Fin.
I can't believe that I'm finally done with my two-year certificate course! I received my last assessed requirement yesterday from my teacher and all I have to do is to just wait for our graduation rites on December 7.
I feel good not only because I can finally relax and enjoy our holidays in Manila but more so, because that course is a testimony of God's goodness.
I wanted to give up even before I even started it! I felt that two years of studying will be two VERY LONG years.
I guess my expriences with my Master's degree had some influence with my negative feelings at the start. You see, I almost quit towards the end of my Master's degree (Thesis writing) because of several factors. Thank goodness I had a former colleague who was so feisty and kept on pushing me. In the end, I was able to finish it and my MA degree helped me with my present accreditation standing/classification with CEO Parramatta.
I discovered this Certificate Course by accident. I think it was September or October of 2009 when I was trying to apply for a full-time work, "Something" or "Someone" put this thought in my head: "Maybe one reason why I can't find a full-time teaching position in the Catholic schools is because I didn't have enough academic credentials to teach it. And as a full-time primary school teacher, you ought to teach REd to your classes." To make the story short, I found myself browsing and looking for a school where I can take units. I was scared and tired even before I started. I didn't want to go back to school, again. Not yet! My MA experiences were still fresh! But God works in ways we don't understand. One click went to another and voila! I found this Certificate Course by the Institite for Mission, right here in Blacktown. Its set-up is like an Open University and the good thing about it was, it was a lot cheaper than me getting my degree in a Catholic University :)
I started with the course January 2010 and met with my group twice every term. Every meeting we had to come up with a paper which was based on the readings that we got at the start of each module. The first term was relatively easy because I only had Liam then to care of. But the second term was a different story. I got pregnant with Sam and as you all know by now, I had a very difficult 1st trimester. I wanted to quit. I told Alvin that I'll just re-enrol again in the course for SY 2011-2012. But Alvin was an angel (and still is!) and told me to do all possible means first before quitting. So I e-mailed my teachers and moderators asking them if it was alright that I submit my paper requirements LATER or after the due dates because of my condition and that I might get to skip one or two sessions. And what do you know, that allowed me and even wished me and my bub well!
I thank God I didn't quit because as soon as I felt much better and was able to submit my pending requirements, I got an email from CEO Parramatta telling us (students) that starting SY 2011-2012, IFM won't be offering the course anymore and that if we needed to get a Certificate we had to do it through the University! So my batch, is the last batch of IFM! I was thanking the heavens when I read that, thanking that I didn't quit or else, I would be starting all over again, be paying a much higher fee (I was only paying $80 per module but in the Uni, we're talking about thousand$ for each term!) and be more stressed (as its set-up is not like an Open U and the nearest University is in Strathfield).
For the last module, I was a bit apprehensive to ask permission if I can do the requirements in advance as the last term meetings coincides with our holidays in Manila. I was afraid my teachers won't allow me and the harder part was I needed to attend an Orientation prior the start of the last module. But again, prayers were answered! My teacher for the last module even went out of her way to drive to Blacktown so she can give me the Orientation we students will be having this September!
Even after I have given birth to Sam, I continued with the course. It was really a challenge for me to juggle my duties and responsibilities as a wife, a mum and as a student. Not to mention still be sane and enjoy life! Pero, kaya!
I will sound as if I just won an acting award, but I really thank God for the people whom He has given as instruments for His blessings. I wouldn't have done it without them. Special mention to hubby and my kids who were my driving force and inspirations. Of course, to my teachers for their understanding (imagine Sam was in tow everytime I had a class meeting).
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
