"Congratulations! The (school) board voted to renew your contract for the 2012-2013 school year."
This is such a blessing! My employer, Glendale Adventist Academy, is answered prayer. I really like teaching there. I like praying and singing praises everyday with my students. I like serving God at this school. I like the fact that is just a 20-minute drive from our apartment and the 134 freeway is not congested. I like the people at school - my co-teachers, administrators, and other workers. I like how they take care of me as a teacher. There are a few problems but I like my school in general! I remember my prayer last summer. I told God, "Please send me to a school where I'd grow old." Could GAE be the one? I hope so.
Friday, May 04, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Solutions
So I came up with solutions to ease the burdens on my shoulders...
Positive thinking. I am an optimistic child of God. What happened to my optimism? Didn't God give us promises so He will carry all our cares? How can I forget that? The thing is, I am a control freak. If I could control the weather, I would. I need to learn the lesson "Be still and know that I am God" all over again. Focus on the positive things, Rica. So many good things and opportunities have come your way.
Trust Alex. God gave him to me to complement me, not to be just like me. Marrying someone like me is not something that I wanted. That is creepy. I definitely thank God for a wonderful husband. He is patient, brilliant, caring, and knows what he is doing. God called me to be his wife so I should learn to relax, let him be the driver (even when we are falling into a ravine), and encourage him. I married a sinner (just like all of us) so I should not expect him to be perfect.
Save. Seriously, Rica, how can you not save when you are at the peak right now? So I started saving the money I get from my tutoring for the rainy days. Thankfully, the money saved up and I am contented. So saving can be done. It is just a matter of little sacrifices here and there. Honestly, I do not want to stress out with money. I am done with stressing about money. It is time to seriously save and create an emergency fund.
Be grateful. As I said above, so many opportunities have come my way. Instead of being grateful all the time, my bratty self won again in the past weeks. Cinzia is healthy. My new contract with Glendale SDA School came and my pay went up and my co-teachers said, it is going to increase every year. I will be studying at La Sierra University this summer - at my employer's expense. I will be going to Tennessee this summer to attend a teachers' conference. My family's needs are met. I have 10 students whom I tutor one-on-one on a weekly basis. These are some of the things I am thankful for. I am also thankful for my students who are bright and receptive to knowledge. I am also grateful of the times they misbehave or deviant. It gives a chance to think and say my words carefully.
Life is good. How much better it is in heaven!
Positive thinking. I am an optimistic child of God. What happened to my optimism? Didn't God give us promises so He will carry all our cares? How can I forget that? The thing is, I am a control freak. If I could control the weather, I would. I need to learn the lesson "Be still and know that I am God" all over again. Focus on the positive things, Rica. So many good things and opportunities have come your way.
Trust Alex. God gave him to me to complement me, not to be just like me. Marrying someone like me is not something that I wanted. That is creepy. I definitely thank God for a wonderful husband. He is patient, brilliant, caring, and knows what he is doing. God called me to be his wife so I should learn to relax, let him be the driver (even when we are falling into a ravine), and encourage him. I married a sinner (just like all of us) so I should not expect him to be perfect.
Save. Seriously, Rica, how can you not save when you are at the peak right now? So I started saving the money I get from my tutoring for the rainy days. Thankfully, the money saved up and I am contented. So saving can be done. It is just a matter of little sacrifices here and there. Honestly, I do not want to stress out with money. I am done with stressing about money. It is time to seriously save and create an emergency fund.
Be grateful. As I said above, so many opportunities have come my way. Instead of being grateful all the time, my bratty self won again in the past weeks. Cinzia is healthy. My new contract with Glendale SDA School came and my pay went up and my co-teachers said, it is going to increase every year. I will be studying at La Sierra University this summer - at my employer's expense. I will be going to Tennessee this summer to attend a teachers' conference. My family's needs are met. I have 10 students whom I tutor one-on-one on a weekly basis. These are some of the things I am thankful for. I am also thankful for my students who are bright and receptive to knowledge. I am also grateful of the times they misbehave or deviant. It gives a chance to think and say my words carefully.
Life is good. How much better it is in heaven!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Life in 2012 so far..
Well, my year started really good. Blessings come my way. I am still working at my dream school. I still love my wiggly first graders. My baby is already 8 months old! Everything is going well but..
The realities of US life hit me. It is not easy to live in this part of the world. California has high cost of living. Most of my earnings just go to bills - rent, car insurance, internet, phone provider, power, gas for both our apartment and car, etc. It's a lot! Though I am earning well at my school, I wonder why it's still just enough. Alex and I were earning way less than what we earn now when we just started as husband and wife but we still cannot save the money we always aim for. I have to stay in my 2nd job which is tutoring K-8 students. I have 4 employers who gave me students within 10 miles my zip code. I am blessed my full-time job ends at 3pm (one of the many perks of being a teacher!) and so I still have time during the day to earn more on the side. Well, Cinzia is already here and she entails expenses too. She has demands too. Plus, Alex and I get chiropractic care and dental care and these are another expense. Again, it is a lot! Plus, everyday when I get home, I still need to cook, feed Cinzia, do house chores, and clean the house. Again, it is a lot!
My stress level is high that I often bark at Alex for minute things. I guess I have not fully adjusted to the realities of the life here in the US. I am very futuristic, idealistic, and optimistic. But sometimes the goings-on wear me down. It is hard.
In the Philippines, I can hire a helper to help me clean the house. I do not need a car to go around. I have my parents to, maybe, help me take care of Cinzia. The beach is just a stone's throw away. Vacation getaways are just there. Friends just meet anytime to chat, just to chat, and it was fun. Here you cannot easily go on vacations and meet friends. Everything and everyone is far.
Sigh*
God, please give me a peace of mind. You brought me here in the US for a reason. We have come this far together. We can overcome this too together, right?
The realities of US life hit me. It is not easy to live in this part of the world. California has high cost of living. Most of my earnings just go to bills - rent, car insurance, internet, phone provider, power, gas for both our apartment and car, etc. It's a lot! Though I am earning well at my school, I wonder why it's still just enough. Alex and I were earning way less than what we earn now when we just started as husband and wife but we still cannot save the money we always aim for. I have to stay in my 2nd job which is tutoring K-8 students. I have 4 employers who gave me students within 10 miles my zip code. I am blessed my full-time job ends at 3pm (one of the many perks of being a teacher!) and so I still have time during the day to earn more on the side. Well, Cinzia is already here and she entails expenses too. She has demands too. Plus, Alex and I get chiropractic care and dental care and these are another expense. Again, it is a lot! Plus, everyday when I get home, I still need to cook, feed Cinzia, do house chores, and clean the house. Again, it is a lot!
My stress level is high that I often bark at Alex for minute things. I guess I have not fully adjusted to the realities of the life here in the US. I am very futuristic, idealistic, and optimistic. But sometimes the goings-on wear me down. It is hard.
In the Philippines, I can hire a helper to help me clean the house. I do not need a car to go around. I have my parents to, maybe, help me take care of Cinzia. The beach is just a stone's throw away. Vacation getaways are just there. Friends just meet anytime to chat, just to chat, and it was fun. Here you cannot easily go on vacations and meet friends. Everything and everyone is far.
Sigh*
God, please give me a peace of mind. You brought me here in the US for a reason. We have come this far together. We can overcome this too together, right?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2011 was my year!
Happy New Year!!!!It is 2012!!
Honestly, I do not want 2011 to end. 2011 is my year. So many good things happened to me and my family that year. First of all, I can only thank God for everything - tears, challenges, pain, and blessings, all rolled in one. I am also thankful that Alex and I are still in love with each other, still have the same goals, worked out our differences, and are now proud parents of Cinzia Amor Glaze. The highlights of my 2011 are as follows (in random order):
The birth of my daughter
Cinzia is such a blessing! She is 5 months old now. Without bias, I can truly say she is a cutie pie. Wish baby production is as easy as 123 so I could have more cuties just like her..
MA in Teaching degree from USC
With a huge belly (7months preggy), I marched through my graduation in May 2011. My classmates cheered for me! I was the most pregnant that day!
A fulfilling career
As I tell my friends, I feel guilty that I do not feel that my job is a job. I am enjoying it too much! I like my co-teachers, my students, and my school. I feel at home. My kids' parents are so supportive. They make my teaching easier. My kids are also brilliant! I cannot ask for more. I am so proud of them.
Trip to Philippines with Alex and Cinzia!
It was fun! Alex and I love to travel and it seems that Cinzia does too! She did not create any fuss on our long flights, long layovers, and during our stay in Davao. the trip was just two weeks but it was fun-filled, happy, and productive. Alex and Cinzia were able to meet my family.
I wonder if 2012 has way better things in store for me. Bring it on!!!
Honestly, I do not want 2011 to end. 2011 is my year. So many good things happened to me and my family that year. First of all, I can only thank God for everything - tears, challenges, pain, and blessings, all rolled in one. I am also thankful that Alex and I are still in love with each other, still have the same goals, worked out our differences, and are now proud parents of Cinzia Amor Glaze. The highlights of my 2011 are as follows (in random order):
The birth of my daughter
Cinzia is such a blessing! She is 5 months old now. Without bias, I can truly say she is a cutie pie. Wish baby production is as easy as 123 so I could have more cuties just like her..
MA in Teaching degree from USC
With a huge belly (7months preggy), I marched through my graduation in May 2011. My classmates cheered for me! I was the most pregnant that day!
A fulfilling career
As I tell my friends, I feel guilty that I do not feel that my job is a job. I am enjoying it too much! I like my co-teachers, my students, and my school. I feel at home. My kids' parents are so supportive. They make my teaching easier. My kids are also brilliant! I cannot ask for more. I am so proud of them.
Trip to Philippines with Alex and Cinzia!
It was fun! Alex and I love to travel and it seems that Cinzia does too! She did not create any fuss on our long flights, long layovers, and during our stay in Davao. the trip was just two weeks but it was fun-filled, happy, and productive. Alex and Cinzia were able to meet my family.
I wonder if 2012 has way better things in store for me. Bring it on!!!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Goal achieved.
God set me up. It was so clear.
One of the goals I set early this year was to establish my career. A baby was coming and so I had to settle down career-wise. I thought I would end up at a public school because my teaching and job experiences since I got here in the US were in public schools. Boy was I wrong. God has a better plan.
I ended up at an SDA school, a private school at that. I love working there. My co-teachers awesome! My students are great! I cannot believe this. Plus, the school is just 10 miles away from home! The pay is way better too than what I got in the public school. This is such a blessing!
The process how I got the job was overwhelming. Our pastor recommended me. It turned out there were 3 of us being interviewed for the teaching vacancy. I met up with the principals twice. The second one was with the Personnel Committee with 12 people. I cried after the 2nd interview in my car. It was overwhelming and emotionally draining. The waiting game is always worse. Four days after school started, they called me. It was the call I have been waiting for!(When the principal and I hung up, Cinzia pooped all over my lap! That was her best way to tell me, "Congratulations, Mommy!")
I love Glendale Adventist Elementary School. I love first grade. I hope and pray I will grow old there. This is the career I long for. This may not be the job I envision myself getting into but this situation is better than that. Thanks a lot, Big Papa!
One of the goals I set early this year was to establish my career. A baby was coming and so I had to settle down career-wise. I thought I would end up at a public school because my teaching and job experiences since I got here in the US were in public schools. Boy was I wrong. God has a better plan.
I ended up at an SDA school, a private school at that. I love working there. My co-teachers awesome! My students are great! I cannot believe this. Plus, the school is just 10 miles away from home! The pay is way better too than what I got in the public school. This is such a blessing!
The process how I got the job was overwhelming. Our pastor recommended me. It turned out there were 3 of us being interviewed for the teaching vacancy. I met up with the principals twice. The second one was with the Personnel Committee with 12 people. I cried after the 2nd interview in my car. It was overwhelming and emotionally draining. The waiting game is always worse. Four days after school started, they called me. It was the call I have been waiting for!(When the principal and I hung up, Cinzia pooped all over my lap! That was her best way to tell me, "Congratulations, Mommy!")
I love Glendale Adventist Elementary School. I love first grade. I hope and pray I will grow old there. This is the career I long for. This may not be the job I envision myself getting into but this situation is better than that. Thanks a lot, Big Papa!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Cinzia's Birth Story
It has been more than a month since I gave birth. Cinzia has become the center of our lives since then. She is such a beautiful Pan-Pinoy kid. Before I forget my experiences prior to and on 7/7/2011, let me reminisce them here.
July 1 - During my regular OB appointment, Dr. Wu said I am 3cm dilated. He reviewed my records and said, I have two due dates. It could have been on July 1, based on my last period, OR on July 13, based on my ultrasound. Before Alex and I left his office, he said, "If nothing happens during the weekend, see me on July 5."
July 5 - Alex and I went to see him. Apparently, nothing happened over the weekend. He said I am still 3cm dilated, there was no improvement from last time. After he checked on me, he invited us to a private conversation at the back of his clinic. He told us that if we wait longer (until my 40th wk), Cinzia might get bigger because genetically she can get bigger because of her dad. Medically, my body is not suited to carry a baby that big because I am small, relatively. To avoid C-section, we might as well have the baby this week. He suggested that we check in the hospital Wednesday night that week and he would induce me that night. The plan was for us to have the baby at 12nn on Thursday, 7/7. Alex and I agreed to the idea. Dr. Wu said, "I am the pilot here and I believe this is the best for the baby."
July 6 - Friends Ritche and Rose came to our place for moral support. They brought Alex and me to a Korean restaurant close to Glendale Adventist Med Center where I will be delivering. We then checked in the hospital at around 8:30pm. It was so funny because right when we opened the door to the delivery and labor area, the nurses welcomed us with, "Glaze?" They were already waiting for us. I then changed to the hospital gown they gave me. They then attached tubes and the IV. They also put monitoring devices around my tummy. They injected pitocin through the IV. That was the drug to induce me. Alex and I slept.
July 7 - This is the big day so I am going to write down more details.
12:30 am - I felt the contractions but they're light still. I kept on going to the bathroom to cleanse my bladder then I went back to sleep.
2:30 am - I needed to go to the bathroom so badly!!!!I woke up Alex and it took him forever to unattach the tubes and stuff so I could go. I was getting frustrated. When I got up, I felt a trickle of water down my leg. My water just broke! When I sat on the toilet, nothing came out. My nurse arrived and she said it must be the baby pushing out. I laid down again and a gush of water just came out! It was warm and uncomfortable. Then my contractions just got stronger. They were painful. Alex and I started doing the breathing exercises we learned at the lamaze class. The nurse checked on me and I was already 6 cm dilated. She then asked me if I wanted the epidural. I said yes. The pain was tolerable but I did not know how long I can bear the pain and how long my labor will be.
3:00 am - The anesthesiologist came to give me the epidural. My contractions were getting stronger and more painful. She injected it to my spine and I felt pain but it was nothing compared to the contractions. The epidural slowly kicked in. Alex and I decided to sleep again.
6:00 am - The nurse checked on me and I was already 10 cm! She said I was ready to push!Her words, "I am calling Dr. Wu now" scared me. Alex and I were looking at each other. Our stares were saying, "This is it."
7:00 am - Dr. Wu came and checked me. The nurses asked me to push.
I forgot what time it was but Dr. Wu came back with his team. He said Cinzia was in a 7o'clock position, instead of 6o'clock. He had to vacuum her. With the nurses, they told me to push.
7:35 am - I finally heard Cinzia cry. She has come out!I cried and cried. I was so overwhelmed.
Here is our first family picture and a picture with Dr. Wu. He is the best OB! Thank God for him! It is such a blessing to have Cinzia. She is an angel.
July 1 - During my regular OB appointment, Dr. Wu said I am 3cm dilated. He reviewed my records and said, I have two due dates. It could have been on July 1, based on my last period, OR on July 13, based on my ultrasound. Before Alex and I left his office, he said, "If nothing happens during the weekend, see me on July 5."
July 5 - Alex and I went to see him. Apparently, nothing happened over the weekend. He said I am still 3cm dilated, there was no improvement from last time. After he checked on me, he invited us to a private conversation at the back of his clinic. He told us that if we wait longer (until my 40th wk), Cinzia might get bigger because genetically she can get bigger because of her dad. Medically, my body is not suited to carry a baby that big because I am small, relatively. To avoid C-section, we might as well have the baby this week. He suggested that we check in the hospital Wednesday night that week and he would induce me that night. The plan was for us to have the baby at 12nn on Thursday, 7/7. Alex and I agreed to the idea. Dr. Wu said, "I am the pilot here and I believe this is the best for the baby."
July 6 - Friends Ritche and Rose came to our place for moral support. They brought Alex and me to a Korean restaurant close to Glendale Adventist Med Center where I will be delivering. We then checked in the hospital at around 8:30pm. It was so funny because right when we opened the door to the delivery and labor area, the nurses welcomed us with, "Glaze?" They were already waiting for us. I then changed to the hospital gown they gave me. They then attached tubes and the IV. They also put monitoring devices around my tummy. They injected pitocin through the IV. That was the drug to induce me. Alex and I slept.
July 7 - This is the big day so I am going to write down more details.
12:30 am - I felt the contractions but they're light still. I kept on going to the bathroom to cleanse my bladder then I went back to sleep.
2:30 am - I needed to go to the bathroom so badly!!!!I woke up Alex and it took him forever to unattach the tubes and stuff so I could go. I was getting frustrated. When I got up, I felt a trickle of water down my leg. My water just broke! When I sat on the toilet, nothing came out. My nurse arrived and she said it must be the baby pushing out. I laid down again and a gush of water just came out! It was warm and uncomfortable. Then my contractions just got stronger. They were painful. Alex and I started doing the breathing exercises we learned at the lamaze class. The nurse checked on me and I was already 6 cm dilated. She then asked me if I wanted the epidural. I said yes. The pain was tolerable but I did not know how long I can bear the pain and how long my labor will be.
3:00 am - The anesthesiologist came to give me the epidural. My contractions were getting stronger and more painful. She injected it to my spine and I felt pain but it was nothing compared to the contractions. The epidural slowly kicked in. Alex and I decided to sleep again.
6:00 am - The nurse checked on me and I was already 10 cm! She said I was ready to push!Her words, "I am calling Dr. Wu now" scared me. Alex and I were looking at each other. Our stares were saying, "This is it."
7:00 am - Dr. Wu came and checked me. The nurses asked me to push.
I forgot what time it was but Dr. Wu came back with his team. He said Cinzia was in a 7o'clock position, instead of 6o'clock. He had to vacuum her. With the nurses, they told me to push.
7:35 am - I finally heard Cinzia cry. She has come out!I cried and cried. I was so overwhelmed.
Here is our first family picture and a picture with Dr. Wu. He is the best OB! Thank God for him! It is such a blessing to have Cinzia. She is an angel.
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