♡

(cr: nuffnang)

I can't even describe how I'm feeling over this loss. Such a great man, and there can never be another.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew slogged out his entire life just for this little red dot called Singapore. Every single thing that you see in Singapore right now can be associated with him. The water that we drink, the greenery around, the clean air and environment, the education system, the jobs we have, and simply the very land we are on. So many things we take for granted. We thought all these came to us naturally, but no. If not for his efforts and hardwork for the past (more than) 50 years, we'd never be able to enjoy any of these things right now.

I'm beyond thankful to this great man for so many things. He really makes me proud to be a Singaporean. The world class education we have, the economic stability, our airline and airport that is regarded as one of the top in the world, the passport we hold that is highly regarded. The list really just goes on. 

Throughout his 91 years, he probably spent more than 3/4 of this life working for this nation. Even until 4 February (the day before he was admitted into the hospital), he was thinking for Singapore. How to make our lives better, how to continue Singapore's success story. He never had a day of rest, because his whole life is just dedicated to Singapore, for the betterment of the nation. He never gave up despite facing so much trials and obstacles. Instead, he emerged stronger after, and brought us to where we are today. 

No amount of words will be enough to show his sacrifices and contributions for Singapore. But really, I just want to thank him from the bottom of my heart, for every single thing that he had done for us. 

My prayers go out to his family members as well, who're going through such a rough time now, especially for our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who still has to put on a strong front in front of us. 

Tomorrow, I'll be joining the other Singaporeans to pay my respects and say goodbye to him for the last time. Although the others have forewarned that it'll be a long wait, I'm still willing to do it. What's that few hours compared to the 70 over years that he had dedicated to Singapore? 

I pray that he'll truly be able to rest in peace and reunite with his wife like he wished for. Although he may not be with us physically anymore, I believe he'll continue to live in the hearts of many Singaporeans. 

Hi thereeeeeee.

Today I'll be blogging about my life as a teacher at my second job! Like I mentioned previously (I think), this has always been a job that I've always wanted to try out, and even until today, I'm so glad I did.

Yes, it's exhausting at times. Juggling two jobs, working for more than 10 hours on most days of the week. Despite all that, the satisfaction that I get from the job is keeping me going day by day.

The kids are really so precious. I love it how they're so innocent and curious about things. It's an awesome feeling to have when you see that they are really benefiting from your teaching. 

I've met almost all sorts of children during my 3 months there so far I guess. Mischievous ones, super loud kinds, pampered kids, or even manipulative ones, but there're also the other kids that are well-behaved and adorable too! There're also some who are the quieter and shy kind.

It's really learning how to communicate with all the different type of kids. I think that's the most important skill to have for this job. I want to ensure that the children will enjoy learning and keep their behaviour in check at the same time. It's not easy I must say. There're just some kids who really need some stern warning about their actions. So far, I haven't scolded any kids and I hope I wouldn't have to at all in the future. 

Personally, I really love the kids who knows how to balance their time between work and play. The kids who are willing to work hard, not for anyone else, but themselves.

I really find it a pity that there're some kids who're actually so intelligent, but unwilling to do their work. For these kids, more time is needed on them, which is actually spent to encourage and motivate them instead of teaching them. 

Like all other teachers (I assume lol), I've some students who I really enjoy teaching, but I shall just mention about my all-time favourite, Zachary.

This boy is one of the first few kids I taught when I just started out. I was at the dependent kids area, where all the kids require direct guiding and supervision by the teachers. 

There he came in, just seeming like any other student. 

My first impression of him (after some interaction)? "Seems like a rather mischievous boy. Looks like it'll be a tough time teaching him."

I was proven right. He kept trying to talk to me about other irrelevant things, and he was so engrossed with the new stapler he has. He wanted to stapler all of his work (which was unnecessary), and I was quite lost on how to get him to complete his work on time. 

After that, I taught him for quite a number of sessions when he was still at the dependent kids area. Then one week, before we ended off the session, he said, "See you next week teacher!". Sounds like quite a simple remark right? But it's not something that all kids will say. I told him I won't be able to see him the next week though (it was the week I went HK) and he asked me why. Didn't really explain to him the reason though lol.

& there was also another time, when I finally got to teach him again after quite a long while. Before the session started, he asked, "Why so long never never see you?" Yet another simple question to make me feel so happy. It's like he realized my absence during his sessions there and remembered about me. Furthermore, I haven't started for long during that time, so it felt really good that there's this kid there that remembers me. 

Also, he became more well-behaved throughout the sessions I had with him. He'll still talk to me at times about the random things that are happening in his life, but will still get back to complete his work after that. We'd even shoot harmless insults at each others at times lol.

Sadly (for me), he promoted to the independent kids area, which meant that I won't be able to teach him as much as before. I was honestly quite upset but it's not like I had a choice lol. The main reason why I signed up for work on Fridays and Saturdays is because of him (he comes on Fridays and Saturdays), and now I can't get to teach him?? What's the point then sobz. T_T

I thought he'd just forget about me eventually, but I was so wrong. 

Although I didn't get to teach him much after he promoted, he'll still come and find me during his free time to talk to me! I was quite shocked when he did it the first time round. He even came to ask me questions about his work (like I'm not supposed to be the one teaching him) at times. Also, he never fails to come and say bye to me before he leaves!

Yes I know these actions sound very insignificant, but not every kid does that. I've also taught some other kids for quite awhile but no one is like him (yet).

Also, today, I accompanied Clarissa to get a drink (sorry for reminding you about it hahaha #insidejoke) before work started and we passed by Zachary on the way to class! He was just being so adorable, giving me the "usual look" that we give each other whenever I see him.

& today, I was assigned to mark the children's work, which means that my main job scope of the day is to mark the work, and not teach the kids. Guess what he did?! He took his work and just stood in front of me to ask me to help him with his work. I was really so touched by that lol but I was too busy marking things to look touched. So I finally got to teach him throughout his whole session here today and I was really so happy. 

Yesterday, he also popped by to ask me questions for a short while and told me that he wasn't feeling well. He sounded so sad while telling me about it sobz.

My colleague also told me something today that totally lifted up my spirits. Apparently my colleague asked Zachary who his favourite teacher is, and he said that it's me! Honestly I was quite shocked to learn about it because I thought it was a one-sided thing hahaha lol. 

There're still so many other things that this little boy did to make me so happy every single time I see him. I always look forward to be able to see him in class, and even better, be able to teach him! So today is like a one of the rare days that my dream came true lol and I hope that there'll be more days like this! 

Hoping to meet more kids like him in the future! I've some other kids that I really enjoy teaching too but I shall not continue if not this post is going to sound like some grandmother's story lol. 

Ok byeeeeeeeee.

Back here to update about the happier days in my life!

Can't really remember every event after the CNY period, but here are some of the highlights of the things that happened for the past few weeks. :-)

Met up with Michelle a few days before results day. Just our usual catch up session over food, & this girl surprised me with a handwritten letter and I was (still am) really so touched. 

So thankful for her presence in my life since 2009 & I hope this will go on for a really long time. :-)

Had our YCG reunion dinner! Was really excited for this since they planned it heheh. Really love spending time with them so much although I just got to know all of them. The teachings & sharings every session always motivates and pushes me to become a better individual, for myself, the people around me and for God. :-) Excited for more amazing memories with them throughout this spiritual journey together!!

Snoop Bellies reunion after 2 months. 

The last time we saw one another was during Hong Kong in January. How time flies. A really short but great time with them though. Really miss the wonderful memories we created together during our trip and I hope for more in the future. :-)

Headed to NTU's & SMU's open house with them! This reminded me of the time when we headed for NUS' open house last year, when we were all so happy.

This time, it's our turn to make the choices. :-\

//

This may sound ridiculous but I miss the days in school with my classmates just fooling around together. 

Dragging our feet to GP tutorials, being late for History lectures after PE sessions, always requesting Mr Ling to bring us to an aircon room for Maths tutorials, asking Mr Yap to show us the pictures of his trip to Australia during Econs tutorial despite Alevels being less than 100 days away.

Although we faced so much stress during the 2 years, many happy memories were created in the process. So thankful that I was blessed with such a wonderful class to go through the two (or less) years that may cause one to lose their sanity. 

Really thank God for the countless blessings, & also the obstacles that you've placed in my life to teach me how to be a stronger. ndividual. :-)