Completed the coursework phase now left with thesis

Thank God. Got my results which marked the end of the coursework phase of my Masters program. I am only left with the 30,000-word thesis writing phase which I hope will end by early next year. Overall results for the 4 coursework modules done over the last year - GPA 4 out of 5, works out like an average of B+. I am happy with that.

Granted funds by NUS for my research trip to UK (Britain)

Thank God. I have received the e-mail by NUS stating that they have approved my application for the funding of my research trip to UK (Britain). The funds are sufficient to cover my two-way Singapore Airlines Airbus A-380 economy flights and a few days out of about 8 days of stay in London while I visit the Imperial War Museum, British Archives and the British Army Museum for research. Since that is the case, I will definitely stay on at my own expense and backpack Britain for another two and a half weeks. After all, I am already there on a paid trip and a thirteen-hour flight away! Unfortunately, I have to do that alone. Honestly, I am quite tired of travelling alone already. I used to be able to do that and enjoy myself but now I cannot bear the thought of travelling alone anymore. I am entering a different phase in life already. I hope this will be the last time that I need to travel alone on such a long trip. It will be fun seeing the places I have read so much about.

Reviving my blog - Entering a different phase in life

Okay, sorry folks, I have not been updating much these few months. Will try to update more frequently. What have I been busy with? Hehe. Life is different when one has a girlfriend, you know. Thank God, my girlfriend is a follower of Jesus Christ, likes nature walks, trekking, backpack travelling, is adventurous and can appreciate history when I tell it to her! What more can I ask for? Thank God.

I have learnt that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. John Gray, the author of a book by this title is really correct to note the differences between men and women. Reading that book really helped me a lot to understand my mum and my girlfriend. My relationship has also taught me to be more patient and to control my temper. I am inexperienced in relationships (this is my first one, hopefully my last too) and thank God that He has seen us through these months. And yes, last December, I rebonded my hair and left it long at the fringe until it grew curly again. Maybe I might rebond it again. See, the change is internal and external! The "old" Malcolm has really "died".

Studies wise, my coursework modules are almost over and soon I can focus on my thesis. In May I will be going to Britain for three weeks on research cum tour. It will be fun! I have also been tutoring two NUS undergraduate groups for a history module on Singapore nationbuilding which is quite like Social Studies at Sec 3 and 4. Well, quite enjoyed it, especially so when I get to discuss politics, intellectual stuff and share some knowledge. Yes, I often got carried away and went on talking and telling stories - after all, as I told my BSS students last time, I am a professional story teller. At this level, I am very informal with my undergraduate students and treat them more like friends. In class, eat, drink, talk, go toilet, they can do all they want without ever needing my permission since they are all grown ups and responsible enough to do the right things. Marking their tests was, well, a revelation. Suffice to say, students of all levels make quite similar mistakes in nature whether secondary or undergraduates. Its just a matter of how "chim" the mistakes are. They are generally a hardworking and responsible lot though and respectful. Some are outspoken while almost all can confidently present in class.

My health has not been that good. After so many months, so many doctors, so many specialists and medicine, they finally claim that I don't have asthma but acid reflux, which is when stomach acid flows back into respiratory tract and throat causing inflammation, irritation and phlegm. Looks like currently there is no guarantee cure for it, except eating medicine and avoiding acidic food such as spicy food, chocolates, coffee, fried food, citrus fruits, dairy productys, eggs - all my favourites, ah! I have given up hope in the doctors but I have not given up hope in God to cure me yet. Well, that's all for now. Life will be exciting in next few weeks.

First experience tutoring undergraduates at NUS

Its been a long time since I blogged. Many things have happened because my status has changed. Haha. Can't go public about that yet. Life will not be the same again. I do finally get to tutor for two hours a group of undergraduates for history each week in the Nationbuilding module which is quite similar to the Social Studies I used to teach in secondary schools. In some ways, my new tutoring experience is bothy similar and different from my teaching days in BSS. Similar cause students everywhere tend to behave and react the same way whatever their age - they all start off somewhat shy, reserved and apprehensive initially. It took me a while to remember their names. It is good that many of these undergraduates have similar interests as me so I can click quite well with them. I must however remember that these undergraduates are more matured than the previous students I teach and so they should be doing most of the talking instead of me doing the talking. I literally treat them like friends rather than students. I am too used to telling stories and jokes like I used to do in BSS. Overall, a nice pleasant ongoing experience - a foretaste of what I would like to do in future for long term.

I am very satisfied with my grades for my first semester in NUS. Thank God!

Yes, really thank God. I got the news that for my first semester of my Masters in History course in NUS I got an A- and a B+ for the two modules that I took. That works out to a CAP of 4.25 out of 5, which is very satisfactory for me indeed. Thank God for his grace and mercy!

Sadly, I will not be going back to teach in BSS

Earlier this month, I approached the school leadership with plans to do adjunct teaching in BSS on 2 days a week next year. I had specifically asked to take all the Sec 4Es for Elective History and Social Studies and the school leadership had agreed to it. Last week, I got the news that the school leadership for some reasons, had decided to give me the Sec 2s instead and not the Sec 4Es as promised. I refused to take up the offer and so I will not be going back to teach in BSS at all next year. My purpose here is not to blame the BSS leadership for their decision since I am not in their shoes and so I do not see the big picture. I just seek to explain my decision not to go back to BSS.

I wanted to go back to teach part-time in BSS next year mainly because I missed the Sec 4Es (2009) whom I taught history for 2 years before leaving them behind to do my Masters. This was the Sec 2E batch in 2007 with 2/3 of them choosing to do Elective History (an all-time school record) but the school could only open one class of it because I left to do my Masters. I truly missed them and wanted to go back to teach them. That was why I asked specifically to teach them next year and initially the school leadership agreed. Since now the school leadership had changed its mind, I see no point in doing adjunct teaching in BSS anymore as my purpose for going back is gone.
To the Sec 4Es (2009), I miss you all and I tried my best to find the opportunity to go back to teach you. It is unfortunate that things did not work out. I am still available for help and contact via facebook, msn or e-mail. All the best to you all.

A Miracle has happened! God has answered my prayers! Life will never be the same again!

Its just too good to be true! Hopefully this miracle will last and NOT fade away or else it may prove to be the worst thing that ever happened in my life! Oh God, have mercy on me! Everything has been going very smoothly in my life except for my health! Life is never perfect, I guess. I must trust that God will heal me in His time. After all, He has already granted me so many miracles in life! Oh God, please heal me so that I may do your will, testify to your goodness and glorify your name!