假期过得好吗？

　　今天是开学的第一天，应该问问大家开学第一天心情如何？看到自己的级任班在课堂上东歪西倒，似乎冬眠还没苏醒的样子，就知道好些学生不是开夜车看世界杯，就是做夜猫子不睡觉。可见他们还没为开学做足准备。再看看我的高级华文班，情况相差不远。爱聊天的那些女生还是照常营业，从不间断。
　　其实我们老师何尝不想假期长一些？要嘛就嫌假期短，要嘛就是自己假期病了，不划算。怎样才叫做过个好假期呢？说实话，其实我虽然希望假期长一些，但我很清楚自己假期还是蛮充实的。起码我：
1）约过几组朋友吃饭
2）到过豪华酒店短住度假
3）玩过电脑游戏
4）看过一些电影
5）逛街
6）去打了几次太极拳／剑
　　总的来说，我大致上还是完成了一些我想完成的活动。只是我很清楚，自己必须重新拾起精神，为下半年拼搏，因为时间实在短暂，一晃就会过了年底考试。看来鸡精和养命酒要多喝一些了……

时间太匆忙

　　其实我会很想每天都能够写日记，但是无奈琐事繁多，没能够定下心，腾出时间写。因此在此要向那些天天写日记的人致敬，因为我佩服他们的坚定意志。
　　大家都有二十四小时，但每人利用时间的方式都不一样。有时真的不容易取舍。在理想环境下，我希望能够同时间：
1）每天都阅读当天的《海峡时报》和《联合早报》及每个月的《国家地理》杂志
2）每天都勤练我的4套太极拳，2套扇和4套太极剑，同时学新套路并参加全国锦标赛得一枚奖牌以答谢老师多年来的栽培
3）每天去逛书局／阅读喜欢的书籍
4）练一手好字（中国及西洋书法）
5）每天烧几碟好吃的家常菜并学习新菜色
6）学会弹奏古筝／古琴，笛子
7）每星期游泳3次，锻炼体魄并能够游一圈的自由式和蝶式
8）每年出国游玩1－2次
9）学习潜水，去爬山，到野外骑脚踏车，划船
10）学习射箭
11）研究中国历史，学习中、西天文学及风水数术
12）学会法语、俄罗斯语、西班牙语、拉丁文、广东话、潮州话、福州话
13）玩电脑游戏（至少玩完游戏！对，别以为我很古板！）
14）每天写日记
15）等我想到再继续写！

　　呵呵，有那么多兴趣，看来要完成所有东西不太可能吧？因此总觉得时间不够用，即使每次闲暇时做些自己喜欢的事，也很难达到目标。可能看官会问：“那终身伴侣呢？”说得好！就因为我有太多活动要完成，因此另一半若不是通道中人，日子将非常凄凉。也许是自己没去找个人吧，又或者是还没有碰倒一个能够让我心动的人吧！

　　最近常听见其他人不断提醒我：“哦，快开学了！”别以为只有学生不想开学，老师也想享有长一点的假期！自从四月底就没好日子过……
四月底
1）准备年中考试
2）准备去澳洲
3）准备中四考后活动
4）与各科主任商量中三自学周安排
五月
5）澳洲公干
6）整理／输入分数
7）安排中四考后活动
8）安排中四复习周
9）为中四准备年中‘O’水准会考
10）彩排20周年校庆
11）以Dean身份筹备MOE Excel Fest Day分享会（开会，设计，制作）
六月
12）参加西区部门主任研讨会
13）20周年校庆
14）中四假期补课
15）华乐团假期练习及查点乐器
16）继续筹备MOE Excel Fest Day分享会（设计，制作）
17）学校领导层会议
18）整理澳洲公干资料，完成报告
19）设计年底试卷和第三学期测验
20）选好华乐团下届执委
21）拟定中四毕业证书细节及工作时间表
22）整理自己的办公桌和家里的书桌
23）准备训练中四应付口试练习
25）为中二高级华文筛选篇章设计练习
26）还有等等……

　　知道我有多忙了吧？

Cher, why did you become a Teacher?

The age old question asked by all students to their teachers. Allow me to shed a little light on those who are curious to know, though I am not speaking for the entire teaching community here. People become teachers for various reasons:

1) To share their love/knowledge of the subject they teach.
2) Wanting to communicate with people.
3) Love of children
4) Passion for teaching, wanting to play a part in moulding students
5) Inspired by their own teachers
6) Seeking for a stable job

For me, it was wanting to share my knowledge with future generations and be part of the team to help mould young kids. My reasoning was simple: If I can teach batches of students what I know, then the knowledge can be retained and passed down. If I can start a spark of interest in 1 student out of a batch of 120 students, I would have 10 students to carry on the task in 10 years. Too ideal, some may say, given the constraints and reality. For me, it does not matter THAT much, for every step I take, every move I make, it brings me just a little closer to my goal.
It all began when I was in secondary school. I used to think I would want to be a scientist, as it would mean I am intelligent. But 1 fine day at a family gathering, I was telling Chinese Folk Tales I learnt in my lessons to several younger kids. They were so mesmerised by the stories and commented that I would made a good teacher. I guess it kinda felt good to be appreciated, and it gave some meaning to what I have shared. Next, I was picking up quite a bit of knowledge from my Chinese Literature classes, so I wanted to share with my favourite younger cousin. But it dawned on me that teaching a group would be so much better than just teaching 1 person. Also, I had a great (though with attitude) Chinese Literature teacher in Sec 3. She didn't think much of Singapore students, believing that Chinese standards were dropping and interest in all things Chinese was waning even in the early 90s. She was right to some extent. I saw the signs of decline among my friends, and realised that something had to be done before all was lost. I did not regard myself highly, but at least I felt I should be doing something to stem the tide. Despite for her prejudice, I regarded her as a Chinese Literature Encyclopedia of sorts as her knowledge was vast compared to what I knew back then.
Coincidentally, the 'O' level Mother Tongue Examinations question was about my aspiration. I simply answered that I wanted to be a teacher. Though the oral examiners probably thought I was giving a model answer to score high marks, I was truly speaking my mind then. Even when they posed that teaching was not a well paid job, (yes, salary of teachers wasn't that good those days, and please don't assume I am earning $4k/mth!) I answered as-a-matter-of-factly:“薪水只要足够就好，最重要是敬业乐业。”It didn't helped that both examiners gave the knowing smile, but I was quite convinced I wanted to be a teacher back in 1993/94.
In case you readers are wondering if this post will earn me some year-end bonus or some promotion, I am telling you it won't, as such incentives comes through hard work and opportunities, not through some proclaimation or boast.

Having explained all that, some students will still ask,"Why be a teacher when all my classmates consistently drive you up the wall?" Well, my answer is simple. Teachers who have spent many years in the service continues to do so regardless of:
1) the ever-increasing workload and pressure,
2) changing times and policies,
3) weak and couldn't-be-bothered students
are those dedicated to the calling, just as doctors who try to save patients dying of terminal illnesses. No, that's not saying that students out there are a bad lot, only that we as a profession serve a calling/believe in the purpose of the job. This doesn't mean that those who left the service are not a dedicated lot, but I guess some reasons for teachers who quit are:
1) unable/unwilling to cope with the demands of the job,
2) having problems in their lives and have to quit,
3) not mentally prepared for in teaching (warts & all),
4) disillusioned because dream & reality are poles apart
Bascially, the bottomline is as long as we still see the meaning for teaching our students, we don't give up easily. Hence, if you keep hearing teachers saying they give up on a certain student, do feel sad for the teacher and the student, as it really means that the teacher has really tried but the student continues to disappoint the teacher to the point of hopelessness. It's really heartbreaking at times to hear teachers making such remarks, but in the bottom of my heart, I do know that as long as the student makes a visible effort, most teachers will still try to help the student.

Hopefully this post has somewhat clarified some doubts/satisfied some curious minds out there. I am sure that not all out there would agree to what I have mentioned, but those views are just my personal views only, so they are open to debate and discussion.

Anyone wants to go on a tour?

I wanna go these places... anyone keen to come along???

Romania-Transylvania, Bucharest
Turkey-Istanbul
UK-London, Stonehenge, Scotland, anywhere which has lots of castles
France-Paris, anywhere which has lots of castles
Germany-anywhere which has lots of castles
Russia-Moscow
China-Beijing（北京）, Mt Emei（峨嵋）, Mt Wudang（武当）, Mt Qingcheng（青城）Song Shan（嵩山）, Heng Shan（恒山）, Heng Shan（衡山）, Tai Shan（泰山）, Putuo Shan（普陀山）, Wutai Shan（五台山）, Jiuhua Shan（九华山）, Potola Palace（布达拉宫）, Dunhuang（敦煌）, Chengde （承德）,Zhuge Village（诸葛村）
Cambodia-Angkor Wat
Thailand-Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phi phi Island, Krabi, Phuket
Malaysia-Redang Island, Langkawi
Japan-Nagayo Castle, Hokkaido
Greece-Athens, Cyprus, Rhodes, Malta
Italy-Vatican, Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence
Spain-Madrid, Barcelona, Segovia, Leon, Burgos
Egypt-Cairo, Thebes, Giza
Indonesia-Bali, Bintan
New Zealand
Fiji Island-Ventulele Island
Maldives

我要出国游玩！

《鼓乐》

　　武吉巴督联络所礼堂
　　2006年6月11日
　　傍晚六点正

　　武吉巴督联络所华乐团刚办完了一场华乐演奏会。整个演出以打击乐器为重心，有意要让打击乐手也能“秀一秀”他们的“功夫”。我是应一位校友的邀请出席此演奏会。以下是他们的节目：
一、载歌载舞庆佳节（大合奏）
二、卖菜（笛子齐奏）
三、鼓韵（鼓乐）
四、草原骑兵（笙独奏）
五、大得胜（吹打乐）
六、渔舟凯歌（大合奏）
休息
七、Outbound（鼓乐）
八、春到湘江（笛子独奏）
九、锯大缸（吹咔乐）
十、Technology（鼓乐）
十一、夺丰收（大合奏）
十二、秦王破阵乐（大合奏）

　　因为时间紧迫，我到了下半场才抵达礼堂，因此错过了校友的笛子齐奏。刚好下半场才开始，所以有幸听到一些较为新鲜的曲目及演奏方式。我觉得学校的其他团员没有来听这次的演出是有点走宝。不是因为整个演出非常出色，而是身为华乐团团员，不多听听其他人的演奏会，自己又怎么知道自己的乐器能够奏出多美妙的旋律呢？要是不多听一些乐曲，又怎么知道有什么好听的曲目，独特的演奏方式？
　　其中两首西洋曲目是带有浓厚的现代节奏及西方打击乐器的表演，相信是华乐为了突破华乐老套、沉闷的框框。感觉还不错，中西乐器合并，效果并不逊色于纯西洋乐器。值得注意的是华乐不应该时常以这样的方式来寻求突破，因为人们虽然知道华乐能够奏出现代感，但也会让人觉得有点强求，或还得依赖西方乐器。
　　值得一提的是《锯大缸》。它是吹咔乐，是由唢呐及其部件模仿人声和锯子声响，表现十分滑稽有趣。这也让人耳目一新，不再以为唢呐只是红、白事才派上用场的嘈杂乐器。况且演奏员的默契十足，肢体表情丰富，使整个曲目生色不少。我想这如果能够收入光碟，同《空山鸟语》、《老鼠娶妻》播放给校内团员看，一定能够让团员们大开眼界。
　　最后是自己从这次演出领悟出的道理：要让人们对华乐产生兴趣，得先让他们见识华乐的丰富表演方式和收听其美妙旋律。一旦制造了机会，剩下就得靠其他因素来维持他们对华乐的热忱了。

Are you married?

Yes, many a times, students have spotted a ring on my left hand and assumed that I am engaged or married. I regret to inform those interested to know that no, I am not attached yet, much less married. The true reason for the presence of the ring is because I am Lord of the Rings… (pause for awkward silence & the wave of cold air to pass…) No, it’s because of my long time fascination with rings.

I have always been fascinated with jewellery of all sorts, regarding them as a work of art, and lately, a fashion accessory. Obviously, I have a developed a fondness for rings. Not those exquisite rings (Tiffany, Bulgari, Larry, etc.) which can buy you parts of a Ferrari, but the simple looking types. I fancy those of plain design, and have a small collection of them. Other than the “Lee Hwa Jon Rainer 750” which I always wear on my left hand, I also possess the 3 Elven Rings of Lord of the Rings (Vilya, Nenya, Narya), with my favourite being Nenya as I consider it a beauty amongst all my rings and also because Galadriel was a fair and powerful Elven sorceress. My latest acquisition is a dark steel ring from Australia, which I frequently wear it on my right middle finger as a counter balance to my white gold ring. I got it from Philip Island during my Melbourne conference trip. Being a souvenir gift, it only cost AUD$5, hence it is a tad too thick for my finger. But I guess it will do for now. I must say that it is very durable as after a month of wearing it, it is still bright and smooth. As such, I may consider black steel for future jewellery…

3 Elven Rings

Vilya, the Ring of Air, mightiest of the 3 Elven rings, bore a great blue stone and was originally possessed by Gil-galad, who gave it to Elrond at the end of the Second Age.

Nenya, the Ring of Waters, with a single hard white stone of great beauty, which was always in the keeping of the Lady Galadriel.

Narya, the Ring of Fire, borne by Cirdan the Ship-wright until the end of the first millennium of the Third Age, when he surrendered the Ring with its great red stone to the Wizard Gandalf the Grey. (Bet you guys didn’t know Gandalf had a ring, and an Elven ring at that!)

Melbourne Conference Trip 4th May – 12th May

I must say that on the whole, my Melbourne trip was a pleasant working trip. Despite so many heavyweights in the group (8 VPs and 7 HODs!), we had an interesting mix of characters amongst us. The many jokes we shared amongst ourselves made the long bus journeys more enjoyable and work more bearable.

The weather in Melbourne in May was cool, as it was the beginning of winter, with temperatures between 11 to 17 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, it rained sparingly while we were there, so our journey and moods weren’t affected by it. Just like any other Western country, most of Melbourne’s shops close at 6pm, so there wasn’t really much shopping to do. However, we had the opportunity to visit the Victoria Market on the 1st day and I bought AUD$20 worth of fruits. As Australia is famous for its agricultural products, fruits were in abundance there. (Apple, orange, mandarin orange, grapes, banana, rock melon, honeydew, pineapple, lemon, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, pear, persimmon) Even the apples were named for their variety! (Green - Granny Smith, Pink – Pink Lady, Red – Royal Gala)

The food there is not so fantastic where variety is concerned, as breakfast is usually muffins, baked beans, scrambled eggs, French toast. Australians tend to have a light and healthy lunch of cold sandwiches and crepes. Dinner is either a plain or expensive affair, depending on choice. One can either settle for the usual Western fair of fast food/Fish & Chips or other flavours. If not for the Chinese, Muslim, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants in the vicinity of our hotel, our tastes buds would have been tortured beyond redemption. Another thing worth noting is Australians prefer their cakes SWEET, quite unbearable even for one who possesses a sweet tooth. Even the foreign restaurants cook their meals with higher salt content to suit the Australians’ taste buds (which leaves me to wonder why have bland lunch but rich flavoured dinner?)

Our first recreational trip was to see the Twelve Apostles (十二圣徒岩) along the Great Ocean Road (大洋路). They are part of the coastal landforms created out of the constant erosion of the Victorian coastline. In fact, they are usually featured on many advertisements showcasing natural landscapes. Due to the extent of erosion, only 7 out of the original 12 rocks are left standing today. I strongly recommend those who haven’t seen them to go before all 12 are gone for good. It’s a pity we couldn’t stay over there to catch the sunset and sunrise, which must be awesome. I guess the calendars I bought will suffice.

Philip Island is cold. The main purpose of travelling for 3 hrs in our bus to the island is to catch a glimpse of the penguins returning nightly to their nest after fishing the whole day. Upon reaching the island, you can feel the strong gales of cold wind coming from the Antarctic, and since penguins don’t return till the sun has set, we had to time our visit well so that we don’t have to suffer the chilling wind but still get to see the penguins. The species found on Philip Island smaller than those you usually see on documentaries, but the whole affair was an experience nonetheless. Other than the cold, the only thing that marred our image of Philip Island was a lack of social grace from other foreign visitors. Many a times while we are silently following the penguins back to their nests, one can hear many LOUD conversations in Mandarin and sometimes Indian Languages. Fortunately, no Singlish was overheard, otherwise Singaporeans will be blacklisted by another fair city for its ungracious behaviour.