Extended Physical Education Classes

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To address the growing problem of child obesity in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) has made a suggestion to the Department of Education (DepEd) to lengthen physical education classes in schools all over the country. DepEd  should do this or think of other ways to teach our younger generation to live a healthier lifestyle.

There are some instances where kids don’t enjoy their PE class. Not everyone likes basketball, some have two left-feet so they screw up their dancing class even with the accompaniment of lively music. DepEd should have the option of letting kids choose the PE class that they want to attend to make them enjoy, and not hate, the PE class extensions.

How rude can you get

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So I gained a few pounds during our one month vacation in the province. Yes, only a blind person would not notice that I did put on some weight. But my clothes still fit me well and I don't need plus size dresses yet. Some people though can be so rude! Funny thing is, they don't even realize that they've done something very rude already.

The bus mother from my son's previous school service said, "Ma'am, you're so fat!" She could have "lighten the blow" by saying, "Did you gain weight Ma'am?" I so wanted to tell her, "This is better. At least I don't look sick and ugly like some people I know." She's very thin and looks like she hasn't eaten in months. But I didn't say that of course, I instead said, "Yes, I ate a lot during my vacation in the province during school break."

She was so different from a friend who was even hesitant to admit that I gained weight when I blurted out one time we were talking, "I got fat during the summer break." She just nodded her head with a shy smile.

You can tell what group in the society a person belongs to with the words that comes out of one's mouth.

Driving lessons

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I got behind the wheel again today. This time the car I used was automatic. Last time I drove a car was about more than 5 years ago during my driving lessons. I drove a manual car then, that's the reason why I didn't try driving again after I'm done with my driving lessons. Driving a manual car was so hard.

But this time, I really need to get a car and a license. My son has not been training with his schools swim team for 2 years already. And that's because no school service would like to make a special trip to bring him home after swim practice. So next school year, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll have the courage to drive him to and from school, at least.

Friends with Benefit

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I have a lot of acquaintances but I can count on one hand the number of people who I can call true friends, really true friends. There are those who fall in the category "friends with benefits". These are the people who only remember to call or text, or that I even exist, when they need to ask something from me. Like the mom of my son's classmate, she calls when she needs to ask questions about a school project or ask if her son copied some words right, like whateverworditwas.

Well, that would have been okay. I'm not selfish. But after getting the information that she wants she'll add, "We haven't seen each other for a long time! We should meet up one of these days. I miss you, friend!" Yup, friends with benefits.

Next on my to-do list: enroll in business school

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It was never a difficult decision to become a stay-at-home mom. Taking care of my baby, instead of focusing on my career, became my top priority when I first laid eyes on him. I was planning on going back to work when he's a few months older. But he started having asthma attacks when he turned one, so my career was further put on hold.

When my son was in preschool, I tutored a few students in our house. It was a fun and fulfilling way to spend my ME time. Not to say that I was also well compensated. I began selling airline tickets and tour packages to family, friends and friends of friends at that time also.

My small business ventures took a back seat when my son got accepted in his school's varsity team.  But at the back of my head, I now know what to do. I want to go back to school. Hopefully, I can squeeze in business school, in my hectic mommy schedule, next year.

There are lots of other business ideas on my head aside from those, the two mentioned earlier, that I’ve already tried out. I want to learn what to do with all the awesome ideas. I want to make my ideas into a reality.

My sacrifice to become a stay-at-home mom is the best decision that I’ve done in my whole life. I was able to take care of my son and was also able to find out a better career path for me.

stormy sky

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I was sleeping peacefully Tuesday morning, I only had 4 hours of sleep the night before, when I was awoken by a text message from my son's school. The Department of Education has declared that there will be no classes in the afternoon for all grade levels.

I had to pick up my son earlier than usual so I force myself to dress up.

The Department of Education (DEPED) could have announced earlier, when the kids are not in school yet. They were advised by the weather bureau (PAGASA) already but they always announce suspension of classes late. I was caught in traffic and arrived in my son’s school wet and very hungry. I didn’t have time so I wasn’t able to eat breakfast before leaving the house.

When will they learn?

school bag dimension

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RJ used his backpack bag the first few days of school. I found out during the first day of classes that the school will only allow small stroller bags starting this school year. A small bag won't accommodate all the school things (books, notebooks, folders, etc.) that the school requires each student to bring everyday. Such a weird school rule!

my son's old stroller bag

We already bought a new stroller bag for RJ before the end of the previous school year. What will we do with that new, expensive bag? RJ doesn't have a brother or a cousin who can use it. I already sent a letter to the principal asking her to let RJ use the newly bought bag. I told her that we already maximized our finances during the enrollment period and we can't afford to buy another new bag.

I'm still waiting for her reply to my letter. But for now, RJ will use his new bag.

Math Genius?

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My favorite subject when I was in grade school and high school is Math. Here’s an excerpt from one of my previous post:

Math was my favorite subject in high school. My math teacher made me believe that I am a math genius! That made me decide to study Math in college. I passed the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) and took up Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics Major in Actuarial Science.

I was able to use whatever I learned in college for a few years. But I finally decided that there’s no love lost between me and the actuarial field. You might want to read my whole post on why I decided not to become rich.

My son doesn’t like Math. But I encourage him not to, hate math, because he’s actually the math genius in the family. Smarter than me, BS Math graduate, and his dad, BS Math and Physics graduate.

Any suggestions on how to encourage him not to hate Math?

back to reality

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Christmas and New Year has passed. Vacation is over, it's now back to the real world people. While on vacation, RJ had the time of his life! Imagine two weeks of just playing, watching television and no school work? He's at school now, his first day after school break. As for me, I am trying to finish up some work before taking care of the piled up laundry. Which includes my sister's nursing scrubs which my niece used while she and RJ we're playing doctor and nurse.

enjoy and have fun!

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RJ is on his way to his first-ever camping trip. It's an out of town father and son Boy Scouts' activity for 3 days. The mother and son activity, held at his school last year, was just for a whole day. I am envious because I was never allowed to join Girls Scout camping trips when I was still in school.

A lot of the mom's were worried, including me of course, that the dad's won't be able to take care of the kids. Some were even planning to follow the buses, in their RC cars, just to make sure the kids will safely arrive in the camping ground.

Have fun RJ!

i almost had a heart attack

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8th of September

I couldn't wait for RJ's dismissal. I was already waiting for him, at his school, an hour and a half before the dismissal bell rings. Why was I early? His report card, grades for the first quarter, will be released today.

I already told him the night before that a numerical grade of 79 and lower is failing for me. He kept insisting that a grade of 75 is still passing.

My heart was palpitating so much but I was worried I was going to faint already. I finally saw RJ going down the ramp. I feel like shouting, "Hurry! Give me that report card already!"

I heaved a sigh of relief. His lowest grade is 80, highest is 94! He still got an average of 89.

I will let him play his DSi this weekend.

win special prizes by wearing your team color with pride!

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MECHANICS:

Wear your team color with pride and share a photo of your wackiest UAAP and NCAA moment! Grab a partner (male and female tandem) and be part of the scene. Capture the moment by sending your photo to marketing@philstar.com.

All photos will be posted in philstar.com’s UAAP and NCAA site. Vote for your favorite photo by clicking “Hoop it”.

The most number of “hoops” will be declared photo of the week and will be judged for the finals based on these criteria:

- Creativity and Originality: 50%
- Overall Impact: 50%

Voting duration will be from Aug 1 to Sept 30, 2010 while the announcement of winner will be on October 15, 2010.

All entries will also be posted in philstar.com’s Facebook fanpage and Young Star section for the winning photo of the week. Share them for your friends to see!

Participants may use any digital camera. An entry must be an original work and free from copyright, must have been taken between JUNE 2010 to OCTOBER 2010, philstar.com may at its absolute discretion either disqualify a participant's entry or select at its absolute discretion entries to go forward for judging or reject the material.

The organizers reserve the right to free reproduction and exhibition of entered images in all media, but only in connection with philstar.com’s UAAP and NCAA special, and with an acknowledgment to the entry senders. philstar.com will not make a claim on the copyright of the images entered in this contest. philstar.com or its sponsors do not claim unlimited license to reproduce the images outside of the terms stated above.

i thought it will make me rich!

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Math was my favorite subject in high school. My math teacher made me believe that I am a math genius! That made me decide to study Math in college. I passed the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) and took up Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics Major in Actuarial Science.

I was already counting my salary, when I finally become an Actuary, way before I even graduate and pass my first Actuarial Examination. An actuary is a combination of a business executive, mathematician, financier, sociologist and investment manager. Sounds like a boring, nerdy person right?

Although studying insurance quotes was not part of the curriculum, I still got bored. My heart was not into "working with numbers" anymore but I still finished college.

I did work in an Actuarial firm for a few years but I eventually decided not to become an Actuary after all. What's the use of being rich if I am so bored and not happy with my work. I choose to be poor and happy. Yay for me?

get your own locker!

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I remember asking my mom to get me a school locker on my first year of high school. Upon learning that I have one already, my roommates in the boarding house didn't bother to get gym lockers for themselves.

Students who availed of school lockers were asked to provide own lock and key. My roommates were so unashamed to ask me if I can have my lockers key recopied! What? I wished I could have shouted, "Get your own wood lockers!". But I didn't because I was still a nice girl at that time.

So if you're looking for lockers for sale and planning to avail of one, don't tell your roommates about it!

school bus dilemma

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RJ's first day in 3rd grade is this Wednesday. The school year has not started yet but I am having a problem with the school service...again.

My son is a member of his school's swim team and it's a must for him to train everyday after school. Swim training is from 430 PM - 630 PM. The bus mother, of the school service, texted me that they will only wait for students until 5 PM to bring them home for this school year.

Still contemplaiting on what to do. Any suggestions?

A+ in chemistry?

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Yes it is possible. I too was never good in finding solutions to Chemistry Problems during my Middle School and College Days. And yes, Physics Problems too were a big problem for me at that time!

Kids nowadays are so lucky. With just one click of a button, they can ask Chemistry help  (and yes I am not forgetting Physics help) to tutors who are logged in online 24/7. 

Getting the right Chemistry Answers and Physics Answers will never be a problem again. Online tutors are the best Physics problem solver ever!

earn your master of arts in teaching...in your pajamas

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Do you want to be a teacher? Aspiring teachers or current educators, do continue reading. Now you can earn your MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) degree at the comfort of your own house.

The University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC is currently offering current educators and aspiring teachers the chance to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with the convenience and flexibility of studying online. USC is an internationally renowned research institution with a 100-year history of educating teachers to be agents of change. A School of Education which has been ranked #22 in the United States, and #9 among all private universities by US News and World Report.

I have been tutoring math for the past few years and this is a good opportunity for me to earn my masters right at the comfort of my own home. What more can I ask for, this is a good opportunity to learn from distinguished USC faculty recognized for their contributions to modern education. Even while learning at home, I will be given full USC student status and benefits, participation in commencement ceremonies and free lifetime Alumni Association memberships.

Benefits of enrolling for an online degree on Master of Arts in Teaching at USC:

• An innovative combination of highly interactive online learning with field-based experiences in your local area.
• A groundbreaking tuition reimbursement program designed exclusively for MAT@USC graduates. And don't forget the scholarship program!
• Accelerated program that can be completed in as little as 12 months
• Opportunity to become a part of the elite USC Trojan Family

Register online to get a free copy of the program information.

have you revisited your "past" lately?

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Borrowing photos from fellow Isko's and Iska's. A lot has changed. First of all, the students have their own netbooks (rich kids invading UP!). Back during my college days, we just visit internet shops. Everyone has a mobile phone now. 10 (plus!) years ago, only a handful has cellular phones. But, dear old Oble hasn't changed. Muscles still in the right place, no sagging skin whatsoever.

main avenue

oble

the fertility tree

Don't ask me though why that tree is called "fertility tree". Your guess is as good as mine.