Day 001
Yes, this is Day 001.
I'm not unhappy. Actually, it's been coming for a long time, this change in life. It is a chance to move on, to work on my doctorate, to try to come to grips with myself.
I will be busy for the next few days, very busy indeed. But know that I will always remember you who worked with me and were my friends. My mission remains unchanged. I do hope that I will become a wiser man, though.
That's it for now. Remember that by the grace of God, I am happy, healthy, moving on and doing my PhD. Pray for me, my friends.
=====
Update: I really appreciate every single comment posted. I am encouraged by them, and while I cannot yet reply to these wonderful communications, I thank all of you who have posted.
I'm not unhappy. Actually, it's been coming for a long time, this change in life. It is a chance to move on, to work on my doctorate, to try to come to grips with myself.
I will be busy for the next few days, very busy indeed. But know that I will always remember you who worked with me and were my friends. My mission remains unchanged. I do hope that I will become a wiser man, though.
That's it for now. Remember that by the grace of God, I am happy, healthy, moving on and doing my PhD. Pray for me, my friends.
=====
Update: I really appreciate every single comment posted. I am encouraged by them, and while I cannot yet reply to these wonderful communications, I thank all of you who have posted.
Labels: Autobiography, Work
etched with acid at 5:35:00 pm
32 Comments:
Oh sir, you will be sorely missed. It's comforting to know you're not upset about it (though sending the Hierophant an sms with the word 'GRIN' on it is a little too excessive).
sir
I'm afraid I din't have the pleasure of getting to know you personally while you were at school. However, I would like to express my surprise and dismay in light of current events.
To a 3rd generation "true blue" ACS boy with all the credentials that an ACS boy would be proud of, I'd just like to wish you nothing but the best.
It would have been an understatement to say that it was quite shocking to get wind of the news.. will definitely pray for you sir.
I regret that like p, I hardly know you as a teacher, let alone on a close level.
Though I am more a stranger than most, I wish that you will do well (if not better) on this new path. The best is, as always, yet to be =)
I'm still in great shock that you left without notice, and without saying goodbye to us first. But I do wish you all the best. (:
When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the Hill were heard;
before the dawn he went away
on journey long without a word.
From Wilderland to Western shore,
form northern waste to southern hill
through dragon-lair and hidden door
and darkling woods he walked at will.
With Dwarves and Hobbits, Elves and Men,
with mortal and immortal folk,
with bird on bough and beast in den,
in their own secret tounges he spoke.
A deadly sword, a healing hand,
a back that bent beneath its load;
a trumpet-voice, a burning brand,
a weary pilgrim on the road.
A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
swift in anger, quick to laugh;
an old man in a battered hat
who leaned upon a thorny staff.
He stood upon the bridge alone
and Fire and Shadow both defied;
his staff was broken on the stone,
in Khazad-dûm his wisdom died.
That summarises how I feel right now. Against stupidity, the gods themselves battle in vain; you, however, have not battled in vain. I will pray for you, my brother and friend.
sir u left acs????? gd luck in all your endeavors and hope to see you again someday =)
you were a teacher who held my utmost respect, and absolute admiration. Thanks for all you've done in the school; for always being the standard to strive towards; for giving hope that presentations and lectures need not be painfully boring, and essentially plain un-stimulating.
i believe it is a common sentiment to say that it was a great pity not to have gotten to know you personally. It would have been a great joy, I expect.
rest assured you'll be in our prayers. thanks for making the difference, in all your years here.
best of luck!
-austin
All the best sir.
We'll definitely miss your jokes and your TOK and ACS talks.
My parents still remember how impressed they were with you, years back when you were emceeing for school events.
Good luck in everything you do.
Sir,
You were one whom I always had a lot of respect for because I believed that you could see things the most clearly.
I will always remember the little moments of insight and brilliance that just seemed to 'happen' when you were around us.
Even though it was only for a short time,
Goodbye, and thank you.
Well, I am glad that you're happy anyway.
I'll be praying for you. And well, seeing as you have more time on your hands, we can meet up in the mornings now!
Wow sir this is quite a shock... Well i'm sure that you'll succeed in whatever future endeavors you pursue. I know that wherever you shed your light (and famous sense of humor) across, people will be blessed and changed by it, just as so many of us have... All the best!
You certainly brought life to ACS in so many ways. It's a great loss no doubt to each of us :(
But rest assured, you'll be kept in our prayers (:
Life is like a play I feel. Everything's of significance. Full of twists. Jumbled everywhere. I don't think this is the end of the chapter of ACSi in your life.
Funny how intelligence doesn't mean wisdom. Strange that living a good life doesn't mean having a good life.
I think we'll see you some day soon. I somehow knew you wouldn't reply, had that feeling.
Interesting that people can be crazy maniacs for God. Something so awkward and yet strange. But somehow I strive to be like one.
I'll end off with a Psalm which I like quite alot.
...One thing only do I want: to live in the Lord's house all my life to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance. Psalm 27:4
**wait you just proved me wrong with the message**
Keep in touch ok? You've been a role model and mentor to me. I don't quite know how to feel about this but as long as you're happy nonetheless, everything will turn out all right!
Dear Sir,
It was a rude shock when I got wind of the news that you were leaving ACS(I). I'm sure your leaving is a great loss to the school. I will always remember your Chemistry and TOK lessons, your great help for students in need as well as your lame jokes, specially catered to brighten our day.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. May God bless you in everything that you do! Keep in contact.
the school has no idea what it lost by doing what they did
Sir,
Here's wishing you all the best, and your departure is only the school's loss.. [Don't think there are any many other teachers around who have the ability to mentor 4 EE Subjects!] Still remember your memorable TOK lectures, which generated debates that covered the internet, and your fascinating sense of humour, which has been a source of inspiration for all wannabe lamers around.
Will be praying for you sir, and do keep in touch!
=]
You'll be missed, sir. It's the school's loss.
Here's to all the good (and bad) coffee, the horrible (but imaginative) puns, the entertaining Chemistry and TOK lectures, the weird grins, the offbeat WHOIS games, and the ever-present intellectual acrobatics.
All the best!
a microwave to you for saying cya..and not farewell =p
Sir,
I don't know you personally, but I've attended your talks, lectures, and enjoyed them all.
Your having the leave the school was the last thing I ever expected, and it will come as a great loss to us.
Wishing you the best in future endeavors..
Dear Alistair Chew,
I remember your talk about friends forever during one of the chapel sessions, especially about the part about barriers between teachers and students.
Now that you have left the school, that boundary is dissolved away. We are equal as individuals who are living through this life of ours. We can be teacher and learner who are no longer constrained by the society's image of school teacher and students.
I'm struggling to find the appropriate words to convey my point. I'm sure, by now, everyone can see that I'm one of those foreigners who are free-loading from the citizen's tax.
My point being... (finally...)
I do not know you personally, and you may not know me. I'm just one of those 4000 ACSians. one of those 6 billions puny individuals. However, I admire you very much as a teacher and as an individual. I am truly inspired by your blogs.(There's no point for sucking up now, is there?)
I truly, really, hope that I can still communicate with you through this blog. I wish that you can share with us your 'findings', that we can learn from them.
You will always be remembered by all of us. It's been a pleasure to know you.
I wish you good luck for your future endeavors.
May God bless us all in our continuous search for ourselves, for 'it'.(Whatever 'it' is.)
Thank you, teacher...
As others before me have said, thanks for being the inspiration you were in ACS, for all the wonderfully brilliant ACS talks and TOK lectures, and for EE supervision (heh). All the best for your endeavours in the days ahead!
Thanks for everything, Sir.
All the best, God bless.
Dear Sir,
I must say this has come as quite a blow. Just my two rupiah:
"A jack of all trades is a master of none."
"You know how to speak cleverly, my friend. Beware of too much cleverness!"
Thank you for your thoughtful guidance this past year.
Sad to see another good teacher leave the school... Will miss your talks and TOK lessons (even though i do not understand everything tt was said...XD)... All the best in your future endeavours =) Hope to see you again sometime... I guess this came a little late.. just found this site...=X
-Hendra
Hey Sir
Just came back from overseas, so i just found out about your departure..
It's been great being your student for the past 2 years, and your wit, above all, will be missed.
Take care, and God bless!
Eggy
Dear Sir,
I have always admired you as a teacher, your incredible wisdom, your jokes that caused much laughter at times, and the ACS talk with much passion at times, and being my brother's teacher and my interviewer for the programme back in 04.
echoing Kenneth's sentiments, I would like to thank you for those TOK lectures and the beautiful ACS talk.
may God bless you in whatever you do and I really hope to see you back.
Dear Sir (Alistair),
About a decade ago, I sat in your class, and marveled at how on earth you'd remember the elements of the periodic table, the molecular weights etc. Ten years on, I still wonder how you do it. But truth be told, you were (and still are) an inspiration. Till this day i still remember chem MCQ training, and walking around like a hawk 'ripping our livers out', only to have them grow back the next day. Nonetheless, I wish you all the best for your PhD studies, and for you to come back as Dr. Chew (as we used to call you behind your back then).
Edward, 4.12- Class of 99
I tried to do 'In Meme-oriam', but I found it difficult because I doubt I've exchanged more than a few sentences with you in all my years in school. I still felt like I should leave a comment, though, because I regard you as one of the best teachers I have been a student of. (Only five other names come to my mind when I consider the size of that category, and I count myself very fortunate to have had that many.)
I was your student at a distance while I was in school. I have also been provoked into thought and reflection and galvanized into research and study by your posts on this blog. I have been inspired by the sheer breadth of ideas and areas of knowledge you are able to write about in depth. Despite what you say about language being inaccurate and imprecise, you use it well enough that I can say that you have been as much as or more of a teacher to me through your writings here and elsewhere as those who have been my teachers in a conventional sense.
The short version: Thank you very, very much.
Well now. I've never found this up until now. But better late than never, I suppose.
I've never actually held a conversation with you in person. The closest thing we've had to a conversation, as I recall, was you shouting at me late one night in school for slipping under a cordoned-off area instead of going around it (Yes, I have very clear memories of my past. It's kind of scary, sometimes.). It was, what, the eve of Founder's Day? Or the eve of National Day? It doesn't matter. I think you were talking to Mr Kenneth Seah at the time, too. Ah well.
Anyway, what's happened has happened, and now it's 2010. May God continue to bless you in all your endeavours, and hopefully I'll meet you again someday.
/Sorrows
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