Back to work

I had a good lecture a while ago on Threads. It feels good because I feel like it's been a while that I really haven't been "teaching". Anyway, I'll try my best to do better. Research, research, research..

Zen asked me about hyperthreading. I don't know much about the subject but I found this nice article that explains the topic quite well.

I also found a good article about multithreading in Java, which would be very beneficial to you, dear student, if you only take time to read it. =)

Software Freedom Day 09

Hey guys,

Please visit http://freeit.nddu.edu.ph.

OS Chapter 4 Discussion Questions

1. Provide 2 programming examples in which multithreading provides better performance than a single-threaded solution.

2. What are the 2 differences between user-level threads and kernel-level threads? Under what circumstances is one type better than the other?

3. Describe the actions taken by the kernel to context switch between kernel-level threads.

4. What resources are used when a thread is created? How do they differ from those used when a process is created?

Please read your book and write your answers on your notebook. Be prepared for the oral quiz on Sept. 8, 2009 (Tuesday)

Some School Reminders

To my students in OS:

I have uploaded a new shell scripting tutorial at http://sites.google.com/site/itprofmylenesereno/Home.

Hope it helps. Please let me know if the link doesn't work. Just leave a comment, ok?

Thanks..

Win or Lose

I was recently invited to be a judge in different competitions by an IT school. It was a new experience for me. I've been a judge before, yes - for college beauty pageants and games such as Paint-Me-A-Picture. Sheesh. =D But not in "serious" stuff.

I was kinda apprehensive about accepting the offer but my friend assured me that all I had to do there was watch the participants, and eat my snacks. Haha. Pretty easy...

So I just shook all the apprehension away and prepared for the event by reading the guidelines for the different competitions. And I thought, well, it was a bit challenging but I guess there ain't much to worry about.

But I was in for a surprise. There was one participant who was so toxic. As in T O X I C. At first, he corrected me on the way I pulled the IDE cable. He said I could break the pins if I pulled it the way I did. Grrr.. I admit pulling computer cables is not one of my favorite things in the world but the way he said it really got into my nerves. I wanted to excuse him for treating me like that because he didn't know me but I can't help but get irritated. So I let him pull the other cables instead - though it was not allowed in the guidelines. Duh, whatever.

Then, when he started to assemble the PC, he was so rash, impetuous.. I deducted points from him for improper handling of the hard disk and other devices. He even shook the CPU box because one screw was missing. Gosh. And then when he turned on the PC, he couldn't get it to boot. After a few attempts, the computer really didn't boot at all. He kicked the table and said "Malas, Sir..", with a very disappointed face.

He started complaining that he got all the connections right and that there was just something wrong with the computer that is why it didn't boot. The other judge told him that he saw that the computer was functioning well before the competition and that there was no reason why it would suddenly malfunction.

To cut the story short, he was the ONLY ONE out of the 9 participants who wasn't able to boot the computer - and he was the MOST ARROGANT!

I was really stressed by the incident but I learned the following from the experience:

• Neverbe arrogant. Always be humble.
• If you are a judge, read the guidelines thoroughly.
• If you are a judge, you have to be calm and composed, ready to resolve any complaints from the participants.
• The decision of the judge is final and irrevocable.

I really learned a lot from the experience. =)

SFD 09 GenSan

We will be celebrating SFD '09 on September 19, 2009 (Saturday) at MSU High School, Laurel St., General Santos City.

Registration fee will be 40 (forty) pesos that will include snacks in the morning, certificate of participation, souvenirs and CDs for the first 200 registrants.

See you there!

Please visit the official SFD GenSan website for more details.

Surviving Trials and Disappointments...

It's been a terribly tough week for me.

It all started when I had dysmenhorrhea last Friday. Everything just went downhill since then. As if the mild depression caused by my pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and the abdominal cramps weren't enough, I had to go through one of the most painful weeks in my life.

Aside from my emotional struggles, I had to deal with other problems such as my brother's sickness, financial instability, and the Wizone publication. I felt overwhelmed by my problems and I was beginning to feel weak and scared.

But now I realize that that was just God's way of bringing me back to Him. I was beginning to go astray, almost made myself believe someone's lies and I was about to succumb into temptation. God's love is indeed greater than all the evils in this world. He took away all the things that mattered to me because He wants to replace them with GREATER things. Praise Him and His mysterious ways...

Amidst my difficulties, God sent His angels in the form of people to take care of me. And I will always be thankful that I have them in my life... Ems, Hannah, Laiza, Jose, Melanie, Te Zita, Sir Monching, Te Revs, Terry...and all the rest who've been so supportive of me.

When I went to Davao to bring my brother to the doctor, it was not only he who received healing, but also me. I spent an incredibly wonderful time with my brothers and I would remember that moment for the rest of my life. I also felt the love of my family in Davao - their mere presence has eased the pain and sadness that I felt.

I am thankful that God is working on me - making me stronger through trials and disappointments. Now, I truly believe that NOTHING is impossible as long as you stay ANCHORED to HIM. In Him, I put my TRUST.

Teaching Resources

For the students of IT141 (OS):

Please download the PDF file on Shell Scripting from this link: http://sites.google.com/site/itprofmylenesereno/

It's on the Attachments section of the Home page (bottom part of the page).

For the students of IT 143(MIS)

Please download the ppts in rar format from this link:

LinkBucks.com

Boys will be boys...

Lately, I've been experiencing heartaches.

Funny because I'm currently happy with my personal life. These heartaches that I am talking about are caused by the "boys" of my friends. My close friends are currently in a place I've been to before - where the prince suddenly becomes a monster. And as Taylor Swift says, you realize that you're not a princess and it's not a fairytale. Boys are just boys, and they will be boys...

That's why girls should stop being so "nice" and "loyal". As Marilyn Monroe said: "A wise girl kisses but does not love, listens but does not believe, and leaves before she is left." :)

Yeah, it's kinda hard to do because we've all been taught and brought up the other way around. But girls, don't give your heart to one man - not until there's a ring on your finger. Enjoy getting all the attention, affection, care and love from the people around you - not just from one man... ;)

Be happy!

Father's Day

While watching MMK's Father's Day Special (Boyet de Leon as a doctor...), I suddenly felt an urge to write something about my father.

I don't really have the best father in the world.

He has always been struggling against his addiction to gambling. When I was only 5 years old, mother used to ask me to go to our neighbor (where Papa used to play mah-jhong) and tell my father to go home. Papa would give me a five-peso bill and tell me to go home.

I could not remember at what age I stopped going to Papa's mah-jhong place, but I could still remember when he and Mama got into a huge fight that Mama took a handful of sleeping pills. I was so scared at that time, I thought our family was falling apart and I might lose my mother. Thank God, nothing bad happened to Mama and they were able to fix things.

When I had my debut, Papa took a vow never to gamble again - in front of our family and friends. Yeah, he was true to his promise - for a week, I think. Then he went back to gambling again.

Just two weeks before this year's Father's Day, I woke up to the sound of my cellphone's message tone and was glad when I saw that the message was from my Papa. But my heart sank when I read his message. He wanted to borrow 5 thousand so he could pay some of his debts and household monthly dues. I sent three full messages through Chikka nagging my father for being so irresponsible. Papa never replied to any of my messages.

The following day, I was so bothered and guilty for hurting my father and decided to text him and tell him that I am sending 2 thousand to him. He replied and said thank you, and that he will pay me when he receives his salary. I really didn't expect that he'll pay me and just said I love him.

A week before Father's day, Papa texted me and told me that he's paying his debt already. I said he doesn't have to and to think of it as my Father's Day gift to him. He said thank you.

On Father's Day, I texted Papa and told him how much I love him. He told me to have lunch with them because he's cooking "alimango" (crabs) - an impossible thing, because I live nine hours away from them! I just told him I'll taste his cooking soon, when I go home. Papa just replied saying, "Cge, pagtext lang daan kanus a ka mouli kay magluto ko daan." Awww... it really touched my heart.

Yes, I don't have the best father in the world, but I love him anyway. =)

How to Install Wordpress (Locally) on PC with XP

This is a modified version of GeeksAreSexy's guide in installing Wordpress.

For this post, I would assume that you have the following on your box:

• Apache
• PHP
• MySQL

1. Create a database named wordpress in MySQL.

2. Download Wordpress and unzip it in C:\Program Files\Apache2.2\htdocs

3. Open wp-config-sample.php using your favorite text editor (e.g. Notepad) and replace it with the following values:

// ** MySQL settings ** //
define('DB_NAME', 'wordpress'); // The name of the database
define('DB_USER', 'root'); // Your MySQL username
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password'); // Your MySQL password
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // 99% chance you won't need to change this value

4. Open your web browser and navigate to: http://localhost/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php

5. You should now see the welcome note of Wordpress. Enter the necessary information. Enjoy!

MIS presentations

Hi to the students of IT143 (MIS). As promised, I have already uploaded the slides:

Note: I have tried uploading the slides to my Google Site. But it's not working so I used Google Docs instead...

You can download the slides by clicking the hyperlinks...

Group 1: Part1 Evolution of Computers

Group 1: Part2 Moore's Law

Group 2: Introduction to Computer Architecture

Group 3: No presentation

Group 4: Virtual Office System

Group 6: Information System Users

Group 7: Role of Information in Problem Solving

Pirates of Silicon Valley: OS Class

Last Friday, I let my OS class watch the video of Pirates of Silicon Valley. Here are some reasons why I think it's important for them to see the movie:

1. To know the history of desktop operating systems and desktops in general.

2. Get to know Bill Gates and Steve Jobs

3. Be inspired by their passion, struggles, failures and success

4. Know the history of 2 of the world's leading computer giants: Apple and Microsoft

5. Change of teaching strategy... =)

I have asked my OS students to write a blog about their reaction, learnings, insights about the movie.

(Instructions to the students: Please let me read your post about Pirates of Silicon Valley by commenting on this post, writing your name and link your name to your post. Thanks.)

Example: Use the anchor tag... #a href="http://mylenesereno.blogspot.com/2009/06/pirates-of-silicon-valley-os-class.html"#Mylene Sereno#/a#

NOTE: Please replace the number sign (#) with angle brackets. I substituted it with # to show the code.

My Life Mentors

I feel so lucky to have the right people as my mentors in different aspects of my life.

1. Web 2.0, Teaching, Presentations, Blogging, Work/Life Balance - Sacha Chua

2. Spirituality, Living the Catholic Faith, Attitude Towards Life, Life Lessons - Bo Sanchez

3. Love and Relationships, Self Esteem - Rori Raye

4. Career, Life Choices, Blogging - Penelope Trunk

5. Blogging, Writing - Darren Rowse

They make learning so fun and easy for me... =)

Things I'm Good At

I am good at:

• doing Research. I love learning lots of new and exciting things on the Web especially about how it has changed the way people work, play, and live life. I love finding more about the latest in information technology including cool stuff such as gadgets and software. I would love to help you create new materials for your presentations by doing the research work for you.

• organizing events and leading people. One of the most successful events that I have organized is the Software Freedom Day 08 celebration in General Santos City, which earned a special mention from the SFD Organization. I was able to pull off some great talents from the students, fellow faculty members, and people from the government and business sectors. I have always dreamed of being an Events Coordinator for special events like Weddings. =)

• proofreading.

• making slideshow prsentations. I use them often during trainings/seminars/lectures.



I want to learn more about or get better at:

• writing blogs.

• Testing software/programs. I really love running tests on student programs and I’m interested on how people at industries do software testing (quality checks).

• image editing using tools like PhotoShop and GIMP and create special invitation cards… I have a lot of learning to do in this area.

• public speaking. I want to learn some techniques on keeping the audience/participants interested.

• teaching or mentoring. I want to improve my teaching skills in a way that motivates the students to learn more about a topic (even boring ones)

Working at ODesk: Things Learned

Weeeeh!!!!!!!

It's been a week since I've worked at ODesk. I find it really cool and amazing! I learned about ODesk from Sacha Chua. I got interested so I created a profile at ODesk and took the tests. Luckily, I got a perfect score on the ODesk Readiness Test and managed to pass the other tests (HTML 4.01, English, Unix Shell Scripting). Yehey!!! *clap* :D

With much confidence, I applied to 3 jobs: a Wedding Blog, Health and Fitness Blog, and Assistanceship in Writing a Training Manual.

Guess what? I was rejected for the first job because someone was already hired. BUT I got interviewed by an employer and he told me that the job I'm applying for is already filled but he wanted me to apply to another job that he posted. However, he required me to create a hub at HubPages and a lens in Squidoo, which I know I wouldn't be able to do at that time because I wasn't familiar with both platforms and I am busy preparing for my summer lessons. But the buyer said he read my blogs and he's impressed with my writing. Awww.... I felt happy that he wanted to hire me for his other projects in the future. Happy! :D

Luck struck again when I was interviewed for the Training Manual job. I was hired right after the interview and I was more than excited to start! :)

Some of the things I learned or re-learned are the following:

1. Using Skype for voice communications - And discovering that there are times when you hear the other person so clearly and he can't hear any word from you AT ALL!

2. Using TeamViewer - I was amazed! And I'm already a techie! Imagine that.

3. Installed MS Office 2007 (with reluctance) because my boss required me to. We needed to have a common tool for the manual. Sorry, OpenOffice.org Writer....

4. Google Talk is clearer and better than Skype - in my case. Because I can hear my boss at the other line.

5. oDesk tools are fantastic! Wow!

Hmm... I can't wait to receive my ODesk Debit MasterCard! Yipee! :)

LifeStyle Check

Now on my 26th year, I want to reflect and check how I have lived my life. There are some things I have done in the past that I regret, and I know it won't get me anywhere. There have been people who have hurt and scarred me tremendously that I still have a hard time forgiving them and forgetting what they have done. They say that those experiences help us to grow and learn. Maybe it's true. Maybe I'll get to appreciate everything inthe right time.

I want to do this lifestyle check and see if the things that I am doing contribute to the achievement of my life goals. But first, what are my life goals?

MidWeek2

Today is Wednesday, and so far, I haven't done half of the things I wanted to do this week. :(

1. I'll really go to the office early tomorrow, at around 9am...
2. I have to prepare for my IT120 class. Haven't given it much preparation lately kasi. (I have to set aside the things that are bugging me right now. It won't help me meet my goals anyway)
3. I have installed CorelDraw on my laptop already but I haven't started creating the book for Grade 2, let alone do the editing for Grade 1.
4. I don't think now is the best time to study GIMP - maybe on Sunday, when I finish my laundry.
5. I have to monitor the OJTs...tsk2.. haven't been a good OJT coordinator!
6. I haven't even started the Linux tutorial, how in the world could I finish it? Duh.

Well, I actually accomplished some things this week:
1. I polished my ODesk profile
2. Took and passed the tests (HTML 4.01 and Unix Shell Scripting)
3. Installed CorelDraw
4. Finished the Word exercises in CSC1
5. Discussed number systems, conversion, and addition in IT 120

It's a nice week after all! :)

A Wise Investment!

My student, Wilbert Go introduced me to this I.T. mag: PC Shopper.

I instantly liked it! I read the mag from cover to cover! It's really cool and has loads of information too.. I would advise the techies to get a hold of this mag monthly... Though one could easily surf the net and find the IT stuff written here, it would cost time and usually, "surfing" would lead you to somewhere else.

Anyway, it's really loaded with a lot of cool stuff! It keeps you updated with the latest gadgets and technology. =)

How I Survived My Quarter-life Crisis…

I suffered from Quarter-life Crisis exactly on schedule: at 25.

Wikipedia:
A crisis (plural: crises) may occur on a personal or societal level. It may be a traumatic or stressful change in a person’s life, or an unstable and dangerous social situation, in political, social, economic, military affairs, or a large-scale environmental event, especially one involving an impending abrupt change. More loosely, it is a term meaning ‘a testing time’ or ‘emergency event’.

It happened during the last quarter of 2008.

I felt I was at the peak of my career. I finished my Master’s degree on time, was invited to speak at various IT conferences and conducted trainings. I was even one of the SFD team leaders who were given special mention. Also, I passed the PhilNITS exam and had a great job offer at one of the software companies. It seems that I was really successful. But one thing was lacking: a lovelife. (Yeah, friends, I know…)

Until I met this guy in one of the trainings I attended. Guy X had everything on my Guy Checklist. A good diploma, title, nice and stable job, charming personality, responsible, Catholic, good son, and lives in the city where I wanted to live and build a family. Plus, he even had a car (ahem). Everything was perfect. It was just so hard to resist. I was supposed to be happy. I was. And I definitely enjoyed those times. Life was soooo good to me. But I had a gut-feeling that it was just too good to be true. I had everything I ever wished for. It didn’t feel right. I waited for the dark day to come.

And one day, it did! The relationship ended. Crashed. Crushed. Just like that. At first, I struggled. I wondered what was wrong with me. How could it happen to an awesome and fabulous girl like me?! How can I be a failure? It was just so hard to handle…at first.

But I handled the crisis pretty well.

I didn’t wallow in self-pity or turn into drugs, alcohol or commit suicide. I am a toughie. I just evaluated my life - took a closer look on who I am as a person and realized that there’s nothing wrong with me, at all! I am indeed fabulous! (in my own standards, at least…)
This blog entry is not about “Surviving a breakup” so, I won’t focus on that. It deserves an entirely new entry.

Anyway, amidst all the “getting-over” and “moving forward”, I still had to deal with another dilemma: “Staying or Moving Out”.

I was confused about staying with my current job or moving into another field. It was not a simple decision because it involved moving to another city, looking for a new(and more expensive) house, meeting and working with new people and leaving the people whom I have worked with the past five years. It was a tougher crisis.

These are the questions that kept bothering me:

• Will I be better as a trainer or a teacher?
• Where do I fit: academe or industry?
• Who are the better friends: those in GenSan or those in Cebu?(A stupid question coz all of my friends are equally great!)
• Will I be happier in GenSan or in Cebu?
• Will Company X get hit by the global economic crisis?

But again, I was able to get through it with flying colors…

Here are the things I did:

• Pray - Spiritual guidance really helps
• Talk to friends - especially those who really understand what you are going through and are much eager to help
• Meditate/Reflect - Take some time to be with yourself. Examine your heart and identify your feelings. Know your deepest desires and priorities.
• Read books/blogs - You are not alone! Learn from those who went through similar situations

I am now a better and more mature person because of the crises I have gone through. I am single but happy. At least nobody’s making me cry over nonsense stuff right now. Haha.

And I realized that there was something wrong with my Guy Checklist: I missed the loyal, honest, mature and totally-into-me criteria. No wonder I got the wrong guy! Another thing I realized is that I have a fantastic job here in MSU, which allows me to enjoy the thing I am good at: being with and working with people! I will have fun with my current job and look for other opportunities a little later…

How about you? How did you handle your quarter-life crisis?

Making it happen....

"If you don't have discipline, you don' deserve to dream"

I have just read Mr. Butch Jimenez's commencement address to the graduating class of UP entitled "Descending to the Top". It was very inspiring.

Mr. Jimenez talked about

• How to reach the top (Be the first in the mind and burn an attitude in the mind)
  
• Discipline
  
• Execution (There is no try. There is either do or not do.)
• Descending to the Top (As you rise to the top, the more you have to be a servant.)
• A heart for our country - Philippines (Show 'em we're great & give back to the country.)
• Walk with GOD (There is no destination beyond the reach of those who walk w/ HIM.)

I have realized that for me to be able to reach the top, I have to serve and be humble, always giving more than I am expected of - working more than I am paid for.

Also, I need to be serious with implementing discipline on myself like:

• delaying gratification
• setting aside my savings before spending
• getting the job done ON TIME
  
• keeping a tidy place
  

Assessment of My Performance this Sem

I promised to be at my best this semester. In one of my blogs at Friendster, I said I wanted to make a perfect 10 this sem (because it's my 10th sem in MSU and supposedly my last).

However, this sem didn't start quite right because I had to attend a 2-week training at PhilNITS, Davao. And that event led to many "other unexpected" events. I had a roller coaster ride - with all the highest and lowest points, which made my stomach feel funny. Anyway, I was a little distracted and troubled in the past few months. But I managed to keep my sanity. =)

All of my "hopes" for the best performance kept on falling apart because I had so many "back jobs", too many commitments...

• I had to attend another 1-week seminar at PhilNITS last January
• I had to re-echo my learnings from the seminar/training that I have attended
• I had to present my project at Ateneo de Davao during the Research Festival
  

That is why, I really feel guilty. But I will make it up next sem (again)

These are some things I want to improve on:

• planning ahead and implementing the plan
• check papers and return them regularly
• provide up-to-date feedback to students
• faithfully do projects
• not turn research time into social networking time...(sigh)

WikiAnswers - As we know parallel transmission is faster then serial then why serial is replacing parallel

Link

My 2008 Travels/Laags

Sarangani Highlands with Officemates

Graduation Blowout at Pool, Davao with Family

Cebu trip (Airsoft)

Chowking, SM Cebu with College Friends

Bridesmaid of my Bestfriend's Wedding, Cebu

With BQ Friends at Gumasa, Glan

Jack's Ridge with PhilNITS trainees


Punta Isla, Samal Island(D-U-H)

Christmas Party at Lago, Glan

Papa's Birthday at Garay Resort, Hinatuan

Taking a step closer to my life-goals

I am taking a step closer to my goals.

These are my concrete steps:

• limit my time with "mindless" surfing (FS, FB, Mul)
• waking up at 5:30 and sleeping at 10:30 (I need at least 7 hours of sleep)
• check papers on time (and return them at least a week after)
• choose the TV programs I watch
• make my working place clutter-free
• self-discipline!
  

Every failure is actually a progress...

I borrowed this line from someone on the net. I just can't help quoting it. It is so damn true!

For me, this is a new way of looking at things. It is so positive! And it helps me because I am learning to be a positive person every single day. The nega-Mylene is slowly gone. When I was younger, I used to regret every single decision I made - even if sometimes, the results are good. I always imagine how "it could have happened"...so many "what-if's". And, suffice to say, it didn't make me happy. :(

Now, I am learning - from so many people... by reading their blogs, or from the books and magazines I am reading, and most especially from the people I talk with.

I have had a lot of failures in my life. I am pretty successful with my academics, career, family, and friendships. But with relationships with the opposite sex, it's always been a failure...And that's going to change, from this day forward. ;)

I was CONNED again...

Oh no! I think I was conned again...

Why is it that I always allow myself to be fooled by someone? Just recently, a batchmate from way back grade school texted me that she needed help. She said she has something in her ovary (I forgot the term-was it polycistic ovarian tumor?). And she's currently in the hospital, and she needs help. She said that she'll be undergoing an operation, and that her money was not enough so she needs all the help she could get.

So, to make the long story short, I sent her money through ML (she's in CDO), even though I was not so sure if her story was true. A voice inside me kept telling me to help her in any way I could. Well, she also promised to return the money as soon as her loan will be released. But anyway, I really thought that she wouldn't return the money anymore. So I just considered it as a "donation".

But, what irritates me is that she no longer replies to my texts, when Im asking how she is, how the operation went, stuff like that. And to my great surprise, when I dialled her number, it won't ring anymore! The recording says that it is unattended and may no longer be in use. WTF?! grr...

This is soooo bad. Just when you thought you helped somebody, that somebody turns out to be a conner! Well, as I always say, at least I learned something. Tsk. Tsk...

Confessions of a TEACHER

It's been a long time since I wrote a blog on Blogger. My most recent blogs are currently in Friendster...well, that's because I'm saving this account for more
"serious" blogs like work, career, programming... But I've realized that I can use this for my not-so-serious articles as well.

Anyway, I have already made a decision to stay in MSU. I chose to stay. It was hard for me because everything was already part of my career plan. I never thought that I would stay this long in teaching because I never dreamt of becoming a teacher. But maybe it's in my genes. I came from a family of teachers - my father, grandmother, my aunts, my uncles...

I took this job hastily in June 2004 because I badly needed to earn money for myself and for my family. (I am glad)I am not one of those fortunate people who didn't need to work to have money. So, though I really didn't want to teach, I took the job, thinking that it was just a "temporary" job. I'll just save enough money to go back to Cebu and look for a job in the industry.

But one thing leads to another. In December of 2004, I applied for a study grant in CHED. Needless to say, I was accepted and I took my Master in IT at Ateneo de Davao, from June 2005 to May 2007. I enjoyed going back to school and being a student once again. It was so much fun and I really learned a lot - not only about IT but also about teaching.

Since I have to render my return service to MSU, I continued teaching. But since my original plan was to work in the industry, I took the PhilNITS exam. I thought that it was a good preparation for me since most employers would recognize the certification from PhilNITS.

In June 2008, I applied as a Software Engineer in NEC Cebu because one of our alumni, Richard Bernat told me that some representatives of the company are coming to GenSan to hire SE's. I took the exam together with my students at East Asia Royal Hotel and got interviewed a few weeks after at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao. I was accepted but I couldn't leave MSU because of my bond. So I told them that maybe I can join in November.

November 2008, NEC's HR officer called me up saying that they are offering me another position - Senior Trainer. And that they want me to join them in April 2009. I was ecstatic! I thought that it was the opportunity that I have been waiting for.

But when the deadline drew near, I got more and more confused. People gave me their own POV's (point of views). Some said "hindi maganda ang timing" because of the current global economic recession. It would be "foolish" to resign from a stable job and work in a private company. Others said that I would grow and learn more in NEC, that I would be able to know and use my full potential in the industry.

I was confused. I knew that both worlds offer great opportunities. But I also knew that I have to make a choice. And I vowed that I would not regret the choice that I will make.

So what made me stay?
I have realized that I loved teaching after all! Yippee! lol... Yeah, this work can be a drag sometimes. Especially when I had to check a lot of papers and compute grades. But it's really fulfilling too. Especially when I see that my students are learning something, when I see them working hard and actually enjoying programming or web designing. I feel happy when I see them succeed in their chosen careers. I feel proud when I see them or meet them in the real world - looking more professional than me - wearing their company uniforms! =)

So now, I have a new vision for myself. I will love this job and I will give it my best shot. üüü