Al's Clambake

How did the Credit Crisis come about?

2009-04-06T16:07:00.000+08:00

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Die Another Day

2008-12-28T13:56:00.016+08:00

The important song that gets me through most days in school.
I mean, the song says it all, as in
I shall die another day, just not today. >.<

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3TX4YARlro

Fixing A Broken Heart - Indecent Obsession & Mari Hamada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1FraVYS_Dw

In the Arms of an Angel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZHrbjhwKik

Solitaire - Clay Aiken
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezewktwS-KI

All I ask of You - Phantom of the Opera
The song I nearly chose for her to walk down the aisle with
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2GuK0kshNo

Can't Fight the Moonlight - LeAnn Rimes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjMGtb3MDWo
Can't Fight the Moonlight - LeAnn Rimes (Acoustic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmdR1wcq8x4

But I do love you - LeAnn Rimes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmfls25wVrg

Joanna

2008-12-28T13:42:00.004+08:00

Song of my favourite girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok9iqm3_HPs

2008-11-29T15:42:00.007+08:00

Ah. the song that stood out most prominently in the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5tbgUPBIxI

Hello by David Cook

2008-11-29T15:35:00.001+08:00

Nice. So emo.

Guitar Works

2008-09-06T12:40:00.003+08:00

Was introduced this video from a friend. His hammering technique is really well practiced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8&feature=email

Found this rendition of the Hit the Road Jack refreshing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-TxDAVP08o&feature=related

Thanx

2008-08-30T13:31:00.002+08:00

Thank you one and all you nice ppl who came back yesterday.
Thank you for the presents and the psuedo 'ferrari' and cards and wishes.

Really glad to see that most of u are shooting up. Keep it going, be taller than me.

Well see if we can have a dec hols bbq party. ><

Nutty MTV

2008-08-30T13:26:00.003+08:00

Just chance upon this wacky MTV on youtube. These guys are nuts.
roflol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI

CA is over

2008-08-22T08:37:00.003+08:00

Finally CA is over.

I don't know my son's results but well let's just say that it is done.
Will have to work harder for the final one.

Work will be slightly lighter from now on. With all the activities slowing down for Teacher's Day, Children's Day, PSLE, PSLE Marking, SA2.

My class 2H has been interesting. They are receptive and teachable and all that ... hmmm ...
Let's just say that I still prefer to teach the upper levels.

Wow. SA1 is coming

2008-04-24T15:28:00.003+08:00

How time flies. It's like coming the end of Term 2!!!

It seems like just yesterday that I'd sent 6F 2007 off. And do I miss them - v. nice & fun bunch.

And now my son has been in the school for 16 weeks!

Oh well, I shall have to spend more time with Khai for SA1, from this weekend

I have been doing the game DOMO for 2 months now. Man it rox.
I love the 3D effects, and the fact that we can just change job classes in the instant. I suppose I will be there for a while.

Don't think I will return to Maple, unless Khai wants me to play with him, or maybe there's a 6F guild meeting. lol

Maybe they should organise another 6F 2007 class BBQ in June hols 2008?
I mean I coordinated the last one, but they organised it. *grinn*

Easter Invite

2008-03-06T11:15:00.006+08:00

Dear all,

Easter is round the corner.

And I would like to invite all who comes to my blog to attend Easter service with me in City Harvest Church. (In Expo Hall 1). Why am I issuing the invitation? I am for this year, it is a good big production.

All includes, my dearly missed ex-pupils and friends and visitors to this site.

Service Details
22 Mar - 3 pm AND 5.30pm
23 Mar - 10 am AND 12.30 pm

Please let me know if you can or cannot come, when you visit the site, TIA.
(See the poster for details)

you may tag, or email me
mrchongjh@yahoo.com

Cya.
Cheers

A New Year

2008-03-06T10:56:00.002+08:00

It's been a while since I'd posted. Many had happened and will continue to happen.

School
P2 is actually quite busy. The amount of work that's needed to be done is quite comparable to P4 and P5.
I glad that am doing alright, but only because I somehow had the cow sense to push things forward and re-prioritize the work schedule and SOW.
But the dual post thinggy really sucks. That really added to the stuff to do.

Home
Well Khai is coping with school quite well. He finally got the 4 tones of HYPY, at 75% accuracy. Will have to work harder. His handwriting has improved greatly. And he is enjoying school. That I think is a great comfort, and I am v thankful. Amen.

The past 6-7 weeks had been interesting. Just 2 weeks before CNY, I developed a cough, just because a student coughed in my face, by accident. But this bug was so strong that it lasted 6 weeks. 1 week before CNY, I lost my voice. And for 4 weeks I sounded like sandpaper. Quite sexy, I was told.
Just then my whole family was down with various degrees of seriousness of cough. My wife was hit the worst of the 4 of them. I felt so bad.

Church
Well, I am really enjoying church (CHC). as when I did 11 years ago when I first joined but left. But returned just under 2 years back. There's a lot of people who are on fire for God there. Talk about going the extra mile to serve. I am humbled and want to learn how to serve with the same passion as they did and still do.

Me.
I am thankful and happy, still happy after the daily grinds of life. I have my God, my dear wife, my good kids, my hobby job, my good church and many family and friends who are on my side. What more can a guy ask for?

Recap 2007 & Thanksgivings

2007-12-30T10:31:00.000+08:00

2007 started when with a backdrop of heartache, inconvenience, anguish, fear, hope and adrenaline rushes. In November 2006, my daughter, Shiyr, had just had the worst escalator accident in the country where she lost her right big toe. We had spent the whole November and December holidays trying to piece her, my wife's, Khai's and my lives back together. Sessions with the doctors and counselors were frequent affairs. Questions from all walks of life, especially from my school kids, parents and colleagues were sounded non-stop from all kinds of communication channels. I was made to re-live the scenes again and again until I was kind of numbed and calloused, actually it was quite therapeutic. And I did Primary 6, which is the one of the busiest level to teach.

In March we sold our unit in Sembawang and moved to Toa Payoh in late April. That too added to our stress level, as we had quite a tight schedule to fit into. I have to salute my wife who did much of the work of packing and unpacking and on top of that jugging with 3 young kids.

In the loom, God was there holding our hands, as we place our feet, one at a time, on the stepping stones He'd provided, usually 1 or a few steps ahead. There're so many thanksgiving items: 1. He'd had amazingly provided, one of the best orthopedic pediatric doctor in the country to oversee Shiyr; 2. He had provided one great housing agent for our unit, who is experienced, decisive, sharp and was asking my mom to go to church with her; 3. He'd helped us find good and cheap childcare programmes for Khen and Shiyr, which they both love to go to; 4. He helped us find good and cheap movers for our move to Toa Payoh, man were they good and fast and only at $500 for 90 over boxes!

At Sembawang we'd been finding a CG that our kids can come to and not disturb the CG meeting too much, but to no avail. And in Toa Payoh we found N268, Am so glad to find and CG that we can come as a family, and not feel bad that I have disturbed the meeting due my children, for they are occupied elsewhere just about 10 metres away from me. I want to thank God for his providence and for the CG in welcoming us, and for Kelvin who has endured much of our presence.

Just before the pledge of Arise and Build '07, my mom had a mild stroke. I and thankful for her speedy recovery, though she will never be as fast as she was prior to the stroke, but she is recovering very well. Then just before I decided to give my first 10% of the amount for A&B, Khen fell and split his lower left lip. Man, was I more than a bit upset. Last year, after we pledge the amount, and given the seed amount, Shiyr had her accident. This year's Khen. Then right after I gave some more, Khai had an accident that split 3 cm of his lower jaw. Well, I am either doing something very right or very wrong, and we are choosing to believe that the devil is really upset with our giving!

Just the Sunday before Christmas, Khen, Shiyr and Khai all developed fever one after another, with Khen and Shiyr having ulcers on their tongues. It's so painful to watch them say 'ow' and pointing inside their months. Only Khai is spared the ulcers. I am thankful that the ulcers are gone just this morning, and that they are starting to slowly eat.

The hugest thanksgiving that I have this year will be that my wife is slowly having her flame for God rekindled. 6 months in the Church and CG and I can see a difference – Passion which I have not seen for a while of being with her. Spiritually, she is growing stronger as she is well fed, within her I am seeing the flame grow, slowly, but I am seeing it growing. Ah, don't we all need that 1 touch from the Holy Ghost.

As 2007 comes to a close, I am thankful that all the physical injuries that my family had were healed well and/or continuing to heal. Much prayer and tears were poured, and I am so glad that God answers prayers.

2008, The backdrop

2007-12-30T10:10:00.000+08:00

I returned to school on the 28th of December 2007 for our AGM. All was normal, still I approached it with much apprehension and uncertainty.

I knew I was going to fell shaky but didn't know it affected me that much. Me eldest son is coming in as a Primary 1 student this 2008. I requested to go down to the Primary 2 level to somehow hold his hand for at least a year. I am a lot more comfortable teaching the upper primary levels, at least from P3 onwards, but now I am stuck with only P1s and P2s. It's another learning curve for me. Which reminds me of a song from honk - "What's the joy of motherhood (fatherhood)?"

Well they announced that I will be the level coordinator for P2 in 2008, which is well and fine. But the 2 arrow came my way when it was announced that I am going to be the English Representative for the P2 level as well. That is bad. Usually only 1 person will hold 1 post not two. And in 2008 we have 3 individuals who are doing this dual post, without extra pay! Sigh. I asked whenever I had the chanced that day if it was a mistake but apparently not. They are short of man-power. Sigh. Ya right. Shortage of man-power in a school staff strength of 120? You gotta be kidding me. Talking about whipping the willing horse. What to do, "all man are equal but some are more equal than the others. Four legs good, two legs bad."

PSLE Results

2007-11-23T14:03:00.000+08:00

Finally oh finally the day for PSLE Release of Results.
Well my class didn't do too well. About 10-15 T score lesser than my expectation. Still it's the best that they got. So will be thankful.

Some were happy, some expected the results and some were upset. Well brave on people, this is only the first exams. Try to find out ways to get into the school of your choice. be it through CCA or some sport or something. Don't give up. And do fill up al the 6 options in the form. For then they should give you from one of your list.

OPA

2007-11-23T13:59:00.000+08:00

The day finally arrived for OPA. Most turned up for it. We had the usual. The IT music was fine, of course must see who's in-charge of the sound. Said the goodbyes. and did the goodbyes. with photos and stuff
Sigh. Sending off another batch, and gotta let them go. Will miss them. Ah ... the bitter-sweet part of teaching Primary 6.

Waterworks. Chapter 2

2007-11-23T13:24:00.000+08:00

My class requested that I bring them back to waterworks. The girls especially wanted 'revenge', and the boys don't mind being wet. So after the BBQ Trip, I asked M if we can go. And she replied certainly. So I jumped onto the bandwagon with 7 other P6 classes and got the approval to go out during school hours to waterworks science centre. The rest of the classes went to watch a movie. 1 class went to Sentosa I think

But I sortta regretted the moment I sent out the consent forms.

Few issues.
1. I was the PA ic for the OPA and the PGD.

On top of that I am to set up the IT music hardware.
We tried to set up but to my horror, 5 of the 6 cables were missing. I panicked. Searched high and low for them but couldn't find them. The cables are needed to connect the 4 PCs to the console, console to the output channel and the stage speakers for the IT music performers. Talk about MIA. The 'saviour' for the day was Mr Chay. He is the slow and steady cool guy. He said that he could custom-make the 5 cables by the day after. And managed to fixed up 2 on the spot. Talk about the handy man at hand.

The other help I had was Mr Salleh and Mr Stanley Soh. They were in charge of the Logistics. On Tuesday, he, on my instructions, plugged out the cables from the 4 PCs in the IT Music Lab and transported them down to the school hall. He then set the PCs up on the designated venue with the wires and stuff. I only had to bring the console and the stage speakers. Talk about help. Tuesday is, or rather now was, my busiest day, So I had to go to my classes while they setup for me. I discussed with Salleh and he agreed to tell Mr Foo the OM to lock up the School Hall due to the presence of the PCs and the other 'mobile but expensive gadgets'.
Wednesday came and Mdm Yap came in the morning to tell me the news. That they couldn't find the set-up PCs, and Mrs Lee, the IT music instructor was there with the pupils to help do a rehearsal on stage with the sound, that was at 0720 hrs. I hunted for Salleh and found him at last at about 0740. He told me that he wanted to err on the side of caution and kept the PCs under lock and key. So I requested that he set them up asap for the instructor was there, and he left to do the job. When I returned at about 1220 hrs, I was told that all was set up and went on fine. I sure hope that Mdm Yap is not too upset with the dragging and the ding dongs of procedues and instructions. Talk about much ado about OPA and PGD.

2. Forgot to ask for parent helpers.

I forgot to request for parent helpers, only managed to get help at the last minute - Mrs Tay. But that's not enough for a class of 44. MOE's regulations is 1 adults to 20 pupils. If not the insurance can don't cover the payment, if anything goes wrong. On that day, only 38 turned up. so I was very relieved to have 38 pupils on the bus with 1 parent helper. Phew

3. I need to redo the labelling to the cupboards on the Science Lab Prep Room

M then wanted to redo the labelling on the outside of the cupboards of the Science Lab Prep Room, she wants the labels to be outside the cupboards. So I need to re-account for the things in there and print out labels for it and paste the labels outside of the cupboards. Sigh.

4. Need to do a presentation on our Batam trip.

I needed to do a presentation during Contact Time 2 about the Batam Trip that 10 teachers with their families went during the National Day holiday(s) period. So I actually spent much of the morning selecting, sorting, and sequencing the photos for the event. Oh well.

But seeing the smiles on their faces and the fun that they had that day, I think it was worth it. :)

Posting Exercise

2007-11-23T13:17:00.000+08:00

I am now trapped in the office waiting for students with parents to come to submit the option form. What a boring job. Whole morning only 1 customer. Now until now since I started at 12 only 3 customers. Sigh. Wait wait wait.

Well it's better than being busy busy busy two years ago...

BBQ continue?

2007-11-23T12:52:00.000+08:00

Talk about a long dinner break.

We took loads of photos. At least Michael's mom did.
My Wife and kiddos joined us at about 1830 hrs. I know my kids had fun with my class.
6F took care of them very well. up and down the slides, feeding them junk food (which is fine by me), talking to them, getting them a drink. Talk about a caring class.

After dinner, we packed up (to the annoyance to many of them, lol) and returned to school. Michael's family was going to stay for the night.

Talk about pleasant memories. I will really miss this class.

Class BBQ

2007-11-14T18:42:00.002+08:00

Wow. It's been a while that I'd blogged.

The Class BBQ went very well. We do have loads to be thankful for.

The weather was excellent. It drizzled in the morn but stopped by 0900hrs.
So when it was evening, it was cool, yet dry.

The Bungalow that was booked was requested for last minute.
But somehow Mr Tay (Michael's dad) managed to book it for someone else gave it up when he arrived. Talk about miracles.

The 4 heads did excellent jobs.

Set up was great. The food was too much, but great. And the Game IC was excellent. We had tonnes of fun.

The Bungalow was the staff bungalow set on a hill overlooking NTU, next the Presidential Suite. It has, if I remember correctly, 3 rooms, 7 beds and 3 toilets. The whole bungalow is about the average size of a petrol kiosk. There were 2 stone chairs, overlooking the sunset scene, 1 children's playground, 1 swing chair, 3 BBQ pits ...

When we got there, we prepared for the day. The Set up, Food and Games teams did their jobs. It's only about 1500 that the game started.

We had wacko, monkey see monkey do, birds of a feather flock together, water bomb quiz. That was quite a bit of activitives for 2 hours

For food we had too much variety. We had, chicken thigh, wings, sausages, stingray, satay, marshmallows, watermelon, guava etc.

Loads of stuff.
Going for dinner at Botak Jones now. Will update later?

Class BBq.

2007-11-14T18:42:00.001+08:00

Class BBQ is on the 7th Nov 2007

2007-10-25T22:29:00.000+08:00

Brought 6F to the music room today. Kindda gave some structure to the BBQ trip.

Grouped them into 5 groups

Project Manager : Michael
Assistant Mgrs: Russell and Herman
Main job, Budget. Sub job, ensure that the various department talk to one another and the plans works.

Food: Leader - > Daniel.
Members: Shuan Meng, Guang Liang, Jing Han, William, Sean, Eugene

Games and Entainment: Leader --> Caleb
Members: Zhi Rong, Gina, Ed Ng, Gabriel, Jia Wu, Chiew Ling, Yi Kai, Chloe, Sau Ching, Fiona, Grace , Sasha

Set up: Leader -> Emilia
Members: Gina, Gerald, George, Wei Ting, Yvonne, Michelle, Jia Ling, Jasmine, Yong Xiang

Pack Up: Leader -> Yi Hui
Members: Everyone else.

I think it is a good learning experience for them
--> To plan, organize and coordinate the main portions of a party.

Pretty decent programmes and stuff was surfaced.
I am eager to see the results.

NEWater and Science Centre Water works.

2007-10-24T20:42:00.000+08:00

Went on a trip with 6F to the Science Centre and the NEWater plant this morn.

The NEWater was quite nice, just not enough toilets on the outside or rather can't find one, but the facade and the ambiance was great. With fountains and ... air conditioned exhibition or lecture halls.

The Water works at the Science Centre was fun. By the end of the session, 38 out of 42 pupils were drenched even the socks . Some girls were smart to take off their skirts, and went with their shorts before they got wetter. But man were they wild. Splashing water everywhere and at anybody, waiting for the tank to be filled and thus spill onto the floor etc. Will see if I can post some pics next time.

The only complains is that there were not enough time and loads of travel time on the bus.
Still ,we can't have everything.

Physiotherapy Trouble

2007-10-24T20:29:00.000+08:00

Mom was discharged from TTSH on Monday. I was supposed to pick her up. So I rescheduled my appointments so that I can be there at the agreed time, 5 pm. at 4.30pm she called up and told me that her friend is with her and she wants to come out. I was in the middle of a meeting and so I couldn't talk too long. So I instructed her to get all the necessary documents and instructions before she left for home. And she agreed

At about 5 my wife came to pick me up and we went to have dinner.

It was later that I found out that she was sent home without a referral letter for physiotherapy, or another appointment for the doc!!!. i mean she can't even walk properly!!!

Today I just brought her to the Polyclinic to see the doc and see what he can do. He referred us to level 3 where there is a day care for the elderly, with physiotherapy. Not physiotherapy only! i mean why she want a day care when she just got out of the working "prison" (retired) not too long ago.

So we went back to the doc and he wrote a letter for a physiotherapy at ttsh. And the earliest appointment date is 13 nov. I mean that's like in 3 weeks time.!! So I got fedup and called TTSH Ward 10A to yell. And finally after much ding dong, we got a physiotherapy session appointment next week 31 october. Sigh. Talk about much to do about an appointment.

Discharged

2007-10-23T17:48:00.000+08:00

Mom was finally discharged yesterday. She said she is a lot better, and am eager to start to cook dinner tonight. (Tuesday nights we go to her home for dinner). Aww man. Talk about active elderly who can't put it down. Finally told her that I am doing dinner tonight. Sigh. What to do, my mom what.

Then today I am suppose to bring her to the Polyclinic to see the doc. And when I called her to get ready, she said that it was tomorrow!!! Sigh. And she was right for I missed the 3 letters "tmr" on the message that my sister sent me.

So went back to school to clear some more work. Did the remarks for 6F, and gave it to Maria. Let's hope that she will give it an all clear and I can get it out of my list of thing to be done.

Recovering

2007-10-21T15:09:00.000+08:00

Man was I concerned about mom's condition.
Turned out, it was a mild stroke.
After the medication, she said she is feeling good as new,
and ready to go cheong again. Wah kao!!!
60 plus already still want to cheong.
oh well, as long as she is fit enough, she should know,
and there's are people around her to take care of her,
I suppose it's ok.

Still will be praying non-stop especially if she is overseas now.

Stroke

2007-10-19T22:42:00.000+08:00

Just received news that mom had a mild stroke. Man was I worried.
So after dinner we, Jo and I went to TTSH to see her.
She is sortta ok. Was smsing on her phone.
Will be going into the theatre for a MRI scan.
So will have to wait for the scan and the results.

Am rather worried, I mean, who won't be.
Still will trust that she is in God's loving hands.
Pray for her speedy recovery.

Promotion

2007-10-19T17:33:00.000+08:00

After 5.5 years of waiting, I finally got promoted to the next bar in the salary scale. Yea!!!

Well the next bar will be another half a decade?
hopefully sooner but I somehow don't think so.
They don't give me a D grade can already. Hee :)

I am thankful. That this comes 2.5 years earlier. Yea Sq. !!

Last Day of PSLE Marking.

2007-10-19T17:27:00.000+08:00

Man it is finally here -- the day that I have been waiting for -- The end of PSLE Marking.
It was so tiring, just sitting on my butt the whole day and mark stuff that I don't totally agree as correct or wrong. Arghh...

Well at least next week we will be back in school.
Hmmm.. wondering how the class is doing. Bored stiff???
Probably having cobwebs on their hair already.

Next week's we're gonna be back with non-stop activities.
Little India trip, Baking classes, Science Centre, and what have we ...
I thought it was going be non-stop idle till OPA?!!! Still I am not the boss.
They will decide on the programmes.

Needles

2007-08-05T10:46:00.000+08:00

This is a late post. Taken when my class was taking the BCG injection. The girls were a bit shy so I only took clear shots of the guys. I think this was in Term 3 week 2 2007 on a Wednesday.

Finally Prelim 1 is over

2007-08-05T10:06:00.000+08:00

Man, am I glad that Prelim 1 is over.
I can now take a few more relax whistles from my usual sighs.

The pupils didn't do too well. I suppose the school's paper is relatively tough.
Still many of them threw marks away due to sheer silliness - not reading the question properly; not answering the questions; not memorizing some standard answers which was decreed by me to be memorized a few centuries ago ... and the list goes on. Talk about having the brains but no wisdom. I can warn til the cows come home but it will be ignored. 'Stars are bright, though the brightest fell', Ah well, life of a teacher. I am more worried for them than they are for themselves.

Engulfed in the gloom, there are some who are really working and are not showing results. My heart goes out to them the most. I do hope that their grades will reflect the amount of effort and sweat and blood poured into the exams.

Hard-pressed for time

2007-07-19T15:09:00.000+08:00

I have forgotten how much time, sweat, effort teaching P6 can be. With the piles of Worksheets, TYS (actually only 3 yrs), syllabus, SOW, and the other stuff (number of meetings, vettings, setting of papers) that a teacher is required to do. I am shoulder deep in a sea of paper, with loads of other commitment awaiting my attention. Ok there's the bell, gotta go again.

Finally, we have moved to TPY

2007-04-30T09:04:00.000+08:00

After months of planning, purchasing, packing, we have finally moved to TPY Lor 7 on the 24042007. It was a time of testing as I have to juggle: preparing my school kids for the exams; complete the SOW; Follow the Exam timetable for the Non-IP stuff; Vetting of Paper and; setting of my own paper; complete tonnes of marking; packing; sorting; throwing; and still spend some time with my kids. Sigh...

The movers were really pro. They are called Professional Movers and they lived up to their name. They knock on our door at 0655 in the morning and just move the boxes out like clock work. We completed most of the boxes in 45 mins!!! I was so impressed with them that I called up the boss to want to compliment them for a job well done. But couldn't get him. Oh well...

The sad part of it was that my wife has got to return to clear up Sembawang for the hand over. Poor girl. Wished I had done a better job planning.

The renovation works was not completed yet so the house is still dusty and has bits and pieces of stuff from the reno. We are still in the process of unpacking and sorting out the boxes. But it is coming together. I just hope that my kitchen will be completed soon so that I can unpack the stuff for it. Now my dining area is filled with boxes so that the contractor can do his work with the kitchen. I want my kitchen!!! Boo boo...

My contractor's name is Albert Chua. He is ok. Very down to earth guy. Very guy guy. Though I had wished he need not so many reminders to complete stuff. I suppose he is really busy too.

OK. Gotta get back to work...

Long time no post

2007-04-19T20:02:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since I posted. Much has happened since then. I did the all that I needed to for this term except the paper, which is due tomorrow! Sigh. will probably cook something up tomorrow, for I already have some idea of what I wanted to do. Now is just to do it. The pre-assy was so stressful. Man! On the first one, while talking halfway, she walked in and I was so stress that I totally blank out! I didn't know what I was blabbing about for the last 5 mins. Sheesh. talk about aura and presence.

The end of the hols.

2007-03-18T23:10:00.000+08:00

Time flies, it's the first week of term 2 already. I am definitely not ready for school. Things I have got to do this first 2-3 weeks.

1. Finishing setting my Exam paper 2007
2. Finish LP for LO
3. Finish LP for Slink
4. Finish Ppt for 4 Pre-assembly.
5. Complete 2-3 Maths topics, and 1 Sc topic

I feel like a deflated tyre. Need to another holiday to recover from this holiday. Sigh...

Wed 14032007

2007-03-18T23:06:00.000+08:00

Too busy to type but want this as an update for me. So Copied my wife's work. Hee.

Jo wrote...

Pretty busy day for us...

Morning - decluttering the kids' hanging stuff... the difference is so painfully obvious. The two younger ones have loads of clothes (Khen's are hand me downs) while Khai has much less (most of which were bought for CNY this year). Really have to get him some shorts and more shirts/t-shirts. Probably after we move. Poor guy!

Afternoon - met up with our old contractor. We like the work he did on our present house and so have called him again. We've sorted out what we'd like done. He's gonna come back with a quote *shudder* He has also given us a better understanding of the time frame needed to get the work done. I'm glad cos now we can arrange the schedule with more confidence. Still everything is really tight. I pray all goes smoothly!

- then marinated stuff for the BBQ tomorrow night

Early evening - Tampines Ikea... looked at Billy bookcases, kids' beds, storage solutions and kitchen stuff. The two older kids spent a fun hour in the playarea.

Late evening - Pan Pacific Presidential Suite - a friend of ours got a complimentary suite stay. When they checked in this afternoon, they got upgraded FOC to the P. Suite... so glad they invited us over. The view of Shenton Way was fantastic. The bathroom was bigger than my bedroom. Just a "wow" experience. The kids had a fun hour playing on the bed with the two bolsters. It was really good to catch up with them too.

I'm pooped right not. Have just hung a load of laundry, packed the clothes for tomorrow's chalet and am now typing this quick update.

Wanted to add...
things we've thrown so far

2 bookshelves
1 old iron
5 empty product boxes (dunno why we kept them)
misc stuff

Packed

6 NTUC bags of clothes (age 2 and below)
5 NTUC bags of clothers (2-3 yrs)
4 big black trash bags of clothes to be given/thrown away
1 big box of toys
6 boxes of books

The house is getting neater by the day! LOL!

Packing 1

2007-03-13T16:09:00.000+08:00

Hmm... This hols will be mainly on packing. I did 2/3 nof my books on Sat and Sun. Today, We ditched the kiddos and packed the storeroom. Which was a major mess. And after 5 and 1/2 hours of work, I think we are half way to being ready to move. Will want to complete 80% of the packing this hols. At least that's one of the main goals this hols. Wife is looking less stress. Poor woman. Must assure her that we as a team are effective, be it in clearing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual stuff. Packed up about 6 boxes today. So in total we have about 12 so far. Well about 12 or 20 more to go, depends on what we wanna bring ad keep. Miss the kiddos though... Will hug and kiss them when I see them later.

Just pulled a stop in the class cbox

2007-03-12T23:48:00.000+08:00

Two pupils in my form class created a class blog respectively. And man the cboxes were flooded with nonsense that's nasty, vulgar and rotten. I just pulled a stop on it as I don't want to visit class blogs that's filled with rubbish. Kids will be kids, and I am more amused than anything, but, call it the teacher instinct or the fun spoiler, but I better do the correct thing. Don't want things to get too ugly.

Day with my eldest son

2007-03-12T23:35:00.000+08:00

I spent most of the day with my eldest son. The day begun with breakfast at Macs. We both had SM. But he had his ice milo and I my coffee. Then I led him through 4 pages of CL writing practice. After which we went marketing at NTUC, and I taught him how to cook one of his mom's fav dish - salmon teriyaki. He also seasoned the steamed meat with toufu, his own oven-baked penne and cheese, and I also taught him how to cook rice using the rice cooker. I did most of the cooking, but he was there pouring sauces and adding the ingredients and mixing them up. It was quite fun and satisfying for him according to him, and I too. After lunch the 3 kids were sent to bed for a nap. But he couldn't sleep. so we did another 14 pages of the writing practice. Gotta bribe him with a pack of cheezels and of course, he finished the pack and the work I assigned. It was a tiring day but we were both feeling satisfied and pleased after all the activities of the day. Nice.

Cbox

2007-03-11T17:54:00.000+08:00

Interesting little gadget. I have seen it some where and did a search for it and found. It's Quite easy to setup too. Just register, copy, paste and save. Man, it was quite some task to do this some years back. And guess what? It's free for the basic package. And I didn't have to go round finding for a server for it. Nice. No wonder, so much more people are into blogging, it's so simple now.

Teary Boy

2007-03-11T08:35:00.000+08:00

My Eldest son has been rather teary lately. He will be 6 in Nov. Wonder what up in that head or heart of his. This morn, he picked up a hair band from the floor. When his younger sister (3) saw it, she quickly contested for it, for it belongs to her. They brought the case before me and he raised his voice in defense that he found it first. I simply asked if the band belongs to him, or does he even use that band on his hair of about 3 inches. He replied no, and so I told him to release the band and he sobbed. Man, what a thing to sob about. I mean if it's his toy car or book, then I can understand, but for a pink hair band!!!

Sy Rogers

2007-03-11T00:26:00.000+08:00

Just returned home from Service. I am presently attending City Harvest Church at the Expo. They had this guest speaker this evening and his name is Sy Rogers from the States. He has sort of lived in Singapore for about 7 years now. And man is he interesting. I mean I have never heard anyone preached as he did. He is a bit effeminate. But almost every mouthful of his sentences / statements is saturated, crystallized and condensed with good stuff. I didn't even try to copy down too much notes for when I copy, I'd miss 1 or 2 points here and there. I am gonna try and wake up early for his second message tomorrow. So gonna go catch some ZZzz now.

The First

2007-03-10T23:56:00.000+08:00

This is my first posting on my first blog. I am just a newbie trying this out, shall see where this will go.