Time to recap this year – 2010 – a year to conclude the first decade of the 21st century. The number may not have significant meaning to everyone, but the fact that it is also known as twenty-ten seems like it is both double and a half of each other which means more to me than just the number 2010.20 - Doubled
I think I spent more time and effort this year to grow professionally as an educator. In March, I spent one week in Singapore attending a workshop offered by Apple Computers. The workshop was fruitful as I walked away starting to think about my personal branding as an educator and how could/should I improve my pedagogical style with the help of technology as tools. In June, IB accepted my application to become their Assistant Examiner for Mathematics. In July, I went to Princeton for an IB MYP workshop. The learning curve was definitely steeper than what I originally had anticipated. Perhaps, I was too used to the conventional way of grading a piece of assessment with percentages. The new approach with levels and criteria seem too ambiguous – but then that is the new trend. In September, I began my first ABQ in the Junior Division. The course was great, as I learned quite a bit in the ways things are being taught to grades 4 to 6 student, but the instructor for that online course was far from being helpful. In December, I finally heard back from OECTA after 4 months that they finally granted AQ Part 2 for Religious Studies with the courses that I took in Waterloo.
I also travelled great distances this year – which helped me to widen my global perspective though increasing my carbon footprint at the same time. In February, I went to Cebu for a second visit after Chinese New Year for a few days to enjoy the sun and the beach and a short pilgrimage to the various churches there. The overnight flight and layover in Manila was tiring and I doubt I would do that over again. In early March, I went to Jakarta with two other teachers and a handful of students for a swimming competition, while in the second half of the month, I went to Singapore. I still remembered the first night when I walked into the grand suite at the Mandarin Oriental. I thought I went into the wrong room, because there were two sofas and a large dining table in the room. In April, I went to Fiji and enjoyed a week long under a perfect blue sky. Vinaka (Fijian for thanks) for a great week back into simplicity. In June, on my way back to Toronto, I went to Vancouver for a week and had a short trip to the Yellowstone National Park. Again, same as Fiji, I was more than amazed to admire the beauty in nature. In July, on my return trip from Princeton, I stayed in New York for one night. It was my third time to New York, but the first time that I stayed in Times Square and the first time that I attended a Broadway show. In September, I got my PADI diving certification. In October, I went to India to visit the third ancient civilization in the world and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In November, I returned to Brunei for the third time (second time with students) for a week. In December, just before Christmas, I went to Hanoi.
10 – Halved
This year I had taken a step back in relationship – perhaps a step larger than what I wanted. The relationship ended after eight months. There were happy times and there were sad moments. Do I still regret from it? I learned a lot from it. I have to say, “Thanks for giving me a chance and showing me what I need to improve on.” I think in 2011, I will wait and see how this year will be.
Although not related to the above, but it may indirectly be related. I think I was much less active this year to gather with friends. I spent more time by myself and on things that I was doing which unfortunately distanced myself from my friends. I think in 2011, I need to improve on this.
Just like anything else, if it has not improved then it must have deteriorated – and that is how I felt for my faith. I was more than inactive in finding ways to grow spiritually this year. Aside from attending weekly Sunday mass, I did not participate in any faith formation programmes. Things improved slightly in the latter half of this year, when I began to attend a monthly bible-sharing session with a group of friends, but I wished I had been more active. I think in 2011, I need to reenergize my faith.
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Double and a-half – two very conflicting concepts yet they complement each other. This is a fact of life, I cannot have both, so I must learn to evaluate them individually and prioritize what I value more. In 2011, my goal is to learn to have a balanced life – a balance between work and play, friends and myself, work and faith.
See you in 2011.
