The week after I visited my grandmother, my dad went to see her again. To his shock, my lola already wanted to die.
Two weeks after, she changed her mind.
Not only that, she's stronger than the last time I saw her. She's also been arguing with her sons and daughter until they burst into tears...
Well, she's been like that ever since I can remember. But I love her still. And I still want to learn her fruitcake recipe, although my mother really doubts if I have enough patience for such. With all the extreme people I've met, I think I can tolerate that kind of attitude as well.
Whatever they say, I'm just glad my grandmother still wants to live.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
something to worry about
No, this is definitely not about my thesis. And no, if it had something to do with getting low grades, I really don't mind as long as I pass the subject and that it wouldn't cause me my graduation. However, something might actually cause me of my graduation.
I have been mentioning here that I have taken EDCO 101, Introduction to Guidance and Counseling. And I must admit, I had a wonderful time, just as I had with my EDCS 101 class, Principles of Curriculum Development. Through EDCO 101, I was actually able to realize a few things about myself, like why I have a strong sense of individuality, how this has caused a sort of socializing problem, what I can do for myself given this attitude.
So what went wrong? (for more redundancy and what have you)
My professor was on leave from November to December. We were able to meet on the first week of classes in November. However, she announced that instead of meeting in class, she will set up an virtual class through UVLE. She also required us to attend a seminar to which we will pass a reflection paper. The deadline is to be announced. We wrote our email addresses in a sheet of paper while everyone was also asked to fill up an information sheet to be given to her.
By December, I was shocked to read an announcement on the entrace bulletin board that we are to take an IQ and personality test. However, given that her class was my first class in CEd, I was not able to make it in time. Instead, I visited her department and was able to get her two email addresses. I sent her an email through both addresses telling her my case. She never responded.
By January, I was even more shocked to find out that the class had already submitted two reflection papers and that there was a yahoogroup for the class. I and a few more classmates came up to her, explained to her that we were not members of the group and did not know about the deadline. She told us to wait for her decision.
Come March, she has not decided yet.
Since I really want to graduate, I came up to her on the last week of classes, explaining her my case and that I am willing to pass the requirement even without the grade for the sake of passing and not getting an incomplete. She however explained to me that the 3 requirements I missed makes up half of my grade, which meant I am actually in danger of failing the class.
What she proposed is to ask the class if it was ok to let us all pass the reflection papers. Although most of my classmates said it was fine, some emphasized that they were able to pass even if they were not members of the yahoogroup.
After a week, she reacted:
But then, she hasn't answered the main question here and I guess I need to pray some more.
I have been mentioning here that I have taken EDCO 101, Introduction to Guidance and Counseling. And I must admit, I had a wonderful time, just as I had with my EDCS 101 class, Principles of Curriculum Development. Through EDCO 101, I was actually able to realize a few things about myself, like why I have a strong sense of individuality, how this has caused a sort of socializing problem, what I can do for myself given this attitude.
So what went wrong? (for more redundancy and what have you)
My professor was on leave from November to December. We were able to meet on the first week of classes in November. However, she announced that instead of meeting in class, she will set up an virtual class through UVLE. She also required us to attend a seminar to which we will pass a reflection paper. The deadline is to be announced. We wrote our email addresses in a sheet of paper while everyone was also asked to fill up an information sheet to be given to her.
By December, I was shocked to read an announcement on the entrace bulletin board that we are to take an IQ and personality test. However, given that her class was my first class in CEd, I was not able to make it in time. Instead, I visited her department and was able to get her two email addresses. I sent her an email through both addresses telling her my case. She never responded.
By January, I was even more shocked to find out that the class had already submitted two reflection papers and that there was a yahoogroup for the class. I and a few more classmates came up to her, explained to her that we were not members of the group and did not know about the deadline. She told us to wait for her decision.
Come March, she has not decided yet.
Since I really want to graduate, I came up to her on the last week of classes, explaining her my case and that I am willing to pass the requirement even without the grade for the sake of passing and not getting an incomplete. She however explained to me that the 3 requirements I missed makes up half of my grade, which meant I am actually in danger of failing the class.
What she proposed is to ask the class if it was ok to let us all pass the reflection papers. Although most of my classmates said it was fine, some emphasized that they were able to pass even if they were not members of the yahoogroup.
After a week, she reacted:
Honestly I told those who were late in submitting papers that I do NOT accept late papers because those were supposed to be done in lieu of the meetings in November and December and that is definitely UNFAIR to those who submitted on time. This is the reason why I asked them to ask the class if that is fine with all of you. I DO UNDERSTAND their plight but I am also for BEINGI actually felt disappointed. Although that was not directed to me but to us in general, I felt like circumstances just led me to this unfortunate event and it's frustrating.
FAIR and JUST. Now, with what I have read here in the yahoo group that "it is not her fault not to be included in the yahoo group" shows irresponsibility and not owning one's part in a situation. Honestly again, I felt so sad because I expect students to be responsible enough. Well, being UP students we do not wait for what is to be done but we do ask what we can and what we should do BEFORE being asked. Again, I might be totally wrong to think this way. Besides, others have said they werenot in the yahoo group before but were able to do the requirement, simply because they asked.
But then, she hasn't answered the main question here and I guess I need to pray some more.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
feeling that vacation mode already
Actually, I'm not suppose to be on vacation yet. I still have to worry two things, my thesis and my EDCO101 requirements.
Although we've already passed our final draft of the thesis, we still need to wait for feedback on whether it's ready for binding or if we still need to pass another revision.
I'm also havign problems with my EDCO101 class requirements. You see, we were on break for two months (November and December). When we met on January, I was shocked to find out that my classmates had already passed two reflection papers and had undergone an IQ and personality test. These were announced through the yahoo! group and apparently, I was not invited, notified or whatever even if I had submitted my email address on the first day. Given that I knew no one from the class, I emailed my professor instead and she never responded. And so, I lack three requirements which corresponds to already half of my grade which means I might not graduate at all because of this.
Maybe it's faith or whatever similar feeling to that, but I know I will be graduating (or else my dad kills me). But I have to really straighten out that vacation mode feeling, because I am not yet in my vacation.
Camonst. I have to keep telling this to myself.
Although we've already passed our final draft of the thesis, we still need to wait for feedback on whether it's ready for binding or if we still need to pass another revision.
I'm also havign problems with my EDCO101 class requirements. You see, we were on break for two months (November and December). When we met on January, I was shocked to find out that my classmates had already passed two reflection papers and had undergone an IQ and personality test. These were announced through the yahoo! group and apparently, I was not invited, notified or whatever even if I had submitted my email address on the first day. Given that I knew no one from the class, I emailed my professor instead and she never responded. And so, I lack three requirements which corresponds to already half of my grade which means I might not graduate at all because of this.
Maybe it's faith or whatever similar feeling to that, but I know I will be graduating (or else my dad kills me). But I have to really straighten out that vacation mode feeling, because I am not yet in my vacation.
Camonst. I have to keep telling this to myself.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
my grandmother
My grandmother was rushed to the hospital last week. My aunt said she was complaining of having difficulty of breathing. They were able to take her home by weekend however, she still had to go back by yesterday because of the same thing.
Actually, my aunt had been calling our house telling us to visit my grandmother. I already intended to do sa but I just couldn't delay my thesis that easy. If it weren't for the transport strike today that led to the suspension of classes, I would have not gone at all.
Anyway, my mom, dad and I went inside the room and well, there she was lying on her bed, almost totally dependent of the oxygen tank placed beside her bed. Although she had always been skinny, this was the very first time I saw her that bad. She was so weak, she couldn't even help herself get up to greet us.
She's not sick, that's for sure. My relatives believe her condition is brought about by old age. She is almost 90 years old. But even if she was that old, she still had very good eyesight, very strong bones and very strong words.
I couldn't look at her for a long time. Although I did not grow up with her living in our house, she had been explicit of her dreams for me and I guess I've always held onto those things. She had always recognized my interest for politics and supported me all the way. She wanted me to become a journalist even before I realized I wanted to write at all.
She's also the baker of the family. Her expertise include fruit cake, brownies (not using the commercial mix), fudge and cupcakes. Apparently, no one had the interest of continuing that as a family tradition because we were all too scared of her. However, I really promised her to spend time with her after I finish my thesis and just before I start working, endure her impatience for the love of baking and family tradition.
But with her condition, I doubt if she will even make it till the end of the month. She had stopped eating, even drinking. In fact, she had already told me to get all those magazines and journalistic stuff she and my grandfather kept even before the war.
The last time we saw prior to this one, when she visited us at our church, she held my hand for so long. She wanted to go to my graduation, as she would always do with almost all her grandchildren. She also told me she wanted to see me get married. Although she have her doubts if it would happen soon but she wanted to at least meet the man as soon as I find myself a boyfriend. At the same time, she told me not to let my marriage, if ever I get married, restrain what I wanted to do, what my passion and advocacy call for.
When I came over to visit her, I thought I was ready to see her in whatever condition and how could I ever be so wrong. I felt it a struggle to pretend that everything was fine, whereas my mom sat by her all the way. I guess I'm really not good at these things. I guess I can't really be like my mother when it comes to this.
Actually, my aunt had been calling our house telling us to visit my grandmother. I already intended to do sa but I just couldn't delay my thesis that easy. If it weren't for the transport strike today that led to the suspension of classes, I would have not gone at all.
Anyway, my mom, dad and I went inside the room and well, there she was lying on her bed, almost totally dependent of the oxygen tank placed beside her bed. Although she had always been skinny, this was the very first time I saw her that bad. She was so weak, she couldn't even help herself get up to greet us.
She's not sick, that's for sure. My relatives believe her condition is brought about by old age. She is almost 90 years old. But even if she was that old, she still had very good eyesight, very strong bones and very strong words.
I couldn't look at her for a long time. Although I did not grow up with her living in our house, she had been explicit of her dreams for me and I guess I've always held onto those things. She had always recognized my interest for politics and supported me all the way. She wanted me to become a journalist even before I realized I wanted to write at all.
She's also the baker of the family. Her expertise include fruit cake, brownies (not using the commercial mix), fudge and cupcakes. Apparently, no one had the interest of continuing that as a family tradition because we were all too scared of her. However, I really promised her to spend time with her after I finish my thesis and just before I start working, endure her impatience for the love of baking and family tradition.
But with her condition, I doubt if she will even make it till the end of the month. She had stopped eating, even drinking. In fact, she had already told me to get all those magazines and journalistic stuff she and my grandfather kept even before the war.
The last time we saw prior to this one, when she visited us at our church, she held my hand for so long. She wanted to go to my graduation, as she would always do with almost all her grandchildren. She also told me she wanted to see me get married. Although she have her doubts if it would happen soon but she wanted to at least meet the man as soon as I find myself a boyfriend. At the same time, she told me not to let my marriage, if ever I get married, restrain what I wanted to do, what my passion and advocacy call for.
When I came over to visit her, I thought I was ready to see her in whatever condition and how could I ever be so wrong. I felt it a struggle to pretend that everything was fine, whereas my mom sat by her all the way. I guess I'm really not good at these things. I guess I can't really be like my mother when it comes to this.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
student council elections (and a few recollections)
Finally. Now I can say something. As incumbent council member, I am not allowed to endorse, hang out or at least show even the littlest, slyest actions of promoting my party's candidates, I guess until the elections were over.So ok. I have to stay objective. yeah, right. I'd have to admit, I have not been that objective at all. Much more, I felt my loyalty and love to the party more than ever. I guess my issue with them is really over and I am back to where it all began.
Anyway, to be honest, I was quite shock to find out that Marian had almost become the only incumbent running this year and I was quite worried. It would be hard for her to campaign as well as to train the new one if elected.
And quite honestly again, I was really hoping Carlos would run. He had the potential but I guess the council is not his calling.
I know only a few of these guys who ran, mostly through connections also with the party. I know Mai from Karla (CRes), Ali from Marian (very good friends) and Rose (from Tudla).
I remember Rupert way back when I was a Registration Assistant and I recall him having a very hard time getting the classes he badly needed for that semester. Apparently, the two classes he needed were of the same schedule. I tried to help him to transfer whichever to another section but the two professors we were talking to didn't really want to give in. And so, he had to chose one over the other. I never knew what happened to him until this election.
Right after the miting de avance, I approach almost everyone from both parties to greet and wish them good luck. When I was in front of him, I commented that I should have told talked to him and tell him the real situation of the tambayan issue but my schedule could not find time for it. He also apologized for not making efforts as well, such that he should have taken the time to at least know the context of whatever he's getting into. (endorsement emphasized. hahaha)
And then, there's edma, my orgmate, and absie, the very funny guy.
Being the incumbent and a friend of Marian and Ruth, I found it quite hard not being able to directly help (camonst, direct action. desperate impulse to endorse even more), especially after that Thursday campaign in which they stood up for me. who made this rule anyway? hehe.
I recall my own campaign experience and how I felt so attached to the people I've run with, like Bikoy and Sheng. Bikoy by the way is running again, as a councilor for the USC and how I wish he wins this time. He deserves it. (another endorsement here. hahaha. thank god elections is over.
So who won? Marian (yeheey. imagine the jumping up and down) , Rupert (thank god. this is not a popularity contest you know), Mai (she reminds me of Ipay a.k.a. Vanessa Bolibol for some reasons), and Ali (thank you for standing up dear). For the department representatives, Absie and Edma won (go journ!) while Ruth won as the college representative (---- is so much happier than I am, I'd have to admit that. hahaha).
I don't want to be that emotional and mother-y type to give advice while turning over our job to these people, but I just have to say it. Couldn't be even prouder!
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