Yu-chan no Megane

That’s my new cheesy motto for the coming year. I have resolved to attack everything with GUSTO. And to not shirk my responsibilities. You’d think a teacher would be pretty responsible, but the truth of the matter is… I’m not there yet.

Half the time, I still feel like a 15 year old.

Must be all that hang-out time with the 7 year olds the past year. But who am I kidding? I still enjoy cartoons.

I’ve heard about my assignment next year and it’s with the same bunch of children, the Primary Ones. Can’t wait to begin another year, doing all those things I swore I would do last December. This time, I’m turning over a new leaf. Hope I don’t uncover some gross bugs.

The new year also has brought some new tuition assignments. Two, to be exact, but only because I need to pay up some loans. I think I need to make better use of my time. Which means that my Wii at home won’t be getting much use. Nor will I be watching much anime.

But who am I kidding? (Only Wendy knows. Probably myself.)

It’s going to be a very busy year ahead. I’ve got so many things planned:

• Research work in school
• Exercise (time to get that bike to cycle to school)
• Japanese Language lessons
• Tuition (total of 4 days)

I need to learn to enjoy working. This year it’s felt like a little chore. No more though! Onward!!!!

And once again, I find myself pondering the various choices I have made in the past year. Like choosing to do something else in lieu of something important. I am really not proud of it. In fact, I might feel a little ashamed, except that I have a very thick hide. What’s done is done and it’s fairly obvious I need to do something about my priorities.

So in light of that (and accountability to all and sundry), I’m going to highlight these few areas that need critical rescue.

1. Setting aside a proper time for devotions: I seem to be stealing a slot here and there. Instead, I need to make God my priority by making an appointment with Him. Surely, He deserves all that and so much more. If I can make it to work each day and to ministry, this is no excuse.
2. Work smart and hard: What an ultimate slacker I have been. I have no doubt about the talents that I have, only because I know where they came from. Yet, I am not utilising them fully. I’m probably one of the most disorganised people you’d ever meet. I need to work harder to make sure I meet deadlines on time.
3. Cut down on unnecessary things: Like expenditure and food. I don’t mean I intend to starve to death, I mean I need to learn the meaning of the word “moderation”.

Three things, but a pretty tall order. I hope one day I will be able to climb up that impossible mountain and say…

Let me apologise right off the bat for this terrible rant, which might present a stumbling block to some of you. Just in case you were wondering, I’m still human the last I checked and I’m just going to let it out. I’m a rational human being (except when high on caffeine), so it won’t be one of those angsty little ego trips.

I’m just really frustrated. There are a few questions I’d like to ask someone in particular, but most important being “do you even know the people you work with?” I mean, seriously. You’d think that after that many years, you’d know your people well enough. Do you think we flout rules for no reason? Or do you think we aren’t rational adults? What’s my track record in situations like these? What’s my personality?

Those are serious questions. But clearly, not everyone knows the answer. I think we should know those things about the people we work with. There needs to be a relationship before you can expect anyone to want to do things for you willingly. Which, clearly, is not happening especially in my area.

My mother told me I should have said “my mother raised me better than that”. LOL.

I don’t know about you, but I’d defend my friends even though they might have made a mistake, just on the basis that I know them and they’re my responsibility too. We’re all accountable to one another after all. And if they haven’t made any errors, I’ll still be glad to take the blame if it’s a misguided accusation. This is called sacrificial love. Don’t see it much nowadays. I’m not tooting my own horn, but honestly, that’s how I see things.

And don’t get me started on that look and tone of voice. But I shall stop right here, because I know that despite it all, God is still God and He is sovereign. So I shall submit to that and trust that God will vindicate me. So I’m going to put this behind me and move on. No sense getting bitter over something that is pretty trivial and would seem completely inconsequential tomorrow.

On another happy note, we had delicious potato salad today thanks to Jeff and had a great time rehearsing our songs. WOO! Fun times. In the evening, the chat time with Wendy was the best ever. She listens to all my crrrrrrrrrap! Haha.

Must. Relive. The. Day. Even. Though. Iwanttosleeprightnowzzzzz…

A short recap is in order plus my personal take on the entire thing. It’s not often there’s an event like this to feed 5000+ elderly in Singapore.

Before I begin though, congratulations are in order to those in the various teams. It really took a lot of teamwork to get the entire event off the ground and I can imagine the stress the committee went through. Thank God for His grace! Whew!

I started the morning by meeting a few friends to head down together. I wasn’t taking any chances with my sense of direction and the comatose state I predicted I would be in this morning. Considering my schedule for the past 4 days (PSLE marking exercise), I was right on target. Thank God for Starbucks and the TRIPLE caramel macchiato. Thank God also that I have an iron stomach and don’t end up LS-ing due to excess caffeine. If you don’t know what LS is, it’s not important. Haha.

We arrived just in time to get to the main business end of things, putting up balloons on various poles. Was a little tricky, but we managed to get things going and finished that up pretty early. So we thought we’d head off to Marina Square to cool off and have some decent food.

Except we weren’t supposed to. WHOOPS!

Ah well. Have I mentioned that Pasta de Waraku is pretty good? At least, the Squid, Octopus and Chilli Cod Roe pasta was. I also love their corn soup. Very corn soupy. Beats Mos any time (obviously). Major thanks to The Food Guru. That was so satisfying after sweltering under the tent putting up the decorations. Heck, the a/c was the most satisfying of all. Didn’t take any photos of the food however. Didn’t want to look like a complete suaku. If you don’t know what that is, it’s also not entirely important. Suffice to say I didn’t want to look like a country bumpkin.

Doink.

So we arrived back after lunch a little sheepishly, although not quite regretting being mildly disobedient. Haha. Worked hard after that though serving the food and smiling away despite how hot we were under our collars. The humidity was just stratospheric today. But, all things considered, the weather was good. I really hope the elderly were blessed.

Key highlights of the entertainment were Lina Ng and Lina Ng. She’s such a great host and really has such a sweet spirit. It’s always such a joy to have her host such events. So entertaining. Ai pia jia eh yia. REALLY NOT IMPORTANT. ;) We were also told by some juggler on stage that it’s good to break the law. Apparently, the law of GRAVITY, but that was scandalous in itself. I thought my ears were screwing with me.

Ris (Riz?) Low also made an appearance with her fellow Miss World finalists. I won’t speculate as to why they were there, except someone did say “BOOMZ” through the house sound system while she was in the vicinity. Major faux pas. Haha. Maybe she should just be frank about past mistakes. No point in hiding them. I’d like her a lot better for it, honestly.

Anyway, here are some photos I took with the trusty TD2. From what JS tells me, it’s the best choice I ever made. Would have brought my delicious Lumix LX3, but wanted to move freely today. At least the pics are pretty decent though. My favourite? The last shot.

The production this year is going to be such a challenge, but so far, I’m really enjoying the work that we’re doing. Tweaking lyrics and singing are things that are close to my heart. Major love!

This year, there are just four of us layering the parts together with the backing tracks. No real need for the choir as everything’s going to be put together digitally. Go Fei! He’s working on the technical bits. Pat, Johan, Scott and I just have to manage our end of the vocal bargain. Haha.

Fun stuff!

Care and Share is coming right up too. Excited about that as well… can’t wait to serve the old folks and see their smiles. Thank God!

I’ve been thinking about my grandparents lately too. Haven’t been very faithful where they’re concerned and I also do want to help them manage coming to church. I’m just praying for an open door. Maybe Wu Lao Shi’s granny can be a point of contact. Crossing my fingers. Granny can’t really walk. Sigh.

Pray, pray!

Frankly, I could just sum things up with two words: frantic marking. But instead of complaining, I shall do something mildly constructive instead.

Like rave about the revival of Bleach in the very warm cockles of my manga heart!!! I finally caught up with the episodes of Bleach I had neglected so woefully over the past what… half a year? But boy am I glad I did. Death God fantasy and whatever notwithstanding (after all, that is part of the storyline, but I ain’t putting it in the same league as Harry Potter — is is much better and with no real occultism), it is just a brilliant piece of work.

Kubo Taito (or should I say KUDOS, Taito… haha, lameness!) is the bomb! But so is the bunch behind the anime. This new zanpakutou rebellion arc is just the ticket. Woo! I am so inspired after watching I am also itching to write some nice pieces of fiction. Afterall, I have been neglecting Fanfiction.net for a while. Yes, I do indulge in writing once in a while. (Get over it.)

And Fade to Black is just plain brilliant. The coolness factor is practically stratospheric! While my previous compulsive addiction hasn’t returned (honestly, who has the time?), I am once again an avid fan.

Who will be starting Japanese lessons in December with MIMI-CHAN. WAHAHA! I am looking forward to polishing my knowledge of the Japanese language again. I still remember loads and can understand quite a lot, but I’d like to be fluent in speech and grammatically correct. Here come those drills!

本当にわくわくするですよ！クラスは始まり！

See? I do know quite a bit about what I’m talking about.

Wow, no photos this time round, sadly. But if I manage to get some from the official Woodgrove pool, I’ll post a few up. Was busy the entire day, singing for both morning and afternoon sessions, so had no time at all to take any photos. Pity.

Had a rip roaring time! I think it was a wonderful session. The other teachers really put in so much effort. The afternoon session was rockin’ the music. Next up, Speech Day. And this time, the kids are going to be involved! We’re groovin’ the house, people! Haha!

Tonight was also our Mid-autumn Festival Celebration. Wanted to take some photos but was too lazy, because I was doing my rounds like a good little girl, speaking with parents. Had some really great, enjoyable conversations. So glad I have supportive parents.

So, now, plenty of things to think about. A lot of them have to do with music. How beautiful is that???? Thank God for the talents He has given me. Effect change!

Btw, Wendy, try highlighting! ;)

LOVE MUCH WU LAO SHI!!! HAHAHA!!! Nothing scandalous here, la. Move on.

This is truly an application of anointing for the outside.

A full morning being a blessing. Feels wonderful and set me thinking.

Learnt about the useful properties of graphs today. Can’t believe KFC topped the charts and most of them don’t know what Mos Burger is.

Okay, so my to-do list is getting longer as we speak. This is not good at all. Challenging, but not quite so good.

 Children’s Day is around the corner and apart from pondering my options for gifts, I’ve got to teach the young ones two songs. The quintessential Singaporean children’s day song from eons ago, Semoga Bahagia and We’re All In This Together (High School Musical)… I’m loving the last song, particularly the beat. Let’s hope the kids love it too. My class does. Some of them are decidedly not musical.

 Feel a little more motivated right now, so I shall hie me off to work.