masterwordsmith-unplugged

Some of you would know by now that I 'retired' from lecturing in college in 2005 and am a full-time housewife and blogger :-). As one who does not hanker for a vibrant social life, my life as a recluse in the comfort of my home gives me tremendous satisfaction as I get to do what I love at my leisure. Occasionally, I do miss the classroom atmosphere and the opportunity to talk (lecture) for two hours continuously to an audience that has no other choice but to listen to my droning voice. To keep myself sane, I coach a few students only - just to pass my time and to break the monotony of housework, reading and blogging. Some human interaction is always good for me :-) because I prefer to be at home, my safe haven.

Two years ago, I started coaching Franco and Lingmin upon Anne's recommendation. I am particularly fussy about who I teach because I always believe that it must be a mutually rewarding relationship. Believe me - it is rare to find students with humility, confidence, positive attitude, and sharp thinking skills.

Franco was the usual cocky teenager and he thought I was the usual boring adult. From the start, he has always been polite, obliging and pleasant although his face could not veil the shock he felt whenever I started writing the tasks for the week. Along the way, I gained brownie points when Franco discovered that I listen to rap and rock music and we could actually exchange views about Eminem's Mockingbird and other songs. Initially, Lingmin was better than Franco but in due time, Franco made such progress that the scales were tipped in his favor. By the end of the first year, Lingmin left (she is currently in Taiwan doing her foundation year) and Franco's friend named Kevin joined the class. Then the two boys went into competitive mode especially since I played one against the other ;). Needless to say, both progressed tremendously although there were times when they did not finish all the tasks I gave them. But then again, I am known to be a homework ogress.

I must say that Franco and Kevin are the nicest boys that I have ever taught in the last two years. I have not seen any teenager who is as good-natured, polite, easygoing, receptive to correction and ready to take on new challenges as these two boys. They have never ever been rude to me, always treating me with the utmost respect and making progress by leaps and bounds. If I made any sarcastic or witty quip, they never took offense and smiled as they could catch my humor. At the same time, both their moms are extremely nice and never ever meddled in their work.

Out of concern for them, I encouraged them to do the SPM last year on their own instead of the UEC A-level exam at the end of this year and to move to a college to do a foundation course and thereafter a degree. It was tough for them initially as they had been in the Chinese medium all the way but they took up the challenge, worked very hard while coping with their school work based on the UEC syllabus and throughout 2008, they kept telling me that they could do it and indeed they did and passed their SPM. Franco and Kevin never moaned or grumbled about their tough workload and I have never heard them say anything that is negative about any situation or person. Amazing! Both got the grades that I predicted for English and I am really proud of them because they set a goal, worked towards it and more importantly, they had faith in my advice just as I have faith in their abilities and motivation. So, Franco will be leaving for Taylor's College next week while Kevin will be going to Inti College in Nilai.

Last night, the boys treated me to Japanese dinner at Jurin in Pulau Tikus (with their own pocket money!!). I am deeply touched by their gesture of kindness and appreciation and will surely miss them. When we arrived, the waitress gave us the menu after which she took our order a while later. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I have almost lost my voice. When it came to my turn, the bubbly waitress smiled and me and asked what I would like to order. *sigh* I only made it to the second word after which my voice tapered off and then turned into a croak :(. The girl cracked up and all of us were laughing our heads off. Take a look at Franco's choice.

This is what I had. I asked them to trade rice for an extra bowl of salad and the chef complied.

Sorry - we were all so hungry that when Kevin's dish came, we forgot to take a pic of his tempura set. Here we are - looking quite satisfied after our meal. Kevin is the one with glasses and he hails from Kuantan. The only setback was the fact that I could not talk as much as I wanted and I am sure the boys must have been deeply relieved :-). Nonetheless, yours truly came armed with pen and paper :-).

So here's wishing Franco and Kevin a lifetime of joy, fulfilment and happiness and may God bless and guide them as they proceed to tertiary education. I will miss you both dreadfully, especially your smiles and laughter and hope that you guys will keep in touch with me and more importantly, that you will not forget what I taught you!!! Take care and much as it is painful for me to say it, "Goodbye, boys! I am proud of you and know that you will make me even prouder in time to come!!!"

And here's a pic of Kuan Ju, Kanatcha and me at Zealand Cafe on Sunday, 22nd March 2009. I wrote about the two girls in my post called Oh What a Day! I guess that is the biggest reward in teaching - many of the students still keep in touch with me, some - even after twenty years and most of them are now my friends....To all my former students reading this, please know that I think of you all very often and hope that you will continue to keep in touch. You all added lots of value to my life and I hope I did the same to yours!