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Hail Mary.
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Saved by the bell?
Today something happened that made me smile inside my heart.
The bell signalling the end of my lesson went off and one student exclaimed,
"Wah, so fast end lesson already?!"
That's good...?
I must be doing something right, right?
Whatever it is, I felt that at least the class kids are are willing to put effort in their studies, and hopefully I influence them to give it their all for this subject.
I know I will.
Hail Mary.
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KOREF 2012
That's Kahang Organic Rice Eco Farm for the uninitiated.
Been 5 years since I last revisited that place. Went there once for Sec 3 camp in '06 and in '07 again as a Senior Leader. Good times, good times.
It's always nice to re-connect with old friends, whilst making new ones. Hanging out with the guys again made me feel like a "boy" all over again. You know, those times when we could shrug off responsibilities way more easily than now.
As we stood there, arms clasped around each other, encircling the campfire to prevent the kids from inching too close, we sang the VS anthem out loud, putting our heart and voices into it. Waves of nostalgia.
Think there's just too much to talk about over the course of those 3 days, but the camp was definitely one that's unforgettable, just like the previous 2. I think I wanna go camping more often now. It's a great escape from the stress that's on my mind nowadays.
Hail Mary.
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I could make you happy
Make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends
Of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love, To make you feel my love
Can't wait for this week to be over. For 2 reasons actually, one being my driving practical test on Friday, and a 21st birthday party on Friday night! Hopefully I go to the party smiling and not frowning. God save me. Praying very, very hard that all goes well on Friday.
Things have been going smoothly at work so far. Though I think I could put in more effort in preparing materials/teaching methods for the kids. I feel inadequate. I really don't want to screw up their understanding of a subject because I'm messing with their minds somehow.
Sigh. Put your nose to the grind, Nicolas!
Wow, 4 years have passed and it's another leap year already.
Hail Mary.
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Death & Company
Attended a funeral wake yesterday. It was my grandaunt's. My first wake I've attended in 5 years. Never liked them. Who does?
One thing's different for sure. I've grown up. I've matured. I've learnt to face death strongly. I didn't shed a tear this time.
I didn't want to go for this wake initially, but something tugged at my heart. My grandaunt, I hardly knew her, we were from different branches of the family tree. This year, when we visited her house during Chinese New Year, she took my hand and held it tight. I was taken aback by the gesture initially. It felt weird. But there she was, holding my hand in hers and stroking my hand gently while speaking fondly of me, as though we had known each other for a long time --- a grandchild in her eyes perhaps. And in less than a month, she was gone. Heart failure. But she knew, she knew that she couldn't last through the week.
Does one know when his/her time is up?
A life lived fully, fulfilled. Last night at the wake, there were tears, but there was laughter as well. As people spoke fondly of her, old photographs were passed around and I had a glimpse of her past and my family's past. It was beautiful in its nostalgic glory. Maybe that's what she wanted, and many others too, that in one's death, one helps to bring the family closer.
She's passed on. Today she will be sent off. Rest in peace, grandaunt. I will miss you, your beautiful smile, your chuckle and your hospitality during Chinese New Year. Though I only see you once a year, you have touched me and I'm sure many others in the years you have lived on this planet.
Rest in peace.
Hail Mary.
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Time Machine
I’m going to embark on a time machine
If I would be able to go meet you again
I wouldn’t ask for more
Before it becomes a distant fleeting memory
I need a time machine
Teaching has been an interesting experience. It really isn't easy keep the class in check and making sure they're paying attention. I'm glad though, that the students actually bother paying attention to what I say and not drift off into their dream lands.
I think most of the time we take our teachers for granted. From a teacher's point of view right now, there is an immense amount of effort and time put in just to conduct 1 period of a lesson.
I worry that what I'm trying to teach them is not getting through. Personally, I'm still learning and trying my best in the subject. Not only do I have to get my facts right, I also want the students to understand the points that I'm trying to put through to them.
For the past few lessons, I walk out of the classroom thinking... crap I could have done better! Maybe the flow of the lesson should have been as such, etc.
Ahh, worries worries. Hopefully I get my act together and make sure every lesson is engaging as possible.
Hail Mary.
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Where I fall is where I land
You're entering the next chapter of your life, sadly its the final chapter, but it's also the longest.
If you play it right, it's also the best.
"I pretend to be a different person. I did it because it's not me, I did it because I'm not sure who I am."
You expect people to be better than who they are, and you expect yourself to be better than everybody else.
Hail Mary.