Valiant Warrior

2011-12-09T15:09:00.001+08:00

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2009: Love Your Neighbour

2008-12-28T13:52:00.003+08:00

Went to service today - it's the last service before the change to the new schedule. It sounded a lot more like leader's meeting than the normal sermon today but it's a befitting end and a resounding beginning to the new year.

Ps Khong talked about plans for the new year. Made me dread the going back to school initially because I will probably be hearing a similar plan-setting 'sermon' tomorrow when we go for school meeting. But towards the end, I felt as if God had touched me inwardly through the message from Ps Khong.

First and foremost, Ps talked about transformation not being about garnering power, status, control or being reputable. It's about loving your neighbour.

"The entire law is summed up in a single command - Love your neighbour as yourself" (Gal 5:14). One of the thing that spoke to me was when Ps mentioned that we ought to give thanks for things that went well this year but more so for those things that didn't go so well this year. So I reflected back and realized that there are a number of things that bothered me as things that didn't exactly turn out the way I wanted it to be. On top of that, Ps went on sharing about how he's going to meet other pastors for the Love Singapore meetings and it struck me that humility does come before we can go on doing anything for God. God has to humble me with people that are difficult to work with so that I can grow. And I just praise and gave thanks to God for those things this year.

Ps then went on mapping out his SOP for Love Your Neighbour. Very succintly, it's Sacrifice and Service, Ownership and Obedience and finally Place and People.

To "Love", it requires Sacrifice and Service. One takeaway that Ps drummed in was that love requires sacrifice (Jn 15:13). He gave a few examples - eg. God gave his son for us. But one interesting observation was how couples should sacrifice for one another - if all couples do that, marriages will be very stable! Matt 20:28 talked about service, on how we should serve one another and how humility comes before honour.

Next part is "Your" - and that is about Ownership (Jn 15:16) and Obedience (Luke 14:27). I think that's something really revealing to me because the people we reach out to are personal - be it colleagues, pupils, friends, relatives, family, etc. . we are all running the same race but the experience is all personal. 1 Cor 15:58 spoke to me greatly:

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain"

It's like - it's not as if I didn't exactly do anything, but somehow, things doesn't seem to be happening. I could put in my all in work and put in my all in an event, but somehow, I ain't exactly getting what I thought God will return. But this verse encouraged me greatly that all is not done in vain. One of the thing that interest me would be how Ps will be integrating the cell group strategies into the G12 vision - actually, I am sure that if Ps is a principal, he will be a top-notch one because he just defts into vision, mission and values so smoothly and distills the essentials for us to work it out. That's a master craftsman. I am actually very honoured and glad to have such a leader in my midst (though he does have his flaws lah - I mean, still human to err lah. . .)

Last off is "Neighbour" - and that is Place (Matt 6:10) and People (Gen 1:28). Acts 17:26 - 27 and Gen 12:2 - 3 talked about this as well. Just don't ask me to delve into this further because you know what? I am getting tired of blogging so much . . .

Week 3 of December holiday 2008

2008-12-22T08:59:00.002+08:00

Last week of holiday - sigh, so fast right. I feel cheated of my holiday this year because somehow, it seemed so short. But can't blame anybody - this year has been a hectic year.

Did some really fun things lately. I went out cycling one day and ended up with a puncture tyre. Actually, I'm rather surprised by it. It just so happened that one fine day, I decided to go out cycling and started from East Coast Park and ended up with a puncture near Changi Village. Now, that's already rather amazing because the distance to Changi is about 20km. The next amazing thing is that I did the next most natural thing - walk back home pushing the punctured bike.

I took about two and a half hour to reach back.

And, I finally got to change my car tyre! Again, it's a puncture. It's strange but such things always happen during the holidays - puncture, getting sick, . . .etc. But very happy lah. At least, I know how to do it already, after nearly 15 years on the road. I never even changed a tyre once on my motorbike previously.

Had lots of mahjong session too - hah! It's really great to be able to play mahjong. It's like a luxury. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it although most of the time, I am paying.

Been a long time since I seen some of my cell members. It's like a great reunion during the recent cell retreat and the more recent Christmas gathering. It's good to see everybody so comfortable with one another. I felt like it's one big family.

That aside, this is going to be the last week before holiday. Hope that I can pull through without spending too much money - I'm been spending like nobody's business!!! No money left!

Week 1 of December 2008 holiday

2008-12-01T20:08:00.003+08:00

Still playing around with my Macbook - there's this neat plugin which works seamlessly with iphoto to upload the pictures in my iphoto application to picaso.com. Great for quick uploads to the blogger webpage.

Also been fiddling around with my Macbook - realized that most of the space is constrained to the Windows hard disk partition. That left me with little space to work with in my Macbook (mine has a dual operating partition - can boot with either Windows or Mac OS). To get around that, I created a shortcut to Windows from my Finder. So I just dump all my photos and videos in the Windows partition. That really helped me save a lot in my disk space.

And I realized that by putting slideshows all over my blog, it made the readers scroll up and down the page. That's quite a strategy to make people wander to the bottom of the page!

The holidays have started and I am enjoying every bit of it. Went for a long swim in the morning to get a bit of tan. It's very relaxing as there's nobody to jostle with me in the pool. Really felt like I owned the whole pool to myself as I swam lap after lap. . .ah. . .bliss

Reflected a bit on what I wanted to do in life. What my values are. What I believed in. I watched a show called "Marie and the three little puppies". A very heartwarming show about how a young girl struggled with the demise of her mum and found an abandoned puppy one day. Story unfolds about how a huge earthquake destroyed the house, trapping the girl and her grandfather inside. Marie, the puppy now grown up, managed to find help but in the end, had to be left behind in the evacuation process. Marie was then left to fend for herself and her three puppies for 16 days before the girl managed to return back to rescue the devastated village.

What left me really touched was how I found myself chasing after money and luxuries in life. Actually, come to think of it, I am really very blessed. I remembered my pastor telling us once to always be a blessing, always be thankful and always be joyful. That phrase struck me again as I reminsce about the past one year and how I have grown. One thing I felt I really neglected, actually two, is that I didn't keep myself fit and grow in my intellect pursuit. I always loved to study and I always like to be fit. But somehow, over the course of working, I just lost track of these two ideals. One thing I love about teaching is that I never be able to stop learning - there is just always another course/seminar to attend or just another series of modules to finish in the line.

I found that there are other things I loved to have in life - a closely knitted family and a close company of friends/colleagues/cell group. Actually, one thing I felt I really lost out is that I just have no time for all these. But this year had been good.

Ending off for now. . .

Sentosa LITO Programme 2008

2008-12-01T14:51:00.002+08:00

Living in the Ocean Programme 2008 (Sentosa Underwater World)

I have created a PICASA web photo album on a recent trip I went with my pupils. It's a new initiative and a great collaboration between Sentosa and schools. I chose 40 pupils and together with 3 other teachers, went to the Underwater World

Final day of school term in 2008

2008-11-27T15:07:00.005+08:00

Phew, finally reached the end of my school term. I think this was a really long tiring year. Actually, it was quite good already given that I had a great team of friends working with me.

- Sending off Sharon at Amirah's Grill

Went to Amirah's Grill on Tuesday to give Sharon a send off treat. It's a nice place - I espcially liked the kebab and mixed grill. Halal restaurant. It's a cozy place especially nice to hang out. They provide DVD of plenty of movies (good to hang out in - we watched A tale of unfortunate events, but didn't manage to finish through the movie) and the food is good. I booked a private room on the second floor and it's styled Middle-East, Mediterranean type and it's a good departure from the usual run-of-mill events.

Next year events

I am very surprised that I could continue thus far. I could still recall the anxiety and panic that I had when I first began teaching. Now, I am actually able to pull people into teaching. That's quite a big difference from when I first began.

Next year, I will be taking on a HA class which allows me to pull out my full bag of surprises. I am looking through my old old NIE notes and realized that there are just so many things that I have yet to try out. I will probably want to model after my first batch of P6 pupils which I think was a really interesting and successful year of teaching. But I am very glad - I finally managed to get a HA class after all these years. I wonder why I never plucked up the courage to do it the first time round.

Involvement wise, next year will also be a busy year for me. There is a lot of movement going around. As I reflect on what I am doing, I realized that in the end, God is really the pillar for me. I mean, things aren't really going very well in school - I have difficult people to work with and pupils in school are really very naughty at times. My friends, sometimes they are just so busy. My wife, . . .sometimes, she is just so busy too. And when I have nobody to turn to in my downness, I realized that He has always there for me.

Speaking of this, one of the latest reflection I got forms the heading of this blog. Sad to say, I realized that I feel closest to God in the most troubled times. Hmm . . .probably I am taking Him as a person whom I can go to in times of trouble only.

(From the book of James 1)

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

This is one of the passage that spoke deeply to me. I realized that I need to preserve on. Actually, I have been running a good race but the past two years has been a slow down for me. I guess I got misled along the way. But taking on a HA class - I better pull up my socks and do a good job. I mean, I won't want to let the HA pupils down in any way. If I can stretch them in all possible ways, I better do so and do a good job out of it. I mean, these pupils are the likely leaders of the future Singapore.

I am especially touched by the words italized - that if I lack wisdom, I can ask from God and He will give it to me. I mean, what do I really need? I think I want wise, pondered works. I don't want to trouble my colleagues with burdensome, unnecessary work. Neither do I want to give people ideas with worldly values and unwholesome attitudes.

9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

One of the things that greatly saddens me is that Social Studies in my school is a very small department. Small in size and small in importance. But to me, SS is a very important thing. Actually, so is Science, another subject that I am interested in. But SS is the foundation of what I began teaching in. Geography, National Education, thinking about spatial awareness and national boundaries. All these appeals to me. I think I got a wake up call during the Humanities Education seminar I attended recently. It is just so much more interesting. Geography, NE, SS - it's about the people around us. It's about the world we live in. But every time we plan out the plans for next year, SS has always been a small player in the school. I pray that God will bless me with a prayerful and pondering heart to bless the SS environment in my school. I hope to do more but I want to do it with God's wisdom so that it blesses the school and it blesses God.

As for Basketball, my next little pet peeves in the school, I need to continue to stabilize the team. Right now, it's actually very scattered as I am without a coach. But once I can stabilize it, I will hope to do more things. Actually, I did well in the 1st semester. But somewhere along the line in the second semester, things slowed down tremendously when the coach resigned. My plans is to really get the players built up and be strong true-blue basketball players. I also hope to have an active Basketball community in the school - because seriously, I won't be able to make it for competitions in the next two years.

End of the year - holiday time soon!

2008-11-26T13:38:00.002+08:00

Hi people!

It's nearly holiday time. Few more days to go before it's officially holiday time for the staff at BLGPS. I found some interesting videos (gosh, the world has changed so fast!) and sites (things on the web are getting interesting!) and just thought, this is the best way to share with everybody!

I hope to revive this blog. It has been such a long time since I last did anything like this. But first thing first, do leave a note if you drop by so we can connect with one another ok?

I will be using the tag "BLGPS" and "valour13" much of the time. So perhaps, you might want to use that to search for my photos. I am thinking of uploading photos to picasa.com soon.

News@BLGPS

2008-02-08T09:53:00.000+08:00

To all the P65 2008 pupils,

sorry if I had kept you waiting hot and frustrated outside the school on CNY eve. I had to attend a meeting held after the concert thus I couldn't attend to you all then.

There had been some news at BLGPS. Read the Straits Times on Tue morning and you'll understand what I meant. I will post up the newspaper article in the blog soon to keep all of you updated.

We'll shall arrange again to meet. For the record, I was very happy to see so many of you returning back to visit me. That really made my day. Thanks guys!

2008-01-30T19:10:00.000+08:00

The three powerpuff girls who disbanded after some internal strife among themselves. They have been best buddies for P5 but somehow, their friendship didn't stand the test of time. May God work in them and through them to make them come together again.

Yi Huan - one girl who has pressed on through the year with astonishing results during her PSLE. She did herself proud - one up for her!

Hidayu and Shafiqa - two key pupils who have helped pulled P65 through their P6 years. Both did well above my expectations and targets for their PSLE.

P65 putting up a show for P6 teachers during their overnight camp in BLGPS. It's a night that I went without much sleep - 12 years old can really talk and talk!

Few of my P65 pupils in 2007 - they have blossomed much since!

BLGPS 65 out on beach cleaning activity as part of their CIP in 2007.

Class Gathering for P65

2008-01-26T17:17:00.000+08:00

Hi P65,

let's gather for a while this coming CNY if you are free. BLGPS will be having a concert lasting till around 10.30am. I expect the school to close around 12pm. So between 10.30am to 12pm, we can have some time to catch up with one another.

Reena has been trying to get everybody for a BBQ this coming June. It was an idea I proposed to her and I'm amazed that she's so efficient. Just to get things going, REENA as well as 65, please listen carefully!

1. Reena, you are doing a good job. Please don't ask for money from the people yet. I think get the pit first, let everybody check their calendar before Mar 1, 2008 before deciding on the food to order.

2. East Coast Park is a good place for gathering. It's quite cheap and it's not as far as Pasir Ris. Only problem is the transport there. I leave it to you guys to think about how to get there via bus. The easiest way out of course, is to share a cab to get there.

3. The class gathering this coming June is NOT compulsory and it's definitely not in my capacity as a teacher to organize such a thing (remember, no consent form given). If you have other commitments such as holidays, outings etc, you DO NOT have to attend this for me. Think of it more as a friend who wishes to meet up with everybody to see how things are going on in a new phrase of life.

4. For people who are attending, have to pay the person organizing (in this case Reena) so as to defray the cost. It's not easy for her to pull off this stunt and we can all help by at least helping to defray the cost. Don't make things difficult by saying that you will like to just "pop by" without eating. Pop by and then stay a while to eat. Ok?

I will try to visit my blog more often to see what comments you leave for me. Till then, take care and do enjoy yourself in your schools.

Release of PSLE results

2007-11-23T22:16:00.000+08:00

Nov 22 - Yesterday was the release of the PSLE results. I'm very very happy. All my pupils passed which is something of a feat I'm proud of! Proud that their hard work had paid off.

I think the tough part had been all the evening class, endless remedials and fighting the lethargy that bugged me constantly throughout the year. The marking was endless and it really seemed like an endless road. Thinking back, I'm glad all that had paid off. Out of 38 pupils, all passed and made it to Sec school. 5 made it direct to Express stream while I got 6 with option between Express and Normal(Academic). However, got one pupil going to N(T) while another has the option of Normal(Academic) and Normal(Technical).

Actually, hard work does pay off. Those who work hard really do get to reap their efforts. It's really reaping what is sowed.

Anyway, I'm now slowing down a lot. Crawling in fact. I'm getting ready for next year competition in Basketball. Still hope to break into the West Zone league. May the Lord bless the team in their performance next year!

Fort Siloso trip - P6 learning journey

2007-11-21T20:59:00.000+08:00

It's a fun time going out with my pupils to Sentosa. I think that's what make teachers so different from tuition teachers and all other jobs. We get to go places, and more importantly, as a class!

But horror strikes when you get a class of little terrors! But thank God, I got a class of mainly angels this year! Looking at these photos always bring a heartwarming feel to my mind. . .

2007-11-21T20:50:00.000+08:00

Back after a long long break. It's finally holiday time. It's pretty amazing how I managed to pull through the year, I can only thank God for sustaining me during the difficult time.

This picture shows some of my pupils in my class. Actually, 65 is a class that I find it hard to forget. Probably of the unique makeup of all the pupils. Probably because it's during 30 year anniversary. But I guess the pupils gave me a challenging time (which isn't altogether bad all the time! There were several good time - something which many of my colleagues found it hard to believe!)

migration of email address - Marcus Ang

2007-10-03T20:22:00.001+08:00

Dear friends,

Marcus here. If you still remember me, please update your email address for me to:

valour13@hotmail.com

Thanks.

PS: This is the fastest way I could think of to inform you all.

Marcus
For valour and Courage

May the Light be with you

Real people. Real questions. Real answers. Share what you know.

Shengwei's birthday

2007-05-20T21:29:00.007+08:00

Today's Shengwei birthday - he rushed down from airport because he missed us. Cute right?

Friday House Practice

2007-05-20T21:29:00.005+08:00

Aiyoh, today is the dreaded house practice. Feel v tired after the practice - I think I used a lot of effort to carry oui the assigned tasks. Feeling v sleepy now...

I saw a pupil of mine today - covered all over w cane marks on his body. I felt terribly sorry that something like that happened to him,

Hum.... And it's quite bad - both hands r covered w bruises.

Wk 9 - finishing the lap soon

2007-05-20T21:29:00.003+08:00

It been a long 1/2 year. I'm looking forward to the holidays - letting my hair down n just want to take a break fm the hustle n bustle of school.

I have been watching lots of videos lately. And I'm enjoying it. It's really good to be immersing yourself into another world and just taking in the sights n sounds of the world

Wk 9 - finishing the lap soon

2007-05-20T21:29:00.001+08:00

It been a long 1/2 year. I'm looking forward to the holidays - letting my hair down n just want to take a break fm the hustle n bustle of school.

I have been watching lots of videos lately. And I'm enjoying it. It's really good to be immersing yourself into another world and just taking in the sights n sounds of the world

Vivocity

2007-05-14T20:44:00.001+08:00

Went gai gai with my darling today. It's quite a relaxing affair to move around browsing though....

Now waiting for her to try on clothes. This is one thing I don't enjoy doing but I learnt to bear with it. Hmm... I also learnt to be bold n sit just about anywhere! Have to conserve energy la - it's physics! Energy can't be destroyed nor created! (comments from any physicians?)

Darling n I made a prayer just now. Wanted money to buy something for someone - no money, so we prayed. She said, ''God, bless me with money now!" I looked up (we were having dinner), half expecting money to drop down on my head. It never did.

But guess what? We returned home to find a mail in our letter box informing us of GST offset package! God is real! I was ecstatic! Darling was almost nonchalent - "of cuz God hears my prayer"

Jackie's Pullinger service

2007-05-13T21:15:00.000+08:00

Wow! Jackie's... is a woman of God! Just returned back from her service and I just got so many things to write.

My big takeaway is when she explained about each of us running our own race. That really struck me hard. I don't think I have enough time to meditate on this entry - but allow me to just give a short summary.

God reserved a special portion for Caleb and it was his race to run. If he doesn't do it, nobody else would. And there ain't any substitutes.

That got me teary-eyed. And then she went on talking about running to win the prize - finishing is the important thing. That got me even more teary because of 2 things - one is that we have to run till the end. Second is that we are not competing with each other. That's a really fresh revelation to me. I'm not competing w my brothers/sisters to win the lost!

Wow! I just felt a new sense of freedom from some unknown bondage! Whatever that is!

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T21:04:00.003+08:00

Bought the biggest crab I ever seen in my entire life - Sri Lanka crabs (they come in big n medium - these r the big ones!) fm Jumbo @ East Coast. They don't come cheap (1.6kg each, $36/kg) but they're well worth the heafty px. I got 2 and I am broke for the month already. But seriously, u can really taste these crabs. Most of the time, u r just eating the sauce.

I didn't enjoy it though. Cuz there's only 4 pincers n 6 of us, I chose to forgo it. Anyway, I haven't got much appetite anyway.

Jackie Pullinger

2007-05-13T21:04:00.001+08:00

Now at the conference. Still feeling goggy n heavy headed, but I just missed being in the house of God.

Lots of things went thru my mind. Got 2 days MC this wk n I was just thinking I will really die this time round. Very bad case of flu - fever reached 38.4! I just thought - what am I really doing with my life n body? I'm out of shape, ministry going nowhere, work going downhill n uphill... I'm completely lost!

2nd test

2007-05-07T21:18:00.001+08:00

More cake fm dear!

pict

2007-05-07T21:14:00.001+08:00

Cake fm dear dear

Testing

2007-05-07T21:10:00.001+08:00

Testimony

Put on the armour of God

2007-03-23T06:42:00.000+08:00

Today I was reading the verse in Eph 6:10

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm."

Yesterday, I was called in to see the HOD regarding my file checking - I had over 1 month of workbook unmarked. I think I was very composed - maybe I really had grown up/matured over the years in teaching. When I went in, the HOD sat down and said, "Talk lah." I was astounded! So I replied, "Sorry, about what?" The HOD then said, "You said you have something to say about your marking, so now you talk first." So I explained that it was my basketball high season and my plan was to finish up the books first so that I do not lag behind in terms of work. She then rebutted that it wasn't a good reason for such work, especially for one education officer like me (hee, this one I added myself lah . .)

Anyway, I was quite taken back by the experience. I realized that there are efficient HOD, and excellent HOD who are personal, effective and efficient. Hmm, actually, I felt very motivated after yesterday experience - felt that I wanted to prove to her about my efficiency. But more than that, I don't want to let God's name go down the drain. I mean, cannot be I claim to be a Christian yet produce such work! It's horrendous! Unimaginable! I believe in my God, so cannot let Him down. So next few days have to speed up my marking and submit for file checking again.

I was doing my QT today - feeling very slack. God showed me the verse that says that I am not fighting against people but against the forces in the unseen world. Wow! Revelation! It's not my pupils and HOD that I am fighting against! It's the evil one - and God actually shows me how to do it! Be truthful - I admitted my mistake to my HOD! Be righteous - have to do my marking! Be ready - meet the deadlines! Have faith - trust in God to help me (the HOD actually mentioned that it will have an effect on my promotion and career advancement prospects! I reject in Jesus name! God will fight for me in the ranking exercise!) And pray! which I will do so religiously and fervently! God bless me so that my outreach can be extended! May God's name be known in my school and neighbourhood!

Ending of term

2007-03-07T06:57:00.000+08:00

These few weeks have been a very very busy week. Missed quite a few deadlines, which is quite unusual.

Was reading today's verse - things planned long ago. I'm taking heart that God has planned out the things that I am doing long ago. I am banking on that seriously, because I think at this point in time, I am not sure whether I am doing the right thing. But since God has said that all these have been planned long long ago, then that should be it.

Yesterday was a terrible day. Felt very down and out the whole day. I think I would have got into a car accident, if not for God's grace. The down emotions are still continuing. I guess it's due to the tiredness from all the deadlines. It's crazy, everybody is just shooting deadlines one after another. So all of us are just rushing to meet one and another and another.

Well, I think today ought to be a short day. So hopefully, I can get back to this soon!

Love your neighbour as yourself

2007-02-22T07:07:00.000+08:00

I still found this greatest commandment strange. But I remembered what Pastor used to say, that is to just love your neighbour. And as the Samaritian story goes, the people (even people who you don't usually talk to) are the neighbours. So that means to love the people around me.

Things are piling up but I'm thankful that the school holidays are coming. I don't have much time during the holiday though - got courses and all. But I'm looking forward to the G12 conference as well as the encounter weekend with Johan and Caroline.

Zzzing. . awoken by the smell of pizza hut

2007-02-20T21:35:00.000+08:00

Was trying to sleep but my dear kept pestering me that she is hungry. So ordered Pizza Hut - CNY festive pizza. It's delicious lor - but this is the third (or is it the fourth?) time I'm eating it so I'm quite sick of it. Anyway, I am feeling extremely bloated. . . will have to work off the calories.

Feeling quite bothered today. I think I'm becoming a sloth. . that's not my end point. Dear shared with me something meaningful today which I felt was very insightful. When we do things, we are not just doing it for our own success or for our own gratification. We are in the Lord's army and each of us have a part to play. Thinking in this manner, I know that every effort I put in is for God. Erm, except for mahjong lah . . .can't exactly figure out how much that fits into God's training for his army. So I limit my time for leisure and mahjong and such things. But I put in the maximum effort into work and in taking care of my family and His family.

One thing I realized is that my children really reads blogs. . .Hmm. . .got dear to spruce up the blog for me. Also tried out the blogging through email - IPAQ rocks. I think I can compose my entries on my HP now and once I return back home, I can send them out via email.

Found a song I loved - Thank you for giving to the Lord. It's a song that dear and I particularly enjoyed. Didn't realized it till dear pointed out to me just now. . .phew. . .very magical, can bring me back to the ole' dazes!

2007-02-20T21:17:00.000+08:00

Me helping out with the dishes...

Testing: blogging thru email

2007-02-20T20:16:00.001+08:00

Trying out the new facility of blogging @ 20/2/07.

Day 1 of Chinese New Year

2007-02-18T21:47:00.000+08:00

I feel like I'm in dreamland - things feel so different during holidays.

Lots of things happened. For one thing, I managed to catch more than 40 winks definitely. Dreamt. . .of many things that happened and dreamt of what I want to do.

What had happened
Total Defence Day just passed. Most of my male colleagues just wasn't interested in donning the army uniform. I can understand - I felt dready even as I wore the uniform that morning. But memories of me during my Army days returned so vividly as I pranced around in my No. 4.

I still remembered my dream of becoming a CNB officer. Well, if not, then a police officer. It's cool - having my revolver, catching people doing sneaky things, keeping the place in order. However, God somehow, have other plans for me. Being a teacher was something that's definitely not natural. I would much rather do some forms of workout rather than stand in front of 40 pairs of winking eyes teaching them English, Maths and Science. Academic subjects is definitely not something I exceled in during my schooling years.

However, that day during Total Defence Day, God spoke to me yet again why He wanted me to be in school, and not on the streets catching criminals. As I was explaining to my pupils about the food and water rationing exercise, and the fact that they had to do without electricity in the classroom for an hour that day, something just hit me. I am doing something that God had wanted me to do!

I remembered the day when God asked me to teach, I was very unsure what I can impart to the children. My grades aren't fantastic. Add to that the misery I felt during my teacher training, I really felt disappointed because I can't see myself anywhere in God's plan. But in recent weeks, I realized that this is something exciting. Some people don't even bother to itinerate the key points of the rationing exercise. Or discipline. Or PE. Or social studies. But I realized that I been consistently driving home the point of working hard, saving up, being good, working for the future, etc. . .

What's in the future
I have three main areas for focus - my family, God's family and God's work. God's work is the key indiscernable part yet. I'm not sure if I am to stay in teaching forever. But until God says stop, I will just stay here. But I know I tend to be looking forward to changing lanes but God kept reminding me to stay.

God's family - hmm. . .only have 6 children as of today. But I thank God for each of them - they are unique in their own ways. My hope is that they will grow up to be strong and steady children of God, each trusting and knowing God personally and not just through people.

My family - will continue to wait for God's timing. Hmm. . .I'm still praying for our family's salvation. It'll come.

2007-02-08T07:08:00.000+08:00

Stoning now. Yesterday went to leaders' meeting - lasted till 10pm. Felt very tired. By the time I got home, it was around 11pm already.

Did my QT today. Was reading Ps 2 and Mat 2. As I was reading, I felt that God has a certain order to things. Even as John knows that Jesus will be one greater than him, baptizing people with fire and the holy spirit, John still consented, relented and baptize Jesus with water.

Perhaps right now, it's because I feel very tired so somehow, I felt like a piece of worm. But I know that God has an order to things. He called me to be a teacher so a teacher I will be. How long? I don't know but he hasn't told me to stop. I know from His word that He told us to be faithful and diligent servants/sons so I just obey. Actually, now as I pen this down, I feel happy leh. Because just being in his plans, I know everything will be ok. Even though I am tired, even though I might get "arrowed", even though I might get "pointed fingers at", I know that He is watching out for me.

Tiring and drained out

2007-02-07T06:53:00.000+08:00

Dragged myself out of bed today. I felt so drained out today. I haven't been able to do much at home lately - it's like me going home and then I just plopped myself down on bed. And I had wanted to go to the gym every evening this year!

Yesterday was quite an exciting day. Yijie showed an attitude as usual - did not bring his PE shorts and just refused to tuck in his shirt. But more than that, he behaved like he wasn't in the wrong.

Anyway, don't want to talk too much about him - today read Ps 1. A beautiful psalm about a man who does not follow the masses. Sometimes, I wonder if I am doing good. But as I read the psalm today, I realized that's nothing wrong with being good. Just stick to what's right and do what's best in all situations.

The psalm goes on to say about the righteous man. I want to be a righteous man. I believe that it's not easy being righteous. To be one, I believe that the man have to possess integrity and grit. To continue to being true to what's right even when everybody else's actions seems to say otherwise.

I am beginning to have some progress in my P5 camp planning. Going to meet the P5 teachers today and roll out some plans for them!

Aftermath of Tabernacle

2007-02-05T20:15:00.000+08:00

Hmm, didn't manage to go through the tebanacle after all. Felt very drained out. The young ones were jostling with one another most of the time, which drained out my dear dear and made me spent lots of energy, draining me out in the process. I thank God I pulled through the weekend though. I had originally made a wrong decision - not going to church. But thank God I didn't commit to that decision.

Today, spent much time tying up all the loose ends of my weekend fight. I'm glad I managed to finish most of my marking. Strangely, overheard some colleagues who were thinking of quitting their teaching jobs. I think in a few more years time, there wouldn't be any more male colleagues among my midst. If there were, they probably be much much younger than me! I mean, the old are retiring and my peers are all thinking about quitting. So sad. . .

Spent my QT this morning - humph, everyday before food. I am keeping to it. It's rather strange but time seems to stand still as I do my QT. I looked at the clock before I started - 5.30am. And when I ended, 5.31am. I definitely spent much time lor - prayed in tongues, prayed to God, read the sermon passage about Jacob who wrestled with God. Yet, all within a minute?? Strange!

Went home with the young ones after service yesterday. I am looking forward to Chinese New Year with them. Yeah, much feasting! Much food! And I am looking forward to long weekend. And Valentine's Day with my dear dear. And Total Defence Day (Feb 15th) - I get to wear my army uniform!

Saturday, 03 February 2007

2007-02-03T15:38:00.000+08:00

Went to school today to do a spring cleaning for the staff under the umbrella of Staff Well Being Committee. I was the only guy in the committee and somehow, found things to be moving very very slow. They can't seem to make up their mind about things. . .but it was fun la.

Anyway, cleaned up the resource room and the pantry area. I think it looked pretty impressive. I think these places are among the most neglected places around the school. It's not taken care by the staff, cleaners nor the teachers. Yet, everybody uses it so often.

This week had been a rather fast-paced week. We lost to ZhengHua Primary. Though it was a fiercely fought match (or so I heard, I wasn't there. I was at my drama course), I felt that it was good that the players lost. They were getting so hot-headed and giving me so much problems that I couldn't really enjoy bringing them out anymore. Trouble in their classes, outside school, etc. . .very xian lah.

Talking about that, got one boy who kept disturbing my pupils by splashing water on their bags. I think it's crazy. So talked to him and gave him a stern warning not to do that again.

Santification week, went to TC. It's a very memorable place. When the worship started, my tears kept flowing non-stopped. I didn't know if you call that mourning, but I was sad la. Anyway, the place gave me good memories. I am looking forward to moving back to the neighbourhood I grew up in. It would be good if I managed to get a place in that area. Hmm . .would cost a bomb to me though. But I remembered that I never knew if I ever got the money to get married and get my first house anyway. So I dared to dream and keep on dreaming.

The next two weeks would be focused on P5 camp as well as the upcoming heritage tour for P6. I hope I can pull these two programs through. Sometimes, as I think back, I just know that it's all about God. Right from the start, I knew that I couldn't do anything in this "ministry" of teaching. But God hath brought me through till now. Praise God!

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

2007-01-31T20:31:00.000+08:00

Won against Nan Hua Primary 18 : 9 today. I think the coaches were good friends so we didn't thrashed them to bits today. But nonetheless, it was a good match. There were some surprises - like Han Htun being tough, Jian Ming being very strong in defending.

Got to know of more trouble that I caused in school. Heard from the grapevine that some teachers complained when I did a selection among the P4s. The selection were supposed to be among the P3 only. However, if I had kept what I had in P4s, the team will have no hope in future. Anyway, I think I better watch my backside. Too many arrows already. If this goes on, I think I can't even continue God's ministry in school anymore.

Got to hear of my pupils taking cigarettes to school. One of my girls claimed that she was given the cigarettes. I can believe her but I counselled her that she needs to be careful of the friends that she is hanging out with. I think she would heed my advice. But her situation is rather bad. . hopefully, she would be smarter and be mindful.

Looking forward to santification week. I think it'll be a great experience. And this time, bringing the young ones there too. I think it will be a real eye opener for them.

Tuesday

2007-01-30T20:59:00.000+08:00

Phew, finally got things done. Had a lot of things going on at the same time - doing up a science noticeboard, getting ready for the Sony Science Creative Award at my school, preparing for the upcoming P5 camp at Jalan Bahtera. I think that's quite a lot of things going for one semester!

Today apologized to J. Didn't really get to see him personally, I guess he's sort of avoiding me. Anyway, I was too busy to get a chance to apologize to him face to face. I will definitely do it if I manage to catch him at a good opportunity. I was running around like a busy bumblebee all day. But seriously, I am enjoying myself. It's not often that I get to actually "enjoy" my days in school. I am glad that they took me down from being an ADM. Phew, that's one post which I really didn't enjoy at all!

I was examining myself today. This week is the santification week for my network in church. Santification, means, . . .setting apart for God. I know it more as making myself pure, making myself close to God, setting myself apart from other non-believers for God's purpose. But somehow, my view of santification means a lot different now. I remember last time, when I was still struggling, santification meant keeping myself away from tempations. But now, I felt as if it's a special occasion for me to just set me and my family apart, to put ourselves for God's purposes, especially since I am in a ministry where I can make a difference to my sons and daughters lives.

I thanked God for these few children that I can shower my love upon. Sometimes, as I think about how they come into our lives, it's really such an improbable task. Right now, I just want to keep praying for them and watch them grow and be independent sons and daughters for God. Each of them are different, in fact, vastly different in aptitude, attitude and values. For me, I hope to imbue within them a love for God, a close relationship for His family and a strong foundation of Him. I think if I can do that, I would have been successful.

Match against BPPS

2007-01-29T18:48:00.000+08:00

We won today! It was a hard-fought match but we managed to take home 22:17 lead. That's amazing considering that this is only our second match.

Yesterday, I watched a fantastic show called Girdion Gang. Felt very inspired by the coach and really felt as if I am indeed in a position to do something! To make a difference in my pupils. But today, met with some hipcups at work. I railed at a colleague of mine - let's call the person J. I guess I just lost my head - what with all the many things going on. But somehow, with all the stress mounting on me, I can still manage to laugh and smile at life.

I want to really give thanks for the security that God has given me - though I can't feel His presence at times, I know that He is there for me. Even today, I had been through just so much "trauma" yet I just laughed my way to my boss office to let him know about the mistake I made.

I am looking forward to tomorrow. Will have to apologize to J, don't know if he would accept my apology. I think I made him feel really bad, and I think he really is pissed off after the incident yesterday. But I just do what I have to do and go on with life. Tomorrow, I get to announce the good news to the school! Wow, I can imagine the pride that is going on in them! Way to go!

email post

2007-01-29T17:01:00.000+08:00

I am trying to post using email.

Marcus
For valour and Courage

May the Light be with you

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2007-01-29T16:10:00.000+08:00

My first post