Back to the Basics

The month of March has definitely been one of the most hectic and busiest yet. From March 24-26, four teachers from Angellicum College came to the dorm to distribute the exams that we’re supposed to be written in December. The YS 9s and 11s wrote exams in October, so I knew the system and process, but I wasn’t as involved with the exams then. This time, because my subjects were being written, I was way more involved and anxious. But let’s rewind a bit…

The whole month was spent in preparation for the exams.  Mornings, afternoons and even evenings were spent cramming last minute lessons and reteaching the basics. Our learners work hard everyday, but when it comes to academics, they need to work a little harder. It was a challenge for the teachers to get through all the modules and there was much sleep deprivation, but we got through them for the most part.

The way the exams work is each learner can choose which exam they take first, second, third and so on. Once they are finished with their exam they submit it to the examiner who will then mark it and announce whether they passed (OK), achieved a certain mark but need to correct their mistakes (CM) or failed so they need to retake the exam (TAT). I am proud of my students (8s and 9s) that most of them got CMs on their first attempt at CLE (Christian Living Education or Religion). The first learner to get OK on an exam was one of my YS 8 for CLE! I was so optimistic and thrilled, but then they started writing CAE (Communication Arts and English) which was a whole other story. There were TATs and TATs and more TATs across the board!! The second day of exams was quite the challenge – for all of the learners. The board was filled with TAT TAT TAT, so many that we were even making songs of it. It was a good feeling, though, when they would finally get OK.

Not everyone finished and passed all of their exams, so they’re going to have another go at the end of April. Final exams are coming up in one month and at the same time I will be preparing to go back to Canada. This month is going to FLY. I have more lessons to teach to prepare them for the final exams, I need to prepare my goodbyes and I need to pack my things. Pray for me. I need the strength to get through this month without breaking down.

Pray for our learners, especially the graduating students, that they pass their exams and finish their thesis projects.

Love Days

This past Valentine’s Day, the girls were beautifully woken up at 5:00am by the boys serenading us outside the windows. I remember hearing the first song thinking… Why is there song practise so early in the morning? I thought wake up time is 5:30am today?! After two songs I finally realized OH! This is not a song practice… it’s the boys! It’s Valentine’s Day! How sweet! I had a face mask on from the night, but that didn’t stop me from going outside to watch and be the emotional person I am. No one has ever serenaded me outside my window before, and because it was these boys, it was extra special! Their kindness didn’t end there. They surprised us again during breakfast by bring each of us flowers! It was such a morning filled with love. 

In the evening we had a “Date with the Lord” at the parish. A night of song, reflection, and Taize prayer. It wasn’t just our young people, but the young people of the whole parish – from barangys Salvacion, Bahile and Macarascas. It was nice seeing the church full of youth on Valentine’s night. A portion of the night was spent in small groups where we were able to share our stories, our challenges and our joys. I learned a lot about my group and I’m happy I was able to meet young people from outside the dorm. It wasn’t until I shared that I am not perfect, that my teenage years were also filled with vices, that they were able to open up. I often feel like the youth here think I’m “so good” and that I’ve never experienced making mistakes. Little do they know… But I am relieved that they were able to relate to me enough that they felt comfortable sharing their own stories. It was a long night, but also filled with lots of love. 

This past Wednesday marked the first day of this year’s lenten season. I think back to this night and I am reminded that I am far from perfect and that no one is perfect. We all have our flaws and vices and temptations. We all have something we need to work on in order to be better servants of Christ. So this lent, let’s work together to become greater and stronger. The point of “giving something up” for 40 days isn’t for you to challenge yourself so say you did it, but it’s to give something up that was not benefitting you so that you can change for the better. Our community here has decided on some practices we will participating in all together.

Spiritual: We will pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays, and we will substitute “Movie Fridays” of action/comedies/dramas with spiritual movies instead. 

Material: We will sacrifice merienda (snacks) on Sundays, only soup for dinner on Fridays, and only bread for breakfast on Tuesdays. 

I also have my own personal lenten practices for these 40 days… but I will keep those to myself! Pray for us as we pray for you! May this be a blessed Lenten season for all! 

My Heroes

It feels nice finally sitting down and writing a blog post. It’s been so long since I’ve had the motivation or time to write. I can’t believe it’s already March 4… where did time go? Wasn’t it just the other day that I started volunteering here? I only have two months left! Yup, that’s right… two short months. I am sad to leave this beautiful country and the warm weather, but most importantly, the community that I have called family and home for the past six months. The plans that I have lined up for when I go back to Canada are really exciting and I can’t wait to see what’s in store… But it still breaks my heart knowing that I will be physically leaving the dorm and leaving nothing but memories. This being said, I am reminded that I have to cherish every single moment and continue making the best out of each day. 

A few months ago, my grandparents came to visit me here at the dorm. They were on an Ambassador’s Tour of the Philippines and fortunately, Palawan was one of their stops. On the day they arrived here, they came to see me right away. It was so emotional and refreshing to see them step out of their van. They came ready to share their big hearts and were able to witness the big hearts of our learners here too.  Our young people greeted them with two dances: Palawan and You Raise Me Up. Emotions were definitely (but not surprisingly) present. I was very touched to see the tears flowing because I know it wasn’t because of the music or the dance moves, but because stories and hearts were revealed through the performance. After the presentation, my Lola Wilma was speechless – not able to communicate with words but with her tears of heartfelt emotion. Even my Lolo Eddie was crying! When she was finally able to speak she shared how our lifestyle here reminds her of when she was growing up and where she lived. She also shared the story of my Lolo and what challenges he experienced growing up here in the Philippines. Motivationally, she told our young people that if they work hard and always trust in the Lord, they can do anything they want and be anything they want. “You people are my heroes!”, she said loud and proud with my Lolo and Tita Ethel in agreement. My grandparents were extremely touched by the learners in the short time that was spent together, but I believe our learners were touched by them too. We all agreed that the learners are my grandparents’ heroes and my grandparents are the learners’ idols. This was a good day. 

I think about this day often and I think about how my Lola Wilma called the learners their heroes. Without question I agree. These young people are also my heroes and I’m not sure they believe me when I say it. We tease each other a lot and we play-fight a lot, but in the times that we are serious, I pray they know how much I love and care about every single one of  them. In these past six months I’ve learned their strengths, their weaknesses, their personalities and their stories. I am truly going to miss them when I go, but my heart will always be with them for the rest of my life. 

Please join me in praying for my Lolo, Lola and her family as their travel through the Philippines and other parts of the world. They’re really living!!