We can't change the world, we can only React.

So the sudden surge in the passion for the Arts is back. 

Okay, it was always there, prolly just more laidback. heh. But finally sorted out some thoughts and the brimming with this urge to blog.

Attended the SMU School of Social Sciences Conference today. Must say that it was really quite impressive and one thing that definitely struck me was the reassurance of coming out feeling that I truly want an education and livelihood in the Arts. 

Attended the breakout seminar topic on the 'Business of Education', which made me feel like I was going back to the time where I was prep-ing for my HS application in 2010. Education. What does it mean to you? What does it mean to the society? Tossing about the ideas of the utility and functionality of education, the best ways of pursuing education/knowledge-acquisition, and much more. Which as the session was being conducted, brought back the many considerations that I once had (of course without the technical terms). The intention of the education concept as the hero, yet its action (& execution) as the villain, which begs the question as to whether it was a more ideal, rather than practical concept. 

But truthfully, the thing that struck me most, wasn't the topic itself but how concepts that have been taught during the History lessons in class, were literally jumping back at me. Evaluation based on relativity vs absoluteness, DOA, world govt, etc. Maybe because it was, afterall, a discussion of the social sciences as well so it couldn't have been on Atoms & Molecules and on 'Hows', but rather the focus on 'Why's. I see myself 50 years down the road, gathering with old friends and chatting not about A&Ms and about the minute details of our illnesses (for e.g.), but rather about the changing contextual circumstances that we're now in, about the impact of our illnesses on the people around us, about why we got where we are because of what occurred before. 

Second to that, was the slightly more personal touch to the seminar, where the lecturer recognised the effectiveness of story-telling and crafted out a story, based on personal experiences, to kick start the session. And the few moments, especially during the informal discussion segment, where he injected personal takes from the perspective of an educator. Okay, so here I admit: my ambition since I was a little kiddo in primary 3 was to become a Teacher. This, which i'd proudly attribute it to the influence and inspiration I gathered from my dear teachers in primary school, however, was something I was always too shy to admit. heh. I love how they are able to impact a community (big or small). And today, it further impressed upon me how the university lecturer, contrary to popular belief, was really passionate in having a personal involvement in the development of his students' education, and in all aspects. And true to what the lecturer mentioned that one of the downsides of being an educator is that you hardly ever see the fruits of your labour (i.e. the kind of person your student is), until of course in the long-run, and if you ever happen to bump into them again. Yet, that also constitutes a part of its beauty: such that you may never know where your student will eventually end up in, the kind of influence he/she will wield in the future. And I personally find this rippling effect really beautiful. hee.

The beauty of the Arts lies in its recognition of perceptions, of understanding, of the synergy in diversity of knowledge and disciplines. It resonates with the heart, through tolerance and acceptance, founded through engagement, as opposed to indifference, a result of ignorance and avoidance. 

So an education in the Arts/History and the prospects of an educator will be it for me, for now :)