Thy Little Hands

"I don't know how." would always be the first sentence I often hear from my students as we embark on different projects. From very simple things such as drawing a line or for far more difficult things such as putting different materials together, they are motivated in different ways. 

When we discussed about garden, the children were able to put together their knowledge of lines and perspective on paper. Later on, I introduced plasticine or clay dough and we started to roll them into small balls, long snakes and thin strands of spaghetti. The process was fun because the children were learning to make a flower by playing with the dough. Later, they were allowed to put all the balls and lines together, neatly arranging them in another sheet of plastic to create a flower that they initially drew. 

The end process was beautiful but the most beautiful words ever were when they said, "This is easy. Can we make another one?" Mission accomplished!

Abandoned

When I visited a small island in Nonthaburi where I live, I noticed a house that was abandoned. I took the opportunity to get closer though there was a fence and took a shot of what was inside. The whole place was a mess, left by time, as no caretaker had given the place its needed maintenance.

It was a great house, a typical Thai house seen in most provinces. The greatness of the structure was eaten up by time and neglect. It was a pity to simply leave the house to rot.

Some people are born with nothing but their determination, faith or sheer courage. These people often succeed in life because they have the will. Some people are born with material wealth and grandeur yet some, because of their desire to live in excess, fails to continue their good faith. Some people are born with intelligence and beauty. However, there had been issues of negligence and abuse whatsoever, thus the fall. 

When I see that the product of my teaching brings good vibes to my career, I continue to strive for excellence. When you see people appreciate your talent, acknowledge their compliments. When we receive grace from God, share them and give thanks. We do not want to be great today and gone tomorrow. We do not want to be wise today and senile the next. We want to be better, if not the best. 

Our abandonment of what's good offer regrets. Our abandonment of what's given brings forth loss. Treasure what you have: your health, your family, your career, your friends and your faith. If we ever wander, always remember to go back. 

Pondering Each Moment

Using the overhead projector and some transparent flowers and beads, a child went to place her cut out on top and arranged them on the overhead to project a scene worth a snapshot. The cut out looks like a person or a small 'alien' thing wandering around and showered with falling flowers.


Small moments like these are given big emphasis in school as narrations often spring out from such creation. Children can tell us about the magic of flowers or the loneliness of a child. It can also say something about a discovery, an exploration or a joyful realization. 


Sometimes when I am just sitting down on my couch and doing nothing, it brings a sense of awakening that something is amiss. When I ride a boat to travel from one point to the next, the quietness of the water and the splashes give me inner peace. Or when I pick my planting gear to clean up or repot a mature plant, I am pleasantly surprise in many ways. 


Each moment bring a sense of renewal as long as we stop and ponder the things that surround us. Each moment brings out narrations worthy of blogging or sharing to others. What I learn maybe nothing for others but it is still a process of my growing, of being me. 

Serenity

It was such a beautiful night when I gazed at the calmness of the water while the light illuminates to cast a reflection. It was a pretty sight and for a short while, I stood looking at the play of light to remind me of stillness, of serenity, of peace.


As I celebrate again my anniversary being a teacher, it gives me different perspectives of how my ways in life had changed throughout those years. From being the hard headed and arrogant teacher in my youth to the not so quiet yet calmer attitude now, the changes in me had been significant. Nobody said that teaching is all glory but it is about sacrifices, patience and having a great deal of generosity. There were storms met: the lows of being unstable, the pressing racial insults, the unfairness and lack of genuine appreciation. There were also rainbows such as the spontaneity of the children, their love and camaraderie, the encouraging words of parents, and knowing the children learned so much in my care.


That night, when I happened to take a photograph of such calmness, my life as a teacher was a reflection of what I saw. 

The light is the fire of wisdom passed on. 

The vastness is the years of service. 

The stillness is the commanding desire to perfect oneself. 

The shadows are the students' images. 

The water is the heart and soul of my being.

Seascapes

Beware of the Shark!

Happy Fish

Mother Orca and its Egg

The Lovely Octopus

I find inspiration in many things and I always want to share them with the children I teach. Guiding their little hands through the process will build not only their confidence but also their trust in you. 

It is in showing that they learn. 

It is in motivating them that they become better learners.

After The Storm

An entire year

passed without funfare

but sacrifices 

An entire year

showed no semblance

of gladness

An entire year

waited for action

instead idleness

An entire year 

given a chance

yet promises

An entire year

caused no action

just insidiousness 

An entire year

sowed  but nothing 

except bitterness

And all I need is to see the tranquility after the storm 

For when, is the big question.

The Animal Train

One of the summer's art projects was to draw different animals and then lined them up as riding a train. The process was very rewarding as I saw how the children enjoyed choosing and then illustrating their own animal and later, painting them with water colours. 


It was prominently displayed in one of the bare walls of the classroom and will be a great addition to a nursery or child's room. Sometimes, I feel that the artist in me is ready to burst and that I have to do large scales, but knowing that every child in class opens up creatively is already a great reward.

Now or Never

This structure was not an original from the ruins of Angkor Wat. There was a slab of stone and the tourists from Japan and South Korea picked small pieces of rocks from the ground and built these mini-pagodas representing their own belief of heaven. As stories were passed from one tour group to the next, anybody interested to put another piece on top of a bigger one can do so until one day, it just remained a story to tell.


I always start things with exuberance and suddenly it wanes off. It must be the stress of turning effort to product because it is unappreciated at most. Though I don't want to expect, I was doing some wishful thinking that someone will appreciate all the small things I do, or the big things I wanted to accomplish. It seems that my goals are set but my actions are lacking.


There are many things in life where I cannot do things on my own even if I had been doing everything all by myself. Things such as clearing the garden, painting the house, working double time, exploring other countries, or simply putting up the Christmas tree had always been a one man act. However, when I have to lift a big planting pot or to move a shelf  elsewhere, one is not enough. Being alone is one thing, being lonely is another. Sometimes, it leaves me weak and wondering, for a wrong choice I made. Thinking I can do all things by myself, I accomplished just half of life's expectations.


At this present age of mine, regrets often visit during quiet reflections. I would always say that I could have done this and that before. I admit having no courage to pursue bigger goals. I was adamant of change and always retreat to my comfort zone. So when I admire people who are doing what I dreamed of doing, I feel happy for them but sad for myself. Knowing that I wasted precious times, I live regretfully.


But I learn from all my mistakes and I write them in here. I am still proud of what I have done though I still wish I could have done better. So for those who dream big, reach for them. For those who have the opportunity to be different, live your life. For those who start things, finish them. For those who wanted positive change, the time is now. 

Generous Words From a Stranger

I scout garage sales on the web especially for books and game boards for my teaching use. I found one mom who had been doing some spring cleaning and who sold her stuff as they were to leave Thailand for Australia. 


I do not know her but during the short courses of our discussions through the net and in person; she was able to read me that most of the people around me doesn't really bother.


To quote:


I feel encouraged to know a teacher like you who always look for materials to improve the learning experiences of your students.  As I am a mother myself and I also do a bit of here and there like home school session at home with my son, knowing you doing the same, I feel that you are a good teacher... 
 
It is quite interesting to know that you put high value to play & learn through games with children. Very impressed...


So glad to know a teacher like you. You work on  the subjects you are teaching. Your students are lucky to have you as their teacher. If my son lived here in Thailand, we would love to send him to you.


Not everyone is a generous with their words. Some take their time with me for granted while others value them a lot. To each his own, ces't la vie!


A big thanks to Mrs. Kay!