Closer

So pull me a little closer

Take me a little deeper

I wanna know Your heart

I wanna know Your heart

I was very encouraged after having dinner with 2 great friends of mine

To learn we came from different walks of life, different upbringing, different calling (still discovering), and yet in the end it's all for One audience - God.

He works in mysterious ways, ways we couldn't comprehend. We will ask Him "Why???" all the time but in the end still find joy in doing the things He called us to do. Funny. I love Him.

To my 3 email friends, I know you read this wan lah he he he... keep the faith!

I need You

I need You more, more than yesterday

I need You more, more than words can say

I need You more than ever before

I need You Lord

I need You Lord

More than the air I breathe

More than the song I sing

More than the next heartbeat

More than anything

As time goes by 

I'll be by Your side

Cause I never want to go back to my old life

We give You the Highest Praise!

We give You the Highest Praise!

Job

You know you love what you do when you forgot there's a holiday coming. When you don't apply for leave to get the whole week off. It's no longer just a 'job'.

I enjoy being here, being part of a huge huge project that could possibly transform the mindset of teachers, bridging the gap between teachers and students, having personalised learning platform for students. And I don't work with people who are here for the money. They are here for the future generation. For education.

These 2 weeks I went through an internal company training where there were talks about the history of the company, the company values, vision, mission, understanding every department in the company, understanding the product, team building, public speaking, creative thinking.......

The best part was, even the receptionist joined in the training. Everyone started off from the same foundation again.

Imagine a company where people from different departments just mingle around, sending each other notes of encouragement, inspiring videos, being generous with compliments and smiles are everywhere.

I think unity is the key to keeping a company together and making the vision happen.

I'm looking forward to go into schools across Malaysia. And carry the culture of the company with me.

Nostalgia

Went to a school today to shadow a teacher. (for work purpose)

So early in the morning I head out to this school, and a teacher brought me to the class. Form 5. A teacher was in there, students stood up and greeted "Good morning, Miss Phoebe" and I was directed to the back of the class. Hmmm. I was never greeted Miss Phoebe before in a class... It was always "Good morning teachaaa". Gave an awkward smile to the students and took my seat.

Ah, felt like I was back in school. Just that I never sit at the back of the classroom before! I scanned through the class, prepared my notebook and started scribbling my observations.

I've never seen a class where EVERY student were attentive. Not once their eyes were off the teacher/the whiteboard. The teacher was fun, interactive, and she went to the level of her students' interests. She knows what's the latest news in the entertainment world, she knows which K-Pop, Bollywood, Hollywood artists they are interested in. Most importantly she managed to cover the objectives of her lesson.

I was inspired. "I want to be able to teach like that," I told myself.

I had so much memories coming back to me as I sat there and observed both the teacher and students engage in discussion. They were discussing English Literature past year questions. But the past year questions were based on 'The Pearl'. Now it's different haha. Wow. 'The Pearl' was during MY batch.

On my way back to work I went to withdraw money. The bank is situated below the school I used to teach in. Harvest :) AND I met my students again :') Really miss them and they were so excited! First thing they told me was, "Teacher, I passed my Maths!" I can even remember their scores.. 51, 71, 89, 90, 94..... I know they will ace UPSR.

I drove back to work after that :) Happy that my previous students are doing so well!

If you can't change the world, change yourself, then try again. One person at a time.

2 months

Been two months since I stopped teaching at Harvest, one month entering my work at FrogAsia.

I enjoy working at the new place, but I still do miss my students.. they have been a joy.
My current office is just across the road =)
I think that's a good thing...

I went over to the school's cafe 2 weeks ago to collect some muffins, cookies and scones for a few guests who were at the office. It was coincidentally the same time my students were having their breaks. When they saw me at the cafe they looked like they have just seen a ghost haha.

Some of them came over and hugged me
some thought I went back to teach
some asked why did I left them
some asked if I will ever go back to teach them
Some asked if I have forgotten them
some asked where am I working now...
some just shyly waved at me and whispered to their friends "Hey Teacher Phoebe is here!"

These children are precious. They left a great impact in my life and I really want to give back. I'm planning to volunteer there on the weekends whenever I can.

I wish the society have more awareness about who these kids and how they survive as a family here in Malaysia. I wish I have more to give and to help.

Show me Your glory

This is truly my heart's desire.. Show me Your glory, God. Your presence is where I belong.

My God

I'm so glad I'm on God's side.

I hear sounds of victory roar. Cheers and exclamation of His goodness.

He died for me. Then He defeated death. He's the macho-est of the macho.

Graduation

So 3 years came to an end quickly. I am a fresh graduate. (Okay, this is a late post)

I'm very grateful for the friends who have been with me throughout my degree.

We used to be in the same CG when I was in my 1st and 2nd year. How time flies! Now we are all in 3 separate cell groups. Praise God for growth!

This bunch survived 3 years. (many not in picture). For more pictures go to facebook k hehe. I made sure I'm catching up with them because our group was so small, I cannot afford to be left behind in my studies =)

Then there's my family. Who always believed that I can go through this course. Although I often said that it's almost impossible to pass a certain subject. I did not fail any of my papers =) 

A in a few

B in most

and there are the Cs and  the Ds for subjects I disliked.

My current CG members. A bunch who loves fellowship and food. Thanks for being there!

The bunch I studied late nights with. I couldn't stay up like them. We used to stay in the same block.

My housemates whom have seen more sides of me than my other coursemates hehe. (I notice Yen Nee is in most of the pictures)

Above all I thank Abba Father for friends and family. For protection in health, for keeping me sane, for guiding me. Throughout these 3 years I have grown so much. 

Just a side note...
On the 1st of September 2004, I asked my dad what he wanted for his birthday present. 
He said, "I wish that one of my children will graduate from university"
That was all he wanted.
I thought... that's easy. At the age of 15 I innocently had in mind that everyone graduates from university..
Because I learnt from BM karangan that if we studied hard we will get to 'menara gading'
My sis was the first to graduate from her college doing Diploma in Nursing
I have graduated from university doing Bachelor of Science (Hons) Actuarial Science.


So, happy very belated birthday, dad. Now what do you want for 2005-2011? haha. Overdued presents.

Uncountable

Everyday I encounter new experiences with my students. Some pleasant, some, not so pleasant. But most of the time I bring home good memories. Too many memories I could not type it all in here.

This school, these children, they changed my life. I received another "Thank You" card from my student yesterday. As much as they thanked me, I could not thank them enough for bringing such joy to my life =)

Of course behind the scene, there's a lot of hard work and it could be very tiring. I wake up every morning have sore arms, or legs due to too much squatting and scrubbing. I almost puked twice while cleaning the toilet yesterday. heh. Worst toilet cleaning experience ever.

But I'm thankful to be given this opportunity to experience working in this place where every teacher teaches with passion and diligence, and students learn with excitement.

Thank you

Today my standard 4 students came and gave me some cards...

I need to keep their writings as memory. All the wrong spelling and grammatical errors haha.

teacher ploebe is a bestest teacher in a ther earth we well remember teacher phoebe if we big we will remember. *heart shape*
This boy drew what he called a kampung with mountain and sun at the side and a house writted 'teacher ploebe house' and a school next to the house. He drew 4 helicopters on top of the school and said so I can just jump and reach the school.

To Teacher Febi thank you for teaching me. I Love You.


To teacher Febi
I Love Teacher Febi
I Love you Teacher. Thank you for teaching mathematics for me


I *heart* u
*smiley face*
you are My favourite Teacher.
To Teacher Phoebe Thank for Teaching me


Thank you teacher Fibi
Hello
Thank you teacher Fibi for teachin Maths.
Bye, Bye.


Thank you Teacher for teacing me
You are the bests teacher


Thank you teacher for teach me math. In this class I love you so much.
*heart with "I love you teacher Fibe"


To teacher Fibi
I love you teacher Fibi
Thank you for teaching us Math


Thank you for teaching me the education. I have learn more from you. You all teah me all subject like, English, Science, Mathematics and Bahasa. I *heart* u teachers. Without you i will not have education of study without you. Thank you for teach me until this year. And thanks to Htc to give teacher like this to our class. I love u all. Thank to teach me and give me Education.

Generous students

At the school cafe today, 2 students came in to order food and sat beside me.

Me : Is this your lunch?

Student 1 : No, Student 2 is hungry so I belanja him

Me : Wow. He didn't have lunch?

Student 2 : I ate already but I'm hungry...

Last Saturday, I had iced lemon tea, chrysanthemum drink, hotdog, ice-cream, snacks, krispy kreme, etc.. all bought by the students during the Berjaya Founder's Day using the voucher they had.

Today my student gave me chicken floss and potato chips haha. 

Sometimes during sports, the students will ask if I want to eat ice-cream. They would offer to buy for me.

With the little they have they never hesitated to make someone happy. I don't know if they know that this is called "blessings" but I pray that this habit will not end when they grow up.. 

Lunch

My adorable student walks in cafe after singing and dancing practice around 12.15pm

Student : Hi Teacher!
Me : Hello, how are you?
Student : Fine, teacher. Teacher, you now only having your lunch? I mean... breakfast??
Me : This is my lunch.
Students : *eyes opened wide staring at my cookie*. Teacher! You eat this only?!

She's so cute.

Conversations III

Remember the boy that said that a girl likes him but he does not like her back?

D : Teacher I got gf already
Me : *eyes opened wide* is it her?
D : Yea, but she does not know I like her 
*thinks he's confuse what 'having a gf' meant*

D : I like her 25 per cent
Me : But I thought you said you don't like her?
D : Actually I got go back and think. What teacher said is true la... she's quite pretty

*hands up* from now onwards I shall be careful with what I say....

Conversations II

Students came into my office and saw my desktop wallpaper. A picture of my lil sis and I.

A : Wa, teacher.. Your sister aa?
Me : Yes
A : same face
B : where? I want to see
Me : pretty or not?
A and B *shy*

A : yes, she's beautiful
B : she's taller than you right, teacher? *ahahahaha*
Me : -.-" go to your class.

GOD

He is God.

Don't limit what He can do. He hears your cries even if you hide it inside. He sees your pain, your thoughts, everything you are going through. He knows, He feels, and He provides the help you need.

I received a great news just now. God is faithful. We are forgetful and sometimes we need to be reminded.

My mum taught me that in whatever circumstances, keep the faith and claim your blessings from God. Believe that you will receive. I'm thankful for my parents =)

Conversations

Me and my 10 y.o students A, B, C and D

A : Teacher, B likes someone you know! But she likes another boy and that boy also likes her.
Me : Wah. So how?
A : B broken-hearted...
B : No la teacher, I no like her already...
A : No teacher he lieeeeee

Tiba-tiba,
C : Teacher I got gf.

*stun*
Me : Wow, who is she? Is she in my class? *excited*
C : No la, I also heart broken already.
Me : Why?
C : She-- going to USA already
D : Ya teacher he heart broken THREE times!

*gasps*

C : Ya, but teacher, she still my gf.

=.=

D : Teacher, got girl love me but I don't love her.
Me : Who?
D : *whispers whispers*
Me : WAH she's so pretty and nice and gentle. Why you don't like her?
D : Actually I love another girl but she don't love me so I also don't love her. Then another girl love me.
D : See teacher I can dance like Michael Jackson. (tiba-tiba change topic)
*nods* I see..

A : Me too!
[conversations went on]

Drama

It's like drama at work everyday. Every night when I'm back from work I will have many funny/cute/dramatic story to tell my dear ms wee while she's half awake heh.

I sat down with a group of my students and asked them what do they want to be when they grow up. One of them answered, "Pastor". I'm impressed! He wants to follow after his father's footsteps =) He was so happy when I told him I'm a Christian too. Future evangelist. 10 years old.

Another student exclaimed, "I want to be a superstar!". Cute. He specifically wanted to be in Bollywood.

By giving these children attention through proper education and other necessities, we are giving them hope. One step closer to realize their dreams.

the beginning

Ps Elisha and Aunty Petrina shared about how they first started the centre where working and the purpose of it. It was truly inspiring.

The staff truly has compassion towards he children, commitment towards the vsion and the heart to work.

Matt 25:35-46

Just a teacher

I came back to KL earlier because I have work today. Today, many of the school staffs did not come to work so we were understaffed. I entered my classroom and see the flowers layu, dusty floor, untidy notice board... Felt discouraged. The classroom is huge. It's the size of my living room all the way to the back lane of my house.

Then I started thinking about the children. Thought about their safety as they walk (run) around the classroom, or whether they will be comfortable, or feel happy while studying in this classroom. So I began to clean and tidy =) *happy little working song*

My work has become my ministry. It's important that you know why you are doing what you are doing, and find joy and purpose in it. We all know that a teacher is not a glamorous profession. I scrub toilet twice a day, sweep, mop, do dishes, and keep the class in order.

Today I scrubbed the classroom walls and I felt happy although I know the students will still lean against the wall with their shoe prints -.- But there's something about 'serving' that kept me going. I'm there not to be the boss of the children but the provide an educational service.

I am a teacher.

Passion

So... I'm the Primary 4 class teacher and my students came in for the past 2 days for orientation. It's a good chance to build relationship with them, as well as build a good 1st impression towards one another. They were not all 10-year old children. Some are 11,12, 13 and even 14. It's really sad to see the older ones staying in lower standard together with the younger children.

I've been spending time decorating the classroom.. Inilah saya trying to be creative haha. Keeping the class clean, preparing materials for lesson, making sure everything is in order and the place is safe, etc.. Now I realise being a teacher is not just about teaching a subject. But it takes a whole attention in the lives of the children. It is about encouraging, loving, giving hope..

The centre is actually looking for sponsorship. Sponsor a child, or donate to the centre.. Sometimes I wish I could earn more so that I can give more.. To the church, to the missions, to people, to God.

A change

Not studying definitely feels different.

Been working for a few weeks now. I can say I changed a lil.. heh.
1. My sleeping habit changed. I sleep earlier and wake up even earlier now...
2. I become more productive in my work
3. I'm more organised! *happy*
4. I think... I'm stronger now. After much labor work. Well, my hands got a lil rough too. heh. somehow I like looking at the lil scar I just got due to some scratch while carrying some heavy stuff!

random post. Have a blessed week ahead =)