BUSY.... x_X

BUsy busy busy...

REally busy..

Busy with settling down on my attachment.

And my mum's started to give me such frustrating and extreme paranoid nags.

Busy with the vietnam trip video-editing and its movie clip. think the clip is not too bad...haha..
Too bad the file is very big...i can't show it to let my frens see..cos wanna them to give me some feedback n opinions... sigh...

Only half way done with the movie clips.... T_T n i need to finish up by thurs. Fri should be having the final video-editing meeting.

BUsy sia........

Me gotten a cold again... T_T siAN.......

So tired.... x_o

me ssooo tiredd...after the whole chinatown duty. Gotten a bad headache after reaching home..whaha..think it's due to lack of sufficient sleep. =p

Debrief....
Today's duty, there's no case for my side..haa...so nothing to talk about. =p
N hmm..i saw someone.

Anyway hopefully could get my new rank and renewed adult first aid cert on the zone meeting. Been promoted since last yr, n i've not gotten my new rank yet. haha...ended up wearing my old rank during the duty. n haa..have not put on the service bar, which i juz remembered..whaa..n the accessories on my safari are not complete. hopefully can have it done soon, together with CF. think among the rest of the zone officers, me n CF are the only ones whose safari accessories are not complete. =p
Hmm..must get it done soon..i wanna wear safari..haha..think will look smarter..whaa..

Oki, me need to stop writing.
Need to prepare agenda for video-editing meeting now. I need to start getting organised. Wanna do this video well, though it's my first time.

One more..!!

One more
One more
One more...!!

haha..i've one more student at hand now.

Basically all of my ex-students, except one, came back to me to help them. haha..

My this last student. His name is WC. haha..he's actually HY's cousin. Smart in IT, but he's very cute. haha..especially when he msg me juz now..

and his this msg simply cheers me up a lot for the day. hahaa..

usually my students will type something like that:"Hi teacher, can u help me etc etc...?"

But for WC, he juz types like this: "Hihi!! ((: "
I know what he wants le. hahaa....
And of course, i am willing to continue teaching him though sometimes he's very cheeky. haaa...

So two students on each weekend. But 3 of them are my ex-students. (^^) me very happy..hee..

But BUT i still want first aid duties..!! hahaa.. =p

Haa..i'm really a workaholic.

I'M ATTACHED..!!! yeah.......whaaaa...

YEAH..!!!
YEAH!!!!

I'M ATTACHED..!!!

YEAH..!!!

I'm ATTACHED TO PUB..!!!!


haha...ok guys, what are you all thinking about?

hhaa..yup yup, i'm confirmed doing my attachment to PUB, starting on this coming monday..!! yeah..

So happy finally start my attachment.

But they have transferred me to another department which involves planning. Here's my job scope:
"To assist in Water Demand Management & Inspectorate Division, Water Demand Management Branch`s collaboration with MOE and SHA on water efficiency use benchmarking exercise. He/she will assist in compiling data and analysis to determine the benchmark. He/she will also need to find out what the top 10% schools or hotels have been doing such that they are able to achieve water efficiency use. Will also assist in the preparation of "guidebook" for schools and hotels, featuring good water saving habits and practices."

Yup, in another words, my dress code is office wear.

Sigh, this doesn't relate to my course of study la. And then again, it's planning and management. (T_T)

But ok la, i can't complain much le. At least i still have something which i like to do. haha..

Dun think i need to do the "hello" thingy rite? hahaa..imagine me in office wear and i do the "hello..." thingy...

*Shake head*

Need to get more office wear le..i dun have much at home... =p

Yeah, juz nice, i've gotten pay from one of my students..!! haha..yeah..shopping tmr...!!

yeah..me very happy now...!! whaa...

HmmMm..

Still waiting for confirmation... (-_-)

Think the wait has kinda burnt my brain soon.....

Could feel my data going haywire....

// "Lame" Sydrome //

Signs and Symptoms:

At initial stage,
Casualty will feel
- anxious
- impatient
- depressed

At later stage,
- start talking crap
- day and night dreaming
- patient
- happy
- relaxed

From the signs and symptoms, I suspect that mantou is suffering from the "Lame" Syndrome.
For treatment, i shall give the same treatment as epilsey.
Let her crap as much as possible till the fit has gone naturally.

If the fit persists for more than one week, I shall call the Lame-hotline immediately.

*muhahahaa..*


// Okay, back to myself //

Very tired now, after watching 1 hour plus of the vietnam trip videos...then juz realised that my main computer can convert the dvd disc file to mpg ..haha..sigh..me really lame this time..

Clementi Orientation
Orientation leader: M
Members: Mantou, Man Man, Ah Man, Fishing Goddess of Liberty
Places: ba sa ma lam, The Big Bookshop, ntuc, princess cinema, ocbc, oub, ntuc, mac, foodcourt etc..

Anyway hopefully 25th will be a good day for me. Hopefully i will know my confirmation later.
It's 25. It's supposed to be a good day.

hmm...

Anyway........
Kinda miss playing badminton....but dun think me n the rest have the time le... (T_T)


// Video-editing //

Sharks..think the editing thingy has a lot of stuff to do.. (T_T) think i'm getting stressed up le..nvm choose music...nvm "smoothen"the flow of the whole thingy...n i've not much time to do durin this weekend. It's completely burnt. Luckily, no gathering with zj they all yet..otherwise i wanna cry liao..hahaa..

But then, i believe i will feel alive again..!! i'm a workaholic, u see...whaaa..work until i dun have to remember some stuff.

But i need to balance my time well again. Need to make sure myself have time to have dinner with my family.

Anyway, juz give me stuff to do, n i'll be very happy...whaa..


// night-dreaming //

Think cos i studied in a girls' school for 4 yrs, during my teenage life.
I can't understand guys.

Haa...

Ok la, as if many guys can understand girls...haha..

// Advice to a fren of mine //

Dun indulge in blaming urself, or anyone.
But indulge in thinking of how to improve yourself,
to be a better person.

Oki? =)

// relationship //

Talking over msn about boy-girl rship with one of my frens.

haha..my rs was mentioned. But well, i'm fine with talking about it la. So if you all wanna ask, juz ask freely. whaha..i'll not be angry de.
And dun know now, i referred my ex by his real name, no longer "tat one". hmm..

had an interesting conversation with him. Long time never talk such things le.

fren: then u leh? got bf liao or not?
me : me? no...me dun have bf wat..
fren: looking for one?
me: haha..no la..not interested..
fren: not interested? how come?
me: tired..ahaa..

haha..my fren sounds kinda surprised la. i also dun know why. partly cos it's only my 1st rship and i'm already completely exhausted. haha..
But haa..he sure knows me well. He knows how much percent efforts i will put into if i really have the heart to do so.

But really la, long time nvm talk such serious things le. And really opening up myself to ppl le.
Been crapping all these while, if all of you have noticed. All these while, i either talk to God or keep it to myself.

I feel better, in fact.
Much much better.

(",)

The Teachings...

Hhaa..finally i know how to post images into my blog..whaa..me happy sia..but tink i look kinda w-o-l-s in this..wwhaa..

No choice, me IT idiot. =p

Basically learnt a lot of things today.

Watched a few internet clips uploaded by a chinese website. It broadcasts about chinese professors who major in chinese literature giving media lectures on the teachings of Confucius and Lao Zi.

Morning lecture - The teachings of Confucius.

A lot of informations uploaded into my mini pea brain. But definitely i've learnt a lot and started to see things in a different angle. Watched for 2 hours plus and i still have not finished watching. (T_T)

Night lecture - The teachings of Lao Zi

HIs teachings are pretty cheem. Words mentioned by him are little and cheem, yet brings out deep meanings.
But i really admire the professor. He could apply the teachings of Lao Zi into the korean movie "My sassy girl" with great ease. A movie which I thought to be pretty lame, but he could watch it with great intelligence.

Me admire his wisdom real lots. And of course, I admire and appreciate Lao Zi's teachings more.
But I believe there are still lots lots of things to learn from these two shen4 ren2.

What i've learnt today is relatively little.

If i were to have a child in the future, I will want my child to learn about the teachings of Confucius, followed by Lao Zi. Regardless of my child's gender. =p

Me shall not talk about wat i did today. A bit sian, talking about daily life. =p


So, allow me to talk about my vietnam thingy again..!! whaa...


Today'll be the highlights. =D

The Lamest Things Mantou had done in Vietnam:

1. Hanoi - Said something wrong in a supermarket.

2. Hanoi - Pulled out the alarm in a restuarant and caused a ridiculous hu-ha. (-_-)

3. Hanoi - Started exchanging "pei mei pei", "tai mei tai" (in cantonese) etc with my friends, esp T and M. Later kena given sound advices during a debrief. =p

4. Hanoi - Touched a condom during the HIV exchange program with the HMU medical students.

5. Hanoi - "I want I want I want.."

6. Ha Tay - Lame Club founded by T and me ending up being the president while M the vice.

7. Ha Tay - Retrieved a metal spoon from inside the toilet bowl, using my hand WRAPPED IN PLASTIC BAG.

8. Ha Tay - I could not blow out steam while all my friends can do it with great ease.

9. Ha Tay - Cooked my first dish of char pho for my friend. Tasted totally bland. But cooked well for CC.

10. Ha Tay - Whole house kena blackout. And i was in the toilet bathing at that time. Me almost freaked out.

11. Ha Tay - "Hellooo......!" (waving my hands)

12. Ha Tay - "Head and shoulders, knees and toes...knees and toes.." (Do wrong actions)

13. Ha Tay - "Du doy voi...! Du doy voi..!!"

14. Ha Long Bay - Sit on the ship deck, and gotten a bad dry cough cos of the strong wind.

15. Ha Long Bay - 3 for 10,000 dong mistaken to be 3 for S$10. (exchange rate = 1: 10,000)

16. Ha Long Bay - Ate a grass, which was claimed by Tw that it is edible.

17. Ha Long Bay - Climbed up a mountain which i've no idea where its signboard is.

18. Ha Long Bay - Met T in the morning at 6 am, juz to find the two remaining beaches in Cat Ba. Took photos and videos there. Still, a great sense of accomplishment was felt.

19. Ha Long Bay - Crossed a bridge, which linked Cat Ba beach 1 and Cat Ba beach 2, with T. Me looking so scared that T actually laughed at me.

20. Hanoi - Shopped for almost 6 hours with T and the rest.

21. Hanoi - T and i had bought some stuff from almost every shop we stepped in.

22. Hanoi - Due to my bad cough, i dun have the chance to eat spring rolls there. (T_T)

23. Hanoi - T n i bought a big crab meat spring roll each, but i can't finish it due to my bad cough.

*ENd*

haha...tmr will have more highlights on vietnam. This time, the focus will shift to the whole Chia Se team. whaa.. =p

testing..

AHHHhhHH CHOoOOoo......*excuse me..hee (^^)*

Fallen sick today, after taken a nap. (-_-) sian...

Went to sch today to select a project offered by PUB. Hopefully my allocation can be confirmed and i can start work next mon..!!

But this week's going to be busy for me.
hahaa..

24th, wed, will be meeting M to do video-editing. whaa..

Thurs, be teaching one of my students. Hopefully she has studied for my physics and A.maths tests. She din study it last week. (-_-) But for this student, my analysis of her is kinda correct. She learns things fast, but forgets fast. (T_T)

This weekend's going to be real busy for me too.. (T_T)
Sat, after my morning tuition work, think i need to rush to report to hq for the chinatown lights up duty. haaa...long time never wear my uniform le..
Sun, another busy day for me. (T_T)

Received a wedding invitation card from one of my st john frens. Me first time attending a wedding dinner, feeling a bit nervous. Wondering what i should wear and what i am supposed to bring. Wondering who will be attending the dinner too.
Haa..but i feel kinda weird. Feel i'm moving to the next phase of my life - friends are starting to get married. hmmm.....

Oh ya..!! I cooked dinner for my family yesterday..!! hee.. (^^)

The response was pretty positive.

My first bro boiled veggie soup whereas my second bro cooked the rice. And me cooked fish and omelettes. haha..

=============================================================

The Lame Times
Sunday, 21st January 2007

Fear Factor Domestic

Mission 1: Fish-washing
Contestant: mantou

Reported by mantou mei zi

Mantou has come to face her greatest fear - washing of fish. In order to move on to the next stage of the game, she needs to wash the fish and remove all its organs. 21-years old Mantou, a student from NTU, told The Lame Times:

" It was tough initially. I needed to overcome my fear of the fishy smell. The touching of the fish felt raw and the fear accumulated in me. Especially when I had to remove the organs, it was absolutely bloody and fishy. I almost vomited in the process of disecting the fish. But I managed to restore my composure and complete the mission successfully."

Unfortunately, the judges could not give positive comments to her mission. They had told her that even though she managed to remove all its organs successfully, she could not seem to remove the fishy smell off it. As a result, the fish was not very well-cooked.

"Well, it's my first time doing this. So I am willing to take their comments and keep them in mind." Mantou told The Lame Times after the whole game.

Fear Factor Domestic is the first reality show to be organised in Mantou family. In order to compete for the "My Dishes are Edible" grand title, these contestants are faced with their greatest fears and accomplish fearsome missions given.

====================================================================

Finally, I managed to cook omelettes well...yeah..!! me very happy happy..!! (^^)

Basically i cooked 2 types of omelettes - Sausages Omelette and Sausage Tomato Omelette

The dishes were well-received by my family. My parents told me that these omelettes tasted so much better than the ones which i've made in the past..!! hahaa..me very happy.. (^^)

But the washing of fish is real big torture to me. At one point in time, i have a great urge to call up my buddy for guidance. But cos i think he's already in camp, so i dun dare to disturb him. =p hhaa..

After spending days in Ha Tay, i think i definitely learnt a lot of cooking skills from DW n Wi.

Somehow i feel more motivated in cooking. hAa...i'm intending to try cooking another type of omelette - Sausage/mushroom Cheese Omelette (^^) i wanna see the cheese oozing out when i cut it open..!! YuuuMmmmm...!!

Intending to make sushi too..haha...and if possible, i also wanna make vietnamese spring rolls to let my family try..!! (^^) then in the future, i wanna learn to boil different types of cantonese soups. haa..think it's time to me to prepare myself being a good wife. it's not tat i'm going to be attached or watsoever, but i just feel it's time for me to be trained up, knowing how to cook.

(^^)

Rainy day

Had a real busy day..2 tuition works within a day..hee..but i like keeping myself busy..

Raining today.
It's my most favourite weather.
Love the rain.
(^^)
Love the rain even more, when i'm listening to mp3 while travelling alone in the bus.

Travelling in the bus
Listening to jazz using my mp3
And watching the rain.

Ahhhhh...long time i've not done this le..!!

The best is when night falls and me alone in starbucks.
Sitting on the sofa, next to the big glass window.
Rain comes and i'm listening to jazz at the same time.
Drinking a cup of hot cappucino....
With my siberian husky lying lazily besides me..
And of course, no ppl is talking loudly..
Silent starbucks..

(^^) ah......i really hope one day i can do some thing like tis...!! (^^)

Will be donating my precious blood with my Lame Club ppl tmr..whaa..

JIAYOU..!!!

Initially worried for one good fren.
Now i feel i'm worrying for two good frens..
But i'm more worried for the second one..very very very worried for her....
(T_T) hahaa..but i hope she's gotten my point and my great intense anxiety..ahhaa..juz now, i feel tat i'm some old granny...nag n nag n nag with rational reasons...hahaa..

Anyway, ppl, all of you must jiayou jiayou..!!!
Must cheer up...!!!

I'm not sad anymore le. So you all must buck up too..!!! Dun indulge yourself in your problems too..!!! (",)

If you still sad, then i shall shower you with my power of lame...
whhaa...

May the power of lame be with you..

Tuition work..yeah..!!

Cleaned the kitchen today. My dad asked me to do so. haa..tink he feels that i need to have more domestic training..whaa...

So ended up not going out at all.

Hopefully my IA will be confirmed very soon.

Patient...patient...mantou must be patient ah...

Today, i was reminded of sth which i do not wish to talk about it.
It's brought up again.
But i really hope it'll just end totally today (19th Jan 2007).

Think i shall stop here.
I wanna stop here.
I'm really very tired.

Selected paragraphs in the Last chapter of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

A diary written by Walton, Frankenstein's close friend.

Adapted

"...His (Frankenstein) sentence was pronounced, and I could only grieve and be patient. I sat by his bed watching him; his eyes were closed, and I thought he slept; but presently he called to me in a feeble voice, and, bidding me come near, said--"Alas! the strength I relied on is gone; I feel that I shall soon die, and he, my enemy and persecutor, may still be in being. Think not, Walton, that in the last moments of my existence I feel that burning hatred and ardent desire of revenge I once expressed; but I feel myself justified in desiring the death of my adversary. During these last days I have been occupied in examining my past conduct; nor do I find it blamable. In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational creature, and was bound towards him, to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness and well-being. This was my duty; but there was another still paramount to that. My duties towards the beings of my own species had greater claims to my attention, because they included a greater proportion of happiness or misery. Urged by this view, I refused, and I did right in refusing, to create a companion for the first creature. He showed unparalleled malignity and selfishness, in evil: he destroyed my friends; he devoted to destruction beings who possessed exquisite sensations, happiness, and wisdom; nor do I know where this thirst for vengeance may end. Miserable himself, that he may render no other wretched he ought to die. The task of his destruction was mine, but I have failed. When actuated by selfish and vicious motives I asked you to undertake my unfinished work; and I renew this request now when I am only induced by reason and virtue.

"Yet I cannot ask you to renounce your country and friends to fulfil this task; and now that you are returning to England you will have little chance of meeting with him. But the consideration of these points, and the well balancing of what you may esteem your duties, I leave to you; my judgment and ideas are already disturbed by the near approach of death. I dare not ask you to do what I think right, for I may still be misled by passion.

"That he should live to be an instrument of mischief disturbs me; in other respects, this hour, when I momentarily expect my release, is the only happy one which I have enjoyed for several years. The forms of the beloved dead flit before me and I hasten to their arms. Farewell, Walton! Seek happiness in tranquillity and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries. Yet why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed."

His voice became fainter as he spoke; and at length, exhausted by his effort, he sunk into silence. About half an hour afterwards he attempted again to speak, but was unable; he pressed my hand feebly, and his eyes closed for ever, while the irradiation of a gentle smile passed away from his lips. "

Farewell, Frankenstein.

16th Jan 2007:

Boring day.

Slack at home.

But went to tamp's IKEA with my mum today. haa..
Simply love tat place. I know one more place to hang out alone. haha..
IKEA.

hahaa..

Listening to music by Beatles, The Carpenters etc..from the "Forrest Gump" soundtrack. Followed by jazz. It feels comforting to listen to jazz at night.. (^^) love it lots....very relaxing..

Ahhhh...

Recently notice one musical is coming to singapore soon - Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera". Still calculating whether i should spend tat money to watch. Heard of this play when i was in sec sch. When i was introduced to this musical and the composer by my music keyboard teacher. Wondering whether Sarah Brightman will be the lead singer again. Cos i wanna experience her vocal power. Live. hahaa..

hhaa..but i realise i've missed out one good musical - "My Fair Lady". Sigh..think this play's a good one too...


27th December 2006, Wednesday:

Time to leave Ha Tay.

(T_T)

me very sad....will miss the kids in Kim Bai...will miss the working staff of the rehabilitation centre for the handicapped.

And we also realised that some staff in the centre are no small fries.

The so-called security guard for tat centre, which is also our accomodation site, is no ordinary guard. And when he guards at night, he will sleep on the bed found in the kitchen.
Who's he actually?
He is a doctor.
No wonder he's so smart.
Somemore, i addressed him "uncle".
oh my goodness, oh my goodness...we had been always thinking tat he's a real security guard all along. Until the last three days of our stay.

Another one.
He often came to the centre in the day.
Swept the floor for us, fetched well water for us, and sometimes interrupted our cooking sessions. Trying to correct our kitchen skills.
Who's he actually?
He's a dentist.
But he's a nice fellow. And we have learnt a lot from him.
And of course, we have many interesting encounters with him, in terms of communications.

The way we communicate was totally hilarious. We were like playing "I show, you guess" game with him. Due to our language barrier, we had to go many different forms of gestures to communicate with him. The most funny encounter me and my frens experienced with him took place in the kitchen where we were trying to borrow a knife from him. hahaa..basically he could not understand wat we were trying to put across. hahaa..goodness me..

Anyway back to our topic.

Yup, we left in the morning.
The ride was pretty bumpy and a few of us had carsick in the end.

Immediately after we checked in a hotel, we went to have our lunch and then visited the Hoa Binh Peace Village. Initially, many of us had actually thought of it to be a real village. But realised it's not. It's a centre. A nicely built and painted building. A building which presents an atmospher of love and warmth. Peace Village bascially caters to the children inflicting with Agent Orange. Where they will stay there permanently and receive the necessary education and treatment from. And there are many other international delegations, e.g. Japan.

We visited the whole place. The children are either physically or mentally challenged. And we also got to visit the babies there.

After walking around, it's time for the health care workshop. Educating some kids there. I was in charge of teaching one batch while my another friend, Wi, in charge of the other. The batch which i taught was of around the teenage age. And they were easier to handle. Wi's side was a bit more difficult, the kids there were more difficult to manage. Their mental conditions seem to be more serious than my side's.

And i noticed that they have a shorter concentration span than normal kids. I actually tried to rush through the last part of the lesson.

Did the "head, shoulder, knees and toes" song with them. This time, i din make the same mistake...yeah..!!! but dun know why, my frens told me tat i looked very serious during that session...hahhaa.. =p

Saw one moment which touches me a lot. One teenager boy's legs were too weak to walk or stand, due to the effects of agent orange. So in order to move around, he has one particular friend who is always willing to carry him around. And this boy is not alone at all. He has friends around him, despite his physical condition. Looking at him and his friends, I am very touched and learnt that this is really what true friends are. (",)

There's one particular girl who seems to be quite aggressive. She kicked one of my frens' butt. Hard.

And haha..there's a playground in Peace Village and many of us indulged ourselves in playing the merry-go-round. hahaa.. =p

After the visit to Peace Village, we rushed to the Hong Duc Humanitarian Centre for a farewell ceremony. Again, the same agent orange victim sang us a song. And this time, he hugged everyone, except me. He din hug me, probably cos i was holding my digicam, filming..haha.. =p

All activities finally ended in the evening, when we finally could go back hotel to wash up.

And yes..!!! FINALLY!!! Enfin..!!! I saw a proper toilet system, swimmers can dive tremenously well...!! I could bathe in hot water...!!!!!! I had a proper shower system...!!! hhaaa..
And we actually heard from KP that one fren actually spent his 30 mins in bathroom. hahaha..

Well, we were deprived of proper bathing and toileting system for 10 days.

After the wash-up, we went to eat at the famour Pho24..!!
The pho was real delicious..!! hahhaa..we actually planned to eat kfc after watching the flag-lowering near Ho Chi Minh memorial square.

Again, we were deprived of fast-food restaurants.

Went for the flag-lowering session after our Pho dinner. It will take place everyday, at around 9pm. Throughout the whole session, we are prohibited to step beyond a yellow boundary.

Finally, KFC session..!!!!! =D
Fast-food restaurants are rarely seen in vietnam, probably due to its relatively high consumption cost.
So we went to the one and only one kfc for our supper. haha..and we were so picky in our orders la. =p

And yup, tat's all for the day. No debrief for this day. hahaa..finally no more debrief. hahaa.. =p

Ha Long Bay, off we go tmr..hee..

*to be continued...*

1501. 1601.

1501.

My tuition for my higher chinese student was cancelled..!! Kinda happy cos could sleep more. =D

Then went to red cross house for the disabled with a few of my project chia-se team ppl, aka the lame club members. To visit the patients there.

First intro u all the lame club ppl. whaa..
President of Lame Club: mantou
Vice-president: M
Publicity officer: C
Honourary members: KP, WL, T, PM (still got who else ah? =p)
Ordinary members: The rest of Chia-se team (*muhaa*)

1. "j'aime la Recee" (First programme to kick off the visit the activity)
Leader: M
Members involved: mantou, KP, T, PM, C
Objective: Team-bonding. Develop the potential of lameness fully.
Brief details of activities: - Alight at the wrong bus stop.
- Get lost along the way.
- Lots of walking under the rain involved.
Equipments required: - Umbrella

Outcome:
Found our way there at last,after an hour of recee. Lots of exchange of lame conversation were exchanged. Despite of all the obstacles, the lame club has become even more united and harmoniously lame. They have proved the rest of the world that they are really lame. Good job, everyone!
-Signed: President of Lame Club -
- Cc: TheLameClub.com -

2. Visit of Red Cross house for the Disabled
Objective: Interact witht the people staying in the home.

Outcome:
Find the situation seems to be more serious than when we visited the Agent Orange victims. Here, we find real big difficulty in trying to interact with them, despite of the instructions given. Unlike the agent orange victims, they seem to find difficulties in responding to our questions and also in expressing themselves, verbally and physically. Many of them have involuntary muscle movement problems. The whole scene was kinda heart-wrecking. Thought that there's no longer any language barrier between us and the patients, unlike in vietnam. But it seems that we can communicate and interact with them effectively. Nevertheless, we remain strong. We did not cry, but we gave our utmost best to interact with them, especially the kids.
Realise how blessed we are. Really blessed. (",)
Once again, good job, people..!! =)
- Signed: All-of-the-sudden-sentimental President of Lame Club -
- Cc: StrongLameClub.com -

*End of report*


Someone's birthday!
Hey hey hey...happy birthday, DLY..!!! Hope you have enjoyed ur celebration...!! One year older liao..! haa..
Must remain cheerful always..!!! =D you have been a great and helpful friend..!! =)


1601.

Have not received news from OPA. I'm going to make noise tmr le. Wish me all the best. =p

Went to Orchard with my good fren. Realise that he has a pretty good sense of fashion sense. haa...and ended up being my fashion consultant of the day. hahaha..he showed me different fashion shops and gave me many fashion advices. haha..it's only today when he told me that my previous dress sense was boring and sloppy. Cos i will always wear t-shirts and jeans and shoes. (-_-) now then tell me..hahaa..aiyo..hahaa...But well, i'm very grateful to him in being my fashion consultant of the day. I tried out a few clothes which he recommended, and realised that haa..i look not too bad..haha..so i put my trust in his unofficial profession. haa..

But i need to take time to change. Dun change me entirely overnight. Will have indigestion. hhaha.. =p

Ha..met a salesgirl in orchard. She approached both of us. She claimed that today one particular local entertainment magazine is offering some great deals of some CK-related perfume in orchard road. Also, will only offer to those people dressed in black blouse.

I wore a black blouse today.

"...Since today's bla-bla magazine is having the promotion of this product today, there will be a 70% off its usual price."
So she offered me one box.

"...Since today your friend (referring to me) is wearing black which resembles the colour of lavendar black seeds, I will offer you another box free."
A second box offered.

"...Since both of you are one of the first 50 ppl whom i approach to, I will offer you another box free."
A third box.

"...Since you are a student, there will be another box offered to you free."
A fourth box.
And there's another one more offer condition which i've forgotten, but anyway, she offered the fifth and the last box for free.

So, basically, one such box juz for about 50 bucks, after its 70% discount.
Free 4 boxes.

Her offer was so attractive and she was so persuasive that my rational mind juz eloped and i paid for it.
Hmmm.

hhaa..anyway i've eaten in one restaurant today in orchard, and find its price to be reasonable and its ambience to be pretty nice. so..haha..zj, hm, jac and sindy, if you all r interested to visit this restaurant, do tell me. hhaa..Find the style to be unique and interesting. And if i'm not wrong, it's most probably a spanish restaurant. Cos the background music played in it was all spanish or mexican. haa..so if interested, do tell me, ya? i'll be more honoured to bring u all there..hhaa..exclusively for u all 4..whaaa... =p


26th December 2006, Tuesday:

The 2nd health care workshop for Kim An Pri started today. And yeah!! =D me finally got the opportunity to teach those kids..!! (^^)

Since the venue for the second site of the sch was far, the teachers actually rode their motorbikes to bring us there. So nice of them.. (^^)

hahaa...and NM was one of the motorist to bring T and M there. hahaa..

Basically, i partnered with M for the workshop today. He will teach the hand-washing while me will be teaching teeth-brushing. hhaa...The whole workshop went on well, except i find that the kids are quieter than those in Kim Bai. hhaa..Still they are adorable. (^^)

As i say, eveything went on well,without any lameness, until its last portion.

I taught the kids a song - "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" song.
Think i've not woken up totally. My actions for indicating knees and toes totally contradicted with my words.

My words: "Knees and toes"
My actions: (tapping my head and shoulders)

Thrice.

Involuntary.

(-_-)

Ahh..throughout the whole day, and the whole trip after that, the whole team knew about this, and the lame club members were like keep imitating my actions..arg......hahahaa.. =p

On our way back from Kim An Pri, we hitched motorcycle rides from the teachers again. =D haha..so does NM. hhaa..during the journey, NM actually almost hit a cow..!! haa...so funny sia..!!! =p

In the afternoon, we went for the farewell ceremony of the Kim Bai Pri. Guess what souvenirs we have gotten from them? hhaa..the vietnamese hats again..!!!!! hahahaa.. But this ceremony was not as fun as in Kim Bai. =p

Later after the ceremony, we rushed back to our accomodation site to meet up with some handicapped people. The site where we have been living in was initially a rehabilation centre for the handicapped. and cos of our arrival, they have to offer the site for us and the handicapped could not receive any treatment during our stay. The stove which we cooked was actually rented. So sweet of them... (T_T)

The interaction with the handicapped was meaningful. And i could say that it's my first time interacting with the handicapped. And I have seen and learnt a lot from this interaction.

I only managed to interact with two people. One of them whom i interacted was a teenage girl in wheelchair. Her legs and hands were weak. She was unreluctant to be involved in the drawing activity. I could probably understand why. Initially she was very unhappy, and at one point in time, I had no idea how to cheer her up. hhaa..it's only until when i started folding paper crane and gave it to her. She smiled. =) So i was more motivated and started making her stars. =) And again, she smiled even more.

At that point in time, i juz felt very happy. (^^)

At the whole event, she left the place with a smile. Me was very happy. haha.. (^^)

And it could be pretty heart-aching to see the conditions of some kids. There was one kid who was kinda mentally challenged. All he loves to do is to pick up and collect grass. Anyone who tries to stop him or take thr grass away from him, this boy will cry. My friends and his relative could not do anything, but let him continue his activity. When i saw the whole thing, i felt kinda heart-ache for the boy and his relative. For such a adorable-looking boy like him, it's juz not fair for such thing to happen to him. But well, this is life.

(^_^)

Good day today... (^_^)

So me very happy today..
haha...finally have something to be happy about.
At least it doesn't remind me of any of my problems, especially my IA.

(",)

Before i debrief on my whole day, i would like to share two MTVs with you. Both are from Ken Hirai. Love this 2 MTVs (",) and his vocal power..haa..

hitomi wo tojite : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVxsgPLu348&mode=related&search= (very touching song.. T_T)

Life Is ... Another Story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESCf1BaW7yc (i love the way the song is presented,especially its filming style)

And oh ya, intro u to the movie "Helen the Baby Fox" trailer..very nice..the music n the trailer is enough to make u cry..haha.. =p anyway the starting portion's a bit of the turn-off la..haha.. =p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW5Ohi0_MM8

Haa..enjoy..!!

Oki, debrief.
(^^) hahaaa....

Debrief

As usual, late in the morning. =p
Taught the teachers the theory portion of what are inside the first aid kit. Me was so nervous la..haha..cos first time teaching my teachers. haha..

Learnt another new version of armsling bandaging. Heard the method's adpoted by the combat medic. And learnt a few more things while listening to DT and the rest's theory lectures. And lots of refresher courses...hahaa.. =p

And guess who i saw? Mrs Heng..!!! (^^) She's still as motherly and sweet as before.. (^^) When i saw her, i dun really have any idea of how to continue the conversation with her, so feeling a bit awkward talking to her.. haha.. but whe i get to see her, i am really very very happy..tink i almost want to tear..happy tears ah..hahaa..

And also, haha..i saw Madam Chan..!!!
When she saw me, she was very happy.
But when i saw her, i was hmm...scared, nervous...and i accidentally did an action unintentionally which shows my fear of her.. T_T so nervous sia..but lucky thing, she spoke nicely to me, and she seems to change to the better. her temper definitely..hmm..she changes her hairstyle..suits her well...haha.. =p and i think her smile is more sincere now..haha.. =p

Heard from Mrs Heng that Miss Tay has actually left to teach in another sch...me so sad..a lot of my teachers has left... i miss them...

And there's a Mr-Robb-look-alike foreign teacher. He din totally look like mr robb, but the way he frowns reminds me of mr robb. reminds me of saving the new zealand trees..so reminds me of the sheeps and the cows now...haha.... =p tink sac has not gotten over mr robb...haha...so probably they get another foreign teacher..haha..wonder wat subject he is teaching..E maths? is he a new-zealander? will he keep telling his students to save the trees? haha... =p

Hmm..think there are 2 more new male teachers. One of them is quite good-looking, in my context. haa..my president even says i've lousy taste.. (-_-) haha..but he wears spects n look decent..n i like his eyes. haha..lucky thing, i no longer study there le. If he taught me, think i'll freak out, and dare not go near him..haha.. =p

But one thing i notice about him and the other new male teacher. They are pretty lame..telling lame jokes.. (-_-") hahhaa..

And haa..surprisingly the vice-principal still remembers me as an ex-SACian who represents one graduate batch for the interview with the MOE official. haha.. (^^) me very happy.

But i din get to see sister joe or any sister whom i'm familar with. I miss sister joe and her humor. I miss sister cecily and her smile. But if i'm not wrong, both went to Italy..

One of the chinese teachers who attended this workshop could still recognise me who pick up chinese calligraphy in sch. had a bit of chat with her..hee..

Saw miss chia..she's still around..and i notice the artistic standards in SAC girls have levelled up. Saw some of the works and find it very unique. hhaa..hey sindy...i still saw ur art piece being put up in sch leh...hahaha... (^^)

I saw mrs boo but did not have the chance to talk to her...then haha..i saw the same lab technicians..!!! the technicians for bio and physics..haha..they are still working there..!! (^^) but they have grown old le..haha..hmmm...(-_-) obviously...

And i've gotten SAC teddy bears as a gift of appreciation..!! Bears dressed in the 4 SAC house t-shirts..haha..very cute...n i love them real lots..!!!

Suddenly feel even more proud to be a SACian. (",)
I have never regretted being a SACian.
A place where i met my 4 good frens.
A place where i joined a CCA which groomed me to a more effective leader and realised my dream.
A place where i fought with sweat and lotsa tears for fulfilling my dream being a doctor.
A place where i know about God who guides me along and helps me to be a better person.
A place where i find myself.
(",) j'adore SAC beaucoup.

After the workshop, rushed for my tuition. Very embarassing. I actually dozed off while teaching my student physics.

Dozing off and explaining the concept to her.

Ended up me at one point in time, i was actually talking non-sensical rubbish, e.g agent orange (i've no idea y i'll mention this,probably i started to wander into my lala land), T= 1/f and i say T= D/f.... (-_-) lucky thing, my student suddenly raised up a question to me, and only then, i woke up from my gibberish rubbish. hahaha..so embarassing la...me din sleep a lot last night. Slept for only 3 hours.. :p

Hhaa..viet trip later..let u all read all these first..haha.. =p

12th Jan:

Pleased.

Annoyed.

Relieved.

Anxious.

Not motivated.

Over-spending.

Irritated.

Disappointed.


My feelings on 12th Jan.


25th Dec 2006, Tuesday:

Continued.

Went to Kim Bai pri for the farewell ceremony. This sch held the most grand farewell ceremony for us. The kids had formed a band, and there were a few kids walking behind them, holding flowers. These kids then offered these flowers to each of us... (T_T) so sweet of them... (^^)

They put up many singing performances. As usual, the usual few, and also "miss universal-ha tay" who sang the same song with her fren on stage. hahaaa...And we started to sing the same song "Vietnam Ho Chi Minh"..hhaa..i could remember how to sing the chorus..

"Vietnam...Ho Chi Minh....vietnam..ho chi minh..."

Haa...

But i really miss these kids, even till now. Their facial expressions n features are very different from the local kids here. These kids are really wat i call innocent. (^^) i love them very much...

Had our so-called christmas celebration after de-brief. haha..And we revealed our angels n mortals..hahaa..G can't find out who her angel was..hee..well, my plan worked afterall.. =p

*Will continue my viet account tmr..haha..i did sth silly on 26th dec..until now, my frens still liked to tease me about it. Especially M......keeps imitating my tat silly lame actions...haha..no worries, me not angry nor petty..juz tat y i will do so silly thingy? Aiyooo....hahaa... =p

Boring day.. (-_-)

Real boring day la...

Still have not gotten any news regarding my IA allocation.. (T_T)
Worry worry sia..

Rained the whole day. Can't go out..Recently, dun know why, i like to go out alone.

Me, myself and my mp3.

Finally finished transferring videos of vietnam to dvd discs today. But had a technical mis-hap. (T_T)

I really hope I could be allocated to a company asap.. (T_T)

Me still thinking whether should have my hair permed in jy. It's 198 bucks for my hair length. A bit ex leh..somemore been spending money, i feel kinda heart-ache to part with this 198...Now considering to have it done in non-branded saloons..should i? should i?

But tmr'll be more busy for me. Getting my new pair of frameless spects tmr..!! =D me happy happy..haa..but need to part with 130...

heart-ache..heart-ache..

cos using my own money.. (T_T)

Think i'll write my vietnam trip tmr.. =P
Sorry, me keep postponing..

Recently not much mood to write happy stuff.

Oh yA..!! I have one happy stuff..!! hhaa..

Will be going back to SAC for first aid workshop for the teachers there. Me will be helping out as an instructor. So i believe, will be guiding my own teachers in first aid..!! haha..me so nervous and excited sia..!! haha..Teaching my own teachers whom some used to teach me. Wonder how they will think. Will they be proud of me? haha...hmmm...

Oh no, will Mdm Chan be attending that workshop? T_T arg...i'm very scared of her..Still remembered the days when she liked to vent her anger on those ppl sitting in the first row of the classroom..Still remembered me n my fren cried juz cos of her temper...Still remembered the day when i cried was the day of my chinese 'O' level oral. Lucky thing, i got an distinction for it..Still remembered she made me drag attending her English lessons.

But well, she's the one who spurged me to prove her wrong. That I could improve in my English language.

Haa..

Hmm..who else i can get to see...? hahaa,,,mrs boo? =p
But too bad, i can't get to see Mr Robb..i miss his teaching style and his "saving the trees" habits..hahaa..
And i miss Mrs Heng - our motherly form teacher of sec 3/7 and 4/7. haha..Anyway she's the same horoscope as me..hahhaa.. =D me so proud of my own horoscope..hahaa..

Wow..haha..suddenly reminds me alot of things in SAC. Where i met my 4 gd frens since sec 1 - zj, hm, jac n sindy...
And other frens..like jy, py..etc..

Still remembered zj was bio-powerhouse. And she'll always remember our exams results..haha..
Jac is an excellent sjab treasurer, and she is still a good treasurer now..
Hm was a lead actoress in a mini play in our drama lesson, and she actually acted pretty well..hahaa..on top of tis, she's uften my go-home companion..haha..
Sindy is chinese-powerhouse, and she is still now..
And me? =D of course, me a mathematics-powerhouse...haha..thick-skinned (-_-)
And of course, me often playing literature roles n acted pretty dramatic during literature lessons..

These 4 frens have been great since sec sch.
They have been very understanding and tolerant towards me, when there are times i have placed my st john stuff above them, regardless of the past and present.
They have never forgotten about me during the time when I put more attention towards maintaining my past relationship.
They have been my most comfortable friends to be around when i do not have to think and try hard to avoid any political trouble.

Still remembered how lame are me and py..calling each other "siew ya" n "siew rou"..haha..all the silly lame actions.."smooth-sailing" as in to pretend rowing a boat (and we still got our other classmates to join in the actions)..."fishballs" n "lame" using the fleming's left hand rule thingy..all the lame stuff la..hahaa..

I miss singing hymns too. haa...

Wonder this time, whether my sch'll "import" more good-looking guy teachers...still remembered during my batch, i can't rmbr there's many good-looking teachers... =p haa..me will be on a look-out for good-looking guy teachers..ha..will update u all soon..haa.. =p

Also, I miss Mr Quah, who had passed away...
He may be very fierce and stern, but he's one teacher whom all SACians will love and fear him.
Will miss his smile always...

(",) i miss my SAC days........

Shake it off and Step Up

Read a story published in one newsletter which i've received today.

So, juz wanna share it with you. Find it pretty meaningful... (",)

<<>>

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule "braying" - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathised with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put them out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...He should shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up..shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

That's life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...

The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them. The potential to benefit and bless us!

So, "shake it off and step up" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

*The End*

So people, if you face difficulties in work, attachment or studies, do not give up..!! MUST JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU loh..!! (^^)

YUp YUp, i will jiayou jiayou too..i juz need to be patient about the allocation results.. =P

*Me will continue my vietnam account tmr...cos me was pretty down the whole day, so no mood to write..ha.. =p *

(T_T)

Chose an interviewing company.

Again. (T_T)

Sigh...

The choices for non-interviewing companies are very limited. Either too few choices for ENE students, or choices open only to CEE students. If not, for male singaporeans only.

Sigh.... =(

So currently, i need to wait again. Wait again. =( I'm getting scared of waiting and waiting... (T_T)

Very sad la... (T_T)

But luckily, is that i still have my students. At least i feel i've something to do. At least i feel i still have work to do.
It's not tat i dun have things to do at home. I still need to practise on my chinese calligraphy,or else my teacher will say tat my calligraphy has deteriorated again..
I still need to do some drawings. Has one unfinished work, which is intended to give it for my grandfather's birthday. Still drawing, not yet painted. =P
I still need to do some video-editing of my vietnam trip. Realise i need to do more video-filming more. My skills are pretty bad. =( Partly could be due to my impatience and lack of planning. =P

Me sad sad sad.....

// A letter to Atticus Darcy //

Dear Mr Darcy,

Sorry that I've misunderstood you. Thanks for reading all along. I really appreciate it.

You are going for debating competition soon, right? Must work hard. And must jiayou jiayou..! I'll pray hard for you.

Speak with confidence, just like Mr Darcy.
But avoid speaking with arrogance, just as he irritates Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Present with wisdom, confidence and a right amount of confidence.
Just like Mr Atticus.

Bring out your potential to the fullest.
Amaze everyone, just like how Mr Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote his poems.
But you need not take any opium to fully exploit your potential.

I have faith in you.


Wishing you all the best from,
Elizabeth Bennet Proctor


8th Jan, Monday:

Slacking time today. Din go out at all. Juz slack at home, packing up my room. (",)

Did a bit of reading up on photography. (T_T) my dad asked me not to buy any more magazine on photography. Think he's kinda worried that i'll start to go serious on photography.

Haa..ya, he reads my mind right, i believe. I am starting to go serious on this hobby. I just feel tat i still have not owned a camera for myself to play with. haha.. =P


Something to share with you all:

Oki, me now on a poetic mood. Took a General Elective in sch during my year 1, which is English-literature related. Came across this English poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Love his works.

Click to this website to find out more about him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Coleridge

This is one of his famous poems:

THE RIME OF THE ANCYENT MARINERE, IN SEVEN PARTS.

I.
It is an ancyent Marinere,
And he stoppeth one of three:
"By thy long grey beard and thy glittering eye"
Now wherefore stoppest me?

The bridegroom's doors are open'd wide
"And I am next of kin;"
The Guests are met, the Feast is set,--
"May'st hear the merry din.

But still he holds the wedding-guest--
There was a Ship, quoth he--
"Nay, if thou'st got a laughsome tale,
"Marinere! come with me."

He holds him with his skinny hand,
Quoth he, there was a Ship--
"Now get thee hence, thou grey-beard Loon!"
Or my Staff shall make thee skip.

He holds him with his glittering eye--
The wedding guest stood still
And listens like a three year's child;
The Marinere hath his will.

The wedding-guest sate on a stone,
He cannot chuse but hear:
And thus spake on that ancyent man,
The bright-eyed Marinere.

The Ship was cheer'd, the Harbour clear'd--
Merrily did we drop
Below the Kirk, below the Hill,
Below the Light-house top.

The Sun came up upon the left,
Out of the Sea came he:
And he shone bright, and on the right
Went down into the Sea.

Higher and Higher every day,
Till over the mast at noon--
The wedding-guest here beat his breast,
For he heard the loud bassoon.

The Bride hath pac'd into the Hall,
Red as a rose is she;
Nodding their heads before her goes
The merry Minstralsy.

The wedding-guest he beat his breast
Yet he cannot chuse but hear:
And thus spake on that ancyent Man,
The bright-eyed Marinere.

Listen, Stranger! Storm and Wind,
A Wind and Tempest strong!
For days and weeks it play'd us freaks--
Like Chaff we drove along.

Listen, Stranger! Mist and Snow,
And it grew wond'rous cauld:
And Ice mast-high came floating by
As green as Emerauld.

And thro' the drifts the snowy clifts
Did send a dismal sheen;
Ne shapes of men ne beasts we ken--
The Ice was all between.

The Ice was here, the Ice was there,
The Ice was all around:
It crack'd and growl'd, and roar'd and howl'd--
Like noises of a swound.

At length did cross an Albatross,
Thorough the Fog it came;
And an it were a Christian Soul,
We hail'd it in God's name.

The Marineres gave it biscuit-worms,
And round and round it flew:
The Ice did split with a thunder-fit;
The Helmsman steer'd us thro'.

And a good south wind sprung up behind,
The Albatross did follow;
And every day for food or play
Came to the Marinere's hollo!

In mist or cloud on mast or shroud
It perch'd for vespers nine,
Whiles all the night thro' [fog-smoke white]
Glimmer'd the white moon-shine.

"God save thee, ancyent Marinere!"
From the fiends that plague thee thus--
"Why look'st thou so?"--with my cross bow
I shot the Albatross.

II.
The Sun came up upon the right,
Out of the Sea came he;
And broad as a weft upon the left
Went down into the Sea.

And the good south wind still blew behind,
But no sweet Bird did follow
Ne any day for food or play
Came to the Marinere's hollo!

And I had done an hellish thing
And it would work 'em woe;
For all averr'd, I had kill'd the Bird
That made the Breeze to blow.

Ne dim ne red, like God's own head,
The glorious Sun uprist:
Then all averr'd, I had kill'd the Bird
That brought the fog and mist.
T'was right, said they, such birds to slay
That bring the fog and mist.

The breezes blew, the white foam flew,
The furrow follow'd free:
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent Sea.

Down dropt the breeze, the Sails dropt down,
'Twas sad as sad could be
And we did speak only to break
The silence of the Sea.

All in a hot and copper sky
The bloody sun at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the moon.

Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, ne breath ne motion,
As idle as a painted
ShipUpon a painted Ocean.

Water, water every where
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water every where,
Ne any drop to drink.

The very deeps did rot: O Christ!
That ever this should be!
Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs
Upon the slimy Sea.

About, about, in reel and rout
The Death-fires danc'd at night;
The water, like a witch's oils,
Burnt green and blue and white.

And some in dreams assured were
Of the Spirit that plagued us so:
Nine fathom deep he had follow'd us
From the Land of Mist and Snow.

And every tongue thro' utter drouth
Was wither'd at the root;
We could not speak no more than if
We had been choked with soot.

Ah wel-a-day! what evil looks
Had I from old and young;
Instead of the Cross the Albatross
About my neck was hung.

III.
I saw a something in the Sky
No bigger than my fist;
At first it seem'd a little speck
And then it seem'd a mist:I
t mov'd and mov'd, and took at last
A certain shape, I wist.

A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!
And still it ner'd and ner'd;
And, an it dodged a water-sprite,
It plung'd and tack'd and veer'd.

With throat unslack'd, with black lips bak'd
Ne could we laugh, ne wail:
Then while thro' drouth all dumb they stood
I bit my arm and suck'd the blood
And cry'd, A sail! A sail!

With throat unslack'd, with black lips bak'd
Agape they hear'd me call:
Gramercy! they for joy did grin
And all at once their breath drew in
As they were drinking all.

She doth not tack from side to side--
Hither to work us weal
Withouten wind, withouten tide
She steddies with upright keel.

The western wave was all a flame,
The day was well nigh done!
Almost upon the western wave
Rested the broad bright Sun;
When that strange shape drove suddenly
Betwixt us and the Sun.

And strait the Sun was fleck'd with bars
(Heaven's mother send us grace)
As if thro' a dungeon grate he peer'd
With broad and burning face.

Alas! (thought I, and my heart beat loud)
How fast she neres and neres!
Are those her sails that glance in the Sun
Like restless gossameres?

Are th[e]se her naked ribs, which fleck'd
The sun that did behind them peer?
And are th[e]se two all, all the crew,
That woman and her fleshless Pheere?

His bones were black with many a crack,
All black and bare, I ween;
Jet-black and bare, save where with rust
Of mouldy damps and charnel crust
They're patch'd with purple and green.

Her lips are red, her looks are free,
Her locks are yellow as gold:
Her skin is white as leprosy,
And she is far liker Death than he;
Her flesh makes the still air cold.

The naked Hulk alongside came
And the Twain were playing dice;
"The Game is done! I've won, I've won!"
Quoth she, and whistled thrice.

A gust of wind sterte up behind
And whistled thro' his bones;
Thro' the holes of his eyes and the hole of his mouth
Half-whistles and half-groans.

With never a whisper in the Sea
Oft darts the Spectre-ship;
While clombe above the Eastern bar
The Horned Moon, with one bright Star
Almost atween the tips.

One after one by the horned Moon
(Listen!, O Stranger! to me)
Each turn'd his face with a ghastly pang
And curs'd me with his ee.

Four times fifty living men,
With never a sigh or groan.
With heavy thump, a lifeless lump
They dropp'd down one by one.

Their souls did from their bodies fly,--
They fled to bliss or woe;
And every soul it pass'd me by,
Like the whiz of my Cross-bow.

IV.
I fear thee, ancyent Marinere!
"I fear thy skinny hand;
"And thou art long and lank and brown
"As is the ribb'd Sea-sand.

"I fear thee and thy glittering eye"
And thy skinny hand so brown--
Fear not, fear not, thou wedding guest!
This body dropt not down.

Alone, alone, all all alone
Alone on the wide wide Sea;
And Christ would take no pity on
My soul in agony.

The many men so beautiful
And they all dead did lie!
And a million million slimy things
Liv'd on--and so did I.

I look'd upon the rotting Sea,
And drew my eyes away;
I look'd upon the eldritch deck
And there the dead men lay.

I look'd to Heaven, and try'd to pray;
But or ever a prayer had gusht,
A wicked whisper came and made
My heart as dry as dust.

I clos'd my lids and kept them close,
Till the balls like pulses beat;
For the sky and the sea, and the sea and the sky
Lay like a load on my weary eye,
And the dead were at my feet.

The cold sweat melted from their limbs,
Ne rot, ne reek did they;
The look with which they look'd on me,
Had never pass'd away.

An orphan's curse would drag to Hell
A spirit from on high:
But O! more horrible than that
Is the curse in a dead man's eye!
Seven days, seven nights I saw that curse,
And yet I could not die.

The moving Moon went up the sky
And no where did abide:
Softly she was going up
And a star or two beside--

Her beams bemock'd the sultry main
Like morning frosts yspread;
But where the ship's huge shadow lay,
The charmed water burnt alway
A still and awful red.

Beyond the shadow of the ship
I watch'd the water-snakes:
They mov'd in tracks of shining white;
And when they rear'd, the elfish light
Fell off in hoary flakes.

Within the shadow of the ship
I watch'd their rich attire:
Blue, glossy green, and velvet black
They coil'd and swam; and every track
Was a flash of golden fire.

O happy living things! no tongue
Their beauty might declare:
A spring of love gusht from my heart,
And I bless'd them unaware!
Sure my kind saint took pity on me,
And I bless'd them unaware.

The self-same moment I could pray;
And from my neck so free
The Albatross fell off, and sank
Like lead into the sea.

V.
O sleep, it is a gentle thing
Belov'd from pole to pole!
To Mary-queen the praise be yeven
She sent the gentle sleep from heaven
That slid into my soul.

The silly buckets on the deck
That had so long remain'd,
I dreamt that they were fill'd with dew
And when I awoke it rain'd.

My lips were wet, my throat was cold,
My garments all were dank;
Sure I had drunken in my dreams
And still my body drank.

I mov'd and could not feel my limbs,
I was so light, almost
I thought that I had died in sleep,
And was a blessed Ghost.

The roaring wind! it roar'd far off,
It did not come anear;
But with its sound it shook the sails
That were so thin and sere.

The upper air bursts into life,
And a hundred fire-flags sheen
To and fro are hurried about;
And to and fro, and in and out
The stars dance on between.

The coming wind doth roar more loud;
The sails do sigh like sedge:
The rain pours down from one black cloud
And the Moon is at its edge.

Hark! hark! the thick black cloud is cleft,
And the Moon is at its side:
Like waters shot from some high crag,
The lightning falls with never a jag
A river steep and wide.

The strong wind reach'd the ship: it roar'd
And dropp'd down, like a stone!
Beneath the lightning and the moon
The dead men gave a groan.

They groan'd, they stirr'd, they all uprose,
Ne spake, ne mov'd their eyes:
It had been strange, even in a dream
To have seen those dead men rise.

The helmsman steer'd, the ship mov'd on;
Yet never a breeze up-blew;
The Marineres all 'gan work the ropes
Where they were wont to do:
They rais'd their limbs like lifeless tools--
We were a ghastly crew.

The body of my brother's son
Stood by me knee to knee:
The body and I pull'd at one rope,
But he said nought to me--
And I quak'd to think of my own voice
How frightful it would be!

The day-light dawn'd--they dropp'd their arms,
And cluster'd round the mast:
Sweet sounds rose slowly thro' their mouths
And from their bodies pass'd.

Around, around, flew each sweet sound,
Then darted to the sun:
Slowly the sounds came back again
Now mix'd, now one by one.

Sometimes a dropping from the sky
I heard the Lavrock sing;
Sometimes all little birds that are
How they seem'd to fill the sea and air
With their sweet jargoning,

And now 'twas like all instruments,
Now like a lonely flute;
And now it is like an angel's song
That makes the heavens be mute.

It ceas'd: yet still the sails made on
A pleasant noise till noon,
A noise like of a hidden brook
In the leafy month of June,
That to the sleeping woods all night
Singeth a quiet tune.

Listen, O listen, thou Wedding-guest!
"Marinere! thou hast thy will:
"For that, which comes out of thine eye, doth make
"My body and soul to be still."

Never sadder tale was told
To a man of woman born:
Sadder and wiser thou wedding-guest!
Thou'lt rise to morrow morn.

Never sadder tale was heard
By a man of woman born:
The Marineres all return'd to work
As silent as beforne.

The Marineres all 'gan pull the ropes,
But look at me they n'old:
Thought I, I am as thin as air--
They cannot me behold.

Till noon we silently sail'd on
Yet never a breeze did breathe:
Slowly and smoothly went the ship
Mov'd onward from beneath.

Under the keel nine fathom deep
From the land of mist and snow
The spirit slid: and it was He
That made the Ship to go.
The sails at noon left off their tune
And the Ship stood still also.

The sun right up above the mast
Had fix'd her to the ocean:
But in a minute she 'gan stir
With a short uneasy motion--
Backwards and forwards half her length
With a short uneasy motion.

Then, like a pawing horse let go,
She made a sudden bound:
It flung the blood into my head,
And I fell into a swound.

How long in that same fit I lay,
I have not to declare;
But ere my living life return'd,
I heard and in my soul discern'd
Two voices in the air,

"Is it he? quoth one, "Is this the man?
"By him who died on cross,
"With his cruel bow he lay'd full low
"The harmless Albatross.

"The spirit who 'bideth by himself
"In the land of mist and snow,
"He lov'd the bird that lov'd the man
"Who shot him with his bow."

The other was a softer voice
As soft as honey-dew:
Quoth he the man hath penance done,
And penance more will do.

VI.
FIRST VOICE.
"But tell me, tell me! speak again,
"Thy soft response renewing--
"What makes that ship drive on so fast?
"What is the Ocean doing?

SECOND VOICE.
"Still as a Slave before his Lord,
"The Ocean hath no blast:
"His great bright eye most silently
"Up to the moon is cast--
"If he may know which way to go,
"For she guides him smooth or grim.
"See, brother, see! how graciously"She looketh down on him.

FIRST VOICE.
"But why drives on that ship so fast
"Withouten wave or wind?
Second Voice.
"The air is cut away before,
And closes from behind.
"Fly, brother, fly! more high, more high,
"Or we shall be belated.
"For slow and slow that ship will go,
"When the Marinere's trance is abated.

I woke, and we were sailing on
As in a gentle weather:
Twas night, calm night, the moon was high;
The dead men stood together.

All stood together on the deck,
For a charnel-dungeon fitter:
All fix'd on me their stony eyes
That in the moon did glitter.

The pang, the curse with which they died,
Had never pass'd away:
I could not draw my een from theirs
Ne turn them up to pray.

And in its time the spell was snapt,
And I could move my een:
I look'd far-forth, but little saw
Of what might else be seen.

Like one, that on a lonely road
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And having once turn'd round, walks on
And turns no more his head:
Because he knows, a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.

But soon there breath'd a wind on me,
Ne sound ne motion made:
Its path was not upon the sea
In ripple or in shade.

It rais'd my hair, it fann'd my cheek,
Like a meadow-gale of spring--
It mingled strangely with my fears,
Yet it felt like a welcoming.

Swiftly, swiftly flew the ship,
Yet she sail'd softly too:
Sweetly, sweetly, blew the breeze--
On me alone it blew.

O dream of joy! is this indeed
The light-house top I see?
Is this the Hill? Is this the Kirk?
Is this mine own countrée?

We drifted o'er the Harbour-bar,
And I with sobs did pray--
"O let me be awake, my God!
"Or let me sleep alway!"

The harbour-bay was clear as glass,
So smoothly it was strewn!
And on the bay the moon light lay,
And the shadow of the moon.

The moonlight bay was white all o'er,
Till rising from the same,
Full many shapes, that shadows were,
Like as of torches came.

A little distance from the prow
Those dark-red shadows were;
But soon I saw that my own flesh
Was red as in a glare.

I turn'd my head in fear and dread,
And by the holy rood,
The bodies had advanc'd, and now
Before the mast they stood.

They lifted up their stiff right arms,
They held them strait and tight;
And each right-arm burnt like a torch,
A torch that's borne upright.
Their stony eye-balls glitter'd on
In the red and smoky light.

I pray'd and turn'd my head away
Forth looking as before.
There was no breeze upon the bay,
No wave against the shore.

The rock shone bright, the kirk no less
That stands above the rock:
The moonlight steep'd in silentness
The steady weathercock.

And the bay was white with silent light,
Till rising from the same
Full many shapes, that shadows were,
In crimson colours came.

A little distance from the prow
Those crimson shadows were:
I turn'd my eyes upon the deck--
O Christ! what saw I there?

Each corse lay flat, lifeless and flat;
And by the Holy rood
A man all light, a seraph-man,
On every corse there stood.

This seraph-band, each waved his hand:
It was a heavenly sight:
They stood as signals to the land,
Each one a lovely light:

This seraph-band, each waved his hand,
No voice did they impart--
No voice; but O! the silence sank,
Like music on my heart.

Eftsones I heard the dash of oars,
I heard the pilot's cheer:
My head was turn'd perforce away
And I saw a boat appear.

Then vanish'd all the lovely lights;
The bodies rose anew:
With silent pace, each to his place,
Came back the ghastly crew.
The wind, that shade nor motion made,
On me alone it blew.

The pilot, and the pilot's boy
I heard them coming fast:
Dear Lord in Heaven! it was a joy
The dead men could not blast.

I saw a third--I heard his voice:
It is the Hermit good!
He singeth loud his godly hymns
That he makes in the wood.
He'll shrieve my soul, he'll wash away
The Albatross's blood.

VII.
This Hermit good lives in that wood
Which slopes down to the Sea.
How loudly his sweet voice he rears!
He loves to talk with Marineres
That come from a far Contrée.

He kneels at morn and noon and eve--
He hath a cushion plump:
It is the moss, that wholly hides
The rotted old Oak-stump.

The Skiff-boat ne'rd: I heard them talk,
"Why, this is strange, I trow!
"Where are those lights so many and fair
"That signals made but now?

"Strange, by my faith! the Hermit said--
"And they answer'd not our cheer.
"The planks look warp'd, and see those sails
"How thin they are and sere!
"I never saw aught like to them
"Unless perchance it were

"The skeletons of leaves that lag
"My forest brook along:
"When the Ivy-tod is heavy with snow,
"And the Owlet whoops to the wolf below
"That eats the she-wolf's young.

"Dear Lord! it has a fiendish look--
(The Pilot made reply)
"I am afear'd.--
"Push on, push on!"
Said the Hermit cheerily.

The Boat came closer to the Ship,
But I ne spake ne stirred!
The Boat came close beneath the Ship,
And strait a sound was heard!

Under the water it rumbled on,
Still louder and more dread:
It reach'd the Ship, it split the bay;
The Ship went down like lead.

Stunn'd by that loud and dreadful sound,
Which sky and ocean smote:
Like one that hath been seven days drown'd
My body lay afloat:
But, swift as dreams, myself
I found Within the Pilot's boat.

Upon the whirl, where sank the Ship,
The boat spun round and round:
And all was still, save that the hill
Was telling of the sound.

I mov'd my lips: the Pilot shriek'd
And fell down in a fit.
The Holy Hermit rais'd his eyes
And pray'd where he did sit.

I took the oars: the Pilot's boy,
Who now doth crazy go,
Laugh'd loud and long, and all the while
His eyes went to and fro,
"Ha! ha!" quoth he--"full plain I see,
"The devil knows how to row."

And now all in my own Countree
I stood on the firm land!
The Hermit stepp'd forth from the boat,
And scarcely he could stand.

"O shrieve me, shrieve me, holy Man!
The Hermit cross'd his brow--
"Say quick," quoth he, "I bid thee say
"What manner of man art thou?

Forthwith this frame of mine was wrench'd
With a woeful agony,
Which forc'd me to begin my tale
And then it left me free.

Since then at an uncertain hour
Now oftimes and now fewer,
That anguish comes and makes me tell
My ghastly aventure.

I pass, like night, from land to land;
I have strange power of speech;
The moment that his face I see
I know the man that must hear me;
To him my tale I teach.

What loud uproar bursts from that door!
The Wedding-guests are there;
But in the Garden-bower the Bride
And Bride-maids singing are:
And hark the little Vesper-bell
Which biddeth me to prayer.

O Wedding-guest! this soul hath been
Alone on a wide wide sea:
So lonely 'twas, that God himself
Scarce seemed there to be.

O sweeter than the Marriage-feast,
'Tis sweeter far to me
To walk together to the Kirk
With a goodly company.

To walk together to the Kirk
And all together pray,
While each to his great father bends,
Old men, and babes, and loving friends,
And Youths, and Maidens gay.

Farewell, farewell! but this I tell
To thee, thou wedding-guest!
He prayeth well who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.

He prayeth best who loveth best,
All things both great and small:
For the dear God, who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

The Marinere, whose eye is bright,
Whose beard with age is hoar,
Is gone; and now the wedding-guest
Turn'd from the bridegroom's door.

He went, like one that hath been stunn'd
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn.

-- End --

Hee..i know it's long.. =P

Continued..my Vietnam trip..haa..

7th Jan, sunday:

Went to have a new pair of spectacles made. hee..yup, it's frameless spects again, but the shape of the lens will be more rectangular. hee..me prefer rectangular stuff to circular shapes. But i dislike heart shape the most. Why? je ne sais pas..hha.. =p

Had a good deal for this spects. Had it done at only 150 bucks, with high index lens for my lazy eyes. hahaa..

Painted my room today. (",) hope everything'll go better this year. But din go for my 3rd student's lesson today. =p too many things to do le..i need to do things one at a time..

Oh ya, my this indonesian student wanted me to teach him higher chinese again..hee..i'm pretty happy. But at the same time, i'm quite worried, scare he'll start telling me lame jokes again, which disrupts the lesson. haa..basically, he's one cheeky fellow la..

So now, i have 3 students at hand. (^^)

Realise Dennis's not been reading this blog for a long time, ever since I'm back from vietnam. Cos he din even know tat i'm on attachment this semester.

Sigh.

Ok. I see he's moving on. He's really moving on. yup....


To: monster

Leave me, as if I've not had that thought of playing God.
Leave me, as if I've not invented the idea.
Leave me, as if I've not created you.

Sorry.

For your every kindness, I receive with hesitation.
For your every move, I fill with sadness and guilt.
For your every response, I return with forced coldness.

Sorry.

I shall make you a wife.

Regards,
Frenkanstein


6th Jan, Saturday:

Met up a friend today. Went to eat merlinoster in Ben & Jerry's. First time eating the 6-scoops ice-creams andit's really nice. But the chocolate flavour is too sweet after eating so much of it, and ended up complaining. haha.. =p But still i love the ice-cream alot, although my tummy still a bit weird weird. =P Love the peanut butter flavour, the monkey chunky and the hot fludge chocolate flavours. And of course, i love searching for the chocolaty fish-shaped chocolates which swims in the milky ice-cream. haha...YUMM..!!! =D haha..

First time went to Lau Ba Sa to eat. I hardly eat out, so to such place, I'm like some ignorant kids..hhaa.. =p

My tuition work starts today. Realise that i'm really super weak in P n C (permutation and combination). Ended up telling my student,CX, that i can't help her for her upcoming test. But i'm determined to understand this topic. I dun believe after so many years, i still can't get it right. haha..yup, kanbatte..!!

Went for the second student to teach Amaths and physics. This student's one of my ex-student's classmate. She's pretty cute and she looks at me as if she can't believe i'm 21. (-_-) CX once gave me tat kind of amazed look too. haha.. =p But this student, i find her pretty smart even though she's a sec 5 student. within the 2 hours, I've finished teaching her the topic on logathermic, and i actually asked her to try some higher-level questions. Basically, from the way she did her questions, I could see that she has already had her foundation built pretty strongly, which i'm glad. BUt what i'm worried, is that she'll forget almost everything for the next lesson. haha.. =p


22nd December 2006, Friday:

My team's turn to cook for everyone again.

Finally had some quiet time for myself in the centre. Listening to my mp3 songs, and sitting on the steps, admiring the surroundings. (",) this is the kind of life I wanna lead to relax. But at the same time, I start to think about Dennis and our break-up. I initiated it, but he seemed to face it with ease. I think he doesn't really bother about me anymore. But ya la, he's more cool and decisive in handling such things than me. I'm more emotional.

Yup, my pre-25th syndrome was starting up. And i tried to keep myself busy with all the washing of dishes.

Anyway the first aid workshop for grade 6 and 7 started in the afternoon. Initially I kinda dragged myself there to the gate of kim bai sec. Yesterday had drained me, n also everyone, out, emotionally and mentally. Today i partnered with T.

The lesson started off well and ended well, for my n W's side. Basically, we have changed the learning environment, from interactive to a more classroom style. The students are more manageable and more eager to learn. For my side, I believe T n i had a great time teaching them. They are very cute and responsive to our teachings. hee.. (^^) after the whole workshop, everyone, especially W n me, returned with great relief and happy faces..!! =D

Also, after the workshop ended, the kim bai sec principla invited us into the office for a tea break. He gave us the vietnamese hats too..!! =D At the end of the tea session, he invited us for a badminton session with him. =D my favourite sport sia..!! Only a few of us played and i'm the only girl to play with the rest of the guys. haha..but well, i think i played not too bad. At least my those guy friends din underestimate me in the end. whahaa... =p

23rd dec 2006, Saturday:

Kinda forgotten what i did for this day le.

But one event i know, is tat we went to visit 2 houses of Agent Orange victims. Was pretty traumatised by what i've heard and seen. In one of the homes, the victim's grandson is mentally challenged due to the genetic impact of Agent Orange. I do not have any info regarding this chemical agent,till i've seen and heard it. The wife teared when her husband narrated his past. I believe it's been a tough time for the wife. But by seeing the grandchild, i'm pretty heart-broken for the family. The chemical agent has not only affected the victim himself, but also affects greatly and genetically to the next and next generation.

At that point in time, i was pretty traumatised.


24th dec 2006, Sunday:

Christmas eve today. Starting to feel down cos it's 25th tomorrow. It used to be an anniversary. Yup..Started to remind myself of many things.

Cultural visit to Thanh Oai district. Grabbed a bug. haha..me brave rite? hahaa..but the one of the kids whom we met there was using the bug to disturb T. =( he's quite mean la..so me decided to take the bug and put it to somewhere safer.

Saw the people selling dog meat.. (T_T)

Anyway had a lovely dinner today..!! The soup cooked by one of my vietnamese frens, KP, was spicy and nice..!! And i loved to eat the so-called sticky rice with mushrooms and chicken..!! (^^) hhaah..had 3 bowls of it.. =p

Exactly 1200 for singapore time. At tat time, a few of frens n i were busy packing health care kits for the next batch of kids in Km An pri. Called ZJ they all, and realised that HM, Jac and S were all in her house. (T_T) So good..!! And i really miss them. In fact, i almost wanna cried when i heard their voices. hahaa.. =p

Then called Dennis too. Yup..
He din tell me anything which stirs my emotions. But this call is decisive enough for me to be aware that i'm still not ready to accept another person currently.

At this point in time, I still can't think of any idea of how to treat my next one better. What to make for him for every month anniversary, or even annual anniversary..etc.. i totally have no idea at all. At this time, i realise i can't put 100% of efforts into the next relationship, until i feel i'm totally ready. If i were to get attached again, i have to make sure myself that i can put in 100% efforts again.

On 25th dec, I make my decision.


25th Dec 2006, Monday:

25th-syndrome.

Me in cooking team today.
For lunch, we cooked fried pho for everyone. hahaa..and well, i get to cook 2 plates of fried pho for 2 of my frens.

Fear Factor Ha Tay.

The first guinea pig to try my fried pho was M. hhaa..i was so paranoid that i stood there, watching him finish up the whole plate. haha..The first plate was kinda a failure. The taste was too plain. But M still said it's okay..haha..so obviously, i got so paranoid that i watched him finish up the whole dish. haha.. =p

But i dun believe i can't cook well. So the next guinea pig was CC. =p This time, the plate had some taste. But too much taste. A bit salty. haha..But well, i think it's definitely better than the first dish. hahah.. =p

For dinner, my team cooked lemon chicken, and sweet and sour pork. I love the 2nd dish. Though we did not have the tomato sauce, we could still make the dish taste like what it's intended to be.. (^^)

Cooked a dish which holds a great significance to me. Since there were extra eggs and sausages, I decided to cook sausage omelette for some people.

Fear Factor Ha Tay.

HHAa..but well, this time, i could cook the omelette well. And it was the best omelette which i cooked. W praised well. haha..tink T and M did praise too. haha..me was very happy. =D

Omelette, especially mushroom omelette, is Dennis's one of his favourite dishes. I used to cook for him twice. But it's not as nice as what i cooked on this day. I din cook it well. But well, he no longer has the chance to try it. Sigh. Cos i still remembered tat omelette i cooked for them, the rareness of the egg is what dennis likes to eat. This time, i can do it. But he can't and no longer has the chance to try mine.

But i believe someone will take over me and cook much better mushroom omelette for him in the future.

I know i hardly cook, so my cooking skills are not up to a certain standard. I know all along whenever he tries the food which i cook, he has tat certain fear. Still remembered he told me before, tat he only wants to try nicely-cooked food. Probably due to this, i start to get very paranoid and hesitant in cooking for him. I will feel a sense of pressure, cooking for him. Probably cos he's been my guinea pig all along, so he seems to me that he has developed a certain phobia for trying out my food. So he never seems to express any interest in me suggesting to cook for him. sigh...

Sigh, never mind..i juz hope that the next guy whom i'm attached to in the future will motivate me to improve on my cooking skills, and be very willing to be my guinea pig. Basically someone who is willing to accompany me ups and downs in my cooking arena.. haha =p haha...crap.. (-_-")

vietnam account fr 19th n 21st dec 2006

5th Jan 2007, Fri:

Vomitted in the middle of the night. And having diahorrea. (T_T)

Ended up resting and sleeping the whole day at home. Initially I'm supposed to meet up 2 of my tj old classmates to go back tj to clash into its orientation and also to visit our teachers. Sigh..it's been 4 yrs since i met my classmates. Then all of all things, i fell sick. =(

But it's surprisingly to me that i finally have the courage to go back to face tj. All along, i never want to step into the gates of tjc. Reasons being? It brought many unhappy memories to me, especially my bio teacher who always put pressure on me to drop the Bio subject. =( But now, i feel i'm ready to face all the teachers. yup.. (",)

Fell sick, ended up eating plain porridge with soy sauce. (T_T) it's a big torture to eat it. First, i never like eating porridge, besides century egg with minced meat porridge. Second, the porridge is super plain tat i feel like puking while eating it. And my mum boiled soup. I've always been her solid fan when it comes to soups which she boils. Today, i've no chance to drink. (T_T) it's been a long time i've not drunk her soups. I kinda miss drinking the soups she boils.

Hopefully i'll be fine by tomorrow. Has to teach from 11am to 5pm. Almost non-stop actions of tuition works. No choice, the only free time i have now, is on weekends. Anyway, i'm no longer attached, so i could put more focus into work. Work n work n work, earn money as much as i can now. haha.. =p

Gotten a bad news today. Received an email from sch that my application to one attachment company is not successful. Made me happy for nothing. Now i need to wait for wed to select another company. Sigh... =(

4th Jan, thursday:

Went back to sch for attachment briefing. And met up with 3 of my very good friends for jap buffet. haha..miss them so much sia..And we had a real long chat after it. I simply enjoyed talking with them, and realised that we all have grown much throughout the years. (^^)

Also bought a blouse from Red2 and a pair of high-heeled shoes. (",) can't wait to wear sia..i wanna have a change in my image. So will be wearing more feminine clothes in future. haaa.. =p And going to have my hair permed. Those with large curls. haha..kinda tired of seeing myself with straight hair. =p


19th Dec 2006, Tuesday:

Health care education for Kim Bai pri start today. BUt i've no opportunity to teach the kids cos i'm in the kitchen team for today. Kitchen team, as in, the people in this team will be responsible for cooking meals for the rest on that entire day.

Morning was super cold. Could blow steam out from our mouths. hahaha..

The water is rusty due to the rusty pipe, and we could not use it for drinking purpose. We used it to wash dishes and veggies. But after tat, we will use well water to rinse off the rusty water on them.

Long time never make preparations for meals. As i was peeling the potato skins, i kinda miss my mum. Normally at home, i hardly help out in preparing food. It's my mum who does the job. Long time i've not cooked fried rice and i've no idea how to start. Lucky thing, in my team, i've a friend who knows how to cook. So he guided me and another friend, M, in cooking the fried rice. The first and last portion of the rice were cooked by me, and the rest was cooked by M. haha..took a photo of the fried rice dish with M. haha..lucky thing, the rice was pretty nice..!! (^^)

Games Day in Kim Bai pri was held in the afternoon and i had the chance to play with them. Played tug-of-war and my side won..!! =D haaa..Later after the games, the kids put up many singing performances and i sinply love them..!!Some of them were very good-looking. And my friend, T, and i have a particular girl in Kim Bai whom we love to take photos very much. I love his photography skills, and also his camera. Since i'm in charge of video n also a bit of photography, i always love to look at the photos which he took. Also, we realised that both of us have a common favourite photographic target. And we called her "Miss universe" cos whenever she says hi to us, she will walk and wave her hand, just like miss universe. And we simply love her smile. (^^)

From today's cooking experience, i've learnt the importance of clean water. And i feel a greater importance in my course of study. I feel I have an aim in studying and excelling in environmental engineering. Do well, and i could help these poorer places in purifying water so tat they can have cleaner water to use. yup.. (^^)

The night sky there is beautiful. The stars are beautiful and i wish that i could juz sit outside and stare at the sky for a long long time. But the weather is always cold at night and i've no chance. At tat point in time, i wish i could watch such scenery with someone special. Who? For a moment, i'm confused.


20th dec 2006, Wednesday:

Today, i finally have a chance to teach the kids in Kim Bai. Initially i was pretty nervous teaching them. BUt later after, i was at my teaching mode and I simply love teaching the kids. They are very responsive and eager to learn. Love them so much..!! (^^)

Started packing first aid kits. Tomorrow's first aid education starting. And finally the medical cargo was accepted to enter vietnam and we were very happy..!! =D

My friend, W, and i had planned this workshop for a long time. There are many changes and we have to change the lesson plans according. Today is still not the confirmed plan. Cos it's only by tomorrow when we meet the Kim Bai sec sch's principal, everything is confirmed and set.

Nervous sia... =x


21st dec 2006, thursday:

Today's the start of basic first aid education for the kim bai sec sch kids. Went to meet the principal in the morning. Initially, everything went very smoothly. The principal nodded in agreement to every request we made. I thought everything will go as i expected.

First aid workshop started in the afternoon. The target groups for today were Grade 8 and 9 students. I was in charge of facilitating Grade 8 while my friend, W, was in charge of Grade 9.

Initially, the attendance was poor and at a moment, i was totally demoralised and wanted to give up. Luckily, the attendance was improving a lot and my friends gave me many encouraging words. =)

The workshop kicked off well. We could still manage to control every student, until when we started to give them hands-on activities. It was super havoc and chaotic, for W's and my side. They were totally uncontrollable and we ended up to be very fierce and stern to them. Realised these students have very high ego and they dun like to be treated like kids. They will not accept any sweet given to them. And they have attitude problems. W ended up ending the lesson early cos his side was almost uncontrollable. Even the teacher could not control them.

everyone returned with a shagged-out face. haha..and i was very disappointed and upset with the outcome of the workshop. Felt tat i've not done well, despite all the preparations made by W and I.

The principla seemed to understand how we felt and told us that these 2 grades are more difficult to manage as they are in growing-up period. And he assumed us that tomorrow's students will be more easier to handle...i hope so...

But this kim bai sec principal's very nice. We later realise that he agrees to our every request juz cos he wants us to be happy. So sweet of him, rite? we goes there,supposedly to make his sch happy. but now it's the other way too. he wants us to be happy. I am pretty touched tat he's so nice to us... (",)

25th was around the corner, and i'm starting to have pre-25 syndrome again.