Stye in the Eye; Lunch in School

At home today, rushing P6EM3CA1 paper, while on MC. Tomorrow's the deadline, so must die die finish by today, otherwise die. Initially planned to do it after school, but woke up this morning with huge swollen left eye, utterly uncomfortable, so took an mc to stay haome to prevent it from getting worse. Not sure if staring at computer screen will worsen it.

Have been bringing leftover dinner (or rather set-aside dinner) for lunch to school everyday. Teachers pass by and salivate! Compared to our measly but expensive canteen food, it really looks good... except that the thermos container is really huge! Keeps my lovely lunch warm though, so it's really worth it. :) Thank God for Lina for keeping my stomach sane and my palates happy! :)

Strong Currents

Here's the occasional drop by to say hi to my lonely little blog. Oh well, there can only be so many things on my plate before everything starts spilling off...

This year has been a crazy one. It's only January and I'm feeling the heat - workwise. I'm in school before 7 daily and leave only after 6. I'm on full throttle and hardly even stop. Work's literally piling up, and I'm demolishing piles of books with a red pen faster than the en blocs project tearing old hdbs down. But they keep coming up, faster than those ridiculously priced condos.

I'm teaching 2 EL classes this year, and they are presumably the HA kids. Yet I still get mediocre work. I thought I could do tons with them, but somehow I have to adjust my expectations regarding their ability. Now there's this gifted child in my class, and I have to read up on gifted kids who are slightly different - in terms of behaviour - from the rest.

Abby and Shalom are thriving despite my absence. Mustn't feel too lousy about it. Oh well, at least I don't bring work home during the weekdays, and try to put them to bed, which is quite a feat, especially for Shalom. They're such darlings! Shalom has his own stroller and baby as well, and I bet he'd make an excellent dad when he grows up, just like his dad.

Abby just told me yesterday that her teacher scolded her. When asked further, she said that she wasn't colouring fast enough, so she got scolded. Another teacher came to her rescue though. She was so sad. I can almost see my own pupils telling their parents that about me. *guilty*

Churchwise, our ladies bible study is having a revival... more honesty, stronger desire to grow in the Lord. We did our goal setting, our spiritual gifts analysis and now gaining momentum for the year. As for SONbeam - the parent-child playgroup I started with Siew Fun - it's growing well. Now we need to be diligent in going for adult service on Saturday, otherwise we'll be dried up.
Personally, I've been reading more. Just finished Heidi & Rolland Baker's Always Enough. They are missionaries to Mozambique, and their testimony is amazing! Now just finished Rachel's tears, the young Christian matyr who was killed in the Columbine tragedy. Also onto Disciplines of a Godly Woman and The Apostolic Cell Church by Apostle Lawrence Khong. :)

Work WOrk WORk WORK

It's piling up. Big time. I feel like level 99 of some computer game. And it doesn't look like I'm winning anytime soon. Which explains why I haven't been blogging.

Day 2 of 2008

I've got a splitting headache which started slightly before today. It's the first day of school, and yes, I also get first day jitters. It seems that it's actually IBS, which is not good news at all. Anyway, met my kids and there are quite a few outspoken ones. I get the feel that they are generally competitive and individualistic. Different challenges from last year.

Missed Abby and Shalom terribly. Abby took to school very well today - one of the older kids already! Well, one of the downsides of being a teacher is that you can't be there on your kids' first day of school. *big cry*

I've had such a wonderful time with the kids this hols, and I think all of us blossomed. I was telling Ben that I'm really appreciative of the space we had this time round - our holiday schedule allowed the caregivers some off days on alternative days, so they were with me Mon, Wed, Fri and weekends, while Tues and Thu were with their grandparents. The kids can play better together now, and when Shalom intrudes on Abby's play, she's learning to offer alternatives instead of getting into a death match. Being empowered has helped her not to be so defensive towards Shalom, and Shalom has also learnt to be slightly more gentle with Abby. :)

They're now hogging my precious iBook! Abby's hooked on Island Princess and loves the bloopers! (Bloopers from a cartoon?!?! Yup, I was puzzled initially, but really quite farni - especially Tellulah!) She also likes Thomas which is great coz Didi gets to watch and cheer her on. Great for bonding. :)

They used to like Animal Parade but have gotten quite sick of it. When Shalom gets the computer, he goes for Fisher Price Infant Games. They have the toddler and pre-schooler versions as well.

Well, back to work. I've got tons to clear and a headache to get rid off. I really hope I can clear the bulk of it by this Friday and still get out of school daily latest by 4.30pm. (I get to school around 6.40am.) I really need to get home earlier and continue bonding with the kids. It seems that prior to this holidays, there was hardly any bond with Shalom. I was just one of the many adults in his life. I'm just grateful for this holidays.

I also need to update here more. With more pictures of course! :)