For the love of the game

My B division boys - My Gentlemen

Their dreams are shattered. Hopes of glory gone. My heart feels heavy for them. Tears in my eyes. It is hard for me to see them thwarted again then I am sure it must be harder for them.

I have seen how hard they have worked to improve themselves. I could sense their desire to win. They have a vast knowledge of the game, but circumstances are not on their side, again. Their journey as AHS softballers will come to a close in a few days time, a journey that was cut short. It may end for now but I do hope they will continue on their journey in softball in years to come. Don't give up, my boys. Be strong and prevail, one day you will achieve the gold.

A group of gentlemen. Smart, funny, charming, polite, humble, disciplined and talented - was the feedback a lot of teachers had given me. I could not agree more. I am very proud of them mainly because they have good character. I would like to follow up on them when they leave AHS, to see the paths they will take. I am sure they will continue to be the gentlemen they are today and I would like to be there to applaud them in their future successes.

They have not disappoint me, they are and will always be my gentlemen.

my mind's a blank

I am so tired, my back is aching, I feel stressed and I just want to cry. I have spent the entire weekend on doing up notes, slides and whatever stuff for school. Today alone, I spent hours in front of the laptop. my back hurts. In my mind, when I think of the subjects I teach, I see myself hyperventilating cos it seems like it is so overwhelming and I am so tired and I can't breathe because there are so many things to do and I don't know if my students are learning enough. It is bad enough I have nightmares, now I am being Ally McBealish.

Should teacher's blog? That is the question in today's Life. So, some feel that teachers should not and if they do, not to complain. Well, well, ok, I agree if there are complaints, then the students and issues should remain anonymous. Understandable. No point slurring someone's good name on the net. I do admit that I do complain vehemently about my profession when I am in the mood to do so. So, we teachers complain and some complain through blogging. By doing so, are we being not professional. Maybe, I guess there is a limit to what can be blogged. I have no issues there. What I can't phantom is that why is it that ST likes to spotlight on the wrongs/misdeeds/misjudgements of teachers? Are teachers saints? How come there is a higher morality standards for teachers. How come mistakes made, no matter if it is small, are unforgivable because, get this, we are teachers? ST should perhaps highlight what the actual job of teachers. Rhetorical questions, I may have. I will stop at this point before it gets worse.

Hey, I have nothing against the profession. I do like teaching and interacting with students. I took a career test, and well, teaching is my no. 1 ability. Well, hey, looks like teaching is in my blood. But, that does not mean I can't complain and wonder about the circumstances I am in. If I don't like teaching, would I in my right mind feel bad because I don't have enough time to design interactive lessons? Okie, getting all stressed up again.

With luck I will get through till Friday without actually hyperventilating.

complex toys

I never realized that toys have evolved so much today. What happened to plain old marbles and pick up sticks, 5 stones and simple robots and cars? They have somehow disappeared and are replaced by complicated toys that requires assembly and more than basic understanding of mechanics.

we celebrated my nephew's 5th birthday today. He had plenty of presents, the biggest from his parents - Hot Wheels racing track and cars. Pretty cool, and we wowed at how wonderful his presents are until we realised that we needed to put them together and there were like millions of parts. And such complicated instructions, too. So 3 adults tried to fix the track. I read the manual, giving instructions, and my bro in law and his cousin were fixing the track with 6 over-excited, screaming children trying to help, but actually hindering, around us. It took us 1/2 an hour to assemble it. Halfway the kids were already pushing cars around the track while we were still attaching various parts of the track together. In the end, when we were done, we were exhausted and the kids had such a ball trying out the battery operated race track and hot wheels. All we could do was watch them play. We had our turn when the kids left. Hhehee.

That was not the only present that needed assembly. Most presents required us to assemble the parts. There was 2 more hot wheels stuff, a transformer robot and I bought for him a Lego like toy that he can fix and build 3 racing cars. After piecing the other 2 Hot Wheels products and trying to figure out the transformer, I did not even dare to open my present. Mine has gzillion parts and I had enough of putting things together.

The adults marveled at such toys. we never had anything so sophisticated in our childhood. It is nice and all, but it wouldn't last very long nor would it hold the attention of my nephew for long when the novelty wears off. Today's toys are sophisticated but it does not hold much promise of giving them any imagination or creativity. I still prefer my old toys. Too bad today's kids don't get to play them.

I am not ashamed, I did it.

I did it. Finally. Yes, I did something that I have been thinking of doing for close to a year. I was apprehensive. I never dared to do it. Everytime I wanted to do it, I chickened out. I always think of what my friends and family will say if I were to do it. Would they shake their heads and look at me with exasperation and disappointment? Or would they give me a lecture? Would anyone support me? But, I went and did it anyway. I did not consult anyone. I was quite afraid at first. I couldn't sleep at all last night. The thought of doing it scared me but I wanted to do it anyway. I know I must do it at whatever the cost. I decided not to think about it anymore, I must just jump in and do it. I know people who have done it, so why should I not do it? In the end I am glad I did it. I enjoyed the entire process of doing it and I am not ashamed to say I did it.







Yes, I finally made a pair of customised Adidas running shoes. Heh, what were you thinking?

Yeah, it cost a bomb but I had to make one. Apparently few running shoes on the shelf suited my needs and feet problems. I had enough of suffering from shin splints everytime I run with my current pair of track shoes. Left foot is flat footed (a result of too much walking and running - must be the teaching career). Never was flat footed, i was quite devastated to find out. Plus I have bunions on both feet, very bad one on my right foot. So I need a broad pair of shoes with a good stiff cushioning. There are a few brands with several models that suited my needs but they are damn ugly. Imagine a pair of white based shoes with shiny silver and light green trims. And they are pretty expensive anyway. So, I might as well top up a bit to get my own customised pair with colours I like and my name embroidered on it.

Yeah, I am glad I did it and I enjoyed the entire process. heh, serious. Doing the tests and all was quite fun. But you have to be quite thick skinned cos there will be loads of people watching. Felt like a star for a bit. Hahha. Cool. In 4 weeks I will have my new Adiddas running shoes. No more shin splint, painful arches and heels. Yeah! :)

reflections at the park connector

I had a revelation at the siglap park connector. These things happen when your mind is free and you are jogging or walking and suddenly you had a brilliant idea or you finally understood something that has been bugging you in the past. So my revelation: I measure idiotic male species of the human kind to the boys that I teach. No, I am not saying the boys I teach and know are idiotic. I use them as a yardstick on how men should be men and boys should be boys. Hmm.. Sounds a bit cheem. I shall illustrate with examples.

Monday, taxi ride to school. Taxi driver (a member of the idiotic species of the male human kind) refuse to drive into the school. Expects me to drop of at the gate and walk in. I did not want to kick up a fuss but just inquired on why he refused to drive me in. He said "No". I, not understanding, told him that he could drive in as I am a teacher and the security guard would let the taxi in. "No" came the reply. I asked why again and the negative answer came again. So again for 3 times I asked for a reason but he kept answering "no". I was getting irritated by now. Seriously, there should be a better answer than a "NO". To cut a long story short, I paid him ( I should have refused to pay him), muttered crazy, slammed the door and stalked angrily into the school. So, what has this got to do with my students? Plenty. While arguing with the taxi driver, I suddenly had a deja vu feeling that I had this kind of conversation with several students. Every question is replied with a monosyllabic answer. It is expected in a student but when it comes from adults, it is very, extremely irritating.

Another example: a blind date. Another member of the idiotic species of the male human kind. He does not get sarcasm nor does he get subtle rejection. If he bothers me again, I shall drop all forms of subtlety and tell him that I am not interested. (Men, they just don't get it) So this idiot is like my student because that was my first impression of him. My colleagues tell me I am too critical and choosy when it comes to men, so I decided to lower my standards and give this man a chance even though he sounds really immature in his messages. So this is where he went wrong:
1) he was very, very late
2) he honked for me at the driveway. I have never met him, much less his car. How would I know which car he was in. And anyway, you don't honk for a girl on the 1st date. What, you think I am some kind of a bimbo who runs when a guy calls for her? Puhleeeese.
3) he did not plan for the date. (boys, take note - when you ask a girl out for a date, always plan for the date and have backup itenirary)
4) his dressing reminded me of my students - polo t-shirt with collars turned up, scruffy jeans and worn out, torn North Star shoes.
Loads of things went wrong but his dressing puts me off big time. I felt like I was walking with any of my students. And he is over 30 for goodness sake but he has the ego to claim that he looks like he just grad from school. And this really immature man thinks that I, as a teacher have the luxury to go out at any time he wants. My time, apparently is not as precious as his. I suppose he thinks that I am waiting around for him to call me and ask me out for future dates and that I will drop everything else just to go out with him because he works shift as a duty manager in a big hotel. Sorrrieee, I have a social life. This happened last year, but it all came back to me because this idiot of a man who has not contacted me for 3 months (I have totally forgotten that he existed) suddenly smsed me last week with the hopes of picking up where we left off (fat chance!).

Ok, so these 2 idiots of the male species reminded me very much of my boys. Except my boys are expected to behave in that way because they are still in the early teens. And I think that most of my boys that I know are much more gentlemanly than these 2 idiots. See, how the men have failed.

So, that was my revelation while brisk walking/ jogging from home to East Coast Road. I hope not to meet with anymore idiotic men in the near future. Once a year should be enough.

friends

The following is taken from my best friend's blog. It warms the very cockles of my heart. :)

From Ana's blog:
2day i was reminded of what friends are..and how we take our friends for granted based on the duration of the friendship
Many friends come. Most friends go. Most remain in the shadows, in the handphone as contacts..never smsed or called but just as a reminder tt we were once friends who kept in contact because we were in the same school...or same workplace. Never used the number but just cant delete the contact file..just in case (tho there is never a case to call or catch up) So in handphone we have hundreds of so called friends...
Yet, how many friends are ever on the frequent sms list? How many on the recently received and dialled list? Are we friends cos we hang out at the same place, study in the same school, work in the same department, live in the same area or are we friends so we want to study in the same area, work in the same department, hang in the same area?
Are you a friend just cos u knew me 10 yrs ago? Are you not a friend cos we used to talk regularly few yrs ago but we don't anymore? Are you a friend cos you see me at work everyday and you ask me bout my day?Are you not a friend cos we only meet once a year?
A friend called me earlier today and told me "i've known you for 9 yrs so i need you to be a reference for clearance".Told. Not asked. I was so offended cos We were extremely close for 9 yrs but not anymore. Havnt been for a while. so does it count? Do i really wanna hav a friend who calls only to remind me we were close for a decade so favours can be called in as and when required? Where has tt friendship lead us? Is there stil anything i stil get from tt friendship tt i cant get anywhere?
Anotehr friend said late this nite..wah..you n z hav been friends for so long already ah! And then me n tt z realised tt we have kept in touch and been der for each other for 20 yrs. Not hi bye..but actual go out and hang once every few months. When we go out, she instantly tells me ( not ask but tell) to sit n she will get my food cos she knows i wont want to get my own food. Someone heard us and was surprised cos it was just so natural for us to read each others mind without realising it. She said the same thing i had typed bout the whole marriage thing...before she read my previous entry. she has hav never implied tt i hav to be nicer to her cos she's known me the longest...In fact..i can be super lazer with her and yet it has never affected our friendship.
Are you nice because you are my friend or are you my friend because you are nice?
Just to let ya know i love ya- the amazons, the babes, the girls.
Z - happy 20th anniversary!!!!

Happy 20th anniversary to you too, Farhana! :)

Sunday TV

After the Torino Winter Olympic Games, Sunday TV is back to normal. Yaay! Debbie Travis is back! I love that show, for many reasons. It is funny, quirky and different from other home make over shows. Of course I look forward to having a glimpse of Scottie. He is cute. I can totally gush about him, but I shall not. I like the way Debbie Travis dress her employees. They all wear the same type of t-shirt - sportscut design or what I call the baseball style t-shirt - but of different colours. So carpenters wear orange with black sleeves, painters wear blue on blue and so on. The cool thing is they can have a variety of colours. So even though the painters wear blue, they have various shades of blue, or they can team up with white and blue sleeves. Then the carpenters can wear orange with blue sleeves. I only discovered it last week after watching dozens of her shows. You know people generally look good with this kind of t-shirts. I think men who wear them are so hot. (Scottie by the way, is a carpenter, and he looks incredibly hot in his orange and black T :P )

kids and household gadgets

My nephews have caught the hand, foot and mouth disease. They have been staying over for the past few days. They watch cartoons the whole day. I have not watched any of tv programmes for the day yet. See how much control they have over the TV.

I noticed that my nephews are very good at understanding household appliances. For instance, my 2 month old living room phone has a speaker function. I am well aware of that but have never bothered to read the manual to learn how to operate it. Anyway, my 4 (turning 5 on 18 March) year old nephew cooly discovered how to use the speaker phone by himself. I bought the phone, but I dont know how to use all the functions but my nephew does. Today, he turned on the clock function on my SCV set top. I was amazed. I never knew there was a clock function.

It is both funny and sad. Firstly because it is riduculous that owners of appliances dont really know the functions of things they buy. Secondly, the reason why it is so because we have lost our sense of curiosity. I used to be as curious as a cat. I learnt many things by doing the same things my nephew did. Now as an adult, there is no time to keep up with my curious nature. I am so dull.

Today's exciting news: AHS B div boys softballers fought a good fight in the finals against Damai at Turf City. A very exciting match. I take my hat off to my boys. Though we lost by 1 run (the score is 3-2 to damai), I am very proud of them. Go for finals in the Nationals. Let me have another reason to wear my jersey again. hehhehe.

Mad world

I heard this song on last week's CSI Las Vegas. I fell in love with it entirely because it has a nice melody and the lyrics was a reflection on what I was feeling lately. I recommend that you listen to the song:

Mad World by Gary Jules

All around me are familiar faces

Worn out places, worn out faces

Bright and early for their daily races

Going nowhere, going nowhere

Their tears are filling up their glasses

No expression, no expression

Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow

No tomorrow, no tomorrow

And I find it kinda funny

I find it kinda sad

The dreams in which I'm dying

Are the best I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you

I find it hard to take

When people run in circles

It's a very, very mad world mad world

Children waiting for the day they feel good

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

Made to feel the way that every child should

Sit and listen, sit and listen

Went to school and I was very nervous

No one knew me, no one knew me

Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson

Look right through me, look right through me

And I find it kinda funny

I find it kinda sad

The dreams in which I'm dying

Are the best I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you

I find it hard to take

When people run in circles

It's a very, very mad world ... mad world

Enlarging your world

Mad world

Nice song. Kind of sad, even sounds like suicidal. Definitely it is a mad world. I really like the first stanza. Somehow, I can really relate to it. When I was a child, I remembered being taught that a day will come when a man will pass a grave and wished he could trade places with the corpse. That would mean that the end of the world is near. I remembered feeling afraid. Who would want to wish that? Life is a gift. I still do think that life is a gift. Suicides too, are really stupid. An unforgivable sin. But, who could blame them? I believe many people would succumb to it if they have no faith. See, God would not burden you more than you could undertake. Still...run in circles....

On the bright side, I bought the latest video clips of Peterpan Band. ;) going to watch it now. hehheh

Bloody Sunday

First and foremost: I broke a fingernail. Gasp! Emergency! hahaa. No, it is not an emergency. At least I am not vain enough to think that a broken nail requires the whole world to stop in its tracks and take pity on me. Nor does it require a trip to the manicurist. I am just glad that the broken part is not too deep in the nail or else it will hurt. But it is very short now. Not used to it.

Hmm....How boring my life is that I blog about a broken fingernail.

Other news. 1) My butt muscles still hurt from yesterday's frisbee clinic. 2) I worry too much. I have been having nightmares and dreams of school. A sure sign of stress. Last night I woke up several times in the night and started thinking about softball. I can't wait till thursday. At least the tournaments for this term will be over. I have a week to recover. 3) I hate Sundays. Because it is the day before Monday. Sad, but true. I think schools should be only 4 days and weekends extended to 3 days so that there will be enough time for people like me to recover.

When will it end?

ultimate SOD

Signed up for ultimate frisbee clinic. Uber fun. First weekend that I did something sporty. I can't remember when I last ran. Think it must be last year's sport's day. My muscles are aching. They got such a rude shock. But it was good. My first step in doing more exercise. Now, the hard part is sustaining the exercise regime. Ok, attend pick ups on weekends. I need someone to push me and encourage me. Maybe I should join a sports class. I seriously think I should rejoin the skating lessons. Sigh...i dont know. I didn't realize that exercising need to think so much. Why can't I just love running?

Oh and you know what? there are so many teachers who joined the frisbee clinic. Oh well, at least we did not talk about school. It is quite funny though that the people who conducted the frisbee classes on wednesdays at school for the primary school kids are the same people who organised the clinic. Goes one big round and how did I find out about the clinic? Through Shape magazine. Sheesh.

Oh man, i have a bruise on my right palm. Lucky it does not hurt that much. Still can hold pen and mark. Darn it! oops, no, I meant I am so happy that I can still use my fingers for marking. Really, really....

I really need this sports activity on the weekends. Stress is creeping in. I keep forgetting things cos there are so many things to do and so little time to do them. Stupid, unproductive meetings that the *beep* *beep* *Beep* .... I don't understand why I have to work over the weekends? I am tired. What is all this bloody hell for? Stupid forms, stupid awards. Who the hell is so clever and come up with the effing stupid awards? So smart. Brilliant. And that award says it is about staff development and welfare. What the f....? Are they insane or are they insane? Depression will soon hit everyone of us. And they wonder why teachers make the bulk of patients in IMH and they wonder why so many leave the service. Obviously there is a problem right? But obviously no one looks into our case. Life just sucks. 1 year 4 months left. I should be able to stick to it that long. Beyond that... stay or not to stay? Next year, I shall know.

sniff..sniff..cough...cough

I am sick. This is unusual, I didn't fall sick at all last year except at the very end of December. Slight fever, sniffles, the works. Suspicion falls on the 3F epidemic. I knew I was coming down with a bug. I was aching and tired on Thursday and Friday. It is sucky being a teacher because I have to think twice about taking MC. I want to stay home and sleep, but I just can't. I hope this does not get any worse cos I want to be there for my girls and boys during tournament. I dont want them to feel abandoned. Plus I owe them treats. Oh well, if it continues like this, I will just take an MC on Wednesday, but that means i will have to do makeup lessons. Naah, I think I will faint first before I take MC. I am perspiring now. A good sign that my fever is breaking.

I am so behind in my marking. I slept all day and did very little marking. Lesson plans not done and it was only after 7pm that I felt better. Kumars at No. 42 was very funny. Lifted my mood a bit. They had Westlife and Donny Osmond. Hilarious. Ok, going to do lesson plans within1/2 hour. Iron my clothes and take panadol and Vit C and sleep until 5 in the morning. Oh man, I don want to fall sick now.

Recent happenings

Ok, did the test in Urban and it is confirmed I am not a shopoholic. Phew what a relief! hahaha. In other news, I have started to take the bus to school and then I walked to the school and climb up the Great Staircase of AHS. If I keep it up, I will have sexy calfs. I am getting fat. Can't spare the time to exercise. Boy, do I miss the time when I skated every weekend at least 3 hours each day, plus an hour on weekdays. I had such toned legs and body. Of course, I never really got the nerve to skate as intensively as that after I broke my arm...what a pity. Ok, either I lose the nerves or pick up another sport.

By the way, the EL department became poster people for NE in school. For obvious reasons of course. Shall not elaborate on that.

Okie, weekend is here. More marking.

What has the world come to?

I have been wanting to post pictures of Peterpan and change my blog layout and design, but there had never been time and I have not been in the mood to do so. Why so? Feeling peeved, disappointed with the world at large. Sad, ashamed, the whole plethora of negative feelings.

Read the papers or listened to the news lately? Nothing very pleasant in it. Danish newspapers printed 12 degrading cartoons of the Prophet. Euro countries backing them up by reprinting these cartoons and citing freedom of speech and democracy. Terrorist groups, bombings, cults and the works.

I am angry with those who misuse religion for their own gains and I pity those who were misguided. I am ashamed when I read articles or news of what my fellow brethren have done to hurt the world. Not ashamed of being a Muslim; I celebrate my Muslim identity; but ashamed at those who caused fear in the name of the religion. There are better ways to get justice, be heard or noticed, whatever it is they want. Lately, this whole cartoon thing has made me really disappointed and angry. No, I dont want to take up arms to show my feelings. I just want to say my piece and be heard.

To uphold freedom of speech and democracy should not be used as a reason to do something that can incite anger, prejudice or discrimination. To my knowledge, democracy has evolved over the ages. In the beginning, democracy was not for the common man nor for the women. Only for the male aristocrats. A far cry from what the ideology has evolved to today. Is it a good sytem of government? Undoubtly, but is it flawed? Yes, very much so. What good is it if it means dividing people into different camps and beliefs? Am I against democracy? Not in my deepest, darkest dreams. I have lived my entire life in this system and I am happy with it. But, have people taken this ideology and cast it in stone and are people so inflexible to realise that perhaps they need to ponder about it for the sake of peace and harmony? Isn't there a better way to make one's points clear without being offensive? And the Arab newspapers with anti-semitic stuff they have published should share the blame for this incident, i believe. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. They should have seen it coming.

Perhaps, I am just idealistic. So much talk about racial harmony these days because of things that happened around the world. School is going very NE. A necessity for my students. They are after all our future leaders. In todays' ST an article entitled Racism - a citizen's apology, Kwek's reactions to the cabby's seditious remarks "Where and how do you begin unravelling such deep-seated prejudices? Whatever the reservations, my silence was a momentary paralysis of civic duty." How I do understand his predicament. Many a times I have felt that way. Let's not keep silent anymore. Let's dispel myth and laugh at stereotypes. Let's learn and teach. Let us all be friends. Let's look for similarities and celebrate differences. Let's treasure peace and harmony above all.

End of all holidays as we know it

No more holidays until March. How sad. What a terrible 4 day holiday I had. Just marking and marking and lesson planning. Didn't even get to do what I wanted to do. Ok crap. What am I still doing in school at this hour. I can't even mark. I am too tired. Ok, this is it. End of today's entry. Will just go home and continue marking. What a crap life.

A good start

First entry of the year. Where do I begin? So many things happened since my last entry and today. Ok, just a brief update then. Went to Aceh for a week. Won't blog it cos I can't put the experience to words. Spiritual awakening, I hope it stays.

Then before the school year started, I had a last fling with my friends at KL. It was a most happening and fun new year. It was certainly a good start to the year. I have never done this before. I think I am getting wild. Hahhaa. Going to KL just to watch a band in concert on 1st January. Pure craziness. But it is all worth it. PETERPAN!!!!! Arrrghhhh! I love them. Their songs are brilliant, their performance marvellous. I am wearing the Peterpan t-shirt now. I am so loving this t-shirt. For the uninitiated, Peterpan is not the Tinkerbell, Wendy and the Lost Boys story. They are the coolest and most talented Indonesian band ever. I am so voting for them to win the APM award this year. I am so going to their next concert (please, make it in Singapore, please ,please)

Ariel is so cute. So is Uki, Andika is not bad and the rest are so talented and sweet. Man, I wish I got the t-shirt they threw at the audience. I still can't believe that I went to my first ever concert in my life, in KL no less, and I was in front of the stage. And the best part is, I have never been a groupie, never had gone goo-goo ga-ga over a band before (not even during the NKOTB and Take That period) and now....wow, I can't believe I was so minah and jumping and shouting. Woah, I was (still am?) a groupie. I love PETERPAN!!!!!!!! I am so proud to say that I stood in the rain for 2 hours (we were there at 630, concert started at 830) shivering in the cold, taking in the beauty of the moment just to watch them perform. I love PETERPAN!!!!

I love Peterpan!!!!!!! (to see Peterpan, go to wax lyrical blog - aai has posted pictures of Ariel. Oh man, he is so charming and sexy). Heh, I have Ariel's picture on my desk at school. Every morning I say good morning to him and drool over his cuteness before I start work. He makes my day. heheh. I love Ariel and Peterpan!!!!!!!

going to Aceh...

Leaving for Aceh in the morning and I am tired even before I leave. The past week had been a flurry of activities and there were so many things to do to prepare for this project. I have never packed so many things in my entire life before. 33 boxes of stuff and almost a tonne of baggage in all. we were stuck in the airport for more than 5 hours because of the excess baggage. there was no more money left from the funds to pay for the 300 plus kilos of excess baggage. We thought we have to fork out our own money but we sent an SOS to someone and that someone managed to raise $1500 in 3 hours. Phew! Lucky we checked in 1 day earlier. Imagine if we checked in tmr morning. We will never leave Singapore.

Oh gosh, I have so many bruises on my knees. After this I am not touching cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and masking tape for at least 5 years.

I hope I will learn many things on this trip. I know I am going there as an educator but I have a feeling that I will be the one educated.

Aceh is packed with foreigners now. All the world's media will focus their attention to Aceh and the other places hit by the Tsunami last year. I jkeep forgetting that and kept imagining Aceh as a quiet place. Not so quiet if many teams are going there.

Ok, pray for my safety and wish me luck.

World of Sports

Went ice skating and the sports fitness expo after softball today. Seems like today is a day where I can't get away from students no mateer how far away I go. At Fuji Ice Palace, met some sec 3 students. Tried to teach a couple of them how to ice skate but failed miserably cos I don't remember how I was taught to skate. Anyway, they had fun and my skating skills have definitely improved. My backward swivel is nice now. Then at Suntec City met one of my sec 4s working part time.

The sports fitnes expo was kind of disappointing. Too few sports being showcased as very few companies took up a booth. I did get a free check on my spinal stress. Analysis was expected, too much stress on neck and shoulders. Supposed to see a chiropractor next week at a promotional price of $80. But as I left the hall, I feel that I need not see the chiropractor and waste my money, i know why i have stress on my shoulders and neck. The way I sleep, the way I hold my bag.. so I am going to cancel the appointment.

Actually, I would rather spend the money on a manicure at this nail place at suntec city. The mani and pedi that they have sounds so wonderful. Thinking of getting the 1 and 1/2 hr mani or pedi. I think $95 is worth it. I am terrible, aren't I. Think i am quite a snob when it comes to the finer things in life. Eversince I bought the sapphire ring, i refused to even consider semi precious stones. I passed by several jewellery stores and I am very satisfied that my 5 coloured sapphire ring is indeed the nicest. But Lee Hwa just came out with another sapphire ring design that looks so gorgeous. And the sapphire bracelet, simply brilliant. I wish a millionaire would just drop from the sky and marry me so that I can have all the nicest jewellery. Darn it, I am getting too materialistic. Get a grip, girl. How many sapphire rings does a girl need? Plenty actually, but one will suffice and the bracelet is just extravagant.

I looked around for sportswear and found a very nice Nike t-shirt and trackpants. I looked at so many stores but very disappointed by the lack of selection. Actually I need a new pair of running shoes. The current one is falling apart. I think this coming trip to Aceh will it be its last mission anywhere. Also need a new jacket. Been going around forever looking for the perfect shoes and jacket. Very partial to Adidas but the colors are just not nice. Nike and Solomon has nice jacket but I think I shall wait for the post Christmas sale.

ok enough shopping talk. promised myself no more shopping until i start regular exercising and lose weight. Well, if I hold on to the promise, I am going to save a whole lot of money.

Read in TNP about Sea Games and how the host always win the most medals. Pretty normal but he did bring about the idea of the true meaning of the SEA games are lost and that countries only strive for medals. Totally agree with him, but he is not a credible source. He is afterall a disgruntled politician who hates to see his country coming in 2nd. In fact if any other country frets, they are just being biased. It is a catch 22 situation, I think. But getting to my point, i have to agree with Thaksin. I used to love watching the Olympics and the SEA and Commonwealth games. The international friendship and spirit was electrifying, the sportsmanship was great. Now, all these are secondary. Winning is most important. I think, they have missed the point of the games. Any games, any tournament should have an objective more than just winning. Unfortunately, as a teacher in charge of a sport, I know this is not always true. Winning, sometimes/ most times, is everything. Sad...

Pottering around

So thus ended the 2 day 1 night softball camp. All went well, hopefully no repurcussions and no complaints.
Went to watch Harry Potter after camp with a couple of girlfriends. Colleagues were surprised I still have the energy.. I actually got my appetite back in the morning. Perhaps that is why I have energy. Anyway, I was dying to watch Harry Potter.
Was afraid I will be disappointed with the movie. Reviews and many people said that it was quite a disappointment. I have to disagree with them though. I think those who find it disappointing compared it with the book too much. But the cinematic value is good. Of course, there are some parts where you would not understand unless you have read the book but just one or two parts. The film offered me a different view from how I imagined it to be from reading the book. There are several parts in the film that helped to drive the intended meaning of the author better than what I could infer from the book. Long story short, I enjoyed the movie.

Somebody brought a baby to the movies. The baby cried and talked in some parts of the movie. Not that I was actually bothered but it made me remember Sumiko Tan's recent article about how parents should not bring their children around in public places unless their child can behave. It brought a slew of letters to the Forum page both in agreement and disagreement to her sentiments. Not surprising that those who disagreed with her are parents. Of course most parents are blind to the faults of their own children. I probably be like them someday. I hope I can be rational and sensible and not be like them. The question that popped in my head during the movies: "Who in the right mind would want to bring a baby to watch a 2 and 1/2 hour movie???!!!" Ok, so I sound a bit harsh, but hey, people pay good money to be entertained and we dont really appreciate babies in our midst. Anyway, that is why there are VCDs and DVDs. For people who cannot go to the movies. Come on lah, as parents there are sacrifices to be made. Personal entertainment at the movies is one of them. Or else, send your kids to be looked after by someone else while you are at the movies. Seriously, which 2 or 5 year old child understand Harry Potter? My take on it, if they are too young to understand the book, they are too young to watch it in the movies.

Sleepless in AHS

11 pm and I am in the teachers' room. Not doing work, fortunately. Just have to be around for the Softball bonding camp. I had every intention to enjoy myself at this camp but I had to fall sick the morning of the camp. Was feverish and I could not eat at all. Arrived in school and threw up all my undigested dinner (disgusting). I couldn't eat anything after that. As of now, I have only eaten a slice of watermelon. Initially I couldn't even hold down water. I want to throw up all the time. I am kind of hungry but the thought of eating makes my stomach queasy and I feel sick.

I was too sick to even cheer for the friendly matches. It seems that opening my mouth will cause me to want to throw up. Both teams won though, good for them. Proud of my gals. Their fielding has improved but base running is poor. They need to be more confident as well. Same goes for the boys. Confidence is key. I have a dream...to break the RI winning streak. Can't we? I hope and I know we could. Or at least get the top 4 positions in all the tournaments and continue to do so for years to come. I don't see why not, though. My B boys are as good as any other top teams. They just need to believe in themselves. My C boys are coming on strong, they will be as good, I am sure. There is a long way still for the girls but they can emerge victorious one day.

Meanwhile, I am impressed with the outcome of this camp. There is still one more day to go and they might just disappoint me, but so far I was happy with what they have planned. Those who planned the camp are good, responsible leaders. Without much guidance, they have managed to make this camp a success, so far. I am really pleased.

It is close to midnight. I have to go check on them. Looks like I wont really be sleeping much tonight. I tried to sleep earlier on cos I was not well. My sleep was always interrupted by phone calls and SMS that I could not sleep for long. Snatches of only 10 to 15 minutes. Oh goodness, I am really sleepy but I need to go and check on them.