The grueling training commenced after I was hired----unofficially. I was so conceited that time to consider things nonchalantly. I was so proud and kept on asking myself about its significance. Later on, I realized that I didn’t know everything. It’s one of the precious experiences to grow and augment my skills.
The precious time came. I was so excited to go to the camp. The camp was foreign to me. The ambiance wasn’t the typical place where I could see desk, teacher’s table, blackboard, posters on the wall informing who the cleaners are, lesson plans etc. The atmosphere was so strange. I thought of a world of boredom and agonizing experience. Nevertheless, I accepted my fate for the reason that it was my heart that chose it in the first place. Before each class started, the lady possessing the attributes of a pearl and leniency (Teacher Cha) informed us on what shall be done—take note everyday. She continuously enlightened us about the things to consider before, during, and after the class. She had a side-kick named Teacher Mirany, the humorous, entertaining, and gregarious teacher. She cracked jokes that gave life to the souls in deep slumber. She colored the atmosphere of pressure and distress. I’m very grateful being friends with them.
I don’t truly want to talk about my students because every time I reminisce what we have shared together, I can’t stand the pain of losing them. So maybe it’s better to describe first my co- teachers who helped and accompanied me to surpass all things.
My co-teachers came from different departments. Some came from tutorial dept., some in Phone English dept., and some came from the previous camp---winter camp. These lovely teachers were my chatmates, classmate in craziness, and also seatmate in FV. Well, some of them were still strange, but most of them are easy to be with. How can I forget the food of ate Mina during lunch break? , the voice of MM while explaining why she gave numerous homework, the confession of ate Kim about the behavior of her students, the canned goods of Sean and the weird thing he did to open it, the blissful face of T. Yeng describing the cute deeds of his favorite student Danny, the complain of Arianne B. about the food her jowa prepared, the disclosure of teacher Cha on Boss’ demands and,cream of the crop, teacher Mirany’s FART TIME AND PULL TIME. I cannot tell how the others spent their break because they were busy chatting in the other rooms. 
To break my agony, I will now write about my dear students. These wonderful kids were truly adorable and kind.
My first hour was spent plainly for conversation with Stella, also called the “he slash she” of the camp (coined by yours truly). Well I wrote that because she manifests the genuine masculinity. Next class was vocabulary with Daisy. I will never forget how she told me the story of her E.T friend. I was so scared and slightly doubtful. Daisy complained a lot. She always uttered the word “REALLY?”—super rising intonation required--- After was Kim Seung hwan, the Mr. Pionte. He was my student in writing. He’s the student who couldn’t live without his dictionary. Actually, some of his writings were so “strengiiii”—as how he pronounced—because the words that his dictionary provided him were so profound. I can still remember when he wrote; “I fell mortified”. I asked him the meaning and he just replied, “JUST” grrrr!. Ikaw na! His being Pionte came out at the last week of the camp. He was so curious about the meaning of “JUNJUN” and “KEPS” well; you’d better ask the mastermind, Mr. Marc. Peace yow! Next was the tallest, Mike. He was also my student in writing. He was the root cause why they called me pionte. Grr.. ryt teacher Yeng? Haha.. I just asked teacher Yeng if she had angry bird and the meaning was totally changed! Thanks Mike for the green-leafy mind! Haha. After the class, it was the time to taste the toothsome lunch. I already wrote something about the things that happened during lunch (5th paragraph) ryt? Feel free to read it again most especially teacher Mirany’s rage to tooooooooooooot.. censored wakakka…hint? PARENTS ARE VERY FICKY! Arg! (I love my job so writing the name is strictly prohibited hahaha)
Moving on, the first class in the afternoon, started with Susan. She was sleepy, tired and grumpy. Next was my favorite class with my anakis, Jay. He was sometimes immodest and rude. He was complaining about his book, “Can you believe it?” and he answered NO. wat da! His personality complements mine. I could ride on his disposition and accepted it wholeheartedly. I listened to his heart as he revealed his lacerating agony. His mother has a cancer and everytime I asked him about it, his sorrowful voice reached my ears to listen to his confession. I felt helpless because all I could do was to listen. I made him cheerful to lessen the load in his heart. I made him laugh and sometimes it was a guffaw. I was absolutely relieved in seeing him like that. I realized the little thing I did for him. Now I understand.
Reminiscing the past is a suicide. I tried to forget what I’ve experienced but my mind commanded me to write and unleash my misery. I’m being too emotional because this is my first encounter with foreign students. I taught in OCNHS during my practice teaching but the experience here is truly worthwhile. I felt the feeling of waking up early and excited to see the kids, preparing for the best exam that will gauge their weakness and strength though I just had few hours to put my feet up, the feeling of the worthlessness of the salary you would receive just to see them ubiquitously.
The smiles and the relieving voice of students saying “thank you” meant a lot to me. My fiery passion in teaching evolved to a never-discovered-term to outshine passion. I will treasure everyone so much. I hope to see you and let’s bond again and make the most out of it. But for now, I will leave this message not to mean the end of everything but to mean a start of new beginning. FAREWELL to you my friends we will see each other again.:_)
