P reminded me that its been a long time since I updated…and indeed it is. Practicum started and its taking its toll on me (and about everyone else), despite the fact that in reality, I’m only teaching half the load of a full-time teacher. My Sec. 3 students have me at the brink of a migraine every time I think of them. They are a good lot, and I do see their merits, always willing to lend a helping hand and good-natured at times. They are never really defiant and never ever mean. Yet, yet, how on earth do I get them to listen in class and do their work?! Half of them have already given up on their Chinese and another half are angry at being put in the worst Express class and feel they can’t study in such an environment. And all of them have a very low self-esteem. What can I do? With only 6 weeks left with them… what *can* I do?
Still, it’s the holiday week, despite the heavy nie assignments resting on my shoulders. (I can’t concentrate on any other work until I finish this one awful assignment from hell. BUT I can’t concentrate on working on this assignment either!) Lazed around for the first 2 days. Wanted to start work on the 3rd, but only managed to finish a meager amount of readings before succumbing to playing cards with L (who came over to motivate me! but really enjoyed the card games and the company, thanks gal!) Am currently in nie, hoping the studious environment here will help… but still only managed to finish drafting what I’m going to write, still haven’t started writing a single word…
But, I shall remember that this is the holiday week. After two weeks of real time teaching of 7am-530pm stress-filled days with added markings at night, and 6 weeks of the same looming, I’m going to relax, relax, and relax! This is the sunny tropical island of Singapore after all!
P.S.: I’m trying to cultivate a habit of writing down a blessing everyday in an effort to remain positive. Anything will do, from a stranger’s smile to winning the week’s Toto, as long as it made you happy. In the long run, we shall have a daily record of happy memories! And today’s shall be the 1.5 hour lunch of chicken cutlet and chat with a dear friend who is looking a lot better than the last time I saw him :)
