I officially ended my short stint as a College Professor yesterday, April 17, at three o'clock in the afternoon. It was after a whole day of checking, computng and balancing grades that i finally surrendered and said to myself, "Well, it's officially over."
Our last day of class actually was two days back. Tuesday, we watched RENT, a stunning Broadway musical about a group of young artists trying to survive the world in the midst of many troubles: poverty, the AIDS epidemic, drugs, and above all, the year's apartment rent. Talking about the movie a little bit, i'd give it ten stars for its wonderful music, powerful cast and riveting story. until now, the message of the film lingers in me because it not only is a Pulitzer prize winner, but a poignant reflection of real life, seen in a culture a lot different from ours, but nonetheless a lot similar to our human struggles.
Capping the film, we had a short discussion with the class. I was taken aback by their insights and their realizations based on the story. I've come up with my own:
1. Life is not ours. We just RENT it and pay back for it someday.
2. "There's only us, there's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss.
No other road, no other way,
No day but today."
- Live your life to the full. yup, i took a breather from the seminary, but it doesnt stop me from living a life as equally full and as equally fulfilling as that when i was part of the formation house.
- Regret for the past and anxiety for what is yet to come is the Devil's work.
3. How do you measure your life? not in years, not in accomplishments, not in problems nr victories. You measure your life in Love. How much have you loved? Have you loved as Jesus loved?
These suddenly made me miss my Literature class. I left them with these words: "I learned alot from you, i hope you learned alot from me too. Life is very meaningful. Find it."
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Failure...
I love this word. it sounds so sophisticated and clean. nevertheless, behind it is a truckload of subtexts which we ought not say out here.
When things go wrong, people around me hear my "failure." this is not original by the way. Giving credit to where it is due, Fr. Dong Ofina, SDB and Fr. Nioret Geronimo, SDB, have been the proponents of the "Failure" fever.
Anyway, today, a Failure has just occured, and i just couldnt keep it to myself.
I told my World Lit class to research and get hold of a copy of one of the chapters of Khalil Gibran's the Prophet. They did come to class prepared. Little did they know that it was their teacher who was not ready (i hate coming to class ill-prepared. when that happens, i feel that i am the worst teacher in town).
I didnt give justice to such a great work of wisdom and of literature. During the class, i didnt give a backgrounder on the text, a sketch of the author, a cultural insight, not even a praise for the work, which might inspire them in creating their assignment. Nothing. I instead set them free for the long four hour period, leaving them with the task to make a lame ONE-page reflection paper on any chapter they chose.
it was only when i left the room that i realized the terrible injustice i have caused. i felt that i have not demanded enough from them, which might cause them to think less critically about the work and about their life. If only i had come to class more prepared, more inspired, more clear about what i wanted them to learn, then i wouldnt have said "Failure" after all.
Ill make it up next time. This was a mistake meant to be learned from.
When things go wrong, people around me hear my "failure." this is not original by the way. Giving credit to where it is due, Fr. Dong Ofina, SDB and Fr. Nioret Geronimo, SDB, have been the proponents of the "Failure" fever.
Anyway, today, a Failure has just occured, and i just couldnt keep it to myself.
I told my World Lit class to research and get hold of a copy of one of the chapters of Khalil Gibran's the Prophet. They did come to class prepared. Little did they know that it was their teacher who was not ready (i hate coming to class ill-prepared. when that happens, i feel that i am the worst teacher in town).
I didnt give justice to such a great work of wisdom and of literature. During the class, i didnt give a backgrounder on the text, a sketch of the author, a cultural insight, not even a praise for the work, which might inspire them in creating their assignment. Nothing. I instead set them free for the long four hour period, leaving them with the task to make a lame ONE-page reflection paper on any chapter they chose.
it was only when i left the room that i realized the terrible injustice i have caused. i felt that i have not demanded enough from them, which might cause them to think less critically about the work and about their life. If only i had come to class more prepared, more inspired, more clear about what i wanted them to learn, then i wouldnt have said "Failure" after all.
Ill make it up next time. This was a mistake meant to be learned from.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Teaching College
I went back to Don Bosco Canlubang just to get my transcipt and diploma. little did i know that the teacher-scarcity phenomenon is still raging. Without hesitation, our school registrar asked, nay, pleaded me to teach at least one subject in their english curriculum. And after much thought, i gave in. i took the dreaded World Literature to occupy me while waiting for my real job in Don Bosco Mandaluyong.
The course was apparently compressed to fifteen days. what's more, i would be dealing not with English Majors, rather, with Technical Education majors, all incoming fourth years. Whoa! i said. could i teach a crash course on world lit to a bunch of guys who might not even be able to use this in real life?
But what the heck. i need a little brushing up on my literary assets anyway. So i took the challenge, more for my development.
So far, we've just finished Ancient and Medieval literature, and we're midway with the Renaissance era. It just amazes me how brilliant these guys could be. Well, aside from coming late sometimes, i'm able to squeeze out juicy and pragmatic ideas from them. As a teacher, this is the only and the greatest consolation: that in the end, you form these young people to get the best out of life.
Looking from another perspective, i'm not yet qualified to teach college, but it's rather bringing out the best in me too. slowly, im starting to learn techniques like having to be strict in the classroom, sticking to rules and being consistent, which would be of great use for me once i step inside the High School environment.
Six days of class have gone, and so far, i'm looking forward to the remaining nine. Thank God, the PASSION hasn't burned out.
The course was apparently compressed to fifteen days. what's more, i would be dealing not with English Majors, rather, with Technical Education majors, all incoming fourth years. Whoa! i said. could i teach a crash course on world lit to a bunch of guys who might not even be able to use this in real life?
But what the heck. i need a little brushing up on my literary assets anyway. So i took the challenge, more for my development.
So far, we've just finished Ancient and Medieval literature, and we're midway with the Renaissance era. It just amazes me how brilliant these guys could be. Well, aside from coming late sometimes, i'm able to squeeze out juicy and pragmatic ideas from them. As a teacher, this is the only and the greatest consolation: that in the end, you form these young people to get the best out of life.
Looking from another perspective, i'm not yet qualified to teach college, but it's rather bringing out the best in me too. slowly, im starting to learn techniques like having to be strict in the classroom, sticking to rules and being consistent, which would be of great use for me once i step inside the High School environment.
Six days of class have gone, and so far, i'm looking forward to the remaining nine. Thank God, the PASSION hasn't burned out.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
My First EDSA Experience
I've traveled that road a million times since I was a child.
But this time, it was like i was treading on alien soil.
We left for our lola's house in Quezon City at 2pm today, and, already seated in the car were my two brothers: Ponso at the very back of our Innova, and Gaboy in the co-pilot's chair. I surmised that neither Mama nor Papa would do the driving, so with jittery hands and sweaty feet, i hopped on and took the dare.
Going to Quezon City from Mandaluyong was easiest via EDSA. And EDSA has never been a pretty sight for me. But with no holds barred, i drove off, ever mindful of my gear-changing, my footwork and the occasional bastards dotting the lanes of EDSA.
It was an exhilarating experience having to sit behind the wheel. i observed THREE THINGS, which i never took notice of before:
1. The lanes in the infamous EDSA are never straight. they'd curve a little to the right at one point, then a little to the left at another. the most scary part is that it even grows narrow. and this calls for extra maneuvering work. (phew!)
2. My maximum speed is 60 kph. (okay, so i can hear your snickering now...) two things: its better to be slow than sorry, and, I'm just a neophyte.
3. (This is connected to #2) People really don't mind if you're slow. Yes, they'll overtake you and stuff, but it's really an each-to-his-own-car world out there. whether you drive at top speed or turtle behind the others, just as long as you dont hit anyone, stall at the middle of the road or change lanes without making any signal whatsoever, you're pretty sure that you'll come out alive.
Im grateful that we did come out alive after that grueling 45 minute drive. and im also thatnkful because today, i've grown a little more out of my hollow shell.
But this time, it was like i was treading on alien soil.
We left for our lola's house in Quezon City at 2pm today, and, already seated in the car were my two brothers: Ponso at the very back of our Innova, and Gaboy in the co-pilot's chair. I surmised that neither Mama nor Papa would do the driving, so with jittery hands and sweaty feet, i hopped on and took the dare.
Going to Quezon City from Mandaluyong was easiest via EDSA. And EDSA has never been a pretty sight for me. But with no holds barred, i drove off, ever mindful of my gear-changing, my footwork and the occasional bastards dotting the lanes of EDSA.
It was an exhilarating experience having to sit behind the wheel. i observed THREE THINGS, which i never took notice of before:
1. The lanes in the infamous EDSA are never straight. they'd curve a little to the right at one point, then a little to the left at another. the most scary part is that it even grows narrow. and this calls for extra maneuvering work. (phew!)
2. My maximum speed is 60 kph. (okay, so i can hear your snickering now...) two things: its better to be slow than sorry, and, I'm just a neophyte.
3. (This is connected to #2) People really don't mind if you're slow. Yes, they'll overtake you and stuff, but it's really an each-to-his-own-car world out there. whether you drive at top speed or turtle behind the others, just as long as you dont hit anyone, stall at the middle of the road or change lanes without making any signal whatsoever, you're pretty sure that you'll come out alive.
Im grateful that we did come out alive after that grueling 45 minute drive. and im also thatnkful because today, i've grown a little more out of my hollow shell.
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