Maybe I shouldn't have started this blog now, not with everything that's been going on.

First day of classes has come and gone. In what will probably be the norm for the rest of the term, it was raining today. Also, someone who got the number blazes knows where called up the department around noon asking if classes had been suspended yet. I just referred her to the trunkline. I don’t want people to get into the habit of calling our number just for that.

In fact one time when I was the only person in the department very early on a very rainy day, I’d answer the phone saying it’s my residence just to throw class suspension inquiries off from using that number. And if my co-teachers answered, I just told them it was reflex from answering the phone “at home.”

For now it’s three astronomy classes, one introduction to programming and one special class on intermediate programming for majors with one student, referred to me by the chair. I don’t know if there will be any more special classes in the next few days.

It is also my first time to teach in the new administration/college of education building. As I told my co-teacher who sat in that class (he recognized one of the students so it’s not a freshman class, which is true of all of my classes) it’s the smallest number of students in the biggest room I’m handling this term.

I already warned the students about possibly postponed stargazing sessions and field trips because of the weather.

I also told the students they cannot submit news articles from the internet because it defeats the purpose of forming well-read citizens instead of search-for-what-I-wannabees. I was surprised by one of the students asking if they could submit an astronomy documentary made by other students. I said I’d like to watch it first if it’s on-topic.

The introduction to programming course includes three former human biology students of mine (in the lab class) who shifted to “plain” biology and therefore did not go with their batch mates to the pre-med campus in Dasmariñas. They’re a little depressed because they’re all that’s left of their block now, but as a consolation due to their new programming course needs, they’ve already taken up the first half of what we’re supposed to cover, so it will be only a review for them.

Lastly the chair isn’t handling the other two astronomy classes anymore (the ones at 7am MWF and 8am TTH) but a younger faculty who has handled it before. Somehow that’s a load off my shoulders.

It’s still going to be a new experience having my first class at 920am instead of 7am like most of last school year. But now my last class ends at 330pm instead of 1250pm. It’s a little more difficult to schedule 4-hour Mensa testing appointments.