*the love and grace of God in my life..*

Friday, November 13, 2009

end of the work-week
i'm settling in fine and adjusting well to the new workload and pace
not having the full-load yet because my senior manager believes that the first one month should be adjustment period so she is not loading me yet

thurs' lunch with my AD and DD made me feel more blessed than ever
it was a good 2.5 hrs lunch plus some discussion which was so encouraging for a newbie like me
basically, my unit (west) is a new initiative, together with 3 other zones for a few months now
it's peak period for everyone from last week till probably march
AD & DD feels that we are very stretched and wants to see in what areas they can help us out
they have actually came up with plans (which sounds really great, and unexpected!) and done something about it while seeking approval because they don't want us to be exhausted.
and of cos, they also shared a lot more which are confidential, but all in all.. the lunch just made me so much happier and blessed to have them as our mgmt

worked with my partner for almost a week now; it's scary at times.
i'm totally opposite from her in working style, beliefs etc.. and so, i pray that i will be able to tolerate the differences and accept her without any negative thoughts.

received my AD's wedding invitation for dec; that's fast for a newbie uh.

on a separate note, i haven't had the chance to practice the dance patterns for tambourine.. argh.
looking forward to centenary prac tmr, and church prac on sun

//posted by ivy @ 16:23//

Sunday, November 08, 2009

it's been 8 days into my new job
since last thurs, i've been roped in to assist in the posting that is happening right now; and although my partner is still holding the helm at it, i'm already feeling the strain of it

tmr is the test
my partner is on leave; i'm covering her cluster for the discussion tmr with the rest
she helps me a lot by getting me involved in the decision-making last thurs and fri, and so i should be slightly more confident in the meeting tmr because i'm going to need to justify all my recommendations.

lunch with AD and DD this coming thurs
it's their informal way of getting to know me, and that's really new to me
HR people are really a lot more people-oriented; and my AD/DD are those who like to go down to the ground.
perhaps also they are the batch of scholars and are super young.. one is 29, and the other 30.

my learning curve is going to be a steeper gradient than now, and what's to come in the next few months will definitely help me to understand my job even more
and as i enter the busy period, my prayer is that:
- i'll not complain about my job, no matter how tedious or nonsensical it may be
- i'll be able to adjust well to the new system of doing things in moe and be thankful for opportunities that come my way
- i'll be able to prioritise my time and give God what He deserves
- i'll be a good testimony at work

//posted by ivy @ 21:30//

Friday, November 06, 2009

being here for a week now
i've met the important people in my dept, and i love them so much!

i've met my assistant manager, who is also my buddy. a bubbly woman who is very patient in guiding me through all the different functions we do and frequently checking on me to make sure i'm fine

i've met my senior manager, who is a really motherly figure. she manages us well and trusts us to deliver our work. she is also very patient, and as a result, all of us approach her with ease

i've met my assistant director, a bright young man who is very vocal in expressing his thoughts to us. it's hard to catch him because he walks really fast around but he always carries a bright smile during meetings.

i've met my deputy director, who interviewed me for the first round and actually remembered me two months later when i reported to work. he is probably the best DD around; always creating conversations with a huge smile and assuring eye contact and nods.

i've met my director, who has big vision for the department and understands his staff. he constantly assures us in our dealings with Principals and make us feel a little more confident as we dealt with delicate issues.

just a week into work and although i haven't made much friends other than the colleagues i work with, i'm truly glad and thankful for such bosses i have.

two more hours before we pack up and head to singapore flyer for dept's D&D.

//posted by ivy @ 13:01//

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Had a good weekend; slept in late on Sat and was fortunate enough to have Violet driving me around the entire day. She came to pick me for dance prac at SAJS. We took a little longer to reach (LOL!) but reached there safe and sound! Violet… pls remember the secret weapon hidden in your car.. haha.

Rained heavily after dance and we slowly inched back to JP for dinner. Dessert at Durian Empire.. woohoo.

She came to pick me for dance prac in church on Sun too.. whee. Managed to learn all the remaining patterns from the girls but I would need to prac quite a bit. The last 3 are difficult!

Slowing moving afternoon today; task is to read up on an important handbook and meet my boss in 30 mins time to discuss on how I can review the handbook

Bumped into the ever-friendly (and superb memory) DD in the lift earlier when I came back from lunch. Before I could even figure out how I should greet him, he already nodded at me and asked if I’m doing fine, how I’m coping etc.

There has been some changes to my cluster assigned and other responsibilities.. they all sound daunting but I think I’ll enjoy it. Totally new experience!

Dinner with Tracy and Cindy tmr at First Thai; I can’t wait.. yum yum. Haven’t ate there for a long long time.

//posted by ivy @ 14:21//

Saturday, October 31, 2009

this is very random but I shall post it before I head to bed

for the past couple of weeks, I've been thankful for a few individual in my life; whom I've the chance to share my life with, and them sharing their life with me too

celine.
she has been such a dear sister for the past few years and I must have said this before..no matter how busy we both are, the little thought of checking on each other and trying to meet up for a meal etc, always elates me! thank you for your love and encouraging me to go on in times of dryness; thank you for being there when i needed a listening ear even when it's in the middle of the night, thank you for accepting me for who i am and lastly, thank you for sharing your life with me.

violet.
it's always amazing to think back of the first time i knew her - in a youth camp when she was in P6, and how she's grown through the years. i may not be her best friend or her cell leader but somehow, i'm thankful for her trust in me. Thank you for bringing such joy every time we meet (i think joy is a good second name for you!), for being so sweet in showering me with surprises and for allowing me to share my life with you.

jonathan kee.
i can't even recall why and when and how we became closer even though we had absolutely no contact when we were in youth in the past. thank you for always keeping a lookout for me and checking if i'm fine etc.

----------

work for the past 3 days has been fine
i'm still trying to settle down, to get used to the paper-culture, to get used to a totally different working environment as compared to RP

but for now, i'm super thankful for:
- my buddy who has been trying to take care of me despite her hectic deadline
- my colleagues who have been helping me to adjust
- my immediate boss who is such a nice and patient lady who has excellent management skills

//posted by ivy @ 00:04//

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

it's finally 28th Oct tmr!
* waves goodbye to RP
and..
* says hello to MOE!

Wheee.
I honestly don't know what to expect but I'm pretty excited at my new job, in a new place, doing a totally new thing from teaching

Anyway, I've decided to start writing diary/journal from tmr onwards
mdm boo has been asking us to do it; somehow, i've been procrastinating
while having dinner with celine yday, she shared about the journal writing thingy she heard from hope church, and that reminded me of what mdm boo said
so yep, i've got myself a notebook and a pen..
what i need to do is to sit down and pen down my day, my thoughts, my struggles, my joy etc..
and at the end of it, to see how God has been so faithful!

//posted by ivy @ 21:34//

Thursday, October 22, 2009

the original date of starting work has been postponed from today to 28th oct, just in case i breach any terms in the contract
well, in govt job, everyone plays safe.

in any case, im somehow glad for the delay of 4 working days; that allows me to do so much stuff that i want to, before i start working full-time again

met uncle raymond for lunch two days back; it was good to see him again
he always gives me sound advices to the issues i share with him
what a blessing! =)

having a couple of dinner dates these few weeks; catching up with the people i haven't met for quite some time

be back when i start work, and see if there's anything worth posting. =)

//posted by ivy @ 11:39//

Friday, October 16, 2009

RP has been a second home to me for a substantial period of time
i'm thankful for all the wonderful (and not-so-nice) memories it gave me; the great colleagues i met in my stint there; the precious students who were allocated to my classes.

the clique of colleagues whom i have meals with, in and out of campus,
the group of them whom i shared room with, when we sneaked out of the country for a breather,
the few of them who has seen me cry, scream, laugh, and do silly things in office,
and a precious few of them who have encouraged and stayed with me through the darkest times at work
thank you all - because of you, i've stayed on in this place longer than planned.

students who have been in my classes for the past 4.25 years; you made a difference in my life
you brought joy to each lesson i see you and that has carried me through many of the tiring facilitation days
many of my colleagues are always amazed at how close a relationship i share with my students; that's because i don't see you as my students but as a friend.
most of you have moved on to army, to uni, to work, and some still in rp.. wherever you are, thank you for being part of the memories and certainly, all the best.

service-learning kids have left the deepest memories in me
i feel so priviledged to have brought all of you into the most northern part of thailand where we spent a good 16 days in the cold and strange place

18th july 2005 - 27th oct 2009
good-bye RP.

//posted by ivy @ 01:37//

Friday, September 25, 2009

haven't felt like blogging for a long time
there was a few times i typed a few lines and couldn't continue so i simply deleted the entry

it's been one whole month of term break
a wonderful break!
school is starting on 5th oct; i'll be facilitating twice a week
for the first time, i'm teaching yr 2 kids
i think it's going to be quite different and i've to adjust to a new set of timing!

joined the dance ministry last month and i've enjoyed each and every dance prac so far
it's been so liberating to dance each time!

there is mid-autumn celebration in church tmr, host by the chinese congregation
the dancers have been invited to put up a dance item; it will be my first dance. =)

//posted by ivy @ 13:31//

Friday, August 21, 2009

blogging frequency is getting lesser.
i shall take some time to recap stuff in the midst of my invigilation

side-note
invigilating a 90 mins paper can be really tiring
we're not allowed to do anything but walk around and check on them.. but you know, we don't hold exams in hall, ours is in a classroom of 25.
how many rounds can i walk?
they are also seated in such a way that as i sit at my table, i have them all in my view

anyway, semester ended earlier this week
like i mentioned in my post much earlier, i've two good classes and they just get sweeter by the weeks so by the last week with them, i was overwhelmed with emotions when i know that it's time to say "bye-bye kiddos"

i always tell them teaching is about intrinsic motivation and the value behind it..
i see it so clearly again.
- students who didn't do well for the first two weeks but really put in 200% effort from the third weeks onwards because of my comments to them and how much potential i see in them. they end up being the 'A' kids eventually
- students who believe in themselves after a few weeks of improvement push themselves further by promising me that they do not take resources from friends, shut down FB and MSN in class so that they give their all in my class and almost check back with me on their progress every 30 mins of the day

the students asked me.. why am i so emotional when i've been teaching for so long and should have learnt to let go..
well, i've learnt of course.
but when rare classes like them come along, it becomes hard.

well, all the best to kids from E36J/W16L of AY09/10 Sem 1
it's been MY privilege to be your faci.

//posted by ivy @ 09:03//