January-February 2010 - Our Hideaway

An Eye-opener
By Cristina Grace Gallego

Everything has a purpose, indeed. When I was in third year high school, I was placed under Disciplinary Probation during the last quarter of the school year. The reason was that I had reacted too much with my emotions to the person I was irritated with. I guess it was a traumatic experience for both of us – and with consequences for me. I lost everything. I really felt empty and worthless. This would be reflected in fourth year. I’d be no longer in the best class or a varsity player in our school’s volleyball team.

My academic scholarship was taken away from me. I wouldn’t have any more awards and I couldn’t represent the school in any activities. At first, I cried because I had lost my achievements.

But as the days went by, I learned to accept this and what I liked most about it was, I gained more friends and experienced being with the heterogeneous class. It’s more than an achievement if you have helped someone who has difficulty in a specific subject. Even though I could get so tired teaching them - now, I understand that being a teacher is no joke - I didn’t lose interest because seeing them willing to learn made me happy and control my emotions. I discovered more about myself and my strong personality.

I don’t regret what happened because it made me change and grow into a better individual. Thank God – I passed the challenge!