My gut feeling told me to ignore the messages and the invites, but I didn't listen. I attended another reunion organized by my high school friends. This time it was a smaller venue with around twenty people. People I swore I'd never meet or talk to again in this lifetime.
No I wasn't forced or pressured into the situation. It would have been easier if I decided to stay inside my comfort zone, made some lame excuse and not go. But I realized that I have been staying inside my comfort zone for a long time. Someone said that you have to push yourself in situations that make your hands sweat, your heart beat with panic and apprehension. That's the only time when you grow more as a person and learn more about yourself.
So I smiled and shook the hands of my high school classmates, talked about the significant milestones that happened in my life - getting married, having kids, and all that usual stuff. It felt good for a while, until one of them made a casual joke, recalling the time I was being bullied.
I kept smiling and waited for the conversation to shift to something more interesting. Part of me wondered if they still look at me as that weird pale-skinned sissy boy who got a lot of flak for being the most physically inept kid in PE class. I thought I made a terrible mistake coming to this reunion.
We continued talking after dinner. One of my classmates brought up the bullying issue again. He asked me if he ever did bully me and if he did, he was asking for forgiveness. Honestly I was not sure if he was one of those boys who made fun of me (there were so many I could not remember). I didn't want to make a big issue out of the situation so I said it was okay and it was no big deal.
I was grateful for the apology. It sounded sincere and I knew he felt bad about things that happened to me back in school. The truth was that he was not the worst bully in the room. There was another person in the reunion who made my school life totally unbearable. I wanted to confront him and tell him how his words haunted me for many years, and how I had to spend several more years trying to fix the damage he did to my self-worth and my self-image. But that never happened.
The reunion ended on a good note, with everyone feeling full and happy. Despite the apology and the talks, I doubt if I will ever come back to these kind of events. It felt like re-living a past that you wish never happened. I completely understand why some of my friends and classmates refuse to attend these homecoming dinners. They still hold on to past hurts and grudges like some glorious battle wound or priceless family heirloom. Perhaps these hurts are the only memories they have left. Perhaps they fear the scorn and judgement of people, as if they were still the same boy in school facing the same bullies in those empty corridors.
I have no regrets attending the reunion. I did come to the realization that some people do change for the better, some people still remain the same, and I should take whatever apologizes given to me. I would be lying to myself if I said I found closure to my "sad" high school life, but I think I have made some measure of peace with my past.
Designing a Book/Magazine Cover
This is my first attempt to create a digital illustration for a magazine or book cover. I followed an online Photoshop tutorial, using free stock photos and vector art.
I was inspired to create this book cover from the Chinese factory worker who recently committed suicide. Apparently he was an accomplished writer who wrote poems about the struggles and isolation he felt while working in the factory.
His translated works are available online for everyone to read. I can only imagine the emotional pain and the hardship that he endured, working in that wretched place. Unfortunately, this is the struggle of most migrant workers earning a meager living in Mainland China. I pray and hope that things change, and perhaps their lives improve for the better.
I was inspired to create this book cover from the Chinese factory worker who recently committed suicide. Apparently he was an accomplished writer who wrote poems about the struggles and isolation he felt while working in the factory.
His translated works are available online for everyone to read. I can only imagine the emotional pain and the hardship that he endured, working in that wretched place. Unfortunately, this is the struggle of most migrant workers earning a meager living in Mainland China. I pray and hope that things change, and perhaps their lives improve for the better.
Driven Over the Edge
A few hours ago, my son's school issued an announcement online, informing parents of an incident that happened yesterday. Apparently a high school student attempted to take his own life, stepping out into the ledge of the building's fifth floor. After talking and praying with his friends and teachers, the boy came back inside.
The school administrators decided to inform everyone about the incident, probably to prevent any rumor-mongering and to offer prayers for the boy and his family. I appreciate the school's effort of reaching out to the community, reminding parents to take extra care of their children's emotional well being.
There were a lot of comments, mostly prayers of support for the boy and his family. Some parents think the boy was neglected or he had some problems with his parents. Others were asking that the school do more to reach out to the boy and other students who might be struggling with the same issues.
Unless the school gives out more details, people can only guess what's going on inside the boy's head as he was standing out in the ledge. I can only imagine the kind of struggle and pressure he must have been facing. As someone who faced his own share of depression and abuse, I can understand why he made the decision to step on to that ledge. One thing I learned about suicide is that people who attempt to kill themselves just want to end the pain. This wasn't something he thought on a whim, it was probably simmering in his head for a long time. His problems must have pushed him to the breaking point, to the point of wanting to stop the hurt and end his life.
I think the school and the local government's disaster response unit did an excellent job in saving the boy. But the real challenge is to help the boy with his issues, and that takes a lot more time and commitment. Personally I think the traditional school system still lack the tools to help students cope with their personal problems. Teachers can teach morals and dogma about the sins of taking one's own life, but these lessons offer little comfort students who struggle with problems like bullying or abandonment.
I wish the best for the boy and his family. I hope he finds the strength and the support he needs to fight his inner demons. The best we could do, as a community of parents, is to stop judging these students, reach out to our own kids, and teach them to be better human beings.
The school administrators decided to inform everyone about the incident, probably to prevent any rumor-mongering and to offer prayers for the boy and his family. I appreciate the school's effort of reaching out to the community, reminding parents to take extra care of their children's emotional well being.
There were a lot of comments, mostly prayers of support for the boy and his family. Some parents think the boy was neglected or he had some problems with his parents. Others were asking that the school do more to reach out to the boy and other students who might be struggling with the same issues.
Unless the school gives out more details, people can only guess what's going on inside the boy's head as he was standing out in the ledge. I can only imagine the kind of struggle and pressure he must have been facing. As someone who faced his own share of depression and abuse, I can understand why he made the decision to step on to that ledge. One thing I learned about suicide is that people who attempt to kill themselves just want to end the pain. This wasn't something he thought on a whim, it was probably simmering in his head for a long time. His problems must have pushed him to the breaking point, to the point of wanting to stop the hurt and end his life.
I think the school and the local government's disaster response unit did an excellent job in saving the boy. But the real challenge is to help the boy with his issues, and that takes a lot more time and commitment. Personally I think the traditional school system still lack the tools to help students cope with their personal problems. Teachers can teach morals and dogma about the sins of taking one's own life, but these lessons offer little comfort students who struggle with problems like bullying or abandonment.
I wish the best for the boy and his family. I hope he finds the strength and the support he needs to fight his inner demons. The best we could do, as a community of parents, is to stop judging these students, reach out to our own kids, and teach them to be better human beings.
DIY Mint Extract
Now that I have three large pots of Citrus mint and Peppermint plants growing at home, I started to do some research as to what I can do with them. I already brewed some mint tea for me and my parents a few months ago, I thought there must be other things I can do with the leaves.
So after some thought, I decided to find a way to make our own mint extract. Mint oil extract has medicinal properties and adds a cool minty flavor to drinks. I did some research and found several sites that talk about the DIY process of making peppermint extract.
The prairehomestead.com has an article that discusses the step-by-step process of making peppermint extract. I am looking forward to making my own batch of mint extracts to use on our tea and coffee drinks.
So after some thought, I decided to find a way to make our own mint extract. Mint oil extract has medicinal properties and adds a cool minty flavor to drinks. I did some research and found several sites that talk about the DIY process of making peppermint extract.
The prairehomestead.com has an article that discusses the step-by-step process of making peppermint extract. I am looking forward to making my own batch of mint extracts to use on our tea and coffee drinks.
Excited for SyFy's Ascension
I like the premise of the show, specially the way they created a 1960s time capsule ship traveling in space. What makes Ascension even wonderful is that Tricia Helfer (from BattleStar Galactica) is in it.
New Lego Toys from Shell
Looks like I will be buying gasoline from Shell for the next few months. Despite Greenpeace's campaign, Shell has launched its last collectable Lego Ferari car sets.
This year's collection includes four Ferari cars and two play sets (with minifigs). I was hoping they'd add more minifigs this year, but I guess two is better than none. I am planning to get the two play sets and probably the blue and red Ferrari cars.
This year's collection includes four Ferari cars and two play sets (with minifigs). I was hoping they'd add more minifigs this year, but I guess two is better than none. I am planning to get the two play sets and probably the blue and red Ferrari cars.
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