My Blog

Yesterday night, I finally decided to call a student’s mom to inform her of my decision to stop teaching her daughter, KY who was taking private lessons with me. It was the first time I’m giving up on a student. I spent countless hours contemplating if the fees were more important than my emotional well-being and came to a conclusion that it’s not worth it. WHAT? “Thung cheen tau hei?” (Turning one’s back to $$$?) I’m not. But the $ I’m getting isn’t worth the emotional roller-coaster that she’s put me through.

Saturday morning (11 Feb, 2006) was the last straw that broke the camel’s (READ: Me) back. The camel just couldn’t sit back and smile anymore. Fellow teachers told me to sit back and endure it, cause after all, it’s once a week. And why give a damn if she doesn’t revise or finish up her theory homework, as long as she pays her fees promptly? I did try to adopt that ‘tidak apa’ approach. But I just couldn’t bear it when she can’t even meet the minimum requirement that I set for my students!

It’s fine if she doesn’t have the time to practice or do her theory. During school exam periods, some of my students are like that too. At least, show me the effort and the spirit. And not just move her fingers half-heartedly for the sake of moving them! A 10-year old girl should know what she wants and should be responsible! Not this KY.
Every Saturday, she’d spoil the rest of my day. She’s the first student of the day.
And waking up at 7am to prepare myself for her lesson at 8 am…

My other individual students, some who are younger, are even more responsive, responsible and hardworking compared to this KY. They’d come for their lessons smiling and when they leave, we’d both be smiling. These are the students who make my day and give me the satisfaction of being a teacher. They might not have the time to practice their pieces nor finish up their homework, but nevertheless, they are willing to try their best during lessons. This is what I want – the effort and spirit!
They even get upset with themselves for not being able to grasp a certain part in a piece and I have to offer words of consolation to them before the floodgates open! (READ: Tears)

Busy? That’s the excuse KY’s mom always cooked up for her. WHO is not busy? All school-going kids have countless activities lined-up for them. She’s not he only one with numerous tuition classes to attend. It’s mom’s fault for always giving excuses on her behalf.
Well, I know that good and bad students are all part and parcel of the job. But I’ve been telling myself to give her another chance countless times. Every time, I’d be soft-hearted and agree to give her another chance after chatting with her mom. But I think it’s time for me to just move on.

Theory homework left undone for weeks at a stretch… Pieces sprinkled with halts and stops, even after numerous attempts and repetitions, reminders and demonstrations on the notes, note values, rhythm, etc… What the sh*t does she have in her brain?
In a striking contrast to her, some of my students even take the initiative to learn up a piece by themselves or even request for more homework! (especially Tammy, who’s taking private lessons with me and is also in my JXC class, an 8-year old girl who’s really a sweetie and has a cute little doggie called Yoko, who loved to put its paws on my lap) She’s my second student on Saturday and praise the Lord, she (plus Yoko) never fail to cheer me up after KY’s lesson.

I’ve had enough of sacrificing my sleep for someone who does not have the heart to learn. Enough of putting on a sweet and cheerful demeanor for someone who refuses to co-operate. I’d rather save my smiles and encouraging words for those who really deserve them - the sweet little angels who really want to learn and are willing to put in the effort. It doesn’t matter if the child is not musically inclined (Yamaha philosophy: Music is for everyone). Ian (he’s in Paris now, his mom has been transferred there) wasn’t really musical, but he doubled the effort and he was willing to work extra hard. Not KY. I don’t want my emotions to be ruffled by her every Saturday morning. I want my day to start off with a smile, and end with a smile.

Met up with a couple of high school mates last night. It’s been a decade since we last saw each other, maybe slightly more than a decade.
In fact, we weren’t even friends nor acquaintances back then.
Whenever we see each other along the corridors, we’d just stare straight ahead and walk pass, without even a smile, a hello or a nod in acknowledgement.
Total strangers.
Thus, some of my friends and I concluded that students from U6Sc2 were a bunch of prim and proper, stiff and serious bookworms who looked solemn most of the time.

So I was totally caught unprepared when CK sms-ed and suggested that we met up for a drink and he’d be bringing along CA and Mickey.
Oh my God! I didn’t want to go alone.
I won’t know what to say! What should I wear? What can we talk about? What do people talk about with people whom they have not met in a decade?
In a state of panic, I sms-ed Mien Tse (my classmate in Form 6 and close friend) and asked her to join us.
Thank God she said “yes”! Muaks! I love you, Mien Tse!
A decade of having that “misconception” about Sc2 students melted away last night.
Never judge a book by its cover.
Friendly, nice & chatty chaps.

I was expecting the worst scenario of everybody staring at each other, with awkward silences and all of a sudden, everybody talking at the same time to break the ice.
Mien Tse took it all in stride.
On the contrary, I was a nervous wreck before the meeting.
Countless of worse scenarios flashed through my mind.
Suffice to say, I was like a bashful, silly schoolgirl going on her first date!

Much ado about nothing! It was needless to get so nervous! Silly Kitty Kat!

As a “precaution” and ice-breaker against the ‘awkward silent moments’, I brought along Johnny’s pix.
His transformation from FIT to FAT.
Luckily, I didn’t need to bank on Ah Boy too much.
But like a proud mommy showing off her baby’s pix, I was busy showing everyone my doggie’s pix
It felt like going on a “blind date” when I stepped into A&W gingerly after my JMC class at Level 2.
Scanned the place, someone waved. It was CK, flashing a bright smile.
Couldn’t recognise him with his cap on.
CA arrived soon after, followed by Mien Tse.
Mickey didn’t turn up coz CK forgot to inform him.

We yakked till they turned off the lights.
Not too late to get to know one another after all these years, huh? After all, we share some similar “history” of being in the same school.
Not too bad a meeting last night.
Mien Tse, you’re great!