Before I reveal my response, I would like to first assure you that this note isn’t written with fellow teachers solely in mind. In fact, I wasn’t planning on talking about work at all – we all know the remaining weeks/days of a school term can render even the most efficient teacher helpless, vulnerable and jaded with all the overwhelming (admin) work. Hardly anything worth writing home about. So, yes, you, who-have-no-affiliation-whatsoever-with-the-education-sector, may continue to read this, if you haven’t already deemed this note unworthy of your time.

Alright, let’s begin. Today, at a seminar that was made mandatory for all teachers in their XXth year to attend, we were told to introduce ourselves in our groups and answer several questions. I could talk about the responses to “What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?” but I don’t want to risk craving for them at this ungodly hour. So, anyway, here were some of the interesting replies we had: auditor, engineer, chemist, housewife and the infamous I honestly don’t know what I would be if I were not a teacher.

What was mine, you ask?

Take a guess.

Come on, just guess.

No, not Librarian. I can’t even keep track of the books I’ve lent out to friends. Speaking of which, if you have any that belong to me, do return them. I promise I won’t charge you for the way overdue book(s).

No, not Cook/Chef or Roast Chicken Specialist for that matter. I haven’t had time to hone my culinary skills of late. But fret not, prospective husband (if you’re reading this) (if you even exist), I’d work on that when everything falls into place. Just promise me you’d do the dishes.

No, not Tourist Guide. I (prefer to) backpack solo. Enough said.

Well, I doubt anyone would hit the bull’s eye with this one. So here it is.

“What would I be if I were not a teacher? I’d be a CSI Officer.”

Seriously? CSI officer?! I couldn’t even stand being in a room with 41 kids who reeked after their Physical Education lesson. Did I think I’d survive being in a room of rotting corpses and the smell of blood? Sure, it’d be so darn cool to be the female version of Horatio Caine but didn’t I have this tendency to retain morbid images in my mind like… forever?

So, anyway, I don’t know why my response bugged me so much that I’m losing sleep over it now. I guess all I really wanted to reveal, for the first time, was that I would have devoted myself to writing if I weren’t “nurturing the future generation”. I haven’t really given it much thought but if I have to specify the form of writing I’d dedicate my time and life to, it’d probably be journalism. Maybe a book or two too.

This is surprising even for me to divulge. Writing as a career has never crossed my mind. If I could pinpoint what brought about my latest revelation, it would definitely be Thought Catalog. Thought Catalog is an online magazine that contains honest and thought-provoking essays, “a place for relevant and relatable non-fiction and thought”. I have it stored in my Flipboard app(s) in my iPhone and iPad and honestly, I couldn’t go a day without checking if there were any new entries posted on it. Reading most of the articles inspired me to write again.

Yes, again. Maybe some of you already knew I used to blog many years back. In fact, I gained readers/fellow bloggers who eventually became valuable friends I hold very dear. (I can’t go on without mentioning them – Lahling, Maya and Faidz!) Though I was young, it shouldn’t justify my being reckless with my words and sentiments. In those years that I blogged and occasionally aired my dirty laundry, I may have offended some and for that, I sincerely apologise.

During my hiatus from the blogging world, I’ve gone through many experiences that have shaped me to be the person I am today. They may influence the way I write today. They may give me inspirations on what I want to write on tomorrow. But that being said, I can’t and I won’t promise (to myself) that I will write regularly. Ultimately, my teaching career takes precedence. For now.

I’m not hoping to garner a following, like that handful of avid readers during my heyday. I’m not asking for you to be impressed with my write-ups. You don’t even have to agree with my sentiments all the time. All I want is for you to be entertained. Maybe be provoked, sometimes. Because when you start giving what I wrote a thought, I know then that I could well be on my way to becoming a writer worth reading.