A Summary

From the time I left Bangkok till my flight touch down in KL I barely had time to breath up until now! There were just things happening, one after the other. But now that the water is calm, I can catch up on the many things that I have left stranded.

The academic year at BHS ended on a high note. Many parents came to collect their child's report card and left with a very big smile on their face. Which made all the teachers smile too. Sadly, we also had to say 'goodbye' and 'goodluck' to Teacher Asella and Teacher Mary Anne who has left BHS.

The last day of school also meant that we will find out which age group we are teaching in next year. For the last two weeks of school there were a lot of speculation. We were all very excited and at the same time a little bit apprehensive. When we are familiar with an age group like for instance this year is my second year teaching the 4 year olds. I knew what to expect and what had to be done. I was prepared this time. So we prefer to stick to something familiar so that we can expand, improve and excel in it. At the same time, we would also like to teach a new age group so that we can move forward, increase our experience, improve and take up the challenge to excel.

I was most surprised when I was told that I was to take the playgroup children, means I will be taking the youngest lot - the 3 year olds. Its a daunting task and I was most apprehensive of it. But after 2 days of thinking about it, I felt that I'm ready to take on the challenge and excel in it. I started planning almost immediately on what I would do and also started asking Teacher Lina (the playgroup expert) on what to expect.

A week later, I find out that there might be another change. Instead of the playgroup, I might have to teach the Kindergarten group - 6 year olds. Hmmm!! Definitely an easier bunch to handle but the report writing part is what I'm not looking forward to. Well, its not confirmed yet! I will find out tomorrow morning, I hope.

But come to think of it. It doesn't really matter which age group I teach, because every year its a new bunch of kids and each class will present a different set of challenges for me. So I say to myself tonight : "BRING IT ON!!!!"

Besides work. *sigh*, too much had happened for me to put it down. Basically, when I got back from Bangkok, I was most keen on going back there or any other place to teach. Living and working in Bangkok has given me a very different perspective on my career. I have been teaching for the last 6 years, and it is a job, not wait its not just a job its what I love to do. I love working with kids on a daily basis, I find it most fulfilling. I love the title that comes with my name now - Teacher Stephanie. When parents or any students see me outside of school hours, its Teacher Stephanie and I'm proud to have been these students teacher. I hope I had taught them well.

Now, moving forward, I asked myself what else can I gain from me being a teacher here in BHS. Well, I got my answer recently, there is a lot of possibilities and opportunities that comes with being a teacher at BHS. It's a big school that constantly encourages teacher development and that is what teachers at BHS are looking for.

So my first step towards my career development would be to further my studies in the field of early childhood education. I will be going back to University to gain my next level, but this I can only begin in the next intake sometime in the middle of next year.

For now, its time to celebrate!!! There were a lot of things to celebrate for. Firstly, the teachers celebrated their job well done the day after all report cards were handed out. It didn't start out so well, we were stuck for an hour in the traffic jam, getting into Mid Valley. But once we were in, we just relaxed and enjoyed our time. We were supposed to do Karaoke, but that plan had to change because of the traffic jam. Instead, we went bowling. Hahahahaha!!! We had a jolly good time bowling. It was good to have some fun time and talk about other things besides lesson plans and students.

Then about 4 days later we had the year end class party at BHS and it was filled with food and games.The children and teachers had their fill for the day.

Next, was Mel and Mark's baby shower. Lots of people came bearing lots of nice gifts for the happy expecting couple. Theirs is a Christmas baby!! We are all looking forward to welcoming their newborn. It was also a good time for everyone to catch up with each other. Some whom I hadn't seen in a while, I was glad to see them again. Then there were the little ones for all of us to coo and ahh over. Hehe!! I bet they enjoyed all the attention on them for that night.

Bree to Skye "Your mitts are so nice"

Angie, Bree and I

Bubu

A few days later I met up with some very long, long, long time friends. San, Tati and Mary. We had a good time chatting over drinks and food. Its as if we had never been apart. Hehe!!

Christmas is around the corner, its going to sneak up on me, I just know it. I had better get started on my Christmas gifts for this year!!! *phew*!!!!!