One down, Two to Go

Finally, I can now move on.

Sammie celebrated her birthday in advance yesterday. Sorry, no photos to share as I was punong abala :( I'm just waiting for the copy of photos from my friends who took some pictures. Crossing my fingers, they'll give it to me soon.

Back to my blog. Big sigh of relief, it's over. I can now focus and move on to my other projects like our trip to Singapore and Manila, packing stuff, etc.

I can attend to some pending stuff at home and in our service.

I can now put up our Christmas tree since my Kuya has been bugging me to set it up since last week.

I can now finish my Christmas shopping and wrapping.

I can now catch up on my missed favourite TV series.

I can now finish my Cebu photobook project.

Thankfully, I will not be working four days a week now so less pressure and more time to accomplish them. I still did get some calls to work Monday and Tuesday, but I politely turned them down.

The birthday party was a success! It wasn't spectacular, spectacular ...but it was a good day to share Sammie's special day with family and friends. The kids, especially the birthday girl, really enjoyed the play land. We got positive feedbacks from our friends who are used to seeing plain and boring birthday parties here in Sydney. I had all the games done straight away, birthday candle blowing next, then eating time! Alvin and I, both agreed to finish everything so the kids can maximize the use of the area and the parents can relax.

We got help from some people especially in terms of picking up the food we ordered. Thank you, thank you!

At the end of the day, I wasn't as tired as I expected it to be. Alvin and I are finally learning when it comes to party planning and having the party itself :) We got what we wanted without spending too much. Well, actually, napa tsk tsk na lang si Alvin Thursday night when he learned about the running total of expenses hahaha So when he thanked me yesterday on our way home for organizing, I also thanked him for letting me go a little over the budget hehehe.

I actually enjoyed this one better than Sammie's first in Manila. Oh well. It's one horror story for me! :)

Sammie was even happier with all the presents she received, mostly which, are Dora themed :) Imagine receiving four different looking Dora dolls! :)

Just thankful, as always, it's over. Now, time to move on.

Working Full Time....Again

 

If you have been reading my previous posts, I have mentioned that come Term 4, I will be working full time again, for two weeks. Strictly speaking, for eight days.

I am now on my third year as a casual primary school teacher amd this year, I had the chance to do my first teaching block.

I was ecstatic when one school offered me this block. It was one big and great opportunity for me, not only financially but also career wise. So I really grabbed the opportunity even if it meant missing my usual Monday and Tuesday routine with Sam.

Today was my last day and throughout those two weeks I had a lot of realizations.

First, I cannot work full time again, in the next two or three years. Full time as I define it here is working five days a week, from Term 1 to Term 4. Why, you ask? Because of the following reasons: it's unfair for Sammie. When Sam was Liam's age two years ago, I was only working part time, that's why natutukan ko siya. Modesty aside, I think it has done wonders for my son. So I plan to do the same with Sam.

Next, I've observed that Sam became more clingy when I left her at childcare for four consecutive days. When I leave her, my heart breaks when she cries. When I pick her up, she doesn't let go off me until she's already asleep at night.  As a result of her being so clingy, I've become impatient and grumpy, since I cannot do other house chores.

Lastly, I'm breaking our usual mama-Sammie dates every Monday and Tuesday for her swimming and Gymbaroo lessons. It's our bonding time and I plan to respect that.

Now back to my other reasons. I can't leave early at work because I have to finish some pending tasks. I also have to go to work early to prepare for the day's plan and activities. Again, family time being sacrificed.

It's physically tiring, not only in school but also at home. At school it's work and 29 students. At home, it's the house chores and my two children.

It's not all bad. Like what I've mentioned, working again everyday, was an affirmation that I'm really cut for teaching.

Luckily, the class I handled was a lovely class. There were bad days but overall they were okay :)
I'm proud to say that I did well as a class teacher. I still have the magic when it comes to class management.

Of course, I ended my stint with a bang. I'm pretty sure other casuals don't usually do what I just did, but it's just the way I am especially at work. I went and  did the extra mile even if the teacher I was replacing didn't ask me too.

Here is one of the many extras I did even when not asked to --fix the bulletin board with the kids' outputs. It took a lot if my time, but it's just me at work :)

Overall, it was a great experience. Yes it was tiring and challenging, but at the end if the day, I'm just thankful, as always :)

Religion outputs

Science outputs - collage

Creative arts - visual arts, paper tearing art

Telling time for Maths

Area for Maths

Literacy outputs: lifecycle of an anpple and butterfly

A Time for Everything

I told you I will have the time for all the things that I plan to do, one of which is to write another blog entry ;)

This week has been quite busy since I worked for four days. I had to let go of some things in favour of the more important ones. I had my first two-week teaching block and I can say that it was an affirmation that indeed, I am cut for teaching.

Monday was a bit chaotic but I got to get back on track as soon as I figured out and settled the things that needed to be settled. It was a chance for me to see that I haven't lost my magic inside the classroom ;) One week down, one more to go.

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Sammie has been a bit clingy to me the past two days. I have been leaving her for two extra days at Yogies. I know that it was a change from our usual routine of swimming lessons every Mondays  and Gymbaroo lessons every Tuesdays. I thank her for her understanding. She has grown over the past weeks and has achieved a lot of developmental milestones. Her vocabulary continues to improve, she can now answer us in complete sentences and even give remarks like "hurry up mama."  Her present addiction is watching Hi5 and Despicable Me.

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Liam started with his Kindy transition classes today, Friday. He was had some apprehensions at the beginning, asking me a lot of questions, but he was okay with me leaving him at the room with the other kids. When I came back to pick him up, the first thing that he told me:"Mama, I like this!" Happy that he seems to enjoy going to school. Speaking of which, his reading has greatly improved over the weeks. His Math skills as well has improved a lot. He can now add single digit numbers without regrouping. He started with his tennis lessons again and his coach has started teaching him to do service. He needs to work double time on his service hehehe.

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Funny how you can overlook the mess at home and choose the mess you will fix if you are really busy with more pressing things like, work and catching up with the kids.
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Weeee! I called my mom this afternoon and she told me that the results of their visa application will be delivered today. Need I say more? I'm so happy and excited because our family will be complete after almost 8 years!,,, happy, very happy Christmas!

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Sammie's party is all ready to go! Thankful that I finished most of the preps over the school holidays. Food has been ordered and plan has been given to the venue coordinator ;) now we wait :)

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All is set too with our holidays. I haven't started packing clothes but with the IT and tickets, all have already been purchased. I'd allot more time with this after Sammie's party ;)

There are still so many things to write about but I have to save it for now because it might take me forever to finish!

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Happy weekend everyone!

So Many Things

I'm making a quick blog entry this morning while waiting for Hi5 to finish and start another work day for me.

There has been a lot of events and things to write about but so little time. I want to write about our weekends and my first week as a full time teacher (for two weeks).

I want to finish reading my book A Thousand Splendid Suns and catch up on reading parenting magazines.

Hay. Hehehe :) I'm choosing not to stress. I know that I'll have all the time soon to do all those things.

Happy day everyone!