Power Words: Promoting strength and positivity in young peoples lives.

Hello visitors,

I hope everyone is having a happy holidays so far.

Many thoughts and ideas sometimes come to me through reflections and dreams. During a recent night, an idea involving "power words" came to mind. Examples of such power words include:

1. kind
2. strong
3. inspirational
4. positive
5. creative
6. brave
7. determined
8. happy
9. healthy
10. radiant

The list is endless and usually includes words that address strength and health in an individual's life. In a group counseling setting, the counselor can begin by asking each student, "What's your power word for this week?" or "I have a power word for you and it's (insert power word). How can you be ___________this week?" or What is something you did that shows you were ______________this week?

This helps to generate conversation and establish rapport with young people both on an individual or group setting. Give it a try and leave your comments below.

Happy Holidays :)

Season's Greetings from our Counselling Corner.

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

            We hope that the first term of your child’s academic year has been both academically and socially enriching. Also, thank you to everyone who has welcomed me to Mountain Meadows as this year’s practicum counsellor.

            For the December issue of our newsletter, David and I would like to focus on helping kids to foster their skills in empathic awareness. As a result, we are presenting the condensed version of the Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar. Here are some ideas:

1.     Feed the Birds

2.    Give a compliment to a friend

3.    Donate a book to a library

4.    Bring cookies to the police of fire station

5.    Bring supplies to the SPCA shelter

6.    Leave a happy note for someone to find

7.    And my personal favorite….make a friendship bracelet for a friend.

There are so many more ideas. We hope that you, as a parent community, will help your children foster their social and emotional growth by teaching them to think and care for others this Christmas.

                                                                        Happy Holidays!

                                                                        Counsellor David & Counsellor Clara

A Scholarship named after me.

Hi everyone,

So, I was reflecting on how challenging it is for students today to pay their way through post secondary studies. I thought of how I'd like to help those in such a position.

If possible, I'd like to create the Clara Mai Yan Wong Scholarship. Valued at ten thousand dollars, this award is presented to the student who demonstrates dedication and perseverance towards achieving their childhood goals.

:) 

Male Principal teaches sewing class, Junior Achievement Student says he wants to be happy, healthy....AND Wealthy.

Sometimes, it's hard waking up for work. Especially when two out of your five working days are dedicated towards your counseling practicum.

But today's journey at work was so rewarding. It started with me finding the last ounce of java in the kitchen's coffee pot, catching a glimpse of my puffy eyes in the microwave's reflection and meeting Linda, the art teacher.

"Hi, I'm Clara. *extends hand for handshake* "I'm Linda. I teach Art."
"Oh wow. You do pottery at all? I made this mug. *points to mug*

"What, you made that mug Clara?" Well, yeah.

I explained to Linda my mug technique and she shows me her classroom afterwards.Upon seeing her teaching area, I yelled, "OH MY GOD, you have a kiln, WHAT."

"Yes, well Clara, we're going to have to get rid of the kiln due to funding cuts". It apparently costs 250,000 to operate the kiln. I expressed sadness at the loss of yet another kinesthetic/therapeutic activity in schools, but shared with Linda that I'll ask a friend if a kiln can be donated. Linda shows me the collection of items kids have made with clay and reached towards a shelf for this item:

I SQUEALED with glee as Linda handed me the mug. According to Linda, the student who made it, graduated a long time ago and has never claimed it. I think Linda sensed what I was thinking and said that I could have it. I thanked her and off I went to see which teachers needed assistance.

A few mins prior to recess, I made a pit stop to see Faye, the home economics teacher responsible for cooking and sewing. Word from the principal has it that I was responsible for teaching some hand sewing techniques to 30 students. Checking in with her, she shows me a vintage classroom (code for classroom that has been abandoned for 10 years) where heaps of sewing projects were cluttered in one pile.

I stared at the pile thinking, "Holy shit. I gotta get this shit organized before the kids rumble in". Faye laughed at some of the sewing and said that the principal, B, is responsible for teaching this sewing class.

"WHAT?"  This is my first thought. I said, "Wait, come again. Say that again? Faye laughs and says that this sewing class is actually headed by the male principal and that he would be coming in to teach it with me. I was impressed. A man who sews. I gotta see this go down and know that this will be a GOOD teaching day all right. Faye leaves me to be saying that she'll be three classrooms down teaching a cooking class.

After organizing supplies for a good 20 minutes, the kids come through the door, clamoring to find their sewing projects. Some were confused at the organization but managed to settle in. I announced to them that there were two types of scissors, one for thread and one for fabric. Amidst their listening, Principal B arrives at the door.

I guess I was mostly impressed with a dude knowing how to sew. Faye had shared with me that B's grandma taught him how to sew. The class got down to business with B and I helping various individuals with threading needles, tying knots and demonstrating a whip stitch.

In conversation, it turns out Principal B was a former police officer, corrections officer and is also a school counsellor. YAY, I thought! Another jack of all trades. We exchanged high fives for all our successes in various professions.

The day proceeded with a class of gifted students who were being introduced to entrepreneurship via the Junior Achievement program. Donald M, from the financial industry, was to arrive at the Library to do a presentation on merchandising, promotions and bookkeeping. The class was full of ideas. During introductions, they were asked to share with everyone what they would like to do as a career in the future. Answers include:

1. Engineer
2. Doctor
3. Surgeon
4. Happy
5. Professor of Astrophysics
6. Author, illustrator or cartoonist
7. Piano teacher
8. Baker, cook
9. Celebrity interviewer or optometrist.

The goal was for the whole group to come up with one business idea that will generate a profit. After brainstorming in small groups, the ideas that came up were:

1. Bake sale
2. DIY t shirts
3. Hug Elmo (this is where a student dresses up as Elmo and charges everyone 1.00 per hug).

After a tie breaker, it was decided that the group would pursue the DIY t shirts. Donald assigns groups responsible for merchandising, promotions and bookkeeping. A buzz of excitement ensues. Questions regarding, "Where are we going to get the t-shirts?" to "What does promotions mean?" are blurted out.

Promotions. I share with that group to create a design prototype and to perhaps show it off to the school via a runway show. They can lay down bricks to resemble a 'runway' for all I care.

Then I hear a student's voice in the background..."Miss Leigh? How about laying down a red carpet for the show?"

I love it when kids think out of the box.

Keep it authentic and genuine everyone.

Activities that make kids happy...

It's been two months since I've started my counselling practicum. So far racking up a total of 110 hours with both mentors. David has accepted my eager beaver, keen nature, so much so that he's made a name sign for me outside our office.

We started off the school year with addressing the social and emotional aspects of counselling through reaching out to students by visiting all classes. One of our interactive school community activities was inspired through our classroom visits where we introduced a book called "The Bad Mood" to students.

In the book, the character, 'Badger' was depicted as having a bad mood since the morning, upon awaking from his bed. Later in the story, he is seen working in his garden, one of his favorite activities. Slowly, his bad mood is lifted, presumably because Badger was doing something that he enjoys.

As a result, one of the messages to our target audience was, "What activities make you happy?" or "What do you do to extract yourself from a bad mood?" David and I wanted LOTS of responses and hoped that every student from the entire school would contribute. Here's how we got started:

There were a few responses from teachers....After one week, this is what the board looked like:

We hope that this activity has been a cathartic experience for the kids, teachers and any parent who contributed to this wall. :)

18 Year Old's Dream of Becoming a Journalist Starts with MIT Admission.

On a Sunday in October at the YMCA gym, I meet Lucas B, an 18 year old from Brazil recently admitted into the Journalism program at MIT. Here's our conversation:

Troy: Hay Clara, meet Lucas.

Clara: *relaxes in hot tub and sticks hand out* Hi, I'm Clara.

Lucas: Lucas. I'm from Brazil.

Clara: So, what brings you out here to Canada?

Lucas: Well, I'm here to practice my English before going to Boston.

Clara: Boston?

Lucas: Yes, I will be going to school there.

Clara: Where?? Harvard?? Omg, did you get into HARVARD, holy cow!

Lucas: No no. MIT. I went for a swim test for a swimming scholarship.

Clara: OMG! Congratulations!!! What will you be studying????

Lucas: Journalism. I always liked to write. Be a reporter. Also, I like to say *pretends to hold microphone*, "How are you doing?"

Clara: *laughs out loud* *pretends to hold microphone* "How are you doing Lucas?"

Lucas: HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Clara: Well, this is really exciting. Since when did you want to become a journalist?

Lucas: 5 years ago.

Clara: And how old are you now?

Lucas: 18.

Clara: Oh! okay, *does math in head* So, you've wanted to do this since you were 13. That is crazy, omg, congratulations for making your goals come true.

Lucas: THANKS! *pretends to hold microphone* It's my dream. "How are you?" HAHAHAH!

Clara: Well, congratulations. I know what it feels like to go after your goal for a long time. I've been wanting to be a school counselor since I was eleven years old and ain't nobody stopping me.

Lucas: Yes, it does feel good. I am starting in February and I will be here for five months to practice my English. It was good i passed the TOEFL test to get into MIT, Clara.

Clara: Well, this is nuts. Congratulations again. And I'm going to be blogging about you tonight on my website.

Lucas: ABOUT ME??


Well, there you have it everyone. Another motivating story about students working hard and going after their goals. Congratulations Lucas!!!!!!!

Courage...some afternotes.

Courage is also receiving a heart transplant at 19, battling cancer while married with two kids and also wanting to pay it forward by sponsoring a counselling practicum for a student who has been chasing her dream of wanting to be a school counselor since age 11.

Boy, that was a run on sentence.

Plow on Dave E :)

What's Courage?

Over the past weekend, while away on a flight, I met a few individuals who took great leaps of faith to be where they are in life. Matt, a Lonely Planet travel writer who was seated in front of my jump seat, relocated to the UK from Vancouver to pursue his dream job of documenting his adventures in Africa. Jean Luc, our pilot, who pursued his dreams of flying, despite his parent's lack of support.

It takes a lot of guts to remove oneself from their comfort zone, be it relocating or saying, "Screw you" to your parents who don't back up your efforts in life. For both these gentleman, they exhibited courage. Really, courage in the face of the unknown and adversity.

I was curious in what the definition of courage was for various individuals, so being the open person that I am, I took a poll. Here's what some people had to say:

"Courage means not letting your fear prevent you from doing what needs to be done"-Gilles (Pilot)

"Courage means facing challenges head on!-Kris (Olympic Gym Coach)

"Courage means to do things out of your comfort zone"-Gao (Flight Attendant)

"Courage is knowing yourself and being the authentic version of it everyday"-Trish (good friend :)

"Courage is the will to achieve despite fear"-Alaska (university student)

"To show courage is to show strength in the face of fear, pain or grief. It takes a quality of spirit to persevere through pain and difficulty. To be emergent, rise above and venture forth. Take risks and explore. This involves the belief that one can handle what comes their way."-Bev (district school counsellor)

Last but not least, my definition of courage. For all kids out there, please pay attention:

"Courage means standing up for your values despite knowing that they aren't popular with your friends."

Creativity is Stifled by Rules: What some kids really think about school.

In this qualitative research conducted by two university professors, they hear from a male teen who states what I think many educators should be very aware of: That there needs to be more of a mentality where teachers encourage kids to develop critical thinking skills, creativity and skills to approach and solve problems from various angles. 

Remember: The development of character education is just as important as academic education.

Coloring Between the Lines: Mindfulness Colouring Book.

Hi Everyone,

While overseas in the UK, I found this coloring book for adults (and kids too I think). It feels great being able to hold a pencil crayon in my hand, attentively filling each space with a variety of colors.

Please try it yourself and encourage any kids you have to do so too.

Jordy's Question: Should I become a teacher?

Last week, while away on a flight in London, I received a question from Jordy, a student whom I taught on my first teaching assignment overseas. Although I haven't seen this little girl since she was five, we still keep in touch and she has trusted me to ask for some guidance in regards to the direction of her future career. Enjoy everyone.


Monday, July 27th at 519am:

Hello Clara!

very very sorry if it's late there but I was considering becoming a teacher when I finish school and was wondering if you enjoyed it? Just been thinking about it a lot lately. I think the idea of helping people and being there for them is something that attracts me. Especially because teachers have been significant in my life.



Dear Jordy,

I am very happy that you've reached out to ask me this question. Who better to ask than your former kindergarten teacher? ha!

I did enjoy teaching, especially engaging students in learning through real life experiences and hands on learning. Some of the activities that I've introduced to my students include taking them outside to practice drawing from observation, games in PE where everyone is included and constantly moving and teaching kids how to dance at a young age. My teaching philosophy has always been to help students develop their social and emotional learning in addition to their academic learning. This means that I help them develop skills to express their emotions in healthy ways (journal writing, drawing, squeezing silly putty in their hand instead of punching their neighbor and taking a breather by just getting up and leaving the room).

I have to say, Jordy, that not everyone has been supportive of my philosophies, but they are mine and they have worked with many of my students. It's always heart warming to see my kids smiling and happy and I know they enjoy my open mindedness. If you decide to pursue this path, you too will develop your own teaching philosophies. They are your own and often, are developed over time through reflecting on your teaching practices.

It sounds like the teachers that you have had so far played a BIG role in your life. I'm wondering if a few of the were role models for you too. I'm happy to share with you that my teachers and counselors also influenced me greatly. It is one of the reasons why I became a teacher/counselor and have wanted to do so since age 11.

When it comes to career, my suggestion to you is to do something you love. Something that really *ATTRACTS* you.  You are still very young, so your career choice may change and so they should. Things happen. Your life changes or a major incident happens in your life that helps shapes your career goals. For example, I have a friend who became a police officer after having experienced a personal violation as a child. She wanted to make sure young girls were taught to be assertive and to stand up for themselves when boundaries were crossed.

So Jordy, remember, to stay true to yourself. Your career is your choice. It's not your parents choice (I am not telling you not to listen to your parents, okay?), not your sibling's choice and money has little to do with it. You obviously have to be making some sort of a healthy income but don't go being a doctor just for the money.

To help guide you to your career, continuously ask yourself these exploration questions at every stage of your life. These questions looks at a few things, such as values, interests, skills and the significant others in your life.  Remember, they may change through time.

1. What is important to you?
2. What are your dreams? (They can become a reality)
3. What activities do you like to do?
4. What are you really good at?
5. Do you have a career in mind? If yes, what is it that you like about that specific career?
6. What do you really care about?
7. Who have you spoken to about your career options?
8. What kind of subjects are you interested in? What makes these subjects interesting?
9. What careers/subjects would you like to learn more about?
10. Where do you see yourself in five to ten years in terms of career?
11. What do you like to do in your free time?


I hope this helps Jordy :) Stay in touch.

Stories from the Jumpseat #1: Objections to interracial relationship no roadblock for couple married for 40 years. East Van occupational therapist based in the UK keeps friendships alive despite distance.

Earlier this weekend, luck would have it that my jumpseat was positioned in front of three interesting people: Ashwyn and Kathy who have been married for 40 years and Ritchie, an occupational therapist from East Vancouver who is now based in the UK.

Here's the conversation:

*taxing on runway*

Me: *fastens four point seatbelt* "So! *looks at Ashwyn, Kathy and Ritchie* were you all on vacation in Vancouver?"

Ashwyn: "Yes, our fifth time in Vancouver. We love it here. Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Islands.....

Kathy: *smiles and looks up occasionally from her newspaper*

*plane climbs to leveling altitude*

Me: "And you sir?" *looks over at Ritchie*

Ritchie: "My sister got married. I haven't been home to Vancouver for five years!"

Me: "Wow! Sounds like you all had fun here. I wanna hear more.*seatbelt sign turns off * Hang tight, I'll be right back! I'm Clara by the way."

So much for conversing with Ashwyn, Kathy and Ritchie for the duration of the flight. However, I resumed where we all left off just prior to descent into London England. 

*does seatbelt checks and fastens self back to jumpseat after nine hours of inflight service*

Me: *looks at all three passengers* "Well, how did everyone enjoy the flight??"

Ashwyn: "It was definitely a good ending to our anniversary trip!"

Me: *looks at Kathy and Ashwyn* Omg, how long have you guys been married for?

Ashwyn and Kathy: *both looking at each other* It'll be 40 years as of July 9!

Me: *notices Ritchie raising his eyebrows* "WOW, well, how did you two meet?"

Kathy: "In university actually. I was the secretary and Ashwyn was studying for his pharmacology degree."

Me; "oh, a drug dealer, I see!" Legitimate of course! *everyone around vicinity chuckles* So did both of you know you were right for each other from the beginning?"

Kathy: "Well, Clara, I was only 16 when I met Ashwyn and he was 20. So there was an age difference there.

Ashwyn: "Ahem, actually, I had just turned 21 when I met you."

Me: "Oh, that doesn't matter! *waves hands* love is love. Did your parents object to this aspect of the relationship? What did they think?"

Kathy: *looks over at Ashwyn* Well, it was the wrong color, Clara.

Me: *widens eyes* oh my gosh, pardon? *takes me a few seconds to realize what Kathy meant*

Ashwyn: *nods sadly* My parents weren't supportive of us being together. We of course, as you can tell, come from different cultural backgrounds."

Me: "My gosh, I honestly did not even notice. So your parents didn't want you two together because......because of skin colour??

Kathy and Ashwyn: *both nodding and looking at each other* "It was difficult, but we stuck through it."

Me: "Honestly, true love is colour blind. I can't imagine choosing a significant other based on the skin colour we have in common. This is just crazy. I mean, on the list of requirements...skin colour shouldn't even be on the list!!

Ashwyn: "It was difficult Clara. Challenging your parents back in the day to be with the love of your life. Back then you see, there were not alot of interracial relationships.

Me: Well, I'm so glad both of you ended up together. I guess true love does rise to the top doesn't it? :)

Ashwyn and Kathy: *squeezes hands* yeah.


Me: *looks over at Ritchie* What about you? When are you returning to East Van!

Ritchie: "Man, I dunno. I miss my friends big time. They all threw me this bbq on Friday. Man.....I miss Asian food so much. Ate out everyday I was here. Sushi, stir fry, wontons, more sushi...*laughs*

Me: "Well, when do you think you will be back?! "

Ritchie: "Maybe after two more years. I wanna travel Europe a bit more".

Me: *tightens seatbelt as plane touches down* *gives Ritchie a high five from jumpseat* Well, you'll be back. There's so much health care careers in Vancouver.


Well, there you have it, a conversation from my jumpseat. A couple married for 40 years despite parental objections and an East Van boy keeping friendships alive from halfway across the world. 

The starting line at Renfrew Library.

Hello everyone,

Yesterday, with a tupperware full of fried rice in my hands courtesy of mom, I decided to make a pit stop at Renfrew public library. As I strolled between the aisles, I noticed that the self-help/counselling section had been moved from the original location.

A few aisles later, I found it. The collection is different now but the main themes are still there....books addressing topics such as grief and loss, relationships between men and women, the challenges and differences in raising boys and girls and fostering self esteem in girls.

THIS library is where I found myself at 6th grade, reading on topics such as those listed above vowing to become a counsellor in the future.

Twenty years later, its becoming a reality. Thank you so much to everyone who helped me achieve this goal and for their continual support.

"We just love each other so much" (July 9, 2015)

As a flight attendant, I meet a ton of people. For me, the most heartwarming ones come from those who have been happily married for years. Here's another inflight story from the "inflight counsellor".

*midflight during galley patrol*

As I sashayed my way down the aisle on the prowl for happily married couples, I came upon *Angela and *John. Observing as I passed by, I noticed them laughing at the inflight entertainment and holding hands.

Naturally, I stopped by at their seats, asked how they are enjoying the flight and commented on how happy they seemed to be. I asked, "My gosh, how long have you been married for?!"

Angela says that it will be 51 years as of October 2015. I yelped in joy and clasped my hands together. Uninhibited, I asked Angela and John what the key to a successful marriage was.

Angela looks at John with sparkles in her eyes..."Well, dear, we just love each other so much!".

If I were a fortune cookie.........

"If anxious about the future, pay attention to the present"

Send me your questions.

Dear Readers, 

Many years have elapsed since I've written to help others as a student advice columnist. This was back in high school. 

I've been itching for a while to return back to what many of my friends, students and colleagues have complimented for: Solid insight and empowering strategies to help them overcome challenges and build resiliency. 

So what's your boggle?