My Neighbours

I live in a point block, so I have 3 neighbours/families living on my level. We have shifted here for 2 years now and we're still at the smile-and-nod head to hi-bye level of relationship with our neighbours. The most we managed was some small talk in the lift.

At first, we've tried to keep our wooden doors open when we're home, but security became an issue when 1 of our bicycles got stolen. And on another occasion, Jerome caught 2 men in an obsence act just at the staircase outside our flat. So Jerome decided it's a 'close-door policy' after all.

When we first shifted in, we actually presented some fruits to out next door neighbour. My parents had given us the fruits when they returned from a trip from Malaysia. So we've decided to share the fruits and attempt to make some new friends. They are a young couple just like us. Unfortunately, since our 'fruits offering', we have since only progressed to smile and nod head, small talk level of relationship. After the initial introduction, I've since forgotten their names :P

Anyway, I met this neighbour on my way home earlier this evening. I found her familar and realised that it was my next door neighbour. As she approached me, I noticed that she was rubbing her stomach with her hands. Suddenly I realised that she's pregnant, looks about 5-6 months pregnant. Envy... I smiled at her and she smiled back at me. I wonder if she recognised me as her neighbour or she's just smiling because she's happy she's pregnant...

She'll probably be having her maternity leave and caring for her new baby in a few months time. I'm also a full-time housewife then. I can cook and bring over food and I can play with her baby? A new friend, finally? Something to look forward to after July...

Job Satisfaction

A friend was telling me that she feels depressed after looking at her payslip every month. After being in the school for over 4 yrs as an adjunct teacher, she had been and remained grossly underpaid. No benefits, no bonuses, no increments. I was shocked when she revealed the amount that she's paid. I had been getting more allowance from Jerome when I was on leave last year! No wonder she was feeling depressed... She's one of the best and most committed teachers I've ever known. She's also super capable. So she definitely deserves a pay increase and more recognition.

For one intending to quit the job soon, I found that I was quick to encourage her by looking at the other areas of school that give us a greater sense of satisfaction. Like simple enjoyment of doing the things we like, making a difference in the lives of the children, etc..., more than the financial rewards... We truly enjoy our job.

My work has indeed given my life more meaning. If I'm to stop working, stop being a teacher what's really left of me? I wonder... life 2 months later, without my job, what am I going to do...

Baby Blues...

School has kept me busy... leaving me little time to dwell on things like having a baby...
even start having thoughts of postponing having a baby... just not a good time... too busy with work...
as if I've any control over it in the first place...
Haven't give it much thought, actually not as much thoughts as I had during my leave from work...
Of course when one's not working, there's the illusion of having all the time in the world to make things happen...

Work keeps me occupied, I'm satisfied... comfortable...

Then...
Just stumbled upon some photographs that a friend posted on her FB... photographs of her new born baby boy... so cute...
The miracle of life... amazing... from something microscopic... 9 months...
A miraculous new life...

Wonder why it's just so difficult...

Special Bear

During my 1-month work attachment at an international school in Dec 2007, I was very fortunate to be observing a Grade 2 class where the teacher got a Special Bear for the class. The children will take turns to bring the teddy bear home and help to write the journal of the bear. The next day, the teacher will share with the class regarding the 'adventures' of the bear by reading the bear's journal. The children were excited to bring the bear home and they always look forward to listening to the bear's experiences at their classmates' home.

So back in school, I got my own special bear in 2008 and started my own Special Bear's Journal with my Primay 3 class. The children took turns to bring the bear, the journal and a digital camera (my 1st Sony Digital camera) home . Initially, I was unsure if the children would find a teddy bear too childish. Fortunately, they were very enthusiatic and everyone wanted to bring the bear home.

What's good about the Special Bear's Journal?
It was a great way to get children to get really interested in writing.
It gives more meaning to their writing as their writing get shared the following day.
I get to model some editing as I share the journal with the children over the visualizer.
It's a way of getting to know the child & family better through the pictures that the child has taken and journal written.
They learn to be more responsible. Even the children who seem to forget about submitting forms and doing homework will diligently write the journal and bring the Bear back the very next day.
Of course, it was a great way to encourage the children to write their own journals and promote other desirable behaviours in class...

After staying at home sitting on the shelf for a year, I'm sure Special Bear must have felt delighted to be back in the limelight again. The new class I'm taking is equally enthusiatic about bringing Special Bear home. Next week, SB will be going to the zoo with the children :)

Special Bear enjoying a picnic...

Special Bear looking at the children learning to swim...

Dinner Prepared by Hubby

Came home to a nicely prepared dinner by Jerome :)

There was a pot of soup and a plate of baked beans too!

Just ignore the newspaper :P

Retirement after 41 yrs of service

A teacher proudly retired on 31st March after 41 years of service... An amazing feat!

As the principal put it, it's an incredible amount of passion, perserverance and resilience to stay in the same vocation for 41 yrs.

"I'll be back!" she promised. She'll be taking a 10 weeks break before returning to school as an adjunct teacher.

I'm just in my 8th year...