Tyan's Photoblog
All that Glitters is not Gold
Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 12 January 2009 in People & Portrait.
Sorry I havent been online much.It has been very hectic.My 'free time' has been wiped out somewhat. Thanks for coming!:)
I was making a silly face and the boys were kept entertained throughout the bus journey. It will be increasingly difficult to make them laugh!
____________________________________________________________________________
I had this interesting conversation with a cabby uncle. He spoke very well and he was 'complaining' how difficult it is to eke an living in Singapore, and how more Singaporeans should support the opposition party so that the government would 'wake up' from their complacency(ok,let's not go further into that topic).
He went on to say that he actually has a degree in Engineering and how glorious his career was in Bangkok. He had only returned to Singapore because his mother was dying and her dying wish was that he would get married. So he flew back to see his dying mother and got married and had stayed in Singapore ever since, leaving behind a high paying job overseas and stuck with driving cabby.
He lamented that he 'regretted a little' the immense sacrifice he had to make and how tough it is surviving in Singapore.
I tried to 'comfort' him by saying that his wife bore 2 lovely children with him,now grown and capable.
That same day,i had an interesting conversation with my father. We were talking about one of my tuition students and I was commenting how difficult it is for students nowadays to get into good schools even though they do well, because the competition is so stiff.
My dad started to talk about how all 3 of us did very well in school and how important it is to upgrade our skills and knowledge so we can keep up with times. Then he ended by saying,'But well, what can you do now? You are already a mother of 2.'
Maybe I was over sensitive but I thought he sounded disappointed that I am just a mother of 2 and perhaps not some principal, director or some big shot out there.
For a brief moment, I was thinking whether I was making too great a sacrifice to be at home with the boys. I was thinking whether i would 'regret a little', like the cabby uncle, for being so stupid leaving behind a 'glorious' green pasture 'glittering with diamonds'.
I don't think I will regret,[i hope,keeping my hands,fingers,eyes,ears crossed]though the alternative often seemed more attractive because i have come to appreciate that not everything can be measured in dollars,cents and paper qualifications.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Your title says it all, Tyan ... "All that Glitters is not Gold!'
Matthew 25:21 (NIV) "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
12 Jan 2009 10:52am
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
Interesting thoughts . . but, for an answer, just look at the pic above.
12 Jan 2009 12:22pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
tyan, you have chosen the better portion. I couldn't say it better than Ronnie and Judy did above. Your family is priceless.
12 Jan 2009 1:11pm
Nancy from Singapore
You can always 'upgrade' your skills when the boys are bit older. Right now you're also on training, it's on-the-job training when you're taking care of the boys. :)
I've also thought about what I would do in a few years down the road. I really have no desire to re-enter a typical MOE sch. At the same time, I'm kinda hesitant to pursue another Master/ degree. Don't have that kind of drive anymore. But yet, if I don't....where will I end up in the future?
12 Jan 2009 2:50pm
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Dear Tyan, It's ok to love your children and want to nurture them for as long as they need, and still yearn for a career, it's allright sweetie to love them so much and other times what to be in a classroom. You Love Your Career, you just love your children more. And one day you'll do both with ease, comfort and joy, right now they're just a little too young, but eventually they'll both be at school all and you can return to work. You're already a wonderful teacher, and you're so young still, imagine what you'll be able to bring to a classroom, with the personal knowledge you have of children...No ONE will hold a candle to you.. Maybe you can do a little for yourself towards a career in the future by investing some on-line refresher course on teaching or some educational spectrum right now...It'll keep you in the loop, until you're ready!
AND THIS PHOTO IS SENSATIONAL LOL
12 Jan 2009 4:16pm
bwee from Singapore
Hmmm........maybe your dad meant that you wont hv time to 'upgrade...and keep up with the times' BCOS all your time is now devoted to caring for yr kids?? Just a guess....Anyway, I know exactly how u feel - my mum is forever hinting me to go back to work so as to earn more income for the family....
12 Jan 2009 5:22pm
Rags from Plano, United States
Raising ones children what God wants you to do. It is His wish and will that you do so. So please don't second guess yourself as well as God.
13 Jan 2009 5:54pm
Nokia 6121c
F/3.2
5 mm