Happenings - 2

22 Sept
SOT Graduation 2012
A day where I was overwhelmed with memories.
The 6mths. The moments with God. The times with friends.
Felt a lot especially while singing "In Christ alone..."

Congrats girls!!! So proud of you two for a good 7mths race!!!
Continue to go strong for Jesus! Jiayou Jiayou!
Shine for Jesus in whatever you do at wherever you at!

"Ongoing"
Kopi-timesss and satisfy-the-craving timesss with Miss Loo
Though sometimes due to our schedule, we only meet for a quick bite or short chat but guess what's important is the quality and not the quantity

Personally for me, sometimes our meetup can be after a busy/tired day at work. Think there was once I met her after a moody day in school.
And with all these, I don’t need a party to cheer up or a glass of red wine to perk up or to pour out unhappiness but rather… just a simple time of fellowship with a friend. I constantly thank God for her! 

to be continued...

Happenings - 1

What have I been up to in the month of September?

1 Sept
Teachers’ Day celebration @ Rayz

3 Sept to 6 Sept
Back to school during the holiday to prepare for Term4.

6 Sept
Managed to squeeze time to meet Pst for lunch.
More than the craving for steamboat, I really appreciate her effort (despite the traveling) and time to spend time with me.
ps: too busy eating thus didn’t managed to take photos… hehe! 

15 Sept
Lunch with XiaoBing & Monica to celebration their SOT graduation.
They even prepared gifts (one of them handmade) for me... so sweet!

 

16 Sept
Eddie & Meiyan’s big day
Had the privilege to be one of the entourages.
I was almost in tears when she, in the beautiful gown marched out with her husband. 

Get to know her in JAMs. Think I know her since I was like 15yrs young?
She played a big role in my early days.
She literally witnessed the different stages/changes in my life.
From a wallpaper to now a talkative one… From schooling to now working… From a backstage to now on the stage person etc etc…

She was, she is and she will always be my “Yan Jie”.
Yes, you are right… that’s how the term “Ni Mei” which you still hear it now came from.

That’s is why seeing her happily married just brought tremendous joy to me. I am soooooooo happy for her. 

 
22 Sept
Jinzhi & Joey’s big day

Ah Zhi!!!!
My hao peng you yearsssss!
My ex “normal” cg member!
(still remembered how “anti-social” he was, wearing a cap and stood alone in the church bus)!
My bus helper in W5!
My ministry friend in JAMs!
One of my kakis!
My current ministry cg member!

So happy for him that he found himself a good wife. 

Not forgetting meeting my ex cg members!
So happy to see and catch up with all of them!

Decided

Choice A or Choice B or Choice C
I know whichever I choose, I will still toss and turn.

There was an unexpected twist to the situation hence what I hope for was not approved.
So "Choice A" made.

Is it a right move?! Will I regret?! Am I at peace?!
Seriously speaking, till now… I also don't know.

But for now, I just want to put everything aside and focus first on remainder moments.

A or B or C

The moment for me to decide on “Choice A or Choice B” happened today but thank God for the grace period where I’m given few more days before I give my answer. Actually I’m quite prepared and expected “that” to be offered so was quite surprised to know “this” was offered instead.

I really need to consider and reconsider. Felt the affecting factors are not so much on what been offered but other aspects.

After the moment, when I was left alone... fear just creep in.
And suddenly felt uncertain about what lies ahead. =(

Gotta be calm.. Gotta be at peace..
Gotta learn to self-encourage..
It must be an answer that I will not regret.

ps: my apology to my faithful blog readers.. for now, you have to read it as "parable"

10

Blink blink blink… 10weeks of Term 3 gone - to me, this is the fastest term so far. Too many school and public holidays? 
Too many school events?

And now the final last term of 10 weeks is starting soon. 
It will be a busy term and guess an “emotional” term too as my two classes of angels will be graduating and moving on to next phase of their education.

Beside the regular curriculum (which may get “deeper”), some other highlights/to-do…

+ Visits/Peer sharing (often impromptu)
 
+ Visitation
- last lap.. whew~~~ 

+ Submission of visitation reports

+ 2nd Parent-Teacher-Meeting

+ Child's portfolio (just by thinking about, I’m already sweating.. haha!)
- a child's portfolio consists of his/her development/progress since beginning of the year, photos and activity sheets to support
- select photosss out of the many photosssssssss
- sort out the piles of activity sheet

+ Science Ctr 
- gotta really squeeze time to go as often as possible as the children need to finish their observation booklet before they graduate

+ IMPORTANT annual (GRAND) event, YEAR-END CONCERT & GRADUATION CEREMONY
- gotta search/decide on costumes
- the most headache will be the measurements/sizes and making orders
- gotta come out with dance steps/formation (double sweat) 

+ Concert practices/rehearsals
- trainings will take place immediately when school reopens 
- it may get intense when the concert dates draw near
- more "expectations" from the K2 as being the graduating classes, they have more items

Woohoo!!! 
Miss Lim gotta be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually ready! Especially when gearing up for school concert. 
Miss Lim JIAYOU JIAYOU!!!

In the midst of the busyness, Miss Lim also will be treasuring every single moment with her angels.

A or B

It will be a tough decision… 
Guess there bound to have joy and sadness whether Choice A or B.

Probably in couple of weeks time, “The Question” will be post and “The Decision” will have to be out.

One Year

Just within this year, many of our foreign SOT teammates came back Singapore. Been almost a year since our graduation - though our friendship been only about 2yrs (or less) but seeing each other felt like seeing “old-time pals”. 

Not all our foreign teammates are back yet, we are still waiting.

Every meetup that we had here whether short while or over days had been fantastic. It had been fruitful too where not it was not just a time where we managed to get updates of each other’s life but also once-close-heart is now “open”.

In Feb, Jill and her friend Antyia..

In Apr, Jialing.. 

In July, Mary and Grace.. 

Most recent in Aug, Yoginna.. 

 

Whether they were here for few days, a week or a month… few of us, the local teammates made it a point to meet them up. Though it can be quite “disappointing” to see some responses but definitely heartwarming when different ones made effort to meet despite last minute notice or some even being sick/very tired. 

“It takes two hands to clap…”
Treasure every friendship I have with all friends made in SOT - whether local or foreign.

responsible VS irresponsible

On MC today, the first “official” of the year… as in I really use it. 
Was given a day of MC earlier this year, around late Term1/Term2 but I didn’t use.  This time the Dr actually wanted to give two days but I told him one day will do.

Was unwell on Sat and despite a bottle of liang cha + 10hrs of sleep on Sun, I still don’t feel good on Mon but still pulled myself to work, with the thoughts that gotta be around to push out stuff and also has two visitations which were prearranged with parents who may have make special arrangement.

Though was in “with energy no energy” mode but I thank God that He sustained me throughout the entire day, the teaching hours and one school visitation (one cancelled).

But today’s really cant help it but to activate the MC.

One of my teacher-friends ever mentioned that many times though the teacher is sick, he/she will still want to go to school - whether is it for children or the pressure of syllabus or even due to the manpower.

Haha! Are we teachers being responsible or irresponsible here?

Children are Children

Some common statements…
“the children now are different from the children in the past…”
“is a challenge to teach little children…”
“the children nowadays are hard to discipline…”
Agree and Disagree.

Very often, my little ones have the ability to make me smile simply just by looking at them - their looks, actions, reactions, conversations...
Seriously speaking, in my years of teaching, I have never experience a hard-to-discipline child or child that is out-of-my-control.

I just cant help it but to laugh (loudly in my heart) whenever I see my children “freak out” after just a stare from me or “fidgeting with fear” when I’m talking to them after they did something wrong or peeking at me whether I’m looking as they want to talk/play with their friends.

This kind you must really see the children’s expression live. Haha!
With this, I always find it a "challenge" to hard-discipline them cause most of the time their innocent and adorable face will just melt my heart.

I wont say that I am fierce or good in discipline children but rather believe that most of the children (at least in preschool) accept and respect authority. Very often we will hear from parents that the children value our words more than theirs.

Putting discipline aside, I’m glad that despite of all this, the children don’t find their Miss Lim unapproachable. They are smart, they know when to play with Miss Lim and when not.

I love “working” with children!
May this love and passion never die off…

-_-

Not too sure due to work load or just tired, been lacking the joy at work.
Requirementsss? Expectationsss? 
No matter which, I thank God is never the children!
I always enjoy every moment with them.

Smile Miss Lim Smile! 

Multi-Roles

“Being an early childhood teacher requires you to be willing to wear many hats.” Saw this quote from one website.

Some says preschool teachers are like nanny, caregivers, babysitters…
Some says preschool teachers are an important character in the life of a child… What say you?

I say… A teacher. An educator.
One who facilitates. One who scaffolds.

After an incident late recently, I would like to add - Policewoman! Haha!
A “big” incident that happened between two children.
Both Principal Tan and myself conducted “investigation” on involved and witnesses. Chance given and advised to be more careful.

Together with Principal Tan and VP Tan, I had a session to “wrap up” with one of the parents. After which I conducted “counseling” and “lecture” to entire class. Thank God the case closed in peace.

With that, it got me thinking - a teacher’s job is more than just during the school hours. There are couple of things we need to do/look into even after school hours.

Since mid Term1, I have been msging Child L’s mum everyday to give a daily summary of what been done in school, what the Child had for snack and Child’s update - as to assist Child L’s early intervention.

When Child CS was hospitalized… a trip made to visit. 
When Child CY’s brother’s was hospitalized… follow-up need to be done (still ongoing). When parents msged after school hours… as much as possible to reply promptly. 

Not forgetting the visitation we have to make after school hours.
Minimum one or maximum three in a day.
Was just telling my colleague recently… is one thing to visit, is another to put the visitation in words in our visitation report.

It is Time!

Thank God for a great success to our school’s annual event, Sports Day.

And for the first time this year, we had "Fun"-Raising as well. 

Putting aside the games, the most challenging should be the "Fun"-Raising. I have lost count to when it was first started?
Maybe since late Term 1 but intense was from late Term 2.

First, the Art and Craft masterpieces.. which probably started the earliest.
There are items like “Jellyfish”, “Photo Frame” and “Clay Ornament”. And all these items have little details that can be pretty “challenging” to be accomplished

Some of the process of making the "Jellyfish"..

 

As much as the masterpieces were done by children, there bound to be little final touch by us. Being in the upper level, I don’t have the an Assistant Teacher thus most of it were done by me over days/weeks. And over here, I’m talking about ~50 children.

Things started to heat up when Sports Day approaches.
I have to tally the Art and Craft masterpieces to make sure that every child has all. If there absentees, we have to find time for them to make and the whole procedure will start again. After which will be packing everything together in one plastic and labeled the price on. 

Next, the books - the most challenging and stress
The children went from draft to draft.. wrote, drew and colored. 

Some of the books on "Grandparents" and "National Leaders"..
Writers/Illustrators: Children

Next, the teacher’s job!
Same, we have to ensure every child has a contribution to either one of the books.
 
Prior before.. photos-taking, photos-sorting, photos-selection for the Science Activity Book. 

Though the process was tiring, very tiring.. and is not the end yet, post-activities will be sorting out the $$, follow-up with the children and trip to St XXXX Hospital. 

But guess everything was paid off when you see how proud the parents were on their children. And not forgetting the smiles and excitement on the children’s faces when their parents make their purchase - they having to raise their own $$$ for charity. 

2012 Children's Talk #2

#6
* halfway through Cher Lim's short and censored sharing of Jesus' crucifixion *
Child A: Cher, you don't say anymore, I'm going to cry.. (not in tone of fear but sadden Jesus went through the pain)
Child X: Cher, those who beat Jesus, are the soldiers from Toy Story?

#7
Child E: Miss Lim! You have voice today already!
Miss Lim: Yes, Miss Lim definitely sound better today.
Child P: Jesus healing you!
Miss Lim: Amen! It is because all of you prayed for me yest.
Child S: Yes! I also prayed for you at home.
Miss Lim: Thank you children!

#8
* in Nursery *
Mrs Q: Children, today we have a new addition to our “Insects Family”
Children: * excited look *
Mrs Q: See, it is a baby cockroach
Children: Wow!
Child V: * in her ang-moh-strong-acent tone * Eeeks, I don’t want to see that monster
* Mrs Q & Mrs O burst out laughing *

#9
Miss Lm: Child G, where is your form for the eye-check?
Child G: * shock look * I… I put inside my file already
Miss Lim: And then where is it now?
Child G: I put inside my file but now gone
Miss Lim: @@!

#10
Miss Lim: What are some examples of “Occupation”?
Children: * silent *
Miss Lim: Ok, some examples are like “Doctor”, “Nurse”, “Fireman”, “Policeman”…
Child P: * serious look * Batman!

#11
Laoshi: Children, where did you all go during June holiday?
Child S: Thailand!
Child E: We go Australia!
Child W: I go Malaysia!
Child Q: I also go Malaysia!
Child B: I… I go Ang Mo Kio

New Term

“Not Enough ah!!!” describes the feeling when the school holiday is ending in a week time. Haha! 

A new school term awaits.
2nd semester. Term 3. 10 weeks.
Gonna be a events-packed and agenda-packed term.

Things will start to kick off immediately during first week of school, in preparation for the Sports Day at the second week.

One of the school’s grand annual events - Sports Day
This is the first year we will be including Fund-Raising where the children will be “selling” their artpieces and the money they earn will go to St Xxxx Hospital.

Being the first time and also one of our projects thus there are quite some work to be done before, during and after. One of it will be documentation and later to prepare the children for a follow-up trip to St Xxxx Hospital to present the money and the gifts.

Another highlights - Best _______ Award
In view of this, K2 are selected to be involved thus when school reopens, Mrs M Low and I have to give our children “intense training”.
And looking our time-table, we have to give up our break time to assist each other. All of these will take place immediately after Sports Day. 

Next highlight - Graduation Ceremony cum Concert.
Another grand (the grand-est) annual event of the school.

Once the songs are selected, we have to think of the dance steps/formations and of course to find time to teach the children.
And being the graduation class, there are slightly more involvements like graduation ceremony and graduation items.

Other ongoing matters will be home visitation. 

Even before school starts, I already have 3 appointments fixed. 
Term 3 will be the term that most teachers will go all out as to free up Term 4 to give attention to concert which include looking/setting costumes and accessories etc.

Term 3 will also be the term that academic will get slightly "heavy" and there will be certain level of expectations, from parents or from school thus “pressure” will be on.

Enjoy your last week of holiday, Miss Lim! 

And then gear yourself up for the new term!   

Opps!

Found this video while looking through the videos.

It was taken by one of my teammates during SOT Preaching Test. 

Those shaking legs ... ... ... was mine! Haha!

You see, it was just before my turn to preach. =p

My Birthday - Final

Just when I thought my actual birth-day was a beautiful end, I was taken by SURPRISE the moment I reached home.

I was led to fb and that’s when I saw a video… specially dedicated to me!
Never in my entire life have I ever expect a video for myself.

As I watched on, tears and smiles were all over my face.
Words just cant describe how I feel… Like what Sun said in her twitter, “who am I and what have I done to deserve all this?“

Overwhelmed with lots and lots and lots and lots of LOVE!
All the messages and all the videos meant so much to me!

The touching birthday messages via words and videos from beloved Team8 members.

The special and precious appearance by the friends of Batangas!
I’m so so so so so so touched by the effort they went! 

The never-expect appearances by Justin, Weiching, Yowei and Little Yian! The guest appearances by Pst Lily and Pst Pang with his wife!

Special thanks to the woman behind… from sending to collecting to editing to compiling! 

23 May
Was treated to a table full, literally full of Japanese feast.

Special thanks to my Principal, my mentor, my Level Head, my Laoshi  and my co-partner!
Appreciate all your love and thoughts! 

  
24 May
A dinner with Pst’s zone… for Ivan’s advance and my belated birthday.
It was indeed heartwarming to see so many came. We had a great  fellowship.

Beside the treat, I was blessed with a cool-looking card and love gift.
Thank you Pst and everyone in the zone!
Appreciate all your presence and presents!

26 May
A yearly-affair, birthday dinner with my kakis!
We have lost count of the number of years we been celebrating for each other. Though we may not meet up as often as before but whenever it comes to birthday, everyone will definitely make time out.

It was a pleasant dinner UNTIL I was called by the “Hooters”.
As I was super uncooperative, they only sang me a birthday song and off I ran off the “stage”. Guess I’m no longer that young for this kind of “fun”.

Nevertheless thank you beloved kakis for your presence and precious.
I really got a shock when I opened up the love gift from you guys! 

28 May
The final birthday date for me - dinner with Zen.
Was treated to a fishy dinner before we set off for movie.

Glad to have a friend like her.
Guess our friendship only started “taking off” this year, appreciate her effort to ask me out for dinner and to la kopi. 

Thank you Zen for the treat and your friendship! 

My Birthday - Part 2

18 May

Celebration in school where both sessions of children and staff sang me birthday song during assembly. Throughout the day was also blessed with food, presents and cards from little and big angels. 

Thank you everyone in school! 

Overwhelmed by all your love! 

 

 

In the night, met up Mr Loo and Miss Loo free flow Xiao Long Bao + steamboat! It was a very-satisfied and very-full one.
Great fellowship. Always enjoyed myself hanging around with them.

Thank you Loos!
Really appreciate your love, time and thoughts!
Not forgetting your birthday song @ 12am!
I’m surprised and touched indeed! 

19 May 

My day started with a self-declared break from JAMs.. Hehe! 

Was asked out by Miss Loo, felt strange though I thought it was just for lunch. She then made known the "purpose" and brought me to choose my present from two designs pre-selected by her and Mr Loo. 

Felt so paiseh to make them spent another big BOMB. 

Really appreciate their effort in doing "homework" and the extra miles they went in search for my present.

Not just that, this very generous Miss Loo gave me a treat at one of my favorite makan places, Seoul Yummy! Another bomb spent. 

I'm seoul so seoul blessed! Once again, thank you Miss Loo and Mr Loo... from the very deep bottom of Miss Lim's heart. 

Then was blessed with a Massage Rabbito from Fifi and the famous Lao Ban from Zoe Jie.

After a great service, went for an impromptu-dinner with some CG members. Really didn’t “expect” anything cause just wanted a simple after-service-dinner. But nevertheless they did - a treat + a cake.

Thank you all for the thoughts and treat!
Appreciate all your love and friendship!