I still have my towel

Today’s Daily Prompt: When was the last time you were ready to throw in the proverbial towel? Did you end up letting go, or decided to fight on anyway?

In the grand scheme of things, I still have my towel. About 9 years ago, I decided that I want to become an Educational Psychologist to help pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families. Now, I am in the middle of my doctoral training to become one. It was not easy to get onto the course – it took me two attempts. Prior to that, I had to complete a 3-year undergraduate course, a 1-year Master’s course and work with children and your adults for a total of 8 years.

I found the journey rough, tough and challenging. There were times when I was ready to quit. After my first attempt at applying for the doctorate, I was so broken-hearted that I thought about changing my career path. But I was surrounded by children and young people who inspired me to go further. Through them, I saw strength that I have never seen before or since. They knew things were difficult, but they kept on going.

Now that I am in the middle of my training, I always wake up looking forward to the challenges ahead. I love Mondays! I love trying to find out the best possible way of helping each child, teacher and/or parent that I meet.

I am pleased that I carried on, thanks to my students, family and friends. I carry my proverbial towel with me – not because I plan on throwing it anytime soon, but to show people that anything’s possible but you have to work for it!

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Thank you

If my cat can read, I’d write him a ‘thank you letter’. I’ll thank him for keeping me relaxed and motivated all the time. He has given me a reason to get up in the morning. I’d also thank him for his appreciation of what I do for him. I’ll thank him for being a great ‘friend’!

(In response to today’s DailY Prompt: Literate for a Day)

Inequality

 

The most powerful story I have ever heard/seen/experienced is inequality. I see it, hear it, and feel it everyday. It’s everywhere – in the bus, supermarkets, schools, the news.

The world that we live in is not fair and most of us have to fight for what should be ours. It is important that we all fight for equal opportunities. Our wealth, sex, age, physical and mental abilities, racial background, or faith, should not inhibit us from having the same opportunities and rights as others. On the same token, we should not treat those who are different from us, in a different way to those who are similar to us.

The story of inequality stikes me everyday. I believe that reducing it is part of my job on this earth.

 

(In response to today’s Daily Prompt: Second-hand Stories)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Challenging Ski Jump (Descent)

Holmenkollen Ski Jump

I will if you will!!

Holmenkollen, Oslo

 

In response to this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Descent

Be Free!

Today’s Daily Prompt: You’re tasked with creating a brand new astrological sign for the people born around your birthday — based solely on yourself. What would your new sign be, and how would you describe those who share it?

My belief about Zodiac signs is defined by the image below:

I suppose that I have defined and described myself by refusing to create a new zodiac sign.

Life is what you make it. Don’t let an unproven system define you and what your life will be. You alone are responsible for that! Never let anyone take that away from you!

 

The Colours of Life

Today’s Daily Prompt: Imagine we lived in a world that’s all of a sudden devoid of color, but where you’re given the option to have just one object keep its original hue. Which object (and which color) would that be?

The world isn’t black and white, nor technicolour when your eyes are closed. Close them and ask yourself whether you see anything. Well, did you? Of course not. It’s pitch black. It’s dark. It’s lonely.

When your eyes are open, what do you see? Do you see the colours of life? Or does the world seem too grey – lifeless; meaningless?

This world, and indeed our lives, can either be lifeless or colourful. It’s up to us to bring light to this world. We need to shine like the sun. We need to let the gloom disappear. For there will be others who rely on us to show them what light is. Some will silently cry out for help. Help them see the colours of life. Be the light that shines on the beauty that is nature. The beauty that is life.

Unmasking my own self

Today’s Daily Prompt: We’re less than a week away from Halloween! If you had to design a costume that channeled your true, innermost self, what would that costume look like? Would you dare to wear it?

It is always difficult to truly unmask yourself- regardless of whether you are alone or with others. Knowing who you really are can be daunting. Who you are may not be who you want to be. It may also be the opposite of who others want you to be.

But does it matter? A lot of us spend countless hours in front of mirrors just to make sure that we look as good as others expect us to be. Sometimes, we nail it. Sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we are who we want ourselves to be, and we sometimes aren’t.

Our desires change. We change. others change.

Should we go with the flow? Which flow? Why? Why not?

Anyway…

If I’m going to design a costume that would reveal the inner, truest of true me, I’ll probably get dressed in bacon. Not everyone likes bacon, but I do. Bacon can make people happy for a while.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Imagine (Cover Art)

Imagine

I stumbled upon this grafitti on my visit to London a few weekends ago. It depicts two people- one white, pressumably British, male and one woman who is wearing a burkha- holding hands. In light of what has happened and what is happening in the world, I think this is one of the most powerful pieces of art that I have ever seen.

John Lennon’s song Imagine came to my mind when I saw this.

Imagine:

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

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In response to this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Art Work

Weekly Photo Challenge: Dreamy Doughnuts

I went to the BOXPARK in London over the weekend and discovered this fancy little doughnut shop called Dumdum Donutterie that sells the best doughnuts I have ever tasted.

In response to this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Dreamy

Extra time to rest

Today’s Daily Prompt: Good news — another hour has just been added to every 24-hour day (don’t ask us how. We have powers). How do you use those extra sixty minutes?

Extra hour a day? I’ll take it!! I’ll use it all for resting my body- especially my eyes.

I’ll have an extra 20 minutes of rest in the morning after my workout;

10 minutes in between my research writing/ reading

And 30 minutes before bedtime.

What about you?