Today my whole PRIDE comm got the opportunity to start their personal blog and i can sense their excitement. We may be behind time with this new virtual world nevertheless it is good that we got started on this powerful journey via which we need to pace with some of our IT savvy youngsters.

Every day lessons

This year's speech day was special. Learnt so much from the GOH, a great soul. Every day must be a day of blessing for him. His HEART is strong and he leaves it behind in places that touch him. In so doing he becomes a greater man with a bigger heart.

I learn lessons everyday. So what did i learn today? First lesson is from mum.
Mum is always adorable. She is full of life and her charm is also in giving. She is excited with her grandson's wedding and is thinking through every detail to ensure that everything will fall in place. She is the coplanner and the livewire for the wedding. Where does her energy come from but her love for all.
Then of cos my little fella. He returned from a 4 day hectic tour to Cochin in search of his roots. His annoyance with the camera crew's condescending attitude and rudeness to his elderly relatives says a lot about what this young man stands for. I am so proud of my baby.

Sunny California is cold.
The three day conference on 'Valuing the Whole Child' in Anaheim was great with the warmth of an amazing fraternity of international educators. I felt like a frog in the well that had been hoisted out and left dry among a super brilliant community of learners. Wow it was a humbling yet an enriching experience. A lot of the recurring messages by the presenters resonated with my personal views and that was reassuring. However I have not dramatically contributed towards the tilling of the soil and planting quality seeds to our garden. No doubt it is a lot of hard work and i pray for the will to make it happen. Whenever i think of my Chong Boonites i feel a deep sense of pride and hope.
The conference is over. Most delegates have left. It is cold and the incessant rain is trying to dampen my mood.
I am alone and yet not. As I enter this garden, filled with the lovely smiles of my Chong Boonites I am cheered.
Cheers!

Rambling

Can a person think straight when exhaustion hits him to the core...i wonder why this has become my habitual state of mind. Keeping awake is a losing battle but the mind is fighting it. The outcome is bound to be a pathetic mindless rambling which is not worth the space in this garden of growth. I need to fly away, seek a quiet space to hibernate before coming returning to the civilised world.

Women of substance

Mitch Albom reminded me that we all need 'a day to listen, to love, to apologise, to forgive' so i made two calls this morning. Called my mum and my eldest sis.What is the point of saying you are sorry when you can't do something about it. We chatted and i enjoyed the love that both were gushing with. I made my day.
My mum and eldest sis are two interesting ladies, the only trait they seemed to share is their strong headedness. Everyone else in the family is just as individualistic and charming. Charming and charmed by the one apparently frail lady who holds us together with her effulgent smile.

Choices and the New Year

I wanted to embark on a new journey on this cyber highway but remained a non starter for most of the day as i was stuck with a mental block. I had a choice to give up or to try again and i opted for the later, so here i am keying my first posting on Lunar New Year...

When Niale set the mood at Cross Country and Total Defence Day by reminding us of the choices that determine our character, i chose to practice PRIDE, give my best and enjoy the race with my competitive runners. Right from the beginning i knew that it was going to be an uphill run as i was way behind and panting with the rear runners.
Then i saw my one of the runners being attended to by all my lady teachers. Not one or two, but all decided to abandon the race to look after the girl with cramps. I was touched by their collective choice. It was convenient for me to take over and i urged them to carry on while i walked my student to the next check point. It was a liberating feeling. The greatest joy, i was once again reminded, was in giving and not so much in winning.
I was one of the last to finish the race.
Since i had too much energy i decided to do round two and this time I was determined to run all the way. It did not happen. I ended up as a rear runner again as i chose to accompany a sister of a ChongBoonite who was keen to participate in the race but was saddled with two heavy bags. I carried one for her till we reached the closest check point, persuaded her to leave both with our trustworthy leaders and move on without the burden. She did but my race was over.
However, i had a more fascinating track opened as an encourager and cheer leader for the leisurely runners with their broad smiles. The inexplicable joy in seeing all my kids pushing themselves, their warmth, encouragement and support in helping me finish my second round made my day. I was a very proud and happy ChongBoonite.

Lunar New Year Celebrations this year was interesting and I hope the senior citizens who joined us found it just as meaningful. Many did not want to open their doors when our graduating classes wanted to help with spring cleaning their homes. I was not surprised. How many of us would want to open our doors to some strange kids to be 'exposed' albeit their noble intentions? Nevertheless i was proud of the students who turned up last Saturday, mostly because of the respectful way in which they conducted themselves. This was their New Year gift for me.
The day is about to end and my journey with the blogging world has just started. I hope to meet a lot of people, mostly my own kakis from the Chong Boon Garden...