You Are Precious To Me

MY CHINESE NEW YEAR CREATIONS FOR 2009

2009-01-26T21:02:00.000-08:00

Always look forward to this day where I would be shopping at wholesale centre, hunting for fresh flowers and getting all excited to try out my new ideas and creations ........

Laid my hands on Heliconias, ruscas leaves, chrysanthemums, roses, leaves of birds' nest ferns and "iron plant" .........

Most enjoying part was to weave young coconut leaves ....... can be quite an addiction !

BELATED THANKS TO ALL MY BELOVED STUDENTS

2008-10-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

I just want to express my heartfelt and sincere thanks to all my Beloved Students with this blog.

Every of my student is PRECIOUS TO ME.

Hopefully this belated "THANK YOU" note to all my beloved students did not come too late.

It came as a shock to me when I was told to prepare my Teaching Portfolio as a result of being nominated for the School's Teaching Award 2008.

Believe it or not, till this day, I do not know who were the students who have nominated me for the above award as we were not allowed to know. It is through our Teaching Porfolio that I would need to show evidence and proofs of my students' nomination for me ........

It has definitely NOT crossed my mind to be one of the nominees. I have never dreamt of working towards the award EXCEPT to dedicate myself and my life to those students that crossed my life in one way or the other as I lead my life as a teacher.

MY GOAL AS A TEACHER IS AS SIMPLE AS TO TOUCH THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ALLOWS ME TO BE A PART OF THEM.

All I want to say now is, THANK YOU ALL who has nominated me for the award and allowed me to walk into and touch your lives ...........

My Teaching Philosophy is as simple as:

If the students need someone to trust, let me be trustworthy;
If they need sympathy, let me sympathize;
Not to anger easily but let me be just;
That when I stand before them, let me look strong and good and honest and loving;
To counsel the anxious, crack the shy, temper the rambunctions with a gentle attitude.
To inspire them so that learning will not cease at the classroom door but that the lessons they learn; make their lives fruitful and happy.

and always reminding myself that ...........

Successful teachers are those who have lived well, laughed often, and loved much;

who have gained the respect of intelligent persons and the love of children;

who have filled their niches and accomplished their tasks;

who leave the world better than they found it - whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;

who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it;

who looked for the best in others and give the best they had.

and MOST IMPORTANTLY,

While we can be strict and demanding, showing compassion can be accomplished just by the way we treat our students and the things we say to them. Letting the students know that you care about them breaks down a lot of doors and goes a long way towards getting them to perform .......

With Love

Going Under the Knife Again

2008-09-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Sigh ......

M going under the knife again this holiday. But this time, I could have only a very short rest at home cos the date of the knife going through the cyst below my scalp is goona be very near opening of the new term. Scheduled on 3 Oct whilst term is starting on 13 Oct.

Really hope I do not have to return to see my kids with stitches and gauze on the head ...... that would be so embarassing.

Praying that no complication develops during the op and that I would be well and strong enough to start the new term.

Peck's Leaving

2008-09-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a long time since I last blog.

The last semester in School was real tiring for me. I guessed I did not have enough rest after my surgery and plunged myself straight into work.

Sad to know that my most trusted colleague, Peck is leaving NP. Anyway, I wish her all the best. She would be going back to the Industry to work. I guessed it's good for her to resinstate her market value.

Sometimes, I wonder if it is good to stay away from the industry for a while ........... a common consensus that our market value drops.

Has been rather confused lately ......... a fight and inner struggle between my passion for teaching and love for the kids in school as against reinstating my market value ?????

Well, to bid her farewell, I did a small little gift for her ......... a small little floral gift arrangement which some thought was a cake.

Taking a Break

2008-03-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Not sure when I will be back to this blog.

Officially off from school today. Need to prepare for my surgery tomorrow morning. Went for a haircut (for easy maintainance as I knew I'm gonna be heavily immobilized after the surgery). Got to pack my bag too ..... Went to see Fr John Wong. It was so nice of him to offer me "anointing for the sick" and pray over me before my surgery. We prayed for safe and speedy recovery as I told him I'm eager to get back to school to teach again before term starts in April 08.

Kind of little heavy hearted this time cos I guessed I have too much worries in my head ...... eager to go back to school in time, worry whether I will have enough time to prepare for next semester and all the admin work left piling up .......

Thank God, I had nice room mates and Mrs Juliet Tan who offered to cover some of my duties while I am away.

Am really eager to be back to see my existing students and also the new batch that will be coming in.

Well, I guessed I've got to let go to let God take over. I believe he hears my anxieties and my needs and will answer me. Even if he does not, I need to trust that there is a better reason for it.

Was really very touched to receive so many SMSs and email from my students wishing me speedy recovery and cheering me up. They even wanted to visit me at the hospital. Was so touched when one boy even wrote to say that he will be praying for me. How can I not miss and love this thoughtful and lovely bunch of kids!

Not sure how long I will be in hospital. Doc says he would like to discharge me within 2 to 3 days if I do not come down with any complications. This will help to cut down the risk of me catching infection from other patients within the hospital environment.

Hope to be back on this blog soon when I regain the use of my arm.

Back again

2008-02-26T21:15:00.000-08:00

I'm finally back on my blog. Have been real busy since 2 weeks ago. Busy compiling all my students' CA marks followed by marking of my PAC papers.

Today, I've finally completed processing the marks of my students. At the same time, I've also completed the project at BE@xis. Installed a "Wall of Appreciation" in BE@xis. Purpose is to give due recognition to companies who support our students in their educational journey in BE especially for internship programs (both IAP and OIAP). Also, with this Wall of Appreciation, I hope to let the students have a glimse of the companies that they are likely to be attached to during their internship program ....... hopefully, it serves to motivate them to work hard during term time.

Well, the whole of BE will be going to Malaysia for retreat tomorrow. They are going to visit some Orchard, going for seafood etc. Sad to say, I will not be joining them as advised by my doctor cos in one week's time, it'll be my big day in the hospital ...... repairing my shoulder ....... going for submacromial decompression as well as acromioplasty procedures. A week before, I should take care not to fall sick.

So heavy hearted to go for the surgery cos I'm worried if I'll be well enough to start the new term on 14 April. Also, just feel so bad that I can't be around to prepare for my new semester. Anyway, I told my surgeon that whatever it takes, I want to be back in April to teach. Praying for a fast recovery though I was warned that the procedure is gonna be very painful as they are going to shave off certain portion of my shoulder bone.

Well, this semester will soon officially end next week. Quite glad that some of my students did not disappoint me for this round of exam. Am very happy for few students who have allowed me to help them at the last minute and they did well for my paper. That's really the joy of being a lecturer when someone willingly allows you to walk into his life and help him.

Sent my apologies to CO2 for not being able to attend their class gathering. By then, I should be on the operating table.

Really looking forward to working with the Ben, Simon, Darren, Ying Hua, Maurice and Han Xian on the Green Building Design Competition.

The path leaders are gonna meet on Thursday. Waiting eagerly to see what they have on the platter for Mrs Tan and myself .......

Marathon Interview of FYP

2008-02-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

It was a marathon for some of us, lecturers today. There were altogether 6 appointed panels of interviewers set up to interview the final year students on their Final Year Project.

I started my session as early as 8:30 am sharp and ended at 6 pm with only 1 hour lunch break.

Many students took the FYP very lightly until they are in for the interview; realizing how strict the panel can be in their assessment.

There were many lessons learnt - which I thought I must share with my new group of FYP student beginning April 08; not to make those mistakes!

One of the most important lesson - DO NOT TAKE THE FYP LIGHTLY; BE CONSCIENTIOUS, CONSISTENT ......... failing which they are in deep trouble.

FYP is just as important as IAP and OIAP. No one on the interview panel takes the matter lightly as the project is 25 credit units.

Gratitude

2008-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

"The dried leaves symbolize that ‘the days will pass, the leaves will dry and I have still not given you enough to say thank you"

For many days during this period of the Chinese New Year (2008), I've been reminded many times to ponder on the word "Gratitude". Something that has always been troubling me and that I never got to see it for many years.

In so many years, I've never understood why my sister will always want and make it a point to visit my elderly relatives, the poor and the lonely during this period of time. To me, for many years, chinese new year visitations never held any meaning for me. It is only in recent years that I believed, through God's wisdom, I've come to realize the real meaning of all these traditional paying of respect and going from home to home for visitations.

I was invited to some fun & partying at my niece's apartment last evening but I chose to spend the time visiting some old and lonely relatives instead. Never regretted it. I woke up this morning with a great sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that I've brought love to several of my elderly aunts who have been looking forward and pining for me and my sister. Was even more touched that one of my aunt actually kept some desserts (given to her by a friend) for me and my sister even though she did not have any idea as to when we will visit her. With great joy, she served us the dessert.

It makes me sad for a moment that during the ordinary days, we are so caught up with our own work that we did not make time for the people around us; who cares and longs for us.

When I turned on my computer this morning, I received an email message by Ralph Marston on Gratitude. What a co-incidence ............

Gratitude is the key to abundance. When you're truly thankful for the good things you have, those good things grow more numerous and valuable.

So how do you put gratitude into action? By making the most of the good things you have.
If you hoard and hide your blessings away, they begin to wither and eventually disappear completely. When, on the other hand, you put the good and valuable things in your life to full use, they multiply many times over.

There is no better way to show your thankfulness and appreciation for something than by using it for a positive, productive, creative purpose. Do that, and the value you already have grows even more valuable.

Whatever you have is not really yours unless you are truly thankful for it. To be truly and effectively thankful for it, make full and fruitful use of it.

Live with a thankfulness in your heart, in your thoughts and, most importantly, in your every action. All the good things you make use of will grow even better.

-- Ralph Marston

2nd Day of CNY

2008-02-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

Today is the 2nd day of Lunar CNY.

Was really surprised to receive a comment on my blog this morning - all the way from Chile. Thanks, La Ale for your compliments on my floral arrangement. Really great encouragement to me to make an effort to continue with my Professional and American Design Modules on Floral Designs. Hope the new semester teaching time table will not be too heavy so that I can find time to continue with my floral arrangement class.

La Ale really gave me the courage to share some of my other creations last Chinese Lunar New Year. I used fresh vegetable for this arrangement ...... lasted for more than a week!

Some others which I did last year .......

Remembered it's How Kiat's birthday today ..... sent him an SMS greeting.

Spent my day entertaining visitors to my home and managing my dog. Poor Happy - he can't roam about freely like a KING which he is so used to cos the kids and babies (even some adults) are just so afraid of dog .... Had to carry him for so many hours.

In between entertaining guests and visiting some elderly relatives; spent the rest of my time marking my students' last accounting test papers - Partnership Accounting. 5 classes altogether. As at now, still has 3 more classes to go ...... don't think I'm gonna continue for the moment cos felt as if my migraine is coming on. Just popped in Panadol Extra.

The Creative Side of Me

2008-02-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, CNY has no significance for me. However, these few years, CNY has taken on a new meaning for me. With the love of God, I've come to realize that it is a time of sharing our love and respect for the elderly, our loved ones and the less fortunate ..... other than Christmas.

Well, woke up very early in the morning, drove to the nursery in Thomson - to the wholesaler to get flowers! The most exciting moment ..... wanted to beat the crowd and be the first few customers to walk into the cold room to get all the fresh flowers that I've always looked forward to - to challenge myself with some new floral designs and creations for the CNY.

For those we do not know me ..... let me share with you a secret. I've long discovered that I've a special talent for floral design and creations but never had the courage to undergo formal classes and training until some 2 years ago when I was strongly encouraged by many friends and family members to pursue my passion and do not let my talent go to waste. Took up a professional course with Nobleman School of Floral Design and started the creative side of me. Finished my basic, intermediate and advance modules ...... but work in NP was so overwhelming that I've not much time to finish my professional and American Design Modules. Nevermind, don't give up! Does lots of references and design during my free time and put them into actual practice during occassions like Christmas and CNY.

See some of my new creations this year ........

This is the real me! I love flowers and find floral design and arrangement very therapeutic. How lovely are God's creations !

Gonna be busy on the first day of CNY ....... all my brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces goona come to my place for lunch and dinner.

Not planning any visit on the first day this year as Mummy's health is not too good. Better stay home to help her and manage my dog. Will probably start on the 2nd day of CNY visiting my relatives ......

But cannot forgot that I've brought home piles of the students' class tests on Partnership to mark ..........

Better work hard and not play too much !

ASH Wednesday ..... Start of Lentern Journey

2008-02-07T05:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday for all Catholics. It is the start of the lentern journey (40 days) before Good Friday, the cruixifixian of Christ and then the grand celebration of the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday is celebrated by Catholics all around the world with the traditional imposition of ashes on their forehead as a sober reminder of mortality ..... that we will one day need to leave this world to meet our Creator. In other words, it calls for conversion and repentance - hurry up, change ourselves. What is it that we do not like about ourselves? Is it our physical look? Is it some character flaws that we need to change or any bad relationship or decisions that we need to change.

Real conversion is not about having the fear of death. Real conversion comes from knowing who God is and who we are to HIM. It is all about how do we recognize the God that loves us and about experiencing his love so that I will come to know that I am lovable and can love him in return and how to live a wholesome way.

If I can't love myself, I will then not be able to withstand what the world hurls at me. The Lent Season is a journey of the passion of Jesus - our God is real; have faith and hope in HIM!

TGIF

2008-02-01T04:42:00.000-08:00

TGIF ....... not that I love to end the week but really needed this weekend to rest. Was feeling so sick under medication that I felt so sleepy while driving to school and returning home. So dangerous!

Totally lost my voice this morning when I woke up. Was already feeling very sick yesterday but still had to go back to school to clear quite some work even though was on medical leave. Body was aching all over as I had fever the night before.

It was so nice of Simon to visit me at my office and we really had a good chat. I was already feeling lousy because I was feeling sick but the chat with Simon really lifted me up. Who says God does not hear us? He knows when to send people to you and always at the right time.

It would be really ungrateful if I keep whimpering over small things and feel that God is not looking after me. What can be more true about God's love when I always fall sick on the last day of my semester teaching for the last 4 semesters.

Of course there are still times when I felt oppressed and worthless in comparison to others around me and by the standards of the world. Yet when I stand at the foot of the Cross, I discover the precious place I have in God's heart. It is this love of God that we should drink. Jesus' one desire is our joy. He will never leave us alone but envelope us in His love and hold us close to his heart. This love also brings a new interpretation of suffering. Every suffering that befalls man is part of God's plan to serve a higher and greater purpose in our lives.

Thank You, Kids!

2008-01-30T04:54:00.000-08:00

I've completed all my tutorials and class tests for PAC today.

This week has been a "week of reluctance for me". Really sad to part with my PAC kids.

Was thick-skinned to ask them take class pics with me. I just wanted to keep this pics for remembrance sake cos I have a feeling I may not get to teach them anymore.

Nevertheless, deep within my hearts of hearts, I will always wish the best for them.

See all the pics I've taken ........

Besides parting with my kids ...... these 2 weeks have been very fulfilling and enriching for me. I'd like to thank really from the bottom of my heart one of my kids to allow me to walk into his life, to share all his excitement, joys and woes. I can't say much for him but as for myself, I've not regarded him as my student but more of a brother that allows me to listen to his heart and at the same time allow me to share my life journey with him.

I feel so bad each time I land up dampening his mood but I really meant for him to be a better and more holistic person in life. Nothing can be much happier for me than such moments where lecturer and student could just chat about life like friends.

Thank you, my friend and you have definitely make a difference in my life. I really hope that my lecturer-student relationship with all my kids do not just end after the semester but we all can continue to be the best of friends ....... someone whom they can always turn to when they have problems.

ALL THE BEST TO MY KIDS FOR THEIR FORTHCOMING EXAMS !!!

Another Day of Joy

2008-01-29T04:25:00.000-08:00

Thought it's gonna be a tiring day since I have tutorial from 9 am to 5 pm except for lunch break. Indeed it was tiring but had a great time.

It's been a long time since I last catch up with Simon and friends. Initially wanted to share with them the IAP/OIAP/ITP/FYP program but could not find them at Dr Tan's class cos class ended early. In the end landed up having lunch with them in Canteen 3.

It was great to lunching with them bringing back all the fond memories I had with them last semester. It was so nice of Chia Chee to ask if I wanted any dessert as she went to get one for herself. Looks like Jing Yang had iced longan. Simon and Chia Chee could not make it for some of the monopoly outreach program but nevermind got Dan instead.

As usual, Nicklaus was so funny and asked about Keith. Told him Keith just had a $12 haircut.

Arranged with Simon that I will meet up with their whole class at 1:45 before Keng Loon's lesson. Thought I had the responsibility to share with them their educational path in our Division from now onwards as they will soon be moving on to their second year.

Had 3 classes of PAC tutorial today. Great fun with both Gary and Gifford's classes. Sad that I'm gonna miss them all as I do not think I will have the opportunity to take them anymore ...... just like Simon and Junxian's class. Really a sense of reluctance to part with these kids as they have really made my life in NP so meaningful for the last 2 semesters.

Brought my Canon Powershot to class and took quite some pictures like what I did with Simon's class last semester. Forgot to bring them home so can't post them up. Will try to remember to bring them home tomorrow and post some of these pictures.

Never had the chance to post my pictures with Simon's class on blog cos I did not know how to blog then. OK.... will try now. Can see the picture up at the left hand corner?

All these fun kind of offset the heavy workload in my head ...... can't imagine I've got 14 sets of assignments from all my 9 classes on my desk waiting for me to mark. Hope to be able to get some done tomorrow.

Will see my last PAC class tomorrow ....... getting ready to take pictures with them too ......

Start of the Week

2008-01-28T04:58:00.000-08:00

It's Monday today. As usual, woke up at 5:30 am in the morning, bathed, spent half and hour's of quiet time before dressing up and getting out of house to school.

Class Test this week for all my PAC kids on Partnership. This is their last class test for this semester. Hoped everyone can do well for this class test. Have yet to mark their individual blog assignment on Financial Ratios.

Started off the day at work with a short prayer and then got busy with the works for the Appreciation Wall to be installed at BE@axis in recognition of all organisations out there in the industry that is in support of our students' educational journey with the School of Engineering, Building & Environment Division.

Time to rush off to #02-11 to conduct my class test with 1A02. 3 students did not sit for the tests only to know that one of them had flown off to Taiwan for a holiday to watch a concert. One student walked in to my class at 11:20 am while the other walked in at 11:30 am when the test is about to end at 11:45 am. That means he had only 15 minutes to complete a 40-minute paper.

As usual, I will thank the class for spending the semester with me during my last tutorial lesson and thereafter moved on to conduct some revision with them; inviting them again to look for me for consultation should they encounter any problems before the actual exam.

I was so delighted that I had actually made a difference in the live of a foreign student who did not know anything about Principles of Accounting when she started the semester with me. I could tell that she had put in lots of efforts and she told me at the end of the class that she would love to join School of Accountancy in future. I was really happy to hear that cos she had lots of fears when she started the module with me.

During lesson, I had a knock on the classroom door whereby 2 of my ex-students came to me with a tin of goodies wishing me happy CNY and wrote a short note to thank me for all the help, guidance and the things that I have done for them. It really took me by surprise but at the same time very heart warming - the tarts were really nice. Thanks, Dora and Natasha.

In the past weeks, we were all so swarmped with work that I actually missed Jing Yang and Junxian's birthday. Sent them a belated electronic birthday card over the weekends. Hope its not too late ........

Spent some of my time after lunch to help some 3rd year students to correct and polish up their resume as well as cover letter; to help them look for a job.

Rushed to Convention Centre at 4:30 pm to view the results of JAE and at the same time had publicity meeting there. Well, NP did not come in top but it's ok as we were only about 300+ places behind SP. We were second in place in terms of first choice applicants. What did us proud were all the student helpers that made NP a special and warm place during JAE.

In terms of 5-10 pointer applicants, NP came in top amongst all the Polys !!!

We have all worked very hard over the last couple of weeks.

To all the student helpers ........ Cheers!

Oh forgot that today, I also managed to recruit some new students who have expressed great interest in joining me and Mrs Juliet Tan to help out in our BE signature, enrichment program - MONOPOLY. Thanks, Gary, Darren, Gifford. Ben, I believe you are in too. Tomorrow, I'm gonna talk to Sihua, Jonathan and others .......

Chia Chee has expressed interest too but got to check with her again. Hope Simon will come on board too as well as Dan.

Mr CT Ong replied my email today acknowleding that he has noted my request to take on Serena, Kenneth Teo and Leon Chua for their FYP. Let's hope he has no objection to it .......

Time really flies and it is the end of another day.

Really looking forward to seeing my kids tomorrow again ...... 1C01, 1C02 and 1A01. Hope to take some pictures with them for remembrance cos I may not have the opportunity to teach them anymore. Hope I am not being too thick-skinned!

REAL JOY

2008-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Woke up with a really bad migraine. Had such great temptation to skip mass ...... hoping that my bad headache could be an excuse. Somehow, did not feel good about making such excuses. Well, let's see what happens after popping 2 tablets of Panadeine. Well, it got better within 10 minutes. So no more excuses not to attend mass.

Drove to church slightly late but still manage to find my favourite parking lot.

Regretted that I did not have a tape recorder to record Fr John Paul's sermon. I thought it was real good and did not regret attending mass as I drove out of Church later.

Reading 1Is 8:23—9:3

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulunand the land of Naphtali;but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,the land west of the Jordan,the District of the Gentiles.Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

One statement made by Fr JP really made me sit up. It was just a simple remark but something that most of us would not pay attention to or choose to ignore or perhaps find it hard to practice and live it out.

Try joy is found in the person of Christ, our Lord. If we have always been looking out for earthly joys and comfort, then we face the danger of losing that true joy that Jesus wants to give it to us.

Upon further reflection, seeking earthly joy and comfort has always been a part of our lives. Very often, it is in this that we are often hurt, disappointmented and filled with anger, resentment and jealousies. But if we truly understand what God's joy is all about, perhaps, we could have been more peaceful, composed, filled with gratitude.

Reading II1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that all of you agree in what you say,and that there be no divisions among you,but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.I mean that each of you is saying,“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”Is Christ divided?Was Paul crucified for you?Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

The love and joy of Christ is also often found in the cross itself. It is through sufferings that we find joy and the real meaning of joy. Christ was not divided. His love was for everyone. So why do we look to the earthly or material things or the people around us for joy? As humans, people are only gonna to disappoint us, hurt us and make us feel rejected. Not until we can understand the true meaning of God's love, will we be able to find the true joy that Christ wants to share with us.

DETACHMENT - this is what I am gonna try to practice and live it out daily. Detachment not in the sense of ignoring and adopt a "can't be bothered attitude" towards the things and people around us - moving away from everyone and all responsibilities BUT instead one that calls for us to give unconditionally and not expecting anything in return and also most importantly to be able to love deeply and also to be able to let go and surrender all our failings, disappointments, hurts and sadness to God.

It is really tough but I will try ............

JAE

2008-01-26T05:05:00.000-08:00

Just came back from my JAE duty today. Had afternoon shift - prime time slot.

Really tired after 5 hours of counselling.

What saddens me most was to have to subtlely say "no" to some students who did so well for all other subjects but failed their English for their 'O' Levels; only to encourage them to resit for their English paper and then apply during the next JAE.

Today is the 3rd day of the JAE. As at 5:30 pm, there were still not many applicants when according to the newspaper there is a total of 25,000 vacancies for the 5 Polytechnics in Singapore altogether. Hopefully, the figures will jump tremendously overnight and on Sunday as Monday is the last day of application.

The last student I counselled today was a 21-pointer private candidate. He scored so well in many other subjects with an A1 in English but failed his humanities. The enthusiasm in his face to study was most encouraging. We could only tell him to try for the application ....... so sad.

Sometimes, academic grades are not everything but it is the attitude, keeness and enthusiasm that can make a real difference. Having said that, certain things in lives are just beyond our control. We just have to accept things that is not within our capability to change.

While driving to school today, I had to tell and remind myself of a verse that I read and that I should apply to my life - "Jesus loved his disciples very much but he did not depend on anyone of them. He gave of himself unconditionally."

Similarly for this, while I love all my students very much, it would be a great disappointment and even hurting if I were to continue to expect returns from them. Of course, it is only human that we would like our love to be reciprocated but however, I must constantly remind myself to love and give unconditionally and never to expect any returns; only then will I be able to continue to be a good shepherd to them. Otherwise, the disappointments is only gonna be an hindrance to me to give the best of my very self and to live out my Christian value.

My duty is to love unconditionally, to guide and to nurture my kids to be better persons and helping them to find their worth in this society.

What's up in School?

2008-01-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

Many things have happened in the last 2 months and recent 2 weeks.

Was really caught up with work in School, busy with finding placement for students who will be going out for their industrial attachment soon on 3 March 2008 till 9 August 2008. For 6 months, I will not be seeing these kids around ........ but I really look forward to them coming back after their 6 months of training. Many a times, as a member of the interview panel, I usually see a great change in them - in terms of thoughts, maturity and outlook of life. This I guess is the most satisfying to any lecturer. Though it was tough to look for placement and having to face the many nasty comments sometimes from the industrialists, the effort is all worth it when you see these students returning with great transformation.

It always saddens me when I had to face disappointed students who do not make it to the 6 months industrial attachment program. My encouragement to them is always such that going for 8 weeks of Industrial Training Program is just as good. Both programs allow students to expose themselves to the real working world and there is always value to be learn out of it if students maintain a positive attitude towards such programs.

Then, there were 3 recruitment drives that I organized for my Division for the students from the Diploma Courses of Real Estate Business and Facility Management for Business.

Thereafter, followed by a monopoly challenge (an enrichment program; also a signature program) for my Division ..........

Next, we were all so caught up with Open House and JAE couselling activities as the 'O' level results were released on the 24 Jan 08.

So much, so much, so much to do but at the end you know that it is for a good cause. Things that you do that may just change the lives of someone out there.

I still have stack of assignment to be marked and revised syllabus to prepare by 31 Jan 08 which I have not completed. Nevermind, one step at a time.

TIME TO RECOLLECT & REFLECT

2008-01-25T05:34:00.000-08:00

It has never occurred to me that I will one day sit at the front of my PC to blog as I always thought blogging was a waste of time.

Somehow lately, I just had the strong urge to pen down lots of my feelings. The urge grew even stronger these couple of weeks ....... and I don't know why. Perhaps it was just because either I was hurt or either I was touched in many ways by my beloved students.

For the past 11 years of my working life, I've never invested so much of my energy and give of myself in any job. This is the first job that I noticed that I've really given lots of myself ..... moving out of my comfort zone to share and to love. It is a value which I think I will never reach if I were to continue working in the commercial world.

Well, I began to discover more of blogging when I had to do a portfolio reflection of myself ...... I guessed, I owed it all to my students whom I loved very much.

Perhaps, it is a good time now for me to reflect and recollect my teaching journey. I am coming close to the end of my 4th semester. In other words, my 2-year teaching contract is coming to an end by 6 March 2008. How time flies ....... The last semester and this semester has been most memorable for me and I would say is one that have kind of truly confirmed my vocation - my love for teaching, my love to share, my love to bear the hurts of my students, my love to feel hurt, my love to be disappointed and many more ......... It has really been a very confusing yet enriching 2 years for me.

I must admit that there were many moments I had wanted to leave and give up but somehow, deep within me, I just could not bear to part with my students as I would love to watch the first batch of my students graduate. I prayed real hard each day that I will have the strength to carry on and to see that day and make that day come true. I will never get to see the first batch of my students graduate unless I moved my teaching career beyond 6 March 2008. This feeling became even stronger when I had my second batch of students that were enrolled in April 2007
as I really had a bunch of marvellous kids whom I really loved very much; not forgetting my "first born" - my first mentee class that I thought when I joined the teaching vocation.

Since the day I started my teaching career in Ngee Ann, I've never failed to wake up every morning at 5:30 am to have my quiet time with God. It was after a few months that I began to realize that it was not me nor myself that was strong to face my students daily but it was the Lord and the Holy Spirit that gave me the strength to face each new day with gratitude, keeness to meet my students; to face the hurts, the disappointments and the joys.

My journey did not start out smoothly .......... I prayed each day for strength to be strong for the weak and to live out my vocation of being a good shepherd in school daily despite the many hurts and disappointments that constantly accumulates within me.

Each day, I had to remind myself of my purpose in school - the duty to share the love that I've received from my heavenly father.

I've finally come to understand that loving unconditionally was not an easy task but at this moment, I can safely say that I'm beginning to be able to handle this emotional state quite well.

MY HOME PAGE

2007-12-02T03:46:00.001-08:00

In order to learn something new you must first accept that you do not know it.

To fully understand another person, you must let go of your desire to make blind assumptions and judgments about that person.

Stop expecting to see what you've always seen before, and new and wondrous beauty will appear in front of your eyes.

When you continue to perform a task the exact same way you've always done it, your effectiveness cannot improve very much. Be open to new ideas and techniques, and you can vastly accelerate your performance.

If you cynically think you've experienced it all, you'll close yourself off from much of life's richness. If you consider yourself smarter than everyone else, you'll be supporting and advancing your own growing ignorance.

Open your mind and your heart to the newness of life that comes with each moment. There is always more to learn, more to experience, more to appreciate and enjoy, no matter how much you've already done.

With each dawning day, a whole new world of possibilities is born. Allow yourself to know and acknowledge their newness, and bring the best of those possibilities to life.