Its the last week of the school term and feels bittersweet.
I think in the last days up to my leaving its made me realise how time is so short. I’m savoring the small moments I have with people because I realise that I will not have these moments again. I don’t want to blink and miss it.
As I am in the process of emotionally detaching myself from this place, I’ve been feeling so blessed. So many kind words and encouragement from people in church, my students and good friends. They have shared stories and reflections on things we have learnt from each other over the years. Even little things we may have said or done without even knowing have made an impact.
There have been rekindled friendships, gifts, surprise parties, birthday and farewell parties and people just taking time out to spend with me over coffee, road trips and dinners. I am so touched and grateful for those who have reached out their hand, time and hospitality to me in my last days. They are creating more beautiful memories that I will always remember. Sometimes it takes a finality of something ending that we begin to appreciate the small things in our lives.
The students have been wonderful. I think sometimes as a teacher you wonder if you are really making a difference. If that if anything we have to say is being significant. And I am realising that even through those tough days as we keep pushing through our tiredness, our fears and loving the unlovely, we really are making a difference.
Today was fun. I had a little party with my year 12’s. An asian themed ‘Miss Tsang’s going to HK’ party. We all brought in some food, I cooked noodles and we shared a meal together. We talked about martial arts cinema and watched Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The seniors made a little card for me, it made me laugh so hard!
I have seen the year 12′s grow so much over the past couple years, I am really going to miss our random discussions in class and their witty comments and nicknames for me: ‘Mise en Tsang’ (As opposed to ‘Mise en scene’ which is a film term for the arrangement of actors, scenery and properties within a frame.)
One of the year 8′s asked me today if the teacher replacing me is as nice as me – Ah comments like that just warm my heart!
I am going to miss this!