Happy Teacher's Day!!!

Teacher's Day is tomorrow, but most schools would celebrate it today. Most people would think that it is a day of fun and minimal studying and lots of presents. Yes it is. But it is also a day of appreciation and reflection. As the saying goes, 'What goes around comes around.' THe efforts that we have put in for the children may or may not have paid off due to many different aspects. But one thing which we can be sure of on this day, the children know that you have tried to help them do what is right. And they do whatever their innocent hearts and minds tell them to. Preparing little presents and cards, no matter how simple they are.

For me, this is my very first Teacher's Day. There will of course be a few naughty ones in my class which warrant my constant shelling. But they are also the ones who show their appreciation for the attention that you have given them. I relaxed with them today. No lessons. Just simple art and craft where they get to write little cards and colour them and then give them to the teachers they feel for. I tickled Delroy too, the one and only blur boy who likes to stand up and say "Yes, Sir", "Thank you, Sir" etc.... Sometimes I do scream at him very badly too. But today, everything just seems to have dissolved into thin air.

I guess this is what keeps me going. THe innocence of the children, the love that they shower on me for all the hard work that I have put in for them. I was feeling tired and sick this morning. WIth the flu bug etc.....but everything seems to have disappeared.

Dear Lord,

If this is the task that you have allocated me in the path of discipleship, thank you so much. Lord, please have mercy on us sinners and bless us with the strength, perseverance and guidance to work towards a life full of meaning and faith.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

A breather

Finally, I have some time to sit down and simply take a rest. So much has happened. And in the midst of typing this, I had to go around looking high and low for Ryan. Thank God that he is alright, just doing his corrections in the Chinese teacher's afternoon class. I asked him how he felt about going to Canada. He recited the speech that his mother taught him. He mentioned about learning new things and making new friends. And when I asked him if he will miss Zhenghua, he said "maybe", with his voice breaking away. Although Ryan is a boy who often drifts off in class, he is still very adorable in his own ways. He asks questions which are out of the picture, he has a very innocent look. One can see that he is a good boy by nature. He may not be the model students like the elites. But he makes my tears flow, simply looking into his eyes.

Dear Lord,

am I being too emotional? Am I going to cry every year as my students move on? A simple event such as this and my tears flow as freely as the river. Please guide me and speak to me, dear Lord. Teach me to do my job well so that the students will be able to achieve and develop their potential, so that they will be able to lead meaningful lives. At the same time, teach me to manage my emotions too, knowing the softer side of me.

Thank you Lord, for hearing my prayer.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Home resting

Here i am....scanning away and typing away. As expected, I am not feeling well. The recent nose and throat irritation is causing my body to react. I feel sorry for my pupils. I know that they will joining different classes and feeling lost. They are most likely not to benefit from what the other classes are doing. Yet, at the same time, I know that I need the rest. Work has caused me to feel very tired.

Dear Lord,

please look after my pupil and bless them. Please guide them as they grow up. I really wish that they lives will improve and that they will be happy in their process of learning. Please bless me with the strength, the perseverance and encouragement to move on as I try my very best to help them learn. Please show me the light, dear Lord.

Lord, have mercy on us sinners.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

Joy in the photos....

Finally, we collected our graduation portriats today. We have been waiting for quite some time already. It is also something which I have always wanted. Something special just with the two of us.

The whole process was rather interesting. We had to get our body parts into different positions with the right angles. we had to also smile at the right time and not blink our eyes. It was quite fast though as we tried our best to cooperate with the photographer.

The more I look at the photos, the happier I feel....for some mysterious reasons.....

Joy in my heart

Term has started for quite some time and I have gotten to know my students. As usual, they do get on my nerves at times. But when they respond to me, when I see them learning, when I look into their eyes....the joy of innocence and the grace of God simply fills my heart. WHile we are all not made the same, we are all children of God. God gave us different gifts. God puts us through different trials and challenges. Still, the almighty love of God will see us through this journey.

Everyday, I pray for my students. I pray that with God's grace, I will be able to get through to them and help them. Work is hard and hours are long. I have little time for myself and my beloved one. Yet, I still strive to do whatever I can. There is a purpose for being in this position. God will reveal the way and His word to me.

As I consume my lunch in front of the computer hurriedly, I feel the joy of life filling my heart and soul. I know, this is what I want to do and this is what I was meant to do.

Amen.