Merry Xmas to One And All!

Personal and Family, Education |

By MAJOR TOM | December 27, 2007

Merry Christmas to one and all, and Happy New Year too. If your year were good this year, there’d be no reason why it won’t be so much better next year. It would be, I am sure.

This greeting goes to all my blogger friends and to all my blog readers out there. Holiday greetings to one and all.

This would also serve as some sort of apology as to why I have not been blogging as frequent as I should be. I’ve been so busy with my new vocation as a University lecturer. While I thought at first---since I would be just a new entry into the teaching staff---that I wouldn’t be immersed into more demanding tasks and work schedule, I was a bit mistaken. Teaching is not like many other occupation where the initial phases would be more on orientation processes, taking on light tasks and schedules, saying hi’s and hello’s to everyone in the office. In many ways, the initial phases of teaching is one of the most critical point in the overall approach to the job, sizing up the classes in terms of number and in terms of the amount of preparation needed, where too much becomes ultimately unviable (as learning would not be fulfilled to the hilt) and too little of it would mean lackluster instruction. It’s like walking on a tightrope I felt sometimes there.

It was of note how “academic freedom” meant that a teacher virtually has total control of what he or she has to feed the students, in relation to the title and scope of the subject course, and by this, I had to scramble for materials, doing intensive and extensive research in such a short window of time and opportunity. It was of much luck that despite I am just a newbie in this profession; I was able to collate and compile much of the needed materials and information that I needed to fulfill my lecturing tasks.

It was I think of good opportune that my short but very memorable stint as guest lecturer in the past, particularly in the Alternative Class program of my other alma mater, Ateneo de Zamboanga, had somehow helped me in giving important prior perspective on the business of teaching, providing me insights and helpful experience for such. That at times, I felt like I have just slid from one phase to another, that I am in my own water and have always been there, and have just gone for awhile and then returned in the end.

And in the short period that I have been in this job, I am been exalted that it becomes somehow a wonderful experience for me to become part of a student’s education and growth, and ultimately in his or her future success. It is a wonderful experience altogether. I have the most gratitude to my colleagues in the workplace for being so welcoming to my presence and have provided me great support in the time that I am just learning the main tasks of teaching like an infant, still walking unsteadily, still striving and struggling somehow. I thank our dean Prof. Eddie Ladja for this, King Sali, Sir Perry, Sir Saymaran, Sir Kams, Sir Al, Dams, Choy, Ka Dayyang, Ustadz Bulkhari and Ustadz Tanjilul for treating me with all kindness and friendship that there could be had.

Merry Christmas again to one and all. I’d be back to regular blogging once this “adjustment” period is done and over with. More power to you all.

18 Comments »

1. Abaniko says; December 27, 2007 @ 7:43 pm

   Feeling in your element in the academe only means that you are destined to be an academician, part-time or full-time. Do this nation a favor - teach! Good luck to you Major Tom!

   Merry Christmas!

2. Major Tom says; December 28, 2007 @ 9:46 am

   To Niko: Coming from you, it really made my day. Thnaks very mucho amigo; Merry Xmas to you and here's wishing you all the best in the coming New Year.

3. barrycade says; December 29, 2007 @ 1:13 pm

   happy new year, major tom, and good luck on your teaching career! you'll get past the adjustment soon and before you know it, you'll be blogging again. haha.

4. bw says; December 30, 2007 @ 12:09 am

   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours Major Tom ! May you have a bountiful 2008

5. beatburn says; December 30, 2007 @ 1:18 pm

   congratulations on your adventure at molding minds.

6. rhodora says; December 31, 2007 @ 12:46 am

   Wishing you and your family the BEST of the NEW YEAR, Major Tom!

7. Major Tom says; December 31, 2007 @ 1:26 pm

   To Barrycade, Buffwings, beatburn and Rhodora: Thanks to all of you and here's wishing you all again for a bountiful year next year...

8. aCey says; December 31, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

   got a link to here from barrycade's. i'm happy for you and your job and everyone who benefits from the love you have.

   happy new year!

9. boks says; December 31, 2007 @ 8:36 pm

   My dear Major TOm,

   am wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2008, à toi et à ta famille!!!
   I missed you, Major Tom!

   xo boks

10. snglguy says; December 31, 2007 @ 9:39 pm

    You took to the academic world like a duck would to water, bro. And that's a great deal in my book. I wish you all the best for 2008, bro.

11. ipanema says; January 1, 2008 @ 9:15 am

    Oh, you're teaching? Very good! It's alright major tom, it really will take most of your time but it is fulfilling.

    Anyway, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Hey, they know you're blogging?

12. pining says; January 2, 2008 @ 5:36 am

    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Major Tom, and have a smashing New Year

13. SexyMom says; January 2, 2008 @ 5:57 am

    teaching is a vocation!

    Happy New Year, Major Tom! for you and your loved ones, my prayers for a 2008 filled with abundant blessings and joy, and may love, hope and peace reign in your hearts.

14. Schumey says; January 3, 2008 @ 8:29 am

    Happy New Year my friend. I know you'll be a great educator. Help us change society through your teaching.

15. lazarus says; January 8, 2008 @ 4:42 pm

    Happy New Year, Major Tom! It's good to hear that you are doing well as an educator!

    I wish you and your family all the best in 2008!

16. Gypsy says; January 10, 2008 @ 6:42 am

    Hmm...I wonder how it will be like reading through and correcting essays...I know of many lecturers who find this part of the job very taxing...anyway, hope everything goes well! All of God's blessings on the New Year!

17. bingskee says; January 22, 2008 @ 7:22 am

    hi, major tom. wow! what an endeavor for the new year. all the best for you!

18. Major Tom says; January 23, 2008 @ 4:55 pm

    To Acey: Thanks ACey, I've been to your blog and it's cool too. I'll link up to you ASAP.

    To boks: Hey, I miss you and I hope you are doing very well, as always. I hope you'd be blogging again. regards to all the folks there in France.

    To sngl: Thanks bro. Nothing beats like a compliment from The Snglguy.

    To Ipanema: Thanks sis. You're advise is much appreciated.

    To Pining: Wishing you a good year to come sis, and all the years to come.

    To SexyMom: Thanks so much for the blessings. I wish you too all the success and joy.

    To Schumey: Well-taken advise Schumey--I'll do my best in that.

    To lazarus: Here's wishing you also all the best things in life---love, joy, success and blessings from the Lord.

    To Gypsy: A little tiring sis---but it's a job I feel most comfortable. Wishing you all the best this year and all the years to come.

    To bingskee: All the best for you too Madame. Salamat sa yo.

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