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That's what I spent the past three hours doing... answering email queries from parents and students concerning next year.

Woooooooooooooo I shall take a break, take a shower, then get back to finish off some more stuff.

It's the school holidays for the boys already... but it's just the beginning of a really busy period trying to settle things for next year before my official break one more month from now.

Seriously... I'd never have imagined the amount of behind-the-scene work my teachers have to do/prepare when I studied here in this same place ten plus years ago. Haha...

Blk F in the Boarding School really isn't Blk F without the boys. The whole place's so quiet... and no pinetree sprouting through my door every half hour... no uno blocks falling to the ground... no "very big, very big one... *Eiffel Tower!*" in Taboo... no banters... Haha. It's quite amazing actually. Two months' worth of memories... but they seem so much.

One more batch coming up next year... another exciting year ahead!

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I forwarded the previous post as a mail message to some of my colleagues at work to keep them informed... and I ended off with an afterthought... that I'm thankful to have people (colleagues) to update in school.

Haha yeah... it's not easy for an introvert to make acquaintances and friends for one. But I'm not using it as an excuse. I'm just thankful. Just listing some things that reflect the title of this post:

1. my boss and the concern he's always been giving be it in my work or in my personal life
   
2. colleagues who 'click' and who share the same passion.. call it like-mindedness bah. :)
   
3. students whom I've grown familiar with and who've grown familiar to me... like in more recent times:
   
   
   • one who tapped you to say goodbye when you're in the midst of a conversation with another person
     
   • one who scoured many Starbuck chains and finally got those chocolate scones... haha
     
   • one who gave a hidden wave in the midst of his duty as a regimental leader in front of his 'men' as you walked past
     
   • one who'll hang around and say goodbye (haha...)
     
   • one who'd come by more than once and said he noticed me so engrossed in my work I didn't even notice him around the area
     
   • one who came by my apartment and wanted to say his goodbye before he leaves for the holidays
     
   • yeah... just some recent memorable ones :)
   
   
4. Char my dear dear and fiancee... who shares the same passion for one, who encourages and help me put things in perspectives, especially when it comes to work related stuff.
   

Just came home from the hospital.. thanks Gpp for fetching us home! :)

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It's one of those days when you have quite a number of things piled up on your to-do list which you know you have to clear... like settling the finalization for wedding video, wedding venue, coming up with a new accounts template to supersede the old one that I've been using the past years, setting up an info site on CSE in lieu of parents' queries (figured it would be more efficacious to do one than to reply to many emails or calls), restarting Project FriendMarked... amidst other things.

I think I'll start on the accounts portion right after I'm done with my shower. Haha...

Hitched a ride from my boss early this morning to the airport to see the boys off for their trips - a batch to Shanghai and another to Beijing. Hope they'll adjust soon enough and enjoy their stay there. :)

The rest of the day was spent trying to come up with a layout for the info site... didn't have much done up though.

Dinner was rather good not so much of the food but the getting together; Darren, Yang and Alex came by my apartment and we had Oishi pizza with Island Creamery ice cream... Haha. One of those once in a blue moon thingies - heard Darren and Alex update us about their Tianjin trip and all the preoccupation with sanitation issues... haha.

Then they started talking about how things were when they were in sec one... they belong to the bunch whom I got know since then. I remembered writing Yang a note back then when I passed them their class photos... so as a passing thought verbalized, I asked if he still has it. There and then he whipped it out from his wallet... man. Touched. Seriously. :)

Haha okay. I better start work. Lots to do, lots to do... lots to do.

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Yep... I know. It's been some time since I've left an entry... or written a song... or recorded a song for that matter. Well... here's an entry! :)

I've been busy with quite a number of things after I came back from the trip to San Fran... preparing for a year-end closure for the centre that I'm coordinating in my workplace, preparing for the new competition for ThinkQuest... speaking of which, here's the website that I've done up that houses more information on ThinkQuest in the school's context - do hop by and take a look if you're free!

I've also been pretty caught up preparing a year-end video for the boys... took quite some time to make, especially when it's been some time since I've touched video creation software's... and yeah. It's finally out, and it should be screened to them some time now (at this point of writing... I'm out on course!)

The course that I'm attending is on coping with grief and loss... it's a topic that is pretty much close to my heart. It's ironic that as I'm listening to the tutor... that I can even relate this topic to my work.

There were certain incidents that happened along the course of the year that caused grief to my heart... some with colleagues, some with my boys. Along the way I realized it's due to the expectations that I hold of them, for my colleagues, it would be the way they communicated, the genuineness, the cordiality... and for my boys, it would be the grief that comes from misplaced trust... and also certain values that they carry that they really could consider doing without.

I guess the misconception that I have personally is that I could afford to place the whole lot of them in my inner circle when most of them would probably end up as within the masses in the end, not connecting, not getting really acquainted. Haha yeah... it's unhealthy to take everything upon self I realized!

I thank God for Char... who has been a great support, for being ever so patient with me and ever so loving. She's the tangible representation of love that God has blessed me with... and everytime I think about it I just find myself so undeserving... she helps me in normalizing my emotions... something that I'm not even sure she realizes. Haha... Passing my thoughts through her, I was able to get a better reflection of the big picture... and then hey, from the half-cup empty, I begin to see the half-cup full.

I'm thankful that there are colleagues who inspire me, whose way of teaching and leading the boys and caring for them nudges me on to do likewise. Also very thankful that through time there are individual students whom I've come to know much better, whom I share special bonds with. Like this boy who comes by and sits around.. then tell you I'm going already bye bye... Hahahahaha.

Two of my boarding boys were talking about leadership with me as they helped me unpack my newly purchased vacuum machine for the apartment the night before... haha oh we were all amazed at how powerful it is - now my white rug's WHITE again! Haha... yeah. One of them was saying that servant leadership's taking too long to take effect. It's interesting that this conversation came about as I personally have been thinking about it the past weeks... and how hard it really can be.

(anyways I'm now stuck at the Teachers' Network waiting for the rain to stop... sitting by one of the stairs to type this. PRETTY COOL. Literally too.)

I guess without much refute most would agree that Jesus Christ would be the epitome of servant leadership. It's something that I've been trying to grapple with all the time, how Jesus, Son of God, the Authority of all authorities, King of all kings, Lord of all lords, would be able to walk the earth and call His creations His friends. It has been said so many times that if you're gonna be a leader, you can't be a friend to the person you're leading. I don't know... as I look upon the last year, I guess some of them would recognize me as a friend, as someone whom they can open themselves to. But I'm not sure if anyone of them would perceive me as their leader. I'm not sure if I would be given the respect enough for them to follow.. and for one, I don't dare to ask.

As I read through the Scriptures, Jesus pretty much knew the way to go; he exudes love and yet was stern and resolute when the circumstance called for it.

I confess that I often internalize my sadness and anger and avoided scolding or outrightly confronting issues with people - then I realized that this doesn't really help the other party most of the time. I told one of my boarding boys when we met for one to one... that I don't wish to be a nice teacher and end up being an ineffective one. Some of the ways I do things have to go... and it will be an ongoing process of growth I guess. So yeah... perhaps my approaches may evolve with time... but it'll always be backed by the same foundation.

Lest I forget that we're called to become more like Christ each day, to give as He's given, love as He's loved, bless as He's blessed. :)

There are lots of people I have to apologize to I realized; family members whom I've been perceived as neglected, colleagues whose feet I'd unintentionally stepped upon due to miscommunication... sometimes I really hope things aren't as complex as they are... well. Haha yeah. It's cathartic to write... I ought to resume writing more... yeah, I guess I will. :)

A whole batch of my boys will be leaving for Beijing next week... time really flies. Soon they will be donning the beige uniform and long pants... and as a couple of them texted me to thank me for the video, I thanked them back... for the privilege to be able to journey along this portion of their lives with them. For without every single one of them, the video wouldn't be what it is... yup. Am just hoping that when they do return to school in their long pants, they would also appear more grown up in their actions and attitudes... it's amusing to think that our human brain will only be fully formed at the age of 25 or so - some adults may brush this off as bull, but I guess I can afford to give the benefit of doubt, to know that some of their actions (sometimes can be quite foolish) are a result of an incomplete brain. Wahahah yay I'm 26 this year!!! Hahahahha...

Okay just nice. Rain has stopped. Time to go!

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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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7 classes in all... 2 periods each. 5 weeks... 1st week... 4 more to go.

This will probably be the last time I'll be taking the sec ones for lessons in that subject content. My scope of work would have exploded beyond recognition by the time the same month comes again next year. Hahahahaha...

I can't imagine yet seeing this batch of sec threes don on their beige uniform and long pants next year and the new batch of sec threes (some whom I've taught before last year) moving up. Can't imagine yet how it'll be like coordinating two batches as opposed to the current one batch. Shall just take it as it comes... and trust that sustenance and strength will come.

I enjoyed all the 7 classes; I don't think I've ever felt that kind of joviality previously when I'm teaching - perhaps it's the familiarity of the subject content and the classroom setting... I found it easier to connect and to teach. It's not easy to get to know them at half the time given me as compared to previous years... but I'll try. Not good to be going round the school with sec ones greeting you and smiling at you and you not knowing their names... cannot cannot. Quite a difficult feat I know, roughly 200 of them... well. See how it goes. :)

The only thing I'm dreading is the marking of the homework.

OH MAN.

Haha... having said that, shall be off for dinner... then it's marking time. :P

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Ever thankful for how things have been picking up in my life. No, the demands and stresses are still there, but He's been renewing the spirit in me slowly but surely. And now I just want to spend some time in His presence through a time of guitar playing and worship before I hit the sacks. Yar. 1am plus I know... just a little while ba. :P

Had a nice time out with dear dear the evening before going for a swim and after which a nice lil dinner before we return to our lesson prepping and what nots. The past two classes went pretty well; had a menthos moment today - my powerpoint slides were corrupted and refused to load. Would have freaked out... but didn't. Used the slides I created for last year's batch and did some quick changes... thankful. :) Came back home and updated the newer version for the next few classes. Looking forward to them. It's amazing that the past two classes were attentive and most of them tried to work on their assignments and projects.

More challenges ahead this day - got an overdue favor to complete, get mom's medication towards the evening... then doing some catching up with one of my dear brothers over dinner. Those are the major stuff... with many minor ones scattered in between. I'm learning still. :)

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I was walking down the platform after giving the choking module in yesterday's cpr lesson. I veered off the pathway in order to avoid getting into one of the trainee's way. That was before I had to step down the platform. Landed my right leg on my toes. Felt a burning sensation and the next thing I knew, I was walking with a slight limp. Ouch. I have a feeling that the pain will worsen after I wake up for work later on. Thank God that I don't have to travel all the way to Bedok camp later on to watch the medical corp soccer match finals - something's going on in the auditorium and I'll have to be there to handle it. Just hoping that the pain will be bearable enough to handle.

Ouch...!

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Think I'm all set for a facelift for my blog! I'm now in the auditorium (going for a short break soon though) writing some operating procedures for the place. After which I'll get down to making some changes to this site. Gonna add in quite a bit of stuff later.

Playing the dedication on loop here on the pc. Brings back lots and lots of fond memories.

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Ter called for a meeting in the auditorium this morning. Could sense the solemnity of the entire proceedings even before it began. I myself am not sure if I'm supposed to be in the entire picture in the first place. I could sense that I've indirectly caused some hatred to brew in him towards me. For the benefit of doubt, I shall take it that nothing wrong is going on. It's just manpower issues. Apparently some people have been complaining to the bosses that the CAI programmers have not been doing their job... and it happens so that they're the ones who were called to mend the auditorium as well. As the Auditorium IC, I should be scheduling for them to come as when necessary but it seems that they've sort of neglected their responsibilities in CAI ever since the auditorium opened for business. So... Think I'm going to write up a standing orders regarding the responsibilites and duties for auditorium personnel.

Oh boy.