Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Why I Keep on Teaching

I got a major tongue lashing from my folks a while ago after a stupid business decision I made just recently. In my haste to get a business permit I unwittingly accepted a permit renewable on a quarterly basis. I never knew that it was possible to get one on a yearly basis.

Today's the end of the first quarter so it's wiser to get one next month. I knew this perfectly well. I only rushed things because a business permit was required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). so that we will finally have an official LEGAL receipt.

In my recklessness I failed to realize that the BIR will question the expiry date of the permit. It was plain stupid on my part. These are some things I have to learn the hard way.

The result? Two parents mad as hell preaching how utterly useless I was in this house. They even hinted what a lousy career teaching is because it's financially unrewarding. Teacher's wages are so low I couldn't contribute to any household bill.

I admit to making stupid mistakes sometimes. Even teachers make stupid mistakes. Was entering the teaching profession a stupid mistake as well?

The hardest part about their litany was that I spent THEIR money for the permit. The permit was so expensive it's almost equivalent to a teacher's monthly salary which I don't have. I had no choice but to ask from them and I wasted it!

Why do I bother with teaching anyway? I guess I am naive enough to believe that if I teach my students well they can make this world a better place. Funny, but I never stop believing that my students can do that if they try hard enough.

The previous semester was the toughest for me. I wasn't given an increase and I just taught a couple of subjects. Despite that I met the best section in my 3 years as an educator.


The section is AHSE 1-H. They were not one of the brightest I have handled but they possessed the traits which I wanted students to have. That is the trait of being emphatic and caring towards others.

During our classes I have this policy regarding late comers. Males were required to do 50 push ups while females did 50 pumpings. If they failed to do so I'll give the ratings every student truly deserves (very low grades).

Not everyone is capable of doing 50 push ups. What impressed me about them is that the early comers volunteer to do the push ups the late comers failed to do. They forsook their own well being not just to help the late comers but to help save the group as well.

What a spirit! It's students like them that makes teachers feel that there's still hope for the future. I was really blessed to have met people like them. They made me feel that it pays to be an educator.

Someday they will help touch people's lives. When they do so I hope that those whom they have touched will also show kindness to others. In that way they can help make a small heaven in this Earth. I feel that it's a reward worth more than all the money in the world. =)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Ultimatum

My Dad gave me an ultimatum today. Either finish my dissertation by February 23 or forget about it COMPLETELY. He said that I have been working at it for too long already and if I'm not done with it by that time then I have probably reached my limit.

It's just like saying I'm not good enough. I guess I deserved that. Frankly speaking I have been doing it half heartedly. I am doing a topic that is very distant from a field close to my heart...education.

Nonetheless, they spent big money for my tuition and they need payback...FAST! A person who does not contribute to family expenses has no right to complain. KNOW YOUR ROLE AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH is the rule here.

I know Daddy didn't mean it. He never meant to hurt any of us. Being straightforward is just his way of blowing off steam.

Deep inside I know he's just concerned. He would not let his eldest son be trapped in a low paying job like teaching. Why his children are meant for great things! My parents did not work their asses off reaching great heights just to have underachieving children!


I know that he meant well. However, I feel I can never be like my parents. No matter how I try I will never be good enough. Sad to say but their way is not my way.

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Illustrations Cited:

http://macriner.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/pointing/

http://flapsblog.com/?m=200609

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Work Away From Your Bedroom!!!


There has been recent developments in my dissertation. I discovered that I work best when I work at our dinner table. How strange.

I guess it has something to do with being away from my bedroom. Whenever I work there I tend to feel lazy every time I see my cushy bed.

Now that I'm away from it I am FINALLY getting some work done. Our dinner table is quite long which enables me to organize the stuff I need.

My pace may not be so fast but at least I'm churning up quality work. If this keeps up I may just make it. Hope for the best!

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Illustration Cited:

http://ww.weblogcartoons.com

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Blank Stare

Whenever I start to seriously work at my dissertation I always get into a fix. No matter how much effort I put in getting myself to write nothing comes up to mind.

I have never felt so stupid in my life. Imagine years of training in graduate school for this? A wannabe scholar having nothing to write for a dissertation. And after ALL that reading!!!

My time is almost up. Who knows what will happen? Good fortune has always been kind to me. The question is for how long?

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Illustrations Cited:

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2006/05-30/plural-words-joke-pun.htm

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Dissertation Blues

After much thought I have come to the conclusion that writing my dissertation is THE MOST boring and frustrating thing I have ever done so far in my life.

My adviser may not believe me but I have spent DAYS staring at a blank monitor. I have read countless books and articles already but for some reason I can't get the words out.

If ever I do get to squeeze some words out it is either inappropriate or downright insufficient. Dissertations are all about content and substance. Where's the substance if you can summarize an entire article in a paragraph?

My time is almost up and I have yet to submit anything concrete. This is definitely not one of my better days. I pray that inspiration may once again shine on me.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Nothng Changed

I met the friend I mentioned last October this afternoon. He borrowed money from my Mom for a business venture. After months of not speaking with each other it's unfortunate that NOTHING changed in him.

He still remained as conceited as ever. We spent the day talking almost entirely about himself. Some people never change. I guess there's no hope for people like him. Good luck to you, my friend. It was great while it lasted.

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Illustration Cited:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/jby0186l.jpg

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Abstract Accepted

I just received word stating that my abstract was accepted for presentation this coming May. This is my second abstract accepted for a foreign conference this year.

Such a message could not have come at a better time. Just when I was beginning to be intellectually demoralized.



Working on my dissertation is taking its toll. I'm not sure if it's stress or maybe my brain is slowing down. It is probably the most boring activity I ever did in my life!




Acceptance of an abstract may not be such a big deal however, if it was screened by the National University of Singapore (NUS) it's a different story. The NUS is the 20th best university in the world according to Times Higher Education Supplement.

Being acknowledged by one of the best universities in the world is a feat in itself. Even if it wasn't NUS that screened it the very fact that foreign scholars recognize your work is truly gratifying.

It's a pity that many of my efforts are not recognized in my home country. Sometimes your kin could be your worst critic.

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Illustrations Cited:

http://www.cartoonmotivators.com/pages/MikeMoore.html


http://www.terrace.qld.edu.au/terrnews/tn220799.htm

http://www.nus.edu.sg