Notes on Graduations

Just this March, I have attended a couple of graduation and heard endless speeches. Two of which are graduations of people important to me, one is my youngest sister's high school graduation and the other is my brother's college graduation. I have had few recollections about their graduations that I wish to bring here.

On my sister's

1. I and my sister were the only people present because of distance; despite that, it wasn't so melodramatic because we enjoyed the moment. I accompanied her when she received her award as University Passer, having been admitted to my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas, while, I also do the hosting job for the programme. I was a better 'kuya' than a host.

2. Lessons learned---"There is a seed of greatness in all of us" and "Remember who you are, not what the world made you but your identity in Christ." Looking back, if earlier on I firmly stood on my principles and followed what was right, I could have done better. The messages reminded me that I am called for a purpose greater than I am.

3. Graduations are not so much about the laurels received; more importantly, is the feeling that soared throughout the moment. That feeling is universal. It is about the joy of having endured education and the pride it brings to parents. So when I adapted my grade six graduation's tribute to parents of bringing up on stage during the finale song and handing over to them all diplomas and awards, I knew we would make a mark. That mark is indelible.

4. Having had graduations of my own, I mastered the feeling of "leaving the portals" and not so much about being left. Today, I take the other side. As my class leaves, I can't help but feel sad. The batch that I first take as my advisory, the batch that saw me progressed from zero to hero (lol), the batch that will always have a special place in my heart will now take a new journey. And my prayer is, as Robert Frost penned, for them to take the road less traveled by.

On my brother's

1. When every speaker says that commencement exercises mark not the end but the beginning of a journey to the real world university, I saw that this is a point in person's life of moving from idealism to realism. Education gets really tough and toxic, but the real world is worse. It might be a dog-eats-dog rat race but education should have prepared them for that Not so much about being ethical or professional, but the preparation should have been about getting better views about living life.

2. Proud. I am proud of my parents for raising us valuing school; but I am more proud of my brother for taking it seriously. Not all kids are predisposed to do that.

3. The ceremony ended shortly than what I expected. Transitions were fast. No adlibs. Strictly formal. I wonder how to change the whole graduation concept? lol

4. The speaker, which I forgot the name, but is the secretary of DOLE, paraded the government's commendable economic performace which safeguarded the country from major impact of the global economic crisis. He cited the availability of jobs abroad but offset it with opportunities for the graduating nurses --- opportunities to work in rural areas with allowance for the purpose of getting experience while waiting for their turn for exile.

---

Amidst the noise and haste with the limelight not on my feet, this day reminded how lucky I am for having my mom up on stage for the last time to share with me my award. I remember how hardheaded I was back then, how I rebeled from every system brought before me, how I choose what to chew and spit, how self-centered I had become and how at the last year in my college, I dropped the idea of running for honors just to prove a point. It was childish, pathetic and senseless

But maintaing a good start made all the difference. It saved me. My friends expected me to be there; My family thought I deserved it. Fast forward, that was the last moment, I have made my MOM proud.

Agitation

Summer is here, no doubt! The heat scorches; the sun burns. Elsewhere in the Philippines, I do not know. But here in Palawan? I would rather stay at home or in the office or in my friend's place. It is that hot I would also find myself agitated most of the time. That's why I seldom smile. That's why I'd rather walk alone or be alone. I can be infectious. And I don't want that to happen.

Nonetheless, I dream. I drift to the north of this spear-shaped island. I want to go to El Nido or Cuyo or Coron. I have been here for almost 2 years and unfortunately, I haven't seen those places yet because every time the team goes to those places, I am out of town, usually in Manila or somewhere. But I'd love to go those places. Not because I have been hearing good things about them, but it is because I simply want to experience traveling and exploring. I want to get lost and wander like a child. I want to feel nature at its best.

One day, I'd go to these places. And what better sight will it be when I have somebody else's palm on mine.

when I have my time back...

I'll turn this into a blogging site about palawan and about teaching in palawan; when will i ever have my time back?

Where's temper coming from?!?

Dr. John Maxwell writes, elsewhere:

"Sooner or later, a man, if he is wise, discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take.
1. He learns that it doesn't pay to be a too-sensitive soul, that he should let some things go over his head.
2. He learns that he who loses his temper usually loses out, that all men occasionally have burnt toast for breakfast, and that he shouldn't take the other fellow's grouch too seriously.
3. He learns that carrying a chip on his shoulder is the easiest way to get into trouble, that the quickest way to become unpopular is to carry tales of gossip about others, that buck-passing always turns out to be a boomerang, and that it doesn't matter who gets the credit so long as the job gets done.
4. He learns that most others are as ambitious as he is, that they have brains as good or better, that hard work, not cleverness, is the secret of success.
5. He learns that no one ever gets to first base alone, that it's only through co-operative effort that we move on to better things.
6. He realises (in short) that the 'art of getting along', depends 98% on his own behaviour toward others.

----Wherever this was lifted from, it sure did make my day.

It's official, I am TAKEN

Come 31st December, I sealed my heart with my bucksy:

Opening bucksy was like tasting caramel machiatto for the first time, hot, sweet and creamy in the palate.

When our eyes met, I swear it was heaven. I can't wait to glide the pen that comes with her upon her smooth, fair skin--

And the words will
surely fall sublime.

And this...



Together, we will...





I on her, and she on me.