i miss the sunset..

it seems like there's no break afterall.. even if all my tuition lessons are over, i still don't get to be home before 8.. have been working overtime since monday.. and my lunchtime has been reduced to less than half-an-hour.. or rather, i've been chomping down my food while doing my work at the same time.. haa.. workaholic? nah, i'm not that hardworking.. i just don't like to see shit being piled up.. haa..

i think i don't get to see daylight for more than 4 hours a day.. i miss seeing the sunset.. not that i'm that free to sit down by the beach or whatsoever, seeing the sun slowly sets down below the horizon.. at least sometimes when i'm on the bus to the kids' house, i still do enjoy moments looking up to the evening sky.. the only time i'm not doing anything but staring out of the window..

but at least i've sent out the VCDs and reports to the sponsors for my expedition trip last year.. one task down.. =) hopefully i can still gather their support again for this year.. if not, i can always treat the trip as a getaway.. haha..

2 more months to a new year.. time really flies real fast manz..

my awaited break is here..

finally... no more kids! wahahah.. give them a month's break.. and i badly need my break too..

people have been asking me why am i still teaching when i've already got a job.. why not give them up, since i've been ranting about them, and complaining that i've no time for myself..

kids are always kids.. they always have silly nonsense to annoy people, especially their teachers (which perhaps explain the high stress levels of local teachers).. but then again, it's all these nonsense that make lessons not so boring.. imagine both the teacher and the students yawning.. haha..

i'm not giving them up, because one of them is my cousin, the other two kids i've been teaching them for almost two years.. it may be easy on my part to say, "i'm busy with my work, i'm not teaching anymore".. but to the kids and the parents, they will have to search for a new tutor, and having to spend time again to re-adjust to the teaching methods of the new tutor..

being surrounded by kids is not a bad thing either.. at least they make you feel younger.. not saying that i'm old either.. haa..

oh well, good luck kids, just don't come and scare me with your exam results..

sick and silly kid..

i think my nose may manage to come in first when competing in the F-1 race.. it has been running at a speed of 150km/hr since morning, with only a few breakdowns.. and my throat, it's like a piece of sandpaper.. arghh..

anyway, no more silly kid, until i see her again in december.. i almost went bonkers when she said "dunno" every 5 seconds.. and my throat wasn't allowing me to raise my voice.. but now i feel despaired, after teaching her for the past few days.. and her mum just told me that 18 students in her class failed maths.. great.. that's like more than 50% chance of her being one of the 18 students.. i really don't know what to do..

oh well, as promised, the answers to her spelling words.. i wonder if anybody got any questions right.. haa..

1. participate
2. causing
3. terrify
4. cupboard
5. wonderful

so did you manage to get them right? =)

kids' horror..

let's see if you can decipher what my kid had written for her spelling..

1. partycter
2. crossze
3. carryfight
4. cardbored
5. onethefoot

answers on my next post.. haha..

kermit has a duet with kylie..

this is soooo cute!! =P

what do i want..

i kinda hate it when people ask about my job, and what has it got to do with the 3 years i've spent in university.. and yes, i don't like it when salary is mentioned.. and worse, how long am i intending to work in my current job, and what am i going to do next, in the future..

i know that i'm not that far-sighted, and i'm really taking things one step at a time.. to put it bluntly, you can say that i don't seem to plan for the future..

but there are times when i have to ask myself, what is it that i want of myself.. who doesn't wish to be successful, earning a high income, enjoying life when they want to? the society is a pragmatic one, everybody is fighting to survive, and somehow money and status is one way to determine how successful a person is.. go ahead if you want to say that i'm shallow, but that's what i think i'm being conformed to, although i'm trying very hard to break away from this set of mentality..

i always hear people saying, do what you think it's best, do what you like.. honestly, i don't think i really like what i'm doing right now.. this is far from what i want for myself.. i'm trying to convince myself that i'm still young, and i'm working for the experience first.. ha, and i hope it's a convincing one..

i know there are people who have been helping and guiding me all along, and i'm thankful for that.. and i know where my main source of motivation is coming from.. =)

the start of Christmas celebration..

this is a bit insane.. Philippines has already started their celebration for Christmas.. this is waaaay too early.. ha..

i'm foreseeing that there will be another 'national' song whereby the entire country sings and dances to its catchy tune, just like how 'Boom Tarat Tarat' leaves an unforgettable impression.. =D

but then again, i can't get to celebrate my Christmas the way i want it to be.. *sad* i cannot imagine what i'm going to do on that day.. no more ice-box cake, no more caroling, no more late-night walks to the brightly-lid coliseum.. =(

'Single-Handed Brilliance'

i've never seen a person who plays a piano concerto entirely with his left hand.. which is why this concert was titled 'Single-Handed Brilliance'.. technically, he was flawless.. it seemed like his hand was just floating and sliding along the keys.. and he was totally immersed in the music, and the audience could feel that.. bravo to this young pianist, Alexandre Tharaud..

and kudos to Singapore Symphony Orchestra.. as an amateur orchestra player, i know how hard it is to really concentrate and play well for the entire concert, let alone an entire symphony that lasted near 1 hour.. i admitted that at some point of time, i did drift off for a while, but the whole concert was really good.. and of course, i can't complain much, because the tickets were free.. haha..

along the walkway from the Esplanade to City Hall, there was a series of artwork done by kids, and damn, they are creative.. initially, i thought those were some usual drawings and models, until i realised that they used Crocs to make some of their models.. that was my first time seeing rubber shoes being made into animals..


Croc-rhino!


can you spot the Croc?



and some of their drawings really amazed me.. i doubt i can draw/paint like them.. the only thing i can do is to anyhow doodle and scribble.. haha..

and then this one, to all Patrick-the-starfish fans.. haha..

and after a supposedly-relaxing night, it will be hell after that.. kids on weekends, and another hell-week at work.. and i'm not kidding.. bless me..

一个盲人与导盲犬的故事

here's a story to share, after reading it from the Chinese exam paper which my friend has set.. haha.. i find it very interesting, and it leaves us something to think about.. =)

~~~~~~~~~~

一天，一个盲人带着他的导盲犬过街时，一辆大卡车失去控制，直冲过来，盲人当场被撞死，他的导盲犬为了守卫主人，也一起惨死在车轮底下。

主人和狗一起到了天堂门前。

一个天使拦住他俩，为难地说："对不起，现在天堂只剩下一个名额，你们两个中必须有一个去地狱。"

主人一听，连忙问："我的狗又不知道什么是天堂，什么是地狱，能不能让我来决定谁去天堂呢？"

天使鄙视地看了这个主人一样，皱起了眉头，她想了想，说："很抱歉，先生，每一个灵魂都是平等的，你们要通过比赛决定由谁上天堂。"

主人失望地问："哦，什么比赛呢？"

天使说："这个比赛很简单，就是赛跑，从这里跑到天堂的大门，谁先到达目的地，谁就可以上天堂。不过，你也别担心，因为你已经死了，所以不再是瞎子，而且灵魂的速度跟肉体无关，越单纯善良的人速度越快。"主人想了想，同意了。

天使让主人和狗准备好，就宣布赛跑开始。她满心以为主人为了进天堂，会拼命往前奔，谁知道主人一点也不忙，慢吞吞地往前走着。更令天使吃惊的是，那条导盲犬也没有奔跑，它配合着主人的步调在旁边慢慢跟着，一步都不肯离开主人。天使恍然大悟：原来，多年来这条导盲犬已经养成了习惯，永远跟着主人行动，在主人的前方守护着他。可恶的主人，正是利用了这一点，才胸有成竹，稳操胜券，他只要在天堂门口叫他的狗停下，就能轻轻松松赢得比赛。

天使看着这条忠心耿耿的狗，心里很难过，她大声对狗说："你已经为主人献出了生命，现在，你这个主人不再是瞎子，你也不用领着他走路了，你快跑进天堂吧！"

可是，无论是主人还是他的狗，都像是没有听到天使的话一样，仍然慢吞吞地地往前走，好像在街上散步似的。

果然，离终点还有几步的时候，主人发出一声口令，狗听话地坐下了，天使用鄙视的眼神看着主人。

这时，主人笑了，他扭过头对天使说："我终于把我的狗送到天堂了，我最担心的就是它根本不想上天堂，只想跟我在一起……所以我才想帮它决定，请你照顾好它。"

天使愣住了。

主人留恋地看着自己的狗，又说："能够用比赛的方式决定真是太好了，只要我再让它往前走几步，它就可以上天堂了。不过它陪伴了我那么多年，这是我第一次可以用自己的眼睛看着它，所以我忍不住想要慢慢地走，多看它一会儿。如果可以的话，我真希望永远看着它走下去。不过天堂到了，那才是它该去的地方，请你照顾好它。"

说完这些话，主人向狗发出了前进的命令，就在狗到达终点的一刹那，主人像一片羽毛似的落向了地狱的方向。他的狗见了，急忙掉转头，追着主人狂奔。满心懊悔的天使张开翅膀追过去，想要抓住导盲犬，不过那是世界上最纯洁善良的灵魂，速度远比天堂所有的天使都快。

所以导盲犬又跟主人在一起了，即使是在地狱，导盲犬也永远守护着它的主人。

天使久久地站在那里，喃喃说道："我一开始就错了，这两个灵魂是一体的，他们不能分开……"

这个世界上，真相只有一个，可是在不同人眼中，却会看出不同的是非曲直。这是为什么呢？其实，道理很简单，因为每个人看待事物，都不可能站在绝对客观公正的立场上，而是或多或少地戴上有色眼镜，用自己的经验、好恶和道德标准来进行评判，结果就是--我们看到了假象。

kid is having his major exams..

boy: teacher! my maths paper, last 5 questions i dunno how to do leh!
me: wah! like that, die liao lor..
boy: yar lor! haha..

*tsk tsk.. still have the mood to laugh..*

now i'm starting to worry.. if this happens for the rest of his papers, there goes the hope of him getting into his dream school..

boy: teacher! i know you got superpowers right? can you become invisible and sit beside me during my exams?
me: yar right.. you wait long long..

silly kid.. haa..

September's playlist..

playlist for September - Filipino teleserye soundtracks..

yup, don't laugh.. i do watch filipino dramas (they termed it teleseryes) one ok.. although some of their storylines are a bit exaggerating and ridiculous, but my main motive is to learn the language k.. haha..

that's beside the point..

every music has a story to tell, so do these soundtracks.. they add meanings and feelings to the shows.. and some of them do have special meanings to me as well.. =)

i'll highlight some songs here, but do try to listen to all of them.. haha..

1. Para Lang Sa Yo (Only For You)
this song is really very recent, and the teleserye is still ongoing.. basically the song is inspired by the love story between the two main characters in the show (who also happens to be real-life couple).. what i like about this song is the voice.. Aiza Seguerra.. she really has a very very nice voice.. =)

2. Makita Kang Muli (I'll See You Again)
ok, this is special for me.. the very first pinoy song i tried learning.. i remembered my friend was playing this song the entire afternoon.. non-stop.. and i started to sing along to the first few lines of the chorus.. and after that all my other friends started requesting me to sing (because i'll sound weird singing Tagalog? haha).. it will make me remember my Bago December 2006.. =)

3. Maybe
heard this song while watching my first teleserye.. at least it's in English and i understand it.. haha.. or at least that's the only thing i could understand out of the whole show, when i was still grasping the basic "i-me-you-they-we" Tagalog words.. haha..

yup, till then, enjoy the music! hehe..

you can't have the best of both worlds..

sometimes you really can't have the best of both worlds.. even when you are trying very hard to achieve the best you want for both sides, somehow the master almighty above just doesn't let you have it your way..

there are so many things i wish to have, i wish to do.. and because i can't have it totally my way, choices have to be made.. sacrifices too.. ouch..

well, at least i can try looking on the brighter side.. =)

oh.. and HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!! haha..

countdown to PSLE..

oh my god.. 1 more week to PSLE.. which means, more kids-days for me.. AHHH!!!

not that i really hate them, just that kids do give me problematic and fustrating moments every now and then.. i should actually thank them for being my sole source of income during my school days.. and there are still days with silly jokes that make me wanna laugh my head off.. haha..

the first time i'm seeing a kid through his first milestone of his academic studies.. please don't make silly careless mistakes again!!! like i've always said, i can't be sitting beside you during exams..

and once PSLE is over, i need to tackle the other 2 kids..

now i look at my schedule.. it's really no-life.. no~~!!

playlist for september..

sorry for the delay, blame my computer screen if you want to.. haha..

theme for september's playlist: motivational..

yes, we do need some boost at the lowest points in our lives, and songs are good medicines to the souls.. =) they can make you cry, they can make you stand up again.. whether or not they make you work harder or strive better, at least they can make you move on and get over with your saddest/angriest/frustrating moments.. haha..

so yup, enjoy.. =)

they are leaving on a jet plane..

huijie is now on her flight to London, to a place where she can let her creative juices run wild, where she knows she can reach out to her stars and pursue them..

seeing her carrying all her own luggages, walking in the departure gate, i really take my hats off to her.. a young girl who dare to choose to walk the path less taken.. once again it reminded me of the day i returned from Bago.. i have no idea why that moment suddenly spurred up, but it hurts.. a little..

ryan will be on his flight to Korea tomorrow, where an exciting (i presume) 4-month exchange awaits.. start practising your korean now, ryan.. haha..

as for me? i'm still stuck here, temporarily.. haa.. of course i would wish to be able to fly around, travelling to places, and if possible, be a travel guru.. haha.. there are so many places i want to explore, so many different cultures i want to experience..

but no matter what, Bago always hold a special place in my heart.. it may be a wonderful thing to have snow falling on your head on christmas night, or it may be an awesome sight to see the entire city light up from the top of the tower.. but it's even more meaningful when i know i can spend my christmas with people i can call my second family..

i look forward to my filipino christmas.. i want my filipino christmas..

surprise call..

haha! thank you saldo, putol and franz, for bringing me a surprise, after a mentally-exhausting afternoon..

i can't promise i'll be back for christmas, but i'll try my best.. =) really miss you guys so much.. i still think of my ice-box cake, the early mornings outside the house, the rides to Bacolod.. and most of all.. ikaw ang lahat!! mga kaibigan ko! =) miss na miss ko tayo! haha..

i still want my Bago december..

early Teachers' Day, early night..

there's only one good thing when the computer is spoilt.. i get to sleep early.. haa.. but i still can't get over the fact that i can't watch my final week of my drama!!! arghh..

had an early Teachers' Day greeting yesterday, and i'm still quite amused by the presents the kids gave.. they are not very practical, but i can make them useful.. haha.. my only hope for them is to get good grades.. i was surprised when the boy got 80+ marks for both Maths and Chinese.. he usually flunk when it comes to doing speed, but surprisingly he got them all correct.. but his "engrish", not good.. he always ask me to do him a "flavour" by telling him all the answers, and he just coined a new word "prettiful".. wow..

as for the girl, i've nothing to say.. sigh..

here come weekend..

yes! i survived my 6-day-kids week!! haha.. although i kept thinking why the weekend is not here yet.. i shall give myself a break.. go shopping!! hehe..

and it's a Bon Jovi week! haha.. bought their new cd, and i have a compilation cd of theirs in my office.. haha.. like his new songs, especially (You Want To) Make A Memory.. =) Bon Jovi rocks!! woohoo~!

jazzy night..

i'm glad that i went to the SCO's concert with Chris Brubeck's Triple Play yesterday.. i think that was the only concert the Singapore Chinese Orchestra was able to make me rock along.. haha..

it was an interesting mix of music - jazz with chinese music.. and i was truly amazed by the three members of Triple Play.. Chris Brubeck played the piano, the trombone and the electric bass guitar, and it was enjoyable listening to his compositions.. Peter Madcat Ruth is the first man on the harmonica who can make me go "wow~".. and Joel Brown, his jazzy-country style of playing the guitar is sensational too.. =)

at the end of the concert, i gave them what they deserve - a standing ovation.. but a pity, Singapore's audience are like woodblocks.. they listen, but they don't enjoy the music, they don't groove with the rhythm.. how to become a world-class hub for performing arts when these are the reactions performers receive?

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was having dinner with the NUSCO peeps earlier on, and we suddenly remembered this childhood cartoon of ours - Mojacko, or familiarly known as 宇宙小毛球.. i used to watch it when i was younger, probably in my secondary school days.. haha.. i can't remember what the whole cartoon was all about, but the ending theme song is still familiar in my head.. and i find the lyrics meaningful.. =)

i wonder if i will get to watch this cartoon again..

numerology reading

found this numerology reading from a friend's blog.. do try it.. kinda true, in some aspects.. haha..

Your Birth Day number is 15

You are highly creative and artistic. You also have a gift for languages (like learning Tagalog.. haha). No matter what you do as a profession, your love tends to be the arts, especially the visual arts, such as painting, calligraphy, or sculpture (is it? i prefer music leh). There is a yearning within you to ground within the family or community structure, but there is a hint of wanderlust, too, which makes grounding difficult (haha.. like how i keep wanting to go overseas). You want the best in your life, and you strive for it.

Commitment to relationships - especially home and marriage - is a central issue in your life. You must be willing to bring out the best in your partner, or the place you live. In the same way, you must truly commit to your own abilities - make the most of them! Honor your talent and cultivate it with hard work and refinement.

You are very sensitive. Criticism has a very negative effect on you. For this reason, you tend to support others to the point of denying yourself. You want to live according to the Golden Rule, which is that you treat others as you would want to be treated.

You are generous and understanding. As a parent, you are devoted to your children (we will see this, in ten years time.. haha) and can maintain stability and love within the family. You tend to be demonstrative in your affections. You are responsible but keep your own counsel and make your own decisions. You probably look young for your age (yeahhey!). In addition to your artistic talent, you possess sound business and financial instincts (which explains why i keep being the treasurer?). You tend to be thorough and conscientious in your approach to business, traits that pay off in the long run.

You must beware of becoming too soft in relationships. People can see you as an easy mark, or abuse your well-worn shoulder, upon which many tears have been shed. Be more than a willing ear. (hmm..)

You have considerable talent as a healer, but need to develop the actual tools of the healing vocation in order to truly help others. You are multi-talented and with focus and determination, you have great potential for success.