Feeling down

First and foremost, DCM 200 test is over! First to strike out from my list. Yes yes yes! I've also finished both my reflection responses for my DED 200 to be handed in tomorrow and will also be striked off the list, if he accepts it and does not ask me to redo. And so... the race to datelines and test dates have begun!

Ok, I'm feeling down again. It's the freaking driving test. Another person I know, just passed his driving and he started later than me and I hate losing out! The big question is, will I pass this time round? From 2 failed attempts, I've learnt not to raise my hopes too high again, if not the drop is painful. I'm known to be a confident person, but I think it don't show that anymore. Keep telling myself to think positive and such, but it is so hard. Sometimes I feel like I am like air trapped in a botle. Someone comes along and tries to squeeze the bottle and I am compressed. Squeezed harder and I may just explode. Argh! I need to blast loud music, but it is 11.21pm now as I am typing this. How to?

Just signed 2 insurance policies with NTUC income. It looks attractive and gives good prospects, with my principal sum assured. However, due to my medical condition, my worry now is whether they will raise my premium fee. I guess that is what is weighing on my mind too.

Today I have to complain about someone, gillian and I nicknamed mozzie. Why mozzie you may ask. Well that's because mozzie is mosquito and mosquitoes are irritating and that person is downright irritating. My group members were all so irritated with him. We were given a piece of groupwork homework, of planning a lesson, last week to be presented this week, ie, today. However, we finished doing it on the day itself.

1. Mozzie did the whole thing for the group of soft copy and didn't let any of us know. (We were thinking, if you volunteer, at least let the group know so that no one will do extra work, but luckily no one typed it out.)

2. Mozzie came into class and told us to present his work. (Right! How do we know what he typed and he didn't even print a hard copy for us to refer to. He presented ultimately.)

3. Mozzie had to tell the whole class and lecturer, he conducted the lesson on his students. (Quite a show off to show the lecturer how enthusiastic he is and making the group look bad, as if he is the only one doing the work. Is there a need to announce to everyone? Can't he just conference with tutor at his own time?)

4. The answers we discussed last week, were not used at all by him, making us waste all our time and effort. (Is it group work or individual work huh?)

Everyone in my group was so irritated with him today. He has been irritating me these few weeks especially. Stopping me halfway when I am talking to my friends just to ask, "any homework?" and move on to tell me about his wonderful ideas, which doesn't concern me, or calling me to sign attendance by using the attendance file to poke my arm. Grr! I gotta do the mozzie wipe out. What preventive measures should I take?

Packed day

I think I am going nuts by the minute. The pressure is coming in! Test tomorrow, dateline submission on Wednesday, driving lesson and driving test and conference with lecturer on friday on assignment. So many things to do and I am dead tired. As the chinese saying goes, hand busy, legs messy.

It's a long day today. Went for my driving lesson at 8am, and it was rather good. Well, I won't deny that I didn't make any mistakes because it is natural, but I would say that today I made the least mistakes. Ah lu didn't teach me today, today's my other instructor, Mr Low. I guess wednesday's revision lesson should be taught by ah lu. See the different ways I call my instructor. You should be able to deduce that ah lu's lesson is more relaxed and fun.

Went to school after that, but keep wanting to sleep during lecture. Stayed back in school a little while to discuss project with gillian. At last we got the problem solved and can move on to the next step. Then I went for my piano class. Class was alright, but I could feel my energy level running low already. Came home, study for tomorrow's test and am going to do my readings for the reflection deadline on wednesday. My eyes are drooping now, guess I may need matchsticks to keep my eyelids open.

Got a call from a financial planner just now. Let me tell you, I hate financial planners and insurance agents! This planner is recommended by gillian. Thanks ah! Now I got one more person to avoid. 3 financial planners on my butt now. Dear friends, please please please, do not recommend me. I have my own plans already and I don't want to pay so many premiums. I know you mean well and think it will benefit me, but I am maxed out. Gill, no hard feelings k =)

Am I losing my confidence?

Looking back and reflecting, somehow I feel that I am losing a lot of my confidence. I used to be really steady when it comes to presentations, tests and projections. I realized that nowadays, I tend to panic and sometimes I speak with a stutter. Why? Is it the pressure of school so that I can get to crossover to the degree program? Seeing the datelines and test dates on my navigation column, you can imagine the amount of work I have.

I also don't feel as confident when driving. As the saying goes, once bitten, twice shy. It's going to be my third test in a few days time. Would I have to continue the saying by, once bitten, twice shy, three times, sure die? I hope not. I will still put in my best effort and not make stupid errors and hope for the best. However, those people around me who have driving licence are telling me to do this or not to do that and it's adding to my stress. I don't feel so confident in things that I feel or think that I've been doing correctly anymore as too many people are telling me otherwise. I don't know. Why do I want the licence? Does it really mean that much to me? Or am I just going with the flow? Driving class tomorrow. I hope it goes well so that maybe I'll regain back my confidence. Maybe I should just listen to 2 people. My instructor and laogong.

Emailed my lecturer a few days ago telling her that I won't be going for my class on thursday. However, in my explanation, I typed wrongly! I said that I am going for my driving class instead of driving test and her reply was rather fierce. I replied apologising saying that it was a typo error and I meant test. But still, I feel so guilty, as if I have been blacklisted by her as not knowing what my priorities are. Hope she understands. Why am I so blur? Sigh. Another thing blur today, I was eating cheese hotdog on a satay stick and I poked my lip with the satay stick while trying to eating the hotdog and my lip bled a little. Blur right? But then again, I bang myself up pretty often such as hitting the wall on my knee, kicking the chair and things like that. Not purpose, it just happens. Not a single day goes by without me hitting anything or getting injured.

On a lighter note, I went shopping again. Like what Wesley told me when he read my blog, it is full of eating and shopping. Quite true. Went bugis shopping, my favourite place. Was supposed to go to the expo for the book fair, food fair and john little sale, but since laogong didn't take the car today, I felt a little lazy to travel all the way there. So I ended up buying quite a few things today. A pencil case, a shirt, a bag and some tidbits. Had seoul garden for dinner, in which, I got my hand a little scalded cos of the "popping" oil. Gotta work off all those fats, maybe will go jogging today. Yeah surprised? So am I. I surprised myself too, by even thinking of going jogging, an exercise I totally hate. Hmmm, but since I didn't eat lunch today, I guess it ain't that bad right? Haha. Excuses, I know. Will have to exercise!

Posted the pictures up of what I bought. Total damage on wallet today: $70 approx.

Pencil case, pink color, cost $5.90


Shirt, red strips, beige base, cost $16


Bag, beige/brown, cost $23 (Bought by laogong)


I wanted to get the white colour bag but then white is a hard colour to maintain and I don't want to dirty it and so I got the beige-brown bag. It's nice too, though I felt that the price can still be reduced. But like what laogong said, the guy that sold us the bag is rather new on the job, his 2nd day only, a little blur still, but had good service attitude so we didn't mind paying the extra few dollars. Laogong says that guy is cute. *gasp gasp*

Time for a little bitching today. Have you ever been in a bus or a train and someone is playing music out from their mobile phone through the loudspeaker? It's ok if the song is from the genre that you are listening to. But what if it is some song that you hate? Or worse, that person just plays 1 song? Every Sunday, on my way to work in the bus, there will be this guy, in Sheng Shiong uniform who will be playing just 1 song on his mobile phone, and volume put to the max. I tell you it is irritating because it is so loud that I cannot even hear my own music from my mp3 player. I had to turn the volume up 5 notches before I could hear my own music. Inconsiderate fella.

Student with Major Attitude Problem

I've this student who simply drives me nuts, up the wall or bonkers. She has one major attitude problem and none of the teachers at my music school is willing to teach her. She's smart but I think her aim is to piss the teacher off. 2 weeks ago, during her lesson, I scolded her very loudly. I gave her a piece of homework, only 5 questions, simple and straightforward. She's 11, from RGPS and doing grade 1, and learning piano for at least 3 years already. Here's the scenario of what happened.

(she enters and seats of the piano chair and arranges her books while I took her theory book to mark)
Me: (opens the book, sees the mistakes and inhales loudly)
She: (turns to me smiling)
Me: (fuming) Do you know why I took such a deep breath? You know that it is a sign that I am getting angry with you already and you still dare to smile.
She: (continues smiling)
Me: Do you know that all the answers are wrong?
She: (no reply)
Me: Do you understand how to do this piece of homework? Is it because I didn't explain well enough or you forgot how to do or you can't be bothered?
She: No.
Me: Then what? You have to tell me before I can help you.
She: Nothing.
Me: What you mean nothing? You are the one doing the homework. If you don't tell me what's wrong how will I know, how can I help?
She: (turns the other direction and ignores me for 10 minutes)
Me: Hello, I'm still waiting.
She: Nothing. I said nothing and that's my answer.
Me: Ok, nevermind. I will re-explain to you and then correct the mistakes. First you have to make sure 1 octave of the scale has 8 notes. Look at the key given to you and then write the accidentals on the notes. Accidentals come before the notes. Semitones are 3-4 and 7-8. Understand?
She: Yes (in a very heck care tone)
Me: Ok, redo.
She: Redo what?
Me: !!!!!!! What do you think?
She: Don't know.
Me: (takes another deep breath) You mean what I have been telling you for the past 20 minutes, you still don't know what your mistakes are? You want to redo the whole book?
She: Anything.
Me: Even if you want to redo the whole book, I can't be bothered to mark your work since you can't be bothered too. Redo these 5 questions.
(stormed out of the music studio and returned in 5 minutes)
Me: (Staring at her) Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?
She: Yes.
Me: Then why still wrong?
She: (keeps quiet smiling)
Me: I said you have 3 mistakes here. Change these.
(I walked out again to calm down)
Me: (5 minutes later, blowing my top) Wrong! I said accidentals before note. Do it in front of me now.
She: (Still draws accidentals behind note)
Me: (Screaming) I said in front not behind!
She: (erases as if she hasn't eaten in 10 days and redraws the accidental after the note)
Me: Erase all and show me how you do step by step.
She: (anyhow erases and does rubbish again)
Me: (erasing for her) Do for me question 1. First do this then do that..blah blah. Ok, now do the rest by yourself.
She: (rubbish answers again)
Me: Ok fine, you still refuse to do properly right? You stay back. You sit outside the studio and do your work properly before you can go back. I have to move on to the next student. Knock on the door when you are done.
(Went to tell her mum that I will be holding her back and explained that her daughter refuses to do her work properly.)
She: (5 minutes later, knocked on the dorr)
Me: So fast? (surprised) All correct answers.

And so you see, major attitude problem right? Anyway, her mum called yesterday and spoke to my boss saying that her daughter doesn't like me to teach and said that I didn't give her face by making her sit outside the studio, at the reception area to do her homework.

My views? Complain la! I don't care. She can don't like her, as if anyone at the music studio likes her either. Make her sit at the reception area is better than making her sit on the floor right? At least the lighting is better, there's a table and chair for her too. My boss says maybe she will change her teacher. I was so relieved, but I still have to teach her at least until my boss finds another teacher willing to take her.

Got a teacher's day present today because there was no piano lesson last week. Fiona, my highest grade student gave me a towel. She appears to be ah lian and sometimes rude, but underlying her, she has a nice heart. I think its the company of friends that she has. She's trying to be in. Plus she is the only child, so she's a little pampered. Hope she changes for the better, I see lots of potential in her.

I'm considering if I should set up another blog and link to this to do reviews on novels, books, movies, magazines, etc. It'll be a lot of work, but I think it would be fun. Should I?

DLK200 is scary!

I received feedback that my top portion looks odd. I can't help it. I don't have photoshop to do some picture editing so that it looks good. I made that portion using Macromedia Freehand and paint. I'll probably change it once I get photoshop installed into my computer. Hope to create something nicer.

Went to causeway point today. The pasar malam there is cool. Had cheese toufu and cheese hotdog. Yum yum.. so cheesy. All thanks to the recommendation made by Gillian. I'm so craving for that now. I also have another craving now. Sakae sushi. Nearly went there for dinner but had to think twice as it is rather costly. I have to save a little this month so that I can spend more on 3rd anniversary celebration with laogong.

Went swimming this morning, after much determination to wake up. I nearly fell back asleep but I told myself, after the buffet yesterday, I had better exercise it off. And luckily I did, because I ate a lot today after dinner. Laogong says I've become more tanned. I hate using sunblock lotion, but a lot of people have been telling me to use. Do I really have to?

DLK200 is turning into a nightmare module. The tutor's good, the lesson is rather interesting, but the grading of assignments and test is scaring me and everyone else. There's like so much to remember and yet the concepts seems logical like what we have been doing everytime. Do you get the feeling when something that you've been doing all your life in a certain and seems so natural to you, and then someone tells you the concept behind it, and you start to pay attention to the details and you start feeling weird. It's that kinda feeling for me.

Bought a waist trimmer belt from Watsons just now. Knowing how lazy I am, I will use any easy way out to lose weight. Hope it works. I want to wear beautiful clothes. I've thought of wearing g-strings to eliminate VPL, but so far dare not wear one out because I am used to undergarments that can tuck in fats. I believe that for a person to be able to wear a g-string out, that person is a self-confident person. Well, I am in a way confident, but not of my looks. Off you go fats and way to go to a slimmer figure. Let's hope I am determined enough this time to lose off those excess inches.

It's saturday tomorrow and I've gotta work. Dreading it a little as I have to see that irritating student of mine tomorrow. Big attitude problem kid. Oh well, think of the money then.

Completion of blogskin design

I am proud to say that... I have finally designed finished my blog. Finished including all the add ons such as my youtube videos and my ticker timer. Adjusted the top portion here and there and I'm pleased with it! Took me a lot of work and have spent 3 evenings on it. I like the layout of this blog as it is very clean and straight cut. Simple and easy to look around and most of all, like what laogong says, "it is very you."

I don't have much to update today but just to announce the this blog design is completed. I will try to change the videos regularly for your viewing pleasure. Watch the 4th video on Japanese trying to speak English and those students are not supposed to laugh. But it is so hilarious, they laugh and get whacked hard, on the butt. You can try not to laugh, but it's gonna be an uphill task. Enjoy.

New look, new shoes

How's the new look for the blog? I find my top picture funny. Well, no choice, because I don't know how to change the position of the blog search portion, so I had to put this picture in to cover it up. In a way, I believe, I am smart. Hehe. Took my many hours searching for a nice blog skin, only to rip it apart, and add in my inputs. Laogong said I took the hard way out by editing the codes when I could have just done everything in dreamweaver! Sweat!! But nevermind, the good point of it is, I know a little more about coding again. So anyway, wah la, here's my new blog look. Still adjusting certain things here and there and may add in some you-tube vids and such. Stay tuned for more.

Big news big news! I went to Jurong East with Sultanah today, to buy shoes. Was supposed to go with Gillian and Chris too, but Gillian ended class early and didn't want to wait for us. So I thought Chris might feel weird going with me and Sultanah and so I told Chris, we'll go again next time, and that's how I ended up going with Sultanah. If I do go again, I doubt I will buy, rather just to accompany them. It was a major feat! I bought 5 pairs of shoes, totalling up to only $39.50. Can you bet that price? Let you see the shoes I bought.

Shoe 1: Green cover shoes, with string ribbon at the top. Costs $3.90


Shoe 2: Metallic purple, open toed. Costs $9.90


Shoe 3: Pinkish orange, covered toe shoe. Slightly pointed top. Little "pearls" at the tip. Costs $5.90
Bought 2 sizes bigger so that my toes won't hurt.


Shoe 4: White, wedge with backstrap. Costs $9.90


Shoe 5: Pale pink/purple wedge with backstrap. Flowery design on the side. Costs $9.90


Quite a bargain right? I love shoe 3 and 5. There were many other shoes really nice, but I had to stop myself, if not I will probably be buying 10 pairs instead of 5.

Today, my 800 word esay was rejected. Why? Due to my own blurness, and I saw the wrong question and did it. Luckily my tutor was nice and understanding enough to tell me that he will extend one more week for me. Phew! Also saw my SPC senior today, Josephine. She's also now in NIE, studying to be a teacher. Wow it was a pleasant surprise and we spent some time catching up in the bus.

8.30am lesson tomorrow and its a 4 hour lesson. Gotta get to bed now. Good night!

Tired!

Swam 30 laps non stop today. Quite an accomplishment for me. Especially since I was nursing an aching leg because of my driving lesson this morning and since this is my first lesson in like 4 months, I was kinda rusty and wasn't used to the clutch again. I can feel a pull in my leg muscle now as just now while swimming, when straightening my leg, I felt a "tuck". Ouch!

Anyway, driving today was good. That Lu taught me today. He still remembers me and laogong. I wasn't expecting him to. He gave me a lot of encouragement as usual and as always, I enjoy his lessons more than the other 3 instructors. Next 2 lessons will be on 11/9 and 13/9. Test on 14/9. All the best to myself... again.

Well known, Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin passed away while filming a documentary. He was stung by a stingray. Condolences to his family members.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/228451/1/.html

Look out for a major revamp of my blog soon!

Comex

Comex 2006, Expo Halls 4-6. Mega big event and it caused a major traffic jam. Guess how long we took to finally get a carpark and to get through the jam? About 1 hour, and we were lucky. The road to turn into the carpark was initially closed, but when we stopped there, the security guards removed the barrier and we could turn in. A while later, the barrier was put back. Why must they put the barrier there, I wonder. There are so many carparks still available. Why must they make cars go through a big U-turn just to go in. Totally uncalled for. I was awed by the number of people there. Just outside, it was crowded enough. Burger king and Orange Julius was overflowing with people. Vending machines and 7-eleven ran out of drinks! Can you believe it? In the exhibition hall was worse. Totally spoilt my mood. So many people. It used to be held at Suntec and I thought it was bad. Well, now is slightly better, spread over 3 halls, but still too many people for my liking.

Have started planning for my 21st birthday! We have decided to book the aloha loyang chalet from 23/12/2006 till 26/12/2006 (ie: check out on the 27/12/2006). Dad says that he is going to sponsor me $1k. Yippie! Chalet costs $200 a night. We will have BBQ and probably catering. Well, good also in that way, no housework to be done and will be easier on my parents. One night will be for my friends. One night for relatives. I will pull laogong to stay. Take it as his ORD celebration too. Another 3 more months for him to ORD. So friends out there, keep a lookout for my invitation on the 24th December ok? Give me face and come for my party!

Anyway, we went to Changi Village today for dinner and I ended up eating mutton soup. Disappointing right? I've been bugging laogong to bring me there to eat nasi lemak and I end up eating mutton soup! Too bad the hawker centre was so crowded and stuffy and the nasi lemak queue was awfully long. Maybe next time.

Jurong East Central is having a shoe sale, as cheap as $5.90! Heels and covered shoes all have. They will have the sale till 17th September but I guess I will go this week before all those nice shoes are taken. I wanted to buy yesterday, but I didn't have time and a little tight on my wallet. Tuesday, when my pay comes in, I'll put some aside for my shoes.

My driving test is on the 14th September. Third attempt and I really hope that I will pass. I believe that my skills really aren't that bad. Sigh. I have to pass because I told myself that only if I do, then I will buy myself a new handphone. Probably Sony Ericsson's K610i. The same model as laogong's phone, but the red colour version. Phone price is about $430. Pricey and definitely the most that I've ever spent on a phone but if I pass, it will be my reward to myself. Must budget myself this month if not I'll go broke again soon.

Think I am going to fall sick soon. Came down with runny nose last night and had to take a flu tablet before I slept. Today my throat's a little painful, but not amounting to sore throat. Whenever I have this feeling, I know I'm going to fall sick. Better build up my body resistance. Thinking of going swimming tomorrow. Been eating too much the last few days. I want that nice figure and then I can wear tubes and spaghetti strips out. Think I should also do 50 sit ups a day to reduce my tummy.

Finally, my WoW character finally has a mount! Played till nearly 3am this morning just to get it. I am finally enjoying another stage of my life in WoW. Haha.

Happy Teacher's Day!

I received 2 cards from SEPOMs today. Both cards had my name printed this way:

Since when has my name changed from Marie to Mane!?!?! Figured out that must be during the previous Expo fair that when I wrote my name for them, I connected my r to i and they viewed it as n. Grr. Both cards had the error. Funny thing they put me under different reference number. Don't they have a system of matching records? Hmmm.

Oh yeah! Finally 39 in game. Another 1 more level before I get my mount. No work this weekend except for a make up class on Saturday so most of the time will be in game to get our mount.

There ain't much to blog about much today, except, Happy Teacher's Day to:

• Gillian
• Chris
• Faith
• Nafsiyah
• Sultanah
• Christal
• Vivien
• Belle
• Sheela
• Hamida aka Twinnie
• All educators