Chronicle 62 - 自由人生

Well, I did have some grievances working at the tuition centre, however, I did not expect to be "released" in that manner. Seeing as it was my last week with my class, I offered to treat my students to dinner. They agreed to it and started asking for permission from their parents. The principal got to know of it soon enough and gave me a direct instruction not to go ahead with it in front of the students. The students and I could not argue but somehow, we gave each other expressions that indicate "it's still on". True enough, I met them outside the centre and proceeded to treat them dinner at Lenas. Due to a concerned parent's probe, the principal got to know of it, and needless to say, was upset that I had just showed direct disobedience to her orders. It started with her telling me off, me apologizing, and then she terminating my contract. Not that it was a huge loss (except the bonus), considering I was going to leave in a week's time anyway. Looking back, since things turned out this way, I think I am sorry but not regretful. Since she questioned my motives about being friendly with the students when I was about to leave, and that she reminded me about a clause in my contract that forbids me from acting in any manner that results in a competitive conflict of interest, I kinda felt insulted that she is questioning my integrity. I merely wanted to treat my students to dinner purely because I was leaving. Is the concept of a farewell dinner that hard to grasp? That said, I am sincerely thankful for her for many things during my stay at the centre, and wish her all the best.

I managed to ask my students though, in the duration of my teaching, if it was clear that I practiced favouritism. I expected the answer about me being biased against the boys, however, they went as far as to single out one particular student to be my favourite student, based on some things I've done and said in the past. It's true that I have a favourite student, but too bad they picked the wrong person. Guess this further reaffirms the fact that I have difficulty showing affection to people whom I care about. I have actually prepared some farewell gifts for my class. If only they were able to see the gifts, they might have a better idea of who it was.

All lessons, assignments, and examinations have concluded. Assuming I don't fail anything, I have graduated! Now that I no longer have work and school commitments, it makes it possible for me to experience 自由人生. With all this free time, I have picked up gaming again. I wonder how long this will last. I have a feeling the next job I get has to be definitive of a career, no longer one when I take up just to earn extra income while studying. I think that scares me in some ways.

The Bintan Trip never happened. One of us could not make it due to NS obligation. It's now pushed back to 21st September. Hopefully, no more changes will be needed.

I went with my University Mates to The Colour Run. I know it wasn't a competitive event. However, since a particular guy told me his personal best timing for a 5km run, I felt super obligated and compelled to break it! Thank God I did albeit only by a few seconds. Too many people were blocking the path. Washing away the colours after the run though, required 2 days of intense scrubbing. I went for Badminton with that same guy whose timing I set out to beat last week. He suggested a Badminton marathon where we play competitively non-stop for 30 minutes. How the heck can I refuse a challenge, and from him of all people! The final score was 90 - 35. Don't ask who won. If I lost, I wouldn't even mention it here.

And umm... I just gave someone else access to this blog again. To think she would make this request when I was overwhelmed by guilt at that point. I merely wanted to scare her with an outreached hand. I did not expect to knock over that glass of ice onto her. The thing is, she was the exact same person that made me knelt and wrote the essay I mentioned in the previous post. I need to watch myself and stop offending her. This reader will be addressed as D.

I'll be heading to Taiwan in a few hours time. So... Goodbye Singapore!


[Quotes]
“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” - J. K. Rowling

“If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.” - Malcolm X