Stories of me and myself

A planned day playing the cable wakeboard at East Coast transformed into a day of travelling around aimlessly. Heh. But it was fun nevertheless.

This was what sustained me the for more than half the day... worth it. Heh. Anything with banana and/or maple syrup will do it!


It was too ex to play the cable wakeboard, but it's such a cool sport that we stood there watchingfor almost an hour! And we spotted this pretty, zai3 gal. Man... was I awed! She's so admirable! Haha! I wanna be like her! If only this was snowboard! But anyway, we are gonna try next week... so wish me luck! "Daffy wanna play! Daffy wanna play!!"

We proceeded to Pasir Ris park coswe felt like kayaking. But too bad,we were too late, and we weren't members with 1-star certificates! So dumb. Pure fren and myself are probably more qualified than 1-stars... but why should we pay money just to be certified?! Everything here comes with paper! Argh. Even rock climbing! Does a paper really mean that much? What use is it if you have a certificate for kayaking or rockclimbing... but you suck at either belaying or capsize rescue?! And people with experience are not allowed to even engage in that sport now? Bleah.

So, left with nothing exciting and out-of-the-ordinary to do, we settled for cycling. Rent 2 hours, get the next hour free. And we took the double bikes cos buddy can't cycle. She has this theory that she can drive to and fro to work, but she can't cycle to work. So why bother cycling? Hmm.. cos it's fun and it's always good to pick up a new skill? Heh. I can teach!! Quite qualified in some sense lah. Heh. But it wasn't much of a workout either cos we would stop every few metres... at the maze, at the breakwater, at the new BBQ pit, drink stop where i was fed 100 plus which eventually made my tummy churn so much I had to burp, spiderweb/playground and at a field to play frisbee. Though I must admit it was all rather fun.

Fun in the maze. Quite bo liao actually, but it's one of the attractions what. We experienced Harry Potter's maze! Especially this particular part where the maze narrows. Can be quite scary. Up to your imagination. Heh.



Nope, we ain't dancing... actually we were trying to use the frisbee to cover each other's face. If you can tell. Heh.



These are the berries earrings we spotted.


Breakwater. Where the tide was super low and revealed the mud flat. And I climbed down the breakwater to go explore. What's new right? I watched a huge earthworm wiggle and squirm, and got my slipper stuck deep in mud. How smart. Oh well. If you dun go down, you will never know how it's like to have your foot stuck deep in mud right? Heh.





The children's maze. It's quite smart. To reach the top of a long long slide, you need to climb up the spiderweb. So it's quite an obstacle for kids. I saw this little girl, at most 3 years of age... climbing up like a pro! Man... she's such a daring soul! I hope she grows up to be like me! Hahaha! Si gin na.


And the adults' maze. Not much of a kick anymore. But I do remember a time when Chien, Becky, Meow and myself were up there singing "Do that thing you do". That was a really fun and memorable time.



And the seal which gave me a ride.


Frisbee was a fun affair, with iliep screaming with each throw, until the person caught it, or until it landed on the ground. Haha! With pure fren jumping for the frisbee like a 'woof woof' till it landed on her head, twice, making her more gong3 than ever before! With buddy siam4-ing the frisbee when it was too fast for her, and with me running after the frisbee whenever it veered too far off. With pure fren going "And then and then??" whenever iliep's frisbee spun high up in the air in no particular direction. Heh. And apparently iliep still blames me for prolonging the frisbee time for 15 more minutes when she was already starving. And even more so when the Hongkong place at Katong was just brimming with people, such that we ended up at Parkway Parade. But it's ok wat... the Koo Kee place. Although mee rebus would have been nice too. (And Koo Kee is also located at Bugis Village by the way... contrary to the confident-but-not-so-accurate argument of the stubborn mule of a iliep! Hahaha!)

Although it was really a gallivant from one place to another with no particular aim whatsoever, it turned out ok lah. Till our next date at the cable wakeboard to make a fool out of ourselves in public. Heh. We are used to doing that, so no problem! Haha!

Yet another awesome class conducted by my history CT. It'll be a challenging task keeping up with her! But the good thing is, I really admire her cos in several ways, she is the kind of teacher I wanna be as well! that's why I find it challenging. In any case, we should always find the style that suits us best.

Oh, and whenever anyone mentions "pretty", she would go "me me!!" Hee. But I do not deny. When she goes to school, she dresses up like she's a model at a fashion show. But it's all in good faith. She dresses up for herself. She says that when the day is sucky... you will still feel good about yourself neverthelessly! Hee. But sometimes the dressing up does have an effect in making the kids look at you lah... At least you have their attention for that short while! Haha!

Anyway, we were made to attend the MOE Healthy Lifestyle event at old NIE, the CCA division today. We thought we would just be extras, showing face and just passing (or wasting) our time. But cos we were all in PE attire, we din have our hps nor a single cent on us. So we couldn't have zao4 in any case! There was a short downpour with a passing dark cloud. (Hmm.. anyone can tell me why rain clouds are dark??) We figured that it's cos there's some celestial being, or monster, lurking in the sky and the sun reflects this shadow onto the clouds, that's why it's dark. Heh. But of course we know it's not true. But we must let our creativity juices flow right?

We ended up engaging in a mass workout, where we clapped, punched, created sunshine with our arms, pretended to be on strike (imagine punching the air like u were cheering), climbed 600 steps in the air and did the square dance while rowing a boat. Then we went for a telematch. Amazingly, my team competed against ZY's team! Apparently she's called "gao1 mei4" by her fellow NIE trainees, for obvious reasons. (At least it isn't chang2 mei4! Haha!)

Me and my long and lanky P-in-P. (This time I took it, so that there wouldn't just be half my P-in-P in the photo!) Hee.


There were 4 stations.
1) Chicken laying eggs. Where we had to transfer mini squeaky fruits and/or balls in between our legs, cover a distance, and 'lay' them in a bucket.
2) Transfer water through a long water hose from a pail, only by using a sponge, to your tallest teammate standing a distance away, with a bottle on his/her head. (Of cos ZY was the one with the bottle on her head! Hahah!)
3) Wear a hat, squeeze and leopard crawl through a long spiral, caterpillar-looking plastic thingy, spin 8 rounds round a cone, pick a ball and throw it into a pail accurately. (Can u imagine ZY in the cocoon with her head at one end and her legs at the other? Cute huh? Hee.)
4) 2 team members to wear a sarong together, run and pick up items on the ground and drop them into a pail.

Yes, these were what teachers from various school were engaging in at the MOE Healthy Lifestyle event. Heh. Initially when I saw the logistics, I thought they resembled the doggie park with its obstacles at Bishan Park! But all in all, it was fun lah. I successfully emerged as a fellow teacher's horse, cos I was piggy-backing her many a times, and the best "sponger" ever (from the water game). A good workout, and a new experience of sports day. At least they didn't make us balance bean bags on our heads and run, or balance an egg on a spoon! Hee. And being the typical kiasu Singaporeans that we all are, of course we din forget to 'sponge' off the goodie bags and Milo truck! Heh.

Guess what?

The anticipation for my ONLY observation class today went to naught when I was asked to relief a class.
A class of Sec 5N.
I was just told to make sure they do their own work. So ok lor, since they are so old anyway. Don't need me to entertain them. So I sat in class to be entertained.

I observed this gal, W, spikey hair and all, fleeting from table to table, whacking everyone she encountered. Be it a slap on the back, showing her fist, kicking a chair, grabbing something that someone is reading, irritating everyone... in the name of Attention. I think she had serious insecurity issues. It escalated when she 'bullied' the crap out of this poor boy, K, who was innocently sitting in the middle of the class alone, doing his work. She would go push his head, mess up his hair roughly, slap his back, grab his calculator and pretend it was a phone, refuse to return him his bag, etc... for no rhyme or reason! Afterward he was really pissed off, so he blatantly ignored her. (I think the gal felt slightly guilty, cos then she would make irrelevant small talk to get his attention. But she resorted to whacking him again when he really bo chup her.) He turned around to the Malay boys, who unfortunately told him to "go away". But I must admire the thickness of his skin, or maybe he was really desperate for refuge. Cos the boys kinda joined the gal and slightly bullied him as well, by imitating her actions.

Should I have stepped in at that point? I'm not sure. But then I had already set an OTOT tone and atmosphere for them, cos I trusted that they were old and matured enough. And so I prayed. I prayed for wisdom, for the right time. I asked a rather matured gal what's up with them, and she commented that they are always at odds with each other. Hmmm.

And so I walked outside the class, and ushered the gal, W, over, after she made another dig at K. Think I made the wrong move, but I asked her whether bullying others really did make her feel better. She walked away after shrugging me off. But later when the bell rang and the boy was outside waiting for everyone to proceed, she came out and started hitting him. He finally tried to retaliate this time, commenting exasperatingly to ask her to behave more like a girl, while it almost escalated to a physical outbreak. But no-no, I was there, so I physically broke up the fight. She walked off in a huff. I put my hand round K and started to talk to him. I was afraid that his self-esteem would be hurt, due to the bullying, and being sort of a social outcast in class. So I asked him to be calm, and think about whether he ever wondered if bullying to W stemmed from insecurity issues. I also pointed out that it was not his fault that he was being picked on, cos I noticed her picking on everyone else. But he was the only one who showed his discomfort and retaliated, while the rest just laughed it off. (Though I would have retaliated too if I were him! She obviously went overboard! But I had to be the teacher and the clear-minded one here huh.) In any case, I told him to stay strong and assure him that it was her problem, not his. He just so happened to be there. I have no idea where all these words came from, but I thank God for the opportunity to speak to him. Cos the amazing thing was that, the words seem to have some effect on him, and he actually turned around and said, "Bless you", before he left.

One class, but an exciting experience. That's what teaching entails? I'm excited.

"What can i say? To so faithful a friend... to so loving a king..." (I can't remember the lyrics nor the title of this song... but I love it. Hee.)

It was a mad rush today cos I was so beat last nite that I din prepare anything till this morning. Captain Procastinator in action! Heh. Anyway, I decided on my clothes (un-ironed but it was fine. Hee), bugged my mum for a bag, settled footwear and I was out. To a brand new day at a brand new school (for me).

When I walked into the general office, it was a clinical experience. Why? Cos it totally smelt like a clinic, and cos the other trainees and myself were sitting on the chairs by the side, waiting outside the P's office, it seemed like we were waiting for our doctor's appointment. And when the P walked out, he looked like a doctor, short of a stethoscope. Hee.

Induction was kinda ad hoc. OTOT. Based on your own intitative. But there were 2 separate formal meet-the-P and meet-the-VP sessions. The consultation sessions lasted quite long, but at least they were free! Heh. Din issue any MC though. Though I did pick up some tips.

What I can remember....

1) Exude an aura of confidence when you walk into class. Confident teachers also have their fair share of problems, but they can handle them better, and in a better position to prevent or anticipate them. Walk around in class. Get their attention. Don't start till they are ready to listen to you. (Even if the supervisor is watching you.) Practicum is about us sincerely learning on the job, cos we wanna be effective teachers in the future. It's not to please the supervisor or CT. (They just happen to be there to assess if we are cut out as teachers.)

2) What is unique or interesting about you that can attract the students' attention? Why is it that they have to listen to you? Now we can't just answer that we are teachers. Cos last time, students are ready for school, now we have to get them ready for school by creating interest. And our competitors are the internet, cable tv, computer games, etc.

3) Do your homework before entering the class. Let the students know you take an interest in them.

4) Mean what you say. Let them know you mean business. If you say you'll collect work tmr, collect work tmr. Even if it means popping into the class at the last period and just asking for the work. If they say their parents are waiting, offer to call their parents.

5) If you need to confront a student for misbehaviour, start with a question. "What should you be doing? Didn't we have an agreement?" This will serve to calm the situation and get to the root of it. Even the most pai-kia student will have to answer, or if they dun answer, you already win. But if we shout and rave at them, both parties will get hot-headed. If the student wins the argument, no face for the teacher. If the teacher wins, good. But then the students will know where you ticking point is, and they will be tempted to try more stunts with you.

6) We are professionals. Act like it. How? Just being on task, do lesson plans (not to the extent of NIE's detailed LPs of cos) keeping up with students' progress, informing parents, etc. To cover your babooney pink butt. In case parents call and exclaim, "What?! You let a trainee teacher teach my child?! Is my child a guinea pig?!" (Yeah, and you are the real pig.)

7) Keep reminding ourselves that when the kids piss us off, dun take it personally. It's cos they have problems. And if we tell ourselves that it boils down to the fact that they are just kids, we will feel better.

8) Young and inexperienced as we are, we still have lots to offer. Idealism which can translate into pragmatism. The courage and the zest to try out new and untested stuff. Old birds might be too used to tried and tested methods that they are unwilling to venture into new arenas. And if we make mistakes, it's ok to make it now, then in the future. So let's just CHEONG! Heh. The most we learn lor. It is the learning process that matters rite? That's a good strategy to get the "good progress award". Heh.

I met my cts too. Whacky, bubbly, friendly ppl. Both are really young and unconventional teachers.

One of them pointed out the "princess" to me today. And we were peeping out at her. Quite funny. He went, "That's the princess of P. Be careful, she bites." (No, Princess of P does NOT refer to Princess Pengy! Haha) I thought he was joking... till he exclaimed that she really bites! Apparently she bit the DM! But was nice enough to ask her Maths teacher if she could bite her! Hahaha! I was totally amused! Imagine: "Good morning class. So, whose turn is it for me to bite today?" or "You forgot to do your homework huh? That'll be one bite. If you forget again, it'll be two bites. Thank you very much."

K sorry for going off on a tangent. Anyway they said they'll give me the freedom to do whatever I want with the kids. So I'm happy about that. Hee. And apparently, I'm given a darling of a class, apart from a terror. But I won't generalise lah. Just gonna go in and have fun and just cheong. See how it goes. Till then. Keep me in your prayers... especially when I am still unsure over what rules are necessary, how to be versatile and handle diff kids and diff situations, what kinda teacher I wanna be, the way I am gonna be shaped (no, not gonna be corny right here. Heh.), etc. Especially how I wanna find my own style, and not be swayed into adopting the culture or rule of the day, that I will have the courage to be myself despite of the circumstances, and that I will have the wisdom, insight and understanding to handle everything. Heh.

Another round of Sunday = cell group day today.
Another awesome day. Thank you Lord.

I played so hard at badminton today. Was truly enjoying myself. Played almost continuously for the whole 3 hours, except for times when I had to refill my bottle. Hee. It was awesome today cos so many turned up, and there was so much more competition going on. Just played like I was back in Sec school! Cheong all the way! Hee. I LOVE badminton. P-in-P agreed that it's probably the ONLY thing which I won't procastinate over! *grin* I do get quite impatient when I dun get my full hours worth of the game. Hee.

And the more edifying thing is that, Emay jiejie, HF, iMerf and even Meow Meow are improving! So happy. Seriously.
I pray that this badminton fellowship grows. That more people will join us, and that we will continue to improve, and bond even closer to each other. They are truly one group of brothers and sisters whom I am not shy to reveal my true self with. As proven by the crazy dancing during worship practice today! Hahah! I am still mesmerized by Emay jiejie's voice. Can melt melt melt! Someone please wipe me up with a cloth and put me in a bucket? Please dun leave anything behind, cos I still want to play badminton! Hahaha!

Thank you Lord for my dearest cell group. Please continue to watch over all of us, and bless us as we go about our daily endeavours. Till next week....

I had an awesome day yesterday.

Started it off by making another choco pie. Yes, the same one. But not the one with the sexy blackie smiley face. Hee.
And silly me accidentally touched the oven and burnt my hand. *pain pain*

Went to play badminton with buddy, pure fren and iliep at Clementi. I seriously love to play at Clementi. It's airy, there are so many courts, and the 2nd shower cubicle is my favourite. The water pressure is like a jaccuzzi I tell ya! It's just so refreshing! Heh. My buddy played really well too.. and she claims that she ran for the balls and covered me cos she gave me face. Hmm... that's rather nice to know... cos usually she's the type who stands there like a pretty statue and refuses to move! Hahaha! And then I have to pick those balls that are out of her range! Hee. Not that I mind lah! And playing with pure fren was just great! I haven't played with her for so long! Heh. And of cos, she can easily thrash me lah! that woman is just superb! =) And iliep was fun to play with... caught on very fast! With lots of (ir)relevant sound effects! *grin*

But cos I din eat the whole day... I felt rather giddy thru out the game... and had this really strange feeling in my tummy. "I feel it in my tummy... I feel it in my head... The love that's all around me..." K, another attempt to scare you off by my horrendous singing. Hee. Anyway, we ended up at Pizza Hut. Where the lift goes... "kingking kongkong" cos it's so old! Hee.

That is buddy and me. Our greedy faces in the face of pizza.


The 3 pizzas. BBQ chicken, Supreme and Hawaiian. And buddy insists that the BQ chicken looks the best. Aiyah. Whatever. Heh. Let her win. Haha! I got all her capsicums. So I shall 'tiam tiam'. Hee.


Pure fren and iliep. The ant and the elephant. Hahaha!


And 4 of us at Pizza Hut. Where the waitress was cute. Why cute? Cos she's new... and quite a klutz. Hee. Drop this, drop that... and the way she took order and repeated it was really quite amusing. =)


It was pouring like it never poured before after lunch. Buddy even mentioned noticing an ang mo trapped at the busstop with water up to his shins! And it was flooded everywhere!! But I was quite lucky. By the time I got home, it had subsided. So no need umbrella! Heh. Not that I carry one anyway! =) Thank God!

Shortly after, I had to rush to meet YP jiejie and my partner-in-procastination at Orchard. Planned to go to PS and sit at the open space outside the MRT. Thank God it stopped raining then too! But ZY had to leave early, so we met at Taka instead. Scoured the outside, the civic area for a suitable place to sit down. We even considered those cave-like spaces, those leading to ulu-ated staircases. Hee. Cheapskate mah... (as YP jiejie describes me, and I shamelessly accept it! Hee) Eventually we settled at some corner. We made ZY sit down and presented her the pie (which had broken into half). Unprofessionally lit the candle for her and spontaneously broke out into the birthday song for her. *grin* Then we made the poor girl finish my pie. Well, need to stuff her up lah... She's all bones! Hee.



That's my P-in-P pretending she's some star and avoiding the camera. Hee. Looks more like that kind of accused walking out of the courtroom instead rite? hee.








Then came the presentation of the pressies. The blue Nalgene, which YP so professionally wrapped, such that it resembled a bottle of wine! But the PINK Melody wrapper just... well... hmm... you know... Hee. More silly photos...

This self-took photo turned out well! Hee.


This too! Although there's only half a ZY. But it's ok. She's too long anyway! Hee.


Had a fun time chitchatting at Mac's (cos YP said I cheapskate, remember? Heh.)... where ZY treated us to choc sundae! Hee. And do you know that choc sundae contains more sodium than a small pack of fries? "ohhhh" (You know how Japs express their amazement? Hee.) Oh, talking about Japs. We saw a geisha!! Haha! No lah, just a lady in kimono. Truly authentic. Her slipper and all. Heh.

We sent ZY to Borders, before proceeding to Bugis for YP's curry beef noodle at Crystal Jade Macau. Looked quite good. And she treated me to guilin gao with mango sago!! Woohoo! I love my friends! Hee. Then we took a walk down to Rochor, where we took the bus home.

It's really heart-warming to just hang out and have fun with the gals. Friends from NIE whom I met 8 months ago. And friends whom I know I wanna keep. Forever and beyond, if possible. And of cos my dearest buddy and my dearest pure fren! *grin* Girlfriends keep you sane. Girlfriends are there when you need someone to talk to, someone to play with, someone to lean on. Treasure your girlfriends... even if you are attached! Hee. Cos though husbands and boyfriends are the love of your life, girlfriends are the ones who will be there for you thru all the ups and downs.

"After a hard day's work.... lalalala... lalala..."
- An attempt at a trigger activity to get ppl's attention. Heh. More with my horrible singing actually! Hee.

Yep, finally got the risky youth essay out of the way. I completed it 1 day before submission leh... can you believe it? Me?! The renowned procastinator! Heh. But that was only cos I had a pile of history stuff to do... which is now truly HISTORY! Hah! I still reveal the traits of a professional procastinator lah... worked non-stop for 24 hrs just to complete this history assignment. Till I just look at the comp and I wanna puke! (I'm sorry, Apple.)

Was focusing so much on SBQ and SEQ that I got so tired typing "provenance", "reliability" and its sort! And you know what the irritating thing is? My fingers STILL naturally type "provenace" despite the 6 millionth time I have typed it! (And no, I din have to purposely type it without the 'n'! Din know I could count till 6 million huh! Hmph!) But I must say that throwing me into the deep end and making me create an exam paper and its LORMS really teaches me how the entire thing works. So I do appreciate it in a sick kinda way. Heh.

Anyway, I have a couple of thanksgiving items. (No, not turkey nor pumpkin pie!)

1) I wanna thank God for keeping me sane throughout the last 2 days of bia-ing, for giving me a clear mind to think, for keeping me alive and healthy despite the loss of sleep, for keeping me calm and relaxed through it all.

2) I wanna thank God for keeping Apple healthy and hardworking. He has been working non-stop with me too. My reliable partner. (Argh! And that's another 'reliable' being typed!)

3) I wanna thank God for all the people He has provided to keep me going, those who have been around me keeping me company one time or another, giving encouragement, laughing or playing with me, people whom I know I can trust, etc. Oh, and special thanks to 3 wonderful ladies who helped lighten my originally hectic Friday! Credit to YP jiejie who helped me print and hand in my risky youth essay, partner-in-procastination ZY who collaborated and printed the history assignment, and Emay jiejie for being my trusted alarm clock! =)

4) I wanna thank God for my practicum posting (for it being like 400m from my place and it's small, cozy environment), my understanding supervisor (I haven't met him yet but so far he has been really nice!), my cooperating teacher (she's young, bubbly and friendly... I hope I become good friends with her.) and just the initial good impression and excitement that I am feeling right now about practicum. I pray I have loads of fun! *dying to bounce around now... boing boing boing*

5) I wanna thank God for the sudden surge in badminton sessions. From Fridays with Char (no, Tuesdays are not with Morrie) to Sundays with cell, and even impromptu Saturday sessions... (now with buddy, pure fren and "lacklustre sloth" iliep! Hahaha!) Hmm... "i'm lovin' it". Give me badminton and I'm happy! Heh. I pray that there'll be more badminton sessions to come, or even other sports, or just the continuation of these sessions. I pray that more people will join us on Sundays. It's just amazing how one badminton session with cell one Sunday evolved into a somewhat permanent activity! Worship with cell, Bible Study with cell, badminton with cell and dinner with cell! Sunday equals cellday! But still... "i'm lovin' it!"

NIE Life: Now that NIE is approaching its end... I wanna thank God for...

6) My tutors, especially Tutor S (who's clear about what she teaches and eager to impart her knowledge and provide advice. You just feel so secure under her.), Tutor K (whom we have grown used to and I am still amused by his idiosyncrasies and character), risky youth tutor (she's one whom I really admire), even Tutor "dance-to-my-hp-tune" (she added to the boliao side of it all too. Heh.) etc.

7) The opportunity to just be myself, be it antagonizing fellow classmates, or having awesome fellowship with friends, etc.

8) My History class! Every single soul... Viki the black teddybear who calls himself 'nei', Mr Tan the Wise-yet-rubbishy, CM the microsoft word guy, Wes the okay-till-he-swears fella who gives 'zero' without mercy, and especially to Pokechar, Pokekar and my partner-in-porcastination who are always there to play with me, giggle to no ends, talk about anything under the sky, and yet are trustworthy friends of mine.

9) My SS class. Though they are only 5 of us. But I really like the coziness of it all. And the familiarity with each other... that even though it gets dry at times, the company is enough to make me yearn for more. Oops, do I sound masochistic?

10) My Geog class. The microteaching days were really fun fun fun! It allowed me to bond with my classmates, and in the process also learn hands-on classroom management skills. Through it, I got to know the Company, the Mathmos, Chris the outrageously funny guy ("oops! *covers mouth and giggle*), Dolphinzzz the one who got antagonized by the pet 'rock fish', LL the cool gal who rides the motor and even hid in the cupboard with me, SW the super zai 'cher of us all (whom I enjoy antagonizing and oh my she retaliates! Hahaha!), OBSunsetLY who is forever so nice to me, Mas the forever-so-stylo, nice and down-to-earth 'cher, Prakesh the hp-stuck-to-ear-Bollywood star, CY the one without a hp, etc etc.

11) My GESL group. For gelling so well together and cooperating so efficiently that there were little or no complaints. For everyone who were responsible and gave the best. For W and her 2 little gifted boys... her leadership still impresses me to no ends. This group is really a miracle cos we are probably one of the rare groups who worked really well together.

12) For my last stint as a student before officially entering working life. I truly appreciate and treasure every moment spent in NIE (even the travelling time!).

Teaching was a good choice. I kinda believed in it, I still believe in it (duh!) and I hope I believe it for as long as possible. Heh.

Went shopping today although I din accomplish any of my great ambitions of doing work. Heh. Play always comes first mah. Heh. The shop had discount, so dun waste. Go in and look look see see lor! And I ended up with a blouse and a skirt. Yes, another skirt. My new obsession. Heh.



YP jiejie says that building up resources for work clothes takes time. Heh. Yeah, and money! It kinda lightens our pocket while our wardrobe grows heavier!

Anyway, I felt a little guilty on spending cos when I was at Mac's... there was this mummy behind me with 2 little boys. And she was trying to persuade them to eat McChicken, cos it's cheap. Nuggets cost like almost twice the price of a burger, and a meal is even more expensive. And she had already bought a $1 ice-cream for her son this afternoon. She wasn't being overly calculative... you could tell that she really wanted to make her sons happy, but she really couldn't afford. It was heart-wrenching to just listen to the conversation. Yes, believe it or not, Mac's is a treat to some ppl in Singapore! In fact, I do find Mac's rather pricey, that's why I'm no loyal customer to it... or any fast food outlet for that matter! Well, I just pray that her 2 little boys will be able to understand their mum's financial restraint and feel the love that she has for them, despite her difficulty.

I could sort of relate to them. And when I think about it, I feel this love encompassing me. The love of sacrifice, pure mummy's love for her kid/s despite the situation, the eagerness to please, etc. Although I feel it, I'm just not the kind who will go any further than a 'thank you' and a big grin. And possibly through indirect action of getting her something back in return or something along that line. Not the kind who will leap for joy and hug and kiss mummy. Heh.

But oh well, spending... I believe in spending on friends too. But not on expensive frivolous stuff which will just achieve a smile. Heh. Cheap frivolous stuff... hmm... mebbe. More pricey practical stuff... yes, depending on friend. This one I am willing to spend. Heh. But mostly I prefer putting in effort rather than money lah... like planning a day of play, cooking a meal, baking/roasting/grilling a cake, writing a note/card of appreciation and boosting one's ego, etc. So yeah, if you dun receive a present on ya birthday, it's not cos I dun like you! Heh.

In any case, thank God for providing me with a comfortable life. And a pi4 pi4 in which I think really really hard before I spend. My mum thinks I'm the hardest person a salesperson can make any profit from. Heh. Making decisions is an art leh... and apparently I just suck at it! Hah! But if someone can persuade me that it's worth the price, then ok lah. I'm quite easy to persuade what.

Anyway, I should think of better ways to honour God with my resources.

I adapted this boomberang theory from a classmate.

"Love is like a boomerang. If you throw out ya love, it will return to you one day." When it will return doesn't matter, but rest assured that it will. Cos God is fair. If you show love, God will show you 10 times more love!

Take it in terms of teaching.
All students, regardless of how rotten they might be, have their good points. We need to focus on these good points in order not to colour our perception of them. Only then can we love them. Humans are sensitive creatures. God created us in His image, and He is a God of LOVE! So of course we can feel and experience love and show love!

If we throw out our boomerang of love to our students each day, they will feel it, and somehow or other, this boomerang will return to you, in some form or another. But of course, dun just be too obsessed on when and how this boomerang will return lah... (or else our heads might just get chopped off by the boomerang and we won't even notice it!)

Let us endure and rejoice in the PROCESS of this throwing of the boomerang of love to our students. Let us rejoice in the FINAL PRODUCT of our love, that is, the growth of our students due to our love and persistence. Let us take an interest in them. Let us be genuine towards them. Cos only with sincerity will the boomerang go far. That's why we joined the teaching profession rite? To "mould the future", to touch and influence lives, to "make a difference", etc. Sounds cheesy, but these are reasons why I joined teaching. (Of course, other than the perceived fun lah!)

As long as our focus is on the positive development and growth of our students, we will not go astray. A tip which was shared in class... We can change our perspective towards the seemingly endless and unnecessary admin work by viewing it as being useful to our understanding of the students. For example, being informed about their attendance, background and progress. Then at least we see a purpose in admin work and won't regard it too much of a chore! How useful it is... well, no harm trying rite? Heh.

Will anyone die from too much love? Hmm...

This is my new broccoli theory. We should strive to be like a broccoli!
What vegetable is more superior to a broccoli?

Broccoli's strengths....

1) It's strong and sturdy. Only through lots of boiling will it soften.
Implication: We can undergo all kinds of trials and tribulations. Not easily defeated.

2) It has mulitple florets.
Implication: We are resourceful and capable enough to multi-task. We can handle all the important to nitty-gritty details necessary in life and at work.

3) It's nutritious.
Implication: We can touch and improve the lives of others, be it in character-moulding of our students, imparting knowledge, guiding, lending a helping hand, listening ear, shoulder to lean on, spending time with someone who needs it, showing love, being a silly clown to bring laughter to others, a pat on the back, or even just a smile of encouragement. And so on and so forth...

4) It's pretty.
Implication: This point can be quite frivolous lah, but I'll try to smoke. We need to be presentable and elude a sense of respectability. I am afterall gonna be a teacher rite?! =)

Blah blah blah. But I cun think of any other vegetable which is on par with dear broccoli. =)
Not even its cousin - cauliflower. It just PALES in comparison!

Any challenges? Heh.

Met Emay jiejie to go cycle at East Coast. (After a failure to organise a surprise pig-out at my house...)

Anyway, thank God for keeping the dark clouds and its rain away, and for the wonderful weather!
We ended up walking, picking up mini "seashells on the seashore", climbing breakwaters, spotting and watching crabbies playing amongst the moss and hiding from the strong waves splashing onto the rocks.

The difference between Emay jiejie and myself....
She picks pretty, flawless, tiny seashells while I pick BIG seashells and go "yum yum" and heck the Quality Control part.
She spots tiny crabs and go "cute" while I spot larger crabs and go "yum yum", thinking how best to cook them.
Hahaha! So which type are u??

Anyway, Emay jiejie spotted a tiny hermit crab, which I picked up and grew rather attached to. We named it "Hermie".

I really liked him. Why?

He had this natural sensor in him, such that if u waved ya hand near him, he would creep back into his shell and pretend that nobody was home. But he was always very adventurous, peeping his head out time and again to see where he was. He spent some time in my pocket, cos there was nowhere else to put him! I was thinking of presenting him to ZY as a birthday present, but I din know what he eats, and din think that presenting a dead hermit crab to ZY would be ideal. Heh. (Maybe a snail would be a better choice! Hmm... idea! *grin*) Crustaceans eat fish, but ANYTHING would be BIGGER than dear tiny Hermie! So in the end, after much deliberation, I decided that nature does not belong to me, and I had no right to take Hermie home when I wasn't capable of taking care of him. So we prayed for him and put him back on the beach.

Do you know that there's a cable wakeboarding area just beside the hawker centre?? Anyone interested?!

Oh, and as we were having dinner, guess who came and took the seats beside us?! Lim Kay Tong (!) and this other young Caucasian guy whom we assumed was a friend's son. We waited so that we could eavesdrop on the conversation, but he took so long ordering that Emay jiejie and I gave up waiting. Hee. Maybe he knew? Haha!

Yep, all in all, a fun day of play which ended with the admiration of the fireworks at River Hong Bao.

Thank God for all the friends that he has put in my life.... for the ones whom I feel so comfortable with that I can be myself anytime and spout nonsense and they would still accept me for who I am, for the ones who oblige my whims and fancies and still play with me, etc. Thank you God for all the fellowship I have had this weekend.

Why happy? Cos I got to play! =) Easily satisfied? Yeah!

Friday/Saturday:

Had a fun history class. It's the last class though. Sigh. I really do like my history classmates. Intellectual, witty, relaxed and fun to be with. I thank God for every single soul in history class. They have brightened the otherwise dreary history classes, and in many ways, cultivated my love for the teaching of history. And especially also to those who have put up with my crazy antics, danced with me to Nalla's ridiculous hp tune, laughed with me, prayed with me, etc. Thank God.

Had lunch with YP and ZY at Taka. I like this impromptu hanging out sessions. Makes me happy. I thank God for providing me with friends whom I get along with, even during this short stint at NIE. Thank God also for providing opportunities to get to know them better.

Went window-shopping with Chien at Far East. Quite fun watching her play dress-up. Hee.
Went into a zi-char place and then left without eating. Why? Cos Chien mentioned that she had a craving for beef hor-fun, so we decided to indulge her craving. So we headed down to Geylang. Met a self-righteous cab-driver who was so rude he replied, "I dunno! I don't go to these 'dirty' places one!", when I asked him if he knew where the famous beef horfun was located. I mean, come on, I'm asking him about food lor! And Geylang is a tourist spot for local food rite?! And if he din frequent such places, how would he know the 'lorongs' so well?! Argh.
Anyway the horfun and 'unsweet' and 'overly sweet' tau-huey were satisfying.

Decided to head to Chien's place to watch dvd - "Garden State". Well, not too satisfying a movie. Nice soundtracks though. Dozed off after talking gibberish about the movie. (Not that Chien knew cos she was sleeping during the movie! Reminded me of "Groundhog Day" when Becky, Meow, Chien and myself all fell asleep! Hee. So much for movie nite! Anyway, it was late, so I stayed over at her place. For those who dunno, this place is a HOTEL! Hee. Can hear the fountain in the garden, and imagine it's a clear stream or creek. Free toothbrush and toothpaste, comfy bed and comforter, excellent room service, awesome ambience... (imagine a luxurious room in the forest), etc. Haha!
Thank God for providing a place to have fun, hang out and relax.
Thanks Chien for providing such good hospitality. And breakfast! =)



Isn't it just so professional-looking? Hee. And there's even NICE music to add to the mood of breakfast! Hahha! Hotel service number 1! *grin*

Headed down to Arab Street to look for curtain fabric, but got all confused by the Math and came to the conclusion that IKEA would be a better choice. Anyway, we found a cheap and nice nasi padang place. (Well, after the destructive duck toppled the tray of spoons in another restaurant with the bulky bag of hers!)

Just some of the dishes. And the unchewable beef, which resulted in it being the 'untouchable.'




Thanks Chien for pointing out the close-up function on my camera!
Thanks Chien for gallivanting with me and for the fun and relaxing time throughout. =)
Thank God for Chien. I really appreciate the times I get to hang out with close friends.

Just thought this was hilarious!



It was meant to be a normal smiley face, but it turned out to be a charred smiley face!
It's burnt but it's still smiling!

Moral of the story: We should learn to take things in our stride and be happy despite the circumstances!

Black is beautiful.

I discovered who my supervisor will be today. And it made me jitter a little.
I was checking up on him, looking for his face and all, while In a conversation with YP...

Me: mine is from oxford... specialising in 20th century SEAsian history
Me: oh man! i know who he is!!
Me: i know who he is!!
Me: he wears a strange cap to class!
Me: oh man! it finally dawned on me!
Me: ahhhh!!!!!
Me: oh no. it's the wrong guy.
Me: hahahaha!
YP: u cartoon!!!!
YP: ur emotion went through anticlimax in a matter of seconds

Yes, indeed! Still feeling jittery, but I'm gonna take it in stride. Just let me pass and let me get out and play! Heh.

Anyway, I was reading thru the teachers' mission statement and all. And it dawned on me that, hey, teaching is a HUGE responsibility! Okkk.. i know i've been at NIE for quite some time and i should have realised this like eons ago. Yes, of cos i know teaching is a huge responsibility cos we are "moulding the future", touching lives, influencing little minds and all... I thought I was all ready. But I dunno what made me feel inadequate all of a sudden, like I'm not up to it. Being a teacher is like being an octopus, (with possibly thrice the number of tentacles!) having to juggle between planning, being creative, classroom management, students' academic progress, character development, psychological encouragement, emotional problems, school admin, parents, CCA, upgrading of skills, lifelong learning, and the list is never-ever-ending! And above that, we are to remain SANE and STILL have a life! Hee.

Am I up to it? Will I be a good teacher?

I got this from YP. Heh. Natural poet?

"U can, I'm sure, cos you have the passion that others may lack.
But of coz, it's not a bed of roses.
Be prepared for the down, but there are always us around."

Yeah, I need to always adopt the self-patented "i want to play" perspective in life to keep sane! Heh. I pray that there will be people to play with me always!

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The whole day I was bugged with these questions.

"Am I hungry or am I not? To eat or not to eat?"

To the extent that it made me so annoyed! Annoyed for being indecisive over such a trivial question!
Know the feeling of being just a tad bit hungry or munchy, but not wanting to eat cos you'll feel bloated afterward?
But if you dun eat, you feel all uncomfortable?
Argh.

To eat or not to eat. That is the question. (rendition of William Shakespeare)

Today was the day where the first thing people ask you is, "Where are you posted to?" Am I mail-able? Hmm. Hee.

Anyway, I'm posted to Peirce Sec. Quite excited over it actually. To tell you the truth, I was kinda worried that I would be posted to BPSS, due to some inherent but unnecessary prejudice. Anyway, I figured that there was no point worrying about it, since I have no say in where I was gonna be posted anyway! So sad hor? Heh. What I found really useful was this.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" (Luke 12:25-26)

So I put my faith in God, to let Him place me wherever He thinks is the best place. I know not the reasons why Peirce, but I know that the dots will connect one day. And since we have been placed wherever that we've been placed, let us all just accept it with an open heart and not form any preconceptions or prejudgments which will colour our view of the school and affect our experience. Practicum is the time for us to learn as much as possible on the job, with less than half the full workload. So let us just treasure this time and have fun while learning and interacting with the students and staff!

Tutor S flashed several ppt slides containing intellectual quotes today, and we were asked to guess the time frame of which they were being written in. They consisted of stuff like the girls being unladylike, youths being unruly, rebellious, etc. And to our surprise, those quotes were written mostly in BC! From Greek thinkers like Socrates and so on! So you see, adolescence is a difficult period, where the adolescent battles with his/her hormones, friendships, relationships, self-identity and self-worth, academically, etc. And the education system here isn't exactly relaxing. But these problems have almost always existed... like there were ah-bengs and ah-lians in the past, there will still be ah-bengs and ah-lians in the future, albeit more cool-sounding terms? Hee. So if teachers could cope and handle these in the past and present, we should also be able to handle them as teachers. Let us not judge them. Let us befriend them, empathise with them, and guide them.

Whenever students throw a tantrum or are disruptive/irritable in class, let us not take it personally. There are a million and one things that could have happened before we walked into their classroom.
Perhaps they had a fight with their parents in the morning...
Perhaps they had to work part-time till late last night...
Perhaps they are stressed by their coming exams...
Perhaps they just broke up with their sweetheart...
Perhaps they just got into a fight on their way to school...
Perhaps they just need a shower from the humid weather...
Perhaps perhaps perhaps...

So let us not let them get to us. Let us always keep COOL, CALM and COLLECTED whatever the situation. And to EMPATHISE with the kids. We are the mature ones in the classroom. We are the professionals. We have the authority. Let us put these "priviledges" to good use. Easier said than done hor? But at least have a vision mah... then can practise as time passes. Without a vision or an aim, how to proceed?!

We talked about teenagers and the more liberal society now. Where teenagers are more open and willing to talk about sex (which was a taboo in the past) and are also engaging in it earlier and more often.

What faciliates casual sex now is also the internet. An important point being made about the dangers of the internet... when you are online talking to strangers, it's less stressful and more edifying cos you can manipulate them to say nice things to you and make you feel good. This is also another reason why teenagers like to chat with strangers. These people don't know who they are, and hence can't judge them. "Empathy" is the key word while dealing with students.

What struck me was the video, in which 2 girls and 1 guy gave their testimonies. For the guy, he indulged in 2 casual sexual relations and also once with his girlfriend, whom he apparently loved. He talked about the difference involved when love is present and when it's absent. (But the point is, he did it anyway!) He claimed that he felt guilty the next morning, filled with the fear of making the girl pregnant, fear of STDs, etc. But he rationalised it with the fact that the girl was willing. Isn't this what always happens? Whenever we know intrinsically that we have sinned, we try to trivalise it or even convince ourselves that we are blameless by inventing excuses for ourselves. This is also stated in Romans 1:18, where men "suppress the truth by their wickedness". What is "permissible" may not be beneficial.

The other girl succumbed due to several factors. Firstly, peer influence, whereby her friends were all "doing it" with their boyfriends. She was so self conscious, and had low self-esteem, thinking that she was fat and ugly. So she went to the online chatrooms to talk to strangers. And soon enough, there were guys chatting her up and tempting her into having sex with them and all. But she was still too young... she was 12 or 14, I can't remember. But you get the idea. You get how the internet is a 'useful' tool to facilitate such 'transactions'. Anyway, when she was 16, she went out with this 21 year-old fella to a chalet and they were in a room, and he apparently raped her. Afterward, he grinned at her and walked out. HUH?!! She was confused but she din know how to react. She din report it cos she din know if she was at fault, whether she had given out the wrong signals, whether she was willing, or what comprised of rape... cos to her, it was so different from what rape is portrayed to be like. This I blame the media. Poor girl. I guess any girl would be confused and made to take the blame onto themselves. But in such cases, just report. Dun care.

Anyway, she was psychologically scarred, but she din seek help. Instead, she rebounded the other way. She lured men to 'score'. In fact, she slept with up to 50 men in a period of 4 years! (So much so that she could be walking on the street, and meet some guy she has slept with before but not remember!) Her reason? To hopefully find love. She would lay down all her cards and go, "If you want sex, I'll give you sex. But if you want me as your girlfriend, let me know." She felt that if she couldn't attract them with her looks, she could hopefully impress them in bed, and HOPEFULLY they might take her as their girlfriend. Poor girl... Worldly love isn't the most fulfilling love of all, neither is it worth it or eternal. The only love that we can fully trust is God's love, "for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

More importantly, these men are SO not worth it! In fact, they are men of high standing in society - lawyers, pilots, doctors, and in her words, "they were all brought down to their knees". Does it really matter if you are of a high positon in society?!Maybe she does feel a thrill and mebbe even taking revenge from the hurt caused by the rape? Even men who are married with children call her! This instantly and totally totally turned me off! It is so SICK! I know that not ALL men are like that. But this is one aspect which I will forever be suspicious of, cos they are more capable than women to have sex without love. This is possibly where the "Men cannot be trusted" saying originated from right? They sweet talk all the way, then once they've scored, they pai1 pai1 pi4 gu3 and byebye, never to have anything to do with you again. And the best thing is they don't lose out as much as the woman. If the latter gets pregnant, the guy can absolve all responsibilites, but the woman has to endure the pregnancy, or undergo abortion. Is it worth it, you ask yourself. Is it worth it to give yourself to a guy who can't be trusted, whose only intention is to score. And even if both parties are willing, to "have fun with each other to kill time", aren't there other ways to have fun?! Like play a sport, go for a meal, etc.

Another proof of a society filled with sin and depraved minds. =(

Anyway, here are some of God's promises towards sin and temptation.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (James 1:13-14)

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

God is ever faithful and merciful and filled with overflowing love and grace for us even though we are such sinners. Let us clean up our acts and resist and turn away from the sinful desires of the heart and flesh. Let us focus on God and His Holy ways and be edified. Let us be good testimonials for Him.

Decided to bake a chocolate pie. Also for Emay Jiejie's birthday. And the entire thing was cleared after BS! Chocolate lovers I see... Heh.













And this is my dear cell celebrating Emay jiejie's birthday! =)



For BS, we started on Acts. Quite excited over it. Hee.

To badminton it was after cell! A fun fun time it was. Today it was at Clementi. Such familiar ground! Hee. Since that's where Char and I hang out... Haha! Kinda fun... playing non-stop doubles, singles, triple, etc. Got my desired workout, except the run. Heh. And Emay jiejie's long shots improved! Heh. And I must commend her 'natural reaction' net shots! Where she just lifts her racket when you least expect it and 'piak' goes the shuttle over the net! *grin* And it was fun watching HF catch the shuttle successfully, and not fun when she glares at you and comes over to your side of the net threatening to whack you cos you made her run! Hahaha! And Merf was really fun to play with! Adrenaline rush! "I'm lovin' it! Hee.

Anyway, here are some photos.

Emay jiejie and I in the toilet posing.


Merf and Emay jiejie trying to be funny while I am pretending to be serious. (Not succeeding very well!)


And a final shot after the workout. Digital cameras are awesome inventions! =)


And I'm definitely lloking forward to more sessions!! *grin*

Off to Chien's place for CNY reunion with JC classmates afterward.
Where the East (Tampines, Tanah Merah, Kallang, Bedok)meets the North (Thomson, Woodlands) and an extra West (Queenstown) in a friendly steamboat competition with no final winner emerging.
Where the final division was decided between the liver and the non-liver people.
Where the fishballs don't bounce and the beef balls are not THAT hairy/furry.
Where we had a good fun time catching up with each other.
Where Xian was being the silly SJI boy that he is... with all his warped (read: dumb! Haha!) theories, illocgical justifications, etc. Hahaa! But that's just cos he's an SJI boy lah. *grin* It added to the fun. Hee. So much so that we told him to go to the corner and stand for time-out.
Where there emerged Cas and his pink shirt, red hair and a diet consisting of vegetables. And apparently he is in love with Paul! YUCK! Hahaha! (The one who scratches his armpit ALL the time!!! EW!)
Where Alexandra (Alex) who lives on Alexandra Rd, ate Chien's tofu and more tofu! Haha! Where apparently she graduates from law school, dips and sings, then proceeds immediately to the bar to... well, you know. =)
Where De appears with an oh-so sexy voice, and goes high on gassy drinks. She ahsn't changed a bit after so long. Still sleeps and eats like nobody's business but STILL has a concave tummy! Hahaha!
Where Chien, De and myself had a 'fun' time 'teleconferencing' with cab companies which refuse to pick up the phone.
Etc etc.

It's great to have a JC class to hang out with from time to time. To keep up with traditions, to reminisce on old times, laugh at super old jokes, etc. And I thank God for every single one of them, even those who were not around. It's kinda cool how we've all grown up... with everyone taking buses last time to cabs and even driving cars now! I wonder who will be the first to marry and have kids.... Hee.

Ever been in a situation where you were warned against the possible devious intentions of a particular someone, and you took it oh so lightly?

Sometimes due to the relationship you have/had with that someone...
Sometimes due to the trust you have/had in that someone, believing that "No, that someone would never do that to me."
Sometimes due to the simplicity of one's own mind, thinking that "Man is good. Man is kind." (Ignorance, in some sense/"to a moderate/middle extent" isn't bliss.)
Sometimes due to our own stubborn nature, "What you say is definitely wrong."
Sometimes due to the perceived bias perception held by that individual who warned you against impending threat... "You're just biased! Stop imposing your biased beliefs on me!"
And the list goes on...

And even when there were signs indicating the truth in the warning, we choose to ignore it? And we think of alternatives to justify the nature of it, the reasons behind it, etc?

But I think all the while, I kinda believed the warning. Instinct, or maybe just a precaution? So I chose to avoid the whole issue completely, not wanting, or daring to confront it. But the conscience kinda ate me up at times. But I never was prepared to deal with it, given the circumstances.

However, it was today that reality hit. Better sooner than later? It all happened in a matter of seconds. A short phonecall. I kinda got duped into answering the phone cos it was an unfamiliar number. ("Should we ever pick up the phone if it isn't in our caller id? Discuss.") Argh! The lowly methods that one resorts to! And the 'courage' that one had, using someone else to fish information from me instead of having the guts to speak to me in person! That makes me so mad!

Nevertheless, it proved the point, the query, the suspicion, the warning. It was all true. True to its very word.

"Father, forgive him for he knows not what he has done."
It's a struggle. It's not easy. We should forgive cos God forgave us despite our sins, and even sent Jesus Christ, His own Son, down to die for our sins. No sin is more sinful than another in God's eyes. For example, murder is not more sinful than a small lie. We shouldn't judge our sins according to worldly standards. And only the Most Holy One - God, is more than worthy, and the ONLY ONE worthy to judge us. God, please help me forgive.

The problem remains yet unsolved, though I now know the truth in it. Till then.... should I continue to be naive and trusting? Or should I be wary? Where is the in-between?

Went swimming today during the 4-hr break. Had a peacefully enjoyable swim cos I practically owned the entire pool! A great feeling, you should try it some day! Then I lazed on the beach chair and read. Read what, you might ask. Upper Sec Social Studies textbook. Such a nerd hor? Haha! But it came into use ok! I knew what the Malayan Union was when the question popped up in class! I could even list the states! Hee. But to find out that it is non-examinable and out of the syllabus. Why still include it in the text?? We figured that it is the bridge linking the colonialism/nationalism of SEA to Singapore/Malaya merger. So there. Oh well, at least I learnt something new.

I also got super burnt. Din realise that I was gonna be burnt so bad! the most hilarious thing was this... Haha! Self-harm?? =)



Tutor K's lesson was interesting today. More lively, even though he did wonder why his energy level is always so low during our class. Hmmm. But he did offer us Rocher today. Only cos it was left over by the other class and he can't eat nuts! Haha! but I'm not complaining! Not when I hadn't eaten the whole day!

Quote of the day: "No, we are not gonna look at owls or turtles, we are gonna look at lions!" Wah.... Hahaha! Tutor K said that when he mentioned editing pictures as sources, and we were discussing the familiar pictorial sources about owls, Peranakan ladies and turkeys (not turtles!). Apparently someone was so desperate for pictorial sources for the Tamil Tigers/Singhalese conflict that he resorted to drawing a cartoon himself! (And he din dare to acknowledge his work!) Hmm, where is the professional integrity?? Anyway it was quite funny cos you could infer quite easily that a Singaporean drew it. The Lion looked like Merlion, the tiger looked like Singa the courtesy campaign mascot and one of the guys looked like Flintstone! And I think that guy is quite funny cos the University had something resembling a halo round it, like how you get enlightened when you go to Uni? (Yar rite!)

And the next interesting thing. About the importance of putting yourself into the shoes of the student (And I still haven't caught "In her shoes"!!) and thinking like them. We were asked to interpret a cartoon like N(T) kids. The cartoon portrayed a stork carrying a basket with a human baby in it, a father stretching out his hands and apparently going "No no!" and a mother beside him, with her back turned, and counting money with question marks above her. So how would you interpret this source? As adults, and "professionals" (Tutor K, 2005/6), we infer that the couple is worried that there is insufficient funds to support another baby. However, N(T) kids, or whoever at all who doesn't know the myth about the "baby comes from the stork" story, they might interpret the cartoon in this way. The stork is kidnapping the baby... the father is trying to stop the stork, and the mother is counting the money for use as ransom. How interesting are the turns?!! It all boils down to the prior knowledge which we conveniently assume that students have. Whatever it is, we should include it in background information, caption or provenance, even if it's just to cover our precious butts!

Proceeded to Chinatown after class. Die die want to buy my skirt!! Been eyeing it ever since Giz and Geordie were here to visit! Between the white, brown and maroon, I chose the latter. Here it is! =)



Had dinner with mummy, and proceeded to Bugis for more shopping. Shopping spree! Wheeee....
Din have any luck looking for appropriate and pretty blouses. Hee. We ended up buying jewellery! *grin* And then we had no more cash, so I guess I'm not meant to buy that bag today! Shopping sprees are fun when you have the cash and you get good discounts! Haha! Not otherwise! =) Unless what you are buying is really worth it!

K I shall have to go cool my burning self down with a cool shower. Now is the perfect time to have roasted duck. Slowly roasted in the natural way. Flavours all intact. =)

Almost all, if not majority, of the kids in Singapore have used a computer once in their lives. And I bet they are more IT-savvy than me! Many of them are hooked onto the computer and the internet these days. Even myself! The first thing I do when I come home is to switch on my computer! Heh. How many of us can say that we dun use the computer and go online 'for fun' when we are at home? Heh. But I think it's fine as long as we are not obsessive, such as to the extent that we cancel all appointments to go out to play and our mind is preoccupied with the NET all the time.

Increasing numbers of our kids are entering this stage of addiction. Especially the addiction to computer games. You know how addictive some games can be rite? Even those boliao no-brainer games, where you just keep trying to beat your own high score. And even when you close your eyes, you can still see the image of the game and you can even continue playing it in your mind! Then you know you've reached 'diety' level. Haha! (Speaking from experience! Haha!)

But if this goes on out of proportion, what will become of our sociey? Where is the physical interaction involved here? We will be developing anti-social individuals who will have to work in society in the future! And to some, society means cyberspace. (And it gets worse in that as technology progresses, the games and visual graphics get more and more realistic.) Their real life is in cyberspace itself, while physically, their bodies are here on earth. Their friends are all in that one screen. You unplug it and that's it. Byebye. Too bad. They can't adapt to the REAL life.

There are real dangers involved as well. For example, kids who dun get enuff love and attention at home are especially vulnerable. They seek alternative havens in cyberspace. And those crooks out there prey on such souls, befriending them and ultimately carrying out their designs on them. Although annonymity online provides individuals with the freedom to be "hyperpersonal" (to really be themselves with no pretense cos no one knows their identity!), it's also a risk cos people resort to faking their identity while attempting to be funny (not the haha-hee-hoho funny). Heh.

Talking about trying to fake identities, we had to do this little activity today. (I love how we do little activities every lesson! Makes me look forward to the lesson every week! I shall endeavour to follow Tutor V's example. have I mentioned that I really wanna be like her? Hee) Anyway, we were supposed to fake our identities by creating our cyber nickname, gender, age, occupation, personal statement, favourite quote and interests. (I tried to fake a 29 year-old sporty guy who was a business consultant.) Afterward we were to randomly pick any person's identity and try to identify the real person in the class. What was shocking was, YP picked my identity and identified me IMMEDIATELY! She, for one, recognised my handwriting and the personal staement and quotes (which I had tried to tweak!) She even knew what I WOULD HAVE written if I was being myself! How FREAKY is that?? She can totally read me! Oh man...

Anyway, back to kids and the internet. The internet is a useful, efficient tool and a good source of entertainment. But we should always be wary of its dangers, cos we dunno which bad guy (so stereotypical hor? Donch care! Hmpf!) is lurking out there. We should encourage the kids to engage more in physical interaction and outings. Especially through CCA (even if it's computer club!) and informal gatherings. And advise parents to place the computer in a visible place, such as the hall, if possible, so that they can keep an eye on their kids. (Privacy? Hmmm... not until they win our trust?) Other methods include reasonable time limits on the computer. If the standards are too unreasonable, the kids might rebel, or 'gorge' themselves when they get the chance to. By then, reining them back would be tough, if not impossible, or too late, when the harm is done.

And I've been on the computer for too long! Talk about addiction to blogging! Hahaha!

What struck me most today in Ed Psych was the hard truth about self-harm. Individuals harm/hurt themselves to distract themselves from the psychological hurt. They deal with it in this way cos at least they know how to deal with the physical pain. They know exactly where it is coming from, and it takes away the emotional/mental pain and hurt. People who injure themselves usually suffer from inability to cope with stress, peer pressure, peer influence, depression, or some kind of trauma which eats them up internally. Instead of outwardly expressing their hurt, anger, frustration, etc, they turn to hurting themselves. They usually slash themselves with penknives, safety pins, anything at all, or burn themselves, etc. It was mentioned in the video that the more the blood flows, the better they feel, cos it's like their problems and troubles are flowing away as well. Sad huh?

What would you do if you had students like this in your class? Of course the genuine cases would prefer to stay in the closet rite? If not, that would be attention-seeking already, cos if you like to be in the open, then you wouldn't turn to hantuming yourself rite? Not too strong an argument I know. There are cases of peer influence, and "fashion", where "everyone is doing it" and "it's cool". (That's just crazy!) You will DEFINITELY scar yourself for life! Well, if these silly kids think that it's a "badge of honour", then good lor. As long as they dun die from it.

I think as teachers, we need to be very aware of these situations. But as Tutor V advised, NEVER ever confront that student in front of the whole class. You will cause him/her to lose face and bring unnecessary attention upon him/her. Rather, have a private talk with the student and see how you can help. Kids can tell when you truly care. Sincerity can move a rock. But do the same even for those who are attention-seeking and shove their wrists in front of you. You never know when it's serious.

But I guess I do understand the need to release the tension, to take it out on something. But there are better methods of doing so. Healthy ones. Like take a cold cold shower, go for a run/swim, engage in rigorous sports, punch a pillow or stuff toy (that's what they are for rite? Heh), or SLEEP! Then when we have cooled down, try to sort our thoughts out, seek a listening ear, and try to solve the problem. Nothing in this world is "unsolve-able". God is sovereign and He cares for every single individual. And He will answer our prayers, make a way and see us through thru the most trying and difficult times. If only we will turn to Him.