Simbang gabi: 1st Night

1st night: A night with some of my favorite people

It was a dinner date with one of the best mentors of my life, Ate Len. We had a quick dinner at the Pathways office, then we headed to the Gesu  Church in Ateneo. The mass was about…hmmm sorry God, I forgot. Basta, I know it was about celebrating the beginning of Simbang Gabi. I know I was listening so intently sa Gospel at sa Homily but I don't know now, why I forgot the details now. When we arrived, the seats were almost all occupied. Then i saw some familiar faces. I saw my students! My twin favorite students were also there with their family, parent and grandparents. The mom offered a seat for me and Ate Len. With some little chats in between transition of the ceremonies, we have the little parent(ofstudents)-teacher bonding time. :)

Then this was her striking question: Teacher, hindi mo naman kami iiwan? (She was asking if i have plans of leaving my current employer) Well, dear parent, that's the question of a million. kiddin! but i already have an answer to that :) I'll look for a greener pasture. :D

Btw, I love the Carols sang on that night. I love the glee who sang that night. What I remember is the walk in front of Xavier hall where the HUGE Christmas Stars of different offices of ADMU are displayed. Ate len took the chance to realize her dream of becoming a 'photographer' and I happen to be the 'model'. Well, the results: pictures taken were a reminder of how size matters. :P

But the most epic of the night was the kwentuhan under the Batibot tree. Seems like we never run out of stories to share to each other. I always love how Ate Len listens to me. We talked about how blessed I am to find one great mentor in terms of career, Tojie. :) I always love how Ate Len transpired wisdom to me.

Night with Nate

As the title suggests, this blogpost is about the night or shall I say Nate. =) Nate is our handsome grad school classmate who grew up here in the Philippines but whose family came from Oregon and who are foreigners. For the previous group therapy class, my friend and I are always happy every after classes because 1. the classes are engaging and stimulating, 2. there's a cute, substantial guy in class---> that's Nate.

We were walking on the blue bridge with Praise, Father Jacob, and Nate, all our grad school classmates. But Praise had to drop by Fullybooked and Father Jacob needed to head somewhere else so Nate, Max and I ended up walking together. Nate  walked with us until 7-11 where he was meeting someone, according to him.

This blogpost is not separate or that special for myself, but for my friend Max. Since the beginning of class , I am "teasing" my friend to this guy. My basis, I just like it. Joke. No, kasi hearing from both of their stories, I can see some associations and I just like to play matchmaker sometimes….or rather most of the time.Hehe. For instance, I was kidding Max awhile ago about our positions in class. We were seated in a circular arrangement and I just noticed the seating positions that what Max and I ended up. Max was seating beside Father Jacob (who's from India), and Father Jacob was seating beside Nate. I was seating beside Max. It was father who is in the middle of the "bride" and the "groom" and I happen to be beside the bride--"bride's maid" :)). And the others are witnesses. Well, as you know, these are just my chorvas. :D Pero, hanggang pang-aasar lang ako. Whatever happen will happen in it's rightful timing, and if it happens, I wouldn't do anything about it because that would be a result of their choices and actions and certainly not mine.

Another reason why this blog is entitled this way is because, most of the time this Friday night, was mostly about listening to Nate. He was sharing in group therapy class, which Dr. Lota utilized very well in a very enriching discussion and enlightening session about parenting and parental dynamics. The walk with Nate also contributed to the idea of revisiting my plans for 2012 (e.g., planning to shift career: from teaching to research). So goodnight with Nate. And I should say, the night has been MAXimized.

Start counting my blessings

Nov 27, 2011

I feel blessed that i have great mentors. I have quiet a number but i would like to give special credit to two. they are like my mom and dad (although they don't relate to each other) outside my primary family.

MOM: Ate L. When i saw ate len yesterday, i cried. I dont know exactly why but i guess i just miss her. Ate len has been guiding, supporting and letting me become a wonderful person (which i hope i am becoming) since first year college.

DAD: Sir T. Yeah, he's like a father. i formally got to feel he's a mentor when thesis started, which was three years ago. Til now, we still occasionally communicate about stuffs, mostly about career, eventually about life in general.

They are inspiration to commit magis, success and be passionate in whatever i am doing. Glad to be their mentee.

BLESSING: MENTORS

RR is finally getting married!

Wow! I heard it from Praise last night but i didn't believe it. But RR told me herself that she is finally getting married, on Dec 17! It is very very soon! I am so happy for her. Finally, she is leaving her major interest--singlehood. Well, i don't know if she would also leave her research interest about it. But definitely, she will face a new married chapter of her life. Hope, and I am pretty sure that that will add a good deal of care for her students hehe. kiddin! RR is one of those teachers that i "hated" the most back in college. I didn't like her approach and i hated her more because of what she did with my grade in thesis. But that was during the 1st sem of thesis only. Bumawi naman siya noong second sem and she saw who really worked hard for our thesis. :)

Although i didnt like RR, esp during thesis days (IO and Group Dy kasi, okay pa siya) :), i never regretted that she became my teacher.. really. Because without an RR in my college life, baka mas lalong hindi ko nafeel what would real life can offer. Sometimes, the devil's advocates are good to be around. :D

Well, best wishes RR! :)

so this is the university life

Am I doing the right thing? Is it worth it to spend time, effort and energy in studying, well more of learning actually? Will I overcome this challenge? Can I manage this new change despite the many responsibilities that i need to attend? How important is for me to do something? Really, what are my priorities? I felt obliged to do somethings but are those helping me?


Obviously, I have lots of questions in mind. I hoped to have a retreat before this semester ends, but time flies. It's like there are things to do left and right. I would have said, i didn't have time. but I know that twas more of a matter of failing to make time. :( There are so many things to do but there's so little time. There are so many changes happening but the time to absorb the changes isn't enough...isn't it?


Yesterday, we had our orientation in grad school. I don't know what to feel. I feel anxious and pressured with the presentation of all the possibilities that the university and grad school life can offer. But at the same time, i feel amazed and excited. I am grateful that i have the opportunity to meet more greater people like my teacher in MC (e.g., sir Jay, Ms. barros, Sir Mot, Tojie); this time, it's the people like dr. Alampay, Dr. Hechenova, Dr. Teh, etc. I feel that there are lots of rooms to grow here, and that definitely i am on the right track. I feel so blessed that I got the chance to be part of this holistic and competent department. I felt that maybe there is a reason why I wasn't accepted to study for MA in Germany. Maybe, it is not yet time. For sure it's not for me.. Maybe i need to be prepared for something bigger.. bigger what? I don't know, yet. Definitely (and sadly), my Miriam education isn't enough to prepare me for the bigger world. Maybe, the university life with a world-wide perspective would help me prepare for a bigger and better future.


I was touched with the opening prayer and the orientation earlier. Truly, those who chose this kind of path are courageous people.It's a risk, yes, but it is also a big investment of almost everything--time, relationship, career. I was about to go home (that is after, Max and I spent time contextualizing our thoughts and feelings about what are these that we are currently experiencing, in Starbucks Katips as usual) when someone I know "grabbed" me and invited me to join their dinner in McDo Katipunan (Although, I didn't really eat with them because i was still full from the orientation). That was Kuya Boom. He was with Ate ZsaZsa and Kuya Milan--all of whom are previous Pathways officers. They were conversing to a foreigner from Columbia. The guy, whose name is Carlos is staying for about 3 and a half months here in the Philippines. He was selling tickets to my Ate and Kuyas in Pathways then. The ticket he was selling was about an event in UP. The guy was an economist missionary from Columbia who is very much into his spirituality. He talked a lot... maybe that's part of being a foreigner in a strange land, either you talk a lot or you keep quiet most of the time. Among the things that he talked about was his idea of "giving up" the life that he used to have--which according to him was that, he got everything he needed and wanted-- that struck me the most. While he was talking about accepting change, meaning change of lifestyle, environment, everything, i was thinking, to what extent will i be willing to give - up something just for the sake of living my ideals of "purpose in life"? And what is that purpose, btw? Similarly, what are the things that i should or would give-up if ever?


Listening to a total stranger that night was like a meant to be thing for me. Earlier that night, with the orientation in MA and the talk with Max, I was thinking of the possible endeavors, particularly in the aspect of career that I would be taking in 4 - 10 years. Carlos, the Columbian, appeared to be happy with what he's doing. He was very much away from his family, well maybe family bond isn't that strong in Columbian people unlike the Filipinos. But the point is, he seemed satisfied with what he thought he's doing for his life purpose. He has a center in his life and it was obvious that it is God. Whatever he do, he mentioned that it is toward that center. That is what i need to achieve. I need focus. I know that whatever I am doing right now is not for myself. It is for something bigger than myself---it could be my family, my community, my country, and God. These may sound ideals but i know that with all the things that I am doing right now, one thing is for sure. This is not what a 21-year old typically do. The energy that i am exerting isn't for a 21-year old , although many at this point in time, experience life-changing events. But i know that i wouldn't do all these things possible if I am only working for myself--if I am only striving for myself. I am aware that it is beyond that.

One more striking thing is that, my question of: "what is He preparing for me" was somewhat answered when I got to talk to Ate Zsa, Kuya Milan and Kuya Boom. Ate Zsa recently came from the Pennsylvania, US. It was awesome talking to them. They gave me insights about living independently. Ate zsa mentioned that her lifestyle when she was studying college and working here in the Philippines prepared her for a bigger opportunity and challenge. She used to live in a dorm during those time and according to her, that helped her grow a lot and be prepared for something like US experience. Living and working in the US isn't easy at all. Living outside the country, away from the family isn't easy at all, period. My new experiences right now, maybe are not just to signal adulthood.. but maybe it's also about the preparation that I need for the future.

I don't know what will happen in the future..I only have the present. And as much as possible, I want to open myself up to the magic of the present. But i know in myself that my way of dealing with life wouldn't be easy if I don't make my past and future matter... As of now, I am just happy, overwhelmed but excited to live the present. But the present is not that friendly. Like right now, i feel guilty not having enough time for my family. I feel guilty that I may not be being fair to my employer and students; that my energy, focus and attention are all divided. I wish to give my 100% to whatever I do in the present but right now, I need to figure out what to leave and what to carry to the future. With all these confusions, one thing is for sure. I am making the right decision to pursue my dream of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. 

welcome to adult life

In a span of two weeks, there have been gazillion changes:


AM A STUDENT!

Bellarmine Bldg. is where our first class in Cogni (actually in MA) was held. And it was only the first :P because the succeeding classes are being held in the Social Sciences building.

The Leong hall is where the Psych Dept is located...

And last but not the least, the Soc Sci Bldg. It is where all our Psych classes are being held. Actually, Soc Sci has past positive memories of good thesis endeavors :)

A single step to my dream of becoming a Clinical Psychologist! Now, I am officially a student in one of my dream schools. It might not be a school abroad but i guess, this is way way better that I expected. I feel blessed. I can't imagine myself studying abroad given that i still need to learn more! And i mean MORE. The first two weeks of school made me realized that maybe the training during my undergraduate studies is not enough. Ateneo, its mission, its way of educating students, and its physical environment are all familiar to me--but maybe not all. Despite having most of my Pathways and volunteer experiences in Ateneo, being a student here now is a lot more different. Being a constant visitor vs being a student in Ateneo imposed greater challenges. Sometimes I bump with people whom i used to know in this school, but there are still many many things that need to be discovered in this new venue of learning. This is a big change. I am not an ordinary student whose focus is the academic requirements and/or the school extra-curricular activities. I am a student and an employee at the same time, a teacher actually. Many do that, and i thought it was easy--but it is not! I am still adjusting but i guess, this aspect of my life and this new change will be better... will be alright.

This semester, I got a violation warning at the registrar's office for wearing a sleeveless blouse. I wasn't oriented yet as to the Dos and Donts in Ateneo, so i was shocked that I was given that warning in the very first day of my graduate student days. Well, i don't actually call myself an official student until my first day of class. It sure was a not-so-good start for a graduate student who is starting a step to the career that she wants. But come to think of it, it is not only the warning violation that seemed not so right as i come to a new campus. It was also the validation test that Max and I took. We learned that for the second sem, we were the only ones who took the exam. We were given a month to review our used to be 5-unit experimental psychology subject. Fortunately, we both passed the exam. One of our teachers before said, "take the exam and show admu that intelligence is not only exclusive for the ateneo students." Well, as days unfold, we learned that some of our schoolmates back in college who took the same validation test didn't make it. The unfolding of that fact resulted to a mixed emotion: we are glad that we passed it, but we are saddened by the thought that our alma mater isn't that competent in that aspect. 

I am currently taking two classes: Cognitive Psy on Tuesdays and Group Therapy on Fridays. The classes compensate each other. It's a balance of thoughts and feelings. Every week, we are asked to submit a thought paper (or was it every other week?) for Cogni class and a reflection paper (that's every week!) for the Group therapy class. The first is a lecture and with sometimes toooo loooong class discussions, while the latter is a therapy in form of groups, thus "requires" us to share insights, personal experiences, and open-up issues most of the time. That, i need to learn... to trust myself in sharing and to trust my listeners of what I am about to share...

Another thing about these classes: we were expecting a known teacher for our Cogni Class but we ended up with a different one.. He's good but I think it would be a lot different if its with the other teacher. Also, I am hoping to start afresh in this new endeavor but it was a mistake to expect that. My point, not all of my classmates are new to me. Also, not all new classmates are total strangers. Some knows some people whom i already know--goes to show that this world is really small, the world of academe nonetheless!

AM A TEACHER!

Another change: New set-up in work

I was not only referring to the physical set-up but to the dynamics in my current work. 

Well, actually it was last June since my new work set-up occurred. I used to be a preschool teacher in the morning then a Galileo teacher in the afternoon. Now, I am a Galileo Enrichment teacher, period. But there are still some new set-ups in work. My colleagues, especially my boss, are mostly caring and thoughtful nowadays. They were before, but they are extra thoughtful and caring nowadays. And, i don't get anymore stress coming from the issue boss-closeguyfriendthing, because the issue simply died come November. Other than that, I also have some students who stopped going to Galileo. I will miss them. But I am welcoming new students. I guess, this is one of the essentials i learned from working in Galileo: embrace change -- the coming and going of students.It was hard at first because i have learned to set my everyday mood in teaching these kids. Now, that that thing has changed, i have to adjust.

AM A NEW HOUSEMATE!

 These are my youngest siblings, Patrece and Ecai.

I wont be seeing my siblings play like this often because i'll be staying away from home. Working and studying away from home and seeing them every weekend or every other weekend would be the case. I actually managed to do that 9 months ago, but now is different. Now, I am totally in a new environment. I am occupying a place near my school and work. The three venues are actually all walking distances from each other but one of my greatest concerns nowadays is food. I can't eat food from outside (e.g., dinner outside and take-outs) all the time; that's just not practical and not recommended for some health reasons (if it would be fast-food most of the time). 

Adjusting to a new place was the most difficult thing for me these days. When I first came into my dorm, which is an all-girls place, i felt awkward sleeping my first night in that new place with total strangers. After almost two weeks, i slowly get to know them, at least in a superficial level: demographics.

Another concern that I have right now is my laundry. I don't know yet if I can manage to do it on my own or shall i bring my stuffs to the laundry shop like the other boarders do, or shall i bring my laundry at home and wash it there... So many things that i need to do independently. When i was in my aunt's place, i do my own laundry but not all the time. Sometimes, my aunt do it for me.. Now, i have no one else to count to, except myself.

AM A VOLUNTEER

 Kuya Dale, me, Max, and Daryl after we conducted the first half of our CHANGE and TIME workshop to the inmates of the New Bilibid Prison

Kuya Dale, Me, Max and Louie

There are also some new changes in my volunteer endeavors. The demand of work is much much heavier now compared before. There are new volunteers also: Daryl and Lian. Well, they are not brandly new. They are volunteers since around June. But it is only now that they are being active to the organization. However, as some people become active, others become MIA. 

AND LOOK WHO HAS A BOYFRIEND??!

She is not single anymore... so how do i feel? I panicked! haha. especially when Iren commented that, "20 years old na ko no..." What more pa ko? But all in all I am so happy for her. :-) I am glad that my sister managed to go out of the four halls of Assumption and find a partner--literally and figuratively. Grabeh, bilib na ko. partida, she's staying in the dormitory of AC lead by the nuns pa. Haha! galeng! I just hope that she won't get hurt, or if she does, she would be strong for that... But more so i just hope that my conventional parents would accept this new change. :D

P.S. I also learned that some of my college friends got into relationships,too. Shockings? No, more of surprising actually. One, someone got into a same sex relationship. Its fine with me, but it is still surprising esp with the kind of a personality that that friend of mine has. Two, someone got into a long distance relationship despite the demands of studying beyond studying. Three, someone manages to be into both same-sex and long distance, saan ka pa? Truly, the world is unexpected. :) All in all I am so happy for all of them! :-)

Although there are lots of changes, which some said, signal the adult life, I am open for it. But truth be told, it is not easy to adjust. Each aspect of life that changes demand great effort. But despite the gazillion changes, there are still constant things...

I am with my most constant companion, best partner, and an awesome great friend Maxine. Just realized that we have really really lots of things in common. Well, that's what real friendship is... finding commonalities despite differences.

going somewhere? nope. just having dinner after MA class :D

Then, i found this other constant awesome incredible friendship with Gijik =). So we formed this trio. Actually, my groups mostly consists of trios... I may not see Gijik as often as Maxine, but she is there, always, as if the gap of time and distance doesn't matter. That's Jik!

And I always thank God that I have these BFFs forever.. We don't consider each other, each other's best friends but we know that we are the closest friends that each others can have! :D You never know what are the ups and downs that we all got into... :)

icko, anne, luz and me

Of course, one of the best things that happen to me is to be involved in Pathways and to know these wonderful people. Our friendships may not be as deep as the friendships that I have with the above groups, but our bonds are unique and irreplaceable. They have been my co-volunteers first, but the test of time helped us go beyond that--we are dear friends to each other! :)

von, len, joms,mark, wenky, me, aileen, and eloisa

And the last but certainly not the least, my parents are still the same sometimes annoying yet always loving parents whom whether I like it or not influence my well-being. :)

my beloved family =)

I am guilty of being a not-so good ate and daughter to them sometimes, for depriving them time; that instead of spending my time to other responsibilities/works i should have spent it guiding my siblings and knowing them deeper... and i may not say it to them as often as possible but i do love all of them! :) 

Jeng-jeng, Patrece, Kenneth and Ecai

Whatever happens, I will always be part of this family..

Bello Family

WELCOME TO ADULTHOOD!

Just me :)

I am not exactly proud about this pero this is a great learning experience for me. Salamat sa magaling na obserbasyon ni Daryl Malonzo :P

Re-post from Daryl:

Today's Funny Story, while at Bilibid Prison with Louie P. Cagasan Jr., Maxine Joyce Torres Pinson, Randale Polo and the star Aylin Bello of Skwelahang Sikolohiya.

At around 1:20 P.M. a discussion about time was given by Aylin and Max, a short sharing of the inmates followed.

During the sharing, Aylin made mention about a research regarding SMOKING which leads to Clinical Disorders.

Then she asked the inmates: "Sino ba sa inyo and naninigarilyo dito?" Some of them responded through raising their hands and pointing at each other. Suddenly one of the inmates spoke, saying "Ako po ma'am dati naninigarilyo at paminsan-minsan nagbabato, pero ang hirap po talaga tigalan ang bato."

Our ever emphatic Aylin blurts: "Oo nga po, ang hirap po talaga pag natanggalan kayo ng BATO."

While I was writing at the board, I stopped and processed what Aylin was talking about, then we went on laughing because we realized that she was not using the word BATO for a slang of a prohibited drugs, rather using BATO referring to Kidney.

GRABE!! DAMI KO TALAGANG TAWA! What made me happy was her delivery, it was full of empathy of some kind and it sounded very endearing. But analyzing it, it might be the worst response you could ever give to an inmate whose confessing the use of BATO! :)


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Another story from my Second adventure with the Skwelahang Sikolohiya group. Starring the ever famousAylin Bello with side trippers Randale Polo, Louie P. Cagasan Jr. and Maxine Joyce Torres Pinson.

Minutes after the session inside bilibid, we went back to the PJPS (Philippine Jesuits Prison Service ) quarters. We had a conversation with the people there regarding their future projects. A moment later we decided to go home, on our way out, Aylin said "Tara papicture tayo sa entrance, kasi wala pa tayong bagong picture doon." Without second thoughts we agreed.

After taking several shots at the entrance, we walked through the tricycle terminal, upon reaching the first one in line, I asked "Kuya, kasya po ba kami sa isang trike? and the driver replied "Oo kasya." Upon hearing this Kuya Randale sat on the back seat, while Louie and I were arguing who should seat next the girls. Luckily I overpowered Louie and he sat with the girls inside, while I took the backseat in between Kuya Dale and Manong Driver. Aylin had to sit on a small iron seat (for children) near the driver, while Max and Louie sat on the passenger's seat.

On the road out of the compound, we were reminiscing the BATO incident and laughed. After, we diverted our attention to Aylin and Louie's sought after love story to be and had "kulitan". While on the way and as the tricycle is bursting in speed, suddenly,

Aylin asked me, "anong psychological perspective ang gusto mo or yung ginagamit mo most of the time?" then I replied, "usually humanistic ang perspective ko." Then she followed by "you mean ROGERIAN?" Then I said "Oo Rogerian, in terms of humanistic perspective."

Then she replied "ah okay, rogerian pala." Out of the blue, she then said "Edi naniniwal ka sa PARANORMAL something dahil humanistic ka?" After hearing this, Kuya Randale and I had a look into each others eyes, both wondering, maybe surprised, better yet shocked! Then the two of us became laughing monsters, thinking, were is the paranormal concept with Roger's humanistic theory? We asked Aylin and she, herself laughed and wondered what was she thinking.

HAHAHA! another way to remember SS, specially the adventures with Aylin! tawang-tawa talaga ako sa Paranormal ideas ni Aylin, parang wala pa akong book na nabasa about Humanistic perspective na may ganitong content.. :) Really, sumakit ang tiyan ko sa kakatawa! :)