Seremban is shrouded in haze for the past two days. I walked in the house today and was hit by a strong smell of smoke. No one is burning but the house smells so smoky.
In school, my throat feels dry and my nose is blocked. All I could smell is smoke.....
When I was a kid I watched a very depressive show on TV about the world coming to an end. I remember the ending scene showed a man walking alone in a deserted place that looked hazy. It made an impression in my mind as I was frightened that I will face such a situation one day. I think I am not far from it now.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
WW2 from the eyes of a 12 year old
Pastor sent me a powerpoint slide on World War 2 map. I showed it to the kids and they were much intrigued by it. Dan was able to relate to it as he enjoys playing Red Alert; a war game.
Today after he had checked his English Exam paper (so he claimed) he started drawing stick pictures of his version of the war. The facts are kind of distorted but it is still quite interesting to see what a 12 year old understands:
How did Japan get into the picture? He must have got it in his mind when I explained Japan invading SEA and it was on Germany's side.
Hahaha....Iraq came in to help too!!! Such innocence, after the war, everything went back to normal!
Today after he had checked his English Exam paper (so he claimed) he started drawing stick pictures of his version of the war. The facts are kind of distorted but it is still quite interesting to see what a 12 year old understands:
How did Japan get into the picture? He must have got it in his mind when I explained Japan invading SEA and it was on Germany's side.
Hahaha....Iraq came in to help too!!! Such innocence, after the war, everything went back to normal!memory failure
Almost twenty years of teaching and each year I have about 300 students under me. Do I remember them? Students from my first four years of teaching in Pantai Remis and Port Dickson .... definitely out of my memory. In this last month, I encountered a few incidents that challenged my memory:
I sat in front of a salesgirl with KC at Maxis Center and the girl exclaimed, 'Pn Ting.....' She went on and on trying to help me recall who she is as she tried to bring to my mind one name after another. I couldn't remember and while she served KC, I kept looking at her and finally I was able to see some familiarity. It took me a while to dig into my memory bank and link her to some faces in the past. Phew....what a test.
A few days ago in Tesco I saw a face that looked familiar. She gave me an extra glance which I ignore as I just couldn't place her. Then she approached me and said,' Miss, are you a teacher from SMKP?' Well, again I struggled to bring my memory bank up. I could remember her face but I just don't know who she is exactly and what were our teacher/student relationship like. Of course she was able to tell me I used to scold her etc etc. She has two kids already!!
Yet another incident while I was going up the escalator; I heard a small voice saying 'Pn Ting..' I turned around and saw a bunch of young giggling girls and could not recognize any of them. Must have heard wrongly. KC stopped me and asked me to acknowledge them because he heard very clearly my name being called. So I turned around and asked the one whom the rest were looking at, 'Do I know you?' She replied; 'Teacher, I am Thong....' . Oh my goodness!!!! What a shock. Thong is in my present Form 1class! I looked at her again then my mind just clicked. I couldn't recognize her out of her uniform and she looked so good in hot pants, boots and long hair.
What has happened to my memory? I always tell KC that I am a public figure because when I go out I bump into students knowing or unknowingly. So I must dress properly and behave properly. But I don't seem to be remembering them anymore.....It is quite embarassing when cornered and I just can't recall them.
I sat in front of a salesgirl with KC at Maxis Center and the girl exclaimed, 'Pn Ting.....' She went on and on trying to help me recall who she is as she tried to bring to my mind one name after another. I couldn't remember and while she served KC, I kept looking at her and finally I was able to see some familiarity. It took me a while to dig into my memory bank and link her to some faces in the past. Phew....what a test.
A few days ago in Tesco I saw a face that looked familiar. She gave me an extra glance which I ignore as I just couldn't place her. Then she approached me and said,' Miss, are you a teacher from SMKP?' Well, again I struggled to bring my memory bank up. I could remember her face but I just don't know who she is exactly and what were our teacher/student relationship like. Of course she was able to tell me I used to scold her etc etc. She has two kids already!!
Yet another incident while I was going up the escalator; I heard a small voice saying 'Pn Ting..' I turned around and saw a bunch of young giggling girls and could not recognize any of them. Must have heard wrongly. KC stopped me and asked me to acknowledge them because he heard very clearly my name being called. So I turned around and asked the one whom the rest were looking at, 'Do I know you?' She replied; 'Teacher, I am Thong....' . Oh my goodness!!!! What a shock. Thong is in my present Form 1class! I looked at her again then my mind just clicked. I couldn't recognize her out of her uniform and she looked so good in hot pants, boots and long hair.
What has happened to my memory? I always tell KC that I am a public figure because when I go out I bump into students knowing or unknowingly. So I must dress properly and behave properly. But I don't seem to be remembering them anymore.....It is quite embarassing when cornered and I just can't recall them.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
double celebration
Lyn asked me what I want for my birthday last week and I replied I just want peace and quietness. Well the day has come and it is also Mother's Day. Did I get what I wished for? Let me start from the beginning:
Birthdays, valentines, christmas are times which stress KC a lot because I expect him to give me presents. Sometimes he just doesn't know what to give me; there was a time when he would just give me cash vouchers. This year he started early.
On the 12th February, we happened to be at the Maxis Center and saw people queuing for iphones. He turned to me and said, 'Let me get you an iphone for Valentine and birthday.' I wasn't that enthusiasted about it but agreed. I think he was most relieved that he managed to kill two birds with a stone.
My iphone....wonderful gadget. I simply love it.
Last week, Ing came to visit. She brought with her my birthday present...a belt and a book. Thanks.....
That week too, KC took the kids out to Terminal 1 to shop for my birthday present. This is what they got for me; a cooler stand for my laptop. Really very practical kids.
Yesterday, I decided that we would go Curry Leaf for dinner (we've not been there a long time). I was thinking it would be crowded to go out to eat today. On top of it I was craving for briyani. So I had mutton briyani. This is once in a very blue moon affair...can't eat this too often.
I also received a card yesterday from Nee. She still uses the snail mail to send me cards and it's really sweet of her to make such effort. She sends Christmas and sometimes CNY cards too. Funny girl...thanks.
While I was away for Bible Study today, Dan made a card for me. It's really cute. I was most touched to see "I Love You' right at the top. That makes my day.
Later in the evening, I saw an interestingly wrapped note in my dresser basket. I knew it was from Lyn. She loves to fold interesting shaped stuff. She scribbled me a love note. I always look forward to receiving notes from her because like me, she communicates best through writing. It is from notes like this that I know her heart and find deep communion with her. Infact the whole of this morning in church she was holding my hand. I know she is trying her very best to make my day a special one; and she has done so by this little gestures which I value more than any material gifts.
Finally after dinner, Dan went around taking orders for cakes. We normally don't buy whole cakes for birthdays. We prefer individual cakes from Secret Recipe where we get to choose what we like and don't overeat. Then he went off with the father to get us the cake. I had carrot cake with cheese topping. (I wanted apple crumble.)
Birthdays, valentines, christmas are times which stress KC a lot because I expect him to give me presents. Sometimes he just doesn't know what to give me; there was a time when he would just give me cash vouchers. This year he started early.
On the 12th February, we happened to be at the Maxis Center and saw people queuing for iphones. He turned to me and said, 'Let me get you an iphone for Valentine and birthday.' I wasn't that enthusiasted about it but agreed. I think he was most relieved that he managed to kill two birds with a stone.
My iphone....wonderful gadget. I simply love it.
Last week, Ing came to visit. She brought with her my birthday present...a belt and a book. Thanks.....
That week too, KC took the kids out to Terminal 1 to shop for my birthday present. This is what they got for me; a cooler stand for my laptop. Really very practical kids.
Yesterday, I decided that we would go Curry Leaf for dinner (we've not been there a long time). I was thinking it would be crowded to go out to eat today. On top of it I was craving for briyani. So I had mutton briyani. This is once in a very blue moon affair...can't eat this too often.
I also received a card yesterday from Nee. She still uses the snail mail to send me cards and it's really sweet of her to make such effort. She sends Christmas and sometimes CNY cards too. Funny girl...thanks.
While I was away for Bible Study today, Dan made a card for me. It's really cute. I was most touched to see "I Love You' right at the top. That makes my day.
The green green heart shape is 2D. I think he learns this from his EE. The little box is actually Mother's Day gift which he made in Church School for me. It contains a magnet and a poem...all the kids gave this to their mum. Lyn gave me a box too with similar content.
Here's the poem:
My Mother
My Mother loves me,
How do I know?
She hugs me and kisses me
That's how I know
My Mother loves me
How do I know?
She tells me of Jesus
Who loves me so.
She tells me of Jesus
Who loves me so.
Later in the evening, I saw an interestingly wrapped note in my dresser basket. I knew it was from Lyn. She loves to fold interesting shaped stuff. She scribbled me a love note. I always look forward to receiving notes from her because like me, she communicates best through writing. It is from notes like this that I know her heart and find deep communion with her. Infact the whole of this morning in church she was holding my hand. I know she is trying her very best to make my day a special one; and she has done so by this little gestures which I value more than any material gifts.
Finally after dinner, Dan went around taking orders for cakes. We normally don't buy whole cakes for birthdays. We prefer individual cakes from Secret Recipe where we get to choose what we like and don't overeat. Then he went off with the father to get us the cake. I had carrot cake with cheese topping. (I wanted apple crumble.)
So....did I get my wish??? Yes, it was most peaceful and quiet Sunday. Had a great service in church, went for Bible Study (the first time as I didn't have time to join them in the earlier lessons), did grocery and rested in the afternoon. On top of the peace and quiet, I had those lovely gifts above.
Thank God for blessing me this 44 years and I'm not shy to say I'm already 44!! I don't ever want to shy away from the growing numbers but to face each growing year as they come gracefully.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
protocol
A very very important person is coming to school tomorrow. Today a convoy of 'busy people' from her office and state education department landed in school to check on sound, stage, performance, how to stand, how to walk, trays, how to hold and lots lots more of how tos........
I felt my team and I had prepared well enough for tomorrow. Unfortunately when one of this big busy guy saw the stuff on the tray that is to be handed to VVIP tomorrow, he was afraid the plaque will slip and fall. He suggested I have the certs and plaques tied to prevent from falling.
I had not finished preparing the prizes....there was a repeat of the rehearsal again....I had to leave the rehearsal to the good hands of Pn Sharifah to get ribbons and help to tie 151 certs and plaques.
On top of it, I needed to go to town to get nice paper bags for the tupperwares and cakes which are to be given away tomorrow. What a rush as I get 10 students with Santha and Wan's help to reorganize the SPM and PMR certs/plaques. Double double work. Spent the whole previous evening organizing it and reorganizing it again today.
Elizabeth drove Is and I to town. We jumped off and tried getting all we need before heading off another destination to buy table cloth etc.
We returned to see the hall transformed with brand new skirtings. What is all this for? Just to impress one mortal being; like you and me.
But the amount of pressure put on us to prepare for this event which will last for probably three hours is tremendous. Not to mention the money thrown in (and we are already running low on fund).
I trust the teachers and students who helped me reorganize the plaque and cert have put it in order. Tomorrow when we place them out and carry them in accordance to the name called, I believe it will be in order. If at all any mishap happens, I will be cool and thick skin and pretend it's just a small matter. Have to remind myself not to panic and be jittery as I am very prone to be nowadays. Hope they will think I don't do a good job and not ask me to do it again next year!!!!!
(I'm ridiculous right? Who in their right mind not want to do a good job? Sigh....)
It went superbly well today (ie my part in prize giving). My team which consists of Sharifah, Liau, Wong, Wan, Santha and myself can give ourselves a pat on our backs. We were like in a sauna behind the stage but to be able to see the flow going on and on and on without any mistakes was really a relief.
The prefects who helped us did an equally good job right from the start where they loaded the stuff into the car till they cleared the mess when everything was over.
I felt my team and I had prepared well enough for tomorrow. Unfortunately when one of this big busy guy saw the stuff on the tray that is to be handed to VVIP tomorrow, he was afraid the plaque will slip and fall. He suggested I have the certs and plaques tied to prevent from falling.
I had not finished preparing the prizes....there was a repeat of the rehearsal again....I had to leave the rehearsal to the good hands of Pn Sharifah to get ribbons and help to tie 151 certs and plaques.
On top of it, I needed to go to town to get nice paper bags for the tupperwares and cakes which are to be given away tomorrow. What a rush as I get 10 students with Santha and Wan's help to reorganize the SPM and PMR certs/plaques. Double double work. Spent the whole previous evening organizing it and reorganizing it again today.
Elizabeth drove Is and I to town. We jumped off and tried getting all we need before heading off another destination to buy table cloth etc.
We returned to see the hall transformed with brand new skirtings. What is all this for? Just to impress one mortal being; like you and me.
But the amount of pressure put on us to prepare for this event which will last for probably three hours is tremendous. Not to mention the money thrown in (and we are already running low on fund).
I trust the teachers and students who helped me reorganize the plaque and cert have put it in order. Tomorrow when we place them out and carry them in accordance to the name called, I believe it will be in order. If at all any mishap happens, I will be cool and thick skin and pretend it's just a small matter. Have to remind myself not to panic and be jittery as I am very prone to be nowadays. Hope they will think I don't do a good job and not ask me to do it again next year!!!!!
(I'm ridiculous right? Who in their right mind not want to do a good job? Sigh....)
It went superbly well today (ie my part in prize giving). My team which consists of Sharifah, Liau, Wong, Wan, Santha and myself can give ourselves a pat on our backs. We were like in a sauna behind the stage but to be able to see the flow going on and on and on without any mistakes was really a relief.
The prefects who helped us did an equally good job right from the start where they loaded the stuff into the car till they cleared the mess when everything was over.
Monday, May 2, 2011
crunchy cheese cake
It's holiday....and I've not baked for a long time. Promised Pn Yee I'll bring cheese cake to school for her tomorrow. So I woke up bright and early this morning to do my baking!!
This is a favourite with the kids. It has the saltish taste of cheese and the top is crunchy. It's almost like an ordinary cake but the cheese makes the difference.
The ingredients needed for the cake. I use two machines here; one to beat the egg white and sugar; the other to beat the butter and sugar. Unfortunately, the machine for beating the egg white stopped working after I turned it off. About time for it to konk off anyway....overworked it with all my cookie baking before CNY. I've an excuse now to get a bigger machine.
Here's the chef/baker lining the tin. I use oil paper nowadays for baking....so much easier to clean up.
Pop into the pre-heated over for 50mins at 180.
After 50 minutes...the whole house smells of cheesy cake.
CRUNCHY CHEESE CAKE (from Agnes Chan's recipe book)
The cake was a hit....finished in no time at home. I had to protect the little container that I kept aside for school. Chan and Seck loved it....they were protecting the cake in the container to make sure Pn Yee has her share.
This is a favourite with the kids. It has the saltish taste of cheese and the top is crunchy. It's almost like an ordinary cake but the cheese makes the difference.
The ingredients needed for the cake. I use two machines here; one to beat the egg white and sugar; the other to beat the butter and sugar. Unfortunately, the machine for beating the egg white stopped working after I turned it off. About time for it to konk off anyway....overworked it with all my cookie baking before CNY. I've an excuse now to get a bigger machine.
Here's the chef/baker lining the tin. I use oil paper nowadays for baking....so much easier to clean up.
Pop into the pre-heated over for 50mins at 180.
After 50 minutes...the whole house smells of cheesy cake.
CRUNCHY CHEESE CAKE (from Agnes Chan's recipe book)
Ingredients:
250 g butter
100g icing sugar
5 egg whites
120 g castor sugar
5 egg yolks
200g self-raising flour mixed with 35g cornflour; sifted twice
100 g grated cheddar cheese
Topping:
60 g grated cheddar cheese
(I added chopped almond)
1. Cream butter and icing sugar till light.
1. Cream butter and icing sugar till light.
2. Whisk egg whites and casotr sugar till stiff. Add egg yolks and beat well.
3. Mix in btter mixture (1) and fold in flour and cheese.
4. Pour into a lined and greased 22cm baking tin.
5. Sprinkle grated cheese to cover the top.
6. Bake in pre-heated oven at 180C for 50minutes.
The cake was a hit....finished in no time at home. I had to protect the little container that I kept aside for school. Chan and Seck loved it....they were protecting the cake in the container to make sure Pn Yee has her share.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
running with Racoon
One of my favourite time during the weekends is to to be able to go out for a walk/jog with the family. Usually it will be just KC and I. It's hard to drag Lyn along. Dan would oblige but he would give up half way and go home on his own before I am done.
Since Racoon joined the family, we have been bringing him out with us. This excites the kids and they will join us on the bicycle. I have been totally challenged by Racoon. When he sees the kids cycling past, he bounds into a run and drags me along. Now it's him walking/running me instead of me walking him!!! Boy....can he run! I think I've not done such running for a very very long time and it feels good to know that I can still run at such speed. Yesterday I ran at least three times of about 100m each time.
Being a pup, he has lots of energy. By the time KC caught up with us; I quickly passed the leash to him. Panting and laughing....drained all the energy out of me.
Running with Racoon...this is just a slow-paced running......
A dog must stop to sniff and put their marks here and there or else they are not dogs!!!!!
More sniffing.
We had an interesting experience yesterday. Three dogs ran out of a house barking at us rather fiercely. Surprisingly, Racoon isn't the aggresive type. KC was able to hold him back and restrain him without much effort. So different from Jackie who would jump at every chance to fight. Once at the vet; Jackie growled at a rotweiller (who was much bigger than him) and the vet commented that Jackie is an aggresive dog. A few years later, he had a fight with the neighbour's dog; attacked the neck. Later on the dog died (he was an old dog).
Well....pets and how they grow on us. It's really lovely except when you find a tick crawling on you!!!!!!
Since Racoon joined the family, we have been bringing him out with us. This excites the kids and they will join us on the bicycle. I have been totally challenged by Racoon. When he sees the kids cycling past, he bounds into a run and drags me along. Now it's him walking/running me instead of me walking him!!! Boy....can he run! I think I've not done such running for a very very long time and it feels good to know that I can still run at such speed. Yesterday I ran at least three times of about 100m each time.
Being a pup, he has lots of energy. By the time KC caught up with us; I quickly passed the leash to him. Panting and laughing....drained all the energy out of me.
Running with Racoon...this is just a slow-paced running......
A dog must stop to sniff and put their marks here and there or else they are not dogs!!!!!
More sniffing.
We had an interesting experience yesterday. Three dogs ran out of a house barking at us rather fiercely. Surprisingly, Racoon isn't the aggresive type. KC was able to hold him back and restrain him without much effort. So different from Jackie who would jump at every chance to fight. Once at the vet; Jackie growled at a rotweiller (who was much bigger than him) and the vet commented that Jackie is an aggresive dog. A few years later, he had a fight with the neighbour's dog; attacked the neck. Later on the dog died (he was an old dog).
Well....pets and how they grow on us. It's really lovely except when you find a tick crawling on you!!!!!!
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