value of a teacher

I went to my kids' school to get a glimpse at my kid's exam paper. the result was announced but the exam paper was not returned back. so I went there to get the clear picture on the weakness of my kid. after telling the teacher that I want to see the exam paper, she replied "why? you don't satisfied with the result?". what the heck...? so these negative-thinking teachers are moulding my kids! no wonder each and every day the social problems become bigger and bigger.

if you found that a government is corrupt (in a democracy world), you can vote them out. but if the (government schools') teachers are corrupt, what should you do?

sakura song

this is certainly not a sakura tree. but 25 years ago a Japanese teacher taught me a very lovely, Japanese traditional song - Sakura. I don't know where is the teacher who taught me Japanese language. to her, I would like to say thank you. a phrase I had not say it to her before.

sakura sakura

noyama mo sato mo

mi-watasu kagiri

kasumi ka kumo ka

asahi ni niou

sakura sakura

hanazakari

sakura sakura

yayoi no sorawa

mi-watasu kagiri

kasumi ka kumo ka

nioi zo izuru

izaya izaya

mini yukan

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

On Meadow-hills and mountains

As far as you can see.

Is it a mist, or clouds?

Fragrant in the morning sun.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

Flowers in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

Across the Spring sky,

As far as you can see.

Is it a mist, or clouds?

Fragrant in the air.

Come now, come now,

Let’s look, at last!

school, life

the picture above is the building where my dorm was more than two decades ago. it was a boarding school about 400 km from my home. I was in early teenage when I was sent there. the journey to the school was an epic one. we left home in the midnight at reached there early in the morning and didn't sleep. I was not only accompanied by my parent and siblings but also my grandparent. it was just an alien place for me: I've never been outside 200 km radius from my home.

I visited the school last two weeks with my kids. not much is changing. in fact the outside condition of the buildings were about the same when I left them: faded and not conducive. I suspect they lack of maintenance. I mean they do repaint the buildings but not as frequent. there are several new blocks but the I also noticed that the fence are very nice. I wonder why the fence, not the buildings.

I believe since it is a school, they government should make the school 'alive'. the kids who live there will spend five years living in such environment. during my last year at the school I was lucky to have a 'live' experience on what is democracy. the school was chosen as a polling station. I managed to see how people working day and night to put on their campaign banners. I also witnessed how the people taking turn to cast their vote. I slept less during the period.

so give the kids some 'life' to live in.

GREENHOUSE GAS RELEASED: 0.117 kg