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Monday, November 27, 2006

Monday Memory

25 Day countdown to my 300th post - Today is Day 10

Saturday's Photo Hunt was about 'Time'

I didn't include the shot of the clock left because I forgot that I had it.

When I visited A View from Ivry! , I recognized Pat's shot right away and it reminded me that I did have a pic of a clock. I didn't know the name of the building however. It is Musée d’Orsay . I took the picture from a boat while on a boat tour of the Riviere Sennes. Thanks, Pat, for clarifying!! Pat lives with her family outside of Paris, and is originally from the US, her husband is from Morocco.

Well, where is this all leading? In reading a lot of SPH's Saturday I came across Anne's blog, Feather Stitching, and she included a quote from Carl Sandburg that stirred up a memory.

I decided to blog about my favourite teacher. Tony Park, from Grade 6, as a Monday Memory. Mr. Park was a great teacher, motivator, counsellor and friend. He always showed such genuine interest in his students. He seemed to know us better than we knew ourselves, and encouraged and guided us so that we achieved our best and enjoyed doing it.

I kept in touch with him for many years since elementary school. It has been some years now since I have had the occasion to run into him. I googled him and looked him up to see if he is even still in the area. Nothing conclusive. If I had, I would have put on my list of things to do, above, call Mr. Park and go for a coffee or a beer.

The only information that I did uncover is that he and a couple of other teachers were responsible for creating the "Run To The Moon" challenge in which students were encouraged to reach the moon in two years via a running program. The fitness levels in the school were improved over the current national social trend toward obesity and lack of fitness.

There is also an Athletic Award in his name:

Tony Park Athletic Award - This award is given to a grade 5 student who: shows a dedication to goal-setting in sports with active participation in training programs; sets high personal standards; participates actively in a variety of extra-curricular sports, and; demonstrates high athletic achievement.

He is, of course, long retired.

I need to meet him for that beer.

I need to tell him that he knew me then better than I knew myself.

Here is the quote that he wrote in my autograph book.

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." Carl Sandburg

Best wishes Mr Park.

Call me.


11 comments:

mist1 said...

I keep thinking that I should contact my favorite teachers. What would I tell them? I'm unemployed. I'm addicted to the internet. I need a hobby.

Maybe I'll wait until I've made something of myself. They'll feel better about themselves then.

Anonymous said...

He sounds like a wonderful teacher! I kept in touch with some of my high school teachers while I was in university, but have since lost touch with them. It would be cool to look them up and go for a coffee or beer.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on our new kitten. :) Yep, Dr. Evil's cat was also a Sphynx. :) Sphynx can be good for some people with allergies. Hubby is allergic to cats, but Sphynx don't bother him. Other people with cat allergies are bothered by Sphynx, however, so it seems to be very individual.

Have a good day! :)

Anonymous said...

I hope you are able to find him. It would most likely make his day to know that you are thinking about him!

Anonymous said...

Hi ICL - Waving at ya from over here in Paris!! :-)

Great story about your teacher. I would love to get in touch with a couple of my old teachers. Hmmm....

Maribeth said...

Funny how we meet people in life, they leave their mark on us and then are gone. Hope you can find him for that beer.

BTW, I'm counting down days, but it's not until the holidays are over. Mine is about 11 days and counting until the "big" event. Or should I say blessed?

Anonymous said...

That was nice. He sounds like he really cared. Hope you get to run into him again..

Gattina said...

Never ever I would think about my teachers and even less about drinking a beer with them. Not because I don't like beer, but my teachers all included were stupid idiots with no idea of understanding. They all lived in their world and looked down to us as stupid sheeps. Not a single one made the exception !

Anonymous said...

Man...I never had a teacher like that...

I think mostly because I was a really bad student and kind of a jerk off. ;)

Steve~

Carmen said...

The inside shot of the clock at the Musee D'Orsey is also lovely. :)

Norma said...

Teachers really touch so many lives. This was a great memory, and I hope you get to see him again.

My MM is up.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, I visited the Musée d’Orsay and LOVED it!!!