I liked Kathleen so much that I kept enrolling in her class even though I didn’t really talk to her. As a matter of fact, I only talked to her once.

Her course, if I recall correctly, was International Studies. Mine was Computer Application. Huge difference, but what sent me to her class and kept sending me back was her. Always her.

She’s beautiful — my type of beauty to be perfectly honest. Her face was angelic and her smile was captivating. Somehow, her beauty kept me drawn to her. She was like a magnet; I was attracted and I liked it. I didn’t want to last a day without a glimpse of her.

Her class, however, in its entirety, was not as beautiful as her. I didn’t have any friends and nobody reached out to me, especially when there was a group activity. I was alone, sitting in one corner left to mind my own business. I was always near the door so I can sneak out of the room quickly after the lesson. (And after giving this girl one good look.)

Her classmates didn’t like “outsiders”, unfortunately, I was one. So I had to endure their aloofness just to see a girl who didn’t even know I existed. Despite that, I remained in my seat quietly, fantasizing about myself talking to Kathleen. It was like an addiction that I couldn’t resist.

And it was like that for 2 semesters, until I failed in some subjects.

The failures were a wake-up call. I asked myself: “Is it worth it?” Apparently, Kathleen did not and will not give me any positive response. She was just a fantasy, and my failures were real. Staying in her class didn’t benefit me at all. I decided to stay away.

I still saw her in the catwalk, in the canteen, and in the campus. Sometimes she was with her friends, sometimes she was alone. I don’t recall a specific time when my eyes met hers. Because it was more of me looking at her, than she looking at me.

Fortunately, I got over her and never enrolled in her class again. I realized what a fool I was for letting myself get hooked by her beauty, thus, hurting my college records.

There was a reason I was in school: to learn and eventually to get ready for work. Obviously, I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose.

Consciously diverting my attention to my purpose, I enrolled in classes where I knew I have friends who could help me out in case of academic hardships. This strategy was perfect. Everything was easier for me. I also enrolled in Summer classes to catch up. I graduated College, had a job, and lived a life. All because I learned to let go of a fruitless fantasy and served my true purpose.

In case you’re wondering, I’ve never heard anything about Kathleen since, but I spotted her one time while I was watching TV: she was in the commercial. That was before I got my first job as a programmer almost 10 years ago. I chuckled the first time I saw it, but I wasn’t really surprised — she was truly a model-material (One thing I learned from my fantasy is that, I had a good taste!)

The point is, there is nothing wrong with fantasies. But putting it on top your priorities to the point of hurting your objectives in life is another story. Don’t make the same mistake I did by prolonging it and wasting your time getting nothing in return. Let go of it and serve your purpose.

So, Tuesday morning, during my computer class, I asked my grade 2 students to write in their notebook what Christmas means to them. I required them at least 2 sentences.

When they were done, I collected and read all the 25 notebooks. I was surprised by their answers: none of them wrote about Santa Claus. Zero.

As a matter of fact, Baby Jesus was their main answer, followed by these keywords: Love, Sharing, Caring, Family. (in random order)

Sure there are a few students who also answered “time for fun“, “getting presents” and the like. That’s part of the tradition.

These kids are 7ish-8ish years old. They are at the tender age of innocence and will believe almost anything a trustworthy adult would say. So I wondered: How come Santa Claus was left off? Do they “already” have an idea who Santa Claus really is?

My curiosity didn’t end there. The following day, I had the 1st graders, so I took the chance and interviewed random students by asking the same question: “What does Christmas mean to you?”

The answers were basically the same as the previous grade. This time, however, a couple of students finally mentioned the name Santa Claus. Still, it’s just a blip on the radar. And I felt good they are not materially obsessed.

I just had to laugh at some articles that blame the changing times if kids associate Christmas with material things. The point is, we want kids to realize the true meaning of Christmas, but it is us – the grown-ups – who color Christmas with money and attach Santa Claus to material things. The kids are just the reflection of us.

And then we write or talk about how kids today don’t get it.

Maybe we need to look at ourselves at the mirror and ask why.

Bring the kids to church; learn who Saint Nicholas really is and teach the kids why he – as Santa Claus – is a great symbol for this season; give something to the less fortunate without asking for return. These are some of the practical things we can do to teach them the real meaning of Christmas.

I watched my students play in the computer. And I thought: Christmas spirit isn’t really lost yet, but it depends on me and you.

I hate doing this. As much as possible, I want everyone to pass. I want the kids to enjoy their childhood: play, watch TV, be with their friends, or even chase butterflies in the fields. The thought of them being grounded by their parents because of a failing mark upsets me.

That’s why I implemented preventive measures: I told them our schedules beforehand so they can plan ahead; all tests and class works have extra credits; although we have homeworks and seat works almost daily, I gave them contests to make Math more fun and not horrible (I have no problems with my Computer Classes).

The students were responsive, and yet, I didn’t see the results I expected to see. One student was having a high-and-low scores trend, and based on this stat, I expected him to pass. But his Final exam was extremely low that I couldn’t pull his grade up.

I was thinking, did this kid even realize how important the Final exam was? I repeatedly told them to study, to the point of postponing the test for one day so they can review their lessons even longer.

Was this my fault? Why am I feeling guilty?

Then I realized, I religiously did my part as a teacher. I gave them good chances and several opportunities, yet, they chose to walk away from it. I should stop feeling guilty about it and pull the trigger. I have no control of what they do outside school.

A co-teacher warned me about parents that will complain. I told her, everything is documented so I have nothing to worry about. So I penned an “F” in the report cards of those flunking students. Otherwise, they will think they are doing the right thing and be forever lost in mediocrity. They need a reminder that they have to try harder.

Sometimes you have to pull this kind of trigger. Otherwise, there will always be senseless guilt, and you’ll end up trying to adjust to others when it’s supposed to be the other way around.

I stumbled upon a cool website where people, especially young kids, can enjoy making art using their mouse. Fun and addicting, you won’t even notice the time go by.

It is called Art.com ArtPad, a very simple, easy-to-use program. If you haven’t done any digital drawing before because you thought it’s complicated, this website will definitely change your mind.

The tools are easy to recognize because they are neatly arranged on the left side. The drawing pencil changes automatically to brush as you increase its size, and vice versa. The colors are not elaborate; very basic, yet, with the inclusion of opacity, you can make an outstanding effect of color combinations.

What I like about this is its useful file capabilities: For instance, you can PRINT your work right off the bat, which sends your design directly to the printer. It also has SAVE and SEND features — you can save your work and/or send it to others. You can also let art.com display your work. If you are running out of ideas, simply hit VIEW OTHER PAINTINGS to see other people’s work.

If you are like me who wants to explore every possibilities, then you are bound to make mistakes at some point. But don’t worry. ArtPad has an unlimited UNDO capability that rolls back your errors.

As a computer teacher, I will definitely use this tool with my classes to increase my students’ interest in technology and to help them discover their creative side without the pressure.

Screen shot of Art.com’s ArtPad

“Mr. P?” he softly called me. “I can’t do it…” He was pleading for help – more like scared to try and fail.

I was beginning to feel irritated. I explained the lesson three times already, the last one, just ten seconds ago. But, I remained calm, fighting the negativity that clouded my mind. I glanced at his paper, still unanswered.

“It looks hard…” he said, and looked back at his paper, giving me the impression that he’s staring at strange numerical questions.

A teacher shouldn’t help a student during a short quiz. So I firmly said, “Tom, just solve the questions.”

Knowing he won’t be able to squeeze out anything from me, I saw his lips trembled, and I knew if he uttered one more word, those tears will begin to fall.

That’s the last thing I wanted to see, as it will bother the rest of the class. So I told him, “Tom, I know you can do it. I believe you can. ” Believe. I had spoken the word and I sincerely meant it. Being their teacher for the past couple of years, I know Tom has untapped potentials. Tom was participative during our class discussions — enthusiastically shooting his hand in the air when I asked questions, yet, when it was time to be alone in an island he’s afraid to swim to the ocean. I figured, he just needed to be inspired.

“Don’t be scared.” I continued. “You’ll never know how easy or hard it is until you try.”

Somehow, I knew and felt that my words moved him. It motivated him. The trembling of his lips stopped and his tears became sparkles. I saw a rejuvenated spirit in him. He went back to his paper and started answering.

When I checked their work, Tom got 4 correct answers out of 5 questions. Not bad. Tom’s smile was – like what the commercial said – PRICELESS.

You see, Tom for once has opened his closed mind to something big. And, as one of his teachers, I just wish this becomes his habit.

How about you, do you see the hesitant Tom in you?

Do you stay in a dead end job and say, “Oh, I can’t quit, it’s hard for me to look for another job.”

Or when someone is teaching you new stuff about technology, do you hear yourself saying, “You know, I can’t do it. I’m really not a computer person.”

Or when someone has invited you to dance, do you shy away and say, “I’m sorry, I can’t dance.”

Or do you think the girl of your dreams is way out of your league? Maybe not, if you stop thinking you can’t ask her out.

Think about it. How much often are you going to say I can’t, when it is so obvious that you can? I can’t is a depressing washed-up front for I don’t.

The important lesson here is: if you try, you have a shot at winning something; If you don’t, you will lose everything you hoped for. As the old sports adage says: “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Do you agree? If so, then it’s time to just do it.

Jack was still sleeping, and it was already past 6 am. He’s late for school now, so his mother tried to wake him up. “Jack, get up! You’re late for school!” But Jack said, “5 more minutes, Mom…” and he returned to sleep.

Minutes later, his mother tried to wake him up again: “Jack, get up! You need to go school!” But Jack loved to sleep, so he turned his back on his mother and said: “But I still want to sleep!” He pulled the blanket to his head.

His mother, now displaying a ‘motherly demeanor’, said: “Jack, you have to get up now! You really need to go to school!”

“But I don’t want to go!”

To which his mother replied: “But you need to! You ARE the school principal!”

It was a fictitious story told to us by my high school teacher; I knew she was just trying to make a point. She said that being responsible is doing things you don’t like. When I was younger, I agreed with her. Jack didn’t want to go to school but he had an obligation, so he still went and did his job. It made sense.

Now, after revisiting the story, I think my teacher might have been mistaken….

Being responsible is not simply defined as doing things you don’t like. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in that position in the first place. To me, being responsible is doing things, whether you like it or not, because it’s for the better good. It entails sacrifice.

Parents want to be parents, that’s why they have children. So, they sacrifice things they used to do to take care of their kids. A public official wants to serve and he is a powerful person. But does that mean he can do whatever he wants? No. Otherwise, people will brand him as corrupt. In the church, we turn off our cellphones and listen to the gospel because we want to be responsible Christians.

If you are a student and you want better grades, then you have to sacrifice. It is your responsibility to improve yourself. If you are employed, you might be required to attend workshops and seminars for professional growth.

You might not like what your responsibility requires you to do, but you still have to sacrifice and do it. Or you’ll be buried in your own mediocrity. And when that day comes, do you ask why?

(Pre-K during their weekly Computer Lab)

So how do we make sure the students continue to enjoy the subject?

Show your students that you love your subject. Show them you are always willing to learn new things and always thirsty for new knowledge. Be enthusiastic in teaching what you know and share with them the passion you have for your subject. You will soon see the positive effect these habits will bring to you and your class. Not only will they enjoy the class, but they will love it.

We were thirteen in the batch. After grueling months of rigorous training, only six made it to the Corpse and I was ranked 5th. I knew I was the lousiest in the group as it is not my cup of tea. As a result, I took a lot of criticism from upperclassmen who I thought didn’t like me from the very start. The first few days of being an officer, I learned that the scholarship was not an automatic benefit. You have to prove you’re worth it by also excelling in class. And I didn’t think that way before I joined the Corpse. I never thought there was a catch.

Needless to say, I didn’t enjoy my time as a Midshipmen Naval Officer. There were certain philosophies I didn’t agree with and I had a lot of doubts. I started avoiding the Corpse by walking away from places around the campus I knew they’d be hanging out. But they had ways of tracking you down so I started cutting classes, and worst, it came to the point where I was not attending the classes anymore. My academics suffered tremendously. My self-esteem was at the rock bottom and I was extremely lonely. My ultimate objective of getting a scholarship, gone. So I decided to quit.

Few months later, I discovered the Chess club. Now chess is the game I knew I would excel in. I’ve been playing it since I was six, and when I was growing up, I played with people even older than I was in the streets. So I joined and made it to the chess team, and guess what? They provided scholarship for the players! I was happy again because I found what I wanted without even looking for it. Or should I say, it found me?

My alma mater – DLSU-CSB (Manila, Philippines)

So I’d like to share personal insights that I learned from this experience. Below are five quick pointers on or before joining school organizations. Remember, these are based on personal experience, so use them or not, it’s totally up to you:

• Join a group with activities you love doing – If you’re a techie person, Computer Club is for you. Don’t join the Writers’ Guild if you want to learn how to write. They want people who are ready to contribute.

• Academics should be your number one priority – You are in school to learn, keep that in mind. The only way to stay in a club you like is to stay in the school and do good. That is why school clubs and organizations are called extra-curricular activities.

• Ask questions – Clubs are friendliest during recruitment process. So take advantage and ask questions you need answers to without being annoying. It’s your chance to know the pre-requisites if you want to avail of the club benefits before reaching the point of no return. Be cautious of clubs that offer too-good-to-be-true gimmicks.

• Do Some Random Survey. Ask family members and close friends what they think about of you joining a specific group. Did they join clubs before? How did it affect their lives? Gather as much information. You’ll be amazed by the things you’ll learn from others’ history.

• Invite friends to join you. Imagine this: you got accepted in a club, and a general meeting was held. You found out you knew nobody and you sat in one corner, too shy to speak out. You’re beginning to feel uncomfortable and now having second-thoughts if you made the right decision. Before that happens, invite friends to join you in the club. You don’t want to be in an island alone. That was why I dropped a famous computer club in our school and favored to stay in Students Assistant Organization where we have a family-like atmosphere. As a bonus, we’re getting paid doing the job we love.

If you have pointers and tips you want to share, feel free to post them here at the comment box.