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Growing Up Is Hard To Do

I am taking a break from my usual teacher posts and will just share with you a realization that hit me just a few minutes ago: the world I know has really grown up so much! Yes, I know that is part and parcel of life, but it just dawned on me how everyone around me has grown up so much and at times, I feel like I have forgotten to follow suit.

Where is this thought coming from? Well, for one, it dawned on me today because I’m kinda cash-strapped as I quit my job and realized: I forgot to save. Haha. Yes, I still live like money flows out of a tap and that it is an endless reservoir. And so I feel like a little girl waiting for my next allowance. Or the ax to fall, whichever comes first harhar.

Secondly, a school mate of mine from way back when (um…I was a graduating student and she was barely in high school if I remember it right) posted this wonderfully beautiful wedding portfolio in her photography website and I realized: gosh, these are the same little girls I used to go to school with and now look at them…brides and mothers! Yikes. Haha.

Lastly, it hit me that even my body is not as young as it used to be (duuuh!) haha. I remember back in the day when I would bounce back from long, sleepless nights cramming papers and what-not (lets not forget pumped up on adrenaline, junk food and the occasional happy juice). But now…I need afternoon naps and it takes me forever to get out of bed.

Yes, the world has indeed grown up. It’s good growing up, mind you, but today, it leaves me a wee bit nostalgic. It makes me want to take a time out from life as I know it, because it’s moving oh so fast. So, anybody wanna give me a weekend voucher to some swanky hotel or take me away to the beach so I can just be careless and free for a wee bit?

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Cause of Death: Killer Shoes

O.M.G.

I recently had to give a talk at a medical convention and of course, I had to get uber dressed for the occasion. Yes, with the matching four and a half inch killer heels. DEATH.

I remember how I used to love those shoes but when I put it on for that talk, my ankles immediately complained and I could barely walk. It literally HURT. Even about a week after the talk I could still feel the discomfort of the shoes! I wish they could make heels more feet friendly, I tell ya! I haven’t found nice shoes that aren’t too painful anymore. Well, except for super flat flats, but over time even those hurt. Tell me, what are the best pain relief shoes??? SAVE ME!

#teacherriarants.

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Not Just A Game of Pretend…

Last week in class, I was talking about ethics and how different things have become. Perhaps it’s because the social norms have changed, or perhaps it’s because of how people have become more distant from what was seen as wrong or right. For example, in the news I recently heard about how some local official put up a reward for the capture of a fugitive in their jurisdiction. The catch: the reward was bigger if the fugitive was captured dead. Vigilante justice, much? Although I laud the efforts to restore peace and order in the town, I feel uncomfortable about the idea that this justifies violence.

I once said that it was through them that I really learned what the word integrity meant. For them, right is right and wrong is wrong.  No if’s, but’s or maybe’s. While I do understand that as adults, we need to see the world in different lenses, I feel that we sometimes need to be reminded of what integrity is and that it is not really just a game of pretend. It’s not just a costume we put on or a mask we wear. It is who we are at the core. With the kids, even with all the games of pretend or the wrestling gear from Suplay.com that they don, they still remember who they are at the core.

Sometimes we really need to learn from kids.

Just some random thoughts this early morning.

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Teacher’s Back!

Last Friday I finally taught my first official kids and family (well, teens and family, hehe!) yoga class…OMG…I’m so happy to be Teacher Ria again There really is something magical in this profession, I tell ya. I am grateful that I do this

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On Interesting Instruments

I recently assisted in a kids yoga class with the My Movement Masterpiece group and was amazed at how many instruments there are in this world that I don’t know about. This was especially true for the Filipino instruments they had in their materials. Sure I have seen those plastic trumpets from the soccer games and pbone plastic trombones, but those wooden sticks and wind instruments? Cool! I regret not having gotten the names of the instruments and I can’t really figure out how to Google it. Haha. Seriously though, the one I liked most was like a xylophone made of wood that made rain-droppy sounds. Cuteness.

What’s the most interesting instrument you’ve come across? Care to share?

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Rest Time?

I may not be teaching in the preschool level now, but for some reason, I suddenly find myself thinking about rest time. This was one period I never really gave time for in class before. In fact, even the kids didn’t seem to like it so much. They’d rather do a longer outdoor play activity. However, lately I have been finding myself taking a rest period in between classes. I realized it makes a big impact on my energy levels and focus. I guess there was a purpose for it after all! However, if you do decide to include rest time in your class periods, I suggest you be careful about the kinds of pillows and mattresses you use in class, especially since it is quite hard to keep these clean. Also, allergies from things like latex mattresses or feathery pillows should also be taken into consideration. But for the most part, do go with a brief rest time in class. It makes an enormous difference for the rest of the day

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Oh, Booksale, My Love!

Today I was able to go to one of the very few Booksale branches left (well, I think it is one of the last few because all the other one’s I used to go to are now closed) and was sooooo happy to find a copy of James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces. It was a book that I was always curious about but was never interested enough to spend a couple of hundred pesos for. Today, however, I came across a copy for –get this— 25 pesos! Amazing. I love Booksale.

Speaking of Booksale, it definitely is the best place to get kiddie books. Do check it out!

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I Miss Halloween!!!

It’s just about that time of the year again! I was browsing through Instagram today and saw my old co-teachers sprucing up the school with Halloween decor. I miss it!!! I remember having to dust off old equestrian apparel and cheerleader costumes for our parties, but now I’m missing it again! Boooooo!!!

Since we’re talking about Halloween, let me ask you: what do you do during Halloween for your preschoolers? One of my favorite things to make was goop. I never really figured out how to do it right, but I just let them play with slimy stuff and that worked well. For a snack, I really enjoyed worm cups. All you do is crush up some oreo cookies, sprinkle on top of ice cream and top with a gummy worm. Yum

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Teacher’s Toys

Since I’m home sick today, I decided to just get some of the work I need to get done that never have the time to do done. Har. This includes fixing up lesson plans for the next few weeks. One of the major events I have been doing these past trimesters is what I call the Psychmazing Race, a modification of the wildly popular show, Amazing Race. I have stocked up on a lot of materials but if I had a free prepaid mastercard with an unlimited limit, I am sure I can get so much more fun things to work with! One of the things I really wanna get are those little orange cones, like those used for soccer practice. That would be so much fun. For now, however, I satisfy myself with those cheap little plastic toys from Divisoria. Teehee.

Speaking of which, Teachers, FYI (but I’m sure you know by now), DIVISORIA ROCKS!

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Sick Days

One of the hardest things about being a teacher is taking a sick day. Seriously. Sigh.

Today I had to call in sick because I really could not stop sneezing, my eyes are like faucets, my nose stuffed beyond imagination, and my throat feels like sandpaper has been rubbed on it. Boo. The thing with being a teacher, your presence is your most important equipment or tool, so to speak. And so when this gets broken or has a kink, it is a problem Boo.