As this new year of 2023 kicks off, I find myself increasingly thinking I'm a 52-going-on-53-year-old teenager with insecurities spilling in every direction, along with my dad bod. Yes, that's right. Yours truly. The one who left high school eons ago. The one who's worked for what is now over a quarter of a century. … Continue reading Starting the new year with old insecurities
Previously I had written about living with my 87-year-old mom and her various health issues. The latest has been her skin condition. For the past several months, we've seen her skin turn dryer, even scalier. And she's been scratching herself almost non-stop every day. Many times to the point of bleeding. To say we've sought … Continue reading Parenting in reverse #3 — my mom and aging
Last week I wrote about the unfortunate, ongoing trend of parents who don't listen to their kids, invariably leading many of them into depression. Or worse. Today, I want to share some practical strategies to help parents, should mental health issues ever surface in our children. It'll also be my way to archive valuable info … Continue reading Mental Wellbeing #2 of 2: Parents, listen without prejudice!
A year ago yesterday, my country went into its first major lockdown following the Covid 19 pandemic pronounced by the WHO, and experienced by many nations worldwide. Yesterday, I completed my final vaccination jab against this history-making virus. I guess you can say I've sort of come full circle in these 12 months. Yet one … Continue reading Covid One Year On – let’s rethink BAU shall we?
Yes, as I look back on this soon-to-be-old year, these words just seem to naturally float to the top of my mind. Goes without saying that this hasn't exactly been a great year for yours truly. If given a choice, I would certainly wish to erase it and start all over. I honestly hate to … Continue reading 2019: Slighted. Shaken. Stirred. Slapped. Smacked. Stricken. Sidelined. Sleepless. Sunk. Stung. Stunt.
Where I now teach, the semester usually kicks off with three weeks of classes followed by what they call a "Flex" week where no classes happen so students can attend camps, study trips and other co-curricular activities, and teachers like me can take a break before classes resume. I'm in that Flex week now and … Continue reading The Big Sick vs The Tiny Sick – which is better for teachers?
