Is Blogging Dead???
That is the question of the hour...even after a couple of Tequila shots and working on some school work!
I'm just curious...with Facebook as one of the hottest social online networks out there and with people slowly converting over from MySpace, has adding countless applications, superpoking all of your friends, and trying to save a square foot of rain forest replaced the art of blogging?
Yes, I do consider blogging an art form...there are some pretty damned talented writers out there and yet, I am seeing less of it out there.
But I am guilty of neglecting my own blog. Forget the excuses of not having internet connection or of not having enough bloggable moments...here's the truth. If I only had 5 minutes to go online, I would check my emails and then I'd head to Facebook to see if anyone wrote on my wall. It's addicting...and hell, everyone and their mama is on it!
I miss blogging. In fact, sometimes it seems that there is SO MUCH going on that by the time I find the time to write, it's all old news. When I do get that chance to sit and write, I find the love slowly creeping back in.
But what about everyone else? I browsed my friends' blogs today and wowzers, not too many updates...but I bet ya'll a bunch of Benjamins that those very same people updated their status on either Facebook or Twitter! The biggest reason why I find blogging so appealing is that it's a great way to know how people are doing. Yah you can do it on Facebook, too, but all the other applications become too distracting.
In any case, I will continue to keep up this blog...even if I DO think that blogging is slowly being phased out.
In other news...I'm heading out to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk tomorrow! Stay tuned for pictures! (unless of course, I decide to just post them on Facebook...lol!)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Goodbye Summer...I'll Miss You So
This week marks the official end of summer vacation as I know it. Even though summer school ended almost two weeks ago, I will say that I've enjoyed the not working thang for all it was worth. I've spent the week here in the South Bay helping out the Music Maestro with Band Camp paperwork. He'd probably roll his eyes, but I am SO impressed at what goes on with the whole subculture of marching band. It's not as American Pie-esque as you might think. The kids all come ready and prepared to work...and down here in the South Bay, work in the freakin' heat! Logistics aside, I caught a glimpse of the Music Maestro marching alongside the kids in the god-awful heat...and as I learned, it's a rain-or-shine-the-show-must-go-on kinda thing. The Marching Band culture is so unfamiliar to me and I'm learning so much...and it makes me so envious that I wasn't able to experience this type of thing in high school.
Again, he'd probably roll his eyes and maybe even get a tad embarrassed when I say this, but watching him with the 100+ kids that he directs and seeing how dedicated he is in his craft really inspires me to be a better teacher. I've bitched nonstop about what a terrible year I had and I've tired myself out with feeling like a failure with those kids...I was about ready to give up altogether! But hell, who said teaching was easy? I'm determined to leave all the bad shit of last year behind me...and despite all of the changes this year has in store, I WILL have a better year!
This is how excited I am about the school year...I've already gone back to school to start setting up my classroom. This was just a few days after summer school ended, mind you! It would have been so much easier to keep the same set-up as last year, but somewhere between crazy and insane, something made me want to redecorate...a task that I hope not to regret. Me, myself, and I decided to push, pull, and drag the heaviest furniture in my class to find better feng shui. Y'know how you need to step away from a project for a few days to get a better picture of what you're doing? Well, I sure as hell hope that what I see tomorrow isn't a huge disaster! Please let it be Trading Spaces worthy...please! lol!
My list of school supplies isn't as bad as I thought either. I checked what supplies I had leftover from last year and well, wouldn't you know it? I was stingy is using them up! lol! Talk about kuriput! This will sound terrible, but because last year's kids gave me such a rough time, I didn't do a lot of activities with them as I normally would have- I didn't do some art activities, fun projects, AND I didn't do my annual RAFFLE HUNT! Shit..they didn't deserve it. 'Nuff said...
Since summer school ended, I'm anticipating the school year to begin BECAUSE OF the kids. The incoming third graders were so excitable and that, in turn, has got me excited! Sure there will be a lot of changes with so many teachers not returning (I'll miss you, Sha!) , it is a WASC visit this year (school accreditation business), and once again, the 3rd Grade team will be going through a transition period with a new teacher going on maternity. It's always tough when we don't have a complete team because one or all of us has to take on more responsibilites that we signed for. But what's great about the CORE group (or the 3 Musketeers as we are often called) is that we work really well together. While there are times when we don't necessarily agree 100%, we make it work.
Looking back at my summer as it comes to an end, I will have to say that it was quite an adventure. My first time teaching summer school was exhausting at times, but overall, I had a lot of fun working with the people in my grade level. Summer was also a time when I got to catch up with a lot of friends and family, too. While the death of my Lolo still hangs heavy in my heart, I am comforted knowing that so many of my family were able to see him...and just like that old saying, when one passes, another is born...there's much to celebrate with the newest addition to our crazy family with Kairo Biyaya.
Last, but definitely not least, I've enjoyed spending time with my Music Maestro. Catalina Island was an adventure in itself seeing that both of us have never been there before. But moreso, what better way to get to know someone than to go on a trip with them...on an island, no less? You're stuck! Lol! Time with my baby has been amazing and I just feel so lucky to have met such a wonderfully wonderful person. It's almost four months since our first date, but it honestly feels like I've known him much longer than I have. Where has he been all my life??? <3
This week marks the official end of summer vacation as I know it. Even though summer school ended almost two weeks ago, I will say that I've enjoyed the not working thang for all it was worth. I've spent the week here in the South Bay helping out the Music Maestro with Band Camp paperwork. He'd probably roll his eyes, but I am SO impressed at what goes on with the whole subculture of marching band. It's not as American Pie-esque as you might think. The kids all come ready and prepared to work...and down here in the South Bay, work in the freakin' heat! Logistics aside, I caught a glimpse of the Music Maestro marching alongside the kids in the god-awful heat...and as I learned, it's a rain-or-shine-the-show-must-go-on kinda thing. The Marching Band culture is so unfamiliar to me and I'm learning so much...and it makes me so envious that I wasn't able to experience this type of thing in high school.
Again, he'd probably roll his eyes and maybe even get a tad embarrassed when I say this, but watching him with the 100+ kids that he directs and seeing how dedicated he is in his craft really inspires me to be a better teacher. I've bitched nonstop about what a terrible year I had and I've tired myself out with feeling like a failure with those kids...I was about ready to give up altogether! But hell, who said teaching was easy? I'm determined to leave all the bad shit of last year behind me...and despite all of the changes this year has in store, I WILL have a better year!
This is how excited I am about the school year...I've already gone back to school to start setting up my classroom. This was just a few days after summer school ended, mind you! It would have been so much easier to keep the same set-up as last year, but somewhere between crazy and insane, something made me want to redecorate...a task that I hope not to regret. Me, myself, and I decided to push, pull, and drag the heaviest furniture in my class to find better feng shui. Y'know how you need to step away from a project for a few days to get a better picture of what you're doing? Well, I sure as hell hope that what I see tomorrow isn't a huge disaster! Please let it be Trading Spaces worthy...please! lol!
My list of school supplies isn't as bad as I thought either. I checked what supplies I had leftover from last year and well, wouldn't you know it? I was stingy is using them up! lol! Talk about kuriput! This will sound terrible, but because last year's kids gave me such a rough time, I didn't do a lot of activities with them as I normally would have- I didn't do some art activities, fun projects, AND I didn't do my annual RAFFLE HUNT! Shit..they didn't deserve it. 'Nuff said...
Since summer school ended, I'm anticipating the school year to begin BECAUSE OF the kids. The incoming third graders were so excitable and that, in turn, has got me excited! Sure there will be a lot of changes with so many teachers not returning (I'll miss you, Sha!) , it is a WASC visit this year (school accreditation business), and once again, the 3rd Grade team will be going through a transition period with a new teacher going on maternity. It's always tough when we don't have a complete team because one or all of us has to take on more responsibilites that we signed for. But what's great about the CORE group (or the 3 Musketeers as we are often called) is that we work really well together. While there are times when we don't necessarily agree 100%, we make it work.
Looking back at my summer as it comes to an end, I will have to say that it was quite an adventure. My first time teaching summer school was exhausting at times, but overall, I had a lot of fun working with the people in my grade level. Summer was also a time when I got to catch up with a lot of friends and family, too. While the death of my Lolo still hangs heavy in my heart, I am comforted knowing that so many of my family were able to see him...and just like that old saying, when one passes, another is born...there's much to celebrate with the newest addition to our crazy family with Kairo Biyaya.
Last, but definitely not least, I've enjoyed spending time with my Music Maestro. Catalina Island was an adventure in itself seeing that both of us have never been there before. But moreso, what better way to get to know someone than to go on a trip with them...on an island, no less? You're stuck! Lol! Time with my baby has been amazing and I just feel so lucky to have met such a wonderfully wonderful person. It's almost four months since our first date, but it honestly feels like I've known him much longer than I have. Where has he been all my life??? <3
Saturday, August 09, 2008
A Night at SFO
I felt a certain sadness tonight at SFO. With much anticipation, we were happy that Mommy was coming home. It had been three weeks since she left for the funeral of Lolo, but it wasn’t until tonight that I felt that reality sink in. We gathered in the terminal and huddled about staring at the television screens wondering when they would make their grand entrance.
Lola rounded the corner first. Seeing Lola in a wheelchair reminded me just how frail she had become in recent weeks. With the death of Lolo still heavy in her heart, Lola also had to deal with the physical pains of the fall that had further weakened her already broken spirit.
The tears in her eyes spoke volumes. She had no desire to be here, but because of a decision made by her children, found herself to be outnumbered ten to one. Clearly, all wanted the best for her, but in reality, Lola would have been much happier back in the Philippines.
She wept silently. When we attempted to distract her with bouts of conversation, she would find that ounce of strength to appease us with a one-word response. She sat in her wheelchair as if she wished, hoped, to disappear into her own little world because being surrounded by so many loved ones was simply too painful to bear.
It was strange to see Lola without Lolo. I was almost expecting him to be one of the stragglers slowly making his way along the terminal corridor. As he would shuffle his way over to us, Lolo would be wearing his usual barong-like button-ups fitted with his staple bolo tie complete with the biggest and most contagious smiles one could ever see. We would greet him with a kiss and he always greeted us with a hug and kiss in return. He would then drape his arm around your shoulder and walk with you like that for a while. And while he would never tell us with words that he loved us, we knew that he did.
But he wasn’t there today…nor would he ever be again. I longed to go back to the Philippines to say my final goodbye and pay my respects. I wanted to be with the entire family…to be there for my mom…and to just let Lolo know that I love him.
I felt a certain sadness tonight at SFO. With much anticipation, we were happy that Mommy was coming home. It had been three weeks since she left for the funeral of Lolo, but it wasn’t until tonight that I felt that reality sink in. We gathered in the terminal and huddled about staring at the television screens wondering when they would make their grand entrance.
Lola rounded the corner first. Seeing Lola in a wheelchair reminded me just how frail she had become in recent weeks. With the death of Lolo still heavy in her heart, Lola also had to deal with the physical pains of the fall that had further weakened her already broken spirit.
The tears in her eyes spoke volumes. She had no desire to be here, but because of a decision made by her children, found herself to be outnumbered ten to one. Clearly, all wanted the best for her, but in reality, Lola would have been much happier back in the Philippines.
She wept silently. When we attempted to distract her with bouts of conversation, she would find that ounce of strength to appease us with a one-word response. She sat in her wheelchair as if she wished, hoped, to disappear into her own little world because being surrounded by so many loved ones was simply too painful to bear.
It was strange to see Lola without Lolo. I was almost expecting him to be one of the stragglers slowly making his way along the terminal corridor. As he would shuffle his way over to us, Lolo would be wearing his usual barong-like button-ups fitted with his staple bolo tie complete with the biggest and most contagious smiles one could ever see. We would greet him with a kiss and he always greeted us with a hug and kiss in return. He would then drape his arm around your shoulder and walk with you like that for a while. And while he would never tell us with words that he loved us, we knew that he did.
But he wasn’t there today…nor would he ever be again. I longed to go back to the Philippines to say my final goodbye and pay my respects. I wanted to be with the entire family…to be there for my mom…and to just let Lolo know that I love him.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Sex in the City
No, this isn't going to be a blog about who's gettin' some...although I'm sure there are some folks who'd get a kick about reading about that! lol! I've actually been on a Sex in the City marathon this entire summer. It started with the fact that the movie version came out and I've but all refused to see it without having seen the seasons...yes, all of them...first. Luckily, one of my friends has been gracious enough to lend her collection and as of earlier this afternoon, I am now on Season Four. Plus, after winning the "Sexiest Lips" contest at the Girls' Night Out at Bacio, I've been intrigued to know a little bit more about Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. I guess I've been living under a rock because I'm one of very few women who did NOT know anything about this show until very recently. Yah yah, pathetic I know, no need to rub it in.
I may have mentioned that my girlfriends tease me for being the Charlotte in the group...which makes me curious as to whom are the other gals! Lol...not quite sure if being Charlotte is a compliment or what...I'm not THAT naive, people! Sheesh! Lol!
Anyways, Episode 1 of Season Four has got to be one of the downer episodes I've seen thus far. To refresh your memories ('cuz I'm assuming ALL OF YOU have seen SITC!), it's Carrie's 35th birthday and she has her Ally McBeal moment...aka, living the single life without anyone special to call her own and believing that her fate is to forever be alone. But as she sits among her friends, Charlotte mopes about how she believes there is nothing worse than being 34 and soon-to-be divorced. Miranda retorts that it's better to be 34 and divorced than to be 34 and stuck in an awful marriage.
I sat in my living room and thought, "Hmm...this is the EXACT conversation I've had with so many people once before!" But y'know what IS great about being 34 and divorced?
It's being 34, divorced, FREE to start over and FREE to truly fall in love again...hooray for new beginnings!
I've come to separate my life in "before's" and "after's"...before/after college, before/after marriage, before/after divorce...and let me tell you, ALL OF IT has been a learning experience...whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
But as I've been dealing with a lot of the afters of my divorce, I've now gotten to that point where I have yet ANOTHER before and after: before/after the Music Maestro.
Without getting into the mushy, I just have to share just how happy he makes me feel...AND how relieved I am to find that the family and friends who have met him LOVE him, too. (..for the record, I've vowed to really pay attention to what family/friends have to say about whom I date...and i'll be damned if I don't listen to them this time!...)
Life has been good and the past few months have truly been one of the greatest adventures of my life.
Thanks baby...things have been, as your beloved Borat would say, "very nice."<3
No, this isn't going to be a blog about who's gettin' some...although I'm sure there are some folks who'd get a kick about reading about that! lol! I've actually been on a Sex in the City marathon this entire summer. It started with the fact that the movie version came out and I've but all refused to see it without having seen the seasons...yes, all of them...first. Luckily, one of my friends has been gracious enough to lend her collection and as of earlier this afternoon, I am now on Season Four. Plus, after winning the "Sexiest Lips" contest at the Girls' Night Out at Bacio, I've been intrigued to know a little bit more about Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. I guess I've been living under a rock because I'm one of very few women who did NOT know anything about this show until very recently. Yah yah, pathetic I know, no need to rub it in.
I may have mentioned that my girlfriends tease me for being the Charlotte in the group...which makes me curious as to whom are the other gals! Lol...not quite sure if being Charlotte is a compliment or what...I'm not THAT naive, people! Sheesh! Lol!
Anyways, Episode 1 of Season Four has got to be one of the downer episodes I've seen thus far. To refresh your memories ('cuz I'm assuming ALL OF YOU have seen SITC!), it's Carrie's 35th birthday and she has her Ally McBeal moment...aka, living the single life without anyone special to call her own and believing that her fate is to forever be alone. But as she sits among her friends, Charlotte mopes about how she believes there is nothing worse than being 34 and soon-to-be divorced. Miranda retorts that it's better to be 34 and divorced than to be 34 and stuck in an awful marriage.
I sat in my living room and thought, "Hmm...this is the EXACT conversation I've had with so many people once before!" But y'know what IS great about being 34 and divorced?
It's being 34, divorced, FREE to start over and FREE to truly fall in love again...hooray for new beginnings!
I've come to separate my life in "before's" and "after's"...before/after college, before/after marriage, before/after divorce...and let me tell you, ALL OF IT has been a learning experience...whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
But as I've been dealing with a lot of the afters of my divorce, I've now gotten to that point where I have yet ANOTHER before and after: before/after the Music Maestro.
Without getting into the mushy, I just have to share just how happy he makes me feel...AND how relieved I am to find that the family and friends who have met him LOVE him, too. (..for the record, I've vowed to really pay attention to what family/friends have to say about whom I date...and i'll be damned if I don't listen to them this time!...)
Life has been good and the past few months have truly been one of the greatest adventures of my life.
Thanks baby...things have been, as your beloved Borat would say, "very nice."<3
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