Teacher's teacher

You can call it teaching moments because the bias is that of being a teacher but learning moments sound even better because all of us are learners since the topic deals with brownouts that really test your patience beyond compare.

Perhaps it is an exaggeration so let us settle with coping while the brownouts occur. One, you get inspired to reach for a book and with candle lit surrounding, you read: Good for your spirit and peace of mind. Two,  you growl and gnash and pray for sanity while thinking about the incapacity of all the energy servers- for not upgrading enough to deal with climate change. Three, you congratulate yourself for accepting the travails of life and heaving a sigh, still smile once the lights are on! Four, you prepare for the next day's brownout and the next day's brownout and the next until one day, the brownouts get minimized and no more . . .

I was watching a replay of  "The Firm" written by John Grisham chronicled by Channel AXN today, April 29 when it hit me, there is an instance when it is ok somehow it's only a house. The scenario was when one of the characters inherited a house and being a woman she wanted to in it. Since she was married to the other character who happened to be her companion in the Witness Protection Program he was adamant of the thought that not only was he married but now would be in a house. He did not like the idea but the lady said she wanted a home and so she wanted the house.

A movie is a movie is a movie so we could give it this context. We are saying and teaching that given the fiction part of it then perhaps the cast just acted it out so the whole thing is just a set up so what's the fuzz? However if it were a real life situation then the mechanics is completely changed. The parties would have given it much thought and the context of it all is love for family and what it stands for. then it is ok for the former to be understood why they may have a house but it is ok for the latter to understand why they need a home!

A house is only the physical set-up of a home.  A home goes deeper than the material structure and the amenities that can be bought. At the center of the home is the love that binds the married coupe to a love blessed by God and man. It is a web of relationships that make every member of the home bear even the unbearable. In the ideal world, it is good to make a house a home!

This makes me think if after all the ups and downs we had gone through, we are a home. I say, humbly and hopefully in faith, we are.

What a way to learn but it is true. You insure an item because it will be paid for the next three years so in case it gets stolen, you will have protection. Then coincidentally, the unfortunate event happened and the motorcycle which was insured got stolen! Then through the years, there was much commotion as to who would go about the process because now the company which got the insurance paid was no longer as interested as before to help how to go about the process. the details are just so painful to go through again.

Now, the company went on collecting and even went as far as pursuing a legal action after all these years when in the first place the insurance was supposed to pay it. Learning point: Do not have anything be insured unless the details are so detailed the points are clearer that daylight. From experience, to avail of the befits promised is so difficult your anger is enough to kill you or give you high blood pressure!

Take note: Insurance is a good perspective but its promised benefits? too much to be desired!

What a shock to see the video on tv that a Filipino caregiver slapped and mistreated a patient who has Alzheimer. Asa senior citizen and a teacher, I preferred to write under my blog as teacher and not under my blog as a senior citizen because the culprit is a Filipino caregiver and this is not a typical one. Filipinos are famous for their diligence and good bed manners and genuine care for the sick. The majority of Filipino workers especially those who work abroad are specifically chosen because they are very loving and tender. this s0-called Filipino caregiver must have a story to tell why he did what he did but is not the Filipino caregiver who works out there- away from home - caring and serving the strangers for the sake of the family he/she truly loves even to separate from them is painfully unbearable-bearable.

May the real culprit come out soon and explain to the majority of Filipino workers why bad actuation like the one did by this "sick" so-called "caregiver that this is definitely the "rotten" egg in a basketful of excellent eggs. 

For us teachers, this is one opportunity to remind the young under our care that wherever and whatever will become of them in the future, do it well and whether some look at them or not, there is nothing better than to be good and genuine in one's work.

So as a teacher may I explain to anyone out there that a person may be developed according to one's culture but other factors come in. One's love for work is honed according to how life treats the person. Each of us has much to overcome and trials can make us bitter or better. This genuine service to one's fellows is all the more deepened by one's religion or faith life.Basic among all these is one's family where as a child and growing up years, values have been planted and hopefully deepened through the years.

To the families who have been served poorly our apologies and a plea not to generalize because we are really good people. Philippines, humbly saying, is the only Christian country of Asia. We Filipinos, as a people are basically God-fearing but like any other human being, some of us have demons to fight. We definitely need salvation from the consequences of sin.

May you find in your heart to forgive . . . 

Many have been said about teaching. It is a mission; it is a vocation. We rarely focus on the presumed consequence that it is also earning one's livelihood. This is a nice observation because for us who have been teaching for more than 30 years are still wondering why we have stayed on if it is only for salary's sake. The more accepted one is that teaching is both a mission and a vocation. It is a mission because we have been sent for this specific function to "lift up" the minds of the young and other learners. It is a vocation because we are called and we have responded positively to this calling to live most of the years of our lives with the privileged position to develop the minds of every learner.

Then comes grades. Here we are in fact in this very important duty which at the very moment we call the loneliest instance. This is being said not in the context of being sad but precisely because in the process of computing grades many factors have to be considered and only the teacher has the ultimate responsibility to compute it and give it justly. So here comes the teacher and indeed all senses are set to finish the task. Wish this teacher well!

Precisely because every person is unique so it goes that conflict is part and parcel of any social relationship. It is when the conflict becomes so hurtful and disrespectful that there is need to do something about the tension. The process alone can be a learning moment for every person involved. 

This talking point also reveals the role of words that we use in every conversation we engage with anybody around us. Some of the words that we use have nuances that are very inhumane that to say it to a sibling becomes multiplied in damage. It shows that you have become doubly disrespectful and uncaring as to what the terms you attributed to the one you hurt can be misconstrued.  

A particular scenario is the one that recently happened between two actresses who are siblings: the other is no longer as active as she used to be while the younger one is the one who is in the limelight. The older sibling filed a case against her younger sister for moral defamation and grave coercion. The text messages have been submitted as proof of the untoward messages hurled by the younger one to the older one. You have to read it to feel the words. Visit www.PEP.ph and analyze the text messages. 

In the meantime, let us never forget that the family is our first home. You can lose everything but if you have your family, everything is still yours. Quarreling is part of family life and as we already know, even this pain can be a learning moment!

It is hard to think of summer without thinking of some kind of vacation to a place outside of home - whether local, regional, national or international. One's dream journey is of course to go abroad what with all the exciting but affordable package trips. This is the summer blows in store for those who have not traveled to Hongkong, Macau, Zhenshen, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur. This Asian tour can become your trip of a lifetime such that all other trips are not as scary as we used to think. However, this same trip can become your Summer blues if you did not prepare enough or you were not given the necessary kits how to manage when you are part of a package tour. There is no dilly dally, slow movements if you want to hurdle the schedule which will really be demanding  on your alertness and energy.

This early, at least before May comes, learn how to cope with what might be expected of you by keeping your- self fit and healthy. Take your regular vitamins and if possible, exercise. Prepare your prepare rubber shoes, your favorite handy carry all bag and most comfortable get up.  Make sure you are going with family or well chosen friends. We hear of traveling companions who quarreled when they reached their destination because one of them felt she was left unattended or not given enough time to keep pace. The owner of the hotel was so aghast looking at middle aged women shouting - at least - using their native tongue so not everybody knew what the shouting bout was all about. All the other members of the group were disheartened and would you believe, when they went home, coincidence perhaps, one of the group members died due to anxiety and added stress!

Learning how to cope with summer blues and blows begins with your own attitude towards life and what it is all about. After all, one can stay at home and come up with productive activities enough to fill your entire summer. Whatever you decide, ENJOY!

"Go to the world and subdue it". . . the bible teaches us so even with the Holy Book we are already taught to take care of Mother Earth.

Then here comes summer, another opportunity to implement this huge task as stewards of this One. Mother Earth. Let us begin with our own homes: Are we supporters of "Re-use, Reduce, Recycle" movements? Are the children doing their share? The hope is with good home management the "domino effect" is within reach and the recipients are the bigger communities where you and I function and earn our living.

Summer 2012 has already made us experience the extreme heat that your eyes will be glad for having sunglasses on otherwise, migraine and more migraine is a likely visitor all throughout the day. Even the mere thought of going somewhere to have some fun is already not "fun" to think of for the transportation services are enough to dampen your expectation of convenience and peaceful journey. 

If there is one great teaching moment this summer, it is the realization that all these years we did not give Mother Earth her due but IT IS NOT TOO LATE. We must give better care to MOTHER EARTH ASAP.

As you peruse magazines and/or surf the net, we are made aware of the young people engage in crimes. At least we still see some of the youth engage in positive activities like sports and arts and even "kid"preneurship. How then should we encourage every young person to indulge more on something that promotes well-rounded personalities? One easy strategy is to begin at home and then followed up by teachers in school: Good Manners.

By Good Manners we refer to what is basically respect for parents, siblings and virtually every person. It implies harnessing the goodness placed by God in every person's heart. We know when something is good or bad because we are made in the basic goodness of the Maker.

Teachers do not refer only to teachers in school but parents who take care of their children; guardians who make sure the children they are in-charge of are properly guided and are doing activities for their good; community leaders who are concern for every resident in their barangay thus promote bayanihan and neighborliness.

Good Manners: Where are you Teachers? I no longer fear for they are everywhere doing their share in their little ways, God Bless You!

In another blog, Elderly blues and blows, the plea was for the younger bus passengers to keep us gentle ways towards the senior citizens, in this particular talking point, it is to learn how to act when riding a public transportation - driver, conductor and passengers alike. 

First talking point: Are the passengers getting their money's worth? their human rights as persons and their rights as consumers? As a passenger myself, there are more occasions when we do not deserve all this inconvenience. Imagine you have to literally go through big bodies, male and female alike, to fight for your desire to travel. One time, I sprained my shoulder due to tugging my bag and avoid losing it. When I finally entered the bus, it was obvious there was no more space so there was no choice but go down, bags and all. All this time, the conductor did not care what was happening. the driver all the more had no qualms whatsoever as to what was going on among the passengers in the bus he was driving. this is the sad plight of everyone. Nobody cares and this happens everyday in any terminal -m at least in the Philippines (? Pls. correct if this is not the case in your own Phil. situation.)

First learning point: As passengers in a public transportation, we can only say we get the learning that even before any bus transportation be allowed to serve the public, there should be enough training given to anyone concern that passengers must be treated with care. They have no reason to feel that they are mere passengers who must be thrashed into the "dungeon" of a bus. As passengers, we learn that we have to go beyond our duty as travelers. We must do everything in our power to tell the transportation owners that we deserve respect and fair treatment in matters of bus fare and services due as consumers. We must make the transportation owners they cannot become rich at our expense.

Second talking point: Good manners and right conduct must be observed by all parties in the bus experience.  The passengers should not talk as though the public bus are theirs. they should not gossip all throughout the journey because other passengers are just dying to "kill them" especially if they  know some of the "cast of characters" in the gossip. the conductor should have the "finesse" as he gives the tickets. He cannot just call out if one already has ticket and give one across somebody else, allowing his "armpits to be almost directly on the face of a female passenger who in turn called him bad names". the driver should not be talking so loudly with fellow drivers who have joined him as free passengers for the moment and their so-called joke about  passengers who put on balm of some kind that make them party to being "old and nauseous". 

Second learning point: We should know by now that life is better than this facet of our existence. We can go on with our travels without hurting others. We take the bus and sit there. We take out a book and read and in the process learn something. We can listen to music through our mp 3 or 4 and be happy with it. We can nap and be peaceful until your destination comes. What a peaceful world it would be if every person, every bus passenger, every man or woman, indulges in more proactive ways than destructive ones. SHALOM!