I've met some serious bug bears in teaching. It's called Marking. The thought of marking gives me shivers down my spine. It's not exactly the worlds most exciting event. Time is 2:30am on a Monday morning and I'm still struggling to finish marking my 3 classes of papers. I've decided to split them up into two sections, Comprehension and Summary. The technique seems to be working as I can mark 2 scripts of Compre together at once, hence saving a little time. Summary will be a challenge I reckon. :-p

How bad is this? Bad enough for me to have thoughts of giving up, of just not doing this at all. "Surely there is a better way for me to change a person's life? Surely it would be more effective elsewhere? Surely...." How easy it would be for me to quit. 1 Month notice. No bond, nothing to lose. I've gotten a taste of teaching life and it might not be suitable for me. So easy, don't you think?

And yet, as I feel so low, stressed & downcast, the tiny voice within strikes out, "Have you committed this to the Lord? Have you surrendered in your times of trials and committed this issue before Him?" And by the grace of God, I have been gently reminded that in all I do, I must surrender it to Him, yes, even marking.

He will be the one that guides my hand in marking the scripts. He will be the one that gives me additional wisdom in deciding on what is right and what is wrong.

I thank You Lord, for your love, grace and mercy you have showered upon me. I need nothing else except You in my life.

This song has encouraged me as I do my marking, I hope it will do the same for you. =)


If You Want Me To - by Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

'Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to

I'm going for the full marathon at the end of this year in December. I've had my training 10km run at Serangoon Stadium on Wednesday clocking 54mins 19secs. Not too bad I must say. =) Gotta keep this up!

On a side note, I had a great time with the trio this evening before cell today. We went to eat a lovely dinner at this supposedly Choccy place but served a-la-carte meals as well followed by a nice dessert nearby at Martin Road called the Bookroom. We now have another place to do our marking...heh! Such are the career hazards of a teacher, always looking for a new place to do our marking...heh!

As I had cell at 8pm, I took a cab down from Bookroom to church. I grabbed a receipt and it read $7.10 for a short 12mins ride. Quite expensive as there was the $2 peak surcharge but the most irritating part was that according to the meter, the distance travelled was 2.1km. I'm thinking that I can cover that in less than 12mins if I ran and save the money altogether but obviously not possible without my running gear. Such is the mindset of a runner, heh.

Tomorrow I celebrate my nephews bday! Will post up photos if I can. :-)

Happy National Day S'pore! May you always be the little red dot of an island that I call home! =)

Had a great time yesterday with the little ones, brought them to Science Centre with mum to let them go nuts for 4 hours so was fun! Science Centre has gone through major upgrades in my opinion and was interesting to see the new exhibits and other stuff they were doing there. So much has changed since my time I must say. Was exhuasted by the time I got home but the day was only starting! Went for a 6km jog with Ed after I got back at Serangoon Stadium and that nearly killed me. Well, not so much as killed, killed but rather Ed was too fast for me to handle. He is Flash Incarnate I say. I need to really buck up to match his level I say.

After that we picked up Van and Jo for a lovely Teochew Porridge dinner. It HAS been a while and certainly very enjoyable I say! And inexpensive at $5 only! Luuuurvved it! This was followed by our wonderful alco' session at Ed's place, where we binged on Pear Vodka, Coke, Strawberries, Grapes and Tiger Beer Ice-Cream from Island Creamery!!!!! I'm lovving ittt! Thanks for the hanging out time guys, had such a great time! =0) We must do this on a constant basis, else I might go crazy with marking! =0p

Anyway, moi spending time just trying to clear marking, think it will take a while plus so much to do for Church stuff. Looks like I really need to cut down or else I won't manage at all.

Hiaz...enjoy your post-National Day Friday peeps!

Blessings!