My Teaching Philosophy

Serve and influence - my life’s guiding philosophy.

I chose to be part of the teaching profession because I believe that the best education is necessary for a progressive nation building. I always believe that this profession is a very good venue for me to share the things I learned, to learn more, to inspire, and to affect lives. I teach because I believe that each of us has the capability to do our own share for the betterment of our nation and of this world.

As a teacher, it is my aspiration to incorporate my life’s philosophy in teaching. Thus, I have these long term goals:

I want my students to appreciate, not just know.

I want my students to understand, not just memorize.

I want my students to love learning, not look at it as a mere requirement for completion.

I want my students to apply, take action, and share, not just store ideas.

I want my students to be builders of the nation, not just audience of nation building.

I know that it will not be a smooth journey but it is never impossible. To be able to achieve these, I believe that simple and baby steps will surely work for the early stages. Daily dose of optimism and motivation will surely spice up everything. To be able to share the flame of passion to others I should be very passionate of what I am doing. I will show my students that I love what I do for them to appreciate it. I will engage my students in an interactive learning environment wherein they can freely share their ideas and opinions. I will incorporate true to life examples for them to appreciate the concepts. I will allow them to apply technical principles to solve the needs of Filipino people. I will collaborate with fellow teachers and researchers to broaden the view that will be presented during classes and laboratory exercises.  I will provide opportunities wherein one can shine based on his/her own inherent personality. I recognize the fact that each one of us is unique and thus has our own ways to deal with things.

Learning is a continuous process and I know I should not stop. Every day, I will learn new things and every day I will share this new knowledge. I know that it will take time, practice, hard work, and determination but I will be the best food science and technology teacher that I can ever be.

I will serve.

I will inspire.

I will influence.

So help me God.

Sheba D.

Assistant Professor

FSC, UPLB

Lullaby 3.14 - Awake My Soul

Where you invest your love

You invest your life.

Today, I had the opportunity to talk with mom about investments and how it is beneficial to invest while still young. Afterwards, I remembered this song. Deep and very spiritual. 

This will be my Lullaby for today. 

Awake My Soul

by: Mumford and Sons

Hoping to invest my love wisely,

S.

Love as I See It

Precious.

Shared.

I may be stiff but I believe in it.

My Life Unexpected

I was a planner. I plan everything even since I was a kid. I knew what I really wanted and so I tried to stick to the plan.

I said to myself that I want to be a doctor. 

I want to have  my own garden. 

I want to sing beautifully. 

I want math more than science when I was in high school. 

I always wanted to escape research work done in the laboratory. 

I want to study in UP (Diliman or Manila) for college. 

I want to have my first boyfriend after I finish my studies. 

I want to watch NBA live. 

However, life is ever full of surprises. Today, as I look back to my "wants", I realized that I had a total life turnaround. 

I always prayed that I wanted to be a doctor. Now, I realized how important it is to be specific in prayers. What I really wanted is to be a medical doctor. :) Maybe God has interpreted it the other way around and thought that I wanted to be a doctor---of philosophy (PhD). I tried hard to get to medical school but there are just so many hindrances. Not that I am not determined enough, it is just that maybe I was not really meant to go to that direction. On the other hand, there is an overflowing opportunity for me to be the other one. I swear! Most of the time, opportunities come and are handed right into my hands. It seemed that the everything was in the right order at the right time. 

I wanted to have my garden. Ironically, I am not gifted to have the green thumb and so I ended up appreciating gardens of friends and enjoying their harvests.

My father is a very good singer. He is my idol. I wanted to have that talent and so I called myself the sensational pop singer. But again, life is fair. You cannot have everything. I still sing. It's a good thing that I have my family and friends who can tolerate my ambitious voice. 

When I was in high school, every time I join a contest I always wanted to be a part of the mathematics team. I never succeeded though. Not even once. Also, for our research project, me and my partner Han thought of a research topic that will not entail laboratory work. Lab work is tedious and time consuming. I do not like that. And so we ended up utilizing computers to have a research project output. But now, who would have thought that I will be a scientist in progress, a lab rat, and a research and development enthusiast? Now, I really enjoyed long hours of work in the laboratory and staying up all night doing experiments. I love to study microbiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology.

After high school, I always wanted to study in a school far away from home. It is either UP Diliman or UP Manila. I got in. However, there are a lot of things that happened and I ended up studying in UP Mindanao, where I found kind-hearted and caring people to accompany me in my journey as a university student and in my journey in life. Up north to down south it is.

Before, I said to myself that I will have my first boyfriend after I finish my studies. Now, I am 24, college graduate and still single. I think he wasn't able to find me (or I just did  not notice him coming). And I realized that I told myself to have him after I "finish my studies". I never told myself to have one after college. Since I went to graduate school and earned another degree, then maybe my "studies" are not yet done. Do I need to earn my PhD degree first? hahahaha!

One of my childhood dreams is to watch the NBA LIVE. I even wrote it in my bucket list. 2013 came. SM announced that it will host the first ever NBA game in the Philippines. But I want to watch it in Staples Center! Nonetheless, I still bought that ticket to my NBA live game. It is just amazing how dreams come true but in an unexpected manner. 

As I write these thoughts, I realized that indeed life has so much to offer. It can turn you upside down. It can make you. It can break you. One more thing, be specific in your dreams and in your prayers. ;)

As one author said, life may not always be wonderful but it is always an experience full of wonder.

And so, as of now, this is my life unexpected. It turned out that I like my life more today than to what I originally planned.

Letter to My 10 year Old Self

CPC-NCPC Dormitory

University of the Philippines Los Baños

College, Laguna 4031

April 16, 2013

Dear Sheba, 

There are a lot of things that will happen to you. Take a look at the address as to where I am writing this letter. Yup, UP it is! Your (and Papa's) dream of studying at UP was achieved. Who would have thought?! You will be earning two degrees from this institution. I know that you are dreaming of becoming a doctor. I also know that you did not really specify telling God that you want to be a medical doctor. However, it seemed that God has interpreted the prayer as wanting to be a Doctor of Philosophy. Hahahaha! I am sure that you have not heard what a Doctor of Philosophy is. Go ask somebody. The path I have right now is going to that direction. You will be working with challenging but interesting topics. I assure you that the journey will be very rewarding.

The lowest point in your life will be the time when you will lose your father. It will be hard, very hard. It will take a long time for you to fully accept what happened but you will be okay in the end. As for Mama, you will be having some issues but then again, everything will be okay. She is still the best you can have in this world. 

I do not know if this will scare or excite you, aside from Aaron, you will have three more siblings. The five of you will be very close. You will also have best friends whom you can share you laughter, tears, travel adventures, problems, and even shirts, pants, dresses, and food. 

The most exciting part of your life starts when you finish college. ;)

You will be exploring different places often.

Look forward to it!

Oh! I almost forgot, continue reading books you have right now because these books will play a very big part in how you will look at the world and in how you see others. Also, continue to watch a movie every Friday. You will have a bulk of movies someday, whom you will happily share with others.

Family is amazing.

Friends are awesome.

Education is great.

You may wonder if you have already found your Prince Charming at 23. Hmm... Well, let me tell you that you are still single at 23. Together, you and me will find out if ever there is one out there for us. 

You will come to realize that life is fair. 
You will get what you work hard for. 
You will suffer consequences. 
You will enjoy life. 
You will cry a river of tears. 
You will laugh loud. 
You will stumble and fall but you choose to stand again. 

Always remember your great, great motto: never let failure overcome you; have that strong will of determination to succeed!

XoXo,

Your Future Self

P.S I wrote this letter because I was inspired by a video I saw in Youtube (you'll come to know what this is soon). Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kibXfzaDU24

Sight of the Sun

I do not feel that great right now because of some immune system laziness. 

So I played some music. 

This one I got from the last episode of Girls S02.

(side comment: I will not trade Adam for anything in this world)

Here's my Lullaby for today. 

Sight of the Sun by FUN

My Kikay Friend

This is Lilay, my super sexy and kikay friend.

On this special day, I wish you all the good vibes in the universe.

I am very blessed to have you as one of my super friends. Life will never be the same without your dangling earrings, high heels, sophisticated make-up tips, and awesome dress preferences. Life will never be the same without you.

Thank you for all the things that you have done for me.

(1) Math assignments in college. 

(2) Organic chemistry tutoring.

(3) Reminding me the need to feel beautiful to be one.

(4) Teaching me how to be a good friend.

(5) Showing me how to be a good daughter.

(6) Encouraging me to be a good soccer and life teammate.

Thank you for all the laughter and tears.

Thank you for all the good and not-so-good memories.

Thank you for always being there.

Thank you for being my kikay friend.

Thank you for being you.

Who would have thought that I would be that lucky?
Today, we celebrate your birthday. I celebrate your awesomeness.
Cheers for a long lasting friendship!
Where will 2013 will take us?

This one is for you, dear friend.
The songs speaks to you, except for the part saying that "Nobody knows she's a lonely girl". I know you are happy. Keep reaching for your dreams. I am here to back you up. ;)

Comfort Zone

UP Mindanao is my comfort zone.

Will I be able to make it outside?

I am hoping for the best.

Lullaby 3.14 - One Day

This is my super favorite.
Heartfelt. 
Honest.
Soulful.
Deep. 

Here it is: One Day by Matisyahu

Twet, thank you for the song!

Sometimes in my tears I drown

But I never let it get me down

So when negativity surrounds

I know someday it will all turn around

This song also brings a lot of awesome memories.
One Day was our (Me, Poch, Han, and Twet) 2011 Palawan boat ride song.
I miss you, girls!

Lullaby 3.14 - For Iris

Songs to add to my Lullaby collection.
Today I make an exemption. 
I will be sharing 2 songs instead of 1. 
These songs are part of my "When stressed or freaking out" mix tape.

This is for you, Iris.
Let it all out. Cry hard. Cry loud. 
Then move forward.
I know you can do it! 

Lullaby 3.14 (2) - The Middle by Jimmy Eat World

Lullable 3.14 (3) - This Too Shall Pass by OK Go.

Always remember these Lullabies, when the morning comes... this too shall pass. :) 

-Ate Sheba

Recent Life

School is my recent life.

Life these past few weeks was new to me. I did not imagine spending a day just waking up, eating, surfing the net, reading, eating again, and then sleeping. Though I have been looking forward for this, it seemed that I can't really handle hassle-free days. Haha! I have been very busy for so long I forgot how it felt to be living in slow pace. The opportunity of slowing down came because I needed to wait for at least two weeks before I receive comments for my thesis manuscript from an external reviewer. Thus, I will be doing nothing temporarily. 

Just because I can't take sitting around all day (unless I have a book at hand), I volunteered to be everybody's assistant whenever, wherever, doing whatever. I am glad I was able to help. :) By helping, I discovered a special place where I can get the cheapest lab supplies! I also had the chance to have lunch with  some friends for some catching up. 

Today, 3.15.13, marks the end of my happy-doing-nothing days. I now have some manuscript revisions to attend to. 

xx Fin xx

Lullaby 3.14

3.14 

Pi Day. 

Song #1 of the Lullaby series.

"Lullaby" will become a collection of awesome music that never fails to influence my day to day living. I will be sharing my most valued songs one at a time. I am not a music expert but I know how to appreciate my own version of "good" music when I hear one. Most of the songs that will be posted here are from movies that I have watched. Some came to me as suggestions from friends, and some I found through random listening at www.8tracks.com and www.stumbleupon.com.

3.14 Premiere: I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

This song is part of the album LOVE is a Four Letter Word, the album that swept me off my feet. This album has been my favorite ever since. I can listen to it forever. 

I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am.

No need to explain why I love this song. You will find out why after listening. Check out the lyric video I got from youtube.com. 

I picked this as song #1 because I always dreamed of attending one of the live performances of Jason Mraz. He will be having a concert this May 2013 here in the Philippines but my chances of going are low. Because I'm an ultimate fan girl, the first slot on Lullaby goes to I Won't Give Up.

Best time to listen: when everything is calm

Enjoy!

Courage

This is what it takes

                    to free your life from regrets

                    to reach for THE dream

                    to speak your mind

                    to live life to the fullest

                    to stand by your principles

                    to rise above a situation
                    to accept defeat
                    to start anew

                    to say goodbye

                    to say hello

                    to admit mistakes

                    to say sorry

                    to forgive

                    to ask

                    to love

                    to say "I love you"

                    to accept the love offered

                    to say "I love you, too"

Courage 

            is 

              what 

                     it 

                        takes 

                                to 

                                    be 

                                        truly 

                                               happy.

Let us be reminded of the words of E.E. Cummings:

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

I admit that I have not yet mastered the virtue of courage at its fullest. I know that at this moment I still have doubts as if I can be who I want myself to be in the future. I have been striving hard to conquer my fears and do the things that makes me truly happy. 

One by one.

One step at a time.

No regrets.

I truly hope that in the end I will become who I want to be, living in a place I want to be in, enjoying the things I want to do, and be with the people I want to be with for the rest of my earthly life.

Ganbatte!