All good things...

Today, the Fyrinx graduated from ICA. It was a very emotional event for me, for several reasons. The Fyrinx is the only batch I've taught twice (thrice, if you count a certain morning last January ;p). I am admittedly more attached to them as a batch, simply because I've known them since they were sophomores, and I know more of them (and if you believe my dad, because they were born in the year of the Dragon and Dragons get along with Monkeys like me). Also, majority of the officers and members of Culture Shack (the club I was moderator of) were Fyrinx.

Above all, the Fyrinx are-- were my last link to ICA. Sure, AP-Annex will still be there, though their numbers will soon be reduced by one (I know Margaux's zany presence will be missed in the faculty room as well as the classrooms). But though I adore my AP-Annex peeps, the students have always been what I loved most about teaching, and what I have missed most about it. Now that my last set of students are leaving ICA, I no longer feel any obligation or desire to visit the campus "where God reigns" (*snicker*) or keep myself updated on ICA news/gossip. No more writing Palancas for Days, no more preparing goodies for special occasions, no more crashing of school events. In a way, today was also my graduation from ICA, because today, I said goodbye to the remaining reason I couldn't fully let go a year ago.

The Fyrinx's graduation was the crowning event of my short but sweet teaching career. Overwhelming pride, sheer happiness, and surging affection all welled up in me as one by one, my final batch of students received their high school diplomas, their tickets to bigger and brighter destinations. I tried to hold back my tears more than once during the ceremonies (and I thank Elyse for not saying a word as I sniffled beside her), and at one point, I had to bring out Kleenex (Kata actually saw me from the stage!! man, that girl has sharp eyesight! :p). It was a wonderful, wonderful end to the best chapter of my life, and as sorry as I am that it has come to a close, I know that just as it is the Fyrinx's time to cast off from ICA's harbor and set sail for wider seas, it's time for me to raise anchor and move on as well. I am sure our paths will cross again, and I will even drop by ICA from time to time, but I also know that some ties will be broken, and lost forever. This saddens me, but there is comfort in the memories, and the certainty that some bonds will survive the tests of time and distance. Parting is always difficult, but what I take away from my ICA experience will sustain me for a lifetime. And I could not ask for more.

To ICA: thank you for having given me the opportunity to live out my life's dream. To AP-Annex: thank you for your friendship and unwavering support through all my teaching highs and lows. To my Cyrenz, Zephyrz and Fyrinx: thank you for letting me teach you, and for letting me learn from you. You have made my life richer and fuller, and I am a better person for having been your teacher.

Click for pix.