Opportunities to learn are everywhere

Life constantly presents learning opportunities especially if you are a parent to young children.  My out-of-the-box decision to leave a fulfilling career to pursue my passions has been an enriching life lesson to my kids.  My wife and I have connected how the life choices we made since college allowed me to do this.

Not everything in life is as inspiring as going after your dreams but much can present opportunities to learn.  Death of a loved one causes great sadness but the challenge is how to overcome that and move on with life while cherishing wonderful memories.  It's a harsh lesson for children whose heads are full of dreams and possibilities for their own lives.  But, it can be an enriching experience as well.

Our children recently lost their last grandparent.  Since then, we have had the opportunity to share our feelings, answer questions, reflect on warm memories, learn more about family history, instill culture, and discuss our beliefs and those of others on what happens after a person passes.  Through open and thoughtful conversation, our children can better understand how to cope with their emotions and what the loss means to each of us.  A sad event like this can help children better appreciate the lives they have.  It's a valuable life lesson they will never forget.

So, look for opportunities in your own lives to learn and teach.  They exist.  We just have to make the most of them.

Six months later...

Six months ago, I worked the last day in my 19+ year career at National Grid.  I honestly do not recall much from that Friday.  By the end of that week, I had all my farewell lunches and packed my memories to take home.  So, my last day was rather anti-climactic.  I wasn't disappointed though as I left a fulfilling career to start a new life - a life I had long dreamed about.

Being a stay at home dad has been all I had imagined. I love preparing the family's meals, helping with homework, doing the housework and being more active with school activities.  I've always been a homebody which is a characteristic of a person born in the Year of the Sheep and someone born under the sign of Cancer.  I am both a Sheep and a Cancer so perhaps this astrology stuff has some merit.

I had not originally planned to start my studies towards a graduate degree in education so soon.  But, I got ambitious and anxious to start my new profession.  As I started classes in early September, I began to realize how difficult it was to be a student again. A wonderful vacation in Hawaii and loss of internet for two weeks following Hurricane Sandy did not help with staying on schedule with schoolwork.  But, as any determined college student would do, I crammed to complete research papers, keystone assignments and other semester-ending work and got great grades in my three classes.

I underestimated how much work online classes can take.  Since the professors provide no instruction (at least in my first seven online courses), students have to do all their own research.  In my case, I am actually very interested in learning my new field of study and my research usually takes me off on interesting but time consuming tangents.  I need to get more disciplined to focus on the specific tasks at hand.

It's hard to believe it's been six months since I left my career.  I am a bit surprised that I really do not miss what I did.  I do miss my friends and colleagues but have maintained relations through lunches, emails and facebook.  I certainly haven't been bored at home with my busy schedule.  Instead, I am busier now than I was at work... and I'm loving it! 

Celebrating Life

It has been a year filled with life changes, new beginnings, amazing memories and challenging times. This summer, I left my corporate career to fulfill my passion of being a stay at home dad. After dreaming for many years of how wonderful it would be, the reality has been even better.  At the same time, I started college again to pursue my next career as an elementary school teacher. The first semester was not easy but I enjoyed learning education theory and observing two classrooms.

We visited Hawaii for the first time to enjoy my sister-in-law's wedding and attended Catherine's huge family reunion in California. We had so much fun with our West Coast family!  

Our family also enjoyed vacations in Chicago, Seattle, Charlotte, Hilton Head and Hershey.

After six years, Allison graduated from her beloved elementary school. For the graduation ceremony, I worked hard to create a year-ending video. The wild applause by the 5th graders, teachers and parents made the effort worth it!

Catherine's mom continued her battle with cancer throughout the year. However, she has been in the hospital these past six weeks and will remain in hospice care.  Catherine and her sister have spent much time away from their homes to be with their mom. 

While Allison, Matthew and I have missed Catherine, the devoted care she has provided her mom shows the love they have for each other and the values they hold.  With Catherine at her mom's bedside since before Thanksgiving (and continuing to work twice a week), our normally busy life has been a bit more hectic. While we didn't have time to make and send holiday cards this year, we are fortunate to have spent this special Thanksgiving and Christmas together at the hospital.

We were lucky to have not lost power during Hurricane Sandy and provided some relief to family and friends.  And, while the Sandy Hook tragedy took place dozens of miles away, the profound sadness struck me deeply as a father and future educator.  It is through such difficult times that give all of us the opportunity to appreciate what we have.


We have constantly reminded ourselves of all our good fortune.  We have two absolutely wonderful children and are fortunate that I could pursue my passions.  We are blessed with loving family and supportive friends like you.  Valuing time more than ever, we are enjoying the present as much as possible with an eye towards a sunny future.  


May the new year bring you much happiness and many opportunities to celebrate life!

My daughter's essay

I received this in the mail with a note from my daughter's teacher that read:

Dear Influential Person,

Enclosed you will find a copy of an essay a student wrote about you.  The student was asked to write about an influential person in his/her life.  You should feel honored to have been chosen.  You are making a difference in a child's life.

And, here is what my daughter wrote:

My Delightful Diverse Dad

Written by Allison Chiu

November 2012

His eyes dark like dirt. His hair smooth and black like a Sharpie. Not tall like a building. Nor short like a stump, but perfectly in the middle. Courageous like a tight rope walker and brave like an explorer. Funny like a clown, loving like a teddy bear. Kid-friendly like a character. Smart and accurate like a calculator. Athletic like a dog and fast like a cheetah. Strong like an elephant and helpful like a pencil. Happy like every day is his birthday and creative like an artist. That is just who my dad is.

He is the funniest and most athletic of six children and has two older brothers and three older sisters. He also have eleven myopic nieces and nephews and one intelligent nephew-in-law. My brother, Matthew, and I are his two lucky children and we are the youngest of of our cousins. He has black, silky hair, dark brown eyes and you will usually find him during the day with clip-on sunglasses over his spectacles and a well-loved Mets cap on his head. He is very organized, smart and athletic. You can trust him on almost everything as he is very trustworthy.

My dad has been an influence to me almost every day. He has helped with homework and things I don't understand. He lives by the words “Live for your passions because you only live once.” One thing he has really influenced me on is pursuing your passions. He worked at National Grid for 19 years but didn't get to fulfill his dreams of being a stay at home dad and elementary school teacher.

Therefore, he quit his job and now he stays at home with my brother and me. In addition, he is also going to school online through NYIT. Teaching has always been his passion. He taught Junior Achievement for my classes in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades. Now, he is teaching a 2^nd grade class and my brother's 3^rd grade class. He loves to play and teach tennis. He taught me how to play and now I enjoy playing very much. Now he is teaching my brother and his two friends.

After elementary school graduation this past June, I came home and on the couch there were my stuffed animals. They are all very special to me and have names and personalities. They were siting with a sheet of paper which read “Congratulations Allison”. Around those words all their names were signed in different colors. That day was so special I remember it like it was yesterday. That's just one way my dad makes me feel loved!

He is my dad. I will love him no matter what and he will always be my most influential person.  

Where do I start a list of what I am thankful for?

On this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things.  But, where does that list start?  Should I be thankful for my parents who conceived me?  Or, perhaps the thanks go to their parents for having them?  Of course, the same dilemma applies to my wife with whom my life today would not be the same?

And, how about being thankful for our two wonderful children?  Well, we did conceive, nurture and teach them so perhaps we should be thankful to each other for what they are today.

I'm thankful to have the opportunity to fulfill my passion of being a stay at home dad and pursue another of being an elementary school teacher.  But, I did work long and hard to get to this point.  And, I guess I should be thankful that my wife chose a profession where we could afford our decision to switch careers.  Oh, and how about being smart enough to buy a house in a lovely neighborhood that we can afford on one income...  and, lucky to have done so before last decade's housing boom?

Considering the damage so many suffered during last month's storm, we are thankful that we didn't even lose power.  Who knew that living two blocks from a substation has certain advantages?  We are indeed thankful we were able to provide family and friends warm meals, hot showers and a place for fun conversation.

So, while I am still unsure of where to start a list of things I am thankful for, I am truly appreciative of what we have.  Beyond the material things, I am most thankful for the experiences of being a dad, husband, brother, uncle, son-in-law, friend, neighbor, and teacher the most.  To me, the value of one's life is measured by those experiences and not by possessions or wealth.  

To my family and friends, you enrich my life and for that, I am thankful for you.

Life as a student - so far.

I finally decided to do some time management. After plotting my remaining class assignments on a calendar, I ended up with a really packed schedule.  Essays, research papers, keystone assignments and tests will certainly keep me busy for the next seven weeks.  So far, I'm happy with my work and test scores but I have to get more efficient.  I didn't expect the transition to being a student again was going to be a breeze but I want to be able to get things done faster.  After all, I plan to add a fourth course next semester and will take on more household duties at the same time.

I've been enjoying much of my education coursework.  I'm learning a lot that will help me be a good teacher.  I could care less about my undergraduate Math course however since I just need to pass it to fulfill state requirements for liberal arts credits.  Despite that, I studied hard for my first two tests and aced them. I can't help myself!

Over the next few weeks, I need to do thirty hours of classroom observation resulting in ten pages of my best prose.  I started yesterday with three hours in a fourth grade classroom and you shouldn't be surprised that I loved it.  I made new connections, learned from an experienced teacher, met new students, observed morning routines, graded tests and picked up some nifty tips.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time and look forward to next week when I return for more, start observations in a kindergarten class and teach a Junior Achievement lesson to my son's third grade class.

As I speak to teachers, I learn more and more about the challenges they face today with the increased testing requirements and new curriculum standards.  Yes, most teachers get a nice summer break, but their workdays extend way beyond 9am to 3pm, five days a week.  Well, at least for those who care about being an effective teacher.  If I wasn't so passionate about making a positive impact to my future young students, I would reconsider my career choice.

So, my eye is on the prize and I can't wait to get there.  In the meantime, I will relearn how to be a good student, gain experience and learn, learn and learn some more.  Oh, and spend time in classrooms!

Dear Me at age 21

Dear Me at age 21 in May 1989,

There's so much I want to tell you about the next 24 years of our life!

Congratulations on graduating NYU with your degree in Marketing and Management.  Remember that idea you had about marketing cereal as a snack food?  It was a good one but it really never did take off.  And, that group project to build a bowling center in Queens to capitalize on all those planned office towers?  Well, the Citicorp Tower will be the only one there for many years so good call to drop that idea.
 
After working at the same firm throughout college, you're probably sad to leave your bosses and friend.  Have no worries.  You'll see your friend get married in Puerto Rico, they'll all celebrate your own wedding and you will all stay in touch.  Yes, I mentioned wedding...  more on that later.
 
Enjoy your upcoming career at A&S.  You'll love the work, make a good friend but work really, really long hours.  It won't be long before realizing you don't want this retail life after missing your niece's fifth birthday party.

Soon, you will face tough times.  Just know that you will become closer to him after he passes and that he will bless you with much good fortune in the future.

Believe it or not, after being in school for 16 years, you will go back for two more for an MBA.  This will open the door to Brooklyn Union Gas (again) where you'll enjoy a long and very fulfilling career.  You'll learn to love speaking in front of an audience and even present to hundreds of important people.  No, I'm not kidding.

You'll mature, gain confidence, learn to play golf, climb the corporate ladder until it didn't fit your priorities and even travel for business.  Don't be too puzzled - the company does not stay local for long. You'll even host thousands at Shea Stadium to watch your favorite sports team.  Sadly, those Mets will not win the World Series for a long time.  (Even more sadly, your idol, Dan Marino, never makes it to another Super Bowl.)  But, the best thing about this career is that you will make some really great friends.

Early on, you'll make an instant connection with a guy who will become your best man at that wedding I mentioned. You'll enjoy working with many other wonderful people who will remain in your life for many years to come.  Treat these relationships well, young man, for they will bud into some really beautiful friendships.

You'll buy a house near Disney World which won't make you rich but you won't regret the experience.  But, if you can, change our history and buy a lot of stock in Apple Computers. Don't sell it until something called the "iPad" is introduced - trust me on this one!

You'll have a total of eleven nieces and nephews.  Those young kids will grow fast - really fast.  Cherish their youth and be the best Uncle Henry you can be.  You'll truly appreciate it.

Mom will continue having some rough moments including spending two months in a hospital.  As you care for Mom, have patience for you will grow so much closer to her.  Be sure to learn as much as you can from her and about her.  She will be the greatest teacher you'll ever have.

You want to know about this wedding, right?  Fate will bring a very familiar face back to your life and you two will hit it off as if you never parted ways twelve years earlier.  You'll have a memorable and fun wedding celebration, buy a house in the suburbs (near two siblings) and have two amazing children who will bring you immense joy.  Sounds like a dream?  Nope.  It's true, my younger self.

You'll eventually retire from the corporate life to pursue your passions.  You don't know what those passions are yet but you will.  And, you'll also know when it's the right time to be courageous enough to go after them.  Shockingly, you will go back to school (in more ways than one!)

So, while this letter gives you a glimpse of what's ahead, be sure to enjoy the ride because it's a good one.  Stay true to yourself, keep a good head on your shoulder (minus the permed hair), and listen to Mom.  I know you and her will be proud of what you'll become.

-- Me (a.k.a. You) at age 45

P.S.  You're still a KISS fan and, yes, they are still around.