How do you feel about your age??

"Life is one indivisible whole." - Mahatma Ghandi

It’s the time of the year when people pause and try to reflect on what happened in the past 11 months. It’s the time when some of us try to make sense of what we have done, of what we haven’t and of what we should be doing. Most importantly, it’s the time to be thankful for having reached this point.

As with anyone enjoying being in the 20’s, it’s undeniably so certainly easy to get out of track of the road we imagined ourselves leading when we were still younger. Looking back at the university days, in general, we would want to “succeed” and in most cases, our definition of success was common – which still holds true, I believe. We wanted to land in a nice, high paying job and have a happy family life.

At early to the mid twenties, life simply gushes out of everyone. There’s no time to even think.

We just went with the flow. Many had fun. Others tried. We did things with little regard of tomorrow. After all, we have so often heard that to truly enjoy and be happy, we should be able to live in the ‘moment’.

Come late twenties and the idea of success creeps back in, but this time, it comes posing questions that are sure to make the bearer think and re-evaluate. The kinds like “Where am I now? How far have I gone in reaching my dreams? Did I really try? Is this the best I could possibly do? Am I happy?”. So, the tendency is to do some reality check.

This is the stage when we think less of the short term goals and more of the opposite, the time to make bigger and bolder plans. Pressure builds up. Our views then slowly change. Slowly. Well, we should wish for it to be slow otherwise, the rollercoaster of emotions might just be too much to handle with just a handful of confidants around – few, as the others are most likely experiencing the same crisis as yours.

At this stage, few feel lucky. If one is single, he wishes to find someone to wed and spend his life with. If one is married, he wishes for kids or for a better career. So, consider yourself lucky if you’re married, with kids and a promising career! You are what the society calls “successful”.

Wait, don’t you feel that way? Then you’re not simple minded. I'm guessing you've been wanting to have a business of your own or perhaps, to literally go and see the world? Simply put, you're wanting more. If you can, then, why not? We are insatiable. Besides, we cannot wish for things which we already have although, at least, we can be grateful.

Come to think of it. We gauge ourselves with common goals yet we all have different benchmarks; we all have different paths; we all have different tolerances. What you have endured to reach this stage, I may not have. Even if we share one common experience, its impact to me may not be the same as its effect on you. You may have been lucky today. Who knows, it just might be my day tomorrow!

Some times we feel accomplished, other times not. Maybe those are the times when we actually fall short of gratitude. We sometimes fail to acknowledge our growth. We fail to see that we are in fact a better person than we were years ago. And, this is so because we were pushed by our own situations. Again, that's something to be thankful for. We deserve a pat on the back!

From a simple case of having failed an exam in class to being able to pay for the food you feed yourself – that should be something to be happy about. In the not so simple case: one loses a loved one by death or by failed relationships – on the process he acquires certain wisdom from being loved and being heartbroken which others may not have the chance to experience at all!

There are countless things which we should be grateful for: our life, the reason for everything; our health that keeps us able; our job that provides for our needs; the food that we enjoy; our family, friends and lovers with whom we share our ups and downs; the comfort of our bed; the water that freshens our bodies…Anything. 

I am saying all these because this is how I picture life at this age. I am happy and thankful for the feeling of being challenged yet capable of achieving more... I hope you are too!

Happy Teachers' Day :)

It's teachers(') day! So, let me ask you.

When you were young, were you ever keen on the idea of becoming one some day? I bet you weren't! That's because I never was in spite of my mother being a biology teacher years before I was born. Worst, maybe it never even crossed my mind at all!

In my primary years, when asked of what I wanted to be when I grow up <not the literal 'grow' ;) > I thought of becoming someone else.. someone whom I thought was much better than a teacher, an accountant perhaps? Or an engineer. Yes, maybe. A lawyer.. or doctor? I've heard of these professions as the 'great' ones. You are and will be 'someone' when you're one of them. That's undoubtedly a very common notion.

However, as years pass, my perspective continue to change. I, now more than ever, begin to realize that teaching should in fact be hailed as one of the greatest professions. Teaching is difficult for it deals directly with individuals who will, in time, play major roles in our society. Oh! How often we've been taught that?! But do believe it in its very sense!

Anyways, too much convincing, let me share with you my experience with one of my students (tutorials).

A year and a half ago, I began English tuition with an adorable five year old Korean boy, Min, who only knows how to say the ABCs but could hardly identify the letters and, all the more, its sounds. Min was so young then. He was just starting to learn their native language when his family had to move here in Dubai. He was never exposed to English and it wasn't spoken at home too.

Mini books which we used only briefly. The boy didn't like it so much. 

Nonetheless, he was sent to school without any idea of the challenge he had to face. For quite a time, his mum was very worried as to how he would get by. And, as you would've guessed, I came in. Pressured. I have not got the slightest idea of how to teach kids to read and write! But, I needed the job and some diversion as well. So, I solicited advice from my teacher friends and began the work! I started with phonics, and since I love music, I sang the video above a hundred times with him! :D He loved it as he was interested with hand signs while unconsciously learning the very foundation of English.

The boy, young as he was - still learning muscle coordination, had a bit of difficulty in writing. And, being barely exposed to the English alphabet didn't help since it was way different from Hangeul (Korean).  He didn't understand the use of writing guide lines too that I would encourage him to color straight lines between which he would write the letters and copy some words.

I would write simple* (don't laugh!) sentences for him using the lines correctly and ask him to follow. Of course at the beginning, he found it rather difficult. Some times, I just let him scribble... and scribble! Eventually, I taught him reading and spelling which was easier since he's already learned the phonics by heart.

At this time, he still wasn't aware of my name's spelling.

The first words he learnt? S-T-A-R and S-P-I-D-E-R from the songs Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Incy Wincy Spider :) That's way before he could spell the words below. The method? Reward system? Smileys, stars and stickers.

18 months of : Patience. Love. Dedication. Commitment. Glowers. Innocent tears. Fights. Cuddles. Hide and Seek. Tic tac toes. Stars. Points. Stickers. Balloons etc. It took a lot of these to be able to get him where he is right now! :) And so, here's how far he's gone:

Whew, Tuesday. Refreshment for a hot summer!

I recently bought a new juicer, Braun - so far, so good. I must say the old one's (Black and Decker) wear and tear was too early.. which of course is a bit disappointing.. And, I really have close to nothing in mind for this post aside from the following points:

• 1 orange navel = 100 mL freshly squeezed orange juice
• 200mL commercial juice = 1 to 2dhs.
• 1 orange = 1dh.; hence, fresh orange juice cost only as much as those in bottles/tetra packs!
• Logically, I should opt the fresh one since it's healthier - only, I have to be patient in the preparation and cleaning up!
• Braun Citrus Juicer costs 89dhs at Carrefour

That's it!!