It is hard for me to see unread emails in my inbox. Some of these were sent as far back as 2009. Because of a glitch, I was not able to access these unread emails for a long time. Some I am just reading today. The others I was able to read before but the glitch included me not being able to send a reply to the questions.

To those who have asked me questions about their children whose emails remained unanswered, please accept my apologies.

I hope you will not be surprised if you receive an email from me after all these years. Gah.

My youngest daughter got so sick last week she had to stay home for a week. I’ve had several sleepless nights monitoring her and helping her blow her nose, wipe her with wet cloth among others. Apparently, she suffered tonsilitis and she was given antibiotics. She also had her ears cleared because of it.

I probably was so tired I was a bit sick during the weekend. We were still able to go to to church though I preferred to stay outside than sit on church chairs just in case I feel sick again.

This week, our son was down with fever for two days but he was able to take the third trimester exams. He need not take two major subjects, Math and Social Studies because he got exempted.

It was now my turn to be officially sick: fever, chills, headache that seemed like it was splitting my head in two, dizzy spells, dry and parch throat and general lethargic. continue reading this entry »

How was your 2011?

I want to do a bit of introspection for the year that was 2011. I know, there are still a few days left before we finally say goodbye to 2011 and this seems something that looks like “forced” and too early.

• 2011 was a busy year with even more focus on the children’s needs and activities as well as more focus on my students whose needs are developing too.

• 2011 was a challenging year especially since the family has to deal with more pressing concerns in different aspects of our lives.

• 2011 was like a myriad of emotions when it comes to how we reacted to the different local and world events as they unfold

• 2011 was and still is a year I have to deal with health issues plaguing the family members but we try our best to stay healthy by choosing healthier food choices and getting rid of or avoiding things/events that bring a lot of stress

• 2011 made me realize I can do so much more if only I put more effort into what I know I can do best

Are you looking forward to doing more improvements to your life and meeting more challenges in 2012?

Christmas is one of the most anticipated events we have. For some of my students in the past, there were a few who believed in the magic of Santa Claus via the gifts thy receive.

Of course, there was no way I will burst their bubble by saying that … never mind. When asked if I tell my children about Santa Claus, I tell them that I teach the children about the birth of Jesus Christ and what it represents to the Christians.

I also tell them that we traditionally ask the children to choose what they want for Christmas to be given as gifts. They are surprised I do that. But I tell them, better we give what they like (as long as these are within the budget) than they get something they don’t like.

So what do we teach the children about Christmas besides the Bible-related verses? We teach them that Christmas is about:

• Love. Loving your family and friends not just during the Christmas season but the whole year through. Year after year after year.
• Generosity. Generosity that does not just pertain to gifts and things that money can buy but generosity of kind words, respect and kind words among others.
• Family. Christmas is about family and how we should treasure each and everyone in our family.

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas!

This post written today, December 28th, but time-stamped for an earlier date for the ABC posts that I had not done since the last post I published dated December 6.

Been up at 4am, body clock adjusted to waking up at this ungodly hour even if it’s a Saturday morning. Coupled with the fact that the other night was almost a sleepless one with the youngest child sick and the son having wheezing/asthma bouts due to the change in weather, I don’t know why I’m even awake at this time.

Bed weather and all, the brrr months are here to stay made colder by the rains.

With nothing to do, I turn on my phone and read the latest with what I’m subscribed with in Twitterverse. Nothing much interesting because it feels like I’ve read one thing or another with the headlines including snippets on factory farming (now this is definitely a disturbing topic), equipment leasing, short marriages, and murders of family members of local (and international) showbiz personalities.

I want to go out for a walk with my new pair of shoes but no can do, it’s drizzling. I don’t know if I can make it tomorrow for the Millennium Run since I haven’t gotten my race kit yet.

I’m rambling. I think I should go back to bed or tackle the laundry since I’m not going anywhere today, being a long weekend and having no students because they have Saturday make-up classes. I guess it’s one of those off-days where I can’t squeeze out an ounce of writing mojo. Argh.

Laundry it is.

The winner of a spanking new iPad 32gb 3G and wi-fi is…. NOT ME

Congratulations to Pehpot!

It was fun doing this giveaway because I got to know the different internet connectivity of friends. Several of those who answered are real-life friends who are noob in joining contests. I won’t name them but in my heart I am grateful they were willing to step our of their comfort zone and do this for me. Thank you.

Thank you all to those who joined.

Wait, there’s more… I will be doing something for you guys soon, just lemme finish whatever I need to finish so everything is well taken cared off.

For now, I need to focus my energy in accomplishing a lot for something I should have prepared a long time ago and that means getting a new pair of footwear to replace the easy spirit sneakers.