sec 1s

Today I had to do relieving for an absent teacher. His class was the Chinese class, which means that it wasn't a full class and they were sec ones! THEY VERY CUTE LEH. Especially the boys, fresh from primary school. For the first 30 mins, I was fierce and they were quite silent. I told them they could do anything they want except making noise and going out of the language room. Immediately, they whipped out the handphones and starting playing their games. [RONGHUA, like you during lecture!]

In the meanwhile, I used the first half hour to mark my stuff.
Me: If you want me to help you in your work, be it anything except Chinese, I will.
Boy: Really cher? How about Tamil?

After the first half hour, i marked everything and i was quite bored. One kid was playing his PSP, so I said, 'EH boy, let me play can?' And so I did, and lost.

I was supposed to release them only at 2 O'clock, by 1.55 they were fidgeting like mad. [and so was I] By this time, they were quite rowdy. I daren't release them early cos if any teacher saw this mini flood of students before the bell rings, I'll be scolded, which I've experienced before. At 1.58, I told them if they can keep absolute silent for 30 seconds, I'll let them go. And it was the most blissful 30 seconds! They were so cute la. They let out a shout when i released them. haha.

BNSS Band Concert

Viva La Musica, the name of the band concert, was surprisingly good. I mean, it wasn't excellent like VJC or what but i was pleasantly that the band possessed quite a fair bit of musicality. And I enjoyed myself. From my friend, I then understood that the band CCA in BNSS is a star CCA, something like choir in VJ. As I look at the students playing, I suddenly envied them on behalf of my students for being in band. These young ones have a place to hide and escape that is called music. The kind of coordination musicians must have requires unity to be present. So, I'm glad that these band kids have the chance to lead a really fulfilling life.

A lot of other non-band students seem to be less motivated and may be exposing themselves to non-conducive environments to escape and hide. Anyway, in sitting through the band concert, I suddenly understood why CCAs are so important, especially in neighbourhood schools. A lot more resources should be given to them to hone whatever talent they can source out. But of course, the age-old argument steps in to say that studies come first. DOES IT REALLY? It's late, I'll talk abt this another time.

Not just a job

This is my 50th post! I can't believe it. My first blog was in sec 1 i think and it died within days. HAHA.

I've got this sinking feeling and it just can't go away. I'm gonna leave BNSS soon! Boohoo. Mdm Wong is healing fast and coming back. Maybe it's good though, the workload is killing me. Something really funny happened in class today. While Darren, my sec 3 student, picked up a piece of paper in front of me today, there was this huge ball of newspaper flying straight at him. Apparently, it was thrown my Damien. The funniest thing was, Damien missed! The paper ball was HUGE and Damien was so near! I burst out laughing, even though I was supposed to be mad. Come on, the were doing this in the midst of my lesson! For a split second, I felt like a student myself and that there wasn't a teacher around.

Anyway, I have mixed feelings about leaving BNSS. I'll miss the students but currently, I'm tired of the marking as well as the constant raising of my voice to keep them quiet. During my lessons, my two most common words are, 'hello' and 'excuse me' as ways to signal for their attention. Pls give me ideas!

BNSS is having a band concert tomorrow! And Ms Rahma bought tickets for me. WOW.

Valentine's Overrated!

My student asked me what plans I had for Valentine's, so I said none. Then he said, 'Like that so boring!'

Is it really pathetic to have no plans for Valentine's? I think it's perfectly practical to stay in home and avoid the mad rush that will be going on in town as well as at the heartlands. And that's not to mention all the particular price hikes on Valentine's. One lame rose for $10! [I think] Now who's pathetic?

I challenge every couple out there to forget about Valentine's. Just pretend that it doesn't exist and prove the advertisers and selfish corporate giants wrong. STOP FALLING PREY INTO THEIR BRILLIANT ADVERTS AKA BRAINWASHING.

TESTS and EXAMS

My 3 classes did terribly for their MATH tests. I FEEL SO RESPONSIBLE! But then again, they are the ones not putting in the effort, talk and talk and talk in class. And i always offer to stay back and help them with their work!

Anyway, A level results will be coming out soon. Thinking of it already makes me scared, much less receiving them! I was at the hall of BNSS when the students came back to get their results. Then i found out that there really isa DIFFERENCE btw your so-called elite and neighbourhood schools, well, at least for collecting results.

The atmostphere at BNSS was like dead. I remember when I was in cedar, collecting O level results was like a MOMENT to remember. The teachers were smiling and all excited. At BNSS, it felt so normal. For results analysis, in Cedar, they would highlight percentages for distinctions. At BNSS, they would highlight percentages for passes. It's super unfair to compare, but in comparing, I'm saying that there's such a difference in culture as well as expectations.

Anyway, I probably have to get a new job soon. The teacher I'm relieving is coming back!

Ni gei wo zhuo xia

Mr X: Hey, you know my ex-students, whom i don't teach now, they just asked me about you!
Me: What? Serious?
Mr X: Yeah, watch out for Justin.
[I have no idea who is Justin! He's not my student]

...

Justin: Ms Han, are you free now? I need help in math.
Me: Er... You are?
J: [sensing my apprehension perhaps] I'm Justin. [WHAT?!] I've check, many teachers are out now. Ms Amy, Ms Rahma etc. Oh, if you're busy it's ok.
Me:Er... ok, see you at the concourse.
[he's not a bad boy la, but thank goodness my HOD came soon after and took over the teaching]

It's weird to say this, I'm really praying that the Sec 3 boys don't find out that one of my Sec 4 classes has my number. Otherwise... I'm DEAD. But the good news is there's a new relief teacher! And she's female as well as gorgeous! And she's teaching upper sec!!! GOOD!

I'm becoming more and more of a no-nonsense teacher. When I exasperated, my words come out in Chinese! Haha.. like 'ni gei wo zhuo xia' or 'an jing!' Maybe then my Chinese can improve! haha

secondary sch boys

It's Monday! I slept near 1 lasst night. BUT because my students are so full of energy, i forgot about being tired myself. I had the weirdest conversation with Amy, one of the contract teachers. She told me that the boys in her new Sec 3 class keep asking about me. And she told them she would only tell them what JC i'm from and what I plan to study only if they got 100 marks for their next POA test, which is coming up soon. And suddenly, according to Amy, they got really motivated to study for the test. Haiz, BOYS.

And on one of the exericise books of a sec 4 boy, i saw my name on the blank that was supposed to indicate the teacher's name on the cover. I saw my name written like that: Anna (wife). Like what??? I decided to ignore it. This is my 3rd week of teaching! I'll survive!

Another conversation

Me: So what's the worst case scenario for me?
T: The worse case is that you'll end up at the top and alone. No wait, the worse case scenario would be that you'll end up at the top and alone, and you won't even mind.

...

T: I remember in GP tutorial once or twice last year, in giving your opinion, you said something like this, 'blah blah, some people have this lame view that.. ' As a teacher, i saw many other students' gazes drop. You didn't consider that these people could being having these opinions.
Me: oh. So I should learn to be tactful?
T: It's not about being tactful. It's about being more community-minded, having compassion on others.

...

T: Have you ever suffered any major failure?
Me: Hmmm, no. Academically, it's almost perfect. And for other aspects, I don't think so.
T: Then there will come a time when God will break you.
Me: So, anyway, what would you recommend me to do in the next 6,7 months? I mean, as an adult, what advice would you give?
T: [after like 20 seconds of silence] I'm not sure if you are going to get this, if I were you, I would work towards getting broken.

The above were snatchets of the 2-hour conversation I had with my GP tutor last year. He has my utmost respect, not only does he have a sharp mind but a very soft heart. I truly thank him for his wisest comments that were cutting yet gentle. Those who know him, people like Meryl, Jeremy, Abbie, all would testify of his brilliance and heart of gold.

I'm excited for what God is going to do in my life. It's also time that I learn to love others so much more and let God truly have His way.

Having a global outlook

I was just reflecting about being a Singaporean these days. I suddenly realise, but kinda knew all along, that most students are very inward-looking; they worry about their dressing, results, weight, height, money etc. It's Materialism to the point that it's sickening.

I confess that a lot of times, I'm like that. There are a thousand and one things I could say about myself and out there, there are 24 thousand people dying everyday because they are unable to attain life-sustaining food. I shop and consume, that at the expense of someone poor out there, I destroy his habitat and culture. Yes, I'm guilty and you probably are too.

Weblink to view my HK photos!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22627920@N04/

My throat is itchy and painful!

I wonder if it's all due to the raising of my voice or that brown-looking apple juice i drank on monday that's causing my throat to have the time of its life. It's so uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep at all the whole of last night.

Teaching isn't fun. There will be students who are slower and ask the same qn again and again. There will be those girls who talk non-stop. The guys like to ask cheeky qns and some even challenge my authority. there was this boy..

boy: cher, you know that you're younger than my sis?
me: Er, ok, and so?
boy: that means you can't be my teacher, only my sister.
me: [???] that's nonsense, i'm still your teacher.

I talked to this colleague who is also an upper math teacher, but i must confess i don't know his name. He's a friendly guy so I thought he would be a friendly teacher. So when i asked him for tips to teaching, he said, 'Don't smile.' Apparently, if he's in class, he's like totally serious.

I always hated it when teachers raise their voices in class or when they punish pupils, like tell them stand outside. TO me, such acts were deemed as a waste of time. But then again, that's because I was a model student, I knew when to talk and when not to. What to contribute and what not. The students I'm teaching are far from model students and I guess I'll have to start punishing soon.

1st Day at School

I started my first day of work at Bedok North Secondary as a Math teacher. I'm teaching Upper sec, sec 3 E and A math and sec 4 NA E math. THe kids are full of comeback words, some swear words, er, quite a lot of lazy people and NOISY. It's just amazing how noisy they are. And they're totally taking advantage of my age, which is 19 this year.

Boy 1:
Boy: Cher, [what a word!] you look very young leh.
Me: Yeah, i'm gonna be 19 this year.
Boy: Eh, we friend friend ok? cos we so close in age, i respect you, you respect me. so you can't scold me.
Me: er, ok?

Class 3E, 4E:
Boy 1: eh chio bu.
me: don't have to greet, sit down.
Boy 2: can we have your number?

So in my introduction, i did say that I lived nearby..
Boy 3: we walk you home ok?
Me: don't need la.

The girls are nicer, quieter. Well i guess, it'd be natural to be like that when rowdy boys are around, and they're so many of them. SOme of the girls talked to me after school, asked me qns abt my previous schools and stuff. But those girls, who are quiet as well, react in a different way, they are more rebellious inwardly. I ask them to do some math qn, they DILLY DALLY like crazy.

Well, I so need all of GOd's strength.

2008!

2008, finally you came! With God, I managed to take on 2007. I've been tremendously blessed, others too especially after hearing the different testimonies during Thanksgiving service. A slight trepidation resides in me, for one, 2008 is gonna be full of surprises and so much less routined than 2007. For a good half of it, I won't be in school! That is like, WHOA!

To help my spiritual walk, which will always remain a priority, I decided to start writing a spiritual journal. To understand what a spiritual journal is, read the book of Joshua. Joshua wrote his journey and when you dig deeper, it really was a spiritual journey. This pretty book, i believe, will help me in times of disappointment as well as provide me a perspective on what God is doing in my life.

Soon, I'm gonna have a cell that's half-new, half-old. Having had to lead different cell groups for some time, one might think I'm used to this. I'm not! The coming cell which I will be leading will be a challenging one. The truth is, I'm scared. I wonder if admitting to it will make me more fearful. But with God, all things are possible. I'll give God my all, no holding back anything, and whatever turns out, all glory is His. Aren't you children of God so glad you serve the Almighty One???

During the girls' stayover at my house, I shared a few heartfelt messages with them. I was most surprised by Janice's 'speech'. Man, the maturity and insights she has gained from God pleasantly surprised me. Jan, I'm so glad for a friend like you! It just proves that we were made for fellowship, for encouragement and love!

I'll be in Hong Kong by 5.15 pm tmr. I hope I won't get out of hand being in another country without parents. :D