Yesterday, I attended a wedding dinner of one of my JC mates. It was also a reunion of friends made some 12 years ago. We pride ourselves that after all these years, we still keep in touch, and attend each other's weddings.
As I sat down with my six other friends, five of whom are guys, one by one, they revealed when they are going to get married. Come Decemeber, come February, come July, come September - they will all get married. And wasn't it just in the afternoon that I was telling another of my friends that I've got too many friends getting married. Prophesy?
The guys have finally grown up. They look more mature and stable now. Even Raymond looks more grounded - or was he just hung over after the drinks he had the previous night? Raymond and I were the only ones on the table who do not have marriage plans laid out on the table as yet. Steve asked about Max, who couldn't make it cos he was marking. I said I almost lost touch with him. Steve asked why I wasn't hooked up with him since both of us are so close. I had half the heart to tell him that it wasn't so much me, but him. But I decided to keep mum instead. "He isn't ready to commit yet," I said.
Raymond is still looking for that perfect girl for him. I don't blame him. He grew up in a family where a role model never quite existed. As I looked at him, I felt a certain sense of pride that he still managed to hold his ground after all that's happening at home.
I had a good conversation with Adrian after all those years. I never was quite able to have a decent conversation with him face to face after we broke up. But yesterday, I did. I held my ground, and for some reason, the confidence I gained exuded through me. I felt the change in me. And I think that is good. As I stepped out of his car (he gave Wendy and I a lift home), I told him to send my regards to his parents.
I'm glad all my JC mates are all doing fine.
As for me, I felt a change in me as for once, I didn't feel a tinge of pain in my heart nor a longing of wanting to be wedded at a wedding. Have I begun to feel heartless? Or have I changed my perspective of things? Perhaps too much is on my plate right now for me to even want to think about yet another commitment? I mean, isn't teaching already one big commitment? I've got so many kids I'm answerable for!
As for now, all I'm focusing on is to prepare my students for the exams this Friday. I'm not quite pleased that I'd be losing two periods of Enlish with my Sec Two kids cos the VP wants to talk to them tomorrow.
Now, all I want to do is to finish up all the marking before new piles come in on Friday after the exams. This weekend will be burnt with piles of marking to do.... And I don't look forward to that!
:)
27 September 2004
24 September 2004
Getting it done!
Women's Fitness magazine sends me an email once in a while, featuring their latest articles. I especially like the part where they share motivational words. Here's one I'd like to share with all of you who have been working your hearts out just to see your dreams fulfilled one way or another. It's good to see you all putting in so much effort. I think you're doing well - keep up the fantastic work! :)
Here's the verse from Women's Fitness.....
Get it Done!
You have a choice. You can either get things done or let things happen. Letting things happen is easy. It requires no effort on your part. The problem is, when you just let things happen they will almost never be to your liking.
The other choice is to get things done. That requires your active involvement. It takes effort, as well as focus, commitment, discipline and persistence. Those things sound difficult, and they are. Yet just because they're difficult, doesn't mean they're to be avoided.
When you do what it takes to get things done, you'll get the results you want. The only way you can get what you want out of life, is to put in what you have. And that is done through your own efforts and actions.
Sure, you can take your chances and just let things happen. You might even get lucky, though few do. Or, you can step forward, put all you have into every day, and get things done. That is the only reliable way to build the life you desire.
:)
Here's the verse from Women's Fitness.....
Get it Done!
You have a choice. You can either get things done or let things happen. Letting things happen is easy. It requires no effort on your part. The problem is, when you just let things happen they will almost never be to your liking.
The other choice is to get things done. That requires your active involvement. It takes effort, as well as focus, commitment, discipline and persistence. Those things sound difficult, and they are. Yet just because they're difficult, doesn't mean they're to be avoided.
When you do what it takes to get things done, you'll get the results you want. The only way you can get what you want out of life, is to put in what you have. And that is done through your own efforts and actions.
Sure, you can take your chances and just let things happen. You might even get lucky, though few do. Or, you can step forward, put all you have into every day, and get things done. That is the only reliable way to build the life you desire.
:)
23 September 2004
Yes, it's all worth it.
I was beginning to question if I was in teaching for the right reasons. For some reason, I feel that I've not been giving as much as I should to all the kids I teach. But yet again, I am reminded that I cannot always expect that I can do so all at once.
I am reminded of the the starfish story again as it was read out during the values inculcation programme. Yes, all it takes is for me to make a difference to one, one at a time. Slowly, I'd get them all back to sea.
Remedial class was fulfilling as I read the informal letters I got my kids to write as homework. As I sat down with them one to one, and read through their letter, I was touched that they wrote about how thankful they were that I was giving them the extra lessons at least twice a week for about an hour an a half each. That's like giving free tuition if you like.
I came back to the staff room to continue with marking, trying to rush through another stack of marking to return to the kids their work before their exams next week. My chest feels congested. I feel myself coming down with a bad case of respiratory virus, but I let my mind rule over my head for the moment. I just try to keep warm and drink warm water in the meantime, hoping the virus will pass me by eventually.
Only my co-teacher knew that I headed for the staff room early this morning in the midst of assembly because I was short of breath all of a sudden. I thought I was coming down with an asthma attack! Warm water and a rest on my chair did me good for me to last til now.
The icing on top of the cake came when my co-teacher came by my desk after a long CME meeting to tell me that they are planning for a series of talks on dysfunctional families - to share with students that although your family may have lots of problems, you still can get on with life. She pulled herself together as she told me that she told the P that she'd be glad to share about what she's going through now. I told her I'd be glad to share my story too. She'll give the parent's perspective, and I'll give the child's perspective.
I couldn't help but smile as we discussed about how we could go about doing it. Suddenly, I feel things are all falling into place. One big reason I came into teaching was to be able to share my story one day to teenagers from troubled homes, to show them that they can succeed in life, and do well, only if they change their mindset and perception of things. I wanted to show them that I do not need to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth to be able to do well. I wanted to show them that they too can be like me, or even better. I knew for what I've gone through, there is a greater reason than just building my character. And that is one reason why I've never lived my life with regrets.
Now, I am beginning to see it all as I had envisioned. The power of envisioning.
No matter what you've chosen to do, no matter what you're going through, some things don't make sense sometimes. But one day, when you see it all in a big picture, you'd realise that it was all worth it.
Hang in there, come what may.
As my co-teacher left for the day, she looked back and said to me, "Yes, it's worth it. It's all worth it."
Yes, it is.
I am reminded of the the starfish story again as it was read out during the values inculcation programme. Yes, all it takes is for me to make a difference to one, one at a time. Slowly, I'd get them all back to sea.
Remedial class was fulfilling as I read the informal letters I got my kids to write as homework. As I sat down with them one to one, and read through their letter, I was touched that they wrote about how thankful they were that I was giving them the extra lessons at least twice a week for about an hour an a half each. That's like giving free tuition if you like.
I came back to the staff room to continue with marking, trying to rush through another stack of marking to return to the kids their work before their exams next week. My chest feels congested. I feel myself coming down with a bad case of respiratory virus, but I let my mind rule over my head for the moment. I just try to keep warm and drink warm water in the meantime, hoping the virus will pass me by eventually.
Only my co-teacher knew that I headed for the staff room early this morning in the midst of assembly because I was short of breath all of a sudden. I thought I was coming down with an asthma attack! Warm water and a rest on my chair did me good for me to last til now.
The icing on top of the cake came when my co-teacher came by my desk after a long CME meeting to tell me that they are planning for a series of talks on dysfunctional families - to share with students that although your family may have lots of problems, you still can get on with life. She pulled herself together as she told me that she told the P that she'd be glad to share about what she's going through now. I told her I'd be glad to share my story too. She'll give the parent's perspective, and I'll give the child's perspective.
I couldn't help but smile as we discussed about how we could go about doing it. Suddenly, I feel things are all falling into place. One big reason I came into teaching was to be able to share my story one day to teenagers from troubled homes, to show them that they can succeed in life, and do well, only if they change their mindset and perception of things. I wanted to show them that I do not need to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth to be able to do well. I wanted to show them that they too can be like me, or even better. I knew for what I've gone through, there is a greater reason than just building my character. And that is one reason why I've never lived my life with regrets.
Now, I am beginning to see it all as I had envisioned. The power of envisioning.
No matter what you've chosen to do, no matter what you're going through, some things don't make sense sometimes. But one day, when you see it all in a big picture, you'd realise that it was all worth it.
Hang in there, come what may.
As my co-teacher left for the day, she looked back and said to me, "Yes, it's worth it. It's all worth it."
Yes, it is.
20 September 2004
Exams!
I'm beginning to feel what every parent feel when exams are near. Over the weekend, I was suddenly struck with a panic attack, wondering what I can do and how best to make my students improve on their English within two weeks. Suddenly, the clock seem to be ticking louder than usual!
It's 1.15am in the wee hours of the morning, and though I must be up again for school in less than 4 hours, I'm wide awake. I have just finished typing out notes for my kids on composition and comprehension skills. I hope that these will help them deal with the questions. I cannot but emphasise the importance of reading.
I think kids have it better these days as skills are explicitly taught to them on how to deal with the comprehension and composition exams. During my time, all the teacher did was to give us topics to practise on, and that was all we did. I never did understand how to tackle a comprehension passage until I entered NIE. Yes, I went through the compre section of the GP paper quite blindly. There wasn't much thought involved, simply because nobody taught us how to deal with the questions or what to look out for. Now I know better!
My drama kids asked me why I didn't teach Literature. Frankly, I'd love to. I guess I never did quite appreciate Lit until JC when I was doing Practical Criticism. Now, that's what I call a paper that encourages critical thinking. Until today, I find that every person I know who has done PC has the ability to think critically and are mostly creative. Now, that is what I call real education.
As I journey on my teaching career, I begin to wonder if we can really do away with formal curriculum, and exams. I am beginning to think if I should shout for a revolution and create an alternative form of education? I am beginning to think I am surely a non-conformist in the civil service. Now, is that a paradox or what?
Just a thought to ponder on before I hit the sack. It's about time. I need to be up at 5am. Good nite!
:)
It's 1.15am in the wee hours of the morning, and though I must be up again for school in less than 4 hours, I'm wide awake. I have just finished typing out notes for my kids on composition and comprehension skills. I hope that these will help them deal with the questions. I cannot but emphasise the importance of reading.
I think kids have it better these days as skills are explicitly taught to them on how to deal with the comprehension and composition exams. During my time, all the teacher did was to give us topics to practise on, and that was all we did. I never did understand how to tackle a comprehension passage until I entered NIE. Yes, I went through the compre section of the GP paper quite blindly. There wasn't much thought involved, simply because nobody taught us how to deal with the questions or what to look out for. Now I know better!
My drama kids asked me why I didn't teach Literature. Frankly, I'd love to. I guess I never did quite appreciate Lit until JC when I was doing Practical Criticism. Now, that's what I call a paper that encourages critical thinking. Until today, I find that every person I know who has done PC has the ability to think critically and are mostly creative. Now, that is what I call real education.
As I journey on my teaching career, I begin to wonder if we can really do away with formal curriculum, and exams. I am beginning to think if I should shout for a revolution and create an alternative form of education? I am beginning to think I am surely a non-conformist in the civil service. Now, is that a paradox or what?
Just a thought to ponder on before I hit the sack. It's about time. I need to be up at 5am. Good nite!
:)
16 September 2004
Invigilating
Yesterday afternoon, I was told that I'd be invigilating today. Once again, I will miss teaching my kids.
As I sat in the cold computer lab this morning from 7.30am to 11.30am, I began to miss teaching my kids, especially my Sec 2 kids. Though I was in the lab, my mind was thinking about them, wondering if they were doing what I had set them out to do - an exercise on Newspaper Report writing. It's going to come out for the exams so I hope they will learn it well and get the hang of things.
Time seems to fly this semester and I hope they feel the same urgency as I do that there is not much time left to study. Half of me just want to drill them on comprehension and composition work, but looking at the piling piles of marking to do, I have second thoughts. I wonder if there can be a better way to do this.
The countdown begins. Come 1 October, they will sit for their English paper. For me, it's a countdown too. I'm counting down til the holidays where I can rejuvenate and recharge so that I will be more ready for next year. I wonder which classes I'd be allocated then....
As for now, I will just return to my marking. There's too much to be done in too little time. Later on, I'm giving my Sec 1 kids remedial...
Apart from teaching, I'm glad that I was able to speak to a fellow teacher yesterday. It was by chance that we engaged in a conversation that saw me getting know more about him. Well, you know who you are (if you are ever reading this), we all go through our own journeys in life. Some get it harder than others. But it's a path we all must take to mould us and make us a better person, the person we ought to be. I have learnt that there are no failures in life, just lessons to be learnt. And lessons are brought to you in life through various modes and medium over and over again until you finally learn it.
It takes time, but one day, I know you would have learnt the lesson of learning to let go, learning to forgive, and learning to accept yourself the way you are. Don't be so hard on yourself because I know you have been blessed with talents that not many take note of. When times bring you down, look at your little gifts and talents, and celebrate your achievements in them. You'd get by. You're not the worse. Nobody is.
As for my other friend who dropped me an email - yes, I look forward to the day when I'll see you all grown up, confident, professional and standing tall with pride, leading in whatever you do. Cast aside your feelings of inferiority and know that you can be who you want to be. Remember, you're not struggling - you're pushing hard towards your goal! :)
Thanks again, Uncle J for your perspective of things. I never did realise the real essence of giving until you pointed it out. Yes, giving is giving and not expecting anything in return.
How many of us can truly say we give?
As I sat in the cold computer lab this morning from 7.30am to 11.30am, I began to miss teaching my kids, especially my Sec 2 kids. Though I was in the lab, my mind was thinking about them, wondering if they were doing what I had set them out to do - an exercise on Newspaper Report writing. It's going to come out for the exams so I hope they will learn it well and get the hang of things.
Time seems to fly this semester and I hope they feel the same urgency as I do that there is not much time left to study. Half of me just want to drill them on comprehension and composition work, but looking at the piling piles of marking to do, I have second thoughts. I wonder if there can be a better way to do this.
The countdown begins. Come 1 October, they will sit for their English paper. For me, it's a countdown too. I'm counting down til the holidays where I can rejuvenate and recharge so that I will be more ready for next year. I wonder which classes I'd be allocated then....
As for now, I will just return to my marking. There's too much to be done in too little time. Later on, I'm giving my Sec 1 kids remedial...
Apart from teaching, I'm glad that I was able to speak to a fellow teacher yesterday. It was by chance that we engaged in a conversation that saw me getting know more about him. Well, you know who you are (if you are ever reading this), we all go through our own journeys in life. Some get it harder than others. But it's a path we all must take to mould us and make us a better person, the person we ought to be. I have learnt that there are no failures in life, just lessons to be learnt. And lessons are brought to you in life through various modes and medium over and over again until you finally learn it.
It takes time, but one day, I know you would have learnt the lesson of learning to let go, learning to forgive, and learning to accept yourself the way you are. Don't be so hard on yourself because I know you have been blessed with talents that not many take note of. When times bring you down, look at your little gifts and talents, and celebrate your achievements in them. You'd get by. You're not the worse. Nobody is.
As for my other friend who dropped me an email - yes, I look forward to the day when I'll see you all grown up, confident, professional and standing tall with pride, leading in whatever you do. Cast aside your feelings of inferiority and know that you can be who you want to be. Remember, you're not struggling - you're pushing hard towards your goal! :)
Thanks again, Uncle J for your perspective of things. I never did realise the real essence of giving until you pointed it out. Yes, giving is giving and not expecting anything in return.
How many of us can truly say we give?
12 September 2004
Crying..
I've been crying quite a bit lately. I don't think it's PMS, nor is it depression. It's just me being in touch with my heart.
Just yesterday, I fought back my tears as I heard a fellow teacher of mine air her views about how youngsters these days take things for granted. About how they don't have the drive to work like the people of their age. About how because parents now provide for everything, the young these days don't see any need to want to study hard so that they can do well in society and earn their keeps in the future. She sounded exasperated as she aired her views, citing examples from her children, then looking at me, she said that it's because of young people like me who have everything in life that take things for granted that there is a lack of drive to want to work hard.
I kept quiet and controlled myself as I tried not to let the rest in the group see the tears that were welling up in my eyes. I wasn't as much angry with her for generalizing, but the memories of old flooded my mind, and suddenly, I fely overwhelmed by the emotions that flowed through. It was a good thing that two other fellow teachers whom I am close to knew my past, and about what I have been through. One of them spoke.. "No, Deb, why don't you tell all of us what you've been through... You're different."
I tried hard not to let my voice quiver as I put it across as succinctly as possible. "I worked and studied at the same time. I paid my way through education. I paid my family's debts." There you have it.
A little voice in me cried victory as I saw her face change from one of arrogance to one of apology. She didn't apologize, but neither was I expecting one. I made my point.
The incident made me reflect on how often we generalise people based on what little facts we have. We assume that everyone's the same. We presume that all naughty kids are bad. We think they will fail in society if they don't do well in their studies. The very same teacher complained about how her children did not do well in school, and how she told them that with their results they will never make it to society. I aired my views. In not so many words, I questioned - why do you judge your kids based on your own yardstick? Why can't you accept your children for who they are, regardless of their results? Support them, nudge them, but don't enforce on them your expectations. Think with them - where can we go from here and guide them to THEIR goals, not yours.
It's very much the same with teaching. Sometimes, we tend to forget that we are teaching individuals. Individuals that happen to be in a class. Individuals that have their own goals, and dreams. Their own gifts and talents. Their own problems and tears. It takes time, and a whole lot of effort to cater to each of these needs. But shouldn't we? Why cut out a kid and label him as stupid just cos he can't make the grade? Why don't we seek to see the other talents the child has? And nuture this talent?
Surely, in Singapore, it's a paper chase world. Qualifications matter. But I believe if you find your passion, and put your heart and soul to it, it doesn't matter if you have a doctorate or not, you'd be an ace at it. Think about it....
Just at church just now, I teared again. This time, it was for a different issue. Mass had ended and Fr Bruno said that his bishop in France told him that before he sleeps each night, to thank God for three things for that day. He asked us to thank God for three things. It brought me to tears as I realised how much God has blessed me. Three wasn't enough. He has given me so much. Suddenly, I felt unworthy of his great love for me. Still, I thanked him...
1. Thank you, God, for my family. For helping us stay together despite the odds.
2. Thank you, Lord, for my friends. For always being there for me, my inspiration, my pillars of strength, and my guiding light.
3. Thank you, Lord, for the love you have shown me. In all the manifestations of all I have been bestowed with, I cannot quanitfy the wonders of your gifts.
I ended my prayer by asking God for wisdom to know how to lead the flock he has given me, and for me to be his guiding light. In the silence of my heart, I offered up a few treasured friends in prayer, that God will bless them too with his strength and love.
Today, start counting your blessings, and be thankful for them.
Just yesterday, I fought back my tears as I heard a fellow teacher of mine air her views about how youngsters these days take things for granted. About how they don't have the drive to work like the people of their age. About how because parents now provide for everything, the young these days don't see any need to want to study hard so that they can do well in society and earn their keeps in the future. She sounded exasperated as she aired her views, citing examples from her children, then looking at me, she said that it's because of young people like me who have everything in life that take things for granted that there is a lack of drive to want to work hard.
I kept quiet and controlled myself as I tried not to let the rest in the group see the tears that were welling up in my eyes. I wasn't as much angry with her for generalizing, but the memories of old flooded my mind, and suddenly, I fely overwhelmed by the emotions that flowed through. It was a good thing that two other fellow teachers whom I am close to knew my past, and about what I have been through. One of them spoke.. "No, Deb, why don't you tell all of us what you've been through... You're different."
I tried hard not to let my voice quiver as I put it across as succinctly as possible. "I worked and studied at the same time. I paid my way through education. I paid my family's debts." There you have it.
A little voice in me cried victory as I saw her face change from one of arrogance to one of apology. She didn't apologize, but neither was I expecting one. I made my point.
The incident made me reflect on how often we generalise people based on what little facts we have. We assume that everyone's the same. We presume that all naughty kids are bad. We think they will fail in society if they don't do well in their studies. The very same teacher complained about how her children did not do well in school, and how she told them that with their results they will never make it to society. I aired my views. In not so many words, I questioned - why do you judge your kids based on your own yardstick? Why can't you accept your children for who they are, regardless of their results? Support them, nudge them, but don't enforce on them your expectations. Think with them - where can we go from here and guide them to THEIR goals, not yours.
It's very much the same with teaching. Sometimes, we tend to forget that we are teaching individuals. Individuals that happen to be in a class. Individuals that have their own goals, and dreams. Their own gifts and talents. Their own problems and tears. It takes time, and a whole lot of effort to cater to each of these needs. But shouldn't we? Why cut out a kid and label him as stupid just cos he can't make the grade? Why don't we seek to see the other talents the child has? And nuture this talent?
Surely, in Singapore, it's a paper chase world. Qualifications matter. But I believe if you find your passion, and put your heart and soul to it, it doesn't matter if you have a doctorate or not, you'd be an ace at it. Think about it....
Just at church just now, I teared again. This time, it was for a different issue. Mass had ended and Fr Bruno said that his bishop in France told him that before he sleeps each night, to thank God for three things for that day. He asked us to thank God for three things. It brought me to tears as I realised how much God has blessed me. Three wasn't enough. He has given me so much. Suddenly, I felt unworthy of his great love for me. Still, I thanked him...
1. Thank you, God, for my family. For helping us stay together despite the odds.
2. Thank you, Lord, for my friends. For always being there for me, my inspiration, my pillars of strength, and my guiding light.
3. Thank you, Lord, for the love you have shown me. In all the manifestations of all I have been bestowed with, I cannot quanitfy the wonders of your gifts.
I ended my prayer by asking God for wisdom to know how to lead the flock he has given me, and for me to be his guiding light. In the silence of my heart, I offered up a few treasured friends in prayer, that God will bless them too with his strength and love.
Today, start counting your blessings, and be thankful for them.
Back to School
Tomorrow, it's back to school. The one-week break has ended, and like Cinderella, I feel like the fairy tale is over. Pass over the glass slippers and the pumkin chariot. It's back to bare feet and taking of the trusty old SBS bus? Whatever...
In a way, I feel that the hols were too short. For one, I felt cheated of it cos I spent most of it back at school either for some meeting or marking, not to mention more marking back home. Don't get me wrong. I still do enjoy teaching. It's just that sometimes, I feel that I need a break - a well-deserved break.
Well, as a consolation, the coming term will be really short. Two weeks, and it's the school end-of-year exams. There's not much rocket-science lesson plans that I have to think about. It's basically revision for the kids. Revision, and more revision. Which means marking, and more marking!!
Thanks Uncle J for your advice again. (Kids - notice: Advice is a noun, spelt with a "c". Advise is a verb, spelt with an "s") As always, I can count on you to give me another perspective of things. And I appreciate that in every way, really... :)
Watched Man on Fire on Friday night. Cool show! You can never go wrong with a Denzel Washington show. Gory, full of blood, disturbing but true. It grapples with morals - are the acts of revenge right or wrong? It's been a while since I caught a good show like this one. Certainly was a treat for myself over the hols... :)
Now, it's back to reality (ie marking). Is there a better way to do this?
Oh, just found out from a friend that she chanced upon my blog and liked it so much she read even all the archives! Well, welcome to my world, my friend... now you know part of my history!
In a way, I feel that the hols were too short. For one, I felt cheated of it cos I spent most of it back at school either for some meeting or marking, not to mention more marking back home. Don't get me wrong. I still do enjoy teaching. It's just that sometimes, I feel that I need a break - a well-deserved break.
Well, as a consolation, the coming term will be really short. Two weeks, and it's the school end-of-year exams. There's not much rocket-science lesson plans that I have to think about. It's basically revision for the kids. Revision, and more revision. Which means marking, and more marking!!
Thanks Uncle J for your advice again. (Kids - notice: Advice is a noun, spelt with a "c". Advise is a verb, spelt with an "s") As always, I can count on you to give me another perspective of things. And I appreciate that in every way, really... :)
Watched Man on Fire on Friday night. Cool show! You can never go wrong with a Denzel Washington show. Gory, full of blood, disturbing but true. It grapples with morals - are the acts of revenge right or wrong? It's been a while since I caught a good show like this one. Certainly was a treat for myself over the hols... :)
Now, it's back to reality (ie marking). Is there a better way to do this?
Oh, just found out from a friend that she chanced upon my blog and liked it so much she read even all the archives! Well, welcome to my world, my friend... now you know part of my history!
06 September 2004
Fatigue and sleep debt
I am supposed to be invigilating now as I am typing out this blog. But I'm at home resting after the doctor slapped me with a two-day MC to rest at home to sleep. She says it's an occupational hazard for teachers not to get enough sleep, and the aching shoulders I have is a result of bending too much to mark. She packed me off with vitamin B and muscle relaxers and told me to get sleep. She says 6 hours is not enough. I didn't tell her I was having less than that sometimes! 6 hours of sleep these days is like a luxury to me!
Yes, yes, I can almost imagine Uncle Joel wagging his finger at me right now all the way in Paris (Pah-reeee!) saying, "I told you so..." :)
Still, like a typical teacher, I dragged myself to Popular book shop to browse at assessment books for the kids I'd be giving remedial to. I just want to drill them on very basic grammar. It's funny how my Sec 1 kids all want to come for remedial.. I thought it'd be a chore to them... Guess times have really changed.
Tomorrow, I'd be sitting down with two groups of teachers - one to discuss the EOY comprehension paper, and the other to brainstorm on ideas to plan a 5-day work week. I guess with me having so little sleep, I'm certainly one of those who will be looking forward to that!
Marking - I went to Popular to replenish stocks of red-inked pen... Tomorrow onwards, I'd be "mega-marking"!
OK - my Sec 1 & 2 kids who are reading my blog... no, I will not be giving tips nor answers. You'd have to learn. Learn to study smart. Learn to anticipate what you think is important. Learn to observe. Observe what the teacher is teaching. Learn to focus. Learn to prioritise.
Education is not just about getting the correct answers. It's about a process of learning, bringing you from a state of not knowing, to a state of knowing. Knowledge makes you richer as a person as you have more things to talk about with in your interactions with others in the future. Education is about learning to pick yourself up when you fail, and learn to road to success. It's about learning to live and adapt to the contrains of society. It's about being flexible. It's about being creative.
So, although your exams is a guage of your learning process, I'd like you to focus on what you are doing - are you doing it right? Ask yourself - Have I planned my goals? Have I been focused and disciplined? Have I done all it takes to learn? Do reflections - What can I do better? Am I studying effectively? Is there a better way to present my notes for learning? What about distractions? Have I put them aside for the time being? Have I learnt to prioritise what's important now?
Ask yourself these questions, and you'd realise that when you've found the answers, and plan to take action, carry out the action, and find yourself succeeding, then learning will just come naturally. It doesn't matter what subject you've aced in - you'd have learnt what education means.
:)
Yes, yes, I can almost imagine Uncle Joel wagging his finger at me right now all the way in Paris (Pah-reeee!) saying, "I told you so..." :)
Still, like a typical teacher, I dragged myself to Popular book shop to browse at assessment books for the kids I'd be giving remedial to. I just want to drill them on very basic grammar. It's funny how my Sec 1 kids all want to come for remedial.. I thought it'd be a chore to them... Guess times have really changed.
Tomorrow, I'd be sitting down with two groups of teachers - one to discuss the EOY comprehension paper, and the other to brainstorm on ideas to plan a 5-day work week. I guess with me having so little sleep, I'm certainly one of those who will be looking forward to that!
Marking - I went to Popular to replenish stocks of red-inked pen... Tomorrow onwards, I'd be "mega-marking"!
OK - my Sec 1 & 2 kids who are reading my blog... no, I will not be giving tips nor answers. You'd have to learn. Learn to study smart. Learn to anticipate what you think is important. Learn to observe. Observe what the teacher is teaching. Learn to focus. Learn to prioritise.
Education is not just about getting the correct answers. It's about a process of learning, bringing you from a state of not knowing, to a state of knowing. Knowledge makes you richer as a person as you have more things to talk about with in your interactions with others in the future. Education is about learning to pick yourself up when you fail, and learn to road to success. It's about learning to live and adapt to the contrains of society. It's about being flexible. It's about being creative.
So, although your exams is a guage of your learning process, I'd like you to focus on what you are doing - are you doing it right? Ask yourself - Have I planned my goals? Have I been focused and disciplined? Have I done all it takes to learn? Do reflections - What can I do better? Am I studying effectively? Is there a better way to present my notes for learning? What about distractions? Have I put them aside for the time being? Have I learnt to prioritise what's important now?
Ask yourself these questions, and you'd realise that when you've found the answers, and plan to take action, carry out the action, and find yourself succeeding, then learning will just come naturally. It doesn't matter what subject you've aced in - you'd have learnt what education means.
:)
01 September 2004
Teacher's Day
The teacher's day celebration went well... Yes, my first ever teacher's day! I was touched by my kids that wrote me nice cards (thanks, Rebecca! I was really touched by your note... and Desiree too... love the starfish!)... And Wanping and Limin.. love the pink star pillow.. Huimin - thanks for the door sign.. It's hanging on my room door now! And Justin, Sebastian, Maryse, Rachel and Joanna... You just made me a few kilos heavier with those cookies and chocolates! Thanks, guys... And Phyllis - love the cute teddy bear that's sitting on my desk... And all of you who sent me your wishes and other gifts... thank you so much! :) Oh, and my Sec 2 class - yes, I read the note on the wall at the cafe space.. so sweet of you.. really appreciate all your nice words!
And though I still had to finish marking so I could key in all the test marks, and then make my way all the way down to NIE just to return my convo gown, I felt it was a fruitful day. I visited four of my NIE lecturers - Raymond, Alex, Rebecca and Anthony Seow. Managed to speak briefly with Raymond and Alex. Had a good chat with Anthony Seow, but didn't manage to meet Rebecca. She sent me an email though, thanking me for the chocolates I left at her door. :) Yes, my mentor and inspiration... I want to be a teacher like her.
Rebecca taught me my counselling module. She got me so interested in it, I was reading up books on my own just to find out more! Of course, it helped that I scored a distinction for her paper, so I love the module even more! Ha!
Yesterday ended with a sumtuous dinner with teacher uncle, teacher brother, mum, aunt, grand-aunt and grand-uncle at Fish & Co. Yummy, but I think it set me back some mega more calories which I figured needed burning.. Burn I did this morning with a good swim, and just, an evening jog with Wendy. Happy...
I'm glad I refused to pull myself to work today, and decided to spend time doing my stuff. I think I was quite productive, but I wished I could have done more. Met up with Lee Yee too, and got myself another insurance policy through her. Don't ask me what I bought! I just signed and signed... She knows everything so I left it to her to plan everything... All I know is that I'd have less to spend from now on! Bring on the bonus my dear government!! I so need it!!
Oh yes, I've posted a convocation picture of Addie, Chen Ying, Pam and I on the blog... I wonder how we'd look like some 5 years later... I think I looked quite OK in the picture, considering I had not slept the whole night!
Yes, I can't wait for the hols to start, although I've got a whole day on Saturday in school - how to rest? how to have 5-day work week? a real challenge, really...
Checking out to dreamland now....
And though I still had to finish marking so I could key in all the test marks, and then make my way all the way down to NIE just to return my convo gown, I felt it was a fruitful day. I visited four of my NIE lecturers - Raymond, Alex, Rebecca and Anthony Seow. Managed to speak briefly with Raymond and Alex. Had a good chat with Anthony Seow, but didn't manage to meet Rebecca. She sent me an email though, thanking me for the chocolates I left at her door. :) Yes, my mentor and inspiration... I want to be a teacher like her.
Rebecca taught me my counselling module. She got me so interested in it, I was reading up books on my own just to find out more! Of course, it helped that I scored a distinction for her paper, so I love the module even more! Ha!
Yesterday ended with a sumtuous dinner with teacher uncle, teacher brother, mum, aunt, grand-aunt and grand-uncle at Fish & Co. Yummy, but I think it set me back some mega more calories which I figured needed burning.. Burn I did this morning with a good swim, and just, an evening jog with Wendy. Happy...
I'm glad I refused to pull myself to work today, and decided to spend time doing my stuff. I think I was quite productive, but I wished I could have done more. Met up with Lee Yee too, and got myself another insurance policy through her. Don't ask me what I bought! I just signed and signed... She knows everything so I left it to her to plan everything... All I know is that I'd have less to spend from now on! Bring on the bonus my dear government!! I so need it!!
Oh yes, I've posted a convocation picture of Addie, Chen Ying, Pam and I on the blog... I wonder how we'd look like some 5 years later... I think I looked quite OK in the picture, considering I had not slept the whole night!
Yes, I can't wait for the hols to start, although I've got a whole day on Saturday in school - how to rest? how to have 5-day work week? a real challenge, really...
Checking out to dreamland now....