2011 was my year!

Happy New Year!!!!It is 2012!!

Honestly, I do not want 2011 to end. 2011 is my year. So many good things happened to me and my family that year. First of all, I can only thank God for everything - tears, challenges, pain, and blessings, all rolled in one. I am also thankful that Alex and I are still in love with each other, still have the same goals, worked out our differences, and are now proud parents of Cinzia Amor Glaze. The highlights of my 2011 are as follows (in random order):

The birth of my daughter



Cinzia is such a blessing! She is 5 months old now. Without bias, I can truly say she is a cutie pie. Wish baby production is as easy as 123 so I could have more cuties just like her..


MA in Teaching degree from USC

With a huge belly (7months preggy), I marched through my graduation in May 2011. My classmates cheered for me! I was the most pregnant that day!





A fulfilling career

As I tell my friends, I feel guilty that I do not feel that my job is a job. I am enjoying it too much! I like my co-teachers, my students, and my school. I feel at home. My kids' parents are so supportive. They make my teaching easier. My kids are also brilliant! I cannot ask for more. I am so proud of them.

Trip to Philippines with Alex and Cinzia!

It was fun! Alex and I love to travel and it seems that Cinzia does too! She did not create any fuss on our long flights, long layovers, and during our stay in Davao. the trip was just two weeks but it was fun-filled, happy, and productive. Alex and Cinzia were able to meet my family.




I wonder if 2012 has way better things in store for me. Bring it on!!!

Goal achieved.

God set me up. It was so clear.

One of the goals I set early this year was to establish my career. A baby was coming and so I had to settle down career-wise. I thought I would end up at a public school because my teaching and job experiences since I got here in the US were in public schools. Boy was I wrong. God has a better plan.

I ended up at an SDA school, a private school at that. I love working there. My co-teachers awesome! My students are great! I cannot believe this. Plus, the school is just 10 miles away from home! The pay is way better too than what I got in the public school. This is such a blessing!

The process how I got the job was overwhelming. Our pastor recommended me. It turned out there were 3 of us being interviewed for the teaching vacancy. I met up with the principals twice. The second one was with the Personnel Committee with 12 people. I cried after the 2nd interview in my car. It was overwhelming and emotionally draining. The waiting game is always worse. Four days after school started, they called me. It was the call I have been waiting for!(When the principal and I hung up, Cinzia pooped all over my lap! That was her best way to tell me, "Congratulations, Mommy!")

I love Glendale Adventist Elementary School. I love first grade. I hope and pray I will grow old there. This is the career I long for. This may not be the job I envision myself getting into but this situation is better than that. Thanks a lot, Big Papa!

God's plan

I think something big will happen next week. Thank you, Jesus.

Cinzia's Birth Story

It has been more than a month since I gave birth. Cinzia has become the center of our lives since then. She is such a beautiful Pan-Pinoy kid. Before I forget my experiences prior to and on 7/7/2011, let me reminisce them here.

July 1 - During my regular OB appointment, Dr. Wu said I am 3cm dilated. He reviewed my records and said, I have two due dates. It could have been on July 1, based on my last period, OR on July 13, based on my ultrasound. Before Alex and I left his office, he said, "If nothing happens during the weekend, see me on July 5."

July 5 - Alex and I went to see him. Apparently, nothing happened over the weekend. He said I am still 3cm dilated, there was no improvement from last time. After he checked on me, he invited us to a private conversation at the back of his clinic. He told us that if we wait longer (until my 40th wk), Cinzia might get bigger because genetically she can get bigger because of her dad. Medically, my body is not suited to carry a baby that big because I am small, relatively. To avoid C-section, we might as well have the baby this week. He suggested that we check in the hospital Wednesday night that week and he would induce me that night. The plan was for us to have the baby at 12nn on Thursday, 7/7. Alex and I agreed to the idea. Dr. Wu said, "I am the pilot here and I believe this is the best for the baby."

July 6 - Friends Ritche and Rose came to our place for moral support. They brought Alex and me to a Korean restaurant close to Glendale Adventist Med Center where I will be delivering. We then checked in the hospital at around 8:30pm. It was so funny because right when we opened the door to the delivery and labor area, the nurses welcomed us with, "Glaze?" They were already waiting for us. I then changed to the hospital gown they gave me. They then attached tubes and the IV. They also put monitoring devices around my tummy. They injected pitocin through the IV. That was the drug to induce me. Alex and I slept.

July 7 - This is the big day so I am going to write down more details.

12:30 am - I felt the contractions but they're light still. I kept on going to the bathroom to cleanse my bladder then I went back to sleep.

2:30 am - I needed to go to the bathroom so badly!!!!I woke up Alex and it took him forever to unattach the tubes and stuff so I could go. I was getting frustrated. When I got up, I felt a trickle of water down my leg. My water just broke! When I sat on the toilet, nothing came out. My nurse arrived and she said it must be the baby pushing out. I laid down again and a gush of water just came out! It was warm and uncomfortable. Then my contractions just got stronger. They were painful. Alex and I started doing the breathing exercises we learned at the lamaze class. The nurse checked on me and I was already 6 cm dilated. She then asked me if I wanted the epidural. I said yes. The pain was tolerable but I did not know how long I can bear the pain and how long my labor will be.

3:00 am - The anesthesiologist came to give me the epidural. My contractions were getting stronger and more painful. She injected it to my spine and I felt pain but it was nothing compared to the contractions. The epidural slowly kicked in. Alex and I decided to sleep again.

6:00 am - The nurse checked on me and I was already 10 cm! She said I was ready to push!Her words, "I am calling Dr. Wu now" scared me. Alex and I were looking at each other. Our stares were saying, "This is it."

7:00 am - Dr. Wu came and checked me. The nurses asked me to push.

I forgot what time it was but Dr. Wu came back with his team. He said Cinzia was in a 7o'clock position, instead of 6o'clock. He had to vacuum her. With the nurses, they told me to push.

7:35 am - I finally heard Cinzia cry. She has come out!I cried and cried. I was so overwhelmed.

Here is our first family picture and a picture with Dr. Wu. He is the best OB! Thank God for him! It is such a blessing to have Cinzia. She is an angel.

Blessings

Right now I am attending Class 201 at our church. It makes me realize that I sometimes forget to praise God for all the wonderful things He has given me. This blog is actually dedicated to Him. He is the Director of my life. I credit Him for everything. Lately, I have only prayed just to ask Him something or to help me with whatever I need. I am such an ungrateful daughter.

Here are the wonderful blessings He has showered upon my life since I last updated this blog.

1. My Graduation on 5/13/2011. I finally got my MA in Teaching diploma. I thought my studies would never end. It was the busiest part of my life! God is good! I graduated! I met my classmates (from all over the country) whom I made personal connections with online for over a year. It was a marvelous meeting! It was a very nice day!

2. Baby Shower. Our church family at Burbank SDA Church has been so good to me and Alex. They threw us a baby shower which gathered our families and friends. The fellowship hall was packed! People just made it happen for us. Even if my family is not here, I feel the love and support surrounding me.


3. My smooth and healthy pregnancy.God is really amazing! With this pregnancy, I was able to do so much - got a teaching job, graduated, drove almost 2hrs everyday to and from work, had energy to clean the house, and still worked until my 37th week. This baby is just amazing. She is strong.She has not given me problems at all. How dare I say I am not ready to see her because of my selfish reasons. I would always tell people, "I am ready to stop being pregnant but I am not ready to see her (to be a mom to her)." What an ungrateful stupid girl I am! Who would not love this beautiful girl inside me?

4. My birthday. I turned 27 last 6/21. Alex and I went to dinner with Rose and Ritche. We ate at Pomodoro, an Italian resto. Thank God for good friends!They are amazing!

I really should start becoming more grateful to God. I have to be more hopeful too. Thank you Lord for your nature! Thank you so much!

25 weeks!

Meet Cinzia B. Glaze

Week 16 - Nasal Congestion

Last Sunday night, I could not sleep. I could not breathe properly. I had a really bad nasal congestion. It was the worst I have ever had in my life. I cried and cried, slowly breathing through my mouth. I thought it was just allergies. At this time of the year, sneezes and flu-ish feeling are always my best friends but I have never ever felt this bad. The next morning, I felt horrible but I had to get up to go teach. Before I dressed up, I checked my emails. There was the email that was the answer to my dilemma! The subject was "Week 16 - Nasal Congestion." Waaaaaaah. Babycenter.com knew everything! The article recommended saline nasal spray and neti pot. I bought both that afternoon. They mad me feel better but the congestion is not gone at all!

It has been 6 days now but the congestion is still here. I was absent at school for 2 days. This nasal congestion is the worst symptom ever! I was even hopeful that I'd feel better this 2nd trimester because I no longer throw up and get hungry as much. I really really really hope this will go away soon.

As for academics, four more weeks to go and I will be graduating as a Trojan! I cannot wait! The state tests (RICA, CBEST, CSET) are done. The state requirements (CAT and PACT) are also done. That was a long journey being at USC but here I am -- almost done! Almost credentialed! Aside from my remaining coursework, I still have one more requirement to pass - the US requirement exam. I plan to take it a week from now.

As for our moving to the new apartment, everything is well. I am happy we are at a bigger place right now. We are still looking for a dining table. Alex still has to build our desks from the dismantled parts (due to moving). One major thing still has to happen. Alex has to bring the rest of our stuff - clothes, shoes, etc. - from our old place. We will be all set when Alex gets time to do all these. Yes, Alex - my hero. He doesn't want me to work and help out because I am pregnant. =)

There are so many things that are happening lately and it is overwhelming. Alex always tells me to relax and not pressure myself. I do not know how to do that. There are always new things to do.

And oh, I am planning to go back to cross stitching! When I am done with my grad studies, I wanna do master pieces and display them in our simple abode. I am so excited! My ultimate masterpiece is this:



The pattern was worth $7 from a certain website. I am so excited! Watch me!

Nasal Congestion. Grad studies. Pregnancy. Work. Moving in. Cross stitch. How am I going to do this? Go figure!

12 weeks!

What do I want to accomplish in 2011?

In random order,

1. graduate in February and march in May
2. BIG thanksgiving party for my graduation, birthday, and baby shower in june- ALL in ONE!
3. get a stabler teaching job at a public school
4. have a safe and not-so-painful delivery (nothing is impossible!lol)
5. happier marriage
6. get closer to God
7. better handling with my anger issues
8. visit philippines with our little tot in december (exciting!)
9. more prayers for my family and close friend who is praying for a vibrant lovelife

So help me God..

Was I able to do my 2010 plans?

2010 was my craziest year ever since I migrated to the US. I did not expect grad school is that taxing and it would take most of my time. Let me review the plans I set for myself in 2010 and evaluate them:

In random order:

1. learn Spanish (seriously learn)---- no improvement at all!
2. start studying for MA + teaching credential ---- YES!
3. transfer to a bigger place ---- my biggest frustration but in 2 weeks we are moving to an apartment.
4. visit my home country (yay!!!) ---- nope. we planned it but I got pregnant so the baby is the priority.
5. buy Skechers running shoes ---- hmmm..I bought two for my parents.
6. visit my favorite relatives in Modesto ---- yes! but only once, or twice?
7. submit more to Alex's leadership ---- still working on it =)
8. pay off some debts (LOL) ---- YES!
9. learn how to drive and pass the driving test in one take ---- YES! YES! YES!

See, it was not that bad!LOL

2010 was a blast!

Before this year ends, I would like to recollect the important events that happened to me and my family. I can say I made better decisions in 20101 than in 2009 and so here they go!

1. January: I started working as a Teacher Asst at a charter school. I was so happy that finally I got into the field I really wanted to get into. That was my first step to a good teaching career.
2. January : I also started going to graduate school at University of Southern California. I am in their MA in Teaching program.
3. March: Alex and I bought our first car in cash! Where? From Ebay!=)We had the car shipped from Pennsylvania.
4. June : Alex got a job at an IT company. That was my birthday wish granted from God! I did not tell anyone until Alex broke the good news. After all the layoffs and economic brouhaha, that job is such an answered prayer!
5. June: My college friend/orgmate/roommate became my sister-in-law. She married my brother-in-law. They had a nice wedding in Palmdale.
6. June: My dad was diagnosed with kidney failure. Dialysis was highly recommended.
7. July and August : I worked as a camp counselor at an Art Summer Camp!
8. September : I started my student teaching at Roscoe Elem School in Mrs. Binnie's class.
9. September: I started working as a tutor for LAUSD. =)
10. November : Started working at Mrs. Hadnett's class.
11. November: I learned I am pregnant!=)))))))
12. December: I passed the RICA test!

I am sure 2011 will be a blast! I will be graduating from grad school and I will be a mommy! What are we waiting for? Here we go!

Baby Glaze is coming!

9.3 weeks inside as of 12/14/2010 =)

Christmas...Christmas..

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

House furniture! My family (husband, me, and unborn child) is moving to an apartment at the end of this month and we need new furniture.=)

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?

Play Christmas music

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

a Subaru car!

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

spend quality time with my husband at home, sing songs..

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

Scrabble

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

Christmas

7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?

Europe!

goal accomplished!

Now that summer is over and it is early Fall, I can finally announce to the world that my big summer goal was accomplished. I PASSED THE ACTUAL DRIVING TEST IN CALIFORNIA!

It is big deal because I had never driven in my life and my driving instructor was my husband. I got my driver's license last week and I am treating it like $1000 cash in my wallet. =))))

I still do not drive on a daily basis. The school I am teaching at is only 3 miles from our house and so I bike there. However, I am the driver on weekends.

Welcome me, California highways!

Fun fun fun at Art Summer Camp!

When I used to be a Pathfinder camper in 5th and 6th grade, I was always fascinated with how adults lead the kids at camp and how they can make the daily activities enjoyable for them. When I went to high school, I missed camps - sleeping in tents and waking up early, like 5am early, to start doing our responsibilities. Fast forward =====> When I arrived here in the US, I noticed that day camps are the normal thing in the summer. The camps can be anything from sports, farm, art to magic. This summer, I had the privilege to be hired as camp counselor at Summer Art Academy. And it was a wonderful experience!


I saw the job posting at craigslist and I applied right away. I met Elizabeth and Minnie, the camp directors, during my interview. The meeting was sort of orientation, that's when I realized that I would be hired. Three days later, they called me. Two months later, I was in front of kids and parents at 745am greeting them, leading them to the auditorium. My fun fun fun experience as camp counselor began.


We counselors were given different art classes where we helped the teachers and supervised the students with their work. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, my classes were Hocus Pocus (Magic class), Taekwondo, Yoga, and Lego Robotics. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my classes were two Acrylics classes (with different teachers and students), Popstarz, and Pastel perfection. I met different kids in this camp and they are children of the people working for the media industry.

We had theme days most of the time. We had Pajama Day, Rock star day, Cartoon Day, Superhero day, and Crazy Hair Day. My co-counselors, 15 of us, got along pretty well. We had jobs starting an hour before camps starts in the morning until 30mins after camp ends in the afternoon.We were also divided into two lunch breaks. I was in the 2nd break. The one I got closest to was Nare, a 20-yr old Armenian girl who is going to UC Berkeley this fall. We shared stories everyday during lunch and when we were both supervising the kids in the cubbie area when they got their lunches.

Here are some pics of the 4-wk camp! Enjoy!


She just got out from her Stage Makeup class


Lego Robotics class


Cartoon Day


Getting messy in Acrylics class


Showing off their pastel masterpieces


Cubbie area


Crazy hair Day with some counselors-in-training


Nare with two boys on Rock Star Day


Coool

Bye, Crescendo... for now.

From January to June,I was working as a Teacher Assistant at a charter school named Crescendo Charter School. I was also studying full-time to be a teacher at University of Southern California. It was the craziest 6months of my life! I worked full time and studied full time. After the school year ended on June 25, I was on a crossroad. If I would get a teaching job this coming Fall, I needed to transfer to another university and start the teacher prep program all over again. That means more $$$ and time before I become a credentialed teacher. That may mean two more years. By June, I was already halfway through my MA in Teaching (credential track) at USC and by Feb 2011, I will be done. Yes, that soon. So what should I choose? I decided to just get over my studies. With California's economy right now and teacher situation, I need to be qualified and more prepared for a teaching job. I do not want to be fired in the middle of the school year just because I am not credentialed or a Master's degree holder. I am doing student teaching in the Fall, instead of the full-time teaching job. By Feb, I will be a full-pledged Trojan! Fight on!

I was so happy when I got that job. I was finally able to creep in the educational sector which I am focusing myself into. I have learned a lot in my 6-month stay at the school. Miss Panaga, the 3rd grade teacher I was closely working with, was helpful. It was her first time to teach and she was learning some things too. We learned them together. The kids there were predominantly African-Americans and I learned a lot about their families, culture, attitudes, and many more. I did not have an easy time there. It was a challenging experience. I had to be careful with my words, jokes, dealing with my Hispanic co-workers, and making my Master Teacher and Mr. O'daniel happy. And this school is in downtown LA. Because I do not drive, I always took the bus and train to get there which is fine because I would have more study time. That was a one-hour trip one way everyday. More importantly, at that school, I learned how to become an affective teacher. I knew more about teaching strategies. I was able to observe what methods teachers use to encourage the kids and make them on task. With my studies at USC and daily exposure at school everyday, I was definitely getting the reaching my dream.=)

I will miss Crescendo. I would like to work with them again when I am done with my MA and credential. That would be awesome.. but nobody can tell what the future holds. I want to experience other schools too in other parts of LA. More exposure, the better. USC is trying to place me in a predominantly white school in the Fall and I am excited about that. I want to know how they are doing too.

Twas a date!

Spring Break

Spring Break is over!

It was a fun week. Alex and I drove to Modesto, 300 miles from Burbank, to visit my relatives. It was my uncle's birthday, and that means, pigging out!!!I missed Filipino food and it was awesome to be able to eat lutong-bahay again. Alex and I stayed there until Tuesday. We drove back to Burbank because I had a job interview the next day. The job was Receptionist at the Hollywood Bowl Museum. The interview went well but the director said they were looking forward to hire someone that can go on even after summer. Well, I could not do that so I moved on. Alex and I went to visit his bestfriend's family in Moreno Valley, a 1.5 hr drive from us. We had not seen them for more than a year!the get-together was a blast!Brad and Denae had two beautiful kids. (I am sure Alex envies them.)We were supposed to leave their place at 7pm but we decided to extend our stay and so we left at 12mn. That's how much fun we had!

Then my allergies struck. I was coughing really hard and my runny nose came the day after. So for the rest of the week, I have been nursing myself. I was supposed to relax, have fun, go to the beach maybe. But I guess my busy life has finally gotten a toll on me. Until now, I still have my allergies. I heard in the news, this is the worse allergy season in LA in a decade. Sigh*

Spring is ending. I hope I will feel better soon. I need to go back to work tomorrow.

Subaru Forester is here!!!

No complaints..

Last Friday, I was with my group of 7 students reviewing the long division process when my principal's boss, Mr. Allen, and someone from LAUSD came to observe the class. They were in our small room for just 2 minutes and they left.

During lunch at the cafeteria while I was supervising the 3rd graders, Mr. Allen came. We said our usual, "How are you doing?" Then this conversation followed:

Allen : Ms Glaze, do you have a teaching credential?
Me : I am actually working on it. I will be done next year. By the time I complete my program, I will have my Masters and credential.
Allen : What are your plans for the fall? Are you staying or leaving?
Me : It is really up to you. As long as you want me here...
Allen: (extends his hand to me) Well, Ms Glaze, you are guaranteed a full-time teaching job in the fall. Mark my word.

Then we exchanged phone numbers.

I could not ask for more. God is truly amazing!!! Since the beginning of this year, I have been silently praying for a teaching job in the fall. If I won't get one, I will quit working as a teacher assistant because I need to comply with my student teaching requirements with my graduate school. However, God has some other plans. With this full-time teaching job this September, my student teaching experience is my job! I am earning money and studying for my credential at the same time. That is really neat.

I remember Isaiah 65:24 (King James Version): "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

Friends, I can only give praises to God right now. His will be done.