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.

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.

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 and was given an opportunity to be of service to a total of eight schools in the district (HS, mid schools and elementary schools). 

My crazy year happened in 2014. January of that year, I decided to resign and work in an elementary school in one of the reservation areas. After four months, I decided I wasn't the right fit for the job, despite trying my 100%!

So I resigned, secured by the offer to work back as an IEP Facilitator. 

Because You Said So...

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 told them, "Well, I was able to answer their questions with 'Yes' and 'No' and 'Thank you!" I couldn't contain my gladness! Lol.

5 Little Things About Santa Fe and Work

1. Slow Time

As I am sitting here at my desk while everyone's sleeping, I feel blessed to be a newbie at work. You see, I was supposed to travel to two of the districts we are working with down South of New Mexico, but with the paper, processes to get your travel approved, it didn't push through.  

Don't you love slow time at work? It feels like a time-out when you can recollect yourself, gather your thoughts and just eat your candy hehe... while learning the system!

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.

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 and Some More Interviews]

I got the job, I'll start tomorrow and I am not sure what to feel! :)

Interviews, Interviews and Some More Interviews

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 the progress of their goals. Aside from IEP documents and meetings I have to attend to, and bus duty... that's all I do! Plus, of course, since I am a teacher I get to enjoy all the planning times, half-days, no classes and summers off. Am I not the luckiest?

Who Says, I Have No Choice?!

(continued from What's My Karma With Elementary?)

Even if my mind was set on becoming an IEP Facilitator again, I readily gave it up because I knew I was needed in the classroom. 

What I wasn't prepared for was the idea of going back to an elementary school and being told - "Maria, if you want to stay with the district then you have no choice but to accept the position in that elementary school!" - really bothered me a lot! I simply could not take it!

What's My Karma With Elementary?!

Yeeehaw! 

It was January, 2012 when I started Pinoy Teacher's Stories.. and I missed it! 

It has been 6 months since I last wrote my heart out and yep, it has been a while! A lot of things happened since April... as you were all aware, haha.. OK let me refresh you...

Cleaning up!

Here's my new workplace! Clean, sanitized and organized!

Bits and Pieces

Oh, I almost forgot about this. It was my 2^nd 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!

6 years after

For a long time, I’ve embraced Leo Buscaglia’s “An investment in life is an investment in change…When you are changing all the time, you’ve got to continue to keep adjusting to change, which means that you are going to be constantly  facing new obstacles. That’s the joy of living. And once you are involved in the process of becoming,  there is no stopping. You’re doomed! You’re gone! But what a fantastic journey!” and change it is! 

Boomerang!

Funny, how our thoughts become our reality! I was just reminded of the experience, years back.

I went to pull out this kid for testing; I've tested almost all of the students in my area in preparation for their education program. The minute he sat down, I knew this kid, let's name him Bill, was different. Unlike all the other students who would just sit down and answer the test. Bill, was different. 

What happens in Vegas... stays in the photos Lol!

Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens

Thanks to the generosity of a friend who recently moved to Las Vegas. For the first time, we didn't need to book a hotel while in Vegas! :)

The next day, we went on a trip to Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens. 

This is the only Ethel M factory in the world.
 Forrest Mars Sr. named the brand after his mother Ethel, who made chocolates from scratch -- right in their own kitchen. 

Las Vegas Boat Harbor

Mimoi's big smile!

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...