"I'm goin' goin' back back to Bali BALI!"

This weekend was such an amazing, beautiful, inspiring, eventful last weekend abroad. We finally made it to Bali! 

Friday 24/01 - Friday couldn't have come any sooner - we were so excited for Bali it hurt! I went to the last day of Sec 1 a Level Camp on Friday morning and watched the students play push ball, eat breakfast, clean their classrooms, and wrap up the camp with awards/prizes, etc.  It was a fun morning, but I was quite distracted - I got Bali on my mind!! 

After school I went to Fair Price market to get some travel sized shampoo and conditioner, bug spray, and snacks.  I made it home, was able to Face Time Cory, Skype Mike (and Hunter), and pack all within a few hours :) At 3pm, the 5 of us made our way to Jurong Point to get on the MRT and head to Changi Airport! Our flight wasn't departing until 6:25, but we had about an hour and a half train ride to get there.  

The travel time actually went by surprisingly fast, we even all got to sit in a row together on the plane ride there! We made it to Denpasar airport at 9:30pm, and waiting for us was a friend of Rae's CT, who happens to be a (the best, by the way) taxi driver in Bali! He was so nice, packed up the "Taksi" and took us to our hotel, Sandat Mas Cottages in Uluwatu, Bali. 

Gede, our new best friend for the weekend, told us all about the history of Bali, Balinese people and their culture, and pointed out "Bali-dogs" that roam the streets (looking so cute!) 

We arrived at our hotel after about an hour long drive, and again, they were so nice, so accommodating, not to mention there was about a month old kitten in the lobby who became myy new best friend for the weekend (and who we.... Okay I, named Mufasa). 

Mufasa :)

We went to bed at about 11:30, our plan to spend the entire next day doing as MUCH as we possibly could... And we weren't too far off, Saturday was an absolutely wonderful day! 

Saturday 25/01 - The day began at 6:15am, when we woke up to see the sunrise. We couldn't quite see it from our room, but the view was absolutely amazing nonetheless.

Katie, Rae and I walked down to the beach (about 5 minutes from the hotel) to check it out before breakfast, and it was absolutely amazing - we couldn't wait to start the day. We saw a monkey on our walk home (so cute) and we hopped in the pool when we got back, did a few laps - it was so nice and refreshing!

Breakfast was delicious, banana pancakes and fresh pineapple juice.  We ate around 8:30, as Gede would be picking us up at 9! When he arrived, we loading into the car for the day, and had quite an adventure ahead of us.

We stopped for a photo op in from of the beautiful Padang Padang beach, our first captured moment of an amazing day: 

Our first stop was a beach "for the water sports," where we had to option to choose between tubing, snorkeling, and many other amazing activities. We decided to get the package deal - snorkeling, glass bottom boat, and Turtle Island for only 700,000 Rupiah!! (The Indonesian currency... We felt like millionaires all weekend - 10,000 Rupiah = $1SPD) 

We swam/ snorkeled for about an hour but unfortunately none of us have water proof cameras, soooooo we'll remember out mental pictures from it forever! 

Turtle Island - an island dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles - was so fun, and had not only turtles, but bats, snakes, iguanas, owls, toucans, and monkeys! I got to hold the snake, AH, and touch/hold a few sea turtles.  We had a great time, and when people realized we were from America, they started calling at us "U.S.O.!!" - "United States of Obama," I loved it. 

One of our tour guides on Turtle Island!

We did get quite a few pictures taken of or with us, both intended and unintended, both with and without permission... It was quite a site to see 5 American girls I guess, so we had to deal with that for most of the day. It was flattering for a second, but started to feel a little creepy after a while.  We had some people sit in on our pictures too ;) 

After we returned on the glass bottom boat, we met back up with Gede and headed to our 2nd destination Tanarah Beach.  We had lunch, and then swam in the amazingly clear, blue, warm ocean.  It was incredible. 

Postcard worthy... 

 Amazing hot sauce! 

Chickens on the beach!

At around 4 pm, we left the beach with Gede and made our way towards the Temple by the Sea.   We shopped at a few little stalls for some souvenirs, and then walked around the beautiful temple - and it was so crowded!! 

Katherine, Rae, me, Katie and Elise!

Our last stop of the day was at a DELICIOUS seafood restaurant, right on the sand, in which we ate SO much, and enjoyed the end of our long, amazing day! We were even serenaded by a little band in matching shirts that sang us, "Brown Eyed Girl." 

After dinner Katherine and I drank a Bintang (Bali) beer in the lobby and cuddled with Mufasa, and then went to sleep.  It was a long wonderful day.  In the morning we woke up bright and early, again - had breakfast, and made our way to the beach to enjoy our last few hours there!

The beach was a 5 min walk from our hotel - Sandat Mas Cottages

Sadly, at noon, after swimming allllll morning, we made our way to the airport (with Gede, our amazing tour guide for the weekend!)  We were able to stop for this beautiful photo though along the way! 

When we arrived back in Singapore, we made it through immigration SO quickly with our student passes (glad they were good for something!) and were picked up by Naeem and her sister.  Naeem just got back from Santa Barbara, and is a teacher candidate, like us, here in Singapore at NIE! We walked around the park by her house (Pasir Ris Beach), and then had the most amazing dinner with her incredible family.  It was such a wonderful night, filled with family and laughter - it really made me miss home, but at the same time be so thankful for the wonderful people I've met during my time here in Singapore.  Sharon, another ITC from this year, and two boys from last years' NIE cohort, Zhi Wen and Roy, all joined us for dinner, and it was so nice to share experiences from both here and Santa Barbara - we were all fast friends, and I hope that we'll stay in contact and visit each other in the near future!!

 Pasir Ris Beach

Roy, Rae, Elise, Katie, Katherine, Naeem, me, Sharon, and Zhi Wen!

Hello, my name is Ms 伟师 :)

Sec 1 Level Camp: Today was an interesting day at Westwood, as the students were all off at their respective Level Camps! The Sec 1's, who I got to spend the morning with, were on campus, the Sec 2's went to Camp Sembawang, Sec 3's to Malaysia, and Sec 4/5's were also on campus, but were gone today touring different Polytechnic Universities!

The Sec 1 Level Camp was so much fun, and I got to see a much different side of some of my students!! When I got there, they were washing up (having slept there the night before) and getting ready for breakfast in the canteen.  After breakfast, they went back to their classrooms to de-brief the objectives of the previous days' activities, and work on their performance for the 'campfire' that night.  I stayed with Sec 1Ds (who I teach!) all morning, and we had a wonderful time - I got to see them choreograph their dance to "Hall of Fame" and then cheer them on as they played dodgeball against the other classes.

I had a great chat with three of my students, who asked me all about California, and my school, and why I want to be a teacher... they even translated my name into Chinese - apparently Welsh can directly translate to "Great Teacher," (伟师) so that basically made my day :)

Teaching of Biology II - Science Practical Assessment Skills: After Level Camps, I made my way to NIE to observe a science class! (Made me miss my SST Science Cohort even more!)  I arrived pretty early, but I was able to see Naeem, one of the student teachers from NIE who just spent 7weeks in Santa Barbara, and have lunch with Sunny, our supervisor - so it was time well spent! I got to the class a little bit early, which was also great because I was able to chat with the tutor, Ms Lim, before the class started.  She was so interested in everything I had to say, the program I was apart of, and my opinions on everything that I've experienced  here so far.  She was the first person I've really talked to the caning about, and I wish we could've talked longer - I could tell she had a lot to say.  (We did exchange emails though, so I'm sure we'll be keeping in touch!)

I recognized a few familiar faces from the class we observed the other night, and everyone was so welcoming and friendly to me. Ms Lim introduced me at the very beginning of the lesson, and I was able to say a few things about where I'm from and my experience so far - everyone seemed really interested, and I got quite a few questions throughout the rest of the class.  We continued in talking about the SPA, or Science Practical Assessment, that takes place for all Secondary 3 and 4 students - it was really interesting to learn about, and I took a lot of notes (for my science crew!)

For the last hour, we did a practice SPA, where one of us was the teacher (marking) and one of us was the student (doing)! I was in a group of three, so me and Audrey assessed Sien Long on his practical skills.  I was a great evening, I learned so much about science education in Singapore, and met some great friends that I'm sure I'll be staying in contact with! (I want to do international Skype-labs with them! - I will make it happen!)

When I got home, I went to have a solo - dinner at Jurong Point, top up my EZ link (bus) card, and head home, to continue getting ready for BALI (and write this blog post!) We leave tomorrow and I am BEYOND excited :) Next post will be when I get back, so bon voyage for now!

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Cat of the Day

Today’s cat of the day goes to this new kitty that I saw on my way home from Jurong Point, but who wouldn't let me get close enough for a clear picture!!! (I'll get you!!) 

5 reasons why my days are wonderful...

Tuesday, January 21st:

Today was a wonderful day for multiple reasons - 

#1, I was able to finally run the experimental design lab with my Sec 1 students that I've been waiting to do, and it went so well! (Props to Matt, for sharing this idea!) I wish we would've had more time, but either way, it was great.  The lab started off with me telling the students - "You have one objective.  With your partner, design an experiment in which you can test the effect that ______ (insert variable here) has on the time it takes to dissolve a sugar cube."  I provided them with quite a bit of options - vinegar, salt, hot water, cold water, marbles, different types of stirring rods, etc.  The students were SO excited to get started, and were so engaged when we went over a few 'reminders' for the lab - safety, data collection, the importance of a control/variable, and I concluded with reminding them to record everything (right Sue?!)  They got started, and it was a really wonderful lesson.  Because we ran out of time, they weren't able to hand in their write ups, so I'll be collecting them from them on Monday of next week when we meet again and go over the class data, talk about possible sources of error, and give speeches!! (I can't wait for that!!)

#2, I was able to finish my literacy video to send home to my Science and Math colleagues (if you're reading this, let me know what you think of it on Thursday!) It made me so sad to think that they'll get to see me but I won't get to see them! (Maybe you all should record me a response video!) - now I'll know who's actually reading my blog. Haha. 

#3, I ate dinner with Katie and Rae at our favorite Jurong Point restaurant, Seoul Express :) And, my favorite menu item (really, the only one I've tried) was on sale for the Tuesday night special! 

#4, I had my interview for KSTF and it went SO well! I was so nervous about the internet connection - it hasn't been the most reliable here at the hostel... but we talked via Google hangouts and it worked perfectly, lasting the entire hour! The more we talked, the less nervous I was (which I hope is a good thing), and I'll find out the first week of February if I'll make it to the next round of interviews!

#5, I was able to almost (like 90%) finish my 'Closure Conversation' presentation that I'll be giving next week - I'm really looking forward to it (wrapping up my reflections, making connections, sharing my experiences, voicing my opinions) however also getting really nervous because of the audience members who will be in attendance!!

Wednesday, January 22nd: 

Today was also a wonderful day for multiple reasons -

#1, We were lucky enough to get to experience a SAP, (or Special Assistance Plan) school in Singapore, Dunman High School - and it was so unique and different than my Secondary School that I've been working at.  Long story short, SAP Schools were created to "preserve the ethos of the Chinese-medium schools and to promote the learning of Chinese language and culture."  Coincidentally, River Valley High School (the high school that is connected to our hostel) is also a SAP school, one of the 11 in Singapore.  Dunman is unique in that is is a Junior High (Sec 1-4), and a Senior High (or Junior College equivalent, Sec 5-6), so the students who attend this school are in the top 5% of students in Singapore.   The school had so much to offer, and we were able to observe a Math, Science (Chemistry), Language Arts, Modern Tongue (Mandarin), and CCA class.  The CCA was Wushu, or Chinese Martial Arts, and the performance was fantastic! We got a few pictures with the students, so as soon as I get them, I'll post them here!  The staff at Dunman was so welcoming and accommodating, and the experience was really wonderful - we learned so much! 

With the Principal, and other staff members of Dunman High! 

The Wushu group and us!

#2, We made it back to Chinatown, and I was able to get a souvenir for (almost) everyone I know and love. It was a really fun afternoon, we explored, ate, drank coffee, and shopped!! I'm going to need a second suitcase to bring it all home, but I'll cross that bridge when it gets here! (10 days!)

#3, I got to talk to Mike, even if it was just for a little bit, and it made me so happy! (and homesick, but shhh it was wonderful) He filled me in on his busy life, and Nala-bear, and VoMo/BFOM... I can't wait to be reunited with him and everyone else I love! He also sent me this pic of her, she's getting so big (but is still just as cute)!

#4, I was finally able to do LAUNDRY again! Yay!!! Just in time to go to Bali (definitely needed some clean clothes to survive that trip) and then head home! This will be the last time I do laundry in Singapore! (I hope... haha)  Can't wait for it to come out of the dryer - love the smell of fresh laundry! 

#5, I'm going to get a delicious meal with Katie and Rae, and then come home and do some homework and go to sleep! It's been a long, fun, exciting day!!
**edit, that was one of the worst meals we've had yet, but our McFlurry's that followed semi-made up for it! 

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Cat of the Day

Today’s cats of the day are these amazing wooden cats that we saw at Gardens by the Bay this past weekend!  

Contradictions

As I approach the last few weeks of my trip I can't help but feel two major things - happy and sad.  But both encompassing two different types of happy, and two different types of sad.

Happy because of what I've experienced, and what I still get to experience, while I'm here. 

Sad because my time here is almost up, and there's so much more I wish I could do.

Happy because I get to go home and see my family, friends (and Nala) in less than two weeks.

and Sad because I'm not home yet and wish I was.  

This mix of emotions is not helping my mental state.  At one moment I'm so happy, the other I'm so sad - all for different reasons.  I took the time this afternoon to look back on all of my blog posts, and even though it feels like I've been here for SUCH a long time, I also remember everything as if it happened yesterday.  Time has flown by, yet at the same time I feel like going home can't come soon enough... why do I feel this way!?

I think it has to do with a lot of things, and as I read back through my posts, it really helped me to realize that.

1. I've never been out of the country - this was a major life-changing event for me, something I'd never experienced, and to be honest, it's not all it was hyped to be, and at the same time is more than I ever could've imagined.  For example, vacationing out of the country sounds like, and is a wonderful experience: relaxation, sight-seeing, tourist attractions, crazy animals and plants, etc.  For me, that's my every weekend, and it really is incredible. However, at the same time, I'm working out of the country, and living out of the country - and that's a different story.  When every meal is consumed at a foreign food cart and every night is spent in a hostel bed, it starts to affect you. When you're lesson planning, creating activities, meeting students, attending meetings - in a place that's brand new and completely different than what you're used to, it starts to affect you. I think that this contradiction has a lot to do with my conflicted feelings right now.  I love the experience of being here, I love the things I'm learning, the people I'm meeting, and the students I'm teaching... yet I miss my bed, my kitchen, the comfort of my school and community - heck I miss Chipotle! It's just weird this fine line between work and play.

2. I'm here for work, not for play - As much as I'd like to think that this is a vacation, it's really not, and constantly dwelling in the back of my mind every time I post about an amazing weekend adventure is, "I have 10 lesson plans to finish, a VoMo song to arrange, and 4 assignments to finish for my classes back home!"  At the same time however, I'm the one that knocks on all the hostel doors encouraging the girls to, "Sleep when we get home, we're only in Singapore once!"  How can I not be a vacationing-tourist while here?  And how can I not go and see all the amazing things that the island has to offer on my days off...? Another contradiction weighing down my mental stability.

3. I'm experiencing so much, and at the same time, not enough - my CT and I are constantly joking about how short of a time I actually have here, and how she wishes that I could stay longer, or that I could've come later in the year.  Term 1, and just January in general, is a lot of getting ready for the year to get into full swing, planning but not starting, etc.  Students aren't sitting for exams or getting into in depth lessons, and teachers are still warming up, switching classes, adjusting time tables... However, at the same time the year is fresh, there are a lot of fun introductory activities going on (level camps, CCA fair, Chinese New Year celebrations) and I've gotten to be apart of all of them.  I've also gotten to observe about one of every class possible - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Math, Geography, Rev-Up, In-Touch, and ELD and Special Ed next week.  I've gotten to attend a staff meeting, department meeting, and PLC meetings every week.  I've gotten to experience all of this, but at the same time, I feel like I haven't really experienced any of it.  One math lesson? I want to see 10! (that might be a stretch ;)) 1 Special Ed observation in my last week here - I can't even imagine the questions that I'll have.  The whole experience is so much, and at the same time, not enough...

4.  I get to teach, and I don't get to teach - This has been one of the greatest stresses yet: I went into the ITC program thinking I'd have to plan and teach 2 lessons while I was here - which seemed in itself a lot considering time to adjust, time to observe, time to learn student names.  Let me tell you, I've gotten to teach more than that, and it's been wonderful - but it's also added so much to the expectation of lesson planning while also trying to lesson plan for my full takeover at home and keeping up with assignments, my thesis (oh, you know, just my masters thesis) and everything else there is to worry about - (Skype, emails, Facebook...) At the same time, I wish I could teach more.  The lessons I observe my CT teach I think, "I want to be teaching that!" - and again we joke about how she wishes I had more time here to teach more lessons!  So many contractions, so little time.

5. The outcome vs. the intent - Many, many things that I've observed and experienced so far in not only the school that I'm placed, but with the little insight I've gained into Singapore's education system through my connection to NIE are all obviously filled with great ideas, objectives, and intents, and similarly to back home, are all supported with very good reason.  However, many of those things I haven't seen actually executed.  I know it really plays into the saying, "It's easier said than done," because it really is, and in the short time that I'm here, I'm sure that makes it even more difficult - even so, I've had contradicting feelings towards a lot of experiences because of the lack in their outcome, vs. what is intended, or what the objective was to be learned.  One perfect example is the corporal punishment experience (one that I will never forget, mind you) and the simple lack of understanding I have for what the real intent is behind that process.  There's outspoken intent, and emphasized reasoning behind it, but is that really what's coming across  to the student population? From an outsider's point of view, I'd have to say it's not.  And this is an extreme example, one that contributes much more to the contradicting thoughts I've been experiencing - (one that really triggered them all, really) but I've been seeing it in other cases too - and it makes me think about being back home too.  Do I have different objectives and intents for my students than what end up coming across? Does my school? What would my school look like to an 'outsider'... luckily, I'll be able to find out soon enough.

Katie and I ran into two of the NIE students who spent the last 7 weeks in Santa Barbara and returned to Singapore yesterday! (and they were already back in classes!) We scheduled a dinner date for later this week so that we could all get together and reflect on our (contradicting, I'm sure), experiences.  I think this will bring the whole experience really full circle for me, and I think that they'll be able to really, honestly, answer a lot of my questions - and I can only hope I'll be able to do the same for them.

With that, I think it's time for bed - today was a wonderful day, I taught a lesson this morning all alone, my CT wanted to give me sometime, "just [me] and the students."  The Sec 1's are my favorite (shhh!) because they laugh at all of my jokes and are constantly engaged and excited.  Tomorrow I'm doing an inquiry based design your own experiment lab with them and I am extremely excited - I'm going to bring my iPad and take lots of pictures!!

My schedule changed around this week so unfortunately, I don't get to go to camp Sembawang with the Sec 2's, but yet again at the same time, I don't have to go to camp with the Sec 2's.  I think in the end it's all working out for my benefit - I get to stay in town and observe another school site, I get to experience the Level 1 camp which is on campus at Westwood (and with my favorites;)) and I get to got to a Science class at NIE on Thursday! (which I wouldn't have been able to do had I been out of the city!)  Then Friday we leave for BALI! (ahhhh!) Monday is my huge presentation and last lesson, CNY celebrations Thurs/Fri, and head home next Saturday... it's all happening so fast! (and at the same time....... just kidding ;) enough contradictions for one night!!

Tomorrow is also my KSTF interview (finally, after a few reschedules) so fingers crossed and wish me luck!

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Cat of the Day

Today’s cat of the day goes to Nala, because I'm missing her more than anything (no contradiction to that!) and seeing her cute little face makes me so happy, and so sad, all at the same time.  My favorite picture of her ever (and honestly, kind of resembles how I feel at the moment):

P.S. I can't believe this is finally the day I'm using Nala for CotD! (just made that up by the way) Jan. 20th! I would've thought I'd of caved to her cuteness sooner!!

"You can learn a lot of things from the flowers..."

Talk about Sunday Funday! Today was such an awesome day - we did the Gardens by the Bay and the River Safari.  We saw everything from waterfalls, to roses, to Supertrees, to PANDAS! It was incredible... A few pictures to make you jealous:

Katie, Elise and I ventured out this morning at about 9am for the Gardens.  We made it to Marina Bay Sands after about an hour (we had some early morning struggles on the train), got the most expensive cup of coffee we could find (unintentionally, mind you), ate some chicken rice at the mall, and then finally made it!! The Gardens were stunningly beautiful, and we were able to make it into both observatories (at a local resident/student rate, too!)

 Elise, Katie and I!

 Panorama - Hotel/Casino, Singapore Flyer, and Gardens by the Bay! 

 2014 - Year of the Horse!

After the Gardens, we had lunch at Baja Fresh (who would've thought?!) and took a cab to meet Katherine at the River Safari!! The boat tour was unfortunately sold out, but that didn't stop us from seeing the other 85% of the park - including the pandas, Jai Jai and Kai Kai :) It was a great afternoon! 

 Red Panda! 

 Sleepy bear!

 Panda-selfie ;)

 Elise and Katie

 Katherine and I :)

 Elise holding a hornbill!

 Cute little girl!! - Oh, and a squirrel monkey ;)

 So many manatees!

Katherine, Elise, Katie and I with Mr. Panda! 

Finally, we made our way back home, split up for dinner, and are now all finishing up lesson plans to go back to work tomorrow!! This week includes: teaching, exploring other campuses, taking the Sec 2's on a camping trip, and going to BALI!!!! 5 more days, can't wait! 12 more days til I'm back home! Time flies when you're having fun! 

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Cat of the Day

Today’s cat of the day goes to ME, channeling my inner lion in the 'Lion door' at Gardens by the Bay!