This is me, for almost 4 months now.

pimples-chart.jpg

I called it the Pimples-O-Meter.

And it works like this: Numbers of Pimples = Stress level

I have never had so MANY pimples in my life before. The most I had was 2.

Now, I have 18!

I went to see doctor a few weeks ago. Of course, it wasn’t about the pimples.

Doc: Are you undergoing lots of stress?
Me: Yes. Very busy.
Doc: You must have your meals promptly. And, eat slowly.
Me: I tried to….
Doc: And rest more please..
Me: I tried…and dr, can you give me sleeping pills?
Doc: Em..why?
Me: I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, my work can’t stop flashing before my eyes..
Doc: Drink warm milk before you sleep. It helps…

I think I need warm Sake instead.

I took leaves to work at home during school holiday. Sounds crazy to you but it saves time from travelling to school and also having lunch (I just eat from the fridge). I work better at home because I don’t get distracted by every other things such as phone calls. Even going to toilet is nearer.

I have been working like that for 4 months now. Time is very precious to me and every minute counts.

My colleague said that I completed my work fast. But what they didn’t know was I don’t stop working after dinner and I work on Saturday and Sunday.

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I thought I was doing alright…UNTIL TODAY.

I broke down this evening…when I saw my timetable for the new semester.

I have marathon classes almost everyday, except Friday which is reserved for meetings.

Marathon classes = Classes are scheduled back-to-back from 9am – 6pm, with only an hour of lunch break or so.

No, it is not the first time. I have survived the past few semesters and I will be fine, just as before.

But my tears didn’t think so. The timetable ‘detonated’ many ‘land mines’ which were buried months ago.

I knew I was going to be exhausted teaching continuously for hours. But being an educator, nothing seems more important than the students’ learning.

Last semester, my students’ class was scheduled 5 hours straight with no ‘official’ break in between. My heart ached when I saw their zombie faces. And so, I gave them my ‘official’ 30 minutes break instead.

The tricky thing though, is always the time constraint vs. content delivery. 30 minutes break is considered a very luxurious break. Imagine that there are contact hours to be fulfilled vs. the syllabus to be covered vs. the learning-teaching pace.

And again, I always tell myself that what does not kill me will make me stronger. I take it as a challenge and a test. The timetabling issue is only the small one. I have other bigger and more complicated tasks to attend to.

But sometimes, I just wish I am a robot.

Posted under Me! Me! , Work | [14] Comments