In my last visit to the sinseh, just before I came down with stomach flu, last week, I was advised not to eat 生，冷，酸，甜，辣，硬 which somehow greatly limits my diet to porridge and soupy stuff. Things like milk, banana, green tea, cool types of fruits eg watermelon are also out. So I asked what can I eat? Porridge with say fish slices, pickled veg and try to eat a bit more yolk. Man, that's a big limit...
So mostly I've stuck to the plainer diet especially for lunch at work. I would dabao porridge from those zcp stall with a fried egg/steamed egg and plainer meat. Buy one can of pickled cucumber from the provision shop and eat them. Sometimes I dabao that for dinner. There were a few nights I cooked Instant noodles with egg for dinner. Myjo's Garlic Chicken flavor tastes good as soup noodles instead of dry. My favorite Curry flavor is out. Sometimes I eat rice but eat simpler stuff too.
Then Tab was away and the rest didn't meet up. So I had no excuse to eat out much. Just dabao Yong Tau Foo soup for dinner. Then this week when I saw the sinseh for the weekly follow-up, my condition had improved but still need to maintain it...
But when Tab flew back, that night before she arrived, I was munching on a fried Taiwan style 鸡扒, ate a few pieces with the batter on, bliss. Then for the rest, peeled off the batter and just eat the lean chicken instead. That was my lunch cos I didn't have time for lunch and just ate a few peanuts. We ate pasta and I had my soup, Hokkaido pasta upsized. Felt satisfied. That was Tuesday.
Thursday after Krav Maga, I had a localized style jap bento, with salmon and stir-fried beef. It's not high quality but I am happy with warm food. My canned drinks are mostly lukewarm and diet versions. Was telling Tab I am having craving for Nasi Bryani of all things but felt better after dinner.
Friday, I arrived earlier at CityHall earlier. Due to my porridge lunch, I wasn't sure if I could last until dinner time, 7pm plus everyone can't be earlier. So I went to buy the Best Fries Forever, Large with extra sauce. Its my first time buying a Large one. I got the Gusto Garlic and the Ole Ole Creamy Salsa sauce. Found a seat near the standing tables. Put them on the seat beside me and started eating. It's really nice to have 2 different sauces cos when u are kinda sick of eating one, u change to the other and experience a diff taste altogether. Happily munched 3/4 of it. Quet came and finished up the rest. We went to look at Nam Nam, but it had a rather long queue.
Quiet suggested Menya Musashi, we walked there, no queue n headed in. I ordered the Tsukenmen only because I get upsize the noodles, til a max of 5 times. I went for 2 times cos despite the fries in my stomach, I was still kinda hungry. Ate the 2 times and finished all the soup. Maybe if I am really empty, can try 3 times. Had the white-based soup this time, it's lighter than the black. Really satisfied with a full belly. It's a sort of a simple bliss. Taste-wise also satisfied.
But I went back earlier cos I was nursing a sore knee-cap since last night. Didn't want to overtax it but I had to climb up and down stairs at work, walk out to buy lunch and also walk over to Clementi central to take the mrt. The mrt ride kinda aggravated it with the jerking movement of starting and stopping. Took a long bus ride home but sat throughout.
It's been a while since I have been so satisfied. As in eat until very full. Not a common occurrence nowadays with my diet, calorie-counting and now restricted diet. It came as no surprise that I could buckle an extra hole in my usual belt easily. It started with 4, then 6 now 7. Well that's the only plus of this restricted diet.
Last night was over-calories, today is pay-back. Plan to do a workout later on. Morning ate my卤米粉 large, then lunch is porridge with 菜心 mainly, ate some dishes my mom cooked. Had 2 Halloween peanut and caramel choc eyeballs. With a diet 7-up, plain water. That's 1083 calories. My max is 1690 calories. Dinner, planned to eat more porridge or small bowl rice with 菜心 and some of the dishes my mom cook for dinner.
Kinda of a lazy day cos of the weather. Will rest myself, knee cap and try to do a workout.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
霸工 then A Sweet Gesture
Today I was kinda sian. Feeling the fatigue and mainly due to the 'Party' fiasco n then followed by the 'Candy' hoo-ha, I was literally drained of my inspiration and motivation.
Such that today being such a light day, due to a swap, I end up with just 1 lesson for the day. Of course I don't show negativity during the lesson but outside of it, I was sian.
Usually I would be working through any free periods I have, clearly work-on-hand, thinking about lessons, preparing lessons in advance or making worksheet and activity materials. ALL came to a stand-still today. I utterly refused to do anything remotely productive. Instead I was listening to guitar riffs and looking for guitar tabs and amending some that I wanted to try to play. Managed to tab 2 songs I wanted to learn without having to pay for the subscription...
I was asked to be on a panel of judge for a speech contest. 7 out of 8 were my former students from last year. I listened hard and tried to be fair in scoring them. I thought I was overly generous but the final results after tallying among the judges was exactly the order I had scored them. So I wasn't thinking too differently from them. I tried very hard to be unbiased.
As this contest was going on, my level was having some sort of a class party, which I wasnt really aware of. Went up to class for the dismissal part and was presented with 2 slices of cake with lots of rainbow sprinkles n choc chips sprinkled and half a bar of Meiji chocolate with a message written behind it using white chocolate. It's made by a group of about 5-6 girls. They baked for the whole class yesterday during cca timing. Went to thank those girls face-to-face.
Didn't eat it then, no time and still had to help to discipline... I did ask for 1 min to explain to the class that I was down for judging duties for the speech competition. Also thank them for remembering me n giving me the cake, plus hope they had enjoyed their party.
Carried the cake downstairs to the envy of another class which didn't prepare food. It's kinda not standardized. What about the 'fair' aspect? Whatever...
I was touched by the simple message on the chocolate bar and the gesture. So those candy weren't bought yet cos the two Walls were slow-footing. I decided then if they cancel or call it off, I AM buying candy for my form class since there's no issue.
After cca, I ate the cake n chocolate. It was extremely SWEET, on many levels. The plain cake was sweet, the rainbow sprinkles and choc chips were sweet, and the half bar of milk chocolate was sweet. sugar over-dose. But it's one of those times where I eat it without complaint.
I waited and stayed back a bit to catch the two Walls to ask a final time about the final verdict from the other levels and them. In the end, only my level is doing. So I told them I would buy for the level cos I live nearby. I went to see the sinseh for the weekly follow-up first.
Went to the supermarket and chose the candy, carefully, no broken canes. Asked the cashier to be gentle too. Then I was considering to bring home or make another trip to the workplace. In the end, I decided to make the trip cos if I had to bring tomorrow, many pairs of eyes. By then it was almost 7pm, no unnecessary pairs of eyes to see. So I carefully lugged on the bus and walked to the workplace. It was drizzling a bit but I didn't have my umbrella. Just walk in the drizzle. Reached, passed over to the two Walls who seemed happy about it. They store it away in a cupboard and I headed home. Grabbed my jacket to use as a raincoat. My part is done for now. Now only need to distribute and claim back my $$$. Don't get me wrong, I was willing to pay but not for everyone. Plus it was so much less hassle if its just my own biz - money.
Never-mind, will think about it Tom. That "hard" part is over for now. It's been a grueling 2-3 weeks of vague answers, inaction, no follow-ups, hoo-ha, frustration n irritation. Tell me about it but the sweet gesture somehow made it seem worth it. Though I don't think everyone deserved to get the candy, but bo bian at least the deserving ones do get it.
Such that today being such a light day, due to a swap, I end up with just 1 lesson for the day. Of course I don't show negativity during the lesson but outside of it, I was sian.
Usually I would be working through any free periods I have, clearly work-on-hand, thinking about lessons, preparing lessons in advance or making worksheet and activity materials. ALL came to a stand-still today. I utterly refused to do anything remotely productive. Instead I was listening to guitar riffs and looking for guitar tabs and amending some that I wanted to try to play. Managed to tab 2 songs I wanted to learn without having to pay for the subscription...
I was asked to be on a panel of judge for a speech contest. 7 out of 8 were my former students from last year. I listened hard and tried to be fair in scoring them. I thought I was overly generous but the final results after tallying among the judges was exactly the order I had scored them. So I wasn't thinking too differently from them. I tried very hard to be unbiased.
As this contest was going on, my level was having some sort of a class party, which I wasnt really aware of. Went up to class for the dismissal part and was presented with 2 slices of cake with lots of rainbow sprinkles n choc chips sprinkled and half a bar of Meiji chocolate with a message written behind it using white chocolate. It's made by a group of about 5-6 girls. They baked for the whole class yesterday during cca timing. Went to thank those girls face-to-face.
Didn't eat it then, no time and still had to help to discipline... I did ask for 1 min to explain to the class that I was down for judging duties for the speech competition. Also thank them for remembering me n giving me the cake, plus hope they had enjoyed their party.
Carried the cake downstairs to the envy of another class which didn't prepare food. It's kinda not standardized. What about the 'fair' aspect? Whatever...
I was touched by the simple message on the chocolate bar and the gesture. So those candy weren't bought yet cos the two Walls were slow-footing. I decided then if they cancel or call it off, I AM buying candy for my form class since there's no issue.
After cca, I ate the cake n chocolate. It was extremely SWEET, on many levels. The plain cake was sweet, the rainbow sprinkles and choc chips were sweet, and the half bar of milk chocolate was sweet. sugar over-dose. But it's one of those times where I eat it without complaint.
I waited and stayed back a bit to catch the two Walls to ask a final time about the final verdict from the other levels and them. In the end, only my level is doing. So I told them I would buy for the level cos I live nearby. I went to see the sinseh for the weekly follow-up first.
Went to the supermarket and chose the candy, carefully, no broken canes. Asked the cashier to be gentle too. Then I was considering to bring home or make another trip to the workplace. In the end, I decided to make the trip cos if I had to bring tomorrow, many pairs of eyes. By then it was almost 7pm, no unnecessary pairs of eyes to see. So I carefully lugged on the bus and walked to the workplace. It was drizzling a bit but I didn't have my umbrella. Just walk in the drizzle. Reached, passed over to the two Walls who seemed happy about it. They store it away in a cupboard and I headed home. Grabbed my jacket to use as a raincoat. My part is done for now. Now only need to distribute and claim back my $$$. Don't get me wrong, I was willing to pay but not for everyone. Plus it was so much less hassle if its just my own biz - money.
Never-mind, will think about it Tom. That "hard" part is over for now. It's been a grueling 2-3 weeks of vague answers, inaction, no follow-ups, hoo-ha, frustration n irritation. Tell me about it but the sweet gesture somehow made it seem worth it. Though I don't think everyone deserved to get the candy, but bo bian at least the deserving ones do get it.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A continuation of the Wall episode, unexpected twists n turns
I went to ask the Head regarding the gifting of some candy to my students last Friday. He told me he will check with the other 2 Heads of the other levels. (Inside I'm like WTF?!? Can't u decide?)
Because time is running short. Need time to buy and also find time with students due to time-table changes again, so when today he didn't get back to me. I asked again.
Created a sort of a big hoo-ha... He went to ask the other two Heads of other levels and asked back the two Walls... Initial reply to me was if I gave to my sub-form class is okay but not to my own students whereas my main intent was to give to my students and maybe then sub. Went off to ask again.
Kinda irritated then cos the last time talked with double Walls, they left the decision to me if I just gave them a candy, and not have a class party. Now they are being consulted and they come back to me with the same argument about fairness...
When they asked me after dismissal to discuss about the issue, I had already given up in my mind. My students in the class just before dismissal heard my loud sighs. It's not cos of them, I assured.
Basically I told them it was a local thingy, a sort of appreciation, which we don't mind paying cos it's just once a year. I told them since its causing so much hoo-ha, I won't do it then.
Surprisingly now they wanted to do it, just that they want to do it fairly. As in all the levels in the subject do it, all the classes do it, not just a selected group. I told them they should not be obliged cos it's not their way. But now they want to do it... Just that instead of buying just for my own students (small volume), I potentially had to go buy for the entire school... Using work budget... If they could decide on the size and quantity of the candy though... That's another thing.
Whatever. Like as if the initial fuss about combining the classes didn't create more work for me, then I searched for activities, passed them 2, then ask for permission also so much hassle, now gotta buy mass quantity...
Ya u tell me this now, with just so little time to spare. I told them I am not going to do any parties cos there's no time to prepare much. Will end off with the single candy though. Now they want to do their own party with their own student. I did provide them with a couple of materials... Ironical?
So I reminded them both that there wasn't much time left. Need to go and buy it maybe tomorrow. Have to go with the Wall. Hope she can make up her mind about the size of the candy. Cos some would be leaving earlier before the term closes, I told them straight out, last year when I did it. It was a series of steps and things, with rules and explanations, not so last minute.
Really at this point, I've reached the point of 'Whatever'
Because time is running short. Need time to buy and also find time with students due to time-table changes again, so when today he didn't get back to me. I asked again.
Created a sort of a big hoo-ha... He went to ask the other two Heads of other levels and asked back the two Walls... Initial reply to me was if I gave to my sub-form class is okay but not to my own students whereas my main intent was to give to my students and maybe then sub. Went off to ask again.
Kinda irritated then cos the last time talked with double Walls, they left the decision to me if I just gave them a candy, and not have a class party. Now they are being consulted and they come back to me with the same argument about fairness...
When they asked me after dismissal to discuss about the issue, I had already given up in my mind. My students in the class just before dismissal heard my loud sighs. It's not cos of them, I assured.
Basically I told them it was a local thingy, a sort of appreciation, which we don't mind paying cos it's just once a year. I told them since its causing so much hoo-ha, I won't do it then.
Surprisingly now they wanted to do it, just that they want to do it fairly. As in all the levels in the subject do it, all the classes do it, not just a selected group. I told them they should not be obliged cos it's not their way. But now they want to do it... Just that instead of buying just for my own students (small volume), I potentially had to go buy for the entire school... Using work budget... If they could decide on the size and quantity of the candy though... That's another thing.
Whatever. Like as if the initial fuss about combining the classes didn't create more work for me, then I searched for activities, passed them 2, then ask for permission also so much hassle, now gotta buy mass quantity...
Ya u tell me this now, with just so little time to spare. I told them I am not going to do any parties cos there's no time to prepare much. Will end off with the single candy though. Now they want to do their own party with their own student. I did provide them with a couple of materials... Ironical?
So I reminded them both that there wasn't much time left. Need to go and buy it maybe tomorrow. Have to go with the Wall. Hope she can make up her mind about the size of the candy. Cos some would be leaving earlier before the term closes, I told them straight out, last year when I did it. It was a series of steps and things, with rules and explanations, not so last minute.
Really at this point, I've reached the point of 'Whatever'
Sunday, December 09, 2012
A few days of 吃草 & boredom
Wed evening tio stomach flu.
Thur - I went to work for half day, left later cos no lesson to see doc n got an mc for thur itself. Ate plainer zcp with porridge instead n 菜心. Later cooked instant noodles with egg.
Fri - Back to work, with the meds didn't run to toilet. Dabao plainer zcp with porridge for lunch. Drank an isotonic drink, Aquarius. Dinner was Yong Tau Foo soup after Krav Maga class.
Sat - More zcp porridge n 菜心 for lunch and dinner was Instant noodles with egg.
Today - Ate Lor Kway Tiao breakfast, milo drink, pork bun for lunch and Yong Tau Foo soup with half bowl rice.
All these while drinking plain water and plain Chinese tea mainly.
Tomorrow I am packing a bottle of 菜心 to work. Eat with porridge...
Very plain diet...
Appetite is okay but stomach rumbling, but no diarrhea. Mouth wanna eat stuff but I know my stomach can't take it. Not an interesting stage to be at. Like it wasn't boring enough to have a stay-in weekend, my food is also boring... Doubly feeling it.
Man, I've kinda noticed that plainer food is not that easy to find in sg hawkers. U are reduced to soup, noodles, porridge...
Today decided to go to Holland Village, though it rained. Bought a new bunch of alcohol, 9 ciders n a beer. Average out to $7.50 per bottle. Again the challenge was to get them home safely. Used my drinks bag. Also renewed my book loan in Clementi Mall then dabao my Yong Tau Foo soup dinner. Not sure if I'll be well enough to drink, but just put a bottle in the chiller.
Feeling the boredom still, later think I will go and do some stomach crunches despite still nursing some muscle-aches from Krav Maga in Fri. At least the stomach exercises can help to build up more muscles around my tummy. Hopefully flatten it.
Sometimes when I am not up for a full work-out, I just do dips. It's to train the triceps. I can do up to 5 sets of 30 dips, but think I should go strengthen my core (stomach and back) cos while the tummy is flattening out from the weight loss, it's not toned from the lack of training. Think I shall learn to alternate between the pure dips and pure stomach exercises, exercise both tough areas to train and also break the monotony.
Thur - I went to work for half day, left later cos no lesson to see doc n got an mc for thur itself. Ate plainer zcp with porridge instead n 菜心. Later cooked instant noodles with egg.
Fri - Back to work, with the meds didn't run to toilet. Dabao plainer zcp with porridge for lunch. Drank an isotonic drink, Aquarius. Dinner was Yong Tau Foo soup after Krav Maga class.
Sat - More zcp porridge n 菜心 for lunch and dinner was Instant noodles with egg.
Today - Ate Lor Kway Tiao breakfast, milo drink, pork bun for lunch and Yong Tau Foo soup with half bowl rice.
All these while drinking plain water and plain Chinese tea mainly.
Tomorrow I am packing a bottle of 菜心 to work. Eat with porridge...
Very plain diet...
Appetite is okay but stomach rumbling, but no diarrhea. Mouth wanna eat stuff but I know my stomach can't take it. Not an interesting stage to be at. Like it wasn't boring enough to have a stay-in weekend, my food is also boring... Doubly feeling it.
Man, I've kinda noticed that plainer food is not that easy to find in sg hawkers. U are reduced to soup, noodles, porridge...
Today decided to go to Holland Village, though it rained. Bought a new bunch of alcohol, 9 ciders n a beer. Average out to $7.50 per bottle. Again the challenge was to get them home safely. Used my drinks bag. Also renewed my book loan in Clementi Mall then dabao my Yong Tau Foo soup dinner. Not sure if I'll be well enough to drink, but just put a bottle in the chiller.
Feeling the boredom still, later think I will go and do some stomach crunches despite still nursing some muscle-aches from Krav Maga in Fri. At least the stomach exercises can help to build up more muscles around my tummy. Hopefully flatten it.
Sometimes when I am not up for a full work-out, I just do dips. It's to train the triceps. I can do up to 5 sets of 30 dips, but think I should go strengthen my core (stomach and back) cos while the tummy is flattening out from the weight loss, it's not toned from the lack of training. Think I shall learn to alternate between the pure dips and pure stomach exercises, exercise both tough areas to train and also break the monotony.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
Unwell... Condition is ... too
Though I was feeling a bit under the weather 2 days back, headache from the wet humid weather, sinus hurt. I was still bravely wading on despite the slew of flu n influenza going round.
Bad habit of some co-workers who persist in coming but wear masks only. So in air-con environment, help to transmit virus to healthy people...
Up til yesterday after work, I was still fine. Then I went home to change, had to go see the sinseh for follow-up. I was planning to go Holland Village to buy some alcohol. Then it struck. Had stomachache b4 I left home. While waiting for my turn, I felt it got worse. Was afraid I would shit my pants. Felt the rumbles. After seeing the sinseh, just next door to my place, I decided to go home.
Sure enough that evening, I had ran to the toilet about 8 times. This morning, I seemed to be well until it re-started a bit. Ate Poh Chee pills and it stabilized my condition. I had 2 lessons to get through, another 2 later in the afternoon were cancelled cos the classes were quarantined.
When I reached my workplace, I grabbed a mask and put it on. It's not like me to do so but I don't want to spread diarrhea-causing virus to students. One of the lesson, I had to have close contact with students, more so I better shield them.
Luckily nothing happened. But in the 2 hrs between both of my classes, I was too mentally not able to focus cos also had a budding headache discomfort. I didn't want to stay in the air-conditioned staff room, so I grabbed my guitar and went to my room, just practice with the windows open with minimal air-con. At least my body can do something while my brain rests. Time seem to move on quickly and it was time for the other lesson.
I had to lead cos the leading one had a last-min time table change so he had 2 classes at the same time. So I was activated as the main. That class was well-disciplined and half of them are my own students. Had no problem with them, though they were the cheeky bunch. They could keep to task.
Once lesson was over, I went to ask for permission to go back earlier n see the doctor. Couldn't reach in time for the morning time. Had to get a number and go back for the afternoon slot. Later waiting, stomach acted up again. i counted about 6 times running to the toilet today. Got meds for my stomach n headache. For mc for today itself.
I was still hoping to go to work cos it's greatly inconvenient, I would lose the periods if I wasn't around.
Also I wanna go for Krav Maga as planned. Hope to recover by tomorrow. Though tomorrow is slightly heavier, it's Friday.
But my stomach can't stomach much. Need to eat very plain food. The sinseh also told me to eat very plain food, cos apparently my lack of control of eating cold stuff, raw, spicy etc brought my condition back to where it was...
No 冷，生，辣，硬，酸，甜. Think I can eat grass, drink plain water n 做仙.
Bad habit of some co-workers who persist in coming but wear masks only. So in air-con environment, help to transmit virus to healthy people...
Up til yesterday after work, I was still fine. Then I went home to change, had to go see the sinseh for follow-up. I was planning to go Holland Village to buy some alcohol. Then it struck. Had stomachache b4 I left home. While waiting for my turn, I felt it got worse. Was afraid I would shit my pants. Felt the rumbles. After seeing the sinseh, just next door to my place, I decided to go home.
Sure enough that evening, I had ran to the toilet about 8 times. This morning, I seemed to be well until it re-started a bit. Ate Poh Chee pills and it stabilized my condition. I had 2 lessons to get through, another 2 later in the afternoon were cancelled cos the classes were quarantined.
When I reached my workplace, I grabbed a mask and put it on. It's not like me to do so but I don't want to spread diarrhea-causing virus to students. One of the lesson, I had to have close contact with students, more so I better shield them.
Luckily nothing happened. But in the 2 hrs between both of my classes, I was too mentally not able to focus cos also had a budding headache discomfort. I didn't want to stay in the air-conditioned staff room, so I grabbed my guitar and went to my room, just practice with the windows open with minimal air-con. At least my body can do something while my brain rests. Time seem to move on quickly and it was time for the other lesson.
I had to lead cos the leading one had a last-min time table change so he had 2 classes at the same time. So I was activated as the main. That class was well-disciplined and half of them are my own students. Had no problem with them, though they were the cheeky bunch. They could keep to task.
Once lesson was over, I went to ask for permission to go back earlier n see the doctor. Couldn't reach in time for the morning time. Had to get a number and go back for the afternoon slot. Later waiting, stomach acted up again. i counted about 6 times running to the toilet today. Got meds for my stomach n headache. For mc for today itself.
I was still hoping to go to work cos it's greatly inconvenient, I would lose the periods if I wasn't around.
Also I wanna go for Krav Maga as planned. Hope to recover by tomorrow. Though tomorrow is slightly heavier, it's Friday.
But my stomach can't stomach much. Need to eat very plain food. The sinseh also told me to eat very plain food, cos apparently my lack of control of eating cold stuff, raw, spicy etc brought my condition back to where it was...
No 冷，生，辣，硬，酸，甜. Think I can eat grass, drink plain water n 做仙.
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
The Unenlightened ways of one is getting to me
To preserve anonymity, I shall reveal as little details as I can about this particular co-worker.
Irks me greatly with the stubborn way of thinking. This is the 2nd time I am encountering the Wall and it proved unmovable, inflexible, closed-minded, narrow and obviously stubborn.
For the sake of being positive, I shall not reveal or immortalize the details. But just the outline.
First incident involved the deadline for submission. Basic story is we had diff deadline, Wall is not happy. I tried to reason but after 45mins, no reason of mine got through, though I took the effort to understand the other side. Btw the reasons weren't convincing at all but I had to relent. I did explain to students and they agreed with me instead... *sigh*
The second incident is involving having a small class party of sort due to the coming festivity in Dec. The answer was if I wanted to, I had to do for their entire class not just my students. WTF? So I thought about some stuff to possibly do but it wasn't enough to fill the time. I asked a second time if it was a go ahead, similar answer.
Then last straw is today where due to not having enough periods cos of some happening, I asked if it was still a go or just forget it. The answer I got was somewhere like If I want to do with my students, then have to do with the combined class but if I don't do it, then don't have to combine class for that. Can do our separate stuff. WTF?!?
So I straight out ask if I could still get them something without the party. That one, I had to ask the Head. If its okay, they have no problem with that.
Ok, I'll use the extra periods to do some of the stuff I really wanted them to do but didn't have any extra periods and end off with a small token for them. It's really like making a HUGE mountain out of a mole-hill, there's no issue.
It's just that they don't want their students to say that they didn't do a party whereas I did. Can't they sweep it under the blanket of cultural difference?
I had no issue with more enlightened co-workers last year so that made me think highly of them.
But this year, hitting all these brick walls made me rethink my perspective and understanding of them. Not as enlightened as I had thought. And obviously rigid, keep touting on the 'fairness' of things where there is no issue cos I am paying for it, taking the effort n initiative. I can't say the same of them but obviously not fair at all.
How do u inspire an interest when everything is so status-quo, so afraid of anything outside the supposed norm, not putting in the effort, time to do stuff...
Irks me greatly with the stubborn way of thinking. This is the 2nd time I am encountering the Wall and it proved unmovable, inflexible, closed-minded, narrow and obviously stubborn.
For the sake of being positive, I shall not reveal or immortalize the details. But just the outline.
First incident involved the deadline for submission. Basic story is we had diff deadline, Wall is not happy. I tried to reason but after 45mins, no reason of mine got through, though I took the effort to understand the other side. Btw the reasons weren't convincing at all but I had to relent. I did explain to students and they agreed with me instead... *sigh*
The second incident is involving having a small class party of sort due to the coming festivity in Dec. The answer was if I wanted to, I had to do for their entire class not just my students. WTF? So I thought about some stuff to possibly do but it wasn't enough to fill the time. I asked a second time if it was a go ahead, similar answer.
Then last straw is today where due to not having enough periods cos of some happening, I asked if it was still a go or just forget it. The answer I got was somewhere like If I want to do with my students, then have to do with the combined class but if I don't do it, then don't have to combine class for that. Can do our separate stuff. WTF?!?
So I straight out ask if I could still get them something without the party. That one, I had to ask the Head. If its okay, they have no problem with that.
Ok, I'll use the extra periods to do some of the stuff I really wanted them to do but didn't have any extra periods and end off with a small token for them. It's really like making a HUGE mountain out of a mole-hill, there's no issue.
It's just that they don't want their students to say that they didn't do a party whereas I did. Can't they sweep it under the blanket of cultural difference?
I had no issue with more enlightened co-workers last year so that made me think highly of them.
But this year, hitting all these brick walls made me rethink my perspective and understanding of them. Not as enlightened as I had thought. And obviously rigid, keep touting on the 'fairness' of things where there is no issue cos I am paying for it, taking the effort n initiative. I can't say the same of them but obviously not fair at all.
How do u inspire an interest when everything is so status-quo, so afraid of anything outside the supposed norm, not putting in the effort, time to do stuff...
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Deprived... later contented
Woken up by my stomach again and it's only 6am on a Saturday!!! Wat De Fark!!! Of course by now I am wide awake and thinking about how to go back to sleep which is near impossible, so find things to do. Guess blogging is one that is less physically exerting.
Yesterday had another sort of Clark Kent day... I decided to wear contacts cos I would head out by myself. By then feeling quite deprived cos the week felt so bloody long, thought Tab was flying off. Quetzal had to stay home to study. Was undecided between movie or shopping. But a decent meal was on the agenda.
I wore a long-sleeved v-neck black top I had just bought. With my usual greenish-brown long khaki pants and black sport shoes. Needed to belt up, now can reach the 6th hole (last time was 3rd - 4th) That's the obvious weight loss part to me. Quite like 'the look' created but hope it didn't inspire some to ask if I came from the Army...
Been trying to make back the calorie-surplus n though its still positive, my weight has gone down slightly more than before the surplus. Around 3.7kg more to go.
Had been going to work much earlier to catch students to finish off some stuff, needed for grades. Feeling the fatigue more than before. Trying hard not to come down with something... Been fighting off some cough with mucus. My mom asked for help to carry heavy stuff to the temple. We took a cab over then I walked over to the workplace. Despite drinking a coffee, I wasn't awake fully. While waiting, I was slouched over the table much like a student... Guess we aren't that different.
I had a period of lesson added, then have to be around for a period with form class, that meant my periods doubled from 2 to 4, my plans for a leisurely lunch outside is thwarted. Had a similar lesson with that same class I went to last Friday. Few of my own students needed much help. I helped out with the editing of their draft after they're done. Decided to sit down on an extra chair, within moments I wasn't alone. My chatty student came over and asked for help... Had to help decipher her scribbles, correct her grammar and form some sentences. Had an 'interesting' short conversation before I got up and walked around some more. I had to see the class again later due to the extra lesson added. I think this group "enjoys" my class a little too much. I feel like I am the source of entertainment for them. Its amusing but that leaves me feeling more drained...
Had another class later and it was relatively more peaceful and normal. Then my dabao chicken rice with liver and oyster sauce chye sim I couldn't finish off. Ate what I could, half pack rice, all the meat, some slices of the chye sim and chucked the rest. Rested as much as I could mentally before my next class which was the bunch.
I decided to swap one part with listening out for lyrics to break the afternoon, after-lunch monotony. Lesson was interesting. I used some funny examples to explain the words. Got through the main part. One asked me why I swapped the activity while I told them. My reason was its a Friday plus this is an extra lesson for me. He asked if that can be considered a reason. I replied yes, much to their amusement. Another later asked where my best friend was, cos I had a quick mention n show of the muscle cream I used the previous lesson cos I was still suffering muscle aches up til Friday itself. My reply was that it was downstairs, thanks for ur concern cos I was still having muscle aches. Two can play at the game.
Everyone perked up when the music played for the listening to lyrics activity. Me included, cos it really helped break the monotony. Ended with that. In the newly burnt CD, I had included Gangham style, so the boys played that and were galloping before they headed back.
Locked up, headed down to pick up the camera to be camera woman for the class thingy. Organized by students and carried out but discipline among the boys is appalling. I just took pics of the students, including the local ones. The rookie form is doing nothing about the misbehaving rowdy boys despite me pointing out to him. Fine, roll-eyes then take pics.
Later the head of the level came and I mentioned to him about the boys misbehaving. I didn't know he was here to assist in the before-dismissal 15mins. Apparently the form had to leave to attend to the refreshment at another venue. He was in charge of the event. The head led in the dismissal and scolded that particular trouble-maker infront of the class. By now, it will just make it easier for one day but surely no lasting effect. If there isn't consistency n escalating of tone, threats n punishment, there is no repercussion. So that's why that rookie dig his own grave, keep using the same tone to say the same thing. Class discipline is really laxed. Continue to roll eyes daily. I am trying not to raise my voice daily. I am using non-verbal signals to cue some to be quiet, including stare, walk over. I think those are easier on my throat. Need not have an even deeper and sexier voice than I do now.
Glad that Tab hadn't flew off yet. Took a scenic bus route n listened to music, glad the weekend is finally here. Met to eat dinner at SoupSpoon. So comforting to have warm food which I can eat leisurely. Told each other about our 'interesting' day. Later FH came and we went shopping for turkeys. Helped carry to the car n got a ride home. After bathing I was lights-out. Mentally knocked out.
Yesterday had another sort of Clark Kent day... I decided to wear contacts cos I would head out by myself. By then feeling quite deprived cos the week felt so bloody long, thought Tab was flying off. Quetzal had to stay home to study. Was undecided between movie or shopping. But a decent meal was on the agenda.
I wore a long-sleeved v-neck black top I had just bought. With my usual greenish-brown long khaki pants and black sport shoes. Needed to belt up, now can reach the 6th hole (last time was 3rd - 4th) That's the obvious weight loss part to me. Quite like 'the look' created but hope it didn't inspire some to ask if I came from the Army...
Been trying to make back the calorie-surplus n though its still positive, my weight has gone down slightly more than before the surplus. Around 3.7kg more to go.
Had been going to work much earlier to catch students to finish off some stuff, needed for grades. Feeling the fatigue more than before. Trying hard not to come down with something... Been fighting off some cough with mucus. My mom asked for help to carry heavy stuff to the temple. We took a cab over then I walked over to the workplace. Despite drinking a coffee, I wasn't awake fully. While waiting, I was slouched over the table much like a student... Guess we aren't that different.
I had a period of lesson added, then have to be around for a period with form class, that meant my periods doubled from 2 to 4, my plans for a leisurely lunch outside is thwarted. Had a similar lesson with that same class I went to last Friday. Few of my own students needed much help. I helped out with the editing of their draft after they're done. Decided to sit down on an extra chair, within moments I wasn't alone. My chatty student came over and asked for help... Had to help decipher her scribbles, correct her grammar and form some sentences. Had an 'interesting' short conversation before I got up and walked around some more. I had to see the class again later due to the extra lesson added. I think this group "enjoys" my class a little too much. I feel like I am the source of entertainment for them. Its amusing but that leaves me feeling more drained...
Had another class later and it was relatively more peaceful and normal. Then my dabao chicken rice with liver and oyster sauce chye sim I couldn't finish off. Ate what I could, half pack rice, all the meat, some slices of the chye sim and chucked the rest. Rested as much as I could mentally before my next class which was the bunch.
I decided to swap one part with listening out for lyrics to break the afternoon, after-lunch monotony. Lesson was interesting. I used some funny examples to explain the words. Got through the main part. One asked me why I swapped the activity while I told them. My reason was its a Friday plus this is an extra lesson for me. He asked if that can be considered a reason. I replied yes, much to their amusement. Another later asked where my best friend was, cos I had a quick mention n show of the muscle cream I used the previous lesson cos I was still suffering muscle aches up til Friday itself. My reply was that it was downstairs, thanks for ur concern cos I was still having muscle aches. Two can play at the game.
Everyone perked up when the music played for the listening to lyrics activity. Me included, cos it really helped break the monotony. Ended with that. In the newly burnt CD, I had included Gangham style, so the boys played that and were galloping before they headed back.
Locked up, headed down to pick up the camera to be camera woman for the class thingy. Organized by students and carried out but discipline among the boys is appalling. I just took pics of the students, including the local ones. The rookie form is doing nothing about the misbehaving rowdy boys despite me pointing out to him. Fine, roll-eyes then take pics.
Later the head of the level came and I mentioned to him about the boys misbehaving. I didn't know he was here to assist in the before-dismissal 15mins. Apparently the form had to leave to attend to the refreshment at another venue. He was in charge of the event. The head led in the dismissal and scolded that particular trouble-maker infront of the class. By now, it will just make it easier for one day but surely no lasting effect. If there isn't consistency n escalating of tone, threats n punishment, there is no repercussion. So that's why that rookie dig his own grave, keep using the same tone to say the same thing. Class discipline is really laxed. Continue to roll eyes daily. I am trying not to raise my voice daily. I am using non-verbal signals to cue some to be quiet, including stare, walk over. I think those are easier on my throat. Need not have an even deeper and sexier voice than I do now.
Glad that Tab hadn't flew off yet. Took a scenic bus route n listened to music, glad the weekend is finally here. Met to eat dinner at SoupSpoon. So comforting to have warm food which I can eat leisurely. Told each other about our 'interesting' day. Later FH came and we went shopping for turkeys. Helped carry to the car n got a ride home. After bathing I was lights-out. Mentally knocked out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)