關於 i wish i could be there reply ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

#尋人啟事
#胡湘荷妳在哪裡

我的母親已八十歲，
疫情期間，
母親常在電話跟我聊一些過去的事情，
母親的記憶力非常好，
從她十歲開始到現在，
她幾乎能記得所有的事情。

當然，
她記的幾乎都是些令人心碎的事。

就像她的妹妹＿
我的小阿姨，
跟她失聯了四十三年的事，
一直讓母親忘不了。

小阿姨屬猴，
64歲、
1956年出生。
大約1977年離開緬甸，
去到泰國投靠大舅，
又輾轉在1978年左右去了加拿大。
之後，
就失去了聯絡。

自從有網路以來，
我就幫忙母親在各種尋人版上刊登過尋人啟事，
但都沒有下文。
可能是刊登的資訊不齊全。

四十三年前，
小阿姨從緬甸到泰國又到加拿大，
可能證件、姓名等都跟原本的不一樣了。

近期，
與我母親通話，
母親又提到失聯的小阿姨。
她叮嚀我們是否能幫忙她再找找看。

母親今年八十歲，
她很想知道她的小妹，
是否還活在這世界上？

附上母親說的話，
她讓我公佈在網路上。

希望有緣，
我的小阿姨能看到。

Midi 於永和
2020 April 12

#胡湘荷
#尋人

胡湘荷，妳在哪裡？

阿湘，
我是妳的二姐胡明珠。
我們分別有好長一段時間了。

妳離開緬甸時，
我二兒子才剛出生，
都還不滿一個月，
妳來看他時，
還說：
「他的臉白白的，
是不是我給他擦粉？」
現在，
我二兒子四十三歲，
我呢，
已經快滿八十二歲，
八十多歲，
是老人了。

人家說，
人愈老記性愈差，
我是相反，
我的記性反倒是愈老愈好。
但是，我能記住的，
都是些傷心的事情。

也許，
我們這代人，
也沒有什麼快樂的事情可以記住。
就像妳的離開，
我們從此失去聯絡，
想起妳，
就讓我難過。

妳還活著嗎？
我想妳會活得好好的。
妳有幾個小娃了？
過得怎麼樣呢？

四十三年前，
妳離開腊戌時，
妳還在腊戌漢人學校唸書。

有天放學，
我去攔住妳，
跟妳說：
「妳以後每天下課後就來我家吃飯，
別去大姐家吃了…」
妳說：「好」。
妳也就跟著我到我家吃飯了。

我還記得，
妳才剛坐下，
我不知怎麼搞的，
就說了那些話。

我說：
「大姐讓妳以後來我這裡吃飯，
別去她家吃了，
讓妳三姐去她家吃，
妳三姐不挑嘴，
妳比較挑嘴…」。

這些話，
是大姐跟我說的，
我當時太懵，
太老實，
我也不曉得，
為什麼要說這些大姐講的話？
為什麼要講給妳聽？

我完全，
沒有擔待不了妳的意思呀。
不管多窮，
姐妹間互相照顧都是應該的，
我轉述大姐說妳的那些話，
是沒有任何理由的，
就是我以為是姐妹之間的聊天，
講出來而已。

我那時候過得很困難，
養著六個小娃，
病死了兩個。
但是，
照顧自己的妹妹是天經地義的。

那天，
我邊說就邊到廚房去炒菜，
難得妳來這裡吃飯，
總要多一樣什麼菜才行。

我炒完菜端著出來，
妳就不見了。

當時，
房東許老嬤嬤還在場，
她說，
「我轉進廚房，
妳就站起來走了…」

我那時才發覺；
我講錯話了。

妳這麼敏感的人呀！

我一路追著妳，
追到大水塘路上＿
到妳跟妳三姐住的地方，
妳正在哭。
妳正在哭著跟妳三姐吵架，
妳跟妳三姐說：
「二哥寄來的錢分來…」
妳三姐不敢應妳，
在旁沉默著。
這筆妳要的錢，
確實是妳二哥寄來給妳們兩姐妹的生活費。

那時，
媽媽剛去世不久，
大哥人去了泰國；
在泰國北部滿堂安了家，
家裡所有的兄弟陸續去了泰國。
而爸爸因為沒身份證在貴概被移民局抓住，
送到仰光坐滿九年牢，
緬甸政府正打算著把他送到台灣去的時候…

那天，
我看著妳哭，
我就明白了妳的心情。

妳三姐在準備跟她愛人私奔，
在腊戌妳也只有大姐、我和妳三姐了。

我和大姐早結婚，
各自已有有家庭。
如今妳三姐又要嫁人，
大哥他們又遠在泰國，
母親去世，
父親坐牢。
妳接下來就要孤苦零丁的一個人生存了。

一個十八歲的女孩。
我知道妳的害怕和難過。

那天，
看著妳哭，
我很後悔把大姐說的話講出來。

妳應該了解我的。
我一直都盡力照顧我的家人，
當時從雲南背著妳逃難到緬甸邊境，
背了一天一夜。
我都是自願的。

妳記得嗎？
妳到腊戌讀書時，
很想要一條件仔褲，
那時許多人都買不起，
我還是費盡力氣買給妳。
妳知道我是心疼妳的。

妳離開腊戌的那天，
妳說妳要去泰國了。
臨走時，
我拿了300塊錢給妳，
妳知道嗎？
那時候我拿出300塊錢緬幣是到處借來的錢呀。

阿湘，
我知道妳一直都在受苦，
去到泰國，
大嫂可能待不得妳，
妳二哥、三哥他們當時也沒能力照顧妳，
妳在泰國又沒有合法的身份；
哪可能有其它去處。

最後妳選擇結婚，
我想也只是為了解脫這些難過的生活罷了。

之後，
就聽說妳嫁了人，
跟著丈夫家去了加拿大。

之後，
我就再也就打聽不到妳的下落了。

我們最後的連繫，
停留在泰國北部滿堂，
或是停留在泰緬邊境美賽，
我都有些記不得了。

那時，
聽說妳從大哥家跑出來了？
又聽說妳去暫住在一對老年夫妻的家裡？
這些，
都是後來傳到腊戌的消息了。

妳去加拿大前，
還寄來給我和大姐和妳三姐每個人一件衣裳布、
一條籠基。
三份禮物裡夾著三張白紙，
寫著：「大姐的、二姐的、三姐的…」。
我還記得，
那是託「義號佛堂」楊前人帶來的禮物。

那條籠基到現在我還留著＿
孔雀花紋的。

阿湘，
我這個作二姐的也羞愧妳了。
當時，
聽到這些關於妳的困難的消息，
只能每天想念著，
想到傷心，
我沒有任何能力。

那時，
我是，
連從緬甸腊戌到泰國邊境的車票都買不起呀。
當時我養著這麼多小娃，
吃一口飯都難。

阿湘，
現在講這些都只是回憶了，
都是我們老人家的回憶，
都不重要了。

那為什麼還要講這些呢？
就是，
為了，
想讓妳看到，
看到這些我說的話，
證實，
我是妳的二姐而已。
想讓妳知道，
我一直在找妳。

我活到八十歲，
夠了，
人活這麼老沒什麼意思，
都盡是傷心的事情。

我不知哪天會死去。
但如果可能的話，
在死去之前，
能讓我知道一下妳的消息。

我想知道，
妳在哪裡？
我想知道，
妳還活著嗎？

阿湘，
爸爸十幾年前已經去世，
大哥六年前去世，
連大姐，
前年也不在世上了。

妳二哥；
他住在泰國山邊荒地裡，
幫人家看田地，
過得不是很好，
但也不用擔心，
我在泰國的二兒子和大姑娘時常會去照顧他。

妳三哥，
講到也是讓我難過呀。

他大前年腦出血，
去醫院醫好了，
但醫好後，
很奇怪，
突然忘記了漢人話，
只會講泰國話。
後來不久，
他就偷偷上吊自殺了。

你說，
我們兄弟姐妹這是什麼樣的命運呢？

阿湘，
我們家沒剩下什麼人了，
妳三姐、妳四哥還在泰國。
還有我，
我還活著。
我還在緬甸，在腊戌。

除了妳，
我們一家人也就剩下這三個人了。

阿湘，
我們已經分別已四十三年，
妳也有六十多歲了吧？
我很想知道，
妳在哪裡？
妳還活著嗎？

如果有緣，
妳看到這信，
就回我一下吧。

妳的二姐胡明珠，
日日夜夜，
在等妳的消息。

二姐胡明珠　於緬甸腊戌
2020 年4月11日
姪Midi代筆

找人信箱：humingju1638@gmail.com

**************
#notice for a missing person

translated by Jane Lin
****************

Where are you, Hu Shine-Ho?

Ah-Shine,
This is your 2nd sister, Hu Ming-Ju. It has been a long time since we last saw each other. When you left Burma, my 2nd son was not even one-month-old. You asked why he was so fair-skinned? Had I put powder on his face? Now, he is 43 and I am almost 82.

Eighty something...I am indeed an old woman! People say that you lose your memory as you age. I am quite the opposite. The older I get, the better I remember! But, what I remember is nothing but sadness. Perhaps, our generation just doesn't have much happiness. Like you leaving home, we losing contact forever…. The thought of you puts me in such despair. Are you still alive? I imagine you living a good life?!! How many children? How are you?

Forty-three years ago, you were still a student at Chinese High School in Lashio. One day after school, I went to intercept you, "From now on, come to my home after school. Don't go to 1st sister's for dinner anymore." You said, "OK" and followed me home.

I still remember clearly that you had just sat down and I said, "The first sister asks that you come to me for dinner. She will take 3rd sister who's easy-going, not like you, a picky eater." I don't know what possessed me that day? Why I had to tell you what 1st sister had to say? Was I too naive? Too honest? Too stupid? I had absolutely no intension not to take care of you - we are sisters!!!! We have to care for each other, no matter how poor we are!!! The first sister's words just came out as a casual chat between sisters. Nothing more!

Life was tough for me at the time. Diseases took away two of my six children. But that didn't mean I would ignore my God-given responsibility as your elder sister. Without realizing the impact of my "casual chat", I went into the kitchen wondering what additional dish I could come up with for your first dinner with us. When I came out with the dishes, you were already gone! According to our landlady, Granny Hsu, you just got up and left as soon as I was out of sight. Only then did I realize my stupid mistake and how sensitive you were! Immediately, I ran after you, all the way to Big Pond Road where you and 3rd sister stayed. You were crying, asking 3rd sister for the money that 2nd brother sent. 3rd sister just kept quiet.

Indeed! The money that you demanded from 3rd sister was to cover living expenses for both of you. At that time, Mother had already passed away. The first brother went to Thailand, had already settled his own family in Pong Ngam. All the brothers followed suit. Father got caught in Kutkai by the immigration for not having an I.D. and had been in prison in Rangoon for 9 years. The Burmese government was just about to send him to Taiwan…. That day, while watching you cry, I understood how you felt. The third sister was getting ready to run away with her lover and both 1st sister and I were married young with our own families to deal with. As an 18-year-old with no mother, a father in prison, you must have felt all alone, sad and very scared.

I was filled with regrets watching you that day. But, please understand that I have always tried my best to take care of my family. When we escaped from Yunnan to Burma as refugees, I carried you on my back all day and all night without any complaints. When you went to Lashio for school, you wanted a pair of jeans so badly, remember? It was such a luxury that most people could not afford. Yet, I gathered all my might to get you a pair. You know I always have a soft spot for you, don't you? The day you were leaving Lashio for Thailand, do you know how many places I had to try to gather 300 Burmese kyats for you???

Ah-Shine, I know it was a huge struggle for you in Thailand. It's impossible that 1st sister-in-law would put you up. Second and 3rd brothers were in no position to help you….. I suppose you were pushed into marriage, just to end this desperate situation. Last I heard, you moved to Canada with your husband. From that point onward, in spite of all the efforts, I just couldn't find any trace of your whereabouts.

Our last contact stopped at Pong Ngam, Thailand. Or, was it MaeSai? I can't quite remember now. The news came to Lashio that you had run away from 1st brother's home. Later, you were temporarily staying with an older couple….

Before leaving for Canada, you sent, via Abbott Yang of the Yi Buddhist Hall, a package for us - each gift had a piece of dress fabric and a longyi, clearly labeled on a piece of white paper: "for 1st sister," "for 2nd sister," "for 3rd sister." I still have that longyi, with a peacock pattern, after all these years!

Ah-Shine, I feel deeply embarrassed to be your elder sister. Upon hearing the challenges that you had to face at the time, I could do nothing but worrying and feeling sad. I couldn't even afford the bus fare from Lashio to the Thai border. I barely managed to feed my own children!
Ah-Shine, What's the use of talking about these old memories? These sad memories of us old people have no importance but to serve to show you that I am indeed your 2nd sister.… that I have been looking for you all these years.

To live in my eighties is more than enough for me. It's not much fun to live this long - just a lifetime of sadness. I have no idea when I will die and I don't really care. I just wish that I could hear from/about you before I leave this world. I want to know where you are. I want to know if you are still alive.

Ah-Shine, Father passed away more than a decade ago. The first brother left us 6 years ago, so did the first sister 3 years ago. The second brother works as a field caretaker in a remote Thai mountainside. It's not a good life, but both my 2nd son and first daughter are also in Thailand; can visit and take care of him often. The saddest is our 3rd brother. He had a stroke 3 years ago. After recovery, he suddenly forgot his Chinese, could only speak in Thai. Not long after, he hanged himself! Please tell me what kind of fate has been bestowed on our siblings??? What is the meaning of life???
Ah-Shine, There aren't that many of us left, only 3rd sister and 4th brother in Thailand and me still in Burma. In Lashio.

Ah-Shine, We have been apart for 43 years. You should be in your 60s by now. I really would like to know if you are still alive and where you live. God willing, you will see this letter and reply!!! (humingju1638@gmail.com)

Waiting to hear from you, day and night!

Second sister, Hu Ming-Ju
Lashio, Myanmar
April 11. 2020

【教書育人，立德樹人】(English writing below)

「李老師，怎麼我看妳都不會發火的？看來我要跟妳修行，學學妳的耐性！」

上星期，一位同事突然冒出這句可愛的話語。

我教書不知不覺已有十一年, 教了至少兩百多個學生。教導小朋友和我的客人，其實沒什麼分別，一樣都是迷糊，一樣需要一位老馬識途的老師來引導，有些小孩其實比大人還懂事。在這引導過程中，我嚴厲時，客人、孩子是否能受教，就看他們對我的信任和自身的學習態度了。

身為老師，臨場反應和懂得變通是很重要的，而我自己對這三項事也很堅持：

一、我不稱讚學生的外表

有些父母會把幼小的女兒打扮得很漂亮，頭髮綁得美美，每星期穿著不一樣的蓬蓬公主裙，頭上還戴著一個小皇冠來上課。但穿得再美麗，我絕不對她們說：「哇！可愛啊！漂亮啊！美麗啊！」

課室不是選美的舞台。我不想學生們的心靈建立在外表上，內心卻是空洞的。沒有被李老師稱讚漂亮的孩子，心裡會怎麼想呢？以後她們也要打扮漂亮來上課嗎？父母若沒這經濟能力呢？
.

某小一生喜歡打扮清涼，總穿著牛仔熱褲和無袖露臍裝。她向我喊冷，被我狠狠地訓：「妳來上課，妳知道課室有冷氣，為什麼妳沒有穿好來或帶外套？妳看老師也沒穿妳那樣的衣服，妳的朋友也沒有。每個星期老師在講課，妳冷到分心，又一直打斷老師的課喊冷。那妳告訴老師，這是妳的問題還是李老師的問題？」

她默默地說：「我的問題。」

「是妳的問題，妳就自己去解決，不要把妳的問題推給老師，妳這樣是很自私的。」

那天下課，我提醒她母親讓孩子帶外套上課。她母親得知後，就說：「哎呀，她啦，每次都要穿成那樣，說那樣才美！」

「媽媽，孩子不懂，需要家長的提醒。我已告訴孩子了，請媽媽協助。」

那也是那小女孩在我課堂上，最後一次喊冷了。

.

那天是新學年的第一堂課。

這小孩躲在課室門外，無論媽媽怎麼勸和哄，她都一直哇哇大哭，不肯踏進課室。所有的孩子都已就座，唯獨她。我看著她那嬌小的身影，心想要上課了，總得想個辦法。

我走到門外，伸出我的手，說：「下午好，我是李老師。妳可以告訴我妳叫什麼名字嗎？」

孩子一把鼻涕，一把淚地說出自己的名字。我便驚呼：「XX，哇！妳知道嗎？妳的頭髮好漂亮啊！卷卷蓬蓬的！李老師好喜歡啊！是媽媽幫妳梳頭嗎？還是妳自己梳？」

就這樣，一問一答中，我慢慢地把孩子牽進課室了。那是我第一次，也是最後一次稱讚她的外表。我是真心覺得她的自然捲髮很漂亮。據聞，這孩子到別班補課時，還是會哭得唏哩哇啦，唯獨來我班。她自己也說不上為什麼。我想，也算是我們師生間的一種五行的緣份。

..........................

二、我注重孩子的禮儀

某次有位同事說，助我的課是一種享受，因為學生的秩序好，功課也好。

我要求孩子進到課室，要向老師打招呼 （很多都不會），上課時不許講話，也不準以英語和同學溝通，交上作業，要放整齊。要上廁所，要先站好才問老師：「李老師，請問我可以上廁所嗎？」而不是一邊拉著褲子，一邊嚷嚷：「我要去廁所！」

禮貌，是最容易行的善，也是我們人類最初學的善。

在這方面，我很有原則。同事問我，為什麼注重學生們的體統和禮貌？

我說，這才能製造一個好的學習環境，對老師來說，教書愉快，對小朋友來說，學習也愉快。懂得說謝謝，懂得說對不起，懂得謙讓，可以促進人與人之間的關係。將來他們長大後，我希望他們好的禮貌，能為他們贏來好的人緣，工作起來，很多事情會比較順利。

..........................

三、我對能力強孩子的要求

每一個班上，都會有些小朋友天資聰穎，一教就會。完成功課彷彿電光石火般的速度。

問題是，年紀小小就比同學們卓越時，會忽略了互相幫助的重要。

有一次，一位已完成功課的學生被我安排去協助班上較弱的同學。她教到一半時，發出很不耐煩的聲音，馬上被我喝止。

「妳也會有做錯功課，或不會做功課的時候，李老師每一次都教妳，有沒有這樣地喊過妳？」

她扁著嘴搖搖頭。

「那妳為什麼沒有學習老師教導的態度，去幫助妳的同學？」

她說不出話。

「妳很聰明，老師很開心，妳的學習能力很強，但老師希望妳的聰明不只是為自己，也能夠去幫助比妳慢的朋友，就好像老師用我們的聰明來幫助你們，大家一起進步，這樣的聰明才是最厲害的。」

天賜於你大能力，你就要學會擔當比較大的責任，種下善因，將來依舊有這因緣能有大智慧。

..........................

這十多年來，教了兩百多個學生，遇到很多不同類型的父母和莘莘學子。我當然也曾被一些孩子推倒，抓傷，甚至大聲吼叫，也曾親眼看到同事被學生用鉛筆挫傷手掌，鮮血淋漓，嚇得我在那兒大呼小叫。

很多父母有空生，沒空教，沒能力教，這是事實。我無法用我的玄學本領來改善他們的家庭問題，雖難免有遺憾，但在四面牆的課室裡，我盡我教書的能力，幫助家長們培育他們的孩子。

無論是客人還是小朋友，在我心中，從來都沒有壞學生，只是我還沒找到最適合的教導方法而已。

今年我遇到很多很棒的老師，都很努力地貢獻給小朋友。感恩有她們的陪伴，也很感謝父母們這一年裡送給我的禮物。

我們都是人類靈魂的工程師，大家再接再厲，一定能賦予孩子們一個非常健康的生命成長過程，讓他們擁有既美好又有意義的回憶。

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"Teacher Lee, why do you never get angry? I must learn spiritual cultivation from you to learn your patience！"

Last week, a colleague adorably said that to me out of the blue.

I have been teaching for 11 years unknowingly. Teaching my clients and young children are not very different. Both are equally clueless, both need the guidance of an experienced teacher. Some children also turn out to be more sensible than adults. In this process of guiding, when I am strict, whether the clients or students can accept the teachings, will depend on their trust in me and their personal learning attitude.

As a teacher, adaptability and spontaneous reaction are very critical. And these are the three matters that I am very principled in:

1) I do not praise the outer appearance of my students.

Many parents will doll up their daughters for class. Some little girls will come with fanciful braids and in different princess frocks every week. There are some who even wear a sparkling tiara. No matter how prettily dressed they are, I never exclaim at them, "Wow, how cute! How pretty! How beautiful!"

A classroom is not a stage for a beauty pageant. I do not wish for the young children to build a strong mindset based on external appearances, and have an empty heart. For the children who do not get praised on their appearances by me, what would they be thinking? What if they too wish to dress up next time? What is going to happen if their parents do not have the financial ability to support their vanity?

.

One P1 girl liked to dress in denim shorts and sleeveless cropped tops. Very often, she would complain of coldness. Once I got very stern and told her, "You know that the classroom is air-conditioned. Why did you come to class without a jacket? You do not see me dressed like you, your classmates do not either. Every week, you would get so cold that you cannot focus in class and would interrupt me often with your complaints of coldness. Tell me, is this a problem you or Teacher Lee created?"

She replied quietly, "I created."

"Since you created this problem, then you have to solve it yourself. Do not push your problem to me. That is very selfish of you."

That day after class, I reminded her mother to pack a jacket for her. After knowing what happened, her mum said, "Aiyah, she lah, always want to dress like that, say like that then pretty."

"Madam, the kid does not realise that, so she needs the reminder from her parents. I have already spoken to her and I seek your assistance."

That was the last time the little girl ever complained of coldness in my class again.
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It was the first lesson of a new academic year.

This child hid beside the classroom door. Regardless how her mother advised or coaxed her, she cried non-stop, refusing to step inside the class. All the kids were already seated, sans for her. I looked at her minute figure, and looked at the clock. The class got to start soon. I had to think of a way.

I walked out of the classroom and stretched out my hand, "Good afternoon, I am Teacher Lee. Can you tell me your name?"

In between her blubbers of tears and mucus, the child told me her name. I exclaimed, "XX, wow! Do you know that your hair is very pretty? It's curly and bouncy! Teacher Lee likes it a lot! Did Mummy comb your hair for you, or did you do it yourself?"

Just like that, in our mini Q&A, I slowly led the child into the classroom. That was my first and last time complimenting on her looks. I sincerely do think she has really pretty natural curls. From what I heard, when this child goes for make-up lessons in other classes, she would still cry like a baby, except for my class. She couldn't tell me why either. I guess, this is an elemental affinity of our teacher-student bond.

..........................

2) I value manners in my students

A colleague once told me that assisting me in my class was an enjoyment, as the class had good order and the children could do their work well.

I insist that children must greet the teachers when they enter the classroom (Many don't). They are not allowed to talk during lessons, and definitely not in English. When they submit their work, they have to do it neatly and not throw it onto the teachers. If they wish to go to the restroom, they must stand properly and ask, "Teacher Lee, may I go to the restroom?", and not grab on to their pants and yell, "Teacher, I want to go toilet!"

I am very principled on this, and my colleague asked why the extra emphasis on propriety and courtesy?

Courtesy is the very first form of kindness that we humans learn, and it remains as the easiest kind deed to do.

My reply was: so that we can create a conducive learning environment, that the teachers enjoy teaching in and the children revel learning in. Knowing how to say thank you, sorry and giving way can enhance inter-personal relationships. When these children grow up, my hope is that with their good manners, it pave the way for better relations with people, and life will be much easier for them at home and at work.

..........................

3) I have expectations towards children of stronger abilities

In every class, there will be some children that are especially smart. They learn fast and finish homework at the speed of lightning. Problem is, when they are better than their peers at a young age, they do not always understand the concept of helping one another.

Once, I asked a student who had finished her work to help her weaker classmate. Halfway through, she made loud exasperation sounds and I immediately put a halt to her behaviour.

"There will be times when you do your homework wrongly or do not know how to do. And every time when I teach you, have I ever shouted at you?"

She pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Then why did you not learn my teaching attitude to help your classmates?"

She could not say a word.

"You are very smart and I am happy that you have strong learning ability. However, I hope you do not use your cleverness only for yourself, but also to help your friends who are slower than you. Just like how we teachers use our cleverness to help all of you, so that everyone can improve themselves together. Such cleverness is the most amazing kind."

When Heaven bestows great abilities onto you, you have to learn how to shoulder greater responsibility. As you plough these seeds of kindness, you then regain the affinity for great wisdom even in your next rebirths.

..........................

Having taught 200+ students in over a decade, I have met many different types of parents and children. In this journey of teaching, I have had students who pushed me down with force, scratched me and bellowed at me. I once witnessed a fellow teacher, who had her palm stabbed by a student with a pencil. It was somewhat an accident, but still...

Many parents have the time to give birth to children, but do not have the time and ability to teach. That is a fact of reality. It is always with a slight regret that I cannot use my Metaphysics ability to help them manage their domestic issues, but within the four walls of a classroom, I do my best to help parents groom their children.

Be it my clients or these young children, in my heart, there is never a bad student. Sometimes, it is just that I have yet to find a teaching method that is most suitable for them.

This year, I met many great teachers who are working very hard to contribute to the children. I am thankful to have their help, and also thank you to the parents who have showered me with gifts this year.

We are all engineers of the human soul. Let's work hard so that we can give the children a very healthy growing up process, and that their childhood memories will be beautiful and meaningful.

巴黎人向來率性自然，在街頭、地鐵站內上不難發現有人隨處便溺，一陣陣的尿味在城市裏瀰漫着。偶爾還會遇到搶劫案，好像這次到訪巴黎，我們在擠擁的地鐵車廂裏，目睹了一宗搶劫案，到現在我們還能清楚記起受害人因為想捉住小偷而被車門夾着的尖叫聲。
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巴黎人高貴，卻帶點冷傲，不屑於跟不懂法文的人交談，只要你不懂法文，「唔該借借、excuse me」，我們這耳熟能詳的句子，不要想像他們會用英文跟你說，可能連用法文跟你說的時間也省掉，反正你不懂😂，直接推開你較快😂😅；所以我們在一間藥妝店內不止一次被當地人推撞。
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如果你嘗試向法國人問路，不訪先跟他們說bonjour，不要老是跟他們說hello，起碼他們可能會停下腳步，哈哈，不過我想大部分法國人都會用法文答你問題，儘管他們可能略懂英語；不過不要怪他們，反正入鄉隨俗，沒有理由要別人遷就我們。
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法國人民族性極強，努力捍衛自己的文化，有趣。
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People in Paris are born to be closed nature. Inside the streets and subway stations, it is not hard to find someone's leftover pee and that smell could surround you as you use the public transportation. Occasionally, there will be robberies and we witnessed once in the crowded subway train. Up til now, we could still recall the scream of the lady as her arm was stuck at the subway door while attempting to catch the thief.
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People also appeared to be noble and arrogant. They don't bother to talk to others who don't speak French. Of course, you shouldn’t expect them to say “execute me” to you and they might push you when you are on their way which happened to us inside a crowded drug store multiple times.
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So, our advice is always say “bonjour” before everything including when you wish to ask for direction. In that way, I believe most of French is happy to stop and help. Well. It is also highly possible that they will reply you in French regardless their fluency of English. Anyway, it is just part of the culture and, frankly, they have no obligation to accommodate us.
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Somehow we feel that it is funny to observe their strong national pride and unique culture.

Write me on http://Facebook.com/KyleLe.net
Buy a T-shirt at http://www.kyleledotnet.zibbet.com
5 years and 7 months in Vietnam.
I wish I could live there longer, but in order for me to have the future that I want, I need to change the direction of my life and leave.
First, I have been living off and using the money I have made from teaching in order to grow my channel by constantly producing videos. It was an investment that hasn’t had much financial rewards, but I have gained priceless friendships and experiences. Everything happens for a reason. This lifestyle has been possible for the past few years when I decided to focus more on YouTube full time thing. However, it just hasn’t worked out as I thought it would. YouTube earnings are just too low. Other business ventures designed to keep the YouTube channel functioning has not been successful. I am not very good at business. T-shirts and tour endorsements have not been doing well and I refuse to be too commercialized on my channel and try to sell too many things because it takes away from my artistic commitments. Remember, I did YouTube for fun and to share moments with my friends and family. I want to return to those days where it was a hobby for me.
Second, my parents are getting older and so am I. As an only son, I have to own up to certain responsibilities and I cannot live a life and in a place that constantly worries my mother. Despite everything that I have shown and proven about how modern and safe Vietnam can be, even after hundreds and hundreds of videos of Vietnam, my mother still cannot be convinced. I am her only son after all. So in her eyes, anywhere but Vietnam, which is fine. Easing her worry would make her happier. Plus, with the recent deaths of my grandfather, cousin’s husband, and my uncle, it made me realize more than ever that reconnecting with my parents when I do have the chance is a smart idea.
Third, I am obsessed with progress. I want to develop myself professionally further. I want to obtain a master’s degree, I want to try background acting, I want to gain the skills that would make me a better well rounded individual and leaving Vietnam would give me different perspectives. I loved teaching and value education dearly. If the situation was right for me and conditions were more proper, I wouldn’t mind returning to it one day- but not in Vietnam. I’ve taught in Vietnam already. Change is good. And I know you guys think that I have an amazing dream life, and I really think so too, but it just wasn’t sustainable enough for me to risk my 30s unless something major happens. I know America or Europe might be boring, but it’s not to me. Not yet at least.

But, the bottom line is, I’ve done it. I’ve traveled extensively in Vietnam and have brought you so many new and familiar places. I’m proud of that. I’m proud that I was committed and passionate to something with vigor. Vietnam just wasn’t an experience for me. It was my life. I am so happy to have been able to share parts of my life through cinematography with you guys. Thank you for caring about me and if you hate my guts, then I still hope these videos over the years have been at least a little bit valuable to you as they have been to me and my life.

I am incredibly sorry if this news makes anyone feel disappointed. It was not an easy decision to make and again, I am so sorry. I still want to make videos as a hobby and not as a job. After so many years and almost two years of almost full time work, it just isn’t where I need it to be. So instead of riding the ship until it sinks or become stale, I rather change course. I haven’t been able to do that for myself now yet, so I want to pivot and change. I will try my best to release as many videos as possible moving forward because there is still a lot of great Vietnam related content backed up and waiting to be edited. However, in the future if I cannot consistently release videos- weekly or twice a month or something, then I will end my Patreon and no longer accept contributions for videos….Again, thank you to everyone who supported me on Patreon. Every dollar goes back to video creating. I have tried my best to keep doing this for as long as I can, but it is time for me to pivot. Not quit, pivot. Stay tuned many more videos coming your way! You don’t want to miss out!

I will also be in Italy in a few days. If anyone is in Europe, especially anywhere in Eastern Europe and can host me or just meet up and share stories with me, please reply back to this. The same goes for anyone in America as well. I will try to visit as many American cities as possible to understand America and Canada a lot more. If anyone can offer me a couch or even a floor, I would be much appreciative of that.

If there’s any questions or concerns, feel free to write me. Thank you again for your support. This is a very sad, scary, but exciting time for me and I sincerely appreciate you guys being a part of my life.