thanks for visiting!

david and i absolutely LOVE it when people come up here to visit! it's refreshing to see old faces again and show them around our city. even though we may not be the best hosts/tour guides, we try to provide each visitor with a good time and a memorable experience of the bay. here are some pics from when derrick, kirs, and kathee were up here:

i'm really embarassed at how messy my desk area is!!! =/ looks like miss h. needs to do some major spring cleaning!


good food at the millbrae pancake house!

anybody know where we are?

yup...derrick and kirs' first time on BART. i can't really tell if they're pushing her onto the tracks or saving her from falling over. hmm.... ;)

isn't this a cute picture?! they painted over the heart; it was previously red with a different design.

there are lots more pics (saving the best for last, kirs!) but i'm tired so i'm going to bed. i'll try to post more tomorrow.

tomorrow is yet another day of work. lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change. please let it be a good day. and if it isn't, help me to endure what you bring to the table with a light heart full of love.

i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

good night, moon.

this one's for YOU.

it's been long overdue, but here it is. enjoy, everyone!

does anybody watch SURVIVOR?

i like that show. i always imagine myself on it and getting voted of during the first tribal council. because that's what would happen. i think if i were on an island with em, reg, and fran...only em would survive. she would probably fashion a boat out of banana tree leaves and sail right off the island. i think reg would just spend the whole time crying. i'd probably get allergic reactions to the sun, bugs, sand, and food, and then die. and francia...well, you know how that goes.

i miss you girls.

LENT 2007.

it's here. a time for penitential prayer, life sacrifice, and giving. it's definitely here.

40 days, in the desert, alone. was He scared...lonely...afraid? what did He pray about? what did He think about? did He cry?

the journey is long and the roads, narrow. we are barely a week into lent 2007, and it already feels like it's gonna be a tough one. but, i love this season. how will i know happiness if i first do not experience pain? i am thankful for the difficult journey and the seemingly unending list of things for which to pray: decisions. his heart. grandma PB. teachers. jobs. school. MD. credential. perseverance. love. relationships. new journeys. old friends. death&life. students. journals. hair. birthdays. no meat. sacrifice. basketball. the playoffs. unity. sister. brother. mom. dad. past&present&future. life.

the list goes on and on. but, i am praying for it all. i am praying for you all. and i know He hears me.

* * * * * * * * * *

let it be known that we are NOT engaged. there have been several inquiries lately. the february 1st post is correlated with the february 7th post. and i probably should've been more clear: "we are excited for this new journey in his career." and i said "we" because most people that texted/emailed/called congratulated us both. my apologies for the confusion!

thank you.

gratitude goes out to all those that have sent david and me well-wishes and congratulations. we are both very happy about this new journey. thank you.




miss h: alright, we're going to go around right now and tell our classmates who in our lives is our personal hero.

student a: my parents.

student b: my brother.

student c: you.

congratulations are in order.

guess who is 100% a...




wow. this is so very...wow. david found out, while sitting on the toilet checking on the internet on his sidekick, that he is now officially an R.N. what an awesome accomplishment this is. a year and a half of rigorous school work and months of studying and stressing out has all paid off. and did you know that he already has a job? that's right. my man is a working man now. all is falling into place.

so, congratulations david anthony villanueva, R.N. i am so very proud of you.

this is why

...i became a teacher. i received this email today from my students after being out sick for 2 days:

Hi Miss H!
The 6th grade class misses you and we hope you feel better.

Here are some direct quotes from your dear students:

" I miss you! When are you coming back? It is not as organized without you."

" I miss you so much. The teacher scares me. I hope you feel better."

" Help us!!! We want you back."

" Help Miss. H.
P.S. I'm doing better."

" I really hope you get well and come back to school. Everyone misses you. :( "

" Hi miss Ms. H!!!!"

" Ms. H, I miss you. Please come back."

" I'm in need."

" Please come back you missed two special days from spirit week."

" Come back soon! S.O.S"

" Miss H, Please come back. I miss you, I REALLY miss you."

" Miss H I wish you were here this week. These two days were like a scary movie. Come back soon. You are the best teacher in the junior high in my opinion. See you Soon."


" I think after these past two days I REALLY appreciate your patience and kindness and the talent you have of being a teacher."

Besides 6th grade my sister misses you too.

Please Come back to US!!!!

P.S. C and M want to say they were singing the song " Where'd you go" by Fort Minor.


* * *

affirmations. reminders. motivation to keep on going when it gets tough. carpe diem, everyone!

p.s. are you guys tired of the teacher stories yet??? =P too bad cuz there will be more!!!

buzz.

busy bee this weekend. check out the sched.

saturday:
10-12pm science fair
12-3pm working
3-whenevs bbq for j's going away party

sunday:
9-12pm open house & then some
12:30-5:30 basketball games galore
8pm church



i have to remember to put in a request for vacation in march/april. do we even have that? i'm really super excited about my trip to the philippines. more of my cousins are going, and if my bro gets on the ball with his passport then he'll go, too. not all of my cousins are going though. well, at least they're not sure. we're workin on it. can't wait to see my family again. and i can't believe it's been almost a year since my lola's passing. and what a year it has been.

david's preparing to take his nclex on monday. lots of stress and anxiety around these parts. but if you knew what passing this test meant -- to him, and to us -- you'd be stressed and anxious, too.

if you're looking to watch a movie this weekend, watch FREEDOM WRITERS. coaches watch COACH CARTER, football players watch RUDY, females in the service watch G.I. JANE, cleaning ladies watch MAID IN MANHATTAN, old single people watch 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN...

and teachers watch FREEDOM WRITERS.

in a perfect world, this movie would be true. oh, wait a minute! it's a true story! =) that's right, folks...it really happened. and it means that stuff like that really happens. one day, i hope to make that much of a difference.

it's been a long, long time.

oh, blogging. how i miss thee. i remember when we all first started blogging way back when. i remember being so excited when i told chris lindz and he was like, "blogging? that's so 1990's."

so far 2007 has proved to be...busy. and busy i think it'll be for the remainder of the year. it has been nonstop since new year's. there are days when i am so incredibly overwhelmed that when i get home, all i can do is lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling for hours on end. my hair's even falling out by the handful. i'm that drained. i suppose much of it is my fault -- not knowing exactly how to manage my time well or be productive enough during the daytime. teaching is draining. but i love it.

on a more positive note, something that has been nursing me through all of this is the bscottj's! seriously? seriously! it's quite therapeautic and such a wonderful release. the downside to all the art is that it's so expensive-O! i know it doesn't have to be, but i'm addicted.

i've been watching american idol lately and it has been quite entertaining. i agree with the critics who say that the judges are meaner this time around. but that's television for ya. what do they expect? they want people to watch, don't they?

back to teaching (because that's what my life consists of nowadays). i had a problem with some of my students staggering into class 5 minutes after the bell, so i would shut the door and lock it at an appropriate time. anyone left outside the door would have to suffer a "consequence," which usually consisted of doing a song or a dance or acting of some sort. one of my students chose to do a dance. he imitated michael jackson and started pelvic thrusting the air. bad idea, miss h. needless to say, they don't come late to class anymore. chalk one up for ma'am.

anyone wanna go to ny? $99 one way from jetblue! you have to fly from sfo, though. just an idea...

love is in the air.

this will be a quickie...

i'm here at school during my one and only prep time during the week and i am using these precious moments to blog. i gave my 8th graders and assignment yesterday and it was to read King's "I Have a Dream" speech and highlight parts that moved and/or inspired them, or write down questions they had while reading. i went around the room checking to see if they did the assignment. one of my students presented a blank sheet -- nothing highlighted, no notes, no nothing.

"Ok class, I see that most of you have done the assignment correctly and completed what I asked of you -- thank you."

"Uh, sorry Miss H, I didn't highlight anything because I thought that the whole speech was inspirational and if I highlighted, it would take up too much ink."

these kids will think of anything to get them out of trouble.


in other news, my observation went suuuuuper well! so excited and thankful!!! =)


better post to come later...

Happy Tuesday!

and 1.

congratulations, varsity royals. this is only the beginning...

raindrops on roses...

Friday = win
Saturday (2) = win, win
Sunday championship = ?

here we go...get your head in the game.

stay tuned for tomorrow's update.






good job, coach. so proud of you.

last week i was standing in front of my students in line and saw them whispering and staring at me. when they saw me stare back i heard one of them say, "tell her!"

student: Miss H., you look like a pirate today.
me: (looking down at my gray capris, boots, and white long-sleeved shirt) a pirate?! yuck!
student: um, don't worry...more like a kiera knightly pirate, not a johnny depp pirate.
me: oh, ok...i guess that's good.
student: trust us, it is.


kids these days...

***


i need to go to church more. and, i can't wait for advent and christmas to come. rain, cold air, lights and trees, pageants and carols...and JESUS.

HE's coming...are you ready?

giving thanks.

so much to give thanks for this year. my family who continues to love, friends that continue to care, the love of my life who never gives up trying to make our relationship stronger...

and through it all i keep reminding myself that God is the reason for my life's happiness. knowing that it could all be taken from me in the one breath, i work hard in trying to never take any of it for granted.

thank YOU.

in the news...

as the air grows colder and raindrops become more frequent, life in the bay area continues to move with the weather.

i am steadily approaching the 3-month mark of being a teacher, and what a ride it has already been! still working late nights at school, continuing to say "yes" to duties and projects i should probably refuse, and trying my best to take in the experience and continue to believe in what i do. the most intruiging outcome of this whole thing thus far has been the realization of God's intricate plan for my life. who would have known that the very same activities i loved while in irvine would continue to be a part of my daily life over here. adoration with my students during first friday's, singing praise songs with the youth choir, praying the rosary as a school, leading faculty prayers, and bringing jesus into my daily classroom culture -- it all makes sense now. and i am moved.

even david is doing his own little part to change the world. okay, so maybe being a basketball coach to 8th graders isn't changing the world per se, but it is definitely changing the small worlds of each of those guys on the team. they come to class tired and sore, complaining that they didn't have time to do their homework because they were playing ball all night. but david is enjoying it, the kids are learning, and the parents look on in awe. so do i.

we just celebrated my mom and dad's birthday's two weeks in a row and are beginning to prepare for my brother's birthday next week. i may be so broke that i won't have enough money for christmas! speaking of christmas, my sister and i have decided on a more modern theme for this year's decor. the blues, greens, purples, and silvers of target really caught our eye and it's going to be beautiful. my brother isn't so sure, however. his exact comments were something along the lines of, "um, did you know it's christmas and NOT easter?!" let's hope people don't get confused.

yes, things are definitely moving in a steady, forward direction. as this year begins to come to its close, i feel good about the change, the growth, the inspiration that continues to be a part of my life. yesterday's homily talked about being holy in your calling -- that you and i are called to live out our "status," whatever it may be, as holy and as faithfully as possible. it reminded me of something blessed mother teresa said about acceptance -- how we should just accept whatever God lays down on our path, not because it's there but because HE put it there. not only should we accept, but we should accept it with a SMILE.

i think that makes all the difference.

DANCE to the music...

this was fun! thanks, kirs!

from my PURCHASED playlist...
(and, yes. i did actually pay money for these songs.)

1. How am I feeling today?
Honor and Glory – David Bauer (piano instrumental!)

2. Will I get far in life?
I Surrender All – Music for Piano Lovers (ah, let’s hope so.)

3. How do my friends see me?
Step Up – Samantha Jade (you step up I’ll step up too!)

4.Where will I get married?
I Am – Mark Schultz (oh really?)

5.What is my best friend's theme song?
Pon de Replay – Rihanna (what is this song even about?!)

6.What is the story of my life?
Come Clean – Hilary Duff (oh yes. hilary duff DOES, indeed, occupy a space in my place list.)

7.What was high school like?
I Will Be Here – Gary Valenciano (tomorrow morning if you wake up…)

8.How can I get ahead in life?
By Your Side – Hillsong (exactly.)

9.What is the worst thing about me?
Shout to the Lord – David Bauer (um, ok.)

10.What was today like?
I See the Lord – David Bauer

11.What is in store for this weekend?
Place in this World –M.W.S. (roaming through the night to find my place…)

12.What song describes my parents?
Me & U – Cassie (hmm. i don’t know whether to think this is cute or gross.)

13.How is my life going?
Hold Me Down – Danity Kane

14.What song will they play at my funeral?
SexyBack – Justin Timberlake (take note of this, please.)

15.How does the world see me?
Make Me Whole – Amel Larrieux

16.Will I have a happy life?
Stay With Me – Danity Kane (if he stays with me my life will definitely be happy.)

17.What do my friends really think of me?
Pump It – Black Eyed Peas (haha!)

18.Do people secretly lust after me?
Just the Girl – Click Five (oohh…just the girl i’m lookin for!)

19.How can i make myself happy?
Maunaleo – Keali’i Reichel (this is a song about mountains in Hawaii. so…i should go to Hawaii?)

20.What should I do with my life?
Breathe (2AM) – Anna Nalick (yes. thanks for the reminder.)

21.What will the person you marry be like?
Thy Word – Piano Instrumental

22.Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Press Pause – Danity Kane

23.Will you have a fulfilling life?
Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts (i hope so.)

24.How will you die?
I The Lord of Sea and Sky (:D)

birthday WEEKEND.

this weekend was wonderful. i always envisioned having an extravagant birthday bash for my quarter-century birthday -- you know, surrounded by all my friends at the club or on a yacht for a cruise around the bay (ahem). that's the kind of stuff you hear everyone doing for their 25th. my entrance into the "mid-twenties," however, wasn't as crazy as i had thought it would be.

as the clock struck midnight i was sitting in the car, driving around sf with david and my friends trying to look for parking. we partied at a place called dragon bar and danced to some hip-hop and 80's beats. we were the only ones in the club that sang along to "poison"...i thought everyone knew that song?! the next day, my real birthday, was filled with errands. david drove me around the entire day as i ordered my cake, attended my students' volleyball game, took care of some stuff at school, got my eyebrows done, and picked up food for my party. we then drove 2 hours to sacramento to meet up with my family to celebrate. my mom and aunts and uncles really worked hard at cooking all the food and preparing. it really was the best way to spend my birthday -- surrounded by everyone i love. what more could a girl ask for?

i thought that if i wasn't going to party it up at the club i might as well party hard with the fam. turning 25 was my excuse for getting drunk in front of my family, and no one really opposed. heck, some of my uncles even joined in! grey goose and silver patron...mmmmmmm.

gathered around the table of plenty


first shot of the night. i even made david take one!


i think we're on #3 at this point


david, what are you doing? (this is david after one shot of tequila...)


the real dee is coming out now (this is dee after 3 shots of tequila...)


this is definitely going to be in the slideshow guys


family bonding is fun


thanks to everyone who celebrated with me and for all the texts, calls, and emails i received. sometimes you can't help feel as though you're forgotten once you leave, and it's nice to know that people still care about little old me. :) i am truly grateful. i even got 2 calls from gian! one to say thanks for the cards, and another to say "sorry i didn't tell you happy birthday when i first called you but i forgot and just checked my planner and had to buy another phone card to call you." that guy cracks me up.

thanks, God, for a great birthday and another year of life.

small acts of great LOVE.

during college, i never thought i'd ever be as busy as i was during my LOG days. countless sleepless nights preparing for concerts, rallies, meetings, and retreats...staying up late to study for midterms and finals (the only two times during the quarter when i studied)...or spending a few hours of spontenaity with the girls. my life was busy then. but nothing could have prepared me for the busyness of being a teacher.

i wake up in the morning and begin mentally preparing for the day. then i go to school and attempt to inspire and educate the masses. inbetween my teaching i busy myself with tasks that would usually be done by other staff at the school, but since we don't have enough people on staff, everyone has to pick up slack. after school i can be found a.) facilitating the school paper meeting, b.) helping with student council, c.) directing the children's choir, d.) working on the yearbook, or e.) tutoring, all the while entertaining parents' concerns about their children. i'm the last to leave school at around 5 or 5:30pm. when i get home i eat, talk to David and my family, and begin grading the 130 pieces of paper/worksheets/essays and various student work i have every night (65 students x 2 pieces of work per student). i go to bed thinking about how my students are doing in class and what i am going to teach the next day. despite all of this, i am loving what i do.

we are learning about Saints this week, and i told my kids that Saints were ordinary people who did things with extraordinary love. i have to remind myself to be like the Saints...

one day last week i talked to my students about a friend of mine who needed prayers. i asked my kids if they could do me a favor and help me help him. so, my 18 sixth graders made cards with inspring notes inside of them for my friend. some drew pictures of jets and planes, others drew men dressed in camoflauge with big thick glasses, and some even cut out different color designs to make them look pretty. after the kids turned them in, i commented on how beautiful they were, not yet knowing the beauty that rested within. i read the cards that brought tears to my eyes, and thanked God for sending me students that continually teach me about what love is. here are some of my favorites...

*note: names are ommited for fear of one of my kids searching for our names and finding me!


Dear Mr. A,

I hope you are doing well in boot camp. I admire those who sacrifice their lives to serve their country. I appreciate what you are working for and I will keep you and the rest of your troops in my prayers. Salamat pos a ginagawan ‘yo. Lahat ng ginagawa n’yo ay nata tulong samin. God bless you. =) P.S. Sorry for sp. errors in my tagalog!



Dear Mr. A,

I hope you are doing well at your boot camp. I admire your courage and determination to do such a hard job. I will pray for your safety and wish you luck.

I am in Miss H’s class and my name is J. Miss H explained a little about you and she encouraged us to write letters to you. Thank you for reading this letter. I hope you succeed at your training. Take Care.



Dear Mr. A,

I hope you’re not feeling too bad there. I know it’s really heard at boot camp but if you want to join the Air Force you have to deal with it. Once you’re done you can join and I’ve heard it’s a fun job. People say you get a good feeling knowling you’re one of the people who’s protecting American citizens from terrorists.

I hope you enjoy your career in the Air Force. Try your best always and everywhere. Make sure as many pilots come back as possible.



Dear Mr. Anaclento,

I wish you good luck at bootcamp. Miss H, my homeroom teacher, told me about it. I would like to know when you have to sleep and when you have to wake up. And I would also like to know what kind of things you do at bootcamp.

Everyone here at school is praying for you. The person who misses you the most is probably Miss H.

triple red hot seven.

though i hesitate to say it (because i know as soon as i utter the words, things will change!) things have finally started to calm down around here. for the past month and a half i have been pretty much disconnected from the outside world -- with the outside world being anything other than teaching. my life has consisted of grading, lesson plans, teaching, administration drama, and the building up of a school that is in desparate need of change. inspite of all this i love what i am doing and i continue to strive for better things, not for myself, but for those whom i serve. more to come on that subject later...

what i really wanted to blog about was this weekend. my familly, david, and i took a mini-vacation to viva las vegas! my dad got elected president of his filipino association and was inducted into office this weekend -- they held the festivities in vegas because there are a good number of members that reside there. so, we all took a plane ride over and had lots of fun with big sticks and margaritas, wheel of fortune, and of course, shopping. the timing was perfect since derrick was there with his family, too. we didn't party it up too much, but i was satisfied with the much needed relaxation and fun. it was simply rejuvinating to be around family without having to worry about my students (though i did bring along 3 large manila folders for grading...haha!). yay for family!

one of my good friend's gave me some awesome advice after i vented to her about how stressed out i was with being a first-year teacher. she said that it is a major stress reliever if you simply take the time to see your friends at least 6 times a month. i've employed this piece of advice lately and i must say it has worked wonders. i am finding it easier to get through the week, and i think i have less pimples because of it, too!

speaking of friends, i will regretfully admit that i have been such a bad friend since i embarked on this new journey in my life. i have not made the time to be a better friend to those whom i truly miss, and i am sorry for taking you all for granted. thank you for all the texts, comments and voicemail messages. thank you for the prayers. i miss you all, i am praying for you all, and i am definitely trying to keep in touch more. thanks for understanding.

and to two very special foo's in my life:

to my one-to-one big stick drinking buddy...thanks for the nice conversation during the car ride. it felt really good catching up with you. i really am praying for you...for the wisdom to follow the path you were made to follow. it'll happen...getting the job, seeing the world, and finding the one. (in that order.) hope to see you up here soon!

and, no, david...i didn't forget about you. thank you for never failing to be my number one support. i have survived this first month and a half because of you...