Inconsistency is the word to describe my blogging routine. Well, routine might be the wrong word for now cos recently, I only blog when something exciting or something BIG occurs. Dont get me wrong, there is nothing humongously interesting that happened thus far. I'm just here to ensure that this doesnt undergo atresia.

I'm speaking to my cousin at the same time i'm blogging this-- and.. tomorrow's the day when kids at school celebrate Teacher's day. 1st of Sept is the official day set aside.

I got my first hand-made gift from a Primary One student at a school I shant disclose openly on the blog. I still remember, Terrence was his name. Then there's this other guy by the name of Xavier Wee. (I can remember this clearly due circumstances that occured under an extremely hilarious situation, and not because I liked that name. Dont think I dont know what is going on in your minds. hahaa) Hope to return back to that school, but by then they would be in Primary Two. Following which, there's this other Primary Five class which I took PE. This class made me walked the entire school just to find a place where they could use up some ATP. Of course, the class was walking with me all along. Muhaha. In the end, we settled for a run round the perimeter of the school hall. And there was another PE class that did shuttle-runs (but wasnt as fun as the previous one) Just some of the moments worth mentioning in one school.

In another, a class of students that never left the watchful eye of Miss Cheong the entire day. That class of 5-6 whom I shared my personal experience with, whom I'm still in contact with till this day. Another class (5-2) in which students wanted to introduce their elder siblings to me. Oh manz, can you believe it.. students nowadays grow up too quickly. When I was in P5, I never thought of such stuff. Thankfully they do not have the address to this blog.

With that, Happy teacher's day to all the teachers and the teachers-to-be! (in advance)

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In response to the previous incidences, I managed to rake up the post which I did on:

Thursday, February 02, 2006

this is one incident i HAVE to blog about. kids nowadays are really cute. there was this primary one kid that keeps going to the washroom, so after a while i did not allow him to go. He started crying at his seat, i was left with no other choice but to allow him to go. also i found more nice names for my future kids: ambrose and matthias. hmm, there's this kid by the name of xavier in my class too. woohoo! finally there's a xavier somewhere, i wanted to tell him that he's got a really nice name, but i didnt anyway. he is really cute too, he came up to me:

xavier: miss cheong, can i go to the toilet to pass motion?
me: sure, go ahead but come back quickly.
xavier: ermm i dont feel like going already, no more feeling.
me: really? are you sure you are not urgent anymore?
xavier: a little bit.
me: then, go to the toilet quickly.

(and xavier went to the washroom. five minutes later... )

xavier: ms cheong, the toilet got no toilet paper.. so i washed my backside with water.
me: (at that point, i almost fainted) okay, at least you washed it clean. now, go back to your seat.
xavier: but sometimes i pee in my pants too.
me: huh? so did you pee in your pants now?
xavier: sometimes, i need to wash my hands now.
(xavier turned and his pants showed some signs that it had been soaked. and he was touching his butt)
me: xavier, go and wash your hands at the sink.

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another incident that happened in class today.

me: terrence, what's that in your hands?
terrence: i did this today.
me: keep it in your bag now, terrence.
terrence: but.. but...
then terrence gave me the really innocent look on his face and told me: i want you to have this..
with that, he gave me his piece of masterpiece. which in my opinion was really well done.

hahas, but one thing's for sure, this terrence guy would definitely grow to become very handsome. of course, not too forget xavier and jerome. hmm and javis from another class. yeah and terrence wrote in his english assignment about their wishes and dreams... that he wished to have many girlfriends. i was like laughing to myself in the staffroom. thankfully most of the teachers were at classes.

well, these are the joys and sastifaction that teaching brings. there are actually much more incidents which i cant blog down, there are just too many of them to start with. oh yeah, and its really heartening to know that your students actually remember you though you cant recall all of their names. they remember your name
your face and even bother to greet you along the way. THAT is what makes teaching such a rewarding job!

An re-enactment of a bizarre conversation that took place one evening.
It started off with a simple conversation which ended up like that. That is what you get when you have two very 'lame' people making conversation.

R: brain aint functioning very well today.
have to make your explanation more obvious.
K: your brains have never functioned...
or do they exist in the first place???
(Blushing smiley)
R: *round of applause*
hmm maybe right.. should get an MRI scan hehe
K: don't bother...
what do you want to see in the scan???
blank space???
R: blank space? wahh, only filled with fluid
at least give me some cells la
K: cells???
cells will die there lor...
hahaha...
R: cells will regenerate
(Sticking-out-tongue smiley)
K: that is if there is one to start...
you have none... hahaha...
R: thanks ah
K: you are most welcome...
R: surprise surprise.
brb, wanna watch 'project runway'
K: i am going off soon...
enjoy your show...
R: ok, cya around
i shall go grow some cells
K: don't bother...
it's the environment that matters...
the space in your head...
just not suited for any cells to grow...
R: mine is considered to be a neutral environment,
yours is either too acidic or too alkaline.
(I think to myself, his must be the optimum condition for his environment aka too acidic or too alkaline)
K: whatever...

As much as I enjoy teaching, information from the related webby really scares me. Firstly, the cost of the course is shockingly huge. $18,000+ for one year postgrad-dip and the license to teach. Secondly, with an honours degree the pay will be couple of hundreds more. Looks like without a doubt, honours is a better option. An incentive would be getting paid while studying. how sweet can that get. Thirdly and most importantly, if I want to teach Biology, I'll have to sit for a pre-selection test. And I've always thought that was only for PhysicalEd. Anyway, it is the topics that are covered that threw me aback. Oh did i mention that with the current degree i'm reading, I'll only be eligible to teach biology, chemistry and physics. Of which biology is my definite choice.

Topics for the test are as follows:
1) Cell and molecular biology
Synthesis, structure, function of biologically important macromolecules
Cellular organisation and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Structure and function of cellular organelles, cytoskeleton, membrane structure and function
Cellular respiration; glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport system
Cell signaling, cellular responses to signals
The cell cycle and regulation, cell growth and division, the mitotic cell cycle
Topology of nucleic acids; controls at transcriptional and translational levels
DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reactions
Genes in the development of prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Molecular biology of the gene

2)Biochemistry and physiology
Introductory concepts of metabolism, energy, and life
Enzyme knietics; the control of metabolism
Catabolic and anabolic processes in animals and plants
Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, gloconeogenesis, glyconeogenesis, fatty acids catabolism and its biosynthesis, oxidative degradation of amino acids, urea cycle
Biochemical and physiological adaptations of organisms in different habitats
Physiological processes that account for how animals function
Circulation, gas exchange, acid-base balance, ionic and osmotic balance, reproduction and environmental constraints on physiology and survival
Photosynthesis and the modes of carbon fixation
Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of plant adaptations
Plant cell structure
Plant nutrition, structure of vegetative organs, such as root, stem, and leaf
Photosynthesis, the pathways, mechanisms of carbon fixation; mineral nutrition
Plant transport, diffusion and osmosis, passive and active transport, transpiration and translocation
Plant reproduction; sexual reproduction, flower structure, pollination, seed development, dispersal and germination
Asexual reproduction

3) Microbiology
Introductory microbiology
Biology of bacteria, viruses
Microorganisms, health and diseases
Pathogenecity, host reactions; cellular defense mechamisms
Manipulation of microorganisms for molecular research
Microbes and the environment

4) Genetics
Principles of classical, molecular, and evolutionary genetics on genetic segregation and assortment
Heredity, role of meiosis and sexual life cycles
Mendelian genetics, Mendelian patterns in human inheritance
Chromosomal basis of inheritance
Molecular basis of inheritance; DNA as genetic material, DNA replication and repair
Genes and proteins; gene regulation, genetics of model systems
Organization and control of eukaryotic genomes
DNA technology and practical applications

5) Plant form and function
Overview of plant diversity, and reproduction adaptations of seed plants
Plant structure and diversity
Reproduction, growth and development

6) Animal form and function
Overview of animal diversity
Phylogeny, and comparative functional anatomy of invertebrates and vertebrate phyla
Adapatations to living in stressful environments

7) Ecology
The organism-environmental interactions
Demography, population growth, fluctuation; equilibrium and non-equilibrium theories of population regulation
Life history strategies, trade-offs in reproductive strategies
Principles of community and ecosystem ecology
Species interactions and interspecific competition
Patterns of species diversity
Energy capture in ecosystems, trophic structure, biogeochemical cycles, nutrient cycles and their control

If you know me, you'll know what my major is. Totally and absolutely nothing to do with Botany or Zoology. Although, some of the genetics, microbiology and biochemistry topics i would have covered in first year and foundation, I dont think it's enough knowledge for me to go sit that test.

Besides, since the test is in October and i'll have to submit my application by September, and i'll still be doing my last semester at Otago, it would mean that I'll have to apply for the next intake. Which gives me 10 months to prepare for that test. if all goes well, i'll be in the 2009 intake. Yes juan, we'll be room-mates then. but that would depend whether the selection goes well.

Now I know why most chers are so intelligent and why some chers in particular can splurge on some absolutely unnecessary stuff. hehe.

Time to post some pictures from Kyi's party on the 12th. A day never to forget. Shall just let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!


Penguins belong to colder climate


Bel, Rach, Aaron, Kyi (b'day girl)


Another picture of us


Belinda, myself and Aaron


Two glasses of passionfruit something (i forgot the name) and one Japanese Slipper.


Ms Leow and myself.


The march of the penguins. heh. We were walking down George St late one night, and came across these posters.

The intelligence of a kid (her brain development in general) depends on her mum's genes. Something we studied in developmental biology yet something which my mum doesn't believe in. Her conclusion is mainly based on citing from some uncle-aunty fairly-long-distant relatives' family scenerio in which sadly, I beg to differ. As much as we hate to hear it, what we are today is a mixture of genes from our parents.

Ever wondered why some people can score so well when they dont even bother attending lectures or if they do attend, they do not even pay attention, yet there are others - plain studious, pays attention in lectures, makes it a point to attend every single one of them but at the end of the day dont excel. Ever wondered why smart parents produces smart kids. I'm sure all of us have experienced whilst being wee kids, our relatives scrutinizing us from head to toe, seeing which features from our parents we had. At that time, I must have enjoyed all the special attention and at the same time thinking 'why are all these people looking at us for'. Weird isnt it! I suppose it all points down to Genes. Our basic genetic makeup. Like it anot, we have 'the combination of ur parents' in us.

When parents say that kids dont put enough effort or they aint trying hard enough, or even that they should cut down on this and that, do they ever put themselves in the kid's perspective. Do they even know how hard the poor kid is trying. Do they know how much pressure the kid is under. I really wonder.

Well of course, if parents dont go about pushing their kids to excel, would the kid then know how to think of himself. Looks like it is hard being both parents and kids nowadays. The demands of society eh. My heart always goes out to kids who attend tuition thrice a week, ballet classes, piano lessons, speech and drama classes, art lessons etc. Wow! you might think. I'm more than certain there are such kids in this world today in that scenerio. My moral today: parents should be there to support the kid, and allow the kid to develop into the man or woman she will be, without compromising the kid's childhood and the joy of growing up.

Yesterday was simply an absolutely busy day for Rachel. Left the house at 8.45am and reached back only at 11+pm.

The chicken rice was a success! Thanks to Belinda and Yiqian for excuting. I didnt do much, except peel the garlics and perform a relaxing massage on the chicken brothers. And a big thank you to Ms Tan, without her family's recipe, it wouldnt be that wonderful. So, we had lunch at Mojos. Lesser people this year, but the food was splendid! Just a highlight of what we had in an attempt to make you salivate. Hahaa.

-Chicken rice -- Belinda, Yiqian and yours truely
-Nasi Lemak -- Ardi (I love ur sambal, ardi)
-Laska -- Cheung sisters
-Fried Rice, Bee-hoon, Onleh-onleh -- Lee sisters
-Chicken curry, Rendang, Carrot cake -- Lydia
-Grass Jelly aka chinchow -- Michelle
-Bubble tea -- Ben
-Banana cake -- Jen
-Kaya toast -- Kevin, Nad, Darryl (which very much tasted like yakun's)

Definitely well worth the time, and truely a taste of home!

After which, i went to Bel's place where i watched 'the little women' with Kyi and Jane. Trying to kill sometime before heading to Elim's outreach: What's the point? the skit was simply hilarious and they certainly did get the message across to the non-christians there. Another successful event!

Unfortunately, Aaron, Bel and I had to leave early for Kyi's birthday bash at Bath Street. A very cold night, and the three of us strolled happily and made our way there. First time i ever attended a b'day party in a pub. Wont go into details here. but I really enjoyed myself through and through. I must have looked anxious or excited, of which I have no idea.

For photos and shots, stay tuned to watzzup.blogspot.com.

9th of August.

National day, as well as Kyi's birthday!
The day we had steamboat dinner and a sleep-over at 223Leith. We watched the live telecast of NDP. Well, I must say i enjoyed the parade segment the most. It never fails to bring me back to the days when I was marching. The numerous practices we had, the humongous amount of food we were made to eat, the fries that were as hard as rock, chicken-chop that were relatively good.

Yes, that was the parade in 2002 at the padang. Of how we rushed to the temporary toilets as soon as parade was over, of how we sat and waited for hours, of how we made new friends from other companies.

I wonder when is the next time i can be part of the parade again. Perhaps when i serve in the army! heh. Did i mention my mum was an officer in the army? See, it runs in the family.

NDP Celebrations at Otago will be on the 12th of August, at Mojo's. Potluck lunch, a chance to taste local cuisines once again and also a time to mingle around with other Singaporeans in an attempt to find out the lastest advancements in Singlish.

The annual unibooks sale commenced at noon on friday till 3pm today. $6.95 for a kilogram of books. What more can a student ask for?

The place was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, butt to butt. Okay, perhaps i'm over-exaggerating a little, but you get the picture.

And so, through all that chaos and time spent in that over-crowded room, rummaging throuhg endless selection of books, I picked myself three wonderful novels.

With that, I sanked myself in a comfy armchair and began immersing myself in a world of fiction. Book review sometime soon.

Blessed 118th birthday, Fairfield!

One truely good school that I'll definitely send my kids to. We can start the methodist tradition since my mum was from Gelyang Methodist Girl's as it was called. I remember the first time in which I was grateful for meeting fellow methodist sisters outside the school context was during the time which I was involved in the marching contingent during NDP. She was a year older, but nevertheless we got off fine.. and we shared and enjoyed those moments together. Great experience I must say. The second time was in college, during CCA selection. We had to undergo a fitness test and of course given the nature of the CCA, it was more male dominant. So, we girls did the test together and later found out that beloved Mel was a fellow methodist sister! The two wonderful ladies are ex students of PLMGS. Speaking of which, did you know that mr.kloke was a teacher in GMSS! Little known fact eh.. heh.

Okay, I side-tracked a lot. (If ever I do that again, please pull me back in)
Well well, nowadays it isnt easy finding a school with such a rich history dating back to the 1800s.

After being in a school throughout your reformative years, it is hard to totally cut off all relations. Somehow, somewhere, despite the distance.. You know that you are an ex-student. Without Fairfield, I wouldnt be 'me' today. Did I mention how God really placed me in that school? (It's a long story but i'll get to the main parts of it)

I used to stay in Jurong West. In those days, (and perhaps even now, before the primary 1 balloting came about) one has to stay within 2km of the school in order to be offered a place. From the place where I was staying, it was way more than 2km from the school. And being the eldest kid, I didnt have any siblings in that school as well. In addition, none of my immediate family members studied in that school too. So there wasnt much of a hope that I would actually get in.

Remember I mentioned that my mum was from GMGS.
According to my dad, I wasnt offered a place in Fairfield orginally but my dad tried appealing again and again, through the church on the grounds that my mum is from a mission school. The difference between an 'is' and a 'was', was what got me into the school. (Read: The importance of good grammer)

Therefore, each time when the teachers or principal used to say that each of us were handpicked by God to be in the school, I knew it is so true in my case. Fairfield is the only school in which I spent most of my time in (10 years to be exact), the school in which I got to know such wonderful friends. Like I told a friend recently, I still do get goosebumps each time I hear the school song and hymn being sung at Founders Day Dinner or other major events by Fairsians - past and present, with pride and gusto. A feeling that cannot be explained and cannot be felt elsewhere.

With that Fairfield, I salute you!

End of the 1st terms test for Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
A really horrible one, I must say. The test started at 7.30pm and by 7pm, there were heaps of people streaming into Castle Lecture Theatres. Mainly because there was a test going on in Castle 2 and a talent quest going on in Castle 1. How ironical! people enjoying themselves in one theatre and metres away, others are staring blankly at the script.

I was one of the many that were staring at the paper well into the first 10minutes of the time. My mind was totally blank! I looked at the first page, nothing reflected in my mind. I didnt know the answer to the questions on the first page. "skip that page!" was what registered after a while.

With that I flipped over, and thankfully BY GOD'S GRACE I could do the rest. However, the only question i was pretty confident of, was the question of comparing and contrasting between the Gs and Gq protein complexes, from the time the ligand binded till the releasing of the second messengers. That's a good six marks for all that i wrote.

And I realised that this lecturer likes Ca2+ a lot. First was some calcium regulation in the kidneys during the 1st semester's test and exams and now, calcium signalling. I believe either he really likes calcium the best out of all the elements in the periodic table, or he did his doctor of medicine based on caldium. Yeah, he's a MD. The highest qualification anyone can ever get. Kudos to him!

As I was saying, by 8.15pm there were about three-quarters of the people left. Not too bad for a test. Other tests, such as Anat would have seen only a third of the people left by the time the test ends. See the difference?

Speaking of which, I've got an anat test on the 21st of this month. But before that, I'm gonna enjoy my weekend.

On a final note, tomorrow is Fairfield's Founders Day! Fairfield's gonna celebrate her 118th birthday. The school's rich history never fails to amaze me. 118th years of history! Without our founder's vision and the dedication of all the teachers, past and present, Fairfield wouldnt be where she is today.

Just a quick update before i head for a four-hour lab that have never once ended on the dot.

Some shout-outs to people:

[juan] been ages man, still doing relief? enjoy your upcoming sem and i'll see you just before your sem ends. hope you got the modules you bidded for! catch up soon, i've got lots to tell you.

[serene] great time talking to you the last time round. if all goes well, Thailand here we come! enjoy working with Loreal.

[chicky] hahaa, frozen! glad that you found a place to stay. hope that it's a warm place.. try hibernating, might work. hee.. ever tried eating ice-cream on a cold, wintry day? something you should try babe!

[kenny.w] are you serious in getting red and white alternate braces in conjunction with national day? hahaa, dont tell me you've already done that. just remember the neon orange braces in nov k.. orange and pink will be a good combination.

[kenny.t] i think you really look like one of my friends. there's a clear resemblence, who knows.. you guys might even be related eh..

[daniel] hey hey! getting used to the suburb yet? lesser singaporeans nearby might be better though, can get a slang easily. ~whee! who knows, you might just return with the neat aussie slang.

[nad nad] varsity is so small, yet i seldom bum into you except for that occassion in The Link. how's lessons coming along? we'll see each other soon on the 12th.

[nicole] my ex-partner in crime! physiology labs are no longer as exciting as when you were here. the times when everyone wanted to be the 'subject' for the experiement, cos no one wanted to set-up the com. All the best for the upcoming assignment!

[aaron] welcome back Ricco! more gym sessions and chill-outs to come after coming thursday. will you be going for Gloria's birthday party on the 12th? there's outreach too i know.

[phillane] will you please laugh for me? hahaa, that is really something which i miss. next time, i'll record it.. so i can hear ya laugh.. will be quite freaky if i hear phillane laughing in the dead of the night eh. just kidding.

[wanrong] you are definitely not forgotten man! we need to relive our pj days and the crazy stuff that we always do. hahaa.. oh yeah, you remember joyce? her favourite colour now is orange and no longer yellow. hahaa.. ya still into yaoi manga? (did i spell that correctly)

[lindy] Babe! welcome to the blogging family.. waited for you to start a blog since ages ago. how is the freshman's orientation? must be quite wild eh.. now, i wonder why i didnt even bother going for orientation.

[bel] see you later.. hahaa..