I really don't know what to say- Goodbyes are not my strongest point.

Am I burnt out from blogging? Well, it's hard to say. I really do not see the need to provide any more posts, but many friends have emerged. You know who you are, thank you... For just this post, 'Mr Fong' is no more - just an ordinary human being. Considering the fact that I hope don't think I'm an alien...

PSLE results are coming out, and I can feel the nerves fraying. Haha. I can't say it's really unexpected, but I desperately want all of you to do well. Take note of that. Some of you, or in fact most of you, are sad over leaving your boy-friends. Most of you (I hope, hehehe..) are worried about the results.

I really can't say what I expect about your results. Expectations can demoralize you, or lead to the abject disappointment that causes the uproar (but I doubt it would be like post-paper). There are some of you whom I see as 'borderline', but have worked and toiled as the PSLE loomed. I desperately want you all to get your grades. After all, we have poured our sweat and blood into it, havn't we?

There are some of you, the brighter ones, who are much quicker to understand the quick concepts I wanted to impart, but studied less. Well, God is fair. I guess I just have to thank God for your quick mind and intelligence... I can't say you deserve that A*, but for your own good, I sincerely hope you get it. You kids are excellent people to work with, and while you did not really toil and torture yourself to the limits, I hope you do get it. (No, Mr Fong is no sadist.)

I also hope, on a personal level, that those hours of trenching through the stacks of mock exam papers, of marking and digesting each of your your unique strengths and weaknesses, massive sourcing and production of worksheets and questions for your perusal into the wee hours of the morning will pay off. There have been outbursts, small failures and obstacles, and the occasional heartbreak, but God has been faithful, and you have survived the storms with me. These sacrifices of studying time, social life and sleep have been worthwhile, irregardless of the result. You kids have been the best (after Mr Fong himself, hur hur).

Anyway, thank you. Thank you for letting me learn things about myself, for challenging me and my intellectual beliefs beyond the horizons, for teaching me how results are NOT everything. I strongly believe that when I tutor you in Maths, I do not want to leave you as Maths genius but with those ugly personality scratches of chasing excellence blindly. I just hope all of you will go to a school that nurtures you, not only in Maths, but in person.

You have to know this: that I was so proud of you, that none of you crumbled after the paper. While I huffed and puffed through all the ridiculous complaints on forums, you were all studying for your next paper (I presume, haha!), enjoying yourselves like kids should or just relaxing. You absorbed what I told you about the mental preparation. I'm so proud of you, kiddos! (Ya la, I know you all 12 liao la. Haha.)

It has been a mammoth year with you all. Now, it's time to leave it to God.

[...]
Well, I once complained to my father that the results were a long while away. Now it couldn't have come sooner...

P.S. I might be teaching some of you next year, while this post says goodbye to the rest of you. I will remember you, don't worry. You all, coupled with your mischief and misdeeds, will never be forgotten. Rest assured, haha. I'm sorry that I would never be able to keep some of you, for I would be really very busy.

On a personal level, I hope those that tried very hard to retain me will not start haggling about prices all over again as the kids rise up to a new tier of education. I wish for that ounce of respect, for it has been very difficult for my studies and I to continue this vocation, but well, you need the help... I trust that these hanky-panky will not happen again. While I try to be professional, I unfortunately do not like to feel like a pasar-malam... Anyway, Good luck to all of you, my dearest kids :)