Well, it's been quite a long time since I last made an entry into my blog. Life has been busy and there are indeed so much work to be done. BUt, I do not think I can continue with my work without expressing my heart-felt gratititude to my students. You see, yesterday, was graduation day.
It was with mixed feelings that I sent them off. These two years was tough for me. In my teaching career, I have never find it so difficult. My personal life was a mess and it affected me in a lot of ways. But God still sees me through it all. As I read some of the notes that my students gave me, I cannot help but tears welled up in my eyes. Yes, it was a journey, one that is filled with sadness and sweetness. It was with pride that I saw each and every one of them grow. My journey was made a lot easier by them. Perhaps, God placed them in my life at this juncture to encourage me as much as I want to encourage them.
It was particularly heart warming when I read one of the notes given by my student. He said he was glad that I am laughing again. Indeed. My usual cheerful self is slowly coming back. I can feel it too. Maybe, it is due to the fact that I can start looking forward to the day when I can close this chapter of my life. My wife has finally set the date for a divorce. If God does not turn her heart back by Jan 2008, it would be over for us. In my heart, I know it is over unless God chooses to change her heart.
This will always be a bad chapter in my life but it is also one of the best. In it, I see the hand of God with me, leading and guiding me. Just like a kind shepherd who leads his sheep through the valley of the shadow of death. These students, my friends and many others have help me much through this journey. I learnt a lot in this chapter. Forgiveness and the ability to see beyond my circumstances are my two most important lessons:
Will you forgive your loved one who betrayed you? I used to think it is definitely easy to do so. However, when I personally learnt that my wife has been cohabiting with another man, I am faced with this challenge of forgiving her. It was not easy, trust me. But I did. Forgiveness comes when you look beyond the person and the act to the source of that agony - Love. It pains us when our loved ones hurt us. It was not an easy lesson to learn.
The ability to see beyond the circumstances and that God is in it through it all, is something that my students have given me these two years. In the same way, I hope I have encouraged them as well to look beyond the present. YOu may be feeling tired and anxious about the O Levels but remember... it is just an exam and it will come to past no matter what.
Do your best! Look at those things that will motivate you. Friendship and Love are some of the precious things that we can hold on to in such times. Encourage others and you find yourself comforted. By looking at others and not focused on ourselves, we see the Grace of God in all these things.
So, take care my students. Thanks for being there. I love teaching you all and all of you once again, help me to affirm why I join teaching in the first place. Thank you. All the best in your studies!
21 comments:
keep on having that faith and the positive attitude. when you lose something in life, you'll always gain back more. if you have an open mind i believe one day you'll see that life have more in store for you. pursue your dreams with your never-say-die spirit and ever-lasting passion. one day, we'll see a better you ;)
God Bless,
Graduated 2006
Hi Mr Choy! =)
Just popping by to say 'hi' (didn't get the chance at McDonads this morning, you left while I was discussing chem with a friend =X)...
And that you've touched us all in more ways than one, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who admire the strength and courage you've displayed through it all.
I remember how you used to tell us that in life, uncertainties no doubt occur, but we learn as we go along. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us; for you have thought us many valuable lessons throughout this journey...
Love, Forgiveness, Hope, Sincerity, Compassion, and most importantly, an inner strength to carry on in the face of problems.
I'm not really good with words, but hey, just a gentle reminder, students or not, there will always be lotsa people out there who care.
Life's good. :)
And since you're a Maths tutor, here's a quote from Star Trek, "The Balance of Terror"...
"In this galaxy, there's a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that and perhaps more, only one of each of us."
Isn't Life just amazing? =)
wennee
rvmsc'04
Job 23:10
"But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
May you grow to be stronger. No one knows what's going to happen, nor why things happen the way they do but like how it was for Job, God didn't reveal to him what exactly was all the suffering for.
But in the end, Job realised that all was in God's hands. 42:5,6 "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
You're up to it!
yAr MaY yOu GrOw StRoNgEr CoS u ArE uP tO iT AnD mAy We AlL lEaRn ToGeThEr AbOuT eVeRyThInG cOs LiFe Is AmAzInG
GoD bLeSs
'06
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I am not really good with words but you are really the best teacher i ever had. I have learnt more than just mathematics from you and this learning still goes on today. And maybe when the year 2007 starts, we may be colleagues. haha. Mr Choy, U rock!
cindy 4J'04
MR CHOY!..
well exam is coming but i still come your blog!.. touched anot.. anyway ur smile is great =).. coz it can spread to others..
arlo mr choy, haiyuan here =D.. i did listen to u and study okay.. dun save i nva guai guai!.. i am a good boi like u have said=) take care
hi mr choy. though you have not taught me before, i strongly believe that you are an excellent teacher. your posts have touched me numerous times and i know that you will be able to pull through these tough times. and i'm sure there are many people around, supporting you. and do remember to smile. (:
rv 05 graduted
HELLO MR CHOY!
glad to read that you're getting back your laughter. this journey has certainly made you stronger and learn more, hasn 't it? stay strong, will you?
and hope to see you soon, esp at the 4j chalet this year! :))
with luv,
sou mun!
hi mr choy, so glad to know ure smilling again. =) 4J '04 chalet from the 27-29 dec at sentoSA! BBQ's on the 28th, ure presence wud be very much appreciated on that day, i'll be asking other teachers too. take care ya!
chinghow
yeah , we finally pulled thru , coz the olevels are over le ... *nod nod* , yah , i agree with u , it hurts when loved ones hurt us , but no matter wat happens , always stay on the positive side of life okiex :P (i fear i didnt do well , the qns are really 'crazy')
hi prof choy its hanyong from 4j04 here do u remember me? its good to know that evrything's going better for u i know u'll be fine cos ur sucha strong person. u've touched my life n i'll always remember u. god bless =)
hello mr choy =) What appears to be like stumbling blocks are often stepping stones if u look at it in a more posiive light =) miss u teaching us..u r really one of the best tchrs i had..and sory for soundin v hysterical whn i phoned u tht time abt my calculator..i was quite anxious haha. =) all the best to u and i hope that the comin new yr will help take away ur past unhappiness and bring u more joy and warmth =))
amy
btw, it's amy from 4j'04 =)
hi mr choy!! thanks for coming to the chalet! although we didn't talk much, your presence mattered alot to us. =)
a "thank you" is never enough cos i'll never forget how encouraging you were towards us. here's wishing all the best for 2007!=) hope you'll update your blog soon cos at least we'll know what's going on! take care!
mavis from 4j 2004
strive on cos life is sure going to get better. just hold onto faith and eventually things will turn out fine. yeah!just a lil quote for u,"Smile, though your heart is aching.Smile, even though it's breaking.When there are clouds in the sky.You'll get by...
If you smile With your fear and sorrow. Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile.If you just smile..."
catherine
god bless u,sir. in my last two years at rv,i suffered much setbacks,disappointments and failures. But each time i dismay, i look to you and in you i find strength,determination and courage. you have showed me what true strength is, and this was what always gave me the willpower to go on no matter how tough things were. so i thank you mr choy,for imparting the most valuable lessons in life not just by preachin but by demonstrating.
this new start at acjc hasnt exactly been smooth-sailing. i've been rejected by numerous courses and ccas that i wanted to take up. i lost my grandmother just this wednesday on jan24. i can't exactly follow in classes. i feel lost with ex-rv friends no matter how hard im trying to remain close to them. i dont exactly know what keeps me from wallowing in selfpity and crying myself to sleep. but each time i think of you,i understand the true meaning of courage and strength.
your love for God,for your students, for life has ceratinly been infectious.
take care mr choy. May God be with you.
eileen how.
4k'06
Dearest Mr choy,
All of us miss you. Coming back to school to receive our O level results without seeing you was such a weird feeling. Heard from Ms Eu that she has not seen you for very long. All of us miss you, as a great teacher, a great friend, a great encourager.
Really wanna personally thank you for all that you have done for us in our lives and has impacted me greatly. Contact us soon yea?
Love, 4a/06
Steph.
Hi Mr Choy,
life is full of ups and downs, no matter how down u are, do remember us, remember how happy we were when we attended ur lessons. I noe dat we have been a mischievous class for the past two years but we really enjoyed our maths lessons with u. u have thought us alot of valuable lessons which i am sure it will be put to great use in our future. Personally, i think u are the best teacher i ever had. U are one whom i can approach when i have problems with my maths, even up till now, whenever i met with maths problems, i will think of u and wanted so much to look for u to clear my doubts. You really made a great impact in not only my life but in all ur students' life as well. Hope u can be cheerful again and may God bless u in wadeva u do and lead u through this tunnel in ur life. =)
With regards,
raymond
(4C'06)
hey mr choy, jialin from 4C'06 here.
you're the best math teacher ever.
you are the one who made me know the importance of understanding the concepts instead of just memorising the steps blindly.
like what raymond said, till now, whenever i curse and swear at how impatient my lecturer is, i'll think of the math lessons we had. sighh. really miss those days:(
YES PASSION!!!! I CAN ALSO FEEL YOUR PASSION FOR RVHS WHEN U CONDUCTED THE FINALE SONG ONCE AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT UCC!!!! THANKS FOR INSPIRING MR CHOY...
Post a Comment