short post.

Productivity these 2 weeks have been at an all-time low. Seriously.

SL later, praying for enough strength for the kids and for tonight's planning. Gonna discuss script at Huili's; hope we won't sleep too late (again). Freaking nervous for tomorrow, really want to put on a good show (!!!).

Can feel myself burning out. Need to prioritise and settle stuff more efficiently. Let go of the perfectionist.

Shall go bathe. Nothing beats a hot shower on a cold, cold day! And a warm, cuddly blanket in a big big bed. Sidenote, weather's really crazy these days. Pity PUB.

Let's go. Promos are here!

Displacement.

Need to pause and thank God for the little blessings in our life.

Then take a deep breath, lift up your eyes, envision, plan. And walk on. 

Give thanks. Even when you're tired.

Boon & Bane.

Uninhibited imagination.

I think I overthink.

Review: The Importance of being Earnest - by Oscar Wilde

Just finished reading my third Lit text.

Fantastic, brilliant and witty book - from beginning till the very end. This is my favourite Lit text so far! Oscar Wilde is genius. Genius! The comedic effect is timed and clever; made me laugh out real loud while reading it. Really good book. Am looking forward to picking up more reads by Wilde!

It took me three reads and a fourth, plus lots of determination to finally get past a 'reader's stump' and read till the very end. Tried reading the book over and over previously, but I never got past Act One. It was too intellectual and the characters' names never got into my head. Plus I didn't have a bookmark, so I always ended up reading from the top. - -" But now I'm finally done reading the book! Awesome read! (Y)

Beautiful, clever comedy. Each character with a soul and wit of his/her own. Although a bit whimsical and almost ridiculous at times, every element and detail (be it puns, actions, streams of consciousness and epigrams etc.) in the play works together wonderfully to make this a highly successful piece of art.

But for now, it's time to pry the text apart and dig out insights and inspiration... Critical essay to be completed by Monday.... *groans*

Dare. To. Believe.

Hwachong Floorball '10-'11

Because we dare. (:

Neon.

Imagination on my part, maybe. Praying and keeping a little piece of space.
Let time tell. Leavin' it in Your hands!

Sum.

An attempt to type down what's happened and some random thoughts. Blogged Yanquan-style.

"Hello good morning this is for you :D"

So on Monday, 5th July, it was a milestone in my life! Hahahaha! About 10 of us went to CBD/Tanjong Pagar area to give out flyers for our coach's bento stall (: First time giving out flyers! I was honestly not looking forward to it at all after a not-so-pleasant/memorable experience at flag day last time. Singaporeans are generally very indifferent. And grumpy. 

But thank God for the fine weather, and that everything went really well in the end (: We gave out all 1000 flyers! I think all the experience as a NYPSL helped. Greeted every it-is-8am-and-i-am-very-grouchy-do-not-disturb-me office worker with a reallllllllllly cheerful smile and "Hello good morning this is for you :D" Worthy of an Open House tour guide. (Y) 

I think I made a lot of people's day! Really! Many looked pleasantly surprised. (: Some said thank you when I thanked them happily for taking the flyers. One looked concerned/alarmed and kinda turned around to look if I was underage or something. Like, child labour. I think about 7-8 out of 10 took the flyer when I offered (: Not bad huh! I'm really proud of myself. *Pats*

Next time can give out flyers for a living (: 

But it's quite cute, seeing the typical Singaporean's reaction. 

It's like: 

(1) Comes out of escalator, 

(2) Spots you from a distance, 

(3) You spot them from a distance too, 

(4) They IMMEDIATELY shift their gaze away to avoid your eye, perhaps to a handphone or a newspaper, 

(5) They continue walking, approaching you, 

(6) You offer, 

(7) They sheepishly smile and walk, some will take, others turn you down. 

Some, though, have a different reaction to (5). They will take a detour or walk BEHIND you to avoid you completely. Hah!

Personally, I always take the flyers from people. Some always say, "Aiyah, even if I take it, I'll just throw it away and waste it." True as it is, at least you will take a glance at what it's about. Plus, you're helping the guy/uncle/whoever so that he/she has one flyer less, one less flyer away from collecting his pay for the day. And you seriously have no idea how many flyers they have to give out and how long they've been standing there.

How much does it hurt to receive a flyer? As compared to ignoring them.

On a dollar. Or less. Or more.

The shifting value of money. When we're spendin' it. For ourselves, for others, for the less-fortunate. 

We don't really hesitate to spend money on ourselves or on our friends. Imagine seeing something really nice and like, "Wao! ________ would really love that!" You see the price tag and it says, perhaps $2.50. 

This same $2.50 becomes a lot harder to part with when you walk past someone asking for flag day donation. You briefly wave past him/her. Or maybe you take out the 50 cents and leave the 2 dollars in your wallet for a double cheeseburger.

It just is different, ain't it. Like, you dropping a $1 gold coin into the bag/tin can, thinking like it's a lot. You walk further down then spend $2.90 on a cup of KOI bubble tea for yourself.

Not sure if I'm making full sense... but, get the drift?

Next.

What irks me

- Insensitive people ):

Really. Shall elaborate next time. But insensitive people who are not aware of their surroundings and talk/behave as if the world revolves around them/consists of homogenous, like-minded people who have been brought up in their own little pathetic bubble really cannot make it.

On public transport

1) People who start trying to stand up and squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze their way through when it's soooooooooooooo far away from the bus stop. 

Seriously, what's your problem? Others are getting off too. It's not a race; you don't have to shove your way to the door to be the first... Of course, there are some exceptions. Like when you're sitting at the back and have to get through the crowd to the door because you're getting off a very ulu bus-stop where no one else usually alights at. 

See :D Counter-argument. LA and GP has taught me well.

Those I can't comprehend are those really weird, kiasu ones.

2) People who ARE REPELLED AWAY FROM THE BACK OF THE BUS LIKE NORTH-NORTH MAGNETIC POLES

Seriously, what's your problem? People just... need to be more aware and sensitive and thoughtful I think. And less indifferent. Really, rid the indifference. And follow that nudging gut feeling when your inner soul tells you to do something. Don't ignore that nudging feeling. When something inside you tells you you should move/give up your seat, don't sheepishly shove it away and turn to your handphone for guilt-relief. As Nike would put it, Just Do It. You earn the self-remorse of other commuters too, when they see you give up your seat so readily. Hahaha! (: 

*in Russell Peter's (in)famous accent* 

Be a man. Do the right thing.

3) People who huff and puff and huff and puff away at the bus stop then scramble to take in the last of their cigarettes before going up the bus smelling like a roll of cigarette.

Three words: shame on you.

My mom says she'll disown me if I ever smoke.

Oh I remember what I forgot to add. While distributing the flyers, I noticed so many young office workers, all looking fresh and promising, smoking away on their way to work! It was such a pity. Really, they looked so good in their office wear, high heels, smart ties and coats and expensive, branded bags. But they were smoking and smoking and smoking away as they made their way to work. Sigh.

Speaking of expensive bags... IS IT JUST ME OR ARE THERE ALOT OF PEOPLE CARRYING LVs NOWADAYS?!! I keep seeing Louis Vuitton-s everywhere on the streets! Sometimes by very unlikely-looking people who look like walking fashion disasters, save for the bag on the their arms. I don't know how to tell the real from the fakes. Oh and can I add that I love their Speedy collection. 

Lol so bimbotic.

I remember frowning at LV bags in the past, thinking how 'auntie' they looked. I think it was the print. But now I think LVs are really gorgeous. (: Classic, timeless, ageless bags.

Wonder if I'll splurge on bags with my pay next time. But probably not lah, still quite rationale. 

Aiyah can't remember what else I wanted to blog about already.


I shall send Xiaobai for check up soon. Or should I just lay it to rest and get it a sibling. I miss taking lots of 'life' photos.


Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh C1 Ares went to SISPEC on Wednesday! :D I was quite - -" about the trip beforehand. BUT IT WAS SO FREAKING FUN!!! I fired a gun! A real gun! 3 real guns! Rifles. (Y) Blanks, albeit. (What are blanks, btw? Why are they 'blank'? Can kill people one not ._.) Super cool. I think that would be the first and only chance in my life to do so. And oh! The pen gun. Super cool. It's this thing that looks like a pen, then you pull down a spring thing, and PEWWWWWWWWWWWWW this super bright coloured spark-like signal flies into the air and burns and it's really, really cool.


Thank God for a safe environment like Singapore (: And for all the army guys/officers who work hard to protect our country. Army's kinda cool. (:


Anyway, this week has been quite a (insert-suitable-emoticon-here) week at school. I don't know why, but I've been really, really tired and lethargic during lessons. Kept falling asleep. Mr Kevin looked quite concerned when he saw (caught) me sleeping during GP today. ._. Sigh, hope to catch up on rest this weekend. Need. To. Buck. Up.


But finals this weekend!!! Aaaaah. Paul the Octopus... will become tako sashimi.


And this... is just wonderful. Read below.

"Dear Students,

This is to inform that our High School students’ lessons on Monday (12 July) will commence at 0900h so that students have more time to rest after watching the World Cup final in the morning. The arrangement was made upon request by the High School Student Council. The High School Council’s proposal was also generally supported by the teachers.

The College Student Council wrote to me this afternoon requesting for a day off on Monday so that students can rest after watching the World Cup final. I have turned down their request because World Cup final is not a valid reason for the cancellation of lessons.

Hence lessons in the college section will be carried out as usual. See you at the flag-raising ceremony at 0730h.

Thank you."

Win. Aiyah don't wanna blog already. Is the font still killing your eyes or are you already seeing the beauty of it already. <:)


Zbohom. That's goodbye in Slovak, according to the online translator. (: I like it. Looks cool.
Zbohom.


Salut!

Sing a song for Singapore.

Just watched this year's NDP theme song vid for the very first time on youtube. And... I'm tearing up. I don't know why ): Man I suck. I think it's Corrinne May's voice, the heart-fuzzy flashback story in the video, or just the lyrics itself. Simple, a really simple song, but powerful and reflective.

"With every generation there's more to be grateful for."

I'm thankful for my Singapore.




{PS, I lovelovelove Corrinne May wow. Beautiful voice, beautiful talent, beautiful faith. Wished she showcased more of her low/mid-range vocals in the song though! Fantastic talent; never thought of her singing the NDP theme song. Totally different from the very commercial feel of our usual songs. Very Corrinne May, very nice (: }

{Edit/ Listening to the song for the third time now. And counting. Still lovin' it.}

All we possess are these lives that we're living

July 2nd, 2010

Today was an awesome day!!! !!! !!! :D

Blocks're finally over for the entire C1 level. Huge sighs of reliefs and laughs and cheers were everywhere, matched by the deadpan stares by the J2s. Seniors still have papers next week. Coupled with their last youth day holiday ever. Last, right?

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan I'm seriously dreading J2 life next year you know ):

Oh well! Back to the wonderful day! :D So Pam and I went on an adventure! Had a lot of fun exploring the very, very ulu The Central. Shared a meal by the riverside oh-so-romantic. The Singapore River looks like a longkang now it's really pathetic. If I'm not wrong, it's probably 'cos of the incessant and crazy rainfall the past few days! High precipitation low forestation leading to high levels of surface runoff resulting in large deposits of silt in the river. The river really looked terrible we felt terrible for first-time tourists who had to see the pathetic sight. Pam we should've taken a photo!

After lunchhhhhhhhhhhhhh we went down to the basement and continued eating :D P spent money on two failed chewy cheese thing, which I ended up eating most of - -" Then we ate some failed beef stick thing also. Plus mango lemonade freeze. And Hokkaido ice-cream! :D N, next time we bring you thereeeeeeeee promise chop seal (: But then very ulu and nothing much there leh can we go somewhere else ._. Oh but we concluded it's a rather nice place to study there hahaha! Not a lot of crowd (:

THE BEST PART WAS WHEN THE SHRINKING PLASTIC SHOP FINALLY OPENED!!! We dashed up the escalator in sheer surprise and joy when we saw it lah. :D Walked past it twice and it was closed. Ahahahaha! :D Shrinking plastic hehehehe shall play again next time (:

Yadayada this is so amusing I'm like chronolog-ing my day down.

Plaza Sing + Daiso after that! We bought stuff hehehehehehe and we'll be going back to buy something hehehehehehehe when we're richer. I left the house with a blue note in my wallet. I'm left with a gold coin right now.

T_T

But money well-spent lah. (:

WENT BACK TO MY ALMA MATA TODAY!

BOTH!

Hahahahahaha (: Back to NYGG today for FC selection. It was us, then we selected our juniors, now the juniors are selecting the juniors. Wow. I love Nanyang Guides (: Ah. But hmmm footdrill standards could definitely be much better. I'm not sure if they were tired or anything, but really thought they could put in more effort to push themselves a little bit more. Esp since we don't go back all the time. Founder's day parade coming up. I have faith in the company and squad and new FCs to put up a good parade.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH THE LCD THINGYS IN NANYANG ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING THEY'RE SOOOOOOOOOOO NICE! :D Wow I really like them leh. Shiny and sleek. So high-tech. :D The canteen looked a bit - -" though. Hahahaha but they're halfway through implementing the new system I heard so quite cool lah. 2 years' time I going back to teach. Maybe. Hopefully.

I've been thinking about what if I don't become a teacher next time. What if? I don't know if this is the route God will eventually lead me on to, or if circumstances will allow me to pursue this path. It's just... always been a dream of mine. Influenced by my mom, perhaps. And definitely by the many magical teachers I've been fortunate to have in my life. Magical. To every single teacher that has inspired, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for lighting this little dream and for just being my teacher and for being who you are (:

Ah (:

Eh but what if I don't become a teacher. ): I think I'll feel really funny and odd and maybe sad, 'cos it's been an ambition which I've held on for so long. Whatever He leads me to lah.

I wanted to be a fashion designer last time when I was young. Then I gave it up for practical reasons. But I still really, really love fashion and Art. All kinds of art. Runways and designers and cool, chio stuff really get me interested. (Y) :D

Anyway, had a great time talking to juniors and catching up with them. I think I should contain my excitement a bit more. Hahahaha! But I like talking to juniors and finding out what's going on in their lives and in the school. No one really asked much about Hwach and seniors and stuff Across The Bridge. I could have rattled on and on and on about the construction and MRT plan and Ares and lessons and PW and floorball and floorball and floorball...

AND THEY HAD "BE YOURSELF DAY" TODAY! Not fair ): Oh NY's having funfair this coming August! :D Like, a mega one like the one we had when my batch was in Sec 1. 112's pasta and fried wonton OWNED :D Woah the pasta was really good. I wanna go Tab's house to eat! :D

Ling Chin Choo and Rah are very much the same. Everything felt so familiar. (:

ARGH CRAP I FORGOT TO COLLECT MY HIGHER CHINESE O LEVEL CERT SHUCKS! T_T

Oh thennnnnnnnnn anyway fast forward was on my way home when Ariel called and then we just spontaneously met up at J8! :D It's really beyond incredible how we are still the same after *starts counting* ... OMG. 10 YEARS. Hahahhaha! :D Like, talk and talk and talk and talk and eat and-then-I-borrow-money-from-her-to-buy-more-food. Update each other about our lives, relieve memories, walk around places... Viva la amigo!!! (Okay I'm not sure if it's the correct usage hahahaha but I don't care it sounds cool.) My childhood buddy. (Y)

And then we went back to Kuochuan :D :D :D Some talent night thing. Mr Wong is still the same (: It was so good to see him and talk to him and hear him rant about life. (Y) And get compliments like, "Why do you look like an auntie?", "Why you still so stupid one ah?" and "Your school so cheena." Awesome :D Some parts of the school are still the same, after 5 years, but a lot of its facade has changed. New facilities, decorations and do-ups.

The changing times, as life would call it.

Ah, today was really a very wonderful day. (:

Oh and then Netherlands beat Brazil. Wow.

Anticipating the finals of World Cup this year!

Training tomorrow, off to bed. (:
Thank God for everything, adieu (:

finale - a prelude.

And so, it's over. Returning of papers will be a major heartbreak, but that's for another day.

Went to Pam's after the last paper today to redo the Math paper! Left with the last page, shall complete it after this post :D

In the year of 2010 A.D., on at least 5 - 6 occasions, Xiaoen has been called... *drumroll please* a Mugger.

Like WOAH! Mugger eh! 8)

Cool or what!

Especially in class. I think the senior class/classmates really do quite think I'm, well, reserved and introverted and hardworking. Can't seem to truly open up in class. Hmmm, should try to take more initiative on my part to spend more time with classmates anyway. Oh well (: Must balance.

I wish everybody else's blocks ended at the same time! ): Feel so awful 'cos others still have other papers to go ): Anyway, hang in there! (: Keep studying, one paper at a time it'll be over soon! (: I really don't know whether to laugh or cry to have to had cram two papers in a day for two consecutive days. Yesterday was a horrible day. Was really on the verge of x_x. Econs and Lit yesterday was really, really, really bad. Worse than any other papers I've ever done before. Argh keeping my fingers crossed.

People always say studies are not everything in life. In most of its sense, it is true. There's a lot more in life than studies. But somehow, studies are everything in life. The rest of your life depends on this, unless, perhaps, some road less taken by opens itself to you and you go against the unconventional and become one of those newspaper-worthy coal-to-gem success stories.

Possible, but rarely.

Anyway, I was telling Nicole a few days ago that my back-up plan in life is to sell Char Kueh Teow and franchise it all around the world. 

-Breaks into delusional state and dreams of becoming a multi-millionaire surrounded by plates of Char Kueh Teow-

Or maybe satay. Sambal prawns. Sotong. Ice-cream.

Anyway, Term 3 is here! I think this term is gonna be fast and furious. Menacing. Despicable. And then by August, poof! And the J2s will be out. History. Mugging. Mugging. Studying. 

Sigh. JC life really whizzes by too quickly. Albeit really slowly when you're in the midst of it 'cos you really feel like dying. Two years; snap, and you're out. And it's sayonara to Hwachong canteen food forever. I'm getting quite sick of the canteen food already. Next time I hope I teach in a school with nice canteen food :D Schedule's quite exciting and vibrant this term. There's YOG, plus SYF emcee-ing. Training will resume, promos will draw near, plus a lot of people's birthdays! 

Youth day holiday next week! We must cherish our youth while we're still baskin' in it.

This post is so random. Blogging bug's just flown away and disappeared into the puffy white clouds and warm sun rays. 

Sometimes blogging is quite pointless hahahaha but pointless stuff are meaningful. Aiyah I should shut up. 

Salut!