miss home?

to be a giver or to be a receiver? which one makes you happier?

Having been in the UK for some time, now at last I feel the 'miss my home' thing! Yeah, definitely yes. When I spent three years teaching in Perak before, at least I knew that at the weekend I could drive back home everytime I felt lonely and missed my family terribly. Or sometimes when you have some bad things or happy things happening to you, just by stepping back to your own place (your hometown) or by looking at your mom's face etc. definitely will make your day!

But now that I am 11314.94km away (source=google) what can I do? Talking by phone or video call sometimes is just not enough. You just want more than that! aha...

I think at the moment I am a bit negative about myself. Learning and discovering new knowledge mostly about the subject of economics, particularly in developing countries, make me nervous and scared that I might not be good at it. At the same time trying hard to make sure my writing style changes to a more academic style is another thing to worry about. I am very good at writing a blog (I guess so) but I am not sure if I am that good at writing academic essays.

One week more before I do some more travelling. Ghana. I mentioned this country a lot in my previous entries. Half of my body is eager to go, but the other half is a bit scared. Especially as for three weeks, every Wednesday, I need to have injections for vaccination. Why should I not be scared right? uhu...

p/s: going to teach some children in Ghana :D woohoo...

woohooo for 20pounds!!! :D

Everybody will think that their problem is the biggest problem in the world until they see and understand other people's problems. Isn't it?

This story might not sound important...but why should I not write about it right? ahaha... So, yesterday, I gave some help at the Postgraduate Open Day, Newcastle University. As per usual, the same reason I keep using which is I am a second language speaker, I found it difficult to speak when I am nervous!

The job was quite simple. I just needed to give some explanations about the Masters in Education, by relating it to my own experiences, to people that have an interest to further their study this year. I was very nervous and scared. The person whom I encountered was a very cute girl asking me about the experience of studying International Development. I was so nervous and she is a British girl and that just added more pressure. But still, lucky for me she was cool and happy to listen to my explanation...ahaha... I think she was quite happy and that made me feel more confident! Ahaha...then I think it went well....

I really enjoyed doing it. I think I learnt a lot. Learnt about me and my explanation ability; learnt about other people too and how excited people are to know about furthering their study! I can feel a good atmosphere! An atmosphere of having the spirit to keep learning and to keep moving forward! Learn and learn! Yeahhh!!!!!

p/s: explore yourself! ooopsss

process of negotitation

The more you give the more you get back? Should we expect something or not?

The trip to Ghana is confirmed! I have booked the ticket already. Only a month to go before the expedition. It is very exciting; at the same time I am very nervous to think about it.

A few days ago, I met my supervisor for a one to one meeeting with him. It was a discussion about the research topic - to what extent teachers in Omega schools in Ghana reflect on their teaching. I guess it was a process of negotiation between me and him. A process of describing my interest with passion, thinking deeeply, preparing and providing good explanations for the reason to choose the topic and methods. Then I needed to argue in the discussion.

It can be a bit complicated sometimes when your idea is being argued over by your supervisor or when some more ideas are suggested. I wanted to look at reflection from teachers' perspectives but then my supervisor said that I maybe should also see it from the school management perspective. Especially given that the schools that I will visit are not normal schools. They are low fee private schools that serve the poor people in slum areas. I maybe should consider it....

But on the other hand I also got more opinions and wider views that I may have missed. Like I said before, the process is full of negotiation. I still want to stick with reflection. That is what I am sure about. It is my passion and what I am interested in. Let's see the reflective practitioners in Ghana!

p/s: a very busy month for preparation...