Happiness


Happiness is something which everyone is chasing after for. But, as you chase after it, the further it runs away. It should come naturally just like you smile when you are happy.


Today, while having lunch with my colleagues, I got to realise something. A colleague who was in the same school as me in Kindergarten, Primary School and Secondary School, said that she remembered that I always participated in any sports events like sports day. That moment, I was quite shocked as we were not very close which made me goes “Huh? Really?” and gave a wide smile. I never expected her to remember much about me but she actually remembered something which might not be particularly obvious to many others. Actually, a lot of people do not really believe that I am someone who prefers outdoor activities. So, she made me feel happy and touched. =D


Today was very busy at work. 3 people were sick so I was alone managing at the ‘dependent’ side i.e. a section where the kids are all very young, not even attended primary school yet. If you deal with kids before, you would know that some kids can be very impatient. When they want something, they actually want it RIGHT NOW. You can try ignoring them and you shall bear with the consequences.


This was what happened. I was really busy trying to finish marking their practice papers and on my left, there was this little girl who kept asking me questions. On top of this, 1 kid after another kept asking me questions that I nearly thought that I made a mistake by writing the scores on another student’s book. Yes, I was panicking as I wondered whose question to answer first. o.o


I was very thirsty too. Why?


1. That girl on my left kept asking me the same question. Please do not misunderstand that I was losing my patience. Never was I. =) She was only about 3-4 years old so learning numbers which consist of 2 digits would be quite tough. She was learning numbers from 20-40. When it came to 30-40, she was so confused that I had to use different ways to explain to her. Really, it is never easy to teach kids of tender age. In the end, she understood but she kept asking if the answers were correct. I personally felt that she knew how to do but she was just not confident at all. I felt a sense of achievement as I am getting better at teaching kids. =D


2. I was to guide a little boy in counting. It was very difficult to get his attention but still managed to do half of the worksheet after that, he ran away. O.O He just did not want to sit down. When you asked him to sit down and do work he would say “I don’t want”. =( Anyway, even the manager could not manage him too. Not long after, his mother came. They were all quite worried about him as he just did not want to sit down and learn. Then, the manager said that if he knows how to count at his age, it is good enough. So, his mother immediately took that set of worksheet to ask him to count. He knew everything which I taught. I was really so happy. Before his mother left, she said with a wide smile “thanks a lot, you tried very hard.” Really, I was so happy and touched that my efforts were being recognized.


To me, it comes really rare. Many times, I wonder if people recognize and appreciate what I have done. This comes especially important to me because I have very low self-esteem. I guess this is why I would spend time doing a card writing many thanks to the person on his/her birthday to show that their efforts are well paid-off.


3. A cute and sweet looking little girl was asking mathematics questions which were like “5+8, 6+7” To us, it is definitely very easy but to a little girl/boy like her who had just started to get in touch with numbers, how would it be easy? We all take a step at a time, so does she.


Wait; let me tell you how cute she was. She was supposed to stand at my side to listen to my explanation. However, in the end, she automatically sat at the side of my chair i.e. shared a chair with me. I was quite stunned. Look at me, I look so kind and friendly, how would I ask her to get off? = p So, I just adjusted my seat to let her sit more comfortably. She was so cute. *pinch pinch*

She spoke very softly. Compared to her, I am definitely like a giant which is much taller than her and speaks much more loudly.


Later, she came to my side again. I thought she might want to ask me some questions so I just conveniently asked her “yes?” in a nice tone, of course. Then, she asked if she could go to the toilet. Like usually, I would look at the student and answer “oh. Can, can”. But, after about 5 seconds, I realised that she was still at the same spot so I said “yes, you can go.” Then she said in a very soft tone which should go “I don’t dare to go to the toilet”. So I went “huh?” before understanding.

In the end, I had to go into the same cubicle as her. o.o Sounds like I am a pervert. But, think again, I have what she has but I am more developed. =x


Back to the main point. In order let her understand how to do questions like what I have mentioned, I really had to go one step at a time. For example, I would ask her “what is 8+1” instead of “8+5” because she just could not get it. She asked me at least 6 questions and I could only increase by 1 or occasionally 2 at a time if not she would not know how to do.

Something which made me feel happy about is that she had most questions correct out of 100 questions i.e. less than 10 mistakes and she did the corrections by herself. =D A sense of achievement.


4. A little girl made me repeat a phrase over and over again. Imagine a booklet of 10 weeksheets with 20 pages in total and with about 2 phrases on a page and I had to repeat at least 3 times to ensure that her pronunciation was okay and also to get her attention as she kept playing. Yes, I can be very patient.


5. Many kids asked me questions so I kept speaking and speaking. Ha
Yes. These are the four reasons which made me so thirsty today. Ha ha. But, it was all worth it. =)


You know, even though I usually feel very lethargic after my internship, but I never once thought of quitting my job at this tuition centre – of course, as a human, I do complain to myself but at the end of the day, I would feel that it is all worth it. =D


Why?
All of them are very nice and friendly.
You would not feel afraid to ask question or your questions are being ignored if you do. Even if you have asked before, they would still teach you patiently.
They treat you with humanity. They never once use any mean words on anyone.
Most importantly, I know what I am doing and not working like a robot doing what others tell you to.


All these traits are so opposite of a place. Sigh.


I feel kind of happy today because a number of people made my day. This is what I call 'simple happiness'. =)