Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Woo Hooo... Holiday~ Holiday~ My pupils asked me if Friday's also a holiday and I felt like telling them that if I were the Minister of Edu., I would give them plenty of holidays! Hoho..
It's kind of nice working in the staffroom when everyone's gone home. It's so quiet (not in an eerie way) and peaceful. Can take my time to do my stuff. Didn't have the urgency to rush home especially when the next day's a public holiday. It was really productive because I finished a set of past year papers (which I actually planned to bring home to mark) and a set of SA1 listening compre papers.
I'm looking for a toy hammer. The kind that will make a sound coz I'm sick of repeating myself in words to get the kids to zip their lips. Wanna use that as a warning. :D
Serendipity believed today at 9:05 PM
Working time passed unusually fast today since there were so many "programmes" lining up. Someone once told me that years years years back, she wasn't even aware that 10 years had passed for her until they asked her to collect an award for it. Haha...
I can't emphasize enough that I'm super glad Thursday's a public holiday although I have a collection of things to mark.
*sweats*
Serendipity believed today at 10:47 PM
At about 11pm, just when I thought I could finally "close shop" for the day. I realized that I have yet to do and submit my lesson plan for this week. By right, I'm supposed to submit on Mondays. Not that it's ever stated in black and white but then it's understood. It's super sian you know? When you think you can finally have "me" time and then your hopes are dashed because something got to crawl it's way into your brain to alert you of it's existence.
It's such a tiring day. I felt tired even while walking to school. A blue Monday through and through. However, I spared whatever energy I had left and agreed to stand in for the tuition program today. Mainly because of my rather high expenditure these days and so, wanted to work doubly (or even triply) hard to put back in some more spare cash to vent my frustration on. Haha...
Time flies like mad *clinging on to dear life* So worried that I cannot finish revision with my class. Worry about this, worry about that. Worry about entering attendance into the system too since I don't have that token thingie to access the system. Stupid policy by whoever thought of it. Loan me a token for a year will die meh? So much crap and shit. Even the stupid staffroom air-con is like blasting machiam there's no tomorrow. Can practically hear the wind from the air-con lor and shiver like mad even with a shawl.
Whole world and everything demanding attention at the same time. Makes me feel like banging my head against the wall.
Bleh. *faints*
Serendipity believed today at 11:08 PM
I'm glad that the tuition fees have been banked into my account. Every cent counts especially when I don't know if I am going to continue with this. If the decision happens be to continue with it, more of less my financial status will be kind of stable and not bad for the next 4 years. Should I choose not to go ahead with it, I would have to live on my savings again for how long I do not know too since it's not easy to get a job out there. Colleagues seem to assume that I am going ahead with it because the question they ask is, "When are you going to NIE?" Not, "Are you going to NIE?" Hahah... Or maybe they are just trying to fish information out of me through the first question.
It's my first time taking them for the oral exam these 2 days. Although there are guidelines for awarding marks, there still exists a kind of worry. I kept asking myself throughout if I was being impartial. Am I giving too high marks? Am I shortchanging him/ her? Am I penalizing him/ her correctly?
I finally popped by MI to "survey" the place. It's been so long and I've been meaning to do that but never had the time nor the purpose of dropping by until today.
*Arigato gal~ for treating me to sushi. That could be my bday present :D
Serendipity believed today at 11:49 PM
At this moment, while in my room, I can hear a ghost wailing the Da Chang Jin song in the toilet of her flat. I liken it to a ghost wailing because of the pitch plus the voice is filled with anguish. It's kind of irritating. Both the song and the voice. Hahah... I guess I never like stuff which the whole world is so into. Not that I think the show is bad though. In fact, though I didn't catch all the episodes on TV, I still found the story captivating enough. But not enough to want to go buy the VCDs nor the soundtrack.
It's a day of oral exam. It's strange how kids can make use of the conversation segment of it to complain when they were asked to tell about something that happened in the school. They simply had to use the opportunity to complain "-_- I don't remember doing such things when I had my oral exam at their age. Nevertheless, I was kind of shocked by their standards. I kind of expected more from certain people but I guess those few are only good in written exam and not spoken. Even though who usually have so much so say didn't really know what to say even when prompted.
My eyelids grew heavier after each pupil. I would have to continue with the remaining 10 tomorrow.
Serendipity believed today at 8:38 PM
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I was walking past my neighbouring class today when I realized that a colleague was having her observation session. The VP, HOD and an MOE personnel were there. I could really feel the tension. It's really a scary thing to be observed on a formal basis whereby within the 1 or 2 periods, you're being judged on your teaching as well as class management. Moreover, children are unpredictable. With 30 of them, if any of them wanna "tekan" you, he/ she could do it easily. I heard that some children do do that sort of thing "-_- Even experienced teachers fear such observations so I can imagine how it would be like for me, should I ever be observed formally for the first time (provided I stay on in this line...).
Poor thing. She later told me she slept at 3am just to do preparations. Probably because she's married with kids so she could only do it late late at night when she has finished her other chores.
Serendipity believed today at 10:16 PM
I'm trying to mark very quickly but still can't seem to mark fast enough. My brains are clogged up due to day after day of intensity in concentration and speed. I chew fast, type fast, tick (or cross) fast but yet to no avail. I'm giving them work faster than I can mark not because I want to give so much but because those sets of worksheets HAVE to be finished up before the exams. Those aren't even extra worksheets that I prepare for them. Composition after composition too. :*(
However, I'm glad to have good colleagues who are also teaching the same level and who are happy to render help when needed. I guess that's one good thing about this experience I guess.
It's funny how kids tend to absorb the strangest things into their minds. I remember there's a teddy bear named, Snuzzle in one of the big books that we did. We did it like 2 months ago (or more) or something and today when I went through oral practice with them, one of the boys could actually point out a teddy bear lying on the bed as "Snuzzle". The cute part was he said it as a matter of fact. As if "Snuzzle" was a species of bear hahaha... And he wasn't even trying to be cheeky. Probably because it's a really cute name with an interesting- sounding pronunciation to it that led them to have such deep impression of it. Kids...
21 more days!
That's fast!
Serendipity believed today at 11:42 PM
I read in the Sunday Times a very intriguing article about heart transplants causing recipients to take on personalities of the donors.
Creepy but intriguing.
So I read on about cases in the U.S. and (London?) whereby according to reports, that was what happened to the recipients. One guy committed suicide the same way the donor did. A 40 plus lady realized that her tastes had changed to those of a teenager after she received a heart from an 18 year old girl. Yet another who left his own wife for his donor's wife because he felt like he had "known her for a long time" when he first set his eyes on her and even started drinking a particular brand of beer (that the donor used to drink) when in the past, he didn't drink beer.
It's kind of morbid don't you think so? Yet, how much of this can be believed? Local doctors attribute these changes to psychological influences (as with all other things...) citing scientific explanations that a heart contains DNA of the original owner but unlike a brain, it doesn't process thoughts, etc. Along the line... That they could be behaving that way due to guilt or gratitude or just a natural filling in of the shoes of the donors. Makes sense though...
And I was thinking that in the case of the guy who left his wife for the donor's wife and even married the latter, the former wife probably wished that he had died instead of her having to nurse him back to health only to have him running into the arms of the donor's wife.
Such a twist. A bit funny though.
Cruel but funny.
Serendipity believed today at 10:24 PM
http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/theforbiddenkingdom/theforbiddenkingdom.htm
The Forbidden Kingdom is actually a rather nice and funny movie. Super funny at certain parts in fact... Imagine the Monkey God and the Jade Emperor speaking in English? Hahah!!! Nonetheless, it's got a nice plot and nothing too draggy too. It's compact and lasts for about 1 and a half hours only.
The eye candy in this movie is played by Crystal Liu Yi Fei as Golden Sparrow. I first noticed her as Xiao Long Nu in The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2006). Very pretty and young-looking. Below is a scene from The Forbidden Kingdom.
The ang moh in the show travelled to the world where there was an evil warlord, the White Haired Bride, Monkey God, Jade Emperor, etc. He learnt kung fu there when he got to know Jackie Chan and Jet Li. There's some sort of attraction between him and Golden Sparrow (not played up) which unfortunately did not develop since she met with a tragic end. Finally, he managed to return to his own world. Strangely, there was a girl whom he saw in his own world who looked like Golden Sparrow. :)Labels: Movies
Serendipity believed today at 5:19 AM
I've sort of cooled down after yesterday.
I didn't and don't blame the kid. I blame adults who, instead of trying to change a kid's outlook on issues, try to change external influences which she should not have even interfered with in the first place anyway.
Anyway, I went for a trashy show just now. The Hottie And The Nottie. It's funny at certain parts though as usual, some other people might think it was rubbish. Both of us enjoyed it though.
However, even when I was out, I couldn't help thinking of the Meet the teachers sessions next week. I've got to think of things to say for each child and yet, most pupils tend to be mid-ability ones and so, do not stand out. Naughty and obedient ones will of course be easy to talk to their parents about their attitudes.
I do not have a magic formula to cure any pupil of his/ her carelessness. Even though I'm not a parent, I do sympathize with parents on how exasperating it is to help a child tackle carelessness. It's not something that can be taught. All in all, it boils down to pupils themselves wanting to eliminate their mistakes due to carelessness.
A teacher can help a child do many things but not all things.
Serendipity believed today at 12:01 AM
Quick to pinpoint, quick to judge. Never to appreciate.
I can only say this with irritation and disappointment. More of the latter actually. Just makes me feel sad and disillusioned.
Chinese parents tend not to complain about teachers being fierce to their children. In fact, one even encouraged me to scold and punish her child terribly should he not listen. Another race (I shall not name in case I get into trouble), I have gotten feedback that I've been too fierce with the children. This said when I've never even directly scolded their children before. Just scolded the class as a whole. This is also wrong?
Said I gave her daughter nightmares and made her cry even at home. My heart just sank all the way to the bottom when I read the email and I could not help breaking down too because I felt so wronged.
Is it wrong to scold primary 5 pupils who attend a tuition program when they don't wanna do worksheets and instead want to waste their time and parents' money by talking nonsense in class? Is it wrong to scold my very own pupils who just refused to do corrections (just need copy out the marked compositions) even after WEEKS? She said her elder daughter (in the tuition programme) also said I was very fierce.
Does anyone dare to tell me in my face that what I've done is wrong? If that is so, just tell me straight in the face. I dare you to. If you can even get the words out of your mouth, I will shut up in class from now on and let all your children do whatever they want. Not disciplining your children, not terrifying your children doesn't guarantee results.
A relief teacher who came to my class only 1 day when I was on medical leave even spent almost the entire time scolding them, resulting in lessons not covered. That coming from a teacher who hardly knew them and who only spent that mere 2.5 hours with them. Only spent about 0.5 hours teachers. What happened to the 2 hours?
Scolding. Scolding and scolding. My very own pupils told me that you know?
So now you tell me. Is it justifiable to scold pupils who disregard what you tell them? Should I just smile and ask them to keep up with their worst behaviour and let them carry on with it until primary 6 and beyond?
Don't accuse me of demanding good results from pupils. DON'T YOU DARE! Whatever I do, I do it with the best interests of the pupils. I don't care that pupils don't ALL get band 1 but I care if anyone were to fail HORRIBLY. When I called you up to advise you to allow your child to come for remedial, it's for her own good because teachers would be able to focus on her instead of a classroom full of pupils. When you refused to, after 1 session, I respected that. There's nothing I could do. Even if you were lying to me when you said you would be sending her to a tuition centre instead, just to humour me, I don't care because at the end of the day, she's your child. If you were to let an oversensitive child tear your heart into pieces, then I'm telling you, you are just spoiling her and encouraging her to continue with her ways.
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I have decided to quit my Jap course and dedicate 99.9% of my waking hours to my work. I hope everyone's happy. My conscience is clear and that's it.
Serendipity believed today at 11:31 PM
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What can be the worst combi than the below adding up?
1) menstrual cramp
2) gum inflammation (started a couple of days ago)
3) the removal of LDS claims from the webpage so currently I dare not purchase anything first in case there's a fixed period within which we have to make claims (stated in fine print somewhere).
4) pupils not following instructions always.
5) a pupil peeing in his pants and telling me "I don't know, I don't know" for whatever question I asked him. *At first I thought it's water*
I definitely do not want TODAY to keep repeating itself.
Sigh...
I rejected taking over the tuition for tonight because of my cramp which is just as well since it's a much needed rest. Probably won't be marking anything tonight.
No energy.
In a foul mood now with the persistent pain in my gums.
Come on, surely a person needs some good luck to offset the effects of the bad...
I'll just go sleep soon. I've been talking to myself far too much before falling asleep these days.
:*(
Serendipity believed today at 9:13 PM
Pupil: I have another CCA after this.
Me: (Obliging and curious that this little fellow is so busy) What CCA is it?
Pupil: Learn a language. Something to do with deaf (I heard it as death...).
Me: (even more curious) Death? What do you mean something to do with death?
Pupil: Can talk to the deaf.
Me: (Still thinking that perhaps the pupil meant "talk to the dead") Is it? Sure or not? (was thinking so morbid and such an interesting CCA)
Pupil: Yes.
* He went on to make some signs which led me to finally understand that he meant sign language - talking to people who are deaf.
Serendipity believed today at 10:39 PM
When I walk into the staffroom to my seat during free periods and after school, the peace and quiet of the place makes me feel like I can stay on. Staying on as in continuing to teach. I really don't mind the teaching part. I don't even mind giving remedials nor giving them extra worksheets to help them to master the concept. However, I do mind the different commitments that come with teaching, that actually diverts and divides we, teachers' attentions. It's not about the more the merrier. It's about mastering something and enjoying the process. I can understand why pupils might feel there's no joy in classroom learning. If I were in their shoes 13 (or more) years back, I would probably yawn my way through. Thus it's so important to inject different activities into lesson time. IF time permits. You see? There's always this condition.
Pupil: Are we having P.E. today?
Me: Yes, IF we can finish what we have to do in time for P.E. (*since P.E. lessons are the last periods)
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Pupil: Are we having Art today?
Me: Yes, only IF you all behave well today and I don't have to spend time scolding you and so we will have enough time to finish up our Maths and English.
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Pupil: Is it if it's not raining, we can have P.E. today?
Me: Yes, IF we can finish up what we have to today.
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See? It all boils down to the same reason. Ok, but then most of the time what leads to no P.E. is because of their poor attitude. Time has to be spent on nagging.
Sometimes I feel bad. I feel like a psychotic woman screaming her head off. Then I try to make up for it by being nice the next day (plus they wld be scared alrdy) but they just need to do 1 thing to trigger off that psychotic behaviour again.
It's going to be early mornings most of the days these 2 weeks.
Serendipity believed today at 10:50 PM
It's really irritating to be constantly awoken by the stupid barking. Especially so when it can be avoided by putting him in the room and yet, stubborn adults just refuse to heed this simple request of mine despite repeated reminders. They just don't care because they wake up early, so they are not affected. And when I lose my temper, I am made to feel like I'm in the wrong by venting my anger on him. Then why don't you humans do something? You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Talking to you people make me feel like I am wasting my breath.
I might as well talk to myself.
Serendipity believed today at 12:40 PM
I finally got my answer from HQ. Ok I'm entitled to $400 which is really not a small amount and I'm thankful for it. I'm viewing it as sort of like cash bonus to make up for the peanuts I'm receiving every month (considering the number of hours put in). Seems like the TIME magazine I have been intending to subscribe to can be deducted from this amount too. Yippee!
My class's group writings that are displayed in class were damaged by some horrible pri. 5.
Grrrr.... Really incorrigible.
I wonder how the little ones felt. Maybe no feeling. Haha...
Once there was even phlegm on one of my pupils' tables. It's a "masterpiece" left behind by one of the pri. 5 pupils.
Utterly disgusted by how crazy they could be. How I wish the school's big enough for single session so that classrooms do not have to be shared. Everyday I enter a classroom that is so untidy no thanks to the older ones. There's no such thing as a sense of ownership for them I guess. And I wouldn't be accused of shifting tables.
Double GRRRRRrrrrrr.....
TGIF!!!
Serendipity believed today at 10:00 PM
My pupil who has left the school to go to Japan for 1 year has been emailing me. Ok, maybe with the help of his mum. It's her email addy after all :P But he's so sweet to do that after all the scoldings from me for not doing homework. Kids... Seems like he misses his life here. The first email from him seemed like a love letter coz he said he missed me. It was a short email (of coz since he's only 8..) nonetheless, it's heartwarming. He'll probably get over this sadness after some time. Kids can adapt to the environment quite quickly under certain conditions especially when it involves fun.
He even attached a few photos of the Sakura trees as well as his own picture.
:)
:D
Serendipity believed today at 10:21 PM
Atonement is a great movie! Have not seen such a good movie for some time already. I watched it online movie today :P.
It's a kind of sad tale in which a 13 year old accused her sister's bf of raping her then 15 year old cousin although she did not actually see the face of the rapist. It was the result of bits and pieces she saw about him which led her to think he's a sex maniac. However, those were just misunderstandings that developed to a regrettable state just because of the imagination of a 13 year old.
The bf spent time in jail and later, was sent to war. This younger sis chose to work as a nurse to help injured soldiers, instead of going to Cambridge University. It was her way of making amends for accusing the bf (yes, she finally realized that as she was growing up). She took on the most difficult tasks during her duty too.
This younger sister has always been fond of writing. So later in her life, she went back to writing. The last novel was about this story of hers. In it, there was a happy ending, with the lovers reuniting. However, in reality, her elder sister was killed in a blast and the bf was killed in the war. They never had the chance to get back together again. She wrote this novel when she was already in her 70s and had spent her life trying to atone for her accusation.
There was actually a secret from the past too. She used to have a crush on her sister's bf before she started thinking he's a sex maniac. The rapist who raped her cousin that night turned out to be her cousin's future husband who was initially their brother's friend. The cousin never found out about this though and this younger sis did not have the courage to object to the wedding too. It was during the wedding when she came to realize that he's the one who did it when she was staring at his back.
I hope to have the time 1 day to read this book by Ian McEwan. The way the story unfolded in the movie was really beautiful.Labels: Movies
Serendipity believed today at 10:08 PM
The morning started with a debate with myself as to whether to go to the doctor for an MC. It's not that I felt super ill.. Neither did my throat hurt. It's just that I've been experiencing throat dryness for the past few days and can feel a cough developing this morning. Secondly, I have a lot of marking to catch up on. *dry laugh* *pardon the pun*
Ironic isn't it? That teachers use medical leave to try to finish with their marking instead of having a full, uninterrupted rest? No choice I guess. In the end, I finally decided to go ahead with going to the Polyclinic because I might as well make use of my entitlement to medical leave right? Since leave is not allowed to be taken. "-_- It's good that I managed to catch about 3 hours of sleep since I only slept 6 hours last night because of marking.
It was quite dramatic at the Polyclinic because there's a middle-aged couple sitting behind me who kept arguing. They weren't shouting but it's kind of loud at an enclosed place like the clinic. The man's a local while his other half's a China woman. Initially I had thought that she's his mistress *isn't it the norm these days? ;P* But eventually I found out that she's his fiancee. He's telling her off for touching another man's face infront of him and not treating him with respect given that he's her fiance. She flatly denied it and said it's a misunderstanding but her tone was like take it or leave it kind. Finally he said that from today onwards, he's not going to buy anything for her and that if she wanna touch people or let people touch, she's free to do so. Earlier on, she even said that his mother's his mother and not hers. It's such a turn-off but they were talking too loudly to be ignored. The man was scolding "ta ma de" repeatedly too but I could tell he's a good person because he's very concerned about her, even wanted to touch her forehead to check for fever and asked her if anywhere else hurt. I know it's non of my business but why do local men like to subject themselves to such humiliation? There have been reports after reports - negative ones - about China women and yet, these men always think their cases would be the exceptions. This lady's not even the pretty and sexy type and by touching another man, she didn't even give him face.
I guess these men just have to learn things the hard way.
Serendipity believed today at 3:42 PM
On my way to school, I noticed a woman walking in front of me. She should be at least in her late 60s. She's wearing a Raffles JC T-shirt. :D It was a rather funny sight. She was walking with a stick or something. If she's part of the alumni, she should be from the first batch of RJ students haha...
It was yet another round of tuition today. This time with the pri.6 pupils. No joke I tell you. In fact, this experience has turned me off from pri. 6 pupils. I don't think I ever want to teach pri. 6 pupils if given a choice. IN FACT, I will also think twice before taking them for tuition again although the money's good. This is the first time I've come across a roomful of pupils whereby the girls behaved WORST than the boys. Much worst. Kind of b***hy I would say. Rude too. Total disregard for authority. I don't even remember pupils from my time being like this. Ok, maybe the naughty classes did behave this way just that I didn't know. The girls would actually show you their displeasure if you were to tell them off. Even bang their pens/ pencils against the table when I asked a girl to spit out the sweet she was eating. Worst thing was she actually popped another sweet when I was not looking and for the 2nd time, I had to get her to spit out again.
The boys were more aware of the noise they were making and a couple would even ask their friends to lower their volume (thank goodness). 2 hours with them was all that I could take. I think I will have a nervous breakdown if I were to face them day in and out.
I nearly wanted to ask the class to "shut their traps". Managed to hold my tongue.
Barely.
Serendipity believed today at 10:09 PM
Today is a day of skipping. Skipped Jap lesson. Bought a skipping rope with weights in the handles which are also removable (very versatile). I decided to skip my Jap lesson because I can no longer cope (sad to say). As much as I hate to skip something which I am financially responsible towards, I have to do it because I'm very behind time in my marking. I have been putting off certain stuff for the past couple of weeks simply because I did not have enough time on weekdays to mark them and on weekends, there's limited time and yet too many commitments. Didn't help that this week has been a rather happening one with a wedding and meetups for wedding talk which once again led to the postponement of marking.
At times, I just have to sacrifice for the good of 30 others (okok... I'm not so wei da...) since it's job we're talking about here and if I expect pupils to submit homework on time, I should have expectations from myself to finish marking on time too although in a certain way, I cannot compare directly like this since I'm marking 30 copies of homework while each of them is only responsible for his or her own homework.
To make myself focus on the marking of their composition, I decided to go to the library to mark so that I would not be distracted by my laptop or TV at home. I'm glad to say that it's been a fruitful day :D
I don't know why I have this nagging suspicion that my arms are becoming flabby. I may be over-suspicious but just in case... So I settled on a skipping rope with weights so that apart from exercising my body as a whole, I would be giving my arms a workout that they deserve haha... Furthermore I'm also one of the teachers incharged of skipping this term. So this rope will come in handy :D
My purchases also include a kind of transparent polish that would hopefully help me kick my nail-biting habit. It's super super bitter. *I tasted it by licking my nail... The bitterness is lasting in the mouth one lor "-_- Hahaha....Labels: Uncategorized
Serendipity believed today at 10:15 PM
This couple of days, thoughts about something crossed my mind more than once. More than twice even. No, it's not job- related though I'm super tired at the end of the day.
A feeling that could shake the status of things. But then, I try to brush it aside by telling myself it's just the flighty side of me feeling restless and impatient.
How long more?
Serendipity believed today at 12:22 AM
The following story "Have You Been Lucky In Life" was by Charlie Badenhop. Taken from
http://www.seishindo.org/articles/_lucky_unlucky.html
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Each moment in life, "lucky" or "unlucky", is to be savored, learned from, and appreciated. Easier said than done? Read this heartfelt story and see for yourself.
I met an exceptional American man in Athens in my younger years. He had a beautiful and gentle French girlfriend, and everyone was always complimenting him and telling him how "lucky" he was. His usual reply was something to the effect of "Lucky or unlucky is hard for me to say, as this is only one small moment in my whole life. But I will tell you this, at this moment, I am very definitely enjoying myself and feeling thankful."
Shortly after meeting him he was thrown in jail in Greece, which in those days was run by a brutal military dictator. All his friends sat around in Athens talking about how "unlucky" he was, since the police threw him in jail with no real evidence. When I visited him and told him his friends felt terrible about his bad luck he smiled warmly and said, "Lucky or unlucky is hard for me to say. But I am sure I will have a great story to tell some day! And for this I am thankful."
After several years in jail he was released, and he returned to the States. He was traveling along the coast roads of California, when he met a lovely woman in a roadside cafe, and began to flirt with her. Unbeknownst to my friend, the woman had a boyfriend who belonged to a gang, and the boyfriend soon appeared with his buddies and became furious. In order to "teach my friend a lesson" they proceeded to throw him off the side of the road, and down the rocky expanse leading to the ocean some one hundred feet below. They left him for dead.
Some hours later a rescue crew arrived and made their way down the cliff and they were amazed to find that my friend was still alive. As they slowly hoisted him back up to the roadside, numerous bystanders remarked at how amazingly lucky he was to not have been killed. If my friend had not been unconscious at that time it is likely that he would have said something to the effect of "Lucky or unlucky is hard for me to say, but I can tell you that I hurt like hell!"
In a few days time when he had regained consciousness he discovered that he was paralyzed from the waist down. I called him to see how he was doing. He said to me "What would you say Charlie? Lucky to be alive or unlucky to be paralyzed from the waist down." I had no ready answer.
Many months later we met in person again. By this time he had already customized his wheelchair to make it more "radical" and he was sporting a buffed out physique from his many hours of weight lifting. He said to me "Previously when people remarked about my life, it was very easy for me to say that I felt neither lucky or unlucky. Now I know very deeply that each moment, lucky or unlucky, is to be savored. If I label my circumstances as 'lucky' what will this mean? Will it mean that I am happy about what has happened? If I label my circumstances as 'unlucky' what will this mean? Will it mean that I am unhappy about what has happened? And what about tomorrow, and the day after that, and the year after that? Will I let 'lucky' or 'unlucky' determine how I feel about myself and how I live my life? I certainly hope not!" He smiled warmly as always, and I was thankful to be in his presence.
Serendipity believed today at 10:38 PM
I think the secret to happiness is alcohol. Haha... before you get all alarmed about me turning into an alcoholic, rest assure that I'm nowhere near that. In fact, the last time I had alcohol was like a few months back and that was only a glass of cocktail. However, I lost count of how many glasses of wine I had drunk tonight. The waitresses kept pouring ok? Machiam like plain water.. Hahah.. But all I can say now as I'm typing this is that it sure feels good. :D I feel all happy and blushy and troubles seem to erode. I can even imagine myself walking into class after drinking wine and then smiling to the kids even when they misbehave. Alcohol makes me a nicer person to everyone and more chatty too. Much nicer.
It was a wedding to remember. The video was super hilarious and there's even a dance item by the couple. Very grand I would say. The most grand wedding I've ever been to. Shangri-La definitely lives up to its name. In the future if anyone wants to look for a wedding venue and can afford it, go for Shangri-La. Their service was superb too. I've never been to a wedding dinner whereby the waitresses would ask the guests how the food was. In fact, I've never been to a wedding whereby there's NO elderly waitresses. The waitresses at Shangri-La were young and could carry themselves well with elegance. Think they could almost pass off as Singapore Girls. Almost.
It's kind of touching to see a friend getting married. Especially a friend whom I've know for like for 11 years plus this year. It's happy to see a person moving on to the next phase of life and yet it's kind of sad that somehow one now only plays a small part in a married woman's life now.
The ministers who were there added some glam to the wedding too of course. I supposed with friends being sporting played a part in getting a wedding to be original and successful.
Wishing the couple eternal bliss.Labels: Marriage
Serendipity believed today at 12:13 AM
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