1.  I would expect that by now I have totally nailed down my work schedule, since I've already been teaching for a month.  That's been a new challenge for me, since the dynamics of my class is so different.  I enjoy the class I have this year.  I don't mind getting up really early in the morning to be at work and then lingering in my classroom after-school to prepare for the next day.  It's been a pleasure!

2.  I also took on teaching the high school group's Sunday School class to give Kuya La Ron a little bit of a break.  He deserves one!  We're going through the book of Genesis, which is really cool and eye-opening for me as a learner.  It's one thing to lead a whole group Bible Study, but I don't think it's enough or safe to say that they're doing fine.  The high school students are very energetic and I love hearing their thoughts and reflections.  At the end of my teaching, I never get a single comment or question.  It's just a dead awkward silence.  Do they not like to ask questions?  I'd like to have more one-on-one time with them and try to help them where they are at. 

3.  Erwil and I visited the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda on Saturday.  I learned from the exhibits and I loved the courtyard.  It's magnificent!  The attendants were preparing for a wedding ceremony, and I could only imagine how beautiful that garden would look for the unknown couple who'll celebrate their marriage there.

4.  After church I stopped by my in-laws to visit them.  I've been MIA from family for the past 2 weeks and Erwil's mom has left messages on our answering machine to see when we'd drop by.  If I didn't have to grade papers, plan lessons for both classroom and Sunday School, scrub the bathtub, shop for furnitur, go to the grocery store, work-out, pay bills, do laundry, then I'd be all for spending a lazy afternoon with all of our family.  It's just a hard thing to do every single Sunday after church.  I say that I'd have to limit it to every other week.  It's pretty hard to please everyone and meet everyone's expectations right now--so this is where I need my heart to be guarded. 

5.  I roasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds earlier this evening. 

6.  I need to spend some quality time with God in prayer and reflection. 

7.  I'm hoping that I'll be a better steward of my time.

I got suckered into answering these questions out of boredom and not being able to fall asleep.

1. Song that always makes you sad?
End of the Road and Water Runs Dry, Boys II Men

2. Last thing you bought?
Bounce dryer sheets from Walmart and meat that went on sale at Albertson's.  Man, I sound like an old lady admitting to that!

3. Last person you argued with?
No one

4. Do you put Butter before putting the peanut butter on?
I put jelly before putting the butter on.

5. One of your stuffed animals' names as a kid?
I had no sense of originality.  My raccoon was Raccoon.  My bear was Bear.

6. Did you ever own at one time a Barenaked Ladies Cd?
No

7. Favorite day of the week?
Friday

8. Favorite Sundae topping?
Chocolate Syrup

9. Did you take Piano lessons?
No

10. Most frequent song played?
Stickwitu by PCD...can't believe that's the most played off my iTunes!

11. T.V. show you secretly enjoy?
The stupid Japanese gameshow that makes athletic folks fall and hurt themselves badly.

12. Would you rather play basketball or hockey?
Basketball

13. Date someone older or younger?
Older

14. One place you could travel right now?
My husband and I both wish to visit Japan.

15. Do you use umbrellas?
Yes

16. Do you know all the words to the Canadian national anthem?
No, I don't know it at all.

17. Favorite Cheese?
Pepper Jack

18. The Smith's or the Cure?
Tough call!  The Cure, probably.

19. Do you prefer Blondes or Brunettes?
Both are cool

20. Best job you ever had?
The one I have right now!

21. Did you go to your high school prom?
Yes

22. Perfect time to wake up?
5am

23. Perfect time to go to bed?
10pm

24. Do you use your queen right away in chess? ..
No

25. Ever been in a car accident?
No

26. Closer to mom or dad...or neither?
Mom

27. What age is this exciting life over for you?
It's exciting at any age.

28. Dhat decade during the 20th century would you have chosen to be a teenager?
I think I grew up during a good decade--Bill Clinton was president then.  Those were good times for us.

29. Favorite shoes you have EVER owned?
Cole Haan sandals

30. Do you have an article of clothing you have had since you were in high school?
I still have my high school leather letterman jacket.  So does my husband!

31. Were you in track and field?
No

32. Were you ever in a school talent show?
No

33. Have you ever written in a library book?
No

34. Allergic to?
Nothing

35. Favorite fruit?
Mango

36. Have you watched sex and the city?
Yeah

37. Baseball hat or toque?
Neither

38. Do you shampoo first in the shower or soap?
Yes, shampoo is first.

39. Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste?
Wet the toothbrush.

40. Pen or pencil?
Pen...I like Sharpie markers.

41. Have you ever gambled at a casino?
Blackjack is my thing.

42. Have you thrown up on a plane?
No

43. Have you thrown up in a car?
Almost

44. Have you thrown up at work?
Almost

45. Do you scream on roller coasters?
Heck yah!

46. Who was your first prom date?
Dave

47. Who was your first roommate?
Amber

48. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk for the first time?
Mudslide

49. What was your first job?
Worked at Cinnabon

50. What was your first car?
Toyota Corrolla 1983

51. When did you go to your first funeral?
Grandpa's

52. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown?
Hahaha, 17!

53. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Masukawa

54. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?
California...from JFK to LAX.

55. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?
I snuck out a lot!  I forgot w/ who.

56. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them?
Janssen, yes we're still tight!

57. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parent's house?
College dorms

58. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
I vent to my husband.

59. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?
Probably Ate Grace Gusto's wedding.

60. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Take a shower

61. What was the first concert you attended?
Pops Fernandez, a Filipina singer

62. First tattoo or piercing?
Just the ears

63. First celebrity crush?
Probably it was Ricky Schroeder from Silver Spoons...he was a cutie!!!

Where did September go?  The month is already over and I didn't have a chance to blog about the stuff that I got to enjoy that month.  It's been a challenge trying to find the time to blog these past few weeks.  Here's what went on last month.

1.  The beginning of SY (School Year) 2008-2009.  Since I live farther away from work, I basically get up by 4:45am and I'm on the road by 6am.  The janitor opens the school gates by 6:30am.  I actually like getting to work earlier and I like leaving earlier.  However, it's been a real challenge trying to leave by 3:30pm.  I find myself feeling like I could stay in my classroom forever--there's so much to do!    I also enjoy my new group of students this year.  Either I'm learning to become more patient and not let myself get too worked up with students, or these students are just quicker about learning and have better work habits than the class I had the previous year.

2.  My husband started going to a chiropractor back in November 2006.  I started going in April 2008 and continued my visits 3x per week.  It's a huge commitment to come that many times, but it's definitely made a difference in something that I was having difficulty with since high school.  Since high school I was experiencing a really sharp pain on the side of my rib and it affected my breathing.  I didn't know what it was and no doctor could say what it was exactly, but I no longer experience those sharp pains anymore since going to a chiropractor.  I'm not making any medical claims, but I do thank God that I don't experience those awful pains anymore. 

Also, I have really done away with using pain relievers and decongestants.  In fact, I haven't used any and ended up throwing away a shoebox full of expired meds.  I try not to take meds unless it's really vital.  I'm just really appreciative of the way that God created our bodies.  Here's a picture of me and Erwil at the chiropractor's clinic.

3.  My in-laws invited Erwil and me, along with my parents for a fall dinner dance reception at their church.  It was a fundraiser organized by the Filipino members of the church congregation. I didn't know that my father-in-law was such a great dancer!  Our parents had a fun time and were able to fellowship together.  Our Sundays are usually spent having lunch with our family.  Erwil's parents expects us to come by their place every Sunday for lunch.

4.  I'm a ninang again!  Rebekah, who turned 1 also had her dedication ceremony.  I was there to support the little girl along with her other godparents.

5.  Stacey and Lester got married.  I've known these two since they were kids--Stacey, since she was a baby!  It was fun to be at their wedding and they sure had a nice one!  I just realized that I love going to weddings.  All I know was that I indulged in the brown sack of candy given to the tables, Laffy Taffy and Pixi Sticks being my favorites.  They sure know how to put goodies to put in a goody bag!

 

6.  Beach baptisms were held for the friends who partake in the College & Career Bible Study that Erwil and I attend every Wednesday evening.  We went to Newport Coast area.  Not only was it such a cold day, the water was freeeeeezing!  Nevertheless, it was a great celebration for all of us to witness them confess their faith and their walk with Jesus Christ!

7.  It's now October!  Here's my Sunday afternoon goal:  I am going to finish grading the math tests that my students have taken and then I will treat myself to a yummy bowl of Tutti Fruitti yogurt.  It's the nearest frozen yogurt joint near my house.  It's not only a good incentive for me to work through the pile of ungraded papers, but it's a way for me to get myself outside the house.  Since I've gotten married, I've been staying home a lot these days.  If it weren't for the nearby yogurt place, I'd be such a homebody.