Grade three was the school year when I felt the student in me started getting a life. I started understanding the lessons in school without having to bring my brother's old workbooks, and I have started getting the hang of the whole elementary school was about. It was also the time when the school already has a canteen where students buy their snacks, and I was happy that students started doing more of the extra curricular activities.




This picture was taken during the celebration of the Buwan ng Wika. The mother of one of my classmates was a teacher at a different school, and she was the one to bring a choreographer for this dance routine. I was happy to be a part of it because not all students got to be a part of the group. I guess me showing signs of improvements with my grades paved way to me to be a bit popular, though I could also say I've been bullied, too, because the scars on my legs from summer was more visible at this point in time (more about this in the next weeks).

I didn't like this picture. I remember the minute the school photographer handed me this I wanted to rip it off because I've got chubby flat cheeks. I also hid it in my closet the minute I got home because I didn't want my cousin and my parents to see it. Funny, I hoped to save my recess money so I could pay for this picture myself so that mom would not see it. Unfortunately for me, my cousin found it and gave it to mom. Oh well, looking at the bright side, mom handed me the payment for the picture and that she placed it in my photo album (so I could share it now). I guess this was the time I started gaining weight - being "hungry" in school has lead me to eat lots when I get home. Also, I didn't like it because my partner wasn't as tall or wasn't taller than me - but of course we do know that girls tend to be much taller than boys at first.

Some things I remember that school year:

• I had my first communion.
• I realized I didn't have a knack in arts - I cannot understand the "art" of coloring pictures and drawing objects.
  
• I liked how to measure angles and measurements using the protractor and the ruler, and I also loved my compass!
  
• My friend Kutchie and I would exchange snacks - she would hand me her pandesal with cheese (5 pieces stacked inside the plastic bag used in making ice) while I gave her my junk food. Between PeeWee and pandesal with cheese, of course I'd like the bread more. :)
• The family welcomed the youngest member: my sister.

Also that year, with my sister being born, we also welcomed cousin Dang in the house. She's the oldest cousin in mom's side, and since her boyfriend (back then) was based in Metro Manila, my mom's invitation if she could stay with us for a while was a good thing.

The biggest blessing from this school year came at the end of the term. It was quite funny and interesting at the same time that we have this plant in the garden for so many years and it started having flowers for the first time, and cousin said that whenever that plant blooms, there will be something big happening, kinda like a good luck. In a way I think it was true because when my class adviser asked for my dad's full name and handed me the invitation, not only did I get an award for being "most responsible," I was also third in the class. Finally, I have attended the recognition day and I won't just be watching it.

One thing about the recognition day: A select group of students in class (me included) were selected to do a dance intermission number. We can wear any color of clothes we wanted to, provided the skirt should be a little fit (kinda like an A cut, or more of the denim skirt type - not the balloon type). My friend Kutchie first told she wanted a pink one, and because she and I considered each other as best friends back then, I also wanted to have the pink one. I told my parents that we needed to wear pink, and one time I was very worried because it was already 9pm and they weren't home yet. Turned out, they really walked around Cubao area to find me the pink outfit (back then it was just the Ali Mall and SM Cubao). My mom was a bit pissed when Kutchie went to our house come Recognition Day wearing a black outfit. I just told mom she shouldn't get angry at me because I had an award at school (winks winks).

...Obviously, it was mom who put the medal on me. :)

*** Jenn ***