Before I left for the U.S., I visited Munich campus and went to see my friend, Aylene. I had gone to see her one time and ended up not being able to, well just from afar because the teacher who was supposed to do the proctoring didn't show up, so she ended up taking her place, pregnant and all.
I've a lot of memories of Ays as I call her. We worked in Eli back in the days and when I first started in Eli, I really appreciated her kindness especially in preparing for activities and experiments in the classroom. I guess one of the memories that stuck was she would offer to buy gelatine (I think it was for science) since she lived close to SM and her son was one of my students, my first batch of kids way back in that school. She would always offer to do something, bring food for parties or to share with the kids. Or stay with my kids if needed.
When she moved to Munich campus when the classes were split, I was sad to see her go but I understood that she had to do that because then she would be closer to her kids who were then going to third and fourth grade. But I never felt like we drifted apart because whenever we saw each other, we'd always make "chika chika" and catch up on each other's life.
I guess that's why, even when I left, we still kept in touch. Through text, or if I went there for some reason, just to chat even for a few minutes.
I was talking to a friend this morning and I just said that sometimes, in life, there are just some things that we don't understand and probably will never understand. I'll just leave it to a higher being. There really is no explanation. But I guess I'll just think to myself that she and her baby are in heaven and watching over her loved ones.
Goodbye Ays, thank you for being a part of my life and until we meet again.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Capitola
I'd call it a "sweet escape," from what? A lot of things. Primarily, because when I heard about what happened to a friend of mine, it just felt so surreal and unfair. But I'll talk about that another time.
So after work, a friend asked if I wanted to go see the beach and I said of course, "yes." And so they picked me up at work and we drove to, Sta. Cruz to Capitola.
The drive going there was interesting. I think that was real driving that I've seen. And I was amazed that a lot of people did really drive here, from work to home and home to work and I'm amazed that someone would drive that far for work. Oh well.
The roads going there were winding, I'd say. Sort of like driving to Baguio, passing through the side of the mountain. Interesting driving. I guess if I were a novice driver, I'd be driving slow. The trees looked tall and beautiful and the destination was well worth the wait.
Capitola is a beautiful place. Albeit, cold because it was windy because we were by the sea. I ended up borrowing my friend's thick jacket to protect myself from the cold. We went to a resto and stayed outside enjoying the breeze, the view and the sun. I could see there were a lot of seagulls and at first I didn't know what they were. I remembered Richard Bach's novel about a seagull for some reason.
It just felt so peaceful sitting there, drinking cold water and eating nachos (I think they were) while waiting for our food. The music was beautiful too. Eighties I think, lol. Reminded me of the past. Of friends in the past, of what happened in the past. Then I enjoyed my Margaritaville Pasta. It was just so good. I had steak to go with it too and the serving was huge, as usual. I ended up taking a box so I could take it home.
After dinner, we walked along the beach. It was funny, one of the seagulls was seriously looking and facing the people sitting and eating on the bench. Waiting for food, what else. I know I would be if I was hungry. lol.
I wanted to take off my shoes and feel the sand on my feet, but since I was wearing shoes and socks, figured, I wouldn't. But I would've wanted to.
Finally, we had to go cause we wanted to make sure that time wouldn't run out at the parking meter.
Going back home, the view was still spectacular, I could see the ocean from afar. Wow, that was beautiful. I guess a perfect day for introspection and just to appreciate what life has to offer, how short it is and sometimes, how it can be snuffed out when we least expect it.
Oh, I wish I had my camera with me. That would've been even better. But it's all in my memory...that I could go back to when I can.
So after work, a friend asked if I wanted to go see the beach and I said of course, "yes." And so they picked me up at work and we drove to, Sta. Cruz to Capitola.
The drive going there was interesting. I think that was real driving that I've seen. And I was amazed that a lot of people did really drive here, from work to home and home to work and I'm amazed that someone would drive that far for work. Oh well.
The roads going there were winding, I'd say. Sort of like driving to Baguio, passing through the side of the mountain. Interesting driving. I guess if I were a novice driver, I'd be driving slow. The trees looked tall and beautiful and the destination was well worth the wait.
Capitola is a beautiful place. Albeit, cold because it was windy because we were by the sea. I ended up borrowing my friend's thick jacket to protect myself from the cold. We went to a resto and stayed outside enjoying the breeze, the view and the sun. I could see there were a lot of seagulls and at first I didn't know what they were. I remembered Richard Bach's novel about a seagull for some reason.
It just felt so peaceful sitting there, drinking cold water and eating nachos (I think they were) while waiting for our food. The music was beautiful too. Eighties I think, lol. Reminded me of the past. Of friends in the past, of what happened in the past. Then I enjoyed my Margaritaville Pasta. It was just so good. I had steak to go with it too and the serving was huge, as usual. I ended up taking a box so I could take it home.
After dinner, we walked along the beach. It was funny, one of the seagulls was seriously looking and facing the people sitting and eating on the bench. Waiting for food, what else. I know I would be if I was hungry. lol.
I wanted to take off my shoes and feel the sand on my feet, but since I was wearing shoes and socks, figured, I wouldn't. But I would've wanted to.
Finally, we had to go cause we wanted to make sure that time wouldn't run out at the parking meter.
Going back home, the view was still spectacular, I could see the ocean from afar. Wow, that was beautiful. I guess a perfect day for introspection and just to appreciate what life has to offer, how short it is and sometimes, how it can be snuffed out when we least expect it.
Oh, I wish I had my camera with me. That would've been even better. But it's all in my memory...that I could go back to when I can.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I got books from the Cupertino Library!!!
Today, I went back to the Cupertino Library. Last week, when I went to the Chicken Dance, I got my Library card and pin but didn't have the opportunity to go around and borrow some books.
This week, for our Shared Reading, we were going to read Mouse Paint. We looked for the book at school including the library but couldn't seem to find the story. So Friday, I requested that the book be on hold so I can get a copy. When I checked again today to see if the book was ready for pick up, it was still "In Transit" so I decided to go to the library Sunday. (I wanted to go Saturday but with my day pass fiasco, I couldn't). So today, after church and lunch and food shopping and relaxing at home, I decided that I had to go to the library or else the kids won't have anything to read tomorrow. So I left the house past 4pm. As usual, I was rushing when I saw the bus was heading towards the bus stop. I had borrowed Leila's monthly pass instead of paying $1.75 for a short trip. I could walk but I was afraid that by the time I got there, it would be a little late and then I'd be rushing and all that.
When I got to the bus stop, the bus stopped and the driver went inside, I assume Starbucks. We waited. By the time the bus was ready to go, there were like 4 of us waiting around.
Again, the bus trip was short and I walked my way to De Anza and then turned to Rodrigues. I arrived in the library without mishap and it was teeming with people. There were people inside and outside the library. People here are really into borrowing books, DVDs, and all kinds of media.
I headed to the Children's Books and started looking for the author in Picture books. I couldn't find it so I went to the second floor just to see what was in there. Then I went back to the Children's Books and finally asked one of the librarians there. We looked and looked but couldn't seem to find it. Finally, she checked the other books there too and saw that there was a copy in Concept pictures I think they call it or something like that. I was sure glad to get my copy of the book, yippee!!! Now we have a story for tomorrow.
Then I went back to the Fiction Large Print section of the Library and grabbed my favorite kind of book to read. Oh yeah, I checked them out too. I went to the express checkout since the queues upstairs were so long what with people borrowing a ton of stuff. As usual, it was something that I had to figure out on my own. First, I had to get my library card and let the scanner scan it, then the book that I borrowed and then waited for the receipt. As usual, I was still trying to figure it out but it was great doing it. Easier since you just do everything by yourself. I left the express checkout and then heard a sound, lol. Turns out that I hadn't properly checked out Mouse Paint. So I checked it out again and it went perfectly, lol. Always a first time. But I guess that happens to a lot of people too so the people there weren't reacting.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to borrowing other books in the future. I just love going to the library!!!
This week, for our Shared Reading, we were going to read Mouse Paint. We looked for the book at school including the library but couldn't seem to find the story. So Friday, I requested that the book be on hold so I can get a copy. When I checked again today to see if the book was ready for pick up, it was still "In Transit" so I decided to go to the library Sunday. (I wanted to go Saturday but with my day pass fiasco, I couldn't). So today, after church and lunch and food shopping and relaxing at home, I decided that I had to go to the library or else the kids won't have anything to read tomorrow. So I left the house past 4pm. As usual, I was rushing when I saw the bus was heading towards the bus stop. I had borrowed Leila's monthly pass instead of paying $1.75 for a short trip. I could walk but I was afraid that by the time I got there, it would be a little late and then I'd be rushing and all that.
When I got to the bus stop, the bus stopped and the driver went inside, I assume Starbucks. We waited. By the time the bus was ready to go, there were like 4 of us waiting around.
Again, the bus trip was short and I walked my way to De Anza and then turned to Rodrigues. I arrived in the library without mishap and it was teeming with people. There were people inside and outside the library. People here are really into borrowing books, DVDs, and all kinds of media.
I headed to the Children's Books and started looking for the author in Picture books. I couldn't find it so I went to the second floor just to see what was in there. Then I went back to the Children's Books and finally asked one of the librarians there. We looked and looked but couldn't seem to find it. Finally, she checked the other books there too and saw that there was a copy in Concept pictures I think they call it or something like that. I was sure glad to get my copy of the book, yippee!!! Now we have a story for tomorrow.
Then I went back to the Fiction Large Print section of the Library and grabbed my favorite kind of book to read. Oh yeah, I checked them out too. I went to the express checkout since the queues upstairs were so long what with people borrowing a ton of stuff. As usual, it was something that I had to figure out on my own. First, I had to get my library card and let the scanner scan it, then the book that I borrowed and then waited for the receipt. As usual, I was still trying to figure it out but it was great doing it. Easier since you just do everything by yourself. I left the express checkout and then heard a sound, lol. Turns out that I hadn't properly checked out Mouse Paint. So I checked it out again and it went perfectly, lol. Always a first time. But I guess that happens to a lot of people too so the people there weren't reacting.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to borrowing other books in the future. I just love going to the library!!!
$5 is equal to how many pesos?
As usual, I woke up early Saturday so I could go to work and catch up on work that I left Thursday. We had Staff Learning Day for Science so I wasn't around Friday the whole day. I was at Collins attending the FOSS Science workshop. It was something that I enjoyed especially the hands on part about Animals 2x2. There were real animals, red worms and night crawlers, guppy and goldfish, sowbug and pillbug I think that was called. Oh yeah, the water and land / garden snails too. That was kind of icky but we had a raise and my snail won, lol. I think the snail was special too, it had ADHD. In the table, we were special ed teachers so I think we also got special ed animals, lol. There was this snail with only one eye. Interesting. I don't think we see much of that.
We had lunch at school too, it was free. I had coldcuts and Frito Lays and water of course. I had left my sweater in the room so I was shivering with cold. This is the first time that I've experienced being outside with the sun brightly shining but at the same time, the wind is bitingly cold. I was at school one lunchtime when I thought how funny it was. There was this old lady, with her umbrella to protect herself against the sun as well as wearing a long-sleeved sweater to protect herself from the cold. It's now not surprising that I'm walking around around 12NN wearing my sweater and the sun is out. Believe me, it can get quite cold and since I don't seem to have a lot of insulation, I do feel cold really easily.
So, Saturday, I was up bright and early. I wanted to make sure that I got to school early like eightish so I woke up early. I had breakfast and wow, before you knew it, it was time to leave the house. So I hurried up because I didn't want to miss the bus. The first bus was like 7:50something and the next bus was like an hour later. So I walked as fast as I could and hoped and prayed that the traffic light would cooperate and not be go or else I could get stuck on the other side while my bus would pass me by.
There I was, rushing and I walked really fast despite the binders and books that I was carrying. I arrived in the bus stop and I saw that there were like 2 - 3 people waiting for the bus too. That was a good sign since that meant that the bus hadn't arrived yet.
I prepared by $5 so I could buy the day pass. I was planning to go to the bank to pick up my checkbook and then go back to school to work again. I got my money prepared and when the bus arrived, I paid for the day pass.
I got to school on time and started working. Whadya know, it was 9, then 12, then lunch time. I had missed eating my sandwich, which was funny since I had made sure that I got food in case I was hungry and look what happened, I got so busy I totally forgot about it. I had lunch, then back to work again. I felt that I had a lot of work done what with preparing for papers to be sent on Monday and preparing the lessons for the whole week for Kindergarten. I also brought home some stuff to read for behavioral strategies for one of my kids. And when I looked at the time, it was 5. I didn't want to break my momentum so I didn't go to the bank anymore. I figured I could go home earlier on Monday (earlier meaning like 5pm...hehehe) and then go to the bank.
I started putting away my books and getting my stuff together and I started to look for my day pass when lo and behold, I realized that, I didn't know where it was. So I went to my other classroom (yes, I have two) and retraced my steps from the Computer room to the Staff room, to the office and I still couldn't find it. It was starting to get late and I was starting to feel worried that I might not be able to go home by 6pm. So I looked at my wallet and had to take out $2 to pay for my fair. Since I didn't have any change, I had no choice but to pay the $2. Hu hu hu. I know, if you think about it, I paid for my fare for the bus $7 in total and in pesos that's how much? I shudder to compute so just do the math. Oh well. There goes my lovely seven dollars.
I felt bad about it for a moment but just refused to get depressed about it. I walked to my bus stop and checked the bus schedule. I got there late so I thought I should just sit down and wait for the bus to arrive. But, I was lucky...the bus was late and I was just so glad to see the bus.
I got home in one piece and told my housemates the sad tale of my lost day pass. The moral of the story? Umm...take care of my day pass next time, lol. I don't want to have to spend $7 in a day. I could've bought something else with it. Like food, lol. Oh well, I'm only human.
To unwind, we went out again to Mervyn's and to Target. And yep, I bought some stuff in Target...hehehe, go figure. But nothing in Mervyn's. But I did see nice bags that I wanted. That's why I can't wait for pay day!!! I need warm clothes now that autumn is right around the corner, like tomorrow, lol.
We had lunch at school too, it was free. I had coldcuts and Frito Lays and water of course. I had left my sweater in the room so I was shivering with cold. This is the first time that I've experienced being outside with the sun brightly shining but at the same time, the wind is bitingly cold. I was at school one lunchtime when I thought how funny it was. There was this old lady, with her umbrella to protect herself against the sun as well as wearing a long-sleeved sweater to protect herself from the cold. It's now not surprising that I'm walking around around 12NN wearing my sweater and the sun is out. Believe me, it can get quite cold and since I don't seem to have a lot of insulation, I do feel cold really easily.
So, Saturday, I was up bright and early. I wanted to make sure that I got to school early like eightish so I woke up early. I had breakfast and wow, before you knew it, it was time to leave the house. So I hurried up because I didn't want to miss the bus. The first bus was like 7:50something and the next bus was like an hour later. So I walked as fast as I could and hoped and prayed that the traffic light would cooperate and not be go or else I could get stuck on the other side while my bus would pass me by.
There I was, rushing and I walked really fast despite the binders and books that I was carrying. I arrived in the bus stop and I saw that there were like 2 - 3 people waiting for the bus too. That was a good sign since that meant that the bus hadn't arrived yet.
I prepared by $5 so I could buy the day pass. I was planning to go to the bank to pick up my checkbook and then go back to school to work again. I got my money prepared and when the bus arrived, I paid for the day pass.
I got to school on time and started working. Whadya know, it was 9, then 12, then lunch time. I had missed eating my sandwich, which was funny since I had made sure that I got food in case I was hungry and look what happened, I got so busy I totally forgot about it. I had lunch, then back to work again. I felt that I had a lot of work done what with preparing for papers to be sent on Monday and preparing the lessons for the whole week for Kindergarten. I also brought home some stuff to read for behavioral strategies for one of my kids. And when I looked at the time, it was 5. I didn't want to break my momentum so I didn't go to the bank anymore. I figured I could go home earlier on Monday (earlier meaning like 5pm...hehehe) and then go to the bank.
I started putting away my books and getting my stuff together and I started to look for my day pass when lo and behold, I realized that, I didn't know where it was. So I went to my other classroom (yes, I have two) and retraced my steps from the Computer room to the Staff room, to the office and I still couldn't find it. It was starting to get late and I was starting to feel worried that I might not be able to go home by 6pm. So I looked at my wallet and had to take out $2 to pay for my fair. Since I didn't have any change, I had no choice but to pay the $2. Hu hu hu. I know, if you think about it, I paid for my fare for the bus $7 in total and in pesos that's how much? I shudder to compute so just do the math. Oh well. There goes my lovely seven dollars.
I felt bad about it for a moment but just refused to get depressed about it. I walked to my bus stop and checked the bus schedule. I got there late so I thought I should just sit down and wait for the bus to arrive. But, I was lucky...the bus was late and I was just so glad to see the bus.
I got home in one piece and told my housemates the sad tale of my lost day pass. The moral of the story? Umm...take care of my day pass next time, lol. I don't want to have to spend $7 in a day. I could've bought something else with it. Like food, lol. Oh well, I'm only human.
To unwind, we went out again to Mervyn's and to Target. And yep, I bought some stuff in Target...hehehe, go figure. But nothing in Mervyn's. But I did see nice bags that I wanted. That's why I can't wait for pay day!!! I need warm clothes now that autumn is right around the corner, like tomorrow, lol.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Chicken Dance
Saturday, I didn't go to school to catch up on work. My kindergarteners were joining (well some of them) the Chicken Dance and I wanted to be there just in case they would look for me. They were scheduled to dance at 12:40NN and I wanted to make sure that I was there early and not miss their number.
So I woke up early as usual, had breakfast and then went to the bank around 10:30am. I had planned to go there after I went to the bank or from wherever I would end up. Leila went with me to the bank and we were able to fix some problems...luckily. Then we ended up at Mervyn's where as usual, I was window shopping. I thought that I should start buying soon for fall. The weather was getting nippy and windy in the morning and I don't think I'd survive that long without something warm to wear. I just wanted to make sure that I'd have enough money left for food. I'd rather be fed than clothed...hehehe...
Finally, it was 12NN so I decided to leave Mervyn's and walked my way to Rodrigues. Alicia had taken me there Thursday afternoon so I'd know where it was. My landmark was Symantec and the Cypress Hotel. I had no trouble walking going there and I was glad that I had taken the time to go there and tried to remember some landmarks to help me get there.
I saw the Cupertino library and I had planned to get there and get a library card before I went home since I was there anyways.
As usual, there were a lot of people milling around. I had no trouble looking for the area where the kids were supposed to dance. I just listened to the song they were going to dance to. When I arrived, it was Collins that was presenting their school. So I walked around trying to pass the time.
At around 12:30NN, the principal arrived and we started handing out the chicken hats. They were pretty cute which our fifth graders had made. I got a big chicken hat too and I wore that. My kids came but they were both crying. No wonder. They probably felt scared and disoriented seeing all the people around. One was crying the whole time and the other one, well, he cried but later on stopped when the music started playing and he other kids started dancing. It was fun to watch them.
After that, I went to the library and got my library card. I wanted to borrow but I didn't have time. But I'm glad that I do have my permanent card with me. I'm probably going to go there some time next week to get some books for leisurely reading. I'm excited to get books. It is not surprising though that a lot of people go to the library to borrow books, CDs and DVDs. I'm sure if you have those free resources available, you'd take advantage of them. I know I would be in heaven if I was a student doing research.
So I woke up early as usual, had breakfast and then went to the bank around 10:30am. I had planned to go there after I went to the bank or from wherever I would end up. Leila went with me to the bank and we were able to fix some problems...luckily. Then we ended up at Mervyn's where as usual, I was window shopping. I thought that I should start buying soon for fall. The weather was getting nippy and windy in the morning and I don't think I'd survive that long without something warm to wear. I just wanted to make sure that I'd have enough money left for food. I'd rather be fed than clothed...hehehe...
Finally, it was 12NN so I decided to leave Mervyn's and walked my way to Rodrigues. Alicia had taken me there Thursday afternoon so I'd know where it was. My landmark was Symantec and the Cypress Hotel. I had no trouble walking going there and I was glad that I had taken the time to go there and tried to remember some landmarks to help me get there.
I saw the Cupertino library and I had planned to get there and get a library card before I went home since I was there anyways.
As usual, there were a lot of people milling around. I had no trouble looking for the area where the kids were supposed to dance. I just listened to the song they were going to dance to. When I arrived, it was Collins that was presenting their school. So I walked around trying to pass the time.
At around 12:30NN, the principal arrived and we started handing out the chicken hats. They were pretty cute which our fifth graders had made. I got a big chicken hat too and I wore that. My kids came but they were both crying. No wonder. They probably felt scared and disoriented seeing all the people around. One was crying the whole time and the other one, well, he cried but later on stopped when the music started playing and he other kids started dancing. It was fun to watch them.
After that, I went to the library and got my library card. I wanted to borrow but I didn't have time. But I'm glad that I do have my permanent card with me. I'm probably going to go there some time next week to get some books for leisurely reading. I'm excited to get books. It is not surprising though that a lot of people go to the library to borrow books, CDs and DVDs. I'm sure if you have those free resources available, you'd take advantage of them. I know I would be in heaven if I was a student doing research.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Going crazy in Stanford
One of the places I wanted to visit when I got to Cali was to see Stanford U and yep, I got to see it. Well parts of it anyways. The campus is sooo huge and sprawling that you probably won't see the whole place in just a day...or maybe I exaggerate...hehehe...who knows. But it sure looked when I looked at the map at the Information.
Going there wasn't something that was planned. Alicia asked if I wanted to go with her and after a long hard week's work, yup, I wanted to go there and see it.
So there we were, driving to Palo Alto with its huge houses. We first went to Stanford Hospital, I don't know what the name is but it was pretty huge. All I know is, its a huge complex.
We got to downtown Palo Alto by accident because she wasn't sure how it was to get there. Well, I won't mind getting lost. It's all new to me anyways. And I don't get mind getting lost, as long as I find my way back to Cupertino.
When we finally got there, we looked for a parking space. They were all Permit Parking so Alicia was scared that she would get a ticket if she parked there. Luckily, the person we asked said that probably at 6pm, since there were fewer people around and parking was probably free then. And we were right, the parking was free after 4pm, wooohoo...Yes!!!
So we started walking around. I probably can't describe everything that I saw and felt while I was there. All I can say is, it made me miss my college Alma mater, Ateneo. I think there's this feeling somehow, of being peaceful and at the same time, excitement to be "matriculating" hehehe...that's why I love school. There's always this feeling of discovery of something that is about to be uncovered. And more importantly, the relationships that you form in that experience.
I probably will never get to study there, not in a million years anyways, LOL, but at least I had the chance to go there and see and remember way back when.
Going there wasn't something that was planned. Alicia asked if I wanted to go with her and after a long hard week's work, yup, I wanted to go there and see it.
So there we were, driving to Palo Alto with its huge houses. We first went to Stanford Hospital, I don't know what the name is but it was pretty huge. All I know is, its a huge complex.
We got to downtown Palo Alto by accident because she wasn't sure how it was to get there. Well, I won't mind getting lost. It's all new to me anyways. And I don't get mind getting lost, as long as I find my way back to Cupertino.
When we finally got there, we looked for a parking space. They were all Permit Parking so Alicia was scared that she would get a ticket if she parked there. Luckily, the person we asked said that probably at 6pm, since there were fewer people around and parking was probably free then. And we were right, the parking was free after 4pm, wooohoo...Yes!!!
So we started walking around. I probably can't describe everything that I saw and felt while I was there. All I can say is, it made me miss my college Alma mater, Ateneo. I think there's this feeling somehow, of being peaceful and at the same time, excitement to be "matriculating" hehehe...that's why I love school. There's always this feeling of discovery of something that is about to be uncovered. And more importantly, the relationships that you form in that experience.
I probably will never get to study there, not in a million years anyways, LOL, but at least I had the chance to go there and see and remember way back when.
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