Roasting Hot

It's definitely summer with the daily temperatures hovering between 34 to 36 degrees Celsius. It feels as if we're always being roasted alive, especially during the afternoons. That's why I would prefer to stay in the mall where it's cooler and relatively cheaper. If you compare the cost of fuel going to the mall and merienda, it's cheaper than turning on the aircon the whole afternoon. Welcome to the country with one of the highest cost of electricity in the world. According to our weather bureau, temperatures are still expected to increase come May. I hope we'll all survive the heat. I blame it for my growing size as I tend to eat more cold and sweet things to fight the heat (hello, Magnum!).

Surviving my First Term

I survived my first term of teaching. Actually, it was an abbreviated term as I came in at midterms. Nevertheless, it was such a different experience for me that I agreed to come back next term.

This is totally away from my comfort zone and I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'll be teaching a subject that I'm not familiar with so I have the rest of the summer to really learn it. This time, I'll be teaching finance majors which is different as my previous students were BM majors so they're not as familiar with finance as these finance majors would probably be. I would be hard-pressed to really learn the lessons as it would be difficult to bluff my way out of difficult questions.

I'm so looking forward to next term. Hopefully, I'll be able to be more effective as a teacher. Good luck to me!

Stress Drilon and Hagardo Versoza

My stress levels today breached another stage today. So many things happening on top of the other that until now, I still haven't destressed.

Which reminds me, I need to buy a stress ball because my keyboard at work is taking the brunt of my frustrations. Just this afternoon before I went home, I was pounding on it like crazy. I wanted to throw stuff but I'm scared I might hit the window.

I know I asked for this when I took the job and I'm not really sorry. In fact, I welcome the challenges. It's how I thrive and if I manage to get through this, I know I'll be quite happy. I just need to find an outlet for my stress. I'm already staying away from food as I can feel myself getting fat. Maybe it's time I go back to the gym. Maybe it's something that a good run on the treadmill can cure.

Ten Years From Now

I asked my staff at work to write down a 150-word essay answering the abovementioned question. It's such a cliche topic but I really just wanted to gauge their grammatical skills as their emails to me are mostly "acknowledged" or "noted". I just wanted to see their grasp on the english language as I am looking for ripe people who I can promote to officers.

I had to go through more than 30+ essays earlier and I only managed to find less than 5 people with average grammar skills that I can depend on to not embarrass me if they would send email to the bosses. However, I was deeply touched with what all of them wrote. I managed to read through the grammatical errors for me to see the message that they were trying to get across.

It inspired me to write my own essay reflecting on the above topic. Here it is:

I was asked this question more than a decade ago and I never thought I would end up where I am right now. All I wanted then was to have a job and live each day as it comes. I refused to make big goals or have dreams because back then, I was afraid to fail.

I later learned that it is not the goal that really counts but the road towards my goal. I would never trade all the hardships and disappointments that I experienced throughout my journey. I also realized that I can fail along the way and the world will not end. I learned from my mistakes and became stronger because of them. To some, my achievements may be relatively insignificant but to me, they are products of my hard work and determination and I am extremely proud of them. Nobody can tell me otherwise.

If it would be possible, I would want to retire ten years from now and live a simple life with my husband. I would want to travel the world and see different cultures and people. I would want to see my son grow up and be successful in his chosen field and maybe even play with my future grandchildren.

Ten years from now, I want to truly say with all my heart, that when the time comes that I would be called by my Maker, I could say that I have lived a life that has been greatly and fully lived.

Asthma, Go Away!

For the first time in ages, I'm plagued by asthma attacks the past few days.

I could not figure out what was causing it. I figured it must be the weather change. About a decade ago, I recall being incapacitated during the months of February and March as the weather would drastically change from cold to hot. Weather change are usually the triggers for most asthmatics.

I never really outgrew my asthma. It's such a point of contention during my application with the different companies I worked with as I'm forced to declare that I have asthma. As such, I had to get clearance from my doctor that I'm currently in medication and that it is being managed.

My inhaler is getting quite a work-out since Friday. My pulmo said I need two clicks whenever I have an attack. The adverse effect of the inhaler is that I have to gargle afterwards as the powder is irritating my throat.

I just wish that the weather would normalize as I can't afford to get sick. Too many things are happening at work and I have to be there to ensure that my projects are implemented properly.

Kung Bakit Ako Kinilig

Please allow me to give way to this somewhat dormant side of me. A lot of people don't know that I do watch Filipino movies. I usually watch the romantic comedy ones and just of specific actors and actresses.

During my birthday last year, I discovered the loveteam of Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson when my sister-in-law invited me to watch their movie which I posted about here. Ever since I saw their chemistry, I knew there was something there. I was able to find an honest-to-goodness Gerald Anderson fans club and was updated with everything that was happening to the young actor's life (just the general stuff. I'm not THAT obsessed to be on stalker-mode).

Recently, his partner in the movie, Sarah Geronimo, launched a weekly evening show. Gerald was surprise guested in a couple of episodes and their chemistry came out again in full force. I was smiling and laughing throughout the whole time they were on the small screen together. It is obvious that there is something between that I don't know if they want to acknowledge or what.

The hopeless romantic in me wants them to end of together. Both of them are good kids and I wish them both the best. I'm hoping that their friendship will blossom to be a real honest-to-goodness romantic relationship. However, I will be the first to say that relationships in the showbiz world have low staying power. It is seldom that you will find a showbiz couple who will withstand the test of time. I truly hope that they will be the deviation to the norm.

Goodbye, Zach

It's been more than 12 hours since I heard the news but I still can't shake off the feeling of sadness.

Zach is Basti's classmate and seatmate in toddler school and he passed away Thursday night. I couldn't get over the news as I know the child. I don't see him everyday but I see him whenever I accompany Basti to school or if I'm there for a school activity.

I cannot imagine what the parents, especially the mother, is feeling right now. My heart goes to them.

Eternal rest grant unto the soul of Zach, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

RIP Jadden Zachariah Gan (May 2009 - March 2012)