First Week

The first week has passed.
While it was only three days, it felt like a month with the pace we started with and not forgetting a nagging need to get everything ready for my concurrent lectures next week for H1 & possibly 2.
But then work aside, it felt good to be back, to see everyone again - students and teachers alike. Standing in front of the class, peering at those familiar faces, there was a warm sensation of happiness to know that we can journey together for a little while more - thus I am going to ignore those silly wisecracks for a little while more.
Respect for each other and self should not be nelgected.

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Here is a little info for some

I managed to grab hold of the timetable for H3 biology LSM 1102



Directions:
What is the fastest way to NUS science?

If you are going to Lt like LT26
Exit school from the side gate beside the sheltered carpark (behind canteen)
Cross the road via overhead bridge and take 93.
Get ready to alight when you see Queensway Shopping Centre on your right. The bus will make a huge turn to the right at a X-junction. No idea about Queensway Shopping Centre? It is near IKEA. Alight then (1st stop after the turn)

Take 197 from the bus stop (you are now across the road from Queensway Shopping Centre). It will bring you to NUH on about the 4-5th stops. You will be able to see NUH although you don't stop in front of it and the bus-stop has an overhead bridge.
From there you can get to NUS science via walking for 5 minutes.


If you miss this stop, don't worry. The next stop is fine too although slightly further up. It is beside the school field which makes it very conspicious. If you are going for lab or university hall for the first day, this stop beside the field is your best bet for proximity.
Cross the track/field to reach the hall/lab.

The above is not the only way. There are several variations which I did not post unless you need





Mmm...the Spinelli cookies is really great so if you are there, either at Science canteen or Uni Hall, get one for a treat haahah. If you find this useful, you can treat me too ahahahah

Welcome Back 2 School. It is 2007!!

It is back to school day!
Before we realise it, the holidays had went ahead and left us behind to begin a new year and start the mugging for a challenging year ahead.

What is going to happen this year?
It will be the same old routine of tutorials, lectures, PE lessons but without any PW nagging in the background and asking mr chan to act out a script about BBQ school. But also that the syllabus will be due for completion in about 6 months' time before the teachers round up their preaching and nagging as the exams loom overhead. 6 months. A pretty short time. For the students and teachers who forsee the remedials and extra lessons beyond that.

For me, I am already looking into a 6-month plan to get things kicking although I am almost sure that most students did not realised the limited time left before intensive mugging start. Well, at least I never did when I was still in my uniform years back. =) Yet, if you did, beside studying, do cherish the time you have in school with your friends, class and everyone else. I remembered my JC2 as clear as yesterday and my JC frens are still with me after all these years. =)

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How did my holidays go?
The first month was spent invilgilating and preparing notes, answers and powerpoints, all the way up before the day I left for China.

I went backpacking again this year and the thrill is still there when you explore new grounds on your feet with limited funds and a heavy sack behind you. But I do think I should take a break next year from the excitement for a while. Time perhaps to bring my parents out, especially my dad to see snow.
Unlike young pple nowsdays, I never did fly a plane until very late in life and I supposed with the past few years of backpacking, I am making up for those missed experiences as curosity of foreign lands got the better of me. And personally, it was an important growing phase for me as well. But be warned that dangers lurked all over so while the ideas of backpacking sounds absolutely fanciful, certain considerations and maturation will be great.
Anyway, my parents never really got out of the country especially my dad so perhaps next year is a good time to bring them out if they can pry themselves away from my baby niece. =)

Oh. I never did find my kiddo based on the direction I got. The place was just too big and I hunted from place to place, even seeking help from the local teachers. It was a mini adventure on my own met with disappointment but we needed to pick up and move on as each day of the holiday is always different.

Stories have to be set aside for now and if i get get around telling because , I am rather tired from all the running around and setting issues on this brand new school day. =)
Well, one thing for sure, this blog is back in business and I will be posting educational materials soon kekekeek.

Hope you all have a great holidays and are recharged.
Really happy to see you all again =)

Oh btw, prepare your tutorial. we are ready to start. Or at least I am so be ready. =P


PS: mmm...who is reading this blog? Apparently this blog has gone beyond my class. mmmm...

Flying Off

I am back. For a while. Perhaps the next few mintues typing on this page.
Thanks to slagoon for attempt to keep the the blog vibrant in activity. =)

Right now I am in an almost blank-out state after working furiously on next year's notes for the past 5 days. It was like those days in Uni when I would work endlessly for days on one paper assignment after another. Then at the end, when all have been submitted, the body would crash out physiologically with an immense sense of relief. I ALMOST missed that feeling. ;P
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That day, I had a discussion with some teachers on overseas CIP:

I am sure that doing overseas CIP has its benefits because I have seen my own group of teens grew from it and it also allowed me to see a different side of them after working with them for months locally. As a facilitator, we can appreciate the changes we observed in our own team but what does it mean for the participants?

From a teen's point of view, why do you join overseas CIP? Could we have spent the same amount of time and resources to do local community work?
For those who had been on a project before, does that mean that you are more involved in local community work?

Really, whether it is CIP overseas or local and it doesn't even have to be a Project, to get us to doing some good around in this world. It comes with a sense of compassion and the simple awareness of other's needs.
When my brother went backpacking in Australia for a month, he bought burgers for the homeless lying around on the streets to fill their stomachs. And I thought that was just so amazing of my brother. And it also struck the point that we can do good anywhere even when we are on holidays, when we are usually oblivious to the rest of the world except the touristy attactions.

I think I am not too coherent already. I need sleep.
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Last point - I am flying off this SUnday!! After 4 years, I am really going back to Yunnan to visit one of my kids (the whereabout of the rest is unknown), wandering on my own in search of his obscure location. . I guess it is about time to make this journey.
What will I do there? I 'aint too sure. He used to write about chatting all-night long along the yangtze river. But I think we are too far away from the river in this new school he is studying. Perhaps we will just chat and talk about life and how his is going to turn out. Perhaps I can help him ifor his educatiotn so that life can be better for him and his family? And knowing him, he will do good for his village and people around him. Perhaps I will start a chain reaction of pay it forward. it will all be 4 days later.


From 4 years back...

Hiatus

This blog will undergo a breakdown for a while, in line with its publisher's mental state.
Staying up too late to craft out answers for the revision work took its toll on his physiological balance.
Thus a hibernation session has been scheduled, as according to Dr Wolala's prescription.

Until next time!

BBQ with Q

Another class outing, another disaster.
As many can attest on Tues night, my brain neuronal system is not very wired to my limbs as I took on the DDR for the first time in my life.
Juggling with my legs and getting tangled in the mesh of beats are my specialty. I can't bear to see any related clips.

But I enjoyed it. Trying things (within my knowing limits and getting embarrassed) is also my specialty because there is something to look forward to in a challenge, personal or otherwise as we continually push our limits to determine our comfort zone and capability. And I admit, I used to want to try it when younger but never did. haha.
Perhaps more practice will hardwire some relevant motor neurons in place so that I can get more combo points next time!

The stress of standing on that little mat had me totally fizzled out when I got home.