One step at a time

"Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe." 

- Robert Service -

When I came across the quote mentioned above, the floodgates of wisdom opened up.

I often look far and wide for things to conquer and battles to win that I forgot to look down and find the most important consideration is right under my feet.

I'm beginning to see myself going to places without having to look at the ground all the time. :)

Museo Pambata Trip

At the entrance with co-teachers.

For Buwan ng Wika, my co-teachers and I decided to prepare for a culminating activity at Museo Pambata where the children can enjoy a tour with their parents. We went to the museum to do an ocular to have an organized trip by the end of the month. Luckily, teachers get in for free if they just present their IDs.

National mode of public transport.

Try as I might, I cannot bring to my mind any childhood memory of going for a trip the "Children's Museum" while I was in school so I think it is safe to say that it was actually my first time to visit Museo Pambata. Though I missed to go through this wonderful place as a kid, I am very appreciative of it now as an adult and as a teacher. As I explored the various exhibits there, I realized the importance of this haven for the younger generations to come.

I Love My Planet Earth! exhibit.

I love how interactive the exhibits are. It is important that children engage all their senses for learning to be truly imbibed. The entire museum comes to life with the various props and backdrops. I can already envision the children having a great time when they get here.

Part of Body Works exhibit.

There was a very spacious room dedicated to knowing about how one's body works: the different systems of the body, the various organs and senses and how they operate within us, and so on. There were stations that also provide hands-on games to engage the children in using their bodies and discovering the facts for themselves. Another area is the Pamilihang Bayan or Marketplace, which was a really amazing studio of various stores and shops where kids can wear costumes and play with the different materials to simulate an actual marketplace scenario. Even I let my imagination run away a little.

At the Pamilihang Bayan (Marketplace) pretending to sell freshly baked bread.

The Gift Shop houses a lot of good buys: mostly educational items and native crafts.

Goofing around: Seems like I'm part of the portrait, which is actually a mirror.

The next few photos are some of my favorites taken from the Paglaki Ko (When I Grow Up) exhibit where the Writer's Corner and Illustrator's Corner can be found. I am a writer but a frustrated illustrator. Anyhow, I have not given up trying to produce some personal works [for my eyes only at this point]. Though that may be the case, the arts will always have a special place in my heart.

Oh, how I love ink drawings!

One of my local favorites.

Colorful art by Ruben de Jesus.

Another interactive wall.

Museo Pambata also has an Old Manila exhibit. I love anything that has to do with the past! I am a bit old-fashioned (quite the understatement) and I appreciate the richness of cultural evolution. I reckon that the 'golden days' always pertain to something that has come to pass.

Old Manila exhibit: standing by a large scale church model.

A peek inside the church's interior.

Spanish Galleon.

Flags and portraits dedicated to our heroes.

I was impressed with this area of the exhibit because of the interesting way the museum staff had elaborated on the national heroes' lives. To know about the bayani (hero), you need not read lengthy biographies or look at posters. Instead, all you need to do is pick up the phone, dial a number and listen to a voice narrate about your chosen hero. How clever!

I wish I could bring home this antique typewriter... even better if it still works!

Chinese lanterns made the ceiling gallant.

Old carriage on display.

Untouchable. More memorabilia from the past.

Tara na!

I really enjoyed our tour of Museo Pambata. By the end of our ocular, I felt so young and vibrant I wanted to run to a mirror and check if I was a seven-year-old again.

I suppose our journey ends here for now. I want to come back to this place again next time but hopefully not as a visitor but as a volunteer. It is always a worthwhile endeavor to share moments with young minds and hearts.

Heads Up, Feet Down

A picture paints a thousand words.

So they say.

I say:

"A picture evokes a thousand thoughts."

Fierce

End of the month.

I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't take the time to stop and smell the flowers. Which I really should do more often, by the way. :)

Nevertheless, it just can't be helped though when there are days when I feel like I'm being pulled into a vacuum void of any good emotion. Some days seem longer and more stressful than others. Work is more tedious and daunting at times. Life in general catches up on me and I struggle to keep up with it.

Thankfully, there are far more better days when I feel like I'm on top of the world and I am capable of anything at all. Sometimes, I feel like the richest, most wonderful, happiest person who ever lived... and having that disposition is simply blissful. I reckon everybody would want to feel that way all the time.

But then again, imagine walking a plateau all throughout life and never seeing much angle nor depth; no breath-taking plunges and heights. What a boring journey! It would be utterly devastating to experience the same things over and over again. We need the valleys to build our character and mountains to test our strength.

Besides, we might as well be in heaven if all we ever feel is perfect joy. However, we are not quite there yet. There are many more jungles to brave through and deep waters to fathom.

The way the world works - it never ceases to amaze me.

Be happy!

After weeks of cyberspace absence, I am finally breaking the silence.

My days offline were filled with so much splendid fireworks and wonderful events that I took the time off to savor every minute. This June, I would like to spread much happiness as I celebrate a lot of wonderful things that has come my way. :)

For my one and only Papa - happy birthday and happy Father's Day! On this special day, we rejoice for the strength of your character, the courage of your heart, and the sincerity of your love. We are eternally grateful to God for the gift that is you. :)

For my cousin - Though I do not see you often, I pray that you are well. I pray that you will grow up to be a young lady after the Lord's heart. Stay healthy and stay strong.

For the national hero - Dr. Jose P. Rizal, whose life has inspired millions of Filipinos and peoples around the world. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth, may the Philippines as a country aim to move forward with the vision and ideals that he has long dreamed and fought for with his life.

For the children I work [play!] with - All of you have been my constant source of fulfillment and joy (despite frustration and distress at times). Your smiles and milestones have always been part of the greatest moments of my life. I lift each and every one of you to God; He knows you all by name. May you and your families prosper in God's love and protection always.

For my friends - I don't know what I would do without you. You have constantly kept my feet on the ground and made sure that my head and my heart are in their right places. Thank you for providing me with the breathing room that I need from the hurly-burly of my fast-paced life. I wouldn't have come this far if not for you.

For my special someone - Thank you for accepting me for who I am. It has been a roller coaster ride since we have met for the second time. It seems so simple how things have fallen into place - call it fate, destiny, or what-have-you but more than anything, I believe that the Lord has a plan for us. Blaise Pascal once said, "The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing. Love has reasons which reason cannot understand." I have given up trying to wrestle with a million reasons. I am taking a leap of faith.

I am filled with joy to say that I have gone quite far [so far] in my pursuit of happiness. :)

Caught Up

My brother has turned 14. Mother's Day has come and gone. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the first International Day of Compassion.

There are so many things lining up at work and my Saturday classes will be in full swing again come June. I see the many responsibilities I have to shoulder once more when the heat of summer dies down. Life seems to be ever shifting into the fast lane as May is already half over.

Each day, I push away the feeling of being torn between places I want to be, events I want to go to, and people I want to be with. I know I can only do so much.

Before this summer is over, I have to refresh myself with the art of balance: in life, in love, in everything.

Sometime soon, I have to get it right...

May manicure

Glittering purple on my fingernails (and my toes, too!).

A treat for myself this first day of May!

I'm excited with my new curly hair as well. A great way to start the month and to boost optimism levels a notch higher.