Waiting (October 28, 2007)

I was to name this entry as "Waiting for Nothing", but changed it to be more positive. This entry may mean many things. It could be waiting for someone, waiting for an opportunity, waiting for change, or waiting for something that will never be.

The bench had always been a welcome respite from a hard day's work. You can see them in parks, in bus stations or in malls. They support us when we are tired, making us feel better to rest our weary feet and bodies.

So when I wait for change, I ready myself for the inevitable. When I wait for someone, I am always prepared to be happy or disappointed. When I wait for an opportunity, I let the door of my life open.

Fascination (October 26, 2007)

I am always fascinated by things that fly even when I was a young boy. I am always on the look out for things such as airplanes, butterflies, helicopters, and for fictional characters such as Superman and Batman. I always wish that I can soar in the sky just like them.

Then I became fascinated with painting when I was very sick and bored. I started illustrating birds and they became the subject of my paintings. Small in scale and very simple, I enjoyed making them and brought them to life by framing them.

Recently, I went through my cupboards and found all twenty four paintings I made many years ago. They were in a pitiful state as the paper had been splattered with brown spots. Anyway, the paintings still serve as reminders of my fascination for things that fly. It was my secret wish that I can soar and glide and fly through the sky.

My Grandma (October 25, 2007)

Another children's literature that fondly reminds me of my late grandmother was this book called, Ben and Gran and the Whole Wide Wonderful World. It is a story about grandmom who promised to see her grandchild for tea but the problem is that both are living far, far away from each other.

My grandma had been very supportive of my studies. I was involved in a lot of fights with my dad and because of these fights, he refused to send me to school. My grandma made it possible for me to continue studying by financing my studies.

My grandma passed away many years ago but I wasn't told of her demise. I learned about it through a cousin who is also from another part of the world. I was told later, that it wasn't necessary for me to fly and attend the burial as I am living far away. I was devastated.

That was many years ago. I felt better when I started dreaming about her welcoming me in her arms. She will be standing by the door giving me this wonderful smile and saying, "I am glad to see you again." I don't dream of her anymore but she is always in my memory and in my heart. One of the best persons in my life.

Trees (October 17, 2007)

I cannot recall the title of a parable I heard many years ago about two trees. I believe one was a mango tree and another one was a bamboo tree. They were trying to outdo each other arguing who among the two were mightier as a tree. Later in the parable, the wind blew and blew and the mango tree that was standing proud and tall eventually was uprooted by the strong winds. The bamboo tree remained standing on the ground because it bowed to the currents, swaying its branches along with the wind.

In life we show much pride of what we have, what we have accomplished, what we have gained in life that we forget to look back. We forget to acknowledge where our strength came from. We forget how we met success. But there are people whom, even if they are the richest or the smartest, still remain to be humble and simple in life.

We should be trees in standing to our beliefs and will, to do things right. However we should also be like bamboos, knowing when to bow down.

Paper Flowers (Special Entry for Blog Action Day Oct 15, 2007)

One of the most beautiful subject to study in arts is flower. They possess such magnificence that one is struck with awe as to how the colors and velvety soft petals can actually inspire painters and photographers. It must be the bright colors, the strong scent, and the shape of the flower or the softness of the petals. It attracts, it inspires, it beautifies, and most of all, it gives a feeling of warmth.

I may be a dreamer but I enjoy my garden and all the plants that grow and the flowers that bloom. I may be a poet but looking at the beauty just simply gives me the power to describe the flowers in literary forms. I may be just be thanking Mother Nature for all its glory and grandeur. And I am lucky.

I am lucky I have seen the beauty of flowers. I am lucky I have smelled them, touched them and planted them with my hands. And I will be very sad to think that one day all I will be seeing, all I will be holding and all I will be taking photos will be paper flowers.

Take from nature but return something back. Plant, grow, and let live.

Contrast (October 13, 2007)

I have a student who enjoys science very much. He is very analytical and had been asking lots of interesting questions regarding many things. He is interested in things that move. He is interested in things that he can manipulate himself.

I have a student who enjoys reading. She always asks for reading materials whenever I am teaching her. She can read three short stories in one sitting. Other than reading, she does not show any interest in other things.

I have one student who is very good with construction. At the age of four, he is equipped with a logical mind and he is very analytical in his approach. He is often seen putting things together and inventing new things to use as a toy and not just an art piece for decorative purposes.

These three students of mine are different in many ways. All younger than eight, they each possess qualities that they will eventually share to the world when they grow up. Just like the people around us, each and everyone have a contribution to make. It may be little, but each and every action of goodness is counted.

Maybe, A Series Part 1 (October 09, 2007)

A friend sent an e-mail and it contains some of the most inspiring quotes about living:

Maybe . . you should dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you dream of, and want to do.

When I left teaching many years ago, I ended being an interpreter for a factory interpreting for three different languages. It was a short lived job as I went back to teaching after three months. It was called burn-out from the usual stuff. So interpreting was just an outlet.

In my short stay, I met one young man who was so inspired of my life story that he wants to follow my footsteps. It was heart warming to have met a person like him. He told me he wanted to attend university, finish a degree, be a teacher or work as an administrator and learn many languages. He saw life. He saw a future. He was inspired.

I do not know where this young man is now but he is a fine example of a determined individual who knows what he wants and will go for it. There will be struggles but they can be used as inspirations rather than hindrances.

Go forward and do something good. It is for you and His Glory.

Little Angel, Big Heart Part 2 (October 06, 2007)

I always have sweet little angels in my class who gives me a welcome hug in the morning, a smile every now and then, or a smile and goodbye at the end of the day. Just days ago, a parent commented how she had observed the relationship the children have with me. “You are loved by the children.” I just smiled.

During our show and share session, a boy aged four forgot to bring his item for showing. Instead, he took out a small package from his bag and gave it to me. I asked him what’s inside and he told me they were three pieces of chocolate cookies.

“It’s for you. I have my show and tell for you only.
I wrapped it myself at home.
I am giving them because you are good to me.”
I thanked the child, gave him a hug, and turned my back to wipe the tears in my eyes. Another heaven sent.

I feel empty for the past few days but these moments will surely give me the strength to go on. The will to live, for others.

Little Angel, Big Heart (October 05, 2007)

Many years ago in my travel to Europe, I’ve encountered a situation that became a lesson for me. I was robbed of my money in broad daylight. The robber used a knife to scare me and I willingly, though with some debating, gave my money. After the incident, I immediately called via phone the only one person I know (a parent of my former student) who resides in that country. I needed someone at that time to console me, someone just to be with me at that time.

I met the mum at the train station and she was with my student, a three year old girl at that time. I was sipping tea when I spotted her. She was holding a big rose and a bag of cookies and then she approached me. And she said with her big smile, “Good afternoon, Teacher Jonathan.” I was teary eyed and I gave her a big hug. I felt better.

Sometimes the worst moment of our lives is upset by the best moment. It just reassures us that not everything in this world is bad. As always, there is sunshine after the rain.

Somewhere (October 04, 2007)

I am very excited everytime I see a rainbow. I am like a child when I see one. I get in the house to find my camera and shoot one. I like the colors. I like the size of it. I like the mystery.

I love the rain and the freshness it brings but the rainbow is different. Its mystery gives me something to hope for. Its beauty gives me something to crave for. Though I know that a rainbow is short lived, I still look for one.

In life, there are many challenges and struggles that we have to face everyday. Right now, I am beset with problems and frustrations including uncertainties. Still, I believe that after the rain, there is the sunshine. After the rain, there is a rainbow.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high.

There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true.

Ice Cream (October 03, 2007)

I don’t know what it is about ice cream but I like it a lot.

I crave for ice cream wherever I am. I was walking in the grounds of one of Reggio Emilia’s park when I spotted a British man eating ice cream. I asked him as he was also attending the same study tour I was into at that time. The ice cream was just fabulous that I ended buying one everyday. During my stay in Italy, I was approached as well by others asking me where to get real Italian ice cream.

When I was in Inner Mongolia, the weather forced me to indulge in popsicles and ice creams. A girl friend introduced me to the many flavours available in this country. When we were in Beijing, I was practically eating popsicles and ice creams for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was told that I won’t be able to taste all the flavours in my twelve days stay as there are plentiful. After many days, everyone is eating ice cream. This girl friend of mine became a very good friend.

I also remember having ice cream during the late hours when I stayed in Baguio with my fellow teachers. It was one of our most awaited activities every night. I also enjoyed having ice cream in Boracay with my high school buddies. And to eat ice cream with a millionaire friend in one of the Hagen Daas stores in Manila was another exciting experience.

I remember having one when I was all alone in Singapore. After a long walk along Orchard Road, ice cream became my companion. To top it all, I enjoyed best when I had ice cream with a good friend and meeting two other equally good friends of his when I visited Kula Lumpur. It was a blast, eating ice cream with friends.

Going Down (October 02, 2007)

Lately I had been feeling down because of some news I had been receiving from people around me. Add up the uncertainties I am having for the future. This feeling is giving me sleepless nights and headaches in the morning. I am missing my support. I need to recharge once again.

I ended the month of September with a gloomy note but this will surely continue this month as most of the days had been gloomy like the constant rains. It had been raining for almost everyday. Morever, with the rain come the sickness, the flu and the flood.

I hope to make the rest of the remaining months a fruitful one. Things are not going to be the same but I will try to make it better.