the secret garden

Catch a glimpse of this "Opo", just one of the fruit vegetables' garden that sustains the people in one rural area where I spent my month long vacation. I realized that if we make used of the fertility of our soil, perhaps there is never such a thing as hunger.

"if God takes care of the birds in the sky seemingly
with nowhere to go,
then it's never impossible that God will take care
of His human creations too..."

Creativity

I couldn't help but laughed really hard till I got teary-eyed the moment I read the lines written by one of my students in his creative portfolio, during our summer class 2008 program held in another city.


In his dedication, he was thanking his parents and their coconut tree that if not for the tree, he wouldn't be able to fulfill his project. He even mentioned the struggle he had to make to climb the coconut tree inorder to come up with this very creative project.

What made me laugh is the thought that I would see the young man's humor in his creative portfolio with the way he reacted on things and situations.

His wit and creativity helped me decide to give his work an "A+" grade. (just click photos for clear view)

I was really filled with much appreciation after I realized the kind of living that they have there in a so called provincial area. And surely the coconut trees that must have been surrounding their house really helped a lot!

With very less expense, he was able to make his project not only memorable to him but very inspiring to his readers.

Indeed, an old cliche makes sense that, "poverty is not a hindrance to success."

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Update...update!

I so love this poem...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann