Thursday, October 05, 2006

Here again...

10 more minutes to kill before invigilation again... Think I'd hide out here in the Workroom rather than the lounge. Less traffic and can use the computer...

Anyway, I was so happy and proud of my class just barely 10 minutes ago. Most of them came to the Computer Labs on time and, those who were early, sat down quietly to wait. There were one or two who were noisy but others noticed that I was invigilating next door and quickly hushed their friends. BUT... someone had to remove the "Exam in Progress" paper I had out outside my invigilation class and left it lying along the corridor. And of course, I didn't know at first... Until I saw it flying off the railing and down, down, down into the quadrangle...

But, well, must look on the bright side right? They were on time. They were behaving quite well. Must remember to praise them tomorrow.

Wanted to put up the "Exam in Progress" papers at strategic locations since my class will end early but heck lah... It's none of my business right? It'd just be extra "chi li bu tao hao" work on my part and nobody will notice it, let alone appreciate it. Did mention to Mrs Chan, who took over the invigilation for the class next to the Computer Labs that my class will end early at 11 am. She told me to tell my class to take the central staircase down... Duh!

Edmund Yap is taking his exam paper outside his class. Maybe will need to notify the teacher in charge of 2E1 that my class will end early and may attempt to talk to Edmund later...

Hm... Think I better go downstairs and ask if they have any of those stands and can put them outside my class tomorrow. Otherwise, will have to improvise on my own again...

Tata, dun think I'd be writing any more today, but if I have time, I definitely will. Blogging sure helps in de-stressing...
Peace of Mind

Haven't heard music just because. Always listening to the same song which I am training for for KTV or my vocal lesson.

Opened my blog just now and heard the korean song which I have placed here... Wow... Didn't realised how much I missed listening to soothing music. But the connection is so slow, the music keeps coming in sudden bursts... My grandfather has just gone to M'sia for wayang performance. Think I'd blast some soothing music later today when I get home.

Okies, gotta get back to work... Haven't printed my 3T1 Science EOY papers yet...

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Happy Children's Day.

I really like my horoscope for today from Friendster.

"New beginnings can be kind of scary sometimes. If you are entering into any new relationships, new business ventures or new journeys today, you can expect a bumpy, but very interesting, ride. Do not let this dissuade you from moving forward. You are entering a phase where challenges will enrich you like never before. Remember that forewarned is forearmed. Take comfort in your ability to handle any curveball thrown your way!"

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Have I become heartless?

Sometimes, I really feel that I've gotten 'heartless' over the last 2 years.

My vocal teacher says I'm unemotional when I sing. My HODs say I look very calm and forbidding. TOO calm and forbidding. So many of my students ask me to smile more in their Teachers' Day cards.

And frankly, I really didn't feel much when I was told that my favourite student is hospitalised. And when I went to see her today, I also wasn't feeling much.

I'm so afraid... Has my heart really turned cold? Maybe it's disappeared...?

So that I will not get hurt. By my students who hurl vulgarities at me so often. By my HODs and P who think I'm not a good teacher. By the guys who don't seem to be interested in me. By myself for failing as a form teacher. As a subject teacher. As a woman...

Friday, September 29, 2006

To go or to stay

Sigh...

It's tough to be an adult. When you have to make choices. And to realise how important your choices are. On yourself. On others...

One of my students is very ill. Toyed with the idea of shaving my head for some Children's Cancer thingy this August. Never realised how I might really be doing it for my student come next year.

Will be getting a 'D' for my work review for this year. Feels like such a fiasco. I'm graded down because so many of my students screwed up. And, thus, makes me look like a screw-up, apparently.

Then, now that the end of the year is here, couple students hoping I'd be their form teacher next year. Not sure it's because they like me. Because one of the students say it's because another teacher will die.

The student who's down with cancer. Also hoping that I'd continue to be her form teacher next year. She's my best student and favourite student. For the past year, she's been one of the reasons I'd stay on just so I can see her graduate. Now, even more reason for me to stay on for her...

So, to go or to stay... Do I really have a choice?

Friday, September 22, 2006

Yippee! It's Friday!

Phew! Finally finished setting all my End-of-Year Papers. Mathematics one all clear. Least changes ever! Hope Science one will clear just as easily.

Been procrastinating about the Science papers since last week. Always think back and tell myself, "I could have finished a week ago if I just made myself do it." But well, things never happen that way, do they?

Anyway, thank goodness I woke up at 3 am this morning. And lotsa breaks today, with no student-drama. Yesterday was power drama man! Typed all about it on my PDA liao, but haven't uploaded to my laptop. Will copy and paste later.

Oh yeah, and I managed to finish setting Revision Paper for my 2T in like, 15 minutes, and Class Test Paper for my 2E in, also, 15 minutes. Then took like 10 minutes to print each set of papers.

Power! Anybody think teachers will outsource their paper setting? Maybe I should try my hand at writing assessment books, eh?

Okies. Time to look for my HOD. Hand up my papers and ZAO!!!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Well Done!

Well Done No. 1 - I did not ask for more crumbs when I ordered my grilled fish dinner from Long John Silver just now.

Well Done No. 2 - I finished the vegetable salad WITHOUT putting any dressing on it.

Well Done No. 3 - I did not finish the fries even though I was very much tempted to.

*applause please*

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

School Starts Again...

Phew! 2 days in school.

I was sorely tempted to take MC on Monday. But decided to brave through it. Will have karma one - it's either I die or other people die worse taking my relief. Monday = 10 period day.

In the end, not too bad. Had assembly instead of Value Education with my class. Was supposed to have contact time (kinda waste of time coz it gets extremely long-winded) but it was postponed to Wed.

School ended at 3 but dunno why dilly dally until 4+. Then went to NUS with some colleagues and actually managed to have my first meal since dinner the nite before. And finished setting my year-end exam papers!

So, all in all, pretty good day. Yeah, got to watch ANTM too! *smile*

Today not so good. Thot 'free' day - can leave straight after school & plan my lessons for the week. But received something in my pigeon hole yesterday. Got to invigilate Science Practical Prelim Exams today. Last 3 slots some more! Ended at 6+!

Thankfully, had lessons more or less planned out during the weekend. Really pia-ed that weekend. But can see rewards. Coz otherwise I wouldn't be updating blog at all... *laugh*

So all the more I must stay on top of things and plan my lessons in advance. But... I want my weekends! Phew, that there are only about 18 more teaching days left. Though I must add about another 2 weeks' worth of lessons coz my class will still be having lessons while the rest of the school have their exams. Dunno why just can't let them have 'revision time' at home lah. Come to school just more opportunity to make trouble... *bleah*

P.S. Must remember to blog about my 'wonderful' Teachers' Day celebrations!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Long Time No See

Hihi!

It's been a looong time since I last blogged.

Let's see... Since April, there was Mid-Year Exams, marking for Mid-Year Exams, rushing report cards. And those were only school stuff.

May was MOS, where an angel fell from grace. *grin* Going through my fren's blog, apparently I took MC on 15th May and he had to take almost all my classes for relief. *more grin* It was pretty funny seeing him talk about my class and their problems. I wonder if the HODs would have as much 'fun' if they take over my class.

So exciting... Have to refer to my friend's blog to know wat I did... Fun pool session at Beach Road on 16th May, followed by weekday movie (Poseidon) at Beach Road Shaw Cinema. Not bad! Better show than I had expected.

June came along with HOLIDAYS! My foot lor...

One week = 'Structured Programme' = 1h every day with my class. Which is even more than the usual time I have with them during normal school days. Duh!

Last week = school meetings and programmes, dept meetings, etc.

Thankfully, took a couple of days off to go Bangkok with my colleagues. Will update in another post about the trip. Very exciting. Got stuck in lift at hotel. Last minute rush to shop shop shop big time. More drama at the end of the trip.

And wat do you know? It's been 3 months since then. Coz the Sept holidays just finishing. Urgh!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Another Un-Productive Weekend

Woke up at 8 am. Was supposed to go JB with my parents today.

But dad had to work so I ended up falling asleep after I had my breakfast.

Woke up in the afternoon and watch my Da Chang Jin DVDs. *grin*

Fell asleep again when it started raining in the late afternoon.

Woke up for dinner and here I am. Trying to get some work done but ended up doing up my blog instead.

*sigh*


Saturday, April 15, 2006

Good Friday

Tuition early this morning. Woke up early but, as usual, dilly-dallied until I was late.

It just wasn't my day today. Missed the 1 pm bus by a couple of minutes and so waited in the clubhouse for the 2 pm bus. Called Robin and got him to book tickets for the Inside Man at the new Cathay theatre. Clubhouse was flooded with small kids who were having a birthday party. Couldn't start marking my papers in front of them, so... took out my cross-stitching. Was so engrossed in my cross-stitch trying to block out the kids that I managed to block out the 2 pm bus too. Sigh...

Weather was real bad, very heavy thunderstorm. So called a cab to get down to Plaza Sing.

Carrefour was having a sale and I spent over a hundred bucks on lingerie! Enough of shopping, I went down to Long John's for a late lunch. Argh! So many teenagers! So, once again, couldn't do any marking.

Got a message from Robin that he'd be late. So, I took my time to jalan-jalan in Plaza Sing. Long Qs in the toilet too. But, he wasn't that late after all. By the time he called me when he was at Cathay, I had just left Plaza Sing. Oops!

Thankfully, Cathay is actually very near to Plaza Sing and we were just in time for the movie.

The movie was interesting - indie soundtrack, superfluous characters like Jodie Foster, kinda slow storyline - but not too bad a show after all.

Dun really like the new Cathay - stupid price boards for the snacks make it really hard for you to figure out what you want to order, sound system too loud, backs of seats too vertical and seats not very comfortable.

Went to Tao's for dinner and was duly impressed by their service. They allowed us to order one set dinner to share between the two of us. Floor was a bit dirty but other than that, no complains about the food. Food was great and presentation of the food even better. Prices a bit pricey but not bad if you're in a big group and staying a long time. They also have live music outdoors till 9 pm.

Brought Robin over to Hark's and place was really lively! Stayed till 2 am listening to music and then we walked to Somerset so I can catch my NR. Along the way, sang to him and he gave comments on what songs might be suitable for my voice. Almost missed my NR while we were talking...

Had this feeling of happiness when I was on the bus. I must say, I really enjoy spending time with him. But not sure if there's anything more? Sometimes, I wonder if I might get up the courage to ask him, but at other times, I'm not sure if I want to rock the boat.


Friday, April 14, 2006

Speech Day

Cannot disparage anybody since this blog is open to the public.

So, shall just talk about my evening out with my colleagues after the Speech Day.

Luckily, I left my new Adidas shoes with Angela's car after the KL trip. Had a change of shoes and my feet were in heaven. I had been standing since 2pm when I got to the CC and started on refreshment duty. Feet have never screamed so much in pain since my days as a salesgirl after my O-levels.

Managed to get the group to go Blooie's but Joshua wanted a place with music. Went on to this row of pubs along Pasis Panjang but live music will come on only after midnight. It was only 9.30pm so we decided to go Emerald Hill instead. Alex was coming in a cab with his gf and we called him to inform him of the change in venue.

Along the way, we passed by Tanjong Pagar and we decided to go Club Street instead. So, we called Alex about the 2nd change in venue. Oops...

Over at Club Street, had to find food first for Alex's gf who hasn't eaten and Angela was also feeling hungry. So, walked over to China Square. Finally settled on this Belgian pub and restaurant.

Not bad. Fries was decent and meatballs very juicy. The cold sausages wasn't as grossed as I thot it might be. Drinks were fantastic. I had lambic beer again. It's very sour and not many people can take to it. As usual, couldn't finish a pathetic 500ml glass and Angela helped me finish the last mouth-full.

Thankfully, I remembered that I have tuition the next morning and we didn't spend too late. Reached home about 2+ am. Didn't take any antihistamine. Think my alcohol tolerance has been going up after I started hanging out with my colleagues. *grin*


Sunday, April 09, 2006

KL Trip (Part 4)



Argh! It's Sunday already!



Time to finish up the shopping and get back home...




Saturday, April 08, 2006

KL Trip (Part 3)

Woke up at 8 in the morning. Was supposed to go grab tickets to go up the Twin Petronas Towers. Found Alex and Noel missing. Not sure if they went to grab the tickets, but think it was probably the case.



Everybody woke up then about 9, 9+ am. Alex and Noel came back by then and yup, they went to grab the tickets for the Twin Towers. Tickets were for 11.15 am. Wanted to go for dim sum breakfast but found that most places in KL opens at 10, 11 am earliest. Decided there'd be no time for breakfast before the tour so we walked over to KLCC to grab some finger food. Had Dunkin Donuts and some fish-balls. I was drooling over A&W - coney dogs and root beer float! - but no time.

8 hungry souls after the tour flooded Chili's at KLCC and I shared a satisfying beef and chicken fajitas with Angela.



Rushed back to the hotel as the guys were going up to Genting. Me, Angela, Beng and Noel went to Chinatown for shopping but it was kinda boring. We proceeded on to Sunai Wang at about 5pm but we were acting like zombies by then. Had a short rest break at KFC at 6pm and decided that we wouldn't be able to enjoy any shopping unless we got more sleep back at the hotel. Oh yes, did I mention that we changed to Ascott for our second night?




KL Trip (Part 2)

Reached KL around 1+ am. We were staying near the clubbing area for our first night and boy was the area crowded. Took almost an hour for us to just get across the length of the street to get into the service apartment building.

Checked in and came back downstairs to get our bearings. Wanted to go somewhere to chiong but Joshua had to go back to the hotel to change. By the time he got back, it was already 2 am and the place closes at 3 am. So, we decided to just sit somewhere to have a drink.

All the night places closes at 3+ am and we left after finishing our drinks. Most of us were quite hungry after that but thankfully, there were a number of food stalls just below the apartment. The gals went back upstairs while the guys waited for the food to be prepared.

Oh, did I mention that Beng stayed in the apartment while we went out and yeah, you guessed it! He was still doing work when we got back to the apartment!

Food came up and we went to sleep about 4-5 am.


Friday, April 07, 2006

KL Trip (Part 1)

Went for some workshop on Inquiry for Science in an attempt to skip Contact Time. Thot the workshop might end early but it ended up finishing same time as Contact Time. Couldn't do any marking during workshop some more.

Was dreadfully late this morning coz couldn't find my passport. Thankfully, found it just in the nick of time so dun need to run back home after school. Took Angela's car to her place and waited for Beng and Joshua to go her place. We waited and waited and waited... Joshua was dreadfully slow and we were all starving by the time he showed up.

Bought KFC from CCK Lot 1 and finally departed for Tuas at the auspicious time of 9pm. We were supposed to leave by 7pm...

Slight jam at the Tuas Checkpoint but much less than we anticipated. Heavy rain and lots of lightning as we entered Malaysia. So much so that Joshua was afraid that the car may be struck by lightning. *grin*

Kinda squeezed at the back coz me and Beng both brought our laptops with us. He even took his out to do work during the drive up to KL!


Thursday, April 06, 2006

Quotation



To look back all the time is boring,
Excitement lies in tomorrow.


Well done, for surviving the day.


Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Zien.

Here's wishing you much happiness and joy in the year ahead.


Sunday, March 26, 2006

Teachers in a Blog Spot

Sunday Times article this morning:

Teachers who blog face a minefield of ethical issues as students are bound to read their postings. They risk being seen as unprofessional if they gripe about work.

If you are a teacher and you want to blog about your life, you should be professional about it and not write specific things about your students or school, or post photos taken with students. If you put your stuff out there where students can access it, it's going to be a can of worms.


Got a lil worried when I read this coz I realised I haven't been very professional in my recent blogs - I used to take a lot more care putting up the contents of my blog.

Would like to be more professional in my blogs but increasingly, my blogs have become an avenue for me to vent my frustrations (a lot) and share my joy (not a lot). So why should I tamper with the things I really want to say? I dun think I have hurt anybody in my blogs and I can only hope that I will never hurt anybody in my future blogs...


Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Alternative Assessment: 2nd Lesson

Yup. Supposed to be having 2nd lesson of my Alternative Assessment workshop. Instead, I'm finishing my backlog of Blog entries for the past month...

And doing this...




I am SUPERGIRL.


Lean, muscular and feminine.


Honest and a defender of the innocent.




Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz