New Found Love in my Life

Okay, this is going to be a rather wordy post.
I'm so hyped up about this right now, I have to pen it down.



I've been teaching piano in a music school part time for slightly more than a year now.
I started when I was still studying, just after I attained my Grade 8 certificate.
I know it is always better if I've got a Diploma, but I was thinking why not start teaching first, gain some experience. I can always teach and learn at the same time.
So while I was still in uni, I taught piano part time and still had my own piano classes.



After graduation, I continued teaching in the music school.
I was struggling between looking for a proper job (not that I don't consider teaching piano as a proper job) - a job that provides a stable income with some sense of financial stability - and teaching piano full time.
I tried applying for some jobs, mostly environmental jobs, because that is what I'm interested in besides music but I wasn't really active in my job search. Environmental jobs that allow hands-on application are hard to come by.
I was one of the teachers in the school who had more time to spare (basically every day since I wasn't working) so I relieved for the other teachers whenever they're not around.



I love ALL my students and the parents I've met are pretty nice people.



I've got one 71 years old lady learning piano from me.
I'd say she's a pretty slow learner, but she's very hardworking!
She's so passionate about learning, she brings books for me to look at and to show me what she had been learning at home.
SHE LIKES MY TEACHING TOO!
But she prefers learning the keyboard though, because piano keyboards are a little too hard for her. ):
So, she'll be switching to another teacher who teaches the keyboard.



I've got an 8 years old boy who loves playing the piano.
He loves it so much he gets his mum to purchase books for him just so he can practise at home on his own.
He feels the music too!
Like when I play a song that's supposed to be comical, he laughs. He gets what expression the music is supposed to be.
He just told me he wants me to teach him for life. Hahahahah.
And now, he calls me just to chat.



I've another 8 years old girl who's really quiet.
She'll only speak when I ask her question, and I've never seen her smile during class.
After a year of teaching her, she's finally opening up to me.
I'm starting to see her smile more during classes and she'll ask questions when in doubt.
AND SHE'S MORE MOTIVATED!
After her Grade 1 practical, she wants more homework and more pieces to practise at home.
So satisfying. (:



It's really nice to see students understanding what I'm saying and applying the techniques I teach them.
Even more so when they're motivated!
Sometimes, parents would talk to me about their kids - how they're doing etc.
Okay, maybe I just enjoy talking BUT I LOVE TALKING TO ALL OF THEM. Hahaha.
Life has never been as satisfying as now.
I was so excited just now, just thinking about all these.
I think I just found meaning in my life!

Cross roads

It has been 5 months since my last examination, and 4 months since graduation.

All these while, I've been teaching piano part time in a private music school and looking for a full time job that I'd enjoy, something related to Geography and preferably field work, just like what I did in Thailand.
I started out applying for various positions for Research Assistant, but I've never gotten a reply from any of the professors.


I've thought it through and have decided this may not be the best choice for a career because most research assistant would one day attain their Ph.D. and continue doing their field work.
I'm not going towards the direction of getting a Ph.D. so there isn't really a reason for me to become a research assistant, except that I'd be satisfying my interest in field work.


And so, I started looking for other options.
I've looked through all the job openings on Careers@gov. and applied for positions in various companies - NParks (my main interest), HDB, Sports Council, MCYS, Ministry of Environment and more.
Again, not a single reply.


Because Geography and Music are still my main interest, I've considered applying for MOE.
The only thing that was holding me back was the public speaking part.
Speaking in front of a class of 40 can be pretty daunting.
I actually applied for a teaching position but got rejected.


Now, I've decided.
Since I'm into teaching and can't speak in front of a large group, I should go into private tutoring.
I've been giving private piano classes part time for about a year now and I'm never tired of going to work. It doesn't even feel like work.
It's quite satisfying whenever the student understands whatever concepts I'm trying to put across. Better still, the students gets motivated and wants to learn more.


My mind is pretty much set on piano lessons.
I've done up my calendar for 2013, chose the designs for name cards and have printed my flyers!
All I need is my pool of students now.

I was soooo happy when I got my flyers yesterday night.


If anyone knows people who would like to have piano classes, call me!

I passed my Grade 8 piano exam! (: (:
My piano teacher just sms-ed me. 2 more marks to merit but passing the exam is good enough for me. I've been working for about 2 years for this because I've been procrastinating my practice. I've been looking forward to this day since I started my practice.


I was bent on teaching piano the very moment I pass my Grade 8 but that was before I took the test. I still want to teach but it's after recess week. Mid term tests, project deadlines are all round the corner. I was asking around for music schools that will take in Grade 8 students as part-time teachers. I was intending to teach in North area, preferably Yishun and I found various websites that require me to send my resume in. But the thing is, the websites don't tell me what the working hours are like so I've not sent in any resumes. Des asked her music school if they need any piano teachers and I can start teaching whenever I'm able to commit. I want to but it's at Whampoa Drive and I've got to start around 4 plus 5pm on weekdays. I have school every single day till about 4pm and I start school early this semester. How am I supposed to commit?