Attending a new class

Checked out a Crestar Learning Centre branch at Siglap for suitable classes for QY. When we were there, we ran into her favourite ex-ballet teacher. QY's interest to learn ballet is re-ignited. I promised her I'll sign up for a trial class on the condition that I won't sit in. She will attend the class on her own and there is to be NO crying. She used to be so attached to us and insecure alone that she will come out of the dance studio weeping. It was so exasperating.

Then there was the English Speech and Drama class. We had experience with the teacher earlier this year when she attended her classmate's birthday party there and the teacher came in as facilitator to play with the kids. I was already impressed by the teacher then. There wouldn't many materials or teaching aids around, the classroom was pretty bare. Basically uncreative and boring. But I like that, cos I believe the lesser resources the kids have, the more creative and imaginative they have to become. And those are the qualities that I hope QY will develop.

QY attended the S&D trial class last sat. Timing was at 2.30pm which wasn't very ideal. Hot weather and it's her naptime. She was initially a little apprehensive and eyes turned teary and red. I guess she needs some time to warm up so i stood at the door for a while hoping to reassure her. Teacher quickly caught her attention with a storybook about an ape. They browsed through the book, she got them to imitate the actions of an ape. Next thing i know, QY was happily ape-ing around the room, laughing loudly and responsing very well to the teacher. RELIEF!!

I can't imagine how the teacher is going to occupy them for a hour but she did, and successfully too. For an entire hour, QY participated in all the activities and enjoyed herself tremendously. She came out beaming, jumping with joy (haven't wind down yet even though the class has ended) and asked to join the class. Even gave the teacher 2 high fives before leaving, so much rapport!!

I am definitely going to sign her up for this S&D class but not the ballet. Too many lessons, and one on each day of the weekend. No way am i going to travel to Siglap in the afternoon heat when I badly need the weekend to rest. Besides, the classes cost a bomb.

Bailed myself out of the ballet class by offering to go swimming with her instead. Frankly swimming is as tiring, but it is cheaper. I can swim too while she plays with her dad, and use that as another exercise session for myself. I bought her a swimming board to make my ballet-replacement plan look better. It worked!! No one must mention ballet again from now on.

QY turns 4

It's QY's 4th birthday. We had 3 rounds of celebrations for her. One on the Sunday before actual day for my entire clan at home. Two on actual day; one in school with her classmates and teachers and one at Parkway with her two best friends.

I loved the home celebration. We gathered everyone, including Ed's Brothers VK and VY and their family. Food was delicious cos my mom prepared most of them while Ed ordered the remaining from Lily. QY warms up to her cousin Yun immediately although they don't meet often. After all, blood is thicker than water. I do want her to spend more time with her cousin Yun, am hoping that QY will grow up to be like her.

She receives lots of presents, no wonder children always say that their birthdays are the happiest days of their lives. Her most dreamt of gift came from aunt PL, who bought her a Barbie Totally Hair Color It Set. Her favourite would probably be the Disney Princess blouse and skirt that AK (my ex-student who adopted QY as his godsister) bought for her. But personally I liked her jewellery case cum musical box from SY best. And I think her doodle set from Yun was most appropriate for her learning at the moment cos she is learning to write.

Celebration in school was simple and over in half an hour. We arrived at noon, brought in the goody bags and the "Wink" design, 2kg cake. The table for birthday cake was quickly set up. All the kids are already seated and ready for the mini celebration. She posed for photos first with Ed and I, then with all the boys, then the girls, and finally with her teachers. We all sang the birthday song in 3 versions, English, Chinese, and May the good Lord bless you. Then she blew out the candles, teacher quickly cut and distribute the cake to everyone. The kids are so seasoned to such celebrations and knew precisely what to do that everything went like clock work mechanics. By 12.30pm, everyone finished the entire cake, some had a second round of spaghetti (prepared by the kitchen), drank water, washed and clean up, tables cleared, all disposables thrown into bin, queue up and ready to move to music room for next activity. Wow! That was so organised.


After school she met up with her 2 best friends for more fun at 3pm. We had wanted to go to Bouncing Castle at Katong Mall, but the place is empty, bared! Contingency plan put into action! Other gyms nearby were considered but Mel thought that the kids are far more advance for these gyms now, so not worth spending the money. We decided to push forward the remaining programme. We went straight to do the Window Art Handicraft (something that QY has been looking forward to since she was 2, but I kept postponing it). Then the kids spent a long time playing at Isetan Toy Dept and at the kiddy rides till 5pm. She picked a Disney princess water bottle there as a gift from aunt Siew. THe kids made alot of noise, terrorised a English girl while she was taking a ride in a "van" by clambering all over the vehicle and trapping her girl inside. We had early dinner at Swensens where she was given a free sundae with 3 scoops of ice cream. Home by 8pm when she baths and fall asleep almost immediately.

Return to Sanity

Today marks the end to 7 weeks of madness at work.
1st week: term 3 begins. Daily rush to chase forms, payments, homeworks, assignments.
2nd week: Organised Youth Day Concert + staff meeting.
3rd week: Crescendo concert rehearsals and performance + NDP rehearsals
4th week: Racial Harmony week planning and rehearsals. Fell sick.
5th week: Racial Harmony week celebration. Attend interviews. Still sick.
6th week: Pen Pic + performa + setting Prelim exam papers + NDP rehearsals which end at 6.30pm + run detention class + run anti-drug abuse campaign + teacher's day audition + MY BIRTHDAY
7th week: NDP rehearsals which end at 6.45pm + run detention class + more teacher's day audition + hunt for16 cheap, plain red, size XS t-shirts

Gosh, it's finally over.

My Birthday Present

I gave myself a birthday present today. I accepted the offer to work in a better (i hope) environment. One that will give me more space, and opportunity for personal development.

Racial Harmony Week

My 2 capable chairmans from 2006-2008.

Had this bunch of students since 2004.

Core Geography Class 2008

Feeling bitter

Got tricked by some 17 year olds today.

Me: Where is your friend? Why is he not here today?
Guy 1: He died already.
Me: He is your good friend, you shouldn't curse him.
Guy 2: ok, ok, he went to the dentist.
Me (don't recall seeing any dentist in the school today): He went to the dentist in school or outside?
Girl (sniggering): you really believe he went to the dentist? bluff you one lar.
And all 3 laugh out loudly.

I have spent 3 whole years of my life with them, nurturing and educating them. This is a group of teenagers whom I've grown to love and trust. I don't understand why they need to trick me this way. Do i look so gullible to them? Or am I wrong to trust them? I told them straight in the face that I am disappointed that they made a joke out of this. I asked the girl that if I don't trust them, am I suppose to be on my guard all the time, and to question every word they say? I can't live this way.

It feels so awful to be tricked and laughed at by people whom I have loved and trusted. And I am crying as I blog this.

Bathing Independently

Managed to train QY to bathe independently. She is able to soap herself and rinse clean. My main concern was whether she can reach her back, which she manages very well. But still can't shampoo yet cos she is terrify of water getting into her eyes.