It's been 2 years!

Two years ago, I began my teaching as a full fledge teacher. It's just been too fast. One more year of my bond remaining. After that, well, I can only pray. But what do I pray for? That is the real question to ask. 

Three years ago, I stood ready to enter Temasek Secondary School as a real greenhorn. Fresh out of NUS, and not knowing if it was the right thing to do. But as God promised, the road has been made straight, even though I made so many funny mistakes, the road was prepared and somehow things always worked out. 

Now, the next few days will really be something. 

The Singapore Sling

Took the following picture a few weeks ago. Was on a heritage trail and I had to chaperone my class leaders. The picture doesn't look like much, but it is actually one of the trickiest and demanding corners in Formula One, the Singapore Sling. 

This is where Kimi Raikonnen crashed last year, that just goes to show how tight it is. Anyway, looking at the markings on the groud, it is hard to imagine how a car can negotiate that corner at 100km/h, you have to really salute the F1 drivers. 

It's quite one thing to be able to stand in the middle of one of F1's tightest corners, the feeling is quite crazy. Anyway, I wasn't jaywalking, I took that picture at the temporary pedestrain crossing that was put up right at the double apex of the corner. However, true to Singaporean standards, even the temporary crossing looked quite permanent. 

They've already begun reinstalling the floodlights. I will probably want to watch this year's Grand Prix live. Not sure if it will be the same next year!

Good food!

It's been a while since a food post made it to the blog. Not been cooking much, need to find new recipes again. Over the weekend had a lot of family functions; on Saturday had my uncle's birthday and on Sunday my parents' anniversary. Well here's selection of the food!

Shark's fin, intersting presentation

Fois Gras... UNLIMITED!

Crazy offering of food!

Chocolate overload!

It's been that long...

Since graduating from NUS. 3 years! Time has passed so quickly, I am entering my 2nd year as a full fledged teacher already.

It's nice to meet up with the BCE guys to jam again, even though we hardly play with each other, I really enjoy playing with them. Strange though, we are always playing at weddings, but we are all unattached.

Listening to the updates about the VCF also brings some sadness to my heart. One standing com after another being closed. Like we always discussed, student ministry is only one generation away from extinction.

Today is exactly 2 years since my bond took effect. One more year and my bond would end, but I will stay on longer of course; though the desire to return to the books is there. 

What a find!

The school library has nearly the whole collection of Lone Wolf gamebooks! Including the the first 7 (out of 8) of the ultra-rare New Kai Order series. I thought none of those books made it into Singapore, but I was wrong! Each of those books are worth (a year ago at least) over a hundred euros! Much less now with the reprints.

Amazing, these books were what I used to read way back in Primary 6 and Secondary 1. But like the New Jedi Order, I stopped at the New Kai Order as it just wasn't faithful to the original series. Yet, the discovery of these books was a real shock! Nice to see them in good condition, hopefully the school chooses not to condemn them anytime soon!

Interesting!

The number of visitors to my blog suddenly jumped yesterday. Checked my statcounter and found that majority were looking for my PH1101E posts. Posted way back in 2005... during a rather dark and gloomy chapter of my life.

Reading those post really make me think "what on earth were you doing back then?!". My mind is certainly not as agile anymore.

Been a while...

... since I updated. 

Been extremely tired. For what reason, I do not know. It's been hot lately, and it's not been enjoyable as you perspire way too much. Body is somehow dehydrating, been waking up to serious nose bleeds!

Changed my morning routing a little. Now I cycle to school in more appropriate attire. That way can actually cycle the longer route home; need to exercise more. 

250309

Verses Read: Matthew 28:1-15, Psalm 66

Been a while since I posted my readings. Been extremely pressed for time, and for what reason, I do not know. This season of Lent seems a lot more sober, still wondering why. Powerpoint this weekend, it will be back to where we started; back to the basics. That's what I need to show.

Have been studying lately. Relearning all that I forgot from my University days. I just cannot imagine that those topics were once bread and butter for me and that I could roll definitions of my tongue without difficulty. Now, just reading those books are a headache! Well, have to be serious if I want to further my studies soon.

Testing - Slides

Testing to see how I can publish PowerPoint presentations onto blogger. More for my English and Mathematics blog. That one would really be interesting. 

10227 days

Ten thousand, two hundred and twenty seven days. 28 years, one full calendar cycle. The weight of age never gets heavier than today, it's the same every year since I started keeping count 4 years ago. 

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of widsom" - Psalm 90:12

Trust a mathematician to take that verse literally. 

Wisdom. Been a while since I thought about it carefully. It is a word that has a lot of double meaning for me. Time cannot be reversed, will just have to move on till the time is right.

040309

Verses read: Matthew 22:14-33, Psalm 48

The gift of wisdom, these passages are a demonstration of Jesus' gift of wisdom. Twice He was asked trick questions and twice His replies left the crowds amazed. The proverbs tell us to desire wisdom, precisely what seems to be lacking nowadays. 

030309

Verses Read: Matthew 22:1-14, Psalm 47

This is one passage where I have little clue on how to intepret it. If you were to think deeper, it is really scary. That many are invited but few are chosen. One thing I've yet to look at is the context and it's parallel. End of the day, one of those passages that really made me sit up and think. 

It's already March, going to be 28 soon. Not something I like to think about, but it's the truth. I wonder how long I can keep up or stay where I am. It's easy to burn out. Going to be a long week, have to juggle between so many administrative duties and yet I have to leave school early everyday for external duties. Going crazy trying to juggle everything. 

Paradox

As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain;
and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality - Albert Einstein

Makes a lot of sense. Especially from this side of the classroom.

It's a paradox. The syllabus has been cut by almost 50% since 10 years ago. Yet I am unable to finish it on time. There is so much less to cover, yet it seems people are finding it more difficult. Gone are topics like, APGP, a whole lot of trigonometry, implicit differentiation, functions and vectors.

Time. That's other interesting paradox. It used to be 2 sessions of school. So no possibility of remedials in the afternoons. In other words, we have more time nowadays. Yet the above situation exists.

Why is this so? I am still trying to find out.

250209

Verses read: Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 42

Glad I read that Psalm! It is my turn to pray for the school tomorrow morning, and I have found what I need to say to everyone. A real Word in season. 

It's Ash Wednesday, not that we commemorate it. However, the passage from Matthew is closely related to the season of Lent. Just goes to show that those who thought of the Bible reading plan, planned it very well. 

180209

Matthew 17:14-27, Psalm 37

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

A Psalm of great comfort to me. Be patient that is what it says, for the Lord will deliver in His time. I remember being SMSed this verse a few years ago out of the blue by a friend. She would pray every night and simply SMS verses out to friends whom she is led to do so. Amazing, for out of the blue, the verse came and reminded me of what to do and what not to do.

140209

Matthew 15:21-39, Psalm 34

Not been a good week at all. People are usually happy when they see money. However, in the last few days the issue of money just makes me upset. Not because there is too little, but because there is just too much; to collect. 

Checks and balances that just do not speak of efficiency on any level. That just makes me upset. Very upset. Takes away the issue of trust and faith, replacing it with a paper trail and "accountability". Pretty robotic if you asked me. 

14 Feb. Doesn't help that the week ends like this. I wonder what would have been different if things didn't go downhill 3.5 years ago. Would I be happier? Would I be married or perhaps preparing for it? I wouldn't know. The fact is that isn't happening now. I guess I've gotten back into that state of mind where I'm disillusioned with that whole institution. Will thing pass? Or will I simply end up bitter like some out there?

Time, it heals wounds. In His time. 

Testing

Posted a lot of pictures from my phone which did not appear on the blog. Wondering why.

Cycling trip

About to leave for a cycling trip with my Boys. Might update with pictures. Spotting the AQ route today, and the crazy Tampines Bike Trail. 

090209

Verses read: Matthew 13:24-43, Psalm 31

The question has always been why is there evil in this world. To me, that passage in Matthew does answer that question. It's here to stay, till the end of time. I guess it's a matter of being patient and among ourselves, a matter of inner healing sometimes.

Running out of marker pens. Not funny. Well, I guess this means I have to dig into my bag of tricks, a bag I've not opened since practicum. I guess there is some good out of this operation, forces me to think creatively once again. Or, as in practicum, create out of desperation.

030209

Verses read: Matthew 11:20-30, Psalm 26

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Yeah, it's a different burden this year. Somehow the weariness of last year was easier to bear. This year it's has been grinding. Somehow, I lack the motivation to do things that I was very enthusiastic about last year. A complete reversal. This verse really jumped out at me today. God's way of answering all the questions in my head. 

Finally rained today, after a long dry spell. More rain to come hopefully, Singapore has suddenly turned into the brown city with all the drying and dying grass. Humidity has been very low recently, guess that's why I've not been perspiring much in class. 

Hopefully that will all change soon. Cooler weather is always nicer.