Living out Faith

To all my friends that are teachers, 'Happy Teachers' Day!' Along with missionaries and nurses, I believe that teaching is truly a call. Well, I'm a teacher as well so I know it very well. Honestly, teaching is a thankless job but at the same time, it is a truly job fulfilling job. A good teacher is liken as a good parent, role model, mentor and the list goes on..... JOB DESCRIPTION OF A TEACHER A Teacher's job includes the following: - teacher- debt collector (forms, moneys, more forms, more monies) - lawyer (arbitrator, prosecutor, chief judge) - father /mother/uncle/aunty/maid - cleaner (sweeps....mops....) - event organizer (camp, games, xxxxx fairs) - emcee/stage/manager/stage hand/ sound man (staged event. pls take the word 'staged' literally) - usher- writer/editor/graphic designer/publisher - telephone directory/switchboard (responsible busy parents who keep in touch wif kids thru trs...) - social worker(counsel, counsel, counsel....depressed. teache...

My second weekend in HK came and went really quick. Went to Mongkok with WK and well, there were too much people...notice, much....it's not many....the amount of people in Mongkok, it's uncountable. There were so much people to the point that WK was a little shocked and scared by the sheer number of people on the streets. It doesn't help as we live in Park Island where there isn't as much people as Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. WK's cousin was in town and we had dinner with him on Sat night. We walked around Causeway Bay to check out the shopping scene. The next day, we went there early for dinner. Had roast goose.....yummy...But to the issue of eating in HK, people here eat all the time but I still wonder how do they stay so slim.... Went to work for a discipline briefing today. As usual it was conducted in Cantonese. I just sat and listened. Not really sure of what's happening. My head, tried to translate whatever she could to me. After meeting, went to a mall ...

Woke up at 7.15 to go for another induction course. Gee...More induction! I was looking forward to going to induction to meet my friends and catching up with them. It was good seeing my new friends again. But the induction was so so boring and so far away! Took me more than an hour to get to the school. We had to go to a nearby mall for lunch. Can't believe that we spent 20 mins trying to get seats at the food court. It was incredible! There's something that stuck me as well. The people in HK eat heaps and heaps. They have huge bowls of rice or noodles for lunch and dinner and yet they stay slim. I wonder how they do it. Must find out what's their secret. Maybe, just maybe one day, I might ask the skinny girl eating a huge bowl of noodles! Met Babe later to walk around and for dinner. Well, his interview was pretty positive. But we'll leave everything in the hands of the Almighty. We'll see where He leads us. 10.10 pm Hong Kong

Went to another teacher training program today. Well, it was interesting as it is conducted again in Cantonese. The principal stayed throughout the workshop. I was pretty impressed by it. At the end of the workshop, in my limited Cantonese and with translations, I understood that she said that the speaker is teaching us how to fish and not to give us a fish. While she was speaking, my thoughts drifted to what she said. I agree that as teachers, we should equip our students with fishing skills instead of just providing the fish. What is then fishing skills and what is then giving fish to them? Are we teaching students just to pass and score well for the examinations or are we teaching them how to survive in the world, critical thinking skills? In my opinion, teaching them to pass examinations is giving them the fish. But teaching them how to survive in the world, teaching them critical thinking skills, is giving them fishing skills. It is something for us as educators to think about. An...

I went to work today for a staff meeting. It was my first time meeting everyone in the school. Naturally, I was a little nervous, apprehensive and not really knowing what to expect. The principal started the meeting with an opening prayer. It was a pleasant surprise. After that, she started the meeting and she welcomed me to the family. Then, it was time for me to introduce myself. The meeting went on in Cantonese after I introduced myself. It was rather surreal and I kinda understand a bit of what was being said. I had really nice colleagues who translated bits and pieces here and there. I sat through a 4 hour meeting. Not sure how I managed to do that, plus not forgetting it's in Cantonese. In my limited understanding of Cantonese, the principal welcomed the other newcomers and she went on saying that this is a family and colleagues should try to make an effort to make them feel welcomed. I felt really good knowing that this principal is great. She knows what she's talking ab...

I went apartment hunting with Michelle today. While apartment hunting, something stuck me. What is a home? What makes a home? What's the difference between an apartment and a home. What does it really mean by your home country? These questions started to swim in my head. There were some apartments that we saw and we knew that it's not going to make a home. Well, to a certain extent, when I have a little more money than I had when I was in university, it makes a whole lot of difference. We saw a few studios, and a couple of rooms in a serviced apartment block, instantly we both felt the same thing. It is not a home. I felt that a home is my shangri-la, sanctuary, a healing place and somewhere I go back to rejuvenate. It is not somewhere that I dread going to. Then the next question, where is my home country then? When I fill up immigration card, what is my country of residence now. Singapore is my first home, in a way, it'll always be. Australia at one point of time was my h...

My apartment is beginning to look like a home. Met Michelle for lunch and then we went to immigration to try to sort things out. Total waste of time. Got there, didn't really get to speak to anyone personally...Got a number to call and when we called the lady, all she said was to call back at the end of the week. What a bummer. We went to PriceRite to have a look at some furniture. After that, we went to Ikea to look at more stuff. I bought a couple of things for my apartment. Cutlery, plates, cups and some stuff. Would love to buy more stuff for the home but I couldn't carry everything home and also, I didn't bring enough money out. Which is good....buy only stuff that's necessary. After shopping, we had coffee at Starbucks. Got home and started to unpack my stuff. Well, feel so much more at home. Can't wait to get my salary so that I can get more things for my home. Talked to babe...can't wait to see him soon again. 11.10 pm Hong Kong

Michelle and Colleen came over today. Colleen is a Canadian girl. She's also a PNET. Michelle is looking for a place to stay and I offered to bring her around my place. Colleen lives with her parents and she decided to come as well. We had a good time chatting and getting to know each other. After that, we went to Mei Foo to check out the suburb as Michelle might move there. Mei Foo is probably about 20 mins away from me by bus and train. It's not too a bad place to live. Tried my best to speak in Cantonese to help Michelle speak to the real estate agents. Did pretty fine, I guess. Next, we had dinner at Mongkok. Japanese. Yum.... It was really hanging out with the girls. Nice knowing other people and have a support system. I guess this is especially when I realized that there's a huge possibility that I'll never have such good work mates as I did in Woodlands. Plus, it is worse I'm alone in Hong Kong. Thus, every friend I make is important. In a way, it does feel l...

This is my first Saturday in Hong Kong. Morning started off with meeting some expats for breakfast at the cafe in my estate. It was pretty interesting as I met these expats online and it's almost like blind dates meeting. It was good meeting people, especially people that live in my estate. It's beginning to feel like home. Later in the afternoon, I met Angie, her husband and her sister in Mongkok. We walked through 'ladies market'. Gee...the crowd there is unbelievable. I guess after living on the island for a couple of days and there isn't as much people here, seeing so many people can be a little scary. After Mongkok, and lunch, I brought them to my place for a visit. And then off to Amelia's (Angie's sister) place for dinner. Dinner was yum!!! I haven't had such yummy dinner for a long time....Err, 6 days is a long time, you know! It's always good to see someone familiar when living overseas. I don't really miss home but once in a while, I do...

Had the second day of induction today. I'm not sure if it was good or not. It was good making more friends but bad, some of the speakers were so boring! Gosh, it's amazing how I managed to stay the whole day. After induction, I went for a social with the rest of the NET newbies organized by NESTA which is the Native English Speaking Teachers Association. It was good meeting NETs that have been teaching in HK and hearing their experiences. Made plans with a few girls for them to come over to my place on Sunday. Right now, I'm experiencing my first storm in Ma Wan, the island that I'm at. Honestly, I'm so so thankful that I came home early. I just got home about an hour ago and probably half an hour ago the storm started. I opened my curtains and peered out and I literally saw trees swinging and swinging. The wind is strong and I see lightening every couple of minutes. I hear the ships' horns going off too. Not sure if this is a typhoon. But whatever it is, thank ...

Went for induction today. Thank God, managed to find the meeting point. I have been looking forward to induction. Made a couple of new friends. I was reminded of how God have always been merciful to me in providing friends. I made friends with Michelle. She's from Melbourne. We made plans to meet up on Sunday for dinner. During the introduction, I realized I was the only Singaporean there. There's another Singaporean but she's gotten her Australian citizenship, so she's Australian, I guess. During the induction, I began to realize how blessed have I been. There were other NETs that haven't gotten their employment visas. And then, Michelle's school doesn't even know what her role as a NET is. On top of that, she has to work alternate Saturdays. Most of the NETs are in band 3 schools. A little information on the banding, band 1 is where the best primary schools, band 2, the middle schools and you get the idea. The school that I work in is probably equalivant t...

Read the comments that were left by Ariel and Cyn. Well, thanks for leaving post. And Cyn, yes, I can really write......Used to torture my teachers with my long winded compositions. And I guess, writing this blog is actually therapeutic for me. It's my way of relaxing and getting things out of my system. I remember when I was living in Sydney, I would call Eve and talk to her. We'll meet at least thrice a week to have dinner. In a way, she was my therapist. But now, Eve is like in a different time zone.....Well, don't think I'll be having dinner with her soon...Probably in like 6 months. Miss her heaps. Can't seem to figure out a good time to call her as when I'm awake, she's asleep. So blogging is a good way for me. And it's also a lazy way for me to keep in touch with my family and friends. Started my first day at work today. Went to school at 9 in the morning. Took me only 5 mins from home to school. That means more time for me to sleep! Had a meeting...

To all my friends that know me.....I'm a shopper....a compulsive shopper. I buy clothes, shoes, bags, everything.....you name it, I'll find a reason to buy it! Actually, I don't even need a reason to buy anything. I just buy to make me feel happy. Buying makes me happy. So I went to the shopping mall today when I realized that I used up my mobile phone's credit. I wanted to buy a phone on contract. Was thinking of getting a nicer phone. An excuse to buy a phone! Called Wk and he was telling me to wait so that I can get a better phone. I really want to get the Motorola MNG..or something like that. So I listened to the man...and walked out from the shop. Ha, can't believe I actually did that. Next stop, Citygate shopping mall. This is an outlet haven!!! Adidas, Nike, Calvin Klein....and I just walked and had a look here and there. Oh, I bought a cordless phone there. Needed one for the apartment. Then I went to the supermarket. The supermarket is huge, huge and huge! ...

My estate Everyone, this is going to be a long long post....So either you stop reading now....or brace yourself for the long ride. I've got so much to write today. I guess, when I'm thrown into solitude and also to the fact that I don't have that many friends to call in HK to share my thoughts with, I turn to blogging. I need to talk and no one is going to listen so I type instead. Day started somewhat fine. Woke up real early and then did some stuff at home before heading out to get my temp HK ID done. Took the ferry ride to Central. While on the ferry, for some reason, I got into a pensive mood and started thinking of things. And that's when I realized how blessed I am. Will write about that later. Got to immigration and that's when the fun begin. Waiting and waiting and endless waiting. Spent more than 2 hours there. At least I got my ID and then next, had to go and open a bank account. Got that done and then off to home. Resisted the temptation to walk around th...

View from my balcony Finally after the long wait, I'm in HK. It's really hot and humid in HK at the moment. I'm still in the mode of excitement. In my little apartment, it's heaps better than my little studio apartment in Sydney. At least, now I have 2 bedrooms. Will update another day. It's been a long day and I'm pretty tired. Plus....I need to unpack...Damn!!! Hate unpacking. Miss WK already.....and Hobbit.... 8pm Hong Kong All unpacked! Gee....for the first time, I managed to unpack everything within a night! Oh and I changed the sheets and the donna cover too. This is shocking for me. Had a shower and now, I can relax. HK is rather humid. I'm actually surprise that it's that humid. Have to keep the air con on the whole time that I was unpacking. Don't want to think of the power bill when it comes. Brought dinner from the little restuarant downstairs. Think I'm going to be their regular. Adrian called. Haven't heard from him for a while. ...

Less than 24 hours, I'll be landing in HK. As with my other moves out of the country, I'm getting mixed feelings again. I'm going to miss my hubby, Hobbit, family, friends and etc......But at the same time, I'm all excited. I love changes and I love having new experiences. This move is slightly more significant than the moves I made to Australia as this is my first move to an Asian country. It makes it all the more exciting. I remember with the move to Sydney, Eve was there and I was truly looking forward to hanging out with her all the time. But with this move, it's time to make friends again. Will miss my furry daughter 2.30pm Singapore

Met up with Doreen for lunch. Another catching up session before I fly out. And thereafter, rushed to town to meet up with Jack, her daughter and her godma. Well, it was a nice time spent with them. Haven't seen Jack for about 2 years. Nice catching up. I have been thinking about this question that everyone poses to me whenever I tell them that I am going away to study or to work. What about your husband? What about him? He's fine and great.....Does anyone really care about me? Everyone asks, what is your husband going to do? You're leaving him behind? Well, when I left for Sydney to study, I only had Eve, my best friend who was in Sydney at that time. Now, I'm leaving for Hong Kong and well, I don't really have a lot of friends there. Have a couple though....And wouldn't it be hard for me? At least he has friends here for support. And what do I have? Just me....Not that I'm complaining as I love changes and new environments. But just wonder, if people do re...

Lunch at Veron's place Ashton....my cutie 3 days to go to Hong Kong!!! I've decided to restart a blog to keep in contact and update my friends on my transient life. My transient life.....Had breakfast with Lina, my best friend cum cousin cum the godma of my kids if I ever have them...We were talking about life and I mentioned that I'm beginning to realize that my life is pretty transient. Let's look at my life....Outsourced as a kid....lived with nanny till I was about 5 or 6....And then lived in Spore till I was about 21, moved to Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia to do my undergrad. Two years later, I graduated with the intention of working and living in Spore. Then, at that time. the job market was bad. Then, I went to Perth for 10 months to live with then boyfriend, now husband. Back to Spore for about 7 years and then last year, packed bags for Sydney to do my Masters. And now....3 days left to HK...and not even sure how long will I stay there for... After breakfas...