Tea Time

Ginger Masala Tea with Ginger Nut Biscuits...comfort food!

A Brilliant Week!

It's been an incredible week for me. Once again, the Universe has come through for me and shown me that the recipe for success is hard work, dedication and (my favourite)...GRATITUDE!

I'm in East London for the weekend, so no doubt it's going to be a good one spent with my family! Here's wishing an awesome one to you & yours :)

...did I mention that this post was written while at the hairdresser?

VIVA Moblogging!

What is Gratitude?

A year ago, I used to dread waking up every morning. Being unemployed has been one of the most difficult things I've had to endure. Apart from being financially dependent on my parents, I felt juvenile and worthless. All I wanted was a chance, yet every opening I seemed to find kept closing up on me.

Many wouldn't believe me when I say that for months after arriving back from Korea, I saw no colour. Everything seemed grey through my eyes. As much as I wanted to feel grateful for all that I DID have, I still felt worthless and rejected. I had no idea that being unemployed would have such a crippling effect on me.

Today, the 1st of June, reminds me of how far I have come in the past year.

I am thrilled to write that these days I can't wait to wake up in the morning. My alarm goes off at 04:30 and I feel excited to get my day started.

Once again, I am able to appreciate the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, the birds chirping and the waft of ocean air that fills my apartment in the wee hours of the morning.

I'm overflowing with gratitude and as a result, my senses are awake and alive. I wake up with a purpose now. Every morning, my colleagues expect to see me in the staff room and my +/- 25 students expect me to teach them everyday.
I'm thankful every single day that not only do I have a job, but that I'm doing something that I truly enjoy putting my heart into. I'm grateful for the opportunity to provide a service to others and that by doing so, I'm meeting people from all walks of life. I love that I'm learning just as much, if not more, as what I teach everyday.

So as this day comes to an end, I'd like to shout it out to the universe that I'm grateful for the opportunities, challenges and obstacles I've faced up to now. I also feel grateful for being rejected for work last year, most of which I doubt I'd be half as happy as I am today.

Also, credit must be given where it's due, and I have to say that nothing would be possible without the support - on so many levels - of my parents whom I love with my heart & soul!

Incident in class today...

During my Intermediate class this morning, a student asked to leave the class. I assumed it was for a visit to the bathroom. I became suspicious when he didn't return after 5minutes.

While I was helping some students at the back of the classroom, I glanced out of the window across the street (we were on the 3rd floor) and I saw my student!..walking out of a coffee shop and sitting at one of their tables.

I was near livid!

Thing is, when I had a word with him later, he merely said he was hungry and couldn't understand what the problem was.

MY problem is that if one student starts doing that, what respect and authority does it reflect on me... and what stops others from just quitting class halfway and going out for a cup of coffee or a sandwich?

Working with a classroom of adults where some of them are older than I am can make classroom management a bit of a sticky situation at times.

My feeble excuses

I've been trying to figure out why I'm not writing as often as I used to before (when I was in Korea ...or even, East London, for that matter) and I could only come up with one reason:

I don't have a comfortable "writing spot" where I can just sit down and let rip with the words. Of course, I have my netbook, but the battery life isn't as strong so I need a power outlet.

I don't know... poor excuse?

Another reason is that I have been too tired to sit and type at night.
Another lousy excuse.

So much has happened (and is happening) that I need to blog about...especially with regards to TESL and teaching, in general.

...oh, another reason is my (lack of) internet access :(

I need to make an effort to blog more and not let cobwebs gather on here....which it has been doing.

Happy Birthday, Mum!

Happy Birthday to my dearest mum... 

Wish I was home to celebrate with her!

Leap Year!

This evening I realized that it's the end of the month and I hadn't uploaded a single post for the month. Many reasons for that, but that's another story! Uploading from my mobile, so will write a proper entry ...perhaps tomorrow :)