Thursday, April 29, 2004 @7:31 PM
This week has been awfully relaxing. But agonising at the same time. People around me go, "I got my application confirmations! NTU wants me! NUS wants me! SMU wants me!" Meaning, they're all spoilt for choices. All, Everyone, and I MEAN EVERYONE around me. ALL but me. Everyday I go to the mailbox harbouring a little hope that some university would be gracious enough to send me a confirmation. And everyday I'll climb the steps up to my apartment disappointed. No one knows how agonising it is except me. =(
Anyway, made a few observations this week on kids.
As I wake up feeling sleepy this morning at 11am, I plonked myself on the sofa and read through the papers. Cover page of "HOME" section read 'More students, parents want principal back'. Differing thoughts then rushed into my mind. Eccentric these kids are.
In my previous teaching duties, I think everyone knows I've taught kids that are out of this world. In the negative sense. First day I stepped into class. I thought I was in outer space zoo where everyone were babarians. Since I was previously their co-form, they know me and I know them. But as their co-form, I only see them 2 periods a week last time. Obviously thought that introduction was unnecessary hence I just started teaching. Halfway through the lesson, "Eh, you cannot teach one. Don't teach la." Extremely exasperated, I walked out of the class and into the staff room, unable to breathe.
Shocking how daring they are? Thank God as time went passed, they became nicer till they'd rather me not leave. But their initial attitude was indeed wrong and most disgusting. What's with kids nowadays?
To carefully pick out some unique kids to "analyse".
This sensible boy didn't used to be that sensible. Rude, discouraging, inconfident, defiant, act tough he WAS. After an incident when I was his form teacher, he transformed 180 degrees into someone who wants to study, responsible and at times polite to teachers. I'm very proud of him.
Today at the traffic light while waiting for the green man to come on, this kid was wailing and crying for God knows what reason. His older brother then whispered, "Everyone's looking at you!" And he screamed, "So what!" I stared at the road and stifled my laughter. No shame, these kids.
At parkway food court with my church friends eating dinner, this little boy went "excuse me" as he tried to squeeze past my friend's table. Sooooooooo cute! Can still remember how cute his "excuse me" sounded. He's real polite. Bet everyone loves him.
Perhaps it's the different kind of love the kids get at home. The "way too sheltered" one, the "be independent" one, the "we care for you but you must learn to be independent" one, the "we really are so busy we have no time for you" one. And the list goes on! So many! Basically, why kids turn out the way they are, parents have a huge part to play unless your kids are able to think for themselves in a very mature manner. Of whom are the absolutely minority. Being extremely young, say lower sec and even upper secondary, they're very influential. Hence much support from parents are required. The right kind of support of course.
I have digressed hence should change the title to "What's with parents nowdays?"
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
--1 Corinthians 13:6
Monday, April 26, 2004 @12:29 PM
Father, I ask you to bless my friends here right now.
I come to You that you may minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.
Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them.
Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to Your leading.
Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.
Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage.
Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life.
Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders, and friends to support, and encourage them.
Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.
I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.
AMEN.
Saturday, April 24, 2004 @1:13 AM
As I await for university application results to be sent to me, many engagements are packing up my schedule.
Oh, I'm off school by the way. Thank God. Finally a well-deserved break. I've been looking forward to this. Why? Simply because the kids are driving me bananas. As I speak to a few people about the kids nowadays, it is interesting to see how society has transformed. In my time, we never rebutt our teachers, never show a teeny weeny drop of lousy attitude towards them, never show disrespect. Never. However, by being respectful, we could still forge a close bond between student and teacher.
Now, with the kids I've encountered in my form class, or rather, so-called form class, I'll see the sun rising from the west if they are polite to me for ONE day. All I ask for is ONE day. Not like it really matters now since I'm not teaching them anymore. I shall spare everyone the horrors of what they're capable of doing. Ahead of the rude, foolish, dumb but at times cute students is my Express angelic class. I'll go into class pissed off after coming from that unpredictable class and exit from my Express class with a wide smile from ear to ear. =)
I'll be back to school soon teaching music and english to my beloved sec 4s! I can't wait. =)
Speaking of my busy schedule, I'm playing Handel's Messiah with IBC currently. Two concerts on thurs and fri just concluded, another encore performance on Sunday at the church itself. Fri's performance was great I thought. I just allowed Him to carry me through Handel's fascinating work and it wasn't as tiring as yesterday. It's amazing how gently He'll carry you through even though you're weary. Which explains why I enjoyed Fri's performance much more than Thurs'. Handel's Messiah is great in my opinion, especially the fugal movements. This oratorio's pretty amazing. Trust in Him and He'll carry you through.
This week's insane with rehearsals, performances, engagements and etc. Sometimes it might be a good thing to be busy as it refrains me from thinking if I'll be uni-less. The frightful thought lurks into my mind everytime I sit down and stone. I hope I'll get USP. Then I'll prob do E Lit or something along the arts and English Language. Hoping to get to do the "journalism" module in USP. Ain't pinning my hopes too high on law. Though it'll be good if I get a shot at it. I want my uni apps results ASAP. I hate to wait, especially for important matters like these. Guess I just have to trust in His plans for me. =)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
--- Hebrews 11:1-3
Friday, April 02, 2004 @12:00 AM
Krabi was great fun. Beautiful beaches greeted us as we arrived. Soft sand underneath our feet. Clear sea, so clear it's like Singapore's drinking water. Scorching sun that burnt me lobster red. No amount of aloe vera could relieve the pain I was going through. Cheap food that satisfied our tastebuds. Great friends, what fun would it be without you guys. =)
Day 1 was basically settling into our hotel and exploring the beaches surrounding Krabi. I was pretty much amazed how we can straddle from one island to one the other without drowning. Though that first time walking across the sea was a painful one because of the rocks and stones and whatever beneath the waters. And I got a huge cut on my sole thanks to that, leading to major difficulty walking around for the next few days. Not to mention I injured my little toe at home before I left for the airport. Was just thinking how unlucky can one get? Oh yes, and our heater for the shower could not work. And the air-con was cranky. Nevertheless, the days did get better and I had lots of fun!
Day 2 was beach hopping. Went from Toda Island where we snorkelled. Not like there was much to see. To Chicken Island where we saw rainbow fishes while snorkelling. To Tup Island where we drank coke in the crystal clear sea. To Phra Nang and Rai Ley Beach where we scaled the cliff. This day, I got burnt upside down, inside out thanks to the glaring sun. Besides getting burnt, the beaches were indeed unbelievably an eye-opener. This was also the day I took damn long to finish my dinner cos I ordered some fish thing. Sorry to make you guys wait =)
Day 3 I was aching like nuts but went for a canoe canyon expedition. Of which I think Paul did most of the work steering the canoe. It wasn't easy to canoe within the narrow canyons. It was an interesting experience though, with monkeys hopping into our canoes to grab stuff. Those monkeys were really agile. At night we went to watch thai-boxing. Fantastic experience as I saw boys of about age 12 boxing. Of course the adult categories were much more exciting. And nope, Thai-Boxing wasn't all that boring after all.
Day 4 is rest and relax day. Paul went for a massage while Daniel and I went shopping. Actually wanted to go for a massage in the hotel but stupid us didn't book beforehand. Anyway, I figured that they can't probably massage me cos I'll be wincing in pain everytime they touch the burnt me. So shopping was a better option. Once we entered the minibus to begin our 3 hours journey to the airport, it started raining. Thank God we were already leaving. Stoning at the airport wasn't fun at all but it kinda drilled me back to reality that I'm going home and going back to school on Monday.
I had a marvellous time and Krabi and hope you guys did too. Photos will be up real soon when I find more time. =) Then you guys can be green with envy with regards to the wonderful beaches we've seen first hand. =)
After coming back from the trip was school, uni applications and rehearsals for the Abigail Sin concert. Been really busy these few days. Schedule packed to the brim with rehearsals, music lessons, etc etc. Not to mention my BELOVED monkey class. They totally suck my blood. Will give you guys more juicy stories when time miraculously finds me. Till then, take care all!
To those who got the "handmade" souvenirs out of seashells from me, hope you like it. =)
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have {its} perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
--- James 1:2-4
