just came back from GESL camp; yup literally. broke camp this afternoon, went to eat with the groupmates and lugged back what weighed like 5678930438476534 tonnes of dirty clothes, speakers, sleeping bag etc etc to hall room. totally drained and tired out; the lack of sleep over 2 nights has really shown it's mark; read my forehead like a braille book baby. LE SIGH.
that aside, i have just so much thoughts swirling around in my head after this camp. it was a revelation of sorts; the camp was targeted at a sec 2 normal tech class- miss park's worst nightmare, i daresay. but at the end of the day, i think i learnt so much more during these three days than i did in, say, NUS. of course the latter was by choice la degree scrolls are mere paperweights in a sea of graduates anyway all you cocky NUS undergrads will soon learn it the hard way i suspect.
and i think this GESL camp reminded me why i wanted to become a teacher in the first place; no, not to do menial tasks and go crazy trying to keep track of 5 hyperactive boys and three girls talking incessantly in a language beyond my comprehension. when i see them having fun, when i see their personal growth even within this short period of time, all the disgustingly long meetings and covering up for fucked up groupmates seem inconsequential in comparison. if i can touch the life of just one child, if i can contribute to his/her personal growth, then i think my job as a teacher is half done; still must pass exams right you think what this is Singapore ok chey. but you get my point. i found myself being surprisingly patient with the boys. what harry tan told us kept coming up in my head; we should go to those who really need our help, rather than to take the easy way out and go for the other alternative. but then again, if EVERYONE in the profession were like that, Dangerous Minds wouldn't have been such a hit now, would it?
the weeks are really flying by; before i know it, december would be over and the new school term will be starting.
just the way i like it.
21st Nov - GESL meeting & class outing: DONE
23rd Nov - Comm skills test then GESL BBQ wheee~: DONE
24th Nov - Pseudo amazing race: DONE
26th Nov - ISG training: DONE
27th Nov - 29th Nov - GESL camp: DONE
1st Dec - Friendly
4th Dec - 6th Dec - First Aid course
5th Dec - Friendly
7th Dec - Birthday~!
10th Dec - Chalet/ BBQ
11th Dec - ISG
12th Dec - 18th Dec - OMG HONG KONG aka Leng zhai land~!!!
18th Dec - 23rd Dec - Bangkok with the classmates
