One thing that I can get really particular with is my hair. My hair has been under hair treatment since high school. It has undergone hair relax, rebonding, hot oil treatment, protein treatment, Powerdose, and coloring. But last year, I decided to cut out from all of these harmful treatments and give my hair a break. Yes, I stopped having any form of treatments until, well, the 21st of September.

Since I had my colored hair last year and I dyed the remaining strands black this year, my hair has been short and black. However, it gets unruly most of the time. So I decided to try to research about this popular and well-reviewed Brazilian blowout last week. I found out that though it is expensive, it can nourish the hair instead of harming it. It is even perfect for colored treated hair. Having all the trouble from the past with my hair, I decided to avail of the discount voucher in ensogo.ph at Urban Fringe Salon at Timog Avenue. It is near my workplace so it is very accessible to me. I called the salon first because I wanted to know if the discount was still ongoing. I explained to her my problem with my hair and the lady told me that dropping by the salon would be better. So I did. At first, I thought they were not going to give me the P1999 discounted price despite me doing an over-the-counter appointment to them. But the owner gave me the discount. Next thing I know, I am having my hair treated the way it should be and I had a free foot spa and massage.

The whole treatment only took 1 hour and 30 minutes. I don't remember the actual names of the treatment products they placed on my hair. But here is the process. They first washed and shampooed my hair. Then they provided blow dry and applied the acai treatment. After that, they washed it again, provided blowdry and straightened out my hair with a hair iron. Then they washed my hair again and put something on it. I waited 30 minutes to let the treatment remain in my hair. Then they provided blow dry and styled it. Done!

So there, I have a new stylish look (very different from the last one) and very manageable hair. My hairstylist, Ms. Rowena, told me that my former cut was so bizarre. I wouldn't name the salon who cut it before her. Ahaha! But it nearly gave me a nightmare. I was just too shy not to say it to my previous stylist's face. Now, I love how Ms. Rowena styled my hair. I will definitely go back for another Brazilian blowout and haircut in three months depending on my budget. This treatment usually costs P4500 for short hair, meaning nearly shoulder length like mine.

Back in 2010, I read the book entitled Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris for the very first time. This book was as special to me as his first book I Kissed Dating Goodbye. But I only bought his second book as a reminder of God's promise to me in 2002.

I once said in a blog that I would never write about *whoishe?* again until God says so. Actually, I still do not know who he is. But I just wanted to share how this book can really help us in waiting for the right one or in that season of finding out if he or she is the right one.

Finding the book once again after two years caused me to reread its now off-white pages. I want to understand more how God creates love stories. When I started reading Part I, I realized right away that I do not know enough. This book is speaking to me in a different light now. As I read the book, I listed some of God's quotable quotes.

1. Implicitly trust the Master to bring what is good.

Most of our questions are toward meeting the one. When in fact, we should simply relax and just enjoy the journey of meeting the one. Because God has already planned it well.

2. Do what is best for another.

When you truly care about another person, you act in accordance to him/her. You are no longer thinking about yourself. Your desire becomes selfless.

3. "No matter where we are today or what mistakes we've made in the past, He has given us everything we need to glorify Him right now."

Forever and ever amen. (: 

4. Falling in love was God's idea.

God is the author of romance. So we must always be reminded by the Song of Songs 8:4. Do not awaken love until it so desires. Simple? Nah. But trust me, it is worth it. I've been there. Letting go and letting God is the best decision you will ever make when it comes to falling in love.

 5. Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.

Wisdom is essential in a skillfull romance. You are setting aside yourself and you are letting yourself be directed by what is true about God and about the world He has made.

6. Time is keeping everything from happening all at once.

I believe in this perspective about time. Everything has its own perfect timing. If all of your dreams were to happen all at once (the dream job, the wedding, the husband and kids, the travels, etcetera, etcetera...), how would you feel? Will you be able to do it all? Your dreams become more beautiful when the timing is right.

7. Date with a purpose. 

The purpose is to grow closer to each other but all for the very clearly stated purpose of finding out if God would have you married. Courtship, just like being in a relationship, is a commitment. You must consider marriage. This was a "WOW moment" to me. I have to ask myself several times if I am ready or will I be ready for it. Courtship is truly a serious thing.

8. Observe each other in real-life settings--in families, church life, with friends, and even handling pressure at work.

I have looked back on the times I have dated. I realized that all of them mostly include getting to know the person outside of the family, church, school, and with friends. We were always in our own exclusive world. Thus, those dates were far from the skillful romance that enables two people to know the true character of each other. In order to truly know each other, you need to know if the true character of someone can win your heart. The next one surely has to be a skillful romance.

 9. Philippians 4:6-7.

Keep in mind: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

10. Find a man that you can follow.

I always have a weak heart for fathers and daughters. I believe that fathers want their daughters to follow their commands and look up to them as an inspiration. Whether they have failed or succeeded in this, they desire a life that their daughters can follow. Because someday there is a possibility of a similar man that will lead their daughters' lives as well. Whether that man comes like a 'knight in shining armor' or 'quietly like an old friend,' fathers know that if it comes from the hand of God, then their daughters are in good hands. Let God find the man you can follow for you just as he chose your father for you to follow.

If you ask me if I am ready for romance, I am only rethinking. I believe only God knows who, when, where, or how and I entrust it all to Him. During this season of waiting, I will fix my eyes on Him and let Him lead me to it at the right time.


I will reread and write about Part II: The Season of Courtship once I get there. To you, my friends and family, who are in a season of courtship or getting there, may your stories be an inspiration.

I have never done much volunteer work in my life. I believe opportunities for volunteer work also come with the kind of education you are having or the job you are doing. It involves a lot of time. And in the last few years, I have not had the time to do it apart from my responsibilities at home and in school and my commitments to my current job. As a teacher, I thought that volunteering would be easier. But I have done more volunteer work during my undergraduate years due to my school organizations and course requirements than during my teaching career. I am always at school during the weekdays while I prioritize spending my time with family, friends, and of course God during the weekends. When there is a great need to help out in the communities, like typhoon relief operations, I made it to a point to volunteer and donate. However, that only happened once or thrice in the past three years.

Surprisingly, I had the opportunity last Saturday, July 20, 2013 to accompany some of our students at the Center for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Poster Making Contest through the courtesy of Autism Society of the Philippines. Since my co-teachers were not available and I was free, I volunteered to accompany the students along with their supportive parents.

I was more than excited to volunteer because this was my first time to do this kind of thing as a professional teacher outside the school. My co-teacher and I prepared the students through a meeting a fews days before the big day. I also gathered them one day before in order to give them some guidelines and check up on their concept design.


The contest with a theme of "Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban" (End poverty, fight for children's rights) was held at the Center for the Welfare of Children office in #10 Apo Street Sta. Mesa Heights, Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Quezon City. The contest was created mainly for children with all kinds of disabilities. Honestly, I had no idea that such an office existed until that day. When I researched about them the night before the contest, I was even happier that I volunteered to accompany our students. Sadly, I was looking for ways on how to share the contest online through Twitter or Facebook but there were no ads or posters on their site or social networking sites.

Libreng drawing class

Almost all of the students arrived on the venue on time. I was one of the early birds along with two of our students. The contest proper started late because there were a few speakers and a long drawing tutorial. We wished all the children benefited from the tutorial but I have to admit that only one participant did. As for the audience, I did. Hahaha.


One of our students had a difficult time when he arrived because he wore a uniform instead of a civilian clothing. He got so anxious. Before I got to talk to him, his mother called his father and his father was on his way to bring civilian clothes for him. Actually, if I were the parents, I would simply talk to the child and let him accept that wearing a uniform did not make him look bad. Wearing a school uniform could even show that he is proud of his school. My co-teacher texted me about it and I showed the text message to our student before the contest began. He shyly smiled after reading it. He was already dressed in his civilian clothing.

When asked who's the teacher in the middle, he said, "It's you!" Aww.

As for the student in my advisory class, I was happy that his mother was there to support him. Since this was his first time join a poster making contest, his mother was really nervous. I was a little nervous too because the student kept changing his mind about going to the contest a few days before. There were times when he would say that he was ready. Other times, he would say that he does not want to join. There was also a problem with creating a concept. Since he had difficulty with comprehension, he needed a guide to come up with an idea instead of creating an idea spontaneously on his own. The night before the contest, his tutor called me and we had a short concept-making for the child, hoping that he would be able to understand the theme of the poster and then come up with a plan. I am so relieved that he worked on his own the moment the contest started.


As for the other two students who joined the contest, there were no big problems. They were naturals in this thing. However, there was a little problem with their attitude towards others. Their tone of voice appeared disrespectful at times. And they were not smiling often. Social skills are skills that they are generally weak at. I am not surprised at all. I do believe that exposing them to these venues and teaching them how to behave will eventually change their misbehaviors.

Bonding with the parents for two hours while watching the participants finish their works of art was something that I was thankful for. I was able to understand their kids more. I was even learning how they deal with their sons when situations like these arise. I admire them for the hard work and support they are doing.

One moment in the contest caught my whole heart the most. I had the opportunity to talk to a physiologist (I am quite not sure actually). She said she is also a community worker in Tondo and Valenzuela. She has mistaken me as one of the volunteer students from UST. When I told her that I am a teacher of four of the contestants, she said that I looked younger for my age. I laughed it off. Then we talked about our jobs. She hoped that someday we could work together. I said that her job is actually my dream job, something that I wanted to do in the future: Volunteer; help out in the communities who are really in need of help; do it as a job or a part of my job. My heart made a leap. However, I was not able to talk to her again. I also did not get her contact number. But I was more than glad to have an idea of what I wanted to do someday.

Two of our students' artworks

There were plenty of food from Jollibee served throughout the morning. We were totally blessed. Setting aside a time for these children brought me joy. I am also proud of our students who shared their talents. We might not have an idea of who the winners are yet, but we are already happy for the experience this contest has brought to our students. As we have always reminded our students, "We are after the experience. winning is just a bonus."

I will definitely do this again and again.

People have to change.. for the better, right? For me, the secret in life is you don't have to stop and wait for people to grow up. If you have to run ahead of them to fulfill your own dreams, do as you wish. You can help them on their way but don't let them run your life.

The 14th of February has always been a day for lovers to me. Recalling myself in the past years, I have spent my Valentine's Day with noone really special and no special event to attend to. I could recall one attendance in LoveRage or two, a couple of surprise flowers and gifts, some mall dates and meetups. But I seriously could not even count one of them as my ideal Valentine's Day, one you can really spend with someone special and happiness radiates you all day long.

Recently, the right perspective dawned on me. I had my ideal Valentine's Days with someone special and in fact, the days turned out to be special. Throughout those years of waiting on someone to ask me out on Valentine's Day, I actually had special dates with Love himself. What made them special was that the love bug has lasted for a long time. Not just on Valentine's Day but throughout the whole year until the next stings came along. The same sting has been with me for years now. For the years I have called myself dateless on Valentine's Day, I actually had something special going on with the Best Date Ever.

Every year, Valentine's Day brought a different story. As I am having a date with BDE tonight at one of my most favorite coffee shop CBTL, I am glad to have the opportunity to write about a new story I encountered with him.

In class today...

Student: Teacher, why did Jesus die on the cross?
Teacher: Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Because he loves us.
Student: But why is he on the cross?
Teacher: Because that is where the people put him to die.
Student: Why is there blood on his… (points to his palm)
Teacher: The nails on his hands made his blood flow out of his body. So he died.
Student: Ooooh... but what about my Dad?
Teacher: What happened to your Dad?
Student: He died. He is now in heaven.
Teacher: Why do you think he died?
Student: Uhh… my Mom just told me. I am just sad. I just miss him.
Teacher: (about to give him a shoulder hug)
Student: Oooh Teacher, you know I did my PACEs!!!
Teacher: (in tears)
…
Student: Teacher, why are you sad?
Teacher: Nothing.
Student: Is it because Jesus died?
Teacher: Yes.

I have never had a close encounter with death. Though I have close family members who died and whom I cried for, I never knew what death feels like. A short conversation with an eight year old about Jesus and death was a first time to me. It actually brought me to a deeper contemplation about what and who Love really is.

Jesus is Love. What He did on the cross was exactly a good example of love. Loving someone is more than the emotional feelings we carry for another person. If love was just about the emotions, then Jesus could have simply lived in peace and left us alone. But He loves us despite of our imperfections. He died to save us from our sins. There could never be a greater act of love than dying for another person.

To love is to die. I once said before that to live is to die. When we are living, we are also loving. Loving passes on a part of ourselves to that person or thing. When we love truly, we become sacrificial. We become selfless. We can even give up our chance to live. And this love lives beyond death.

I can feel and see the love of my eight year old student for his father. At a young age, he actually had the kind of love that could last for a long time. He has been bitten by the same love bug that has bitten me and would continue to bit me. As much as I wanted to cry with him and console him, I also delight in him. There would come a day like today when he would miss his father again. But I'm sure that he would always be reminded of a lasting love. A love that transcends death itself. A love created by Love himself.

If Valentine's Day would come every year with a different story, I would never flee from it again. I would anticipate it for the incomparable happiness it brings. Spending it with the Maker of Love would bring forth different kinds of love that lasts for a long time. And I believe a time for another incandescent love that most people have been waiting for would arrive. It does take time, sometimes almost a lifetime. But when we are loved by our Lover, time flees. And the next thing we know, it becomes the next chapter of our lives.

My simple Valentine's Day message would be this: Get yourself bitten by the Love's love bug, die for others whether literally or figuratively, and love and love again.

Happy Valentine's Day! :-)

Listing down my needs and wants is part of my habit every single day. Whether I write them down on my planner, a sheet of paper, or visualize them on my mind, I make it to a point to organize my plans in order to achieve them. Organization has always been part of my vocabulary. If I fail to be organized, then bad things happen. All the time.

Two years ago, I started a habit of saving photos of the things I need and want. I save them in a folder entitled "My Wishlist for [insert year]." This helps me keep track of the items I have bought or are still in the list. There are some items that I erase in the middle of the year. But I have never got them all. If I decide that I still want them, I put them in the next year's folder.

In 2012, I noticed that most of them were coming true unexpectedly. I was able to finally buy a new laptop for my tutoring job with the help of a great friend. Moreover, the possibility of going to Europe and seeing my cousin in Hungary was only a plan this year. I never imagined it could be truly possible to happen considering the expensive flights I needed to save up for. Then came the numerous things such as some "kilig moments," the accomplished quest for the Jane Austen Seven Novels, black rain boots that could match almost any outfit, an almost complete family trip to Boracay, and even a new wallet in my most favorite color which was given to me by my lovely aunt. I could never thank God enough for all of these blessings. His Grace and Mercy are just so sufficient.

Experiencing these blessings caused me to think if I really deserved them. I could only answer, "Yes." Because God only gives me the things I need. If I want something and it does not match to the plan God has for me, then it would not do me any good at all. God is generous but He also ponders about the things he gives to us. Most of the things we want cannot make us happy for a lifetime.

This new year, I have some old and new things on my folder. Because I started reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, it now has a different title, "My Happiness Project 2013."The book inspired me to start out a plan for 2013. I believe happiness is a choice. And I choose to be happier this year.

Besides the folder in my computer, I decided to draw/post/write all of the things I need and want in 2013 on the Victory journal I received from the Leaders' Appreciation Night a few Saturdays ago. I finally had an idea on what to do with it. Yay!


My number one need and want is more of God. I have been contemplating during the last days of 2012 about the blessings He gave me. I could not make it through 2012 without Him. He really knew me well, more than I know myself. This is why my number one faith goal is to know more of him and less of me. 'Cause it was never really about me in the first place.

There are still so many things to look forward to in 2013. I have been so excited to welcome it for as long as I can remember. Now that it is finally here, I can smile and be thankful for everything in the past. Then smile and look forward to the future.

To God and to great family and friends, let's walk another year together! :-)

If there was a greeting that I would remember clearly about 2012, it would be "Surprise!" I did not hear it from my family and friends. But surprises came from my Father in Heaven who had brought the unexpected to reality. I was in awe this year.

Therefore, I am grateful and thankful for the five major things God gave me.

#5 Learning and Teaching

I am thankful that I am both a student and a teacher at the same time. I am getting the grades that I truly deserved in my graduate courses. Alongside my Masters, I am still teaching at Mind Matters Christian Academy (MMCA) and tutoring at RareJob. Whenever my students in RareJob hear about me, most of them reply in utter amazement. I tend to be a workaholic. But I am only like this because I am meant to sow in this season. I planted the right seeds. Not because of my capabilities but all His. 

There are still a lot of things to learn. And a lot of people to give service to. I will never stop doing both.





#4 A Better Heart

I am praying for a better heart this year and it is exactly what I got. I began to become more concerned with what was happening around me. I am never going to be totally interested in politics, economics, and the like. But I am glad that God is renewing my heart. I have a heart for my nation and fellow Filipinos. I know time will come that I will serve my country or even the world not only in the field of education. Haaaaayyyyy!!! This calling is just too great. One day, I will understand everything.



#3 Provision

Whenever I need money, God is always giving me enough. He is just too incredible because He always does it at the right time and place. Even though I do not ask, He still provides for my everyday expenses at work, money for my travels, leisure expenses, and others. He is always on time. I can say I am rich this year because of Him.



#2 Family and Friends

People say that the more you get older, the lesser friends you get. Even though I have met a lot of people in the past years, there seems to be only a few of them who stay, who know the right words to say, or who help in times of need. To my immediate and extended family, Victory family, MMCA family, UPIS family, and some great friends who do not belong to any particular group but remain significant to me, THANK YOU.


#1 A Longer Walk with God

Every year is a tendency to fall back and get off track. But I am thankful that this year He was closer to me than ever before, making me joyful and thankful for the little things, surprising me with blessings, and saving me from harm. I will always be grateful for the walk we are having right now. He will always be in my mind and I am thankful that He never let go of my hand. 

Truly, God is the reason for this season. Each day that has passed, welcoming the new year, is one step closer towards Him. The walk may be long and sometimes narrow and weathery but there is no reason to stop, turn around, or get off track when we are with Him. He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is in control of everything. Due to this, I am secured that He can take care of my 2013 and even the rest of my years.

"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.." (Galatians 4:9)

When Jesus Christ is formed in you and me through a birth totally unlikely from physical birth, our human lives become Bethlehems for the Son of God. Let us solemnize His birth into this world and His birth in us in complete resonance.

Merry Christmas to you all! :-)

-Kaye

Through the years, I have never written a blog about my belief of special education and people with disabilities. But in part of a current issue regarding the Connecticut shooting, I felt the need to share a short blog about what I believe.

We cannot blame a person for his disability. The disability has already been biologically and ingrained in a person by nature. It is already expected that his actions may be uncontrollable at certain times. However, I believe this person can be blamed by nurture. His parents, for instance, played a big part in his life. They are the people who brought him up to the person he grew up to be. However, there could have been some loopholes left unfilled that separated him from them and everyone else.

A child with Asperger's Syndrome or autism can experience a lot of social issues. These issues can be addressed as early as possible. If a parent is knowledgeable about his child's diagnosis and witnesses his frequent unusual behaviors, then they become responsible for helping their child. If they see that their child is screaming and throwing tantrums frequently than normal and secluding himself from other people, then the initial step of a parent is to question and observe. Not just letting it pass.

Parents may undergo a stage of denial. Some of them will learn to accept their child's disability and love their child unconditionally. But some may remain in the denial stage. I emphatize with these children whose parents never accepted their conditions and who did nothing but hide the believable truth.

The way a child is nurtured is very crucial. No matter how kind a parent may be and no matter how seemingly quiet and behaved a child may be, a parent's nurturing may still fail in one way or the other. There may have been some ignorance or a lack of propriety that has taken place. Given the disability, what can a parent do to help their child handle it? Given the proper parenting, what can a child with disability do to help himself? All of these can be answered if a child is surrounded by a strong support group. If he lacks it, then he will really become destructive and uncontrollable in society.

Let us not blame his disability for what he has done. And let us not generalize all children with Asperger's Syndrome as destructive and violent only because of one child's mistake. Although there can be no doubt that he is completely responsible for his actions, environmental and social factors may explain a lot about his behaviors as well.

The disability will always be present in the child by nature. But the complete and utter nurturing from a parent or an adult, can definitely make a lot of difference.