A Stained Glass Window

The windows we have looking out onto the world can be made to look interesting: the fabric we choose to surround them with can be rich and colourful; flowers can be placed near them to enhance the look; sofas can be placed near them to encourage one to look out and daydream.

The type of window I do admire the most, though, is the stained glass window made in years gone by. The aim of the window is not to encourage one to look out; instead it encourages one to reflect on the scene being presented. In the big cathedrals, many stories are told by the artist within the glass. When we visited some of the churches in Mauritius, I was surprised to see that even some of the smaller churches have these colourful windows. At the one church in particular, I admired the windows that surround the Virgin Mary.

Stained glass windows of the Virgin Mary. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The light shining through the glass enhanced the spirituality the artist had focused on.

Do you enjoy looking at stained glass windows in churches?

(This post was inspired by Jake’s prompt: window)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

Spring Blooms

My children and I pass these blooms at least three times a week – and every time we stop to admire them, and to smell the blossoms. Yesterday I decided to take my camera and take some pictures.

Tulips and a park bench. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The beautiful tulips encourage one to sit on the bench and admire them while looking at passers-by. Often when we pass, we see someone sitting on the bench who has given in to the temptation.

Tulips in a park. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

And who would not be tempted by such a beautiful garden? The trees are green and alive with the colour of blossoms.

Lilac tree blossoms. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The colour, the scent, and the warm spring breeze encourages one to sit on a bench and soak up the beauty of the moment.

Blossoming trees in a park. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The profusion of blossoms is what I enjoy most about this springtime garden – a garden which my children love running through every time we pass.

Bountiful blossoms. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

When all the blossoms have fallen off the trees, we will know the heat of summer has arrived. In the meantime, we enjoy the beauty of Spring.

Do you pass by many blooming trees during your day?

(This post was inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

A Tropical Island Escape

The best form of escape from the day to day routine of our lives is to escape to a tropical island for a couple of weeks. I do not need the excitement of bungee jumping, or the adventures of painting the town red. What I enjoy escaping to is the beauty and calmness one can get from soaking up the atmosphere of a tropical beach.

A perfect escape to relaxation. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

Relaxing in the warm air and listening to the sound of the surf is one of my favourite ways to escape to relaxation. I close my eyes and my soul absorbs the tranquillity of nature.

A Mauritian beach. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

On our trip to Mauritius, we came across a number of beaches that tempted us to enjoy the beauty of the beach and the hypnotic sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Not all beaches were postcard perfect; but the rocky ones had a beauty all of the own.

A rocky beach in Roches Noires, Mauritius. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The tropical beach is the perfect escape not only during the day, but also when the sun is setting. The oranges of the sunset give the sand and water a beauty you wish you could capture and hold within you for a long time.

Sunset on a Mauritian Beach. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2012

Walking on the beaches at dusk certainly add another dimension to your escape from the rat race.

Grand Baie, Mauritius at dusk. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2012

I enjoyed my last escape to a tropical island – and I know I will enjoy the next one.

Do you ever escape to island beaches?

(This post was inspired by the prompt Weekly Photo Challenge prompt: Escape)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

Breaking Out in Song

There is something about the warmer weather that makes you want to break out in song. As the sun warms your skin and the light green leaves sway in the breeze, humming seems to be the perfect accompaniment to the singing birds. Singing in our home is more frequent as spirits are lightened; and every weekday morning the children in my classroom sing with more gusto.

The type of song is immaterial: a childhood rhyme, a favourite piece of classical music, the latest pop song. Whatever the song, the person humming it – or even singing it – expresses the joy that is felt when the weather becomes warmer, and the neighbourhood becomes filled with colour and flowers.

At the moment my daughter is singing a ditty from “The Sound of Music” – one that I am partial to myself:

And myself? I am often humming Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”:

What do you find yourself humming, or singing, as the seasons change?

(This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt: Song)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

A Mother’s Day Note

I love my Mom.

She brought me into this world crying, she fed me and clothed me, she guided me as I made my first hesitant steps. But she did so much more: she comforted me when I fell down and scraped my knee; she listened when I spoke of my fears at school; she encouraged me when I wanted to something that was unexpected. She encouraged me to be independent, to follow a path that would help me achieve my goals.

When I became a mom myself, I understood more the little sacrifices my mother had made for me. Since the pain of childbirth, she had put me before herself. She had given us, my sisters and I, the best of what she could give. She did her best to protect us, as I now do with my own children. She would give freely to us herself and the material things we needed as I now give to my own.

I love my Mother.

Even though we now live far apart, I welcome every time we can connect. I am thankful for the technology that allows me to speak to her often, and to see her face as she speaks to me. I enjoy hearing her voice as she speaks of the current quilting project and the daily experiences of her life. I treasure her laugh and her wise words.

Photo credit: http://hotwallpaper2013.com/quotes

I love you Mommy.

Thank you for all you have done for me. The actions, the advice, the wise words. I would not change you for any other.

Happy Mother’s Day.

(This post was inspired by Jake and by Kellie Elmore as well as the Daily Prompt)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Pattern

As shown in a previous post, my family and I discovered the Buddhist Temple that was officially opened in South Africa in 2005. We had been driving along the N4 to Witbank when we saw the Temple building in the distance. My husband remembered reading about its opening in the paper and mentioned that he would like to see it one day. “What better time than the present?” I responded. So we took the time to look for our way off the highway, and to find the entrance to this religious place. The patterns we saw on the buildings were beautiful: so intricate and carefully painted.

The inner courtyard. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The designs looked beautiful not only near but also from afar:

The one side of the temple. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

We saw intricate patterns as well when we looked inside the Temple:

The altar inside the Temple. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

(For more pictures of this African Buddhist Temple, you can visit my previous post.)

We enjoyed our visit to the Temple for the beauty we saw in the patterns, as well as the serenity of the place.

Do you enjoy seeing patterns in architecture?

(This post was inspired by the the Weekly Photo Challenge prompt @ WordPress.com)

Giving Comfort

(Photo credit: Onion)

When my babies used to cry, I gave them comfort. I tried to heed once the advice “leave them to cry until they fall asleep” , but I could not. The crying used to tear at my heart and I would pick the baby up and cradle her close to me. The cuddles and comforting did not stop when they were toddlers, or when they began school. Often a quick hug and cuddle was all that was needed to heal a booboo, or to chase away a scare. I used to love holding the small body of my child against me; to give love and comfort which was given back to me ten-fold.

Now my babies are older. They do not run to me for comfort as often as they do, but there are times when they still need my arms around them. They are now almost my height and I cannot cradle them as I used to – but I still enjoy the warmth that surrounds us as I help to give solace to my child. As their needs change, the way in which I give comfort changes. At times all they need is a word of reassurance, an acknowledgement that what they are doing is the right thing for them to do. I am still, however,there for them whenever they need the warmth of their mother’s touch and love.

And in giving them comfort, I know that I am doing what every loving mother does. It may seem like a small action but it is one that has created a strong bond between me and my children.

What is your experience of giving comfort?

(This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt: Comfort)

Celebrating Success

(Photo credit: Anders Adermark)

Success can be both small and grand. Grand successes are those in which you choose the correct lottery numbers (I have not done so to date!) or win an Oscar award; little successes are when you complete a task, or even when you eventually find a pair of shoes that fit correctly and comfortably. It is so easy to forget about the little successes and focus on the ones that we celebrate with champagne and parties. The little ones are so much a part of our lives that at times we hardly pay them attention.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today I realise, once again, that little successes throughout the year can lead to bigger ones. I am currently testing my grade 1 students’ reading ability. Most of these children walked into my classroom in September unable to read in French. From that day I have seen them growing in ability: they are now successfully reading a text in French independently and with confidence. Not only are they reading storybooks, by they are also reading the instructions given to them regarding a task on their own. I look at their achievements and know that I have been successful in helping them achieve this ability and confidence. It pleases me to know that I have been successful in the task that was given to me at the beginning of the academic school year.

Walking into the classroom in September 2012 was a signal of success for me personally. Relocating to another country meant that I had to go through a process in order to get where I am today in the workplace. My qualifications were unknown by those looking at my resume, and my experience was disregarded. I did not give up, however. It is this “sticking power” that has led me on the path to my ultimate goal. Teaching in the classroom in Toronto during a time when there is a surplus of teachers certainly tempts me to label it as one of my grand successes.

I have had my fair share of grand successes: completing high school, graduating from university with an undergraduate and a postgraduate degree, giving birth naturally, relocating my home across the world. I do, however, celebrate the small as well: the first time I mastered the foxtrot, my first solo trip overseas, the first time I hung a painting on the wall without any help (I cannot say it was perfectly done though ). It is the small successes that help make living day to day worthwhile.

What successes, small and big, have you achieved?

This post was inspired by the daily prompt posted on The Daily Post @ WordPress.com)

 © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

My Keystone for Blogging

One could say I stumbled into blogging. Browsing in the library, I came upon a book on this topic by Seth Godin. I had heard of this social media but never really considered using it as a platform to express myself. After reading the book, I decided to give it a try – there was nothing to lose except the time it takes to learn how to use the medium.

(Photo credit: ccarlstead)

I have used my blog as a way to express myself – my thoughts, my experiences – and to share my adventures through my amateur photographs. I do not think of SEO keywords to bring more traffic to my space. I do not think of writing on topics that will cause the posts I write to go viral. Instead I write what is in my heart – and on whatever it is that interests me.

Focusing on my enjoyment of writing and blogging has brought me into contact with wonderful people who read and comment on what I have written. It is these people who have helped me enjoy the blogging experience. I never forget that people come to my space because they like who I am, what I write, what I stand for. And that there is no need for me to change what I share.

One piece of blogging advice that resonates with me is be yourself. Just as in the “real world” when you are yourself, you will draw to your blog bloggers and readers that you can feel an affinity with.

What is the focus of your blogging?

(This post was inspired by the Daily Prompt @ WordPress.com)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

Music Monday

Today children in Canada raised their voices in song for Music Monday, singing along with fellow Canadian Chris Hatfield. This year this Canadian astronaut participated in the yearly event from the International Space Station. And the song that was sung? One that was written by Chris Hatfield in conjunction with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies. The song is called “I.S.S.”, short for “Is Somebody Singing.”

The children enjoyed singing the song together outside in the playground. I am sure the school will participate again next year

Did you sing at 1 pm EST today along with Chris Hatfield?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013