Recharged - 1

Too many negative posts recently… Is time for some positive intake.
(thank you for “bearing” with me, faithful readers)

Was smiling away and encouraged at the recent home visit and Parent-Teacher-Meeting. Definitely charged up after the sharing of the parents.

Child CS
Though not so at home but Child CS is a verrrrrry quiet boy in school.
Hardly hear him. Hardly see him mingling with friends.
Not vocal so when teachers post a question, the teacher must either go real near to him or to wait for him to nod/shake his head.

Though he often look like he is “not with us” but he is definitely listening. There were few times when I asked the children to bring items like kinder joy wrapper or tissue box, he was the first few to bring.
But interestingly he wont dare to take out on his own. There were once I saw him smiling as he peeked into his bag. When I asked him, he smiled and remained quiet. A while later then I saw him doing the same but this time with the kinder joy wrapper on his hands. 

Due to his skin problem, he felt inferior among his friends.
No one knows when he started feeling this way?
Could it be his low self-esteem that affects his behavior in school?

From his mummy’s sharing…
In the early days, he was upset that his friends dislike him and said that the spots on him are poisonous.

Friend D had been spotted by me few times when he shunned away from Child CS and sometimes his action caused other friends to think/behave so. Though Child CS didn’t show but I know he was affected.
 
So there was one day I couldn’t take it anymore - I sat everyone down and gave a good long naggy lecture and explained about the spots.
Next I gave Child CS a hug to “prove” to everyone.
Just before I end, I got Friend D to touch Child CS. 

Ever since then, no one make fun of Child CS.
Friend D never shuns away from him too.
And I’m surprised that recently they became good friends. 
 
During then, there wasn’t any reaction on Child CS so I thought probably he didn’t feel much but in the recent home visit I realized he actually shared this with his mummy and glad that Miss Lim made that move and to know his friends no longer mind his spots.

The most encouraging…
Glad to know my effort paid off, really off.

A period last term, Child CS was hospitalized thus was absent for few weeks. Before our visit @ hospital, I took and printed a picture of his classmates. I also got them to sign at the back of the self-made card. 

From his mummy’s sharing…
Looking at words on the card, Child CS asked his mummy “Why my friends miss me?“ Mum shared that it probably could be that throughout his kindergarten years, he never felt belong in the class and maybe he feels that none of his friends notice him or want to be his friend.

Mum explained further when Child CS spotted one missing friend in the pix, mummy asked Child CS whether he will miss that friend when she is absent, Child CS said “yes”. Mum told him that likewise, when he is absent, his friends miss him too.

The card + friends’ autograph + knowing he been missed SHOCK him big time. Mummy said that this could be the “breakthrough”, where he started to break the wall he been building around his friends and realized he was someone in the class.

Probably this explains the little change I observed in the late Term 2?

He smiles more.
He giggles more, especially when his friends do funny stuff. You could see he very much want to join but don’t know how.
First time in the two terms, Child CS was seen with friends! Though still no conversation but at least there was interaction and most importantly could see that he is happier. 

Failed

Failed to convince..
Reasons rejected..
So it gotta be a “yes”…

=(

开始有点烦了...

不觉得开心, 不会兴奋, 也不期待..

怎么办?! 怎么办!? 

Yes Yes?! No Yes?!

“Yes!” because is a genuine “Yes”?
"Yes!" even when feeling "No!"?

Lately whenever I encounter XYZ-questions or the recent ABC-question, I will be tossing between "yes yes" or "no yes" state. 
Just by thinking about it makes me -_-

Just don't know how and why... 
Can only believe everything will fall in place.

It is time!

There will be a day of school holiday next week… Should I?
Usually a “must” during my Jun & Dec school holiday but this time the urge came earlier, guess I just need a breather, “exercise” and nature.
 

Lately, especially these two weeks been feeling -_- in school where I found myself having lesser smiles and “jokes”.
No good.. No good..

Not sure why...

Term ending? Just tired? 

HFMD issues? School events? One-after-another work load?
Home visitation? Soon-to-Absence Level Head? Sparks-trial? 

To add on, always feel xxyyzz whenever encounter this "issue"..

No matter what, Miss Lim gotta quickly charge up and keep her spirit up. She needs to be at her best for her little angels.

Safe

Random thought which lately was in it…

Just today, my Level Head called me into her classroom. She shared with me about this and that, which beside the Principal, I am the only one who knows. Though is a not a good news that I’m happy with but I’m glad she is willing to share. She didn’t tell me not to tell anyone but of course I wont. Before I left, I told her “your secret safe with me!“ - a statement made by a friend when I shared my “secret”.

Yesterday randomly was talking to Friend M about how “cautious” we will/must be when talking to a particular friend as somehow we know this particular friend will hmmm… help us share around freely and easily. Opps! Haha!

And that I found friend/s who I can share my heart out.
(Vice versa I guess? Haha!)

Who are the friend/s you will share your secret/life with?

A friend who you know for long time VS know for short time..
A friend who you feel comfortable to be opened with VS is not..
A friend who will “blow the trumpet” VS listens and keeps it safe..

There are “issues” that I feel ok to share with EVERYONE.
There are some that I feel comfortable to share with FEW (literally few).

Find it interesting…
How I will share my life with XXX and not YYY or ZZZ…
How I will account to MMM and not NNN and OOO…
How I’m opened to share my heart feelings with AAA and not BBB or CCC or the many-years-of-friend DDD and EEE…
Hahaha!

Last but not least… this is just a random post. Haha!

But I’m thankful, very thankful for the friends God placed in my life!
And I’m blessed, very blessed to have friends who will be there to listen and of course I’m can share with.

Independent

Haiz… It is confirmed!

The “change” I mentioned few blogs back will take place in the month of May. Keeping fingers crossed it will be for a month though there are possibilities that it could be for the rest of the school year. I really don’t dare to imagine what if is for the rest of the school year. -_-"

My Level Head is going to be away on sabbatical leave due to personal reason. Z Laoshi and I were shocked when she first broke the news to us - we never expect this will happen in our level and definitely not from our Level Head.

Just when I thought I can “peacefully” enjoy my 2nd teaching year… I’m wrong. Of course no one is indispensable but just know that things going to be different when she not around.

I think probably most of my “worry” come from the thought of working with the colleague who will be standing in for her. Hmm… we have quite different working style.

Though we started awkward where she left a “fierce” impression on me but being the 2nd year working with her, I’m definitely comfortable working under and with her. We flow well, especially when there are changes or last minute thingy. Haha! We can take and impromptu pretty easily. And no doubt one I can fall back on.

I really pray that my Level Head will return before the next school break in end May-June cause I seriously cant imagine what will it be like having level meeting with my “new head“.

Was also told by my Level Head to be on standby to help the colleague whenever possible as it been years since she last step into classroom. And also I know what/where most of the routine.

So now no more “Level Head~~~~~”
Miss Lim has to be independent.

I love Team8 - Part E

Teammate YG
During the early time, Teammate YG and Teammate JL often seen at the extreme corner of our row. I ever took the initiative to approach them few times to talk but usually felt “rejected” cause it was either one-word-reply no-way-to-continue-reply from Teammate YG.


Slowly but surely (cant remember when/how), the “wall” between them and the rest broke. And of course myself with them where we can talk-talk-nonstop and talk-talk-don’t-know-how-to-end. Haha!

A girl with radiant smile, positive attitude and great heart!
She loves JAMs too! Thumbs up! Haha!


One of my study-kakis too!
Actually she was the one who started the study-together-group. And I guess it was the times that brought us closer.


She was one of my Chinese teachers too, together with another. Though sometimes was "suaning" but she been awesome! Haha!

Met up with her @ my recent Taiwan trip.
Touched by her hospitality and love towards us.

*hug* Love you my Laoshi, my friend!
Treasure your friendship muchie muchie!


Teammate JL
Better known as 8.5! Haha!
Reason being that she actually not from Team8
My study-kaki … My chat over coffee-kaki … My “joking opponent”.


Compared to Teammate YG, actually Teammate JL looked more unfriendly in the beginning. I always thought “She don’t has a team? Why always sit with us?” Haha!

Another of my study-kakis! Towards the last few months of SOT, we like to visit the Starbucks where we spent pretty long hours there studying, reading and watching videos. Haha!


She is one international teammate who I’m often in contact with, even till now, probably cause she has whatsapp so we can contact pretty easily.

Met her @ my recent Taiwan trip too. Likewise, thankful for her hospitality, time, love and excitement towards us.


*hug* Love you my lovely friend!
Thank you for being so opened to share your life with me!


Teammate JI
Assistant Team Leader! Team 8’s very own translator!


A capable lady with few words but many actions!
She don’t just talk the talk, she walk the talk!

Salute her!
There were moments during SOT where she needs to handle “challenging” ones but her love and patience were awesome!

She was our Team Leader during our mission trip.
From the coordinating to the planning to the organizing to the airticket to the schedule to the follow-up, Teammate JI handed it so well.


She is also one who both Team Leader and myself are very often in contact with, even now too. We just seem to have many thingssssssssss to talk about. We had many great catch-up sessions when she came to Singapore few weeks ago. She helped me a lot before and during my trip to Taiwan. Really thank God for her!


*hug* Love you my Assistant Team Leader, my friend!
Cheers to many more years of our friendship! Friends Forever!


Teammate SM
The person who believes in me, who trusted my translation.
The first person I formally translated for - Chinese to English.


A man with great faith and great dream for God.
A man with great manhood.
A man who served beyond what was expected from him.

A teammate who took effort to get to know the different teammates.
A teammate who creatively surprised his teammates in several mornings.


The friend I call “friend”.
The friend who dashed down the moment he knew we were in Taiwan and to send us off.
The friend who took time off to bring us everywhere, literally everywhere.


My great brother, my friend forever!
Thank you for your friendship!

One

It just takes one weekly staff meeting to shock Miss Lim…
It just takes one person to draw the deadlinesss near…
It just takes one project to make everyone on the ball…
It just takes one event to get everyone busy…

Moving on to the month of April, the heat is on as the teachers and children get ready for one of the important annual events, Sports‘ Day and this year with a new kick - Fund Raising where much work need to be done on the items that we will be “selling”.

Things on hands for us now: The Community Project, The BEL project, The Innovation Project and The “Special Books” projects.

Requirements are things like children-made-books, photossss, documentation, mindmap etc.

Jiayou Miss Lim! Enjoy the process! =)

The Early Bird

People queue for ipad/iphone…
People queued overnight for series of Macdonald Hello Kitty...
People queue for “Lao Pan Beancurd”…


Will people queue for a place for their child in preschool?

I ever heard/seen that there were those high-end, premium preschool where parents queued long hours/overnight for a place for their child.

But for a neighborhood preschool… this is still my first time.
Also my first-time-experience as it happened in my current school.

Phase 3 registration starts last Mon 9am…
1st parent on the queue came on Sun 130pm…
12 parents/families were in the queue on Sun 10plus…


The heavy rain that morning didn’t drive the parents away.
Due to the overwhelming response, the one-week registration ended in one day. Close to 80 parents turned up in total.

The anxious-ness of parents came after knowing from our website that for 2013, our school only left with 10 places for PreNursery, 20 places for Nursery and two classes of K1 and K2 full.

After the 30 places being taken, there were still ~50 parents on the waiting list and I‘m amazed that they were willing to wait.

My colleagues and I were joking that we better start “reserving” a place for our grandchildren and our children. Haha!

Throughout the entire registration, I really take my hats off Principal.
She has to be firm and fair as not to take sides, even as some tried to pull string. But most of all, she has never claim credit or boast about the school but giving all glory to God for the favor.

She moved as the Spirit prompted and with that, she made wise decisions that “saved” the teachers and waiting-parents in that super-heavy-rain-morning.

Not forgetting how she and the office team handed the cold/tired tired parents, the going-to-be-disappointed parents by attending with TLC - in words and in actions (eg. by offering biscuits and coffee/tea first thing in the morning.

I’m also very amazed at the way Principal Tan talks to the parents, especially during this registration-period. Whether with those on the wait list or those just called to make enquiry - how she will take the time and explained/listened patiently.

“Good” and “bad” to be working in a sought-after preschool.
Nevertheless I’m definitely honored to be in it during this season. =)

Here we go!

Term 2 Week 4 starts today!
No more gear1 or gear2, cant afford to have gear3 either… got to turn on to full gear!

Started visitation today … 3 in around 5hrs.
* tired *

Received shocking news today… a change will take place in early May.
A change that Z Laoshi and myself never thought it would happen, a change that we never thought it would happen in our level, a change that we never thought it would happen in this time and probably a change that will definitely affect the both of us.
Really, really don’t know what to expect.

The Longest

Alamak!
Can I hereby declare ... this is one of the longest cough and flu I ever have. -_-

After more than a week, my cough is still 70% recovering, on and off here a little there a little.
It was really a terrible feeling to be coouuuggghhhing in the presence of the children in school or in church service, especially when it was all silent and there came the once-start-very-hard-to-stop cough.

Not even 50%, my flu has no sign of recovering still. Sometimes it was running, very rare it was block and sometimes it was you know you know. It came before the cough and still hanging around when cough is about to leave.

Thats is why Miss Lim seldom fall sick and if she really do, she can be pretty sick. Miss Lim really gotta builds up her immune system!

COMPLETE healing, Miss Lim!

Engine

“Ready.. Get set.. (brake).. Go!” - my speed as I started the new school term. Slowly but surely two weeks down.

Not sure is it due to the short term break that we had, two of my level colleagues and I agreed that it seem quite hard to get our “engine” on when the new term first started.

Last week being our first week was the “I-want-to-go-home-early” week. before we even start the day, we were already thinking of dismissal. With that it was tough to get ourselves to stay back after school to clear work, it was “lets-go-home-now” when the clock strike our official can-go time.

This week was physically down thus was also in the “I-want-to-go-home” mode. Other than staying back a while to prepare art materials, I left school pretty early.

Hope to get a good rest this weekend (though seem “mission impossible“) before I get myself ready for next week and to turn on half-on-half-off engine to full bar.

Next week hopefully I will be able to manage my time well as it will also be the last week of preparation for Easter Carnival which once again I fall in the committee (can this be my last?) so unsure how much will I be involved over the week.

The start of a new week = a week closer to first PTM session
The start of a new week = a week closer to Sports Day, one of our big events. The term will get intense towards mid of the term.

Top on Miss Lim’s to-do-list:
Gotta mark/sort worksheets before it piles, cannot let history repeat.
Touch up art pieces that will be display/sell @ Sports Day for charity.
Plan/start (asap) for home visitation, which later will include submitting visitation report.

Come on, Miss Lim! Hang in there!

Down

I am a person who seldom fall sick BUT if I ever fall sick, I can be very sick. Recently was rare - not the seriousness but the duration.

Towards the end of Term1 which is like three-four weeks ago, I was unwell and feverish. Then just one-two weeks later, I was feeling feverish again but this time shorter.

And this week, I’m down again, with cough + flu which in the end led to lost of voice. This is another rare … I lost my voice!

My voice was already in the stage of “MIA” two days ago. But as was teaching thus there no way for me to rest my throat. Was joking with my children that it is quite impossible for teachers not to talk. Probably excessive talking + raising of voice, my voice almost “MIA” yesterday.

The teaching was tough cause as I talked with difficulties and sounded weird. There was once the moment I opened my mouth to talk, the children and even myself burst out laughing cause it sounded very funny. Haha!

But I thank God for these two days the children were cooperating and had pity on their teacher, especially the 2nd session. They would remind their friends to keep quiet and one of them even volunteered to be my voice so playfully I whispered to her while she made the instruction out for me.

I had the children to pray for me before they left yesterday.
And today when they first heard my voice, one of them commented that I have voice already. Told them God heard their prayers.

Went to the Dr yesterday cause wanted antibiotic.
Was given mc to rest my throat but after little consideration, I decided not to take and still went ahead to school. Partly also cause I feel ok, not tired/weak, just voice-MIA.

Which this I find it pretty “interesting” too - in my early teaching days, whenever I’m sick, I would very much love to get mc. If Dr wants to give me me one day, I asked for two and freely enjoy it. But this time when I’m asked by the Dr whether I need mc, I replied no (though in the end he gave, just in case).

Is the children? Is the responsibilities?
Is worried that Plan B will have to take place if I’m not around?
Didn’t hand over properly the day before?

Still having cough and flu but thank God in the road to full recovery. Voice much better.

Was so touched by Principal’s gesture. Both yesterday and today she got me to take her expensive honey. Today I was shocked! I was already out for assembly, she PERSONALLY took the bottle of honey and a plastic spoon out to me and had me to eat.

Speedy and complete healing for Miss Lim!

I love Team8 - Part D

Teammate LN
Leona! Leonette! Neol!


The talented “Ah Boy” in our team who gets along well with everyone - brothers, sisters, young and old. Young as he can be but he is definitely one great brother!

He is also one who I often get to meet @ JW even after SOT and is always a joy calling him every time I see him.


I will never forget the day this Ah Boy touched my heart.
The day of our trip to Philippines, we were walking up the stairs up the plane. Just when I was using all my strength to carry my luggage up, a hand came along and carried it away.

When I looked up … Wow! It was Ah Boy!
Mind you, he still had his own luggage on his other hand.
Oh man! If I were younger, I may have fall in love with him. Haha!


He will always be my favorite guitarist!
I have never taken the praise or worship segment and definitely never have confidence to sing aloud. During SOT when I know that I’m doing praise and worship for mock cg, I almost fainted.

During our practice, he asked “What’s your key?”, I was like “Haha! I have no key!”. But seriously what encouraged me was that this little boy was patient on me even when I sang off key etc. He also took the effort to find the key that suits me.

Felt so charged up and encouraged when he said “Ok what! You sing correctly!”. Whether it was during practice or actual mock cg, I felt so at peace when Teammate LN was playing.


Thanks Ah Boy for bringing back my confident to sing and of course to lead praise & worship!


Teammate GL
A small-sized lady but powerful… chili padi? Haha!


Salute her when it comes to serving faithfully and tirelessly in her ministry.
Left me in awe when I saw her preached with great boldness and anointing during preaching test and led praise & worship for services during our mission trip.

I may not know her very well but she is definitely one sister who I also can feel at ease talking to.
* hug * Blessed knowing you Teammate GL!


Teammate HM
The faithful always-early bird in our team!


Thanks to her, we had good seats during SOT days.
Ever nearest record: 1st row!!! But later as we not used to the front-ness as cant yawn “freely“. Haha!

During SOT days, she was also one who takes the initiative to suggest for fellowship, especially with the international teammates.


* hug * Appreciate your friendship!
Thank you Teammate HM for your “sacrifices” to get good seats for us!


Teammate GR
Team8’s very own “Mama”.
She is a mother of three and seventeen. Haha!


Due to work commitment and timing, we seldom have the chance to fellowship with her during SOT days but nevertheless there not a “wall” built between her and us.

Recently we had a meetup with the teammates who came from Taiwan, despite her busy schedule, she made arrangement to meet up.

A loving mama… A gentle mama… A generous mama…
Love you!

I love Team8 - Part C

Teammate ZH + Teammate LW
The wonderful couple in our team!
Great and committed servants in their ministry too.
Their love for their people simply amazing!

Special salute to Teammate LW!
During SOT days, she seldom sit with us, not cause she don't want to but she can't as literally everyday she be on duty at the sound console. But of course whenever she not, she will come over to sit with us.

I guess the “wall” between the team and her (since we seldom get to meet) broke when we had a fellowship dinner at one of the teammates’ house. That day Teammate LW let down her hair and everyone witnessed her “true colours”. Haha!

Teammate ZH… my ex ex ex cg member!
Thank God for him that I don’t feel “lost” especially on orientation day.
He is one of the three brothers our team. A great brother in Christ!

Thanks guys for your warmth each time you guys saw me and I saw you guys in church.


Teammate ME
Oh my “Merticia“~~~~~
I am her Ma'am! LoL! =p


I ever shared with her that was when I first met her, though I find her familiar but I find her super unfriendly with a face of “I am fierce!” quite unapproachable. Haha!

But after knowing her better, she is definitely friendly and an awesome teammate to have! Feel the love and genuineness of her friendship.

Met her few weeks ago @ Suntec, we chatted and catch up for quite a while. Feel comfortable talking to her, wont have moments of “silence”.


I got to know her more during SOT days and better during our mission trip to Manila as we were in the same team sent out to Batangas.

She is a great mission teammate!
Anointed praise and worship leader! Powerful preacher!
Confident interpreter!


She had a change in her status… so so so so happy for her to know that she found a good Mr Right!


* hug * Love you Teammate ME!
Thank you for being willing to share! Always enjoyed talking to you!

I love Team8 - Part B

“Friends forged in SOT are friends forged for life”
- quoted one teammate.

Special entries dedicated to individual teammates.

Team Leader EM
When she first introduced herself during orientation, I thought to myself “Aiyo! Who is she? Team Leader?! Kidding right!?”


But my doubts were all wrong!
Never judge a book by its cover.
Thumbs-up team leader!

One who wears many hats.
She is a Team Leader over 17 people who she earned the respect of those older than her and authority of those younger than her.
She is a faithful and committed ministry worker who goes the extra miles for her people with unconditional love.
Not forgetting an anointed preacher and translator.
She is a diligent worker at work who goes beyond expectations.
She is … … … busy! Haha!

A generous friend who blesses me with mealssss but reject my blessing of meal. =p


During SOT days, she was one of them who had to work.
Despite having to rush to work everyday after lesson, her limited time to herself after serving, lack of sleep after works… she had never neglected her team members. She made effort to spend time and get to know the different ones.


She was one of the nominees for “Best Team Leader” award.
She definitely deserves our standing ovation!

Another I salute her is her love for her teammates, even after SOT.

#1
She takes effort and time ($$ of course) to make calls to international students on their birthdays or when he/she feeling down or even she/he has a member who is sick.

#2
Despite the great “difficulties” in organizing meetup among the local teammates, she went against all odds to, whether for dinner or birthday. She organized, planned, coordinated and made cards many times single-handedly.


Putting SOT aside, she is one who I’m still often in contact with.

I am thankful, really very thankful that I found a friend in her!
If you have been a reader to my blog, you will know that I am not a person who will share much. Even when I am troubled, beside sharing with God or even to blog in “parables“, I often keep things to myself.

If I am feeling down and friends asked “Are you ok?” - there be some who I will reply “I’m ok!” even when I am not. =p

But there are also those who they ask, though I want to say “I’m ok” but I just find myself pouring everything out to them.
They are the ones who I know I cant hide anything from…
They are the ones who I know I can just be myself…
They are the ones who I feel comfortable to share with…

Till today, I must say that Team Leader EM is the 3rd person who falls in this category.


I’m grateful to God for placing her in my life.
Someone ever told me there are “seasonal friends” and I pray that our friendship will not have expiry date.


*hughug* Love you Team Leader!
Appreciate and treasure your friendship very muchie muchie!

First-Time

17 Mar - Yu & Iris’ big day


Is my honor and greatest privilege to be asked by the couple to be their wedding-day coordinator, together with one of their friends, Mr W. My first time being one.

The couple’s wedding was simple, with minimum preparation thus most of to-do-list were done by themselves. They just wanted coordinators to oversee in general for actual day.

Together with Friend AL and Friend ML, we set off to Sentosa in the early morning. No gate-crash, no traditional procedure.


The beautiful day started with a simple tea ceremony with both families. Putting aside the traditional custom, it was casual, light-hearted and heart-warming. Interestingly groom’s family are mostly Japanese so overall had this feel of “international wedding”.


After a short briefing with the banquet manager and cocktail session, we had the arrival of guests and shortly after commencement of wedding lunch.


Overall I just stand stand here, stand stand there, walked walked here and walked walked there. Actually didn’t really help much or I should say nothing much to attend to also? Haha!
But Mr W was good, he did most of the things actually.

Enjoyed the special and delicious 8-course lunch.. with glasses of wine and dessert after dessert.


No video… No dramatic “sabo”.. No special performance..
Simple wedding where couple’s families and friends showered love over the couple and couple had quality time with the guests.

I salute the groom!
As one of the emcee backed out last minute, he took up the role to be one of the hosts.

He is the groom! He is the host!
He is the translator (Japanese/Chinese to English).
He is the photographer/videographer (at times).
He is the crowd warmer too!

The beautiful ended with the lovely-dovely gave their speech.


We were thrilled to witness the sweetest moment of our friend of 15yrs! We were even thrilled that we can of help to the lovely couple!


We went up to the couple’s room after all the guests left.
Felt so comfortable after de-dressed and de-makeup… Haha!
We had fun with the polarid, all unglam photos taken! Haha!

Beside the bridegroom and bride, us the entourages were tired too, probably due to the early morning. We wanted to drunk the couple + finished the remainder of wine but due to our sleepiness, we ended the day.


Blissful marriage, Yu & Iris!