On Achievement

Click here for Nathan's Convocation Photos

Thank you Henry and Gail, Mom and Dad Stewart, Jason, Arthur and Sharon, Monique and Abram for joining us to celebrate Nathan's achievement!

Nathan's convocation was on Friday. Dressed in the green and red regalia, Nathan savoured his glorious moment, the moment toward which he worked hard to achieve. It was a glorious moment for his family and friends as well, who waited with patience and confidence.

As I attended the convocation where the air was filled with pride and honour, I had a moment to reflect on achievement. When I was in Grade 8, we had to write an exam called "achievement test" in nine different subjects. From its name it sounds like the purpose of the test is to show how much you have achieved or learned so far. However, the true nature of this exam was a gateway that determined which high school you could go to. Well, it did not guarantee your entrance, but it gave you a chance to take the entrance exam for the high school. There is always another gateway you have to cross.

Achievement, according to my definition, is getting a ticket for the future that lets you have a wider selection to choose from than those who did not get it. What it takes to get such achievements are one's initiation, hard work, and a lot of support from people who standby. Hence, I believe the moment of achievement must be composed of glory and humility, 50/50. And right after you grab it, you will have to start working toward another one.

When many people claim their achievement was done by themselves, when many people praise their own work without hesitation, when many are complacent with what they have already, I cannot help but think that this might be the outcome of too much praises they received growing up. I feel very thankful for my parents who raised me with the virtue of hard work and humility. Feeling glory just happens naturally.

Moving to France

It is now official that Nathan and I will be moving to France for two years. I must be a descendent of nomads, or this zesty feeling I have about our move cannot be explained. Basho Matsuo, a poet in the 17th century, wrote in the introduction of his travel journal:

Days and months are travellers of eternity. So are the years that pass by. Those who steer a boat across the sea, or drive a horse over the earth till they succumb to the weight of years, spend every minute of their lives travelling. There are a great number of ancients, too, who died on the road. I myself have been tempted for a long time by the cloud-moving wind--filled with a strong desire to wander.

After living in Waterloo for five years, it is somewhat sentimental that I have to leave things I grew fond of behind. I will miss the fresh vegetables from the region, miss great friends I met, and I will miss things that I now take for granted. Yet, it is time that we move on. Let me interpret "A rolling stone gathers no moss" with a positive attitude.