Recap 2007 & Thanksgivings

2007 started when with a backdrop of heartache, inconvenience, anguish, fear, hope and adrenaline rushes. In November 2006, my daughter, Shiyr, had just had the worst escalator accident in the country where she lost her right big toe. We had spent the whole November and December holidays trying to piece her, my wife's, Khai's and my lives back together. Sessions with the doctors and counselors were frequent affairs. Questions from all walks of life, especially from my school kids, parents and colleagues were sounded non-stop from all kinds of communication channels. I was made to re-live the scenes again and again until I was kind of numbed and calloused, actually it was quite therapeutic. And I did Primary 6, which is the one of the busiest level to teach.

In March we sold our unit in Sembawang and moved to Toa Payoh in late April. That too added to our stress level, as we had quite a tight schedule to fit into. I have to salute my wife who did much of the work of packing and unpacking and on top of that jugging with 3 young kids.

In the loom, God was there holding our hands, as we place our feet, one at a time, on the stepping stones He'd provided, usually 1 or a few steps ahead. There're so many thanksgiving items: 1. He'd had amazingly provided, one of the best orthopedic pediatric doctor in the country to oversee Shiyr; 2. He had provided one great housing agent for our unit, who is experienced, decisive, sharp and was asking my mom to go to church with her; 3. He'd helped us find good and cheap childcare programmes for Khen and Shiyr, which they both love to go to; 4. He helped us find good and cheap movers for our move to Toa Payoh, man were they good and fast and only at $500 for 90 over boxes!

At Sembawang we'd been finding a CG that our kids can come to and not disturb the CG meeting too much, but to no avail. And in Toa Payoh we found N268, Am so glad to find and CG that we can come as a family, and not feel bad that I have disturbed the meeting due my children, for they are occupied elsewhere just about 10 metres away from me. I want to thank God for his providence and for the CG in welcoming us, and for Kelvin who has endured much of our presence.

Just before the pledge of Arise and Build '07, my mom had a mild stroke. I and thankful for her speedy recovery, though she will never be as fast as she was prior to the stroke, but she is recovering very well. Then just before I decided to give my first 10% of the amount for A&B, Khen fell and split his lower left lip. Man, was I more than a bit upset. Last year, after we pledge the amount, and given the seed amount, Shiyr had her accident. This year's Khen. Then right after I gave some more, Khai had an accident that split 3 cm of his lower jaw. Well, I am either doing something very right or very wrong, and we are choosing to believe that the devil is really upset with our giving!

Just the Sunday before Christmas, Khen, Shiyr and Khai all developed fever one after another, with Khen and Shiyr having ulcers on their tongues. It's so painful to watch them say 'ow' and pointing inside their months. Only Khai is spared the ulcers. I am thankful that the ulcers are gone just this morning, and that they are starting to slowly eat.

The hugest thanksgiving that I have this year will be that my wife is slowly having her flame for God rekindled. 6 months in the Church and CG and I can see a difference – Passion which I have not seen for a while of being with her. Spiritually, she is growing stronger as she is well fed, within her I am seeing the flame grow, slowly, but I am seeing it growing. Ah, don't we all need that 1 touch from the Holy Ghost.

As 2007 comes to a close, I am thankful that all the physical injuries that my family had were healed well and/or continuing to heal. Much prayer and tears were poured, and I am so glad that God answers prayers.

2008, The backdrop

I returned to school on the 28th of December 2007 for our AGM. All was normal, still I approached it with much apprehension and uncertainty.

I knew I was going to fell shaky but didn't know it affected me that much. Me eldest son is coming in as a Primary 1 student this 2008. I requested to go down to the Primary 2 level to somehow hold his hand for at least a year. I am a lot more comfortable teaching the upper primary levels, at least from P3 onwards, but now I am stuck with only P1s and P2s. It's another learning curve for me. Which reminds me of a song from honk - "What's the joy of motherhood (fatherhood)?"

Well they announced that I will be the level coordinator for P2 in 2008, which is well and fine. But the 2 arrow came my way when it was announced that I am going to be the English Representative for the P2 level as well. That is bad. Usually only 1 person will hold 1 post not two. And in 2008 we have 3 individuals who are doing this dual post, without extra pay! Sigh. I asked whenever I had the chanced that day if it was a mistake but apparently not. They are short of man-power. Sigh. Ya right. Shortage of man-power in a school staff strength of 120? You gotta be kidding me. Talking about whipping the willing horse. What to do, "all man are equal but some are more equal than the others. Four legs good, two legs bad."

PSLE Results

Finally oh finally the day for PSLE Release of Results.
Well my class didn't do too well. About 10-15 T score lesser than my expectation. Still it's the best that they got. So will be thankful.

Some were happy, some expected the results and some were upset. Well brave on people, this is only the first exams. Try to find out ways to get into the school of your choice. be it through CCA or some sport or something. Don't give up. And do fill up al the 6 options in the form. For then they should give you from one of your list.

OPA

The day finally arrived for OPA. Most turned up for it. We had the usual. The IT music was fine, of course must see who's in-charge of the sound. Said the goodbyes. and did the goodbyes. with photos and stuff
Sigh. Sending off another batch, and gotta let them go. Will miss them. Ah ... the bitter-sweet part of teaching Primary 6.

Waterworks. Chapter 2

My class requested that I bring them back to waterworks. The girls especially wanted 'revenge', and the boys don't mind being wet. So after the BBQ Trip, I asked M if we can go. And she replied certainly. So I jumped onto the bandwagon with 7 other P6 classes and got the approval to go out during school hours to waterworks science centre. The rest of the classes went to watch a movie. 1 class went to Sentosa I think

But I sortta regretted the moment I sent out the consent forms.

Few issues.
1. I was the PA ic for the OPA and the PGD.

On top of that I am to set up the IT music hardware.
We tried to set up but to my horror, 5 of the 6 cables were missing. I panicked. Searched high and low for them but couldn't find them. The cables are needed to connect the 4 PCs to the console, console to the output channel and the stage speakers for the IT music performers. Talk about MIA. The 'saviour' for the day was Mr Chay. He is the slow and steady cool guy. He said that he could custom-make the 5 cables by the day after. And managed to fixed up 2 on the spot. Talk about the handy man at hand.

The other help I had was Mr Salleh and Mr Stanley Soh. They were in charge of the Logistics. On Tuesday, he, on my instructions, plugged out the cables from the 4 PCs in the IT Music Lab and transported them down to the school hall. He then set the PCs up on the designated venue with the wires and stuff. I only had to bring the console and the stage speakers. Talk about help. Tuesday is, or rather now was, my busiest day, So I had to go to my classes while they setup for me. I discussed with Salleh and he agreed to tell Mr Foo the OM to lock up the School Hall due to the presence of the PCs and the other 'mobile but expensive gadgets'.
Wednesday came and Mdm Yap came in the morning to tell me the news. That they couldn't find the set-up PCs, and Mrs Lee, the IT music instructor was there with the pupils to help do a rehearsal on stage with the sound, that was at 0720 hrs. I hunted for Salleh and found him at last at about 0740. He told me that he wanted to err on the side of caution and kept the PCs under lock and key. So I requested that he set them up asap for the instructor was there, and he left to do the job. When I returned at about 1220 hrs, I was told that all was set up and went on fine. I sure hope that Mdm Yap is not too upset with the dragging and the ding dongs of procedues and instructions. Talk about much ado about OPA and PGD.

2. Forgot to ask for parent helpers.

I forgot to request for parent helpers, only managed to get help at the last minute - Mrs Tay. But that's not enough for a class of 44. MOE's regulations is 1 adults to 20 pupils. If not the insurance can don't cover the payment, if anything goes wrong. On that day, only 38 turned up. so I was very relieved to have 38 pupils on the bus with 1 parent helper. Phew

3. I need to redo the labelling to the cupboards on the Science Lab Prep Room

M then wanted to redo the labelling on the outside of the cupboards of the Science Lab Prep Room, she wants the labels to be outside the cupboards. So I need to re-account for the things in there and print out labels for it and paste the labels outside of the cupboards. Sigh.

4. Need to do a presentation on our Batam trip.

I needed to do a presentation during Contact Time 2 about the Batam Trip that 10 teachers with their families went during the National Day holiday(s) period. So I actually spent much of the morning selecting, sorting, and sequencing the photos for the event. Oh well.

But seeing the smiles on their faces and the fun that they had that day, I think it was worth it. :)

Posting Exercise

I am now trapped in the office waiting for students with parents to come to submit the option form. What a boring job. Whole morning only 1 customer. Now until now since I started at 12 only 3 customers. Sigh. Wait wait wait.

Well it's better than being busy busy busy two years ago...

BBQ continue?

Talk about a long dinner break.

We took loads of photos. At least Michael's mom did.
My Wife and kiddos joined us at about 1830 hrs. I know my kids had fun with my class.
6F took care of them very well. up and down the slides, feeding them junk food (which is fine by me), talking to them, getting them a drink. Talk about a caring class.

After dinner, we packed up (to the annoyance to many of them, lol) and returned to school. Michael's family was going to stay for the night.

Talk about pleasant memories. I will really miss this class.

Class BBQ

Wow. It's been a while that I'd blogged.

The Class BBQ went very well. We do have loads to be thankful for.

The weather was excellent. It drizzled in the morn but stopped by 0900hrs.
So when it was evening, it was cool, yet dry.

The Bungalow that was booked was requested for last minute.
But somehow Mr Tay (Michael's dad) managed to book it for someone else gave it up when he arrived. Talk about miracles.

The 4 heads did excellent jobs.

Set up was great. The food was too much, but great. And the Game IC was excellent. We had tonnes of fun.

The Bungalow was the staff bungalow set on a hill overlooking NTU, next the Presidential Suite. It has, if I remember correctly, 3 rooms, 7 beds and 3 toilets. The whole bungalow is about the average size of a petrol kiosk. There were 2 stone chairs, overlooking the sunset scene, 1 children's playground, 1 swing chair, 3 BBQ pits ...

When we got there, we prepared for the day. The Set up, Food and Games teams did their jobs. It's only about 1500 that the game started.

We had wacko, monkey see monkey do, birds of a feather flock together, water bomb quiz. That was quite a bit of activitives for 2 hours

For food we had too much variety. We had, chicken thigh, wings, sausages, stingray, satay, marshmallows, watermelon, guava etc.

Loads of stuff.
Going for dinner at Botak Jones now. Will update later?

Class BBq.

Class BBQ is on the 7th Nov 2007

Brought 6F to the music room today. Kindda gave some structure to the BBQ trip.

Grouped them into 5 groups

Project Manager : Michael
Assistant Mgrs: Russell and Herman
Main job, Budget. Sub job, ensure that the various department talk to one another and the plans works.

Food: Leader - > Daniel.
Members: Shuan Meng, Guang Liang, Jing Han, William, Sean, Eugene

Games and Entainment: Leader --> Caleb
Members: Zhi Rong, Gina, Ed Ng, Gabriel, Jia Wu, Chiew Ling, Yi Kai, Chloe, Sau Ching, Fiona, Grace , Sasha

Set up: Leader -> Emilia
Members: Gina, Gerald, George, Wei Ting, Yvonne, Michelle, Jia Ling, Jasmine, Yong Xiang

Pack Up: Leader -> Yi Hui
Members: Everyone else.

I think it is a good learning experience for them
--> To plan, organize and coordinate the main portions of a party.

Pretty decent programmes and stuff was surfaced.
I am eager to see the results.