31st Dec 2008
Wooo... in just a few hours time, we will all welcome 2009! =)
How have 2008 been for Yanni?
Guess if you have been a faithful reader to her blog, I'm sure more or less you will know the ups & downs for her this year.
Am looking forward for 2009 ... indeed 2009 will be the best year for Yanni.
Here wishing all my FRIENDS an Awesome New Year ahead!
Shine! Smile!
At JAMs' Christmas Delight, I have the privilege to be part of the drama – as “Tina” the timid girl.
Though I acted quite few times but seriously this role not just challenging but EXTREMELY challenging!
Jokingly told a few, I am a “comedian” so when realized that Tina have emotional scenes like crying etc, I almost fainted but still accepted the role. Opps! After few rehearsals, just when I thought I was fine, realized I wasn't – my tone was wrong, my facial expression was wrong etc and thus it doesn't fit the character I'm supposed t0 be.
Thank God for His grace & the chances by the “directors”, I continued to stay in this role and act to the best I know how, praying & believing that God will do the rest.
Seconds before our actual performance, I found myself trembling .. haha .. I don't feel sooooo nervous for games before. =p At the end of the drama, I know I did my best (though I still don't feel very good about it) but of course I also know that there still plenty and plenty of room for improvement.
Just yesterday, JAMs Church conducted Christmas outreaches at 3 homes ... thank God I was able to be of help – it was truly a great experience! I want to be a person of compassion! =)
Hmm... if you ever feel your life is meaningless, perhaps you should make a visit to one of the homes. I'm sure a visit you will surely treasure your life more and know how blessed you are!
After those visits, I also must really give a big salute to the nurses!
The people @ the homes really really need Jesus - they need the joy, the peace & the love of God.
In summary ... this Christmas been really DELIGHTFUL! =)
Truly God can do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine... this Christmas, JAMs brokethrough! We asked for 1100 and we hit 1120! Praise the Lord!
As for W5, together with Cher Kenneth, we believed for 25 and we hit 25 + 2 caregivers! Praise the Lord!
Personally as a CGC of W5, this Xmas had been amazing ... more than the “destination” aka target, I'm amazed by the journey aka process! I'm amazed by how God works!
With a usual weekly attendance of less than 20, I was “shaking” when I pledged 25. Just few days before big day, I counted that W5 will only hit like 21-22 and “dried” with no other students for me to invite.
The NIGHT before big day, unbelievable (at least to me) miraclesss happened:
1) I got a new contact from Santhi - I successfully arranged everything with the mum despite not knowing exactly where they stay. (this is the FIRST time I received new contact just a night before big day).
... I must confess that I was worried that they may “let aeroplane” last minute but thank God they didn't! We successfully reached their house and thank God is not out of the way for us.
2) I have this few months-old new student who usually have enrichment class on Sat afternoon. All before the big day, I already prepared that she won't be coming since our big day will be in the late afternoon. BUT you see, God works in different ways - she was able to make it!
3) A backslider who haven't been coming for months due to work and even at the last Easter party she too can't make it BUT BUT this time, she was scheduled to work in the evening and thus able to make it for our Christmas Party!
Wowowowowowowow! =)
Was in a cab from JW to KLC for my class ... were on the expressway where suddenly I felt something not right. For a period of time, the cab just stayed on the 2nd lane in a very “standard” speed. Without my glasses, I decided to lean forward and get a better look. Guess what?! Saw the driver's eyes having “open & close exercise”. Haha! His “closing ceremony” is real bad, is like anytime he can go dreamland.
“Excuse me, Uncle”
“Y... Yes?”
“Oh... You ok?”
“Ok... Why?”
“Oh... Cause you look sleepy”
“No... I'm listening to my music”
“....”
After that “morning call”, the rest of the journey was much better ... can see that he was trying “ways” to keep himself awake. =p Thank God I managed to reach my school safe and sound. Haha!
Hmm... what if I didn't shock him up? What if I also fall asleep?
=) the moral of the story ... always be awake and alert when you on board cab, don't just focus outside the window or the meter, at times do look at the driver. Haha!
all ready for the rehearsalsssssss ahead...
"I believe in the POWER of Your Name"
1100! 1100! 1100!
321! 321!
25!
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! =)
Wooo... together with my group members, we have FINALLY conquered 2 mega presentations this week! It can pretty “stress” with just thinking about it.
Personally I feel more stress over group than individual assignments... afterall the result I get from individual assignment only affect me and me only but group assignment, I must make sure I don't do wrongly/badly to pull down the group. But of course up to date, everything so good! =)
Eventhough on hand I still have 2 individual assignments & 2 group assignments write-up... can “smell” the end of my course already. Haha!
Just left with 3 mega module with 1 more group work and THE END~~
Preschool Teachers.....
We soar when we see a child 'get it' for the very first time
We worry while we drive home about that child that seems lost
Not much grosses us out
We know when it's been too quiet for too long and we need to investigate
We can pretend to be interested in slimey things – from a safe distance
We can make almost anything sound like a fun and interesting choice
We save a bubble wands and the lids to dried up markers
We've perfected the “I don't think so” look and can guide childrens' behavior often with just a facial expression
We can excited about little things
We know that a bandaid does more than just cover a scrape or cut
We save things that other people consider junk ... and when we see 'junk' we wonder what can we do or make with it
We know the current most popular children's television shows, based merely on the shoes the kids are wearing
We will pick things out of the garbage for our school, but not for ourselves
We respond to things like: “Miss Cathy!” being yelled enthusiasitically (and with a degree of bewilderment) in the grocery store
We inwardly groan when a child comes in with an action figure, or with McDonalds because they “didn't have lunch yet”
We are often heard to say the phrase: “Use your words” as mantra
We usually know when problems at home have started, even before a parent tells us
We know how to make a bathroom accident seem like absolutely no big deal
Some of us know we don't look very graceful getting up from sitting on the floor anymore, but we know that that's not what's important
We love velcro and we love the dollar store
We instintively know when a child is about to put a serving spoon in their mouth
We usually have a tissue on hand
We go home very tired at the end of the day, but usually happy
As a group, we tend to have a genuine love for life and fun, and appreciate that quality in children. We know that we do is important
Usually Teacher Yanni will do this with Bryant...
“Jesus loves _____”
And Bryant will have to reply by saying “Bryant”
Sometimes Teacher Yanni can say so many times and there can be no reply from him. Haha!
It actually started years back where I been telling Bryant “Jesus loves Bryant” whenever I get to have personal time with him. Don't know since when, I told myself if there only one thing that I want Bryant to know and remember, that will be “Jesus loves Bryant”. =)
The above statement was made by one of my lecturers in the recent module...
Are we guilty of it? Are you guilty of it? Am I guilty of it?
Are you/Am I a “murderer” of any child or children's sense of wonder & curiosity?
Some of the illustrations given by the lecturer...
“Teacher! Teacher! There is a butterfly!”
“Ya...” * stop there once replied without expression and no element of surprise *
“Teacher! Teacher! You see, rainbow!”
“Ok lahz, never see rainbow before is it? Do your work! Do your work!”
Guess with that kind of replys from teachers/adults, we have just become “murderer” because we may have just kill the sense of wonder & curiosity in them! =/
I supposed we didn't do it on purpose but most of the time is due to the lack of one thing that never seem to be enough – time! And for us teachers, we have our term syllabus to cover, so much works for the children to finish so some time we have no choice but to overlook certain things.
We should use every opportunities to develop EVERY aspects of the child. =)
“Teacher! Teacher! There is a butterfly!”
~ be like a child, treat it as your first time seeing a butterfly too ~
“Wowow! Is a butterfly!”
~ don't just stop there... build up children's language skills and knowledge ~
“Look at the wings of the butterfly! Can you tell me what did you see?” etc etc
“Teacher! Teacher! You see, rainbow!”
~ set aside all the tonnes of worksheet, set aside all the piles of syllabus .. spare just some time for them to enjoy the nature ~
Wow! Rainbow! Can you all tell me what are the colours you can find in a rainbow? etc etc
Water play for children @ Jacob Ballas Children's Garden during the school camp...
Cher Lim, don't be a “murderer” in 2009! =)
Last night met one of my ex-kindergarten students on my way back home.
Not any other student, he is one of the students who I showed favouritism (super obvious) to when he was under my care. Haha! =p
Just when the mum asked him, “do you remember her”.
The boy turned back, nodded his head with a =) and replied, “Yanni Mdm”.
Wowow... I was so touched! It been 2yrs since he graduated.
As the previous kindergarten that I used to teach in is located @ Serangoon (thus most of my ex-students all stay in the same area as me) so very often whenever I go central, on and off I will see my ex-students.
There is a shop that is “operated” by one of my ex-students' mum and very often I will see my ex-student there too. Oh man! She is soooooooo tall, guess in no time she will be taller than me! Haha!
=) Personally I would think teaching is not just a job that is physically tiring but also at times emotionally & mentally. Of course not totally caused by the children, but guess also the expectations from parents and the pressure from management etc etc.
BUT no doubt the sense of fulfillment is great! And it can be pretty encouraging that after a few years, you get to meet your ex students and glad to know that they still remember you. =)
“Nothing can shake my love for God & God's love for me!”
Amt A or Amt B?
In the end... I gave Amt B! Though is not a lot compared to the “average” of what a salaried person give but nevertheless for my current situation, it really @@ to me!
No doubt last week been packed and tiring but all worth it!
Awesome time in His presence and of course empowered by His Word shared by so many great preachers!
It been an awesome & awesome & awesome Asia Conference! =)
*shout it out* I am so proud to be a child of God, I am so proud to be in Asia, I am so proud to be a member of City Harvest Church! =)
Money, Power, Fame should not be our destination ... but the means to GLORIFY GOD!
There were a couple of sessions during the Asia Conference that I actually queued alone and sat alone. Maybe to you, that's nothing but to me is a little something! Haha! Guess if is normal weekly service is still fine but when it comes to this kind of mega event, it can be pretty “awkward” when everyone in pairs or groups and I am alone. =/
Of course my cg members were around but guess cause we didn't purposefully arrange to meet etc thus everyone everywhere but thank God for the “boldness” (haha!) and the “trainings” I received at normal weekly services where I often have to sit alone as I come late from class. =/
Though at times I do miss being in a ..... cg but one of the many things I learned in a ministry cg I guess is independency which can be good of course. =)
Most importantly... am really impacted by Asia Conference 2008!
Looking forward for Asia Conference 2010!
they have the phrases to make me laugh.. they have the stunts to make me “erupt”.. they have the gestures to make me smile.. they have the looks that melt my heart.. they have the abilities to amaze me.. they have the patterns to make me nag.. they are Cher Lim's ANGELS!!!
@ the graduation ceremony weeks back, it brought warmth to my heart whenever I see the K2 graduands in their gown & mortar. I have graduated another batch of children... been with this batch since 2007 .. going to miss them! =)
to ALL my angels, Cher Lim loves you!!! =)
is the END...
It been a good solid 11months of 4 terms of 10 weeks in C_n_a_ Kindergarten. Had great time with children and colleagues. Of course there were moments with the children that made my blood pressure went up but there were also more moments that brought =) to me.
That's the end of Time with Child J, the boy who has the power to make Cher Lim =) and =(
Catch him next year when he will be in K2... oooohhhhh nnnnoooooo
J's PoWeR #34 (3 stars)
* during written work time *
Cher Lim: Hey Child J, go and rewrite your name and your date
Child J: But why?
Cher Lim: It is so untidy!
Child J: It is Friend JN's fault!
Cher Lim: ??
Child J: Friend JN made me think about toys!
* another half of the children who were done with their work were playing toys *
Cher Lim: But why you think about toys when you doing your work?
Child J: My mind cannot breakthrough, I always think nonsense things
Cher Lim: * tried not to laugh * You mean toys are nonsense? Ok! Then later you dont play with it
Child J: Oh! I never think properly
Cher Lim: So is toy nonsense?
Child J: No...
* a while later *
Cher Lim: What if later you shout again?
Child J: I wont one... I sit beside you ok?
Cher Lim: Oh no! Later what if you shout at me?
Child J: I wont ok... I promise... I wont shout at teacher
Cher Lim: Really, why?
Child J: Teachers are important you know
Cher Lim: ... ... ...
J's PoWeR #35 (3 stars)
* while waiting for dismissal ... Cher Lim was with Child J to continue her nagging after the incident that Child J was rude to the teacher *
Cher Lim: You know if you like that like that and like this like this...
Child J: * sat down QUIETLY as Cher Lim nagged *
Cher Lim: * find it a bit strange * Child J, do you understand?
Child J: * nodded his head * Cher Lim, I... want to pass motion
Cher Lim: * flipped * (maybe you can guess why is Child J so still when Cher Lim nag... haha)
J's PoWeR #36
* Child J was struggling a little to finish his bowl of macaroni ... claimed that he is full*
Child J: * burp * Cher Lim, you see! I burped.
Cher Lim: Ok~~
Child J: * serious look * Is... Is a warning! Is a warning that my vomit is coming.
Cher Lim: * flipped *
* at the end of the day, Child J managed to finish his bowl of macaroni WITHOUT vomiting *
J's PoWeR #37
* Child J was found digging and digging and mumbling to himself *
Cher Lim: Child J, what happened?
Child J: My file...
Cher Lim: Where is your file?
* sounded angry as this is not the first time Child J left his file @ home or in the school bus *
Child J: * continue digging and mumbling *
Cher Lim: * walked over * Child J, where is your file?
Child J: Aiya... The more I come to school, the more my things disappear
Cher Lim: @@! * started her nagging session *
J's PoWeR #38
* during written work *
Cher Lim: Child J, what is 7-6?
Child J: * write down 1 then mumbled to himself * Wow! I know the answer!
Cher Lim: * looked at him *
Child J: Because just now I concentrate!
Cher Lim: =)
Perfect 7! =) That's the end of 2008 NeW cHiLDrEn'S tAlK. Catch up the new edition in 2009!
sCeNe #29 (2 stars)
* during lesson time .. exploring the sight word “most” *
Cher Lim: * out of fun * Children, so who do you think talks the most loudest in class?
~ children started pointing at their friend/s ~
* Cher Lim goes on few “questions” that are rather “negative” and for almost all the questions the children's first response was to point at their friends *
Cher Lim: Haha! Ok ok... Children, who do you think is the most good student in the class?
~ without much thinking, the children immediately pointed at themselves ~
... true story! I must admit that I'm shocked by their reaction. When is negative, they quickly point at their friends but when is positive, they IMMEDIATELY point at themselves. Haha!
sCeNe #30
* two days after concert *
Cher Lim: * post-concert event where children shared about how they feel about their dances *
... ... ... ... ... ...
Cher Lim: * praise, thumbs-up, encouragement * I have prepared something for all of you because I think all of you did a great job! Eventhough it may not be very perfect but I know all of you did your best etc etc
Child K: What is perfect?
Cher Lim: * explained the definition of perfect *
Child N: * out of a sudden * Nothing is perfect, no one is perfect, only God is perfect!
Cher LimL @@! Amen! =) Children, let's carry on!
SceNe #31
* snack time *
Child V: * after her 2nd bowl of porridge * Cher Lim, can I don't eat the porridge already? I'm full.
* shortly after *
Friend A: Child V, you want biscuit?
Child V: Cher Lim, can I take Friend A's biscuit?
Cher Lim: ??? I thought you say you full already?
Child V: * smile * I'm full from porridge, not full from biscuit.
Cher Lim: * flipped *
sCeNe #32
* strike a cascual conversation with a 5yr old boy who is in K2 class *
Cher Lim: Child L, so where is mummy now?
Child L: Hospital
Cher Lim: Oh! Mummy & baby sister yet to go home still?
Child L: No...
Cher Lim: Did you went to visit mummy?
Child L: Yes... one time
Cher Lim: Oh! Then how about daddy?
Child L: Yes...
Cher Lim: So daddy accompany mummy in the hospital?
Child L: No...
Cher Lim: Oh! Then who accompany mummy? The nurses? Will mummy feel sad?
Child L: No... She has the bed
Cher Lim: ???
sCeNe #33
* just before dismissal ... Cher Lim was “going through” the letters with the children *
Cher Lim: This.. That.. This and that..
Child V: Cher Lim, hmm.. hmm.. hmm..
* class turned complete silence ... waiting for her to finish her sentence *
Child V: Hmm.. Hmm.. Hmm..
Cher Lim: * waiting patiently *
* class burst out laughing *
ps: true story ... you should “see” how Child V hmm hmm hmm
There's couple of things that brought tears to my eyes this week, here are few of them..
“Cher Lim, this is for you! Thank you for your patience over my this naughty grandson! You don't give me anything back in return ar, I will angry one ar!”...
“You been with him for 2years already ar, you know, he listened to you! I also headache with him at home ar. Thank you ar!”
* speechless * “Is my pleasure!” said and smiled Cher Lim
The mum of a K2 boy who was absent for a week called, just when I thought is it going to be complain...
“Hello Cher Lim, I am Child S' mummy ar. You wait ar, Child S wants to talk to you”
“Ok ok!”
“Hello Cher Lim, I miss you!” * sounded rather sick *
“Hi Child S, I miss you too! How are you”
* conversation went on *
Just this morning, Child L's grandma personally made a trip to the school to give all the staff a treat to curry puffs. =)
As Child S was sick for more than a week thus he missed the entire last week of school and at the request of Child S who misses everyone & everything in school, the parents brought him to school to bid the last farewell. He passed me a card and later I know from the mum that everything was written by him and the thing to note is that actually all along Child S' handwriting can be rather you know you know but this time he wrote it so nicely! Mum said Child S really sat down to write and draw the flower.
Out of a class of 23, 10 were sick. Out of a class of 16, 5 were sick. Out of 2 teachers who taught both the classes, both were sick (that include myself)... sad that this is the “way” the children going to end their last week of school.
Am given two days mc but guess will need to head back school tomorrow cause got piles of stuffs to give back to children. =)
I'm hot! =p As in feeling feverish and also down with sore throat... it seem like every last week of the school term I will not feel well. It was like that during the last week of Tern 3 and now is happening in the last week of Term 4. Too stress? Too excited for the coming holiday?
This is the LAST week of school term and as always, the last week of each term will always be busy, busy and BUSY. And for the last term of the school year, is like x2 busier (despite the end of concert). =)
Arrange timings/stuffs for Parents-Teachers-Meeting, children's report book, make sure children finish off all outstanding works, to compile their whole term of works, to prepare a little gift for the children etc. In the midst not forgetting my course's lesson and assignment that are due this weekend.
Today is just the beginning of the busy week...
Dear Healer, strengthen me as I go through this busy week. Make me strong and not fall sick. =) Amen!
