eric was this guy i came across in chong boon sec

happened to meet him recently and he shared that his father was recently declared bankrupt. he needs to earn his own livelihood

so, he's now working many hours at MacDonalds, skipping school twice a week, losing contact with his friends, letting his results slide, getting into trouble in school with his anger management issues, avoiding home because he doesn't want to face his loveless family, skipping meals because he wants to make his fortnightly Macdonalds salary last, recovering from a persistent cough

despite all this shit, he could still laugh and smile sheepishly when we were eating supper

being conservative, i didn't like it when he expressed thoughts of not going to poly and signing on as a Macdonalds manager directly after his O levels instead. but i am humbled by the way he is taking charge of his life with such dignity, fortitude and spirit. the worst thing one can feel as a teacher is the feeling of helplessness. that someone needs you but you can't be around for him.

then again, who says eric needs my help? he is doing so fabulously on his own. Power to him.

******

i have come to the conclusion that some people just don't want to be helped

i give up

*******


taking this photo was the highlight of today. now, i got to find the 4 kittens that the YJ cat recently gave birth to. woohoo!