A Little Appreciation to Get By

Hey!

It's been awhile since my last post. I actually have had a lot of urges to write, but school and all, no time, you know how it gets. I'm actually having finals tomorrow (Biology and Physics first for a change, whee...). I got bored and sick of studying so, here I am. Actually, I'm multi-tasking. I'm writing this while watching Sherlock (A FANTASTIC SHOW by the way. You reader, must watch) on my laptop and glancing at the latest season of Dancing with the Stars, while quizzing my friends tomorrow through chat.

Well, anyway I wanna talk about a very special day. It was the 25th of November otherwise known here as Teachers' Day. This 9th Grade year has been very interesting so far. A bit more complicated than I would've liked, but hey, I'm far from bored.

One pretty interesting aspect was of course the teachers. Having a few classes that were taught by teachers that were different to other classes sort made things a difficultly new experience, but I'm glad to learn how to adapt. My homeroom teacher, Sir Darma wasn't exactly someone who I haven't met. He taught biology for me back in 7th Grade, and my class 7F was the only one he taught. He's a bit... motivated and high-spirited, but his exuberance was something I hadn't seen in a while, so I welcomed his unique style of teaching. But his perfectionist attitude also made me glad that I wouldn't have to see him more than twice a week.

And when 9th Grade came around I was sort of beggin, Please, don't let Sir Darma be my homeroom teacher.

... Yeah, I barely get what I want. Haha.

So yeah, 9B, headed by Sir Darma. His ideas were always welcomed, at least by me, but the execution was a bit far out of reach. This led to the class slightly disliking his way of pushing us, demanding the best, demanding action even when we didn't completely agree with his plans or ideas. Even though I knew where my classmates were coming from, I sometimes just didn't like the way they commented Sir Darma.

It's nice to know, at least, that you have a teacher that cares.

Maybe my attachment to Sir Darma is a bit personal. I must admit, he did help me earlier this year. When I was lost, he was someone who offered a listening ear. And even though his advice wasn't completely helpful, I still appreciate his intentions.

And Teachers' Day really is all about that: appreciation.

My class starting to come together, pitching in ideas and making plans that even though were a bit last-minute was something that we wanted to accomplish together. We made what I liked to call: "The Wall of Superheroes" on our class softboard. We found images of renowned heroes like Superman, Mr Incredible, Catwoman, Batman, etc., and replaced their heads with the faces of our 9th Grade teachers. A bit comical, I suppose, but the whole 'teachers are Superheroes' analogy is something I find touching. We made a background of a city, and huge clouds in the sky with really inspirational quotes on teaching.

"A good teacher is like a candle. It consumes itself to light the way for others." -- Mustafa Kemal

Or

"A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell when his influence stops." -- Henry Brooks Adams

Sir Darma was in a bit of a mood lately. It seemed like he was fed up with our class. And it put us in a stalemate. We knew he was pissed -- he'd stop lecturing us in the morning like he usual does -- and was just so quiet, but we didn't know how to meet his expectations either.

So today, things would be different. They would be changed for the better :)

It was just after lunch break. We would have a period of Biology class, of course taught by our Sir Darma. So before he came out of the class opposite ours, 9D, we all held a red rose, some held candles and we form a walkway between 9D and 9B. As Sir Darma stepped out of 9D and saw us all lined up, I smiled when I saw his look of surprise.

When he came up to take the rose from each of us, we all recited a line from a personal letter I wrote specifically for that day. We told him how we realized his frustation of late, and how in reality, we do appreciate what he's done, all the time and resources he's given to our class. And how we want to start over, start anew and move forward together, better than before. The fact he said he was close to tears made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

 "Teaching us maybe like a rollercoaster -- lots of ups and downs. But we'll make sure it's a ride you'll enjoy! :)" -- 9B to Sir Darma

 A day of roses, candles, letters and songs, it's been one of the most personal touching Teachers' Day I've been through.

And since I aspire, to be an educator one day, seeing that little treats like this might be in store for me... all the pain and trouble of teaching, is starting to seem worth while.

Thanks for reading!

--Karin Novelia, Appreciative Student :)

A Teacher's Promise

I found this link:

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html

It's a CNN article about "teachers VS parents" and it really got to me. I for one, believe in education, and seeing people who dedicate there lives to educate others get cut down like that...

No wonder Mr Shuester from Glee feels like such an underdog.

This is a view written by an American teacher, but the trials and conflicts that most of them face as a teacher is something universal. It's not hard to imagine many teachers all over the world feeling the same thing.

Take a read, and see what you think about it. If you're a student, I suggest you start respecting teachers a bit more. If you're a parent, I suggest you start being a teacher's partner instead of their reason to quit. They are of course, just trying to help you educate your child.

And if you're a teacher, bravo. I deeply respect you profession and your role in this world.

One day, I'm gonna be a teacher. Maybe not one that works behind a desk, in just one school, I'll do it in my own way. Main point is, I wanna to educate, just like a teacher does.

Special thanks to my teacher, Mr Yudi Atmanta for posting the link on Facebook for me to see :)
--Karin Novelia, Teacher By Heart

Behind The Mask

Put into this world, here we share the stage
Each threading the costume we choose to wear
Acting out the characters we choose to be

Then comes a scene thats uncertain
That shakes the foundation of our faith
And shackles us with chains of fear

We take off the costumes we once treasured
And wear the design of another man
Putting on masks to better hide ouselves

A mask of insecurity and fake grandeur
A shield from emotions and reality
All just an illusion, a hopeless facade

As the story goes on, not written as it should
We tire of playing the same empty role
Of playing the same useless game

There comes a time when we realize
For however fleeting or brief a moment
Of the authentic person that lives within us

We surprise others, even ourselves
When we be who we're meant to be
Taking a step closer to who we are

The person behind the mask

--Karin Novelia, The One Behind The Mask

Aloha, Pak Agus

Today has been a pretty bad day for me. I woke up this morning feeling so ready to go to school. But in the end I couldn't because this annoying little cough that surfaced just after I came home from Singapore, turned for the worse. Now my throat is sore, and my voice is on the verge of completely getting lost. When it does come out, I sound like a croaking frog.

On the up-side of sick days, as always, was extra sleep time, some very needed R&R, and something most kids wouldn't probably agree to, a chance to get most of my schoolwork done.

But amidst of my sudden energy boost to get to work, my spirit was dampened just this evening.

I was sitting by my Doctor, Doctor Indra's table as he wrote out a prescription for my sore throat, when my Mom suddenly shoved her BlackBerry into my face. At first, I thought she was going to tell me a corny joke, or the latest gossip moms like to talk about these days, but when I reluctantly read the single line of news, there was no more I could do than to blink back in surprise.

Pak Agus. Elementary PE teacher. Passed away?

I couldn't even register what was written on the screen. For the first few seconds, I didn't even want to believe it.

I still remembered the last time I saw Pak Agus. I remember it as if it was yesterday, because it really was only yesterday. It was after school, and as always my preferred route towards home passed the Elementary's Einstein Hall. I saw my little sister walk into the TU, and followed her to take her home. I saw my Mom, also waiting inside, the small room, Pak Agus sitting on the receptionist table.

I can still picture his face. He was smiling, having a nice conversation with my mom. I could see the wrinkles converge at the corner of his eyes, as he laughed about something, seemingly happy. Seemingly fine.

I passed the BlackBerry back to mom, as she asked the means of Pak Agus's passing. She kept reveling in the fact, that she had talked to him just yesterday, without realizing that would probably the last time she would talk to him. The last she would even see him.

A heart-attack. That was what took him away from us. From his family, his friends, his beloved students. A way of dying so sudden, it would practically be painless. All I could think about then was Why? Why now? Why ever, for that matter? Was death that merciless to take away someone who's time hadn't even come?

The doc came back with my medicine, and I said thank you and left, my heart felt heavy.

I felt like crying. Oh, man, I felt like crying so much. But I didn't wanna do it in front of my Mom. Nor at home for that matter, in front of my Dad, sister or brother. But it hurt a lot. Hearing such awful news. My heart was aching. I couldn't bear it.

But I held the tears in. I convinced myself that not crying, didn't mean I didn't care. Not crying meant, that I was being strong. Being strong so as to not make others sad, or worry about me. And being strong for Pak Agus, who surely is in a happier place now.

Instead, I had a flashback moment in the car. I remembered the days back in Elementary, when I was being taught by Pak Agus. For someone who's a bit athletically-challenged, PE wasn't always such a favorite of mine. Sure, I would give my best, but in the end, I'd be really wiped and wasn't able to master any techniques.

But, with Pak Agus, I found a new joy to learning PE. He pushed me to try even harder. He pushed me to believe in myself, to believe that I could. In the end, I wasn't a master, but he helped me to improve.

I still remember a moment back in the 6th Grade, the year I truly miss dearly. It was coming around time to face the National Exams, and also the Practical Exams. The one that worried me the most was PE. Doing forward somersaults were not my forte.

It was after a day when I had had PE. We were practicing doing our rolls, and I of course was hopeless at it. When dismissal time came around, I knew I would be picked up late, and I decided to hang around the gym. It was completely deserted, just me and the lone basketball.

Then, Pak Agus stopped by. Now that I think about it, I don't really know why he was there. He just was. And even until now, I'm glad for that fact. He asked me if I was ready for the PE Practicals yet. He asked in his sort of taunting and playful way, but I openly said no, I wasn't ready. I couldn't even do a freakin' somersault.

He laughed, and since I was feeling down at the time, it irritated me a little. But what he did next, still gets me even now. He pulled out a green mattress, the thin ones we used for practice, and told me try again, at that very second.

I thought he was kidding, at first. But since no one was around, I was confident enough to try. The first attempts were a failure. So much, I was even laughing at myself. But because, I kept trying and because Pak Agus was there to help, and support me, by the end of the day, I was able to do it.

When Practicals came around, you know how much I got in PE? An 8. I know, it's not a 8.5 or a 9, but it was the highest I ever achieved, and so yeah... I'm grateful for it.

Pak Agus is a guy I remember with a moustache. A guy who would tell corny jokes, and had a hearty laugh. A guy who became a PE teacher, who taught me for about 3 years. A guy who taunted me when I failed at PE, but supported me 'till I succeeded. A guy who inspired and taught me, and gave me all the more reason to become a teacher.

And to Pak Agus, wherever you are now, I hope you are happy and satisfied with the life you have led. I believe that you're in a better place now. I know that you are going to read this, and you are smiling right now. I just want you to know, that without you I wouldn't have been able to have done the things that I did. The things that you taught me to do. What you showed me, was beyond mere PE. You taught me to believe in myself. And for that, I want to say THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart.

Even though it's still a bit hard for me to imagine, to walk past the Elementary building, without being to able to say hi, or even see you again, I feel somewhat stronger. Though this is sad news, I'll remember in every step I make the things you have taught me. I'll only become more determined now in PE class, to raise my grades, not just for me, but for you as well.

Goodbye, Pak Agus. You've truly been a great PE teacher and friend for me.

And somewhere, someday, I know we'll get to say Hello to each other again.

So for now, I guess the best thing to say is, Aloha! :)

--Karin Novelia