Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Roti of love
A lethargic girl returned home.
Though badly in need of rest, the girl wanted to hang out with the boy.
The mother asked if they were eating home cos she had bought crabs and was gonna fry chilli crab.
All plans were thrown out of the window upon hearing that chilli crab was here to visit.
A call was made to the boy to buy roti to go with the crab.
The boy agreed.
But the boy could not find roti anywhere.
The girl told the boy to just come. They could walk to Thomson to get the roti.
The boy did not respond.
The girl grew tired of waiting and decided to walk to Thomson herself instead.
As the girl was walking, she hoped the boy would turn up somewhere. Wishful thinking.
At Thomson, the girl waited for the roti to bake blissfully in the oven.
When the roti was freshly retrieved from the oven, the girl bought it.
The girl walked home in the drizzle with the warm roti in her hand.
All the while hoping secretly that the boy would turn up somewhere still.
The girl made a turn into the estate.
The girl spotted a car.
The boy's car!
But puzzling. Where was the boy?
The girl waited in the rain.
In a matter of seconds, the girl spotted a boy running towards the car.
What was that in his hand?
A roti wrapped in a similar fashion!
All was clear to the girl.
The boy had gone to ways and means to buy the roti the girl wanted.
The boy had done so because he knew the girl was tired.
The girl's heart was moved.
She went to the car and got into it nonchalantly.
The girl who set out to find 1 roti found a boy and a roti as well. In the end, the girl had a boy and 2 roti.
Both roti were warm and fresh, but the girl's roti was fresher. =)
Though badly in need of rest, the girl wanted to hang out with the boy.
The mother asked if they were eating home cos she had bought crabs and was gonna fry chilli crab.
All plans were thrown out of the window upon hearing that chilli crab was here to visit.
A call was made to the boy to buy roti to go with the crab.
The boy agreed.
But the boy could not find roti anywhere.
The girl told the boy to just come. They could walk to Thomson to get the roti.
The boy did not respond.
The girl grew tired of waiting and decided to walk to Thomson herself instead.
As the girl was walking, she hoped the boy would turn up somewhere. Wishful thinking.
At Thomson, the girl waited for the roti to bake blissfully in the oven.
When the roti was freshly retrieved from the oven, the girl bought it.
The girl walked home in the drizzle with the warm roti in her hand.
All the while hoping secretly that the boy would turn up somewhere still.
The girl made a turn into the estate.
The girl spotted a car.
The boy's car!
But puzzling. Where was the boy?
The girl waited in the rain.
In a matter of seconds, the girl spotted a boy running towards the car.
What was that in his hand?
A roti wrapped in a similar fashion!
All was clear to the girl.
The boy had gone to ways and means to buy the roti the girl wanted.
The boy had done so because he knew the girl was tired.
The girl's heart was moved.
She went to the car and got into it nonchalantly.
The girl who set out to find 1 roti found a boy and a roti as well. In the end, the girl had a boy and 2 roti.
Both roti were warm and fresh, but the girl's roti was fresher. =)
Climbing, anyone?
Woke up on a high cos I was going climbing!
For those of you who know me, I love climbing. But I haven't done that in a while, and I'm growing fat and heavy and weak and old already. Not as agile and energetic as before. Heh. But I still love the thrill it gives me.
Anyway, I was due for Level 1 course. Well, overdue in fact. Been doing belay school and ropes and setting up anchors for years already, but never was I certified. Why? Maybe cos there never was a real need for it? And I was giam-siap too lah. Why pay to learn something that you have been teaching? But those of you in the field worth your harness, carabiner, ATC and rope, you know the importance of certification in this time age and space...
Yep, so off I was, whizzed into a dreary theory lesson where I focused on what the youngster was leaving out, and how he could improve his teaching instead of the details. Soon I was bored to tears and my head grew so heavy it threatened to topple over. It didn't help that my tummy wasn't cooperating and off throwing its tantrum and growling at any moment possible! Thank God there was a tiny break to sort that confused body of mine out before the next session which was interspersed with hands-on activity. Well, literally hands on the equipment.
Belay school. I love belaying. I love dangling my climbers in the middle of no where, letting them swing from side to side as I torture them. Wahaha! I like the feeling of being in control, to be trusted with the responsibility of safely belaying the climber. I like being good at what I do. (Though the things I'm good at can be pathetically counted by using my fingers, and not even my toes!) Though my ego was boosted when the senior instructor said I was a pro. Heh. Cheap thrill. I wish I was out there belaying some Big Mac and flying in the process due to the difference in weight while earning some bucks!
My tummy needed a spanking, so I wasn't really in the mood to attempt the other walls which required more brain and brawn. (Both which I lack... I only had one persistent growling tummy!) We rushed to lunch. High point of the day! The satisfaction, the shuang-ness of food entering the throat and down to pacify that recalcitrant tummy of mine... I soothed it further with peanut ice kacang. Hahaha!
Back to climbing. With the tummy appeased, there was peace of mind to climb again. I innocently attempted a wall and scaled to the very top, where I struggled to reach the final jug at the overhang. I struggled and struggled to no avail. There was absolutely no grip for me to reach out for that "star". And then I gave up. I felt disappointed... a little disgusted, for failing. But when I learnt that the entire wall was actually an overhang, I felt a little better. And when I observed that others could not complete the wall either, I felt a whole lot better. Haha! Though that didn't make me feel better about myself cos pride is no good. Where is the humility I should have?? Maybe I should stick to lower ground. Like bouldering.
Bouldering is like a torture chamber to me. A gym where you train your upper body strength and do problem-solving. No rope is needed, just a spotter in case you fall. I just whacked the bouldering wall, determined to solve the problem set. Problem was that you needed to progress from a specified series of one hand hold to another till you reach the final destination. Rules are that you can place your feet anywhere, but start and end with both hands on the hand hold. After much touching and feeling and grabbing (k, that sounds gross... hahaha!), I ended up like a koala bear stuck to a tree, or a baby monkey stuck to his mummy's body, unable to move at a height of 3 meters. I held on for a bit before letting gravity take its toll on me as I experienced the all-too-short free fall.
I love heights. =)
I'm now certified with Level 1 climbing. Behold! Level 2 climbing certification on its way!
For those of you who know me, I love climbing. But I haven't done that in a while, and I'm growing fat and heavy and weak and old already. Not as agile and energetic as before. Heh. But I still love the thrill it gives me.
Anyway, I was due for Level 1 course. Well, overdue in fact. Been doing belay school and ropes and setting up anchors for years already, but never was I certified. Why? Maybe cos there never was a real need for it? And I was giam-siap too lah. Why pay to learn something that you have been teaching? But those of you in the field worth your harness, carabiner, ATC and rope, you know the importance of certification in this time age and space...
Yep, so off I was, whizzed into a dreary theory lesson where I focused on what the youngster was leaving out, and how he could improve his teaching instead of the details. Soon I was bored to tears and my head grew so heavy it threatened to topple over. It didn't help that my tummy wasn't cooperating and off throwing its tantrum and growling at any moment possible! Thank God there was a tiny break to sort that confused body of mine out before the next session which was interspersed with hands-on activity. Well, literally hands on the equipment.
Belay school. I love belaying. I love dangling my climbers in the middle of no where, letting them swing from side to side as I torture them. Wahaha! I like the feeling of being in control, to be trusted with the responsibility of safely belaying the climber. I like being good at what I do. (Though the things I'm good at can be pathetically counted by using my fingers, and not even my toes!) Though my ego was boosted when the senior instructor said I was a pro. Heh. Cheap thrill. I wish I was out there belaying some Big Mac and flying in the process due to the difference in weight while earning some bucks!
My tummy needed a spanking, so I wasn't really in the mood to attempt the other walls which required more brain and brawn. (Both which I lack... I only had one persistent growling tummy!) We rushed to lunch. High point of the day! The satisfaction, the shuang-ness of food entering the throat and down to pacify that recalcitrant tummy of mine... I soothed it further with peanut ice kacang. Hahaha!
Back to climbing. With the tummy appeased, there was peace of mind to climb again. I innocently attempted a wall and scaled to the very top, where I struggled to reach the final jug at the overhang. I struggled and struggled to no avail. There was absolutely no grip for me to reach out for that "star". And then I gave up. I felt disappointed... a little disgusted, for failing. But when I learnt that the entire wall was actually an overhang, I felt a little better. And when I observed that others could not complete the wall either, I felt a whole lot better. Haha! Though that didn't make me feel better about myself cos pride is no good. Where is the humility I should have?? Maybe I should stick to lower ground. Like bouldering.
Bouldering is like a torture chamber to me. A gym where you train your upper body strength and do problem-solving. No rope is needed, just a spotter in case you fall. I just whacked the bouldering wall, determined to solve the problem set. Problem was that you needed to progress from a specified series of one hand hold to another till you reach the final destination. Rules are that you can place your feet anywhere, but start and end with both hands on the hand hold. After much touching and feeling and grabbing (k, that sounds gross... hahaha!), I ended up like a koala bear stuck to a tree, or a baby monkey stuck to his mummy's body, unable to move at a height of 3 meters. I held on for a bit before letting gravity take its toll on me as I experienced the all-too-short free fall.
I love heights. =)
I'm now certified with Level 1 climbing. Behold! Level 2 climbing certification on its way!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
My Hari Raya
The ambitious plan to have Dim Sum at Red Star was immediately crushed when the carpark was filled to the brim, and the lift opened our eyes to a sea of humans flooding Red Star, as if they were fleeing and waiting for a ship to evacuate them from some war.
The quick-thinking and gluttony me coaxed mummy to walk to Miramar Hotel for Dim Sum buffet instead to satisfy her craving. Along the way, we struck up a conversation with a lady who was overlooking the longkang. What did we talk about? What else?? The longkang fish! And whether they are edible or not.
I observed the flow of human traffic from the hotel lobby as mummy went about her big business. (Should I have mentioned the latter here? Oh well...) I concluded that the dim sum restaurant was another destination for affluent dimsum-craving Singaporeans. There were no vacancies, not even a tiny table with 2 chairs, for the mother and daughter.
The daughter didn't want to disappoint the mother. After much deliberation, she decided to splurge and treat her mummy to a Japanese ala carte buffet at an authentic Japanese restaurant... praying hard that there would be at least a small table for us to squeeze at. We managed to squeeze at the counter, overlooking the waitress mix her Macha shake.
It was an awesome choice! The food was yummilicious! These are what the gluttons feasted on...
Salmon sashimi in some vinegarette sauce
Stick salad in some indescribable sauce
Japanese Oden
Seafood soup (served in a mini teapot and mini teacups)
Handroll
Inari sushi
Salmon, Tuna, Squid, Octopus sashimi (served beautifully)
Paper hot pot
Grilled Mackeral
Grilled Salmon (The skin is to die for!)
Yasai Tempura (Eggplant, Carrot, Sweet Potato, Pumkin, Ladies' Finger)
Ebi Tempura
Shitake Mushroom Tempura (This was so yummy! I even laughed at the waitress when I asked how many mushrooms there were in one serving and she said one. Hahaha! I had at least 5 gigantic mushrooms! Hahaha!)
Pork Cutlet
Agedashi Tofu (I think I ate my fill… Haha!)
Cold Tofu
Curry Beef Udon
etc
I was very happy throughout cos the servings were all personal size. Small, exquisite, cute even. More satisfying was that the quality of the food was good and mummy was happy.
The mother and daughter were stuffed and the daughter proposed walking home. The mother violently objected. The daughter just walked. They discovered this mini Japanese garden and took a rest there when the boy called. After savouring his Italian lunch, he came for us. And off to Botanical Gardens we went... Yes, the mother, the daughter and the boy.
A walk around the Garden made us groggy. Maybe the plants give out a special chemical that makes you groggy.
In the evening, the boy and the daughter went for a jog before ending up playing frisbee and ball at a personalised piece of grassland. The ball ball is my new toy! It's a red rubber ball which bounces well, with a doggie and a number "5" imprinted on it! Pretty hor? The boy and the girl bought it after much effort (climbing, stretching, jumping, stragetising, etc) to retrieve that solo red ball ball from the cage in Giant. I love the effort! Heh.
The girl finds it a bliss to just relax and play ballball with the boy. Or to just go for a walk.
An enjoyable day it was.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
An elaborate attempt
It was K's birthday yesterday, but being the procastinator I am... I have but shambled plans here and there! Lots of ideas, but little has been done... Until today! Why? Because he is at camp, and hence I have more time for the conspiracy! I think I only work efficiently under stress! Haha!
So, I finally baked/made/roast/ (and some even say FRY/Deep Fry!) his birthday cake! It is NOT a crab, prawn or fish cake by Maryland!! It's a sponge cake filled with fruits and whipped cream cheese topping.
Anyway, mummy helped me with it and we had a whole load of fun! Haha!
Here are the step-by-step processes...
1) Bake the cake. And slice it. Don't underestimate this step. This is the most complicated step if you have a blunt knife! And poor cutting skills! But in any case, you can always camouflage your tardiness with whipped cream! *grin*
2) These were the amount of strawberries I had planned to stuff into the cake! How generous! Or greedy. Haha!
3) Anyway, less than 1/3 of it got piled onto the first layer of the cake.
4) This was topped up with peaches to add some softness, some sweetness and a different flavour to it.
5) And then, the top half of the cake was stacked onto the bottom half to give rise to a hamburger!! I was so excited!! *gleeful*
6) Lastly, the snowy effect was achieved. Before we decided to be more lavish and give it more "oomph" with more peaches.
There! The finshed product of our labour. It is now freezing in the fridge.
I have yet to name it. Any suggestions anyone??
So, I finally baked/made/roast/ (and some even say FRY/Deep Fry!) his birthday cake! It is NOT a crab, prawn or fish cake by Maryland!! It's a sponge cake filled with fruits and whipped cream cheese topping.
Anyway, mummy helped me with it and we had a whole load of fun! Haha!
Here are the step-by-step processes...
1) Bake the cake. And slice it. Don't underestimate this step. This is the most complicated step if you have a blunt knife! And poor cutting skills! But in any case, you can always camouflage your tardiness with whipped cream! *grin*
2) These were the amount of strawberries I had planned to stuff into the cake! How generous! Or greedy. Haha!
3) Anyway, less than 1/3 of it got piled onto the first layer of the cake.
4) This was topped up with peaches to add some softness, some sweetness and a different flavour to it.
5) And then, the top half of the cake was stacked onto the bottom half to give rise to a hamburger!! I was so excited!! *gleeful*
6) Lastly, the snowy effect was achieved. Before we decided to be more lavish and give it more "oomph" with more peaches.
There! The finshed product of our labour. It is now freezing in the fridge.
I have yet to name it. Any suggestions anyone??
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
A hazy discussion
Air pollution is a transboundary issue. The haze is a perfect example of the externalities caused by inconsiderate beings... or corporations. What are externalities? Imagine 2 people quarrelling hysterically... Person A picks up a pie in anger and flings it at Person B. However, the pie flies all th way and ends up flat on the face of Person C, who was uninvolved in the whole commotion. Therefore, innocent and suay Person C suffered the externality (pie).
Same goes for Singapore, who's uninvolved in the whole forest fire issue in Indonesia, but has to suffer from the resultant haze. Tolerant as we are, I think the Indonesians are taking our tolerance for granted and not taking enough responsibility in shouldering the blame. In the sense that, they confess (cos the choice ain't theirs, and they were caught red-handed), but they do not repent.
Instead, they blame the indigenous farmers who clear the land through uncontrolled blazing. How about the large plantations which require multiple times the land of an indigenous farmer's? Isn't this an illustration of how power relations play out in politics?
Corporations with the power of the dollar sign can cover up for their sins, when their actions have caused a definite impact, larger than those of the individual farmers. But poor individual farmers have to bear the brunt of it all because their power index is nought. And let's not forget the government who will naturally side the huge corporations who bring in the investments and the profits. How many governments have the strength, the ability and the integrity to stand up to these economic stakeholders?
Nations call for Indonesia to impose strict regulations on these culprits. But is it ever done? Even if they are finally imposed, how closely are they implemented and monitored? Myopic in my view as I am, I can just imagine the civil servant smiling and giving in when a stack of dollar notes is shoved to him with a pat on his back. At the background, the corporation is sniggering at how simple (and cheap) it is to get around the rules. This is assuming that it is a private limited. How about the government-owned corporations? Why would the government want to shoot themselves in the foot or dig their own graves?
Air pollution is a long-term issue with effects that can only be seen in the far (now nearer) future. It doesn't help when these effects are minimal and mostly intangible over a short period of time, but excacerbate with no return as years past. Concepts such as sustainability are crushed, dumped and buried at the back of the minds of those who are only concerned with the present, and short-term effects.
"If we can earn now, we might as well earn as much as possible! Nothing is ever enough! Who cares about the future? We won't be around anymore! If there will be consequences, let the future generations suffer them. They are just unfortunate to be born then! Let's continue our profiteering avenue! Nothing can stop us! Wahahaha!"
Remedial action will only take place when tangible effects on the environment are felt. But when the situation improves slightly, enthusiasm and efforts fade away. "Out of sight, out of mind?" More cooperation between ASEAN countries should take place. Maybe with more vigour, clear goals in mind, suitable strategies, a set timeline and a commitment to close implementation from all parties. Maybe ASEAN's culture and soft approach may need to take a backseat this time to solve the issue at hand.
The end of my blabber.
Same goes for Singapore, who's uninvolved in the whole forest fire issue in Indonesia, but has to suffer from the resultant haze. Tolerant as we are, I think the Indonesians are taking our tolerance for granted and not taking enough responsibility in shouldering the blame. In the sense that, they confess (cos the choice ain't theirs, and they were caught red-handed), but they do not repent.
Instead, they blame the indigenous farmers who clear the land through uncontrolled blazing. How about the large plantations which require multiple times the land of an indigenous farmer's? Isn't this an illustration of how power relations play out in politics?
Corporations with the power of the dollar sign can cover up for their sins, when their actions have caused a definite impact, larger than those of the individual farmers. But poor individual farmers have to bear the brunt of it all because their power index is nought. And let's not forget the government who will naturally side the huge corporations who bring in the investments and the profits. How many governments have the strength, the ability and the integrity to stand up to these economic stakeholders?
Nations call for Indonesia to impose strict regulations on these culprits. But is it ever done? Even if they are finally imposed, how closely are they implemented and monitored? Myopic in my view as I am, I can just imagine the civil servant smiling and giving in when a stack of dollar notes is shoved to him with a pat on his back. At the background, the corporation is sniggering at how simple (and cheap) it is to get around the rules. This is assuming that it is a private limited. How about the government-owned corporations? Why would the government want to shoot themselves in the foot or dig their own graves?
Air pollution is a long-term issue with effects that can only be seen in the far (now nearer) future. It doesn't help when these effects are minimal and mostly intangible over a short period of time, but excacerbate with no return as years past. Concepts such as sustainability are crushed, dumped and buried at the back of the minds of those who are only concerned with the present, and short-term effects.
"If we can earn now, we might as well earn as much as possible! Nothing is ever enough! Who cares about the future? We won't be around anymore! If there will be consequences, let the future generations suffer them. They are just unfortunate to be born then! Let's continue our profiteering avenue! Nothing can stop us! Wahahaha!"
Remedial action will only take place when tangible effects on the environment are felt. But when the situation improves slightly, enthusiasm and efforts fade away. "Out of sight, out of mind?" More cooperation between ASEAN countries should take place. Maybe with more vigour, clear goals in mind, suitable strategies, a set timeline and a commitment to close implementation from all parties. Maybe ASEAN's culture and soft approach may need to take a backseat this time to solve the issue at hand.
The end of my blabber.
Fastest finger first
Holiday at the end of the year is confirmed!
And the lucky country is.... *Drum roll*.... INDIA!
Yeah, bought my air tickets last night. But I think I'm seriously jinxed lah. Prices fell from afternoon to night yesterday. I happily filled in all my particulars and patiently waited for Pengy to fill in hers before clicking "enter" together. Why didn't we bok it together under one account? Cos we are both poor people who have insufficient funds to book for 2 pax! Anyway, she clicked "enter" without telling me!! And when I did click it, it produced an error message!! Argh! And when I logged on again, the price of the air ticket had rose by $20!! *hysteria*
The cost of a matter of seconds. *growl*
I do hope it's to the correct destination man... We were still joking about whether I'll end up some place else (deported) and she ends up alone in her Indian palace and her Indian prince.
And the lucky country is.... *Drum roll*.... INDIA!
Yeah, bought my air tickets last night. But I think I'm seriously jinxed lah. Prices fell from afternoon to night yesterday. I happily filled in all my particulars and patiently waited for Pengy to fill in hers before clicking "enter" together. Why didn't we bok it together under one account? Cos we are both poor people who have insufficient funds to book for 2 pax! Anyway, she clicked "enter" without telling me!! And when I did click it, it produced an error message!! Argh! And when I logged on again, the price of the air ticket had rose by $20!! *hysteria*
The cost of a matter of seconds. *growl*
I do hope it's to the correct destination man... We were still joking about whether I'll end up some place else (deported) and she ends up alone in her Indian palace and her Indian prince.
A hazy Sunday night out
Finally after countless clashes in schedule... Bong, Joan, Ben and myself finally managed to meet up for dinner. I almost forgot how comfortable I feel with them. I thank God that the trip to Gunung Datuk with strangers had produced friends like them. Friends with whom I can just be myself with.
Soup Spoon in my kitchen was good. I really like it. Heh. The idea of yummy soup. Although the soup should be warmer, such that it emits smoke. (Takes in latent heat? Heh.) A alternative choice to Glutton Square, since the haze seems adamant in enveloping our little island...
Decided to catch a movie too, although it was a Sunday night and we would end up as panda teachers the next day. (Ha! Looking at my size now, I definitely qualify!)
"Departed" is the English version of "Wu Jian Dao", without Andy Lau and Tony Leung. Instead they were substituted with Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio. Plot was obviously good. However, I felt totally polluted when I stepped out of the movie... Why? Because each and every sentence contained at least 2 vulgarities! Mulitply that by the number of sentences in the movie itself! GOSH! Do they really speak like that for real or are they following the script? Is there a need for such an extent of vulgarities? Is it a status symbol, an identity of toughness, or something?
Sigh. Return me my purityyyyyyyyy!
And return us our clean airrrrrrrr!!!
Soup Spoon in my kitchen was good. I really like it. Heh. The idea of yummy soup. Although the soup should be warmer, such that it emits smoke. (Takes in latent heat? Heh.) A alternative choice to Glutton Square, since the haze seems adamant in enveloping our little island...
Decided to catch a movie too, although it was a Sunday night and we would end up as panda teachers the next day. (Ha! Looking at my size now, I definitely qualify!)
"Departed" is the English version of "Wu Jian Dao", without Andy Lau and Tony Leung. Instead they were substituted with Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio. Plot was obviously good. However, I felt totally polluted when I stepped out of the movie... Why? Because each and every sentence contained at least 2 vulgarities! Mulitply that by the number of sentences in the movie itself! GOSH! Do they really speak like that for real or are they following the script? Is there a need for such an extent of vulgarities? Is it a status symbol, an identity of toughness, or something?
Sigh. Return me my purityyyyyyyyy!
And return us our clean airrrrrrrr!!!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Penguin dreams
Have you seen the advertisement whereby the tv in it shows a really cute, fluffy baby penguin happily standing on his daddy's webbed feet?
I think that's my first and foremost wish now. To be a baby without any care in the world and to have someone love me enough to amuse me that way. (Just that I'm now no longer a teeny weeny feather-weight baby...) I wanna be lao3 leh2... Heh.
K, now I gotta act "adult" and resume the "adult-ish" act of marking scripts. And this is after I covered my backside and decided to screen a movie for the lecture I got arrowed for cos I was too efficient!(Not that they are in the mood to listen to boring content anyway!) Yeah, so if you haven't guessed it yet, this penguin wannabe has received another arrow, to reduce the marking load of another fellow.
Shall take up the cross and do as I'm told. Off I go! To penguin land where everything else freezes except for the real penguins!
I think that's my first and foremost wish now. To be a baby without any care in the world and to have someone love me enough to amuse me that way. (Just that I'm now no longer a teeny weeny feather-weight baby...) I wanna be lao3 leh2... Heh.
K, now I gotta act "adult" and resume the "adult-ish" act of marking scripts. And this is after I covered my backside and decided to screen a movie for the lecture I got arrowed for cos I was too efficient!(Not that they are in the mood to listen to boring content anyway!) Yeah, so if you haven't guessed it yet, this penguin wannabe has received another arrow, to reduce the marking load of another fellow.
Shall take up the cross and do as I'm told. Off I go! To penguin land where everything else freezes except for the real penguins!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Trapped in a body you can't get out of.
I am trapped! Fang4 wo3 chu1 lai2!!
When I awoke yesterday, I found myself immobile. Felt like only my eyes could move! Lucky I could still talk! But I couldn't get myself out of bed at all! I was hurting so bad!
What's worse? Mummy had left in a huff cos I had refused to wake up early. So I was left home alone, to suffer in silence. However, instinct brought her back home, on the pretext of checking if I was gonna wake up in the first place! To her horror, she found me immobile on my bed!
Through much twisting and turning and lifting and massaging, I finally sat up, howling and whining in pain. My loving mummy massaged me for an hour or so, while I screamed and teared in contorted positions and expressions. Finally, we came to the conclusion that a physician would be a good alternative. So she packed me off to a physician.
In the lift, we met a neighbour who could immediately tell that I was having a ache/cramp/pull in my left upper body. And to think I was trying my utmost to remain normal! (Obviously this is a skill that I have yet to learn! Yesterday somebody even asked me why I can't conform to normality. Sigh.) Even the slight jerk on the bus could have contorted my facial expression! (The only way of releasing the angst silently...)
Anyway, there was no way for me to lie down nor sit up straight nor slouch. Oh man... is there anything more frustrating than that?! Luckily there were kind souls who love me enough to tend to me, like support me when I needed to lie down/get up, and hold me when that machine worked me. (Caretakers who care for somebody who dunno how to take care of herself.)
Moral of the story: Do your warm-ups before exerting yourself. Sleep in proper positions and use a pillow with good support.
When I awoke yesterday, I found myself immobile. Felt like only my eyes could move! Lucky I could still talk! But I couldn't get myself out of bed at all! I was hurting so bad!
What's worse? Mummy had left in a huff cos I had refused to wake up early. So I was left home alone, to suffer in silence. However, instinct brought her back home, on the pretext of checking if I was gonna wake up in the first place! To her horror, she found me immobile on my bed!
Through much twisting and turning and lifting and massaging, I finally sat up, howling and whining in pain. My loving mummy massaged me for an hour or so, while I screamed and teared in contorted positions and expressions. Finally, we came to the conclusion that a physician would be a good alternative. So she packed me off to a physician.
In the lift, we met a neighbour who could immediately tell that I was having a ache/cramp/pull in my left upper body. And to think I was trying my utmost to remain normal! (Obviously this is a skill that I have yet to learn! Yesterday somebody even asked me why I can't conform to normality. Sigh.) Even the slight jerk on the bus could have contorted my facial expression! (The only way of releasing the angst silently...)
Anyway, there was no way for me to lie down nor sit up straight nor slouch. Oh man... is there anything more frustrating than that?! Luckily there were kind souls who love me enough to tend to me, like support me when I needed to lie down/get up, and hold me when that machine worked me. (Caretakers who care for somebody who dunno how to take care of herself.)
Moral of the story: Do your warm-ups before exerting yourself. Sleep in proper positions and use a pillow with good support.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Dedicated to Pinpy...
Pinpy,
Ponder upon this....
God is good. God will never take away anything He knows is good for us. He will always have something better for us if He does take away something dear from us. Through it all, there are always lessons to be learnt... good and bad. Trials are put in place for us to grow stronger. And if we break, it is only because we are to be built up anew once again. Most importantly, we are never alone through it all. There's always shelter from the storm, and if not, at least there are people around you who are willing to get drenched with you.
Haha! I know I don't mind playing with water! *squirt* Neither would Pengy... Heh.
Hang in there! (To dry.)
Ponder upon this....
God is good. God will never take away anything He knows is good for us. He will always have something better for us if He does take away something dear from us. Through it all, there are always lessons to be learnt... good and bad. Trials are put in place for us to grow stronger. And if we break, it is only because we are to be built up anew once again. Most importantly, we are never alone through it all. There's always shelter from the storm, and if not, at least there are people around you who are willing to get drenched with you.
Haha! I know I don't mind playing with water! *squirt* Neither would Pengy... Heh.
Hang in there! (To dry.)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Feelings of an invigilator
It's quite an experience to be invigilating your own kids while they do your paper.
Before paper:
Check attendance and giggle (as silently as possible) at their I/C photos.
Try to get eye contact and wish them good luck silently. The normal reaction is, "Miss S... how? Die already lah..." Typical Singaporean reaction leh... given up when the paper has yet to start! But on the brighter side of it, maybe it's just a humble reaction. Heh.
During paper:
Look out for gancheong faces. Observe which questions they start on first. Teachers catwalk (Pengy, 2006) up and down the aisles, looking earnestly at them. The heart pumps fast... a sense of weakness overcomes me. I pray hard for God to watch over them, to give them a clear mind, to remember everything that they have studied (if they have studied) and to be wise in their application of that knowledge. I walk past each student and ask for a personal blessing upon them. It is really exciting to watch your own students sit for your paper. You wonder if they really understood everything you taught, and whether they put in any effort for your paper.
You feel proud when you see them producing somewhat impressive work. You feel sorry when you see students struggling (the ones you know have worked hard). You feel a sinistic “Haha! You’re gonna die this time round!” for those you know have taken your subject for granted and couldn’t be in the least bit bothered. You feel a heart ache when good students are answering the question wrongly cos they didn’t read the question properly, yet they are feeling good about themselves cos they are giving paragraphs and paragraphs of good details (which are unrelated of course!)... yet you can’t warn them.
After paper:
Not as exciting anymore. You wonder if their hands are already numb from the somewhat vigorous writing while you were having breakfast. You try to decipher if they have already given up hope or whether there is still a glimmer of hope in their sunken eyes. When you collect their scripts, you wonder if they are relieved to hand in the paper to you because they have a sense of satisfaction from their work, or whether it’s good riddance.
Invigilating your own students are so much more exciting than babysitting strangers.
The marathon has started. Good luck to me.
Before paper:
Check attendance and giggle (as silently as possible) at their I/C photos.
Try to get eye contact and wish them good luck silently. The normal reaction is, "Miss S... how? Die already lah..." Typical Singaporean reaction leh... given up when the paper has yet to start! But on the brighter side of it, maybe it's just a humble reaction. Heh.
During paper:
Look out for gancheong faces. Observe which questions they start on first. Teachers catwalk (Pengy, 2006) up and down the aisles, looking earnestly at them. The heart pumps fast... a sense of weakness overcomes me. I pray hard for God to watch over them, to give them a clear mind, to remember everything that they have studied (if they have studied) and to be wise in their application of that knowledge. I walk past each student and ask for a personal blessing upon them. It is really exciting to watch your own students sit for your paper. You wonder if they really understood everything you taught, and whether they put in any effort for your paper.
You feel proud when you see them producing somewhat impressive work. You feel sorry when you see students struggling (the ones you know have worked hard). You feel a sinistic “Haha! You’re gonna die this time round!” for those you know have taken your subject for granted and couldn’t be in the least bit bothered. You feel a heart ache when good students are answering the question wrongly cos they didn’t read the question properly, yet they are feeling good about themselves cos they are giving paragraphs and paragraphs of good details (which are unrelated of course!)... yet you can’t warn them.
After paper:
Not as exciting anymore. You wonder if their hands are already numb from the somewhat vigorous writing while you were having breakfast. You try to decipher if they have already given up hope or whether there is still a glimmer of hope in their sunken eyes. When you collect their scripts, you wonder if they are relieved to hand in the paper to you because they have a sense of satisfaction from their work, or whether it’s good riddance.
Invigilating your own students are so much more exciting than babysitting strangers.
The marathon has started. Good luck to me.
Monday, October 02, 2006
*BBBRRRRRRRR*
Heeellloooo from Annntaaarrrcteeeeecccaaaa.... *teeth chattering*
I am in the process of being transformed into a penguin, after I was dumped here. Never thought there would be internet access here huh! (I'm sure I'm in Antarctica and not in Africa or ChinA for that matter!) But the problem is... I'm NOT a penguin! (Though I can walk like one and I like fish.) My skin isn't that thin! Skin deep... heh.
As I'm typing this... my fingers are numb and almost frozen, my hair is short and standing cos the low temperatures have stunted its growth. I'm in a foetal position, with constant little shivers, which erupt into almost-regular trembles without the "tingling effect" and the chattering of teeth, even though I'm wrapped in my brown insulator. I wonder which is worse. This or "perpetual tickling"... (quoted from Vegetales - The book of Esther, where Haman the villain was sentenced to perpetual tickling. Hahaha!)
The rational me says "Switch off that freaking CFC-emitting environment polluter!" and return all temperatures to normal! However, the feeling me says, "Let it be lah... find a compromise." especially with the competitor. But it seems like in such cases, I'm always at the losing end! *pout* How does a penguin pout with its beak?
GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!
Ridiculous temperatures call for drastic measures. I shall beautify myself with winter insulation. "A red and yellow colour combination please". But for now, red shall be the 'in' colour. It was the 'in' colour in the past, at present, and predicted to be so in future too. At least on students' scripts.
*BRRR*
I am in the process of being transformed into a penguin, after I was dumped here. Never thought there would be internet access here huh! (I'm sure I'm in Antarctica and not in Africa or ChinA for that matter!) But the problem is... I'm NOT a penguin! (Though I can walk like one and I like fish.) My skin isn't that thin! Skin deep... heh.
As I'm typing this... my fingers are numb and almost frozen, my hair is short and standing cos the low temperatures have stunted its growth. I'm in a foetal position, with constant little shivers, which erupt into almost-regular trembles without the "tingling effect" and the chattering of teeth, even though I'm wrapped in my brown insulator. I wonder which is worse. This or "perpetual tickling"... (quoted from Vegetales - The book of Esther, where Haman the villain was sentenced to perpetual tickling. Hahaha!)
The rational me says "Switch off that freaking CFC-emitting environment polluter!" and return all temperatures to normal! However, the feeling me says, "Let it be lah... find a compromise." especially with the competitor. But it seems like in such cases, I'm always at the losing end! *pout* How does a penguin pout with its beak?
GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!
Ridiculous temperatures call for drastic measures. I shall beautify myself with winter insulation. "A red and yellow colour combination please". But for now, red shall be the 'in' colour. It was the 'in' colour in the past, at present, and predicted to be so in future too. At least on students' scripts.
*BRRR*
