Thursday, November 29, 2007

Pitiful

Upon seeing my clean-shaven face (I hadn’t seen my baby face in nearly two years), many friends and students were a bit astonished. I rarely ever reset to my default setting; however, I seemed to have just cause. Most people assumed that with me now entering my mid-30’s that I was making yet another feeble attempt to regain my youth (and I do think a facial tabula rasa allows me to erase a good decade from the weathering façade).
But reality was much different, for several co-workers and I decided to have a mustache/beard competition.

So on November 5, I removed 600 days of identity to rediscover something akin to a youthful smile and attempt to win a competition I genetically had no chance to win. My Irish/Norwegian blood mixture has weakened over four generations only leaving me with its strongest traits of height and uncanny wherewithal to withstand drunkenness. So for all of you who thought I was a tad unusual for a Filipino, you now have your explanation. The test of manhood began in earnest when we all returned to school that Monday looking unnaturally pristine. The students observed that something was awry, but couldn’t quite put all the pieces together. Several female co-workers made a variety of remarks and suddenly wanted to get in the action by serving as judges. Students and teachers alike had a new topic of conversation to replace the usual gossip drivel of which students are dating each other and possibly which teachers are dating each other (sometimes I feel sorry for the new teachers, but it’s all part of the indoctrination into our social experiment termed high school; even I cannot escape the rumors, for students swore I was dating my former student teacher until they realized she was involved with one of my high school buddies, which I did not arrange at all—it just something that tends to happen to me that I’m connected to a vast number of people—which makes me wonder why I’m still single—ok, stop digression, I’ll get to that topic again later).

Over the next two weeks, people commented on my lack of ability to produce enough testosterone to have any chance in this competition. All this kind of humored me, especially since before the competition I was the only one who wore a beard regularly. Judgment Day was November 21 at our staff Thanksgiving potluck luncheon. It amazed me to see how many people were into our male bonding competition. A rubric was created with great thought, detail, and hilarity that would distinguish all our facial coats. Arias served as emcee and the competitors had to stand before our peers to be objectified. I requested some kind of handicapping should be given since I was the only Asian male on staff who could make the minimum standards of being able to grow a full beard and I was there to represent the other three. I was just laughed at.

The judges in their infinite teacher training created certificates/awards of participation to allow all of us to feel included in bringing our faculty together to witness this carnage. They bestowed upon me the unique distinction of Most Pitiful because I needed mascara to make my beard fuller. I don’t quite recall all the others. There was an Abe Lincoln award, a porcupine award, etc. I have to admit, the whole thing was quite hilarious. I accepted my derision whole-heartedly and loved how we as a staff gathered for something non-work related. We do need more things like this to keep our spirits and fuel other new kinds of rumors (I’ll blog about my birthday party later). After speaking with one of the new female teachers on staff, who is the subject of many a rumored inquiry, we thought about what kind of competition the women could have. No one really seemed interested in the leg hair contest. Yet, the idea of an evening gown competition is intriguing. Many of the teachers rebuffed my attempts at a faculty talent show for the students, but what if the show was turned into a faculty pageant. We can have beards as a category once again. The ladies can show off their finest evening wear and we can crown some winners. Maybe this will determine our teacher of the year. The students would love it, although I doubt they’d pay to watch it. But you would quickly find out who students love as they back their favorite colts in the race.

The odd thing now that this is all said and done. I kinda miss my face being clean shaven. Maybe I’ll stick with that for now. I need to look like I’m in my 20’s again. I’m having trouble finding single women my age. Apparently I’m too old for the younger women who are looking for perfection in a man, and I’m just now entering the age bracket that makes me suitable for all the single moms/divorced women who know perfection doesn’t exist. I just need to find a good answer to their thoughts about “What’s wrong with that guy? He’s 34 and single. Something must be wrong with him.” And to all the women I meet not in the education world, saying I’m a teacher, especially an English teacher, is truly the kiss of death.

If you'd like a more objective opinion regarding this tale of bearded woe, you can simply listen to two of the other teachers express what precipitated the making of this inaugural event. They definitely have a different humor about the matter since they are to blame in part for its conception. More importantly, you should listen to their podcast just because their funny and "random." Please check them out at http://therandyrando.blogspot.com

You'll also notice there is a link to them on the side of this blogsite.

Hopefully, I'll begin writing regular blogs, especially since I have promised so many different topics and have to deliver.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Nostalgia

Last Thursday, I happened to have to cover another teacher's class and it was in my former classroom. Although the room is drastically different (the office has been taken out of the room), I felt this nostalgia overwhelm me. Looking at the same trees out the window and going off on one of my mini-digressions to express my thoughts on students who say they're bored by reading, I remembered what it was like to be a new teacher again. Those early years seems far away now, especially since I've been attending the weddings of those former students. But as I eased into this nostalgic attitude, I recalled how much harder I was then and how my standards were more often met than they are now. The curriculum that I gave my first junior CP class when I student taught was handled more easily then the same curriculum now with the junior honors students. It makes me wonder about the state of education and all the various points a breakdown could occur in one's own learning process.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Guestlist


Please check to make sure your name and those of your guests are properly spelled. This is the final list that is being submitted to the club. It is organized alphabetically by first name. If there are any problems, please let me know immediately.

Thanks Lance for finding the comic strip.

Ada Yan
Adam Amoroso
Adam Brogan
Adam McLearan
Adimu Adofoadom
Aisha Davis
Alex Roxas
Alexander Michael Tiampo
Alice Ding
Alicia Vosberg
Allison Sharplin
Allison Wong
Amy Alonso
Andrea Marciano
Andrew Beaken
Andrew Kelly
Angel Malepeai
Anne Marie Panoringan
Arceli Alvaro
Arthur Conrad
Aruni Jinowat
Aymen Abdelhalim
Bonnie Watterson
Breeana Robbins
Brian Gee
Brittany Ng
Bryan Preamprasitchai
Cassy Malepeai
Cecil Dela Cruz
Charity B Ramilo
Chelsea Moller
Chi Do
Chris Acidera
Chris Barcelon
Chris Barron
chris cairo
chris yee
Christina Roncal
Christine Padilla
Christine Seguido
Claudia Mercado
Costa Nikoloutsopoulos
Courtney Celia
Cyrus Villarosa
Dana Solimon
Darius Brown
David Vinski
David Wilson
Deanna Yuan
Demian Martens
Derek Padilla
Diana Chow
Diana Legaspi
Dionne Davis
Donna Dela Calzada
Dounya Alexieff
Duangjai Teeranutranont
Dwight Baker
Edem Kuevor
Edward Gonzales
Eileen Cusi
Elaine Antipuesto
Elizabeth Lin
Elyse Santana
Emerson Quan
Ezra Gonzales
Faye Jose
Felician Stevenson Jimenez
Freddie Cadiente
Gabe
Gerard Villaroman
Gigi Gikas
Glory Ariche
Grace Sonia E. Lee
Gritsada Satjawatcharaphong
Ha-Mill Hwang
Han Jihyun
Henry Cusi
Hermandillo (Jim) Trinidad
Isacc Malepeai
Ja Moz Fischer
Jacky Wang
Jaime Simpson
Jamie Poblitz
Janice Ruiz
Jared Giarrusso
Jarett Fajardo
Jason Herd
Jennifer Chua Quan
Jennifer Diaz
Jennifer Lui
Jennifer Tong
Jenny Ginorio
jeremy rodis
Joan Rosalie Roxas
Joel Hamilton
John Hadden
John Reginald Roxas
John Robert Roxas
Johnny Phan
Jose Jose
Josephine Voong
Justin Ip
Justine Liberato
Karen Wong
Karlo Abajon
Karman Tam
Katrina Verada
Keith Miura
Kelvin Block
Kenny Dang
Kevin Ang
Kristin Vernon-Ancheta
Lance Padilla
Lasundra Wilson
Lea Sanguinetti
Leonadruaus McInnis
Leonard Yee
Leslie Ramos
Lizelle Saure
Lohee Malepeai
Lulu Malepeai
Madonna Regala
Mae Limpahan
Maggie Yan
Magnolia Ng
Marcela Cardon
Marcella Padilla
Maria Vlahiotis
Maricel Gobaleza
Marie Joy Bautista
Marivic Alvior
Mark Grafilo
Marlis Ringseis
Mary Anne Carmen Padilla
MaryLiz Guthier
Melissa Macapinlac (Rockefeller)
Melissa Roncal
Michael Carmen
Michael Cusi
Michael Manneh
Michael Picot
Michael Ringseis
Michael Zozos
Michele Alcalen
Michelle Martinez
Michi Lagandaon
Mike Acay
Minette Chan
Myla Ablong
Naamen Tilahun
Nathan Zanon
Neal Rothstein
Neal Sardana
Neil Salazar
NICOLE DAVIS
Nicole Rivera
Nikki Bender
Orawin Juntanamelaga
Patricia Satjawatcharaphong
Patricia Uong
Patty Vlahakos
Paul Abiva
Pauline Sheung
Pedro Caceres
Perrie Ancheta
Peter Yee
peterson Lui
Rachel Rothstein
Ramil Torres
Raymond Ferrer
reiko ando
Rich Kirr
Rissa Belara
Rita Santos
Robert Rockefeller
Robyn Moller
Rochelle Padilla
Ron Haynes
Roxanne Stewart
Rupinder Sidhu
RUSTAM BEKMURADOV
Ryan Lee
Saga Malepeai
Sarah Lynch
Sarah Pugliaresi
Scott Bender
Scott MacNeil
Sean Jaime
Sharon Millan
Sheena Padilla
Shyica Willis
Siwaraya Rochanahusdin
Sofia Gonzales
Sofia Malepeai
Stephanie Lipman
Stephanie Vinski
Steve Garcia
Stevie Angeles
tabitha santoso
TALEIA THOMPSON
Tavis Kehmet
Teal Bourne
Teresa Fae Cusi
Thanchanok Julie Jinowat
Tiana Black
Tiana Chan
Tiffany Robbins
Timothy French
Timothy Phelps
Tisza Lintoco
Usra Rochanahusdin
Victoria Spiers
Violet Tinoco
Virlyn Acidera
Welmin Fong
Will Tong
Wilmer
Yukari Kawano

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Sweet November

Woo hoo! It's my favorite month of the year. I survived September which was one of the worse months of my life. I survived October, the busiest month of my work life. And now--party month--all kinds of birthdays, including mine on Thanksgiving Day this year.

I spent the last two weekends at family parties both for my grandmothers. Two weeks ago was my grandma rosing's 40-day memorial. I will have pictures shortly and stories soon. Last weekend was my grandma luz' birthday party. I'm feeling so Filipino lately... must be all the rice and deserts.

and just in time to stir some controversy and fun at work... i'm clean shaven...

Bell Game this Saturday. Be there!
Birthday Bash @ Rouge on Nov. 17. Email me for more info.