She's staring at you...

Meet Gretchen...

This is Janith

How often would you do the things you love? Well, for most of us, time could be an issue. As for me, I really do love sketching! It all started back in my primary years. I run out of papers most of the time simply because, I just can't stop it. My teacher, who caught me once sketching while giving her lectures, scolded me saying that I could not serve two masters at the same time. Well, honestly, I don't really agree with her because my hands might be busy, but my ears were listening, she just didn't believe me, though. When I was in college, I go lie low in sketching faces, figures coz I was introduced to the Technical Drafting world, which requires greater accuracy through measurement-and honestly, it wasn't really my thing but I just left with no other option but to follow. Right now that I'm already a teacher, and a mother, I can see that my two elder kids loves to draw as well! At least they've started at a very tender age. My son loves to draw solar system and any other figures that would fascinate him. My daughter just simply follow what her brother were able to draw. I can see a future artist in them. Then I realized if only I didn't stop doing it regularly, then I would have an improved skills, much better than my output before. Though, right now, I started to relive it again. I just love doing it. I even watch tutorial videos to help me somehow. Wish I could really make it better this time.

Awesome, indeed! What d'you think? LOL

Awesome, indeed! What d'you think? LOL

How does it feel being neglected? ignored? unloved? Gosh, believe me, the feeling is so annoying? disgusting? Ahh I just couldn't find the right adjective. But mind you, that feeling of "self-pity" is also inevitable. I know for others I'm just being so unreasonable for entertaining such thought. But who could blame me? All I'm asking for is that little effort or gesture that would make me feel being loved, being prioritized, after all it's a special occasion for me, which is also supposedly, for both of us. But no, even a little effort hasn't done. For the past years, I did the initiative. Yes it was I who made the plan on what to do and where to go. It was I who reminded him on what he should do. Yes, you heard it right, he needs to be reminded, funny isn't it? Can you feel that love is in the air? I doubt. Coz for me, if you valued someone, you need to do something to let her know. You need to let her feel that she's still and will always be important to you. Am I asking for too much? What added insult to my already injured heart is the fact that when it was a reunion or his organization's activity, he was very active that he exert much effort, volunteer to work, and even spend money for it! Yes, he's willing to donate for the success of the event. But in our 7th year anniversary? No budget at all.

Now, judge me.

Another school year has ended. Another school year to look forward to. As for this year, my teaching career was put to the test- my patience among the top of the list. Of course, being an adviser brought me to my realities in life, realities that life has so much to be thankful for. Honestly, I so love this year, in spite of those busy schedules, numbers of delegated tasks, and other school stuff that keeps my hands busy.

Why do I love this year?

One, I love my advisory students. Most of them reminded me how it feels to be a teacher and a parent at the same time.

Two, I learned so much from them. I learned how to be a parent to a teenage kids-including the dos and don't.

Three, I will surely miss spending time with them.

Four, I will miss their annoying behavior sometimes, those moment of silence when I'm scolding them

Five...

Six...

The list could go on.

But yes, reality has taken its toll once again.

I was reminded again with the reality that people come and go in our life and yet no matter how hard I've tried not to be emotionally attached with my students, I just can't help it. Because they were already a part of me.

Someday, I may have forgotten their name-and so with them to me. But it is my prayer that someday, when they'll be able to catch their dreams, they'll return to me and allows me the opportunity to celebrate with them...

I've been teaching for more than a decade already, and mind you, the sweetest phrase that you could hear from your former students is the word "thank you".

Looking forward for that greatest day to come.

Since its beginnings, the United States has lived a strange dichotomy. Though this country was founded on the ideals of equal treatment for all, the reality is that the southern states kept people as slaves at the time the constitution was written in 1776. The founding fathers were unable to resolve the problem of slavery at the time the nation was founded, and they ultimately left the issue to be resolved later, by other leaders. 

As we all know, the US finally entered into a Civil War over the issue of slavery and “state’s rights,” and the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated by those who were unhappy with his policies. In the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King lead the Civil Rights Movement, in the hopes that finally people of color would be freed from the dark legacy of slavery and would be treated equally in all sectors of society. Obviously, the long struggle for equal rights for all people continues on to this day, and has yet to be resolved. 

The Issues of The Trump Administration

Today, our country seems in some ways to be as backward as ever as far as civil rights and the legacy of that great movement goes. One doesn’t have to be an expert on civil rights or able to write a racial equality essay to know that today we are living in an unequal society. With the advent of the Trump administration, the United States has sadly taken several steps backwards, as far as real progress goes. What’s sadder still is that currently, the Republican members of congress are supporting the foul and bigoted policies of Donald Trump and his supporters, which is helping Trump to do even greater damage to the United States.

Looking Forward?

The only sign of hope happening for progressives these days is in the spirited resistance movement that is taking place all over the country. The Women’s March has continued to rally people all over the United States who want to see real change in our society, and the hope is that this movement will inspire many people who believe in real civil rights for all to run for office and work to create a better society for all the people, everywhere. 

By the way, this isn't my opinion though.