Stress, Challenges and Joys of an Educator

Posted by mhel in education, general, relationship, self-help on July 2nd, 2009

For the first time in my life, I went to the salon with a handful of reflection papers to read, check, and rate, while having my hair cut and my nails done.

Even enjoying my day in a salon is now a vague possibility. My days are busier and more stressful than ever. I can’t remember anymore the last time I even tried relaxing without even thinking about my lesson plan, school projects, research papers, and… so on and so forth. Indeed, the life of an educator is more than just in the confines of the classroom. There are more work than ever once your class is over.

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Only From Marikina: “Salitang” Marikeño Part 2

Posted by mhel in about marikina, general on June 30th, 2009

This is the second installment of the “Salitang” Marikeño Series. Here is the introduction for these articles featuring the local terminologies that rooted from Marikina:

marikina terminologies

Marikeños are unique people with a very rich culture. Part of their contribution to the Philippine heritage are these terminologies or “salita” or katawagan” that is truly from Marikina:

(Source: Balitang Komunidad, January to March 2009 Edition)

  • Atungal. malakas umiyak (cries hard). Example in a sentence: “Tumigl ka sa kaka-atungal; ‘di nyan mababago ang desisyon ko.”
  • Urangod. dapa, subsob (fall down hard, head first). Example in a sentence: “Napakalikot kasi ng anak ni Manang Celia kaya ito naurangod.”
  • Walang latoy. walang gana (not energetic or does not show vigor). Example in a sentence: “Paano kayo mananalo sa paligsahan, wala kayong kalatuy-latoy na mag-ensayo?.”
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    Weather Abnormalities

    Posted by mhel in general, health and fitness on June 29th, 2009

    My day’s plan was haphazardly changed because of the sudden rain in the late afternoon. It was a sunny, wonderful day, in the morning up to the afternoon and I was set to accomplish some personal tasks like going to the salon for a haircut and a pedicure when suddenly, while getting dressed, the rain suddenly poured in, and “big time.”

    Fortunately, the rain was not like the storm last week. That storm, named Feria, was ferocious and came with gusting wind. I was at the workplace at that time and I saw how the streets got flooded in less than an hour and how the storm made some edifice and trees go down. It was fortunate that no one was hurt seriously. Last week’s storm gave me a mild trauma when its raining a little heavily.
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    Job Opportunity at the Center for Excellence

    Posted by mhel in about marikina, general, jobs on June 25th, 2009

    Good news to job hunters, the Center for Excellence, a training center under the City Government of Marikina, is in need of an Office Personnel, specifically, an OFFICE CLERK. Below are the minimum requirements for the said position:

  • Age range: between 23 to 35 years old, preferably Male with Driving Skills
  • College graduate of any course
  • Organized and with systems in mind for filing (and safekeeping) of documents and training materials
  • Good data encoding skills and adept in using MS Office particularly word, excel and powerpoint
  • Can operate office equipment like computers, facsimile, PBX, photocopying machine, risograph, etc.
  • Good communication and frontline skills
  • Patient, trustworthy, hardworking and willing to be trained
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    No Classes Today in Elementary and High School due to Storm Feria

    Posted by mhel in about marikina, general, health and fitness on June 24th, 2009

    Announcement to all parents of elementary and high school students living in Metro manila, there are no classes today in these levels. The metro is still under Signal No. 2 due to Storm Feria.

    Feria hit Metro Manila hardly yesterday. In Marikina, the storm was fiercely felt late in the afternoon. I was in the city hall at that time and I was stunned by the ferocious wind and the roaring thunder. The park fronting the city hall and side streets fronting the public schools were instantly flooded. Thanks to God, no one was seriously hurt as there was no report of casualties due to the raging storm.

    Despite the rain and the suspension of classes in elementary and high school, I still had to conduct my classes for college students. Fortunately, the rain subsided in the evening so me and many of my students were able to reach our classroom safely but because there are already flooded areas in the city, some of my students were stranded either in the traffic jam or in flooded areas.
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    Questions From Readers

    Posted by mhel in about marikina, general on June 21st, 2009

    Here are some the questions I’ve received lately from readers:

    I’ve visited SM Marikina a couple of times but now, I can’t recall if the place has a photo studio and a salon. I need to get visa and passport photos taken and I was hoping that the mall has them. I looked around the internet and saw Megapixels studio. When I called them they said they only do weddings and special events (bah!). So what about regular people with regular needs (passport photos where we don’t look bad)? I like SM Marikina because I can take my little one to Kids@Play and it isn’t as crowded as the one in Megamall. It also has good ventilation. The other kid centers in Megamall are also very hot (according to my yaya), which meant my baby was sweating buckets. Charm

    You are lucky I just went to SM Marikina the other day and I was surprised that there’s already a Photoline Studio branch at the ground floor of the mall, the floor where the megapixels studio is also located. I’d vouch for Photoline since I had my I.D. photo taken with them just last week, for just P65.00, I already have a set of 2×2 and 1×1 pictures. In an hour you’d be able to get it already and the good part is that they use really nice photo papers. I am very contented with the printout. With regards to the salon, I am not sure but I think there are salons also in the floor where Photoline is. Maybe our readers can help you more with that.

    Here’s another letter:

    Hi! I just want to ask on how to change the address in my voter’s i.d.? I was residing in San Mateo Rizal when I had my voter’s i.d way back 2002 I think, and now I’ve been residing in Marikina for almost 3 years and I want to update/change the address in my voter’s i.d. but I don’t know how. Please help me. Thanks. Crystal

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    A Semester of Stress, Pressure, Commitment and Bliss

    Posted by mhel in education, general, self-help on June 18th, 2009

    After two days of serving as a college instructor, a new leap in my career, I am now very drained — physically, emotionally, and intellectually. The stress is getting to me and I am simply succumbing to its downside now.

    Undoubtedly, the challenge of this profession is getting to me and although I am totally committed to this, I can’t help feeling tired and pressured. The first day of my class was depressing as I was late for class in account of the heavy rain, and transportation and traffic problems. I am not reasoning here but I guess my first teaching day was not welcomed well with a good weather. Needless to say, my spirit when I went home was as damp as my clothes.

    I just realized how challenging teaching really is. Although tired and sleepy after classes, I need to try to wake myself up and steady my hand and eyes to prepare for my next lessons and to check and record my students’ output. Teaching is indeed a noble task, money would never compensate for the hardships and sacrifices a teacher gives in and out of the classroom.
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    “Having a Beautiful Mind”

    Posted by mhel in books, general, relationship, self-help on June 18th, 2009

    I came across this beautiful thought by Edward de Bono, author of the books How to Have a beautiful Mind and Six Hats, and I immediately decided to share it with this site’s readers:

    A discussion should be a genuine attempt to explore a subject rather than a battle between competing egos.

    This quote would come very handy in my new profession as a college instructor for it will always guard me against battling wits with my students. This beautiful reminder is applicable not only in the classroom but in our daily relationship. Since most of us tend to protect our egos and pride in dealing with others, our tendency is to argue and try hard to win the argument. In the process though of coming in hard and imposing our beliefs, we may be losing the opportunity to learn a new point of view not to mention losing the person we strongly forced our arguments with. It’s a win-lose way of dealing with conflict.
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    From a Lifelong Learner to a College Professor

    Posted by mhel in education, general, the Filipina, training on June 15th, 2009

    “What I lack in some areas of my life, I get in abundance in other areas.” Marikenya

    Life has been rewarding to me all these times. I may not be a winner if you’ll look at my social and financial status, I am still poor and unpopular, but I am very proud of my accomplishments in life and of my personhood which greatly matured and developed through the help of God, of the people who loved and taught me, and through my life’s experiences. Yes, I sill have a lot to learn and a lot to improve on, but my being open to learning and change made me look at my life positively and with a lot of hope.

    Today, I have another reason to celebrate life. I just achieved another goal — to become a college/university professor. :) My sacrifices and educational investment paid off. This is the fruit of my taking CPE or continuing professional education for wanna-be teachers and taking (plus passing) the licensure examination for teachers (LET). After my exposure as a trainor and manpower development officer for more than six (6) years, I suddenly realized that my calling is to become a teacher. It took me some time to realize this but this was the plan of God for me all along and I am fulfilled now that my life’s vocation is clearer to me.
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    Marikina Public High Shool Needs a Welding Teacher

    Posted by mhel in about marikina, general, jobs on June 12th, 2009

    The only technical high school in the City of Marikina, the Concepcion High School, is in need of a teacher of a teacher for the technical vocational (TechVoc) subject in Welding. This hiring is immediate and if you are interested to apply for the said teaching position, you may go to their school immediately or send me a message via the contact form.

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