Season Sale @silver_linings_t.zee

 

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Avatar The Last Airbender, The Live Action Series

The live action series of Avatar the Last Airbender is definitely not Brian and Michael’s work. Them leaving the team of the new production caused a stir in the fandom. ATLA was marred and mangled once and fans are afraid it would happen again. The fandom grew up charmed and adored by Team Avatar. The world that Brian and Michael, along with Aron, built all those years ago is legendary (close to myth, even) anyone who attempt to change it will suffer the harsh criticism of fans.

But. I love it.

I love the cast. I love episode 6 the best and through the splicing and the fusing of episodes from the OG series, the creators of this live action version took the work seriously. They respected the OG material by showing themes that resonated to me from the first time I saw what my then 10 year old boy was so amazed at — a flying bison, until our family’s realization that we were all robbed of Zutara.

I appreciate the approach and treatment the live action has on gender issues and for showing Aang’s fear and despair. War can drive people to insanity. Humans lose themselves and become monsters we only meet in our nightmares. We see them all here in this live action series. What the characters bring with them in this show is hope that’s fragile and tarnished. There lies its sincerity to do the franchise good.

I now hope and look forward to a second season. Netflix owes us an epic live rendition of the Blind Bandit.

I Am a Librarian Meme 2024 (2 of 3)

This meme, by Malditang Librarian, I am a librarian. Of course... is interesting; humorous and oozing with self promotion and advocacy. LIKE. So, I jumped on the bandwagon. 

Here is the second batch I made. 

11. I am a librarian. Of course I and my colleagues reach out to communities where books and reading are inaccessible so we can open channels of access for them.

12. I am a librarian. Of course I listen to what my learning community needs as it will inform me of policy and administrative decisions.

13. I am a librarian. Of course I respect the reading choices of people, especially children.

14. I am a librarian. Of course I am involved in teacher training.

15. I am a librarian. Of course I conduct my own research, write it and share it with the public.

16. I am a librarian. Of course I plan, design and implement services and programs that promote inclusion, diversity and social justice.

17. I am a librarian. Of course I wear glasses and make sure it is a BT21 merch.

18. I am a librarian. Of course I work with families so they can be advised on the reading choices of their children.

19. I am a librarian. Of course I believe in the technology of books in whatever format.

20. I am a librarian. Of course I am not perfect but I am open to learn, unlearn and relearn.

I Am a Librarian Meme 2024 (1 of 3)

This meme, by Malditang Librarian, I am a librarian. Of course... is interesting; humorous and oozing with self promotion and advocacy. LIKE. So, I jumped on the bandwagon. 

Here is the first batch I made. 

1. I’m a librarian. Of course I am given the trust and confidence of the school leadership and my colleagues to teach research skills, academic writing and critical thinking. 

2. I am a librarian. Of course I know my children’s literature and the pedagogy to teach it to children. 

3. I am a librarian. Of course I adhere to professional licensing. 

4. I am a librarian. Of course I observe copyright law and continuously learn about Intellectual Property Rights. 

5. I am a librarian. Of course I am involved in activities of our professional organization. 

6. I’m a librarian. Of course I study pop culture and the ways it affect my learning community. 

 

7. I’m a librarian. Of course I don’t know everything so I believe in collaboration. 

8. I am a librarian. Of course I show my creativity by creating lists, directories and tertiary sources that have merit for knowledge development, truth seeking and archival work. 

9. I am a librarian. Of course I READ. 

10. I am a librarian. Of course I get discriminatory remarks so the campaign and advocacy for the growth of the profession and personal learning must be lifelong.

 

The Great Griffin Carnival at The Beacon Academy

 

@titazeeh7

The Great Griffin Carnival is today!

♬ Best Of Me - BTS

Research Season is On!

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Book Blog Tour 2024: A Book Preview for B.O.A.T

I will be participating in a new book blog tour by Women on Writing (WOW) this year. B.O.A.T is the book that I will be reading this week. The review will be up in March. Here is what the book is all about!

Seventeen-year-old April has spent her childhood in therapy, learning to dismiss her imaginary friends as just that: imaginary. Now, as a college freshman, she hopes to leave behind the whispers and cruel rumors that have plagued her for years.

When April begins to embrace her newfound independence, her world is turned upside down when she crosses paths with Tommy and Bobby, two figures her therapist insisted were figments of her imagination.

Nineteen-year-old Tommy has spent his life waiting for a mission that has haunted him. April’s reappearance shatters his reality, prompting him, April and Bobby to uncover a hidden truth that will change everything.

The trio must unite to fulfill their destiny. But an ominous force is closing in on them, one that will stop at nothing to prevent them from completing their mission. The stakes grow darker, threatening not only their lives but the wellbeing of future generations.

With time running out and the world’s fate hanging in the balance, fitting in will be the least of April’s concerns. She will need to confront the demons of her past and present, fighting for what she cherishes most.

You can also find out more information on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09L1FRK6C/ 

Or check out the author's (very cool-looking) website: https://www.alexandriapall.com/

MAGIS DEO Teens and YSA Program for February 2024

I used this plan for the Community Celebration of Magis Deo last February with the Magis Deo Teens and Young Single Adults.

A. Perking Up: Getting to know you game / human bingo / Evolution Game

B. Priming Activity

Prompt: Lights by BTS or Shadows and Lights by Joni Mitchell

Plan B: Show a photo of lights and shadows

Learning Experience: Lights and Shadows

- Think of 3 events in the past year that gave you light or you have been a light. Think of 3 events that led you to the shadows in the past year.

1.       What dominant emotions did you feel during moments of lights/shadows?

2.       How did you respond to your moments of lights/shadows?

3.       Who was there with you in your moments of lights/shadows?

C. Sharing or Posting of responses on the board

D. Group prayer

Part 2:  MAGIS DEO YOUTH AGENDA: YSA and Teens Activity for 2024

-          Present the activities done in the past year

Let’s dream together: what activities do you recommend that will allow you to be a light for yourself and for others?

Make a list of 3 activities. Write 2-3 sentences describing each activity.

We never walk alone: How can we make our dream activities for YSA and Magis Teens come true?

Next meeting, we will present what the group has put together and how Magis Deo can walk with us given the rules and resources available.

Walking for Wellness

 

My goal is to lose 10 lbs in 4 months. I started walking for wellness last year and failed miserably. The New Year came and I was rejuvenated. It is still a struggle. Hormones at this stage of menopause is a factor. But, no excuses. I am now 126 lbs. Let's do this!

@titazeeh7 #ARMYGlowUp2025 ♬ original sound - TitaZee

Book Review: Crying in H Mart

 “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner is a book that JK of BTS mentioned in one of his lives last year. This is my first book off my BTSxARMY reading list for 2024. Zauner took me to places I have never been to yet like Seoul and states in the US such as Oregon, Philadelphia and New York. In the process, she let me in the spaces of her mind, which is funny and sensitive; and her heart which is vulnerable and strong.

Her narrative voice is tender and honest. Even the most painful events in her life are told in vivid metaphors. Her nostalgia is a well fermented kimchi. This is one of those books where tragedy is elevated as a most beautiful experience. Perhaps because, Zauner’s mother endowed her with the Korean “han” - the ability to be noble, if not, graceful in the face of suffering and grief.

Have lots of tissues nearby and if you are still nursing your own wounds and loss over a loved one, have this book for a later reading time. I share many of Zauner’s experiences as I am looking after my elderly parents who are both in need of medical care. Cathartic.

Book Review: Too Loud! Soothing Sensory Overload with Music

 

Our student, Nathan Cruz wrote book reviews on books about Austism Spectrum Disorder. He has agreed to share them outside the Beacon Academy. This is Nathan's review of "Too Loud:Soothing Sensory Overload with Music" (Saint Matthew's Publishing, 2023).

Book Review: Doobiedoo Asks

Our student, Nathan Cruz wrote book reviews on books about Austism Spectrum Disorder. He has agreed to share them outside the Beacon Academy. This is Nathan's review of "Doobiedoo Asks" by Bambi and Roland Amago (Komiket, 2020).

Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Our student, Nathan Cruz wrote book reviews on books about Austism Spectrum Disorder. He has agreed to share them outside the Beacon Academy. This is Nathan's review of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon (Vintage Books, 2003).

 

Book Review: Inside Daniel's Head

Our student, Nathan Cruz wrote book reviews on books about Austism Spectrum Disorder. He has agreed to share them outside the Beacon Academy. First up is "Inside Daniel's Head" by Joji Reyes-Santos (Adarna House, 2018).

World Read Aloud Day 2024

For World Read Aloud Day 2024, I shared with the learning community these posters on the reason for a Read Aloud in High School. Reading aloud is for all ages! I enjoyed selecting the stories too!

ReadingAloud_HS by ZarahG

ARMY Glow Up Goal Update

Smoother surface, in and out; handle is blended well on both ends; consistent thickness in circumference. #progress #handbuiltpottery

@titazeeh7 Smoother surface, in and out; handle is blended well on both ends; consistent thickness in circumference. #progress #handbuiltpottery ♬ = (Equal Sign) - j-hope

Dear Nanay in the Reading Association of the Philippines Journal

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Gratefulness is Grace

Team CRAIN 2023 Year End Thanks by zarah gagatiga

Nothing Groundbreaking There, Swiftie!

Don’t mistake me for a Taylor Swift fan. I am not.

I do, however, recognize the amount of success she achieved. I respect her unrelenting effort to stay relevant. So I am really rooting for the TS Course UPD is offering. There is much to learn from TS’ marketing and manipulation of language.

My student who I supervised this academic year researched and wrote about the poetry in the songs of TS. Her research shows that TS adheres to the standards of song writing. In consulting literature teachers and an award winning poet, she found out that TS fits into a mold. Nothing groundbreaking in that aspect.

A few days after her submission of the paper, she came by the library for a chat about the Grammys. We both agree that Sza was robbed this year. We are biased for Tracy Chapman and share a deep admiration for Joni Mitchell. We both realized how The Recording Academy affirms and fetes TS, like the favored niece in the family. I told her that TS’ attempts to cross genres is aided by cosmetics and her investments in selling her story of white privilege. Even this, she said, can be considered a talent and skill.

From our conversation, I think that artistic talent and exceptional music making skills are not the only recipes for success in the music industry. It’s a system of composite parts. Each and every part matters.

Now, I wonder. Theoretically remove the white privileges and what will Taylor Swift be?

When Griffins are Happy Potters

 We Are Happy Potters!

At Alternative Class Day 1, ten Griffins and two teachers, accompanied by our dependable BA Driver, Kuya Henry and Guard Glen trooped to Pottery Nuvali for a morning of pottery and ceramic workshop. Our goals were the following:

1. To introduce the art and science of ceramics and pottery by knowing clay, the process of creating ceramics and pottery; 

2. To learn the basic hand-building techniques and surface decoration;

3. To provide a venue and avenue for self-expression, imagination and creativity.

The Happy Potters had an enjoyable and relaxing morning with Ms. Bing Bernardo Gaw of Pottery Nuvali who taught the group the basics of handbuilt pottery. The calm and nurturing atmosphere in her studio were perfect ingredients for creativity to flow and stream out into pots, plates, mugs and clay toys. That is why, Day 2 of Alternative Class Days was equally productive as the Happy Potters wedged, mold, pinched, slabbed, slipped and scored.

Here are some insights and takeaways from our Happy Potters.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the pottery session. It definitely exceeded my expectations. We learned a lot of basic techniques and how to use the different equipment while applying it to our own products ( which we were given much freedom with). I had lots of fun!” ~ F, Grade 11.

“I learned the basics of pottery, and how to make use of these newly learned skills on future projects.” ~ B, Grade 9

“I was able to learn different techniques such as the pinching method and slab method. I found this experience very relaxing.” ~ M, Grade 11

This is the third time we had Pottery during the ACD. The positive feedback inspires us to continue learning about this art and industry. Who knows where this will take us? Our only limitation is imagination.

Zarah C. Gagatiga: The Outstanding Librarian of 2023 of Binan City

I am truly grateful to the learning communities who have recognized and allowed me to be me. I do not follow society’s assembly line nor do I fit into an institutional mould. I have sharp edges and misplaced curves. Being consistent is a struggle for me, yet I yearn for the constants in life - respect, integrity, empathy to mention a few.

Library and Information Science is a discipline where order and systems are of equal value to creativity. The Beacon Academy is one of the learning communities who recognizes this. Thank you, Griffins for being my beacon. Thank you, peers and friends in the association of Librarians of Biñan City.

We will give back. We will serve.

#grateful