Life as Rosalynn

Scarrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy

2011-10-05T16:59:00.002+08:00

According to the calendar, I'm due in 20++ days.

I'm scared.

I can't even begin to imagine the pain, the pain and oh yes, ...... the pain.

I've got a really low pain threshold - I'm a total baby when it comes to pain.

ARGH! PLease let me have an easy delivery.... :S scared....

Hard as a Rock

2011-10-01T04:02:00.003+08:00

I used to look at pregnant bellies of friends and wonder how it felt carrying a water balloon the size of a watermelon 24-hours a day strapped to their mid-sections.

Now I know.

In case you don't, well, the belly feels more like a rock than anything else. It feels stretched, tense and unyielding. Sometimes it's bumpy and uneven too! I've had my belly in a bundt - cake shape (indent in the middle) in a bum shape (two bumps, left and right) and of course the classic torpedo (sharp bump). So no, the pregnant belly isn't just round - Freaky.

Speaking of freaky...

Ta -dah! Pig-trotters anyone?

This is what my feet look like nowadays. Edema, they call it. Basically it's water retention. THIS makes me feel like I'm walking around with a pillow strapped to my feet - very bad for balance. Especially now that I'm 70kgs balancing on size 5 feet. Centre of gravity calculation, physicists?

Neways, have only decided to blog due to restlessness and insomnia. Need to go back to bed now. It's Sambutan Hari Kokurikulum at school tomorrow and I'm on duty. Let's hope I find Sleep and it doesn't put up a fight.

SBT

2011-09-02T14:08:00.002+08:00

*I know some ppl find it offensive when pregnant ppl keep on rambling about their unborn child. My apologies :p, but this is going to be my journal of sorts and will be used to threaten or cajole my kid in the future. Do feel free to not read on.

Have been marking essay books since morning.

It's funny, but I haven't been able to sleep much at night. I always end up waking up the same time KG does (or even earlier than him). Blame the bladder trips. Sad but true.

For the past few months, I've been feeling much better than the few months before that. The agonizing nausea ....... gone. The feeling of dread and trepidation ....... gone. The failing fatigue ...... gone. I was doing fine. I had my energy and spirit back and it was fun bonding with the tiny tenant in my womb.

Mr A is lots of fun.

While he resides in my belly, he seems to have developed an awareness of a world beyond that. In the past week or so, he has been testing the waters, so to speak. When I'm lying flat on my back, I can sometimes poke and have my poke reach him (I try not to think of where I'm poking him, because I honestly don't know).

Last night, I was jolted awake by his pounding of tiny fists (feet?) and decided to poke him. I can't begin to describe the feeling when I felt a tiny orb (like fist/feet) protruding outwards. I sortof squeezed it gently and it retracted quickly. In spite of myself, I laughed. Then, the orb came back up, in a slightly different position. I wonder if anyone can tell me what this actually is. Well, I could ask my mom, but she gives me such vague answers, I'd rather not.

Just 15 minutes ago, while marking books on the bed (Mr A had not been very active today) I decided to flip over. I forgot about the huge bump. So I lost my breathe for a split second and had to heave myself of said bump before causing damage to it. This little stunt woke Mr A up big time. He's been rocking and rumbling since then.

Then, it occurred to me, I hadn't been able to lie on my stomach for about half a year now. And it's my fave position for reading, watching TV etc etc. Sad but true.

Why I So Free

2011-08-06T08:51:00.004+08:00

Lol - this is my second post in TWO days! Must be diligence record of some kind :p

There's a reason for this - and it's work-related.

I FORGOT TO BRING HOME THE DATA I NEED TO KEY-IN FOR SAPS!!!!!!

Can you say, "Arghhhhhh!?"

I'm not sure if any of you non-teachers out there have heard of this newest thing many teachers are complaining about right now. But just to start you off, it's been mentioned in the Star several times now. Links here and here.

If you're like me and can't face the prospect of having to read news articles, here's a pictorial series to show you:

1. First up, you have to log-in and you'll see something like this. Though this system was only implemented several weeks back, we've been asked to re-enter all exam data for this year (that's 3 exams so far with the next one looming ahead next week).

2. Next, you choose your class (after some background work of registering classes you teach etc. Class teachers also have to key-in the Names, IC Nos and other details of their own class).

3. Then, you wait for the class name list to load (and this can take anywhere from 2 seconds to ....uh, I never had the patience to wait for more than 10 minutes, anyway usually after that time-frame, an error screen pops up). You click on ONE students' name and wait for a text box to appear (please refer to prev parenthesis).

4. When you see this, it means you now have a chance to enter the mark for this one, single student and click "Kemaskini" for the system to update this one, single mark. You have wait for the mark to appear like the "45" before clicking on the next name (again, same conditions of waiting applies).

5. Now, repeat this process for all 35 students in one class and multiply that by the 5 classes you teach and then multiply again by 3 for the 3 exams' data you have to key in. That's a lot of minutes of waiting, I can tell you that! (By the way, previously, we could key-in the marks for a whole class all at once without having to wait for individual loading - but that changed earlier this week...I wonder why).

To be fair, and as a comparison, under the previous system, each class teacher (and most teachers are also class teachers) had to key-in the data for their own class multiplied by the number of subjects tested (average: 13).

So, actually, the work load's arguably okay. But the big difference here is that the previous system was done off-line. If I was in a rajin mode, I could finish up all the keying in of data, write individual (and unique) comments for each and every student, calculate their attendance and print out their result slips in under ..... 4 hours.

The new system could work - but only if it gets fixed in some way. It's a good idea in theory, but when put into practice, it causes too much frustration and time-wasting. I haven't even mentioned my colleagues who haven't got Internet connection at home!

If you read the article, you'd see one of the suggestions given to teachers to counter this problem (of slow loading and congested traffic) is to :

“The system often hangs due to heavy traffic. We are advised to use it late at night or early in the morning when the portal is less busy.

“Why must the MOE punish the teachers? We need time to prepare our lessons at home,” one teacher said.

I love how they use the passive sentence "We are advised" without a "by" in that first sentence. There's no way of knowing who (in a position of authority and power) gave such a thoughtless suggestion. Late at night? Early in the morning?

How late is late? I sleep at 10pm so that I can wake up at 5.45am to beat traffic and get to school on time before 7am. (A school that I've applied to be transferred out of due to distance and fuel-costs but where my application have been rejected). Btw, if you're thinking - no one needs that much sleep, I'm preggers and I do.

How early is early? I arrive at school before 7am, immediately flip on my laptop and log-in. And it still hangs!

So it's a no-win situation for me. How about my colleagues who have to deal with multiple kids at home? They leave school at 4pm, pick-up kids from daycare, go home to cook, clean and manage the kiddies. If they're lucky, put them to bed by 8pm (kids sleep this early ka?) and continue marking and planning lessons for the next day. Time for hubby? Nil. Time for the newspapers? Nil. Time to have a relaxing bath? NIL!

If you're wondering why we leave school at 4pm...."Err, don't teachers work half-day? You guys finish at 1pm right?" Let me correct this misconception right now. NO, we don't work half-days. We work whenever there's work to be done. We stay back in school for extra-curricular activities (earlier in the year) and we stay back for extra classes to help students brush up on their academics before PMR/SPM (throughout the year). So no, we use whatever time we have in between for all other teacher work (please read my prev post to find out more :p)

So, oh-powers-that-be, please forgive us lot for complaining when this still-imperfect system was hurled at us with the instruction, "Make it work". It may not seem like a lot more work to you but please notice the operative word: MORE - on top of everything else.

However, I pray that God keeps me optimistic. Already, I've seen the signs.

School teachers who cannot meet the Aug 15 deadline to submit the online exam data due to technical faults in the portal will not be penalised.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the issue was raised at the post-Cabinet meeting on Wednesday chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“We recognise that the system has its flaws and the software is not perfect."

Halleluiah!

*All text in GREEN were taken from StarOnline articles*

Toys

2011-08-05T17:40:00.004+08:00

Oh, how my life has changed hihihiks!

For the longest time I have resisted this trend. This unfathomable deed of purchasing what I can only describe as a toy for adults.

Obviously in this day and age, countless people use this device. Many swear by it to fill the void in their lives - to cure boredom, to relieve stress, to keep loneliness at bay.

I was skeptical of course, why should I rely on this small electronic device to make me happy? Don't I have Tora, Big Bang Theory and Kean Ghee to fulfill my needs (pls refer to above)?

Furthermore, who's to say which one is the best? They come in so many shapes and sizes, each with its unique features.

I finally caved in last weekend. It was time. I knew it. I had to embrace the inevitable.

Say hello to:

Image from HTC website.

My new HTC smartphone :D

It was recommended to me by a good/phoneatic friend, Sunny, when I sent an SOS into FB asking for suggestions for a new phone. My old faithful, the SE K770i had decided to bow out gracefully by leaving me subtle hints like, failing to store previously dialed numbers, not accepting SMSs and finally, deleting all my pictures and music on the phone.

Image from Sony Ericsson website.

It was sad saying bye bye. When I switched it off for the last time, I kissed it and patted it. Now it's resting in a drawer at home. It's official designation? Back-up phone.

So now it's basically me against the machine. Being incredibly tech-unsavvy, I have lots to learn about operating this phone. However, it's a fun process for me. I'm still discovering how wonderfully complex a mobile phone can be! It's my entertainment, info and communication tool, all in one.

I use it for FB-ing, Tweeting, Googling etc etc. KG and I even randomly loaded some X Japan video to watch before we fell asleep last night :D

The HTC Incredible S isn't the easiest of phones to master. There're so many things to manage with it. Nonetheless, I'm glad I jumped into the deep end of the pool and got it anyway. I'm slowly wrapping my head around the fact that this wee thing isn't just a phone anymore - anyone who wants to get a smartphone should know that they operate almost-just like a PC.

You have to manage programs (called applications or Apps) and watch your resources (Batt life, RAM, space etc). You also need to worry about bugs and other annoying stuff.

All in all though, it's a toy. It's a great adult toy. Kids shouldn't be handling this because all they'd do with it is play games. Nooooopes. Kids will not play games on my phone.

Because it's a toy.

It's a toy for adults.

For adults, like me.

So, kids, no touchy. That includes you, Mr A-who-resides-in-my-belly.

Anakku

2011-07-20T16:49:00.002+08:00

Okay, I won't comment on the long hiatus. I've been meaning to post up several posts - but I've never gone around finishing them - so there they sit - festering sores of unfinished thoughts.

This post is really for myself - I really like talking to myself and thinking deep thoughts and sharing them with myself etc etc. Today - my thought is for the child within me (literally):

"Oh anakku, why you no lie down quiet quiet for afternoon nap?"

Been pregs for about 6 months now. Had quite the skema-type pregnancy. Horrible 1st 3 months. Better 2nd trimester. Now, embarking on my final lap. Am praying for the best as I've not had the easiest route so far. There's been bleeding scares, inexplicable swellings, weight loss, weight gain, anemia so on so forth. Of course, millions of women go through these so I guess I should survive and not be so wimpy, right?

It's been an interesting experience to say the least. Sometimes, I still find it hard to accept that what I see in the ultrasound printouts is ACTUALLY inside me. The initial emotion was one of relief (ah, conceived at last) then, indifference (meh, kids) and finally, love and fear (oh, I love you my child, but what if you grow into one of those lil monstas I teach?). Can anyone say : overprotective mother-tigger?

We found out the baby's sex quite early on - was quite the exhibitionist. We've been toying with several names and finally settled on Mr. A. That's right, just like Mr. T! Hahaha, nah, not so radical la, it's just that his name begins with the letter A. Hence, I'll be referring to him as Mr A.

Mr. A has been actively moving around since his 4th month. At first, it felt like like there was a goldfish swimming around inside me. Then, the motion began to feel more like something was turning and doing pirouettes. Now, it's mostly bumps and jumps. Sometimes I can even see my belly quaking a little. And I can wake him up by gently tapping my belly. Fascinating.

All I want to do nowadays is to lie down and pat my belly and myself to sleep. Even right now, the only thing that's keeping me from bed is the sweltering, sweltering weather. And, well, books to mark.

So if future me re-reads this -

"Remember, you love Mr A. Try to forgive his inevitable pooping, peeing, crying and all other disgusting habits. After all, Tora is just the same."

RANT

2011-07-12T18:28:00.007+08:00

My last post was a gazillion years ago.

I guess it was the last time I really had any free time.

Since then, I've been preoccupied with work, pregnancy and well, nothing else. Today I need to rant.

I came home today at 6.30 pm. Is this the latest I've been home? Not really. I've had longer days. Was it a bad day? No, it was rather run-of-the-mill, truth be told.

So ... why the rant today? The simple answer - I need to unload; empty my mind - write crap about those who cause me and my colleagues pain. The funny thing is, I don't even know who my enemies are. Ah Education System, you cowardly, heartless, faceless b***h.

PLEASE LET ME TEACH!!!

This is my one and only plea. I'm sure many teachers around the country echo this plea of mine. All I really wanted to do when I signed up for this profession was to teach, to mold young minds, to sculpt an entire generation of good, honest people - all those things you'd think a teacher is supposed to do.

Well, the dark, dirty truth is, being a teacher entails a lot more than that. And, while I believe I epitomized the "Don't ask, just do" aka "Saya yang menurut perintah" model teacher, the mask is cracking and slipping. My iron-clad beliefs in a system that is failing me, my wards and their parents is melting faster than you can say "Burn-out!"

Teacher's workload I

I signed up knowing full well that I'd have to conduct lessons with less than reluctant learners everyday. Mountain loads of marking to be done everyday and night? Yeah, no problemo. I knew that I'd be under that hot, shining orb of a sun, running, sweating with the best o' them. 2nd life as a lintah darat? Oh yea, many a times have I had to call up parents demanding school fees. A drill sergeant? Pfft, easy peasy. Tour guiding on my days off? Been there, done that. How about mediator? Spiritual counselor? War-zone translator? CSI investigator? On a daily-basis, baby!

So am I complaining about my career as a teacher for any of the above reasons?

No.

Because those are part of my job. Building a human being ain't a piece of cake. I knew that from the get-go.

What I didn't know was, I'd have to give up all my dreams of planning awesome possum lessons. That I'd be rushing through my marking, if I had time to mark anything at all. That I'd be a great asset to the school but a horrible, irritable teacher to my kids.

Not to mention a bad wife to Kean Ghee - I hardly have time to cook or clean. And I don't make enough m$$lah to get household help to do those things either. So, yes, we live in filth. I'm a bad mommy to Tora, who I only see right before I leave the house and when I come home. I will most probably be a poor mother to my future child, seeing that I spend almost ten hours at work and two hours commuting to and fro, another two to three hours doing schoolwork at home and six hours sleeping every night. I work Saturdays (all four weekends this particular month). My personal life is...non-existent. School holidays are not a luxury anymore, I believe, it's necessary and it's what hinges me to my sanity.

School's Dirty Secrets (SDS)

Today I saw a colleague on the verge of tears. It was 5.30pm. I was at the Bilik Headcount to grab my kiddies' Headcount cards. (School's Dirty Secret No 1: Headcount does nothing for your kids - nothing at all. They're the white elephant that no one dares to get rid off). This colleague was in school earlier than me today (no mean feat, since I usually get to school at 6.35am). And she was on the verge of tears, not because of any of the any of the things I mentioned in the section labelled Teacher's workload I. It was because she couldn't reconcile some figures needed for a meeting tomorrow.

You see, (SDS No2), schools nowadays don't cater to the students per se. We cater to the over-inflated expectations of the district/state education departments. We don't match and meet the needs of students when we plan how to teach. We teach to fulfill the GPS (aka GPA) set for our school by the authorities.

And (SDS No3), in the past couple of years, I've spent more time on writing reports, filling in forms, filing, attending meetings, typing letters, entering data than I have planning lessons. It's not that these things actually take up sooooooo much time. But if you consider the actual workload of teachers, it's not that light to begin with - so every hour you take away from me is another hour lost to the students.

It's sad, really sad.

*sigh*

Even more sadly, we're churning out kiddies who can't really think and act for themselves (in a productive way anyway). They're fine when it comes to normal worksheets, task sheets, exam modules etc etc. But give them a project to do and watch their self-confidence/control unravel. Case in point, I've got a bunch of kids in Form 2 who can't put together a simple play (Rumpelstiltskin, if you're wondering) without relying on someone to remind them of every simple detail.

I've had the whole class sit around and wait for me to show up (when I've mentioned explicitly that they should start without me because I have a coinciding extra class) for half an hour. The roles had already been assigned and it was not the first practice (more like 5th or 6th). The conversation btw me and them went something like this:

BLUE - Me
YELLOW - Them

Why haven't you all started?

Do what?

Well, practice your lines...fix the props....match the sound effects (all these were a continuation from previous sessions).

(looks at each other)

Don’t you see what we’ve been doing every time we have prac?

Yes….*brainwave* BUT Rose isn’t here!! (murmurs of “Yea, yea…” among kids)

Soooo? She’s one person from the sixteen in your group. Go on without her if she’s late! Where is she anyway?

Err…errr….dunno. DUnno. Dunno. (someone pipes up) She went to Jusco!

(horrified as kids under my charge) WHAT? When? With who?

Her mother!

Oh….phew. Okay, come on then, let’s start. Rose can join us later.

(Miniscule movements – looking at each other to see if they should move)(shift shift, turn turn – still seated)

(Exasperated) Well, what are you waiting for???

(Finally someone stands – immediately goes to another corner and sits down)

OMG … okay, okay, actors and actresses gather around. Props people, get ready to show me your work. Same goes for sound effects people. Director (Leader) please go from group to group to check in on progress ok?

(Nods)

(Works with acting group for about 15 minutes – realize sound effects people have begun watching YouTube and are laughing away with Director)

I swear, I would have laughed if my nerves didn't feel like 32 kids were sitting on it. And it's pretty tiring to carry on a conversation like this at least once everyday with various groups of students who don't see why I react the way I react. Usually, they go, "Ah...rilek ah teacher."

Argh

However, when I really, really think about it, the kids' attitudes and how they behave aren't necessarily their fault 100% . I believe there's a change going on. Truth be told, if I examine myself, I'm right there....a tiny dot on the line graph that shows the change in how kids react towards the world around them.

I think it's a huge social change that we may or may not be aware of.

It's a theory of mine and it's something that I think about everyday.

Okay, tired now. One day, I'll tell it to you.

Honey Badger (^x^)

2010-12-16T11:52:00.006+08:00

I'm an avid admirer of Cracked.com . Whenever I have the slightest bit of time, this is my first and foremost reading material.

It overtook Wikipedia as my No.1 trivia website when I discovered it was overtly less academic and definitely more pop culture. It helps that it's hilariously vulgar too!!!

It's fun to read about history, science and other "academic" stuff in our current vernacular and you never know what you'd find in Cracked.

I remember the first article I read there - Deadliest Insects

I dare you to watch the Japanese Hornets video! I DARE you ... lol

Recently, I read : 6 Animals That Just Don't Give A F#@k

Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce the one creature in this world who deserves my ardent admiration, my deepest devotion and my fervent fangirl-dom...the Honey Badger!

Yo! Just lookin for grub, 'dat all!....Hey hey, you wanna be it?

He's not a looker, to be sure, but what it lacks in handsome-ness, it more than makes up in sheer cahones! I'll share some quips from Wikipedia (still my 2nd fave reference point) about this amazing organism.

"...has few natural predators due to its thick skin and ferocious defensive abilities..."

"Honey badgers are notoriously fearless and tough animals, having been known to savagely attack their enemies when escape is impossible. They are tireless in combat, and can wear out much larger animals in physical confrontations.The aversion of most predators toward hunting honey badgers has led to the theory that the countershaded coats of cheetah kittens evolved in imitation of the honey badger's colouration in order to ward off predators."

"Because of the toughness and looseness of their skin, honey badgers are very difficult to kill.... The skin is also tough enough to resist several machete blows. The only sure way of killing them quickly is through a blow to the skull with a club or a shot to the head with a powerful rifle, as their skin is almost immune to arrows and spears."

If you have time, watch the video on the honey badger

I love how it resurrects after being bitten to go back to its meal :D

All pics from Wikipedia!

It's been a doggone day.

2010-12-01T15:30:00.014+08:00

Got woken up by Tora barking his head off this morning. It was at an ungodly hour (for school hols anyway) of 8.30am. The housing developer's contractor came over for some maintenance work bla bla bla.

Even if you're not familiar with the name Tora, my use of the word "barking" should tell you that he's a dog.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Tora, defender of my home, equal opportunity chewer, echidna impersonator, skin disease extraordinaire and social pariah.

Cutie pie at approx 3 months

He came home with us from Uncle Augustine's in May 2010. Just a tiny thing then. Soft black fur and a cute lil face. My family has another dog in Kajang; Jojo. I named Jojo after a comic character - Joseph Joestar. When I got this puppy, I decided to pick a comic-chara name too.

KG and I mulled on several we liked, but we narrowed it to two:

ACE - for Portgas D Ace from One Piece

and
TORA - for Tora from Ushio & Tora

One look at this boy and we decided on Tora - which also means Tiger :D

Yes, yes performing his yawning charm on everyone!

He was so small I used to pick him up with one hand!

He was quite easy to care for. I remember that on the loooong trip home to JB from KL, he did not wet himself once. In fact, he slept a lot and when he needed to go, he would jump into KG's lap. That's how we knew he needed to go.

However, that didn't mean he was potty-trained. It just meant he was a big fuss pot when it came to "doing his business". He has to be on absolutely still, solid ground to "perform". Like I said, "ma q fan".

There is much to tell about his upbringing so far. Some of it good, some bad but mostly adorable. I love dogs, but this lil boy is especially lovable. But then again, everyone says that about their pups!

He loves walks and playing fetch. He loves food and though we feed him twice a day, he always appears starved! He pounces on everything; insects, bits of paper, stones AND consumes them like vacuum cleaner. He loves playing with water but hates baths *rolls eyes.

Oh, he just looooooves water! (4 months)

He loves chewing on stuff, but luckily he's stopped chewing our shoes! He's got several chew toys to satisfy that need now!

"Nomnomnom!"

"I don't discriminate! Everything deserves a good chew!"

"Of course, this bone seems especially yummo!"

He loves cuddling up to us! Even when he was just a wee lad, he was very attached to us. We couldn't get him to sleep in a separate room or his crate (and his barks and whines really annoyed our housemates) so he slept on the floor near us. But then he would also periodically....

1. Curi-curi snuggle into KG's arm :p

2. Jump onto the mattress while we were not looking.

3. Proceed to make himself comfortable. (skin flaking at muzzle makes him look funny)

Nowadays he stays outside. Doesn't stop him from jumping into our laps or rubbing himself against our legs! But as with any other rebellious teen, he refuses our advances nowadays, preferring to show affection on his own terms instead - ie when we have food in our hands :p

At about 4-5 months

At 8 months - chewing away

"No more food...lemme go!"

Ehhhh?

"Looky here cameraman, gimme the chip or else!"

He's always been quite trainable. He's been fetching reliably since he was 4 months old.

Look mommy!

Getting him to let go was a different story.

He sits very prettily. And looks at you with those mournful eyes! He'll shake hands with you if there's something innit for him. Plus he lies down like an echidna :p

"I'm handsome!"

Dominic: "Paw!"
Tora: (==!)

KG: "Paw!"
Tora: "Ahhh, that's more like it. Here ya go."

"I can also lie down."

"And do a pretty good frog/echidna impersonation."

But Tora's not all rainbow sprinkles. He's pretty difficult when it comes to sociability. He has none. That partially due to the fact that he moved to our new house when he was pretty young. There weren't many neighbours then and he had no one to interact with except us.

He's dead loyal to us and those with our "smell" - like our parents, siblings and some friends (even tho he'd only seen them once when he was 3 months old). I have no doubt he'd recognize the entire Benedict clan :D.

But he HATES other people - preferring instead to bark at them till they go away. And there's no barking-till-he's-tired-crap. He DOESN'T get tired! It annoys me and I've tried every trick in the book except electrocution but nothing works. Not even food! If he's in one of his barking sprees, he'll not even stop for a treat.

And I guess it's pretty scary for the outsider since he really lunges and rattles our flimsy- looking gate. I've not taken a picture of him at it. And he usually faces away from me when this happens. But I've been told (repeatedly) that he looks freaky. So, I'm looking at socializing opps before he turns into a crazed canine.

.
.
.

But for all his faults, he has many more virtues. Lol - and my favourite one is this:

"Mommy, you're home! Why are you holding that flashy thing but not coming in? Come come! I want to sniff you! I ruff ruff youuuuuuuu!!!"

There is really nothing better in the world than to come back to a dog who loves you.

Honeymoon? Avillion

2010-11-26T13:34:00.018+08:00

KG and I never had our honeymoon. There was always some pressing matters that made it impossible to get away. Well, in the end, I put my foot down and insisted we go somewhere. That somewhere turned out to be a beach resort called Avillion Port Dickson :p

Some people have commented that for the same cost, we could have gone to Phuket or Bali - true, but all I wanted was a pretty place to kick back and relax.

I wasn't in the market for shopping or sight-seeing, so spending half the budget we'd prepared to fly to a place where I'd only want to spend the whole day in bed...*ahem*...wasn't feasible :p

So, here's a photolog of our experience.

Entrance was unassuming - almost missed it!

Buried at the end of the lushly forested driveway - the reception pavillion.

We arrived at 1.30pm - too early!

So, we settled down at the Galley, had drinks and soaked in the atmosphere. In this photo, KG can be seen working....as usual *blek*

KG got impatient after a while and went off to hurry things along at the reception.

I stayed behind to stare at the fan.

Apparently, the room had been ready donkey years ago (2.30pm at this point) but they were too busy to call us (which they said they would). *rolls eyes*

Nevertheless, we were happy to be given the keycard to our chalet and took this pic to commemorate the event.

Room 926 at the Tumasek "finger". There's some cockamamie *nods to Sheldon* legend whereby each row of chalets refer to a sampan...or something :p

The room was just cosy enough - thank goodness we had the King bed! Also loved the daybed in that small alcove. Though it may be difficult to ascertain from this pic, the daybed is actually as large as a Queen bed - awesome to laze on and stare out at the sea.

This was out view from our private balcony. Had always wanted to stay in a plce like this. We were, of course, just next to the other rooms, but thanks to the strategic planning - we felt like we were alone most times.

Ahhh, the open shower - loved this!!! The water pressure was AWESOME so I'd sit on the steps and feel like I was being massaged :p

See, the rooms were actually very close together - in fact, felt a little like a fishing village - one were everyone dressed fabulously and nobody fished.

Lepak-ed at one of the wakafs near our room to view the sunset. But then, we got sien and went to look for other things to do. We are so not "tai foong ging" people.

Another lovely spot to just lounge. In fact, the resort was peppered with these "lookout points" at strategic locations.

This place was soooooo green! I spent a lot of time walking around the resort and wondering how many gardeners they needed to keep this place this pristine-looking.

Ahhh, the pet farm. I was cynical of this at first (when I was looking through the website) but the animals were shooooooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuuute!

Exhibit A - muticoloured wabbits snuggling together; the lop-eared one stole my heart!

The very tame peacocks and hens. Magnificent plumage. They were free to wander anywhere they pleased ... which made me wonder if they pooped everywhere too :s

Wabbit laying prosrate, echidna-style.
Other wabbit wonders if there's something wrong with him.

Jalan-jalan waktu malam.

Signboards kept us from getting lost (and it's possible due to the dense foliage everywhere).

There are two pools here - this is the kiddy pool. Lotsa yummy mummies lazing on the lounges while watching their kiddies frolic in the water during the day. I must say, I caught glimpses of many a shirtlessly-delicious daddies too *ahem*

The excitingly-labeled Cochin Pool. The ADULTS ONLY label had us hooked...

The adults pool by day. Very clean and picturesque. I loved how Avillion doesn't scrimp on their beach towels. These were available on the beach as well as the pools. Then, there were towel drop-off points everywhere so you needn't worry about bringing your own towels or having to deal with wet ones.

Glorious sunsets.

The next morning.....

Drizzling lightly...sadddddd

"How about my beached whale impersonation???"

But the heavens opened and then, there was sunlight....this was a miracle by itself!
The weather forcast had predicted 2 days of wet weather in the 3 days we were there. In the end, however, we only had that tiny spot on rain on the 2nd day. The rest were clear and breezy.

We took walks on the beach...

...where we saw something that we think might gross Iris out. Does it, Iris??? lol

Walk walk walk. Let it not be said that Rosalynn Wong was a pig!

Though I also spent a lot of time watching Moonlight Resonance on the bed :p

The highlight of our stay was the spa experience. This is how AviSpa looks at night. All shining and glittery and magical.

The waiting cum cafe area.

The outdoor lounge which overlooks the Straits of Malacca.

Had the whole place to ourselves that day.

Yayayayay - pretendin' to be datin in my FOS t-shirt :p Sawittri would frown upon my wardrobe choices...come to think of it, so would Jarod.

Getting ready....

View during reflexology. These are KG's legs. I was screaming in pain 2 feet away.

After the torture - so sakit it was good. Aunt Helen would've enjoyed this.
Lol - am now addicted to being kneaded, pummeled and pulled.

Yummylicious ginger-honey-lemon tea! I could drink a whole pot of it. And I did.

Lost all "yi-tai" (composure) after spa session.
Btw, I'm wearing diff t-shirts coz we went for 2 sessions,

KG was happy with his torture session too.

The daily breakfast was really good. Everything was delicious - well, everything I had anyway. Had to resist the Nasi Lemak and Porridge otherwise couldn't try their other stuff!

I liked the scrambled eggs.

Back to mem-babi-ing after breakfast. The eggs went straight to my chin(s).

Finally, checked out after 3 days of total bliss.

Bye bye Avillion!

Verdict : GOOD - no complaints since it fulfilled my needs exactly. Very, very beautiful.

YAY KID!

2010-03-24T19:02:00.003+08:00

I was getting slightly anxious that KID didn't seem to be displaying the same sort of enthusiasm for studying he had earlier in the year.

Again, today I had a lesson with his class - after almost 2 complete weeks without (holidays and programs and whatnot).

I ran another group-based lesson. This was the first I'd done for essay writing.

It worked well for those who had even the slightest heart to learn. Burnt to ashes for those who shut their hearts so tight that not a glimmer of light could pass through....it was saddddd.

Lesson went as planned anyway - I worked through a simple essay with a 2-pic stimulus and some given keywords. I had every group scrutinize the pictures and tell me who and what they saw, the location of the event, the time etc etc. I'd write down their shoutouts and translate for them when they didn't know the English word for something. Brainstorming la katakan...

It was tiring because I kept having to manage the naughty ones who were disrupting the class the whoooooooooolllllleeeeee time! Devil-monkey hybirds I tell you! :p

Anyway, imagine my delight when KID comes up to me after class (which was after recess because I stayed back to help a few others). He was diligently asking questions and didn't nod off once during the lesson, so I was plenty pleased anyway.

Then came, "Teacher, do you think you could tutor me? I will pay you. I can set aside one day per week. I can have tuition on that day with you."

I was nodding yes even before he finished! SO happy at his pro-activeness! Now it's all up to me. He's made the sacrifice and I'm going to make it worth his while!

CNY and Ang Pows

2010-03-15T14:05:00.000+08:00

Instead of coming up with a witty headliner or title for my post today, I’m just going with – “Things in my post today”.

My last post was in January. It’s been quite some time…. A status report: Kid has successfully purchased a motorcycle and is more frequent to classes nowadays. Unfortunately, he’s also become less motivated after CNY (I’m not sure why). His workload has increased as well. Sigh.

Neways….

Chinese New Year was different this year. This year, I spent CNY as a married woman. I spent more time at KG’s. Reunion dinner was steamboat and my mom-in-law’s yummylicious “Lo Bak”. KG and my In-Laws were also very accommodating – we returned to my home whenever possible and I played Mah Jong with my aunts and Grandma. It wasn’t planned, but most of us dressed in red red red :D

The other thing about this year’s CNY – we gave out Ang Pows for the first time. Hahaha – some people have asked me how it feels. My answer: Painful but Satisfying. It’s odd – but giving out money packets feels like a very adult thing to do. Ya see, I don’t feel quite the adult usually since I’m always surrounded by teenagers (yay, perks of being a teacher).

The Redsters

By the way, I don’t have any pictures to show you guys, but I think this year’s best ang pow packet designs goes to:

CIMB (gold, non-premier banking) & OCBC (pretty designs, non-premier banking)
Deutsche Bank (red/pink, premier banking)

BLUE HOUSE HURRAH

2010-03-15T11:59:00.012+08:00

“RUMAH BIRU, BESAR PUNYA”

Below was my initial reaction to being Ketua Guru Rumah Sukan Rumah Biru on Facebook:

Rosalynn Wong I don't want to become Ketua Rumah Sukan. Gawd knows sports and rosalynn shudnt exist on the same planet

January 4 at 5:18pm · Comment · LikeUnlike · View Feedback (14)Hide Feedback (14)

Alex Ng and Glynn Noella Wong like this.

Sangeetha Gretchen

Wow...this can be interesting. :))

January 4 at 5:51pm ·

Kelly Pow MeiSeen

tell me bout it... i was one for 2 years straight. if they giv it to me again i'm gonna blow my top off :P

January 4 at 6:16pm ·

Diyana Didi Zulkifli

My last year was hectic because of this ketua rumah sukan thingy. Get help from the upper form students and teachers who you think would be willing to cooperate. There are bound to be some. Get list of names of last year students who were involved in sports day from your house and don't forget to ask last year ketua rumah sukan if there is any hands me down stuff that you can use for this year! Best of luck! :-)

January 4 at 6:34pm ·

Rosalynn Wong

Hahaha - thanks for all advice and support Didi

Mei Seen, I can imagine - u'd have made such a cute Ketua!

Sangeetha, this WILL be interesting - in the same way you might mean humiliating...... See More

Yunie...sedey kan?????

January 4 at 7:29pm ·

Mustaffa Taha

Gogo...win the housecup, ala, cam H.Potter,cuma kita jadi cikgu eh

January 4 at 7:42pm ·

Georgina Ng

I bet you will faint with students like me. I always skip 'raptai sukan'. LOL! Sports was NEVER my forte. Good Luck Rosa!

January 4 at 7:45pm ·

Freddie Wee

aiyo..so simple..all u nd to do is jus stand with the straw hat and big umbrella, bring along the fan, then jus say..ok ok..suma lari cepat cepat!!ingat!!bayangkan ada anjing kejar dari belakang..then the rest, delegate to the rest of the teachers la...hiasan rumah 1 teacher, perbarisan 1 teacher..all u nd to do is 'pan leng leng' and command!!simple..no nd stress...

January 4 at 8:10pm ·

Sow Lee Sun

god bless you... ask koay teach u the way to do this job, we did it be4 n i think koay n i was the perfect partner...haha

January 4 at 8:49pm ·

Kelly Pow MeiSeen

Wat Di said is rite. draw out a timetable for the tchs 2 train da kids too or else u mite end up doin everythin if they're no show....

January 4 at 9:11pm ·

Diana Wee

Ra ra ra...........! =) Hillarious!

January 5 at 10:56am ·

Rosalynn Wong

Thanks everyone for the support! I wised up today and leeched off all the paperwork from last year from a colleague :D Studying them furiously now :p

January 5 at 5:55pm ·

I was seriously de-motivated when I first got the job. I mean, I hate sports! I never play anything! However, this turned out to be a great lesson for me. I love...

SPECTATOR SPORT!

Hehehehe I discovered that I love watching people do sports.

The Blue House of SMKTDS needed serious motivation to get started. The first time we had sports practice, 40 students showed up. . . . 40 out of 400! Plus, statistics dictated that the number dwindles to about 15 by the end of the sports season. It was sad.

I kept hearing the flack my Blue house kiddies were getting from the other houses. I was getting some snide ones myself from some teachers. I hated seeing the kids slink away in embarrassment whenever they got jeered at. Nonetheless, I supposed there was a good reason for all those crap we were getting:

BLUE HOUSE has been dead last every Sports Day since the school's conception in 2003.

Nevertheless, the Mother Hen Syndrome in me got fired up - especially since I was convinced that Blue House had some pretty incredible athletes in store. I couldn't see any reason or excuse to come in last again this year. So I set my goals:

NO MORE LAST PLACE

With that, I went on a crusade. I read last year's reports and found some causes for past years' failures - poor attendance and participation. Then, I mentally geared the ones who bothered to stay back after assemblies by going all statistical on them. I damn near brain-washed them to think that we had a shot at winning the championship cup as long as they came for Sukantara and made sure their friends came as well.

You see, Sukantara marks made up a huge chunk in the overall point-count. Plus, kids didn't even need to win the events in Sukantara to get points. They just had to show up (1 mark) and qualify the minimum requirements in 3 games (2 marks each). If they did, each kiddy would have contributed 7 points to the house points -that's equivalent to winning a Gold medal in the individual events.

(note to my non-teacher friends: Championship Cup is awarded to the sports house with the highest combination of points from Sukantara, Individual/Team Events, Perhiasan Khemah, Marching and Cheerleading).

So yes, I gave pep talks and rallied the kids to come for the Sukantara. I spoke in BM, Eng and Mandarin during these announcements (and I got a kid to repeat my speech in Tamil). My colleagues and I drove a hard sale. My colleague in the afternoon session did the same. We put a huge bait in front of the kids (who just wanted to win after all) and they all (about 100++ anyway) came biting. It was cute in a heartwarming way. We did real good during Sukantara - up almost a hundred points from the nearest competitor. That was Pt 1 of my strategy.

That's me going all Nazi during the practice session.

Part 2 of the No More Last Place strategy was a bit trickier. I had to match athletes to the events where they would shine the most. Previously, I let them choose for themselves since we had no time to be running tryouts. This year, with a lot of help from Cikgu Aimarashid and Cikgu Siti Normah and Cikgu Wee....that's exactly what we did.

I hit a snag when we had trouble filling in all the slots. We didn't have enough time for tryouts for many many events and no volunteers as well. I had a deadline to meet for submitting participants' names for events and unless I had names for each and every slot, we'd be forfeiting many, many events.

So, I got a few trusted students together. They supplied me with names and I'd hit these potential stars with the 4Cs : corner, confront, cajole and coerce. I'd discovered that kids nowadays need to be pushed to excel. Otherwise, they'd be complacent and in their comfort zones. In our case, comfort zone meant watching from the sidelines and jeering their friends. We'd had a great showing during the Sukantara and some kids started to believe that we had a shot at the Cup - I didn't want a few talented but lazy-asses messing up the hopes of those who had tried so hard even though they weren't natural athletes.

In the end, we had a great line-up for the events and I was confident that we could at least place 3rd. Then, my principal hit us with a boulder a week before the Hari Sukan. The cheerleading squad would be judged and awarded marks. It would be an event by itself. Shoot! I had no time to choreograph and train a squad! I'd had the kiddies make poms poms to cheer with, but that was it!

Two of my Fifth Form BOYS came to my rescue. "Teacher, we want to try to do the Haka". I didn't respond to the idea immediately because I knew that I didn't have the time to run anymore practices etc. Plus, the boys needed more members and I didn't know any 13-17 year olds who had the spirit to pull it off. And, we only had two days before the Sports Day. I'm glad we worked it out though.... Once the other boys saw Aizat and Gerald perform the All Blacks' version of it - we had a team. They even let me put warpaint on their faces :p

OMG, it was pretty pretty awesome, especially when they performed it right before the Tarik Tali (highlight of every Sports Day) and one of their opponents turned and ran :p

This was the version we used:

Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!

Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!

Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru

Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā

Ā, upane! ka upane!

Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra!

’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die) ’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live)

’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life!

(This the hairy man that stands here...

…who brought the sun and caused it to shine

A step upward, another step upward!

A step upward, another... the Sun shines!)

So, to cut my extremely long story short:

WE WONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

How happy was that? And we smashed quite a few school records along the way too! Lol Let's just look at the pics :D So so so proud of all the Blue House kids who gave it their all :D

"Their all" meant grunting and falling for their house.
"Their all" meant cheering "Rumah Biru besar punya" even though they had no idea what it meant. (Peralihan kids were not familiar with BM slang)

"Their all" meant acting all crazy!

Still friggin happy :D Now the Blue House kiddies can all hold their head up high!

The Blind Side

2010-01-28T16:06:00.005+08:00

Yesterday, I got home at 5.40pm. It was after a whole day of lessons and a two-hour meeting and paperwork and marking .... I was more than entitled to be pooped.

But I wasn't.

In fact, up till 5.30, I was still Energizer Bunny at the office. I was running through my lessons for next week and I was smiling to myself.

Did I down a RedBull? I hear you ask. Nope

Did I get a raise? Nope.

If anything, I got the crappiest hand-me-down post yesterday. But that's another story for another day.

It was a student. He did good in my eyes. And I only, really, saw him for the first time yesterday.

You see, this kid's in one of the weakest classes I teach. He sits very quietly in class... in a corner close to the front... alone, while I usually expend my energy and attention dealing with the naughty ones in his class, who all sit right at the back. Let's call this boy KID.

It's been about a month now that we've started 2010's school term. I've had my mind and hand full dealing with this class. They are starting at Es, some are basically illiterate. A couple have special needs. A few more have even more special needs....the need to talk all the time, the need to not tuck in their shirt, the need to aggravate and fight, the need to not do any work....yes, they are very special kids.

So anyway, I'm determined that they should learn something this year. I want them to be able to pass PMR English and write a good Year 6-level essay. I've got realistic expectations and I hope to fulfill them. So I've devised a way o deal with all the merry-making that disrupts my class and annoys the hell outta me.

Since last week, I've been getting the kids to work in groups with me. I go into class, give the rest some easy-peasy work (eg copying essays, memorising literature synopsis etc) while I work with small groups of 4 or 5. My rationale is that more learning takes place in the 10 minutes I spend with each group than in the 70 minutes if I were to address the whole class. Once I've got them pinned down in my groups, they usually cooperate and work through their lessons with me.

Anyway....KID's never been on my radar. He wasn't the worst, he wasn't the best, he wasn't noisy, he wasn't too quiet or withdrawn. He wasn't a joy nor a problem in the class.

Until today.

KID's missed school quite a coupla times - as expected of students from this class. However, yesterday, I caught him and sat him down together as my last (and solo) "group" to work with. At first, I was disdainful of him. "So, Mr Boss decided to come to school today huh?" Sarcasm, my best friend. He replied with a sheepish smile.

We worked through the tasksheet for a while. As we did, I noticed that he was unfailingly polite, but not in a overly contrived way. His manner suggested that he was an educated old man who had seen the world and knew of its hardships as well as wonders. He wanted to learn, but was not too eager or hungry for it. My sarcasm melted away completely.

It was a very strange experience for me. He replied with "wo liao jie" (I comprehend) instead of the more usual "ming bai" (I understand). He had the Mona Lisa kind of smile as he struggled with the worksheet. What do they call it? yes...enigmatic.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the period and the start of recess, I asked him if he wanted to go eat - we only had a little more left to do. He said he was fine but how about you, teacher? That was the first time a kid from his kind of class ever showed any measure of concern for me. I was of course, more than eager to spend more time working through the paper and then learning more about him.

He was quite an open person. I found out that he had elderly parents who can't work. And both he and his elder sis are bearing the costs of the household. He works two odd jobs to make ends meet and one of them is from 12am to 5am. He walks to school from his home, which is easily 5km away. And sometimes oversleeps and misses school.

I looked at this boy in wonder. He was damn skinny and tanned but he looked all strong and radiant suddenly. He was quite matter-of-fact about the whole thing. His demeanor suggested that he neither felt the need to hide or flaunt his situation.

He told me he understood the importance of education and he'd like to give it his all. He wanted to know....he wanted to know everything.

My favourite part of the lesson was when I was showing him the sentence construction patterns (SVO, SVC etc) I explained what the subject of a sentence was and what verbs do. I told him in simple sentences, subjects are usually nouns or pronouns.

The first sentence began with a human subject "I" (pronoun)

The second sentence began with another human subject "We" (pronoun)

The third, I thought he'd have a problem with, started with a noun "The river"

Imagine my "YAY" moment when he blurted out - Oh! "The river" is a noun!

Satisfaction :D His enthusiasm was just enouh to make me happy but not creep me out.

This KID was literally in my blind side - He sat in the seat where I had to twist my head around to see. I paid more attention to those who demanded it than to him - because he was just there.

I told his story to KG. And because KG and I have just watched The Blind Side (the book made me a fan of Michael Oher, the movie made me a fan of NFL), we can't help wish there'd be a fairytale ending for KID too.

Wish as I might, I know if things don't improve for KID, he'd be just another statistic who drops outta school after failing his PMR. But I'd still like to wish....and as long as he has this desire to learn - I'll help him in any way I can. Because... I see him now.

Storyteller Me

2010-01-11T18:30:00.003+08:00

Potato People and Prisoner of Zenda.

These are the two novels that I've been presenting, dissecting, translating and regurgitating to my 2nd and 3rd formers the past two years. I've almost got the lessons down pat.

I didn't really enjoy these two novels at first. In fact, though I am now able to appreciate Potato People, Prisoner of Zenda still ain't my cuppa tea ... sorry, Sir Anthony Hope.

However, as my lecturer Dr Lawrence once told me; as a teacher, I am also a salesperson. And if I want my kiddies to learn what I'm imparting - I have to be a damn good sales assistant :p

Believe me - selling novel ideas (pun! hahahaha) is hard!

Anyway, I've been putting on the storyteller hat for every literature lesson since last year. I know I probably look a damn fool when I go into character(s) - waving my arms, gesticulating wildly, making sound effects/ shrilly voices etc etc.

But....that LOOK on the students' faces.... boys and girls with mouths slightly agape, knuckles white, eyes wide... that's the look I live for. So although it's tiring and my vocal chords feel like it's being shredded and grated...

I'll continue being a storyteller :D

New Year

2010-01-08T17:51:00.002+08:00

Well, the first week has just ended and as I sit here typing this...I get the feeling that I'm procrastinating.

Yes, tomorrow is Saturday.

The day after is Sunday.

I should have two whole days of rest to recuperate from quite a hectic start. But it ain't so. I already have a pile of things to do. Most of them with deadlines in the following week.

I see similar status reports from teacher-friends all over the country. Chorus of "I can die already-lah, and it's only the first week" resound unanimously throughout cyberspace. As a student, I thought only students felt like it. As I a student, I constantly felt victimised by the school's various programs and events and special occasions.

As a teacher, I dread them even more :p

Today, in class, I admitted to a whole class of fifteen-year-olds that I'd rather be at home sleeping than in school working. This was a retort to their, "Teacher, school holidays not enough...wished it was longer. We so tired." Their ceaseless bleating both amused and irritated me. So I shared a nugget of wisdom with them :p (wah, wisdom konon)

"Holidays are never enough because human beings are naturally selfish and lazy. We are! If we could, we'd never work a day in our lives. If we could, we'd never want to deal with difficult people or situations. If we could, we would only be with people who made us feel good. But, we can't, right? It's the same for you and it's the same for me. In the end, think about it....it's for the best. It's this way that we make contributions to the world around us. I teach you English today. I get paid. You use the English I teach you to get a better job. You get paid, and feed your family"

I said this all in halting Mandarin. But they understood.

And it shut them up. More importantly, it made them think.

31/12/09

2009-12-31T14:47:00.006+08:00

Oh wow.

I know people (especially my Grandma) are fond of saying "Time flies" but I've never appreciated the phrase until now.

2009 has been a year of events and accomplishments for me. Am I glad it's over? Yea, sortof. I'm looking forward to another year of challenges ahead of me...and I'm sure there'll be plenty.

Lemme do a quick re-cap of what's happened since my last entry.

A. House

As I've previously mentioned, KG and I have bought ourselves a home at Setia Eco Gardens. It's already up and ready. Currently going though the motions for a CF.

This corner lot is not ours. But this is our type :D

We've had loads of fun running around, looking at showhouses and showrooms everywhere to get ideas for our homey home home. Now it's time for us to actually look around for concrete and feasible stuff for the abode. No more daydreaming of dark timber floors or shiny silver kitchen appliances or walk-in-wardrobes.

We've signed up for the built-in kitchen with Sliderobe. Kitchens are EXPENSIVE! Hahaha. We've also put down a deposit for a sink-in-me sofa and don't-wake-up bed. My first two major home purchases are a testimony of my ke-malasan...I know.

B. Car

Since getting my license in October, I'd been revving up to get a car of my own. So we shopped around for a bit, KG ooh-ed at some Honda models, I wtf-ed at the monthly repayments and we both compromised on a Proton Saga :D

Unhappily for KG, I was never and am not a motor vehicle aficionado- for me, cars are primarily for getting around in. So, I'm not willing to bleed through my nose for what KG calls his "dream car for now". God knows, we girls bleed too much as it is...clothes, shoes, facials, periods etc etc.

Here's my first car:

I'm not that good at driving, sadly. Mostly, I drive to school, the laundry, the shops near my place.... even then, it's kinda nerve-wrecking. I'm just taking it slow. So, if you live in JB and you see this red Saga crawlin at a snail's pace - be thankful - I'm trying not to end your life or mine.

C. Shows I've watched :D

This holidays have been great for me! I've managed to not only laze around to my hearts' content, I've also managed to catch up with my TV shows. In the year, I rarely watch TV because I don't have one. To view any of my favourite shows, I've had to stream or dload them - which kinda sux.

This hols, I've had all the time in the world sourcing for shows I've wanted to watch the whole year. Along the way, I've stumbled across some gems in Seng Chee's-Magical-HDD-Of-TVB-Serials (SM-HOTS).

I've watched:

a) Boys Over Flowers - I'd read this manga few years back but never had the urge to watch the TV production. I gotta say, this Korean one as kinda great :p Jun Pyo is funny. And Jan Di is cute as a button. have to say, I like her more than the manga character (Makino).

b) Beyond the Realm of Conscience - This TVB mega production was a feast for the eyes. I still can't fathom how women of that time put up (pun not intended) with those hairstyles. The costumes were amazing and as usual, got me interested in the royal inner-workings of Chinese dynasties. Starring Charmaine Sheh, Tavia Yeung, Moses Chan, etc etc.

c) Born Rich - A family drama with a bit of banking, infidelity and pseudo-incest thrown in. Okay, but not something I'd watch again and again. Starring Gallen Lo, Lui Leung Wai, Kenix Kwok etc etc

d) Rosy Business - A period drama with a paddy/rice theme. Was good! Loved the chemistry between the main characters, though not usually my favourites. I seriously recommend this. Starring Tang Sui Man, Lai Yiu Cheung etc etc

e) The Big Bang Theory - This is actually an American sitcom. The premise is simple, four buddies and a hot blonde neighbour. Catch is - four buddies are all genius physicists/engineers with their own idiosyncrasies. Leonard is the most normal nerd who has a mayjaah crush on hot blonde. Howard is a omnivorous, sex-crazed tiny man. Raj has a medically-recognised speech impairment - he can't talk when beautiful females are around. Sheldon is just...insane...though he begs to differ because his mother had him tested; he's my fave character. Penny's the hot blonde neighbour - she's supposed to be dumb, but I like that she's not exceptionally so. Trust the nerd in me to love this so much I'm watching 3 seasons at one go.

ALSO

a) Avatar - so-so storyline, burn-them-into-my-retinas images. Want to watch this in 3-D

b) Zombieland - FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY. Very fresh.

c) Bodyguards and Assassins - Good and thought-provoking. Made me wonder if all those characters were real?!?!?! Wikipedia-ed without much success.

D. Christmas

Christmas was short this year. Kg couldn't get off work before and I had to work right after. Had a fun-filled weekend in Kajang and that was about it. Oh Oh! We managed to squeeze in a day with the 6.1-sesampat. (Chloe's the point-one) Was awesome! Hope to do it again soon.

That's about it, I guess. Now it's back to the grind for me. Hope to have an even better year in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!!!

Apologies and Congratulations!

2009-10-16T11:04:00.003+08:00

Omg, I just re-read my previous post and realised what an idiot I was!

To put baby Anson and baby Chloe in such a negative post!

My sincerest apologies and here's something to make up for it!

Happy Birthdays darlings! *seksek*

ps: Figurine pic taken from willowtreegifts.net. I love their stuff!

I'm scared

2009-10-16T09:56:00.003+08:00

Fear is constantly in my life.

Me being the rule-book/schema/conforming sort of person....you could say I'm afraid of many many things. I worry a lot. I am pessimistic. I see the bad before the good.

Lol

Fear is part of my life - but I guess it's a not-bad thing. Fear drives me. Fear encourages me.

Fear doesn't rule me but it does kick me in the ass very, very often.

Many people give me the "oh-god-what-a-wet-blanket" look whenever I deliver my spiel on why we have to follow the rules :D I've since tried to cease this behaviour because of this epiphany:

"It's only me and no one else. Others will be fine. I won't be. So, me, myself and I shouldn't be stepping out of line. Toe it."

It's crap, I know! My brother, Dominic is the complete opposite of me. He’s a make-doer and somehow, things come true for him.

Muka poyo

My darls Hanic is another – she just jumps into the most ridiculous death-wish situations but invariably comes out unscathed.

Our younger days

It never works for me. Lol I've no scientific proof to offer, but about 20 years of living really helps put things in perspective. Plus, it swings both ways too!

***
Case One:

Back in IPBA, we used to have those dreaded Thursday 2pm assemblies that were supposed to be compulsory. Like the nerdette I was - I'd be there, every Thursday - usually sitting alone coz everyone I loved was already back in their rooms catching a snooze after a long morning of classes. I used to trudge back after the assembly thinking, "Next week, I'm going to ditch it!"

And I did! Guess what happened?

That was the one week the administration decided to take attendance!!!!! Eeeeek-ness!

*substitute the story above with compulsory sports practice.

WTH - it was like I had a built-in system that alerted the authorities "Slacker! Slacker!"

After these episodes where I jeopardized not only myself but my roomies, my darling Ain came up to me and said - "I think you better not miss today's thing - please - for us. You have to go so we can stay behind and laze." Blek. :p

Case two

Case two happened only last Saturday. My school had its annual luncheon at some restaurant downtown JB. We had also had a LDP thingy (Prof Dev course) that very morning so I was loathed to go. Besides that, I had no means of transport. Furthermore, KG and I had plans to run some important errands that arvo. I decided not to go.

Imagine my vexation when colleagues called me up to tell me that I’d missed out on quite a few large lucky draw prizes!!! I NEVER win at lucky draws! Friends have been known to ask me to sit at another table just so I don’t jinx them! Sad….

****

So yea – It’s always ‘damned if I do, damned if I don’t’ situation for me. The safest bet is to play it by the rules….guess I’ll never be the hero(ine) in any story…

However, I’m glad for my “fear” of things in some ways. It has always pushed me to do things in life. Fear of failure drove me to excel. Fear of poverty drives me to excel. Fear of cockroaches will drive me to clean my room.Today.

Lol

My Fear of The Day: Inability to have babies :S

Friends around me have been having babies of late :p

One of my oldest and darlingest friends, Sharon has just given birth to a darling girlie!

Another darling friend, Michelle has also just given birth to the cutest baby boy!

I was thinking to myself, well, I’ll need to have one soon :p I mean, I go on and on about how I’m not ready to have a baby coz the maternal instincts have not really kicked in yet. Truth be told, I still think they’re lost in the mail.

But KG and I have been discussing and planning … and a horrifying thought just occurred to us. What if God deems me an unfit mom (coz I’ve been telling everyone I can’t imagine being one for the past 6 years)??? Then, no babies for Rosalynn? Gosh – that’s scary (is that the maternal thing making its entrance?)

So many what-ifs and I’m the sort who needs to hold the answers. :S

Sigh, we’ll see what happens won’t we? Regardless, I’ll leave it in the hands of the Lord and live with it.

Whoever coined the term, “Time will tell” was a genius.

I can drive!

2009-10-15T18:06:00.003+08:00

Friends, even those who knew me quite well, would often gasp in disbelief when I said I didn't have a driving license.

In a country where most teenagers ~~bribe JPJ~~ sat for their JPJ tests as soon as they turned 16, I was a rarity – a relic – a dusty relic who couldn’t drive.

Sure, I blame a few individuals for my ridiculous handicap – but that’s not the point of today’s post. :p

Today…I’m coming out to the world and saying:

I AM LICENSED TO DRIVE!!!!

Obviously, I am quite the ecstatic-ness! However, the real trial awaits me now as I struggle with KG daily to let me drive. I understand his reluctance – my hand-eye-brain coordination has never been stellar..… And, I acknowledge the times I’ve made turns while vehicles are shuttling head-long towards me…. There was also the (roughly) 15 times I had almost crashed into a school pillar. What can I say? I’m trying! Lol

So people, pray for me as I embark on yet another life-skill-building period (the last one being learning how to cook).

Here’s to hoping I learn quick.

I'm Married

2009-10-01T16:46:00.008+08:00

Hey... I got married. Lol

While at first it didn't seem like much of a deal to me; in fact, I really only ever did it because it was like 'a thing' that I had to do...I gotta say - getting married is kinda ... crucial in a relationship.

Lemme put it this way, I'd always had this smug feeling about that fact that Kg and I have been together for almost a decade.
Heck, I was Smug-Married (ref: Bridget) even before I was married. I was thinking ... blek, getting married's no big deal.

Just ink on parchment. Ring on the finger. Nine-course dinner.

We'll be exactly how we have always been and nothing's going to change. So, let's have some fun getting dolled-up and LET'S GET A WEDDING PLANNED!

I thought it might be fun - so not true.... I quote a friend and very wise wife Alison Wong nee Benedict (with embellishments):

"Whoever (bride) said weddings are fun is either lying or delusional or needs a slap."

I couldn't agree further. Hahaha.

Though my wedding went alright - and I've even heard adjectives like beautiful, memorable and amazing (probably from people who didn't have to witness my freak-out-face) - it was not the most fun thing to do on a weekend.

(edit: I initially posted a long list of gripes abt my wedding, but I'd deleted it because of the following:)

Nevertheless - I'd have to agree that, in the end, it was beautiful, it was memorable and it was amazing - no thanks to me (the freakazoid bride) but to all our beautiful family and friends.

I don't think I really need to say this, but my family was awesome during the whole day. Everyone put up with my craziness and crankiness and it was very touching to hear accounts of tears happening during the (Mom) tea ceremony and (Aunt Helen) wedding Mass. (What can I say - I like making ppl cry). I love you all!

I also adored that most of my closest friends made it for the day.

The Enam Sesampat, of course wasn't complete without AussieDi (*tear) but with Sharon's Chloe and Cliff making up for it - 'twas okay. The SMCK Four was also lacking one member - but Soke Hwooe darls ... I totally understand, so kisses n hugs anyway. Muaks muaks to all you lau peng yous!

The IPBA-rians who made made my day! From Sabah to Kuantan to Perlis.... I so so so loved you all for making it! Double gratitude to those who came so early for the bridal pick-up and stayed till the day after! Of course, this includes the awesome lecturers whom I really wanted to be there to see the KG of my many tales and yarns.

And of course - all those friends I'd picked up along my lifetime (so far) who were there... it totally warmed my heart to see all those faces beaming at me :D

Here's me beaming back!

This is one of my favest pics since I decided that I HAD TO make Sha take a pic of me in a seatbelt.

I hope everyone had fun. Though the wedding was a pain to plan for - the actual bits of it were really funny. KG and I both slipping up our lines saying our vows in church.... KG and our macho-est friends being forced into the un-macho-est challenges.... My not-very-flying-high champagne pop.... I laughed myself crazy re-watching these parts!

So thank you God, thank you family and thank you friends who made the most stressful event in my life into such a joyous one. KG and I couldn't have made it without you all :D

MUAKS EVERYONE

Teachers' Welfare?

2009-09-10T18:55:00.006+08:00

If I had to sum up what I think other people think of teachers; I'd say no one likes them.

Of course, the word 'like' here to much of a generalisation and I'm sure in many other places (Teacher Utopia, for example) teachers are revered and loved.

I fully understand how some students don't like us coz of we have to do for their own good - good medicine always taste bad. I understand how some parents think the worst of us; whenever their children are found to be in trouble, it's always the teacher's fault.

Nonetheless, I am deeply hurt by the fact that even our employers, both on the administrative and managing and ministerial level don't SEEM to "sek sek" us.

Today, an announcement was made that the teachers from my school would be no longer afforded temporary leave from school using time slips (even government ones are not allowed). This is different from MCs. From what I understod of it;

- if you needed to go for a check-up, if you were pregnant and needed those two-hour monthly scans, go see a doctor on your own time (outside school hours).

- This is fine...but knowing government hospitals and clinics, what if they gave you a morning appointment? The school's answer was: Take a Cuti Rehat Khas....

- Don't be fooled by the name. Every govt teacher is only given 7 CRKs a year. These must be applied for in a weeks' advance and the school reserves the right to know what, where and under what circumstances you need it for. As I was very strictly warned during the KISSM course, CRKs are a privilege, not a right. I've had mine rejected several times. I was also told that "Urusan Keluarga' would no longer be accepted as a valid reason. Privacy mean anything to you??? I guess not.

- But I digress. So yes, imagine if you'd taken a few CRKs early in the year for weddings or festivals or driving tests or (whateverla). Then your kid falls sick several times (and kids seem to fall sick a lot) and you take a few more to bring them to the clinic in the morning. A whole lot of unplanned events later (death of relatives, for example), you discover you're preggers and have been given a morning appointment at the local district hospital. You've used up the CRKs but you really need to go. What do you do?

- The solution is: Take a no-pay leave. Even if it's just to nip out to the doctor's for 2 hours and when it doesn't disrupt your classes. Sigh

I was aghast at this. The announcement reeks of the administration's suspicion of teachers. I thought time slips are a pretty valid way of saying "I really had to be away for just a couple of hours. Sorry, but I'm back to teach now". Now this announcement tells me they don't even trust that.

I'm wondering...do they have meetings where the thesis statement is: "Teachers are lying to us and makan gaji buta - what can we do to foil their evil? Welfare? What welfare?"

After a lot of simmering and swearing at the no-good higher-ups who came out with this order; I decided to go take a look at the pekeliling (official govt memo) myself.

I was surprised to see that they weren't too unfeeling after all. It says on the document that the Ketua Jabatan/ Principal reserves the right to carry this as they see fit. As long as 'time-slips' aren't made to be an automatic pass for teachers to miss school, principals can allow such temporary absences at their discretion.

So, I drew the conclusion that either:

a) whoever made the announcement at my school didn't read and understand the doc clearly...

or

b) my school's managerial level harbour a need to quell any forms of anomaly at our school and they want to make sure that the teachers conform to as rigid a set of rules as possible. I feel suffocated already.

Says a lot about my school huh?

The thing is - I'm a pretty dedicated teacher, my colleagues are the same. I don't think any of us seriously abuse this time slip thing. Do they need to push us so far by questioning everything we do and denying us of even considering the "at your discretion" part?

This shows me there's a serious mistrust issue and certainly, not much faith in us teachers.

If you don't trust me, I don't trust you too. *sad*

note: I really hope to be proven wrong and that it is a big misunderstanding. I have never taken a time-slip leave but I feel hurt to the core anyway because this comes along with a whole series of "you-can't-dos" and "you-must-dos" just recently.

Rick Bayless

2009-09-09T16:38:00.004+08:00

It's a ('a', not 'the') busy time of the year for me.

My kiddies are sitting for their PMR and believe me, I'm more nervous about it than they are.

It's strange that the past couple of weeks have been a breeze to teach. All of them look like their finally buckling down and going at it. The once annoying and interrupting ones have all calmed down and seem to be focusing hard.

As sadistic as I may sound, I do believe I enjoy watching them squint with furrowed brows and sweat bullets more than the sanguine, buoyant and (mistakenly) confident selves. I am not sure why, but many of them have mentioned they'd adopted the "I'll-cross-the-bridge-when-I-come-to-it" or "It'll-work-out-for-the-best" attitudes prior to this.

This puzzles me, have they not heard of "Susah-susah dahulu, senang-senang kemudian"???

Lol. So, yes, I love it that they are a lot more serious and a little more anxious. Essay every period? No problem. Grammar drills for an hour straight? Bring it on! Literature quiz? *Spits on hands* Oh yeah!

However, as the year draws to a close (2 months more), I'm also reflecting on myself as a teacher. What have I been doing for the past year? Have I grown? What have I learnt?

Well, in retrospect, everything's clear and easy. I see now so many things that I could have done differently - but did not have the time nor energy to carry out. I could have included more lessons like the 1+2 choral speaking and diaroma project. More downloaded YouTube clips which were entertaining and could be made educational (e.g MJ, Hollie Steel, Boyle). More carefully planned and scaffolded writing lessons.

Some things I learnt accidentally. I was really exhausted some time ago with a variety of pies with my fingers in them. I won't go into details, but the pies gave me diabetes. As a result, I got really behind in my book-marking. And as teachers know, no books = no work can be given. Of course, I could ask them to use another book, but that'd just be more books that I won't have time to mark - vicious cycle.

Anyway, I decided to implement a temporary carrot-cookie system for my Form 2 class until I got my work back on track. I'd spend 3 periods each week doing hardcore work (writing or grammar plus Lit). Then, I'd take 2 periods for 'fun' activities - this could be poetry reading with sound effects (I love, love this!), Monopoly (IN ENGLISH ONLY), Master of Malaysia (something like Malaysianised Jeopardy) or anything at all, as long they were doing it in English. It worked great for me! And I enjoyed seeing how they gained confidence in their language use.

Obviously, it wasn't a 100% success. I had a couple of slackers who seemed even more unenthusiastic than normal...but cest la vie. I can show the horse to the water, but I can't make it drink.

This brings me to my Post Title. I was inspired today after watching an episode of Top Chef Masters. It was the last epi of the season, really. Another chef has stolen my heart; Rick Bayless. He's a boyish-looking chef, who's pretty much considered the Master of Mexican cooking in NAmerica. In the finals of this series, I watched him take on three unfamiliar chefs as sous chefs and mentored them in their cooking as he steered the ship. I have to admit, my managing style is more like Michael's (who was criticised as being too dictator-like). Hubert Keller too, was a stellar mentor in the kitchen. they were both like grandfather's I'd love to have! lol

I know I blew my top more than a few times in the past year. Nevertheless, I hope that with time, my temper mellows out. I hope to achieve a more serene outlook in life and work. Bayless was trusting of his sous chefs; confident in them...faith. I think I need a wee bit more faith in my kiddies too. That small bit of his personality- as a teacher/chef- is truly motivating.

Driving home :D

2009-09-02T14:13:00.003+08:00

People who know me know I can't drive.

I've been on the receiving end of many a head-shakes, sighs and indulgent pats, "Aiyooo, still cannot drive ar?"

Needless to say, I've been feeling like the 40-yr-old spinster; misjudged and misunderstood. C'mon, some people just don't like to drive, okay? I'm one of them! Lol

However, I CANNOT deny that it's a necessity nowadays, what with all the commitments we've got to put up with.

Therefore, about three weeks ago, I started driving lessons. *gasp* Funnily enough, it's been more than 10 years since my dad first put me behind the steering wheel (I was so bad that he gave up after 1 hour and never mentioned me driving again until about 2 years ago).

The 'chicken-hand-duck-leg' saying couldn't have described me more aptly. Nevertheless, I'm persevering.

So, here I am, 2.17pm, waiting for the instructor to come pick me up. I am looking forward a little to the lesson.

Here's hoping that I don't bang anything in my 7th hour of driving lessons!

:D

Wahhhh! Konon la small steps!

2009-08-17T15:16:00.003+08:00

WRAURGHUARGH!

Kononla I would be blogging shorter but more regularly !

The last time I put anything here was about 2 months ago! The shame!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways; updates for self and everyone else who might be interested:

WEDDING:

1. Wedding is about a month away.

2. Number of guests have not been finalised.

3. Wedding attire has been selected.

HOME

1. Made my first mega-major purchase in life (even before a car)

2. It's a double-storey terrace at Setia Eco Gardens, JB.

3. Currently going crazy over furnishing and reno issues though the house will only be done early next year. No money :(

4. Check it out : http://www.spsetia.com.my/setia_eco_garden/

5. It's called Visellia 1.

WORK

1. Still kinda busy since PMR is around the corner.

2. Like everyone else, can't wait for hols :p

MISCELLANEOUS___________(FB-inspired posts)________________

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will always stick with you.

1. Happy Together
2. Matrix
3. Moulin Rouge
4. Chungking Express
5. The Mummy Returns
6. Red Cliff
7. Spirited Away
8. Almost Famous
9. Schindler's List
10. Transformers
11. Infernal Affairs
12. Young and Dangerous
13. It
14. Sound of Music
15. Breakfast at Tiffany's

SLOGANIZE ME (Ciplake-ed off FB :p)

1. What do you say to yourself every morning?
EVERY ROSALYNN HELPS

2. What do you want other people to say about you?
LET YOUR ROSALYNN DO THE WALKING

3. Someone asked you out, your answer is...
tHIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER'S ROSALYNN

4. How would you answer a booty call?
MELTS IN YOUR ROSALYNN, NOT IN YOUR HAND

5. How would you introduce yourself to someone you really like?
SUPER ROSALYNN IS ALMOST HERE

6. To someone you dislike?
COME TO LIFE, COME TO ROSALYNN

7. You're in a conversation and you suddenly feel the need to pee, how would you excuse yourself?
THE ROSALYNN OF CONFIDENCE

8. Your parents ask you why you got home late, you say...
THE ROSALYNN EFFECT

9. You're failing a subject, you say.
THE ROSALYNN BARS ARE ON ME

10. The love of your life asks you to marry him/her, what do you say?
ROSALYNN KEEPS GOING AND GOING

11. Your bf/gf is breaking up with you, you tell him/her...
IT'S THAT ROSALYNN FEELING

12. Someone told you you're an asshole, you tell them...
I FEEL LIKE ROSALYNN TONIGHT

13. What are the best words to describe you?
IT'S THE ROSALYNN FISS THAT DOES THE BIZZ

14. If you're going to have a movie about your life, the title is...
IS ROSALYNN IN YOU?

15. Your last words before you die...
NOTHING COMES BETWEEN ME AND MY ROSALYNN

16. Your message to a special someone..
GIVE THAT MAN A ROSALYNN

17. Title of this post will be...
COME FLY THE FRIENDLY ROSALYNN

I have another problem....Twilight Saga......

2009-06-13T00:22:00.004+08:00

There's no explanation for this....

I've read and re-read the entire Twilight Saga (all four plus the Midnight Sun thingy) about 4/5 times now.

This begs the question 'Why?". I feel it's because of my obsession with vampires and the Cullen family :p Click here for my previous post on Twilight to see why.

So anyway, I've always found Dr Carlisle very attractive in my mind - even before watching the show. And I guess Peter Facinelli, who plays him in the movie, is pretty good-looking as well.

Imagine my surprise when I checked out this new raved-about series, Nurse Jackie, and found that the kind, smart, dependable and blond Dr Cullen is now an irresponsible, boob-grabbing, brunette Dr Cooper! Hahaha - it was cute! And he looks so young! Compare.....

As Dr Cullen - Image taken from Twilightpoint.com

As Dr Cooper (sortof anyway) - Image taken from (http://keluargamary.wordpress.com/)

So yea....That's it, I guess. I just cudn't help myself :p

I think I may have a problem....Hols are coming to an end.

2009-06-12T22:40:00.005+08:00

The past coupla weeks have swooshed by quickly enough....I was looking forward to this mid-sem hols sooooo much!

Although school-work was still on the back-burners, in fact, I was in school two whole days this week, I knew I was going to have some 'me' time as well. I managed to go back to Kajang for some wedding preparations:

Did the restaurant tasting thing - was superb. Hopefully the quality will remain for the actual dinner.
Met up with Father William to confirm wedding Mass.
Met up with my Godma to get baptism extract.
Finalising guest list.

Anyways, it was all good. Kean Ghee and I also managed to catch up with Yong and the now-expectant mother, Sharon Lee :D. We had a great mamak session. KG and I also went to IKEA! and met the darling Iris we'd been hearing about.

I also had a look at my parents' house, which is currently under extensive reno. Wow! My home of 20-over years is not only going for a face-lift. It's nipped, tucked and has many, many transplants! Can't wait to see it when it's done.

When we came back to Skudai, it was time for me to face the music, so to speak. The mound of monotonous exam papers seemed to glower at me from the corner of my room where I'd determinedly chucked it before I left for Kajang a few days earlier. I tip-toed around it the entire Monday while I worked on a module for PPD (which was more urgent).

On Tuesday I went to school. I needed to hand the module to my school's office so that it could be sent out - also I needed to contact someone with regards to some issues with the module. I decided I might as well stay in school to mark my papers - I desperately needed to finish them anyway.

I ended up staying in school till 5++ and I realised how much I loved being at my desk without anyone else around! LOL Unfortunately, I had some trouble with the module and had to come back to school later in the week.

This is how my cubicle looks like - though nowadays it's much neater :p And more colourful too, after Teacher's Day :p

Then we met up with Doreen and Eesha on Tuesday night as well. They were here for the MELTA Conf - which I wished I could attend (and help Ina out a lil as well) but I knew I had a lot more school work that would require my undivided attention.

Wednesday came and went - I spent the whole day with Doreen and Eesha and got to meet up with some of our lecturers as well as IPBA-rians who were also attending the conference. Managed to help them pack the goody-bags :) I love assembly line work.

Yesterday I was back in school and have finally finished most of my work.

I was so so mad at myself tho! I completed like more than half of my Action Research and............. I really don't know what happened....I saved it and when I re-opened it, two whole pages were gone!!!!!! I was/am so de-motivated I just can't go on.

Today, I just stayed at home and keyed in my marks. I also did an analysis of my kiddies' performance so I can compile the marksheets faster on Monday. Hopefully there won't be long line of teachers haggling for a spot at the SAP portal :p.

Oh Monday ..... Please slow down time .....

OMG - Thanks Sawi! - Polyvore Pusher

2009-05-20T00:25:00.003+08:00

Find me on Polyvore

I don't fancy myself as a fashionista of any sort - but I like fashion as much as the femme next door. It's innate - c'mon, even the Drover's Wife read some fashion-y/trendy journal in the middle of the outback desert, right?

Anyway, I'd been admiring Sawi's Polyvore posts - not knowing what they were. Then I ter'click' (hmm, do I need an 'ed' after 'click'?) the link and gdm - a whole new world was open to me! Hahaha - what a way to spend my insomnia!

School Days - A monochrome mix of sorts. I wished we could wear stuff like this to work! The dress is a structured yet comfy. Neckline's great for bending over without revealing bits of self.

(Both pairs of) Shoes are commandingly efficient for height needed to deal with growth-spurting kids. And the buckles scream "I will whoop yer ass with a maple switch if you don't do as I say!"

Bags are necessarily cavernous for teaching paraphernalia though the white will soon be stained by red pen marks and such...sigh.

Mug for despo-coffee and perhaps owl on mug will impart some of its wisdom I seek. Glasses needed to see talent and potential clearly. Hairband's for pushing back fringe when marking books. Clock for keeping time and reaching datelines. Brolly for rainy and overly sunny days.

The one coloured item here would be the Tiffany's box. Why? Because I was thinking of Audrey Hepburn as I threw these stuff together. Diane and I were just talking about her over dinner. And let's face it darls - you can't have Audrey without the Tiffany's box.

I'll read this again when I'm fifty.

2009-05-13T18:31:00.004+08:00

Dear Rosalynn,

It's mid-May'09. The days are hot and will continue to be till Sept, according to the experts anyway. You have been working hard at school - putting it all out there. You feel happier this year as an educator - you quite frequently walk away from a class knowing that you've taught the kiddies something. Many times you pause, with your red pen waving in front of your face to make that next correction, and sigh a mini-sigh of contentment.

Extra curricular activities have also been a huge feature since Jan. You've trained a platoon of Police Cadets and they've done so well and done you proud. Many of them are vastly different from the whiny, emo, attention-seeking kids from last year. You've also managed to gather 4 awesome spellers under your wings and helped them with their SIR competition. They didn't win, but you're convinced it was just nerves, technicalities and the word 'rhizome' that did 'em in.

The higher-ups have made you KP because they need someone and they thought you'd be up for the job. You relish the opportunity to learn but abhor the workload. Also, you feel very old when a newbie teacher (as opposed to your meagre 1.5 yrs of exp) calls you 'Kak' when they ask for your signature. Since your school wants to win the Cluster School award, and it's already in the finals, documentation-work means your ugly scrawl is everywhere on the panel files. You need a better signature - you know it when people say, "Err, not initial la, sign properly."

You've been taking medication for stress. It's perfectly legal and it's doing things to your body. It's called food. It's awesome and it's making you fatter. Like your friend, Pn Tan tells you - "that's dangerous". So you try to counter all those comfort-calories by throwing yourself into all sorts of physical activities. For a while, it was marching. Then, it was volleyball. Volleyball's still on - every Thursday, in fact, but you suck. Unfortunately, all that lunging and throwing yourself around isn't doing much. I guess it's true what they tell you - in your late-20s, you put on weight even if you only breathe. You freak out because it's only 4 months more till the wedding.

Ahh, the wedding. Many things need doing, but you are confident that they will get done. Meanwhile, you are praying that you'll remember that hymn you dreamt about (for the sacrament) just the other night. Also, you hope the bank account balance will balance right after all the wedding costs. Thankfully, the groom's been perfect :)

House-hunting's still a major part of your itinerary every free weekend - there hasn't been many. You've combed through so many housing developments in Jb that you fear the salespeople will know you by name soon. You freak out because it seems jinxed. Everytime you love a house- it's sold out. And the prices for homes keep on escalating. You think you may have to settle soon - not for second or third best, but for far, far, far less.

You have many, many dreams and the part that scares you most is that they don't involve going back to uni. You want to do that next degree - but you fear that it won't be done out of love- perhaps just for career advancement or other opportunities. And you can't bear to let your family down.

You make many plans with the love of your life. You wonder if you'll manage to fulfill any of them. You wonder if you'll make enough money to go eating and traveling around the world like you both want to. You both want a dream home to go home to. Then a-wake-up call last night tells you that those things aren't the most important in your life right now. You should enjoy living life the way you want to.

Enjoy your job.

Find fun in watching shows like Top Chef and No Reservations.

Waste time on Wikipedia - finding out crazy nuggets of info like - lobsters can potentially live forever because they don't age! WTF!

Treat yourself to fine food (ie Ginanni's) when you want to relax and romance each other.

Play games - even when it's Scrabble and you know you'll whoop his ass. Or play badminton - especially when you know he'll whoop yours!

Spend 5-10 minutes every night lying on the bed and draw rainbows, build castles, fly kites, whatever you call it and fall asleep without even knowing that you did.

You're tired but happy. You hope it stays this way for a while.

Small Steps

2009-05-13T18:19:00.002+08:00

The title has nothing to do with the other bits of my life -

it's referring to my efforts on this weblog of mine. I'm taking small steps at a time.

Yea - same ol same ol - work, friends, weekends, family, wedding plans....

Many people have chastised me for not updating and I feel guilty for neglecting it. I started this blog because I'm pretty random *erm* in my head...most else, I'm just by-the-book. So I thought, I should have a blog to record all my thoughts so I can read about them well into my nineties; if the Internet isn't superceded by something else by then.

Also, I'm one of those terribly terribly narcissistic people and thus actually enjoy reading about themselves! Yessiree!

Anyway, this next post is dedicated to myself.

Random random

2009-03-09T12:56:00.003+08:00

I was just browsing through my own blog and realised the lack of pictures here.

How sad.

Well, the thing is, the camera has been kinda out of the action for a while now and we take most pics using KG's phone. I'm not the kind to capture everything on bytes, but when I checked, KG obviously have - so here's a few to share with you guys!

Sharon's ultra-cute Alfie!

Kean Ghee in a hospital gown - very demure! Lol, this was right before they gassed and molested his most *ahem* delicate parts.

Oooooh, my fave lunch dish at the moment : Lui Cha - a Hakka dish literally called "Thunder Tea" - it's good!

Okay, before I go further, lemme just say I used to detest Crocs - the operative words here being "used to". I still cringe at the original design but I absolutely adore my grey mary-jane-like ones! Unparalleled comfort, cushion and compatibility with every bit of my busy lifestyle. I wear it to work (yes, with the Doggy, Pirate and Heart), to shops, to the markets...everywhere everywhere everywhere!

Heeeheeeheee - guess what this is!?
It's actually a ball of KG's hair - it's so stiff it's like a bale of hay! Or, or, you know...the mythical Japanese creature made of ash...or was it dust?

KG and I at some juice bar at Taman Sutera. The chair is humongous....

KG's idea of a joke....

:p I wasn't allowed to take any pics of myself during the photoshoot, not even on my phone. So this was all I managed - a ultra-lightning-paced snapshot of myself. Off-focused of course and looking slightly weird...but thankfully, still quite myself :p

It's been raining. 25 Random things.

2009-03-06T16:01:00.005+08:00

For all of you who have asked about the pre-wedding photoshoot, here's the brief report:

25 Random Things about the PhotoShoot

KG and I started at 10am and finished at abt 9.30pm.
We had McMuffins for brekkie and a FilletOFish each for lunch (They were bought as an afterthought and proved to be a wise wise decision)
I had 6 constumes - three white, wedding gowns (Grecian, Vic and Modern) and three evening gowns (BlacknWhite,Gold,Orangy-flowery).
I was barefoot most of the time.
KG had difficulty smiling most of the time.
We kissed more in that one day than we usually do in...two.
The hair setting process was PAINFUL to the max. I really felt like Sayuri (Memoirs of a Geisha) when her hair got waxed for the first time.
I cried a little when my hair felt like it was being yanked out for the 4th time. Eric, the makeup/hairstylist patted my shoulder, rubbed my head and told me to suck it up :p
The makeup was great and not as harsh as some people told me it would be.
We had the outdoor photo shoot in the rain - it was cold, wet and uncomfy. I was kinda disappointed because I preferred outdoor photos.
KG and I got our own dressers - meaning there was actually someone who helped you stuff your fats and appendages in all the right places. It was intimate.
I went to the toilet every time I had a costume change in case I wouldn't have another chance...I don't know why I felt that way.
The girl (me) gets shot more than the guys (KG) ...more by a mile.
The make-up guy, Eric, exchanged one of my gowns for a more beautiful one when the first wouldn't hold my boobs up after alteration.
I only had two touch-ups throughout the day - one before I went outdoors and a second time when we came back. I didn't sweat much thanks to the weather.
I thought I'd lost my Xixili bra in the dressing room until I asked for it and they located it in the another part of the shop.
The makeup looked like candy to me......so many types of so many types of so many types.
The accessories wall was a dream! So many types of so many types of so many types.
I loved how the photographer would let me "preview" the pics on his camera - so far, I liked what I saw.
I had a bad-model moment; when the PG made me do the "oh-I'm-fainting-pose". The sky looked spectacular though :p
The make-up was easy to remove.
The hair was a nightmare to sort-out.
KG had to snap his lenses out of the frames because they reflected (even with the anti reflection coating).
The dressing and makeup room was at the back of the shop on the ground floor. The shooting area was upstairs. I think I advertised well for the place by running to and fro - especially when more than a few prospective mothers of brides/sisters of bride/brides gave me approving smiles as I tried to "float" past.
I don't think I will voluntarily do this again - too exhausting.

We're supposed to go back in a month's time to check the photos out. According to my makeup artist, the outdoor pics were beautiful and my face was gorgeous - according to me, he was just biased cause really, he made my face. Will let you guys know when we know.

Also,

It's been a strange week of highs and lows.

I've been tired out, wrung out, stretched to my very limits. This is the week I had the wedding photoshoot, Kadet Polis Kawad Comp, SAP due date, Mesy Panitia BI Daerah and MSSSD - all of which were mysteriously weaved (last minute) into my daily tangled mess of lessons and PLBS.

But I've also caught myself smiling sheepishly to myself for no reason and finding a sense of ....dare I say it? Happiness.

I found myself counting my blessings.
I found myself having the energy and willingness to help out.
I found time to enjoy and enrich myself.

I guess it was on Tuesday when it happened. I was just settling down at my desk; back from a 7 period day. I dropped my head down - it was paperwork time.

My fingers shuffled papers, shoot! Another papercut on my right forefinger!
I put away some books that had been marked and eyeballed the teetering towering stack of PLBS files - all a uniform shade of lime popsicle.

I squinted at my own badly scrawled to-do list for the week, tore it down from my notice board and ticked a few items off.

It was about at that moment; between my ticking and re-tacking the list to the board. I confounded myself by smiling. It struck me then; I was doing something for a living. This was my life now. I guess it was that moment that made me realise that I wasn't a uni-grad playing the role of teacher anymore. I was a teacher!

This was my life now; setting lessons, filling in forms, chasing after the portable LCD projector, seeking the elusive keys to rooms even more difficult to enter than the Room of Requirement. Scolding kids, thundering at them, caning them and feeling them wither under my gaze. Then, in the same day, having the same kids apologizing, snickering and joking with me.

A life bound tightly to the various Akta, Pekeliling and Arahan PPDee, JPEn, KPEm.

A life where it's expected that you stand under the rain without an umbrella or jacket because you can't abandon your wards. Where it's expected that you work even when you're at home - otherwise you're not dedicated enough.

But also, a life of long stretches of holidays (though we get called back sometimes), a life where the word monotony does NOT exist and also a life of sweet nothings from the innocent kiddies who don't know how to lie effectively. :p

So, yea, I smiled and thought to myself, "This is my life and I kinda...like it. Though a break would be nice :)"

My Love for Food

2009-02-21T10:55:00.008+08:00

RANT SECTION:

It's been a stressful week.

Amidst the heaps of exam papers to mark and submit on Monday, the paperwork needed for the Police Kadet's upcoming competition and camps, the Sukantara, the Acara Sukan Sebelum Sukan, Hari Sukan, Merentas Desa, tutoring sessions, PIBG meetings PLUS my pre-wedding photoshoot next week;

I'm dying, really.

Nevertheles, let's move on.

It's Saturday morning and thank God, I've finally got some time to myself. I woke up at 8am to start marking my papers - have gone through about 60% of them. Time for a quick rest - which I'm using to blog. Blogging's now a treat...something I use to reward myself, coz I have almost no other opportunities to use the English Language except for correcting essays :p.

Another treat I've been allowing myself is reality TV *shamefaced*

I've never been a huge fan of entertainment-based reality TV (e.g American Idol, AF) or the adventure type (ARace, Survivor), but I absolutely adore anything related to food and fashion!!!

I've been indulging in Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef of late and I love them :p

In fact, while watching the entire season of Hell's Kitchen, I found myself craving fresh scallops (for almost 3 weeks)!!!! I finally caved in and went to Gianni's for dinner last Friday. It was the eve of Valentine's and since I had to work on V-day, KG and I had a great dinner on Friday.

I had the scallops rissoto - it was marvelous! I mean, I'm not usually a big fan of risotto (sticky, short-grain rice....), but I loved the way Gianni's had it - almost congee-like in texture and super, super, super flavourful.

(Note: Btw, I don't really think risotto is supposed to be like congee and I think there was too much liquid in mine; but I loved it!)

The scallops were amazing - about 8 large ones - cooked and seasoned perfectly. I savoured every mouthful and it was regrettable when I realised that it was a special on the menu, meaning it may not be there the next time....darn!

Gianni's is my favourite-st restaurant in Johore at the moment. I'll do a full-post about it when I have the time. Suffice to say, it has never disappointed me....yet :p

Yea....ummm, back Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef. I think I've fallen in love with a couple of the chefs I've discovered on the show. *shining eyes*

Chef #1

Eric Ripert

He's the 43-year old French chef at Le Benardin, a 3-starred establishment in New York. He's tanned, silver-haired and best of all, he looks like a very handsome vampire. Sigh....

Also, the main reason for my admiration - he's an awesome teacher. No shouting, no 'losing it', constructive criticism and great cooking tips. If you don't believe me, please check this out: http://aveceric.com/ .... go to the 'Videos' section for his very cute "Get Toasted" cooking-vids.

He oozes patience and ....and.... ke'terrer'an from every pore. Hahaha lame, but I really don't have the words to describe my awe for this guy. Btw, he's got really nice knives.

Chef # 2

Vikas Khanna

This man looks like a Bollywood star! In Kitchen Nightmares by Gordon Ramsay (also a great, tough as nails, court-martial-ling C-H-E-F), Vikas came on to help revive an ailing Indian restaurant in New York. Ramsay told him, at one point, "You're too damned good-looking to be a chef, yes?" Ahh, Chef Ramsay appreciates yumminess no matter the gender :)

If you take a look at his credentials on Wikipedia - this man is like a a potential Nobel-prize winner .... for whatever category .... He cooks! He's a philanthropist! He has grace, manners and humility! He is an activist! Yo.....

Do regard this quote:

"Disability is the inability to see ability."

Ahhhh, such sage-like wisdom from this face:

(Btw, he looks much better in the show - and he looks like a 25 yr-old when he's actually 37).

Okay, I need to go work now :p

Datin Speaks (Recount of an Interview)

2009-02-13T18:23:00.006+08:00

The past coupla days have been the most nerve-wrecking ones I've been through in quite a long time.

Most people know me as the ultra-schematic person when it comes to ....well, almost everything!

So, when I found myself not preparing much for this very important interview*, I freaked out - at approximately 8.30pm last night. I mean, I didn't even bloody know what the Agong's name was (I only know he's from Terengganu and he's quite good-looking)! So sorry, Tuanku! Sigh, so much to learn!

*Note - Confirmation Interview for the DG41 band.

So anyway, after exhausting myself out and annoying KG no end with my incessant wails of worries, I hit the sack and had a deep, dreamless sleep.

I woke up this morning super-psyched and KG drove me to the interview place. I was the first to arrive at the place and it was a good thing. Because I was there early, the administrator could afford some time to go through my documents with me. She helped me arrange everything and even filled in some forms for me. (The later interviewees had to do their own).

It was very helpful to have someone take you by the hand and give you tips (psst, Kalau boleh, jangan bawa beg." "Ketuk pintu sebelum masuk" "Kalau nak bawa beg juga, letak di atas kerusi sebelah tu" and so on).

Oh, and as she was filling in my forms - I saw that my Pengetua had given be a cool 96% in my school-based assessment. *Happy happy happy*

So...on to the interview itself and the reason for the title of this post.

My interviewer was a Datin. Given the stereotyping of Datins (and I really don't need to say more on this), I was slightly nervous before entering the room. The only Datin I'd ever spoken to is Sawittri :) Furthermore, I was the FIRST in, so I had no reference points and no tips.

Everything changed the moment she started to speak. This lady staring at me from head to toe was a nice, dignified, articulate and very well-informed PRINCIPAL of a school. Basically, it meas that she KNOWS about what goes on in schools. Here're the questions she asked and my answers (super-summarized):

1. What's the KBSM? - (I hadn't read it up, but I had a good idea - keyword: Integration)

2. What can you do to implement it(KBSM) in class? (I referred to a recent project-based module I did with my class, incorporating Geographical and Moral elements in a English lesson)

3. What do you understand from the term - "Kematangan Emosi" - as a teacher? (I explained what I could from two aspects; dealing with students and dealing with other teachers and administrators).

4. Talk about your school. (Socioeconomic demographics, achievements, problems)

At this point, she initiated a discussion about problems we as teachers face in schools. She talked about language barriers, challenges of the Remove classes and the like. Then, she segued smoothly into the next question:

5. In the PIPP, there's this bit about "Jurang Pendidikan". What're your views on it in relation to your school? (I talked about my experience with the diverse range of students we have in school and picked on the few points that was relevant to my situation).

She nodded and cut into my answer with her own thoughts which prompted me to reply. This exchange went on for a little while until she looked down and saw her (I presume) list of questions. She said, "Okay, sekarang saya nak bertanya pasal berita di muka hadapan suratkhabar pagi ini."

I went, "OH SHOOT!!!!" in my mind.

Then she said, "Ia berkenaan suatu pergaduhan antara pelajar di Klang di mana pelajar itu saling bertikam".

6. What do you have to say about this piece of news? Relate it to your experience in school. (I breathed a huge sigh of relief and answered the question the best I could. I used some of my experiences and observations in the past one and a half years and drew upon some of the challenges I faced as a discipline teacher - we *bonded* over being ex-Convent-ians for a split second as we discussed ribbons :p).

7. Okay, I have no more questions, but I want to know; Where do you see yourself in five years' time? (Wahhhhh, I WASN'T expecting this AT ALL! But I had an answer for her - from the bottom of my heart.)

After hearing me out, she simply smiled and said kindly, "Thank you and all the best."

So yea, my interview took all of 15 minutes - short huh? Though when I recounted it to KG, it seemed so much longer. I'm not sure how it went - I answered everything, but I'm not sure if they were the answers she wanted.

Let's pray for the best, people!

PHEWWWWWWWWWWWW

Glynn and the Magical Elf

2009-02-03T20:23:00.004+08:00

Hi all, just felt like sharing this inane convo btw Kean Ghee (my fiance) and Glynn (my sister), held behind my back:

Rosalynn says:

ello... i am an elf