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!

When we realized that what we wanted to do was to teach, andrea and I have resigned ourselves to a simple life. In the Philippines, you see, teaching is not such a lucrative job so teachers do not normally get enough to buy a lot of things like cars, a large house and lot, or go on out of town trips, etc.

The trips, we’ve accepted already, but we refuse to give up on the hopes of buying ourselves a car, a house, and a lot of our own. This is why we’ve recently looked into setting up a business of some sort to augment income.

A few months ago,  when I sold my motorcycle to get some money for andrea’s D&C procedure, we were able to save a small amount for a billiard table. Optimistic because of the success of billiard tables in the bar/store set up by andrea’s dad in UP Bliss, we figured we might as well try the same idea. So when papu (andrea’s dad) finished setting up another bar in Payatas this time, we agreed to put up our own billiard table. At 15 a game, and in an area close to the tricycle terminal, we estimated q quick return of investment.

Unfortunately, things were not to turn out way the way we predicted. Almost three months after, we are not even close to getting back 1/4 of the money we invested. Now, we’re looking into the idea of moving the table elsewhere, perhaps closer to a place with more foot traffic and nearer to people more willing to spend to play. I don’t know. Our first business venture is turning out to be a struggle.

After turning down the house in Beverly Hills, we went back to looking for other options. Our search for a house continues. So far we’ve tried the internet for postings, our friends for referrals, and even bank listings for foreclosures.

We’re considering settling for smaller lots just as long as the money we’re spending, instead of going out as just rent, slowly earns us our own property. I figured the sooner we start paying for one, the sooner we end spending senselessly-lost money, the sooner we get a property of our own.

Unfortunately, lady luck continues to become elusive. I guess it’s God’s way of saying we’re not yet ready for such a huge investment. I’m praying that means would come our way when we finally become ready to do so.

I really want a house of our own. I can’t stop obsessing about it lately. Hahaha!