Kuwentong Bangtan: To Let Go is to Grow

I am HopeMon biased but tears well up in my eyes each time The Astronaut is streamed on in my Bangtan playlist. It has been days and I do not know when the crying will end.

I have long accepted the reality of Bangtan's conscription. It plays a big part in their life journey. They have been singing and telling ARMY about it since Map of the Soul era. The entire album, MVs and online concert are replete with subtle signs and subtexts. What brings me to tears is Kim Seokjin's manner of saying goodbye and the way he professed his love for ARMY. It is one for the books. Speak of grand gestures, and his leave taking tops my list.

The Astronaut made me feel loved and seen. It is Seokjin telling me, I matter. You are ARMY, and I love you. No one can romance and love a fandom the way Bangtan can.

There will be six more leave takings to look forward to. More crying and more tears - and laughter. I subject myself to this catharsis because, painful as it is, Seokjin's goodbye is tender, and sweet and hopeful since it is a promise of growth and development. Such is the story of Bangtan. Such is the story of life and death that ushers a new beginning.

This life-death-life continuum is spread out in the entire Bangtan discography and their collective works. Listen to Proof, the anthology album. Look back on the MVs of Spring Day, BST, Save Me, Run and even PTD. Rewatch Run BTS Episodes 152 and 153 where they wrote poems. There lies the cycle of endings and beginnings. And in between, there is joy, friendship, so much love, the grit to take life by the horns, the courage to face one's demons, to find oneself and to speak of the truths that cut across boundaries.

In the MV of The Astronaut, we see Seokjin venturing into the life-death cycle once again. On the surface, he is saying goodbye because of military service. But he is also saying goodbye to the idol/artist pesona and welcoming the life of any normal South Korean guy called to serve his country and the world. This is painful. This is beautiful. This is change. This is Chapter 2.

If anything, I hold on to these powerful images in the MV. Seokjin's smile. Seojkin in the midst of nothingness. Seokjin, teaching the little girl how to bike on her own. To let go is to grow.

Thank you, Seokjin! Thank you Bangtan! Thank you, Bang PD!

Books, Bangtan and ARMY Life

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@teetahzee)

Jimtober with Titas of BTS

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@teetahzee)

Kuwentong Bangtan: The Astronaut

The Astronaut has landed!

I was excited for this song and for Jin who is off to military service in a few months. But I didn’t think The Astronaut is the song I needed.

Coldplay + Kim Seokjin + Lumpens = MGA HALIMAW SA GALING

In the video, The Astronaut chose to stay. Here is Jin on the back of a pickup truck going back to a place he’s called home. It does have a special meaning for ARMYs. Nag live pa siya kagabi. We get a clearer picture of their predicament where military enlistment is concerned.

On a personal level, it hits me differently. While the song is a sweet goodbye and a tender reassurance from Jin, it moved me to ask these question: What informs my choice to stay or to come back for someone or for something? Who will I turn my back on for someone else or for what? What is worth fighting for that I can afford to miss the next ship out? Who has been my Astronaut all these years? Have I been this kind of Astronaut for people I love and care for?

Thank you Kim Seokjin for once again moving me to reflect on questions that matter. Thank you for choosing ARMYs.

I am just a fan. But what did I do to deserve you, Bangtan?

Flight of the Fireflies: Children's and Young Adult Library Servicces

Fligt of the Fireflies by zarah gagatiga

Team Teaching with Filipino Teachers (1 of 2)

Finding You Through Music and Bibliotherapy

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@teetahzee)

The Beacon Academy is an ALA Big Sister Library Partner School

Mr. John Hickok of the American Library Association (ALA) and the California State University, Fullerton paid the Beacon Academy a visit last Tuesday, October 18, 2022. He presented and discussed with Mrs. Zarah Gagatiga, BA’s Teacher Librarian the ALA Big Sister Library Project among school libraries in the ASEAN. The Beacon Academy is an identified partner school. The project kicks off in January 2023 via online platforms.

Partner school libraries in the ALA Big Sister Library Project will be involved in the following activities:

·     *   receive descriptions of their sister libraries' best practices

·      * receive photo profiles of each other’s' libraries

·     *  enjoy librarian-to-librarian communication for idea-sharing 

·       * be introduced to the ALA Sister Library program for later (possible) partnering with US libraries

This project supports friendship, idea sharing, and communication only.

For more information on the project, visit the website: https://libraryguides.fullerton.edu/aseansisterlibraries

A Survey on Children's and Young Adult Library Services

Step by Step with Teacher Zee: Learning Vocabulary Pt.2

 

Inktober 2022

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@teetahzee)

DJ Ahjumma Reviews: Jimin's Promise

Lie. Serendipity. Filter. Promise.

Jimin has four solo songs. Of the four, I can relate to Promise the most because the song is a serenade for ARMYs about the lights and shadows dwelling in each of us. The song is an invitation to pause and consider how accepting one’s strengths and weaknesses can be the key to loving oneself.

Each Bangtan member has his way of relaying this message and reaching out to ARMY. Take for example the rap line. RM introspects between darkness and light using poetry. Suga tells a story by confronting the shadow self and surfaces from it with resilience. Jhope plays around with words and riddles his way into inner peace. Jimin in Promise, croons his way into your heart. Like the dependable friend who assures you that you never walk alone he gently takes your hand and walks you through the uglies and the pretties of your own true self. Besides, the guitar accompaniment is calm and soothing. A perfect match for his unique tone.

Jimin experiences self-doubt and fears of failure. Just like you and me. These translated lyrics from the song is evidence of Jimin’s promise fulfilled.

“I want you to be your light baby

You should be your light

So that it doesn’t hurt anymore

So that you can smile

I want you to be your night baby

You could be your night

So that this night

Can be honest to you”

You are me! I am you!

Ajooma Reviews: Kdramas and Mental Health

In early 2020, my friends from work egged me to watch Crash Landing On You on Netflix. Averse from watching Pinoy telenovelas, I always replied with an eye roll. When the pandemic forced the entire world to retreat in the comforts (or otherwise) of their homes, I gave CLOY a shot. The rest is history.

Watching Kdramas since March 2020 has been a form of bibliotherapy for me. It is something I share with my grown-up kids, my friends from work and communities, and new found friends in the BTS fandom, ARMY. Kdramas as fantasy is a form of escape. A space and a place where one's imagination merges and connects with the characters and in there, one can find identification, catharsis and to some extent, healing. Since most Kdramas pursue the good, the true and the beautiful, viewers emerge from the experience comforted and hopeful of better days to come. We all need hope and comfort regardless of the circumstances.

Since October is Mental Health Awareness Month, here is a list of Kdramas I have seen in the past two years that take on the issue of mental health. Included are my key takeaways.  

1. Hyde, Jekyll, Me (by Kim Jiwoon; Directed by Jo Young-kwang, 2015) Normalize treatment and therapy for people with mental health issues and those with challenges in learning.

2. True Beauty ( by Lee Si-eun; Directed by Kim Sang-hyeop, 2020-21) Look out for each other. Always lend an ear; a helping hand; open arms. Blessed are the teachers who can stand up for students with learning challenges and disabilities.

3. When the Weather is Fine (by Han Ga-ram; Directed by Han Ji-Seung) Trauma is real. Surviving and healing from a traumatic experience takes years to endure.

4. Bad and Crazy (by Kim Sae-bom; Directed by Yoo Seon-dong) Recognize that teh first person who can help you, is you.

5. Touch Your Heart (by Lee Myung-suk and Choi Bo-rim; Directed by Park Joon-hwa) More laws and protection for the disabled and marginalized.

6. Move to Heaven (by Yoon Ji-ryeon; Directed by Kim Sung-ho) Children, especially those in the spectrum need a community to raise them well. 

7. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (by Moon Ji-won; Directed by Yoo In-shik) Not all people with ASD are savants.

While the Kdramas I mentioned above ended happily ever after and the antagonists got what they deserve, I am well aware of the harsh realities that surround the treatment and stigma of people with mental health issues as well as the family and friends who care and love them. One thing I always take away from shows and series mentioned above is to hold judgement of another. We do not know the burdens nor the past of every person we meet. Empathy and compassion are traits we all need to grow and nurture.

For a less romanticized and non-fictional rendition on mental health, I turn to documentaries by credible content creators. Should you feel any disturbance from watching the Kdramas listed above, know that I am open for a decent and respectful discussion.

My World Teachers' Day 2022

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@teetahzee)

#FRCA2022 Finalists

 

Awards Round Up from The Well-Read Librarian

As I am subscribed to the newsletter of the The Well-Read Librarian, I get information on new books and readers services for Children and Young Adults. This week, I got a list of recommended books that won awards by readers and literacy groups. This is a good source for collection development geared towards the reading habits and readership of young people and those who take care and mentor them. It's amazing how reading groups continue to support the book industry. Such initiatives firm up and keep the robustness of the book industry.

The Goddard-CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice recognizes nonfiction books published in 2022 for children and teens related to life and issues that support values such as community, equality, opportunity, mutual understanding, respect, caring, and justice – in accordance with Goddard Riverside’s mission. The winning book will be announced at Goddard Riverside’s Annual Gala on October 13.

The Skipping Stones Honor Awards recommend outstanding multicultural and nature books every year. The honored titles offer various perspectives, and help us understand our diverse cultures, societies and their histories, as well as why people migrate for readers of all ages—from beginners to high schoolers, and educators.

The 2022 San Francisco Book Festival is an annual program celebrating the best books of the spring season and considers non-fiction, fiction, biography/autobiography, children's books, compilations/anthologies, young adult, how-to, cookbooks, science fiction, business, history, wild card, gay, photography/art, poetry, unpublished, technology and spiritual/religious works.

The Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award was established by the Arkansas Elementary School Council in 1998 to encourage reading for students in Grades K-3. The name of the award reflects that Arkansas is the only diamond producing state. The Arkansas Diamond Award winner is selected by an annual vote. Student voting takes place in May each year.

International Latino Book Awards recognizes greatness in literature. Honoring authors, translators, and illustrators for their books written either in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

The Judy Lopez Memorial Award, established in 1985, honors authors who create works of literary excellence for children nine to twelve years old. The award is in remembrance of Judy Lopez who was a founding member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association.

The state of Texas has a long tradition of serving as a setting for and inspiring great storytelling. Honoring that tradition, the Writers’ League of Texas Book Awards were established in 1991 to recognize the year’s best among those stories and to celebrate the exceptional writers behind them.

The Sakura Medal program brings together students from international schools across Japan each year to vote for their favorite books. The mission of the Sakura medal award program is to create a community of lifelong readers in international schools in Japan, aiming for a diverse selection of fantastic and engaging books.

The Kids’ Book Choice Awards (previously the Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards) are the only national book awards voted on solely by kids and teens. Launched in 2008 by the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader, the awards provide young readers with an opportunity to voice their opinions about the books being written for them.

The Missouri Readers Awards encourage students in grades one through twelve to explore new literary genres, to recognize excellence in writing and illustrating, and to experience the joy of literature.

Call for Entries: 2023 Salanga Prize

Research Help Desk: Sources and References Chart

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #44: Research Month at the Academy (2 of 2)

Taking note of three wonderful things that happened last September regarding research skills instruction.

1. My student whom I supervise in writing the Extended Essay took the long way round in her research journey. We kicked off the term unsure of a topic to explore and her research question needed to be revised. In this case, I made her review her notes and the research plan she drew up last months ago. It was like leading a horse to water. With patience, she came back with an annotated bibliography that reflects her understanding of the topic of investigation and the required analysis specific to the subject. 

A conversation with her on the depth and breadth of the topic and the demand of the research led me to recommend that she draw map of her understanding of her topic and the relationship of ideas and concepts surrounding it. More confident now, she showed me the mind map. From there, I asked her which ideas, concepts and subconcepts speak to her in a very personal way. Then she made a choice.

After two weeks, she was able to refine her research question, write a thesis statement and draft a working outline. In our last consultation, I validated her accomplished work and reminded her of the Research Design Cycle, the documentation of her process and the 

Research is always personal. The processes and the systems that assist students in independent research must be in place as well as a mentoring culture that puts into consideration the learners' context, interest and learning styles.

2. Students need guides, frameworks and structures to follow in research. It is a process that requires disciplined thinking. My dear Griffin. An academic paper does not write itself. 

3. The research session I had with our grade 11s gave us a good glimpse of their working knowledge on research. Here are selected insights and reflections from the batch. These are compiled into a booklet which will be distributed to the MYP students.

BALIB_Research101_sept22_v2 by ZarahG

 

We are closing out the first term heading on to a week long term break. These are markers in our research journey this academic year. The second term is the shortest but, it is also the toughest. Hang on Griffins!