I guess if I had Daniel Powter's Bad Day song, I'd put it up on the blog.
It has been a bad day, and when you have a cold to accompany it, I wonder what else can beat that. I won't elaborate more on the day but I'm glad it's coming to an end. I hope I've maxed out my "bad day" entitlement for the rest of the year. And I hope that tomorrow brings forth a new day filled with good things instead.
Well, at least for today, I'm glad I managed to find a way to include this song on my blog.. Yes, it's Christian Bautista - Everything you do...
Something to smile about at least even as I'm still sniffing...
:)
starfish
19 September 2006
12 September 2006
Hectic Day!
Today is one hectic day that I dreaded but am glad it passed by ok.
For one, I was scheduled down for invigilation for the N Level CPA practical exams - right where I had my free periods. This was followed by Project Work with 2 Diligence - a highly hyperactive class that loves to chatter and chatter and chatter. And with project work lesson placing them into groups, the noise levels triples! It was hard to speak to them as I found myself raising my voice ever so often just to ensure I got my point across.
Then immediately after was CPA lesson with 3 Hope. My co-teacher was the CPE for another school so I was left to fend for myself. Didn't help that I had almost the whole class. Not that I couldn't handle them but after lessons with 2 Diligence, the last I had wanted to do was to shout again.
As exected, the guys were monkeying around and it wasn't til some 15 minutes later did I get them to settle down. They bargained for no lesson as they were drained by the end of the day. But I had to do something with them. It was only my professional expectations that warranted a lesson to be conducted. If I had a choice, I'd rather skip it considering I was already drained myself, from the invigilation, from lessons with 2 Dil, and from yesterday's long day with contact time ending only at 6pm.
It was frustrating for me to see half the class wanting to know the answers to the MCQs while the other half decided to mind their own business. I was frustrated but I couldn't show it. For some reason, the students in 3 Hope got my heart in some way. They can be an endearing bunch and really, I would like to see them succeed in their own way. They way some of them are so talented with their music makes me wished I could do a CPA lesson in music. I'm even cracking my head wondering what other platforms I can find for them to perform.
But a lesson is a lesson. And a classroom is a classroom. It is governed by rules, and some rules need to be adhered to if learning is to take place. And so I had to pull out a student, make him stand in a corner while I dealt with the others in the class. It was not a pretty sight I'd like to see in 3 Hope again. For each student I've been in touch with in that class, I've seen a side of them that is so beautiful, a side that is good, in control and with a heart - a golden one that is. But I don't understand what it is that makes them change all of a sudden to be a rowdy hard to control bunch.
It's just 3 weeks til the exams and I really hope to see all of them put in more effort in their studies. I hope they can learn to believe in themselves that they can succeed in school if they choose to. I hope they don't give up on themselves because I'll never give up on them.
It's painful when you begin to build bonds with your students and you see them stray.
The day continued to be hectic as I juggled all the admin work, planning for after exam activities, and starting the media club. Back home now, the work continues. But at least I have Chistian Bautista's song to keep me company. Tomorrow is a new day and I hope it brings a brighter, less hectic day!
:)
PS - Malcolm - In order of preference, these are my favourite Christian Bautista's songs:
a) Everything You Do
b) The Way You Look At Me
c) I Can Love You Easy
d) I Will Be What I Believe
e) Completely
and every other song!! :)
For one, I was scheduled down for invigilation for the N Level CPA practical exams - right where I had my free periods. This was followed by Project Work with 2 Diligence - a highly hyperactive class that loves to chatter and chatter and chatter. And with project work lesson placing them into groups, the noise levels triples! It was hard to speak to them as I found myself raising my voice ever so often just to ensure I got my point across.
Then immediately after was CPA lesson with 3 Hope. My co-teacher was the CPE for another school so I was left to fend for myself. Didn't help that I had almost the whole class. Not that I couldn't handle them but after lessons with 2 Diligence, the last I had wanted to do was to shout again.
As exected, the guys were monkeying around and it wasn't til some 15 minutes later did I get them to settle down. They bargained for no lesson as they were drained by the end of the day. But I had to do something with them. It was only my professional expectations that warranted a lesson to be conducted. If I had a choice, I'd rather skip it considering I was already drained myself, from the invigilation, from lessons with 2 Dil, and from yesterday's long day with contact time ending only at 6pm.
It was frustrating for me to see half the class wanting to know the answers to the MCQs while the other half decided to mind their own business. I was frustrated but I couldn't show it. For some reason, the students in 3 Hope got my heart in some way. They can be an endearing bunch and really, I would like to see them succeed in their own way. They way some of them are so talented with their music makes me wished I could do a CPA lesson in music. I'm even cracking my head wondering what other platforms I can find for them to perform.
But a lesson is a lesson. And a classroom is a classroom. It is governed by rules, and some rules need to be adhered to if learning is to take place. And so I had to pull out a student, make him stand in a corner while I dealt with the others in the class. It was not a pretty sight I'd like to see in 3 Hope again. For each student I've been in touch with in that class, I've seen a side of them that is so beautiful, a side that is good, in control and with a heart - a golden one that is. But I don't understand what it is that makes them change all of a sudden to be a rowdy hard to control bunch.
It's just 3 weeks til the exams and I really hope to see all of them put in more effort in their studies. I hope they can learn to believe in themselves that they can succeed in school if they choose to. I hope they don't give up on themselves because I'll never give up on them.
It's painful when you begin to build bonds with your students and you see them stray.
The day continued to be hectic as I juggled all the admin work, planning for after exam activities, and starting the media club. Back home now, the work continues. But at least I have Chistian Bautista's song to keep me company. Tomorrow is a new day and I hope it brings a brighter, less hectic day!
:)
PS - Malcolm - In order of preference, these are my favourite Christian Bautista's songs:
a) Everything You Do
b) The Way You Look At Me
c) I Can Love You Easy
d) I Will Be What I Believe
e) Completely
and every other song!! :)
10 September 2006
My mummy
Yesterday was mum's birthday. I stayed home with her the whole day to keep her company. After all, I don't get much opportunity to spend time with her. We watched the matinee of Forbidden City with my brother and headed for dinner after that. Then came back home cos they wanted to catch a soccer match!
Yes, mum has changed much since the mum I knew ten years ago. She has taken a liking to rearing plants instead of dogs, and watches soccer instead of soap operas. As a birthday gift for herself, she bought a book, "1001 Singapore plants". She even influenced my neighbour to rear plants, and now they have a mini community of plant lovers along my corridor... They even got the kids interested in the plants! One day, one of my neighbour's kids came running to my mum asking her to revive his dying balsam plant.. Of course, mum took pride in being the new resident plant doctor!
Mum sleeps in early so she can wake up in the middle of the night to watch soccer with my brother - right through the World Cup season and now with the EPL coming up, she's at it again. She speaks with her fellow salesmen at her work place about matches and soccer players as if she were a pro. She even had her own Dream Team during the World Cup! And with my brother, they shout, scream, scold and cheer their team on - right in the middle of the night while I snooze in dream land wondering how one can be so excited about 24 men on a green pitch with a white ball.
Yet, she remains my cool mum who plays with teddy bears and makes friends with my friends. She even goes on trips with them without me! So it was of no surprise that yesterday's string of smses came from my friends to her.. and she replied them cheekily as if they were her friends!
Yup, you can say I love my mum tremendously. She's gone through so much in life and I think she did a pretty decent job of bringing my brother and I up well even though we were left alone to fend for ourselves most of our teenage lives. Her constant reminder to remain positive and to pray has been so ingrained in me that til today, I still live up to what she taught me.
She's fought battles with me during my growing up years as I insisted on my way of doing things. And though she didn't always agree with what I had in mind, she always supported what I wanted to do. And even if I made a mistake with my decision, she never did once say, "I told you so." Instead, she'd just support me back to where it would be safer and where it would make her heart less worried.
Til today, I continue to shock my mum with sudden impulse decisions. But she's beginning to get used to the fact that her 31-year old daughter is all grown up, and knows how to find her way back somehow. She knows that I'm that independent one the family who likes to venture out. She once told me, "You know, if I die, I won't be worried about you cos you're street smart. You'll survive." Ha.. Thanks, mum.. (i.e. Unlike my brother, I am not study-smart!)
She nags at me for not being able to keep still and always finding extra work to do - like volunteering in church or doing design work for friends, or planning weddings and surprise birthday parties. I smile and I tell her I'm a reflection of her and she knows I'm right. All I am and all I've learnt, I've learnt from her.
Mum's wonderful, and I think I'm one lucky child to have my mum as my mum. I couldn't ask for more!
:)
Yes, mum has changed much since the mum I knew ten years ago. She has taken a liking to rearing plants instead of dogs, and watches soccer instead of soap operas. As a birthday gift for herself, she bought a book, "1001 Singapore plants". She even influenced my neighbour to rear plants, and now they have a mini community of plant lovers along my corridor... They even got the kids interested in the plants! One day, one of my neighbour's kids came running to my mum asking her to revive his dying balsam plant.. Of course, mum took pride in being the new resident plant doctor!
Mum sleeps in early so she can wake up in the middle of the night to watch soccer with my brother - right through the World Cup season and now with the EPL coming up, she's at it again. She speaks with her fellow salesmen at her work place about matches and soccer players as if she were a pro. She even had her own Dream Team during the World Cup! And with my brother, they shout, scream, scold and cheer their team on - right in the middle of the night while I snooze in dream land wondering how one can be so excited about 24 men on a green pitch with a white ball.
Yet, she remains my cool mum who plays with teddy bears and makes friends with my friends. She even goes on trips with them without me! So it was of no surprise that yesterday's string of smses came from my friends to her.. and she replied them cheekily as if they were her friends!
Yup, you can say I love my mum tremendously. She's gone through so much in life and I think she did a pretty decent job of bringing my brother and I up well even though we were left alone to fend for ourselves most of our teenage lives. Her constant reminder to remain positive and to pray has been so ingrained in me that til today, I still live up to what she taught me.
She's fought battles with me during my growing up years as I insisted on my way of doing things. And though she didn't always agree with what I had in mind, she always supported what I wanted to do. And even if I made a mistake with my decision, she never did once say, "I told you so." Instead, she'd just support me back to where it would be safer and where it would make her heart less worried.
Til today, I continue to shock my mum with sudden impulse decisions. But she's beginning to get used to the fact that her 31-year old daughter is all grown up, and knows how to find her way back somehow. She knows that I'm that independent one the family who likes to venture out. She once told me, "You know, if I die, I won't be worried about you cos you're street smart. You'll survive." Ha.. Thanks, mum.. (i.e. Unlike my brother, I am not study-smart!)
She nags at me for not being able to keep still and always finding extra work to do - like volunteering in church or doing design work for friends, or planning weddings and surprise birthday parties. I smile and I tell her I'm a reflection of her and she knows I'm right. All I am and all I've learnt, I've learnt from her.
Mum's wonderful, and I think I'm one lucky child to have my mum as my mum. I couldn't ask for more!
:)
05 September 2006
Christian Bautista Part II
Ok. I'm hooked. Walked into Sembawang Music Centre at Millenia on Saturday and asked if they had the Christian Bautista CD. The man smiled and nodded his head. He swiftly went to the display table and picked up the CD.
"Here you go. How about other CDs?"
"Er. Don't tempt me."
"Ha.ha.. How about this one?"
"No.. you're bad. Don't tempt me."
The man smiled cheekily and left me alone while I headed to the counter and paid for my CD.
Saturday wasn't exactly a good day but Christian Bautista brightened it up with his songs... right up til today and still continues to do so. I think by the time school reopens, I'll know all his songs by heart.
Here's one I found inspiring. It's called I WILL BE WHAT I BELIEVE
I aspired to be the best I can
I'm inspired to know what I'll become
I believe there comes a time
When my star will start to shine
Even though to each day in search and up hill climb
But I believe I can soar to the sky up high
When you're there you can inspire
No doubt in my mind
What you dream what you will become
Cause I believe I can climb as a mountain high
I'm inspired to reach the stars
As long as I lieve I wiell be what I believe
There's a winding road that lies ahead
No one knows what lies beyond the bend
Though the future none can see
I will make my destiny
I can be the best in what I wanna be
My friends rolled their eyes (ala msn style) when i asked them if Deborah Bautista sounded nice. Haha!
:)
"Here you go. How about other CDs?"
"Er. Don't tempt me."
"Ha.ha.. How about this one?"
"No.. you're bad. Don't tempt me."
The man smiled cheekily and left me alone while I headed to the counter and paid for my CD.
Saturday wasn't exactly a good day but Christian Bautista brightened it up with his songs... right up til today and still continues to do so. I think by the time school reopens, I'll know all his songs by heart.
Here's one I found inspiring. It's called I WILL BE WHAT I BELIEVE
I aspired to be the best I can
I'm inspired to know what I'll become
I believe there comes a time
When my star will start to shine
Even though to each day in search and up hill climb
But I believe I can soar to the sky up high
When you're there you can inspire
No doubt in my mind
What you dream what you will become
Cause I believe I can climb as a mountain high
I'm inspired to reach the stars
As long as I lieve I wiell be what I believe
There's a winding road that lies ahead
No one knows what lies beyond the bend
Though the future none can see
I will make my destiny
I can be the best in what I wanna be
My friends rolled their eyes (ala msn style) when i asked them if Deborah Bautista sounded nice. Haha!
:)