In a class of her own
Monday, July 31, 2006
New school term and a new classroom.
Sort of.
A cosy classroom, left behind by a retired teacher, was left unoccupied since the beginning of the year. At that time, I was adjusting to a new life teaching adolescents instead of kindergarteners alongside another teacher.
"What would you say if I were to tell you that the empty classroom on second floor is yours to move into anytime?" my Principal asked me one fine day in February.
"That's wonderful..." and I was suddenly gripped with cold feet."erm... but I'll like more time to settle in and learn a couple more things from Ms Vicky*."
"I understand, just let me know when you're ready to have your own classroom. Frankly, I think you're more than ready for the big league."
I loved being a team teacher and having the freedom to move from one class to another as I could interact with students from a huge range of age groups and developments. I get nervous at the prospect of having my own classroom because I have commitment issues. Not only will it be a long-term commitment of the chosen age group, I will also have to bear full responsibility for all students in the classroom. So it is always assuring to have another teacher around just in case.
And I'll be no better than a child who is not willing to part with her training wheels.
First Term left and in came Second Term. I have three students with very different potentials and temperaments directly under my care. A typical snapshot during maths would comprise of me guiding the first in counting coins, answering a bar graph question of the second while discouraging the third from either sleeping on his subtraction worksheet or calling my name incessantly in hope that I'd relent and tell him the answers. Before I knew it, there was a mini classroom within a classroom.
I entered school one morning and found out that Ms Vicky and a teacher's assistant were both on medical leave thanks to flu. I was left on my own with not three, but eight students in that class and a million and one possibilites of how things can go dreadfully wrong. The training wheels were ripped off but I survived.
I remembered the time I had the courage to cycle without training wheels. My dad would hold the bicycle as I nervously pedalled.
"Why are you looking back at me for? You won't learn that way! Just keep pedalling."
"Are you still there daddy?" I asked.
"Yes, yes I'm here. Pedal faster!"
So I did. "Is this okay daddy?"
No answer.
"Dad?"
No way that he could not hear me.
"Daddy?!" I hollered and turned around, "Daddy why didn't...." and my dad was standing metres behind waving both his hands at me. That was when I panicked and fell over. I was furious at my dad, but I also learnt that it was okay to fall. All I needed to do was to pick myself up and try again.
I still cannot believe that in 2 hours, it'll be August. During the last week of school vacation, I visited school to prepare for lessons and new teaching inventories for the Third Term. It was quiet without the students and I was alone in Ms Vicky's classroom. I arranged the students' desks, stacked their respective books and reviewed my lesson plans. I glanced across to Ms Vicky's part of the classroom and recalled the times she walked over to ask if I needed any help.
Just how much longer do I need someone to hold the bicycle as I pedal?
I quickly marched to the Principal's office before I had any second thoughts and told her that I was ready to have my own class. She smiled and there is no turning back.
Today was the teacher's workshop and tomorrow is the students' first day back at school. I will continue to use part of Ms Vicky's classroom as there are still lots to be done but I managed to clean out half of that cosy classroom. It should be all set up by end August where it will be a cosy learning environment for five lovely students. I have never felt so excited and petrified in my entire life.
Nevertheless, I believe it was the best decision I ever made... even with all the anxiety and lost appetite.
I need to lie down. |
Italia! Day One & Two
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Finally some pictures as promised. Spent the first three days in Florence (main city in Tuscany) and the remaining days in Venice and Milan which I'll post later.
My excitement of visiting Italy didn't wavier very much even after I was told by an Italian gentleman on the plane to guard my bags with my life. "It's those gypsies, I tell you! Be very careful, they are cunning." he warned and I strategised over how I could outmanoeuvre a gypsy mom from shoving her baby in my arms without letting the poor little one fall to the ground.
Upon disembarkation, my first culture shock was a total disregard for queues (I sound too much like a good law-abiding Singaporean). There were only 2 counters opened and the lines that stretched across the hall looked like they could rival ticket line to some rock star's one night only concert. 5 minutes into waiting, a third line magically appeared out of no where and slowly inched its way into the legitimate second line. "Don't let them in!" Mom hissed to our neighbours in the second line as the scums homed in the gaps. I was already squeezed close enough to the fellow in front of me to know that he is the type who perspires at the drop of a hat and that he tried to cover the source of embarrassment with cologne. One more counter opened and the queues reshuffled themselves into a legitimate three. However, before we could relax, a magical fourth line appeared and the drama continued.
I could not recall how long the bus journey was from the airport in Milan to Florence because I was too busy catching up on lost sleep. When we arrived, it was not what I expected. Considering Florence is supposed to be the centre of the arts and the place where world renowned Michelangelo Buonarroti was from, the city felt distant and swarmed with eager tourists and just as enthusiastic street peddlers. Or maybe we came at the wrong time of year...
Counterfiet goods right outside shops selling the real deal.
A contrast between the old world and the new world.
Roads are about a century old. Its surface polished smooth by millions of walkers.
The very important Cathedral (or Duomo) of Florence. It has a bell tower and we were around the area in the evening when the bells rang in musical harmony.
Look up Mr Pigeon. You're perched on the 4th largest cathedral in the world which took nearly a century to build.
Selling art by the Duomo and the seeing the world go by. Not a bad life at all.
There are lots of bicycles in Italy as it's a very convenient way of getting around the maze of streets.
Italians don't like to wash their cars very much even though they painstakingly dress themselves with style.
One can almost compare the tone of voice to a kid on sugar rush. Happpyyyyy Hour!
Never once did he look up. Has to be one very interesting read.
I see dog, I take picture of dog.
Mom sees daughter, mom takes picture of daughter. At least she wasn't standing behind me.
The evening sun on the way back to the hotel was scorching so I took refuge in every possible shade.
It's a doorknob and there's lots more where that came from.
I liked the visits to museums and art galleries around the city though. Michelangelo's sculpture of David (too bad photo-taking is not allowed) is housed in Galleria Dell'Academia and it was awe inspiring. I could even see the veins on David's hands and his look of concentration (or is it contemplation) before putting the stone in his slingshot was mesmerising.
Long queue outside the Galleria Dell'Academia for those without reservation. Fortunately my group has a reservation (which has to be booked at least 1 week in advance) so we didn't have to wait too long.
Get your very own masterpiece for just 20 Euro.
"You're from Japan?" a seller asked me.
"No, from Singapore." I replied.
"Ah... Singapore... Singapore... Singapore.... near Japan yes?"
"Yes... just like Australia."
Day Two was a trip to Pisa. If Florence is filled with tourists, Pisa is bursting at its seams. Our guide admits that Pisans owe their livelihoods to the mistake that one architect made on the construction of their famous tower. That guy fled the scene before the tower was completed when he realised the ground was too sandy to support a huge structure.
Quick fact - Do you know that...
other than the Leaning Tower...
This leans.
That leans.
...everything leans in Pisa! It's true and it's all thanks to its soft ground.
Here's another quick fact. The University of Pisa is one of the most renowned Italian universities and offers a wide range of courses except for *ahem* architecture for very good reason.
Everybody doing their bit to "save" the tower. Cliche poses all in a row.
Sharing should start from a young age as demonstrated by this sweet child.
Inside the Baptistery of Pisa. It's customary to cover up when entering a place of worship. Disposable sheets are always ready at the door for bare-shoulder visitors.
We had dinner in a Tuscan countryside. Such a lovely garden and just the place to spoil with dramatics.
It gets better in the countryside and everything you see in the movie Under the Tuscan Sky is true. One thing for sure, I adore the slender cypress trees. Note to myself the next time I visit Italy. Head straight for the countryside and forget the cities.
I bet the scenery is most breath-taking in Spring.
Day 3 coming soon. |
Humanity
Monday, July 24, 2006
(seen on Postsecret)
I think so too. |
Running out of....
Saturday, July 22, 2006
patience.
How long does it take to upload a miserable photo via an ancient PC? Half hour! And that's only after countless error messages. Think I'm just going to wait for Fufu's return from the computer hospital.
Onto another matter of similar hair-tearing proportion, a letter arrived in the mail from the organisers of Shape Run. Probably some consolation letter since I didn't participate in the event because I waited too long to register. I did not think much of it even though the letter arrived nearly a week after the actual run. I also managed to shrug off my surname getting mis-spelt since I grew up in a country where 7 out of 10 people (though no fault of theirs) butcher my name on a regular basis.
The letter reads.
UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATION
We have received your registration for the Shape Run 2006. We regret to inform you that due to an overwhelming response, we are unable to accept any more registrations, including yours, for safety reasons.
Alright fine. I had that thing coming anyway. But I wished that they could at least either reply my emails enquiring about my application status or answer the phone when I called.
The letter continues.
However, to thank you for your interest and support in the Shape Run, we are pleased to present you with a free Shape Run Appreciation Gift Bag as a gesture of our appreciation.
Oh that's nice of them. Now I got to know when to collect that Gift bag.
Simply present this original letter to collect your Gift Bag at:
The Shape Run Carnival
Marina Square atrium, Organiser's booth
14-16 July (Fri-Sun)
11am - 7pm
And the day I received the letter? 22 July.
I looked at the envelope and date stamped was 22 June. I was so in awe of our postal service's level of efficiency that the veins beneath my temples were on the verge of popping. *breathes into paper bag*
I suppose constructive feedback to the event organisers and Singpost are in order. |
Milestone
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
I like birthdays because it gives you an excuse to get back in touch with folks without feeling too awkward.
After a year of living life in semi-seclusion, I am blessed to have friends who continued to knock at my door even when they're only greeted with either half-heartedness or silence . It is this sort of unconditional friendship that should be treasured.
As my birthday came around and well-wishers (some I haven't spoken to in a long time) sprinkled my day with greetings, I slowly got back into initiating meet ups. Maybe that's why birthdays are such big deals since they are means of bringing people together to celebrate one's life and not some worldwide occasion.
So many things have transpired since the last birthday and I'm healing well from the pain and trauma even if it is at the cost of a limited social life. Still can't believe that a year has passed but then again, I am glad that there is a perpetual milestone that reminds me to look ahead. Perhaps it is time to remove those chains for good and re-build relationships with those who matter. |
Italia Prelude: From Here to There
Monday, July 17, 2006
Pari gets reminded (for the next 11 hours) of why she hates flying.
Hang in there, don't go anywhere. |
Of Jet Lags and Computer Lags
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
My watch says 3am while my bio clock insists it's 9pm. Tuesday was a blur as I crammed 15 lessons worth of signing vocabulary, sentences and passages into my sleep-deprived brain in preparation for the sign language test at night. I had only myself to blame for forgetting to bring my study notes along with me to Italy. The long coach rides around the country could've been used more constructively. Thanks to a combination of jet lag and last minute preparation, I blotched several easy questions. But it's over for now. I can choose to lay down in bed and await a house call from Mr Sandman but there is more urgent matter at hand.
My beloved FuFu the laptop is dying.
As it's coughing up one blue screen after another, I race against time to rescue as many files as I can by transferring them into an external hard drive. Progress is nothing to be desired as the copying process is as fast as a three-legged sloth with its feet in cement. FuFu has also taken on a habit of freezing without warning, which prompted numerous restarts and increasingly frayed nerves. Its fan blows non-stop even at rest and fearing it might overheat, I helped quail its fever by fanning it with a plastic fan my mom got as freebie from an Indian airline.
Thank goodness I have a desktop computer to work on as FuFu's internet connection is also dead. As I'm typing, I'm nearly halfway with backing up my Picture folder. All 10Gb worth of memories that span over 4 years. Let the rest perish but the picture files must stay. I'm a desperate sentimental fool.
Perhaps I can comfort myself that FuFu is not willing to go just yet since it can still read the external drive and transfer a couple of files over before it hangs.
Anyway, back to fanning. Hope that isn't smoke I'm smelling. |
Mama M.I.A.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Arigato-aaaah! (a peculiar Italian way of greeting wide-eyed, camera-toting tourists like yours truly.) I'm back and trying to figure if my nausea is due to the 11 hours (Milan - Bangkok) + 2 hours (Bangkok - Singapore) of hair-raisingly turbulent flight or food overload from previous days.
Anyway, it's good to be back - Back home, and back on solid ground. *kisses pillow and floor* Can finally have a peaceful sleep but I'd better not dream about pasta later as there are other things more embarrassing than peeing in one's bed.
(updated)
I agree that it was too subtle. There are too many unmentionable things one can do in one's sleep.
Here's one that I hope won't ever happen to me:
(taken from Design for Chucks) |
See ya soon!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Whee hee!! |
