Daily Prompt : Apprentice

In response to daily post’s one-word prompt : Apprentice

My Interview with Professor Elliott

After finishing my B.Ed. degree, I went to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to register for M.Ed., in my mind I was  confident I’d get in, I had the proper qualification.

Standing on my way was professor Elliott the head of the research center. I walked into his office and declared I was there to get registered in M.Ed., he had a million dollar smile on his face, he was impressive, kind and gentle with me. He looked at me and said, ‘I’m sorry, you are too young to register here.’

It was a shock to me, ‘but Why I asked, then I blabbered but I only studied B.Ed. to do M.Ed.?

Professor Elliott then mentioned I had to be 35 years old, have teaching experience and then said, ‘You couldn’t be more than 22 or 23, you are too young.’

‘I’m 22 years old,’ I said, ‘and am really disappointed to know I can’t get in.’

He took pity on me I think and told me I had to do a battery of tests, if I did well he’d take me.

I took the tests the same morning and was praying to do well. A week later, I received a letter from the Institute of research that I was allowed to register. I must have done well I thought.

I was thrilled but for a very short time. I  foolishly took a job two and a half months before this incident, in a Residential Model School. I did not think it would be  a problem to leave the job. I was wrong the Principal declined to accept my resignation.

I didn’t get to be an apprentice in the Institute of Research, because of my stupidity!

…………………………………. 🙂

Writing 101,Day Four, Serially lost

Today’s Prompt: Write about a loss,something( or someone) that was a part of your life, and isn’t any more.

I had just completed ‘Bachelor Of Education, from Punjab university”. I was back in Dhaka my original home. My next plan was to visit the,”M.Ed. Research Institute” to register for the course. I had no doubt in my mind I’d be able to since I had the prerequisite required to get in was a B.Ed degree which I successfully completed.

I was young and did not know that despite the degree there were other requirements, I did not have, thus I was not qualified to get admitted in the program.

I got an appointment to see Prof. Dr. Elliott, the head of the institute, I must have sounded quite bold, Professor Elliott looked at me, he smiled and said: “B.Ed. is not enough, you need teaching experience and you are too young.”

I remember pleading with him Please Dr. Elliott I said,”No one told me I need teaching experience, all they told me was get your B.Ed. degree and I did.”

My facial expression must have softened Dr. Elliott’s heart, he immediately said, “go to the admissions office and ask for the tests.”

I was delighted to know I may have  a chance if I pass these tests. After completing the tests I waited to know the outcome.

I was selected, this news made me so happy I would have screamed and told everyone who’d listen, I am selected.

Little did I know at that time, good and bad news travel together. I went back to the school I had just started teaching, I handed in my resignation, I told them I was accepted to study M.Ed. at the research institute.

The Principal must have thought, ” you naive young woman, you cannot leave, you have signed a contract.”

I felt dejected, I wrote to the institute, I’m not allowed to leave the job now, but I was certain I’d be able to register next year. I received a letter saying they’d hold my spot for next year.

I considered myself very lucky, I waited for the year to be over and I’d be able to start my studies at the institute.

One day I went to the staff room to get the newspaper, I had the habit of looking through the classified section, what I saw completely amazed me: The headline was, “British Council Scholarships”I knew there will be thousands of applicants but I felt why not I apply, I told myself, I did not stand a chance, I still went ahead and applied. I was always interested to study in England, but I had no financial backing, so I kept my feelings in check.

To my utter disbelief I received a letter advising me to come for an interview.

I presented myself accordingly, there were seven of them, all eyes were on me.I tried hard to look at the walls, I knew if I looked at any of them it would be all over,I would freeze, the questions continued to be directed at me. I know I answered all of them, but what I said or what they asked was completely blanked out of my memory.

My joy knew no bounds when I received a letter of acceptance and the tickets to fly to London, Heathrow.

I’d have to wait another year to register at the institute,was I feeling the loss of studying at the institute, not yet , they had given me another year to register.

Fate was playing a trick on me, I was back from London after a year, I should get myself registered for the course I thought, if I failed to go this time the Institute and Professor Elliott will give up  and I will not get another chance. This time I got married and this ended my quest for studying M.Ed.

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https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/writing-101day…-serially-lost

 

 

DP Daily Prompt: But No Cigar

Tell us about a time things this close to working out —but didn’t . What happened next? Would you like the chance to try again, or are you happy with how things worked out?

There was a time when I wanted to Study M.ed and prepared myself by completing B.ed.  I met Professor Elliott, who was the head of the research institute , I told him my reason to see him. He was a kind man , he told me I was too young and I had no teaching experience. The people they select were at least thirty five years  old   and I looked no more than twenty two or twenty three.

I had never seen rejection at that time. I continued to tell him I would be able to do it.He was impressed, he agreed to let me do the tests to find out how capable I was. I must have done well, they sent me a letter of acceptance.

But I was teaching in a school and they refused to accept my resignation. I informed the school authorities I’d like to join next year. They agreed.

The following year I received a scholarship to study in London, I could not give up this opportunity. I delayed my studies in the research institute by another year, they were eager to have me and were ready to have me a year later.

I had studied about destiny that we can change our destiny whenever we want,now that I think about it I’m sure it’s not always possible. I could not change mine, my aim to study M.ed was not happening.

This time it was my marriage which meant I’d move out of my country indefinitely.

I do believe in the phrase: “Man proposes, God disposes.”

I’m not sure whether I am happy or sad because I could not fulfill my ambition. Only thing that keeps me motivated and happy is , at least I am doing great with the education I have.

k: https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/dp-daily-prompt-but-no-cigar-2

 

365 Writing Prompt: The road less traveled

Pinpoint a moment in your past where you had to make a big decision. Write about that other alternate life that could have unfolded.

There was a moment in my past when I was torn between getting married or continue my education. I chose to get married. I thought I could study as well. It didn’t happen .

My aim was to study M.Ed after B.Ed , I completed B.Ed and was lucky to be accepted in the M.Ed program, even though I did not qualify, because the prof. Dr. Elliott told me I was too young, I did not have teaching experience which was one of the prerequisites. I remember arguing with him, he looked at me and agreed if I passed the battery of tests each candidate has to go through. I passed the tests and a week later got my acceptance letter.

When we are young we never think of the consequences of our decisions, without thinking I took a job in a school, it was my biggest mistake, I thought I could leave the job anytime to continue my education, I wrote my resignation letter but it wasn’t accepted. I never gave up hope for sometime,in the end I had to bow down to the phrase, “Man proposes ,God disposes.”

Had I stuck to the decision of completing my M.Ed degree things could be different, we were guaranteed a scholarship to the States for   further studies after completing the M.Ed. Research program. I’d  probably get to teach in the States and who knows how my life would be.

That was the past and I have no regrets I’m happy how things are for me now.

: https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/365-writing-pr…-less-traveled/

DP Challenge Weekly Writing Challenge: Staring Off Into Space

Whenever there are moments I have the leisure of sitting down, I think about me. What I have accomplished.What I missed. The people I’ve met, sincere and not. My life as a whole.

I studied as much as I could given the resources I had. There was one degree I wanted to get. Some how it didn’t happen. I had all the prerequisites needed to get in,I was even selected three times. Each time there was a different reason.

When I first received a letter of acceptance for the M.Ed. course I was excited. I had taken a teaching job only few months ago. I thought no problem ,I’d resign, unfortunately my resignation was not accepted. I was in my early twenties, I thought I’ll try next year.The following year I applied and was accepted,this time I couldn’t go because I received a scholarship to study in London. I was waiting for this miracle to happen. I postponed studying M.Ed. for next year.

I was again selected to study the third time, but missed it. I was married. I couldn’t try any more . I moved out of the country to join my husband.

When I think about how many times I tried and how the circumstances were never in my favor, I take solace in thinking maybe I was never meant to do that course.

I consider myself lucky for getting the chance to go for higher studies and come out successful.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/weekly-writing-challenge-lunch-posts/https://sabethville.wordpress.com/

DP Daily Prompt: A Bend in Time Post by Ranu

English: Rabindranath Tagore Русский: Рабиндранат Тагор (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tagore says ,he is happy to wait and see the changing of seasons. He’d much rather sit with his doors open all by himself,and let people pass by him giving the news. This is his satisfaction,so that when the desired being shows up,he’d be ready with his arms outstretched ready to welcome his most beloved moment.It is obvious from his poem it doesn’t matter if time almost seems  standing still.

Poets are a very different breed than normal humans like me. I’m probably too restless, I want things to move like the famous,”Concord”,which I believe is grounded. It was too fast. Will I like to be grounded,heavens a capital,’NO’.

I’ve had my excitement,I wasn’t giddy,my excitement had to be controlled. I was waiting to hear if I was selected to study, M.ed. I was given a battery of tests,with very little time for each section. I usually zip through my tests this one was more important, I had to make sure I’d be selected. So I waited and waited for that envelope to come to my door.  The envelope finally arrived, I was excited and concerned at the same time. Either I made it or didn’t. Slowly I opened the letter. I read the first few lines,you are selected and to report on such and such date. I did not read the whole letter. I was satisfied to know I passed the exam. I always have trouble waiting.

I wish I  could be like Tagore waiting patiently for the news  and while waiting,  singing and laughing  in my mind,how great it would be!