Today Hanern did not go school. He had virus infection that cos him to pass motion a few time. Anyway, thank God he is better today.
Decided to call his teacher as he complaint last week that 3 boys hit him. Wanted to find out what caused it.
Good to hear that he did not do the wrong thing as teasing ppl or what ever. It turned out that he was on the bossy side. When the boys were not attentive or not going forward, he told them to pay attention. Those boys not happy so hit him. Anyway, teacher decided to seat them apart.
Can't imagine he so bossy. Happy that teacher praised him that he is one of the well-behaved boys. Only concern is he still hold his pencil wrongly.
Funny...

As most Singaporean parents, we started to think about Hanern's Pri School. After much praying, we have decided to register him with Pei Hwa Presb School. Wait... wait. He is not going to be P1 in 2007. His will be in 2008. So I am one of those KS parents.

We went to Greenridge Pri open house just to have a feel of schools nearby. Not bad and we were considering them. The turning point came when one night, I was dead tired and did not print some colouring printout for son. He asked why didn't I print. I told him I was tired. His reply was "Cannot be tired, must read Bible verse everyday". Obviously he learnt to say that from his CGM Kindergarten. It was like God telling me that a Christian environment is important for my children. So I decided that since I am a Methodist, ACS for him and MGS for daughters. Later, I learnt from my uncle that he might have to travel very far and journey will be long. I kinda of heartache to see him traveling so long. And bro and sis could not be in the same school.

Hence, the decision for Pei Hwa. The added element is the strong Chinese Culture. I believe that my children will have bigger opportunity to serve God if they are also well-verse with Chinese. Personally, I had gain new insight when i read Chinese Bible.

Well, I have written to the Principal to join their Parent Support Group. KS right?

Thank God for leading us. Amen.

Today was an unusual Sunday. INstead of going to church, we did somethng else different. B'cos of today's programme, we went to another church, Mt Carmel BP, which has Sat. service.

My 4th Uncle came to fetch us for an outing at 9 am today. It was an outing for my grandparents actually. They had not got a chance to meet Eliora and this is the occassion. In my earlier posts, I mentioned that my grandma health is not getting better. The outing was for her. She is an out-going person and having to transverse between home and dialysis week after week is tortourous. I guess today she must had enjoyed herself very much. She fried carrot cake for us. The bus was loaded with 2nd and 5th uncle too. My eldest uncle came on his own. We had picnic on Kend Ridge Hill and then off to one resturant at Lengkok Bahru for Tim Sum lunch.

I am happy for my grandparents. Karis and Hanern loved the time there. We went to the vist poing, but poor Karis fell when we were trying to run down the slope. She suffered a bleeding lips, scratches on her knee and face... all my fault to suggest the little competition. But she is as usual, of good sport. After a little sayanging, she is off to talk loudly. Hanern loved the Tim Sum. He usually love new food!!

Thank God for today.. Ok, off to work again.

Had been very busy until no time to write, though thre are things on my mind to write here.
What am I busy about? I am not sure. I just know I am busy.

Anyway, saw Karen, Cedric. They were back for their project. Then there is victoria and shu xian, back for their living cert. Miss the pioneers. School has cut down the scale of celebration of RHD and National Day. I think it is good to give more time to prepare for GCE. Miss those day where we dun have to worry about national exams. We just happily celebrate RHD, TDD etc. Just declare no lessons. Haha.. it was simple then.

I did what I usually would not. I blasted at 2I today! I suppose I had calculated. It wasn't a outburst of temper. It was aimed to drive one point. I meant business when i said I intend to teach. The effect was good. They were better. Not perfect but better. I am happy to reward 3 groups with M&M chocolate.
I told them I spent more time thinking and planning for them.

I thank God for today. I prayed quite a while for this class. Of course I prayed for 4A and B. I prayed for their impending O level. They may not know, when they are doing their tests, I am actually looking at them and praying for them. I believe God listens to our prayer and honour our pleading. I pray for my 3EFG too. 13 of us, 14 now with a new person. Somehow it remind me of Jesus and His disciples. I want them to discover the joy of learning and achieving.

Lord, I thank you I am teacher. I get to touch lives. Amen.

On Youth day, rather school hols due to Youth day, I bought my children to Lot 1 for the library. I am trying to be a good parent and teacher.

Was pleasantly surprise to see my visually handicapped ex-student, Nam Kok. Nam Kok is a big frame person. He talks very loudly and has a wonderful brain who can recognize a person based on their voice. When I called him, he asked who I am. I told him I was from Ghim Moh, immediately he remembered me.

He was a determined and enthusiastic student. It was not easy for him to learn, neither was it to teach. I had to explain distillation by holding his hand and traced his hand on his Brailled textbook. Diagrams were sewed on. I had to submit test papers much earlier so that they could brail it and sewed diagram. I had spent extra time to teach him. Because he cannot take note while I was teaching, his memory was his notebook. Invigilating him for exams means longer time watching using his Braille typewriter.

Sadly, not all students were the kindest. There were the kind ones, who helped him. But there were those who teased him. He was loud, bigger and older and blind. He was the odd one and some could not relate, so they chose to belittle him.

I felt sad when I learnt yesterday that he was there for basking. He would play his recorder, which he played beautifully as member of the choir, to make a living, an honest one. I felt sad as he had a dream of going further than O level. His English was his weakest link. With not many books to read and too expensive to buy, he has hard to sharpen his own mastery. Will he be basking till he is old? He was a wonderful, willing student. Any teacher would trade for him.

I am even more saddened when I think of current students who have working senses who refuse to use their common sense to plan for their own future. How can they be so blind of their current state and future?

To think further, many more are blind about their spiritual reality and their destination. The hymn, Amazing Grace lyrically reminded me, “… was blind, but now I see…”

Only God can help us, who are blinded spiritually.

Lord, as you gives light to Nam Kok, give us too. Amen.

T3 W1 is over. I am glad that it is a long weekend, with the youth day prolonging it. I can spend more time with my family. Hope to bring the children out for an outing. I think they miss it.

Teaching 2I has been challenging. If my self-esteem is low, I am sure I will doubt my own worth. Some of them really see thru you, I mean you are treated as transparent. The good thing is I get to practice what one of my NIE lectuere taught to say "I am a worthy person no matter what you do or say to me". Anyway, their lesson, in comparision to others, took the most time. I tried to hunt for pic that will attract their attention. Went to buy bread for them to understand digestion starts in the mouth etc. I am glad that I am expanding the circle of audiences. At least for now. Talked to one of them who refused to pay attention. I feel sad that he saw himself as incapable of learning. I hope he will give himself a chance to change that notion.

Teaching 3EFG is fun. We divided the class and get to teach 13 of them. 13!! that so great a ratio. Attendance is bad but the rapport is wonderful. I really want to move their levels up.

4AB are my main worry. Pure chem is tough and I need them to do alot on their own.

Homefront

Eliora smiled to me, for the past few days. She is very cute and likes to smile.

Hanern and Karis are adorable. They try to act as big bro and big sis. Karis is helping us to fold her own handkerchief. They will help to pat Eliora or pull the music making toy whenever she cries.

I am a blessed man... thank you, Lord.