Has this world turned superficial?

What is your True Fear? Your Result: Being Alone While you may act like you don't care on the outside, on the inside your biggest fear is being alone. You can be quite shy and reserved. You feel like a lot of times people don't really see the real you. You're afraid that no one will really truly love you, and that you will be alone for the rest of your life. On the inside you are great person, so just remember that and don't let your shy nature get the best of you! If you don't want to be a lone then you need to make an effort to be with someone. Show the people that you care about that you really love them, and chances are someone will always be there, even if you think they won't.
Where Your life is Going
Losing Someone
Commitment
Disappointment
Looked down on
Death
What is your True Fear? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Something struck me today as I was watching this movie "What a Girl wants" on OKTO. It may seem like a typical 'drama queen' kinda movie, but honestly, this movie does have make us think and has many learning points which we ought to learn from,

Most of us dream to be popstars, princes, part of royalty, but is this really what we want and desire out of life? For most of us have at one point or another thought or dreamt of having a life of luxury, yet if we were to look at it from another perspective, that would mean trading who we are and our life for something else in return.

Would you want to trade being you for the fame, crowns and money?

One memorable line from this movie that got me thinking:

"Why are you trying to fit in when you're born to stand out?"

A powerful line which indeed impacted me.Is this world now all about trying to please others around you? Whatever happened to past qualities like being unique and having a sense of identity?

I'd say, those qualities are gone, for now people only care about the opinion of others, even those whom they do not know.

They want to fit in, they want to be accepted

Now if that really is the behaviour of the world today, I certainly would not like to imagine how the world turns out 50 years from now.

Festive Atmosphere

To my fellow Chinese readers, Have a very HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Well, thats for tomorrow, but for today, make sure you guys enjoy your reunion dinner with your families alright? Take this time to bond and catch up on familiy members you have not seen and met for the past few months or so.

I've got a 'reunion dinner' of my own today, my extended family from my mum's is coming over to my place tonight for a barbeque by the park nearby.

Lets soak in the festive atmosphere together!

Happy holidays! :)

Ask me to stop thinking and I'll just die

Random ramblings...

First and foremost, I think my sister redefines the definition of patriotism. She was surfing youtube for songs like Home, Where I Belong, and was singing along to the tunes again and again like tomorrow's National Day. Singapore needs citizens like her, now beat that.

Secondly, I think Manchester City should really get a grip on themselves. I know the owner of this club is from Abu Dhabi and probably has the amount of money to flaunt off leaving others speechless, but he really should learn that money is not everything. Manchester City should just keep with the current players it has and build its reputation as a club through its football playing styles as well as tactics. Ireland is good, so is Robinho, now just work on them and create a name via these players. Don't have to go around offering others like Bridge, Bellamy, Kaka and Drogba a pay that can only be considered sane in the next century, and expect them to take up the offer. Just by doing this, Manchester City is only trying to prove that it only wants to be a club filled with world class players, not a world class club.

Thirdly, I really salute Kaka for not taking up the offer from Manchester City. He has proven that money isnt everything and that loyalty to a club or an association should be something one should value. He plays for the passion and the love for his club, and apparently its not about the money for him. Now this is truly someone we all should look up to as a role model :)

And finally, I think I'm starting to feel the effects of teaching, even in my sleep. Just yesterday I dreamt of Social Studies books with words popping out as well as students asking me questions non-stop.

Not a good sign Zul, not good....

BITTER SWEET

School just ended, and there's a four day break in between before I go for my next class.. Was called down to school today to do relief teaching for 2 classes and they were pretty well behaved.

I especially enjoyed my stay in 5B as the students there were nice, receptive and friendly. Although they had to do this composition and I am pretty sure they were dreading it since they were supposed to be in a festive mood, they were very cooperative and actually passed it up to me without much complaints (: The class even told me to write some well wishes down for them on the class notice board although this is only the second time I'm seeing them.

Chinese New Year celebrations was next. The concert was not bad, and I enjoyed myself with the relief teachers as we just celebrated the atmosphere in each others presence. Life's good when you have such lovely pals to go through all these hardship with you.

Speaking of which, yesterday's happening still has not been dispersed totally from my mind and I'm rather bothered by it. So far I've been doing fine with all the other classes, and even though for some of them its their first time seeing me, we usually settle down and get to know each other fast enough up to the point the students can joke around with me or listen to me as I go on and on with what I have to present. However for this one particular class I had problems.

My first encounter with them was last week and even so we already started off on a bad note. The kids didnt wanna listen and as I took that class for relief I had to be very stern and strict with them to keep them contained, and I don't think they liked me for that. First impression, bad.

Then yesterday I had to meet them again, this time to teach, and just as I guessed, they didnt wanna listen and some kids at the back were throwing papers and all when they were supposed to read. Tried using the slow talk method, but later they were at it again, so this time I was very strict. I gave them a stare and asked them if they were willing to learn. They quietened down, but once again as I tried to teach they made so much noise I just decided to end the lesson and walk off. Before I did I told them that I dont get angry for nothing and I explained to them their behaviour and how it was unacceptable for them to behave this way.

I thought at least by doing that they would understand and appreciate it that I am trying to talk things out with them, but sadly, no. The kids threw me glum and unhappy faces, and some unhappy kids claimed I was only biased against their class. I was patient and calm as I walked out of that class but dang, that comment, it was like a sphere right through me. That incident just ruined the entire day of fun I had, and even up till today I am wondering if I could have handled the situation any better.

Ohh well, I hope the next time I enter there I wouldnt have to do this ever again. I hate scolding people, although I will when I really have to.

Okay, on the bright side, for this week I really met some lovely classes. I miss teaching 2A, whose chirpiness and friendliness greeted me when I had to relief their class twice. I miss teaching 2B, who was pretty much one of the very first few classes I took for relief. I miss 2I, whose kids can be super hyper, yet at least they do their work and listen to you. And I miss 4B, with the kids so well behaved and interactive and intellectual. Ms Sng is back to teach them. I'm happy she's back, but I'm sad that I won't get an opportunity to teach them anymore.. Ohh welll... That's life for you.

Okay now though CNY is round the corner, the workload is just piling up! GOSH! But hey zul, don't compain. Remember, teaching beats NS, ANYTIME!

Yes, complain I won't

Poem Writing Lessons with Mr Zul!

And just before I go, I'm so proud of myself, so I have to showcase two poems I whipped up in just over an hour cause I decided to teach "Poem Writing" for my English classes. HAHA! Enjoy! The first one is an acrostic poem with the initials "ALICE"
.
Astoundingly beautiful she is, leaving me breathless at first glance
Likeable by many, with a character so demure and sweet
Inspirational and loving, she spurs me on with every moment
Catching her smile, it was picture perfect, as I found myself melting
Entangled in love, someone help me please, I think she stole my heart away

and this is the second one. I was teaching my students how to write poems with themes, and I decided to write on the theme of winter using rhyming as a technique to help me. Here goes:

Give me light, on this cold winter's night
Where the frosty flakes fall and the cold winds bite
Where heat and warmth disappears completely from sight
Lonely and cold, please save me from this current plight

People around me freezing, with jackets clutched tight
My surrounding's dull, all blanketed in white
The trees once majestic, now shredded of might
As life takes on winter, life loses the fight

I miss the sights of birds soaring to height
I miss the times where my day started right
I miss the sun, all cheery and bright
I plead for life, on this cold winter's night

Hope you enjoyed the read! (:

MY JOURNEY SO FAR

I am beginning to love my relief teaching sting. I guess when you get fonder of your surroundings, your colleagues and the students there, you just have this sense of belonging and lovingness towards them that you feel so bonded with them.

Dang, this is goinna be hard on me when I finally have to leave Teck Whye Sec.

I know I started off on a pessimistic note, but somehow it has drawn to me that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can only be reached once you make the effort to walk across the perimeters of the rainbow to attain the gold. Okay rubbish, you cannot walk across a rainbow, but I think you got my figure of speech. Starting off on a bad note doesnt mean anything, for as you start your journey there are bound to be obstacles along the way. Once you get past them, you'll begin to realize that you're a stronger person who knows better when it comes to dealing with hardship and obstacles.

I've passed through mine. I know how to handle the students, and I have learnt to understand them and their wants better inside out. I mean, I aint that much older than them anyway, so understanding them was easy.

Even when I had to scold my classes, I do not do so compulsively and unnecessarily. I scold them when the time calls for it, yet I never lose my cool completely. I maintain a clear mind, and once I'm done with my scolding or lecturing, I'll explain to them their mistakes and what they have done wrong. I don't believe in publically humiliating my students for that will only make them hate me more, so when I need to pinpoint them, I'll do so discreetly.

One thing I learnt from my term as a teacher, if you want your kids to respect you, you've gotta first respect them as adults and treat them as one. The way you treat them in class says it all, and I guess thats what makes my students respect me and never doubt my authority as a teacher up till now although I just barely knew them, and I am thankful that they are such lovely people to teach.

So far things have been on the rather bright side for me. Hopefully as the weeks passes, I hope it would all only get better and better. I'm pretty confident it will.

I used to dread the idea of teaching a secondary school, but now I feel I'm a more matured person and its all turned out to be a blessing in disguise

The Teacher

HEY ALL!

Wow its been quite a long time since I last updated this blog of mine. Ever since I started the new year, I havent had time to myself as there have just been soo many things I have been keeping myself occupied with.

For a start, to those of my friends who havent already known, I am currently spending my time as a relief teacher in Teck Whye Secondary School. Today marks the second week of my job there and supposedly I end tomorrow, but well I have good news! My teaching term has been extended and I'll now be an English teacher to a few classes till March 09 where I report for NS, like it or not.

So far teaching has been an eye opener for me. I've always wanted to be a teacher and now, right before my eyes, the opportunity lands itself in front of me. I've always been a student all my life, for about 12 years and counting, so this experience of role reversal was rather weird, yet experiential to me at the same time.

I've experienced the ins and outs of a teacher, and I must say that this ain't a smooth sailing job like many of us perceive it to be. Being a teacher is very challenging, and tiring I must add, especially when you have to teach, handle your class, mark and do so many other stuff at the same time.

If you get an angelic class, then good for you. But if your students are those rebellious kind, then good luck to you, for they may be very tough to handle.

For me, my first day of work was actually kinda scary. I had problems maintaining peace and order in my class and I almost felt like teaching was not meant for me at all. There was one point in time I panicked cause I realized that if I do not teach, my future would be very uncertain and bleak as I have no idea what I would grow up to be.

The next few days were probably similar experiences, but thank god now things are beginning to pick up and I'm finally learning how to handle my classes well. The fun's finally starting to kick in!

hehh... Update you guys more as I start my term starting tomorrow ya? WISH ME LUCK!

Cya guysss!

Uncertainties

Day one as a relief teacher was hell.

Day two as a relief teacher was fulfilling.

What does day three hold for me?

Uncertainties uncertainties...

"YES I AM SINGAPOREAN" BLOG CONTEST

There are times where we as humans take things around us for granted. Its normal human nature, I confess. There are times where I too have succumbed to this, and of the things I realized is that I take my country for granted at times too.

The country which has provided me comfort, care, security all these while. The country I call home

So this entry is dedicated to my dearest country Singapore. I'm goinna kill two birds with one stone now, to enter a contest I read about on the net recently in which I have to write about what makes me uniquely Singapore, and to fulfill this dedication.

So here goes, I LOVE SINGAPORE! Its true, I really do, and one of the evidences to prove this is to show I am very Singaporean at heart, that I am a uniquely Singaporean kid.

So what makes me a Singaporean? Here are 9 reasons to prove this:

Students from my school were once asked to bring our favourite fruits to school and I actually was contemplating on whether to bring a durian to school. No kidding, a durian, cause I apparently love the king of fruits, especially those with the creamy yellow flesh like the D24. The feeling attained after eating the durian is just lovely and heavenly, and I have no idea why others simply cannot stand the smell and even taste of durians. Perhaps opinions differ, but I still proudly proclaim that I love durians. Its a uniquely Singaporean fruit.

I love music, and I love randomly singing songs that appeal to me at that moment. Call me weird, but there are times where I'll simply ditch songs from the top 40 charts like Rihanna and Chris Brown, for local Singaporean songs like the ever iconic "Five Stars Arising" and "Moments of Magic" You wouldnt believe me if I said this, but "Moments of Magic" was actually on the favourite section of my MP3 playlist at one point in time due to the touching lyrics and magical tune that appeals to the ears. I proudly proclaim I am a fan of such songs, for they are uniquely Singaporean songs.

Nostalgic places such as Kampung Glam and Bukit Chandu happens to be places I LOVE visiting especially when I am stressed and need time out by myself, as they are really peaceful places and they never fail to remind me of my past heritage and origins. I really am delighted that the government decided to retain these places, for I have fond memories of my past through these places which can never be attained anywhere else. They are uniquely Singaporean memories.

Getting married in exotic places such as the Eiffel Tower and Niagara Falls may be a dream come true to some, but I'm not one who conforms to this dream. In fact, I actually once told my acquaintances that I wanted to get married in Singapore, near the Merlion. I mean, it is exotic since Singapore is the only country with this landmark! What's uncool about that? It is a uniquely Singaporean landmark.

Although I have been taking English as a core subject for 9 long years, there are times where I simply succumb to speaking Singlish! Can't help it, I'm Singaporean lor! Woops, see, I did it again! Singlish, it is a uniquely Singaporean language.

Prata from Jalan Kayu, satay from Sembawang Satay Club, Carrot cake from Tanjong Katong, Nasi Lemak from Changi Village. You ask me about such food, I know all about them cause I'm a Singaporean and Singaporean loves such sinful delights. They're uniquely Singaporean food.

One word, just mention "free" and I'll be there to beat the queue to redeem my free gifts no matter how long it may take, even if it means coming way ahead of the stipulated time stated. I am prepared. I'm a kiasu Singaporean, and that's a uniquely Singaporean attitude.

Reaper and Friends may be world class comedies watched by the entire globe, but I still prefer watching the local comedies like Under One Roof and Phua Chu Kang. In fact, I remember myself as a little boy always rushing to come home from school just to watch reruns of these local comedies on TV in the afternoons. They can be rather plain in terms of content, but I find pleasure in simply laughing along with the manner in which they portray us Singaporeans as, since we can relate to whatever is being portrayed. They can never be remade by any overseas companies, as the local flavour would be lost then. They are uniquely Singaporean programmes.

Exploring the world map one day, I realized that I could not point out where the United States of America was despite it being so very huge, yet I could actually point out Singapore which was just a small little dot on that world map. That sums it up, I have proven I am uniquely Singaporean.

I hope my 9 reasons have been enough to show my readers regarding what makes me a Singaporean. (Just for the record, read the first letter of each reason in white, it spells SINGAPORE.. haha!) As for how people can pick us up from an international crowd, I must say it will be pretty tough for others to recognize us as Singaporeans overseas as there are no unique Singaporean qualities which could possibly distinct us from the international crowd as of now.

Perhaps tourists can distinguish us as Singaporeans via some of our common Singaporean traits such as speaking Singlish or bargaining feverishly for the best deals, hence showing a kiasu attitude. I'm just making a wild guess here, as these are the answers I get from my foreign friends when I ask them how they recognize Singaporeans overseas.

As for us Singaporeans, we can identify those of our kind via this special gut feeling which I cannot explain in words. I'm pretty sure you've heard of this thing called the "common Singapore identity" and maybe this is something all Singaporeans have in common up to the point we can identify our kind in a foreign country. I too have done it many times correctly, but don't ask me how, cause I just did it with my own gut feeling. Some others may call the idea of having a "common Singapore identity" unrealistic but my take is that there really is this "common Singaporean identity" in us which makes it very easy for us to spot our own kind.

I am proud to be a Singaporean. I always have been. What about you? :)

Yes, I'm Singaporean! Blog Contest
Check out other Singaporeans at mySingapore.sg

Geography

I just landed myself a permenant relief teaching job as a Geography teacher.

See see, I KNEW some good would eventually arise from playing Geo Challenge on Facebook.

Dang I should start reading up and know my stuff or I'll make a complete fool of myself since the last time I took geography was back in secondary four.

Rivers Boulders Deforestation Weathering Erosion

We'll see how it goes :)

And oh yes I havent updated on my new year resolutions yet! Maybe soon!

Flooding Tornado Oxbow Lake Meander Cumulonimbus Cirrus

Dont mind my my friends

Mini-MLCS Meet Up

Overdue entry! A small MLCS meet up to just chill and have fun as a final means of saying goodbye to Haziq whose embarking on his NS adventure next week. As usual, a great bunch of people whom I really enjoyed my time with, and I hope this bond will continue to remain strong even after we leave NY. Thanks to all who came!

And for haziq my dearest friend and buddy, take care of yourself as you enter a new phase of your life alright? I'm pretty sure we all will miss you and your weird self. HAHA kidding kidding. Meet up soon, and stay the way you are okay! (: Dont become a mat once u come out of there. wahahaha!

I woke up

Hello 2009!