Monday, January 29, 2007

sAfEtY...

Let’s always be careful, especially on the road… be it driving or by feet.

Few days ago, my Eldest Uncle passed away. It was so sudden!
*shocked* as didn’t expect that cause I knew he has no record of illness.
It was an tragic accident- he was on his way home on his motorbike when he was hit by another bike. The bad collision caused my uncle terrible injuries on his head which caused him to die immediately and the other motorist survived with slight injuries. *is so unfair!!!*

Days at his wake, whenever I looked at his photo near the coffin, I still really cant bring myself to believe that he is not around anymore. =(

Being the eldest, he is very well respected among his siblings & us, his nieces & nephews. Though I am not close with him but to me, he is not an unfamiliar uncle as often will see him at family gatherings. Partly also my parents, his family & few other families are the often-get-together ones.

Every year without fail, on the 2nd day of CNY- all relatives will gathered at his house and as he is the eldest, many will sure be there so his house can be considered a must-go-house.
Every year at his house, he will cook his famous dish- claypot noodles. He will always be so busy cooking pots and pots and pots for families after families to enjoy. I can’t remember when actually I started eating his claypot noodles, really been yearsssss!
Is not just about the food but I'm sure it would be so different without him around during Chinese New Year.

Kept my auntie & family in prayers…
Let’s always be verrrrrrrry careful when we are on the road or near the road.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

nEw!

C_n_an Kindergarten- my new workplace! =)
Been a week already, everything so far so good! Am really happy to be back working with children!

* New colleagues
All of them are very nice to talk to (not arrogant kind) and are willing to share & guide me along,
The most shocking to me is that I’m given an Assistant Teacher, actually I am more prepared to be one.
My new principal very nice too, I don’t have any pressure approaching her. I find that she really trust me a lot as just on my first day, she left 2 classes completely to my charge and even the collection of $$. When I’m teaching, she didn’t interfere or check on me much.

* New Children
Mama’s boy & Papa’s girl- as I’m “duty” to stand at the gate to welcome children, I get to witness the “good life” of the little ones. Everyday either they will be sent by their parents on their big car (for once, I don’t look out for parents to identify the child but the car they in) if not they will be sent by their maid if they stay nearby (all terrace houses or condo). Haha! For the 1st time when I want buy gifts for the children, I must think twice not cause of quality but the price as too “paiseh” to give to princes & princesses.
Though only teach one K1 & one K2 class but both levels can be challenging, especially K1 where in just 5mins, I can be calling this same particular boy to return to his seat or this same particular boy to stop jumping at the whiteboard or even this same particular girl to stop chit chatting. My assistant told me that when they are in nursery last year, they are more “upside down”. Guess I have a lot of “work” to be done.

During written work, my heart can “drop” as majority of them have slight difficulty in writing and concentrating as either they don’t try at all or they be writing in some special language. The “best” is there is this girl who I got her to write her name and cause she doesn’t know how, I wrote on another paper for her to copy. Before I left her alone, she wrote “C” and nearly 10mins later when I returned to her, she is still at “C”. *flipped*

* New Parent
I was told that the parents can be quite demanding and with high expectations, afterall they paid $600++ per term for school fees.

* New teaching method
Worksheet! Workbook! Exercise book! All are what I don’t use at my previous kindergarten. The teaching method over @ this new school is very different where we are told to cut down worksheet but now is the parents who strongly encouraged worksheetsSS and homeworksSs.
Seriously I am still trying to adapt to the changes as suddenly from a carefree teacher, now I need to bring home stacks of worksheets to mark- just one week, they can have up to 3 worksheets and that haven't includes worksSs from workbook or exercise book. Also from a teacher who only teaches Math, now got to include English, Phonics, Math & even Science. Going to be challenging but guess I be fine after I get the hang of it.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

tHe JoUrNeY cOnTiNuEs.

* Little angels!!!
Many friends asked me “Fun to teach children right”, “Children very cute right”, “Children very easy to teach right” etc- 50% 50%, good & bad times. When they are nice, they are very fun to be with. But when they are bad, they can really drive you up the wall.
If I have to choose one thing, that be to able to endure children’s noise. One occasion outside school, I was with my friends doing something and there happened to have many children walking & running up and down as is toilet area. One of my friends said, “noisy right, you all want to change place?”. I replied, “noisy mehz?! ok lahz!” Haha… guess my ears numbED.
3yrs in PCF, I came across many children- good ones, na_gh_y ones, cheeky ones, interesting ones, chubby ones, smart ones. Some children so outstanding that they have left a BIG footprint in my life.

(WARNING! below is going to be loooooong! You better stop here before you find yourself zzzing. Haha! No need to read ar, I just want to blog to keep as “memory” so when I grow old, I can read to my grandchildren as bedtime story. Haha! ).

Child A- to me, he is like small adult in the way he talked & behaved. Sad to say, he is not a obedient but quite rebellious (ultimate) and every teachers who taught him before will agreed. He left behind many “bad records” and once I remembered is when he saw his girl classmate talking to her mum at the window, he went to push her head against the wall. When teacher-in-charge brought him to the office to prepare to call his mum, he started crying DRAMAtically- saying his mum pregnant, no one to take care of her if he go “jail” etc! Really can’t describe his “naughtiness”, you just got to see him in action. Even after he went to Pri 1, we heard from his teachers that he is not doing well. Didn’t get to see him since he graduated from our school in 2004 but only like in late 2006, he made a visit to our school on his own, claimed to visit the teachers. I asked him, “You got good boy in your school a not?”. He replied, “Yes but I got caning once before lehz!”

Child B- a child who needed extra coaching & patience as he has some difficulties in speaking & understanding. His condition was quite bad when I first took him in nursery (my first year working), thank God for the experiences in JAMs if not wont know how to handle. Eventhough he attended K2 for 2yrs but throughout the 4yrs, he really changed a lot.
A child who can’t recognize/write numbers to one who can perfectly write and read aloud. A child who can’t colour properly to one who can colour patiently inside a given box. A child who can’t communicate with his friend to one who not only can communicate but even made his friend laughed. A child who is not independently to one who can take of himself and his belonging. This boy successful went on to pri one in 2007, really pray that he can cope. I was thinking if one day I were to see him again, I think I will hug him and “cry in joy” to see another level of change in him.

Child C- Taiwan boy who was in K1 when he came, no nursery experience so he took very long to settle. During early few weeks, either he will come to school crying or with “attitude”! For couple of weeks, he just won’t participate in activities, he will just squat outside the class (as he want to see the clock, to wait for dismissal). When I talk to him, I must squat with him and tried to add Taiwan accent in my speaking. He answered back but some still with “attitude”. He liked to share with me about his life in Taiwan… the train, the building, his family etc.
Slowly he “upgraded” to squatting inside the class but still not participating. It took weeks before he started to feel comfortable with the place and opened up to friends & teachers. From squatting when doing work and playing with his friends, he finally realized that the chair is more comfortable and is willing to join his group. He is very interesting- few occasions, he came to me in his Taiwan accent, “Your school’s clock so ugly!” & “Your school’s toilet so dirty, I am not going to use!”. Haha! A year later when he went K2. Haha! Can you imagine, he can be so cheeky & playful, creating “problem” when he with his boys gang.

Child D- Have you ever saw an old granny trying so hard to grab to control her granddaughter along roadside, to stop her granddaughter from wanting to dash across? Or an old granny chasing after her active & never-say-die granddaughter who dashed to playground straight upon reaching school?
This girl from China, you will often read about her “history” in my blog’s Children Talks. She can let you like and “dislike” her to the core! But she is very clever- the way she work, talk, think & imagine. According to mum, all this is all on her own through media/books as both her parents & grandparents can’t speak good English but this girl not only speak good English, Chinese but also Malay!

Child E- in my entire 3yrs, I must say I never met a boy like this who really drives me up the ceiling! All this just because of a smile! Actually this boy is with slight autism- we brought up the issue to mum and the mum knew about it but no action was taken.
Everything turned upside down, just by a smile! At first when he came and join us in K1, he too has no nursery experience so he gets very shy, very quiet & very timid when he see the teachers. I used to “win” his respect and fear just by opening my eyes BIG but ever since few times I play with him and SMILE at him……… that’s it! Ever since then, think he know I can be play with so then and then, he is no longer afraid of me (really no longer).

During my class, only at mine he will super misbehave. His achievements:
- many timesssss of doing 360degree turns on the floor
- crawl from one side of classroom to another
- jump to step on chairs and partition
- from chair A to chair B, he don’t walk but step across table
- he caused harm to his friends, at times physical pain like pinching, kicking, or beating
(you may think I am exaggerating… but seriously, I am not. wait till you see how he attack his friends, it will really pain you)
- he has no eye contact and can’t reply accordingly to what you asked
- he can cry for 5secs then next moment, you will find him laughing away (really!)
Everyday I will surely take his class, some more twice a day! He is really one student who I must say I got to “surrender” to. In 2007 he should be in K2… wondering how he is doing.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

jOuRnEy StArTeD... ... ... ...

3yrs working in PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Kindergarten- started when I was 19 yrs young.
To me, is not just “dream come true” but also God's miracle! Who can ever imagine someone who don’t have a complete o’level & no working experience can successful become a teacher. Thank God for the friend who introduced and not forgetting the favor of man.

Looking back, I myself also “shocked” to tell people when they asked that I am a T-E-A-C-H-E-R. The day when I took my o’level result for the 2nd time, I thought to myself that I will never get to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher. With man it may be impossible but with God, ALL things are possible!

These 3yrs in PCF… I learned a lot, gained a lot and also been through a lot.
* I was sent to Cert in Preschool Teaching course (a must for all preschool teachers) . Not only was
I sent to attend different courses, workshops and talks to equip & upgrade myself, I didn’t have to pay for it but I was paid after completion.

* I was given the opportunity to be the Chairperson for K2 Graduation Concert in 2006. I got to give a speech infront of hundred of parents, GRC members & guest-of-honor, Mrs Lim (MP).

* I established good friendship with my colleagues. Being the youngest, I’m always “pampered” and well taken care of by them. Like what I told the school cook, I will never forget the cup of milo she made for me when I’m sick. The school cleaner who always prepare my favourite dish weekly and special dessert for me on my birthday.

* I established good relationship with students’ parents. At times when I met ex-students’ parents, they will acknowledged me. The most interesting is even the students’ grandparents saw me, they smiled and greeted “Yanni Laoshi” or “Laoshi”. Sometimes I also don’t know to react but it really shows the respect they have.

* In 2006, I met a super challenging class! In this particular class, there is not just one or two or three active children but almost ¾ of them need my special attention. Is a class that everyday before they come to my room, I must “set” my face to be smile-less and if unnecessary, keep it that way throughout the lesson. Been there 3yrs, never experience any class as challenging as this. 2007, they promoted to K2 and I believed there is not much change so can expect them to be in the same class. Come one day when I am free, I would want to drop by to visit them.

Monday, January 08, 2007

TwO-zErO-zErO-sIX

CaReEr
2006 been a challenging year at work- many unhappy incidents happened. Thank God for the strength and to always stay positive.
Is also a year where I faced very challenging class of children- this particular class don’t just have one or two or three active children but rather ¾ of them need my close attention. This is the only class which I got to remind myself that when they entered my room, I must start with a smile-less face and if unnecessary, just keep it that way.

Looking forward for the new working environment in 2007. Want to shine for God in education line!

MiNisTry
I always remembered one of the years serving in w5- my ZS came to me, “Yanni, you started the year with 18 and you ended the year with 18”. Hmmm… no growth! *flipped*
But 2006 different! W5 started the year with 20 but it ended with 27 (almost can hit 30). Not forgetting in the midst of Sept, we experienced multiplication which births forth a new bus W9. Praise the Lord!
And 2006 is a year where many backsliders who not only came back but stayed on, even till now faithfully attending.

Looking forward to greater breakthrough in 2007… not only in attendance but in the spirituality of my students, especially the higher ones.

FrIeNdS
Jm1Jm2 members- established good friendship. Though we seldom meet up on our own beside cgm & service and we also seldom has cg outing but nevertheless our bonds with one another are still very good. Really hope to get to know them more individually in 2007.

Kakis- No matter how many present, each fellowship will always been a fruitful one. No matter how busy our schedule is, we will always take time off to celebrate one another’s birthday.

S02E322 friends- my great great friends always! With them, I never run out of topics to talk! With them, I can surely be myself! With them, I always feel so loved! Though paiseh (haha!) but always feel so “honored” to be invited to their cg outing & even their cg thanksgiving!

My GS ladies- thank you for the yearsssssssss of friendship! =) Lets keep it going and going and going and going!

TO my members, my kakis & my beloved friends in s02e322… I love you guys! =)

BlEsSiNgS
Beside the bonus in July, I also got one in Dec. Civil servant so 2.2!
At first still don’t know will get a not since I’m leaving my job but thank God not only I received my Dec pay but also full bonus!

I'm blessed with an ADIDAS watch, from just 3 of my sec friends!
I’m blessed with an CASIO watch, from my cell group!
I’m blessed with a IPOD NANO, from my brother & mum for Christmas.
Not forgetting all the presentsSssS I received during my birthday!
And the little little & big big blessings throughout the year!

To sum up 2006… is awesome to be a child of God! =)
God is good all the time, all the time God is good!
(if you don’t know Jesus yet, you missed the real meaning of life! not too late still… more to come)

Saturday, January 06, 2007

everything ALRIGHT

To my beloved faithful blog readers aka friends! =)

Thank you for ALL encouragementsSsSs you all have gave after reading my recent blog.
It realllllly means a lot to me… that will be my best motivation!

Decided to blog this so to give all of YOU the assurance that Yanni is alright! Yanni is out of the sobsob-period already, Yanni is all ready to stay up strong & fight for her dream!

Ignore my negative statements made in blog ya… haha… I’m sure in weeks time, I will have a good news’ blog (maybe that is why I like to blog about my valley first cause I’m very sure God will bring me through the valley and I will come of it victoriously).

=) Nevertheless… do keep me in prayers ya, for more OPENED DOORS & OPPORTUNITY & FAVOR! Thanks guys for your concern & support! Will surely updates you guys!

Thursday, January 04, 2007

uPdAtEs.......

If you been a faithful reader to my blog, in one of the entries I blogged that I made a very crucial decision. After keeping it to myself for quite a while, recently I started telling my parents & friends. Is “terrible” keeping it alone as many times, I felt … … … but yet I can’t share with anyone but of course to God!

The crucial decision … … I resigned from my teacher-position!
Is a decision that I thought about it for long, been wanting to do so but don’t have the courage as I don’t know what will happen if I will to leave my verrrrrrrrrrrrrry comfort zone. Trust me, verrrrrry comfortable.

On my last visit to bid farewell to my colleagues, I found little tears in my eyes as I left the school. It been solid 3yrs working there, I may be disappointed with the management but surely not with my colleagues or the children or even the working environment.

I am going to miss my colleagues, even the auntie cook & auntie cleaner. I always feel comfortable and can be myself when I am with them.
Not forgetting my little angels!!! Eventhough at times my patience will be tested STRONGLY by them or even drive me to the wall but still they are a group of lovable & interesting children who I always feel very carefree with. Realllllllly going to miss teaching them, playing with them, talking to them & bringing them out. *sobzsobz*

Was a little lost when I woke up today… the day where every student & every teacher starts school. =(

Will I ever step into education line again… Will I ever get to teach little children again…
????????????????