I owe a lot of people these days. Sometime people help us without us actually realising or knowing it. They knew it won’t work; but they still choose to try. They do not know your full name, but they make time and effort to search for it.

These people are those I wish to remember and work with. They don’t stop, block or hinder a potential. But they are open, enable support, and motivate  potential. These people are the ones I always remember and cherish. They inspires me to be a better person.  It doesn’t really matter if it will work or not, but their act of genuine kindness is the real deal. Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

In return, I can only pray to The Almighty, to kindly bless them with greatness and prosperity..

Some school infrastructural is inadequacy. Its beautiful, but not adequate for function. A very high student-teacher ratio is in fact (sometime) due to the lack of rooms available in school. Then comes the no. of teachers. This may not be suffered by all schools; but think about the some. No conference room? No parking spaces for teachers? No adequate field and tracks for sports activities etc. Little that we care, this facilities is actually important. We teachers hoped and waited and can only envy for those schools who have already got it. Once a while we also pray for it.

Crying for budget. We love money to buy resources. But we are limited due to understanding the money issues. But sometime, we school require more and at urgency. Sometime we are lucky; sometime we waited. Waited for the Photocopy machine to be fixed for years. In some districts it wont really matter; but for some we had to catch a ferry which cost about 8$ for the round trip. But we did this because for our students. Other words, help and give us what we need, for the best of our school at speed and we will be at efficient too.

Management and Program. I think teachers does not mind it at all, until it is too much. Too much until we barely remember the meaning of being in the class. I think they want us to be great on being a leader and practicing all the leadership values, tools and skills. Seriously who doesnt? But sometime, its not the teachers that need to be upgraded or fix. Its the environment that prohibited and hindered our potential. We can do just about anything until resources, environment slow us down. We did try our best out of anything and everything we have, but it is not enough to push to our students excellency. If some then say, governments schools are spoiled, well thats ok. Because its all meant for our students, Brunei’s future and simply not for our own personal wealth.

Passionate teachers, we may need to stay hungry, stay foolish and be more stronger. After all we are not alone. :D Someone said to me, as long as we are happy working together in schools that’s all matter. If you dont have heart, can’t handle and accept some of these hardship; you may check out for the benefit of all. (The last sentence is the MOST advise i got from MOE’s retired directors.. ALL about Heart of the teacher! haha, but true.)

Lyrics: Unspoken by Hurts (Album: Happiness; 2010)

I think we’ll never change
and our hearts will always separate.
Forget about you
I’ll forget about you.
The things we never say
Are better often left alone.
Forget about you
I’ll forget about this time.

But it’s the same old situation
We made it through this far.
We watched the rockets kiss the sky.
I saw the flames burn out in your eyes.

Nothing that I do
Will ever be enough for you
Whatever I do, whatever I do.
Take me as I am
I’ll never be the other man.
Forget about you
I’ll forget about this time.

So won’t you save this conversation
And find a better time?
Don’t you ever understand
That if it hurts I’ll do whatever I can?

And if it’s set in motion
I’ll watch it all pass by.
And leave the rest unspoken
I’ll never change my mind.

Leave it unspoken, leave it unspoken,
Leave it unspoken, leave it unspoken now. (x4)

So just let me go
I won’t change my mind.
I’d rather be lonely
Than be by your side.
and nothing you say
Could save us this time.
I’d rather be lonely.

Simply wanting to update Chris Pine’s rides. He previously own Honda S2000. Last seen using Porsche 911 too. He did BMW Commercial ad played during super bowl. So technically & I bet he gets great discount and price for the Beemer!. wahaha (evil laugh). Enjoy my fav. hollywood cast and BMW X5 while he shop at Gelson’s the Super market, Hollywood (20/11/2011). Btw, I’m still wondering when will I ever visit Hollywood?

Today, I’m officially Hurts biggest fan! Awesome duo! Live forever, live your music forever! May someday I’ll meet them. God bless the duo!

Lyrics: Stay by Hurts (Album: Happiness; 2010)
Album: Happiness
My whole life waiting for the right time
To tell you how I feel.
Know I try to tell you that I need you.
Here I am without you.
I feel so lost but what can I do?
‘Cause I know this love seems real
But I don’t know how to feel.

We say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away.
Stay, stay.
‘Cause all my life I felt this way
But I could never find the words to say
Stay, stay.

Alright, everything is alright
Since you came along
And before you
I had nowhere to run to
Nothing to hold on to
I came so close to giving it up.
And I wonder if you know
How it feels to let you go?

You say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away.
Stay, stay.
‘Cause all my life I felt this way
But I could never find the words to say
Stay, stay.

So you change your mind
And say you’re mine.
Don’t leave tonight
Stay.

Say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away.
Stay, stay.
‘Cause all my life I felt this way
But I could never find the words to say
Stay, stay.

Stay with me, stay with me,
Stay with me, stay with me,
Stay, stay, stay, stay with me.

Being in the education sector and as a teacher myself, I believed all teachers (does not limit on what levels of experience) must constantly open doors for learning. We all of the same kind must also be smartly brave to do trials & errors while having efforts to be creative and innovative in our teaching. Beside that, I love the idea of sharing and collaborating in education. That is why I am writing my 2011 self-reflection summary here publicly while being in a personal matter experience.

Communication & Teamwork

Whether how intelligent and brilliant you work solely; but if you are in any organization you still need other people energy. What is meant by people energy here is working in a team. Teamwork requires good communication. Once communication are faulty; well, jobs or project won’t work well until all communications have been fixed.

Your instruction is clear, but are they listening to you? To achieve a success in a program; all stakeholders should understand the vision, mission, objectives and its stages.

This will constantly requires learning.

Trust & Delegation

Know who to trust is still serious these days, whether you are running a business or not. But the pleasure of working with a trustful team is very gracious that I can’t even describe. Trust should always be revealed if it is in a positive settings. However showing your distrust to individual will be proven by its static delegation. Delegation may be seen as action and distrustful can be heard loudly and felt. Never enable sarcasm, never backstab, never gossip to which does not requires attention in your job. Remember the beginning of time of your dealt. Why did you become an educator? What were your purpose? What is the primary and which are the secondaries? Which are nonsense?

Delegation should be free from bias, dishonesty or injustice. But having said it; – not all process should be taken out from the manual of perfection. Empathy and sympathy and other complicated process required to understand between human in the team & teams in an organization. Understand the Journey Line of your team. Too strict will bring your organization success; but will the success be meaningful enough if it were to be compare to a humanely success? I’ve seen retired educators who was previously known for his cruelty and heartless; and I tell you the people concern will always be remembered as that, and less on their success achievement.

Efforts, Fairness & Sustaining it; as Integrity

Oh this is one of the toughest. I’m not crudely my mindset now, it is actually a natural disease in my own habit too. Maintaining efforts of any form such as creativity, being on time etc is one of those things requires discipline and interest. In reality, they are some people who can maintain their efforts and naturally being fair in their jobs. These people inspires me. You can see their genuine passion and efforts while they deliver their teaching; being fair on their judgement and decision. These are integrity which should be lifted and constantly be aware. At least these people requires attentions and appreciation from us. These people can be contagious in a good way.

Always Be Nice, Open, Care & Give Honesty

Why do you have to be mean? What wrong did that person did to you personally, that you wish the idea of revenge or vengeance. Seriously? What is the problem anyway? Jelously most probably happened in between.

Nothing better to say than simply saying “Always be nice, be open, offer care and always give honest feedback to help people improve rather than condemning”.

Resources & Environment

Besides the importance of lesson plan (which I still need to be in discipline), building teaching resources for learners is one of my weakness too. Decorating the class beautifully with education related is not my cup of tea too. Not all men are like this. Some are just born with talent to bring their classroom environment at best and bring it to the level of conducive.

So this, technically i need to learn and more efforts need to establish.

By God’s Will

What ever our plans are, sometime it won’t turn out to be as good as it was planned, nor will it be actually be happening. I’m not condemning hope, the possibility and its probability; I’m just stating – life is very unpredictable and cqn be awful. This is the reality; some can even turn out to be good or even greater than we anticipated.

What I’m trying to express is: The more we move forward, the more improvement we can as an individual, team or organization.

For 2012, I hope it will be a great and exciting year for me, my family, my friends and you. All the best and be safe always.

Always be or at least try to be honest & sincere.
We are here to help others too.

Chris Pine starred in The Ivy Walls new music video “All I Want” which will premiere next year; 15th January 2012. Also featured are Robert Baker, Katherine Nicole Levchenko, and Seth Ayott. Directed by Will Joines.

Thankx to Carol from The Chris Pine Network. And the credit also goes to Rick Schwartz from Sky Drive Records for telling Carol :D

Just remembered, Chris Pine was at the Ivy Walls Concert in 2007, 4th and 16th March. :D

Lyric: The Script – Nothing

Am I better off dead
Am I better off a quitter
They say I’m better off now
Than I ever was with her
As they take me to my local down the street
I’m smiling but I’m dying trying not to drag my feet

They say a few drinks will help you to forget her
But after one too many I know that I’m never
Only they can see where this is gonna end
But they all think I’m crazy but to me it’s perfect sense

And my mates are all there trying to calm me down
‘Cause I’m shouting your name all over town
I’m swearing if i go there now
I can change your mind turn it all around

And I know that I’m drunk but I’ll say the words
And she’ll listen this time even though they’re slurred
Dialed her number and confess to her
I’m still in love but all I heard was nothing

So I stumble there, along the railings and the fences
I know if I’m face to face that she’ll come to her senses
Every drunk step I take leads me to her door
If she sees how much I’m hurting
She’ll take me back for sure

And my mates are all there trying to calm me down
‘Cause I’m shouting your name all over town
I’m swearing if I go there now
I can change your mind turn it all around

And I know that I’m drunk but I’ll say the words
And she’ll listen this time even though they’re slurred
Dialed her number and confess to her
I’m still in love but all I heard was nothing

She said nothing
Oh I wanted words but all I heard was nothing
Oh I got nothing
Nothing
I got nothing
Nothing
Oh I wanted words but all I heard was nothing

Oh sometimes love is intoxicating
Oh you’re coming down your hands are shaking
When you realize there’s no one waiting

Am I better off dead
Am I better off a quitter
They say I’m better off now
Than I ever was with her

And my mates are all there trying to calm me down
‘Cause I’m shouting your name all over town
I’m swearing if I go there now
I can change your mind turn it all around

And I know that I’m drunk but I’ll say the words
And she’ll listen this time even though they’re slurred
Dialed her number and confess to her
I’m still in love but all I heard was nothing

She said nothing
Oh I wanted words but all I heard was nothing
Oh I got nothing
Nothing
I got nothing
Nothing
Oh I wanted words but all I heard was nothing
Oh I got nothing
I got nothing
I got nothing

By God’s will, I’m pushing my students learning with ICT next year, by lending my Laptop (not my macbook; hehhe but this laptop used to cost $4K+!!) to each student for a night; to use at home. This will focus on literacy activities and maybe get a new economy digital camera for them to use at home. I understand who my students  are; but let just say I’m trying my best effort for them to give them the same experience like most modern and fortunate children in Brunei these days. I think I should get a Netbook, it will be convenient for little kids to carry it at home. Technically, my laptop is heavy :S

How does flexibility in learning through ICT affect the structure of a lesson? How can we continue the learning beyond the classroom and beyond the school day?
E-Hijrah

Lesson plan at home?

I had a great discussion with e-Hijrah MOE on Facebook, talking on flexibility and the effect of a lesson structure through Teaching and Learning using ICT. And what if learning is to be continued outside the school borders. I like the idea, it somehow motivated me to do it practically. Not for me, but it focus on students centered and how they can be independent learners at home, while using ICT as their learning partner. I want to give them opportunity, a different learning opportunity, a cutting edge in innovative style; beyond creativity.

E-Hijrah helps me to think critical. What if you provide lesson plans (instructional) for parents, when the students have homework, reports or project involving ICT usage at home. This will ensure a well managed informal lesson outside the school; parents can monitor and support their child learning, and ALSO it will create a strong bond between parents and child. However parents commitment and time are essential and the ICT tools requires availability at home.

As advice by E-Hijrah, calling it “Lesson plan at home for parents” won’t be a nice name. So let just call it Project guided parents? or Students-Parent Project check list? This will ensure a structured well organised learning which enables a focus lesson at home. E-Hijrah also reminded me, Lesson plan is still crucial, especially when ICT is involved.

Great points! Project guided parents?; Students-parent Project check list? This is a good start. True, Home-work degree was meant to establish practice and independent. From introduction and through level of maturity and guided development,I’m sure someday it will help these students of ours to reach to the point of (cognitive) field independent. In flexibility, more patience in time need to be acknowledge; but having said that, the journey still need to have its destination too, to acquired the objective and learning goals.

Why I believe this will work.

I trust my kids very much, I only have like less than 5 students per class. And they live closely in school. So, I have faith. So with this no. of students, it will takes around a week for my students to have the complete cycle of learning/project.

What am I waiting for?

Well, I’m still looking at the possibilities of what theme, topic and activities suitable for this kind of project. And again, by God will’s.

This soon Singapore trip got me thinking. I’ll be spending with the people who I was with in Brisbane years ago. Honestly, I miss Australia. It was my 1st country while being under age to travel alone by air. I’m greatly confident that my sister is missing Australia more than I am right now.

“I’m not really a disappointment, nor your worst nightmare, I’m just your curse. I am me, and I am beautiful.”

Speaking of Australia, I was goggling some Universities in Queensland. Yes, the idea is, would it be great to study Education there? Just a thought. Even though Australia is Commonwealth, but their education system is different than in UK.

These days, Ministry of Educaton, Brunei is ahead in specialising educators in Brunei. I end up being an English Educator. However I don’t want my teaching to be restricted in just Teaching English. I still love Psychology (Early years, Moral intelligent, Child development, Education Counseling, Mind process), Philosophy, ICT, Science and Recreational education. Having all of these in mind; it get me to a concept of holistic approach too. Yeap, combination of Knowledge, Skills, Values, Languages and Social in a process.

Being holistic. Someday I want to go back to School to study in a course of dynamic models. Kinda hard these day though. I’m thinking to do major Linguistic and minor Psychology. But between that I would also want to have a strength in ICT in Education. I won’t mind taking more than 3 years to achieve an undergraduate status. As long as I can be manage it, and I find it very pleasant and satisfying course; than that would be enough to be awesome. It is really a wish.

However even saying this dream out loud, I know I’m heading for Brunei Local University, which is Universiti Brunei Darussalam. I’m not saying this in a sad and bad manner.. but I wish to study abroad again for few years. Oh yes, my age versus a Phd and reality. I really would love if any sponsors would pay me for it to happen.

Or we can look into every corner of the world. And maybe, just maybe learn some lessons. Lesson that will benefits our children’s future. (By direct experience elsewhere) - Teddy Rist (portrayed by James Purefoy in The philanthropist).

PS: Someday Australia again, for now let just wait for Singapore arrive. Enjoy Aston – The Monster Symphony Music Video. Starring Australian inspiring actor and actress: Ryan Harrison & Aimee-Lee Druett