At term 2, I began my work back to school. It was a roller coaster ride at first. I first heard of the possibility of starting work at this Christian school in Dec 2018 on my girl’s prize giving ceremony when I met an old colleague. Then I wrote in to the VP, was interviewed during the March hols. I was not offered a Job in an instant, in face I was told I was not a good fit for their current job vacancy, a couple of wks later , I was called up again, and this time, I was pretty desperate for a job and I accepted gladly not realising that the offer was too heavy a work load for me , to handle a p2 class for EL and Math and some non core subj plus co form duties. First term into the job, I was overwhelmed and stressed and had to bring back home loads of marking and lesson prep, but surely and slowly gained my footing and managed after some trial and errors. With the help of supportive colleagues, life was quite a smooth ride till the end of the yr and finished my final term with thanksgiving. Besides the fact I was being paid for my work, my time was better spent educating at school and also made some nice friends, and daily reminded of God’s word from morning devotion and I enjoyed the signing of the kids every morn, so filled with innocence and excitement. The verses hung at every corners of the school premise, plus crucifix in every classroom are also apt reminders of God’s souverignty and almighty presence wherever I am and whatever I’m struggling with , he is my strength and he gives me wisdom to handle all things. Needless to say, I would gladly continue another yr at the sch in 2020.
During the course of work , surprisingly, within a short span of 2mths, I actually gained 2kg. I was puzzled, though I was more physically active working, without realising , I was eating more and the daily after lunch nap also contributed to the weight gain. It was good for me, felt stronger and has less tummy upsets and pains. So overall work is beneficial for me emotional and physically too, and definitely , mentally challenging. Increased exercise also helped, to destress and stretch the body muscles, with regular Swimming and jogging round the park. Only my bold Brother whom I haven’t met for a while blurted it aloud that he noticed my wt gain over Christmas dinner gathering , said I actually looked better, that my cheeks weren’t as sunken. I was happy with his comment. So I should also thank God for my healthy wt gain ? Amen.
It suddenly daunt on me one morning during my devotion that God convicted me that I should stop reading romantic novels. When I first started 3 yrs ago, picking up novels due to my boredom staying home, I didn’t think much about it, perhaps the content was not all good or helpful for my spiritual and mental well being, I always thought reading would be time better spent compared to watching Korean dramas anyway. Overtime, it gradually became an obsession and I was chasing series after series, then I finally realised that had to stop because it is time consuming to finish a book and I could do a lot more meaningful things and activities than being locked in a fantasy land. I was just scouting for Christian books to buy for M we’re visiting in Yangon at sks, God brought to my mind missionary biographies which I used to love reading some 20 yrs ago, I combed a row of them and bought them in an instant. It was definitely a good change reading real lives Christian martyrs who gave their lives to Jesus and for his work. First book I finished reading was Cross and the Switch blade, deeply moved and encouraged by his ‘gideon’ prayers, trusting in God to show him his ways and guide him which way he should go. When God calls, he will provide. But are we willing to hear him and be ready to obey?
Looking back, my involvement at cc at Bishan was another highlight too. Meeting the children each week, whether it was my turn to teach or just to help out, gives me a lot of joy and makes me feel so young. Their enthusiasm fills me with much needed energy and actually revives me and gets me ready for another wk of school with a completely different class of students. I love the morning class greeting routine when the teacher gets to greet each child by name with a hi-5, handshake, a hug or even a dance. It was simple yet Immensely meaningful to be able to call each child by their names, look into their eyes and address them individually giving them due attention, especially when we only meet them once a week. And the feeling chart too, give them air time to talk about their week, or even the night before, and how they are feeling that morning, helps the kids to know one another better through these short and fun interactions. These are two good practices we started this yr and I definitely want to continue at Adam sat svc next yr.