my heart's reasons

There are those days when the logical mind says, you must move on and do a better job of supporting yourself.

Those days when the logical mind say, why did you choose this career, it is not reasonable.

If the heart can still the mind, then the answers are apparent.

Perhaps logic did not play a great part in choosing our jobs as teachers.

If we are truly teaching life's most important lessons to the little ones.

The lesson of love, to love oneself unconditionally and to share that love with others.

Perhaps we were guided and chosen to be in this place.

For teaching love in a crowded, confused and often angry world,

is not something everyone can do.

Though our wallets may not be overflowing,

How many people are hugged and told they are loved by the people they work with each day?

How many people own original art works created expressly for them?

How many jobs allow you to wipe away tears and make the world a better place for others?

How many people are allowed to see a tired, weary world through fresh new eyes, where all things are possible,

To hear laughter and joy for no big reason, just for being.

When the logical mind say, what are you doing teaching young children,

Listen to your heart one more time.

- from What Are You Doing Teaching Preschool (Original Author Unknown)

i really have the best job in the world. :)

The Mercurians and The Young Once

ah, what an eventful weekend...

God's Messengers

last saturday, we (Creative Communications Ministry) went to La Salette Retreat House, Cavite for our first 2006 planning session. i was so psyched because i haven't been on an out-of-town trip for months and after my very grueling week (i just braved my take-home compre exams. i'll never miss those sleepless nights!), i deserved some good ol' R&R.

joel and i were the self-appointed drivers on this trip. i actually love long drives and if money wasn't a problem, i would have been all over the Philippines by now (hehe).

La Salette is the perfect place for planning because it had gazebos for holding small meetings, a solemn ambiance for reflecting,


and a wide expanse of greenery for quiet walks,


and...

picture-taking. hahaha!



we had a fruitful and fun planning session. we were able to come up with CCM's goal for 2006 (riches in heaven and a new IMac right??) after we had our individual prayer time and reflection. then, we proceeded to list all our plans, activities, and resources needed per CCM sub-unit (Information Dissemination, Poster-Making, and Publication).

we were so engrossed with our planning that we didn't notice the time. soon, it was a few minutes after lunch already and our stomachs were starting to complain.

finally, we wrapped up and headed off for lunch! yeah!

and what a lunch it was!

we had our lunch in one of those Dampa-inspired food establishments where the food is fresh and the small restaurants that lined the area fought over you to get more customers. ah, it's so hard to be in demand, really...

sinigang na tanigue sa miso, buttered shrimps, calamares, and heaps of rice...i still dream about it to this day! i can't remember the last time i had two platefuls of rice! hm, college garahe days maybe? (remember, rica and tina? :D) although we all had our fill, i had that sinking feeling that i ate the most grub. ah, what the heck. once in a blue moon, right?? (hey, i hit the gym after the trip, ok??? :p)

after that fabulous lunch, it was time to drive back to Manila. and back to reality....sigh.

Smells Like (Post) Teen Spirit

it was Assumption Antipolo's grand alumnae homecoming yesterday. naturally, i was there (i think i only missed one reunion so far). although my youngest sister is still in HS, i don't really get to visit my alma mater that often.

when i got there, there were only three of us from our batch. one had to man her booth, the other had to talk to the organizers. so there i was, all alone to entertain myself. i just decided to take a self-guided tour around the campus and see all the developments that were made in all the years that we were gone (sniff, sniff).

i guess among the things i miss about AA, it's the environment that tops the list. if there is such a thing as a Green School/Campus, then AA is definitely it. fresh mountain air, sprawling green lawns, an abundance of flora and fauna (especially the joint-legged kind), and acres of hills and open space. so far, AA is the only school i know that does not sell softdrinks. ever. not even during special events (unless you bring your own soda). we're so KJ, no??

strolling around the campus was like walking down memory lane...

our HS quadrangle

my favorite gazebo

and, how can i forget?? the back of the LRC (tintoots, remember our last bull session??? hehe.).

unfortunately, my cam's batteries died on me and i forgot (again!) to bring my spares. argh! so, i quickly finished my tour and went back to the multipurupose hall.

i couldn't believe there are 15 alumnae batches already (are we that old??). batch '93 (my batch) only had 6 attendees because most of our friends were either unavailable, out-of-the-country, or just plain lazy (but wouldn't admit it to our face. hehe.). the oldest batch came in full force (they were the host, actually) and even sang their HS grad song. we had a few games (ice bag throwing and pictionary) and held a raffle (i never win in these things. hmp.).

even if we were few, we still had fun recalling our teenage days. some of our teachers were there (two of whom i did NOT recognize at all!). a few of the sisters joined our table to chat with us. three of them actually attempted to coerce me to join the preschool faculty. but to no avail. *evil grin*

one of the perks that you get from homecomings is seeing all the transformations - those people who've "bloomed" (especially the quiet and nerdy ones), those who haven't changed at all, and, gasp, the "unfortunate ones" who actually look worse now that before (i solemnly swear to keep my mouth shut...).

one interesting fact that we noticed was that the younger generations actually took the homecoming more seriously than others. while our batch came in casual and simple clothes, our younger friends sashayed in our multi-purpose hall in full make-up galore (i wonder how they still recognize each other), stilettos, diva outfits, and glam bags (in silver or gold). ah, yes, the MTV generation in all its glory.

i was pretty happy in my concert shirt, black bag and shoes, and smiling face, sans make-up. my secrets to looking youthful and glowing. hahaha!