The end of a journey marks the beginning of a new one. And as I am moving on to the next phase of my life, I'd like to take a moment to reflect.
They said being a teacher is a noble job. And having been through a year's training and three years' experience teaching, I must say that it is more than that. It requires more than just being able to teach. It's a whole load of responsibilities rolled in one - which makes it much like any other job. The difference? The life of a child is at stake.
If I think about it, what I do in the classroom, or how I interact with my students do play a part in the development in their lives. For the most of us who were called to be teachers, we are motivated by one single factor - to want to make a difference in the life of a child - a pretty noble and idealistic motivation.
Many like me, had quit the better paying private sector to want to make a difference. While some thrive in the new environment, others like me feel that there's so much more to be done than what's done in the schools. Still, more often than not, others blend into the system, and allow their enthusiasm drained by the load of emotional and physically-draining responsibilities.
With more than 100 students under your care at any one time, it is not easy to want to be able to care for all at once. It's different from parenting. And on top of ensuring the child excels academically, the teacher is often tasked with part-time parenting as well - disciplining and caring for the social and emotional well-being of the child.
It is easy to adhere to theories of the care of a child when we are dealing with individuals, but when the care involves masses, theories fail to hold as well as it purports.
And so, the initial enthusiasm generated by teacher training melts away all too quickly, resulting in disillusioned young teachers who would actually be instrumental in creating that paradigm shift in education.
My four years in the education ministry isn't exactly a picture of gloom. For one who refuses to live life with regrets, I make it a point to tease out learning points for every decision I make. "I wouldn't have learned this if I hadn't chose to walk this road."
My students are my greatest source of inspiration - and stress. They are also my greatest source of motivation - and a lack of. They affect my mood, my emotions, my thoughts. And if you multiply that by a hundred or more times, you can understand why teachers are one of those who find themselves having psychological problems.
Still, I've learnt the best things from my students and any teacher who teach or have taught will agree with me the fulfillment teaching gives that no other job can.
At the end of it all, it is really up to the individual to decide the road to embark on in education. The education scene has changed so much that it offers so many possibilities to define education. Others get excited while others get confused.
As for me, I've decided to walk another road, and define my own space in education.
But the motivation still remains the same - to make a difference.
10 June 2007
03 June 2007
遇见
This is probably the first almost all Mandarin posting I have. Bought myself Stefanie Sun's My Story, Your Song album two weeks back and it's been on my CD player these days. Even my friends and students who see me listening her songs over the msn have exclaimed in surprise.. "Wah! You listening to Chinese songs ah?!" - well more like a tone of shocked disbelief.
Amongst the many songs I like, mostly ballads, I like this one (also because I can't seem to find the lyrics of the others on the web).
遇见
听见冬天的离开
我在某年某月醒过来
我想我等我期待
未来却不能因此安排
阴天傍晚车窗外
未来有一个人在等待
向左向右向前看
爱要拐几个弯才来
我遇见谁会有怎样的对白
我等的人他在多远的未来
我听见风来自地铁和人海
我排著队拿著爱的号码牌
我往前飞飞过一片时间海
我们也曾在爱情里受伤害
我看著路梦的入口有点窄
我遇见你是最美丽的意外
总有一天我的谜底会解开
Way to go in supporting our local artistes!! :)
Amongst the many songs I like, mostly ballads, I like this one (also because I can't seem to find the lyrics of the others on the web).
遇见
听见冬天的离开
我在某年某月醒过来
我想我等我期待
未来却不能因此安排
阴天傍晚车窗外
未来有一个人在等待
向左向右向前看
爱要拐几个弯才来
我遇见谁会有怎样的对白
我等的人他在多远的未来
我听见风来自地铁和人海
我排著队拿著爱的号码牌
我往前飞飞过一片时间海
我们也曾在爱情里受伤害
我看著路梦的入口有点窄
我遇见你是最美丽的意外
总有一天我的谜底会解开
Way to go in supporting our local artistes!! :)
02 June 2007
Packing Up and Counting Down
I'm packing my things and counting down til 8 June, which marks my last day at Holy Innocents' High School.
And as I pack my things and look through my files, I realised how much I've grown and changed in my teaching methods through the three years. Once an amateur, referring to reference books all so often, I've moved on to using authentic materials and adapting them to suit the profile of my students.
Snapshots of how I've thrown the starfishes as and when I could into the sea in my four years in the education service - from my NIE days right til the 8 June - come to mind, giving me a little sense of achievement. And though there have been bad days, I shrug these off. Afterall, there must be rain to have a rainbow.
I will miss my students in a way, and I hope they will grow up to be fine young people. Closest to my heart will be my Media Club writers, and the students I've taught since Sec 1 - my 1 Unity 2004 kids. They are now in Sec 4, and boy have they grown! All the best for your O levels this year!!
As for my form class this year, I hope they will heed my advice and work hard to improve. Life is not fair sometimes and we have to work harder than others. But that makes us stronger people, and we'll know how to pick ourselves up if ever we should fall again. "The greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
As for me, I'm moving on to the next phase in my life as well. It's filled with uncertainty, but with a heart and passion for a greater good. Not that what I'm currently doing isn't good enough, but that the call to do bigger things is much too strong for me to resist. And reaching out to the less fortunate seems the right thing to do.
I wish all my students the best in the future undertakings, and if ever they see a starfish, may they remember to smile, and recall all that I've taught them. One day, I hope they will join me in throwing starfishes in the sea.
:)
m.c.
And as I pack my things and look through my files, I realised how much I've grown and changed in my teaching methods through the three years. Once an amateur, referring to reference books all so often, I've moved on to using authentic materials and adapting them to suit the profile of my students.
Snapshots of how I've thrown the starfishes as and when I could into the sea in my four years in the education service - from my NIE days right til the 8 June - come to mind, giving me a little sense of achievement. And though there have been bad days, I shrug these off. Afterall, there must be rain to have a rainbow.
I will miss my students in a way, and I hope they will grow up to be fine young people. Closest to my heart will be my Media Club writers, and the students I've taught since Sec 1 - my 1 Unity 2004 kids. They are now in Sec 4, and boy have they grown! All the best for your O levels this year!!
As for my form class this year, I hope they will heed my advice and work hard to improve. Life is not fair sometimes and we have to work harder than others. But that makes us stronger people, and we'll know how to pick ourselves up if ever we should fall again. "The greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
As for me, I'm moving on to the next phase in my life as well. It's filled with uncertainty, but with a heart and passion for a greater good. Not that what I'm currently doing isn't good enough, but that the call to do bigger things is much too strong for me to resist. And reaching out to the less fortunate seems the right thing to do.
I wish all my students the best in the future undertakings, and if ever they see a starfish, may they remember to smile, and recall all that I've taught them. One day, I hope they will join me in throwing starfishes in the sea.
:)
m.c.
16 May 2007
Back to the doctors
My stomach didn't feel too good today, plus I woke up with a fever. So I went down to the doctor with my brother, who has been having a fever since Sunday.
My diagnosis - gastric and a suspicious lump on my lower left abdomen. The doctor said she observed that it was there since my previous visit. And so she sent me off to clear out my intestines and to return to her for a check again, just in case it's some growth. Yikes!
My brother's condition is much worse - doctor suspects it's either dengue or malaria. He's had a blood test and will only know the results tonight. I'm crossing my fingers that it's nothing serious. I wouldn't want him to experience what I did when I had the viral fever the last time during the SARS period. Feels horrible.
The doctor suggested we got mosquito repellents in our house, just in case. And so we did.
I hope the fever goes away for myself and my brother, so that we know it's nothing too serious to worry about.
:)
My diagnosis - gastric and a suspicious lump on my lower left abdomen. The doctor said she observed that it was there since my previous visit. And so she sent me off to clear out my intestines and to return to her for a check again, just in case it's some growth. Yikes!
My brother's condition is much worse - doctor suspects it's either dengue or malaria. He's had a blood test and will only know the results tonight. I'm crossing my fingers that it's nothing serious. I wouldn't want him to experience what I did when I had the viral fever the last time during the SARS period. Feels horrible.
The doctor suggested we got mosquito repellents in our house, just in case. And so we did.
I hope the fever goes away for myself and my brother, so that we know it's nothing too serious to worry about.
:)
11 May 2007
Gastric Week
I don't know what happened this week, but it got me down with a bad bout of gastric since Monday. And today, the pain was just excruciating. Gastric pills didn't work and not wanting to eat doesn't make it any better. All I know is that I have a whole load of gas in my intestines and stomach. And it doesn't feel nice at all. :(
I've begun returning the exam scripts to my students and I'd love for those of them who didn't do well this time to do better the next time round. It doesn't end here.
Just like my students, I've begun my countdown to the holidays, where I can do a little bit of packing so my table doesn't resemble a typhoon swept mess.
They took the cows away from outside my school so for now, I have to look at something else to trigger that smile in me.
Gotta get back to bed now. The pain is kicking in again.. Argh.. :(
I've begun returning the exam scripts to my students and I'd love for those of them who didn't do well this time to do better the next time round. It doesn't end here.
Just like my students, I've begun my countdown to the holidays, where I can do a little bit of packing so my table doesn't resemble a typhoon swept mess.
They took the cows away from outside my school so for now, I have to look at something else to trigger that smile in me.
Gotta get back to bed now. The pain is kicking in again.. Argh.. :(
09 May 2007
All Done!
This is the first time in my teaching career that I'm way ahead in my marking for English. I completed my marking yesterday, tabulated the total scores and rechecked the papers even!
So yesterday, I decided to give myself a treat and headed down to Orchard Road. Got myself a book from Boders at 35% off using the vouchers they emailed me. Then I came back home to update my blog on India. So many things happened and I didn't want to miss a thing so I was careful to add in as much details as I could. I'm at Day Two of my India trip entry. Check it out at www.indiastarfish.blogspot.com
Tomorrow, my CPA papers will come in. In the meantime, I relishing the time I have on my hands. It's been a while.
:)
So yesterday, I decided to give myself a treat and headed down to Orchard Road. Got myself a book from Boders at 35% off using the vouchers they emailed me. Then I came back home to update my blog on India. So many things happened and I didn't want to miss a thing so I was careful to add in as much details as I could. I'm at Day Two of my India trip entry. Check it out at www.indiastarfish.blogspot.com
Tomorrow, my CPA papers will come in. In the meantime, I relishing the time I have on my hands. It's been a while.
:)
03 May 2007
Mid Year Exam Comprehension Practice
This post is for my Sec 2 Unity students. I promised them the answers to the comprehension practice I gave them just now.
So here it is, my dear students. Click on the hyperlink below and download the answers from the website it brings you to. I hope you've completed all the questions before looking at the answers!
Click Here > TERM 2 HANDOUT 8 - COMPREHENSION PRACTICE ANSWERS
All the best to my Sec 2 students on tomorrow's paper!
:)
m.c.
So here it is, my dear students. Click on the hyperlink below and download the answers from the website it brings you to. I hope you've completed all the questions before looking at the answers!
Click Here > TERM 2 HANDOUT 8 - COMPREHENSION PRACTICE ANSWERS
All the best to my Sec 2 students on tomorrow's paper!
:)
m.c.
01 May 2007
Marking again
The time of the year has come where teachers all over the island whip out their trusty red pen and race against time to mark the numerous exam scripts.
My first pile came in yesterday and I dutifully trotted off to the airport with Ying to mark. Great catching up with her after all these months!
I must say that I am proud of my progress so far since I have graded some 50 plus scripts and with more energy to take on the 200 plus more scripts coming my way over the week and next.
I would have finished the pile I brought home if not for the fact that my nose is runny, and I had spent the afternoon with my ex-colleagues from NUS.
Still, maybe the motivation comes knowing that this will all end soon, in all sense of the word.
As for now, excuse me while I grade my students' masterpieces on Fear, Smoking and Pets.
My first pile came in yesterday and I dutifully trotted off to the airport with Ying to mark. Great catching up with her after all these months!
I must say that I am proud of my progress so far since I have graded some 50 plus scripts and with more energy to take on the 200 plus more scripts coming my way over the week and next.
I would have finished the pile I brought home if not for the fact that my nose is runny, and I had spent the afternoon with my ex-colleagues from NUS.
Still, maybe the motivation comes knowing that this will all end soon, in all sense of the word.
As for now, excuse me while I grade my students' masterpieces on Fear, Smoking and Pets.
31 March 2007
Hidden Pain
Something must have hit me such that even though I haven't been running for more than a year, I nevertheless decided to plunge into the 4.2km run round Bedok Reservoir on Wednesday during the school cross country event. I didn't plan on winning anything, but just gain that extra 20 points for the Blue Eagles with my participation. Plus, the thought of a run equates to some "me" time I so lack these days.
Armed with my ipod, handphone (just in case there were some casualties along the way) and my newly-glued up track shoes (the soles were flapping off when I was in India), I paced myself to a slow but steady run. I hadn't hydrated myself well when I started. I thought we'd be provided with the HI Spirit, but nope.
Down at the 3km mark, the sun was shining strong on me and I began to feel dehydrated. I felt my heart pounding in my brain. Pain. I knew I had to slow down and get hydrated, and thankfully I managed to get some from some students stationed in between the route. But it was too late. The pounding continued with every step I took. But I persevered. I just had one thing in mind - finish the race.
I was proud when I reached the finishing line in 30 minutes, third in position in the Women's category of the teacher's race. Not too bad considering I didn't train nor exercise for the past year! Plus I'm 31 years old!
The next few days saw me enduring the pain on my lower body - legs, hamstrings, calves, thighs. It hurt when I walked up or down the stairs, but I endured it all. This may sound masochistic but the pain reflected some form of achievement only I could fully understand.
I guess that's a reflection of my life right now too. Hidden pain.
Armed with my ipod, handphone (just in case there were some casualties along the way) and my newly-glued up track shoes (the soles were flapping off when I was in India), I paced myself to a slow but steady run. I hadn't hydrated myself well when I started. I thought we'd be provided with the HI Spirit, but nope.
Down at the 3km mark, the sun was shining strong on me and I began to feel dehydrated. I felt my heart pounding in my brain. Pain. I knew I had to slow down and get hydrated, and thankfully I managed to get some from some students stationed in between the route. But it was too late. The pounding continued with every step I took. But I persevered. I just had one thing in mind - finish the race.
I was proud when I reached the finishing line in 30 minutes, third in position in the Women's category of the teacher's race. Not too bad considering I didn't train nor exercise for the past year! Plus I'm 31 years old!
The next few days saw me enduring the pain on my lower body - legs, hamstrings, calves, thighs. It hurt when I walked up or down the stairs, but I endured it all. This may sound masochistic but the pain reflected some form of achievement only I could fully understand.
I guess that's a reflection of my life right now too. Hidden pain.
23 March 2007
Starbucks Surprise
It was almost getting to be a bad day in school as my computer crashed on me and was pronounced officially dead. The work I was working on halfway was lost and almost all my documents in the hard drive of the laptop. Still I was thankful that most of my files were stored in my external hard drive.
I met up with Wendy in the evening at the Conrad. She had a room night booked at the hotel as she was having her company D&D tonight, and her wedding anniversary tomorrow. I decided to bunk in with her for the night since she'd be alone. I could take the opportunity of having a really nice room to work in while she went for dinner too.
I was getting hungry and was craving for my favourite Starbucks All Original Bagel, and decided to take a walk to Millenia Walk. After dropping by Candy Empire to pick up a pack of chips and chocolate chip cookies - fuel to burn the midnight oil - I headed to Starbucks in all excitedness to pick up my warm toasted bagel.. But when I went there, I was disappointed to learn that it had sold out. The man at the counter was apologetic and offered other savouries, but none could satisfy the craving for the bagel.
I told the man I was craving for it and was kinda disappointed not to have it but it's ok.. I'll probably walk around to pick up something else. As I walked away, I remembered I needed to pick up a warm drink to keep me warm in the freezing cold room. I walked back and asked for my usual Hot Cocoa with Skim Milk. Just as I was choosing the size I wanted, the man at the counter smiled and told me he'd make me a big cup - just what I had in mind. When I took out money to pay for it, he waved it away and smiled, "It's OK. It's on us." I was sincerely surprised and asked why. "Oh, it's to make up for not being able to give you the bagel you wanted."
In all my years, I don't think I've come across such wonderful hospitality, and I must say I was so proud I'm a consumer of Starbucks products! For such a company that empower its staff to brighten their customers' day with such a surprise, well, i must say I AM impressed.
Talk about customer service - we sure can learn from this Starbucks experience! A little gesture goes a long way!
As for me - hot chocolate never tasted so good. I feel pampered in some way...
Thanks, Starbucks, my favourite coffee joint... :)
I met up with Wendy in the evening at the Conrad. She had a room night booked at the hotel as she was having her company D&D tonight, and her wedding anniversary tomorrow. I decided to bunk in with her for the night since she'd be alone. I could take the opportunity of having a really nice room to work in while she went for dinner too.
I was getting hungry and was craving for my favourite Starbucks All Original Bagel, and decided to take a walk to Millenia Walk. After dropping by Candy Empire to pick up a pack of chips and chocolate chip cookies - fuel to burn the midnight oil - I headed to Starbucks in all excitedness to pick up my warm toasted bagel.. But when I went there, I was disappointed to learn that it had sold out. The man at the counter was apologetic and offered other savouries, but none could satisfy the craving for the bagel.
I told the man I was craving for it and was kinda disappointed not to have it but it's ok.. I'll probably walk around to pick up something else. As I walked away, I remembered I needed to pick up a warm drink to keep me warm in the freezing cold room. I walked back and asked for my usual Hot Cocoa with Skim Milk. Just as I was choosing the size I wanted, the man at the counter smiled and told me he'd make me a big cup - just what I had in mind. When I took out money to pay for it, he waved it away and smiled, "It's OK. It's on us." I was sincerely surprised and asked why. "Oh, it's to make up for not being able to give you the bagel you wanted."
In all my years, I don't think I've come across such wonderful hospitality, and I must say I was so proud I'm a consumer of Starbucks products! For such a company that empower its staff to brighten their customers' day with such a surprise, well, i must say I AM impressed.
Talk about customer service - we sure can learn from this Starbucks experience! A little gesture goes a long way!
As for me - hot chocolate never tasted so good. I feel pampered in some way...
Thanks, Starbucks, my favourite coffee joint... :)
18 March 2007
Back from India
I came back from my one-week trip to India yesterday morning. Yes. I survived.
Now, the next 10 weeks to survive in school...
Now, the next 10 weeks to survive in school...
08 March 2007
A blog from heaven
My ex-student Alfred dropped me an sms past midnight. It read "Go check your email Miss Chewie". He's been calling me that for as long as I remember. I didn't check it til this morning and it pointed me to a hyperlink to a blog entry.
Not that it was sad, but it touched me at a point in my life whereby I am questioned of my capability, of "not coping" and "being very absent from school". I for a moment kept wondering if it were really true that "my heart is not with the kids". And I thought I had lost my focus of what I had wanted to do deep in my heart years back.
I think God sent Alfred to write that blog entry for a reason. I think God knew that this would be a bad time for me, and only he knew the perfect way to bring my spirits up again. What he wrote reminded me of my mission of throwing starfishes into the sea. And although all may not see how many I've thrown (who's keeping count anyway?!), I know that I've made a difference to at least one.
To Alfred - thanks for the entry. It has encouraged me to pick myself up, and to realise that I may be at a point of a burn out - and that it's not about me or my capability that measures, but who I am and how I can touch others in my own way.
I guess that's me and I'm pretty at peace with it.
Not that it was sad, but it touched me at a point in my life whereby I am questioned of my capability, of "not coping" and "being very absent from school". I for a moment kept wondering if it were really true that "my heart is not with the kids". And I thought I had lost my focus of what I had wanted to do deep in my heart years back.
I think God sent Alfred to write that blog entry for a reason. I think God knew that this would be a bad time for me, and only he knew the perfect way to bring my spirits up again. What he wrote reminded me of my mission of throwing starfishes into the sea. And although all may not see how many I've thrown (who's keeping count anyway?!), I know that I've made a difference to at least one.
To Alfred - thanks for the entry. It has encouraged me to pick myself up, and to realise that I may be at a point of a burn out - and that it's not about me or my capability that measures, but who I am and how I can touch others in my own way.
I guess that's me and I'm pretty at peace with it.
03 March 2007
Falling Sick
This year has been a not so good year so far - healthwise. I find it hard to believe that within a span of two months, I've taken 10 days' medical leave. There seems to be a bad bug going about, especially in school and it's not making catching up with teaching any easier.
I came down with a fever last Friday. Left school early to head home to rest since I had a full weekend at SJI for a seminar on religious education. My Principal signed us all Catholic teachers up for it and made sure we went for it. I was feeling better though not entirely well on Saturday. The fever subsided but the throat was sore and the nose congested with thick mucus. I gulped down my medication for the nose and throat and headed down to SJI with my brother.
The air-conditioned lecture theatre didn't make my condition any better and so come Sunday, the fever came back on and the nose started to get runny. I decided not to go for the seminar and headed to the doctor instead. Slapped with a whole load of tablets and 2 days' medical leave, I did nothing but sleep and sleep and sleep.
I guess what I missed most was the opportunity to be there with my students during their Sec 2 camp and shout and scream together with them. When I was well enough to get back to school, they broke camp and news came that they emerged Best Class for the camp! Naturally, I was proud of them and when I met them at the canteen, it was heartwarming to see them in high spirits, filling the canteen with their cheers and spirit of camaradarie.
I came down with a sore and inflamed throat again on Wednesday night, and all I could do was to down the tablets that would bring down the swell. Occupational hazard. I'm glad that the holidays are coming so it gives me a break, hopefully to recuperate. I'm heading for New Delhi for a week during the break and I hope I don't fall ill then! It'd be the first time I'd be travelling alone and I'm crossing my fingers I come back in one piece! I joke with my friends that the guide bringing me around may find me an investment to be sold off for a handsome price!
One more week to that. I hope I survive in between.
I came down with a fever last Friday. Left school early to head home to rest since I had a full weekend at SJI for a seminar on religious education. My Principal signed us all Catholic teachers up for it and made sure we went for it. I was feeling better though not entirely well on Saturday. The fever subsided but the throat was sore and the nose congested with thick mucus. I gulped down my medication for the nose and throat and headed down to SJI with my brother.
The air-conditioned lecture theatre didn't make my condition any better and so come Sunday, the fever came back on and the nose started to get runny. I decided not to go for the seminar and headed to the doctor instead. Slapped with a whole load of tablets and 2 days' medical leave, I did nothing but sleep and sleep and sleep.
I guess what I missed most was the opportunity to be there with my students during their Sec 2 camp and shout and scream together with them. When I was well enough to get back to school, they broke camp and news came that they emerged Best Class for the camp! Naturally, I was proud of them and when I met them at the canteen, it was heartwarming to see them in high spirits, filling the canteen with their cheers and spirit of camaradarie.
I came down with a sore and inflamed throat again on Wednesday night, and all I could do was to down the tablets that would bring down the swell. Occupational hazard. I'm glad that the holidays are coming so it gives me a break, hopefully to recuperate. I'm heading for New Delhi for a week during the break and I hope I don't fall ill then! It'd be the first time I'd be travelling alone and I'm crossing my fingers I come back in one piece! I joke with my friends that the guide bringing me around may find me an investment to be sold off for a handsome price!
One more week to that. I hope I survive in between.
18 February 2007
Losing a writer...
Just received an email from one of my former students that made me a little sad and disappointed. I've lost one of my best writers for the Media Club. Reading through the email, which such punchy lines and nicely crafted words, I feel the pain even more as she rationalised that she felt that she wasn't growing as part of the club and hence her decision to resign from the club.
I guess it's not a time to point fingers right now, but she's found another platform to write for. I wonder if I will be losing more of my writers to that other platform since I know I have a few more writers crossing over to write there. Placing all my cards down, it seems a little unfair that I'm being slapped with this. I haven't had the chance to develop a full programme for the club and suddenly, I feel judged. I'm trying to work within my constraints, yet meeting higher order objectives and balancing the interest of the students. It's not an easy task, considering now I'm faced with another more exciting media spearheaded by someone else.
I saw overlaps right from day one and I suggested putting it all under the umbrella of the media club, but I guess it wasn't possible somehow. Maybe I was too slow. After all, it's the same pool of students we're tapping on.
And so, feeling a little defeated, I wonder about my next course of action. Afterall, I don't have much time. But looking on the brigher side, maybe it is a blessing. Now at least I know who to turn to for continuity of the club some time later.
What a start to day one of the year of the pig.
I guess it's not a time to point fingers right now, but she's found another platform to write for. I wonder if I will be losing more of my writers to that other platform since I know I have a few more writers crossing over to write there. Placing all my cards down, it seems a little unfair that I'm being slapped with this. I haven't had the chance to develop a full programme for the club and suddenly, I feel judged. I'm trying to work within my constraints, yet meeting higher order objectives and balancing the interest of the students. It's not an easy task, considering now I'm faced with another more exciting media spearheaded by someone else.
I saw overlaps right from day one and I suggested putting it all under the umbrella of the media club, but I guess it wasn't possible somehow. Maybe I was too slow. After all, it's the same pool of students we're tapping on.
And so, feeling a little defeated, I wonder about my next course of action. Afterall, I don't have much time. But looking on the brigher side, maybe it is a blessing. Now at least I know who to turn to for continuity of the club some time later.
What a start to day one of the year of the pig.
02 February 2007
Proud of myself this week
I was totally stressed out on Sunday. Looking at the week ahead of me, I felt I wasn't up to it to face it. Plus, I had barely recovered from my bad bout of throat infection/flu/bronchitis that got me on medical leave for an entire week. I felt totally stressed out and when I couldn't take it anymore, I called my close friend up, and I was glad she was there to lighten the load - just by listening.
It was ironical that I was planning a lesson on Stress Management for my Sec 2 students. Through the research I did to plan for the lesson, I came to realise that I was highly stressed out. It was no wonder I kept having those nightmares at night, dreaming about my students sitting for exams when I haven't taught them enough! I literally cried!
Then a song that my friend taught me some time back came to mind, and suddenly things were more manageable. It helped me so much I wanted to share the song with my students. It had a simple but powerful message. The problem is, I had to sing it to them.
As though my stress list wasn't long enough, I courageously learnt it, and psyched myself to sing it to my students. I practised it a few times, but it didn't help that my throat hadn't quite recovered. But I did it anyway. My kind students gave me a round of applause and some cheers. I did an encore a second time in response to my form class' request. They said I sounded better the second time... I guess practice makes perfect! :)
Besides that nerve-wrecking session, planning for the lessons this week, setting quizes for my Sec 1 CPA class, preparing the notes for the comprehension skills to be taught to the Sec 2 EL kids, I had a big presentation on my teacher work attachment experience in Vietnam. The organisers were making a fuss about it and so they enforced meetings and dry runs just to get it right. After all, the two ambassadors from Vietnam and Cambodia would be there.
So since Saturday, I've been amending the Powerpoint presentation, editing the pictures and doing up the structure of the presentation. I was really tired after yesterday's full day of lessons following a long afternoon the previous day at RELC ensuring the presentation was OK. And so, after the presentation today, I heaved a deep sigh of relief.
We were told at the end of the event that the Director at Teachers Network said our presentation was the best - to the point, succinct and rounded up everything else everyone was trying to say but didn't quite. Lots came up to me and my co-presenter to say we did a good job and that was encouraging. All the hard work paid off!
I was especially thankful to my 5 colleagues who turned up to support me. They were wishing I'd be presenting first so they could leave by tea break. Unfortunately for them, I was scheduled to present last and as such they had to stay back. Thanks guys! :)
I went out dinner with my team mates from the teacher work attachment after the presentation, and reflected back at what I've acheived this week. I must say I AM proud of myself - taking the courage to face it with a brave heart despite my fear - the fear to fail, to fall below my own expectations.
I sang to my kids, and although I know it wasn't perfect, and it isn't up to my standard of what I would call "good singing", I take pride in the fact that I plucked up the courage to do so. Now, the song is still in my head and I'm leaving it here on the blog so my dear students can remind themselves to take it one step at a time should the going get tough...
ONE BY ONE
Sometimes my life is like a ball
Of mixed up coloured strings
So full of knots and tangles
I just can do a thing
And when I try to sort it out
I realise that I
Gonna have to do it
One string at a time
One by one
Each knot each coloured thread
Blue by blue
Green by green and red by red
Til the colours come untangled
And the knots are all undone
One by one
One by one
The songs I haven't written
The words I haven't found
They lie here on my piano
Just waiting to be born
And when I try to sort it out
I realise that I
Gonna have to do it one note at a time...
Taking it one step at a time, I feel more comforted facing yet another hectic week. But for now, I'm giving myself a pat on my back for what I've achieved this week.
:)
It was ironical that I was planning a lesson on Stress Management for my Sec 2 students. Through the research I did to plan for the lesson, I came to realise that I was highly stressed out. It was no wonder I kept having those nightmares at night, dreaming about my students sitting for exams when I haven't taught them enough! I literally cried!
Then a song that my friend taught me some time back came to mind, and suddenly things were more manageable. It helped me so much I wanted to share the song with my students. It had a simple but powerful message. The problem is, I had to sing it to them.
As though my stress list wasn't long enough, I courageously learnt it, and psyched myself to sing it to my students. I practised it a few times, but it didn't help that my throat hadn't quite recovered. But I did it anyway. My kind students gave me a round of applause and some cheers. I did an encore a second time in response to my form class' request. They said I sounded better the second time... I guess practice makes perfect! :)
Besides that nerve-wrecking session, planning for the lessons this week, setting quizes for my Sec 1 CPA class, preparing the notes for the comprehension skills to be taught to the Sec 2 EL kids, I had a big presentation on my teacher work attachment experience in Vietnam. The organisers were making a fuss about it and so they enforced meetings and dry runs just to get it right. After all, the two ambassadors from Vietnam and Cambodia would be there.
So since Saturday, I've been amending the Powerpoint presentation, editing the pictures and doing up the structure of the presentation. I was really tired after yesterday's full day of lessons following a long afternoon the previous day at RELC ensuring the presentation was OK. And so, after the presentation today, I heaved a deep sigh of relief.
We were told at the end of the event that the Director at Teachers Network said our presentation was the best - to the point, succinct and rounded up everything else everyone was trying to say but didn't quite. Lots came up to me and my co-presenter to say we did a good job and that was encouraging. All the hard work paid off!
I was especially thankful to my 5 colleagues who turned up to support me. They were wishing I'd be presenting first so they could leave by tea break. Unfortunately for them, I was scheduled to present last and as such they had to stay back. Thanks guys! :)
I went out dinner with my team mates from the teacher work attachment after the presentation, and reflected back at what I've acheived this week. I must say I AM proud of myself - taking the courage to face it with a brave heart despite my fear - the fear to fail, to fall below my own expectations.
I sang to my kids, and although I know it wasn't perfect, and it isn't up to my standard of what I would call "good singing", I take pride in the fact that I plucked up the courage to do so. Now, the song is still in my head and I'm leaving it here on the blog so my dear students can remind themselves to take it one step at a time should the going get tough...
ONE BY ONE
Sometimes my life is like a ball
Of mixed up coloured strings
So full of knots and tangles
I just can do a thing
And when I try to sort it out
I realise that I
Gonna have to do it
One string at a time
One by one
Each knot each coloured thread
Blue by blue
Green by green and red by red
Til the colours come untangled
And the knots are all undone
One by one
One by one
The songs I haven't written
The words I haven't found
They lie here on my piano
Just waiting to be born
And when I try to sort it out
I realise that I
Gonna have to do it one note at a time...
Taking it one step at a time, I feel more comforted facing yet another hectic week. But for now, I'm giving myself a pat on my back for what I've achieved this week.
:)
26 January 2007
Sick for a week
I think the last time I fell so ill was when I was hit by viral fever during the SARS period. I remember staying at the CDC for 10 days, followed by another 20 days at home as I came down with a bad flu. One months' MC.
This time, the sickness came in a wave. First, I was hit by a bad throat, followed by a bad cold, then a bad cough. Then it all came together, and now my body and head aches and all I can think about is how much lessons I've missed with my kids.
I'm honestly worried that they can't catch up. I hope they do the work I've assigned to them properly so they will be better prepared for the test. Come Monday, I will receive all 82 scripts and I hope I will be well enough to have the energy to quickly mark it all and return it to them before the test.
Then I have to prepare for LCE lesson for the whole level next week. Plus project work. It doesn't rain, I guess; it pours.
I know Uncle Joel will be wagging his finger at me to tell me that I've been working myself too hard and that's why my body's reacting by shutting down. I can't help it. I feel like I've got to run in this marathon. I've chosen this race, and I have to run; I can't just walk.
I guess worrying doesn't help me get better faster either. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying. I push myself up at 5am every morning as well, trying to psych myself for school. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Then I curl myself up in frustration when I realise it's no point fighting. The body is really really shouting to rest.
My doctor doesn't understand the prolonged flu as well. She's worried and tells me if I don't recover by Monday, she'll have to refer me to the hospital. Even she got scared by the amount of medication I'm taking now! Well, I do hope I can recover by tomorrow!
My brother told me my kids made me a card - thanks guys, so sweet of you. Thanks for caring and the tags you've been putting on my tagboard. Thanks for the prayers too! I hope you all will study hard, and do your best for the assignment, ok? Put in your best effort!
I hope when I next blog, I'd be ay-okay.. :)
This time, the sickness came in a wave. First, I was hit by a bad throat, followed by a bad cold, then a bad cough. Then it all came together, and now my body and head aches and all I can think about is how much lessons I've missed with my kids.
I'm honestly worried that they can't catch up. I hope they do the work I've assigned to them properly so they will be better prepared for the test. Come Monday, I will receive all 82 scripts and I hope I will be well enough to have the energy to quickly mark it all and return it to them before the test.
Then I have to prepare for LCE lesson for the whole level next week. Plus project work. It doesn't rain, I guess; it pours.
I know Uncle Joel will be wagging his finger at me to tell me that I've been working myself too hard and that's why my body's reacting by shutting down. I can't help it. I feel like I've got to run in this marathon. I've chosen this race, and I have to run; I can't just walk.
I guess worrying doesn't help me get better faster either. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying. I push myself up at 5am every morning as well, trying to psych myself for school. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Then I curl myself up in frustration when I realise it's no point fighting. The body is really really shouting to rest.
My doctor doesn't understand the prolonged flu as well. She's worried and tells me if I don't recover by Monday, she'll have to refer me to the hospital. Even she got scared by the amount of medication I'm taking now! Well, I do hope I can recover by tomorrow!
My brother told me my kids made me a card - thanks guys, so sweet of you. Thanks for caring and the tags you've been putting on my tagboard. Thanks for the prayers too! I hope you all will study hard, and do your best for the assignment, ok? Put in your best effort!
I hope when I next blog, I'd be ay-okay.. :)
23 January 2007
Sick again
My students will probably be wondering if it's a common thing for me to fall sick over the weekend, since that has been the trend. I fell sick last weekend, and again this weekend. My throat has been giving me problems.
The doctor told me last week to not exert my throat too much. He said it's inflamed and threw me a dose of antibiotics to clear up the congestion in the lungs and some pills to reduce the swelling in the throat. I guess it worked as I took 3 days off. But when I got back to school on Thursday with a full day of teaching and shouting at noisy kids, it took a toll on my throat again.
On Sunday, my throat felt like it had a nail stuck in it. Each time I tried to swallow something, it hurt. I felt feverish and wished it would go away come Monday morning, but it didn't.
The doctor examined my throat again and was shocked at the state it was in. She told me it was inflamed and very very very red. She told me not to cough even if I wanted to or my throat would go even worse. She then sent me off with 2 days' MC and a whole lot of medication to clear the throat and reduce the swelling.
I rested most of yesterday since the medication made me drowsy and woke up this morning feeling less of a nail in my throat but more of a desert. It felt dry and hoarse and really, that didn't help in preventing me from coughing. I've been downing lozenges and loads of chrysanthemum tea. The fever has subsided and I'm feeling a little better, but the thought of going back to school tomorrow to continue with the shouting makes my throat retract back and hope it doesn't have to say a word.
But, I have to and I'm hoping my kids will be more co-operative with me tomorrow.
:)
The doctor told me last week to not exert my throat too much. He said it's inflamed and threw me a dose of antibiotics to clear up the congestion in the lungs and some pills to reduce the swelling in the throat. I guess it worked as I took 3 days off. But when I got back to school on Thursday with a full day of teaching and shouting at noisy kids, it took a toll on my throat again.
On Sunday, my throat felt like it had a nail stuck in it. Each time I tried to swallow something, it hurt. I felt feverish and wished it would go away come Monday morning, but it didn't.
The doctor examined my throat again and was shocked at the state it was in. She told me it was inflamed and very very very red. She told me not to cough even if I wanted to or my throat would go even worse. She then sent me off with 2 days' MC and a whole lot of medication to clear the throat and reduce the swelling.
I rested most of yesterday since the medication made me drowsy and woke up this morning feeling less of a nail in my throat but more of a desert. It felt dry and hoarse and really, that didn't help in preventing me from coughing. I've been downing lozenges and loads of chrysanthemum tea. The fever has subsided and I'm feeling a little better, but the thought of going back to school tomorrow to continue with the shouting makes my throat retract back and hope it doesn't have to say a word.
But, I have to and I'm hoping my kids will be more co-operative with me tomorrow.
:)
12 January 2007
The new year so far...
I celebrated the New Year outside for once. I really didn't know that the town could be so crowded near midnight! We didn't want to squeeze with the Marina Bay crowd so we headed towards Clarke Quay instead. I grabbed half-priced donuts at Pregos and happily brought it along with me to meet up with the rest of the gang. We had a bottle of champagne with us too!
Armed with two big boxes of sparklers, my friends and I twirled the sticks round and round as they sparked away at the stroke of midnight with the booming of the fireworks in the background. Our sparkle sticks were nothing compared to the grand fireworks but we had fun nevertheless.
The light drizzle failed to dampen our mood and soon the clouds gave way to clear skies. We watched as the nearby flyers of remote-controlled kites lit the skies with their UFO-looking kites. It was truly a sight to behold and for a moment, they stole the limelight away from the fireworks in the background.
Soon enough, the holidays ended and school began. I greeted my new form class with apprehension. My colleagues tell me they are a fine bunch, and I tried not to have any expectations of them. After all, they could change over the holidays.
I've always enjoyed teaching Sec 2s. They are at their age of growing up and it's the best time to instil values in them in the light of character development. I made it a point to discipline and set good habits such that it becomes almost natural for them when they move on to the upper secondary level. I wish my girls will grow up to be ladies, and my boys grow up to be gentlemen. The environment may not be there sometimes to develop them to be so, and so I've tasked myself with the responsibility that those under my charge, especially turn out to be so.
My Sec 2 Charity class is much more expressive than my Sec 2 Unity class. But each class has its own strengths and character and though my preference is for a more responsive class, sometimes, I do appreciate the attention and quietness the less expressive class gives, so it won't take a toll on my throat. Honestly, it's been just this week teaching and my throat is already sore, breaking out in ulcers. I don't know how to survive the odd weeks since I'd have 4 additional periods to teach, not to mention both are Sec 1 NA classes - and teaching a non-academic subject! God bless me!
I celebrated Justin's birthday with my former Sec 2 Unity 2005 class. It's heartening to realise that they've grown up to be fine young people.. And I thought it was just a while ago I was teaching them in Sec 1!! How they have changed! And.. er.. how I have aged! :P
It's just been two weeks.. I wonder what the rest of 2007 has to bring for me...
Armed with two big boxes of sparklers, my friends and I twirled the sticks round and round as they sparked away at the stroke of midnight with the booming of the fireworks in the background. Our sparkle sticks were nothing compared to the grand fireworks but we had fun nevertheless.
The light drizzle failed to dampen our mood and soon the clouds gave way to clear skies. We watched as the nearby flyers of remote-controlled kites lit the skies with their UFO-looking kites. It was truly a sight to behold and for a moment, they stole the limelight away from the fireworks in the background.
Soon enough, the holidays ended and school began. I greeted my new form class with apprehension. My colleagues tell me they are a fine bunch, and I tried not to have any expectations of them. After all, they could change over the holidays.
I've always enjoyed teaching Sec 2s. They are at their age of growing up and it's the best time to instil values in them in the light of character development. I made it a point to discipline and set good habits such that it becomes almost natural for them when they move on to the upper secondary level. I wish my girls will grow up to be ladies, and my boys grow up to be gentlemen. The environment may not be there sometimes to develop them to be so, and so I've tasked myself with the responsibility that those under my charge, especially turn out to be so.
My Sec 2 Charity class is much more expressive than my Sec 2 Unity class. But each class has its own strengths and character and though my preference is for a more responsive class, sometimes, I do appreciate the attention and quietness the less expressive class gives, so it won't take a toll on my throat. Honestly, it's been just this week teaching and my throat is already sore, breaking out in ulcers. I don't know how to survive the odd weeks since I'd have 4 additional periods to teach, not to mention both are Sec 1 NA classes - and teaching a non-academic subject! God bless me!
I celebrated Justin's birthday with my former Sec 2 Unity 2005 class. It's heartening to realise that they've grown up to be fine young people.. And I thought it was just a while ago I was teaching them in Sec 1!! How they have changed! And.. er.. how I have aged! :P
It's just been two weeks.. I wonder what the rest of 2007 has to bring for me...
01 January 2007
Happy New Year
My dear old student, Alfred, dropped me an msn this morning and told me it was bad luck not to blog on a new year. Not that I'm superstitious, but yes, I do agree with him that the blog has been a tad bit neglected since I left for my trip in Hanoi to teach undergrads.
It was indeed a fulfilling trip and if you want to find out more about what happened, log on to www.hanoistarfish.blogspot.com
School is going to start in 2 days' time and as I scramble to tune my mind to a less-holiday-more-work mood, I'm sitting up once again to set my goals this year. It has been a wonderful 2006 and I'm wishing that with the start of 2007, things will be just as bright, if not brighter.
In the meantime, I'll try to update my blog more often... maybe that should be one of my goals too! :)
Take care and all the best for a wonderful 2007 ahead!
It was indeed a fulfilling trip and if you want to find out more about what happened, log on to www.hanoistarfish.blogspot.com
School is going to start in 2 days' time and as I scramble to tune my mind to a less-holiday-more-work mood, I'm sitting up once again to set my goals this year. It has been a wonderful 2006 and I'm wishing that with the start of 2007, things will be just as bright, if not brighter.
In the meantime, I'll try to update my blog more often... maybe that should be one of my goals too! :)
Take care and all the best for a wonderful 2007 ahead!
21 November 2006
Seen & Heard
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this notice stuck on a photocopy machine yesterday:
"This machine has no brain. Please use yours."
Clever way to say "Self-Service" I guess.
"This machine has no brain. Please use yours."
Clever way to say "Self-Service" I guess.