The other day when I was sitting in the Chinese classroom, I felt the walls shaking when the English teacher in the next room shouted “quiet”. Some foreign teachers even have a whistle with them in case their voice is drowned out by the deafening noises made by the students.

So my biggest challenge is to grab their attention and make sure they learn something every time. Of course I have moments of frustration and feel I have failed my mission. It may be in their nature and custom to live and study like this, but I’m sure few children can resist the temptation in the face of something new and interesting. It’s not easy coming up with ideas and different activities every week for 20 different classes. But what’s the point in having the same class forever?

So I did a lot of searching, thinking and devising, and it turned out just fine. I won’t say successful, not now. But at least I, together with my students, am making progress. That’s a good start.

In the meantime, I’m finding myself becoming more resourceful. I know what they are up to by their exchange of looks and what kind of response I should make as I’m getting to know them. I’m more patient than ever but this gives me a sense of guilt as I was quite grumpy when I was with my three-year-old nephew at home.

Be that as it may, these children give me far more pleasure and happiness compared with the troubles they make, both in and out of class. Many who have experience spending time with children know the magic they can create and when their number is several hundred, the fun will multiply, if not always.

Teaching takes most of my time but I’m free to go exploring during weekends. The beach is not far away and I can go for a stroll to watch the sunset after a day’s work. I like the life here. It’s slow and enjoyable.

I wrote “to be a better person” on the farewell board at the end of training and now I can say that I’m a step closer toward that goal. I’m working hard because I don’t want to regret what I should have done when I look back by the time this journey comes to an end. I don’t pursue perfection as it is the imperfections that make life beautiful.

I don’t know what’s in store in the next eight months, but good or bad, I shall be ready to embrace it.

I have learned from my own experience that as long as you work hard you can achieve what you want, only if you know what you want.

I also want to share a quote from Greek author Plutarch, one I learned from J.K. Rowling’s speech in Harvard: What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.