BusWri-KTA: Class, let's pause for a while...

Time is a rare commodity today; in fact, it’s hard to buy someone else’s time. It is hard to find time for one’s self, too. God gives us 24 hours a day to do the necessary things that we have to accomplish, and writing about my Business Writing class a.k.a BusWri is one of those items in my to-do list. Honestly, I am quite frustrated and regretful because I wanted to make a more meaningful journal entry about my unforgettable English class.

Since my course has official ended today, I wish to say a few words for the world-wide-web to know what transpired inside the four corners of LS 218 every Monday as we sat under the feet of our extraordinary professor. This definitely includes our welcome party and farewell party, which we considered grand events.

Yes, LS 218 became our grammar arena every Monday evening. I will never forget the first night I entered that room, May 25, 2009. Arnold was already inside the classroom. Sadly, I couldn’t remember who else was there. (Sleep debts)
One by one, my classmates came in and started introducing themselves. After fifteen minutes past six, Ms. Marissa Marasigan entered the room. The moment I saw her stern-looking face, I knew it was not going to be an easy subject. It didn’t take me another session to prove that my theory was true.

Ms. Marissa gave us a short test to assess our English proficiency that so proved my need of major grammar repair. I never realize how much I have neglected and undervalued the English language until I came face to face with the grammarian, who, by the way, is also an accountant. She taught us that was should be pronounced as wuz, and is should be pronounced as iz. I will never forget how she corrected our always. According to Miss, one should instead naturally say, al-wez.

I thought we broke the ice when our professor asked us to have an election of class officers. I thought it was peculiar to have class officers in the graduate school in a term that will last for only three months. Well, not in M3’s class. That’s the way she runs her class. So we started nominating for class president…and guess who was elected? I was. Welcome, MBA life!

The class decided to have our welcome party at Shakey’s Valero. Jack was in charged of the games. Some of my classmates brought prizes aside from the ones Jack bought from our class funds. Everyone cooperated in the games as we divided the class into two groups. My wild guess, it was for the prizes that motivated them especially the 1GB flashdisk Ron Eslabon donated. Thanks to Henkel. Luigi brought some ipads (our new name for notepads), courtesy of his company, GSK. Eric also contributed two colorful alarm clocks for giveaways. I was the lucky recipient of the yellow clock. As class president, I gave everyone a handmade frame. My way of saying, “I support Filipino products.” Actually, those were some of the frames I was selling on behalf of a cancer patient.

Our Shakey’s party was the start of a new friendship. We are now more than just classmates; we are friends. M3 was wiser, after all. Maybe she, too, wanted to know us deeper.

My great professor revolutionized my preconceived notion of the English language. She inspired me to strive for excellence, both in oral and written communications, as I accept my limitations and hone my skills. As days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, I find myself more fascinated in reading and wanting to learn more.
As I went through the course, engaged in our discussions, took weekly quizzes, and faced corrections, I learned to relate the lessons to my life. Mistakes are inevitable, either in BusWri or life in general. I hardly perfected any of our quizzes, but I chose to know my errors and tried to understand the correct answers, so I will not commit the same inaccuracies again.

Confession: I have never fallen in love with the parts of speech, ever, until I enrolled in BusWri. All I knew was I needed to take this pre-MBA course as part of my requirements to take the core courses. Some people told me that my class was very elementary. Maybe it was; nonetheless, I gained a handful of lessons and tools that contributed to what I am being prepared for. God has a better plan; He has a better way. Why do I say that? I simply believe that we are called to do something bigger than what we can possibly ask, dream, or imagine. We all need to be prepared.

Guess who else benefited from my BusWri class? My friends. I did some knowledge transfer. Every time I learn something new and interesting, I share it with them. And guess what was our favorite lesson? Subject-Verb Agreement. Can you believe that they even asked me to give them a quiz? Unbelievable.

Last August 17, we gave Ms. Marissa a surprise party. Her birthday was August 15 (I don’t know which year). We sneaked in the flowers and the balloons, even the pizza and the cake, without her knowledge. Just right after her declaration of a 15-minute break, we sang “Happy Birthday” and greeted her with our treat. More than the joy that I saw in her eyes, I saw the joy of blessing someone in my classmates’ eyes. It was a blessing to witness both. Great delight!

My BusWri class officially ended today, August 31. We had our final term exam early this morning. It was our last taste of LS218.

After our final exam, we headed toward Food Locker for our farewell party. Ron Cajayon was the one who arranged everything for us. We didn’t have games this time. Just lunch. We also celebrated Karl’s birthday. The highlight of our lunch was the ice cream, and more stories – about our ManStat experience - became like cherries on top.

Just right before we ended, I asked for a few words from our professor. She was gracious enough to agree. She encouraged us to pursue excellence and apply what we have learned from her class to our workplaces and our everyday conversations. She hopes that we will be able to bring with us the nuggets of knowledge she had shared with the class.

Looking back, I believe that despite her frustrations, which were evident by her facial expression and her voice, she still hopes that one day we will be able to master her the lessons. The grammar police has a big heart.

For three months (14 sessions), my life has been surrounded with words. I never paid attention or valued them as much I have now. My eyes began to see nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections everywhere. I graduated from being acquaintance with gerunds, participles, and infinitives to becoming friends with them.

I am no master of passive voice and active voice, dangling and misplaced phrases, and verbals; however, I still dare write my accounts because I am very grateful to have been part of section KTA. The crossword puzzle for the preposition bonus quiz was a hit, but we dreaded the writing mechanics and the passive-active voice. We still need to master the rules; besides, this is what MBA is all about—being a master.

Miss Marissa’s contribution is invaluable especially to us who are just new in the MBA program. Unquestionably, she taught us the fundamentals of business writing. But more than that, she made a positive impact in our lives. I believe she is in a position to greatly influence the future leaders of this nation. I want to be a living proof and I want to see my classmates rise to their fullest potentials and to be instruments of change that will usher this nation into its destiny.

To my BusWri classmates, it was a journey worth taking. Through the difficulties and the victories, shame (oh yes) and glory, pizza and pandesal, we have been there to support and encourage one another. Someone said, “Friendship is born in adversity.” The Bible says, "...a brother is born for adversity." Could it possibly be the many “adversities” that bonded us in BusWri? I guess.

I am looking forward to another adventure in my Business Communications (BusCom) subject next term, if I pass BusWri this term. Oh Lord!

By the way, Ms. Marissa is oddly irritated by the sound of a clicking pen. Just so you know.

Now, let's pause for a while.

Management Statistics

Before the end of my first term (SY 2009-2010) and before I forget all about my Tuesday night class, I have to write a little something on what's going on inside the four corners of our classroom.

The first night I entered her class was May 26, 2009 at RCBC, I was shockingly surprised to see the one who interviewed me for my graduate school application. Her name is Mrs. Marian T. Reyes ak.a. Winningwoes and she is my Management Statistics professor. The moment she uttered a word, the memory of my interview flashed back. Her voice resounded the entire room as if we have Dolby Surround Sound and THX working together.

I sat in front, first row, last columns, right in front of her the teacher's desk. She began her course orientation with passion and unwavering enthusiasm. Her energy level never went down and has not been since Day 1. She started off with Statistical Inference and the rest, I totally forgot. (Not really.)

I was a little relieved when she told the class that we can choose our permanent seat the following session, but we have to be early. I turned my head and my eyes searched for a better seat, or say somewhere not close to the "amplifiers." Thank God.

As she explained to us her "demands" for the term, which ,by the way, includes online chat (thanks to Yahoo! messenger), group report and critique, and group project, we hardly caught our breaths and swallowed everything she was saying. Good grief!

I don't want to be rude, so I won't say anything discriminating nor hurtful because I really admire my professor. I'm trying to be innocuous as possible. In all fairness, she is really good. Now, why do I say this? Because prior to my encounter with Winningwoes a lot of people are telling me that I will "terrorized" and "pressure-cooked" in her class. They were so right!I was and still am! Especially now that end-term exam and requirement deadlines are fast approaching! I just finished my online assignment the other night and I had to submit it before 11:59PM. I had to find a "mathtype" software just to have my "p-hat" shown in my computation and the file must not be over 300KB. Whew!

To give credit and highest honor (not I'm beginning to wonder should the professor be the one to give credit and honor to students?), I "blogged" because I want to release people from the fear of winningwoes. I personally learned not only to appreciate Statistics but also learn a lot of Statistical Methods because of Mrs. Reyes. I hope to remember them later for my compre and thesis, which are far from today.

Well, being at the "backseat" of the room did a little help with the "voice control" but the fact remains that if you will just listen to winningwoes and take her subject seriously, you will be learning a lot, as in A LOT!

Anyway, I will be talking more about my stat class this weekend as I go through the preparation of our group report on null hypothesis. Do the PHStat!

Hate her, but with the right perspective you'll definitely love her!

My Graduate School Confessions, First Blog

It's Friday night and I am still here at the office. With so many things to do and so many demands for my time, I am stuck here waiting for my officemate to finish his work so I can have a ride home. The old red car is still in the shop, ready for pick up since yesterday, but I didn't have the time to get it this morning. Car-less, I am waiting in agony for everyone to say, "Let's call it a day!" I have to great books on my desk but it seems like my eyes are tired and my zest for reading has gone out for a while. Here I am, trying to be productive. I thought of starting a new blog (or say I have thought of writing a new blog but never had the time) about my MBA experiences. This is the moment.

To set the record straight, I did apply for an MBA degree few month ago. After so many weeks of praying and thinking and consulting my mentors regarding my options (and fasting that my boss would support my endeavor), I finally gave La Salle a try. Yes, De La Salle University-Manila.

I have always been wanting to take up further studies, either Theology or Business. I have forgotten that I once dreamed of going to law school and run for politics. I think getting into the graduate school means foregoing the law school dream but not the politics. Yes, it's still brewing. I have to be honest. After all, isn't this about confessions?

For years, since I started working, I have been wondering how does one be like working and studying at the same time. A greater reason is how does going to a graduate school eventually change your perspective, your career, and your life.

So after completing my application requirements, I took the entrance exam, had my interview, and somehow made it through. I should give credit to my God who made all things possible for me, not forgetting that He, too, would provide for everything that I will need to finish this race.

Oh, I'm skipping some stories but an amazing favor from God is worth telling. Guess what, I was automatically exempted from taking Financial Accounting (I think it would be an insult I had to!) and to highlight my take off, I was also exempted from taking Management Principles and Business Law. I really have not idea how it happened because some of the CPAs I know who are taking up the same degree are still required to take those two subjects.

The De La Salle Graduate School of Business has three terms every school year. I'm in my first year, first term. I still embrace the La Sallian values and principles, which I acquired in college for four years from La Salle in Bacolod. The sound of "Hail, hail, alma mater" and "rektikano kini kina" reminded me of my college days and my adventures.

I came to realize that everything is different now. I am paying for my education - a very compelling motivation - and I am studying after work. A thought just passed through my mind: "Aren't they teaching us to be masters of juggling activities and demands and pressures?" I wonder. I always thought I am a master of multi-tasking. In fact, some say, I have a doctorate degree. I am not really proud of that. I believe everything important in life needs to be given quality time and best efforts.

So I'm just getting the feel of how it's like to be in the graduate school. Honestly, I'm beginning to love it. But wait until I get into the "core courses."

For this term, I am taking Business Writing every Monday in Taft (I am not really sure if my writing mechanics are getting better). I never thought English is as difficult and mind-draining as Calculus and Trigonometry. I am humbled though, knowing that I have so much to learn. I am just glad to have a very, very good professor. Everyone feels intimated by her presence especially when she starts calling your name and make you identify gerunds, participles, infinitives, and their direct objects. I once was but I told myself that have to seize the opportunity to learn and be better, so I'm giving my best (even if my best, at times, is not enough). I just hope she will still be my professor in Business Communications next term.

Aside from Business Writing, I am also enrolled in Management Statistics. My professor is killing everyone of us softly. Most people say that Statistics is a difficult subject. I couldn't agree more...until I sat at the feet of a statistic wizard. I have not met someone who is as demanding as my stat prof. She floods my email with assignments and notices. But guess what, I love her. I truly do. She's the best. Her bestfriend is PHStat. Try taking her subject and you'll know how it feels like. Oh, she's a die-hard fan of Michael Jackson. I will never forget our Jeopardy game! In fairness to my prof, she is one-of-a-kind. I learned to appreciate "Probabilities" because she made it so easy for us to understand.

It's almost nine in the evening and they are not yet done. I'm still here at BSP. To kill time, I think I will finish the Verbals exercises that my English professor just uploaded to our yahoogroup account.

Until then...