Copies of Movies I have been trying to acquire

Here are some movies that I've been trying to acquire for the past years or whenever I remember to find them. :)

1. Psycho
2. Crime and Punishment
3. The Birds
4. Rear Window
5. Oro, Plata, Mata
6. Life is Beautiful
7. Colors of Paradise
8. Children of Heaven

Motorcycles, motorcycles, motorcycles.

I have a long-standing hate relationship with some motorcycle drivers especially here in the province. They drive as if they have a force-field that will prevent them from being hurt. They drive as if there were no cars around them. Some don't even have sideview mirrors to monitor movement behind them. They just look in front of them and don't mind what's behind them. They go through every space be it in between cars and trucks, or counterflow. To top it all, they don't use proper signals -- hand or light!!!

Every morning I have to go through a litany of "should-be's" and a morning exercise shaking my head from left to right everytime I see motorcylce drivers not wearing a helmet or lugging his wife and two kids on his tiny motorcycle, all without helmets, mind you.

In my head I would tell myself that one day, I'll have my moment with motorcycles. And so it arrived.

I was crossing the main intersection of C-5 southbound coming from Ortigas, trying to merge with the rest of the truck-anity (truck-ban not in effect). I was trying to defend myself from the car on my left, and steered my wheel to the right then I heard a loud scratch on my right side. How did you guess? Yes, a motorcycle on the fast lane with the rest of truck-anity and car-anity.

Just my luck. Just when I didn't renew my comprehensive insurance. Drat.

He turned right toward the curb and as a good citizen, I followed. I put on my hazzard, went down my car fuming inside, and checked the damage to my car. Drat. The rubber on his steering handle (whatever you call it) rubbed on my black paint. Double drat. My car's side had a dent, but at least no scratch. In my head, I was thankful because I can still easily rub off the mark with gas and rubbing compound, and I could probably ask someone to just push the dent out.

I was about to rant to the motorcycle driver, when I tried to keep my cool and asked if he was hurt. Again, thank God, he wasn't. He tried to show me what I did to his motorcycle. Just a bent foot rest. No scratch, no dent, no broken mechanicals. Of course, we had an argument with who's at fault. I admitted I didn't see him on my right because for one, I wasn't expecting to see a mini-motorcycle in the midst of trucks, SUV's and cars! He was accusing me of squeezing him into the truck! Heck, would I do that?

Then I realized that this guy wasn't happy with an apology, he was trying to solicit money from me. And so I immediately made it clear that I didn't have any cash to give him. I offered him cosmetics because that was the only thing in the car I could give him. I didn't have change that time so I couldn't really offer him 50 bucks. He was still persistent. I already told him that I have a more costly repair to be done than his. I even offered to straighten his foot rest, believe it or not, I did put my hand on it to try to budge it. Of course, it didn't work. :P The usiseros were already agreeing with me. Other motorcycle drivers passing by would slow down beside us to survey the damage of his vehicle, but they only shook their heads in disagreement with the motorcyclist. After 10 minutes, he realized that he won't get anything from me, he finally decided to leave. He probably thought he could get me to be soooo apologetic like some helpless lady drivers, but he bumped the wrong lady driver.

If I only have the powers, I'll legislate some laws requiring motorcyle drivers to get a license, undergo lessons on road courtesy and road rules, and to wear a helmet as well as their passengers.

I'm sure some of you drivers will have some similar sentiments with me regarding motorcycles. I know some friends of mine who do.

Teaching is a thankless job...

I have always upheld the thought that teaching is really a thankless job. Literally because students don't really have the habit of thanking their teachers every after lesson. I don't remember verbally thanking my teacher for teaching me. Students normally realize that they ought to have thanked their teachers later on in their life when they become successful in the respective careers or most immediately when they go to college. This is why I never really expect my students to show appreciation to what I'm doing for them especially so when you always hear them complaining about requirements, due dates, and tests. Come to think of it, students do thank me...when I don't give them seatwork or homework. :)

Anyway, back to my original thought.

I just came from my students' retreat in Charles Huang Batulao, Batangas. Breathtaking view I tell you! It was really a place where you can commune with nature. There were gazebos to the side of the mountain (although scary thoughts would rush into your mind of a possible earthquake and your gazebo just comes sliding down the hill with you still sitting in it!!!). With regard to the activities that Tatay Jojo prepared for the retreatants, there were a lot of sharing, and therefore, crying going around. "Seeing" their hearts moved me to tears. They were sad, and I felt sad for them, too.

On their last day of retreat, I didn't know that more crying awaited us. Tatay Jojo asked the students to approach me individually and to thank me personally. Eeeeek! For once, I predicted my fate! I cried. I couldn't help myself from crying. Some of my students were also crying as they were thanking me. Some thank you's would be for not scolding them and for scolding them, for actually teaching them english and values, and for really caring for them. Some opened up some of their grudges with my being strict or hotheaded, but I understand them. They were nevertheless thankful.

Who on earth won't be touched with what they were saying?! Goodness, I wasn't prepared for it that I didn't have any hanky or kleenex with me to wipe my tears and what not with! Anyway, I threw my reputation away for that moment, and braved to listen to what my students had to say while my heart sobbed.

I just simply didn't know I had affected most of them that much. I have always had that impression they hated me for being so strict, for punishing them under the sun, for giving them the most dreaded reminder slips, and for giving them a lot of readings. I thought I was torturing them.

I am glad that happened. It has strengthened my relationship with them. I am sure there is more understanding between me and the students afterwards, and more heart and soul will be poured for the next 6 months before they graduate and go to their respective colleges.