Today marks a year that Pa has moved on to a better place..i initially thought of writing about how Pa has been the core foundation of our life and how he has helped me be the person i have become, in a positive manner, but i don't think i would be able to make it through the first few lines..instead..here's something Pa wrote about 6 years back..

Background: Pa had never gone to university because ah gong would only pay for his uni fees if he studied accountancy, but he had a longing for the arts, literature, political science, all of which were shunned as being impractical..so after becoming his own man with a wife and 2 kids, he decided give it a shot, to try for a Masters in Education, Power and Policy..he articulated his views well and his lived experience got him to where he wanted to be..he got accepted..alas he gave up his dream of getting a degree, a masters at that, just so he could continue to work to provide for us..this was on his cover letter to the university..

"Why Education"

It's about life, it's for life
It starts with what gives life.
Before life, after life.
Spirit lives on.
Knowledge
Light.

It's the human spirit.
What gives human spirit
What's not positive
What's positive.
Darkness then light. There's no darkness, just no Light.

What's giving that's not taking
What's love that's strict and compassionate at the ame time
Light.

Teach and be taught
Caring for others as they do us
Love
Training and disciplining essential
Edution with love, Great Love

Attitude to absorb
Humility to learn
Taking the lower seat, receiving...
Like a teacup from the teapot

Emptying oneself like a wine glass only to taste new wine
Open, Sharing, Giving
Happiness

-Original Thoughts by Chua Alvin, 3rd May 2005-