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LUMEN | LIFE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Life Beyond the Classroom by Matthew Grey
In the second of our occasional series on how teachers maintain their well-being and sense of balance amidst their hectic schedules , we speak to three teachers with seemingly diverse approaches to the subject .
Doreen Mak
You may know Ms . Doreen Mak as an enthusiastic teacher of history , but you may not know that she also has an interest in soap-making ? As Doreen explains it during our recent interview for Lumen , these two interests meet in medieval Europe , where a key ingredient of soap , known as lye ( a chemical which turns fats into soap ), was harnessed for its explosive properties . So how did this unassuming history teacher discover her interest in the making of colourful , scented soaps ?
Doreen explains , ‘ Like many people during the circuit-breaker , I was at a loose end , so I went on to youtube and looked at various hobbies featured there . Before long , I discovered South Korean youtuber , Hamimommy , who makes general interest videos about her life . One episode focused on her interest in soap-making . What struck me was her comment about making mistakes : ‘ If your soap design doesn ’ t turn out well , it still has a purpose . You can use it to wash yourself !’ As soon as I heard that comment , I knew I had found my new hobby .’
According to Doreen , this new hobby has reminded her that , just as the composition of soap must be carefully balanced , so must our lives be in a state of harmonious equilibrium . Doreen continues , ‘ Since discovering Hamimommy ’ s videos , I have been making soaps – some have turned out really well , and some haven ’ t – but , more importantly , I feel as if the tranquility of Hamimommy ’ s videos has inspired me to be more mindful of the need to find a calm oasis in the midst of our busy lives .’
Spend some time talking to Doreen about her hobby , and it is difficult not to be inspired . She explains how a range of soap-making kits is available online , and how they are inexpensive , as well as catering to the needs of everyone from novices to experts . There is another appeal to soap-making , one that is similar to the appeal of teaching for Doreen : ‘ I enjoy the sense of optimism when opening a soap-making kit ,’
Doreen enthuses . ‘ What ’ s more , trying something new is exciting . While I began by augmenting pre-designed soaps , I now actually make the soap from water , fats and lye .’
This involves more complicated processes , such as calculating the proportion of lye to the proportion of water and fats . Has this challenge proved to be daunting ? ‘ Well , as I have grown in confidence as a soap-maker , I have experimented with different scents and powders . Interestingly , as lye has explosive potentiality - not necessarily in the hands of this peaceful history teacher though - it must be used in a controlled environment .
Doreen reflects how this has resulted in her visiting a soap-making workshop , and inadvertently becoming a member of a new community . While she enjoys sharing soaps with friends and colleagues , what is particularly appealing about this hobby is the fact that Doreen can also donate any extra soaps to social causes through a recycling initiative organised through the soap-making workshop .
If you have seen Doreen around the campus recently , you will probably have worked out that her family is about to grow quite soon from now . Once the new family member is old enough , Doreen is very keen to spend some time sharing her passion for soap-making with her new child . And the only explosive thing about her soap-making will be the appealing designs running through the soap , like swirls on a stick of seaside candy .