And It's Done!

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!

When It Rains It Pours!

As the famous saying goes, "when it rains, it really pours!" Indeed, blessing after another blessing and I can't just have enough of thank yous.

A day after it was confirmed that I am expecting again and heavy with my second child, my hubby got his permanency papers with Goodman Fielder. Of course we are sooo thankful! That is one big blessing! Even if there was no change in the pay, allowing him to be a permanent employee gave us a big sigh of relief. At least now, his work is more secure and he gets to enjoy the company benefits. I am sure the Lord has good plans for him in the future. In due time, he will get to use all the talents and skills the Lord has given him maybe with the same company or maybe in a different company. Let's wait and see.

Next, Tuesday night I got an unexpected call from a new school asking if I still do casual work. Of course I was delighted to get the call. We were praying for it, remember? To make the story short, I got a casual work yesterday and just before I went home from work, they booked me for three more days! I am also excited for the next term because as one teacher told me yesterday, it is really quietish during the first term for casuals, but come second term, I better get ready! In addition to this, I met and was able to talk to anFilipina teacher in that school, a permanent teacher for 12 years already, who gave me tips on the tricks of the trade. She was so accomodating that I was just storming the heavens with thank yous after our chat during lunch time. I know I can learn more with her in our next meetings. I loved it too when we talked in our native tongue! Oh how I missed talking with workmates in Tagalog! She is more than willing to show me samples of her work and teach me how assessment of students here are done. She also gave me hope when she said that once that school has tapped you as a casual, they will be calling you already more often. Oh just what I really needed! God's work? Definitely.

Yesterday, after work, I went to my Orientation for my Religious Ed and just before the day ended one of my groupmates offered to show her work for her accreditation with the Institute of Teachers next time we meet. I don't even know how that topic started but I was sure glad to have a reference with me already so I know what I'll be working on for my accreditation. Hopefully, it will make things easy for me.

Oh I forgot to mention, that this morning, there was another casual call. It was just unfortunate that I was torn again between being a mum and a homemaker today over being a teacher. Well, by now you know which won. Yes, being a mum and a homemaker won. Yes, I might have lost another 300 bucks for today, but I know that time spent with family is never wasted.

When these things happened one after another, I remembered the book I was just re-reading a few weeks ago -- the Prayer of Jabez. I think that it is indeed true. But to sum it all, I know that these events and these people are all part of God's plan for me and my family. And I am just glad and happy that they are.