Retreat and Refresh....

I have been "resting" from the 23rd of December. I have been away from my centre. I miss it and I miss the children. I saw Zoe at a Christmas Eve Dinner at another instructor's place.

I met up with an instructor from the Philippine that I am close to. We meet at least twice a year. It's always great to catch up. Last night, we slept at 3 talking about our centres. It's always nice to share.

I'll only start on the 4th, and I can't wait.

Quick thinking.

In getting students to recognize numbers, we've experienced a lot of funny moments. Some students took months to just recognize 1-10. Some can be very fast. For the ones that take a long time, we sometimes have to find ways to get them to remember. At times we have to associate the numbers with everyday things. Many times we run out of ideas and starts using the sensory method. This is when we get students to make the movement of the numberws with their finger.

Today Aidan, who started without recognizing numbers, is now doing long multiplication. He's feeling lazy all the time nowadays, and today he had to complete his correction in front of me. He hated it. I knew it but didn't acknowledge that. I told him, we're doing a challenge game today, and told him our weapon would be the erasers. We both had to look at the mistakes and the first one to identify the mistake should erase it. Everytime we do it, we give points. The first one to reach 10 points win. Being the competitive me, i didn't give him a chance until i scored 5 points. I knew after that, he'd want to win too. I was right. After that he was more alert in identifying his mistakes. I was pleased.

This is my last sob sob!

The year is almost ending. When I first started this blog, I was sure of my direction. Which is to share with my friends of what I go through in my everyday encounter at the centre and my life as an instructor. At times I have written a little bit more than just that, but I've deleted them. It's important I think to just pen it down at times. It keeps a person sane.

This year has been a difficult year for me at the centre. The struggle to make sure I'm able to meet all the financial situation and also the time I have to deal with staff problem.

Over the years, I have actually been through much more, but I think this year, as I am older, I'm more aware of the difficulties. Probably because I don't have as much strength to fight it.

After my medical check up, I want to be just as strong as before. I should not have much problem to do that as I am a healthy person!!!

Happy feet at the centre!

My heart has been aching, my body has been creaking, my vision has been blurred and my speech has been stunted. I am under panic attack!!!!!!

Due to all that, I made a full medical check up recently. Was I surprised when I got back a clean bill of health!!!!!! I almost choked when my Dr. Nina told me that.

I have only one conclusion why my heart is at peace, my body is running well, my vision is perfect and my speech...well, need to speak less sometimes..... is alright! That is my happiness at the centre.

The children make me feel happy and challenged. I like the challenges they put in front of me. I like their excuses when they didn't do their homework. That's because it reminded me of how I was before! I like having to deal with parents who have 1001 questions about why their child isn't doing well in school. And I like sharing all that with my fellow instructor friends.

I must go on...................

Inspiration from what's in front of me.

What a week it has been.

I wish I'm just a hired Instructor of a Learning Centre. That way, I don't have to be bothered by anything disturbing from outside. I think it's time to just protect my little shell (my centre) and get on with life.

I have so much inspiration and have gathered so much strength when I'm around the children and my staff. They are my world. So, whatever that has happened and have bothered me lately, I'll leave them behind.

My English assistant, Ms Italiano, have finally stopped. She's flying back to England before Christmas. I've put Mrs mommy in charge of English. She seems fit for it. She's loving, friendly and always pleasant. I have a new staff. Ms Tae Kwon Do Black Belt. A tough lady who is actually the daughter of my long serving cleaner. Her mom has been working for me for 7 years. I've heard stories about her from when she was only a knee highly daisy. She finished her high school education, but needs a lot of training. I'm willing to do that and I think it's good that I give her the chance to upgrade herself. Everyone needs a chance and break for that.

On Friday we had our first "pee-pee" case. I had to be prepared for this when I decided to accept very little children. However, I didn't expect the little girl's mom didn't think of putting on a disposable diaper on her. Anyway, when it happened, I could not do anything but hug her. She was about to cry. Mrs Admin had to clean up the mess.

I pray that next week, I have a better week, and my students learn better and I'm able to transfer some kind of happiness to the children around me and my staff.

No Show!

This morning, I had to miss the morning class to appear on TV for the parent company. It's a way to promote the method and also to create more awareness in the public of our existance. I woke up early, did a bit of stretching and exercised to make sure I feel all alert and sharp for the show.

I picked up my dearest niece, and headed straight to the studio. We were early, so we had some time to look around. We saw how an announcer did her work in a radio studio.

At 11 sharp we were ushered to the make up room and had our faces made up. The make up artists, half heartedly did our faces, but we were happy that they didn't go overboard!

When the co ordinator came, we were briefed on what we had to do. Later on I discussed with the office staff who was suppose to appear with me on TV. We talked about what we had to present. She had called me earlier in the morning to tell me that the TV station changed their mind and only wanted one person in the show. After discussing further, we both felt I should go for it. 15 mins before the show started she told me that the Producer agreed to have both of us in the show. So, I was happy and that's when we started to discuss who's going to answer what before we were both wired up with the mobile microphone.

Maryam, my niece wasn't even nervous this morning. She did look a little bit excited. I'm glad she agreed to open her heart and accepted my invitation. 1 min before our turn we we ushered again into a small set up studio.

That's when it all happened. Right in front of the set, everybody was busy taking their place and the office staff quickly took her place on the stage. She didn't even look back and didn't even have eye contact with me. When I realized that, I thought to myself where would I sit? There was only one chair.

So from then, I just sat right across the stage and watched them.

I never felt so humiliated like that before.

I wish the child is mine

Yesterday, we had our year end lunch. The Assistants chose the place. We had a great lunch of burgers, steaks, pastas and lovely dessert. However the new English assistant was sick and was absent.

When we came back, I had a phone call from the Head Office to invite me to appear on the National TV!!!! It's tomorrow. The topic we're going to be "chatting" about will be "Children's activities during the school holiday". I was not too sure whether to accept or not. I asked the PR person so many questions. In the end, she assured me that it's for good cause and mainly to penetrate the Bahasa Malaysia speaking market. By the time we finished our class....I realized I had one more problem to solve. To get the "most suitable" student. I only had our longest serving student who's doing very well in her studies in mind....my niece. Somehow, the minute I tried to call her, I was told she wasn't keen. I was crushed. I cried. I sobbed. I reached the house and went straight to the toilet and cried some more. In the end, I had to tell myself that I should not be too sad.

The next step was to beg!!!!!

It's all set now. I got what I wanted. She agreed!!!!!!

Wait for the next report tomorrow.

By the way, today, i got a nice encouraging message from a parent. Here it is:

Hi Puan, Hope all's well with you. Sorry for this rather late respond to your mails!Truly appreciate all your correspondences. Julia enjoys being at your centre and she has consistently expressed her appreciation for the encouraging environment you've created.

Thank you. Keep up the good work. Best regards, Rohannie

Tough doing business.

As much as I love teaching the children, I do like running it as a business too. But little did I realize that in business, there's always competition. Throughout the years, there were challenges from different aspects. Last week, I was told by a good friend that someone out there is bad mouthing about me and my centre. It crushed me. Of course it did because there I was in the middle of all the paper work, my chest pain, short of staff for that day, meetings with parents and mood swings (from students) to deal with. I quickly sent a message to my staff. Just needed to share it. We both decided that it's one of those hiccups we have to just deal with. However, I wanted clarification and investigation from the office.

Called my manager and his team leader and till now......I've heard nothing from them.

I will let it be.....and will continue working at my own pace. I can't think that I am doing this forever. There will be time when I have to retire. And when I retire, I'll leave with happy thoughts and memories.

The drama continues.....

Inesh came on Friday grinning and obliging. One simple reason! Kayla was in the class. I'm not trying to match make them, but it's inspiring to see 2 four year olds showing happiness when being with each other. Even for a short 20 minutes. I just hope that the drama continues..... and they will both benefit from wanting to come to the centre and learn.

I had 2 meetings with two mommies. First was a Korean Lady. We took 1 hour to discuss about her children's progress. She needed some tips, and I explained to her all the basic rules to make the method work. I realized from the meeting that I need to slow down when talking. It happens at times when your brain feels so hyper, and there are so much things you wish to deliver.

I don't know why but when talking about teaching, and the students, my brain gets that way.