Kamusta Readers,
So my 1st day wasn't so bad. I arrived early so I could walk around campus. I found the bookstore ( with University souvenirs ) and a cafe next to it; outside students were practicing dance moves. I found the cafeteria ( started planning my food budget ), and I ambled through the University's art gallery ( the flower vendor oil painting included a tasteful pun, quite enjoyable ) and inquired at the Students Activity Office.
My temporary ID won't arrive until Friday, and I can't really wander as much because most building entry requires an ID. And since I'll be a pseudo staff spending most of my time in the office, I have to wear pants ( thank goodness the rooms are air-conditioned ).
The Center's Director N and I reviewed the agreement: volunteer only ( no monetary compensation ), confidentiality important, work minimum of 20 hours per week, and project supervision from Director N and Assistant V. The perks include: access to the library ( w/ temporary ID ), auditing privilege ( discretion of individual professors ), networking, and an insider's perspective of Center's daily operations.
The activity I've done so far: library data entry ( title/author/year/ISBN number; a good way to preview titles dealing with teaching/tutoring/composition ), mini wiki library research ( the MARC system [MAchine Readable Cataloguing] versus the Dewey Decimal System ), and copy-editing of 2 articles for the Center's magazine. My main project is the organization of the Center's library ( rearranging books should be easier than coming up with call numbers for unmarked books ).
Director N also teaches developmental English for 1st year students, and I can observe her classes ( and maybe be a semi-TA and discuss pedagogy ). She's encouraging me to submit an article for the Center's magazine ( most likely I'll try as long as I understand the theme: Understanding by Design [UbD] ). Hopefully, I'll learn more about the Center's founder, Father G, and his emphasis in SHE ( Significant Human Experience ), and Let it Be philosophy.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
GRE Review: a Filipino National Artist
Hello Readers,
I just remember that the chances of Nick Joaquin's novel ( Cave and Shadows ) making the GRE Literature canon is slim to none. But at least I can pick it out from other Western books, and it's still a fun and an informative read.
Cave and Shadows' theme parallels a bit with the Greek Myths I've been reading about ( in terms of the conflict arising from differing belief systems, such as Christianity and Paganism; a patriarchical God versus matriarchical Goddess[es] ). The novel reminded me of Haruki Murakami's ( o latino authors Marquez/ Borges' magic surrealism ) hodgepodge style that criss-crosses boundaries: fantasy/fiction, folklore, historical, memoir, non-fiction, etc.
The plot is easy to follow ( yet loaded ). The protagonist, Jack Henson, leaves his current home, to visit his "childhood" home where he meets up with old "friends" and reminisces as he solves a "murder" mystery.
Some of Nick Joaquin's references were similar ones my parents shared with me ( like sharing oral history of the Philippines using a literary mode ). The following paragraph summarizes Philippine's modern history well:
I just remember that the chances of Nick Joaquin's novel ( Cave and Shadows ) making the GRE Literature canon is slim to none. But at least I can pick it out from other Western books, and it's still a fun and an informative read.
Cave and Shadows' theme parallels a bit with the Greek Myths I've been reading about ( in terms of the conflict arising from differing belief systems, such as Christianity and Paganism; a patriarchical God versus matriarchical Goddess[es] ). The novel reminded me of Haruki Murakami's ( o latino authors Marquez/ Borges' magic surrealism ) hodgepodge style that criss-crosses boundaries: fantasy/fiction, folklore, historical, memoir, non-fiction, etc.
The plot is easy to follow ( yet loaded ). The protagonist, Jack Henson, leaves his current home, to visit his "childhood" home where he meets up with old "friends" and reminisces as he solves a "murder" mystery.
Some of Nick Joaquin's references were similar ones my parents shared with me ( like sharing oral history of the Philippines using a literary mode ). The following paragraph summarizes Philippine's modern history well:
A colony within a colony, because we were then an American possession. And it was then I began to see what a number of colonies we really were--- a Chinese colony in trade, a Spanish colony in culture, a Washington colony in politics, a Hollywood colony in fashion, an English colony in language, a Roman colony in religion--- and so forth. Even Bombay and Tokyo and Arabia had in some way colonized us.
Random? TIMEX x-ing out "time"
Namaste Readers,
I think I've depended on my TIMEX watch to tell me what to do: wake up, get ready, do, sleep, etc. One activity after another. When it's over, I willl still ask: "Now what?" When Time moves, do we chase after it or stop and stare? Or maybe Time is chasing us? Or maybe Time is not bound to us ( like a TIMEX watch ), maybe we create Time?
I took off my TIMEX watch as I waited for my aunts at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Philippines for 2 reasons (initially); 1.) humidity builds sweat underneath the metalic clock-face and rubber band; and 2.) sun tans/darkens the skin leaving a silhouette of a watch on unexposed skin [aka a wife beater's wristwatch tan].
Even though only 11 days have passed, it feels like I've been here longer. The telenovela "Mara Clara" is ending soon, and I remember I was here when it was just beginning. Last time I visited my cousins in Bauan, news of marriage were fresh in the air, and when I saw them during a May fiesta I found out about a 4 month pregnancy.
The women told stories about giving birth. Nicknames are given to commemorate the event. I was researching nicknames in 2009 and the difference between teasing and taunting. The former is affectionate, while the latter is demeaning. My cousin cried as she recalled how another tarnished her mother's name and reputation.
Going back to Manila riding a bus, didn't I do this 7 months ago? I was standing this time, and I got a bit dehydrated ( took at least 1/2 a day to recover aka forever ). I wore the same pants to an interview in December 2010, the same pants in May 2011. I moved in my new place accompanied by my family: similar curtness and awkward goodbye 8 years ago when I began my journey towards a diploma.
My TIMEX watch currently sits on the bookshelf on my desk. In the morning, I'm shocked to learn how early I wake up. I'll leave it there and see it next time when I get back from whereever. I ask people about Time, or I look around. I move...
I think I've depended on my TIMEX watch to tell me what to do: wake up, get ready, do, sleep, etc. One activity after another. When it's over, I willl still ask: "Now what?" When Time moves, do we chase after it or stop and stare? Or maybe Time is chasing us? Or maybe Time is not bound to us ( like a TIMEX watch ), maybe we create Time?
I took off my TIMEX watch as I waited for my aunts at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Philippines for 2 reasons (initially); 1.) humidity builds sweat underneath the metalic clock-face and rubber band; and 2.) sun tans/darkens the skin leaving a silhouette of a watch on unexposed skin [aka a wife beater's wristwatch tan].
Even though only 11 days have passed, it feels like I've been here longer. The telenovela "Mara Clara" is ending soon, and I remember I was here when it was just beginning. Last time I visited my cousins in Bauan, news of marriage were fresh in the air, and when I saw them during a May fiesta I found out about a 4 month pregnancy.
The women told stories about giving birth. Nicknames are given to commemorate the event. I was researching nicknames in 2009 and the difference between teasing and taunting. The former is affectionate, while the latter is demeaning. My cousin cried as she recalled how another tarnished her mother's name and reputation.
Going back to Manila riding a bus, didn't I do this 7 months ago? I was standing this time, and I got a bit dehydrated ( took at least 1/2 a day to recover aka forever ). I wore the same pants to an interview in December 2010, the same pants in May 2011. I moved in my new place accompanied by my family: similar curtness and awkward goodbye 8 years ago when I began my journey towards a diploma.
My TIMEX watch currently sits on the bookshelf on my desk. In the morning, I'm shocked to learn how early I wake up. I'll leave it there and see it next time when I get back from whereever. I ask people about Time, or I look around. I move...
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