sChOoL dAySssSs

confirm & guarantee

I’m halfway through week 11...

Hmm… should be having my R&R + break from teaching BUT BUT due to the change from kindergarten to schoolhouse aka childcare, won't get to enjoy school holiday. =(

Probably cause I’m too used to working in kindergarten - having a break after a term of 10 weeks which somehow I find it quite necessary, to rest/replenish etc.

I need a break~~~

Still on the other hand, thank God for “leave” which I will get to enjoy next week.

helpful helperSSSS

Warning! Not a short entry but worth reading!
Special entry dedicated to Teacher Yanni's W5 students! =)


For myself in JAMs, beside getting appreciated, I will also take a little time to appreciate some of my bus students. Previously I got them something simple, a “card stand” with simple wordings.

This year will be necessary again - probably a treat or small gift.

Most of my bus students are pretty matured (in age, understanding level etc) so I can always entrust them with responsibilities.
Long ago, few of them were even being “activated” as Lift Security by our Mr Security Head.

Sometime when I’m left to do busing alone, there wouldn’t be much problem. Not because “Teacher Yanni is powerful” to manage on her own but rather she has a group of helpful and independent students that allow everything to be easy.

Though they may never get to read this but Teacher Yanni really wants to say a big THANK YOU to Std Ch, Std Hy, Std Jo, Std Fy, Std Wj, Std Hx, Std Ld, Std Js and Std Kh.
ps: as I typed out the names, I was shocked to see “quite many?!”

Std Hy (VERY responsible to the “object” entrusted to him) & Std Ch
~ Mr Gentlemen
~ whenever they are activated to carry Std I, they will never give negative reply but “Ok no prob! I am strong!“
~ anytime Std B get out of control, they are on the standby to lend me their muscles
~ they have their sweetest side too, they really know how to make the little ones laugh their heart out using the simplest “tool”


* I got to salute them for the following - recently my bus got to fetch a new Std B who is rather old in age thus she is pretty slow when it come to walking and getting up/down the bus.

Before the bus even stops, Std Hy and Std Ch (together with Std Js) will already be standing at the door. The moment the door opened, they will always get down the bus before me (opps!). Slowly and gently they will hold Std B and walk her over and up the bus.


Std Jo - she is very helpful. Despite of her not-so-good vision, she always offer and very willing to take care of student for me.

Other than 3 gentlemen, the rest of them are ladies. Most of them have a “fixed student” to take care. Many of them will go beyond what is expected - know the routine of the "std-in-need", bring the “std-in-need” to toilet, carry them, make them laugh, watch over them etc.



This post will be super long if I post one by one but from the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate every single one of them! =)

jOkE...

Cher Lim: Child A, come here!
Child A (6 years old): Yes Cher Lim?
Cher Lim: * wants to disturb Child A * Today is the eve of Teachers’ Day, is my day. You must make me happy. Come tell me a joke!
Child A: O… Okie!

Child A: Why the police catch police? A… wait wait. I mean why the police catch the chef?
Cher Lim: =) Hmm… because the chef naughty?
Child A: No… because the chef beat the eggs
Cher Lim: Hahaha! That’s a good one! Anymore?

Child A: * thinking * Ah… what ball cannot kick?
Cher Lim: Fishball!?
Child A: No…
Cher Lim: then?
Child A: Earth! Moon!
Cher Lim: Haha! Thank you! You can go do your work already!
Child A: =) and walked away

1 SePtEmbEr

Happy Teacher’s Day! =)

This is probably my 5th or 6th year celebrating Teachers’ Day.
Times flies… I was only 19-20 years young when I first started as a relief teacher.

When I first started out, I was @@ when one of my colleagues told me she has been a teacher for 20 plus of years … in my mind I was thinking “Oh man! Will I want to teach that many years?” Hmm…

Received gifts and cards from my little angels… but is the simple wishes that warm my heart and never fails to bring a =) to me…

"Thank you for everything"
“Teacher Lim! Happy Teacher’s Day!”
“Thank you for teaching me”
“I love you!”
“Thank you for taking care of me”
“Dear Teacher Lim, I love you very much! Stay young & healthy!”

oh really???!!!

Too many “coincidence” till it got me… … … … …

because of YOU...

because of You, I was born again
because of You, I’m ransomed by Your grace
because of You, my heart has found a home
A refuge for my soul

because of You, sins are washed away
because of You, heaven knows my name
because of You, I can live again
You’ve broken every chain

because of You, the weak say “I am strong”
because of You, the broken has a song
because of You, there’s no need to fear
Hope steadfast, ever sure

Unfailing Love, so unreserved
You gave Yourself on Calvary
And now I stand, forever free
My Savior rescue me

ChEr LiM's MoMeNtS #5

mOmEnT 26
* during work time *
~ children busy chatting away *
Cher Lim: Child A, are you doing your work?
Child A: Oh… kind of.
Cher Lim: What? Kind of?

mOmEnT 27A
* class topic : something about personal hygiene *
Cher Lim: So what will happen if you don’t bath?
Children: * different replys *
Cher Lim: * listened attentively *
Child S: Will have flies?
Cher Lim: Flies?
Child S: Yes. You know ar, I played the Pet Society then if mummy and daddy and I never bath, my pet society has a lot of flies
Cher Lim: @@! Wow! You also play Pet Society on facebook?
Child S: * nodded her head *

mOmEnT 27B
* Cher S & Cher Lim talking about facebook *
Child J: My mummy also has facebook
Child A: Yes… I also have! You know hor… the farm town very fun!
Cher Lim: Haha! * children’s entertainment getting more and more happening ar *

mOmEnT 28
* children saw the newly installed shower curtain in the toilet *
Children: Cher Lim, what’s that?
Cher Lim: That is a shower curtain * explained the use of it *
Child J: Who put it there?
Cher Lim: Oh! Is Teacher S’ husband.
Children: ?????
Child J: Who is Teacher S’ husband?
Cher Lim: Hmm… Teacher S’s husband is Teacher S’ husband. Haha!
Child C: What is “husband”?
Cher Lim: Hmm… That’s mean Teacher S married to him.
Children: * ??? Look *
Child J: * very serious * They got kiss?
Children: Eeeeks…
Cher Lim: ... ... Hahaha!

mOmEnT 29
* national day celebration *
Cher Lim: Children, do you all know who founded Singapore?
Children: Don’t know…
Child Ch: Merlion!
Cher Lim: ???

mOmEnT 30A
* goodies bag was given to all from birthday boy A, everyone was happy and “guarding” their goodies bag with all their heart *

Child AV: * came up to Cher Lim out of the sudden * Na, give you…
Cher Lim: @@! For me? You want to give this chocolate to me?
Child AV: Yes…
Cher Lim: * touched, really touched * =)
Thank you! You can keep that for yourself. I really appreciate that!
Child AV: * smiled * You are welcomed!
Cher Lim: =) * made my day *

* dismissal … Cher Lim told colleagues about the touching incident *
Cher Y & Cher L came forward to get the chocolate from Child AV who was willing to give as well

* seconds later *
Cher Y: I want the chocolate!
Cher L: I want too!
Cher Lim: Child AV, give the chocolate to me!
Child AV: * stress look *

* did a smart move that impressed me … Child AV opened up the chocolate and gave each of us one … without “hurting” anyone *

mOmeNt 30B
* arrival of children *
Friend S: Cher Lim, Child AV brought biscuits!
Cher Lim: Wow!
Child AV: You see, I have three packets!
Cher Lim: Wow… that’s a lot
Child AV: One for Friend S, one for me and one for you
Cher Lim: For me?
Child AV: Yes!
Cher Lim: * touched *

* during English lesson *
Child AV: Cher Lim, for you!
Cher Lim: =)
Child AV: * “feeling” the biscuit * A… wait ar, all cracked already. I give you another

* started digging his bag for another “new” packet *
Child AV: Give you this… I take the cracked ones
Cher Lim: =) That’s so sweet of you… Thank you but is really ok, I can take the cracked ones.
Child AV: Oh… okie!

yEaRsSsss

Recently met up with my friends. =)

Some “@@” digits…
~9 years since we graduated
~12 years of friendship
Sometime it gets pretty encouraging and will bring =) to us (at least to me)…

Once we were still students, and now… …
so and so is preparing for marriage, who and who married, so and so is a mother now, so and so is doing well in their newly established business, so and so is happily enjoying life, so and so is doing well financially etc etc


Thanks Friend A, Friend C, Friend I & Friend M for the quality gift & fellowship… and of course the yearsss of friendship! =)

hAiZ...

Just saw a post made by one of my friends over @ facebook.

Haiz! If only I didn’t introduce Friend H to them…
Haiz! If only Friend H were to do a good job…

=/ Very very very disappointed with Friend H…
Guess I will never ever, never ever introduce Friend H to anyone…

* once bitten, twice shy *

aLmOsT...

A new student in nursery, adorable & smart boy - Child I
Though I don’t teach nursery but Child I know me and pretty like me actually… cause I will bring him to “places” no other teachers would want to bring him. Haha!
The way he call out "Teacher Lim" never fails to make my day! =)

Almost everyday during dismissal, he will come to me to ask me to carry him. Depending when the mum arrive, some day I can carry him for few times. =)

Just yesterday I was happily standing outside the door, waiting for parents and the next thing - I missed my step and HAD A FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* paiseh * But thank God no parent/child was around… just one of my colleagues. =p

As I was rubbing my wound, I was sooooooooooo. really soooooooooo thankful to God that during the fall, I was alone! Cause I would well be carrying Child I as the place where I missed my step is a “frequent” spot I will carry him to lookout for his mum.
* need to be extra careful + awake the next time *

Cant imagine what will happen if I were carrying him during my fall… I am going to be super duper guilty! Then I was thinking - is ok if I were to be injured but never want it to be on Child I.

=) Need to constantly pray for protection!

mOrE mOrE mOrE

"MaKe ChEr LiM dIsApPeAr!"

Previously @ my kindergarten, children will only have snack time with menu like biscuit with milo, macaroni, bread etc.
Most of it are children’s “familiar & favourite food” so no prob getting them to eat.

@ my current schoolhouse, due to some enrichment classes etc, children will have to take their lunch in school. Just this term, we started to cater food, the daily menu actually can be pretty sumptuous with a daily must-have fruit.

Few examples...
rice + sweet and sour fish, fishball + veg soup and apple
OR
rice + fish fritter, beancurd + cabbage soup and watermelon
OR
hor fun with gravy + papaya

But it can be a “challenge” to get some of the children to eat. Usually I will pray before that God will shorten my “suffering“ time. Haha!

Some common statements…
“What is this? I don’t want that!”
“I don’t want the fish”
“I don’t want the carrot”
“I don’t eat this chicken”
The most favourite line - “I don’t want veggie”

There will also be few who take 30mins to eat two spoons of rice or ten minutes to chew their food and usually I got to “remind” them to eat/chew.
Haha! No joke! You really got to see them in action (or out?).


I will have parents coming to me with different requests when it comes to their child’s eating. Understandable, that’s why as much as possible, I will try to help “fulfill” their request.

Most of the time veggie is the enemy of the children. Haha!
But thank God what’s enemy to the children @ home will not be the “enemy” to the children in school.
Somehow they don’t have the chance to be picky with Cher Lim around. Haha!

Recently…
CaSe #1
* lunch time *
Child A: Cher Lim, can… can I don’t eat the veggie?
Cher Lim: What do you think? Of course not, you got to eat. Veggie good for you.
* seconds later *
Child A: * took out his god pendant *
Cher Lim: Haha! Child A, what happened?
Child A: * smiled silently *
Cher Lim: You want to make Cher Lim disappear so you don’t have to eat veggie?
Friend V: Quick, make Cher Lim disappear!
Child A: * mumbled to himself with a cheeky look *
Cher Lim: Ding Ding! Cher Lim is still here. Please eat your veggie.
Friends: Haha!

CaSe #2
A K1 boy Child B who doesn’t like to eat veggie, will give me a “going-to-vomit” face when I ask him to eat. After a talk with the mum who said he just being picky and want me to help ensure he eats veggie in school… muahaha … of course Cher Lim will gladly help.
At first he ate the veggie unwillingly cause is Cher Lim’s instruction so no way of “negotiating“. Haha! At one time he told me “I eat the veggie already! I swallow!” Opps! But just last week before I can ask him, he told me “I love veggie!” Haha! And now you don’t really see the “going-to-vomit” face anymore.

CaSe #3
A K2 girl who often “struggle” to finish her food - not just solid food like rice but even a slice of bread.
Cher Lim: Child C, you don’t eat veggie?
Child C: I only eat carrot and broccoli
Cher Lim: Oh! Then this (pointing to her rice) is carrot.
Child C: I don’t want…
Cher Lim: Why? Is carrot too.
Child C: But different style
Cher Lim: * fainted *

=) no doubt it can be a “challenge” to see the children through their eating time but still it can be encouraging and will make my day when I see “result“…
- children who don’t eat veggie @ home attempted to eat in school
- children who used to hate veggie beginning to take the first step
- etc etc.

It may have started with “force” as Cher Lim’s instruction so no choice but you never know, they may eventually will learn to accept it.

My FiRsT tImE

I was there! I was there! I was there!
I was there at the mega event - Singapore’s 44th birthday!

To get ndp ticket can be pretty challenging … not to mention to get not the preview, not the rehearsal but for the 9th Aug!!!

Thank God for Std M & granny - I was given two tickets!
Friend Z to S to M to Friend Y, the ticket lastly went to Friend L.
(ps: just when I thought the ticket so “precious”?? Hmm…)
Woohoo! Thank God for the good seats - front & center.


Wonderful! Total different feel to watch from tv and "LIVE"!
The "warm-up" activities was fun! The happenings on stage, in the air, on the water, upclose among the audience was like x10 in size and x10 in excitement (at least to me).

I was so busy capturing all moments in my memory that I decided to put aside my camera and just enjoy "the moment". =)


ps: actually I quite like the above segment! =)
When the hosts first got us to look up, I was like "where? where!". Then the next thing when I looked up again, without seeing the helicopter, I saw 12 tiny little things coming down!



Other than the crowd (esp dismissal), all was WONDERFUL!
I wouldn’t mind going again! =p
(Met few JAMs students - two of them were telling us that they get the actual ndp tickets EVERY year! Hmm....)

To add on to the challenge of Friend L & myself to “watch over” Std M & granny in the midst of the "red sea" … halfway through the journey, granny wasn’t feeling well (really not well) and little Std M was sleepy! We were so desperate for transport that we almost wanted to call the ambulance but thank God granny was much better after few rounds of vomit. ~phew~

~ back home ~
Though tired but all in all, definitely worth it! =)

I am proud to be a Singaporean!

.......

Argghh... is "official" - I'm down!
slept early, drank water + liang cha... need to get well soon!

I have a "mega event" to attend on Sun - need to be well by then!

oNe AfTeR aNoThEr

First it was 7 out of 17 then it was 5 out of 17 … now my turn?

The "virus"? The late nightsss? The durian?
Cher Lim, more rest & more water! Cannot be sick now! Get well soon!

dPt! dPt!

=) OFFICIALLY graduated with Diploma in Preschool Teaching

Just got back my practicum folder recently - “passed with merit”
Am very happy with the result!

Thank God for the 1.5years!

Will get the "hardcopy" of the cert @ the graduation ceremony two months later...

I aM sO pRoUd To Be In ChC

CHC - Dreams Are Realized, Success Is Celebrated
CHC celebrated 20th anniversary last weekend… =)
Wow… awesome 20years! Definitely more awesome years ahead!

For myself………
- joined CHC 11 years ago … no regret since then
… years back I was asked by one of my aunties to join her church. No matter how persistence she was, I was also very firm to say no

- the first service I went was @ Hollywood Theatre
- went with 3 cousins (sad to say, I am the only “survivor”)

It is @ CHC where I experienced true joy & peace, encountered God’s presence, met great friends, get a chance to do things I never imagine I can do, self-esteem/confidence increased … the list can go on and on

I am very thankful to God for placing me and to be a part of this awesome family in this awesome City Harvest Church! =)


@ the celebration last weekend…
The early wake, the short hours of sleep, the wait was ALL WORTH IT.
I left with many “wowowow”… by
- the presence & love of God
- the sacrifices by the pioneers of CHC (esp Pst Kong & Sun)
- the great testimonies of pioneers … they started full in their heart but empty in their pocket but they are not just full in their heart, they are definitely full in their pocket
- the generosity/excellence of CHC
- etc etc etc

tHeY rOcK~~

Yummy food + Cooly café + Awesomely friends
Been a while since we last catch up with each other.
Is =) to know that so and so is doing well in life, so and so is so blissful, so an so this and that.

iTcHy

Without much thinking, I clicked "confirm" ... arggghhhh ... my links & tagboard disappeared!

Only intention was just to change the blogskin but ... haiz ... thank God all entries still "survived".

With the help of few IT-able friends, managed to save my blog.
Give me some time to give my blog some makeup and make it alive again! Haha!

RoBoTs

Creative Inventors : K2 children

cHiLdReN’s ABC - Kk & Ll

1 2 3, 3 2 1 sTaRt

How‘s Term 3 for Cher Lim so far?
One word - tired
Two words - very tired
Three words - really very tired
Four words - She is so tired
* guess still adjusting to the new working time & new changes *
Sound very drama ar? Haha!

BUT BUT BUT moments with children been awesome!
Don’t know how to describe but overall just felt something different. Like in the area of children’s discipline/conduct, children’s attitude/ability towards work etc etc etc

They matured over the months?
The fruit of our months of “discipline + training”? =)

Cher Lim's angels ROCK big time~~~

ChEr LiM's MoMeNtS #4

mOmEnt 18 (2 stars)
A brief introduction of the main character, Child J
- a K2 child who is very smart, both academically and you know you know. Not only does he plays PSP or computer games, he also go on Youtube to watch videos! Yes, your eyes didn’t play trick on you - a K2 boy visit Youtube for videos!

With the influence from the tv, the videos, the computer games … Child J picks up words easily/quickly - some powerful ones, some chim ones BUT some unpleasant ones.

Some of the words that he uses pretty often are like ‘s_u_id’ and ‘s_it’ and the most “amazing” to me is ‘what the‘…

Just few days ago…
* during spelling time *

Child J: Cher Lim, will you mark my number 7 (sentence) correct if I spell wrongly?
Cher Lim: Hmm… probably no… You must get all the words correct
Child J: * look at his own spelling* Oh… Holy God!
Cher Lim: @@! @@! @@! * shocked big time * What did you say?
Child J: … … …
Cher Lim: I know God is holy but … … … … * started her nagging session, she knows she just need to stop/correct Child JW *
Child J: Then can I say "Oh my God"?
Cher Lim: ... ... * fainted *

mOmEnT 19
Child C: Cher Lim, just now Friend A did this and that to Friend B.
Cher Lim: * busy * Ok can! I will go talk to them later.
Child C: Really you know. I never bluff one.
Cher Lim: * listened attentively *
Child C: Really, I don’t bluff people * paused a sec * I only trick people.
Cher Lim: * flipped *

mOmEnT 20
* fruit for the day during snack time = banana*
Cher Lim: Child C, do you want some banana?
Child C: I don’t want…
Cher Lim: Why? You don’t like?
Child C: I am not monkey…
Cher Lim: … … … * flipped*

mOmEnT 21
* during tea break *
Cher Lim: * put the plate of bread and cup of milk in front of Child T * Come Child T, you can take your snack now.
Child T: Hmm…
Cher Lim: You can start to eat already.
Child T: Eat the bread?
Cher Lim: * jokingly * If not? You want to eat the plate?
Child T: * laugh *
Cher Lim: Haha!

mOmEnT #22A
* during the orange-alert of H1N1 *
* Cher Lim talking about the importance of keeping personal hygiene *
Cher Lim: So the next time you need to cough or squeeze, please make sure you cover your mouth and nose. Do you know what will happen if you don’t cover?
Child S: You will get swine flu.
Cher Lim: Oh… nope…
* started explaining by illustrating with drawing how one can catch the flu *

mOmEnT #22B
* during snack time *
Child S: Friend E, did you bring hotdog bread today?
Friend E: Yes!
Child S: Can share with me?
Friend E: No…
Child S: You so selfish…
Friend E: Cannot share food, later got swine flu

mOmEnT 23
* waiting time *
Y Laoshi: * came in and briefly mentioned word “letter” to Cher Lim *
* seconds later *
Child A: My brother si diao (sound like die in Chinese) le… He si diao le!
Cher Lim: @@! * about to “nag” for using unpleasant word again * What did you say?
Child A: ??? My brother tear away already…
Cher Lim: * burst out in laughters * Is not “si diao” … is “si diao”
ps: hope you understand what I’m trying to say… haha!

mOmEnT 24
* lesson on creepy crawlies *
Child Y: Cher Lim, our class has lizard
Children: Yes Yes Yes…
Cher Lim: Oh! Where is it?
Child Y: Escape already…
Children: There there there…
Cher Lim: I see I see…
Children: The lizard has a name
Cher Lim: @@! Name?
Children: Cute cute
Cher Lim: Wow!

mOmEnT 25
* lesson time *
* Cher Lim writing on the board … the class SUDDENLY turned silent *
~~ poooooo ~~
Cher Lim: @@! Who is it?!?
Children: * laughing * Is Child J! Is Child S! Is her! Is him!
* the “main lead” had a shocked look *