I remember saying that I'd like a quiet Christmas...
But Christmas came and went too quietly.
Now, Chinese New Year songs are hitting the airwaves and goodies are on sale already.
But I haven't had enough of Christmas.
Fortunately, the Christmas lightings are taken off yet...
So I kind of enjoyed today at Orchard... taking pictures of the pretty lights and Christmas decor.

Of course, when you put a group of girls together, and over a cuppa of coffee and tea, you'll get a market.


It's nice talking about stuff that happened many years ago. Those years were one the best period in my life.

We've managed to name all our classmates...

P.S.: Names were not written in order of importance. :)

Happy New Year.
Here's wishing everyone a good year ahead.
Blessed 2009.

I miss my parents sending me to school;
I miss the feeling of having mom comb my hair;
I miss telling dad all my problems without having to bother about how worried he'll be.
Growing up,
seems to mean that I'll have to give up all these privileges.
It also seems that I should be sharing some of their burdens.
The world appears to be more complexed than I thought,
with more shades of grey than black and white.
It is ironical that I was once a kid who had wanted to grow up, to be freed from the arms of control and supervision.
I still want to be my daddy's girl,
I don't want to grow up.

Merry Christmas.

Luke 2:16-20
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Celebrate the reason this season. Blessed Christmas.

Results was released this afternoon. Grades have improved... I've been looking forward to this day when my CAP improves; it ain't an easy process, really. So, I'm really happy with the improvement. Afterall, my score had been decreasing prior to this sem... I guess I have a lot to be grateful for this sem and hols apart from my results. Besides, I think I'm no longer so anxious about my results as I used to during secondary and college days. Think this is part of life, a point when we all learn to take more things easily and realise that there are many more things and experience that matter more than results.
Christmas' nearing. Have been busy with Christmas' shopping and celebration. Received wishes and cards from friends, and I'm kind of touched to received many personalised messages. I mean after so many years of receiving cards from them, their messages still sound sincere and personalised. I'm guilty of writing generalised messages and wishes on Christmas cards to some friends for reason that we haven't been seeing much of each other hence the lack of personal touch. So yes, I do feel quite uneasy about this. And for your information, I do keep Christmas cards, but I don't really read through them again for the second time. I know of people who do, but I find it quite a hassle taking out the card from the envelope, reading it, and putting it back into the envelope.
I like the freedom of shopping alone in a quiet mall. Being alone gives me the space to think. To think about what I need to buy, whether is it really value for money. I must say that I'm a sound consumer, I seldom buy anything on impulse these days. But for some reasons, mall's crowded today. It's just the eve of Christmas eve, and it seemed to me that the crowd's out. It kind of irritate me to walk along the same path of strolling couples and individuals. It's equally annoying to be walking behind rowdy teenagers or some loud-talking group of people. I definitely understand that some people like to stroll or walk at a slower pace and talk more loudly; and I must stress that I'm not suffering from some hormonal imbalance nor am I jealous of their company. Besides, when with friends when I have company, we tend to walk more slowly and become more animated in our speech as well. Oh well, sometimes it's hard to practice what one preaches. Perhaps I should simply just avoid crowd.
I'm looking forward to a simple and quiet Christmas this year. I think it will suit me best.

Yippee... exams are finally over. Will be crossing my fingers for the results.
This semester simply just flew past. In just a blink of the eye, maybe a few, it's now over. Well, I've really enjoyed many things this semester; friends, school work, dg, prayer...
And now, let us all enjoy this period of rest and may we fully utilize it, to recharge, to rest before the next semester. This holiday will also see many friends coming back from exchange from various places... I'm looking forward to meeting them again. Life is so much happier with them around. So friends, if I don't happen to meet up with you this hols, do take care and enjoy your hols, and if I'm meeting you (for some reason or another), well, hope to see you soon.

It's been ages since I last wrote in here. Well, I'm back, just thought that I want write in here to let every concerned friends know how I'm doing. Well, things have been good this semester. I've really got many things to thank for as I've shared with many people. I thank God for such a semester; I've learnt many things; I've come to know that it is truly a blessing and a priviledge to pray for people, to spur them on, and to remind one another of God's love for us. I'm really glad that my friends are willing to share with me their problems and worries. And I try as much as I can to empathise with them as well. Though it was initially hard, but, in time, it turns out to be a truly refreshing experience to be able to pray for friends. I'm also encouraged by many persons, in many ways this semester. I'm also thankful for my dg mates and SM. I really enjoyed dg this sem though Mondays were always hectic and busy. I thank God for those times when we all learnt about His Word together. I'll miss those times of walking together to Kent Ridge after dg after the sun sets. I also felt blessed and loved by many who have prayed for me. I thank you all for your prayers and love. You have all made this semester fly; I have had a good time this semester because of all of you.
So with this, I want to encourage all of you to press on, to study hard for the exams. I'll be praying for God's strength and blessings to be on us all. Take care and God Bless.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: 13- 14.

DG has finally commenced! Sometimes I really marvel at how time flies... I seem to have completed 2 Crunaction books and am now going into my third one... Indeed, being a 3rd-year student is not easy. Getting into year 3 spells greater workload from studies, and with commitments and stuff piling up, I really need the faith and strength to persevere and press on.
I was reminded of the importance of walking by faith when reading about the battle of David against Goliath. I can visualise how the pint-sized David stood in front of the giant-sized Goliath and spoke to him when nobody else dare to. David's confidence comes not from himself. It emanated from God. While Goliath was the sight in many other persons, David seemed to see God. He was confident that God will grant him victory no matter how great the odds were against him.
In recent times, many Goliaths have surfaced in my life. I tried running away to avoid these great giants, but I know I can't hide from them. The root of this action seems to have stemmed from the fact that unlike David, it is those scary Goliaths that occupy my mind and sight. I need to see God and have faith in Him that He will bring me through those battles. Most importantly, I will do things not just for God, but with God as well as in God.

Happy 43rd National Day.
Have been busy watching the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summer Olypmics last night and the National Day parade this evening.
And oh yes, Channel 5's First Class is really funny. It reminded me of the last school-based English sitcom, @Moulmein High, but I think I relate to First Class better. Well, the story is set in a fictious Achiever Secondary School, and revolves around a new teacher, fresh out from school; passionate and idealistic about his chosen career path. It is also about how a group of 5 new Secondary 1 students become friends, and learn together. Do visit the First Class' Website. It's kind of interactive, with many videos, interviews, and a make your own comic strip section.
I think I really relate to Mr Michael Wong, the new teacher. His passion and love for teaching and nurturing the kids (remember my post some time ago when I mentioned that I can't wait to enter the teaching force?!=)). But I think I can foresee myself getting tired along the way and even complain and whine about my job. I've been thinking of ways in which I can keep all those complains away; maybe holidaying, or retreats? Or maybe interactions of other forms (CCAs, CIPs, ...) with the students will help me to love and enjoy my job more? Or perhaps juggling the other aspects of the role of an educator, cos in the process, I will (hopefully) be enriched more than I ever think i'll be? Seriously, many things may seem overwhelming at this stage and I know I have a long way to go. But, I am somewhat excited.

Friends are really God's way of showing His love for us.
Had a really good time talking to them today. I wasn't exactly excited abt the idea of going out for dinner today (*sshhss*) but the moment I met them, I knew I made the right choice.
It was all so déjà vu sitting at Subway at Marina Square, and at the same table this evening.
Meeting up for dinner, exchanging belated birthdays' presents seem to be our standard practice these years. I'm really glad that we're friends; such great friends who understand one another, and can complete one another's sentences. A toast to all these years of friendships.






Presents from Europe!


P.S.: I really like this pic, cos of the (unintentional) wink! *><*
Oh, 8th Aug 2008 has arrived! Beijing Olympics is here!

Finally, I developed some of the photos which I have been wanting to develop.

Many people will be surprised that at this digital age, why will I want to develop pictures and keep them in a photo album? Well, cos I like things tangible and I like the idea of looking at all these pictures... it's just like reading a biography as the pages of photos just flip through and fond memories just make one smile wistfully and make one yearn to go back to those good old times. Indeed, I'm sure I'll miss those times more when the new sem starts next week. Guess that's probably because I've played too hard this hols.

Just found this link on Saving Gaia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/savinggaia/
Go check it out. It's quite interactive, offers lots of creative projects for turning thrash into treasures...

It must have been the many pbl presentations that I've sat through some weeks ago. Now, I've decided to do my part to save our Earth. It's not that I've haven't been doing so, it's just that from now on, I'm going to make a more consious effort to do so. I've even come up with a list of ideas and actions.

1. Bring a reusable bag with you all the time; you'll never know when you'll need it.

It does help to have a nice, pretty reusable bag, so, either buy a nice one or personalise your own, do whatever, so long as you'll be motivated to bring one with you all the time.

2. Recycle your plastic bottles and aluminium cans from your green tea/ coke/ pepsi...

I read that in Hong Kong (I think), the sizes of the aluminium cans for a certain drink are being reduced due to the falling supply of aluminium. So people, pls recycle.

3. Use both sides of the paper and recycle them.

4. Bring your own container if you were to pack food.

5. Switch off all switches when not using them. This will help you to save electricity and money.

I'm sure the list goes on, but I think five a good place to stop. Anymore, we'll not remember them. I really think that it is very important that we all start to reduce our ecological footprints. If we continue to use our limited resources at this rapid rate, I dare not think of the dire consequences.

Saving Gaia begins with me.

I picked these up from the library a couple of weeks ago and have been wanting to visit some museums. So, if anyone's free or interested, pls call/msg me.

It seems to me that many of my friends are flocking to Chinatown for some unknown reasons. And so, one day, I was finally dragged there (alright, it was a gathering/ meeting with some real good friends). I think we combed almost the entire Chinatown; starting from the MRT station, we walked to Smith Street for lunch, then went over to People's Park Complex and Centre and then to Chinatown Point and finally back to Smith Street. Seriously, I would not have done that alone. It would have taken a toll on my physical strength (yes, I know I should have exercise more. Anyone interested in learning squash? or going to the gym when school starts? or just running round the track before/ after school? call me).
As we walked, I saw many people. The entire Chinatown was buzzling with activities and the place was packed with tourists, retirees, housewives... it was so unlike town or even around my neighbourhood on a weekday when the place will be so quiet.
Indeed, Chinatown has got much to offer; from shops selling relatively cheap, exotic and delicious food, clothing, shoes, accessories,... to beautiful unique shophouses... that's the charm of Chinatown. The charm that is pulling many housewives, retirees, tourists and now, many of my friends there.

Hmm, on a day like today, many random thoughts struck.
As a teacher/ tutor, you'll learn a lot. You're not just the one at the giving end. You receive too. In fact, you receive a lot more than you expect. No wonder some teachers can teach for life. Just like what one of my lecturers said, to teach is to learn.

Like how I learnt about the element song from someone while doing my lesson plan. I never knew that such a song exists. Check out the link, it's cool.

http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html

I really can't wait to join the teaching force. I know that it's definitely not easy to be a teacher and much harder to be an educator, especially in the first few years. And I think I have a lot to learn. But I think it's really worthwhile seeing for yourself how minds transform.

But before all this, it's back to school first.

I'll try to wake up early every morning, eat regular meals, snack healthily, and get some activities done every day (which is why I think buying a Wii will be good). Ha.
Finally got my tuition stuff, the revision exercises done. I'm still trying hard to think of ways to help them improve; this final stretch is no doubt crucial. They need to work hard and smart. Me too. School's going to start soon. I need to get myself mentally prepared. Have to get back all my books I've lent out and returned the books that I've borrowed. Endless of things to do. Many will be going on exchange; US, UK, Taiwan, China, ... Enjoy you lucky fellows.

Came back from the half-day feedback and sharing session. After hearing the experiences of fellow scholars and awardees and friends, I've come to this conclusion that the girls and teachers at cgs are really a fortunate and priviledged bunch. I feel blessed to have been posted to such a good school, but on the other hand, what scares me is the possiblilty of me having to teach at a normal, mainstream school. I don't think I have been really exposed to a setting where discipline is a big issue, and I don't think I have the ability to discipline them. I think, if I have the opportunity to do relief teaching, I'll try my luck at neighbour schools.
Also, I've also realised that I have been taking most of the technology and resources available to me for granted. I seemed to forget that there are so many other students out there without pcs, not to even mention tablet pcs. It's good to have been posted to a future school, but I need to keep myself grounded and aware of the situation at other mainstream schools as well.
I'm so going to miss the fruit punch from the school canteen.

I'm going to miss waking up real early in the morning, taking the early, cold bus, and walking the stretch of road to go to school. I'm going to miss the past three wks. It have been a nice and good experience, and I'm really blessed to have been posted to one of the future schools in Singapore, to have made great friends, to have been given such warm hospitality by the principal and the teachers and of course, to learn loads of stuff from the school and my CT and the comments that he has given to me. I'm really grateful to everyone who have made us feel welcomed and at home for the past three wks. Thank you so much.
I'm also going to miss the disciplined lifestyle of the past three wks; of having to wake up early, eat regular meals and to do work.
And, oh yes, Wii is so fun.

I kept seeing this girl whom I taught last year in the school that I'm in now and she always says hi to me. Ha. Anyway, I think my mindset about certain things is changing. And I'm think I can say that it is towards a positive one. I hope. I now think that students, at least those in primary and secondary schools, sometimes need to be reprimanded so that they will learn. I used to think that I will only teach the interested, and not bother with those who are not interested (this, I think can be attributed to the lecturers in uni where they don't really bother whether or not anyone is listening). Hmm, isn't that a positive change in mindset?
But then again, I think if I were to come across a class where most students are the uninterested parties, I think no matter how hard I try and reprimand and nag and put away my pride to beg them, they may not listen. I may end up hurting myself. Hmm, so I guess, one have to be realistic and understand that it takes both hands to clap and two to tango. Nevertheless, I determined to teach and try my best to make even the uninterested interested in my lessons. When the mind and attitude is right, everything else tends to fall into place more easily.

I saw some of the students whom I relief-taught last year at today's Lit Fest and they said hi to me. That made my day. I'm such an easily satisfied person.
I'm caught in a dilemma, what should I do?