|
|
Saturday, December 14, 2013, 1:17 AM
2013 Recount
Dear blog,
It's been more than a year since I've logged in to write or even read my own blog post. Guess what? I've reached a huge milestone in my life, I'm now a proud graduate from NIE! I have truly left the student life and am now starting on my new job which will hopefully last beyond the bond.
Since it's reaching the end of 2013, I might as well as try to recount and commemorate what happened in 2013. This year, I survived Practicum, with some hiccups along the way and graduated. I made some mistakes on the first few days of school and subsequently too. In fact, I have a sneaky suspicion that I might be on the P's blacklist for being such a troublesome BT. I don't really feel like a full fledged teacher yet, mainly because I don't have many responsibilities and I think the teachers in the school tend to treat me as if I am on practicum there due to the lack of responsibilities given to me (which I don't know whether to be thankful about). I guess 2014 should be the year that will truly test my job loyalty instead, half looking forward and half dreading. Fingers crossed I'll get a good timetable!
Travel-wise, I'm pretty excited cos... I'll be going to a new continent & I'M GONNA HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS!! Woohoo! Seeing snow has been my dream since forever and I still can't quite believe I'm going to be in Finland this December, visiting the Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village during Christmas itself, the season of magic. What's more, I'll be staying in a glass igloo for one night & am gonna go on a husky safari and a snowmobile ride. Life rocks! I really have to count my blessings. I've been pretty lucky so far to be able to visit the places I've always dream of going. Dreams do come true :) This year would also mark the record of me being in Bangkok for the fourth & fifth time. What's up, Bangkok? I really think Bangkok can be my second home haha. I never get tired of it, and I have to confess I know my way around certain parts of Bangkok better than I know my way around certain areas in Singapore. There was once I went to Peninsular Plaza to collect a camera I ordered online and I wanted to go to Bugis after that. They're quite near right? So I thought I would walk but realised... even after looking at Google Maps, I have no idea how to walk to Bugis so I had to take the train to Bugis which was just one stop away -.- I whatsapped my friend to tell her this and she laughed at me cos when we were in Bangkok, I was the one bringing them around, but apparently now I'm clueless in Singapore. & I remembered once I went to this Couchsurfing picnic with Carine and afterwards, they wanted to head to Clarke Quay to chill. I didn't know the way and the 'tourists', non Singaporeans working/ studying in Singapore led the way instead, how embarrassing. So perhaps one of my resolution for 2014 is to get to know Singapore better?
Other things wise, I am really thankful for all the kind souls I've met this year and all the awesome friends I have kept with me. Old friends are really gold. So so glad especially for my secondary school friends because while making new friends is fun, I really can only be truly myself in front of these people whom I know will still accept me for my flaws and who made me into a better person. I realised I really did mellowed down in some ways. Used to always want things to be done my way but now I've learnt to be somewhat happy even when things don't go the way I want it to haha. I don't think I have become the person I want to be yet but I'm working hard towards it. This year I also stepped out of my comfort zone and I'm pretty proud of that because at least I took some baby steps.The only thing I'm particularly unhappy about this year is not exactly eating healthily & exercising regularly. When will I learn to love living healthily?!
Oh well, one step at a time. |
|
|
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 1:29 PM
Grandmother story
Haven't been updating here for so long! I missed writing, I missed keeping some sort of notes on how my life was like, however normal. Then again, I'm one of the least organised person I know, I hate to file things, I hate to settle all the admin like my phone bills & IRAS tax etc, so I guess I'm not very good at keeping a journal too. But I shall try!
It's the time for PSLE again. Not for me, but for my "students" or rather, ex-students. & once again, it seems as if Math was a killer paper. I see a lot of my students posting emo status updates about Math and I really want to tell them this:
While PSLE is undoubtedly important, it is not the be all, end all. Really. It is one chapter of your life and while this chapter has the possibility of influencing the rest of your life, it also has equal possibility of not doing so, depending on how you want to treat your successes and failures.
When I was in P6 (not thatttt long ago), Math was definitely not my best subject, and so I didn't like it that much. I remembered the day when I took the PSLE Math paper, I was stressed and scared. & there was reason to be so, the Math paper was hard. To me, it was so hard that halfway through, I started panicking, because there was so many questions I didn't know how to do & I was only at like the short answer section? When I reached the long answer questions part aka the problem sums, I freaked out I think. I started crying and I left like half of my problem sums undone. Because I didn't know how to do them and so I gave up. Which was a decision I deeply regretted. Not just because I could have gotten a better grade if I had done them (well maybe, you'll never know, with the method marks & all that), but because I gave up without even trying, so I couldn't blame my grade on anything else but myself.
So what did I get for my PSLE Math? C. I received a grade C, one of the only 2 in my class, and one of the only few in my school, who got C. I was very demoralized but due to some miracle, my overall score was still pretty decent, enough to get me into my first choice, Nan Chiau High (no, it wasn't a SAP school then). I remembered the first few days in class, my Math teacher told us they would forecast our Math scores in secondary school based on our PSLE grade and flashed a list on the whiteboard. Because I had a C, they felt that with my standard, I could probably only get B4? Oh, how I hate Math then.
But guess what grade I ended up with at O-Levels? Through hard work and lots of practice, I got an A2 for my E-Math! Okays, maybe not that great a grade to some people, but to me, it was an achievement. So happy when I saw my E-Math grade! Because... I'm not as bad at Math as I thought.
The fact might be that what grades you get at PSLE could decide which secondary school you go into, but it doesn't mean it will stay like that for the rest of your life. Your grades can improve or "de-prove" depending on yourself. & so, that's just the point of this long grandmother story. Haha.
It's a rainy Saturday and the start of recess week! Enjoy your holiday people. Mine isn't off to a very good start, though I got to sleep in, because I turned down some appointments to meet a group of friends and suddenly, one by one, they cannot make it. Tell me why next time I should place them as my priority. Sigh. Oh well, everybody has their own reasons. |
|
|
Sunday, June 03, 2012, 7:23 PM
The best way to die
If I could choose my own way of dying, I would choose to die of old age, smiling in my sleep. If I could decide when exactly I could die, I would move to Maldives for a few months before that to enjoy the sun soaking into my bones and take in the unbelievable beauty. I'm not sure what comes after death, nothingness? Whatever it is, I think I'll be better equipped to deal with it after being in Maldives, because over there, it's just so surreal. Maybe it's because we're there for leisure, not born there or working there but that place just feels so much like a paradise where it's impossible to be anything but happy and relaxed. Like the worst thing that could happen to you is having a snorkel mask that keeps fogging. Of course, the fact that we're allowed to escape into 'dreamland', away from reality, deadlines, pressures etc helps. I would think though, even if you're very stressed over there, it would at least be better than being stressed in other places, like landlocked city areas.
You could escape to explore amazing coral reefs like the above
If I could save up enough for my retirement, that's where I would stay in the few months before I die
We were talking about how the Maldivians or the employees don't keep saying wow or seem as entranced as we do at the amazing sights, and we thought that it could be because they are so used to it. I hope I won't ever become immune to such beauty.
Then, a week just before I die, I would fly back home and surround myself with people I love and die in their midst. How idyllic.
|
|
|
Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 11:12 PM
The Not Yet Bucket, Maybe Spade list
 Wish this was on my To-do list but nope!
Wanted to put up a short term & long term to do list since January but only got around to it now, like end of March? If procrastinating's a module, I'll definitely be able to get As effortlessly!
So here goes, my to-do list which will hopefully motivate me!
Short term to-do list - Dye my hair (reddish brown?)
- Learn a new language (Always wanted to learn Cantonese but cos I've been very addicted to Running Man lately, feel like learning Korean too! But one at a time)
- Lose weight (Target: 47kg)
- Put in more effort in doing assignments & attending lect/ tutorials rather than sit there stoning (Okays, habits of almost a lifetime are hard to change, but I'll try)
- Save up more money rather than spending so much on online shopping (Yet another very hard task for me)
- Travel to a new place (Gonna accomplish this cos I's going to.. Maldives!)
- Become a better project/ team mate
Long term to-do list - Travel to Europe
- Teach overseas for a year or two
- Volunteer (first in Singapore then overseas perhaps)
- Learn to love what I am doing
- Be more even-tempered, not taking my temper out on others
- Be less self-centered
- Have the courage to do the things I've always been dreaming of
Okays, the long term to do list is rather vague but that's probably cos I can't really visualise the future that well & I'm more like putting things in that I want to change about myself/ I want to do but which will probably take me some years to achieve.
This time next year, let's see how many short terms goal I've ticked and my progress on the long term ones. Fighting! |
|
|
Sunday, January 01, 2012, 10:33 PM
Hello, 2012!
Instead of a calm, relaxing, peaceful countdown cum dinner cum belated Christmas exchange with my favourite girls aka Humdingers girls at Yumin's hse, we had a very spontaneous & sudden happening night!  It all started around dinner when we were eating & while talking to YM's brother, 4 free tickets to USS's Boogie Countdown was suddenly, unexpectedly produced. Being excited by free stuff, we spontaneously decided to go ahead to the countdown there & buy extra tickets since there were like 6 of us, including YM's big sis & excluding Sharon + Huishan who couldn't make it. After making this last minute decision, we rushed to get everything ready, like rushing ahead with the Christmas presents exchange & YM preparing herself for the night out. Instead of having a long presentation ceremony, we exchanged presents in a rather quick fashion but of course we didn't forget photos! As mentioned by Fer, we were really getting lazier & lazier & we initially were even lazy to take out a camera to take photos. Haha. But then what's Iphone for? & so, we had a sorta live update of our countdown 2011, thanks to May & Renee. & for Christmas, I got a totally up my alley necklace, a black chain with a gold heart pendent necklace which I immediately wore. Thanks, May! Love the black/gold combination.  That wasn't the only present I received that night, I also got my belated birthday present which I.. erm, chose myself :D A very gorgeous, vintage-y gold watch on a brown leather strap from Anne Klein (A.K, coincident to my initials! Meant to be, indeed). Thanks girls, I wore it out on the first day of 2012!
After that we had a quick round of Taboo while waiting for YM to get ready & we were sort of rushed out of the house by YM's sis who had a very valid point that we were running late. We only decided to head to the countdown at 8pm when it started at 6pm & by the time we were finally ready, it was already 9pm & we still had to travel there. & so, we finally reached USS at about 945pm & a totally disgusting thing happened.
We headed to the tickets counter to buy the 2 extra tickets & as we went down the queue, this middle-aged guy, flanked by his children, suddenly stopped us & ask if we would buy a ticket from him cos he had an extra due to one of his family member or don't know who not turning up. He insisted it was brand new & asked if we could help him by buying off him. The actual countdown tickets was $68 but YM & sis, having the annual pass, could buy it at $58 so we bargained the sale of that ticket down to $40, happily thinking we saved up a bit.
Then, when we were trying to enter USS, I randomly & unluckily, got the ticket sold to us by the uncle & it turned out that the ticket has been used before! I couldn't get in & because I didn't have the re-entry stamp on my hand, I couldn't go in & the staff couldn't do anything for me as well. We had to buy a new ticket. Argh!! How could there be such a person?! We nicely bought it off him, although we did bargained but at least he didn't made a loss of $68 like he would if the brand new ticket was true. Somemore he was with 2 kids, presumably his children. How could he cheat in front of his children! Zzz. There could be a chance that he mixed up the tickets but shouldn't he checked before selling us that ticket, especially since he was holding just the one ticket in his hands? & he didn't even give us the other side of the ticket which entitled us to a free beer or soda. Tsk.
Spoiled the start of our adventure but we resolved not to let it spoil our spontaneous night by consoling ourselves that this spot of bad luck meant that we used up our bad luck quota by 2011 & that 2012 would be a better year. & we set off! Prior to coming, we assumed that no rides would be open but as we stepped in, we overheard the staff saying that all rides were open till 12am & we were overjoyed! Esp Ferlin who had never been there before. We excitedly went to take the newly opened Transformer ride & the effects & stimulation were so so good, it was jaw dropping fun.  Went to take the Mummy ride after that & we spent most of the time on the way there & in the line convincing Fer that it was not scary. But I think it's been so long since we took it & we did such a good job convincing Fer that it was not scary at all, Rn & I were so relaxed that when we went on the ride, the plunges & speed gave us a shock. Haha. Turned out that the Mummy was still quite thrilling, not quite the harmless ride we made it out to be. Of course it couldn't be compared to Battlestar Galatia but still, for people like me who don't have a high tolerance for roller coaster rides & free fall, this was about the average I could stomach.
After that it was about 1130am so we decide to go claim our free sodas while waiting for the countdown to began but the queue was so long, in the end, we unknowingly counted down in the pizza parlour -.- Haha. We didn't realised it till the staff suddenly happily burst out into cheers & screams shouting, Happy New Year! Went outside to check out the happenings but it was suspicously quiet then suddenly we heard 3, 2 & we were like all confused. Is the countdown over already or not? By that time, we were paying for our drinks. Came out & suddenly, loud booms were heard & the sky was lighted up, awashed with amazing fireworks! Ran down the street, out of breath & laughing like a group of crazy girls to catch the fireworks & squeezed into the crowd. The fireworks was breathtaking. I say that every year but it doesn't make the statement less true. Especially love the 'falling stars' fireworks!
The view over, we headed back to the pizza parlour to sit down & chat before heading back to YM's house. Initially didn't want to stay over because I'm old, I don't want to sleep on the floor! Haha. But in the end, I got tempted & headed back with them for a sleepover. Really glad I did that. Had a great chat with everybody, especially May as we were the last 2 to fall sleep, in fact I barely slept before waking up again.
Then it was morning & Huishan drove us back, thank you! Huishan's driving skills have really improved, thumbs up! :) & I proceeded to sleep like a pig till about 6pm. Hehe. & there you'll have it, my spontaneous 2011 countdown with my favourite girls. |
|
|
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 1:05 AM
On the last day of 2011
It's been so so long since I visited this blog, I almost forgot I had one. It turns out my journal keeping skills were not as good as it should be, especially as I get busier and also, lazier.
It's the last day of 2011. It seems like just a while ago that I wrote, "2011, pls be nice to me." Although time seems to fly pass, in certain aspects, time seems pretty slow too, like it's only been half a year since PX flew to US? Another 1.5years before she'll come back & we'll have a full gathering, with a new member.. her cutie dog, Ruffles! By the time she's back, if all goes smoothly, I would have graduated! Not very looking forward to graduation though, I rather be a student or at most a tuition teacher :/ But we all have to grow up, soon, it'll be time to start on a new challenge and then move on & embark on another chapter of my life.
2011 was pretty good. Somehow I still prefer 2010 though, but I remembered 2010 seemed to be a more dramatic, problematic year for me emotionally. Today's the last day I can say I'm 22, because once it reaches the next year, even though it isn't my birthday, I find it easier to say I'm 23 if not some people get confused about the year of birth.
Can't say that 22 was any much different from 21, although I did feel I have matured & mellowed slightly. Still rather temperamental though & I'm trying to control it. 22 was however, very different from 16 or 19. I think it probably has to do with the stage of life I'm in. At 16, 17, 18, 19, I was still in polytechnic, or going on to university, still felt pretty much like a young one maybe because I wasn't totally financially independent. & at those ages, I felt I was really living it up what with all the exposure I got. Running an online business, check. Appearing on TV, check. Being able to participate in TV production, check. Job interviews (in which I got rejected), check. Staying up overnight to chiong project, check. Near car accident, check. Trying my hand at studio production, check. Going overseas on 'exchange', staying there for nearly a month, check. With hindsight, TP & CMM was really one decision I totally wouldn't regret & would go through again even if time rewinds, despite being unable to get into most university courses, which is actually more due to my average grades, and having to defend my choice against people who feel that poly are for students who don't do well in O-levels.
As I grow older, I become more set in my way, lazier & more into my comfort zone. I kept wishing that I would be able to do something different, experience a different kind of life but I'm always either too lazy or too scared of failure, humiliation etc to do so & I kept pushing them off, using school and the bond as excuse. I've been reading this book called The Single Girl's To-Do- List & I am gonna start on making my own to do list, one for the short term & one for the long term! I am going to try my best to actively carry them out & start living a life which is more.. fulfilled. Not that I don't like my life now, I do, I just find it a bit too.. boring.
Anyway I understand why some people say that growing up is not as fun, you start thinking more, fearing more & it seems like your life is taken over by more serious, pressing stuff like taking care of your parents, thinking & making a decision about your future 'seriously', earning money etc etc. But there are both pros & cons, like I finally fulfilled my wish of traveling! For the time being, I can't afford the big guns like Europe & admittedly, I kept revisiting certain places like Bangkok (luckily with different company to give me different experience). But all the places I've seen, I've been to, the people I traveled with, the people I got to know there, the experiences I had in the different places, they stay with me. In the process, I also got to know myself somewhat better & learn how to get along with others more comfortably.
2011 was also the year 4 of my acquaintances, of which 2 are great friends got married! Really very happy for them, seeing them so in love gives me faith in their marriage, & to be able to share in their joy was awesome. Although I can't quite comprehend getting married at this age, it makes me look forward to meeting the One & hopefully my own wedding, many years later :)
On this last day of 2011, I'm giving thanks to my family & friends: friends whom I got to know rather recently but I believe are for keeps, like the girls from the Leaves, friends whom when you spring clean & tidy your cupboard, you will find many of their birthday, Christmas cards & letters, whom you know will be there for you & with you right up to the end like my dearest Humdingers girls & the RC girls a.k.a LL gang (?), friends whom you have gone through a chapter of your life with, who shares the precious memories of the times you spent together & occasionally meet up, even social network friends who never forgets to wish you Happy Birthday, show concern to you when needed or unknowingly entertain you with their photos & gossip potential when you're bored. Much love, my family & friends <3 |
|
|
Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 11:46 AM
School daze
TA 2011 is over! & it's back to school in another week. So not looking forward to the long journey, especially now that there's no longer carpool. But hopefully, come Oct 8 when the circle line starts operation, I'll be able to shave some time off the travelling.
Anyway, the start of TA 2011 was terrible. I had a cold so I didn't feel well. The 3 days induction programme during the June holiday before school started did nothing to make me look forward to school. Then the weekend before school started, I got my timetable for TA and I was quite sad to be attached to a P5 class cos I was secretly hoping that I would get a P3 class so I could see some of my students from SE, although I'm sure they would have forgotten me by now. Not like I remember all of them lah but I remembered some faces.
Then the first day didn't go too well. As expected, P5s were more act cool and reserved as compared to the enthusiastic lower primary students. Somemore a few students looked quite ah beng & I was a little intimidated by them. Don't even dare to talk to them when I walked around looking at their group work. Then, there was some interpersonal problems with the other trainees on the first day & I felt like an outcast.
Second day wasn't much better too & I was really dreading TA. Plus we had one after another induction like every day after school for the first week. My school ends at 245pm & after the induction, we went home at like 5+, 6pm everyday for the first week. It totally felt like I was attending both the morning & afternoon session of school.. if they had afternoon session that is. I kept telling myself that I should be positive, it would be a great learning experience, cos the school is really taking much efforts to ensure we understand how the school works.
Gradually, I got used to it and even started enjoying TA. I think the students helped a lot. The colleagues too, cos I got to know more people and stopped minding about being left out because seriously, even when they included me, I felt quite alone cos I couldn't really get along with them as a group. I could get along with almost all, individually, but somehow as a group.. I don't really know how to explain. Anyway, by 2nd week I was feeling slightly happier, mainly because there were less induction :D By 3rd week I was quite okay with TA already, though there were still moments I wanted it to quickly end. By the 4th week I was enjoying TA and then 5th week, it came to the time when we had to leave. It's sad but I know there's no point hanging on to it, cos we all know that it will end eventually. & for us, we most likely won't return to the school again next year. So yes, it's time, move on and let go. Meanwhile, pictures as memory keepsake!  My Math CT, Mrs Foo with P1-1. Very cute class. They had this greeting song they sang to the tune of "We wish you a Merry Christmas" complete with actions at the end, where they would say for example, "Good morning, Miss Audrey. You look lovely today!" & then as they say lovely, they will jump and form a heart shape with their arms on their head. Adorable max! They change their adjective & action every week, I think, so I always look forward to hearing them greet me :)  Sweetie-pie Valerie! One of the students I had the most contact with cos I sat near their group to observe. I really like her best friend, Chrystal too, she's very cute also but too bad didn't have a chance to take a photo with Chrystal :(   P1-1! I gave them Angry Birds mechanical pencils and erasers as little gifts on my last day and my CT asked them to thank me from the bottom of their heart. So they ran to me and hugged me. They are like so tiny, they are only at my hips, waist level that kind, then all of them clustered around me and gave me hugs. So sweet pls! A girl hugged me so tightly, when the others rushed over to thank me, I very nearly toppled over.  Part of P5-1, also one of my favourite class. I forgot to take the class photo :( But anyway, this class can really make my blood boil at times. On the last day, my CT was sick and I relief taught at their class & I got really upset with them. It was the first time I was truly upset with them because I did relief with their class before and it went quite smoothly. But they were more well-behaved during the last period I had with them, maybe because I was more Zen & in control then. Also maybe because I keep emphasizing it's my last day & last period with them. HAHAHAH. Or maybe because the principal actually came in to my class & stood there observing for a while during the last period. Gulp. Anyway, at least I ended TA on a good note :)  Athena, the da jie da of the class! She looks quite fierce, and the boy sitting next to her like to talk back to teachers so I tend to avoid their group and not talk to them much. But somehow I got to know her better in the last few weeks & she's quite nice! One of my best memories in the school was staying back for a while after school on Thurs with some of the P5-1 students to talk & then playing Monopoly Deal. She totally let me win cos I didn't win any round after like 3 rounds. Heh  Yuki, one of the nicest & most well-behaved in the class. She's one of the few who remembered to thank me for the little gifts of Angry Bird pencil/ eraser that I gave them. I mean, not like I'm expecting anything in return for the gifts, I was the one who wanted to give it to them. But it's basic courtesy right, to say thanks. HAHAHAHA.  Xintong! She's really sweet. Once, I think during the 2nd week when I was still quite new to the school and class, there wasn't a chair at the back where I usually sit at. She gave me her chair and just like plan to stand/ squat at her table instead. So nice can! I didn't want to take her chair but she insisted. Lucky we found another chair for her in the end. Then on the last day when I was giving out the gifts, she told me she didn't want any because she rather I stayed. & she read me this very meaningful poem she found somewhere which she told me is her favourite poem.
I always knew that the appeal of being a teacher for me was not the teaching part, but rather the students.  The one with the mouth wide open in Zekai. I called his name like don't know how many times during my relief classes. He is a P5 student going on P1. But he's quite funny at times lah, cos he's just so childish. He would imitate how I sit at times, then go like "Breathe in breathe out" when I say that I'm upset -.- The one behind him with a badminton racket is Yulin. He's the discipline minister in the class but sometimes I suspect he abuses his power. HAHAHAHA. He's quite clever and personally, I feel that he is one of the most obedient in class mainly because when the teacher or when I give them work to do, he is one of the few who really does work seriously and quietly, which I really appreciate. But he's not the goody two shoes type though, more like one of the cool kids in class. Next to him is Enqi, she's really tall for a P5 pls. I think taller than me when I wear flats?  Shiqin! She's my eye power partner :D So sad that she's a MT teacher so she doesn't sit with us, in our area. I'm going to miss her, can she be in my TP school instead? :(  Renee, Winnie and me :) We're the TA ppl, missing Radha. Radha & Winnie's from Dip Ed, so they're infinitely more busy than us because they have to prepare lesson plans. Whereas Renee & I are like very slack :/  Hweemin from NTU. She's on internship here & ends on the same week as us. So not bad, there's quite a few young teachers there :)
So I guess TA wasn't that bad actually, despite my initial whining :) |
|
|
Monday, June 13, 2011, 1:19 AM
Long, very long
Back from Taiwan! Came back with like a bag full of food & clothes and left part of my heart there. I loveeeeee Taiwan! Really want to go there & study for a semester so I can enjoy more time there but sadly, it's not to be because their semester timing is different from ours & we have attachment in July which clashes with their semester :(
Maybe I will just go there & teach for a year or two after finishing my bond. Or marry a Taiwanese & stay there. Hahahaha.
I also came back to Singapore to find a surprise awaiting me, a new gigantic wardrobe! My mom was so sick of my clothes piling up everywhere that she bought a new huge wardrobe but I think, somehow, there still doesn't seem to be enough space. Still in the midst of packing my wardrobe. Why do I have so many clothes! More importantly, why can't some of them be nicer so I can wear them all. Argh.
The packing is made more difficult, because initially, it was supposed to go into the empty space next to my old wardrobe but my dad while taking care to measure the width, forgot about the height & as there was a ledge on the top of the wall space, my parents had to go with Plan B. This Plan B involves taking down my drawers & shelves to make space for the new wardrobe. & while I was out to work at Kumon, my parents & my brother packed all my stuff into boxes.
So now I have various boxes to unpack + my luggage of new clothes brought from TW & BKK. So sian, don't like unpacking stuff!
Most importantly, I am really upset because my name necklace which Renee, May, Sharon, Huishan, Yumin & Ferlin gave me is lost! It disappeared when my parents & brother were taking down my shelves & stuff & packing them into boxes. Now I have like cleaned up 3 boxes worth of stuff & I still can't find it. I have a feeling I won't find it again in the near future. Ultimate sadness, I love the necklace. Hopefully, the site opens a name necklace spree again & I can order 1 again for myself.
Okays anyway, that won't happen very soon because I am so broke now. Spent a bomb in TW & then loaned my brother $500 to buy his laptop. After which I bought my new netbook & a hard disk, which can only be partially claimed from my employer. Add that to the fact that my pay will be stopped like real soon, with probably only 1 or 2 more months' pay to go?
Seems like I have to go back to taking up private tuition although I hate it so. Shall pray for a nice kid & one who lives nearby who only requires once a week tuition. If you know of any such assignments, please send them my way! Maybe only after school attachment though.
I'm so not looking forward to school attachment btw, 5 long weeks! Doesn't help that my school has super long hours from like 8am to 3.10pm. Like what?!! Have to go for a 3 full day induction program too, why why why? :( Can foresee boring workshops & awkward staff meetings ahead. Ohkays, shall try to look on the bright side. I loved the kids esp the classes I was attached to last time I was there. Hopefully, I will enjoy it as much this time round because 5 weeks is not a very short time. I hope I don't get much relief teaching duties too because, frankly? I am still very much afraid of teaching. Oh no.
Why can't teaching be like it is at Kumon? Lol. Btw, found a new favourite kid at Eng counter: Juneo! Which is good because I'm always sad whenever I can't take High Lvl on Tuesday & thus can't teach & talk to my favourite High Lvl Math students. All because now that there are now so many guys working at Kumon, there's a lack of Eng counter teachers so I'm always posted there now. Juneo makes me happier working at Eng counter on Tuesdays. He is so cute lah! I asked him whether he has any siblings & he told me: "Yes, I have a lot a lot of ketchup at home!" HAHAHAHAHAH. Ohkayyyyyyy, I see.
A very long post to make up for not blogging for a long time! :D |
|
|
Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 12:54 PM
Off to Taiwan!
 Holiday-ing at Taiwan with May & Renee now! |
|
|
, 12:37 AM
Staycation
Yay, finally got some company at Kumon, cos Cheryl & BR's working there now, temporarily. Hope they last long because I'm bored with working with people who are like so many younger, got age gap! Lol. Nothing much to update. I'm going Taiwan tomorrow & I'm excited! But I haven't finished packing yet. Used to pack way in advance for my first few getaways but now, I always seem to pack the night before. I get lazier with age :/ Anyway, the farewell party for PX was a success! Really enjoyed staying at Amara, it was really a sanctuary away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life. Helps that Amara isn't exactly in the centre & very happening places of Sentosa + they had 3 peacocks wandering around, gracing the guests with their presence whenever they feel like it. Service was very good too, with the staff being really friendly but perhaps they're short-handed because they seem to take some time to respond to our spoilt door. But all in all, pretty happy with my stay there. The room was quite worth it, bed was very big for a 2 person room, 4 of us could fit quite comfortably & there was a sofa bed there too. The infinity pool couldn't be compared to MBS's but because it was empty & we took some nice photos up there, I'm fine with it. Rooftop pools are love, as long as it's sunny. Alright, better go back to my packing, don't want to wake up too late tomorrow! |
|
|
Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 2:39 AM
The ones who were there & would be there
 Yes, it is. I'm thankful for all the people in my life now, because I'm certain that most of them were the ones who were there for me at some point of my life and are the ones who will be there for me at some point of my future. Such a mouthful :D So looking forward to the short 'getaway' cum farewell party for PX tmr (or rather today) & on wed. I'm glad for all my friendships which endured; much as I like being alone sometimes, you really can't do without friends! |
|
Profile
audrey
26oct
I'm a daydreamer. I'm contrary & I think too much.
I love xiaolongbaos, guo tie & udon.
A huge red Elmo accompanies me to sleep.
I like kids, as long as they don't cry.
I'm a helpless online shopping addict.
Reading's another of my favourite pastimes, along with eating. I'm very picky when it comes to food. No high-society taste though, I loveee tofu.
|
|
|
Saturday, December 14, 2013, 1:17 AM
2013 Recount
Dear blog,
It's been more than a year since I've logged in to write or even read my own blog post. Guess what? I've reached a huge milestone in my life, I'm now a proud graduate from NIE! I have truly left the student life and am now starting on my new job which will hopefully last beyond the bond.
Since it's reaching the end of 2013, I might as well as try to recount and commemorate what happened in 2013. This year, I survived Practicum, with some hiccups along the way and graduated. I made some mistakes on the first few days of school and subsequently too. In fact, I have a sneaky suspicion that I might be on the P's blacklist for being such a troublesome BT. I don't really feel like a full fledged teacher yet, mainly because I don't have many responsibilities and I think the teachers in the school tend to treat me as if I am on practicum there due to the lack of responsibilities given to me (which I don't know whether to be thankful about). I guess 2014 should be the year that will truly test my job loyalty instead, half looking forward and half dreading. Fingers crossed I'll get a good timetable!
Travel-wise, I'm pretty excited cos... I'll be going to a new continent & I'M GONNA HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS!! Woohoo! Seeing snow has been my dream since forever and I still can't quite believe I'm going to be in Finland this December, visiting the Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village during Christmas itself, the season of magic. What's more, I'll be staying in a glass igloo for one night & am gonna go on a husky safari and a snowmobile ride. Life rocks! I really have to count my blessings. I've been pretty lucky so far to be able to visit the places I've always dream of going. Dreams do come true :) This year would also mark the record of me being in Bangkok for the fourth & fifth time. What's up, Bangkok? I really think Bangkok can be my second home haha. I never get tired of it, and I have to confess I know my way around certain parts of Bangkok better than I know my way around certain areas in Singapore. There was once I went to Peninsular Plaza to collect a camera I ordered online and I wanted to go to Bugis after that. They're quite near right? So I thought I would walk but realised... even after looking at Google Maps, I have no idea how to walk to Bugis so I had to take the train to Bugis which was just one stop away -.- I whatsapped my friend to tell her this and she laughed at me cos when we were in Bangkok, I was the one bringing them around, but apparently now I'm clueless in Singapore. & I remembered once I went to this Couchsurfing picnic with Carine and afterwards, they wanted to head to Clarke Quay to chill. I didn't know the way and the 'tourists', non Singaporeans working/ studying in Singapore led the way instead, how embarrassing. So perhaps one of my resolution for 2014 is to get to know Singapore better?
Other things wise, I am really thankful for all the kind souls I've met this year and all the awesome friends I have kept with me. Old friends are really gold. So so glad especially for my secondary school friends because while making new friends is fun, I really can only be truly myself in front of these people whom I know will still accept me for my flaws and who made me into a better person. I realised I really did mellowed down in some ways. Used to always want things to be done my way but now I've learnt to be somewhat happy even when things don't go the way I want it to haha. I don't think I have become the person I want to be yet but I'm working hard towards it. This year I also stepped out of my comfort zone and I'm pretty proud of that because at least I took some baby steps.The only thing I'm particularly unhappy about this year is not exactly eating healthily & exercising regularly. When will I learn to love living healthily?!
Oh well, one step at a time. |
|
|
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 1:29 PM
Grandmother story
Haven't been updating here for so long! I missed writing, I missed keeping some sort of notes on how my life was like, however normal. Then again, I'm one of the least organised person I know, I hate to file things, I hate to settle all the admin like my phone bills & IRAS tax etc, so I guess I'm not very good at keeping a journal too. But I shall try!
It's the time for PSLE again. Not for me, but for my "students" or rather, ex-students. & once again, it seems as if Math was a killer paper. I see a lot of my students posting emo status updates about Math and I really want to tell them this:
While PSLE is undoubtedly important, it is not the be all, end all. Really. It is one chapter of your life and while this chapter has the possibility of influencing the rest of your life, it also has equal possibility of not doing so, depending on how you want to treat your successes and failures.
When I was in P6 (not thatttt long ago), Math was definitely not my best subject, and so I didn't like it that much. I remembered the day when I took the PSLE Math paper, I was stressed and scared. & there was reason to be so, the Math paper was hard. To me, it was so hard that halfway through, I started panicking, because there was so many questions I didn't know how to do & I was only at like the short answer section? When I reached the long answer questions part aka the problem sums, I freaked out I think. I started crying and I left like half of my problem sums undone. Because I didn't know how to do them and so I gave up. Which was a decision I deeply regretted. Not just because I could have gotten a better grade if I had done them (well maybe, you'll never know, with the method marks & all that), but because I gave up without even trying, so I couldn't blame my grade on anything else but myself.
So what did I get for my PSLE Math? C. I received a grade C, one of the only 2 in my class, and one of the only few in my school, who got C. I was very demoralized but due to some miracle, my overall score was still pretty decent, enough to get me into my first choice, Nan Chiau High (no, it wasn't a SAP school then). I remembered the first few days in class, my Math teacher told us they would forecast our Math scores in secondary school based on our PSLE grade and flashed a list on the whiteboard. Because I had a C, they felt that with my standard, I could probably only get B4? Oh, how I hate Math then.
But guess what grade I ended up with at O-Levels? Through hard work and lots of practice, I got an A2 for my E-Math! Okays, maybe not that great a grade to some people, but to me, it was an achievement. So happy when I saw my E-Math grade! Because... I'm not as bad at Math as I thought.
The fact might be that what grades you get at PSLE could decide which secondary school you go into, but it doesn't mean it will stay like that for the rest of your life. Your grades can improve or "de-prove" depending on yourself. & so, that's just the point of this long grandmother story. Haha.
It's a rainy Saturday and the start of recess week! Enjoy your holiday people. Mine isn't off to a very good start, though I got to sleep in, because I turned down some appointments to meet a group of friends and suddenly, one by one, they cannot make it. Tell me why next time I should place them as my priority. Sigh. Oh well, everybody has their own reasons. |
|
|
Sunday, June 03, 2012, 7:23 PM
The best way to die
If I could choose my own way of dying, I would choose to die of old age, smiling in my sleep. If I could decide when exactly I could die, I would move to Maldives for a few months before that to enjoy the sun soaking into my bones and take in the unbelievable beauty. I'm not sure what comes after death, nothingness? Whatever it is, I think I'll be better equipped to deal with it after being in Maldives, because over there, it's just so surreal. Maybe it's because we're there for leisure, not born there or working there but that place just feels so much like a paradise where it's impossible to be anything but happy and relaxed. Like the worst thing that could happen to you is having a snorkel mask that keeps fogging. Of course, the fact that we're allowed to escape into 'dreamland', away from reality, deadlines, pressures etc helps. I would think though, even if you're very stressed over there, it would at least be better than being stressed in other places, like landlocked city areas.
You could escape to explore amazing coral reefs like the above
If I could save up enough for my retirement, that's where I would stay in the few months before I die
We were talking about how the Maldivians or the employees don't keep saying wow or seem as entranced as we do at the amazing sights, and we thought that it could be because they are so used to it. I hope I won't ever become immune to such beauty.
Then, a week just before I die, I would fly back home and surround myself with people I love and die in their midst. How idyllic.
|
|
|
Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 11:12 PM
The Not Yet Bucket, Maybe Spade list
Wish this was on my To-do list but nope!
Wanted to put up a short term & long term to do list since January but only got around to it now, like end of March? If procrastinating's a module, I'll definitely be able to get As effortlessly!
So here goes, my to-do list which will hopefully motivate me!
Short term to-do list - Dye my hair (reddish brown?)
- Learn a new language (Always wanted to learn Cantonese but cos I've been very addicted to Running Man lately, feel like learning Korean too! But one at a time)
- Lose weight (Target: 47kg)
- Put in more effort in doing assignments & attending lect/ tutorials rather than sit there stoning (Okays, habits of almost a lifetime are hard to change, but I'll try)
- Save up more money rather than spending so much on online shopping (Yet another very hard task for me)
- Travel to a new place (Gonna accomplish this cos I's going to.. Maldives!)
- Become a better project/ team mate
Long term to-do list - Travel to Europe
- Teach overseas for a year or two
- Volunteer (first in Singapore then overseas perhaps)
- Learn to love what I am doing
- Be more even-tempered, not taking my temper out on others
- Be less self-centered
- Have the courage to do the things I've always been dreaming of
Okays, the long term to do list is rather vague but that's probably cos I can't really visualise the future that well & I'm more like putting things in that I want to change about myself/ I want to do but which will probably take me some years to achieve.
This time next year, let's see how many short terms goal I've ticked and my progress on the long term ones. Fighting!
|
|
|
Sunday, January 01, 2012, 10:33 PM
Hello, 2012!
Instead of a calm, relaxing, peaceful countdown cum dinner cum belated Christmas exchange with my favourite girls aka Humdingers girls at Yumin's hse, we had a very spontaneous & sudden happening night! It all started around dinner when we were eating & while talking to YM's brother, 4 free tickets to USS's Boogie Countdown was suddenly, unexpectedly produced. Being excited by free stuff, we spontaneously decided to go ahead to the countdown there & buy extra tickets since there were like 6 of us, including YM's big sis & excluding Sharon + Huishan who couldn't make it. After making this last minute decision, we rushed to get everything ready, like rushing ahead with the Christmas presents exchange & YM preparing herself for the night out. Instead of having a long presentation ceremony, we exchanged presents in a rather quick fashion but of course we didn't forget photos! As mentioned by Fer, we were really getting lazier & lazier & we initially were even lazy to take out a camera to take photos. Haha. But then what's Iphone for? & so, we had a sorta live update of our countdown 2011, thanks to May & Renee. & for Christmas, I got a totally up my alley necklace, a black chain with a gold heart pendent necklace which I immediately wore. Thanks, May! Love the black/gold combination. That wasn't the only present I received that night, I also got my belated birthday present which I.. erm, chose myself :D A very gorgeous, vintage-y gold watch on a brown leather strap from Anne Klein (A.K, coincident to my initials! Meant to be, indeed). Thanks girls, I wore it out on the first day of 2012!
After that we had a quick round of Taboo while waiting for YM to get ready & we were sort of rushed out of the house by YM's sis who had a very valid point that we were running late. We only decided to head to the countdown at 8pm when it started at 6pm & by the time we were finally ready, it was already 9pm & we still had to travel there. & so, we finally reached USS at about 945pm & a totally disgusting thing happened.
We headed to the tickets counter to buy the 2 extra tickets & as we went down the queue, this middle-aged guy, flanked by his children, suddenly stopped us & ask if we would buy a ticket from him cos he had an extra due to one of his family member or don't know who not turning up. He insisted it was brand new & asked if we could help him by buying off him. The actual countdown tickets was $68 but YM & sis, having the annual pass, could buy it at $58 so we bargained the sale of that ticket down to $40, happily thinking we saved up a bit.
Then, when we were trying to enter USS, I randomly & unluckily, got the ticket sold to us by the uncle & it turned out that the ticket has been used before! I couldn't get in & because I didn't have the re-entry stamp on my hand, I couldn't go in & the staff couldn't do anything for me as well. We had to buy a new ticket. Argh!! How could there be such a person?! We nicely bought it off him, although we did bargained but at least he didn't made a loss of $68 like he would if the brand new ticket was true. Somemore he was with 2 kids, presumably his children. How could he cheat in front of his children! Zzz. There could be a chance that he mixed up the tickets but shouldn't he checked before selling us that ticket, especially since he was holding just the one ticket in his hands? & he didn't even give us the other side of the ticket which entitled us to a free beer or soda. Tsk.
Spoiled the start of our adventure but we resolved not to let it spoil our spontaneous night by consoling ourselves that this spot of bad luck meant that we used up our bad luck quota by 2011 & that 2012 would be a better year. & we set off! Prior to coming, we assumed that no rides would be open but as we stepped in, we overheard the staff saying that all rides were open till 12am & we were overjoyed! Esp Ferlin who had never been there before. We excitedly went to take the newly opened Transformer ride & the effects & stimulation were so so good, it was jaw dropping fun. Went to take the Mummy ride after that & we spent most of the time on the way there & in the line convincing Fer that it was not scary. But I think it's been so long since we took it & we did such a good job convincing Fer that it was not scary at all, Rn & I were so relaxed that when we went on the ride, the plunges & speed gave us a shock. Haha. Turned out that the Mummy was still quite thrilling, not quite the harmless ride we made it out to be. Of course it couldn't be compared to Battlestar Galatia but still, for people like me who don't have a high tolerance for roller coaster rides & free fall, this was about the average I could stomach.
After that it was about 1130am so we decide to go claim our free sodas while waiting for the countdown to began but the queue was so long, in the end, we unknowingly counted down in the pizza parlour -.- Haha. We didn't realised it till the staff suddenly happily burst out into cheers & screams shouting, Happy New Year! Went outside to check out the happenings but it was suspicously quiet then suddenly we heard 3, 2 & we were like all confused. Is the countdown over already or not? By that time, we were paying for our drinks. Came out & suddenly, loud booms were heard & the sky was lighted up, awashed with amazing fireworks! Ran down the street, out of breath & laughing like a group of crazy girls to catch the fireworks & squeezed into the crowd. The fireworks was breathtaking. I say that every year but it doesn't make the statement less true. Especially love the 'falling stars' fireworks!
The view over, we headed back to the pizza parlour to sit down & chat before heading back to YM's house. Initially didn't want to stay over because I'm old, I don't want to sleep on the floor! Haha. But in the end, I got tempted & headed back with them for a sleepover. Really glad I did that. Had a great chat with everybody, especially May as we were the last 2 to fall sleep, in fact I barely slept before waking up again.
Then it was morning & Huishan drove us back, thank you! Huishan's driving skills have really improved, thumbs up! :) & I proceeded to sleep like a pig till about 6pm. Hehe. & there you'll have it, my spontaneous 2011 countdown with my favourite girls. |
|
|
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 1:05 AM
On the last day of 2011
It's been so so long since I visited this blog, I almost forgot I had one. It turns out my journal keeping skills were not as good as it should be, especially as I get busier and also, lazier.
It's the last day of 2011. It seems like just a while ago that I wrote, "2011, pls be nice to me." Although time seems to fly pass, in certain aspects, time seems pretty slow too, like it's only been half a year since PX flew to US? Another 1.5years before she'll come back & we'll have a full gathering, with a new member.. her cutie dog, Ruffles! By the time she's back, if all goes smoothly, I would have graduated! Not very looking forward to graduation though, I rather be a student or at most a tuition teacher :/ But we all have to grow up, soon, it'll be time to start on a new challenge and then move on & embark on another chapter of my life.
2011 was pretty good. Somehow I still prefer 2010 though, but I remembered 2010 seemed to be a more dramatic, problematic year for me emotionally. Today's the last day I can say I'm 22, because once it reaches the next year, even though it isn't my birthday, I find it easier to say I'm 23 if not some people get confused about the year of birth.
Can't say that 22 was any much different from 21, although I did feel I have matured & mellowed slightly. Still rather temperamental though & I'm trying to control it. 22 was however, very different from 16 or 19. I think it probably has to do with the stage of life I'm in. At 16, 17, 18, 19, I was still in polytechnic, or going on to university, still felt pretty much like a young one maybe because I wasn't totally financially independent. & at those ages, I felt I was really living it up what with all the exposure I got. Running an online business, check. Appearing on TV, check. Being able to participate in TV production, check. Job interviews (in which I got rejected), check. Staying up overnight to chiong project, check. Near car accident, check. Trying my hand at studio production, check. Going overseas on 'exchange', staying there for nearly a month, check. With hindsight, TP & CMM was really one decision I totally wouldn't regret & would go through again even if time rewinds, despite being unable to get into most university courses, which is actually more due to my average grades, and having to defend my choice against people who feel that poly are for students who don't do well in O-levels.
As I grow older, I become more set in my way, lazier & more into my comfort zone. I kept wishing that I would be able to do something different, experience a different kind of life but I'm always either too lazy or too scared of failure, humiliation etc to do so & I kept pushing them off, using school and the bond as excuse. I've been reading this book called The Single Girl's To-Do- List & I am gonna start on making my own to do list, one for the short term & one for the long term! I am going to try my best to actively carry them out & start living a life which is more.. fulfilled. Not that I don't like my life now, I do, I just find it a bit too.. boring.
Anyway I understand why some people say that growing up is not as fun, you start thinking more, fearing more & it seems like your life is taken over by more serious, pressing stuff like taking care of your parents, thinking & making a decision about your future 'seriously', earning money etc etc. But there are both pros & cons, like I finally fulfilled my wish of traveling! For the time being, I can't afford the big guns like Europe & admittedly, I kept revisiting certain places like Bangkok (luckily with different company to give me different experience). But all the places I've seen, I've been to, the people I traveled with, the people I got to know there, the experiences I had in the different places, they stay with me. In the process, I also got to know myself somewhat better & learn how to get along with others more comfortably.
2011 was also the year 4 of my acquaintances, of which 2 are great friends got married! Really very happy for them, seeing them so in love gives me faith in their marriage, & to be able to share in their joy was awesome. Although I can't quite comprehend getting married at this age, it makes me look forward to meeting the One & hopefully my own wedding, many years later :)
On this last day of 2011, I'm giving thanks to my family & friends: friends whom I got to know rather recently but I believe are for keeps, like the girls from the Leaves, friends whom when you spring clean & tidy your cupboard, you will find many of their birthday, Christmas cards & letters, whom you know will be there for you & with you right up to the end like my dearest Humdingers girls & the RC girls a.k.a LL gang (?), friends whom you have gone through a chapter of your life with, who shares the precious memories of the times you spent together & occasionally meet up, even social network friends who never forgets to wish you Happy Birthday, show concern to you when needed or unknowingly entertain you with their photos & gossip potential when you're bored. Much love, my family & friends <3 |
|
|
Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 11:46 AM
School daze
TA 2011 is over! & it's back to school in another week. So not looking forward to the long journey, especially now that there's no longer carpool. But hopefully, come Oct 8 when the circle line starts operation, I'll be able to shave some time off the travelling.
Anyway, the start of TA 2011 was terrible. I had a cold so I didn't feel well. The 3 days induction programme during the June holiday before school started did nothing to make me look forward to school. Then the weekend before school started, I got my timetable for TA and I was quite sad to be attached to a P5 class cos I was secretly hoping that I would get a P3 class so I could see some of my students from SE, although I'm sure they would have forgotten me by now. Not like I remember all of them lah but I remembered some faces.
Then the first day didn't go too well. As expected, P5s were more act cool and reserved as compared to the enthusiastic lower primary students. Somemore a few students looked quite ah beng & I was a little intimidated by them. Don't even dare to talk to them when I walked around looking at their group work. Then, there was some interpersonal problems with the other trainees on the first day & I felt like an outcast.
Second day wasn't much better too & I was really dreading TA. Plus we had one after another induction like every day after school for the first week. My school ends at 245pm & after the induction, we went home at like 5+, 6pm everyday for the first week. It totally felt like I was attending both the morning & afternoon session of school.. if they had afternoon session that is. I kept telling myself that I should be positive, it would be a great learning experience, cos the school is really taking much efforts to ensure we understand how the school works.
Gradually, I got used to it and even started enjoying TA. I think the students helped a lot. The colleagues too, cos I got to know more people and stopped minding about being left out because seriously, even when they included me, I felt quite alone cos I couldn't really get along with them as a group. I could get along with almost all, individually, but somehow as a group.. I don't really know how to explain. Anyway, by 2nd week I was feeling slightly happier, mainly because there were less induction :D By 3rd week I was quite okay with TA already, though there were still moments I wanted it to quickly end. By the 4th week I was enjoying TA and then 5th week, it came to the time when we had to leave. It's sad but I know there's no point hanging on to it, cos we all know that it will end eventually. & for us, we most likely won't return to the school again next year. So yes, it's time, move on and let go. Meanwhile, pictures as memory keepsake! My Math CT, Mrs Foo with P1-1. Very cute class. They had this greeting song they sang to the tune of "We wish you a Merry Christmas" complete with actions at the end, where they would say for example, "Good morning, Miss Audrey. You look lovely today!" & then as they say lovely, they will jump and form a heart shape with their arms on their head. Adorable max! They change their adjective & action every week, I think, so I always look forward to hearing them greet me :) Sweetie-pie Valerie! One of the students I had the most contact with cos I sat near their group to observe. I really like her best friend, Chrystal too, she's very cute also but too bad didn't have a chance to take a photo with Chrystal :( P1-1! I gave them Angry Birds mechanical pencils and erasers as little gifts on my last day and my CT asked them to thank me from the bottom of their heart. So they ran to me and hugged me. They are like so tiny, they are only at my hips, waist level that kind, then all of them clustered around me and gave me hugs. So sweet pls! A girl hugged me so tightly, when the others rushed over to thank me, I very nearly toppled over. Part of P5-1, also one of my favourite class. I forgot to take the class photo :( But anyway, this class can really make my blood boil at times. On the last day, my CT was sick and I relief taught at their class & I got really upset with them. It was the first time I was truly upset with them because I did relief with their class before and it went quite smoothly. But they were more well-behaved during the last period I had with them, maybe because I was more Zen & in control then. Also maybe because I keep emphasizing it's my last day & last period with them. HAHAHAH. Or maybe because the principal actually came in to my class & stood there observing for a while during the last period. Gulp. Anyway, at least I ended TA on a good note :) Athena, the da jie da of the class! She looks quite fierce, and the boy sitting next to her like to talk back to teachers so I tend to avoid their group and not talk to them much. But somehow I got to know her better in the last few weeks & she's quite nice! One of my best memories in the school was staying back for a while after school on Thurs with some of the P5-1 students to talk & then playing Monopoly Deal. She totally let me win cos I didn't win any round after like 3 rounds. Heh Yuki, one of the nicest & most well-behaved in the class. She's one of the few who remembered to thank me for the little gifts of Angry Bird pencil/ eraser that I gave them. I mean, not like I'm expecting anything in return for the gifts, I was the one who wanted to give it to them. But it's basic courtesy right, to say thanks. HAHAHAHA. Xintong! She's really sweet. Once, I think during the 2nd week when I was still quite new to the school and class, there wasn't a chair at the back where I usually sit at. She gave me her chair and just like plan to stand/ squat at her table instead. So nice can! I didn't want to take her chair but she insisted. Lucky we found another chair for her in the end. Then on the last day when I was giving out the gifts, she told me she didn't want any because she rather I stayed. & she read me this very meaningful poem she found somewhere which she told me is her favourite poem.
I always knew that the appeal of being a teacher for me was not the teaching part, but rather the students. The one with the mouth wide open in Zekai. I called his name like don't know how many times during my relief classes. He is a P5 student going on P1. But he's quite funny at times lah, cos he's just so childish. He would imitate how I sit at times, then go like "Breathe in breathe out" when I say that I'm upset -.- The one behind him with a badminton racket is Yulin. He's the discipline minister in the class but sometimes I suspect he abuses his power. HAHAHAHA. He's quite clever and personally, I feel that he is one of the most obedient in class mainly because when the teacher or when I give them work to do, he is one of the few who really does work seriously and quietly, which I really appreciate. But he's not the goody two shoes type though, more like one of the cool kids in class. Next to him is Enqi, she's really tall for a P5 pls. I think taller than me when I wear flats? Shiqin! She's my eye power partner :D So sad that she's a MT teacher so she doesn't sit with us, in our area. I'm going to miss her, can she be in my TP school instead? :( Renee, Winnie and me :) We're the TA ppl, missing Radha. Radha & Winnie's from Dip Ed, so they're infinitely more busy than us because they have to prepare lesson plans. Whereas Renee & I are like very slack :/ Hweemin from NTU. She's on internship here & ends on the same week as us. So not bad, there's quite a few young teachers there :)
So I guess TA wasn't that bad actually, despite my initial whining :) |
|
|
Monday, June 13, 2011, 1:19 AM
Long, very long
Back from Taiwan! Came back with like a bag full of food & clothes and left part of my heart there. I loveeeeee Taiwan! Really want to go there & study for a semester so I can enjoy more time there but sadly, it's not to be because their semester timing is different from ours & we have attachment in July which clashes with their semester :(
Maybe I will just go there & teach for a year or two after finishing my bond. Or marry a Taiwanese & stay there. Hahahaha.
I also came back to Singapore to find a surprise awaiting me, a new gigantic wardrobe! My mom was so sick of my clothes piling up everywhere that she bought a new huge wardrobe but I think, somehow, there still doesn't seem to be enough space. Still in the midst of packing my wardrobe. Why do I have so many clothes! More importantly, why can't some of them be nicer so I can wear them all. Argh.
The packing is made more difficult, because initially, it was supposed to go into the empty space next to my old wardrobe but my dad while taking care to measure the width, forgot about the height & as there was a ledge on the top of the wall space, my parents had to go with Plan B. This Plan B involves taking down my drawers & shelves to make space for the new wardrobe. & while I was out to work at Kumon, my parents & my brother packed all my stuff into boxes.
So now I have various boxes to unpack + my luggage of new clothes brought from TW & BKK. So sian, don't like unpacking stuff!
Most importantly, I am really upset because my name necklace which Renee, May, Sharon, Huishan, Yumin & Ferlin gave me is lost! It disappeared when my parents & brother were taking down my shelves & stuff & packing them into boxes. Now I have like cleaned up 3 boxes worth of stuff & I still can't find it. I have a feeling I won't find it again in the near future. Ultimate sadness, I love the necklace. Hopefully, the site opens a name necklace spree again & I can order 1 again for myself.
Okays anyway, that won't happen very soon because I am so broke now. Spent a bomb in TW & then loaned my brother $500 to buy his laptop. After which I bought my new netbook & a hard disk, which can only be partially claimed from my employer. Add that to the fact that my pay will be stopped like real soon, with probably only 1 or 2 more months' pay to go?
Seems like I have to go back to taking up private tuition although I hate it so. Shall pray for a nice kid & one who lives nearby who only requires once a week tuition. If you know of any such assignments, please send them my way! Maybe only after school attachment though.
I'm so not looking forward to school attachment btw, 5 long weeks! Doesn't help that my school has super long hours from like 8am to 3.10pm. Like what?!! Have to go for a 3 full day induction program too, why why why? :( Can foresee boring workshops & awkward staff meetings ahead. Ohkays, shall try to look on the bright side. I loved the kids esp the classes I was attached to last time I was there. Hopefully, I will enjoy it as much this time round because 5 weeks is not a very short time. I hope I don't get much relief teaching duties too because, frankly? I am still very much afraid of teaching. Oh no.
Why can't teaching be like it is at Kumon? Lol. Btw, found a new favourite kid at Eng counter: Juneo! Which is good because I'm always sad whenever I can't take High Lvl on Tuesday & thus can't teach & talk to my favourite High Lvl Math students. All because now that there are now so many guys working at Kumon, there's a lack of Eng counter teachers so I'm always posted there now. Juneo makes me happier working at Eng counter on Tuesdays. He is so cute lah! I asked him whether he has any siblings & he told me: "Yes, I have a lot a lot of ketchup at home!" HAHAHAHAHAH. Ohkayyyyyyy, I see.
A very long post to make up for not blogging for a long time! :D |
|
|
Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 12:54 PM
Off to Taiwan!
Holiday-ing at Taiwan with May & Renee now! |
|
|
, 12:37 AM
Staycation
Yay, finally got some company at Kumon, cos Cheryl & BR's working there now, temporarily. Hope they last long because I'm bored with working with people who are like so many younger, got age gap! Lol. Nothing much to update. I'm going Taiwan tomorrow & I'm excited! But I haven't finished packing yet. Used to pack way in advance for my first few getaways but now, I always seem to pack the night before. I get lazier with age :/ Anyway, the farewell party for PX was a success! Really enjoyed staying at Amara, it was really a sanctuary away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life. Helps that Amara isn't exactly in the centre & very happening places of Sentosa + they had 3 peacocks wandering around, gracing the guests with their presence whenever they feel like it. Service was very good too, with the staff being really friendly but perhaps they're short-handed because they seem to take some time to respond to our spoilt door. But all in all, pretty happy with my stay there. The room was quite worth it, bed was very big for a 2 person room, 4 of us could fit quite comfortably & there was a sofa bed there too. The infinity pool couldn't be compared to MBS's but because it was empty & we took some nice photos up there, I'm fine with it. Rooftop pools are love, as long as it's sunny. Alright, better go back to my packing, don't want to wake up too late tomorrow! |
|
|
Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 2:39 AM
The ones who were there & would be there
Yes, it is. I'm thankful for all the people in my life now, because I'm certain that most of them were the ones who were there for me at some point of my life and are the ones who will be there for me at some point of my future. Such a mouthful :D So looking forward to the short 'getaway' cum farewell party for PX tmr (or rather today) & on wed. I'm glad for all my friendships which endured; much as I like being alone sometimes, you really can't do without friends! |
|
tweet with me
|
|
Tagboard
|
|
