Release of N-level results

Yippee! My 4 NT class did pretty well for their N-level Science paper. Got a 82% pass rate against the national pass rate of 71%.

There were some pleasant surprises. I admit i have pretty high expectations of all my students which is why my pass rates for tests and exams are usually quite lousy. But in the end, if my high expectations help them to do well, yippee!

Of course, not many of my students, or myself sometimes, can agree with this mentality. Many a time, i would ask myself: "is it worth all the aggravation? Work myself so hard and give my students so much pressure. Will they really strive to do well, or just give up, as it is so difficult to do well in my class?"

More to come... Must get back now to my OSL presentation. Tata!

My last indulgence

Yup. I can't put it off anymore. If i really wanna go overseas for my Masters, it's now or never. I can't imagine having the energy or motivation to study when I'm over 30...

Met up with Xinyan and Wensi last night. Xinyan's in her final year at UK and Wensi is changing job to work at AStar.

As mentioned in my previous blog, met up with Singyuan last week to watch movie. She's also applying to study for her Masters. And Robin was, last that i know, studying for his GMat to apply for MBA.

Anyway, the only thing stopping me is money. But after saving for the last couple years, i think it's now or never. But, will really need to tighten my purse strings to fulfill the financial needs. It's easier to get into UK uni and our education syllabus is still based on the UK system. But, the pound is so expensive...

Fun-filled day

What a day!

Got up early this morning to go out with my mum. Went shopping at Wheelock Place and Isetan Scotts. Had vegetarian food at LingZhi with my parents. Bought the Tong Luk First card for my mum so that she can go makan with my aunts and uncles next time.

Then, more shopping at Tangs, Paragon... Meanwhile, trying to coordinate meeting Singyuan to watch Golden Compass in the afternoon. And guess what, Jonathan messaged me to watch Lust Caustion in the evening. Perfect timing, coz my mum wanna go home by 4 pm, and Golden Compass was at 4+ show. And Singyuan wanna go home for dinner after movie, giving me just ample time to make my way down to meet Jonathan for dinner before Lust Caution at 8+ show. Happy!

Did a lot of window shopping today. Had a few things in mind to buy but didn't. Maybe I'd go town again tmr. What things?

(1) Thomas Sabo bracelet + charms. How? Should I buy?



It's expensive, more than 10 times the price of the cheapo chrome ones I bought from Bugis, etc... But the quality is also more than 10 times better. It's sterling silver, and probably comes with cleaning service. The packaging also definitely much better...








(2) Muji inserts for my organizer.

Got a free organizer from buying my Kerastase shampoo and hair care products. Yup. I have an organizer in my PDA phone. But somehow, I think something physical is still better. Just hope I will keep updating it as required... Therefore, gonna change the weekly inserts which are given in the organizer to the daily ones I saw in the Muji store.

Anyway, before you know it, it was time to make my way down to Cathay Orchard to grab the tickets for the 4+ movie. Along the way, passed by a Citibank branch and decided to get the Tangs card and Clear card. Luckily for me, there were still pretty good seats available when I reach the cinema at 3+.

Then, it was off to Plaza Singapura. Unfortunately, or maybe it was ok, the GV shows at both Plaza Singapura and Marina were SOLD OUT! Quickly called Jonathan to see if he could grab tickets from the only other cinema showing Lust Caution in the evening - Balestier.

Met Singyuan and went off to watch movie. Very interesting movie. Loads of questions in my mind. Gonna grab the book and read on.

Sorry. Gotta take a break for now. Sleepy liao. Nite nite.

Long time no see

Hihi, it's been a long time since my last blog entry.

Lots of things happened. Most significant being my leading a 36-strong team to Cambodia for our school's yearly Overseas Service-Learning Project.

Very sad i had to miss one of my junior's wedding coz of the trip. Went for my school's prom for the graduating students. Coincidentally, it was at the same hotel as my own Sec 4 prom. Needless to say, it brought back many memories of my own prom. It wasn't THAT long ago... *grin*

Been back a week. The weather is utterly depressing. Rain, rain, rain. Please go away...

I had made up my mind and all prepared to go running like every other day. But the rain makes it so easy to postpone everytime... The 4 kg i lost during my OSL trip isn't gonna stay away for long...

Just had fake eyelashes put in this morning. Trying them out to decide if i wanna get lash extensions done. Then met a friend for lunch before meeting the gals for Caroline's bridemaids' dress-fitting. Mine's a halter. Cleavage shrunk coz lost weight, but nothing else seem to have shrunk... Sigh...

Sure putting the weight back very quickly coz of all the snacking i've been doing while I'm home. So, very sad... Will someone please go to the gym with me?

Facebook Picture Personality Results

Temperament - Cosmopolitan

When you wake up in the morning, you set out to impress and to make a lasting impression on those who you encounter. You surround yourself with all the right people and right things - making you a real trendsetter. Others admire and want to be just like you. Second best will not do - it's the best (and only the best) for you. You are attentive to detail in yourself, your surroundings and your social circle.

Interests - Thrill Seeker

You are interested in anything that is exciting and pleasurable. You're not afraid to indulge yourself - you live by your own set of rules and don't allow yourself to get hung on what others think. For the most part, you are independent and do whatever you please to do. Trying to stop you from doing something only makes you want it even more. At the end of the day - you live for life's most thrilling moments.

Amusement - Adventurous

It's a good thing that you are filled with energy and ambitions (that others sometimes find exhausting) because you're continually looking for a new adventure and exciting experience. You struggle with a continual feeling of restlessness which constantly pushes you to the next level of excitement. Once you have accomplished one thing, you are eager to accomplish something more exciting, riskier and distinguishable.

Passion - Physical

You are a cuddle bug - from a warm hug shared with your best friend to steamy sex with your partner, you enjoy every bit of human contact that you can get. You demonstrate your love for others most fluidly through physical one-on-one contact and you feel the most loved when you are being touched. You feel disconnected when you are physically isolated from others. You're a people person and a lover of all things human.

Addicted to Facebook

Haven't been able to sit down and blog properly for a long time. Why?

(1) Addiction to Facebook, which is so much more brainless and effortless...
(2) Catching up with correspondence for OSL - ARGH! Only 5 more days!
(3) Catching up with OSL logistics, lesson, ... needs - finally not micro-managing as much, but feel bad that so many things are done by other people
(4) Catching up with friends - now, this one I like - it's been great to have dinner, chit-chat... with Jiasong, May, Marilyn, Caroline, Singyuan, Jonathan, Beng Chuan, Noel, Angela, Grace, Wensi, Varian, Alphonsus

Extra notes on the above:

(1) Facebook is so frivolous and seems almost meaningless at times, but guess it's addictive because of the above reasons. It's also nice, because it kinda help people get in touch with long-lost friends. I wonder though, how many of the people whom I added actually remember me and what they remember about me. There must be a number of reasons, if not just one, why these friends were 'lost'...

I am thankful that I got back in touch with people like Dawn, Xinyi, Shulan, Jason, Xinyan... It's just funny, how superficial our touching base on the virtual world seems and how difficult it is to actually see each other in person.

(2) I really abhor checking my emails several times a day to catch up with the multitude of emails about the project. I know it's part and parcel of the work but sigh... Thank god I dun have the Blackberry.

(3) Yup. Finally getting the hang of NOT micro-managing. But like I mentioned, I'm not sure if I'm delegating too much work or too little work. And not sure how much supervision I should be giving to the people I assign work to...

More and more, I feel that I'm not leader material and more of a good worker and follower. However, pride and personal expectations just refuse to let me accept it and I'm trying to learn on the job and be the best that I can be.

I really believe in being a "Daughter of A Better Age", you know... To aspire, strive and dare to be active creators of a better age for all.

(4) It's been great fun helping out with Jiasong's wedding. Third time being a sister. Upcoming fourth time with Caroline's wedding next Jan. And hopefully a fifth time with May's next August. Kenah forced to accept Jiasong's wedding bouquet at her wedding reception. All her single friends - bar Marilyn - had left, and May refused to catch it on account that she had ROM-ed. I didn't want her bouquet to end up on the ground like I have seen so many bouquets did, so the bouquet's still hanging upside down at my kitchen window.

Lost all my dignity helping Jiasong to video her wedding as I climbed up and down to get good vantage points the whole day. As usual, there'd be no shots of me as I was behind the camera lens the whole day. *sulk* But also happy.

Very sorry, though. Been kinda too busy to put together the wedding video. I promise to finish it by the time I come back from Cambodia, ok? Will try to finish it this week so that Linda can watch it but no promises...

Got lots more to say, actually, but getting sleepy. And I expect a TOUGH week ahead - final dash (5 days left!!!) for the preparation for the OSL trip. And mentally preparation for myself to be a good leader, listener, watchdog, ... Basically SUPERWOMAN for the next 3 weeks...

Well, then I'm gonna set myself some white space. Maybe set up a tent at Sentosa and chill out for a while. Give myself some time to think about what I want to do with my life and myself...

What Do My Stars Say About Me?

Lets101 - Free Online Dating

How Addicted am I to Blogging?

67%  

Lets101 - Free Online Dating

Jiasong is getting married

Doesn't she look lovely?

Went to sleep this morning at 1+ am. Set 5 alarms on my phone from 2 am to 3 am. Woke up as the 3 am alarm went off. Phew!

Went to change, put on make-up. Left for Jiasong's place as soon as i could but was already 4.15 am liao.

Spa Party!

What a great way to spend a holiday...

Great company, fantastic surroundings, luxurious mud spa and massage...

Please have a care for my eyes

No prizes for guessing correctly why I'm starting to get headaches...

So, to all the students reading this... Please TRY to write neatly and clearly and legibly. Otherwise, don't expect me to search and look for marks to give you. It's NOT a treasure hunt, even if you think so.

Photos of Shape Run from my handphone

Yup. I brought my handphone along on my run.

One, it'd be easier to contact Aida, who also brought her phone along, after the run. Goodness knows how many ladies took part in the run. It'd be crazy to look for each other with a communication device.

Two, yup, you guessed it. I can take photos of the run, while i run. Gimme an excuse when i wanna grab a quick breath. *grin*

Right before we start on our 5 km route

Along the run

Reaching the 2 km marker

Only 750 m left!

Participant number 5705

With Aida, my neighbour at work, aka participant number 6274

Shirley's wedding dinner

Over at Cafe Iguana now.

Just attended Shirley's wedding dinner over at Merchant Court Hotel. Quiet dinner, even the yum seng was quiet. Alex was shouting a wee bit and everyone turned around and stared at us...

Our table was the last for photo taking so we called for 2 glasses of wine to ham up the atmosphere. Shirley was quite fun - she drank up the wine without any help from her hubby - and we had another yum seng for our table photo. I sure look very ugly in the photo.

Okay, cannot be so anti-social. Gotta join in the chit-chat around me.

If it was a movie, my life would be a ...

What Type of Movie Would Your Life Be?
	Your life would be a Drama. You're rich in feeling and emotion. You constantly play life out in your mind, imagining the "ifs, ands, or buts." You constantly feel like the world is your audience, which might inevitably affect your sanity! While your passion is endearing, the over-dramatics may grow a bit too intense after a while.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Shape Run Results

Okies! Official results of my 5 km Shape Run is 39 minutes and 9 seconds!

And what a laugh! On the website, there's a photo of Aida and myself when we were taking photos with my handphone. Hm... I'm not cut out to be a celebrity. Notice how Aida instinctively turned to the Shape Run Official Photographer while I was concentrating on my handphone camera? *grin*

Cheers on a day well spent that day! Wake up early, run 5 km, bonded with Aida, then met up with Singyuan and Huixin for lunch. Saw the launch of the last Ducks Race (must remember to put up the photos of that soon).

I'm on Facebook

I do now. Wensi sent me some Facebook thingy and I signed up to see what it was about.

Now, I'm addicted to the thing. So many interesting applications but very self-indulgent and very, very, very addictive.

I'm like logging on whenever I have any free time. Not a good thing to do with the exams coming up and lotsa revision things to prepare for my students.

Must wean myself off!!! in another minute, perhaps? *grin*

I will fall for...

What Kind of Guy Will You Fall For?
	You would fall part for the bad boy. Get a good lawyer, because you will fall for someone from the wrong side of the tracks with charm, looks, and all the moves down pat. Look for your future guy in bars, clubs, and on the dancefloor--he's the shirtless one with the tattoos.
	You would fall part for the geek. If you're looking for love, consider spending a little more time studying up in the library. To you, there's nothing more attractive than intelligence, shyness, and kindness; your future love may have four eyes and zero social skills, but he'll make up for it in brains and heart.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

I should live in...

What City Should You Live In?
	You should live in New York City. America's largest city will ensure that you will blend into the crowd. You are the brooding type - introspective, creative, and eccentric - and NYC's cutting-edge, individualistic culture and ambience will appeal to you.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

I'm Harry Potter!!!

Which Harry Potter Character Are You?
	You are Harry. You're a loyal and courageous friend. You'd do anything to protect the people you love, especially if it'll get you a break from class for a little while.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

KTV @ Johore

Time to update some of my recent activities...

First one: KTV @ Johore on the Post-National Day school holiday (10 August 2007).

Thanks for the concern

Hihi, everyone!

Haven't blogged for a while (more than a week)...

Thanks for all your concern for my bruised knee. And my elbow.

Knee is looking much better now. But still very painful. Scared to see doctor in case it's worse than I think it is. But not likely. Elbow is probably hurting coz of my heavy bags and heavy-duty marking. Argh! More marking coming up ahead with the End-of-Year examinations.

Will need to do a lot of other things in addition to finishing my marking for the 4Es. But that's priority. Coz probably have to go through on Monday liao.

Next on the list are all my OSL tasks... So many... I'm still micro-managing a lot of things. But trying to delegate as much as possible liao. I'm trying... Just not my style. Maybe I'm not cut out to take on the lead role. Just a very good supporter and assistant. No! I can be the head huncho - I just need more experience! Must be positive! *grin*

Okies. Time for bed. Later still got the Section B questions to finish marking. Not bad already - managed to finish Section A today. Then, have to finish the letters to be sent out to garner the physical supplies we need for Cambodia, do up the video so I have something to present for my VE on Monday, and maybe add more flash and dash to the OSL website.

Nitey nite!

My busted knee

My mum just helped me rub more medicated oil on my knee. Argh! PAIN!

Doesn't my knee look more colourful than last night? The previous photo was taken after my granddad helped me rub medicated oil. Got a real scare earlier this evening. Mum called me from home asking me to rush home cause my granddad wasn't feeling well. Got the fright of my life. It was only 2 years back, around the same time, also just after the sept holidays, that i got a call from my mum telling me to rush to the hospital when my grandma passed away...

I'm rather close to my grandparents, having lived with them all my life. From as long as i can remember, i grew up travelling with my grandparents all over malaysia as they performed wayang. Hence, i've always had no problem backpacking and travelling on a budget.

Anyway, thank god my granddad is feeling better now. Just have to watch him closely and make sure he doesn't have any difficulties breathing like he was earlier. :(

My bruised knee

Not sure if i should go see the doctor... Maybe tomorrow, if i finish setting my maths papers?

All ok after run on Sunday. Who would have thought i would instead fall on my knees walking to class on Monday morning? Knee is swollen, but still can bend without much pain, so i think there isn't any damage to the knee cap...

Dun really wan to make it a big issue, but also afraid not getting it seen to may hinder the healing process.

I'd die if i can't exercise... Knees are already weak after all the basketball i used to play without proper shoes. They really can't afford any more bashing...

How? Friday still need to go cambodia... Where got time to go see doctor? Think there's nothing wrong... Just getting old... Will take long time to heal. Like my foot the last time. Also took 2 whole months for the bruise to go away.

Yeah, aren't i just a complete klutz? *grin*

Yeh! 3 cheers!

Yoo hoo! Finished my 5 km Shape Run in 38 minutes! Way better than my target of 50 minutes!

Most importantly, i didn't stop! Still not straining myself because i can still sms and take photos along the way. *grin*

Shall not be too ambitious. Main aim today was to complete the run without stopping and i did it!

Shape Run

I will finish the run!

2nd run with new shoes

Just finished a 3.2 km run at a very dark NUS track. This is a photo of the University Hall. Wow! Someone just started on her run.

I should really put aside some time to run every week. Right now, I can literally feel my muscles waking up and having a party. I'm also burping out lotsa 'old' gases stored in the depths of my lungs.

All in all, i must schedule exercise into my weeks ahead!

Dinner @ Food Republic Wisma

Yeh! Finally got to watch Bourne Ultimatum this afternoon. Wanted to watch it when it first came on, but either too busy or cannot find people to watch with. Now, only shown on small screens liao. Was going to either watch by myself this evening or watch with this guy i got to know online recently.

But a colleague said he was free this afternoon, so went to watch with him.

Now, having dinner with him over at this korean restaurant inside food Republic at wisma. Not bad, the food. Finally, got to try the hot stone mixed rice i always see in the korean dramas.

On the topic of charms...

Since we're on the topic of charms, Tiffany's website some rather unique ways of wearing charms other than on your bracelets and necklaces. And since it's Tiffany's you'd be heralded as the next fashion thing rather than what a weirdo. *laugh*

Here's my personal favourite - attach a charm to your belt loop or belt.



Another idea - add some class to your bags.














One more - jazz up your pony tail and hair accessories.



Of course, super expensive handphone attachment.














Last but not least, put it on your shoes. The charm will be more expensive than any of my shoes...

Lovers in Prague

Just spent a small fortune on 2 korean drama DVDs earlier this evening.

Like a year ago, caught a couple of episodes of the drama on cable and liked it so much I decided to buy the DVD series... So what is the show about?

In Lovers In Prague, Foreign Affairs Officer Jae-Hee (Jeon Do-Yeon) tries her best to keep a low profile in Prague as the daughter of South Korean's president. Putting her life back together after a painfully silent separation from Young-woo (Kim Min Joon) was no easy feat. Things take an unexpected turn when she meets Sang-Hyeon (Kim Joo-Hyuk), a police sergeant who arrives in Prague attempting to mend the broken relationship with his girlfriend Hye-joo (Yoon Se-Ah).

Apart from the well paced story, another aspect I quite enjoyed was that they actually shot part of the drama in Prague amidst the cobblestone roads and the old architectural landscape. Even in the flatness of video, the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.

Of course, the fact that I've been there walking the same streets and Charles Bridge further adds to the appeal of the drama series. Notice the latter in the photo on the left?

Performances from the three main leads have shown to be consistently strong. Joo-Hyuk's rough and rugged police sergeant, Sang Hyeon, completely deserved the Best Actor Award. And while I didn't really like Jae-Hee at first, she definitely grew on me as the story progressed.

The few Korean dramas I have seen so far... The female leads are seriously UGLY... at first sight anyway. They always have to take some time to grow on me. The cutest guy is also always the one who loves the (ugly) female lead but she would inevitably love another, often seemingly impossible, guy. The other guy would often not be the cutest, but they do have a charisma of their own.

For those who have not seen the show, any guesses as to who are the female and male leads of the show?

And the more I watch the show, the more I also love the OST. I hope I will resist for a while and not buy the OST, like I did my previous K-drama. Perhaps there's someone out there who may have the OST and is willing to lend me for a spell?

Click here for the official site of the show at the Korea National Tourism Org.

To buy or not to buy...

Went into Tiffany's at Taka with a fren this afternoon.

Fell in love with their Charms collection.

The silver necklace selling for SGD390++. Medium link chain. Stirling silver. 16" long. It looks fantastic on its own.

Sigh... I always had and still have a thing for shiny frivolous stuff. Used to visit Bits and Pieces to buy their ear-rings every other week. Wow! Quite a big step up from Bits and Pieces, eh, if I were to start buying from Tiffany's? I think the prices of their silver is even higher than the price of gold.

The bracelet is not too bad, going for SGD225++. Also medium link chain. Stirling silver. 7.5" long.

Each charm is for an extra SGD225++. Love the Return to Tiffany heart lock charm.

Debating now whether to buy or not. And if buying, maybe can get Linda to buy and bring back in time to wear for Jiasong's wedding. Of course, my fren's wonderful suggestion was to get someone to buy it for me. Get real! Yoohoo!!! Anybody out there who would like to get me the necklace or the bracelet???

The US website lists the prices as USD215 for the necklace, which comes to only SGD326. Not sure if there are any additional sales tax, and whether Linda will be able to get any tax claims or something.

The bracelet and charm are listed for USD125, which translates to about SGD190.

Actually, the charm may look pretty good on a simple chain, eh?

Will try that design the next time I pop into Tiffany's. But must remember to bring a fren who will stop me from buying it. Only to let me try the design. Not to actually buy the thing. *grin*

Well, anyway, here's a last call... Anybody out there who would like to get me any of the above-mentioned jewellery pieces? Aiyah, might as well lah, any SINGLE and AVAILABLE and ELIGIBLE GUY out there who would like to get me any of the above-mentioned jewellery pieces? *grin*

More teething problems

We wait and wait... Good thing was it allowed for my dinner group to chat, i guess. But i was hungry when i arrived...

I think some 30 odd minutes passed before the first dish arrived. And it was mine! I thot at first that they wanted to serve all our orders together, that's why wait so long. But that wasn't the case.

My fren - Sinyuan - who ordered chicken on hot stone came some time after mine. The funny thing is - her dish was raw food. She was to do her own cooking on the hot stone (see photo). Maybe the 40 minutes was to wait for the stone to heat up? But that's really stupid.

Then, we had to wait again after the waitor brought the dish over. Why? To bring the utensils for my fren. On another trip? Duh! The side salad for the dish came as my fren was halfway through her chicken.

Lousy restaurant

My dinner last nite - some tofu dish in a paper hotpot at Urban East Bistro @ Esplanade Mall. Urgh! Please do not visit this restaurant! At least not until the end of the month. Why? Sigh...

Lady boss was totally impatient when we didn't know wat to order. Asked her wat she'd recommend, she said everything's there on the menu. Duh! Then promptly complained that she's very busy and couldn't attend to us. And we were to call her when we were ready to order. Fine... So that's wat u call 'service'?

Look of happiness

Yeh! I got bronze for my 2.4 km run just now! Finished in less than 16 minutes. About the same as my timing on Monday. But a bit more tired - kenah stitch during the 4th lap. Prob coz of lack of breakfast.

Waiting for Can and the rest for their runs and walks to finish. Then gonna make my way back to school for 4E2 remedial. Brought 2 stacks of marking with me - hope i'd finish at least one of the stacks, if not both.

Paper Cut

Ouch! Got a paper cut on my arm just now by a stack of papers for 4E2. Haven't had a paper cut in ages. It really hurts!

Yeh! My class seems cleaner these days. Gave them a scolding and threatened to make them stay back to clean up other classrooms if I ever find food wrappers and drink bottles in the dustbin again. Why?!? Why do they need such negative motivation? Dun they really that the classroom will be a much nicer environment to work in if it's clean and tidy?

Waiting for a fren to reply msg to see if he can give me a lift home. Most prob not. Sigh... Will have to lug back my backpack, 2 plastic bags of marking and my laptop home all by myself...

Dun even know if got time to do all the work I'm lugging home.

Have to wake up early again tomorrow for stoopid 2.4 km run. Then rush down to school for 4E2 remediation. Thank goodness some of the gals came by just now. Passed them the papers to be done for tomorrow so I can still dilly-dally a bit after the run tomorrow.

Then rush back home, wash up and hopefully can grab a short nap before dinner with my friends. Yeah! At least, I have fireworks to look forward to tomorrow night! Highlight of the weekend...

Unless... I can find someone to watch the Bourne Ultimatum with on Sunday. Been asking if anybody want to watch with me, but no response so far. Dunno if everyone's just busy, watching the show with other people, or I'm just not popular enough.