A Teacher's Diary

Friday vs. Monday

November 7, 2014

Friday

Because of the FID Program, I like Mondays better than Fridays now.

The schedule is different.

9:00-9:40 Science 4

9:40-10:40 English 6

10:20-11:20 English 5

11:20-12:00 Filipino 5 & 6

4:00-5:00 English 2

So here's what's going on every Friday under a normal F.I.D.

Once I arrive in the faculty, there will be a chance to eat breakfast and prepare the worksheets, study the lessons needed to be discussed and write lesson plan for next week.

This morning, before I go to the grade 4 class, I organized my worksheets in folders and do nursing duties. Since I am very much a pro-silence person, I have decided to stay in the clinic to do my work.

It's just odd that T. Darius seemed gloomy today. He doesn't have this usual energetic greetings to us.

When I went to grade 4, I was not able to prepare any of the apparatus needed for our experiment. I hurriedly went to the grade 6 room/Science lab to borrow from T. Kristoff but there's no key. I just gave up looking and went back to my class with only the syring I got from the clinic.

I just asked the pupils to answer it imagining we have the apparatus. I told them to just look at the drawings from their book. They seemed not serious in what they're doing. They were noisy and I was very irritated.

I told them, "I know I have a different approach in teaching you Science because I am not a Science teacher. But you have to do what I am telling you to do. Do you think I am having fan?" OMG. I said fan instead of fun. Facepalm. But since we're very serious. Only Bernadine flinched, Trisha has this confusing look on her face but nobody dared to give any other reaction. I was fully aware of the mistake. I was observing whether they will protest about what I said. But nothing. It was a test whether they're listening to me or not.

I didn't correct myself and just continue the lesson until the time indicates 9:40 on my Samsung Duos phone. I hurriedly went to the grade 6 class and ask them to answer the English worksheets. I tried to look for an available Tagalog short story so I could also somehow talk about the week's topic for Filipino which is about knowing the characters emotions in the story. I got a short story from a blog entitled 'Father and Son'. It's about the author missing his father. He narrated how he misses him so much by indicating their similarities to each other. The letter was written at the same date of his father's death anniversary. The grade 6 were asking me if I wrote the story. I didn't. Though I must say that there's a huge impact that the story had brought me.

I also miss Dhie. I miss the way he boosts up my confidence by telling me I'm pretty and smart. I miss those times he notices how hardworking I was. I miss the times he convinces me to drink milk. And when we watch Nelo and Remi together. That moment he told me to be brave when I was scared by the dark. The times he caress my hair until I fall asleep. I can't even forget when he said ants will turn voice into a beautiful one. And if I am going to cut the worms into pieces, they're still alive and I had them multiplied. There's more memories of him still vivid and strong. He's gone for a long time now. I have to admit, Im a daddy's girl. And I can only convince myself that he's now my Guardian Angel.

My thoughts were interrupted when T. Kristoff knocked and explained he needs to direct a short video for T. Angie's birthday with the pupils. Every level has a corresponding letter for the ABC adjective song. They'll sing it and greet T. Angie a happy birthday.

A you're adorable. B you're so beautiful. C you're so cute and full of charm....

I left them and went to the grade 5. I go to and forth because of the schedule. I had them answer the worksheets and then perform a short skit about how to introduce a very honorable guest. We were again interrupted by T. Kristoff. I helped him arranged them and sing as a sample.

D you're a darling. E you're exciting. F you're a feather in my arms.

They clapped. Geez. I was overwhelmed so I didn't do it again.

T. Darius went to fetch them for the Music class but I asked him if could just finish the presentation of the last group. He agreed so I was able to see Marhea's group's skit. T. Darius bought me cotton candy. Yay!

12:00 - 4:00 I busied myself with random things. And oh, Kristin gave me tortillos today. I feel loved. Thanks Kristin! :)

By the way, T. Kristoff gave me a piece of paper for the Kris Kringle drawlots. He instructed me to write a code name and three things under my wishlist. Ok? So... Let me think aabout it. I was thinking of using Nunca Te Ol Vidare as my codename but I realized it's too long.

During my class in grade 2, I had them continue their cursive writing worksheets. They were always noisy and they talk loudly like they're not in a class but in a playroom. There's just one scene I wouldn't forget. Jabin went near Curt and asked him, "Anong nickname mo?". He saw Curt's paper with 'Matt' written on it. I was thinking Jabin may be confused that's why he asked Curt's nickname.
Curt's full name is Curt Matthew Liwanag Maderse. So I understood why he wrote Matt in his worksheet. Then, suddenly Curt shared a story in the whole class.

Curt: "Teacher, you know what? Someone asked me, "What's your name?" And then, I answered, "Matt. Ikaw anong pangalan mo?" He said, "Science!" And teacher, that person is gay."

We were laughing as he imitated how his gay friend said it to him. I was amazed.

-*-*-*-*-

I went back to the faculty and there was chaos. Teachers Shane, Ivan and Elsha were convincing. Err.. Actually, the right term is forcing, T. Donna to go with them to hang out for a coffee with T. Irma. They were talking about something that's none of my business so I didn't care less. Invited or not, I won't go with them because I think I'll just feel awkward. Donna seemed to be firm with her decision not to come. T. Shane blurted out, "T. April, turuan mo nga ako ng ginagawa mo. Sige na. Paano ba yun?" I didn't understand what T. Shane meant. I was confused. I asked her and T. Donna, "Alin? Ano yun?" But I didn't get any answer. T. Kristoff told Shane to let go of Donna so they can go since it's already rush hour and traffic could be expected. T. Josie will be with them. She actually told me last week that I could join them but it's not a direct invitation from T. Irma so I was really hesitant to say yes. And I don't think I would enjoy there.

Finally, Shane surrendered asking/forcing Donna to go with them. Teachers Riza, Jenn, Donna and I were left behind. Until they joked to each other to also have coffee, only to a in a vending machine where the coffee only costs 5 pesos somewhere. I was hungry so I asked them if we could just eat dinner together. We were supposed to dine in Mang Inasal but our orders are not available so we ended up eating in Jollibee again.

We stayed in the second floor of the food chain. I bought them each a sundae which will be their a replacement for coffee. Together we had a good laugh. I just listened to each of their stories. I also shared them Curt's story. It's amazing we could have times like this. So carefree, stress free and a little bit crazy.

I went to the restroom for a bit and when I got back, T. Jenn commented that I just look like a high school student. <sigh>

We also talked about Des' upcoming wedding - again. Donna showed red dresses she downloaded which we could have as a pattern (there were additional to the ones she showed me the other night.) I'm not sure if I'm one of the bridesmaids but I remember being asked by Des if I received a soft copy of the dress pattern sent thru Facebook. I actually didn't receive anything but the fact she asked me means I should show up in her wedding wearing her motiff.

We stayed a little late. We had our groupie shots and before we leave, Riza spotted a guy. Well, yeah. The guy was alone. He's manly and fairly handsome. Riza pretended taking our groupie but what she's really shooting was the guy eating. It was just too obvious because of Riza's awkward act. We were laughing hard and pretended it's nothing while we leave the second floor, leaving the guy staring at us, bewildered. Oh my. He knew it!

I thank God for this kind of moments~

♥