Navigating the Depths: What’s Been Happening Beneath the Surface

Welcome back to Just The Tip of an Iceberg!

It has been quite a while since my last check-in back in June. If there is one thing life teaches us, it is that what we see on the surface is only a fraction of the story - and the months since June have been a profound exercise in navigating everything happening beneath the waterline.

From major professional life shifts and exciting transitions to managing new health plot twists, my world has been a whirlwind of growth, adaptation, and quiet resilience. Today, I am pulling back the layers to share a glimpse of what has been going on behind the scenes.

1. Major Transitions: Closing Chapters and New Beginnings

Back in June, a major chapter of my professional and personal life came to a close as I concluded my service at my previous school -  I didn't renew my contract as I wanted to have a peaceful, more stressfree environment. Leaving a community where I spent time as a school counselor, Designated Safeguarding Lead, and teacher of Psychology and PSHE was bittersweet. It marked the end of a deeply rewarding season of student advocacy, well-being campaigns, and child protection initiatives.

But life moves forward, and new horizons call! In August, I stepped into an exciting new role at my new school, taking on a multifaceted journey as a Grade 5 teacher, school counselor, Designated Safeguarding Lead, and WASC Coordinator. Diving into curriculum planning, student counseling, and guiding our school accreditation self-study has kept me thoroughly energized, purposeful, and deeply engaged in education.

2. Health Plot Twists: Tracking the Numbers and Finding Balance

As we juggle professional responsibilities, taking care of our physical well-being has to remain front and center - even when it throws a few surprises our way.

Following my recent clinic visit and lab work, I’ve been keeping a close eye on my health metrics:

• The Scale & Vitals: There is some fantastic news on the physical front! Through sustained lifestyle mindfulness, my weight has dropped from 95.0 kg back in late May down to 85.0 kg - a steady and encouraging 10 kg milestone. My blood pressure and vital signs, however, serve as daily reminders to stay vigilant, particularly as I monitor cardiovascular health alongside my trusted physician from Bangkok.

• The Lab Work: My recent lab results brought a mix of reassuring numbers and areas needing attention. While my fasting blood sugar (83 mg/dL), total cholesterol (93 mg/dL), triglycerides (70 mg/dL), and liver enzymes (ALT at 18 U/L) are looking great, my HbA1c came in slightly elevated at 5.8% (placing it in the prediabetes range), my HDL ("good" cholesterol) is running low at 32 mg/dL, and my creatinine/eGFR results point to a mild decrease in filtration that requires careful medical oversight.

Navigating diabetes, hypertension, and a heart stent means learning to listen closely to your body, making smarter daily choices, and working hand-in-hand with medical professionals.

3. Creative Kitchen Adventures: Reinventing Comfort Food

Taking care of your health doesn't mean giving up the joy of eating - it just means getting resourceful! Behind the scenes, I've been heavily into recreating favorite foods using healthy ingredients that fit my specific requirements for a low potassium, low sodium, low sugar, and low carbohydrate diet. Finding that sweet spot where mindful nutrition meets delicious flavor has become one of my favorite culinary challenges. In the previous months, I simply didn't like eating, now, as much as I can, I work my way to sensible heart-healthy eating.. 

Looking Ahead

Life truly is like an iceberg. What people see on the surface is only a tiny fraction of the deep work, emotional transitions, health adjustments, and daily micro-victories happening underneath.

Whether you are navigating a career shift, a cross-country move, or reshaping your wellness habits to protect your heart and energy, remember that every small, intentional step matters.

Thank you for staying tuned in as I continue to explore what lies beneath the surface. Here's to growth, healing, and unearthing the deeper adventures of life!

How have your past few months been? Drop a comment below and let me know what you've been navigating beneath the surface!

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

Check Related Links:

The Heart of a Guardian: Surviving, Thriving, and Returning to the Classroom

Life has a way of bringing us to our knees just when we think we have mastered the art of balance. For me, that moment arrived not as a whisper, but as a series of cardiac emergencies. Surviving multiple heart attacks and spending two weeks in the hospital became the unexpected opening chapter of a new, more profound life story.

When you are staring at the ceiling of a hospital room, you realize that the roles you hold - whether it is Counselor, Teacher, or Designated Safeguarding Lead - mean nothing if the person behind those commitments isn't breathing.

The Technology of a Second Chance

My journey to recovery began in Yangon, and I am profoundly grateful to Dr. Peter of Pun Hlaing Heal Clinics. When the emergency struck, he did not hesitate, immediately recommending I head straight to the emergency room. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the kind doctors and nurses at Pun Hlaing Hospital in Yangon for their initial care.

While my doctors there initially recommended open-heart surgery, seeking second and third opinions proved to be a vital decision that led us to Bangkok. There, my recovery was made possible through Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) at Bumrungrad International Hospital. I underwent a procedure that placed one stent and four drug-coated balloons to resolve severe coronary blockages. I am deeply amazed by my physician, Dr. Sakolwat Montrivade; despite his youth, his skill is profound, and I am grateful for his expertise. It is a testament to modern medicine that I was discharged the day after my procedure was completed. To the kind, dedicated nurses at Bumrungrad who cared for me with such compassion - thank you.

However, survival is rarely a straight line. Managing my heart health is a complex dance complicated by chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The medical reality is a delicate balancing act; I am currently focused on managing my lab results, specifically working to lower my creatinine levels to ensure my kidneys are supported as I navigate my recovery.

The Call of the Classroom

I was told to stay home, to rest, and to prioritize the physical healing of my heart. But for those of us who have dedicated our lives to "World Builders" and student welfare, the sanctuary of the school is just as vital as the sanctuary of the home.

I continue to show up at school because my purpose is not just to survive; it is to remain present for those who rely on my guidance. As of today, Friday, I have successfully completed one full school week, supported by the immense caring community of colleagues and friends around me. My presence is my declaration that while the body may falter, the spirit remains the guardian of its own mission.

Moving Forward: A Path to Gentle Recovery

As I integrate back into my professional life, I am learning the importance of "instructional precision" in my own physical routine. My medical team and I are tailoring a gentle exercise plan that prioritizes my heart health without compromising my long-term stability.

For anyone else navigating this path, remember:

• Honor the "In-Between": Recovery is not about rushing back to 100%; it is about respecting the "Hanged Man" energy of healing.

• Manage the Whole Child (And the Whole Self): My experience with diabetes and hypertension has taught me that we cannot isolate our heart health from our systemic health.

• Listen to the Body: Even when you choose to return to work, your body remains the ultimate authority on how much you can give.

I am still a "cycle breaker," still a teacher, and still the Divine Guardian High Priestess of my own narrative. The road ahead is paved with the strength I found in the hospital and the resilience I bring back to the classroom every single day.

How are you balancing your own professional responsibilities with the non-negotiable needs of your physical recovery?

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

Check Related Links:

The Power of Nothingness: Embracing Life’s Transitions

There are moments in life when we find ourselves standing in the "hallway" between what was and what is yet to be. It is a period of transition where the old roles have been fulfilled, but the new chapter has not yet begun. Many might view this space as empty or idle, but there is a profound, sacred power in this state of nothingness.

Breaking Free from the "Well"

We often spend years building what could be described as a "well" - a narrow, vertical existence defined by the expectations of others, social status, and the repetitive performance of a specific role. While a well provides a sense of security, the water within it can become stagnant. The walls are close, and the horizon is limited to a small circle of sky above.

True growth often requires us to stop treading water in that narrow space. When we strip away the titles and the masks we wear to please the world, we aren't left with a void. Instead, we find clearance. This "nothingness" is actually the fertile soil required for a new life to take root.

The Peace of Neutrality

Entering a state of emotional and mental neutrality is the ultimate act of self-reclamation. It is the ability to observe the noise of the world without being pulled into the current. In this state, we realize that:

• Nothingness is not Lack: It is the open space where new opportunities land.

• Release is not Loss: Letting go of what no longer serves us is the only way to make room for what does.

• Being "Enough" is the Baseline: We do not need a title or a grand performance to be worthy; our value is inherent.

Reclaiming the Ocean

The transition from a "well" to an "ocean" is a shift from confinement to vastness. The ocean represents our true potential - an infinite horizon that requires courage to navigate but offers total freedom.

When we choose to inhabit this space of nothingness, we are no longer trying to forecast or control every outcome. Instead, we sit in the quiet confidence of our own journey. We light a metaphorical candle for our future, not out of desperation, but out of expectation.

The "nothingness" is beautiful because it is the only place where unexpected miracles can truly find a home. When we stop looking down at the narrow walls of the past, we finally find the strength to walk toward the sea.

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

Check Related Links: