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I have been told time and again to observe and be aware of how they "counsel" students, show care, encouragements, for the matter. Especially of those who've been around for a long time - experience becomes a shield... a safeguard.

But I guess sometimes you'll only understand when you face the situation yourself.

Which I did. Haha... I guess being a student advocate won't get me far in terms of building good relationships with some especially if they're not likeminded... and sometimes I just can't understand why I need to take such troubles when it's my nature to stand aside, keep quiet... and, out of trouble. I want to... but I just can't.

Well. If Pa's the one who calls me into this place, then I'll have to trust that He'll see me through regardless of how uneasy I feel at times in this bureaucracy. Thankful for the likeminded people He brings in here and there, those who genuinely care for them without biasness or personal agendas even though patience can be tested at times, those who bother to take extra steps to listen empathetically and never see those times as 'wasted'.

I told a friend, a social worker, a brother one year my senior in this very school, how I'm beginning to see the need to contend with minds that think that they're caring, listening, counselling and doing the boys good when they're actually not. He laughed and told me he understands exactly what I'm talking about. Haha...

The boys remain as the driving force. Yes sometimes they can afford to buck up a bit, show some initiative, listen more... but they're generally a well bunch, understanding, and well on their way to greater heights. It's been a great official start knowing the various personalities, quirks, aspirations, thoughts, attitudes, behaviours... and I must say that I'm really thankful to be able to work with those whom I've known since they first entered the school two years plus ago, and I'm sure it'll be a great experience to see this batch graduate next year, and also the next batch as well.

Am just hoping that I won't get into too much trouble along the way. Hahaha... :P

Yes I know I haven't been updating... Too many things happening at the same time. Will do a proper update very soon!

(visitors)

Today I had rare visits to my room... and though I didn't show it (I have a problem expressing myself in the outward sense of the word lately), I was really glad that people are popping by. :)

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A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff.'

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

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Aye... didn't know it can be so hard.

I actually froze. :|

So useless. :|

Haha... but yeah. Pa is very good. Arranged everything. First time I saw a cab at Suntec taxi stand with the "Bukit Panjang" sign and we're the ones taking it. Was about to meet somewhere else - she was having a meeting at another place - then she messaged to say they're moving to Carrefour to buy some stuff... and I was standing outside Carrefour receiving the message.

The best part's what 1 John 4:16 says.

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."

Happy 2nd Anniversary dear.

And the many, many more to come.

Mmm.

一生永世... 已今日定。

:)

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I headed down to CCAB (Co-Curricular Activities Board) during my lunch break to catch the 'C' division gymnastics team at their trampoline competition. Told one of them to let me know the date and time of the competition when it comes... and he did. They performed really well and emerged champions. :)

Some of them are like two different persons altogether in class and in their training... especially the two whom I'm currently mentoring for a project that they've embarked on. The first impressions they left then were quite bad - they were non attentive in class, did their own things when they were supposed to do their work... and then yesterday I watched them bounce up and down the trampoline, executing their moves skillfully, their eyes full of focus and determination.

I realise I really do derive a lot of joy from witnessing their growth. Haha... Stepping into the place brought forth memories from two years ago when I first went to support Zeb. He was there, this time round as the 'B' division captain from the RI team. Managed to catch a little chat with him before moving off for some phototaking.

He's grown so much! :) And alongside 5, 6, 7... but it also means that I'm growing older. :| Oh well. One day... one day I will overcome this inertia to growing up.

Celebrated Lao Er's 14th birthday on Monday. When Char's dad asked me how I ended up selecting the three of them for such a tag, I found myself unable to find an explanation of the criterias used... for there was none to begin with. Perhaps it's been an unspoken quest for me to reciprocate the giving and commitment that some people have given unto me... perhaps. It's a test of commitment on my side, that's for sure. One of them mentioned jokingly that the other may not turn up years down the road due to other commitments... Haha. Well, we'll only know then. It's the same for 5 & 6... and I'm just thankful (very, very thankful) to see how they've been going strong in their brotherhood and friendship.

Haha... really cannot imagine when the time comes to have my very own children. :P

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Sometimes I do wish that life can be a little less taxing and I get a little more free and unstructured time to do the things I really want to do.. not that I don't have the time to do them anymore, it's just that it'll be nicer to be doing them without the nagging feeling that you have other obligations yet to fulfill (ie the dreaded essay).

YA THE DREADED ESSAY. T.T Spent hours on end staring blankly unto the screen... two more essays and one term-long reflections to write for the course. Really don't know how I am going to last the masters' leg of the course.

But yeah. Amidst the busyness and hectic schedules there's much to be thankful for. The weekend with Char - amazing how the both of us were able to squeeze the time... hahaha. The moments when a student would call you out from the distance... :)

But most importantly is the fact that He's never given up on a dodo like me. Shall explain in another post in time to come... but yeah. He's done it in the past, He's still at it... and always will be.

1 John 4:16. :)

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I hope it's a matter of me not being able to adjust back to the local timezone... have been feeling really worn out the past two nights - my lappy was busy loading some stuff the night before and so I laid down briefly... only to wake up some hours later.

Dear dear's been really busy with her practicum as well... in fact we're both now at a Starbucks in town working on our computers. :| I have to stop for now - weary eyes and all coupled with a slight tension headache.

I need my much coveted uninterrupted sleep. The thought of a written assignment-already-given-an-extension isn't exactly helping.

Oh my tian ah.

Haha... I know for sure that I'm not functioning at my optimum best. Hope I'll be able to sneak in some periods of rest bah.

Otherwise, it's been great back at work. :)

Okay, shall switch off the comp and rest a bit. Till then. :)

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I'm posting this an hour or so before leaving the hotel to the airport... just had my last breakfast at the bistro.

Initially wanted to type this on the plane and have it posted when I get back to Singapore... then when we're (Guan Chye and I shared a room) about to head for breakfast, Wen Chee called and notified us of the daylight savings change of time - minus an hour off present time - so the difference between Singapore and Australian time shortens from three to two hours. And so, somehow, we suddenly have an hour to spare since the departure times remain unchanged.

The week in Sydney has been great. It's been a really good experience for me, having the opportunity to travel, to interact with the people, to look at the work processes of another school, etc... was pretty much many things rolled into one for me. Though it was physically tiring for me (long hours everyday), I'm really thankful for the opportunity given to me - I'm after all not in the initial list of staff slated for this trip. And it's quite amazing in itself, since I'm kind of officially only three to four months into my job.

Thankful and appreciative of the interactions amongst the staff - it hasn't been easy being for me, being an introvert and all - coupled with the fact that I do not sit with the rest of the teachers in my normal course of work. At least now I get to know the few of them. :) But I'm really most thankful of the communication that goes between my direct boss and myself - ready to vote him as best boss of the year anytime, any year. Doesn't discount the fact that he's a workaholic though. Hahaha...

Don't think I'll do a day to day recount, just bits and pieces of things that are memorable. Transportation wise, we got to sit on ferries, buses, etc. The first time we took the ferry to this place called Abbotsford (where we later got on a bus to the school), we were gungho and sat in the open at the front. And we all got blasted by the icy winds. Hahaha... It was a literally cool experience.

We arrived at about noon time on Wednesday; dropped our stuff in our hotel rooms (stayed at Radisson Plaza Hotel) and headed off for some city exploration. We went together as a group and subsequently dispersed for some individual exploration before meeting up for dinner. Wen Chee and I ventured out and did some walking - was a pretty cooling walk. Took photos of the Town Hall, St Andrews Cathedral, Hyde Park, etc...

The school visit started on the second day. I must say that I'm awed at the sight of students carrying their macbooks and using them everywhere - even year fives (primary fives) are using them in their classrooms! And their entire campus is wired up! Haha... but I'm even more amazed at the quality and confidence presented by the girls whom we met - their excitement in meeting us and in promoting themselves and their school didn't have to be verbalised directly - they simply brought them out in the way they held their conversations.

We chatted with the principal and the various staff - it's very much evident that our school and theirs share very much the same vision and values - I guess that's what drew us to have this trip in the first place. It was very much a confirmation hearing straigt from the principal the values, vision and processes that the school undertakes, and seeing for ourselves how they're being met out in the school.

I must say that this trip will be playing a very huge role in our future implementation of the things to come in school... and personally I really am very thankful to be part of the delegation - at least I know what I can be pushing for my boys.

Work aside, we had a really good time at Bondi Beach on the last day of our stay, courtesy of Westley Fields, our really wonderful host from MLC School. I've never felt such cooling sand... and the waters... whoa. There were many pictureseque moments - I hope I've done the scenaries justice in the way I capture them (albums below)... it'll be great if Sentosa has the kind of atmosphere... but I guess it'll require artificial air conditioning for it to happen. Oh well. Haha...

Spent the bulk of the cash I exchanged on chocolates and nougats. I entred Sydney with a relatively light luggage bag... and I'm returning home with a completely full and heavy one... and an empty wallet. :| Spent such a long time lingering in the chocolate shop wondering if I should buy... bought them anyways. The rest say I spoil market. Lol. Well yeah, I figured out that in the end it really doesn't matter if I get the boys the stuff or not - I'll still not be close to most of them since I don't get to interact with them as much as their teaching teachers or their mentors do... then I rested my heart and concluded that that doesn't matter - if that's the way my position has been crafted, I'll have to take it as it is and relate to them as I am. But yeah. Expensive la. :(

Haha... alright. Time to do some final packing up (including this laptop) before we leave for home. Till then!

Click on the links below to view photos (on Facebook):