rainy field trip..

the field trip today was an ultimate failure.. haha.. even before we got off the bus, it was already starting to drizzle.. the moment we started walking into the forest at Lower Pierce Reservoir, the rain got heavier.. and it was really impossible to continue walking in such heavy rain..

imagine, walking in the forest, amidst of all the trees, with an umbrella.. what if lightning strikes? haha..

and so the field trip was called off within 1 hour.. and we had to hide in some prata place for shelter.. haha.. but we were all drenched by then.. from head to toe.. haha.. what a wasted afternoon.. and they better not make us go back there again..

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anyway, yesterday's yusheng was the best! haha.. that big plate of yusheng.. more than enough for that 8 of us.. haha.. with extra ingredient - shedded roast chicken!! haha..



and this was what being left after chomping down the yusheng.. haha.. notice that there was 2 pairs of mini-chopsticks and a fork.. not enough chopsticks for everyone! haha..



die lar, this week is filled with 2 term tests, practices, tuition and 1 more field trip to Johor.. i want my new year holiday back!!! give it back to me!!

judy ann..

before i stepped into Astro Farm Elementary School and Day Care, i had heard so much about "Judy Ann".. tricia, bong, remia, and serlu kept mentioning about "Judy Ann", so much so that i was so looking forward to seeing who this cutie was..

it was a long and bumpy ride to Astro Farm.. when we were approaching the school gate, many children were already waiting for us, and seeing our van, they all ran from the backyard to the classroom..

"there! judy ann!" bong was pointing out of the window.. but how could i identify which girl was it, when there were so many children running around.. haha..

but when this little girl with an oversized yellow dress walked into the classroom, i knew she was the "Judy Ann".. it was a bit weird, because all i could do was to stand there.. you know, i didn't know how to speak illongo, and i supposed a girl so young like her wouldn't understand much english..

then when she was quietly sitting at the door, eating the porridge we prepared, i squatted beside her, and just said, "hello, judy ann!".. she smiled at me, and muttered something that sounded like "what's your name?" in illongo..

"yuhui.." (pronounced as yoo-hwee, and that is what i'm known as in Bago.. haha)

then i was busy helping with giving out extra bread and taking pictures.. but everytime i passed by the door, we would smile at each other..

when it was time to leave, she would run to the backyard, waiting for the van to drive out of the gate, and waved at us..

i would always remember how she came running to me after receiving new toys and clothes, to give me a kiss on my cheek.. when will i be back to Astro Farm? i don't know.. but i still hold the hope of being back there again.. =)

so be happy, and healthy.. and i wish for many learning opportunities for you.. =)

bored..

i'm bored.. on the 2nd day of the new year, i spent the whole day playing computer games and eating.. arghh.. and i refuse to do anything related to schoolwork.. what a boring new year.. at least it was slightly better than last year, when i had to call for MacDonalds delivery for my meals.. haha..

my dad decided not to go into Malaysia, because of all the possible trouble that the custom officers may give.. and we would have to "lugi" some ang baos and oranges everytime we get our passports chopped.. i just don't understand.. these officers have no sense of righteousness whatsoever.. they will boldly demand ang baos and oranges from the drivers.. luckily we would always have some $1 ang baos ready.. haha.. but with so many recent incidents of people getting detained in Malaysia because of their passports not being chopped, we decided to play safe this year, and have some steamboat at our grandparents' house instead.. =)

but i miss the goreng pisang along the shophouse near po po's house.. that's the only thing i look forward to, when we visit her in johor.. =(

but anyway.. today was the charter anniversary of Bago!! the festival!! =D

yar, i know i've been saying this for umpteen times, but i really wish that i could be there!! it's kinda a pity, that despite being in Bago 3 times, i have never get to experience their very own festival.. arghh.. timing is always not right..

but i guess it will be a success anyway.. haha.. i wanna see pictures!! many colourful pictures!! =) thanks tricia, for receiving the award on my behalf.. i think i'll only get to see my plaque at the end of the year.. hehe..

sian.. tomorrow's the start of work.. gotta teach tuition.. really, what a boring new year..

new year eve..

i gave up getting new clothes for the new year.. after quite a number of futile rounds of shopping, i gave up.. all the shops are selling similar clothing, and they are all not my cup of tea.. arghh.. forget it manz..

and i was too lazy to get out of the house anyway.. so i did some spring-cleaning of my room instead.. spent almost 7 hours doing it.. got rid of some old stuff that i've been keeping for years (and i have no idea why i do that).. so... less rubbish, less dust in my room now.. haha..

so, wishing everybody a very happy chinese new year! good luck all year round, and money all year round!! hehe..

oh, and all the best to Bago, for the coming festival tomorrow and monday!! send me pictures ok?? =) miss you guys..

valentine's day..

"teacher, today is valentine's day leh.. can end tuition earlier?"

"you got a valentine meh?"

"no lar, but i think you got a valentine mah.."

"if i have one, i won't be sitting here, having my dinner with you on your tuition table.."

happy valentine's day to all the lovey-dovey couples out there, and happy friendship day to everyone!! =D

and what a great way to start the day, with a 8am lecture and a not-so-interesting lecturer.. arghh.. pleeeaase.. you won't get an explosion by mixing dilute hydrochloric acid with dilute sodium hydroxide.. but thanks to temogen, who woke me up with his v day message.. haha..

and then news of my friend's brother passing away came.. joseph, i hope that you are ok now.. you have always been a fatherly figure to me, i know you are strong.. and i hope that things are going ok for you.. =)

thanks biyun, the chocolates came just right in time.. hehe..

and i realised that i didn't really have time to sit down, relax, let my mind settle down, or even have a sip of juice (coffee is bad for a good sleep at night.. haha).. i was running places to places while in school, having tuition.. and my handphone kept beeping and reminding me of all the things i need to settle.. it has become another handy reminder alarm clock for me.. haha..

but thank god a piece of good news brought a nice end to the day.. i'm chosen to receive an award in Bago City!! whee!!! i don't expect to get rewarded, other than friendship and inspiration, for doing all the charity work.. but then, it's this coming sunday, and it's the first day of chinese new year.. i will get killed by my parents if i were to go.. awww.. how i wish i have a clone of me right now..

talking about new year, i have no time to do my new year shopping! arghh.. everyday is so packed, with days ending as late as 10pm.. how to shop? arghh..

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support my performance tomorrow! 7.30pm at marina square.. presenting to you some chinese new year music by NUSCO!! =)

support NUSCO annual concert!! 11 march 2007, sunday, 5pm at UCC.. =) get tickets from me!!

a fieldtrip and a night of cycling..

i can't walk anymore.. my feet are in a terrible state, with one new crack and the old ones deepened.. and my knees are sore.. *ouch* it really hurts.. sooner or later, i may need clutches, or a wheelchair..

putting that aside, the fieldtrip to Little India and the night cycling quest really took those frustrating things off my mind.. i was back to making silly jokes and nonsense for the day.. which was a good thing (i hope)..

and i happened to meet 2 sweet korean girls in Little India.. they are the same age as me, but they have been touring around countries.. sigh.. when will it be my turn?



and then the night cycling.. thank god there was no mishap this year.. =) only came back with some bruises and painful feet, knees and butts.. haha..



we like to make fun of our dear friend, ryan, for his small eyes.. haha..

with some regulations to follow, we had to wear helmets..



which the picture reminds me of this.. haha..



but anyway, the night cycling was quite a feat, knowing that we cycled for 33km (based on waipeng's speedometer) for almost 6 hours, with stops in between for good food.. heh.. we weren't so concerned about the points and the games, but we just wanted to have fun and explore around places.. but then hor, i really want to complain.. the clues for the various checkpoints were so lame! my goodness.. "7023 set in stone beside the lake house" actually means this..



and the "rosy orb on the head".. alamak.. but oh well, we did had fun.. over the lame clues.. haha..

but i really need some rest, for my feet at least.. and you will see me walking like some freak with 2 big bandages in school tomorrow..

happy day..

happy happy birthday to tricia and papa! =)

it is becoming a yearly thing, to call back to Bago on this day, other than to wish them, but also to get to talk to the rest of the people.. of course it would be impossible to speak to every single one of them, but at least i know i will hear many familiar voices.. =)

tricia and papa, don't worry, i'm fine here.. =) though i misses all of you, and i know you miss me too.. haha.. take care of yourselves.. tricia, hope that your cough will be gone forever.. and papa, i wish you the best of health, and i'll bring you more food (and potato chips.. hehe) the next time.. =)

and tricia, go get a date soon.. remember that i told you that you will get married in a few years' time? haha..



i really miss the mornings that i sat outside of the house with papa.. sometimes we just kept quiet (i think i was just stone-ing, or my mind was flying around) but i like papa's company.. i like the way he called out to the "Ta-ho" man and bought me the beancurd.. =) and with him around, i would have to eat whatever he asked me to.. haha..

and ton-ton refused to sing "hawak kamay" to me.. boohoo..

moments ago, i received temogen's texts.. good to hear from him.. i miss all the nice chats with him.. i look up to him as my elder brother, and i always learn something from him.. =) kaibigan ko, ok lang ako, at masaya din.. sana, makita kita muli, siguro sa Bago, o siguro sa Singapore dito!! hehe.. miss kita! =) hope that your wishes will come true, and i'm sure they will.. dahil maniwala ko na siyempre mangyari ang wishes mo.. =) haha.. i hope i phrase it right..

i miss all of you!!!! muacks muacks muacks!!

endangered species..

i now truly believe that i'm an endangered species.. =D.. after today's first tutorial for psychology, i truly do.. haha..

well, it is always believed that people see and process faces with the right hemisphere of their brains.. i.e. they tend to notice and see the left side of the faces and process the information with the right hemisphere of the brain..

but today's test proved that i don't do it that way.. as in my brain doesn't choose to do it that way.. haha.. or rather, i don't purposely control it.. haha.. i broke the record, out of 36 photos, none of them i process the left side of the faces.. that means, i process the right side of all the faces, and which means, i work with my left hemisphere of the brain.. haha.. even my tutor was doubting me, and thought that i was dozing off during the lesson.. haha..

so, i'm truly an endangered species! haha.. so i should be protected! wahaha..

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my secondary school's classmate is leaving for Denmark for an exchange programme.. and over dinner i was hearing so many plans of friends going to places, travelling around the world for holiday, for studying..

where am i? where will i head to? what kind of path that my future will lead me to?

monday blues..

i think i will oversleep on every monday, and i think i will need to take a cab to school every monday.. who likes to have lessons at 8am, on monday?? arghh.. and it's 8am to 6pm every monday.. 10 freaking long hours.. my goodness..

one of my favourite lecturers, Prof. Benito Tan, is one of my lecturers for this semester! yeahhey.. although he will only be guest-lecturing for a few lectures, but i think it's good enough, at least i know it's not some other sucky lecturers.. haha.. and his philippino accent.. ooohh.. reminded me of my dear friends in the lovely city of Bago.. haha.. his "actually", "back", "rank" and my favourite - "fungus" (he pronounced it as "foong-goose").. haha..

but i don't like my TA.. serious, i really don't like him.. he doesn't understand what we are trying to say, and same goes for us.. we don't understand his questions, and he doesn't understand our answers.. and he likes to drag the lesson, and talks non-stop.. he can only understand our answers if we phrase them in his words.. and i mean, word-for-word.. arghh.. i can't imagine i'll have to see him for the next few practicals.. arghh.. what happened to all the other good TAs? why is my good TA from the last semester not teaching us this semester?? why???

new pyjamas for my tofu..

my big tofu is going to sleep in his new pyjamas.. =D



isn't he cute? haha.. although his legs are kinda short, and the arms too.. haha.. but his legs are still swollen.. haha.. but i'll make him do some leg exercises.. wahaha..

random..

finally i decided to throw away my notes from my JC days.. haha.. don't laugh, i always thought that those notes will come in handy anytime (and they did, during my first year in university).. haha.. but now, when i'm settled with the thought of graduating this semester, these notes seem to be just occupying space and collecting dust in my room.. so i've decided to dump them, though not everything.. haha.. so as to make way for more notes for this semester.. haha..

and while clearing up my shelves, i saw the book containing messages from teachers and students, which was given to us during our prom at the end of our JC years.. i almost forgot that this book exists.. hmm.. 2 years in JC is too short to make it memorable enough.. and friends come and go, and most of my classmates i have not been in contact with for quite a long time, and sometimes i wonder where have these people gone to.. sigh..

anyway, another little story from philippines..

as i've mentioned, i travelled out of the island of Negros to Cebu and Bohol.. my main objective to Bohol was to visit NUSCO sponsored child, Jen Melfe, and hopefully to visit the famous Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers in Bohol..

Jen Melfe is a shy little 9 year old girl.. her family is poor, and they have to support 4 young children.. when i visited her, she was having fever, so i guessed she wasn't that active as i would expect her to be..

although we didn't get to talk a lot due to language barriers and her being sick, i felt something whenever i held her hand.. it felt different from the feelings when i hold the hands of other children.. i couldn't describe, but perhaps her skinny hand made me feel that there should be more things to be done, to help these children.. even with monthly contributions, it would still require much more effort to change the lives of these children..

bringing her to Jolly-Bee was something new to her.. that was her first time going into a fast food restaurant.. at 9 year old, that was her first time eating in a fast food restaurant.. how old were you, when u had your first meal in MacDonalds or any other fast food restaurant? 1 year old? 2 year old?

and she didn't eat a lot.. only a few bites of the spagetti.. she asked me if she could have an ice-cream.. i would very much loved to buy her one, but she was running a fever.. and i told her, "next time ok? when you are not sick.. when you recover.." and i hope there would be a next time..

initially i planned to bring her around the city, or maybe perhaps shopping for a christmas gift for her.. but she was not feeling well, so after lunch i let her return home, and i continued to tour around the little island of Bohol..

with only a few hours stay on the island, it was impossible for me to visit the Chocolate Hills, but at least i managed to see those cute little tarsiers, close-up!



they are smaller than the size of my palm, and with their big eyes staring at you, you would really love to get one to bring it home.. haha.. aren't they adorable? haha..



too bad they are endangered (or so i thought).. but i was only there for about half an hour or so, and i had to return to the port to take a ferry back to Cebu.. so much for travelling 2 hours to-and-fro just to see the tarsiers..

oh well, the next time, i want my Chocolate Hills!! =D

rain..

rainy nights tend to make me think a lot.. more than usual.. haa.. a quiet journey from school back home can be something challenging for my mind, because my mind can fly to a faraway place..



listening to "Hawak Kamay" brought me back to Bago City.. it means "to hold hands together".. and i really wish i could do that right now.. and this song made me remember the last morning i sat outside the house with papa, and ton-ton came singing this song and made me cry.. aww..

and coming home, to know that my previous lecturer had passed away due to a sudden heart attack.. he was one of my favourite lecturers, whom i truly admire.. i liked the way he made the lessons interesting and funny with his jokes and his weird laughter.. it's really a pity, and if given an opportunity, i would very much love to take one of his modules again..

sigh.. rainy night..

busy..

there goes my reputation as a responsible tutor.. arghh.. blame the agent, i did not agree to the new assignment, but she told the parents that i would be there.. and it so happened that they are the neighours of my kids.. and my kids' mum called to ask me what happened.. -_-""

but still, it's the agent's fault! how could she tell the parents that i accepted the assignment when i didn't agree to anything?? worse still, i was not given any contact number or address, so where am i suppose to go to teach?? arghh..

oh well, i may not have time for the new student anyway.. haha..

and i've got a part-time job, working in CFA, doing those nitty gritty things like tearing labels and removing plastic covers from books.. it's ok to be paid for doing brainless jobs.. because i need my brain cells for other things.. haha..

anyway, a little story from Bago City.. =)



this was taken during the christmas party (19 Dec 2006) at Astro Farm Day Care and Elementary School.. we were playing games with the kids, and in this game, they had to form the longest line with whatever they have on them..

because they only had simple clothing on them, all they could use were their shoes and their clothes.. even if the prizes were only candies and simple toys, they wanted them so much, because they were really that attractive to them.. they wanted to win so much, that the boys took off all their clothes, including their undies.. even the girls were half-naked.. but of course the boys' team won.. =)

and all of us really had a good time, laughing and playing along with them.. =) another interesting fact about this photo, it became 2nd most viewed photo (54 views!!) after only 3 days of uploading it to flickr.. haha.. and you are going to wonder what is the most viewed photo.. haha..

and hello to everyone in Bago!! =) i miss all of you, i really do.. hope everybody's doing fine there.. and like what tricia said, i should be back, to make everybody happy, especially papa.. haha.. don't worry, i've been thinking about my next trip already.. hopefully it will happen.. *cross my fingers* so pray for me too!! love you guys!! =)

first day back to school..

damn.. first day of school, 8am lesson.. i almost overslept.. because i didn't hear the chickens.. haha.. tricia and papa will know what i mean.. when i was there, i woke up at around 6am everyday.. almost no fail.. haha.. and i always told them that "the chickens are working very hard".. haha..

but next week onwards, every monday is going to be a 8-to-6 day.. 8am to 6pm.. arghh.. monday blues!! but thanks goodness tuesday is my free day, and the rest of the days are short days.. but i don't think it will not be a free day anymore, after i put in all my slots for the kids' tuition.. in another words, i may be working almost 7 days a week.. sheesh.. and i have already started tuitioning the kids yesterday.. no time to rest.. haha..

anyway, i've already uploaded the photos from my Bago trip to flickr.. so just click on the icon to view them.. =) perhaps i will select some, and post it here, because every photo has its own story to tell.. =)

once again, thanks to all my friends who have made the big tofu for me.. =) i had a good time hugging it to sleep.. hehe..

thank you all for the big plush toy!

thank you all, so much.. for the big plush toy!! it was really a nice surprise.. =) now i'll have something nice to hug at night.. =) maybe that's why my mum threw away my smelly pillow while i was away in philippines.. although i really miss it right now, and i couldn't sleep well last night.. i should have brought it with me to philippines.. damn..

bigger than my bolster.. =D.. the small one is the original version, but the big one is handmade.. wooh~~

and it's big enough to take the driver's seat.. haha..

anyway, thank you all so much.. i know there are many people involved in this, different people sewing different parts of the plush toy.. thank you so so much.. =)

i've yet to give a name for it.. tentatively it's "big tofu", since i called the small one "tofu prince".. haha..

now it's back to my usual life, back to orchestra practice.. thankful to have friends that care for me even when i'm away.. somehow the transition period after coming back from Bago seems to be better than the previous times.. =)

anyway, bago pictures to be posted in a couple of days, after i'm done with all other nitty gritty stuff, like packing all the pasalubongs and settling the school's timetable.. =)

back from my second home..

i'm back, from my second home.. =)

coming back, was again, something hard to do.. saying goodbyes, and all the cryings.. haha.. but i think i cried less.. at least i didn't cry when i entered the boarding gate.. =)

this time round, although the transit was more convenient, without having to claim my luggage at the domestic airport and moving out of the airport.. but i still made a booboo.. my passport was not chopped, so i had to get out of the boarding gate and requeue for all procedures again.. and the people there all thought i was a filipina when i spoke tagalog.. haha.. and i surprised them by showing my passport.. haha..

and the customs at changi airport is so self-service now.. scanning my own passport and thumbprint.. and that's it.. haha..

but anyway, a sincere and heartfelt thanks to everybody in Bago City.. TRY, the Matti family and relatives, the Mondia, Singson and Torres family and their big family, the HRMO staff, joenil and family, and everyone else in the neighbourhood, in the schools, and people i've met.. thank you all so much, for giving me such a wonderful time and memories.. =) thank you, for being so nice to me, helping me, giving me treats, allowing all my requests.. hehe..

but please, the next time i fall sick, no need to make a fuss out of it.. i can take care of myself.. hahaha.. =D

i'll remember all the good time i have spent there, the ice-box cake, my specially-prepared mashed potatoes, the jokes and the new words i've learnt.. =) and also our theme song, hawak kamay.. =) i'll make ton-ton sing that to me again.. haha..

and sorry, for any inconvenience caused due to my requests, for any unintentional silly jokes i've made, and whatever trouble i have given.. =)

i'll remember tricia's two words, "Be Back".. and papa's words too.. and everybody's.. and i'll be back *hopefully so*.. =)

so for now, i'll miss all of you.. we are just a text away, and there's always emails, calls, and my blog! =) love all of you, miss all of you, and i'll be back.. *hopefully*.. =)

big update..

sorry for the no-post.. haha.. due to me travelling around islands, and the poor internet connection..

anyway, christmas was fun, so was the new year.. firecrackers bombing around the town, non-stop.. haha..

the mission to Bohol was completed, after meeting up with NUSCO's sponsored child, Jen Melfe.. =) and bringing her and her family to a meal in JollyBee.. and it was her first time eating fast food in her 9 years.. although she was quiet most of the time (she was running a fever then), but still i could sensed that she was happy, or at least i hope.. haha..

and i also got to see the cute little Tarsiers in Bohol.. hehe.. but too bad, no chocolate hills this time, due to the rushed schedule.. haha..

so, at least for now, i have been out of Negros Occidental, to Bohol and Cebu.. wahaha.. but the trip back was horrible.. 5 hours of waiting at the bus terminal, and more than 8 hours of bus ride.. and that caused me to have a bad cough.. arghh.. sadly to say, i'm still coughing..

christmas spent with the Mondia family was good.. =) and new year with the Matti family was good too.. food, food, food.. eat, eat, eat.. haha..

so, tentatively, i have more or less done with my mission, except for some stuff to be distributed by them when the school reopens.. i'll leave it to TRY to settle it.. =)

and i still have 2 days left here in Bago.. of course i'm sad to leave, but i'll still have to go.. i'll miss this place..

christmas parties..

yesterday's christmas party at A.M. Espinos Elementary School was overwhelming.. and indeed, i had fun.. =)

the children were so excited about the party, that they were already sitted under the hot sun when we arrived.. and seeing upon all of us wearing red santa hats, they were estatic..

we watched the children's performances, played games, sang songs, danced to the currently-popular "Boom Tarat" song.. and we also prepared spagetti, bread and juice for the 250 students in the school..

the later part of the programme was about giving and receiving.. it feels good to see smiles on their faces when they received the stationery, toys and clothes from us.. at some time, i had to give out little toys to children randomly, and when all of them came crowding around me, i couldn't move at all..

the most touching part was when the whole school sang a "Thank you" song.. i have never heard people singing a song with lyrics filled with thanks, and they sang it with their heart.. manz.. indescribable..

today will be another christmas party for another elementary school, which the condition is worse than the previous one.. i don't know what to expect, but i know, i will see smiles.. =)

update..

ok.. another short update..

went to 2 schools, Ramon-Torres Malingin National High School and Ramon-Torres Taloc National High School to distribute things to the top 10 students of each level and Ms Teen TRY candidates..

ok lar, they are grateful, they appreciate, and i am happy too.. =)

next week i will be having 2 christmas parties for 2 elementary schools, and then i will distribute the rest, including the toys and stationery.. more kids.. =)

schedule for the day..

ahh.. back from lunch break.. =)

this morning was going to place after place..

1st stop: Astro Farm Elementary School
we were there for TRY's feeding program.. around 50 kids are part of this program, where they will be provided with food, bread and juice.. this little girl, whom we named her Judy Ann (after a very popular actress here in Philippines) lost one of her parents, and she is part of the program.. and she's soo cute!! haha.. the road to Astro Farm is super bumpy.. we past by a "forest of sugarcane", and sometimes i saw no roads ahead of us... =X.. at one point, the driver and Nonoy had to get out of the van to check the depth of the mudpool, just in case the van gets stuck in it.. haha..

2nd stop: Ma-ao Sugar Central High School
we distributed the sponsored notepads and pens to the top 10 students from each level, and files for the top student of each level.. the candidate for Ms Teen TRY also received a package of 1 file, 4 notepads and pens.. hopefully these items will serve as a form of inspiration and motivation to study hard.. =)

3rd stop: Ma-ao Lousiana High School
went there to give a package to a candidate for Ms Teen TRY too..

4th stop: Sagasa High School
the same goes to this high school, distributing the same thing as the Ma-ao Sugar Central High School..

later in the afternoon, more places to go to.. Malignin, Dulao and Taloc.. busy day... =)

oh, i will be going to Bohol to visit NUSCO's sponsored child! yeahhey!! =)