A Month ++

Being an Educator is really enlightening, esp when I realize the amt of work and effort that Educators have. Their duties are very heavy, with many many duties and roles to play. I am guilty of grumbling a bit when I have to return on Sats, but there are many who return to get some work done. Admire the time sacrifice made by them.

The test turned out okay. Not in my best form but heck. The fact that I studied while on the bus and mrt journey for tuition is already commendable. Cant help the fact that once I reach home, mostly three thirty, I would take a nap and concus... until tuition time. After I reach home from tuition, I concus again. On the few days without tuition, I am guilty of concussing all day. Cant seem to wake up from deep sleep once I lie on the bed.

After drinking at Chimes, Quetzal sent us home in her brand new car! Arigatogozaimashita! Had supper at Fong Seng. Prata and tea. Reminded of the simpler and less complicated days of being an undergrad, not sooooo long ago.... when I was still wide-eyed, blur and enjoying lots of free time. Also miss the Hall life, but it was cool driving around at night. If I have a chance to study again, I would try to make the most of it.

Within a blink or is it many many blinks of the eye, its almost a mth into being an Educator. Nowadays I am running pretty low in energy. Cos most of my weeks thus far has been a 7-day-week. So far, been back for 3 out of 4 sats. Then coupled with tuition. Totemo tsekareta. Have to last until the end of the year, then I will evaluate whether I want to continue this type of work hrs and strain for the 'extra cash'. But to me, tuition previously until I landed a perm job, was an impt source of income. It supplemented my low pay. Though the hours can be punishing, so far with exception of one case whom I sacked, I enjoyed teaching tuition. At least it feels good that u are helping them out, igniting interests, seeing improvements both in results and understanding. Its becos I enjoyed tuition thus far, that led me to consider being an Educator. Until then, I still have 4 more weeks til the end of all exams. Of course it didnt help that I myself have a chisai test coming up next week. It is also useful as I can observe myself how I handle queries and can help spot potential problems students face in the various topics.

Well last week had a very intensive week of relief duties. Only had one very bad case of handling a class. The good thing is that I am getting practical experience so that I will not be shocked later on. Moreover I have guidance from my collegues so I am thankful. So far work doesnt feel like work. Its only the waking up and travelling part. In other aspects, its okay lor. So far i feel that I can get thru to some students. They greet me whenever they see me. Some will raise their hands to ask me qns, or start conversations. The few aspects to work on is my voice projection and adapting to teaching a class instead of an individual. Therein lies the main difference between being a tutor and an Educator.

Days pass quickly cos whenever I open my eyes, its off to work. Then after a nap in the afternoons, the next time I open my eyes, its off to tuition. After I reach home, the next time I open my eyes, its another day. I have had a pretty punishing schedule ever since I started work in the middle of last year. True enough, family and friends are worried that I am running low on energy. Well I will definitely review at the end of the year. Actually I doubt I will sit idle for long. I might just fill up the hours with courses eg Akido, electric guitar, regular gym workout sessions, language courses, hours and hours of gaming etc. It might just be back to square one.

3 WEEKS

Well its been 3 weeks into my current job. So far duties are light cos just started. Children's Day just passed, and last week. Me and some young collegues did a 'Spore Idol Reject' skit. My role was to play the catcus man who sang lemon tree. So I used a mask and a tennis ball as my lemon. Did stupid actions while I sang the chorus. While singing the 'lemon tree' part, I lifted my lemon up. While singing the 'turning, turning...' part, I kept circling. My female collegues all did very well with one whisperer-Titanic, one screecher- Only you and one punk style rendition of Grandfathers clock. The skit ended with our very own William Hung, a sporting male collegue, with the 'She-Bang' song. It was thoroughly funny, enjoyable and fun. When we returned to class, some of the students kept doing the 'She-Bang'. Some sang lemon tree infront of me. :)

Started some lessons. So far, very different compared to tuition. Its a bit difficult as the demands and abilities varies. And that there is no one size fits all method. Hope to do better. So far I am quite confident of taking my cca and for PE. Anyway its good to have a holiday. I think we all deserved it cos had to go back on two previous sats. Another good thing is that a few of my collegues know how to play the guitar well. I put my guitar at the office and they all commented that they loved my guitar. True enough, when they play with my guitar, it really sounds good. Sign, i want to play good also. My mentor kind enough to teach me one barring practice using the song 'Swamp Thing'. I also bought my speaker already so talking is okay. Now so far things are okay. Hope it remains so until next year. Another mth until exams. Next week more relief. See how things go. I am keeping my fingers crossed.