National Day has just passed and although I wasn't one of the thousands at Marina Bay celebrating, the pride of being a Singaporean radiated more strongly than ever before in my 32+ years of being one.
This year saw me travelling much more than I had ever done so in my life. I've been zipping in and out of the airport, going from one city to another, crossing time zones and continents, that I once kidded with my friend that I'm taking the plane more in a week than I have the bus or MRT.
But having travelled so many cities had made me appreciate the life I have in Singapore, and truly, each time I come back home, passing through the immigration counters, I whisper to myself, "This is home, truly."
Cliche as it might sound, Singapore indeed has made me feel so much at home - a place where efficiency and service are taken for granted until you go to a place less efficient, and well, less polite.
I had waited in the airport once in a well-developed city - 40 minutes to get through immigration, and another 40 to collect my luggage. It didn't matter that I had a 'priority' tag on my bag. It came out all the same as the rest.
The difference when I just got back from another city. Zipping through Singapore's immigration took no more than 5 minutes, and by the time I had gotten to the belt to collect my luggage, there it was waiting for me.
People complain about the service on the Singapore Airlines. I don't. Because I've flown airlines where crew bitch about passengers at the gallery, or even if you're travelling on the business class, you're asked if you want to eat as if you were a kid. I travel in Economy in our own airlines, and nevermind that I'm an Asian, the verbage and courtesy shown to all passengers, regardless, is the same good service. Ten minutes before landing, a passenger asked for a blanket, and the crew swiftly got a brand new one out. Nevermind the insanity of the request. This is what I call service.
A man who sat beside me once on the plane was curious about where I was heading to. "Singapore", I told him. "Is that your home?" "Yes, it is," I replied. "Ah - explains your fluency in English."
This is what Singapore is known for - its people are fluent in a multitude of languages, thanks to its well thought out education plan, and the leadership of someone I truly admire, our Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. Without his foresight, I wonder where Singapore would be today.
So yes. I am so proud to be a Singaporean. And nevermind that we are young. We've come a long way since 43 years ago.
10 August 2008
26 May 2008
Facebook connects old friends
Taking time off to dust the cobwebs off my keyboard and do a little blogging while I wait for the large image files of Maria Sharapova to download from the client server.
No, I've not forgotten about my blog. It's just that life has taken over and I've been busy working and travelling in and out of the country while juggling project after project, not to mention a one-week break with dear old mum at Las Vegas.
I've begun to marvel at the latest Web 2.0 technology recently. Not that I've not already been wowed by the many things it can do, allowing people to network over a virtual space for one, I've been even more impressed by how it managed to link me up with my old school mate back to junior college and now to my secondary school.
I don't need to mention ages here, but any wise person can count backwards, realising that I've not met some of my JC mates since we left school some 15 years ago. And just when we thought we've lost touch with each other, Facebook brings us all back together.
I met up with six of my JC mates (affectionately called the "door group" cos we always at by the door in the classroom) over dinner last night and it's amazing that after 15 years, a large part of us remains unchanged. We picked up where we left off and 15 years of being apart brought back many fond memories and laughter. Talking about what we used to do back in our JC days, making fun of teachers and looking out for the guys that we used to have crushes on made us feel all nostalgic.
All of us looked back and were glad we didn't marry the guys we used to have crushes on. I guess as we grew older, we became wiser. We've begun to know what we want in relationships, and we've learned how to differentiate good from bad. Half of the six of us are happily married, while the other half have been tasked to break the curse of infertility by getting married!
At the end of the day, I was glad that we met up, and thankful for Facebook that put us all in touch.
Nothing beats connecting with old friends. It makes me look back and think I've come a long way.
:)
No, I've not forgotten about my blog. It's just that life has taken over and I've been busy working and travelling in and out of the country while juggling project after project, not to mention a one-week break with dear old mum at Las Vegas.
I've begun to marvel at the latest Web 2.0 technology recently. Not that I've not already been wowed by the many things it can do, allowing people to network over a virtual space for one, I've been even more impressed by how it managed to link me up with my old school mate back to junior college and now to my secondary school.
I don't need to mention ages here, but any wise person can count backwards, realising that I've not met some of my JC mates since we left school some 15 years ago. And just when we thought we've lost touch with each other, Facebook brings us all back together.
I met up with six of my JC mates (affectionately called the "door group" cos we always at by the door in the classroom) over dinner last night and it's amazing that after 15 years, a large part of us remains unchanged. We picked up where we left off and 15 years of being apart brought back many fond memories and laughter. Talking about what we used to do back in our JC days, making fun of teachers and looking out for the guys that we used to have crushes on made us feel all nostalgic.
All of us looked back and were glad we didn't marry the guys we used to have crushes on. I guess as we grew older, we became wiser. We've begun to know what we want in relationships, and we've learned how to differentiate good from bad. Half of the six of us are happily married, while the other half have been tasked to break the curse of infertility by getting married!
At the end of the day, I was glad that we met up, and thankful for Facebook that put us all in touch.
Nothing beats connecting with old friends. It makes me look back and think I've come a long way.
:)
09 March 2008
Daniel Henney
Alright. It has been a while since I went goo-goo-ga-ga over some actor. And my taste for favourite actors are not usually the ones others fancy. From Edward Norton to Jay Mohr, to Bruce Willis - well, they aren't what I would call your mainstream hunks.
American-born Korean Daniel Henney caught my eye one day as I was channel switching. He was being interviewed and his chiseled look, wide smile and sparkling eyes caught my attention. He nailed it on the head when he spoke about his mother and how he respected his mother, a petite Korean lady who stood by her son when he was bullied in school.
On closer look, he IS a hunk. And on more checks on the Internet, I realised I have been a little behind in listing him as one of my favourites. For the benefit of those who don't know who he is, here's a picture of him.
My former student Alfred kidded that I should blow up his picture "A1 size and paste it on the ceiling so that when you wake up, you see his face". Right.
Grace tells me that he appears in some Korean drama currently showing. But I won't be watching any of that. I guess it's just nice to know nice (and a very hunky) guys still exist these days.
So for my ex-students who are bugging me why I'm not married yet, well, find me a Daniel Henney! Ha!
:)
American-born Korean Daniel Henney caught my eye one day as I was channel switching. He was being interviewed and his chiseled look, wide smile and sparkling eyes caught my attention. He nailed it on the head when he spoke about his mother and how he respected his mother, a petite Korean lady who stood by her son when he was bullied in school.
On closer look, he IS a hunk. And on more checks on the Internet, I realised I have been a little behind in listing him as one of my favourites. For the benefit of those who don't know who he is, here's a picture of him.
My former student Alfred kidded that I should blow up his picture "A1 size and paste it on the ceiling so that when you wake up, you see his face". Right.
Grace tells me that he appears in some Korean drama currently showing. But I won't be watching any of that. I guess it's just nice to know nice (and a very hunky) guys still exist these days.
So for my ex-students who are bugging me why I'm not married yet, well, find me a Daniel Henney! Ha!
:)
14 February 2008
Valentine's Day
As I walked out of my home today, it was evident that it is Valentine's Day. It amused me to see a line of teenage boys queuing by the florist at my nearby shopping mall, while hassled florists struggled to produce bunch after bunch of flowers. As I was walking home, I couldn't help but chuckle as I overheard this conversation between two guys, one of whom was awkwardly holding on to a bunch of roses.
"Don't walk so fast."
"Easy for you to say. You're not holding on to the roses."
"Ya, but this gift is heavy OK? I told you to put the flowers in a plastic bag or something."
It's funny to me that of all days in a year, Valentine's Day should be that one day where men lose their macho-ism for love and well, commercialism.
I guess I asked myself why can't men be more gallant when holding on to a bunch of flowers. Shouldn't they be proud that the one receiving it would melt when receiving it? Or why can't men show their love in other ways? Or other days? Must a day be logged down as the official remember-to-show-your-love day?
Well, I guess the Singapore men has a long way to go when it comes to being romantic. I have to remind my guy friends around me to do something special for his woman every now and then. I guess it escapes their mind how to be romantic after the chasing is done.
But not to condemn all men, I do remember many a romantic moments some of my friends have shared with me. This ranged from sending a bouquet to serenading with the violin.
As for me, I do remember many a memorable moment too on Valentine's Day. From working overtime, to baking cookies to give to friends, the day still reminds me that love does exist despite the commercialism.
The most memorable must have been three years back, when I helped my friend's husband propose to her, complete with her favourite food, flowers, candles and jazz music, the taxi driver that drove me to her home shared with me how his daughters fell in love and married. He learnt what I was doing for my friend and he said, "Some day, somebody's going to do the same for you." It made giving a whole new perspective.
Til today, I still smile and feel the happiness when I see couples fall in love, or show their love for each other. I guess in a way, it makes me still believe that some day, "somebody's going to do the same for me".
:)
"Don't walk so fast."
"Easy for you to say. You're not holding on to the roses."
"Ya, but this gift is heavy OK? I told you to put the flowers in a plastic bag or something."
It's funny to me that of all days in a year, Valentine's Day should be that one day where men lose their macho-ism for love and well, commercialism.
I guess I asked myself why can't men be more gallant when holding on to a bunch of flowers. Shouldn't they be proud that the one receiving it would melt when receiving it? Or why can't men show their love in other ways? Or other days? Must a day be logged down as the official remember-to-show-your-love day?
Well, I guess the Singapore men has a long way to go when it comes to being romantic. I have to remind my guy friends around me to do something special for his woman every now and then. I guess it escapes their mind how to be romantic after the chasing is done.
But not to condemn all men, I do remember many a romantic moments some of my friends have shared with me. This ranged from sending a bouquet to serenading with the violin.
As for me, I do remember many a memorable moment too on Valentine's Day. From working overtime, to baking cookies to give to friends, the day still reminds me that love does exist despite the commercialism.
The most memorable must have been three years back, when I helped my friend's husband propose to her, complete with her favourite food, flowers, candles and jazz music, the taxi driver that drove me to her home shared with me how his daughters fell in love and married. He learnt what I was doing for my friend and he said, "Some day, somebody's going to do the same for you." It made giving a whole new perspective.
Til today, I still smile and feel the happiness when I see couples fall in love, or show their love for each other. I guess in a way, it makes me still believe that some day, "somebody's going to do the same for me".
:)
10 January 2008
Ever wondered...
I love to think. Don't ask why but I love to do it. And sometimes, I wonder why things are the way they are. I'm listing down some questions here, and I'm wondering if anyone has any answers to these..
1. Why doesn't the undies of The Incredible Hulk rip when everything else does?
2. Why does Donald Duck not wear pants but wears a swim suit when he goes swimming?
3. If Winnie is a girl's name, then is Pooh Bear a female or male bear?
It's fun sometimes to inquire, think and generate answers. It was how I found out the difference between an ox and a bull.
So go wonder!
:)
1. Why doesn't the undies of The Incredible Hulk rip when everything else does?
2. Why does Donald Duck not wear pants but wears a swim suit when he goes swimming?
3. If Winnie is a girl's name, then is Pooh Bear a female or male bear?
It's fun sometimes to inquire, think and generate answers. It was how I found out the difference between an ox and a bull.
So go wonder!
:)
Hoops & Yoyo
A friend of mine sent me a Hoops & Yoyo Christmas card and I've been hooked to these two insanely irritatingly cute creatures since. For the uninitiated, go check them out at www.hoopsandyoyo.com.
A Hallmark creation, they never fail to put a smile on one's face by their sheer irritation. But in all honesty, I think there is a little Hoops and Yoyo in everyone of us.
Someone bring Hoops & Yoyo to Singapore!
24 December 2007
Life's Changing
Sometimes, I have to admit it. I am getting old. Not that I'm dreading it, but it's sometimes amazing to just look back and notice how much I've changed.
For one, I'm losing my baby fat, look older and I've begun to grow crow's feet around my eyes. I get tired more easily, and bruises take longer to heal. I can't remember numbers as well, and I need a notebook or my trusty PDA to remind me of things to do. If my mind and body were likened to a computer, I feel I'm not running on the latest hardware.
But life goes on, and I'm embracing every moment of it.
For one, I am more aware of what I want to do in life. I am more confident, and know how to deal with difficult situations better. I want to experience life a whole lot more and I'm more game to explore the world.
That is the courage and strength you gather as you experience life with gusto, with all its ups and downs. I get tired once in a while. But knowing that I'm being moulded and groomed along the way makes me look at things in a different perspective. And it makes living life more fulfilling.
Yup, my life is changing, and I'm enjoying it.
:)
For one, I'm losing my baby fat, look older and I've begun to grow crow's feet around my eyes. I get tired more easily, and bruises take longer to heal. I can't remember numbers as well, and I need a notebook or my trusty PDA to remind me of things to do. If my mind and body were likened to a computer, I feel I'm not running on the latest hardware.
But life goes on, and I'm embracing every moment of it.
For one, I am more aware of what I want to do in life. I am more confident, and know how to deal with difficult situations better. I want to experience life a whole lot more and I'm more game to explore the world.
That is the courage and strength you gather as you experience life with gusto, with all its ups and downs. I get tired once in a while. But knowing that I'm being moulded and groomed along the way makes me look at things in a different perspective. And it makes living life more fulfilling.
Yup, my life is changing, and I'm enjoying it.
:)
13 November 2007
What I have been up to...
I felt the need to blow away the dust on my blogging keyboard as I heard the call for "UPDATES!" from my students.
It's not that I've been lazy, but rather, I've been terribly busy, only to be able to take a breather these few days, and unfortunately falling ill after a stretch of being "overworked".
I had just finished running a Ministerial event, and for a three-day period, I saw myself running up and down, here and there and meeting tight deadlines. It didn't help with the numerous changes being made, and all I had to do was to brave myself to adapt to these changes, ensuring that standards of event management wasn't compromised. I hardly had sleep, and even went to work on weekends just to get things in order.
But it was fairly fulfilling that after the whole thing was over, there were praise and accolades for a job well done. Personally, I felt that there was more room for improvement, and it's gotten my rusty gear started again in event management.
I came down with a bad migraine today, and later fever. My doc said I'm down with viral fever but was happy for me that I'm no longer teaching so I don't have to see him so often for throat infection!
Just three weeks back, I ran a workshop on leadership and communication for a group of 40 plus students in Hougang Secondary. Using Emergenetics, the course I did when I was in Hong Kong last year, the students learnt about their strengths and recognised these in the light of leadership. It was pretty fun getting back into the classroom again. And what was more encouraging was the feedback I received - they totally loved it! :)
As for now, I'm keeping my hands busy preparing for my dear brother's wedding. The wedding invites just went out and I'm happy that those who received the invites loved it! :) I'm happy too that I managed to get my bro a good singer and pianist for Mass, and for Msgr Vaz to con-celebrate the Mass. I just now have to take care of the little minute details bit by bit...
I just hope my health keeps up with my enthusiasm! :)
It's not that I've been lazy, but rather, I've been terribly busy, only to be able to take a breather these few days, and unfortunately falling ill after a stretch of being "overworked".
I had just finished running a Ministerial event, and for a three-day period, I saw myself running up and down, here and there and meeting tight deadlines. It didn't help with the numerous changes being made, and all I had to do was to brave myself to adapt to these changes, ensuring that standards of event management wasn't compromised. I hardly had sleep, and even went to work on weekends just to get things in order.
But it was fairly fulfilling that after the whole thing was over, there were praise and accolades for a job well done. Personally, I felt that there was more room for improvement, and it's gotten my rusty gear started again in event management.
I came down with a bad migraine today, and later fever. My doc said I'm down with viral fever but was happy for me that I'm no longer teaching so I don't have to see him so often for throat infection!
Just three weeks back, I ran a workshop on leadership and communication for a group of 40 plus students in Hougang Secondary. Using Emergenetics, the course I did when I was in Hong Kong last year, the students learnt about their strengths and recognised these in the light of leadership. It was pretty fun getting back into the classroom again. And what was more encouraging was the feedback I received - they totally loved it! :)
As for now, I'm keeping my hands busy preparing for my dear brother's wedding. The wedding invites just went out and I'm happy that those who received the invites loved it! :) I'm happy too that I managed to get my bro a good singer and pianist for Mass, and for Msgr Vaz to con-celebrate the Mass. I just now have to take care of the little minute details bit by bit...
I just hope my health keeps up with my enthusiasm! :)
12 October 2007
Updates...
Thanks my dear students for tagging and leaving notes on my blog. It never fails to put a smile on my face to read your notes! I am touched that you are working hard on your English, remembering what I taught you... I am really proud of your achievements, and do realise, you did it all yourself!! So, do be encouraged to strive hard and stretch yourself to your fullest potential!
Now about my life that you've all been wanting to know. I'm doing a contract term with the Land Transport Authority now, taking a semester's sabbatical off Republic Poly. In between, I saw myself travelling to Phnom Penh, and just over the weekend to Krabi. It sure is something I wouldn't have done if I were teaching! But working at LTA has kept me busy as I go about running events and doing what I do best - events and design. In between, I do my English education justice by doing freelance writing and editing. All of these have kept me from updating my blog!
Not teaching has its fulfilments though. I feel I'm learning much more of the world outside. But despite that, I hope that through this blog, I can continue to teach my students things out of the classroom, and walk with them their journey as they grow. After all, teaching had its fair share of fulfilments too.
The working world is indeed challenging, and I hope my students will prepare themselves fully before they head out. What does it take to be prepared? Firstly, and most importantly is a change in mindset. Learn to look at things from different points of view. Don't think that anything is ever too low for you to do. I started out at Raffles Hotel wondering why I had to do data entry and mail merge. Til I headed to the next company that didn't know how to set up their database. I started the database for the company and taught them mail merge. They were so thankful! It was then that I realised how useful everything you learn can be.
What some of you are doing right now, persevering, is also another habit to keep. Resilience is something that will keep you going when you face with challenges in the working world. I face lots of frustrations sometimes. But I keep my goal in mind, and find ways to solve my problem. Giving up doesn't become an option when you're determined to get something done.
So keep up your determination to succeed. The only person in control of your success is yourself.
:)
Now about my life that you've all been wanting to know. I'm doing a contract term with the Land Transport Authority now, taking a semester's sabbatical off Republic Poly. In between, I saw myself travelling to Phnom Penh, and just over the weekend to Krabi. It sure is something I wouldn't have done if I were teaching! But working at LTA has kept me busy as I go about running events and doing what I do best - events and design. In between, I do my English education justice by doing freelance writing and editing. All of these have kept me from updating my blog!
Not teaching has its fulfilments though. I feel I'm learning much more of the world outside. But despite that, I hope that through this blog, I can continue to teach my students things out of the classroom, and walk with them their journey as they grow. After all, teaching had its fair share of fulfilments too.
The working world is indeed challenging, and I hope my students will prepare themselves fully before they head out. What does it take to be prepared? Firstly, and most importantly is a change in mindset. Learn to look at things from different points of view. Don't think that anything is ever too low for you to do. I started out at Raffles Hotel wondering why I had to do data entry and mail merge. Til I headed to the next company that didn't know how to set up their database. I started the database for the company and taught them mail merge. They were so thankful! It was then that I realised how useful everything you learn can be.
What some of you are doing right now, persevering, is also another habit to keep. Resilience is something that will keep you going when you face with challenges in the working world. I face lots of frustrations sometimes. But I keep my goal in mind, and find ways to solve my problem. Giving up doesn't become an option when you're determined to get something done.
So keep up your determination to succeed. The only person in control of your success is yourself.
:)
03 September 2007
A tribute to my teachers
This comes a little late since it's past teachers' day. But I thought I'd pen down this entry since I have been inspired and influenced by teachers throughout my life. They are not necessarily those that you find in schools, but they have shared their knowledge in some way, making them teachers in their own special way.
My Primary 1 form teacher and also art teacher, Mrs Goh sparked my interest in art. With her immaculate complexion and long fingers, she showed me what it was like to embrace art - be it drawing in crayons, painting in water colours or dabbling with clay. She encouraged my creativity and made me believe I had an artistic flair when I doubted my own talents. "Deborah's drawings are bold and creative. A+." I couldn't ask for anything better in my report book. :)
Mrs Yeoh, my Maths teacher in Primary 5 made me believe scoring in Maths is all about practice. She had no qualms about giving us a page of 10 or more problem sums every day. "It's easy", she'd tell us. And I believed her. So I persevered every night, celebrating in my little achievements in every small problem I solved. It's the same with life today. I learn to celebrate every achievement, however small they may be. It's good for the soul. :)
Miss Menon, my form teacher and also my history teacher in Sec 1 made me realise that you've got to work hard for your goals. She'd refuse to give us half a mark to pass. "You want the half mark? You work for it." And it motivated me to move my grades in history from a 49.5 to a 89 by the end of the year. I worked hard for it. Today, I still believe in the same philosophy. I don't believe in free rides. If I want something, I work for it. And I teach using the same philosophy. It makes us stronger people at the end of it all when we learn to overcome our obstacles and learn from our mistakes.
Mr Tan, my Literature teacher in JC encouraged me to look at things from different points of view. He did this through literature, encouraging us to "think - what is the writer trying to say here?" He made literature alive in the classroom with his fatherly tales and having no qualms about showing us how writers in the earlier years filled their writings with sexual innuendos - Shakespeare especially! How can you not love your two years in Literature class when it's always filled with laughter and cracking your head trying to figure out what the writer is trying to say? Not to mention ice-cream parties at his home. :)
My philosophy lecturer in NUS, Wayne Patterson was the best ever lecturer I had while studying there. He was so logical and systematic in his teaching, he stood for what he was teaching - sentence logic! He made philosophy so interesting, I went on taking 5 other elective modules in the subject, scoring distinctions. Till this day, I keep the book he wrote. "It's the best book", he says. "I know cos I wrote it." He's right! Learning the subject shaped my thinking, bearing in mind logical arguments and how to systematically frame them so it is free from fallacies. It is no secret why I love having debates and teaching argumentative writing when I was teaching in school!
My social psychology lecturer, and later my boss, Ong Jin Hui made a difference in my life just by caring. He noted that I was nodding off in his class and pulled me out to understand why. I told him I was maxing out my time to work so I could pay for my fees and expenses. "Life may be unfair sometimes, but whatever you do, don't ever sink in self-pity." It gave me strength to stand up tall despite the challenges I was facing back then. I learnt to live my life with dignity, and to work hard for what I want to achieve.
Later at work, his leadership made me learn what it's like to be a good leader. He was visionary and daring. But most of all, he cared for his staff. How many bosses do you know cooks a 10-course Chinese meal for his staff every year? And he even serves us in his own home. We worked hard, but he always stood up for us to ensure we were treated well. I learnt that being a good leader isn't just about being at the top. It's about being kind and taking care of your people. It's about believing in your team while believing in yourself. Till today, I still call him up for advice. And we still call him "Boss".:)
Whilst working at NUS, I came across pretty cool lecturers that hailed from the States. Their teaching styles inspired me to be a teacher and reinvent learning. They used videos (and even allowed the students to bring in popped corn to the conference room while they were shown!) and even invited an ice-cream vendor in to illustrate difficult concepts. They taught me that learning takes place everywhere. We just have to be more sensitive to how to harness the environment for our learning. Jay Walder, John Thomas, David Newman, Tom Schaub - thanks for inspiring me! :)
My NIE tutor, Dr Rebecca Ang had a way of teaching that made me want to attend every class and listen to every word. There was something about her that made me tell myself at the end of the module, "I want to teach like her." She has boundless energy. She seemed to be having her hands on everything and yet she still remains inspired.
My ex-boss Dr Teng Su Ching never fails to amaze me with her limitless energy, resilience and perseverance. She showed my by example that it's never too late to get your PhD, that you can do as many things as you want to at any one time, that you can juggle work, public service, community work and a family, and still have time for a manicure. She is the epitome of work-life balance. She's a firm woman with a heart of gold. She's been a guiding light and a source of encouragement since I decided to quit teaching. "Just take the leap, Deb," she told me. "You'd be so excited about the things that come after that." And she's been right so far!
Uncle Joel has taught me to learn to take care of myself. "Sometimes, you have to take a step back to make the leap forward." It reminds me that in the midst of all the busy-ness, I need to take care of myself. And he's right.
Looking back, I am blessed to be surrounded by the many "teachers". I'm sure God planted them in my life for a reason, and I can't thank Him enough.
Most of all, I thank God for giving me the two best teachers - my mum, who taught me how to live my life looking at the glass half full instead of half empty, and my brother, who taught me selflessness through his generosity. He is also my "walking google" who seems to know all the answers to my queries.
Every day is a day of learning, and I'm glad I'm surrounded by a whole host of wonderful teachers who are impacting my life each and every day.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
:)
My Primary 1 form teacher and also art teacher, Mrs Goh sparked my interest in art. With her immaculate complexion and long fingers, she showed me what it was like to embrace art - be it drawing in crayons, painting in water colours or dabbling with clay. She encouraged my creativity and made me believe I had an artistic flair when I doubted my own talents. "Deborah's drawings are bold and creative. A+." I couldn't ask for anything better in my report book. :)
Mrs Yeoh, my Maths teacher in Primary 5 made me believe scoring in Maths is all about practice. She had no qualms about giving us a page of 10 or more problem sums every day. "It's easy", she'd tell us. And I believed her. So I persevered every night, celebrating in my little achievements in every small problem I solved. It's the same with life today. I learn to celebrate every achievement, however small they may be. It's good for the soul. :)
Miss Menon, my form teacher and also my history teacher in Sec 1 made me realise that you've got to work hard for your goals. She'd refuse to give us half a mark to pass. "You want the half mark? You work for it." And it motivated me to move my grades in history from a 49.5 to a 89 by the end of the year. I worked hard for it. Today, I still believe in the same philosophy. I don't believe in free rides. If I want something, I work for it. And I teach using the same philosophy. It makes us stronger people at the end of it all when we learn to overcome our obstacles and learn from our mistakes.
Mr Tan, my Literature teacher in JC encouraged me to look at things from different points of view. He did this through literature, encouraging us to "think - what is the writer trying to say here?" He made literature alive in the classroom with his fatherly tales and having no qualms about showing us how writers in the earlier years filled their writings with sexual innuendos - Shakespeare especially! How can you not love your two years in Literature class when it's always filled with laughter and cracking your head trying to figure out what the writer is trying to say? Not to mention ice-cream parties at his home. :)
My philosophy lecturer in NUS, Wayne Patterson was the best ever lecturer I had while studying there. He was so logical and systematic in his teaching, he stood for what he was teaching - sentence logic! He made philosophy so interesting, I went on taking 5 other elective modules in the subject, scoring distinctions. Till this day, I keep the book he wrote. "It's the best book", he says. "I know cos I wrote it." He's right! Learning the subject shaped my thinking, bearing in mind logical arguments and how to systematically frame them so it is free from fallacies. It is no secret why I love having debates and teaching argumentative writing when I was teaching in school!
My social psychology lecturer, and later my boss, Ong Jin Hui made a difference in my life just by caring. He noted that I was nodding off in his class and pulled me out to understand why. I told him I was maxing out my time to work so I could pay for my fees and expenses. "Life may be unfair sometimes, but whatever you do, don't ever sink in self-pity." It gave me strength to stand up tall despite the challenges I was facing back then. I learnt to live my life with dignity, and to work hard for what I want to achieve.
Later at work, his leadership made me learn what it's like to be a good leader. He was visionary and daring. But most of all, he cared for his staff. How many bosses do you know cooks a 10-course Chinese meal for his staff every year? And he even serves us in his own home. We worked hard, but he always stood up for us to ensure we were treated well. I learnt that being a good leader isn't just about being at the top. It's about being kind and taking care of your people. It's about believing in your team while believing in yourself. Till today, I still call him up for advice. And we still call him "Boss".:)
Whilst working at NUS, I came across pretty cool lecturers that hailed from the States. Their teaching styles inspired me to be a teacher and reinvent learning. They used videos (and even allowed the students to bring in popped corn to the conference room while they were shown!) and even invited an ice-cream vendor in to illustrate difficult concepts. They taught me that learning takes place everywhere. We just have to be more sensitive to how to harness the environment for our learning. Jay Walder, John Thomas, David Newman, Tom Schaub - thanks for inspiring me! :)
My NIE tutor, Dr Rebecca Ang had a way of teaching that made me want to attend every class and listen to every word. There was something about her that made me tell myself at the end of the module, "I want to teach like her." She has boundless energy. She seemed to be having her hands on everything and yet she still remains inspired.
My ex-boss Dr Teng Su Ching never fails to amaze me with her limitless energy, resilience and perseverance. She showed my by example that it's never too late to get your PhD, that you can do as many things as you want to at any one time, that you can juggle work, public service, community work and a family, and still have time for a manicure. She is the epitome of work-life balance. She's a firm woman with a heart of gold. She's been a guiding light and a source of encouragement since I decided to quit teaching. "Just take the leap, Deb," she told me. "You'd be so excited about the things that come after that." And she's been right so far!
Uncle Joel has taught me to learn to take care of myself. "Sometimes, you have to take a step back to make the leap forward." It reminds me that in the midst of all the busy-ness, I need to take care of myself. And he's right.
Looking back, I am blessed to be surrounded by the many "teachers". I'm sure God planted them in my life for a reason, and I can't thank Him enough.
Most of all, I thank God for giving me the two best teachers - my mum, who taught me how to live my life looking at the glass half full instead of half empty, and my brother, who taught me selflessness through his generosity. He is also my "walking google" who seems to know all the answers to my queries.
Every day is a day of learning, and I'm glad I'm surrounded by a whole host of wonderful teachers who are impacting my life each and every day.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
:)
26 August 2007
Life is fragile
It is difficult dealing with death. And more so when you come so close to experiencing it.
I had a full day of meetings on Friday, one of which was at Holy Innocents' - the school I was formerly teaching at. I was just about to leave for the meeting when my brother informed me over msn that one of our students had passed away in an accident in the morning. I gathered his name, and though I hadn't taught him before, I vaguely knew who he was.
It was evident that both teachers and students were traumatised by the accident. It definitely came as a sudden shock for many. Groups of students were seen being counselled in different rooms. And though many didn't know him, all had a common heart of compassion.
The chapel became a room of solace as a group of students and teachers came together in prayer while others penned down their thoughts in a book placed in front of the altar.
It was an especially sad day for the school, and for each one of us, the accident made us reflect in our own way.
With the passing of my uncle just a week before, another death created a deeper impact on me. It made me realise how fragile life is. And that it can end anytime. It can get scary sometimes, thinking that you may leave this world with lots of things left undone, and lots of things left unsaid.
I reflected on my life. I am one who has lots on her plate. I live by the day but plan by the year and beyond. I want to experience as much as possible and learn as much as possible. My philosophy was - if life was so short, I should maximise it, and do all I can while on earth.
However, sometimes, this is done at the expense of other things - spending time with my loved ones for example. And when the calculations are done at the end of the day, it's hard to decide which is more valuable. Both matter to me just as much.
The passing on of someone always makes us value our lives much more. And I wish it doesn't have to be this way. That we will learn to treasure our life and that of others every day. That we will learn to live our lives to the fullest every day. That we will learn to forgive or tell that someone we love him or her. That we will thank the one above for giving us the gift of life. That we don't have to experience the death of someone to remind us that life is precious and fragile. And that we should treat it with love and care.
I said a prayer for the souls of Gabriel and my uncle as I knelt down in church today. They probably had a lot left undone before leaving us. But I pray that they may rest in peace in the love of our God up in heaven.
I had a full day of meetings on Friday, one of which was at Holy Innocents' - the school I was formerly teaching at. I was just about to leave for the meeting when my brother informed me over msn that one of our students had passed away in an accident in the morning. I gathered his name, and though I hadn't taught him before, I vaguely knew who he was.
It was evident that both teachers and students were traumatised by the accident. It definitely came as a sudden shock for many. Groups of students were seen being counselled in different rooms. And though many didn't know him, all had a common heart of compassion.
The chapel became a room of solace as a group of students and teachers came together in prayer while others penned down their thoughts in a book placed in front of the altar.
It was an especially sad day for the school, and for each one of us, the accident made us reflect in our own way.
With the passing of my uncle just a week before, another death created a deeper impact on me. It made me realise how fragile life is. And that it can end anytime. It can get scary sometimes, thinking that you may leave this world with lots of things left undone, and lots of things left unsaid.
I reflected on my life. I am one who has lots on her plate. I live by the day but plan by the year and beyond. I want to experience as much as possible and learn as much as possible. My philosophy was - if life was so short, I should maximise it, and do all I can while on earth.
However, sometimes, this is done at the expense of other things - spending time with my loved ones for example. And when the calculations are done at the end of the day, it's hard to decide which is more valuable. Both matter to me just as much.
The passing on of someone always makes us value our lives much more. And I wish it doesn't have to be this way. That we will learn to treasure our life and that of others every day. That we will learn to live our lives to the fullest every day. That we will learn to forgive or tell that someone we love him or her. That we will thank the one above for giving us the gift of life. That we don't have to experience the death of someone to remind us that life is precious and fragile. And that we should treat it with love and care.
I said a prayer for the souls of Gabriel and my uncle as I knelt down in church today. They probably had a lot left undone before leaving us. But I pray that they may rest in peace in the love of our God up in heaven.
22 August 2007
My uncle.
My uncle (my mum's brother) passed away last Friday after a long battle with cancer. During the last two months when he was at the hospice, we prayed that he would be relieved of his suffering. It wasn't that we had wanted him to leave us, but that it pained us to see him suffering in pain.
Still, the hospice was a haven for him compared to the hospital he was in. His needs were met and the nurses gave him his dignity back in his last moments on earth. There wasn't much the doctors nor nurses could do except to inject him with yet more doses of morphine to ease the pain. But still, they took care of him as much as they could, checking on him and ensuring he was comfortable.
I saw my uncle at the hospice about two weeks before he passed away. He was sleeping and breathing uncomfortably from his mouth. His throat was filled with phlegm that he found difficult to clear away. It hindered his breathing and brought discomfort to his breathing passage.
I don't know if he heard me when I called him, held his hands and told him I had come to visit him. I didn't want to wake him up in case it made him unnecessarily tired. But deep in me, I hoped he knew I was there, holding his hands to comfort him and tell him to not be afraid to go back to God.
My uncle was especially close to my family. Not having any children on his own, he took his nieces and nephews as his children. He had his own way of caring. And in not so many words, he showed his love for us. My brother and I never forgot how he got us a TV when ours was taken away, and how he would lend his us DVDs to keep us entertained. He loved music, and shared this with us every Chinese New Year when we visited him in his home. With a large projection screen in his small flat, it was really like watching a movie in a cinema!
My uncle was simple man with a kind heart. My mum told me once that went to find out how to send money to a family who was involved in an accident once. And he went all out just to ensure that was done. It's not that he's rich. He just has a heart of gold.
This Christmas, it would be different without my uncle. We would miss him for sure. But we are happy that he has been relieved of his pain. And perhaps, he is up there in heaven with God, looking down on us.
Still, the hospice was a haven for him compared to the hospital he was in. His needs were met and the nurses gave him his dignity back in his last moments on earth. There wasn't much the doctors nor nurses could do except to inject him with yet more doses of morphine to ease the pain. But still, they took care of him as much as they could, checking on him and ensuring he was comfortable.
I saw my uncle at the hospice about two weeks before he passed away. He was sleeping and breathing uncomfortably from his mouth. His throat was filled with phlegm that he found difficult to clear away. It hindered his breathing and brought discomfort to his breathing passage.
I don't know if he heard me when I called him, held his hands and told him I had come to visit him. I didn't want to wake him up in case it made him unnecessarily tired. But deep in me, I hoped he knew I was there, holding his hands to comfort him and tell him to not be afraid to go back to God.
My uncle was especially close to my family. Not having any children on his own, he took his nieces and nephews as his children. He had his own way of caring. And in not so many words, he showed his love for us. My brother and I never forgot how he got us a TV when ours was taken away, and how he would lend his us DVDs to keep us entertained. He loved music, and shared this with us every Chinese New Year when we visited him in his home. With a large projection screen in his small flat, it was really like watching a movie in a cinema!
My uncle was simple man with a kind heart. My mum told me once that went to find out how to send money to a family who was involved in an accident once. And he went all out just to ensure that was done. It's not that he's rich. He just has a heart of gold.
This Christmas, it would be different without my uncle. We would miss him for sure. But we are happy that he has been relieved of his pain. And perhaps, he is up there in heaven with God, looking down on us.
19 July 2007
A new teaching environment
It's just been three weeks since I started facilitating at the Republic Poly, and I must say, I really like the environment there. For one who's always embraced out of the box ideas, RP has certainly not disappointed me.
I facilitate two year one classes in Enterprise Skills, basically exposing students will work-related issues such as teamwork, performance, conflict and understanding how to be excellent employees, if not employers.
And I must say, there is something different about the pedagogy at RP that makes my year one students really endearing.
For one, they are self-motivated learners. I don't have to bug them to fill up their PDTs or do their RJs. I don't have to tell lecture nor teach. Instead, I facilitate a discussion that stimulates them to want to find out more. They google, they wikipedia, they encarta. They basically find everything they need to know on the web, resulting in learning, literally outside the classroom.
And, with a system that ensures they work in groups every day, and different groups for that matter, I find my students not working with their usual friends, but mixing and working well with everyone - across diplomas.
At the end of the day, I will say that these students will come out of school being more independent, resourceful, problem-solving individuals who can work well with others.
So what if RP had gotten rid of the books, the lectures, the tutorials, the exams and the internships? I think they've got a pretty darn neat system going with the students armed with laptops in hand and a critically thinking head.
I facilitate two year one classes in Enterprise Skills, basically exposing students will work-related issues such as teamwork, performance, conflict and understanding how to be excellent employees, if not employers.
And I must say, there is something different about the pedagogy at RP that makes my year one students really endearing.
For one, they are self-motivated learners. I don't have to bug them to fill up their PDTs or do their RJs. I don't have to tell lecture nor teach. Instead, I facilitate a discussion that stimulates them to want to find out more. They google, they wikipedia, they encarta. They basically find everything they need to know on the web, resulting in learning, literally outside the classroom.
And, with a system that ensures they work in groups every day, and different groups for that matter, I find my students not working with their usual friends, but mixing and working well with everyone - across diplomas.
At the end of the day, I will say that these students will come out of school being more independent, resourceful, problem-solving individuals who can work well with others.
So what if RP had gotten rid of the books, the lectures, the tutorials, the exams and the internships? I think they've got a pretty darn neat system going with the students armed with laptops in hand and a critically thinking head.
06 July 2007
This one's for my students!
When they said that teaching is a fulfilling job, they weren't lying. Indeed, I am touched that even after I've left the education ministry, my relationship with my students live on. Even after my students have graduated, I still keep in touch with them. Best of all, they treat me like a friend more than a teacher, but with respect and care.
And so, I thank especially my students...
From Alfred who calls me "Miss Chewie", or Justin who calls me "idiot", or Huishan who calls me "starfish", and Fionella, Debra and Abigail for tagging and leaving long comments on my blog (I love long comments!), I appreciate them all... Not to mention Anne, and Michelle, and Nicholas, and.... Thanks for tagging!
And for the girls in 2 Unity who asked my brother if I missed them (Yes, I do...) and Fidella who just wants to talk over msn to keep in touch, I appreciate it all.
And to my students who have since left school - Tok, Brandon, Zuliang...thanks for visiting before I left HIHS.. Jocelyn for shouting "yeh!! You're at RP with me! Let's have lunch!!" over msn.. and Xunfu and Michelle Lim too! Let's get together all at RP! :)
And to all the students I've taught before (and not mentioned here..)... Thank you for touching my heart. I hope I've touched yours too!
And so, I thank especially my students...
From Alfred who calls me "Miss Chewie", or Justin who calls me "idiot", or Huishan who calls me "starfish", and Fionella, Debra and Abigail for tagging and leaving long comments on my blog (I love long comments!), I appreciate them all... Not to mention Anne, and Michelle, and Nicholas, and.... Thanks for tagging!
And for the girls in 2 Unity who asked my brother if I missed them (Yes, I do...) and Fidella who just wants to talk over msn to keep in touch, I appreciate it all.
And to my students who have since left school - Tok, Brandon, Zuliang...thanks for visiting before I left HIHS.. Jocelyn for shouting "yeh!! You're at RP with me! Let's have lunch!!" over msn.. and Xunfu and Michelle Lim too! Let's get together all at RP! :)
And to all the students I've taught before (and not mentioned here..)... Thank you for touching my heart. I hope I've touched yours too!
04 July 2007
It's all OK after all...
The first day of my facilitation at RP went well after all... well, minus the little fight outside my class, the fact that I couldn't project my PowerPoint slides, and that my students didn't fair too well at the daily test...
But that aside, I am proud of my little achievement, for keeping the nerves so in check that one of my students asked me - are you like an "old bird" here?
I thank my best friend for reminding me to focus not on myself but on the students instead. That helped lift the pressure a lot.. I also thank my lots-of-potential ex-student, Alfred for sending me that encouraging sms last night... and also all my dear Sec 2 Unity and 2 Charity students for tagging the encouraging words.. Even my former students currently studying at RP msned me to check on me - thanks Slowpoke! And Michelle Lim for popping by to visit me. :)
It's been a fulfilling day as I get to know another 22 students today and facilitated their learning on conflict management.
As I wind down for the day, I'd like to sit back and relish my little achievement. I do think I deserve this little break for now!
But that aside, I am proud of my little achievement, for keeping the nerves so in check that one of my students asked me - are you like an "old bird" here?
I thank my best friend for reminding me to focus not on myself but on the students instead. That helped lift the pressure a lot.. I also thank my lots-of-potential ex-student, Alfred for sending me that encouraging sms last night... and also all my dear Sec 2 Unity and 2 Charity students for tagging the encouraging words.. Even my former students currently studying at RP msned me to check on me - thanks Slowpoke! And Michelle Lim for popping by to visit me. :)
It's been a fulfilling day as I get to know another 22 students today and facilitated their learning on conflict management.
As I wind down for the day, I'd like to sit back and relish my little achievement. I do think I deserve this little break for now!
03 July 2007
The New Teacher
Tomorrow, I take the place of "the-new-teacher" in the class I'd be facilitating at RP. The previous facilitator left on short notice, so I come in as easy replacement.
It's not easy taking over a class. For one, the class has already formed their culture and habits. With you as the newbie coming in, you're in a position where you have to work harder to fit in.
On top of that, the pressure hits you harder when the previous teacher happens to be one that the students totally like. And I happen to be in that position.
Looking through the previous journal entries, it became apparent that the students really loved their previous facilitator - "awww man! I'll miss you!","come visit us!", "you're the best facilitator!".
Less than 24 hours before my first facilitation class at RP, I feel the pressure building up. Not only will I have to grapple with the new technology - uploading worksheets, marking attendance, keying in remarks etc all in a wireless and paperless environment, I will also have to remember all that I've been taught at PBL Foundation - AND try to fill in the shoes of the previous facilitator.
A part of me wished I had one of my former students in the class. A familiar face always helps calm nerves. But no luck. I checked the list. All fresh faces.
I take a deep breath and gather all the courage I have. Tomorrow, I intend to make a "starfish" difference. And I hope my new students be nice to calm my the-new-teacher jitters.
It's not easy taking over a class. For one, the class has already formed their culture and habits. With you as the newbie coming in, you're in a position where you have to work harder to fit in.
On top of that, the pressure hits you harder when the previous teacher happens to be one that the students totally like. And I happen to be in that position.
Looking through the previous journal entries, it became apparent that the students really loved their previous facilitator - "awww man! I'll miss you!","come visit us!", "you're the best facilitator!".
Less than 24 hours before my first facilitation class at RP, I feel the pressure building up. Not only will I have to grapple with the new technology - uploading worksheets, marking attendance, keying in remarks etc all in a wireless and paperless environment, I will also have to remember all that I've been taught at PBL Foundation - AND try to fill in the shoes of the previous facilitator.
A part of me wished I had one of my former students in the class. A familiar face always helps calm nerves. But no luck. I checked the list. All fresh faces.
I take a deep breath and gather all the courage I have. Tomorrow, I intend to make a "starfish" difference. And I hope my new students be nice to calm my the-new-teacher jitters.
26 June 2007
Project Happy Feet
For those of you who have read about my recent trip to Siem Reap, you would have heard my story about how the village children go around without footwear. And you would have heard about how I'd like to start a little project - Project Happy Feet to get a large number of slippers to be shipped over to them.
And so, far and wide, I am making a call to whoever who thinks they can contribute in some way to bring these slippers to the children. For example, if you...
a) Know a slipper manufacturer/supplier who can sponsor or sell cheap slippers
b) Know someone in the cargo company who can fly/ship the slippers over free
c) Would like to donate in some monetary terms
d) Can spread the word round so we have more hands to contribute
e) Think you can lend a hand in any way to Project Happy Feet
Do drop me an email at projecthappyfeet@gmail.com, stating how you can be contacted, and how you'd like to contribute.
Bless your good heart! I'm sure the children will be very thankful in whatever way you'd be contributing.
Let's make many happy feet!
:)
And so, far and wide, I am making a call to whoever who thinks they can contribute in some way to bring these slippers to the children. For example, if you...
a) Know a slipper manufacturer/supplier who can sponsor or sell cheap slippers
b) Know someone in the cargo company who can fly/ship the slippers over free
c) Would like to donate in some monetary terms
d) Can spread the word round so we have more hands to contribute
e) Think you can lend a hand in any way to Project Happy Feet
Do drop me an email at projecthappyfeet@gmail.com, stating how you can be contacted, and how you'd like to contribute.
Bless your good heart! I'm sure the children will be very thankful in whatever way you'd be contributing.
Let's make many happy feet!
:)
Taking ownership of learning
It was the first day of school for my former students yesterday. It was also the first day of me having to work by myself from home. For both of us, it was taking a step out of the usual routine we've been having for the last four weeks of holidays.
I had a choice to make - to laze the whole day away, or make full use of it. I'm glad I did the latter by scheduling appointments for the rest of the week. I'm almost all booked up and I take it as a positive sign for me as I move on to my next endeavours in the field of education.
Each day for me these days is a day of learning. A learning that I take full ownership of. It's not easy as it takes resilience, discipline and foresight to see how one's efforts today will yield a better harvest for tomorrow. It's about foregoing immediate gratification for something more in the future.
And as I learn these days, I hope that my former students keep in mind what I've told them before I left school - that the learning is their own. It's not about who your teachers are, or how they teach. It's about how you want to choose to learn.
I've chosen to take ownership of my learning, and I hope my students do the same for themselves too.
I had a choice to make - to laze the whole day away, or make full use of it. I'm glad I did the latter by scheduling appointments for the rest of the week. I'm almost all booked up and I take it as a positive sign for me as I move on to my next endeavours in the field of education.
Each day for me these days is a day of learning. A learning that I take full ownership of. It's not easy as it takes resilience, discipline and foresight to see how one's efforts today will yield a better harvest for tomorrow. It's about foregoing immediate gratification for something more in the future.
And as I learn these days, I hope that my former students keep in mind what I've told them before I left school - that the learning is their own. It's not about who your teachers are, or how they teach. It's about how you want to choose to learn.
I've chosen to take ownership of my learning, and I hope my students do the same for themselves too.
10 June 2007
Reflections of an Educator
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.
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.
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!! :)