Hong Kong Dec 2008

Goofy, Donald und ich!

Matt in Flying Saucer!

Sleeping Beauty Castle am Abend!

Pooh und ich!

Unseres Foto mit Mickey!

Ich hatte kein Geld Chip & Dale zu kaufen, deshalb konnte ich nur Fotos mit ihnen machen.

Deutschland

Annika just sent me some of the pics that they have taken during the Oktoberfest and probably during one of their outings to the beautiful outdoors. They are simply so beautiful. Looking at the pics, it reminds me of the times I have been to Europe and Germany. I love the environment there. I love the culture and history in Germany. I love the winter, the seasons, the smells in the air. Looking at these pics, I ask myself if I still want to go ahead to apply for the Masters prog. That would mean that I will not be able to go for long holidays in the next three years. I have to admit that my decision was shaken. But still, I know that for the future, I need to secure professional development opportunities. Only then will I be able to increase my mobility around the world.

Sob sob......

Fotos aus Ginkakuji Temple in Kyoto

Inari Shrine

Where I got bitten by countless mosquitoes!!!!Arhhhhhhhhhhh...........

Fotos aus Kyoto wenn wir auf unsere Hochzeitsreise waren!!!

The photos above were taken in Nijo Castle in Kyoto.....tea ceremonie......sehr wichtig......

Mehr hochzeitsfotos!!

I still so love my wedding gown....Heeheee.....

Weihnachtsmarkt in Bonn!!!!

Das Weihnachtsmarkt fehlt mir sehr!!!!

Mein Kirschenkuchen!!!!

Der Kirschenkuchen sieht wie das aus , bevor er in Ofen gelegt wird.

Jetzt sieht er wie das aus! Es sieht sehr lecker aus!!! heehee......

Some memories of Koln (Cologne)

Some photos which we took in Koln.....Oh how I miss Germany!!!!

So many pages more to go!!

I know that I should not be doing this now....Instead, I should be focusing on my book and trying to complete the next 50 pages by tomorrow. But I just cannot help it. It has been such a long time since I blogged. There are just so many things which have happened in my life and I want to record them.

First and foremost, the 20th anniversary concert is finally over!!!!! So many days of late nights and practices trying to get everything altogether. Teachers getting on one another's nerves. Teachers falling sick. I wonder how I got through everything. Thank you Lord for helping me through this period of time.

Thank you Lord, for the guitarists. I felt bad. During the concert, the sound crew forgot to bring out the condenser mikes and my GIANT pupils had to play. Only the VIPs in front were able to hear them. This is not fair. They have been practising for so many days. But everything is over. There is nothing much we can do now.

This week, the teachers are having meetings and more meetings....Oh how I wish we could get the meetings over and done with so that I can focus and spend time on developing the art and music curriculum which I have been thinking about for a long time. And of course!!! More worksheets for Pr 6L next year.....

I really hope that all or at least 95% of them will go to express stream. If only they put their hearts and minds to working harder.

Lord, please help me help the children!!! Amen.

Finally!!!!

Finally!! Managed to get some photos uploaded!!!!

Phew.....

Eine Uebersaschung

Meine Schueler haben mir eine Ueberraschung gegeben. Manche haben in der Pruefung besser als ich dachte gemacht. Auf der anderen Seite gibt es auch einege Schueler, die nicht so gut gemacht haben. Aber, ich bin der Meinung, das sie haben ueberall gut gemacht. Ich kann sehen, dass sie haben viel Zeit und Energie angelegt. Sie haben sich fuer dieser Pruefung hart erarbeitet. Das finde ich sehr gluecklich und zufrieden. Wahrscheinlich haben sie verstanden, dass sie muessen hart erarbeiten, um gutes Ergebnis zu bekommen. Alles kommt nicht so einfach zu Lebzeiten.

Liebe Gott,

bitte geleiten Sie die Schueler. Helfen Sie ihnen im Leben. Ich wuensche ihnen nur alles gutes and viel Erfolg.

Amen.

Meine Hochzeits Fotos - Am ersten Tag

My 'sisters' Everlyn and Sandra!! Thank you all for being there for me!!!

Münchener Freiheit!!! Mein Lieblingsband!!!

Ich mag sehr gern die Lieder von Muenchener Freiheit. Immer wenn ich ein Lied von Muenchener Freiheit hoere, laechele ich.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchener_Freiheit

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord, why dont we?
We all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in evryone,We learn to live, we learn to give
Each other what we need to survive together alive.

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord why dont we?
Ebony, ivory living in perfect harmony
Ebony, ivory, oohWe all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in evryone,
We learn to live, we learn to give
Each other what we need to survive together alive.
Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord why dont we?
Ebony, ivory living in perfect harmony (repeat and fade)

A song by Paul McCartney......brings back memories of the days when I used to play the piano....now, my fingers are as stiff as the dry and broken twigs in summer......

Some of my wedding photos.....

Hmmmm...........i haven't had the time to upload the photos....here we go!!

1 --> My side view...heeheee....

2 --> Mr Koh's daughter....seeing her makes me smile even more!!

TO my pupils who read my blog

Heehee....You have done a good job in locating my blog....Well, some of my posts are in German...cos I am learning German and I wish to improve....So if you can, maybe you can learn a few words or two too!

Who's freaking out??? Haha

The exams are round the corner again. Once more, the pupils are "busy" revising and preparing for the papers while the teachers are busy marking and reminding them what they have learnt for the past few years.

I have been sick for quite a few days already. Been trying to keep going till my body finally gave way yesterday. And as I expected, when the cat is not around, the mice will come out to play. Irrational and non-sensical behaviour started surfacing. The kids probably had a fun time playing not seeing my stern and fierce face for a day.

I went back to school today. Did the revision in class. It really scares me to see the kids so preoccupied with other unimportant things. Like what I told my hubby, it seems like that teacher is much more stressed out and worried that the pupils themselves.

I guess I must have been really fierce and upset today. The pupils were trying to cheer me up through their jokes and silly actions, which were kinda cute. But I was too focused on preparing them for the exams. For a while, I wondered if I had been a good teacher. Maybe my teaching methods are still not polished enough. Maybe I have been too serious? I should perhaps learn to be a little more relaxed and jovial?

Hmmmmm.................

Some of them really worry me. I cannot blame them, I think. When I think of the home support that they have, I really wonder how they live their everyday lives of loneliness, emptiness and lack of attention. Yet, I am only one person. As much as I want to shower them with love and attention, there is a limit to what I can give.

Oh Lord, guide me. Please give me the strength to go on in spite of the difficulties ahead. Show me the way to touch them in their lives and give them the little nudge that they need to move ahead.

Amen.

Photos/Fotos

Fotos aus einem Bauernhaus in Japan.

Ya, ich weiß. Ich habe schon lange keine Post gemacht. Nicht so viel Zeit für die andere Sache außer Arbeit. Hier sind einige Fotos aus Japan!

A memoir

According to Marriam-Webster dictionary's definition, "memoir" is a narrative based on personal experience. I wonder if i should do a memoir based on my teaching of 5 L this year??? Or a memoir of my time in Bonn?

Balloon Surprise

I remember my feelings and emotions when I walked down the aisle. The doors to the ballroom opened and for a moment, my eyes and senses were overwhelmed with lights and sounds. There were the guests clapping and spotlights shinning. I put on a smile and walked in, trying to catch glimpses of my friends whom I have not seen for a long long time. Then something else caught my eyes. I did not remember seeing red balloons along the aisle and on the stage for decorations. My brain started ransacking itself for clues as to what was happening. Then it occurred to me that this was a surprise. I had earlier wanted to add in balloons for the decoration but gave up the idea as he thought that the ballroom would be too cluttered. That was probably the thing which set my mood straight for the evening.

Allein

Jetzt bin ich allein zu Hause. Mein Mann ist in Vietnam auf Dienstreise. Ich bin krank, deshalb bin ich heute zu Hause geblieben. Ich hatte Pause gemacht. Ich habe auch ein bisschen ueber meinen Leben nachgedacht. Ich arbeite viel. Wenn ich kein Arbeit mache, finde ich es langweilig. Dann suche ich etwas neues zu lesen oder lernen. Das ist mein Leben.

Ich mag meinen Leben sehr. Ich habe die Freiheit viel zu erleben und lernen. Nicht so viel Veranwortlichkeit wie Eltern mit Kindern.

Ich kann viel reisen und sehen.

My honeymoon in Japan (Part 2)

OK. Japan does not really fascinate me that much cos I am not their targetted audience.

Osaka - too many people, too city-like, flashy and loud.

I prefer kyoto to osaka. But the mosquitoes are really terrible!!!

My honeymoon in Japan

Things which i have learnt!

1. the streets are extremely clean even when u can only find 1 rubbish bin in God knows how many kilometres!
2. the people are extremely courteous. they bow to everyone b4 they enter the elevator and bow to everyone in the elevator before they get out.
3. the mosquitoes here are deadly. I have been bitten more than 10 times and each bit is at least 1.5 times the 50-cent coin in Singapore.
4. There are millions of temples and shrines interspersed among the modern building of offices and residential estates.
5. Somehow, the Japanese are very addicted to slot machines too.
6. Pace of life is not as fast as in Singapore although they are workaholics, I guess.
7. Japanese girls are extremely expressive and loud too in the way they express themselves.

My thoughts

1. Meaning of life amidst the danger of losing it in earthquakes at any moment
2. My vocation as a teacher versus something else. It always hurts me to see the poor on the streets and the less fortunate.

that is all for now....my feet are aching (standing to type this entry while waiting for the laundry to be done!)

Our Wedding Montage....The different versions....

I guess the montage serves to remind me of how lucky i am to be loved and pampered by a man who accepts me for who I am and what I am. The past decade has been the most amazing time of my life with the ups and downs of finding love and security in this one man in my life.....

Lovely children

Some of the children in my class are really lovely and sweet. They are sensitive to my moods and emotions and they know what makes me tick. Some of them are really nice and they want to please but they overlook some aspects at times. This morning, I was angry because some of them forgot to bring their worksheets and some of them do not know how to do the sums which I have gone through many times. I shouted and I banged the table. After that, things kinda improved a little. Almost everyone was seated up straight and trying to pay attention. When I asked questions, more hands went up in the air this time. Armanina even gave me two bars of chocolates and told me that she hopes that the chocolates will help to reduce my stress levels. I wonder if I really look that stressed out....Or maybe just tired out and worried......about their exams.

Perhaps the question is- y should i worry when the kids are not?? I dunnoe....

Band SYF 2008

I thought they did well. Kinda. I thought they were up to the standard. But perhaps not good enough for a Gold. It broke my heart. I was praying so hard that they could at least get a Gold. I thought they needed that boost of encouragement. Or perhaps it was not meant to be. I thought I saw a glimpse of hope that they would get Gold. Or perhaps it was my illusion. I thought I saw the light shinning in them. Or perhaps it was the spotlight.

A Breather

Finally, I made some time yesterday to go out and relax. We caught a movie and did a little shopping at Vivo. I haven't had any time off for quite some time already. Work has tied me down and I am always worried about my pupils. Yesterday, as we were buying some queh tutu from the uncle running the push-cart at Vivo, I noticed how serious he took his work. That tranquility amidst his professionalism was so amazing that it took my breath away for a moment. Amidst my workaholic lifestyle, I have failed to notice such beauty that God has created. At that moment, there was a mix of emotions of joy, peace and guilt. But I give thanks to God for helping me take a break and see the good around me.

Enlightenment???

Today, A came to me and said that he will turn over a new leaf. I was shocked. Initially, I dreaded the thought of talking to him because I really cannot stand his attitude and behaviour. I really wonder what he was thinking of. Was it because I scolded him so fiercely that he got scared? Or is it because he suffered the pain in his eyes and he could not take it?

A is someone who is very bad-tempered but very smart and intelligent. Other than that, I think he is a good boy. But I guess, one bad trait/characteristic is enough to make us judge a person negatively. I always tell myself not to judge people, but inevitably, I do that.

What Alvin has done has shocked me but it has also brought some warmth to my heart knowing that at least he is aware of his own actions and behaviour.

Dear Lord,

Thank you once again for the grace of showing me the positive side of man. Thank you for speaking to me in many different ways. Thank you for helping A. Please continue to guide him and teach him. As for the other pupils in my class, please continue to guide them and help them develop their own potential in ways possible. And Lord, please make me an instrument of your peace and glory. Teach me to act in ways which bring glory to your name for it is You who has saved us and redeemed us.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

The Day I was Reborn

22nd May 2008

This is the day I was given new life. God took away my sins and gave me a new breath of life through water. On this day, I was baptised through full immersion. On this day, I felt the Holy Spirit descend upon me. Nothing exceptionally magical took place. Everything was peaceful and joyful. I cried during my baptism. THe thought of being reborn again, the thought of Jesus on the cross and redeeming our sins touched my heart so deeply. I felt it during baptism. The whole evening. Even as we sat listening to the readings and singing the hymns. I felt my life changing every moment. The joy of knowing that I am able to partake in the Holy Communion now is profound. I have no words to describe it. I feel something in me that has been renewed. I just felt it. I can feel God with me and the Holy Spirit in me. I am not the old me anymore.

Bitte Segnen Sie uns und Vielen Dank, Jesus Christus.

Amen.

My Medical Report

I received my medical report today from Alexandra Hospital. Things do not look so good for me. My BMI is still within the healthy range but it is at the brink of touching the danger border. My other results seem normal but my blood pressure is high. Based on the report, I have the highest rick of diabetes, hypertension, stroke, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. I have not been doing the kinda tests that medical professionals advise females to do as they age. My exercise rountine has gone down the drain with all my work and other committments. I do not restrict my diet that tightly. So, in a way, I guess, all these factors are leading my health indicators downhill. My body is vermutlich crying out for help. Hmmmmmm........ I am lost as to what I should do or how I should even think now. I never believed in insurance. I belong to the extremists who would rather choose death than being a burden to others.

But I shocked myself by saying out loud that I do not want to die yet. Is it because of Matt? Is it because I still hold on to the fantasy of being a princess and living in Disneyland with my Prince Charming? Is it because I feel needed by the kids in my class? Is it because God has given me so much in spite of my unworthiness that I feel the need to keep my body functioning so as to do God's will? I wonder.

Dear Lord,

Please speak to me. Give me a sign. Guide in as I tread along in this tunnel of darkness.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Incompatibility

Time was not right. Place was not right. Everything just was not right today. I was feeling down, alone and upset. Over a couple of things. So I thought, perhaps a little shopping spree or indulgence in sinful foods would solve the problem. So I suggested going out to town for a movie and a walk. But he said he was tired. So my plans went down the drain. I cannot really blame anyone though. It was just the wrong time.

Sweet potato in HKG

Today, we went out with one of the HK families. They brought us to many places like the oldest catholic church, the BOtanical Gardens and Zoo.

Perhaps, one of the highlights for today would be the opportunity to share a sweet potato together with the kids. The children have never seen sweet potatoes before. They were initaially sceptical of the purpilsh thingy. Their fears were seen on their face. There was a mix of fear and curiosity. Nonetheless, they finally tried it out and ultimately enjoyed the experience. Sharmin kept asking for more sweet potatoes after that.

I have to say that this will be one of the memories that I cherish. DIscovering something and enjoying the process and experiencing joy and love with the children. Thank you Lord. PLease keep these wonderful creation of yours in good hands.