MW in a Different Light

Straight after my last 4 Schools Combined Sports Meet, I, together with Eunice, Pak Nian, Lin Hui, Sin Yee and Jessica, the 6 of us, boarded bus 16 to Parkway Parade. Mrs Michelle Wong (MW) had ‘made an appointment’ with Eunice there.

Before MW arrived, we cleared off our hunger pangs at Yoshinoya Japanese Restaurant. Eunice was complaining about her growling stomach since 8am, and lunch was indeed the solution. She mentioned about the meals she usually have on regular school days, and upon hearing “breakfast, second breakfast, lunch…etc”, I questioned her, “Are you a Hobbit?”

She paused for a moment, and answered, “Ya.”

Our conversation turned humorous when it comes to our dessert - a fruit jelly with coconut fibre (nata de coco) and some white spheres. We all wondered what the spheres were. All of us come up with so many assumptions such as ‘Styrofoam balls’ and ‘pearls’, but they were just gelatine/agar balls which did not taste good.

MW arrived at the restaurant at around 2.45pm. I could not recognise her at the first sight due to her new hairstyle. It’s shorter and seemed to be dyed, unlike the last time I met her. Her hairstyle makes her look much younger and energetic. She looks great and I like it!

She brought along her iPod Photo. MW also revealed the story behind her son's persuasion technique to get an iPod shuffle. She was watching television with her son when the Apple iPod shuffle commercial was aired. Her son commented that he couldn’t dance like those silhouette figures in the commercial as he didn’t own ‘that white thing’ the figures had strapped on them. The hint was palpable, and after much consideration, MW decided to purchase an iPod shuffle for him.

Next, she drew out a red envelope from her bag. One look at it, I knew it’s that red envelope Eunice had mailed to her in January/February. She showed us the receipts from her purchases using the vouchers enclosed in the envelope, and most of the purchases were made for her sons.

Oh yah, MW is going for a blood test soon at the diet centre. The reason behind it? “I’ve already told you the answer. Refer to source A” was her reply.

We discussed about the (new) P and the different teachers that taught us this year. Sin Yee mentioned Madam Phua - the teacher who seldom (or never) smiles. MW searched her mind and have no idea who Madam Phua is. Her only question to help trigger her ‘photographic memory’ was, “What shoes does Madam Phua wear?” The answer given wasn’t much of a help for MW. “Short, old, and looks like a Chinese teacher” were some of the descriptions given. “She is a Maths teacher but she has her staff room at the 1st level” was added on to clarify.

Speaking of the staff room situated at the 1st level, MW explained the reason behind why the CL department is situated there and why many teachers would like their staff room at the 1st level. Tsk, tsk, not stating it here.

Regarding the P, some said that he looks strict but he couldn’t bring himself to scold us, and to show his dissatisfaction, he made all classes write an apology letter each, even when the Sec 4s were so quiet and well-behaved then. “He can’t differentiate between an eagle and an owl!” commented one of us. MW’s eyes widen when she heard that. As usual, we explain the story fully. Well, MW shared with us some of the chronicles of the P, and the system on how MOE civil servants are positioned. Interesting.

MW redirected our conversation to Joel, the FG student who left for Shanghai last year. Sin Yee, Lin Hui, Pak Nian and Jessica shared the interesting changes and events. Jessica stated that Sin Yee’s parents wanted to send Sin Yee to 3 different countries for immersion programmes during the months awaiting for the ‘O’ Level results. MW was supportive of that idea. She said, “You have to experience it for yourself instead of trusting all that you see on TV. When you return, you’ll find out how…much the television had deceived you.” That is pretty true. I’d like to go for an immersion programme if given an opportunity.

MW seems to be more of a friend than a teacher to us, considering that she received a…special gift/tribute from us and some of her other students. It’s just a pity that she’s no longer teaching in CCHMS, but some of us still keep close contact with her.

Reflecting back, MW is the only teacher I’ve known that received the special gift/tribute. My most preferred teacher, Madam Lianne Sia, did not receive such gifts, and neither did the most affable teacher I’ve ever met, Ms Yeo Wenqing, nor did the most effective and amiable English Literature teacher who greatly changed my former perspective of English Literature, Mr Lee Er Ker, received such gifts. When I was first introduced to MW, I knew that she’s unique, and the gift/tribute had verified it. I hope that she’ll have as much fun teaching in ACS(I) presently as in CCHMS last year.

MW’s dress code : Dark Blue T-shirt, Beige Bermudas and Black Framed Specs.

PS: Congratulations to Pak Nian, Lin Hui, Sin Yee & Jessica. Your Biology test had been officially cancelled in the coming week (thanks to the enthusiastic cheering of CCHMS?).