Woke up yesterday with a bad cramp in my neck which resulted in me not being able to turn my head to the left. It hurt so bad that I had to keep my head permanently slanted to the right. It wasn't bad enought to make me cry, but I was definitely feeling uncomfortable, like my neck was being drilled by a jackhammer.
I had to get some analgesic cream from my sister to ease the pain and apply it to my neck. I must have applied it a little too liberally and it started to feel very hot(due to the active ingredients in the cream). Unfortunately, those ingredients also give off an unpleasant smell. I started wondering why these cream manufacturers don't cooperate with the perfume manufacturers to come up with something effective and yet doesn't stink up the room.
Don't get me wrong, I can deal with the smell. However, when I boarded the bus to go home, I couldn't help but notice that the old lady seated behind me was facing ever so slightly away from my direction. The real insult occured when another lady boarded the bus and sat next to me. Less than 5 minutes later, she stood up and changed her seat. Talk about becoming the pariah of society!
It was then that I started to understand how some of us treat the disabled or the old or the sick in society. We shun them, avoid them as if they are infectious and treat them like 2nd class citizens. To me, it was a bad feeling. We all want to be accepted and this kind of discrimination is not something we want in a progressive society. So the next time, you feel like avoiding the old lady sitting next to you because she smells funny, or the man who seems unable to stop shaking his head, think a bit about how you would feel in his or her shoes.
Lately the schools have been abuzz with the news about the principal who 'advised' the secondary 5 students to apply for ITE. Everyone has an opinion about it, including me.
When I first heard about it, I thought that it was quite cruel of the principal to crush the hopes of the students. To me, it seemed that the P had completely written off the students. I think I still have the idealism in me to believe that regardless of how far behind you are, if you are willing to work hard, you will still be able to make progress. To me, learning is not about how fast you learn or about the quantity of knowledge you gather or how many certificates/degrees/diplomas you have with your name on it.
It's not so much a race but a journey. So it doesn't matter if you take a longer time to get there. In Singapore, we have always stressed being fast in everything we do, especially in the workplace. As a result, we have become so intolerant of others that anyone slower is regarded as slacking or underachieving. So we try to do everything as fast as we can. I have heard of students in the university overloading themselves to do a 4 yr course in 3 or 3 and a half years...I sometimes wonder whether they have the time to breathe and basically live normal lives?
It's scary how focussed we are on passing exams that the thought of failing and the stigma attached to it can put us in tears. So the adults take it upon themselves to decide that the pragmatic and practical considerations will outweigh what the students want. Has anyone asked the students?
It's a two way road. Of course, the students have to put in the effort in order to learn. However as educators, we shouldn't stifle the students' growth by imposing our own priorities into their learning.
Let's hope that the people in the system will not remain apathetic to the system and work with the students to achieve and even exceed their potential.
This week has been moving pretty fast. Although this term is a much shorter one and I have less modules to handle, it still feels like I'm having my holidays(I wish!). Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that my brain hasn't really accepted the fact that the school term has started.
I think this term is going to be as challenging as last term, since time management is going to be critical. I have assignments due almost every week. Augh!
I had some time to check in with my tutors this week to do a post-mortem on my work for last term. Not so much of crying over spilt milk or agonizing about what I 'should have done' but more of what I should do in the future.
I'm supposed to go shopping at Barang Barang this weekend with DW because I broke a vase during the week while I was unwrapping a brand new sauce pan. Yes! I do get excited over utensils...sometimes I feel like such a 'house husband'.
Yesterday night, I was watching Chao Ji Xin Guang Da Dao with DW. It was the episode where Aska left the competition and it was a pretty teary affair. I think everyone was really emotional and perhaps it is the sense of waste that he has to leave the competition just because of a silly mistake. Anyway, I'm sure that with his talent, he will still be able to do well as a singer. The guy can really sing the heartbreakers...
Today is the first day of the new term for my batch of teachers. So you can imagine how many 'black' faces there are in school today...
I went back today with mixed feelings, knowing that I am one step closer to finishing my course and also wondering if my body is getting too old for this routine('lao liao'!) Started the day with a short 20min session on the exercise bike followed by a quick shower and it's off to school and breakfast.
Was pleasantly surprised to meet up with somebody and blackaltis while I was having my cheecheongfun breakfast. I haven't really been in contact with them since just before the previous term's exam period, so it was really good to sit down and chat for a while.
Today's schedule was basically lectures and a late tutorial, so the 'old engine' was not really tested yet. However, I left school with the impression that the pace this term is going to be very fast and furious. We are going to be clearing about 4 modules in 7 weeks as opposed to the 9 modules in 4 1/2 mths. Alright, breathe in and out SLOWLY....
During a lecture today, we watched a video which featured a lady called Sue who was unfortunate enough to be suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy. They mentioned in the video that she is also mildly intellectually disabled. However, she continues to stay strong and tried her best to live a normal life. She has a job, a husband and is happy as a helper in a childcare centre. How many of us habitually give up when things do not go well? We tend to choose the easy way out whether it is resetting a computer game or choosing to copy answers from a friend or taking the elevator when we should be hitting the stairs... What would you do if you didn't have a 'get out of jail free' card to use and you had to deal with the situation as is?I just hope that I can find that kind of courage when I need it...
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From the rumours in school, it looks like we will know our postings by Feb latest, so in addition to clearing all the work for this term, I will be working on some sample lesson plans that can be used when I head back to the primary school.(LPS...LPS...LPS!)
For those that are reading my blog, just wanna say gambatte, let's go ahead and do our best with no regrets, ya?
Yesterday, DW remarked to me that time flies. Being New Year's Eve then, I was inclined to agree with her. After all, today is 2008! (a simple reminder to self to write the correct yr!)
I remember that one year ago, I was out partying with my friends while DW was at home...hence I made it a point this year to spend the last day of the year with DW instead. Although it was uneventful(we spent it watching the telly, we heard the fireworks instead of seeing the fireworks.), I think it was well spent. Sometimes it is more satifying to make someone else happy!
Woke up this morning to the sounds of a New Year's Day party which was organised by the local RC at the multipurpose area in front of my block. Really loud and not exactly a good way to start the year. I hope they had a lot of fun!
School starts tomorrow, so everyone is turning in early tonight. My lessons will only start next week (yay!) so I have one more week to rest.
I am sure that everyone is looking forward to school right? Heh heh!
Recipe for Anthony:
a)Get 5 cups of humour, stir thoroughly till bubbles appear
b)Add in 1 teaspoon of common sense
c)Stir in 1 small bowl of respect marinated with honesty
d)Soak in humility for 15 minutes
e)Fry with some determination until satisfied
f)Garnish with as much enthusiasm as required
Bon Appetit!
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QUOTE
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost
