Why Graduations Always Make Me Cry

me (at four months and two weeks) after the graduation ceremonies

 Another school year has passed.

We had our 6th Grade Graduation Ceremonies today.

Like every year, I could do very little to stop the tears from flowing.

They are not my biological kids but just like every parent, I felt proud seeing them on the stage, seeing how grown up they have become since the time I was their adviser in third grade.

They are not my flesh and blood, but I would like to think they are a part of me as much as I am a part of them.  They are the fruits of my labors, patience and commitment.  Their ideals and principles have somehow been influenced by mine.  I have placed an indelible mark in their characters whether they are aware of it or not.

It is for that reason, I cry every year.  They are tears of joy and of pride.  But it is probably something that the kids do not understand when they see me crying.

Students choose the teachers they like and attach themselves to.

But teachers....we never get to choose, because at the end of the year, we realize that throughout all the coaching, the reprimands, the counseling we've done for them, we have grown in love with each and everyone of them. 

This is something that students seldom realize --- that when we say we love them, we really do mean it.

 

Add caption

There's Nothing Sweeter than a Lazy Day

I wish I could have more days like this.

Lazy days like this is what I always crave for, specially now that I am almost four months pregnant.

I didn't have to do much today.  In fact, the only productive thing I did was to make some pastillas de leche, a sugary-milky dessert that's well-loved by Filipinos.

I hate milk but I like dairy products like pastillas, so for lack of a better thing to do, I decided to gather the ingredients and make some for my family. (I had some paperwork I brought home from school but I liked making pastillas more, so the paperwork just had to wait.)

my pastillas de leche

They're just easy to make.  The hardest part is in the mixing.  If you would like to try it, here's how I made mine.

What you need:

300 ml condensed milk
300 g full cream milk powder
white sugar

What to do:
1.Mix the condensed milk and powdered milk in a bowl.  Be sure to mix it thoroughly.
2. Get a small lump, dip it in white sugar and roll your lump into a nice little ball.
3. Once you have your desired ball shape, roll it in the sugar and make sure you have the whole ball   coated with sugar.  Set your coated ball aside in a container. 
4. Repeat numbers 2 and 3 until nothing remains of the mixture.

I normally would want this sweeter, probably using 350 ml of condensed milk instead of just 300 but this would do for a pregnant woman like me.

What about you, what have you been up to today?