la la la.. getting back into the swing of things

umm.. just discovered someone nominated me for the Asia Weblog Awards 2003 (Singapore category) last november... wow.. i'm flattered....

ya, btw, i've put up some of my digital india pics online so you can have a look at some of the stuff i saw... (click on the link under gallery "india 2003") a small selection for the time being.. too many to sort out... i see until i blur.. don't click unless you are on broadband 'cos the files are unimaginably huge!! hahaha.. don't blame me, blame your slow internet connection..hahaha..

first day of NIE today.. i'm trying to run away from all the work that needs to be done but realise that i can run but i can't hide.. (hahahha).. not forever at least.. . in addition to the terror of regular course assignments (cos we don't have exams, so they've come up with another way to torment us..), I've still got a whole bunch of post-expedition tasks to complete from our project to Sikkim (including revamping this 2nd-generation website.. haha) and the deadlines are awfully tight .. worse still, i don't have all my resources yet... (gasping for air..).. never mind, shan't frighten myself further.. let me talk about.. my most interesting module this semester:

Facilitating Sexuality Education in Secondary Schools!

remember how when we were young (primary school?) and the principal separated the boys and girls one day after morning assembly? each group went for a separate talk on the birds and the bees by two different teachers. i don't know what the (usually male PE) teacher told the boys but the girls were told about the female adolescent growing up process and (sudden but always shocking) biological changes to their bodies.. thereafter, we were reminded/warned Never Ever to talk to the boys about anything that we learnt... haha.... anyway, i don't think the kids know that little nowadays with the Internet and all.. the concern now is really whether the information they get (from whatever sources) is accurate or safe.. i do feel kids need to have an avenue to ask questions and receive answers, especially if their parents are awkward about it themselves. my parents never told me anything, so i'm still wondering how i came to having any knowledge at all about the topic .. we didn't have Internet at that time.. and certainly no books for that matter.. peers? umm.. trashy novels?? haha, no, i'm not a fan of Mills and Boons... umm...

oh well, anyway, this will be quite a challenging topic to teach if i'm ever tasked to do so by my school next time.. to me, i feel that the challenge is really about not imposing my own biased values on the students but rather teaching them more universal values such as personal responsibility and respect for others so that they can think for themselves what is right and wrong, and guiding them as much as i can..

yes, spoken like a real teacher.. hahaha.. got to zzz already... (it's much later than what is stated but i faked the time so no one would ask me if i get any sleep at all.. I do, btw.. durrh.. hahaha.. why do i bother...?? i'm nutz..)