You're the kindest, 2012!

2012, for me, is a year of opportunities, challenges, chances, new things, and hope.

I wanna freeze 2012, only because it has been so good to me. I don't want to forget about this year.  Well, I don't think I ever can. ;)  But at the same time, since 2012 has been very pro-Aileen, I also can't help but look forward to what's in store in the future.  I pray with all my might that 2013 will be as kind to us as 2012 has been. :)

My year in review:

JANUARY - Hmm... I don't remember much!  Haha!  All I know is that I was so busy with my thesis at this time.  Also, it was January that I decided to resign from Xavier and venture into something else. It was not the easiest decision to make, but I think it was just really meant.  'cause everything else will follow through as you will see in the coming months.

FEBRUARY - Thesis pa rin.  I was also job hunting at this time.  I think DLSU has already accepted me at this point in time.  Thank you for taking me in, La Salle!

MARCH - I defended my thesis and submitted it!  M.A. done!  YEAAAAH!  This also marked the last days in Xavier - the place I sincerely loved where I met students I've loved so much and friends I keep to this day.  It was bittersweet.

But because of these, I have spent the most stress-free of all my summers!! Haha!

APRIL - I got accepted to teach in ADMU at this time- I was just really the most blessed person in the world. Now, I was not so scared financially to have just a part-time job - 'cause I have two!  DLSU and ADMU, no less.  UP na lang kulang, hehe.  Now, as if these blessings aren't enough yet, my thesis adviser, my brilliant prof extraordinaire, upon learning that I'll be teaching in ADMU, asked me to lead a research project of which I was previously a research assistant.  This meant A LOT to me.  You see, my professor gives this intimidating aura, not that she tries to e, but that's just how amazingly good she is!  And I've always thought that I was just 'another' student to her.  Good thing and thank God she was quite happy with my work ethics during my thesis work.  So I have three part-time jobs now!

I also went on beach trip with my two high school friends.  Save for that stupid jellyfish allergies which required me to wear long sleeves for the next hot summer month, that trip was AWESOME!

MAY - I started teaching in DLSU!  The students are nice, the bosses are nice, the people around are nice, Manila drivers aren't.  The worst.  Manila traffic sucked the energy out of me. Each time I drive! Waaah, please help me! (I don't know who I'm asking help from, haha!)

JUNE - I started teaching in ADMU!  I was living the dream!  Having been used to a strict 8 - 5 job, I was immensely enjoying the flexible and light hours of my new job.  The only downside was the checking of papers, and dealing with the not-so-ideal students.  Nonetheless, I was having a ball of a time!!

JULY - What happened in July?  Haha!

AUGUST - August was sooo romantic, geekily at least.  Haha!  I was able to attend, for the first time, the PAP Conference in Cebu (also my first time to fly locally!).  Seeing myself on the same floor (literal ha) with my undergrad professors, ah, it was surreal!  Not only that, I also presented a paper.  I felt so legit!  Haha!  But wait, there's more.  One of the items on my bucket list has been achieved - to become a published writer. :)  Well, it may not be the dream exactly, 'cause it was a research paper that was published!  Haha! I should have been more specific on that dream, haha.

SEPTEMBER - DLSU Term 1 ends!  It was sooo fast!  Haha!  I enjoy the independence of teaching in college - that's just really how I like it. :)  And with this independence came some free time to craft!  I asked a dear friend in the States to ship home the crafting machine I bought.  My life has never been the same again.  Haha!  I LOOOOOOVE IT!

OCTOBER - ADMU Sem 1 ends!  It was fun getting to know 'teenagers' once again, more especially when they're smart and obedient.  Haha!  It's hard to part with college students, too, you know.  Especially since I'm really used to being attached with my younger students then.  But oh well, life goes on. :)

I also started selling some stuff I made from my crafting machine.  Very timely for Christmas, I was thankful that the machine has already paid for itself.  Well, almost. :)  Hehe!

NOVEMBER - I turned 28!  Wow, that was quick. So many first's happened at this month.  All I can say is that it has been a WONDERFUL month!  And with all the crazy traffic and rush December brings, November may just steal the spot for my most favorite month of the year!  Haha!

DECEMBER - December got me so busy - my work, my little crafting business, my crazy thoughts.  Haha!  You see, this is the first time I'm blogging this month!  So lazy of me.  The Christmas break has made me so lazy.  But it has also made me sooo happy. Haha!  Ang sarap lang mag-nap ng buong hapon.  Haha!


Wait, I don't think my monthly summary supported the opening statement of this entry. Haha!  I may have lost all the drama while typing, haha.  Bottom line,  I'm just really happy - with what's going on with my life, with my family, with my friends' lives.  The only thing I'm not happy about is how poor we are in terms of discipline!  Really, that's my greatest problem (money's next, haha!) - I love my job, I love my status, I love my friends - my stresses just come from my regular, day-to-day living.  Praying HARD for the Philippines and the Filipinos to improve!  Fine, that's my single, ultimate wish for 2013.  Sana magkatotoo!

Happy New Year, everybody!!!!

Handmade Postcard Swap

I am so addicted to crafting right now.  And yes, I want to quit my day job just to make stuff from papers!

Yesterday was so productive, crafting-wise.  I was able to finish my handmade postcard hosted by April.  I'm so prompt!  Haha! To think that I was even hesitant to sign up at first because I'm afraid I wouldn't have time.  Crafting has definitely changed my priorities, haha!

So, here's mine:

 My theme was flowers and pink, mainly because I'm a lover of both!  And all my supplies cater to that theme, hehe.

I used a white cardstock for the base, adhered a pink patterned paper (I like that the colors aren't solid - what's the term for that?!), embossed a white cardstock, inked the embossed part, added baker's twine, then stamped!  Oh, I also inked the edges of the papers.  And chomped the corners - my favorite thing to do.  Hehe!

And here's how the back looks like!

I love how I was able to use my seldom-almost-never used stamps for this.  Luckily, I have this "air mail" stamp, so appropriate!  Not to forget, I used my new (and only) wood-mounted rubber stamp that says "hand stamped by:"  I love it!

Hope the recipient will love this as I had a wonderful time making it.  And looking at it!  Haha, parang anak lang!

Oh, just a sentiment, I wish I could take pictures better!  That's the next on my to-do list.  I swear, my postcard looks so much better in person!!  Haha!

I also made another card - this will be my sample card for the make and take portion of the crafting fair we'll be at on Saturday.

The theme is Christmas! :) This is an easel card (it stands up!) and I used abaca twine and kraft paper (to coordinate with the abaca) for the sentiments. :) Very easy to make, hope the audience will like this card as well. :)

I love weekends!  I wanna craft I wanna craft I wanna craft!!

Shameless Plug: The Present Project

I wasn't supposed to blog today.  I'm quite busy with work and hobby, and I have nothing in mind to write.

But!  I saw that the last couple of my posts were dated on the 9th of the month, and I thought today is the 9th (until a few seconds ago!).  So just to keep up with what I thought was an incidental "tradition", I'd like to invite you to visit our Facebook webpage: 

My crafting friends and I got together and decided to sell some homemade and handmade stuff- a good way to use our hobbies to finally get some return on investments.  Hehe!

We will be joining a craft fair in November and this page is to jump start the whole selling affair. :)  We're now accepting orders for your early Christmas shopping!

Thank you! :)

Goodbye, Sweet Thing :(

I have to say goodbye to my everyday wrist watch.  Well, to its strap, at least.  But it's not as easy as one would think!  I love watches and I loved this watch.  It was one souvenir, even if I was on a tight budget at that time, I told myself not to forget to buy.  It has a pink strap (yey) and it was on sale, too (double yey).  Maybe that's the reason why it retired too soon.  :(

Now I'm using my mom's watch.  And because I was the one who bought it for her, I like it, too.

But this watch...

Even if this is no longer pretty, this will always be that watch I got from New York.

I Blame the Rain

I am one with all the Filipinos who are praying fervently for the rain to stop. Who knew the clouds have THIS much water?

We don't live in a village or a subdivision. Actually, where we live has a notorious status. Let's just say I am not proud and happy that we live here.  But, it's times like this, just like when we had Ondoy, that I feel so blessed that our place doesn't get flooded (when I see exclusive subdivisions turn into rivers). Maybe it's not so bad to be here, after all. :)

Just like any other person working in the academe (falses consensus?!), I was one of those who wishes that school will be suspended (especially if there's no need to catch up on a lesson).  BUT! I am always careful with what I wish for -- class suspension with NO rain. And that happens quite often - as soon as they announce classes are suspended, rain stops.  Uncanny timing, I tell you. 

Still, I feel guilty :(. While my family and I are enjoying the comfort and safety of our own homes, a lot of people are wet, cold, hungry, and uncertain.  Wish I could go out today and help out  but my dad said I should wait a while, 'cause what if I were the one who gets stranded? He has a point. 

So, I am here, surfing the internet all day.  I can do some of my work in advance, but  the mood is just so wrong.  So I think of the thing that I like to think about the most - crafting. :)

I know it's unfair that I wallow in some sort of self-pity, more especially at this time of calamity, just because I can't afford to buy all those crafting tools that I want (yes, it took great courage on my part to admit that it's not a need!).  But this feeling has been lingering in me for a while now.  I just can't help but blame this relentless and inconsiderate rain for stirring up the lonely mood, for giving me extra time (to check eBay every so often and to drool over some crafting stuff!), and for inducing guilt in me.  For all the damages and casualties you are causing, I just gotta hate you.  

Yes, I know.  I've got to stop.  I'll be back another day to rant some more.  I hope the skies will be clearer tomorrow so I could finally go out and help. For now, I hope my prayers will do.  

Be safe, everyone. 

When 9gag Comes to Life!

Though I'm still adjusting with my current work, I've already found joy and satisfaction in most of the things I do.  I admit, many times I miss the comfort and routine of my old job, and the company of friends and my cute, little students (especially when your big students aren't the politest people you'll ever meet), but I have found my happy place.  Thank God.  And this drawing!

Laughing heartily, tears were flowing from my eyes when I was reading this!  When the class/exam ended, my student (the author and artist!) actually told me that he has a note for me.  I thought it was a letter of apology for not studying harder, since he's been complaining the whole test time.  Little did I know that I'll experience 9gag come to life after a couple of hours!

Thank you for this huge strand of laughter on a rainy day, you! :p

Hey, Psych Prof?

A student called me just that literally five minutes ago.  So... I'm basking in!  Hehe!

Here I am typing this blog from the library in Ateneo.  And it feels kind of different that I'm here not because I have something to study or there's a requirement to finish.  Uh-huh, uh-huh!  I have crossed the other side, baby!

People (and by people, I mean the two people who read my blog.  Haha! :p), I have resigned from my work as a grade school teacher and am now teaching in the collegiate level.  Why?  'cause I'm a poser like that! Haha!

I'm having a great time, so far!  Ateneo feels kind of more special now that I'm already a teacher here compared to when I was student.  I could think of a psychological explanation for that, but I am too lazy right now.

I actually also teach in La Salle, yeah, the rival school.  Why?  'cause I'm also impartial like that.  Hehe!  Truth be told, I just need money.  Hehe!

I don't want to be too sentimental about this career shift that I did because I have other stuff to think about.  But when I try to concentrate and take it all in, I feel so blessed that another dream has come true.  Back in 2002, I was a college freshman and thought of semi-wanting to be like my professors.  But since I had other plans in mind (pre-school teacher was one), plus the fact that I didn't know a lot back then (not that I'm saying that I know A LOT now, alright?!) and didn't deem myself worthy, that professor-plan took a back seat.

Until I was almost done with my Master's.  HEY!  I am through with my MA!  Would you believe that?!  This blog formed a life with all my rants and angst about grad school!  Haha!  Wow, I can't believe I haven't made an official announcement about that!  Not that it matters AT ALL, but still! :p

So anyway, here I am now.  Not that I ever doubted it, but God must really love me. :)  I'm still adjusting with EVERYTHING (Adjustment #1: the drive to Manila is insane, you gotta hate it), but happily learning all that I can from this dream-like experience.  And enjoying all those remarks about how I still look like a student!  Hahaha!


That's it - I'm ending this blog entry with that vain thought so it will linger on you (and you'll be disgusted, haha!)!