Teach. Inspire :-)

Musmos

walang araw na di ko naaalala ang nanay, inang at tatang ko.

sa kwento ng kanilang buhay at pangaral natutunan ko

ang maraming bagay.

saya.

lumbay.

kung paano maging payak.

kung paano magbigay at maghintay.

sa lilim ng kanilang karunungan

natuto akong tumangan.

dalisay ang kanilang puso

na ang tanging hangad lamang ay

ang makapagdulot ng sigla

sa aking musmos at nangungulilang mga mata.

:-)

Up to this day, I can still vividly recall how our moments together were like.
Small talks. Big laughter. Tatang’s hilarity was incredible. Afternoon coffee.
More talks. More laughter. More coffee.

"Uncommon thoughts on common things"

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN by Robert Fulghum
(excerpt from the book)

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Fighter in the Wind

Sublime.

:-)

"World of Color"

"At any given moment, no matter where you are, there are hundreds of things around you that are interesting and worth documenting."
--HOW TO BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD by Keri Smith

Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need—and What We Can Do About It

Tony Wagner's 7 SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY:

1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
2. Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence
3. Agility and Adaptability
4. Initiative and Entrepreneurship
5. Effective Oral and Written Communication
6. Accessing and Analyzing Information
7. Curiosity and Imagination

a tranquil morning

"Teach your children what we have taught ours, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."



:-)

Aidanic Moment

Yesterday's delight was when I met for the first time one of the most adorable tots on the planet and Facebook. My nephew from Irvine who happened to be just as awesomely cute as Hannah (yes, it's the genes) finally set foot on brown soils. We just played and laughed and giggled the whole afternoon. We're crazy teasing and tickling each other and unfortunately, there was no single indication that he'll run out of serotonin. Haha. He has no idea that I was also geared up that day with "Tita Pretty-I Can Make You Laugh the Whole Day-Powers!"
(wink!)
Then we had a nice and sweet storytelling time which he really loved. I initially tried to push him a little to read but the texts are written in Filipino, quite a foreigh language to him. But I'm pretty sure he'll learn it well soon.

I can't wait to see him again and tell him about The Rich Island.
We had a pinky promise (a promise made between very close friends by entwining their pinky fingers) that he'll call me and we'll meet again in winter break.

For now, I'll just dream of beautifully created gardens of love and laughter for my dearest pamangkins.


"Tita Pretty, you're the best tita in the whole...
(cover your ears mom!)...WORLD!"

:-)

All is well for Bollywood and Aamir

Incredible India.

:-)

My Little Sunshine

all I can remember were our galactic laughters and earsplitting screams as we play and jump and run and sing and dance and eat together.
I can't wait to see you.

love always,

tita pretty :-)

Symphony of Greens, Reds and Wild Honey

CakeLand rocks!

Fluffy.

Buttery.

Cheesy

and bursting with unpredictable richness.

A subtle blend of icing and all its goodness that

befriends your palate right before you know it.

A box of taisan from CakeLand will promise you

THE taisan experience of your afternoon!

Happy eating!

:-)


Edna's Cakeland is at
#1 Don Manuel Ave., Kapt. Pepe Subd.,
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

(More Than Dish: A Culinary Journey is Carmela's official food blog)

More Than Dish

coming soon..
hmm...i mean
cooking soon!
:-)

Bagong Taon

bagong hamon.

bagong bahay.

bagong buhay.

Bagoong Club

sa morato.

must try.



Location
122 Scout Dr. Lazcano, Sacred Heart,
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: 929-5450 • 929-0544
Hours: Mon - Sun 11:00 am - 3:00 pm • 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm


:-)

this time it's ANGELO and the BEE :)

even when the finals have not started yet, Angelo was already a winner to me.

:)

:)

Rain.

Stars.

Smiles.

Dreams.

Life.

Sunshine.

Sunset.

Food.

Music.

Laughter.

More laughter.

Tears.

Words.

Reasons.

People.

Seasons.

Prayers.

Love.

Smiles.

:)

abot-tanaw...

ang daming nangyari talaga nitong nakalipas na dekada...
ating balikan ang ilan...

next post :)

SpED graduation :)

sa wakas! :)

more kwento next post :)

tHe tALe Of ThE SuN aNd tHe mOoN :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoWFJ690U6E

“How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back. There are some things that time can not mend. Some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold.”

A LifEtiMe wOrth Of Life LeSsOnS...

akala mo panaginip.
in just a matter of minutes
hanggang leeg na ang baha sa kalsada.
walang nagawa ang mga tao.
maraming bata karga ng kanilang
magulang.
nanginginig sa ginaw.
mga three or four meters lang ang
distance ng mala-ilog na baha
mula sa kinatatayuan ko.
grabe talaga.



“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

tag-araw man o tag-ulan...

paboritos:)
nai charap! (my own version of milk tea)
panalo! at may kapartner na
makapangyarihang iSkAyPLeYks!
winner talaga!
peanut butter-banana or apple sandwich.
tiger energy biscuit.
cHaMp-O-rAdO!
sinangag at adobo.
sinigang (tsk.tsk.tsarap!)
french toast (my recipe)
mcDo fries (unsalted)
nice ng UP movie!

All They See Is Possibility :)

Every moment I spent at RBI is something that I will forever treasure.
They’re no different to other kids. They are fun loving, makulit, and they also throw tantrums at times. I guess kids are kids, blind or not.
Before, I used to wonder if they can at least see anything even if they are totally blind. I mean could they see even a slight trace of light or a blur vision of anything or could they really not see anything at all. It was only when I met the kids at RBI that I realized how silly my questions were. I was literally and figuratively taught about so many lessons in life just by being with them and for such a short period of time. And ironically, the people I intend to “teach” have been in a very special way became my “teachers.”

There are no accidents in life.

As the last day of my practicum at RBI approaches, one question keeps on coming in my mind: can they really not see? Finally I came to the conclusion: Yes they may be blind, incapable of looking at the beauty of nature, the colors of the rainbow, the setting of the sun, or the subtle blossoming of a flower but amidst the “disability,” one thing is certain, they can see beyond the physical and ALL THEY SEE IS POSSIBILITY.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
-- The Little Prince; Chapter XXI

busy mode :)

ilang araw na lang...
pasukan na! mas excited ako this year kasi:
mas busy.
practicum ko na sa SpEd! 3rd module na! yahooo!!! :)
mas maraming reading requirements.
gising aga, tulog aga :)
may SpEd kid ako for mainstreaming :)

On balik-tanaw mode :)

Last year for me at the preschool was a year of
extraordinary firsts.

Im here in my SpEd class, sitting and waiting for
my classmates for almost two hours now.
I was absent last Saturday because its preschool graduation day.
Im super early today kasi im excited to submit my final papers
for this module :)
umuulan sa labas. Malapit na rin maubos ang hot choco na take-out
ko kanina with pandesal...tsarap! :)
Im thinking now of my greatest moments with the kids.
While im trying to organize their photos the other day,
my heart just cant help but smile seeing them grow from cute cocoons into
fearless dinosaurs! este butterflies pala :)
hmm…
Meeting these kids led me to the path of self discovery
and a world of infinite possibilities! naks! Hahaha!
Ive listed a few. Lets see if Jason bourne can beat this :)
Fairy.princess.wondermom (sure I can fix anything.
from a broken pencil case to a broken arm! Ouch!)
teacher.bestfriend.beastfriend.storyteller.magician.
ventriloquist.director.actress.photographer.singer.
dancer.listener.chef.doctor.patient.painter.hero.villain.
cheerleader.bully.bullied.“toy engineer." detective(who hid my eraser?!!)
newscaster.Elmo.Oscar.Mulan.BenTen.kung fu panda.masterOogway.
girlscout.referee.coach.“mommywhere’smymilk-baby”
(every time they’d ask me to wear my bib and
display a childish rage of temper have always been a real
blockbuster of joy for them.
whenever i do that,they would all laugh their hearts and saliva out!!!)
whew! Their laughter is my super bonus :)

GoLdY&fRoDo

March 19.

I first brought in goldy and frodo at school for the Open House.
The kids loved it very much so I decided to just let it stay in our classroom and have it as a pet.


March 23. Gloomy day

Frodo died this afternoon.
Earl said it might have been because the kids are tapping the fishbowl or overfed. I thought Frodo had some kind of heart attack.
As I watch the lifeless fish floating, I noticed the other fish Goldy swimming around then would gently stroke cheek on Frodo’s as if kissing a dear friend goodbye. Maybe fishes when they’re heartbroken, cry too.
While all these are going on, I almost didn’t felt that one of my kids’ attention was on me pala.
Bianca caringly asked, “teacher, sad ka?”
I said “yes.”
End of day.


March 24. Beyond Alphabets and Numbers

When Bianca arrived at school today, she hurriedly got in our classroom and handed me an orange bag. Not realizing yet what’s in it, I asked her, “What’s this?”
Her excited and pretty face lighted up even more
when she answered,
“goldfish.”

:)

hEaRts tHaT nEveR fAiL

we had our teachers and hearts day celebration today.

the prep kids gave me roses, nice stuffs, and doughnuts.

i had them face-painted with hearts.

they all looked nice in red and white.

my angels.

tHe tALe Of ThE SuN aNd tHe mOoN :)

The Sun was in his bathing suit.
The Moon in her pajamas.
They played all day until the two were called in by their mamas.
The Sun went home and climbed in bed. His mama sang a tune.
And soon the Sun was fast asleep and dreaming of the Moon.
The Moon decided not to go. Instead she stayed outside.
She danced and played and laughed and sang, til she was sleepy-eyed.

When morning came, the Sun arose and went outside to play.
But could not find his friend, the Moon, who slept inside all day.
So now these two are best of friends apart by dark and light.
The Sun turns in at evenfall. The Moon comes out at night.

The shining Moon sees no sunlight. The Sun sees no moonbeams.
But when they both are fast asleep, theyre in each others dreams.

:)

The Blank Scroll (Fulfilling One’s Destiny)

Believe in your “super dream.”

There is no secret ingredient.
-- Po's dad (Mr. Ping)

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
-- Stephen R. Covey

"There are no accidents."
-- Master Oogway

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God for we serve a Great God."
-- William Carey

"Prepare for Awesomeness!!!"
-- Po

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the night wind to the little lambDo you see what I seeWay up in the sky little lambDo you see what I seeA star, a starDancing in the nightWith a tail as big as a kiteWith a tail as big as a kiteSaid the little lamb to the shepard boyDo you hear what I hearRinging through the sky shepard boyDo you hear what I hearA song, a songHigh above the treeWith a voice as big as the seaWith a voice as big as the seaSaid the shepard boy to the mighty kingDo you know what I knowIn your palace wall mighty kingDo you know what I knowA child, a childShivers in the coldLet us bring him silver and goldLet us bring him silver and goldSaid the king to the people everywhereListen to what I sayPray for peace people everywhereListen to what I sayThe child, the childSleeping in the nightHe will bring us goodness and lightHe will bring us goodness and lightThe child, the childSleeping in the nightHe will bring us goodness and light

finding bliss in the midst of economic meltdown

Dec 22, 2008
Ang nais ko sa bagong taon...
Isang bagay lang talaga.
Ang magkaroon ng silid para sa malalaking pangitain.
In times such as this I know I should not contemplate anymore on things that will eventually cause my life to get impatient on me.

Unlearning

Nitong nagdaang buwan ay kakaiba at hindi inaasahan.
Para akong naglakad sa isang pasilyo ng kalungkutan.
Maraming dahilan.
Pinilit kong tawirin ito at nagtagumpay naman ako.
But somehow the fragments of the past, although very weak and gradually dying seem to uninvitedly break in my head.
Kainis.
At one point I thought Im plunging myself one more time into a brink of rapids.
Pero tapos na yun.
The rest though is still unwritten.

Learning

Masaya ako at sa trabaho ay ganoon na lamang ang pasensya ng mga bata sa akin.
Totoo.
Sila ang nagtuturo sa akin.
Mga bagay na hindi mo matutuklasan sa isang iglap at wala sa kahit anong libro na nalikha ng tao.
Intelligence is overrated.
Dito walang routine.
The days are never the same.
Isn’t that a gift and a pure blessing in itself?
Bliss.
Every day im being taught what to value in life.
From them I learn about loyalty and love.
And altogether, we learn how to sow seeds of respect with an intense desire that we will grow to be truly caring and concerned people.
Naks!

(dec25,2008)
Emergency Parking

bakit Emergency parking ang title nito?
Di ko rin alam.
Last Tuesday, I had a short but really panalo holiday visit to one of my favorite places up north. It’s a small, cutesy town in Tarlac called Camiling.
I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner na winner.
I played with Bennet who just turned one, the entire afternoon.
So ayun, sa byahe back to manila, napansin ko lang medyo maraming signage ng Emergency Parking.
Wala lang.

Re-learning

(to be continued...)

cEleBrAtiNg LiFe! (a DaY @ tHe ZoO)

for the first time last friday ive been to a big zoo here in the country. i know of course that this is a miniature compared with singapore's 28hectares landscape. thing is that when i got there, i was with the best and extraordinary people on earth----my preschoolers. the whole experience was jurassic! amidst the long walks, tantrums, and the weather (the night before), the kids had such a great time :)

(to be continued...)

THE NEXT BIG THING WILL BE CALLED...

Moments....

check steven curtis chapman's official site.
particularly his song Cinderella written for his daughters from china.
check the video :)
moving and inspiringly beautiful.
:)

She spins and she swaysTo whatever song playsWithout a care in the worldAnd I'm sitting here wearingThe weight of the world on my shouldersIt's been a long dayAnd there's still work to doShe's pulling at meSaying "Dad, I need youThere's a ball at the castleAnd I've been invitedAnd I need to practice my dancingOh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knewOh, I will dance with CinderellaI don't want to miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnightAnd she'll be gone...She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressedShe wants to know if I approve of the dressShe says, "Dad, the prom is just one week awayAnd I need to practice my dancingOh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knewOh, I will dance with CinderellaI don't want to miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnightAnd she'll be goneShe will be goneWell, she came home today with a ring on her handJust glowing and telling us all they had plannedShe says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months awayBut I need to practice my dancingOh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with CinderellaWhile she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knewOh, I will dance with CinderellaI don't want to miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnightAnd she'll be gone

gOoD mOrNiNg tEaChEr CaRmELa! GoOd mOrNiNg cLaSsMaTeS!!! :)

day1:
lahat ng greetings! kaliwa't kanan.
day2:
storytelling.
keneth: wow! galing aman teacher magkwento!
day3:
childreeeennnnn!!!!! please keeeeeppppp quiet!!!!!!!!!
teacher carmela's nose will bleed!
everybody! sit down properly!
day4:
children: wow! galing aman magdrawing ni teacher!
teacher anu po yan drawing mo? :)
day5:
karlo: teacher galit ka ba?
karlo: teacher kumain ka na! sige magugutom ikaw...
para di ka na magagalit! :)