Finally, the full force of snow has arrived. It has been snowing since last night and the roads and building are all covered in a thick sheet of white. Even ice has formed on my windows. I opened the window and there is about 3 cm of snow on my winder sill. With my palm, I grabbed a ball of snow and I made a snowball. I took the snowball indoor and it took some time before the snow turned to ice and the ice turned to water.
It is such a beautiful sight.Snow flakes flying all around. Everything is covered with a thick blanket of white. It is just so amazing. I could sit here and watch the snow fall all day. Of course, with a cup of coffee and a book in hand. :)
I just wish that I will get to live through more winters and experience the beauty of it in future.
Amen.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Nature's gift.....Snow
Today, I saw the snow falling down... The only thing is that the snow does not fall down straight like the rain. The snow flakes swirl and twirl all around performing their dance to applause the great work of Mother Nature before reaching the ground and melting onto the surface they fall upon. It is so pretty. There a big snow flakes and small ones. Regardless whether they are big or small, they are all so pretty. Imagine being surround by all of them dancing with you and celebrating life. Look beyond the snow flakes and look around you. The cars and buildings and street lamps are all covered in a sheet of white. It is as if Winter is trying to shelter you from the cold wind by giving you a blanket, although the blanket does not really warm you.
Imagine that the snow flakes are little fairies and angels. The fairies and angels are dancing around you to show you that there is beauty in thie world and that we should all celebrate life. The fact that we are alive and enjoying the gifts of Mother Nature is good enough for us to smile and put the angry and ugly thoughts aside. The angels and fairies are also telling me that I should count my blessings for not everyone on earth is enjoying the luxuries of life that I have now. Not everyone has food on their table. Not everyone has a roof over their heads to shelter them from the harsh weather.
Thinking along this line, I feel less anger now. Perhaps I should internalize the understanding that I should learn to accept that there are things I cannot change and there are things that I can change. Some changes go a long way, whereas some do not. Think about what I can teach the little ones so that they lead a meaningful life, instead of thinking about the negative thoughts of living temporarily with his parents. Think about my career rather than the stupid wedding ceremony. Think of things which have a greater impact on the children of tomorrow for they bring much more satisfaction and help me feel real.
Thank you Lord for the learnings and realizations this day. I pray for peace to all on Earth. I pray that XY will also start off 2006 with something good.
Amen.
Imagine that the snow flakes are little fairies and angels. The fairies and angels are dancing around you to show you that there is beauty in thie world and that we should all celebrate life. The fact that we are alive and enjoying the gifts of Mother Nature is good enough for us to smile and put the angry and ugly thoughts aside. The angels and fairies are also telling me that I should count my blessings for not everyone on earth is enjoying the luxuries of life that I have now. Not everyone has food on their table. Not everyone has a roof over their heads to shelter them from the harsh weather.
Thinking along this line, I feel less anger now. Perhaps I should internalize the understanding that I should learn to accept that there are things I cannot change and there are things that I can change. Some changes go a long way, whereas some do not. Think about what I can teach the little ones so that they lead a meaningful life, instead of thinking about the negative thoughts of living temporarily with his parents. Think about my career rather than the stupid wedding ceremony. Think of things which have a greater impact on the children of tomorrow for they bring much more satisfaction and help me feel real.
Thank you Lord for the learnings and realizations this day. I pray for peace to all on Earth. I pray that XY will also start off 2006 with something good.
Amen.
Monday, December 26, 2005
The absolute lack of self-pity
Animals with wheels...
I was watching Animal PLanet and came across this programme which showcases the innovations that have been made for animals with disabilities. Some dogs and cats have lost their ability of their legs due to accidents or other causes. But they still have the use of the other legs. Hence, the human being made wheels and attached them to the body of the animals. With the wheels attached, the animals could walk as if nothing had happened. THey moved on to perform critical roles for their owners or trusted loyal friends, I would say.
It is inspiring to learn that although the animals have lost perhaps part of the ability of their bodies, they moved on to conquer the challenges of life and make the very best out of every breath they take.
It then dawned on me that we have spent too much time pitying ourselves on what we do not have or what we have lost. We should instead move on and make the best of what life has given us. And I am documenting this down so that one day in the future, I could share this with my students to inspire them to overcome the challenges that they face. I hope that this can also serve as a reminder to myself when I meet with challenges in life.
Every breath we take is a gift. And we should make the best use of this gift to the best of our abilities for life is precious.
I was watching Animal PLanet and came across this programme which showcases the innovations that have been made for animals with disabilities. Some dogs and cats have lost their ability of their legs due to accidents or other causes. But they still have the use of the other legs. Hence, the human being made wheels and attached them to the body of the animals. With the wheels attached, the animals could walk as if nothing had happened. THey moved on to perform critical roles for their owners or trusted loyal friends, I would say.
It is inspiring to learn that although the animals have lost perhaps part of the ability of their bodies, they moved on to conquer the challenges of life and make the very best out of every breath they take.
It then dawned on me that we have spent too much time pitying ourselves on what we do not have or what we have lost. We should instead move on and make the best of what life has given us. And I am documenting this down so that one day in the future, I could share this with my students to inspire them to overcome the challenges that they face. I hope that this can also serve as a reminder to myself when I meet with challenges in life.
Every breath we take is a gift. And we should make the best use of this gift to the best of our abilities for life is precious.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
MOre to think about
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4541590.stm
It is sad to read about how a nation's representatives were not able to respond promptly to save its people from a tragedy. At the same time, it reminds me that there are more important things to worry and think about other than where I shall be staying.
It is sad to read about how a nation's representatives were not able to respond promptly to save its people from a tragedy. At the same time, it reminds me that there are more important things to worry and think about other than where I shall be staying.
All I want for Christmas...
Dear Santa Claus
I pray and ask for a Christmas gift from you. All I want for Christmas is a peaceful, quiet and safe life. I want to feel safe and peaceful and quiet and no feelings of intrusion. It will make me a different person if I were to go back to the life that I used to lead. So much pent-up stress and anger that I stopped to appreciate the good things around.
Amen.
I pray and ask for a Christmas gift from you. All I want for Christmas is a peaceful, quiet and safe life. I want to feel safe and peaceful and quiet and no feelings of intrusion. It will make me a different person if I were to go back to the life that I used to lead. So much pent-up stress and anger that I stopped to appreciate the good things around.
Amen.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Being a Polyglot
I wonder and I hope that the Singapore Education System will be able to produce more polyglots in the coming future. Having a biased viewpoint towards the acquisition of more languages, I hope that schools, especially primary schools, will start to introduce more foreign languages to the little ones. While it is important to introduce Asian languages, I also think that it is very important to introduce foreign languages such as Spanish, German, French and probably Italian. It is agreed that Asia is the next upcoming continent where business will boom and the people will propser. The business links between Asia and Europe, as well as America is on the rise. Being able to speak a foreign language will open up more opportunities for the little ones in the future.
Leaning a foreign language allows one to appreciate the differences between the different language structures. It also allows one to appreciate the culture differences between people. It is a door to increasing knowledge and understanding of the world around us. There has also been some studies which support that learning another language helps one in improving their mother tongue. This is, of course on the assumption, that the language is closely related to each other.
I hope that I will have a chance to lead this initative in the school that I will be posted to. It is a dream to share my passion with the little ones so that they will not lose out on the time factor and will have a more meaningful and memorable childhood.
Leaning a foreign language allows one to appreciate the differences between the different language structures. It also allows one to appreciate the culture differences between people. It is a door to increasing knowledge and understanding of the world around us. There has also been some studies which support that learning another language helps one in improving their mother tongue. This is, of course on the assumption, that the language is closely related to each other.
I hope that I will have a chance to lead this initative in the school that I will be posted to. It is a dream to share my passion with the little ones so that they will not lose out on the time factor and will have a more meaningful and memorable childhood.
What do you learn for?
This is the question posed by Robin Williams to his students (in a movie to which I do not know the title). Do we learn to earn more money? Do we learn just for the grades? Do we learn just to fulfill other people's expectations? Do we learn because we were forced to?
Or do we learn so that we can think for ourselves?
This is a critical question. It gives a whole new meaning to teaching and learning. NO one thought me that when I was young. No one ever paid attention to me anyway. Everyone was just so busy looking at the grades and the performance on paper. No one bothered to try to understand me and my interests. I think, it goes the same for many pupils. And this is sad.
School is a place where we explore the different faces of the world and of our short time span on earth. It is a place to learn about and from one another. Learning is supposed to help us open our mind and not restrict us. Has our learning become somewhat microscopic? I wonder.
While the basic principles of learning and teaching such as classroom discipline still holds, one must not forget the true essence of education. TO learn to think for ourselves.
I finally found the title. It is called "Dead Poets' Society". http://www.cinepad.com/reviews/deadpoets.htm
Or do we learn so that we can think for ourselves?
This is a critical question. It gives a whole new meaning to teaching and learning. NO one thought me that when I was young. No one ever paid attention to me anyway. Everyone was just so busy looking at the grades and the performance on paper. No one bothered to try to understand me and my interests. I think, it goes the same for many pupils. And this is sad.
School is a place where we explore the different faces of the world and of our short time span on earth. It is a place to learn about and from one another. Learning is supposed to help us open our mind and not restrict us. Has our learning become somewhat microscopic? I wonder.
While the basic principles of learning and teaching such as classroom discipline still holds, one must not forget the true essence of education. TO learn to think for ourselves.
I finally found the title. It is called "Dead Poets' Society". http://www.cinepad.com/reviews/deadpoets.htm
Thursday, December 22, 2005
If you want to be a teacher......
I came across this article written by a history teacher. It is interesting....somehow, the essence that I got from reading this article is that u need to be a child in order to connect with children, but yet, u need to maintain a side of you as an adult to show them what the world has to offer, and guide them according to the societal rules.
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/tobeatea.html
While, I am excited about teaching, I am also afraid that I would not be able to handle it. THe children especially. WHile, I want to be nice to them, I know that I would have to be firm and assertive too.
There are many articles telling stories about the life cycle of a new teacher. they describe how the new teachers feel through the initial year of their career. It is true. I know that there will be many hurdles to cross. I just hope that I can manage them well and not fumble, knowing the expectations that I have of myself.
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/tobeatea.html
While, I am excited about teaching, I am also afraid that I would not be able to handle it. THe children especially. WHile, I want to be nice to them, I know that I would have to be firm and assertive too.
There are many articles telling stories about the life cycle of a new teacher. they describe how the new teachers feel through the initial year of their career. It is true. I know that there will be many hurdles to cross. I just hope that I can manage them well and not fumble, knowing the expectations that I have of myself.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
I wonder
Was bored and took a scan of the people who are on my Friendster network. I saw Janice's wedding photos. She looks very happy and she has a large group of friends with her to celebrate. Logically, I thought of my own wedding. The elaborate style of celebration does not suit me because I want things to be simple and sweet. There is no need for a big car, pretty gowns or big party. A small one with lots of true love and coziness will do. But it will never be that way for me. Somehow, I know. For my wedding is not mine at all.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Ah.....Ich bin krank.
Ah I am sick again....For whatever reasons unknown to me, I have not been able to sleep for the past one week. Everynight, I toss and turn around in bed trying to sleep, but to no avail. My mind kept working thinking about everything under the sun. Now, I am really sick. My nose is running, and my throat is hoarse. My body feels weak and tired. All my plans to go to the gym and work my dip is now shelved. Sigh.....I have to get well soon and get back to my gym routine.
Dear Lord
I pray that I will be able to get well soon and get back to my routing of gym and work. I also want to pray for Ming and family because they are sick too. I pray that we can all get well soon to enjoy the coming Christmas and Silvester.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Dear Lord
I pray that I will be able to get well soon and get back to my routing of gym and work. I also want to pray for Ming and family because they are sick too. I pray that we can all get well soon to enjoy the coming Christmas and Silvester.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
A short story....
http://www.ell.nie.edu.sg/innerPages/News_n_EVENTS/Poster_n_Other_docs/HCA/THE%20TWO%20WISHES.doc
I read this story written by a primary school boy during a competition. It is a sweet story. It is not a literature piece which one get a headache after reading. It does not consist (bestehen aus) of many fanciful language expressions. I read a good balance of the various language aspects which brought out the simple storyline. A simple story but with a serious and solemn message.
I wonder, if he had witnessed something which hit him so hard that he wrote this story. TO be able to come up with such a story requires some thinking. I wonder if this boy is much more matured than his age. Or has he experienced something which caused him to be more sensitive to others and his surroundings.
Nevertheless, I am very impressed and I hope that I will be able to help the little ones develop their potential further.
I read this story written by a primary school boy during a competition. It is a sweet story. It is not a literature piece which one get a headache after reading. It does not consist (bestehen aus) of many fanciful language expressions. I read a good balance of the various language aspects which brought out the simple storyline. A simple story but with a serious and solemn message.
I wonder, if he had witnessed something which hit him so hard that he wrote this story. TO be able to come up with such a story requires some thinking. I wonder if this boy is much more matured than his age. Or has he experienced something which caused him to be more sensitive to others and his surroundings.
Nevertheless, I am very impressed and I hope that I will be able to help the little ones develop their potential further.
Monday, December 12, 2005
A home with a quiet and peaceful environment...
Dear Lord
I pray that you help me find an apartment in CCK where it is quiet and peaceful and not too expensive. We do not have the money to pay for an expensive apartment. 250K I think is just alright. All I ask for is that there is peace and quiet surrounding the apartment. And safety and security. I also pray that the purchase and renovation and moving into the apartment would be completed before I finish NIE.
But before this, I pray and wish that Matt would have a position back in Singapore and that we can return to Singapore end March, according to plans. Then we shall have the procedural meeting and have our solemnization ceremony in June.
This is all I ask for for Christmas.
Amen.
I pray that you help me find an apartment in CCK where it is quiet and peaceful and not too expensive. We do not have the money to pay for an expensive apartment. 250K I think is just alright. All I ask for is that there is peace and quiet surrounding the apartment. And safety and security. I also pray that the purchase and renovation and moving into the apartment would be completed before I finish NIE.
But before this, I pray and wish that Matt would have a position back in Singapore and that we can return to Singapore end March, according to plans. Then we shall have the procedural meeting and have our solemnization ceremony in June.
This is all I ask for for Christmas.
Amen.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
I pray for peace
Yesterday, my mind was totlly immersed in the area of getting a new flat and how to renovate it. I was thinking about the time and money required to get a flat and decorate it such that it will be cosy for both of us.
Yet, he was not that interested at all. Or maybe not as interested as I expected him to be. HIs focus was more on getting a posting to go back to Singapore. Well, that is logical. WIthout a posting back to Singapore, the other plans would not work out. But still, I had hoped that he showed more interest rather than give me his usual nonchalant attitude. I needed the assurance.
Deep down inside me, the monsters are stirring again. I thought about my past. THe environment that I grew up in and the effects today. I do not want to go back to that environment again. I want an environment in which I can feel safe. I want to be with people whom I can trust and count on when I need someone. Matt is everything to me. I trust him. I know that he would not leave me in the lurch one day. And because of this, I want to build a nest with him. A beautiful and simple nest for the two of us. A new chapter, a new start, a new beginning to a new future.
Guess it is also because of the weather that I am feeling so depressed. The sun is barely out each day. Darkness engulfs everyone and everywhere. I have been feeling lethargic and sick. No matter how much I sleep, it does not seem to be enough.
I hope that I will get over this stage of winter soon because I have lots to do.
Dear Lord
I pray for strength to overcome this environmental effect on the human body, such that I may get back to work on building up my knowledge and skills for future use. I also pray that I can learn to be more patient and take things one at a time. I pray for peace in me so that I may not keep thinking about the past. I pray for peave and harmony between Matt and me so that we may work out our plans for the future. I pray for peace, happiness and good health for the people I love.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Yet, he was not that interested at all. Or maybe not as interested as I expected him to be. HIs focus was more on getting a posting to go back to Singapore. Well, that is logical. WIthout a posting back to Singapore, the other plans would not work out. But still, I had hoped that he showed more interest rather than give me his usual nonchalant attitude. I needed the assurance.
Deep down inside me, the monsters are stirring again. I thought about my past. THe environment that I grew up in and the effects today. I do not want to go back to that environment again. I want an environment in which I can feel safe. I want to be with people whom I can trust and count on when I need someone. Matt is everything to me. I trust him. I know that he would not leave me in the lurch one day. And because of this, I want to build a nest with him. A beautiful and simple nest for the two of us. A new chapter, a new start, a new beginning to a new future.
Guess it is also because of the weather that I am feeling so depressed. The sun is barely out each day. Darkness engulfs everyone and everywhere. I have been feeling lethargic and sick. No matter how much I sleep, it does not seem to be enough.
I hope that I will get over this stage of winter soon because I have lots to do.
Dear Lord
I pray for strength to overcome this environmental effect on the human body, such that I may get back to work on building up my knowledge and skills for future use. I also pray that I can learn to be more patient and take things one at a time. I pray for peace in me so that I may not keep thinking about the past. I pray for peave and harmony between Matt and me so that we may work out our plans for the future. I pray for peace, happiness and good health for the people I love.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Warum mag Lex mir nicht?....Why does Lex not like me?
Recently Lex has been exhibiting beheviour which expresses his dislike or discomfort with me around. He would do things to put me down, such as telling everyone that he has finished all the sweets or anything else and there is nothing left for me. When I try to touch him or play with him, he does not respond to me.
I wonder....did I do anything which has caused him displeasure? Or is he just being notti because I respond to his negative comments? Sometimes when he says things to me, I make faces. Sad faces, happy faces, puzzled looks and so on. Hence, is there a possibility that he is trying to elicit such reaction from him because he likes it?
This brings me to the question and area of study of child psychology. I am curious to find out what has led the child to respond in this manner. Are they speaking the truth? Or are they so clever to make remarks to elicit responses from adults?
I wonder....did I do anything which has caused him displeasure? Or is he just being notti because I respond to his negative comments? Sometimes when he says things to me, I make faces. Sad faces, happy faces, puzzled looks and so on. Hence, is there a possibility that he is trying to elicit such reaction from him because he likes it?
This brings me to the question and area of study of child psychology. I am curious to find out what has led the child to respond in this manner. Are they speaking the truth? Or are they so clever to make remarks to elicit responses from adults?
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Ich bete.....I pray
Dear Lord
There is something weighing on my mind. I want to pray for peace and patience to deal with the issue when the time comes. The plan is for us to get back to Singapore and get a flat. While we plan to purchase the flat using our CPF, the concern now is renovation. I do not mind a simple flat with minimum decorations as long the basic necessities are there. A simple flat with basics such as the stove, washing machine etc would be good enough. The flooring does not need to be expensive or extremely pretty. It just needs to be simple and pleasant to the eye. This is all I ask for.
However, it seems like he wants everything to be perfect. Perfect colour combinations and so on. Am I reading the wrong signals? I hope so. We do not really have the money to live a life of luxury. A simple life will do. I know he wants things to be perfect for the both of us. But at the same time, I hope that he knows his limits too.
The money can be put to better use such as education and travelling.
I pray for patience so that I will not worry. I pray for peace so that I can enjoy the moments now. I pray for harmony between the two of us when we have conflicting views. I pray for strenght and luck to bring us through the next few years which will be challenging as we embark on our new chapters together.
All we want is to be together and share a life. Teach us to focus and not be distracted by things which are not that important.
Teach us to have faith in you and believe that as long as we do out part, our Saviour will take care of the rest.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
There is something weighing on my mind. I want to pray for peace and patience to deal with the issue when the time comes. The plan is for us to get back to Singapore and get a flat. While we plan to purchase the flat using our CPF, the concern now is renovation. I do not mind a simple flat with minimum decorations as long the basic necessities are there. A simple flat with basics such as the stove, washing machine etc would be good enough. The flooring does not need to be expensive or extremely pretty. It just needs to be simple and pleasant to the eye. This is all I ask for.
However, it seems like he wants everything to be perfect. Perfect colour combinations and so on. Am I reading the wrong signals? I hope so. We do not really have the money to live a life of luxury. A simple life will do. I know he wants things to be perfect for the both of us. But at the same time, I hope that he knows his limits too.
The money can be put to better use such as education and travelling.
I pray for patience so that I will not worry. I pray for peace so that I can enjoy the moments now. I pray for harmony between the two of us when we have conflicting views. I pray for strenght and luck to bring us through the next few years which will be challenging as we embark on our new chapters together.
All we want is to be together and share a life. Teach us to focus and not be distracted by things which are not that important.
Teach us to have faith in you and believe that as long as we do out part, our Saviour will take care of the rest.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Dull and depressing Winter...haha
I have been feeling lethargic these days. Not sure why. Perhaps it is the orientation once again to the environment in COpenhagen. Perhaps it is the weather. Short days in winter where the sun only comes out at nine or ten o'clock and sets at three or four in the afternoon. Even when the sun is out, it is grey and cold. The sun's rays seem to be trying very hard to penetrate the dark clouds but to no avail.
It has been difficult trying to get to sleep at the right time and getting up at the right time. I feel tired but cannot get to sleep at night. Tried going to the gym to work out my body but it will take some time to get back to the routine again on the basis that I have missed out one month of workout due to my recent trip to Dresden. Hopefully, things will work out.
Somehow, I got to work out a schedule and keep to it. Got lots to accomplish in December before I start my Danish lessons in Jan 2006. It is really exciting to embark on a new language. I just hope that I can pick it up quickly and fluently. NOt forgetting that I have to revise my German too!
Okie....got to get back to my Dip in TBE. Hang in there JO!
Smile!
It has been difficult trying to get to sleep at the right time and getting up at the right time. I feel tired but cannot get to sleep at night. Tried going to the gym to work out my body but it will take some time to get back to the routine again on the basis that I have missed out one month of workout due to my recent trip to Dresden. Hopefully, things will work out.
Somehow, I got to work out a schedule and keep to it. Got lots to accomplish in December before I start my Danish lessons in Jan 2006. It is really exciting to embark on a new language. I just hope that I can pick it up quickly and fluently. NOt forgetting that I have to revise my German too!
Okie....got to get back to my Dip in TBE. Hang in there JO!
Smile!
Friday, December 02, 2005
Jasmin's Blog
I read Jasmin's blog today. There was only one entry. It was a simple and short one describing her last few days in school. Amidst the expressions, I could sense that the Jas I knew is still there. Somewhere. She still loves children. She enjoys her work. And like me, she is emotional. She is the more creative kind of person as compared to me. I tend to be more serious and straight while she tends to be more mischievous and fun-loving. Both of us have been through different experiences, hence shaping our extreme views towards life. Since young, she has this love for children. Me on the other hand, did not like them till not so long ago. GUess it is because I grew up in a family where emotions and love are extremely scarce. Jas has a family who is always supportive and there for her. This could be one reason why she was never able to understand my emotions and certain views towards life. I do not blame her. Instead, I am afriad of letting her know me too well. While I love to get to know people and allow people to know me, I still draw a line of boundary at times to protect myself from getting hurt or put down. Perhaps my level of self-esteem is still not too high. Or perhaps, I am afraid of being hurt....
Thursday, December 01, 2005
The thought of Lex and Family....
For whatever reason, it just puts a smile on my face whenever I know that I can get to meet up with Lex and family and go on an outing together. It could be a simple dinner or just shopping for groceries. The thought of it just brightens me up. Just like today.
Been feeling tired and bored and dragging myself through the assignments. But as soon as I got to know that dinner is at their place and that I can go fetch Lex from school, I just feel so happy.... This joy, this excitement, this sudden gush of energy just lifts me up.
It feels so great!!! :)
Been feeling tired and bored and dragging myself through the assignments. But as soon as I got to know that dinner is at their place and that I can go fetch Lex from school, I just feel so happy.... This joy, this excitement, this sudden gush of energy just lifts me up.
It feels so great!!! :)
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