I was on course yesterday and today. I seldom have the privilege of going on course during term time, and I must say that it was quite relaxing compared to what I do daily. I didn't really work yesterday night and tonight, so I guess I will surely regret tomorrow when I return to the meat grinder that is XJC.
You know what, I think I should take a JC2 student for tuition or something... This calls for a drastic change in my mindset towards the College.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
I went to Sentosa with my students on Friday Deepavali. Saw the new musical fountain and took the cable car back.
Watched Kill Bill Vol. 1 yesterday. Really violent! To be continued in Vol. 2.
I went for a car wash today. I normally wash my car myself, but I thought it would be interesting to do a car wash at a petrol station. Anyway, only $6 for such an interesting experience from the perspective inside the car... I had a manual wash of course, since auto ones are supposedly bad for paintwork. It was a "snow wash", quite efficient! If I did my normal handwash without the benefit of a water jet, it would take 3 times longer!
Some people ask why I bought a car when I live so close to College. In fact, my brother has a car too. Well, I want to own a car some time during my life, and when the COE was down, I decided that it was now or never. When COEs cost $40,000, I don't think I can bring myself to buy a car unless I'm super rich, which is impossible...
Watched Kill Bill Vol. 1 yesterday. Really violent! To be continued in Vol. 2.
I went for a car wash today. I normally wash my car myself, but I thought it would be interesting to do a car wash at a petrol station. Anyway, only $6 for such an interesting experience from the perspective inside the car... I had a manual wash of course, since auto ones are supposedly bad for paintwork. It was a "snow wash", quite efficient! If I did my normal handwash without the benefit of a water jet, it would take 3 times longer!
Some people ask why I bought a car when I live so close to College. In fact, my brother has a car too. Well, I want to own a car some time during my life, and when the COE was down, I decided that it was now or never. When COEs cost $40,000, I don't think I can bring myself to buy a car unless I'm super rich, which is impossible...
Friday, September 19, 2003
It really has been quite a while! I've been most unhappy lately. I feel that I'm not appreciated by my school, I'm not appreciated by my Principal and HOD, I'm not appreciated by my students, I'm not appreciated by their parents, I'm not appreciated by my parents.
It always begs me to wonder, why am I doing all this? I have devoted a good portion of my life to the school, and to my students. My own form class students who took the A Levels in 2001 -- they were the best class of their subject combination in the end. But they were the worst of their combination throughout their career in the College! Where are they now? 2 DSTA Overseas scholars, 1 NUS Undergraduate Scholar, 3 SIA-NOL Undergraduate Scholars, 1 ASEAN Undergraduate Scholar, 1 LMS (Teaching) Scholar. And from my other classes? That's another 8 names in the College Day Handbook to make a total of 16. And my robotics students are mostly good in their studies. My care and concern for my students is unparallelled, and I train them like I would myself. My committment to my job is high.
I have never let the College down -- but the College has let me down more than once.
It always begs me to wonder, why am I doing all this? I have devoted a good portion of my life to the school, and to my students. My own form class students who took the A Levels in 2001 -- they were the best class of their subject combination in the end. But they were the worst of their combination throughout their career in the College! Where are they now? 2 DSTA Overseas scholars, 1 NUS Undergraduate Scholar, 3 SIA-NOL Undergraduate Scholars, 1 ASEAN Undergraduate Scholar, 1 LMS (Teaching) Scholar. And from my other classes? That's another 8 names in the College Day Handbook to make a total of 16. And my robotics students are mostly good in their studies. My care and concern for my students is unparallelled, and I train them like I would myself. My committment to my job is high.
I have never let the College down -- but the College has let me down more than once.
Friday, August 22, 2003
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Watching the NDP
It was National Day yesterday, the 38th National day since independence in 1965. I went to see the National Day Parade again this year. Actually, I'm a veteran of NDPs. I've been to more than 10 NDPs in my life -- lost count already. I've been a spectator most of the time, but I've been involved as part of the flashbook contingent, as a display item performer (TKD) and as an NDP cheerleader-motivator (yes, pom poms, singing and all...).
In the past, if you wanted to see the NDP, all you had to do was to queue from Saturday 3 pm to Sunday 10 am to be assured of a pair of tickets. But this year onwards, tickets were allocated by ballotting, so I guess I probably won't be going to the NDP so often now...
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I've been very busy in school. These days, I keep thinking if it's worth it. I don't know if I will have regrets when I'm older. I certainly hope not...
In the past, if you wanted to see the NDP, all you had to do was to queue from Saturday 3 pm to Sunday 10 am to be assured of a pair of tickets. But this year onwards, tickets were allocated by ballotting, so I guess I probably won't be going to the NDP so often now...
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I've been very busy in school. These days, I keep thinking if it's worth it. I don't know if I will have regrets when I'm older. I certainly hope not...
Monday, August 04, 2003
Here's a typical day as a JC Science teacher. Today...
I was in school before 7.30 am. After assembly, I had my breakfast. After that, I did some admin stuff -- register prep, forms sorting, etc. Then I went for a tutorial session. After that lesson, I had a meeting -- an academic one. After the meeting, I generated a report and then did some CT filing. Then it was time to mark some practical books.
I had lunch next, followed by a practical and a tutorial lesson. After that, I went to hunt for some students to pass them something. Then I briefed two of my baby engineers on IR remote control. After that it was time for another tutorial lesson.
After the lesson, my academic day was over at 3 pm. I informed another teacher of the absence of 2 students from my class, and then uploaded the latest project source code onto the eLearning platform. Then I proceeded to the lounge to finish reading the newspapers, as well as watch a snippet of Futurama and some other clips 2 GP tutors were testing.
Off to the canteen for a snack, and then it was time to go back to work. Helped students on IR remote work and other projects. Finished at 8.35 pm, discussed a bit more. Then off to dinner before returning at 9.30 pm for some more work. Did a practical solution. Discussed some more. And here I am.
I was in school before 7.30 am. After assembly, I had my breakfast. After that, I did some admin stuff -- register prep, forms sorting, etc. Then I went for a tutorial session. After that lesson, I had a meeting -- an academic one. After the meeting, I generated a report and then did some CT filing. Then it was time to mark some practical books.
I had lunch next, followed by a practical and a tutorial lesson. After that, I went to hunt for some students to pass them something. Then I briefed two of my baby engineers on IR remote control. After that it was time for another tutorial lesson.
After the lesson, my academic day was over at 3 pm. I informed another teacher of the absence of 2 students from my class, and then uploaded the latest project source code onto the eLearning platform. Then I proceeded to the lounge to finish reading the newspapers, as well as watch a snippet of Futurama and some other clips 2 GP tutors were testing.
Off to the canteen for a snack, and then it was time to go back to work. Helped students on IR remote work and other projects. Finished at 8.35 pm, discussed a bit more. Then off to dinner before returning at 9.30 pm for some more work. Did a practical solution. Discussed some more. And here I am.
Saturday, August 02, 2003
One of my SSEF students (the strong one) came back with a Bronze, while the other one came back with a Merit. She started out as knowing nothing at all about electronics and microcontrollers and I'm glad she's picked up enough to be called a "technical" member.
This week, I've been working till 11 pm to 12 am almost everyday due to the SSEF and the other big event today. Such is the life of a JC science teacher.
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Sometimes I think I should quit service and do something else. Be an entrepreneur. Or to study to be a doctor. Or to do something meaningful in a Third World country.
This week, I've been working till 11 pm to 12 am almost everyday due to the SSEF and the other big event today. Such is the life of a JC science teacher.
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Sometimes I think I should quit service and do something else. Be an entrepreneur. Or to study to be a doctor. Or to do something meaningful in a Third World country.