De-Stress (June 28, 2008)

Waking up early I the morning, I couldn’t help but jot down in my mind the activities I have to do during the full day. It was like a mad rush of coming and going of activities. It was always nerve-breaking, a very stressful part of the morning.

As I reach the middle of the day, things change as I had the chance to finish half of all those scheduled events to do and I get to breathe easily. And at the end of the day feeling exhausted in both mind and body, I had the chance to finish one day’s worth.

But is it really worth pushing myself to do so many in just one day? The answer is obviously no as I am stressing myself completely worrying if I can deliver or not.

My mindset should be focused on the most pressing issues before dealing with the not-so-relevant things per day. If I take one step at a time, I won’t be worrying a lot. Besides, it will never be healthier to me in the long run. This is the reason why there’s always a tomorrow.

I Want A Dog (June 25, 2008)

This is a story written by Dayal Khalsa about a girl named May who wanted to have a dog of her own. She had been convincing her parents to buy her one with all the right reasons but her parents refused to do so. She discovered how roller skates can be used to practice walking a dog so she tied the roller skate with a string as a leash. And so goes the story.

May is a very determined girl. There was a line from the book that says, “She was disappointed but not discouraged.” She would make mention of a famous line as well, “Try and try again.”

I am not like May. I always surrender in many ways. I am always offered things to accomplish but I didn’t have the courage to continue with the task. I am always asked to make a project but I always decline because it is out of my comfort zone. I even beg off from doing things I like and will enjoy just because I accepted defeat to push further.

May’s determination is something to follow. If I can have her guts and will, then I see myself farther and better from where I am now.

Nature's Helpers (June 21, 2008)

All those rain everyday had been giving my plants the care they need. I was grateful that I don’t need to go out late afternoon to give my plants some watering. So I let the plants grow by themselves.

After some days, I visited the garden and discovered many things. After those rain and restful nights for me, slugs had been invading and attacking the garden with their might. One of my very beautiful flowering plant was obviously being devoured at night. Another small tree was being visited by some insects as the leaves were all bitten making them look like unwanted cookies. Though I was given a rest for some nights, my plants had been treated badly by some insects.

But not all as some wonderful ladybugs had been eating up the aphids. And then I realized that this is how nature works. Just like in life, one has to give, to receive. Overall, the whole process is a wonderful part of nature. So I gave myself a big smile and said, “Thanks for these blessings!”

Three Women (June 16, 2008)

I attended a get together last Saturday and it was a blast. It had been four years since I last saw one of my colleagues in school so visiting her was a much needed break from my busy schedule.

It was a small gathering attended by four people. I was with three other great women. Though high in stature and of educational backgrounds, they are epitomes of humility and politeness. They are great people to be admired and respected.

In my everyday dealings with people, I find it hard to meet people who are rich yet very humble, who are well educated but with a quiet demeanour, sophisticated yet fighters in both thinking and spirit.

It was another blessed day!

The Power of Prayers (June 13, 2008)

Being alone is probably difficult when troubles arise or when poor health sets in. Being alone is probably troublesome when one has to be on holidays and nobody will tend the garden or look after the house. Being alone is probably worrisome when one reaches old age, adding up, being lonely.

When one feels he is carrying the weight of the world and there’s no one to speak with, the power of prayers is ultimately the answer. God will never abandon us so in our contemplation and quiet solitude, we should seek His guidance so that we will feel better.

Though some prayers are left unanswered, we should not waver in our faith because it is in believing that we truly see the light.

A Great Person (June 07, 2008)

There will always be one teacher or two who will have a great influence in me. In my many years of teaching I get to meet many great people who had either influenced my thoughts and beliefs in teaching towards the positive and those who had moved me to become better every year.

One particular teacher this school year gave me the opportunity to open up my thoughts as she was willing to listen. Since I am always working on my own (due to the small class size), I never had the chance to co-teach with someone. And there she was, always present and willing to extend help and support. And I learned many things just with our short conversations and my observations of her dealings with children.

Yesterday was also her last day in school as she moves back to her home country. She will be dearly missed and I am thankful for I was able to meet and know a great teacher.

Moving (June 6, 2008)

Today is the last day of school. As most celebrates the beginning of the summer break, I dread being away from my students whom I have loved so much throughout the school year. It is difficult to have them go though I know they will be in good hands the coming school year. I will surely miss those children.

Moving is always a part of life just like changes. As people move, some are left behind. While some go, others stay. But the beauty of it is that others will come so it is a beginning of a new challenge, a new life.

April Showers Bring May Flowers (June 3, 2008)

When we study something, we always have this goal to learn. So we all go to school, or search the web for information or attend conferences and seminars to achieve our goal. After some time, we then feel confident and knowledgeable. It takes some time to achieve something. It takes someone or something to get to the next step.

Planting is the same. No plants had grown by itself. It needed sunshine, and dirt and water to live and grow. It needs some tender loving care from a patient gardener. It takes the help of nature to do its own course of growing in the wild or in the forest.

The constant rains of April and May in this tropical part of the world had been helpful and beneficial to my plants. Many plants sprouted on the ground and I am still deciphering which is which. Some had grown new buds. Many have sprouted what gardeners what to achieve in their garden, flowers.

So when we invest into something, we can get something in return. In attending school, we learn to be self-reliant. In living our lives, we gain learning experiences. In planting a garden, we gain delight and accomplishments.

Stifling Creativity (June 01, 2008)

I thought I am one good artist as I learned many things by myself. I can play the piano, draw and paint, write poems, take good photographs and appreciate books.

I started drawing when I was young. I started playing the piano when I started teaching. I started appreciating books when they became more accessible to my budget. I started liking photography when I tried taking pictures of my garden. I bring all these things to my work, meaning, I bring my knowledge and teach them to my students.

I thought it was good until I started hearing critical comments behind my back. I thought I was serving a good purpose until I started receiving feedbacks I cannot put any logic into. I thought I was being a good teacher and an artist until I ended being disappointed and frustrated with my works.

A mum in my class wrote,

“Yes, your standards are high but to choose the easy way out without hurdles is not what it is all about. Please keep your standards high and do not give in to mainstream and the “happy” easy-going. There must be someone who makes the difference.”

So in conclusion, I realized that I should be doing what I think is right for the students and for the school, and not for the personal choice or taste of a certain person.