An end and a new start

It has been a very difficult year for me. Besides course work which took a toll on my health, other aspects of my life were quite messed up. There were many things which I ought to do but I did not. Yet on the other hand, there were things that I shld not have done but did it. However, this the last day of 2009 so I bid farewell to a very challenging year and look forward to something exciting in 2010.

For a start, this is my last semester and it might be quite tough. But with the end in mind, I am determined to finish it well and the good thing is that my proposed timetable appears rather favourable. Then I will be off to school to begin my teaching bond. This is something that I am looking forward to as I have been in NIE for so long. After meeting with my sub-dean last week on my options, he said something very encouraging to me which I would remember when I step into the classroom. Since this course was a very humbling experience for me which included failing 1 module, he said that it is a blessing because I can fully appreciate how my students will struggle irrespective of the subjects they are coping.

Then there is my running program of which I intend to improve my 42k timing so that come 2011 when I intend to run the Stanchart HK Marathon, I am able to finish it below the stipulated cut-off time. THat means, I need to do well in my SD'10 and the SCSM '10. These 2 races are over and above some others which I have in mind. Perhaps I might give vertical marathons a miss this year? Le'ts see.......

So I have closed a difficult year and will open a new one soon. What about you?

disturbing results

I was quite disturbed by my results this semester. For the very 1st time I entered NIE, i did not clear a module. Yes, I failed 1 module. Initially I felt that I could escape with just a border line pass since I just need the points. However, this was not meant to be.

Damage control was to access what I need to do next semester which is incidentally my last semester before I head back to school. I need to take an extra yr 3 module to make up for this failed one so that I satisfy the criteria to graduate. That means I have to take 2 of the modules which I wanted to avoid. It seems that I have to take this difficult route.

However, despite this failed module which had to spoil the show, my overall GPA actually went up and I scored quite well in some of the other modules. So what leaves me now is to at least try to finish off with a pass with merit though I cannot smell the honours.

Life Transformers 2 (every Mon 8pm Mediacorp Ch 8)

The 1st season of this variety show showed 12 families who were living in very difficult conditions due to a whole variety of reasons. Extreme circumstances caused them to plunge into such bad living conditions coupled with many other challenges in life. I caught every episode when it was being aired back then as I felt that the lessons learnt were so meaningful. Not that I feel pitiful towards the featured families but it served as a huge reminder to myself that I ought to appreciate the many things in life. It is very tempting to have a craving over that new IPhone, latest computer gadget or in my case, that brand new Toyota Wish or Camry. I must confess that 1 of my desires to upgrade to a bigger and more comfortable car is because of wanting something that would satisfy my earthly desires. Granted, the current Altis is serving us very well and in fact, what more can we ask for since it was fully paid up after just 1 year from the date or purchase. The Lord provided more than what we needed yet the greedy side of mine seems to give me trouble by checking out that brand new Camry!

I hope that those who caught the 1st season and the just-aired 2nd season will appreciate the many things in life no matter how simple it seems. Today's 1st episode showed that despite their difficult financial status, one thing that preveiled in that family is that of love. The 11 year old boy was so mature for his age and it really puts many of my students of the same age to shame. I hope to use these shows to teach my future students some basic values in life and to be thankful with all that they have.

End of sem 3

I must admit that 2009 is a very tough year in terms of coursework. Squeezing 14 modules in 2 semesters is simply overwhelming and though this semester had less AUs, I had more exams. And all 6 papers were in pairs, meaning, 2 papers back-to-back. At least I am looking forward to the next semester where I have just 4 modules of which 1 of them will be over after week 6. Then it is down to 3 which logically means I should have more time to ensure that my last 3 AS modules can be better. Seems like the best I can attain is just a pass with merit....