drama queen

Miss Wong, after suspection from JAMs for 3weeks … finally she made her appearance this week. All was okay UNTIL dismissal time, she made her way to the toilet and the next moment she was squatting on the floor outside the toilet, with her head covered. Immediately I “smell” something fishy, I know she going to start her “drama”!

Miss Wong’s drama business started 3weeks ago …
1st scene (Sun A) – she hid herself behind the curtain in the hall and REFUSED to come out despite the teachers using soft or hard approach. Then on the bus, she continues her drama by singing super loudly a song that nobody understands, she even attempt to beat and bite herself … all that she did, creates discomforts to the students around her and in the whole bus’ atmosphere.

2nd scene (following Sun) – she was found in the toilet, sitting on the floor, crying super terribly. She REFUSED to open the door … the more we soft-talk her, the more loudly she cry. And of course her favourite weapon- beat and bites herself. Finally we got the cleaner to climb and unlock the door. With us inside, she still didn’t stop and REFUSED to leave with us. So without any choice, a JAMs security went in and after struggles, he managed to carry her into the lift (actually she is not that small size and that day she was wearing super soft texture clothes so challenging to carry her).
Even inside the lift, she didn’t stop … she started to roll on the floor, bang her head against the floor and continues crying non-stop. Interesting thing is at once, she actually stopped and peep at us as we stopped coaxing or talking to her, then she continues. For her image, we didn’t want to carry her out so we got a wheelchair … it was tough carrying her onto it and keeping her there. Finally she is being carried up on the bus, still crying with her head covered. Minutes later, she was okay already.
I guess the most challenging battle is when on the bus, shortly after, she said “I love you, Teacher Yanni” … I have to bite my lip, control my anger and replied her SWEETLY, “I love you too!” Argghhhhh

3rd scene (following Sun) – I purposely observe her secretly as I know her drama will start during dismissal. First she was on the chair then she went to the floor and uses the stage as table to do her stuff then she went back to her chair again and DRAMA STARTED.
She used her jacket to cover her face and despite friends and teacher going to her, she REFUSED to open up. The next thing … she slide herself from chair to floor and begins mopping the floor – she rolled herself all over, back and forth (believe me! she rolled!), she bang her head against the floor, she threw her slippers, she threw her bag. I didn’t go to coax her because I know once she starts, it will take “decades” for her to stop. When all the students left the hall already, she is still on the floor, rolling and with her face covered with her hands. One teacher went to her, soft-talk and even prayed together with her … no use! Then finally many female teachers and male security came, soft-talk and hard-approach … no use!
A wheelchair was brought in, we had tough times getting her on chair, perhaps cause security is guy then student is girl so they are quite limited too as she will twist and turn when the security lift her up. Finally we got her on the wheelchair, she was rather calm at once- even can stop us while she put on her hair clips back nicely … then continues. And before we are on time to stop her, she slide herself down from the wheelchair to floor again. The drama continues and continues … for at least an 1 hour before she decided is enough and get up and leave. I got to bring her back personally as my bus of students has left with another teacher.

Thinking that 3weeks suspection is enough since she likes to come JAMs. But I dont think so, this week she came, she also started her drama and even worse this time - she ran out of church to the block beside and does her drama there. With all this weeks of drama, it really show one thing- she trying to attract attention! She can cry cry then stop to peep at us to see are we looking at her a not then continues, she can cry cry then stop to adjust her hair clips and even looking herself into the mirror in the hall. I visited her many times, she promised she wont do it again but each time, she breaks her promise. The 2nd Sunday where I alighted with her, to talk to the mum ... the mum asked her why she did all this ... guess her reply? - she said in chinese, "I fake fake cry one".
PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY … got to PRAY for her!

who say ??!!??!!

To some of my friends … they may think I don’t speak good English!
To some of my friends … they may think I live in “mountain” so everything to me is new!
To some of my friends … they may think I only have little knowledge about the things around and when I seem to know a little bit more, they are verrrrrrry stunned!

But to God … He doesn’t think the way my friends think about me! =)
I was reminded again by the Holy Spirit - “I must know who I am in Christ!” … others may say I am no good etc, but that’s not important! Because God won’t say and think like my friends … my God use ordinary people (like me =p) to do extraordinary thing!

What matters is not what others say/think about me but what God say about me!
I am who God say I am … not who my friends say/think I am!

Just a thought: Our mouth can be very powerful- words/comments that we made to our friend/s can either be life or death. The person who said it can meant it to be a joke but a joke must always have its limit. To me … I felt that a joke is not a joke when it cause hurt to someone!
Never carry too far with a joke, especially when your ‘joke’ goes too far to the extent of embarrassing the person you are ‘joking’ about feeling terrible cause you said it infront of many others! “Do to others what you want others to do to you”
Let’s us all be sensitive … and always be watchful/caution with the remarks we made.

sPeCiAl dEdIcaTiOn

This blog entry is especially dedicated to all my blog readers!
I know you guys out there … some of you are ‘faithful’ readers to my blog but it seem you guys only read.
So I urge you, my friends … START tagging, START commenting! =)

yIpEe! yIpEe! yIpEe!

PCF K2s Graduation Concert- the moment all K2s’ parents & teachers have been waiting for! =)

* 6hrs before the concert starts – Final preparation to the concert hall, ensure stage’s props in place, puts up the children’s work along the corridor, rolls up the certificate etc etc.

* 3hrs before – Children in their individual costume came reporting. Excited parents with them ... they were adjusting their child’s costume, combing their child’s hairs, makeup for their child. Of course their aim is to let their child look stunning on stage! =)

* 1hr before – Parents started flooding into the hall, trying to get the best seats as is first come first serve. Children having their snack at holding area. Basically at that time, the room is SUUUPPPPPEEEER noisy … just imagine not 1 not 2 but 3 center’s children in the same room! Believe me! Is noisy! But I guess all teachers are “well-trained” already, all like numbed by the noise, so numb-ED that no one try to get the children to quiet down. Maybe we know that afterall, it will make no difference.

* 15mins before – Nervous teachers & happy-go-lucky children all ready!

** during the concert … everything ok, the transition from item to item was okay too. Children afterall are children - throughout the entire concert … they never show sign of nervous-ness or stage-fright! To them is like another get-together moment with their friends, just that they may be wondering how come the teachers today so nervous and kept bringing them round and round the hall, in and out of stage. Hahahaha!

** end of the concert, all children are “returned” to their parents. Not all left immediately, some actually stayed back- to take picture with us the teachers and of course to say the last ‘byebye’.

~ The touching moment for me will be when the parents came to me with their child, the child actually gave me a hug and said, “thank you!” Wowowow… that very second a thought flashed, “All my year of teaching, of scoldingsSsS, of naggingsSsS is all worth it!” I will missed this batch of K2s the most as they are the ones whom when I first came to this school, they were still in nursery and now – wowow they have graduated! And many of them are actually like friends to me!

~ more than just the items performed by the children in this concert … I’m also touched by the effort of the children & their parents. Is like before the actual day of the concert when we had our final rehearsal and on the actual concert day, many children (believe me! many!) are actually sick. But yet during the final rehearsal, the parents brought their child to the rehearsal … even having to sit through with them or just run through the child’s item once, they are willing. Double thumb up to the sick child as well … seeing a usual active child quietly sitting on the chair waiting for his turn really touches my heart.

3 cheers for my K2s children .. Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

cHiLdReN

Children should be …
seen and heard
and loved and cherished
and nurtured and hugged
and enjoyed and admired
and protected and encouraged
and supported and praised
and respected and appreciated
and valued and helped
and complimented … and NOT HURT!

LEARNING corners

When you see me up in my elbow in paint,
Or standing on an easel,
Or moulding and shaping clay,
Please don’t let me hear you say,
“He is Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I just might be a teacher someday!

When you see me cooking or tasting food,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it,
It is “Just Play.”
I’m learning to follow directions and see the differences.
I may be a cook someday!

When I’m building in the block room.
Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
About balance,
I may be an architect someday!

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be doctor, nurse or an athlete someday!

When I’m getting all dressed-up,
Setting the table,
Caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m “Just Playing.”
I may be a father or mother someday!

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
Or some “playing” at my school,
Please don’t feel that time is wasted in “play”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business someday!
When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say, “JUST PLAYED”
Please don’t misunderstand me,
For, you see, I’m learning as I PLAY.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I’m preparing for TOMORROW!
TODAY, I am a child and my work is PLAY!

mAtThEw 25:40

WARNING! Is going to be a longgggggggg blog!

Yest JAMs were like a mini “warfare” … and guess who’s my “opponents”?! Believe it or not … they are my own bus’ people! Miss Chiam Wennie (as usual) & Miss Wong (a super rare case).

Battlefield was peaceful- Mdm Yanni happily enjoying every moment UNTIL Opponent Wennie took the 1st strike – squat immediately when the lift door opened!

*Mdm Yanni succeeded in acting blind and let Mdm XY and other teacher handle* =p

Shortly after, they managed to get her into the hall and tone her down … using SWEETS! But it was a only for a short while before she took her next strikesSsS – she attempted to beat the people around her, she sneeze and sneeze and SNEEZE & she was shouting real loudly! Seeing that she is out of control and disturbing the service preaching time … we got her out of the hall, to this little corner.

*Mdm Yanni can’t act blind so was there with her together with Mdm JJ*

When she there, she didn’t realize her mistake and stopped – but she continues: she refused to sit down, and like making a big fuss. The more we ask her to sit down = the more she refused = the louder she scream (been hearing her scream all this while but this time realllllllly scream … somemore plus the eyes contact she gave me is simply equals to SCARY! … so bad that at that moment I thought: “God, I really don’t know how to "control" her … help me!”)

She can be quite ‘strength-ful’ if she want to, had a hard time controlling her physically. So basically throughout we were like ‘making’ her sit … firm and soft approach but she just refused! Somehow after much struggles … she took her final and most powerful strike – pulled my hairs!

*see! ‘full of strength’ right … she can attack me even when I am holding onto both her hands*

She got hold of my hairs for quite a while … she didn’t really use force when she pulled but the pain come when both of us struggle. Opponent Wennie believe in ‘making every strike effective” … besides just pulling my hairs with both her hands, she also decided to kick! (that is when the struggles were bigger = the force of her pulling my hairs is larger)

After a while then she let go (with strands of my hairs on her hands)! Though I was asked to leave by a teacher … I REFUSED! As I won’t/don’t feel good just to leave her like that after those strikes! Though felt my eyes “watery” and speechless … but still bite my teeth and stay on!

*** the battle with Opponent Wennie is really very bad already … making me drained emotionally BUT that’s not the end as Opponent Wong decided to begin her strikes! From church all the way onto the bus! There was only total peace and silence when she alighted! *haiz*

At the end of the day, though messiness was all over my hairs (so bad that 3 persons asked me to go Yunnan Hairs Salon for treatment) … there was also “PAIN” was on my forehead!
Not so much physically pain … though few strands were gone!
But I guess my heart hurt more … to see my own bus’ people ‘behave’ this way and some more the ones who I dote and love the most! At a moment had this thought- spent so much on them – time/effort/love … but at the end of the day, that’s all I get back. =(

But was reminded what I’ve told my helpers before … though sometimes JAMs students may be ‘difficult’ to handle, ‘violent’ at times but isn’t this what that makes JAMs unique? JAMs … a ministry with special and CHALLENGING people! And what is the key elements that keep me going and going and going in JAMs and loving them the way they are, despite of all … is LOVE & PASSION! =) Though I may not get to see immediate "results" in my students' lives & behaviour, but believe one day I will! And I will never never NEVER grow weary in serving and loving them!

Matthew 25:40
“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

*cApAcItY*

Just that Sunday itself, it makes me understand what’s really "capacity" and also fully understand the importance and the need of asking God to ENLARGE my capacity! I want to be grow stronger and more able to serve in His Kingdom and service to Him! =)

Isaiah 54:2
Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.

^a WOWOWOW sunday^

The Sunday !!!

Is really not easy … even from the start when practicing with the musicians for praise, I felt so much to give up cause having no experience in leading praise- I don’t know the cue, I don’t know the flow, I don’t know this and I don’t know that … felt the ‘stress’ immediately!

*on stage ... I sang and did the actions to the best I know how ... "what a mighty God we serve!" and "I love you Jesus deep down in my heart!" =)
Thank God … I managed to sing and endure through the entire praise!
Hmmmm … how did it went then?! Hmmmm … super off keys! =( I totally can't hear the music beat when I sing!

When I came down … just felt my confidence level went zooooooooooom down! I just felt like hiding in the toilet! Just when I tried very hard to forget about it so to focus and get ready for tuition – the next challenging task in my hand ... I walked out and saw this familiar girl sitting beside the dusbin, trying means to dig out what inside! Yes you guess it! Is MISS CHIAM WENNIE! I was like … “Argghhhhhh! God, must everything happened at one time?! Cannot weekly installment?!”

Just when I managed to get her into the hall … she started her own "entertainment" – she beat pple around her, she said sorry, she beat, she said sorry, she pinched, she said sorry, she pinched, she attempt to open teachers’ bags, she untied all my shoes laces, she beat me, she tried flipping my shirt … you name it, she done it! Before I can do anything to “cool” myself … I got to standby for tuition!

The 1^st step is usually the most difficult - after a no-good praise by me, after a ‘war’ with wennie, I totally feel terrible! And the next thing I knew it is that I have to 'force' a smile and go up to stage to teach. Find myself having problem saying, “Boys and Girls, are you ready for lesson time” at introduction … but thank God it got better after that and the lesson turned out well … got good feedback too! PTL!

*the Joy of my Lord is my strength!*

^opportunity^

Usually in JAMs … I will take service segment like cheerleading, announcement or games. Ever did before offering … but was long way back – challenging cause can’t imagine Teacher Yanni being serious on stage and preaching God's Word. *oooops* heehee

Just recently, I was asked whether am I willing to take up tuition – another highlight of JAMs so of course there is a certain level of "pressure" in it. So typical Yanni’s first reply – “I am willing but I scare I can’t do a good job!” But thank God for Sis Santhi who believe in me and encouraged me all the way … so took up the challenge by faith!

Just when I thought everything is “calm” already … I saw this on the service duty roster:
Praise : Yanni

I was like … hmmm did I see wrongly or did Sis Lily typed wrongly ?!?!?!
I double check with Sis Lily … and it was not a mistake! It was another opportunity given to me to come up to the next level.

One thing hit me when I ask Sis Lily can I don’t do it - after listening to all the faith msgs by pastor and cgl (especially during this season), at the end of the day … if we still look at situation with fear, then perhaps we are just allowing the Word to touch and leave us and that we didn’t put our trust in God. So despite of all the fearsssssss I have, I took up the challenge!

F.A.I.T.H - Forsaking All I Trust Him

beauty of SILENCE

Down with fever so was on MC from school for 1 day … then is when I realized the beauty of silence! =)

Looking at the clock from 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm … there was moment of peace in my ear and surrounding – not the case if I am in school at this timings as I will be flooded by children’s talkingssss, children’s shoutingssss and children’s complaintssss! Argghhhhh …

The day before I was on MC … was experiencing headache IN school – for the 1^st time. I guess part of it was cause by the noise created by the children and even the persistent complaints from them. So bad that within seconds, this particular girl can come to you several timessss to complain, “Teacher Yanni, this boy like this”, “Teacher Yanni, this boy like that”, “Teacher Yanni, this boy and that girl like this”, “Teacher Yanni, this boy and that girl like that” etc etc. Trust me, it can really get you ‘crazy’ when they over-complain, especially when you are experiencing headache! Not forgetting in the midst of all this complainssss, there is still noise made by the rest of the children in the class. Despite several times of asking them to reduce their volume or even switching off the classroom’s lights to get their attention (cause tired of shouting) … for the most 5mins they will be still but after which they will be back to square one again!

My point of view- sometimes the children’s noise can numb you – so much so that when the class is super noisy, you can don’t feel anything and carry on with your own stuffs but when a outsider were to walk in, he/she will feel is super unbearable! But still sometimes the noise level can really get you MAD! Just imagine 23 little children talking and talking, shouting and shouting at the same time.

p.r.a.y

Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men!

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers … pray for powers equal to your task!

cHiLdReN's TaLk (part II)

ps: back by popular demand … haha … just kidding!

sCeNe #1
Jeremie (Australian K2 boy): Teacher! My finger got blood!
*saying it with super ang-moh accent*
Cher Yanni: What happened?
*trying very hard to say it with ang-moh accent*
Jeremie: Say!
*Cher Yanni failed*

(usually when Jeremie can’t understand why we said, he don’t said “huh?” or “sorry?” or even “pardon?” … he will say, “Say!” and then we will repeat until he got us)

Cher Yanni: Oh … What happened to your finger?
Jeremie: I also don’t know
Cher Yanni: Come! Follow me to office, I put plaster for you!
Jeremie: Say!
Cher Yanni: Come!

*after plaster-ing*

Jeremie: Teacher! I can’t work with my finger?
Cher Yanni: Yes you can, Jeremie!
Jeremie: *trying to move his plaster-ed finger* But I feel weird
Cher Yanni: *flipped*

sCeNe #2
*during transition, Gerald was caught running and knocked onto his friend, causing him to fall*

Cher A: Gerald, why did you run?
Gerald: Hmmm … because I scare you scold me.
Cher A: Then why you run so fast and didn’t stop?
Gerald: *ya-ya-papaya tone* Because you never tell me to stop!
Cher A: What?! You mean I need to ask you to stop then you can stop? You should know the school’s rules that you are not supposed to run!
Gerald: I forgot already!
Cher A: How come you cannot remember?
Gerald: Because I am only 5 years old!
Cher A: *flipped*: Then I am going to tell Cher B (senior teacher who most chn afraid of) that you forget the school rules!
Gerald: You want to ask her to do magic on me? *still with his ya-ya-papaya tone*
Cher B *talk logic to Gerald and explaining to him why he can’t run*: … You understand?
Gerald *fear in the face*: y … e … s

*Cher B left*
Cher A: So Gerald, are you happy now?
Gerald *innocent look*: She still didn’t do magic on me what!
Cher A *surrender*: Gerald ……………………………

sCeNe #3
*assembly time*
Nursery boy: *sing very LOUDLY*
We are happy little PIGS, having lots of fun!
Happy little PIGS in school
There are lots of happy things to do
We learn and play together

Cher A: Boy A, PCF song goes this way-
“We are happy little KIDS, having lots of fun!
Happy little KIDS in school
There are lots of happy things to do
We learn and play together

Nursery Boy: Hmmm … so I can’t sing “pigs” lahz?!
Cher A: Of course you no! !

tEsTiMoNiEs oF w5 ...

W5 are blessed … because of Him! =)

#1 ---- one of my backsliders, Gary came back!
He used to be regular in JAMs but due to family gatheringssssss … he stopped! Ever since the previous National Day Party, he was back till now … regular! Not only he is very excited to come, his parents are more willing in allowing him to come!

#2 ---- my 2 irregular core students have become regular again!
Std R and Std W … started to ‘shake’ – excuses after excuses of not coming to church. One of which can be quite discouraging … “I don’t want to come because my friend not going.” But right here right now, they have been coming every week and are excited for the following week of JAMs. Thank God! I actually included both of them in my W5 prayer list that God will keep them in His presence and before I could even pass to my helpers to pray, God has already answered!

#3 ---- NEW contacts after NEW contacts!
Pandan Garden is a new area for my bus … somehow quite out-of-the-way as well but every week without fail, we will go all the way to fetch just this ONE boy! Just few weeks ago, there is this walk-in to JAMs service and next thing I knew it, this student stayed in PANDAN GARDEN! This new walk-in is SUPPPPER excited, he even asked me is there JAMs on Friday. =)
Last JAMs … I got a new friend, little Malcom who is only 4 years old! Though he doesn’t have a very strong parents support, still he is a boy who is always-happy and interesting to be with! I’m sure you will love him at first sight!

#4 ---- a student’s mum called me and want go Chinese Church!
I have this particular student, his parents are verrrrrrrry into “Buddhist stuff” … they have activities after activities with temple here and there. Just last Monday, this mother called me and started to ask me whether City Harvest has Chinese preaching service and when I told her yes. She said, “I want come down and listen listen, if is good then maybe I will change”. I was like *shocked* cause didn’t really expect this particular mum will want go church! This week when she comes … going to pray she will come with a opened heart and allow God will touch her.

#5 ---- Attendance!
After several weeks of 19 to 21 in attendance … W5 finally crossed the barrier of 22 and hit 24 for two weeks! Praise the Lord! =)
I truly believe W5 can achieve that because of Him … Jesus! He is in total control in/of W5. All glories belong to Him!

Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

I know who I am in CHRIST

Last week’s cgm … Sis Lily (my JAMs leader) got us to tap into the spirit and wants us to take the step of faith to share if we have a word/verse for the group or for a particular person. The next thing I knew it, Sis Lily’s hand was on me!

Gideon – a bible character who Sis Lily was reminded of while praying for me. After reading the bible to find out more about Gideon. This is the verses that got me:

Judg 6:14 – Then the Lord turned to Gideon and said, “Go in this might of yours and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
Judg 6:15 – So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Judg 6:16 – And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
Judg 7:14b – “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.”

Wow wow … though Gideon felt that he is the weakest and the least, but yet God still used him to save the Israel out. We don’t have to be the smartest, the cleverest, the popular to be used by God … God can use anyone and everyone, that’s include YOU and ME! =)

While I was seeking God, I was reminded again by this – “I must know my identity in Christ!”. Heard this many times … but never really once let it goes deep into me but after that night, really make a decision to never let this leave me!

Knowing who I am in Christ, I don’t have to be fearful … but I can step out of fears and step into faith and boldness!

I KNOW WHO I AM IN CHRIST!

cHiLdReN's TaLk

Scene #1
Shanel (a half Korean, half Chinese K2 girl): Cher Yanni, you see … one of my teeth dropped.
Cher Yanni: Oh no! How come it will drop?
Shanel: I also don’t know. I brush my teeth then I PUI then this tooth comes out.
Cher Yanni: Hahaha … Huh? What is PUI?
Shanel: PUI lohz! (laughing away)
Cher Yanni: then where is your tooth now?
Shanel: I put my tooth in plastics and put under my pillow and the tooth fairy took it away.
Cher Yanni: *shocked* Tooth fairy?! And then what happened?
Shanel: The tooth fairy gave me two one dollar coins.
Cher Yanni: Oh … you mean the tooth fairy buy your tooth?
Shanel: *laughing away* Yes Yes Yes!

Cher Yanni’s reflection- if JAMs kakis were to be there to hear this girl saying PUI, think not only they will roll on the floor but they will point their finger at me and said, “Teacher Yanni, what have you been teaching your students in school?!” Hee!

Scene #2
Cher Yanni: Jeremie, you were playing at the playground again?! (trying to say with angmoh accent)
Jeremie (a Sydney K2 boy): Ya … they want to play with me! (FULL of angmoh accent)
Cher Yanni (listening very carefully so will catch what he says): How come?
Jeremie: They want to chase me everytime I come to school
Cher Yanni: Oh no! Why are they like that?!
Jeremie: I don’t know … I can’t ignore them!
Cher Yanni (amazed by the word ‘ignore’ he used): You should have run away, Jeremie!
Jeremie: I did … but that doesn’t work!
Cher Yanni: Oh I see! Ok! Class … Lets start lesson now!

Cher Yanni’s reflection- a typical Singaporean child will say, “I did … but cannot lehz!”

sCeNe #3
Cher Yanni: Vivek, how many house you have?
Vivek (a K2 Indian boy): hmmmmm … 2!
Cher Yanni: Wow wow … where is it?
Vivek: One at Serangoon Garden … the other one we don’t always go, is at India!
Cher Yanni: So your Singapore’s house, how many layers?
Colleagues by the side started laughing loudly … “Teacher Yanni, you think cake ar, how many layers!?”
Cher Yanni: Oops! I mean how many storey?
Vivek: 4!
Cher Yanni: Wow wow … then you sleeps at which storey?
Vivek: 2!
Cher Yanni: Vivek, can you invite the teachers to your house?
Vivek: Yes Yes!

Scene #4
Teacher XYZ: ABC, why didn’t you want to play at the playground?
Child ABC [a 5yrs old girl]: don’t want
Teacher XYZ: Alright … then you sit here with me
Child ABC: Teacher! You know hor … my father always scold my mother!
Teacher XYZ: Oh … what happened?
Child ABC: then my mother scolds my father and asks him to go outside and sleep
Teacher XYZ: ABC, you love your mummy more or your daddy more?
Child ABC: mummy
Teacher XYZ: Why you don’t love your daddy?
Child ABC: my father always said I this wrong, that wrong one
Teacher XYZ: Your father always scolds you?
Child ABC: Yes

Cher Yanni’s reflection- true story wor! You be amazed by what the children knows and can tell the teachers. Sometimes they will just tell us about what happened at their house … their parents quarrels those kinds. Encounter once before that one of the child told me that the mum was crying. Is very important to give a child a healthy and positive childhood.

my princes of W5

PrInCe #1 – Sato Seiichiro

1^st Saturday of Sept … Sato came! When he is on the bus, the teachers secretly remove his cds from his bag (trying to create a scene when he reach church that he lost his cds so he won’t want goes near the sound system). The second he opened his bag and realized that his cds was no way to be found … he gets ANGRRRRRRRRY! He TEAR his bag … sat on the floor to lean fully on a boy and refused to get up (just imagine the heavy weight on the poor boy) and he even punched a girl who happens to walk past him.
Throughout the entire 1.5 hours of service, he was not inside the hall but way outside! I guess in all the JAMs students, he is the special one cause he is the only one who are allowed to have his own way to walk around the entire church area freely! Basically there’s not a church area that Sato has never been before … can you imagine the little little corner near the golf area, Sato can actually walked there and squeeze his way through. Is really like a time of exercising for Wayne (a JAMs security) and I who accompanied him throughout.

PrInCe #2 – Bryant

Bryant … he has slight autism and hyperactive. He is a boy who needs a lot of physical touch and assurance … lack of security I guess. Any guy that comes along his way, at times he will just grab them by their hand real tightly and refused to let go. He especially like Indian guy because he has encounter before a church’s Father (those catholic kind) who is Indian so now to him, every Indian guy he will grab them and call them Father. Just last week, along the way from church entrance to lift … he actually grabbed 2 “ang moh” guys, 1 NS Chinese guy and 1 Indian guy!
But he can be real interesting at times … during worship, I told him “Come Bryant! Lets pray to Jesus!” and immediately with his head bowed, he took my hand and placed it on top of his head. And when I spoke in tongues, he actually started mumbling also. And he won’t lift his head up until he hears me saying “Amen!”. During dismissal, his shirt was kana pulled by a boy who is in bad mood and I guess Bryant was shocked as it caught him by surprise and the moment when he was being released by that boy, he adjusted his shirt (he gets very irritated when his shirt gets crumpled and even when his shirt’s collar not properly made) then next moment he said, “Help! Help! Help! Help!” in Chinese. Is really funny hearing him saying Help in his ang moh-accent and some more only after he is being pulled. Hahahaz

Though my 2 princes can be adorable and interesting at times but still when they gets active, they can get really tough cause basically both of them are verrrrry FULL of strength. For Mr Sato, basically I cant 'deal' with him much on my own cause of his HUGE sized, I do gets afraid when standing near him. But for Bryant ... I still can managed a little cause on him I believe that when he gets super active and hyper, a sister's full strength at least will not be as tough and as forceful as a brother's. Cause it really 'hurt' me when once a brother went to pull Bryant back real hard, trying to stop him from pulling piles of containers down ... after which Bryant point to the part where the teacher pulled and look at me and said, "pain! pain!" ... that moment onwards, I told myself that as much as possible, I want to 'deal' with him myself. So now is to keep praying for patience and SUPERNATURAL strength! =)

"net-less"

Aiyoyoyo ... this few days was “internet-less” because brother was changing to this wireless broadband thingy then some problem here and there thus can’t access to internet. But finally can already! Going to be back with my updatessssssss here! I will be back! =)

breakTHROUGH

I have this particular student who I have in my bus’ contact list … he has never been to church. Few visits to his house = scary experience, that was because of the father. When we are the doorstep he will stand very far from us, he will be in the kitchen! Then with his unfriendly and fierce face, either he will don’t reply us at all or he will speak so softly that we can’t hear a single thing from him. And when we asked to see his son, he will refused and give us a look like go before the broom come. My helper and I are both sisters, so we can’t be so super persistence … we need to be wise. So everytime we will leave the house feeling rejected. =(

Just this week, my helper and I went to visit again (despite of the rejection). Quite scary at first as the door was closed but the gate was opened widely. So I told my helper that we better close the gate before knocking. =p After much knocking ............... the dad opened the door! Oooops … just imagine- in a dark house, an unfriendly fierce man stood right in front of you, no good no good. Seriously if not because this visit was with a brother helper, I will have turn and run away. Heehee.

But THANK GOD … the dad didn’t slammed the door straight or even chase us away but instead he actually stood STILL there and talked to us. We had a more “decent” talk with him, got to know more about his son … quite a while some more (compare to the past few times of “seconds of conversation”). Though the dad don’t allow his son to come JAMs still but at least there is a breakthrough! So really thank God for that. I will keep on visiting and visiting and visiting!

The only time I saw the student was at the very first visit I made, where he came and opened the door for me … that moment when I saw him, felt something in my heart saying: “this boy needs love. this boy needs Jesus”. So I am going to keep praying and praying, keep making the visits and believe that one day … the dad’s heart will be open and this student will get to know and experience Jesus. =)

*yAnNi'S qUiZ*

ps: find this interesting quiz at Cuiqi’s blog … thought was difficult to fill up about her but wasn’t that difficult afterall. =) Now my turn … try mine! try mine! Fill in the blank about ME! =p

I ___________ Yanni.
Yanni is ______________.
If I were alone in a room with Yanni, _________________.
I think Yanni should ______________.
Yanni needs ____________.
I want to _____________________ Yanni.
Someday Yanni will __________________.
Yanni reminds me of ______________.
Without Yanni, _________________________.
Memories of Yanni are ________________.
Yanni can be _______________________.
___________ is how I describe meeting Yanni.
Worst thing about Yanni is __________________.
Best thing about Yanni is ______________.
I am _____________ with Yanni.