tammy wynette

The country and western singer that Ing and I listened to a lot as teenagers. Such memories. Didn't even know she has passed on quite many years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa6IsZMBEaI&feature=related

'klinik hoki'

Two of the niche areas of my school being the cluster school is the English Language Department and the Hockey. Today there was a hockey clinic organized as part of the program.

When I reached the hockey turf; it was already crowded with teachers holding hockey sticks and trying to pass the ball here and there. HM told me to run one round as warming up. I thought she was teasing me so I just ignored her and joined Elizabeth and Nallina. Then I saw a teacher jogging around and realised I was expected to warm up that way. So off I went and I couldn't stop running!!!!

After two rounds the whistle blew for the teachers to gather and listen to the professionals talk. I was totally frustrated. I just started to warm up and was thinking of going ten rounds. Reluctantly I listened for a while and realised that it would be quite a while before the talk stops. My steam was up and my feet was itching to run. A rebel as usual, I started running again three rounds. Felt guilty as I was the only rebel on the turf running; so I slipped in among them and found it was time to go to the various stations for the practical session.

I paired with Shantini and had a great time learning to hold the stick, passing the ball to her, flick and what have you. During the flick session, I accidentally lifted the stick too high while trying to stop the ball and hit my lip. Now it is swollen.

Before we could reach the final station, the rain came. So we went off for breakfast and the theory class after that. The best was still the practical. I didn't learn a single thing from the theory class.

Had it been all play this morning; I would have enjoyed it totally. The things that one has to do as a teacher!!!! ON A SATURDAY!!!

ups n downs

I had a real lousy time with my 1 Zeta today. I wanted to conclude the making of the Mag Inc so that I could move on with preparing them for the Mid Year Exam next week. We started the groundwork three weeks ago and I believe I've given them sufficient time to gather information and do the necessary so that they can just paste on the materials on the template. Unfortunately, three groups out of seven were still in ground zero. I meletup!!!!!



No cooperation. No initiative. Can't be bothered. Procrastination. Lazy. Irresponsible. What else?

There was a group leader who saved all the material in her thumbdrive and passed it to a group member for printing and the giddy goat lost the thumb drive!

I edited another group's work and gave some suggestions. The group members came today without the work which I have checked and just sat there doing nothing. How can I not blow my top?

Another group talked loud and big about their plans. I helped to outline what to do etc. Today they were rushing all over trying to get coloured papers and pretending to look busy but there was no sight of anything solid. This group is a typical case of NATO....No Action Talk Only.

Sigh....but I take comfort from the cards I received on Teacher's Day; especially this particular card. I think I am still doing something good with the rest of the students.


Received many cards like this....standard kind of wordings that kind of make the teacher feels good but it is so....standard? But...what make this more special than the others?

The girls made me open the card in front of them. Tadaa!!! I was real surprised to see the coin. For a moment I thought one of them didn't bring her history notes and volunteered to pay the fine this way. Then I read the note and realised....it's a joke about me. Yes, I make them pay if they don't bring their notes, don't hand in work or incomplete work. All the money collected goes immediately into the class fund. In a way the extra effort I put in ensuring they complete their work make them to be more alert towards the subject and I hope with all my heart this will help them to take the subject seriously.

These are the girls who sent the card with the joke. It makes my day!!!!

There are ups and downs in being a teacher. Sometimes I feel like a total failure. I fail to be patient, kind, understanding. I am too critical, judgemental, harsh in my words.....I feel like kicking myself after my shower of temper. Sigh...I'm a human; not an angel of saint. If there is a teacher who is total kindess, goodness, love at all times; he/she is .......? I don't know.

food and more food.....

It was Teacher's Day celebration in school yesterday. So the students had party. I visited six classes and could hardly swallow a morsel after the first class. So I decided to take pictures of the variety of food there was.

Junk food is a must amongst teenagers. 1Alpha immediately offered me sweets when I entered.


Drinks....each one bring a bottle.

Pizza....Pizza Hut and Dominoes were real busy that day.

KFC too. 4Omega is so generous, each person gets a box, including the teachers who teach them.

Kuah kacang for satay.

Nasi himpit to eat with the kuah kacang.

Spaghetti....i just took a spoonful of the sauce.

Roti canai....this is from 1Omega. I heard the monitor giving out orders; 'Each one one roti canai only and 5 sticks of satay'.

Satay...sponsored by RNK Satay, the daughter is in the class.

Fruits....I finished all the pineapple.

Later at 1.30pm, we had our own jamuan. There was so much to eat. In the evening, I only managed to jog 3.8km. Oh dear, no wonder spare tyres growing.

cafe lavista, equatorial bangi

Since we missed the Singapore trip, we decided to give ourselves a treat. So we headed to Equatorial Bangi. We had Japanese buffet in the Japanese restaurant a couple of years ago. To our disappointment, we found that it is only open on Saturdays. Sigh. I was so looking forward to the oysters.

The next options were Dim Sum at the Chinese restaurant or the international buffet at Lavista. Min Kok Seremban serves great dim sum; so I never have much thoughts of dim sum elsewhere. If I want good dim sum; it will be Min Kok. So we decided to try out Lavista.


This was KC's choice. Don't ask me what....a little of this and that.

One of the many types of bread. I would love to try more but it's impossible to fill my stomach with it

A variety of cold cuts and other stuff. Not too bad esp the beef.

Lyn's choice. We shared everything as we are small eaters. The sandwiches were not so great.

Waffle with icecream, mango sauce and chocolate sauce. I love waffles. It's really good with icecream and chocolate sauce. Can do without the mango sauce.

Local fare. I didn't even bother to look at it. KC stuffed all this into his stomach.

Marshmallows in chocolate sauce. Very nice.


My dessert....only cheese cake and poppy seed cake. Should have started with this. Lyn and I love anything cheesy but I was struggling with this. She was of no help.

KC's dessert. I wonder why he took the peanuts and the dried fruits. It's quite frustrating that I eat so much lesser but keeps putting on weight but he eats more and is not much heavier compared to the day I first met him.

The chocolate fountain with a variety of dried fruits. Looks real tempting but by the time you are ready for dessert, the appetite is gone.

By the time we walked out of the restaurant an hour later, we were stuffed to the brim. Later we walked by a bakery and we refused to talk about food. It was revolting.

No more buffets for a long time but I still want the Japanese food.

Where has my weekend gone to?

It's early Saturday morning. I woke up 5am to get Lyn ready for school. She has her choir competition today and has to reach by 5.45am. Anyway she left the house almost 6am.

What am I to do? Go back to bed or wait till the sun comes up? I have to go to school for Gotong Royong Perdana at 8am; which will end at 10.30am. The whole family is to be in Singapore for Ing's convocation but had to send Dan as the representative because of the choir competition. How frustrating.

Last weekend I was in Ulu Bendol for KRS camp. Previous weekend was not touched as it was the first weekend of the month. Thank God....we had a gala time celebrating Mother's Day in PD. The last weekend in April was replacement school for Hari Raya.

Next weekend, there will be a major teachers' day celebration in town.

Where have my weekends gone? Saturdays are the days where I do my marketing, housekeeping, grocery, my personal care (like hair, massage etc) and to catch up with my sleep.

Sunday is Sabbath.....I don't work on Sundays!!!! It's the time I relax and just slip into totally lazy mode after church. But if my Saturdays are used up (not for useful purposes), I would be totally flustered on Sundays as I have to market, do grocery, housekeep etc etc.

Moan, groan, complain, grumble.....................I'm now ready to go to school with a smile and serve mankind!

growing old

Mother had a fall this evening while getting ready for her bath. She had been giddy for quite a few days now. I was shocked when helping her up I saw blood from her head. She hit her head against the step in her room.

I don't know of any good doctors nearby and Dr Lim's clinic was already closed. So decided to take her straight to the Klinik Kesihatan which closes at 9pm. When the HA found out that she had a fall, he refused to check her further and asked her to be sent to GH. He said she could have a fracture. (I wonder is that the case or is he just making excuses as it was late).

So I took her to the GH (emergency) and the doctor attented to her quite fast. As a senior citizen, she gets priority. The doctor said it is just a minor cut, no swelling and no x-ray needed. What a relief. Her blood pressure is absolutely normal. She gave some possible reasons why mother is dizzy. I agree with the doctor's opinion that mum does not have enough rest and at her old age, her nerves are not so sensitive.

Mother is very restless and worries easily nowadays. She was very upset on the way to hospital because she couldn't get to Win last night.

I had to threaten her that if she doesn't rest well and still fiddles with the housework, I will not allow her to go Singapore this Friday. She was very frightened and said she is alright. Feel bad for being so mean but I have to make her see that she is not 18 but 80.


Mother's head bandaged. She was upset that the nurse shaved a little of her hair. Now her hair won't look good for the convocation.

lembu punya susu, sapi punya nama

I've been asked to blog these pictures and give credit to the sapi. The boys did it again; arranged flowers for me. But as usual; who did the arrangement? The lembu (senior boy). Below are the flowers he arranged and pictures he took of them for me to blog.

And here is the sapi that gets the nama....hahaha...thanks boys!

Mother's Day

Preparation for Mother's Day started weeks ago. As it is close to my birthday, whatever presents I received for my birthday weeks ago also applies for Mother's Day. How convenient; two in one. Anyway, last night both mothers (MIL and my own mother) were taken to a nice restaurant for a good dinner. This morning, I brought them to Fatty in town for breakfast. Mother likes the claypot beef rice and teh tarik there. I received some stuff from Dan a few days ago. He couldn't wait to give them to me.

A bracelet which he made in the church school. Check out the string; he didn't even cut it. Am i supposed to wear it with the string showing?

A DIY card which he made in school. Check out the last sentence....'You are the best mom i ever had'. Oh dear, is there another mom?

The envelope and the front cover of the card. Thanks Dan for always being thoughtful. He is always to greet me with birthday, mother's day greetings etc.

how I spent my birthday....

I was awakened at 6.30 this morning by an sms from Aini telling me to bring a parang to the KRS Camp. As I don't have Tina's number, I decided to go to the camp early instead of waiting for my shift at 1pm.

I sent Lyn to school for choir practice and was horrified to see the KRS girls participating in the March Pass Competiton still around. The competition was to start at 8am. Anyway, Fadilah and Chin were there, so I decided not to worry and leave them to their good hands. But I was worried. (Being the head teacher for KRS makes me worried over every single thing related to them).

Then it was market. By the time I was ready to leave, it was 10am and I was already terribly flustered.

I had a real pleasant drive to Ulu Bendol. The road used to be narrow and winding. So it was a real surprise when I realised I was actually driving on a new road like going up Genting. The scenery was real nice.

Ulu Bendol is a forest reserve before Kuala Pilah. It is uphill with a stream coming down from the mountain. The mountain is known as Gunung Angsi. I have yet to go up this mount but according to many people; it's not that difficult to climb as the path is already clearly cut out. Taken the kids to play in the stream/waterfall a few times. The higher you go, the clearer and cleaner the water.


I got bored after a while so I started taking pictures of greeneries around. The place is nice but simply crowded with people. There were two groups camping around here. On top of it, near the river was the usual weekend crowd playing in the river both upstream and downstream. They were making such a din. Not to mention the open burning.


Everything looks real healthy in the rainforest. The leaves are extra big.


A pond nearby. Nice to look at but as usual rubbish every where. I think Malaysians are not proud of their country; that is why they litter everywhere.

This is further away from the campsite but close enough for me to see the campers. It was definitely quieter here. I took my lunch here and read my book without anybody disturbing me.

Until I saw a few of these butterflies around. So I stopped my reading, got my camera ready and waited quite a while before I could take a picture of it.

Lo and behold!!!! Tarzan dropped by in the afternoon to visit me. It is just 3omin drive away. We walked to the river, had leko and icecream.

I love taking pictures of trees towering to the sky. So magnificent and makes me very reflective of God's creation.

The stream is very shallow. It's quite clear but definitely better upstream. Once we took the kids further upstream and let them soak in the cold water. It was really nice.

There are huge boulders like this along the stream. I think in the dinosaur days this whole place could be a huge river.

Look what we found as we walked around. Eggs in the cleft of a big tree.

A huge mushroom. KC had to put his phone to show how big the mushroom is.

Bird's nest plant? Very smoky because every other family has a fire going. I wonder whatever for. It's already bad enough that the campers are trying to build fire to cook.

Colourful blue berries.

Another shot of trees towering to the sky.

Notice a brown leaf fluttering? There is a web holding the leaf.

So that was how I spent my birthday. I reached home 6.40pm. The family had gone out with MIL for Mother's Day dinner. I told them to go without me as it would be crowded if they are late. Overall, not too bad. It started off stressful but I was able to relax and enjoy solitude for a while at Ulu Bendol.


And.....I saw this face in the Utusan Malaysia today!!

team work

Today was Anugerah Cemerlang day where the top scorers for PMR and SPM received their cert, plaque and some money for their their academic exellence from the Menteri Besar.

I was in charge of the certs; more than 200. The office clerk did all the typing. I had to check for errors etc. Quite a tedious job. I was given two trainees to help me but I gave them minor jobs to do. The final checking I had to do it myself so that I have myself to blame if any of the certs are not there. All these took me about two weeks.

Today, I was at the backstage. I was working with Vim; who is in charge of the plaque and voucher. She is simply excellent and well organized. There were three of us backstage; all 'our' people....

We were to work closely with the registration, coordinators of the prize receivers and the MC. Unfortunately, the team work there was a bit lose. Vim and I ran through the list from the registration and confirmed it with the MC to make sure that they don't read the names of the absentees. Then we realised there were names that were not ticked but we saw the students around. Sure enough, upon checking, the students were in the hall. We had their names crossed out and the certs removed. How horrified it would be for them if their names were not read out!!! Now who is to check this and coordinate it? The coordinators; of course; after receiving the list from the registration. Hmmmm....how could we on the backstage not get upset? We were so busy getting the certs etc ready; and here we are running around the hall to double check the namelist too!

Had there been a hiccup...do you know who they will blame? They will blame us on the backstage for not being efficient. But the whole process starts from the door and goes pass the hall before it reaches backstage. Unfortunately, it gets stuck somewhere in the middle of the hall and backstage had to come down to the hall to confirm everything. Why can't we just go the extra mile and make extra effort to check and recheck and send mouth to the backstage to confirm and reconfirm?

Everybody was congratulating everybody for a real smooth and speedy ceremony. A pat on the back of the three teachers on the backstage. Yes, nobody see us sweating, panicking but we know we did our best to ensure all run smoothly.

The world would be a better place if everyone of us is willing to walk the extra mile and not count the few short metres that we take.

a visitor in the morning

This morning when I was heading to the dining room, I got a shock to see a small snake between mum's room door and the store room door. KC who was down earlier didn't see it (shows how unobservant he is). This is the second time we have a snake in the house. The first time was in the toilet (mum saw it and killed it).

It has been raining in the evenings. I think the rain and the greens around our house have encouraged the snake to be around. This weekend KC needs to do some housekeeping....put sulphur all over the place.

Quite scary as there are so many nooks and corners in the house. It could be hiding anywhere. Thank God it was in the open. God's protection on us and the house.

May

May is a month of celebration. Many important events on this month. My birthday, Mother's Day and Lyn's birthday.

This year my birthday celebration started early. About two weeks ago, we made a trip to Midvalley, visited the Machines outlet there and got me an ipod.


The ipod KC gave me....well used. It will look worn out in no time. Amazing gadget. Highly recommended. I simply love it. It's so cool reading books with it. I've so many books lined up to read. I do my QT with it; and journal in it too. It's a real personal thing that I'm quite reluctant to let the kids play with it.

Today Dan hung a notice outside the study that says 'Mum not allowed in here today'. I knew what they were up to though I pretended I didn't know. After my nap, they rushed out and gave me my pressies. The one above is from Dan. As usual, he would make cards for me. He (or rather KC bought it) got me a wireless mouse. I asked Dan how much it costs he said quite a lot.



A closer look at the card he drew. He had never been a good artist. From the age of 4 till today, the pictures and the handwriting are still the same. Picture not too clear. Maybe I'm in a hurry to get this done with.

This is from Lyn. She went over to Terminal 1 with KC to get all these stuff after her Babtism Class just now. It's a multi charger for my ipod, handphone and whatever. To my family members who use samsung phone, you don't have to carry your charger to my house anymore. This gadget can also enable the ipod to be charged in the car.

She also got me a thumb drive as I thought I lost the one which I was using. (It was in my handbag all the while). The father suggested a 2gig but she said it was too small. Initially she wanted to get me an 8gig. Lyn has a big heart. She refuses to tell me how much she spent.

The best part is....it's NOT my birthday yet!!! Do I dare to hope that there will be more next week?

So far our birthdays this year (KC and mine) have been pretty exciting. There is so much planning and anticipation involved. Lyn's coming this month end. And a week later will be Dan's. Now for the parents to create the excitement for them.