Comeback Post? (In #hashtags)

(Woah! It's been almost a year since my last post... crazy!)

Assuming this is my comeback post (since I don't want to disappoint myself), here are some of the important and (as Lily from How I Met Your Mother series would call it) "big moments" in my life so far.

As you might remember, I've been working and studying simultaneously during my first year of teaching. I also had to juggle reviews and leisure time during last year's summer vacation. All of these sacrifices for... the board exams.

We had to go back to work and were introduced to the new teachers :) We had this "#FunDay" where we had to prepare for our team yell, presentations, and games (reminds me of HS Intrams haha).

Here's a picture of me with my two friends/workmates (since training days :D) Yes, this year, we belong to different teams.

Our team's cheerdance haha!

I still had the chance to work with this very fun department :) #ItsAlwaysAGoodTime

My Saturdays and Sundays from June to September of 2013 were spent on reviewing. Not enough sleep on Fridays, early morning commute on Saturdays, afternoon bus rides from Manila to Pampanga, and doing the same thing again on Sundays... It was really hard, but definitely worth it. The picture above are my TCP classsmates, we've been together since summer of 2012 to the week before the board exams of September 2013. Whew!

This is what I learned from my review experiences... kept me going.

Photo Diary: Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Just before I go ahead and put myself into a new battle of work load and studying, this trip was sure the greatest way to end my summer vacation. Beware: Semi-detailed post :)

My workmates and I went to Puerto Princesa, Palawan days before the 2013 Philippine National Elections (so what?). It wouldn't really be a matter of importance had the person behind the development of the city was not running as for a higher post in the government, but he (former Mayor Haggedorn) was. 

I could never forget how we ALMOST did not make it and ALMOST waste our money (and of course, go home without any proof that we went to Palawan). I am not exaggerating when I say ALMOST. Spell that will all capital letters. 

Excited for Palawan!

Our flight was scheduled at 6:15pm. We are sure of this, and we planned everything to be at the airport on time. However, you know how life plays. Sometimes, it teases you the moment you least expect it. One hour before our flight, we're stuck in EDSA. This is not surprising since it was a Friday. But 30 minutes... 15 minutes prior to our scheduled flight and still not in any where close to the airport? That's not a joke. Most of us will be riding the plane for the first time and we sure would want that experience. So what do you when you're stuck in traffic and there's no way you are going to catch your scheduled flight? We prayed. Yes, we did. Hard. But that's not enough, we've got to do something. Thus, the start of the GREAT ADVENTURE. We (there were about 30 of us) decided to WALK SLASH RUN going to NAIA Terminal 4 to catch our beloved flight. We were THAT determined. We started walking meters before NAIA Terminal 1. To add some more adventure is the rain.... of all the given time in the world, it started to rain just as we were walking slash running along the roads of NAIA. Isn't that fun? Catch is: When we arrived at the airport, our flight was delayed. Holly molly, Tatay God was sooooo good! It may be luck for some, I consider it a MIRACLE. Then it hit me, "the universe conspires to make your dreams come true."

The waiting game

A Mother's Day Post ft. Mitch Albom Quotes from the book "For One More Day"

If not for you, I wouldn't be here writing an entry. If not for you, I wouldn't be the person I've become for the past years. If not for you, I wouldn't have a story of my own to share. If not for you, my life won't start. For the past years, my life was a roller coaster. Sometimes, the experiences that I had belong to the extremes. But no matter how many times I tell my life stories to other people, everything will boil down to the fact that I was your daughter and that I came from you. Sabi mo nga, "bali-baligtarin mo man ang mundo, ako pa rin ang nanay mo."

Reviewee Diaries #1

I need to let this out. I am sooooo not prepared for it. I know I have months to prepare, but I also have work and responsibilities to do. I keep on telling myself, Trust God. You can do it. Don't give up. Think positive. But you know, sometimes you just need MORE reminders, more words of wisdom, and a lot of inspiration to keep on pushing towards your goal.

So I succumed to the idea of google-ing some motivation (don't get me wrong, you don't google motivation, it's within you) Let me just rephrase that. I google-d some pieces of motivating pictures and quotes just to serve as reminders for me to keep going. I sound very desperate right now, but really... this strategy helps (at least for me...in college- and hopefully until now).

 It starts with a simple "I CAN do it." I can when I start saying I can.

Sunday Reflections: "Do not be Afraid."

"Do not be afraid."
"Accept the Holy Spirit and let it guide you."

No matter how strong you are, there is always that something that makes you afraid. But if you look at the situation, you can also say that no matter how weak and afraid you are, there will always be that something that you're good at. I am always afraid... of failing, of making mistakes, of not meeting expectations, of not being good enough... the list goes on. But if there is one thing that life keeps on reminding me for the past year (and months), it's not to be afraid and drop whatever fear I have. Sometimes, I get to remind myself and motivate myself to be more confident and be stronger. Sometimes though, the weakling in me gets into my head and hits my heart, until I tell myself "I cannot do it," "What if...blah blah blah" (insert long list of excuses and reasons here). 

This is the reason why today's homily in the Church affects me. The priest kept on reminding us not to be afraid and be more faithful because Jesus gave the Holy Spirit and Peace to us. The moment father (the priest) was telling stories and explaining the homily a while ago, I felt somehow close to Tatay God. Months from now, the most dreadful and life-changing event in my life this year will come, and I will be fooling myself if I don't admit that I am really really really nervous and afraid. I feel like I am not ready for it and I feel like I need more energies and confidence to take it. I need prayer warriors and positive people around me. But as most people would say, motivation does not come from the people around you or to anything around you, it comes from you.

Another thing that hit me while listening to the homily: Jesus is such a great teacher. He was able to come up with stories just for the people (no matter what age group and no matter what differences they have) understand his teachings. I know making use of stories will be a great help in my own classes, but I need more wisdom and creative juices on how to use them. While listening to the homily, I was thinking, sana kaya ko rin magturo ng ganon kagaling at kaayos.

Note to self: Too much money has already been let out, too much efforts and sleepless nights, too much sacrifices and too much energies. Too much... just too much. You were able to get THIS FAR, this is definitely NOT the time to give up. No to giving up. 

DROP THE FEAR, TRUST GOD.

Photo Diary: Laguna and Tagaytay

Our original destination's Pansol, Laguna but since we got bored, we went for a road trip and reached Tagaytay. With no destinations in mind, we went to what most of us know. Unfortunately, we were not able to go further as the rain fell super hard. It was a good try and great adventure though :)

 On our way up to the Palace in the Sky

Photo Diary: Ocular Visit in Balanga, Bataan

One good thing about my job is that I get to go to places I've never visited and try adventures I've never tried in my life... all these while I enjoy the company of the young ones. It's not easy, but then again, it's a matter of inner motivation and loving what you do. Tatay God even gave me a bonus as he gave me happy and optimistic people to work with :)

 Outbound (Lakbay) guide and workmates during the bird watching activity. 

 The place is still being developed and is open for everyone. During the lecture, it was said that Balanga developed from a 4th class city into a 2nd class city. Plus, they are implementing a "No Smoking" policy. Such a great city!

 We also visited "Amanda's," the "bagoong" supplier of Mang Inasal and Chowking (there's another one...I forgot). We had to wear boots and haircaps/nets as entered the production area.