Mum and dad I love you

What would I be without both of you? 

Rare baking success!

It was an accomplishment for me to successfully bake 15 chocolate cupcakes today! 

Most of them cracked but as long as it's edible I'm happy! 

2015

It's 2015 already?!

They are my babies this year. The prince and princesses of 4E. My worst fears when I received my timetable during the first meeting were unfounded. They are well-behaved, understanding, creative and obedient. Although they are weak in English, they try their best to stay awake. If they could not stand the explanation anymore, they will voice their frustration and I will start a hands on activity. 

As their class teacher, I tried to beautify the class, in hope that they will love and enjoy their time spent in school. They surprise me with their initiative to go to school in the afternoons and a Saturday to decorate their class. 

 

Watching them work teaches me to slow down and let them work at their own pace because the class is theirs and I can't be dictating what they should do though out the year. 

One fine evening, a blackout gives you the reason to join other teachers and students on a fishing outing by the jetty. 

 

Happy birthday to mummy and me. I thank you God for your blessings upon my family. 

Precious time together, now that we don't gather as often. 

Girlfriends for life! This year we have a new addition to the family, baby Shaun! As we grow older and live our lives apart, I'm glad we can still find time to meet, catch up and gamble =P

Without realising, this is already the second week of march. Good time seems to pass so quickly, I feel that I have not done enough! 

May this year be a productive and meaningful year although I have not written any new year resolution. I will take one day at a time and hope to make the most of everyday. 

Time to get back to my ithink online course! 

 

The End of School Holidays

Time at home always passes very fast. After a long anticipation of the two weeks holiday, now it is over. School reopens again tomorrow.

Today feels like the first day I arrive in this school again. I feel like a cry baby. I could burst into tears anytime.

The 5 hours drive here was mostly sad, thinking of the life after my two friends I made here leave for their new school back in their hometown on Tuesday. I am happy for them that they got their transfers, but at the same time feel sad for myself, that I will be quite lonely after this. One of them is my housemate. She was right. She was lonely when she was here three years ago. I might be feeling the same soon. As she is packing now, I also feel like going home. 

Time to stop this pessimistic thought. It has flooded my mind the whole day.

On the bright side, I thank God for these two friends, for guiding me when I just arrived in January. I walked with them to school and back from school. I eat with them at the canteen. I felt happy and joyful here the entire semester. I had someone to cook with and eat dinner with. I had company in the house, someone to chat with, someone to go for walks with, someone to go to the nearby shops with.

I wish them all the best and I will miss them...

Update

And finally at 4.30pm, it's done!

Kayu Wood

It has been almost 2 months and I have delayed making the path for the car to be parked under the teachers' quarters. Every day the car is put under the scorching sun. *dislike* always feel angry at myself for delaying the work.

One Thursday two weeks ago, I went to the village to search for the 'kilang papan'. The school's office assistant pointed the direction. I failed to locate the 'kilang papan' the first trip. It was on the left behind the bushes so I did not see it.

Last week, I went again, but the boss was not in.

Yesterday, I went again.

Took one hour to choose the wood. In the end the wood was not suitable. too thin, might break easily. So this morning, I went to see the wood again.

The men working, under the hot sun :( 

Thank God for man, without man, who will do this carpentry work? They could carry the big plank of wood with their bare hands. Seeing them holding the wood makes me worry about the tiny splinters that might pierce their hand.

It makes me want to have my daddy here with me in Beladin, to help me decide on the type of wood to use, the width needed for the tyres to get up the curb safely.

Another day of learning.

Thursday

Thursday's brunch at school :)

 So far, my housemate and I have cooked these 5 times.

Something to look forward to after my 4A3 class.

A weekend at Beladin

Hi blog, it seems that I only visit you when I am angry, sad or bored.

This weekend, I decided to rest here in Beladin after 4 weeks of driving 5 hours home and 5 hours back to Beladin. My weekend has been filled with munching on snacks, chips, sunkist, beans soup, instant noodles. I just can't stop eating. I even bought a bottle of 7up Revive to drink over the weekend!

It's almost 4 months of teaching, and it wasn't too bad. I have put the previous unhappy experience behind me. So far, it has been good.

I have learnt not to scream at my students, because that whole week i screamed my lungs out at my students, I could not sleep well the whole week! Now I wonder how do those teachers who always scream at students sleep?! So I learnt to not get angry. If I do get angry, I scold them but not scream at them. I also practice a lot of nagging. I nag so much that one of my student could imitate me. "........Jangan buat begitu lagi" (and turning/moving/ rotating his hands (could not find a right word to describe that action) Then I realised that I unconsciously move my hands a LOT when I talk. Talking about that student M, he can be very chatty that it disrupts the whole class. At times he is the joker of the class and makes me laugh. One day I can be very furious in that class, one day I can laugh my heads off. 

Teaching geography is fun. Syiok sendiri. I enjoy drawing the mind maps on Mahjong papers (so that I don't have to write the same thing on the board for 4 classes). I enjoy photocopying exercises for them to do. but it's quite disappointing when I mark their mid term papers. Well, I guess they do not understand what I am talking about, just like I don't understand what they are talking about. I say "huh???" three times and they stop asking me questions in their language.

Teaching English on the other hand is __________. I still cannot teach them, I mean I don't think they learn from my class. It's either they look at me blankly, or sleep, or talk to each other. They tell me they do not understand anything I teach. I need to find a way to teach them some basic English. but how are they going to take SPM English? I don't want them to fail. I had 4 passes out of 50 students for the mid term test. I hope the results will improve this time. BUT after doing the SNS, I realised the questions I set for this term's exam paper are mostly at low level. Let's see how my students perform this time. I am still learning how to teach English. I feel that I cannot remember anything I have learnt.

I do find that praising and scolding in a softer tone works on some students. Screaming helps at time to shut a students' mouth after numerous warning to stop talking at pay attention. 

One day one class started playing with paper 'lastik'. As I was teaching I see folded papers flying across the classroom. After punishing the students to pick up all the papers on the floor, they continued 'lastik'-ing. In anger, I snatched one lastik and lastik-ed the students nearest to me. It was fun! I had to hold my laughter. After that day, the lastik game stopped. They must have gotten a good scolding from their form teacher. Ha Ha.    

That's all for tonight!

The day

I have not post anything yet since I started school. It was a good start with a little set back which is forgotten already. Since then, I have been all smiles at school, except the times i enter 4A3 and 4A4. It is sometimes discouraging but I always recover after I leave the class.

Today, is the day that I feel that I want to go home and never come back to school. It is less than two months since I have been here and I am already beaten. Why am I here, I don't seem to be doing any good and might bring more embarrassment than good. I don't even know how to start marking my students' essays. Then choral speaking. Honest and direct comments really hit me hard. I don't know how to write interesting and exciting scripts. Thus, the whole thing is boring and lifeless. Argh. Frustrated, discouraged and I want to run away.

Can I just be a little normal teacher?

:'(

December

It's mid December already, yet, there is no news of posting. In June, I wished for a long holiday before I start work. I am really getting my wish I suppose! That's why people say be careful of what you wish for!

6 months, what have I done so far?

It has been 6 months already?!

First French Dining Experience

5 Dec 2011 was the first time I stepped into a restaurant I never thought I would dine in. Small portion but after 9 course, I am stuffed! It was awkward, not knowing the butter knife, not knowing what to do first, drink the champagne first, drinking water first or eat the bagel first. Super shy and embarrassing!

70% of the names I cannot even pronounce and don't know what they are! Luckily the chef took care of the menu. Suddenly I feel like a tin kosong. 0 knowledge.  

Anyways, it was a memorable one. Something that I thought I only see in movies but I actually experience it once!

  

Angel-hair pasta, osetra Caviar

Carpaccio of Wagyu beef

Oven roasted Foie Gras Ala Dragee

Sucking Pig, Kirk Bier Sauce

Penshell Consomme

Alaskan King Crab, Coquille Paste, Chili Monte Pore

Truffle Paste

Roasted rack of black pig, gratin potato, mushrooms

Crêpe suzette, "flambée sous vos yeux"

Thank you :)

Penyet

After SPP interview...

RM500 poorer

Logos Hope is back!

As usual, I am very excited when the largest floating bookfair is in town!

To date, I have been to Logos Hope FOUR times (and still looking forward for future trips there).

First visit with Pam and Yiing

Finally! I've graduated!

It's a super late entry!

6 years of studies have ended. After 5 months of wait for posting, I miss my studying life and my carefree life.


Thank you Mummy and Daddy. I love you.
Thank you God, for the wisdom, protection and guidance you have blessed me.

Two weeks which was long yet short

Thanks to Jia Yiing, I got to teach for two weeks in a real school!

At first, the two weeks seemed SO long as I had to prepare for EST lessons and moral lessons. EST lessons were tougher as the material had to be more challenging and scientific. The students' proficiency are very high.(maybe they can be the English teacher already) Even I find the material challenging. I felt intimidated. Entering EST classes was quite scary at first.

I am thankful that advanced students did not point out my errors if there were, that I did not realize. They obediently completed the task given despite the noise that they make.

I see different type of students. Some who are very cheerful, who can talk non stop, most of the time very loudly in class. Some are not afraid to come out to the front to speak. There are a few whom you can sense the rebel in them, they just go against everything you say, sometimes I feel even think twice about pushing them too far in fear of an outburst in class. A few are quiet and they smile at the back of the class, and you know that they are paying attention and are well-behaved. Some are out of control, you just want to scream. The upper secondary students are more matured and more thoughtful. Some may not care about your presence at all, but there are one or two sensitive ones who can sense your disappointment and joy. There are a few that makes you smile. Overall, they are good kids.

Looking back, it was a productive two weeks. I may grumble for having to wake up early to go to school and sleep early because I am too tired at the end of the day, but I had done something useful that 7 days :)

Confused.

Today I banged my student's table and shouted his name. After class, apologized.

What was that?!

I saw that he was upset. I sense his dissatisfaction. The class was very noisy and his name was the first one on my mind so just shouted his name. Maybe he was innocent. But still, I actually apologized! :S

Say No to Documentary!

I showed Food Inc in one class and Super Size Me in another.

Food Inc bore some students. Some rather do their additional maths homework in the dark, some chat throughout the show. Only a few watched the documentary. One could not continue continue watching because it was too gruesome.

As for Super Size Me, choose certain parts to show only. Showing the whole movie is too long and students might fall asleep.

50 Inspiring Films You Should Show Your Students

This list should have popped out earlier so that I would not have been in hot soup. Anyways, why put the blame on others when it is my fault for doing work the last minute?

Anyways, this would be helpful for teachers in the future. 

History and Social Studies

There is plenty of inspiration to be found in these stories, some fictional and some true, that depict historical events or people.

1. Schindler's List. This story tells the heroic effort made by a businessman in Nazi Germany to save thousands of Jews from death.
2. Gandhi. This biography tells the story of the famed leader of India, from his beginnings as a lawyer to his eventual embracing of non-violent protest to his assassination.
3. The Duellists. Based on a story written by Joseph Conrad, The Duellists explores fencing as a means to induce justice and honor.
4. The Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck's classic novel about life during the Great Depression is brought to life in this film, which has also reached classic status.
5. Philadelphia. A lawyer fired from his firm because he has AIDS fights for his rights in this film.
6. Mississippi Burning. Two FBI agents arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of civil rights activists and each uses their own approach to uncover the atrocities occurring.
7. The Color Purple. Based on Alice Walker's book, this film details the life and struggles of an African-American woman in early 1900s America.
8. Hotel Rwanda. This film tells the story of real hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who saved thousands of refugees fleeing the dangerous militia that had taken over Rwanda.
9. The Fog of War. Former Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara shares lessons he learned about modern warfare.

Survival

These stories of survival serve as an inspiration to any viewer and work well with almost any lesson plan.

10. Into the Wild. A free-spirited young man heads off into the Alaska wilderness to try his hand at survival with devastating results.
11. Alive. This movie tells the true story of a rugby team from Uruguay that must survive in the Andes mountains after a plane crash.
12. Touching the Void. This true story follows two climbers as they scale Siula Grande in Peru, the disaster that occurs, and how the two survive.
13. Swiss Family Robinson. Based on the novel by Johann David Wyss, this film tells of a Swiss family deserted on an island and their journey to learn to survive.
14. Cast Away. A white-collar executive must learn to survive when he finds himself alone on a deserted island after a plane crash.
15. The Blue Lagoon. Two children are shipwrecked on an island and grow up together. Be aware this film does contain nudity.

Health and Environment

Show your students these films to inspire them to learn about responsible care for their bodies and the environment.

16. Super Size Me. See what happens when one man lives on only McDonald's food for 30 days. You may be shocked to learn what a fast food diet does to your body.
17. Erin Brockovich. Based on a true story, this film is about an ordinary woman who takes up a cause when she learns about dangerous pollution in the water.
18. WALL-E. This touching animated film envisions a future that could be where modern culture takes itself without restraint.
19. Earth Days. This documentary takes a look at the modern environmental movement through nine individuals who helped bring the issue into the public eye starting as far back as the 1950s.
20. Food, Inc. The corporate culture that has taken over the food industry has created something far from healthy. This documentary has gotten lots of press recently.
21. The Future of Food. Take a look at what is really in the food found on grocery store shelves in this eye-opening film.
22. Be the Change. This documentary looks at people who have made the choice to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
23. Hoot. A young man starts a fight to protect the owls whose habitat is threatened in his newfound home in Florida.
24. Shooting Vegetarians. A young vegetarian is forced to go into his father's business as a butcher and finds a strange way to exact his revenge for it in this quirky movie.
25. Up. This animated film deals with issues of urban sprawl, ecology, and responsible stewardship in the midst of a touching story about unexpected friendships.
26. The Cove. This documentary takes a look at both the massive slaughter of dolphins that occurs annually in a small Japanese fishing village and the dangerous health impact of mercury poisoning.
27. Silkwood. Based on a true story, this movie recounts the story of Karen Silkwood, an employee at a nuclear processing plant who blew the whistle on worker safety issues going unchecked at the plant.
28. Gorillas in the Mist. Another film based on a true story, this one focuses on the work of Dian Fossey as she lived with and studied the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. After fighting against the illegal poaching of the gorillas, she was mysteriously murdered.

English

Bringing literature to life through film is an excellent way to inspire students to appreciate what they are reading.

29. Romeo + Juliet. This popular film retells the Shakespeare classic and is a great way to bring the drama to life.
30. Master Harold and the Boys. This drama written by South African Athol Fugard tells a semi-autobiographical story of a teenage boy and his relationship with a black man in the era of apartheid. A new version of this movie is set to be released this year.
31. Fahrenheit 451. A firefighter meant to burn all books begins reading a few of them and his eyes are opened to a new perspective.
32. Wuthering Heights. Emily Bronte's novel comes to life in this film version.
33. Macbeth. Like Romeo + Juliet, this film offers a modern version of the Shakespearean classic.
34. A Streetcar Named Desire. This adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play is an excellent version to show your class.
35. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A popular choice in college-level English classes, this movie is not only filled with classic British humor, but also provides examples of the idea of the literary quest, allusions to the legend of King Arthur, and more.
36. Dead Poets Society. This film provides a great chance to study the poetry mentioned within as well as show an inspirational film to your students.
37. Freedom Writers. A high school teacher inspires her students to reach beyond their tough lives through writing.

Music

If your music class could use a burst of song and inspiration, try these movies.

38. The Sound of Music. This famous and much-loved film about the Von Trapp family is a must-see.
39. Woodstock. As much about history as it is music, this film chronicles the famous 1969 festival.
40. Almost Famous. Following a rising rock band, a young man in high school writes a story for Rolling Stone Magazine on the band.
41. West Side Story. The Jets and the Sharks are gangs at odds, but when a member of the Jets falls for the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the story really takes off.
42. The Phantom of the Opera. Share this beloved story of a disfigured musician who lives hidden in the Paris opera house and his desire for a young woman.

Science and Technology

From a view of insects in their natural environments to a look at the beginnings to two major computer companies to fictional accounts of science and technology in action, these movies have it all.

43. Microcosmos. This French film shows close-ups of insect life in their natural habitats.
44. Manhattan Project. When a high school science project becomes larger than expected, chaos ensues.
45. Pirates of Silicon Valley. This film provides a biographical peek into the early days of Microsoft and Apple and their founders.
46. Project X. When a new recruit to the military is assigned to look after the chimpanzees in Project X, the military gets more than they bargained for.
47. TRON. A hacker trying to prove that several computer programs were stolen gets transported into a computer, where he fights evil forces in an effort to replace them with a system security program.
48. Antitrust. A computer whiz becomes unintentionally embroiled in a dangerous company.
49. WarGames. When a young man accidentally hacks into the US government's computer system, where he is invited to play a game that is actually initiating World War 3.
50. Jurassic Park. Dinosaurs are brought back to life with dangerous consequences.  

copied and pasted from:

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2010/02/10/50-inspiring-films-you-should-show-your-students/ 

Downloading movies is horrible!

Abrupt end.

Growing up is painful. In secondary school how I wanted to grow up faster, to be able to drive to be able to do whatever I want. At this point of life, i feel that the best time was when I was younger. Life was much simplier and carefree. I remember happy moments, smiles, laughter, joy. I'm just burying myself in sadness now. I don't know if I should be sad or happy. I know I should move on. I cannot help but worry. Will you be doing good there? Will you smile again?

Wrong decisions, regrets, guilt.



I hope time will heal.

Different Opinions

I've just talked to one of G.O.S.S.I.P.E.R.S. I'm thankful for friends around me. Different people give different opinions and advice. Although it may sound harsh, but I know that she wants to best for me and hopes that I would not get hurt in the end.

If only I can run as fast as I run away from problems.

I run away from problems. I avoid problems. I never solve them.

In the end, I am stuck with a headful of problems.

Letting go, giving up are the easiest solution for me.

Today Annie talked some sense into me to not run away, but face the problem and talk things through. Communication is the key. I find that I hardly talk nowadays. I just prefer to keep quiet. Maybe another way of running away is keeping silence.
If I were to let go and run away, I will still face the same problem in the next relationship because I run away.

May I find the right words to say to make things right.