Books. Loads and loads of books. Bookstores well stocked with books. Well stocked with books of quality. Gorgeous, glorious books.
Stepping into Borders this afternoon was sensational. The mere sight of all those books was simply intoxicating. It was as though all my senses were in hyper-drive! Within 2 minutes I had already grabbed a book for purchase!
Such a pity that we (Ms. Ann and I) only had a couple of hours to browse through the books, though enough to make a few good buys. Speaking of which, I didn't take any pictures of the books! Another day. Another day.
Oh, my eyes are getting heavy.
**yawn**
I guess it's bedtime.
Buenos noches...the sleepy me seems to be thinking in Espanyol! Not that I am fluent in it or even know more than the required 10 basic words in Spanish. Talk about being drowsily messed up!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
I love these!
Owen (a student of mine) took these pictures last week on his new fancy camera. The pictures turned out really nice. This boy seems to have the knack for photography.
The view from the entrance.
Flowers from With Studio. They are the ones who designed signboard, name card, flyers, official receipts, bags and THE LOGO.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Students of Hope
One day I will be greater than Rushdie. For now, kiddie books would do just fine.
What do we have here...
AREN'T I FABULOUS?
SAY CHEESE!!
This has to be the most beautiful signboard in the whole wide world.
DITTO.
I can't wait to expand our library. One day, hopefully, we'll have an entire room just for the books.Our very own library.
Simply FABULOUS.
read
We have newbies!!!
Registration of new students has been quite a good experience. When people walk in our doors, we do not know what to expect. Some parents are quite well informed on the Cambridge ESOL programmes where else some are quite clueless despite claiming to have enrolled their children in "similar" (ed: similar in the loosest sense possible) learning centres. Though what we see all these people are seeking for is identical: QUALITY EDUCATION.
As we have given our word to these parents that we emphasise quality and the progress of our students where in we are more concerned on how they would be able to apply the learning of English in our classes in the world outside, we will see to it that these students receive the best we have to offer. We do not offer the moon, nor are we saying "Hey, send your child here. We guarantee they will score As in their exams..." No. We are asking them for time. Time for their children to grasp the fundamentals of English. Then we shall work together to the fluency of speech and understanding. When we have this down, then shall we work towards mastering the language.
I have been speaking English since I could talk. It is my first language. The only language in which I can truly express myself. Yet, I am no where near the true mastery of English. I continue to learn new words in English. When I watch movies and dramas, I encounter whole new expressions that are foreign to me. English is an exciting and vibrant language. It may not be as diverse as other languages, nor is it in the most logical language, but it is the nuances and quirkiness of this language which I am so in love with. It is my proficiency in English that enables me to immerse into the amazing worlds written by writers I love; to feel the intensity and motion the characters go through. Merely watching a movie does not inflame your senses as much as reading does.
Just as I love to read works by Arundhati Roy, Jane Austen, Audrey Niffinegger, Rohinton Mistry, Bernice Chauly, C.S. Lewis and many more, so do I want the young ones to grow to love the written word. The beauty you find in books is rarely ever translated in its full splendour to the screen.
Registration of new students has been quite a good experience. When people walk in our doors, we do not know what to expect. Some parents are quite well informed on the Cambridge ESOL programmes where else some are quite clueless despite claiming to have enrolled their children in "similar" (ed: similar in the loosest sense possible) learning centres. Though what we see all these people are seeking for is identical: QUALITY EDUCATION.
As we have given our word to these parents that we emphasise quality and the progress of our students where in we are more concerned on how they would be able to apply the learning of English in our classes in the world outside, we will see to it that these students receive the best we have to offer. We do not offer the moon, nor are we saying "Hey, send your child here. We guarantee they will score As in their exams..." No. We are asking them for time. Time for their children to grasp the fundamentals of English. Then we shall work together to the fluency of speech and understanding. When we have this down, then shall we work towards mastering the language.
I have been speaking English since I could talk. It is my first language. The only language in which I can truly express myself. Yet, I am no where near the true mastery of English. I continue to learn new words in English. When I watch movies and dramas, I encounter whole new expressions that are foreign to me. English is an exciting and vibrant language. It may not be as diverse as other languages, nor is it in the most logical language, but it is the nuances and quirkiness of this language which I am so in love with. It is my proficiency in English that enables me to immerse into the amazing worlds written by writers I love; to feel the intensity and motion the characters go through. Merely watching a movie does not inflame your senses as much as reading does.
Just as I love to read works by Arundhati Roy, Jane Austen, Audrey Niffinegger, Rohinton Mistry, Bernice Chauly, C.S. Lewis and many more, so do I want the young ones to grow to love the written word. The beauty you find in books is rarely ever translated in its full splendour to the screen.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Chapter 1
November 1 came and went, bringing along chaos and an immediate sense of urgency. You see, November 1st was supposed to be HOPE's "official" OPEN DAY. Alas, nothing was complete and ready for launch. The walls and floor were yet to be painted, the air-conditioners were not fully installed, the signboard was nowhere in-sight and the PLACE WAS A MESS!
I contemplated calling-off the meet-and-greet and registration of new students. Thank GOD I was reminded of hope. The hope which has been a fiery passion within me. The hope which "does not disappoint". True enough I was not disappointed. We met our future clients in the cafe downstairs. Sherline conducted her tutorial for two students in the cafe and I had my five students do their studies in the alfresco area.
See, hope does not fail.
I contemplated calling-off the meet-and-greet and registration of new students. Thank GOD I was reminded of hope. The hope which has been a fiery passion within me. The hope which "does not disappoint". True enough I was not disappointed. We met our future clients in the cafe downstairs. Sherline conducted her tutorial for two students in the cafe and I had my five students do their studies in the alfresco area.
See, hope does not fail.
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