27
Dec

Sleepless in Maine

By ruthinian 3 Comments
Categories: reflections

I still wake up in the middle of night trying to catch my precious breath… panting and dripping wet in perspiration despite below zero temperature.

Spending sleepless nights is not new to me. I may not be a night person but there would be times that I would wake up in the middle of the night for no reason at all. Well, the trips to the bathroom is not considered a valid reason but I have been spending sleepless nights for over a week now and there is no way I can catch up with my beauty sleep during the day too [unlike before] because of my present change of predicament.

It has been a week now since I had that almost fatal car accident at Waterboro Road but the scene keeps playing on my mind over and over again and I can’t seem to make it stop. The scene keeps coming back too even when I am wide awake. And it keeps bugging me every single moment that I am not destructed by my work load. For a change, this is the only instance that “work – per se” works as a destruction… in a most positive way.

It’s hard to start the day when you didn’t have a good night sleep. But the situation in the home front is kinda different now since I got my new job. I couldn’t be happier to do a “real” job now after being a bum stay-at-home wife for almost two years. But what makes my day even worse is that I had to drive down the same road [where I had the car accident] to go to work and back everyday now because that is the shortest route to reach my workplace. And I have no choice. I need a job so I need to deal with my fear everyday from now on.

On the hindsight, the accident opened up my heart to really understand the meaning of life. It gave me a chance to really know how precious life is. It gave me an opportunity to appreciate God’s gift without reservation and doubt. It gave me the possibility to see the goodness in other people and strangers alike who stopped on the road ready to help us. And more importantly, it gave me a second chance to live life to the fullest with a different perspective… a renewed hope… and a stronger faith in God.

NOTE: To read about the full detail of the car acciddent… click here.

27
Oct

Calling All My FORMER STUDENTS…. Again!

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: Current Affairs and Students
Tags: , ,

Last month I was so inspired to start a blog for my former students. The idea popped up out of nowhere and the next thing I knew I was all over the computer and customizing templates and lay-outs, designing headers and installing widgets for 5 blogs. Yes, 5 blogs – 3 of which are for my former school - Liliw National High School. Ok, I was easily carried away. I always do thing over-the-top. And I am so crazy about blogging.

Last month after I posted the announcement regarding this “so called blogs” for my students, I received lots of replies and feedbacks [positive ones] and pledges. I responded to the replies and promises were made.

So, last month I did start the blogs and had it operational and published online. And from all the replies and pledges that I received and replied to… only one did submit his entry. Now I am still waiting for the rest who promised me to submit their contributions. As usual, I am here again begging just like the old days. Hahahaha. The only problem now is that… I cannot demand. I have no right anymore to make an ultimatum. I cannot even give a deadline. And worse I cannot use “Grade” as my bribe or means to blackmail these guys to submit the write-up.

 

Since last month, I am waiting for the write-ups that “YOU” my former students promised me for The Spring Online and Ang Bukal. These blogs are now ready for the taking. The only problem is that… there is nothing you can take from them. They have nothing in it. They are patiently waiting for you guys. So please submit your entries soonest. You can e-mail your contribution to angbukal@yahoo.com

28
Aug

NOT STRICTLY FOR MY FORMER STUDENTS

By ruthinian 5 Comments
Categories: Current Affairs and Students
Tags: , ,

It has been a long time since I last posted here. Well, you know the reason. Now I am posting again but this is more of an ANNOUNCEMENT rather than the usual article that I used to write here.

Many of you already know that I was a former teacher in High School and back then, I used to handle the school paper and trained students as campus journalists and prepared them for different inter-school competitions for campus journalism. And I can proudly say that we always bring home the bacon everytime we compete.

Other than doing the school paper, and teaching my students writing techniques and lay-outing, I also developed a special bond with them. And that is something that I can’t forget. That is something that I know gave me a strong reason why I have this strong passion for writing. And that is something that I will always charish as long as I live.

Yesterday, I went for my regular run-jog-walk [not necessarily in the same order] and an idea popped up out of nowhere. When I came home I immediately posted a Bulletin here and the next day I got two replies from my former students who are willing to join me and tolerate my yet another “crazy idea”.

I am planning to put up another blog… yes… another one. Did I tell you that I have added 2 more blogs since the last time I announce it here? Yup… I have 2 more Ruthilicious and the latest, barely a week old baby… changing seasons. Hope you check on it. Anyway, yes I want to make another blog but this blog will not be mine. I mean I will start it… do the lay-out… the design… the concept… write a bit but most of the work will come from my former students - most specifically those students who were once part of my Editorial Staff. I am asking them to write again and I will post their contributions in that blog and they can read and view them wherever part of the world they may be. This is for me a great idea because most of my former students are already working either in the Philippines or abroad… some are already married… and few of them are already teachers like me.

And since I posted this “crazy idea” in the Bulletin yesterday, and received 2 positive replies I need to come up with…

The Mechanics for Submitting Blog Post Entry

1.       Write anything and everything you want as long as it is free of hatred, pornographic, and any defamatory or slanderous words that are meant to harm other people. Suggested topics or themes for your post that you would like to share are the following:

-          Your own success story

-          Your personal struggle and triumph

-          Your blessings

-          Your hopes and dreams

-          News about you or other people [but  not TSISMIS]

-          News about our own Town [this is very  important for those Liliwenos who are based abroad who would like to keep updated]

-          Advise

-          And other important topics that you think worth writing about

2.       Post entry should be written in English.

     Explanation: Since I will be using the internet to publish the article it will be read by people all over the world and English is the most appropriate language to use for obvious reason.

3.       Post should have a minimum of 100 words.

4.       Post should be sent to me through my email address: ruthinian@yahoo.com with photo/s attached.

    [Explanation: I will need the photos to insert in your post so that it will have a good lay-out.] Photo/s could be your own or anything that you think is appropriate with your post.

5.       Include you personal data at the last part of your email for proper identification. Personal data includes but not limited to:

-          YOUR Full name and/or Maiden name [if you are female and already married]

-          Name of your husband/wife and child/children [if applicable]

-          Year Graduated from LNHS or Batch Year

-          Current age

-          Birthday

-          Residence

-          Favorite subject in HS

-          Unforgettable experience in MY class [wink*]

6.       Have an open mind and a sunny attitude.

 

NOTE: This blog that I am planning to put up will be the internet version of your old “The Spring”. Its working title will temporarily called… THE SPRING ONLINE… until I came up with a more appropriate title for it. And since this will sort of be the school paper I used to handle [with a minor innovation] I BADLY NEED THE HELP OF ALL MY FORMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEFs AND EDITORIAL STAFFERs…. Tulungan nyo ako at ng may magawa naman tayong kapakipakinabang. Hahahaha

At para don sa mga DATI KONG ESTUDYANTE na di naman nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magsulat inaanyayahan ko din kayong magsulat because I know there are lots of you out there who can write and have the talents and skills to write.

AT DOON PO NAMAN SA MGA GRADUATES AND ALUMNI NG LILIW NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL NA DI AKO NAGING GURO… PERO INTERESADO KAYO… SIGE SALI DIN KAYO AT NG MAS MASAYA. 

There you go. I don’t know if I am really doing the right thing. But all I know is that I need to do something with these kids. I want to remain a part of their success because their success is also mine. I have never realized that the teacher’s work doesn’t end in the classroom. It doesn’t stop when the bell rang. It doesn’t end when they already graduated and received their diploma. The teacher’s work continues as long as you live because living is a continuous teaching and learning process.

15
May

my other HANG-OUTs

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

I still have not stopped blogging as-a-matter-of-factly, I was just hanging out somewhere for reasons to many to mention. Anyway, here where you can find me [in case you miss me (^-^)]… Ruthi’s breathingSpace (my day-to-day blog and dollar earner site), a carpenter’s WIFE’s tool box (my daily journal about married life in general), sa puso at isip (my tagalog blog), myREFUGE (blog for my literary trial-and-error) and my cup of Tea (my blog for my no-non-sense thoughts, whatever that means).

Hope to see yah there. I will appreciate if you could pay me a visit.

And oh, I almost forgot. I am also co-authoring two other sites with a new found Friend Vienna… My Pink Notes and Bizarre Marriage. Hope you check it out too.

24
Mar

I am taking a LEAVE of ABSENCE from this blog site, indefinitely

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: Current Affairs

As you all have noticed by now, especially those of you who are really reading my post (but never leave a comment, hehehe) I have not posted blogs here for quite awhile like I used to. And it’s been a long time since I last posted my latest blog.

Well, I am busy posting blogs in other websites that I presently manage. It’s not that I like these new websites more, it’s just that I am making more money there (LOL). Nope, I am not hired by any of the websites that I am talking about. I am just making money for posting there so I spend more time there than here.

Another thing is that, I am running out of ideas to write for this blog site and thought posting the same write-up to 7 different websites is kinda boring to me now. Sorry, I had to admit that I do that most of the time before.

Anyway, to those interested to see/read my new and latest blogs, you can go to BlogSpots (I got 4 different blogs there including a tagalog site) or WordPress to check it out (if you have time). And just for an update on my whereabouts, I still do ice-fishing and joined the Sabago and Statewide Ice-fishing Derby recently. Sadly, we didn’t catch anything but colds. LOL. 

Well, I miss you guys. This will be my last post for the time being. But I still hope that I will find the time to do something special for “naggingTHOUGHTS”, but right now, I have new “babies” I need to pay more attention to. See yah, there. Hope you can leave comment there too.

03
Mar

I don’t like Monday

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: just a THOUGHT

It’s the day of the week when I usually get cranky for reasons too many to mention. But for what it’s worth, this is the day of the week that I need to deal with whether I like it or not.

After a busy and frustrating weekend of shoveling and plowing the driveway, garage roof, and walkway (not necessarily in that order) with hubby, I can now feel the tightening of muscles around my arms and thighs. The snow we gathered last snow storm amounted to 2 feet and a half and that means a lot of work and a lot to loath.

But that is not really the main reason why I don’t like Monday. It’s just one of the reasons because it is the recent one. I always hate Monday for as long as I can remember. Monday being the start of the weekday gives me reason to brag about how bad the weekend was or how I wish weekend would be a little longer when I had so much fun. I hate Monday because weekend is too way far to have another rest. I hate Monday because I still have to go through Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday then Friday… before it will be weekend again.

Monday is the start of the week and with every start you need a new perspective or continue with the old one. But Monday will never go and so I have to deal with it. Maybe next Monday it will be a different Monday. And who knows? I might love it then. Then, I will write another blog… I like Monday now.

26
Feb

the frustrated writer… is a splogger

By ruthinian 5 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

I am a splogger!

That’s what a lady called me in another website where I recently signed up for. Despite the fact that I really don’t have any clue what it means, I was hurt. I was humiliated. And I was disappointed.

It’s not a major thing, actually. But the thing is… I am a writer. Or at least I believe so. And that’s where the problem begins. This is not just a simple "thing."  It’s a big one… huge. Because for me, you are talking about life here.

Writing is my passion. It is my first love. And I would have been married to it if I had not met the love of my life. But even if I got married, I still continue a secret relationship with "it" because I just couldn’t put an end to our romance. You know the saying… "first love never dies." … that’s how it is with me and my writing.

Every writer believes that he is good at his craft. Every writer takes pride of his writings. Every writer loves to know that his write-ups have an audience. And every writer needs to feel good about his writings.

When I was called a "splogger" by a lady who happens to be the one who is the top earner in that website,  I was disappointed. She wrote… "You are a splogger and a splogger is not welcome here." I felt I was convicted of a crime and sentenced to death. For what crime? For publishing my collection of write-ups (all 7 of them in 1 day). By the way she puts it, I assumed that "a splogger" is somebody who is greedy enough to post all his write-ups depriving other authors to have their articles published. Or maybe, I am also guessing… since an author gets points for publishing his write-up and gets paid for the quantity and quality of his post… I speculate that "splogger" means someone who might be a threat to her current position. I don’t know. I said I was just guessing.

Okay, okay, I was guilty. I was carried away. And I over did it. When I posted a couple of write-ups the moment I signed up and received some comments for it, I was elated. So what do you think it felt like? I was so excited and posted more from my collection. But maybe there are rules and regulations about it. Maybe it was my fault that I didn’t know about that rules. And maybe I was plain naive. But I can’t use this as an alibi. A writer doesn’t take alibi for his action… he takes responsibility. So I deleted all the entries I posted the day I read that comment (excepts those entries, that already have some comments on it out of respect for those people who took time and effort to read my write-ups).

Actually, there are two people who reacted on my "splogging". The first one has nice words for me and gave me constructive criticism. She gave me some tips how to be more effective in the website and assured me that she just wanted me to start on the right foot and even encouraged me to write more but give considerations to other members. And the second one… she literally told me that - I am not welcome in the website.

Words are important for writers. These are their tools to make their ideas tangible. And words are powerful. So powerful that it can make or break a person. The comments I received were just words but they were so powerful. But they also say - it is not what you say, but how you say it. Two different comments but both affected me so much that I suddenly felt its blow that impacted me so bad. So bad that I came up to the realization that I am just a "frustrated writer."

I stopped writing after that. I stopped writing to give myself a time to lick my wounds. And I just stopped. Then I realized, I just can’t stopped… writing. So here I am again. Writing and licking my wounds at the same time. Because someone told me too… "if you are a writer, you got to have thick skin." So here I am… growing some skin.

19
Feb

are you a good person?

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: reflections

"…whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  (Matthew 23:12)

People are basically proud of their achievements. Who aren’t? Achievements give people a sense of pride and power. But…

People are also basically humble of their achievements. Who aren’t? Achievements give people a sense of humility too. Maybe…

Achievements somehow make people either proud or humble.

It’s election season  - the worse season we could ever had. It’s worse than winter. I hate it because political hopefuls are all self-righteous. Bragging all their achievements left and right while accusing each other of their personal weaknesses. It’s so depressing.

Someone asked me, "are you a good teacher?" I was caught off guard. That was the first time that I don’t have an instant answer for an instant question. I don’t know how to answer that question though deep in my heart I have an idea. "Ask my students," was my only reply.

I am not in any position to say that I am a good teacher because self-evaluation is not always reliable. It’s always bias. If there is anyone who is more qualified to say that I am a good teacher… it’s my students. They are the ones I teach so they know what I am capable of.

Being humble doesn’t mean that you should not brag about your achievement. It’s alright to do that to inspire other people. But to brag about it to compare yourself with other people and to put shame on them is another story.

Humility is a virtue. People are given a chance to acquire it. But not all are capable.

18
Feb

give and take

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: just a THOUGHT

The best thing about Karma is that… it is not retroactive. If you did something wrong to someone, you won’t get punished right away. Sometimes it takes years and years and you tend to forget about it and when something bad happen to you… you just say… “I had a bad luck.”

The best thing about Karma is that… it is transferable. If you did something wrong to someone, sometimes other people are paying for it… like your kid dropping out from school and enrolling to a rehab.

The best thing about Karma is that… it is negotiable. If you did something wrong to someone, you can just write a check so he won’t press charges.
I do believe in Karma… the golden rule… and the stairways to heaven. Doing good to others is not only a matter of…. do-good-now-and-get-rewarded-later… it is a matter of living life the right way.

17
Feb

like father… like son

By ruthinian 0 Comments
Categories: just a THOUGHT

"He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matthew 17:5)

The place was in chaos as expected. The commencement exercises came to an end and graduates, parents, teachers and friends alike are bumping, greeting, posing, shouting, laughing left and right… making the social hall a totally chaotic place on earth.

"Ma’am, the valedictorian is my son." a proud father told me, as we walked towards the exit door. "Well, congratulations then." was all I said and quickly joined my colleagues going out of the graduation venue.

"I want you to take good care of him." pointing at the young hand-cupped blond teenager, Horacio Cain told the big black convict as they were ushered to the prison cell. "And why would I do that?" the black guy asked him. "Because…" Horacio replied, "he is my son!" [It was a scene in one of the episodes in CSI:Miami]

All fathers are always proud of their children, even the not-so-good ones. God the Father is no different. Some fathers may deny their own children, especially if theirs are the not-really-good ones. But God the Father is different.

If a person can vouch for the goodness of another… how much more the God the Father. If a person is ashamed for the weakness of another… strength was found by God the Father..

We are the children of God. We should be proud of it. So, let’s make him proud.

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