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The name is Elaine or Ien or Pssst or Hoy ...or whatever suits you
...from the city of Davao
...26 with fine lines and wrinkles already
...short-haired, two-eyed na! (thanks to constact lenses), right-handed, flat-footed
...wants to be a Buddhist and a United Nations interpreter someday
...confused about life in general
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Friday, March 18
Mahal na Araw
We went up Shrine Hills today. We had our Division's Planning and Evaluation meeting at Jack's Ridge, which is located somewhere up those hills [overlooking the whole city]. Ah, breathtaking! That place reminded me of the coming season.
Ever since I was a kid, every Holy Thursday, I hike from the highway up to its summit with my family. My mom used to say it's a good form of "sacrifice." But I honestly thought she's just making excuses because our car was not that "heavy-duty" to climb up its steep slopes. Sure, I complained, but the sceneries we passed by all the way up is worth all the sweat.
Today, I am again reminded of my annual panata for next week. Suprisingly, I don't think of it as my mom's excuse anymore (because she's no longer around to force me to do it). It's the least that I can do, considering I haven't been much of a Christian lately. I'm even thinking of additional sacrifices (that is if God's even counting them by the deed) like not watching TV for the whole week (and missing 7th Heaven marathons) or not eating pork the whole week. Seriously, I think it would be interesting to make mahal na araw an everyday thing. Actually, it probably is for a lot of people who are doing little sacrifices everyday. Sadly, I'm not one of them.
And so, when we went up Shrine Hills this morning, I realized it's still there pala even if it's not Holy Thursday.
-------------------
I guess I have this inner urge to restrain myself, not only for religious reasons, but because I feel none of the things I am engaged in right now is challenging anymore.
We went up Shrine Hills today. We had our Division's Planning and Evaluation meeting at Jack's Ridge, which is located somewhere up those hills [overlooking the whole city]. Ah, breathtaking! That place reminded me of the coming season.
Ever since I was a kid, every Holy Thursday, I hike from the highway up to its summit with my family. My mom used to say it's a good form of "sacrifice." But I honestly thought she's just making excuses because our car was not that "heavy-duty" to climb up its steep slopes. Sure, I complained, but the sceneries we passed by all the way up is worth all the sweat.
Today, I am again reminded of my annual panata for next week. Suprisingly, I don't think of it as my mom's excuse anymore (because she's no longer around to force me to do it). It's the least that I can do, considering I haven't been much of a Christian lately. I'm even thinking of additional sacrifices (that is if God's even counting them by the deed) like not watching TV for the whole week (and missing 7th Heaven marathons) or not eating pork the whole week. Seriously, I think it would be interesting to make mahal na araw an everyday thing. Actually, it probably is for a lot of people who are doing little sacrifices everyday. Sadly, I'm not one of them.
And so, when we went up Shrine Hills this morning, I realized it's still there pala even if it's not Holy Thursday.
-------------------
I guess I have this inner urge to restrain myself, not only for religious reasons, but because I feel none of the things I am engaged in right now is challenging anymore.
Monday, March 14
Losing My Other Job
i think i won't be getting any teaching load from UP Mindanao anymore. no official statements from the program coordinator though. but the fact that it's already pre-enlistment and i still don't know what subject i will teach next semester is a sign that i may not be teaching there next schoolyear. it's ok. i hate the pressure of enrolling my masters here just so i'll get hired or get an instant tenure for my college teaching. don't get me wrong. i enjoy teaching. this could be my lifetime career. i will get my masters for sure... but not in davao city. i studied at diliman for my BS Arch only to aspire for a less prestigeous school for my masters? definitely no way.
well, i may be losing another source of income, but i will be gaining more time to focus on private practice. i just talked with a prospective client last weekend. and i had previous commitments that i wasn't able to attend to. pending work is mostly residential and institutional, but i don't mind. a project is still a project. i might also go back doing mala-TFA work (read: kawang-gawa, pro-bono, "socialwork-ing"). UAP davao will be involved in gawad kalinga and Mar Palengke projects soon. these kinds of work put you in the right perspective, don't you think?
losing a job also means that i have to tighten my belt for a while. luckily, i've been saving up for rainy days like this. good thing the only monthly payable i have [aside from electric and water bills] is my pension plan. i don't have a credit card. my cellphone is pre-paid. i don't buy appliances in "hulugan". i don't pawn my jewelry. Francisco Colayco's book really prepared me for this. hehehe! seriously, i'm glad that my parents (who are both accountants by the way) taught me how and where to put my money. i guess if i'm totally out of work, i can sideline as financial manager. hehehe
i think i won't be getting any teaching load from UP Mindanao anymore. no official statements from the program coordinator though. but the fact that it's already pre-enlistment and i still don't know what subject i will teach next semester is a sign that i may not be teaching there next schoolyear. it's ok. i hate the pressure of enrolling my masters here just so i'll get hired or get an instant tenure for my college teaching. don't get me wrong. i enjoy teaching. this could be my lifetime career. i will get my masters for sure... but not in davao city. i studied at diliman for my BS Arch only to aspire for a less prestigeous school for my masters? definitely no way.
well, i may be losing another source of income, but i will be gaining more time to focus on private practice. i just talked with a prospective client last weekend. and i had previous commitments that i wasn't able to attend to. pending work is mostly residential and institutional, but i don't mind. a project is still a project. i might also go back doing mala-TFA work (read: kawang-gawa, pro-bono, "socialwork-ing"). UAP davao will be involved in gawad kalinga and Mar Palengke projects soon. these kinds of work put you in the right perspective, don't you think?
losing a job also means that i have to tighten my belt for a while. luckily, i've been saving up for rainy days like this. good thing the only monthly payable i have [aside from electric and water bills] is my pension plan. i don't have a credit card. my cellphone is pre-paid. i don't buy appliances in "hulugan". i don't pawn my jewelry. Francisco Colayco's book really prepared me for this. hehehe! seriously, i'm glad that my parents (who are both accountants by the way) taught me how and where to put my money. i guess if i'm totally out of work, i can sideline as financial manager. hehehe
Wednesday, March 9
Joke Joke
first joke (got it from MTV Asia Most Wanted)
blonde girl enters a library, tells the librarian, "fries and coke please."
librarian replies,"i'm sorry, but this is a library."
then blonde girl whispers,"fries and coke please."
----------------------
second joke (got it from my fifth year student)
the graduating class invited Sir Basa (a co-teacher) to a drinking session after thesis delibs.
Student: Sir, may iko-confess kame sayo. Everytime nagpapa-quiz ka, nagkokopyahan lang kame.
Sir Basa: Ako rin may iko-confess sa inyo. Yung mga quiz nyo saken, hindi ko chine-check.
.... nyaaaay! scary joke!!!!
first joke (got it from MTV Asia Most Wanted)
blonde girl enters a library, tells the librarian, "fries and coke please."
librarian replies,"i'm sorry, but this is a library."
then blonde girl whispers,"fries and coke please."
----------------------
second joke (got it from my fifth year student)
the graduating class invited Sir Basa (a co-teacher) to a drinking session after thesis delibs.
Student: Sir, may iko-confess kame sayo. Everytime nagpapa-quiz ka, nagkokopyahan lang kame.
Sir Basa: Ako rin may iko-confess sa inyo. Yung mga quiz nyo saken, hindi ko chine-check.
.... nyaaaay! scary joke!!!!
Saturday, March 5
Turkey Party
Since i joined UAP-Davao, I discovered how fun it is to hang out with older guys. With "hang out" i mean just for company... inuman, kwentuhan and the like. Most of my "ka-berks" in the chapter are men as old as my dad. And yes, they sometimes get awkward with the age thing. One time, one of them said, "hmmm, parang ayoko yatang marinig ng anak ko'ng kinukwento ko." With that, I know i would have to make a partial exit and let the men be boys.
Anyway, I missed the chapter's "turkey party" today. From the name you would know we'll be eating turkey. Boy Samodio's turkey is old (according to him) and would be better of cooked. I never knew an old turkey can be a reason to celebrate... that's only in UAP-Davao! Again, I missed it. I'm stuck here doing the documentation for Best Chapter Award. Teka, bat nga ba ako gumagawa nito? Well, can't do anything about it anymore. I'm here. I'm bored.
Since i joined UAP-Davao, I discovered how fun it is to hang out with older guys. With "hang out" i mean just for company... inuman, kwentuhan and the like. Most of my "ka-berks" in the chapter are men as old as my dad. And yes, they sometimes get awkward with the age thing. One time, one of them said, "hmmm, parang ayoko yatang marinig ng anak ko'ng kinukwento ko." With that, I know i would have to make a partial exit and let the men be boys.
Anyway, I missed the chapter's "turkey party" today. From the name you would know we'll be eating turkey. Boy Samodio's turkey is old (according to him) and would be better of cooked. I never knew an old turkey can be a reason to celebrate... that's only in UAP-Davao! Again, I missed it. I'm stuck here doing the documentation for Best Chapter Award. Teka, bat nga ba ako gumagawa nito? Well, can't do anything about it anymore. I'm here. I'm bored.