A Little Light by Carolyn Brunelle

A LITTLE LIGHT

For everything a reason

and a season under the sun;

every puzzle has its answer

that is not uniquely our own.

Nothing remains a mystery

in the light of life's experience,

or hurts like the awareness

we cannot live it over again.

Yet nothing is ever lost if we

pass such wisdom to one another;

no life lived in vain, that sheds

light on the path for a brother.

Carolyn Brunelle

hide and seek.

Why do we hide?

A. Afraid.
B. Nothing good will turn out.
C. Habit.
D. Don't want to hurt others.

Honesty is not the best policy after all.  But, still, it is the fundamental requirement in a lasting relationship.

- Day 3, aeroplanes war in the classroom.  It's a mess from the outside view, but I shared their joy in flying the aeroplanes.

Phonics is Fun

"I don't want! I don't like!  It's not fun!"  cried little Rainbow.

"Be good, boy.  Enter the class.  Mummy will buy a lego set for you later, promise," his mother persuaded.

It's Day 2 for ITS English Camp at Tabuan Desa Branch.  'Our man' caught me by surprised when he burst into tears before the whole class.  He resisted and fought back Principal Yu and his mother.

My heart sank.  Have I failed as his teacher? Why was he so reluctant to enter my class?

I had a rough night.  I woke up as early as 4am and cried myself back to sleep.  No, it's not the kids.  They are God sent angels. 

After singing 'The More We Get Together', little Rainbow entered the class, accompanied by Principal Yu.  Thankfully she's a wonderful lady and having her presence in class is not as daunting as my supervisor Puan Ashley for practicum.  Bless you Mdm Yu!

Little Rainbow continued to buried his head in his folded arms, face down on the baby table. 



Richard has asian black hair :P

"What is your name?  What do you like? How old are you?" - Ice breaking.

"Rainbow?" Still, he ignored and face down.

"Rainbow is tired. We have to be quiet to let him sleep awhile, ok children?"

The other 15 kids nodded.  They had been quite quiet after they witnessed Rainbow's outburst.


----------miracle after 15 minutes-------when I started to teach Phonics----

A ~ A a~  A a a ~ A a a a~

Amy Ant, Amy Ant,

What do you say?

I say A a,

Amy, Amy ant!

B~  B b~  B b b ~ B b b b~

Blue Bird, Blue Bird,

What do you say?

I say B b,

Blue, Blue Bird.

C~ C c~ C c c ~ C c c c~

Candy Cat, Candy Cat,

What do you say?

I say C c,

Candy, Candy Cat.

Rainbow woke up with a BIGGGGGG smile~! The rainbow is out after a heavy rainpour~!!  He got so excited suddenly and even rose from his chair and rehearsed the phonics along~!


Of all the games, the kids actually enjoyed this the most! @_@

-------------during recess, 10am-----another surprise----------------

Rainbow held my arms and dragged me near him.

He whispered "Teacher, you forgot to say grace yesterday.  Pray." He clasped his hands and bowed.

Despite having my hands guiding another kid doing her worksheet, I actually turned around and looked him into the eyes.  Such a darling!

Though my school do not allow us to pray before the class, due to religion being a sensitive issue in this country, I could thank God in my heart, and, yes, Rainbow did say his grace before munching his doughnuts :)

Thank you children, for bringing rainbows into my world :)

Day 1 with little ones

Mistake 1:  Nearly distributed the whole stake of worksheets to children.  I blame my nervousness. Kids, and some adults, might forget to bring the next lesson.

Mistake 2:  Asked them to organize their individual ordered worksheets into daily stack. I gave an example and asked them to follow me from behind. Terrible mess. 2 out of 14 students succeeded.

Mistake 3:  Re-arrange the table and chairs too near a small board. He accidentally knocked on it. The board fell on him, he cried, principal came in, she gave him sticker, he declined and dried his tears after the pain subsided. Our man!

Mistake 4:  Helped the slower students with their worksheets while some boys played with the chalk on the board. The girls complaint; I didn't stop them.  If this persist, sooner of later, they will climb over my head.

Mistake 5:  Let the students out of the classroom when the school bell rang.  One girl went missing!  Her mother went frantic and nearly cried! The principal questioned me.  I was puzzled and afraid.  How careless!  Few minutes later, the mother's phone rang.  The girl's grandma came to picked her. End of panic.

Conclusion for Day 1 for International Tuition School English Camp, Level 1, 5-7 years old, 16 kids:

1.  35%  followed me dancing "Our School will Shine Today", the rest mumbled and were shy to lift their arms.


2.  32% sang "School Song".  The words are quite difficult for their level.  Some smiled.

3.  89% ziraffah-ed their necks to see the pictures of 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' on my netbook.  62% guessed the storyline when I paused for suspense.  When I asked what is the moral of story, they answered "Mouse eat cheese!" -_-"



4.  I guessed the story might be hard.  So borrowed a BIG BOOK "Mamo and His Promise".  The boy cat ate the fish though he promised mummy cat he wouldn't.  He lied and broke his promise.  Sister Cat scolded him, he apologized to mom and mom praised his honesty.  99% eyes on me when I meowed and yeah, they love BIG BOOKS.

5.  Musical Instruments.  I prepared 8, those with rice and beans inside containers.  50% without instruments were extremely sad; some carefree ones just clapped and marched behind me when old spiritual "When the Saints Go Marching In" was played. Spontaneously made another 6 instruments.




6.  All are helpful in arranging desk to match softboards on the floor for story telling time. 



7.  68% did poor colouring. 

Reflection:  I'm glad I didn't break into tears before them, due to personal emotions.  When little Felice held my arms around her little neck, I felt all the energy draining hours before were worthwhile.  Oh, she was the adorable one the went missing.

Lesson Learnt: Do not...


(P/s I told him)


----Humor is the spiciest condiment in the feast of existence. Laugh at your mistakes but learn from them, joke over your troubles but gather strength from them, make a jest of your difficulties but overcome them.


Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942)-----

Reservoir Park Kuching

Back from an hour's brisk walking with mom earlier. Once again, this Reservoir Park lifted my mood. How can one not be charmed by Mother's Nature?

Did you see the the platform above? Due to the non-stop rain in Kuching for the past 24 hours, it was flooded.  Poor drainage. Nevertheless, the cooling atmosphere this evening successfully welcomed parents and tots and a few couples; as well as singles who are health conscious.

Can't help admiring the kids, posing with their father for their mother to snap a picture. - sweet memory, must pen down- :P

Ah, this photo was taken 5 years ago.  I do hope this greenery will forever remain within the heart of Kuching.  Oh by the way, that white tall building at 1o'clock is our Civic Centre; I used to enjoy playing the lift to get up there and enjoy the scenery and breeze. The gym which replaced the state library at the ground floor was also removed, poor feng shui I suppose. 

Did you you the semi-globe besides Civic Centre?

Planetarium Sultan Iskandar

Though it's a just a stone's throw away from home, but I've yet to view our outer space. 

Just googled: http://www.planetarium-sarawak.org/psi/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=10

Something to look forward to this week :)

TESL VS Pre School

Hello Blog,
Sorry I didn't complete the Jurong Bird Park post last night.
The fingers just didn't coordinate with my mind and feelings then.

Anyway,
How are you, my friends?

Just came back from ITS English Language Camp 2nd briefing.
There are lots of preparation to be done.
And honestly,
I'm still thrilled.

Thrilled to the extend,
I am considering to do Pre School Education,
will it be a good idea?

TESL will be a better choice
because I've gone through the foundation and bachelor for 6 years.

Pre School will be something new
with all the songs, rhymes and riddles
games, story telling and....K.I.D.S!

The activities are way more interesting than higher secondary syllabus
but managing the kids?
I've failed to control my Form 1 kids during practicum
wonder will the 5-8years old be any easier?

Once again,
I'm thrown before a crossroad in a jungle.
Which path should I lead?

The left is mostly travelled,
should be a safer road.
The right is covered with shrubs
and there might be thorny grasses.

taken from: http://syukranview.wordpress.com/category/panorama/
(Geez, such a view, lai, sit back n day dream for few seconds.~)

But whichever path lies ahead
I'm sure I will not stay stagnant at this position
and stare too long,
watching other travellers passing by
one by one
leaving me all alone till the snow falls.

So....
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all in advance~!
HO~ HO~ HO~

SPP Interview 2011

SPP Interview Tips for the under-prepared people (like me)

1. Have your documents ready in the right order, with the checklist + passport glued, on the front page.  Original certs in 'Clear Folder'. Extra certs won't be awarded extra marks.

2.  Remember your CGPA.  Datok commented I downgraded my 3.757 to 3.753.

3.  Introduce yourself.  Name, school, reasons to be English teacher.

4.  What are the skills needed in teaching? In groups of 5, we took turn by brainstorming answers like: listening, speaking, reading , writing, communication, interpersonal...

5.  Pedagogy:  Mastery Learning, Learn how to Learn, Multiple Intelligence, Constructivsm (5 choose one each)  He requested this to be in BM.

6. No NKRA, no Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan, no wawasan 2020, no lagu patriotik, no micro-teaching.

7.  What are the current issues in Education? We talked about MBMMBI and the native speakers coming in the Malaysia.

8.  Situation: Solve & give opinion. In a class, the teacher separated the class into 3 groups, genious, average, n slow learners.  Good or bad? Why? 

I think that's about it. I'm just very relieved he didnt ask bout the politicians and history.  And, I'm glad my other 4 friends are so supportive and we helped each other out while we sorta stuck. 

Overall, I regretted killing my cells by worrying too much.

The day continued with makan-session with coursemates. A sereni-and-shentel visit. 2 rounds of bowling. and....

....catching my flight to Singapore~!


*see, the fun part is highlighted. *wink wink*  God bless all of us will pass the interview and berbakti kepada negara~ Good luck to those who will sit for it (^_^)

Pengenalan Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia

Visi KPM: Sekolah Unggul Penjana Genarasi Terbilang

Misi KPM: Membangun Potensi Individu Melalui Pendidikan Berkualiti

Menteri Pelajaran

Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Bin Haji Mohd. Yassin

Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran I

Y.B. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong

Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran II

Y.B. Dr. Haji Mohd Puad Bin Zarkashi

Ketua Setiausaha

Y.Bhg. Dato' Dr. Rosli bin Mohamed

Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran Malaysia

Y.Bhg. Dato' Sri Abd. Ghafar bin Mahmud

http://www.moe.gov.my/?id=37&lang=my

Hainan Island Tour didn't come true.

Haikou Travel Attractions






Holiday beachHoliday Beach, located in the west of Haikou, is a must-see destination for those visiting the city. Holiday Beach is a major recreational resort, is about 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) long, and enjoys a wonderful climate with sparkling waters, coconut trees, plenty of sunshine and clear skies…..





Mangrove Forest in Dongzhai PortMangrove is a tropical evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Rhizophora, having stilt-like roots and stems and forming dense thickets along tidal shores. There are about 81 kinds of mangroves in the world and among them about 41 can be found….





Tropical Wildlife GardenThis is actually a tropical zoological garden which imitates the environment of the wild, covering total area of 1.3 square kilometers, in which visitors can take a look at various kinds of tropical animal in their relatively wild state…..





Dongjiao Coconut PlantationTo visit Dongjiao (Dongjia Yelin) coconut plantation, visitors will have to take a twenty-minute ferry from Qinglan Harbour. This plantation has 500,000-coconut trees of various varieties of coconut peciesTracking through small footpath among…..





Highlands HainanThe highlands, spread across the central belt of Hainan island are areas of great natural beauty, with huge towering mountains, breathtaking waterfalls and tiny Li and Miao minority villages dotted about the place all making this an unspoiled and surprisingly….





West Coast HainanIn western Hainan, there are vast tracts of forest and long mountain ridges. In particular, the rainforests of western Hainan are filled with mysterious new plants and rare animals, attracting travelers with their own special natural splendor……

--------------copied and pasted from : http://www.travel-china.net/haikou-travel-attractions.html ----------

Last year, I posted pre-Taiwan trip, and I did step my foot there; this year, for SPP Interview's sake, I can only google about Hainan Island, without leaving my footprints on my mother's mother's hometown this time.


Yang Ming Shan, Taipei~ The coldest I experienced! =D

Beach, canoe? We have it at Palm Beach & Damai Beach Kuching.

Mangrove? I've been to Bako National Park 2 months back. 

Tigers?  I've seen more well fed ones at Thailand and Singapore's Zoo. 

Coconut trees? are you kidding, (i just went to check), yes, i've one right in front of my house. 

Highlands? Cameron Highland, Genting Highlands, we have casinos and theme park there wei!

Yatch, haven't been to one, but not that i can afford that water sports even if i do go to Hainan Island...





Coconut tree wei .... Proudly presents our Hilltop Damai Beach (^_^)



Mangrove hike with youngsters.... Proudly presents our Bako National Park, where you can see the famous sea stake~!  (^_^)


Dad, mom n I posing in the cool breeze... Proudly presents our Cameron Highlands :)

SO Yes, this is solely a self-comforting entry. Ooh, I'm just so sad! Even if I am willing to skip the interview, i know my parents will strongly oppose to that naive idea.  At least Kevin and Aunty Jenny are secretly glad that I can tutor Jefferson now. Dearest blog, thanks for letting me pouring out. Hope the 17 of them had extra joy on my behalf :')  btw God, I still love you! Sorry I felt unfair and complaint, and Thank You for the past wonderful trips, and many more to come~! =D

Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan

Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan



"Pendidikan di Malaysia adalah satu usaha berterusan ke arah memperkembangkan lagi potensi individu secara menyeluruh dan bersepadu untuk mewujudkan insan yang seimbang dan harmonis dari segi intelek, rohani, emosi dan jasmani. Usaha ini adalah bagi  melahirkan rakyat Malaysia yang berilmu pengetahuan, berakhlak mulia, bertanggungjawab, berketrampilan dan berkeupayaan untuk mencapai kesejahteraan diri serta memberi sumbangan terhadap keharmonian dan kemakmuran keluarga, masyarakat dan negara."

Simple Reflection:

Why do we study? Why do we even study to teach them to study? With this National Education Philosophy at hand, perhaps I would be constantly reminded that Education is a life long process to balloon up our individual potential.  And the reason? So that we can create a balance and harmony individual intelectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically. 

JERI. Another reminder for self and you, exercise is crucial; as well as knowledge, and spiritually journey and controlling our emotions.  As I write this out, I am amazed by the connections between these 4 elements :)

Since young, we were taught moral values, in school and at home. Education will produce citizens who are knowledgeable, morally characterized, responsible, competent and ability to achieve well-being.  Not only for self, but we should contribute to the harmony and prosperity of our family, society, country and world at large.

Knowledge, does not solely serve as information or explanation for others, but knowledge influence, change and shape what we are today.



God bless all, especially those we are sitting for the coming SPP interview! \(^_^)/

updated 7:58pm:

Q: How do I show someone unconditional love?







Here are 4 surefire signs to go by.






Physically: You're there for them in person, standing by their side, so they're not alone.


Emotionally: You offering your support by allowing them to honestly and openly express their feelings.


Mentally: You help them think through their actions, motives, and desires.

Spiritually: You pray for and with them and help them grow in all aspects of their life.

Dancing & Baking =)

Being jobless, allows me to catch up with my neighbour, Aunty Carrie and Uncle Charlie.  After a speedy 2 months as a relief teacher at Lodge National School, I went back to Senior Citizens Club to join their Monday's Ballroom Dance, Press Dance and Folk Dance. 

Everytime I see them, I'd feel so much alive.  Some are more than 80, yet they are so energetic is dancing; the grandparents woke up and 'gather' as early as 8am to play pool/snooker.  It has been exactly 2 months since I last exercise (shameful), and though I'm a slow learner, I'm quite surprised when the beginners were amazed, asking how many years have I learned and ask me to teach them. Duh.. @_@ haha! 

*Dancing is fun!*(^_^)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Went to make more headbands with Pamela at Enid's house earlier. Enid taught us how to make cheesecake, chocolate rich cheesecake.

Recipe (Yvonne, you asked for this)

500g cheese

110g castor sugar

75g yogurt

45g whipping cream

++ melted chocolate

Base:

1 packet of smashed orea

1/4 bar of butter

* smashed, mixed and chill as base, in freezer

Baking in oven:

medium 3, 60minutes.

* use chopstick to 'design' the top chocolate-cheese


google picture only; Enid will only design the top layer the next day before sending over to customer's house =)

*Happy girls days-in* Without guys, we girls can fill our days meaningfully too (^_^)

i graduated



Introducing my passionate Japanese Language UTM tutor - future ah sao : Miss Ida Tan :)








Baby Xin Yu: easily cries when attention is not given to her. love her smiles~



I never knew true and selfless friendship, until I met you. *lolx*

Andrew: Entering our 3rd year dating. Thanks for attending my convo darling =)



My secondary school mate came from Sunway, with his girlfriend. Thanks Sam! All the best to Steven and Jasmine too :)



Little Joanne: cute and bright!

Practicum partner Effah: She taught me how to cook simple dishes, tom yam!

Mark: the only Sabahan we have. The biggest palm i've seen!

Miss Ho. Yiing. Lucy. I'm just so grateful for graduating with a lucky First Class Honours!

11 out of 46. 
Standing L-R: Tidy kalmeet, bestie Yvonne, ordinary Me, chatty Ziham, chef Sam, sexy Cynthia
Squatting L-R: handsome Bruno, angelic Amirul, religious Faris, helpful razmi and generous Khalis!

our Serdang Chinese Methodist Church juniors, all from Sibu =)

and my loving parents who can be very funny at times =) 

Last but not least, Malcolm Tang: respectful, multi tasker, brilliant and an attractive hard core MU fan.

Heartiest thanks to all of you, for brightening up my life =)


Update request by Ed:


Ed, the man in black and blocks. Haha. Few adjectives about his buddy: Not forgiving (he still blames me uploading a picture of us which caused him to break up with his then gf); other than that, he's a funny guy, helpful, sincere and yes, he treats those who treats him well :) ps, hope our friendship doesn't end here (^_^)