Kai and Rb

Rb came back with a note from his friend, Kai, who sits beside him in class. The two of them have become good friends. I'm just so glad that Rb has found friendship with another classmate in class. I believe Kai shares the same sentiment too. 

I think this boy, Kai, is very sweet. He's appreciative and polite! Such a lovely boy! :)

To thank Kai for his note, rb also gave him a note back, with a picture of him and Kai holding Angry Birds. Rb told me that when Kai saw the note, he smiled :) Such sweet boys :)

The Woe of a Teacher

Last week, I had a bout of fever. No vomiting only fluctuating fever and bone aching. I was on medical leave for two days - Wednesday and Thursday. Just when I thought the episode has closed, two days ago, Rb's teacher called me to inform me that Rb had vomitted in school. His papa took him home to consult the doctor. He was at home resting for two days and today, his health bounced back and he returned to school. Closure yet? Nope! Today it was back to me again. I woke up puking three times. I couldn't decide if I should be on sick leave again at 6+ am.  It was already 7 am when I felt that I really needed a rest after throwing out my Milo. Too late to inform school to arrange for relief duties. So I've to grit my teeth, crawl to work and complete my 8 periods / 4 hours of lessons at one shot. I couldn't eat anything at all coz whatever went in would be vomitted out. There was fire drill today and I had to quickly move away from the drill assembly point to the canteen to puke into the trough. Total puking: 6-7 times for the whole morning. One of my P1 boy told me, "Mrs Ong, you looked like you're going to throw out!" I was taken aback by his observance and sensitivity! 

At almost the end of the day, I really had no more energy left. I told papa to pick the kids from school and I went home to nurse my fever, aching body and vomit explosion. 

The dilemma thing is that although we are so genuinely sick, being a teacher means that when you're on medical leave, the learning of the pupils will be slowed down or even halt. 30 little minds / children per class in my hands and today I had 2 classes = 60 children with me. And the tricky thing is that, we cannot call in after 7 pm to declare sick. We must call in before 6.30 am but I definitely understand the rationale of calling in early so that the teacher has ample time to arrange for relief duties. Sigh... Last week I had 2 days of medical leave, if I take another day of medical leave, will people frown upon me, thinking that I'm trying to skive? 

I'm also a parent. How would I feel if I know that my children's teachers are frequently on medical leave? 

Falling sick makes me depressed, philosophical... The woe of an ill teacher.

I've been drifting in and out of sleep since 12.30 pm, my head is thumping now. 

I hope the episode will close with me. It's enough! God have mercy. 

From Jie Jie, With Love

Pb has the kindest heart ever! She knew that her brother was sick so she wanted to cheer him up. She went to her school bookshop and look for the most boyish item (she's in a girls' school) and used her pocket money to buy for him. She also told me that the Chinese rice stall uncle is very old already and he's very kind and nice, so she'll always try to buy from him (and the aunty) coz she don't want the stall to close (due to poor business) and they become out of job! Awww... God bless this little girl!!!

Praise God - Success!!

I thought we will only know the results next week but we've just got the news that Rb had cleared his violin audition!! God is so good!!! 

Violin Audition Day for ACS String Orchestra

I had to pick Pb earlier from school coz Rb's violin audition was timed at in the afternoon. Thus earlier than usual, I went to pb's school to pick her up.

We decided to try the food in Rb's canteen since he loves to eat chicken rice so much! I told him that if he eats too much chicken rice, he's going to turn into a chicken boy! Obviously, my threat fell on deaf ears coz immediately I said that, he went to queue up for chicken rice again!!

After lunch, there were a little time left before the audition started so rb showed Pb his school Eco garden which he's very proud of! They took a souvenir pebble from the pond and claimed that it was Robozonic! 

I had to hurry them up to the Performing Arts Hall or they would play in the Eco garden forever!! :)

Pb decided to try the Maggie fishball noodles instead. I added an egg for her.

The chicken rice looked and tasted so bland!! I wonder why they like it so much and eat it everyday?? Grandma said that I should take consolation that the chicken rice was not oily, fatty or salty. 

He usually is a very slow eater at home! Surprisingly, he was able to gobble up his rice in top speed in school!! That's strange!

Pb was eyeing greedily at Rb's plate of chicken rice although she has eaten her bowl of noodles. Haha. Rb was kind enough to give her some sampler spoonful of the rice and chicken. Such a pair of lovely siblings!

That's how rb (and I guess the rest of the kids) cleaned their plate - just shove every grain into their mouth. Who needs a fork then?

In the Performing Arts Hall, Rb was queuing up to have his violin tuned. With him were existing string members with cellos, double basses and other strings instrument.

Waiting to get his violin back while the instructor tuned his violin.

Softly warming up, playing his favourite pieces - Minuet 2 and Gavotte from Suzuki Volume 1.

Pb sitting back to relax as rb warmed his violin up.

All the best Rb! The audition result will only be made known next week. Sitting behind us were potential string players waiting for their turns to be audited.

Rb was very inspired by the boys playing the strings. He said he would love to join them but I feel that these boys are really very good. Rb may not be able to be of match or qualify to play in the string ensemble, unless the instructor decides to form a junior team to groom these wannabes from young.

Feeling the excitement. We prayed a short prayer to commit the session to God. I also prepared Rb and told him that if he did not make it, don't be disappointment coz God will have a better plan for him. Straight after taking this photo, Rb's name was called.

Audition at the back stage of PAH. Rb played Minuet 2 and after which, the instructor asked if he could play a Scale. Rb played A major in one octave, much to my dismay, when I feel that he could have played the G major in 2 octaves instead. Then rb volunteered to play the A major Appeggios. The audition was short and went well. When rb emerged from the room, he said confidentially, "I know that I won't fail!" I replied saying, "Really? That's good!" Deep in my heart, I commit the results into God's hands. Let His will be done and His destiny in Rb be fulfilled.

Violet's Birthday Party

Yesterday was a magical day for the children. The Disney and Marvel characters came alive in Violet's 6th birthday. I must applaud the parents for their effort in making the birthday party a splendid one. There were games, photo-taking with mascot, face/ hand painting, balloon twisting etc. Pb and Rb said that it was the best party ever. I'm just so glad that the children were able to enjoy themselves with their friends!! 

Weekly Swimming Lessons

The kiddies have been learning swimming for almost a year. From little fearful bunnies to water turtles, they have progressed much, able to swim slowly for a short distance without the floats. They are still fine-tuning their freestyle strokes. I still see their hands and legs having some coordination problem although they are able to move in the water. Slowly but surely, they'll perfect their strokes. 

Goofing after the swim :)

Miss Prim & Proper Vs Mr Topsy–Turvy

Totally different experience when picking up the children! My dear little girl looks prim and proper but my dear little boy looks totally disarrayed with his shirt partially tucked in and his collar missing! Haha! I find it quite amusing to witness this sight. Normally, Rb is very neat but I think he is still learning how to manage his attire after PE lessons. He's on his road to independence!! Woohoo!!

On the other hand, I'm very thankful that Pb is given the opportunity to be a prefect. She used to be a less confident girl. These days, I see her becoming more assured and assertive. I pray that Pb will grow up to be a strong woman for God, bold and courageous.

Where's your collar, son???? :p

A Good Buddy

Pb was a buddy to a little girl in P1. I think she was a good buddy, showing her around the school and helping her with buying food in the canteen. On the eve of the last day of buddying, Pb decided to write a note to her buddy and give her a bunny pencil case. I was pretty touched by her note. It was sincere and precise. Pb has a good heart and I thank God for giving her one! :)

Missing my Schoolers

I miss my children. I thank God that everyday they're growing up happily and they've enjoyed school very much. Every morning, before I send them off, I'll say a prayer for them and give them my blessings. Everyday I look forward to seeing them after school and hear them rattle on about the happenings in school.  It's so great to be a mommy! Love them much !!!