Thy will be done...

In the end, I didn't get the job. The bad news came last Thursday. And the reason that I was given sounded really crappy to me. The HOD told me that she spotted some syntax and grammatical errors in my lesson plan. Otherwise, everything was great and they would have loved to have me join them.

When I heard this, I was so stunned that I didn't know how to react. I dun think I had that many lines in my lesson plan that would highlight major syntax and grammatical errors, causing incoherence in understanding.

Honestly, they dun have to tell me this but I know that the real reason had to do with qualifications. Having being a civil servant for the last 8 years, I dun need to be a rocket scientist to know the importance of paper qualifications in this field. I asked Godma if they would have rejected me if I had an honours degree from NUS or NTU. She admitted no.

I would seriously have preferred to hear the truth (even if it's rubbing salt on wound). It just felt very demeaning. I think that we live in such a politically correct world that the things we say to be politically correct ends up sounding more demeaning or stupid than the hard truth.

Anyway, I was initially quite disappointed. But after a good night's sleep and doses of heavenly wisdom (plus lovely encouraging sms-es from loved ones), I was alright. It is just not in God's will but I'm sure he will have other exciting things lined up for me.

I'm NOT SORRY that my degree came from SIM and I had to do a part-time degree. I admit that I screwed up my life... But I'm very proud of the fact that I picked myself up and I did something great with my life for the last ten years. My degree is the result of juggling heavy work and study achievements so no one can tell me that it wasn't worth it. I am not going to let a lil disappointment get me down.

Godma was worried for me. We made plans to have tea and do some shopping last Friday. When the news came on Thursday afternoon, she asked me if I was alright. Otherwise, we could postpone tea and shopping. I told her that we will go as planned. It was so rare that I had an afternoon off and I was not going to waste my time licking my wounds at home.

So we had a wonderful tea and shopping on Friday. The tea almost didn't happen cos we couldn't get a cab. When I got to her place at 2 pm, I was ready, she was ready but there was no cabs. We tried to 2.30... nothing. 3 pm... nothing. 3.30... nothing. So we finally had to settle for the $45 maxicab which got us to Plaza Singapura at 4 pm. The best thing... we had a $5 discount and even bumped into Audrey (whom we had tea with).

After tea, we had a fruitful shopping trip where we got all the things we wanted under 2 hours... so efficient. Even her maid, Lilik, was impressed that we managed to get everything we need. That's what happens to two gals who never say die!

The highlight of the shopping trip was me getting Godma up the travelator at Carrefour. When I wheeled her up twice, we went backwards and landed up back at the bottom. So we finally worked out a system that worked. I hooked everything on the wheelchair, while she got her hands ready at the brakes. The min the wheels touch the travelator, she would lock the wheels while I support from behind to make sure it does not roll backwards. It worked!

Now, I am going to plan a Teacher's Day treat for Godma. Let's see if I survive taking her out to the Marina area. Hehee...