To be grateful is no doubt a virtue!

I remember the first time I came here to Thailand.Stayed at Toto’s place before together with Juvy. The three of us then sharing everything we have— Juvy’s fried chicken (yummy) and soya milk (sad my tummy couldnt stand the taste) Toto’s bread and condensed milk(d2 ko lng yn natikman); and of course my tuna sandwich (na nangamoy sa loob ng ref hehehe kya binuksan ko ang bottle ng charcoal powder, sorry na Juvy hehehe). It was a short time but I would be forever grateful for that chance to be with them. Couldn’t imagine having survived without them. They’re important reminders that in a country away from home a "kababayan" will always be a "kababayan" who would help you in time when you need one. So thank you guys.

When I moved to Uttaradit. I met some "kababayans". We had fun hanging out. We even moved in the same apartment…mind you even same floors…so that we can just be there for each other in time when we need help. We would sometimes go and have dinner, the three of us sometimes to my place or sometimes to theirs. We were happy sharing and helping each other.

But I felt sad now, when I got the news. What could have been wrong with the way we treated you to deserve such things as you’ve said behind our backs? Perhaps the only wrong thing I did was I made myself a willing and ready victim for a suckling parasite like you. Just a bit of advice…learn how to look back and remember those faces and hands who helped you when you couldn’t even afford to put food in your mouth. Tsk…Tsk…Tsk..wasted friendship!

July 2007

My kindergarten class

As I stepped out from the room and bid my last kindergarten student goodbye, I felt this certain peace inside my heart. Today, we didn’t sing our usual ABC’s, nor we counted 123’s…we just played. I let them build a long bridge made of lil wooden chairs. It was fun watching them helped each other carry those chairs. Their faces were beaming with delight as they passed one chair to the other. You can see through their eyes that ‘dont worry i’ll help you’ line. Only that look on their eyes made all of them to trust and to depend on each other. Their intention to help their classmates were no doubt — pure and honest. We went on building the long wooden bridge. Finally.. we’re on our last piece! I asked them one by one to cross the bridge while I was holding their little hands (just to make sure they wouldn’t trip or else I’d lose my job hehehe). Each time they reach the end of the bridge they have to say a name of a fruit, an animal, or a flower. We went on doing like this for I didn’t exactly know how long. We were all having fun. Yes, including me. I did even wish to hop on that bridge but I was afraid those lil chairs wouldnt be able to carry on my weight geezzzz please dont ask how much I weigh now (if you still want us to be friends). But no matter how cautious we had been accidents do happen. One of my student was running back to the other end of the bridge, he didn’t notice his classmate picking something on the floor. When that student was about to get up both of them accidently hit each other on the head. My little girl cried in pain. But my little boy stayed there and didn’t go hiding. He was saying sorry and wiping those tears away with his bare little hands. I was moved by his actions. I was holding my emotions on that very moment. I wanted to cry but I had to keep those tears away, for their young minds wouldn’t understand how I felt that time. I was taught a very important lesson in life that time. A lesson I would never read in any books. Only here in my kindergarten class shall I learn that.

How ironic that kindergarten kids would be more mature in handling situation like this as compared to us adults. Why don’t we care enough for other people especially those whom we love? Why is it so HARD to say sorry and so EASY to just go hiding and forget you’ve hurt someone? Why does it take some time to forgive and to forget?Why couldn’t we be just like those kindergarten in my class?

July 2007

After the rain

Wouldn’t have survived that storm without my friends. Thank you so much. Some I never thought would care. But they were there in time when I almost felt like being shattered. Others allowed me to grieve in silence for they thought it would do me best. And I can say they were right. I am OK now, nothing to worry. With all those encouraging words from all of you how can I remain helpless and alone.

After the rain….

comes a rainbow of hope full of colours

waiting to paint happy pictures;

After the rain….

shines a sun smiling brightly

wanting to embrace me with its warmth;

After the rain….

blows a breeze so light

yet so comforting;

After the rain….

runs a time so fast

asking me to savor each moment;

After the rain….

makes a more worthy heart

making it a treasure bound to be discovered by a few!

July 2007