For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37)
  • Home
    • About Me
  • Education
    • Early Childhood Education >
      • Ailin's ECE Curriculum
      • My Role as an Early Childhood Educator
    • Global Citizenship Education >
      • Characteristics of Global Citizens
    • PhD Thesis "Quality and Sustainability of Early Learning Environments: Case Studies of Award-Winning Green Preschools in Bali, Berkeley, and Hong Kong"
  • Building Design
    • Design Portfolio (DVC & UCB)
    • The Globe Shopping Mall, Fremont, CA
  • Publication
    • Academic Papers >
      • Sustainable Cities
      • Characteristics of Green Schools
      • Quality Preschool Environments
      • The Green School Concept
      • Negotiating the Meaning of Green School
    • Books >
      • Diaspora Experiences in a Global Age
    • Children Stories >
      • "Venus, the Global Child"
      • The Righteous Star
    • Online Course: Negotiating the Meaning of Global Citizenship
  • Mission
    • Spirit Shines Ministry
    • Philia Earth Company
  • Blogs

A Mixed of Heavy and Excitement Feeling  

8/7/2012

0 Comments

 
In about a week, I will be leaving San Francisco. This place has been my home for the past 14 years and as much as I feel the excitement of moving to Hong Kong to start a new journey of continuing my education, some part of me feel very heavy. This feeling brings a lot of memory of my first moved from Indonesia to America. I just graduated from high school at that time and I was so open to new things, but still in the U.S I did experience my first culture shock. I am not as young as before but somehow I realize that I will face another culture shock in Hong Kong. Although I believe it won't be as bad as my first culture shock when I was only a teenager. Tonight, as I walked around my neighborhood and spend the time with my parents, I feel very sad knowing that I will leave them soon. Not just my parents but most of my other family members in the U.S. Moving to a new place is never been an easy thing to do but often times there's a sacrifice that comes in order to follow your calling or perhaps it is more appropriate to say: your dreams. 

When I was an undergraduate student, I laughed at my friends who wanted to pursue a PhD because for me it is a very long years of studying and I just couldn't wait to get out of school. Now, here I am about to pursue my doctorate degree in the field that I never planned it before. My childhood dreams to be an architect was somewhat fulfilled when I worked as a design director, but career path can change and interestingly I feel stronger about the calling as an "Educator". I don't understand it either why it takes me so long to actually find this career path? I can only reason to myself that for some people career path is not always linear and that happens to me. One of the American value that I embrace is the openness for change and non-discrimination of age in learning. Perhaps for Asian standard, I would be considered late to pursue a doctorate degree at this age. I always tell myself that it is better late than never, so pursuing dreams shouldn't be confine by age, race, gender, or even financial capacity. 

I am thankful for such opportunity to enter the academic world again and learn formally about the field that I am passionate about: Early Childhood Education. I hope to combine ECE with Architecture through learning how "Environment can be the Third Teacher". Despite all of these heavy feelings that I have to be away from my family members and friends that I love; the city, the food and the culture in San Francisco that I already feel so familiar and fond with, I can only strengthen my weak heart at this moment and be reminded of a higher goal. I don't want to live just for myself or my family, I do want to live to benefit others as well and this is the price that I have to pay. I think it is not that expensive considering some people may not even get such opportunity or blessings. I should not complain and just work hard that hopefully all the tears and hard-work will get pay off. 
Picture
Irving street in SF, where I walk around to work, jogging, church, and do many other activities daily….
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Ailin Iwan

    "Ailin" has multiple meanings, however, my parents told me that it means "Bright" and the etymology of the word is from Greek. Ailin Iwan is on a quest to live a meaningful and fruitful life of continuous learning while sharing what she learns to better oneself and others. 

    Archives

    January 2018
    December 2017
    April 2017
    September 2015
    May 2015
    October 2014
    March 2014
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    RSS Feed

@2020 Ailin Iwan. All Rights Reserved.