Acrylic painting

My first acrylic painting on canvass – Beauty Within

You should have been 26

Happy Birthday Mr. Lau.

The Triumph

I'm a sucker for movies about inspirational teachers who manage to turn a class of rejects from hell into a class of success.

I watched The Triumph that was aired on the Hallmark Channel recently. Matthew Perry was the lead and of course, the white guy goes into a public school in Harlem and gets his ass whooped by the class of blacks, hispanics and asians, the class doomed for failure in life. And of course, the teacher, Don Clark, manages to sing their tune (quite literally) and convert them into youths who believe in themselves and their dreams, that the class is a family and they should dare to take risks and dream big.

This formula is tried and tested. And when it's based on a true story, it makes it all the more encouraging and heartwarming. Years ago, I fell in love with Dangerous Minds (and Michelle Pfeiffer), a similar movie about an ex-marine who makes an impact in the lives of many students who have been given up hope on, and have given up on themselves.

I think i might actually be good at teaching. It's something that I believe in doing - inspiring and making an impact in the lives of others. Sounds too idealistic? Maybe eventually, I'll get my Masters and start teaching at college level to combine both moolah and ideals. Who knows.

Yes, don't we all need some inspiration at various points of our lives? I want to be that person that leaves an impression and causes positive impacts.

But I also fear ruining some kiddo's life because he or she hates me and decides that my lessons are not worth the time, that education is a chore.

Maybe it's time to listen to Don Clark and take the much needed risk. Wish the kids of the world luck.

Perwinkle's Adventures 2

Periwinkle rubbed her eyes before opening them as wide as she could.

In front of her was a carousel of ponies, bunnies, giraffes, fluffy cloud cars which all had little children on them.

From where she stood, Periwinkle could hear happy giggles and the tune of her favourite song Edelweiss. The little children wore bright coloured tops like Periwinkle and had the largest smiles on their faces.

As the song came to an end, the carousel slowed to a halt. At this instant, all the ponies, bunnies, giraffes and fluffy cloud cars started to detach themselves from the carousel and flew into the distant sky with all the little chilren still riding on them. What a sight!

Perwinkle couldn't believe her eyes! She decided to try it herself but there was no pony, bunny, giraffe or fluffy cloud car for her to ride on. Nonetheless, she took one big step onto the carousel. To her amazement, a giant purple butterfly with yellow polka dots flew and stopped right in front of Periwinkle!

This made Periwinkle squeal in delight! As she got onto the giant butterfly, Edelweiss started to play again. Periwinkle moved up and down as the giant butterfly took her high and low, just like a real carousel! And when the giant butterfly flapped its wings, glittering gold dust fell to the ground, shimmering in the beams of sunlight.

Periwinkle could not see where she was but she enjoyed the ride tremendously! No wonder the little children couldn't stop giggling earlier. Perwinkle couldn't contain her excitement and broke out in peals of laughter throughout the ride!

Soon, Edelweiss started to fade away. At this point, the giant butterfly started to flap its wings even harder.

Before Periwinkle knew it, she was flying away with the giant butterfly away from the carousel.

"Where are you taking me to, giant butterfly?" asked Periwinkle.