Wednesday, August 31, 2005
more than words
today,i said thanks to some people.some people said thanks to me.i saw u,bowing down,saying prayers, silently.i want to thank you.you know who you are.i need to find a comfort zone,to hide away,so that you do not need to make a choice.but somehow,i failed to.i decided to leave.stupid.yes.crude?that is what you assumed.and you told me not to assume.it wasn't raining when i drive off,i didn't know why i switched on the wiper.the blur vision is not rain.---------------------------------------beloved sec 5s, thanks for the performance,the cards,the flowers,the food,the laughter,the care.thanks for being there.sorry i was not able to stay on longer(meeting still goes no)and i'm sorry i didn't get everyone's pics.those i did, here u are:http://community.webshots.com/user/kamitchell16
reader k | 8/31/2005 10:38:00 PM |
0 comments
Monday, August 29, 2005
at times, you just surprised me
you asked if i'm alright.i told you.and you said, "Pikachu needs to recharge power"that just put a smile on my face.read the essay your wrote on thursday,brought tears to me.at times, you just surprised me,in a subtle, good way.the other day i looked at your work.and was telling myself,to me, it is not the end-quality that mattered.yes it would be perfect if it looks good,but what mattered most,are the effort i can see in you,your willingness to try,your determination to improve,and you opening your world to me,to let me help.i'm glad.from a F9,to a C6,let's go for A2.
reader k | 8/29/2005 08:53:00 PM |
2 comments
tell me it's not tiring to be in love with you
i am tired of getting sick.
while you are resting,
your mind will still be thinking,
worrying.
spoke to 8 of my art students.
(i have 9 of them)
was delighted to hear their voices,
asking me about their work,
and asking me about me.
i felt sorry for not being there for them,
i need to get back my 4 kg of weight
to carry myself there.
i lost the drive to be there today.
but their voices just made a difference.
---------------------------------------------
i have to constantly remind myself,
to have the will,
to ignore what is not worth caring for.
reader k | 8/29/2005 05:33:00 PM |
0 comments
Sunday, August 28, 2005
In My Life
In My Life (The Beatles)
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends
I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
there is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more
reader k | 8/28/2005 08:31:00 PM |
0 comments
from a skip to a hole
the difference betweena skip in the heartbeatanda hole in the heart.is great.when the skip is gone in X's heart,it leaves a hole in Y's heart.filler has to be found.if it's not found,i shall walk around with that hole.yes, the heart may weigh lighter,but when the wind swished by,i'll feel the ache.you wanted to say more,but something more beautiful came up.everything (left) unsaid.but you know,everything i've said and gavewas not said and given lightly.holeemptinessvoidbig enough to fit in an elephant.
reader k | 8/28/2005 01:10:00 PM |
0 comments
Saturday, August 27, 2005
for it is a choice to be made
i thought it would be nightmare- art campcoursework-non-stop-in-progresshappening again.and again.and again.and again.but,it wasn't.it was, peaceful.perhaps because i have some of myfavourite people there to make it nicer.my favourite students.slept at 4am.woke up to a sms at 6am.finally woke up at 6.45am.everyone was tired.two stayed on to work.all exhausted.i finally see stars,in my eyes.not a pleasant sight.-----------------------------------everything seems clearer.i saw something today.but this time i won't say.it got me doubtful and upset inititally,but it will pass.everything will be back to normal,because it's my choice.and i made it for you,because it will make you happier.no obligations,just plain go-with-the-flow.let's see where it will go,even if the probability is nil.
reader k | 8/27/2005 04:49:00 PM |
3 comments
Friday, August 26, 2005
no stars
people find themselves doing the mostincredible thingsdeeds they have never thought they would do.words they have never thought they would say.feelings they have never thought they would feel.by the late afternoon i was brain-stoned.i sat at my desk,going through several things i need to do,at the same time.i have no choice but to multi-task.and i find that i am not completing much,instead,what i was doing,was actually putting down more plansfor more tasks to be done.so that is the definition of "endless".no wonder i can never leave for home,early.mr wong came by,told me my mailbox is over-quota.i heard him.and i told me,"me too".so i lean back on my chairand think of a mundane existence i have recently.i started to think about what i had for lunchtoday.the scenerio came up,the vision of the food, the people around me,the conversation,andi realised,that was lunch,two days ago.i thought about it hard,no, i haven't had lunch,for 2 days now.i am really over-quota,i can't even process a simple thought.so i snap back to reality,and see more work,left undone.after the last student had left,i went up to art room to lock the back door.it was all quiet.i didn't switch on the lights.i peep at all the work-in-progress,in the dark,they look so calm.i smoothed out each crumpled corner i found,i re-arranged each messy spot,i turned off the tap tight to stop the water dripping,and all these,will be gone in another month's time.so will the creators.tomorrow,this room will be vibrant again,from afternoon to the wee hours.and we shall all remember it.i had the disappointment in mesince morning.i avoided the disappointment-creatoras well.but it just didn't go away.reasoning helped.i analysed it through and through.i really thought seeing some stars may help,but i didn't get any.so be it.at the foyer,every teacher has a star board,where classes or kids can pin their star-wishesfor us.i went to read mine:thankyou sec 2sthankyou SJABthankyou beloved sec 5sbeloved sec 5s,i am looking forwardto seeing my red umbrellain your brilliant production.andi love U.
reader k | 8/26/2005 12:42:00 AM |
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Thursday, August 25, 2005
listen to it
skip skipskipety skip...just want to see how it soundsin words.
reader k | 8/25/2005 12:51:00 AM |
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Wednesday, August 24, 2005
the massacre of colours
i weepas i ran my fingers throughthem.the massacre of the colouredpencils,markers.(by some of the heartless sec 2s)it meant nothing to them,just colours squeezed intoa piece of wood or plastic.they left the markers un-capped- ink ran dry (bleeded to death)they threw the coloured pencilson the ground,in the air, where it hits the fan- wooden protective-frame broke (broken bones and internal injury)they did not put them back to where they were found- misplacement of the same kind (resulted in broken families)it'd never occured to them,how these little helpers,added brilliant clours in their work,the life.they are not colour-blind but they can't see colours,they have brains that do not function,they have hearts that ignore detailsthey performed this brutal actwithout a hint of guilt.i placed the remains in the last box,savaged what i can.together in the casket,i bury my tears and my hurt.
reader k | 8/24/2005 01:02:00 AM |
0 comments
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
you have the biggest piece of the cake
i'd let the night creeps in.the night wind has a wayof whispering the truth,confusing the mind and heart,yet caresses and calms your impatience.what was read, saidwas sweetness from within.i know the truth,and i want it to stay.take a simple trip,sip a simple drink,what i see,is the serenity ofyou,in another light,in the crowd.do not doubt.let's not say we hope.let's make it stay.we shall,because it is so beautiful,(even for that few seconds)i want to cry.stay.
reader k | 8/23/2005 11:33:00 PM |
0 comments
Monday, August 22, 2005
the artwork that never was
but it's all a matter of bad timing.comprising:2 chairsmelting into one conversation.melting into one common thought.melting into one.although unrealised,risky at times,the experience of this work,engages me,challenges my reflexivity and intuition.i am falling in love with it.
reader k | 8/22/2005 12:15:00 PM |
0 comments
Sunday, August 21, 2005
finding something else to do
getting drunk with the public group,think they'd know me,but few, really do.- Blueboy "Joy of Living"doubts.confusions.arguments.clarifications.confessions.fights?no.just the direct opposites.:)let's not spoilt it all by saying something stupid.let's just say,"thankyou for opening the window"
reader k | 8/21/2005 11:10:00 PM |
0 comments
skip, skip. does it? does it?
do we need to lie in a graveyardand be silence?yes.the first person i’d discussed
about the best way to kill oneselfis the person i’d killed myself for.self-worth:worth nothing.you said something nice and wonderous is made knownand it should not be hidden from your view.- you see it as the life.- i see it as you and me.sometimes you give hopelessa whole new dimension.you made me laugh.you made me tell you things.you made me love.you.why do i want to see some people so badly?because they made my heart skip,and i know i am still living.you.this is about grasping nothing.the affair is about nothing.we live on as usual.you.meant a great deal now.you are unattainable.and you will be gone.-----------------------------------many years ago in art school,once i was late for a class.i walked into a dark room.everyone was inside,a slide show going on.the bright light came throughwith me opening the door.i found my friendand sat beside him.the night,he wrote me a poem:pitter patter
pitter patter
pitter patter
my heart skips a littlekaren walks in the door
reader k | 8/21/2005 02:01:00 PM |
1 comments
it's said, and you knew
i said something i should have kept,forever.it's said, and you knew.no misunderstandingbut strangeness surrounded me.only you will know.the beginning, i have forgotten.scences just get jaxtaposed and confusing.i tried to track backand it has been there some time before.it happened, and passed us by.it caught me.tell me nothing's lost.it can't be the same as before.ignorance is bliss,but tell me what you're thinkingnow that the ignorance is gone.i need to know.because i'm afraid.it is all lost and gone.you are gone.
reader k | 8/21/2005 03:34:00 AM |
0 comments
Saturday, August 20, 2005
---
i couldn't type any words anymoreat that moment.because tears had filled up my eyes.because my fingers trembled reading your words.because my heart ached reading your despair.i clicked offline.
reader k | 8/20/2005 03:56:00 PM |
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she was such a proud flower
The Little Prince (pg.34)(from http://lorry.org/Misc/Little-Prince/)
reader k | 8/20/2005 02:16:00 AM |
0 comments
14 years of knowing someone
so, i caught the bus at the earlier time slot,so that i may bump into him.i took my book to read at the grandstand,so that i may see him run.he dropped F.Maths and took art,so that he may paint with me.he skipped class and shared a plate of fruits with me,so that he may share his views on suicide with me.two years.and then,nothing happened.we both left the place, going different places.the next time we met, nine months later.at his house a night before it would belong to someone else.the next time we met, one year later.holland village.the next time we met, half a year later.waiouru, north NZ.the next time we met, half a year later.
pulau ubin.this time we stayed.half a year later,someone left. too busy.----peak hours over, we met again.half a year later,someone left. too afraid.----never did overcome the fear.sadness.madness.(his) views on suicide.the end.......the next time we met, two years later.
nus.re-viewing,re-thinking,re-newing,and then,nothing happened.the next time we met, two years later.teo hong road.the next time we met, three years later.nie.the next time we met, one year later.traffic junction, jurong west ave 5.west mall carpark.14 years of knowing someone.from a friend, to lover, to stranger.
reader k | 8/20/2005 01:49:00 AM |
0 comments
Thursday, August 18, 2005
a tight-rope walker
throat is still sore.it just doesn't want to go away.not just myself,several of us are suffering that.i'm drowning myself with herbal teaand warm water.bring, bring the magic drink,someone.please.teaching the lower-sec is so physically-straining,every lesson i lug a big brown bag of colour materials,my pink bag of papers, pencil case and water bottle.i stood for 2 whole periods,giving lesson instructions,writing instructions on boarddemonstrating instructions,repeating instructions as iwalk around,motivating them to try harder,resolving silly conflicts,shouting at kids,mending their torn sketchbooks,reviewing for the 1001th times the content page,sharpening pencils for them,fixing my overly-used sharperner,reviewing their work everytime they added a line to it.when it's finally over,and the sketchbooks are back to me,marking a pile of them is a whole nightmare repeating.most of them have no sense of personal feelings to their sketchbooks.they always come back to me torn and dirty.art is really not their passion,i accepted that.teaching the upper-sec is so metally-straining.it's a mind-reading game,and i work as an idea-generator.as each piece of work gets more personal,the mental-strain gets more intense.we have to be sensitive,careful,firm but caring.each piece of work is different,each student tied to us with a string,some longer, some shorter;some securely-bound,some will just snap away any moment.teaching is just like,well,a tight-rope walker.for me, at least,at this moment.i have to hold my balance.
reader k | 8/18/2005 09:52:00 PM |
0 comments
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
this and that
the grass is always greener on the other side.my D&T kids sometimes love to hang out in the art room,they envy the freedom,the different atmosphere,the craziness,the music (that can get pretty loud at times)the food,the teachers (erm, i guess so, hehe)my Art kids sometimes wishedthey have the same studiojust like the D&T kids.it is air-conditioned,it has more than one miserable computers,it is on the second floor,it is near the canteen.nothing is ever enough for anyone.we are always looking for more thingsin life.that is why we complained so much.and we compare, we do,no matter how much we deny it.there is nothing wrong with it.it is hard to feel totally contended in today's society.when i first get into teaching,i was posted to a neighbourhood school,teaching mostly the NA kids.i had a culture shock.i remembered looking at the kids,who come to school everyday,but on detention everyday.some do not attend classes at all,for days, or weeks.school is not important to them,scoring well means shit to them,but when you do get their attention,whether to do your work,or hear you talk,you realised,they did that with sincerity.i came from the Express background,where competition is our everyday routine,where mugging is done not only because it's exam time,where we may step on each other just so to get ahead.it's a pretentious world there,but i was lucky enough to find some good friends.Express or NA,Diploma or Degree,knowing that we have done our very, very best,recognising the process we went throughto get to the goal,not hurting anyone in the process, that is,i guess that would leave us feeling really satisfied.be happy with what we have,but reach out for more because it is a challenge for ourselves,a process of learning,a journey of finding out answers,maybe a chance to discover who we really are.i am still in the process of doing that.--------------------------------------------------------------the first time we talked,i was trashing you,telling you all your visible faults,pin-pointing out your selfishness,your super-ego,your inconsiderations.we talked morein these few months,here and there,this and that,some crap, some serious stuffs.today we finally talk again,till we forgot the time,and there was no trashing at all,but counting all the improvementsi have seen in you.brilliant!
reader k | 8/17/2005 10:02:00 PM |
0 comments
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
20 things to do to make your life happy
this morning i read to the class"20 things to do to make your life happy"extracted from a newsletter on Kindness,left on my table by the CME department.i realised i did not practice many of the things on the list,one obvious item which i'm sure the students will agree:i walked into class with black clouds hanging over my headif it is not a good day for me.which, unfortunately,5B is the only class that gets to experience itas i see them every morning.- some told me they could hear from my foot-steps and tell the mood.(sometimes their hearing is not so brilliant)but i did change for them.it is indeed unfair to share your bad dayswith others this way.the change is good,it made me happier on gloomy days too.so, i was reading the list of 20 things,and one left a deeper impression now,as the act was seen carried out later in the day.it says:"leave the place better than you found it"i gave a simple example to the class andwent onto the next on the list.the list was read,we smiled, laughed a littleand went on with the usual routineof silent reading.i had the last lesson with my sec 5s later in the day.we have to vacuate the room on timefor the oral exam to take place next.while the kids dragged themselves to leave,i asked if anyone could help to arrange the tables and chairsfor the oral examiners.i asked 3 times.as i looked up from packing my stuffs,more kids have disappeared.i just thought, no big deal,i'll do it myself later.just as my thought was done,and the final crowd took their leave,there,right under one air-con unit,3 tables, 3 chairs,ready for the oral exam to commence.just lacking the examiners and candidate.i saw the few kids who did that,and before i can thank them, they left.this is a brilliant example of"leave the place better than you found it"and to put in action another item on the 20 listings,"show appreciation to others",here, i shall thank these kids.if i'm not wrong,they were desmond, cheekang and lay yan.did i miss out anyone?thankyou.
reader k | 8/16/2005 03:37:00 PM |
0 comments
Monday, August 15, 2005
i love you
A is finally back.the strange feeling of hospital,the decor,the smell,has finally reached the last episode.thankyou to all who had sentwords of care and concern,these are most neededat times such as this.it's still, quiet,rest is much needed too.even kiki resisted her ball game.i looked at A's unshaven facewhile he sleeps;smelt the sleepy-bed scent on him,my heart ached a little,skipped a little.sometimes you'd just won't know,when you're losing someone precious.i thank thee for what i can still hold on to,totally blessed.totally appreciated.
reader k | 8/15/2005 11:37:00 PM |
3 comments
this truely made my day.my beloved sec 5s.view the clearer, bigger version athttp://community.webshots.com/user/kamitchell16
reader k | 8/15/2005 10:13:00 PM |
0 comments
Sunday, August 14, 2005
popular delight
got better and better.weak still,but better.delightful but tired.i got lost again,missing my navigator.for the heartbroken,i have super glueif you need to mend the broken heart.be sad,but put an expiry date to it.
reader k | 8/14/2005 10:19:00 PM |
0 comments
when the saints go marching in
O levels MT result was out a few days ago.some happy,others sad.expected and unexpected.whatever it was,move on.i hope my beloved sec 5sare sensing the pressure,finally;are moving with all their might;have seen the importance to havethat sense of urgency.they don't have much time to waste.work really really hard,please.and here,you shall find the photos of the fabulous actyou guys have put up for national dayhttp://community.webshots.com/user/kamitchell16
reader k | 8/14/2005 12:11:00 AM |
0 comments
A is at the vet, he won't be back tonight
A is looking better than last night,but he is still weak.i realised that,the weaker he is,the stronger i have to be.i tried to amuse himinstead of both of us wonderingwhat is going to happen next.every minute is about waiting,waiting has had a new meaningto us.he started to eat a littlewhich is a very good thing.the doc came by today,said a lot, a lot,using big-big words.more blood tests needed to be done,they took another tube of blood from him.and he has decided that A should stay tillmonday.sigh.kiki is still waiting for himevery night.she does not understand the word "hospital"maybe i should try "vet"- "A is at the vet, he won't be back tonight"perhaps then she will understand.while i amuse A,i took pictures of his stay.this should never happen to anyone.so unbearable.the drip
this is what went into the bodywhat funny terms - "others" as racethe hospital fashion. it has my favourite numberschef-recommendation
reader k | 8/14/2005 12:07:00 AM |
0 comments
Saturday, August 13, 2005
in the absence of a
of all days,it had to be today- when i'm still partly unconscious from my migraine,i have forgotten to bring my handphone to school.no big deal, it's not the first time,and usually,rarely,i'll get urgent phone calls.yes, just when i least expected,the "almost-worst" thing happened.there i was,in school for SJAB and coursework till 7pmwhen i actually was hoping i could get homeearlier.went to get dinner,home in time to clear the mess kiki had made,and i remembered my phone.i was shocked to see 8 missed calls,7 sms-es.and most of them were from A's phoneand finally nel's,with short messages:"A is in TTS hospital""A fainted in MRT""call me once you get this"all the possibly-worst scenerios came to mind as i dial nel.the first thing i asked was"where the hell is TTS? how do i get there?"nel suggested i not drive but take a cab,cos he didn't think i was ok to drive.he had seen A and he was conscious then.i dropped the dinner on the table,smiled and told kiki i'm going shopping(so that she wouldn't worry)and rushed off to the hospital.there was a queue i need to be into be screened before i can enterthe Emergency section.i finally saw A at quarter to 9.he was all curled up in a bundle,totally weak,on drip,on a temporary, uncomfortable bed.he was in pain,he can hardly describe to me what had happened.i can only see him for 5 minsand have to wait outsidefor he was to be under observationtill half past.one hour had past before they called me in.they removed the drip,took his temperature, pressure, etc.no doctor spoke to me.the nurse said he could be discharged.i took all the papers they handed to mefirst to the payment counter,then to the pharmacists.by the time i got the medication,it was past 11pm.i headed back to the Emergency wardonly to find that he was weaker,it was not possible to bring him home.the doctor finally spoke to me,suggesting to ward him.A was just drifting away in thetemporary, uncomfortable bed.so there i went again,with more papers they have issued to me,to another counter to get him admitted.forms to be filled in,questions to be cleared,finally back at the Emergency ward,we have to wait again for a bed.more testing of his temperature,pressure, etc.finally, finally,he was pushed into a ward.that was already past midnight.there was an empty bed beside him,i thought i should be admitted too,as i was feeling equally sick.another nurse came in to ask me questionsand told me to wait for the doctor to come by.more waiting and finally a junior doctor came.she asked me the same questions again- how he had fainted- what happenedfollowed by more testing of temperature,pressure, etc.A just want to shut his eyesand drift away some more.i just want him well.i finally left the hospital past 1 am.with a bagful of his soiled clothes.literally clothes stained with shit.back home,more mess by kiki to be cleared,followed by digging for A's cards and keysfrom his shit-stained pants-no offence, but i almost pukedin a few seconds later,i realised my tears have overcome the stink.i found myself sitting down and cry.i couldn't imagine if the worst-worst do happen.at least i could still bear with washing a pair of shit-stained pants.i didn't think i could bear it if i were to lose A.never, never in my lifewould i want to live,in the absence of A.i finally had my dinner at 2.30am.
reader k | 8/13/2005 03:37:00 AM |
1 comments
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
happy birthday papa
this year's national day is different,for me.it has become more personal,and i sang the national day songs with the kids,and i'd really enjoyed it!everyone was tired after that(which was expected),and perhaps also with a pinch of the yucky-feeling,of knowing what is coming next- more work and more study.such is life.papa's birthday is different this year too.this is also the first time i have to travelto his birthday, as it was at nel's.no other relatives were present,no cake,no karaoke,no buffet dinner,no mahjong sessions.just a simple dinner of teochew porridge,papa and mama,me and A,nel and mia,and the ultimate, ever-so-entertaining twins.the grandpa is delightedwith the two monsters as the VIPs this year.i used to give papa hand-made cards when i was younger,as i starting earning my own money,the presents went more up-market.today i did what mama has prepared every year for her dad.- mee sua, dih-ka in can (pig trotters in can), eggs and an ang bao.i think he was glad about the simplicity of this year's celebration,afterall, he had been stuffed with all the GRC dinners for this whole week.he was a bit disappointed that Gin didn't turn up,but was surprised to receive Sen's call from USA.
reader k | 8/10/2005 12:43:00 AM |
0 comments
Sunday, August 07, 2005
turf city
i have heard so much about turf city,or what it was planned to beafter they have stopped using itas a race course.so finally,i went to have a look today.it was so bare,nothing too exciting,but the open space is great!not sure if i can bring kiki there for a run,she'd love it.we just walked around a littleand had dinner there.the best part of it allwas on our way to the car,we looked up into the sky,and we saw stars.totally unblocked,stars above us.i was thinking,wouldn't it be great if they turnthe place into a drive-in cinema?i missed those timeswhen dad brought us to the drive-in at Jurong.if the movie sucks,just look up into the sky.walking on the turfnot sure what this "START" is forthe turf is not so glamorous anymorethe turf is gone
reader k | 8/07/2005 10:40:00 PM |
4 comments
carpe diem
yes,it was not the kind of news one would like to hear.especially when it concerns someone,that mean a lot to me.he is always the onewho provides all the crapwhenever we meet up.today it's a bit different.it was all serious.of course i was not preparedto hear the truth,but we all have to accept it.seriously,live life to the fullest.i wanted to give him a hug,and tell him thatwe will stick by himno matter what.i didn't.perhaps it was too camp.what else can i do or say?think hard.
reader k | 8/07/2005 01:24:00 AM |
0 comments
Saturday, August 06, 2005
strange
sometimes i do have a feelingthat my students really, really, really,want to murder me.not sure why,but recently this feeling is extremelystrong....not kidding,i can sense it.hmmm......wonder whyhaha
reader k | 8/06/2005 04:02:00 PM |
0 comments
my blog was gone
so, my blog was gone,from friendster.i don't have a clue what was wrong.maybe it's time to shift.so i did.scary to think that i could justlost everything i've createdin the past few months.sigh.
reader k | 8/06/2005 12:07:00 PM |
0 comments
Thursday, August 04, 2005
filling the void with love and music
was just dropping by to hear them sing
and to laugh at them,
in the end,
i joined them in singing,
and laughed with them.
their energy and spirit rises
with every round of rehearsal.
from frowning faces
to happy, smiling, laughing bunch.
besides being hugged,
laughter is the next best medicine.
i was cured of fatigue just being with them
this afternoon.
this may be the first and the last time
we do this together.
i've enjoyed every moment of that.
reader k | 8/04/2005 05:53:00 AM |
0 comments
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
what is?
if silent means consent,
then what is disapproval?
if crying means upset,
then what is happiness?
if being rebellious means outcast,
then what is acceptable?
here,
this is where i blog every night.
reader k | 8/03/2005 07:27:00 PM |
0 comments