Another Personality Test

Got this from another colleague.

It's the holidays.

Teachers more free to do bo liao things like take personality tests...

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You Are A: Frog!

Independent yet still part of a large community, frogs are unique creatures known for their distinctive sound and ability to hop. As a frog, you spend your days sitting on lily pads or climbing trees, searching for delicious insects to eat. While there are some frogs that aren't exactly cute, you are certainly not one of those!

You were almost a: Parakeet or a Kitten
You are least like a: Groundhog or a Chipmunk


Courtesy of Cute Animal Test!

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Photos from my recent trips

Here's the link to the photos of my recent trips.

http://spaces.msn.com/members/sharonsg/

My recent trips

Very, very sorry...

Wasn't able to maintain my blog since September.

In a nutshell, managed to finish my syllabus for Term 4 of the 2005 school year. All my students in Sec 1T1 managed to promote - I was even able to transfer one of my students to the Normal (Academic) stream, although one was also forcibly promoted even though he failed most of his subjects...

Part of pioneering group of teachers from Bukit View Secondary to bring students on an Overseas Service-Learning (OSL) Project to Kannamali, Cochin, India. Had an exciting 3 weeks in India, to say the least. Learnt a lot...

Came back from India for a 6-hour break. Quickly changed luggage and went back to the airport for flight to London. It was amazing... Changi - Clementi and Clementi - Changi within a 12-hour time frame.

Then it was off to a 3-week backpacking holiday in Europe. Zoomed across so many places -

London - only place where I am willing to spend money on watching musicals

Berlin - the history, WOW

Prague - so beautiful!

Munich - more history, WW2, more WOW

Bern - interesting buildings with shops founds in the cellars

Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch - the view, man, the view!

Karlsruhe - seeing Jason Chan again after 8 years

Brussels - Tintin, comics and Manneken Pis! *grin*

Back to London - Finally, can do my SHOPPING!

And now, it's back to Singapore and back to work...

Personality Test

Got the url from a colleague. If you have some free time to spare, try this:
http://quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

My results...

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.


The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.


Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.


The seriousness of your love:

You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?


Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.


The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.


How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.


What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.


Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.


Any comments?

Personality Test

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when everything is uncertain, one moment heaven... the next moment hell. You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage. In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Away for far too long

Darn...

I think I will have problem getting used to work when I get back to Singapore.

Have been away for almost 2 months now...

First 3 weeks in India leading 11 of my schoolkids in a community service trip. Then straight away come back and left for backpacking trip in Europe.

It's been an eventful year, to say the least... I hate growing old... (who doesn't... *grin*)

Getting introspective again now that the year is coming to an end... Birthday coming up too... (argh! another year older!)

So many stories to tell, so little time to sit down and write it all...

The Sound Clip Works

yippee!

the sound clip works. managed to upload my favourite song and it runs. been trying to memorise the song for ktv but *sigh* korean song a 'bit' difficult to memorise lah...

coming up next: blog will play a list of songs instead of looping just one song.

come back in a couple of days, k?

Mission Accomplished (almost)

Yeah...

Can't say I finished everything. But I think at least halfway there.

Going to get my good night's rest now.

Still to finish...

• Marking 2E5 Light Test
  
• Final changes to 3N Physics EOY Exam Paper
  
• Final changes to 1T Maths EOY Exam Paper
  
• Print 1T Maths EOY Exam Paper
  
• Get ready Mock Papers for ALL my classes (*argh*)
  

Weekend

Had a lovely weekend. Spent first part of Friday evening drinking Chinese Tea and makan mooncakes with colleagues in school. A bit bo liao but ok lah...

Then a group of us rushed to GV Plaza Sing to catch Robots at 7 pm. Bought a ton of nachos and drinks only to realise that ticket holders to Robots would get free popcorn and drinks at the cinema entrance. Well, that's why we went in with plenty of food and drinks to spare. And also took plenty of freebies - keychains, postcards, badges - that Science Centre was giving out together with Robots. Some sort of Science Month thingy.

Walked and walked and walked rather aimlessly with my colleagues after the movie coz we were too full of junk to eat more rubbish. 2 colleagues finally couldn't take it anymore and left. 3 of us left and we went to nuah inside Cafe Cartel.

Not bad... We actually spent about 2-3 hours inside gossiping and talking about nothing in particular... Nothing that I remember anyway. *grin* That's why very good to gossip with me one. Coz I sure forget one.

Reached home at about 3 plus on Sat morning. So happy. Haven't gone out at night in ages. I'm still pretty much an owl at heart.

Woke up pretty early at 8 plus though. But went back to sleep after surfing the net and amatuer voyeurism at my students' blogs. Just couldn't get into the mood of marking all those stack of papers I brought back home... *sigh*

Thankfully, woke up just in time to bathe and change before catching a cab to go celebrate Robin's birthday. Very good Korean restaurant recommended by Jonathan. Will suggest it to other frens next time.

Finished dinner pretty early about 9 plus and went on to KTV at this Spaceship place. Cheap but lousy sound system and can hear the singing from the rooms next door. Great collection of songs though. Finally found this ancient song by Jacky Cheung. Also got a lot of the latest songs.

Gals were falling asleep just when I was in my element. Sinyuan started to doze off and we left at 2. Sent her back and Carol started screaming in hunger. So it was on to Jalan Kayu for prata and Milo Dinosaur.

Pity all of us are reaching middle age. Nobody wans to stay out late anymore. Or rather, none of my frens want to.

Reached home at 5.

Okay, back to serious business. Just finished watching The Apprentice. Better get back to work. Things to complete in under an hour... Otherwise, next week sure die very badly one.

• Finish marking 2E2 Light Test
  
• Finish lesson planning for next week
  
• Finish final changes to the EOY papers
  
• Finish schedule for Teacher's Record Book
  

See you next weekend!

Playing Catch-Up

Right...

Okies. Tried to jazz up my page a little. Note the word "tried".

Added a tag-board. But god knows if anybody will tag me... Msged tons of pple on my icq list to come my blog. Yeah, I know, very thick skin...

Changed the colours of my text. But still feel kinda dull. Nvm... Will change another time. Added some interactivity to the text.

Music file not working. Trying to look for substitute. But meanwhile, it's just something to put there for show. *grin*

Happy Birthday to Robin



Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to Robin,
Happy birthday to you!

Sorry, Robin, didn't get a present for you.

So hope you'd like this...

The nature of friendship
Requires a blend
Of warmest compassion
And love deep and true.

It takes more than caring
To be a real friend
To reach and to comfort
The way that you do.

A lil note for you
Hope you'd know
That your friendship
Is priceless to me.

P.S. Dun be so touchy about your age lah...

Surprises

Surprise 1

My 3N3 students doing pretty well for their Mock Exams so far. Improvements for most students but they have been doing them open-book. But I think their confidence is increasing and that definitely won't make things worse.

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Surprise 2

Mt 1T1 students are behaving themselves. Most are settling down to study and work at their work. Just a couple who are starting to behave worse. Yeah, blame it all on exam stress. Right... Anyway, been getting praise from some teachers on their good behaviour. Was thinking how I might be able to reward them only to walk in to a lesson with a relief teacher and them playing 'musical chairs' in class... *sigh*

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Surprise 3

Gave my hotmail to my students. So many additions to my MSN list and got access to most of their blogs. Wow! Very good layout and design. Plenty of animation and pretty cool, I would say. Wanted to ask them for tips, etc. but stopped. I'd figure it out myself when I have the time. But... hey, when am I ever gonna find the time to jazz up my E-skills?

Thanks

May,
For your words on Friendster. Hope you weren't overwhelmed by the sms-es I sent you when you were out of touch... I was in a weird mood that week.

Linda,
For your concern over my accident. Didn't realise you were trying to lighten me up last week.

Heated Mattress Pad

hihi, anybody can help me get a electric/heated mattress pad?



not sure if my chronic shoulder and back pains will go away. but think an electric mattress pad will be more effective and efficient than me microwaving 3 A4 heat packs every evening...

so help!!!

Loneliness

Loneliness is a passive state. We are lonely because we let it continue and do nothing to change it. We hope it will go away, eventually, but we do nothing and soon, it envelopes us.

Strangely, there are times when we might even embrace the feeling. And unknowingly, embracing loneliness and sinking down into the feelings associated with it will usually lead us to a sense of depression and helplessness, which, in turn, leads to an even more passive state and more depression.

So, what should I do about my loneliness?

Best show in ages...

*sigh*

Carpe Diem

Accidents do weird things to people.

On one hand, I am thankful that I survived intact and suffered nothing more than some patches of bruises, a mild concussion, and perhaps whiplash. On the other hand, I wonder wat things would be like if the accident was worse. From wat I see, I seem to be dispensable. The world is still spinning. Nobody messaged me. Nobody would know anything happened. Just like nobody knew my grandmother passed away the same time last year.

Think nobody will know about the incident unless they come online to check my blog too...

Who knows how much I wished there was someone (anyone) I could have called last night for moral support. To tell me how he would be there to take care of me. That it was alright for me to be scared and shaking and to be held...

Will someone come up to this little girl and take care of her?

Whiplash

Hihi, anybody know anything about whiplash?

Woke up with neck and shoulders are aching all over... Very stiff and lil painful.

Debating whether to go get an X-ray or to take a wait-n-see approach...

How?

Woah...

Guess what? I almost died just now. Okay, maybe that was a tad dramatic...

So what happened? Fren driving car. Me in passenger seat. Car follows car in front and turns right. Light was GREEN. Halfway through the turn, me saw oncoming car. Next thing I know, oncoming car kaboomed into fren's car and I had the shock of my life (well, 2nd shock of my life).

Thankfully, no one died or anything. I think I got the worst of it physically. Other party was perfectly alright and bumper got dented. Fren's car was however, totally gone in the back section. Both back wheels utterly bent out of shape.

Was in mild shock but worrying about the next day's remedial lessons helped take off the edge. Thankfully, I have some very helpful colleagues who were more than willing to help me take over the next day's class and print the materials for the class. Many many thanks to Aida, Angela and Noel!!! You're the best!

Was desperately hoping for someone to take care of me. But sigh, been independent for too long. Can't seem to just break down and cry even though I really wanted to. It was in the middle of the night and so didn't want to call anybody in case they were asleep. Monday the next day after all. People have to work... So settled for a short session of mild shaking and being nauseous.

Got a lil worse when I realised how near the damage was to me. Crash was only a metre or so away from the passenger seat. Things could have been so much worse...

Finally came back home and settled down to do up materials for my next day's class. *sigh* Teachers really cannot die. Die also better make sure lessons are prepared for the coming days.

Thanks to Yuxi for being there and replying to my icq messages. Kept me sane for the lonely time while I was at home. Free post-traumatic stress counselling, I called it...

Okay, better get back to my Science Test. See... Teachers cannot die...

Teachers' Day

Thanks, kids, for your presents on Teachers' Day.

Spoils of the day: nodding head (always wanted one!), chocolate brownie (wow! you can bake!), white chocolate (mmm...), brooch (very pretty one), etc

Much appreciated. But truth be told, just behave yourselves and work hard for the rest of the year can?

That'd be the best Teachers' Day present to all your teachers!

isn't he cute?

the 2 male leads from my favourite TV show

Apologies

Wow... it's July already.

Sorry for being so lacking in updating my blog. So much has happened in the past 2 months.

Went to JB for a cycling trip. Real cool. Or rather, real hot. Cycled for 2 whole days and got really dark for my efforts. Amazing though, my muscles did not scream much after the trip. *grin*

Classes did very badly for the mid-year exam but they realised that they need to put in more effort. So something good did come out as a result.

Totally changed my teaching method. Students so far are pretty receptive. Will be giving them tests next week to see if the method gives me the results my HOD would want.

Went to Hong Kong (again), Shen Zhen and Macau for a couple of days during the June hols. Shopped until it was way beyond my budget. Got the entrepreneurial spirit running through me. Wanna go Shen Zhen again to bring in cheap supplies of accessories to sell back here. We'll know in a few months whether I carry it out.

Attended talk at Singapore Teachers' Union about a Masters Program on Educational Policy. Was really interested in going for it but now kinda got talked out of it by some friends.

Will be real busy busy in the coming weeks - CIP, common tests, course and workshops, SAIL, work review, some Green Project, oh yes, SEM, and the in-house school conference, oh yeah, still got Bridge Building Competition, Science Carnival, wow... never realise how much work I have to do till I list it all out. Die........

oh my, how time flies

yup. it's been almost a month since i last updated my blog. so sad...

let's see. there was a dinner with about 10 of my JC classmates. met up with may for a very belated birthday dinner. met up with grace & wensi for dinner & tea. congrats to grace for making us aunties. but prayers with her that she will not suffer morning sickness for much longer. (ps. thou my mum say can last until 4-5 months more) time to get started on yet another cross-stitch...

finally got started on an evercise routine. found out how accessible sentosa is from my place. got the membership (only 15 bucks for a year) - went on Sat & Mon morn. Hope i will get the energy to go again coming Sat morn. Almost got burnt out in the sun the 2 mornings. That reminds me, better go buy sunblock.

also finally got the chance to do some shopping. spent just over a hundred bucks on short shorts & skirts from OP. Mum's sure gonna 'tsk, tsk' at me some more. about my scandalous shorts.

of course, Mid-Year Exams started. Finished my papers. Now just doing revision and waiting for the onslaught of piles of marking. which is why i've actually got time to get a sun-tan, go shopping, meet up with people... Just 2 more weeks to get my socialising before the work comes back on.

Blogs for my students

Yeh! Finally got the blogs for my students up and running. Will have to really put in some effort to keep them updated every week or so. My Sec 1 students were especially enthusiastic about the website. They wanted to know if there would be announcements on the website, etc.

But dun wan any students without Internet access to be at a disadvantage, so will only use the website as a supplementary aid to my teaching. Use it to reinforce learning points, refer to other websites, etc.

Will inform my Sec 3 students about their respective blogs next Monday. Hope they are just as appreciative of all my work...

Think on the bright side of things

Break-ups are hard to do but think about it... The one on the receiving end should be happy! Why? you ask.

Coz the other person is losing someone who loves him/her very much. But you're only losing someone who doesn't love you anymore.

So, think on the bright side. Do you still want someone around when he/she doesn't love you anymore? Get lost!

Week 2

Nothing much happened the first few days of the week.

Was supposed to finish setting the mid-year papers but where got time...

Thankfully, HODs haven't asked me about the papers so I think I still have a little time more. *grin* But then again, maybe that's why my Performance Bonus is so little. Only 0.6 of a month's worth.

Thursday was interesting with the finding out how the Internet has helped some of my students vent their frustrations. Found 2 of my students' blogs. Read about their view points of how their lessons and school days were like. Very 'interesting'. Felt somewhat like a voyeur though...

Friday was made exciting when some of my students came rushing to look for me. "EMERGENCY!!! URGENT!!! Ms Low, help!" Apparently, one of my students refused to sit for his Mother Tongue Oral Exam and his classmates have tried for a long time to persuade him to at least try. Was pleasantly surprised by their loyalty.

In the end, managed to 'catch' the student and walk him to the hall to at least attempt the Oral Exam. *phew* Had no idea what I was trying to do actually, so quite thankful that he was willing to go for the exam without a show of violence. Talk about on-the-job training...

Got about a month's time before the mid-year exams, so will be staying at home this weekend to try to make some inroads in my marking. Oh yeah, still got 2 more Science and Physics papers to set.

Have had much temptation to go out but thankfully, the rain is helping me stay in. Heavenly intervention... *grin*

Eye Opener

Got a shocking surprise today... Not very pleasant...

Was going to go home early coz I only caught like 9 hours of sleep over the past 4 days. Surprisingly, I'm still surviving. Note 'surviving'.

As I was saying, was going to go home early but somehow lacked the motivation to go home when it started raining and some students came to find me coz they were bored.

Yup, I'm officially their part-time entertainer too. Instructor, Personal Assistant, Coach, Secretary, Nanny, Security Officer, Supplier of All Answers, my job scope seems endless and is still expanding... *sigh*

Anyway, yes, as I was still saying, some students came by to say 'bye' and ended up showing a few of the teachers who were still hanging around (pple like me with no life) these mortifying Friendster entries about my school and a fellow colleague.

Talk about high-tech hate mail, man.

Got a lil paranoid whether there was anything about me but think I haven't been that mean a teacher as yet... I hope...

Cannot take it already

Okies, going to sleep liao.

Almost falling dead down. Crying buckets over my fatigue right now actually. I'm serious.

Ok, to bed, to bed. Wouldn't want to drop my laptop and spoil it.

Sweet ending to my Good Friday

Sweet ending to my Good Friday

Häagen-Dazs fondue is fantastic!

Had a lot of fun dipping bits of fruits and cubes of Häagen-Dazs ice-cream in the chocolate fondue. The chunks of ice cream are deeply frozen so that they won't melt in the hot chocolate. The chocolate in turn will harden and form a layer around the ice cream, making it the ultimate Häagen-Dazs experience. And the chocolate is much better than that from Coffee Club. It's slightly sweet and much smoother in texture. Belgian chocolate leh!

One thing to watch out for though... Do take the pot of chocolate off the holder and tea light when you wanna take a break or the chocolate will 'burn' and become bitter.

Of course, the company really helped me enjoy the experience more, right? Thanks, Johnny, for the fondue and the company!

Would like to try the chocolate fondue from The Chocolate Bar next. They have a choice of white chocolate, dark chocolate and milk chocolate. In addition, would like to try their suckao, a unique invention by Max Brenner. You combine chocolate chips and milk in a potppouri-like aparatus, warmed by a tea-light candle. When the chocolate chips and milk are well combined, you sip the mixture through a metal straw. It sounds wonderful, doesn't it! Last but not least, must try their Mexican chocolate with chili flakes.

First Week of Term 2

First Week of Term 2

Oh my, wat a tiring week.

But all my fault lah. Didn't do any work during the one-week hols, so kinda had difficulty catching up with preparing my lessons and all the admin.

And having extra-curricular stuff everyday didn't help. Monday was a tedious and long Contact Time, Tuesday was Maths Proficiency Test, Wednesday was a SAIL course and Thursday Maths Sharing Session.

Thankfully, Linda came to the rescue with an invite to a party that night. Was dreadfully tired (only 3-4 hours sleep per night the past week) but hey, I've had no life since I started teaching...

Rushed home after my Maths Sharing (work will always be there, no use worrying about it over the weekend *grin*) and took an hour nap. Couldn't make it in time to get lift from Linda by the time I bathed and changed, so took a cab down to Havelock Road where the party was.

Liked the warm-up music (R&B) but place was empty!

As the night progressed, music was ok, but crowd just wasn't really grooving... Started sms-ing friends A & B to meet for supper. Then got introduced to pretty cute guy Ernest and started chatting. Crowd still wasn't grooving by 1, so asked E if he wanted supper too.

Drove over to MS for bak kut teh and hey, night just got interesting! Just as we reached MS and made a U-turn, we got in the way of an oncoming police car. Ernest got pulled over and I was reprimanded for not bringing out my IC. oops... The one time I didn't bring my IC...

Keeping my fingers crossed that Ernest won't get charged or booked...

Not a good start to a Good Friday after all...

Lovers in Paris

Lovers in Paris

Okies, finally finished Lovers in Paris in time. Last day of holidays ahead.

Sigh... I really love this kdrama. It's funny and really sweet.

And of course, it helps that Park Shin Yang is so cute!!!

More Shopping

More Shopping

This time, went shopping on my own.

Finished this Katherine Perez workshop nominated by my principal and decided to go over to Suntec and check out the Natas Travel Fair.

Realised need to pay to enter the fair and so only took watever brochures were being distributed before going off. Browsed through a oily and smelly Food and Beverage Fair downstairs and witnessed some drama (adults fighting over some seats - a chair was almost thrown). Bought several packs and bowls of the new Koka No-MSG Instant Noodles.

So many warehouse sales (Hush Puppies, Shoe Box, Sports Wear, etc) were held at the Suntec showrooms. But thankfully, didn't find anything to my fancy.

Did, however, buy 2 tops from U2 coz of 30% discount with my UOB card. Then fell in love with a dress when walking to MRT along Citylink Mall. Wouldn't have bought the U2 tops if I knew I was going to buy the dress... But the dress is real pretty. Couldn't stop smiling after I put on the dress. So, no choice. Have to buy lor... Difficult to imagine a dress can make me smile so much but it's true. Silly me eh?

Shopping with my Mum

Shopping with my Mum

Went shopping with my mum today.

First to Chinatown to get some work pants tailored. Then to scout for some holiday packages. Mum really wans to go Shanghai but quite costly coz I can only go during the June holidays.

Have gone for holidays with my brother in Dec 2003 (Europe), then my dad in Dec 2004 (Hong Kong). Can't say they were great. But well, I would say they are once in a lifetime experiences. The guys in my family aren't very decisive and really knows how to make me vomit blood. Would really love to go travelling with my mum and see how we interact.

Last but not least, took the NE MRT to Dhoby Ghaut. Spent a fortune first at the basement Casio counter then at M&S. Mum really knows how to shop now. Bought her a new S$60 Casio watch and then a S$90 shirt. S$90 shirt!!! I shudder to think... But well, I did tell my mum to enjoy life now that we can afford it. *grin*

Catching up with lost friends

Boy, is it proving hard to catch up with my JC classmates.

Everybody's busy with their work and lives, I guess...

Hoping to organise something for pple to meet up and catch up. But well, despite the ease of communications with email, etc, or perhaps because of that, it seems harder for pple to meet up in person.

Instead of slow-mail and birthday cards, we now make do with a quick email, sms and e-cards... What a no-brainer!

So, ps, Class of S02C from 1997, type in your email address on the left & join in the Yahoo Group I created just for us!!!

('',)

Happy Belated Birthday Wishes for a Dear Friend

Sorry I'm 2 weeks late, but still, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Here's a little something for you in addition to the present, hot tea and bottled tea.

At times our own light goes out
But it is rekindled by a spark
From another person.

Each of us has cause to think
With deep gratitude of those
Who have lighted the flame within us.

So I'd like to thank you, Varian,
For always being there
To rekindle my light.

You're much appreciated.

Destiny Quote

Do not worry about the future for it is not yet home.
Live each day in the present and make it beautiful.

And yet... What is to live? If I slept the whole day, did I live? Did I make my day beautiful? What is there to life other than to eat, sleep and eat some more? Guess it sounds exactly like the life of a pig or some other domestic animal?

But hey, what are we but 'civilised' animals right? We slog away each day just to 'live' our days in peace of mind that we have a roof over our heads, food to put on our plates and a bed to lie in when the sun sets...

Photos from New Year's Eve

Photos from New Year's Eve



I am so sorry the photos have taken so long to be uploaded...



Yeah, I know... Work can only be an excuse for so long. But well, it's true! There's always something happening each week. Fighting, caning, constant mischief, my students are starting to really irk their teachers...







Anyway, since the photos are finally out, enjoy!










But pity, the annual NYE dinner is down to only us 3 gals. And Marilyn was all dressed up! She's the one in the lovely pink top. Linda's in the black tube top and me's in my brand new HK-bought (thus ultra thick) white long-sleeved top.

My E-Teaching Portal

Getting started on my E-Teaching Portal

Ok. Here's my E-Teaching Portal.

Hm... Wonder if all this work will be for nothing. Well, not exactly nothing. HOD might probably be impressed and expect more from me. Level head will probably give me more work. Subject head will also give me more work. Fellow colleagues might also ask me to help them out...

Sigh. Guess better keep it on the low and slow then... Should remember me name more. *grin* My name is slow, after all. So that should be my motto. Life should be nice and slowly done.

Week 9 and counting

Week 9 and counting

Yeh! It's week 9! Just one more week of school before the March holidays.

Not that it'd be any real holidays. Loads of work still, but at least no need to see my students every day.

The past 2 months have been real hectic - instead of (everyday 1 minor tiff, every 3 days 1 major tiff), it has been ‘everyday minor incident, every 3 days major incident’. Like I was telling a colleague, have to put out bush fires every day. *sigh*

Stress and Fatigue II

Stress and Fatigue II

Can one suffer from depression coz of lack of communication?

Not the kind of communication at work. I communicate enough every day. I'm a teacher.

My family used to talk a lot but with the 'recent' death of my grandmother, my grandfather having his cataracts removed, my family has become a really quiet one.

I have always been one who needs to be surrounded by lots of friends too. But everybody's busy these days. It's been 3 weeks since I met up with anybody! Not that I actually had a lot of communication at my birthday party.

Met up with the gals last night for a slumber party but I kinda felt a lil left out. The corporate world is very different from the public sector. Esp teaching...

Or maybe I'm just becoming more self-centred. Or perhaps I have been rather self-centred all this while. And now that I lead such a boring life, I'm making myself sick with envy... *grin*

Ready, Set, Go

Ready, Set, Go

How do you know your noodles are ready? Do you ever get perfect toast every time?

Or do you make do with what you are presented with and eat up watever's on the table?

Was I really ready when I signed on the dotted line to join the MOE? Will I even be ready tomorrow morning for a brand new week ahead?

How does one know one is ready? For anything?

Gut instinct perhaps? Advice from friends and family?

How much do our past shape our decisions? Our present experiences? Or our hazy predictions of the future?

Alright. Time to stop all these thinking and settle down to my work... *sigh* Got more important things to finish. (Or so I think...)

Stress and Fatigue

Stress and Fatigue

I am getting stressed out...

I am so tired I will fall asleep at 10pm and couldn't care less that I still have tons to lessons to prepare, worksheets to put together, marking to finish...

How can I get back the energy level I used to have?

I used to be so much more involved. I used to care more about the things I produce. Not that I am not proud of my work... But they can definitely be better. I used to be such a perfectionist. I wonder where that has gone to?

I went to see the doctor today. Felt all awry. Spent an hour waiting for the doctor. Went in to discuss fatigue in about 5 minutes. Got my mc, some medication and proceeded back home.

Fell asleep once I got back home and woke up only at 6pm. My goodness. Couldn't believe it!

And now, I'm feeling all tired out again!

Other Sharon Lows

Other Sharon Lows

Cool. 74 posts found in Goggle Singapore for "Sharon Low". Found in 0.10 seconds.

Was reminded of how my colleague went online straight after our Contact Time last year when it was announced that we were getting a new principal. Tried to dig up all the info we could on her and get a handle of how she was like. I remember me saying jokingly to my colleague, "She can run, but she can't hide from the Internet, eh?"

But well, nothing on me. Phew. In case any of my students have the same idea of digging for dirt on me. *grin*

There's a Sharon Low who's the Program Director in Bio Valley of one of NUS Overseas Colleges.

Another Sharon Low in Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory who published a paper on Piezoelectric quartz crystal based veterinary diagnosis for Salmonella enteritidis infection in chicken and egg in Sensors and Actuators B. 75: 29-35.

Cool. A Sharon Low who has her wedding photo online.

Oh... This one is the best. A Sharon Low who won the 1st runner prize in the Trios 2000 at Victor's Bowl on the 13th Jan.

Poem

A poem which tugged at me heart

You'll never know
how much
your smile lights up the room
or your laughter fills my soul,
making all the little problems of the day disappear.

You'll never know
how much it means to me
when you do or say something
thoughtful and totally unexpected —
usually just at the moment I need it most.

You'll never know
how much pride I hold in my heart
for the person you are and the things you do —
for your strength and your gentleness,
your courage and your determination,
your accomplishments and your dreams.

You'll never know
how much I need you by my side —
in the best of times and the worst of times
and all the times in between.
It really doesn't matter where we are
or what we're doing,
as long as we're together to share it all.

Birthday Bash 2

Hm...

Wat else to say?

The gals turned up and snuck into the bed to gossip. As usual, I had to socialize with the rest of my guests and didn't get to catch up with the gal-talk. Is this my party or not?

Didn't get to talk to Ban, Sinyuan, Huixin, Junhuai, hey, did I talk to anybody at all that night? Maybe not.

Wonder why I organise my bday party every year. Always dun get to catch up with the people I invite. I'm more like providing them with a chance to catch up among themselves...

Thankfully, there are people like Grace, May and of course, Varian, who I managed to snag some one-on-one time. Varian, as always, came at the best time - 2am in the morning... *grin*

But still, you didn't bring me my annual bouquet of flowers... Other than my students, you're the only person who gives me flowers, you know? Now I'm all depressed coz not only did I not get any flowers for my bday, I'm definitely not gonna get any for V day...

*sulk*

Birthday Bash 1

Picked Grace up early around 1pm at Holland Village.

Then checked into the suite at Mandarin and explored the room. Alright but wasn't that impressive.

It was getting late by then and we rushed off to Taka for lunch. Did some catching up on work, possible weekend getaway to HK? and ...

It was great having some 1-on-1 time with her. She had to rush off for another meeting with another group and I went off to Cold Storage to grab some sushi for dinner & the stuff we might need later - cups, plates, etc.

Made a call to Robin asking him to pick up some drinks. Thanks Robin!

Then it was back to the suite and grabbing some forty winks.

May called soon after and I went downstairs to pick her and Floyd up to the suite.

Avocado juice tastes like caramel corn.

Had a great dinner (with loads of fats) with Jonathan.

After dinner, went to Queensway to look for a tennis racket or pair of inline-skates for my birthday present. But, the only inline-skates shop was closed and the tennis racket was a lil over-budget.

Did, however, buy 3 new pair of FBT shorts. And lots of New Year goodies.

Last but not least, Jon introduced me to avocado juice. Slightly gross, murky and green... it tasted like caramel corn to me. Jon disagrees.

Basketball Training

Getting into training my Sec 1 boys. Want to take them in hand before they start to learn all the bad habits from the seniors.

But think I better train up my arms. Can't pass as well as I used to. Needless to say, can't shoot for nuts now. Arms all no more muscle already.

However, do feel I'm doing more than I should. Where got teacher-IC also coach one?

Bukit View Vs Zheng Hua

Yippee.

My boys won 40-28 today over Zheng Hua. 2 more games next week. If they win the next game (Yu Hua), they will go on to the 2nd round even if they lose the last game (Tanglin).

Good luck, boys!

Bukit View Vs Bukit Panjang

My boys lost 56-27 to Bukit Panjang today.

It was really weird thinking back how I was in the same place some 12 years ago as a player. Now I'm back as a teacher bringing her students to play.

I was talking about the basketball zone games at Clementi Indoor Stadium.

Updated Birthday Wish List

Things to feel free to buy:
1) Teapot or Drinking Flask (with filter for tea leaves)
2) Tea Infuser (with lid)
3) Table Planner for 2005
4) Bobbi Brown Neutral Lip and Eye Palette
5) Eternity Moment Body Lotion
6) Clinique Moisture Surge Extra or Moisture On-Line
7) The new Harry Potter Book 6 (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
8) Precious Moments Alphabet (PM25)
9) Precious Moments Baby Collection (PM49)
10) Precious Moments Sports Occupations (PM55)
11) Precious Moments Precious Gifts (PM57)
12) Precious Moments Sew In Love (PMR 2)
13) Precious Moments The Baby Book (PMR8-29)
14) A basketball
15) An oversize tennis racket (Prince Scream Oversize or AirDrive Oversize)
16) A pair of inline skates (Women's US size 7)
17) Digital stop-watch

Birthday Wish List

Frankly, been able to see all my friends again would be a wish come true.

So, just come with a smile, a birthday card and your best wishes! There's no need to buy anything.

Birthday Wish List

Birthday Wish List

Wow...

Time for my birthday wish-list again...

Hm...

Things not to buy:
1) Photo Frames
2) Mugs
3) Fragrance
4) Precious Moments Wedding Collection (PMR-9)
5) Precious Moments Miniature Collection (PMR22-39)
6) Precious Moments Good Friends Are Foreve (PM31)
7) Precious Moments Our Friendship is Soda-Licious (PM42)

The Aviator

Hm...

Thank goodness for Kate Beckinsale (Ava Gardner) and Cate Blanchett (Katharine Hepburn) in the Aviator. Got enough of Leonardo DiCaprio (Howard Hughes) and his eccentricities an hour into the show.

Kate Beckinsale is so pretty!

And can really relate to Cate Blanchett trying to hide her eccentricities and presenting different sides of herself to the different people she's around (working the room during the gala, all cultured up in front of her family) but only being able to be herself with Leonardo, an even more eccentric person. Really sad she didn't win the Supporting Role in the Golden Globe.