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DOB: 10th June
Country: Singapore
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Saturday, June 28, 2008
Hey dearest pal
Really sad that you are leaving but happy for you at the same time. Sad that I won't be able to meet up with you that often anymore and I will miss chatting and hanging out with my dearest pal.
At the same time, I'm happy for you because I know it has always been your dream to gain an overseas working experience and that also means that your abilities have been recognised by the company.
It's going to be tough and challenging for you, in a foreign land on your own and taking up a more demanding stint. I'm sure nothing will get you down and you will persevere and prove your capabilities.
Whatever it is, I wish you success in your new position. No matter how fulfilling or stressful the working environment is going to be, I'm just an email or SMS away to share your happiness or woe.
My bestest pal, please take good care of yourself when you are working in Hong Kong. Gonna miss my bestest pal of 15 years badly so please keep in touch.
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Sunday, June 15, 2008
It's back to school next week for the teachers. Staff Conference on Tuesday, Staff Meeting on Wednesday and Department meetings on Thursday and Friday.
*Sob Sob* The June holidays are over so fast. No more late nights, no more waking up only when you feel like waking up, no more sleeping only when you feel like sleeping, no more DS and Bomberman, no more sitting in front of the television switching channels as and when you like, no more shopping on a weekday, no more 'ME' time, no more ...
Just realised that there are so many things that I have not completed yet. My 'To-Do" list is incredulously long, getting longer with each day and no sign of shortening it any time soon. Eww, and there isn't much time left to leave things to tomorrow, because 'tomorrow' is going to take on the status of 'limited edition' soon.
When the term starts, it's going to be a stressful and busy term. My 4T1 will be having their Prelims in August and N levels in September.
Oh man, just the thought of it is enough to cause pre-school jitters and the usual 'I hate the end of holidays' symptoms.
Emo-ing. haha.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Yes, Yours truly is one year older since yesterday. Received many well-wishes via SMSes and the tagboard. Thank you wonderful friends and lovely children.
Yes, yes, I know the question that is bugging many of my friends is when I am going to find my Mr Right. Haha. As if I will have the answer to that!
H will message me every year on my birthday without fail even though we have not met up for more than a decade. He's getting married next year and asks me when my turn is. Haha. I need to find a man who wants to marry me before I can have the answer to that question.
Eww, when women are in their late twenties and they are not seeing anyone, you will have people who are anxious to introduce nice men to them. Please, it's really awkward if a dinner date is arranged so that so-and-so can meet so-and-so.
Well, is there really a need for all these? Aren't those predestined and they are in God's good hands? Only He will have the answer. Let's leave it to God then. Esther will then say that God will only help those who help themselves. Tongue-tied! No more excuses. Haha
Does that mean I need to go for a man hunt soon and join those social networking activities or those speed-dating activities? Ewww....the agony of growing old for single woman.
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Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Love in your eyes
Sitting silent by my side
Going on Holding hand
Walking through the nights
Hold me up Hold me tight
Lift me up to touch the sky
Teaching me to love with heart
Helping me open my mind
I can fly
I'm proud that I can fly
To give the best of mine
Till the end of the time
Believe me I can fly
I'm proud that I can fly
To give the best of mine
The heaven in the sky
Stars in the sky
Wishing once upon a time
Give me love Make me smile
Till the end of life
Hold me up Hold me tight
Lift me up to touch the sky
Teaching me to love with heart
Helping me open my mind
I can fly
I'm proud that I can fly
To give the best of mine
Till the end of the time
Believe me I can fly
I'm proud that I can fly
To give the best of mine
The heaven in the sky
Can't you believe that you light up my way
No matter how that ease my path
I'll never lose my faith
See me fly
I'm proud to fly up high
Show you the best of mine
Till the end of the time
Believe me I can fly
I'm singing in the sky
Show you the best of mine
The heaven in the sky
Nothing can stop me
Spread my wings so wide
Decided to change my blog song to this after I heard it at the course that I was attending. I was really touched when I saw the video that this ADHD boy has done for his mother.
Initially, I wasn't really looking forward to this course because the duration of this course is really long. This course "Introduction to Understanding Pupils with Special Learning and Behavioural Needs" has three modules and the duration of each course is 3 full days of lectures and tutorials at NIE.
However, after attending the first day of the module, it has given me a different perspective about Special Needs Students.
Special Needs students are students with difficulties in the domains of functioning that negatively impacts upon learning and social participation within the school environment that cannot be supported without additional help given to the student.
Some of the students are born with such learning disabilities such as dyslexia or autism and they have no choice but to learn to work with the current situation. I really marvel at how parents can so patiently handle their children with Special Needs. It really requires a lot of tolerance and understanding from the parents without the constant questioning "Why is my poor girl/boy born that way?" or "Why is God punishing my child this way?"
With God's grace, they have learnt to deal with such situation in a positive manner. I'm sure they do have their frustrating moments but they have reacted in a reassuring manner and are always there to provide the emotional support and help for their children. To such noble parents, I really salute you for your endless love and care that you have provided for your kids.
I'm not sure if I will be able to react so positively if I were in your shoes. However, as a teacher, after watching the video "Teaching Peter", I really want to do so much more for those poor children out there who are suffering from learning disabilities. The video showed how third graders (equivalent to our Primary three students) in America can be so understanding and accommodating towards their classmate who is diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. I feel so guilty that I have reacted negatively to attending this course prior to this.
I know it's late and I still have to wake up early to attend the second day of the module, but the impact from the first day of the course is so strong that I must share how I feel. We do have students with learning disabilities in our school and we must really be supportive and empathise with them. Give them all the help and support they need to integrate into this caring environment. Show them that there is still love and hope in the school.
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I am suddenly reminded of Boon Kiat and Jumaat. Don't worry, they are not students with learning disabilities. Wait, Boon Kiat maybe, but definitely not Jumaat. Boon Kiat might be offended when he read this, but that's not the main point. Just want to share how I feel about these two boys.
At the beginning of the year, I really have problems relating to Boon Kiat. He just refused to do his work and will do all sorts of things other than the work that he was supposed to do. If not, he would space out and do all sorts of weird actions. I can never understand the rationale for his actions, and his friends call him Siao Boon Kiat at times. I'm sure there are times why Boon Kiat couldn't understand why he is behaving like that too.
Come to think of it, all those that I have mentioned above are symptoms of ADHD-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to the lecture handout, if 6 or more of the following symptoms of inattention are present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level, this student could be suffering from ADHD.
Inattention
- Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork.
- Often has trouble organising activites.
- Often avoids, dislikes or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time such as schoolwork or homework.
- Often loses things needed for tasks and activities such as worksheets and stationery.
- Is often distracted.
- Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirm in seats.
- Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
- Is often 'on the go' or often acts as if 'driven by a motor'.
- Often talks excessively
For those who knows Boon Kiat and have seen how he has behaved in class, after reading the above, Boon Kiat really needs help. We can't dismiss it as Boon Kiat is Siao and hopeless and lazy anymore. All these are happening because Boon Kiat is suffering from ADHD and not that he is hopeless and bo chap.
I can really sense that Boon Kiat is really keen to change for the better. However, his actions are never superior than his thinking, which means that he is a NATO, no actions, talk only. However, lately, he has really put in the effort and I can see that he is really trying. He can promise you that he will hand in everything the next day, just that the next day never comes in his context. I was telling Wei An, Aloysious and Rabbani that the day Boon Kiat hands in every piece of his work, we can hold a big celebration for his effort.
But to be fair to him, we must recognise the fact that he is really trying, just that he really needs to try harder and show people that he can change our perspectives of him.
God, I pray that day will come soon, so that we can all praise Boon Kiat for making the effort.
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Next, I need to give recognition to my darling Jummie monster aka Jumaat. I was really proud of him that he can really keep his promise. He did not come for the first four days of the Structured programme because he has gone to Indonesia. When I called him on Thursday night and Friday morning to submit the Edusave form, to be honest, I carried little hope that he would bother to do that. But monster mama was proven wrong by monster jummie. He remembered his promise to me and really submitted the form to me on Friday afternoon. Gosh, it was really unbelievable.
This is not the first time that he has kept his promise to the monster mama. There were other instances too, just that this was the most recent incident that had happened. This has really proven one point. When jummie monster is really determined to change for the better, he really shows it with his actions. The next giant monster step that he has to take is to really set his mind on doing well for the N level and support it with concrete actions and effort minus the dinosaur roars. haha.
Monster Jummie, you must not let Monster Mama down k, must really do your best when the term starts ya. Prove it to mama again that my darling monster jummie is not a monster after all, but a truly darling jummie.
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Anyway, I saw this article entitled "Office Pal: Can it work?" on Straits Times Youthink today, or rather yesterday. When I saw this article, I was reminded of Denise and Venus. What a timely article. Haha.
The other day, I was talking to Venus about the misunderstanding that she has about Elizabeth and she was not convinced and shared that with Denise. Then Denise blogged about it on her blog that there can never be true friends in the workplace, and with that belief, I'm sure she will agree with this statement in the article that "values such as loyalty, selflessness and trust are hard to uphold in an environment where we are pit one against the other, with each person's livelihood at stake". Hence, when faced with the question "Are workplace friendships a recipe for trouble or ties we should treasure", Denise will choose the former.
I will definitely choose the latter though. Yes Denise, True friends can exist in the workplace. Office pals are a vital source of comfort and empathy. In the context of the school, staff room pals are those close friends who can understand the pressure and difficulties that teachers are going through. When the going gets tougher and the students get more ridiculous, staff room pals will always be there to provide a listening ear and advise you accordingly and provide the support and help that we desperately need.
To quote from the article: Friendships that survive a cut-throat work environment can only come out the stronger for it. And in the long run, these friendships are exactly the ones worth fighting for.
To reassure everyone, the working relationships in Bukit View have been pleasant. There isn't any dramatic cut-throat work environment existing in the staff room, petty ones maybe at times. haha. Most of us are nice people after all.
And these are the friends who have made a positive impact in my life at Bukit View and fit the descriptions of the so-called wonderful staff room pals that I hold dear, Grace, Patsy, Siraj, Marhaini, Maziyan, and not forgetting Esther and Subair. Thanks for the wonderful friendships, staff room pals!
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Sunday, June 01, 2008
Had a pleasant surprise from Weilun, Xin Wei, Zoe and Carissa on Friday. They prepared an early birthday celebration for me. So sweet of them. They came back to school in the late afternoon and prepared a birthday cake and card for me. Of course, the candles on the cake were not an accurate indication of my old age. Haha.
It's a bit too early to celebrate my birthday, but it's the thoughts that count. The other day, Weilun messaged me and asked if I would be back in school during the third week of June holidays and I replied him most probably not, so that explained the early celebration.
Shared the cake with them and some of my colleagues who were still in school, and after that, we went to West Mall and had our late lunch.
We took a picture outside West Mall first as Zoe could not join us because she needed to meet her cousin.
Hence, here's presenting the wonderful students who had made my day.
Coincidentally, this is the same group of students that I first taught when I was in my first year in Bukit View and it was also the same group of students who had gone for the OSL Yunnan 2006 with me. Those were the memories and now, they have moved on to their first year in JC and polytechnics. Those were the days.
We went to Mayim for our lunch, late lunch at 4 plus. Haha. My treat of course, since they are such wonderful darlings. We had a good time reminiscing about those good old days and updating about everyone and everything.
Dearest students, thanks for the pleasant surprise. I really appreciate the thoughts and the effort that all of you have put in. I am really touched by the gesture.
I totally agree with what Mrs Foong had said, that it was so thoughtful of these ex-students to plan such surprise for a teacher. It is such action that truly proves that teaching is indeed a rewarding and satisfying career. Thanks for reassuring me that I have made the right choice to join the teaching industry five years ago.
Many students have come and go, but the special ones will still remain in that special place in my heart, and that definitely include Weilun, Xinwei, Zoe, Carissa and Eunice.
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Met up with Weiling at Great World City to celebrate her belated birthday. She has been my dearest pal for 15 years. Oh man, I am going to miss her really badly when she is going to work in Hong Kong for two years at the end of June. Shall make the effort to meet up with her more often, if not, the only chance to meet up will be two years later or when I go over to Hong Kong to visit her during the December holidays.
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Anyway, Favourite student (or rather ex-fav student as what he has tagged at the tagboard, haha) messaged me that it was his birthday yesterday and I was totally clueless about it. Oops. So here's a special greeting from his favourite teacher.
Happy 18th Birthday, Hazmi!
It's his so-called legal age to go clubbing, drinking and smoking even though he has many impossible birthday wishes to fulfill. Mischievous and cheeky boy, I'm going to tell Beatrice about it. Wahaha.
He came back to school the other day to collect his N level certificate and he messaged me to say that he was in the canteen. I had a good time catching up with him and laughed at those times when the evil teacher punished him and got him to do those silly actions during CPA lessons.
Anyway, he was disappointed that he did not get to see Beatrice the other day as she had gone for the Cluster Camp. Being the kind teacher that I have always been, I called Beatrice and he got to talk to her and he was smiling with a wide grin. Haha.
Really miss those days and fun memories teaching that class, 4T1'2007. That was the most well-behaved NT class which has produced the highest distinction for CPA in Bukit View so far. With that thought, I start to worry if my current 4T1 would do as well for CPA this year and of course, most importantly, their English Language. Scary wo and stressed at the thought of that.
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My wonderful form class has created a new history in Bukit View again. 22 of them were late for the oral exams for various reasons, going to Macs for lunch, going to friends' place, over-sleeping, the rain, the cars and many other invalid excuses. 2 of them were even late to the extent that they were not allowed to take the oral exam as the first candidate had already completed his oral.
Goodness, this is really incorrigible. Elizabeth has every right to scold them for that and yet, some of them were so angry with her even though they were at fault. But thank God, most of them were able to accept the punishment of having to serve 3 hours of DC next week after I have talked to them about the need to mete out such serious punishment, but of course, there was still a handful of students whom I really could not reach out to because they really have a warped sense of thinking that I could not agree with.
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Anyway, I had caught wonderful student in his inappropriate behaviour on two occasions during the English and Chinese Oral exams, two days in a row. I was really disappointed. He messaged me to apologise and explain for his inappropriate actions. Maybe God is trying to tell me that he is not so wonderful after all.
Anyway, I thank God for my wonderful chairman. I was really touched by what Hong Sing has told me over MSN earlier on. I have not doted on him in vain. Even though it's just a simple thought from him, it really means a lot to me. Thanks for being such a wonderful boy all this while and thanks for being so appreciative.