These are smart sixteen year olds in Bintan.
When
When he is founddddddddd:
(Mr Aw smiles funny)
ps/ That is Bea, not Ms puah. ha.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thank you girls for sending me off and Good morning vietnam!
Hey girls. Im safely in HCM. No final destination episode whatsoever so thank god for that. First impression of the airport, quite nice. Once again I picked the wrong queue to clear customs. Some of you should know what I mean by that. After that I limbered aimlessly out of the airport. Told myself to be firm and pick a right cab. Right meaning I dont get fleeced. Failed and had to settle for something that cost about 4SGD more.
Cab driver was friendly. TOO friendly infact. Taught me tons of vietnamese language but how many can I rem? He insist of me pronouncing it over and over again. Even gave me surprise quiz after some moment of oh too brief silence.. Its like his the teacher and Im ermmm the student. I doubt I even do that sorta thing in the capacity of a teacher.. zzz..
Was a boring night all in all. Very bored and hungry so went to crash at some bar/restaurants. I noticed few street hawkers or beggers approached me. Then the truth came out. The waitresses all thought I'm vietnamese.. -___-" I got that alot. I remember once when I was in bangkok, a singaporean came up to me and "sawadee kup" me and asked for directions.. When I was in Siem reap, the locals thought Im cambodian. When I'm in Poland, I got mistaken as Japanese.. Even the cab driver thought I was from Korea.. Too many looks. No one mentioned anything about Singapore so far.. ZZZ..
Im going to hit some musuems and pretend to be cultural soon. However I really am interested in war time issues so hope to get a blast today. Wish me lucks and did I mentioned though I didnt cried when you girls come to send me off, I am like ABIT touched lah.. The stunned looks of other travelers must be thinking that Im a pop star.. But wait.. Maybe I'm one?? LOL.
Cab driver was friendly. TOO friendly infact. Taught me tons of vietnamese language but how many can I rem? He insist of me pronouncing it over and over again. Even gave me surprise quiz after some moment of oh too brief silence.. Its like his the teacher and Im ermmm the student. I doubt I even do that sorta thing in the capacity of a teacher.. zzz..
Was a boring night all in all. Very bored and hungry so went to crash at some bar/restaurants. I noticed few street hawkers or beggers approached me. Then the truth came out. The waitresses all thought I'm vietnamese.. -___-" I got that alot. I remember once when I was in bangkok, a singaporean came up to me and "sawadee kup" me and asked for directions.. When I was in Siem reap, the locals thought Im cambodian. When I'm in Poland, I got mistaken as Japanese.. Even the cab driver thought I was from Korea.. Too many looks. No one mentioned anything about Singapore so far.. ZZZ..
Im going to hit some musuems and pretend to be cultural soon. However I really am interested in war time issues so hope to get a blast today. Wish me lucks and did I mentioned though I didnt cried when you girls come to send me off, I am like ABIT touched lah.. The stunned looks of other travelers must be thinking that Im a pop star.. But wait.. Maybe I'm one?? LOL.
Monday, November 30, 2009
READ!!!!
I supposed I need to add in another post.. After alot of you told me to read your blog, I'm indeed touched but shocked at the reaction to my posting to another CCA so allow me to do some clarifications in case you girls start thinking the school abandon you all..
Yes basketball do have a number of teachers already but next year CHR is hosting the zonal tournament and as such, someone must be there during the tournament to ensure it went on smoothly. As compared to the rest of the teachers in charge, I'm the one who have a lighter load due to me being a untrained teacher. Which is why the deployment to bball. I accepted the reason cos indeed a teacher need to be there in case the others cant.
Point two. I am not ditching vball team. I told you I treat you girls as family and as such, I will still try to attend the trainings whether or not I am your official TIC when my schedule permits. Of course I hope in the event of that, you girls continue to work hard cos if I attend the trainings from now on, I will work doubly hard to push you all to the max. I doubt I will be that popular when I turn on my "competitive" mode.
Point three. Even if there are trainings I cant go because of commitments and coach isn't there, I will still write out a training program that you girls can follow. Not all the program will requires a teacher or coach. I'm writing this because I felt the vball team has came a long way and has successfully build a strong sense of team spirit. Thus I'm assuming that you will listen to the instructions of those I have tasked with? I will of course venture up to see if you girls need help whenever possible.
Point four. There will be a new TIC if I leave and vball survived before I came to CHR and it will continue to do so if you girls stay focused and passionate about the sports. Individuals come and go in our life all the time. As opposed to be sad and reminisce over the past, we should face the future and try to work out how best to make the best out of it.
Point five. No one has confirmed coach Marcio is leaving. Every year we need to do an appraisal and then we will decide how the CCA should best move on. Alot of considerations would have gone into it.
Point six. I am first and foremost a teacher and not a coach. I am very thankful and lucky that you girls have embraced me into your life as I have with you in mine. Even when I leave CHR eventually for my training, I will stay in touch.
Point seven. Daddy Aw makes me sound old. Plus it isnt very appropriate to call me that in school especially with other teachers around as I am first and foremost a teacher. I really do appreciate the caramaderie we shared, but if other students and teachers misinterprete that you all have a lack of respect for me, it wont be very good right?? I'm sure my smart and adorable vballers know what I mean.
Point eight. This is the hols. However dont slacken off your training!!! Some of you have vballs with you right now. Heed what owl has said. Come together and practice your receiving. Someone can pass the ball and the other can just received. Dont tell me you are too lazy for that?! Not to mention continue to keep fit.
Point nine. I heard alot of vball here vball there but MUST study k?! You dont earn a living from vball like for me, vball dont feed me. Teaching you all is the one that do so. But if I dont study, I cant be a teacher.. Get it?
Ok now I'm starting to sound naggy which will further excaberate you all calling me Daddy when I'm still only in my 20s in case you all have forgotten.. So enjoy your hols and I am already looking forward to catching up with you girls, my vball family back in school!
Psst: I'm already looking forward to a farewell vball camp/outing when I eventually leave school. If that happen, dont you all cry.. zzz. You all cried enough to fill a cup collectively.. Shame shame.. LOL. :P
Yes basketball do have a number of teachers already but next year CHR is hosting the zonal tournament and as such, someone must be there during the tournament to ensure it went on smoothly. As compared to the rest of the teachers in charge, I'm the one who have a lighter load due to me being a untrained teacher. Which is why the deployment to bball. I accepted the reason cos indeed a teacher need to be there in case the others cant.
Point two. I am not ditching vball team. I told you I treat you girls as family and as such, I will still try to attend the trainings whether or not I am your official TIC when my schedule permits. Of course I hope in the event of that, you girls continue to work hard cos if I attend the trainings from now on, I will work doubly hard to push you all to the max. I doubt I will be that popular when I turn on my "competitive" mode.
Point three. Even if there are trainings I cant go because of commitments and coach isn't there, I will still write out a training program that you girls can follow. Not all the program will requires a teacher or coach. I'm writing this because I felt the vball team has came a long way and has successfully build a strong sense of team spirit. Thus I'm assuming that you will listen to the instructions of those I have tasked with? I will of course venture up to see if you girls need help whenever possible.
Point four. There will be a new TIC if I leave and vball survived before I came to CHR and it will continue to do so if you girls stay focused and passionate about the sports. Individuals come and go in our life all the time. As opposed to be sad and reminisce over the past, we should face the future and try to work out how best to make the best out of it.
Point five. No one has confirmed coach Marcio is leaving. Every year we need to do an appraisal and then we will decide how the CCA should best move on. Alot of considerations would have gone into it.
Point six. I am first and foremost a teacher and not a coach. I am very thankful and lucky that you girls have embraced me into your life as I have with you in mine. Even when I leave CHR eventually for my training, I will stay in touch.
Point seven. Daddy Aw makes me sound old. Plus it isnt very appropriate to call me that in school especially with other teachers around as I am first and foremost a teacher. I really do appreciate the caramaderie we shared, but if other students and teachers misinterprete that you all have a lack of respect for me, it wont be very good right?? I'm sure my smart and adorable vballers know what I mean.
Point eight. This is the hols. However dont slacken off your training!!! Some of you have vballs with you right now. Heed what owl has said. Come together and practice your receiving. Someone can pass the ball and the other can just received. Dont tell me you are too lazy for that?! Not to mention continue to keep fit.
Point nine. I heard alot of vball here vball there but MUST study k?! You dont earn a living from vball like for me, vball dont feed me. Teaching you all is the one that do so. But if I dont study, I cant be a teacher.. Get it?
Ok now I'm starting to sound naggy which will further excaberate you all calling me Daddy when I'm still only in my 20s in case you all have forgotten.. So enjoy your hols and I am already looking forward to catching up with you girls, my vball family back in school!
Psst: I'm already looking forward to a farewell vball camp/outing when I eventually leave school. If that happen, dont you all cry.. zzz. You all cried enough to fill a cup collectively.. Shame shame.. LOL. :P
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Reflections of a vball teacher and coach
This blog is pretty dull and dead.. Really unlike the vball team I know so let me just have a post contribution of my own..
Perhaps the reason that I am so attached to the vballers is that I played the game myself too. Looking at the girls getting laugh and scorned at for their lack of results reminded myself of my past too. Unlike the girls who can look back at Woodlands Sec or Queenstown as their former conquests, I cant remember a school that I have ever beaten before. The jeers and criticism of this team might be unfair for the team was but 3 years old. However in today's world, results matter and the lack of it therefore shows.
Or maybe the reason behind my passion for the team stemmed from the fact that I have always love sport games. Even if I'm posted to another sport CCA, I suspect that I will work wholeheartedly for the students too. It could also be due to the vball team being the first team I ever take charge of.
Whatever the reason, what I cant deny is my strong attachment to the vball girls. The time we had flew by rapidly. Remembering the first day of training when I was but a stranger in the hall to the recently concluded vball camp, many memories was shared. Sure there were downs for me but the upsides superceded the negativities.
I remember leading the team to Sembawang for a friendly. Yes we lost, but we gained respect through showing sportsmanship in greeting the other team after the game. I did not asked you all to do that. For you all to remember friendship counts above results, warms my heart.
I remember the first time you girls learn spiking actions. When long bean came to me and told me she has never spiked a decent ball before, it makes me happy to see you girls progressing. Indeed not only Marcio, Mark or myself have concurred that improvements could be seen from you girls, the other teachers who played against you all during the game agreed that you all have improved leaps and bounds. The credit does not belongs to me. Without a true sense of passion and willingness to improve, it would never have been possible.
I remember the first time we trained at ISH. You girls were so excited that we finally have a new home. Learning how to fix the net attentively and mastering it within minutes proved how much you want to play the game. I remember the after the school training sessions I had with a few of you. There were only so few of us. Surely not enough to play a game. However you were just happy to dig the ball and seek pointers from me on how to improve.
I remember too the almost incessant bugging to lend volleyball home. Playing with one another in the parade square when its so overbearingly hot was a sight to behold. Such acts convinced not only me but the onlookers how much feel you have for the game.
Of course there were some unhappy times though thankfully they were far and few between the happy memories. One particular incident during the hols training stick out when some of you were seemingly unappreciative of the efforts I put in for the bdae celebration. Emo Elmo saw through my lame attempt to remain nonchalent and text me her appreciation. Another incident that was not as pleasant was doing the exercises at the parade square where some of you just went through the motion.
Recalling such unhappy incidents are not meant to chatise any of you but just so to allow you girls to understand that in life, there may be unhappy incidents. But if we really learn to appreciate those around us and what we have, we will see that there are many things worth rejoicing over.
Volleyball camp was a particular highlight for me. I have looked forward to this camp for a long time. Despite some changes made to the duration and the program, I had a wonderful time. Of course who could forget the memorable campfire. From Shahida who set the tone with her honest and heartfelt rendition of why she joined vball, to the confessions of malay gang, to Jade remembering that I skipped going to the hospital for my piles and rashes, to the antics of JR gang or the twin's take on vball, my heart was filled with reluctance that the camp and my time as teacher in charge has to come to an end.
I honestly did not cry during the camp fire. That wasn't due to a lack of sadness or reluctance but more of a macho man instinct that I have cultivated through my many experiences. Perhaps as I said, the full enormity of it all will hit me when I see you girls going to training, pushing the volleyball cart.. without me. When you all shed tears and laughters duing our trainings and camp, I hope that I have made a difference no matter how small in some of your life, for you must all understand that each and everyone of you have made a difference in mine.
Do not give up your dream of excellence in volleyball. All of you are still young and had a long long journey awaiting you. Keep working hard of course not only in vball but your primary role of studies, and victory will eventually come your way. I promise if my schedule allows, you will see me in the court beside you girls again. No matter what, while we the vball family may be slightly in the rut currently, we will perserve and push on. Victory will be sweet, and it will belongs to us.
CHR Jia You!
Perhaps the reason that I am so attached to the vballers is that I played the game myself too. Looking at the girls getting laugh and scorned at for their lack of results reminded myself of my past too. Unlike the girls who can look back at Woodlands Sec or Queenstown as their former conquests, I cant remember a school that I have ever beaten before. The jeers and criticism of this team might be unfair for the team was but 3 years old. However in today's world, results matter and the lack of it therefore shows.
Or maybe the reason behind my passion for the team stemmed from the fact that I have always love sport games. Even if I'm posted to another sport CCA, I suspect that I will work wholeheartedly for the students too. It could also be due to the vball team being the first team I ever take charge of.
Whatever the reason, what I cant deny is my strong attachment to the vball girls. The time we had flew by rapidly. Remembering the first day of training when I was but a stranger in the hall to the recently concluded vball camp, many memories was shared. Sure there were downs for me but the upsides superceded the negativities.
I remember leading the team to Sembawang for a friendly. Yes we lost, but we gained respect through showing sportsmanship in greeting the other team after the game. I did not asked you all to do that. For you all to remember friendship counts above results, warms my heart.
I remember the first time you girls learn spiking actions. When long bean came to me and told me she has never spiked a decent ball before, it makes me happy to see you girls progressing. Indeed not only Marcio, Mark or myself have concurred that improvements could be seen from you girls, the other teachers who played against you all during the game agreed that you all have improved leaps and bounds. The credit does not belongs to me. Without a true sense of passion and willingness to improve, it would never have been possible.
I remember the first time we trained at ISH. You girls were so excited that we finally have a new home. Learning how to fix the net attentively and mastering it within minutes proved how much you want to play the game. I remember the after the school training sessions I had with a few of you. There were only so few of us. Surely not enough to play a game. However you were just happy to dig the ball and seek pointers from me on how to improve.
I remember too the almost incessant bugging to lend volleyball home. Playing with one another in the parade square when its so overbearingly hot was a sight to behold. Such acts convinced not only me but the onlookers how much feel you have for the game.
Of course there were some unhappy times though thankfully they were far and few between the happy memories. One particular incident during the hols training stick out when some of you were seemingly unappreciative of the efforts I put in for the bdae celebration. Emo Elmo saw through my lame attempt to remain nonchalent and text me her appreciation. Another incident that was not as pleasant was doing the exercises at the parade square where some of you just went through the motion.
Recalling such unhappy incidents are not meant to chatise any of you but just so to allow you girls to understand that in life, there may be unhappy incidents. But if we really learn to appreciate those around us and what we have, we will see that there are many things worth rejoicing over.
Volleyball camp was a particular highlight for me. I have looked forward to this camp for a long time. Despite some changes made to the duration and the program, I had a wonderful time. Of course who could forget the memorable campfire. From Shahida who set the tone with her honest and heartfelt rendition of why she joined vball, to the confessions of malay gang, to Jade remembering that I skipped going to the hospital for my piles and rashes, to the antics of JR gang or the twin's take on vball, my heart was filled with reluctance that the camp and my time as teacher in charge has to come to an end.
I honestly did not cry during the camp fire. That wasn't due to a lack of sadness or reluctance but more of a macho man instinct that I have cultivated through my many experiences. Perhaps as I said, the full enormity of it all will hit me when I see you girls going to training, pushing the volleyball cart.. without me. When you all shed tears and laughters duing our trainings and camp, I hope that I have made a difference no matter how small in some of your life, for you must all understand that each and everyone of you have made a difference in mine.
Do not give up your dream of excellence in volleyball. All of you are still young and had a long long journey awaiting you. Keep working hard of course not only in vball but your primary role of studies, and victory will eventually come your way. I promise if my schedule allows, you will see me in the court beside you girls again. No matter what, while we the vball family may be slightly in the rut currently, we will perserve and push on. Victory will be sweet, and it will belongs to us.
CHR Jia You!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)