Agree to Disagree

Passport to Happiness

In Singapore, on Orchard Road, there exists a sort of musical chair system of events. Currently, and a semi-permanent display row, for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games lines one side of the very wide side walk. May 9th and 10th the ever-changing tent venue held not only displays, booths and a day to evening series of entertainment that focused on the Buddhist religion.

Since the tent is a usual figure in front of this mall complex I guess they decided they need more to attract the attention of people. While certainly not life size, this very large Buddha certainly made you stop.

The square of tables next to the entrance to the tent, where music waifed out into the street, had a large selection of books. Free for the taking - yes Free, books that explained the basic concept of Buddhism; books that were for the advanced learner; books of guidance; books for enlightment; books for children; books for adults; and "Agree to Disagree" conversations on conversion.

For those who know me and for those even more fortunate individuals who have taken classes or workshops from me - you know that I am all about 'perspectives' and how there is definitely more than one and not necessarily a best or better perspective, just different perspectives.

Well I love this book. This 24 page little pamphlet.

The objective of this book is to support Buddhists who are facing proselytism in their workplace, school or even at home, so that they can maintain their stand with compassion and wisdom. The individuals who developed this book (Buddhists) was done to share with fellow Buddhists. "We have no desire or intent to cause any discomfort. We wish to state that the viewpoints in this materal are soley our own. Buddhists, who are just like everyone else, want happiness and do not want suffering. In Singapore, we are able to live well and practise our religions. Towards this end, may Singapore and Singaporeans continue to be safe, prosperous and enjoy a compassionate environment for one and all."

Wow!!! While it may be a guide for young members to the Buddhist religion, assistance for conversations you might find yourself in about your religion ('saying No respectfully') - it is really so much more. And while I am not on a conversion to Buddhism, the teachings are certainly something more of society could benefit to take note of.

The introduction got my attention and my brain immediately began churning about how this could become a promotion for tolerance of all:

"The founders of each religion has as their bsic aim the unity of mankind-to foster harmony, goodwill and understanding among all people of the world.

Like bees gathering honey from different flowers, the wisse one sees only the good in all religions and accepts the essence of the different teachings."

Mark and I were fortunate to have arrived last August in time to hear the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech. In his speech, which he actually gave 3 times (English, Mandarin Chinese and Malay) he raised his concern regarding the maintenance of religious harmony in Singapore (he was intelligent enough to keep it within the realm of his control, as I believe this is a concern the world community should have). He pointed out that the aggressive pushing of one's religion onto otehrs can prove detrimental to society; imporance of maintaining racial and religious harmony through tolerance and restraint, as well as preserving the common space that all share.

The educator in me (never stop learning) has had her learning button activated and with my newly stocked book shelf I look forward to reading about a religion I know very little about. In addition, I have a temple blocks from my flat with a treasure trove of Monks who are more than willing to discuss philosophy and principals with me. New perspectives.... love it!!!

"According to the Buddha, men are divided amongst themselves because of their strong sense of ego. When this is subdued by seeing the essential emptiness of a being, healthy human realationships will develop. The search for peace and a harmonious way of life therefore begins from within and not from the outside."

Singapore 2010 I Can (60 secs)

Singapore 2010 I Can (Gymnastics)(30 secs)

Singapore 2010 - Youth Olympic Games

The Seduction of the Green Shirt

Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

What started as a spontaneous act in August 2009 when I saw the promotion for volunteers on a McDonalds' tray liner has turned into a wonderful opportunity to work with people from around the world.

While in attendance at a interview workshop, it took Mark all of 15 minutes to volunteer for the games. The fact that he is fluent in a myriad of German dialects as well as knowing some French and Spanish made him a valuable commodity.

We are both NOC (National Olympic Committe) assistants. Our roles during the games will be vastly different (as I am not fluent in German, or French, or Spanish, or .... ). Currently he is the only volunteer that can speak German (and also has indepth knowledge of Soccer... aka Football) he will be working with the delegations from Austria, Germany and Switzerland (as a start). I am not sure which delegation I will be working with, but given my background it appears that I will be in a position in which that involves multi-tasking and not reacting to stress situations in less than a positive manner.

This is the FIRST Youth Olympic Games (2 years from now the Winter Youth Games will be held in Innsbruck - we have already put in our applications to work there). While the concept of these Games are similar to the Olympic Games we are more familiar with, there are some tweaks. Basketball, for example, will be a 3 on 3 event; Swimming will not include synchronized swimming or water polo.

In addition to the sporting events, the athletes will be involved in Cultural Education activities (we aren't sure of what these will be, as the schedule is not yet released). Athletes participating have to be in attendance for the entire 2 weeks of the games. To give you an idea what might be behind the activities is the key concepts that are reinforced with everything: Excellence, Respect and Friendship.

On Friday, May 7th, was a big kick off celebration. "99 Days" till YOG (Youth Olympic Games). I being naive to Chinese culture didn't get the whole 99 days deal, as they were making a very big deal about this - but am now aware (although not fully educated) to the fact that in the Chinese culture '99' is a lucky number. I have since learned that '50' is another such, lucky number, which I find fortunate as I wll be turning 50 this July.

YOG will have over 20,000 volunteers working (97% of the YOG workforce is volunteers); that is a whole lot of people wearing a lime green polo shirt. So I have come to the conclusion that while working with individuals around the world is a pretty cool thing; the real force in obtaining volunteers from 14-78 to work in 80% humidity and to be the seduction factor of the green shirt.

Continued updates on our ventures as YOG NOC Assistants in the days and weeks to come.

Have camera will travel: Expectations vs Perspectives

Have camera will travel: Expectations vs Perspectives

Expectations vs Perspectives

As a teacher my 'expectations' for my students is that I will hopefully prepare them for life after high school. While this might be less obvious for the freshmen and sophomores who sit in my classroom, for the juniors and seniors I strive to make activities, projects and assignments 'life lessons'. The student 'perspective' is often that I am just trying to make life difficult.

Okay, perhaps I do want to make the lives of my students challenging (not difficult, that is what they make it). I want those that sit in my classroom to do more than memorize; be more than just clones of society. I want students to be independent thinkers! I want students to make informed decisions! I want students to look at situations from multiple perspectives and come to their conclusion.

A recent survey that was done of workers, 19-29, indicated that they have a poor work ethic. They come into jobs not understanding that deadlines are just that, the day in which a project or task is due. That these young workers don't have to be accountable for being on time, showing up for work or taking accountablity for their actions. Of course this is an interesting "perspective" of a work ethic, however probably not a perspective or expectation shared by the employer.

According to the survey this behavior is learned in school (starting in elementary and continuing through college) and now young workers are expecting similar treatment in the work place.

Of course I don't believe that schools are the only ones that can held accountable for this learned behavior - parents have also played a role in this learning.

Expectations in my classes are that assignments are given a due date, and unless your are proactive and make arrangements prior to that due date, your assignment is due on that date. I do not accept late work. I will give no credit for late work. I expect students to take accountablity for themselves.

Over the course of years this expectation has been challenged by students and parents. In the beginning I might have given in but that action only came back to be a bigger headache. As the years progressed I analyzed why I had this 'expectation' and the 'perspective' from which I approached this philosophy. I was an owner of businesses that a majority of the employees were 19-29; a first hand perspective to work ethic run amuck.

So I stick by my education philosophy that I believe will prepare students for life after high school. Time management, accountablity, and reliablity. Why wouldn't we 'expect' this of our students? Why wouldn't parents want attributes such as these be part of their childs resume? Why would our 'perspective' of what should be happening in school be different than what is 'expected' from employees in the work place?

Of course this is my perspective and understand that those of others might vary - and that is okay. I just ask that you respect my educational expectation and that is from the perspective of preparing my students for life, not to just give them assignments.