Grateful @ 39

One more year and I'll be among those whose life has just begun, or is it really true that LIFE BEGINS AT 40? LOL! Well, for me, my life began when I decided to surrender my life back to God when I allowed Him to have total control of my life. 

Anyway, I am so thankful to God for the gift of life. I am all the more thankful that He sustains me throughout the years. I am also thankful for the gift of family and friends, for the love and care that they have extended to me. I am also very thankful to my Mom and Daddy Mike for the love, their effort really made me cry. Indeed, my day yesterday was complete. Though I wasn't able to blow my own candle coz I do not have a cake (yes, that's true but it's okay), my Mom did it for me virtually, and that's absolutely enough!

I am also thankful to FB for reminding almost all my closest FB friends that my wall was flooded with their greetings and virtual hugs.

Now, I am starting to tread the road to 40!

Today, September 5, marks the start of the monthlong World Teachers' Day celebration. I just want to tell the whole world how grateful I am for this profession. But first, allow me to share my journey in choosing my would-be profession.

I remember back in my childhood days, every time my teacher asked what would I like to become when I grow older, my answer was 'to become a lawyer'. Yes, I really wanted to become a lawyer. I just find it so challenging. When I reached high school, there was a change of mind on my choice of profession, that time, I decided to become a teacher. That was what reflected in my yearbook. However, when I started college and enrolled in Architectural Drafting, my heart yearns for Architecture but our resources didn't pave the way so my LAST RESORT was to proceed Education courses. Yes, that was my last option, my one, and only option. Indeed, in 2002, I graduated with a Bachelor in Technician Teacher Education Major in Architectural Drafting. But guess what, it never sinks into me yet after the graduation that I am leading to the teaching profession. In fact, it took me two years before I decided to take the Licensure Exam, which was 2004. Then finally, I got my first teaching job (by force) at Mindanao Polytechnic State College (now USTP), my dear alma mater. I was really reluctant to take the job but my alter ego told me to do so, to face the reality that I am fated to teach. My first year was a roller-coaster ride. I was only a page ahead of my students. But with the full support from my colleagues, who were my teachers before, I was able to embrace my profession with all my heart! I taught for 9 years in college before I decided to enter public high schools. I noted the difference between teaching secondary and tertiary, it was so challenging but somehow manage to overcome it. Now, I'm more than 5 years already and yes I am proud to become one of the catalysts of change among the life of my students!

So, to all my fellow teachers worldwide, HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!

My tasks in school is not only limited to teaching. I was also the designated Records-in-charge, BAC Secretariat, LIS Coordinator, Communication Coordinator, and on top of that I was also tasked to layout tarpaulins, Certificates, cover pages, Presentations, video editing, Brochures, Signages, etc. Before, I used to be the SMEA Coordinator, LRMDS Coordinator, and Assistant ICT Coordinator. Indeed, my hands are quite full when it comes to school tasks. But am not complaining because every task taught me new lessons.  

For lay-outing tasks, I use the Photoshop as my tool for editing, and mind you, I only learn such skill when I first came to DepEd. My first principal tasked me to layout a Souvenir Program and saying NO would never be an option. Though, I was a bit pressured during that time but I’m happy because it paves me the way to acquire such skills. However, Photoshop editing is quite tedious because you really have to start from scratch. There are also lots of areas that you need to take into consideration when designing- from the background element down to the minute details. Good thing I stumbled upon CANVA, an online editing app that really works greatly! I got the idea during one of the webinars sponsored by our Division Office. Honestly, I still have a lot to learn about this but I really started loving it and I’m sure that even those who got no skills in photoshop will have the same feeling about Canva. It is so easy to learn.

This is among the designs I’ve created with CANVA:

Birthday Card

You can also create cover pages design, Facebook cover pages, certificates, and a whole lot more! It comes with elegant pre-designed templates. 

Interested? Download the app now!