i met up with a former high school classmate today at our school. we were a 'gang' of three, the third member lives in san leandro, california. it's amazing how we recognized each other right away, hugged and started chatting like we just saw each other last week. in fact the last time we three saw each other was in 1985.
we were given a tour of the school, a science fair was happening, and the director of the school was happy to meet with us. she called our era the 'golden years' and we told her how much we owe the school and our teachers for what we had accomplished over the years. i mentioned that ever since college, whenever i got interviewed for anything and i was asked where i learned to speak english, without the heavy filipino accent, that my reply was i learned it from one of the best high school teachers ever! and that was without the aid of laboratory lessons, just the teacher explaining to us the IPA (international phonetic alphabet).
she, the director of the school, has great plans for the school and for such a young age, she's probably nearing 40's, i commend her commitment to the student's welfare and education. she wants to bring back that golden years that her grandfather had brought to the school and that i think is a great motivation.
there was supposed to be an alumni homecoming but was cancelled. a concert by an upcoming local artist who was a former student was to take place instead. as i couldn't attend the concert, i offered to sponsor two tickets to be given to a student or parents of a student who could not otherwise afford to pay. for a small amount of 600 philippine pesos for a pair of tickets, they were quite pleased. once there, i doubled the amount and it turned out that while the students were free to attend, there were students who would not come because the parents cannot afford the tickets. to me it was barely fifty canadian dollars, but to be able to help out was worth more to me. i told the director that i had been wanting to fundraise for the school from my co-alumni but i have not been successful because most of them just wanted good time amongst themselves. but i do want to give something back to the school. i offered to finance a student's tuition which would amount to a week's salary on my part. yay! i'm going to sponsor a scholar! a bright mind! a future leader, perhaps! but really, all i feel is that it is an honour to give something back.
what's that got to do with the crescent moon? well, after we left the school, my friend edelyn and i went for a long lunch capped by a bowl each of halo-halo then sat outside and watched the sun going down on manila bay. when the sun had sunk in the horizon, we saw the crescent moon right above us. i think it is a good sign, like the beginning of a beautiful thing to come. don't you think so?
I think the moon is smiling at you, just like the student and the people who got your tickets. Nice to remember those who helped us along the way, and be able to pay it forward at times.
I agree with @bill_fe@moniquenadeau wholeheartedly!! You are a very special person! This is a very special photo too! you will now always remember this day and what you gave whenever you see a crescent moon!
The moon, the stars, the sun rising and setting each day, always the assurance of God's goodness to me and now reflected in your goodness to the school. I understand the feeling! It has been exciting to me to use some of my inheritance in a similar way. You have made a significant difference in the school and in a student's life. Awesome moon shot and a fav! (Powershots love photographing the moon!!)
Nice shot as well