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Nothing very exciting actually. We were all more focused on doing our work, though. (We are always hardworking. Just more so this week.)
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Meeting with the class peeps are always interesting sessions. Somehow, it all feels weird as the topics grow increasingly adult-centric. Life moves on.
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
week five... and some thoughts
(This is sort of combining my work for this week and my own personal blog post, because I'm lazy to separate out the two)
This week was I think the most fruitful out of half the 10-week internship. I think we all managed to get stuff done (that was actually meaningful work, not do-and-chucked-aside work that's just to keep us 'gainfully-employed', whatever that means), even some of the 'arrows' that got directed at us.
I think our mini victory was the printing of sticker labels. So exciting! Now, I think schools should really learn to cut costs in the smart way, without compromising quality (or 'professionalism', our latest key phrase). sheez... the relevant Ministry gets one of the biggest cut of the pie every year!
I think sometimes people give up too easily. So did I went it came down to the label-printing. Woah. But maybe we were just lucky? That reminds us history is (more often than not) really about accidents and contingencies!
Our TGIF lunches (Thank God It's Friday) are getting on track now. Unfortunately, we didnt get to go where we wanted to, but our program is flexible! Settlers' @ SMU was not a bad choice too. Table reservation for next week is actually done. haha.
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One friend commented on some article that (in short) criticized our exam-based 'A' level system. Having finished one year of Uni, one round of RT-ing last year, and now sort of revisitng old ground with new perspectives now, I come to realise that perhaps problems don't unravel that easily. So many factors, so many considerations. Sometimes, perhaps its really easier to sweep things under the carpet; if the system isn't actually 'spoilt' (we still win all those fantastic 'international' Maths and Sci awards, right?), then why 'fix' it?
It's not about pragmatism versus idealism. Perhaps the debate was wrong right from the beginning. Or, perhaps there really isn't a solution all along. We just have to make do.
*
The powers that be have given me their blessings, after more than three weeks. Now, talk about efficiency! My job next is to hope that my modules fall in place properly. Make another miracle happen.
*
This week was I think the most fruitful out of half the 10-week internship. I think we all managed to get stuff done (that was actually meaningful work, not do-and-chucked-aside work that's just to keep us 'gainfully-employed', whatever that means), even some of the 'arrows' that got directed at us.
I think our mini victory was the printing of sticker labels. So exciting! Now, I think schools should really learn to cut costs in the smart way, without compromising quality (or 'professionalism', our latest key phrase). sheez... the relevant Ministry gets one of the biggest cut of the pie every year!
I think sometimes people give up too easily. So did I went it came down to the label-printing. Woah. But maybe we were just lucky? That reminds us history is (more often than not) really about accidents and contingencies!
Our TGIF lunches (Thank God It's Friday) are getting on track now. Unfortunately, we didnt get to go where we wanted to, but our program is flexible! Settlers' @ SMU was not a bad choice too. Table reservation for next week is actually done. haha.
*
One friend commented on some article that (in short) criticized our exam-based 'A' level system. Having finished one year of Uni, one round of RT-ing last year, and now sort of revisitng old ground with new perspectives now, I come to realise that perhaps problems don't unravel that easily. So many factors, so many considerations. Sometimes, perhaps its really easier to sweep things under the carpet; if the system isn't actually 'spoilt' (we still win all those fantastic 'international' Maths and Sci awards, right?), then why 'fix' it?
It's not about pragmatism versus idealism. Perhaps the debate was wrong right from the beginning. Or, perhaps there really isn't a solution all along. We just have to make do.
*
The powers that be have given me their blessings, after more than three weeks. Now, talk about efficiency! My job next is to hope that my modules fall in place properly. Make another miracle happen.
*
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Week Four
Life was a bit mundane this week. It was at the same time, however, more purposeful, at least for myself. I'm at least doing some stuff which might actually reach my students' hands. hmmm. hopefully it works out. (which reminds me... i really should start work soon, rather than facebooking/blogging/MSN-ing now)
A soon-to-join-us new colleague came for a little briefing. Interesting how the same person can convey three different levels of new impressions (bad, neutral, positive) to three different pple within 20-30 minutes. I wonder if all that talk about one having to portray a positive impression at the workplace etc is really true. In the end, doesn't it still boil down to how other pple receive your body signals?
Two more weeks of low-key working (read: slacking) and then its back to a final four weeks to the end of the intnernship. wow. time flies. (And then its back to academic slogging. ulps.)
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A soon-to-join-us new colleague came for a little briefing. Interesting how the same person can convey three different levels of new impressions (bad, neutral, positive) to three different pple within 20-30 minutes. I wonder if all that talk about one having to portray a positive impression at the workplace etc is really true. In the end, doesn't it still boil down to how other pple receive your body signals?
Two more weeks of low-key working (read: slacking) and then its back to a final four weeks to the end of the intnernship. wow. time flies. (And then its back to academic slogging. ulps.)
*
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Week Three
Week Three centered round The Camp. At the moment of writing, I feel so tired that I want to just fall asleep. But I thought I should pen down my thoughts now while they're fresh in my mind.
For one, while we aren't 'actively' involved, so to speak, it was still interesting to adopt an observer status. It was really quite eye-opening to be able to understand the rationales that underlay certain decisions that are taken.
Interestingly, too, some discussions I've had have with my colleagues also became a lesson in history. I've learnt why interpretations are so important, and that the best interpretations come from a recognition of different entry points and perspectives.
Intrigue in the office and personal relations also had its moment, on the fourth day. Seemingly innocent acts could actually impede upon the space of other issues. While the delivery of those concerns were, in my opinion, far from satisfactory, I am glad that it was dealt with in a mature and responsible manner.
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Some pictures:
Us at Kent Ridge Park.
Professionally-build sandcastles.
Even more pro.
Our 'ruined city' concept sandcastle
Service Learning. Wheee - new photo-taking skills!
Night Ex activities.
Moving off after a cheer.
Destination: Bedok Jetty
Bedok environs @ 6.30am
ECP.
*
For one, while we aren't 'actively' involved, so to speak, it was still interesting to adopt an observer status. It was really quite eye-opening to be able to understand the rationales that underlay certain decisions that are taken.
Interestingly, too, some discussions I've had have with my colleagues also became a lesson in history. I've learnt why interpretations are so important, and that the best interpretations come from a recognition of different entry points and perspectives.
Intrigue in the office and personal relations also had its moment, on the fourth day. Seemingly innocent acts could actually impede upon the space of other issues. While the delivery of those concerns were, in my opinion, far from satisfactory, I am glad that it was dealt with in a mature and responsible manner.
*
Some pictures:
Us at Kent Ridge Park.
Professionally-build sandcastles.
Even more pro.
Our 'ruined city' concept sandcastle
Service Learning. Wheee - new photo-taking skills!
Night Ex activities.
Moving off after a cheer.
Destination: Bedok Jetty
Bedok environs @ 6.30am
ECP.
*
Friday, June 05, 2009
Week Two
(a little bit late, but better now than never)
Week Two was a little easier to account for, because it basically revolved round one major issue - The Project. I even got to skip lessons so that I had time to work on The Project. And my, my! The number of guidebooks I read so that I could churn out something vaguely intelligent and intelligible.
There was, however, a problem.
That was not what they were looking for. Maybe I've been sort of an armchair critic for too long, and not attuned to ground conditions. In any case, it was deemed to highly imaginative and indigestible. Geez.
To add insult to injury, the pared down version was just - in my honest opinion - absolutely belittling. It basically masqueraded the day-to-day Standard Operating Procedures as an intensive workshop. To me, that really wasn't quite useful, both in the short run (in dealing with the present situation) and in the long run ('posterity').
Perhaps I am too divorced from reality. But why should we artificially impose boundaries upon our own - and more importantly, that of others' - achievements?
*
Week Two was a little easier to account for, because it basically revolved round one major issue - The Project. I even got to skip lessons so that I had time to work on The Project. And my, my! The number of guidebooks I read so that I could churn out something vaguely intelligent and intelligible.
There was, however, a problem.
That was not what they were looking for. Maybe I've been sort of an armchair critic for too long, and not attuned to ground conditions. In any case, it was deemed to highly imaginative and indigestible. Geez.
To add insult to injury, the pared down version was just - in my honest opinion - absolutely belittling. It basically masqueraded the day-to-day Standard Operating Procedures as an intensive workshop. To me, that really wasn't quite useful, both in the short run (in dealing with the present situation) and in the long run ('posterity').
Perhaps I am too divorced from reality. But why should we artificially impose boundaries upon our own - and more importantly, that of others' - achievements?
*
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