Isn't it obvious that I'm writing as many blogs as I can tonight? I was told I needed to have 10 posts in the last 30 days for my blog to be approved in two paid blogging sites. Sigh. Looks like this supposed money-making venture is not that easy after all. Money certainly does not come from trees!
Can I just say that I'm really excited to finish my master's degree in Early Childhood? Why? Because I want to get into another graduate program! Hahaha. This morning we had a workshop on gifted children and the speaker apparently earned her master's degree in Gifted Education in New York. I was initially thinking of applying for a scholarship for some Speech Pathology degree but I think this is a whole lot more interesting. I can visualize myself now -- walking in an Ivy League campus! Wow. I wonder when will that happen.
*Commercial break*
Met up with Chrissie and Fara at Greenbelt this afternoon after our seminar, and we settled at Fely J in Greenbelt 5 to pass the time. I ordered an interesting Bayabas Pie, which is a spinoff to the good old apple pie. Not bad ha! :) Missed you Chrissie! Have fun in HongKong!
Monday, March 31, 2008
"Read in a Month" program
I was walking from the trike stop to the Ayala shuttle terminal this morning when I saw a sign painted on the wall near McDonalds: "Hillcrest Periwinkle School Read-in-a-Month Program". Obviously a marketing ploy conjured by someone who doesn't seem to understand what literacy is all about. And of course, parents who don't know any better will just lap it up in the hopes of having geniuses for sons and/or daughters. Of course at the age of 5, a child should be starting to read, but do you think that's the only thing they have in mind?
I guess it's true that ignorance is bliss. As for me who has been relentlessly reading about emerging literacy for my thesis proposal, this is something disturbing. Why are we too caught up in the notion that academic excellence is the only way to achieve success? We push our children to the limit all the time even at an early age and this makes them too stressed to endure the rest of their schooling years. Don't the parents understand that what's more important is to instill a healthy and positive attitude towards learning for them to take on each challenge with a sense of purpose? I guess not. There's too much to say, too little space.
It's just sad that not all school owners are responsible enough to keep themselves updated on the latest trends in education, especially in early childhood where there have been a lot of important developments in the last decade. What else could it be but a money-making venture? And the current educational system is not something to be proud of, either. Just ask any Education major, I suppose. Making a difference is really nothing short of a mean feat, for it looks like it's going to be a complete overhaul of beliefs and traditions that will bring in a lot of flak. As they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
I guess it's true that ignorance is bliss. As for me who has been relentlessly reading about emerging literacy for my thesis proposal, this is something disturbing. Why are we too caught up in the notion that academic excellence is the only way to achieve success? We push our children to the limit all the time even at an early age and this makes them too stressed to endure the rest of their schooling years. Don't the parents understand that what's more important is to instill a healthy and positive attitude towards learning for them to take on each challenge with a sense of purpose? I guess not. There's too much to say, too little space.
It's just sad that not all school owners are responsible enough to keep themselves updated on the latest trends in education, especially in early childhood where there have been a lot of important developments in the last decade. What else could it be but a money-making venture? And the current educational system is not something to be proud of, either. Just ask any Education major, I suppose. Making a difference is really nothing short of a mean feat, for it looks like it's going to be a complete overhaul of beliefs and traditions that will bring in a lot of flak. As they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
On the road
On our way home from Lou Ann's house in Tagaytay, we decided to drop by a 7-Eleven to get something for our parched throats. Kirs and I both got a melon-strawberry pop and a bottle of Nestea Ice Green Tea. I opened the door of Jar's Crosswind too hard that I made a dent on the right side of the car beside us!!! It wasn't until we were all inside that I saw the driver inspect that side and was looking at us. Man, I got so scared that he might run after us and report us to the police! Shoot. I felt really guilty because I don't know what I'll say if they confront me and I didn't have any money on hand if he wanted me to pay up (it was relatively unnoticeable tho). Kasi naman, how careless of me talaga :(
We had teacher training today at our Makati branch, and I caught the shuttle to Ayala this morning. Took a trike and walked a few meters to the corner. Only then did I see that the pedestrian crossing has been covered by barbed wire, which could only mean that the pink MMDA overpass several meters away is supposedly the only way to cross Sucat Road. But it was 7:30, wasting a few more minutes walking will make me late, and I don't want to sweat it out, so just like the throng of people who wanted to make their lives a bit easier that morning, I crossed the street to get to the Ayala shuttle terminal. Sigh. What a law-abiding citizen am I.
The friendly dispatcher still remembered me and even wished me good luck with my job (how nice di ba?). He opened the door and I swear I heard him say "Bading yan," pertaining to the lesbian who's supposedly my seatmate. I wonder why he said that! Anyway, I dunno why I totally forgot to fasten my seatbelt and when I saw that the driver hooked up his as we turned right to EDSA, I was still contemplating if I should do the same when I saw him unhook it again. Huh? Is seatbelt-wearing on Metro Manila roads now totally dependent on the presence of the MMDA/traffic enforcers? Whatever happened to making sure you're driving safe? To think that Filipino drivers are one of the most ruthless in the world. But I'm really not in the position to complain you know, because I hardly touched the seatbelt myself.
We had teacher training today at our Makati branch, and I caught the shuttle to Ayala this morning. Took a trike and walked a few meters to the corner. Only then did I see that the pedestrian crossing has been covered by barbed wire, which could only mean that the pink MMDA overpass several meters away is supposedly the only way to cross Sucat Road. But it was 7:30, wasting a few more minutes walking will make me late, and I don't want to sweat it out, so just like the throng of people who wanted to make their lives a bit easier that morning, I crossed the street to get to the Ayala shuttle terminal. Sigh. What a law-abiding citizen am I.
The friendly dispatcher still remembered me and even wished me good luck with my job (how nice di ba?). He opened the door and I swear I heard him say "Bading yan," pertaining to the lesbian who's supposedly my seatmate. I wonder why he said that! Anyway, I dunno why I totally forgot to fasten my seatbelt and when I saw that the driver hooked up his as we turned right to EDSA, I was still contemplating if I should do the same when I saw him unhook it again. Huh? Is seatbelt-wearing on Metro Manila roads now totally dependent on the presence of the MMDA/traffic enforcers? Whatever happened to making sure you're driving safe? To think that Filipino drivers are one of the most ruthless in the world. But I'm really not in the position to complain you know, because I hardly touched the seatbelt myself.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Blogsvertise
Spent the whole morning posting blogs and figuring out how paid blogging works. Where else to obtain more information but in Google? I was directed to "A Definitive List of Paid Blogging Sites" and I planned to sign up for all the 17 that was mentioned, just to see where I'll be accepted. Two sites have already declined this blog for different reasons (both of which I don't understand). So it was quite a surprise to hear from Blogsvertise, the third site that I signed up with. As part of the approval/review process, I'm required to write about it. Ok, sounds easy enough.
To start with, their site is easy to navigate and the step-by-step process is pretty much straightforward. Maybe I overlooked it with other sites, but with Blogsvertise, you need to submit your blog entry on an online form apart from posting it on your blog site and once it is approved, you'll be paid 30 days after via Paypal. Hmmm, not bad. I'm still not sure though what it's going to take for them to approve your entry. I guess I'll find out as I go along.
I found Blogsvertise's FAQs page very helpful with their condensed information. Made me think that it's going to be real easy to earn from writing about almost anything, and I can't wait to get this going!
To start with, their site is easy to navigate and the step-by-step process is pretty much straightforward. Maybe I overlooked it with other sites, but with Blogsvertise, you need to submit your blog entry on an online form apart from posting it on your blog site and once it is approved, you'll be paid 30 days after via Paypal. Hmmm, not bad. I'm still not sure though what it's going to take for them to approve your entry. I guess I'll find out as I go along.
I found Blogsvertise's FAQs page very helpful with their condensed information. Made me think that it's going to be real easy to earn from writing about almost anything, and I can't wait to get this going!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Something different
Tagaytay traffic was pretty terrible at certain times during yesterday and this morning. My parents wanted to do something different (a.k.a. burn some money) so we were whisked off to Tagaytay yesterday morning with overnight bags and no reservations. Would you believe I packed with my things the Handbook to Early Childhood Literacy in the hopes of taking down notes for my proposal? Syempre I didn't even touch it, pinabigat lang yung bag ko...
We were able to do a bit of Bisita Iglesia before reaching Tagaytay past lunchtime. Finally got a big room for the family at Villa Barretto before settling at Piccolo Mondo for some sumptuous Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad, Four Cheese and Arriabata pizza, Osso Buco and the Spinach pasta whose name I forgot. SOOOPER SARAP! A DVD of Il Divo was being played in the background (they look too old for me). Hung out at Starbucks for about an hour before heading off to church. I didn't know there'd be a mass of green leafy-tasting stuff at the bottom of the Green Tea Latte. Not a good idea to scrape it with a stirrer - yuck. Anyway, we attended the Mass of the Last Supper at 5:30 and filled our tummies with several appetizers at Leslie's - we weren't that hungry hahaha! Had a copy of The Secret on my trusty Zen and that's what we watched until we fell asleep. Now that will be a totally different blog post altogether.. watch out for that!
This morning we headed off to Caleruega after an unsatisfying breakfast at Mushroomburger (Good Friday naman, so sacrifice ko na yon). Pics from my DVD handycam and my brother's SE K800 to follow. You'll see who's the better photographer or who has the better camera hehehe. Wasn't able to visit Sonya's (my dad was getting irritable because of the heat and the traffic) and we packed our bags a little over noon to have a meatless lunch at Teriyaki Boy. I had to condition myself that I was full even if I wasn't. Naks seryosohang diet na to! (Pano ba naman, I've been stuffing myself into oblivion since the week started! Sigh.) Can't leave Tagaytay without some tarts from Rowena's! Traffic was a bit bad going to Sta. Rosa but it was all smooth from Paseo all the way home.
Now that I've done my blog ritual, there is no excuse for me not to go back to my thesis proposal again. You'll hear from me again later!
We were able to do a bit of Bisita Iglesia before reaching Tagaytay past lunchtime. Finally got a big room for the family at Villa Barretto before settling at Piccolo Mondo for some sumptuous Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad, Four Cheese and Arriabata pizza, Osso Buco and the Spinach pasta whose name I forgot. SOOOPER SARAP! A DVD of Il Divo was being played in the background (they look too old for me). Hung out at Starbucks for about an hour before heading off to church. I didn't know there'd be a mass of green leafy-tasting stuff at the bottom of the Green Tea Latte. Not a good idea to scrape it with a stirrer - yuck. Anyway, we attended the Mass of the Last Supper at 5:30 and filled our tummies with several appetizers at Leslie's - we weren't that hungry hahaha! Had a copy of The Secret on my trusty Zen and that's what we watched until we fell asleep. Now that will be a totally different blog post altogether.. watch out for that!
This morning we headed off to Caleruega after an unsatisfying breakfast at Mushroomburger (Good Friday naman, so sacrifice ko na yon). Pics from my DVD handycam and my brother's SE K800 to follow. You'll see who's the better photographer or who has the better camera hehehe. Wasn't able to visit Sonya's (my dad was getting irritable because of the heat and the traffic) and we packed our bags a little over noon to have a meatless lunch at Teriyaki Boy. I had to condition myself that I was full even if I wasn't. Naks seryosohang diet na to! (Pano ba naman, I've been stuffing myself into oblivion since the week started! Sigh.) Can't leave Tagaytay without some tarts from Rowena's! Traffic was a bit bad going to Sta. Rosa but it was all smooth from Paseo all the way home.
Now that I've done my blog ritual, there is no excuse for me not to go back to my thesis proposal again. You'll hear from me again later!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Step Up 2: The Streets
Was tired and wanted to watch something that will not be emotionally draining nor will require me to think too much. I wasn't really into dancing until I joined Neil's dance classes so I don't really follow those dance movies that Hollywood comes up with, until this one.
The verdict? Entertaining, only because I enjoy hiphop dancing. If you loathe hiphop like Bianca (and so many others hehehe) you'll feel you're better off with Meet the Spartans (but for me that's a total waste of money). Robert Hoffman (Chase) is hoooot (reminds me of Chris Klein, only blond) and how on earth did Briana Evigan (Andie) get those flat abs?!
There's not much story to deal with (they say Step Up has more depth and a hotter lead) but my jaw dropped with all those dance moves that I can only perform in my dreams hahaha! During the opening beats of "Low" I felt the urge to stand up and dance to it hahaha! Jenny and the rest of our crew (naks feeling hahaha!) says she felt the same :)
The verdict? Entertaining, only because I enjoy hiphop dancing. If you loathe hiphop like Bianca (and so many others hehehe) you'll feel you're better off with Meet the Spartans (but for me that's a total waste of money). Robert Hoffman (Chase) is hoooot (reminds me of Chris Klein, only blond) and how on earth did Briana Evigan (Andie) get those flat abs?!
There's not much story to deal with (they say Step Up has more depth and a hotter lead) but my jaw dropped with all those dance moves that I can only perform in my dreams hahaha! During the opening beats of "Low" I felt the urge to stand up and dance to it hahaha! Jenny and the rest of our crew (naks feeling hahaha!) says she felt the same :)
Across the Universe
I only listen to the Beatles when my dad insists to play their CD in the car. Maybe I really needed to see this musical to appreciate the timeless beauty of their songs. I've been downloading the whole soundtrack since last night and have been playing it over and over. I've been bugging my friends to see it. I can't get over it!
I realized how I'm so into musicals! Moulin Rouge became a favorite for the longest time, and the CD soundtrack found a permanent home in my player then. Anyway, I intend to watch Across the Universe a few times more. Not only did it blow me away with the tasteful arrangement of Beatles classics, the intense visuals also left me in awe. Uncle Sam literally jumping out of a poster? Strawberries bleeding on the canvas? Psychedelic shots underwater that makes you believe you're on LSD (hence the song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds)? Wow. The choreography was very entertaining, too - especially the part where Max was being drafted into the army. It would have been a dream to act in a musical such as this.
Sure, some parts of the story may appear to look strained for a particular Beatles song to fit in, but so what? It's one's love for both music and movies that will make you appreciate this. I highly commend the producers for this very bold move to come up with something different as this. I may have high praises for this musical only because I don't know the real deal about the Beatles - but as they always say, ignorance is bliss.
I realized how I'm so into musicals! Moulin Rouge became a favorite for the longest time, and the CD soundtrack found a permanent home in my player then. Anyway, I intend to watch Across the Universe a few times more. Not only did it blow me away with the tasteful arrangement of Beatles classics, the intense visuals also left me in awe. Uncle Sam literally jumping out of a poster? Strawberries bleeding on the canvas? Psychedelic shots underwater that makes you believe you're on LSD (hence the song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds)? Wow. The choreography was very entertaining, too - especially the part where Max was being drafted into the army. It would have been a dream to act in a musical such as this.
Sure, some parts of the story may appear to look strained for a particular Beatles song to fit in, but so what? It's one's love for both music and movies that will make you appreciate this. I highly commend the producers for this very bold move to come up with something different as this. I may have high praises for this musical only because I don't know the real deal about the Beatles - but as they always say, ignorance is bliss.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Marathon
I just finished the last three episodes of House MD (season 4, episodes 10-12) and as usual I was blown away by superb scriptwriting, House's deadpan expression, Wilson's exasperation and House's witty banter with Taub and Kutner. The series may be too intellectual for general viewing - I myself could not follow each and every differential - but it's the dripping sarcasm that keeps me coming back for more. House actually reminds me of Bes - and I'm not surprised why he loves the show as well (I'm sure you see the similarity, you narcissist! Hahaha!)
Before that I was able to work on 2 narrative reports and now I'm down to just one. Yay! I don't think I'll be able to stretch it to 3 pages any longer. After all, Ivo just came in last January. And then the following week will be solely devoted to my thesis proposal, so I can hopefully submit something on the 15th. Since there's no family trip for the Holy Week, I might just be able to work on it some more so I can be ready to defend by early term 1 despite the planned beach trips and the SE14 weekend, and yeah the Baila dance recital (eeeep!). Wow, looks like things are going as planned, but I wonder why I'm not exactly thrilled when I've been wishing for this the last few months. Sigh.
Before that I was able to work on 2 narrative reports and now I'm down to just one. Yay! I don't think I'll be able to stretch it to 3 pages any longer. After all, Ivo just came in last January. And then the following week will be solely devoted to my thesis proposal, so I can hopefully submit something on the 15th. Since there's no family trip for the Holy Week, I might just be able to work on it some more so I can be ready to defend by early term 1 despite the planned beach trips and the SE14 weekend, and yeah the Baila dance recital (eeeep!). Wow, looks like things are going as planned, but I wonder why I'm not exactly thrilled when I've been wishing for this the last few months. Sigh.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The weight of things that remained unspoken...
... Built up so much it crushed us everyday
(I Won't Go Home Without You)
In less than two hours or so, the lucky ones will be seeing Adam Levine in the flesh. Waaah! Sucks that I can't afford tickets, with my birthday gone past and some summer trips in the works. Sigh. Last Sunday, the officiating Italian priest really had this strong resemblance with Adam that I wasn't really paying attention to the homily (hahaha bad! birthday mass pa naman). Being the loser that I am, I just let their new album play in the background. Hmmm Goodnight Goodnight is not bad at all.... :)
Next week's the last working week. I have become immune to Raffi's song from everyday practice but I'm sure Bianca and I will be bawling like babies when the Bunnies sing it for the last time. PTCs have started, yet I'm barely past the first paragraph for Joaquin's. Haven't really thought about what to write about Jaime and Ivo but I'm sure it will dawn on me during the wee hours of the morning they're needed. Sigh. I still haven't touched on my thesis again and Chichi will be expecting an update on the 15th. Kainis. Summer vacation na kasi eh! Sobrang petiks na.
Take me to the beach...
(I Won't Go Home Without You)
In less than two hours or so, the lucky ones will be seeing Adam Levine in the flesh. Waaah! Sucks that I can't afford tickets, with my birthday gone past and some summer trips in the works. Sigh. Last Sunday, the officiating Italian priest really had this strong resemblance with Adam that I wasn't really paying attention to the homily (hahaha bad! birthday mass pa naman). Being the loser that I am, I just let their new album play in the background. Hmmm Goodnight Goodnight is not bad at all.... :)
Next week's the last working week. I have become immune to Raffi's song from everyday practice but I'm sure Bianca and I will be bawling like babies when the Bunnies sing it for the last time. PTCs have started, yet I'm barely past the first paragraph for Joaquin's. Haven't really thought about what to write about Jaime and Ivo but I'm sure it will dawn on me during the wee hours of the morning they're needed. Sigh. I still haven't touched on my thesis again and Chichi will be expecting an update on the 15th. Kainis. Summer vacation na kasi eh! Sobrang petiks na.
Take me to the beach...
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Of proposals and chocolate cake
And so here I am, attacking the chocolate cake that Mike gave me last night (dee-lish!), wondering how I'm going to shed off the pounds I gained since yesterday and the potential pounds I'll be packing in in the near future hahaha. I think there's two to three weeks worth of cake and half a case each of SML and Smirnoff Black Ice left (they were just hidden by the freezer door and nobody noticed!) Shoot. Neil and the gang better help me lose my excess baggage right away!
At the onset of 2008, I've been hearing about proposals left and right, it makes me want to pull my hair out... I'm kidding okay?! Hehehe! Of course I'm extremely happy for them, seeing all their pictures and listening to their stories, but I don't think anybody can help not to think about the state of their own love life especially when you're nearing 30 and no prospect is in sight. Kahit indecent proposal nga wala eh! Not that I'll settle for that, sa taas ng standards ko ba naman. Anyway, it's not that it bothers me - I'm actually excited for things to come this year. Sabi nga ni Shep, love is in the air with the number of people getting hitched. I hope I catch that "disease" :) Looking forward to the many things that will unfold before me in the months to come!
For now, I ought to let go of my fork or I might not get any proposals at all!!!
At the onset of 2008, I've been hearing about proposals left and right, it makes me want to pull my hair out... I'm kidding okay?! Hehehe! Of course I'm extremely happy for them, seeing all their pictures and listening to their stories, but I don't think anybody can help not to think about the state of their own love life especially when you're nearing 30 and no prospect is in sight. Kahit indecent proposal nga wala eh! Not that I'll settle for that, sa taas ng standards ko ba naman. Anyway, it's not that it bothers me - I'm actually excited for things to come this year. Sabi nga ni Shep, love is in the air with the number of people getting hitched. I hope I catch that "disease" :) Looking forward to the many things that will unfold before me in the months to come!
For now, I ought to let go of my fork or I might not get any proposals at all!!!
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