I’m in the midst of compiling portfolios for each of my kids for Term 2, and I spent almost the entire day today doing so. Was very reluctant to, as I hardly get an official monday off work, but I got through it. Yay!

I slept in, had a late brunch with my parents to start me off, and a good tea time break with Dad in between the compilation, so it’s true that food does help you work better! At least for me it does, gives me much needed energy :)

What’s in a portfolio you might ask:

- 3 photos and captions of what each child has been doing in class for a term.

- Observation summary reports for each child

- 2 areas of child developmental domains, also for each child

Due wed, the portfolio has to be vetted first by my boss. Then typed, printed and filed up. So this is only the beginning.

Trying to think of phrases to describe kids is tough, even if your command of the language is good. Too general, and you get questions.

“What do you mean he’s cheerful?”

“So he can read, but how many words?”

That kind of thing. Do it for four school terms every year of your teaching career, and well, you might as well write a book on children. LOL.

As much as I dread each term when it comes to writing reports, thinking of each child and how they’re progressing, with their own individual personalities and habits, is interesting and amusing. I’ve come to a deeper realisation how different they are, in speech, thinking etc. And how important a figure I have to be to them.

A day away, and I miss having conversations with them. Well, in a few hours, I’ll get to hear them again.

Little lives, little people, little minds to inspire.

I’ve been staying in my AMK flat for 5 years. Honestly, can’t believe it’s been that long, but warning signs in various parts of the house have suddenly pop up, and brought us to the knowledge that our place is not so new anymore.

Last year, it was the bathroom drainage, which leaked and eroded our neighbour’s bathroom ceiling below us. They were an old couple who kept quiet for 6 months before telling us, for reasons unknown. My parents called HDB, who did the observations and sent in the contractors. After hacking the bathroom floor tiles, and repairing the damage, we had a brand new bathroom floor and toilet bowl. My parents agreed to foot the bill, whatever the cost, much to the old couple’s delight. Imagine having to live with a leaky ceiling for 6 months. Oh dear.

Then in the midst of a heat-wave which came upon Singapore, our air-con unit broke down. We took the opportunity and downsized our air con to just 2 units for the hall, as it was such a waste to have 2 more units in the rooms when we hardly used them. Saved us a whole lot on electricity bills.

After that, the fridge went on strike and shut down, making Mum upset that it spoiled the food she stored inside. We downsized too, to a smaller fridge a little shorter than me, and with a freezer below, instead of the usual eye-level compartment. Then the dryer caused the power in our place to short-circuit, so new repairs for new switches were needed. Less usage of dryer, needless to say.

Recently, while taking a bath, my shower head broke off from the hose. I was actually contented with just bathing with the hose, but Mum insisted on repairs as she was afraid I would be electrocuted if I was not careful. Then our bathroom doors almost locked us in, so Mum again insisted on changing both doors. New ones arriving tomorrow, pronto.

Wow. The cost of living is certainly high, and the cost of repairing all these things also burns a hole in your pocket. Mum wisely said that every house, after a period of 5 years, will give you all these problems. Well, they’re right smack in our face now.

Recession? Sorry, gotta repair first.

Lord of Lords – Brooke Fraser / Hillsong United

Beholding your beauty is all I long for
To worship You Jesus with my soul’s desire
For this very heart you’ve shaped for your pleasure
The purpose to lift your name high

Hear and surrender in pure adoration
I enter your courts with an offering of praise
I am Your servant come to bring you glory
As is fit for the work of your hands

Chorus:
Now unto the lamb who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of creation resounds with the song
Worship and praise him the Lord of Lords

The spirit now living and dwelling within me
Keep my eyes fixed ever upon Jesus’ face
Let not the things of this world ever sway me
I’ll run ’till I finish the race

Singing unto the lamb who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of creation resounds with the song
Worship and praise the Lord
Now unto the lamb who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of eternity echoes the song
Worship and praise him the Lord of Lords

Holy Lord
You are Holy
Jesus Christ is the Lord

Now unto the lamb who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
Call all the saints to join in the song
Worship and praise him the Lord of Lords

Ending:
Lord of Lords