Blunty Day

Started the day well. Had my tuna-egg-mayonnaise white sandwich with hot milo for breakfast. Following up on checking mails and did some 'page'-scraping for my class. Continued collecting money for the shirts and guess what? I've managed to collect money from all the students except for the three pathetic shirts which school supposed to pay up. Trying means and ways to collect the money, but it letting me feel disappointed with my school management. Pushing the payment and responsibility to one another. I just can't tolerate that. It's really ridiculous. Just couldn't believe that I am working under such a 'useless' management. In the end, I am such a 'GENTLEMAN' to pay up on BEHALF for the school. Can't believe it! The only word which I can use for this circumstance is 'DISAPPOINTMENT'. Before the sun sets down for the day, rushed down to a bank to get big notes for easier carrying-around and better calculation for the payment tomorrow. Went down to Orchard to get some mooncakes with my mum. The mooncakes come in different delicious flavors and attractive colors. Got to try every mooncakes at the atrium and finally made our decision, buying 'Big China' (translated from Cantonese) mooncakes. It's also called 'Da Zhong Guo' in Chinese. Had bought two boxes and also grabbed some 'Four Seasons' durian mooncakes. It's delicious and simply superb! Not too sweet and the taste is very light. Most importantly, it actually melts in your mouth. Yummy! Chucked on a chicken bento set for dinner and went back home. Today, I also got myself a new album by James Blunt - All The Lost Souls. Nice album and enjoying it now... Another day in school tomorrow... many tasks to do. Prayers for a better day tomorrow.

Below is a pic on the 'page'-scraping for my class:

'Recovering'...

Didn't make any postings recently. Many things have been happening. Someone admitted to hospital and is leaving this world soon. Thinking hard for 'fantastic' and wild ideas on doing my illustration book. Searching for text and content for my husband's article write-up. Planning to have a short getaway to put a big full-stop to all the tasks that I'm having now. School vacation is around the corner, in which there's only 4 more months to see my students. Mid-Autumn Festival is here again and falls on September 25, and it's time to buy pomelos, go to lantern light-ups and of course - stuff your face with mooncakes. These days they come in every color, texture and flavor. Will be getting some soon later this week for my family. Thinking of getting for my students too, however, malay students are having their fasting now. :( Planning and jotting down on another game to play with my class this Thursday. Well, enough of updates for the night. Ciao for now! Zzzzz... Night people!

A note to Doris. Stay strong and take good care of your family. Especially yourself. Never give up in anything. Prayers always be with you.

Ten Seconds Game

This morning, I was peeved with my students' attendance. Only half of the class turned up and I talked about 'assumptions' to them. Perhaps this word is a bit too heavy for students to accept it and understand. But I can't stop myself from throwing rather 'harsh' words and phrases on them. However, I stopped it instantly and played a game with them quickly. The game is called 'Ten Seconds' and my purpose of playing this game is to build up self-esteem and to create a positive atmosphere by saying and hearing positive comments. Got to think of this game on the night before after hearing from one of my students, about what had happened to him in this semester. He had totally changed to a different person. He used to be very shy and hardworking kid and now, he is a talkative and lazy kid. It's good that he changed to a more out-spoken person, however, he became lazy when come to assignments and trying all means to run away from Phase Tests. Indeed, he had changed from a good kid to a 'bad' kid. He admits that he had developed himself into a different person with a rather unacceptable behaviour, in which I'm totally agree with him. He mentioned about his low confidence level and low self-esteem. And so, I played the game with my class. Unfortunately, this student didn't turned up. He met an accident. His father called me and I was shocked by the news. Though, it's not a serious accident, I'm still worried. Wondering whether is everything alright with him or not... I've called 2-3 times to his father to ask about his status. Glad to hear that everything is fine with him.

As for the game, I will share it here...
Have you ever talked to someone who is unhappy about life and who constantly says negative things? The sad thing is that these people need friends but may be pushing people away by the words that they choose. Getting people to think positively about the world, their own lives, and most importantly about themselves is a big step towards building a healthy and happy self-esteem.

Objective: Is to build up self-esteem and to create a positive atmosphere by saying and hearing positive comments.

Who: People who could benefit from hearing positive comments and who need to learn to be more positive with their talk.

Group Size: 5 to 35 participants.

Materials: A watch, clock or timing device that can measure ten seconds.

Description: Gather the group into a circle and ask for a volunteer to start the game. This person has ten seconds to say something positive, nice, complimentary, or uplifting. These comments can be about anything, or you may limit the comments to be about the group, group members, and or the individual giving the comment. After the positive comment has been given, the next person in the circle gets ten seconds to come up with his or her own positive comment, and so on around the circle. If at any time someone doesn't say something nice they are 'out'. You may also get 'out' if you say a positive comment that has been stated before in the game (didn't apply it in my game) or if you say something negative during your ten seconds. Play elimination style or you may add the rule that once eliminated you may return to the activity once two other people say something nice to you. To change the difficulty level change the amount of time by adding or subtracting seconds.

Game Encounters: Nice game and it's fun. It really make us think hard. Overall, very worth playing game. I would give myself a rate of 75 out of 100. I would also suggests to do some discussion prompting after playing the game. For example, was it hard or easy for you to come up with positive comments? Do you need to hear more positive words or say them more?

A thank you note to Christine to liven up the whole game to make it a more enjoyable activity, though she's late. It's a fortune to have her as my student. :)

Today is a long day for me...

Sigh~ It's a long day today! And also it's my husband's birthday. Well, though it's his birthday, we didn't get to celebrate it as he was on a shoot for the program called 'The Contender', and will be back as late as 1 am. Since, have not prepared any present for him, I've actually had decided to give him a shirt as a present. Though he did told me of not wanting anything for his big day, but I just felt weird of not getting him anything. And so, I designed a shirt for him. I skipped my night class and rushed down to Paradiz Centre to get the 'present' done. Wala~ my shirt was done within 30 mins and it's simply just too perfect for him! And followed by a long bus trip home. Halfway thru my journey, I had an accident. My bus had actually collided with a cabby. As the bus had gave all the passengers a sudden jerk, most of us fell off from our seats. And I am one of them. I'm lucky enough to hold onto bar; refraining from hitting my head onto the bus mirror. Went to hospital and spent 3 hours there, checking my body from head to toe. Fortunately, got myself with no injuries. In between, I also heard about the Indonesia tsunami alerts and Sumatra earthquakes from the TV news. Sigh~ there goes my plan on going to Bali. What a day man! After having many 'checks' on my body, I actually waited for a cab for 45 mins before hopping into one. What an unpleasant and long day! I'm tired.

Note: This is the shirt design that I've drawn for my husband's present. Thinking of doing more shirt designs over the weekend. :D

My First Posting

Well, finally, I've created a simple blog. A blog which I can note down my thoughts and doodle & scribble down my sketches. Will continue my blog when I'm back at home.