Laboyraryan. Storyteller. Demigod.

Time to go home. Some chitchats with a fellow demigoddess, Gracia, over a plate of pork inasal. Decided to head to one of the favorite places to hang out: a bookstore! Transformed yet to a bookworm again. Totally absorbed by the book that was being read : The Magician [2nd book, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series]. Suddenly noticed the big red banner:

Eyes went wide open. Mind boggled. Closed the book and kept it in the bag. Toured around the bookstore. Picked up a book. Asked for its price.

Checked wallet. No money [that much!]. Customer service approached, "Sir, it's 40% off!" Eyes went totally wide. Asked the cashier to compute.

Mouth gaped. Couldn't believe. Asked the customer service, "Until when?". Mr. Customer Service replied, "February 28, sir!". Decided to go home first and then go back and buy the book.

Well, knowing that Gracia is a fellow book[shop]aholic, I immediately texted her about the promo. And we'll be checking some books later. Oooooh! I couldn't wait to get my hands to touch a new book that I would soon purchase.

It's been a long while.

My kids are definitely missing you :)

Just last month, one of my students was left by his dad whose life was already decided upon by the Fates. He told me that he misses his dad so much and that you, Dinosaur, are his only company when he's alone at night. So, everytime he gets inside the library, he runs towards the shelves where books about you are located and borrow some of them. There are even times that he would return a book about you and borrow it again at the same time. I just want to thank you first, for keeping him company, and second, for helping me develop this child's imagination. He even told me that he would soon be an archaeologist or paleontologist so he could know more about you. But for now, he would love to stay inside the library and talk with me to know more about you.

Admittedly, you never fail to get the attention of my dear students. Whenever I hold classes for my Prep students and I bring them to the library, the first thing they would look for are dinosaurs. Girls and boys alike. Pokemons, robots, princesses just come after you. I really don't know what this charisma you have that make children so interested in you [even I, in my youngest years, loved and still love to read about you]. Maybe because your life is so mysterious that people would want to know more about you. I remember one of my students even asked me:

I was surprised and left puzzled and I just told him that that's the way things are supposed to be. Imagine you, Dinosaur, living with us?!? That would be a hell of a survival of the fittest. You may intimidate us with your humongous sizes, trembling roars, sharp claws and grinding teeth but we human, would never back down. Unless you want to be a stuffed roasted Dino, you better stay out of our way. [Especially from Filipinos who are having drinking sessions, you might end up as their pulutan]. Maybe that was why we never existed in the same place and at the same time. You already had your time, give us our chance.

Thank you for imparting knowledge to my kids. Thank you for helping me develop their imaginations. Thank you for making them more curious and never letting them stop asking "Why?". You may not be with us here but I'd say Kudos for a lot of help.

Lotsa' love,

/dmarco

PS: If you're going to ask me what my most messed up shelf is, that would be shelf no. 5 because that is where the dinosaurs are [figuratively].

Enrolling in a Master's class, really, is not something you just take for granted. You have to think twice before putting both of your feet into that pit. All the while it may scare you but heck, it is just education, after all, nobody should be afraid of it -- education and learning.

Apart from the usual 3-hour long discussions with my professors and my classmates, I have to endure readings and not just like simple undergrad readings [where I could activate my petix-mediocre-pwede na mode] this time it's a lot different -- tons of readings! Hundreds of pages of PDF files. Web forums that I have to navigate through in order to realize the importance of Information Systems Analysis and Design. Database! Database! Database! ProQuest, EBSCO, Emerald, ScienceDirect, et al.

Fortunately, I have access to the Internet and to various databases. I don't have to fly the Alabang-QC route just to borrow some RESERVED books, which need to be returned overnight. [Even my demigod powers cannot handle that much activity!]. On the other hand, I am not really an e-bookworm. Reading long articles from the computer screen for a long time makes me anxious. I am not even a fan of e-books so don't expect me to buy a Kindle soon.

I still prefer the printed form of reading materials. Be it books, articles, chapters from textbooks, even web forums, I print them out and then, and only then, I will be comfortable and feel that I am really reading and get to appreciate what I am reading. I do not know if it's only me but I really cannot appreciate reading materials in electronic format [For now, I guess]. Although, in fact, they tend to be more recent and undoubtedly informational, my brain does not totally absorb everything that I read from the computer. [Call me a caveman, I won't mind :)]. Even when reading long e-mails, I lose patience and interest. [So, please, shorten those messages].

I hope that this yuletide season, more than the material things, we value the importance of intangible gifts -- knowledge, hope, peace and love.

I decided to do a "wish list", which is composed of wishes not just for me but for you as well :

1. This Christmas break, I wish that you bring down all the books and munch on them as much as you munch on all those festive dishes your mom or dad or yaya or whoever, will prepare for you! [Just refrain from eating while reading, some crumbs might fall on your pages]. 

2. I wish that you try to share the blessings that you have -- even if they're non-material things -- they say that "It's the thought that counts." [I suddenly thought of you, does that count?]

3. I wish that you try to read some books while waiting for Santa [or whoever it is that you will be waiting for].

4. I wish that I could read stories to young kids. You can try doing so too, with your younger cousins or siblings or neighbors. I wish that I could reach out especially to kids who cannot afford to buy their own books.

5. I wish that I could attend the Misa de Gallo , or the Simbang Gabi again to meet my old friends and to hear Christmas Carols being sung by the choirs [and not simply to go boy-hunting! Ha Ha!].

6. I wish that I could finish a book or two within the break.

7. I wish that everyone would see the coming year 2011 as a sign of new hope and learning and the year 2010, which we will be leaving or will be leaving us soon, as a year of good and bad experiences that help us become better.

8. I wish I could catch some long hours of sleep during the vacation [I'm quite deprived yet I'm happy because I know that despite the lack of sleep, I am doing something good] :)

9. I wish everyone would have a Merry Christmas! [with or without a special someone].

10. I wish that everybody would be happy. 'Tis the season to be jolly!!! ♪♫ Fa-la-la-la-la-la-laaaa ... ♫♪

/dmarco

Last night, while watching TV [again], I was glad to find a commercial by one of the biggest bookstores here in the Philippines. [Although unfortunately I could not find the commercial on the Net yet, so I could post it here, I used their banner instead].

Such a short yet sweet commercial, which conveys that the love for reading should start young. Though sadly, the keyword here, in my opinion, is not really simply reading but commercial. It would be a better campaign, I guess, if an organization of librarians, reading advocates and even the Department of Education would also develop TV ads to advocate life-long reading and learning. It is true that we should start them young, and it is also true that reading needs to be sustained. Therefore, a need for more developed libraries and library collections is required. So that aspiring readers would not just remain reading in bookstores, they would also appreciate the existence of libraries, which do not only support their reading interests but also serve as places for comfort and relaxation.

I know it really is a big challenge, but I believe that there are many of us who are willing to face that challenge.

**DISCLAIMER: Picture taken from NBS' Homepage

The New York Public Library released its Children's Books 2010, an annual list consisting of 100 titles that are notable within a year [obviously, it's 2010 this time]. 

Among the list are two creations of a friend, George O' Connor. Ever since I saw his blog, I never got tired of reading his articles and I always anticipate for new entries and new books that he would soon illustrate. [My own blog is also inspired by this Greek-themed stories.] Here are the two books he illustrated that got into the list:

Another notable title is Sharon Draper's Out of my Mind.

I remember my friend Bee and I were just talking about this book and she promised me that she'll borrow this book for me as a present this Yuletide Season. Here's the synopsis of the book:

Click here for the complete list of NYPL's Children's Books 2010: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, in PDF. Enjoy! ☺

My adorable students would approach me and most of the time, ask this question:

It must be because they are too young or too tongue-tied to pronounce it properly, but all the while, it makes me giggle a little whenever I hear the way they pronounce it. So, what I would do is tell them to pronounce it properly:

And we would all laugh heartily. Now, more than the "where" part is "who" really is Geronimo Stilton and what makes him so popular with my kids? 

"Hey Sir! Why are you so cool?" -- that's what most of my days are made up of. Students would first ask you trivial questions, then the quizzical and then this -- and I would answer with just a SMILE :)

Recently, I have been meeting friends of friends and colleagues, and everytime they ask me what I am up to, I would say that I am a LIBRARIAN and you wouldn't [even I cannot] imagine the looks of surprise in their faces. Of course I would affirm that I am one by saying that "Yes, I am a librarian." and then they would usually say, "No way! You are so cool!" Which would of course make me think and ask,
Not surprisingly, they would instantly enumerate the typical characteristics of a librarian: grumpy-old-maiden-with-a-bun-for-a-hair-and-eyeglasses-as-thick-as-the-iceberg-that-made-the-Titanic-sink, et al. And then, I would imagine myself looking like one and would realize that NO WAY! [Ha Ha!]

So, last Thursday night when I was having my evening routine before bed, I noticed the label of my shampoo, which goes like "... makes your hair dandruff-free and leaves it cool". And I now realized [aside from being a demigod] what makes a librarian cool : MENTHOL

Make sure you are updated. Be it in the field of librarianship, news and current affairs, entertainment, or fashion, make sure you have something to say. We are information professionals, remember? Try reading newspapers, magazines, or journals. Just don't be stagnant and idle.

Enjoy what you are doing. You can never go wrong when you know what you are doing, especially when you are having fun.

Never ever doubt your profession. Of course, there will come a time that you will feel down and helpless because inevitably, people will look down your profession. What you should do is stand up straight and show them what a librarian can do. It is us, in the end, who will uphold our profession.

Teach people around you about the importance of your profession. Some may have a twisted view of librarians because of their past experiences, while some may have skewed perceptions of our profession because of what they see on social media. It is therefore our goal to enlighten them of our role.

Have an open mind. People would usually approach and ask you even of the most trivial, non-sense, absurd questions to even some of the profound, high-fallooting, even offensive questions, the key is to be open-minded. Be open to different ideas. Be receptive to changes. Be appreciative of different personalities. Get out of the four corners of the library.

Optimism is a key to success. Think happy thoughts. Dump nega/ bad vibes. Always see the brighter side of life. Never get down easily because of critics and negative comments. Always hold your head up high.

I just want to round it up with a last letter [I know I know! It wouldn't be MENTHOL anymore]. Just this one! :D

And the most recent:

As we were aboard the bus last Monday afternoon headed home, I decided that I once again deliver my crack up jokes [which I think up until now would still be sellable -- in short, benta. Ha Ha!]. As per Malu's and Sir Emong's requests [and because you're close to my heart, Ha Ha], I made a list that you can look for whenever you're down or in trouble [or in need of a helping hand, Ha Ha!] or whenever you feel like it.

6:00 PM. After schoolworks [since I work in a school, ha ha!], Mitch celebrated her Nth Birthday. Fatima and I were first to be at ATC. We, then met with Mitch and Mother Ge, together with [my new friends], Ms. Ardel, Ms. Czar and Ms. Ria. Afterwards, we headed to Dampa, located somewhere in Parañaque, near the Airport. I'm telling you, it was helluva ride.

7:30 PM.  Everybody was so hungry when we approached the market site. The jist: Dampa really is a street of cookeries and not really restos. So, one has to buy his/her desired menu first from the market adjacent to the street then have them cooked in one of those cooking stores.

I really had fun eating calamares, [pink] salmon sinigang, liempo, and buttered hipon. Waaah! That was gastronomic. And of course, it was so nice meeting my new found friends, Ms. Ardel, Ms. Czar and Ms. Ria. I used to see them in campus but we really were not that acquainted. Now, it's time for more parteh-parteh!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHIKO!!!

9:00 PM. Sadly, I needed to go ahead of them since Ella was already calling me. We were also headed to another party, Eli's, this time at NiChe Bar in Quezon City. While aboard the MRT, Ella was really skeptical whether we would still have a party to attend to, since it was already late but the lot proved us wrong.

10:30 PM. I was so happy to see that the room Eli has reserved was still jam-packed. Beers. Booze. Food. Cake. And Friends. Kelvin was there having his emo-ments. Joy, who I really miss, was also there eating. Buddeeeh Jill was there singing with DarGeelicious buddy Gee and his BF, papa pi, papa pi, Pinyong. Of course my ever-dearest gurl was also there, Menniebelles. Martin, who was having so much fun. Katrin, who had yet another party to attend to. Marky was also there, looking good [as Kat said] in his red-white-striped shirt. :) Everybody had fun singing, drinking, cam-whoring, and Martin had fun dancing! ♥

2:00 AM. The "party" has ended. Ella went ahead, as well as Gee and Pinyong. Some of us who were left decided to head to Starbucks Quezon Ave. Before we could get inside the shop, Kelvin also bade [a tearful] goodbye. Ha ha! So, there were 5 of us left standing [coz I can't find a more appropriate word. Ha ha!] After some Frappes and crack up jokes, everyone was already sleepy. So, we agreed to go home because Marky still has his work 8am in the morning.

4:00 AM. Bye-bye time. Everybody went ♫♪ Dewn ... Dewn ... Dewn ... Dewn ... Dewn ... ♫♪♫

**Although it was very tiring and draining, I enjoyed that night. Seeing you guys is such an energizer just like Tonkat Ali! :))

**And I hope Ami and I would be together in a picture ... soon. Ha ha! ♥ 
/dmarco

Our LRC Head, the Goddess Ms. Hermie asked me if I could take over the Library Instruction Program of the Grade 4, since one of the Deities, Ms. Ann has gone to some faraway land [Belgium, it is] to seek her fortune [in love, if there's any]. Well anyway, upon starting our lesson about Reference Books and as part of the motivation process, I asked my Grade 4's to close their eyes, and then raise their hands if they feel that it should be their [most honest] answer for a question I am going to pose. And the question went, or the phrase rather:

And followed suit with these choices [one can raise hand as many times as one wants, this is an honesty game, remember?]

With an average number of 38 students per class, the result was astounding and alarming!!! [wait, why do I write like it's my thesis?]

I guess The Cure's Song would definitely encapsulate what I felt last Friday, Oct 22. Well, it may seem I didn't have the chance to blog it immediately, [because I went to the mountains, not Mt. Olympus], nevertheless, I am giving it a shot today.

First stop, as everyone anticipates for it, Friday is of course the end of the week and everyone [not] looks forward to Monday because Monday this time is a holiday. Thanks to the Barangay/SK elections, I could sleep all day and so I thought.