心之旅

你是否曾经在对的时间遇到错的人，又是否在错的时候喜欢上对的人？ 世上的事就是如此奇妙，最可惜就是要在对的时间遇见对的人真的有如海底捞针。看来这只针已经深埋大海，我也疲于打捞心中的这根针，就让它尘封海底吧。等到哪一天能再潜入大海，再尝试找寻吧。

Back to Reality..

Have been away on a trip to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam for the past 2 weeks plus. Then today I went to JB to splurge on myself. Spent SGD$200 in total, but I bought a lot of things for Chinese New Year and 2012. Think after this, I would not be spending much on clothes le. Enough.

Now I seem to be at the cross roads like a lost sheep. Not really knowing what to do anymore. Waiting is the worst thing that can happen to you. Now I am waiting for a reply from SIA to confirm the date for my 2nd interview. They called me on the day that I was leaving for my holiday but I couldn't make it for the interview date. Should I continue teaching or should I move on to unfamiliar grounds. Many things on my mind right now or should I say nothing? Because I have constantly been so comfortable in this world of mine, I am hesitant on whether to go ahead to more fulfiling challenges. Having great companionship with my friends on friday and saturday nights, playing soccer, enjoying at least a month of holidays every year, going to JB every other week to enjoy good food etc and of course the joys and laughter interacting with students are some of the great things that have happened to me.

Mundane work has become more "fun" and acceptable only after these elements have been added in. Just like a bowl of coarse brown rice, after adding on some delicious side dishes, your life suddenly becomes more interesting. And I have my parents at home and I am expecting a earful from my dad if I tell him of my decision to quit the service. I feel like I have so much more to contribute to the education system but yet I am a "wild" horse who has not met the master who can understand and manage it. My passion for character education is calling me to do more, yet my selfish heart to explore the wide world out there calls for a change. Mixed feelings dwell up my heart as I consider my options.

For the past few weeks, I have realized that to have complete trust in a person is a really difficult thing to do. Yet the word "trust" have made me learnt and realize many important lessons in life. One thing for sure, it really goes both ways for each other to have trust for one another. 用人不疑，疑人不用。Starting to rain again, time to lie on my bed and spend some time thinking again before I go meet Master Zhou.. Good night.. Probably my last post for 2011.

Farewell Steve Jobs, good job!

Tribute to Steve Jobs (24th February 1955 - 5th October 2011)

This morning when I stepped into office, Elspeth told me that Steve Jobs has passed on and I suddenly felt so upset. Just 2 days ago, Apple just released Iphone 4S and the former CEO has passed on yesterday night. It was probably a coincident too that myself and Elspeth decided to wear black today as part of mourning for a great man.

I do not know why, but while I was reading through his life story on Wikipedia, I had a sad feeling and tears kept welling at my eyes. I still remembered doing this assignment when I was still a university student on the creation of Computers and his name was there. Since then, in the beginning of 21st century, after he revolutionized Apple and its products, we could suddenly browse the Internet in our hands and everywhere we go. Technology suddenly became closer.

To me, his major contributions would be invention of the PC, made animated films for the world, created Apple I-products which changed how the world functioned. I am yet amazed at how simple he has turned softwares into, such that they can be incorporated into his I-gadgets. I-movie, Iphone etc. With the demise of such a creative man, would we still be able to see more creative products from Apple? Arh..

Ok, life goes on.. I will go donate some blood to save some lives..

Oh by the way, do you know that he is the major single shareholder in Walt Disney? We should be grateful to have animation movies to watch...

Some excerpts from Wikipedia:

Apple released a separate statement saying that Jobs had died. The statement read '"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts"'.

Also on October 5, 2011, Apple's corporate website greeted visitors with a simple obituary listing Job's lifespan next to his greyscale portrait. Clicking on Jobs' image led to an obituary that read: '"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."' An email address was also posted for the public to share their memories, condolences, and thoughts.

Jobs is survived by his wife, Laurene, to whom he was married for 20 years, their three children, and a fourth child, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, from a previous relationship.

Statements on Jobs' death: (Who Steve Jobs was in the eyes of others)

Bill Gates released a statement saying:

I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.

Walt Disney Company president Bob Iger said in regards to Jobs:

Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an "original," with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.

Excerpts from President Barack Obama's statement:

Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

It has been a really long time...

It has been almost 1 and 1/2 years since I last posted something on this blog. I have nearly forgotten that I still have this blog since my last post. Thanks to Candy who told me that I have not posted anything for some time. Many things have taken place and I have changed quite a bit. When I read what I have posted, I ask myself where is this 'fire' in me?

Well, 2011 is still quite a smooth sailing year for me, I teach 4 classes and almost all have graduated except for my 3 higher chinese class. They will have their End of Year exams in a few hours time and their 1st O level paper in less than a month's time. So, is it time to move on? I realized that it is difficult to move away now that I have built a bond with students from my CCA and also my Higher Chinese class but it all boils down to fate if I can move to another more personal platform where I could prove my worth. To me, a thank you from students are the best gift I can get..However at times, a nonsensical complaint can bog you down. Given my character, maybe I am not suited to be in this line. I only do what I think is right and worth doing.

I have made many friends with my students, really cool people, like Shaowei, Caleb, Hong Rong, Seri, Raidah, Gui Xiang.. To mention a few and many many more..Some, whom I believe will remain as lifelong friends. The education system has a weird way of restricting teachers befriending students hence I would still want to maintain my "professional" self while still maintaining a true friendship with them.

A piece of good news though, which happened after the 2011 General Election, which saw a shake up in the Cabinet. Seems like Mr Heng, our Education Minister has realized what many others failed to realize, the vision that character education is much more important than academia. I do not know what belies in the future for the next few months. I have personal dreams and also personal goals which I hope to achieve. In order to pursue one, I have to give up the other one. Both can't go together. In order to pursue my dream of travelling and widening my perspective, I have to give up my goal of educating the next generation and pass down my knowledge to shape characters.

I dare not say that I have done much to my students, especially those who have gone to Cambodia with me but I do see a change. " A change at a time" The slogan on my T-shirt of one of my expeditions and this is what I see in them. I am especially happy for Seri for the transformations that she has proven herself to be. Really proud of her. From being one of the last few in the stream and a student who had a 'poor' grade when she was in Sec 2; she is now an "excellent" student in teacher's eyes and topping the class in her prelims. My best Station Inspector in NPCC and she has been with me to Cambodia twice and seen more of the world there. Really great memories there.

As I sit down thinking back of my past few months, I feel that as a person, I have lost out a lot of precious time to think about what I really want in life. I have been focusing on things of what others expect of me which has made me lose myself and directions. I got into a minor accident in Cambodia on the last project and it has made me lose a certain part of me. Time to adjust back.

Time to make a decision. Time to make a stand. X-men: the last stand. haha

To be or not to be

Looking back at the past few months, it has flown by in a blink of eye and as each day passes by, I am constantly bugged by the fact that being an educator is not easy. You get frustrated easily when you see others laughing away when you are worrying about their future.. You don't sleep well because there is always someone irresponsible enough to spoil your sleep when they do not hand in homework or hand in substandard work. You feel sad when you see a flawed education system which claims to be in the best interest of students yet the product of this system doubts the machine which shapes the way he/she is. You get upset when you see students after getting 10 years of education ending up in places where they are not supposed to be in, for e.g Prison, or hospital after getting hacked by others.. Are the schools or the teachers not doing enough? Or is this egalitarian system essentially flawed such that it only focuses on the A students and not those who cannot make the mark.

Must Schools be Results Driven because we grow up with the notion of "survival of the fittest" or can they be driven based only on Shaping the Character of the students? Which one should be the priority, Character or Results? To me, one with character will produce results, but not vice versa. But in the real world, in our education system, who truly and wholly believes that? No one, not even the ones who have the power to make decisions. Educators must believe in the power of shaping characters before they can really put their heart into it, but do they have the time and energy facing mountains and heaps of work? Do we?

I have to return to my mundane life of marking and thinking of how to motivate the students.. I always tell my friends, it is the holidays that drive me towards the completion of my work. But even the holidays make me worry.. Cos being an educator, work simply never ends..Never..

End of year.. Should I Lead another project? Should I or should I not? Do people see the value to doing such a project? Do you get recognized for what you do? Do people understand why you are doing so? Do you see RESULTS in your students after the project? What is the impact on them? Do they really feel it?

I have far too many questions in me....I only hope that someone can give me an answer..A student, a colleague or a stranger.. Should I or should I not lead another project?

Let me share a story before I end. It happened in class today.. A student asked me this question and it stumped me, which eventually prompted me to write this post to escape from the reality: "Cher, why does the school make use of us to achieve results?" Then they started comparing the time when they were released as compared to another neighbourhood "good" school. There were some answers coming from everywhere: " XXX school release their students at 1 plus everyday." "Because their students will go home and do their homework mah"..."Their students' results are better mah"..

Finally I stopped them and told them that there are 3 kinds of people who go to school. 1. They go to school because their friends are in school and they are just there to have fun. After school, they will return to computer and not knowing what to do with their life. 2.They go to school because their parents wanted/forced them to go and achieve results, and follow the path that they had mapped out for their child. 3. They go to school because they want to achieve something in life and they feel strongly that studying is their responsibility towards success. Most of us will stop at being the 2nd kind of people where our parents want us to grow up to be.. Few will be the 3rd kind of people and succeed in life.. And I continued to tell them about Veasna, a kid whom me and my friend "adopted" in Cambodia who is very clear about what he wants.. And it is because of his environment which shapes him into what he is..

What has become to our environment? Do kids grow up stronger and more independent? Or do they grow up listening to what their parents decide for them? Lesser and lesser people want to join the uniformed groups because they have grown up in well sheltered conditions.. UGs shape characters and I strongly believe in this. But how many actually believes in this?

Academic focused vs Character focused.. Time's up.. Back to normal life..

Of Delights, Disappointments and HOPE

I brought my 5 NPCC cadets to the National Field Cooking Competition and we got 3rd out of 12 schools. The process was grilling when I watched them cook and sweat..When I saw them make mistakes, I was so anxious that I kept showing my disagreements.. Now, thinking back, I should have placed more trust in them since I picked my leader and asked her to take charge. Even if they lost, they would have learned something.. It is the process of learning that matters. Happy for them.. They have done our unit proud.

But there were 2 others who have disappointed me.. I placed high hopes in them for a National competition and thought that they would come up with something fantastic, but in the end, the higher your hopes, the greater you fall. So I learnt a lesson too. Never place your hopes too high nor your trust in someone too much, because in the end, you may be the one getting hurt.. Though capable, the 2 of my cadets whom I placed high hopes and expectations in, were simply taking the matter lightly. Initiative, something that I am looking for in my cadets.. But how many of them actually possesses it?

Then my Sec 5s, I am happy to see some of them waking up to the call and attending remedials and night classes.. When I look at them, I realize that though they are 16 or 17, but the gentlemen simply behave like small kids.. One even "forced" me to give him a sweet because he completed his work..When will they grow up? When will they realize that they have already spent one more year than the rest of the people of their age and that life is actually quite short? How can I make those who are still lost in their own world to wake up and realize that they are already at their last year of their studies and no one can help them if they do not wake up and help themselves.. HOW CAN I HELP THEM?? Still trying my best..

Now it is important to still have hopes because that is what keep us going.. that is what keeps my job going. If you lose hope, you lose the battle.. So I can only hope for them and for myself.. I just hope that they can all pass and for those who hope to achieve the results that they are aiming for, I hope that they can do it.. Jiayou..

罗志祥 - 爱不单行

到底这首歌是什么意思呢？我们听说“祸不单行”，意思是惨祸接二连三接踵而来。那，“爱不单行”是否又是说，爱会不断接踵而来呢？会相信这句话的人不多，能实现爱一个人始终如一的人，更是凤毛麟角。我有一个朋友，他的恋情真的让我感受到浓浓的爱意，也让我深信这个世界上还存在一些希望。我最喜欢这句话：“爱 只有简单笔画 却比想象复杂”。。而这句“我在等一个人 在等我的永恒”就是我目前的心情写照。

歌词：

找不到人说 心里的寂寞
找不到人懂 怕黑的折磨
找不到命中注定 在一起的那个人
很多人都像我 一个人过生活
爱 只有简单笔画 却比想象复杂
恨安定爱变化
我爱过几个人 也被爱过几遍
却还是没能将幸福留下
爱 是不可数的吗 为何我还相信
它不是独行侠
我在等一个人 在等我的永恒
告诉我爱不单行别害怕

用不完身边 泛滥的自由
开始怕孤单 是一种诅咒
羡慕我能飞的人 为何在天黑以后
还是宁愿回到 爱情那个枷锁

爱 只有简单笔画 却比想象复杂　（重复）
恨安定爱变化
我爱过几个人 也被爱过几遍
却还是没能将幸福留下
爱 是不可数的吗 为何我还相信
它不是独行侠
我在等一个人 在等我的永恒
告诉我爱不单行别害怕

我在等一个人 在等我的永恒
告诉我爱不单行相信它

Changes

I added some new songs to my playlist and created a new song.. A song that I searched for a long time, but could not find so in the end I created a very simple MTV for it.. 3rd song I think.. So this is the 1st change I made to the blog..

Changes happen almost every second and I wonder what could be happening the next second.. 《爱不单行》 seems to be the right song at this moment.. So far, one aspect of my life hasn't been changing. That is how busy I am, and this unchanged aspect has made one part of my life stagnant, which is not difficult to guess which one.. Work, Relax, Sleep, Work..Where is my L...?

I hope that I will be able to introduce more changes when I get to the 2nd half of the year where I see most of my Sec 4s/5s able to progress on. Only then, I will be able to really relax a bit.. I really hope my Sec 2s and 3s will be able to catch up fast and not be complacent. Good grades do not come naturally, what matters is always the attitude towards studies.. I am really worried that if my Sec 5s do not CHANGE their mentality and attitude, it is going to be worrying for their O Levels Exams at the end of Term 2.. Pls change soon..

Change is a constant, meaning that we should expect changes to constantly happen, but what if this change is something that we cannot accept? How should we handle it? Hmm, maybe I should spend some time thinking about it before it happens..

Fear vs Anger

I do not know why, I do not understand why but things do not seem to go well lately. Time seems to be ticking away fast and furiously but the amount of work does not seem to cease and that is probably why I feel frustrated at times.. In fact in the past 2 days, i have been disappointed a few times, especially yesterday.. I have in fact vented my anger and frustrations at a class and a few ladies today. I swear I have not been so angry and disappointed before and it made me blast out in front of my class. I shouted at my most sensible yet most stubborn student and she totally ignored me after that. Now I am afraid of myself. In the past year, I have always told myself that I must maintain a high standard for my classes, such that they must be the best or one of the best.

And I maintain my stand that as long as I am reasonable, I believe that students will understand and reciprocate. But that is not the case for 2 classes that I am teaching.. Am I not strict enough? Some say that I am lenient with my students. Is that so? I believe that self discipline is the highest form of discipline and I believe that everyone of my student can achieve that, even the "worst" student in many people's eyes.

I am really frightened of myself. I never let myself burst out in class because I do not want to leave a bad impression for the class so I always try the soft approach. But it seems like anger is overcoming my rational mind and I am starting to fear that I cannot stop myself from being angry. Why can't teaching be a happy job? People say if I do not smile, I look fierce. Who do not want to smile or laugh? Who do not want to be happy? But if they do not change their attitude, how can I teach happily? I have really enjoyed myself teaching at certain classes and it is not only because they pay attention and want to learn, but because there is this mutual understanding that if work needs to be done, it SHOULD and MUST be done.

How I wish to see the hardworking Sec 4 NA students who put in their heart and effort during their N levels last End of Year.. I was so happy that they got what they deserved. But now again, I fear that they might not get what they are aiming for.

I love my CCA, NPCC. No doubt about it.. But do my students love them as much as I do? I treat every competition seriously and hope that we can put in our best and achieve the best that we can strive for. But, is that a dream? I ask myself what I can do for the team other than morally supporting them but it seems like only providing them drinks after training and trying to encourage them, I cannot do anything. In fact I am very happy to see the guys bonding so well, playing soccer and basketball after every training, and it reminds me of my secondary school days. But 2 of the ladies, where I hold high expectations and hopes, have consistently disappointed me by not turning up for training. They influence each other and not only the instructor, but the cadets and team mates question me on why the captain is not there to train for the competition. When I see the fire burning in the rest of the members, I can only stand there feeling helpless that I cannot do anything else to get the full team to train together.

I know that there is a chance and might be the only chance for the ladies to do something that they will be proud of but I just hate to see a dream being destroyed by irresponsible students. I trust her when she says her dad do not let her come for training due to common test, then why can she stay in school today until so late when there is no training? I tried to ask for the other student to come, and she said she will try, but did she try? Maybe I do not understand what they are thinking, maybe, but at least give me a reason so that I will not feel so helpless facing the bombardment of others because I claimed responsibility that the 2 of them will come. Why do they have to make it like I am begging them to do something? I do not understand. Maybe this is what Sec 3 is all about.. Not sparing a thought for others and doing what they like.. Sec 3s, my biggest fear..Now I am beginning to doubt my judgment. Did I place my belief in the wrong people?

Anger, pls do not appear again. I do not want to see you cos you always spoil my day. I hope that you disappear once I put a fullstop to this post. Go away and hide yourself. My life will be better without you..Come only when I need to fight for my rights and when my brain is not working anymore.. Bye anger. Fear, I do not like you too. You make me think and rethink what to do but because of these numerous considerations caused by you, I am leading a troubled life. Go away with anger and never return again. Thanks.

2010 A Busy and Tiring year

After last year's clearance, my table looks much neater, but the things are starting to pile up bit by bit. This year, I have several classes which are really challenging for me. Let me talk about my classes. I really love and hate them at the same time, let me re-iterate more..

2HCL, a whole new experience this year. Just taken over and with my proficiency in mandarin, it should not be a great problem. Just that sometimes I do not have enough confidence to take them to a higher level. Maybe it is just a confidence problem, I am still trying my best to engage them in class. They are really a highly energetic bunch of students but most of them still need to try to increase their usage of Chinese during lessons. This batch of students is a quality batch, I do not know why, but I feel that they will go far, if they continue to work hard.


3C, meeting old and new friends. I feel close to this class, as there are many of them who came from 2D last year, yet at the same time, it has its side effects. Having 3/4 of the class full of male students, it is a great challenge for me cos of their different profiles. I have not managed to memorize their names yet and I am afraid I might neglect those quieter students and groups, which I am trying hard to get them to speak up. Those students who have known me seem to be noisier as they know that I will not be too harsh on them and I really hope that they can pay more attention and be better from last year. I hope to make them the next 4D class..Having high hopes for them, and if I can see an improvement in their overall grades at the end of year, it will really be a bonus. Great Year end bonus.

4D, my favourite bunch of students. Yar yar, do you know who is he? Without him around, there would have not been any excitement. I had fun with this class for the past 1year 2 months, and I have this sad feeling that they are all going to leave my class after June, after the MT O levels. I have a feeling that 80% of them will get their desired grades if they continue to work hard at the rate that they are performing. I feel very comfortable teaching them and will really miss them when they graduate.. I wish them all the best and hope that they get what they have aimed for and eventually get into their desired courses. Thank you for brightening up my days people.

5A/B, mixed feelings of frustrations and expectations. 34 students, 34 different personalities, 34 challenges to overcome. 34 young teens who will turn 17 or 18 this year. These bunch of students show the least amount of interest in my class, and I have been disappointed at a few occasions. I see many of them listening intently during lessons, but there are always students who would live in their own world, talking to their peers or doing their own stuff, not paying attention. They make me doubt my ability in teaching, and in fact in 2010, I told myself that it would be my greatest achievement of the year if all of them can get at least a B4 in MT O levels. Now that 2 months have passed by, and time reeling away, I get more and more upset each day, as I know I am moving away from this great expectation and dream. When I heard that 80% of the students from Sec 4NA will be coming back, and I will be taking them the coming year, I was very happy and excited, as I really enjoyed teaching them. In fact, they can be very quiet and nice, but it just doesn't last. Today, I was going to compliment them for being quiet and attentive during the 1st 20 minutes, but after that, they became rowdy again and some of them would either not bring their assigned worksheet or not have done their work. I want to help them and I have really high expectations for them, but if they do not want to help themselves,, who can help them? I just want to tell them that it wasn't easy coming to Sec 5, so if they want to give up now, then it will really be a pity. Pls buck up!

Ok that's all for now...I will see my report card at the end of the year and hopefully everyone of us strive and achieve what we have set out for.

Disappointments

There are many things in life which will cause disappointments, and of these disappointments, there are major and minor ones.. Just to share a few with you, and I am sure you would have encountered some of them:

1. Friends not willing to share if they are attached anot.
2. Friends who are busy enough to ignore you when you want to chat with them.
3. People around you who do not take friendly advice, when you hope that they turn over a new leaf.
4. People around you keep making the same mistakes and getting into bigger troubles each time you give them a chance.
5. You do something with all your heart and soul, but your efforts do not pay off, and you get unrecognized for.
6. When you hear a piece of good news, then it suddenly becomes just another mistaken piece of news.
7. When you like someone, but that someone doesn't like you.
8. When you trust a friend so much that you are willing to do much to help him, but in the end, finds out that you are just another fool who have mistrusted him.
9. When your closest people, or family do not believe in what you say and/or doubts you.
10. When you want to buy something that you like, but you find that you do not have enough to do so.
11. When you really want to help someone, but they say they do not need your help.
12. When you really want to help someone, you do not have the means or money to do so.

Well the list can go on forever about the 1001 things that make us disappointed. But these are just some of those that I have experienced the past few months.. The bigger ones are when students do not heed your advice and carry on their mistakes, like smoking, and taking things in their hands. But you have to continue believing at times, cos someone once said this:" It is not about how many times they fall, but everytime they fall, they will learn something, and will grow faster.." BUT, how many times must they fall, in order to grow up? Not as many times as I did, I hope. Good luck for those who still have remaining papers..

Random

I went for a KTV session with my Sec School Friends yesterday to celebrate one of their birthday. It has been quite a while since I last sang, and I really enjoyed myself during the session. Classics, new songs, were some of those being sung, how I miss my Secondary school days.. Now I can only reminicise about the old days.. These friends of mine for more than 13 years, have seen me through some of my lowest points in life, and also able to share our joys and pains.. And this is what I call true friends, those who will not abandon you even when you were in trouble..I see people making friends and destroying them the next day, but well, I guess this is part and parcel of life, where you have to accept each other's differences before you can really find your true friends..

Where friends come to mind, I seem to have made a lot of real friends but many still pass by as acquaintances. Some have grown to become close friends, but some have grown far apart and become acquaintances.. This is life, when you grow older, you tend to realize that people grow far apart..There are many whom I would like to maintain as friends, but I can't force them if they would like to maintain their distances, cos I believe that friendship needs time to cultivate..

That aside, many of my friends are getting married, and that further contributes to having fewer friends since they will be building their little families.. But I hope the tradition of celebrating each other's birthday will continue to last..

Lately I have been really busy, for my Cambodia trip, for end of year marking, and many other stuff.. but I told myself that a break is coming.. I need a break.. really.. And I found out that there are really many people smoking lately, especially students.. Many know smoking is bad, but at their age, they can't really withstand the lure of their friends and more importantly, the lack of care and concern from their parents. Parents do not know they actually do play a part in the child's upbringing, and the reason why we have so many children who needs help are because of bad parenting.. That being said, I hope that students do not engage in smoking especially smoking illegal cigarettes, which contain much more harmful substances that kill you faster..

Reasons for not smoking:

1. Waste Money! 1 pack $10, 1 day 1 pack, 1 year $3650, and the sum goes on.
2. Harmful for the body! Now below are some statistics and Q n A from Health promotion Board. I will highlight those which I think are really useful advice in RED.
3. DON'T MAKE ME VISIT YOUR GRAVE TO KNOW THAT YOU DIED OF SMOKING!
4. You can live a much more fulfilling life much longer than me!

Statistics

Tobacco use kills 5.4 million people a year worldwide - an average of one person every six seconds - and accounts for one in 10 adult deaths worldwide. It kills up to half of all users. Most of tobacco’s damage to health does not become evident until years or even decades after the onset of use. So, while tobacco use is rising globally, the epidemic of tobacco-related disease and death has yet to reach its peak.

In Singapore:

• About 7 Singaporeans die prematurely from smoking-related diseases each day.
• Smoking-related diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD)- , are the nation's top killers.
• The social cost of smoking in 1997 ranged from S$673 to S$839 million. The social cost of smoking in Singapore includes the direct costs (payments for hospitalisation and healthcare due to smoking), morbidity costs (lost production due to smoking related illnesses) and mortality costs (lost production from people who died early due to smoking).

Smoking is the largest cause of preventable death in the world. Don’t let yourself or your family become the next victim.

---

Your Questions on Smoking, Tobacco Use and Health

Is there a safe way to smoke cigarettes?

No. All cigarettes can damage the human body. Any smoking is dangerous. The cigarette is the only legal product whose advertised and intended use - smoking - is known to harm the body and cause cancer.

Some people think that switching from high-tar and high-nicotine cigarettes to those with low tar and nicotine makes smoking safer, but this is not true. When people switch to brands with lower tar and nicotine, they often end up smoking more cigarettes, or more of each cigarette, to get the same nicotine dose as before.

Smokers have been led to believe that "light" cigarettes have lower health risk and are a good option to quitting. A low-tar cigarette can be just as harmful as a high-tar cigarette because a person often takes deeper puffs, puffs more often, or smokes them to a shorter butt length.

Are menthol cigarettes safer than those without menthol?

Menthol only adds to the flavour of the cigarettes. It does not make the cigarettes any less dangerous.

In fact, menthol cigarettes may even be more dangerous. The added menthol produces a cooling sensation in the throat when the smoke is inhaled. It also decreases the cough reflex and covers the dry feeling in the throat that smokers often have. People who smoke menthol cigarettes can inhale deeper and hold the smoke in longer.

Is cigarette smoking really addictive?

Yes. The nicotine in cigarette smoke causes an addiction to smoking. Nicotine is an addictive drug just like heroin and cocaine.

What are the normal reactions after you quit?

• Difficulty in concentration or dizziness because your brain needs to get used to having more oxygen
• Cough and running nose as your lungs get rid of all the dirt and germs that had accumulated inside while you were smoking
• Strong craving for cigarettes while your body gets rid of the nicotine
• Tingling sensations in your arms and legs as your blood circulation returns to normal

  Not everyone will get these withdrawal symptoms but don’t lose heart if you do. They will disappear in one or two weeks and they are actually signs that you are getting better.

Am I at risk if I puff the cigarette without inhaling the smoke?

Yes.

• Many chemicals in the cigarette smoke (including nicotine) can be absorbed through the mouth, nose and skin.
• The smoke that you blow out stays in the surrounding air. When you take your next breath, it goes straight into your lungs, without you realising it.

What does nicotine do?

In large doses, nicotine is a poison and can kill by stopping a person's breathing muscles.

Smokers usually become dependent on nicotine and suffer physical and emotional (psychological) withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking. These symptoms include irritability, nervousness, headaches and trouble sleeping. The true marker for addiction, though, is that people still smoke even though they know smoking is bad for them -- affecting their lives, their health and their families and friends in unhealthy ways.

Who is most likely to become addicted?

Anyone who starts smoking is at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine. Studies show that cigarette smoking is most likely to become a habit during the teenage years. The younger a person is when he or she begins to smoke, the more likely he or she is to become addicted to nicotine.

Why do smokers have "smoker's cough”?

Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that irritate the air passages and lungs. When a smoker inhales these substances, the body tries to protect itself by making mucus and coughing. The early morning smoker's cough happens for many reasons. Normally, tiny hair-like formations (called cilia) beat outward and sweep harmful material out of the lungs. Cigarette smoke slows the sweeping action, so some of the poisons in the smoke stay in the lungs, and mucus stays in the airways. While a smoker sleeps, some cilia recover and begin working again. After waking up, the smoker coughs because the lungs are trying to clear away the irritants and mucus built up the day before. The cilia will completely stop working after they have been exposed to smoke for a long time. When this happens, the smoker's lungs are even more exposed and prone to infection and irritation.

The same noxious chemicals that cause the simple smoker's cough can lead to far more serious conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia and lung cancer.

Why do I cough more after I've quit smoking?

Your lungs start to function properly again and are working to clear tar, dead cells and extra mucus accumulated from the cigarettes.

My husband was only 30 years old when he suffered from a stroke. The doctor said that smoking is the main cause of his stroke. How can smoking actually cause stroke?

Smoking causes a build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels, resulting in narrowing and blockage of the vessels. If the blood supply in these vessels leading to the brain is blocked, the surrounding brain cells will die, resulting in a stroke.

I've heard that smoking causes a fatty build-up in the blood vessels. But how is this so when fat is not an ingredient in cigarette smoke?

The moment you light a cigarette, thousands of poisonous chemicals in the cigarette smoke enter your body and are absorbed into the bloodstream. Some of these chemicals make your blood vessel walls sticky, damaging them, and causing them to collect the tiny fatty deposits that float in the bloodstream. The more you smoke, the more the fatty deposits build up.

How does smoking cause a heart attack? Is it similar to how smoking causes stroke?

Yes. Similar adverse effects take place when the blood vessels leading to our heart are blocked by fatty deposits. This cuts off the blood supply to our heart muscles, killing the tissue. As a result, a heart attack occurs.

How many cigarettes do I need to smoke to get lung cancer?

Lung cancer can begin from cell damage caused by smoking just ONE cigarette.

Research has found that one of the cancer-causing substances in cigarette smoke (benzopyrene) directly attacks and damages the p53 gene which blocks cancer and prevents cancer cells from growing. When cancer threatens a lung cell with a damaged p53 gene, a deadly tumour starts to grow.

Can quitting really help a lifelong smoker?

Yes. It is never too late to quit smoking. The sooner you quit, the more you can reduce your chances of getting cancer and other diseases. Within minutes of smoking the last cigarette, your body begins to restore itself.

Suppose I smoke for a while and then quit?

Smoking begins to cause damage right away and is highly addictive. Some studies have found nicotine to be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

Do filters reduce the dangers of cigarette smoking?

Cigarette filters may trap part of the tar and nicotine, but they do not remove any poisons from the cigarette smoke.

PLS STOP SMOKING and Hurting yourself.. It hurts me too..

Touching Clips from Youtube

It has really been a very long time since I last posted.. Have been down with diarrhoea and headaches these few days.. Really don't know what I have been eating.. haha.. Well, Shi teng introduced me to this little chimpanzee called Pan Kun, and I think many of you probably would have heard or seen what this mighty little champ can do.. People often describe chimpanzees as the closest kind of animals resembling human beings.. Indeed, they can do many things that we can, and much more that we can't.. Though they can't speak our language, yet, when they forge bonds with you, you can be sure they will never forget the ties between both parties.. Here is a link, you can take a look and discover what they can do.. Anyway, pan-kun is endangered, so he is currently kept out from the family with whom it has grown up with, and kept in a zoo.. What the govt did may be right, but in the long term, it is definitely going to upset the chimp..

At least I know that Pan-kun is a loyal friend or one who stands by your side when you are in trouble.. So, why are students always fighting with each other, over jealousy, minor affairs, and over competition in studies? Maybe it is a growing up process that one must go through to understand the true meaning of friendship; Maybe the word "friendship" has to undergo the rough seas, before it can ship off friends who are really true to each other.. Maybe after betrayals, fights, quarrels, or even calamities, before we know who will be the ones who will stand by us, when we are really in difficulties.. I have known many friends in life...Many whom I will proudly claim to be friends, and those whom I would only claim as acquaintances..

Who then are your true friends? Are you one who treats people with your heart too? If you are, good for you, cos you are already halfway to finding your true friends, because I believe in reciprocity. Do you? Watch the video and you will understand.

Pan - Kun : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cBwE6_VqXg&feature=fvw

Embarking on a new journey

In life, we are always travelling on trips. We are always trying to embark on new trips, whether it is a new friendship, a new relationship, a new overseas trip,a new adventure or to another world (if it exists.)

The Buddhists believe that one transcends to another "world" once one is dead. And I do believe that my aunt has gone to fulfil her own trip that she has not been able to do so when she was alive. On Saturday, I went with my parents out to sea to scatter parts of her remains into the vast Seas, and as the bones flow with the waters, I believe one day, she will be able to "travel" to Africa, a place where she had always wanted to go, not to watch World Cup 2010, but to help the poor, hungry and homeless people there...Isn't it an irony that in parts of Africa, people are dying, while others are trying hard to attract people from all over the world to South Africa to make money out of World Cup? I hope my aunt finds peace after her death, while embarking on her new trip in the other world.

What about me? I will be embarking on another trip to Cambodia with a group of students in December. This project will last for around 14 to 15 days. My shortest out of 5 trips. This trip may not have materialised until the day we set off. It is interesting to see a project bear fruit and I certainly hope that this project will be the 1st to see the results that I anticipate. I will be blogging more about it later, and promoting some of the other stuffs that we intend to do for fundraising.

Before that, I will most likely be going on another trip to Yunnan with a group of colleagues from Other Secondary Schools. Yunnan is one of the places that I have longed to visit as I have always wanted to see the minorities' lifestyle, and their culture. The cultural diversity in these places are so vast that people living within the same piece of land could not communicate with each other due to language differences.

We always learn new things when we get to know someone new, and that in itself is a journey in life. I do believe that in every phase of life, I would have learnt something new to use it in my future life. Henceforth, I hope that all who reads this post, will be able to use their time wisely and learn whenever they can, everytime they embark on a new journey in life, whether it is from Sec 2 to Sec 3, or it is visiting a new place.

Well before I end, would like to add that West Spring will be embarking into new project soon, to mark its 10th anniversary celebrations. Hence I would like all students or visitors to give some really creative suggestions where students will be able to implement throughout the whole level (Sec 2) next year in 2010. Pls post under my Tag Board with your name and class, and the most creative ones, I will make a poll. The winner will get a gift from me, and those selected too, but a smaller one. hehe. So pls THINK creatively. Friends are welcomed too.. Haha..

In Living memory of a great woman

Lee Siew Leh was her name, and she was born 74 years ago in China, and brought to Singapore with her mum. Her mum, married a man who had a family in China and the both of them had 5 other children. The 5 children called her big sister, and naturally all decisions were made by her, as she was more "knowledgeable" than her siblings, since she was older. As a woman of the last generation, she was told that women do not need much education and thus, she could only study up to primary level before she stepped out to society to help her dad and mum, in both work and managing the family.

As big sister grew up, her responsibilities became heavier, as more chores and burden were handed to her. She had blamed her mum for having to stay single in her life as she had wanted her to help in taking care of her younger brothers and sisters. According to her brother, she has had a boyfriend but eventually things did not work out then. Being the eldest in the family, unmarried, and not very educated, she worked as a cleaner, keeping estates clean and at the same time, she adopted a daughter. By and by, the daughter grew up and big sister sent her overseas for a degree, and afterwhich, she fell in love with anther Singaporean and got married.

While life was tough raising a daughter on her own, she worked hard both at increasing her knowledge and also at playing the role of a mother. When it seems like life was turning for the better for big sister, after her daughter got married, it only lasted for a few years. Things did not work well for the daughter and her husband and eventually they were both on the brink of divorce. Yet, more was to come. The daughter gave up her business, and moved out to their old house in Bukit Batok. Earlier on, big sister had used her savings, bought over the house and transferred the house to her daughter, in order for her to expand her business. So, with the house in the daughter's name, they(Big sister, her daughter and the daughter's son), moved back to Bukit Batok. However, quarrels were frequent, and they drifted apart.

[According to an entry in big sister's diary, it wrote:"I am very sad that when my daughter and grandson sees me walk past them, they do not even greet me. They just treat me as a complete stranger. At home, I have to do my own laundry, and I had to pay for the food that was bought, so in the end, I decided to cook my own meals. "

In other entries:"I think I am not that intelligent or knowledgeable, as those who have studied more than me seems to speak with more sense, and I feel so clumsy whenever I talk to them." In her heart, she feels that she is constantly stepping on people's tails, due to her bluntness and frankness in whatever she speaks. ]

Back to story, after the relationship between mother and daughter fell apart, big sister was left to fend for herself. But she never gave up faith, and she continued to go and help out in Charity work, in Tzu Chi, in charity clinics, and constantly showering care and concern to those around her. A humble woman she was, that she worked till her last breath..

One fine evening, she stepped back home and collapsed on the ground after having a stroke, and immediately she was hospitalized. She has suffered a stroke on her right brain and that paralysed her left side of the body. She looked so much like her mother when she laid there on the bed trying to convey a message to her younger brother, holding on to his hands tightly. Probably a message on her death bed. She struggled and tried to talk but could barely speak properly as all she could do was to blabber words. Her younger brother and family was there, and all were saddened by this image. The doctor has reassured them, including the daughter that the x-ray has shown nothing serious, and has to gauge her condition for the next few days. The next morning was the last time she was awake. When the younger brother visited big sister, and asked the doctor about her condition, the doctor only said that she has told the daughter everything, and will not divulge more. 2 days later, she passed away in the early mornings. If i had the money and energy, I would have sued the hospital and doctor for the way they have treated the patient. Why didn't they send her for a 2nd brain scan, when they said she died of retention of blood in the brain 2 days later? When she suddenly went into a deep sleep, why did it not raise the awareness of the doctor that something was wrong? She certainly did not look like she was going to die on the 1st day of admission, and the doctor was still advising on how she would get better after monitoring her condition? Was there nothing the doctor could do other than monitoring? Moral of story, if you want to live longer, do not go to hospital N.

Over 200 or more family and friends visited her wake during the short 3 days, and many were from Tzu Chi, the organisation where she has devoted her life, yes, pratically her life, to it, until the last minute. She has scrimped and saved, and left her wealth to the foundation to help those in need, which is in excess of $100k. She was a simple and humble woman, with nothing but a kind heart, but she had not enjoy much in her lifetime. Over the past years, she has helped to raise funds, and personally helped during Cyclone Nargis, Tsunami in Phuket, Sichuan Earthquake and the latest Taiwan disaster, to name a few of those that she has rendered her energy in.

Mdm Lee Siew Leh, Big sister, also my big aunt, will always be live on in my memory. According to my dad, her younger brother, she has sponsored part of my education and had wanted to take me in as her god son, if not for my dad's foul temper. What a pity. I also regret not doing much for her in this lifetime. What I learnt from all these, is to appreciate what my parents have done for me, when they are still alive, and not just mourn when they are gone.

What I disagreed and did not understand was the way she was treatedby her daugher before she was dead, and even when she was already dead.While hundreds of many others were chanting prayers for her to be reincarnated earlier, her daughter just sat by and did not join in, due to difference in religious beliefs. Why can't a Christian pay respect to her parents? While there is already no burning of incense and joss paper and monks chanting, why can't you sit in for the ceremony, at least sitting there with respect for your mum who have raised you for the past 30 plus years. I do believe and only believe in one thing: Religions work towards to goodness of all mankind, and whatever religion you are in, you should respect that of the others. Furthermore, we are talking about respecting a DEAD person's religion, and she was your kin.

I do not have biasness against any religion, but from the many incidents that I have seen or heard, I feel that Christianity, especially the teachings from the 2 largest churches in Singapore have not been rightfully inculcated to our youths and new believers. Even if it was a malay or indian funeral, it is only right to follow their ways of paying respect to the dead. Come on, THE PERSON IS DEAD, do you think your god will denounce or kick you out from the religion, or reprimand you for paying respect to your MUM? Sorry if I sounded too harsh, but what I have said is true from what I have seen.

So I hope that whoever sees this blog, pls, I implore you to be kind to your parents and show your respects in the right manner to the dead. Thank you.

博客比赛

好了，伟源中学华文博客比赛进入下一圈，入围的20名参赛者现在剩下16位。下个星期，我又会残忍地向另外4名参赛者告别。所以，趁着刚考完统一测验，不如放松一下心情，让我们来支持这几位同学，鼓励他们再接再厉，力争上游。我看到一些同学放入许多心思去完成博客，因此希望大家去捧捧场。加油吧，大家！我只能确保奖品不错！其实，老师我有个难题。博客比赛后，我还有歌唱比赛！怎么办呢？不够礼物分给大家！看来我得出我的珍藏了。哈哈。歌唱比赛即将展开，敬请留意。

A Simple Life

Seems like life is back on its old track, busy with work and nothing but work. Today, I went to my nephew's Full month celebrations. Seems like out of all my cousins on my dad's side, I would probably be the last to get married.. haha..When I look at how sound asleep the baby is, I wished that life would be as simple as a baby..

Reflecting on the past 26 years, I was born as a cute, little baby, so carefree, with nothing to worry, and then as we grow up and being influenced by our surroundings, and people, we experience the feelings of happiness, sadness, pain, troubled, boredom, excitement etc. But as we grow, it seems like we are forgetting how to be happy again. Many a times, we spend time feeling sad over trivial matters. The older we grow, the more pain, and sadness we go through, and as we experience, we grow in maturity. But, can't we grow up happily? What is making us feel so unhappy? The growing responsibilities that we have, or the greed that arises within us?

We yearn for better things in life to make us enjoy them, but in the process of getting all these, are we losing out on something? When we are still young studying in school, we fret over failures in exams, and we feel that studies is so so so difficult, and would rather come out earning money. When we grow up, we hope so so so much that we can lead the lives of a kid again. How I envy my nephew and my students...

As we grow up further, we get bothered about relationships, between our parents, between boy/girl friends, and friends around us. We blame our parents for not understanding us, but did we understand them in the 1st place? We blame him or her not caring enough for us, but did we give out as much as they did? We blame our friends for not treating us as important, but are they in our priority in the 1st place? Then, we go through breakups, go through quarrels with our parents, go through fights and power struggles with our friends, and make ourselves so unhappy. Why can't life be simple?

And then, when you grow up even more, to step into the society of work, you finally feel so excited being able to step into society to earn your 1st bag of gold. But to your great disappointment, you find that it is nothing but a scam. You work your life off, always trying to meet deadlines, and then you have less time for people who care for you, and have less time for YOURSELF.. Then you start to worry about 1001 things around you, your financial status, your family, your job, your students, and many more. Yet, at the same time, people around you also start worrying about you when you do not get yourself attached to a girlfriend or boyfriend.

We see lesser smiles, and even if we see, it is either a tired or weak smile, or a fake smile, especially in a metropolitan city like Singapore.. You seldom see warm and sincere smiles anymore. So, why can't life be simple?

I like to go to Cambodia, and South East Asian countries, where people lead a more simple life.. I see smiles and laughters, i see people who are very simple, and not scheming, I see people leading carefree lives... Can I be like them soon?

As I look on, I realize that these are inevitable, and of course, I do realize that some things in life are more appreciated after you visit other countries, after you see people who do not have the same privileges as you do, you feel that you are still more fortunate though not as happy. Hence I can conclude that as your quality of life increases, your unhappiness grows too, yet as your age grows, if you can still maintain a simple lifestyle, then you might feel happier this way. Of course, your outlook in life is still very important. If money is very important to you, then happiness probably would not be a permanent word in your life, unless you have countless money.

To my students, I am actually very happy when I am able to see all of you in class everyday, but the little insensible things that you do hurts me, like fighting in class, skipping school, scolding vulgarities, and not doing the work you should have done, makes me upset. I do hope that with you guys around, you can try to make me happier, by being really good kids.. especially 2F... You know who you are.. Love you all.. Let's make life simpler, shall we?

Enough blabbering.. let's take a look at 2 photos of my nephew.

Back from Holidays.

Yeah, finally back from my 10 day holiday. Has been a fruitful holiday, covering Sydney, Goldcoast, Adelaide and Perth. Altogether, we took 5 flights and I clocked almost 900 km in driving, where the speed went up to almost 200km/h.. Haha, the feeling of driving a vehicle almost like a sports car, can really drive your adrenaline up, especially when you get to speed alongside a merz.. hahaha. Okie, bad example, no speeding in Singapore.. Luckily Chuyue is not around, if not, we would never have reached our destination on time.. hehe..

Now, together with my 4 other companions, Bro CJ and Suanhui, Sis Jiayin and Duck, we embarked on a trip that really got us high, and there were many memorable moments, including those where we took so many jump shots! Nothing speaks better than photos, and look at my facebook and you would have realized the amount of fun that we had.. Home-cooked meals, eating out in the cold in front of bypassing Angmohs, singing KTV, POSING for photos, adrenaline rides on the Superman Ride, Speeding, SPA, and of course, TABLE TENNIS after SPA!

Oh man, how cooling the weather was, winter time in Australia, oh my, to think we were supposed to drive all the way up to Melbourne, and go ski-ing there, but eventually cos of the stupid virus, we had to change our itinerary, but we got a surprise there, which happened to be the only 'high-class' apartment that we stayed in. Oh my, AUSTRALIA is really expensive lar! but the seafood was cheap and good.. That was the only good thing! Bought chocolates for my students, and burnt a hole in my pocket..

Oh oh, holidays ending soon, and new stuff coming up.. So many things breathing down my neck and I don't know if I can handle it well man, especially the Cambodia trip, seems like the virus is hindling my advancement.. hmm.. shall see how I can handle it.. Oh how i yearn for the next holiday to come, haha, but before that, I shall strive forward to getting my students to work harder and also to help them achieve better results!

Ok, there is another thing tingling in my heart for a long time.. During my trip, I begin to miss people, students, family, and her.. Uncertainties start to arise when my thoughts start running wild, but nevertheless, these are all what I have anticipated. The feeling of being lost, being so uncertain of myself, has not been there for quite some time, and now it has returned to haunt me.. It always happens after my trip overseas, but this time round, it doesn't occur because of the trip, but because of a person. Hmm, seems like I have to re-evaluate my ability to handle this feeling of lost.. Looking through her photos, make me feel ____..shall not elaborate.. Her smile, still as captivating as ever. One thing I know for sure, is time will not close up this feeling of lost, but hopefully work will. I think I will be drowned by work, before I know how I feel, in at least the next 1 month.

Well, these few days, some bad news, H1N1 getting worse by the day in Singapore, and school may be closed and E-learning might be activated. I booked 2 times for my class chalet, and both times, they have to shut down for quaratining purposes. So upsetting and disappointing for my dear students. So, in view of the fact that there are already 2 secondary school students who got the virus while attending some social functions, I decided to book just a BBQ for the students, and having just one day of fun, at West Coast park.. nearer, and lesser people, hence lesser risk! Hope my students will understand my difficulties. We shall have the chalet in November ok?

To my 2F Class

Well, this happened a few days ago, and I only have time now to blog about it. Around 10 of you actually tried to escape lesson, by going to hide in the toilet. I was shocked when I saw the few of you at detention area when I went down to do my stuff. Really caught me off-guard. I asked some of you what happened and you seemed ashamed to see me there. Though I found out the roots of the problem, it seems that it is a problem that would take time before it can be solved.

Though you were at fault, and I am very against your irresponsible actions, yet I do not think that it should be totally your fault. I will try to let your voices be heard and see if things can be changed further.

But nevertheless, you are all grown ups, and should be responsible for all your actions. Imagine this, if you should choose to beat someone up, then you have to bear the consequences when he is badly injured, or you may be hurt in the process too. The Indian Rojak uncle, though was not around when the poisoning incident happened, yet he had to take up the responsibility to face the charges, as he is the owner. Just like, when I am your form teacher, and you act in this manner, I take it that I am not good enough, because I have failed to discipline all of you. I look forward to our class chalet, and I take this chance to urge all of you not to misbehave again, if not, I would have to seriously consider putting in so much efforts for all of you.

All of you are my beloved students, and I treat you like my little brothers and sisters, so I will feel upset if you all misbehave.. Pls take this chance to reflect upon your actions. I know it may be just a moment of spur that you acted in this manner, a moment of mischievous, but now this moment is gone, I hope that you will be able to be the bestest 2F which all teachers praise again.

My challenge to you: Can you do it, 2F? Tag and let me know. Thanks

Signed off: 10.22pm April 26 09

Planned trips for 2009

If nothing goes wrong, I should be going to Australia and Bangkok this June Holidays. And my Aussie itinerary is as follows: Singapore - Perth - Sydney, Drive up to Melbourne and Adelaide, and then fly back to Perth - SG. All in all, it will take around 10 days. Sounds a bit rush, but I already have a crew of planners planning the accomodation and places to visit. A strong plan shall suffice in the cold winter in Australia. Just to let you guys drool a little, I will be skiing at Hotham, an outskirt town near Melbourne. Yes, Skiing.. haha.. In fact, this may yet be the 2nd time in my life that I am seeing snow~! The 1st was in India, up high in the mountains of Sikkim.

But of course Australia would be shortly after my 5th Bangkok trip. This would be the 2nd trip with my Secondary school friends! The 1st was also to Bangkok, and that dated back to 2003! My god, how time flies. So treasure your secondary school friends, people..

Well, it is time to take a break man.. But much more coming up! I should be bound for Cambodia for a 15 day project, if nothing goes wrong, but it is only open to the Sec 3 students, and I will be taking only a maximum of 20 students over.. Not my 1st Youth Expedition Project (YEP), but still excited at the thought of embarking on a life changing trip, not for me of course, but who knows.. We are all learning in any phase in life. So, Siem Reap and Phomn Penn, here I come again, 6th time and counting.. So anyone who needs an itinerary for a short break in these countries, feel free to come to me, and I can try to get you good deals for a great itinerary.

Travelling makes you look forward to completing all your work.. A real good destressing agent.. haha..