Entries from June 2010 ↓

for there is always something to be grateful for.

This June, I thank God:

that for every book on my reading list that I failed to borrow because someone has not yet returned them, there are five other, better and newer books on the library shelf.

for the opportunity to read books, play with kids, and hug them (both kids and books) every day… and call it work.

that for every inconsiderate fx driver who starts to move his vehicle even before your feet are settled on the ground, there is a taxi driver who will remind you that you forgot something as you get off.

for free lunches.. and five blocks to walk off the pounds from all that delicious food.

that for every person I am missing, there are several new friends to get to know better.

for free ebooks, book sales and friends who generously lend their treasures.

that for every class that stresses me out, there are 3 more that inspire me.

for the courage to nip things in the bud, cut my hair off, and let go of the unnecessary.

that for every betrayal and neglect, there is forgiveness and undeserved grace.

for videoke nights, weekend retreats, dinner dates, evening walks, food trips, dress shopping and chat sessions.

that for every hundred I invite, the twenty that do come are changed for good; the Pareto principle is true!

for the rainbows, glorious sunsets, full moons and starry nights.

that for every canceled meet up, there is always an unplanned and surprise getogether that is infinitely more fun.

for the fact that many are called, but few are chosen.

that for every activity that ends, group that dies, or event that was not successful… there are small beginnings that flourish, new challenges to overcome and uncharted territories to explore.

for the assurance that “through the darkest night, You hold my hand.”

One time, big time. After a year of constant traveling, housecleaning had become a very optional task for me. I only sweep in search of misplaced keys, or when my allergies act up, or when I’m expecting visitors. Organizing my files and stuff happens once in a blue moon.

Earlier this June I was forced to confront the horror known as my bedroom. The last time I really cleaned and sorted before this was… uh oh. So how did I create order out of utter chaos?

Three Tips for a One Time, Big Time Cleaning Spree

1. Empty all storage spaces: drawers, cabinets, plastic bags, paper bags tupperware containers, shoe boxes, overflowing tabletops, under the furniture, nooks, crannies, etc. Expect things to get worse before they can get better. My room looked like this:

2. Sort, cluster and label. After dumping everything on the floor, I dug in with a vengeance. Sorting made me realize that I have more books than clothes and that I am guilty of killing acres of trees in pursuit of my graduate studies. I also had a walk down memory lane when I found six years’ worth of QT journals. Ah, the stupidity naivete of youth.

Then, I grouped similar items together and put them in reasonable locations. For example, I put my books and school supplies inside the tupperware containers to keep dust away, while techie stuff like cables and discs went into my computer table drawer. If I rarely used them, they were stored in hard-to-reach cabinets. Putting labels is also important so that I won’t have a difficult time looking for things in the future.

Here is just a tiny portion of my book pile. I really need bookshelves:

3. Be ruthless. If I haven’t used it in a year, I usually throw or give it away. Especially for clothes: I am resigned to the fact that my waistline has zero chances of shrinking further at my age. I also rejoice in the fact that there are some things I do not have to live with anymore. Like Stat exercise sheets, advertising leaflets, bags with holes and broken zippers, worn out shoes, old newspapers and empty Coke bottles.

At last, after an overnight cleaning spree, my room looked like this:

A place for everything and everything in its place. For now. =)

It is the start of another academic year. This is my second decade of being a student. And this is my first year as a professional teacher. The world’s deep hunger and my deep gladness finally collided. So I welcome the second week of June with a curious mix of this-is-it-help-at-last-oh-joy-oh-no-weeh! … and this note posted by my fellow educators.

Reminder to self of the great responsibility ahead of me.

* * *

Letter from Abraham Lincoln to His Son’s Teacher

My son starts school today. It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would treat him gently. It is an adventure that might take him across continents. All adventures that probably include wars, tragedy and sorrow. To live this life will require faith, love and courage.

So dear Teacher, will you please take him by his hand and teach him things he will have to know, teaching him – but gently, if you can. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend. He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader.

Teach him if you can that 10 cents earned is of far more value than a dollar found. In school, teacher, it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose, and enjoy winning when he does win.

Teach him to be gentle with people, tough with tough people. Steer him away from envy if you can and teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Teach him if you can – how to laugh when he is sad, teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success. Teach him to scoff at cynics.

Teach him if you can the wonders of books, but also give time to ponder the extreme mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if every one tells him they are wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is doing it. Teach him to listen to every one, but teach him also to filter all that he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his talents and brains to the highest bidder but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind, in God.

This is the order, teacher but see what best you can do. He is such a nice little boy and he is my son.

I.

lived beyond balance

jumped headfirst into the deep

with eyes wide open

II.

figuring my call

round peg crammed in a square hole

trial and error

III.

three months within the

dark belly of Jonah’s fish

denial ends now.

.

I think I finally found the right name for this blog:

Roots and wings.

This season, I am commanded to both grow deeper in character and wider in impact.

And challenge others to do the same.