It's only the first month of 2011 so it's never too late to sum up my best moments in year 2010.
The year 2010 has been a real incredible journey for me. It was my first year to ever step my foot in to the teaching field, which I find surreal actually, because being a preschool teacher was my long term ambition since my childhood days. I loved playing pretend as student/teacher with my cousins whenever they slept over at my place. And so, it came true. Although the zero experience and knowledge on classroom management, curriculum and so on, the one thing I've learnt to overcome all the difficulties is patience. Kids can be a tough nut at times but they're the most genuine people I've ever met. They make good liars and good learners. The children changed me. They really did. Their smiles, laughters, thank yous and compliments made me so comfortable in my own skin. I've never felt appreciated this way before. Other than the kids, I can't remember the last time someone told me how beautiful I am. Never. The children would aways lit my face up. The other day I visited them in their K2 classes. I was getting all emotional. I couldn't believe my eyes they've grown so much. So much taller, so much wiser. I missed having conversations with their parents/guardians. (They're more understanding as compared to this year's.) They even told me how much their child miss me, wishing that I'm able to teach them again. But thanks a lot guys. You all will always be remembered as my first, and by far the BEST batch of students. My sweetest Pearls:
With em' colleagues at Universal Studios Singapore. Fo' FREE so we rockin' till late.
The two-hour Corinne Bailey Rae's mind-blowin' soulful performance.
I don't know how to give you a good description to sum up my life these days. For one thing, to be honest, I feel that I didn't do a good job at teaching. Sorry moms and dads. I should've done better. (I swear I'm going to do better next year.) However the greatest gift the children gave to me was life.
We're coming to an end of Ramadhan this year. It gets more emotional as I grow older. I feel blessed, thank you dear Allah, to see my family sticking up together, despite the challenges we go through. At times we encounter with stupid arguments/conflicts but in the end, ego seperates us from the people we love. Let us move on. For those who left us too soon and whom we loved dearly, you are never forgotten.
Ramadhan this year has been the most tiring one, considering the working and studying environments I'm in. I find that the kids' behaviour is at their worst only in this month. (The morning class, toooooo playful whereas the afternoon class, toooooo talkative. Haha.) On top of that, overloaded with school assignments. Whatever the circumstances are, I never ignore my children and I manage to plan my time well. And with the strength from God, I stayed strong.
Oh boy, do I feel accomplished! I've cleared the mess in my room, swept the house, mopped the house, arranged the kuehs and going to help with mom's cooking tomorrow! My grandma is staying with us for Hari Raya again this year. This year, however, is going to be different. Because I'm old and wise enough to give away money for the kids. This is a life-changing moment for me. Haha nevermind that! I can't wait to see my big family. Kecoh to the max as usual! We're so bringing the house down ya'll.
A month ago I was shocked to hear about the Qur'an burning ceremony that will be held in commemoration of the 9/11's ninth anniversary. This Saturday. Furthermore, on our second day of Hari Raya. Let us pray it won't happen. Never. Please. Who in the right mind, would. I. Can't. Even. To be honest, i'm raging mad about this. I mean, as a Muslim, we recite, we listen and we read the verses of Qur'an in our daily lives. And those mindless people are just going to burn what we honour and what we respect in the name of Allah? If you want to blame the radical Muslims, then so be it. But you don't give that as a reason to incinerate the copies of Qur'an. I won't be surprise if a war is about to occur. Ya Allah. What have the world become?
On a lighter note, kepada keluarga dan sahabat-handai,
salam sayang dari saya, Norhuda Jamaruddin. Mohon maaf zahir dan batin.
It's nearly five weeks after the official opening of Inception in theatres yet, I still can't get over it, even though watching it twice. I saw the trailer weeks before the opening and I knew I had to watch it. I'm not a fan of DiCaprio. (Ellen Page yes.) It's because this is the genius Christopher Nolan's film, that you seriously need to watch. Even at the most crucial times in our 'N'/'O' level years, my form teacher, the awesomest Mr. Lim Y.K., would let us watch movies. (It's ironic how majority of the class got A/B grades for English.) The unforgettable one was Memento, where the scenes in the movie are played in reverse. Like Inception, it's quite mindfucking at first. But as you go deeper, it will force you to grab onto your seat. Batman is my all-time favourite superhero since young. I did enjoy Batman films in the 90s but they're nothing compared to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Chris has brought Batman back to the forefront to a WHOLE nutha new level. BRAVO. I'm not going to review about the movie. I thought I just want to mention the movie. It's like I have to. Haha. As most of you who have watched, it's up to you to define the theories and decide the most-talked-about ending.
You have no idea how obsessed I still am with Inception AND its characters. From picking the right names for the characters to the mesmerizing-yet-mind-bending levels of dreams. Just everything. Some are the familiar faces from Batman Begins. It's cool how Chris puts his trust in them to bring them back in this film, with new roles, and that they pulled it off. Maybe just another few more lines to add: Marion Cotillard is one beautiful French lady. I mean she really is gorgeous! Joseph Gordon-Levitt is very handsome. Ken Watanabe is a good-lookin' badass for his age. Ellen Page is still ROCKIN' since Juno! Joseph Gordon-Levitt is hot. I haven't watched DiCaprio in a film for years, not even Revolutionary Road or Shutter Island. The last time I saw him was in The Departed. I always thought he's just a prettyface, but not in Inception. And I guess he's growing old. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is not a prettyface. He's handsomely charming. In fact, I LOVE ALL the characters. Okay, enough said.
The casts' weirdest dreams always gets to me. LMFAO:
“I’m in this 8-by-8-foot cell, and the walls are painted off-white, and there’s a cot in one corner. There’s a steel door on one wall, and on the opposite wall there’s one tiny window, way up high. If I jump up, I can see that it looks out over the water, with no land in sight. I’m there for what feels like hours, and suddenly I hear someone approaching. The footsteps get closer and closer, until they stop right outside the door. A food slot in the bottom of the door opens up, and a tray slides in, but instead of food, it’s got a suit on it, and a fake mustache. A window in the door slides open, and there’s Marty Scorsese, with this crazy grin on his face. ‘Time to make another movie, Leo,’ he says. ‘This time you’re a claims adjuster who gets mixed up with the Chinese Triads.’ Then he closes the window and I hear him walking away. I try to put on the suit, but all the pant legs and shirt cuffs have been sewn shut. Then I wake up.” Leonardo DiCaprio
“I’m on the set of 3rd Rock from the Sun, and everyone is there, French Stewart and Kristen Johnston and John Lithgow and Jane Curtin, and we’re laughing about something when one of the producers comes in and tells us that the show’s been cancelled. We’re all sad, of course, and John says, ‘Well, we had a good run. Fifteen years is nothing to sneeze at.’ I do a double take and ask him to say that again. Then I realize — I’m the same age I am now. I’m not a kid. It’s 2010, and I’ve been doing the show since 1996. I go to a computer and I look up my IMDb page, and I never did Brick, or The Lookout or Stop-Loss or (500) Days of Summer — just 3rd Rock. In fact, the only movie I’ve done is G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. The room starts spinning, and I start breathing heavy and that’s when I wake up screaming.” Joseph Gordon-Levitt
“There’s a grassy field, and it’s littered with the bodies of dead samurai. I, too, am dressed like a samurai, and I am the only one left alive, so I draw the only logical conclusion and say, aloud, ‘I am the last samurai.’ But then behind me I hear a voice say, ‘Ah-ah-ah!’ I turn, and there is Tom Cruise, in full samurai armor. ‘I am the last samurai,’ he says. I try to correct him, but he walks over to a couch — I don’t know where it came from, but it is in the field now — and starts jumping up and down on it, saying ‘I AM THE LAST SAMURAI! I AM THE LAST SAMURAI!’ Then I look down and see an arrow sticking out of my chest, and that’s when I wake up.” Ken Watanabe
“I’m in the delivery room, and I’m in labor. It’s not painful, but I feel — off. There’s something wrong. Also, I notice that I’m wearing roller skates. The doctor, who’s Drew Barrymore for some reason, tells me to push, and I do, and I hear the nurses kind of gasp. I ask what’s wrong, but no one will tell me, not Nurse Eve or Nurse Juliette Lewis or anybody. I push one more time, just so I can see what’s wrong with the baby, and suddenly Michael Cera comes out, fully grown and covered with afterbirth. ‘Ellen, what’s up?’ he says. ‘Wanna get a burrito after this?’ I scream, and that’s when I wake up.” Ellen Page
“I’m on a film set with Michael Caine, and we’re both wearing suits and talking about the weather or something, and suddenly Chris Nolan is there, and he steps out from behind the camera and says ‘Action!’ I immediately launch into dialogue for my Inception character, Robert, but when it’s Michael’s turn, he just looks at me blankly. I turn to Chris, and he says, ‘Uh, Cillian?’ I realize what I’ve done and slap my hand to my forehead. I apologize to everyone, and have them call ‘Action’ again. This time I launch into my Scarecrow dialogue from Batman Begins, but once again, everyone looks confused. Chris walks up to me: ‘Cillian, what are you doing?’ I ask, ‘Isn’t this Batman?’ He says, ‘No, this is 28 Days Later.’ And I turn back to Michael and see that he’s turned into a zombie, and he lunges for me, and that’s when I wake up.” Cillian Murphy
“I’m on stage at a Star Trek convention, and I’m wearing my Shinzon makeup and costume from Star Trek: Nemesis. Sitting next to me are Leo DiCaprio dressed as Captain Kirk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Mr. Spock, Cillian Murphy as McCoy and Ellen Page as Uhura, and we’re all answering audience member questions about Inception. Suddenly, a Klingon in the audience stands up and shoots Leo in the chest, and the whole room erupts into chaos. Ellen shouts for Cillian to do something, but he tells her that he’s an actor, not a doctor, so she looks at me and begs me to help, and I look at Leo and he’s clearly dying, so I say I’ll do what I can. I grab a ball-point pen and a microphone cord and I’m about to perform surgery when I realize I have no idea what I’m doing. Luckily, that’s when I wake up.” Tom Hardy
“So I’m at this big premiere, right? I’m walking the red carpet, and a reporter stops me, and he asks what it was like making the film, and I realize that I have no idea what movie I’m at. I didn’t even realize I was in it. I improvise an answer, saying how much I like the director and all that, and I go inside to find my seat, and I see that Sean Connery is there, and Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman and everyone I’ve ever done a movie with. I sit down in the balcony, and the theater is full of everybody I’ve ever known in my life. The lights go down, and this movie starts, this fantastic movie about my life, in which I play all of the parts. I don’t remember a thing about making it, so I decide to sit back and enjoy it, and it turns out to be really well-done indeed. It’s a little long, though, and of course I know how it ends, so eventually I nod off and have a dream where I’m a pirate. Weirdest thing.” Michael Caine
“I’m on the set of Batman 3, I don’t know what it’s actually called, and I’m approving Christian Bale’s new bat-suit. It’s got some added details, but I’m not paying too much attention. Then I see the suit for Robin, and he’s played by Zac Efron. Then I approve Christina Hendricks’ Poison Ivy costume, and Michael Chiklis’ Mr. Freeze costume. Then I look out over this massive set we’ve constructed, and it’s a giant ice rink populated by these armored hockey players. And I realize: I’m not me, I’m Joel Schumacher, and I’m making Batman & Robin. That’s when I woke up, called Warner Bros. and quit the franchise.” Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan is one genius filmmaker who also works alongside with his wife. How marvellous. You're the best Chris!
P.S. If you listen to the soundtrack of Inception, it's just how I imagine, dreaming. The songs are being played in the background of your dream while you're asleep. The work of Hans Zimmer. *applauses*
As I watched the old videos/photos of Singapore, the people and the places decades ago, it's hard to imagine how far we've come. It's a huge transition, which I think we're moving on too fast. But still, I'm grateful to be born here. Thank you, Singapore. Happy 45th.
Corinne Bailey Rae's performance was mind-blowing.
The setting, the band, the audience, her voice. Everything was astounding. I remembered browsing through her MySpace profile page back in 2006 (when I was in secondary 3!), listening to her music and then four years later, I got to watch her sing on stage live. Sweet. The epic moment for me had to be her singing to 'I'd Do It All Again'. She sang all the songs from her latest album, 'The Sea', plus her two notable songs 'Put Your Records On' and 'Like A Star' from her first album. I was moved to see an old Caucasian couple in front of me hold hands together with their heads swaying side to side. Corinne sang so effortlessly. I had a weird feeling watching a concert alone. Until I met Dilla (first met at our work place, she was the relief teacher then) and her friend, although they sat five seats behind from me. Not only was I alone, the lady right next to me was all alone too. For her closing performance, she sang to my least favourite kindergarten song! Que Sara Sara by Doris Day. Haha. But of course you can't compare her singing with the nursery kids'. She made the song sound rockin' good! I captured the best, finest one hour and a half moment of my life. Thank you Corinne Bailey Rae! <3
(The lyrics aren't exactly right. Nonetheless, the authenticity.)
I missed out John Legend, Alicia Keys and Maksim Mvirca's concerts when they were here. I can never get over it still. (If it weren't for school and being penniless......) But then, Corinne had performed alongside John Legend (and John Mayer) before at the Grammys back in 2007. John Legend had also performed a duet with Alicia Keys before. And Alicia Keys, John Legend AND Maksim Mvirca play the piano exceptionally well. So, notice the mutuality?
(via Dilla)
Today's attendance from my afternoon class was really bad. Out of 22 only 12 kids turn up for school. Curse the chicken pox and HFMD and other viruses.
I'm glad that we're a week away from semester break. All of us are on the verge of breaking down, or I bet we already are due to the lecturer's overloaded assignments. I mean, we are fine with the amount he gave us but he could've been more precise. He's the worst lecturer. One even vented her anger.
The above mentioned are the three words that could sum up my current status. A quiz, an exam and three assignments that are dued within this week. Any minute now, I may explode.
Study while working definitely makes a perfect combination to power up experience and knowledge. However on the other hand, it's exhausting. But I can't complain. Unlike most of my course mates, I'm not a mother of four. My hats off to them who are CAPABLE to painstakingly work 9 to 5 at child care/kindergarten centres, then school 6 to 10 before heading back home to see their kids. My goodness. THAT is a huge load of sacrifice made. Other than these (super)women who keep me going, are my kids. They're the reason why tomorrow is valuable waking up for.
Okay I have to go shower (because I don't feel fresh), complete my first assignment (800-word essay), watch 90210 (because I just can't miss it), start on my second assignment (500-word essay), study for tomorrow's exam (3 BIG chunks of chapters from psychology and child development module) and sleep (if necessary).
OH MY GOSH. AFTER ALL THESE SHIZ I CAN THEN GO WATCH ECLIPSE WITH MY TWILIGHT COMPANION. O'RIGHT ON.
Thank God for the June holidays. The not-so-good part is that I have to come back for work on the first and last week of June. Haha like those days I had to come back to school for extra classes. The purpose of me going back to work, is to discuss, plan, brainstorm, organise, review and prepare for the children's curriculum/activities/field trips/worksheets for their semester 3 and 4, along with the other teachers within our branch. (I'm still having a mild headache from these.) This week started off uneasy for me. Working with people whom I don't really know and myself being the only K1 teacher to represent my centre. It's tough. I'm the most junior there while the rest possess many many many years of experience. I need to reassure myself that I'm doing things correctly as told.
I'm actually impressed with myself. I'm working with the (most) tough(est) teachers so I'm constantly working under high level of pressure. (Senior teachers bleah.) They expect things to be prepared and done on the dot. And fair enough, I didn't disappoint. :) To be honest, I prefer their work performance. It really shows that working is a no joke. They're effin' systematic and able to progress from their execution in work. I've learnt a lot from this.
I'm blessed to have known Lalitha. She's my mentor. She is one of the most awesome person with a kind, happy soul I have ever met. She's the only one whom I can relate and laugh out loud with when the working environment is tensed and everyone else is too darn serious. She's like the guru in the social spectrum. She's expressive, creative, bubbly, friendly, lively and animated most of the time. She has worked with Julia Gabriel Centre as a drama teacher (which is my dream to be able to work there), provides enrichment classes for children specifically in creative writng and phonics and her major in drama has truly moulded her personality as a lively character with excellent command of English. Truth is, all drama people are like that. Like Melissa. (Except that she needs to be more expressive and loud in her movement and gestures, like her drama friends.)
Speaking about Melissa, I'm so happy for her. I salute her sister for being supportive too. She has come a very long way to find what really connects her inner self. She grabbed the opportunity and delivered very well, I must say. Congratulations again, Melissa! The other day when she finished her successful audition, I managed to go out with her drama friends and Firdous. It gave me a shock that one of her friends, Joash, is of a similar personality to Melvin, except that one is a jazz lover, the other is a rocker. Melissa and I had a good laugh about this. I got a free cup of Caramel Macchiato, thanks to Shahril, and all of us sat having great conversations for hours. Later, I reached home at 12.30 am. It felt like a teenager again. This was a day before I had the parents-teacher meeting. How cool is that?
Speaking about the parents-teacher meeting session, I just want to say that I'm touched. The parents can obviously tell that I'm too young to be their children's teacher. However, I felt so honoured that they're able to accept me. They've given me their trust to teach their children under my care. They told me their children love to go to school, love their friends and love their teacher. It made me cry. I take my fedora hat off to them. Finally. I have found my purpose in life.
I'm relieved I'm not going overseas with my colleagues next week. I don't want to waste my fours days of the holidays to hang out with people whom I've little known of. Haha. I need to spend more time with my family, my friends and myself actually. School is okay for now. Done with most of the assignments and quizzes. But currently my mind is in a state of confusion with the psychology module. In fact all of my classmates are. The lecturer himself too. Lol. When he cannot answer our question, he would go back home to search for it, then explain to us in our next lesson. Everytime.
The movie mothereffin' kicks ass. (I previously twittered over this due to my coarse language.)
I can't wait for this month to end. School and work assignments are affecting my social development. HAHA. My immune system is not coordinating well with my brains. No matter how exhausting this process can be, I'm blessed to be able to embark a fun-filled learning journey with the children. They are the reason why tomorrow is worth waking up for. Already three days of absence from school and this girl told her mom that she missed me a lot. When discussing about occupation, most of them want to be a teacher. It was even more heartwarming when they want to be a teacher like me. I won't be surprised if thirty years down the road, I'm all wrinkle-free. They say working with children can make you appear and feel youthful. (I wish I can upload my class photos here but I need to seek permission from their parents which I rather not.)
I have 3 more major school assignments to go AND next Wednesday's parents-teacher meeting session. I haven't even finish updating their portfolios. Parents are able to notify their children's progress and performance via their portfolios based on worksheets and checklists. I thought art students only have portfolios. What's even more shocking is that the K2s have already learnt addition and subtraction by implementing the working method. When I was your age, I started to learn that in primary one. Seriously, Singaporean children need to slower down their learning pace. Those with high IQs then it's a no problem, they have potential to push the limits of their knowledge.
Okay. I really need to get back to work now.
My current obsession. And they're coming here soon. If you're into indie folk, you gotta check out Elizabeth and the Catapult's music. <3
I feel so blessed for this month of May. (Although the school and work assignments are really, really, beyond overwhelming.) What's going through her mind, I can actually relate. Hawa, my colleague and also my classmate (thankfully), is a lot like myself. And us, being the youngest employers, is definitely a struggle. We all need somebody to lean on after all. Thanks to our colleagues. (; Oh. For our vacation, either we're going to Malaysia or Phuket, Thailand. Phuket FTW. But I rather hang out with my old friends. They're planning to go bowling. =(
Oh yeah. I love this month of May. I've been seeing a lot of familiar faces lately. Before that, I had series of dreams about the secondary school days. I find it strange yet magical. As if I'm a psychic.
We'll be having the Sports' Day event with the kids this Sunday. The next day will be closed due to the event (cool eh). So I'm going back to Zhonghua. I think the dreams I had also meant a calling. A calling for me to revisit the school.
It used to feel like heaven Used to feel like May I used to hear those violins playing heart strings like a symphony Now they've gone away Nobody wants to face the truth But you wont believe what love can do Till it happens to you
"Looking at old photos and thinking how much things have changed."
Found this link on Facebook and added it as my favourite page. I couldn't help it but to blog about my experiences I had back in my secondary school days. So this entry is probably the most memorable one in the history of my all-archives. Nostalgic mode on. This is only the part one. Haha. CCA.
Library. My secret hiding place during recess and before extra classes/CCA. I volunteered to be a librarian. (I used to be a ME! ME! student.) Back then, there must be at least a librarian for each classes. I think because lack of manpower. Later, it was no longer a compulsory. Being a librarian was rather calm and cooling, except for shelving the books which I hated the most. Alan, the head librarian would always ask me to do the shelving duty instead of the counter. Irritating dude. One time, he caught me surfing Friendster. (Hahaha. The Friendster era.) I remember being late for my one-day library camp. Everyone had left to the beach to do some CIP work (beach-cleaning). With nothing better to do, I headed to the National Library in Toa Payoh and then Delifrance for breakfast for the first hour or so. (What a bummer.) Having returned back to school, cikgu Nurdini was surprised I appear out of nowhere. Hah. Then, along came the games. Out of spontaneity, our group name was It's-Just-A-Game. We came in second after accumulating points from all the games. As usual, barbequed food for dinner. I had the best teachers-in-charge - Mrs Raj and cikgu Nurdini. I left the CCA in secondary two because there wasn't much fun. The seniors, Alan and teachers left.
Girl Guides. I swear I didn't have in mind to opt for Girl Guides (GG) as my CCA. During the CCA orientation, Nura, my secondary three senior just pulled me to the booth. She persuaded, almost forced me to join so without a second thought, I did. I'm glad my former classmate, Sharifah who is also a close friend of mine for six years (and still counting), joined GG. No doubt we had the BEST batch of secondary three seniors like Joanne, Raudha, Nura, Irra, Amanda, Zaiton, Colleen, Yilyn and Peirong. Sweetest yet the funniest seniors EVER. (And just to include, that batch also had the good-looking bunch of NCC guys. In fact all the seniors were really good-looking. After they graduated, no more liao.)
The annual camps, World Thinking Day, banner-making, contingents, campfires and school events we involved in were endless fun. The best three-day camp I believe, we ever had, was the one in Camp Christine ('twas in secondary two). It's a tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. That was the only year my batch had the chance to camp outside of school. With Sharifah as my canoe partner, we rowed for almost an hour I think. From one place to the other end, rowed around the kelongs with dogs barking at us and us avoiding the fishing lines. Not to forget the delicious meals which I find ironic. Camps shouldn't serve good food. When washing the plates, Clarice being the irked one, was cursing at the bugs and insects. Then Ms Tan said not to look at them so that they won't get near her. Haha. We carried out our gang shows (short performances) followed by songs and cheers at night in the lodge. (I forgot what my patrol's performance was). There was once where one of our activities was abseiling ('twas in secondary three). Initially I was looking forward to it but I guess I didn't have the guts. Boo me. Oh. I remembered our own school campfire! It was epic. The bridge that was built by our Scouts was freakin' high, the tallest I'd seen as compared to other schools. As similar to a two-storey building. GG and Scouts from other schools were awed by this. I was the usher so of course, I had to lead them. It was downright scary. At any point of time, with 40 people on the bridge made of poles all attached with ropes, it would collapse. Surprisingly it didn't. Haha. The school's principal and other uniform groups were there. Even a group of GG as far as Teck Whye Secondary School came down. Everyone walked along the bridge. It was the best campfire night with the hip emcees followed by entertaining performances. The next day, us and the Scouts did the major cleanup. Although exhausting, it was all worth it.
I promise to do my best To do my duty to God To serve my country And help other people And to keep the Guide law
I was a Patrol Leader in 2006 for Swallow. And I'm proud of it. And I love my juniors. (Now I have no idea what they have become.)
I forgot about the commands of marching, horseshoe formation (for enrolment ceremony!) and stuff. I can't even recall the lyrics to most of the GG's songs that was repeatedly sung on every meeting. The last time I did was like 3 years ago. Being a parade commander during flag-raising ceremonies was a major nerve-wrack. Damn the faces of all the school's population. The Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) '06. I was a member of the parade's marching contingent. As well as Teachers' Day and Sport's Day. Those were the good and bad times, where all the uniform groups came together, practice till perfect while blazing under the hot sun plus staying back late for countless rehearsals. SYF was pretty disastrous. That was the first time I encounter the delightful misery under Ms Alsagoff. Haha. She reminded me of a prison officer with all the yelling and criticisms but eventually, her method of discipline led us to perfection. One time, during the rehearsal which took place in Home Team Academy, we were told not to wear any watches. (By right GG don't wear watches when they're in the parade, I think la.) I completely forgot so there goes my (favourite) watch, it got confiscated. She had sharp, observant eyes. At the end of the rehearsal, I took the risk to ask her for my watch back because she'd clearly forgotten. She didn't say a word (which scares me) throughout searching for it in her gym bag. Those were the days. I miss being a GG. And it's disappointing there's no more GG CCA in the school. No more Ms Michelle Chan. No more Ms Tan Seow Lan. And and and not to forget, for our secondary four GG camp (without the juniors, only us), we got the chance to chill out at the teachers' lounge. That was where we had Pizza Hut for dinner and Les Choristes for our late night movie. Thanks for everything Ms Tan.
I had the BEST batch of my own EVER. We went through the ups and downs and always on the lookout for each other. The outings, birthday celebrations, neoprints and such. Those were the days. It's been a long long while I haven't keep in touch with them except Shar. I can't believe how fast we've grown and them already being undergraduates. Hopefully we can see all of us again during the Christmas period like we used to! I love you girls and I wish you all the best.
Since I'm not working (except tutoring then schooling later) this next Monday, I'm going back to Zhonghua. :D Haven't stepped into the school for a year and a half. It doesn't matter if none of the teachers remembers me. I want need to relive the moment.
My next entry is going to be effin' long. Like 1000-word essay. (Hint: Zhonghua Secondary School) Now I'm working on my next paragraph. I'm trying to recall everything.
I didn't manage to watch any of these movies in theatres: Clash Of The Titans, Date Night, Kick-Ass, Youth In Revolt, Shutter Island. This coming week Iron Man 2. Facepalms. Tight tight schedule. Time management skills in progress.
It's only the first month of 2011 so it's never too late to sum up my best moments in year 2010.
The year 2010 has been a real incredible journey for me. It was my first year to ever step my foot in to the teaching field, which I find surreal actually, because being a preschool teacher was my long term ambition since my childhood days. I loved playing pretend as student/teacher with my cousins whenever they slept over at my place. And so, it came true. Although the zero experience and knowledge on classroom management, curriculum and so on, the one thing I've learnt to overcome all the difficulties is patience. Kids can be a tough nut at times but they're the most genuine people I've ever met. They make good liars and good learners. The children changed me. They really did. Their smiles, laughters, thank yous and compliments made me so comfortable in my own skin. I've never felt appreciated this way before. Other than the kids, I can't remember the last time someone told me how beautiful I am. Never. The children would aways lit my face up. The other day I visited them in their K2 classes. I was getting all emotional. I couldn't believe my eyes they've grown so much. So much taller, so much wiser. I missed having conversations with their parents/guardians. (They're more understanding as compared to this year's.) They even told me how much their child miss me, wishing that I'm able to teach them again. But thanks a lot guys. You all will always be remembered as my first, and by far the BEST batch of students. My sweetest Pearls:
With em' colleagues at Universal Studios Singapore. Fo' FREE so we rockin' till late.
The two-hour Corinne Bailey Rae's mind-blowin' soulful performance.
I don't know how to give you a good description to sum up my life these days. For one thing, to be honest, I feel that I didn't do a good job at teaching. Sorry moms and dads. I should've done better. (I swear I'm going to do better next year.) However the greatest gift the children gave to me was life.
We're coming to an end of Ramadhan this year. It gets more emotional as I grow older. I feel blessed, thank you dear Allah, to see my family sticking up together, despite the challenges we go through. At times we encounter with stupid arguments/conflicts but in the end, ego seperates us from the people we love. Let us move on. For those who left us too soon and whom we loved dearly, you are never forgotten.
Ramadhan this year has been the most tiring one, considering the working and studying environments I'm in. I find that the kids' behaviour is at their worst only in this month. (The morning class, toooooo playful whereas the afternoon class, toooooo talkative. Haha.) On top of that, overloaded with school assignments. Whatever the circumstances are, I never ignore my children and I manage to plan my time well. And with the strength from God, I stayed strong.
Oh boy, do I feel accomplished! I've cleared the mess in my room, swept the house, mopped the house, arranged the kuehs and going to help with mom's cooking tomorrow! My grandma is staying with us for Hari Raya again this year. This year, however, is going to be different. Because I'm old and wise enough to give away money for the kids. This is a life-changing moment for me. Haha nevermind that! I can't wait to see my big family. Kecoh to the max as usual! We're so bringing the house down ya'll.
A month ago I was shocked to hear about the Qur'an burning ceremony that will be held in commemoration of the 9/11's ninth anniversary. This Saturday. Furthermore, on our second day of Hari Raya. Let us pray it won't happen. Never. Please. Who in the right mind, would. I. Can't. Even. To be honest, i'm raging mad about this. I mean, as a Muslim, we recite, we listen and we read the verses of Qur'an in our daily lives. And those mindless people are just going to burn what we honour and what we respect in the name of Allah? If you want to blame the radical Muslims, then so be it. But you don't give that as a reason to incinerate the copies of Qur'an. I won't be surprise if a war is about to occur. Ya Allah. What have the world become?
On a lighter note, kepada keluarga dan sahabat-handai,
salam sayang dari saya, Norhuda Jamaruddin. Mohon maaf zahir dan batin.
It's nearly five weeks after the official opening of Inception in theatres yet, I still can't get over it, even though watching it twice. I saw the trailer weeks before the opening and I knew I had to watch it. I'm not a fan of DiCaprio. (Ellen Page yes.) It's because this is the genius Christopher Nolan's film, that you seriously need to watch. Even at the most crucial times in our 'N'/'O' level years, my form teacher, the awesomest Mr. Lim Y.K., would let us watch movies. (It's ironic how majority of the class got A/B grades for English.) The unforgettable one was Memento, where the scenes in the movie are played in reverse. Like Inception, it's quite mindfucking at first. But as you go deeper, it will force you to grab onto your seat. Batman is my all-time favourite superhero since young. I did enjoy Batman films in the 90s but they're nothing compared to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Chris has brought Batman back to the forefront to a WHOLE nutha new level. BRAVO. I'm not going to review about the movie. I thought I just want to mention the movie. It's like I have to. Haha. As most of you who have watched, it's up to you to define the theories and decide the most-talked-about ending.
You have no idea how obsessed I still am with Inception AND its characters. From picking the right names for the characters to the mesmerizing-yet-mind-bending levels of dreams. Just everything. Some are the familiar faces from Batman Begins. It's cool how Chris puts his trust in them to bring them back in this film, with new roles, and that they pulled it off. Maybe just another few more lines to add: Marion Cotillard is one beautiful French lady. I mean she really is gorgeous! Joseph Gordon-Levitt is very handsome. Ken Watanabe is a good-lookin' badass for his age. Ellen Page is still ROCKIN' since Juno! Joseph Gordon-Levitt is hot. I haven't watched DiCaprio in a film for years, not even Revolutionary Road or Shutter Island. The last time I saw him was in The Departed. I always thought he's just a prettyface, but not in Inception. And I guess he's growing old. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is not a prettyface. He's handsomely charming. In fact, I LOVE ALL the characters. Okay, enough said.
The casts' weirdest dreams always gets to me. LMFAO:
“I’m in this 8-by-8-foot cell, and the walls are painted off-white, and there’s a cot in one corner. There’s a steel door on one wall, and on the opposite wall there’s one tiny window, way up high. If I jump up, I can see that it looks out over the water, with no land in sight. I’m there for what feels like hours, and suddenly I hear someone approaching. The footsteps get closer and closer, until they stop right outside the door. A food slot in the bottom of the door opens up, and a tray slides in, but instead of food, it’s got a suit on it, and a fake mustache. A window in the door slides open, and there’s Marty Scorsese, with this crazy grin on his face. ‘Time to make another movie, Leo,’ he says. ‘This time you’re a claims adjuster who gets mixed up with the Chinese Triads.’ Then he closes the window and I hear him walking away. I try to put on the suit, but all the pant legs and shirt cuffs have been sewn shut. Then I wake up.” Leonardo DiCaprio
“I’m on the set of 3rd Rock from the Sun, and everyone is there, French Stewart and Kristen Johnston and John Lithgow and Jane Curtin, and we’re laughing about something when one of the producers comes in and tells us that the show’s been cancelled. We’re all sad, of course, and John says, ‘Well, we had a good run. Fifteen years is nothing to sneeze at.’ I do a double take and ask him to say that again. Then I realize — I’m the same age I am now. I’m not a kid. It’s 2010, and I’ve been doing the show since 1996. I go to a computer and I look up my IMDb page, and I never did Brick, or The Lookout or Stop-Loss or (500) Days of Summer — just 3rd Rock. In fact, the only movie I’ve done is G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. The room starts spinning, and I start breathing heavy and that’s when I wake up screaming.” Joseph Gordon-Levitt
“There’s a grassy field, and it’s littered with the bodies of dead samurai. I, too, am dressed like a samurai, and I am the only one left alive, so I draw the only logical conclusion and say, aloud, ‘I am the last samurai.’ But then behind me I hear a voice say, ‘Ah-ah-ah!’ I turn, and there is Tom Cruise, in full samurai armor. ‘I am the last samurai,’ he says. I try to correct him, but he walks over to a couch — I don’t know where it came from, but it is in the field now — and starts jumping up and down on it, saying ‘I AM THE LAST SAMURAI! I AM THE LAST SAMURAI!’ Then I look down and see an arrow sticking out of my chest, and that’s when I wake up.” Ken Watanabe
“I’m in the delivery room, and I’m in labor. It’s not painful, but I feel — off. There’s something wrong. Also, I notice that I’m wearing roller skates. The doctor, who’s Drew Barrymore for some reason, tells me to push, and I do, and I hear the nurses kind of gasp. I ask what’s wrong, but no one will tell me, not Nurse Eve or Nurse Juliette Lewis or anybody. I push one more time, just so I can see what’s wrong with the baby, and suddenly Michael Cera comes out, fully grown and covered with afterbirth. ‘Ellen, what’s up?’ he says. ‘Wanna get a burrito after this?’ I scream, and that’s when I wake up.” Ellen Page
“I’m on a film set with Michael Caine, and we’re both wearing suits and talking about the weather or something, and suddenly Chris Nolan is there, and he steps out from behind the camera and says ‘Action!’ I immediately launch into dialogue for my Inception character, Robert, but when it’s Michael’s turn, he just looks at me blankly. I turn to Chris, and he says, ‘Uh, Cillian?’ I realize what I’ve done and slap my hand to my forehead. I apologize to everyone, and have them call ‘Action’ again. This time I launch into my Scarecrow dialogue from Batman Begins, but once again, everyone looks confused. Chris walks up to me: ‘Cillian, what are you doing?’ I ask, ‘Isn’t this Batman?’ He says, ‘No, this is 28 Days Later.’ And I turn back to Michael and see that he’s turned into a zombie, and he lunges for me, and that’s when I wake up.” Cillian Murphy
“I’m on stage at a Star Trek convention, and I’m wearing my Shinzon makeup and costume from Star Trek: Nemesis. Sitting next to me are Leo DiCaprio dressed as Captain Kirk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Mr. Spock, Cillian Murphy as McCoy and Ellen Page as Uhura, and we’re all answering audience member questions about Inception. Suddenly, a Klingon in the audience stands up and shoots Leo in the chest, and the whole room erupts into chaos. Ellen shouts for Cillian to do something, but he tells her that he’s an actor, not a doctor, so she looks at me and begs me to help, and I look at Leo and he’s clearly dying, so I say I’ll do what I can. I grab a ball-point pen and a microphone cord and I’m about to perform surgery when I realize I have no idea what I’m doing. Luckily, that’s when I wake up.” Tom Hardy
“So I’m at this big premiere, right? I’m walking the red carpet, and a reporter stops me, and he asks what it was like making the film, and I realize that I have no idea what movie I’m at. I didn’t even realize I was in it. I improvise an answer, saying how much I like the director and all that, and I go inside to find my seat, and I see that Sean Connery is there, and Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman and everyone I’ve ever done a movie with. I sit down in the balcony, and the theater is full of everybody I’ve ever known in my life. The lights go down, and this movie starts, this fantastic movie about my life, in which I play all of the parts. I don’t remember a thing about making it, so I decide to sit back and enjoy it, and it turns out to be really well-done indeed. It’s a little long, though, and of course I know how it ends, so eventually I nod off and have a dream where I’m a pirate. Weirdest thing.” Michael Caine
“I’m on the set of Batman 3, I don’t know what it’s actually called, and I’m approving Christian Bale’s new bat-suit. It’s got some added details, but I’m not paying too much attention. Then I see the suit for Robin, and he’s played by Zac Efron. Then I approve Christina Hendricks’ Poison Ivy costume, and Michael Chiklis’ Mr. Freeze costume. Then I look out over this massive set we’ve constructed, and it’s a giant ice rink populated by these armored hockey players. And I realize: I’m not me, I’m Joel Schumacher, and I’m making Batman & Robin. That’s when I woke up, called Warner Bros. and quit the franchise.” Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan is one genius filmmaker who also works alongside with his wife. How marvellous. You're the best Chris!
P.S. If you listen to the soundtrack of Inception, it's just how I imagine, dreaming. The songs are being played in the background of your dream while you're asleep. The work of Hans Zimmer. *applauses*
As I watched the old videos/photos of Singapore, the people and the places decades ago, it's hard to imagine how far we've come. It's a huge transition, which I think we're moving on too fast. But still, I'm grateful to be born here. Thank you, Singapore. Happy 45th.
Corinne Bailey Rae's performance was mind-blowing.
The setting, the band, the audience, her voice. Everything was astounding. I remembered browsing through her MySpace profile page back in 2006 (when I was in secondary 3!), listening to her music and then four years later, I got to watch her sing on stage live. Sweet. The epic moment for me had to be her singing to 'I'd Do It All Again'. She sang all the songs from her latest album, 'The Sea', plus her two notable songs 'Put Your Records On' and 'Like A Star' from her first album. I was moved to see an old Caucasian couple in front of me hold hands together with their heads swaying side to side. Corinne sang so effortlessly. I had a weird feeling watching a concert alone. Until I met Dilla (first met at our work place, she was the relief teacher then) and her friend, although they sat five seats behind from me. Not only was I alone, the lady right next to me was all alone too. For her closing performance, she sang to my least favourite kindergarten song! Que Sara Sara by Doris Day. Haha. But of course you can't compare her singing with the nursery kids'. She made the song sound rockin' good! I captured the best, finest one hour and a half moment of my life. Thank you Corinne Bailey Rae! <3
(The lyrics aren't exactly right. Nonetheless, the authenticity.)
I missed out John Legend, Alicia Keys and Maksim Mvirca's concerts when they were here. I can never get over it still. (If it weren't for school and being penniless......) But then, Corinne had performed alongside John Legend (and John Mayer) before at the Grammys back in 2007. John Legend had also performed a duet with Alicia Keys before. And Alicia Keys, John Legend AND Maksim Mvirca play the piano exceptionally well. So, notice the mutuality?
(via Dilla)
Today's attendance from my afternoon class was really bad. Out of 22 only 12 kids turn up for school. Curse the chicken pox and HFMD and other viruses.
I'm glad that we're a week away from semester break. All of us are on the verge of breaking down, or I bet we already are due to the lecturer's overloaded assignments. I mean, we are fine with the amount he gave us but he could've been more precise. He's the worst lecturer. One even vented her anger.
The above mentioned are the three words that could sum up my current status. A quiz, an exam and three assignments that are dued within this week. Any minute now, I may explode.
Study while working definitely makes a perfect combination to power up experience and knowledge. However on the other hand, it's exhausting. But I can't complain. Unlike most of my course mates, I'm not a mother of four. My hats off to them who are CAPABLE to painstakingly work 9 to 5 at child care/kindergarten centres, then school 6 to 10 before heading back home to see their kids. My goodness. THAT is a huge load of sacrifice made. Other than these (super)women who keep me going, are my kids. They're the reason why tomorrow is valuable waking up for.
Okay I have to go shower (because I don't feel fresh), complete my first assignment (800-word essay), watch 90210 (because I just can't miss it), start on my second assignment (500-word essay), study for tomorrow's exam (3 BIG chunks of chapters from psychology and child development module) and sleep (if necessary).
OH MY GOSH. AFTER ALL THESE SHIZ I CAN THEN GO WATCH ECLIPSE WITH MY TWILIGHT COMPANION. O'RIGHT ON.
Thank God for the June holidays. The not-so-good part is that I have to come back for work on the first and last week of June. Haha like those days I had to come back to school for extra classes. The purpose of me going back to work, is to discuss, plan, brainstorm, organise, review and prepare for the children's curriculum/activities/field trips/worksheets for their semester 3 and 4, along with the other teachers within our branch. (I'm still having a mild headache from these.) This week started off uneasy for me. Working with people whom I don't really know and myself being the only K1 teacher to represent my centre. It's tough. I'm the most junior there while the rest possess many many many years of experience. I need to reassure myself that I'm doing things correctly as told.
I'm actually impressed with myself. I'm working with the (most) tough(est) teachers so I'm constantly working under high level of pressure. (Senior teachers bleah.) They expect things to be prepared and done on the dot. And fair enough, I didn't disappoint. :) To be honest, I prefer their work performance. It really shows that working is a no joke. They're effin' systematic and able to progress from their execution in work. I've learnt a lot from this.
I'm blessed to have known Lalitha. She's my mentor. She is one of the most awesome person with a kind, happy soul I have ever met. She's the only one whom I can relate and laugh out loud with when the working environment is tensed and everyone else is too darn serious. She's like the guru in the social spectrum. She's expressive, creative, bubbly, friendly, lively and animated most of the time. She has worked with Julia Gabriel Centre as a drama teacher (which is my dream to be able to work there), provides enrichment classes for children specifically in creative writng and phonics and her major in drama has truly moulded her personality as a lively character with excellent command of English. Truth is, all drama people are like that. Like Melissa. (Except that she needs to be more expressive and loud in her movement and gestures, like her drama friends.)
Speaking about Melissa, I'm so happy for her. I salute her sister for being supportive too. She has come a very long way to find what really connects her inner self. She grabbed the opportunity and delivered very well, I must say. Congratulations again, Melissa! The other day when she finished her successful audition, I managed to go out with her drama friends and Firdous. It gave me a shock that one of her friends, Joash, is of a similar personality to Melvin, except that one is a jazz lover, the other is a rocker. Melissa and I had a good laugh about this. I got a free cup of Caramel Macchiato, thanks to Shahril, and all of us sat having great conversations for hours. Later, I reached home at 12.30 am. It felt like a teenager again. This was a day before I had the parents-teacher meeting. How cool is that?
Speaking about the parents-teacher meeting session, I just want to say that I'm touched. The parents can obviously tell that I'm too young to be their children's teacher. However, I felt so honoured that they're able to accept me. They've given me their trust to teach their children under my care. They told me their children love to go to school, love their friends and love their teacher. It made me cry. I take my fedora hat off to them. Finally. I have found my purpose in life.
I'm relieved I'm not going overseas with my colleagues next week. I don't want to waste my fours days of the holidays to hang out with people whom I've little known of. Haha. I need to spend more time with my family, my friends and myself actually. School is okay for now. Done with most of the assignments and quizzes. But currently my mind is in a state of confusion with the psychology module. In fact all of my classmates are. The lecturer himself too. Lol. When he cannot answer our question, he would go back home to search for it, then explain to us in our next lesson. Everytime.
The movie mothereffin' kicks ass. (I previously twittered over this due to my coarse language.)
I can't wait for this month to end. School and work assignments are affecting my social development. HAHA. My immune system is not coordinating well with my brains. No matter how exhausting this process can be, I'm blessed to be able to embark a fun-filled learning journey with the children. They are the reason why tomorrow is worth waking up for. Already three days of absence from school and this girl told her mom that she missed me a lot. When discussing about occupation, most of them want to be a teacher. It was even more heartwarming when they want to be a teacher like me. I won't be surprised if thirty years down the road, I'm all wrinkle-free. They say working with children can make you appear and feel youthful. (I wish I can upload my class photos here but I need to seek permission from their parents which I rather not.)
I have 3 more major school assignments to go AND next Wednesday's parents-teacher meeting session. I haven't even finish updating their portfolios. Parents are able to notify their children's progress and performance via their portfolios based on worksheets and checklists. I thought art students only have portfolios. What's even more shocking is that the K2s have already learnt addition and subtraction by implementing the working method. When I was your age, I started to learn that in primary one. Seriously, Singaporean children need to slower down their learning pace. Those with high IQs then it's a no problem, they have potential to push the limits of their knowledge.
Okay. I really need to get back to work now.
My current obsession. And they're coming here soon. If you're into indie folk, you gotta check out Elizabeth and the Catapult's music. <3
I feel so blessed for this month of May. (Although the school and work assignments are really, really, beyond overwhelming.) What's going through her mind, I can actually relate. Hawa, my colleague and also my classmate (thankfully), is a lot like myself. And us, being the youngest employers, is definitely a struggle. We all need somebody to lean on after all. Thanks to our colleagues. (; Oh. For our vacation, either we're going to Malaysia or Phuket, Thailand. Phuket FTW. But I rather hang out with my old friends. They're planning to go bowling. =(
Oh yeah. I love this month of May. I've been seeing a lot of familiar faces lately. Before that, I had series of dreams about the secondary school days. I find it strange yet magical. As if I'm a psychic.
We'll be having the Sports' Day event with the kids this Sunday. The next day will be closed due to the event (cool eh). So I'm going back to Zhonghua. I think the dreams I had also meant a calling. A calling for me to revisit the school.
It used to feel like heaven Used to feel like May I used to hear those violins playing heart strings like a symphony Now they've gone away Nobody wants to face the truth But you wont believe what love can do Till it happens to you
"Looking at old photos and thinking how much things have changed."
Found this link on Facebook and added it as my favourite page. I couldn't help it but to blog about my experiences I had back in my secondary school days. So this entry is probably the most memorable one in the history of my all-archives. Nostalgic mode on. This is only the part one. Haha. CCA.
Library. My secret hiding place during recess and before extra classes/CCA. I volunteered to be a librarian. (I used to be a ME! ME! student.) Back then, there must be at least a librarian for each classes. I think because lack of manpower. Later, it was no longer a compulsory. Being a librarian was rather calm and cooling, except for shelving the books which I hated the most. Alan, the head librarian would always ask me to do the shelving duty instead of the counter. Irritating dude. One time, he caught me surfing Friendster. (Hahaha. The Friendster era.) I remember being late for my one-day library camp. Everyone had left to the beach to do some CIP work (beach-cleaning). With nothing better to do, I headed to the National Library in Toa Payoh and then Delifrance for breakfast for the first hour or so. (What a bummer.) Having returned back to school, cikgu Nurdini was surprised I appear out of nowhere. Hah. Then, along came the games. Out of spontaneity, our group name was It's-Just-A-Game. We came in second after accumulating points from all the games. As usual, barbequed food for dinner. I had the best teachers-in-charge - Mrs Raj and cikgu Nurdini. I left the CCA in secondary two because there wasn't much fun. The seniors, Alan and teachers left.
Girl Guides. I swear I didn't have in mind to opt for Girl Guides (GG) as my CCA. During the CCA orientation, Nura, my secondary three senior just pulled me to the booth. She persuaded, almost forced me to join so without a second thought, I did. I'm glad my former classmate, Sharifah who is also a close friend of mine for six years (and still counting), joined GG. No doubt we had the BEST batch of secondary three seniors like Joanne, Raudha, Nura, Irra, Amanda, Zaiton, Colleen, Yilyn and Peirong. Sweetest yet the funniest seniors EVER. (And just to include, that batch also had the good-looking bunch of NCC guys. In fact all the seniors were really good-looking. After they graduated, no more liao.)
The annual camps, World Thinking Day, banner-making, contingents, campfires and school events we involved in were endless fun. The best three-day camp I believe, we ever had, was the one in Camp Christine ('twas in secondary two). It's a tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. That was the only year my batch had the chance to camp outside of school. With Sharifah as my canoe partner, we rowed for almost an hour I think. From one place to the other end, rowed around the kelongs with dogs barking at us and us avoiding the fishing lines. Not to forget the delicious meals which I find ironic. Camps shouldn't serve good food. When washing the plates, Clarice being the irked one, was cursing at the bugs and insects. Then Ms Tan said not to look at them so that they won't get near her. Haha. We carried out our gang shows (short performances) followed by songs and cheers at night in the lodge. (I forgot what my patrol's performance was). There was once where one of our activities was abseiling ('twas in secondary three). Initially I was looking forward to it but I guess I didn't have the guts. Boo me. Oh. I remembered our own school campfire! It was epic. The bridge that was built by our Scouts was freakin' high, the tallest I'd seen as compared to other schools. As similar to a two-storey building. GG and Scouts from other schools were awed by this. I was the usher so of course, I had to lead them. It was downright scary. At any point of time, with 40 people on the bridge made of poles all attached with ropes, it would collapse. Surprisingly it didn't. Haha. The school's principal and other uniform groups were there. Even a group of GG as far as Teck Whye Secondary School came down. Everyone walked along the bridge. It was the best campfire night with the hip emcees followed by entertaining performances. The next day, us and the Scouts did the major cleanup. Although exhausting, it was all worth it.
I promise to do my best To do my duty to God To serve my country And help other people And to keep the Guide law
I was a Patrol Leader in 2006 for Swallow. And I'm proud of it. And I love my juniors. (Now I have no idea what they have become.)
I forgot about the commands of marching, horseshoe formation (for enrolment ceremony!) and stuff. I can't even recall the lyrics to most of the GG's songs that was repeatedly sung on every meeting. The last time I did was like 3 years ago. Being a parade commander during flag-raising ceremonies was a major nerve-wrack. Damn the faces of all the school's population. The Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) '06. I was a member of the parade's marching contingent. As well as Teachers' Day and Sport's Day. Those were the good and bad times, where all the uniform groups came together, practice till perfect while blazing under the hot sun plus staying back late for countless rehearsals. SYF was pretty disastrous. That was the first time I encounter the delightful misery under Ms Alsagoff. Haha. She reminded me of a prison officer with all the yelling and criticisms but eventually, her method of discipline led us to perfection. One time, during the rehearsal which took place in Home Team Academy, we were told not to wear any watches. (By right GG don't wear watches when they're in the parade, I think la.) I completely forgot so there goes my (favourite) watch, it got confiscated. She had sharp, observant eyes. At the end of the rehearsal, I took the risk to ask her for my watch back because she'd clearly forgotten. She didn't say a word (which scares me) throughout searching for it in her gym bag. Those were the days. I miss being a GG. And it's disappointing there's no more GG CCA in the school. No more Ms Michelle Chan. No more Ms Tan Seow Lan. And and and not to forget, for our secondary four GG camp (without the juniors, only us), we got the chance to chill out at the teachers' lounge. That was where we had Pizza Hut for dinner and Les Choristes for our late night movie. Thanks for everything Ms Tan.
I had the BEST batch of my own EVER. We went through the ups and downs and always on the lookout for each other. The outings, birthday celebrations, neoprints and such. Those were the days. It's been a long long while I haven't keep in touch with them except Shar. I can't believe how fast we've grown and them already being undergraduates. Hopefully we can see all of us again during the Christmas period like we used to! I love you girls and I wish you all the best.
Since I'm not working (except tutoring then schooling later) this next Monday, I'm going back to Zhonghua. :D Haven't stepped into the school for a year and a half. It doesn't matter if none of the teachers remembers me. I want need to relive the moment.
My next entry is going to be effin' long. Like 1000-word essay. (Hint: Zhonghua Secondary School) Now I'm working on my next paragraph. I'm trying to recall everything.
I didn't manage to watch any of these movies in theatres: Clash Of The Titans, Date Night, Kick-Ass, Youth In Revolt, Shutter Island. This coming week Iron Man 2. Facepalms. Tight tight schedule. Time management skills in progress.
Strangers have always mistaken me for Chinese and/or Filipino.
Sometimes I fake it but they could tell.
An extraction of Javanese & Baweanese;
but I can converse, write & curse in fluent English & Malay.
I live in Singapore that hasn't been snowing since day one.
My childhood was wicked awesome. Everything was hakuna matata back then.
Life gets more complicating every day. But when times get real tough,
I'll find my inner peace & strength. And God.
I enjoy reflecting on the simple things in life, accompanied by nature.
I worship Adele, Mumford & Sons, Coldplay and Justin Nozuka.
Ellen Page is such a sincere and genuine person,
I wish I could take a day off to hang out with her.
I fist bump my close friends, including my mom. And thank you God, for everything.
BANDS/MUSICIANS: adele, alicia keys, amy winehouse, bill withers, coldplay, corinne bailey rae, elizabeth and the catapult,
emery, eminem, frank sinatra, hans zimmer, jessie j, john legend, josh groban, joss stone, justin nozuka, linkin park,
maksim mrvirca, michael bublé, michael jackson, miri ben-ari, mumford & sons, nuttin but stringz, ray charles, scary kids scaring kids,
stars, stevie wonder, take that, taufik batisah, tegan and sara, the script, the white stripes, yuna, zee avi
ACTORS:
bradley cooper, christian bale, clint eastwood, cole sprouse, conan o'brien, dakota fanning,
denzel washington, dianna agron, ellen degeneres, ellen page, emma watson, gary oldman, heath ledger, hilary swank, jake gyllenhaal,
jamie foxx, jennifer garner, jessica stroup, jimmy fallon, johnny depp, joseph gordon-levitt, liam neeson,
mark wahlberg, matt damon, maz jobrani, meryl streep, morgan freeman, neil patrick harris, peter facinelli, rachel weisz,
rowan atkinson, saoirse ronan, sean penn, selena gomez, shia labeouf, steve carell, tom felton, tom hanks, will ferrell
MOVIES:
13 going on 30, crash, freedom writers, gran torino, i am sam, inception, little miss sunshine, man on fire, million dollar baby,
my name is khan, precious, saving private ryan, taken, the bourne ultimatum, the dark knight, the kite runner, the pianist, the secret life of bees,
the sixth sense, v for vendetta
TV SHOWS:
90210, all that, band of brothers, criminal minds, csi, glee, hey arnold!, kenan and kel, kids say the darndest things,
mr. bean, my wife and kids, prison break, project runway, sesame street, survivor, that '70s show, the big bang theory,
the cosby show, the office, the tyra banks show, timon and pumbaa, tom and jerry, ugly betty, whose line is it anyway?
MISC:
deep conversations, empire magazine, family/friends get-togethers, fashion magazines, fridays, kiehl's,
kite-flying, languages, movie marathon, nature walks, nylon magazine, peace, people-watching, photography, poetry,
rainy days, shopping spree, starbucks, soul music, spontaneous trips, stand-up comedy, swiss chocolate, teaching,
the 80s-90s, tumblr, violin
