As many of you came to know, I have recently resigned from my very stable job as a teacher. Having said that, teaching would never be a job one can ever resign from. After all, we teach kids who are born into the family; we teach our pets to behave; we teach ourselves to do crafts or control machines. So I figured I am officially out of an institution, but still very much a teacher. (See the kind of self talking I indulge myself on a daily basis!)
It's ironic. I find my student's words haunting me. At the beginning of this year when the class shared about their goals, a student told me she wants to find herself. I secretly scoffed at such coming-of-age remark. And here I am, trying to gain some perspective on what I want out of my insignificant being, eating my words, just months away.
Anyway, I apologize for digressing. I do however think, in this little breakaway from the planned and secure path, I find myself exploring instead of going through the routine; questioning instead of sitting back and taking in whatever is shoved into my mouth.
It was during Yuching's wedding when I got the opportunity to be seat among-st a group of strangers, running a social enterprise called the thought collective. Well, think Food for thought, a cafe chain which funds their other social work. It really started off as GP tuition for repeat students. Now, it branched into many other side projects which instill social responsibility in youths. It resonates with me, how youths are engaged to contribute to the communities and critically assess notions of community work. They work for sustainable causes, issues they care about. Nope, not the usual VIA or community work in school (Which I shan't make politically incorrect comments). Caring about not just about 'decorating' their environment, but making a difference. Migrant causes, community bonding causes. I am awestruck.
And the other startup I was exposed to constantly was moneysmart. It feeds my facebook threads on a daily basis.
Yet another, which grew from university students was caurosell in which I had an active account. Xiaoyun ever shared that they are still building their database and clientele, with the first few years earning no profit, but pitching fervently to clients and sponsors. Until they are established enough to advertise. That's the spirit of entrepreneurship, with notions of "I have nothing to lose".
It's ironic. I find my student's words haunting me. At the beginning of this year when the class shared about their goals, a student told me she wants to find herself. I secretly scoffed at such coming-of-age remark. And here I am, trying to gain some perspective on what I want out of my insignificant being, eating my words, just months away.
Anyway, I apologize for digressing. I do however think, in this little breakaway from the planned and secure path, I find myself exploring instead of going through the routine; questioning instead of sitting back and taking in whatever is shoved into my mouth.
It was during Yuching's wedding when I got the opportunity to be seat among-st a group of strangers, running a social enterprise called the thought collective. Well, think Food for thought, a cafe chain which funds their other social work. It really started off as GP tuition for repeat students. Now, it branched into many other side projects which instill social responsibility in youths. It resonates with me, how youths are engaged to contribute to the communities and critically assess notions of community work. They work for sustainable causes, issues they care about. Nope, not the usual VIA or community work in school (Which I shan't make politically incorrect comments). Caring about not just about 'decorating' their environment, but making a difference. Migrant causes, community bonding causes. I am awestruck.
Yet another, which grew from university students was caurosell in which I had an active account. Xiaoyun ever shared that they are still building their database and clientele, with the first few years earning no profit, but pitching fervently to clients and sponsors. Until they are established enough to advertise. That's the spirit of entrepreneurship, with notions of "I have nothing to lose".
You may also want support my de-cluttering efforts by purchasing items you want @ carousell.com/dasaobao XD
Well, there's departuremag which features travelogue, sleek design with properly curated content. Startup which earns my thumbs-up!
The domestic side of me came to learn about meatman, hardly classified as a startup. Designers who came together to produce cooking videos of local delights, A pet project which caught attention of cookware sponsors, food sponsors etc. See where passion and persistence brought them!
I've never failed to be amazed by these people. Even Xiaoyun. Heads up if you want to engage her for freelance work, wedding invitations etc. :P
They nourished me with ideas and inspiration in my search of self identity. We can really combine work with passion, isn't is so?
"It's just that sometimes people use thoughts to not participate in life." - Perks of a Wallflower.
Well, there's departuremag which features travelogue, sleek design with properly curated content. Startup which earns my thumbs-up!
The domestic side of me came to learn about meatman, hardly classified as a startup. Designers who came together to produce cooking videos of local delights, A pet project which caught attention of cookware sponsors, food sponsors etc. See where passion and persistence brought them!
I've never failed to be amazed by these people. Even Xiaoyun. Heads up if you want to engage her for freelance work, wedding invitations etc. :P
They nourished me with ideas and inspiration in my search of self identity. We can really combine work with passion, isn't is so?
"It's just that sometimes people use thoughts to not participate in life." - Perks of a Wallflower.
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