And So It Ends

And so it ends... My career as a temporary teacher in Kuen Cheng 2. The last day was kind of hard for me. Apparently I look like a zombie because I had an emotionless face all day long. Students kept taunting me, "Zhang Lao Shi, are you going to cry soon?" Just because I've been yawning all day long which makes my eyes teary. No, really. =)

Well, here are some pictures I took with my beloved 5S class. I bought them Twisties and San Char Kou. I hope they liked it alot.

[The boys of 5S class. Cheeky and mischevious as usual. What's with my attitude? Told you I was like a zombie the whole day.]

[Part 1: The girls of 5S class. So noisy yet so sweet. Class monitor Melissa and Lip Yee were missing because they was too shy. So here I am mentioning them.]

[Part 2: The female prefects of 5S class. One of them refuses to give me a high-5 no matter what. Others, well... Became quite close to my heart. Bless them. Ooops, I blinked.]

Wise Man Says

Remember those days in primary school where your teacher forces you to learn those long annoying proverbs? They say you have to learn them becuase it's written by some dude 1000 years ago and its all good because they are so smart. Well, I just had an experience today which shows that wisdom doesn't neccessarily comes with age.

You know how old people always lie to young children to scare them? This is what happened today - I overheard a conversation between an old man and a lil' kid.

Lil' kid: *Plays with the metal railings on the window, tugging and pushing them.*
Old man: "Hey hey, don't play with that, or it'll explode!"
Me: ".........."
Lil' kid: *Continues to meddle with the railings.*
Old man: "Oh... Oh... Explode liao..." *Old man makes swish boom bang noises*
Lil' kid: *Stunned, more by the old man's childish reactions rather than frightened.*
Me: ".........."

Just When You Think It's The Worst

Last few days of my teaching career hasn't been anywhere dull. Of course, with the exception of Chen Lao Shi missing in action, I've got to entertain the students on the piano all by myself - along with half of my popularity suddenly just *poof* disappeared. =P

I was actually quite shocked. I walked into the usual noisy 1C class, but they were all motionless and quiet for a change. After one period, I just couldn't contain my amazement and asked, "how come all of you are so silent after one week of holidays?" The reply was, "teacher, you seem so fierce and upset today, so we are scared." Geeez, I think I need to get a shave.

The pejabat is still as lively as it is, but today, there was an added strong presence. A very strong presence indeed. The ex-vice principal sits beside me, and every morning, she never fails to appear with a bag full of instant coffee, Gardenia bread and assortment of butter and jams. Today, was a record breaker. She actually brought durians to school. No joking. You could only imagine the heavy stench just lurking around in the pejabat for hours - and I'm sitting right beside her. Thank God it was a busy day for me and I wasn't in the pejabat for long.

My ever inquisitive 5S class were again, very predictable. Asking questions like, "do you miss Chen Lao Shi?" or "you look so lonely playing piano all by yourself." This time, I came prepared. I made fun of my students' love rumours instead - they spent da entire 2 Pendidikan Moral periods denying such rumours. Oh, the look on their rosey blushing faces... It was priceless. It's payback time! =P Only my class monitor, Melissa: she played on and she even agreed to get married with her rumoured boyfriend if Chen Lao Shi and I get married. Cheeky smart girl. What kind of milk powder do these kids take these days?

Well, I promised the kids I'd buy them Twisties and other "personal" gifts because they were begging for it, thanks to Chen Lao Shi setting such high standards. =P Time to go shopping.

Why I'm Never Dull

My brother never believes I will become a dull uninteresting person. Here is an example that happened today:

Brother: (Hums a familiar tune.)
Me: "Can you not sing that song please? It gives me bad thoughts."
Brother: "Then how come you listen to this song everyday?"
Me: "Because I like it."
Brother: ..........

And it goes on. =P

Mr. Chong Quotes I

My collection of photographs are not Photoshop edited but are of my eeehhhmmm, pure natural talent and skills. =P Too bad I have to decrease the quality by shrinking it to upload size. =(

[The blinding rays of the sunrise everyday only reassures me: that I should always be who I am and true to myself - just by looking at my own reflection.]

A Song I Wrote

My sister would tell you, "when Chung Fui composes a song: it would be super cheesy and the tune would resemble from some other familiar song." Well, what's wrong when you get inspired by nice song? So I'm emotional, sue me. =)

I wrote a song, pretty nice if I may say so myself (perasan). =P Even my brother rate the lyrics a 8/10 and the tune 7/10. Give me some credits eh? We all have to start somewhere, don't we? It's my best efforts so far.

I actually posted my first video up on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bwi2DMGZJA). Well, this video only covers up from the beginning 2 verses, the bridge and the chorus. Hope you people like it. =P Forgive me for the distortion and a slight delay in picture - sound synchronisation.

Beautiful Eyes

From the moment I saw your eyes,
I knew fate has given me,
a chance to fall in love with them,
before I say goodbye.

It hurts for me to leave,
so tell me you don't want me to go.
A drop of tear is all it takes,
for me to stay by your side.

Oh those beautiful eyes,
just like the stars in the night sky.
If you just look at me this way,
and let me say these words.

Girl, give me a chance,
I'll wipe those tears away,
and I'll make sure,
you'll never shed another tear.
Just look deep into my eyes,
and my heart and soul will be,
forever yours.

He often tells you,
how beautiful your eyes are to him,
but does he know you're crying,
when you're sleeping all alone?

It hurts to see you cry,
and there's nothing that I can do.
Just standing in the corner,
always standing in his shadow.

Oh those beautiful eyes,
they just take my breath away.
-------------------------------,
-------------------------------.

Girl, just give me a chance,
I'll wipe those tears away,
and I'll make sure,
you'll never shed another tear.
Just look deep into my eyes,
and my heart and soul will be,
forever yours.

-------------------------------,
-------------------------------.
-------------------------------,
-------------------------------.

Girl, just give me a chance,
I'll wipe those tears away,
and I'll make sure,
you'll never shed another tear.
Just look deep into my eyes,
and my heart and soul will be,
forever yours.

Note: ----- means still uncompleted.

PS: will fill in the blanks when the song's completed.

I'm Really Tired

People who don't know me probably think this as mindless ramble; people who know me would know I've said this like a million times. Warning: deep stuff ahead.

I'm getting tired these days. I've been a shepherd guiding lost souls again and again. I blindly plunge my hands into the cavern of darkness and unknown to try my best to guide them to light. When I see those souls smile back at me, I tell myself, "It's all worth it..." It is, don't get me wrong. But then shepherds have souls too. Sometimes, shepherds get lost and the last thing they want: is to lead those souls to even more misery.

Sometimes, I envy the lost souls in a way. Someone actually puts on all the effort, love and care to try and deliver their pain into non-existence by providing them happiness. I don't get that. I keep giving and giving. I tell myself, "it's alright if they don't appreciate me, its all worth it..." Silly me, but I still think it is, don't get me wrong. If I crumble, no good Samaritan is going to walk past me and offer me their loving tender hands.

I wish I could just collapse, just like other lost souls and some shepherd would just whole heartedly pick me up, and provide me what I've been providing for the past decade in return.

My friends all say, "you deserve much better... you really do, you should stop thinking about others for a while and put yourself at the front..." I think I'll be stubborn and continue to guide lost souls... Even if its just to see their smile. In other words, metaphorically: I like giving Christmas cards away, and I give many away, but never have I received any - and I deserve a bloody big one too. However, I'm happy to continue giving away Christmas cards because it makes me and others feel happy. This is just one of those times, when I feel I'm running low on Christmas cards, but instead of changing things - I'm just gonna pop into the shop to get more Christmas cards. OK, it's getting to deep now.

I'm kind of like a half full/empty glass of water. I shouldn't be complaining because I'm not empty, but I yearn for the day where someone would fill me up full.

[First it was tong yuen, now I feel like this!]

A Journey Through Bali

I thought some of you might be interested to know that, as I’m drafting this post, I’m actually typing away in a mini van travelling though the streets of Bali listening and humming to Jim Brickman love songs. I feel like one of those “I’m a journalist and someone broke my heart so I’m going travelling to forget about her” kind of scene from some drama.

A few things I realised about Bali:

- The mosquitoes here are deadly. An average bite mark on me is about the size of a long ngan! I guess that’s the price to pay for being a sweet guy, having sweet blood. =P
- It’s dark. Very dark. Either they have a power shortage or it seems light bulbs must be quite expensive here in Bali. Having dinner with oil lamps = I’m not sure what I’m actually eating.
- Highways haven’t been invented yet. However, even with one lane, there is never traffic jam – as there is always a volunteer out in the streets with nothing else to do directing traffic. How convenient.
- Though run down, but toilets are always clean – unlike Malaysia.
- Buildings are not allowed to be built higher than 3 storeys. Eye sore perhaps?
- Bali coffees are perfect drinks for university students because they taste as good as drain water – one sip will keep you awake for a few hours.
- It’s a pain to spend money here. Things cost more than a few hundred thousand Rupiahs. Hence everyone here is a millionaire. Example: a bag of kacang costs 2000 Rupiahs.
- Sunrise is around 5.12am – miss it and its “try again tomorrow”.
- Students here carry a bucket of sand each to school everyday to plant their own flowers; or they bring a broom each to clean the school everyday.
- Food is served extremely slow here, prepared to have a 3 hour meal anytime. Perhaps it has something to do with cooking with charcoal fire.
- None of the hotels in Bali has wireless internet connection yet.

Ironically, whilst in this heavenly place – I realise that my heart still lies within the gates of my beloved school. I’d willingly switch flight tickets to remain back in school, marking my PE workbooks, watch my students smile and laugh, eating RM2.50 mixed rice and play piano duets during recess.

Call it dedication; call it simplicity or call it childishness.

Class Stand... Good Morning Mr. Chong

Ok, I finally managed picked myself up to write about my job as a primary school teacher. I don't even know where to start.

Well, I set off aiming to be the most caring, lovable, charming and fun teacher in Kuen Cheng 2. I guess from the students' reactions, I guess I've kinda succeeded. =P Here are some memorable accounts I had in school. Enjoy!

Under my PE supervision: 3 kids have got minor injuries, BUT being the caring teacher, I brought them to the pejabat and even applied yellow lotion and antiseptic on their wounds carefully, constantly saying "pain or not?" Ain't I nice? =P

I've developed a few favorite students. One of them, a standard 2 female pupil - looks like a Korean, very adorable. Problem is, she is always sad. One day, I was teaching her class, she was sitting there quietly looking down, so I went towards her to see what's going on - only to find her crying. She was like "I want my maaameee..." My heart just melts when I see girls cry. Suddenly, I think the fatherhood in me just took over. After telling the class to shut up, I carried her to the office and sweet talked her. I brushed her hair, touched her cheeks, wiped her tears and told her everything is going to be just fine. I guess its the closest feeling I've ever felt to being a father. Bless.

As I walked in from the outside world where I thought no women were interested in me - I plunged into a school full of female admirers! I've got to mention my Pendidikan Moral 5S class. Girls would crowd around me, drowing and suffocating me just for my phone number and email address. My friend Vicky suggested: how about making name cards with "call me in 10 years time" printed on it? =P I mean, I've never seen a girl run out of breath and go all flushed just by talking to me before! You should see how excited the standard 6 girls are when I teach them how to play proper volleyball! =P

At least I'm not the only one sharing all the glory - another temporary teacher seems to be getting pretty much attention herself! I know you're reading this Ms. Tan, here is your section. =) Imagine a young, pretty and charming teacher walking past every class where students actually pop out their heads going, "whoa, leng lui!" Well, I've got to admit they were right. =) Thanks to my ever so mischevious 5S class, a love drama has appeared between the 2 of us and its such hot topic, even the teachers in the pejabat are waiting for the next episode! Such enetertainment can be found in the dull life of a Chinese medium primary school. Every lil' fun is precious I guess.

Ok, enough for today. Will blog more about life in school soon.