen by the Americans to be our national hero (no apology to the Rizalistas) but I admire Bonifacio, his being uneducated was taken against him and he was assassinated by his own supposed comrades. Okay, now where am I again? Oh! yes, the topic of how I write. In my college years, I had more freedom due to exposure to men. Before you think of anything else, I was imprisoned for four years in an all girls' high school and I did not have a single clue about them. I am eternally grateful for being friends with an artist, a drummer, illustrator, a gay person and a soon to be priest man. I have more guy friends than women. Sometimes my boyfriend would comment that I do not act like a lady and that I have a potty mouth. I always retort that "I am prim and proper" with my fingers crossed at my back. With my thoughts of men, how their mechanism works and again being ignited by "Interview with the Vampire", I started writing like a subway train. I wrote about rebellion, depression, anger, suicide, hatred and cynical perspectives. My siblings told me that I have always been attracted to the dark side. But until now, I never drank the blood of an infant or a goat. It just so happens that I like to write the yin of things. However, I can write about the sunny and bright things of life. I was known in the University as one of the best writers of love letters. My boy friends would ask me to compose a poem for their object(s) of affection or a love letter celebrating 5th monthsary. I wrote them as if I were the one in love. One day, I found my own letter sent to me signed by an ardent suitor. I laughed it off and until this day, I do not have any attempt of accusing him of plagiarism. The first time I fell in love with a man, it was tragic and so were my poems for him. I burned them all with my young heart. It was only when I was 19 that I opened my heart again but somehow, I never got those words back. Perhaps, love has bitten me in the ass big time. My writings were my treasures but I was careless with them. I did not keep a copy since I liked giving them away to people who are interested or were "weird" as I am. In my senior year, I wrote an essay about sex for the first time. I let my professor read it and I saw her turn beet red. She said "Excellent writing! but wait until you graduate." Right then I knew, I can write with impact. I can surprise, upstage, mock, challenge and even provoke thinking among readers.
In the film "Life Aquatic", Bill Murray was Steve Zissou who was in pursuit of "The Jaguar Shark." I love the movie aside from the fact that he is one of my favorite actors but his portrayal of a "never give up, never surrender" zeal until he met his fish; in his Belafonte, he dived into the deepest oceans to seek his final quest, I empathize with the character . I know I will write hundreds maybe thousands of essays, poems and books. I wrote two books already. One is in the field of my occupation and the other one is awaiting approval of the publisher within two months. Come what may, I will still watch flicks of splashing blood, tortured and mangled bodies and a brilliant Psychiatrist who fancies fried brains. The undead, the disfigured and Hyde stricken beings will continue to encourage me to write. As the saying goes "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword", my writings are for fencing. But not just simple fencing but samurai sword fighting like in Kill Bill Vol.1 and 2. I guess I can write the screenplay for Vol. 3. |
| 5 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.27.2006 @ 2:24 am |
** To jo, I hope it isn alright that I post this on the website since it will answer most questions of blog visitors who are applying to work here***
hope you still can find time answering my inquiries: 1. I'm taking up my MA in SPED this sem. though their focus here is on giftedness. minor subj. lang ang mga tungkol sa slow learners, pdd, etc., would it still count as an advantage when i apply sa US? Yes, the subject is giftedness is acceoted here, under siya spectrum ng sped 2. My aunt is already teaching in CA, she said i have to take up education w/c I am (magtest na ako ng LET by Aug. next year, supposed to be this year, but I had a difficult pregnancy nga), pero she added that I also need to present a CERTIFICATION IN PRACTICE TEACHING w/c I do not have kasi sa Open University ko lang kinuha yung Educ units ko if ever mag-apply ako sa US. - If you can get from PRC or whatever, ask ko yung friend ko kung paano siya nakakuha kase pol sci siya eh nakakuha naman siya... it is possible tayo pang pinoy, yung mga kasama ko dito eh super rush sped courses lang kinuha nila in 1 month, credited lahat i think they enrolled in a univeristy My question is, is it really a must to have a PRACTICE TEACHING CERTIFICATE? Did you have one? Yes, it is required, kung LET passer ka, if you have ito na iyon, Kung pwede, take ka LET exam for teachers, ito ginawa ko kasi gusto nila may license ka sa pinanggalingan mo. Ngayon sa MA ko, we have a practicum sa gifted education, I just don't know if that would suit the requirement. YES IT WILL GANDA, add your experiences as a tutor too, that counts, just get a certificate, hopefully they can write that you are a teacher and not just a tutor. 3. I'm a full time Guidance Counselor, kailangan ba talagang magturo ako to have a teaching experience muna dito before applying sa US? YES, pero kung pwede ka humingi ng certfcate na habang guidance coun sselor ka eh nagtuturo ka, okey sa alright na How many years ang minimum if it is required? And if I plan to apply dyan in SPED, kailangan din bang SPED din ang experience ko dito? Kahit one year lang, pero ipa count mo rin yung turtorials mo, just get CERTIFICATES dating your work with them Di ba enough iyong tutorial ko ng 7 yrs. sa isang autistic child? Or being a shadow teacher to special children & assistant teacher sa preschool for 3 yrs.? Shadow teacher is also a teacher here, okey nga kase pag nilagay ka sa inclusion, ito na ang job mo:) hope i was able to help, Hazel |
| 0 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.24.2006 @ 9:30 pm |
Itim na Biyernes
Thanksgiving kahapon at dito sa New York, may mas significance ito kesa sa Pasko. Talagang pinaghahandaan ang holiday na ito (kawawang mga Turkeys). Kumain ako ng buong hita at sangkatutak na potato salad, mashed potato at coconut custard cake. Feeling ko tuloy Ms. Potato head na ako. Hindi na ako uulit na kainin ang ganitong combination ng pagkain dahil ang tiyan ko ay nagmukhang batsa at sa sobrang hilab, pakiramdam ko ay manganganak na ako.
"Black Friday" ang tawag sa araw pagkatapos ng Thanksgiving. Isa ito sa inaabangan ng mga Nyorkers dahil alas 5 pa lang ng umaga ay bukas na ang mga stores at mega sale (as in). Binigyan ako ng challenge ng boyfriend ko na gawin naming tradition ang itim na biyernes. Siyempre di ako papatalo, pumayag ako na gumising nang alas- 3 at maging Frosty habang lumalakad sa subway station. Wala akong tulog dahil sa paghihintay na matunaw ang sangkatutak na patatas sa katawan ko (ito ang napapala ng mga taong may mantra na no diet on weekends na tulad ko) at sa paglalaro sa Wii. Kakabili lang last Monday at ngayon ay addict na ako bukod sa Xbox, PS2 (masyadong mahal ang PS3), Nintendo DS Lite. Balik kabataan ako at hindi ako papaawat hanggang manalo ako sa bowling game.(Very competitive po ang author na ito).
Para kaming lasing na mga unggoy na sumakay ng 6 train hanggang 86th street. Sampung kilometro ang linya ng Best Buy pero dahil nagbabakasakaling mabili namin ang laptop na $250 lang, pumila kami na natutulog. Dalawang oras at kalahati bago kami nakapasok. Laptop! Sold Out! Dvds ang bagsak ko habang ang bf ko ay bumili ng portable na drum set. Sumikat na ang araw at hindi ko na alam kung may tuhod pa ako. Bukod pa sa wind chill na binigay ni Lord (thank you po) para kaming yelo sa labas naman ng Circuit City. Bawat isang tao na lumalabas na bitbit ang napakalaking HDTV, naiinggit kami pero "Sorry, honey. Hindi mo ako mapagbubuhat niyan. Hindi pwedeng palitan ang spinal cord natin." Dalawang oras ang lumipas at nakapasok na rin kami (Yeheey Darna!) Halos makipagpatayan ako sa Da Vinci Code PS2 game at ang Nano Starter kit. Smallville and South Park fanatic ang Latino Lover ko so halos makipagbugbugan din siya para makuha ang isa sa mga last boxed sets. Magaalas- dose na ng nang magbreakfast kami sa Mc Do. Sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi na ako uulit, kesehedong ibenta pa nila ang lahat ng DS games ng 50% off pwera na lang kung si Brad Pitt ay kasama kong lilinya. Promise! hindi na ako pipila sa lamig at sa company ng G force people.
Bukas, gising kami ng 9, may sale sa Target, malapit na yata akong maging shopaholic not anonymous:)
|
| 0 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.22.2006 @ 10:50 pm |
Thanksgiving Dance
I started the day with a nice big smile since it's Thanksgiving time. People are extra nice but I am extra nicer. I had the giddy feeling when I was buying pies for my class, people I work with and for those who do not expect me to say thank you to them. It was a very good day since we had a field trip in a farm with wild hogs, short horses, sheep, stallions (WOW!) and turkeys. Somehow those poor turkeys look delicious in my eyes. To get a head start for Thanksgiving, I did the "dance" to make it more special this year.
1. I paid for the trip cost of all my paraprofessionals and I bought them lunch too.
2. I paid for the bus driver too and provided him lunch. He seems to be the happiest in the trip.
3. I got a pumpkin for a student who was not allowed to go with us. She beamed with joy when I handed it to her (maybe I went overboard since it was bigger than her head)
4. Together with another teacher, we had a small thanksgiving party with ice cream, pies, cake, soda, donuts, chocolates. (this was torture for me but since I am disciplined, I just had 2 glazed donuts)
5. I gave a pie to my "Mother Teacher" who always looked out for me and taught me how to be a good bitch in school
6. I gave a pie to the office for the attendance lady and the parent volunteer. They say I am one of the few teachers who greet them with a smile. They did not finish school (who cares?, a lot do in the school, the all might hoity toity "professionals" but they are so smarter to volunteer for a school that is being watched closely since it is failing
7. My boss gave me a rude email since I notified her in advance that I will be out on Monday (a personal business day) and emphasized that it is prohibited to take the day off after a holiday. Well I did not throw a tantrum, I went straight to our union leader. I emailed her too with dignity and said I WILL TAKE THE DAY OFF, I am sweetly entitled to it.
8. I still smiled at my boss when she sent me another sarcastic email but I did what she wanted in 5 minutes. I gave it to her and smiled. I thanked her for her deceitful ways. From September, I am always watching my butt when she is around. Got to watch out for her next move.
9. I rode BX bus 35 with a smile and thanked the driver loudly.
10. I just said one curse when there was train traffic in the 5 line to Grand Central. I kept my cool.
11. I texted my father "No money, no remittance this month, pay your own debts" I got a hurtful response but I just hit delete. Easy according to Staples.
12. I went to 14th street Barnes and Noble and read a whole book about ghosts of Scotland. Then I took a Disney Pop Up book and I smiled up to my ears.
13. My boyfriend took me out for dinner, Vietnamese food which I am growing fond of except one Vietnamese biyatch I know (this is another chapter). I will thank him later with a nice back rub and foot massage. He is a cat by the way.
Things I should be thankful for (and most days I forget)
1. My life without no serious disease (just roller coaster moods)
2. My hands for making me work hard to teach, write and type on this website.
3. My feet who are addicted to shoes, they go flip-pity flop when I pass by a shoe shop
4. My heart (no murmurs, normal BP, normal cholesterol level, thanks to Pilates)
5. My lungs (I thanked myself for swearing off cigarrettes) Now when I am nervous, I attack King Koopa on my game console
6. My brains (THANK YOU LORD, you were a little stingy with beauty but boy! you gave me a huge amount of cells. Now they are in constant kinetic motion, always thinking and I LOVE IT)
7. My ears (nice, clean and HAS THE CAPACITY to SHUT OFF UNWANTED conversations)
8. My family (according to significance)
- grandma 86 years old (after fracturing 9 ribs last week, can still swear like a pirate and gossips like a parrot, my spy on my parents
- my two sisters (accurately 1 and 1/2 sisters) got it?
- my aunt (who throughout my schoolyears, bought me my supplies)
- my friends scattered all over US and some in the Philippines (guys, what are you waiting for?)
- my Filipino family here (Glover Street)
- my Puerto Rican family c/o my boyfriend
- Marcello (my cat)
- my JOB (it may be tiring but it pays my rent and it pays for my Victoria's Secret Undies)
9. My boss, she treats me like her equal, yeah equal animosity and I am loving every second of it (competitive nature emits from my ears)
10. My faithful readers who encouraged me to finish the book "Ang New York ay Isang Isla/ New York is an Island" and still continues to motivate me while I am waiting for the publishing gods' approval
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!.... do the dance, okay?
|
| 0 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.18.2006 @ 4:43 pm |
The Worst Subway Ride
Yesterday, I had to go to Manhattan to meet my friend to watch a movie. I went to 167th street 4 station and just from the scent of the air, I can tell I am in G force territory. The train was arriving and all the "wildebeest" rushed forward. I ran to the front of the train hoping to get a seat. But lo and behold! It was packed like a sardine can. I squeezed myself in and I felt a hand groped my left breast. I am too tired to start a fight so I just step on the man's foot and stared at him. He muttered an obscene word but again I am too "veggie state" to retaliate. After each stop, more and more people got on the train. I couldn't't breathe and I felt like all body secretions were all over me. Call me a racist but it is really unpleasant when G force people is with you. With the scent of their unwashed (for more than a month) hair plus the cheap perfume/ cologne they wear is enough to kill me. One more thing, their demeanor which is really really annoying. Sooner than I thought, I heard a commotion, Two G force men fighting over a "cookie" (that's what I heard) and then in a split second, they were grabbing each other's throat. I felt my body slammed on the subway door. and my Ipod almost crushed. I hate it and I wanted to say "PUTANG INA NINYO! TUMAHIMIK KAYONG MGA PUSIT!" I guess New York is used to them and not even a single soul cared to intervene. They got off 125th street. I was teary eyed, legs hurting, having that time of the month and my head full of financial problems and I said it will make me want to jump of the rail too. I finally reached 14th street. I went to Strand Bookstore's restroom and there, I cried like a baby. A filipina worker crying, bawling, and even cursing. Someone knocked on the door and asked "Are you alright Miss?" I said "Yeah, thanks," I washed my face, fixed my hair and put on menthol lip gloss (I was getting paranoid, I thought my lips were permanently numb). I went to the Children's section straight to the pop up books. I sat down with Dr.Seuss' books and I started to smile at the rhyming words. I put it down and found a book about mythology. I always fancied myths, I read half of the book and I decided to buy it. $8.97 for my sanity during the worst subway ride of my life.
|
| 0 Comments / Subscribe To Comments |
| Posted: Nov.13.2006 @ 9:57 pm | Lasted edited: Nov.14.2006 @ 6:24 pm |
Lessons Learned from the Sphinx
Today was the first part of our Parent Teacher Conference Event. Out of 15 students that I have, only four showed up. This is a good number since I often do not see in all my years of teaching that parents come to these meetings. They have a million reasons not to come, some valid and most is just because they know already the grades of their children, below the standard. Two of the parents who came are non- English speakers so I have to rely on my trusted paraprofessional to translate for both parties. Generally, they were happy with the little yet obvious I'mprovement in their child's behavioral and cognitive skills. I want to be humble but deep inside I feel proud too that I am part of the catalyst of that change. A parent commented that as soon as her son arrives from school, he talks non stop about me and how the day went. He even mentions that he knows that I love silver earrings and that I ask them for 5 minutes of silence in the afternoon so that Ms. T will not go crazy. He sings the songs I taught im to his grandmother and cousins and he perfectly mimics the way I do a read aloud. One woman narrated in Spanish that her adopted granddaughter would come home smiling because "Ms. T called me Princess. She gets angry when I am stubborn but when I say sorry, she gives me a hug." She even told her good- for- nothing mother mom on weekends that "Ms. T smells more good than you, She smells like flowers and I love her." These words melted my heart but one parent said that she is very grateful for the things that I have done to help her child learn. She has improved on her attention span and she does not talk back. As her daughter says "We don't talk like that in the classroom, are you from the streets? Use complete sentences and we were not we was". But she said one day, she came home sad because "Ms. T does not want to dance with me, Ms. T said "I can't because I am busy and I don't have time." I was embarrassed and I apologize but the mother said she perfectly understands that I have a lot to deal with. However, I still insisted in making it up for my student when she comes in tomorrow. I made a mental list of "Things to do aside from teaching"
1. Never refuse a dance from a student
2. I will try not to say, "Make it fast" three times
3. When a student comes in with a frown, I will pause first and say "hello, are you okay?" instead of "How do we enter the room?" with a raised eyebrow.
4. I will try to be patient when they say they will not write because their pencils are not sharpened
5. During snack time, I will happily accept (once or twice, watch the diet!) an Oreo or Cheeto's.
6. I promise to give each student a hug EVERYDAY. At times I forget to appreciate others for I am too focused on paperwork of meeting deadlines
7. When a student raises her hand and says "Ms. T, can you help me?", I will try to answer nicely and not "You have Mr. and Ms. there, I am here working with your other classmates." I will try to go an extra mile of patience and see what that child needs from me
8. I will finally let them touch my hair (as long as they wash their hands first) THEY LOVE PLAYING HAIRDRESSER! and my long hair is an easy target
9. When it is really funny, I will laugh like I mean it and not pretend to be prim and proper
10. I will be patient when it's dismissal time and half of them have difficulty putting on their coats
11. I promise that by December, I will smile more often when rules and routines are deeply established in my class
12. Gym time will not be taken away from them but if needed at least 10 minutes on the bench
13. When they ask for music time, I will sacrifice 8 minutes of my Math workshop to play "I want to color my world crayola" (Which drives me nuts) and let them roll, wave and sing like ducks in the meeting area
14. When a student asks me if he/ she can have lunch with me, I will say yes but one for each week
15. Finally, I will really really really try to answer 20 questions at the same time with a smile.
Good night.
|
| Posted: Nov.07.2006 @ 10:12 pm | Lasted edited: Nov.14.2006 @ 6:25 pm |
Kindergarten in Harvard University?
I attended a workshop today
It was about effective writing
It's writing put into play
But I say it is so confusing
They say two lines
Others say three
Write less, fine
Classes are not free
My Kindergarten class
Is quite different
Each day that will pass
At times tears I sent
Tears because I am tough
Yet I shower them with affection
I teach, to have perseverance is enough
And not for unwanted attention
I bought them special pencils
Grips, stickers, magic paper
I am their teacher, their stencil
And with me, they feel Safer
Feel safer as I always tell
Because to force them is wrong
Others curl up in their shell
And many fail to be strong
I remember my kindergarten days
I loved my pencil and desk
It was my perfect getaway
I write and write without stress
We practice lines, circles,
Trace the dots, slants and square
My hands glided without hurdle
I loved writing to its very shape
Today, I noticed children
Pencils and paper are prison
First day, write name times ten
They soon show early frustration
I yearn to see the fire
Of being in a magical land
Where a pencil becomes alive
With just a flick of the hand
I do not recall how I learned
To read, count and write
Maybe I had fun, so much I yearn
And it made everything alright
I fear the day I will have a child
That a teacher hands him a pencil
Will he be compliant or wild?
Or just zip and stand still?
I want him to enjoy feeling
The pencil, the works of the brain
I'll die if he comes home crying
Because writing brought him pain
I teach my class with a movie theme
I make writing a scene that I stole
Not perfect yet heightens their self esteem
And they definitely love to play the "Role"
A pirate with a pencil for a sword
A tooth fairy with a magic wand
Lines form into readable words
And writing with a monkey hand
I assign roles, tap into their imagination
Never force, discouraged, never mandated
Failure is the result of frustration
And my goals, this is not stated
Others may say I am too lenient
That I don't follow the rules
I do, but I almost always bend
A teacher I am, not a fool
I greet the kids by the door
Our circle time is fun and magical
Writing is next at the count of four
And their pencil is their best pal
|
|
|