HOWIE D. LIE TO ME

When we put our heart, mind and soul ....

I have never thought that a simple hello, a soft whisper and a piece of advice could actually give an impact in one's life... I always think that, a hello is just a form of greeting when we want to start a conversation ... a soft whisper is just a mere attempt to say something and a piece of advice is just words of encouragement that we always give to each other....

These are amongst one of the things that I usually do but I did not pay much attention to it! Strange huh?! Well, I always say hello to my students and friends and they always do the same to me too... before today, I always view this as one of the simplest things to do... but today, when I have to bid farewell to my students who I shall not teach again; as I am going to a new work place, I realized that the simple HELLO that I've always say means a lot .... One student of mine ... from Japan said that ... " when I first come to KDU to study English, I was so afraid. I thought I won't make it through ... but when you, teacher, came and say hello... and always encourage me in the class, that make me feel that I can study here in KDU. You make me believe that I can learn English just like my other friends!"

Another student of mine then raised his hand and said "Teacher I really think you like a mother! When I first come to KDU, I don't know anyone. I thought that it's going to be hard to study in Malaysia! But, you always asked me in the class, you always asked me to study hard! You are so kind and you always be angry when I was playful in the class but I know that you want me to be good with my studies. Really teacher, thank you for that!" This is when I realized that a simple whisper can make a difference!

Soon after, another student started to say ..."I always see you as my sister! Really teacher! You are so kind! You always give me advice and ask me to keep on trying when I don't know how to do something! I love you teacher!" Then, another student added "All the teachers are kind, but teacher, you are the one who have a very big heart that all of us are there in your heart! I know!" A Korean student then added "Every teacher has their own style and way of teaching, I really like your style, you are very serious when you want us to study well but you will make some jokes also when we are stressed! I really hope that I can learn more from you! Or rather, I want you to continue to teach me! But, It is soooo sad that you're leaving! I really hope that I can learn more from you!" A Kazakh girl then said "Teacher, I never say this to you before, but I want you to know that you make me feel like I have my mother near me even when I'm here. I love you teacher!" A girl from Burundi said " It was a pleasure to have you as my teacher! Thank you teacher, I will always miss you!:

I was crying and sobbing when I hear all these comments from my students... my tears fell down even more when a student from Korea, a boy that is, thanked me for all the help and knowledge that I have shared with them. As he was saying it, I can see tears running down his eyes! I was surprised that these students have a very warm feeling towards me. I have only taught them for 8 weeks and yet they have all these sweet things to say about me! All along, I thought that students don't prefer me for I am always strict, I am always be the one who will scream and angry at them when they don't behave well! I never thought a simple hello, a whisper and a piece of advice means a lot to my dear students! And today, I am one happy educator as I came to realize that, the profession that I was trying soooo hard to avoid; a teacher; is the one that makes me for what I am today... I guess when we really put our heart, mind and soul to it... we can make a difference!

I will surely miss each and everyone of you my dear students!

We might come from different walks of life... we might speak different languages... but a simple hello, a soft whisper or advice can touch even the toughest soul!