Multilingual Trainer, Teacher, Soccer Player, Snowboarder, Single Parent, Canmore, Canada
“Immigrants, we get the job done", said Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton (the musical). Knowing Ms. Florian Lim for over twenty years has been a privilege. What initially tied us together was a full blown immigrant assimilation experience in Canada. Florian was also an awkward kid in high school, who understood the immigrant’s pressure to study hard and ‘make something of yourself’ as a first generation Canadian. Chinese immigrants in Canada, Florian’s parents abandoned their fruitful careers in Singapore to start over for their kids’ benefit. A story of every immigrant parent’s life.
Florian was quiet and reserved in school (dare I say we were nerds?), but I felt privileged to see her come out of her shell on weekends, when she opened up a whole new world of pool halls, karaoke, an expanded taste palate (for me) and introduced me to a a reality of an even stricter household. When immigrant parents are pissed off at you, you run!
Unfortunately Florian moved to another Canadian province in the midst of our high school careers. This might as well have been the moon, before social media and WhatsApp. We reconnected not too long ago and I was not at all surprised at her achievements. She succeeded at making her parents proud and bettered the community around her. Ms. Lim has trained Canadian at-risk youth, taught seasoned career professionals new marketable skills and is currently helping adults how best to re-orient themselves in the new, previously inaccessible, careers. Ms. Lim also managed to keep her self-deprecating humour, sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude, all of which I’m sure helped her in her part time wedding photographer gigs. Since she is too modest to, I will mention that Florian has a voice of an angel and can legit breakdance! Most importantly, Ms. Lim is a WOW Woman because she is an incredible mother, single-handedly raising a kind, inquisitive and perceptive daughter, a mini WOW Woman in training.
Although the interview and photoshoot came about after much persuasion and coaxing on my part, the result is undoubtedly a show of strength and quiet dignity on Ms. Lim’s part. Shared immigrant experiences may have initially connected us, but it is respect and admiration for this woman that keeps me coming back. What a legend!
1. Name
Florian Lim.
2. Where is your hometown?
Singapore, currently live in Calgary, Canada.
3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?
I am a program design and implementation professional in the technical training field. My average day consists of conducting meetings and auditing training evidence to ensuring our program design and implementation meets regulatory requirements that govern the electrical utility industry.
4. What did you study in school?
I hold a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education.
5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?
Growing up in a small town in Canada was extremely traumatizing. I migrated to Canada when I was seven year old and was bullied throughout elementary and middle school. My parents were stressed about work and money, and did not have the support to coach me through what I was experiencing at school.
The teachers could only stop what they could see, and there was a lot going on behind their backs. Over the years, I had started to believe that I was a person of no value. I was weird and ugly and stupid. When I started high school, I met a group of amazing friends and teachers who made me forget how tough the first few years in Canada were.
After graduating from University, I experienced multiple setbacks in kickstarting my teaching career. My application was turned down by the municipal school board and was banned from re-submitting for the next two years. As a result of this, I worked at three different tutoring firms and took up odd tutoring jobs just to make ends meet. After months of applying to multiple private schools and numerous job interviews, I received an offer to teach senior high mathematics at a Special Needs school.
Although I was excited to finally have landed a permanent teaching contract, I was extremely nervous because I have always wanted to teach at a "gifted school". Classroom management was not my forte and I was not comfortable with ordering kids around. It's funny how things work out because this teaching opportunity ended up becoming the biggest breakthrough moment of my life. The work was extremely challenging as I had a room full of teenagers who had been "coded" with multiple learning challenges. The severity ranged from ADHD to cerebral palsy, and some kids had both. Some kids had sensitive souls that were masked by their ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). Some kids were misunderstood as they tried to overcome challenges brought on by being on the autism spectrum.
During my three years at this private school, I was tasked with making decisions that was in the best interest of these kids. My role was not merely to teach them math; I was the adult who was responsible for building a safe environment for them to learn, to grow, to succeed and to fail. These were the most rewarding three years of my life because in order to become the teacher my students needed, I had to take a good look at who I was and figure out who I needed to be.
When someone tells me that people don't change, I strongly disagree. I believe we all have the ability to change because I did. My students helped me build my self-esteem by allowing me to succeed in becoming a supportive and impactful teacher to them. They taught me how to treat all people, unbiased - with respect, with integrity, with compassion. I was supported by the most competent fellow teachers and was mentored by an inspirational lady who was the principal at the school. By the time I had ended my employment at the school, I was a completely different person.
6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?
I'd never guessed that I would become a single parent to a beautiful young lady who showers me with love everyday.
7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?
I became a single parent when my daughter turned one. I relied on a network of amazing and selfless friends and family who supported me through these toughest times.
8. Advice for other women?
Surround yourself with good, genuine people who love you and care about you. Distance yourself from toxicity and negativity. Be resilient.
9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?
Absolutely. We are all our unique selves and our competence should not be judged based on our gender.
10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?
When my daughter has found a new passion or is proud of herself for learning a new skill.
When I have made my parents laugh.
11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?
Co-ed soccer - I have been on the same team and playing with the same people for 10 years now. We have had some good games and some really bad ones. We constantly encouraged each other and never said anything we regretted. We'd stuck it through and managed to win the league championship a couple of times.
12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?
When I get older, I want to have the ability to spend more time with my friends, those I can laugh with, share stories and ideas!
13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?
I fear that one day, my daughter will experience setbacks that she can't overcome. I fear that one day, she may learn to be helpless and give up because of the lack of resilience.
14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?
I wish I had done more travelling when I was younger. This just means that I need to retire earlier so I can fulfill those travelling plans I'd put off!!
15. What inspires you?
People who overcome hardships.
People who are selfless and challenge the status quo.
People who are driven and energetic and committed.
OLGA, YOU INSPIRE ME!!!
16. What are you hopeful about?
I hope that the world will continue to become a better place for the next generation. I hope people will continue to support and care for those who are less fortunate.
17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?
Be good to others and be good to yourself. I really believe it boils down to basic human needs and simplicity.
I find that when I reduce complications and relax expectations, I also reduce my stress level. My daughter filters out all the bullshit and helps me focus on what my priorities truly are.
It is too easy to get wrapped up and stressed out about something that really isn't important. As I'd mentioned before, we are all unique individuals and we just have to be honest with ourselves.
18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?
I am compassionate, loyal, reliable, appreciative.
19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?
It gets better! Just hang in there!!!
20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
I've struggled with ADHD all my life and it has impacted my GPA and my social life. This book is very interesting as it helped me understand how I think.
21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?
My mom inspires me because she took care of us, took care of the house and worked a full time job after we migrated to Canada. She is my superwoman.
22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?
Quick Round:
What and who is worth suffering for?
My daughter! I will put her needs before my own.
What would you stand for if you knew that nobody would judge you?
I stand for what I believe is right regardless of who is watching and judging. I encourage people to challenge my ideas because it helps me stay open-minded and informed. I would love for everyone to be able to discuss politics and religion freely without any hard feelings.
Whom do you admire most and why?
My mom. She is a superwoman. She is the hardest worker and has a heart of gold. She never speaks ill of others and always wants to help. She never asks for money, wants to go to a fancy restaurant, or expects flamboyant gift. She loves how simple her life is and she is content with what she has.
What are a few things you thought you would never get over when you were going through them?
When I was young and in love, I thought I'd never get over certain people. However, I always managed to. As I look back now, it feels silly; however, when I was going through the emotions at the time, it was hard for me to believe that the skies would ever clear up again.