Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?

When I first saw the picture, I immediately want to set my hands on it so that I can draw a replica. It has always been my desire to draw pictures of Jesus. After weeks of procrastination, I finally asked my new colleague to lend me the picture that she had pinned on her table partition...

I deliberately use pen to draw to signify that Jesus' death on the cross is an irreversible process. It is His perfect obedience to God that eventually took the sting out of death and set us free.

A day filled with Encouragements

I only suggested each one of you writing encouragement cards to 3 people in the class but I was overwhelmed by the response. My whole box full of cards is now almost empty. I hoped you've enjoyed encouraging one another and most important of all, I hoped you have been encouraged. Thanks to those who gave me cards as well.

Thanks Geri for the drawing too. I like it alot!

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..."

Romans 13:8

A MSN Conversation

Onion: "Sir, last year when you first introduced yourself. "

Me: "Ya?"

Onion: "You said that your hobby is solving Maths puzzles... "

Me: "Oh, lol. Doing Maths tutorial was also my hobby during my JC days. "

Onion: "I thought, OMG... "

Onion: "My teacher is a robot... "

Me: zzz...

My Beloved Classes

Finally after a few months, I've taken class photos with all my 4 classes.

My New Camera

The paronamic function is cool.

National Day

This is the first time I had Mac breakfast at the amphitheatre and I had the uncomfortable impression that everyone was staring at us. I bet the rest of you felt the same too. Thanks Marianne and gang for ordering, collecting and distributing the food.




In the process of taking this class photo with 1C, I unwittedly spoilt their surprise birthday celebration for XH.

Learning Journey - BMTC visit

Madhatters day!

dinner @ Changi Village

Ironically none of the pics depicts the actual learning journey. :P

Failure is not an enemy

Failure can crush you, hurt you, cause you to lose hope, to be bitter, to moan, to engage in self-pity, to become negative, to be ineffective... the list can go on.

Two weeks after I fell at the swinging bridge, I picked myself up and re-took my SOC. Even with my back pain, I recorded my best SOC timing. In the interview with my officer, he told me that he will put me in a shorter course because of my back injury. I was taken out of OCS. My dream of becoming an officer was shattered.

In SISPEC, I was supposed to be downgraded. Instead I was given many days of light duties. Till today, my warrant officer's words still resound in my head - In the first week of my SISPEC course he said, 'I will make you go through the whole ten weeks course and then put you out of course.'

A few years later, I met him. Unpleasant memories began to fill my mind. He called me from afar, gave me a big grin and said, 'doing well huh?'. I have every reason to be angry and bitter towards him for aggrevating my back injury again and again. But I simply held my head high and smiled back. In my heart, I've forgiven him. I have ORDed with pride and dignity.

I realised failure and pain have made me stronger. Without failure, I will never know success tasted so sweet. This success can never be measured. It has become part of me, my values and my character.

Remember this - you will never fully understand the meaning of success until you have failed before.

'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'

2 Cor 12:9

If you were me... what's your next step?? (Part 2)

As my past flashed in my mind, I began to think of the things I've yet to achieve in my life. Do they still matter to me? I suddenly remembered Martin King Luther once said this when someone asked what will he do if he is to die the next day - 'I will plant an apple tree'. Profound and yet so simple. My hopes and dreams do not die with my physical body. I still do what I believe in...

Aha, this can go on. To keep the story short, here's what happened. The man with the knife stared at me. I stared back at him. He panicked and walked away. I live to tell the story.

More to This Life

Thanks for gracing my church performance and supporting my fiancee! My fiancee wants to express her heartfelt thanks too. Hmm let me search for my YellowPages and get some yellow slips for the 6 of you...

Our Musical gal

Priscilla is indeed a nice name used on a nice person like her.


Belonging to the F4 in 6I, Priscilla also displays a very composed, quiet and elegant nature. (I'm still figuring out who's the leader of the group.) I witnessed her band performance and it is fRantastic! She plays hmm... I always forget the name of musical instruments. Any chance by fluke is it flute? I always admire gals who can play musical instruments well. To me, it is an added beauty. Hey maybe you can play during my wedding. I heard Aisyah can sing very well. So Aisyah will sing and Charmaine + Vera can dance as the 2 of them have promised.

An occassion to applaud

I managed to find at least a representative from each of my 4 classes. Well done and I hope to see you again next yr on College day.

Auspicium Melioris Aevi.

If you were me... what's your next step??

One fine day, I was in the lift going down to the ground floor. Midway, it stopped on the 4th floor. Looking through the glass window, I saw a man pacing around. When the lift door opened, he hastily stepped into the lift.

At that moment, a glitter caught my eye. The man was holding a bare naked knife staring at me...

My childhood memories flashed through my mind... my parents holding me in their arms... My childhood modeling experience (you haven solve the puzzle, frAncis), my first physics formula learnt, E = mc2 .....

What would your response be???

Our Sweet Pie

I normally call her Ka Man. When I first heard the name Jiamin, I actually thought that there's a new student in my class.

Jiamin is a very polite soft spoken girl. She carries this elegance with her that I feel many people would secretly admire. When she has her glasses on, she is very hardworking and focused, never giving any problem during my lessons. Without her glasses, she is in her tight suit.... aha... she actually put her face in the movie poster of 'Mr and Mrs Smith'. Was very funny and well done. In an attempt to compete with our S.H.E. group (Yanmin, Rachel and Vern Yie) in 6I, she has her own F4 (female four)... you know whom I'm referring to. But I'm glad to see you mixing with the rest of the class more often this year.

Stay cheerful. God bless.

(btw I was doing a spelling check and I was prompted to replace 'Yanmin' with 'onion'... ha...)

Past Memories

Many of you might have realised that I seldom blog nowadays. Ever since I was diagnosed with degenerating bone and 2 slip discs, I constantly thought that I've this extra numbness on my arms that prevented me from drawing.

One day I was walking back to the staffroom and conversing with frAncis along the way. (Don't worry I wasn't talking to myself, I was talking to frAncis Sin and I'm not refering my sinful self either.) We were listing out the remaining people in 6I that I've not posted in my blog. At that time, I felt a stirring in my heart to draw again. Last Friday, I had a JC class gathering. It has been nearly 5 years that we have not met one another. Almost everyone couldn't believe that I'm actually a teacher now! Ha... if you know me well enough, you would see a great transformation between me 10 yrs ago and now. The process itself will take me hours to share. I will do that if I've time in future.

One thing struck me during that gathering. Someone brought our class journal and in one of the page, I saw my own drawing. Suddenly I remembered the time I spent in my JC days.

The drawing you see took me almost 8 hours to complete and I even drew a replica of it. How free I was during my JC days! Of course many pleasant memories were shared during the gathering. I reminded my GP tutor that she called me a 'sponge' in JC days because I simply sit there and absorb without contributing. I told her proudly that now I'm contributing as a teacher. Of course she took every single opportunity to correct my english in our conversation and she concluded that this is the part that I've not changed. I ended up speaking chinese.

As I look back my entire JC days, I've not regretted a single moment I spend in VJC be it with friends or with my notes. Now, as your JC days are approaching a finale, make every day count! Live without regrets.

p.s. I strongly encourage all of you to go for the grad nite.

An invitation to all of you

I like to invite all of you to a special performance on the 30th July, Sunday at SAJC. The performance includes drama, poetry and dance. The theme of this performance is 'More To This Life'. Applying to your context, there's more than just studying. As you are preparing for A levels and even transiting to army or uni soon, you find that the pace of life is so hectic... have you wonder why are we living for? King Solomon once wrote, 'life is meaningless, it is chasing after the wind.' Do you wake up everyday filled with joy because you know what you are living for?

This time, my fiancee will be dancing in one of the items. Come down and support my wife!

Do let me know if you are interested. I will be asking my 3 other classes as well.

Miss Malaysia

Vern Yie is easy to spot in school. When you see Yanmin, you see her. When you see Rachel you see her. When you see Yanmin and Rachel, the third person has to be her. Ha... I always see the three of them together that I begin imagining them as S.H.E. Also because of her, I have the impression that Yanmin and Rachel are malaysian badminton players.
Vern Yie, you are a pleasant girl filled with smiles. I can see that you are hardworking and is consistent in your work. Keep up the good work. Aha I mistakenly put you down for remedial but you still come with a good spirit. I actually wanted the 'malaysian' players to come but I conveniently group the three of you together. Oops.

Somehow I feel that your humble nature will make you a good virtuous wife in the future.

Stay positive and work hard!

Hope for a Better Future

We are probably looking at a man who will shape the country's future... in the future... provided he remembers to return his donation card on time. This man is no other than LC... oops I mean JC. In case he gets prideful, I shall not mention about his IQ.

You've been a joy to teach and you certainly make the class more interesting with your unique humour. Its amazing that on top of your strengths in the 4 subjects, you possess good writing skills. Of course I did not check with your GP tutor. I witnessed it in your coherent 1000++ words essay when you analysed which gender should take the beds in a chalet.

Keep up your consistent good academic work. All the best for your As!

A Sweet Victory

I've long heard about the victories they won. Today I finally witnessed how good they are. Both RJC Boys and Girls badminton clinched gold with impressive victories.

Well done Yan Min and team! Your 2nd set was adrenaline filled but you won back your 3rd set comfortably with a superb performance. Congrats Yan Min and Rachel for ending your 1.5 yrs in RJC badminton with another gold.

Also congrats to Aisyah and her hockey girls team for finishing 3rd. Well done!

This is probably over-said but I like to say that though winning the gold is important, the journey travelled, lessons learnt, friends forged, victories won and even defeats tasted are the best rewards.

Now as the curtains have closed, time for Physics... ha...

Our Kaede Rukawa

One day I was asking someone if he knows Jason in the volleyball team. He replied, 'You mean the handsome one? Oh he plays volleyball very well too. '

Though I've never seen you or Darrell play volleyball, I can imagine that the both of you play well. If Darrell looks like Hamamichi as described in my blog, then you will be Kaede Rukawa. Ha... your hairstyle looks quite similar in fact.

You present yourself as someone who is quiet, amiable, generous, caring and also someone who thinks alot. So during my lessons, I always see a cool guy sitting at the rear right corner of the classroom (with someone snoring away beside you).

When you do speak, I must say that it is a joy talking to you. So you must talk more!

Perhaps one day, we can arrange a class outing in Sentosa and play beach v-ball together.

Work hard and come to me if you have problem.

2S06I

Learning Journey

We have a vision for tomorrow... Some probably thinking harder than the rest, like the one with glasses and the fist punching his chin...
Bowen thinking of running for presidency one day.

Sometimes we can be abit lost.

But with proper guidance, we can smile again with hope.

Finally we've made it!
Someone: 'Hey don't jump too fast, I haven't even take off'
The ones in the middle certainly look like PAP winning the elections.

A Magical Night

This is a mystical night where g < 9.81 ms-2, bodies can bend without elastic deformation not to mention that they resonant in various modes according to the pace of the music, clogs are worn on hands instead of feet, everyone looks almost the same (though some heights evidently differ) .... If you ask me which item is the hottest, I would say its the Chinese dance. Even the aircon can't stop them from using their fans. Its a pity that I can't capture any of those moments using my camera. Here are some pics taken after the performance...

Nt Mbuf

Our acquaintance has been shortchanged. She became a citizen of 6i in late Feb. This means that she has missed almost 3 mths of my lessons!



















I have the impression that you always give me a cheeky look when I look at you. Ha... was that intentional? Btw I was pleasantly surprised when I first hear you speak. You speak with a cartoon accent normally slightly greater than a whisper. This is the kind of unique voice that I will probably remember for several years. In short, you have a sweet voice.

My initial impression of you is that you are wild... probably I tend to mistakenly associate beauty with wildness. After knowing you better, I feel that you are someone who genuinely do what you like and you are a decent and pure (with my limited vocab) girl. Seems like a guai guai girl to me.

Work hard and also work smart in your studies. I am attached, engaged but available. Don't hesitate to come to me for help.

p.s. Thx for coming to the Life concert.

Going at $99

Some Updates...

In a completely uneventful week filled with clinic and hospital visits, I made a very important decision in my life. I decided that it would be wise to end my 6 years BGR...


















A new beginning has dawned...

Stikfas

Our Money Collector

This is one girl that I'm 100% sure will never forget my birthday. A decade after a powerful genius is borned, Boxian came onto planet earth...


















You surprised me a few times in this 1.4 yrs. I was first surprised when I went to your house for class BBQ. Your house is big! That was the first time I went to a house with a swimming pool, pool table and a lift. Ever since, I noticed that you are always one of the key masterminds to class outings. Somehow, I think the class has relied on the few of you for class outings to be initiated.

Next, you surprised me with your promo results. I must say that I'm very proud of your achievements. You are the female version of JCFS... haha... if you know what I mean.

[ Just to put an additional note to the rest of you, I've always regarded 6i as an academically inclined class. I've faith in all of you. If you happen not to perform well in your recent CT, don't get too upset. Faith is seeing things that are unseen. When all your committments have ended, rightfully return to your studies and I'm sure you will do well in your 'A' levels. ]

Boxian, though you are outspoken, I see the maturity in you to speak at appropriate times. At least in my lessons. That to me is a strength because you can project yourself well to others.

As a class rep in my uni days for 4 yrs, I came to realise that everyone begin to rely on me for things to happen in class. Though there were rewarding times, it can be quite draining and taxing to be always in the forefront. What people forget is the need for support and encouragement. Hereby, I like to ask everyone to be supportive to all the reps in 6i. They don't have to do the extra work for you. Yet they are doing so. Appreciate them and surprise them with encouragement cards/gifts occassionally.

SAJC Live Concert

Heya, on a personal level, I like to invite all of you to SAJC Live Concert.

When? ---> This Thursday! 6th Apr
Time? ---> 5.45 pm
Where? ---> SAJC cultural centre



Live Concert is a yearly performance specially put up by a Christian fellowship group in SAJC called Saints For Christ (SFC).

Hey no obligations to go for the event. I'm not performing there but I've volunteered myself to be an usher.

There are a few reasons why you should go for the concert.

1. This is probably your once in a life chance to visit the newly built SAJC (situated in St. Andrew Village). Furthermore, this concert is held at their new 1000 seater cultural centre.

2. I will take care of your transport to SAJC (near Potong Pasir NEL).

3. You will get to meet a lot of SAJC students there. You can really see a difference in their culture compared to ours.

4. You will get to be ushered to your seats by me!

5. To me, this will be a great concert. Dedicated students have spent nights and even overnights to prepare for this!

Hey, let me know if you are coming via chatterbox asap.
Though the tickets are free, they are limited. I need to get them for you.

Photoshop or Real?

I've waited for our ever enthusiastic Francis Sin to solve the mystery but he is taking too long. So I've created another pic for him to work on his investigations. A clue - i'm not the person on the right.

Mr Sniper

This is our self-acclaimed sniper because he is in Air Rifle and he plays D.o.t.a.

Hongwei is a hardworking guy. Whenever I see him in the staff lift, he is either 1) going up to the library, 2) going down to canteen from the library or 3) in the library. Guess who else is with him... If you know him well enough and pay attention to his sometimes senseless statements, Hongwei is actually quite humorous. (At least that is what I discovered. Ha...)

Hongwei is always well prepared for his tutorial and is ever ready to present his solutions and truthfully it is a joy for teachers to have such students. Of course many of you fall in this category too!

Our Badminton gal

First of all, all the best for your badminton competition! Rachel you too! (not sure if you are competiting)

I appreciate you as someone very real, genuine and sincere. Honestly I got to know you better only after you got chicken pox. Thanks for being honest in sharing about your struggles in physics. I also enjoy chatting with you through msn. I do see your hard work invested in Physics this year. I'm confident you can do well for your Physics A level though it is nothing short of hard work and perseverance.

Stay focus in whatever you do, fight a good fight and win the race.

RJCSB

I went to watch our very own RJC Band Concert - PLAY 2006. Though I am not into music entertainment, I enjoyed the entire concert especially the 2nd half. More importantly, I saw a little angel playing saxophone. wow!

Well done RJCSB!

Living a joyful life

Heya, just wanna encourage all of you in this stressful period of time (CT coming and work piling up, CCA committments, competitions nearing...) to do your best yet at the same time enjoy what you are doing.

Sometimes stress is inevitable. Nothing can take away the workload. What we can change is the way we look at things in our lives. One thing you can do is to choose to rejoice in whatever you have. For me, I make a choice to rejoice every morning that I've a God who is in control of whatever situation I am in. Of course, you can rejoice in other things - like having parents/friends around you, your own belief and so on.

In view of the recent suicide cases, please do not get 'encouraged' by such acts. Of course I know that all of you are too mature to do such things. But sometimes, stress can overwhelm us and cause us to do silly things. Just remember what I said in one of my civics lessons -

'Death is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.'

Conclusion? - Very wasted.

Let's also take this time to encourage and support one another. Don't hesitate to talk to someone if you really can't take it. I'm always available for you if you don't mind. :P

Mr Billabong

The reason why I call him Mr Billabong is that recently I chanced upon him when I went to play pool. He came up to me and said that my Billabong shirt is nice. The reason is that he has the same shirt as mine.

Timothy, I regard you as someone who has overcomed your visual obstacle and excel in everything you do. The reason why I am opening in saying this is that you always take your classmates teasings in good stride and I respect you for that. You are confident yet shy, witty and smart, diligent and achieving.

Continue to work hard and remain as who you are. I'm sure you will be someone great in the future.

My early Ah Beng days

Our dear hockey gal

I'm delighted to see that this year, you look brighter, healthier and more joyful. I remember last year, you look more tired because of your training and you fell sick a few times in the year. Btw you look especially radiant when you smile. Do you remember once after assembly I asked if you were late and you gave me a quick defensive reply? I had to come up with a lighthearted statement to ease that 'tensed' situation and your smile after that diffused everything.

I can also see signs that you are working harder and your participation in class counts alot to me. Keep up your good work! All the best for your upcoming hockey competitions. Do have sufficient rest too.

Electives are finally over

After months of preparation since last Nov, my elective is finally over. Everyone was awarded a certificate in the form a bookmark with their names on it. Ha this is what you have missed.



Though the amount of time spent to prepare my elective module nearly killed me in this untimely busy period, I had a rewarding time. I'm sure that all of you have enjoyed your respective elective modules too.