My Sec1 form class 2003/04 

Guess what - for the fun of it I decided to type my name in the Google search engine and I got 2 hits - one of them, my MSc thesis and its in NUS - cool huh? The website given is www.lib.nus.edu.sg/bib/sh/sing1965c.html

I went to school again today. My ex-principal is trying to get me to come back and do training courses for teachers. So I had tried to send in my proposal but since Monday there has been one obstacle after another.  First the fax machine at the school had no paper - then they put in the paper wrong side ( I had to spend my money faxing from an internet cafe nearby). So I made an appointment t to see him -9am at the branch school ( which is an hour away). Was all ready to leave the house when he calls and changes the appt to 3pm at the original school.  I was going to visit school tomorrow to see my friends but decided to change to today.

I went at 1pm so I could have the time to chat with my friends - they were happy to see me as well.  The viceprincipal wanted me  to relief teach as one of the teachers had gone back as he was sick. This teacher is one of the reasons I left.  He was untrained, has a law background and questioned every decision I made as HOD. And worse will not follow instructions. He had a big ego as well.  So I should be jumping at the chance to show him up. Well - no way! I deserve my break.

I have been asked to conduct the IGCSE oral exams in October - that should be ok.

Well anyway while I was there, they were showing teachers their uniforms and taking measurements - no, I didn't make a mistake. Teachers will have uniforms - short sleeve blouses in PINK!!! and a black skirt. Indonesian schools have uniforms for teachers. This is for parents to easily identify the teachers. Some local teachers prefer it as it saves on cost for clothing.  They mooted this idea 2 years ago in my school as the primary school teachers were getting uniforms.  But it was quickly dismissed as u had people like me who vociferously opposed it. Now it has come up again and they have said its voluntary. Only a matter of time before it becomes mandatory I say. I had a gala time laughing at the rest.

On a good note ,one of the teachers came up to me and said I should conduct training for them coz he liked the last training session I conducted. Felt very good about myself.

Some of my ex-colleagues at school 

me (a close up) 

A visit
I was mobbed today and it felt like I was a film star. I went back to school for a visit and was surrounded by ex-students who wanted a glimpse of me. Walking out of the lift, I tried to make a run for the staff room when I was stopped by students greeting me in the corridor. I barely escaped and stepped into the staffroom, spoken to a colleague and turned around, when there was a huge crowd of students which had built up outside. They were all excited and were talking all at once. It was quite difficult to try and understand all of them. Even worse was trying to respond to all of them. As I opened my mouth to speak, a voice boomed,“Stop making so much noise in the corridor” . The students turned to see where the voice was coming from, turned back and continued shooting questions at me. I could see they had missed me and it was good to bask in all that attention. Some were just content to stand and stare. Still, the noise was getting louder and disturbing the other classes, so I just smiled, gave out hugs and sent them back to class.