Dear 2017

Dear 2017,

It was a year filled with various activities, excitement and new beginnings. Although there were times that I was very vexed with the ongoing flurry of activities, it was all worth it in the end.

2017 is indeed a very special year for me. In 2017, these happened:

• set up an online greeting card store with my friend
• got the keys to our very own HDB flat
• renovation for our flat
• got married with the love of my life in June
• honeymoon in Italy after the wedding
• learning how to cook delicious meals for my husband (though some turned out not as soon)
• decided to stop working with the current tuition centre and had a one month break
• travel to Tokyo with my husband and parents-in-law
• starting to teach part-time with another tuition centre only to find out my ex-colleague is there too!
• and a little surprise coming our way

That really seems like a very long list to me. Thank you for such a wonderful 2017. May 2018 be even better too!

Cheers to 2017! Hello 2018 soon!

Career Change in 2015

Having done relief teaching for a Primary 2 class as a form teacher in 2006 was actually a dream come true. However, a pass in A Levels did not guarantee me a spot in NIE then. Even a First Class Honours degree didn't grant me a chance to be selected for interview with NIE.

Seriously.

Majoring in accounts was an easy way out for me in 2006, when there seemed to be no other options for me. I didn't regret taking accounts. I learnt new things, met new friends and colleagues throughout the years. However, job satisfaction just wasn't there. Even though I had a stable job, I was still unhappy.

I didn't know why I had the courage to brave a career change at the age of 28 but I'm glad I did it. I quit my job in June to enjoy my Hokkaido trip in peace and then applied for NIE for the nth time. Four months later, I had my answer again.

Negative.

Negative.

Negative.

Freaking negative again.

I've had it. Is it so difficult for me just to teach? Something which I know for sure I will enjoy doing?

Then, an idea hit me. 

I applied for teaching position with several tuition centres and I'm officially going to start work as a full-time tutor tomorrow. I'm so excited! Been brushing up on my syllabus for the past few weeks even since my interview. I know, I know--I should have started earlier but I was just too engrossed enjoying my long break. It isn't too late to start, is it?

I'm so blessed to have the support of my loving mum, my doting boyfriend and my encouraging bff. Things will definitely work out well. I'll have my well deserved work-life balance.

My dear students, here I come~