Paul's Pages
Updated: January 27th, 2008
My world was huge
and it has expanded futher...
Recent news: "My intensive teaching practicum finished, I'm again in China!
I enjoy my work here. Check out this student rap in Chinese - I'm so happy!
I hope to continue visiting family and friends in Canada every December." :)
Recent site updates:
Resume(see below, etc.) - Nov 16th, 2007 and
Cheerleading - April 13th, 2007
My Favorite Books - PDP Biography - A little about my Hometown
Resume - & Short Personal Introduction & Highlights:
- Graduated with Honors in Math and Science at NDSS
- Finished the Certificate of Liberal Arts at SFU in 2003
- Completed a TESL/TEFL Certificate through Oxford Seminars
- Graduated from SFU with my BSc in 2005***, this included a Math Major,
a Minor in Curriculum & Instruction and a Minor in Educational Psychology
- Received my Montessori Preschool/Kindergarden Certificate, NAMC, 2006
- Received a Certificate in Innovative Leadership at SFU
- Now finished my intensive PDP teaching practicum at SFU
- was in the Phys Ed. Module & taught High-School Math
- Completed the Special Program in French at Laval University 2007
- Graduated with my Bachelor of Education (2nd degree) in 2007,
Minor: French Education - qualified High-School French Teacher
***The reason for the delay in graduating:
(Note that 6 years worth of credits took 8 yrs)
was that there were many juicy things on my plate
things that I felt were far more important than school.
"What might those things be," you may ask
"What did you do with your time, Mr. Paul?"
Well, since you asked, let me tell you my little secret.
On top of the wide variety of physical activities seen here,
I would study modern psychology, and read selections from authors
such as Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale and Leo Buscaglia
in my free time. (Yes, even The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People :)
I learned the Alexander Technique through intensive online study:
I spent many hours studying an intensive debate between AT practitioners,
then joined & began participating in the AT Teachers discussion list.
While I learned many useful things in the physical sense,
I had also taken a big step into the realm of epistemology,
"The branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature,
methods, and limits of human knowledge," and that studies its
"presuppositions and foundations", "extent and validity".
Dyer's, Erroneous Zones, helped to crystalize these thoughts.
I could go on at length here about what I learned, and perhaps I should.
Suffice it to say that the conclusions from everything I was studying
in these spheres led me to a greater desire to study the major religions.
It became ever more clear, therein could be found the source of wisdom.
The academic world generally gives great credit to "the first person"
to put forward an idea. Why, then, do they fail to give credit to religion
where it is due, acting as if their own ideas are so unique and new?
I had learned a lot about Taoism and Buddhism through my personal studies
(of Martial arts etc. over the years), but the big discovery that moved me
(to a stage beyond my Christian background) was my immersion in Hinduism.
I was absolutely enchanted by Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad-gita
the Bhagavad-gita is the same Book that had inspired Ghandi, I realized later.
It had passed the test, containing the "good fruits" of which Jesus spoke.
A close Baha'i friend really impressed me and helped to open my eyes.
He was able to help me better understand Hinduism and become a better Hindu!
As I learned more about Ghandi's philosophy later through Donald Grayston,
such as the concept of each religion as a path to the summit of the mountain
(again, I could go on) I realized that there were several reasons why I should
commit to one of the religions that I had on my plate, and make it my own.
I adopted the Baha'i Faith, and, between 2003-2005, organized
a handful of Interfaith Dialogues at SFU immediately following.
"Let your vision be world embracing," Baha'u'llah said,
"rather than confined to your own self."
Goal: to better serve humanity. "That one indeed is a man who, today,
Bahau'llah said, "dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race."
I went into the LEAD Certificate program with the idea that leaders must be humble servants - for the development of spiritual qualities is our real purpose in this world. This idea is not the popular one, but I feel it is an essential one for humanity's future. In a true Democracy, elections must be based on the spiritual qualities of the person to be elected. I think that humanity will begin to grasp this idea in the near future, or at least will fall into such a state of despair with the declining state of affairs as to be willing to look at what the Baha'i Faith has to offer in the way of solutions.
I have been trying to gain the tools that will make me even:
more smoothed, pleasant, & of a positive presence in China.
I have been on the look-out for good, worthwhile experiences,
ever since returning from China, because I knew after returning
that I would like to move to China as soon as my PDP is finished.
Looking back, I feel happy that this God-given attitude helped me
I think it is the reason my practicum experience was such a success.
My evaluation included comments about strong work ethic & attitude.
I was told not just once that I didn't need to work so hard, "Go home" ;)
I prefer to spend my time in enrichment rather than idle chat.
If you have thoughts to share, questions, or a topic to discuss, I'm there.
My Parker Team Players type is Communicator and my Myers-Brig type is ISTJ
(heh - but the people that meet me really can't seem to understand how I can be an 'I', heh;))
So far I have learned that I need to learn how to consult with others more, Challenge a bit -
ask the right questions - and make others feel that their opinions are considered and valued.
A funny story: I crossed the ocean in a dingy (you know, those inflatable ones meant for one or two small children and not meant to be used outside of a small back-yard pool...) At one point the waves were so big that my best friend and I couldn't see over them, and as each one came, the only thing on our minds was surviving it. The biggest wave came over our boat, even though we rode it up as best we could, and hit me square in the head.
At the start of this escapade, our boat could have easily popped with all the barnacles on the rocks by our launching point. A few hours later, we reached the island whereupon we hoped to find a lake. Darkness struck before we could find it and return. It was suddenly so dark that we could not even see the ground (my friend had set the goal of finding this lake, and I was determined to accomplish it). We scraped together a bunch of twigs to act as a blanket, but they did not stop the wind. Every time it blew, it sent a fresh chill across our bodies. We were wet, without provisions, and hugging each other for warmth to survive the night.
Sometimes I hear a friendly complaint that I sweat too much, but my best friend has declared
that I'm the best kind of guy to have with you on a camping trip (because I have a hot body :)
Back in July 1, 2003 this is what was written here:
weighing in at 159 lbs. height, 5'6"
Chess was a big part of growing my childhood, and still holds a lot of great memories.
However, chess has been nearly conquered by computer. It is a bit too linear.
This brought me to the exquisite game Go. (WeiXi or Baduk)
To do what deep blue does for chess in 3 seconds,
Would take current computers 30,000 years for Go!!
Favorite speaker/author: Leo Buscaglia
An interesting religious theory -- December '98
Being a Virgo
A bit of playfighting with my friend Calvin :)
the image names were chosen by Bob Gill, another great swing dancer
As I became the center of attention in the middle of the swing jam,
Mike, the crazy swing instructor called out, 'Paul's a Buddhist' for everyone to hear
This picture quickly became my favorite!!
Sarah was so much fun to dance with
