Wednesday, September 24, 2008
It's Exam Time
Whenever the word "exam" is mentioned, frowns, sulking, complains and grumbling are the likely reactions from most people, children, teenagers or even adults. A word to sum it all: 'sian'.
I remember vividly when some students asked me before: "Mr Law, why must we take exams? Why cant we just study, finish the homework then move on to the next year? Exam is so irritating and troublesome." And the rest of the class will most likely agree in unison. In facing such a situation, as the teacher, my responsibility would be to disagree with the class.
Historically, the idea of examination originated from China during the Han Dynasty. It was introduced to allow meritocracy, aka a system based on peoples' abilities and knowledge. Imagine a society without such a system, the teacher teaching you History in class would be a school dropout at 11 years old; the lawyer who fights victims' cases used to be a a F9 student in English and the judge who converses in Hokkien pass the verdict "Li xi liao". A lot messier like this right?
I used to loathe studying, not to even mention exam. Like many students, I saw it as troublesome because there will be a period of time before the papers when I had to sacrifice: sacrifice my tv time, my sleep, my play and even my friends. Then I detested the idea of having to give up things I love for the things I hate. When I was in Sec 1 & 2, I didnt as well as I could have done.
As I mature, NOT GROW OLDER, I began to realise that such sacrifices are essential, for the better of the future. Yes you can enjoy life, enjoy your friends' company, enjoy the games on your computer and the mushy mushy sweet-talkings between the lovestruck couple on tv, but we cant enjoy ALL THE TIME. At this stage we can have less worries, but as we advance through the stages in life, we will eventually come to realise the importance of having done well in school while we were students. We cant change the fact that paper qualification is important for survival in our society, but we can choose to see it positively still. I see exams as challenges now, to attest that I had gained strength over the process of persuing something.
My dear students, examination is the end product of what you have learned. Studying is the process. Enjoy the process of learning and you will reap the fruits of your exams. Dont give up, dont be demoralised. Face this challenge bravely and with optimism. Mr Law is behind all of you.
I am Mr Law :)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Back to HSS
After 2 months. I finally came back to HSS for a visitation. Time really flies. The nostalgic sentiment overwhelmed me as I stepped into the school. Cliche huh? Well, perhaps I am someone who gets bonded to a place or people, especially if many fond memories are attached. Am I living in the past? Just the opposite.
I am so glad to have met so many of you on Thurs, 18th Sept. Dears, many of you have grown so much in just these 2 months. Mr Law is still as young, haha. But I really missed all of you, because all of you are irreplaceable.
Yes to all the complaints and frustrations due to the changes after my departure. If given a choice, I would have loved to stay on to finish my teaching through to the end of 2008. But heaven forbids and seriously, it wasnt easy for me to le go either. But I need to go, for the betterment of the future students, and also the betterment of the school.
Thank you for all the warm smiles and big "hello Mr Law!" reception. I am touched, though I can still hold back my tears. Like I used to always say. "See the big picture, look to the future. You owe yourselves the results and knowledge you gain, not others; not the teachers, not your parents, but yourselves". So, hold on my dears, hold on. Tough training wont last, but a tough student does.
Thank you for giving me the encouragement, motivation and affirmation for me to move on; for me to move into a new phase in my life; for me to experience a total change as I embark on my journey in NIE.
I am still Mr Law. I can make a difference. Miss you all and I will be back.
I am Mr Law :)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Are we beating the same rhythm?
Tough to sum up my week in a few sentences. Had a totally different Week 6 from the other 5 weeks. The timing is not right and it has never been right for me, thus far. Sometimes I rather stay in my own comfort zone and not try to venture, because sometimes things can get too adventurous for my heart to take when I travel too far.
Well, today I had a rare encounter, which made me realised that I have changed in some way.
On the way to NIE via bus 198, I saw a lady in her late 20s opposite my seat talking to another man. They seemed like they were having a tiff as the lady appeared as "begging" the man for forgiveness. I sat down, took off my spectacles and cleaned it. Suddenly, I saw that lady approaching the seat beside mine and she stretched out her hand to try to remove my earphone. I was taken aback obviously. Then I heard:"Just give me 5 mins, just 5 mins".
I hurriedly put my spectacles on and was surprised to hear her "crying". "Please, please give me $10. I need to see the doctor. I got no $". It was another case of begging in public, which I had encountered several times. This time, I felt differently, though not heartless.
"Giving you $10 wont help you." I told her calmly.
"Can. Consultation fee is only $9+". I was surprised to hear that. It seemed that she had her calculations done before she boarded the bus to solicit.
This time, I didnt want to commit the same mistake which I did in the past.
"Do you know it is not right? If you get caught doing this, no one will be around to take care of your family". She paused, as if the words got into her ears but not her heart. "Please, I beg you. I kneel down and beg you". She constantly placed her hand on my arm and I had to repeatedly remove her hand, lest she counter accuse me of molest.
"Giving you $10 wont help your situation. If you need help, you have to seek help from the government". Then I was even more astonished when she turned her head and told me:"No $10 nevermind. $2 also can".
I left the bus when I reached the MRT station, telling myself that I need to stand firm. Immediately after I left, she went towards the back and solicted from the others.
Which is the right thing to do? Sympathise with her because she pleaded and even went to the extend of kneeling down to implore, so giving her what she demanded will appease my heart? Or tell her the reality that there is no free lunch in this world, that no one should beg for a living? I was sad that despite being able bodied, she is not earning her own keep by working. I have met so many less able bodied people who yearns and works very hard in order to get a job, so that they could be self reliant. Why would one person's dignity, self-esteem and self-worth be only worth $10?
Do I want to give my students a fish each day to sustain them daily, or do I want to teach them the skill of fishing so that they wont go hungry even without me? What's yours? I want to teach people the art of fishing.
I am Mr Law :)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Reunion
Monday was a great reunion for me with my two beloved Peixian & Racheal. Though I didnt spell out clearly, I was very very happy to have seen you two after 2 months that day ya. I am so used to spending holidays and school vacations with you all and frankly speaking, I thought that everything would change after I started teaching last year. Nevertheless, Im so blessed and glad to be still involved in your lives; your well-being; your growth.
We shared things we didnt share before & Im grateful for those trust and even regard. Rest assure that I will be there whenever you all may need me. I look forward to spending more time with you all in the coming year end vacations. Im a student now also, so, I can at least still be with you all these 4 years, haha.
This week overall can be summed up with one word: Blur.
I was so blur and committed so many careless mistakes that I felt so ashame of myself, haha. Im sorry to you again, to have made you go to school alone, twice, and also for making you wait with me, not putting your precious time to good use. I wish and want to be more focussed so that I wont be a burden to anyone, any situation in future.
Im giving you time to consider and ponder over what you want. Settle what you need to settle first and I will wait.
* James, Im praying for you everyday. Hope you can stand up again and walk out of your current darkness. There will always be light at the end of the tunnel; rainbow at the end of a storm. Peace is not having no turbulent in your life. Peace is being in the middle of chaos yet remain unwavered. May peace be in you, & also in all my students, friends and readers of this post.
I am Mr Law :)
