Albine's Corner

Image by: WoodZone.com (thanks) I'm celebrating Christmas in the NOW. I choose to feel Christmas everyday as a way of being happy always. The intensity of my feeling rises because the Philippines has the longest celebration of Christmas season, I think.

I am currently enrolled to earn a degree in Education. Recently, Prof. Joanna C. Consignado required us to submit a report, and this is what I wrote:

There was an echo-seminar conducted at the EAC-Manila Campus last July 25, 2009. The title was "Trends and Updates in Effective Teaching Methodologies". This involves a number of speakers, both coming from EAC-Manila and EAC-Cavite branches.

Several days ago, I came to meditate on a famous Zen koan (philosophical riddle) which asks, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?". Allow me to share my own answer to this... I put together my 2 hands in a clapping mode and heard the clapping hands saying: "bravo!", "praise-worthy", "excellent", "glorious".

I just got a text message, forwarded message actually, from a friend that says: A friend is never a coincidence in our life, they are once a stranger, meant to come into our life to bring you priceless lessons and funny memories. Thanks for being one!"

Guy: "What is your treat to the cats this holiday season? " Me: "Well, actually I always treat them even on no special occasions. Now, there are hot dogs left on the fridge after cooking pasta for my students. These cats have them. On a cold weather like this, I think the best treat I can give them is a cuddle. Is it not sweet? " Guy: "Yes, it's sweet. But you know how cats are, sometimes you try to cuddle them and they squirm away from you. Like some women, actually." (giggles) Me: "You think so?" (laughs) "Because that who cuddle is so vague. Precision is preferred. " Guy: "Precision cuddling." (laughs) "Only you would come up with something like that. You're one of a kind. "

I was a fool... I was vulnerable... I couldn't control myself... But I have hoped! What are praises for? I'm not used to it, anyway. I haven't heard my parents praise me nor my brother does; and that, I don't understand. I just have few friends though and sometimes they praise me a little and I don't mind that attention. At work, knowing my boss, he is not the type of person to give praises generously. With my students, there are of course petty little comments but it outweighs those damn complaints against me. Thus overall, I hear just few praises since I got consciousness in the world.