My full blown December 2011
POSTED ON: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 @ 11:15 PM | 2 comments
If there is anything but exceptional about the last few months of 2011, it would probably be the events I have participated in. Ready for my count? Well, this December was probably the most fulfilling month ever! As I said in one of my posts before this, I got to attend in my first ever volunteer work which was the 400 years: 4000 ears of UST in cooperation with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. It was definitely joyful for me to see two of my students have received hearing aids from this project.
After that event, I have planned with some of my blockmates one of the coolest things ever in our existence at UST! Guess what? Amazing race for our class. I, along with the officers, and AC, organized the race. It was really a fun activity! Alongside with that, we had our last Christmas Party as a block. Well of course we hope that wouldn't be our last as friends. The amazing race was a blast, seeing all our blockmates very game and excited about it was all the more motivating as planners and the race was success! Of course, BC won - seeing how competitive they are. Thank you Gabby for putting all your effort into this!
In this picture, each team needs to pick two persons who can drink ketchup, mayonnaise, vinegar, soy sauce, another one I forgot, hot sauce, plus eat onions and bitter gourd. That's Nikki and Marvin from Team Yellow Fellow and they are so game about it! Cool, huh?
After that, we had our Christmas Party and our Kris Kringle! I am so confident about my gift even though that was not exactly in my baby's wish list. Even so, I liked it. I bought my baby a navy blue satchel bag and indeed, Christmas is more of giving than receiving. I am so happy Kaye liked it. She even used it in the succeeding events our class went to. Anyway, for our group's Kris Kringle, the theme was Last Supper. What would you give if the group had to eat altogether for the last time? Such a sweet group CBAHLS is! They cooked meals themselves and made sure they stuck to the theme.
Yay, thank you so much CBAHLS!! Especially to Liona for cooking for us. Our recipients were boys and we gave them KFC bucket meal. I know that's not so much of a last supper but all of us had something to do and we weren't really prepared for it. Thank God, they still had fun! Where there is food, there is fun.
Such a good day was it! The night after, Gabby and I decided to go to the dorm. We were supposed to watch the UST Pre-paskuhan concert because I really wanted to see Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee but unfortunately, we weren't able to make it anymore. Looking at the positive side though, Daisy and I were back together. Yeah, men! I missed her like crazy. She is really someone I can talk to about anything and everything in my college life. I'm just so happy we're finally okay again, thanks to my PMS!
The day after, we had P. Gomez Christmas Cantata. We taught our students, actually it was L.A (he was the one who taught our class) the dance steps for Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and they sang and danced to it in the program. Such a good feeling seeing all of them dance. Imagine the mixture of our students. Congratulations, interns! The highlight of it all, best head dress award. We did it, Rudolphs!
It's so fun to be a teacher, it feels so great when you see your students doing so well! It's like you're a stage mom for all the daughters and sons you have. Feels so good.
Abruptly after the P. Gomez Christmas Cantata, we went to UST for Paskuhan 2011. We changed clothes in Gabby's car because we were too lazy to walk and go to Em's dorm. After that, the party began. It wasn't exactly a "party-party" moment but it was nice to have spent the moment with my ever dearest blockmates. I'd like to greet Chean and Nikki because we had such a great night together! It was even such a cute experience to go near the stage with Gabby, AC and Tim. We were pushing each other in Sandwich's songs! Great night, indeed. Plus the fireworks, of course! Couldn't wait for the 400th year closing celebration.
Of course, the first and last Paskuhan that BC spent together. Cheers to that! And to complete my night, I unexpectedly saw Rose and her boyfriend, Marc. We were really shocked and just hugged each other! Even though we have our classes in the same building and study in the same college, we just don't see each other anymore due to all the school works and practicum jitters. Glad to see her once again.
Such a good night Paskuhan was. I went home with Kathlyn and Chean after. My mom was worrying so much after that accident in UP's Lantern Parade. She knew we had fireworks too, that's why.
Saturday, I had rest day! Sleep all you can, if I must say. Day after that, Sunday, after going to church in the morning, I went to the Florendo Family's charity event coordinated with Autism Society of the Philippines. We made kids with Autism and their families feel happy that day! We played games with them, distributed gifts (of course, from Kaye's family) and due to a lot of excess food, Gabby and I went to Hospicio de San Jose to deliver some of the gift packages for Noche Buena, burgers and drinks for the kids. Such a feel good day. It really feels awesome to know that we have done something good for these people.
In this profession, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing these kids and their families with smiles on their faces. Thumbs up, Florendo Family! You have been doing this for two years, don't forget to keep us included. Great job, 4Sped2!
After all of that, Gabby and I dropped by my house to get stuff for sleep over! We went to Greenhills Night Market to buy gifts for our students. It was my first time to wrap gifts! Gabby even taught me some techniques. Good, good, night! All the more, the day that followed was bliss. We had our Christmas Party in P. Gomez last Monday, and of course, I only had two students come to school. It was only Dennis and Hans but nonetheless I enjoyed the day with Grade 4 & 5 H.I students. I really felt happy to be able to give gifts to my students because they were so grateful about it. Just seeing, Gabby and AC's, was a lot of fun because they were so happy with what they received.
And I felt very touched when Dennis bought food for our class. It's just amazing to see that even people who don't have so much can give a lot of themselves. It's so touching, I wanted to hug him. He's such a good student of mine. Of course, Hans brought too. I feel really lucky to have them as my students. I couldn't be more thankful for having to spend the Christmas season with the P. Gomez family.
There are still too much to wait for before 2011 ends! Spending it with family is still the best part of all. I promise to take pictures! 'Til my next post. Adios.
Labels: 4Sped2, Amazing Race, Christmas Party, P Gomez Cantata, Paskuhan 2011, special education, UST 400
400 years: 4000 ears
POSTED ON: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 @ 8:12 PM | 0 comments
After months of not updating my blog and planner, I've finally set back again in the writing world! Well, prolly because I've found something interesting to write about! Anyway, here it goes..
Last December 3-5, I've done volunteer work at school. Our university, my beloved University of Santo Tomas, coordinated with Starkey Hearing Foundation in a project. It was named, "400 Years: 4000 Ears" which entitles 4,000 kids and adults to receive free hearing aids for both their ears. I can't tell you exactly how I felt during those occasions but one thing I'm certain of, seeing those people hear for the very first time in their lives, brought me so much joy and happiness. It's just like letting people see for the very first time. Imagine how that felt? Such a blissful moment.
Starkey Hearing Foundation in action while fitting all those kids
Too bad I wasn't able to capture the kids' eyes glistening while they were receiving their hearing aids... It was breath taking. I could feel my eyes close to tears while watching them. Every single time, every single person, every single day.
Lola after receiving her hearing aid
Lolo still on the process of having one :)
When I see elderly persons go down the stairs after finally having their hearing aids, I feel so happy for them that I almost want to run and give them a tight squeezing hug! They're too good to watch. They're too heartfelt to see. Being of service to them is beyond compare.
Pretty girl just got one!
This kid just got her hearing aid and guess what? She can't stop smiling. All she and her mother can do is keep thanking them. This foundation was amazing! And for them to even think of this idea, of being able to give a lot of people a chance to hear, is just fulfilling. Beyond explanation, indeed.
He was kind of my crush. Heehee!
And... what's even more exciting was the mission committee of the foundation that we worked with. They were pretty much beautiful guys! There were even 6 lads, who are on a reality TV show. To top it all, the reality TV show's purpose is for all the contestants to make a difference all across the globe. Like, seriously? I didn't know plenty of people still think that way. Continuing on the mission committee of the foundation... I just can't stop smiling whenever I remember them. Aside from being handsome, they're pretty helpful, too. They deserve a nice warm hug from me! The sad part is, after December 5 (the last day of volunteer work), I won't probably see them anymore... Well, its nice sharing these good memories with them! I hope to make a lot more in the future.
Have a nice day, everyone! I hope we all become a beacon of light and an inspiration to the people we meet everyday.
Love,
Faye
Labels: 400 years, 4000 ears, hearing aids, special education, starkey hearing foundation, ust