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
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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...
Day two as a relief teacher was fulfilling.
What does day three hold for me?
Uncertainties uncertainties...
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
"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? :)
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
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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
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
Friday, January 2, 2009
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!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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