Maria Gemma Hilotin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

… and then the airplane landed… I didn’t know what to expect!!! “The land of milk and honey!, The land where dreams come true!, The land of abundance! – Here I come!!!” I was just pumped up seeing all sorts of people, hearing different languages and smelling different odors!LOL! Funny, I was one of those … Read more

I was so excited! Well, it was actually a mixed feeling!  At that time, I was with Louella (a Special Ed Teacher too)   We checked in our baggage first. No problems.   It was around five o’clock in the morning, still, early so we went outside again to eat some breakfast, took some pictures … Read more