Saturday had been one hell of a day. From the word go, there was no stopping. I had to go back to work to help out with an event and afterwards, I met up with my friend to discuss our trip to the Netherlands/ Europe.
I did not realise that the booking of a hotel could be stressful. We actually spent a whole afternoon doing bookings for just 2 places and then, we still had to settle our Eurail pass. By then, I was all google-eyed and had to shout, "Stop!"
Actually, amidst all this excitement, I am also a bit worried as my practicum for my course may be delayed and it may not end exactly in September itself. I am taking a little gamble though and praying very hard that my practicum supervisor will allow me to choose a favourable day before I go off.
By the time we finished everything, it was almost 8 o'clock. Way too late for dinner. As my friend and I were Cafe World fans, we decided to go to Marche at 313@Orchard to eat real food that we usually simply just cook in the virtual world of Cafe World!
Hehe...we had seafood paella and pizza. I almost wanted to get spaghetti bolognaise but had to stop myself. We ate a slow dinner, chatting and laughing as we went along. The food was yum!! Hmm...this game, I better beware of it. If I am not careful, I will be putting on lots of weight by wanting to turn what is virtual into a reality!
Showing posts with label studies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label studies. Show all posts
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Aaarrrh!!
Today (as in Wednesday, 7 July), I was really bitchy. I was rushing to go for night classes as it was going to start half an hour earlier. We were going to get instructions about our practicums and such. Did not want to miss a thing.
I stopped by at Kopi Tiam @ Plaza by the Park and thought it would be healthiest to eat yong tau foo. There were these three persons in front of me: two ladies and one man. The man took longer to decide what to have and I beat him to the queue to get my food done first.
After cooking the second bowl for the ladies, he told the cook to calculate all three bowls of yong tau foo together. I do not know but I felt that since my bowl was at the counter top before the man, that the cook should ask for my opinion on whether I minded to let him go first or not (since they were in one group). Instead, she just told me in Mandarin, "You wait, ah."
That made me boil. Not really but because I was in a hurry. Therefore, instead of taking it sitting down, I simply told her back calmly in smooth Mandarin that I did not want to buy her food anymore. I think the four words "I don't want already" are very powerful consumer tools. In fact, in my opinion, the most powerful. After all, the money is in my hands. I have a choice. All I heard her say was, "Huh??" as I rushed to get other stuff for dinner.
I chose not to wait and went to the nearest, fastest stall, which happened to be the duck rice stall. The duck meat was chopped up in a minute and the whole transaction took less than 3 minutes. I paid, took the packet of rice and took flight. I was going to be at least 4 minutes late, all no thanks to yong tau foo auntie.
By the way, I think that man was also very ungentlemanly. He saw me looking at my watch a few times already and I WAS indeed before him in terms of finalising my choices of yong tau foo pieces. I do not see any reason why I should not go first.
Anyhow, I only just made it in time as they started 5 minutes late to accommodate for people like me :(
I stopped by at Kopi Tiam @ Plaza by the Park and thought it would be healthiest to eat yong tau foo. There were these three persons in front of me: two ladies and one man. The man took longer to decide what to have and I beat him to the queue to get my food done first.
After cooking the second bowl for the ladies, he told the cook to calculate all three bowls of yong tau foo together. I do not know but I felt that since my bowl was at the counter top before the man, that the cook should ask for my opinion on whether I minded to let him go first or not (since they were in one group). Instead, she just told me in Mandarin, "You wait, ah."
That made me boil. Not really but because I was in a hurry. Therefore, instead of taking it sitting down, I simply told her back calmly in smooth Mandarin that I did not want to buy her food anymore. I think the four words "I don't want already" are very powerful consumer tools. In fact, in my opinion, the most powerful. After all, the money is in my hands. I have a choice. All I heard her say was, "Huh??" as I rushed to get other stuff for dinner.
I chose not to wait and went to the nearest, fastest stall, which happened to be the duck rice stall. The duck meat was chopped up in a minute and the whole transaction took less than 3 minutes. I paid, took the packet of rice and took flight. I was going to be at least 4 minutes late, all no thanks to yong tau foo auntie.
By the way, I think that man was also very ungentlemanly. He saw me looking at my watch a few times already and I WAS indeed before him in terms of finalising my choices of yong tau foo pieces. I do not see any reason why I should not go first.
Anyhow, I only just made it in time as they started 5 minutes late to accommodate for people like me :(
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Flu blues and my ignorance
Sigh...I am down with flu. Actually, I am already coming towards the end of my flu. I thought it was the usual nosey business where it gets hypersensitive and I only needed to treat it with Zyrtec. Turns out not.
My doc told me that I caught the Influenza A! Imagine my shock as the Influenza A (H1N1) is going on! Turns out that I was misinformed. Influenza A is a name for the common flu (if I am not wrong, it is the winter flu). It is just that this particular strain, H1N1 is dangerous, for now.
Anyway, I am stuck here at home, wondering whether I should go for classes tonight, since I am covered with MC. Nevertheless, it is just the second lesson of the new module and the teacher is quite interesting. Tough choice, tough choice.
My doc told me that I caught the Influenza A! Imagine my shock as the Influenza A (H1N1) is going on! Turns out that I was misinformed. Influenza A is a name for the common flu (if I am not wrong, it is the winter flu). It is just that this particular strain, H1N1 is dangerous, for now.
Anyway, I am stuck here at home, wondering whether I should go for classes tonight, since I am covered with MC. Nevertheless, it is just the second lesson of the new module and the teacher is quite interesting. Tough choice, tough choice.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Not so worried now
I am slightly better now for after I posted the previous post, I got a reply and when I messaged my lawyer the next day, she seem to give me the impression that my soon-to-be-ex has already gotten in touch with her.
Have to go to sleep now. Hoping to wake up super early to do assignment. This is crazy. I mean this kind of life reminds me of my Uni days.
Have to go to sleep now. Hoping to wake up super early to do assignment. This is crazy. I mean this kind of life reminds me of my Uni days.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Heartening
I have never really dared to say too much, as I have always, until now, felt that I should not reveal too much about my job (or at least my previous job). I guess it is now quite safe to do so. After all, I am not saying bad stuff about it.
I just wanted to say that it is heartening to myself that I am still able to use the knowledge that I have accumulated as a librarian to help people, specifically my classmates in my present course.
We were, until tonight, doing something that was close to my heart and had a very close relationship to storytelling. We had to borrow books from the library and there were so many questions directed to me as they needed to look for books and to know what stories to tell.
It was our last lesson tonight and my lecturer told me that "I will always remember you as the librarian". That was when I felt a strong bond to my previous job and felt that I should really still conduct myself well even though I have left the organisation. The name "librarian" still carried some weight. In some ways.
After class, one of my classmate was telling me how she was quite surprised that the people working in the library did not seem to know their work. Woah! Felt so 'malu' ("embarrassed" in Malay) even though I am no longer working there. I quickly told her to look for those in black jackets and she said she did and that librarian was not able to answer many of her questions. Hmmm... .
She was particularly puzzled with the short forms such as WRL, SBCL and such and while explaining to her all those and more, I suddenly felt that I was wearing a black jacket and the MRT station had transformed into the library once more. My classmate was happy that I helped answer some of her queries and we parted ways.
This is not the first time that a lecturer has promoted literacy and the library in one breath. The lecturer for the previous unit had even gone so far as to promote the kamishibai that the library was selling, which my ex-colleagues and supervisors helped to create.
Even back then, I ever so gladly offered information about where they could get it and which were the regional libraries and so on. I guess these are the sorts of promotions that we do not see. It's the sort of intangible thing that you could not measure with concrete numbers and results.
As I was writing this, I just remembered another heartening thing that happened this afternoon. There was a new girl that had come under our care and she was feeling very out of place, wanting to go home. The only person who could seem to talk to her was me as I was the one who received her at the door.
She was moping a little and I told her o bring out her notebook so that we could talk about the pictures she had drawn inside (I had seen the book earlier). There were lots of drawings and scribblings but among all that imaginary 'mess' I saw "eresources.nlb.gov.sg".
I asked her whether she just went to the library and she told me that she did not and it was her teacher who told them to jot this down for it would come in useful for them.
Heartening, very heartening.
I just wanted to say that it is heartening to myself that I am still able to use the knowledge that I have accumulated as a librarian to help people, specifically my classmates in my present course.
We were, until tonight, doing something that was close to my heart and had a very close relationship to storytelling. We had to borrow books from the library and there were so many questions directed to me as they needed to look for books and to know what stories to tell.
It was our last lesson tonight and my lecturer told me that "I will always remember you as the librarian". That was when I felt a strong bond to my previous job and felt that I should really still conduct myself well even though I have left the organisation. The name "librarian" still carried some weight. In some ways.
After class, one of my classmate was telling me how she was quite surprised that the people working in the library did not seem to know their work. Woah! Felt so 'malu' ("embarrassed" in Malay) even though I am no longer working there. I quickly told her to look for those in black jackets and she said she did and that librarian was not able to answer many of her questions. Hmmm... .
She was particularly puzzled with the short forms such as WRL, SBCL and such and while explaining to her all those and more, I suddenly felt that I was wearing a black jacket and the MRT station had transformed into the library once more. My classmate was happy that I helped answer some of her queries and we parted ways.
This is not the first time that a lecturer has promoted literacy and the library in one breath. The lecturer for the previous unit had even gone so far as to promote the kamishibai that the library was selling, which my ex-colleagues and supervisors helped to create.
Even back then, I ever so gladly offered information about where they could get it and which were the regional libraries and so on. I guess these are the sorts of promotions that we do not see. It's the sort of intangible thing that you could not measure with concrete numbers and results.
As I was writing this, I just remembered another heartening thing that happened this afternoon. There was a new girl that had come under our care and she was feeling very out of place, wanting to go home. The only person who could seem to talk to her was me as I was the one who received her at the door.
She was moping a little and I told her o bring out her notebook so that we could talk about the pictures she had drawn inside (I had seen the book earlier). There were lots of drawings and scribblings but among all that imaginary 'mess' I saw "eresources.nlb.gov.sg".
I asked her whether she just went to the library and she told me that she did not and it was her teacher who told them to jot this down for it would come in useful for them.
Heartening, very heartening.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The other side of the road
I usually rush to school after work and somehow, on school days, there would be something that would happen around 5.30pm that would not allow me to leave on time.
This time, it was like I described, but nonetheless, I have managed to see a Subway while taking a bus to Orchard this morning (switch buses halfway. Isn't that what the government wants us to believe? The one who do more transfers of public transport will save the most). I decided to give it a try and find that place this evening.
I was really worried that I would not manage to find the place, walk there and back to school on time, but I did. I also managed to get a glimpse of the museum and buildings on the other side of the road as I walked from SMU (Singapore Management University, where the Subway was situated) to my school. I am usually looking from the museum side across to SMU instead.
It was definitely a different view and for that short moment, I feel that I should look at things from different angles and not just from one point.
This time, it was like I described, but nonetheless, I have managed to see a Subway while taking a bus to Orchard this morning (switch buses halfway. Isn't that what the government wants us to believe? The one who do more transfers of public transport will save the most). I decided to give it a try and find that place this evening.
I was really worried that I would not manage to find the place, walk there and back to school on time, but I did. I also managed to get a glimpse of the museum and buildings on the other side of the road as I walked from SMU (Singapore Management University, where the Subway was situated) to my school. I am usually looking from the museum side across to SMU instead.
It was definitely a different view and for that short moment, I feel that I should look at things from different angles and not just from one point.
Hectic study days.
Finally got my text book on Monday (6th Oct). The last Monday that I tried to get it, I was too late. It was sold out.
Now, with that 'Bible' in early childhood, I can relax and rely on it. I am the sort who feels more secure to buy what the teacher recommends.
Topics are getting heavier as we talk about cognitive and physical stuff, but thanks to very nice classmates who are very supportive, we are surviving.
I found that many classmates sitting near me are actually either catholics or are teaching in Catholic kindergartens. It brings me to one of my obscure thoughts to teach in one such kindergarten. Anyway, it is one step at a time for now. I will work for one year at my present place first and then decide where to move on from there.
Today, I brought Milo packets for them as the school only provides coffee and tea packets. I am so afraid of insomnia now, I have sworn off coffee during weekdays.
The other funny thing is that I find one of the senior people in my previous organisation is also taking up the same course with another earlier batch of intakes. She is in-charge of programmes and at first, when I saw her at the car park, I thought she was going to guest lecture. After seeing her on several occasions though, I felt she might also be a student her and asked one of my friends, who was with the other class. She told me that she and her husband are both taking the same course.
Right there and then, I could hear the little voice in my head singing," It's a small world after all...".
Well, now that I have settled my leave for December, I am sooooo going to work very hard for my assignments.
Now, with that 'Bible' in early childhood, I can relax and rely on it. I am the sort who feels more secure to buy what the teacher recommends.
Topics are getting heavier as we talk about cognitive and physical stuff, but thanks to very nice classmates who are very supportive, we are surviving.
I found that many classmates sitting near me are actually either catholics or are teaching in Catholic kindergartens. It brings me to one of my obscure thoughts to teach in one such kindergarten. Anyway, it is one step at a time for now. I will work for one year at my present place first and then decide where to move on from there.
Today, I brought Milo packets for them as the school only provides coffee and tea packets. I am so afraid of insomnia now, I have sworn off coffee during weekdays.
The other funny thing is that I find one of the senior people in my previous organisation is also taking up the same course with another earlier batch of intakes. She is in-charge of programmes and at first, when I saw her at the car park, I thought she was going to guest lecture. After seeing her on several occasions though, I felt she might also be a student her and asked one of my friends, who was with the other class. She told me that she and her husband are both taking the same course.
Right there and then, I could hear the little voice in my head singing," It's a small world after all...".
Well, now that I have settled my leave for December, I am sooooo going to work very hard for my assignments.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Of eggs and webbed limbs
Went for classes today and we had to learn about pre-natal and pregnancy. We even watched a video on how the sperms swim up towards the uterus and we saw some sperms that were either two-headed or two-tailed. Those were called rejects.
In that video, it is also said that the well-being of a child starts right from the moment when the sperm swims up towards our uterus. Therefore, we women have the responsibility to keep our wombs in tip-top condition even before we decide to have a baby. That is, if one ever wants one.
It was also interesting for me to refresh that the woman's eggs are already there since birth and it decreases as we age. How? You go use logic to figure out. Men on the other hand, produce sperms from the time of puberty till the day that they die.
Well, sorry to gross any of you out, but I felt I had to note down these facts that I find...worth noting.
Oh! Another thing is, we were all first created with webbed hands and feet. Only thing the cells die and somehow, fingers are then formed. The reason why some people have six fingers? Is that the cells did not stop growing until it was a little too late.
OK, enough said. Don't want to bore anyone anymore.
In that video, it is also said that the well-being of a child starts right from the moment when the sperm swims up towards our uterus. Therefore, we women have the responsibility to keep our wombs in tip-top condition even before we decide to have a baby. That is, if one ever wants one.
It was also interesting for me to refresh that the woman's eggs are already there since birth and it decreases as we age. How? You go use logic to figure out. Men on the other hand, produce sperms from the time of puberty till the day that they die.
Well, sorry to gross any of you out, but I felt I had to note down these facts that I find...worth noting.
Oh! Another thing is, we were all first created with webbed hands and feet. Only thing the cells die and somehow, fingers are then formed. The reason why some people have six fingers? Is that the cells did not stop growing until it was a little too late.
OK, enough said. Don't want to bore anyone anymore.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
What a week (as I do not know how else to name this post)
It has been a crazy week so far, and I mean crazy. My cough would not go away and I talk with hardly any voice. Then last night, my car had the bad luck of going over this big metal plate with a nail and make me panic and call AA to replace a flat tyre.
It was something most unfortunate and I wished, one I would never encounter (having a flat tyre while driving, that is). It had to happen somehow. Just like the other time, a long time ago, when I said, I would never be caught dead without a foldable umbrella in China because their toilets have no doors. I was caught without a foldable umbrella when I went o China and I used toilets with no doors.
Well, all I can say is that I survived. I survived the door-less toilet and I survived the wait for the AA man to come change my tyres.
All these, and studies; rushing around like a mad dog and nursing my cough, I am glad that I passed my first module with not-so-bad results at all. Well, it is not a difficult module at all. After this module, the holiday ends and the (hopefully not) nightmare begins.
I wish the weekend will come soon! Going to my cousin's house again. This time, I am going for a sleepover. Haven't done that in years! The last sleepover...well, let's just say we had an adventure. Hahaha!
It was something most unfortunate and I wished, one I would never encounter (having a flat tyre while driving, that is). It had to happen somehow. Just like the other time, a long time ago, when I said, I would never be caught dead without a foldable umbrella in China because their toilets have no doors. I was caught without a foldable umbrella when I went o China and I used toilets with no doors.
Well, all I can say is that I survived. I survived the door-less toilet and I survived the wait for the AA man to come change my tyres.
All these, and studies; rushing around like a mad dog and nursing my cough, I am glad that I passed my first module with not-so-bad results at all. Well, it is not a difficult module at all. After this module, the holiday ends and the (hopefully not) nightmare begins.
I wish the weekend will come soon! Going to my cousin's house again. This time, I am going for a sleepover. Haven't done that in years! The last sleepover...well, let's just say we had an adventure. Hahaha!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Good news
I was supposed to have a real stressful week this week. Having to hand in lesson plans and having classes 3 times this week instead of 2.
When I went into class on Wednesday though, I was in for a great surprise. Teacher was sick and lessons this Friday is postponed. Yipee!! Which means I can go plan my own stuff and the best part is that our quiz (like a test) has been cancelled. I couldn't have been more relieved.
Then,while we were doing group work given to us via email by our lecturer (I suspect), I got this nice compliment from one of my classmates too. She said I looked like a child. I knew she meant that I was very child-like and she did tell me not to get offended before telling me that.
Well, I told her this is not the first time I heard it and I am really flattered. I think I am getting along pretty well with my classmates and I am beginning to understand that we do have to get along well as we ARE spending quite a huge amount of time together!
When I went into class on Wednesday though, I was in for a great surprise. Teacher was sick and lessons this Friday is postponed. Yipee!! Which means I can go plan my own stuff and the best part is that our quiz (like a test) has been cancelled. I couldn't have been more relieved.
Then,while we were doing group work given to us via email by our lecturer (I suspect), I got this nice compliment from one of my classmates too. She said I looked like a child. I knew she meant that I was very child-like and she did tell me not to get offended before telling me that.
Well, I told her this is not the first time I heard it and I am really flattered. I think I am getting along pretty well with my classmates and I am beginning to understand that we do have to get along well as we ARE spending quite a huge amount of time together!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
School, flu, school (Shoo fly, Shoo!)
It has been a long and tiring week. School started on Wednesday and I just had another lesson yesterday. All this while having flu and having to conduct lessons is no joke.
I was walking around work like a zombie most of the time, but school was fun though and I am still rearing to go. I am just wondering how I long I can 'tahan' till I burn out. Next week, is the worst. I have 3 days of night classes. I am praying to God that I do not fall sick at all.
I am just amazed at what creatures of habit we are and how we hang on so dearly to our comfort zones. My observation is that most of my classmates have sat back exactly where they sat during Orientaion and we have all quickly made friends with our neighbours as we know that project/group work is coming up and we need to find a 'group' to belong to. It's scary and I am scared. I don't want to be left out and become the lone ranger so the only survival instinct thing to do is to make as many friends as possible.
For once, I think I have some form of order in my life. Hopefully I can maintain it and get through these two years.
Oh yes! Just before school started, there was a little-big hoo-ha about my subsidisation of school fees. Just one day before school started, they called me up to request for my payslip and told me if I did not produce it by the end of the day, I will not get the subsidy.
It was so ridiculous. They called me near mid-day (which I did not pick up coz it was an alien number) and by the time some familiar number showed up, it was nearly 5pm in the evening. First of all, who in the world would bring their payslip around with them?? Secondly, they must realise that not everyone has the privilege of a workstation or computer in front of them. They wanted me to fax or scan it to them there and then. If not, I will not be entitled to the subsidy.
Then I became furious. Give me so little and expect the world out of me and asking the impossible at that! I shot back at the lady from NTUC, "Why did you inform me so late in the first place?"
She told me they tried reaching me in the morning. Even then, I told her it was still very late! I have to work and I cannot afford to go home as and when I like and I sent in my application very early and you are going to penalise me for not being able to provide one small information that you want at the very last minute??
I asked her again why she requested for my information so late when I had submitted the form about two months back? She could only reply that "the system is like that". They cannot do it earlier.
Seriously, I think it was a human error. You may have to key it in only a day before school starts (that's system constraint) but you could have physically checked through the applications first before going through final processing.
This last minute way of doing things made me feel like that they did it on purpose and that they were hoping I would not be able to meet the deadline and then they don't have to give me the subsidy.
Nevertheless, the lady was very nice after the small argument and she helped me the best she could to get my subsidy application going. Thank goodness too, that I have an all in one printer/scanner/copier at home. Wonder what I am going to do if I did not have any of the above!
I was walking around work like a zombie most of the time, but school was fun though and I am still rearing to go. I am just wondering how I long I can 'tahan' till I burn out. Next week, is the worst. I have 3 days of night classes. I am praying to God that I do not fall sick at all.
I am just amazed at what creatures of habit we are and how we hang on so dearly to our comfort zones. My observation is that most of my classmates have sat back exactly where they sat during Orientaion and we have all quickly made friends with our neighbours as we know that project/group work is coming up and we need to find a 'group' to belong to. It's scary and I am scared. I don't want to be left out and become the lone ranger so the only survival instinct thing to do is to make as many friends as possible.
For once, I think I have some form of order in my life. Hopefully I can maintain it and get through these two years.
Oh yes! Just before school started, there was a little-big hoo-ha about my subsidisation of school fees. Just one day before school started, they called me up to request for my payslip and told me if I did not produce it by the end of the day, I will not get the subsidy.
It was so ridiculous. They called me near mid-day (which I did not pick up coz it was an alien number) and by the time some familiar number showed up, it was nearly 5pm in the evening. First of all, who in the world would bring their payslip around with them?? Secondly, they must realise that not everyone has the privilege of a workstation or computer in front of them. They wanted me to fax or scan it to them there and then. If not, I will not be entitled to the subsidy.
Then I became furious. Give me so little and expect the world out of me and asking the impossible at that! I shot back at the lady from NTUC, "Why did you inform me so late in the first place?"
She told me they tried reaching me in the morning. Even then, I told her it was still very late! I have to work and I cannot afford to go home as and when I like and I sent in my application very early and you are going to penalise me for not being able to provide one small information that you want at the very last minute??
I asked her again why she requested for my information so late when I had submitted the form about two months back? She could only reply that "the system is like that". They cannot do it earlier.
Seriously, I think it was a human error. You may have to key it in only a day before school starts (that's system constraint) but you could have physically checked through the applications first before going through final processing.
This last minute way of doing things made me feel like that they did it on purpose and that they were hoping I would not be able to meet the deadline and then they don't have to give me the subsidy.
Nevertheless, the lady was very nice after the small argument and she helped me the best she could to get my subsidy application going. Thank goodness too, that I have an all in one printer/scanner/copier at home. Wonder what I am going to do if I did not have any of the above!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A lazy Saturday
This would just be an ordinary post, about another ordinary Saturday.
I went down to pay the 'down payment' for my school fees and then went to eat brunch at Makarios at the National Library Building (Level 3).
It has a nice quiet environment. Very quiet. We were the only ones there. Well, it was after all 11 am. It was just ordinary spaghetti carbonara, but the ham was good ham. I could taste it. Not too salty and just the right amount of fat.
However, I would recommend that one should go there more for it's coffee and chicken pie as they are more reasonably priced and the pastry is much better than the cafe at level one. The plat principal (main course in french)costs are very french; on the expensive end. It is very nice but I will only eat there again when I am feeling very rich or when I really feel like pampering myself.
Went to Vivo after that. Spent an hour or so at Page One choosing my 2009 diary/calendar/organiser. Haha! Hopefully this sort of enthusiasm will last me throughout my two years of study.
I went down to pay the 'down payment' for my school fees and then went to eat brunch at Makarios at the National Library Building (Level 3).
It has a nice quiet environment. Very quiet. We were the only ones there. Well, it was after all 11 am. It was just ordinary spaghetti carbonara, but the ham was good ham. I could taste it. Not too salty and just the right amount of fat.
However, I would recommend that one should go there more for it's coffee and chicken pie as they are more reasonably priced and the pastry is much better than the cafe at level one. The plat principal (main course in french)costs are very french; on the expensive end. It is very nice but I will only eat there again when I am feeling very rich or when I really feel like pampering myself.
Went to Vivo after that. Spent an hour or so at Page One choosing my 2009 diary/calendar/organiser. Haha! Hopefully this sort of enthusiasm will last me throughout my two years of study.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunrise, sunset
It seems like such a coincidence that whichever industry I join, it always seems to be the hot topic during the National Day Rally.
About 8 years ago, the library was the talk of the day. We, no they, have gone really high tech and have managed to jump leaps and bounds in terms of cutting down the queues and creating many new services etc.
Last week, during the National Day Rally Speech, childcare centres were the hot topic and for days before and after the rally speech, there were lots of reports in the newspapers about them. The number of centres need to be increased so as to encourage child bearing among married couples (sounds like our pledge. Hee, hee!).
There will be more subsidies given and lots more carrots are being dangled in front of parents to encourage them to give birth to more. Subsidies for working and non-working mums are up. Scholarships and bursaries would be given to teachers to upgrade and improve themselves. The fact that my school was mentioned for providing the scholarships shows that I must have done something right by signing up with that school.
A salsa-dancing ex-colleague once told me that the publishing industry is a sunset industry, but I think I must agree with the marketing manager that I did not like from Etonhouse (still trying to find link to that posting), that being in early childhood education industry is a sunrise industry.
About 8 years ago, the library was the talk of the day. We, no they, have gone really high tech and have managed to jump leaps and bounds in terms of cutting down the queues and creating many new services etc.
Last week, during the National Day Rally Speech, childcare centres were the hot topic and for days before and after the rally speech, there were lots of reports in the newspapers about them. The number of centres need to be increased so as to encourage child bearing among married couples (sounds like our pledge. Hee, hee!).
There will be more subsidies given and lots more carrots are being dangled in front of parents to encourage them to give birth to more. Subsidies for working and non-working mums are up. Scholarships and bursaries would be given to teachers to upgrade and improve themselves. The fact that my school was mentioned for providing the scholarships shows that I must have done something right by signing up with that school.
A salsa-dancing ex-colleague once told me that the publishing industry is a sunset industry, but I think I must agree with the marketing manager that I did not like from Etonhouse (still trying to find link to that posting), that being in early childhood education industry is a sunrise industry.
Dis-Orientated (just a little)
I have forgotten how unnerving going for lessons or orientation programmes could be. The last time I stepped into a school environment was in 1999. Almost 10 years ago.
You can imagine my shock when I saw so many unfamiliar faces staring back at me in the lecture room when I stepped into school. Nervousness was crawling under my skin. I suddenly felt uneasy all over again. For that split second, I was the shy girl back in the good 'ol days.
I guess age has done something to me though and so I put on my 'thick skin mask' and walked to an empty seat. It did not matter if I was not talking to anyone. At the end of the orientation programme though, I realise that it DOES matter that we should know as many people as possible. We are going to be with one another for 2 years and there will be lots of assignments and group projects.
I am a little worried here for I am (contrary to what a lot of my friends think) an introvert. My ex-housemate has brought me out of my shell a little but the old me sometimes re-visits. Will have to shoo it away and brace myself for new beginnings yet.
You can imagine my shock when I saw so many unfamiliar faces staring back at me in the lecture room when I stepped into school. Nervousness was crawling under my skin. I suddenly felt uneasy all over again. For that split second, I was the shy girl back in the good 'ol days.
I guess age has done something to me though and so I put on my 'thick skin mask' and walked to an empty seat. It did not matter if I was not talking to anyone. At the end of the orientation programme though, I realise that it DOES matter that we should know as many people as possible. We are going to be with one another for 2 years and there will be lots of assignments and group projects.
I am a little worried here for I am (contrary to what a lot of my friends think) an introvert. My ex-housemate has brought me out of my shell a little but the old me sometimes re-visits. Will have to shoo it away and brace myself for new beginnings yet.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I have been accepted!!!
The letter that I have been waiting for has arrived. I have been accepted! I will be starting my studies in early childhood in September!!
I was still worried about the acceptance as there was no news, no letter, whatsoever. Now, I can rest well.
Time to buy new stationery. Hee, hee, hee!! No, I will just buy a few nice notebooks to write notes in. Plus, I have another library to 'hide' for free!
I was still worried about the acceptance as there was no news, no letter, whatsoever. Now, I can rest well.
Time to buy new stationery. Hee, hee, hee!! No, I will just buy a few nice notebooks to write notes in. Plus, I have another library to 'hide' for free!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I did it!
I finally did it!
I went to sign up for the Early Childhood course yesterday. I wanted to blog all about yesterday and say "I signed up for the course TODAY!".
Of course, I was too tired to even press that start button on the CPU and fell straight to bed. Well, better late than never.
I took all my certs and forms with me in the morning yesterday, still not sure whether to sign up or not. Then, as my work day drew to a close, there was this strong inner voice telling me to just go and sign up. That was what I just did. I dropped down at the wrong MRT stop (Dhoby Gaut) and walked about 4 bus stops to my destination. It was one of the hottest days but it was one of those days where I walked the most.
After what seemed like umpteen numbers of form-filling (actually only one), I finally made payment. It never felt more right. I am also relieved. This particular school already has very good reputation and I just found out that a close family friend also teaches there. Unfortunately, she is teaching the Chinese course modules. If not, we will really be having fun trying not to know each other, all in the name of fun!
I am in a I-want-to-learn-everything-under-the-sun mood. My friend has encouraged me to study my translation and interpretation course simultaneously. Then, I would also like to resume my french lessons and take my D.E.L.F 1 certification. Health-wise, I would also like to resume my Bikram Yoga (hot yoga), which I have neglected for about 2 years now. This one, I tell you, really slims me down fast. Only thing is that I must maintain and watch my diet. If not, I will bloat back up again. Kekeke... .
Well, I will take things one at a time and see how much load I can take. Plus, I must also have the financial means first before I embark on anything.
I went to sign up for the Early Childhood course yesterday. I wanted to blog all about yesterday and say "I signed up for the course TODAY!".
Of course, I was too tired to even press that start button on the CPU and fell straight to bed. Well, better late than never.
I took all my certs and forms with me in the morning yesterday, still not sure whether to sign up or not. Then, as my work day drew to a close, there was this strong inner voice telling me to just go and sign up. That was what I just did. I dropped down at the wrong MRT stop (Dhoby Gaut) and walked about 4 bus stops to my destination. It was one of the hottest days but it was one of those days where I walked the most.
After what seemed like umpteen numbers of form-filling (actually only one), I finally made payment. It never felt more right. I am also relieved. This particular school already has very good reputation and I just found out that a close family friend also teaches there. Unfortunately, she is teaching the Chinese course modules. If not, we will really be having fun trying not to know each other, all in the name of fun!
I am in a I-want-to-learn-everything-under-the-sun mood. My friend has encouraged me to study my translation and interpretation course simultaneously. Then, I would also like to resume my french lessons and take my D.E.L.F 1 certification. Health-wise, I would also like to resume my Bikram Yoga (hot yoga), which I have neglected for about 2 years now. This one, I tell you, really slims me down fast. Only thing is that I must maintain and watch my diet. If not, I will bloat back up again. Kekeke... .
Well, I will take things one at a time and see how much load I can take. Plus, I must also have the financial means first before I embark on anything.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Verbal Indigestion of sorts
Ok, I am so completely cheesed off by this colleague of mine that I feel I have to bitch about her a little.
She has this habit of forcing ideas down people's throats and you could really literally feel that you are being force-fed. NO KIDDING!
I really hate people forcing me to do anything and this type of 'force feeding', I really DO NOT LIKE.
Today, we were both doing night shift and decided to have dinner together. Our job is a little complicated as we reported to different supervisors: one direct supe and the other is the manager of that particular branch. She asked if I had told our branch manager and I told her no, that I had not.
She told me with a serious, earnest straight face that she should have been the first one I told and that I should go tell her. In fact the look on her face made me felt like I had to take some form of transport back to branch and tell her immediately, now (by the way, we do not work night shifts at our own branch. This is a little complicated).
I told her I am going to tell her but maybe I will email me. Only reason is that I am very, and I stress VERY, bad with situations like that. To have to sit face to face with someone and tell them things...Work review times are not one of the times that I enjoy. I get gastric pains one day before that. So go figure.
She then gave me that earnest and serious look and to the brink of reprimanding, " This sort of thing, you should tell her face to face. Livvie (of course she does not address me in such close terms. Yuck! Yuck!) you MUST tell her face to face. This sort of thing is better to tell her personally. Email is too...cold.
I could feel her forcing the idea down my throat, coercing me to do it. I almost felt that it was Stalin or Hitler. No wait a minute, Chairman Mao talking to me! All this while I was trying to enjoy my fish and chips.
Me, being the stubborn me, told her "No, I will send her an email".
Deep down inside though, I know that telling her face to face was the only right thing to do. It's just the thought of the process of having to walk into her office and tell her is killing me. Let's just say that I am bad at handling situations like that. Eventually I am going to have to do it. Eventually.
Meanwhile, I was being stubborn to the core and did not admit that I will do it. Simply because the method she chose to give me advice was really not up my alley. Mentally choking, and this was not the first time. The last time this happened was when she was trying to convince me to take the Masters in Library Science programme locally with her a few years back. "Livvie (again, that is not the way she addresses me in real life), that is the only way for us to go already. There is no other way."
Of course there are other ways!! I still have my dreams of going back to Oz to further my studies. I could choose to study something else other than Library Science. There ARE many other ways.
Anyway, after my indignant protestation and defiance against her, we slipped into a very un-natural period of silence. I was chewing my food too hard and swallowing my food too fast. I was starring into nothingness. That is what I do if I cannot fathom something or I want to avoid further confrontation.
This colleague of mine is so set in her views that she can be quite unbearable sometimes. I do not know how I stayed friends with her for so long. Plus she is also quite the nosy sort who tries not to act nosy (if you know what I mean) and that makes her more irritating...at times.
Well, she will be moving on to another department soon and I will be well on my way to other things. Don't think I will see much of her from now, though I must say, at times, she had been quite a good listener.
She has this habit of forcing ideas down people's throats and you could really literally feel that you are being force-fed. NO KIDDING!
I really hate people forcing me to do anything and this type of 'force feeding', I really DO NOT LIKE.
Today, we were both doing night shift and decided to have dinner together. Our job is a little complicated as we reported to different supervisors: one direct supe and the other is the manager of that particular branch. She asked if I had told our branch manager and I told her no, that I had not.
She told me with a serious, earnest straight face that she should have been the first one I told and that I should go tell her. In fact the look on her face made me felt like I had to take some form of transport back to branch and tell her immediately, now (by the way, we do not work night shifts at our own branch. This is a little complicated).
I told her I am going to tell her but maybe I will email me. Only reason is that I am very, and I stress VERY, bad with situations like that. To have to sit face to face with someone and tell them things...Work review times are not one of the times that I enjoy. I get gastric pains one day before that. So go figure.
She then gave me that earnest and serious look and to the brink of reprimanding, " This sort of thing, you should tell her face to face. Livvie (of course she does not address me in such close terms. Yuck! Yuck!) you MUST tell her face to face. This sort of thing is better to tell her personally. Email is too...cold.
I could feel her forcing the idea down my throat, coercing me to do it. I almost felt that it was Stalin or Hitler. No wait a minute, Chairman Mao talking to me! All this while I was trying to enjoy my fish and chips.
Me, being the stubborn me, told her "No, I will send her an email".
Deep down inside though, I know that telling her face to face was the only right thing to do. It's just the thought of the process of having to walk into her office and tell her is killing me. Let's just say that I am bad at handling situations like that. Eventually I am going to have to do it. Eventually.
Meanwhile, I was being stubborn to the core and did not admit that I will do it. Simply because the method she chose to give me advice was really not up my alley. Mentally choking, and this was not the first time. The last time this happened was when she was trying to convince me to take the Masters in Library Science programme locally with her a few years back. "Livvie (again, that is not the way she addresses me in real life), that is the only way for us to go already. There is no other way."
Of course there are other ways!! I still have my dreams of going back to Oz to further my studies. I could choose to study something else other than Library Science. There ARE many other ways.
Anyway, after my indignant protestation and defiance against her, we slipped into a very un-natural period of silence. I was chewing my food too hard and swallowing my food too fast. I was starring into nothingness. That is what I do if I cannot fathom something or I want to avoid further confrontation.
This colleague of mine is so set in her views that she can be quite unbearable sometimes. I do not know how I stayed friends with her for so long. Plus she is also quite the nosy sort who tries not to act nosy (if you know what I mean) and that makes her more irritating...at times.
Well, she will be moving on to another department soon and I will be well on my way to other things. Don't think I will see much of her from now, though I must say, at times, she had been quite a good listener.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Union Member
Did I not say that NTUC is into everything and anything under the sun? I just joined to become their union member. Given normal circumstances, I would not, but since I am able to get some discounts for school fees and such, I will just sign away!
I was already planning to go and sign up when I saw their roadshow at the Tampines MRT. I have never believed in union membership and I thought (and still think) NTUC is quite...heartland (Low class lah). Yes, I am a bit of a snob but I feel that I am entitled to be one. It is not as if by me being a snob that I would hurt anyone, and so I will continue to be a half-snob.
I would have to live frugally from now on and so I might as well learn to be thrifty, minus the lack of taste. I mean, one can still live a simple life and yet be a little classy. OK, that was my vanity speaking. Well, some of the benefits offered by the Union are good while the others, I am just going to ignore.
Other than the study grants that they give up, I really am not so supported of the union. Simply because the unions here can do nothing much for us a employees. They are in place for show, to tell people and the world out there "Don't say we do not have a union", but I have not seen them win great 'battles' for employees.
I am not endorsing strikes either (which, by the way, is illegal here in the little island of Singapore). I think strikes diminished productivity and while this might get the workers somewhere, in the end, it may be a lose-lose situation.
Secondly is that with my salary bracket, I actually do not warrant much representation from the union. I am pretty much left on my own. I have read with interest, however, that we are partially represented now. How sweet of them.
If you do want to see what is "having too much on one plate", you could click here. I had much trouble navigating the website. I felt I was brought for a round-about ride and yet, still could not really find the answers I needed.
Nevertheless, as long as I get my study grants and subsidies, I am OK.
I was already planning to go and sign up when I saw their roadshow at the Tampines MRT. I have never believed in union membership and I thought (and still think) NTUC is quite...heartland (Low class lah). Yes, I am a bit of a snob but I feel that I am entitled to be one. It is not as if by me being a snob that I would hurt anyone, and so I will continue to be a half-snob.
I would have to live frugally from now on and so I might as well learn to be thrifty, minus the lack of taste. I mean, one can still live a simple life and yet be a little classy. OK, that was my vanity speaking. Well, some of the benefits offered by the Union are good while the others, I am just going to ignore.
Other than the study grants that they give up, I really am not so supported of the union. Simply because the unions here can do nothing much for us a employees. They are in place for show, to tell people and the world out there "Don't say we do not have a union", but I have not seen them win great 'battles' for employees.
I am not endorsing strikes either (which, by the way, is illegal here in the little island of Singapore). I think strikes diminished productivity and while this might get the workers somewhere, in the end, it may be a lose-lose situation.
Secondly is that with my salary bracket, I actually do not warrant much representation from the union. I am pretty much left on my own. I have read with interest, however, that we are partially represented now. How sweet of them.
If you do want to see what is "having too much on one plate", you could click here. I had much trouble navigating the website. I felt I was brought for a round-about ride and yet, still could not really find the answers I needed.
Nevertheless, as long as I get my study grants and subsidies, I am OK.
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