丢弃

行旅纪事：
我决定凡是在三个月内没触碰的东西，都丢掉。

I realised that I have too many things which I won't throw:
-art & craft materials
-japanese, korean and thai books
-CDs
-clothes
-shoes
-bags

I could only bear to throw away some 2-yr old cosmetics and magazines....

Is this the habit of hoarding?
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Kawaii marshmellow

Flowers in hot chocolate!
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Area 4 Officers

Still incomplete but it sure is one rare shot!
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I've started packing

While searching for a document, I took the chance to throw away things.

Look at how filled my shelves are. This is only one level... And I discovered a photo which was taken earlier this year with area 4 teacher officers. I like it! There are some cordial ties which I've enjoyed there. Will miss Area 4 colleagues.

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Life on 22.10.2010

Today is Friday.

In the morning, we had staff meeting and promotion meeting. This lasted till 12.05pm. Lunch.

I continued with correcting the comments on students' result slips, meeting principal to discuss Risk Assessment Management for the kayak course, finalise ranks of cadets, communicate final details of tomorrow's enrichment programme to cadets via email and phone calls, stamp the result slips and sign on 40 of them.

By the time I finished, the afternoon has slipped past and I was waiting for the bus at 6 o'clock.

Now I'm on my way to dhoby gaut to meet Eunice and Jean. That is a promising good evening to come.

Reach home at 10pm I guess... I can afford to lie in later... Heart-breaking morning as some students will not get to stay in school anymore. They've reached the age limit given to secondary school education...
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flight to Phuket delayed

Friends whom I have never met checked in first. Then, they decided to go T3.

And I didn't realise that I chose not to check in my luggage when I bought the
ticketThen I decided to check in. In the end, I did not check in when the hefty
sum of $60 was demanded. I only have a few ten dollar notes with me. I threw
away all my liquids instead: make-up remover, moisturiser... 

So I have no check-in luggage and Threw away my bottles of fluid ruthlessly. I
thank God my Locciturne moisturiser bottle broke. My heart was hardly bleeding
when the bottle reached the inerts of one of the many dustbins.

After an unsatisfying bowl of laksa, it's only 8.30pm. Another 1.5 hour to enter
the gate! Not wanting to litter the airport floor with my entire 52kg (or
slightly more), I sacrificed $6.30 for a cheesecake to sit in a cafe. Now I
think I'm left with SGD14 for whatever happens when I return from Phuket.

What's the point of having so much baht but have so little SGD which I need now?
It's so real, the thought. What's the point of storing up for the future when I
have so little now?

There is only one reason
any wise person will store up
for the future and have less now:
he is sure that the future is far better than the present.

Charity Blocks

To raise funds for a foreign beneficiary has many blocks. And after all the different fund embezzlement among charitable organisations, I understand the rationale for MCYS' road blocks. What are the blocks?

1. A school needs the approval of the minister of education to raise funds. That's usually alright the moment your Principal approves.

2. Provide 4 documents to MCYS Charaties Unit for permit to raise funds:
Document to state that beneficiary is a bona fide organisation
A document from beneficiary to state the receipt and usage of the funds
A estimated expenditure and
Well... I forgot the fourth one.

3. All these should be done 2-3 months prior to the trip.

Where will a teacher get funds to do a pre-trip to secure the letters in rural areas which are not accessible by road? the simple organisation may incur $ which the teachers pay without claiming.

I miss Singapore International Foundation. They started funding groups which embark on service-learning projects (75% of the entire project). And the leader gets funds for pre-trip too! In a way, 有钱出钱，有力出力。to give Physical or monetary aid depends on the contributor's ability and possessions.

My colleague who heard of all the paper work commented, "Just bring students to adventure camps; no need to fund raise for foreign beneficiaries." I agree that the hassle of applying for a permit amidst all the heavy workload is frustrating. However, my next thought was what or how then will our students truly learn the value of fund-raising and helping those who have no means of help within their own society. CIP in Singapore is very meaningful. Let's not discount that. Yet, we'll not catch a glimpse of poor living conditions, unfriendly systems due to political and social reasons and ineffective municipal or effective municipal authorities. The world is bigger than robust economy and securing our own homeland...

See how the forest fire at Sumatra darkens the air we breathe in...


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First Heart

The first one I made

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Five hearts

Sewed this with three types of stitches.

Uncharacteristcally, I asked a few friends for their opinion. So far, I'm encouraged to continue with the production.

Saying goodbye is such sweet sorrow
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What's in your bag?

Nov 2009 issue of Japanese magazine, Steady, went onto the streets and interviewed office ladies (OL): what's in your handbag

Interestingly, the interview was presented in 4 spread and the interviewees are categorised as OL of 1, 3, 5 or many years. Their bags are weighed too!
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Girly cardigan

For my friend who just bought a cardegan from Muji, many cool styles of wearing it...

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Muack matters

I've been given a lanolin product. It sounded like a synthetic ingredient and I wondered how healing could it be on my chronically unglamourous lips.

Of course, after some reading, I learnt that lanolin is amazingly natural. Lanolin is wax extracted from wool. Not only does it have waterproof quality, it also lubricates the wool and skin.

After the first application on my lips, I'm surprised that not only does it smoothen my hardened skin, it is also lubricating and not sticky. Best of all, it has no frangrance.

For this lip balm with sunscreen, visit www.lanopearl.com.au

I love it!
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More cakes at Flor

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Sweet toothy indulgence

Flor at Duxton Hill
Cakes by Chef Yamashita
Fusion of Japanese and French pâtisserie
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4-inch! Gripz

This pair of shoes was bought as an emergency replacement and the heels are 4 inches tall!

Lined with pig skin on the inside and satin on the outside... But my oh my... it's totteringly tall
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Solely soleless

One sole came off at city hall

Since lining of shoes have worn off too, it's time for a shopping spree!

Frightening result was I got a pair of 4-inch or 5-inch shoes which. Has soles that are smooth... Irony is name of shoe shop is Gripz
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Pitter-patter drop drop

When I was little, rain will be acompanied by the pitter-patter of rain dropping on my umbrella. To see rain falling on the windscreen of the bus is a treat.

Now, rain fall makes the pitter-patter on glass quite often. I'm usually in the MRT, a bus, a friend's car or a taxi. And the rhythm of rain on glass is rapid and a little explosive when the droplets hit the glass

How Singapore and Singaporean's lifestyle have changed... But I am the same in one aspect - the same love for the sound of rain

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Giselle - not so classical

Programme Cover of da:ns festival 2010 Giselle by Lyon Opera Ballet (France)
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Giselle - A Mad Woman

I watched Giselle on 16 Oct, Saturday. This romantic ballet has been re-interpreted by Mats Ek (1945 ~). Rugged energy replaces the usual elegance of ballet, yet when I watched it, I was profoundly moved by the end of Act 1. The simpleton Giselle was seduced by a young noble man, and predictably, he could not bring her into his society. And he has a change of heart. She was shaken and went mad.

Passion and Sanity are so closely linked that when one's passion is thwarted, one can go mad.

passion borders on lust of the pleasure of our desires... Moderation sounds like a bad word for all who lives with a passion but all things are so transient. All will pass away. Unless one puts this passion in one thing that never fades away, the soul will be in jeopardy of losing its fine balance.

It is by living in the truth of God that keeps us much in balance (in the Bible this's called peace) in this fragmented world.

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Rebuking in Class

Sometimes a student would blurt unkind remarks in class about an individual. It could be in reference to the child's name, or his physical weight or even skin colour. And the rest of the class laughs in derision at the remark.

Naturally, I would put on the stern look, raise my voice and say we do not laugh at people because of our differences, or something of that effect. The class would stop their joviality immediately in most (99%) cases.

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
Proverbs 19:25

Rebuke must have its place in society. May love and joy prevail.
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Elizabeth Arden

In this photo are two panels of travel make-up. I think EA has very thoughtful products. And that is key to business (for mercenary gains and as a moral standard) - to provide what people need.

I used one panel for 5 years and never gotten to finish it! All magazines and beautician would tell you to throw make-up within a year or two. Today, I finally found my ruthless gut to throw away this 5-year relationship and inserted the second panel into the case.
Do you know that AE was started by a woman who's innovative and gutsy? In an age when women were thought as loose women when make-up was used, EA managed to push her line of cosmetics into the US market. She is Florence Nightingale Graham (1878 - 1966).

Just another note about EA: my persistent chapped and dry lips was healed by EA 8 hour cream. No other product - expensive, cheap or spa line - could make my lips look like what God has intended lips to look like for me.
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Deli in Bishan

Newly located next to Shop and Save, Delifrance made a come back in Bishan.
My happy root beer stands proudly against a panel of wall lights

For health reasons, I should drink carbonated drinks once in a blue moon. I'm down right sure the moonie is blue tonight.
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both are Dawn

A colleague walked past my table and said "you're wearing the same clothes!"

I did bathe and change this morning. What she meant was the Dawn in the staff photo and the Dawn sitting at the workstation are wearing the same kimono-collar top.

Photo was taken in March!
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Friendly shots at Phuket

Thankful for friends who don't mind 'shooting' me - even my back view!!!

Never seen much of my back, so thought of sharing it here... And of course, I won't be cutting my hair short in the near future or for the next thirty months, so I must post these rare looks on my blog!

Love friends who care...

古北口蟠龙山长城

The beauty of ancient rocks and mortar presents a strange interaction between ancient history, literature and the sentiments of modern man

I can't wait to visit the great wall in. Winter in december. Photo is taken from http://www.bjjingjiao.com/my/my11/678.html

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Panda Creation

Since Thursday, my sleeping hours have been chaotic:
Thur 2am - 630am
Fri 430am - 2pm
Sat 5am - 630am
Sun 430pm - 7pm plus 12 midnight - 615am
Mon 2am - 630am

Would I be able to sleep by midnight today?
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NYDC is bored

BORED

That's what they claimed for the changes they made.

Where are the young and busy waiters and waitresses? Where is the fun-to-hold square menu??!! They've just eradicated everything fun about themselves because they're bored!

May I never be so bored to spiral to such boring alternatives... I'll miss you NYDC

They've just erased
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Shoe and feet/ shoes and Foot

How many pairs of shoes do you need?

What would a girl feel if all these shoes are hers?

I would feel guilt. It's not a new feeling... Today at Novena Square, puma has sale, Charles & Keith has sale and I bought none of that

I spent a total of $13 to buy medicine for running nose and reflux. Health health please find your way back to me through all these sale
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Are you NYDC???

Who would know this is our beloved mudpie heaven? Not only did. They change their menu from a cool funky square board to a boring book, music was not suitable for chilling out or for their famous desserts.

Why must they change? With so many changes which we have no control over, don't they know how much pleasure there is to come back to a familiar place? No introduction needed, no energy needed to get familiar - the value of being familiar...
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Da:ns -a sight for sore eyes @international ballet gala

This entry is not a review of the dancers' performance.

On 8 Oct, I was somewhat underdressed for the opening performance of Da:ns Festival. Some men and women in suits and gowns. I was in cargo pants and shirt... Well, watching such performances in Singapore does guarantee a good turnout of casual wear of all sorts. I didn't feel like a sore thumb.

Today is 10 Oct, I'm in my favourite red gown with orange hue. Hardly anyone looked as distinguished as I did though generally everyone wore dresses. Few in casual wear. But still, I'm yet another sore thumb.

But it's for my friend's wedding that I wore the dress and hey! I could fit in pretty well, that's a pretty surprise...
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Miracle II

4 classes of Continual Assessment to mark is no news. But with my 2-week absence right before the exams make this jobscope very difficult. All the assignments will be marked by me when I return to school. And I have 3 days to complete the chasing, marking and returning with relevant feedback.

2E3, 2E4 and 3A1: one summary, one compo

2A1: two compre, one compo

All these means 3 classes x 2 assignments x 40 students and 3 assignments x 40 students

Total of 360 assignments! By God's grace I marked all on 5 - 7 Oct!!! That's a real act of grace from God! In those three days, I've also managed to set a cloze passage for EL exam and settled financial matters for NPCC events.

God's grace is sufficient for me...
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A rare shooting session in the midst of stupendous work load.

I have three days to mark, chase and upload student results within the three days I return to school. Other teachers had three weeks, I did it in three days. Thank God that other colleagues were understanding and gracious. And really grateful to God's grace which allows me to catch up with all the work.

He is the Almighty.

da:ns

Hofesh Shechter Company opened the night of Da:ns Festival on 8 October 2010.

The company name is the founder name and he is the young man with teh moustach in the photo.

The first dance 'Uprising' kept me thinking: I must learn how to dance!~ Will I have the privilege to meet a dance teacher who believes that I should dance?

The only one in this world passed away before I could attend his ballet lessons. I was 24 then.

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Love Julia Roberts

How did she do it?

That natural charm, that wide but captivating smile and her whole aura of beauty :) and She is a talented actress.

She looks young despite crossing the 40 mark.

It's easy to love her. And it's hard to hate her even in the movie though she's just plain selfish in her role... Her character showed the weakness so real, and her lack of life so easy to identify with...

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Eat_pray_love_movie_poster

Beautiful 43-yr-old Julia Roberts
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Movie: Eat Pray Love

A memoir, then a movie.

Gaining 23 pounds by eating in Italy
Meditating in India
Return to a medicine doctor in Bali

I had a miniature version in Bintan three years ago:

Eat, spa, pray, read the Bible, pray, cry, return at peace with God... Prepared to love and forgive

To take a journey is important for discoveries...

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Mayim, good Chinese tea

First time drinking this tea. The better part of the experience was the pouring of tea from a pretty teapot
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Mayim, hebrew for water

'Mayim'. The. Name of this chinese restaurant. Pretty clay and porcelain cutleries. Good Chinese tea. Yishun.

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Hot chocolate

Growing fat with drinks from all the different cafes in Singapore. Since 2003!

This hot chocolate is from McCafe! 5 minutes before this, I had two teh-o

Sacrifices of a determined assessor.
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Near death experiences

First day at work after Dengue - my colleagues have much to tell me. For example, one guy who had the fever because of dengue, died within three days of diagnosis. Others talked about car accidents.

I'm alive. I am given a chance some people do not have. I should be more grateful, or even jubilant at life. But perhaps I still feel weak, so I at best feel good, not shouting for joy yet.

Next month when I'm fully recovered, I should be able to rejoice properly.
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Would you come?

In the adult world, there seems to be many invitation and waiting: would you come? Should I go?

These pensive apprehension seem to be less the younger we are...

Children, hug when they want to hug, cry when they want to cry... Thought and action are a stone's throw away from each other.

"Would you join me (in a movie, for lunch, to visit a friend)?" This question has become cumbersome.

I've learnt to wait... And trust goodness comes from the Lord. So waiting, feeling safe...

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Fabric and paper

This card is one of my favourite.

You'll need a penknife, black chalk inkpad, a 'enjoy life' stamp, fabric card and red paper.

And the verse is from 1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
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The day is not mine

Enjoy life

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1John5.11

What shall we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear? Your heavenly father knows you need them. Do not worry for Jesus lives. He will take care of you.

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The joy of craft

I love paper.

Creating gifts out of paper gives tranquil joy. A quiet enjoyment which is satisfying. The envelopes are beautiful, aren't they?

And of course, books written by paul David Tripp are very wise. Do read it if you ever come across one ;)
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Hot sweet irresistible CHILLI

Bumba Desa at square 2 (Singapore - Novena MRT)

Fantastic Indonesian food at affordable restaurant price

Not supposed to touch any chilli till full recovery but...

You saw the picture. Just too tempting to not eat such good chilli with tenderly grilled chicken!

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