Back to School... Good luck for MYE!

Term 3 officially starts in a few hours’ time and somehow I'm not exactly looking forward to it, esp with the thought of having all the H1N1 duties to be done. Just read an interesting article cos I went to do some research having spent some time thinking about my life and I think I am probably experiencing burnout based on the causes and the symptoms described in the article.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm

But I realise that I'm already trying to turn things around (based on the suggestions on how to recover from burnout) like taking a break from work (not totally but not working as hard as I've been the last few years), trying to socialise more and I guess eventually I'll sit down to take stock of what's really important to me. Anyway, looking to seriously take a break from work after the A-Levels. Maybe even consider taking no-pay leave if I feel the need to completely stay away from work and just go on a long holiday!

Anyway, the last 2 weeks have been pretty good I guess. Stayed at home most of the time for that 1 week since I touched down in Singapore except last Fri to celebrate my birthday with people whom I would never have expected to know at the start of the year haha. Strange at what fate has in store for you and I'm thankful to them for sparing some time for me to go eat and shop! Thanks also to everyone who wished me a happy birthday via SMS and Facebook and also for 08S114 for inviting me to the Jun babies celebration! =)

As for last week, began to slowly turn up the gears again preparing for the new term as well as attending meeting on H1N1 as well as our Chrystal Workshop which I thought was very interesting during the talk by a psychologist. I've always been fascinated by psychology and interested in knowing how people think and why they think in certain ways. I should go read up more during my free time. Anyway that's why I'm a fan of "Criminal Minds" - a brilliant show imho related to behaviour of criminals, especially the episode I watched last Thur titled "Mastermind" - very gripping!

Took some time out also for some shopping and food as well as to get some things done, some gaming and pool with friends before I get caught up with work again.

Before Term 3 starts, I guess I should update on some of the funnier incidents that I can still remember in Term 2 looong ago before I totally forget them in my life.

08S114 - (1) Mentioned during a tutorial that they need to turn around fast after the MBT to reemphasize what our principal said to them and somebody very amusingly literally started turning around fast. (2) Before a tutorial, they asked me to look at a set of equations related to money, time, work, and chemistry which concluded that chemistry = evil cos they said they paid much more for chem than other subjects but I explained that it's just because they're paying for quite a few things earlier cos we compiled some stuff. Quite cute though haha. (3) During an electrochemistry tutorial, somebody answered my question on shift in equilibrium position by singing "to the left, to the left", which apparently was from Beyonce Knowles' "Irreplaceable" but I didn't know that so I got suanned by some of them who asked if I only know chemistry songs haha. Anyway, I went to check out the song and used in back on them in the next tutorial to show I wasn't that sua ku haha. (4) Last tutorial of Term 2 after our school holiday was on Group II/VII and I don't know why but I was super high, which was good cos inorganic chem can be rather dry so at least I kept them entertained.

08S201 - (1) Caught someone stoning and staring outside the window and I said, "Why are you looking outside? The good stuff is right here in front of you!" LOL. (2) Suanned some students after a test by saying that they need to reflect on their performance cos they lost to somebody in the class.

08S416 - (1) Talked to some of them about my expectations for the class and said that I need to squeeze A's out of them by hook or by crook (2) Somebody did starjumps suddenly in front of my face after tutorial! Funny sia. (3) I don't understand why sometimes people feel like telling me the reason for people going to the toilet. Just tell me that they need to go and I'll leave it at that. =p

08S202 - Took them for relief one of those days and had time to do my trick of looking at the class photos 10 min before the lesson and memorising their names before stunning them in class matching their names to them haha. I always love to see those incredulous looks on their faces lol. I do enjoy occasionally relieving for others (if I'm not swamped with too much work) just to have a change of environment and people...

Lectures - (1) electrochemistry - had 2 rather last-minute substitutions to teach a topic that I never really liked (and so do most chem teachers from what I know). But I guess I learnt a lot more after the entire experience though I didn't really have time to actually go through everything beforehand and I'm sure it showed up to some people. Cracked the lamest joke I've ever done before though - about my last-minute substitution and not being a FRS, ES, or NS. Must be hanging around too many lame people!

(2) transition elements - 2 double period during the Jun holidays and quite entertaining to teach esp the 1st session and here are some of the funnier moments (at least imho)
(i) I was talking at the start that the lecture series would take about 4 periods and somehow some of the people in front looked at me with huge eyes and shocked expression and I explained that it was over 2 double periods and they heaved a sigh of relief haha. Funny leh they all... Anyway I told them I would die before them if it was 4 periods straight. =p

(ii) explanation of atomic radius and I.E. - intonation changes for "slightly" and "drastically" repeated for comedic effect (and to help them rem the difference between transition and main group elements)

(iii) question on full electronic configuration of Ti - asked a student to answer, who used the shorter notation ([Ar]3d24s2) and I joked " the question asked for the full electronic configuration so don't be a fool"

(iv) towards the end of the 1st session I suddenly had problems talking, probably cos my throat was too dry after about 1.5 hours of talking and I tried to cough it away and continue talking but the sounds that came out were really weird and got the students laughing. Then I asked for some water and got a water bottle from a student in front and started to squirt some water into my mouth. When I got back onto the mike, my voice was suddenly very clear again, much to the amusement of the students who were laughing. Then I said something like they should drink more water cos it's good for health haha.

(v) apparently one of the power switches wasn't turned on so during the last 5 min, my laptop suddenly switched off, much to the cheering of some of the students but I manage to quickly figure out what went wrong and when I went back to teach I said with a grin, "Let's carry on. Sorry to disappoint you all" Got them laughing again. They seem to laugh at every little thing haha.

(vi) second session - explanation of heterogeneous catalysis was funny when I started relating the process to match-making and relationships haha.

Speaking of match-making, I dunno why but over the last few months there seems to be a lot of talk linking me with various people, or so my sources have led me to believe. All the stories seem pretty amusing to me though and sometimes I wonder if they are too oversensitive or think too much lol. Anyway, having gone through various experiences and seeing the people around me, I think I'm pretty particular about who I'll be with and unless I feel absolutely certain about someone I'd rather stay single to avoid all the heartache and stress.

Final random funny things - (1) One of the Wed apparently my dressing was like a cowboy cos I drew a lot of comments from people who said I looked like one and some of my students were amused at the look (2) On another Wed apparently my dressing was nice cos some people said so haha! Felt good! Didn't expect though cos I didn't think too much of it but it gave me some idea on the kind of clothes I should buy...

Ok, time to sleep! Bring on Term 3! All the best to everyone who are taking the MYE! =)