Points of Authority

You know what’s the difference between a student and a teacher? It’s the authority. Both have the capacities to teach. Both also learns. But a teacher is someone who is paid to educate people, most especially the youth, or persons who decided to learn through schooling. It is a prerequisite that teachers should be professionals; that is, these people must have a bachelor's degree in college, but not neccessarily taking B.S. Education. Of course, anyone could teach! But expertise in the teaching field is a requirement to ensure the students quality education.

The bottomline is: teachers have the authority over the students.

But what happens when students are given the chance to take over the job of the teachers? In short, students are given the power to teach their fellow classmates.

If I remember correctly, UP High just held a Know Your School Day or KYSD activity on the last week of January. That is, teachers can have their rest days! Even though it’s just a two-day event, it was to be remembered. Just like what I said earlier, prospective student-teachers were given the chance to educate their fellow classmates, and luckily, our beloved teachers did have a break!

KYSD is an annual event here in UP High. This school activity is alloted for students who will be given a chance to educate their classmates. Subject teachers will assign the topics to be discussed by their respective wannabe's in the class. But not only that. Students can also apply for a position in the faculty, either they wanted to be a principal for a day or two, or the faculty clerk.

More often than not, aspiring students, who want to become teachers or one of the school's faculty staff, doesn't have to be that brilliant or experienced. Students actually apply for a position because of willpower and passion. It is also a very great opportunity for students to know what is it like to be a teacher. So, you see. An effective teacher has to have the DRIVE to spread knowledge to the people.

Honestly, I never wanted to teach. I even dreaded the thought of speaking in front of the class. I also hate class reporting. And so, I haven’t got the guts to apply for a position in the faculty. But I am glad that some of my friends took the chance.

But looking at them, who stood in front of the class to discuss the assigned topics from the teachers, made me think that teaching is not that easy! They were, shall I say, tough enough to continue lecturing and lecturing even if we were very unattentive and apathetic! Thank goodness, they were really tolerant towards our behavior in class. Maybe because we were much comfortable to them rather than to our real mentors. And so, we were relentlessly abusive! But anyway, we appreciated their efforts and for enduring the situation.

But just like other ordinary students felt, I was at ease with the student-teachers. I'm sure that most of us were not afraid of asking questions to the student-teachers or responding to their queries. They also take into consideration our intellectual capacities.

Although it was a 2-day event, we enjoyed and made the most of it. After the struggles in the part of the student-teachers and even our real professors, we, the ordinary students, paid tribute for all their efforts and their great deal of understanding towards us. I guess every year level had their chances to thank their dearly loved mentors. The freshies gave memorabilias to the teachers. The sophomores accoladed them by showcasing their talents in playing the flute. Singing, with matching choreography, was the Juniors' way of thanking their mentors. And lastly, the Seniors paid tribute to the teachers by means of giving them stuff worth to be remembered, and at the same time, sang a song piece composed by one of the musically-inclined seniors in honor with our beloved professors.

The world really needs teachers... They teach us the concepts in almost everything from Language to Mathematics. They make us understand why things happen and why did it happen. They have been part of our lives since they have an influence over us. And most of all, teachers shape our minds. If not for them, a bigger part of us would be empty. Aside from providing us with the knowledge that we once don't know, they encourage us to develop our potentials through their promising wisdom. KYSD is UP High's way of making us students realize that we should be grateful to these people who sacrificed all day to make lesson plans, tolerated our unruly manners in class, and even accepting the worst criticisms from us in order to improve their teaching strategies. A regular laborer is paid according to the number of hours that he/she spent working. Teachers are also laborers. But, teachers aren't well paid. They do not only work for 8 hours, but more since they have to prepare their syllabus. But they weren't totally complaining, even though they were striving to give us students the best education they could give. And I think it's unfair if we don't express our gratitude towards them.

We salute our teachers for understanding and giving us wisdom and intellect as we enter the four walls in our classrooms. We salute them for helping us grow.

We also hope that our mentors will be successful in directing their major purpose, to educate more and more people. And as we walk past the tough times in life, we will cherish them in our hearts and remember that they have been with us in lighting the roads we have passed.

Robots V.S. Barbies ( A Prequel of the War of Roses)

Although I haven’t seen this, “War of Roses” is a 1989 motion picture starred by Danny de Vito (Batman Returns). “War of Roses” is a violent comedy flick, and it’s all about a bitter dispute between a husband and wife.

But long before there was “War of Roses”, there was already a prologue… and it’s not even a motion picture! It’s a phenomenon. It’s a natural occurrence since the time of Adam and Eve. And as long as the generations in the world exist, there’s always this: a discreet war between the two opposite sexes, the male and the female. Little wonder what women would think about men, and vice versa. What I ponder is that girls have a lot to complain about the boy species! Well, I don’t know about the males out there… hahaha! But don’t worry guys, I’m also giving out some criticisms regarding our OWN breed (the girls) afterwards.

One of the most annoying things about guys is that they tend to virtually brag about almost anything! From their girls, basketball games, PS2, cars,… you name it! Ever noticed how a group of guys talk with each other? Sorry guys, I’d rather call it trash-talking.

It’s always been said that girls mature faster than guys. As a matter of fact, it has been proven by various studies. In other words, guys are immature until they have reached the age of 18-21??! Can we blame them for being childish? Irresponsible? Here’s a proof: Notice the rooms/things of your teen brothers or cousins… isn’t it messy? If you’ll ask me, I have a brother who knows how to get wild and messy in his room but who doesn’t know how to arrange or clean it afterwards! Well, I don’t know about some other guys if they are an exception. Another thing is that they dread serious commitments (so girls, look more closely to your suitors)! But tell you what, they have a strong passion to change, but definitely have weak will power.

Who tease gays a lot? Answer: the boys, of course! I have a guy friend who really hate gays. Some boys say that it’s an insult to their species (duh!). Maybe they think that gays are weaklings (but if only they would look closely, gays are not THAT weak). Well, that may be true, but not always. Guys also tend to generalize about girls. They’re so “physical” (boys, don’t you dare lie!). If a girl is pretty and sexy, especially if she struts her long legs and shows-off her “fergalicious” curves, then she’s lucky because she’s going to be noticed by guys. But if she’s not, especially if she wears ordinary clothes, then it’s 50:50… harsh!

Want another one? Nah, maybe afterwards…

How about the girls? Hmmm…

Red-blooded females will always have this: the shopping-gene. Men may despise our being so-into-fashion-and-beauty attitude, but what can we do? Men don’t really hate us, girls, for going on shopping and makeovers… they just can’t be patient enough to wait for us to choose the right shade of lipstick or the perfect dress.

And when we (girls) have lain our eyes on that gorgeous pink purse, oh we can’t really help but filch our savings! When girls love what they see in stalls, most of the time they wanted to have those things. And then afterwards, they (or we!) realize that “oh, the lipstick just won’t match my skin color!” or “I’m not comfortable wearing this dress, it’s very tight”. Guilty? Fret not. Look meticulously at this paradox: Girls are more impulsive than guys, but are the best in terms of budgeting.

Ok, so I’ve come up with a somehow-unique realization…

Both sexes, male and female, are both EMOTIONAL beings! Guys, don’t ever deny, ok? I’m going to start with the guys first…

We all have insecurities. Am I right, or AM I RIGHT?? And that includes the males… absolutely. When you see a guy who is so happy and smiling, don’t be fooled; they may wear a mask that hides what they deeply and truly feel, either pleasant or awful. Oops! Does that mean that they are plastic? Think twice. Let’s just say that’s a defense mechanism.

A lot of ladies complain a lot about men. It’s usually in three words: dense, rude, and insensitive! Amen to that… What’s so “defensive” about that anyway? Guys, as much as possible, don’t want to wind up as an assuming person. When a girl wants something said, she doesn’t really say it straight. Instead, she does all sorts of things in order for a guy to comprehend what she’s trying to tell him. But of course, guys take it into consideration that they won’t read TOO MUCH on it, because they might make a fool of themselves by reading something which isn’t really there. And according to them, it’s safer to act dense or insensitive. Guys act dumb, or maybe they’re just plain dumb (sorry!). So now you know… guys just want to protect their sense of selves after all! Better call it PRIDE, anyway…

Speaking of pride! I would say that the most INFURIATING thing about men is that they have this superiority-complex attitude, especially towards women. They have this mindset that they are always “right” and therefore they should be followed (or worshipped, perhaps…). A lot of circumstances, I have been cheesed off by a guy who had the nerve to swank, from looks to intelligence (or whatsoever!). What is this? Overwhelming self-esteem? I prefer the term SELF-DOUBT.

When a person is unsure (or insecure!), he/she will either do two things: engage in self-absorption, or blame other people for his/her misery. I would say that boys would do the second option and then the first, afterwards.

But you know what? Guys are more rational than women in handling problems, despite of their hidden vulnerabilities and emotional incapacity. And that is what is missing in the girl’s gene: rationality.

On the worse flip side, girls care too much, either on other people or themselves. In three words: sensitive, moody, and fickle-minded! Girls are most of the time ruled by their hearts over their minds. Maybe it has something to do with the PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), or maybe not. When we usually follow what and how we feel, we narrow our minds. And that is what I call IRRATIONALITY. And the consequence? Girls change decisions according to how and what they feel (fickle-mindedness). Girls frequently feel guilt, resentment, and regrets after making a bad decision.

But in the face of irrationality, one good thing about girls is that they (or we!) don’t withhold emotions for a long time. They ventilate. How? By crying, as often as not. Girls hold lesser grudges than men, because they don’t keep their feeling to themselves. They try to express it. Because they want to be heard and understood.

Guys = “insensitive” = ROBOTS!

Girls = “vain/irrational” = BARBIES!

I could say that robots are always robots, and barbies are always barbies. In full honesty, boys will be boys… and girls will be girls. But nevertheless, both share the same rights. Both have faults, but both have good aspects. Both have edges on one another. No competition, please. Because if there is, no one will win in God’s eyes. The key is great understanding, in order for both sexes to get along well and relationships to work out. Well, is it so hard to ask? You decide.

Close the Gap, Win a Heart

I was raised by my parents to become a responsible and sensible person. When I was young, I was trained to become the best I could be. And because of that, I always garnered good grades in the past. I guess my dad (most especially) molded me to be always on top. I was a consistent honor student… until high school.

School has become my top priority aside from the obligations I have to carry out as a daughter and an eldest sister. Before, I was used to sleeping late nights just to write visual aids for the next day’s class reporting. During my spare time, I always made sure to refresh my mind and contemplate if I understood the lesson clearly. I had to ensure myself if I totally comprehended what the teachers discussed. I’m also thankful that I could grasp the lessons easily, and because of that I seldom went over my notes. That is to say, I never bothered to study at all! It’s just that I’m confident about everything, because even though I didn’t engage in too much studying (the term is “naning” in Visayan), I still got high grades.

But when I got low scores, I got worried and hysterical. And to think, a low score for me meant ‘not getting the highest possible score’. Truthfully, it was so important for me to be the ‘highest possible scorer’ in the class, though I’m not the class genius or whatsoever. My parents frequently monitor my grades. When I got a ‘bad’ score, they always gave me that familiar look on their faces: disappointment. Out of desperation, I had to convince them that it happened just because of carelessness (or some other stupid excuses that I HAD to formulate).

Then after all the nagging and lecturing, and when they cooled down, that’s the time I would cry in silence… questioning my abilities.

I really hate it when my parents are not satisfied with what I do. But even if they are like that, I still try so hard to understand them… though I know it’s painful. It lashed my pride, of course.

Passing the HSAT has always been one of my greatest achievements. I thought that maybe in UP, I will shine more than in my elementary years… I was determined that I will never disappoint them.

But to my dismay, I found out that there were kids who were smarter than I am. I realized that I was competing with valedictorians from other schools ,or extremely brilliant people… I found out that I wasn’t THAT smart as they were.

But what I am scared of is not because of personal reasons, but of my parents’ reaction.

I can instantaneously remember the time my father was awfully upset when I got a line of 7 in the card grade. It was in first year… I almost failed in Math. Do you know what he did to me? Better not ask.

It was all clear to me. I wasn’t good enough in their eyes.

In spite of the growing pains, I could still say that I DID my best.

Slowly, as time passed by, I was no longer included in the honor roll. Maybe because I got low scores in algebra & geometry in second year, physics and trigonometry in my junior year, and calculus in my last year here in UP.

Now, I’m mighty glad that after all, my parents DO understand me. It seemed that they were just terribly taken aback when I got 79 in Math I, and I think it’s because I always got grades higher than 85 in my elementary years. I understood that they have great expectations from me because they knew that I have what it takes to become successful someday… that I have potentials. Maybe they were not used to hearing me that I ‘failed’. Nevertheless, I’m grateful that they understood me, especially right now that I am a graduating student. They know that I am a not that good at math or physics. They know that everyday in UP is a test day. But in return, I’ll see through it that I won’t get a failing score in a major test, and I will pass homeworks and projects on time.

You know sometimes in life, your parents get disappointed at you. You think that they always see the faults in you and you never remembered that your mom or dad told you how good you were. Well, that is true… But you can do something to make them realize that YOU are just human! You may not be as good as the dean’s listers, or as great as your elder brother. Talk to them, as much as possible. All you have to do is understand them, even though it’s hard for you. You know why? I’m one of the living proofs! I was struggling in my high school years just because I that. But eventually, I SUCCEEDED in making them understand me because instead of rebelling, I focused on telling them about my doings and my whereabouts. I began to make them put their trusts on me.

Mothers and fathers always want what’s good for their children. They may be upset in a couple of minutes, but they will just cool off afterwards. I always remember this every time they get mad at me when I do something wrong: I keep in mind that my dad works hard in order to send me to school and my mom wakes up early to prepare food and clothes for me (and as well as for my siblings). Some parents may be showy in terms of affection, but some aren’t just demonstrative. But I’m cool with it! Now, I’m glad that my parents and I are much closer than before. Again, the key is UNDERSTANDING, in order for relationships to work out.

I may not be an honor student again. But I can boast to all of you that I closed the gap between me and my parents… I won their trusts, and most importantly their hearts.