I AM ARDIZA, I AM LOVED , I AM BLESSED , I AM ENOUGH

Hello Hive Community! I am Ailene Ardiza Ramos, twenty-nine years of age, a married female from Cebu, Philippines. Currently I am connected with Department of Education as Junior High School Teacher handling Filipino subject at Dalaguete National High School. It is located in south east part of Cebu. More than a career-oriented woman, I am also a wife and a mother of one son, Lester. Actually, they’re supposed to be two, however I have to accept the reality that God only allowed me to borrow one of His bravest angels for forty-seven days.

I experienced that too. Please never give up. God is great. He hears you. God listens. God will send people as instruments to heal you. When the time is right, and when that time comes, you will shine the brightest.

When I was a high school student back then my female classmate shared the whole class during our values education subject when asked: “If you are going to choose a family in this room, whose family is it and why? My classmate stared at me in teary eye while saying, MAAM, FAMILY OF AILENE ARDIZA. SHE HAS EVERYTHING, A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL FAMILY. Those lines made me realize how blessed I am. I am surrounded with an inner circle whose support is endless, patience is unlimited, and love is boundless.

My mother is a high school teacher, I followed her footsteps. She is my ultimate idol. My father is an elementary graduate he possesses no degree but this was never a reason for me not to be proud of him. He worked a lot for us, a jeepney driver in the morning, cook in the afternoon, he washes our clothes and do house chores during weekdays. My father is the best dad ever! My confidant my great adviser. I grew up with my three brothers and one sister. Because of our great dedication to success the four of us earned a degree. This is our greatest reward to our parents who worked a lot for us. My two elder brothers, were sea farers and both married, then me a Filipino teacher, next in line is my sister, a full-time doctorate scholar of Department of Science and Technology, the youngest is now on his third year as Maritime Engineering student.

Our road to success was not an easy ride, like a typical average family earner, we used to wake up early to catch up the jeepney, sometimes we have to walk 2 kilometers a day and eat the same meal which viand must cost five to 10 pesos only. But these challenges toasted us up to study more, work double, and pray in triple.

A great Anthony J. D’Angelo once said, “Develop a passion for learning if you do, you will never cease to grow.” I used to teach in a highly esteemed private school in Cebu for four years. When I got married there were shifts in priorities. I have to be with my husband no matter what, we have to be together through ups and downs. I have to be separated with my family (my inner circle) who lives in the city. My husband stays in the province and wanted me to apply in public school near in his locality. And so, I did it as requested by my half.

It was a very tough decision ever. I experience major adjustments - left and right from single to married life, I used to call it change gear. But not just in married life but also in work. A lot different in teaching approaches, pedagogies, management, and dealing with stakeholders like students, parents and community. I start to learn their ways. I embraced it, I love it the work and my passion to teach rekindles as I gave light to my students and the community I realized I am growing professionally. The department then noticed my contribution and hard work. Out of thousand employees, I am part of the chosen one to receive the reward of recognition for two consecutive years. Indeed, when time is right God rewards you. When it rain, it pours.