This is the last post as part of the trilogy of posts looking back on my school days.
For a change, its not about me.
Its about the young and vivacious Literature teacher that taught us in Sec 1 at an all boys school (it was co-ed for Pre-U classes).
She did her degree in UK and from the way she dressed and talks, you can tell she is "different". She got that bohemian air about her...
And when she taught in class, she was not teaching us robotically so we could pass Literature exams... No, she was clearly in love with the written word.
It was only years later I realised what she tried to imbue in us...
Feel! Don't think too much!
Embrace! Immerse! And dive in!
Imagine my delight one fine day, for 3 days in a row, she walked into class braless!?
You know, when she walked, its ding-a-ling-ding-ding!
I never paid more attention in class ever. I learnt something during those torrid few days - focus.
LOL!
Sadly, she put her bra back on soon after. And I noticed she never recovered her usual energy and effervescence... Some idiot must have talked to her about her dressing...
I wasn't surprised before the year ended, she left.
I've no clue what became of her.
Interesting how some people just leave a deep impression in our memories even though the encounter was brief?
Yes, not only students can be "different"; teachers can be "different" too.
And our struggles are similar - whether it be in school or in the corporate world - how to fit in when the majority just love to beat us into their one mould fits all...
There are 2 paths for minorities like us:
Job hopping - That's the path I took. Like migratory birds, I just hopped from one environment to another until through pure dumb luck, I found an eco-system with inhabitants that not only accepted me as part of diversity, but encouraged me to thrive and spread my wings to be myself! (I stayed 14 years in that wonderful company)
Be your own boss - Some just can't work for other people under other people's house rules. So these minorities - like the beaver - will create their own eco-systems and hire people they want to work with. The entrepreneurs.
Please don't say no choice. There's always a choice. Unless you are slave or live in North Korea or something.
If we think too much, we won't hop or dive in...
Feel! Embrace! Immerse!
P.S. It's harder, but see if you can relate it to your investing/trading journey.
Hi SmOL,
ReplyDeleteOr climb high enough, u have enough room to play with the rules...
Sillyinvestor,
DeleteHow to climb higher when you are the "outcast"?
Possible, but won't it be easier to work for ourselves instead?
Hi Smol
ReplyDeleteI also had one such teacher. He was a flame of flamboyant and air of "gangsterism" teaching organization and communication skills. He was the "bad" teacher who many students feedbacked about. But He left an deep impact after so many years.
Small Time Investor,
DeleteCan you remember the Japanese series Great Teacher Onizuka?
I see you have also been blessed with "unconventional" teachers that left their marks on us ;)
Yes Smol. He is the abang version of GTO.
DeleteThe "unconventional" teachers always teaches more than the textbook contents.
Hi SMOL
ReplyDeleteIs this a click bait? Hahaha just kidding.
After further read, i understand the meaning behind it.
B,
DeleteHow "lude"!
All my posts ARE click baits!!!
LOL!
Ahem, we are still waiting... The butterfly, ant, and me ;)
Thirsty...
B,
DeleteWhen u are out to insect kingdom, just find silly bug too can? Fallen on hard times, also thirsty ... LOL
Hahaha hard to find the time to meet all at once. I'd usually be most available after work for dinner, see who's up for it. I know smol and LP have some works usually at that timing.
DeleteB,
DeleteIt's cool.
We let it be ;)
Oh ya oh ya. There is a fourth choice!
ReplyDeleteCan't be your own boss, job hop.
Can't Job hop, climb ladder.
Can't do all of the above, shut up and just work.
Sillyinvestor,
DeleteWhen a man gets tied up to the ground, he gives the world its saddest sound...
Hi SMOL,
ReplyDeleteChey, what's the big deal, I also go braless all the time HAHAHA
LP,
DeleteI was thinking of that when I wrote the headline!
Was wondering who will spot the humour that male Literature teachers go braless all the time... LOL!
I long time no wear my "bra"... (SBO).
Not that heavy, but still... What a relief to take it off after training!
I wonder whether women feel the same - with all that underwire and padding...
Shhh....
LOL!
My lit teacher was Ms Braema Mathi. She is the reason for the liberal streak in me.
ReplyDeletePatty,
DeleteWow! What a privilege!!!
Its nice to know in a little corner of financial blogging, there's quite a few of us who have a song in our hearts ;)
Dear SMOL
ReplyDeleteI used to be in arts stream in JC as well but ended up in accounting/audit profession :-)
I think in the road to financial freedom (and life in general) one has to walk our own unique paths to "success".
One of the truths that I've come across from reading various blogs, articles and books is that there is no one "right way". There are just principles to guide us when we make our decisions but ultimately we have to take ownership and decide how we want to live our lives and to decide for ourselves what it means to be successful (be it financial freedom, peace of mind, contentment).
Some of my JC tutors were caucasians who could be opiniated. One who left a great impression on me was that he advocated life-long learning (way back before it was a catchphrase by MOM/WDA/MOE) by always reading something new be it fiction, non-fiction etc.
Till today that has allowed me to expand my mind beyond what I encounter day to day at work and in personal life.
Be well and prosper!
PanzerGrenadier,
DeleteWelcome back!!! The man and his daughter!
She must have grown quite a bit by now ;)
I wish MOM/WDA/MOE can learn a thing or two from the "we do it because for the love of it" teachers!
The moment we add a goal or objective to life-long learning, it becomes "warped".
Selling life-long learning so we can remain gainfully employed its a bit like telling kids if they don't study, they will grow up to be road sweepers...
Be well and prosper - oh how I missed this sign off!
Have fun!
Wow PG, where have you been man? MIA for so long haha
ReplyDeleteHi SMOL,
ReplyDeleteI like your suggestion of job hop. I think that such approach will enable one to broaden his/her horizon. This is especially in the circumstance whereby one get the opportunity to travel overseas. I always believe that overseas travelling broaden one's horizon to greater extent. I think that you would have agree with me given your overseas time during the working year.
Ben
Ben,
DeleteExposure, experience, and embracing different milleus do broaden our horizon.
That's why our 5,000 years of collective Chinese wisdom teaches us that travelling 10,000 miles is better than reading 10,000 scrolls ;)
Librarians may disagree though...
LOL!