life as a primary school teacher

God has a sense of humor.

when i was in primary school, and even in secondary school. i was very certain i didn't want to be a teacher. looking at my mother's unhappiness [not so much with teaching, but with the system she was under], i was pretty sure i didn't want to follow her footsteps.

however, when i entered JC, i met this teacher who really changed my perspective. in a lot of ways, i think i'm quite similar to him, and i guess that's why he became sort of a role model for me. you know how the greatest compliment to someone is if someone else yearns to be like him/her? i guess that is the best gift i can give to him, but erm, he has to figure it out by himself...maybe one day i might tell him straight out, but erm...maybe not. haa. anyway, he is really someone i respected as an outdoor leader and a teacher. he may have scolded the shit out of me/us, and even though some of the incidences were blown out of proportion, i did learn a lot from the man. in the short 2 years that i worked closely under him, my confidence in my outdoor leadership was at its highest...and in the dumps too. i remember how it took me a few years to slowly gain my confidence again, it affected me so much that i became so guilty, i just broke away from my entire batch. thankfully, a few of them didn't let go of me, and we still remain pretty close to this day.

in any case, while waiting to enter NS, i had 3 months to spare, and i went to my Alma mater to teach. but frankly, i didn't really enjoy it there. i had a grand total of 1 friend, this girl was my childhood friend and her mum's also a teacher in the school and she was employed as a librarian during that period. school was simply going into class, disciplining the kids, scolding them, giving them classwork, going through answers, sneaking ot the library to hang out with JB and then zoom back home or out as soon as the 1.15pm bell rings. it was such a stressful period that in the space of 3 months, i actually fell sick trice - and not just a simple cold etc, it was high fever. gosh.

and then i took a 4 year hiatus because of uni and BC. back a full circle and now i'm in another primary school. but the entire experience has really changed me. 30th july was supposed to be my last official day of school, and i was seriously depressed and emotional the entire week. i spent my breaks and lunch time in the bistro or walking around school, just to catch a glimpse of this child or that kid. if they greeted me, or smiled at me, it was enough to make my day. i think because at the end of the day, kids are really simple, they show their love and their acceptance of you in really straightforward ways...and its just so genuine. if i could, i would just hug them and kiss them! but sigh, i have to be professional and just too darn bad i'm not a female teacher. why is it that guys have to watch themselves and girls don't have to!!! [ok, don't reply, i know the answer too, but its just not fair!]

on a happier note, i had 2 surprises today. one of the girls from 1-9 is leaving for china next week, and her form teacher had a mini farewell for her. she gave out presents to her classmates and the class watched a video of her in a talent competition. it was just so heartwarming to see her really enjoying herself up on stage. it was just amazing. anyway, she came to me and gave me a beautifully wrapped present. i was so surprised i didn't say much except thank you. initially, i thought it was a generic present meant for her teachers, and i felt really bad, cox it might have been prepared for some other teachers and she gave it to me because i happened to be doing class observation. however, the form teacher later told me that she actually planned to give me a present! so sweet of her! *melts* anyway, p-ying, i hope you enjoy yourself thoroughly when you are in china, and i pray that you will find joy and satisfaction in all that you do! pursue what you love, and not what others tell you to love. its your life, enjoy every moment without regret. and of course, i pray that in your life, you will meet your true love, Jesus Christ. All in all, i wish i could have spent more time with you and your class, getting to know you all better. i apologize that so much of my attention is always given to the 4 boys + 2 girls in your class that i neglected you [and some other students]. take care and god bless, may he hold you in his arms forever...

the other surprise came after school, when another colleague came up with this boy from 1-1. apparently he prepared national day presents for his classmates and some of the teachers. and yes, he prepared one specially for me too! w-leng is such a sweet boy. he is always coming up to me just to greet me..and he gave me a drawing before too when i took his class. anyway, the biggest surprise was when he actually remembered and took to heart about what i said last term. i can't remember the circumstances in which i said it, but i told him to call me gan die [god father]. and so...his mum knows about it. i feel so guilty! lesson learnt: what one says to a child may be in jest, but it means so much so much to him/her. but i don't really know what to do from here on...should i acknowledge him? but i don't want to give him special attention outrightly! but if i don't do something, it seems like i'm neglecting him too? grrr...

anyway, my dear god-son, i don't know why but u are always falling sick. having tummy aches all so frequently. i pray that our heavenly father will keep you safe and free of illnesses. please eat well, and grow up healthily. and i'll see ya in school!

so what is life as a primary school teacher like? simply amzing. yes the kids can anger you, but they can surprise you so often, they can turn your anger into a smile with a simple innocent question or a remark.

once when i was fuming mad at 4-1, i apologized to 4-2 for being in such a bad mood. i explained to them why i was in such a bad mood and that i would try to calm down and treat them normally...and this boy shouted out, "Mr Lin, i'm the class clown and i'll cheer you up!". class joker, but it made me smile really really widely.

never will i forget that sarcasm doens't work on p1s...after telling a boy off for interrupting me [he ended up tearing...ooops], i asked the class if anyone else wanted to tell their story...and up came a girl's hand. "Yes, Y**a?" "Mr Lin, I went swimming in Singapore Poly with my daddy and i wore a mask..." [FYI, i was sharing with them some diving photos and was explaining what diving was about when the boy interrupted me repeatedly with some smart alec comments]. so you see, they really are such innocent angels sometimes.

sigh. think i'll end off her. getting quite emotional. miss them so much already....will update more often. think i'll really want to keep these memories of the children with me....now, if only i can get some photos of them! haa. gosh, i sound like some sick pervert. wahhaah

5 months worth of posts...

[shit, this post was in my drafts. and maybe one day i'll get down to editing this again. but for now...life moves on.]

wow. its been nearly 6 months since i last blogged. gosh.

life has been a blur. i think i've got to be disciplined and start blogging. thanks to my superb short term memory, i might not be able to remember these parts of my life...

anyway, in summary (for now), may was great. went to hong kong with laine. sort of her mini graduation trip. had a h1n1 scare too. nearly couldn't make it there. but thank god everything went smoothly. also thank god that we managed to meet up with mike and his daughters...and also for the opportunity to visit the church in hk. it was really a blessing to be able to worship with other believers regardless of race. won't say language cox we all spoke english, and definitely not religion. haaa. lame.

so, may and june was my official attachment...to base camp pte ltd. coincidentally it was also a crazy period. we were consultants for the ntu adventure trail challenge 2009. highlight of it was the 6 storey abseil off a carpark in seng kang.

thanks to laine for staying up until 3am to help me put up this HUGE banner.

hmm..another thing to note is that media corp did a short coverage (better than nothing). really hope more singaporeans will be exposed to it. hmm..wonder how can i help to expedite the process...should i spend more time doing some pr stuff? hmm..maybe after i grad. right now...really coping with too many things...

so may and june flew past. july came. work spilled over to mid july, then it was char and aly's wedding. hmm, realized this sounds like a lesbian marriage. aly! haa. anyway, i really wonder what kind of answer do people expect when they ask, so how was the wedding? anyway, i always reply with the same answer. everything went smoothly and they got wedded lor. short and sweet summary right?

in all, i really thank god for the get away. its been a long time since the whole family, including the bf/husband and the gf managed to have a holiday together. and it was really really great that we went for a volcanic trek and the white water rafting...on a side note, i'm damn proud of my parents and baby sis. think my mum was suffering quite a lot; think she strained a ligament. but she still soldiered on. but on the other hand, i also can see how much they've aged. and its really hit me that they're not exactly young anymore. i do hope they do start a healthy lifestyle; by way of exercising, but then again, its my dad - that's where i got my laziness from. wahha.

[this post might be continued, depending on the writer's mood...stay tuned]

birthday celebration ends up with death

S'PORE: Tragedy struck the Lim family on what was supposed to be the 27th birthday celebration of the eldest daughter, Lin Shaojuan Charmaine. The body of a family member was discovered by the latter and her boyfriend, Alywin Chew when they returned to the bed-room at about 1734hrs. The body was suspended by a USB cable, tied tightly around her neck, to the ceiling lights. The victim has been identified as Pinkie and has been living with the family's youngest child, Benita Lin, since she was a young child. Benita was not available for an interview by press time.

Sources close to the family reveal that Lin recieved a sms shortly before the body was discovered and was visibly agitated by the message. She was seen showing Chew the message and even reading it mockingly, "Happy 27th Birthday Jie, you are getting old!". It is believed that the message was sent from Benita as Lin's other younger sibling, Samuel Lin was in the next room talking on his mobile phone.

Rumors of a conspiracy theory has been brewing. It is speculated that the murder may be an act of revenge; although it is anyone's guess if the murder was committed by Lin out of spite, or by Chew, in an romantic attempt to appease his girlfriend.

Police have classified this as an unnatural death and are still investigating the case.

guess the gender

alright all you people who had a good laugh over the other post. take a good long look.this is the picture of the sign just 3meters away.

male or female?

even a close up is highly misleading

the male toilet which is hidden in a corner

the girlfriend and her ability

i think my gf has a secret ability.

you know how some people can recognize an intricate characteristic in someone? some see an inert leadership in people, some see the potential, the kindness, etc etc...
hmm..think teachers. i think teachers have this uncanny ability to bring out the best in people and cultivate their strengths.
well, the gf, being an animal lover, sees the animal in a person.

once again, she shouted "zebra crossing!"

i looked at her and laughed, thinking of the previous joke we shared.

she obviously remembered and quickly said, "it's a zebra crossing!"

i laughed all the harder. she did too.

i love the way language can be read in so many different levels; its beautiful, if you really think about it.
but she's definitely more beautiful.

Thank you Father.

i love you just the way you are

today the girlfriend was complaining that she was fat.
i tried to reassure her, so i told her, "i love you just the way you are."
and then i chuckled because a funny thought just came into my mind, and i added, "that means you can't get any fatter, because i love you just the way you are.

anyway, she knows, and i told her that its a joke and i didn't mean it.

so dear, i really mean it when i say i love you just the way you are, and no matter how you look...but you sure you really want to test the theory? hahahha...

the most perplexing academic question of all ages

what can possibly suck more than walking down the stairs, and slipping; leading to a good roll down the stairs (and thank god the back is not broken yet). to your amusement, horror, relief, you find your face just an inch away from a pile of dog poo (thank god!). but u realized that something around your chest area stinks. that's when you realize that in your crash landing, you crashed straight into onto a pool if vomit. and as you struggle to get out of the vomit pool, your hand lands on the dog poo.

what a day!

strangely, i think i rather be in that situation than to sit for the exams. sigh. its only 3 papers this sem, but i am so not looking forward to it at all. i just want to get it over and done with.

AND i still have 2 more semesters worth of exams. sigh.

my 2 best buddies in sch are graduating. and i am sad. who can i lame around with late into the nights? ok. i still have a couple more lame shit best buddies around. but there's still a sense of loss with the 2 accountants wannabes.

i miss np. i miss odac. i miss her too...

maybe uni will be more fun if she's coming into nie.