这是日本的独特风貌吧？电缆到处可见，让整洁的市容参插了些许的不规则……
在浅草 （asakusa）一间餐馆里拍的，淡黄的灯光是否呈现出淡淡的浪漫呢？
有名的子弹列车，承载的是否就只是快捷的服务而已？
浅草寺旁的一座孤塔
30 December 2007
Japan 2007
这是日本的独特风貌吧？电缆到处可见，让整洁的市容参插了些许的不规则……
在浅草 （asakusa）一间餐馆里拍的，淡黄的灯光是否呈现出淡淡的浪漫呢？
有名的子弹列车，承载的是否就只是快捷的服务而已？
浅草寺旁的一座孤塔
18 December 2007
Tokyo - Updating in Progress ... ...
And then there is Muji Food in Shinjuku (or was it somewhere else?), Tokyo... ...
Some Japanese food we had for a start
Japan in style! The famous Shibuya area in Tokyo, provided on request!
02 December 2007
Race Day!
okie supposedly my Standard Chartered Half Marathon this morning, and the photographs are like taken in a half-hearted manner.. haha cannot blame as the running is siong mah :p
Then i saw my uni fren there! Running first time! Me is 2nd time in 10 years! haha
Then had some time to drink water and walk, so took another picture at the 10-12 km mark...
then afte that no more photos le, cos too much distance ran and no mood... cos very siong! haha :p Wonder if i should take up the full marathon next year... hmm... and did i say my knees are hurting like h***? :p :p
Then i saw my uni fren there! Running first time! Me is 2nd time in 10 years! haha
Then had some time to drink water and walk, so took another picture at the 10-12 km mark...
then afte that no more photos le, cos too much distance ran and no mood... cos very siong! haha :p Wonder if i should take up the full marathon next year... hmm... and did i say my knees are hurting like h***? :p :p
01 December 2007
Astrology! Quite accurate in some and not so in others
http://www.my-way.com.tw/cgi-bin/v5all_wheel
你的工作註定是自主性強，獨立性強的...
跟你有緣的主管，是屬於授權型的，只看你的工作成果，不會過問太多...
老婆常生你的氣，叨唸你的不是...
喜歡自在生活的你，一生中仍免不了有許多的束縛及牽掛...
你是被女人帶大的，一生之中得到女性的幫助、照料也比較多...
你是個閒不下來的人，總要找點事讓自己有得忙...
你的老婆一生之中搬過不少次家，尤其是在年輕的時候...
老婆職場的際遇，免不了「組織人事常變動」的宿命...
你雖然是顧家的，但子女跟你仍有距離感，膩在一起的時間少；子女跟你的老婆比較親...
你是屬於「上班一條龍，下班一條蟲」這一型的人...
老婆的脾氣、性情跟你的很不一樣...
老婆從小便是個聽話的小孩，她不大會拒絕人...
你的老婆是個幕僚、幕後型的人才，不適合自行創業...
你具有旺父母的命格...
你的一生之中，常會省小錢，花大錢買貴重的東西，此命格其實是受到父母的影響...
你挺會賺錢，但也很會花錢...當你的工作資歷累積到一定程度之後，賺錢的能耐就會出現了...
你的職場生涯常是一種工作一做做很久...
你跟老婆相識的過程有種「近水樓台」的關係…
你是屬於「上班一條龍，下班一條蟲」這一型的人…
你是個口慾強，容易嘴饞的人…
你的老婆幼時家中曾有風波…
你的老婆的居家生活有懶散的一面，不像工作時那樣勤快…
你的老婆在表達感情方面跟你一樣是矜持的…
你是個注重生活品質的人…
你跟老婆的脾氣、性情很不一樣…
你對工作很投入，耐苦耐操…
你的老婆是個事業跟家庭很難同時兼顧的人…
你的工作註定是自主性強，獨立性強的...
跟你有緣的主管，是屬於授權型的，只看你的工作成果，不會過問太多...
老婆常生你的氣，叨唸你的不是...
喜歡自在生活的你，一生中仍免不了有許多的束縛及牽掛...
你是被女人帶大的，一生之中得到女性的幫助、照料也比較多...
你是個閒不下來的人，總要找點事讓自己有得忙...
你的老婆一生之中搬過不少次家，尤其是在年輕的時候...
老婆職場的際遇，免不了「組織人事常變動」的宿命...
你雖然是顧家的，但子女跟你仍有距離感，膩在一起的時間少；子女跟你的老婆比較親...
你是屬於「上班一條龍，下班一條蟲」這一型的人...
老婆的脾氣、性情跟你的很不一樣...
老婆從小便是個聽話的小孩，她不大會拒絕人...
你的老婆是個幕僚、幕後型的人才，不適合自行創業...
你具有旺父母的命格...
你的一生之中，常會省小錢，花大錢買貴重的東西，此命格其實是受到父母的影響...
你挺會賺錢，但也很會花錢...當你的工作資歷累積到一定程度之後，賺錢的能耐就會出現了...
你的職場生涯常是一種工作一做做很久...
你跟老婆相識的過程有種「近水樓台」的關係…
你是屬於「上班一條龍，下班一條蟲」這一型的人…
你是個口慾強，容易嘴饞的人…
你的老婆幼時家中曾有風波…
你的老婆的居家生活有懶散的一面，不像工作時那樣勤快…
你的老婆在表達感情方面跟你一樣是矜持的…
你是個注重生活品質的人…
你跟老婆的脾氣、性情很不一樣…
你對工作很投入，耐苦耐操…
你的老婆是個事業跟家庭很難同時兼顧的人…
29 November 2007
28 November 2007
A Christmas Tree
Was out with colleagues the other day when i saw an ex-student.
The same person; a different person.
People change sometimes.
Just like the Christmas tree, the same place, but different feelings.
25 November 2007
21 November 2007
日月如梭
As I was talking to the campcraft team the other day, It suddenly dawned that 13 years have since passed by... could still remember the very first day when my then CI Rongfa was still talking to us about the competition, the memories are clear on the final day itself, when some of us were crying and he was crying... such are perfect ones when you look back, and such are those that we don't speak about; something that is close to the heart, something that people don't usually bring up.
Time flies sometimes, doesn't it?
Time flies sometimes, doesn't it?
17 November 2007
Quote of the Day
"Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful."
- Albert Schweitzer
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful."
- Albert Schweitzer
15 November 2007
Duty
Is it due to lack of exercise or am I getting old? Just one day of kayaking and its aches all over...
06 November 2007
04 November 2007
01 November 2007
31 October 2007
写一首歌给你
写一首歌给你
琴声中轻轻地 轻轻地告诉你
一季节的美丽
写一首歌给你
在耳畔悄悄地 悄悄地告诉你
一世界的美丽
写一首歌给你 唱出我的心意
把欢乐的情绪 洒遍了大地
把那绿草青青 把那细雨滴滴
收集在琴声里
写一首歌给你
琴声中轻轻地 轻轻地告诉你
一季节的美丽
写一首歌给你
在耳畔悄悄地 悄悄地告诉你
一世界的美丽
写一首歌给你 唱出我的心意
把欢乐的情绪 洒遍了大地
把那绿草青青 把那细雨滴滴
收集在琴声里
写一首歌给你
29 October 2007
Life life life life
Life seems to go into grey mode ever since I was made the Presiding Examiner for the school. Waking up at 5am daily and leaving the house by 6am and the earliest timing to reach home was 530pm. Makes you feel like you are totally zapped off the world besides doing your job. It is a rather demoralizing task to undertake, a lot of work, not much of people accrediting you... and to make it worse, there must be loads of people who will be hating you for it, with all the scoldings and naggings that you have to do.
After work, you don't feel like doing anything else, you just want to go home, and you just want to do nothing.
Thus it was with this setting that I went on to still participate in the New Balance Real Run this year. It was a terrible mistake to not keep up with the training, the run almost made me stop with all the seemingly endless distance and the terrible terrible heat. But I told myself that I must not stop; giving up is like saying i surrender, and that is something that is very unlike me. So it was with great effort and pain when the finishing line was finally crossed, and I am glad to say that it was an hour and 41 mins... way below expectations, but relieved in a sense that i had overcame, and i did not walk, no matter how slow i had been.
So now its on to the Standard Chartered, and i hope this time round, it would not be as painful as the previous!
After work, you don't feel like doing anything else, you just want to go home, and you just want to do nothing.
Thus it was with this setting that I went on to still participate in the New Balance Real Run this year. It was a terrible mistake to not keep up with the training, the run almost made me stop with all the seemingly endless distance and the terrible terrible heat. But I told myself that I must not stop; giving up is like saying i surrender, and that is something that is very unlike me. So it was with great effort and pain when the finishing line was finally crossed, and I am glad to say that it was an hour and 41 mins... way below expectations, but relieved in a sense that i had overcame, and i did not walk, no matter how slow i had been.
So now its on to the Standard Chartered, and i hope this time round, it would not be as painful as the previous!
17 October 2007
污泥
有一些人就是如此的没有责任感。
有一些人天生就是注定要吃许多的苦头。
今天突然有一个很奇怪的想法：若是身边的人都是不诚实和没有使命感的一群，那么至少我要成为其中的荷花……出污泥而不染。
这样才会是有意义的人生吧？
有一些人天生就是注定要吃许多的苦头。
今天突然有一个很奇怪的想法：若是身边的人都是不诚实和没有使命感的一群，那么至少我要成为其中的荷花……出污泥而不染。
这样才会是有意义的人生吧？
15 October 2007
Philosophy of Life?
Was talking to T today and sort of got to the conclusion that life is not always a bed of roses. Sounds sort of cliche but nevertheless it is a very real thing that we face nowadays. Sort of realised that Singaporeans always expect things to come fully done and prepared for them no matter which aspect of life.
Then we came to talk about Mr Q and figured that he was so jovial most likely because he must have had seen worser things back home than in Singapore; which explains why he can be facing unsatisfactory situations with a relatively lighter heart.
Maybe sometimes we must learn to handle things before we complain and refuse to do them. If we learn to handle, things will be more likely to get settled. If we refuse to handle, things may get better or they may get worse. Hence maybe the former will be a better way of life, don't you agree?
Then we came to talk about Mr Q and figured that he was so jovial most likely because he must have had seen worser things back home than in Singapore; which explains why he can be facing unsatisfactory situations with a relatively lighter heart.
Maybe sometimes we must learn to handle things before we complain and refuse to do them. If we learn to handle, things will be more likely to get settled. If we refuse to handle, things may get better or they may get worse. Hence maybe the former will be a better way of life, don't you agree?
First Uninterrupted 10km Run!
First undisturbed 10km run with my heart rate monitor! Let's look at the statistics...
In zone at 80 - 90% maximum heart rate (MHR) for 49 mins and 22 seconds
Average Heart Rate was 163 beats per minute
Peak Heart Rate was 177 beats per minute
Minimum Heart Rate was 107 beats per minute
Total Calories Burnt was 1007
Total time for the approximately 11km run was 57:32:41
and of course not to mention the aches and pains :p
In zone at 80 - 90% maximum heart rate (MHR) for 49 mins and 22 seconds
Average Heart Rate was 163 beats per minute
Peak Heart Rate was 177 beats per minute
Minimum Heart Rate was 107 beats per minute
Total Calories Burnt was 1007
Total time for the approximately 11km run was 57:32:41
and of course not to mention the aches and pains :p
13 October 2007
坚持
朋友说35岁以前，他要月入为五位数的薪金；所以现在辛苦拼搏，忙碌自修、学习办公室政治都是必要的技能。也许出自对好友的关切，他奉劝我也应当如此，特别于人与人之间的沟通必须再三磨练。
但有意义的人生真是如此吗？
但有意义的人生真是如此吗？
08 October 2007
Life without your Form Class
So it was monday and it was already a bit lost in feeling... guess life goes a little weird without having the class around.
Used to feel stressed when there are always things to settle, the perpetually late people to settle, lessons to be learnt, values to impart, and today seemed sorta different, though it doesn't get any easier in the admin part of work.
Morning had to switch the computer to PC mode and the stupid cockpit system keeps giving problems, then there was a stressful phonecall to handle, admin from NPCC stuff again, marking for paper 2 of the chinese papers for sec 3s and before you know it, there was the long journey to make to MOE HQ for the O Level Examination briefing.
Yes, i am very suay to kenna Presiding examiner for the Os in the school, and the mere repeating of the instructions took an hour and a half! Few times into the very important briefing was my mind wondering and i had to ask Miss Toh what happened. Sheezz... now feeling unwell again, hopefully i don't fall sick!
And the new balance run is coming in less than 3 weeks! I hope i can survive the 15km!
Used to feel stressed when there are always things to settle, the perpetually late people to settle, lessons to be learnt, values to impart, and today seemed sorta different, though it doesn't get any easier in the admin part of work.
Morning had to switch the computer to PC mode and the stupid cockpit system keeps giving problems, then there was a stressful phonecall to handle, admin from NPCC stuff again, marking for paper 2 of the chinese papers for sec 3s and before you know it, there was the long journey to make to MOE HQ for the O Level Examination briefing.
Yes, i am very suay to kenna Presiding examiner for the Os in the school, and the mere repeating of the instructions took an hour and a half! Few times into the very important briefing was my mind wondering and i had to ask Miss Toh what happened. Sheezz... now feeling unwell again, hopefully i don't fall sick!
And the new balance run is coming in less than 3 weeks! I hope i can survive the 15km!
07 October 2007
IMG_3372
Our Vice-Chairman acting cute! haha is he as photogenic as he is awarded by the competition? :p
IMG_3367
Our 2 sets of twins! Lets see if i am right in naming them; Derek, Collin, Daryl and Douglas! Tell me if i am wrong ya... haha
IMG_3354
Our class secretary hard at work again... his last assignment, distributing the class t-shirts. Poor guy lost his handphone at the same day... sadz...
06 October 2007
Leavers' Ceremony
So today was Leavers' and it were really many significant moments of thought:
J came and talked to me, and for the first time, i did not scold him anymore. I told him that he must not think too little of himself and make sure he does well for his exams. Somehow i think there is this part in him that will attain excellence.
Some of the people from the form class came and said that they were very appreciative and that made me really really glad; although sometimes many things do not have to come from the mouth, they still do sound more attractive when in fact they do.
I told 4G that maybe we will not be seeing each other anymore for the rest of our lives.
I actually blurted out onstage that i love the class! haha
4G did not shout when singing the school song on the last day of school! That was quite a nice surprise as i did not expected that.
I seem to have a lot of confidence in them.
Many lingered after the event and we took many photos!\
Did i say 4G is the best class ever? :)
J came and talked to me, and for the first time, i did not scold him anymore. I told him that he must not think too little of himself and make sure he does well for his exams. Somehow i think there is this part in him that will attain excellence.
Some of the people from the form class came and said that they were very appreciative and that made me really really glad; although sometimes many things do not have to come from the mouth, they still do sound more attractive when in fact they do.
I told 4G that maybe we will not be seeing each other anymore for the rest of our lives.
I actually blurted out onstage that i love the class! haha
4G did not shout when singing the school song on the last day of school! That was quite a nice surprise as i did not expected that.
I seem to have a lot of confidence in them.
Many lingered after the event and we took many photos!\
Did i say 4G is the best class ever? :)
收获与否
And thus things just went their natural course when i decided to share my feeling of helplessness with 4G.
In the end the conclusion was that we will study hard no matter what; because we will never know when the exact moment will be when we will finally see the "light" in the subject of study.
As long as it did, the effort was every much worth it. It took me till JC2 to overcome my barrier in doing maths but eventually i got to enjoy it at university.
So thus i wished them better luck and earlier dates to finally see the lights! LOL
In the end the conclusion was that we will study hard no matter what; because we will never know when the exact moment will be when we will finally see the "light" in the subject of study.
As long as it did, the effort was every much worth it. It took me till JC2 to overcome my barrier in doing maths but eventually i got to enjoy it at university.
So thus i wished them better luck and earlier dates to finally see the lights! LOL
02 October 2007
离别
And so Leaver's Ceremony is coming on the 5th of this month.
Almost time to say goodbye.
To the bright futures that await and dreams that are to be fulfilled.
To ponder back on the things we have faced, be them conquered or overwhelmed.
To say good luck to friends.
To wish the ever best to one another's future endeavours.
And so soar do we.
Almost time to say goodbye.
To the bright futures that await and dreams that are to be fulfilled.
To ponder back on the things we have faced, be them conquered or overwhelmed.
To say good luck to friends.
To wish the ever best to one another's future endeavours.
And so soar do we.
29 September 2007
明天会更好
Felt kind of bad when i see many of the guys in the class suffering from exam stress and i cannot do much to help them.
Even sometimes morning assemblies seemed so rushed. Had invigilations to rush to, marks to enter, papers to mark.... just the prelim 2 marks took me more than 15 columns to fill in for each student... you can imagine the amount of work to be done for all the 5 classes that i have to handle, not to mention the differences in subjects handled?
And then forms, admin... chase attendance... all are killing me... but the worst is of the fact that i cannot seem to be helping in any sense with the mental preparation.
Today i asked Q if he was alright and he said he was not.
I was at a loss of words.
I did not know what to do. Was there anything i could have helped?
I hope tomorrow will be better
Even sometimes morning assemblies seemed so rushed. Had invigilations to rush to, marks to enter, papers to mark.... just the prelim 2 marks took me more than 15 columns to fill in for each student... you can imagine the amount of work to be done for all the 5 classes that i have to handle, not to mention the differences in subjects handled?
And then forms, admin... chase attendance... all are killing me... but the worst is of the fact that i cannot seem to be helping in any sense with the mental preparation.
Today i asked Q if he was alright and he said he was not.
I was at a loss of words.
I did not know what to do. Was there anything i could have helped?
I hope tomorrow will be better
28 September 2007
Pride
Was at Nanchiau high today when i was led to see the final work piece done by B.
It was a piece of work really well done. Although i don't understand art in many ways, it was really a good piece that met the eyes.
The art teacher was singing his praises and some of the other teachers were saying that his work has a lot of perspective and depth.
Somehow, the heart feels warm and glad when one of your very own students from the form class performs.
Cheers my dear boy.
It was a piece of work really well done. Although i don't understand art in many ways, it was really a good piece that met the eyes.
The art teacher was singing his praises and some of the other teachers were saying that his work has a lot of perspective and depth.
Somehow, the heart feels warm and glad when one of your very own students from the form class performs.
Cheers my dear boy.
Life
Many posts today, was out with a good friend and she told me that she cried over a race done in honour of a lady who passed away from cancer.
That led me to think about Serene and Jasper, and partings, and life.
So i asked her, "Did you ponder about the meaning of life then?"
"No, i wanted it to go away real fast."
Maybe sometimes life is really better living in the moment
That led me to think about Serene and Jasper, and partings, and life.
So i asked her, "Did you ponder about the meaning of life then?"
"No, i wanted it to go away real fast."
Maybe sometimes life is really better living in the moment
Role Model?
Sometimes it makes you wonder if kids really listen.
You cannot confirm cos no one comes and tell you that you do.
Maybe they really don't obey but actually listen.
You cannot confirm cos no one comes and tell you that you do.
Maybe they really don't obey but actually listen.
Children Will Listen
How do you say to your child in the night
Nothing is all black but then nothing is all white?
How do you say it will all be all right
When you know that it mightn’t be true?
What do you do?
Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
"listen to me."
Children will listen.
Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you...
Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen...
How can you say to a child who’s in flight,
Don’t slip away and I won’t hold so tight?
What can you say that no matter how slight won’t be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you’re dead
Only what ever you put in its head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too.
Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn.
Oh!
Guide them but step away,
Children will glisten.
Temper with what is true
And children will turn,
If just to be free.
Careful before you say,
"listen to me."
Children will listen...
Children will listen!
Children, children will listen
Nothing is all black but then nothing is all white?
How do you say it will all be all right
When you know that it mightn’t be true?
What do you do?
Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
"listen to me."
Children will listen.
Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you...
Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen...
How can you say to a child who’s in flight,
Don’t slip away and I won’t hold so tight?
What can you say that no matter how slight won’t be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you’re dead
Only what ever you put in its head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too.
Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn.
Oh!
Guide them but step away,
Children will glisten.
Temper with what is true
And children will turn,
If just to be free.
Careful before you say,
"listen to me."
Children will listen...
Children will listen!
Children, children will listen
20 September 2007
造反
前天看到一篇关于我国先驱人物连士升的专题报道。其中一观点让人获益不浅。
读书、学习为的就是把基础打好。基础打好才能改变社会。想想看，自古以来改变社会的都是有能力的人，而个个都是身有稳固基础的杰出人物。就好比李光耀资政；他就不是一个学业顶尖，充满魄力的一个人吗？
连士升也说，造反是不正确的行为。没基础的造反是没有意义的。没基础的人容易被别人利用，最后还是会落得个吃亏的下场。
因此，在造反以前，我们不妨想想：这样的做法是否值得？是否有意义？
读书、学习为的就是把基础打好。基础打好才能改变社会。想想看，自古以来改变社会的都是有能力的人，而个个都是身有稳固基础的杰出人物。就好比李光耀资政；他就不是一个学业顶尖，充满魄力的一个人吗？
连士升也说，造反是不正确的行为。没基础的造反是没有意义的。没基础的人容易被别人利用，最后还是会落得个吃亏的下场。
因此，在造反以前，我们不妨想想：这样的做法是否值得？是否有意义？
19 September 2007
责任感
It's really disappointing when you guys promised me something and not deliver.
It's like telling you something important and asking to do the correct thing and yet it is simply not done. What does it take for you to do the right thing? Isn't it wrong when you already choose not to turn up and worse still, not to account for it? A wrong does not take another to correct it.
Why don't you just face up to it and take responsibility?
Do I really have to do things the hard and ugly way?
Why are we doing this?
It's like telling you something important and asking to do the correct thing and yet it is simply not done. What does it take for you to do the right thing? Isn't it wrong when you already choose not to turn up and worse still, not to account for it? A wrong does not take another to correct it.
Why don't you just face up to it and take responsibility?
Do I really have to do things the hard and ugly way?
Why are we doing this?
18 September 2007
谢谢！
今天碰上了意外的惊喜！
课堂结束时，几个学生竟然抱了一堆礼物，说是要送给我的。当时真的感到很高兴；从来都没有想过他们会送礼物给我。二老板说，算他们还有良心！
但说真的，我从来也没有想过能在教师节收到礼物……毕竟自己卖的是严肃与拘谨的形象。
卡片中有这样一句话：“谢谢你的细心教导……不然我们的华文会不及格。" 真是让人觉得好笑又好感动……
课堂结束时，几个学生竟然抱了一堆礼物，说是要送给我的。当时真的感到很高兴；从来都没有想过他们会送礼物给我。二老板说，算他们还有良心！
但说真的，我从来也没有想过能在教师节收到礼物……毕竟自己卖的是严肃与拘谨的形象。
卡片中有这样一句话：“谢谢你的细心教导……不然我们的华文会不及格。" 真是让人觉得好笑又好感动……
17 September 2007
早报篇章
恩师……卓涵
新学年开始不久，在新跃大学走廊上遇见老师。虽然间隔了 20 多年，他还是一眼认出了我，还记得我的名字。老师桃李满天下，要记得学生的面孔谈何容易，更何况是名字，可见老师记忆超强。
老师已过耳顺之年，退休后到大学夜间部教书。我坐在偌大讲堂里听他讲解中国文字学，目视依然清癯硬朗的身材，聆听抑扬顿挫的语调，霎时间，有时空交错的感觉。
80 年代那个午后，和同学们坐在黄城的课室里，听老师讲解吴敬梓的《儒林外史》。课室外蝉儿在木麻黄树上叫着 “知了、知了"，课室内有郁郁寡欢的我们。蒙受教育政策 “由华转英" 的一记闷棍后，年少的我们感到前途茫然。老师洞悉心情，放下教科书，语重心长道：“再给它 10 年 20 年，中国将会崛起，届时华文话语的地位将不可同日而语。" 毕业后，我在英语世界里为立足感到委屈时，老师这番话总适时萦绕耳际。许多年过去，我在英语世界里找到据点，老师当年富前瞻性的预言也成了事实。
上完第一堂辅导课，老师问我：“还有写作吗？有出第二本书吗？" 那关切的问题令我惊讶 －－－－ 那么多年，他依然记得我喜欢涂写文章。一时间，因感动而语塞。当年老师以华初书画协会的基金赞助我出版第一本散文集。那样的提携对一个在写作道路上摸索的学子来说是极大肯定。
过去的岁月里，一度让秃笔尘封，也一度与中文世界脱节，但始终不敢忘怀过去数位华文老师的教诲。三年前决定重返校园修读与专业无关的汉语言文学系，细细想来是于老师当年的循循善诱有一些渊源的。
古语说：“一日为师，终生为父"，我为着能两度成为老师的学生怀着感恩之心。
新学年开始不久，在新跃大学走廊上遇见老师。虽然间隔了 20 多年，他还是一眼认出了我，还记得我的名字。老师桃李满天下，要记得学生的面孔谈何容易，更何况是名字，可见老师记忆超强。
老师已过耳顺之年，退休后到大学夜间部教书。我坐在偌大讲堂里听他讲解中国文字学，目视依然清癯硬朗的身材，聆听抑扬顿挫的语调，霎时间，有时空交错的感觉。
80 年代那个午后，和同学们坐在黄城的课室里，听老师讲解吴敬梓的《儒林外史》。课室外蝉儿在木麻黄树上叫着 “知了、知了"，课室内有郁郁寡欢的我们。蒙受教育政策 “由华转英" 的一记闷棍后，年少的我们感到前途茫然。老师洞悉心情，放下教科书，语重心长道：“再给它 10 年 20 年，中国将会崛起，届时华文话语的地位将不可同日而语。" 毕业后，我在英语世界里为立足感到委屈时，老师这番话总适时萦绕耳际。许多年过去，我在英语世界里找到据点，老师当年富前瞻性的预言也成了事实。
上完第一堂辅导课，老师问我：“还有写作吗？有出第二本书吗？" 那关切的问题令我惊讶 －－－－ 那么多年，他依然记得我喜欢涂写文章。一时间，因感动而语塞。当年老师以华初书画协会的基金赞助我出版第一本散文集。那样的提携对一个在写作道路上摸索的学子来说是极大肯定。
过去的岁月里，一度让秃笔尘封，也一度与中文世界脱节，但始终不敢忘怀过去数位华文老师的教诲。三年前决定重返校园修读与专业无关的汉语言文学系，细细想来是于老师当年的循循善诱有一些渊源的。
古语说：“一日为师，终生为父"，我为着能两度成为老师的学生怀着感恩之心。
16 September 2007
Responsibility?
At the morning of your Service day, you call and said that you are at tuition and you suppose that it was the responsible thing to do?
Do you tell me that you do not know you need to inform beforehand when the instruction was repeated zillions of times?
How about the irreversible fact that you will be potentially out of the race for the SPFNPCC badge once you miss service day?
More importantly, what do you treat this CCA as? What are you treating your officers and unit as?
Do you tell me that you do not know you need to inform beforehand when the instruction was repeated zillions of times?
How about the irreversible fact that you will be potentially out of the race for the SPFNPCC badge once you miss service day?
More importantly, what do you treat this CCA as? What are you treating your officers and unit as?
15 September 2007
Long Line!
What a long long saturday.... woke up late, arrived at school around 7 plus, administered the Service Day thingy and only reached home around 4pm! Tried hard to fight sleep and in the end went for a run.... and it added up to 11km, burning hot sensation reaches you when u run very long distances (yeah 10 km considered long for me le... always run around 5km)... and putting up photos for cadets.... now have to go for lunch! And haven't got to practice calligraphy and marking prelim scripts! i am so dead! !!!
礼物
I forgot to blog about Teachers' Day!
Have got some presents, mainly from my beloved form class, and i liked the cards a lot, 1 from whole class, 1 from just 3 of them and 1 from just 1 of them. Then there was a white parker pen (really nice), 2 tins of cookies (delicious), chocolate (i love chocolate!), a photo frame (they say must put class pic in it), a book (really thoughtful), a note from a student from another class who confirmed my efforts (i liked it a lot).
Though not many compared to many of my colleagues, i was really touched. I thought i would not be receiving any as i was quite fierce and strict most of the time, so naturally i was very happy then.
Let's just hope the connection will stay for the years to come!
Have got some presents, mainly from my beloved form class, and i liked the cards a lot, 1 from whole class, 1 from just 3 of them and 1 from just 1 of them. Then there was a white parker pen (really nice), 2 tins of cookies (delicious), chocolate (i love chocolate!), a photo frame (they say must put class pic in it), a book (really thoughtful), a note from a student from another class who confirmed my efforts (i liked it a lot).
Though not many compared to many of my colleagues, i was really touched. I thought i would not be receiving any as i was quite fierce and strict most of the time, so naturally i was very happy then.
Let's just hope the connection will stay for the years to come!
不公平的看法
If you want my feelings about the response on the CI course applicants, i think i must say i am disappointed.
My good friend says it does not mean no applicant or only one applicant means they are not appreciative or ungrateful. They can bring what they learnt from the unit and make merit for other people when they go to their JCs and so on.
So i was thinking, if that could be true, then what happens to their juniors who will be leaderless?
Good friend brother says the graduands could be wanting recognition.
I was thinking, you mean we still have to invite you to be coming back as a CI when it should be you who should feel grateful to have learnt many things and then wanting to come back and do your part for your juniors?
Last time i was still doing this shameless thing but now, i think i do not want to put myself so low anymore.
There are bound to be successes and failures, some years we train very grateful cadets, sometimes we don't. For the years when we are successful, we are rewarded for cadets who are selfless and sacrifice for the unit. For others, we produce people who want to move on.
Maybe it is not a bad thing. You can say these people are not ungrateful, they just feel they want to move on. It does not mean that they don't feel anything for the unit.
As for myself, i guess it does not really matter. If we have the heart, things will always work themselves out.
If it was really the case of grateful cadets who just wanted to move on, then i must say we are really effective to have produced 24 of them, with only 1 who wants to come back.
And no, i am not being negative about them or harsh on myself as a nurturing officer, but rather just being very opinionated and overly passionate on this place i call my 2nd home.
My good friend says it does not mean no applicant or only one applicant means they are not appreciative or ungrateful. They can bring what they learnt from the unit and make merit for other people when they go to their JCs and so on.
So i was thinking, if that could be true, then what happens to their juniors who will be leaderless?
Good friend brother says the graduands could be wanting recognition.
I was thinking, you mean we still have to invite you to be coming back as a CI when it should be you who should feel grateful to have learnt many things and then wanting to come back and do your part for your juniors?
Last time i was still doing this shameless thing but now, i think i do not want to put myself so low anymore.
There are bound to be successes and failures, some years we train very grateful cadets, sometimes we don't. For the years when we are successful, we are rewarded for cadets who are selfless and sacrifice for the unit. For others, we produce people who want to move on.
Maybe it is not a bad thing. You can say these people are not ungrateful, they just feel they want to move on. It does not mean that they don't feel anything for the unit.
As for myself, i guess it does not really matter. If we have the heart, things will always work themselves out.
If it was really the case of grateful cadets who just wanted to move on, then i must say we are really effective to have produced 24 of them, with only 1 who wants to come back.
And no, i am not being negative about them or harsh on myself as a nurturing officer, but rather just being very opinionated and overly passionate on this place i call my 2nd home.
12 September 2007
Defining teaching
A certain part of an article that touches me a lot… …
The angel came closer to have a better look at the model of the teacher that God was making and ran his finger over the teacher’s cheek.
“Well, Lord,” said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you you were putting too much into this model. You cannot imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher.”
The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher’s cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.
“It is not a leak,” He said, “It is a tear.”
“A tear? What is that?” asked the angel, “What is a tear for?”
The Lord replied with great thought, “It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class.”
The angel came closer to have a better look at the model of the teacher that God was making and ran his finger over the teacher’s cheek.
“Well, Lord,” said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you you were putting too much into this model. You cannot imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher.”
The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher’s cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.
“It is not a leak,” He said, “It is a tear.”
“A tear? What is that?” asked the angel, “What is a tear for?”
The Lord replied with great thought, “It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class.”
09 September 2007
Living
Sometimes you wonder if there was any thing that was beyond the physical self.
On that fateful day, the nurse from the hospice called me in the morning and reported that father was not physically responding when she talked to him. She asked me to visit him as things are not looking good.
So after finishing the testimonials in the evening time, i was there. Then i was told he went into a comma. It was a shock, and after standing there for some time, calls were made to the various relatives. And then, i whispered to him that i was going for my dinner.
And then he was gone in the midst.
Now as i think back, why did i do such a thing? Was it because the scene was somehow replayed time and time again until i became numb? Maybe i was heartless. Maybe i was unfillial. But there is nothing i can do that will change anything now.
That's the irreversible part of life; death.
Nothing you can ever do will change anything. No re-take, no rewind, no starting over again. And that was that. Done and over with.
And what if we were to die tomorrow?
Will we die with regrets? Will we be happy if we could conclude our lives in that flash of an instant?
On that fateful day, the nurse from the hospice called me in the morning and reported that father was not physically responding when she talked to him. She asked me to visit him as things are not looking good.
So after finishing the testimonials in the evening time, i was there. Then i was told he went into a comma. It was a shock, and after standing there for some time, calls were made to the various relatives. And then, i whispered to him that i was going for my dinner.
And then he was gone in the midst.
Now as i think back, why did i do such a thing? Was it because the scene was somehow replayed time and time again until i became numb? Maybe i was heartless. Maybe i was unfillial. But there is nothing i can do that will change anything now.
That's the irreversible part of life; death.
Nothing you can ever do will change anything. No re-take, no rewind, no starting over again. And that was that. Done and over with.
And what if we were to die tomorrow?
Will we die with regrets? Will we be happy if we could conclude our lives in that flash of an instant?
08 September 2007
缘
这几年好像一直与死神碰头。
7年前，他几乎同时带走了祖父与母亲，又几年后，一位好友也随他而去。后来 J 也无法战胜他，悄然与世长辞。
曾外婆过世没多久，父亲也终于举起了白旗。
那时四叔问我，要土葬还是火葬，我毫不犹豫地说火葬。因为我害怕无法熬过 15 年的土葬限制。说真的，我还能再次面对吗？
也许死亡面对多了，总也会感到茫然吧。
7年前，他几乎同时带走了祖父与母亲，又几年后，一位好友也随他而去。后来 J 也无法战胜他，悄然与世长辞。
曾外婆过世没多久，父亲也终于举起了白旗。
那时四叔问我，要土葬还是火葬，我毫不犹豫地说火葬。因为我害怕无法熬过 15 年的土葬限制。说真的，我还能再次面对吗？
也许死亡面对多了，总也会感到茫然吧。
05 September 2007
Loss
Want to say thank all of you who have one way or the other consoled me in the loss of my father.
It was 8 years ago since he was first diagnosed with the condition. I remember a short while later, mother passed away and there i was, sitting at the hospital bed, all by myself and thinking how lonely and helpless i was in the middle of the night. The tears flowed so much that i had to wash them away and went back to the chair, hoping that father would wake up from his comma.
It has been a few years since the last comma and eventually the inevitable moment of truth. And the feeling of loneliness is still ever as potent.
The importance of having a family; you only feel the loss and the helplessness when it strikes you. How many do really treasure what they already have, no matter how dysfunctional?
How about having none?
It has been 8 years of hospital running, a lot of frustrations and anguish, the skyhigh bills, the gargantuan amount of red tape, the trouble of repeating mindless interviews and appointments time and time again, the admission and the discharge from wards, the changing of beds, the quarrels, the ...
Yet, what are all these compared to the loss of a loved one?
And Miss T was right, the tough part is when all the matters at hand are resolved, and suddenly the void comes in and you are left again to face the memories all alone all over again.
You just feel it suddenly, it can be a moment at the stairs, when you are looking further in front of you, working halfway, a moment of silence, and regret and loss and everything else floods in.
Yet there's not much we can gain from the sadness, which was why i went back to work almost immediately. Life is transient, and all the more we should make full use of it... even if it's just mere minutes away, if i could have waited for those few minutes.. maybe i would have taken a last look.
It was 8 years ago since he was first diagnosed with the condition. I remember a short while later, mother passed away and there i was, sitting at the hospital bed, all by myself and thinking how lonely and helpless i was in the middle of the night. The tears flowed so much that i had to wash them away and went back to the chair, hoping that father would wake up from his comma.
It has been a few years since the last comma and eventually the inevitable moment of truth. And the feeling of loneliness is still ever as potent.
The importance of having a family; you only feel the loss and the helplessness when it strikes you. How many do really treasure what they already have, no matter how dysfunctional?
How about having none?
It has been 8 years of hospital running, a lot of frustrations and anguish, the skyhigh bills, the gargantuan amount of red tape, the trouble of repeating mindless interviews and appointments time and time again, the admission and the discharge from wards, the changing of beds, the quarrels, the ...
Yet, what are all these compared to the loss of a loved one?
And Miss T was right, the tough part is when all the matters at hand are resolved, and suddenly the void comes in and you are left again to face the memories all alone all over again.
You just feel it suddenly, it can be a moment at the stairs, when you are looking further in front of you, working halfway, a moment of silence, and regret and loss and everything else floods in.
Yet there's not much we can gain from the sadness, which was why i went back to work almost immediately. Life is transient, and all the more we should make full use of it... even if it's just mere minutes away, if i could have waited for those few minutes.. maybe i would have taken a last look.
29 August 2007
Running
Ever felt that your brain is filled with water?
Well, mine is, after dunking many 1L-filled water bottles. It's tough when herbal tea and some catch up sleep wasn't able to solve the problem.
Then the myriad of tasks at hand seemed grow even more as the day went on. So it were lessons throughout the day, a 30-min rushed lunch, taking attendance, running around ensuring that the attendance of a hundred would be correct, doing the admin for the attendance taking, settling discipline problems, Leavers' ceremony food details, going through red tape for the ordering, planning programmes, admin for the holiday... and many tasks coming...
revision papers not done, homework unmarked... the list is endless!
12 hrs and running!
Well, mine is, after dunking many 1L-filled water bottles. It's tough when herbal tea and some catch up sleep wasn't able to solve the problem.
Then the myriad of tasks at hand seemed grow even more as the day went on. So it were lessons throughout the day, a 30-min rushed lunch, taking attendance, running around ensuring that the attendance of a hundred would be correct, doing the admin for the attendance taking, settling discipline problems, Leavers' ceremony food details, going through red tape for the ordering, planning programmes, admin for the holiday... and many tasks coming...
revision papers not done, homework unmarked... the list is endless!
12 hrs and running!
28 August 2007
The extent you have to go to convince one person... and there are many more to go?
T: Whey do your work
S: Teacher can i bring home and do?
T: cannot
S: i promise i will do at home
T: What do you want to be when you grow up?
S: I dunno leh
T: Har how can dunno?
S: I dunno leh
T: Do you come from a rich family?
S: No
Another student: Teacher he bluff you one, he is quite rich
T: Then nevermind.. your parents will find a way out for you
T: Do your work leh
S: I cannot concentrate here leh
T: Then what? Waste your time in school ah?
S: I promise you i will do at home
T: cannot
S: teacher next time can i work from home? i think i cannot do work outside my place
T: can, if you are your own boss, r u going to be one?
S: yes, i am going to start a business
T: then u have to be very creative, have good PR and money!
S: tsk tsk
T: ok do your work, or u will stay back during detention and do
S: .... ....
S: Teacher can i bring home and do?
T: cannot
S: i promise i will do at home
T: What do you want to be when you grow up?
S: I dunno leh
T: Har how can dunno?
S: I dunno leh
T: Do you come from a rich family?
S: No
Another student: Teacher he bluff you one, he is quite rich
T: Then nevermind.. your parents will find a way out for you
T: Do your work leh
S: I cannot concentrate here leh
T: Then what? Waste your time in school ah?
S: I promise you i will do at home
T: cannot
S: teacher next time can i work from home? i think i cannot do work outside my place
T: can, if you are your own boss, r u going to be one?
S: yes, i am going to start a business
T: then u have to be very creative, have good PR and money!
S: tsk tsk
T: ok do your work, or u will stay back during detention and do
S: .... ....
27 August 2007
Recurring
They say teaching needs a lot of patience.
I say teaching needs a lot of renewing patience.
Its always the same people doing the same things, but yet somehow not so similar.
Like there is always a correct behaviour to follow yet people are not so interested in it sometimes.
So some teachers lost that renewal part of themselves and simply washed their hands off the matter.
Some do it through passion, others follow a code. To some it's a job, to others its a commitment.
If only all of us can recognise that each individual is different and the infinity of the possibilities, maybe renewal will come about
I say teaching needs a lot of renewing patience.
Its always the same people doing the same things, but yet somehow not so similar.
Like there is always a correct behaviour to follow yet people are not so interested in it sometimes.
So some teachers lost that renewal part of themselves and simply washed their hands off the matter.
Some do it through passion, others follow a code. To some it's a job, to others its a commitment.
If only all of us can recognise that each individual is different and the infinity of the possibilities, maybe renewal will come about
26 August 2007
Glad
Somehow the visit by Darren and Michael brought a lot of happiness to the teachers last Wednesday. It was a very simple visit, but it was also a very special one.
Both had been posted overseas on scholarship studies, one in the University of Michigan (USA) and the other at the Imperial College (UK).
I heard they came around 11am, and they left at 3pm, and had gone hungry without their lunches.
It's been 7 years since they graduated.
Sometimes, words can only mean so much, don't they?
Both had been posted overseas on scholarship studies, one in the University of Michigan (USA) and the other at the Imperial College (UK).
I heard they came around 11am, and they left at 3pm, and had gone hungry without their lunches.
It's been 7 years since they graduated.
Sometimes, words can only mean so much, don't they?
Awakening
At the hospital visiting dad when he was found to be asleep. I did not wake him up as he had always complained about his inability to sleep all these years because of the breathlessness. He had seldom been so soundly asleep. Despite the disturbances from the nurses and the talking from the visitors, he held on still in his dreams. I stood there, quiet and reading a wad of newpapers in my hands, silent in the room where many patients were attended by their loved ones.
The nurse called out his name and he was still fast asleep. As he woke, he did not seem to be able to respond to the conversation. I figured it must all have been a blur to him, to be awoken from his deep sleep. And it didn't seem that he got the message that i was already by his side at the bed when the nurse tried to capture his attention.
Then it dawned on me.
What if the future will be as such? What if we could never communicate any more? Would the persistence had been fruitful and achieved whatever means it had been intended?
Father did not asked for much. The usual complaints, the single request for a piece of soap although toiletries were provided for.
I guess I will have to get him, for that was the only thing I can do at the very least.
The nurse called out his name and he was still fast asleep. As he woke, he did not seem to be able to respond to the conversation. I figured it must all have been a blur to him, to be awoken from his deep sleep. And it didn't seem that he got the message that i was already by his side at the bed when the nurse tried to capture his attention.
Then it dawned on me.
What if the future will be as such? What if we could never communicate any more? Would the persistence had been fruitful and achieved whatever means it had been intended?
Father did not asked for much. The usual complaints, the single request for a piece of soap although toiletries were provided for.
I guess I will have to get him, for that was the only thing I can do at the very least.
23 August 2007
No Noise in the Hall
Well the things is many of us are not pushing our limits in the school. Just the other day, i was pissing off many in the hall with my "rogue" behaviour of allowing absolutely no noise. Some of you might be wondering on why this particular teacher is so unreasonable as to not even allow small talk, though. let's not get stuck in the nitty gritty.
Let's talk about the right thing to do.
1st level: In the hall during school assembly, there should be no talking.
2nd level: If everybody talks, even in whispers, the hall becomes noisy. That means we are not disciplined, even if we had already a long day before.
3rd level: If however we still cannot control ourselves, the teacher is there to ensure. Sure each form teacher is responsible for his own class, but that does not mean he should not care about the school as a whole.
So i guess this explains why i do not allow any noise in the hall. Because if you talk and are discovered by me, you are already breaking many do-nots.
What is the point of doing all these?
Discipline does not allow fatigue to overcome itself. Discipline is being able to overcome challenges when the situation demands. Discipline is about conditioning. Discipline is about tolerating things that we do not like. Discipline is vital for success.
Thus i hope this explains my actions, though i have no obligation to explain myself in the first place :)
Let's talk about the right thing to do.
1st level: In the hall during school assembly, there should be no talking.
2nd level: If everybody talks, even in whispers, the hall becomes noisy. That means we are not disciplined, even if we had already a long day before.
3rd level: If however we still cannot control ourselves, the teacher is there to ensure. Sure each form teacher is responsible for his own class, but that does not mean he should not care about the school as a whole.
So i guess this explains why i do not allow any noise in the hall. Because if you talk and are discovered by me, you are already breaking many do-nots.
What is the point of doing all these?
Discipline does not allow fatigue to overcome itself. Discipline is being able to overcome challenges when the situation demands. Discipline is about conditioning. Discipline is about tolerating things that we do not like. Discipline is vital for success.
Thus i hope this explains my actions, though i have no obligation to explain myself in the first place :)
19 August 2007
超越极限！
I think sometimes when you really sincerely try something and persists in it... somehow or rather it shows.
Many people around me says why try when no one is doing, why do when it is futile... all the more it seems that my resolve will be stronger when i hear these words.
I guess we are all humans, but i am determined to test the limits.
Many people around me says why try when no one is doing, why do when it is futile... all the more it seems that my resolve will be stronger when i hear these words.
I guess we are all humans, but i am determined to test the limits.
17 August 2007
勤
One ex-student of mine says my blog is so very sad... and that it makes him to not even dare to want to tag the board.
And then i thought, gee.. this is not what i wanted to publicize for my blog! :p
But these days have not been easy still.
I remember everything changed when my teacher confided in me about something of our school. It sort of got me thinking... sometimes we all tend to expect a lot of things and not put in effort for what we want to believe in. Students are so, teachers are so too. If we are in a predicament that we are not too happy about, we complaint about it most of the time... but sometimes, do complaints really help?
So i went on a "rampage"!
Though i was not a member of the discipline committee, every class i came into contact with was every class the target for my vision ---- you do what you expect the class should be achieving.
This means 2* is the class of my persistent scrutiny every morning, i will make it a point to show to them that i am watching them every single morning and that it's perfectly possible of keeping absolutely still during morning assembly.
This means 4* will always be "victims" of my "want-to-kill you" stares every morning when they indulge in their arrogant and negative comments about school and of their need to talk despite it being the wrong thing to do.
This means 4* will also be my permanent target of inspection everytime i pass by them during recess time.
This means all students who walks pass me will have to be in proper attire.
This means all my teaching classes must be spending minimum effort of behaving and doing work every single lesson.
This means my form class has to be of a level higher than the rest or face my wrath as a result of my need to achieve high standards so i can fulfil my unsaid promise to my teacher.
It is very tough on the mind if you happen to wonder, but i guess everything comes at a price. If the students understand what i am trying to achieve, they will do the right things. If they don't, i will convince them with my persistence if words and reasoning fail.
Or maybe i will fail in all these, or maybe you may say what of the use it will be if it is only a single individual doing this single thing?
Perhaps it may be futile, but recently i realise, the mind is much stronger than what the body perceives, and challenging the impossible is certainly what makes life more meaningful!
And then i thought, gee.. this is not what i wanted to publicize for my blog! :p
But these days have not been easy still.
I remember everything changed when my teacher confided in me about something of our school. It sort of got me thinking... sometimes we all tend to expect a lot of things and not put in effort for what we want to believe in. Students are so, teachers are so too. If we are in a predicament that we are not too happy about, we complaint about it most of the time... but sometimes, do complaints really help?
So i went on a "rampage"!
Though i was not a member of the discipline committee, every class i came into contact with was every class the target for my vision ---- you do what you expect the class should be achieving.
This means 2* is the class of my persistent scrutiny every morning, i will make it a point to show to them that i am watching them every single morning and that it's perfectly possible of keeping absolutely still during morning assembly.
This means 4* will always be "victims" of my "want-to-kill you" stares every morning when they indulge in their arrogant and negative comments about school and of their need to talk despite it being the wrong thing to do.
This means 4* will also be my permanent target of inspection everytime i pass by them during recess time.
This means all students who walks pass me will have to be in proper attire.
This means all my teaching classes must be spending minimum effort of behaving and doing work every single lesson.
This means my form class has to be of a level higher than the rest or face my wrath as a result of my need to achieve high standards so i can fulfil my unsaid promise to my teacher.
It is very tough on the mind if you happen to wonder, but i guess everything comes at a price. If the students understand what i am trying to achieve, they will do the right things. If they don't, i will convince them with my persistence if words and reasoning fail.
Or maybe i will fail in all these, or maybe you may say what of the use it will be if it is only a single individual doing this single thing?
Perhaps it may be futile, but recently i realise, the mind is much stronger than what the body perceives, and challenging the impossible is certainly what makes life more meaningful!
15 August 2007
From Harrold's blog.... hmm isn't it amazing that i was a sociology major at uni?
You scored as Sociology, You should be a Sociology major!
What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com |
The Heart Feels Warm!
from a message left by a student (though yeah.. i teach chinese):
"Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "新加坡越来越热！ 年平均气温30年来上升两度":
mr chew.
juz wanted to tell u ur effort is really fantastic.
cos this topic...
is e english oral topic for today.
THANK YOU!!!
i will jiayou n achieve my A1:) "
"Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "新加坡越来越热！ 年平均气温30年来上升两度":
mr chew.
juz wanted to tell u ur effort is really fantastic.
cos this topic...
is e english oral topic for today.
THANK YOU!!!
i will jiayou n achieve my A1:) "
长路漫漫
也许一起走，不论成功失败，路还是会走出来的。
此刻的脑袋是茫乱、昏昏的⋯⋯也许总是会走到颈瓶处。
这就是所谓的转折点吗？
但愿我不会沉沦、我不愿迷足深陷，我不要变成一个失去热忱的人。
我必须走下去。
此刻的脑袋是茫乱、昏昏的⋯⋯也许总是会走到颈瓶处。
这就是所谓的转折点吗？
但愿我不会沉沦、我不愿迷足深陷，我不要变成一个失去热忱的人。
我必须走下去。
13 August 2007
Holy Totem
Wonder if its the special geography of the place that makes the sky look so much closer to the eye... though it's a fact that Tibet is much nearer to the skies due to the 3000m elevation
Tashilunpo Monastary
Set against a backdrop of a beautiful blue sky, the Tashilunpo Monastary looks kind of out of the world isn't it?
死神
The Tibetan God of Death, the artwork is done in such a way such that the eyes of the deity will be focusing at you no matter which angle or position you stand when observing the painting. It's kind of a 3-D effect i suppose.
11 August 2007
10 August 2007
08 August 2007
被吊起来的心
Really want to say thanks to R who never fails to encourage when i am very down. I think it's so bad that i lose the spirit when i walk into my form class. The connection seems lost. I heard and i understand about the theory of putting fertilizer and water and the part about them getting handy in the future but sometimes certain things just seem to hang inside, just like a sharp metal hook gagging up the heart, and you feel so helplessly trapped and tangled... does anyone feel that way before?
06 August 2007
Happenings
So what was the matter? I think i have a very good relationship with my form class all these while. In fact, i think my form class is a very sweet and nice class. They don't create trouble and they are a sensible lot generally. Why generally? Because some people inside are just not behaving the way they are supposed to.
Homework, this is a big issue. Behaviour and attitude towards excellence. I think our class has a big issue. All other subjects aside, none of my assignments given to them has ever got a 100% hit in returns. So what is the point of being nice?
By constantly nagging? It probably works, but it burdens a great deal on me. When something is constantly on your mind, it stresses you a lot.
Recently it's beginning to take a toil on my health. All the constant migraines and gastric problems... all as a result of accumulated stress and deadlines. It doesn't help when the school is pushing for SEM reports, SQC status and EV on top of managing sec 4 teachers for RME and the grueling admin work for Founder's Day. All the admin with the entire school of form teachers took me a whole week of stress and many many PR problems to resolve. I don't like all these things but how can i ignore? If i let go of the absentees, comments will come that i am irresponsible. If i do not let them go, people will comment that i am doing extra work... so what is a man got to do?
And CCA? It's a really big shock that our cadets are so bad in their drills. They cannot even stand properly for long. I still remember the times whereby 50 push-ups at one go is nothing of a challenge. Nowadays we have safety guidelines and policies. Maybe it is the proper thing to have guidelines, but i wonder exactly how much we are doing for our next generation.
Why do i bother to meet the ncos and ask them to do work when at the end of the day, nothing seems to come back? Are your words just worthless or they think you are cracking jokes? Or they simply give up or refuse to attain excellence?
Just what is the thing with excellence that puts people away? Why are we so afraid of failure? Why are we all so irresponsible? Why can we not go ahead and face up to challenges?
What happened to all the time that i am supposed to do marking? What happened to students nowadays that they do not come together and overcome problems together?
What happened to all the people who said that they would help? What happened to all the zeal and the passion? What happened to love? What is happening to our world?
Homework, this is a big issue. Behaviour and attitude towards excellence. I think our class has a big issue. All other subjects aside, none of my assignments given to them has ever got a 100% hit in returns. So what is the point of being nice?
By constantly nagging? It probably works, but it burdens a great deal on me. When something is constantly on your mind, it stresses you a lot.
Recently it's beginning to take a toil on my health. All the constant migraines and gastric problems... all as a result of accumulated stress and deadlines. It doesn't help when the school is pushing for SEM reports, SQC status and EV on top of managing sec 4 teachers for RME and the grueling admin work for Founder's Day. All the admin with the entire school of form teachers took me a whole week of stress and many many PR problems to resolve. I don't like all these things but how can i ignore? If i let go of the absentees, comments will come that i am irresponsible. If i do not let them go, people will comment that i am doing extra work... so what is a man got to do?
And CCA? It's a really big shock that our cadets are so bad in their drills. They cannot even stand properly for long. I still remember the times whereby 50 push-ups at one go is nothing of a challenge. Nowadays we have safety guidelines and policies. Maybe it is the proper thing to have guidelines, but i wonder exactly how much we are doing for our next generation.
Why do i bother to meet the ncos and ask them to do work when at the end of the day, nothing seems to come back? Are your words just worthless or they think you are cracking jokes? Or they simply give up or refuse to attain excellence?
Just what is the thing with excellence that puts people away? Why are we so afraid of failure? Why are we all so irresponsible? Why can we not go ahead and face up to challenges?
What happened to all the time that i am supposed to do marking? What happened to students nowadays that they do not come together and overcome problems together?
What happened to all the people who said that they would help? What happened to all the zeal and the passion? What happened to love? What is happening to our world?
叹
The difference of being a very fierce teacher and a very nurturing teacher is when you have to put up a front and do things that you dislike. The pressure is building and its of no avail when your students put up a battle with you. Endless amount of tracking, always remembering that you are to punish them when actually it wasn't your intention. When will they see that it's always the matter and not them? Or perhaps that they need to do it right so unpleasant things will not happen?
Maybe there's more than just school that's causing those not-hardworking problems but are studies not the most important right now?
Maybe there's more than just school that's causing those not-hardworking problems but are studies not the most important right now?
31 July 2007
Sinful Japanese Salad
Very nice jap restaurant with nice food... most importantly with nice service!
Flower and Tea and Eggs
Nice to be having a break after a hard day's worth of work... though 430pm is a bit late for lunch
Moth!
A butterfly landed and some of us thought that it may be the founder back for a visit! Haha.. myth or superstition?
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