I Love Chemistry

To most people, it would seem that every day passes by; repeating itself over and over again in a tedious almost routine-like manner. But for me, my days are always different.

I'm lucky enough to work with teenagers, simply because they're a lot of fun. They're young and energetic (well, most of the time, when they're not sleeping in class), talkative and humorous and sometimes, they're as crazy as I am.

So being around them, it's hard not to feel young and energetic like them. I guess that's one of the reasons why I've managed to stay young after all these years. I know my peers will probably feel jealous of me saying this but being with teenagers kind of makes me look (almost) like one too! Haha!

My classes are usually fun and I enjoy all of them but once in a while, there'll be a class which just goes so well, I wish it wouldn't stop. Today was one of them. I prepared a workseet for group discussion as a means of revising for literature and I had such a great time listening to their ideas. Sometimes, teenagers can really blow you away with the way they think. There was so much laughter in the class today, my stomach and jaws were hurting after that. I can only hope we have this much fun every week and for all my classes but of course, that can never be.

Every class is different and special in its own way. I'm lucky to say that I don't have any classes which I dislike teaching and I can see that most of my students enjoy being in my classes too. However, there is this thing called 'chemistry' which, much like being in love, is something that's hard to come by. So far, in the last few years of teaching, I've had only one or two classes which managed to create this 'chemistry'. It's a rare thing and I truly cherish it when it happens - such as today.

It really makes me happy to see a class of students being comfortable with each other and having fun together as we learn. Everyone may not be best friends with each other but there is a willingness to communicate, cooperate and contribute to the learning environment which is something I try to create but one which I can't possibly do alone. So, it's really a joy to see those laughing and smiling faces today 'cause everyone made this fun learning environment possible.

I hope all my classes will one day attain this elusive 'chemistry' and help me create a learning environment that's fun and beneficial for everyone, including me. Afterall, happy students make a happy teacher.

If Only Mondays Were Like Sundays

I just had a good two days over the weekend. First, was a reunion lunch with my friends. It just so happened that my good friend, Alvin and my best friend, Joyce had returned to Malaysia - the former flying back from South Africa and the latter touching down from Singapore. It was a rare occasion to have those two back at the same time, so we went for a nice little Italian lunch with the heng tai at Flavors in Centro Klang. Despite the smaller servings (due to the current economy, no doubt) and my friend's peculiar-looking risotto, which in fact turned out more like fried rice, we had a good time catching up and joking around.

That night, I would meet up with the two of them again for another dinner gathering, this time with the chi mui. We dined at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at Sunway Pyramid. It was my first time there and though the food was just all right, I loved every corner of that restaurant. The whole place screamed 'whacky and funny'! I was really impressed with their humour and creativity.

My best friend, my funny-looking friend, my heng tai and the chi mui

Alvin, in one of his crazy mood swings

After spending some quality time with my best friend, talking about life as she drove us back to Klang, I got home in a good mood; waiting for the next day.

It's been a long time since my former students from Wawasan and I met up, so it was great that nine of them agreed to show up. Even though some had to leave early and some had to come late, it didn't matter. It was so good to see their faces again. We spent hours eating, drinking and catching up. It was great to see how they'd all chosen different paths in life - each having a dream to fulfill. I can't say how proud I am of them. Of course, we also had time for 'chor dai tee', which is a must everytime we catch up. It was funny; how we played the game. I'm still laughing now as I recall what happened. It was really nice to see everyone having a good time together. It's something I'll always cherish with each and everyone of my students, from each and every class.

The gang (minus two who were camera shy)

It's amazing to see how we've changed since we first met

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After having such a good weekend, it was always going to be hard to start work on Monday. Even though I enjoy teaching, it doesn't mean it's a holiday. I still have work to do - things to plan and prepare so I can make lessons fun for my students.

Having said that, it's so disappointing and I would say, it even gets me angry sometimes, when my students don't pay attention to what I'm teaching in class. They talk and talk... despite my numerous requests for them to pay attention. And once they quiet down, they'll start talking and playing again, which gets me really mad. But I don't want to get mad. I hate being angry. I hate myself when I'm angry. So, all I can do is keep quiet for a moment... look down and breathe-in slowly to calm myself down; and then resume teaching.

After having two more enjoyable classes after that, I felt a little better. Then, as usual, I had dinner by myself at around 10:30pm. When I came home, I went into the kitchen and opened the fridge... and what did I see?

Hmm... what's this? A box of chocolates?

And then I saw the words and the photo... and my heart sank

...

I opened the box to reveal a delightful assortment of cakes and pastries. They looked so lovely. Everything was colourful and they looked temptingly delicious. I picked the orange glaze cake and took a bite - in my mouth, it tasted soft, creamy and sweet... but in my heart, it was hard, dry and bitter. I've never tasted anything so wonderfully sad... yet so painfully happy.

From The Sun To The Moon

I woke up early at 7 today. It's the only day of the week I'll ever be up this early. Those who know me well enough will surely laugh to themselves about this fact. Hehe.

Naturally, I dread getting up so early but my young students have slowly become less of a pain and more of a joy and so I'm happier to get up early these days. I'm really proud of some of them who started out as rude and immature kids but have now slowly grown up to be well-behaved teenagers (although they are still a little 'humsup'!) Haha!

Among the boys who used to drive me up the wall are Jowie and Ren Hoe, whose birthdays we celebrated today. The thing that made this ocassion that much more special was that it was initiated by Shaun, another one of those boys who gave me so much stress in my first year with them. He was thoughtful enough to text me days before to plan this little celebration. Although I ended up ordering and buying the cake; and paying for most of it, I didn't mind. These boys have come quite a long way and show that they can change for the better. To me, this is the best gift of all. Students who go on to score straight 'A's make me proud but students who show that they can change their attitude for the best make me prouder.

So, here's to my boys: Jowie and Ren Hoe - Happy 14th Birthday! And to Shaun - Well done!

As soon as the joy of the morning was over, a little sadness started to fill my day; as night approached and the moon started to rise. Tonight, I was going to say 'farewell' to my ex-student, Kay Sern, who would be flying off to Australia. In all my years of teaching, he's the first I've had to say 'farewell' to and what more, so soon after graduating. So, it's with a bit of reluctance and a tinge of sadness as I feel he's still too young to leave. But alas, what's planned is planned and I will just have to accept that.

I didn't mind the long lonely drive to LCCT. It was the least I could do for a friend. Some people don't understand why I, as an ex-teacher would do this. Well, I guess they don't understand how much my students mean to me. And they probably don't understand that I may be a teacher to them in class but outside of it, we're friends. Of course, I don't do this for all my students. Friendship works both ways. It's pointless if I treat my students as friends but they don't feel the same way about me. The last thing I want is to be accused of not being fair or showing favouritism, which I don't practise.

Love can't be forced and so is friendship. So, to my friend, Kay Sern - Take care and enjoy your new Australian adventure. Carpe Diem!