Once a fourGian, always a fourGian

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Give thanks

Dearest 4G,

term 3 is drawing to an end and Teacher's Day will then mark the end of term 3 come next Friday. I was surfing the net just now before getting down to doing the NJRC stuff and I decided to check out Mr Kwan's blog, since so many of you are playing the games he posted on the blog when I was not paying attention. -_-"'

It suddenly dawned on me that Mr Kwan has been a really nice teacher to you children. I can tell that he really cares for each and every one of you and though he is nice, I am really glad that you have not bullied him. (maybe you did, just that I don't know about it... -_-) Though the Malay and Tamil pupils do not have the privilege to be taught by him, I think you can tell he is a really nice teacher. I am sure your respective mother tongue teachers have shown you that level of care and concern too. Anyway, I think you should take the opportunity of Teacher's Day and give thanks to your teachers for all the love, care, concern, effort and time spent in guiding and teaching you. I am not talking about myself. But I feel that as your form teacher, I should take the opportunity to teach you to be appreciative of what others do for you and the people around you.

I once read this article about a professor who went to class with a few items. He took out an empty cup and left it on the table. He then asked his students if the cup was empty. They answered no, since air was inside. He took out some huge stones, and asked them if he could fill the cup with them, since it already contained air. They answered yes. He proceeded to add the huge stones into the cup. He asked his pupils if the cup is full now. They answered yes. He then took out some small pebbles and added them into the cup. He asked the pupils again if the cup was full. Again, they answered yes. Next, he took out a cup of sand and poured it in. Once again, he asked if the cup was full. And again, they said yes. He told them it was not. He then poured his cup of coffee into the cup.

The professor was trying to teach his pupils that sometimes, the big things in our lives make us think that we do not have time for other things. However, there are many other things that matter more in our lives. But because of the fact that they are smaller, we do not pay much attention to them and most of the time, we would live in regret for not giving it much attention. For example, you quarrelled with a friend over an important project. You think that the project is the most important thing in your life and because of that, you lose a good friend. The project may seemed important at that point in time, but when you lost that friend, it was a permanent loss. Which one do you think should have mattered more to you?

Pay more attention to the people around you and be appreciative of who they are and what they do for you. So take the opportunity and give thanks to the teachers who have taught you, whether is it this year or last year or the year before. Tell them that you know that they have given their all to you when teaching you and you appreciate it.

On a final note, I want to thank the 7 people (Peiyu, Jolynn, Huixin, WeiJuan, Joey, Wani and Yan Jun) for staying back to help out with my NJRC today. I really don't know what I would have done without the wonderful help all of you. Thank you very much. We shall have a good meal when the Entrepreneurship competition is over. And to the rest of you, thank you for the wonderful time in class. I really enjoyed teaching you. ^_^

I have given thanks. Now its your turn!


Ms Lye

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

It's a madhouse!

Dearest 4G,

I feel the need to grumble. Oh my. Nowadays, school feels more and more like a madhouse to me. There seemed to be a million and one things to do! Corrections, marking, competitions... not to mention scolding you, keeping you in check, ensuring that you learn and remember what you learnt... I feel so old suddenly!

I have to apologize if you ever see me fall asleep in class, which to date, has not happened yet. I have so many things to do and there seems to be a neverending list of things waiting for me to do. And I have not even started preparing your classmates for the entrepreneurship competition which is on the 3rd of September! DIE!!! Oh! Do come down to IMM on that day to support them all right? =)

Anyway, I hope you have been enjoying class so far. Teacher's day is coming, followed by the one week holiday. Do take the chance to do more revision during this period. There is only so much that I can do. I will start conducting intensive remedial after the Mock CA2 is over. I hope that you are all busy revising for it! I wil be releasing the files for your revision very soon. Sigh. Again, one million and one things to do. Ugh.

I shall get back to work now. Piles of revision papers to mark! Sob! I want big present for teacher's day!! haha. kidding. I'll still love you people even if you don't get me anything! As long as you don't make my blood pressure rise. =)


Love,
Ms Lye

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Teacher's sick

Dear 4G,

You must be wondering where I have disappeared to, right? Well, I had fallen sick. Sigh. Down with all those disgusting runny nose, sore throat, cough and a fever as well. Did not want to spread it to you so had to take MC and have a good rest at home. Give you an opportunity to miss me. Hehe. I hope you did not drive the relief teacher up the wall. Shall go interview her when I well again. If she complains, I will come hound you down personally. *growl*

Anyway, this few weeks have been a horror. At least to me. There were so many activities happening at the same time and we all had to maximize whatever precious time we had. The good news is that we are still considered on time in terms of our learning. Phew! From next week onwards, there will be tonnes of revision to be completed in preparation for your mock CA2, so everyone, prepare for a hell ride. hurhur.

And, I noticed that there is an intruder on our class blog!!! haha. Well, I shall close one eye to that, even though he slandered me. Tsk tsk. I am so kind. haha.

Shall see you all back in school on Monday!


Love,
Ms Lye

Monday, August 14, 2006

Pls welcome your new student 4G...

Miss Lye screaming her head off: "Halo 4G. Pls put ur hands together and welcome your new classmate! His name is Elton Handsome Kang. He's 22 yrs old and has repeated Pri 4 for 12 yrs because he did not study hard so u all must study hard and not make the same mistake..."

Here's wat he has to say:

Halo 4G people... It has been a long long ride with u guys for the past few months. From calling Ms Lye "M'dm" to calling her "Auntie Lye". From patting Joey's head to beating her head. From sitting quietly on my own in the bus to crazily joining in the fun wif u guys. From having quite a bit of money to having to beg in the streets cos the money all went to ur sweets ah and also ur gifts (coming soon...)
But anyway, wat's done cannot be undone...Sobz sobz...

I have to admit, though, at that point of my depressing, devastating, desperate and disturbing army life, i managed to smile, grin then laugh along with you all wonderful bus 3 guys, plus a few of u bus 6 pple (i didnt forget ya all...)
So i'll take this opportunity to thank a few, quite a few pple...

~First and foremost, Miss Rachel Lye..
Hey Auntie. It's impossible to miss u out. With classic ear-piercing verbal projection in Bb key, this lady managed to make the entire army, airforce, navy, police and civil defence contingents look her way. On August 9, while collecting ice-cream wrappers: "Hey children! Throw all ur rubbish into this bag. Do u understand? Arghhh...my hand dirty already...arghhhh....arggghh (at this point of time Bb key became C# key)" When this whole sentence was recorded and play backwards: "Halo all u pple in Singapore! Look at me! My name is Miss Lye! I am pretty and i love ur attention! ..."
Wanna say thanx cos without ur help, i would never get the strength of ur bus correct. U made me understand how to keep the kids in check. U taught me how to "empower" the students. I can see that u will make a fantastic teacher and will influence the students' lives. It's been a blessing to know u. Stay chic! God bless.

~Joey Lim lor..
Thank u for letting me pinch ur face and beat ur head. U r really like my little cousin. You are my favourite student and u know it...
Hope u will stay forever in love with Shaowei...haha

~Peiyu Cho..
Thank u for letting me pinch ur face and beat ur head. U r not like my little cousin cos u r too tanned. You are my second favourite student...
Hope u will stay forever in love with Shaowei...haha

~Suping Chew..
Thank u for letting me play ur gameboy whenever im bored. And oso sharing ur sweets with me...

~Liwen Kok..
Thank u for contributing in the photo frame present. You are very innocent and cute smile and big eyes always melt me when i see u...

~Nurezwani..
Thank u for constantly teasing me abt my walking manner. I will take note of it and maybe next time i will catwalk beautifully when i become a model...

~Nur Laila..
Thank u for never failing to explode in loud laughters and squeals. U light up my day...

~Jolynn..
Thank u for giving me that priceless K1 photo. U all were so cute last time. Ok now oso quite cute la dun wori. Appreciate ur efforts very much...

~Huixin..
Thank u for always being able to spring up with essential items like stapler, staples, scotch tape etc...and save me and Miss Lye. U will make a very good Personal Assistant...

~Jun Cheng..
Thank u for engaging in "meaningful" talk with me throughout our many bus rides and never failing to keep me awake...

~Shahrul..
Thank u for ur excellent massaging of my tired shoulders...

~Ruban..
Thank u for lighting up my day...literally, with ur white teeth...caveman

~Wilson Toh..
Thank u for, eh, making the potato chips wrappers cleaner with ur licking...

~Magdalene..
Thank u for ur card and attention...

~Marcella..
Thank u for ur card though u always dun give me sweets...

~Last but not least, everyone else! My fingers tired already...cant type so much...

Ok! Ok! Class dismissed!
Goodbye!

Lots of Love, and i mean really lots of love... Elton

P.S - I actually had some photos to upload but somehow the page freezes when i ever try to post it...and hope u dun mind my gate-crashing to this blog...

Thursday, August 10, 2006

In the NDP aftermath

Dearest 4G,

NDP is finally over! Hurray! i muz say that though there are people who made mistakes during the final performance, I am so proud of you!! *cheers* It has been a really long 5 months that we had gone through together through the ups and downs of NDP training. I have seen you all grow up and mature and I must say, I am so proud of what and where you are all at today.

I have to admit that I feel a little sad like all of you now that NDP has come to an end. It has been a really long period of time that we spent getting to know each other and learning together. I know you will definitely miss Elton, especially for those on my bus. =) I hope this journey has been a really fruitful learning journey for all of you, and you did learn more about yourself, your friends, your teachers and what you are capable of. I don't know about you, but I do feel so much more attached to all of you now that we have survived NDP together. Heh. The only regret that I have would be that I did not manage to have all the 4Gians on my bus. But I think whichever bus you were on, you had loads of fun, right?

And I know, you enjoy poking fun at me and teasing me about Elton. -_-"' sigh. I wonder when it will ever end.... ugh. I will just indulge you that while more, ok? After that, it is time to get serious and start preparing for your SA2. I am so worried for all of you!!! I feel the need to nag at you people again. Sometimes, I can't help but feel that you make me act like a 80 year old. *roll eyes*

Anyway, do not be sad. All good things come to an end and what is important is that we all parted on good terms and have fond memories to look back on. 10 years down the road, when you bump into Elton or I or anyone who had gone through NDP with you, I hope you would walk over to shake our hands and say with a pat on the shoulder: I still remember the fond memories that we had from NDP 2006.

Good job kiddos! Love ya lots!


Hugs and kisses,
Ms Lye

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

NDP photo journal

Below are some of the photos I took of all of you during NDP trainings. heh. Don't worry, I'm not so evil to take when you are not looking. Don't you think I am such a nice person??? haha.


before leaving school for NDP training at national stadium


sorry! No boys allowed!


Poor Ms Lye, had to keep tying hair for all of you...


When will NDP training start.... Yawn!



Yan Jun with his face painted during one of the previews


Shahrul looking pretty with the guard of honour's hat


Who's the prettiest one of all?? wait. what is Ruben doing in the picture as well?!!


Miss Lye, you said that photo for Elton's card. Where are the rest????


Take photo for Elton's card again?? We are such popular people.. =p


Come on, kids. Don't look so bored. Its your big day!! Say Cheese!!


Much better!


All those from Bus 3!! Cheers!!!


The boys and Elton. Come on dudes! Act cool!


The girls with Elton. Aren't we pretty?


Make funny faces NOW!!


Elton with Joey. Look how pained Joey looked. haha. Don't worry, Joey, Ms Lye will not allow him to bully you. *show fist*


This must be your favourite, you vultures. Humph. Make us feel so embarrassed to take a proper photo together. -_-


The pretty girls of 4G on bus 3 =)


Ms Lye with Joey and Ee Ru. Can you spot Ms Ang walking past in the background?? hehe.


Jolynn and Ms Lye


Liwen and Ms Lye


Jonathan, CK and Ms Lye


During NDP performance!


Beautiful fireworks. A pity you did not get to watch them.