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.

:)