Hot Schooling!

Since end of February, the entire Mindanao has a tremendous ordeal of enduring 12-15 hours of rotating brown outs. This really drives every one crazy especially when businesses become more bleak in sales because customers will not endure very warm and damp area for a transaction.

Now, for residents who have to cut their long sleeps because of interrupted power energy, they can only blame El Nino for the energy curtailment.

In our school, we are only fortunate that we have our power generator to sustain the classroom air conditioning.  Although, sometimes, even if it mans the entire building, it can go astray too sustaining all the power needs. 

Clients and employers can only complain  of this crisis and to make the issue more worse, the energy crisis can run until May. Some say, this is simply a strategy to feign any election fraud. I guess, this country  can only see change in the next life. LOL!

I cannot even use my notebook, much more surf the net for school references and resources or job search      especially if my battery is drained or if the Internet Service Provider is also down. 

Funny thing is, I have been staying in my tent for my evening sleeps since my room is too hot to endure amidst evening brownouts. 

Everything is affected by this crisis that business schedules and alike are drastically changed according to the availability of short - time electricity.

Now, that final examinations are coming, students have to endure too finishing their requirements on time and studying in spite of candle lits only.  

Good Old School Days!

Old school seems a label for traditions and conservatism.  Call me that since I have been in school more than my living years. LOL! 

But, I quite miss the time when fun was still nice and clean and that most of the students really prioritize social and moral norms among other things.  

They were quite active  in terms of sports and did less couch - potato recreations. But, with the technology hype, obesity among things is already associated with the lifestyle people lead nowadays. I am practically guilty of this too.   

For one, I joined mountain climbing before, biking and jogging, but now, I am next to my notebook, either blogging,  or programming. 

And, with the alarming rates of weight - related health problems, people seek means to reduce their weights or at least contain their present state. Some go for plastic surgery while others seek  from www.fatburneradvice.com  for less painful alternatives. 

There are good and bad sides of the old and new days but the thing is right fusion can be made only if we filter the good ones from both sides. Otherwise, we drag ourselves to less acceptable condition.   

I still love the good old days but  I like the present comfort these  days bring. LOL! 

Educating Filipinos on Automated Election

On May 10, 2010, the entire nation of Philippines shall be having their national election to include presidential election. 

This election shall make a historical landmark since after decades of contest on automated election, finally, it has come to realization.   The question now is, will this election be fraud free. 

So, to speed up votation  and encourage greater turn out, COMELEC is having hands-on national education of how automated machines should be used. 

This election is way overdue  and the initiatives of COMELEC are only commendable but how exactly will they do the education of all cities and provinces especially those at far flung areas. The COMELEC then must do more and act faster.  

Education campaigns must be done also by other election - connected agencies like the LGUs as we campaign for government services to include campaigns of immunizations, prenatal checkups and prenatal vitamins and community works - services and alike.

Election fraud is quite rampant in extreme extents all throughout the country. I only hope that this election will be better and that the Filipinos will vote based on performance, character and platform instead of popularity, money and traditions. 

Difficult Innocent Students

Dealing with college students is quite tough. Of course, every teacher loves witty and cooperative students and pisses him off if he has troubling students in the classroom. 

For eleven (11) years of teaching, I got my own share of experiences too.  I highly remember intelligent and difficult  students that the average ones are left at the background. 

Reprimand sometimes works but whenever I can, a personal talk with the student helps me understand him better. 

And with that, I get various reasons for the delinquency. These include family problems, unwanted pregnancy, relationships gone wrong, vices, wrong friends, and disinterest on the the course or subject.  The reasons are indeed varying in depth and extent but I sometimes  feel disillusioned as to how I can really help them.   Advices are there that include referring them to the guidance counselor or articles on their issues like safe diet pills for women   and more.

I am no superwoman that can practically do anything to help my students but I only wish that they have the help they need before their lives can be more miserable. 

Sometimes, those who are quite in the classroom pose another issue too. Bonding with them in a personal way makes me know and deal with them better.

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School Scholarships

The college schools nowadays are catering to admission tests and scholarship exams for graduating high school students. 

In General Santos City, there are good college and university schools that students can check. Private or not, they do offer scholarships for anyone deserving. 

I remembered my old alma mater, Notre Dame Dadiangas University provided academic incentives for dean's listers while Mindanao State University offered scholarships for low-earning families, high - performing students and alike.

In this time of great economic crisis, school  seems remote for others but anything cheap but quality is worth pursuing just like when we seek for scholarships, housing, clothings, cheap auto insurance   and stuffs.  

Further, government agencies like CHED and TESDA do offer various sorts of scholarship and training programs for qualified and deserving students. 

We cannot give in to poverty and helplessness. One can only seek out for alternatives with great character of humility, tenacity and courage.

In-and-Out Teacher

"Once a teacher, always a teacher!"  This is an adage that is practically true for teachers. One of the sweet perks of being a teacher is the fact that once you meet your old student eons ago, they will still remember you.

I don't normally remember all the names of my students of 11 years but I can pretty recall their faces.   The downside of aging and this profession is you get to meet a lot of people of different sorts.  For a newbie teacher, this job can really drain him but for a seasoned teacher, anyone can just be dealt with. LOL!

But, teaching is not just within the classroom. Somehow, we act like a  24 hour towing  who may be with troubled students with a listening heart. 

It quite breaks my heart when I can't do much for them especially if their family breaks up or a loved one has died. 

I only wish that my students will be and will remain good and responsible citizens and that even if they don't remember me, at least, their lives are better. 

Student - Teacher Fun!

It is Valentine's Day in the Philippines and normally when this day falls on a weekday, students will surely find you and at least greet you with best wishes.

This is one of the days that I love best since  I get to greet my loved ones, my friends and students. Somehow, one gets to smile regardless if he has a special someone or not.

I get to get flowers, cards, chocolates, balloons, fun gifts like teacher stuffs, truck accessories ,toys, and choco flowers. 

But, since the day falls on a Sunday, I only have to send and receive text messages of greetings! Regardless of the medium, it is always great to spend this day with loved ones and friends. 

This is one of the sweet things of being a teacher! Happy Valentines Day everyone! 

Student Discipline

Physical or corporal punishment among students in any form is not legally allowed in the Philippines.  But, this law was only realized lately since I had my own share of physical punishments when we were  in elementary years.

But, even experts are divided in terms of the pros and cons of inflicting physical punishments.  I am fortunate that I only in teach in college where students are old enough to be physically punished. For us teachers, an oral reprimand will do. 

But, sometimes, there simply too arrogant, nasty and impossible students that I wish I can send them off to Mars, twist their ears or ask them for 24 - hour run on  treadmills  until they straighten up. 

I always have happy memories though with my students although there were times when they could also drain me. But, this job has been my passion and I am not into physical punishment too.  Teaching them of values sometimes can do the trick.

Schools Becoming Campaign Targets

From a blogger  - student on Facebook, he invited his fellow students and personnel to see vice - presidentiable bet Edu Manzano in MSU Gensan premises.  

With the May 2010 election, aspiring candidates see schools as their prime targets since the young  ones comprise the 60% voting individuals.

From the current survey, they mainly like administration bet Teodoro Aquino while I prefer no one yet.

I only hope that this upcoming election shall be more honest, clean and that the most competent in character and performance will be elected.

This summer shall be a busy time with holy week and election to deal with. I can only wish to have Miami Beach rentals  and just enjoy the beach view or sunset over tranquil ocean waters.  

The voting students and the general public must be well informed and educated before picking their best bet. We don't want to see our votes wasted by another failed governance.

Learning and Continued Learning

Who ever said that learning stops when one graduates from school is definitely wrong.  For us educators, learning is an on-going process unless one opted to be blindsided with the current updates from technology, innovation and latest trends.

As an IT educator, constant skill upgrade and network association are a must. Gone are the old programming paradigms that my yesteryear teachers taught me. Now, the paradigm is visual and object - oriented. But, it pays off to keep upbeat with the latest era.

Being informed applies not only to us educators but also to anyone who does not want to remain in the dark especially if his health is at risk. Educators, and other professionals  do experience some form of moderate to severe pains. These may include joint and back pains, and  other pains from the job and from aging. 

As a computer educator for a decade at least, I spend much time sitting before my computer, class records, IT books and stuffs, and an equal time from standing before my class teaching. The day is always constrained with back and leg cramps, not to mention, eye constraints. But, I love teaching in spite of the physical setbacks. 

 I take ibuprofen and acetaminophen to  ease my migraine, back and knee pains. But, a massage on the ailing parts does help. 

But, there is another pain reliever that is widely known for its effect. This drug known as tramadol has been advised by physicians to those who have chronic or regular pains. It comes in many forms including capsules, tablets , suppositories, effervescent tablets and powders, ampoules of sterile solution among others. 

On a doctor's prescription, tramadol 50 mg can ease the aches just like opiate but with less side effects.  The drug intake may cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness but these are only temporary. However, an overdose dosage of this medicine is quite fatal. Thus, it is never recommended to drug - abuse dependents.

So, for legitimate users, they can buy tramadol from tramadolbluebook.com faster and at lower rates since different pharmacies and their rates are compared with one another.

With the consequences of aging, lifestyle and occupation, any expert will say that correct diet and lifestyle,  exercise and regular check-ups can make our living more comfortable. Thus, we should never rely on chances especially if our health is at risk. We owe this to our loved ones  and to ourselves at least.

You Want to Get Hacked? Try these Passwords!

As I read some updated news from Yahoo, I came across this article that net users shall be more than delighted to know.

New York Times has released more than 20 commonly used passwords in spite of security issues in Internet. I am only compelled to warn my readers to at least not to fall under the increasing statistics of users who keep their passwords not too secret at all.

The list is quite interesting and this made me wonder how they can actually quantity the passwords. Nothing is really hidden in the big WWW. Thus, we can only be more cautious.

Back to Teaching Again!

Two more days and our vacation shall be finally over. I am not yet ready with grades nor with my lectures. I still have to track some references and textbooks for my presentations next week. After checking my students’ term exams, I could only wring their neck. LOL!!!!! Students are now more irresponsible than our days. I guess environment takes much of the blaming. 

When I checked my attendance sheets, my class that has an in – between break earns higher absences than my classes of continuous schedules. This only proves that when they have a break, they wish they can have it longer. Tsk ! Tsk ! Tsk ! This can be acceptable only if they don’t put their school performance at greater risk.

I wish my student learn that school can be a top most priority among other most important things.

Computing Grades is Hell!

As a teacher, I find it delightful that my students earn good grades from hard work and from my teachings. But, what is more cumbersome is the fact that there are students who simply flank from the subject from poor performance.  My new school is not an exception to a global problem.

It would be all ok if that student is always absent or not at all attending, failing him is easier. But, if students flank because of poor performance, I just feel so disheartened that I have to find alternatives to help them. This can be so unconventional but I just don’t have the heart. Sigh!

Teaching is never easy, failing is more difficult.

School Dress Code

Earlier my direct supervisor called my attention to stop wearing jeans since the dress code for faculty is to wear skirts or slacks. But, since I also attend to my business, I find this unlikely. I was however, advised to make an excuse letter for the college dean to exempt me from the dress code.

I have to feel guilty though because most of my jeans are skinny. Perhaps, my students and fellow faculty and higher administrators don't see these fit. My big weight somehow aggravates the appearance that I badly need some diet, exercise or weight loss surgery Mexico .

I shall however, make the needed request letter but I shall be more choosy when it comes to wearing jeans. Somehow, I have to look professional but comfortable in and out of school.

School Stress, Again!

I am only doing part time teaching, so I can use my other time with business. However, since I was given programming subjects with Advance Java, I can only use most of my time reading and programming.

I quite sleep late but have to wake up early. I can look sleep – deprived because of the dark circles around my eyes and the random pimples on my face. I quite use a mild acne treatment to reduce the inflammation.

Stress is a normal burden among students and teachers. I only hope I can get used to teaching and programming again.

Getting Old with Programming

I am way past the calendar and my eyes get more constrained than before. I used to stay before my computers more than 12 hours a day but I could still work well after that. Now, I get older every day and more vision – limited.

I still teach, and do programming among the many things I do with my computer, but my vision does not improve at all. Thus, wearing of eyeglasses helps.

Cute eye wear for an aging teacher - programmer

I got the image above from the wide selection of Holiday Fun Eyeglasses of Zenni. They got as low as $8 Prescription Zenni Glasses and have regular New Arrivals with cool and classy styles at guaranteed quality.

Oftentimes, our work contribute to our health problems like the back pains I get from regular seats before my computer. We can only find ways how to prevent or reduce its side effects.

More Technical Skill Scholarship From TESDA

Education will never be replaced by any material stuffs that I quite advocate earning a diploma from as high as post graduate. But, it is reality too in the Philippines that more and more young ones don't get to go to school or finish their degrees for financial reasons. So, I quite support the initiatives of the government by providing skill scholarships through TESDA.

It is only through education and knowledge that an individual can make his living more sustainable. Thus, we must all take hold of education chances whatever is the costs. Sometimes while studying, we need to work to send us to school but I guess it is always the priority that counts the most.

For now, there is a greater worldwide demand for welders and contact agents for call centers and other BPO units.

Do check TESDA for further details.

Some Wisdom We Can All Use

(copied from an email)
Very Inspiring and so true! it's wisdom you can't buy

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly


I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.


I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
we understand that friends change.


I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.


I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over
the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

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I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.


I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.


I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
loving words.. It may be the last time you see them.


I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.


I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
we do, no matter how we feel.


I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.


I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.


I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.


I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.


I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.


I Believe....
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.


I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others..
sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.


I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.


I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but, we are responsible for who we become.


I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
out a secret. It could change your life Forever.


I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different.


I Believe....
That your life can be changed in a matter of
hours by people who don't even know you.


I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.


I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.


I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.


I Believe...
That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in, I just did.


'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything

Bad Students and Irresponsible Teachers

Schools do hold higher standards of morality and ethics most especially among sectarian schools. I remember that in my Catholic school, values are as important as academics. But, when students do something nasty and grave, it can only serve justice where it is due.

But, when teachers misbehave, the school is less considerate. I guess this is understandable since teachers are expected to hold high morality and wisdom than their students.

There were cases of teachers having sexual harassment or abuse or dishonesty committed against their students. And, I can't only feel disgrace for these teachers that I favor legal complaints against those who have overused their authority. There are indeed legal experts for these not only for those who have ill - used their profession that they need legal experts including Bronx medical malpractice lawyer.

I am no righteous but I only say that as mature individual, I hold greater responsibility for younger people. It is only a sad and frustrating idea that some don't share the same principle.

Being a Teacher, Parent, Friend and Mentor

Being a teacher is more than a job. I guess staying in the same old job for long can make the job part of your lifestyle. I am a teacher in and out of school. What I pretty like about teaching is that I am still called "Maam" even if my students had graduated or transferred or stopped already or even got married for years.

Whenever, there are delinquent students, I normally talked to them as a parent but if after listening and counseling wont help, I can only hope that they will have their thoughts straighten up.
Now, that I have seen my students who are doing well while others are losing their lives, I can only feel heartaches that I cant do much for them and that I am away from them. It seems like I have become their extended parent.

Sigh! this job is indeed underpaid but overworked and emotionally draining, but I wont have it otherwise.