Hi.. Will be posted to Zhangde Primary this pri school term 3 for 5 weeks, as part of my teaching practice for my NIE course. Really excited to go into the school to take a look..Even went into their school webbie!

Gotta work hard and gain experience as much as i can in this 5 short but exciting weeks, cause there will be another 10 weeks of intensive practicum next year! BTW, congrats to Dorothy and Li Meng in completing their practicum this week. All the best!!

Anywhere, gotta read up the details that i have downloaded into my lappie. See ya!!!

Yeo

R U Willing?

Something that I wanted to say to my Sec2 youths in church but had no chance to say it (due to lack of time), hence decided to type it here. For those who are not familar, read it too, and reflect..

Our church had last Sunday dedicated to one of our ministry wings, FaithActs. As part of FaithActs Sunday, we had sharings from our churchmates sharing about the pple at Tanglin Halt area, especially the youths. After which we had an Open House for the church youths to view what FaithActs has in store for the neighbourhood. It was also a time where recruitment for volunteers are essential for the befriending of the youths and the running of certain activities in FaithActs.

My Sec 2 youths were also invited (though abruptly) to the Open House. As they were playing with the table soccer and pool games, I wondered to myself: Will they be willing to befriend the youths in this area and give themselves to serve the Lord there? The best way for youths to know God is through our youths. With the same age range and have similar interests (soccer, LAN games, others), they are the best group of pple to befriend them and be a positive impact on these youths, whom some of them may really need a hand.

But youths at this point face quite a few challenges: Too focused on studies, CCAs, social life and others really take a toil on them. Indifference towards God can also affect on their response to step out of their zone and serve Him and His pple. What can we do? We can only pray and ask God to touch their lives and have a love for God and His pple.

I pray that God will touch the hearts of these 14 year olds and have a passion for these neighbourhood youths, and through their service and deeds, that they will be an example to the others around them and give glory to God.

The ball is in your court: Are You Willing..?

Yeo

Things that I did..

Firstly, to the Sec 2s (and others) who are in the midst of exams now, wishing you all the best for your papers. Remember to sleep well and given thanks to God for your results!

Went into Youtube early this week after hearing about this algorithm march (sounds interesting), downloaded it and had a nice surprise! It's a series of actions that can be done individually and as a group (more fun in a grp) and it blends in very well when done in masses. Cool video! Wonder how the Japanese pple thought of such things??

I also ended a 50km night cycling event with my friends from SYFC, We went from Simei to Changi Village, through Changi Coastal Rd, ECP, Fort Rd, Elspanade, HarbourFront, Pasir Panjang and stopped at NUS for basketball! Crazy as it is, we had a lot of fun (and aching muscles) and times at these build up bonds between us.

Anyway, it has been quite a exciting mid-week, wonder what God has instored for me this week end?

BTW, NIE teachers, exam results are expected to come out on the 8th June, so do take note!!

Yeo

Was I oversensitive? Or too nosey?

Proir typing this blog, I recalled that I had gain some weight! Sadly, most of them are fats, around my tummy area. I'm officially 68 kg and 1.76m, which makes my BMI to be around 22.4, making it borderline, but still vulnerable to the overweight category (and I just took a packet of chips! Empty calories).. So must be careful of my weight increase.. swim tomoro morning..

Anyway back to my main topic... My younger bro SMSed me that he had brought a PSP! (I also want!!) I was quite furious at first, cause I'm not very please with the way he used his money. He had some 'debts' to clear and I questioned his motives in getting it when he should be repaying what he owned. But he had responded that he had given the thought prior to getting it, (and his birthdae is ard), so I accepted..

But more things came in: He came back with a refurbished set, with major items missing (other than the main PSP, battery and wire, there were nothing inside), and he paid almost 400 for it! I was frustrated and asked him whether he asked around before getting one. He said yes.

In the evening, my sister and I had an argument with my dad on this matter. He commented that we do not understand him and his style (which I have to say that it was true). But what I wanted was that we are here and we can give him opinions of where to get the stuff, and not waste money and getting less that you wished for. Yes, I do not have the right to tell my bro or anyone not to buy something that he loves, but firstly, he could have saved the money for rainy days first and get what he wants later (PSP might be cheaper then), and secondly he could have checked for other places for PSPs instead of jumping to a stall to buy one.

Later I thought to myself: He was the one who bought the console, but why am I so frustrated.. Ah oh well.. Think about it.. Even I do go crazy at times..

Yeo

Old problem coming back!!

The first day of my holidays turned out to be a "disaster": My old health problem of ITBS is back, and both legs have it! It happened when I wanted to do some running (for training and possibly IPPT) this morning.. After my first 2km, the left leg atarted to give way, after that the right leg gave way! Cannot run without stopping for a while to rest, and now I have to walk slowly! Sad sad..

Walked back in pain and awakardly, the pain persisted. Guess the warm-ups and stretchings are not enough. Gotta rest the leggys and do more stretchings at home to lessen the pain. Guys and gals: PLEASE stretch properly before you do exercise! You may think that it is silly, but it's worth it in the long run..

Yeo (Pain..)

Free Man!!

At last, I completed my Math exam paper! The paper was managable for me, and it came out what i prepared for, so hopefully I can pass! Now, I'm a free man till mid-June, where I will need to prepare for my teaching practice for 5 weeks, beginning of term 3.

What to do now? I cannot work (got a job already in NIE), cannot play too much (best time to clear ministry and personal stuff), cannot sleep too long (will feel more sleepy).. Guess must use the time really well.

So for those preparing for exams, please take care and don't overstress yourself..

Yeo

37hrs, and counting...

In another 37+ hours, I will be taking my 2nd and last exam paper for this semester in NIE. Geometric topics are challenging, especially the part of deductive reasoning, where you have to reason it out what you derive from your answers.. Anway, gotta learn this so that I can teach the young ones on basic geometry, which they will learn..

Please pray for me as I undertake this paper, that I will do fine. Past papers showed that questions can be challenging.. Also pray for plans for my church youths (on the study materials).

Nothing much for this week.. gonna sleep soon. Pple, please take care of yourself, wherever you are..

Yeo

Theoretical or Practical??

Last Friday, I had a 'consultation' session with my math prof on my lesson plan (LP) assignment. It was a reflective and thought-searching one, as she went into the details in ensuring that my LP was relevant to the real world.

She's a great lecturer, and she had pre-empted me that her comments will be 'the worst', so that i will be prepared for the worst (in primary schools). The one main thing that she commented was the fact that some parts of my assignments are 'theoretical', meaning that it is written in a general manner, and lacked the practical side on the most important side, the LP itself.

As i reflected on her words (and thinkin of my grade :( ), it dawned on me this question: Am I also like the LP, too much 'theory' and short of the 'practical' aspect of life? If so, how will that affect me in my life as a Christian and how will that affect my interactions with my youths? Sometimes, I dwelled on BS too much on my youth and struggled to think of what to do for them, but neglected the practical (leading them in the application of biblical truths, having things other than BS..).

Even though I added the practical side to my assignment at the later part of the assignment, she suggested to put them into the LP itself. My first concern was space constraint, but she dismissed that. It's like real life: Why put all the application stuff somewhere (and possibility NOT use it later) when the best time to use it is NOW??

Think about it: Why wait when you can do it NOW?

Yeo

I faint, after 6 months!!

At last after 6 months, I'm able to write a section in my OLD blog... Wonder what really happened to my computer or blogger..

Anyway.. by then, I'm preparing for my final paper for this first year, Math! Geometry take all of the questions. Don't underestimate it (i know you have learnt it in school), this paper focus also on deductive proof, which needs you to proof that something works and this is tough!

During the past 6 months, I also had new posts in church, went into biathlon (NUS 07) and swam quite a bit for fitness. Guess life at 26 can be really exciting!!

Anyways.. hope to see more reflections coming!!

WH