D&G Practicum Journal: 2010

Monday, March 1, 2010

Attracting My own Issue

Day 39: March 1, 2010; Monday

First day ng March ngayon - Welcome March! :D

Tapos na ang theme na Healing the Inner Child, ngayon namang week ang them ay FORGIVENESS. During the morning session, nagkaroon kami ng light activity as an introduction to our theme. Nagkaroon kami ni Nadz ng chance na makasali sa first group. Parang Picture Perfect kasi yung activity namin nun, kung saan mag-iisip kami ng 3 to 5 scenes na nagpapakita ng 'forgiveness'. Sa group 1 kami napunta ni Nadz kasama yung karamihan sa mga 'slow' residents, slow, sila kasi yung mga residents na mababagal talaga, yung tipong hindi magalaw samantalang yung mga active ay nasa group 2. Nahirapan nga kami sa brainstorming kasi hindi lahat nagsasalita, actually 4 lang yung naisip namin tapos nag-back up na lang kami ng isa. Hehe.. Pero I was surprised to find out na yung group pa namin yung nanalo! Wow talaga. Galing! Galing!. Hehe.. So we started the day light but we wanted it to end a little personal and serious kaya tinuloy na namin sa afternoon session yung unang suggestion ni Laura na activity. Dun sa activity na yun, kailangang mag-alala yung mga residents ng isang tao na nakasakit sa kanila, once na naalala na nila, iisipin nila na sila yung taong yun at magsusulat sila ng letter asking for forgiveness sa sarili niya or sa kanya talaga since sila naman yung nasaktan ng taong yun. Inaantok talaga ko ng mga panahon na yun kaya kinakausap ko na alng yung mga residents sa table ko para magising-gising naman ako, pero I did not dare asked them kung ano yung nakasulat sa letter nila, tinanong ko lang kung sino yung naisip nila. During the processing part by Kalya, nag-share naman yung karamihan sa kanila ng mga letter nila, except lang sa isang female resident na tumanggi, at sa iba pa na hindi nag-volunteer. Haay. Grabe yung atmosphere dun sa session hall kanina, naramadaman ko talaga siya, as in ang bigat, inaantok na nga ko tas ang bigat pa ng pakiramdam ko, pero pinilit ko makinig sa mga sinasabi nila, minsan lang magkaron ng ga'nong discussion nang kasama kami.

Today I had gained so much insights and learning rfrom the residents mismo, at sa meeting namin with Sir Al after, although hindi ko na-share yun sa meeting namin. Sa morning pa lang, narinig ko na yung humulity and sincerity na kailanga kapag humihingi ng forgiveness. Actually, right now, I'm on the process of asking for forgiveness to someone na nasaktan ko, sabi nga niya, and while listening to the residents in the morning session, I asked myself whether ako ba ay sincere at nagpapakumbaba nang nag-sorry ako sa taong yun? Naalala ko din ng matanong ni Kuya M kung bakit daw mahirap para sa iba yung magpatawad, at ang sagot ng iba pang resident dun- dahil sa PRIDE. Exactly. Throughout the years na nag-aaway kami ng taong yun, yung pride yung pumipigil samin para magbati. Sadly, pero totoo. Ma-pride akong tao.

During our meeting with Sir Al, dun ko nalaman na hindi lang pala ako yung nakakaramdam ng ganun, may iba din pala, so hindi ako nag-iisa. Hindi ako yung nag-iisa na mayy problema when it comes to self-disclosure. We attract our own issues. Kaya naramdaman namin na nahihirapan kami i-contain at tanggapin yung emosyon na nangingibabaw sa hall kanina kasi kami din mismo may mga issue na katulad ng sa mga nisi-share ng mga residents. Although na-refresh niya yung pain ko na onti-onti ko ng nakakalimutan, okay na din sakin kasi ngayon mas naiintindihan ko na din. Naalala ko lang talaga yung sinabi sakin ng taong may sama sakin ng loob ngayon na 'pinapatawa ko daw siya kasi psych ako pero hindi ko ma-express yung sarili ko'. Alam ko yun. Aware ako dun. And I also thought that was weird and wrong, but now am realized it is not. At least I am aware. That's my issue. And I do certainly agree that am attracts my own issue. I do.

I also learned other things about psychotherapy, that one skill that we must learn before using psychotherapy is attending to yourself. That means na hindi ka lang nakikinig sa kung ano mang sabihin ng client mo saýo, kundi pati sa sarili mo mismo. ^_^

Friday, February 26, 2010

Send-off/ Birthday Bop!

Day 38: February 26, 2010; Friday

Dumating ako before lunch sa LCRC. Unlike the previous days, my mood was much better, maybe a visit from my HS school (redundant ba?hehe) helped, kasi since then I can't help smiling na. If yesterday I had to remember sad experiences, ngayon puro happy moments naalala ko sa HS school namin, natuwa naman ako kasi dun din mismo yung sad experience ko. :)

Pagdating, narinig ko na nag-eenjoy yung mga residents, naisip ko agad na baka naglalaro na sila ng Mismo sa loob, nainggit naman ako, pero nahiya naman ako pumasok pa kaya inumpisahan ko na lang yung interpretation ng DAP ng isang applicant. After lunch, nagsimula na kaming mag-asikaso ng mga kailangan pang tapusin para sa culminating program/birthday bop/send off party, both for Kuya P. Finally, i know na maagal na niyang inaasam-asam yun.

The culminating program went well, well except sa presentation ata namin (hahaha!). After nito yung birthday/send off party for Kuya P. Aware pala si Kuya P sa birthday party niya pero hindi niya alam na send-off na din pala niya. I was watching him when he welcomed his parents and his brother, pero the most am was glad was kung pa'no siya nag-react ng i-announced ni Sir sa lahat na today is Kuya P's send-off also! Wow! Isn't it the most wonderful gift na pwede niyang matanggap?! Kaya naman napatalon siya halos sa tuwa. Kahit ako nadamay sa sobrang katuwaan niya. Finally talaga! :D First time ko din na makita yung mother and brother ni Kuya P, and by that talagang naga-agree ako kay Sir kung ga'no ka-suportive ng family niya sa kanya. The whole program was a superb celebration talaga. Everyone was happy para kay Kuya P, and at the same time, sad din kasi mababawasan na din sila. May iba din na napansin ko na nakaramdan ng inggit sa kanya based sa facial expression nila pero they were still suportive in giving their messages to him. ^_^ Another male resident was also discharged, kaso against medical advice ata, kasi early that afternoon lang samin na-inform ni Sir yung tungkol dun. Haay. Hindi man lang kami nakapagpaalam kay Kuya W. Kahit picture man lang. He's been good pa naman recently to us, at mabati. Mami-miss namin siya, sila ni Kuya P. Anyway, I'm happy for the both of them. Sana kung ano man yung natutunan nila sa LCRC, kung ano mang yung transition na nangyari sa kanila during their stay there, hopefully ipagpatuloy nila yun. Good luck sa kanilang 2. ^_^

Thursday, February 25, 2010

MIsmo! :D

Day 37: February 25, 2010; Thursday

Naging napaka-emotional ng week na 'to para sakin dahil sa isang problemang hindi ko inexpect na magwo-worsen pa. And today's worship service was one of the most intimate for me. Sa song pa lang na ni-prepare ni Rio, I'd became so emotional na, more on sa lecture ni Pastor Paul, kung saan talagang isinaisip ko yung mga sinabi niya. Like my own undestanding of this week's theme, Pastor Paul mentioned that an inner child involves hurtings & pains from the past, which may be from childhood, aand in healing that inner child within us, kailangan nating balikan yung inner child na yun at muling damdamin at intindihin at tanggapin yung particular na situation na yun, at saka lang makakapag-let go. Pastor Paul even shared to us a particular event in his childhood na ginawa niyang example, kahit siya nahirapan siyang alalahanin yun kasi napakasakit nun para sa kanya, pero ginawa pa din niya para sa amin, salamat Pastor Paul. :) After that, nag-share siya samin ng steps inhealing the inner child, which are the following:

ALLOW
ACCEPT
UNDERSTAND
LET GO

Katulad nga ng sabi ko kanina, kailangan alalahanin muna yung particular event o situation na yun, kasama yung mga emotions na naramadaman noon. Pagkatapos maalala, kailangang tanggapin yung nangyari, tanggapin na hindi na yun mababao pa at ang pwede na lang gawin ay pansinin kung ano yung pwede matutunan mula dun. Once na matanggap na yun, magagawa ng intindihin kung bakit nangyari yun sa'yo. Finally, kailangan pakawalan mu na yung anumang sakit na naramdaman mo noon at saka ka lang makakapagsabi na nakapag-let go ka na. Once na nagawa mo nang mag-let go, nagawa mo na ding -heal yung inner child na puno ng sakit natin. He also added na yung mga pains na nararamdaman namin ngayon ay maaaring may kaugnayan sa mga nangyari samin dati, kaya itinuro niya samin yung steps na yun kung saan parang babalik kami sa mga nangyari samin. Actually, during that particular time, napasang-ayon ako kay Pastor Paul, after kong sundin yung sinabi niya. Na-realize ko kasi na yung nararamdaman kong sakit nung mga panahon na yun, ay dahil sa isang pangyayari noong bata ko, na actually naibigay ko ng example sa mga residents nung Monday nang mag-facilitate ako ng main activity. I was so surprised to myself na magrere-surface pa din yung emosyon na yun, ngayong matanda na ko, akala ko kasi para sa mga bata lang yun, yun pala hindi. Haay.

During the afternoon naman, naglaro kami ng MISMO with my classmates and Sir Al. Sinubukan muna namin bago namin iintroduce sa mga residents yung bagong board game na binili nla. Dahil dyan, medyo nawala yung lungkot & sama ng loob ko. Sobrang nakakatawa kasi. :D

Tapos, instead na movie watching, we decided na mag-rehearse na lang yung mga residents para sa culminitaing presentations tomorrow. Pero bago pa kami mag-start, kinailangan muna i-check ni Sir yung condition/feelings/nararamdaman nila, to make sure na hindi sila symptomatic katulad kahapon. It was a long talk with Sir Al kasi kinamusta niya isa-isa yung mga residents, akala ko nga hindi na sila makakapag-rehearse. The atmosphere of the session hall that time was so serious and silent, yet so interesting, kahit nga si Nurse Beck nagka-interes kanina, andun lang kasi sa nakikinig, nagtatanong siya samin kung ganun daw ba si ganung resident at nakakatuwa daw pala makita yung mga reactions ng mga residents during session. ^_^

Buti na lang at kinausap muna sila ni Sir Al bago namin sila kausapi, kasi sa palagay talaga namin, nakatulong yun para maging mas maayos yung mga residents, mas naging hindi bugnutin at mas positibo. Galing! Galing mismo! :D

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Batang Bata Pa Nga..

Day 36: February 24, 2010; Wednesday

Since Sir Al told us na magkakaroon ng presentations yung residents for the culminating program on Friday, inintroduce na ni Leader-for-the-week Dana yung presentations at yung mga songs na gagamitin nila pati na yung community song. Maaga kasi natapos yung cute art activity namin kanina kaya nag-decide na kami na mag-umpisa na mag-prepare para dun, although nagulat si Dana dun. hehe.. At first, yung Bawat Bata at Batang Bata Ka Pa yung napili ni Dana para sa presentations nila while yung Voice Within naman yung para sa community song, since hindi pa ata nila nagagamit yun. Kaso nga lang, hindi ata maganda pagkakahti namin ng grupo kasi karamihan sa mga lively residents ay napunta sa group 1 while yung mga nasa group 2 naman yung mga tahimik na residents. tsk. Although sakto naman yung song for each group (group 1 yung Bawat Bata & group 2 yung Batang Bata Ka Pa), nahirapan pa din yung group 2 , karamihan kasi sa kanila ayaw ma-cooperate tapos yung iba pa nagiging negative na hindi daw kasi nila kayang sundan yung kanta at kung ano pa. Haay. Grabe, sabi nga ng mga classmates ko na nagiging symptomatic na sila, particularly most of the group 2. Pati yung community song may reklamo yung isa sa kanila, kesyo hindi daw nila bagay kantahin kasi parang sosyal daw yung kanta. Haay. Masyadong negative sa loob ng hall kanina, hindi na nga alam i Dana gagawin niya. Until we left the hall na. Ka-stress.

Nang kamustahin kami ni Sir Al about sa afternoon session, nakwento namin yung negativity na pumulupot samin sa loob. So Sir Al had to remind us once again na we should learn to protect ourselves from such. At kailangan kaming matutong i-process yung mga ganung situation, at i-MSE sila ng on-the-spot. Kailangan din na pansinin namin kung papaano nga ba namin sila tinatrato, kasi baka naman daw minsan parang nagiging bata na sila sa paningin namin kaya ganun na namin sila natatatrato. Simula nun, dapat na kaming maging mindful, hindi lang tuwing may art activity, kundi mismo sa mga residents, sa mga ina-act nila, sa reasoning nila at kung anu-ano pa. Sana lang hindi na masundan pa yung ganung pangyayari kahit na sa tingin ko mukhang imposible. hmm..

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Positve & Negative Self

Day 35: February 23, 2010; Tuesday

I decided na ngayon na lang ako mag-half day para asikasuhin yung mga bagay na dapat kong ayusin since movie-watching lang naman sa hapon. Akala ko nga na aerobics yung morning session nila 'pag Tuesday, hindi pala. hehe.. First time kasi ata namin na mag-duty ng Tuesday, since whole week kaming walang pasok sa school, kaya hindi ako aware sa schedule nila every Tuesday. ;D Anyway, so the residents had a 'session' (tawag nga nila) in the morning. This time, si Sir Al mismo nag-facilitate ng activity. Dun sa activity, kailangang isulat ng mga residents yung positive & negative traits nila sa isang cut out paper na shape ng magka-holding hands na tao (cute. :D) So kami yung nag-rounds ng mga papel para sulatan nila. During the sharing part, it was fun and good na ma-include sa circle nila (which i usually do, either para mas makita and maintindihan ko mga sinasabi nila kasi sumasakit na tuhod ko sa pagtayo. hehe..) Ni-share kasi ng ilan sa kanila yung mga sinulat ng kapwa residents nila, may ibang cool na cool lang sa pagbasa at tinawanan na lang, either sa nagustuhan or tanggap na yung mga impressions sa kanya, while may iba naman na talagang naging honest sa pagsulat sa sarili niya mismo at open sa pagsabi ng reaksyon niya sa mga impression ng iba sa kanya. Among the residents, siya na nga ata yung pinaka naging honest and open sa kanila, i was so proud of him, katabi ko pa siya nung binabasa niya yung sa kanya. Yet, there were still some residents na resistant na mag-share sa group. Well the new ones i cannot blame kasi syempre naiilang pa siguro sila, pero may iilan talaga na sa pansin ko ay ayaw talaga mag-share. Sadly. Kung ma-convince lang sana namin silang lahat, para sa kanila din naman yun kasi, pero syempre, hindi namin yun magagawa, aantayin na alng namin na kusa nilang i-open yung sarili nila samin. Be patient lang daisy. ^_^

Monday, February 22, 2010

Helaing the Inner Child

Day 34: February 22, 2010; Monday

This week's theme is Healing the Inner Child. Whenever I think of this theme, it looked so negative to me. For me it has something to do with the past, not necessarily childhood experiences, but anything that is hurtful about the past. The inner child is the one who is full of hurt and pain that is living in the innermost of us. Thus for me, the theme serve to teaching us ways in recovering that inner child from his pain. Para sakin, iba siya sa re-living the childhood within us, yet, parang naging ganun yung theme namin. Hehe.. Isa 'to sa mga pinaka-komplikadong theme namin kaya nahirapan din ako gawan 'to ng SLE, at hindi lang ako, pati yung iba pa, kaya Monday morning pa lang, nabengge na kami kay Sir kasi wala kaming na-submit na SLE about the theme. Tsk.

So we used the SLE provided by other school as our source of activities. For the morning session, I facilitated the Time Line kung saan ili-list ng mga residents yung mga hurtful events nila sa isang timeline from childhood to their present time, kasama yung mga particular feelings na naramdaman nila during that moment. The activity was quite serious, the residents had to concentrate in remebering those hurtful experiences they had. During the processing part done by Nadz, nag-share yung ibang residents sa mga sinulat nila, may nagsabi na naka-apak sila ng pako na para sa kanila ya talagang napakasakit, ay meron din ng mga mga mas seryososng bagay o pangyayari na ishinare nila. It was good na nagawa nila mag-comply sa activity annd more in sharing their experiences, so personally felt na open na sila samin at welcome na kami para kilalanin pa sila ng lubos.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

In Life Mapping..

Day 33: February 18, 2010; Thursday

Yung high light ng araw na 'to masasabi ko ay yung lecture ni Pastor Paul during the worship service. he shared to us five steps in mapping our life, since our theme for the week is Life Mapping. These steps are the following:

Origin: Who you are
Destination: A vision of who you want to be
Vehicle: Your Mission
Travel Bag: Your knowledge, skills, and attitude
Landmarks and Route: S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Anticipate Turns, Detours, and Potholes

(salamat ule kay Haha. :D)

Because Life Mapping is like taking a journey, and in taking a journey, dapat maging mindful ang isang tao sa mga binaggit niya in order to achieve his goal or destination na siyang purpose niya sa buhay. Life mapping is just like finding meaning in life, and kaakibat ng meaning na yun ay yung purpose ng buhay ng tao at yun din ang concern ng Life Mapping. Pasto Paul really never fails us in giving us lessons. ^_^

Fr the movie-watching, we had Alvin and the Chipmunks 2. Kahit na pang-bata siya pansin ko naman na nagustuhan siya ng ibang residents, nagtatanong pa nga yung iba if may part 1 daw ba yun. Nakakatuwa yung mga chipmunks na sumasayaw. ^_^

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Game of Life

Day 32: February 17, 2010;Wednesday

When Sir Al told us na hindi na aattend si Ms. Faye that afternoon, and ever again, he asked us to come up with an activity for the afternoon session that will tackle 2 to 3 of the Life Strategies provided by Sir Al. We did not join the residents in their aerobics session kasi we were brainstorming about acitivities at nandun naman mga nursing from St. Mary's. Nadz suggested to have a life-sized board game, yung mga tipong Snake and Ladder na laro ba. Sa thought palang ng game enjoy na yun sigurado, especially if magagawa namin yun, kaso nga lang nagiging parang imposible yung gusto namin kasi nahihirapan si Kalya na magbuo ng maze at kung anu-ano yung mga ilalagay dun. Laura helped her, kaming nag-suggest at sumang-ayon ay walang nagawa. Hehe.. tsk.

While they were preparing for the activity, nagkaroon naman ako ng chance na makapag-administer ng test sa isang applicant. I administered DAP, HTP, SSCT, MBPT, and BPI. First time na makapag-administer ng mga test na yun, nakakakaba pala. Buti na lang natapos ako habang nagi-start pa lang sila sa activity. Tinawag nila Kalya na Game of Life yung activity na yun. It was composed of simple bond papers na naka-attached sa floor that served as the maze to follow by the residents. There were achievements and failures na nakasulat sa ilang papel. In beneath of some of the papers, may mga nakatagong prizes such as moving 3 steps forward or rolling the dice again, or consequences such as losing one turn, take several steps backward and the worst of all- going back to the start. It was so good to see na nag-eenjoy yung mga residents sa activity kahit na dun sa second round ay ilang beses silang nag-back to start. Punung-puno ng excitement yung hall dahil sa mga cheer nila at namin at kahit ni Sir at sa mga tawa sa kamalasan ng iba. Hahahaha talaga. ^o^

Through that activity, Kalya had discussed the first life strategy while Sir Al was able to relate the fifth Life Strategies. The Life Strategies/ Life Laws are as follows:

You either get it or you don't.
You create your own experience.
People do what works.
You cannot change what you do not acknowledge.
Life rewards action.
There is no reality only perception.
Life is managed, it is not cured.
We teach people how to treat us.
There is power in forgiveness.
You have to name it before you can claim it.

These Life Laws serve as a guide for each of us on how to live our life. Every activity this week, Sir Al would relate these Life Laws, which he himself claimed had been helpful to him. It was actually good to ponder to these laws kasi mapapansin naman na simple lang siya pero kakailanganin talaga ng thorough pagsubaybay sa sarili kung masusunod mo nga ba 'tong mga to. Yung pinakagusto ko sa mga Life Laws would be We teach people how to treat us at There is power in forgiveness, kasi tingin ko na itong mga 'to yung pinaka-kailangan kong matutunan at i-practice. :)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Meeting the Residents more.

Day 31: February 15, 2010; Monday

Although Love Week is over, Love is still in the atmosphere, because we did the awarding for the Best in Costume this morning before the session. hindi pa din maka-get over yung ibang residents sa Valentine Program last Friday.

By the way, the theme for this week is Life Mapping. When I think of Life Mapping, parang parehas lang naman siya sa Finding Meaning in Life. Ang hirap pa niya maisipan ng activity. Buti na lang merong SLE sila Mary and Kalya na leader for this week, then we picked Dotty Drawing as the main activity for the morning session. During the activity, we were assigned again per table. Napunta ko sa long table with only two female resident si Stepmother ni Snow White at si Snow White (i get the code names from their characters in the Valentine Program, :)). I remember my experience with the wind chime activity kung saan 2 female residents din yung na-assigned sakin. It was so much alike lang talaga kaya naalala ko. Si Snow White tuluy-tuloy lang sa paggawa at pagsulat ng mga goals niya while si Stepmother ay kinailangan pa ng sobrang encouragement para isulat yung mga goals niya sa buhay. Paulit-ulit niyang dinadahilan na matanda na siya, wala na siyang goals sa buhay. Had to remind her always that her goals must be SMART. At the end, she had written din naman kaso it was too general. This particular resident was the same residents in the Hakuna Matata Group who kept complaining na hindi niya kayang sundin yung mga steps namin at nahihirapan siyang iabsorb sa utak niya yun, again, dahil sa matanda na siya. I personally had given up to this resident, kasi ayokong mahatak niya ko sa pagiging negative niya. And I believe na tama din naman yung ginawa ko, no one can help herself except her own self.

For the afternoon session, we had Blinded by Money as the main activity. The residents had to drop the coins covering their eyes to the palanggana. Para magkaroon naman ng thrill yung activity, naglagay kami ng mga weights nila sa aerobics sa buong paligid ng hall, once na ma-knocked down nila yun, they had to start again. The activity was fun kahit na yung iba nahirapan sa pagpunta sa palanggana kasi paulit-ulit nilang natutumba yung mga weights. During this period, napansin ko na nagiging close na yung 2 male resident, si Big Brother at yung bagong resident. Although it is good to see na nagkakaroon ng friend yung bagong resident, I noticed recently na hindi nagiging maganda yung influence niya sa Big Brother, kasi the Big Brother is being negative recently. Haay. Siya pa naman favorite resident ko.

Friday, February 12, 2010

A Fairy Tale Valentine at LCRC

Day 30: February 12, 2010; Friday

Finally, dumating na ang araw na pinakahihintay namin - ang fairy Tale Valentine Program ng LCRC. Yehey! We had to excused our group from classes para maka-attend dito, and I would say sobrang worth naman yun. :D
We came after 12pm and first time naming makasabay sa lunch si Sir Al. It was a busy afternoon for all of us, all of us were preparing. Pero, before we start praparing, we had a meeting muna with UE at the FT room. Like our first meeting, everything was light and fun, kahit na may mga bagay pa na kailangan namin asikasuhin, gawin at tapusin. Again, we divided the tasks para matapos lahat before the program. Us PUPians were still busy for the finishing of the decorations, the awards and other necessary materials, while the UE students are busy with the needs of the residents about their costumes and make-ups. Kahit yung mga staff busy sa paghahanda kasi syempre pati sla kasama din sa costume party ng mga residents saka may sarili din kaming party after ng sa residents. Before we start the program, Laura ata or Jen of UE led us a prayer during our last minute meeting to guide, support and bless our program. Almos everyone was dressed for the program, the staff, the attendants, the nurse, para sa akin panalo si 'Nay Edna! ^_^
The residents were in full costume. Pero we have our own bet for the awarding of the Best in Costume.
I can see that all of the residents are enjoying during the program, there were also teasing about their costumes and syempre admiration. The presentations of both groups went well naman, yehey! hindi lang yung amin. tsk. pero okay lang, enjoy pa din. Wala kong masabi kundi enjoy. :)
Tulad nga ng sabi ko, after that party with the residents, we had our own party naman. Nag-videoke kami (especially si Dana) at kumain ng pagkadami-dami. Siguro once na matapos na kami sa practicum namin isa yung mga gan'tong events ang mami-miss namin sa LCRC. ^_^
Send off party din pala ng mga UE, sadly, ilang beses lang namin nakahalubilo sila, I liked them pa naman because they seemed to be good and sweet. Anyway, it became a little emotional for some of them during their 'speech'. Yet it was still fun. Super fun!
Happy Valentines LCRC!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Busy PUPians.

Day 29: February 11, 2010; Thursday

A day before the big night. Lahat kami busy. Hindi namin alam paano pagkakasyahin oras namin para sa lahat ng preparations. We divided our group into two, yung half ay sasama sa worship service while the other half ay tutulong sa finishing ng castle. Since kailangan ng mas madaming man power sa castle, sumama na ko sa second group. Haay. Naiinggit na naman kami nina Kalya and Haha sa worship service, ilang Thursday na kaming nakaka-miss. :( We did the decorating part for the castle para hindi siya magmukhang masyadong simple. We continued this until after afternonn before the rehearsal, since may agreement kami kay Sir Al na by Thursday afternoon namin kayang i-set up yung castle sa hall. Hindi naman na kami nahirapan ni Dana sa pagre-rehearse sa 2 group so we were so fulfilled na. tapos we were able to set up the castle din and was so glad that Sir Al liked it, as well as the residents. Wow. It's setting the atmosphere na for tomorrow. Yehey!!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Castle Painting..

Day 28: February 10, 2010; Wednesday

Since walang outdoor activities ang mga residents na sa tingin ko ay dahil sa kotseng naka-parked, ginamit na namin yung oras na yun para makatulong kina Kalya sa castle, hindi din kami nag-join sa aerobics session ng residents dahil sa castle. Ang saya, kahit na puro paint kami. Enjoy! ^o^ Since the residents will still have their rehearsals for the afternoon session, we continued helping Kalya and others in finishing painting the castle. Then dana and I once again led the rehearsal of the Hakuna Matata Group, i would not forget how Dana reacted after the rehearsal kasi finally nakuha naman na ng mga residents yung buong steps. Kasi during the rehearsal, nawawalan na kami ni Dana ng lakas, lagi kasi nilang sinasabi na hindi nila kaya, nahihirapan sila, hindi sila makasunod, kung pwede palitan yung song, particularly a female resident, kahit nga yung male resident na nagse-serve as leader to the group nawawalan na din ng gana dahil din mismo sa ibang groupmate niya. Nakaka-drain talaga yung afternoon na yun at nakaka-down at the same time. But see, kinaya din naman nila after several practice. Kaya sobrag tuwa ni dana nun na ibalita sa iba. The A Whole New World Group had finally rehearsed na din, hindi naman maikakaila na mas madali steps nila kaya mas madaling ituro at tandaan.

Nang makamusta kami ni Sir Al about sa rehearsal, nabanggit niya na hindi kami dapat magpapatalo sa mga residents, especially sa pagiging negative nila, dapat matuto kami na mag-build ng parang shield against sa negativity na yun. So we must be strong! or else, kami mismo magsa-suffer if we allowed them na mahikayat sa pagiging negativity nila..

It's Love Week!

Day 27: February 8, 2010; Monday

Love, Love has come our way..

Yes, it is, LOVE week na kasi. Sir Al had to put the Love theme forward para maging sabay naman sa event. ^_^ To start the week, we had an art activity for the morning session, which was Pop-Up card making! coutesy of Ms. Faye (Laura. hahaha!) Before the activity, nag-start na kami mag-panic kasi kailangan na ule maging super cautious and mindful dahil magdadala kami ng sangkatutak na art materials sa loob. As the leader for the week, kinakabahan ako sobra. Buti na lang nandun din yung mga nursing students from St. Mary's to observe. So madami na kami na magmo-monitor. I was so relieved ng matapos yung art activity na yun without any problems. Galing! Galing! We hust had to convince some residents to make another card dahil sa mga contents nila, they had to pick kasi kung kanino nila ibibigay yung card, and put their friendly message. Kaso yung miba, puro flight of ideas. Dito ko nalaman na Sir Al had to check pa pala yung mga contents ng kanilang work when they had to do some activity involving writing, in a way as in checking their mental status.

Before the afternoon session, we had a lecture from Peter about Psychoanalysis pala. Interesting discussion, kaso nga lang hindi ko masyadong narinig lahat dahil sa kakaibang british accent niya, at kakaiba niyang presentation, which was reading. As much as I would like to stay awake and listen, am can't. Sorry Peter if I can't help my eyes from closing. tsk. But the lecture was really interesting, he actually introduced to me some new names and concepts in Psychoanalysis. Masyado na ata kaming nale-late. Tsk.

Akala ko maayos na 'tong day na 'to kaso nagka-problema pa kami with Sir Al regarding sa flash drive na gagamitin namin for the resident's rehearsal. tapos during the rehearsal pa mismo ay nahirapan naman kami na turuan yung mga residents. Na-assign kasi saming PUPian yung Hakuna Matata Group while sa UE yung A Whole New World Group. Puro sagutan kasi yung Hakuna Matata kaya nahirapan kami gumawa ng steps and specially, wala talaga kaming nabuo na choreography na ituturo sa kanila para dun. Pansin ko na nga na nahihirapan na sila, as much as we were. May nag-request na nga na kung pwede palitan yung song, kaso we can't. Haay. Grabe, challenge talaga samin 'to ni dana especially, buti si Rio kasi sumasayaw-sayaw pa. Hehe.. Laura, Kalya, and Haha were busy naman outside starting the castle.

Before leaving, kinausap muna kami ni Sir about sa ilang kapalpakan namin. Huhuhu.. Such as hindi pag-check sa music before hand at hindi paghahanda para sa rehearsal ng presentation. So, once again, Sir Al reminded us that we should avoid cramming, kasi kahit yun pala ay may kaakibat na demerit. Tsk.Haay. Goodluck pa samin sa mga susunod pang araw....

Saturday, February 6, 2010

:(( movie-watching.

Day 26: February 6, 2010; Saturday

Sinamahan ko sila Laura, Rio, and Bude this time sa kanilang Saturday schedule. Since afternoon pa makakarating ang mga UE students, pinapasok yung ilan samin ni Sir, yung mga naghahabol ng oras in particular. Hehe..

Inintroduced na na Rio yung bago niyang bili na aerobics video, unfortunately, hindi lahat naka-sunod, mas prefer pa din nila si Jackielou. hehe.. May mga attachment nga talaga sila kay Jackielou. :) After that, tinapos na namin yung matagal ng balak na segregation ng mga artworks ng bawat residents. Grabe, sobrang dami, meron pa nga na mga 2 to 3 years ago pa. Whew.

We were waiting for the UE students para malaman kung ano yung gagawin sa afternoon session, kung movie-watching, anong movie yung ipapanood nila, or would they involve the residents in finishing the characters or may iba pa. Among these choices, the residents still had the movie-watching which was Deathrow- a local movie tungkol sa mga preso na nasa deathrow. I, myself was so surprised to find myself being overwhelmed emotionally sa movie. grabe naman kasi yung violence. Nagtatanungan na nga kami ni Laura kung allowed nga ba sila manood ng ganung movie. Then it bothered us most (laura and I), when Ate R suddenly shouted to Kuya Q nang masagi lang ni Q yung upuan niya, tas umiyak din siya after. Laura and I thought na baka epekto na yun nung movie. Haay. After the movie, an attendant told the residents and assured us that Sir Al would discuss the movie with them. Whew. can't stop myself crying then, pinagtatawanan na nga ko ng mga residents. Tsk. Anyway, sana talaga nagawa yun kasi inaalala namin ni Laura yung scene with Ate R.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Meet the UE!

Day 25: February 5, 2010;Friday

First time ata naming PUPian na maka-attend ng culmintaing activity. Na-eexcite naman ako sobra, kahit na mdeyo hindi maganda naging umpisa ng araw ko niyan. Ie-enjoy ko na lang yung program. We were asked to attend a meeting with the UE practicumers kaya kami napadaan sa LCRC niyan. First time din pala namin ma-meet mga taga-UE. ^_^ Pagdating namin nag-start yung meeting about sa Valentines program the following week. Aileen from UE ang napiling maging in-charged kasama ko sa nasabing program. We discssed so many things then, lahat ng nasa list namin for meeting, like the costumes of the residents, the decorations, and the musics na gagamitin. nag-split kami ng mga task ng UE. Sa decorations, sa UE ung mga drawing ng characters while sa PUP yung castle. it was a fun meeting actually, no tension, kasi mas angat yung excitement samin eh, especially when Sis Al asked us to introduced our chosen characters. Sobrang nakakatuwa. ^_^

Then we also joined the culminating program after that which was led by the UE students, although almost from PUP yung nag-facilitate ng mga activities sa program na kina-surprise namin. Kasi, since hindi naman talaga namin duty nun, hindi sana kami yung gumagawa nun. Aun. Pero enjoy pa din naman. Again, I'm so excited para sa Valentines Program.. Goodluck samin! ^_^

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Go natura!/ Draw the Line.

Day 24: February 4, 2010; Thursday

Pastor Paul never fails in sharing us lessons about the theme for each week. Just like today's worship service. He shared to us some ways in enhancing our spirituality. These are:

Discover our self and who we really are
Find meaning or purpose in life
Have a daily quiet time
Involve yourself in support groups and activities
Worship God through singing

According to Pastor Paul, in enhancing spirituality, it does not merely say focusing on God or religion, yet it is also involving that. But spirituality is also about our self, our own spirit.

Before we have our movie watching in the afternoon, we were privileged to receive a lecture from Ms. Yoly Magbantay, a food chemist, about proper nutrition. Tinuro niya sami kung bakit namin kailangan malaman yung tamang pagkain at tamang paraan sa pagkain if gusto talaga namin maging healthy. being healthy does not mean na dapata kumain ng madami, pero dapat kumain ng tama at wasto. Dapat kami umiwas sa mga processed food and Go natural kami, kasi mas assured ang safety dun. The mini-seminar was heldful talaga, I was not able to take down the important details lang kasi mas interesado akong nakikinig kesa nagsusulat pa. Ms. Yolly even shared to us some alternative recipes in some common dishes, nang hindi gumagamit ng mga processed food or mga preservatives. So interesting. I wish am knew how to cook. Hehe..

We watched an interesting film Flywheel after that. It was a good movie because it taught us that every life has a turning point. And it made me realize that man indeed is naturally good. Kahit ano pang hindi mabuti yung nagawa niya, dadating talaga yung panahon na pagsisisihan niya yun at gagawa siya ng kabutihan in return. ^_^

That afternoon also led to a discussion with Sir Al about Laura's concern regarding our relationship with the residents. Thus, again, Sir Al reminded us that we can always be friendly to the residents but mus not befriend them. We must also take own responsibility with our own actions towards them, learn when to draw the line and be professionals when dealing with them. Napaka-critical talaga ng issue na 'to para samin, lalo pa't kami yung pinakamatagal na nakakasama ng mga residents.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Be Mindful.

Day 23: February 3, 2010; Wednesday

Mas kaonti yung nag-outdoor activity that morning, according kay Snow White (hehe), choice na mismo ng ibang residents na hindi sumama sa outdoor activity, and she mentioned in particular the Most Cheerful Resident, low daw ang energy nun ngayon kaya ayaw lumabas. First time din na mag-join ng mga classmates ko sa aerobics session ng mga residents, ako kasi hindi sumali kasi masakit ulo ko nun.

For the afernoon session, we had an at therapy with Ms. Faye once again, and the residents did a wind chime. Yung art therapy na yun required a lot of materials, such as beads and other decorations na ni-request mismo ni Ms. Faye, at mga tali-tali din like nylons and mga strings. The activity turned out well, based sa mga gawa ng mga residents, they're so much into the activity so ang gaganda ng mga product ng kanilang creativity. I was assigned to a table with two female residents. Yung isa si Tinker Bell at si Cowardy Lion naman yung isa pa. The two residents were so much different. The first one did not need any encouragement because she is natural artistic. In all her artworks, she did her best. So all I did with her was to like and admire her work. :D On the other hand, yung latter resident naman ay kabaligtaran nung una, ilang beses ko kasi siya inencourage, tas i kept on giving her different materials to used para makapag-umpisa na siya, kaso she kept on refusing me. I gave up then after several tries, and was glad to find out that she did a cute wind chime. :)

Before leaving, we had a serious discussion with Sir Al about the art therapy. First was about his argument with Ms. Faye about using bottles as the base of the wind chime. Sir Al would not agree but Ms. Faye kept on insisting. I understand Sir Al that he is being preventive than be sorry after. Glass bottles are not safe naman kasi talaga to used inside. Second was about the strings and other materials na naiwan sa loob ng hall after ng session. There were so many strings. Na-speech less nga kami eh. Pero pumasok agad sa isip ko yung - "Be mindful." Natakot ako sobra dito, kasi sabi ni Sir, once na mangyari yun ule, magkakaroon kami ng demerit na minus 20 hours. Not even dirt ay dapat maiwan sa loob ng hall. Wow. T_T So kinabahan ako sobra for the following week, dapat maging more cautious kasi kami lalo pa't marami kaming kailangan ipasok para sa program sigurado. Goodluck samin.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Welcoming Peter and the Love Month.

Day 22: February 1, 2010;Monday

First day ng February, so start na ng preparation para sa week long celebration ng Love month next week with super special Valentine Program also next week. Sobrang dami ata namin ginawa ng araw na ''to mismo, from morning until ng pauwi na kami. First, kinailangan namin mag-prepare ng short program para i-welcome si Peter, a foreign Psych Intern from Romania, sikat ang LCRC sa mga foreign interns, yung last na nakilala namin si Hanna. Nakakatuwa.:)

Regarding that program, napagalitan kami ni Sir Al kasi nagka-cram na naman daw kami at hindi namin in-introduce before hand yung welcoming song namin for Peter sa mga residents. Kahit madali lang naman yung song, dapat pa din daw inintroduce muna namin.

During the afternoon, nag-start na ko mag-prepare ng mga choices na fariy tale characters para sa aming valentine program. During the afternoon activity, the Nursing students from St. Mary's College joined us, to observe the residents as well as the dynamics of the structured learning experiences na pina-faciliate namin sa mga residents. They played as the judge for our main activity which is Blind Drawing, kung saan kailangan ma-draw ng mga resident yung sample drawing na hawak ni Kalya, habang naka-blindfold, magbibigay lang ng instruction yung mga groupmates nila kung ano yung dapat nila i-drawing. Hirap nito pero enjoy. Punung-puno ng cheer yung session hall. Hehe..

nakasama ako sa Group 1 and naging partner ko si Ate L. I thought na baka mahirapan siya sa instruction pag turn na niya kasi kapag nakakausap namin siya, laging malayo yung sinasagot niya at mapapansin mo talagang may sarili siyang mundo. But I was wrong, because I know, I noticed na kaya niyang pakinggan yung sinasabi namin na groumates niya, and she could even draw.:) After the activity, Sir Al let them choose na which character to portray sa Valentines Party. I, myself was excited to know their choices. Nakita ko din na nae-excite yung mga residents mismo sa mga choices at sa program. I cannot wait. Super exciting 'to. ^o^

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Happiest Outdoor Activity Ever!

Day 21: January 28, 2010; Thursday

Yung outdoor activity ng umagang 'to yung masasabi kong happiest, most fun, and the most exciting of all the outdoor activities the residents had. Why? Kasi lahat halos sa mga residents ay na-allowed na mag-outdoor activity, except lang sa 2, yung isa na bagong dating tapos yung isa naman ay sariling desisyon na ayaw mag-outdoor. I was busy then putting back the letterings of the theme that week kasama si Rio kaya hindi ko masyado nasaksihan yung mga reaksyon ng mga residents sa first outdoor activity nila after ng 1-week-sanction nila. Sayang lang at hindi pa nakasama yung 2. It was the first time din na makita kong puno ng residents yung 'garden' ng LCRC. haay. Sana marami pang moments na gan'to. Nakakatuwa silang panoodin lahat kasi makikita sa kanila talaga na ine-enjoy nila yung time na yun, at yun ang nag-mark na finally, tapos na nga ang sanction nila. ^_^

Nag-half day lang pala ako ng araw na 'to, pati sina Kalya & Haha, kasi may exam kasi sa Physics the following day, while naiwan naman sila Rio and Dana. During the morning session, hindi kami naka-attend ng worship service kasi kinailangan kami para sa 'photo-shoot' ni Doc Randy. it was an honor for us na makasama dun pero nanghinayang din kami na hindi na kami makaka-attend ng worship service. During the 'photo-shoot', Doc Randy na we should have a Life Coaching session since we are graduating students. Wow! We are hopeful to that. ^_^

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Happy Graduation!

Day 20: January 27, 2010; Wednesday

This day was a super special day for the Most Encouraging Resident of LCRC. We started it super special by preparing for an extraordinary event that evening. Yes. Special. Everything was special. ^_^

One more thing that made this day special was that their sanction had finally ended. Yes! Finally! After a week. Finally they can enjoy watching their favorites TV shows again, accept calls from loved ones, had their snacks in between meals. So, napaka-special talaga ng araw na 'to para sa kanila hindi lang sa Man of the Hour (after hours later. :))

Kaso bago pa man yung special na event that evening, Jean and I had a trouble regarding the program. Kasi we were not able to inform and coordinate with the people supposedly involved sa program, hindi kasi namin alam pa'no sila iinform (esp. the residents) kasi surprise yung party, hindi nila dapat malaman, so Jean and I let the Happy group and the Shout For Joy group na mag-practice, telling them it was for the culminating activity sa Friday that week.

Nevertheless, naging successful pa din ang surprise graduation ni Most Encouraging Resident. Naging napaka-emotional na kahot ako hindi ko napigilan maiyak, sa mga messages ng family ng resident and sa mga messages ng mga kapwa niya residents na talagang nagmahal sa kanya at tinuring siyang isang kuya sa loob ng LCRC. The most inspiring message for me was given by the Big Brother Resident, sabi niya kasi, since makakalabas na siya, he was hopeful na pipiliin na ni Man of the Hour yung magiging friends niya sa labas, it is good to be friendly but be wise in choosing his friends. It was the best message I've heard.

Although masaya ang program, masaya ang lahat para sa Most Encouraging Resident , napansin din namin na yung ibang residents ay makikitaan ng lungkot at inggit. Lungkot kasi mawawala na siya at inggit kasi syempre sila din gusto nilang matapos yung program nila. Hindi naman maiiwasan yun sa kanila. Especially sa supposedly kasabayaan niya na mag-graduate din kasi right after the program, while taking out all the decorations sa hall, he asked me (and others) kung siya kaya kailan siya ga-graduate, alam daw ba namin, maganda din ba pag graduation niya. Hindi ko siya masagot ng matino, puro na lang sinasabi ko "Siguro kuya malapit na din yun." at "Syempre bongga din yung sa iyo!" According mismo kay Sir, ine-expect niya kasi na magkasabay sila na ga-graduate since magkasunod lang sila na dumating sa center. Sadly, hindi sila nagkasabay. :(

At the end of the day, I did not only get emotional with the event but also learned the importance of coordinating with other people. Yun ang pinakana-learn ko that day. And I promised myself na hindi na mauulit yun.

Again congratulations to the Most Encouraging Resident!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Going Out of the Box

Day 19: January 25, 2010; Monday

This week's theme is FINDING MEANING IN LIFE. Sir Al had assigned me as in-charged and the point person for this week. To begin the week, Laura facilitated an activity which we anticipated to be dramatic, dramatic in a sense that we expect them to react violently and emotionally to the activity. It was Rio's original activity, Laura just added a twist to it which made her responsible for what might the outcome be. And Laura indeed felt guilty after the activity, which made her promised to herself that she won't conduct an activity again until she recovered. tsk. haha! Through that activity, we witnessed how the residents expresses their irritation, anger. Kahit sa simpleng tingin lang nila, kita at ramdam na namin na nagalit sila sa ginawa namin. May ibang cool pa din after at nag-comment ng "okay lang..", pero may iba pa din talaga na titig pa lang kakatakutan na. haay. So, kahit hindi ako yung facilitator nun, naramdaman ko din mga naramdaman ni Laura. :(

Anyway, for me, the highlight for this day would be the discussion we had with Sir Al with every before and after the session. In the morning, he again reminded us that we did not come there to teach the residents. Kasi tama nga naman diba, no adults would like to be preach and taught by a kid or some one younger. I actually noticed the moment when the residents shut themselves off from the discussion. First, na-shock sila sa ginawa namin sa mga artworks nila then second, it appeared that they were being spoon-feed. However, I won't blame the facilitator with that kasi I know she was feeling nervous na sa mga nagiging reactions ng mga residents, maybe she couldn't think of other intervention para ma-break yung rage ng mga residents. Kaya pilit na lang namin siya ni-comfort during lunch kasi she kept on blaming herself. tsk.

According to Sir Al, we really could not avoid such to happen. Especially when dealing with people like them. And we must not blame ourselves kung ganun man yung mangyari, the problem is with them, they are having trouble accepting yung kung ano man yung gusto namin na ipakita sa kanila, thus, since we are the ones who are capable of understanding, kami na lang din muna ang mag-aadjust para sa kanila. hindi kami dpata papatalo or papadala sa mga reactions nila, sa pag-shut off nila or pagre-reject sa'min, Sir Al actually gave us an advice na we must learn to build shield against sa mga yun. At naniniwala ako dun kasi kung hindi, hindi lang physically, pati emotionally at psychologically ay mai-stress kami sa mga ganun. haay. T_T

For the afternoon session, the highlight was my activity. I was just so sad na tingin ko hindi ko siya na-justify. :( I find the activity relevant naman kaya sinama ko siya sa SLE for that theme, Going out of the borders in order to find meaning in your life, kaso nung discussion na namin with Sir Al, ang dami pa palang unanswered questions na hindi ko nakita so up until I was the one with the mic in hand, yung ulo ko naghahanap pa din ng answers sa mga tanong na yun na although nasagot ni Sir ay pilit kong iniisip pa'no yun idedeliver sa mga residents. The start of the processing part, I would say was okay, yung mga insights nanggaling sa mga residents mismo and am found myself delighted somehow kasi maliban dun sa mga madalas magsalita, may iba pang nag-participate tulad ng bagong resident saka yung resident na para sakin pinaka-makulit (hehe..). Yet, eventually, I noticed that the residents were getting bored, one was paulit-ulit na yung sinasabi nila, then I personally was so unsure of what I was doing, i'm sure napapansin na nila yun. What made it worst was yung utak ko mismo naguluhan na, nahilo na sa paikot-ikot na discussion ko plus I was sensing rejection tapos nervous pa, which made me so numb of other person aside from the resident.s I did not dare to look at my co-practicumers especially at our supervisor kasi natatakot ako, yun talaga nararamdaman ko during that moment. I could have melted from that spot talaga then. Whew! But Sir saved me! I did not know what made me look at my side and saw him giving signs of ''last two residents to speak and cut it!" Glad I had followed. whew!

After that session, again Sir talked to us to deliver some brutal feedbacks (although I did not actually believed kasi he can be more brutal than that. tsk.). He gave us advice about proper delivery messages, kasama dun yung tone namin, na dapat i-set namin yung mood na congruent sa activiy namin, to minimize "why" questions to give the objective of the activity first, and learning how to stop talking. Sabi ni Sir, there are things that we want to hear and there are also things that we need to hear, at yung latter yung mas essential kaya dapat maging open kami sa mga brutal feedbacks na mare-receive namin.

These brutal feedbacks, I believe will help me go out of my borders and expand my potentials, and maybe eventually, help me find the true meaning on my life. ^_^

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