The Search for the Pigeon Hole (Pigeonhole)

So, I was there, staring in front of my Bio Lab instructor's office. Of course, I was looking something significant that was pinned down on the door; and soon enough, I found it, a note saying- "Get your Bio Lab Assignments @ the pigeon hole". That's it- nothing more; nothing less. Hence, with the information given to me by the door- which has the note- I set off with the quest of finding “the pigeon hole". However, the only information about the location that I have was these three words- the pigeon hole; not even a specific room where to find it was given. I didn’t know where to start. Therefore, I improvised. What I did was I imagined what the pigeon hole looked like (a kind of room with pigeons; a container that looked like a bird's nest; and other mad things I had thought of) with the hope that while I’m walking around the whole third floor level, finding the pigeon hole, I would recognize it.

(Nevertheless, despite all these unverified inferences about the pigeon hole, I was pretty sure about one fact- it has a hole.)

Accordingly, I walked around the whole floor level; unfortunately, I haven't seen any signs of the pigeon hole- not a single feather of clue. I nearly gave up until I realized that I already have this piece of technology which I just recently acquired this summer- a cell phone. So, I used a lifeline- I phoned a friend. At last, I now have the complete information about the location of the item I was looking for- room 303 B, the pigeon hole. I should be happy right? Yes, but not until I learned that room 303 B was just in front of my Bio Lab Instructor’s office- the starting point of my search- and visualized that awkward moment when the thing you were looking for was just a meter away but it cost you a mile finding it. Regardless of what happened, I entered the room- which was practically a teacher’s lounge- and asked the teachers inside where  the pigeon hole was, and they pointed me to a wooden shelf with many small compartments.

 Are you serious? This is it? A pigeon hole is a shelf? These were the questions that came into my mind. It’s really a bad thing when you expected too much. Nonetheless, I took my assignment, left the room, and briefly laughed at myself- well, at least, despite this humiliating fiasco, I still felt some kind of elation. Got to enjoy the little things. :)

P.S.        I typed “pigeon hole” on the Google machine and I learned that no such word exists; a “pigeonhole” does.

P.P.S.    If you knew about what a pigeonhole is for a long time, please don’t be bothered to comment here, on my Facebook or Twitter account, and slap me with the reality that I was just too ignorant for not knowing its meaning. To those who, like me, didn’t know about this, you are very free to leave a comment and make me feel better. J

During Math Time

  Following the tune of For The First Time by The Script, we came up with this song. Unfortunately, we got a line of 7- the so-called "palakol"-  for this project. Nevertheless, here's the song; and I guess we just needed- during that time- to let go of the past and keep moving forward, until one day, we'd just laugh about it (like right now). :)

Lorenzo Viernes, do you still have the video of this?

During Math Time

We’re all in the room wondering as if the place is dark

And scratching our heads ‘cause this Math problem is hard

And we don’t know how to solve this Math equation

It often leads us to frustration

Trying to make it work, but, man! This Math is hard

It needs us now but we can’t seem find a time

Now we pay the price in the unemployment line

And we realize now that we should’ve done our best in our Math tests

Someone help us ‘cause we’re filled with regrets

Trying to make it work, but, man! This Math is hard

But we’re going to start by:

Knowing all these Math terms and signs

Sit studying up all night

Knowing how to factor in awhile

We’re smiling ‘cause we know these things

Polynomials to Logarithms

And we just feel that we love it, like we meet it

During Math Time

We’re all in the room and with our heads held high

We may just fail in Math but we didn’t lose our flight

And we all know how we’re going to make it work when we fail

When we feel that Math is an impossible trail

Trying to make it work and I guess it’s working now

Because we all started by:

Knowing all these Math terms and signs

Sit studying up all night

Knowing how to factor in awhile

We’re smiling ‘cause we know these things

Polynomials to Logarithms

And we just feel that we love it, like we meet it

During Math Time

We know that Math is hard

But it can be that easy

Don’t give up on it baby

Read, Teach, and Learn

  Being a teacher for two days, I have had several realizations that will surely leave a mark in my mind and my heart. During this memorable experience- being a teacher- I’ve enumerated some of the obstacles that you will face in this profession- which were not really easy. But of course, what I did in school for the past few days- in scientific terms- was only a cell of what the teachers were sacrificing to fill our minds with knowledge and our hearts with values.

First obstacle, according only to my experience (teachers maybe facing different kinds of problems)- you really need to know what you are teaching. I’ve cracked my head several times- figuratively and not literally- just to cram all the concepts and ideas that I need for teaching inside my brain. I’ve really felt how my mind had been exhausted, studying for several hours, nearly sticking my eyes on the book, just for the students to learn. Imagine teachers doing hundred times as much as this- it is very difficult.

Secondly, knowing what you are teaching is not the only thing important in this job. You must also know the proper way to share your ideas to your students. You must know how to get the attention of your students for them to listen what you are talking about; or else, they tend to do other insignificant things and make noises instead. During my first day, my first class was III- Newton, the star-section- I was overwhelmed. My hands were cold, my heart was pounding and my body was inevitably shaking. At first, it was very hard for me to articulate my ideas; but, as I familiarize myself, I enjoyed teaching. Honestly, I miss teaching and my students/schoolmates right now.

Lastly, being a teacher was very tiring. Standing in front of the class for several straight hours, talking until you dry your throat out, checking vast amount of papers- it was really tiring. During those days, the moment I got home, I look first for the bed, lie down, and then, peacefully close my eyes, relieving the pressures and stresses of the whole day work. I’m very proud of our teachers, doing a work like this every day, it’s just admirable- their strength, their passion.

To all those who listened and learned something from me, I utterly give you my utmost gratitude. You gave me the push and the motivation that keeps teachers to continue their noble job. Moreover, to those who didn’t listen to me, I also thank you. You gave me the feeling of a teacher when they were talking in front of the class in vain and their voices just falling to close and reluctant ears. To all of my teachers, to all of the teachers in the world, and to Mommy J, who treated us as her real sons and daughters, thank you very much. It may sound like a cliché, but I won’t bother to use an overused idea a million times until everybody gets the message, teaching really is the greatest job in the world. I love you, teachers. Happy Teacher's Day!