Tag Archives: Change
Thought for the day
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Change
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
Maya Angelou
Change is hard – but sometimes necessary. I’ve had many changes over my life, some were easy, and some were hard. But every change I’ve made has led me to a better life. I have more changes coming up and I’m looking forward to each of them!
Do you find it hard to change? How do you cope with change?
Daily Thought May 23
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Gandhi
Grade 2 ~ oh the challenges!!
Grade 2 kids ~ these kids are so smart, they are gaining confidence with their English, and are very inquisitive. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked how old are you (answer is always older than you), are you okay, where do you live, what’s your phone number, and the list goes on.
They love games ~ Teacher Says is their favourite. Its been challenging to keep them interested and motivated but I have succeeded.
I definitely have favourite students ~ I would be lying if I said I didn’t. Leo, Tom, Hardy, Ang Lee, Lucy and Ella are the ones that I love seeing every day.
Seven grade 2 classes, average of 40 students in a class ~ a lot of inquisitive children who are always excited to see me! They love feeding me their snacks too (usually with their hands right into my mouth ~ no wonder I had so many colds!).
The unabashed hugs, taking my hand and leading me into class, the excited faces when I stand at the front of class and say “Teacher says stand up!” ~ those are the moments I will miss the most.
These kids have made me a better teacher with their questions and their eyes lighting up when they realize they can understand what I am saying. Their quick minds, short attention spans and endless fidgeting made it challenging, but I can say that I came, I saw, I conquered!!
Whatever you are, be a good one
An extraverted protagonist. Sounds interesting right?? I recently did a personality test and my results show that I am an extraverted protagonist. A diplomat People’s Master. It all sounds very confusing. It was something a close friend thought I would find interesting. And I did!!
It showed me results that definitely resonated with me. All but one section definitely is my personality. And it also showed me some ways to strengthen my weaknesses. Things I will definitely start to do!
So why am I writing about this here? Really, who cares about someone else’s results of a personality test?
I am not writing about this to share my results. No. I am writing about how personality traits can make us stronger or weaker as we grow older and explore our self-worth.
When I was younger, I was very shy. I did well in school but kept to myself a lot. As I went through many struggles in my adult life, my self-esteem grew stronger, I became more assertive and my personality changed. I became the person I am today – in my eyes, I am a strong, self-assured woman who can do anything she wants and be a success at whatever comes my way.
Traveling has changed me. Seeing different cultures and dealing with situations I never would have had to in Canada have made me humble.
We take for granted so many things in life. So many of us want material things (and I am not saying anything against that – it’s just not for me), but living in northern China has made me aware of so many struggles these people have on a daily basis that are beyond their control. Living in the conditions they do have made them stronger than any other culture I have seen so far.
While my complaints of China are many, the strength and perseverance of these people is truly admirable.
So like the title says, whatever you are be a good one. If you are a neighbour, be a good one. A mother, a daughter, a teacher, whatever it is you are – strive to be a good one. The people here in Changchun have shown me that, despite the conditions they live in, they take it in stride and they are the best they can be. Their personalities shine through. I will take away from this chapter in my life the strength I have seen of the Chinese people. And I am now, and forever will be, a better person because of it.
Which path will you take?
Every day on my way home from teaching, I come to two paths. One is stone, easy to walk on but uneven. The other is grassy, an uneven surface but muddy.
A sudden storm came through the city today, lighting up the afternoon sky and rolling thunder, scaring me and the kids in class! Luckily, when I left for home, the rain had stopped, leaving a freshness in the air but a wet walk.
When I came to the path, I pondered which to take. Do I take the stone path and avoid the mud but possibly slipping on the wet stone? Or do I take the muddy path and get dirty, but avoid slipping?
As I made my way home, this thought kept creeping into my mind. Had I taken the safer path in my life, would it have been as exciting as my life is now?
There are times in our life that choosing the safe path is the best thing to do for ourselves. But then there are other times that its okay to take the riskier path just to see what happens.
The question is ~ what if you decide to turn around and never take either path? What if you decide that you would rather go the long (and safe) way to your destination?
Life is what we make of it. Choosing the path that is right for you is something only you can figure out. Be a risk taker sometimes ~ take that unknown path and see where it leads you. The future is yours!!
So are you wondering which path I took?? I took the grass path ~ uneven surface with lots of mud. I felt like a kid again, getting muddy, and enjoying the walk. I always try to choose the path that will make me happiest!
China quirks
I think quirks is a funny word. It’s a word I like teaching! But in this instance it’s not a funny word. It’s unusual things that I find slightly disturbing and things I won’t miss when I leave China.
1. The spitting/horking that everyone does. If it was just spitting and just men doing it, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. But everyone horks and its probably the most disgusting sound a person can make. And when I see fashionably dressed women walking toward me, then hork and spit ~ they suddenly don’t appear so fashionable anymore.
2. The constant noise. Noise pollution here is almost as bad as the air pollution. I feel like every store is competing with each other, not for customers but to see who can be the loudest. Seriously, it’s so annoying that I try to avoid busy areas now. I am lucky to live in an area where I can get everything and avoid some of the noise! My area is loud too, just not as loud as other areas.
3. Children using the streets/sidewalks/wherever as their personal bathroom. It’s disgusting and yet parents seem to be okay with it. And the babies with no diapers and parents letting them go wherever. I just don’t get it.
4. The smog. How the population is as high as it is baffles me. How they survive without apparently having serious lung problems is beyond me. And smoking in the smog. Double whammy. These people must have lungs made of steel.
5. Let’s talk about the smoking. Coming from North America where it’s illegal to smoke anywhere is a blessing. These people smoke in restaurants, bars, shopping centres, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and school bathrooms. The adults are doing this. And they think it’s funny to see kids pretending to smoke. Frightening.
6. The squat “toilets”. Thank goodness almost everywhere I go has either one regular toilet or a handicap toilet. Oh and having to carry tissue with you everywhere. Because it’s not provided. Add that to my list of things I’ve learned to never forget!
7. Washroom facilities at my school. I am lucky there is a regular toilet on every floor at school. But there is no hot water. No soap. No paper towels or air dryer. And on the one floor, the regular bathroom does not have running water in the sink. Seriously, isn’t it time to upgrade?
8. One of the most disturbing things is street meat. There is a street vendor that I pass on my way to the shopping center. I know what he is cooking because they are right there in a cage for all to see. I refuse to eat pigeon. So gross.
Am I going to miss anything about China when I leave? Yes of course ~ there are so many things I will miss but the above things I will not miss at all!!
Live without regrets
Regrets, I’ve had a few… words from a great and memorable song. My way ~ the way I choose to live my life.
Do you have regrets in your life? Is there something that you wish you could go back in your life and change?
I have regrets. Less than I used to but I still have regrets. There are times that I think maybe I would go back in time and change things, but then would I be where I am today? Not likely.
I truly believe that everything in our life happens for a reason, and that we meet certain people who are only in our life for a short time but have the biggest impact on us. Do I regret that this person is no longer in my life? No because I know the time we had together helped me grow into the woman I am today.
So don’t go through life with too many regrets. Be grateful for everything you have. Life is too short to have too many regrets.
And remember what Frank said ~ I did it my way!!
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