examinations suck..

it's not easy being a kid in Singapore.. the pressure and expections from everybody, the comparison, and the stress they have to go through every time they sit for examinations.. it can be overwhelming sometimes..

i thought my kid would do well for his PSLE.. but it didn't turn out the way we expected.. he must be feeling very down right now, for not being able to achieve his goals, for not being able to enter the school of his choice..

i feel bad for not being good enough to push him beyond his limits, but at the same time i didn't want him to become a slave of education.. he's a bright kid.. he reads a lot and dares to voice out his opinions for what is accurate, and sometimes i can be amazed by what he knows..

he was confident that he could do well, and felt that the questions were relatively easy, as compared to those in his prelims.. he said that the English paper was ok, but he didn't do well.. in contrary, he scored better for the Maths paper which he complained was difficult..

but i really don't understand.. based on the grades he got, even if he scored just enough to achieve those grades, he would have gotten a higher overall score.. i really don't understand..

i don't know how many times i've said this, but yes, i never like the idea of having examinations.. it doesn't prove how smart a person is, but how rigid the entire system is, and how good at memorising a person is.. examinations are never a good guage of a person's ability and knowledge..

now it seems hard to make any appeals to get into the schools of his initial choices.. i've seen how kids change when they enter a school they don't like, and i don't want him to end up the same way..

arghh.. so frustrated now..

rejection..

i got rejected.. by a potential sponsor.. =(

i should have gotten used to such rejections.. but every time i tell myself i should continue to hold on to even the thinnest ray of hope.. then again, when there's a hope, there would be disappointment..

well, i don't mind treating the trip as a getaway, for me to relax, to reward myself for working hard during the busy period.. perhaps i could even get to see my white-sand beach this time round.. but like i've said, i wanna do something, i don't wanna disappoint people.. and i know there are friends and people out there who have been helping me, willing to donate items to the children.. i even have an entire set of encyclopedia (supposed to worth at least $2000) under my office desk.. i can't possibly reject them just because i couldn't manage to secure a sponsor..

i could only blame myself for not starting the planning early, for messing up and changing all my initial plans, for procrasinating everything..

i think it's time for plan B..

a big *ouch* for the wallet..

overwhelming november

the 2nd half of November is going to be an overwhelming period.. with 1 week to the exam, there'll be more things to rush out, more plannings to do, more OTs.. although i'm not the one going through the whole exam hoo-ha, i'm no better, and in fact, maybe worse, because there are many things to clear up after the exam period..

and then aline and waipeng's wedding at the end of the month.. i've yet got the time to go shopping for the proper clothing..

and i hate to say this, but i don't know how long i'll have to wait for the potential sponsors' replies.. i don't want to give up, but time is not on my side (i sound like i'm dying.. *CHOY*).. i didn't get to secure any sponsors this year, and i hate to disappoint people, i still wanna do something for this trip..

now it seems impossible..

unless i be the sponsor..

oh well..

anyway, more pictures up this time round.. =) i still haven't got to know who were the masterminds behind the pink birthday surprise, but nevertheless, thanks for making it memorable.. =)

even the announcement was in pink.. i was kept totally in the dark..


everything was in pink.. even my blue puncher became pink..


i put up a notice a day before for the fun of it (because i was sick until i wasn't in the right mind.. hah) and it was "pinkified" too..


too shocked..


wonderful colleagues (and they were all in pink too)


once again, thank you all.. =)

my 22nd..

thank you guys and gals.. everything was such a pleasant surprise.. from a simple birthday wish, to making my office cubicle pink.. hahaha..

it's not a good idea to let people know your dislikes.. you never know what kind of wacky ideas they can come up with.. haha..

when i reached the office in the morning, i could sense something weird going on.. the door was closed and locked, lights were out, and i spotted 'suspicious people'.. hahah..

the moment i walked into the office, and was about to walk into my work cubicle.. this was what i've got..



OH MY GOD!!

everything was wrapped in pink!! ok, this was taken at the end of the day.. i had to remove those wrapping over the computer and the phone in order to do my job.. but yesh.. everything was covered in freaking pink!! i was overwhelmed and speechless, and nearly fainted.. haha..

even the walls and ceilings were glowing in pink.. my goodness.. the 'pink aura'..

i almost refused to walk into the cubicle covered in my most dreaded colour.. and wanted to apply for emergency leave.. haha..

and everybody, including boss, came in pink.. *gasped*

the wall was not spared..



i was not supposed to remove a single piece of pink paper until after office hours.. so i had to pretend that my work area was 'perfectly normal' everytime people or students walked into the office.. they too, got a shock themselves.. so paiseh..

but really, thank you so much.. for making it memorable.. =) you guys spent so much effort putting this up, i really appreciate it.. just don't scare me with pink stuff again.. haha..



and also many thanks for all the birthday wishes and little gifts.. really thankful that i've friends like you guys.. =)

the November babies! =D


thank you all for brightening up my day.. happy people recover from flus and coughs faster.. haha..

and happy birthday to tita bambie too!! miss you! =)

more pictures coming up, after i've gotten them from office mate.. =)

happy friday..

today's my first time on leave.. muahaha.. i've never stepped into Orchard before lunch-time on a weekday for a very loooooong time.. something to call for joy.. haha..

and yesh! i've watched Lust, Caution!! haha.. and i'm referring to the uncut, R21 version.. haha.. but no, i'm not going to tell you what's going on in the movie, go pay $8 and watch it yourself.. =P

but i was not happy that there were so many inconsiderate people who didn't switch off their phones, or switch them to silent mode.. grrr...

oh, Tony Leung does indeed has the charm and charisma.. haha..

while walking around in the malls with biyun, we started hearing christmas jingles playing, and lamented over the fact that time really flies past damn quickly.. and without us realising, it's near the end of another year.. and i still can't get over the fact that i can't have my filipino christmas.. boohoo..

but thank you, my dear friend, for walking through all the ups and downs with me.. thank you for being there when i need help, when i need someone to rant on.. haha.. and many many thanks for the production of the video!! =)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIYUN!! =)

another broken necklace, and many sad songs..

i am very sad.. i broke another one of my favourite necklaces.. =(

first it was the one tita bambie made for me.. and now i broke another one.. although it was cheap, it was versatile that it can go with anything.. and now it's gone.. boohoo..

and i shall not start ranting on my job.. it's getting nowhere, and there's no end to it..

ok, it's not because of all these that made me chose the theme for the playlist for this month.. haa.. so, here you go..

the theme for the playlist: sad sad songs..

well sad songs may not be just all about failed relationships, breaking up or whatsoever.. they could be about pains one may have to go through, about missing somebody, something.. listen to Corrinne May's 'Fly Away' and Michael Buble's 'Home', and you'll know..

some new/foreign songs that are worth your listening ear.. Gary Valenciano's 'In Another Lifetime', 'Break It To Me Gently' by Mark Bautista, Jimmy Bondoc's 'Let Me Be The One'.. when i first heard Gary's song, i cried.. really.. i don't know why, but i cried.. haa.. yes i'm a real crybaby..

anyway i think there are some glitches with my imeem.. somehow some songs are not completed.. hmm.. will do my best to rectify the problem.. =)

but anyway, enjoy.. while i go get my sleep.. ciaoz..