Clarke Quay Meidi-ya

Supposed to meet a friend at Clarke Quay for dinner but last minute he had work to complete urgently so I decided to walk around on my own. Went to Liang Court and took my time looking through the Kinokuniya books and stationery. Went to Meidi-ya next and the photo above shows my "战利品"...=)

Retail therapy

Thursday
Got a lift from Raizal after work to White sands as I needed to get something from Popular. In the end, got more than I expected. Wanted to get some stationery from Popular but only managed to get my blue ink pad and correction fluid there. Went to Mini toons and got a disney cutie Chip hand puppet for $7.90. There's a party store and I managed to find Chinese New Year cards there. They also sell the star stickers so got 2 packets (220 pieces) in case I don't have time to look for it next time. There was an iora sale at the 1st level so I got 2 blouse and 1 skirt for $61. Felt so hungry as it was way past my normal dinner time. Bought some snacks frm Old Chang Kee before taking bus 88 home.

Saturday
Went for the 18 degree project meeting at Geylang Methodist Primary School. Took a cab from Hougang Central as not too sure how to get there and it was raining. Was the first to reach there and waited till 9am before the other teachers started coming in. Breakfast was fried noodles and beehoon. Tried this Japanese rice tea which was quite special and nice. Kept the packaging so I can go look for it in Isetan or some Japanese supermarket. Saw a cute carebear tee worn by one of the teachers and asked where did she get it. Told me it was from Bugis street and it costs $10 (3 for $30). Decided to go check it out after the meeting as it's still too early to head to Plaza Sg for piano. Saw alot of nice clothes and cannot resist from buying...haha...shopping queen is back in action. Think I'm too stressed lately so retail therapy is a definite relief. The first item was a wrap skirt $17 with a coconut husk buckle. Chanced upon this shop at one of the "lonelier" lanes and was surprised to find very nice dresses for very reasonable prices. The lady boss is closing her shop on March 15 as her lease will end and she finds that the business is not earning money. Hence alot of her nice clothes and accessories are going at almost cost price. In the end, I got 2 dresses, 1 necklace, 1 small sling khaki bag and a black belt for $55. She was very nice and helpful. Even letting me try on some tops she normally won't allow customers to. Really a pity that she is closing her shop soon. Walked around and found another nice shop with classy dresses and blouse. Found a half-coat that is grey and has a flattering design. Went to the ATM to withdraw money. Problem with shops in Bugis street is that most of them don't accept NETS so have to find ATM machine. Tried to locate the shop again but turned into the wrong lane and I forgot to take note of the shop name or unit number, so was trapped in the human jam. Can hardly move and was really hot and stuffy. Finally managed to break free from the crowd and turned into the correct lane. The shop assistant borrowed another neighbour's shih tzu puppy which was 5 months old. The puppy was really cute and obedient. Couldn't resist and asked if i can stroke its fur. The shop assistant agreed and even asked if I want to carry the puppy. I told her frankly I've never carried a dog before and she taught me how to do it. The puppy was really soft and nice to hug. The puppy looked sleepy so decided to let it go back to the small shelf. However, the shop assistant told me the puppy won't sleep inside there as it's too hot. The puppy prefers sleeping on the glass counter. Within a few minutes of lying down on it, the puppy fell asleep. Kept stroking its fur to make it comfortable before I decided it's time to go. Went to the second level of Bugis street to find the carebear t-shirt shop. Managed to locate it but the sales girl was not around. Had to wait for a while before she came back. Got 1 blue carebear tee, 1 grey papa smurf tee and 1 doll tee. Spotted this pair of pointed toe flats going for $12.90. It resembles the style of this grey and pink pumps I have so I chose the dark green pair. After all these shopping, I don't have time to drop by Far East Plaza as I need to go for piano lesson. Walked to Far East but the stamp shop has closed for the weekend. They actually close by 5pm on Sat and don't open till Monday. Went to the second-hand book store and bought 2 books for $13. Finally headed home around 7pm with tired feet...

Nice fashion websites

The following websites have some new and nice clothing & accessories...however, the items are quite pricey as it's either in USD or in £ (UK pounds)...

• http://wetseal.com/home.jsp
• http://www.asos.com/
• http://www.forever21.com/

Can take a look and get ideas for similar design pieces to be discovered in Singapore.

Le Grand Chef

( Photo from the official website)

Was contacted by a friend's friend through frienster and decided to meet up for dinner and movie. Met up at AMK Hub and went to Fish & Co. for dinner. Tried the black pepper stingray with chips (sweet & sour sauce) and it was quite nice. Not too spicy. Went for the 730pm korean movie "Le Grand Chef". Caught the trailer once, knowing that it's about cooking and love story but didn't expect it to be so emotional...

Most of the movie was quite funny and there are typical korean scene in parts of the movie. Some of the storyline was quite predicatable but overall, think it's a heartwarming movie where good triumps over evil. I also like the way they film it, showing different frames during the competitions and having flashbacks of the different characters' past. Think will get the vcd when it's out cos it made me cry and laugh within the 113minutes of the movie. Related websites:

* http://sg.movies.yahoo.com/Le+Grand+Chef/movie/14497/

* http://www.festivefilms.com/

* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135972/

Special mozzie

Notice that the whole mosquito is red? It's not like it turned red due to sucking someone's blood...it's naturally red...mutant mosquito? Hmm.....

18 degree project

Met my colleagues at Kovan MRT pick up point as Mrs Chow offered to drive us to the meeting place (Geylang Methodist Primary School). We (Mrs Chow, Baoqin, Mrs Cher) were the earliest there and had to wait for the teachers to set up their things.

There was a presentation about what they did in 2007 and also sharing of the job scope of the 2 main teams, the writing and research team. As Weifeng (NIE classmate) is in the writing team and think it's more creative option, decided to join this team while only Mrs Chow who's good in IT joined the research team. Really glad to have this chance to take part in this project as it's meaningful and can get ideas to teach creatively.

The meeting ended by 12+pm and Mrs Chow gave a lift back to Kovan MRT where I took the train to Dhoby Ghaut and walked to Far East from there. Didn't feel hungry as during the meeting, they prepared Mcdonald's breakfast. Hence, just ate Yami yoghurt..they had Mango flavor so decided to try it...it's not too sour or sweet and has a nice faint yellow color. =)

Bought a Mango cream skirt for work as it's 70% off ($29) and also got Mum's birthday gift (a japanese design hp pouch) at Centrepoint. Made 2 pre-inked stamps at durachops in Far East and will collect them next sat. Bought some hair accessories and also a ribbon ring (can't seem to find the one i got a few months back...it's the same design, same color $3.90) from Livia before heading back to Plaza Sg for my piano lesson.

Belated 2007 bday gift

Met up with Jiahui after work at Tampines for dinner. Had a good time chatting and went shopping around Century Square and Tampines Mall. She finally remembered that she have yet to give me a birthday gift last year but frankly, I think it doesn't matter since it's a already a few months back...The gift was nicely wrapped in a teddybear box and in it was a cute soft toy pig holding on to a bun (hp accessory) and also a bubblegum card holder. Thanks Jiahui for the sweet gift. Appreciate your thought and effort =)

As it's friday, have to lug sch's laptop and work to complete over the weekend. Quite tired on my way back but it was worth the trouble.

Little Miraclers' Reunion

Arranged to meet Colin outside Bishan Salvation Army to share a cab to Zam zam prata shop at Arab street for our gathering...

It's been 3 years since we last saw each other and am really glad to catch up with those who went (Colin, Nora, Ruqi, Hafiizh, Juliana, Sazali, Rosman and Siti). Really enjoyed reminiscing abt our days in Surin and also learning abt what everyone is doing in their lives right now.

The food was good and the company great...waiting for more photos frm this gathering to be up on our yahoogrp.

Planning for a December trip to Malacca (Saz's place), hopefully more people frm the team can make it. =)

YEP Little Miracles' Website: http://www.geocities.com/yeplittlemiracles/main.html

Insomnia

Must be wondering why I'm blogging at this hour...feel tired but didn't managed to sleep...don't understand why as i didn't drink tea or coffee...actually they don't really have effect on me...record was 8 cups of coffee in a night at a international buffet restaurant in Taipei years ago. Only Pepsi or Coke can keep me awake but i didn't drink any of that either...sigh...hence, decided to come online to check out some stuff. Think i'm joining back the singapore panda club soon...#_#

Fond memories of Little Miracles in Thailand

Confirmation of Appointment

Met the VP in the general office and he asked me to see both the P and him on Friday as there's a letter for me from MOE. P was quite busy and I had to teach so it was only around 5+pm that I got to speak to them. One of my P2 girl delayed me from seeing them as she peed in her seat and i have to attend to her first. Luckily, this happened just before their recess so I could get the rest of her classmates to leave the class, thereby reducing the embaressment for her and getting the cleaner to help with the mess.

Was having a headache the whole day till 3+pm, think it's due to lack of sleep these few days as I worked till wee hours and really have no idea what they wanted to see me about. Was asked by the P how I feel abt the sch for the past year, and frankly I've grown quite attached to the sch as the staff are quite nice. Received feedback about my performance and was told that they have decided to confirm my appointment. Mrs Chow (my mentor) has been quite concerned abt my confirmation so I sent her an sms to share the good news when I was on my way home.

I was actually quite curious why Mrs Chow was so worried and kept asking me to find a chance to approach my HOD to ask abt my confirmation. This came to light on Saturday as she called me and she mentioned that she heard another senior teacher from my practicum bad-mouthing me to my HOD before. She even put in a good word for me saying that after 1 year, people will change and improve so that my HOD will not fully believe what that senior teacher says. Mrs Chow also reminded me to send an email to inform Mdm Sim (ex-VP) as she believes that Mdm Sim's report after observing my lesson was a great influence on my confirmation.

Really grateful to meet 贵人 and will bear in mind the feedbacks given so that I can improve professionally.

豆干包

First time I try this traditional teochew dish...really love it...more info can be found at this website:

http://www.lotour.com/snapshot/2007-9-12/snapshot_90582_2.shtml

SYN Bash

Was invited for the event as I am in the YEP leaders email loop and figure it's my chance to check out DXO X2 (besides Esplanade).

The Guest of Honor was Mr Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Chairman for National Youth Council. He gave a short speech and a dance group, the Proteges started the SYN Appreciation and Networking Party. They were really good as they danced to songs of different eras.

Next was a buffet dinner but since I've eaten at home, just took the drinks. There was a portrait artist and I was quite amazed when I saw how he drew. He held two markers and could draw a portrait rather quickly. Requested him to draw my portrait, though he was fast but didn't really look like me...haha...kept myself occupied by observing the people and I saw a crew ( bar waiter) asking one of the girls for her number while serving drinks. It's the first time I see this happening as i don't frequent the club scene and normally hear it on tv shows. It was quite funny seeing it live in action...haha

Think the MC spotted that I was rather alone and when it came down to stage games, he arrowed me to join...it was just a lame game of rock, water, bird but got to know some people. The second game was a modified version of musical chairs with 5 people in a team (3 teams) and they have to finish the drink in the shortest time to win. Luckily I played the first, cos it's not that easy to down a drink, especially a fizzy one fast.

The Proteges came on stage for the next dance item and they are really good hip hop dancers. A live band, the sexies came up next. The female singer looks quite pretty and has a big voice but think they need more experience in performing as I feel that their banter was more than the music...Left during their last song and collected the door gift of a photoframe.

Feel quite old at the event, cos those I spoke to are JC people or in the army...sigh...but it was an eye-opener. =)

Sch reopens...

Teaching P1,2 and 4 this year...quite glad to see some of my 2007 p1 students in my p2 class. As the p4 are using new syllabus this year so got to come up with the Scheme of Work and new spelling list. Worked well into the wee hrs although I'm quite tired but at last can email my HOD for approval.

2008 Resolutions

Actually I'm not one who normally makes resolutions but this year I've got a couple to make and will make sure I stick to it...

1) To lose weight by June so that I can fit into my prom gown and look nice at fen's wedding. ;) (Aim: 48~50kg)

2) To improve on my classroom management skills.

3) To conduct interesting lessons for my kids to enjoy learning Chinese.

Felt babies ushers in the new 2008!

Here are my "masterpieces"...=P