Excited for School Graduation

The semester is over and that would mean graduation for other students. I am still one semester behind from graduate school graduation and unfortunately, I have to wait a semester or two to cover all the missing subjects.

Any student is simply too excited to see the end of the line, hear and see Graduation Photo Announcements and finally, graduate and receive the much awaited diploma.

We simply can't wait to graduate and when we do, it shall be more of a relief that all our school burden is done and over.

For now, as a student, I just have to work harder and be patient until graduation is met.

Enjoying Semestral Break

It has been a few days since the end of first semester. And, with two (2) weeks break from school, it means freedom from preparing lectures, writing quizzes, checking papers and computing grades.

Since the semestral end, I covered two cities for business and graduate school. In few days, I shall be joining two adjacent competitive runs.

I am pretty sure that my own students are enjoying their breaks and that would mean gimmicks, games, shopping and parties everywhere.

Teachers: Stay Healthy

the running team

I previously ran on and off and as a teacher, student, entrepreneur among others, I simply had so many excuses to miss it but when my back ache continue to persist and I gain weights over time, I just decided to take running seriously.

So, early this year, I decided to join competitive runs and from 3km, I reached 14km by far. I wish to run for a full marathon next year and I can only hope that I can sustain the distance, fatigue and thirst.

If you are a teacher or something, find time time exercise to stay healthy and to live longer because obesity or overweight only means more health risks and none of these we want.

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Teach Your Youngsters Gaming Responsibility

Gone are the days when all kids have to go out  with friends to play  outdoor like basketball since they have gadgets like PSP, WII or  gaming computers  to play with.

While these entertainment gadgets are oftentimes portable and cheap, they can have their downsides if kids are not taught on gaming  limits and obligations.

 So, as adults, we set house rules as to the hours and playing time  to make sure that our kids know their priorities. Further, we can encourage them to play more in a physical activity, so, to boost healthy active living with friends or loved ones.


Our kids can learn about playing responsibly; we just have to teach them about it.

School Department Teachers Foster Togetherness

the STI - GenSan Computer Science Faculty

photo credit: Dhamielyn Sarno

My Computer Science Program Head in  STI - General Santos City had graciously invited all her subordinates to a lunch date and even though we had an schedule exam right after the lunch break, we happily followed her lead.

We had to devour a close to 18 - inch wide pizza for lunch. And, while waiting, we could only discuss some concerns and attended to queries.

I personally appreciate the efforts of my boss that I had to recall a distinct culture of Japanese in applying their Quality principles. This is a cool strategy to responding to faculty needs!

Teaching Your Kids Boosts School Performance

When students excel in school,  it can't be all attributed to the teacher's ability to teach her or his students and to excel. In fact, excellence covers intrinsic motivation of the individuals to succeed. More importantly, if the learning environment  provides the best medium for learning, then, students can excel without much difficulty.


Very typical myth among parents is that learning should just be at home that the teachers have the sole responsibility to teach the students what they should learn technically, morally and physically.

But, parents have equal responsibility to help teachers teach the young ones  because if values and learnings are not encouraged at home, then, school can't do much.

So, if your mom or dad has helped you to do your school requirements or guide you through your exams, then, they only deserve your gratitude. You can  send dad these goodies his birthday    or  for your mom's to  make your  folks delighted and appreciated.

Learning is not only  about the academics but also developing our character.

How to Avoid Sea Sickness

We recently traveled from Cebu to Bohol through a small ferry boat for two hours. And, while the waters seemed clear, it had a few turbulent ride and when you are too prone to sea sickness, you can only find a way to avoid or reduce the discomfort.


Try the following tips:

1. Take motion sickness medicines or patches like Bonamine or bonine but make sure that you are not at all allergic to any of these. Some of the motion sickness medicines may cause drowsiness, so, read the effects if they fit your requirement.
2. Stay at the least - moving area like at the aisle of the plane or at the lower level of the ship;
3. Open a car window or take fresh air;
4. Avoid unlikely food before or during the trip to reduce risks;
5. Do not read while traveling;
6. Sit at the forward direction;
7. Eat light food like soda crackers to reduce your stomach's acidity;
8. Drink lots of liquid; a club soda is a good stomach neutralizer.

Travel Tips for Your Educational Tour

photo source: dadstreet.com

It is not unusual when you or your students suffer from travel discomfort and while it can be expected, you can only prepare to at least prevent the travel discomfort or reduce the discomfort.

So, from experience and readings, you can try the following practical tips:

1. Travel lightly. Buy your toiletries when you arrive your destination. If you are lucky, your hotel can have free toiletries;  Wear your heavy clothes so not to occupy some spaces in your luggage.
2. Prepare or take travel motion illness medicines or other  expected illness like headache.
3. Prepare your itinerary ahead of time. If you have a local friend or have hired an agency, then, the task can be lighter;
4. Know the culture and history of the place, so, you wont be scammed and better appreciate the place;
5. Bring an updated map. You can get this online  or buy one from a bookstore.
6. Enjoy the new experience - food, traditions, rides, tourist spots.  

Make Your Semestral Break Productive

Students are now enjoying their long semestral break since two weeks at least are rendered for vacation and enrollment for the next  semester. While I may say that this is the time to rest and to have fun, it can be a time to learn other skills or enhance skills.


So, if you are worried as to how to make their semestral break productive, you can try the following suggestions:

• read your long overdue novels, bibliographies of icons, or books of your choice;
• have a movie marathon of insightful films with friends and families;
• start your garden or install garden facilities like  wind spinner  to make your garden a beauty;
• start your cooking skills;
• learn new language;
• start a new adventure like bike touring, climbing or golf;

Regardless of what you have to do, just make your semestral break fun and productive.

Schools on Halloween Costume Treat

Since it is almost end of October, schools also celebrate the pending Halloween with a bang as they allow students, mostly graders, to sport their favorite Halloween costume.

My kid had to miss his skeleton costume since it is way too small for his frame, so, I have to scout for a new one and wish that I could find something that would fit his size.

At least, the kids have something to be happy about, semestral break and trick or treat! Happy Halloween everyone!

Teacher’s Run for Health

with City Police Director and Tracking Field Sports Regional Director and 3KM female category winners

In spite of my graduate school final exam in one of the hardest subjects, I managed to run for 3KM just to sustain my passion for running and for advocating ideal causes. So, last October 16, deprived from sleep and consumed with fatigue from school and everything else, I had to wake up around 5am and head to my sibling’s house, so, we could join the Run for Health (Takbo Para sa Kalusugan).

Although I am used to running 5km – 10 km, I had to degrade my distance to 3km just to finish the race early and travel to my graduate school which is one hour bus drive.

I had to skip my regular breakfast and just used my travel time to review and to recall all the notes that I studied and endured.

The day had gone successfully since I won 3rd place from the run and I passed my exams while majority of the class failed. Indeed, hard work only pays off.

Teachers, Play and Work

Some say, I am superwoman because of the multi - tasks and roles that I do and that include  being a runner, mother, wife, blogger, programmer, teacher, entrepreneur, and student. And all these roles indeed require time and responsibility. Indeed, 24/7 is not enough for me; in fact, sleeping for eight (8) hours is already a privilege.

But, one thing I learn  from life is that when I am all work, I become sluggish, less-productive and moody to name a few. So, I consume my breaks from work  through running, movie marathons, and parties with friends.

So, if your job is teaching which is quite burdensome with all paperworks or simply any job that can be quite stressful physically or mentally, then, find time to play. You can go racing, or simply touring with  Polaris Ranger Accessories   or just hang out with friends and loved ones.

Work is just a way to earn and live not your end to stress. So, work hard but play harder!

Support the Run for Kalusugan (Health)

excerpt from Facebook page of GSCPO.

Food prices - from crisis to stability

Price swings, upswings in particular, represent a major threat to food security in developing countries. Hardest-hit are the poor. According to the World Bank, in 2010-2011 rising food costs pushed nearly 70 million people into extreme poverty.

“FOOD PRICES – FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY” has been chosen as this year’s World Food Day theme to shed some light on this trend and what can be done to mitigate its impact on the most vulnerable.

On World Food Day 2011, let us look seriously at what causes swings in food prices, and do what needs to be done to reduce their impact on the weakest members of global society.


WORLD FOOD DAY

World Food Day is annually held on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the United Nations' (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Each year has a different theme.

World Food Day helps raise people's awareness of problems in food supply and distribution.



What do people do?



Many events are organized on and around World Food Day. On and around October 16, a wide-ranging program is organized at the FAO's headquarters in Rome, Italy. The program is aimed at leaders of political and non-political organizations at all levels and at increasing press attention on topical issues around food supply. Other UN organizations and universities around the world organize symposia, conferences, workshops and presentations of particular issues around food production, distribution and security. In addition, special initiatives, such as the “International Year of Rice” in 2004 and the “International Year of the Potato” in 2008 were launched.

Across the globe, many different events are organized to raise awareness of problems in food supply and distribution and to raise money to support projects to aid in the cultivation of food plants and the distribution of food. An example of this is TeleFood, which funds micro projects to help small-scale farmers at the grassroots level. The projects aim to help farmers be more productive and improve both local communities' access to food and farmers' cash income. Fundraising events include sponsored sports events, charity auctions, concerts, and marches.



Background

The FAO aims to raise levels of nutrition across the globe, improve agricultural productivity at all levels, enhance the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. It also provides assistance to countries changing their agricultural policy, to aid regions out of famine situations, to help implement appropriate technology and facilitate a neutral environment to discuss issues around food production.
At the FAO's 20th session in Rome, Italy, in November 1979 the conference called for the observance of World Food Day on October 16, 1981, and on the same date each year. The UN General Assembly ratified this decision on December 5, 1980, and urged governments and international, national and local organizations to contribute to observing World Food Day. World Food Day has been held each year since 1981

How to Avoid Project Defense Pitfalls

The semester is almost over and it is only expected that final exams, clearances and final requirements are due to be submitted and complied, so, as to enjoy a more relaxed semestral break.

But, one of  the dreaded final requirements is the need for project panel defenses. And, since I am into IT education, it is quite normal for me to conduct panel defense or be a member of the panel committee. Typically, the following are the common  pitfalls of students which you can avoid:

• not well dressed ( make sure you follow the dress code required for panel defense, so, to avoid embarrassment);
• project documentation is not well proof - read, presentable;
• project is not tested and/or secured or well validated;
•  project paraphernalia like  laserjet ink cartridges   are not present or dysfunctional;
• low self - esteem about the project.
• poor communication skills.
• less - researched project.

Running with Youngsters

Last October 8 was the feast of a local parish and since I have been running as my way of life, I tagged the kids at home to join me. So, as early as 5am, the youngsters were on their running shoes. We took the 3km race. There were only few runners but running as a family was more important to us. So, good job boys!

Fun Run with Students for Peace Advocacy

with other passionate runner, Anthony Karl Gaspar, and City Director Police Supt. Train along with my college students on a Peace Rally 

with my students catching our breath after a long run

Last September 25, 2011 was a big day for me as a passionate runner and supporter of ideal advocacies. So, when the fun run organizer, GSC Police Office along with other supporters, invited my school and enlisted me as one of their peace baton runners, I could only be glad to join in and invited my students as well.

So, 16 other students joined me in over 5km runs and when over 500 participants had joined in support for global peace, I say the event was a big bang.

Learning New Skills Boosts Your Intelligence

I quite remember one article from Readers' Digest that intelligence can be enhanced and that includes:

• having a challenging job where your problem and analytical skills are put to test;
• marrying a no - nonsense partner or networking with sensible people;
• learning new skills like  make a collage  or drive a car among others;
• continued reading of interesting and informative sources;

While experts have various principles on IQ and intelligence, I say, our way of living and habit can quite have an impace of our mental intelligence. And, we can only learn from people who experience dementia or other mental disorders at early age. Bottomline is we have to stimulate our brain to keep it functioning well.

Prayer of Teachers

Giver of All Wisdom and Greatest of all Teachers,
Look upon our teachers with love
Grant them the resolve
To nurture our eager minds
And to never give up on us who fall behind

Bless their hearts
For they rejoice when we succeed
And encourage us when we fail

Endow them with gentle patience
For the path of learning is never easy

Kindle a spirit of passion in them
It is the flame that ignites the love of learning in us

Help them see the potential in each student
Their belief in us means much more than the grade we make

Instill in them a commitment to keep on learning
It shows us to not fear new knowledge and experiences

Inspire them to touch the future
They influence how big a dream we dream for ourselves

Bless our teachers who have come before
for their work endures to this day
Let the light of Your example shine upon all teachers:
To build up with their words
To love with their mind
To share with their heart

Amen.
source: GenSan City Police, Facebook Page

Happy World Teachers’ Day

October 5 is hailed as World Teachers’ Day and there can be no other special day when teachers like me shall take a break, reflect on our chosen profession and enjoy the attention and love from our beloved students and fellow teachers.

I woke up early morning from early greetings and that were enough to make my day extra special. I managed to greet our former college dean who had become a dear mentor, friend and mother.
Our student council had given the faculty a brief but love – filled program where teachers received gifts and were graced by songs and dances. While I think of so many reasons why teaching can be a toilsome job, I just have a single justification – LOVE AND SERVICE for my calling.

Teaching can never bring wealth but it is one job I will never get tired of.