A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed

When I was down,you were there to pick me up, 

When I was down, you were there to stand by me,

When I was down, you were there to listen,

When I was down, you were there to lend me a shoulder.

This is what friendship is all about. Regardless of race, religion and even gender, my friend was there with me through my happiness and sorrow. My friend was there with me just as I was there during their time of need. Why should we judge a person based on the differences we possess, when solidarity could be instilled through a humane heart. Have faith in each other, learn to see beyond all factors and  attend to each others' needs. Even animals have compassion towards each other, what more us a human beings, who have the brains, hearts and a sense of humanity. Aren't we called to love each other? 

Just A Quote...

I came across a quote today from Patch Adams. It says:

You're focusing on the problem. If you are focusing on the problem, you can't see the solution. Never focus on the problem. See what no one else see, see what everyone else chooses not to see out of fear and conformity and laziness. See the whole world anew each day.

Did student R see something? Maybe that's why I could lay myself down and help others despite all the negativities which I carry with me. Maybe that's why I became a teacher, to improve the quality of life; not mine but others!

*Who am I as a teacher?

Sights Around Sydney

 Sydney Harbour Bridge

  Watsons Bay

A teacher, always a teacher

This is another account on the social media. My ex-students posted something on her wall. It read: 

My English teacher said, when I feel nervous while doing presentation or in front of a lot of people... don't look at them. Look at things beside or behind them. You just need to pretend like you are looking at them, but actually you're not! Hahaha... It's a very good idea!

Reading this, I posted:

Didn't I say that before?

She replied:

Yup.. and what you've said is really useful now. Hehe! Thanks for sharing your idea with us last year. At first, I felt so stressed for presentation! But after I remembered what you said..It made me calmer than before.. hehe!

This made me wonder: Who am I as a teacher?   

Once a Teacher, Always A Teacher..

Last night's account:
I was just scrolling through social media and I stumbled upon a post which my ex-student put up. It read: Hate this feeling. Calm down calm down calm down. Just stay stupid, act stupid, do stupid. Arghhh. Fcuk! It's my fault. Instinctively I replied: What happened? So he pm(ed) me telling me that his dad left the family. Student R was distraught at the thought and would constantly think of the incident whenever he is alone. So, I encouraged him to hold on and stay focus on whatever he was doing and telling him to accept the truth and move on with life. Then slowly the conversation went on to ask me about my masters. It went like this:

R: Oya sir. When will u finish ur studies?
Me: Nov this year.
R: Wahhhh.
Me: Coming back 23 Nov
R: R u staying in Pahang, Sarawak or Sabah?
Me: Nt sure yet.
R: hahaha. How bout ur ahem sir?
Me: Complicated...
R: I see sir.
Me: Tough times ahead. Oh well... That's life...
R: hahaha. No wonder u still the same Mr J.
Me: Why?
R: Keep smiling, chilling, laughing even u r having ur hard time.There's still 2 assignments need to be done by tomorrow. hahaha
Me: That's all I can do. Why make the world suffer in your sufferings? Try to find joy in the joy of others... When you can make them smile and laugh, you would have made a difference. And u will be happier. All the best!!!
R: hahaha. Thanks again sir
...and the conversation went on...

Having to talk to him, having to hear him mention positive things about my character, made me wonder; who am I as a teacher?