Memorable Pump Class

My last Body Pump class was something to remember. Our instructor for that day did something he felt uncomfortable doing ever since. Joining a dance class.

I have known Arvin, our instructor, for almost a year now and I know very well that he dislikes dancing. He probably thinks that it's not a manly thing being the image conscious guy that he is.

Despite that I still kept asking him to join the dance class every time. There's nothing to lose in a dance class except one's pride. Especially if you're a sucky dancer!

Arvin joining a dance class was unthinkable for the gym community. He was too much of a stiff for that. But there he was grooving away. I never expected him to be such a fine dancer!

After the class I asked him why he had a change of heart. He simply told me that he just wished to grant my request.

Who am I to compel him to do such a thing? I'm not his boss. We're not even friends. Besides, he had every reason to decline because he just conducted two very intense workouts that day.

Despite that he took time to grant a stranger's request. What a guy!

What Arvin did that day really impressed me. He was willing to risk making a fool of himself in public for what? A playful suggestion? He had everything to lose and nothing to gain but he still went on with it.

I really think that what Arvin did shows a trait of a good friend. True friends should be willing to make sacrifices to help others out. No wonder many of his peers adore him.

I will definitely miss Arvin's classes when he leaves for Singapore. I will miss his energy, and his cheerful and caring disposition. Someday I hope that we could be good friends. You can't find people like him around every corner.


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Illustrations Cited:

SVEA Training Center
http://www.sveatraning.se/kvalitet.htm

Sports World
http://www.sportsworld.com

Fusion Fitness
http://www.fusionfitness.biz/index.cfm?page=5

Devastated

Just as I was contemplating to give my full commitment to Perps I received the shock of my life. Sad to say Perps has intensified its inhumane work practices.

Full time faculty members were only to be given a pittance on mid pay to be deducted at the end of the month.

Part-time faculty are in a worse position. They will receive no pay at the middle of the month. The worst part of it is that they will only get half month's pay at the end of the month. The other half for November will be given at the end of the semester.

What does Perps think of its teachers? Are teachers beggars who receive alms only at the whims of some kind benefactor?

Sad to say but teachers there are treated like third class citizens. Aliens who do not have rights nor a say on anything.

Teachers have their needs too. They have to travel to work and they also have to buy their food. It's not fair for them not to receive their just wage when they should.

It's a pity that a lot of dedicated and wonderful teachers are awfully treated there. They couldn't leave because they have dependents studying there and that they're too old to have any place to go.

How I wish I could help my fellow teachers. Someday when things are going right I'm going to return to help my fellow teachers. They gave everything to nurture their students s I believe they deserve a better life.

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Illustrations Cited

RGB Artworks
http://rgbartworks.com/rgb6.html

The Hobo Code
http://akugel.wordpress.com)

Back to School

By Monday I will be returning to life as a college educator. I missed this job tremendously after being stranded at home doing my dissertation. Teaching will finally give me the peace of mind I can't seem to find elsewhere.


I love my "home" university, Perps, very much. It saved me countless times from professional oblivion. Whenever I had to leave certain universities for political reasons Perps was always there to welcome me back without asking a word. It is a place where I really feel appreciated.

This semester will be a turning point in my career. The administrators at Perps are asking me for the nth time if I want to stay for good as a tenured faculty member. Tenures are hard to earn taking at least 3 years probation but they're giving it to me on a silver platter!


I'm really confused. I really love Perps from the bottom of my heart but I'm not sure if it is the place where I can grow academically. Research priorities and funding are limited to studies about Perps. Promotions there are done every three years only. This means you won't get promoted even if you win a Nobel prize unless the three years isn't up yet!

I really don't mind the not so spectacular pay. What I do mind is their ambivalence to faculty achievements. Productive faculty members should be compensated for being productive especially those who bring honor to the university. They deserve it.

Well, I will have to make a choice sooner or later. I don't have the heart to say no for the nth time. I guess I'll just have to make the best of the current situation. For now I'll just relish the moment for having the chance to teach once again.


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Illustrations Cited:

The Online Learning Centre
http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/newsletters/06issue1.htm