"Everything we do sends a signal as to who we are, what we believe in, and what we want to become."
Since my childhood, I have always had a special passion for learning. Continuous learning energizes me and reminds me the more I learn the more I need to know.
This summer at my age of 50-plus, I am taking as many as three courses toward my doctorate. I spend evenings and weekends studying, catching up with class readings, researching, completing projects and papers. It¡¯s not easy, but I enjoy every minute of it because learning is even therapeutic for me.
It also provides an escape from reality for me.
While others are planning their vacations, I am "vacationing" from my pressure-packed principalship by participating in intellectually stimulating class discussions and connecting new readings to my practitioner world. I am on a downhill slope toward my doctorate since I have two more courses to go after this summer. Then, of course, I will be faced with the new challenge of writing a dissertation. My hope is to earn a doctorate by May, 2001.
Continuous learning gives me an opportunity for self-assessment. It helps me to reflect on what I have done, examine what I¡ã?ve currently doing and plan what I will be doing. Studying as a doctoral student while working simultaneously as an experienced educational practitioner gives me an interesting blend of theory and application.
Summer is also great for reading and writing. Reading and writing go hand in hand like "needle and thread." To me, engaging in reading and writing is a sign of truly educated and reflective person. Mr. Graham Greene, who is referred as the writers¡¯ writer in America, was once asked, "Why do you write?" He responded, "Writing is the way I keep my sanity."
Reading takes you to the world of ultimate possibilities and helps you to expand your knowledge and your horizon. Some of the books I have read this summer include:
Who Moved My Cheese? By Dr. Spencer Johnson
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee
This summer I realize it¡¯s extremely difficult to devote my time to recreational reading when I have so many class readings to do. However, I have managed to escape from my class readings and squeeze in some recreational readings.
Therefore, learning and reading form not only the core of my professional work, but also the heart of my personal recreation. They help me maintain a balance in an ever-changing world.


Suzie K. Oh can be reached by email at sko1212@aol.com or by FAX at (323)256-1765.