LAST WORD

Not the man of the world as a teacher, but I can discern differences between the one that is and the paradox of that all. So don’t come to me whining about students or brag about your spotless theories or underestimate what this little man can do.

Please, don’t!

It’s pointless!

Criticizing is neither the right vocabulary nor my intention for this article – this is but one last word - to encourage with joy, to remind with gladness, and to affirm with sincerity. This is for every educator who believes in the name of a selfless teaching.   

As I have said, not the expert on this thing because learning is lifetime. As we sit each day at the feet of Mr. Experience, the best teacher, we’ll all conceive that teaching undeniably involves constant learning and endless sharpening.

It is!

That is why list of events like these: workshop, training, seminar, assessment, evaluation, and development program are best remedies for a teacher’s improvement. It takes all these to achieve one’s desire to be called a genuine teacher.

Honestly, NEVER have I taken my class like a joke – I polished my craft in many ways maximizing it; I worked hard; I earnestly prayed for love and passion to grow in my heart; I embraced motivational approach creatively; I prioritized my students opposite to teacher-centered approach.

Please do the same, if you can.

  

And few more things...

I discovered and rediscovered my gift – it took hesitant years to finally admit my love for teaching. If I had to recall, I shaped a different destiny just to run away from this calling. Now, it’s the best decision I have ever made.

When I was on a denial stage, my dear teachers, my true friends, and my thoughtful mentors had spent a golden time just to affirm what I had – this little gift called ‘teaching’. And so I’m doing the same thing to you.   

So don’t take that gift deep within for granted – use it for the good of others, use it to bless the less-fortunate, use it to maximize potential leaders or even receptive learners, use it to bring changes to the world.

Teach your students with honesty, love, and dignity – like you’re treating your own self.

Encourage them to learn and be hungered for more – mediocrity should not be in their list of words. Purse excellence at all times.

Take this moment like there’s no other time, then this effort will last a lifetime.
    

Never ever take your class like a joke whether you’re a professor or an instructor or a mentor or an educator or simply a teacher. Teaching is the most delicate thing in the world – either you’ll destroy a future or you’ll make a bright one.

This was my last word to my teachers early today. Not that I am dying, but a hope to awaken them from complacency. I am leaving so soon and that no one will remind them about these things again.

May this last word will be a lasting impression in their day-to-day-journey as young educators until the end of time, I pray.

Moving-in-and-out Stage

It isn’t just about finding a new house – it’s the hassle that truly hassles the moving. Jumping out from one place to another could be tiring and stressful.

Indeed, it is! 

Whether one moves to the tallest condo or to the biggest bungalow or to the newest apartment or simply to the smallest room – it’s never an easy thing.

Are you with me?

We pack things up, and then unpack them. The following year or so, we find ourselves doing the same thing all over again. If you are keen enough to notice, you’d find out that you have actually been moving into places in just half a decade or less.

Surprisingly, another comfort zone has come to an end. Like an endless spin of a wheel, and so our moving-in-and-out life is paralleled to this. Don’t mention the groaning and pain for they are inseparable. We continue to wrestle with this exhaustion that runs through our nerves as long as this stage isn’t over.

Silly me, but this is just another moment to swear the undying swear – “This will be the last. I won’t move out to another place!” As if one has a cue of what is to come or a clue of what lies ahead.

I wish I had!

Then a dilemma comes in – whether for the better or worst. A decision must standout over the other. But each decision made involves the moving-in-and-out stage of our lives. Before we knew it, we’re already standing in front of an unfamiliar door- our new home.  

Then the cycle continues – we must face the same unwanted truth – the big M? Come on, you know what I mean. I don’t need to tell you the right word. 

As if we had a choice – not with this one as always or sometimes. This is the saddest or the most annoying, if not, the most uncomfortable part of this enigma.

We have to move out because the landlord or landlady will sell the property soon.

We have to move in somewhere closest to our bread and butter.

We have to pack our things for that place is a lot cheaper.

We have to in the name of safety.

We need to for our own sake.

We must to because the new place is more convenient.

And lot more...         

When we finally settled in having all the comforts and benefits one place has to offer, that’s when another cycle begins. Back to that unanticipated stage one hates to give in. But we must learn to go with the flow.

That’s life I think in a faraway land. I don’t know to others, but it is for me. I think even to our own country, the story is relevant to many people as well. Correct me if I am wrong.

Isn’t it funny?

“Oh, it’s more than that!” my heart says, agreeing.  

In big cities or in small towns or in huge countries, this moving-in-and-out stage it isn’t avoidable – this is part of a growing life.

I am not sure though how someone will get a lesson out of this stressful or unwanted or tiring life’s development, but I believe it does have – for me, it speaks about grace, provision, and strength as God always extends my territory.      

It don’t matter how one started life abroad – either with a handful bag or a very bulky luggage or only a backpack or an empty handed – just be prepared for this.   

In less than a month I’ll be moving to the city. I’m actually feeling the stress right now, but I am certain of a new direction wherein I can find new grace, new mercy, and new things great and small that awaits me there.

God bless to those who are moving in and to those who are moving out! 

 

Bittersweet Goodbyes

Last night, two of my advanced students asked to leave the center. We were already expecting it in few weeks’ time, but not that soon.

“Here we go again” I said in silence.

And oh, why I couldn’t say YES or NO easily?

Because I wanted them to learn English continually until they have enough or wanted them to make good friends inside this campus who are good influence for them or wanted them to deepen their brother-sister relationship among the students or wanted them to join every fun under the sun or wanted them to meet a lot of foreigners so they can practice their speaking skill or simply wanted them to stay as a family.

It was more than that to be honest – I’m actually worried for them staying in Pagoda having no food to eat or a place to sleep. My worst fear is that, they’re still vulnerable from the influences of bad students outside this home.  

And so it was a big NO!

But then, I understand. Their parents needed them this time – to help harvest rice, and help plow the fields for another planting season. They got a lot of errands to do back home.

But then, I realized something. It’s time for them to soar in their own – to fly against all odds, to become responsible adults, to stay braved amidst trials and awful circumstances. Above all to become honest persons with or without me eyes watching intently.    

So... that’s a YES!

Our life here at the center is full of goodbyes – good and bad. Children come, and children go! Strongly, God has taught me to get accustomed with this bittersweet life every now and then.

Goodbyes are always bittersweet.

We cry over it whether tears of joy or true sadness. After all, life is filled with these things. We just have to deal with it time after time.

We let go people or loved ones or friends for the better and the irony. But it doesn’t mean the end of life or the ceasing of time. It’s just a goodbye.  

We can’t move on without goodbyes, but it doesn’t mean wrong – for in time it brings healing, success, thriving, growing, learning, and every beautiful thing in the name of this seemingly lonely word.  

On the one hand, it’s no difference for us here – goodbye is a goodbye.

After few students left last month due to sickness, another one left last week because of financial disability.

Today, two of whom I admired most left a goodbye – but for the good thing, and for their own good.

Few weeks from now, more than sixty of these kids will bid goodbye as well - it is not a sad thing though- it is in fact a true mark of accomplishment. But can’t deny the truth that I'll be missing them so much.

Three months seems not enough, but they have grown to learn and relearn life to the brightest. They have given equal opportunity. They are treated well with dignity. They are loved. They are cared.

So goodbye is just a goodbye for whatever reason there is; one of those bittersweets. And it is never so easy to face for mentors or parents like us.

  

BLESSED MONTH

 

More than a constellation this universe has, which, one's eyes couldn’t count, and so the amount of my thanksgiving; and so my endless naming and unstoppable rejoicing. They’re too many to tell one by one. I'd be mentioning two amazing journeys only.

This month alone is a HUGE anticipation. Got so much stuff to lay down in the open, but not in this blog alone. It didn’t matter whether loud or silent each celebration was – both have left beautiful prints inside of me as reminders to behold life to the fullest. Above all, so I may not forget to praise the Giver for all these gifts.

Last 21^st of this blessed month, was showered with another year to cherish more this grown up and this growing life of mine. They mean age and character! 

It’s yearly anticipated anyway, but wanted it a quiet one this time – except for that surprised dinner treat a day before this, unplanned – my yummy thanks still!

And so there was no party on the actual day – not even a plate of spaghetti to enjoy or scented candles to blow or a layer of cake to slice and share or cold drinks to serve or a gift to unwrap -  no, nothing as I have intended.

But my thanksgiving is overflowing.

But special people from all over the world have remembered this day. Thanks to them especially to my family and friends.

Let me re-post my sweet message of thanks, which, I have posted on Facebook as well:

“Despite your busyness having bulk of responsibilities to count, I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you so much for taking time to drop a line – those kind words, those sweet encouragements, those one-of-a kind wisdom, those whispered prayers, those spoken words of blessing, above all for the wonderful reminders of God’s grace and His unfailing love. God bless everyone!”  

As a birthday gift, please, allow me to post my photos to remember this silent celebration and at the same time to adore this scene that only happened here.

 

Also in this blessed month I settled sacrificially to live and relive the life I once left behind - in this beautiful village . Not even I have thought reliving a lifestyle beyond one active person could imagine. Now, it’s one of those important decisions to rejoice for.

I’ve been in this village for two-busy-years excluding another busy year in the city. So I’ve been in this country for three-specific-years - not a single regret to mutter but a wonderful experience to write over and over and over again if necessary.

But it's the end of the road for me. I had enough to display the grace and goodness of the Father in me. Then in this way, I can move on but not straying away from His grace. I will still serve my Master. They will still see more of me in a different angle and direction - for sure in His loving ways and faithfulness.

Yet this journey in this village will be remembered forever. I'll miss this life soon. For now, I'll make the most of it - enjoying the presence of the kids, and the beauty of these friendly natures. 

And before this moving on happens, I'd like to express my thankfulness to the Great One - who sustains life, who always amazed me with endless surprises, and whose mercies never end night and day. 

Then a BIG thanks as well belongs to my faithful  friends and supporters. My three-year-journey in the land of smile will never be that meaningful without you by my side. 

As Khmers would say - "Oukun Chraun!" or the Vietnamese ones - "Cam on nhieu!" and so my heart does - Thank you very much!