Burpday Or Shall I Call It Birthdays

            Every now and then we always had special occasions celebrated among family and friends. A few years back, I often find my birthdays quite ordinary because I usually spent it at home with my mom and relatives. But this time around I happen to celebrate it with another family I had found in the new school where I am working.

            I could say, it was a festive occasion as I spent two days celebrating it this week. My birthday falls on every 26th day of the month of February. Although we had spend the 25th as the Pre-Birthday Celebration as we don't have work because it was a special holiday in the Philippines.  A very  fortunate time for some friends to take a plunge in the sea. We visited the floating cottages of Panabo City in Davao del Norte. A boat took us there. It was just a few minutes ride and there we are. Lo! It was full of fun, sharing laughter and jokes from fellow teachers and friends. It was my first time to come to the place and I was impressed with the clear and clean waters. The people in the area had really preserved the seas. The sea breeze was in harmony with us. The weather was fine and everybody had enjoyed the scenery and atmosphere. I can highly recommend the place. Its cheaper than any places I've been with.
     
            Before three in the afternoon we already left the place and went to our co-teachers house where we had cooked our food beforehand. I had the pleasure to nap for about 30 minutes after I had taken the bath in removing the saltiness from my body. I felt so relaxed and refreshed. While some friends took their baths and watch TV and doing pedicure.

            In this birthday, how I wish its always like Burpday not because we eat a lot of food but the reason is I spent it with harmony. Avoiding stress and as laughter is the best medicine that cures loneliness in the life of a woman who has always been single for many years now. I hope that things will just be like this, nothing too strenuous in life and just go along with whatever God is giving. I could say I love my life now. Being too independent and maybe a little mature in life, makes me so lucky to finally find what i am looking for in life. I thank God for He has given me so much I could ask for. This birthday has given me the opportunity to share what I have.

            Thank God for another year although I stop counting the age what matters most is that I still feel young at my age.

What Matters Most in Love?

What do you look for in finding love? Is it about the physical aspect of how a man looks, his grooming, height and the chemistry you think you have with each other? Or is it on his wealth and what he can give to satisfy your wants and provide your needs? All these basis may push people far away from what they are looking for.

Love as the dictionary defines it is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. This is the tender loving care you seek and want to be shared with. If this is the idea of your search for love then both women and men must be wary of it.

How do you gauge your partner to be? As we search far and wide looking for the real man or woman for us we often tend to be too choosy and sometimes because of that we look for some experts to help us in our search. Some people pay for the benefit it could give them. Some Feng Shui experts became in demand for those who may have always been hurt in love and those who just want to have a good future in their relationships. Even renowned celebrities  asks  for their help but seldom can you see relationships work out if couples don't work it out themselves.

Who do you believe the most? Is it your mind, who tells you what to do and follow the advice of the Feng Shui expert? Believing that every word  they say is for good. Or is it the heart that you felt for that person, which you can rely most rather than other people who aims to protect you from unwanted heartaches in the future. Such dilemma can only be judged by a person who really knows what they got into. Real love and relationship can only be felt if each individual shows sincerity and not because what other can offer for them. Love is infinite it can be felt but never can it be controlled. So, if we want love we must work out for it and not rely on what others think we need to do to make things work out for the best.

The Ber Months

I suddenly realized that it is once again a ber month ...November. I remember quite clearly what I did 2 years ago. Although I was out of job I was not penniless. I had a small business way back then. but this didn't console my feelings of loneliness. 

The ber months always makes me somber and thoughtful. I hate the feeling though yet how can  I just disregard it. What a pity for me!! I know somehow I may not be the only one feeling like this when December is fast approaching.

December to me is always a snowy Christmas, I feel the coldness of the air, the weather which was always rainy, my eyes wet from reminiscing  of a love that has been forgotten as letters lay under my bed soaked with tears and marked by time. I wish I could forget all unhappiness in life. Nevertheless, those were happy memoirs of the past that are still treasured.

Now, I hope this December should be something new. How I wish that it will be a very fruitful Christmas!! I hope I shall never be alone again during these holidays. And that I could say my ber months has been very good so its a time to be cheerful as I will be facing a good year ahead.

All I want for X'mas

Seven days to go before Christmas day. How I wish Santa Claus would know my heart's desire. Although I made some of my lists here. It must be something sweet , big and soft! I just hope he can find something similar and send it to my house on Christmas eve.

Ho! Ho! Ho! I dreamt I heard him in my sleep floating in the stark blue sky, so happy and gay. It was a lovely night, carolers were there at my house making my sleep so merry as I keep on dreaming. Alas!! I heard him enter my house through the chimney walls so heavy with lots of things in his backpack and with a loud thud he slipped through it. That was Santa from my fairy world of books.

How I wish I'm still a child to live and dream of fairy tales especially when Christmas time arrives. Its nice to be a child where we often dream of happiness and no worries around us. Ho! Ho! Ho! there goes Santa Claus, I just hope its always Christmas time!! Tis is all I want......

If this is a painting

Whenever I see violets and purple colors it always reminds me of  Bora . A name that is so lovely as her looks,  nice and meek as her character.  Yoo Bora Kim...that was her name...a foreign student who had been my tutee six years ago.There was so much fun and vivid memories I could remember as we bond. She was just 4 years younger than I am.

If this is a painting, I will select all colors of violets and purple to paint you. Life indeed has been good to us because I have met you and its a memory I can't forget. Even without pictures, to refer to the scenes are always imprinted in my mind.

Bora, if you only you can read this... I have never forgotten you...

PS: Pls pass this to YOO Bora Kim if you know her, she lives in Seoul, Korea.





Perhaps now, she must have been married and have kids. 

A sense of direction

Its been a long time since I've written something on this site...though some people would label me as a seasoned writer... and I guess I am.

Right now, I'm inspired something about the life I'm leading to. Starting from where I have been and where I will be going. There are some things that are very important for me at the moment. For one, my paper in which I haven't started yet and whenever I write something it leads me to jump to another topic. Although I think it leads me to a direction. A direction that is still vague at this point.

Second, I come to realize that I love what I am doing right now because it gives me a sense of direction. Wherever this career will lead me to, I know I can always find time for myself no matter how stressful and tight the schedules are you'll still find time to reflect and weigh down how you have dealt problems.

Lastly, I haven't felt so alone and lonely eventhough I have been too far away from home. Mom always call in which she has always been supportive and understanding. The family keeps me strong and with this I found inner peace wherein I can say I have matured a bit.

why?

i've been asking about that myself...
u seem not to connect with me...
i tell u my troubles but u just remain silent...
u don't share what is happening to u...
why?

why not tell me... i would have understood...
why make me a she-devil and harbor all evil thoughts...
why be so unfair...
why reject me... when i need your love
why make me suffer

why do i still love you,
despite the feeling of rejection?

sorry if i still love u like this
insane as i am, i still care.

life is but an empty dream.....just thoughts

this line was taken from a poem which i couldn' t remember the title...the poet might be Edgar Allan Poe?! of which i am a avid fan but too vague to remember who really wrote it ...:(

when i feel so poetic about life and my existence. i always dwell on writing poetry.... this is what life for me for the days, weeks and even months to come.

life.... is hard, everybody knows that,
is like the flowing water in the streams
yet with the fish swimming in it
there is a biotic environment
so life is not lifeless

life is lifeless
when there is nobody to inspire them,
when people leave without explanations,
when hopes and dreams are shuttered,
when the stops shining,
and the rain never stops falling

there is still life in it
but remains illusive
as hearts stop beating
for hearts has been broken
leaving without a glance
nothing at all!!

life is but an empty dream..lifeless...stillness...somber.

of parting ....

I find it interesting to write something about my past... i remembered the same feeling... a love lost because bf went away... i cried a lot... then wrote everything i felt.... with those fill in the blanks i recognize a strong personality i didn't have.. i lean on to GOD to keep me strong in faith and love everything around me. there is that self-worthiness of a new me...

“Watching you walk out of my life does not make me bitter or cynical about love. But rather makes me realize that if I wanted so much to be with the wrong person how beautiful it will be when the right one comes along.”

It's surprising to think that I may forget u in a matter of weeks... its possible... just don't mind me sending u all this letters... i'm feeling a little better when i write positive thoughts... thoughts not of heart ache but of joyful thoughts about life... finding a partner is not a MUST ... i just have to enjoy this FREEDOM. Freedom to think and express my emotions without hurting you.

On Learning the Essence of Educational Philosophy

This paper is a journal entrée of what I have learned and observed in the class as I come to have some reflections on what educational philosophy is all about. Its importance to our educational system and the values that is set to take place when the school system is internalizing such philosophy. Some of the questions I have formulated are stated below.

Questions:

· What is an educational philosophy?

· What are the different educational philosophies?

• How do we align our personal philosophies in the school system?

In the foregoing discussion, let us be reminded that our main reason for this is to sharpen our knowledge on the subject and give value to each philosophy as we learn new things from it. Although some of the thoughts and opinions are based on personal observations as a student learning from an experience and seeing a new light from it.

The Need for an Educational Philosophy

In every school system today, an array of educational philosophy arises. Some teachers also have their own philosophies as it is. Yet whatever the school dictates is to be followed. The school policies were administered by a given body with their set of philosophies an example could be the sectarian or non-sectarian school. I happen to belong to both when I was attending my primary and secondary education. As I grew up I never questioned the difference of each system I just thought that it was instilled because it was run by the nuns or just the president of the university. I never thought this would come and that I will encounter such possibility and delved into the periphery of inspecting this subject. So, we start by asking what is an educational philosophy?

According to Ron Kurtus (revised 26 February 2001), there is a philosophy behind every school system, based on the views and values of the educators, as well as the society that is sponsoring the education. The philosophy starts with the view of reality and definitions of truth and goodness. From this, the mission of the schools and the emphasis of the instruction are established.

The emphasis of the view of reality and the definitions of truth and goodness is based on how educators understand the idea of good, truth and beauty as the primary value of education. Without these we could never find the real essence of our educational aims. Going back to the lesson we have taken on the subject foundations of psycho-philosophy, we have seen the relevance of the topic so in view of this is the alignment of the objectives.

The Educational Philosophies

The details of these philosophies are explicitly different from one another. It varies on how it was being processed and given to the students and the techniques used in the curriculum and later on incorporated together to make a more meaningful outcome.

Perennialism

A conservative and inflexible philosophy of education which is based on the view that reality comes from fundamental fixed truths-especially related to God. It believes that people find truth through reasoning and revelation and that goodness is found in rational thinking. As a result, schools exist to teach reason and God's will. Students are taught to reason through structured lessons and drills.

Idealism

Idealism believes in refined wisdom. It is based on the view that reality is a world within a person's mind. It believes that truth is in the consistency of ideas and that goodness is an ideal state to strive to attain. As a result, schools exist to sharpen the mind and intellectual processes. Students are taught the wisdom of past heroes.

Realism

Realism believes in the world as it is. It is based on the view that reality is what we observe. It believes that truth is what we sense and observe and that goodness is found in the order of the laws of nature. As a result, schools exist to reveal the order of the world and universe. Students are taught factual information.

Experimentalism

Experimentalism believes that things are constantly changing. It is based on the view that reality is what you experience. It believes that truth is what works right now and that goodness comes from group decisions. As a result, schools exist to discover and expand the society we live in. Students study social experiences and solve problems.

Progressivism developed by John Dewey in the 1920’s

Progressivists had taken into consideration the three learning types (auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners) of students. Techniques used in this approach are the following: thought provoking games, books, manipulative objects, experimentation and social interaction between the students. This approach also uses field trips outside of the classroom for educational purposes. Progressive philosophy isn't centered around the main goal of educating students for adulthood. Instead this approach was meant to enrich the educational growth process.

Existentialism

Proponents of this approach are Jean Paul Sarte, Soren Kierkegaard,Friedrich Nietzche and A.S . Neill with the creation of his Summerhill School. Each of these famous men contributed to the belief that it was "not just the mind that needed to be educated, but the whole person."

An existentialism school didn't enforce formal education. Instead it nurtured the creativity, and individuality of the student. It was felt that in time a student would mature by themselves, and decide what direction was suitable to pursue. In an existentialist school children would be given a variety of subjects to choose from. Vocational courses were to teach the student about themselves, and not to prepare them for a future occupation. The student pursued the subject of their choice, learning method, and worked at their own pace. They received one-on-one guidance from their teacher. Existentialism was an independent study program rather than a traditional class.

How do we align our personal philosophies into the school system?

I believe we can always make a difference in whatever situation we are in. In ways where educational philosophy plays an important role in our lives as educators. As the school system has its own philosophies to follow which we need to understand and also follow because we are of one entity. Regarding our personal educational philosophies we could incorporate it to their norms and the culture within that given society to have a harmonious relationship to others. As teachers we should be adept and flexible in the need for change in our environment.

Above all these details which would you likely follow or has been using as your educational philosophy? Intentions and motivations vary by the degree and the quality of education we would like to impart to our students. As educators, we would like to imprint a memory of us for them to be remembered and appreciated not in words but in thoughts. May it be a lasting relationship and goal so that we may be a true educator with a heart and soul in teaching. So that the goodness and beauty of our profession will always be noble.

Let me leave you with a quote from a philosopher:

“The profit we possess after study is to have become better and wiser”.

(de Montaigne)

My Philosophy in Education

“ The child’s needs as a learner governs his whole being”

When I was teaching English language and literature for college students two years ago, I never delved into any educational philosophies. I just followed what was expected from me. I followed what was handed like the curriculum alignment, made my own syllabus for the subject, give lectures and activities for the class, and give examinations which I thought was very practical for them to answer. And everyday going to school was a routine for me. In short I was behaving normally as I thought I was.

At the end of each semester, there was always an evaluation served and observed by fellow teachers/coordinator and the students. As a newbie in the field, I knew that I have some flaws that need to be enhanced. So with these evaluations there are positive and negative remarks about how I conducted my classes.

Later on in the span of my teaching career, I learned and discovered something enlightening about my life as a teacher. I was endowed to have patience and responsibility for these students to learn. It made me a realist of how teachers should act and take responsibility in their work. I began to enjoy life as a teacher because I wasn’t anymore idealistic and following all rules. It was fun learning new methods as I go and continue to discover new techniques. I can see my students enjoying also. They learn from me and I learn from them new methods in teaching and handling the class. I never could have imagined that I would enjoy teaching for awhile.

If there was a personal philosophy about education that I have followed maybe it was just plain and simple understanding and learning from my students abilities. I catered their hunger for knowledge, honed their skills in writing and link them to the significant human experience that one can have. I even introduced high order thinking skills for them to enhance their speaking abilities.

The need to define my personal philosophy in the last two years were indefinite because I have struggled to learn something from the environment, the school and its governing rules and policies, and getting to know your students who sometimes worships you and comments about ones ways in handling them. But I have been considerate of their needs to excel and to master their skills in the four language areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. I try to influence them to write their thoughts and speak what they believe is right and to stand to it. And be willing to accept whatever the consequence there is to it.

I would like to think that I am being pragmatic and a realist in the ways of teaching my students. For this I believe that educating people/students has its progress in modernizing ways of teaching whatever the field or type of students you have.

Pragmatic states that knowledge and action are not separate from each other and the value of knowledge lies in its practical consequences. In other words, knowledge is only as true as its practical consequences and their impact. It is considered as a wide range of thoughts which tend to explain the nature of knowledge and truth in the best possible manner.

Most of the time, we cannot control our students through their actions and thoughts. So I figured out that it is best to motivate and encourage them a little to talk and express themselves and by that way one can get to know him/her. It’s the easiest way to probe into the child’s mind if he/she can express through words because the development of the child can be self-motivated whatever the issues they are encountering in life.

I am realist when it comes to what and how students learn from the lessons I teach. Questions such as: “Am I preparing them for their future careers?” or “Does these lesson suits their level? With proper guidance I am giving them an overview of what to expect in their future workplace.

As realists we tend to believe that whatever we believe now is only an approximation of reality and that every new observation brings us closer to understanding reality.

Teaching language and literature for college students is not an easy task. One needs to be adept and knows how to manipulate the class especially in literature where there is a process of continuing guidance and follow-up of ideas.

Whenever I teach literature there is always the valuing of culture and thoughts of the students. By this they could reflect and dig into the deeper insights and allowing them to share their experiences to the class without apprehension and doubts. They began to have self-confidence and self-worth as they speak. They also learn by listening to other’s thoughts. In the process, this prepares students not only for personal development but for leadership in the community and the workplace. Because they learn to appreciate the little things they make in the class and began to flourish their minds to become critical thinkers and associate it to the present time.

And now I began to empower myself not only for the knowledge but for how I could still lend a hand for their hunger to learn. Teaching and learning does not only stop when students graduate but it is a continuing process where you want to reach out to others, too.

facets of life

LIFE as a gift from God is surely a magnanimity of His power and grace.

As I look back at His mighty love for us, I rediscover myself the beauty of being loved and cared for, not only from my family but from Him I become very grateful. Recurring problems that I try to recoup HE was there all along by my side. At times, I forgot to pray and asks for His guidance but then He never left me. Through the troubled times of our lives we seek calmness in our inner being. Life and God became one that's how important He is to me. I knew from the past that he is everything but tends to be backslided and trusts only oneself. Selfishly I begrudged God of who I have become. Yet obviously he never usurp the identity I want to form in me.For all the walks of life that I've thought I was alone He was there. Again and again I regain consciousness that I was not alone in the midst of all these trivialities of life.

No matter what he gives either problems or good news for us has always been created such that we may encounter and bear fruit with maturity in facing such situations.

LIFE, which is a gift took turns like a somersault that keeps on marking every step we make and catapults us whenever we needed a break from life's cruelties.

Almost all our lives we tend to forget His goodness and forgets to appreciate and thank Him for all He has given us. We share our triumphs to people we love and forgets His worthiness in our lives.

It is through this that I reflect and thank Him for all His sacrifices for us and that I owe everything to Him because without God we are of nothing and from His grace that he has shown us everlasting love.

POEMS: the prophet

On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

----this poem has enlightened me to understand who we are in this world...

when does one feel left out in love?

10 probing ideas on how to detect if your partner makes you feel left out:

1. lover doesn't answer your queries;
2. lover doesn't always greet you and asks your whereabouts;
3. doesn't display affection among friends and families;
4. doesn't let you into their world;
5. doesn't comment on what is happening about you;
6. is never attentive of your wants and needs;
7. never listens to your flaws and opinions;
8. gives a one sided piece of advice;
9.likes to do what he usually prefers to do without asking first from you; and
10. is never willing to understand you.

Which of the following number answers your dilemma? If you feel almost all of it, then its time to find someone new that is more deserving of your love and attention.

POEMS: love on the net

We live far apart
And have never met
Just talked on the phone
And chat on the net.

Yet, I feel for you
As I've not felt
This love is so strong
My heart may melt.

I want to hold you
To never let go
Be together forever
And feel the love grow.

I'm trying to show
The way that I feel
Yet words can't describe
This love is so real.

by: Kathy Porter
404 E 3rd ave s
Aurora MN 55705

http://www.minibite.com/justabuck.htm

we feel we are romantically involved with this someone we love but the bottom line is we are just born romantic, so our feelings are expressed through words that somehow our loved ones would also feel how we treasured them.

the thing we called love

i will be here
when stars fall down from the sky
i will be here
even if u don't ask me to

i keep the faith you willingly give
push you when you're down and weary
love you unconditionally
together we'll set sail on
this i want to be
forever in your life

Finding our soulmates.............

Which of the following descriptions of a soul mate applies to you ?

• Reincarnation: Some believe that a soul mate is someone with whom a person has shared other life times through reincarnation.

  The soul mate could be a friend, business partner, parent, child, sibling, spouse or other family member. These soul mates can be of the same or opposite sex.

• Other Half: Others believe, like the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, that a soul mate is a person's "other half". This concept was the basis of the movie, The Butcher's Wife where the idea of "split-aparts" searching for one another was explored. People all over the world believe that we are all searching for someone to make us whole and to share our journey of life with.
• A dictionary definition is: One of two persons compatible with each other in disposition, point of view, or sensitivity. Someone for whom you have a deep affinity. A person temperamentally suited to another.
• Predestination: The movie Still Breathing examines the thought that people are drawn together as soul mates by destiny or fate and that being with our soul mate is something we have no control over. This idea of predestination and connection even after death between soul mates was also examined in the movie What Dreams May Come.
• Making Life Come to Life: Richard Bach describes soul mates as "A soulmate is someone who has the locks to fit our keys, and the keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we; we can be loved for who we are and for who we're pretending to be. Each of us unveils the best part of one another. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person were safe in our paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life. "
• Profound Connection: Thomas Moore, in his book Soul Mates: Honoring the Mysteries of Love and Relationship, page xvii, describes a soul mate as "someone to whom we feel profoundly connected, as though the communication and communing that take place between us were not the product of intentional efforts, but rather a divine grace. This kind of relationship is so important to the soul that many have said there is nothing more precious in life."

Soul Mates

The Soul Mate Myth & Challenges in Soul Mate Marriages

By Sheri & Bob Stritof, About.com