My 2007

My 2007 will generally be that of a typical A level graduate. This means working for the first semester of the year, then going for a vacation before university starts in August. Nonetheless, I am glad and thankful that God has blessed me with something normal. At least I can share my joys and woes with other people.

Here's just a little update on what I have and will be doing. I'm currently learning Music Theory from Livia Gho and learning how to play the violin. I'm taking the Grade 2 violin practical next July and Grade 3 theory examination on November 3, not mentioning a competition for the school's students. Imagine competing against the kids! My teacher commented that I can even win the competition! Because kids 'play the G string (first string) like cows being slaughtered and play the E string (last string) like chickens being killed'. Haha.

I suppose some people would raise eyebrows at my reading of music at such a late age. I lose years of potential which could have been discovered and developed at young age. However I gain so much more in return. I gain the motivation, interest and initiative to practise because I read music on my own accord. I gain a love for sports since I wasn't interested in serious music-making in the past. This saves me from becoming a totally unfit and flabby person. (Sorry that was my past impression of a no-sports person haha.) Plus, I get to skip grades!

Thank you ACJC choir. All that laying of musical foundation through sectional meetings, rehearsals and fast-speed learning sharpens my musicality, not mentioning the ability to skip grade 1 and 2 for theory! Haha. What I need to do is to incorporate the violin into a part of my body, and figure out how to play like I sing. That is tricky but I'm excited to learn.

And then there's the relief teaching. So, I realised I'm teaching Secondary 3 Social Studies, not Geography, because they only teach the latter in the second semester. : ( It's no fun without having rocks and rivers around. I never liked Social Studies. Thanks to God my Combined Humanities Grade jumped from a C6 during the prelims to a B3 for the O's. I suppose I'm beginning to rediscover North Ireland and the social segregational problems. It can be very interesting, especially when I relate it to war literature, economics and geography. What I need to do is to convey to the students that what we learn is very relevant. How many of us realise that only after we stop studying a subject!

The staff at CTSS is very helpful - they remind me of the madams back in the ACJC office, who are always so willing to care and go the extra mile for an anonymity over the phone. One of my English Department colleagues was from ACJC Class of 1994. Another one is the sister of Jamie, that tall badminton guy from 2SC9, my year. There certainly is a feeling of connectedness and intimacy when I know that I have friends who are connected to AC in one way or another. My mentor is Mrs Chua, the English HOD, a tall madam who likes to laugh and joke, babysit me and my fellow relief teachers, remind us that we work not for money, giving us commitments as if we're permanent teachers, and can fall asleep during long talks like any one else. Her humble character teaches me that her status does not make her someone different. She's just like anyone else! That's why we treat her with respect, sincerity and honesty in return.

And I did mention before, June is for the North Thailand trip. Is the college choir going on tour next year? If they are, I'll consider going too. That would make a two-trip vacation that should occupy the whole month!

And I shan't forget that 2AA3 will have gatherings (definitely more than 3) scattered over the calendar. Right? Haha.