Blow them up!

Listen to this hilarious prank call by an 8-year-old Irish girl who called up a demolition company to blow up her school.

She also specifically told them to make sure that all her teachers are inside when they blow up it up! O_o

The reason?

They gave her too much homework on a Friday... -_-






i'll make sure not to give my 'kids' too much homework from now on... less marking for me and won't get blown up too...


LagiSiok =D

Anakku

i first met her waaaaaayyyyyyyy back in 1996.

i went to Camp Cameron (Camp Cam) during my first year uni break. It was a three-week long camp held at a cluster of chalets located very near a lake just after Ringlet, Cameron Highland.

It was a very special camp where the participants were required to stay in chalets as a 'family'. All of us were a bunch of young, clueless (i think that's me), idealistic uni students then. Each chalet had a set of 'grandpa' and 'grandma' (the FES staff), a 'papa' and a 'mama' (the participants) and the 'children' (the participants).

i was very 'honoured' to be selected as a 'mama' of Chalet 8 (actually, 'mamas' had to bear more responsibilities). So, together with my new-found 'husband', Larry, whom i didn't love, we found ourselves the 'parents' of 3 sons (Victor, James & David) and 6 daugthers (Yoke Meng, Mei Chyi, Julie, Evonne, Corrine & Ai Sing)... hope i didn't miss out anyone. i was very 'fertile' then.

My 'husband' and i had to run the household, delegating household chores, collecting money from the 'children' for special treats once in awhile, making sure light's off at 11 pm, etc... under the supervision of 'grandpa' Christopher and 'grandma' Evelyn and not forgetting 'aunt' Mary.

For three weeks we were 'stuck' together. We listened to talks after talks, studied the Word together (with members of other chalets and in our own smaller group), shared, talked, laughed together, cried together (some sessions were emotionally draining), ate together, participated in rehearsed drama and inpromptu sketch, played Captain ball every evening at the field across the winding road (we were the champion! Yes!), challenged other chalets in sports and board games, visited other chalets (showing 'neighbourliness'), had the Wednesday outings to Brinchang (our 'prison breaks'), got to know each other, got on each other's nerve, learned to settle disputes and issues, etc...

We enjoyed ourselves. At least i did!

Of all the members in my chalet, i got to know one of my 'daughters' better. We just clicked. i don't know when it started but we just kinda got along pretty well.

One day, she invited me to the playground opposite the chalets. It was an appointment. She said she had something to tell me (if i remember correctly). i thought we had issues and she needed to trash it out. But, i forgot and slept the afternoon away.

When i remembered and asked her later, she said it was nothing. Ooops, i'd stepped on her tail, i thought to myself.

But one night, a few days later, she came to me and asked...

"Can I be your friend?"

Huh???

"i thought we are already friends!" i said, flabbergasted.

She then proceeded to tell me that that was how she made friends. She was serious about friendships. She was intense. We chatted late into the night. i couldn't remember the rest of the conversation. My memory has failed me. But, yeah, we became friends... officially... O_o

She has her quaint ways and all. We kept in touch after the camp; writing snail mails, sending cards (i will never forget her self-designed birthday card for my 21st birthday! It was awesome!), calling each other...

But distance kind of cooled down our friendship. i was in KL and she was up north. Later, i did visit her hometown twice and met up, pigged myself, talked about old times and updated each other.

Over the years, there is one thing, however, that she has continued doing; calling me up on my birthdays to wish me. i would love to say that i have been diligently doing the same but alas, i haven't. i forgot to call her on her birthday in 2003 (Why 2003? Now that's another post.) and on another year, i called her but couldn't get her because she was in Langkawi with a group of friends and she had left her handphone in another room (Hah! i remember this detail).

A few months ago, after discovering FB, i 'found' her and is now more updated with her news and all. i 'see' my 'daughter' more frequently now on FB and chats.

So, now that i am more Internet-savvy and could afford to siok a bit...

Happy birthday, anakku! Thanks for your friendship. i cherish you lots!

(How much? i have dedicated this whole blog entry for you! So don't expect a call from me lah!)

Okaylah, will call you later tonight... have to keep the tradition going...

Love always,

Mama

speechless, still am

i am finding it increasingly difficult to handle teens nowadays. Maybe it's the generation gap or i really suck at teaching them.

i do feel like a Pentium 1 processor and they, the Intel CoreDuo. Their minds are so quick and they are getting so smart as the years go by. Or am i losing it?

At the same time, their attitudes are not that admirable. In the short or long 8 years that i have been teaching, i've seen many come and go. The children are definitely getting smarter but their attitude suck big time. Yes, teens, they maybe but they can be really manipulative and twist things around their fingers. And the most astonishing thing is that their parents totally support their unbecoming behaviours.

And the worst of the lot happens to be church-goers or those who claim to love the Father, JC, and the HS. Children of pastors, church elders, leaders, so on and so forth. In fact, the most difficult parents could be them too. It's sad, but true.

Some say that it's the work of Mr S. A. Tan, attacking the leadership and weakening families of God. To a certain extent, it may be true but i beg to differ. We are giving way too much credit to ourselves by always blaming him. Choosing to blame him seems to be the easier option rather than to face up to the reality that we have the right to choose and do what is right, that God's power is greater than that of the world. By giving the excuse that we are sinners, and yes, indeed we are redeemed sinners, and thus imperfect and prone to trespasses, belittles the power of resurrection. JC would have died in vain.

When i was just a green horn, i've the privilege of working with many students in the few portfolios that i was handling. i've guided a few top students, some awesome and charismatic student-leaders and many other students from different levels of academic achievements, backgrounds, race and beliefs. The majority were a joy for me to teach, educate, lead, coach, mentor and help. i love their eagerness, their genuine passion, their teachability, their commitment, their dedication...

Of course, there were a few difficult ones but not that i could not handle or deal with. When my students go out of line, i'd most definitely not mince my thoughts and i'd definitely give them a piece of my mind. i'm not one of those timid or inexperienced teachers who could be bullied or threatened into submission by my students. When these students work together with me, they already know the person i am. i am straightforward and sets the boundary clearly right from the very beginning.

However, the worst experiences i had was last year. From one case to another, they involved Christian students. i have yet to figure out why but all the painful lessons that i have learned in that one whole year were from them.

The most selfish were them, the most double-faced were them, the most ungrateful were them, the most apathetic were them, the ones with the most excuses were them, the ones who claimed ignorance were them, the ones who chickened out were them, the most ambitious and want-it-all and yet calculative of the cost they had to pay to achieve the glories were them.

And the list went on and on...

And no, i am not talking about just only a specific group of students, but students from different levels and from different portfolios.

And it just completely drained me, totally. i was floored. It rendered me speechless. It was incredulous! My heart sank rock bottom, the joy of teaching and educating was wiped out from my soul, the passion for what i do was dampened, many tears were shed, many sleepless nights were endured...

i was in despair, confusion; hurt, depressed...

Upon reflection, i felt that way because:

i teach with all my heart

i give my all

i try my best

i sacrifice the time, energy and finance

i go the extra mile

i desire to be different

i want to make a difference

i was hurt because i cared too much.

i am still recovering, my soul is still healing... but i am not the same anymore. There is hesitation, there is trepidation, reservation, which i used not to have...

And now it seems like history is repeating itself. From a distance, i am seeing a repeat of last year. New sets of churchy students and parents are getting the upper hand using underhanded methods, manipulating... (NOT to be confused with the favour of God).

i am not directly involved because they are under other teachers in different projects and competitions. And some of my colleagues had a hard time. i am just looking on from a distance... amazed.

This year i find that i am still speechless...

Speechless because we are called to be different. We are meant to be different.

Are we not?

Another Year

i'm thankful for:

The chance to care for dad

The chance to love him more

The conflicts to try and understand mom better

Though most of the time we don't see eye to eye

D's maturity and desire to better plan for his future

And his love for God

B's promotion

And his success work-wise

A roof over my head

And a simple bed to sleep on

The ability to earn a decent living

And not be in debt

The close friends that i have

And the bond that we share

The ability to appreciate music

And the skill to play an instrument

The ability to serve

And use the talent given me

The general good health

Though not the ideal weight

The love for food

And to enjoy them

The 'children' in my care

And the patience, or the lack of it, to teach them

The ability to see my surroundings

Aided by my thick glasses

The chance to love others

Because He first chose me

^.^

Improve Your Health

This makes me smile after a long, busy day at work. Thanks, Lily, for the mail... =D

25 ways to improve your health

1. Brush twice a day.



2. Dress right for the weather.







3. Visit the dentist regularly.



4. Get plenty of rest.








5. Make sure your hair is dry before going outside.



6. Eat right.



7. Get outside in the sun every once in a while.








8. Always wear a seatbelt.








9. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages.








10. Smile! It will make you feel better.








11. Don't over indulge yourself.



12. Bathe regularly.







13. Read to exercise the brain.







14. Surround yourself with friends.







15. Stay away from too much caffeine.










16. Use the bathroom regularly.







17. Get plenty of exercise.



18. Have your eyes checked regularly.







19. Eat plenty of vegetables.







20. Believe that people will like you for who you are.








21. Forgive and forget.



22. Take plenty of vacations.








23. Celebrate all special occasions.



24. Pick up a hobby.










25. Love your neighbour as yourself.








Do all these things and you will be a happier, healthier person!

^.^

my dad

Today is Father's Day. Unlike previous years, my family did not go out for dinner to celebrate the special day because dad is bedridden. So, it is just like any other days, with dad lying on his bed and the rest of us had dinner.

Happy Father's Day

sometimes i wish things could be different
that you had not fallen ill
that you had not forgotten us
that you could still remember
how your life was like once

that you could sit up and not fall
that your left hand would not be painful
that you could hold your cup without spilling
that you could be up and about
doing the things that you love most

that eating could be easier
and drinking not a chore
that the daily routines we take for granted
would be a breeze for you
and not a burden to you

that you could realise you're already home
and not keep asking to go home
that you'd want to be out in the living room
and not hide in that corner of yours
feeling sad and lonely

i wish i could read your mind
i wish i could ease the pain
i wish you could let me know
and not keep me guessing
what you are thinking most of the time

i wish that you would know
in your own little world
when sometimes your eyes would glow
moments as precious as gold
that you would sense and know

how much we love you
how much i love you
happy father's day, dad
we love you so much
i love you, too

Back to School

The school break has come to an end and am back to work again... :(

Why do good things have to end so quickly?

(Yes, teachers DO dread going back to school... or is it only me?)

Truth be told... i am already looking forward to the next break...

If I Ain't Got You

This is another of my favourite songs. It is sung by Alicia Keys. She is a really talented singer and musician. She has such a powerful voice. i really like her playing the piano and singing at the same. i am tryng to listen closely to her piano playing and get the rhythmn and chords; am halfway there. Here's her song (uploaded by andersonpilet).





Mmmmmmm, mmmmmm

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things define what's within
And I been there before but that life's a bore, so full of the superficial

Chorus:
Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, yeah

Some people search for a fountain
The promise is forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be

No one to share with, no one who truly cares for me

Chorus:
Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, you, you

Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, yeah

If I ain't got you with me baby, ohh, ooo
Say nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby

Forgetable

i've just watched Indiana Jones and seriously, it was just a so-so movie.

The ending is just like so many of those other movies that ended up having alien entities that were trapped in some tombs or something and were finally set free and and fly off into the sky in some spaceships or something.

It all seems too familiar, just like an episode of the X-Files (or was it the movie?) where Mulder (or was it Scully?) went looking for Scully (or was it Mulder) in the Artic and finally they miraculously escaped from an alien-breeding facility deep in the ice, just before (Yeah, you've guessed it) the earth shook and the whole thing took off into the sky as a gigantic spaceship and left a gigantic gap in the ice! Gee, how original!!!

However, in this Indy movie, the Maya temple crumbled to the ground and the whole place was eventually flooded by the water from the river. (Yeah, AFTER the spaceship had taken off)

And the cheesiest part at the end is when Indy married his love whom he ditched one week before the wedding day many years ago.

Yaaaawwnnn...

Oh well, it's just another forgetable movie.

TakSioklah :(