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Chronicles of D-to-fire
Sunday, August 1, 2010

I think there probably is a million and one things I wished I could express here with the help of a high tech mind reading devices that translate thoughts into binary codes. A pity, but I guess I'll spend the day slowly, penning everything down if possible, and post them up in scheduled timings.

Part 1 of Life.

It's been 8 weeks spent as an instructor for Hi Club. Having my own class to guide, teach and nurture was one of the most meaningful thing ever. Looking back into my past as I first stepped into my class, learning my first lesson, and eventually catching on the flame of Hi Club.

It's my turn to spread it, and having a class of my own, the biggest one in fact. It wasn't a easy feat at all, managing the biggest class of the year, and maybe perhaps of Hi Club's history of a nice record number of 37? Around there :)

Starting was really hard to get the engine going. People wouldn't turn up for class, can't remember the words, you know, this and that. And I realized that, learning sign language was that easy to many people as compared to me. Well, I did had that special knack for it, haha, it was like my calling.

Adapting along the way to meet the needs of the class, dishing out lame and funny jokes to lighten up the atmosphere, only to be met with an awkward silence. Had to follow that up with some wacky behaviours of mine, which well was kinda me in the first place. Amidst the little chuckles here and there, I'm sure they did enjoyed every bit of it.

Dividing my attention between an average of 25 people or more was insanely hard, being a first time teacher. I could barely focus on a single individual long enough to examine their skills. Yet, it was quite heartwarming to see all the smiles and cheerful faces bursting with enthusiasm. Many of them had the potential to develop much better, perhaps stumped by the low attention we can provide to a single student.

Over the weeks, I dreaded each thursday where instructing would be on, but yet in a contrary setting, the moment I stepped into class, I couldn't wait to see them all once again. They were like my fruit of labour, and seeing them flourish bit by bit was one of the best experiences ever.

Our lack of time hindered us severely, pushing back our formation practice till the end of the term. My worries were further added by the irregulars of the class and some of the students not being able to recall the signings of words.

The formation for our performance had to fit the movement of 30 people, all having a share of the limelight and was terribly hard to plan at first. But a bit of brain-mashing and annoying screams of anxiety, the formation was up, with a really awesome ending. When my students saw it, their jaws dropped, not from the sheer coolness of it, but the messy looking movements that was simple by an individual's movement forming a complex looking whole. Difficulties aside, my class pulled off the formation in just 1 hour of practice. Heh, that's what cha get for having an awesome class.

Moving forward, a day before the big event, my class made it well at the rehearsals. A bit of tweaks needed here and there, and having 3 students pop by at the last minute to join us. I kinda found out their enthusiasm and liking for us instructors when they decided to sit it for my own performance practice, calling out my name as the curtains drawn with the music. These group of people, that I invested my sweat and blood into, were now here in full support. I smiled so much I stood there dazed.

A day tomorrow; the big day. Had to rush about preparing the props and stuff, and there I had my class practicing on their own. When the ceremony started, yet again, their voices filled the theatre with their cheers upon my introduction.

Getting to see them perform, the final fruit of everything that has happened during 8 weeks. Seeing them proud of their own song, moving along the seemingly complicated formation, ending out with an long ovation from the crowd. That fulfillment and celebration of the final step cross the finishing line. Earning the crowd's adoration from the surprise ending of "1F" figure, I could just run out there and scream and hug everyone of them if not for social standards.

Even as my performance begun, their cheers filled my heart with so much joy and excitement, that want to do better. Their support moved the crowd as the audience laughed at our little jokes during the drama. Without them, I'm sure the performance will never have the same impact.

The final closing of the ceremony, the class came together and we stood around exchanging words, my fanatical cries of how much I loved them so. We even got gifts from the students. A bit of hugs here and there, the option to say bye came. Yet, the class stayed on, none willing to say goodbye, but of course, neither did we instructors. Things couldn't just end like that.

Well, in the end, a dinner was arranged for everyone to meet again, followed by a promise, that I would move on to Basic B in a bid to see them again. I simply love my class. You guys gave so much to me, even words written on the TOA fail to express how much and great you guys are to me.

I love you Class 1F Sem 1 '10

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