Why English is Important (Part 2)

Spotted in a supermarket...

Selamat Hari Raya

For my Muslim students, selamat hari raya!

T'was the NIght Before Finals

For my graduating classes...

Twas the night before finals,

And all through the college,

The students were praying

For last minute knowledge.

Most were quite sleepy,

But none touched their beds,

While visions of essays

Danced in their heads.

In my own apartment,

I had been pacing,

And dreading exams

I soon would be facing.

My roommate was speechless,

His nose in his books,

And my comments to him

Drew unfriendly looks.

I drained all the coffee,

And brewed a new pot,

No longer caring

That my nerves were shot.

I stared at my notes,

But my thoughts were muddy,

My eyes went ablur,

I just couldn't study.

"Some pizza might help," I said with a shiver,

But each place I called

Refused to deliver.

I'd nearly concluded

That life was too cruel,

With futures depending

On grades had in school.

When all of the sudden,

Our door opened wide,

And Patron Saint Put-It-Off

Ambled inside.

His spirit was careless,

His manner was mellow,

He looked all around and

He started to bellow.

"What kind of student

Would make such a fuss,

To toss back at teachers

What they tossed at us?"

"On Cliffs Notes!

On Crib Notes!

On Last Year's Exams!

On Wingit and Slingit,

And Last Minute Crams!"

His message delivered,

He vanished from sight,

But we heard him exclaiming

Outside in the night.

"Your teachers have pegged you,

So just do your best,

Happy Finals to All,

And to all, a good test."

From: http://www.usd.edu/~bwjames/humor/finals.html

Bazaar at Geylang

Went to the bazaar at Geylang over the weekend. To say it was madness is putting it mildly. There were many people there too because of the Deepavali holidays. The festive mood however made it worth the hassle.

The stalls sold everything and anything: traditional costumes, household decor items and things I don't understand...like Power Ranger masks. Huh?!

And the food...hmmm...I like! Actually the food is pretty much the same fare you see at the night markets but when you're hungry, everything looks good and you're convinced that you can eat them all!

After breaking fast, I walked around some more, looking at the lights and other stalls. I walked past this stall selling those aromatherapy incense sticks. As I was sniffing the boxes to see which one smelled nice, the lady pointed to one that said, "stress relief". My friend said that that was something I should get since I'm always so stressed. The lady who was selling the items then said, "Yes, this is a popular one. A lot of teachers get this one." I couldn't help laughing, wondering whether she recommended it because I looked stressed or because I looked like a teacher.

Here's looking at you, kids!

Why English is important

So that you don't come up with signs like these...

And please don't call the number above!

Graduation Day

It's a little delayed, but to my grad classes - Happy Graduation!

Some of you might be saying, "But we still have to come back to school anyway!" To you I say, hey, it's the thought that counts.

I was also alerted of the fact that some of you actually put up the videos you made on YouTube. I actually saw myself on YouTube. It's both exciting and rather frightening actually. If those videos fell into the wrong hands...hmm...

Anyway, to all of you, I certainly wish you all the best in your 'O's. I have faith in your abilities to do well. You need to push yourself at this last stretch, ya?

To my EL students - SPEAK MORE ENGLISH! The English Language is not designed to torture you!

To my humanities students in 5/1 - one thing I must say, you people have provided much entertainment for me. I sometimes struggle to keep my composure, but usually your antics win and I can't help laughing. I've always told you that I believe in your abilities. I still hold firm to that. You must keep working hard...push yourself this last stretch. You can do it!

A Thought

The availability of sleep is not in proportion to the want of sleep...