I was listening to NPR the other day.  Don't judge...don't hate.  I was a nerd all my life and yes I listen to talk radio.  Sue me.  Anywho, my point.  I was listening to NPR the other day and my interest really peaked when they started talking about Filipinos.  You see, the story was about the teaching shortage across the U.S. and how we have to now import teachers.  No joke.  One of the superintendents or principals...I don't know...was being interviewed and he was commenting on the work ethic of Filipino teachers in that he had so many to interview because all of them had perfect attendance records.  Hmmm...perfect attendance...

There must be something about us Filipinos and perfect attendance.  That little bit of information made me think back to another prominently punctual Filipino...my dad!  Seriously, there's little tchochktes all over their house that has Perfect Attendance Awards from his employer written all over them.  Then, again, my dad may had been on to something.  In addition to what looked like useless awards, he also received tons of bonuses...not just in the monetary form, but rewards like tote bags, clocks and even iPod nanos...just for showing up for work when he was supposed to! 

Sooooo...what does perfect attendance have to do with a kung fu blog anyway?  Hold on there, Smoky, I'm getting to it.  You see...the Filipino hardworking nerd in me also has the perfect attendance gene.  I didn't always go to school every day, but I do recall at least one year when I did receive a Perfect Attendance award in high school and you know what?  I was very proud!  I thought to myself it was sooo easy to NOT go to school...all the kids can do it, so do I always want to be like everyone else?  Oh hells no...I was going for broke! I even seriously considered skipping Senior Skip Day to keep my attendance intact! But...I didn't really.  I'm a nerd who likes immaculate records, but hey I ain't stupid.

Which like a million years later, brings us to the summer of 2009.  As it's winding down to its close, I ponder on all of the kung fu events of the past few months.  Then, I think to myself...of all the weddings...all the big festivals that we always participate in...from all the little seemingly insignificant 10-minute lion dance jobs to even being "Chronicled" on TV, I've been at every single one!  I tell you what, I'm always there to help my school out in whatever capacity that is (as long as I'm in town)...which for the longest time now has been performing when needed, but dang...even when I try to lay low (like August Moon Festival), I still had to get my ass on stage (when 2 performers dropped out).  Ah well...

So, do I have perfect attendance due to supreme dedication and utmost loyalty?  Nah...I'm just a loser and have nothing better to do.

technorati tags: August, Moon, festival, film, gate, kung, fu, perfect, attendance

 Leave a Comment