history repeating?!?!?!

Around this season in school last year… many of our children and later staff were down.
The highest I ever encountered in my years of teaching - HALF of the class were down physically. Not just in one class but two classes.

This year seem like history is repeating… it been close to two weeks that 3 out of 4 classes has never reach full attendance, highest record of 5 absentees (with just one oversea) in a class.

Not just the children… first I was sick then just towards the end of last week a teacher and a TA were down and just today a teacher on two days mc.

Hmm… Virus? Worn-out after almost-ending term? Stress with the coming concert?

Dear Jesus, I want to lift up all my school's children and colleagues into Your loving hands... =)

=)

submitted … rejected … talk … submitted … rejected … talk ... submitted … talk ... accepted

when Cher Lim not around......

Was on the phone with one of my colleagues few days back (the first day of my mc), she told me the following…

Scene 1
* Child J and Child T had a quite bad “fight” that left marks on Child J’s hands and both crying when they left school *
* Child A went to both sobbing Child J and Child T *
Child A: Child J and Child T, you all are lucky that Cher Lim never come today if not…
Cher S: If not?
Child A: * laughed to himself *

Scene 2
Child J: Cher S, where is Cher Lim? Why she never come to school?
Cher S: Oh, Cher Lim is sick.
Child J: Oh… poor Cher Lim. I am going to draw a birthday cake on a card for her.
Cher S: Oh! Why a birthday cake? Her birthday is coming?
Child J: I don’t know… But I’m sure Cher Lim will like the birthday cake.
Cher S: =)

Back in school today… the first expression of the children when they saw me was interesting. Haha!

One of the incidents…
* Cher Lim standing at the door with her colleague *
* arrival of children from the school bus *
Child S: Cher Lim!
Cher Lim: =)
Child S: Cher Lim, you come back already?
Colleague: Oh… not yet, the one you see now is Cher Lim’s soul
Cher Lim: Haha!
Child S: ????? Why last time you never come?

recoverED

Thanks friends for your prayers, smses & well wishes! =)
I have recovered from fever.
But nose still having slow jog… I must say this is the longest I ever had for running nose, more than 3 days!!!

But want to thank God for the gooooood rest the past few days, not just one but three days!
Sleeeeep sleeeeep, don’t know is it due to the medication or … … …

I actually applied leave for the next two days as well but I guess will be informing my Principal that I want to cancel and postpone as first I MISS MY ANGELS!!! And second there are too many things to do/touch-up for school concert which is in less than a month time so think wont be able to shake legs peacefully @ home.
ps: just received a letter from KLC ... my very own Graduation Ceremony (for DPT) is happening end of this month! Wooooohoooooo!

Is going to be an awesome week ahead!!!

$$$

K2 been learning about $$$ last couple of weeks.
All along, during this period, our schoolhouse will call up a vendor who will come in his van full of tibits, fun items etc etc to the school for the children to have an experience of using $$$ to make purchase, to calculate the total/change etc etc.

This year the uncle couldn’t make it so with the intention of not wanting to disappoint the children, Cher Lim decided to create her own - Incredible Minimart.


It was quite a last minute decision thus Cher Lim only had little time to prepare. Just a day before, Cher Lim stayed behind to get stuffs printed before going to the supermarket to carefully select the items with some “standard”.
That morning, Cher Lim took a cab (as it was too early for the first bus) and carried all the items and reached school before 7am to get everything ready.

Though it was rush, though it was tiring, though it caused a hole in my pocket (haha!) BUT it was all worth it when Cher Lim see…

~ the children getting excited days before the minimart day
Informed the children to ask their parents to give them $2 on Tues for the minimart fun on Fri. And since Wed, Child J kept coming to me “Cher Lim, I can’t wait for Friday to come!” or “Cher Lim, how I wish today is Friday then I can buy things!”

~ the joy in the children after they made their purchase

down again

First it was “not enough sleep” then it was “durian feast” with colleagues…
What’s next? Yanni's symptoms of "going to be sick" surfaced.
Sore throat… Feverish… Running nose…

Yanni is sick, on mc…

yes or no??

A pretty important decision (at least to me)… should I or should I not?
A decision that I need to make soon… should I or should I not?
A decision that I wont be able to change… should I or should I not?
A decision that has pros and cons… should I or should I not?
A decision that will be with me for life… should I or should I not?
A decision that I must not/cannot regret… should I or should I not?

FiRsT tIMe...

Last week was my first… my first… my first time…
My first time… … putting on a diaper for a child.
Haha! * shy *

Recently two new boys registered at our schoolhouse and one of them is only 18-20months old. =)

It can be pretty "challenging" taking care of someone verrry young...
~ got to ensure he is always within our sight and within our reach, as he can be pretty unstable in certain areas
~ got to pat him to sleep and stay around him during nap time.
Up to now, out of the 2hrs nap, he has never cross even 1hr mark, always awake after 30mins and then we got to stay beside him until the time is up
~ got to ensure he take his milk, breakfast, lunch and poo at the right time
~ etc etc etc

But one thing for sure … … … HE IS VERY ADORABLE!!!! =)

He loves to eat… anything & everything. Opps!
One of the days, he woke up SUDDENLY from his nap… crying very badly. Just when we were thinking what happened, he shouted “No more! No more!”.
Hmm… that’s actually one of his favourite lines during snack time when he finishes his food. Hmm… I supposed he had a “delicious dream”. Haha!


Earlier one my colleagues were sharing with me one conversation among a group of ladies that she overheard.

One Lady: You know, primary school teachers like us are very fortunate. We are recognized by the MOE unlike the preschool teachers. They got to clean up the children, prepare lunch for the children, wash up the children, put the children to sleep, make milk etc… they are like maid.
Colleague: * feel the urge to turn to them to say “Excuse me…” *

Putting the term “maid” aside, there are actually pretty much of routine care we preschool teachers have to look into/take care of. But trust me, we definitely enjoy every moment of it. Just imagine how Cher Yanni enjoys herself during nap time - looking at the children entering/exiting their dreamland. =)

Probably unlike other sectors’ teachers, we preschool teachers may be easily forgotten by the little ones? How many of us actually remember who were our preschool teachers, not to mention visiting them on Teachers’ Day? Or even recognize them and say "hi" when bump into our preschool teachers?

Just a random entry... haha! =)

haizzzz...

WARNING!!! This is one negative entry!
ps: you are strongly encouraged to skip this if not just read and forget about it asap... Yanni just needed a place to "vent" her anger!!!

“it” happened in the past… blogged about "it"… somehow thought “it” been solved/over… “it” never appear for quite some time already… BUT recently “it” seem to be back…

Arggghhh! I am totally not comfortable when “it” happens! I don’t like "it"! I hate "it"!

ps: to all my concerned-friends and discernment strong-friends … pls do not try to guess or ask the exact details of this entry. Haha!

A little “deeper” into this blog & my conclusion - get your brain to work before you say something! Our tongue is a very powerful weapon, it can build up or tear down a person!

cHiLdReN's DaY

to all Cher Lim's angels ........... HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!!!! =)

a DaY oUt

I love cycling~~ I love the sea~~ I love the blue blue sky~~ I love the sun~~
I love my friends~~

sToP tHe ClOck!!!

So fast, is already Week 3!!!!!!!!!!
Hmm... term 4 seem to go by verrrrrry fast!!!!!!!!!!
I just blink blink and is already week 3!!!!!!!!!!

28 Sept… 1Oct… 15 Oct… arggghhhhh … left around 5 more weeks to CONCERT!!!!!!!!!

To add onto the busyness, being the last school term... there are many things to cover, to complete, to do, to prepare!!!!!!!!!!

Yanni, don’t be anxious! Peace!!!!!!!!!!

swEEEEEEEEEEEt

Few weeks ago, a child came to me during play time…
“Cher Lim, this is for you!”


When I was back after my two days leave…
Parent: Cher Lim, last week you never come for two days… Bxx said he miss you

Child J: Cher Lim, on our graduation day, I want to buy you and Y Laoshi something because I like you all. You all very good.

ChEr LiM's MoMeNtS #6

mOmEnT 31 (2 stars)
* eve of Teachers’ Day *
Child A: Cher Lim, you see! This present is for you and that is for Y Laoshi
Cher Lim: Wow! Thank you Child A!
Child A: Oh! I forget about this … I buy chocolate too!
Cher Lim: For us too?
Child A: Yes for the teachers! Is for all your hard work!
Cher Lim: @@! * you also know is hard work teaching you … opps!

mOmEnT 32 (2 stars)
Child L: Cher Lim, just now my friend touch my forehead and she got burnt
Cher Lim: @@! Let me check your temperature. Oh! You are having a fever!

mOmEnT 33
Cher Lim: Child C, so how was the movie “Up”?
* child C’s dad came earlier to bring her to catch the movie *
Child C: Hmm… ok but a bit dry
Cher Lim: Dry?
Child C: * paused a while * Ya… very long the movie
Cher Lim: I see… Haha!

mOmEnT 34
* with K1 children *
Child B: * sing out loud * “Jiu Shi Jiu Ci Wo Ai Ta”
Cher Lim: * shocked, realized is the theme song for Taiwan drama “Fated To Love You” which currently on air over at channel u * How come you know how to sing this song?
Child B: =) I watch the show…
Cher Lim: @@! What’s the name of the show?
Child B: Hmmm…
Child T: Fated To Love You! * shouted in Chinese *
Cher Lim: @@!
Child S: I also got watch!
Child R: Me too…

Cher Lim: What’s so nice about the show?
Child S: You know, the boy inside the tub, the girl close and roll him down the stairs.
Cher Lim: I see * Cher Lim ever watched the drama, knew what Child S said was one of the scenes *
Child T: Yes… that Chunxi and Xinyi together (male and female lead)
Cher Lim: @@!
Child B: Ya lor… * started describing a scene to me *
Child S: Now the boy cannot see… fake one
Cher Lim: Yes because… * started to “explain” the scene *

* the conversation went on for another 5mins with Cher Lim & children “discussing” about the drama’s story line … haha!

mOmEnT 35
* waiting time *
Child J: Cher Lim, you prepare our Children's Day present already?
Cher Lim: Hmm... Yes!
Children: Yeah~~~
Child J: What is it?
Cher Lim: A stack of worksheet!!!
Children: * paused a while * Huh~~~~~
Cher Lim: Haha! Just joking!

* one week later *
* Cher Lim & J Laoshi were talking about something *
Child J: Cher Lim! Cher Lim! You buy our Children's Day present already?
Cher Lim: A stack of worksheet!
Child J: Huh~~ I thought you said you joking?
Cher Lim: Oh yes, I was joking... not one stack of worksheet but two stacks!
Child J: ...
Cher Lim: Haha!

mOmEnT 36
* during work time … cant rem how they get to the following conversation *
Child 1: There’s no such thing such as ghost…
Child 2: Ya lor, no ghost one
Child 3: Yes got… you know hor, at night people build house there got ghost
~~~~~~~
Child 4: Is it cartoon?
Child 1: No, not cartoon
Child 4: Not cartoon that’s mean is real one

ZZZzzzzz

Other than the long hours & holiday-less, it is actually pretty fun working in schoolhouse. Beside having to teach, I get to spend longer time with the children, more in the area of routine care, especially those staying full day.

I quite enjoy nap time… watching the little ones fall asleep/awake with different styles, habits, postures and patterns.

~ few close their eyes immediately upon landing on the bed but still awake until a good 30 to 45mins of tossing before really zzz
~ few choose to stare blankly at one spot and allow the eyes to get smaller and smaller
~ one sobsob to sleep (new child) in the warm embrace of a teacher
~ few choose to do somersaults & stunts on bed until teacher gives firm instruction

~ few awake at one call
~ few still zzzzz after many calls
~ few can sleep anywhere - even after removing the bed, they can still continue on the floor in their "shell"


Haha! Sound like a boring post ar… sorry ar… a “new” experience for Cher Lim. =)

the....DAY

After a gooooooood 5days break, tomorrow got to head back to school.
Cher Lim, are … you … ready?!

Definitely! Cher Lim pretty miss her children actually! =p

L.O.V.E

Love to the end~~~~~~~~

Luke 7:47
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

lOOOOOOOngest term 3

14/9 - marks the start of Term 4


Am used to having a break after a good 10 weeks of Term 3 before entering into another busy 10 weeks of Term 4 but this year I had 11weeks of Term 3...

Due to the changeover to schoolhouse, didn’t get to enjoy the one-week school holiday after a tiring 10 weeks but continue over week 11 and straight entered into Week 1 of Term 4 which is this week.

Thank God for His strength that kept me through the 11 weeks in school. Think about it, throughout this 11 weeks…
- I was not on mc
- I didn’t activate any of my leave days
- I didnt fall sick during week 9/10

But as I’m blogging now, I am actually enjoying my 2nd day of leave, the feeling great…
- no need to teach
- no routine to keep to
- can rest my throat
- can give my ears some peace ... =p

Looking forward to school again after the long weekend. Got to prepare myself as always, Term 4 will be a busy term…
- to finish off the syllabus
- to finish the activity sheet
* intense practice for concert in Nov

overly anxious?

One conversation I had with a parent just yesterday...

Parent: Cher Lim, I am thinking of sending my Child B to this school in the morning then to PAP in the afternoon. Do you think it will be tough for him?
Cher Lim: @@
Parent: You know, my friend’s son is in that PAP. They write a lot. They already started writing many Chinese words English too.
~~~~~~~
Cher Lim: Hmm… instead of sending him to two schools, why not enroll him at our side whole day?
Parent: What will he do in the afternoon? Got homework? Got worksheet? Got writing
Cher Lim: @@!

Then she ended by pouring her heart out that she is worried for her boy, worried her boy cannot make it in primary one (boy is only in K1 this year), worried about her son's speech cause he cant pronoun pronoun certain words clearly (despite having the confirmation from speech therapist that her son is ok) etc.

I too happened to ask about her second daughter who I taught before on how she is doing in primary one. Mum said she top the class but what really @@ me was the mum didn’t really give much credit to her daughter but claimed “because I started tuition early for her, when she was in K1 already”.

Like what I told the mum MANY times, probably since two years ago when I taught her daughter during her two years of K2 education that both her children actually doing fine academically - like for the boy in K1 this year, when I popped out a word to the whole class, just when there were complete silence, this boy bravely name out the word correctly. And few weeks back when a friend was struggling to identify the numerals, he was there to "teach" him.
ps: why two years of K2 for the daughter? Because when she was 5years old, mum felt that she is capable and want her to go for K2.

Sometime it can get pretty disappointing and angry to encounter parents who are overly anxious. Only in preschool, don’t know what to expect when they enter into primary/secondary…

again!!!??

Is it really the reason?
If really so … I can only say, that’s a “nice timing”!

Many times I told myself to believe but recently I just find it harder.
Too many “coincidence”...

Is it really so difficult to do the things you got to do that you got to entertain me with excuses now and then?

Haiz… disappointed.
Got to manage my expectation from now or can I pray "God, help my unbelief"