Achilles Tendinitis

Darling force (with a bit of scolding, which he denied) me to face the truth this morning -- visit the doctor. After waiting for about 2+ hours in the clinic, Dr Chia solved my worry of the past few months.

Achilles Tendinitis generally due to overuse of the affected limb and is more common among athletes training under less than ideal conditions. Achilles Tendinosis is a soreness and stiffness that comes on gradually and continues to worsen until treated. It often starts with stiffness and creaking when first getting out of bed in the morning. Lightly pinching the Achilles tendon with the forefinger and thumb will indicate soreness. Dr Chia jokingly asked whether I did a lot of shopping during this festive seasons, which of course I didn't.

Dr Chia's advice is to rest, rest and rest. In other words, no more all day long shopping, extensive workout or standing for long hours. Most importantly, I must wear a good pair of low heeled shoes. My reply to him was, "I'm a teacher, can't avoid standing!" In my heart I also worry about the 3 days orentation when school re-open. Since I'm one of the teacher in-charge and will involve in amazing race, I will stand, walk and run a lot!! HOW?????

Dr Chia added that the worst case will be tendon rupture!!

Too Old for Merry Christmas?

Came back from Orchard not long ago...

We went out at about 9+pm, after a long day of work for both of us. Many people said one must view the Christmas lightings and take pictures when visit Singpore during this festive month. After 2 years of staying in Singapore, we decided to join the crowd this year.

I regretted... We both regretted...

First of all, I don't think that the lighting is fantastic. We didn't take any photo. However, many people were amazed with the colourful and vibrant decorations along the street.
Secondly, the place was so crowded. At one point, we were sweating and suffocating. I really pity those kids and wondered why their parents bring them out to such crowded place?! I hope the kids have some fun after wasted so much tears and sweat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS :)

Is it because of age? I no longer like crowded places. I worry that someone will snatch my bag, I dislike body contact with strangers, especially sweaty & smelly strangers.... Also, I reckon is it not worth to spend so much $$ on the decorations. What do you think?

My feet are aching:( Since young, if I walk too much or carry something heavy, I will have difficulty going to bed as my feet will ache a lot. For the past few weeks/months, my right heel has not been well and the aching got worse for the past few weeks. Darling said I must consult doctor and go for x-ray soon, but I am delaying/avoiding...

Back-up, Back-up and Back-up

GOOD NEWS!! The IT people manage to save my documents:) According to IT, there is a crack (I think this is how they called it) on my internal hard disk, just like a scratch on your CD. So, it is better to change a new one as the crack might get bigger and later die again. The powerful and wonderful IT people back-up all my files and then transfer back into the new internal hard disk. In short, all my hard work was not wasted, I don't have to re-do anything. Except that HE looks and feels a bit different, I'mnot sure how to explain... Anyway, I am grateful that I didn't lost any documents/files.

One advice that given by the IT people which I felt quite funny was from now on, I need to be more diligent in backing up my files AND I need an external hard disk 1 to backup all documents in my laptop, then external hard disk 2 to back up the external hard disk 1.

My question is, how many times we need to back-up? As one of my colleague always said "I rather be 300% kiasu/kiasi to be 100% sure" Agree??

Praying hard...Get Well Soon

Last Friday I spent the morning cleaning up my apartment while HE rested in the living room. HE has been busy working on 2010 orientation and preparing materials for next year module since 2nd week of December. HE didn't really have enough rest as before this we were busy with convocation. Thus, I thought I shall not bother HIM, at least let HIM will get some rest till after lunch.

At about 3+pm, I tried to wake HIM up several times, but there isn't any respond!! I panicked and called my colleague for help. I was so worried and rushed HIM to consult my colleague. I am so worry, the report will only be out on Monday.

This few days, I am so lost without HIM with me, I don't know what to do, I lost my direction. I really hope that HE will be alright, I miss HIM...


My dear ACER, get well soon, hope to see you on Monday.
*yup, I'm a workaholic!!

p.s. I have no backup, i.e. if can't safe my hard disk, I need to re-do all the stuffs I did for the past week:(

Society for Physically Disabled

thanks GOD for giving me what i'm having

sorry GOD for complaining what i dont have

i promise that i will change

and with YOUR guidance i will be a better person

Last Sunday, there was a charity show for SPD on TV
I'm so amazed with the determindation from the disabled and the uncondition support from their family during all the
At the same time, I'm so ashame of myself for not contributing enough to the society

I'm thinking of grandma... her face appear in my mind, I can see her smile clearly. The next thing, I cry... I cry... I cry... I miss her so much:) I surely pay her a visit whenever I go back home; I hate seeing her suffer in the pain....

Birthday in Batam

Darling gave me surprise with a super last minute short trip to Batam, Indonesia. We took the 250pm ferry on Saturday from Harbour Front Center. After 1h we reach Batam Center. Without any background research or planning, we decided to saty in Goodway Hotel, (about 7min walk to the mall) recomended by the counter staff. Luckly, the room is alright for S$70. We decided to walk around Batam (mainly shopping) rather than spend time in the beach as it is rainy season.

For those of you who decided to shop in Batam, I will recomend i-Hotel which located just next to the megamall, Nagoya Hill. We had some good deals at Matahari (like our Jusco), especially my less than S$1.50 t-shirt & darling less than S$2.90 t-shirt:)

Darling & I decided that if we were to have another last mninute tripto Batam in future, we will venture the beach.

*No photos this time as I sent my camera for repair last week*

Top 10 Reasons Why You're a Special Teacher

10.

You have got compassion

09.

You have got patience

08.

You have got faith in us

07.

You have got warmth

06.

You have got generousity

05.

You have got wisdom

04.

You have got strength of character

03.

You have got good taste

02.

You have got humour

01.

You are a SPECIAL TEACHER

I was doing housekeeping in the office after meeting
This card caught my attention

Happy Birthday Darling

Happy Birthday

I am in Kuala Lumpur; Darling is in Singapore

Tomorrow, I will be in Singapore; Darling will be in Vietnam

This is the 2nd time we didn't celebrate his birthday together ever since we dated
We have been through so many for more than 7 years - some ups and some downs

Singapore
Phuket

Kota Kinabalu

Bangkok

I appreciate what he did during this period

I thank God for introducing such a wonderful man into my life

Darling,

you have definitely painted my life with colours

and I'm confident that you will continue to do so for my entire life

December Babies

December is a month full of celebration:)

1st: My favourite cousin sister, Li Jun's Birthday

2nd: Darling's Birthday

5th: My Birthday

18th: Dad's Birthday

Happy Birthday Li Jun

People say we look alike & I have students who mistaken that she is my daughter:)

Goodbye... Goodbye... Goodbye...

Today is the last day of school for all levels...

Today is also the last day for the year 5 to stay in boarding...

M08307/M09407

Today, after classroom cleaning and issuing of progress reports, my mentees gave me a surprise presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQlSv0jhBRU..They put together all the lovely pictures we took which capture the best memories we had for the past two years... I'm soooooooo touched!!!

I'm so glad to have you all as my mentees. Thank you for being so well behaved and well rounded "sons" and "daughters", I'm sooooooooo proud of you!!

You will always be MY 307/407 -- my first batch of Singapore's babies!!

*See you all in boarding next year*

p.s. remember to check in with the farewelll gift

Cluster 2BMy princesses came to my apartment on Wednesday to have our very last birthday celebration.

For the past 1 year, I enjoyed your companian especially when Mr Frederic is out of town. I will surely miss your noise, messy room, dirty toilet and smelly laundry (just joking)... Thank you very much for being such an obedient "daughter" and finish the breakfast I prepared:)

Good Luck Girls

Today is first day of exam for my year 5 girls. Being a lovely & caring "mum", I woke up 5:30am to prepare breakfast. Menu for today is tuna & egg sandwiches. To me, I can't really help themin termof content (except chemistry), so, this is the only moral support I can provide. I do hope that they enjoy the sandwiches (my taste buds refuse to work so early) & do well in the exam:)

Last Sunday, I made them 罗汉果+龙眼 as in this kind of bad weather, they need somehting cooling & refreshing. Many didn't like the taste though.

Dear princesses, breakfast will be provided untill the last paper!!

Today, darling will be flying off to Vietnam (back on Thursday). Yes...travel again... He has been under lots of stress since taking up the more demanding post. As I always say, it is not easy to juggle between full time work + part time study. He is in his final semester for his MBA, thus, he has to really manage his time wisely (between eleftive module + finalyear thesis) in order to graduate asap...

Yesterday darling told me that his boss's mum is not well. Because he is tight down by his heavy schedule, his wife went back to their home country alone to take care of the mum. The worse is no one will be here to take care of his daugter when he is away in Vietnam!!

The moral of the story:
There is no perfect world. If you think you are the worst, it is always not true!!
Cherish what you have rather than complain what you don't have.

Here pain, There pain, Everywhere pain pain...

Yesterday, Camellia, my colleague (PE teacher) stay back after school to be my personal trainer (free of charge). We schedule to meet every Thursday evening for my intensive training since I desperately need to lose weight:)

Camellia encourage me to do a lot of IMPOSSIBLE stuffs & now I'M POSSIBLE!!
Thank you Camellia:)

With a good trainer, I must also be determine & disicipline to follow my workouts schedule:
Monday -- Jog/Run 2.4km
Tuesday -- Aerobic
Wednesday -- Kickboxing
Thursday -- Intensive training with Camellia
Friday, Saturday, Sunday -- Jog/Run 2.4km

KYC, buck up!!

09-09-09

**长长久久**

To many chinese, beside 08-08-08, today is also another special day. Thus, lots of couples choose this auspicious day to exchange vows.

While, to me, on this extraordinary day, I would like to THANK my students and colleagues from NOBEL house who has contributed full heartly to the house. Although we lost to FARADAY by 2 points during last Friday sports day, we have done our best and achieved much better result than previous years. Being the house mistress, I'm really proud of you.Many students and colleagues approached me after the event and expressed the following:

"if it didn't rain, the staffs' run and students' shooting events will be carried out then we will WIN"

"if the year 1 relay team didn't MIA then we will WIN"

"if J didn't have a false start then we will WIN"

Anyway, the result is no longer important as my fellow NOBELIANs have done their BEST.

NOBEL ROCKS!!

Chin KayLee

CONGRATULATIONS Audrey & Karl:)
Their baby girl, Chin KayLee, can't wait to see the world & say HI to everyone on 8th September 2009...

I love kids & super excited if there is any new born baby. I can play with them whole day & night. Some of my friends love to go out with me as I can take good care of their babies i.e. play, feed, put them into bed etc etc etc...

I have been shopping for gifts as many babies on their way!!!

Happy Teachers Day

Today is teachers day holiday:) Yesterday, student council board & music ambassadors arranged a series of activities for teaching & non teaching staffs. Our day started with students serving us breakfast then 'concert' in the hall. There are lots of performance by the kids & also awards to appreciate the teachers hard work for the year.

If you remember, I was crowned Ms Fun-Loving last year. This year I voted to be the Ms Easy-Going which shocked lots of people - myself, satffs & students!! This is because I'm not easy-going in fact some of my colleagues called me control freak, although I think well organised is the better choice of word. Anyway, thak you for all the votes. I love you all, muak!! This year I received a 'surprise' report book from M09405 (one of my subject class). So sweet of them spending some much time & efforts to prepare such a thoughtful gift. I'm not going to disclose the contents, all you need to know is I passed with flying colours:)
Luckyim used her artistic hands & made me this pretty bookmark. I like her idea of being environmental friendly, using recycle materials. Didn't know that Ronald is so good with origami, the rose looks so real!!Although I never teach Debra, she appreciate my present in her life (or maybe in Nobel). Thank you!!Jerlin knew that I will surely receive lots of chocolates. She gave me apple & kiwi in order to balance my un-healthy diet:) Thank you!! I really have lots of chocolates from:

AdaBernadineYu Jia (inside the lovely holder)Jia Ying & Rebecca from my boarding cluster

More sweet stuffs:

wine gum from Seo Youn

cake (not edible) from Fabia

Jun Han got me a "blind" dog which is tame enough to allow me to rest my arms whenever I used my laptop. Is really comforatble, so thoughtful!!

Barnabas gave me another new balance top.

Shu Xian from my cluster keeps her promise, she (maybe her mum) bought me a packet of konnyaku jelly powder with proper instructions (I think from her mum too). She also made me cookies.

More to come:

notes holder from Xitong

Yi Hui knows I like to be pretty all the time:)

big mug from Anqi

Chee Ying & Alexius are reminding me that my throat needs herbal teas

as I shout very often

cute crystal vase from Ryan

(i hope this is not too expensive)pen & han-made card from Lorna

(am I your guiding star?)

Not forgetting the surprise dinner organised my mentor class, M09407 at Liang Seah Street,Bugis. (I'll blog more about it once I get the photo from my class, be patient)

To all my princes & princesses:

Thank you very much for everything

Need not get me any gift, because your good academic result and excellent behaviour are the best gifts in this world

I LOVE YOU ALL:)

Happy Teachers Day

to all teachers in the world!!

Desperately need to lose weight

This evening, I started my 1st lesson of abs, buns & thighs (something like aerobics) at Clementi Sport Center.

A bit dissapointed as it was not as intensive as I thought... I really need to work "hard" in order to lose the tummy!! Not forgetting, the "double twins" -- flabby arms + huge thighs:(

BRUNEI, here i come...

No time to blog, so busy at work.
I'll be flying to BRUNEI next Monday...
work related, not personal trip!!

Phuket-PhiPhi-Krabi (14th -- 18th June)

Time flies, darling & I have been "dating" for 7 years (did I count it correctly?) This year, darling brought me to Thailand!!


14th June 2009 (Sunday): Singapore to Phuket

We took an early flight and reached Phuket about 10+am (local time). The distance from Phuket airport to our hotel (in Kata) is quite far. Both of us were so hungry when we reached Alpina Nalina Resort. *Their service was so good & we love the environment. As we were super hungry, we had our lunch in the hotel (although we know it will be expensive) as we have no idea the distance to the nearest restaurant and also worried that 11am might be too early for them to serve lunch.

comfy bed & spacious room

pretty flowers in front of the spa

(too expensive for a spa expereince)

not forgetting the gazebo & huge pondhuge swimming pool
Tom Yum is a must!
(yummy)

Stirred fried squids with garlic & black pepper
(the squids are fresh)

Pad Thai

(something like our local char kuey teow)

After lunch we went to Phuket town by cab. We wen Jung Ceylong shopping mall. Nothing special & it was still too early to go to our next destination, we watched UP... First time to watch movie in Thailand & we have learnt somthing new!! After all the trailers & advertisements, the screen written "please pay your respect to our King" *I can't really recall all the exact wordings, but means something like that. Then, video clips of the King with the National Anthem was shown. As no one seated in front of us, we have no idea what was going on. When I turned to darling to ask what must we do, I saw people behind us all stood up straight. I quickly alerted darling & we did the same. So, remember what you must do if you were to watch a movie in any cinema in Thailand.

After movie, we took a tuktuk to the Patong weekends night markets. Something similar to the Chatuchak, Bangkok but not as huge as that. I manage to bought a few cheap t-shirts (range from 60B to 100B). Then we had an early dinner at one of the restaurant nearby.

cheap & nice

After that, we rush to watch the 7pm Simon Cabaret where the pretty lady boys performed in beautiful coustumes and stunning music. They put in lots of efforts for an hour show. The song I like most is Nobody by Wonder Girls, they imitated it so well!!

After the show, we were both too tired to walk around Patong town (wonderful night life - plenty of cheap shopping, delicious food & pubs). We decided to call it a day & return to our hotel.

So sweet of themPrepared my bed for the night

15th June 2009 : Phuket

As we have spent lots of money for our transportation to Patong the day before. We decided to spend our day in our private beach & around Kata town. After breakfast, we took the hotel shuttle to the beautiful beach which located about 5km from our hotel.

soft sand & clear water

private area for hotel guest only

We were playing with sand and sea water whole morning. I drank a few mouthful of sea water as the waves was so strong! I enjoyed playing with the waves:) Then, we stop by at a restaurant for lunch on the way back to our hotel.

super spicy Tom Yum

We spent our afternoon doing nothing but resting in our wonderful hotel room till dinner time. This was our 1st time having such a realxing holiday as our schedule is so free!! For our previous trips, darling fully utilised every single seconds & covered as many activities/places as possible as...

the easy & cheap way to reduce heat loss

Green Curry Pork, Pineapple Seafood Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Beeff, Stir Fired Kai Lan

16th June 2009 Phuket - Phi Phi

Time to say Goodbye to the lovely hotel as we will take a ferry to Phi Phi. The weather was bad, rainining whole day. The 2 hours ferry trip was horrible due to the rough sea, many people vomitted. We checked into Cabana hotel straight away as both of us need to rest after the unpleasant journey. The hotel is old but overall okay. Darling chose this hotel as this is the only hotel that situated between two beaches. The only complain I have was the salty water from the shower and water tab...

another night of comfy bed

nice view from our balcony

(beach at the back of the hotel)

swimming pool

beach in front of the hotel

We then had a western lunch (not really nice though) before walking around the small island (only need about 10min). As it was raining & the sea water was super cold, only darling dare to dip his whole body into the sea.

Spagetti & jumbo burger

nice beach

too bad, the weather doesn't permit us to 'play' with the sea

We went for a Thai massage for 250B each before we had our dinner. On the way, I saw this bunch of huge & fresh lychee (only 30B) that made my mouth water. We enjoy the sweet & juicy lychee by the beach as desert, so romantic hor?! Then, we also bought ourselves some drinks while enjoying the sea breeze & music at the hotel bar.

Tom Yum, Salad, Squids

to kill time?

17th June 2009 : Phi Phi to Krabi

Thank God!! The weather was good and the 1h 30min ferry trip was alright:) According to the cab driver, Ao Nang Villa is very famous & is a good hotel. Anyway, we can't wait to chance into our swim wears & headed toward the beach as the weather was wondeful.

my opinion: better condition than Cabana, Alpina better service plenty of facilities, they have two big pools

We were so surprise to see so many people sun bathing beside the pool, wondered why they didn't got the beach. We found the answer when we reached the beach - the water is yellowish brown in colour & the beach was full of grass. We still go ahead & challenge the waves even though we were disappointed with the 'quality'. However, we gave up not long after that as the waves was too strong & I was "attacked" by grass which wrapped arpund my legs & body constantly. We then decided to walk along the beach while enjoying the breeze. To my horror, I saw a jelly fish lying on the beach!!

We were approached by a desperate lady which offered us super cheap massage. As we have nothing to do & no harm relaxing by the beach, we go for another session of Thai massage for 100B each. I also had a foot scrub for 100B. Both of us reckon this session was better than the 1st one who had in Phi Phi, really worth for the 100B!

After a refreshing showing (no more salty water & high water pressure), is time for lunch!! Look at the cute bamboo huts...

Tom Yum, BBQ Chicken, Tou Fu, Morning Glory

& mango with sticky rice

After lunch, we walked around Krabi town. Nothing much, nothing special. Suddenly at about 5pm, darling suggested that we should take a long boat to a neighbour island to watch sunset. Yup, we did it, without any prepartion or proper gears!!

We took this to the harbour

Darling hire a 'driver' & paid for the whole boat, so touching hor?!

is quite difficult to leave this crowded "parking lots"

After about 20min, we reached our destination, much prettier beach than Krabi. Although we were both soaked in salty water, we only spent about 1h there, we were so happy:) Worth it!! *highlight of this trip

the nearest my 'driver' can park his boat

not joking, I was really happy nice beach, right?really pretty, agree?

I planted this, hope he can survive

Look!! The sunset:)

18th June 2009 : Krabi to Kuala Lumpur

During the long weekends, beside spending some quality time with parents & younger brother, I visited grandma who is recovering from the surgery. She is a tough girl, she didn't complain even when she was in great pain. I hope & I pray that she will fully recover soon. I love you.

21st June 2009 : Kuala Lumpur to Singapore

Once I switched on my phone after the Singpore custom, I received plenty of smses, mainly from my colleagues. Boarding informed me that Thailand is one of the affected country since 16th June 2009 (MOH list). Thus, I need to stay in my apartment (leave of absense) for 7 days (till tomorrow) and not to have any close contact with students or staffs. We monitor our temperature twice daily & thankfully both of us are fine.

** One of my friend who came back from Bangkok last Saturday was tested H1N1 positive & currently in Sg Buloh Hospital. I wish him all the best & hope he will recover soon.