End of May

As we approach the end of May, it feels like time is really flying by in 2016. Before I know it, almost half the year is over!

My forever-busy-Singaporean mind tells me that I could have done so much more than I have so far, but my more rational mind is telling me that I have already accomplished a number of things and that I'm on my way to accomplish more. Perhaps it is slightly slower than it could possibly have been, but why beat myself up over it? At least I am still moving forward.

The end of May is also the end of the first half of the school year. There have been a large number of projects this year, and one more next week that will spill into the first week of June. Finally, I can have a break before the craziness starts again.

I am seriously considering dropping some of my roles in preparation for new ones. I would like to focus less on teaching in schools and more on teaching adults. I see a way forward and I am keen to take it. 

Here's to a bright future moving forward!

Hands-on

I spent much of the last week on a programme for a few schools. It's the same programme, but the company I'm working with has rolled it out into numerous different schools. It's F1 in schools.

Of course, the students don't get to race an actual car. Instead, they race car models that they sand down (from the rough form) and paint  after they design it. Of course, there is a fair bit of theory and explanations, which isn't nearly as engaging as getting their hands dirty.

The difficulty comes when there is a little too much time allocated to theory and not enough activities to do. Of course, I could easily come up with a whole slew of stuff to engage them, but I can't assume that the school will be fine with me deviating from the main subject, which is to bring the F1 in schools programme to the students.

All in all, it's pretty clear that hands-on activities are far more popular than theory and even designing. Now, if only there's a way to get more of them.

I've always felt that the education system lacks emphasis on physical skills. Yes, there is woodworking and plastic molding in Design & Technology (D&T), but it's not quite the same, is it? What about day-to-day needed knowledge like changing a light bulb, fixing a leaky tap or sewing a fallen button?

Sure, they seem mundane and unglamorous, but these are useful skills. As much as doctors, lawyers and engineers are important, so are mechanics, repair workers and electricians. Daily life isn't about glamour and glitz, as much as the media may try to say otherwise. It's about having the know-how and applying it properly.

Here's to hoping for a better-skilled future, where people know how to build, cook and create!

Time to Get Moving

As my previous post has stated, this is a cooling down period for me. My major school projects for the beginning of the year are winding down, leaving a few weeks for me to do other things before I get busy at the end of May again.

So, what have I done? Honestly, not that much yet, because I've only just recovered from all the fatigue and settled all the piled-up administrative stuff that I've neglected for the past four months.

Starting this week, I will be ramping up the work that I need to put into my other projects, especially my book and my gem and jewellery stuff. I'm projecting to get as much done as possible before June, when I have projected my book to be sent for printing. I look forward to holding a physical copy in my hands!

On other fronts, I've been experimenting with Fiverr, I'm in discussion with a gaming company for a possible role as a presenter at their next event, I'm working on turning my ideas for education into realities and so on.

It's not all as hectic as running from school to school day after day, but it is mentally quite tiring. Thus, there must be time set aside for breathers and rest. 

Here we go!

Cooling Down Period

As the mad rush of the projects that erupted over the first four months of the year cools down, it's time to do some reflection, get some rest and prepare for the next phase of the year.

By the middle of the year, I plan to send The Introvert Teacher for printing. That means that I have to settle accounts with any potential sponsors, finish up my marketing materials (including my author photos), and plan the book launch. That's going to be rather exciting.

Apart from the book, I'm going to work on some gem and jewellery projects. The launch is projected to be somewhere around the third quarter, not too long after my book will be printed. Again, rather exciting!

I also intend to get some curriculum designed and I need to prepare for a two-week long school project at the end of May.

Freelancing isn't as relaxing as many people think it is. Without proper planning, it could easily become a mess. Here's to not messing it up!