End of academic year

The academic year has somewhat ended. Well, there are no more lesson preparations needed nor marking to do, so my job with the kids is complete. Almost. Just need to go through the exam paper with them. 

Am very pleased, to say the least, with the results. Out of 14, I do have 2 who failed. But the overall improvement has been wonderful. An average improvement of 10 marks per student! 

No, I didn't get any A stars. Not that I expected or even dared hope for any. I got one A. But I had 12 passes. I saved two that the previous teacher thought was beyond saving. No, that would not be entirely fair. It was all the effort put in by the parents, me and most importantly the children.  And a whole lot of changed attitudes. 

The one who reminds me so much of B is most improved. He improved by 36.5 marks! He got second highest in class. Woohoo! Very pleased with that. 

Another boy with a phobia for problem sums overcame his fear and scored 70! Yay!

Considering I had 5 passes at mid year and only 2 failures now, I'm thankful I could make a difference. 

The boys were really great. They came almost all the time when I asked them to see me at recess. Whether it is to do corrections or for recess teaching, they came. When when i didn't ask for them,they dropped by to check if they had corrections to clear.  All the way till the day before the papers started. Bless them. 

I will miss them next year. May not get to stay on at ACS(P) next year. Even if I did, will most certainly be doing P4 again. But I truly thank God for such a wonderful bunch whom I've come to love dearly. I am thankful for the opportunity to know them and share my love of the subject with them. I hope they will continue to work hard and to love the subject. 

My colleague who knew I was super anxious for the boys during their paper told me that the mama bird needs to let the baby birds go. And that I shall. After I shed a few tears and pray over them. 

Fly little birds. May this year be as special to you as it has been to me.

Shu Todoroki

This is Shu Todoroki. B'a current favourite toy. 

He was meant to bring his favourite thing to school on Thursday to his show and tell. Out of all his millions of toys in our tiny apartment, he chose Shu Todoroki. We tried to persuade to find a toy with a simpler name but he was quite determined. 

Although his teacher had to prompt him with the questions that I had written down, he answered all the questions. 

On Friday he insisted on bringing it to school again. But finally agreed to leave it in the car. On the way home, he was holding it as we walked to the lift lobby. 

As we were walking into the lift, he dropped it and all three of us watched as Shu Todoroki rolled towards and then disappeared into the gap between the lift and the lift landing. B started to wail loudly and was inconsolable. 

This was him at home. 

I tried calling the toy shops Tanglin Mall, where I have seen them. All sold out. 

Finally called AMKTC office and was directed to 24-hr emergency lift services hotline. I was rather embarrassed to ask if we could retrieve a toy car. The woman asked if I had dropped my car keys and very sheepishly, repeated that it was a toy car. With B wailing loudly in the background, the woman was quite sympathetic, saying that they can help. 

The appointed time for the technicians to come by was 9pm as we were going out. 

The guys came at 9.10pm and we meet them on the first floor. B's heroes didn't seem too delighted when the item they were meant to pick up wasn't car keys but a die cast toy car.

Needless to say, B was over the moon to be reunited with Shu Todoroki. We gave Shu Todoroki a good scrub and made sure it was ok. It has sustained a few scratches to show for its adventure. What drama. 

A long way for K

From the time of crying when separated from us, to not wanting to go for dance class because you didn't want to be left alone, and then crying because of the attention at every birthday.

From this:

to this:

Am so proud of you, little girl.

B prays

We were giving some friends in church a lift home this afternoon after CG so we had to move B's seat to the last row. I sat with him behind and he held my hand. Then as he examined and caressed my hand, he realized that my fingers were dry and rough from the constant contact with detergent. Then he said, "I don't like your finger rough." He started to pray, "Father God, pray for mummy's finger and thumb not rough anymore."

Five minutes later. He examined my fingers and said, "Still rough. Not ok yet." Then he prayed once again for them to be smooth again.

Yay! First time my son prayed for me in person without being told to.

Back to School

It's the end of the March holidays and back to school for the kids. After a whole week of activities and everyone taking turns to run a fever, it's back to our usual routine. 

But more than that, it's back to school for me. Yes, back to teaching after a 5-year hiatus. A huge load of inertia and apprehension about going back to work. 

There will be no difference for the children as my hours are worked around their school timings so I will drop and pick them up as usual. But it will mean no more time for errands, no more me-time, no more galavanting to buy secret presents. Housework, sewing, cooking and packing the house will all have to be done after the kids get home and while they are napping. 

Well, it's the first day at school. I finally got the admin sorted, most of it at least. 

So here is my pass. Finally. Except I still have no access to the toilet and pantry because I've only been given access to the Learning Centre where I sit. Sigh. Can't believe how rigid everything is after so long. 

It's been a surprisingly ok day. Only 1 hr of classroom time. And even then, I was just shadowing another teacher. But I did practice my silent glares at some who were kicking and slapping their friends, despite the teacher standing in front of the class. Boys. *rolls eyes* This class is clearly quite unmotivated and full of energy which is not directed where it is most needed. Shall see what we can do with that. 

But am thankful that my return to work hasn't been one rude shock. It's been calm and pleasant so far. I will be teaching fewer hours than a normal teacher which would of course translate to lesser pay. But for now, I am satisfied because sanity is much more important when you have two little ones to bring home and entertain while being at home.

I can't wait for three o' clock when I get to see my babies again. 

Qookerly

B: (triumphantly) I have finished! (Waves his empty cereal box)
Me: Good job B!
B: Clap for me.
Me: Haha. Ok. Yay! (Claps and cheers)
B: I eat qookerly.
Me: haha. Yes, u did eat quickly.

Love it when they use new vocab and mispronounce it.

B's progress in school

Yay! B has officially stopped crying when we part in his new school. It's been three days without tears. And we even managed to complete all aspects of the health screen today (tho with some persuasion). Way to go kiddo! Love your teachers, love your friends and have a heck load of fun!