Mother’s Day in 2008

Remember my story about my very first mother’s day here in the USA last May of 2008? See original post here I suddenly have an urge to reblog it here, so I will. Gracias! May 11, 2008   Dressed in white polo, black pants and black shoes we hurried towards the private-members-only-club site .. It … Read more

My Heart’s Desires I See

It has been 8 years since we landed here in the US to work for the schools. For those who know me personally or follow this blog, you know I’ve moved and stepped up on my career ladder. The view from up top is different. If before my only concern was the list of students … Read more

Loving New Work!

I am at awe at the circle of life and how my experiences of eight years here in the USA seems to connect and synchronize. I started as a Special Education Teacher here in 2007. It was in 2011, when I had a shift and worked as an IEP Facilitator in the special education office … Read more

Because You Said So…

I asked my boss if he will be doing the conference call every month, and he told me, “No, you will do it!”  I was like, “Noooo! I do not know the verbiage… yet!”  Very believing and uplifting as he is, he told me, “I know you were just shy! I was just like you … Read more

Some Things Never Change

  I remember when I was a little kid. I was invited to play with my friends who have American friends who visited their home. I was overjoyed afterward. I told my parents it was the best day of my life because I got to speak in English! They asked me what I said, I … Read more

A Boss Like Him!

He told me he’s an atheist. He said “Maria, there is no God. Just like, there is no Santa Claus or Tooth Fairy!” Since he’s my boss, I just have to respect his beliefs, even if I don’t agree! Nonetheless, that did not change my admiration for his leadership skills. In my seven years here … Read more

I got the job! :)

Should you be worried though? Nah. My personal philosophy is, if it’s for you, it’s for you. It’s all a matter of wanting the job so bad, you will be awesome! It’s also about finding that one job which will bring out the best in you…and will make you fulfill your life’s purpose… [Interviews, Interviews … Read more

Interviews, Interviews and Some More Interviews

I’ve had the most number of job interviews since I worked here in the US some 7 years ago.  It wasn’t because of my performance, promise! The districts I’ve worked with were either restructuring or undergoing budget cuts and I’d always be part of the lucky ones! Lol. Unfortunately, to move or transfer to a … Read more

Inclusion and its Woes

I have the best job in the world! I am just thankful to God for the opportunity! See, I am an Inclusion Teacher. I work in the regular classes with special education students in the room. I help out kids just to make sure all accommodations and modifications are given, if needed. I also monitor … Read more

Bits and Pieces

Oh, I almost forgot about this. It was my 2nd year teaching in a district in New Orleans, this time, I was assigned to an alternative middle school setting, where over-aged students were placed, aka, worst of all! I was the only Filipino teacher in that school, but the presence of able-bodied man, I forgot … Read more

While waiting…

To those who have followed my journey here in the US, here’s the latest… But, let’s go back to the memory lane first… 2/18/13 It was last July, 2007 when I received a text message from the agency about the work opportunity here in the US. That week, my father and I drove to Manila, … Read more

God is in control!

All things work together for our good. I was feeling down yesterday, you see, I am able to work here in the US because of the H1b visa, and the end of its validity is nearing. Not being able to see the future is frustrating! So I allowed myself to be engulfed by it. Bad … Read more

All worth it!

Sometimes, just like today.. I am asking myself if this is all worth it? I mean, coming here in America only meant one thing: for our family to be together. Now, it’s been 5 years. Five years that we haven’t hugged our parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, relatives and friends. We’ve missed all important occasions, events … Read more

Learning Life’s Lessons!

While reminiscing my teaching experiences, I’ve written this post.…. I heard or read somewhere that life will continue to give us lessons until we learn it.  Two weeks after graduating from college, I was already teaching college students.    I was so idealistic, perfectionist and wouldn’t tolerate students who were cheating, talking while I was … Read more

Loving Work!

When I started my work as a Special Ed Teacher here in America, it just felt natural. I mean, I was elated to be here, right? So I was just like a sponge, wanting to learn, wanting to do more, wanting to be more. One of the duties that we have to do is to … Read more

Classroom Teacher No More!

School year 2011-2012 has ended. I remember writing Believing is Seeing, first quarter of the school year.   Believing is Seeing!  I was telling my story of being given yet another pink slip of  Pink Slips , and survived in the end.   Pink Slips I didn’t teach this school year. I had a different … Read more

A Dream Come True!

Kids on Skype 2007 I kissed my kids goodbye. They were sleeping when I left them… Funny, it happened like five years ago and yet just thinking about not knowing what happened the day they woke up without me by their side, just makes me teary-eyed. Later, I asked Mymy, our eldest, what happened that … Read more

My Vision Board

Being a visual learner, what helped me and is still helping me remember what I want in my life is through vision boards! Back in Lucena, Philippines prior to the USA opportunity, (and I blogged about it on my other blog My Dailies-entitled Powerful Thoughts) I would really cut out magazines, pictures, photos and words … Read more

Part of the Plan

  Sharing you with what it felt like to be living without my family by my side, two weeks after the Phils to USA journey. The price I had to pay for wanting my family to be together.       I live one day at a time.   I live by God’s graces, blessings, … Read more

Pictures Pictures!

By this time, we learned our assignments, we were attending schools, befriended our colleagues, in the process of adjusting to school rules and regulations, the educational system, language and most especially, our students! Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to tell stories, as I would have wanted, because of some privacy issues.  The thing was, coming … Read more