My Refuge Online

Thank You and Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 01:04:00 +0000

This will be the last post for My Refuge Online. I finally decided to end this blog and move most of its content to my 2 remaining active blogs, Ruthi's breathingSpace and The Carpenter's Wife's Tool Box.

The decision was not that easy. In fact it took me more than a year to decide if I really want to give it up. But due to my busy work schedule, I finally gave in.

In this regard, I will be re-posting most of the contents from MRO blog series namely: Ruthilicious, Spiritual Musing Sunday and A Grateful Heart Friday into one consolidated blog series - Rutthilicious in the Classroom.

To all of you, thank you for your support and I do hope that you will continually support me in my 2 other blogs.

Thank you... goodbye... and I'll see you in Ruthi's breathingSpace.

My other Brother from the same Mother

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:25:00 +0000

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

I have another brother from the same Mother. Well, I think you already know it by now since I have written about him before.

He is the artist (the real one, the real deal) of the family.

He is a photo-enthusiast.

He is the realist.

He is a hard worker.

He is the royalty.

But most of all, he is a great father.

Happy Birthday Gary. I love you more than you ever know.

----------------------Spiritual Musing Sunday-------------------------

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving me another brother.
Thank you for giving me another friend.
And thank you for giving me my brother Gary.
He is a blessing to me in many ways.
So bless him in multiple ways.
May all his prayers be answered according to your will.

Amen.

Spiritual Musing Sunday

The Very First Man I Fell in LOVE With

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 01:55:00 +0000

I can't remember the first time I fell in love with him. But there is only one thing I am sure - no one ever loved me the way he did.

And I have never loved a man the way I loved him. I still think about him every single day. I miss you so much. Happy Birthday, Dad!

-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------------A Grateful Heart Friday--------------------------

God my Father, Thank you for my Dad

Thank you for such a wonderful blessing.

Thank you for giving me such an amazing father.

Please, keep him in your heart. Amen

A GRATEFUL HEART FRIDAY

We are Grateful Indeed!

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:47:00 +0000

It's been more than a week now since my beloved Philippines was hit by typhoon Haiyan. And it has been a week now too since I last talked about it across my 5 blogs.The week passed by quickly but I still feel the concern of the people at work and some people here who knew that I am from the Philippines.

The outpouring of concern is overwhelming for me even if I was not directly affected by the storm and neither was my family. But still just knowing that I am a Filipino probably matters to them because I represent my beloved country.

The whole world watched. But the world did not stop there. Soon enough the world stopped talking about wars and set aside for a moment their differences for a common goal - to help the Philippines. The world showed us Filipinos that we are not alone. They had shown in more ways than one that after all people are basically good and compassion is not a myth.

Video Credit: Anderson Cooper

Being a Filipino, I know that soon enough my countrymen will recover. We are resilient by nature. Our spirit is not easily weakened by trials and sufferings. We are survivors. And we are always ready to lend a helping hand even if we too are sufferings. There is a sense of urgency for anyone to lend a helping hand to reach out to those who need help. And for that reason, I am Proud to be a Filipino!

The world is watching. But the world is not a passive observer. The world is actively doing something that proves that we are one people in this one world. Thank you world not only for helping us but for making us feel that we are loved.

-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------------A Grateful Heart Friday--------------------------

Prayer Father, our hearts our broken, heal us. Our souls are in pain, soothe us. Our minds are tired, calm us. Let us keep faith in the midst of trials and help us to endure the wounds of our brokenness with dignity. Give us the grace and wisdom that despite all the trials in this world weather we defeat them or not, we have a place in your kingdom. Father, we thank you for sending us your angels. Through them, you have proved us that you are always watching us. Amen.

A GRATEFUL HEART FRIDAY

God is watching Us

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 22:44:00 +0000

"God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them. But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it. But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect." Wisdom 2:23–3:9

The recent event in my home country - the Philippines, is unfathomable to anyone who watched the news. The whole world watched how Typhoon Haiyan pounded the city of Tacloban and neighboring towns weeks after the devastation of the same towns from a magnitude of 7.1 earthquake shattered not only my people's homes but their spirits.

The human soul can take so much but the human body is weak and fragile. Many died during the earthquake and more were claimed during the typhoon. The world is now wondering how can we recover from this?

Relief kept coming from all over the world to help my Philippines. It only proves one thing. People care. Despite the war and hatred in other parts of the world we can still believe that there is hope. People are basically good especially in these times of trials.

Time and again when we feel that we are losing hope God send us his love through the people who care for us. And just knowing that there are people who truly care, help us ease the pain.

Everything happens for a reason.
We don't need to know it.
We only need to keep the faith.
-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------Spiritual Musing Sunday-------------------------

Prayer

Lord, we know that you are watching us
We also know that everything that is happening right now is your will
Give us then the grace of acceptance

And help us to understand your ways
With all the trials that we have to go through
Help us to question not your judgment
But rather keep the faith.

Amen.

Spiritual Musing Sunday

My Mom

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Mom, I still miss you everyday of my life. Happy Birthday. I love you.

Old Feelings

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:18:00 +0000

Old feelings are like houses and graveyards. They can be haunted.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire -

-----------------------------Thursday Challenge-----------------------------

For more Thursday Challenge... visit HERE.

Landscape

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 01:35:00 +0000

Some decisions in life provide us with a perceived landscape of how we want our happy-ending... ends!

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire -

For more Thursday Challenge... visit HERE.

Trash

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 23:53:00 +0000

In this modern time, anything and everything can be easily acquired. No effort is needed to get the things we want if money is not a problem.

Most of the time, things of great value can be taken for granted once it already served its purpose or when upgrades have been made.

A lot of times, things lost their importance when they get broken despite the fact that they can be fixed and restored.

And sometimes, the value of things and people has no difference at all. Sad... but true.

-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

---------------------------------A Grateful Heart Friday------------------------------

Prayer

Father, a lot of times we take for granted what we have
and most of the time we don't value our talents.
Father, forgive us for being wasteful.
Help us to see blessings in small things.
And grant us a conscientious heart
that we may be able to see beauty in things
that seem worthless to our eyes.

Amen.

A GRATEFUL HEART FRIDAY

Subject Matter: Apology

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 02:12:00 +0000

NOTE: This is a re-post from 2010. It was first published in my older and original website "Ruthilicious" which was terminated 3 years ago. I just want to share this here even if this tragedy happened 3 years ago because I believe that the act of forgiveness and the humility of asking for forgiveness is something that we need to learn over and over again.
The Author

A LETTER OF A TEENAGE FILIPINO TO THE WHOLE WORLD

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…
And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao

Author’s Note: Reigno is a 15 year old Student from Catbalogan City, Samar Philippines. The letter is about the recent unfortunate Hostage Tragedy in Manila. The letter was taken from HERE

-------------------------------

As a teacher, our job is not done when the students left the classroom. Our job is not done until we know that our lessons are absorbed by the young minds under our care. Teaching is not called a noble job for nothing if we only look at it as a “job”.

As a teacher, it is a joy to know that our lessons are not just learned but lived by our students. When our students show their interest in the lessons we teach we feel proud. Their success is our success too.

As a teacher, we also feel sad when our students become the opposite of what we expect of them to be. It is sad that we cannot make good choices and decisions for them. We can only teach and help them make one. And we can only hope that they do make the right choices.

The story of the Hostage Taker in Manila and the Teenager who wrote the letter is just an ordinary story of students who made choices. Choices that have permanent impact on their lives. And whoever their teachers were… I can only feel for them.

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

Stop!

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 00:11:00 +0000

The "STOP" sign at the corner of the street is put there for a reason. If we don't know it by now, we are taking a big risk when we chose not the heed the warning.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

The Hat

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 01:03:00 +0000

I own a myriad collection of hats in all sizes, shapes and colors. If only I know where I put them! It would be nice to wear any of them but this one.

[118 characters without spaces]

---------------------------------Succinctly Yours-----------------------------------

This is my take for this week's Succinctly Yours Microfiction Meme at Grandma's Goulash.

How low can you go?

Use the photo as inspiration for a story of 140 characters

OR 140 words. Click For Details

Word of the Week: myriad

FOR MORE SEE HERE

Over a Cup of Tea

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 03:02:00 +0000

Over a cup of tea, life is in a stand-still to savor special moment or reminisce happy memories.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire -

For more Thursday Challenge... visit HERE.

Success 101: Values - Taught or Caught?

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 06:00:00 +0000

“It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom.” – Aristotle -

Children learned important lessons in life way before they enter school. Values are taught and caught at home from daybreak to sundown. And their parents are their first teachers.

Children learned important new lessons in life when they enter school. Skills are taught and caught in school from the very first day they walk into the classroom until they step down the stairs after receiving their diplomas. And their teachers are their skill teachers.

Parents learned from their parents and from their former teachers. Teachers too learned from their parents and their teachers before they become teachers themselves. To say that Values and Skills are learned from both parents and teachers at home and in school is not just a cliche... it's a fact.

And as human being regardless of what age or status or profession we have, it is just practical to say that our values and skills are two important lessons that we learned and can teach the new generation to help them live life to the fullest.

Whether we are a parent or a teacher, we both learned from our own parents and former teachers what we now teach our students and our own children. And the lessons of life we get from the experience stay with us and are in-bedded deeply into the core of our character.

The unshakable and well-grounded upbringing and wisdom we get from them are the very foundation of our teaching strategies. And that equipped and empower us with life lessons that we now use to lead a fruitful life.

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

The Light

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 01:00:00 +0000

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” Luke 8:16-18

As Christians, we can choose to be a light or a fire... or both.

We could choose to be - A light that can bring enlightenment to the souls in darkness.

We could choose to be - A fire to bring warmth to the cold hearts.

On the contrary, we could also be - the light that can ruin the sight of the already blind and the fire the can burn the weak faith.

And for these reasons we need God's light to make a good choice.

-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------Spiritual Musing Sunday-------------------------

Prayer

Lord, give me the light to see the truth

and the fire to keep my faith burning

Amen.

Spiritual Musing Sunday

Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 01:38:00 +0000

Another week passed by without me knowing it. I was so busy with work and I have no time to stop and think of all the things that happened.

I am not complaining. I am not whining. I'm actually blessed. And I thank God for all the blessings I received.

And for that, I want to share this beautiful song of Laura Story about blessings to express how grateful I am for all the blessings I received. Hope you all enjoy it.

Blessings
By: Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

In life we encounter lots of challenges and trials. With each challenges and trials we encounter blessings unbeknownst to human understanding. Acknowledging them as blessings is enough for us human to show gratefulness to the Creator of all things.

-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

---------------------------------A Grateful Heart Friday------------------------------

Prayer

Father, thank you for all your blessings

though I am not worthy

You still bless me.

And for that, thank you is not enough.

Amen.

A GRATEFUL HEART FRIDAY

OMG Moment: Lesson Planning

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:36:00 +0000

This is my 5th year as Child Care Provider for the Kids Out Program. It's a before and after school child care program. And so far, I love this second job of mine.

The job is kinda similar to being a teacher. The difference is - I don't have to do any "lesson planning" and "grade computations" and "documentations". I don't even have a classroom. I have the playground! And yes, one huge difference... I have more fun because all we do is PLAY!

Then, opportunity came for a permanent position in the Kindergarten Classroom. I grabbed it.

Now, I am a teacher again. Well sort of. I am an Educational Technician. I assist the classroom teachers.

So technically I am a teacher, right? Right!

And I love this job too because - I still don't do lesson plans! How awesome is that?

When, I was a HS teacher, I breathed... ate... dreamed... lesson plans. It is an important tool to carry out my lessons. But I was not a big fan of lesson plans!

Can you keep a secret? I didn't do lesson plans. Shhhhh. hahaha

Well, technically I did. I would write lesson plans like I blog though - scheduled and/or back scheduled.

Here's the thing. I don't know how the class will turn out. Who knows?

Can you predict the future? Can anyone tell if there will be interruptions when you are in the middle of the lesson and you needed to stop? What would happened then? No! No one can tell.

So yah, I wrote the lesson plan after I taught the lesson so that I would be able to justify my lesson. Bad teacher! Yeah, that's me! [Well, that is why I have blogs instead of lesson plans.] LOL

----------------------------------

What's with planning? Why do we need to plan? Doesn't it spoil the fun?

Planning... I know has a purpose. It is invented for a reason. It gives one a concrete sense of direction to take to avoid failure and to achieve results. It's a good thing. [I should have convinced myself but I don't operate that way. wink**] It gives the person a tangible resource to success.

As a teacher, I need it. I need it not because I get paid for doing it but because it will help me help my students learn and achieve.

As a human being, I need it. I need it not only to stay in the right track but to keep me focused on my responsibility as responsible citizen.

As the person I am, I need it. I need it to keep me sane!

So do I plan my activities now? Yes and No.

I plan when I know that it will help me get the best result in my mind. And when I want to be adventurous, I just let fate take its course. I love surprises too... good ones only. LOL

PLAN... when you need to. Plan when you want concrete, feasible and successful results. DON'T PLAN... when you have a strong faith that things will be fine and you are fine with whatever result you achieved - good or otherwise.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking/Pinteresting~~ lesson planning and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking/Pinteresting~~ lesson planning.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

AHA Moment: I Can Write B!

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:09:00 +0000

"Hold your pencil still..." I told little B as I did a hand-over-hand technique to guide his tiny hand.

"Then, draw a stick down like this..." still holding his sweaty hand as he carefully followed the lined paper in front of him.

"Now, draw two half circles on top of each other." I continued as he patiently listening to my instruction while moving his little fingers through the direction of my big hand.

The silence in the room was not typical for a Kindergarten class. I was expecting that it would be more chaotic considering that having twenty 5 and 6 years old children are capable of creating chaos in one single moment. But then no, they have been so quiet for more than 10 minutes now as they practice writing their names.

Then, my little guy suddenly broke that silence without warning... and shouted on top of his lung... "I CAN WRITE B!"

Then, little B threw his little arms to me and wrapped me in a soft warm hug pressing is little cute face on my belly and looking up to me saying... "You're the best Mrs. G!"

-----------------------------------------------------

Scenarios like these are very common to Kindergarten teachers. It isn't for me. I was a High School teacher for over 11 years back home. I was used to having my students celebrate their new found knowledge by giving each other high fives and giving me a "thumbs up". That is when they remember to acknowledge my presence at all. wink*

Don't get me wrong. I love my High School students. They are the best. I still get in touch with them up to now. Some of them still contact me even if they already have kids of their own or successful managers of some multinational companies at home or abroad. And some of them still consider me as their "favorite teacher" even if they are already teachers themselves.

But the little ones surprise me to no end from day one of my job. I never thought I can work with the little ones until I came face to face with them. For some reason, the little ones scared the wits out of me. I don't know why but they are kinda intimidating to me. LOL.

But yes, they are so adorable. Their simple needs and wants make simple things wonderful. They taught me how to be contented with what I have and appreciate the simple joys that simple things provide. They gave me a sense of fulfillment with what little I got and work on it to fit my needs.

Their appreciation for small things make me feel so small and ambitious. And I guess as adults we need that. We need to feel that small things can be considered as big. That small things don't make us small or irrelevant as a person. ON the hindsight, that big things don't make one powerful. We need to be reminded that big dreams are okay to achieve as long as you don't forget to have fun achieving them. Or worse acquire them through wrong deeds.

And despite the endless whining and countless tattling and the crying over simple things, I learned to deal with my own negativities in life because whining and tattling and crying over my frustrations and failures in life made me feel childish. wink*** So as I watched them bounced back to being happy kids after the whining and tatting and crying... it made me realize that it is somehow easy to bounce back from my own issues that crippling me to be a happy person. I only need to face them with childlike manners.

And yes, they are so cute and innocent. [I just wish they will remain that way until they graduate in High School.] They are not afraid to try new things out. They don't care about the result of what their choices will bring them. And if they fail, they can laugh it out or cry or just forget it yet keep the faith that someday they will succeed. Failing or quiting seemed NOT an option for them - be it in the playground or in the classroom. And they know how to celebrate those simple achievements like crazy.

YES, those little fellows can teach us teachers lessons in life that are not in our lesson plans. They can teach us the basics that are long-forgotten when we learned the most complicated lessons like rocket science. And advancement in science diminished our fascination for the simple things. Life will no longer be basic or simple or plain once they step out of the Kindergarten classroom.

As teachers, we cannot stop it. We can only wish that they will remain - in Kindergarten mode.

Contentment is a "big word" for Kindergärtners and yet they know it by heart. Contentment is a "lost word" for Adults... and I'm afraid - it will never be found.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

Success 101: Career Choice

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:18:00 +0000

"I will be a firefighter". Little R proudly said.

Today, the kids were asked to share what they want to be when they grow up.

Little M shouted... "I will be a Nurse like my Mom!" And she did a little twirl like she always does when she feels she said something important.

After 10 minutes all the kids have shared what they want to be when they grow up except shy K. He remained quiet the whole time his friends were saying their dreams one after another. He seemed uninterested and unaffected.

Mrs. R, my Classroom Teacher whom I was assigned to assist finally called him out. "Do you have anything to share K?" The whole class shifted their eyes to him and silence engulfed Room 12.

"I want to rob a bank when I grow up!"

The deafening silence remained for 5 minutes until the bell rang that signaled it's time for lunch.

-----------------------------------------------------

Teachers are faced with different things, situations and problems all the time. How we deal with them is always a learning experience.

Yes, we don't stop learning when we graduate from college and receive our diploma and got licensed to teach. [SPOILER ALERT!] LOL.

We continue to learn a whole new lessons each time we teach our students.

I swear I didn't want to be a teacher. I didn't go to college to be a teacher. But fate led me there. Fate brought me to the door of the classroom. And that fate gave me happiness that I would have not known if I stayed in the corporate world.

Each day in the classroom is a challenge. Each day is a struggle both for me and my students. The challenges are endless and getting harder and harder with each lessons we tackle. But with each lessons we teach our students, no matter how hard we work to make a great impact on them, will only make sense if our students chose to take them. We can only do so much. It is up to them to take it or... leave it.

Being an optimistic as I am, I know that reality is a path that my students travel to from home to school... and back. And reality could be a place that they found both in school or at home or neither. It could also be possible that "reality" is in the heart of our students. And for some of them, they may not give us the chance to look at it for fear of being "judged". Sad but true.

Who knows what the shy K was thinking when he said that - he wanted to be a robber? Who knows if he is eating 3 square meals a day? Who knows if he is sleeping in a warm bed at night and not worrying if he will be able to ride a beautiful white unicorn instead of battling monsters in his dreams? Who knows if he has clean clothes and dry shoes to wear to school? Who knows?

As a teacher, we cannot turn a blind eye on situations involving our students especially when deep in our hearts we know that there is something wrong with them and that they need help. It is in our genes to worry and look for solutions to the problems concerning our students. And sadly, we have limitations!

As teachers, we can only do so much. Our limitations as educators and as human beings can sometimes hold us back to do the best we could to mold our future generation.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

Irksome, Indeed!

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 15:56:00 +0000

“This is irksome! I said I want the helmet taken off but with your hands.” His Mom said and went on.”That’s probably the reason why I can’t knock some sense on your brain.”

[140 characters without spaces]

---------------------------------Succinctly Yours-----------------------------------

This is my take for this week's Succinctly Yours Microfiction Meme at Grandma's Goulash.

How low can you go?

Use the photo as inspiration for a story of 140 characters

OR 140 words. Click For Details

Word of the Week: irksome

FOR MORE SEE HERE

AHA Moment: The Teacher Who is NOT

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 06:00:00 +0000

This is my 3rd year working as Ed. Tech.

This year I will be assigned in 2nd Grade Classroom. It will surely be a challenge for me because I worked in Kindergarten Classroom two years in a row since I got hired. AND I know those kids are fast learners. I had some of them when they were in Kindergarten.

As the year went by, I found them completely new persons since they graduated from Kindergarten. Yes, my students changed since they stepped up to the next level.

They transformed into new human beings after one semester leaving their cuteness in the Kindergarten Classrooms behind. [If you know what I mean.].

Just a hindsight, you know. LOL

As an Educational Technician, I can only say what I observe. Yes, I am a Teacher Assistant here and not a full-pledged teacher. And I love my job. It's the best job in the world. I don't mind assisting the teachers because I believe each one of them needs assistant. They are over-worked, tired and underpaid. They need a raise. Seriously!

But even if I am not a full-pledged Teacher now... which is by the way, my personal choice [I can take a refresher course to be able to take Teacher's Board Exam to get licensed, but Nah!] I still feel I am a teacher. It is in-bedded in the very marrows of my bones. It is running in my veins. And I can feel it in my muscles. Yes, I am a Teacher! Alive and kicking.

I may not be taking a lead role in the classroom but I know in my heart that I too make a difference in the learning process of my students. I may not be in front of the class giving directions but I am an important person who helps the teacher carry out his instruction to the learners. And I may not be directly dealing with problems in the classroom, with the students and the parents [whew, I'm so glad!] but I can contribute in solving them.

And even if I am not a real Teacher...my optimism for our younger generation remains the same since the first time I took that special spot in front of the classroom 11 years ago. My optimism for those young learners is high and will remain that way as long as I live because this is what teachers do. We live not only to teach but to dream dreams for our students.

As a Teacher... our job is to mold them and prepare them and equip them with the basic lessons and skills in life that will lead them in the right directions. It is in our job description to help them achieve and be successful individuals so that once they leave the classroom, we don't need to worry and think... where are they going from here?

"As Teachers... we know that from the very start we held their hands and guided them to write their first letters, we didn't just teach them the basics of writing and counting - we taught them how to make good choices that will lead them to the right direction."

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

If only the shoe fits!

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 12:28:00 +0000

Girl 1: "C’mon it’s my turn for the photo op."
Girl 2: "I can’t get out, I’m stuck!"
Girl 3: "Hang-on Mom’s coming with an x-ray to find out why you’re stuck."

[122 characters without spaces]

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my take for this week's Succinctly Yours Microfiction Meme at Grandma's Goulash.

How low can you go?

Use the photo as inspiration for a story of 140 characters

OR 140 words. Click For Details

Word of the Week: x-ray

FOR MORE SEE HERE

The Animal in Us

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 01:04:00 +0000

They say human beings have animal instinct. Are we referring to our wild side or our ability to be tamed?

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire -

For more Thursday Challenge... visit HERE.

OMG Moment: Who's Genius?

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 06:30:00 +0000

I am so amazed how technology can bring us the best of everything. Just in You Tube alone, I can spend hours watching amazing things that people can do. And yes, isn't it amazing how people can do crazy things too?

The other day, I was browsing on You Tube for make-up tips when I bumped into this video.

As a teacher I was amazed at how the 2-year old boy can do such complicated Math skill designed for second graders. It's simply genius! I thought.

Then, I noticed the mother of the 2-year old boy.

She was with the boy in all of his videos guiding him and teaching him his numbers, his letters, his words, his shapes, his flags... then I realized - there is no boy or girl genius. Yeah, there may be some kids at are born genius but hey, still somebody has to do something to tap that talent, right?

A child cannot learn things all by himself even if that child is a genius without the guidance of a teacher. And in all cases... our mother is always our first teacher.

Yup, there is no such thing as boy genius.

There is only Mother Genius!

----------------------------Ruthilicious-------------------------------

Ruthilicious... absent in the Classroom, present in the Chatroom. She blogs when she is NOT ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores and she blogs while she is ALSO ~~Facebooking~~ doing chores.

To read more about her Teaching-Learning Experience... Click HERE.

The Horse Knew

noreply@blogger.com (ruthinian) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 12:13:00 +0000

“Oh no I’m in jeopardy! How can I find my way now? There are too much traffic lights.” It was way better when this was just one big dry land. My horse knew where I’m heading.

[127 characters without spaces]

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my take for this week's Succinctly Yours Microfiction Meme at Grandma's Goulash.

How low can you go?

Use the photo as inspiration for a story of 140 characters

OR 140 words. Click For Details

Word of the Week: jeopardy

FOR MORE SEE HERE