Ever since I started working on this current permanent job in a private institution, I realised that most people are getting their jobs done because they want to get the final outcome.... money money and more money.
There are no friends at work, anyone may just be nice for personal gains and may even trample over you to get a spot higher, it is all about personal glory.
Some elephants brag about how well they trumpet, other dinosaurs threaten to throw their weight around and get you squashed. Yet trailing alongside these physically humongous creatures are always the disgusting lizards, scorpions, worms among other crawlies, small yet equally lethal.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
farmstay
This year was special. My maternal extended family were in Malaysia on a sheep/goat farm for the count down. It was exciting to light firecrackers and the more challenging species of fireworks which are banned in Singapore. I do not quite enjoy the smoke though.
I enjoyed the vast land owned by the farm, the goats and sheep and passion fruits straight from the tree. The stay made me want to plan for a longer farmstay in a larger farm with better hosting experience, for instance, Australia.
I enjoyed the vast land owned by the farm, the goats and sheep and passion fruits straight from the tree. The stay made me want to plan for a longer farmstay in a larger farm with better hosting experience, for instance, Australia.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The last Tuesday
End of the day. Happy to be going for music lesson with my music teacher. Life in school is busy and unavoidably full of politics. I just hope 2011 brings me more peace so that I have more time to think of how to better my students 'results. I want to be the second best. Now they are very close to bottom among 11classes. Some people tell not to be too demanding of working because the weak ones will give up. I wonder how I can differentiate teaching to benefit all. This shall be my year end reflection.
Monday, December 27, 2010
2011 I welcome you!
In less than a week, 2010 will be over. I realised I haven't quite accomplished much other than land myself in a decently permanent job of a lecturer.
I am falling in love again. He tease me a lot, so i hope it turns out well.
Next year shall be a even better year.
I am falling in love again. He tease me a lot, so i hope it turns out well.
Next year shall be a even better year.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Another wedding attended
Today I attended a friend's wedding despite having lost my voice since Thurday evening.
As much as I hate to attend wedding alone, I decided to go for it, so much for "gaining experience"
and also to show my friend that I care about her (and her husband of course)
Being in a church, not an official christian, I usually would sing along with the hymns, just to take it as some nice music that the congregation enjoys together.
However, I could not sing today without my voice, and sympathised with how Ariel in the Little Mermaid must have felt.
I felt like a mute, trying to convey my messages across proved to be a joke in office yesterday.
Colleagues say that I am in "Silent mode" and some even said it was the best day they could pick a fight with me without me retaliating. I felt hurt.
Some even asked sarcastically how I managed to still be happy with a smile (with I equate with courtesy) when I am doing a thing as silly as holding a billboard to tell others what I want to say.
Just some thoughts going through my mind while being in church listening to the sermon in two languages, making me remember how I conduct class in school:
in English for the formality of it, then again in mandarin so that those who can't understand can have chance to learn, while those who learnt had the chance to ...(feel bored)
Perhaps I am too immuned to attending weddings that I do not feel anything already. The couple was still like as they were before, wedded or not, still as loving, not much difference.
As much as I hate to attend wedding alone, I decided to go for it, so much for "gaining experience"
and also to show my friend that I care about her (and her husband of course)
Being in a church, not an official christian, I usually would sing along with the hymns, just to take it as some nice music that the congregation enjoys together.
However, I could not sing today without my voice, and sympathised with how Ariel in the Little Mermaid must have felt.
I felt like a mute, trying to convey my messages across proved to be a joke in office yesterday.
Colleagues say that I am in "Silent mode" and some even said it was the best day they could pick a fight with me without me retaliating. I felt hurt.
Some even asked sarcastically how I managed to still be happy with a smile (with I equate with courtesy) when I am doing a thing as silly as holding a billboard to tell others what I want to say.
Just some thoughts going through my mind while being in church listening to the sermon in two languages, making me remember how I conduct class in school:
in English for the formality of it, then again in mandarin so that those who can't understand can have chance to learn, while those who learnt had the chance to ...(feel bored)
Perhaps I am too immuned to attending weddings that I do not feel anything already. The couple was still like as they were before, wedded or not, still as loving, not much difference.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
From my friend, Jenn Chiang
These are called paraprosdokian sentences.
The first half has one meaning and the second half provides a whole new meaning.
I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way.
So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
Do not argue with idiots.
They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
But it's still on the list.
Light travels faster than sound.
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
If I agreed with you,
we'd both be wrong.
We never really grow up,
we only learn how to act in public.
War does not determine who is right,
only who is left.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common.
They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.
The early bird might get the worm
but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening'
and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism.
To steal from man is research.
If God is watching us,
the least we can do is be entertaining.
A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive,
try missing a couple of payments.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire
but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything
but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Dolphins are smart,
within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
I thought I wanted a career;
turns out I just wanted pay cheques.
A bank is a place that will lend you money
if you can prove that you don't need it.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.
I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.
I didn't say it was your fault;
I said I was blaming you.
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars
but check when you say the paint is wet.
Women will never be equal to men
until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president
and 50 for Miss America?
Behind every successful man is his woman.
Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
You do not need a parachute to skydive.
You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
The voices in my head may not be real
but they have some good ideas!
Always borrow money from a pessimist.
He won't expect it back.
Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home
even if you wish they were.
Money can't buy happiness
but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
I discovered I scream the same way
whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.
Change is inevitable,
except from a vending machine.
The first half has one meaning and the second half provides a whole new meaning.
I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way.
So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
Do not argue with idiots.
They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
But it's still on the list.
Light travels faster than sound.
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
If I agreed with you,
we'd both be wrong.
We never really grow up,
we only learn how to act in public.
War does not determine who is right,
only who is left.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common.
They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.
The early bird might get the worm
but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening'
and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism.
To steal from man is research.
If God is watching us,
the least we can do is be entertaining.
A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive,
try missing a couple of payments.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire
but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything
but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Dolphins are smart,
within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
I thought I wanted a career;
turns out I just wanted pay cheques.
A bank is a place that will lend you money
if you can prove that you don't need it.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.
I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.
I didn't say it was your fault;
I said I was blaming you.
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars
but check when you say the paint is wet.
Women will never be equal to men
until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president
and 50 for Miss America?
Behind every successful man is his woman.
Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
You do not need a parachute to skydive.
You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
The voices in my head may not be real
but they have some good ideas!
Always borrow money from a pessimist.
He won't expect it back.
Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home
even if you wish they were.
Money can't buy happiness
but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
I discovered I scream the same way
whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.
Change is inevitable,
except from a vending machine.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A Fresh New Begining
After lofting around for many years since my graduation in 2006, I am finally set to take up a full time permanent job.
Well, I didn't lose much either, for the past years these are what I have been doing:
2006 Aug-Nov: 1st attempt at Relief Teaching in a Secondary School (Neighbourhood one somemore)
2007 Jan-Mar: Still relief teaching but at a school much nearer to my home, was pleased to hear that HOD finds me qualified to teach Add Math even though some perm school teachers aren't (not their fault, just that they didn't do Math up to Uni level, most of these have Math as 2nd teaching subjects, and are usually "stuck" at lower sec classes). Here I met my ex, was covering his class, was impressed by his sense of moral righteousness and hence fell in love and decide to grab him. SIGH
2007 Apr-Aug: Got a GREAT opportunity to relief teach at and independent school, a all-boys school. Met great colleagues who became good friends. Love the place but had to go to make space for prioritised people.
2007 Sep-Nov: Back to the near-to-home school, felt a little weird that they can actually allow relief teachers to invigilate the important end-of-year exam, but didn't think much of it then since I had the chance to get a few more days' pay.
2008 Jan-Oct: Happy that HOD got me to teach longer term, she had plan for me to stay for long and handle the not-so-nice students in hope they will turn good and score a little better for the exams. It did work, a part of these students turned for the better, some naughty ones continued to test waters for room to misbehave but had to give in to my consistency. However, the teaching term had to end. And I still didn't make it into NIE despite several attempts in application.
2009 Jan-Aug: Moved on to yet another school near my home, still with the hope that some form of help from the school principal can help me get into NIE. But here I was asked to teach English. Eventually, clash of conflict when the Maths department wanted me to do some work and English needed me too (not that I am that important or useful, just happen to be in the same time frame), and I ended up dismissed when more trainee came to test out the teaching scene.
2009 Sep-Dec: I was asked to be the in-house musician of a chinese restaurant, decided to give it a try since the pay is not too bad and I knew it is hard to get employed by schools near the end of the year. Unfortunately, the company ran out of funds and decide that it was not very useful to the sales having live music and decided to terminate my service.
2010: Private tutoring still goes on, with tuition centres as well. Even got the chance to teach in school's Chinese Orchestra. But these tend to have messy schedules and have off peak periods when no lesson equals no money. Finally, HOD invited (or rather dug out my application from I can't even remember when) me to join their school. Pay, benefits, work scope quite my cup of tea, far though--- in Kovan. I had to give in a little: some CO in the weekdays, a few tuition (good chance to rid of the less hopeful)
Here I am, with apprehensions to start my new teaching job, on Teachers' Day.
Well, I didn't lose much either, for the past years these are what I have been doing:
2006 Aug-Nov: 1st attempt at Relief Teaching in a Secondary School (Neighbourhood one somemore)
2007 Jan-Mar: Still relief teaching but at a school much nearer to my home, was pleased to hear that HOD finds me qualified to teach Add Math even though some perm school teachers aren't (not their fault, just that they didn't do Math up to Uni level, most of these have Math as 2nd teaching subjects, and are usually "stuck" at lower sec classes). Here I met my ex, was covering his class, was impressed by his sense of moral righteousness and hence fell in love and decide to grab him. SIGH
2007 Apr-Aug: Got a GREAT opportunity to relief teach at and independent school, a all-boys school. Met great colleagues who became good friends. Love the place but had to go to make space for prioritised people.
2007 Sep-Nov: Back to the near-to-home school, felt a little weird that they can actually allow relief teachers to invigilate the important end-of-year exam, but didn't think much of it then since I had the chance to get a few more days' pay.
2008 Jan-Oct: Happy that HOD got me to teach longer term, she had plan for me to stay for long and handle the not-so-nice students in hope they will turn good and score a little better for the exams. It did work, a part of these students turned for the better, some naughty ones continued to test waters for room to misbehave but had to give in to my consistency. However, the teaching term had to end. And I still didn't make it into NIE despite several attempts in application.
2009 Jan-Aug: Moved on to yet another school near my home, still with the hope that some form of help from the school principal can help me get into NIE. But here I was asked to teach English. Eventually, clash of conflict when the Maths department wanted me to do some work and English needed me too (not that I am that important or useful, just happen to be in the same time frame), and I ended up dismissed when more trainee came to test out the teaching scene.
2009 Sep-Dec: I was asked to be the in-house musician of a chinese restaurant, decided to give it a try since the pay is not too bad and I knew it is hard to get employed by schools near the end of the year. Unfortunately, the company ran out of funds and decide that it was not very useful to the sales having live music and decided to terminate my service.
2010: Private tutoring still goes on, with tuition centres as well. Even got the chance to teach in school's Chinese Orchestra. But these tend to have messy schedules and have off peak periods when no lesson equals no money. Finally, HOD invited (or rather dug out my application from I can't even remember when) me to join their school. Pay, benefits, work scope quite my cup of tea, far though--- in Kovan. I had to give in a little: some CO in the weekdays, a few tuition (good chance to rid of the less hopeful)
Here I am, with apprehensions to start my new teaching job, on Teachers' Day.
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