A Great Book

I have just completed a wonderful book entitle "Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed. This book is a compilation of letters from distressed individuals and replies from the columnist, Sugar.

I love the book as Sugar provides honest amd genuine replies to her readers. Sugar's replies were intriguing as she does not only responds to the problems asked by also shares her own life with the readers. 

This book made me think hard about life and reflect upon my own. My perspectives have again been widened and I guess, this is really what good books do.

The above extract shows one of my most favorite parts of the book.

Lighting up Lanterns

As part of West Coast Community Centre Youth Executive Committee, I went to help out at a Mid-Autumn event. Our job was simple - helping the residents to light up their lanterns. Simple as it may sound, I have really enjoyed the experience!

I love the lighting up process and of course, the lit lantern.  The process could be fast, if the wind cooperates and remains obedient so that I could stabilise the candle in place and light it up. But the wind was not always so cooperative and the lighter did not always follow commands too. What I loved about the process was the sense of anticipation of the children waiting for their lanterns to be ready. They have so muc hope in their eyes which instantly grew wide and brightened up when the lanterns were ready!

Actually this reminds me of my career. Isn't the person lighting up the lantern the teacher, and the lanterns as students? The process of lighting up is not always smooth sailing and there are obstacles to be overcome along the way. The children waiting for their lanterns are like the parents who pin their hopes on their children, hoping them to shine and succeed in life.

Therefore I say, lighting up the lanterns could be fun, meaningful and satisfying! :)

Teachers' Day Present

Today, towards the end of QED526 class, our teacher asked if we celebrated teachers' day last Sunday. Many of us replied 'no' and he held up a yellow bag and said, 'it's okay, here's a teachers' day present for all of you.'

All of us were so shocked! It should have been the other way round! Sadly, it didn't cross my mind that I should prepare something for my teachers and this sets me thinking...

I remember when I was young, I was always looking forward to special days like children's day, teachers' day, youth day etc. But I realised, as I grow older, these days to me are just like any other. This is really quite a depressing phenomenon that as we grow, we forgot about the simple yet significant things that we once held close to heart. I am thankful, for being reminded of this fact, for being reminded that it is always heart-warming to feel appreciated and remembered.

Back to Alma Mater

I was really glad and excited to be back to my secondary school, all thanks to an assignment for the QED526 class which requires us to observe a lesson.

 

 

I had not been back for quite some time and I am really grateful to the teachers who were so willing and ready to help! They were really an inspiration to me and I was truly touched by their selflessness. It was a busy period for all teachers as they were all preparing for the year-end examinations but yet they took time off to help us with our assignment.

 

A trip back to alma mater had really brought the sense of nostalgia to me, for everything still seems so familiar and I felt like I went back in time, to my secondary school days. I saw the wall which I painted when I was in secondary two, and was amazed that it still stood tall and proud.

 

So, I went to the "Problem-Based Learning" classroom for my lesson observation.

 

 

Jurong Secondary school provides the students with the necessary ICT to learn in an innovative and fun way! I was amazed by how well equipped the school has become, and how fortunate the students must be.

 

It was a great trip and it made me want to return to the school as a teacher, for the school holds many beautiful memories of mine...