The beginning of Chronicles of a young Brother?

It’s still raining. And here in Cotabato, I think this is the coolest day here since I arrived last May 15. Sometimes, I heard, when the rain is too strong and the swamp overflows, fishes can be seen in the grass field of the campus. I want to witness that one of these days. When I was still an aspirant, there was a city wide flooding just because people forgot to clear the water lilies in the river. Well, this city is below the sea level. 

I don’t know if it’s because of the raining that our internet connection with PLDT is so slow. Alternative? I used mobile data with a Globe SIM which has an LTE signal here. If not for the intermittent connection, I wouldn’t blog again. The mobile data reminded me of WordPress. Force of habit probably. I always find time to be alone and reflect; I just forgot about WordPress. 

And now that I remember, I should come here more often so that I can write about my stress as a homeroom adviser, my battle against lesson plans, encounter with cheeky teenagers, bright kids, table tennis prodigies, cute dogs, and everything that revolves around my life here in my first assignment as a temporarily professed brother.

As I write down my thoughts, feelings and experiences, may the Holy Spirit move me and transform these insipid and plain water-like experiences into intoxicating and zestful wine-like life events (John 2:1-12).

What am I blogging for?

Five years ago, I started blogging in WordPress because my friends and I are into blogging and they chose WordPress as their blogging platform. Now that my friends are inactive and transferred their writing energies in Twitter and Facebook, I’m left alone (well, not really). And because I was not regularly checking my E-mail, even my blog posts in Friendster and Multiply left me without a back up. That’s hard for me because I posted there some lyrics of self-composed songs, reflections on women and infatuation, hardships in studying and thesis writing, and other incoherent stuffs. But since I lost them when I entered consecrated life, it’s just a simple practice of detachment for me. I just have to let them go.

I started blogging in WordPress with a tagline: for blogging purposes only. I was just posting any topics like Social Media, Psychology, or Weird Al Yankovic’s parodies. And as I look back, there’s a deeper meaning into that. Blogging is a way for me to dig deeper into my inner self. Now, I blog to pause, reflect, and share. Yes, my journal writing does that but here in a blog, I can touch others (almost all strangers) by sharing in the open a glimpse in my life where I shared my struggles, joys, and inspirations. Maybe that’s why I unconsciously write in English.

And what do I share now? This blog now has a specific purpose of chronicling my life as a Marist Brother.

Just as this blog has re-invited itself a lot, as I grow up (I just turned 27), I’ll just keep on blogging here at least once a month. I’ve met a lot of strangers whom I haven’t met personally and I’m thankful to them because having a “voice” here made me motivated to write more and interact more.

To all of you who have been my companions in this blogging journey, thank you very much. I hope you’ll keep on coming back here in this humble space in the web.

Writing Prompt:
Raison D’être by Krista of The Daily Post

Things worth looking forward to

Finally, a fast internet connection. I was in a hiatus just because of the slow connection in the past months. Allow me to free-write.

Last January, I purchased a Kobo tablet (an outdated model) and downloaded WordPress app and it didn’t help; I can’t even use the app. I’ve been itching for a long time already to post something here in WP and the circumstances just doesn’t help me. Another factor is that I am using a computer room with 20 plus units, all desktops. We don’t have a WiFi connection in the fraternity (our house) and I need to use the desktop just to be online. It’s even more convenient to do this than to get my tablet and go to a WiFi zone. I heard something about the Free Internet project in the Philippines this coming July and I don’t know how this will roll out. Just one of the few good news in the country since what’s happening here in the news is quite depressing. It is an issue close to my heart and not just a random rambling of a typical Manilenyo who doesn’t even know (and care) about Mindanao and its history.

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I read a lot now because of Kobo. Reading is different. I miss blogging.

I’m not yet back since I’m preparing for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) which is quite unique here in the Philippines since we have an oversupply of aspiring teachers. When I was young, I never dreamed of becoming a teacher. Just to be clear. Even if I did not aspire to actually become one, I must. I think I’m starting to like it now. I haven’t got the experience yet not even a full-time practice teaching stint in the school. I’m becoming stressed a lot now because of the LET review. Actually, it’s not a review but a study since it’s not my major in college and I just took 18 units in Education just to qualify in the PRC requirements. But let’s see how will I fare in the exam. Until next time. Cheers!