Random thoughts: The treasure Hunter- All that glitters

The treasure hunter finally got his chance.

The bear was not too tough. The fight didn't last long.

Conner went into the cave. He saw some gold.

As he picked up his loot. he saw a light shinning from the top of nowhere.

He then noticed this light is slowly turning the stones into a copper red color.

He was mesmerized by what he saw. He went nearer.

To is surprise, the light is a halo, it is like a wormhole of sorts, it opens to many different world. All with the light shinning down on the rocks.

He saw colonies of bears.

When he almost wanted to go, he saw to his dismay, a treasure hunter being fell by a bear.

He could not do anything but watch the bear fling him, together with his sophisticated gadgets to the corner of the cave. He went under the light and turn copper red.

Suddenly as if struck by lighting, he dropped his gold. These gold are stones from the cave, and also the remains of other treasure hunters!

He looked closely at the gold, he couldn't really tell whether it originate from the minerals or another human.

He left and returned to his family with a rather heavy heart.

He saw his wife and kids. She turned and looked at him, then quietly went on with her chores.

Conner was a bit upset, he told his wife:" I am back, I got the gold, but......"

His wife turned around, surprised and muttered, "Oh. That's great, your son needs some tonic."

Conner wanted to use most of the gold to buy more sophisticated weapons for his next hunt. But he couldn't say no.

"I will need part of it, dear. For my next hunt. I am sorry."

The wife looked at him, he couldn't tell what the expression means. She said:" OK"

He went to his son, eager to tell him the stories of his hunt. His son was excited. "So how much gold did you get? Have you thought of a way to harvest the light? Maybe you should go for a bigger bear next time."

After the conversation, Conner went to his grandfather. He felt quite empty, and couldn't explain why. His grandfather is very weak and can hardly get off  the bed.

"Conner.. Have you go into the cave?" Conner was surprised, he thought his grandfather who worked his whole life at the farm, had no idea about the magical caves.

His grandfather saw the puzzle look and was amused. "So, all that glitters, I hope it is worth it..."

      

Random story: The treasure hunter

The treasure is in the cave.

There is countless treasures, it is almost a magical cave. There is no way anyone can finished looting it. The entrances to the cave is magical too. It is said that different people will see different access to the cave. But as it has made many filthy rich, many have died in the pursuit too.

Conner has seek many successful hunters' advice before he embarked on this quest too.

There is countless bears lurking in the cave. The only way to get to the treasure, is to slain the bear.

No one, however, has ventured into cave and slain the bear from within.

The trick is to lure the bear out.

If you find a big bear, it means the treasure is big. However, if you are not ready for the bear, be prepared to walk away, it is better to keep your life and try another time than try to slay a 6 feet bear with only a Sabre.

Conner has prepare well. He has prepared as much arrows as he could, dip them into poison.

However, no matter how he tried to lure the bear out using different food, the bear did not bite.

Everyday, he felt his energy slipping away, his patience wearing thin.

It has been 2 long years. The are a few occasions when the bear popped its head out. But Conner wanted a good sight and shot, so he passed. Now, he really regretted his choice. It is especially hurting when he saw other treasure hunters already making multiple trips and having their full each time.

They always ask:" Have not got a chance?"

Conner looked at them. Some of them had war machines. He looked at his own arrows, and feel like giving up.

He went up the cave, and stand at the entrance. And left with nothing. But he didn't give up. He had another idea.

He spent the next year roaming around the mountain. Searching for possible entrances, he looked where no man go. He even looked where other hunters left. They didn't want to use their sophisticated weaponry on cubs. He didn't mind.

He finally is more confident with his craft.

He noticed while bears tend to appear out of the blue, they usually appear when there are geographic disturbances. Earthquakes, landslides, flood, etc. There has been flooding at certain areas for years, it is believed it is going to trigger landslides. He believed his time will come soon.

Looking at the stars, he noticed the Greece Star is shining very dimly. Usually a prelude to a earthquake.

He now know of a few areas where bear might appear. He is keeping a bigger radar now.

He does not know if his wait will be futile or if a bear do appear, can he actually slay it?

He wonder if he should spend more time on his weaponry instead?

He hoped to slain a bear, get his first pot of gold and used it to improve his weaponry.

He is nervous, it has been almost three years.

His family is missing him. He wonders how they are, and if they can continue without him much longer.

He gave himself one last chance, if September there is no bear, he will go home empty-handed

Random thoughts: Some lessons learnt in managing heavy workload

Lesson 1:
Rushing for a deadline sucks more than fatigue. Hence I am still working now, so that I do not need to rush like mad on a hectic Monday.

Lesson 2:
Consolidate the to-do list. I List all that I need to do in the morning, so that my mind do not keep drifting from one item to the other. "oh, I still have that to handle", write it down in the computer but also uses a physical post it and paste in somewhere prominently, with the deadline highlighted, and take it down only after you have complete the task. Without this exercise, I am constantly in a fluster, and time can flies by without accomplishing much.

Lesson 3:
Identify the task that stretched over a long period with multiple deadlines. Set a timeline for yourself before you even start. I am rushing deadlines and deadlines over the administration of organizing my first overseas immersion. This is the first time I am organizing it. Plenty of lessons learnt. Give a date for call of tender, evaluation of tender, letter to be vetted and sent out to the "right" pupils, interview of pupils, confirmation of name list, liaison with Vendor on briefing date. etc.

Flag such a heinous task, and work backwards properly. I am fighting fire like nobody business now, because I never plan ahead

Lesson 4:
After you have done the above 3, live by the day. Do not think about tomorrow, focus on what is to be accomplish by today, by lunch, etc.

There are a few times I made several last minute logistic request to my OM. He lamented "Why always so last minute". I told him "sorry, I lived by the day!" He was very amused and had a good laugh. He used my phrase as often as I used it now. LOL

This is somewhat similar to what LP calls, mindfulness.

Lesson 5:
Something has to give. It is either time or quality, or your sanity.

Lesson 6:
Do not run or hide. It makes things worse. Every morning, I would feel like applying for medical leave after thinking about the number of things I need to get done. But I know I will feel worse when I come back from self-announced leave.

Also, do what is right. I still insist that I plan the lesson and prepare my lesson before I teach my pupils. Although when my energy level is low, my lesson is less effective and successful, I refused to let the administration part destroyed my core business. That is the area of recharge, where I find my passion, I feel super drained when I know I delivered a lesson lousily, and is due to my lack of preparation. Despite all the hectic demands, going for a well-prepared lesson is always a breath of fresh air. I cannot kill the goose for the eggs.

Caterpillar survival menu.

Cheers.
Silly investor

Random thoughts: Paradigm shifts again?

Hmm...

My view of the world has changed. Perhaps to a little extend, my values. 

But unlike posts from 2-3 weeks ago, when I feel really down, I am actually quite at peace with myself, although the external circumstances have not changed much. 

I have drawn closer to the teaching of Buddhism, I am still a free thinker, but My philosophy in the past was very much colored by ZhuangZi's Tao and Buddhism. I am NOT a a follower, just interested in the teaching. 

SMOL, if you are reading this, my apologies for our growing distance in our philosophy cognition, although I would have agree that my low energy might be construed as groaning or moaning without myself realising it earlier, recently, I am at peace with myself. Perhaps no longer the sunshine SI, but no longer feeling low. I am actually feeling "nothing and everything"

I enjoy this while perhaps not as much as I enjoyed my carefree and high zen state of mind. I get to taste intense emotions, and I taste it as it is. I still live and breath.

On my drive home last minute, a song almost made me swell in tears. Emotional perhaps, but I accept it and savor it, in my mind, this is the "taste of life"

I thank you for your muddy cup. My cup perhaps is full. 

I start to appreciate many things more than FF, and when I write, I might sound like sour grapes. This might not mean I gave up on that, I would still like that pledge of distinction, but I now really felt it is 过眼云烟. I saw life as too unpredictable and perhaps sufferings to be caught up in that web. My post on what money can buy, it taken as I am worried about money. I am not saying I am not worried about money, but really, there are more valuable things to worry about. 

FF, is an option not to work. What if I am already FF?

I do think I am already FF, just that I do not have the option not to work. Despite the mad weeks due to multiple projects requiring my attention, and even if every morning, the thought do getting MC do creep into my mind, I still enjoy my work. I do not like the administrative part, but I appreciate it as part of my life. 

Perhaps, some might think it is a golden handcuff, I do not. I seriously think, If I struck toto, I will continue to work. 

I even thought of a blog post like surviving madness in my work, and wanted to share my tips. LOL. Maybe latter. 

"If you like what you work, you will never have to work a single day" while this quote does not apply completely to me, I feel this type of FF, perhaps is already the envy of many, and why should I be upset with chasing the cloud. I know, many will say if you want something bad enough, you will change enough of your lifestyle to get that. I say very confidently, I do not want pure monetarily FF now, at least not badly. 

I say old age as suffering, sickness as inevitable. But I am not "low", but it is now vividly in my mind, and I know everyone time will come, is money going to make it better? I think so, but am I going to create another problem with money?

I do not chase freedom, I do not chase FF, I do not even chase the happy Zen state anymore.

I just live, happy, sad, emotional, whatever.

I am at peace, although tired, although not as sunshine.

Perhaps, my views are getting "strange" or "defensive"

As I said before, I blog to crystallize my thoughts, as well as having outlet.

You need not agree with me. 

Random thoughts: What money can buy...

Money can buy security.
A good job,  material comforts, perhaps maybe just cold hard cash and equities, I will feel more secured when I have more. I know I can take care of future needs.

Money can buy comfort and worldly pleasures
Self-explanatory

Money can buy the most expensive healthcare.
I used the word expensive, common wisdom is the more expensive it is, the better it is.

Money can buy some respect.
I think so, you do not have to agree.

Money can buy choices.
Self-explanatory

Money can buy some time.
Time saved and well spent because you use money to buy convenience. Think car, domestic helper, etc.

If you do not agree on all of the above, why are you reading financial blog?

Money cannot buy health, but no one can ensure health. They can choose not to destroy health, that's all.

Money cannot turn back the clock, again, nothing can, wouldn't it be a better option with money.

Money is something I can grabs, something I can count, something that is everywhere.

It is something tangible, something within area of control.

So What is my point?

What happens if you do not have money? Or as much as I hope I can to buy all the above.

I buy my mind.

I buy my values.

I have nothing else.

Random thoughts: contentment

I read it somewhere before.

For someone starving, all he wanted will be a piece of bread.

For someone walking for hours, a bench will be so pleasing.

The simple act of holding a glass of water can be so tiring if u do not know how to

Put it down after you take a sip.

Very contented now, sitting at a cafe waiting for my wife to finish her facial.

Huh, spend so much in a cafe! I used to sit by the lift Lobby to mark, read as I waited to save on the dollars.

I do whatever I liked, whenever I feeli like it now.

I will pursuit the last dollar and cent,

There will be time I will be eating oats for breakfast. But there will be time, I give myself a treat. 

I have only 1 life. Money can be earned, time lost is gone.

This morning, when I went back to school to do a PSLE briefing for parents, I saw this and found it beautiful. 

I looked out of the cafe and is happy seeing kids looking around.

Ok, I am ready for my marking now. LOL.

Random thoughts: Ask "when" after "why" and "how"

In any teaching workshop or introduction of "new" pedagogy, (new to me) they always start with the Why, and end with the how.

Personally, I think most people spent too much time on the "Why", in this business, if not for the children, then what. Over-hyping the "why" actually do more harm than good as over-promise lead to cynicism.

Then the "how". I am always wondering about the "how", how to use the ICT tool such as Linot, Google site, for my lesson? How to incorporate Collaboration, experiential learning and even "flipped classroom" concept in my teaching   

How to do this, how to do that. 

The equally important question, I realized, to ask is "when". When is incorporating self-assessment checklist in your Google site for oral practice useful? Most probably during the second to fourth lesson when pupils are still unsure of the structure and framework of what to say during picture description, so such a component serve as a reminder and also a means as self-directed learning. Do u still need to do that during the final few revision sessions? Most probably not. 

Now, another concept I embraced is differentiated instruction. I used to ask how? How? How? 

Now I ask "how?" followed by "when?". I did all sorts of lessons trying to infuse elements of DI, until one day I ask myself if I really value add in anyway. After reflection, I believe that during the initial few sessions, when all that I need pupils to know is the basic framework, and assume

Almost no one has heard of it yet, I do not actually need to crack my head over how to do it? I think any valued addness in D I at the stage will not be as big as during the later stage when everyone grasps the basic concept. When a baseline is established, then it is good to stretch those who already understand. I do that but asking pupils to do editing of samples. They edit it to suit their level of  understanding   and confidence. Simple and efficient, but I am sure those lecturers teaching Differentiated Instruction will frown at my simplicity.

When I am going through my mind about teaching pedagogy, I am also reminded that no matter how sound a method is, 3 universal ingredients cannot be missing. Just like no matter how good a cook you are, some basic seasonings cannot be missing. They are:

1) frequency of lessons/ tasks

2) monitoring of performance

3) energy level of teachers.

The best lesson is nothing without the above 3, the most boring lesson with the above three cannot go too wrong.

I draw a lot of parallels with investment after this mental exercise.