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!

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.

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!

Who needs weight loss pills when you’re a coordinator?

The bulk of the work that subject area coordinators in school does is given not during the school year but during summer vacation, when everyone else is relaxing and getting fat.

No, I’m not trying to complain. How could I? There are several perks that come with the title. First, coordinators have flexi-time. We supposedly have no regular schedule for log-ins and outs so long as we fulfill a 40-hour per week quota. Second, we have less subjects to teach, therefore we supposedly have less preparations than others. Third, there is a substantial amount added to our pay for the extra responsibilities that we’re given.

However, just like any other position, being a coordinator comes with several banes as well. First, the supposedly decreased amount of paperwork (for lessons), is replaced with logistic paperwork – letters, circulars, proposals, sponsorships, budgets, requisitions, schedules, etc. Every time there is a science-related activity, may it be a contest, a field trip, or a science week, letters, circulars and other logistic concerns are made by coordinators. Second, yes we do have less subjects to prepare for, but we have to check all the papers – activity sheets, quizzes, test drafts, of all the other teachers in the department. How’s that for a trade-off? Hehe! Third, because we constantly receive and send stuff to and from other teachers, our work doesn’t really stop after logging off from school. Most of the time, I email instructions and materials to co-teachers in the department. Other times I receive and check stuff from them. So we may log-off early in some days but we never really stop work early. In fact, I can’t even help working during weekends.

So why did I agree to become a coordinator? Well, why shouldn’t I? First and foremost, being asked to handle such a huge responsibility means people see my potential to handle more. Second, it’s an excellent opportunity for growth and development, to see how much more I can learn, to test how much I can handle. And I’ve learned so much from two years of leading the department. So for as long as I can, and so long as people want me to, I’ll continue to handle the science department. After all, I’ve got a lot of good teachers to help me with the whole program.

Every  year, in school, there’s a week when we drop all school materials and play to our heart’s content. More popularly known to the students as the sportsfest, the intramural this year will happen on the 16th to the 19th of February.

Once again, there will be four teams competing for the title of best group for the year – the Red Minotaurs, the Blue Harpies, the Green Hydras, and the Yellow Djinns. The colors basically remain the same but the names of the teams change based on a yearly theme. This year’s theme is mythical creatures and unfortunately I was selected to head the Green Hydras with the help of my co-coaches, Teachers Ayi and Erik.

I don’t know how things in the intramural are going to turn out. I’m still just thankful that the Science Week is over and we were able to pull things off. I plan to take it easy this time and let the high school students and my co-coaches take over the supervision of the team. I’ve given the kids instructions on how to manage themselves and given them some tips and strategies for the games. I hope everything works out well. I don’t want the sportsfest week to be as draining as the previous week. I’ve had enough alli diet pills in the form of schedule conflicts and last-minute finding of judges in the Science Expo. I’m not gonna make myself any thinner, at least not that way.

I’m vowing to enjoy myself this time. Winning would be the icing on top, but a break from all the work is rewarding enough.

When I was still taking up Biology in college, we were required to take an Organic Chemistry course. It was probably one of the most relevant chemistry subjects that I ever took up because most of the things I learned there, I can directly connect with real life. Not to mention, I’m teaching the same lessons to my students now.

It was really memorable and, I must say, really well-taught because I’m using the same techniques that I remember being taught with and my grade 5 students seem to comprehend, if not totally understand, what I’m saying. In fact, for the past few meetings, I’ve been using complex terms and acronyms such as CLA, TCA, and ATP and the responses and questions my students give suggest they’re getting the idea.

Looking back, I just wish all my other Chemistry subjects in high school and in college were as nicely-delivered as my Organic Chemistry class. But then again, maybe it’s the content that made it easier to swallow. I do hope I’m doing well enough for my students to consider my class as memorable.

Who needs sleeping pills when you’re a teacher?

They’re the least things that we would want. Especially now that Science Week is less than a week away, all the preparations and paperwork that need to be done are piling up. I need even the nights to finish all the planning and logistics.

What I do need is a way to squeeze in a few more hours in a day, or the photocopy machine and all the printers to work, or for all the science teachers to rest and recuperate for next week’s activities. What I need is coffee to get me through the night of extended planning and paperwork. I need inspiration. I need a sign to tell me that everything is going to work out fine next week. I need to stop worrying!

I need to sleep! Oh, perhaps I do need a sleeping pill after all! Hehehe!

What is the best way to lose weight?

That depends on certain restrictions you have and your basic definition of what best means.

For example, for those who equate best with the fastest, the best method to lose pounds would be to undergo surgical procedures such as liposuction. These methods take less than a day to produce results and require very little effort. That is if you have no money problem.

However, for those whose definition of best is healthiest, then the combination of regular exercise and good diet is a common choice. The only problem with this is that results do not show very quickly and tremendous discipline is required.

Others that do not have space in their schedules for regular exercise routines consider dieting (a.k.a. fasting) as the best method for losing weight. They just simply cut down on carbohydrate intake and then go on with their usual thing.  It’s the least disruptive and least expensive technique. I’m just not sure if it’s the healthiest though.

As for me, the best way to lose weight is to play. When I was still in college, I used to play basketball with my friends at least once a week. During my first year of teaching, I used to play soccer at least twice a week. Unfortunately, now, I don’t have time to play any of those games anymore. I do however play with my son. It may not be as physically strenuous as basketball or soccer, but i have to admit. Mateo really makes me sweat a lot. Not to mention, we usually end up out of breath from all the running and wrestling.