Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Virtual Library

My mother encourages me to read books. She loves buying me books that I want.

I notice when it comes to books, she never considers too much of the price compare to buying toys. She tells me reading various books enhances my mental abilites.

When we left to Riyadh, I had to leave most of the books my mother bought for me.

We visited the well-known bookstore here..Jareer Bookstore and tried to look for some interesting english books.

Yesterday, my mother checked in the internet stories online that I can use for book report. She felt happy when she found a virtual library where there many books available. In fact, some award winning ADARNA book publisher in the Philippines are included there.

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DIGITAL LIBRARY


For homeschoolers like me especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, surely this will be a big help.

Riyadh: My Own Discovery PART 1

As we traveled to Riyadh last June 28, 2010, I couldn’t remember how many times I said to my parents how happy and excited I was since I would have a complete family now. Although my parents never failed on giving me orientations on what to expect when we arrived, I couldn’t help to feel the excitement to see everything with my two eyes.

This is the second country I visited next to Singapore. Questions like… “Are there any similarities between the Philippines and Saudi; Will I like the food there?; Will I have many friends there…how about bullies?...these are just some questions kept bothering me during our travel.

The moment I stepped my feet in the airport, I noticed already the difference. There’s some kind of distinct smell I couldn’t describe. My parents told me, it’s common when many Arabs, Indyans or Pakistanis gather together.

Then, my mother looked for the ladies toilet to wear her Abaya and Tarja. This is a requirement among women in Middle East. Wearing Abaya and Tarja is one way of protecting women against abusive men. When I first saw my mother wearing one, I remembered her advice to hold her hands every time we go outside since I couldn’t easily recognize her anymore because all women wear Abaya and Tarja.

My Mami buying curtains in Batha


Not all women here need to cover the entire face. In fact, many Asians and Caucasians (non-Muslim) don’t wear tarja anymore when they go to malls or other public places. That’s one easy way to identify a Filipina here. My parents told me that those who cover their entire faces are usually the conservative Saudi ladies who comply very much with the Saudi rules. By the way, my Mom is not comfortable not wearing her tarja whenever we go outside. She’s been looking for a tarja with a “Hello Kitty “design on it to recognize her easily. Ha, ha, my Dad told her to go to Japan and have it customized.


HOUSES:

It’s very common here that 2-3 families occupy one big house. Just like in our house, we are two families here plus 2 single ladies in the third room. There are 2 toilets and 1 kitchen. Every house has different features. You will notice the simplicity of houses externally.

The payment of house rental is done yearly. Water bill is yearly as well. Electricity is every 3 months. Water and electricity are not as costly compared in the Philippines. Though there are occasional water shortage and transient brownouts in isolated areas.

If you are a Filipino then surely you can’t live without TFC connection. TFC or The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN is one of the means of alleviating homesickness of OFWs here in Saudi.


ROADS and TRANSPORTATION:

If you love driving then you will surely enjoy driving in the roads in Riyadh.

The roads are smooth and wide. Drivers are following traffic rules. There are cameras also in most traffic lights.


Although there are traffics in some areas but it is not too congested just like in the Philippines.

There are public transportations here such as taxis and busses. But take note, only men can use busses for public transportation. Women only use taxis.

Renting a car is affordable. In fact that’s what my father does whenever we go to Filipino gathering every Friday. By the way, weekends here are every Thursday and Friday instead of Saturday and Sunday.

Gasoline is very cheap. A full tank cost only SR10 or P120. So if you have a private car then worry not if you want to travel most of the time.

ATMOSPHERE:

The temperature here as of this month is quite hot. In fact whenever we go out at night to do some grocery around 8pm, temperature is between 42-47 degrees Celsius. My Dad told me that it will eventually lower. And when it's cold…it’s really
cold. It usually happens sometime in September till April.

Despite the hot temperature, I still enjoy going out and witness everything I can appreciate in Riyadh.

I surely appreciate the minimal air pollution here. I don’t see vehicles emitting dark smoke here. Even the oldest and ugliest car I guess won’t emit dark smoke. My Dad told me it’s because of the cheap price of gasoline here that everyone can afford to consume premium gas.

                                                        .......(to be continued)......

Friday, July 23, 2010

Why Homeschool?

Hi I'm Reinel a homeschooler of Catholic Filipino Academy. This is my 3rd year and I'm in my 5th grade. You may be wondering why my parents decided to bring me into homeschooling. Simply because they want the BEST for me.

I did not find it very difficult to adjust to the new environment. I guess because there was a time when I told my Mami that I didn't want to go to school anymore. That was very alarming for my parents especially to my mother since my father is an OFW.

I am so blessed to have very understanding parents. They asked me what was wrong. I couldn't tell the details but all I know I hated most of my classmates who teased me and treated me like jerk. My mother would always tell not to get affected because they were just jealous of my handsome look...ahem. But honestly, I was terribly lonely during my school days. It was difficult to find real good friends. I would always remember my parents' advice that I have to learn to choose the right friends. Although I got 2 good friends during my school days, but I was surrounded more with bullies.

I remember there was a time I would prefer to stay in the guidance councilor's office just to avoid those bullies. I could not remember anymore how many times did my Mami went to the office to speak with my advicer and guidance councilor. I knew she was terribly hurt as well on how other children would treat me.

The situation worsen when my grades started to go down. My private tutor had the same observation with my Mami, that my academic performance at home did not match with my performance in school.

Unaware of my mother's plan, she was considering already homeschooling that time. But it took a year for my parents to have mutual decision of sending me to homeschooling.

My mother is a member of Kerygma family founded by Bo Sanchez. Joining this community opened the door for us to try homeschooling.

I am aware of the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling. We continously discuss as a family on how we will overcome the "not so good" about homeschooling and enjoy the priviledges of being one.

I don't say the homeschooling is better than traditional school. But I am so lucky that I am given this priviledge to be a homeschooler. On my 6th grade, I will go back to the traditional since I am staying now with my Dadi who is an OFW in Riyadh.

Since this will be my last year in homeschooling, I would like to enjoy its full benefits and share my learning experiences while here in Riyadh through blogging. Thanks to my Mami for introducing this to me.

As my Mami and Dadi would always say ..."Bringing our son to homeschool is indeed one of the best decision we ever made for the family."