Ending the Semester with JOY

The semester is OVER!
So happy that holiday is here!
Christmas... where will I be?
In the land where I can finally sing Let It Snow for real without being ironic.. hehe..

When I looked back, I am amazed at the journey I took this semester.
So many ups and downs, but in the end, JOY kicks in to give me strength.
It's worth it, you know -- all these toils and hard work.
What matters most is the process anyway.
How we managed ourselves despite the tribulations.
How we finally made it to the end.
It's worthwhile to know that at the end of the day,
a huge widespread smile draws across our faces.

I've been through a lot just this semester alone.
Thanking God for the days He gave and the strength to endure it.
Thanking God for the people surrounding me.
No matter how annoying they get sometimes,
I still need them to mold me.

Just watched The Bucket List.
Heard this profound quote about living a worthwhile life:
(In the movie it was said the Egyptians were asked this when they die to decide where they would go.)

"Have you found joy in your life?"

"Have your life brought joy to others?"

Think about.
Your life would not be worth living if your life is not full of joy and giving joy to others.

What a good question to end this semester and the thought for this year.

Thoughts on Obama's Speech on Education

Read President Obama's speech to K - HS students here:

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama

Back to School Event

Here are my thoughts ---


The statement that struck me the most:

"But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities." (Obama, 2009)

I agree with him on this. Sometimes we always think that good education = good teachers/ schools. Thus, people blame the institution for failures. But most of failures come from ourselves and our failing desire to be educated, to take responsibility of our own education. If there's no will, there's no way. No matter what force we exert to other people to be educated, if they just have no acceptance to it. In other words, to succeed in education does not rely only on the external establishment but also on our will to be educated and to take full responsibility of it.



Another statement:

"What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country." (Obama, 2009)

Education will take us far. Education is not only to land on good jobs. Education is both for ourselves but importantly on giving back to our country. Which also means that if education is just to fulfill our needs to survive, it will be a short and unfulfilling life we will have. Thinking about what we can do for others is part of our responsibility and what we can look forward to in our education.



Reference:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

unconditional love

just some thoughts i have lately.

so grateful for the unconditional love given.

at the point of my lowest
you picked me up
at the peak of my worry
you calm me down

i know you'll never leave
so my fear has been long gone
knowing i can trust you

in this life
no one else i desire
to spend my forever
but you
because you gave everything
the unconditional love

2009 - Adelene Tjoandi