Yes, I've been hit by the flu bug, and what frustrates me is the fact that my kids are gonna have their exams next week, and I don't know if I've done enough to help them prepare for the exams. What's more, I have piles of marking which I left in school, so I can't even attempt to mark at home... not that I think I can considering I get drowsy with the medication...
My throat hurts, my nose is runny, I think I'm running a fever... But the doc only covered me with an MC for Tuesday, so I had to duly go for my course which I registered for with Jeannie today. I was battling with my eyelids the whole time during the course, trying not to let the effects of the medication get to me.
It was an interesting course or workshop should I say, about getting Singaporeans to read. Indeed, it was time well spent though I wished I had been more well. The effects of the cold air con did little to make me feel better, and so at the end of a long day, I feel more sick than how I felt on Tuesday... Bleah...
Nonetheless, the workshop inspired me and enlightened me personally in a few ways. There were two things that the trainer said that got me thinking. She was discussing about what she was thinking as she was reading the recommended book - she said, "It's funny how sometimes, we want to be alone, but it is during these times when we are alone, that we reflect and realise we need people around us."
The other thing she said was about reading. "How can we be good writers, if we can't be good readers?" It made me realise that my reading appetite is really small compared to other English teachers who are so passionate about the literary classics. I pale in comparison, and blush embarrasingly as others speak of classics like Lord Jim, Pride and Prejudice, the works of Emily Bronte, Jane Austen and the works. Maybe it's time for me to pick up some books like my kids?
It is indeed ironical that I tell my students to read, and yet I can hardly find time to read myself. Shouldn't I be walking my talk? And considering the fact that I love to write, I sure do read too little! What about my dream of becoming a travel writer one day? Shouldn't I be honing the necessary skills now?
Well, I don't know how a literature based syllabus for writing will go down with my school, but it's worth a try. I will have to speak to my HOD when I get back to school. I sure hope I'll be feeling better soon. There's just too much to do to be falling sick!
I'm out...!
27 April 2005
23 April 2005
Busy Busy!
Ah yes. I have not been updating my blog, and I have to have my dear students telling me "Miss Chew, you haven't updated your blog!"
I find myself in a situation in which the tables are turned. Instead of me chasing my kids for work, they come to me and tell me that I've not been doing my duty in updating my blog. I take it as a compliment, that they find inspiration, joy and perhaps, entertainment in wanting to read my blog.
Days just flew past me since my dive trip. In short, the dive trip was one of the best experiences in my life. I overcame my fear of the open sea, and just yesterday, when I swam in the pool, the feeling of water became all so familiar, except for the fact that the open sea is much more beautiful with its many fishes. Now, my filled up dive log and nice golden brown tan are reminders of my experience. Yes, I finally took up the challenge to face my fear, and I'm glad I did!
Many things happened following that. School work has been hectic. Piles of marking come in day after day, and sometimes, I wonder if marking is all I do as a teacher. I hope not.
Many still ask me til this day, why I chose to quit my job and come to teach. Well, besides the fact that I felt it was a calling, I felt that I needed to go through this experience. I felt that my call requires me to touch the lives of many, and with this in mind, I go through day by day. It's hard sometimes, trying to meet deadlines, follow beaureaucracies, and teach all at the same time, but I try. It's not a bed of roses. It's not my idea of a perfect job. It's not all fulfilling, and exasperation and frustration get into me sometimes. But I take it all in my stride knowing fully well that with each day that passes, I am doing my part in throwing starfishes in the sea.
We had our school's Sports' Day yesterday. And besides the fact that I had real fun with my supervisor taking over the microphone and cheering on for our house, thanks to the fact that we had been tasked to be the announcer for the day, and besides the fact that our house came in first overall, and in the staff race (yipee!!), I had a nice talk with one of my drama kids' girlfriend. Yes, I'm one teacher who knows who's going out with who....
She tells me that she thinks I'm one cool teacher who's more like a friend than a teacher. Well, I guess she's right. When I came in to teach, I had a different approach to teaching. Maybe my work experience and my personality drives me to feel hierarchy is but an illusion. Hierarchy build walls, not bridges. And with this philosophy, I entered teaching. I felt that the way to nurturing a positive attitude towards learning, is not about pulling weight always in class. It's about building bridges. It's about making connections. Of course, once in a while, I'd have to pull rank and show the kids who's in charge, but it doesn't happen always - only when the occasion calls for it.
And kids realise too their positions. They know it when I'm serious. They know it when they can treat me like their friend. Like what my Principal would say, "They know how to dance with you."
Yes, isn't it so? Isn't all relationships about dancing? Be it with a friend, a student, a boss, a parent, or a loved one, keeping a relationship strong and going, is all about knowing how to dance. It's about knowing when to step back, when to step forward, when to twist and turn, and how to move with the music. It's about knowing when to demand, when to give in, when to surprise and appreciate the moment, as both parties go through life.
Some dances are harder to learn than others. It takes time to master it, and sometimes, we need lots of practice. As for me, I am learning to dance in other areas of my life as well. It's not always easy, but at least I know I'm trying.
:)
I find myself in a situation in which the tables are turned. Instead of me chasing my kids for work, they come to me and tell me that I've not been doing my duty in updating my blog. I take it as a compliment, that they find inspiration, joy and perhaps, entertainment in wanting to read my blog.
Days just flew past me since my dive trip. In short, the dive trip was one of the best experiences in my life. I overcame my fear of the open sea, and just yesterday, when I swam in the pool, the feeling of water became all so familiar, except for the fact that the open sea is much more beautiful with its many fishes. Now, my filled up dive log and nice golden brown tan are reminders of my experience. Yes, I finally took up the challenge to face my fear, and I'm glad I did!
Many things happened following that. School work has been hectic. Piles of marking come in day after day, and sometimes, I wonder if marking is all I do as a teacher. I hope not.
Many still ask me til this day, why I chose to quit my job and come to teach. Well, besides the fact that I felt it was a calling, I felt that I needed to go through this experience. I felt that my call requires me to touch the lives of many, and with this in mind, I go through day by day. It's hard sometimes, trying to meet deadlines, follow beaureaucracies, and teach all at the same time, but I try. It's not a bed of roses. It's not my idea of a perfect job. It's not all fulfilling, and exasperation and frustration get into me sometimes. But I take it all in my stride knowing fully well that with each day that passes, I am doing my part in throwing starfishes in the sea.
We had our school's Sports' Day yesterday. And besides the fact that I had real fun with my supervisor taking over the microphone and cheering on for our house, thanks to the fact that we had been tasked to be the announcer for the day, and besides the fact that our house came in first overall, and in the staff race (yipee!!), I had a nice talk with one of my drama kids' girlfriend. Yes, I'm one teacher who knows who's going out with who....
She tells me that she thinks I'm one cool teacher who's more like a friend than a teacher. Well, I guess she's right. When I came in to teach, I had a different approach to teaching. Maybe my work experience and my personality drives me to feel hierarchy is but an illusion. Hierarchy build walls, not bridges. And with this philosophy, I entered teaching. I felt that the way to nurturing a positive attitude towards learning, is not about pulling weight always in class. It's about building bridges. It's about making connections. Of course, once in a while, I'd have to pull rank and show the kids who's in charge, but it doesn't happen always - only when the occasion calls for it.
And kids realise too their positions. They know it when I'm serious. They know it when they can treat me like their friend. Like what my Principal would say, "They know how to dance with you."
Yes, isn't it so? Isn't all relationships about dancing? Be it with a friend, a student, a boss, a parent, or a loved one, keeping a relationship strong and going, is all about knowing how to dance. It's about knowing when to step back, when to step forward, when to twist and turn, and how to move with the music. It's about knowing when to demand, when to give in, when to surprise and appreciate the moment, as both parties go through life.
Some dances are harder to learn than others. It takes time to master it, and sometimes, we need lots of practice. As for me, I am learning to dance in other areas of my life as well. It's not always easy, but at least I know I'm trying.
:)
03 April 2005
I'm learning too...
It's cliche I know, to say we learn every day. Even as a teacher, I find myself learning every day. I learn from my friends, from my brother, from fellow colleagues, from the newspapers and yes, even my students.
I am glad that despite my busy schedule, I have put aside some time to learn something new. I had intended to take this up last year, but the sudden back ache got me postponing it till never ever, until this time, I decided that it was about time I faced my fears and challenged myself. After all, there was a little incentive in going. My good friend, Priscilla said she wants to go on a trip with me after she gives birth.
And so, I've gone back to lessons, took my quiz and I don't really believe it but I'm actually reading my notes in preparation for my exams tomorrow. Though everyone tells me nobody has failed the exams before, I don't think I want to be the first. Tuesday onwards, I'd be going on my practical lessons, and this weekend, I'd be overseas bound on my first ever open water dive! Yes, I'm learning to dive.
Over the past two days, I've learnt about buoyancy, and what happens to you when you have too much oxygen and nitrogen in your body, why you have to ascent and descent slowly, what causes the bents, and cute hand signs for the different aqua life. It's amazing. Now, I understand why Pris got hooked to diving. I sure hope I can equalise when I get underwater so I can see the marine life that I've been observing only through the Discovery Channel so far!
This will be a challenge for me even more as I will be facing my phobia of the water.. no, I'm not really afraid of water. It's just that I panic when I can't catch my breath. I just decide to hold my breath, and if you dive, you know that that really isn't a very good idea cos your lungs may burst!
Learning diving brought me to realise something - I miss studying. I miss learning things in an educational institution. I miss discovering new things. Maybe sometimes, I get so bogged down with work, and marking and teaching, that I forget to sit back and take time to learn myself. My kids I teach will probably not understand the value of education, the joy of learning and discovering until one day, when they are old enough to work, will they then miss the joy of being a student. Mark my words. I know because I was in their shoes once.
Learn. It's about enriching your life with knowledge.
I am glad that despite my busy schedule, I have put aside some time to learn something new. I had intended to take this up last year, but the sudden back ache got me postponing it till never ever, until this time, I decided that it was about time I faced my fears and challenged myself. After all, there was a little incentive in going. My good friend, Priscilla said she wants to go on a trip with me after she gives birth.
And so, I've gone back to lessons, took my quiz and I don't really believe it but I'm actually reading my notes in preparation for my exams tomorrow. Though everyone tells me nobody has failed the exams before, I don't think I want to be the first. Tuesday onwards, I'd be going on my practical lessons, and this weekend, I'd be overseas bound on my first ever open water dive! Yes, I'm learning to dive.
Over the past two days, I've learnt about buoyancy, and what happens to you when you have too much oxygen and nitrogen in your body, why you have to ascent and descent slowly, what causes the bents, and cute hand signs for the different aqua life. It's amazing. Now, I understand why Pris got hooked to diving. I sure hope I can equalise when I get underwater so I can see the marine life that I've been observing only through the Discovery Channel so far!
This will be a challenge for me even more as I will be facing my phobia of the water.. no, I'm not really afraid of water. It's just that I panic when I can't catch my breath. I just decide to hold my breath, and if you dive, you know that that really isn't a very good idea cos your lungs may burst!
Learning diving brought me to realise something - I miss studying. I miss learning things in an educational institution. I miss discovering new things. Maybe sometimes, I get so bogged down with work, and marking and teaching, that I forget to sit back and take time to learn myself. My kids I teach will probably not understand the value of education, the joy of learning and discovering until one day, when they are old enough to work, will they then miss the joy of being a student. Mark my words. I know because I was in their shoes once.
Learn. It's about enriching your life with knowledge.