Full Time (and other random thoughts)

Today is the start of my full time job as an English teacher for Koreans. 

*More news? I don't have any I think, aside from the fact that there has already been a change in my time slot. And I have to report to the company at an earlier time. 

*While listening to Christian songs, I began to picture out the life I would have when I enroll in that seminary I have longed to go for years now. I had this plan to study there for a year and then teach at the same time. I told my father about this and he was supportive. He even started to mention how he can help and who to call or ask. I think I will have that dream come true a year from now. God knows how willing I am to be there. But of course His divine plan will still prevail. 

*So I have finished reading The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks for less than 48 hours, and the ending brought me to tears. Whether the tragic or the happy one, it's for you to discover (if you haven't read the book or haven't seen the movie).

*Though not so bothered by the fact that the Licensure Examination for Teachers is coming very fast and I haven't filed my registration at the Regional PRC office yet, there are still unguarded moments wherein I caught myself looking blankly at the ceiling while wondering what it would be like to be in that testing room with the rest of the thousand aspirants. I am not worried though because I have a great GOD who will help me. 

*Some more? My crush looks great today. Oh yeah! (This is one of those childish moments.)

Receiving (and Giving) Gifts on Random Days

Random days are the best days to be surprised. You don't know what's going to happen next.

My first 'Nicholas Sparks'. Two days ago, my friend from the school paper publication handed me an orange-covered rectangular stuff while we were chatting on our way home. He told me he was supposed to give it last Christmas but due to the busy schedule perhaps, he said he keeps on forgetting to give me the gift, thus the super delayed giving.

'Twas exactly what I wanted though. A Nicholas Sparks The Lucky One paperback indeed. My first NS. (I used to only borrow NS before.) And since I haven't seen the movie yet, I know I will not be spoiled with the book's content. Well, it's always better to read the book first then watch the movie. After I finish reading the book, I certainly have to scout for the movie. 

Chocoliiits. Today is the last day of the summer class at the school where I was working. I have realized that I will miss the toddlers that I used to play and learn with. I will miss the kakulitan, the annoying cries and the bratty attitudes of the babies. 

I will miss the times when these two-year-old babies would run to me and gesture that they want to be carried. I will miss their baby scents and the bottles of milk which pacify them from a tiring play. I will miss the times when two or three babies would rush to me and hug me while they throw their dearest smiles and giggles. I will miss the 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' song and their favorite, 'If You're Happy and You Know It.' I will miss Nate, my favorite pupil, who does not want to enter the classroom unless I get him from where he and his yaya are standing. I will miss his smile and his voice calling me during our table tap activity, saying, "Teacher, ali. Tabangi ko." (Teacher, come here. Help me please.) I will miss how he holds my hand with his soft baby hands. (I think I should stop. My tears are already edging.)

And yes, after the class, a pupil handed his sweet gift--Reese's Butter Cups and a rose-like chocolate. I already ate the latter before I could even think of taking a picture of it. (hehe) Thank you Jayden.

Success. After days of doing a follow-up on the condition of my T.O.R which was temporarily held back by the University Registrar, I finally got my claim stub today. I just have to wait for two weeks to get it. I am so happy for this gift from God. Thank you for answering my prayers. 

And I gave a gift, too. Since one of my pupils in my Korean class loves Iron Man so much, I asked my artist friend to draw him an Iron Man figure with Brad's (my Korean pupil) name on it. I sent the picture to him last night, and he was like, "Whoah teacher! This is awesome."

Getting a Dose of Their Teacher's Day Celeb

Today is Teacher's Day in Korea. Since it is a special day for Koreans, I asked my online students about what they have done to thank their teachers. 

One of my students, in the name of Brandon, answered me and said, "I did not give anything to my teacher. But my mom gave her something." I asked him what it was but he just replied, "I can't tell you. It's top secret."

I gave a full blast of laughter after he said that. This eleven-year old boy really knows how to make me laugh. 

Later during our class, his father showed up in the video camera and I greeted him a good evening. He answered back with a big grin on his face. With Brandon still smiling beside him, he said, "I heard about you from my wife. Thank you so much for teaching my kids good English. You are such a good help to them."

Wow!! Did I hear it right? The parents like me. Now, the father is thanking me for the good teaching I have imparted to their children. I am so HAPPY. I just got a dose of happiness from their Teacher's Day Celebration.

Another student of mine, in the name of Daniel, also had a surprise for me in this special day. This 16-year-old lad sang me a song from Westlife, saying that it is one his favorite artists. He did the "My Love" song of the group and I could not help but draw a wide smile on my face. What a super wow! 

Because of these small things from my foreign students, I will have more reasons to make better in my teaching, be it in a virtual or real classroom setting. Salamat po ng marami LORD. 

The Voice

His voice turned me on. 

With the new tutorial that I have, I was able to meet new people and new personalities with new time slots in a new workplace. And with this NEWNESS comes some random appreciation for specific persons. For short, I have this one person I started to have a crush on. [ayiiiieee :)]

The history. The first time I heard that voice, I was seated on my cubicle, preparing for my first class. The instance and the exact thing I was doing during that time was not as vivid as the masculinity of the voice that I heard. The voice was not husky but it is very masculine. It speaks of strength and compassion, intimacy and fun, calmness and perfection. Oh my gooosssshhh!! I have fallen in love with that voice. And I know that the person who owns that voice is just one cubicle across. I can clearly hear him. Golly, golly, golly. ^_^

The development. I have been in this new workplace for almost two weeks now, and everyday, I hear that voice. It just makes my day, really. And even if I am tired from work, from talking to Korean kids, hearing that voice soothes everything. 

The discovery. And tonight, finally, I discovered who the owner of the voice was. After long nights of guessing which vocal chords that voice come from, I now have a face to THE VOICE. ^_^ He is tall, brown-skinned (moreno), and good-looking. (hihi) I came to know of this thing from another workmate of mine who belongs to the same cubicle row as him. (I'm blushing right now because I can clearly hear his voice.)

P.S. I can't help but smile every time I hear him laugh. And yeah, we are wearing my favorite color today. The BOTH of US!! Isn't that GREAT???? :))) hahaha

Random Thoughts Part 24

It's the start of the five-day hectic lifestyle again, and here I am battling to live one day at a time. 

I am not teaching toddlers. After this summer on-the-job training with toddlers at a private school in the city, I will never teach toddlers again (unless I will receive a salary of 100, 000 a month). [hahaha] I finally had the chance to teach toddlers this morning after two weeks of observing my partner teacher. It wasn't fun more so that someone came in to evaluate me. Another evaluation will be coming anytime this week, and hopefully when that time comes, I will be more prepared and the children will be more behaved and attentive (but I still am not expecting too much from them especially on behaving).

There has been a slight change of schedule. Or let's just say an addition to my load. Last week, in my online tutorial job, I had two Korean students only. Now, on the second week of my work, I was given four more students to tutor. I am thankful though that I will not be meeting them all five times a week. I just finished organizing my schedule and it seems okay. I think this will also mean a raise in my salary. (hahaha) Thank you Lord. 

They are friendly here. And the people are friendly here. The workplace is okay. I surely am going to love this place and quitting this part time job soon would certainly be hard for me. Anyhow, I will not think about it just yet. I shall enjoy this time with my new workmates and my adorable Korean students. 

Free spaghetti, anyone? After copying my new schedule from the cork board, our Korean boss came to me and told me to eat spaghetti. My workmate in the name of Mae or Marie (I forgot, really. haha.) is celebrating her birthday today. So cheers for the yummy spag. For long life. ^_^

Lebron James is MVP (again). For the fourth time now, Lebron "King James" with a jersey number of 6 from Miami Heat is declared the Most Valuable Player. Hooray for this guy from my fave team. hihihi. This is  after his winning streak from the year 2009 to 2010 and then interrupted by Derrik Rose on 2011. He then had his third last year 2012 and now, this. Congrats! I really love him play especially when he does his three-point shots. Way to go! ^_^

American Idol has its top 3 now. Angie, Candice and Kree are the final three contingents for the coveted title "American Idol 2013." After the elimination of Amber last week who brought some of the judges to tears, these three gals will certainly give their very best for that one spot they have been dreaming of. Watch them perform live every Thursday on Star World. :)

Monday is to end, and I praise God for this beautiful life. And yeah, happy birthday to Ante Mia. :)) 

(I shall tell of her story and how God worked in her life the next time around)

Random Thoughts Part 23

Hi there. I have missed this blog lately. Maybe not very lately because I have been away for so long. (hihihi) And since I am back, I will just talk about randomness. That's what I am good at anyway. ^_^

Tiresome, enjoying. I have a new job. Hooray for me. I am now teaching toddlers in the city (two-year-old kids) at a prestigious private school. This is the end of my second week now and on Monday, the applicants who are having their on-the-job training will be evaluated by the principal. Hopefully, I will have good remarks during the evaluation so that I will be able to get a teaching position on June. I am getting more excited as that day approaches. hihi.

Dealing with little children, you ask me. Hoooo. Superbly tiresome. There are 14 of them and three of us (teachers). But within that two-week bond with the kids, the teachers have successfully established trust inside the classroom and the babies are getting more used to our presence than ever before. I am very happy for that.

In fact, one of the kids keep on tugging my blouse every time I stand up. He always wanted to sit on my lap and do the "horsey-horsey" moves. He loved that a lot. Sometimes, when I talk to the other kids, he would approach me and smile, and then finally tug me, which means he is trying to get my attention. This cute little guy is named Nate. Oh that wonderful baby scent. He is just so adorable. Hmmm, that sounds like I am having favorites. All of them are so adorable. That cannot be denied.

Even if it is tiring to work with these kids, I know that I am on the right track, that teaching really is my thing, for I am enjoying every minute with them. And I thank God for this wonderful opportunity.

Saying goodbye is not easy (especially to kids). I am also working part time in one of the online tutorial centers here in the city (aside from my tutorials at home). Our customers here are Korean kids. Aside from noticing that they are all wearing eye glasses, these kids are apparently enrolled in this online tutorial for them to become English, if not proficient, speakers.

This is just like working part time in a call center. But I believe this is better than the latter because this has something to do with dealing with kids. And I need that training for my profession.

And yes, for the good bye part. Well, today will be the last day for one of the teachers here. She will be resting for a month and then will pursue her teaching profession in the real world. Since I had the chance to have a side-by-side lesson with her, I was able to talk to her student online. And while she was talking, bidding goodbye to her student, I can see how the Korean boy's eyes welled with tears. While watching, I realized how they have been attached to each other in a teacher-student manner.

It's heartbreaking but it's part of life. So we might as well get used it.

Minutes from now, my class will already start tonight. God bless you. Have a great weekend. ^_^