ECLECTIC

Time flies so fast! 

In the blinking of an eye, it's already the June holidays! Oh, well, not that it's THAT much of a holiday; considering the number of times I've been back in school since holidays (supposedly) started. Still, it's better than nothing.

Anyway, I'm flying off to Korea in a week's time! It'll be a nice trip, I guess, considering it's still early summer and the weather is still not too hot.

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Had lunch with Fulia yesterday after meeting ended; and after which, we had a little shopping trip at Bugis Street. Bought 2 tops costing only $25 - which is really a steal; while Fulia spent about twice the amount. And she says she's going to wear one of the tops for the First Aid course this Thursday. Woo-hooo~

While we were having lunch, Fulia mentioned something which really made me ponder. It's private, and so I won't say more; but I guess, there isn't always a real, definite answer to everything in life.

During lunch, Fulia also asked whether am I free on the 24th after our staff meeting; to which I replied in the affirmative. Apparently, she wants me out for dinner with some friends. And she rattled on, announcing gleefully that she's managed to get a treat from one of them; using me as a bait. That sneaky girl! Admittedly, I feel a little bad and apologetic for the person who got fleeced became her victim .

Since Fulia managed to cheat wriggle a treat out of someone using my name, I retorted, "托了我的福，you got yourself a treat. So, in turn, you owe me one!"; to which she replied triumphantly, "Yeah, sure! I'll buy you a meal from the school canteen!"

Geez!!! I seriously think I should consider reviewing the status of this friendship. Soon. 

Haha.

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So far, I've been refraining from talking / blogging about work-related issues. A conscious effort has also been made to keep my personal life / information private on this blog. Regardless, there's something I would like to get off my chest.

I don't wish to get critical; but I think there's a similarity between students and parents. 

Some kids make good students, you know, those who score As and conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. Some others, though, leave much to be desired.

The same goes for adults as well, I guess. If you get what I mean.

Okay, I sound judgmental here. Shall stop here.

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I think I'm sounding a little incoherent in this post; jumping from this topic, to that topic, and then yet to another topic. But, oh well, the post title did say that it's going to be eclectic afterall, right? =)

GROOMING

Just sent Tofu to his very first grooming session.


It feels a little heart-wrenching; Tofu looking at us with those big, watery eyes as Dad and I were leaving. Those eyes! THOSE EYES!!! Someone should make it a legal crime for a dog to look at people with THOSE EXPRESSIVE EYES!


Home feels a little empty right now, too. It feels strangely lonely; not having Tofu running out to greet me at the door, wagging his bushy tail in sheer delight. Feels like something is just lacking.




Hope he's doing fine now. Surprisingly, the usually-fidgety Tofu was very well-behaved when I handed him over to the groomer. Docile, I would say; and proud of it.

Sometimes, I pity the dog. He has been with us for close to a year, and he has never once been groomed. I have never seen the need for it anyway; because there are no problems with bathing him myself and blowing him dry. Saves money, too! Anyway, this grooming session is pretty budget. I sent him to a neighbourhood pet shop off Changi Road, rather than going to commercial ones in shopping malls.


The main reason behind this sudden grooming decision is, well, because of my soon-to-be absence for two weeks! 


I think there's something about a dog's mentality; how every single member of the family gets viewed as part of a pack, and how each pack member gets subjected to a certain hierarchy system; albeit in the eyes of a canine. As a result, Tofu listens well to me (not always, but more than half of the time) - probably because I'm always the one disciplining and interacting with him most, and thus he has come to view me as the quasi-leader of the pack (that is, when he's not too busy vying for the alpha position). In contrast, he shows noticeably lesser respect, submission, and obedience to Mum and older brother. It sometimes gets frustrating, because, you know, I have to - countless times - step in and handle situations in which Tofu behaves inappropriately towards them both.


Anyway, hope Tofu will come back from the grooming; looking handsome and dashing! In this way, if he misbehaves during the 2 weeks which I'm not around, he would look such a darling that Mum will not be too harsh on him if he misbehaves! Hopefully!

I SAID I'LL BLOG... ARGH!

Title says it all.

Perhaps it's because work has kept me busy of late.  Indeed, I had - on numerous occasions - attempted to write.  Try as I might, words elude me at each and every attempt. It makes me wonder, has my life become boring?  Am I not living life to the fullest? Or am I just working and earning a living; like a routine?

I hope not.

Anyway, of late, I keep fantasizing about traveling; and this makes time feels like it's crawling by!

Oh, June... I can't wait!

HI

This blog has been neglected for quite some time. Opps!

Life is pretty good. In the blinking of an eye, this is already my second year of teaching!

I had a really enjoyable holidays from end-Nov to end-Dec too. Brought some students to Perth on a school trip. And after which, flew to S. Korea. Had such a good time relaxing and unwinding, so much so that it feels so saddening when it's time to get back to work again. I almost didn't feel like boarding the flight back from S. Korea.

I'm already dreaming and counting down to the next holidays in June!

STYLE

It’s my belief that suspense is one thing, but surprise is totally another.


I’ve always hated suspense. Surprises are certainly pleasant, but the same cannot be said for suspense. If anything, suspense is very CRUEL.


It’s like dangling a carrot in the face of a rabbit, without the intention of giving it to the poor animal. Nehninehnipupu!


It’s like, “Tell you something ah, you know, when I was on the way to the toilet just now, I saw.. Ah.. Never mind.” “What is it? What did you see???” “It’s ok…” “Quiickkk~ Tell me, what is it?” “Really.. Noth… Nothi..ing…” ARGHHH!!!


You get my drift?


This preference of mine also shows itself evident in my reading habits. Once I’ve started a book, it’s so hard to stop. There is just this… arrghhh! feeling. I. MUST. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT!




The other day, I was sharing this with Poh Lin on the train. Sometimes, I admitted, I would just simply flip to the last few chapters and read the ending directly.


She was flabbergasted. It’s a spoiler, she said.


I was just as flabbergasted as her. How can you bear not knowing the ending? The suspense is killing! I asked.


And anyway, isn’t knowing the ending better? Let’s say, I’m now at the middle of the book. I know the characters and the gist of the plot pretty well by now. And the suspense is killing me! Won’t it be better off if I just jump straight and read the ending? It kills the annoying suspense.


Moreover, I now know the ending. And I know the beginning. THIS GIVES ME ROOM FOR CREATIVITY! I have the start, and I have the end. I know the destination, but the journey is up to me to guess. So now, it’s up to me to imagine how the heck did the story plot end the way it did.




She concluded I’m weird.

TIME AND BRAIN

When I was young, I would fall asleep on the couch or the floor... And wake up in bed. 
Wow, WOW! WOW!!! I've always thought it's magic!




Now I know there's nothing magical to it.











Funny how age can do funny things to your brain.

SCRAPPED

The old vehicle is getting scrapped TODAY! 


It feels weird, really; considering that it has served us for 18 long years.



Anyway, the new vehicle is arriving this Thursday!

TERM 1, TERM 2... TERM 3 (AND YOU'RE FAT)

In the blinking of an eye, Term 3 is over and finished. 3 more months to go, and I'LL BE WORKING FULL-TIME FOR A FULL YEAR!!! 


Time flies so fast.






On a sidenote, RO (my supervisor) is back! He came back during the last week of Term 3.

For Term 1 and Term 2, I've had repeated, well-meaning "nags" from him to eat more. He'll say it to the face, straight. Something to the likes of: You're skinny (thin would be a more kinder word, in my opinion). Guys won't like it. Really, I'm a guy. A bit more flesh would be better.


To sum it up, it's all about guys liking slim women with curves. Apparently, I'm a beanpole by his standards. Even though he didn't say it per se, but the gist is there. His intention is well-meaning, and I'm not offended. He used to joke, asking me to drop by his gym to "tone up". Anyway, his main point is: BE MEATIER.





This is his advice for the whole of Term 1 and Term 2. And then, he went on No-Pay-Leave to set up said gym.


He came back last week. 






The first opportunity we had to chat (which was last Wednesday), he commented,"You know, I saw you at the parade square on Monday morning. And from far ah, can see that 你肥了一点."

"You've put on a bit of weight, right? I see very accurate one. I own a gym; maybe that's why I've acquired a critical eye when it comes to physique. You've put on a little weight. And I think you look better. Really. See liao more 顺眼."

I'm still feeling so affected by this. Yeah, I mean, I know men like curves and all. But, hey!! 我肥了!!!!!!!! It feels like being handed a death sentence; only it's worse! *cue lightning bolt* I'm feeling so conflicted inside! I'm more curvy now, yeahhh!!! BUT I'M PUTTING ON WEIGHT!!!!!! FLABS!!!  


SAVE MEEEEE!!!





I'm still fighting the temptation to go on a diet.

ENGLISH

FAIL.