Behind That Shiny Resume....

...Jottings of a Troubled College Student by Jasmine Yow. My 10th book for this hols! Finished it 2 days ago. It's a book that I've been looking for ever since I heard about it, in part because she is from my present kampung. Even asked my sis to try to get it in Singapore but was not successful. But this book literally 'dropped onto my lap'! The author came to church brought some of her books! 8) So I got one... signed by her some more.

It's not a very thick book but one that makes quite good reading. A sharing of the trials and difficulties faced by a high achieving student (her cobbled up resume is really impressive!) diagnosed as being bipolar with an eating problem. I think many of us can identify with her struggles. I can.

I like what she wrote in one entry. Let me quote ...."I want to inspire teachers to teach (pg7).... a good teacher can rise above the punishing system to deposit something valuable in each individual. He or she can show the students, this was how I lived. This is who I have become...... And then if you are fortunate, you meet a teacher who leaves an imprint, an indelible mark. A teacher who recognizes your potential and knows how to nurture it to its fullest....(pg 7)"

I think we teachers fall quite short of that very often. Teachers today are too busy trying to churn out results. What we do is to pump the students for results. Most of the time we negate character building. We fail to pause for those who need that personal touch cos personal touches mean time which we deem ill-afforded for pursuits which will not bear the kind of good results that will bring up a school's name. I remember my teachers... many of them left indelible marks in me. And I am indebted to them.

Behind That Shiny Resume is a good read because it reminds us too that faith in God helps us through those tough times. It's often that when we're down and out that God becomes truly real.

Another excerpt from pg 21... No one could really understand or see the severity of my confusion and fatigue, not even my parents........ "We didn't know. Or else we wouldn't have pushed you so hard."

I think the system has also trapped us parents. We push our kids towards academic excellence. It's the A(s) that matter. Even, us Christian parents. We are supposed to challenge our kids to lead their lives for God, prioritize God. Yet, we, Christian parents do this. If tuition (or exam the day after) and church clash... then tuition is more important. And we make some excuse that they're already attending youth meetings. So, it's okay! So is it no wonder that our Christian kids grow up no different than everyone else? It's like we want our kids to have their feet planted on 2 worlds... that's okay. But it feels like this present one we're in right now takes precedence and eternity is for insurance. We don't challenge our kids to live for their faith! We push them to be successful first then Christians second. It's not kids should not be pushed. Kids should be pushed...but they need to be shaped right: to embrace learning, not to fear failure, and to develop strength of character... (pg xii) The question is do we do that?

It takes courage to come out with the book. But I'm sure many will be blessed by it. I have.

Anyway, I thought I wasn't going to achieve the number 10, this being the last week of the year end hols. 10 was a crazy number to begin with. But I ended up having read more books in 6 weeks than a whole year put together! It was just a figure that I came up to justify the purchase of the Touch. But I am glad just the same cos this hols, the love for reading rekindled... I've got to definitely put it back on my next year's must do list. And rounding it up with this book kinda makes it apt.