Counseling 101

The truth is, this is not the title of our subject.But I find it appropriate since our learning is really basic. Not because we have a simple teacher, but because we have someone who understands. Her idea of making everyone feel so important means so much to all of us.

While it is supposedly a class, it turned out to be an experience of a lifetime. If a student missed the subject, that student should do everything, even move heaven and earth just to take the subject.

We rarely enjoy a subject as a class. No, its not that were uninterested with our other subjects, its just that this subject brings out something in us, while our teacher openly shares anything about everything.

Counseling as she said should not be making the counselor a messiah. Rather, it should be that the client as the problem solver. I am so thankful to know this, since I always decide for the client. Whenever one asks for counselling I tend to suggest and give my personal opinion. Through this subject I understood that its not about me, its all about the client.

Heavy burden are said to be tiresome just like in counseling, when a counselor  learns that the client is in a very impossible situation it requires great strength. With our teacher, we learned that strength should come from its source, God. While it is still not easy, a counselor learning of God's power is now ready for any seemingly impossible mission.

Our teacher also instructed us not to be attached with the client or else we will never be effective. Personal attachment is a ground for one not to be a client. Your observation may be bias thus making the situation not acceptable for both the client and the counselor.

I don't have holes onto my blouse. Funny, no. Our teacher is telling us that she doesn't have honors from her scholastic years. She was not presented with medals or even pins, to have its mark on her shirt. She shares her inadequacies not for us to reproach her, but that we may know that life is not all about achievements as recognized by the world. She always claim her Father's love. God whom she considers as her Dad, is so clear  to her that she doesn't run after the worlds approval.

We are thankful she is our teacher. And forever she will be part of our praise to her Father, The Almighty.  

LRT forever!

I have been riding the LRT since the beginning of the training. It is the most convenient mode of transportation to reach Makati. From our place, a tricycle ride to the 5th Ave. station costs P10, and P15 for the train ride to Gil Puyat station which is in Buendia. And you're free from heavy traffic and all possible inconveniences one can experience riding a PUJ.

Yesterday, I left our house at around 4:00 p.m.hoping to reach ACM early. I was about to be checked by the guard on duty, when a train going to Baclaran came. I have my stored value ticket ready so as to give the guard the idea of my desire to get on the train. He inspected my bag and even the small pockets with zipper, and the train left the station without me.

Some security guards at LRT stations tend to require respect in an unworthy manner. They impose discipline with their excuse "ginagawa lang po namin, ang trabaho namin."

But how can you explain the inconvenience one receives at the point when all you want to do is to get on the train. I was in a mall Bangkok, when I opened my bag as I was accustomed, because here in the Philippines,  every building you enter even the dilapidated ones requires inspection, otherwise you will be refused of entry. The security personnel looked amazed as to why did I opened my bag and showing it to him, I then realized I was in another country.

Its funny to note that its only here that a company hires a security personnel yet we have the highest death toll for journalist. We were even tagged as the most dangerous place for journalist, and we have our security personnel or do we really have them or even need them?

I was 29 when I dreamed to be a security personnel. Its because I want to make sure I could keep an eye on someone. Its not the job that I want, its the position. Now, how many security personnel are doing their job because they like it and are trained to do it, how about those who are power tripping and somehow pulling the trigger and would want you to decide if you will give up on riding the LRT.

I'm sorry Sirs, but with the convenience I have with the train, no matter what meticulous, ridiculous and seemingly harassing are your styles, it wont stop me from riding the train. Well, that's as long as the fare doesn't reach P50.       

SALITARAL (learning a new language the Filipino way)

We are now on our subject, SALITARAL, that is learning a new language the Filipino way. We have very good instructors who by years have trained those venturing to language learning.

The subject is so easy to learn since it starts with listening. Oh well let me restate that, its not thatt easy ok. Its because we people are used to speak out our differences especially. We are having real hard time listening for we want others to listen to us instead. Our facilitators asked us to pick a name that we will used for the rest of the sessions. We then need to introduce ourselves while saying other members name. We enjoyed the grouping which will be our core in learning a new language. We are going to experience the language learning inside our classroom. Three of our classmates who have a second language other than what we know are tasked to be the Kwentista, that is they are responsible to educate us with the new language.

We have been introduced with how they call family members. In our group Pangasinense is our new language. Its a  native dialect in the northern part of the Philippines. Our first tasks is to stop, look and listen. just like what we see passing a train station. We need to take a very good look at the objects being discussed while listening to the right pronunciation. Wow! That was a task we all enjoyed, though there are times when we are tempted to ask questions and clarify the pronunciation while our facilitator motioned zipping her lips.

Language learning is really a tedious tasks but if done the right way one will definitely enjoy and eventually may lead to instructing others to take the same path one has taken to enjoy it.

Storying

I have been a sunday school teacher since I was 14. And I can still remember the joy and heartaches it brought me. But I always enjoy it when I am to tell stories. Pictures, toys  and anything that could relate with my story will be part of every sunday story. I love it when kids would be so excited that their parents would come to me and say that their kids share with them what they did at their sunday school class, for me that is fulfillment.

But this Bible storying is different from what I have learned and taught. Story telling is just the reading of the story with additions by me, which means I say words not said in the Bible, and actions which is but the product of my own imagination. Storying is not even part of the dictionary used with google that it is underlined with red.

Storying is when one carefully reads the Bible and have a mental imprint of its truth which at the given time to share the story, not just with all the emotions, but in all truth. Then goes the part when one processes what is heard through questions which have been carefully thought of.

We had a very good couple who had the experience of teaching and training for sometime now. they have been a blessing to us, especially with the idea of telling people story's that impact lives.

I also learned a lot from this website http://biblestorying.net/

Happy storying!

Its easier to give birth than to raise the dead.

Church Planting and Missions is our topic for the week. Our teacher gave us ideas on how a missionary is likened to someone who is tasked to plant a seed. He reads Mark 4:26-29:


The Parable of the Growing Seed
 ²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”


He told us that its not easy to plant and wait for what you have planted to grow and be fruitful. One needs to be very patient with the idea the he needs to wait for the proper time to harvest. One need not boast of his knowledge or skills since everything relies upon Gods discretion. 


Vision impartation takes the center stage for it plays a vital role in having people to support and help someone doing church planting. 


Four principles were covered by this namely, Pray, let people know you are church planting, believe that God uses people as His vessel to bless you and lastly trust Gods provision.


We are looking forward to more of Church Planting next meeting. 

Mountain Men

Data analysis is our topic tonight. We watch a film by Akira Kurosawa, a Japanese director who was so loved by our teacher, Dreams.

We were given enough time to Observe, Analyze and Recommend. Our teacher gave us the opportunity to observe a good film which to our knowledge as students of ethnographic research is so inspiring. I have pasted here a copy of the film for your convenience.

We are so blessed with our teacher. He doesn't get wrong answer. He is apt to complement everyone who participates while encouraging those who rarely speak to give out their ideas and or even opinions.

The Data gathering which later on will lead to compiling and markings is surely a tedious tasks. He instructed us to be very patient so that we may observe accordingly and give analyses without any biases. Our night became extra especial since our teacher announced our final requirement of a paper dealing with ethnographic research.

The Freedom Writers

I have graduated last year with the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Literature. I know how it is to be teacher. I was a student teacher before in Highschool when my Values Education teacher had a trip. My students were so engrossed with their experience with a student teacher that they almost forgot about their real teacher(no joke!).

So, I had a share of what it is to be a teacher. I take record of their daily attendance and gave them assignments and required reporting. I never knew then what I was doing not until I received a letter from a student who said that I changed their lives. I was awestruck that I dont know what to say. I even forgot to say thank you for the compliment or is that a compliment since I am not sure as to what change transpired. And so I required a journal. this I believe will testify for the change they so claimed.

Memories of this event returned when our teacher showed us the film "The Freedom Writers". The sory of how a single teacher ingrained with her students the need to pursue greatness not just for personal benefit and satisfaction but also to affect others lives.

I have been encouraged to somehow evaluate my call and how to even pursue greatness, not to gain mans respect but to give God the highest praise.