His Name is Jerry

      One of the best memories that can brighten my day is the times when my brother Jerry and I were growing up together. Born just a year after I was born, our lives intertwined and our parent's decisions were always dependent on how the two of us could benefit from each other. May it be the choices of clothes, toys, foods and trainings to the schools we went and friends we had, our life story was always one. I was his elder sister and he was my younger brother and we should always be together. The decision that was established by our parents after a failure attempt of giving me away to my Pa's sister. My Aunt refused to take me for the reason that I was a very fragile and underweight infant.Ma and Pa were left without a choice but to keep us together.
     While we were growing, we both learned how to negotiate, give ways and stick together in any events of our daily activities. Jerry was the only playmate, partner, defender, helper and follower that I ever had. Ma who is a typical disciplinarian, would always use our Pa's belt to discipline both of us whenever we made a mistake. I can still remember, the two of us crying and counting our marks after the beating session. We got support and strength as we consoled each other that when we grow, finish our education and have a job we can get out of the "hell" together. There were nights when, I would woke up just to stare at my brother who calmly sleep on his side of the bed. At my young age, I was aware that he is one of the reasons why I stayed positive in my outlooks in life. However, things bounded to change when we started going to school.
     We both excelled in our academics but for whatever reasons, I became the darling of the crowd. My brother lived within my shadow and endured the same expectations  as mine. I became an object of comparison whenever he attempted to have his identity. He struggled for years and I became so selfish too as I drunk to every achievement I had. Despite of the silent competition, we remained partners in facing the challenges of both school and family.
    We first went to the same university and I had started to see my brother's attempt to have his own identity and stay away from my shadow. I had chosen a different lifestyle which was a little deviant to the conservative upbringing we used to have.  I was drawn to the things of the world while my brother introduced me as his "cousin" to some people instead of sister. To my closed friends he was my brother but to his associates I was his cousin. I graduated from the university and left to become a wandering gypsy. It was the time for my brother to finally have himself. He made a daring move to find his own identity which I believed he succeeded. We parted ways and communication was and is not that often anymore. Each of us dealt with our crisis and fought for who we are. The road is not easy and both of us encountered tough situations.
     Years went by and there are things in the past that are totally forgotten. When we met again, I was a little bit surprised when he addressed me with my first name instead of the typical "Manang". The address given to an elder sister of our family which literally our parent's expression of respect. He is more knowledgeable and smarter in the field he chose. Somehow, we got different ways at looking and approaching situations that we are both aware of. That  is why a silent respect can be felt whenever we discuss matters.My brother has really gone a long way. He overcame and succeeded over some major blows of his life. He made his name in his field which is entirely different from mine. I am sure he beat life's odds and found himself. Whenever both of us got troubles, we still called and get support from each other. Once my brother asked me, "Jing, what are we going to do?" I smiled because I knew that no matter what I still have my brother whom I have known since we were kids. He is my brother and his name is Jerry.

I Climbed, I Conquered and I Won

        I love the sunny days of Arizona but having the sun still shining brightly by 5:00 pm is another story. The sun is just one of my agonies. Let me add my car that  am having difficulty to start and my desire of going to the church which is located by the other side of the hill. The boyfriend of my neighbor who parked his Harley Davidson right behind my car intimidated me too. I was really struggling whether I will walk or just stay and continue watching my favorite TV show. Eventually, I decided to go.

       Clad in my walking attire, I started the enduring hike under the sun towards the stiff hills. It was really an effort that after 5 meters I  stopped, looked and thought of going back. I struggled again. I glanced back to my house and looked forward to the hill. "Man!!! it is still very far" I uttered with frustration. I was also thinking of a higher hill to climb on the way back and I was positive that the sun won't set until around 7:00 pm. I thought, "it was too much for me". I took a deep breath and turn around on the left side of the hill. I saw the awesome pictures of my city and on the other side, the city of Nogales, Mexico.  I let myself drunk into the beauty that surrounded me. I started to notice a cotton tail staring at me under the Mesquite tree. I forgot about my miseries. I was so mesmerized by the beauty and fascinated by the idea that I was standing on the highest side of the city.

      I started my journey to the top and descended to another side of the hill to climb another one. I forgot the heights of my terrain, I kept going. I noticed the beautiful old houses, flowers and dogs that I did not notice before despite the fact that I am driving on the same street daily. As usual, I met a border patrol car while I was struggling on my way to the top of the second hill. Still, I got the inspiration to smile at the agent which he gladly returned too.Though, I was not certain if it was a smile of amusement or whatever. I arrived at the church in time for the Eucharistic celebration to start. I was feeling great as I tried to grasp the Spanish homily.

      After the celebration, I started to heed back with a song and a smile on my lips. The sun was still painful to the skin and the climb was more difficult and longer. This time, it did not bother me anymore. I passed through some old folks drinking coffee by their patio. They waved and greeted me cheerfully with "Buenos tardes!". I waved at them and gave them my sweetest smile as I said "gracias". As I ascended to the highest peak of the hill, I was again greeted by the same border patrol car. I again smiled and he waved back to me.Once again when I reached peak, I stopped, raised my arms and breathed the refreshing afternoon air. I stayed for few minutes to check the views of two cities from two different countries. Then, off I continued my journey down to my house.

    As I looked back to the hill, it was really stiff. However, I learned something. It is not the height of the hills or the heat of the sun that could have stopped me. It is my attitude. The experience also taught me that view differs depending on which angle I will see it. I made it to my journey. I got my daily Bread. I met some good people. I conquered my weakness. Life is indeed beautiful.

Students as Teachers' Reflection

     To stand in front of students is a great honor that  teachers can have. This opportunity completes the fullness of being teachers. Teachers become teachers because there are students.However, there is something unique in teaching. Often, teachers do not only see what the students' future might be, but also, the reflection of their own future. TEACHERS OWN FUTURE. Some young and carefree  students  might not give so much thoughts about the teachers' daily gospels and may look at them as the same nagging words they heard from their homes. As part of teenagers' defiant nature, they may resist and totally deny them. The rebellious and defiant nature is surely brought by raging hormones of physiological growth. The same hormones experienced by teachers many decades ago. Infact, both teachers and students experience exactly same battles, only at different periods. No one has ever been exempted in engaging into these struggles of growth. All have to pass this stage because this is  the dynamics of life. With these dynamics, life is indeed a battle to beat or to enjoy.

      Dynamics are processes which all generations have been created and bounded to pursue. They are processes that are interrelated and can not be broken. One unique aspects of dynamics is the reality of cause and effect. What has been molded, built and created today,  will become the realities and the pictures of tomorrow. Considering this principle of dynamics, the students whom  teachers are administering today will become the agents to continue what is being done in the coming years. If something goes wrong within the process of building, the effect will be seen later. There is no available options that will offer every generation the things it wants to take or trash those that it does not want to embrace. Things, events and situations will manifest as they are, depending on how they were or are processed. There is no escape.

     In the end, we, as today's generation of teachers are doing our vocations to the best we can,  to be sure that the wonderful world and life that had been won by our fore parents will continue to flourish so that next generation will savour the fullness of  rights for an ideal place to live with dignity. Time will pass and so our time. We will grow old, retire and expire. Our students will mature and will leave the teen stage of life. Together with the passing time is the expectation that both we, the teachers and they, the students,  must  accomplish the roles and responsibilities expected. This reality is now in the process of transition from us to our students. The transition is often hard and difficult. Conflict, rejection, insult as well as acceptance, support and affirmation are inevitable. They are all part of the awesome package called LIFE.  Life is a school that offers free learning and its lessons are maybe harsh and painful or adorable and inspiring. Most of the time, the wealth of its wisdom is hidden and only the persevering souls discover them. That is why, it is a luxury given to the chosen few. As one of many teachers around the world, my daily prayer is:" LORD, TODAY HELP ME MAKE A REFLECTION THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU."

Easter

Christmas will be useless if there is no Easter. It is during Easter that the fulfillment of Jesus' God-ship is confirmed. Therefore, rejoice and celebrate our salvation!!!