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"Goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and that both united form the noblest character." - Samuel & John Phillips

"To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." - Theodore Roosevelt

Oops. I realised it's been 8 days (*mind thinks of the radio jingle for a local magazine - "8 days every week...."*) since I've written anything here. Originally wanted to do up a collage of the photos taken before writing a post but I reckoned that it might take forever again. Haha... so yeah. I think I better write a post first. Then go for a jog. Yeah... I'm still at my boarding apartment on a Saturday afternoon... but it's intentional. It's the first time I realised I needed time alone, for myself. Call it a recharge bah.

It's interesting how many people around me started commenting about me ballooning... in a sense I'm thankful, that colleagues and students alike are frank enough to help keep me in check in a way. I'm not quite sure why, but I guess the new boarding school lifestyle (with all the less travelling and walking up the slopes, etc) might have caused me to neglect my weight watching. My shirts are starting to look oversized... and yeah, this is definitely not in line for the photoshoot lined up in December and the actual day in May next year. Haha... and so I've started my regime once more. With so many pairs of eyes keeping me accountable, I do hope that I'll be able to shed a couple of kilos along the way. Just hoping that I won't fall to sweet temptations... sigh. Haha.

I attended a two day character education course by Prof. Thomas Likona together with some like-minded colleagues. Introverted as I am, I think when it comes to work and a common vision, I do get energised when I identify colleagues around me who're on the same page with the same goals... and who believe in working as a team. And I'm thankful that God blesses me with such people around to think aloud with and to work with. It had been a fruitful course... and if anything, I think I'm beginning to find my niche in character education.

I'm always thankful when I come across individual students who have both performance character and moral character - they do their best and are respectful to others, their demeanor naturally pleasing. Some may not be faring as well academically, but the good attitudes they exude gives others the wanting to help them along even more... yeah, even as I'm writing this I can see faces flash across my mind... which is, good! Haha... then there are those who are academically strong but yet lacking in moral character... and it does puts others off sometimes. The insidious thing I realised... is that sometimes they themselves aren't even aware of their lacking, and that the way they do things and behave are self perceived as normal. My heart sours for these boys... as much as I can see the vast potential in them, sometimes I just don't know what can be done or said that would actually help.

It's true that as much as it took them ten over years to build up self formed (most probably) values and habits that mostly went unchecked and misconstrued (probably cases of over pampering or over disciplining), it may take that equal amount of time for them to rework their values and unlearn bad habits.

My heart sours... because I believe they're good boys at the end of the day, not the stereotypical guai kias (well behaved boys but with bad connotation), but those who can discern the right from the wrong, who can show proper respect, etc.

Well... I'm learning. The course is a good start I reckon. Ultimately, I pray that it'll be Pa who works miracles in lives. Which reminds me.. of a piece of good news I received a couple of days ago. I was meeting up with this boy and chatting with him when he said he had to leave soon for cell group. I took a double take and asked him - "cell group?". Then he confirmed that I wasn't hearing the wrong thing. It's a joy indeed... and yes, Pa answers prayers. :)

I believe in specific and professional skills in the area of affective and character education... but on top of that, I believe that He's gonna be the one who causes hearts to change for the better. He is love after all. Mmm. :)

Another highlight of the week would be the Projects' Day grand finals and awards ceremony. Chen lao shi (my sec 4 chinese teacher) was invited to be one of the judges... so it was a good opportunity to catch up a little with her and have a photo taken (yayyyy hahaha) with her. It's still quite amusing to know that she's taught Char as well in a different place and context. Haha...

Three of the teams that I'd coached went on stage for their high distinction wins... proud of each of the three in different ways - all three showed perseverance and the willingness to listen to critique and suggestions... but what's most important was their drive to finish their project... and to finish it well. Heartened to know that a number of them are waiting to start on next year's ThinkQuest project... at this juncture, I am beginning to see a glimmer of hope for the ThinkQuest baton to be finally passed on. *smiles*

I felt really proud (though I had no involvement at all hahahaha...) when the time came for the secondary three cohort to go up on stage to collect their trophies - I guess I'm the only one who would feel that way... hahaha. :)

We had a mini mid autumn festival celebration in our boarding programme yesterday evening where we had mooncakes, chips, tea... and a dose of my guitar playing and singing. Taught them to sing the song that you're currently hearing here (Thank You, My Friend) - I really don't know if it's too premature to teach them... but I'm hoping that this song would mean something to them, especially at the end of next year. Ya... THEY SANG! :)

Then we had the Myer-Briggs Temperament Indicator (MBTI) course in the morning where I ascertained my type as INFJ again, this time round officially. Yep... all that's happened till now. Char came by with her bestie Euns just now for lunch... we'll be meeting again to spend the evening together. It's been hard still, trying to get used to the new schedules, where gone were the days when we could walk slowly down the canal, when I could walk her home and then walk home myself... well. Haha... aye aye.

Alright. Shall be off to have a jog for now. Collages should be up at a later date... in the meantime, the photos have all been uploaded - click on "Photos & Videos" on the top menu bar to view.

I wonder still... if people actually read these entries in their entirety??? If you have read to this point (HAHAHAHAHA..... gosh this sounds so familiar), leave a comment or a tag?

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I'm currently on the bus on the way to Joo Chiat... then we go eh, didn't Galvin just mentioned that he's finished his course? Haha... yeah. I missed two lessons a couple of months ago due to my work trip to Sydney, and so here I am going for make up lessons. I was so looking forward to a time to rest over this weekend and spending a little more time with Char... when Char fetched me home yesterday after work and told me about my lesson today (she tracked my google calendar) I let out a few disgruntled grunts... I forgot that the lesson's today. :|

Haha... anyways. Was a tiring day yesterday - co-organised a parent-teacher gathering for the cohort which I'm coordinating in school. There was so much admin involved, so many things to prepare beforehand... and during the event itself, the need to manage the helpers on top of meeting parents... then the clearing up.

Thankful for my bunch of wonderful student helpers (mostly the boarders) who managed themselves so much so I felt confident enough to let them be while I sat at my designated spot to meet parents. The gathering dragged for some time though - think quite a number of them grew a bit restless towards the end and were a little disgruntled... well well. Went for supper with some of them before heading back to finish some laundry... before Char came to pick me up.

It was a heartening experience interacting more with parents, to hear of their concerns for their sons and to think of the prospective opportunities to work with them in the future. I'm in a really unique position in my workplace though sometimes it may get a little weary having to be the in-between amongst the boys, their parents and the teachers. Have received feedback from the staff side that some weren't exactly pleased with the way the gathering was planned... well, I guess there's no one situation where all parties can be truly pleased... all I know is that I've tried my best to take all things into consideration.

Haha... yeah. It's a joy to see the boys in auto mode and settling the various venues, helping one another out and ensuring that the venues were ready and that they were put back in their proper places after the event. If anyone of you ever drops by... really appreciate the help rendered. (:

Okay... lesson time!

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Alright. Finally... an opportunity for a little written update. There're just so many things that's required to be done that writing an entry here makes it feels like I'm wasting time... but yeah, I know the truth is far from this. Writing and reflecting is after all a form of catharsis, allowing oneself to move on after the purging of thoughts. So I suppose I'll be more productive after this. Hahaha...

Let's start from last Friday. It was a mad rush trying to finish marking my last sets of scripts for the secondary one classes before the parent teacher gathering in the evening... in the end, I decided to shelve the marking and instead rename the individual photos I took of the boys with their names and co-curricular activities, which in turn helped a lot during the gathering itself. I really didn't expect to have any "business" at all, thinking I could use the rest of the time sitting in the hall and marking the scripts... and then going back home early to mug for my final written exam for my graduate diploma course. Then the unexpected happened; the row of double chairs in front of me kept filling up with parents wanting to talk to me.

It turned out to be a rather good experience though... I was quite surprised that I actually enjoyed the time talking to the parents. :) There're some who lamented that their sons are too quiet and reserved for their own good and asked if there's anything that can be done. Took the opportunity to share a little about my introversion and also about my work as a teacher counsellor in the school. Not quite sure if I'll ever have the time to approach these boys for a chat sometime... I guess it's a matter of management bah.

That also marked the last day of my teaching of the classes... yeah, I must admit that I'm relieved in a sense that I do not have to prepare lessons anymore.. and yet there is this sense of loss somewhat. Ironic right.

Gotten home late and tired... and in the end I decided to forgo any form of last minute studying and just hope that things would go well for the exam.

And yeah... IT IS FINISHED!!!! :D It was a gruelling three and a half hours of non-stop writing - two cases, two different approaches... I wrote till my wrist almost came off. -.- Hahaha... yeah. Had lunch with Char before doing some grocery shopping in town... then we returned to my new home for a little rest. Shall not put the word within inverted commas anymore since it's really my new home... Haha.

Attended Greenridge Secondary's english drama production at the Republic Polytechnic concert hall in the evening... gonna have more of such privileges since Char became one of the teachers in charge of the english drama club in her school... haha yeah, I'm a fan of dramas and musicals! :P The storyline isn't exactly strong... but I'm amazed at the standard of acting, props and music - it was all in all a good production.

Then Sunday, the third of August came. There were two major events happening that day for me - the opening of Covenant Evangelical Free Church's second worship centre at Woodlands and the commencement of the Boarding Programme, of which I am a part of. Char had to be at the centre earlier for some ushering briefing and so we set off pretty early... and whooaaaaaa... Blown away at how wonderful the new centre looks like laaaaah. Haha... that'll be the place where we would be saying our vows. :P The most amazing sight was when we were walking in and on the way up to the second floor to the sanctuary... saw that the reception area was filled with tables and chairs... ORANGE and GREEN chairs. The exact two colours for our proposed wedding theme! Hahaha... Pa sure paves the way! :P

Didn't bring my camera along that week.. so I shall bring it along later to capture some shots. :)

Okay... time's running short a lil... here's a good logical break for my writing as well. Shall proceed with writing about the Boarding Programme in another entry in time to come... till then!

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I have a recent favourite food.

Starbucks chocolate scone. Heh.

I first bought it some weeks ago as it's one of the cheapest pastry in starbucks - brought a stack of test papers to mark while waiting for Char for dinner elsewhere.

Scones aren't exactly my favourites... but this chocolate scone makes a really good comfort food, especially when it's warmed up.

And I've eaten one more just. Took a bus with some of my boys to town - they were heading off for *scape for an event appreciation dinner. I dropped by the Starbucks nearby to park before moving on for my very, very last 'lesson' in Joo Chiat. The exam's coming right up - this Saturday morning... with the course closure happening two weeks from now.

I am rather ill-prepared for the written exam I must say. I do hope that I'm allowed to finish this well. Read through some notes just... gonna do more reading when I'm back home later. Mmmm. I must get used to the word 'home' all over again as I relate it to the boarding school apartment which I've just moved in officially the night before. Haha... seriously? I really don't know how it's going to be in the months to come. Shifting with added responsibilities in the evenings when it comes to looking after the boys... it basically means a shift in schedules and lifestyles too. In all these, I'll continue to trust that Pa will bring me through.

I've had a bunch of boys interview me today for their english biographical assignment. Basically I was asked the reason why I'm working as what I am right now. And so I related the whole story to them... which led to where I am now, as their coordinator.

And then I realised once again, that it is impossible to dichotomize my life with my faith. There is simply no way for me to mention my life story without the mention of God. My work... my relationships... my whole being.. it's all tied up in how He's so graciously found me seven and a half years ago.

It can be quite scary to think of it... but indeed, apart from Him, I can do nothing and am nothing (John 15:5). I was asked for my goal in life. I thought for a while and realised that it may not be comprehensible to answer "to live life for God's glory". And so I replied that I would want to grow in God's attributes. I think this answer stunned my interviewer as well. Haha... I shall see what comes forth from their assignment - it's going to be a biography after all, so I shall wait and read what they'll write. Perhaps I'll post them here when it's done.

And I'm ever thankful that through this interview, He's reminded me of how prior to knowing Him I never had the privilege of adults pouring their lives into mine apart from my parents... how many of them contributed much in my life in terms of incalcating good values and showing me the ropes in faith and in life. And yeah, as much as I'm blessed and given, I learn to bless and give. (:

And I really hope that in my spiritual walk, He will continue to pour forth His grace... that I may learn to grow up continually, standing upon His promises, leaning upon His word, that I may grow to be more and more like Him... for His glory.

Okay... off for my last lesson. Please pray that I'll be diligent to prepare amply for my exam this Sat... but more so, that I'll be diligent in my walk with Him.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

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My physical body finally gave up I guess... oh well. Skipped IDT today... think I shall sleep early for the first time in a really long time. It's a choice I know... and today I shall sleep before 12.

And subsequently take responsibility in taking care of my body... and that includes being consistent in exercising. It's taken a backseat since weeks ago. I don't know how many times I've actually jumpstarted exercise regimes... but I do hope that this time round it'll last a really long time... mmm. It's starting to get uncomfortable wearing jeans... oh well. Haha.

It's scary how time has become a rare commodity these days; there's simply no time to embark on things which I find meaningful (ie making the bookmarks)... and even engage in more meaningful interactions at work. This year's batch of sec ones are really good to teach... and somehow I feel that it's unfair for them... when it comes to the amount of time and effort I put in to know them. I know I won't have the luxury of time as before for the past two batches... well. As Pa leads ba. (:

My room bustled with activity the day before... I'm not sure why, but student traffic was HUGE yesterday... and I must say it's these unplanned and unassuming interactions, fun, lameness (haha...) that makes all the work worth the work... perks my day. Haha...

That's about it for now. I ought to sleep now. OH yes... I realised yesterday evening after receiving back my latest essay that I made a boo boo thinking I scored a "D" grade for my previous paper... turns out that it meant Distinction. LOL... Pa is good - 1 HD, 2 Ds with one more group paper to go which really looks like it'll get either the two grades... see how it goes for practicum, journal and final exam. Mugging mode needs to kick in real soon. It's more or less a 'final' leg of my studies for now - taking break off two semesters (on hindsight yes it's definitely a wise decision!) before continuing after the wedding next year.

Okay... that's all for a little update. Hope I can write and reflect more in time to come! Photos and what nots coming up real soon! :)

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I'm just done with marking 2 sets of assignments for 4 classes... 3 more to go. Yeah, in between listening to the lecturer. Hur hur. Not that I'm trying to justify my actions... but this is the second time I'm going through the same lesson by the same lecturer - the previous time in my previous diploma course. :P

I've submitted my decision form to defer the masters phase of the course for probably two semesters after the graduate diploma phase ends in a month's time. With my shifting into boarding school, marriage prep course and all... I hope this would be a wise move. Certain priorities take place, and in any case, it'll always be relationships first if a win-win situation cannot be achieved. Prayed as I took the bus to the centre this morning... that I be given the peace that surpasses all understanding with regards to this decision. As of now... it has come. I'm beginning to see how the freed up time can be used. Hehe... the clinical director also happened to talk about the rigour of the masters phase, and I just got to know that there're certain days when I have to take leave to attend full week-day lessons. Mmmm. July 2009 then. :)

Modifying Dysfunctional Beliefs

DB: If I don't do as well as others, I'm a failure.
MB: If I don't do as well as others, I'm just human.

DB: If I ask for help, it's a sign of weakness.
MB: If I ask for help when I need it, I am showing problem-solving abilities (which is a sign of strength).

DB: If I fail in my work, I'm a total failure as a person.
MB: If I fail in my work, it's not a reflection of my total being. Also, failure is not always a permanent state.

DB: I should excel be able to excel in everything I try.
MB: I shouldn't be able to excel at something unless I am gifted in it, and able to devote considerable time and effort in it, often at the expense of other things.

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In class now! Haha...

All or Nothing Thinking