Last weeks in school

My last week at school was complete madness...

Mon and Tues:

I was frantically preparing for my exams... last minute, as usual... It was so hectic studying last minute and trying to cramp everything till my mind was ready to explode...

Finally, when Tues came, I was so stressed that I could not study. I threw in the towel at 3.30pm and headed off to Holland V for some destress time. When I reached the exam venue, I was so nervous that I was shaking and the butterflies were literally flying out of my mouth... haha...

It might seem strange that I should be nervous after so many exams but I was really scared... I was afraid that I would not feel suficiently prepared. Before I began my paper, I prayed...

Lo and Behold, God really blessed me with wisdom to complete the paper. I was so relieved that I was able to answer the 4 questions which I selected. I'm not sure what kinda grades I would get but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll pass...

If I pass, by God's grace, I would have finally graduated... no more studying... until I decide to begin my Master's.

Wed:

Mad rehearsal run in the morning, followed by me packing off to NUS's University Cultural Centre to prepare the logistics for our end of year musical. I was frezzing my butt off in the cold cold hall, while waiting for the man to set up the lights. After that, I had to lay out set.

Afternoon, when the kids arrived, it was mad rehearsal time. Mic test for 12 wireless mics, light and sound run, costume change run etc. By the time everything was over, it was 9 pm. I had to send the kiddos back to school. Luckily, my v kind colleague, Gabriel, got his father to drop me home. This helped to preserve some energy for Thurs.

Thurs:

Day of the actual end of year musical. I was so stressed that I slept v little. I went to bed at 3 am and got up at 5.30am. Went into school early and started work. When we reached UCC at 9 am, it was costume change and another round of lights and sound test. After that, we broke off for lunch and rest.

After lunch, it was time to get the kids dressed, ready etc and final peptalk before they appear on stage. When they performed, I cried backstage cos I was so proud of each and everyone of them. I felt like the expectant mom who has just completed her labour!

It was a pregnancy journey of sorts... the preparation, liaising with vendor and trainer, buying costumes, sewing costumes... I was the producer and part-director (along with my trainer, Faith, and Gabriel). I was really fearful before this cos to me, this was the year where the pupils were so unprepared. The kids were not disciplined and the harder we pushed them, the more they fell apart. I had v little confidence. But I must say, they proved me wrong. They rose to the occasion when it was needed the most (performance afternoon!).

Just when I thought I had loaded the lorry, sent things back to school and return the panels we loaned, the lorry had to break down... at the left lane, at a one way street junction... real bummer... Luckily, there was road closure so the police were able to help us direct the traffic as well while my collegue went to buy diesel. After that, the battery was too weak to pump the fuel so we had to call for the tow truck.

By the time everything was finished and we got back to school, it was already 9.15 pm. By the time I had my dinner, it was 10.30 pm - the latest time I ever had dinner.

Fri:

The most nostalgic day for my school - our closing ceremony. I started the day by making my children help me to clean the class. Then, we had prize giving day followed by class party. I was so tired that I ordered cheeseburger happy meal for all the kids and made them sit down with me to eat.

After that, we had the closing ceremony. When we sung the school song for the last time and folded the flag, I couldn't stop crying... Afterall, it was my second home for the last 4 and the half years... The funniest thing, I never wanted to be here in the first place. I was gearing up for a famous school so I could be proud to say I was teaching there... so shallow rite? Haha...

But in my last 4 and the half years, I realised that God had a purpose for me in my school. It was a school where the children really needed the teacher. The teacher was more than the one who taught them academic subjects, we were their surrogate of sorts. In extreme cases, I have told parents off as they have neglected their children.

My joys.... when my children improve their scores, behave well etc. My class is not a class where pass grades could be possible. By taking their marks and checking for progress, each child would be able to see their improvement and be motivated to studying harder.

Well... everything is in God's hands!