The Last Few Weeks of 2010

I am actually not looking forward to the new year. 2010 has been a fabulous year for me. I simply love everything (minus the part about losing a supposed friend) that has happened in this year. I love the busy preparation for the wedding; trying on the gorgeous gowns, feeling like a star during the photoshoot, the short getaway in Bali and getting ready for the big day. Though we had our fair share of arguments along the way, it is through those times that we learn and grow to love each other in every way. :)

As for work, there were days when I really feel like giving up. Those days made you feel like you're wasting your time and effort. You can't seem to see the result and your hard work will never be appreciated. But when you receive a sincere thank you from a parent or when a child tells you that she wants to be just like you when she grows up, everything changes again. It is after all, a kind of job with returns that no amount of money can measure. I ... (can't believe I'm actually saying this) think I love my job. Maybe that feeling will not last, but as long as I'm in this department with a great boss, I know I'll enjoy working for her. Pray hard that I will not be in other department next year.

So, COE went up.
CAR (1600CC & BELOW); TAXI      $47,604

CAR (ABOVE 1600CC)                     $62,502

Thank goodness we were one step ahead and we bought the car 2 weeks before. Smart move! Now waiting for shipment to arrive. :)


2011 Kia Sorento SX

I'm So Going To Europe!

Hers 
Down jacket (Zara): $199
Sweater (River Island): $68
Boots (Timberland): $229
Long John (Winter Time): Top + Bottom = $90
Online shopping (recommended by Frances Lee): Approx $100+ ??
Socks (Timberland): 2 pairs = $55

His
Sweater (Winter Time): $48
Sweater (Timberland): $159
Long John (Winter Time): Top + Bottom = $90
Socks (Timberland): 2 pairs = $55
Boots (Timberland): $299

Kah Shien, when you get married, please have it during winter.

Perhaps I will go to Las Vegas during winter.

I shall go to every country during winter.

Loving You

I just have the urge to do this post.

When I think about the way you love me, I simply feel so fortunate to have you. Have I ever told you that I am damn proud of you? I am proud that you are such a responsible employee. I am proud that you are able to achieve so much within a short period of time. I am proud that you have amazing integrity. I am proud of what you are, of whatever I can never be.

So here's to our 1st month, though it's a little belated. These kinda words don't pop out of your head all the time.



This feeling is priceless, and I pray that we will never lose it.

26 & counting

Are you, like me, more of a coward as you age?

I used to be a fan of horror movies. I loved the thrill. Now, I prefer to watch humour, action shows. I get too scared to look at the horror screen easily.

I seem to be less tolerant of pain too.

Nowadays, I think more before I act.

That's why they say 'young and carefree', never 'old and carefree'.

Mrs Goh

"Miss Chan, are you Mrs Goh already?"

(smiled) "Yes."

"Yay! Can we call you Mrs Goh now?"

(smiled and nodded)

A few hours later..."Byebye, Mrs Goh!"

Ta Dah!

As requested by Mr Goh, this is my first post as Mrs Goh. Hehe

While the man is engrossed in his game, the woman shall find things to occupy herself.

The laptop, or to be more precise, online, only has three things for the woman to do. First is email account. Checking email, or rather, clearing the inbox (by clicking multiple delete) will take approximately 10 minutes. Second will be Facebook. Usually the social network site can keep the woman occupied for about half an hour. Then, occassionally, when the mood is there, blogging will take place. This can take up to an hour if she wants to. Very rarely. So, at the last resort, with no one to talk to or keep her entertained, she will decide to work. Like now.

Let's go to my work email and complete some of the stupid reflections assigned by my nothing-better-to-do-HOD. 

The Last Post As Miss Chan

The title says it all.

I am excited.

And exhausted.

Can I be absent from work the whole of next week, please?

The First Taste

So that's how it feels like. I can handle it, can't I?

Am I not what I appear to be?

I guess, it does hurt. No matter how hard I try to convince myself.



I wanna create a protective bubble over myself, just like Wyatt in The Charmed Ones.

A Blast

It was really A BLAST. The hen's night couldn't have been better. :D

There were many choices and there are still choices, or should I say, distractions. That is what a marriage is all about. I've made my choice and I should be strong enough to stay on the track.

And so, 7 more days to another upgrade of status.



If we ever meet again

What Will My Girls Do?

I'm all excited about tonight. And the wedding. I woke up at 6 plus in the morning and couldn't get back to sleep. Ha.

I wanna have a BLAST tonight.

Girls, do ANYTHING but don't make me so drunk that you have to carry me back.

Muacks!!

I Like!

In 3 weeks

Oh no.

It's so fast!!!!!!!

I'm fortunate to have friends like you, Frances Lee, Laura Lee, Tan Kah Shien and Ku Ka Yan! :)

I'm fortunate to have a sister like you, Lenny Chan. I love you to bits! :)

I'm fortunate to have a cousin like you, Luelle Ng Zhi Hui! You're the best cousin in the whole wide world! :)

And what can I say about the man? :D *smile*

Now, I am left with
1) Guo Da Li
2) Hen's night
3) Actual Day Programme (a lot to settle!)

A Fruitful Day

Today, I have done 3 things: eat, pack, swim.

Eating and swimming took up less than an hour combined. The rest of my day was spent sorting, throwing and packing things. I guess this day will never come if my parents hadn't bought me a new cupboard. I threw away MANY things. You know what always happen when you are packing things? That's right, a walk through memory lane. I found stuff from year 2000. I found my diary. And I read. Gosh, what a 'discovery'. And I discard.

Throwing things, or should I say clearing space, has an amazing effect on one's soul. I feel lighter! Literally and figuratively. My room is so much neater and CLEANER now. All the dusty objects have been cleaned. Happy!! :D

Oh, I must announce that I have cleared my wardrobe (last Sunday) too. I threw away a huge bag of clothes. Does it mean that now I have space for new clothes? Hahaha. This September holiday turns out to be more fulfilling that I thought it would. :D

26 hours more to the reunion! Big hug and big MUACK to the man!



If I cared less, it wouldn't hurt as much. So that's what I'm gonna do.

Barbara

The girl's name Barbara \b(a)-rba-ra, bar-bara\ is pronounced BAR-bra. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Barbara is "foreign woman". The adjective was originally applied to anyone who did not speak Greek; it has the same root as "barbarian". In Roman Catholic custom, Saint Barbara is invoked as a protector against fire and lightning; she is patron saint of architects, stonemasons, and fortifications. Barbra is a spelling variant made familiar by singer/actress/film director Barbra Streisand. Many people may associate the name with the popular doll Barbie, which with Babs, are informal pet forms. Barb is the short form.

To Laura Lee: No Barbara!!!!!!!

Colourful

Settled the theme for the brothers and sisters! Yippie!

Guest list!! Help!!!

Pray that we won't exceed the maximum number of tables. Or else I gotta retract my invitations!

Thank you, Frances Lee! What will I do without you? Muacks!

Tuesday, 31 August.

Are you at some place where there is no reception? I hope you are alright.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What does it take to be a worthy friend? Have we lost it years ago?

Can't Wait!!

Get ready the winter clothing!
http://www.dynastytravel.com.sg/grouptour/grouptourdetail.aspx?iid=EDC100714-0000012&m=3346&kw=SCCENTRALEUROPE&ldy=-1&hdy=-1&lp=-1&hp=-1

:)

Fourth Night Without You

On the first night, I was covering myself with the blanket up to my chin. The air conditioner in the room seemed too cold (21 deg. C) for just me.

On the second night, I increased the temperature to 23 deg. C. It was probably because of the rain that made the room so cold.

Subsequent nights, I've decided to stick to 24 deg. C. You know how crazy the weather is now; frequent downpours cool the surroundings already.

By the way, I ate a mouldy bread today. Yucks! It was so sour! Not purposely, of course. I was busy marking and just opened up my lunchbox to grab my bread. It tasted fine, but towards the end it was very sour. At that time, it didn't occur to me that the bread could be mouldy. I thought the sour taste could just be...well, I don't know. So I just swallowed it. Then, when I reached for the second slice, I turned my head and glanced at my bread in the lunchbox. To my horror, there was something on the side of my bread! Oh my god! I went home and looked at the 'use by date' and surprise, surprise, it was 22 August.

*applaud my foolishness*



I need your hand in mine.

Beautiful?

A Match Made

I guess it's the way I am, that makes everything fits perfectly.

I think it's the way you are, that makes me feel so blessed.

'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' - how appropriate.

I often take things for granted, so it's moments like this when my senses return, that I will remind myself, yet again, to treasure what I have.



Are you ready? I am. In fact, I can't wait. :P

Wasting Time

Friday was a half working day. It was over just like that.

Saturday was a full working day. A good Saturday gone just like that.

Today is a Sunday. I hope that it will not be wasted like the past 2 days. However, looking at my circumstances now, it is highly likely. *frown*

Am I being selfish?

Just Blogging

Yesterday, I looked at my expensive photos again and singled out the pretty ones which were 'discarded' as it was TOO EXPENSIVE to put ALL OF THOSE in the wedding album. And surprise surprise, I filled up a 50 slots album, sending 100 odd 'discarded second time' photos back to the envelope. I actually felt quite good knowing that I have SO MANY pretty photos and felt even better knowing that I OWN ALL OF THEM. *grin* The $3088 doesn't seem that much now, especially after talking to people and realised that spending $10k on your wedding photos is considered 'average'. Well, depends on how you look at it, right?

Ever since Term 3 started, work has been crazy. We have meetings, lesson study and more meetings. To be explicit, OT is an everyday thing. The management personnels believe that they are doing what's best for the pupils. But in fact, when the teachers are drained, what kind of quality teaching/learning can take place?
Finally, a group of teachers sent an anonymous complain letter to the 'leaders'. No work-life balance was the main concern. I guess somehow it dawned on them that we are not robots and we do need A BREAK. Solution: no Contact Time + reduced lesson study time for 2 weeks. As you are reading this, you may be thinking "Hey that's very nice of the school". I agree but the fact is, we do not have lesser things to do. The school is just freeing up some time for us to meet the deadlines. Yay?

Alrighty, gotta get ready for dinner with cousin! Shower time!

Time

I don't have enough of it. With all the wedding preparation and piles of work, 24 hours is really too little. 30 hours would be much better; the extra hours are for sleeping.



This year, I've already taken 7 days of MC.

$3088

I feel anger.

I feel cheated.

I feel forced.

It wasn't part of the plan.

Is it possible to ask them to void the payment?

My Dream

Can I call it a dream?

I have always wanted to visit Las Vegas. Since childhood days, whenever I have to answer my favourite country, America will pop up. Las Vegas is the city that I wanna visit the most. I don't know why I'm so attracted to that place. Maybe it's the nature of that city; wild yet posh.

Will it ever be fulfilled? *shrugs*

P/S: Do you know that my parents actually visited U.S.A last year?? They didn't bring us sisters along!

$$$$$$$

If you have a flair in photography, do consider being a part-time photographer. Once you have a slight recognition, you can earn big bucks. $2000 for an assignment which requires about 12 hours of work is easy money, don't you think? (People like me, for example, only earn $2000 for 200 hours of work.)

I am currently choosing my actual day photographer. Either by chance or fate, I have zeroed in on 2 companies: Out Of The Box and Tri-Angles. $1800 and $2288 respectively. I trust Tri-Angles's skills more but a difference of $488 is a lot.

How?????

Grumpy

Woke up from my interrupted afternoon nap. Headache.
Heard unpleasant news.
Very grumpy. GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR.



Is there a vampire in my life?

Happy Birthday!!

It's tomorrow but since 2 people have already wished me, I might as well get into the birthday mood! :D It's gonna be a non-havoc birthday this year. No alcohol, no drunken state.

It will be a day to celebrate me being born into this world! It should be a massive celebration since I've brought much joy to the people around me. Especially to YOU! Hahaha. Without me, there'd be 50% less entertainment in your lives. Note the s; implies to all of you.

I don't exactly have a wishlist, but it will be nice to have a new handphone. My E66 has cracked. Yet, I don't have a dying desire to own a new handphone. I guess that phase of my life is over. Now I know why my parents can use the same handphone for...ever. Oh my god. I'm really growing old!

2 weeks of 'rest'. I want to savour it.

Hello!

When was the last time I felt motivated to blog? hmmmm....

Butter Factory is slowly degrading. Just last night, at 11pm, the entrance was barren. For those of you who frequent there, it is a common knowledge that a LONG queue should be present. I think that place is cursed. Seriously. Think 'bout all the other clubs that were there previously.

My friends asked me last night, how sure am I that he is the one, on a scale of 1-10. I paused. I thought of the things he does that annoy me. And I replied, "Ten."

Anyway, it's already MAY!! Goodness!! I have to start finalising all the other stuff soon. Let's see what is there on the list. In order of importance.

1) Tentative guest list
2) Montage
3) Actual day gowns (bridesmaids' gowns incl.)
4) Dinner menu
5) Themes (ballroom + overall)
6) Wedding shoes
7) Invitation cards
8) The Happening Hen's night
9) Speech / Performance

It's 15 hours to 7.30 on Monday. Sian.

That says a lot, doesn't it?

GOOD Friday

It's gonna be a good, good long weekend! I know it because I don't have to do any marking at home! Read: It's gonna be a REAL long weekend. Happiness!!!!!!!!!

Read This!

For bimbos and non-bimbos, this is a highly entertaining book. :)

Something Cheery

Yippee!!! It's the March holiday! Happiness happiness happiness!! :) :D :) :D :) :D

Whatever negativity has turned into positivity. The secret thought has magically erased itself too.


See, it is good.

Buried

I have a secret thought. But I can't say it out loud. I'm hoping that it will go away.

It is one of those things that you can't say but you really want to say.

I can't say it here because of my 'audience'.

Yet I am dying to say it here because it is supposed to be my right, especially on this space.

This is my blog! Why is there a need to censor myself??

Feelings

I know that I'm not your favourite, but shouldn't there be more effort on your side?

I'm just feeling a little negative about how things are going.

Effort

I have totally lost my voice. *croak croak*
My throat has been hurting since last Friday (and I had slight fever) but I refused to visit the doctor. There are a few valid reasons for this:
1) I don't want to waste money.
2) I don't want to take MC.
3) I think it'll go away by itself.

But now, my throat is telling me that it is not going to recover soon. It's trying to croak,"Serves you right for shouting when you're having a sore throat. Now you can't even talk!"

So, will I surrender and take MC tomorrow? I'm still undecided. I have my class to think about. Term 1 is ending and all the teachers are rushing to cover the syllabus. I have tons of corrections to hunt after the darlings. Can I afford to take MC?

Then again, even if I were in class tomorrow, would it be productive? I can't even talk without hurting my throat, let alone teach for 6 hours.



Tell me, am I that noble?

Really??

A few days ago, a thought struck me.

If I got pregnant next year, say July, I can be on maternity leave until my bond is over (2012 June). Ain't it great?

But, it can never be so simple. Sigh. As much as I would like to be a stay-at-home mum, circumstances deny me so.



Life's always complicated.

LIM CHEE GUAN

Just got back from Chinatown, after queueing for the 'irresistible' bak kwa. For 6 hours.

That's a record for myself.

And I'm never gonna break it.

I swear.

Staying Afloat

I love the kids. I have the drive and energy to nurture them well. What I don't have is, the time and enthusiasm to do all the other kinds of extra (useless) work. There are just too many redundant things that teachers have to do, and all these are draining our energy, sucking out whatever passion we originally have for this profession.

Tell me, what can the kids possibly benefit from, when all that we do is 'do for the sake of doing'.



Revolution, please.

2010

The fact that I took more than a week to leave a post in the new year says a lot about my life now. No time!!

Well, the Indo trip was good. He managed to 'charm' everyone around him. Haha. We shopped a lot, ate a lot and talked a lot.

Back here, my work is draining so much of my energy everyday.



Love, love, love.