Summer is almost here. It’s the best time for students because it gives them a long reprieve from school, lots of time for hanging out with friends, more time to go to the mall, or simply more time for relaxing. For teachers, however, that’s not the case. Because so of many reasons, summer is not as fun as it was when we were the ones studying (not teaching).

You see, during summer, teachers only get a month of rest as compared to students who get the whole of April and May off. (Of  course we’re still better off than those in the corporate scene who don’t get any month free.) By May, we undergo training programs and a massive paper production for the incoming school year.

Second, whatever buffs (financially I mean) we get during the school year are taken away because we do not perform special roles during summer. We don’t take care of advisory classes or clubs, or go to contests and stuff. So basically, our salaries are reduced significantly. We can’t even augment our income by means of part time work somewhere else because job opportunities outside are also reduced during summer.

For example, part-time wedding coordination was a good source of additional income. We used to help out our friend who went into the said business a year ago. She would put andrea and me in charge of wedding accessories as well of being ushers. However, wedding season peaks during the cold months. Nowadays people rarely get married during summer unless it’s a beach wedding. Also, since students have a lot of free time on their hands, a lot of them go into part time work to earn extra during the break (reducing opportunities for us).

Third, summer heat is only fun when you’re on the beach, when water is available anytime you want to take a dip. It becomes such a nuisance when working. It makes you sweaty without even moving. It makes you sleepy. It makes you sluggish. It makes you want to stay home and spend the rest of the day locked up inside your air-conditioned room.

I guess that’s part of growing up. Summer eventually loses its appeal, just like a lot of other things. Huhu!

I currently have an MSI Wind U100+. I bought this last year for 2 main reasons.

First, since we wanted to retire our 4-year old NEO laptop but didn’t have the money to get the latest laptop units, we settled on purchasing a smaller and significantly cheaper computer. While the newest models would range in price from 30k to 60k, the newbie netbooks were selling for 18 to 25k.

Second, I needed something handy as a replacement for our 4-year old laptop. Since I planned on going to school on a bike, we saw it reasonable to get a smaller, but not necessarily more powerful on-the-go computer.

Now, after almost 8 months of use, I’m used to the smaller screen resolution, space-saving keypad, and undeniably light weight of my netbook. Although it could still use a few upgrades, I’m relatively happy with it. I can work on my presentations, my spreadsheets, my documents and my mails almost anywhere. Heck, I could even listen to music or watch movies while drinking coffee. Of course it would be a bit more convenient if I had a Bluetooth headset so I wouldn’t look to goofy bringing out headphones in the middle of the cafe, or perhaps a wireless mouse so I wouldn’t need to clutter my table with wires, but otherwise it’s okay. The 6-cell battery already eliminates the need for chargers while outside so that’s already a big plus. Not to mention, I can still play Frozen Throne on this tiny thing. Hahaha!

I think I go on with this for a little while longer…

There are a few things that really bother me enough to keep me awake when I’m already tired and sleepy. Unfortunately, one of them is toothache. In fact, the last time I experienced one, it took me two tablets of painkiller just to get some reprieve, which is why I’m always on the lookout for tooth decay.

Call me OC, but I take a long time to brush. Although I usually brush twice a day only, I gargle regularly even in between meals. Sometimes, after flossing, I even probe my teeth with a finger just to check if there are developing soft spots especially near the gums.

Don’t be mistaken. It’s not for vanity’s sake. There are various Plano cosmetic dentists for such things as whiteness or luster. What I’m really more concerned about is plain old tooth decay and the relentless unnecessary tooth ache that follows it. As much as possible, I never want to experience another wave of toothache for as along as I live.

After spending a lot of time being a high school adviser, I’ve come to realize that sexual urges and natural sexual curiosity start very early. You see, before teaching, I used to think that sexual attraction begins during college years. The freedom from curfews, own rides, the drinks, the willingness and reciprocation make the late teen years and early twenties the most conducive time for such things. Now  I start to wonder.

During the last seven years that I’ve taught in high school, I’ve encountered several disciplinary cases of sexual nature in high school. Is this merely a coincidence or am I just refusing to accept statistics? Perhaps I’m just hesitating because I too have a child now.

I don’t want to think that my child or children is/are gonna grow up in a world where teenagers casually engage in sex, where herpes simplex is treated as nothing more than a common cold virus, or where virginity is a taboo. I am not a conservative person, nor am I claiming to be a saint. But I don’t think that sex is something that young (or more appropriately hormonal) people should be engaging in. I mean, even the smartest person can be reduced to a drooling idiot by a rush of hormones.

I don’t want mateo to make rush decisions later on, nor do I want him to regret the decisions he makes for the rest of his life. There is a reason why sexual maturity doesn’t happen early. It has to come with wisdom and the ability to discern. I do hope the next generations realize that before it’s too late.

Andrea and I have been blogging for more than 3 years now. It all started out as an experiment, a past time, a form of expression. But for the past three years, we’ve been depending on our blogs for survival.

We’ve started monetizing our blogs a few months after we started posting. With Andrea’s knack for writing and tinkering, she found several means for us to earn by blogging. We’ve tried submitting our blogs to web directories, joining blog societies by reading and commenting on other blogs, and even optimizing blog appearance to increase traffic.

In the past 3 years, our earnings have gone up and down erratically but it still manages to keep us afloat especially during dire circumstances. We’re yet to feel the effects of optimization though but we’re slowly learning to optimize our blogs.

Lately I’ve been having trouble sleeping. I’ve been waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning when I should be sleeping till 6. I know it’s supposed to be good because I have more time for preparations but I’m also worried about my health. After all, I’m not exactly an early sleeper. So whenever I wake up early, I don’t get 8 hours of sleep.

Now, I’m seriously thinking about medication. I even find myself browsing through the best sleeping pills in the net to find which one is the safest. That is, of course, if I don’t find a way to sleep soundly on my own.

I do hope all these is just temporary. Perhaps I’m just being too restless. Maybe I just have a lot of things on my mind. Or perhaps I’m just unlucky. I don’t know. I hope I get more sleep later.

It’s 3 in the morning and I can’t believe I’m up and looking at diet supplement reviews. I woke up about an hour ago and I couldn’t go back to sleep so I started browsing. Now, here I am writing in front of the computer about absolutely nothing. I have no idea where this composition is heading. I have no intended directions whatsoever. And I’m letting my fingers do the thinking for me.

I guess this is what it feels like to be in limbo. I do hope that sleep comes soon because this just feels really weird. I’m usually a bit more structured when I write so this is a first for me. Hopefully the last too. Hey, this feels pretty much like a twitter doesn’t it?

What the heck? Guess I’ll try to get some sleep now.

Looking back at the intrams (especially the last day), I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and appreciation after the Hydras (the team I was assigned to co-coach) have won their well-earned victory. Seeing them sweat, cry, and get back on their feet several times after falling down is not just inspiring. It was uplifting and downright humbling, which is why I tried my best to be with them every time they played, all the way to the very last competition.

I mean, as one of the coaches, I could’ve just directed them from afar, stayed away from the sun and have given them instructions from somewhere a little bit more comfortable. But how can I do that? How can I hide under the shade when my players were out there under the sun, giving everything they’ve got in order to win each and every game? How can I complain when my players were still refusing to be replaced despite receiving wounds and several scrapes? How can I not give my best in leading them when they were giving 200% of everything they have?

I just couldn’t. So I did the only thing I can. I tried to be with them in almost all the games. During the last day, despite having an almost inaudible voice, I shouted. Every single time we had a break I taught them how to sing for the cheering competition. I even practiced the dance with them the whole afternoon.

No, it wasn’t about burning belly fat. It wasn’t about my duty as a coach. It was about giving them back what they give the whole team. We were a team and we stayed as a team throughout the whole intramural. So when the winners were finally called, I can’t help but feel proud and grateful to have been included in this team.

My throat hurts. I still haven’t recovered my voice from coaching for 3 straight days. My muscles hurt too from all the jumping, cheering and dancing we did.

If all of these happened seven years ago, I would not have had these much problems after the intramural. I guess age really is catching up to me. It’s just that I refuse to accept it… being with kids and all everyday. This must be reality’s way of biting me in the ass to remind me that I am not, and will never be, immortally young and carefree… that I should be looking out for my family already, selecting the best insurance quote, buying college assistance, setting up an account for them to get in case something bad happens, etc.

Because seven years from now, I’d probably still be teaching, and would probably still be experiencing the intrams (not necessarily as coach anymore) but complaining about more aches than ever. I just hope that by that time, I’m more prepared mentally and my family is a bit more secured. I just can’t see myself not teaching.

After 3 days of constant mental and physical challenges, I’ve finally gotten some time to rest. Now, that everything is slowly going back to normal and I have a bit more time on my hand, I’m starting to feel the stress in my body.

My legs hurt and muscles all over my body are sore. Not to mention, the skin on my arms (and face) are strikingly different in color from the rest of my body after being under the sun for so long. I’ve also lost my voice and have resulted to whispering to andrea and mateo. I’ve even grown a slight shade of mustache, and my cheeks are surprisingly shiny. If I’m not mistaken, dental implants Mexico-style, and a wig are all all that’s needed, and I’d probably not recognize myself in the mirror anymore. Haha!

However, despite all the stress and the face-altering after effects of the intrams, I’m still proud to have led the most fun team in the school – the Green Hydras. And for as long as the after effects stay, I’ll be tanned, sore and happy knowing I’ve been a part of that wonderful team! Go hydras!