Very full

Wow! I'm so full and bloated. Just had a great time at my house, having steamboat with the following people.
1. Laogong
2. Twinnie
3. Reza (twinnie's bf)
4. Ian (my brother!)
5. One of my brother's many gfs (I forgot her name =x)

Bought lots of food. We had:

• Scallops
• Salmon
• Wanton
• Sotong ball
• Fish ball
• Toufu
• Egg toufu
• Prawn
• Xiao bai cai
• Chinese cabbage
• Straw mushroom
• Shitake mushroom
• Button mushroom
• Oyster mushroom
• Corn
• Sze Chuan vegetable
• Nuggets
• Crab stick
• Sausages

It's really really good. But I'm so exhausted now because of the washing up, preparation and packing. Oh well, nevermind.

So the question is, why steamboat? The reasons are:

1. I have a craving for steamboat - at home.

2. It's Reza's birthday (yesterday).

3. Twinnie smsed me saying she feels like eating steamboat.

And so, steamboat! It would be much better if everyone could stay till late and we all played some board games till the wee hours of the morning. Guess there'll be a chance someday. A chalet will be a good idea. Ok, that's in my next upcoming plan. Oh wait! My brother used my name to book for his chalet. Gheez, gotta shelf this idea then.

Not forgetting, we had a black forest cake. We finished the 0.5kg cake. Lots of cream but well, edible. Hope Reza had a good time!

I've decided on 2 life-altering decisions.

Firstly, to make a pair of spectacles, with those thick frames. I think it will compliment my image of a teacher. Ok ok, I'll look nerdy but I keep thinking of those frames ever since I tried them on like a few months ago. Tried my brother's spectacles of degree 100. I felt giddy in them, though images appeared a little clearer. But I just had my eyesight tested. It was still 6/6 on both sides. Maybe my degree is just 50 or 75 perhaps. The thing is, should I make the spectacles with degree or just get a clear lens with no degree?

Second, I think I really want to rebond my hair. Although I look nice with permed hair, I'm sick and tired of fighting the knots every morning. When should I do it? Before I start school at NIE or after I get my pay in August?

Come on people, comments, opinions, criticism, whatever. Send them in!

Update on my parents - They are well doing ok, I guess. Mum said they won't call everyday because it's pointless. No news is good news, that's what she said. The other day she called and said everyone's ok. They are in the city but it is still very under developed. Potholes everyone and taking the van was a rather bumpy ride. They are leading a very prayful life these few days. Hehe. Continue to pray for them and hope that they remain safe and sound throughout the next few remaining days in Cebu.

Blabberings...

The untrained teacher who is taking over my timetable is here. My comments on her aren't very pleasing. I shan't say more about here. It ends here. Full-stop.

Had a good day yesterday. Went with laogong and twinnie to Clementi Partyworld ktv. Sang until I was really tired. I wanna go again!

Oh yeah having steamboat this Sunday at my house. Just a cosy session of the 4 of us. Me, laogong, twinnie and her bf.

Waiting for my mum to come online. She smsed me this morning saying she'll be online at 10.30pm. It's 10.40pm now. She's late, but nevermind, probably she's enjoying herself over there. Hope mum and dad are having a good time.

Venting my frustrations

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Countdown

And I'm counting down the days to my last day at school.

This is the 2nd last week, with Monday and Tuesday gone. Yippie!

Parents going Phillippines on Thursday morning at 0025 hours and will arrive back on 7th August 2320 hours. I wish them a safe journey. They'll be visiting my Godbrother who is in Cebu doing missionary work and he is taking his final vows to pledge his life there and possibly the title of a priest, depending on whether he's elected.

Ultra sian-ness

So disappointed today. Had the mood to go out to watch Harry Potter today and thought that I could go with my mum. Asked her last night and she said ok and that my dad will go along too. I was so much looking forward to it! Got down to check moving timings and make bookings. But there were no good seats left at the cinema I wanted. My mum said to go another day. So disappointed. I was in the mood to go out. Dressed for it.

Plus it's Monday. I hate Tuesdays and Thursdays. 3 more weeks left. Counting down.

In the end, I came home and watched tv. Maybe tonight I should sleep early. Urgh!! I hate teaching art. Sigh sigh.

Teacher Investiture Ceremony 2007

Teacher Investiture Ceremony 2007
Session 2
11 July 2007 (Wednesday)
2.30pm

After 2 gruelling years, the long awaited time - Teacher Investiture Ceremony 2007. The time when we recite the teacher's pledge loud, clear and with gusto (we were told to and we did it anyway). The time for us to receive the blank NTU folder on stage (transcripts were collected earlier). The time when memories of the 2 years rush back.

The ceremony was very well organized and very quite like a convocation ceremony (I guess). The whole row of lecturers and professors and guest-of-honor in their own special type of gown and cap (which looked rather comical) came in during the procession and it marked the start of the ceremony. 664 graduands today receiving the Diplomas today.

Lots of photos taken after the ceremony and more to come in 2 years time, for my convocation.

Take your time to look at some of the photos taken today. I look very fat in all the pictures!!! Looks like I've been putting on too much weight. Selected the nicer ones to put on the blog.

Me - looking very fat (and sian - I think it was the heat beneath the gown)


My 2 besties - Gillian and Chris. What would life in NIE be without them for these 2 years? It started off with being in the same class for the first semester. I sat next to Chris the first lesson in DSM100 and then meeting her again in DSE100. Sat with Gillian during DSS100. Only after that did we realize that all 3 of us were in the same class for DSM100 and DSE100. And I was with Chris for a couple more modules. Will be seeing more of Gillian in our BA (edu) course soon.


Me and Chris (in the auditorium)


Gillian and Me


Sultanah and Me. How can I forget this other bestie. Someone who I can share all my troubles and problems with. Someone who enjoys shopping as much as I do. Somewho who enjoys korean dramas as much as I do (in fact, I think she's crazier of them as compared to me). Someone who I can't thank enough for giving me this wonderful friendship. Yippie! Will be seeing more of her in NIE, though she's going to specialize in Biology (sheesh!) while I'm going to specialize in English Language (same with Gillian). I wasn't close to Sul at all during the first semester, in fact, you could say that we didn't even know of each other's existance. Until semester 2, DCM100 class, we sat together in the same group and then again in DCS100. And that was the start of the friendship. It started off a little slow (mainly we only talked in class) and then semester after semester we were in the same classes so we grew closer and went out together.


Another one of the closer friends - Faith. Usually had lunch breaks with her together with Chris and Gillian. In NIE where everyone is so much older than me, I managed to find someone of the same age as me! Yippie yeah for Faith too who will be continuing her education in NIE, specializing in art. You go gal! I can't do art for nuts.

Chris, Faith and me


DCM classes will never be the same without this bubbly girl - Linda NJ! Always cracking jokes and writing me "love messages" during lesson time, when we both are about to fall asleep. I admire her for being straightforward. Put me and this lovely laydee together and we can bitch non-stop. And yes Linda's continuing her education too, specializing in History (am I right Linda?).

Me and Linda NJ


Claudia claudia. Someone who I grew closer nearing the end of these 2 years. A very sweet girl who has shown me lots of concern. Thanks for all the exchange of lesson plans. It was great having you over at my house together with Sul and Wesley while we were all busy doing lesson plans during practicum. It was certainly very useful to exchange and help each other. Give me a ring anytime if you need help ok?

Sultanah, Claudia and me


What's the highlight of these 2 years? Practicum! How can I forget the 3 guys from the DipEd programme who were attached to Keming together with me? The wacky, funny and very gay guys. Life in Keming would never be the same without them. We supported each other through, hear each other's woes, shared all the jokes and took care of each other. Now, I am at another school, I do miss the them because I feel so lonely over there. Adrian, the Chinese language teacher, who we consult when we have some queries about English. Ridhwan, the person with the loudest and most distinguished laughter. Wesley, the last minute guy, the oldest amongst us all but the one who can crack stupid jokes.

Adrian, me and Ridhwan


Wesley and me


Last but not least, not forgetting the clique that I was hanging out with during the induction programme days because Sultanah and Ridhwan pulled me and Chris to join them. They are certainly one funny bunch it was fun hanging out with them. Look at the faces on the photograph and you'll know.

The guys - Adrian, Michael, Ridhwan and Zakir
The gals - Me, Sultanah, Aini and Linda


There are so many more other friends that I've left out because I didn't take any photos with them but that doesn't mean I have forgotten them.

Just as I said goodbye to NIE, I'm going to say hello to NIE again. Studying is indeed much better than working.

IQ test

You're a Analytic Detective!
The Super IQ TestBrought to you by Tickle

Marie, your IQ score is 113

Your overall intelligence quotient is the result of a scientifically-tested formula based on how many questions you answered correctly. But it's only part of what we learned about you from your answers on the test. We also determined the way you process information.The way you think about things makes you an Analytic Detective. This means you are an unusually talented problem-solver. You are able to think through a process step-by-step, and know how to zero in on anything that is even remotely illogical. Compared to others you are very adept at discerning numerical patterns and solving difficult equations.

How did we determine that your thinking style is that of an Analytic Detective? When we examined your test results further, we analyzed how you scored on 8 dimensions of intelligence: spatial, organizational, abstract reasoning, logical, mechanical, verbal, visual and numerical. The 3 dimensions you scored highest on combine to make you an Analytic Detective. Only 6 out of 1,000 people have this rare combination of abilities.

Sick

Diarrhea.

Stomach cramps.

Gastrics.

Food poisoning.

Wind in the stomach.

That's what the doctor said. Looks like all the possible problems that can happen to the stomach happened to me these 2 days. Even after all the medication, I'm still having the runs. Am on MC today.

Also, deepest condolences to Delicia, whose grandpa passed away on Wednesday evening.

Unmotivated

I've lost all motivation.

I really hate school. After 1 week of school, I've lost all motivation to teach and I'm questioning myself if teaching is what I really want. After this 1 week, I learnt that:

1. I really hate teaching lower primary, especially P1 and P2s. I don't have the patience to guide each of them individually and the activities that I plan, just aren't suitable for them!

2. It's no fun teaching 3 periods of Health Education in a row - all different classes, but in the same level. By the time I get to the third class, I am so bored.

3. It's no fun teaching 3 classes of Art and Craft of the same level. As similar to the case above, by the third time, I am bored to death and so worn out I just put the picture on the visualizer and tell them to draw what they see.

It's really meaningless for me. Can't wait for these 6 weeks to pass. I'm glad one week is down and that Monday is a holiday and that 2 of the Wednesdays I'll be going back to NIE. This is worse than practicum.

What I do enjoy is teaching the P6 maths class. The only disadvantage is that it is from 2-4pm, a time when the kids are sleepy (so am I) and the weather is hot and humid. But I can see that they are motivated.

I've become so unmotivated that I am even so lazy to update my blog for the whole week, till today.

The knots in my hair are driving me crazy. I spend a long time every morning just trying to untangle my hair. I want to keep my permed hair but the knots are making me super pissed!

I can't wait to go back to NIE!!