The Sands of Time Wait for No Man

Girl-Next-Door

2009-11-30T16:59:00.004+06:30

Tracy is my student. But ironically, I don't teach her. She's doing the IB programme in my school. I first knew her when I brought a bunch of kids on the service trip to Jogjakarta.

Tracy is Vietnamese (her Vietnamese name is Mai Trang) and is a very bubbly and charming girl. I don't know why, but I feel that we share a special bond. So I brought her along with me to meet my brother and Ngoc Anh. Turns out that Tracy and Ngoc Anh came from the same hometown. Talk about coincidence! Vietnam is not exactly small you know!

I'm not bullying Tracy! Just trying to get her away from the water source.

There you see it!

She's wet but I'm still dry!

I like the baby Merlion. But Tracy thinks it look silly. National pride!

My Bro and I

2009-11-30T16:49:00.003+06:30

My Vietnamese brother, Tuan Anh, finally visited me in Singapore. He brought his fiancee, Ngoc Anh, along. He says he wants me to meet her first before they get married next year. Is he asking me for approval? Haha..... Either way, they are getting married next March. I'm so happy for them! Also looking forward to attending their wedding in Vietnam since it will be the school holidays for me. Congratulations!

Aesthetics Day

2009-11-22T20:39:00.004+06:30

It was Aesthetics Day and I was to go out with my students for a SoMA workshop. No idea what SoMA stood for until I was there. SoMA - School of Music and the Arts. We were herded into a recording studio like room to wait for the instructor. I was so worried that the kids would ruin the expensive equipment inside, so I took photos to keep them occupied.

At first I though we were there for a song-writing workshop, but this very un-song-writing-looking instructor turned up at the studio. He was so casual and started talking about beat-boxing and introduced to the kids some beat-boxing techniques.

Check out Peter's videos. The most amazing thing I thought was that he could beat-box and sing at the same time.

My students enjoyed his workshop so much that they were beat-boxing the whole afternoon and on the bus back to school.

True to what I originally thought, there was a song-writing workshop after lunch. The second half was boring in comparison to beat-boxing. But the students picked up some very handy song-writing skills. Song-writing didn't seem so difficult after that.

At the end of the day, I discovered that my students were not only talented, but very sporting. I would absolutely die if you made me beat-box or sing in front of the class.

Haiku

2009-10-20T15:34:00.005+06:30

I love the
silence
that brief,
beautiful
silence
between
every kiss

I read this haiku first on Le Love. But it's from a Daily Haiku on Love by Tyler Knott Gregson. Actually is the above really a haiku? I thought a haiku is something with 5, 7, 5 syllables in a total of 3 lines. But there does seem to be a kind of rhythm to this whole thing and it adds up to 17 syllables in total.

I'm not really into poems and haikus, but was just curious about this person and his writing. And haikus just bring back memories of secondary school literature class. The site is really a pleasant surprise. He has many more interesting haikus. Go read for yourself. Perhaps one more haiku from him to entice you a bit more.

Hold these hands and let
my shoulders dry every tear
you will ever cry

Students from China

2009-10-19T10:09:00.004+06:30

Being at Jo's wedding meant that I had a chance to meet up with some of my students from China. Most of them are doing great. In fact, one of them just graduated! Gosh, I feel so old! They all seem to enjoy life here and some have even started to look more "prosperous".

George is from my second batch of students. He is Jo's first batch. Very down-to-earth and street-wise. He's one of the few Chinese students whom I can hold a decent conversation in English with.

Students from SMU. I only taught some of them. I did the Math SATS and conversational English with them.

My last batch of students before I returned to Singapore. Tina and Amy! Both studying on scholarship! So smart yah! Didn't manage to get any photos of Pan Tao and Xiang Jing. Surely there will be other chances.

Congrats Jo & Bruce!

2009-10-19T09:43:00.006+06:30

Jo is one of my best friends from China. Jo and Bruce have a wonderful love story. When Bruce came to pick the bride, his "speech" to her moved us, the "sisters", (and Jo) to tears! He ruined our make-up!

Bruce is kind and capable. I used to work with him in the Singapore office. Even under stress, he is cool as a cucumber and would just say "Sandra, 可以帮我吗？" I worked with Jo in the China office. She looked after me and helped with the classes, timetable and all my arrangements. Jo is not like the usual Chinese girls that we see. She is sweet, demure and intelligent. We usually converse in Mandarin but she speaks good English and speaks even more fluently when she is drunk! Her favourite phrase/sound is "噹哩咯噹".

So happy that she and Bruce are now married and she will be in Singapore from now on. Congratulations!

Malacca Service Trip (8 - 10 Aug 2009)

2009-10-02T21:49:00.003+06:30

My student, Nam, made this video for our service trip to Malacca over the National Day holidays. Lovely!

K-ing

2009-09-20T20:23:00.002+06:30

Some friends and I were just talking about the last time we went singing. It's been so long that we could hardly remember. Guess no one in the group is really interested as they don't really listen to Mandarin songs.

It made me think of the last time I went singing. Friend L sang this song. It was sung so nicely. I like it. I like the singer and his boyish smile too. This made me think of L and the times we spent together. When will we go k-ing again?

Shop, Eat, Sleep

2009-09-15T21:34:00.004+06:30

Friend L and I spent a very fruitful 4-day, 3-night holiday in Hong Kong. We were almost penniless when we left the place. Heh. We had barely enough to buy ourselves a can drink (seen in photo 2) to share before we left the place. More photos of what we ate and saw after we next meet up. Realise we didn't take any photos of our shopping! H & M!!! I LURVEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Comfort Food.... sweeeeeet!

2009-07-23T16:05:00.006+06:30

My father is the king of mass email and spam. He loves to send us funny videos, touching stories, health facts, powerpoints about family and love, photos of animals, scenaries, jokes, optical illusions, etc... You get the drift. I kind of like this one with the pictures of chocolate in edible boxes. I need some comfort food. Now.

Love It! Post It!

2009-07-14T21:34:00.000+06:30

One Year Older...

2009-07-12T15:01:00.003+06:30

Any wiser? Don't think I felt any different on my birthday compared to any other day. Anyway, age is just a number right? Or so I try to tell myself! :)

The No. 1 thing on my to do list on my birthday is always to take a photo with Randolph. He was his usual uncooperative self.

Hug Me!

2009-07-10T22:10:00.001+06:30

How can I get Randolph to pose for photos properly?!?! It's frustrating! When I'm smiling nicely, he looks away.When I'm caught off guard, he looks at the camera. It doesn't help that Randolph is the most 'hug-unfriendly' dog in this world. Most dogs would love to be carried, hugged and kissed, but not this dog. Look at how 委屈 he looks in the photos!

Guess Who's The Star?

2009-06-30T14:41:00.000+06:30

Just some old photos we took from one of our doggie outings a loooong time ago.

Prambanan

2009-06-18T20:09:00.004+06:30

Prambanan is a hindu temple. Like the Borobudur, it is very old. There are 3 huge temples for the gods (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma), 3 medium sized temples for the gods' vehicle (the bull, garuda and swan) and over 200 smaller temples for the commoners to pray in. Sadly, the whole place is not what it used to be due to an earthquake.

Borobudur

2009-06-18T13:48:00.008+06:30

I did a quick search before writing this post and I realised that they are different lists of "Wonders of the World". Anyway, Borobudur is listed as one of the wonders in one such list. It is a Buddhist temple built in the 8th century (I think!). It has about 7 platforms (depending on how you count it) in its pyramidal structure.

Inside each stupa (bell-shaped thingy) is a Buddha statue and I'm trying to reach inside to touch the heel of Buddha for good luck. The guys are to touch the hand while the girls touch the heel. Thank goodness for my long limps! My colleague is trying to kiss the stone lion, but I don't think that will bring him any good luck!

I Survived!

2009-06-10T20:19:00.010+06:30

Four days of stay in the "5* Hilton". Bathing the primitive way with a bucket. Sleeping on the floor with only a straw mat and a sleeping bag for comfort. Being woken up by cockerels and weird-sounding geckos in the wee hours of dawn.

Some consolation? At least the toilets were clean and I had my share of "good character training" by bathing in cold water late at night. Also, it was fortunate that there were no mosquitoes buzzing around. I've come back in one piece. I survived Jogjakarta.

I led a group of students to Indonesia for their 6-day service trip. Actually, it was only 4 as the 5th day was a leisure day of sight-seeing and the last day was spent travelling. The students taught, played games and painted murals. I think they learned quite a lot from this trip. It was quite a journey for me too. There were times when I wanted to intervene and tell my students that they are teaching in the wrong way, or they need to organise themselves better, or use more body language instead of relying on a translator, etc, etc, etc. But I realised that if I had told them what to do, I would have deprived them of a chance to experience and learn for themselves.

It was a very humbling experience. I guess I have learnt to appreciate the simple things in life and to complain less. Things we take for granted mean so much to them. Soft toys that we have discarded are like treasures to them. Unwanted clothes are like branded wear. Pencils (those that need sharpening, and not those mechanical ones) are still in great demand. Even coloured origami paper! I just wished I had carried more in my luggage to give to them!

Oh oh oh! And did I mention that I had a crash course on padi farming? I really appreciate the rice on my table now. I will not waste anymore rice from now on. It really is a back-breaking job. From plucking the young padi to navigating in the muddy waters with the buffalo to replanting the young padi to another site to harvesting to thrashing the grains. Ah.... we didn't even complete the whole routine in the 2 hours. We did not dehusk the grains! It definitely isn't a job for the faint-hearted. I had to step into dung-infested (and god knows what other insects are in there!) muddy waters. I've got no photos of my padi farming as pictures were taken only by our "professional photographer" on the trip with us.

More about our leisure day of sight-seeing in another post......

International Day 2009

2009-04-25T16:32:00.004+06:30

The school had a International Day celebration on Friday and I watched one of the most hilarious performances ever by a group of Korean boys and tasted yummy pho bo prepared by the Vietnamese students. Nam is my favourite Vietnamese student. I know, I'm not supposed to have favourites and should treat everyone the same, but it's so hard not to like Nam! If only all students are like him.

Singa

2009-04-22T20:33:00.002+06:30

Singa the Lion! Courtesy is for you and me!

Class of 2Y 2009

2009-03-16T20:44:00.004+06:30

The first class photo taken during CNY. We tossed the raw fish salad as many of the international students had never tried it before.

An outing to the Singapore Discovery Centre on Total Defence Day.
Founder's Day celebration, which explains why the kids are in their formal attire.

Last day of Term 1! Yeah! Games day for them, which explains the colourful t-shirts of the different houses.

I've got a mix of Singaporean, Indonesian, German, Japanese, Korean, Indian, American, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Burmese in my class. Very international.

Mini

2009-02-21T21:44:00.002+06:30

OMG! I just realised that one of my student's dad is a motor magnate! Want to buy a Porsche, Saab, Rolls-Royce, Mini or Opel? He's the man!

Think I'll settle for a white mini. Thank you.

Whiteboard Etiquette

2009-02-19T20:07:00.002+06:30

What is the correct way of using the whiteboard? Does one really need to learn that? Or be taught how to use the whiteboard? My students obviously.

I asked some of them to come up to the board to show their answers, and when they went back to their seats, the whole board area was in a mess! What is this?!?! Don't you all know simple whiteboard etiquette?

1. No need to fight over who to write where on the whiteboard. It is definitely big enough.
2. After using the markers, you have to cap them back instead of leaving it out to dry.
3. Then you should return them to the place where you got them, instead of throwing it all over the table.
4. If you are using the duster, you should do the same as for the markers and return it to the place where you got it.

Wasted a few minutes of my lesson time giving them this stupid lecture on whiteboard etiquette. Bah!

On a separate note, my HOD is purchasing this thing called mimio, which will make the whiteboard interactive. Quite excited about it as the whole department has only 2 sets and he's letting me have it! Yay!

Second Chance

2009-01-18T11:26:00.004+06:30

I gave Batam a second chance, not by choice of course. My school had a 2-day, 1-night Staff Conference there on 12 and 13 January. Everything was paid for and the only money I spent there was on a 1.2 kg kueh lapis cake for my mother. The conference itself was enlightening but at certain times of the day, it was no doubt a bit of a chore to stay awake. I bet I gained a few kilograms from just 2 days there. All we did there was eat and sit. Breakfast, conference, tea break, conference, lunch, conference, tea break, conference, dinner. I should be thankful that they didn't include supper after our dinner.

I brought my camera along but the only photos I took were this and another similar one. This is about half the people in my Mathematics department. Everyone looks happy and smiley.... probably because school has not started yet!

Yenny, Lay Pian, Chee Kin, Me, Gregory

BIG Smile

2009-01-01T13:03:00.005+06:30

It's been a slow new year's day. Just resting at home, surfing and doing some work. Work? Yes, WORK! Don't think that teachers do not work during the school holidays ok! Chanced across this website and out came this 'sketch'. The outcome is a little cheesy but what the heck! My new year resolution will be to smile like this everyday. Watch me!

Goodbye '08! Hello '09!

2008-12-31T12:35:00.002+06:30

I had a sinful day of shopping yesterday. I shall not disclose the damage done. I always pride myself as being prudent and sometimes to the extent of being a scrooge. But I 大开杀戒 on Orchard Road yesterday and despite the feeling of guilt, I was very happy with my buys. It's not everyday that one can get a good bargain, so 'Seize the Day!' I suddenly thought of my sister's friend who splurged so much that she fell sick from guilt! Hope I never would get to that stage!

We are just a few hours away from the new year, so 'Happy 2009 everyone!'. Make those new year resolutions and keep to them! See you next year!

It's Still Christmas!

2008-12-27T11:36:00.010+06:30

Merry Christmas everyone! A bit late, but oh well. I had a wonderful time this Christmas as this is my first Christmas in Singapore after 3 years away from home. Let's see..... 2005, my Vietnamese brother brought me out to squeeze with his fellow comrades at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh. 2006 was the worst as it was the first time I had to work ON Christmas day itself! The Chinese do not know how to enjoy life. Work work work. 2007 was slightly better even though I still had to work but at least there was an office party at the end of the day.

Thanks to all these people for a memorable 2008! (going to be very long-winded) By the way, have I told you guys how happy I'm finally back here in Singapore and can go for our weekly dinner and coffee?

Jeffrey (the host of the party and being my not-so-secret santa and getting me what I wanted this christmas and for giving us lovely x'mas-cum-door-gift packs, which made me feel like I'm back in primary school again),

Darren (for giving me a ride to and from the party, the wii, the shepherd's pie, for doing the accounts and for being our photographer for the night),

T3 (such a sport for drinking up the flaming B52 under our cheering, the cute book of animals which made Ben and I go 'Ooohh and Aaahhh' when we flipped through it),

Val (for not turning up at the party in the same dress as me! Next time we need to call each other before going out! The Taiwan album is fantastic! So are the Precious Moments candies!),
Desmond (our bartender! Always willing to experiment and mix any orders that we have),

Jonathan (for loving my potato-cum-roasted garlic salad and finishing off every last bits of it, and for appreciating my 3 hour fight in the kitchen and saying 'thank you for preparing the food'),

Ho Sun (for bringing the guitar hero and other games even though we never got down to playing them all),

Edmund (when was the last time anyone received christmas cards? and this one was handmade! Great photo on the card Edmund! Hope you like my secret santa gift and find it useful),

Calvin (our I/C for secret santa and for posting all the communist signages up),

Ben (when was the last time I saw you? 3 years ago? Or more? Gasp!),

Jane (we both cut up the ham (which explains the unprofessionally big slices) and we shredded the roast chicken too for easy eating), and

Wen Liang, Ivan, Pauline, Leonard, Patrick and lastly, who can forget the 'guard dog', Winnie, who took a few licks of my Bahama Mama!

Photo courtesy of Darren. Everyone is happy with their gift!

Mushroom Head

2008-11-27T07:07:00.003+06:30

I'm contemplating cutting my hair to being a mushroom head. But it seems like this haircut does not sit well with the guys. This hair style seems fuss-free enough, but on the downside, I dread to think of how long it would take me to grow my hair long again. What do you think?

Chicken or Beef

2008-10-28T19:19:00.002+06:30

I have been cordially invited to my school's Gala Dinner in aid of our school's building fund. I'm super excited about it because it will be held at the Ritz Carlton and each table there costs a whopping $10,000! The tables are donation by kind and rich parents. That means come Thursday night, I would have probably tasted the most expensive dinner in my life!

We had to make a choice between chicken or beef 2 weeks before this. At first, I thought of having the beef as that is more expensive (must make the most out of this dinner yah). Then I decided against it as I didn't want to get any red meat caught in my braces during this glam dinner. So chicken it is for me.

I'm still wondering why this dinner costs $1,000 per seat, (aside from it being a form of fund-raising) and I can understand now after looking at the invitation card. Apparently, after each course, wine would be served. I'm no wine connoisseur but going by the wine list, it looks good. I'm too lazy to type out the wine list now. If it's truly good, then I'll be back to share. In the meantime, be envious of me!

Birthday Again

2008-10-25T10:44:00.002+06:30

Had a very belated birthday meal with friend N which ended up with drinks at the New Asia Bar on the 70th storey of Swissotel. Great view, great company, great conversation, great drinks. Great music? Nah. Cannot understand the kind of music that was played there and I swore that the volume increased at an exponential rate as the night wore on. 2 lychee martinis and a hazelnut thingy later, N and I parted. Me to my inviting bed, and N to part 2 of drowning in alcohol.

Whites

2008-10-20T23:27:00.002+06:30

One day after plucking out three strands of white hair from my sister's right side of her head and gloating secretly inside that I'm so lucky, I found to my horror an extremely long white one of my own. I understand the full meaning of retribution.

Doggie for grabs

2008-09-17T13:45:00.003+06:30

Is there anyone out there who would like to adopt a golden labrador retriever? He's not the one in this picture but don't all labs look the same? I wish I could have him but mom would probably freak out and so would Randolph. Don't think Randolph would allow another male dog into our house. But I'm sure a lab would be much more obedient than Randolph.

I Am Cow

2008-08-29T14:51:00.002+06:30

One of my naughty boys suddenly burst out in song before class began. I wanted to scold him but ended up laughing at the silly lyrics. I made him sing it again for me. Watch the video! It will leave you in stiches!

Randolph, The Greedy Dog

2008-08-25T16:34:00.003+06:30

Do not be misled by the photos and think that Randolph ate my little cousin. Randolph is a human-friendly but not dog-friendly creature.

On a walk with my mother and together with two neighbours and their dogs, Randolph got into some kind of confusion/panic/anxiety that he bit the other Jack Russell on its neck. He refused to let go no matter how much my mother beat or scold him. He eventually released his not-so-fatal grip when my mother pried his mouth open. All that after the Jack Russell peed and pooed on the spot in fear! The other dog on the walk, a Dalmatian, just stood and watched the free show. Luckily, it didn't get into the neck wrestle as well. We still do not know what got into Randolph. He is usually so docile and friendly.

Anyway, after this incident, he got the stares from everyone in the family. Whenever we saw him that night, we would go "No more walk walk for you!", "Bad doggie!", "Naughty doggie!" or "Greedy doggie!" I mean, he tried to eat his own kind. Is he really that hungry?

By the way, the Jack Russell is fine. It did not bleed to death or anything dramatic. It just sustained some teeth marks on its neck, which by now should have healed. Phew! If not, Randolph would become "Randolph, the Murderer!"

I Look Like This

2008-08-18T14:17:00.003+06:30

My sister made an avatar for me.

She thinks I look like this.

I think I need to go rebond my hair to look like this.

Class 1Y

2008-08-15T15:08:00.003+06:30

Ok, so this is my form class in ACS (International). We had two exchange students from Japan (try to spot them!) so it was an opportunity to take photos. Don't think they have taken any before. This is not a very cohesive class. Just before I took over, the vice-principal warned that this is a "vicious" class. Yes, I think I now know what he means.

Case 1: Boy A pushes Boy B and B's shirt was ripped in the process.

Case 2: When anyone does something wrong, boy C would say "Bad boy". The class said they feel like a dog whenever he says that.

Case 3: Boy D's bag gets thrown around the class while he's in the toilet.

Case 4: Boy E found teriyaki chicken in his Crumpler bag while he is playing basketball during recess.

Case 5: Boy F pushes Boy G against a wall and G hurts his toe in the process.

Case 6: Boy H and Boy I put a waterbomb on new girl's seat.

Case 7: Boy J took Boy K's wallet and put it inside Boy L's bag.

Case 8: Not too many problems with the girls except for Girl M who is very 'heow' and other teachers have told me that older boys have told them she has a 'good figure'.

Case 9: Everyone thinks Girl N is a bimbo.

Case 10: Nobody wants to be friends with Girl O because she is always back-stabbing them.

All the above mentioned boy or girl may be the same person or otherwise. Go figure. I somehow don't remember us being so naughty. My previous form classes of 2E1 and 4E2 are angels compared to this!

If you think this is bad, according to their other teachers, it was much worse before. I'm just so glad that all these cases happened out of my class. But whether it occurred in other classes or in mine, I've still got to do a report when anything happens and give them pep talks. All the time. So much so that I'm running out of wise words and advice to give.

Fly Away, Turtle!

2008-08-14T13:12:00.008+06:30

During the National Day long weekend, I went on a service trip with my school's Interact Club. Our service was to the turtles, in Cherating, Kuantan. These poor helpless turtles are facing extinction due to their number one enemy - MAN!

Although we did not get the chance to see the turtles come to shore and lay eggs (it was low tide when we were there, but at least I saw a video of it!) , we were allowed to release hatchlings back into the sea. The turtle in my hands had only just emerged from its shell, hence it was super energetic and its flippers were flapping non-stop. Normally, we are supposed to cup the baby turtle, but our batch of newborns were moving so vigorously that we had to hold it by its shell.

Apparently, these babies have only 0.001% of survival in the big ocean. I secretly hope mine is that one out of a thousand. But I'm sure all those who released the turtles had that silent prayer for their own.

We visited a fishing village (above pics) to see how bullock-carts were used to bring the catch back to shore and how salted fish are made.

Our last stop for the trip was at a batik centre where we painted our very own turtle batik hankerchief. If you are wondering whether the turtles below were drawn by me, I'm sorry to disappoint, but it actually came from a mold. My job was simply to fill the empty spaces with the colours provided. No end product photo to show off my work of art. Let's just say it didn't turn out as nice as I imagined it to be.

Quickly

2008-08-07T15:36:00.002+06:30

Quick update of what I've been up to:

1. More than a month of teaching at ACS (International) now. So far so good, but somehow, I feel my voice sounding coarser with each passing day.
2. I'm on the food/canteen improvement committee. I think they chose the wrong person to be on the team. I'm not much of a food critic and I believe I'm quite easy with food. The other people are complaining that the food is so bad, but I actually like it! At least for now, probably because I'm still relatively new and everything is quite refreshing for me.
3. I'm with the Interact Club and have already gone through the installation of new members and committee. Seems like quite a nice club since everyone is there to provide service of some form to the less fortunate.
4. Will be going to Malaysia over the National Day weekend with the club to clean the beach, release baby turtles back to their natural environment and wake up in the middle of the night to observe turtles coming to shore to lay eggs.
5. My worst fear has happened. I swallowed the rubber band used for holding my braces together. It was an accident! Wondering if it will get stuck somewhere inside my body? Or worse, be rotting in the deep ends of my intestines!

Family Outing

2008-07-23T19:38:00.004+06:30

My sissy the die-hard amateur photographer is taking part in a competition for the first time.

Voting closes on 24 July at 5pm (that's tomorrow!), so go now to http://www.seagatememories.com/singapore and vote for her photo (it's No. 451). And tell all your friends to vote, there is a hard disk up for grabs for two lucky voters.

(Those three tiny figures at the bottom right are my dad, mom and me on our Sunday morning walk.)

Birthday Me

2008-07-12T12:42:00.003+06:30

Realised that as I grow older, celebrating my birthday no longer seem as important as it used to be. I do not want to be reminded of how old I am. I'm in denial you see. But thank you to all my friends for your well wishes. I will try to stay young, pretty, chic, happy, etc....

I decided to dress up in pink, like a cake, on my birthday and I realised how matching I am with Randolph. Pink and brown! Perfect together! I just had to grab him for a session of photo-taking. He was his usual uncoperative self, and it didn't help that mom has shaky hands. So the end result was just this one good shot of us together!

We Meet Again

2008-06-29T17:22:00.002+06:30

I thought that after leaving my job in China, I would never see Gem (in camo prints) and Marvin (striped singlet) again. They were my shopping kakis in Jinan! However, being true shopaholics, they were in town for the Great Singapore Sale! We met up together with uncle Daniel (we taught in China and Myanmar together) for a cuppa.

Uncle Daniel commented he looked more like our bodyguard than our centre manager!

Love Me!

2008-06-17T12:58:00.003+06:30

Ever since moving into sissy's place, everyone in the family has been trying to win doggie over. And the winner is..... Papa! Reason being he is the one who wakes up the earliest and brings Randolph for his morning walks. I rank last on Randolph's list of favourite people because

1. I am not his rightful owner like my sissy
2. I cannot wake up early enough to bring him walking like my father
3. I don't feed him apples or bread ends like my mother

What can I do to make doggie love me? I keep calling out to it to make it come to me but alas, it has come to naught.

Randolph! No response.
RANDOLPH!!! No response.
Doggie! No response still.
Gou gou! Again no response.
Ah gao! Silence.
Si gao!!! Dead silence.

Randolph doesn't understand me when I speak English, Mandarin or Hokkien. I give up.

Crabby

2008-05-21T10:26:00.007+06:30

Have been missing in action for some time, but I'm determined not to be relegated to Friend E's list of sleeping blogs.

Have just entertained some guests from overseas.... brought them to eat chilli crab at No Signboard Restaurant, but it appeared that my family enjoyed it better than any of them. Heh!

I've also been busy unpacking my stuff since we moved into my sister's house in early May. It's been almost 3 weeks since we invaded into her place and we are quite comfortable now. We have gotten used to each other's routine and there is no clash in the timing for the use of the bathroom. Doggie is now waking up earlier for his morning walk with dad, and sissy can now sleep in later! I think doggie is the happiest being in our move to the house.

We took a parting shot with everyone in our 'new' house! Doggie included!

Free

2008-04-25T21:44:00.003+06:30

Too much time on my hands but yet no time to blog. Hmm...... No mood. Maybe also partly bacause my new phone has no camera, so I can't take photos as and when I like. But I still love my new phone. Someone sitting next to me on the MRT actually asked me where I got it from! Mom always exclaims "It's a toy!" whenever she sees it!

Next project is the big move from my current location to my sister's house. Yay! More time to play with doggie! My biggest headache: where to place all my kitties in the new room? Or should I abandon them and donate them to some charity?

life.in.swirls

2008-04-02T09:36:00.002+06:30

It's funny how friend D's blog title expresses just the state of my life now. Depends on how you look at it: swirling can be good as that means your life is constantly changing, but it's not that great when there's constant uncertainty. Am I rambling? Am I thinking straight? Am I even thinking?

On a lighter note, check out the Swirl girls blog and see what they are wearing everyday to satisfy the kaypoh lurking inside you.

Seems like SWIRL is the IT word of the day!

8 Below

2008-03-20T15:34:00.007+06:30

Have been so bored that I'm watching old movies, like this one - Eight Below. It's a must watch for all doggie lovers. If you already own a dog, then you will love your dog even more after watching this film! If you don't have a dog, then you will want one!

Old shots of Randolph and I! Not my doggie but I lurve him! Just wish that he could be as smart as those dogs in the movie.... hehe! I also wish that he wouldn't pounce on me each time we meet and snag my clothes!

B for Batam

2008-03-18T16:34:00.000+06:30

B for BORING too. My friend and I went for a short holiday there over the school holidays. Why Batam? Cause we couldn't get a place to stay in Bintan! Argh! Regret! BIG regret! Batam is one boring place. No wonder all the 'chee gou peks' go there and end up with *ahem* as there is nothing better to do, other than perhaps golf? Good thing as a lady, I can still pamper myself and while my time away with dirt cheap pedicure, manicure, massage and hair treatment.

We joined a day tour and went about visiting bridges, dried produce shops, Polo shop, Dua Pek Gong Temple and the Laughing Buddha Temple. All for S$15 with a seafood lunch included.

Here I am at the Rainbow Bridge aka Lovers' Bridge. This is the only photo I took in Batam. Everything else didn't interest me much, though you can hardly tell from my happy face here.

Sweet Pink

2008-03-12T20:42:00.002+06:30

I've finally succumbed to the F200. Yes, that's the pretty phone you see here! Its colour is sweet pink. Yup, so sweet..... I lurveeeee it! I guess I took a rather long time to decide on switching hp. It just didn't seem like me to be changing hps all the time. I always feel attached to my phone. After all, I go everywhere with it and it sleeps just beside my pillow. In fact, I felt a little sad that my W850i had to go. But I guess it's about time that 'brick' left my hands!

One friend cannot understand why I take so long to decide to trade in my old hp for a new one. It's not even expensive he says. He is one who has absolutely no qualms about switching hps. His logic: Since I cannot change my wife, the only thing I can change frequently is my handphone. I'm not sure if I should be happy for his wife.

Sounds of Music

2008-02-27T09:18:00.012+06:30

Gasp! I've only recently realised that I can no longer whistle like I used to before I had my braces! I guess I'm a slow one as I've already had my braces for more than half a year. Anyway, not being able to whistle well is not a big loss right? My mom should be happy at this loss of my special talent as she always says I'm so 'samseng' (aka tomboy) when I do it.

Anyone remembers this advertisment from a certain courier service about this irritating bird that kept 'whistling' to a dog (or was it cat?) and the dog/cat sent it off to Siberia using its service. I remember the last part best cos the bird was like exclaiming "SIBERIA?!?!" in an extremely high pitched voice. Serves it right.

SAfivers

2008-02-18T13:24:00.005+06:30

My class during college days was SA 5, so I am a SAfiver. That's what our class used to call ourselves - survivors. SAfivers, survivors! Get it??

At our annual CNY gathering with Xie Laoshi, the guys announced their wedding plans. Gosh! So many red bombs this year. BT in July, K in November, CH and WK in December, V in February next year. Seems like only the girls are going to be the ones left single. Where are all the good guys?

Happy V Day

2008-02-14T20:37:00.005+06:30

Happy Valentine's Day to all couples and Happy Friendship Day to all singles! Muaks to everyone!

Friend N was just lamenting about an ex who gave him an ipod and mobile phone, when he himself is earning big bucks! The world is so unfair. I know N you are reading this! Sigh.... wish I had someone who would give me something. Oh well, I'm an independent gal who buys her own toys!

Latest object of desire: Samsung Juke. Friend W already has it and when N and I saw him using it, we both squealed in delight.

I'm such a sucker for pretty phones! Only drawback is it doesn't have 3G support. Another friend, L, aptly pointed out: we never need 3G when we own a 3G phone, but when we get a non 3G phone, we would somehow be going off to Japan for a holiday. Bah! Murphy's Law!

Goodbye Jinan!

2008-02-05T09:03:00.000+06:30

The symbolic sculpture of Jinan city at Quan Cheng Square.

Realised that I had been in Jinan for a long time but I've never really posted any photos from there. I suppose the main reason is that there isn't much to show. Jinan is pretty much a grey and dusty city. I now know the meaning of 'frog in well' after I visited bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai. It was liberating seeing Starbucks, Mango, Zara, H & M, Uniqlo, Muji, etc after being stuck in Jinan all this time. To think that Jinan is the city of Shandong province. I guess Shandong is too ulu for Stabucks or any big brands to want to try to break into the market.

The main entrance of the training school that I was with.

Last photo shot with Gem and Marvin. Boohoo! I will miss them so much, and the delicious burgers they make for my breakfast!

Last Days

2008-01-29T14:49:00.000+06:30

I'm so glad tomorrow will be my last day of classes in Jinan! Will be returning to Singapore on Thursday midnight and will arrive back home on Friday morning. Whee!!! So glad I'm finally leaving Jinan. Can't take anymore of this cold. Even though I am slowly getting used to it but I think I still prefer to be hot. I think it's easier to cool down than to warm up. But I surprised myself the other day when the temperature went up from -12 to -8 degrees Celcius, by commenting "Today's quite warm." It is sub-zero but I said it's warm! The cold must have frozen my brain!

Anyway, I'll be back in time for CNY and will not be leaving anytime soon. I figured that I need to get my braces fixed and I cannot delay it any further. My photos are hideous cos of my metallic teeth.

My Singapore! My homeland!

Round and Rosy

2008-01-24T07:48:00.000+06:30

Anqi is a typical China child - rosy cheeks and 'bowl' haircut. Her mother says she is so 淘气.

Let It Snow

2008-01-22T16:44:00.000+06:30

Jinan has not snowed like this for a while! So lucky that we caught it! And right before I'm supposed to return to Singapore! So white, so clean, so pure and so fun!

Gem, I, Marvin posing in the snow covered carpark. About 3 m away from us, some workers were trying to sweep the snow away. Needless to say, there were giving us amused and weird looks.

Me and my snowballs! But they just broke apart when I tried to throw them.

A snowbear left by a father and son pair on the Thousand Buddha Mountain.

It is apparent that mama and papa love the snow too!

Back At Last

2008-01-21T15:00:00.000+06:30

After a 3 week hiatus, I'm back. What have I been doing all this time? Work work.... Plus some travelling. I'll be returning to Singapore soon, so I have to take the chance and see as much of China as I can in this limited time. Also partly because parents are in town, so the 3 of us can go around together. In this short time, we have been to Weifang, Qingdao, Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. Would love to visit more places, but no time! I'll just share some of my favourite photos from these places.

不到长城非好汉 - I can now say proudly that I am a 好汉!

In Shanghai with a 'pi xiu' (貔貅) - My dad's favourite mythical animal. Everytime we see a 'pi xiu', he would go up and touch it (without fail!) as it would supposedly bring wealth. Hopefully, taking a photo with it can bring us equal amounts of fortune!

In Qingdao with my student's parents.

West Lake or 'xi hu' in Hangzhou. Beautiful scenary. Freezing weather.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-27T12:07:00.000+06:30

Yoga... AH!

2007-12-19T09:20:00.000+06:30

A friend of mine gave me a yoga center trial card for 3 free sessions. I had plans to go try out every day of this week. I went on Monday and I could hardly get out of bed the next day. I wanted so much to try their pilates class on Tuesday, but I guess that will have to wait till next week. After I recover. I thought I had done the stretches only to my limit so why was I aching everywhere? Here pain, there pain. I think I need "Salonpas". By the way, I can do the above!

Freeze

2007-12-12T14:08:00.000+06:30

I really wonder how it is possible for someone to be wearing such a heavy coat with a skirt and still leave her legs exposed to the elements?! No doubt she looks good, but but but..... how can???
I can only think of two reasons why.
1) It is not that cold
2) She is not afraid of the cold.
I really have to stress that it is near impossible for someone to dress like that in the streets where I am. Unless she just dashes out onto the streets, takes the photo and runs back indoors again.

This lady here is also quite unbelievable. She's wearing a scarf, jacket and the full works. But her shoes! She is wearing shoes that is exposing the top of her feet! She's going to suffer from frostbite!

Trust me. It is now subzero here and if I want to wear a skirt out, I have to wear 3 layers of leggings! If it's jeans, then one layer beneath would be sufficient. I wish I can look like these gorgeous ladies but everyday I leave home feeling like an expired 'ba zhang'.

For Alice

2007-12-04T07:13:00.000+06:30

So often we have to make decisions; decisions that seldom just affect only ourselves. But hey, we still got to make them. What's the next BIG decision I have to make? Argh..... I hate making decisions! Wish I could ask the Magic 8 Ball and it will decide for me!

To friend A, glad you finally pulled yourself out of the prison! Life can only get better from now on! I'm sure everyone back there will miss you, but at the same time happy for you!

"PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL."

Name Me

2007-11-18T18:24:00.000+06:30

My school is now having an English Corner every Saturday and I'm the person in charge of the weekly programme. Hmm.... I'm not an English teacher so I don't know why I was tasked to do it. No choice I guess. Although the English Corner is only 2 hours each time, but the preparation is much more than that. I am the one to buy the refreshments, the one to think of activities, the one to conduct the activities and I'm also the one to clean up after everyone has left. Sometimes I feel it's like 'sai gang'. Bah! It is basically a one-woman show, if you ask me.

Only redeeming factor of the English Corner is that I get to meet students and I'm so amazed at their enthusiasm to speak good english. It is heartening to see them try so hard to pronouce their words and make sure that each sentence they say to me is grammatically correct. Every once in a while, these kids will come up to me and ask me to give them an english name. I take that as a compliment because one does not just ask any Tom, Dick or Harry to name them. There are plenty of English names around but I realise now how important it is to give these kids an appropriate name and one that suits their personality (also one which they can pronounce correctly). It is almost like naming my own baby!

Red Leaf Valley

2007-11-16T07:43:00.001+06:30

Science Centre

2007-11-11T19:31:00.000+06:30

I really don't know whether to call it a Science Centre or a Science Museum. Some of the exhibits are so old that they shouldn't even be there I feel. But still, it was a fun time for the kids because it was their first field trip! Their schools never brought them out before! For some of them, it was their first time going to the Science Centre! Guess the Chinese don't believe in learning outside the classroom.

Our favourite section of the Science Centre was the Declining House. This little house is tilted at an angle of 18 degress. It's quite fascinating how this tiny change in angle can cause us to go into a state of disorientation, dizziness and vertigo.

Hero's Hill

2007-10-05T20:14:00.000+06:30

Hero's Hill (英雄山) is where one can get antique vases, pots, stamps, coins, plants, pets, scorpions, fishes, all things weird, and of course climb a hill.

In the photos above are some of my colleagues. The guy with the white hair is Keith, a Canadian. He only works part time with my school. Before he had his haircut, the students used to call him Einstein. In the other photo are Gem (in white) and Marvin. They are cousins from Philippines. Gem works with me while Marvin is new in Jinan and will be working in some tourism school. I guess I will be spending lots of time with the boys from now on.

Beeeeep

2007-10-05T13:45:00.000+06:30

First, my aircon stopped blowing cold air. Nevermind I thought. Since winter is coming, I wouldn't have much use for an air conditioner, would I? It only functions like a fan now. No big deal.

Then, one day, I realised my cheese was gross and soft. Way too soft. Ok, so the refrigerator has spoilt. It is now repaired and churning so much cool air I wish it would just give some to the aircon.

On Wednesday, the washing machine just decided to go on strike. Halfway thru the washing, it just started one long continuous shrill beep. On the display of the washing machine read an alphabet 'E', for error I presume. Apparently, the machine could only do the wash, but not the rinse or the tumble dry anymore. Argh!!! I had to get all my half-done laundry out and wash and wring them manually. I definitely worked out a sweat! By the way, up till this moment, my towel is still not dry!

Wholesome Breakfast

2007-10-04T09:47:00.000+06:30

Was reluctant to get out of bed this morning as it was a perfect day to sleep in. It was drizzling outside and I was nice and warm in my cosy bed. But I managed to drag myself out of bed and made myself a wholesome breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese and mushroom. Top it up with some banana and a hot cup of coffee and I'm ready to face the day!

I had a mishap with the microwave oven the other day. I was trying to cook rice and my pot melted. Just like that, without any warning. So I don't have any rice-cooking-microwave pot now. Will have to start experimenting with cooking rice in a glass bowl now. Apparently, it works just as well. Just got to cover it up with some cling wrap and poke some holes in it. Wait for my verdict.

Experiment #2

2007-10-01T19:07:00.000+06:30

Another success! On the menu today is mom's 'gou gai' (say grilled chicken in cantonese). I can almost hear mom nagging at me in the background "Everyday gou gai gou gai!" Haha! My favourite! Four drumstick marinated the night before in soya sauce and ground pepper. Not a very healthy meal today as I didn't prepare any vegetables. But again, it was super yummy! Think I'm getting good at this!

Experiment #1

2007-10-01T09:20:00.000+06:30

Had my first trial with the microwave last night. Cooked myself some plain rice and some cabbage and shrimps marinated with soy sauce, vinegar and pepper. Easy enough. Taste wasn't super fantastic. In fact, it was rather blend. But it was a very satisfying meal for me. After all, I did it!

If I keep up with this kind of diet (minus the huge portion of rice) I think I can shed a few kilos and maybe start my own "Microwave Your Way to Health Cookbook"!

Fishy Stories

2007-09-29T06:57:00.000+06:30

It's so good we had to go back again! My student, 孙中 called to make the reservation and he left his name as Mr 孙. The person on the line actually asked him "哪个孙?" Hello??? How many different 孙s are there for a surname! He said he felt insulted. I feel insulted too.

Anyway, back to the lead..... fishy!!! This time we ordered the extra spicy version... super yummy! Once again, we devoured everything. Would love to bring the leftover sauce home and cook instant noodles with it! Would be ultra tasty I bet!

I Can Cook

2007-09-26T14:04:00.000+06:30

I've just watched Ratatouille and am totally inspired by it. I wish I can be like Remy! Anyone can cook! Yes, I believe it now! I've just gotten a new microwave oven in my home, so I shall start experimenting with microwave cooking. I'm not doing any 'real' cooking because I don't have any rice cooker, pots and pans. What I do have is a microwave rice cooker, food steamer and a roasting/baking tray. All of them came together with the microwave oven. First thing I'll try is to cook rice, then egg, then vegetables, and then I'll be more advanturous and try the meats. Checking out online now on how exactly I should go about doing it.

I think this may not be such a bad idea after all since the things cooked in the microwave would not be too oily, in fact, not oily at all, except for the natural oil/juices of the meat. Good chance for me to start on my diet. I just need to go to the supermarket and get all the necessary ingredients now.

Scoot Over

2007-09-23T21:26:00.000+06:30

Ok, so I have done the bitchiest thing in my life today, but I felt more righteous actually. My colleague and I got onto a crowded bus today. As luck would have it, there were just 2 seats left in the very last row. But this selfish girl was taking up all three seats. Mathematically, one girl should get only one seat, but no no, this selfish girl sat in the middle with her knapsack on the right and some other plastic bags on her left.

My colleague and I not paiseh and I tried to squeeze into one of the seats hoping that she would pick her stuff up and scoot over so that we both could sit. She removed her plastic bags from one seat and moved over. But her knapsack was still on the other chair! I looked at her and cannot tahan anymore. Here we are on a shaky, unstable, crowded bus with lots of sweaty people and yet she is not willing to let us have a seat!

I glared at her and said in my best Chinese accent "你把你的包放在你的腿上行吗?" Victory! She moved over one more seat and my colleague and I could now sit. Grrr..... is it that difficult to put your stuff on your lap and let us sit down? What a b****!

Remember Me?

2007-09-22T07:30:00.000+06:30

I can see the tags on my blog, but I can't reply to them. All because blogspot is restricted in China. Don't ask me why I can access blogger but not blogspot. I'm almost computer illiterate. Definitely not a techie. Actually I thought I was bad, but then some of my colleagues keep coming to me for help, so I realise I'm not that bad afterall. Don't get me started on what kind of silly questions they ask me.

Back to the problem of not being able to post anything on the tagboard. I probably cannot do anything about it until I get back to Singapore. But just to let Janice, Suhaila, Aqidah, Hector and Ridhaus know, I have received your tags. Thank you very much, and I have not forgotten about you. Not one, not any of you. I don't know why students like to ask if I can remember them. Of course I remember them! Every single one of them! So boys and girls, give yourself some credit and tell yourself that you are special and unique. Miss Sng remembers you! I probably still can remember my 2E1 students names in their register order even! In fact, I believe any teacher can remember her students.

My all-time favourite 'oldest' student would have to be Melvin. He's my student from my practicum time! He's going to graduate from poly soon! To think that he was just a 14-year old kid when I first met him. Gosh, am I old or am I old? The age thingy keeps coming up lately, doesn't it? Again, I digress.

Bunny In Bin

2007-09-20T13:25:00.000+06:30

Ah!!! Someone threw cute bunny away!!!

Rabbit's chinese name is 花生 (peanut). I call it bunny.

Bunny is only the size of my palm. So white and fluffy!

Bunny belongs to my student who bought it for only $2! Guess he's quite bored studying here so he got himself a pet. I've never had a pet rabbit before so I had lots of fun playing with it. I want to have a pet too!

Live from Yantai

2007-09-18T15:26:00.000+06:30

My student is from Yantai
Yantai is by the sea
City by the sea = fresh seafood

My student brought live crabs

He treated me to dinner

I ate 2 whole crabs

Roe, pincers, legs

All by myself

Old Maid

2007-09-15T08:16:00.000+06:30

Today marks a milestone in my life. I found a white hair! Horror! Gasp! I've never had any white hair before. But while running my fingers through my hair today, this strand of white hair just stuck out like a beacon. I guess I could be thinking too much, working too hard or worrying about too many things. Either that or it must be a sign of old age. The sands of time wait for no man. Indeed.

Ah Lian

2007-09-12T06:47:00.000+06:30

A student gave me this last week. It was a lotus pod. Hard as it looks, the pod is actually very soft, and it feels almost like a sponge! I was wondering what to do with it when she told me "Eat it!" Har? You mean this can be eaten? Ok, so how do I go about eating this?

My student pried the pod open and out spilled the seeds as seen in the foreground. Amazing! By the way, the one in the background is still intact. The number of black dots u can see on the lotus pod would be the number of seeds it contains. So can I eat them now? Not yet, there is still a layer of skin to be removed before the real lotus seed appears! There is actually not much taste to it, somewhat bland. But I would liken it to the melon seed, except it is much bigger.

I must have behaved like a suaku who had never eaten a lotus seed before.

Real Drama

2007-09-07T08:42:00.000+06:30

Never knew such stories are for real. Always thought that these can only happen in shows.

Drama 1:

Boy and girl plan to get married 6 months later in May. Boy goes to work in another country while girl stays in the country to prepare for the wedding with his family. 3 months before the wedding, girl stops answering calls from boy and avoids him. Boy is puzzled and rushes back to the country on the earliest possible flight, only to discover that girl has been impregnated by someone else. Wedding is cancelled. Girl's mother could not accept that girl is carrying someone else's child and marrying some other guy. She dies 3 weeks before girl gets married to the other guy.

*On a brighter note, at least guy is responsible enough to marry girl after getting her pregnant.

Drama 2:

Boy and girl are a happy couple. Boy meets his ex one day only to discover that she is down with some terminal illness. Ex's mother asks boy to keep her daughter company to make her happy for her remaining days. Boy agress and lets ex tag along with him everywhere he goes, even when he meets girl. Boy tells girl about his predicament and seeks her understanding. But boy did not tell ex about his relationship with girl for fear that it will aggravate her condition.

*On a brighter note, at least boy tells girl about ex rather than try to hide what he is doing from her.

Spicy Fish Head

2007-09-06T13:00:00.000+06:30

My students brought me to try this spicy fish head. The serving dish was so huge! Needless to say, so were the fish heads!

We ordered a less spicy version of the fish head as one girl could not take it. But this was good enough I say!

After eating almost all the fish, we ordered noodles and it was poured into the remnants of the dish. Sounds gross if you are not into the communal style of eating.

But who can resist good food? We devoured everything!

The End is Near

2007-08-30T09:00:00.000+06:30

Finally going into the last few days of lessons in Harbin! So happy that classes are ending but so sad that I have to leave this place. I'll ask my boss to send me here more often in future! Shopping here is so much better than Jinan. Clothes are cheaper and have more variety. It's almost half the price compared to Jinan. I'ld love to come here in winter where I can see the ice sculpture!

The atmosphere and environment is quite different from Jinan too. If not for the Chinese signboards around, I would sometimes think I'm in another country! All thanks to their Russian neighbours up north!

Here I am at Guogeli Street. My colleague and I had too much time to spare while waiting for the underground mall to open. We amused ourselves (and probably other pedestrains) with some photo-taking while waiting.

Check out their churches. Sophia Church is kind of like the icon of Harbin. If you have not seen Sophia, you have not been to Harbin. I've actually seen it the last time I was here, but it was a different feeling seeing it at night.

This other church has no name. Above the main door, it just reads 'Catholic Church'. Duh! But it's nice enough for me to want to take a photo.

Week II

2007-08-20T14:49:00.000+06:30

Cliché as it sounds, but time really seems to fly when I am enjoying myself. Last weekend was over in just the blink of an eye. Why do the weekends always flash by but the weekdays appear endless.

My plan for last weekend:

1. Sleep

2. Prepare lesson materials

3. Go shopping

4. Eat less

What I ended up doing:

1. Sleep (plenty!)

2. Prepared only a fraction of what I had in mind to do, so that means more work this week. Well, procrastination is my middle name.....

3. Went shopping at one of the many underground malls in Harbin. Bought a bag, a pair of shoes and a pair of shades. Best buy: red hot patented leather shoes for only S$3!!! I seemed to be in a 'red' mood that day as the bag I got was also red! Why does Harbin have so many underground malls? My colleague and I came to this conclusion: Harbin is too cold during winter for people to be shopping outside, so they built these underground malls which are warm during winter and cool during summer!

4. Instead of eating less, I pigged out with my colleague. He's such a big rice-eater. He always orders a large bowl of rice, while I order a small bowl. Plus, I always give him about half of my portion. Each time without fail, he would finish everything right down to the last grain. How to lose weight when eating with a friend like that?

Now on to week 2...... wish me luck!

TGIF

2007-08-17T09:09:00.000+06:30

Hectic week is finally going to be over. Classes in Harbin is really draining even though I only teach for 3 hours each day. So much time has to be spent on preparation as this is a new course and there are no teaching materials available. Have to prepare materials from scratch and it doesn't help that the students here are a demanding bunch. To think that I only have 4 students in the class! 4 students in Harbin is giving me more problems than 40 in Jinan!

On a brighter note, Harbin is a really nice city. Modern, clean, wide roads, big malls, etc. I'm now thinking how I should spend my weekends in Harbin. Perhaps some retail therapy would do me good!

Bunny

2007-08-10T16:10:00.000+06:30

Will be leaving for China again in a few hours time. My boss told me on Monday that I have to reach Harbin by Sunday as he had planned another class. So last minute, so impromtu. And I thought businessmen usually have more foresight and planning than this. So rush to make visa, buy air ticket, buy books, prepare materials, meet up with friends, eat all kinds of local food, etc.

Currently in a rabbit crazy mood.....

Go play this bunny game!

Check out the Sng family in their rabbit suits!

Lastly, how could I leave out the Sng family dog?

Almost

2007-08-03T10:03:00.000+06:30

I've got to keep reminding myself that I'm now back in Singapore. Got to refrain from doing or saying certain things.

1. When I went back to work in the office and answered a phone call, I almost blurted out "你好!" instead of "Good morning!"

2. When crossing the road, I almost disregarded the traffic lights and wanted to jay walk.

3. When in a shop, I almost wanted to ask the salesperson if she could give me a discount.

4. When having a meal in a nice restaurant, I almost shouted "服务员!" instead of gently waving my hand at the waitress.

5. When making purchases, I kept converting it to renminbi, thinking how much I would be saving if I were in China. Must stop doing this, if not I'll never buy anything when back home!

Almost, almost..... Looks like I've got to hold my tongue and watch my actions! Really have to reprogramme my brain!

Be Gone Smelly House!

2007-07-29T20:46:00.000+06:30

Yeah! It's time for me to go home! No more smelly house, leaky toilets, faulty light bulbs...

Taking a break from my packing now. Things in my suitcase:
1. Peanuts (How can I leave Shandong without peanuts!)
2. Facial cotton pads
3. Face masks
4. Dried beef cubes
5. 5 Lesport Sac bags (all not mine!)
6. 3 sets of pjs (all mine!)
7. 9 pairs of shoes (all mine!)
8. more than 15 pieces of new clothes (all mine too! bwahahaha)

I've got an almost all new wardrobe now!

Tired...

2007-07-17T06:45:00.000+06:30

I'm still alive.... Just tired.... It's the last lap of my class in Jinan, so just got to endure it all! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. So many things happening here, and so many things/people for me to bitch about. But I've got no energy to do it in writing. One day......

Celebrated my birthday this year in solitude. It's not good to be reminded how old or how young I am now. Not too bad an experience. I'm not much of a people person anyway.

Once again, bought some flowers to perk myself up. Got carnations this time round as it's cheaper! I have become so thick-skinned now that I ask for a discount for everything, even these flowers. Original price $8, after discount $6. Who cares that after conversion to sing dollars, I only saved $0.40! A discount can make any girl happy! Plus pretty flowers!

Where is doggie?

2007-06-15T09:05:00.000+06:30

Binding

2007-06-12T06:53:00.000+06:30

I'm currently doing very mechanical and brainless work. My teaching materials are ready for my next class, but they are not bound together yet. Lousy, ineffecient system here. We decided to use those kind of ring binders to secure the notes, but we have only one machine to punch holes and bind. So obviously only one person can do the job.

Yet, this idiot of a guy told me to manually insert the punched notes into the rings! Wah lau! How to insert?!?! You show me!!! Firstly, the notes are quite thick, so it is impossible to insert everything at one go. Secondly, the rings are difficult to pry open. Thirdly, there are about 20 such rings to go through. Those who have used the machine should know what I'm talking about. He's crazy, but I'm not! Even though he doesn't understand English, I loudly exclaimed "Ridiculous!" and "I'm not going to do it" and followed by "I REFUSE to do it!" Silently under my breath, I muttered "idiot".

What made me fume even more was when he commented about the way Singaporeans work. Yada yada..... At least we are efficient and work with our brains, and not brute force! YOU IDIOT!

Lobsters Galore

2007-06-04T13:03:00.000+06:30

This basin doesn't really look appetizing but once I started digging in, I couldn't stop. This is called 麻辣龙虾. They call this their lobster. But the only lobsters that I've seen back home are those huge ones from Australia, definitely nothing like this. Nevertheless, it's one of the most yummy things I've eaten! Right after the meal, I couldn't stop thinking / dreaming about when I'll go back again to that shop.

Roses Are White

2007-06-02T15:47:00.000+06:30

You Don't Bring Me Flowers

by Barbara Streisand & Neil Diamond

You don't bring me flowers

You don't sing me love songs

You hardly talk to me anymore

When I come through the door

At the end of the day

I remember when you couldn't wait to love me

Used to hate to leave me

Now after loving me late at night

When its good for you

And you're feeling alright

Well you just roll over

And you turn out the light

And you don't bring me flowers anymore

It used to be so natural to talk about forever

But used to bes don't count anymore

They just lay on the floor

Till we sweep them away

And baby, I remember

All the things you taught me

I learned how to laugh

And I learned how to cry

Well I learned how to love

And I learned how to lie

So you'd think I could learn how to tell you goodbye

Cause you don't bring me flowers anymore

You don't say you need me

You don't bring me flowers anymore

Nobody brings me flowers but that doesn't mean I can't bring myself some!

Mummy Mum Mom

2007-05-31T14:13:00.001+06:30

A few nights ago, I asked my mom to pass some things over to a colleague who would be coming to China. Don't know why but I was craving for kaya. My family seldom eat kaya when in Singapore, so I don't know why I suddenly long for it. Now that I think about it, I have not had kaya for a long time!

I told my mom "Can you buy a jar of kaya and pass to me friend?" As if she could read my mind (or stomach), she exclaimed "I just bought one today! I'll pack it for you." She then asked if I wanted this elusive, almost vanishing snack called Sha Qi Ma, (I think only my sister knows what I'm talking about here) that could only be bought in Chinatown. And she had just gone there today! Yes yes yes!!! For all I know, my mom could be a worm in my tummy and her shopping timing for kaya and Sha Qi Ma couldn't have been any better!

My colleague arrived in Jinan today and passed me my stuff. "What a big packet!" I thought to myself. Inside, I found more of my favourite food: Hello Panda biscuits and Pocky sticks! Mummy is best! *Muak muak muak*

Chery QQ

2007-05-29T12:03:00.000+06:30

When I told my colleague how much my braces cost, she exclaimed that I have a QQ Chery in my mouth. Gosh! I could be driving around China right now instead of going around in their public bus.

Exterminator

2007-05-28T08:39:00.000+06:30

I'm on a quest to get rid of the bad smell in my toilet. The pungent smell is giving me sleepless nights. I think I'm having a lack of oxygen from constantly holding my breath. I'm also doing things at double the usual speed in the toilet. The smell is really making me gag. I'm considering switching to sleep in the next room without the adjoining toilet. Friend L has kindly given me some advice. Her formula?

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup of vinegar

2 quarts boiling water

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar and then boiling water

Before I try her formula, I shall buy some toilet/drain cleaner and empty the whole bottle into the drain!

Wasted

2007-05-26T09:21:00.000+06:30

Why bother having traffic lights if no one obeys traffic rules? This is one thing that baffles me over here. Really wonder why they bother having traffic lights here. Waste money installing them and waste human resources as well. During peak hours, the police would be out there in the middle of the road directing the traffic. Together with them would be middle-aged men/women helping pedestrains and cyclists to cross the road. Even if the traffic assistance uncle says go when the green man appears, I realise I would still have to keep my eyes open and check for cars coming my way. What's the green man for if we can't follow him but have to listen to the uncle!

If everyone follows traffic rules, then all these policemen can do better things than wave their hands and blow their whistles. They can go on the streets and catch those litter bugs or spit bugs. This country would then be a cleaner and better place. It seems like the reason why they have these traffic assistance uncles and aunties is to create employment for this age group. I can think of better places which need them more than on the roads. The toilet. What a waste!

They are so not ready for the 2008 Olympics. But of course, I'm only judging it by the standards here. It could be a different story in other more developed cities.

Shit House

2007-05-20T20:24:00.001+06:30

My toilet smells like shit. My room smells like shit. My house smells like shit. I live in a shit house. I have taken to holding my breath - in my own home! God! Someone! Save me!

I have taken to spraying air refreshner each time I step into the toilet. The thing about the smell is that it comes in untimed waves. I could be happily going about my chores at home and suddenly this 'pong' of a sewage smell would descend all over the house. I have to take light breaths because I don't know when the next wave would come. When it does come, I have to hold my breath.

I don't know which is worse - smelling shit smell or inhaling jasmine scented air refreshner.

Bicycle Built for Two

2007-05-19T18:28:00.000+06:30

This is my friend's electric bicycle. It's very small and cute, with a pretty basket to match it! I've ridden pillion on her bike before as well. The seat is small too. I get a butt ache each time I reach our destination.

Road Hog

2007-05-18T19:42:00.000+06:30

My right leg is now full of bruises. I'm such a klutz. But I can finally say I have ridden a bicycle on the roads of China! My colleague lent me her bicycle because she had something urgent to attend to and could not cycle her bicycle home. Anyway, I was raring to experience riding a bicycle in the traffic conditions here. Actually, I did not get the bruises from an accident on the road. Embarrassingly, I fell down when I was trying to park the bicycle. Funny!

Oh, I forgot to add that the bicycle is an electronic one. With just a twist of the handle, I can speed right ahead! The bicycle is really heavy. Maybe that explains why I got all those blue-blacks. I think from now on, I shall banish all thoughts of buying a bicycle in China. The Chinese make cycling look like a breeze. But yet with an electronic bicycle, I have so much trouble. Think I shall stick with their so-called air-conditioned public bus.

House Not Home

2007-05-15T10:55:00.000+06:30

Finally settled into my new house. But still feel that it's not good enough. Cleaning up my new house also reminded myself of what a clean freak I am. The house is ok, but not perfect. so many things can be better. What's wrong with my house? Plenty.

1. One of the lights in the living room is spoilt.

2. The lights are too dim in the toilets. Bought new fluorescent light bulbs but don't know why they still don't work.

3. The doors give off creaky sounds when opened. Some doors cannot close properly as well. Got to use all the strength I've got to shut it.

4. There is always this offensive smell in the living room. I've aired the whole house but it's still there.

5. Once in a while, the toilets will emit a smell that is even more offensive than smell #4. Can't do anything about it. I think it's the pipes.

6. The water heater is driving me nuts! The storage for hot water is so little that I cannot indulge in my 30 min bath anymore. In fact, I've got to split my bath into two short sections to solve the problem of hot water shortage. I bathe when I return home after work. Then in the morning, I have to wake up a little earlier to wash my hair and go to work.

7. Leaking pipes in the toilet.

8. Only cold water from the tap in the morning for me to brush my teeth and wash my face. When I say cold, it's COLD. Not the normal water we get when we turn on our taps at home.

9. Lousy sewage system that does not allow toilet paper to be thrown into the toilet bowl.

10. Musty curtains which I guess have not been washed for years.

11. Floor that is perpetually dirty no matter how much I clean it.

12. Cupboard door hinges which seem to be made from tofu.

13. No writing table. Got to use the computer in bed which can be quite uncomfortable after a while.

14. Only mirrors in the house are in the toilet, and yet the toilets are so dim. Have not seen myself in full view for a long time.

15. And last night, at 4 am, the pipe connecting the water heater burst and sprayed water everywhere! The sound of the water gushing out woke me up and I had to get out of my cosy bed to turn off the water mains.

16. My apartment is inside an estate that is so inconvenient. I used to walk to almost everywhere, but now, I have become localised and have taken to riding their public bus. No choice, I can't possibly ride the taxi all the time right? The stupid bus claims to be air-conditioned and costs me double the price of a normal bus, but yet it's so hot inside! Cheat my money!

I wish I was back in my hotel.......

Toilet Woes

2007-05-12T15:33:00.000+06:30

While the new office was getting done up, I reported for work in the old office. The location is rather weird for an office. It was within a senior high school. So every morning, I go to 'school' with the students. I hear the school bell go off at hourly intervals. I have lunch in their teachers' canteen. I use the common toilet. THE TOILET!!! Horrors of horrors!

First, no door. Each time I need to use the toilet, I have to time it to be during their class time so that no student would barge in and see me 'in action'. Second, it's the drain system where one can see other people's wastes float across in front of you (that is if many people use the toilet at the same time). Third, the smell. Even if I had my eyes closed, I could find the toilet!

I usually visit the toilet a few times a day, but ever since I started work in that school, I only go to the toilet once throughout the whole day. I even resorted to drinking less water so that I wouldn't have the urge. It's terrible! I feel that I would almost puke my guts out each time I go in. Or if I go before lunch, then I would lose my appetite. If I go after, then I would almost vomit whatever I had eaten. I wish they would do something about their level of hygiene.

Shifting Woes

2007-05-12T15:21:00.000+06:30

I have been doing plenty of 'house shifting' in the past 2 weeks. First, my office in Singapore moved to a new location just across the street. Pack. Unpack.

Then I came over to China and the office here moved too! Bah! Pack. Unpack. Am I lucky or am I lucky to encounter all the moves! This was for work.

On a more personal note, when I first arrived in China, I was put up in a hotel (my usual place each time I come here). Then my boss told me that he found an apartment for me and I need to shift on Wednesday. So I packed my bags all ready to go only to hear him say the place is not ready. So I unpacked for another night in the hotel. Come next day, I packed again for my big move. Then of course I had to unpack when I reached my new home.

Sian.... Keep packing and unpacking and I have to get used to a different place each time. Well, things can only get better once I finish unpacking! Must console myself a little..... :)

Back to Basics

2007-05-08T21:11:00.000+06:30

Want to learn how to draw kitty? I think I'll stick to drawing her house. I wouldn't even attempt to draw her milk bottle or the bird.

Kiss Me

2007-05-05T20:56:00.000+06:30

I'm now in China and have plenty of free time at night..... So I'm doing all these 'bo liao' quizes...... Anyway, it's all in the name of fun!

Your Love Quote

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.

You Are A Romantic

You life your life like a fairy tale... or at least you try to.
Living for magical moments, you believe there's only one true love for you.
Love is the most important thing in your life, and you don't take it for granted.
Your perfect match loves to be in love as much as you do!

You're a Romantic Kisser

For you, kissing is all about feeling the romance
You love to kiss under the stars or by the sea
The perfect kiss involves the perfect mood
It's pretty common for kisses to sweep you off your feet

You Are a Sensitive Kisser

For you, kissing is a way to connect
And you need lot of care, attention, and privacy
It may take you a while to kiss someone...
But when you do, it's total fireworks