Star Quality (September 09, 2007)

As a shy person, I had the privilege to study with one of the most respected stage actors when I enrolled myself in acting. Assisting my teacher is an up and coming stage actor as well. On my first day, I was a little late as I cannot find the room where the acting classes were being held. I came in the door quietly and sat among the group.

After a week of grueling exercises, body explorations and transforming ourselves into the most imaginative objects, we were given a talk. It was a talk that I won’t be forgetting as long as I am alive.

The teachers started bombarding each and everyone with a litany of harsh words about behaviors, attitudes, approach in learning and the lingering laziness and lack of motivation among the participants. Afterwards, I was called and became the focal point of the entire meeting.

“Just look at Jonathan. When he entered the door the first day of classes, we looked at each other and said, “The nerd is here.” Holding a pen and a notebook, wearing glasses and having this lack of expression, he started the day with much enthusiasm and fervor. He is there every day and every minute of each and every exercise. He shines when he performs. He gives his best whether he is a mere passerby or a prop in a short exercise. He is what we wanted all of you to be. If you cannot be like him and are not dedicated to this craft, please do not come to class tomorrow.”

I was dumbfounded, speechless and cared not for the praises. I was afraid that my friends will disappear. I was scared that they will resent me. But they all came back the next day. They showed more interests. They showed more camaraderie. We became one strong group of friends.

A Gardener (September 08, 2007)

A few days ago, I heard a fellow teacher asking help if she can have pictures of vegetable gardens as she is interested in building a project in her school. I volunteered to bring a book to show her. Yesterday, while I was showing her one of my gardening books, she asked me how many children's books I have in my house, that is, if I have counted them. I told her I have around 1800 and more and that's just the children's literature. I also mentioned that I have 19 garden books at home, (but then I counted them when I went back and found out I have 26 books).

Anyway, what surprised me was her comment, "It does not strike me that you would love gardening and that you do gardening." Added question was, "where do you do your gardening?" I answered her that it is my passion to grow things from small beginnings. That I have a garden that seems to be a forest now because of its luscious greenery and bugs aplenty.

Later on that day, I put on my thinking cap asking myself, "How does a gardener looks like?" Further on, I asked myself, "How should a construction worker, an office person, a teacher, a banker, an engineer, an artist look like?" Sometimes, we are placed into specific moulds and are expected to act the role given to us but this I disagree. I maybe a teacher, but I am also a gardener, an artist, a stage actor and a business person. I maybe simple looking but I have a great spirit to explore, try and do things. And it is in doing what we like and enjoy that makes living a fuller experience.

Languages (September 4, 2007)

I teach children coming from different countries and not everyone is conversant in the English language. My role is to make them part of the class by giving them opportunities to learn and explore and appreciate the language. In my experience, learning another language is an advantage as I speak a number as well.

In my class there is a little boy who is smart and well-mannered. He is lively and always has a good attitude towards school. However he goes home everyday and complains to his mum that no one had played with him in school. The problem lies in his ability or lack of ability to communicate and not because he is rude or unapproachable. My job now is to equip him with the right tools to be able to communicate and be part of the social play.

When I go to other countries, I like to assimilate myself especially in Asia as I look and speak a number of Asian languages. I feel good and in return, I get to gain friends as well. Learning a language is a good thing. It might be just fanciful in the beginning but in the long run, it is worth the effort.