Teachers in a Blog Spot

Sunday Times article this morning:

Teachers who blog face a minefield of ethical issues as students are bound to read their postings. They risk being seen as unprofessional if they gripe about work.

If you are a teacher and you want to blog about your life, you should be professional about it and not write specific things about your students or school, or post photos taken with students. If you put your stuff out there where students can access it, it's going to be a can of worms.

Got a lil worried when I read this coz I realised I haven't been very professional in my recent blogs - I used to take a lot more care putting up the contents of my blog.

Would like to be more professional in my blogs but increasingly, my blogs have become an avenue for me to vent my frustrations (a lot) and share my joy (not a lot). So why should I tamper with the things I really want to say? I dun think I have hurt anybody in my blogs and I can only hope that I will never hurt anybody in my future blogs...

Alternative Assessment: 2nd Lesson

Yup. Supposed to be having 2nd lesson of my Alternative Assessment workshop. Instead, I'm finishing my backlog of Blog entries for the past month...

And doing this...

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I am SUPERGIRL.


Lean, muscular and feminine.


Honest and a defender of the innocent.




Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

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More Details of My Superhero Personality Quiz

Supergirl		90%
Spider-Man		80%
Hulk		75%
The Flash		60%
Robin		55%
Catwoman		55%
Wonder Woman		50%
Superman		45%
Batman		35%

2nd Day of School

Sigh... What to do? I know I'm utterly boring in my lessons. How to change myself? Are my expectations of my students really so low? Or are they performing so low because my expectations of them are low?

Mrs Tan passed by my 3T1 class today. Last period of the day. Loads of students were sleeping. She stood outside and stared in for a very long time. I deliberated whether to wake the students up or to continue with my teaching. Hence the thoughts of my boring lessons...

Anyway, back to my boring Science lesson in which so many students were sleeping and Mrs Tan dropped by. I think she also cannot take in just staring in and not doing anything about the sleeping students. She finally came in after a long time of staring and got the kids to stand up and bow. Started talking about blood circulation, staying awake, relating and liking Physics, loads of things lah. Frankly, I wasn't paying attention to her... Starting to fall asleep even... A few of the students made eye contact with me and expressed their derision. I definitely could relate to it but well, got to show the kids an unapproving face instead.

Never mind... Too many things, too little time, too little energy and too little motivation.

Will have to make do with my usual boring lessons.

Argh! Why couldn't she have come like 10 minutes earlier when I was talking about submarines and diving and its relation to water pressure?

First Day of School

What a hectic day it was! Urgent briefing in the LT about attendance taking for Avian Flu. But I have FULL DAY of lessons! How to call up parents? Provided I can even get them. Phew! Managed to ask Liyah to help me call.

No time to eat, as usual. Left school at 7pm coz trying to clear up my backlog of 2E1 Maths handouts. Managed to clear 3T1 work, so about time I start clearing work from other classes.

Trying to avoid Ms Tham. Still haven't put up the Library Notice Board things. Keep dragging...

Feeling very blur about the things I have to do... Like Angela, so many things on the To-Do List, I don't even know where to start.

Anyway, finished planning work for my lessons tomorrow. Shall go watch the last episode of Charmed before I nuah...

Lesson 3 @ Hark Music

Wanted to go jogging this morning, but woke up at noon. Tried to get Alphonsus for lunch, but he had to study. Tried to get Angela, but she had tuition. In the end, only left my place at 3pm after watching CSI on cable. Meanwhile, stomach grumbling away...

Took '7' to town. Don't like taking the MRT - confirmed have to stand and have to fight for space with loads of people (especially young teenagers - to whom I now have an aversion to...). Cannot read in peace coz have to hold on to handles (provided I can find a decent amount of free space).

Okay, get back to my trip into town. Took '7' with the aim of getting off at Bugis, grabbing lunch and a trip to SLS for a 'cheap' (ok, affordable) external 2.5" hdd (of at least 100 GB) before the 3rd lesson at Hark Music.

Instead, got off at Scotts Isetan, walked around to take a look at the cosmetics and facial care products available on the market. Continued on to Tangs and took another look at the products there (yeah, not much difference). Then took bus to Prinsep Street and walked past Hark Music to get to SLS. The 2 buildings are actually quite near. Didn't find the cheap 200GB external hdd I saw at the IT Fair. Was tempted to buy the remote control for computer slides but decided to buy a wireless optical mouse instead.

Grabbed a quick 'lunch' at 5.30pm, just before my music lesson at Hark.

Good lesson today. Getting more difficult. The Projection and Open Throat Techniques were pretty challenging. Very difficult to conceptualise lah. Throwing your voice, keeping time, maintaining consistency...

MUST PRACTISE! Breath control, breath support, trilling, projection techniques...

Gotta choose a song to sing in class 3 weeks later (9th April). And then 2 songs to sing in the cafe in 2 months (28th May). Finally, 1 more song to sing as the exam piece (25th June).

Any suggestions?

Starbucks @ Holland Village (Part 2)

Had a good day at Starbucks yesterday. Finished lesson planning for both my 2T1 Maths and 3T1 Science. Yeah!

Decided to go Starbucks again today to finish up more work. After all, only 2 more days before school starts. And it's gonna be a helluva term - rushing to finish syllabus for Mid-Year Exams, all the trouble my class is throwing up, the few pests who still sleep in class and refuse to do any work...

Reached Starbucks at 11am and managed to grab 1 of the 2 available tables with adjoining power sockets. The nice seat we got yesterday was taken up by a guy using a laptop, so can't ask him to let me use.

But never mind. At least still got power socket. Didn't order anything. Felt a little bad at first, but told myself that I'd order later. And doesn't look like a lot of people around.

As I continued working, didn't realise that the place was filling up. Angela called at 1pm to say that she's nearby. I started to pack up and realised that there were 6 other laptop users in the cafe. While I was packing, saw another gal packing up and anticipating to take my place. Decided to call Angela to ask her to grab lunch on her own first. Kaisee lah. Dun wanna lose my strategic location...

In the end, Angela came upstairs and we had our lunch at Starbucks - muffins and ice-blended coffee.

I didn't lose my strategic table and I finished my lesson planning for ALL my classes for the rest of the term! Yippee!

Ouch...

Heartbreak...

Very pain...

Dazed...

Silent cry...

Diary Writing

Started writing in a physical diary again.

Used up 8 pages for the last 3 days alone. So, you can imagine how much has happened in the past week.

Will transfer some of the text over when I have the time.

Cheers!

Right now, can't wait for the Sec 3 camp to start. 2 less classes. Just hope I won't kenah much relief classes due to the missing teachers. *fingers crossed*

Hark Music

Went to Hark's Music Preview of their music lessons.

Really interested in their song composition class but i have not an ounce of music background.

Ended up signing up for their vocal lessons. Hopefully, they will help me get some sense of notes and jing yue gan.

HotSpots Speed-Dating Experience

Went to a HotSpots Speed-Dating event last night. *laugh*

Had a great time. Didn't dress up at all. Went there in T-shirt and jeans. No make-up. There couldn't be a more bo-chap participant... Not a total waste of money. Met 20 interesting characters - some old, some young, some working, some own their business,...

Had to pick maximum 7 guys I'm interested to know better, but none of the 7 were interested to know me better. Did get 5 out of the other 12 who were interested. Got quickly bored of the place and zao-ed.

Met one of the guys (alas, not one of those I was interested in) who was leaving and he gave me a ride to the MRT. Realised later that it wasn't real smart of me to get in a stranger's car...

Michelle's Birthday Celebration

Was hoping to zao home early after school today to take a nap first before coming out to meet the gang.

Dreadfully tired this week keeping a black face all the time. But had to wait for Amaran's mother to show up and by then, decided to wait for Michelle and Angela to wrap up their work and travel to Settlers' Cafe @ Holland Village together.

I played 2 new games today while we were there today - Project Management and TransAmerica. Quite liked both games. Both quite luck-oriented though.

Then went to ThaiExpress for dinner but didn't eat much coz I was still too full from the lunch and snacks we had at Settlers'.

After dinner, we decided to go Clementi KBox and we took a bus down. Coincidentally, '7' came along and of course, I got off earlier to put my stuff back home first. Can't help it - took a quick shower while I was home and had a change of clothes before making my way over to KBox. Made an attempt to smuggle in a bottle of red wine and another of ice wine for the gang.

Term 1 Week 8

Yeah! Only 2 more weeks to go before a well-deserved break. But alas, it's only for a week. But hey, better than nothing, right?! I just hope I'm gonna get a full week worth of break time. Goodness knows anything can crop up during the next 2 weeks. Already kenah a course right in the middle of the week.

So, here's keeping my fingers crossed!

Finding Love... And Forgetting Love

It takes...
A minute to find a special person,
An hour to appreciate them,
A day to love them, and
A lifetime to forget them.

Well, guess I'm taking yet another step to truly forgetting my special someone.

Just spent 35 bucks on a ticket to a Group Speed Dating event by HotSpots.

Hope I'd have fun... There's at least the free tarot reading to look forward to. *grin*

And provide more fodder for my blog. Whether good or bad remains to be seen. *fingers crossed*

Okies, gonna go sleep liao. Slept a full 6 hours last nite. Wow! Very rare one ok.

Nite nite.

I'm know I'm gonna have a breakdown soon

One of these days. I'm going to have a mental breakdown.

I know it. My kids are driving me crazy. Everybody thinks I can handle it. I guess I haven't given anybody any idea that I might not be able to...

Thank you, Ms Lee, for trying to help. I think I shocked quite a few of my colleagues when I started crying in the staff lounge yesterday morning.

Just feel like a personal failure at times like today. Students all gone crazy. Kicking, hitting classmates, shouting, stealing, self-mutilation, it boggles the mind what they can get up to... Have I been a crappy Form Teacher?

Is he attached?

The great thing about a fantasy is that it might just come true one day.

So, it's utterly sad to have one's fantasy evaporate with 3 words - "In a relationship".

"When in love, one will forget time,
With time, one will forget love.

I hope the above's true...

Confessions of 300 Unmarried Men

What a abysmal play it was! Just got home from the New Drama Centre at the National Library @ Victoria Street. Thank goodness we got the 2nd cheapest tix @ $38 and it was only 90 minutes long!

It had its moments... Why is that plate sushi still on the conveyor belt? Why is it that no one has chosen you? Is there something wrong with you? Yeah... Sounds like what I ask myself sometimes...

The song and dance components were utterly stupid and kinda nonsensical. But funny, I guess. I just hope they dun make a fool of themselves when they show in Mew York.

The monologues by the 3 lonely guys were a bit too cheem... Couldn't catch everything they said and definitely couldn't understand half of wat was going on.

Thank goodness Jonathan couldn't make it. But perhaps we'd have more to talk about the next time we meet if he did. Then again, it was so bad the lot of us who went to watch it has absolutely nothing to say about it - good or bad...

The only thing it did was perhaps made me even more depressed about my single status.

Sad day

Wat a depressing day. Worked till late today and went to Jurong Point for dinner.

Place was flooded with couples and I felt so out of place.

*sigh* I'm speechless. For someone who never runs out of things to say, that says a lot.

Birthday Presents to Myself

*grin*

Spent over 200 bucks on myself today. Pay day lah... And just saw brother's latest toy - the PSP.

Was very tempted to buy a PDA but managed to curb myself.

However, fell to a $60 Braun hair curler and $99 MP3 player. Also bought a $40 cross-stitch sampler. Not Precious Moment this time. Didn't put Precious Moment in my birthday wish list this year and so no more additions to my collection. Got one with small samplers. Hoping to be able to do something for my kids instead of my normal bookmarks. Hopefully, a cross-stitched key chain would be more practical. And more meaningful.

Stupid Robin lah. Didn't want to go home one. But he broke my momentum to mark papers and I went shopping instead. Therefore, ended up buying so many things. Actually, can still stay at PS till the movie showed, but bought a toaster oven to reach the $200 mark to get the $10 shopping voucher. So no choice. Got to go home with the toaster oven first.

Reached home and fell asleep. Very tired this week. Must remember to write about my visit to Hark Music. And the hilarious story of a very-seh jTan.

Luckily, woke up at 10.30pm, half an hour before the show time. Just enough time to quickly change and grab a cab to PS.

Brought my hair curler along and tried to curl my hair while in the cab. Wondered if anybody had tried to do such a thing before. But didn't know how to switch it on till I reached PS. So too bad. Didn't get to use it after all. Only managed to use it to curl my hair without any heat being applied.

Sigh... Brokeback Mountain turned out really boring. Would have been ok if it wasn't a midnight show perhaps. A bit draggy, especially since I was already feeling all tired out.

Then found out that PS does not have NR8. So had to walk to Somerset to take the night rider home. Again tempted to buy an Ipod (Nano) after seeing Robin's Ipod. Teachers have discount some more. Hope he found his ear piece at the bus-stop. Think it dropped either back at the cinema or at the bus-stop...

Reached home and continued playing with my brand new MP3 player. Didn't realise my songs collection was in such a mess. Decided to leave it till after I get some sleep first. It was already 4 am, after all...

The 512Mb space did turn out to be too small for my song collection after all. Didn't know I have so many songs. Made me regret my decision not to buy the Ipod... for a little while. But well, it is still a very good buy. Less than a hundred bucks for 512Mb, comes with radio and voice recording. Best of all, it shows the chinese and KOREAN characters of the songs being played. So no problem finding my fav korean song in KBox next time.

Can also be used as data storage (though no more space after I loaded 125 songs this morning...). And it's so cute and small. Bought the white version.

You're A Passionate Kisser

For you, kissing is about all about following your urges

If someone's hot, you'll go in for the kiss - end of story

You can keep any relationship hot with your steamy kisses

A total spark plug - your kisses are bound to get you in trouble

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What Kind of Kisser Are You?

My Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:

• You have medium extroversion.
  
• You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.
  
• Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.
  
• But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time."
  

Conscientiousness:

• You have medium conscientiousness.
  
• You're generally good at balancing work and play.
  
• When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.
  
• But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.
  

Agreeableness:

• You have high agreeableness.
  
• You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.
  
• Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.
  
• You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.
  

Neuroticism:

• You have medium neuroticism.
  
• You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic.
  
• Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy.
  
• Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of.
  

Openness to experience:

• Your openness to new experiences is high.
  
• In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.
  
• You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.
  
• A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.
  

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The Five Factor Personality Test

Meaning of my Birth Date: 7th February

You are an island.
You don't need anyone else to make you happy.
And though you see yourself as a loner, people are drawn to you.
Deep and sensitive, you tend to impress others with your insights.
You also tend to be psychic - so listen to that inner voice!

Your strength: Your self sufficiency
Your weakness: You despise authority
Your power color: Maroon
Your power symbol: Hammer
Your power month: July

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What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Face of a stranger

Yes, I have missed him.
The beauty in his face,
The love in his eyes,
And in the touch of his hands.

Yes, I would embrace him.
Yearning to be in his arms,
And to be delighted
By his joi de vive!

Yes, I would see him.
For his is a face of a stranger,
Appearing on the horizon,
Among the mist of a cold spring dawn.

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Made some changes to the poem.

Above is the updated version.

Birthday Presents

Colleagues gave me a BIG ang bao. Helped to offset some of the costs of KTV, dinner and the hotel room. Definitely wasn't expecting it. Very generous of them since I proposed the whole thing.

Ban gave me a very cute baggy. Love it totally. Especially since it was something not from my list. Hope he chose it himself.

Robin helped bought me a handphone chain and traveller's makeup kit from his SIA flight. Dunno if he expects me to pay him back or should I take them as my birthday present? In fact, think I might still owe him from the NZ trip?

He got me the handphone chain with the butterfly design. There were 2 designs - heart or butterfly. Was hoping he'd get me the heart design one. So, I guess, no hopes left there.

May bought me a traveller's makeup kit too. So now, I have 2 makeup kits.

Anyway, thanks, dear friends and colleagues. The best presents were having you around and having fun together.

Oh yes, must not forget Noel's jigsaw. Cool. Was interested in one after seeing it last year but felt it was too expensive. Pretty fun and easy to put together. Felt at first that it was a bit not my taste - Disney Princesses... Too sweet. But bet he didn't know that my name meant Princess. So it was a pretty sweet coincidence. And gave me something to do while waiting for my friends to wake up on Sunday...

Day of my Birthday Party - Episode 1

Had my annual birthday thingy this year at Pan Pacific.

Suite was great. Bigger than the one at Mandarin. More expensive too. But that was because I didn't take the time and effort to book the one at Marina Mandarin much earlier. Alps kept saying that sure can get one, I didn't really bother till the day before. It was also CNY holidays, reservation office was closed. Then found out rooms were fully booked - they have quota for rooms available for discount. Finally found an online deal for Pan Pacific and got it.

There was another better deal at Goodwood Park actually. But was afraid that Orchard will be difficult to get to with Chingay on at the same time. So, will shelve the Goodwood suite lobang for another time.

Started the day really shitty. Didn't sleep till 4 am trying to sort out and perfect the OSL presentation for the Parents' Meet. Kept telling myself it was okay and no need to be perfect since it was only a time filler and nobody would notice the slight difference between the slides animation and music not in sync. But I just couldn't let it go. I'm obsessed with perfect presentations...

Anyway, finally pleased with the presentation at 4 am and went to bed. Woke up barely 3 hours later and went to school. First time ever, I was the first teacher in the staff room! Started burning discs for the presentation to give to other teachers. Thou I doubt they really used it as I would like them to...

Anyway, got to class at 8.30 am, and cleaned up the classroom. Then, stupid power trip and I had to change classrooms. DUH! After all the cleaning...

9 am came along and only one parent. Urgh... Am I supposed to give a presentation to an audience of 2 - 1 student and 1 parent. Thankfully, another 2 parents came along around 9.30 am and I could finally start. Presentation to an audience of 4... Unbelievable!

Another parent came along at 10 am. Just when I finished explaining about the 2 class combinations my kids can choose between. Sigh... So I had to explain all over again to this parent. Then, wat do you know, another parent came at 10.30 am... Yup, you guessed it. Another one-on-one explanation.

And... 11 am... brought with it one more parent. So there I was, the form teacher with the least number of parents but the one who ended the last because I had to give basically, 5 presentations... When everything was wrapped up, I quickly left at 12 noon. Still need to get home, change and pack up stuff for the party. Check in, bathe, and change again before meeting the rest at Marina KBox at 2pm.

To see your face

Yes, I have missed him.
I miss the beauty in his face,
The love in his eyes,
And in the touch of his hands.

I would embrace him,
The faceless stranger in my dreams.
Yearning to be in his arms,
And to see him clearly among the mist.

Hope springs forth,
In each sigh and smile.
When would I see you again?
The faceless stranger in my dreams.

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It's been such a long time since I wrote a poem.

How's the above for a rusty Science teacher?

Tag me to leave a comment.

Upsetting Day 2

Okies, calmed down some.

Time to clarify some misunderstandings that may come up.

Sorry, Alps, for picking on you just now. Was first really upset at my kids today and kinda forgot to leave my bad mood in school. Usually can leave any bad feelings in school, especially on a Friday, but guess too many things happened too quickly and with birthday coming up... Sigh... Coincide with PMS some more...

Last things first, a boy broke the dustpan I bought for my class and threw it around in the classroom. Result: the metallic handle hit a boy's head, bounced off, YES, bounced off, and hit another boy's head. So, the first boy got the brunt of the injury and kenah-ed 'red' new year. Thankfully, the 2nd boy only got a mild bruise but milking the mc to skip his CCA and the Maths test I gave the class today. First boy took advantage of the mc and got a long weekend. Hopefully, but doubtfully, he's resting at home...

Before that, got very angry at some parents.

1. Damn difficult to find this mum of a boy who basically comes to school every other day. Mum claims that she can't control him anymore and asks me to manage him for her. DUH!?!?

2. Another parent was supposed to come and see my principal but couldn't seem to contact him. When his handphone was finally picked up, he claims that he is not feeling well and is unable to come to school. Right... You sound quite well, you know? And surely, you could have had the decency to inform us that you can't make it? I'm really upset at parents who make appointments to come to school and see you, but suddenly, something crops up, and so, never mind, teacher is paid to be in school, right? So, no need to inform the teacher. I'm sure they have plenty of time to spare waiting and waiting and waiting...

But when the parent finally finds some precious time to come to school, never mind what lessons or meetings the teacher is having... The parent's time very precious one, must attend to his/her/their needs first!

When they try to contact you, they get upset when they can't get you because you are teaching, having a meeting, or just not in the staff room. BUT, when you try to contact them, nothing wrong with them MIA. They very busy one. Their time very precious one.

3. Kids didn't turn up for remedial even though I went to remind them THIS morning. I already very depressed this morning - was having gastric pains on the bus to school, but song playing to assemble in carpark already. Then lessons started and had to print worksheets during my only break. Did manage to grab half a cup of Milo before running off for more lessons. Last lesson of the day, 2T1 was ultra noisy. Not sure what's wrong with LY. He's been throwing tantrums for the past 2 weeks... Think I'll ask him about it on MSN later when I see him.

Okies. Enought complaints for now. Will only get more depressed if I keep talking about such awful things...

Right. Time to get back and finish up the preparation for tomorrow's Meet-the-Parents Session. Argh! What a thing to have just before my birthday celebrations...

Upsetting Day

Very upset today.

Thot a fren was helping me to book the hotel suite for my birthday celebration but goods weren't delivered. Gave me a headache trying to figure out how best to find a room to fit half a dozen adults for a mahjong overnight party. With barely 36 hours to spare.

Found a real deal for a suite at Goodwood Park Hotel but KTV room and dinner all booked in Marina. And wat do you know, Chingay is on tomorrow night so the Orchard area would be a bitch to drive to. Finally decided to stay in Marina and booked a room over at Marina. But 15 minutes later, found a better deal at Pan Pac. Thankfully, the sales personnel at Marina Mandarin was very nice and let me cancel my Marina room. Impression of their service definitely went up by several notches.

To end the story, I did get the Pan Pac deal so guess all I have to do now is look forward to tomorrow...

Additions to Birthday Wishlist

Hee hee...

Latest additions to my birthday wishlist. Just realised some of my friends do indeed visit my blog from time to time. Amazing!

(10) Any cookbook by Jamie Oliver

(11) Gilmore Girls VCDs/DVDs (6 seasons to choose from...)

Last last weekend continued...

Okies, let's see. I stopped rather abruptly my last entry. Had to do work lah.

Anyway, Robin and I went over to Club Street after dinner and found the snow-boarding thing. A lot of ice was already laid out and there were lotsa of people. The prime viewing area outside IndoChine was reserved for the media and other VIPS. The lion dance was setting up their stunt platform and making sure it's dry enough to perform on. Rain had stopped. We walked up and down looking for a good vantage point. There were surprisingly a lot of small kids waiting excitedly.

But wat do you know? Rain came falling down again. *laugh*

Everybody came into the shelter of the shophouses and I took out my umbrella. Some ang moh kids insisted on standing in the rain and chope-ing their prime viewpoint. I lent them my umbrella. Dunno where their parents are...

Rain continued to get heavier and some people left. We were thinking of leaving, but the rain was just too heavy. Show was put on hold, everybody hoping that the rain will stop.

Meanwhile, the rain continued to fall and the ice on display continued to melt. Guess that's why nobody wanna try an outdoor snow-related event in the Tropics... Ambitious organizers.

Anyway, in a nutshell, the rain DID stop after a long while and we got to see some 'snowboarding' stunts. Of course not as exciting as the real thing, but hey, the notion of a snowboarding event in Singapore is quite cool.

Survival Series Disruption

Sorry, Survival of School Series was disrupted...

Was just writing about my food poisoning on Tuesday night and wat do you know... Kenah-ed more vomiting and stomachache, so went to see doctor on Wednesday. Got my MC, as well as a BIG scolding from the doctor to take better care of my dietary habits.

Didn't really get any rest, had to think of work to occupy my kids - lucky (or not) only missed 2 classes on Wed. Then basically spent the whole day doing work for the rest of the week.

Saturday was way cool! Went to Grace's daughter's one month birthday celebration. ENVY... Then went to Hari Om to do my saree! *grin* Can't wait to wear it for CNY. Shopped for loads of Indian bangles and accessories to go with the saree. I'm nuts about accessories...

Following Little India was a visit to Chinatown. Shopped some more... and met Robin at Maxwell for dinner. The chee cheong fun and dim sum there is terrible! Shared claypot rice. Pretty good, but not my fav food. Quite a lot of ingredients.

Oh yeah, didn't mention how it was raining cats and dogs when I reached Chinatown. Lucky how I keep an umbrella in my bag now that Singapore is perpetually raining.

Took our time to makan dinner before making our way to Club Street for the first ever 'snow-boarding' event in the Tropics.

It's Almost Wednesday!

Let's see...

Kenah food poisoning on Sunday. I hate falling ill. Really ill. And not being able to do anything about it. Just laid in bed whole day although I had so much work to do. Even my mum was concerned...

Basically, woke up at 4 am and puked up half my stomach contents. Thankfully, managed to run to the toilet and didn't make a mess. Fell asleep but woke up again at 7 am to shit the other half of my stomach contents. Disgusting enough?

Didn't ingest any solid food for the next 24 hours, only drank honey-ed water.

But still, on Monday, had to go to school to deliver cloth for Classroom Beautifying Day, ended up teaching as per normal. It just wasn't worth the effort of being absent, thinking of work for them to do and missing lessons. *sigh* See, teacher can't even be sick properly.

And as usual, didn't get the chance to eat in school. So, ended up not eating any food for more than 48 hours. But hey, I didn't faint! Managed to stay in school to put up Chinese New Year decorations, etc, until 5 pm.

Pretty good day today in school. Except that my 3T was very noisy today. Had to keep scolding them. Finally announced to my class their class committee. Not too bad a reaction. Had to rack my head to think of duties for the entire class. Hopefully, they will feel more ownership towards their classroom and take better care of it. I'm also hoping that giving them more responsibility will help them to settle down and not make so much trouble.

Well, the week is almost over. Keeping my fingers crossed for a peaceful week...

Birthday Wishlist

Hihi,

It's time for my annual birthday present wishlist... *grin*

(1) Ceramic Hair Curling Iron
(2) Pretty jewellery
(3) Four-leaf clover accessory
(4) MP3 player
(5) All-in-1 travel cosmetic kit
(6) Subscription to Shape Magazine
(7) Flip Flap plant(s)
(8) OSIM iTango
(9) OSIM uZap

Argh! Only 3 more weeks to my birthday!!!

My Hawaiian Name



My Hawaiian Name is:
Noelani Nani


Courtesy of What's your Hawaiian Name?

How I Am In Love

You fall in love quickly and easily. And very often.

You tend to take more than give in relationships.

You tend to get very attached when you're with someone.
You want to see your love all the time.

You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change.

You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard.



Courtesy of How Are You In Love?

FYI - Photos of recent trips Dec 2005

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

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

Setting Resolution by your Star Sign

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18):

Your New Year's resolution this year should include taking action in accordance with the things you believe in, Aquarius. Instead of complaining about how messed up the world is and how it should be, start living your life according to the values that you believe in. Live the change you'd like to see in the world. Perhaps this is your year to join hands with a save-the-world organization that you resonate with.

---

Yeah yeah... already in Service Club. Will be involved in many more Overseas Service-Learning projects in the coming year. Guess that matches the "this is your year to join hands with a save-the-world organization that you resonate with."

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For your sign, check the following. Courtesy from MSN Astrocenter Team.

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Pisces (February 19 - March 20):
You are a dreamer who lives in the clouds. This is your year to bring those dreams down to Earth. Make them a reality. This year, your New Year's resolution should include the phrase "prioritize, focus, and follow through." Put your number one dream on the top of your list, focus on making that dream come true, and see it through to the finish. You can make your dream a reality, Pisces, so do it.

Aries (March 21 - April 19):
You have got plenty of ideas, Aries, but your main problem is that you fail to see them through to completion. You are an inventor and a pioneer. You start a million new projects, but yet very few are ever finished. This year, your resolution should be to finish what you start. Take your favorite idea and run with it. You have everything you need to see it to completion so commit to doing so in 2006.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20):
You are an extremely creative person but you don't always show it. You let duties toward home, work and children carry you away from your artistic abilities. This year, make a conscious resolution to spend time indulging your creative spirit. Perhaps you need to start a weekly arts and crafts night with a group of friends. Do what it takes to get inspired and stay motivated, Taurus.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20):
This year's New Year's resolution should involve a conscious pact with yourself to engage in activities that help you slow down your mind. Sign up for a weekly yoga class or meditation group. Spend more time focusing on yourself and your own needs, Gemini, instead of putting all of your focus on everyone else. Although being the town gossip may seem fun, it doesn't truly satisfy your inner soul.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22):
For you, one of the most important aspects of your life is your home. This year, your New Year's resolution should involve improving your domestic situation. Perhaps this is the year you finally buy your own house or condo. Maybe this is the year you leave your four roommates and finally get a place of your own. Whatever your situation, Cancer, it can be improved - and this is the year to do it.

Leo (July 23 - August 22):
You are truly happy when you find yourself on stage, Leo. There is a part of you that longs to be a famous Hollywood actor or actress. This year, make it your New Year's resolution to feed this expressive side of your personality in whatever form you see fit. Join a local acting troupe, help direct children's plays at your local school, or send in a headshot and get an agent in L.A.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22):
Your New Year's resolution this year should involve service, Virgo. This is your year to volunteer at the local animal shelter, help serve food at a community kitchen, or donate your time to Habitat for Humanity. Make a commitment to two hours a week, or maybe just two hours a month. The more you give, the more rewarding your experience will be. Unexpected opportunities open up when you regularly serve others.

Libra (September 23 - October 22):
Being born under the sign of love and partnership, it follows that your New Year's resolution should involve making a new commitment in this area of your life. The first step in bringing improvement to your love life is to be honest with yourself about your current situation. If it isn't working, Libra, have the strength to let go and move on. You deserve the best, and if you don't have it, commit to change.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21):
There is a great deal of healing that needs to take place between yourself and a handful of people around you, Scorpio. Keep in mind that in order for this healing to take place, forgiveness needs to happen. This year, your New Year's resolution should involve forgiveness. Consider forgiving a new person every month, or maybe just one for the year. Either way, it will feel good and bring much needed healing to your world.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21):
This is the year to plan the big trip you have always wanted. Being the sign associated with long-distance travel, you should feed your desire to see the world. Don't let worries about money, responsibilities, or your job keep you tied to one place all year. You need to live your life while you're still alive, Sagittarius, so make a New Year's resolution to yourself to visit that place on the map you've always dreamed of.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19):
The most important aspect of your New Year's resolution this year is play. You need more playtime in your life. You spend so much time concentrating on work, business, goals, and money that you may have lost an important part of life - fun. This year set a goal for yourself to infuse more fun into your week - every week. If you don't plan for it, Capricorn, it may never happen.

Horoscope for the week of 9th Jan

Today is the first day of the season of your birthday. For the next four weeks is a time when you should be planting seeds that you wish to see grow over the next year. This is a time to let go of the old in order to herald in something new.

---

Wow! How true!

Dat was the ang-moh version. Below is the chee-na version.

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Monday favors business decisions of all kinds. Getting together and talking things out can bring lasting results.

Monday was Contact Time - Staff Meeting. Didn't end too late coz P didn't talk much. For once.

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Unexpected events can have you shaking your head on Tuesday. Be willing to try something new.

Nuah whole day on Tuesday - Hari Raya Haji holiday. Perhaps that was the something new?

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People with strong opinions may try to dominate the room on Wednesday. Stand up for what you believe.

Busy busy busy day on Wednesday. Time-table almost full. Waited almost an hour for Alphonsus to makan dinner. Didn't get to eat whole day so was VERY UPSET by the time he got to Bukit Batok. Went shopping at Daiso. Got back to my place in time for American's Next Top Model but was so tired I fell asleep before they announced who got thrown out.

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Friday brings people together. A night out with friends could be memorable.

Nope. Ms Low has no life. Stayed home. Well, MSN-ing with plenty of my students thou.

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The Full Moon on Saturday brings responsibilities at home.

Yeah. Mum already booked me for tomorrow - got lotsa things to do at home in preparation for the coming Chinese New Year. LOTSA cleaning up to do.

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Be generous with your time and money on Sunday.

Hm... Does that mean I'd be doing lotsa shopping? I think so...

Survival of the Second Week of School

One more week down! Yeah!

But still owe a lot of work. Everyday scold my kids coz they never finish my work on time. But me also owe so many people work... *grin* Pot calling the kettle black...

Anyway, things are definitely going better. The 2 years' worth of experience do count for something after all. No need to spend so much time thinking of lessons or doing up lesson planning as I did one year ago. Can now spend more time thinking of how I can communicate - like through MSN - and 'educate' my students on being better people - scold, scold, scold. Today, scolded my class for 2 periods - 1 h 10 min - at least. Thought I would finish in 1 period. Prepared lesson for 2nd period. But scolding went on and on and before I knew it, bell rang for end of school liao.

Time table changed AGAIN... *sigh* It's still as shitty. Only 4 classes but all DIFFERENT...

Talk about it later. Time to go watch TV. = )

Hari Raya Haji Holiday

Yeh! Thank goodness for the holiday today. Didn't do any work during the weekend - rushing cross-stitch for Grace's baby girl.

So work load only building up but nothing done about it yet...

Let's see. I must really try to finish something today.

I did manage to finish my lesson plans for the coming week but haven't really finished doing up the worksheets.

So, things I MUST finish today!

1) Plan worksheets for ALL my classes in the coming week

2) 4N Physics SOW

3) 1T Mathematics SOW

4) Students' particulars
(a) Figuring out a way to input their data easily through Excel
(b) Input their particulars

5) Going through my students' goal-setting handout

6) Letter to Parents about Media and Resource (Library) CCA

7) Minutes of Media and Resource (Library) CCA Teachers-I/C meeting

Things to finish within this week:

1) Class Committee list is up but members to be confirmed - will ask students to stay back on Thursday to discuss
(a) who wants to be in the class committee
(b) someone to be in charge of class diary (Fadhli)
(c) 2 persons to be in charge of class decoration
(d) 2 persons to be in charge of duty roster for class cleanliness
(e) 1 person to make sure everyone leaves the classroom and go downstairs for recess

2) Lesson plans for the coming WEEKS

3) Cutting squares for my 2T Mathematics lessons

4) Read through my students' letters

5) Major cleaning of my work table in the staff room

WOW! That's a lot of things. Better get started!

Survival of the First Week of School

Yea!

I survived the first week of school without any major hiccups.

Still plenty of work to be done... Debating now whether to go downtown and have some 'me' time or should I get started on my work...

Let's see...

1) Class Committee needs to be organized
2) Lesson plans for the coming week
3) 4N Physics SOW and 1T SOW still owed to my HODs
4) Squares to be cut for my coming 2T Maths lessons
5) Major cleaning of my room and work table in the living room
6) Reading my students' letters
7) Sorting through my students' particulars
8) Going through my students' goal-setting handout

Well, guess I better make use of this time to take a break and get a life before I drown in work? *grin*

And of course, apears I have a reason not to update this page as much as I would like to?

Seeya!

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.