In Memoriam

:(

When I changed the water of the aquarium this morning, one of the fishes jumped out of the mug I used as their temporary home. It took me around seven seconds before I was able to put it back to the water. All those leaping and squirming weakened him (I assume it's a male) that he never survived. When I transferred him to the aquarium, I tried to revive him by poking him around. Several times, he would swim away but no longer with the vigor he used to have. After awhile, he turned over to his stomach and drifted to the bottom. I knew he's already a goner.

Bye-bye Ikthus

Dip-loo-mah

"Mendoza, wala kaman kagraduate?!"

The registrar exclaimed. My heart skipped a beat. I told her I graduated April 2009 but I just wasn't able to attend the graduation. I relaxed when she said, "Ah, ari na a."


I traveled all the way from the city to UP Miag-ao just to get my diploma and if you were in my shoes you'd be very nervous when you're told wala kaman kagraduate.


The truth is, I can barely remember the things I've studied in my Master's. I wasn't a bright student and I never really gave much thought on my reports and other requirements. In short, I was lazy. To top it all, I didn't have a strong education background and when I started graduate studies I didn't have a teaching experience, thus, I could never really relate to my classmates' discussion of lesson planning and classroom management.

I started in year 2005 and in my drive to do better in my studies I left my online tutorial job and taught in Iloilo Scholastic Academy for two years.

Now I'm teaching in a different school and thank God I was able to pass that dreaded comprehensive exam. I didn't attend the graduation, though. I was just a part-time lecturer, then, and misery of miseries my salary was always delayed. I didn't have money to buy a dress nor a sablay. Yep, I was that poor and naive (borrowing from someone never occured to me). So I opted to go to Semirara, Antique as a remedial class teacher instead (where I didn't have to pay for anything).

To make this short story shorter, I got my diploma today.


This may seem overrated but I just can't help saying, "Yehey, kagraduate gd man koya noh!"

Playing Cat and Mouse

My loyalty to the university was questioned today.

A week ago I was asked by three colleagues whether I have plans of teaching abroad. Apparently, somebody (an older co-teacher, I presume) has been spreading a really nasty rumor that the reason I went to Hong Kong during Christmas break was that I applied for a job there. I laughed it off because after all, I thought it's just a harmless gossip.

I was alarmed, however, when the dean really confronted me with it. I didn't know it's going to be such a hot issue because If I will indeed transfer somewhere else they can just easily hire another teacher.

Then it hit me. My papers were due for promotion. Currently, there are 32 vacant plantilla in the university. I was recommended by the late dean (God bless his soul) for a permanent position. The new dean is perhaps doubtful that if she approves of the recommendation it's going to be a waste of time since I'm going somewhere else anyway. I don't feel threatened in any way but I feel like strangling whoever started the tall tale.

That's what a nasty rumor can do to you.

Curses to all gossipmongers in the world!