I have not met an inspiring teacher for the longest time. Yesterday, the English Language Teacher, Miss Laura spoke to a few of us and two things she said gave me new perspectives.
“God is very fair; He gives me two of everything: I am hearing-impaired on one side but I still have the OTHER ear. One of my kidneys failed me but I still have ONE other.”
“When parents of special needs kids tell me that they are tired (looking after their child), I ask them to think who should be more tired: the parent looking after that child or the child who is grappling with living in this world with the handicap?”
I feel that the world would be a happier place if we have more Lauras, jeanne anne hsi
Her name has been changed to protect her identity.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Perfect Day
At the end of that Friday, I felt physically exhausted but not mentally. I was refreshed, renewed and inspired by these two catechists (teachers of catechism, Christian-catholic instructions) whom I’ve met barely two to three months ago.
In the morning, I went for a walk with a friend at Mac-Ritchie Reservoir. We walked by the banks of the reservoir and took the path of the inside up-and-down hills coming back. We barely spoke a word while doing our power walk but this was what I liked – silence is to be enjoyed, not dreaded and feared or a bore.
I remember two girl-friends during the walk. And this is what I like best – the good memories we have with people we love: one, my best friend who lives in the states. We used to run 10km weekly along East Coast. Again, we barely felt the need to fill every silence with words –we were there for the work-out and we just enjoyed one another’s presence, laughter and having a jogging partner of the same physique.
Another girl friend lives in HK and I know she’s quite an outdoors person. We will enjoy pushing the kids on the stroller along the platforms by the river bank.
After the walk, I met a contractor who was punctual. My lowering of my expectations with contractors taught me that this is not a number one priority on their list. I was enchanted by his knowledge, politeness and sales talk. I even forgave his cigarette breath; it comes with the occupation, I tell myself.
In the late afternoon - this is after picking up two kids at separate time home from school - I went to church to “set up the atrium”. This is my second mop for the day, the first was at home. We usually spend a minimum of two hours cleaning and setting up the atrium for the children’s catechism environment. There were lots to clean up – the floor, the paints and chasing off of house lizards. Preparing how we present the materials to the children. One catechist pointed out that it was no longer appropriate to define “virgin” (as in Virgin Mary) as an unmarried woman ‘cos there are many single mums these days. We had a lot of fun coming up with a new way of explaining. But seriously speaking, we were learning the Gospel in today’s context. I cannot use a single word to describe my whole experience with these two ladies: they have families, with children and here they are, extending themselves to the larger community of the church. What sacrifice, what love. How inspiring! (Compare this with people who “think mostly of their own demise all the time”)
When was the last time you had a great day? -Or you’ve never had one because of the way you see things? jeanne anne hsi
In the morning, I went for a walk with a friend at Mac-Ritchie Reservoir. We walked by the banks of the reservoir and took the path of the inside up-and-down hills coming back. We barely spoke a word while doing our power walk but this was what I liked – silence is to be enjoyed, not dreaded and feared or a bore.
I remember two girl-friends during the walk. And this is what I like best – the good memories we have with people we love: one, my best friend who lives in the states. We used to run 10km weekly along East Coast. Again, we barely felt the need to fill every silence with words –we were there for the work-out and we just enjoyed one another’s presence, laughter and having a jogging partner of the same physique.
Another girl friend lives in HK and I know she’s quite an outdoors person. We will enjoy pushing the kids on the stroller along the platforms by the river bank.
After the walk, I met a contractor who was punctual. My lowering of my expectations with contractors taught me that this is not a number one priority on their list. I was enchanted by his knowledge, politeness and sales talk. I even forgave his cigarette breath; it comes with the occupation, I tell myself.
In the late afternoon - this is after picking up two kids at separate time home from school - I went to church to “set up the atrium”. This is my second mop for the day, the first was at home. We usually spend a minimum of two hours cleaning and setting up the atrium for the children’s catechism environment. There were lots to clean up – the floor, the paints and chasing off of house lizards. Preparing how we present the materials to the children. One catechist pointed out that it was no longer appropriate to define “virgin” (as in Virgin Mary) as an unmarried woman ‘cos there are many single mums these days. We had a lot of fun coming up with a new way of explaining. But seriously speaking, we were learning the Gospel in today’s context. I cannot use a single word to describe my whole experience with these two ladies: they have families, with children and here they are, extending themselves to the larger community of the church. What sacrifice, what love. How inspiring! (Compare this with people who “think mostly of their own demise all the time”)
When was the last time you had a great day? -Or you’ve never had one because of the way you see things? jeanne anne hsi
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