Vagabond resighted

Remember the old vagabond who walks around in my neighbourhood with his possessions on his shoulders? Well, he 'disappeared' for a while; but is now back. He does not look too good --- gaunt and less spirited by my reckoning. His barang-barang is considerably less; perhaps he just cannot handle the old heavy load anymore. But what troubled me was that he is walking around these days sans footwear! I just cringe when I imagine how his feet must hurt when the relentless sun scorch our metalled road and pavement to unforgiving temperatures!

I finally found time to approach him when I next sighted him to offer him a pair of slippers. My daughter who was beside me was a little worried if the old man might be mentally unsound (as we suspect!)and harm me in retaliation for my nosiness. Our fears were unfounded. The grouchy vagabond brushed aside my offer and grunted that he was better off minus footwear as his feet were swollen and hurting.

So that's that. I feel much better now when I see him walking slowly in the neighbourhood.

Happy Youth Day!

Have a very Happy Youth Day this Sunday, one and all! Celebrate the prime years of your life and have a ball of a time! I know . . . the H1N1 virus is wreaking havoc at many fronts; but do learn how to make the best use of the situation. You have to take the necessary precautions of course and not be foolish with unnecessary exposure to the virus.

Yesterday son number 3 reminded me of the care-free spirit of youth. There was to be a paper aeroplane flying contest in his class, and for one whole day, he researched and pondered on his model plane entry. Finally, he proudly showed me his Prototype Two plane, complete with well-thought over modifications to the plane wings, tip and under-belly. He very seriously explained to me his adjustments to accomodate air-dynamics, gravity and aesthetics. Well, . . . for a 9 year-old, he sure spoke a lot of scientific sense. I laughed . . . so like 'brainiac' to undertake every set school project with full enthusiasm and to the best of his ability.

Brainiac flew his prized Prototype and it chalked up the longest distance in the class competition! We were all very proud of him. YOUTH --- its raw energy, untainted naiveity and unabashed openness to having fun are reminders to all of us that life is enjoyable if we set ourselves free sometimes!

Preparedness

I mourn the passing of the father of counselling, the late Mr Anthony Yeo. I have always admired the likes of him --- individuals who make the unburdening of troubled souls their calling in life. How many of us even bother to listen to our loved ones, not to mention even try to share in their trials and tribulations?

Then yesterday, one of the daughter's friend's father lost his fight with stomach cancer. I can imagine what a loss this sole-bread winner would mean to his wife and very young children. I asked my 6 if they were ready to lose me at this point of their lives. Some said yes, others gave nervous laughter and a couple brushed off my silly rantings. The late Mr Anthony Yeo said that he was ready for eternal rest with his Maker; I want to be able to say that when my time comes.

Of actors, actresses and "carlafays"

Yesterday was a fun-filled whole-family-hands-on day. For her school project, one of the daughters needed to make a short movie and naturally our family was the defacto acting pool. You name it, we were it -- main actors, actresses, characters when they were young to characters 15 years later, parents, drunkards, background crowd etc. We also chipped in to do the make-up, procure the necessary props and like real, ..... we had storyboards, lighting effects and what it took to make a fairly decent short movie. Passers-by at our outdoor shoot venue even mistook us for some Mediacorp outfit! Haha! It was really fun! I even mangaged to squeeze in some school prep work in between acting,being tea lady, lunch provider and chauffeur to all and sundry. The day was well-spent.

Half-way reflection

Half of 2009 has just zipped by. I give thanks for a largely blessed year of teaching at a new environment and growing-up-with-the-kids at home. I learnt a good plenty this half of the year --- how to be even more disciplined with my life and how to ride everything that comes along with added measured patience. There are still many things I would love to turn out better, .... but well .... there is still another half of the year and it would be there for my taking with a better outlook and handling! I see the 6 growing up furiously fast --- each with their distinctive personality. I pray each day that they might eschew every experience that they encounter with compassion, integrity and genuine enjoyment of what they do. I have seen far too many souls -- young and old --- who go about aimlessly with emptiness in their lives. What a waste of living! Students dying in every sense of the word, chasing grades; adults too busy chasing their dollars and cents to raise their own kids; youngsters engaging in debauchery in the name of being cool ----- aiyah, wake up, people!

Hello!

Don't say never blog ah Ivan =)
Schools going well for me, kinda relieve to see familiar faces in school once in awhile .
Foods nice... heh
Anyway, what say we go out one day for a movie or sort? Been long since we met up huh?
Star trek anyone? =D
-View

Done with the Marking

Okay, people, I'm finally done with the MYE EL marking. Now for the Lit scripts that will soon come in tomorrow! You know, the voluminous marking is the not-so-fun bit about teaching. We all know that assessment is integral to, for and as learning, but hey, teachers all over the world would appreciate a more manageable volume given other responsibilities.

Anyway, that's just rambling from one tired but relieved teacher (till tomorrow, that is!). So, how did this year's Mother's Day go? Just to make you envious AGAIN, I thought I would share that this year, I got to sleep in late on Mother's Day, and the 6 prepared me a full American breakfast --- sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice. I even had the Straits Times thrown in and 6 lovely hand-made cards of course! Haha! My kids are so terrified of this evil Mum. I tick off against their names in my little black book you know, and promise to pay-it-forward in my grey years! Muahahaaaaaaa!!!! I hope that you all had a nice day with your Mum and family too. Mothers are God's greatest creations, you know! Hah,.... self-praise!

How are all your studies going on? Any marked changed in your social life since you flew the Secondary school coop? Like I tagged in my C-box, I miss my days at HIHS. The Christian set-up is one thing; the other is the zanier lot of teachers and students.

Okay, signing off now .... abruptly. Got to do the chauffeur-thingey for one in the herd. Catch up with you all again another time.

Keep Well!