= FAVOURITE WORD =
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
[NIV]
New phase. More changes.
What would the future bring?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Holidays Are Here!
Woots! I've been waiting for the school holidays to come. It's going to be a relatively busy first week. First of all, there are English remedials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Then, there are a couple of appointments to pamper myself. I just went for a body scrub yesterday afternoon. There's facial on Thursday afternoon. Tomorrow afternoon, it's tea with Shama, Jane and Belle. And finally, a barbecue with Choir on Friday afternoon and then dinner with my girlfriends.
It sounds like I haven't got much time left for marking the assignments I've collected from my pupils today. Hah. Never mind. I'll try to finish. I'm probably going to spend most of my Thursday cleaning my room and packing for the trip. Yes, I shall clean my room before I go for facial and then pack for the trip when I get home.
Speaking of which, I must remember to buy China and Hong Kong currencies. I'll have to check out the exchange rates tomorrow.
In case anyone wants to reach me and wonder why I did not return your calls or reply your text messages, here are my flight details...
To Shanghai, China
2 June Saturday
8.20am Departure from Changi International Airport Terminal 1, SG [CX 710]
12.15pm Arrival at HK International Airport, Terminal 1 [CX 710]
2.oopm Departure from HK International Airport, Terminal 1 [KA 800]
4.30pm Arrival at Pu Dong Airport Terminal 1, SHG [KA 800]
To Hong Kong
9 June Saturday
12.25 pm Departure from Pu Dong Airport Terminal 1, SHG [CX 367]
3.05 pm Arrival at HK International Airport, Terminal 1 [CX 367]
To Singapore
17 June Sunday
8.00 pm Departure from HK International Airport, Terminal 1 [CX 715]
11.45 pm Arrival at Changi International Airport Terminal 1, SG [CX 715]
Ah yes. Two weeks out of Singapore - though I think I will be spacing out quite a bit during the week in Shanghai (simply because I'll be there with my parents). ;p The week in Hong Kong should be quite fun and relaxing. I'll be bunking over at my bestie's place at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. On my first evening there, we'll be going for this photography exhibition, and then dinner and drinks. I'm so looking forward to the brunch the next day! I'll be on my own during the weekdays since she has to work. I guess I'll just check out the shops nearby, do some quiet reading or watch DVDs. Hopefully, she won't have to work overtime every night so that we can at least go for dinner and drinks after she knocks off. Then we're off to Lantau on my second last day there. I hope to shop a bit before I fly off on Sunday evening.
When I return, there will be the usual mad house scenario during the final week of the holidays - meetings to attend, curriculum to plan and lesson materials to prepare.
I just finished watching 《女人唔易做〉 for the second time - all because of this cute-looking actor, Raymond Lam (the guy in the centre bubble). LOL! A real eye-candy as well as a fairly good singer - nice voice quality. I'd swoon if a guy sings to me in this kind of voice! x)
Okay, time to brush up a bit on my Cantonese listening comprehension: HK drama serials, here I come! HAHAHAHAH!
jOyZ blogged at 11:53 AM
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Saturday, May 26, 2007
A Letter To An Insensitive Bloke
Dear Insensitive Bloke,
I am not going to mince my words. I am not going to be sarcastic either.
1) Drop the sarcasm in your emails. It's not professional. People don't respond well to sarcasm. If you'd received a sarcastic reply, then you really deserved it.
2) Look at what the supposedly incompetent people are doing first before you chase them. If they are already struggling and getting frustrated, doing their best to keep up, get out of the way. Otherwise, you are just asking for it. So if people snap at you, take it like man.
Regards,
One of the Supposedly Incompetent Blokes
jOyZ blogged at 12:35 PM
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Friday, May 18, 2007
Ever Wondered...?
jOyZ blogged at 11:24 PM
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Things I Must Do
Now that all the marking is completed and keying in of results and remarks are done, I can relax a bit this weekend.
There are more things to do next week though. x6~~~
I have to settle the nomination forms for Good Character Award. If there are no more nomination forms coming in, I'll just have to save these for nomination in Term 3. Sigh! I wish the support is stronger here. It's exhausting having to do everything on my own - calling for nominations, meeting with selection panel to choose who to give the award to, writing of the testimonials, printing of the certificates, presentation of certificates...
I have to discuss with Marilyn our plans for Choir. Hopefully, we can settle everything on Monday: work plans, money issues, training programme, targets (long and short term) and what not.
Oh, and there's Chor Kiat's CIP letter.
Then, there are parents to meet on Friday - if they're even turning up at all. Sometimes I think they prefer to talk on the phone. It saves them the hassle of going all the way to school to hear teachers nitpicking on their children. I guess that's why we can't just go all negative on the kids when we see their parents. I'm sure parents would want to hear good things about their children. Ah, if only our pupils will exhibit more of their positive traits!
I am looking forward to the cooking session next Wednesday. Mrs Anthony is going to teach us how to make pies! WOOTS! =9~~~
Oh, and not forgetting all the reports I must submit to Yani for the English papers. And - I almost forgot - work review. xB
Well, who ever said work can be finished? HAH.
jOyZ blogged at 6:48 PM
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
A Letter To The King of Tyrannica
Dear King of Tyrannica,
I hope Your Highness is well. How is that flu coming along? I am still working very hard to undo the curse which some wretched knave sent you.
What does Your Majesty wish to see? Do you wish for all of us to cower, kneel and grovel before you? Is that all? Would all this make you feel better?
I'm afraid I reserve that only for God, The Almighty. You see, Your Highness, He is God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Not you, Your Highness. Most definitely not you. But for you, Your Majesty, I reserve for you my best __________.
I ask of you, please go ahead and blame me for your falling ill, for your son's strong sense of responsibility in wanting to finish his work and for all the misfortunes that have so unceremoniously befallen on you. While we are at it, you must blame me for your ill temper. Oh yes, I insist! It will absolutely make me feel so much better about myself!
You see, Your Majesty, I always remember your words. You did mention that we ought to point fingers at ourselves before we point a finger at others. Indeed, it is wisdom that you have spoken! However, Your Majesty, I'm afraid you have not walked the talk! It is most difficult for us, your humble slaves who do not possess such keen intelligence as yourself, to understand what you mean. We need to see a good demonstration of what you have so gloriously described.
This is but merely one request I humbly ask of Your Highness.
Thank you.
Your humble knave,
Slave no. 81275593
jOyZ blogged at 10:13 PM
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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Going Bonkus... Or Bonkers?
Right now though I just want to let my brain rot for a while and perhaps have little flashbacks of what I'd done today. Yawn. Nothing interesting, really.
Oh, I did this really frivolous thing this morning in the staff room. I was bored to tears marking the examination scripts so I decided to stop work. Then something caught my eye and I promptly decided to take a picture of it with my handphone camera. xD
Mrs Goh saw me doing it and exclaimed from afar, "Joycelyn! What are you trying to do!" Hahahahah... I told you I was bored.
Can you tell what it is? x) Well, this deflating balloon (taken from the school's Drama club after their performance on Speech Day) had somehow got itself stuck in the ceiling air-conditioner. I found it hilarious. I don't know why. Perhaps I have a lame sense of humour. x)
Honestly, I feel like I'm drowning. I don't know how I'm going to finish marking all the 160 scripts by Tuesday night. I'm doing something extra this year for the pupils too. I'm not sure if it's going to help, but if I don't try, I'll never know. Anyway, since I've started on it, it's too late to stop. ;o
Hoho... I think I'm just going bonkus with all the marking. I'm not quite sure why I blogged in the first place. I guess I just want to do something that doesn't require much thinking at the moment.
Say, is that how you spell 'bonkus'? Or is it 'bonkers'? Ahhhh... I refuse to think!
jOyZ blogged at 7:00 PM
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Monday, May 07, 2007
Mind Over Matter
Yesterday's sermon really had me laughing hard practically all the way. To quote Pastor Prince on how not to allow negative words to get to us: "The dog barks at the moon but the moon continues to shine ever so brightly." The entire auditorium just roared in mirth. But how true. Heheheh...
Indeed, it's a matter of a change in mindset. Mind over matter.
I think I'm a lot happier this year, so I'm beginning to enjoy my work more. Hm, seriously, I think it has to do with the resolutions I'd set for myself earlier this year. Upon doing that, things just started falling into place because my focus was right. Despite the hectic life, it hasn't been as awful as what I'd gone through last year.
Besides, God has shown me much grace this year - despite the many booboos I have made at work. I'm really thankful. Well, if God the Almighty forgives, who am I to condemn anyway?
I'm learning to work hard and play hard. It's exhausting to always worry about the past, the present and the future. I should just focus on the present and simply do what I can. Take things one step at a time. I will still plan for the future, but whether or not it turns out the way I want to, I will not worry - because I'm just going to commit it to God and trust that He will lead me the way.
He promised us eternal life but not a worldly life without obstacles. There'll always be problems. I guess it's how we choose to react and respond to these problems that will make or break us.
Mind over matter.
"The dog barks at the moon but the moon continues to shine ever so brightly."
LOL.
Oh yes, and how could I forget the friendly neighbourhood hero's movie, Spiderman 3? If you have not seen it, I advise you to read no further lest I should deprive you of the pleasure of watching it without any prior impression or knowledge of the movie. Haha.
I watched it with Joce and really enjoyed it. The character Harry Osborn was really hot - even with a disfigured face towards the end of the movie! I'm glad his housekeeper woke him to his senses. It would be a pity for him to turn into a complete villain.
The length of the movie allows its characters to develop to various extents throughout the story. On the whole, it was rather entertaining, though a lot darker compared to the previous two movies. There were certain silly scenes of Peter Parker strutting his stuff. It was meant to be funny, but I think many in the audience were appalled by it? Haha... especially his hair! LOL. Woo, but I loved his salsa-dancing with the blonde.
Still, looming over the humour and intense action scenes, there was the universal issue of good versus evil. Eddie Brock chose to stay evil and got his just desserts. Well, to that I say, good riddance! His mind was taken over by anger, bitterness, envy and the memory of being humiliated - all of which were magnified by the alien black matter so much so that he was beyond salvation.
Mind over matter. What a struggle in reel and real life.
jOyZ blogged at 2:30 PM
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Friday, May 04, 2007
Spiderman 3
Alright, I'm absolutely dying to watch this movie. Actually, I've been dying to watch it since last year.
This is one movie I must watch in the cinema.
And I'm going to get the DVD for it too.
Do I sound crazy?
I am not, really.
x)
jOyZ blogged at 1:14 AM
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Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Great Times!
I had a fantastic time last weekend. The girls came over to my place on Saturday and it was laughter and gossips galore. Oh gosh, I laughed till I teared! I really miss being with them. I think they are the only bunch whom I feel completely at home with. We cooked pasta and made some salad for dinner. It was very casual and relaxed. Gina arrived only a little after 10pm. Mag and Mel left at around midnight while Gina and Joce left at 3.30am. We were watching the 19th episode of Heroes together since Gina hadn't seen it yet. Haha...
Oh, I almost forgot. Mag brought soft copies of her wedding photographs that day and we took our time to select the ones we wanted. Haha! Here are a few for your viewing pleasure. (Finally! 5 months after the wedding.) (x
Mag and Joce
Mag and Mel
Mag and I
Mag and Gina (I love this!)
Front from left: Fangling, Mag, Kris
Back from left: Gina, me, Mel, Joce
The happy couple
Mag and Zhiwei in their traditional wedding costumes
Mag and her father walking the aisle
Mag's father to Zhiwei: "Take care of my daughter."
Presenting Mr and Mrs Puah!
Front: Samuel, Sherman & Timothy, Caleb & Christina, Zhiwei, Mag, Mel, me, Fangling, Abi
Back: Eunice (blocked) & Joce, Jann, Gina, Joey
Okay, those are the highlights. I'd posted the dinner ones 4 or 5 months back. If anyone's interested, you'll have to check out my November or December 2006 entries. Hah, I can't remember which month. ;p
Anyway, I received Van's SMS last Saturday too. Apparently, she'd just touched home ground and asked when we could meet up. We made arrangements for dinner at Holland Village on Sunday. We ate at Thai Express and I drove us to my place for another intensive catch-up session. She'd returned unexpectedly this time because her dad had fallen down last week and she had to fly home to visit him. Tim was supposed to only arrive the following day. Well, we made arrangements to go for a haircut together at her hairstylist's this Friday. FINALLY, I'm getting a haircut. I look demented with my ratty hair. It's so unflattering.
Ah, this week has been great. I've been driving to work everyday. I think I'm getting really dependent on the car. I can't imagine how I am going to survive without the car when my parents return from China. ARH! Speaking of which, they'll be returning in 2 days' time.
Alright, it's dinner time. I'll stop here.
All the best to people taking the mid-year examinations in school!
jOyZ blogged at 7:03 PM
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I just finished watching 《女人唔易做〉 for the second time - all because of this cute-looking actor, Raymond Lam (the guy in the centre bubble). LOL! A real eye-candy as well as a fairly good singer - nice voice quality. I'd swoon if a guy sings to me in this kind of voice! x)
Honestly, I feel like I'm drowning. I don't know how I'm going to finish marking all the 160 scripts by Tuesday night. I'm doing something extra this year for the pupils too. I'm not sure if it's going to help, but if I don't try, I'll never know. Anyway, since I've started on it, it's too late to stop. ;o
Alright, I'm absolutely dying to watch this movie. Actually, I've been dying to watch it since last year.