I dont know why but the picture I put up seems to be very apt. It really is a very bad time for me. And it makes me want to ask why me? and why now? But I must remember this too will pass.

Something I found while surfing - makes a lot of sense in this period of life.

Pet Peeves

Students who stand in the door of the staff room and wait for teachers – I realize they are deprived of the air-con but hello have some common sense – be aware there are people who want to enter and exit and please give way!

The student who sulks because he doesn’t get to sit next to the girl he likes. I mean grow up – If you have been sitting for a whole term next to each other and nothing has happened what are the chances it will? How will moving your seat affect this in anyway? If she likes you, she is not going to forget about you because you are two rows away. If she doesn’t like you, well then it doesn’t matter does it?

Students who make everything into a joke in class – The giggling fits really gets to me – its seriously jarring on the nerves. Once in a while is fine but to do it all the time?

Students who get affected by a video but try to act cool and as if nothing has fazed them. And then try to break the mood of the moment by cracking some stupid joke.

Students who think that a teacher should be free round the clock to attend to them. It’s bad enough that I have classes on Saturday morning ( the only time I have in the week to do household chores) and one asks why not continue till the afternoon.

Students who forget you the minute they have left the school building – who hound you in school for extra lessons and yet do not show any gratitude ( sometimes I really feel like I am treated as their slave)

People who criticize you when they themselves are not flawless. In fact they have committed bigger blunders than you and get away scot-free and then the small thing you have forgotten to do is taken up and made into a big deal.


I haven’t been updating as I have been really busy with the various things I have to do in school. I have been getting scoldings from mother and mother-in-law who think that I will soon have no life as I spend more time in school than I do at home. I haven’t seen my mother for more than a month. That seems really sad but I cannot – with being busy in school and being stressed – going to visit her means I have to be calm which I am not so it means more stress.

I feel really bad about spending time in school only with regards to my husband. He is ever so patient and never gets angry that I spend time in school and is there to be a listening ear when I talk about work . It’s good to have to someone that can listen to all my ranting. But it’s like I spend less than an hour with him every day. Even weekends is spent in school or marking. All I need is to take one night off to watch tv and have dinner out and my work piles up.

Today was speech day and met some of my students from last year. Was really great to catch up with them – Its really heartening to see that all of them so grown up in their blazers.

I sometimes wonder if it is worth it - the sacrifice of personal time, the love you share ( you know in some cases I treat them like my own children) - don't know.....

Debate Competitions and Podcasting
The past week the change agents have been busy with their podcasting and preparation for the debate competition. We won the debate and I am sooo happy!!! We also got best speaker. I am very proud of them as they worked very hard at it despite the tests and the stress they feel at sec 4. As for podcasting they have come up with some great episodes (I have started panicking a bit as the date for submitting the entry is on 14th which is Wednesday and the photos are still not in) But other than I am very happy with the change agents as they are one cool, cohesive and hardworking bunch.

O Level Results
My classes had done quite well and most were quite happy and I was very touched that many remembered to thank me and talked to me about their decisions. But it is bittersweet as there are those who just left and didn't want to have anything to do with the school or me. Considering I had MC on that day and came back to see them I was hurt.Still I can't be responsible for all of them. And I am sorry if I couldn't help all improve. Maybe I should have chased those who didn't come for their consultations so I apologize for that. I'll just be thankful for the darlings who came to say thanks in some way or the other namely, Jeremy, Wen Jie, Jing Han, Justin, Jun Jie, Alvin, Shiva, Jasmine, Joycelyn, Jennifer,Eunice, Khai, Ili, Benjamin, Jian Wei, Shi Jia, Teng Kiat, Kenneth Yong, Xin Yi, Hui Jing, Rui Cheng, Gabriel Soh, Gabriel Beh, Wei Ming, Ee Hong, Jia Yu, Jasmine, Jian Wei, Kip Mun .and all the rest. I wish all of you the best in your future and do keep in touch. I really did enjoy teaching all of you and miss you loads.

The month of January is almost over and the year is in full swing. I have a new form class - very different from my last - they are very studious and have ano life - As individuals there are many warm and friendly people in the class but as a class they don't voice out what they feel and are very passive. Will really need to work on them. But I must say the class committee is very good - they take initiative and are self-starters.

My CCA is doing well with more recruits - Not sure how many will stay though. But I love my present lot who are so passionate about their CCA. Hope we do many outstanding events this year.

As Subject Head, there are more responsibilities and more projects. I like the challenges that come with the new job.

But in recent days I haven't been able to sleep coz of the impending "O" level results. The sec 4s go through it once a year - but we teachers go through it every year around this time. Did I do enough? Did they learn from all this practice? Should I have pushed them harder? And with English, it really is very unpredictable compared to the other subjects. And it is the deciding subject when they go JC. So all that power in my hands is a bit scary. I wish and hope they will do well. I will be praying hard!

A Brand New Year

2007 - A new year with new beginnings and new experiences. Also a busy year with a new role in school. Most of all the classes I teach are new this year with new faces. As I try to build new relationships I find that I keep looking back to look for last year's classes. Maybe its just that its a lot of new faces.

On Sat there was orientation of CCAs for the Sec 1s and the whole of StageArts except for the change agents. Most of them had just gone through the camp and I felt that they would be too tired so didn't force them to come. But I did see that some of the leaders for the other CCAs had come so that got me thinking. We really need to expand change agents to have more people. I cannot keep relying on the same few people. Well A new year brings with new chances and new approaches. We shall see...