While browsing the internet two weeks ago, I thought of finding a 2016 calendar that I can print. Having a calendar allows me to schedule activities for myself. I have read and believed that writing down the things to do and setting the lists according to importance makes your day fully productive. Aside from doing my usual routine, I try to do at least two or more tasks that I can in my to-do-list calendar. I know this is something a lot of people struggle to put into action. I had a hard time doing this but starting little by little will show progress and allows us to get the hang of it.

I remember someone suggested to use a personalized calendar. A design that catches your attention and stimulates your mind to follow what is written on it. This is very helpful especially for children if we want to train them on being organized and having focus. But this is not only effective to children and is also viable to adults like me. I love looking at my calendar with images and colors that invites me to be productive. Post-it’s are good, but if you want to personalize and add a twist on your to-do-list, try the personalized calendar. It’s worth it.

My search for the best calendar started with a few planners that I received as souvenirs from different establishments. I even tried the usual calendar given out by banks, drugstores and stores but defeated the purpose of customization (not to mention, boring). Another option is creating my own calendar since I have a software for making calendars, posters, cards and stickers.  I tried making my own but it seems that every day, I have different designs in my mind. Putting a lot of pressure just to come up with the perfect one.

Until the day that I came across a blog telling about the Disney Calendar. I’m a big fan of Disney; be it cartoons, movies and items. It showed the link where I can download the calendar. It jolted me much when I saw that the download is free. I was so happy that I clicked the link and searched for the calendar download. The design was appealing to me and I printed out my own and used it right away. My niece even requested her own copy using colored papers.

I hope Year 2016, is not just having a colorful calendar but a productive year for me.

P.S. You can download the calendar here - Disney Calendar 2016

January 30, 2016 8:30 AM – It is my usual duty of looking after my store in the morning. One of our neighbors bought 6 pieces of chocolates for her son. She told me that her child still insisted on buying something from our store even though they already came from the public market. Out of curiosity, I asked how old her son is. She replied, “He is three years old”. “Isn’t your son will be in Kindergarten this coming school year?” she asked. I said yes.  And then she said that I must register him now at school. I was surprised because every day that I passed the elementary school near us, I haven’t seen any posts about the early registration. I was even told by the teachers that there are no announcement yet and just look at the billboards for schedules.

Just to make sure of the news, I asked my mother to confirm it before going to market that same time. She came back and told me that it is true after all. She was even told by a Grade 1 teacher that I just need to bring a copy of my son’s birth certificate and no fees will be collected.

Me and my son got ourselves ready and brought the requirements. When we got there, 3 sets of lists are on the table. One for Kindergarten and two for Grade 1 students. I talked to one of the teachers in charge and asked her where I should pass the requirements. She instructed me to give it to the person seated on the left. There are 2 parents talking to the teacher so I waited for my turn. After they left, I approached her and said that I would like to enroll my son for Kindergarten. Without looking at me, she took my son’s birth certificate (original and a photocopy) in my hand and asked me (still no intention of looking at me and sounding uninterested) “SPED or not”. I was unsure of what to say because I know that before a child joins the SPED class, he/she must take the assessment. I asked my son if he wants to be in SPED, since I already briefed him about what he could expect and should do if he becomes part of that class. He hesitated but after a while, he said yes. Then the lady asked for another requirement (still did not bother to look at us). I need to pass a picture of my son. Good thing I keep pictures of my son and my husband in my wallet. I gave it to her and she stapled the picture on the photocopy of the birth certificate. I saw her copying some details from the birth certificate on a yellow paper which I presumed is the list that they will pass to the Department of Education. I asked if we are done with the registration. She just told me that we can leave. I can’t help but notice that she wrote something wrong on the list, so before we go, I told her about the mistake I saw. She insisted that she only copied what is written on the birth certificate and there is nothing wrong. Even if I am already disgusted about how she entertained us, I still told her in a polite manner that she wrote it wrong. To prove that I’m right. I showed her what is written on the certificate and she just changed what is on the list and didn’t even bother to apologize or admit her mistake.

I am not used to complaining about things around me and let negative things pass my way instantly but this experience made me think twice about enrolling my son in that school. All my siblings and I went to the same school so it would be nice if my child will study there. But considering what happened yesterday, I have second thoughts. I’ve been an educator before, for secondary and college that’s why I know how a teacher or a school staff should behave towards people. I guess, Good Manners and Right Conduct is not just removed as a subject and also not practiced by some teachers as well. Plus the fact that the registration is not properly communicated to parents or in the community. We came to school before 10 AM but the list of children did not come close to 10 and we did not see any parents coming to register after we left. The registration is until 11 AM.