reader k

About a certain dog named Kiki

2010-06-03T00:32:00.003+08:00

It was Kiki's annual check-up.
As usual, she pants all the way to the vet (or anywhere really!)
I didn't follow, A brought her there.

So the report came after:
A bit chubby (this is due to her staying over at mom's the last few weeks when we were away)
Good that she is a chewer (She can chew on her chew-bone for hours, and very focus)
Her teeth is not bad, but need to have some brushing routine now (we did brush her teeth, sometimes. and she will chew the toothbrush too)

Conclusion:
A Happy Dog

and Vet also mentioned that she can probably live up to 17 years of age. That is very good for a dog! :) Then I asked A, what Kiki will do, knowing that she may have approximately 9 years of life left. Our answers are the same - She will eat, sleep, poo, pee, go for walks, bark, howl, play ball, chew bone, ask for treats, cuddle up to sleep...

Life still goes on for her the same way I guess.
It looks easy to lead a happy life, I wish I can be just like her.

the NEW year

2010-01-11T23:13:00.003+08:00

2010 started quiet.
quiet in a way, happy.

i was glad to be out of teaching job. not sure how and why, though i do love the kids, love my friends at work, i realised i'm happier leaving.

then came the money problem. i can't be really shaking legs at home.

have a pretty good start. not big bucks, but not starving.
and somehow i have become more careful with my spending, which i didn't bother before.
i also have more time to think about reusing and recycling stuffs, which i'm gald i do more now.

gained from the first flea this year, and i may continue for a bit.
caught up with several friends whom i've not seen or spoken to for such long time.
i'm so so happy with that.

the art result didn't turn out as well as i've expected.
real upset with myself.
so sorry for the kids.
i have no explanation for that.
i have no ideas what to do about it.

sigh.

i had a drama / dream

2009-10-24T01:48:00.004+08:00

was searching for reference pictures to make the intro video to the Drama Night 2009 play, "Bukit Batok West Side Story" and came across a very blur video taken by some student's friend. It was the band playing at the Musical Night 2008, and they were playing ABBA's "I have a Dream".

really brought back memories on how S and I first received the task of running the Musical Night in 2008, that was sort of left started but in a mess. we sat in the meeting, listening to people argued, and the next thing we heard was us having to take over the project. we silently messaged to each other, something like this:

S: 'we can die now'
K: 'let's die together loh'

but we both think that we shall die doing a nice job.
and the next thing we know was how frantically we squeez the 3 PAP groups to come up with items - Band, Choir, Drama
then how we'd clumsily search for venue, like 6 mths before the performance
then how we cut budget here and there, improvise costume, props, schedule rehearsals, programme list, nag at kids, W carrying her baby and managing the 30 drama casts, blah blah blah. it was mad.

and then the day came.
200 over human beings at MI. no dressing rooms, no decent food, shortage of drinking water, no stage lighting, our ge-tai uncle sound system went to the wrong venue, anything that could go wrong, went wrong.

but we managed to start on time.

everyone enjoyed the show. the auditorium was packed.

one tired night. we collasped after, happy.

so we didn't die, and we survived beautifully.

and made me love my friends more. i volunteered to have them go through another year with me this year - the last year, the last project.

we had more than one dream,
but somehow, some were shattered along the way,
thus this is the last year.

we will survive again,
and then we leave.

it's about time

2009-09-25T23:12:00.001+08:00

of course there will be some losses.
but i cant stand it anymore.
it's about time.

non-friend's emotional whine

2009-09-12T09:11:00.004+08:00

this is the worst to deal with right now,
especialy after an exhausting project just ended.

sometimes people just clique even without having to share common interests, or be working on or doing anything together. Sometimes friendship blossom when you work on something together.

In any case, non-friend and me are still non-friend. But non-friend seems to not "get it". To non-friend, i am a friend.

I have nothing against non-friend, but I just know that this is a person I would not be having anything else more to do with other than compulsory work obligation. I don't see anything wrong with that.

With non-friend's own assumption that I am a good friend, my words an actions thus have impact on non-friend's emotion --- Duh! And it was such a silly impact.

I'm honoured that non-friend took me so seriously. But I'm sorry, to me, non-friend is really nothing at all -- until now, perhaps, with all the stupid drama non-friend has stirred me into.

I hope this will die NOW. What bothersome, annoying, irritating nonsense of non-friend.

I would not advice non-friend to "grow up" (non-friend is older than me)

I think non-friend should just try to be wiser, so that non-friend would come to realise that this is not the first conflict non-friend has had with other people, and that no one is really friend with non-friend.

Everyone is just being nice to each other and smile.

DNA and the Dizzy Spells

2009-09-05T00:38:00.003+08:00

(this blog entry is mainly for yiwen, who missed the concert!)

my long-awaited MAYDAY DNA Concert!
Woo hoo! Yippeee!
Was a bloddy satisfying 3 hours and 45 mins of jumping.
So glad they have been in Spore these past 2 - 3 years consecutively.
it's needed.

wow they really have good stamina - 2 hours into the concert, i took a breather, wanting to sit down for a sec, took a glance at my watch "What?! It's only been 2 hours, and I'm trying to take a break?!" that's only half-way into the concert.

they are fantastic, and have been.
many old tunes were played, along a cheesy side-line video,
but they are not actors, it's explosive enough for what they'd tried to do.
real explosive indeed - the opening starts with the video and ended with a loud explosion with lots of sparks, and a taxi crashed into the centre of the stage, with the group appearing.
of course, followed by cheers!

I didn't bother to take any pictures even though I had a clear view of the stage and at one point (many points of times in fact), individual members (namley Ashin, Monster, Stone) came very close to our asle. I wanted to enjoy the moment and listen to the music. The last time I bother to take pictures, I was very much distracted to zoom, and take note of the flash, that I missed quite a lot of the real stuffs, live.

you can get lots of photos and videos on the net, so why bother.

it was a nice night.
thanks dear A for the tickets, and sitting through every MAYDAY Concert with me :)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dizzy spells not because of the concert.
it came long after that.
i suspected it was a cause by Princess' constant spraying of gold paint in the artroom.
total intoxification.
after which i double and triple the dosage with more fixative and clear paint spraying onto several artworks.
cough cough.
anyway, was dizzy for a 2 days that puts me to sleep well enough to over-ride the exhausation I had last week.

Coursework coming to an end.
Strategic Plan next
Marking
Drama Night
Bye Bye.

Yoo Hoo~ !

coming to closure

2009-08-15T00:14:00.002+08:00

saw B last week, he looks happier, I'm glad.
but both he and W were down with funny tummy.
i had that just before, it was horrible.
hope they are both ok now.

the art room gets messier now. i really hate to work in a messy place.
i do feel that one can get really unhealthy in there. it's too dusty, dirty.
stuffs on the shelves are thrown about, together with rubbish.
papers on the ground with shoe prints. no one bothers to pick things up.
i wonder how these kids were brought up at home? don't suppose they left their house this dirty.

i hate to be here everyday, in this mess.

the progress is slow. it's going but it's slow.
2 more weeks and it'll be september, then it's time to wrap things up,
sprint for the drama night and that's it.

i am just going to leave it at that.
hahaha. looking forward... so happy.

:(

2009-08-07T01:38:00.001+08:00

so going to miss yiwen. :(

and didn't get to see her this last week. stupid stomach flu. :(

Film Festival

2009-05-17T03:47:00.003+08:00

i didn't go to any movies this year at the singapore film fest.
i used to go to it every year, for the past 13 years.

filped through the booklet and found nothing worth watching,
or is it because i am too tired now?

so i didn't see the people i used to meet up once a year,
people that i only bumped into at film festivals.
i used to volunteer so that i get to watch free movies,
that was so long ago.

once, he walked past my seat before the movie starts. after a few years since we last spoke.
it was the Japanese horror flick, Ring O, at the old Cathay Cinema at Capitol Building.
he didn't see me, i didn't call him.
i allowed myself continued to be scared by the movie.

much random

2009-05-09T00:29:00.003+08:00

i digged out old stuffs, to find my resume.

last written in year 2007.

i remembered i wanted to go somewhere then, but was held back.

strange. 2 years later, i added more lines. so much i've done, i feel like throwing up.

yucks.

i consulted mr jamil about building a yurt.

i still can't pronounce the word, even though W has pronounced it many times for me today.

i learn new things everyday. i stop teaching new things to my kids.

i ought to venture else.

today i have to sign a card. handmade by guys in the room. he drew me as the cloud and name it as 'car-loud'. that i have not learnt, why.

but it's cool - car loud.

someone once said i always come into the room with a cloud above me. that i can't recall who, and why.

B once drew me a card, with dark clouds over my head... and then in the next frame, it pours onto me. i was drenched. and he said sometimes life is like that. don't be too upset. i tried to message B today, my message can't reach him. where is he?

so i continue to dig out my old resume, renew it with more lines.

and i realised, i had a diploma in art education, with distinction.

i've never added that in. never occurred to me i had that to add in.

so i added in, in my 2009 version resume.

but so what?

i dig out my portfolio. i missed all those things i did before.

i admire my own patience then. how amazing youth can do for a person.

every piece of work is not about how much time and effort, but who each piece of work reminded me of.

so many people.

then back to today's conversation. i was feeling too cold at that moment to react in any ways.

i didn't react.

until i parked my car. i think think think (i missed Grace at this point),

i should feel upset.

i should feel unjust.

so i messaged S and C and told them i am upset.

but i still have no answer to help me understand why.

why it hurts.

hey hey, if it's only that easy.

then i found more stuffs.

j-k writing. i totally missed that.

the story of K

1.playground love

‘The first person I’d discussed
About the best way to kill oneself
Is the person I killed myself for’

k

2.clouds up ghost song

‘j,
I typed one just now
And it was gone
I am typing it again
All based on my memory
k.’

3.dark messages

the time k asked for a stamp
the time k asked j what the cards she drew meant
all the time when k could not ask to see him

4.the word ‘L’

A guy came up to k at the library
he started naming names
they both might know.
k excused herself

5.the name ‘L’

When k took the extra route
Just so to see L’s car parked outside
She would wait
Till it’s the latest time

6.empty H(eart)

k and L were made for each other
so both of them try not to meet again
pretending they have never met

7.dead bodies

k just finished j’s suicidenotebook
there is a dead body on each page
it’s a funny book

8. suicide noveauground

k and j made a suicide pact
they decided to live

titles cited or appropriated will be credited
it might take a more play-form - k wrote to j: …..
or more narrative

a bug

2009-04-21T22:42:00.003+08:00

there are times when things around you are getting strange and you just felt something's irritating but not sure what it is exactly.

i get that once in a while. sometimes it just die away before i can do anything about it.

lately it's tiring talking to kids.

i want to talk to them about their work, their progress, help them to change for the better, to improve. it is disappointing to see some stubbornly not getting it.

with the younger kids, reasoning has to be simplified version.
then there are the angry ones. not sure what they are always angry about. they are healthy, have opportunities to be in school, to have friends.

with the older kids, i wished i can spend more time with them like my previous batches of students. so time is precious now to me when i have it with them. but sometimes i am so tired from the other parts of my job that i am half-dead when i have time to spend with them, on their work.

brain dead.

with my staff. it's even harder talking to adults.

then again, that is mostly 12 hours of my day.

i switch off after that, and hope the bug will go away.

tough

2009-04-17T23:55:00.001+08:00

recently

BACK ACHE
...................................

五月天出頭天一刀未剪 MV

2009-03-22T10:55:00.001+08:00

五月天
how can you not love them :)

i wanna go to art school

2009-03-10T16:58:00.007+08:00

Calling all ex-students:

If you are in art schools / institutes or are going to graduate soon, I hope to invite you to share the hell and sweetness you're going through or have gone through with the present kids.

If you are not in art or design courses, I also want to invite you to come and share about the course you're in or what kids can look into after O levels - How to survive in Poly; Is working part-time feasible? etc.

Otherwise, if you do not feel like sharing, come by to just visit! I have not seen some of you for so long! Just come and chill - sorry no booze though :)

cheers!

old photo

2008-12-23T00:29:00.000+08:00

found my wedding photos.

there were no digital cameras then.

Vietnam - Beginning

2008-12-16T16:28:00.003+08:00

It's a short trip of 6 days so we stayed in HCMC totally.

Met up with Vic and his parents and later also his extended families of aunties, uncles and cousins.... became a family trip, haha.

We settled in happily in the hotel - GRAND HOTEL. A 4-star hotel that spells comfort, well, at least for me, not a very picky hotel person, as long as the bathroom is good :)

nice big bed and very spacious room

we're on the 2nd storey, looking at the swimming pool just below.

Vietnam - The Road Ahead

2008-12-16T16:20:00.001+08:00

The Road Ahead
Crossing the road in HCMC is pretty exciting. I guess driving or riding a bike there is more so. The trick to cross the forever busy road is to just walk on confidently. Somehow the motorists will sway by you, behind you, in front of you and since the speed they are going is almost 30km/h, it's pretty safe to cross. At times, I feel it's easier to cross the road in Vietnam than in Spore. However, the constant friendly horning is still something I need time to get used to.

Most of the days we were driven around by Vic's dad. You can ride a motorbike at age 17 here. There are no strict rules on the roads or even if there is any, no one really follows here. Many times we see motorbikes close by the car and we are always surrounded by hundreds of them. Lately they have the law that every motorists need to wear the helmet, so you don't get to see the long flowing hair of the ladies on their bikes anymore. But you can still see the family of 4 riding the bikes in ease. It's amazing how they managed to fit in more than 2 people comfortably on the bikes.

There was one night when Vic and his cousin, Vu, came on their bikes to pur hotel to pick us up. But his dad was worried that we may not be used to taking the bike so he came by in his car too. In the end we took the car as it was raining and have Vic and Vu on their bikes following. And that was the night I forgot to bring my camera! So I didn't take any pictures of Vic on his bike. haha. Good thing his dad came in his car. As we were reaching the area where his house is, the roads were flooded to knee high. I've not seen flooding like this. The car went through fine. So Vic and Vu were asked to park their bikes at the front of this shop (one of the many shops owned by their family) and get into the car. In order not to damage his expensive shoe, our vain Vic walked in plastic bags covering his feet to the car. Safely on board, we proceed to his house for dinner.

The front of his house was flooded.

bikes and bikes

crossing the roads, braving the sight of bikes coming towards you.

it requires skill in packing and controling this.

Vietnam - Family

2008-12-16T16:15:00.002+08:00

Family

Generally, people are very friendly and nice in Vietnam. They are also very patient, obvious contrast from my previous trip in HK. Well, with traffic like this everyday, I think it's probably a good way to train one's patience. Not many people speak English and many times I met with the local speaking to me in Vietnamese. I feel bad as sometimes I didn't even know that they were talking to me and so I didn't answer. Even when I do answer, I can only smiled and said in English that I don't speak Vietnamese. They will usually smiled back and apologise. Sometimes if they do speak English, they will tell me that I looked like Vietnamese. Yes, when I go to Bangkok, people speak to me in Thai, in Taiwan, in Chinese, in HK, in Cantonese, in India, in Japanese... blah.

Vic's parents do not speak a word of English, but they are very nice and through Vic's broken english translation, they introduced us to many delicious food and culture practice of Vietnam. We met 2 of his Aunties and some cousins too. They tried to speak English to us and they are also at a practising stage. I appreciate their kindness and considerations.

Somehow, food is the common language between cultures.

Because of the meeting with the families, we had a chance to see how Vietnamese really live in HCMC. We went to Vic's Auntie, Xuyen's house for dinner and she cooked us a dish from her home town. The warmth from the family is felt as we listened to them talk and laugh over a nice steamboat of chicken soup.

The houses in HCMC is in a way, built-what-you-want because you have the money. They are usually narrow and deep-in like the houses in Holland. You can build it as tall as you want to. Usually, they are of 4 to 6 storey high. Each level serves a different purpose. Level 1 is the kitchen, motorbikes and storage places. Level 2 is the living room, dinning room. Level 3 and up will be bedrooms. And depending on how many bedrooms you need, your levels go up.

Xuyen's house is in an old neighbourhood and as we alighted from the car at the main road, we have to walk into this small, winding lane, to get to her house. The narrow lane is only wide enough for a motorbike. On the way in, we can see other people's houses. Some are very very old. The neighbours are mostly at their front doors, enjoying the light breeze of the evening. The roads are uneven, and occasionally you will step into a puddle or two. The street lights are dim and it's mostly lit by the lights from the houses around. A very strange mix of neighbours they have there.

Vic's house is on the main road, so it's a different experience.

We met with Vic's 4 cousins, from his 2 Aunties. The 2 elder ones (17 and 15 yrs old) are able to communicate in English pretty well. The younger ones (8 yrs old) are 2 shy boys who hardly say a word to us. Vu and Linh are friendly teenagers who are lucky to have such a good family. To be able to go to school and maybe a chance to go abroad is not what every Vietnamese child gets. Vu is really into English literature and he learns to read English books on his own using dictionary. We are impressed.

vic's parents brought us to nice Vietnamese dinner on the first night. As usual, his mom stuffed us with food.

Vic's youngest Auntie. She is the same age as me and she has 2 children, Linh (15 yrs old) and Hui (8 yrs old). A very friendly young mother who is determined to learn her english so that she can speak to me. This is at her shop. The family owns a good number of such shops called Viet Tian. They sell Polo Ralph Shirts direct from the factory.

At Xuyen's house with her son, Vu and Vic's other cousin, Linh

And of cos, the funny Vic and his dad and mom. They spent time with us almost everyday during this trip. Without them, we would not have seen or experienced authentic Vietnamese life style and eat to our heart's content :)

Vietnam - Food

2008-12-16T16:10:00.001+08:00

Food
Basically, we ate lots. Just see the photos.

we went to Vic's mom's plaze (a 5-storey high shopping area called Zen Plaza) and ate at the food court on our own, so that his mom won't fight to pay for us. I had some vermicelli in soup with pork (Bun Moc) and A had some dried stuffs (Banh Tam Bi)... all came to just about S$5. It's cheaper if you eat at shops along the streets or roadside.

some strawberry blended and mango blended drink. lots of fresh fruits drink here.

See how attractive the displays for the mixed drinks are. They are like our chendol, ice-kachang stall. We had some logan drink, cocktail here, at Ben Thahn Market

At a restaurant that sells goat stemaboat. It starts with BBQ marinated goat meat, then a nice claypot of soup boiled with goat meat. of cos, with lots of interesting vegetables and rice paper to wrap with. also sauces that made the food taste so much better.

and you also BBQ kangkong and ladies fingers. they are really delicious!

The setting is very fun. low tables and low chairs. this is on the 2nd floor, you can sit by the balcony.

This is at the roof top of Prudential Building where you can enjoy the night view of HCMC on the 32nd floor, with a glass of wine, or, erm, ice-cream! Vic ordered a giantic ice-cream with don't-know how many scoops and I only ordered a mint tea cooler but not sure why there is a big scoop of ice-cream on top with lots of whip cream. A ordered coconut drink with ice cream but the coconut water was dish out into another glass and the husk is filled with ice-cream. One of the flavours was pandan and it tasted fantastic! This is also a place Vic used to bring girls to, to impress them... haha.

our once-in-a-while tourist food. we went in search of non-vietnamese food and chance upon this cafe (CAFE 39) and was attracted to it cos of the roof top view. I love eating on roof top. It's also very smoky inside so we decided to sit outside. The menu has the typical SEA tourist food - such as Singapore Fried Noodles that do not exist in Singapore. I ordered this Malaysian style fried rice. Very nice. I love fried rice, and when I don't know what I should eat, I'd ordered fried rice.

and A will order the most expected western food - beef steak chunk with fries. haha

We went to Rex Hotel (one of the old looking 4 or 5 star hotels) and ate at their rooftop garden restaurant. This is expensive as each dish is about S$18. This pomelo and pork and shrimp salad is great and refreshing. It's more of a Thai food taste but it's really worth. I really love this.

A ordered some roast pork with rice.

You cannot come to Vietnam without trying the beef noodle, or better known as Phở. Vic's parents brought us to the famous Pho place the family usually go to. We were there for breakfast. Yes, it's sat morning and the place was packed. The small bowl beside is boiled egg. I didn't eat my share as I was filled with the noodles. Take it with lots of vegetables and mint leaves, helps to digest.

It tastes really good with the fried doughnut, just like with the chinese porridge.

Drinking herbal tea by the road side on a hot hot day.

At the supermarket with Vic's mom. We said we like home-cooked food so she invited us to her place and she cooked :)

Vic bought his favourite - worms - yucks! It looks very horrible and scary.

Appetizer such as veal and onion slices, lots of vegetables to be wrapped with (dried banana, star fruit included)

Pickled pig's ears with lots of vegetables and peanuts

Here's the worms after frying! It actually doesn't taste bad at all. It tastes like some nuts, softer, like steam nuts fried with soy sauce. Goes well with beer. Vic's mom fried another jar-full for us to bring back. To be kept in the fridge (for about 1 week), and to reheat in the microwave whenever you want to eat it. It's very high in protein. Took me some time to finally try it. Just forget about how it looks, it actually is quite tasty. :)

Fried flowers with beef

The morning when we were leaving, Vic's parents brought us to breakfast/lunch. we had some rice cakes before eating this bowl of noodles and sampling the pancake below. This is a little eatery that sells food from another city in Vietnam - Huế - the taste is different.

Anything can be wrapped in rice paper, pancake too!

And of course, the Vietnamese coffee. Vic brought us to a few different coffee places. You can find more of the middle class locals in the rather hip-looking coffee places, just being there to be seen and to watch people. The only thing that is not so pleasant is that smoking is allowed in the air-con area, making the couch sticks and the air indoor terrible. The music is also very loud, almost like going to a pub or disco. So mostly we sit outside. They don't serve ice-water in the coffee places. Instead, the cool lotus tea (the short class in the foreground of this pic) is refreshing and delightfully thirst quenching.

I love this - Ice blended Taro (Yam) Ice-cream. Cannot find this in spore!

Vietnam - Misc

2008-12-16T16:00:00.002+08:00

Miscelleneous

Other things that is there, we did, we saw and etc.

Lots of shops such as this sells coffee powder, freshly ground. Vic's mom bought us a packet of the famous Weasel Coffee (which is made from coffee berries which have been regurgitated by local weasels. In actuality the "weasel" is just the local version of the Asian Palm Civet)

And the interesting little vietnam coffee dripper

Buying cloth at Ben Thanh Market. Vic's mom wanted me to choose 2 materials to have the Ao Dai (Vietnamese Long Dress) made. Here, the girls who sell the cloth will stand on a high chair and display the cloth in the way the finished dress will look like for your considerations. You can look through as many fabrics as you want and if you don't like it, you may just walk away.

Vic's mom brought us to this seamstress whom she knows of good workmanship. She took my measurement and apparently, the 2 ao dai can be done in 2 days, just paying a bit more.

In 2 days' time, my 2 Ao Dai are done! It's really light and nice :)

This is how most of the houses look like in HCMC. You can have your own designs, no rules on anyone.

Wedding Cakes for sale

Whether it's a small shop or in the bigger shopping complex, trying on shoes make you feel like Cinderella. Even at the market, low stools are everywhere near the shoe stall. You just need to sit down, point at the shoes you'd like to try and they serve you like what good service should be.

Spotted this at the supermarket - Preserved Prawns in Papaya - in a jar. Looks interesting.

This is Vic's house, the white and peach building. You can put advertisement outside residential areas.

Driving among the motorbikes on a friday night

See the little boy at the front of the bike. A whole family can fit onto a bike.

Hotel Continental, another hotel choice of ours. The lady with the baskets on her shoulders, you see many of them carrying such load on their shoulders and walked around the town under the hot sun. She is selling fruits.

We saw the donut and banana on the street. Think they are promoting some shops. Pretty funny.

School students outside the school for PE lesson. According to Vic, most schools in HCMC has no field or basketball courts like Spore schools. Their PE lesson is merely swinging of arms, stretching.

The cooked food section in Ben Thanh Market.

Walking along the street shops. Look at those wirings! Usually, the more popular shops will have many motorbikes parked just outside. That is how poeple shop. They ride their bikes and stopped at the front of the shop (it's small enough to fit in many bikes), do their shopping and ride the bike to another. Even cinemas too. Sometimes by the time we came out of a shop, it's packed with motorbikes and you can't get out.

Ladies eating noodles and having manicure done, while watching the traffic. What a life!

say nothing

2008-12-04T21:32:00.004+08:00

it's 4th dec, 9.32pm.
i should be in HCM City, Vietnam now,
resting in the Grand Hotel.
but I am not.

we reached Changi Airport at 11am this morning
and at check in, was told that A's canadian passport needs a visa to enter vietnam.
and we didn't think to check at all!
Well, A did check, but he checked about my passport.
perhaps he had stayed in singapore too long that he forgot he's using non-singapore passport.

there we were, be transported to counter 2.
jetstar staffs are not very helpful.
i know it's a cheap airline, cheap flight,
but they can still stand tall to give reasonable service, can't they?
not that i've anything against any other race (i love my students of all races!)
but the whole ground staffs (be it counter 4, counter 2 counter whatever),
are all malays.
they stood there with thick make-up that made them look like 35 years old when i believed they are 20 years old or younger.
they spoke to each other in Malay when we asked them for advice on what we should do at that moment.
not helpful at all.
- 3 girls were at the sales & tickets counter attending to one customer each time for payment of over-weight luggage. 3 girls to 1 customer!

finally one sensible girl spoke to us and offer to help call vietnam embassy for us.
we didn't stand there doing nothing. A went to buy a coffee so that he can use the internet to check online about applying for visa.

as usual of embassy inefficiency - office only function from 9am to 12pm.
at the same time, we have to call vietnam long distance to postpone our hotel booking.

finally, flight is postpone, hotel is postpone till next tuesday.
i'm stucked in singapore for another 5 days.

we went home.
the internet was down.

and i received a call from school.
i have to submit a paper on the 16th dec.
2 days after my holiday.

i'd better work on it now,
now that i'm stucked here, on my holiday week.

slept through the whole afternoon, depressed.
now i'm up,
internet is up.
tomorrow i will work on the paper.

argh.

bad week for us i guess.
A had to buy another ticket to fly direct back to spore from UK few days ago as the bangkok airport was closed. now we can't fly today without his visa.

what is next?

hong kong kong

2008-11-23T23:07:00.022+08:00

16th nov to 21st nov
combined art trip with RGS, RI and YISS

Here, There, Everywhere

it was a fruitful trip, not "kong" at all.

too many photos (combinding 5 teachers' cameras plus selected pictures from 34 students' cameras), still in the process of compiling. I'll just post some here for breaking this long portion of text.

i was last in Hong Kong some 18 or 20 years ago (yes, so long ago!) and the biggest difference I found is that you don't just hear cantonese as the only spoken language anymore. Many places we visited, people are willing to speak to us in mandarin and not give us the look when we try to communicate in our broken cantonese. however, the unfriendliness is still a trademark of HK, unless you know the person, or they are expecting to meet you. many china citizens are there and somewhat add to the change of culture there.

after the first day, i've realised that not only my kids will be learning things from this trip, i would too. it's a lot to cramp into 6 days, and at times i don't deny it's a bit info-over-flowing. those were the times i must shut off cos i can't take in anymore. otherwise it has always been inspiring almost every minute.

the kids melting into the fast pace of HKer's lifestyle (ironically, the escalator was broken down)

as usual, we can't find keith - here are 9 out of 10 kids. there were many "where's keith?" moments.

The C&G People

the 3 days art workshop was organised by C&G Artpartment. the name is kind of corny but definitely not the people. C&G is run by husband and wife team, Clara and Gum. that is why it's called C&G. their studio/workshop is in one of the tiny apartments along Sai Yeong Choi Street, those old walk-up narrow stairs place. i saw those a lot on HK drama series, but never been to one till now.

as for the "Artpartment" portion, i guess it's Art + Apartment then.... that's HK english for you. Clara speaks great english, totally with american accent. Gum is a soft-spoken man with video camera and a big smile. both without artists attitude, totally genuine and we were glad to have them work with the kids so patiently.

walking up the flight of narrow stairs to C&G Artpartment. we were scolded by another shop owner downstairs when the whole group of us have to stand in the front of his shop for a while waiting for the rest to go up in single file.

the final project the kids attempted to do at the end of the 2nd day workshop. C&G was very nice to have printed these banners for us, in both english and cantonese.

and this is one of the millions of photos we took during their performance art on a very busy street.

visiting the varies independent art galleries along the street gave the kids opportunities to see some art works they only seen it on catalogues or books. experiencing the various sizes of gallery spaces pose a different manner of art teaching. i would not have walked into these galleries myself too when i know i'm not going to buy an artwork - they look too high class. but stepping inside, you feel the warmth of the gallery manager, and get inspired by the art works. later i realised, the service culture in HK is very different from spore. they dont bother you to ask if you need any help or ask what you are looking for when you first stepped into the shop. i appreciate the personal space they gave to others. when you finaly approach them, they served you well.

being influenced by the galleries walk and the studio visit, somehow, most things become even more visually artistic before me. the studio visit also allows us and the kids to have closer interactions with the artist. they were right before us for us to ask questions and questions. most of them have taken the move to shift from a paying job into working on their art full-time. the artists in HK are still looking into getting more support from the government, people and the country. they want to be able to not worry about rent, and concentrate on producing good works.

that's Clara, receiving a token of appreciation from us. Gum, as usual, standing behind with his video camera :)

The School Of Creativity

This is, in our impression, like our SOTA + Northlight.

we were there on a quick tour, just over an hour. the presenters have to speak fast, we have to walk fast, and definitely snapping our cameras fast.

it's like SOTA cos it's an Art School, for kids of 15 to 18 years of age. it's like Northlight cos the students are more active, hands-on type and not so brilliant in their other subjects other than Art. some of our kids (and even teachers) love it here cos they seem to be a bit more flexible and free. they have forums every friday for school and students to discuss on issues in school, for example, "why can't we doodle on the tables"? somehow they resolve the issue, and as we tour around the school we see "artistic vandalism". oh, they also have, erm, like 9 sets of uniforms, so that students can mix and match, and they may wear them with necklaces, bracelets, belts, etc.

hmmmm....

what we didn't get to see are completed works by students, mostly the half-done, or in-progress we should call it. not sure about the credibility of the final outcome of these kids too... as in, what do they receive at the end of the 4 yrs education here. do they get into college? university? don't think they have resolve that.

otherwise, it is a most inspiring place to learn art, also to teach art :) the cemetry just opposite the school site pose as good inspiration for the students, according to one teacher there.

now, with such a signage, you won't have fears going to see the Principal at his office, would you?

one of the many "vandalism art" you can see there. they have morning workout everyday for everyone... happy almost like eating happy meal.

outside a typical classroom. they have lockers outside every room and the students can do up the exterior and interior of their classrooms.

they post their "voices" quite freely. i kinda like this post.

it says "going to school is as if you're drawing in a prison"

canvas is not the only place to make art.

one of their art studios.

Disneyland

can't say much here, by then we were exhausted, and we brought our dreams back, to reality.

farewell hong kong, farewell siew mai, har kaw.

bye bye babies

2008-11-23T22:29:00.004+08:00

another graduation ceremony,
another group of kids to leave, fly towards their dreams.
wish them well.

my beloved five 4E1 girls
lazy korean girl - so young
act blur indonesian - sifra
kiasu and crazy singaporean-felicia, chelsea, yanjun
4 out of 5 girls wear glasses, no wonder they are in 4E1, sifra wears contact lens I think...
they studied too much.

my adorable sec 5N boys
very helpful singaporen - junxiong
super rich vietnamese - vic
really blur indonesian - eka
quiet china-turned-singaporean - QQ

.

.

.
.
.
look forward to nag at the next group :)

keep talking....keep talking....

2008-10-28T19:36:00.002+08:00

Drama night was a success -
people love it
kids enjoyed it
everyone is happy

it was chaotic, even till the end.
have to shout at kids,
shove them back to the auditorium for last briefing,
have to grab people to help move all the things back to school,
have to unpack,
clear the school and lock up.

we were exhausted,
and we went to have our dinner at almost 12 midnight.
taiwan porridge is good for tired souls.

thankyou my friends who have gone to various dimensions to help make this a success.
i am so lucky to have these people :)

was so busy, not sure who took photos.
will track down.

drama mama

2008-10-21T22:45:00.002+08:00

Drama Night is 3 days away.
i am on panic mode, stressed mode.
it seems like the need-to-do list is endless,
everytime I thought I have put in EVERYTHING that needed to be done, I spot another thing that is missing on the list.

the kids are tired from the rehearsal - everyday.
my teachers are tired of going through the rehearsal - everyday.
i am tired already.

i am also worried about the art paper next tuesday.
most kids didn't turn up for consultation hours we have set for last 2 weeks.
now they pop up whenever they like and assume we are always open - like 7/11
i have no time to see them.
i am worried.

i have the curriculum review to work on and department workplan to plan,
before we go on the HK trip.
speaking of which, i have no time to work on the HK trip planning and have been relying on my dearest friend.

so little time,
so much things.

mom just called,
another worry.
i hope it's not bad news for dad's test result.
sigh.
"tell him it's unavoidable if it's really that. he has to face it."
that is all i could say to mom.

what a useless brat i am.

the ang-moh paper

2008-10-21T22:42:00.002+08:00

today the kids have english paper 1 and 2.
it was in the afternoon, all the way to early evening.
it rained as they are busy writing in the hall.
it was cold and grey.
C laughed and asked if the weather is a sign or something, about the english paper, erm, result.
we rolled our eyes.

i hope the kids did ok,
this is a very important paper.

the one art student | the last art lesson

2008-10-08T20:58:00.002+08:00

after so many days of not seeing him,
i scolded him today, again.

it hurts me to say mean words to him.
i thought i saw him rub his eyes so hard to push the tears back in.

but of course, he will survive, live,
not a problem at all.

he shines like a gem even when i left him among the charcoal mess.

still, he needs to understand,
his presence is important to make his mark convincing.
it's not enough to just leave his power-puff girls box with pieces of charcoal in the art room.

-------------------------------------------

the last art lesson with 5N.
not at all special or with a sense of lost - good.
it should be neutral.

i've seen them for 3 years now.
scolded, nagged at, cared for them.
they are dear to me.
i love the NA kids.

i wish them well.

completed

2008-09-30T10:39:00.002+08:00

gee ~ yipee!

another batch done with coursework.

the happy faces after lots of late nights :)

congratulations my beloved students!

clicked

2008-08-27T09:15:00.002+08:00

remote control.
click, click, click, click.
i'm not sure what i was wanting to watch,
suddenly it exceeded my remote space -
lost in scope
and new discoveries.
maybe i'll be smarter,
maybe i'll just rot, more.

but am happy, for now.
hehe.

goggled mrs m

2008-08-15T22:07:00.001+08:00

i goggled mrs karen mitchell and i got this
hahaha

try goggling yourself.

ikea dog

2008-08-10T10:45:00.001+08:00

this ad makes me think about how kiki will look when she comes home from my mom's to the new house... haha...

when was the last time...

2008-08-08T01:14:00.000+08:00

you went to the theatre?

the designers' prayer

2008-08-06T23:54:00.002+08:00

if i am still in design line.... this is useful at times...
haha

(The Designers' Prayer is the genius work of Selina Hull.)

Reese & Renee just made me laugh

2008-08-04T13:25:00.002+08:00

this is how R&R can be so entertaining some time...

Reese Singing

Reese sing, Renee playing

OPEN CHAN

2008-07-26T18:34:00.000+08:00

this is the Open Chan

開天窗

2008-07-26T18:20:00.001+08:00

Mayday's new song 開天窗
wow wow ooohhhh..... and Open Chan is so cute!

Yotsuba! よつばと!

2008-07-20T12:38:00.004+08:00

i read lots of manga, more than i read any fiction books.
i learnt my traditional chinese from reading Doremon by the Taiwanese publishers.

i'm glad that they have translated so many japanese manga into chinese text.
don't really like the english version, kind of funny reading it. A reads the same manga as me, almost... so we actually have some titles in 2 versions - chinese and english.

particularly i love Yotsuba (よつばと! 四葉) by Kiyohiko Azuma. She also created Azumanga Daioh, another cute and funny manga.

i love Yotsuba for its pure and innocent nature. you sensed a smile from within when you read it. somehow, they reminded me of R&R's way of life and behaviour. the questions and feelings Yotsuba had are what we used to have when we were younger, perhaps, or something that some of us may still be keeping within ourselves.

here's a link to sample the manga (in english)
http://koiwai.biz/eng/v1/ch01/01_01120x174_jpg.htm

breaking apart

2008-07-20T12:02:00.002+08:00

day 1: my right wrist gave way.
day 2: my head exploded.
day 3: the cramp pierced through my body and hit my back.

i stayed away from the computer
but am aware of the work piling up
my inbox blinking with red bar

at least my phone stop beeping.

what can i do?

the other day C said to me that she felt she's at the bottle neck, exploding, in urgent need to clear off something on the top, otherwise she will burst.

we are all that.

exhausted.

very much.

the door closer

2008-07-12T19:04:00.002+08:00

Finally the Gallery is done up, completed.
then followed by the miscellaneous touch-up here and there.

Last week, someone in office informed me to replace the door-closers the contractors have removed during the construction of the gallery. i replied that we don't need them and can't put them back as they are in the way for the panels - thus the removal.

i was then asked to have it install back still, because some people have complained that the door have been accidentally left open and the buzzer goes off. as i recalled, there is but only 1 person that uses those room most often. by saying most often, is also just twice per day at the most. then i was told that so-and-so and so-and-so also complained.

Sigh.

long before we have door-closer, we have ourselves to always make sure we take an effort to close the door behind us. with convenience such as this, people became lazy. when the device is removed from them, they can't remember how to make an effort.

anyway, i was too busy last week to have this place anywhere in my to-do list.
then i saw someone had some workers coming in to fix it back one day. they'd better not damage the newly done up gallery.

tsk tsk.

1000 journal

2008-07-03T23:51:00.002+08:00

I've got a copy of the journal after it's been published. I was on the waiting list to get it so that I can also write on it, but it didn't come :(

now they are making a film of it.... how amazing that a little book travelled around the world, made it back and carried a whole lot of feelings by different strangers, people, lives, and a whole lot of nonsense too... but a great deal of art in it. :)

http://www.1000journalsfilm.com/

maybe i could start one to go round the school, see if it ever comes back to me.... haha.

R&R Dance

2008-06-07T12:27:00.016+08:00

on the 31st may, we went to watch R&R's dance performance at their dance school.

the whole set-up has nothing much to be mentioned, we'd only want to be there for the kiddies.

they had fun, that's most important :)

they danced to the song of parapara sakura, mostly just jumping around with lots of fun :) can't recognise them as all of them has the same hair style! they are the two smallest in size kiddies. that was how we spotted them.

we think those 2 should be them :)

that should be them...

at the finale... spotted Reese and Ashley at the corner singing along

resting in gu-zhang's arm and exploring their goodie bag

a picture with Ashley and friend

they continue to clown around, refusing to get off the stage...

i am the fox

2008-05-21T22:09:00.008+08:00

this is my The Little Prince quiz result.

take the quiz yourself :)

one afternoon with r&r

2008-05-06T22:41:00.012+08:00

didn't know there was such a place for kids in the botanicals gardens
- the jacob ballas children's garden

thanks to R&R, we get to see it.

actually we didn't see the garden as it was already lunch time when we reached there to meet nel and mia and the kids were going to eat at the kidz cafe.

reese took this picture for us

renee took this picture

after admiring the banana plantation, renee insisted that i take a photo of her little finger.

waiting for the 'merlionster' ice-cream at ben & jerry's

the merlionster

yum yum, lots of chocolate for us!

they pretend to be school bus uncle and auntie in the ben & jerry's van

finally fell asleep, hands still holding onto honey bread man

art teacher wanted

2008-04-30T22:23:00.003+08:00

i am looking for an art teacher:

- preferably experienced
- willing to learn
- can work late hours
- sociable
- care for students
- understand N and O levels art coursework
- skilful in at least an area of art: fine arts, ceramics, painting, etc
- able to handle stress
- doesn't complain a lot
- bukit batok area

perks:
- art dept has fantastic people
- you will get to learn a lot
- nice cosy office
- pretty nice students
- we will love you

of course, and the usual MOE perks.

where to find one to replace a good art teacher?

the mitchell is moving

2008-04-30T20:08:00.001+08:00

mrs
m
moving

nearby
maju camp

muahmuahmuah

shared - new and old

2008-04-30T19:44:00.003+08:00

last saturday on the 26th apr, we had a sharing session by our ex-yusoffians for our yussofians.

the turn out was not very very good, i think there were only about, erm, 15 students, and 6 speakers.

but i am proud of these ex-students who took the time and effort to prepare the slides, the talk, the answers for these students. they have also made time to come on a saturday morning to do this.

it is also such a difference to see that some of these kids were once from the same group which we scolded, nagged at and repeatly told off to study hard. and here they are, all successful in their own ways. was most glad to see how they are confident now, to stand out there, to present, making eye contact, and sharing their experiences with their juniors. am so proud of them.

thankyou chianru, juraidah, hanxiang, clairin, baoting and chloe!

was definitely nice to see yong cun and qixian who came by even though they were not presenting. especially yong cun, who drove some of them to school so early in the morning.

also wanted to thank margaret and boon hao who came by just in case i needed help, and yes, lucky you guys were there, to help me buy mineral water and take pictures of the sharing.

was very happy to know that juraidah, from my first batch of students, is coming back to YI in june for her practicum, as an Art teacher! my ex-student becoming part of the teaching force! :)

seen how confident chianru is now, standing in front presenting.... how clairin is able to compose herself and not so loud... god, she has become so lady-like adorable! and dear chloe is ever so sweet and humble about her success... and i'm so jealous of her to be studying fashion! not forgetting beloved ting-ting who is still such a perfectionist. she refused to turn up because she didn't finish doing up her slides despite staying up the whole night. i had to persuade her to come. but she dress up after all, for the 10 mins presentation.

i was most touched at the end to hear that yong cun wants to study to teach maths, and when i asked hanxiang what is he going to do after he graduate from fine arts, he said, 'be like you lah'.

see how these babies have grown.

i'm old already, i forgot to take a group photo at the end of it. blah!

out of here

2008-04-22T22:08:00.002+08:00

pop into g*f*k*c's blog and i must say his room improvement is really well-done.
that reminded me of what i used to do when i was younger (and stronger) and free-er. used to move around the furniture in my room, or even in the living room at 2am, 3 am, when i got tired doing design. didn't used to have a proper desk for my LC630 and I had to sit on the floor while placing it on a coffee table. my bed used to be a super thick mattress that stick close to the ground. and i love the big windows i had that looks out to fantastic greenery. well, that was back when i stayed in holland park, dream location. 15 mins walk to botanic gardens, 15 mins bus ride to town.

am moving out of yew tee soon.
cant believed i've stayed in this ulu town for 5 years now.
can't stand it since 2 years ago, it's so far from so many things, except Lot1. duh.
the worst is that every houshold seems to own a car here, some even 2. that means the multi-storey carpark is always full. if i come home after 8pm, i'll have to park my car on the 4th level. usually i reached home at about 10pm, and i'd have to go all the way up to 5 and a half floor high. and i leave for work at 6.30am the next morning, which means i have to walk up 5 flights of stairs in my heels, with my laptop and stuffs.

argh.

yeah, am moving out.

yeah yeah yeah.

wow.

2008-04-21T23:15:00.001+08:00

she is 5 years old.
she is blind.

karen is 34

2008-04-17T15:56:00.005+08:00

Had another wonderful birthday.

thought i was going to be sick all the way till my birthday, but was glad that i was much better by then.

this year i had 3 cakes in school, still bearable (last year's 5!) and I had more kids to eat them with.

Was most glad to have my art teachers Mas and Chuimin still standing strong with me

and was great to see the present and past students making their way back from their lessons in poly. Even those who can't make it, pop me a good wishes message. very very touched.

was surprise that my MIL who sent me a card with shoes and bags, and Granny, another beautiful card, with pounds saved in the bank for me :)

missed my terribly bestest and busiest friends: weiya, fabby, say, veron, ade, rhoda

(where are benny and gerald????)

great to hear from:

gengbee, suhui, stella, clairin, chianru, chloe, yong cun, rosli, yao yao, fira, ahmad, iman, fathin, syazlin, sifra, weijin, azimah (epok epok postpone).

great to see:

weiling, sadie, margaret, boon hao, kajun, alex, jinru, amanda, kelvin, edmund, jiexin, annabel, amir, haziq.

great to have around:
cheryl, eka, junxiong, vic, qq, fontaine, chelsea, jiahui, yuhao, shuzhen and a group of boys from 3t1 art class.

it was also a very nice experience that widya and liquin have planned for a dinner at the Mezzanine at Hyatt for Clarisse's and my bd. The food was beautiful and delicious. Jeffery's photography skills made it even better. Thankyou Widya, Clarisse, Sandy, Reh, Liquin and Jeffery and all the husbands who came :)

PHOTOS

i am really happy and contended with all these love and care around.

thankyou.

i think my mummy forgot about my birthday cos ah mah is in hospital :(

and 16th apr kor kor has an interview by the TV at home (that is more important loh)

a wonderful encounter

2008-04-03T00:10:00.000+08:00

my vietnamese student, Vic's parents, came to visit and insisted to meet up with us for dinner. A very warm couple with friendly smiles and great sincerity. We can't bring ourselves to turn down their invitation. It was a lovely evening where we'd enjoyed the delicious Vietnamese dishes and had a great time for more than 2 hours! Even though his parents do not speak English, and we do not speak their language, all of us have a wonderful time.

beautiful and tasty salad that not only brings out the flavour, but also the colours of the four seasons.

Vic's mom insisted to wrap the dish for us. honestly, it really tasted differently with skilful wrapping. she fed us non-stop.

after an hour of eating, we are just at our 3rd out of 7 or 8 dishes.

this yummy dessert has everything an elephant loves -- peanuts and bananna!

one day in sammi

2008-04-02T23:55:00.000+08:00

one day i suddenly felt like watching SAMMI CHENG's movies, all.

the list i try to conquer.

watched:

Yesterday Once More (龍鳳鬥) (2004)
Magic Kitchen (魔幻廚房) (2004)
Infernal Affairs III (無間道III：終極無間) (2003)
Good Times, Bed Times (戀上你的床) (2003)
Infernal Affairs (無間道) (2002)
My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (我左眼見到鬼) (2002)
Marry a Rich Man (嫁個有錢人) (2002)
Fighting for Love (同居蜜友) (2001)
Summer Holiday (夏日的麼麼茶) (2000)
Needing You (孤男寡女) (2000)

Killing Me Tenderly (愛您愛到殺死您) (1997)

have not watched:

Everlasting Regret (長恨歌) (2005)

Love For All Seasons (百年好合) (2003)

not found:

Love on a Diet (瘦身男女) (2001)
Wu yen (鍾無艷) (2001)
The Lucky Guy (行運一條龍) (1998)
Feel 100%....Once More (百分百o岩Feel) (1996)
Feel 100% (百分百感覺) (1996)
Best of the Best (飛虎精英之人間有情) (1992)

human bastard

2008-03-01T23:24:00.002+08:00

we came home today and found this note on the door:

" Hi, please lock the dog to the room or kitchen where you are not. It has been barking non stops and neighbours are complanng".

The english is bad, and the writer can't spell.

we knocked on our next door neighbour's door and asked if it was from him. he said yes. when we asked him which neighbours complained, he said "don't know, think it's upstairs, came downstairs to look for the dog". we asked how does he look like, he said the person plays basketball.

there are no adults playing basketball here in our block, young teenagers, yes. my opposite neighbour's son is one. my dog doesn't bark at him.

we have lived here for 5 years now. no one has complained about the dog barking. this neighbour has just moved in. the first time we met him, he mentioned he was hesitating to buy the unit because of our dog. I didn't have a good impression of him right away. you don't make comment like this in front of people who obviously love dogs, and who are going to be your neighbours, and we lived here first, if he wants to move in next door, live with what are already here!

we think he is the one who wants to complain, not others. seriously, NO ONE has complained to us this 5 years, not until now, after he moved in.

there are so many dogs living in this block, and dogs bark.
if there is a stranger lingering outside our flat, of course our dog barks at him.

it is just hurting to get such a note coming home.
it hurts to know that there are such people around. they don't understand that our dog is our family. making a note of comment like such to our dog is just like saying something bad of any of our family members, who are human beings.

if kiki can read the note, i'm sure she will feel hurt and will cry.

this makes us more determined to move away.

he is my brother

2008-02-24T21:50:00.003+08:00

Mia tagged me this photo on facebook...

what a surprise! I've not seen their wedding pictures for years - that was like almost 4 years ago!

When we were younger, kor kor and I always have pictures together, and mostly with me crying or copying his action beside, and the action is often the wrong version. As we grew older, we only took pictures together during special occasions like graduation, birthdays, new years, blah blah.

we don't look alike, he looks like Dad and I look like Mom's mom...hmmm, then maybe I'll grow old to look like my mom and he will grow old looking like my dad. Whatever looks we have, I'm glad he is my brother, cos I love him a lot and am always proud of him :)

Thankyou Mia! :)

chinese the happy the new year 2008

2008-02-07T11:49:00.000+08:00

dead for so long,

the usual of work, sick, work, sick

- terrible.

new year resolution:

do not pile up work

pile up money

buy more shoes

see dad and mom often

and here's me happy again after mummy's home cooked food:

and renee took this for me and ah mah - she has lost so much weight :(

melbourne pics

2007-12-16T00:28:00.000+08:00

and i've finally saved the Melbourne photos onto my comp and uploaded some to Facebook.
there are too many so i've selected some to be uploaded. so lazy with such things.

so, on my facebook.

drunken clay

2007-12-15T23:16:00.000+08:00

the exhibition opening was done and done.
i don't think it was very great, but we had fun.
some people was drunk! -- can't say who.
we, i've enjoyed it and i think the next time we do an exhibition, it'll be better :)

the pics are on my facebook.

the soul of clay

2007-12-12T19:56:00.000+08:00

we are having an exhibition with Zech's ceramics studio at the fort canning on 15th and 16th dec 11am to 7pm. the opening night is on 14th dec, for invited guests only.

that's what we have been busy doing, but i felt that i have not really put in much effort for this exhibition. it was initiated in a bit of a rush and during the time i was busy with work still. plus i was away for the middle part of the preparation. felt a bit off with it. don't really fancy the poster, it's too cute-sy for the whole feeling.

i guess we'll just go with it and most importantly, the kids have fun, my friends are happy :)

SIN - MEL - SIN

2007-12-07T08:25:00.000+08:00

another few more hours we'll be on the flight back from Melbourne.
first to Bangkok then to singapore -- thanks to alex booking a roundabout trip cos it's cheaper, but a whole lot of time more on flight. :(

(just using up my minutes on this money-eating computer online in the hotel --AUS$2 evert 15 mins!!!)

It's been strange coming to Melbourne again after 18 years. how time flies! scary! it has been 18 years!

weather is nice, great summer sun and nice crisp breeze.... will be perfect if not for all the annoying flies in your face. too much of them.

had been sick during the first 3 days and was just sleeping or wondering around aimlessly alone while Alex was at his conference. what a holiday, just slack and eat and sleep and watch TV and scold the flies.

but that is HOLIDAY!

a bit upsetting checking work emails just now. sigh. having to be back to reality and WORK is not a good feeling. you feel sick. I am definitely not energised enough. Never enough. NEVER.

was nice to see Jas and the two monster kiddies here! We actually met up twice in this short time Freya with her non-stop story-telling and tales about her imaginery boyfriend, Rubber; and Aeson, just being his sweet seeet self. He is so cute, speak like a little kitty, even though he aspire to be a train engine, and yes, Thomas is his idol for sure! They were equally happy to see us as Jas mentioned, there haven't been anyone they knew here to visit them since. Hope to see them back in Singapore some time soon too.

Puffing Billy is also a great highlight for this trip.
Going to see if I can catch the ferris wheel.

Will post the pics when i'm back.

Most relunctant to log on, but did,
ta.

the argh time

2007-11-13T00:37:00.001+08:00

a few times in a year, i want to post this up to remind myself not to work too hard.

-- at times it's easier said than done.

me?

2007-11-12T22:09:00.000+08:00

took a picture personality test on facebook:

Temperament
Idealist
You are the quintessential dreamer - spending more time thinking about the possibilities that the world holds for you, rather than your reality. You don't settle for anything less than what you truly desire and you work very hard. You tend to live in every place except the present - you are prone to daydreaming about the future and re-thinking the choices you made in the past. Sometimes you get overly caught up in your thoughts.

Interests
Simple
You are continually pursuing a simpler and less complicated life - you don't allow yourself to fall victim to all of the "should do's" that society continually bombards you with. You are thoughtful about your life choices and think in terms of yourself, others and the world in which we live. You have a great sense that we are part of something much bigger and we must be good to others, if we want others and the world to be good to us.

Amusement
Thoughtful
You are easily stressed out and overwhelmed - you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. Because you tend to be self reflective, you know your limits quite well and must remember to not exceed those limits. When you overwhelm your life with obligations and responsibilities, you tend to shut down and go into yourself even further. Take some time to find your serenity and kick back your feet.

Passion
Traditional
Your notions about romance are viewed as unrealistic by many, but don't let that stop you. When you think of romance, you think of huge gestures of commitment, sacrifice and love like we see in the movies. Flowers, chocolate, and wine are just some of the ways to your heart. You want to feel loved and treasured by your partner and you expect to be courted, admired and hotly pursued. You long for old fashioned dating.

revisiting the fort

2007-11-10T20:12:00.000+08:00

because of the preparation for an upcoming exhibition,
together with my students, i walked the flights of stairs in my heels to fort canning park.
the last time i was there (actually just at the fort gate),
8 years ago -- for my ROM.

before that, i was there now and then,
to take photos for projects,
to just stand and watch the cemetry,
to indulge in WOMAD
or just being there.

where did my life go?

rate

2007-11-06T22:03:00.000+08:00

lately i shall rate my life as
(quote from S):

'phui! phui! phui!'

little star of mischief

2007-11-02T17:01:00.000+08:00

the little boy i have to scold every year

have grown and completed his O levels art.

finally.

am proud of him.

thankyou, ying kwang. it is a brilliant piece.

big and little

2007-10-29T22:23:00.000+08:00

i was asked to write "bigger".

my friends know me --
perhaps i'll write,
then i'll do it all on my own.

i need to learn.
but i am afraid of losing myself.

today he told me Mayday makes him happy.
i'm glad.

sometimes i just want to hear little happy things.

chocolate go far far away

2007-10-23T20:04:00.000+08:00

i think i am positively allegic to chocolate.
please do not feed me chocolate.
the pain in my head is unbearable.

argh.

to purify

2007-10-18T10:41:00.000+08:00

bought an air purifier for the staff room.
enhanced with the Rejuvenate scent.
for myself,
my friends at work.

the term is ending -- really scary fast

rejuvenate we must.
refresh
renew

----- a brand new day next.
pure.

talking in circles

2007-10-11T23:50:00.000+08:00

he talked mostly.
then silent.
then picked up an object,
then talked.
then sat quietly most of the time,
listening to her talk.
beside.
she can hear the scratching of the pen.
write write write write write pause write write write write pause p a u s e
she can feel the motion.
write write write pause pause write look write write pause look write

he asked her more questions.
she answered all.

then waved goodbye.

he took the wrong turn.

his last day

2007-10-11T23:41:00.000+08:00

there it contains all these anticipation,
necessary happiness,
and a bit of hurt.

she told me she was upset a little.
today was his last day.

i said,
that happens.

what would i tell her tomorrow?
for it is the last day.

this is for today

2007-10-08T23:35:00.000+08:00

i suddenly thought of a story:

he didn't reply, then he mentioned a reminder he had forgotten.
she thought it was alright.
he said he will remember it, tomorrow.
she said it was ok.

he called.
to ask a mundane question.
she answered.

they didn't speak after that.
he showed her a picture.
it was from her.
she smiled.
they didnt speak after that.

she went on with some nonsense.
he stayed close behind.
they didn't speak still.

she saw him,
further elaborate on the mundane answer.
he obliged.
then he had to go,
quite relunctantly.

she saw him again.
he waved.
they sat and talked.
6 sentences between them.

today he walked away.
they didn't talk much.

baggage

2007-10-07T23:22:00.000+08:00

how fast,
4 batches of O levels art students now.

really feel the bloody old.

before it starts

2007-10-05T22:58:00.000+08:00

and then i thought about it.
in between this and that.
decided.
i deleted it all.

no point dragging on.
can't have it my way.

a piece of summer

2007-10-02T11:02:00.000+08:00

陳綺貞 Cheer Chen
- A Piece Of Summer -
Concert 2007 Singapore

she is so talented and brilliant.
6 encores.
she sang for 3 whole hours.
i totally enjoyed the concert.

the bright star

2007-09-26T23:20:00.000+08:00

finally coursework is done and we are glad.

just yesterday i couldn't stand it anymore and i broke down.
the kids thought that i was angry with them.
i was not.
was just upset with my own bad planning,
my incapability in fulfiling the internal deadline,
my weak body,
my fault in causing my teachers to be so tired.
how many nights we have not have dinners with our families.

i sat there and just cried.

the last night of working late, i was down, resting at home,
but i can't rest when i heard that my teachers are still in school working.
i rushed down with dinner at 8pm.
all the kids are still working, my teachers are working even harder.
it has been a continuous battle for the past 3 weeks, staying till late non-stop.
i don't know how we do it.

as i walked into the media hub where 2 installations were in-progress,
the kids greeted me, asking how i am feeling,
then as i went on to inspect one of the installations while the kid was out,
i found something that surprised me.
it's funny. i laughed in my heart.
it's written big in pink:
' to mrs m: you are a star in my life'
it's drawn big in purple"
an elephant

it's covered with a piece of mahjong paper.
i am not suppose to know about it.
so i pretended.
the other kids also pretended for me.
i met the kid along the corridor later,
i can only laugh.

later that next morning,
i read his prep work.
i know what he has written from page 1 to 8 as we have gone through the whole thing together. but i found, on page 8, a little paragraph, a little something extra.

he is never good at writing.
he wrote all that.
i am very touched.
i am very glad to know that i have made a little difference in his life since i knew him.
i am very happy to know that all these hard work is worthwhile.

thankyou, ying kwang,
you have also been a star in my life too.
a mischievious star.
the one that sat in 2 of my art classes back to back,
making me believe that you are a pair of twins in different classes,
the one that ate all my oreo cookies when i am not looking.
the one that ran with all your might during cross country to get the 7th position and have given me your trophy.
the one that helped the class to win champion in the level 3 camp and have again given me the trophy.
the one that always make me laugh even when i have to scold you.

you are a special kid.

(i can't publish the pics of his work until the coursework has been marked)

face to face not

2007-09-19T23:52:00.000+08:00

recently we all met on Facebook,
all hooked up again.
merry merry.
L replied to my msg and told me that he was reading our yearbook,
my elephant vomit blood in his.
i asked him what he was up to reading that stuff,
he said for the sake of nostalgia.

how sweet.

there we are altogether again,
online.

question 1

2007-09-05T18:51:00.000+08:00

coffee,
overdue.

two weeks,
long gone.

tea?

where are you?

witty wid

2007-08-29T23:21:00.000+08:00

today wid was feeling better.
i know, and i'm gald.

i know,
cos she 'forked' my fruits.
i'm glad,
cos she went shopping and bought me something she thinks i'll like! :)

that is life

2007-08-28T17:06:00.000+08:00

" ferris wheels don't go anywhere.
they go up,
they come back down,
a roundabout trip that,
for some strange reason,
most people find pleasant."

Haruki Murakami / Sputnik Sweetheart

missing the English people

2007-08-21T14:03:00.000+08:00

they are either
on MC
out for EL oral exam
away in HK
just not around

my EL teachers,
so missing them.

さようなら

2007-08-11T02:05:00.000+08:00

we said sayonara to jacklyn and chieko.

hope to see her going back to school again, and next march during her holidays.

the spice cousins - gin and pep - and the kawaii chieko

Zzzzzzz...

2007-08-11T02:02:00.000+08:00

nap time.

when i'm 65

2007-08-11T01:49:00.000+08:00

papa turned 65 today. he doesn't look a bit more than 55.

i think the many years of drinking stout and smoking kept him looking young. haha.

funny that his birthday is the only birthday we celebrate every year without fail. nel and i stop having birthday celebrations at home since we are in pri school. wonder why so.

this year we did a homely lunch, just us.

the birthday cake i bought for papa. it's his face loh.

happy birthday chieko!

2007-08-09T03:11:00.000+08:00

080807

today we celebrated chieko's 17th birthday.

8 years ago was the last time i saw this little girl, at my wedding, playing "throw-the-bouquet" at the end of my wedding. this month she came to singapore, totally transformed, going through some of the hard times most teenagers faced. we had so much fun this time she's here. we hope after thie trip, she will get all her will together, to get a fresh start! すべてのベスト !!

the 3 bears we helped to make at Build-A-Bear.

chieko, tomoyo, mekiko.

birthday cake for the birthday girl

we printed the t-shirt especially for her.

it says: 'please speak english to me'

all's fine

2007-08-09T03:06:00.000+08:00

thankyou dear people,
thankyou for all the concern, love and care.

thanks my cheesepies, you know that you guys always think and care for me even when we don't see each other that much anymore.

thanks veron, you are always looking out for me.

thanks my EL teachers, always left the EL staff room on and happening so that i can bump in to whine and whine. missing grace. :(

thanks my students, yes, at the end of the day, you guys are so real.

i am fine, cough will be defeated by me! definitely!

:)

sick belief

2007-08-07T15:04:00.000+08:00

not sure what evilness i've stepped on, granted me a cough that lasted like my bond with MOE - endless.

every week i'm back at the doctor's office. he also pitied me. i'd never did have a proper rest really, to fully recover. i was back at work on some of my MCs days, yet they still dock my pay, as if they didn't see me coming back to work when i am still sick. they choose to be blind.

so, the events were done and done. thanks have been given, credits given and received. everyone seems happy. behind all the 'happy' emails, there are a list of 'unhappy' ones, sent only to some people. need to sit down and review, after the ND celebration, after we all smile and say 'happy holidays' to one another, we are going to sit inside an office and review. and before the review, i see emails shooting here and there, self-defence, counter-attack, just-plain-attack.

why?

i no longer believe we are working for the same goal anymore.

crazy world

2007-08-05T11:55:00.000+08:00

exhausted.
past 1 month had been crazy:
sick, busy, coursework, work, work, work.
i spent an average of 13 to 14 hours in school everyday.

every night when i left school, if i'm driving back alone, i'll blast my music and the only song i'd really want to listen to is May Day's 瘋狂世界, especially the chorus portion, where i can scream (trying to squeez out voice of my sore throat):

我好想好想飛　
逃離這個瘋狂世界
那麼多苦　那麼多累　
那麼多莫名的淚水

我好想好想飛　
逃離這個瘋狂的世界
如果是你　發現了我　
也別將我挽回

i really should stop eating my cold lunch in the dusty art room.

your turn

2007-07-17T00:12:00.000+08:00

today he pops up and said hi.
i was surprised by his initiative.
and he asked many questions.
i asked him why is he asking so many questions.
he said he is curious.

then he said he is writing his essay now.
i said i shall not disturb him.
i have to run to holland v for a meeting.
he said 'ciao'.
i said 'bye'.

somehow, i am glad,
i said i have to run,
first.

so i don't need to linger.

fabster's fabulous desk

2007-07-16T23:50:00.000+08:00

fabster says 'Following from Karen's blog, we have started a post-a-picture-of-where-you-work thread."

and he posted his where-i-work picture.
spoil market.

drama princess - R&R

2007-07-15T15:10:00.000+08:00

R&R in over-sized t-shirts

the green and grey room

2007-07-15T14:17:00.001+08:00

finally, pictures of the new office, my desk.
this was before semester started...it has become messier, since.

see the window behind!!!

still in packing progress

the side of the partition

moved

2007-06-30T01:00:00.000+08:00

now now,
we have moved.
from 2nd floor to 3rd floor.
now we have double door.
just a group of us, in a cozy room.
away from my English buddies,
away from the craziness of the others.
quite sad.
but we will learn to adapt.

a bit quiet up there.

and now,
i have window.
real window.

will post pics up soon.

a strange bed sheet on a sunday morning

2007-06-24T10:48:00.000+08:00

i opened the door to pick up my newspapers,
there i found, on top of my porcelain elephant by the door is a bed sheet, folded neatly.
what the f#%^ ??

no idea who put it there.
i remembered kiki ran to the door and barked at about 5.30am this morning.
who is the owner of the sheet?
not me.
definitely not me.
because it is single,
it is a fitted sheet (NO FITTED SHEET IN MY LIFE!!!)
it is UGLY.

i put it into the recycle bag.

photos on new york and boston trip

2007-06-17T23:49:00.000+08:00

this is my favourite photo of the trip:

taken at a flea market at Hell's Kitchen in New York.

i was lazy on this trip, didn't take too many photos as i normally would.
i took a total of 317.
so what happens if i wasn't lazy?

anyway, it's too many for me to fine tune and place up here so i've uploaded to webshot.
i have added in caption for most of them and it has been hard work! if you view in slide show, you may not be able to see the caption i've written, so you may want to click onto view the whole album and pic by pic.

you can view it here.

(decided not to embeded onto the blog as it only showed 50 pics instead of all the 317 of them. not sure why.)

back and beyond

2007-06-17T10:43:00.000+08:00

horrible hours.

i left boston MIT hostel at about 5pm on 14th Jun evening to catch my plane and finally reached singapore at 11pm on 15th Jun night.... about 30 hours of flying and transiting... want to cry.

6 hours of transit altogether at new york and bangkok
1 hour flying from boston to new york
16.5 hours flying from new york to bangkok
2 hours flying from bangkok to singapore

was a great holiday, but the flying part is killing.

anyway, before i sort out the photos, just an entry to say hi to you guys who have been thinking of me while i'm gone to have fun :)

yes, benny, there's roaming, but it's 50 bloody american cents per sms. anyway, i refused to be online or even switch on my phone unless it's most necessary. :) the only time i've checked my emails was at the mac shop at new york, it's free, haha.

it has been a nice trip. yes, weiya, we went to MOMA of course, and also the Museum of Art and Design which is just opposite. it had a show on knitting at that time, that was fabulous. Also pop down to the ulu PS1, another sub museum with MOMA. a very strange old school building and it's totally nostalgic, just the building itself. however, can't take any pictures there.

of course it's also shop shop shopping in new york. mostly see-only but managed to get some interesting stuffs back too, just burning pockets :)

eating is actually quite fun, as everything is that giantic portion. a look at the price seems a bit tough, but the price goes with the quantity. it's such big servings for whatever kind of food.

boston is very different from new york, and i think i like it better in boston. it's not so crowded and dirty and seems to be more cosmopolitan. perhaps it's filled with universities, that is why.

we stayed in the MIT hostel in boston as A was on a workshop there with various students from NUS, NTU, RP, SP, NYP, NP, NAFA, LaSalle. met up with some of the kids and talked to several lecturers while i'm there for the 5 days. hostel is not the best accomodation now that we are all pass 30 years old, but cos it's free, so just have to bear with it. there is only ONE shower, ONE toilet cubicle in the girls toilet on the floor i stayed in. luckily only 5 girls were on this workshop while the 20 plus other kids are guys. so i'd only have to share the toilet with 5 other girls. but they are usually out in the labs for their work early so i can have the hostel to myself for the past days :)

it's been really nice weather there.... sunny, chilly wind here and there, little drizzle for a day or two when i was there.

so, we shall seriously consider going to boston for PHD eh, A :)

well, back to cleaning the house that has accumulated two weeks worth of dusts, and to fetch kiki from my mom's and back to school for work and meetings :)

reality sucks big time.

offline

2007-06-04T15:47:00.000+08:00

i am away in new york and boston till 15th june.

please do not call me.

you won't be able to get me.

MAYDAY CAME HOME

2007-06-04T10:32:00.000+08:00

2nd June 2007 was the JUMP - Leaving the Earth's Surface concert by MAYDAY.

it was an evening filled with LOVE.

everyone was glued to the humourous video clips of their past concerts and on-goings about 30 mins before the whole concert started. then came the 7-mins video which they have made specially for the concert - a very seriously-acted film that told of how rotten earth has became and we have to find a way out of it. totally in-tuned with their theme.

audience were mesmerised by the fantastic impact of the film made and in seconds after it ended, the white screen in the middle of the stage flipped and there, appeared Stone, Monster and Masa, the 3 guitarists, followed by guanyu, the drummer. with more explosive fireworks (which cost the company $25000), the lead singer, ashin appeared, dwelling the concert with 10 over songs, non-stop for almost an hour! who needs chairs at MAYDAY's concert??

after the first hour of hyper-high performance, the group greeted everyone, with their usual humour and continued on with solos by the Monster and Stone, and Masa on the piano, interpreting Coldplay's Yellow and a new song in the albumn by him and ashin, The Smallest Most Important Thing.

the most famous Love-ing created the most hype, with the whole 8000 audience doing the hand-sign of L-O-V-E, till the end of the song and more for the encore. MAYDAY emerged again with the most favourite song Stubborn. I know they would sing that, without that, it won't be a MAYDAY's concert.

and it all have to come to an end, sadly.

on a funny side:

A was interviewed by MY PAPER as he was the only ang moh there. but we are not sure where this interview is going to be at.

on an annoying side:

we had a pretty good seat, the second block of the $150 lots and it's just at the center partition. howevere, many people who were behind crowd about the center portion through out the whole concert. i was too short to see anything much even though i am in the middle front. i resorted to standing on my chair. so, yes, perhaps we need chairs for MAYDAY's concert afterall :)

i didn't know we can bring in cameras and take the whole concert, so i didn't bother bringing one. but everyone is taking pics non-stop. so i only have limited very blur pics taken by A - i was busy jumping :)

i found the lightings and sound is a bit bad though... at times the lighting was badly projected - their faces were all in darkness. the sound system couldn't handle when the bass is up and volume is tune up high...

all the merchandise were sold out. we thought of buying them after the concert, but no such luck.

before the start of the concert

me in the middle of jumping and jumping

the concert in-progress

finally at a point where some of the audience sat down

coming to the end - the bowing at the left side

the final final bye bye

totally hyped-out, but most happy

end of term | a camp

2007-05-26T23:44:00.000+08:00

end of term,
it's cake time.
wid bought cake and we had KFC.
then we cheered,
because it is end of another term.
whoooopeeeee!!!

that spells camp.
we joined forces, consolidate resources,
best of all, we have one another for the 3 days 2 nights.

camp.

combining
conflicts
food
bathing time
activities
VALs (thanks for coming back to help, dearies!)
tears
complaints
laughter
tiredness

we ate quite a lot though,
all 3 full meals, better than my normal days
but dead tired.
but better.
but.

may be my last UG camp.

sometimes we don't fall

2007-05-20T12:28:00.001+08:00

fab noted to me that sometimes we don't fall.
it is true.

i remembered the year when A and I decided that we will sign the papers and be happily ever after; that we will quit our jobs and move to the unknown UK, where i have only one friend, Fab, and A has only one family, Granny.

it was scary.
but we were young and we know if we didn't do it then, we'd never will, again.

quit our jobs and with the only savings A had, mostly, we found a place, build our life there. he found a job, i took up part time to fill my own pocket money while i enjoy my time dwelling into my books for my MA.

home is like the safty net.
we can always come home.
we came back not because it was safe. we came back because we were needed.
it's good to be needed.

my boss wants to place me as advisor for my other committment, so that i can have more time for other tasks. S joked and said that i can't be advisor, because i'll end up doing the things myself, nothing left to advise.

i need to learn how to delegate.

delegate.
delegate.
don't fall.
don't fall.

lost for simplicity

2007-05-19T03:00:00.000+08:00

B wrote about simple things happening in his life one day,
the day he pulled funny faces with his cute little niece.

that is simple, indeed.
i love that.

i have not been blogging seriously,
because so many un-simple things have happened lately.
i am lost for simplicity.

so i had fun with R&R staying over,
and it was just a cute weekend.
i love that.

work still runs through,
a bit frustrating with the fact that some parents just do not know how to control their kids.
why is it that we have to make sure their kids come to school?
what are they doing as parents?
just making the kids, but not making life for the kids.

other stuffs as usual.
my peers attended their promo ceremony, glad for them.
i have to wait till oct, wonder how MOE HR can be more screwed-up.
the same story goes.
and i was going to go away,
and something else came up.
before i could say yes with capital letters,
while i am still contemplating,
he said YES for me.

it's not going to be easy.
i am afraid, really.
the higher i climb, the harder i may fall.

i can't find the safety net,
yet.

R&R Time

2007-05-15T22:32:00.000+08:00

R and R came and had a sleep-over at our place.

every minute became R&R time.

Breakfast Time

Fridge Magnets Time

Ribena Time

Fighting Time

Irritate Kiki Time

healthy sinful

2007-04-27T00:52:00.000+08:00

Mia has set up her online store with her interesting productions, totally handmade, at times stolen goods from the twins' toys.
do pop by :)

Store Label
Ocha Cream

Store URL
www.ochacream.com

Store description
As healthy as Ocha (Japanese green tea), as sinful as cream.
Ocha Cream sells jewellery/ accessories that are handmade by Mia. Her works are usually a little whimsical, a little quirky, a little pop, sometimes dainty, sometimes dramatic, and totally Singaporean.