Journal 1

The Little Tree That Changed My Perspective🪴

When I brought home my calamondin tree, I had one simple goal: to grow fruit.

I imagined fresh citrus, glossy green leaves, and the satisfaction of caring for something that would eventually reward my patience. It seemed like a small project, just another plant to brighten my home.

I never imagined it would become one of my greatest teachers.

At first, I only noticed the obvious things. New leaves. Tiny flower buds. The changing colours of the branches. But one sunny afternoon, I decided to look a little closer.

Really close.

That's when I discovered that my little tree wasn't just a tree.

It was an entire world.

Tiny ants explored the leaves as if they were walking through a forest. A metallic green fly landed for only a few seconds before disappearing again. Hidden beneath a leaf, a small spider waited patiently, almost invisible unless you knew where to look.

Every day brought a new visitor.

Every photograph revealed something I hadn't noticed before.

Suddenly, I wasn't just growing a plant anymore.

I was learning to pay attention.

As an English teacher, I often encourage my students to look beyond the obvious ,to notice details in a story, to ask questions, and to stay curious. Without realizing it, my little calamondin tree was teaching me the very same lesson.

Curiosity changes the way we see the world.

The tree hadn't changed.

I had.

That experience inspired me to create Learn With Alicia.

This blog is a place where education, creativity, storytelling, and nature meet. Here, I'll share classroom ideas, English learning resources, stories, poems, nature photography, and the little discoveries that remind us that learning happens everywhere not only inside a classroom.

Whether you're a student, a teacher, a parent, or simply someone who enjoys discovering new things, I hope you'll find something here that inspires you to slow down, look a little closer, and keep asking questions.

Thank you for joining me at the beginning of this journey.

I'm so glad you're here.

Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep looking closer.

— Alicia