thank you mr koh.
yesterday marked our last (official) PW lesson with mr koh.
many emotions came over me that day, or rather that short period of time where he dedicated us a song, a message, and basically his parting words.
i won't go into detail about what he did, this is just a very personal reflection.
i think there's a difference between a good teacher, and a teacher who really reaches out and touches your heart.
mr koh is one of the latter, i have never been more sure of it. just look at the message that he took time to individually draw out our names in crayon with, and you can feel the endless sincerity coming out from the words itself.
i remember telling yitian how i wanted to cry and then did a few sniffs randomly. i really didn't expect to come that close to actually crying. i really felt tears coming up and i couldn't talk calmly for almost a minute i think.
that's how much the experience meant to me. i don't recall coming that close to tears in public before, especially not in school where people around actually know me.
i didn't know this particular teacher impacted me that much.
i guess if it was some other teacher who had taught me PW for the last 9 months, my perception of PW might have been much worse. teachers are really really influential in shaping you and this you should believe.
well, one thing is for sure. mr eddie koh will continue to be someone i respect, look up to and even aspire to be (somewhat), for now and for the future as well.
the person this message is intended for will probably not see it here (a card is far more appropriate for this purpose and i shall do just that), but i still feel like saying it anyway.
thank you mr koh.
PS. here's the message and the song that he dedicated to us, enjoy:
---
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and agressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it's sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
---
Sunrise of Your Smile - Michael Card
Reject the worldly lie that says,
That life lies always up ahead,
Let power go before control becomes a crust around your soul,
Escape the hunger to possess,
And soul-diminishing success,
This world is full of narrow lives,
I pray by grace your smile survives.
Chorus- For I would wander weary miles,
Would welcome ridicule, my child,
To simply see the sunrise of your smile,
To see the light behind your eyes,
The happy thought that makes you fly,
Yes, I would wander weary miles,
To simply see the sunrise of your smile.
Now close your eyes so you can see,
Your own unfinished memories,
Now open them, for time is brief,
And you'll be blest beyond belief,
Now glance above you at the sky,
There's beauty there to blind the eye,
I ask all this then wait awhile,
To see the dawning of your smile.
many emotions came over me that day, or rather that short period of time where he dedicated us a song, a message, and basically his parting words.
i won't go into detail about what he did, this is just a very personal reflection.
i think there's a difference between a good teacher, and a teacher who really reaches out and touches your heart.
mr koh is one of the latter, i have never been more sure of it. just look at the message that he took time to individually draw out our names in crayon with, and you can feel the endless sincerity coming out from the words itself.
i remember telling yitian how i wanted to cry and then did a few sniffs randomly. i really didn't expect to come that close to actually crying. i really felt tears coming up and i couldn't talk calmly for almost a minute i think.
that's how much the experience meant to me. i don't recall coming that close to tears in public before, especially not in school where people around actually know me.
i didn't know this particular teacher impacted me that much.
i guess if it was some other teacher who had taught me PW for the last 9 months, my perception of PW might have been much worse. teachers are really really influential in shaping you and this you should believe.
well, one thing is for sure. mr eddie koh will continue to be someone i respect, look up to and even aspire to be (somewhat), for now and for the future as well.
the person this message is intended for will probably not see it here (a card is far more appropriate for this purpose and i shall do just that), but i still feel like saying it anyway.
thank you mr koh.
PS. here's the message and the song that he dedicated to us, enjoy:
---
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and agressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it's sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
---
Sunrise of Your Smile - Michael Card
Reject the worldly lie that says,
That life lies always up ahead,
Let power go before control becomes a crust around your soul,
Escape the hunger to possess,
And soul-diminishing success,
This world is full of narrow lives,
I pray by grace your smile survives.
Chorus- For I would wander weary miles,
Would welcome ridicule, my child,
To simply see the sunrise of your smile,
To see the light behind your eyes,
The happy thought that makes you fly,
Yes, I would wander weary miles,
To simply see the sunrise of your smile.
Now close your eyes so you can see,
Your own unfinished memories,
Now open them, for time is brief,
And you'll be blest beyond belief,
Now glance above you at the sky,
There's beauty there to blind the eye,
I ask all this then wait awhile,
To see the dawning of your smile.
posted by Pan-san at 11/07/2009 01:03:00 AM
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