The Secretary

October 5, 2022 | Wednesday

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When you heard the word "secretary" you probably think that it is a person we usually see in dramas or movies. A person employed by an individual or in an office to assist with correspondence, keep records, make appointments, and carry out similar tasks. Someone who wears corporate attire, sleeves paired with black shirts, and wears heels and always in front of his/her computer. The typical image of a secretary in our mind.

If you think that is, we're on the same page.

Let me inform you, not all secretary wears corporate attire, wear heels and always on his/her computer and taking important notes.

This is my story...

Are you wondering now? If not that kind of secretary, then what? What kind of secretary I am talking about?

This started when I entered school at the age of 6. (I guessed you have now an idea of what secretary I am talking about.) My mother was busy earning our living. My father, on the other hand, had time for us siblings and taught us in our studies. During that time, I am the youngest. Before I entered school my father taught me to write my name. Most of the time he let me write it on the ground holding a piece of stick. I always write my name almost every day. One day he bought a paper where I can properly practice writing my name. He told me to write it following the blue-red-blue line.

My father is kinda strict when it comes to teaching. He is very patient when teaching. Every time I wrote my name, he checked it carefully. If I followed the line if the letters aren't flying or letters didn't overlap in the line. That's how I learned to write my name carefully and properly.

When I entered school at 6, my teacher always compliments my writing. Every time I passed my papers for checking, she kept on saying I have beautiful handwriting. I am young, and hearing compliments make me happy, but at the same time, I get shy.

By the way, I never went to kindergarten, I entered Grade one twice.

Another school year in Grade one, it's the same teacher who I've got compliments with my writing. Since I am familiar with her, she assigned me to take the lead in assigning my classmates in cleaning our classroom. After some time, my teacher called and handed me the book where our lesson was. She told me to write what was written in the book and told my classmates to copy what I am writing. Before going in front, she also said that I can use the chair if I can't reach the chalkboard.

Just imagine, I am 6 years old turning 7, I am a small girl. The height of the chalkboard was twice my height. Every time she assigned me to write something on the board I always used the chair and pushed it until I reached the other side. That became part of my daily routine as a grade one pupil.

Another school year, I am now in second grade. This year we assigned class officers who can assist and help the teacher especially when they are not in the classroom.

We did elect and vote for officers and guess what? Shockingly, I was elected as the secretary (note the sarcasm). The journey of my secretary life officially starts in second grade. As always I am the one who needs to write what my teacher asked me to write on the board.

Being a class secretary is a sure advantage. I got high-class participation, and compare to other officers, being a secretary is very useful and helpful. The only disadvantage is that I have a double task. I need to write on the board and I need to also write it in my notebook. It's tiring that I often forgot to write in my notebook or worst I can't manage to keep up with what I need to write in my notebook.

One time my mother look at my notebook and notice that I only have few writings compared to others. I explained to her that I am the class secretary and I am the one writing on the board. She told me that I should tell my teacher that I can't keep up with taking down the lecture because of it. That they should at least let me borrowed the books. I told my teacher about my mother's sentiments and appeal and after that my teacher let me borrow the books.

My journey as a class secretary continued until sixth grade. Every time the teacher asks who has beautiful handwriting, my classmates always utter my name. Even though I am not the official class secretary sometimes I am still the one writing on the board.

I graduated from elementary and started in high school. I thought that my journey as a secretary will stop after I graduated. Guess I am wrong.

In high school, we also assigned class officers, the difference is, the teacher didn't ask us to write on the board. I thought, at last, I can now step down as a secretary. But that's all my imagination. I became the victim of "You will be the one writing because you have beautiful handwriting" it last until my 4th year of high school. Writing our reports on Manila paper, bond paper, etc.

And guess what, until college, I'm still a victim.

I am not complaining. Being a class secretary helps me improve my writing skills. Although at times it's tiring, sometimes I find it interesting and joyful.

Now, when you heard "secretary" it doesn't mean someone who is working at an office or company, wears corporate attire, and always in front of his/her computer. Because when we hear the word "secretary" we can also think it is someone who is assigned to write on the board.

Thanks for reading...