Simple Plan

I was checking the quizzes of my students the other day.

In one class, I "discovered" that at least 5 were cheating. I gave them automatic zeroes.

I already returned the papers to them. Only one approached me and said that, although he was sorry and he accepts the fact that he got a grade of zero, he said that "nalibat lang" since he was not yet finished with the quiz and time was almost up. I told him that "3" is different from "2".

The thing is I try to prepare at least 2 sets of quizzes for my classes (I have even tried 3 sets). Sometimes I just change the sequence of the questions. Sometimes I make the true or false as Part I but Part II in the other set. At times, I change some figures - and this is when I usually catch them cheating.

So far, I had only two students who approached after I gave them the results of their quiz. The others never said anything and they just made "bawi" on the next exam or quiz. Some passed the subject while some did not.

Why would people do things which they already know are bad? Why is it that teachers need to prepare 2 sets of quizzes just to discourage students from cheating? Why wouldn't students just be honest because it is the right thing to do?

The same goes for the rest of the public.

The other day while riding the jeepney, a passenger said "para". And the driver replied, "sa unahan lang kay nay camera". Apparently, he is afraid that if he will unload passengers in the prohibited area, the CCTV will be able to record it and voila, he will be held liable.

But why wouldn't he just unload the passenger at the proper place, with or without the presence of the CCTV?

Same goes for these overpass and barriers. The government spends so much for these overpass so pedestrians would not just sprint on any part of the street. In addition, we also have these islands with barricades to deter pedestrians from crossing just anywhere.

Why can't people just cross on the pedestrian lane or use the overpass? Can they not get the point that it is for their safety after all?

I guess I can sum it up this way ..

Do good because it is good in itself - not because we are waiting for some reward or because we are afraid of the consequences if we do otherwise.

Avoid doing bad thing because it is not right.

I hope it is that simple. I could only hope.

Alone

I guess I can say that I am used to it. Being alone that is.

It is kind of weird since I grew up in a family of 7. And being the eldest in the brood of 5, I had been always "there" - part of a group.

I grew up with people around. I don't think anybody could describe me as a loner. I have my close group of friends. But I can easily go with anybody (kaladkarin? jowk!)

I have a love life. But I don't get to spend time with him 24/7.

I attend weekday masses by myself. I can go around the mall by myself. I have even tried watching a movie by myself. I can do these stuff alone. And so do other people.

I remember watching one of the Lord of the Rings movie by myself as well as Mystic River. I really had that feeling that I had to watch Mystic River and I sure did feel proud that I was able to watch it on the big screen.

But I guess for some, the hard part is eating alone.

I can still remember that time when I was in college. The rain has stopped (the storm has passed .. hehe). I was waiting for a jeepney ride on my way home. But the jeepneys were full of passengers. I was hungry and I need to pee (hehe!) I decided to eat at Yummy's and I can still remember how I enjoyed my meal.

And when I was working in Manila, I usually do my groceries by myself on early Saturday afternoon (if no overtime!) and I eat by myself whenever I feel hunger pangs (kapatid ni hunger games na hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa napanood!).

Until today, I still get to eat by myself - whether at the school's food court, some nearby place or even at the mall. When hungry, eat - one of life's simple rules.

Holidays!

A 5-day long weekend is quite rare. And I thank GOD for it ;)

Friday was declared as a holiday in the spirit of Kadayawan. It might as well have been declared as holiday since it's my dad's birthday ;) After checking some papers in the morning, we went to Abreeza, shopped a bit, ate at Sbarro and watched the Expendables! Old guys rule .. my dad sure had fun watching it, me too!

For Saturday, I again checked some papers in the morning. Late in the afternoon, we went to pick up the lechon and viands for the birthday party of my father dearest. Party- party indeed!

I then attended the reception Sophia on Sunday. We were quite late for the ceremony and considering the traffic jam, we just decided to go to the reception. Then, I attended a mass with the family. Thereafter, I met my friends at SM and proceeded to have dinner at Dencia's. More chikas at Cafe Demitasse ;) We had to forego the durian hunting due to the rain.

I again checked some papers on Monday morning. Swimming time with friends (and Bamut!) at Magallanes Condo. Then, we had dinner at Pards to celebrate fatherhood and proceeded to the hospital to see Baby Boy Yap.

For Tuesday, I prepared Midterm exams in the morning. In the late afternoon, I went to the office to do some stuff then chika time with Hanniyah.

Time flies so fast! But I'm glad to have spend these past few days with family and friends ;)

Multiply

I got a bit sad when I read the news :(

It's a good thing that I always had a back-up, not just for the blogs but for the pictures as well.

I will wait for their instructions as to downloading or migrating the stuff I have here in Multiply.

For now, I will continue until the 1st of December!

Thanks Multiply! Moving on ...