Life is a journey

COOL!

Uncertainties in life are unpredictable and twists and turns may just crop up without any appointment or notice..As untimely as it may, As enlightening it may be, as devastating it may be..as life changing it may..one could easily have fallen apart, one could easily have head bow in defeat, one could easily have just acquired stillness in the swing of events..

With your mortal soul and shield, with your grit and steadfast mind, with your encompassing and benevolent heart….your body soaks in the revelation of truth..with strength and belief..with tenacity and courage..with appreciation and understanding..with tender and care..

With an arduous journey ahead..with surmountable peaks to conquer..with great companions along the journeys..you are not alone..

With all the mighty will power i can mobilise..with omnipotent strength i can harness..with dedication, i bestow you with the greatest blessings to carry you through…till the end..

I DID IT! ha..though this is not my first time doing it..but still great satisfaction was felt when i cross the finishing line..I juz completed 21km this morning..as part of my ramp up training towards the yr end full Marathon.

So wats so satisfying abt this morning’s run? First, the process of running was comfortable and enjoyable..I met my ex colleague b4 the run and decided to complete the run with him..and as the run progress, I realised he is lagging behind so i slowed down my pace throughout the run to accompany him..After the run, he thank me for running with him else he will certainly run even slower…tats a gd feeling, v seldom do i get to pace someone else and by committing to encourage a friend for 21km really make the run even more memorable. I feel that i see personal growth within me, the willingness to help and motivate extending beyond to not only areas that i can excel..Sometimes it is not about personal achievement or breaking new records, its about helping another person achieve more than wat they can attain by themselves..

Secondly, I did not feel much pain and fatigue throughout the run. Maybe bcos i was quite engross in making sure my friend is keeping pace with me, i overlook my own discomfort and pain that normally comes with running over longer distance. Thats another lesson learnt from here…by helping others, u are actually helping yourself even though u may not know it at that moment. So it is definitely not a zero sum game…

Lastly, I did not suffer any cramp throughout the run! haa..the big deal about this is bcos the only objective tat i set for myself for this run is to complete it without any cramp and i did it!

But of cos, when reality set in after the run, pain and aches overcome my fragile frame..keke..but ok lar..manageable pain that certainly cannot outweight the satisfaction i gained from the run!

An extra point here will be the power of choice. Though I ran AHM for a number of times, none of my previous runs gave me today’s feeling of euphoria..And today is also my first time running as NS man/civilian..by making the choice to run marathon myself really have a defining impact on the process of training and the run itself. This can be an example of how self directed learning is a v powerful tool to empower students and stimulate learning on their own accord, producing results that could be better than teacher centred learning..:)

Great Run! Stand Chart here i come!!

Happen to see this available timeslot for blogging and i am sort of in the proper frame of mind to blog so y not..time for some random thoughts random entry..

Looking back is not an option, wats ahead is nvr a singular path. Focus on the present and make the best out of it is something easier say than done. The ever changing external atmosphere injects u with new and different experiences and stimuli, the master in yourself will be presented wif the offer to choose and it only lies infront of u..now..and now..and now..every moment. So if the saying explicitly says that the history is the past, tomorrow is the future, what we should be cherishing certainly should be the present cos its a gift..I dun see much ambuiguity here..so y then there are still decisions to be made everyday, every second..Complexity of mankind in its simplest form..

if it never pays to regret, and another saying is carpe diem..y hestitate and hold back..there is really minimal space for second chance once the opportunities fleets..Life can be rather unforgiving at times especially when it matters most..to u at least..to forsake or miss this window…may lead to an entirely different result on the other side of the window which tells u totally nothing abt wat if u did that instead or this instead..unforgiving it can be..no chance for regrets indeed..thats life as mankind, simplicity amidst meanness..

Conversely memories can be carry forward and though there is no rebirth of 2nd chance..the enduring memories can stay with us influencing subsequent thoughts, actions and behaviours. Opportunities fleet and there are decision making every split second..memories hover, letting her presence be felt..and simplicity dwindles to effectively what your mind can conjure and feel…beyond the cloud of memories…beyond ur cognitive influence..beyond simplicity…

Time really flies..3 weeks juz passed by..and what have i achieved so far..ha.

1. Rent out my car

2. Settled in hostel

3. Made alot of new friends and learnt new sports

4. Submitted assignments on time..:P

5. Still trying to catch up with the readings..

6. Tone down my social life outside school

7. Found a new pair of running shoes to continue my marathon training

8. Still alive and kicking and pushing on along this journey of success

9. Oh ya, came in 2nd for Project Runway!

10. Oh oH ya..and i gained another yr of wisdom

Tats roughly wat i did for past 3 weeks..nothing fascinating and intriguing..certainly alot more room for manipulation of creativity and deciphering of mysteries..

Ganbatte!

"Twinkle twinkle" and 4 weeks juz passed and my ESE chapter ended off on a high with the following acknowledgements and appreciation i must mention here..:)

VS PE Dept ~ U guys know it, u are a cool bunch! ha..not frozen lar..u r cool! (ha…only we will know this joke that we enjoyed together at the pantry..ha) On a serious note, I saw your dedication and passion in upholding VS’ standard in sports and constantly breaking new ground with the introduction of PE Theory next yr. Really appreciate the farewell lunch that we had…ha so paiseh, wanted to bring u guys for lunch but u are faster..haha. Keep up the gd work and maybe we will have the chance to work together again

Teachers in VS ~ U have made my ESE journey an even more enjoyable one..Mr Khoo, even though you have been teaching for so long, i can still see the fire and passion in your eyes when u are giving me advices and little pointers here and there. Ur invaluable advices were greatly appreciated. Soon yi, our short partnership during VC was also a fun one. Obviously, our class was a v playful one but i admire ur energy and effort in trying to keep pace with the class.

Trainee teachers ~ Being on the same boat ride, i appreciate the little stories tat we shared during our lunch breaks at the canteen or at the pantry. Knowing tat the journey is nvr gonna be a smooth ride really comforts newbie like me as we can better prepare outselves for the future storm tat might come along. Look forward to seeing u guys when our boats crosspath again

Students ~ without u, the puzzle will nvr be complete. without u, there will be no meaning in what we are doing… BUT that does not mean u have to make our life so difficult rt?!?…LOL..VS boys, u have given me the first taste of teaching life..and guess i might have given u the first taste of Army style of command..LOL. It was an enjoyable experience and i have learned alot from u boys too

Next…NIE here I come!

Are feelings of jealousy and possessiveness controlled by the mind or heart or body?

Is the volume of jealousy and possessiveness correlated to one’s age/maturity or one’s negative experiences or one’s inherent insecurity or other party’s action or…?

Is jealousy and possessiveness stored in a compartment manned by voluntary or involuntary or conscious or subconscious or unconscious muscles/organs?

Is jealousy and possessiveness triggered by one’s imagination or other party’s action or…?

Can jealousy and possessiveness be surgically removed?

Can jealousy and possessiveness be diluted with solution?

Is jealousy and possessiveness infectious or a disease?

Is jealousy and possessiveness a virtue or a flaw?

Is jealousy and possessiveness logically, reasonably, arguably, understandably, seemingly, possibility be a positive or negative reaction of the other party’s action?

The dark powers of jealousy and possessiveness can never be undermine, with the slightest provoke or ruffle; jealousy and possessiveness will summon the darkest and ugliest demons from the deepest dungeons surfacing to pierce through and demolish the human soul and heart, mind and body. What’s remaining is an irreversible state of battered char body, abused mind and a soul full of regret, full of tears….

Hence will the master of the key to the dungeon be able to hold the fort and prevent the next catastrophe from rising to wreck havoc?

Guess first thing, the master must know she is the master right?! ha..

Me aint no smart aleck or wizard…and i did not master any secret skills or techniques on how to manage kids and teach at the same time. And with my limited exposure in the teaching line, when can i really start to appreciate the art of teaching, i wonder..ha

Nevertheless, i am here to share more of the science portion of teaching..the "disciplining part of teaching". It must have been ages that i communicate with Sec sch kids i must say…maybe the last time was when i was a sec sch kid myself! Never in my memory did i recall i was so mischievous and playful in the past…haha..i know i have poor memory And the requirement to juggle teaching and classroom management should be one of the biggest challenge in most teachers’ mind i tink..

The fortunate part of me is i do not have much teaching to do so i can focus more on the classroom management part. For PE lessons, i supposed due to my background, things are flowing very smoothly and enjoyably. Couple with a bunch of friendly, easy going, jovial colleagues..i nearly forgot that i will be leaving them soon..ha

On the other hand, lessons in the classrooms are not as easily managed and events are seldom flowing smoothly. Initially i am juz an observer and i juz take note of the learning points and positive areas tat i can ride on. But when its my turn to be in charge and teach a class, i realise i can be quite stern and strict.i made sure that everyone is silent before i start to give any instructions or anything. After that first class, i started my train of reflection and thoughts..abt if i was too harsh/hard on the students, if i could have used another approach, etc..

As i continue to talk to other teachers and observe, i start to understand other variations of being stern and strict..there is no clear cut best way but there is the need to constantly fine tune and adapt your methodology of teaching to different audiences..its a long journey and everyday is a fresh day to learn new things and teach new things in a new way..:)

Thereafter i went back to the same class again and maybe i am too sensitive but i can sense something positive from the class. There was something different compared to the previous time. The class is less rowdy, some of them are already seated waiting for class to start. The usual pranksters are more modest in their lame jokes and pushing around..On the other hand, i tried to be less harsh and play along with them at times while doing activities..The class ended with the lesson objectives met and i was also able to see some of the students are actually very weak in certain areas. Implication is next time i could spend more time to explain to this group of weaker students..After the class, a alot of qns hover around my mind..was the changed behaviour a result of what i did last week? is it a positive or negative change? Is it because i take them seriously, so they also feel obligated to be serious of their work too? alot of qns…..etc etc…..On reflection, i guess i was quite happy with my progress and certainly looking forward to my other class next week. hope to reap greater and different experience from that class!

First thing first, let me welcome myself back :P. It has been more than 6 mths since i last blog so why am i back today?? Ha cos of new ideas, new inspiration, new motives, new goals….New Beginning to a Fresh Journey. After much deliberation and physical actions, i have finally decided to start a new chapter in my life! Nope, i am not getting hitch! LOL..i am starting a new career..a Teacher..Yes yes, i will be Mr Lau or cher cher…:P To cut my long story short of how and why i reached my current decision..I tink i have made the right decision! Guess thats the most impt.

First 2 months of this yr, i was on courses and adapting to a new unit i was posted to. Was pretty fun as my new colleagues (but old faces as i already know them but first time working together) are also a fun bunch where work nvr seem like pure work. In Mar, i went to India with 2 colleagues who are as crazy as me haha! So needless to say, we also enjoyed our business trip there too. When we were there, we also had a lot of heart to heart talk, abt career switching plans and other interesting stuffs.

Once i am back to sg in Apr, i submitted my application to MOE instantly and this application affair kept me on my toes for the next 3 mths. Went for interview, tendered to my current employer in the face of uncertainty, went for exit interviews, assist to complete the final few projects and tasking i have and finally started clearing my leave on 6th Jun.

The most exciting portion of this whole rendevous boils down to me only knowing i am confirmed entering this July NIE intake last Wed and the registration for NIE is tml! Quite an exciting appendix to this chapter i guess.

During my journey of making this career switch and a lot of other small steps that i took to inch in closer to my final end point was never always a breeze or so define. Nevertheless, i guess it is always impt for a person to have a clear sight of the final goal and be focus. Then whatever crossroads or distractions or hurdles that happened along the way will not be disruptive. Certainly with the clear sight at the final goal, u should have craft out a plan for urself to achieve. Coming out with this plan is not easy but it is most impt to have it ready as it will be ur blueprint to guide u along this fresh path. Of cos it is also paramount to revisit and review ur plan intermittently to ensure the plan is still relevant due to the new injections every now and then.

That brings me to my next talking point, some person mentioned b4 tat sometimes i tink too much on certain matters and not tink enough for some other matters. Guess this is certainly a fair comment. i am only mortal and i can only cover angles that i classify as the most impt or are within my scope and capacity to monitor. Hence, to make a person more complete, a partner is essential to be there. To be there to cover the remaining angles. This theory means that a couple should complement each other. It is certainly not a gd move to tell ur partner wat u are concerned abt now is not impt and what i am concerned is more impt. it is essential for the couple to strike a balance somewhere and be able to achieve greater things as one!

Attraction of romantic love is that it can eclipse every other emotion and transport us to levels of bliss we’ve never felt before.

"Love is often an issue of control and  counter-control, but nothing could be more unlike friendship. A condition of friendship is the letting go of power over another. As soon as a friend attempts to control a friend, the friendship is finished. Abuse of power can end not only traditional friendships but also love relationships, which should have a true friendship at its center."

"Intimacy does not need or depend on sex. Couples locked in suffocating relationships in which a controlling jealousy hides as "caring". When a relationship is strong, we can avoid acting on feelings of love that, admittedly, can be generated by intimacy. Intimacy is a metaphor for limitless verbal and nonverbal communication that transpire between 2 people. Gazing into each other’s eyes, holding hands, lying together, massaging each other, cooking fav food together or simply sensing each other’s presence in a crowded room are a few of the many non-verbal intimacies that people exchange. Often, these gestures communicate more than any words can."