Have been ages since I posted anything here, I must have lost all my audience. It's not that I'm busy in school (in fact I think the last semester was the easiest one ever), but somehow just lazy to write? Either because I don't find much urge to write about my common life or I'm just more into other things now. I am getting much more forward looking with my work, always looking to see if I can prepare something for the future always. And I still stay away from facebook, of course.
Well, since the holidays, I had done 2 of my CCA's camp, where I spent sleepless nights making leaders out of them haha. Starting to think the kids do much better than me in terms of resilience, and I'm really amazed at what they can do sometimes, when we give them a push and a shove. My biggest triumph was to get my sec 2 kids to learn the 'Virginia Reel' dance and teach their seniors; it was great to see them laughing themselves silly learning it and then enjoying the performance.
And I went for a 10 day Melbourne trip! Flew there on the new Airbus, very shiok to watch big screen tv! It was a driving trip mainly, going around the Grampians National Park and the Great Ocean Road. Nice scenic views there, cute penguins on Philip Island, got to see real koalas too. But ultimately, somehow it didn't gave me memories that makes me wanna go back there again, like how I felt after going to Perth. Maybe it was the lack of sporting action - the only physical activity in the itinerary was to swim with the seals at Sorrento, and it was freaking cold. We're already thinking of a return trip in the future, with surfing and climbing and more shopping at Macpac and Kathmandu haha.
Now, I'm eagerly counting down to the Southern Islands paddling trip happening on Sunday. I miss sea expeditions badly, and seeing how much I am anticipating it I realised I really ought to go out to sea more often like this. It's just damn sad that a day trip around Ubin just doesn't cut it, and the SIE is the only trip that feels like a proper expedition around Singapore. Time to venture into Malaysia perhaps? Or maybe do more weekend staycations on the islands like this haha.
Ok, I'll promise to post photos and trip report after the SIE!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Family
On Thursday, Mum called to say that Ah ma was hospitalised due to a weak heart, and asked me to go down pay her a visit if I can - she might just go anytime with the next attack.
I wanted to visit her the next day, but then apparently she was discharged. Turns out that she was admitted just as a precaution after suffering a moment of difficulty, but she's fine enough to stay at home already. There's probably no difference resting at hospital or at home, and the latter is definitely much preferred.
Still, it was a moment of fateful dread that I felt when I first heard the news; Quite a while back I said that I wanted to get her over to my house for a visit, to make her proud of her grandson's own home. I thought that I wouldn't have the chance to do so man.
Anyway, I visited her at home the next day, and she was quite dismissive of her condition. Staying beside her while she was watching TV, she asked me to take care of my aunt who's single and living alone by herself, telling me how much my aunt loved me when I was younger.
And yes, I did kind of forgot about her, among the other relatives around me. My life revolves around my work (stupidly) and the activities I do to escape from it (sports). I actually miss my nephews too, but never could find the opportunity to meet them up or visit their place.
It's sad, but i think I need post-it memos to remind myself of my relatives so that I'll think of them. Thought everyone has their own families and pretty much live in their own universe after that, it's not something I want happen to myself.
I wanted to visit her the next day, but then apparently she was discharged. Turns out that she was admitted just as a precaution after suffering a moment of difficulty, but she's fine enough to stay at home already. There's probably no difference resting at hospital or at home, and the latter is definitely much preferred.
Still, it was a moment of fateful dread that I felt when I first heard the news; Quite a while back I said that I wanted to get her over to my house for a visit, to make her proud of her grandson's own home. I thought that I wouldn't have the chance to do so man.
Anyway, I visited her at home the next day, and she was quite dismissive of her condition. Staying beside her while she was watching TV, she asked me to take care of my aunt who's single and living alone by herself, telling me how much my aunt loved me when I was younger.
And yes, I did kind of forgot about her, among the other relatives around me. My life revolves around my work (stupidly) and the activities I do to escape from it (sports). I actually miss my nephews too, but never could find the opportunity to meet them up or visit their place.
It's sad, but i think I need post-it memos to remind myself of my relatives so that I'll think of them. Thought everyone has their own families and pretty much live in their own universe after that, it's not something I want happen to myself.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Training for running
Has booked my first ever IPPT since I ORD-ed on the 7th of November, and I'm trying to get myself into shape to try go for Gold. The only difficult thinga bout that is the 10min 2.4km run.
It was only last week that I started the training. I chose to do interval training cos I like speed training, and the rest after that. My mental strength is quite weak and training by running the actual distance probably wouldn't be very productive as I cannot push myself hard. So, progressively longer distances for my interval training, from 400m per lap, to 800m per lap yesterday. Today I'll try half the distance and get it under four and a half minutes.
Indeed, I think many students of mine are quite capable of pushing themselves harder than me. There are students who run until they puke doing the distance, though I'm not sure whether that's due to a weak body. Nevertheless, I have never reach the state of total exhaustion after a race yet, and see it as a lack of total commitment to my goal.
Need to get that all-out mentality in preparation for my polo competitive play!
It was only last week that I started the training. I chose to do interval training cos I like speed training, and the rest after that. My mental strength is quite weak and training by running the actual distance probably wouldn't be very productive as I cannot push myself hard. So, progressively longer distances for my interval training, from 400m per lap, to 800m per lap yesterday. Today I'll try half the distance and get it under four and a half minutes.
Indeed, I think many students of mine are quite capable of pushing themselves harder than me. There are students who run until they puke doing the distance, though I'm not sure whether that's due to a weak body. Nevertheless, I have never reach the state of total exhaustion after a race yet, and see it as a lack of total commitment to my goal.
Need to get that all-out mentality in preparation for my polo competitive play!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Playing at it.
For the second time of the week, I became a cat care volunteer, offering large slices of fish to strays around my place. Unfortunately, it wasn't very well-received by them at all!
For the first time since we moved in, we tried cooking for ourselves, a meal of fish and angmoh soup. Batang fish is quite nice, but this Toman species is really tasteless and dull, and it was a waste that it came in such large slices. We could just imagine this huge fish swimming happily in the sea meeting up with two tragic fate, first being caught in the net and second being rejected at the dining table.
So I took the slice and walked around downstairs trying to find cats to feed. After walking 2 round, I found one that sniffed it for ages, took a miniscule bite off it, then lost interest. Another ran away when I approached, and I had to waste the huge chunk of meat. The memory of seeing this National Geographic picture of a fishmonger selling a long string of fish bones to the poor people in Africa who couldn't afford the meat itself keep appearing in my mind. The entire episode happened again today, but with the same cat eating a bit more of it.
And it seems like the two of us are simply playing 'house', trying to act out a semblance of life as a 'normal' married couple. Buying groceries, cooking, cleaning up. The truth though, we really don't want to go through the trouble of cooking unless we are hosting or just want a couple activity, and I haven't moped the floor the last two Sundays.
Still I like things the way they are now. I was always abhorrant of the banality of the cloistered married couple, shut up in their own home (T.S. Eliot's poewrful images of this in 'Rhapsody on a Windy Night' is firmly etched in my mind). Cooking is more fun when it is not a necessity.
For the first time since we moved in, we tried cooking for ourselves, a meal of fish and angmoh soup. Batang fish is quite nice, but this Toman species is really tasteless and dull, and it was a waste that it came in such large slices. We could just imagine this huge fish swimming happily in the sea meeting up with two tragic fate, first being caught in the net and second being rejected at the dining table.
So I took the slice and walked around downstairs trying to find cats to feed. After walking 2 round, I found one that sniffed it for ages, took a miniscule bite off it, then lost interest. Another ran away when I approached, and I had to waste the huge chunk of meat. The memory of seeing this National Geographic picture of a fishmonger selling a long string of fish bones to the poor people in Africa who couldn't afford the meat itself keep appearing in my mind. The entire episode happened again today, but with the same cat eating a bit more of it.
And it seems like the two of us are simply playing 'house', trying to act out a semblance of life as a 'normal' married couple. Buying groceries, cooking, cleaning up. The truth though, we really don't want to go through the trouble of cooking unless we are hosting or just want a couple activity, and I haven't moped the floor the last two Sundays.
Still I like things the way they are now. I was always abhorrant of the banality of the cloistered married couple, shut up in their own home (T.S. Eliot's poewrful images of this in 'Rhapsody on a Windy Night' is firmly etched in my mind). Cooking is more fun when it is not a necessity.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sailing
Just went for the MOE sailing course for teachers, and it was a tiring 4 day course out in the sun. Tiring not because the activity itself is demanding, but because somehow just sitting out in the sun going round and round markers is a drain on the brain.
It was pretty fun when the wind blows strongly (it was never very strong though), I pull in the sail taut when going upwind, and hike out the side of the boat to balance the boat. But we actually spend more time sitting in the boat when the wind is low, and that's where I take a dip in the spa pool onboard (my boat was leaky) and hang around. At first I'll get psyched up and go around the triangle course as if i'm in a race, gybing with reckless abandon and loving the sudden flip of the boom, but boredom takes over when the instructors just leave us there to go round and round for a long while.
So what's next? Maybe I'll try is a few more times to get my skills fully proficient, and perhaps get level 2 in the future. I don't think I like it enough to be too 'on' about it, but perhaps just for the satisfaction of mastering a new skill (and getting a new cert/adding one more line to my CV), I might pursue the next level still.
Here's how it looks like out there. I'm actually risking capsize here by sailing one handed and only steering by hiking out, but after a while even that becomes routine.
It was pretty fun when the wind blows strongly (it was never very strong though), I pull in the sail taut when going upwind, and hike out the side of the boat to balance the boat. But we actually spend more time sitting in the boat when the wind is low, and that's where I take a dip in the spa pool onboard (my boat was leaky) and hang around. At first I'll get psyched up and go around the triangle course as if i'm in a race, gybing with reckless abandon and loving the sudden flip of the boom, but boredom takes over when the instructors just leave us there to go round and round for a long while.
So what's next? Maybe I'll try is a few more times to get my skills fully proficient, and perhaps get level 2 in the future. I don't think I like it enough to be too 'on' about it, but perhaps just for the satisfaction of mastering a new skill (and getting a new cert/adding one more line to my CV), I might pursue the next level still.
Here's how it looks like out there. I'm actually risking capsize here by sailing one handed and only steering by hiking out, but after a while even that becomes routine.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Change
As always, James asks the most interesting questions: "Do you think you will fulfill your potential if you teach in an international school?"
Potential? What potential?
Why an international school? Never seriously thought about it...I suppose the pay will be better I guess, and the work load lighter perhaps? But I'm sure it comes with its own set of problems, like having to treat the students and parents like clients. Plus my innate ah-bengness might disagree with the environment, especially if I have to deal with bratty ang moh kids.
What exactly am I capable of anyway? I always want to inspire my kids and tell them that anything can be learnt and achieved with sufficient will, but as yet I have no grand dream to work on now. I'm just content (relieved?) to be able to do what's demanded of my job on time, and spend my own personal time vicariously for leisure. It's too demanding, inconceivable for me right now to strive towards personal goals in my out-of-office life.
ST featured this forex trader today who worked for 4 years, calculated that he'll never be able to be financially independent if he stayed on being a salaried worker, learnt to trade in currencies, and now earn USD $15k and beyond each month. Now that's someone with the strength to make life-changing decisions. 0
I'm far from that state of being right now, and I hope Alex can make it ahead of me first!
I just feel like languishing and dragging my feet along the education track for a while mroe...ironically, mindless drudgery can be easier than mustering courage to change.
Potential? What potential?
Why an international school? Never seriously thought about it...I suppose the pay will be better I guess, and the work load lighter perhaps? But I'm sure it comes with its own set of problems, like having to treat the students and parents like clients. Plus my innate ah-bengness might disagree with the environment, especially if I have to deal with bratty ang moh kids.
What exactly am I capable of anyway? I always want to inspire my kids and tell them that anything can be learnt and achieved with sufficient will, but as yet I have no grand dream to work on now. I'm just content (relieved?) to be able to do what's demanded of my job on time, and spend my own personal time vicariously for leisure. It's too demanding, inconceivable for me right now to strive towards personal goals in my out-of-office life.
ST featured this forex trader today who worked for 4 years, calculated that he'll never be able to be financially independent if he stayed on being a salaried worker, learnt to trade in currencies, and now earn USD $15k and beyond each month. Now that's someone with the strength to make life-changing decisions. 0
I'm far from that state of being right now, and I hope Alex can make it ahead of me first!
I just feel like languishing and dragging my feet along the education track for a while mroe...ironically, mindless drudgery can be easier than mustering courage to change.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Slow pedagogy
I need to learn to live by slow pedagogy.
Walk slower.
Do less.
Relax more.
And realise that quiet time can be good times.
Argh. I need to slow my blood down.
Walk slower.
Do less.
Relax more.
And realise that quiet time can be good times.
Argh. I need to slow my blood down.
Days of happiness
Had a bout of stomach flu last week, giving me a surprise in the form of a 2 day MC - it's a surprise because I haven't been sick this badly for a long while. Then after post-National Day holiday on Monday, I had spent the last 2 days and today at a first aid course. I can't say it's better than going back to school, but well, it got to be done, and is a change from routine at least. And next week I have to answer a ridiculous charge from SAF on Thursday, yet another day of school missed!
Indeed, these days I don't like to stay in school longer than necessary. I will try to bring breakfast to school, eat something else during recess, then after that look forward to leaving school after 2.30pm so that I can go out for lunch and then go home. Home is really enticing, and it's maddening sometimes for me to sit at my desk waiting for 2.30pm to come. Your own home is really the best place to be.
And my place has been transformed quite a bit since I moved in and took 'showflat' pics of it.
We now hang out the laundry on the balcony, and usually the coffee table is very messy with papers because we do work in front of the tv...
We put these soft toys on the carpet - A National Geographic gorilla I bought in Paris, a crocodile rug from Hong Kong, showed here eating up Domo Kun... The brown slates are extra pieces from the Ikea blinds that I bought for the study.
I fixed up the hangboard! And play with it sometimes, when I remember it whenever I'm out at the balcony.
There's now 2 small pots of plants, which thrives and wilts in turn depending on whether we remember to water them. Poor things...
The thing on the left is a water fountaing thingy which is really the most modern looking water fountain I have seen, a gift from my eldest brother. The right Buddha face is from Barang Barang of course.
A $300 Ikea cupboard placed in the spare room for the things that we couldn't stuff into the study's cupboard. It is already 1/3 filled with my university's literature notes, backpacks, soft toys etc...
Ever seen a storeroom with 3 kayaks, 5 paddles and a bike?
Karen moved in her study table last weekend and we're clearing up stuff. All my lit notes were on the floor, and I was sorting them out methodically, for the day when my student asks me about critical theory or cold war logic and I can turn them out again to refer to.
This is now my work place proper, very comfortable!
Anyway, I alighted at Jurong East MRT and was walking to IMM when I walked by a guitarist busking at the station, playing the famous Prelude from Bach for the solo violin crisply! I had to whip out my wallet and gave that guy something for providing me with a bright spark of beauty today with that music. And then during the course, I suddenly remembered that I've got tickets to Tang Tee Khoon's recital tonight! I'm sure it'll be good later.
Oh, and I've bought a few books in Kino during their N-Day sale, and 2 Adidas shirt at their discount shop at IMM recently.
How much better can things be?
Indeed, these days I don't like to stay in school longer than necessary. I will try to bring breakfast to school, eat something else during recess, then after that look forward to leaving school after 2.30pm so that I can go out for lunch and then go home. Home is really enticing, and it's maddening sometimes for me to sit at my desk waiting for 2.30pm to come. Your own home is really the best place to be.
And my place has been transformed quite a bit since I moved in and took 'showflat' pics of it.
We now hang out the laundry on the balcony, and usually the coffee table is very messy with papers because we do work in front of the tv...
We put these soft toys on the carpet - A National Geographic gorilla I bought in Paris, a crocodile rug from Hong Kong, showed here eating up Domo Kun... The brown slates are extra pieces from the Ikea blinds that I bought for the study.
I fixed up the hangboard! And play with it sometimes, when I remember it whenever I'm out at the balcony.
There's now 2 small pots of plants, which thrives and wilts in turn depending on whether we remember to water them. Poor things...
The thing on the left is a water fountaing thingy which is really the most modern looking water fountain I have seen, a gift from my eldest brother. The right Buddha face is from Barang Barang of course.
A $300 Ikea cupboard placed in the spare room for the things that we couldn't stuff into the study's cupboard. It is already 1/3 filled with my university's literature notes, backpacks, soft toys etc...
Ever seen a storeroom with 3 kayaks, 5 paddles and a bike?
Karen moved in her study table last weekend and we're clearing up stuff. All my lit notes were on the floor, and I was sorting them out methodically, for the day when my student asks me about critical theory or cold war logic and I can turn them out again to refer to.
This is now my work place proper, very comfortable!Anyway, I alighted at Jurong East MRT and was walking to IMM when I walked by a guitarist busking at the station, playing the famous Prelude from Bach for the solo violin crisply! I had to whip out my wallet and gave that guy something for providing me with a bright spark of beauty today with that music. And then during the course, I suddenly remembered that I've got tickets to Tang Tee Khoon's recital tonight! I'm sure it'll be good later.
Oh, and I've bought a few books in Kino during their N-Day sale, and 2 Adidas shirt at their discount shop at IMM recently.
How much better can things be?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
No computers for kids!
Am watching a Nat Geo documentary on South Korea and its gaming culture there. It's basically stories after stories of people being addicted to computer games because of the easy access of high-speed internet. The kids start using it from a very young age, and most of them gets addicted to the screen in some way or another.
The kids talk about not going to school to play games, wanted to go professional, and am really quite unable to do anything social other than that. The parents don't know how to raise kids in the internet age, and can only let them live out their lives this way. Some of the kids play 24-48 hours non-stop, eating by the computer, and then faint from exhaustion (Quite a few die, of course).
It's a really crazy world - the teenager here on the screen is now saying that he feels that he has achieved something when he kills characters on the screen. He confuses reality with cyberspace, fearing that people be hiding behind doors stalking him, and have to sleep with his dad, waking up several times a day.
I hope this post can warn parents about the dangers of early exposure - there's already so many cases that I see in school, with the parents being unable to admit that they have long relinquished their control over to the computer screen. Sigh, and now I am reminded of the silly parents I'm dealing with, those that needs advice from their just-married, young and childless teacher...
The kids talk about not going to school to play games, wanted to go professional, and am really quite unable to do anything social other than that. The parents don't know how to raise kids in the internet age, and can only let them live out their lives this way. Some of the kids play 24-48 hours non-stop, eating by the computer, and then faint from exhaustion (Quite a few die, of course).
It's a really crazy world - the teenager here on the screen is now saying that he feels that he has achieved something when he kills characters on the screen. He confuses reality with cyberspace, fearing that people be hiding behind doors stalking him, and have to sleep with his dad, waking up several times a day.
I hope this post can warn parents about the dangers of early exposure - there's already so many cases that I see in school, with the parents being unable to admit that they have long relinquished their control over to the computer screen. Sigh, and now I am reminded of the silly parents I'm dealing with, those that needs advice from their just-married, young and childless teacher...
Sunday, July 19, 2009
OE Symposium
I sacrificed my weekend attending the OE Symposium, and come away with ambivalent feelings. I do have a clear sense that symposiums ain't lectures and one don't 'learn' things from it as if it's a classroom, and with this mindset, I think I gained a lot more from it.
For one thing, I made a conscious effort to do some networking with the people there. It was a small group and thus pretty informal, making it easy to find chances to talk to people. It's this interaction that I learnt much from, knowing about how people do things within their own sphere of influence. And I also wrote down the names of the people I met, so that I can call them at the next such event!
Most importantly, the symposium made me imagine possibilities of how I can push OE into the school, and spread it to students beyond my ODAC. Contentious questions raised also helped me to reflect and consider my own opinions on them -
For one thing, I made a conscious effort to do some networking with the people there. It was a small group and thus pretty informal, making it easy to find chances to talk to people. It's this interaction that I learnt much from, knowing about how people do things within their own sphere of influence. And I also wrote down the names of the people I met, so that I can call them at the next such event!
Most importantly, the symposium made me imagine possibilities of how I can push OE into the school, and spread it to students beyond my ODAC. Contentious questions raised also helped me to reflect and consider my own opinions on them -
- Should one explore within 'our own backyard', or is 'the further, the better'?
- Is facilitation a bad word? Should we let the mountain speak to the students instead?
- Specialised programs for the selected few, or exposure to OE for the masses?
- What exactly is our sphere of influence and power, when trying to push OE to schools?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
New sports
Have been taking up new sports recently, and it's nice to get a chance to play more, particularly since I dropped canoe polo already.
James got me into trying handball, and it is really easy to pick up. My polo training definitely helps with the passing and shooting, and I had a great game last week, when our newbies team won or draw other teams with experienced players! It is really nice to play with people whom you have camaraderie with, and the memory of last Friday night's games lingers still.
Am also playing football on a street soccer court regularly for about a month already, and it's fun even though I'm not really good at it. I play the persistent defender, and does manage to score at least a goal or two every session with good positioning. Will want to learn how to hold up the ball confidently and dribbling skills though.
Actually, I got a chance to join next month's canoe polo national champs competition with a team looking for people to fill up their team list, but turned it down. I don't like to play knowing that I'm not well-prepared for it, and ultimately, the one-off chance to play again is meaningless if I'm not going to join the team permanently. Have learnt to let go of it finally, though it's hard to do so. Truly, a little part of you dies when you drop an activity that you loved, but I've to let it rest in peace.
And perhaps I can spend effort and teach my ODAC kids to be the promising polo players of the future!
James got me into trying handball, and it is really easy to pick up. My polo training definitely helps with the passing and shooting, and I had a great game last week, when our newbies team won or draw other teams with experienced players! It is really nice to play with people whom you have camaraderie with, and the memory of last Friday night's games lingers still.
Am also playing football on a street soccer court regularly for about a month already, and it's fun even though I'm not really good at it. I play the persistent defender, and does manage to score at least a goal or two every session with good positioning. Will want to learn how to hold up the ball confidently and dribbling skills though.
Actually, I got a chance to join next month's canoe polo national champs competition with a team looking for people to fill up their team list, but turned it down. I don't like to play knowing that I'm not well-prepared for it, and ultimately, the one-off chance to play again is meaningless if I'm not going to join the team permanently. Have learnt to let go of it finally, though it's hard to do so. Truly, a little part of you dies when you drop an activity that you loved, but I've to let it rest in peace.
And perhaps I can spend effort and teach my ODAC kids to be the promising polo players of the future!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A new leatherman!
The guys gave me a new leatherman for my birthday present, the new Skeletool CX!
Actually, I requested for it because they asked what I wanted, and I thought it'll be great to get another tool after my leatherman Blast was confiscated at the airport on a previous trip.
The Skeletool CX looks cool, is compact and light, and has all the basic tools that I'll ever need. I didn't used like 80% of the tools on the old Blast before anyway. This is so much better for carrying around. Hope the pliers don't break, like a few Amazon reviews purported!
Actually, I requested for it because they asked what I wanted, and I thought it'll be great to get another tool after my leatherman Blast was confiscated at the airport on a previous trip.
The Skeletool CX looks cool, is compact and light, and has all the basic tools that I'll ever need. I didn't used like 80% of the tools on the old Blast before anyway. This is so much better for carrying around. Hope the pliers don't break, like a few Amazon reviews purported!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
So late...
This is the first time since Semester 2 started that I stayed till so late in school to do work. Actually I'm waiting for Karen to pick me up to go back home together, but still, I'm no longer used to staying till this hour. Everyday, I would think about what time can I make my escape out of school, and unless absolutely necessary, everything should be brought back home to do (although it's not a conducive work environment).
Still, it's the most comfortable place for me right now. I actually had this nightmare last night of being forced to move house and to go through another renovation process! Really love the place right now and hope I can stay there for the longest time.
Anyway, work is full of crappy admin work these days because of my recalcitrant students and the H1N1 flu. Hate to stay up late at night to do nonsense like these.
6.30pm! I must make my escape now!
Still, it's the most comfortable place for me right now. I actually had this nightmare last night of being forced to move house and to go through another renovation process! Really love the place right now and hope I can stay there for the longest time.
Anyway, work is full of crappy admin work these days because of my recalcitrant students and the H1N1 flu. Hate to stay up late at night to do nonsense like these.
6.30pm! I must make my escape now!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Paddling with my kids
Some of the more enthusiastic students asked me to go paddling with them before the holiday, and I kept the promise to them on Saturday. 6 of them rented boats, I brought my playboat down let them try, and got them the ball to play with. There was Dog and Bone games with the ball, teaching of ball shielding and stern dips and of course, rolling practice. Here's one of them camwhoring with my boat.
Yet another record for me - I taught a 13 year old how to do a handroll, within an hour!
Here's one of them trying to do handroll with forward recovery - I taught him to forward leaning handroll previously and he couldn't make himself learn the backward recovery handroll after that, and he's now so close to learning what most paddlers can't do!
I think they have so much potential, and I wonder if I should ask them if they want to receive specialised training in canoe polo or even playboating regularly. If they were to continue training like this on a regular basis, I think they will be at a second-year polo player level the moment they go into an IVP team! They only thing holding me back is...should I take up this commitment of time and effort, with no promise of reward other than gratitude?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Honeymoon trip...
It was a good trip to Europe, and the only pity is that it was rather short on the whole, and that I didn't get a victorinox tool when I was in Switzerland.
Only stayed a day in Germany, and Heidelburg and the Black Forest were both beautiful in their different ways, one being the oldest university-city in the country, the other for its dense pine forests all around a lake. I rediscovered the German language again, and find myself recalling much of what I learnt of it in the past; being in Germany was very comfortable in that way, being able to read the menus and signs etc.
Switzerland is just amazingly beautiful, there doesn't seem to have a squalid bit anyway in the country. Cyclists must have a great time cycling anywhere due to the cool weather and scenic landscape, and everyday on the bus I feel happy just looking at the fields which the bus passes by. Going up to Jungfraujoch mountaintop by train is a great experience which further convinced me not to have a go at technical mountaineering - I really hate to be in the cold man.
Paris really does deserves being the world's most visited city. The old city is dominanted by endless rows of classical-period buildings with ornate carvings on them, and it is impressive everywhere. Of course, the Champs-Elysee and the Eiffel Tower proved to be as interesting as their reputation boasts of.
Paris really does deserves being the world's most visited city. The old city is dominanted by endless rows of classical-period buildings with ornate carvings on them, and it is impressive everywhere. Of course, the Champs-Elysee and the Eiffel Tower proved to be as interesting as their reputation boasts of.
See the pictures here!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Doing up the house...
Today I spent a total of $350+ at NTUC, buying stuff for daily day to day living and for our housewarming parties coming soon. Ended up with so much stuff to stuff into the kitchen cupboards. Man.
And we have been doing laundry every day, still trying to sort out the organisation of clothes in the wardrobe, and I have to set up 2 ikea furnitures still in the boxes. I've postponed trying to unpacked the boxes in the study as it is.
I wonder if I can really settle down in comfort before school starts...
And we have been doing laundry every day, still trying to sort out the organisation of clothes in the wardrobe, and I have to set up 2 ikea furnitures still in the boxes. I've postponed trying to unpacked the boxes in the study as it is.
I wonder if I can really settle down in comfort before school starts...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Returned from honeymoon!
Have been back from honeymoon on Sunday 5+pm, but life has been tipsy-turvy since then. First time I suffered jetlag in my life - I woke up at 1am the next day (it would be 7am in Europe), and finally gave up on the sleep at 4am, waking up to do housework instead. And that was the start of my irregular sleeping hours, late mornings, noon naps past dinnertime etc.
Right now, I have been kept awake since 3am because of hunger, and after doing some things I decided not to sleep, sorting out my trip photos and intending to go to school then Ikea later before concussing big time in the noon.
We didn't manage to really tidy up the house before we left for the trip, and now there's loads (of laundry) to do. It'll take at least till Friday before we whip the whole house into order, and I tell you, time does passes fast when you are doing all these things (or is it because both of us are sleeping too much?). It's satisfying to see things being organised, but a tiring job. Must persevere on...
Oh, about the honeymoon huh...in short, my honeymoon was pretty good, a generally well-paced tour (except for a dearth of shopping time in Switzerland) with lots of great sights seen. Will be blogging on and off about them in these few days, wait for them!
Right now, I have been kept awake since 3am because of hunger, and after doing some things I decided not to sleep, sorting out my trip photos and intending to go to school then Ikea later before concussing big time in the noon.
We didn't manage to really tidy up the house before we left for the trip, and now there's loads (of laundry) to do. It'll take at least till Friday before we whip the whole house into order, and I tell you, time does passes fast when you are doing all these things (or is it because both of us are sleeping too much?). It's satisfying to see things being organised, but a tiring job. Must persevere on...
Oh, about the honeymoon huh...in short, my honeymoon was pretty good, a generally well-paced tour (except for a dearth of shopping time in Switzerland) with lots of great sights seen. Will be blogging on and off about them in these few days, wait for them!
Friday, June 05, 2009
Books for another time
Quite a bit of memories and thoughts flood my mind when I cleaned my old books before placing them in order in the new bookcase. The books that I treasured most are often the ones that I purchased but have not read, those that you somehow know should be worth your time even before you open a page of it. I feel excited just to hold them and look at their cover, wondering what literary gems of wisdom lies in wait for me within their pages.
But these books that had been cloistered up for years are really a relic of my younger days, many of them. I realise that now I will hardly have the patience to read and savour the experience of reading them. My work life has made me quite a nervous wreck in a way nowadays, and every free moment I feel as if I should use the time to think about work instead. There's just endless things to do, and even a holiday can make me pick up a book that requires intense concentration to absorb.
Reading for leisure seems to be literally a pastime now...
But these books that had been cloistered up for years are really a relic of my younger days, many of them. I realise that now I will hardly have the patience to read and savour the experience of reading them. My work life has made me quite a nervous wreck in a way nowadays, and every free moment I feel as if I should use the time to think about work instead. There's just endless things to do, and even a holiday can make me pick up a book that requires intense concentration to absorb.
Reading for leisure seems to be literally a pastime now...
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Wedding Montage
Most of you will not be at my wedding banquet, so here's the wedding montage Karen created for the event for you guys. I must say it's quite nice la.
I only slept 3 hours before the big day, busy with things, and so was glad I survived the day. Our wedding was one of the most fuss-free ever, we simply made our grand entrance, and sat down to eat. After a few dishes, went up for the toast, then eat again haha.
I only slept 3 hours before the big day, busy with things, and so was glad I survived the day. Our wedding was one of the most fuss-free ever, we simply made our grand entrance, and sat down to eat. After a few dishes, went up for the toast, then eat again haha.
All in all it was all right la, not a bad day at all!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Round one over
So, the deed's done last Saturday, and we're officially married!
Both of us felt rather embarrassed about the whole experience in general, but I'm happy that the ceremony was a short one. It was like one big party instead of our wedding, with both of us gathering together so many dear friends. I was just busy trying to go all around and entertain everyone that eating was the last thing on my mind.
It was great to see you guys, hope you enjoyed it!
Will post up good photos of the whole thing when my photographer's done with it, can't wait!
Both of us felt rather embarrassed about the whole experience in general, but I'm happy that the ceremony was a short one. It was like one big party instead of our wedding, with both of us gathering together so many dear friends. I was just busy trying to go all around and entertain everyone that eating was the last thing on my mind.It was great to see you guys, hope you enjoyed it!
Will post up good photos of the whole thing when my photographer's done with it, can't wait!
Conferences, symposiums, workshops...
Have been attending quite a lot of these things in the last 3 months, and most was it are a waste of time.
What's wrong with these people man? Organisers make them mega-events and so many teachers waste manhours to attend it. Alas, most of the time the content is sorely lacking.
Many presenters seem to use the opportunity as a platform to up their own credentials, and give some inane speech with information that anyone could have googled if they so wanted. Others take it as a chance to showcase their school's/organisation's innovative practices. No one, however, is interested to divulge trade secrets and explain the 'how', instead of simply telling the 'what'.
And right at this moment I'm stuck at a workshop which started promisingly but lost the plot along the way with a presenter who spent too much time on the obvious and the unnecessary.
Really, most of these people in MOE HQ will be crucified if their lesson was assessed. Is their terrible presentations the reason why they choose to come to HQ?
Arqh! I have no patience to listen to incompetent people..
What's wrong with these people man? Organisers make them mega-events and so many teachers waste manhours to attend it. Alas, most of the time the content is sorely lacking.
Many presenters seem to use the opportunity as a platform to up their own credentials, and give some inane speech with information that anyone could have googled if they so wanted. Others take it as a chance to showcase their school's/organisation's innovative practices. No one, however, is interested to divulge trade secrets and explain the 'how', instead of simply telling the 'what'.
And right at this moment I'm stuck at a workshop which started promisingly but lost the plot along the way with a presenter who spent too much time on the obvious and the unnecessary.
Really, most of these people in MOE HQ will be crucified if their lesson was assessed. Is their terrible presentations the reason why they choose to come to HQ?
Arqh! I have no patience to listen to incompetent people..
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
New paddle!
I had to replace my playboat paddle cos the old 'shotover' aluminium shaft-plastic bladed paddle is going to expire soon. The shaft had numerous scars on it showing fatigue, streaks of silver fibres are exposed on the plastic blades due to constant degradation by UV rays, and one side of the blade is shaky and leaking water into the shaft.
So I was looking for another cheap plastic paddle, and found it during the last course when I used this one that SCF had. It's a 2 piece paddle, with a reasonably stiff blade (for plastic at least), can set zero blade offset angle, and best of all, it's only $84. On the other hand, it's 200cm long, a little too long for a playboater. I bought it nonetheless, and wanted to cut it down - yet another kayaking technical project!
First, I marked the length that I am going to cut, and measured the distance from the end of shaft to the holes. Noting the position of the zero offset fitting hole, I used a 8mm drill bit and made another exactly 6cm away from the position that I'm cutting the excess off. Thank goodness the sawing created reasonable straight and clean edges, or else I'll be filing it away like a madman.
After filing off what I can, I can see the pin at the right position but it is obstructed from popping up from the hole fully. I can either 1) file off the end a little more or 2) file the hole wider. Cautiously I proceeded with step 1 first, and went on to widen the hole just a little once I'm absolutely sure that the pin and hole position are alighned.
Final result - a perfect fit! It is very snug and tight, and doesn't not really have freeplay around it. I like it this way, but will ask JB to see if that's the way it should be. Going to try it out immediately later today! Kallang, here I come!
So I was looking for another cheap plastic paddle, and found it during the last course when I used this one that SCF had. It's a 2 piece paddle, with a reasonably stiff blade (for plastic at least), can set zero blade offset angle, and best of all, it's only $84. On the other hand, it's 200cm long, a little too long for a playboater. I bought it nonetheless, and wanted to cut it down - yet another kayaking technical project!
First, I marked the length that I am going to cut, and measured the distance from the end of shaft to the holes. Noting the position of the zero offset fitting hole, I used a 8mm drill bit and made another exactly 6cm away from the position that I'm cutting the excess off. Thank goodness the sawing created reasonable straight and clean edges, or else I'll be filing it away like a madman.
After filing off what I can, I can see the pin at the right position but it is obstructed from popping up from the hole fully. I can either 1) file off the end a little more or 2) file the hole wider. Cautiously I proceeded with step 1 first, and went on to widen the hole just a little once I'm absolutely sure that the pin and hole position are alighned.
Final result - a perfect fit! It is very snug and tight, and doesn't not really have freeplay around it. I like it this way, but will ask JB to see if that's the way it should be. Going to try it out immediately later today! Kallang, here I come!
School teachers Vs Tuition teachers
I always wonder if tuition teachers have an symbiotic or exclusive relationship with school teachers. Do school teachers need this spinoff industry?
My advice to my kids are that if they listen attentively during class time and ask any questions they need after classes, they should be able to get all that was taught. The only problem is that most kids never bother to ask when they do not understand classroom content, whether in or after the class. So they rely on their tuition teacher to help them.
It seems to be that over time, most students who receive tuition (and that's almost all students nowadays!) will tune out classroom teaching, thinknig that they can ask whatever they want back at home, or that there's no point learning in class when they'll hear the same things being repeated back home.
So this situation makes the tuition teachers indispensable for those who are already using them, and I don't think it's healthy at all. It's good to receive personal attention as I do know the classroom can be a crappy place to learn in sometimes, but then it's not really necessary unless the kid is really struggling to catch up with his/her peers, or the parents want to hothouse them.
And today while doing invigilation, I was considering how interesting it might be if I take on a tuition kid for English and Literature, and teach the kid English the way I taught myself - the reading method. Just get the kid to read and read, go through vocab, talk about the content, test for understanding, expressing response in different ways etc.
I'm a product of this style of intuitive learning, and I still believe that that is the best way to go about learning a language in a relatively painless way. Is it worthwhile to try out this experiment?
My advice to my kids are that if they listen attentively during class time and ask any questions they need after classes, they should be able to get all that was taught. The only problem is that most kids never bother to ask when they do not understand classroom content, whether in or after the class. So they rely on their tuition teacher to help them.
It seems to be that over time, most students who receive tuition (and that's almost all students nowadays!) will tune out classroom teaching, thinknig that they can ask whatever they want back at home, or that there's no point learning in class when they'll hear the same things being repeated back home.
So this situation makes the tuition teachers indispensable for those who are already using them, and I don't think it's healthy at all. It's good to receive personal attention as I do know the classroom can be a crappy place to learn in sometimes, but then it's not really necessary unless the kid is really struggling to catch up with his/her peers, or the parents want to hothouse them.
And today while doing invigilation, I was considering how interesting it might be if I take on a tuition kid for English and Literature, and teach the kid English the way I taught myself - the reading method. Just get the kid to read and read, go through vocab, talk about the content, test for understanding, expressing response in different ways etc.
I'm a product of this style of intuitive learning, and I still believe that that is the best way to go about learning a language in a relatively painless way. Is it worthwhile to try out this experiment?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Deep water soloing
Here's possibly the world's biggest climber (perhaps in terms of reputation) doing a deep water solo (climbing without ropes and falling into the water if you get detached from the wall) in Spain, Mallorca, part of the footage from his new DVD 'King Lines'.
I think the videography is in many ways as amazing as the climb itself. Lots of questions -
I think the videography is in many ways as amazing as the climb itself. Lots of questions -
- How did the videographer get up there for the above-head footage of him? The rock is a sea arch standing alone in the sea, if they didn't climb up there first, they were dropped in by helicopter?
- If they did us helicopters, would they need to rappel down to the underside of the cliff to film him in action?
- When he did his dyno, how did they get that action from several camera angles? Does the side view shows that someone was on the main land filming across the sea?
- If he's the first person to send it, how come there's chalk marks on all the holds?
- He'll need a new chalk bag after every attempt isn't it? Doesnb't that limit the number of attempts he can do each day? (And that's provided they can make it dry for the next day).
Friday, May 08, 2009
Picking up the violin again
This is my dream - to play any of Bach's pieces for unaccompanied violin
I'm going to use my study room or the spare room as my music room. Get a music stand, some music to start practicing (the suzuki volumes, and some simple etudes), and a tuner. Catch up on some of the familiar pieces and work those fingers a little with finger-twisting exercises. I hope I'll soon come to the point when I know I can't go on on my own anymore, and maybe then I'll take lessons. Maybe I can target grade 8 exams in 5 years time.
I can't let my brain rot anymore - I haven't been learning anything new for ages!
I'm going to use my study room or the spare room as my music room. Get a music stand, some music to start practicing (the suzuki volumes, and some simple etudes), and a tuner. Catch up on some of the familiar pieces and work those fingers a little with finger-twisting exercises. I hope I'll soon come to the point when I know I can't go on on my own anymore, and maybe then I'll take lessons. Maybe I can target grade 8 exams in 5 years time.I can't let my brain rot anymore - I haven't been learning anything new for ages!
Old things
I am in the midst of clearing my belongings in my room to be transported to the house. Steadily, the cupboards regurgitated books both new and old, which has not seen the light of day for ages. Whole boxes of CDs, school notes, photographs, and miscellaneous gifts were packed, needing many many trips to get to its destination.
I can really just sit there and reminiscence about the old days looking at them. I thought of how I started my CD collections (with Chopin's Nocturnes and Boston Pops recordings), reread my schoolday writings (I can't believe I wrote that well in Secondary school!), as well as the cheem stuff that I read in my NUS literature modules.
I look at the handicrafts that I made and I remember my secondary school days, a really nice period of my life when I just play the days away without a care (and somehow passed). There's a few JC photos of my CT teacher whom I fondly remembered, and I recall the relationships that I had with the few people I was close to then.
All in all, I think I have wonderful memories even though I'm just another ordinary guy on the street. Though there will be a lot of significant people in my past who I do not see much of nowadays, they will always be fondly remembered, and always welcomed back into my life even for the briefest moment if I get to see them again.
I can really just sit there and reminiscence about the old days looking at them. I thought of how I started my CD collections (with Chopin's Nocturnes and Boston Pops recordings), reread my schoolday writings (I can't believe I wrote that well in Secondary school!), as well as the cheem stuff that I read in my NUS literature modules.
I look at the handicrafts that I made and I remember my secondary school days, a really nice period of my life when I just play the days away without a care (and somehow passed). There's a few JC photos of my CT teacher whom I fondly remembered, and I recall the relationships that I had with the few people I was close to then.
All in all, I think I have wonderful memories even though I'm just another ordinary guy on the street. Though there will be a lot of significant people in my past who I do not see much of nowadays, they will always be fondly remembered, and always welcomed back into my life even for the briefest moment if I get to see them again.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
My gear attic!
Haha finally I got a proper room for my gear!Bad news is, it doesn't really look like it's big enough. Another Ikea storage shelf will come in and the balls etc will be thrown there. I want to clear the space in the wardrobe so I can store all my technical wear (splash jacket, hard and soft shell outer wear, rain gear, neoprene suit etc) hanging inside. All my small pieces of miscellaneous gear are floating around in the drawer though, but at least it is consolidated together.
And the clothes rack at the side, and maybe an ironing board or ladder will share this space in the future too, shucks. There's a few cans of paint left over from the paint job, don't know how long I should hold on to them too, and where I should store them meanwhile.
View of the room from outside the door, with the bike right in front of the window, nice!Think I should put some adventure photos of mine around the room!
Saturday, May 02, 2009
New badminton shoes!
As part of some obscure Chinese tradition, Karen's parents have to buy me a belt and a pair of shoes, and I went over to Queensway to shop for it today. I hardly wear my running shoes, my trail running shoes are excellent for teaching in the field, and I guess the pair of shoes that is gonna wear out soon will be my badminton shoes, hence the choice.
I had worn 2 pairs of Mizuno court shoes before, the first one cheap but quite ok though it doesn't exactly have a tight feel, the current pair more expensive but actually less fitting and feel clunky. This 'Wave Lightning 5' costs $135, but feels really agile and good! I can't wait to try it out tomorrow, and hope it makes my footwork better!
This is really the year of presents; getting married brings all sorts of gifts to you from your relatives. Kinda shows you their love I guess, and it makes me feel guilty for not giving them more of my time.
I had worn 2 pairs of Mizuno court shoes before, the first one cheap but quite ok though it doesn't exactly have a tight feel, the current pair more expensive but actually less fitting and feel clunky. This 'Wave Lightning 5' costs $135, but feels really agile and good! I can't wait to try it out tomorrow, and hope it makes my footwork better!
This is really the year of presents; getting married brings all sorts of gifts to you from your relatives. Kinda shows you their love I guess, and it makes me feel guilty for not giving them more of my time.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A short note
House - all done up. Slowing moving bags of stuff there every few days when we can. Think it will take ages to do clear the mess there now. I thought my utility room will be just great for my gear, but now I'm having second thoughts on whether everything can fit it! I fixed up a bike hook on the wall and now my bike's hung vertical, really cool! Show you pics next time.
By the way, wait till my open house invitation if you wanna take a look at it, don't want to spoil the surprise!
Wedding prep - lots of people has been asking me how's it going, and well, it's not really fully thought out. Still got much loose ends to tie up, but we'll get through it slowly. If you haven't reply to my email invitation, go do it now!
School - pretty good! Waiting for the exams, and things are already kind of slack. Will take lots of leave between my 2 weddings, so looking forward to that. Things are really much better with the new principal in charge, and my school is really quite a nice place at this moment of time.
All in all, things' good! Hope to see you all soon!
By the way, wait till my open house invitation if you wanna take a look at it, don't want to spoil the surprise!
Wedding prep - lots of people has been asking me how's it going, and well, it's not really fully thought out. Still got much loose ends to tie up, but we'll get through it slowly. If you haven't reply to my email invitation, go do it now!
School - pretty good! Waiting for the exams, and things are already kind of slack. Will take lots of leave between my 2 weddings, so looking forward to that. Things are really much better with the new principal in charge, and my school is really quite a nice place at this moment of time.
All in all, things' good! Hope to see you all soon!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Go green!
Here's a picture of a plant I got about a month ago from Ikea. At the time I bought it, it was really cute; all the leaves were standing uniformly tall like the beansprouts we eat, with mostly identical-sized round leaves.With some tender loving care from me, it has now grown bigger. Some stalks are standing much taller, some extending to the side beyond the small pot, and the leaves are definitely larger. On Fridays, I will water it a little more, and put them in this conference room behind my office table, where it can get some sunlight during the weekend.
Isn't it ironic to know that this plant, this life, costs only $1.50? That is exactly the same price as the saucer below the pot which I bought together with it. Humans are really filling the world with cheap and useless things, consuming endless resources in the process, while neglecting to treasure those things that are alive and precious.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Paddling future
It was really good to see my former group of coaches last week, and the reunion sort of draw me back in into a small paddling community again.
Some of us are still doing freelance work, a few on a regular basis. Some are in the outdoor industry, and some specifically in the paddling sports industry. For only a few, there is still things that they look forward to in terms of personal development and in how they can forward the industry's practices, while most others like me are just engaging with the sport on a recreational basis.
It does awaken some dreams in me though, perhaps bringing back memories of my former self who is industrious in acquiring personal skills development. One suggested to JB that there should be a level 3 course just for us because so many of us are stuck at level 2 for so long. I wouldn't want to be coaching freelance unless it's for my own students or my friends, but I guess it'll look good on paper for me.
More expeditions and trips? I think I'm really rather sedate now, and weekend getaways to malaysian rivers will simply stress me out if I have to work on Monday. I do look forward very much to sea expeditions though, and will want to go for the yearly folding kayak trips (and persuade you-know-who to go with me!)
Special trips - I do dream of going on a park-and-play playboating excursion on a river, compared to a river-running trip. Somewhere with a nice wave that you can try surfing on, and do wave moves. And of course, go kayak surfing! Somewhere on a cheap Indonesian island perhaps. If the whitewater stadium does appear on this island, I'll want to try slalom too.
Can't hurt to dream right? I think it's fortunate I got a bunch of friends who have time to get these lobangs for trips sometimes, and each trip really invigorates you for months.
Some of us are still doing freelance work, a few on a regular basis. Some are in the outdoor industry, and some specifically in the paddling sports industry. For only a few, there is still things that they look forward to in terms of personal development and in how they can forward the industry's practices, while most others like me are just engaging with the sport on a recreational basis.
It does awaken some dreams in me though, perhaps bringing back memories of my former self who is industrious in acquiring personal skills development. One suggested to JB that there should be a level 3 course just for us because so many of us are stuck at level 2 for so long. I wouldn't want to be coaching freelance unless it's for my own students or my friends, but I guess it'll look good on paper for me.
More expeditions and trips? I think I'm really rather sedate now, and weekend getaways to malaysian rivers will simply stress me out if I have to work on Monday. I do look forward very much to sea expeditions though, and will want to go for the yearly folding kayak trips (and persuade you-know-who to go with me!)
Special trips - I do dream of going on a park-and-play playboating excursion on a river, compared to a river-running trip. Somewhere with a nice wave that you can try surfing on, and do wave moves. And of course, go kayak surfing! Somewhere on a cheap Indonesian island perhaps. If the whitewater stadium does appear on this island, I'll want to try slalom too.
Can't hurt to dream right? I think it's fortunate I got a bunch of friends who have time to get these lobangs for trips sometimes, and each trip really invigorates you for months.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Annual kayak course
It was time for the annual paddling courses for my Odac kids again. Every year, I have to say that it's a hell lot of trouble to organise the course. Loads of paper work, admin processes to settle selection of vendor, mode of payment, edusave forms to chase, name list for each course, indemnity forms etc, and it's so crazy that almost a week after the course now, I am still trying to clear up the paper mess, chasing after forms/MCs/payments.But it was felt really good to be able to rally the old coaching group together to do it with me, I have so much trust in them, and it's really nice to work together again as we hardly ever see each other, not to mention do coaching together these days. And when we started the course that day, everything ran smoothly like the old times, with good communications or through common understanding.
And I delighted in doing the unconventional in my 2 star refresher course. This year, there was only a grand total of 5 participants for my group, but that disappointment was offset by the fact that everyone had more individual attention to them. They learnt about their 2 star skills in depth, learnt hybrid strokes and several others not in the entire syllabus like the 'C' stroke and the bow draw, and covered everything in 3 star except for towing too!
Learning and practicing sprinting and rolling is a daily affair, and after they got to know about the characteristics of different boats and their uses, I got them my playboat and polo boat to try. It was really an eye-opener for them, and they really went away appreciating different paddlng activities.Some notable achievements by my class:
- Turning 360 degrees using hybrid strokes in one smooth action
- Successful C to C rolls by most of them
- Good sprints with boat control in my polo boat
- 2 successful ends in a clean lean
- Successive hanging draws!
Not bad for a 2 star refresher course eh?
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Holistic education
There's almost something thought-provoking that comes up everytime I talk to James. He was sharing with me about how his brother-in-law (with only an O' level certificate) set up a business at age 30 with only $5000 and is now the biggest distributor of its kind in Singapore.
His questions
And also, he differs from the typical educator who believes that lessons should always help students achieve success, no matter how small, in order to keep them going. To him, learning to manage failure should be an integral part of character education, and the only way to build resiliency. There should be situations where teachers have lessons which plans for failure, with a stake that's symbolically important but realistically trivial, such that students can be led to reflect on their experiences.
But then again, motivation is the objection of building successes, and without that, I think many of my school's kids will not attempt something again after meeting with failure once. But I think a knowing what your end objective is for the students, and having a balanced curriculum is important.
His questions
- What are the sort of values and attitudes that someone must possess to find success in such unconventional way? Compared to scholars who breeze their way up through the ranks of a civil service job, for instance.
- What experience in education can imbue a person with these values such that they can replicate such successes?
And also, he differs from the typical educator who believes that lessons should always help students achieve success, no matter how small, in order to keep them going. To him, learning to manage failure should be an integral part of character education, and the only way to build resiliency. There should be situations where teachers have lessons which plans for failure, with a stake that's symbolically important but realistically trivial, such that students can be led to reflect on their experiences.
But then again, motivation is the objection of building successes, and without that, I think many of my school's kids will not attempt something again after meeting with failure once. But I think a knowing what your end objective is for the students, and having a balanced curriculum is important.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
The impact of CCA teachers
The most vivid memories of my secondary school life is probably of my time spent in my school band group. I remember going to the band room immediateloy after school, doing homework there, running around with my guy friends there, the fun and challenge of music practice, and interacting with a group of very interesting band seniors, whom I still remember fondly.
Today, I think CCA life is still a big part of students' life, and there are a hell lot of kids who pursue their CCAs more actively than their studies.
However, I see many teachers in my school who have no interest in putting effort into their CCAs to develop their kids' potentials and help them gain achievements. As a PE teacher, I think it's a shame that many teachers who are indifferent to sports are managing sports CCAs. They do not know, or care to find out, how to give the best training to their students, and merely go to CCA sessions to mark attendance.
Students can attend sessions religiously weekly, even train hard, but never able to excel or fully develop their potential, and probably end up getting trashed in zonal competitions. I can imagine them leaving the CCA after 4 years with bittersweet feelings, having developed a love for their sports but always regretting and wondering why they failed to achieved anything significant in their CCA lives.
With each CCA having more than 50 kids across the levels, the failure of CCA teachers in helping their charges gain success is a major failing of their duties.
Today, I think CCA life is still a big part of students' life, and there are a hell lot of kids who pursue their CCAs more actively than their studies.
However, I see many teachers in my school who have no interest in putting effort into their CCAs to develop their kids' potentials and help them gain achievements. As a PE teacher, I think it's a shame that many teachers who are indifferent to sports are managing sports CCAs. They do not know, or care to find out, how to give the best training to their students, and merely go to CCA sessions to mark attendance.
Students can attend sessions religiously weekly, even train hard, but never able to excel or fully develop their potential, and probably end up getting trashed in zonal competitions. I can imagine them leaving the CCA after 4 years with bittersweet feelings, having developed a love for their sports but always regretting and wondering why they failed to achieved anything significant in their CCA lives.
With each CCA having more than 50 kids across the levels, the failure of CCA teachers in helping their charges gain success is a major failing of their duties.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
I'm an idiot!
Sigh, it seems that every time I arrange for my school kids to go for their star courses spectacular problems will crop up. Last year, I went into extensive discussion with a vendor before realising in the end that they are too expensive and cannot meet my needs. It was also hard to arrange for things to happen because I had to update my boss at every twist of the plot.
The same happened this year too - next week's the course and things are still not fully planned out. I am lucky to get most of my coaching buddies along, but I realised that I myself can't teach my 2 star refresher course because my first aid cert expired!
MOE does have a first aid course that happens to fall on the 7th-9th April, but my boss is adamant in not letting me even ask for permission to go, as it is too late notice and will (in her opinion) get me in my P's black books. Luckily my kids all have 2 star already, so I can still take them and they do not need the extra 2 star cert.
And I just purchased my third Pentax Optio camera, this time a w60; I soemhow misplaced my last one during my last trip out to sea, and never found it since.
I got it over the popular Olympus waterproof versions because I can get 5x optical zoom at the same price. I bought it on eBay and the seller actually has free shipping, so I sent it to borderlinx which will consolidate all my US online shopping together in a parcel to forward over.
And when I traced the parcel delivery status today, I realised that the item was actually shipped from Hong Kong! Which means I have to waste time waiting for it to reach US before I can forward it over, and also waste money sending it here. Now I'm really doubtful I can use it before my kayak course next week ends, seeing that Friday is a public holiday.
OMG I'm damn stupid la...
The same happened this year too - next week's the course and things are still not fully planned out. I am lucky to get most of my coaching buddies along, but I realised that I myself can't teach my 2 star refresher course because my first aid cert expired!
MOE does have a first aid course that happens to fall on the 7th-9th April, but my boss is adamant in not letting me even ask for permission to go, as it is too late notice and will (in her opinion) get me in my P's black books. Luckily my kids all have 2 star already, so I can still take them and they do not need the extra 2 star cert.
And I just purchased my third Pentax Optio camera, this time a w60; I soemhow misplaced my last one during my last trip out to sea, and never found it since.
I got it over the popular Olympus waterproof versions because I can get 5x optical zoom at the same price. I bought it on eBay and the seller actually has free shipping, so I sent it to borderlinx which will consolidate all my US online shopping together in a parcel to forward over.And when I traced the parcel delivery status today, I realised that the item was actually shipped from Hong Kong! Which means I have to waste time waiting for it to reach US before I can forward it over, and also waste money sending it here. Now I'm really doubtful I can use it before my kayak course next week ends, seeing that Friday is a public holiday.
OMG I'm damn stupid la...
Friday, March 27, 2009
A great paddling day!
I had the chance to bring my students out for a very short kayaking program last Friday, and am glad I really made full use of it. The challenge was to fully utilise a 3 hour session with 42 kids, which will also have to include the shifting and fitting of all equipments from storage to the water, and back again after a washup of course.
It took 45 minutes to get eveyone into the water, with each sec 1 kids paired up with a senior. I wanted the session to be one whereby the newbies get some informal training from their seniors and an introduction to the water before their star course. And it turned out real good! I send them out in their boats without teaching a single thing, and from the first dip of the paddle each senior was busying themselves teaching basic paddling skills to the juniors. They raft up, and I just reinforced the learning points briefly.
Next, sometime I never tried before - I got the group in a raft about 30-40m facing the shore, teach the sec 1s how to disembark from their boats to get into the water, and then tell them they are to jump in from there one by one and swim to the shore, with their senior trailing in the kayak behind them. It was an exciting challenge that I think excited the seniors more than the swimmers, but all of them did the swim perfectly, with constant encouragement from the paddlers.
With a little bit of coaching about reverse paddling and seating position/boat control, it was time for the capsize drill. The seniors felt sort of deprived that they couldn't go swimming under the hot sun, and was clamouring to go in. When I told them that I'm going to grant them their wish, all went shouting "Yay! Capsize drill!!" Again, their enthusiasm rubbed onto the juniors all the capsize drill for the 21 kayaks was over in 5 minutes.
Water drained from the boats on shore, they hopped back in and proceeded back to the pontoon and the centre. With everything done, they reached the bus at 1815 - not bad at all!
Have a good feeling about the coming star course!
It took 45 minutes to get eveyone into the water, with each sec 1 kids paired up with a senior. I wanted the session to be one whereby the newbies get some informal training from their seniors and an introduction to the water before their star course. And it turned out real good! I send them out in their boats without teaching a single thing, and from the first dip of the paddle each senior was busying themselves teaching basic paddling skills to the juniors. They raft up, and I just reinforced the learning points briefly.
Next, sometime I never tried before - I got the group in a raft about 30-40m facing the shore, teach the sec 1s how to disembark from their boats to get into the water, and then tell them they are to jump in from there one by one and swim to the shore, with their senior trailing in the kayak behind them. It was an exciting challenge that I think excited the seniors more than the swimmers, but all of them did the swim perfectly, with constant encouragement from the paddlers.
With a little bit of coaching about reverse paddling and seating position/boat control, it was time for the capsize drill. The seniors felt sort of deprived that they couldn't go swimming under the hot sun, and was clamouring to go in. When I told them that I'm going to grant them their wish, all went shouting "Yay! Capsize drill!!" Again, their enthusiasm rubbed onto the juniors all the capsize drill for the 21 kayaks was over in 5 minutes.
Water drained from the boats on shore, they hopped back in and proceeded back to the pontoon and the centre. With everything done, they reached the bus at 1815 - not bad at all!
Have a good feeling about the coming star course!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Pride and learning
I am getting quite excited about the upcoming kayak course for my school kids, where I will be conducting a 2 star refresher course for my kids. It's really the highlight of the year for me, to be in my elements, teaching my kids fun and cool things, and really passing on the love for paddling to them. It's probably the only 2 star course in the world that will incorporate sprinting and canoe polo introductions in them too, and I've even finished my extensive lesson plan for it.
I felt that it will be good for teachers in my school to go for this advanced 2 star course so that they can learn much more, and so invited all teachers in my school to it. 2 teachers from the NCC unit wanted to join in, a middle-aged family man and a young female teacher just a batch before me. The guy was the CO for the unit in my school, a very friendly person who is quietly passionate about giving his best to his CCA. For example, I was surprised to meet him at the last outdoor education conference, which he somehow got wind of and signed up himself, when I had thought I was the only teacher interested in such things.
Yesterday, I met that guy in school, and he said that the lady teacher did not want to go for the course anymore because my ODAC kids will be there as well, but that he will still be joining us. Now that was really a disappointment man. A young teacher who gives us on a learning opportunity, just because she don't want to be seen as a student by her own students! If she is ashamed to be seen as a student, what kind of message is she sending to the kids?
The kids didn't know that she was supposed to be there, but that's not the point. I just feel disappointed that people would rather preserve their pride than be seen as being amateurish, especially when she's a teacher who has to constantly encourage her students to work hard by telling them that everyone has to start somewhere.
I felt that it will be good for teachers in my school to go for this advanced 2 star course so that they can learn much more, and so invited all teachers in my school to it. 2 teachers from the NCC unit wanted to join in, a middle-aged family man and a young female teacher just a batch before me. The guy was the CO for the unit in my school, a very friendly person who is quietly passionate about giving his best to his CCA. For example, I was surprised to meet him at the last outdoor education conference, which he somehow got wind of and signed up himself, when I had thought I was the only teacher interested in such things.
Yesterday, I met that guy in school, and he said that the lady teacher did not want to go for the course anymore because my ODAC kids will be there as well, but that he will still be joining us. Now that was really a disappointment man. A young teacher who gives us on a learning opportunity, just because she don't want to be seen as a student by her own students! If she is ashamed to be seen as a student, what kind of message is she sending to the kids?
The kids didn't know that she was supposed to be there, but that's not the point. I just feel disappointed that people would rather preserve their pride than be seen as being amateurish, especially when she's a teacher who has to constantly encourage her students to work hard by telling them that everyone has to start somewhere.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Promoting school sports
Went for a North Zone Sports Development Committee retreat today, and it was pretty interesting. Apparently the committee is made up of a group of volunteer PE teachers/HODs etc who represent North zone schools, and they come together to think of initiatives to nurture and encourage the growth of school sports.
What is commendable is that these people look beyond the focus on organising the yearly competitive leagues, and instead shifted their focus on bringing sports to non-school team players and the general school population. They came up with an idea of getting schools to play home and away matches in a few sports to generate healthy school rivalry, build school identity and also giving the sports' second-stringers a chance to play against others. Another idea is to have a North zone sports carnival, with schools able to send a team each for a few different sports, and with all these games being played at this games hub of Innova JC-Innova Primary-Sports school.
The idea is grand, the intentional noble, and the task a massive one, and for all these I have to salute these guys for daring to dream big. I can see the passion in these guys, and it is amazing to see these uncles being so committed to the casuse of PE after so many years in service. What an inspiration!
By the way, there was this speaker who reminded us that there are people working hard to make it possible for local school sporting events (The Schools Nationals) to be aired on Channel 5, during primetime slot no less. If they realise that the viewership is not sufficient, such shows, and the opportunity to promote school sports, will never take happen again. Therefore, if you want to help promote all our young athletes, do your part in a small one - watch it on TV!
What is commendable is that these people look beyond the focus on organising the yearly competitive leagues, and instead shifted their focus on bringing sports to non-school team players and the general school population. They came up with an idea of getting schools to play home and away matches in a few sports to generate healthy school rivalry, build school identity and also giving the sports' second-stringers a chance to play against others. Another idea is to have a North zone sports carnival, with schools able to send a team each for a few different sports, and with all these games being played at this games hub of Innova JC-Innova Primary-Sports school.
The idea is grand, the intentional noble, and the task a massive one, and for all these I have to salute these guys for daring to dream big. I can see the passion in these guys, and it is amazing to see these uncles being so committed to the casuse of PE after so many years in service. What an inspiration!
By the way, there was this speaker who reminded us that there are people working hard to make it possible for local school sporting events (The Schools Nationals) to be aired on Channel 5, during primetime slot no less. If they realise that the viewership is not sufficient, such shows, and the opportunity to promote school sports, will never take happen again. Therefore, if you want to help promote all our young athletes, do your part in a small one - watch it on TV!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
IT fair 2009
...was a big squeeze. I figured the jam on Orchard road on the way there can be attributed to the fair, and when I was near, the signboard giving you parking lot info says that Marina Square in full and there are only 10+ lots in the whole of Suntec! After queueing up to turn into Suntec, I realised that they closed the carpark entrance at the convention hall area, and I decided to miss it altogether, parking at Shaw Tower instead.
The big squeeze started when I walked into Suntec from the bridge - the short passageway past Watsons took like 20 minutes to clear! But I have to say that things were much better when you're inside the hall. It helps if you're skinny like me too!
Got an Acer Extensa 4630 laptop with 3GB RAM at $859 instead of $999 outside, so think it's worth the trip down after all. Bought an LG 160GB DVD recorder for $388 for my new place too, have been waiting so long to get my hands on one! Gonna record hours of Discovery channel and Sports events when I move into my new place and get my SCV channels!
The big squeeze started when I walked into Suntec from the bridge - the short passageway past Watsons took like 20 minutes to clear! But I have to say that things were much better when you're inside the hall. It helps if you're skinny like me too!
Got an Acer Extensa 4630 laptop with 3GB RAM at $859 instead of $999 outside, so think it's worth the trip down after all. Bought an LG 160GB DVD recorder for $388 for my new place too, have been waiting so long to get my hands on one! Gonna record hours of Discovery channel and Sports events when I move into my new place and get my SCV channels!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Holiday? What holiday?
Term one is over!
The students are probably happy to enjoy their one week term break, but only after they finished a few online assignments given to them, and maybe a CCA camp. For me, I have a camp tom till Sunday noon, a retreat for PE teachers on Monday, and another camp from Tuesday to Friday. Having to stay out means that my holiday week is actually busier than my normal school week! It's total madness.
And that only means that it will be one full week away from doing preparatory work for my wedding. I'm pissing in my pants now because Jacob told me last week that with my wedding at end May, I should be sending out invitations by the end of March - I haven't even confirmed the guest list! I'm so gonna die loh.
I have to say that my house renovation is going on quite nicely, even though it wasn't on schedule. Karen and I spend countless days arguing about the colour scheme, and that really slowed down the work because the paint job has to be done before many other things can be installed. But we're reaching the finishing line soon, and quite in love with what we saw already!
To make up for the rough week, I'm gonna do retail therapy at IT fair this Sunday. Will be getting a laptop, among other things. Maybe I'll take my laptop outdoors to play with...
The students are probably happy to enjoy their one week term break, but only after they finished a few online assignments given to them, and maybe a CCA camp. For me, I have a camp tom till Sunday noon, a retreat for PE teachers on Monday, and another camp from Tuesday to Friday. Having to stay out means that my holiday week is actually busier than my normal school week! It's total madness.
And that only means that it will be one full week away from doing preparatory work for my wedding. I'm pissing in my pants now because Jacob told me last week that with my wedding at end May, I should be sending out invitations by the end of March - I haven't even confirmed the guest list! I'm so gonna die loh.
I have to say that my house renovation is going on quite nicely, even though it wasn't on schedule. Karen and I spend countless days arguing about the colour scheme, and that really slowed down the work because the paint job has to be done before many other things can be installed. But we're reaching the finishing line soon, and quite in love with what we saw already!
To make up for the rough week, I'm gonna do retail therapy at IT fair this Sunday. Will be getting a laptop, among other things. Maybe I'll take my laptop outdoors to play with...
Captain Planet's Dog - Tubby!
BBC features Tubby of Wales who goes hunting for plastic bottles whenever he goes for his walks, then crushes them with its jaws before handing them over to its owner, making it the ultimate environmentally-friendly pet! The picture is just too cute to resist, and it will be real cool if everyone train their dogs like this. I have to say that the town must be full of rubbish everywhere for Tubby to collect at least 6 bottles on its twice-daily walks!Garang-guni men should start training pets to find and crush metal cans for them too! Too bad they can't help to collect cardboard boxes - dogs will probably be more interested in chewing them up.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Obama Pop Art!
Go to Obamicon.Me and you can get a Obama-style pop art portrait of yourself! Here's Karen's....png)
And mine! Quite cool, go make your own!
Saturday, March 07, 2009
There used to be a time...
...that this picture could adequately illustrates my life. Being in the outdoors most of the time. Enjoying myself under the sun. Proud to be a member of NUS ODAC. Happy and carefree.That lifestyle, like that beloved t-shirt, is nowhere to be found now apparently...
Monday, February 23, 2009
Waterproofing electronics
For those out there who wants to bring electronics out to sea, I have to say that unless the unit is waterproof in itself, there are few storage containers that you can trust for submersion.
Aquapacs
Reputed to be the best stuff around, but I personally drowned 2 phones and a set of walkie talkies encased inside them before.
Boxit
About the only thing I trust for submersion of phones, but you got to sacrifice usability when using your phone and live with its bulkiness. No flip phones or smart phones or phones with jog dials allowed, and call volume is much reduced.
Sealline
I saw this one with a roll-top, definitely a no-no. Roll top style bags cannot be submerged! (But they did say it only afford watertight protection.
Pelican Micro Cases
I bought it thinking it was waterproof, but every time I used it water will find its way in without fail; you only need to slosh it around an inch of water at the bottom of your kayak and it'll be wet inside. I went to the product website and scanned the entire site - nowhere on the site does it use the word 'waterproof'. Caveat Emptor!
D&G
I bought this green medium sized bag recently for $10 only at Beach Road, and stored my Solio charger in it. It has a 'ziploc' closure which then rolls down and is velcro-ed fast in that position. Inside, there are two thin plastic flaps which seals up together when pressed against each other, and can presumably keep any water from touching the stored items, quite a cool concept. Don't think I tried submerging it for long, should try someday.
And on waterproof electronics...
Pentax WP-series camera
Proved itself to be really good in operating underwater, never had problems with it. Picture quality leaves much to be desired though, even to my untrained eye, but maybe the newer models nowadays have better lens/processor.
Garmin GPS
My Garmin 76cx is supposed to be waterproof, being designed for boating use, but I had never dared to use it without protection - it's too expensive a toy! I am quite comfortable in using an Aquapac over it though.
And maybe I'll try waterproof mp3 players soon...
AquapacsReputed to be the best stuff around, but I personally drowned 2 phones and a set of walkie talkies encased inside them before.
BoxitAbout the only thing I trust for submersion of phones, but you got to sacrifice usability when using your phone and live with its bulkiness. No flip phones or smart phones or phones with jog dials allowed, and call volume is much reduced.
SeallineI saw this one with a roll-top, definitely a no-no. Roll top style bags cannot be submerged! (But they did say it only afford watertight protection.
Pelican Micro CasesI bought it thinking it was waterproof, but every time I used it water will find its way in without fail; you only need to slosh it around an inch of water at the bottom of your kayak and it'll be wet inside. I went to the product website and scanned the entire site - nowhere on the site does it use the word 'waterproof'. Caveat Emptor!
D&GI bought this green medium sized bag recently for $10 only at Beach Road, and stored my Solio charger in it. It has a 'ziploc' closure which then rolls down and is velcro-ed fast in that position. Inside, there are two thin plastic flaps which seals up together when pressed against each other, and can presumably keep any water from touching the stored items, quite a cool concept. Don't think I tried submerging it for long, should try someday.
And on waterproof electronics...
Pentax WP-series camera
Proved itself to be really good in operating underwater, never had problems with it. Picture quality leaves much to be desired though, even to my untrained eye, but maybe the newer models nowadays have better lens/processor.
Garmin GPS
My Garmin 76cx is supposed to be waterproof, being designed for boating use, but I had never dared to use it without protection - it's too expensive a toy! I am quite comfortable in using an Aquapac over it though.
And maybe I'll try waterproof mp3 players soon...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dreaming on...
A friend Alex in PESS now just informed me of his successful application for an exchange semester in Canada! Congrats to him for going through the many rounds of trouble the application gave him, it has all been worth it certainly!
Thanks to him, I was suddenly inspired again to learn about the outdoors and more from visiting great places like these. I had once dreamt of going Canada to explore its vast nature parks and learn playboating on the Ottawa river from Liquid Skills. If only I can still find time to go NOLS someday, or to take my L3 coaching course or perhaps even a sea surfing course. The possibilities are endless (elsewhere).
Now I just need loads of cash and the heart to plonk it all down for them...think that'll be very difficult now that I'm all grown up and have already *ahem* shifted my priorities to other things in life...
(PS - just booked a holiday tour package for 10D Europe today, but would have loved to go for a cruise in Alaska to visit Denali and more...)
Thanks to him, I was suddenly inspired again to learn about the outdoors and more from visiting great places like these. I had once dreamt of going Canada to explore its vast nature parks and learn playboating on the Ottawa river from Liquid Skills. If only I can still find time to go NOLS someday, or to take my L3 coaching course or perhaps even a sea surfing course. The possibilities are endless (elsewhere).
Now I just need loads of cash and the heart to plonk it all down for them...think that'll be very difficult now that I'm all grown up and have already *ahem* shifted my priorities to other things in life...
(PS - just booked a holiday tour package for 10D Europe today, but would have loved to go for a cruise in Alaska to visit Denali and more...)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Batam Trip
We have always been interested in doing short getaways whenever we can, so for the V-day weekend, we tried Batam for the first time. Before going, I was wondering how Batam made itself a leisure island, without much natural attractions or...any attractions that I can think of actually! After the trip, I was even more confused...
Holiday Inn saved our trip - it's pretty nice, and we got a suite room with 2 bedrooms, so actually it can house four person very comfortably - damn!
The resort is nice, the pool is rather pretty, and we had fun playing table tennis too (that has become a standard activity for our recent holiday trips hm).
Nothing much else was good though. We went to Nagoya town center, which had a megamall selling things we weren't interested in. It was very noisy there with this terribly loud performance inside the mall, and we had to endure it throughout dinner at Pizza Hut; there really isn't anything nicer to eat. Before that, we had to endure a torturous 2 hour massage which was rather painful at times, and not very soothing or relaxing overall, offered little privacy, and irritated us with instrumental tracks of chinese pop played loudly. I couldn't wait to go back to the hotel.
And so we hereby resolved that...
.
Holiday Inn saved our trip - it's pretty nice, and we got a suite room with 2 bedrooms, so actually it can house four person very comfortably - damn!
The resort is nice, the pool is rather pretty, and we had fun playing table tennis too (that has become a standard activity for our recent holiday trips hm).
Nothing much else was good though. We went to Nagoya town center, which had a megamall selling things we weren't interested in. It was very noisy there with this terribly loud performance inside the mall, and we had to endure it throughout dinner at Pizza Hut; there really isn't anything nicer to eat. Before that, we had to endure a torturous 2 hour massage which was rather painful at times, and not very soothing or relaxing overall, offered little privacy, and irritated us with instrumental tracks of chinese pop played loudly. I couldn't wait to go back to the hotel.And so we hereby resolved that...
- We will stop masseurs from inflicting torture on us in the future when things get painful
- We will not go travel overseas for the weekend - taking the ferry twice in two days is rather bleah.
.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Reno update 12th Feb
Things are going really fast, and I'm getting excited too. The rate of progress is really quite amazing to a noob like me, and I wonder if that's normal, or if my contractor is really good.
With the old cabinet beneath the stairs and the sliding balcony windows gone, the house looks big and spacious. Light, glorious light!
The view of the living room again, this time from the balcony. Wiring work has started already, hence the wires all around.
The open kitchen, with the cupboards still to come. There will be an island worktop in the middle of it all, and the sink will be on it, hence the three pipes sticking out on the ground.
At this corner where the toilet used to be, there is now a washing area with a half-height wall, and a raised platform for the washing machine. Can't imagine this narrow space used to be the width of the toilet.
A look down the rail-less stairs from the top.
The plastering work was really good, and after taking out and replacing the windows, they are going to lay the parquet floor on the second floor already.
Today, we just choose the laminate colours of the cupboards, got some ideas on paint colours coordination, and selected some sanitary wares for the toilets. Contractor hurrying us on various things now and we have to do our market research diligently these days, busy!
With the old cabinet beneath the stairs and the sliding balcony windows gone, the house looks big and spacious. Light, glorious light!
The view of the living room again, this time from the balcony. Wiring work has started already, hence the wires all around.
The open kitchen, with the cupboards still to come. There will be an island worktop in the middle of it all, and the sink will be on it, hence the three pipes sticking out on the ground.
At this corner where the toilet used to be, there is now a washing area with a half-height wall, and a raised platform for the washing machine. Can't imagine this narrow space used to be the width of the toilet.
A look down the rail-less stairs from the top.The plastering work was really good, and after taking out and replacing the windows, they are going to lay the parquet floor on the second floor already.
Today, we just choose the laminate colours of the cupboards, got some ideas on paint colours coordination, and selected some sanitary wares for the toilets. Contractor hurrying us on various things now and we have to do our market research diligently these days, busy!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Work in Progress
The contractor started hacking work on Monday, and was supposed to finish it on Wednesday; we went to take a look on Wednesday evening and they were already tiling the toilets! Went to take a peek again on Saturday, and they are plastering the walls right now.
The house looks rather strange with the rail-less staircase; we could see all across to the balcony through it. Everything is everywhere, and tiles are all there in their packaging ready to be used.
This is the kitchen, with the corner wall hacked so that it is more 'open'. Eventually there will be a glass wall around the corner, and a swinging glass door too, all to let the light in. The kitchen does looks much better without the toilet.
The master bedroom toilet has been tiled already, and it looks pretty good, according to what we want.
Can't resist the view from the bedroom everytime I'm there...
This has been the most expensive weekend for us - we just returned from Harvey Norman today and blew $1860 there for the fridge, washing machine, microwave, a handheld vacuum, hifi, rice cooker etc. I have to say that the sale is genuine and good lah. Another $1800 was spent on the bed yesterday. And the airconditioning's gonna cost us $3.3k soon. Coupled with the previous $1.5k spent on the sofa and console and $2k for the stuff from Barang Barang, that's over 10k leow!
Oh, I forgot the lights...oops.
The house looks rather strange with the rail-less staircase; we could see all across to the balcony through it. Everything is everywhere, and tiles are all there in their packaging ready to be used.
This is the kitchen, with the corner wall hacked so that it is more 'open'. Eventually there will be a glass wall around the corner, and a swinging glass door too, all to let the light in. The kitchen does looks much better without the toilet.
The master bedroom toilet has been tiled already, and it looks pretty good, according to what we want.
Can't resist the view from the bedroom everytime I'm there...This has been the most expensive weekend for us - we just returned from Harvey Norman today and blew $1860 there for the fridge, washing machine, microwave, a handheld vacuum, hifi, rice cooker etc. I have to say that the sale is genuine and good lah. Another $1800 was spent on the bed yesterday. And the airconditioning's gonna cost us $3.3k soon. Coupled with the previous $1.5k spent on the sofa and console and $2k for the stuff from Barang Barang, that's over 10k leow!
Oh, I forgot the lights...oops.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Waiting to get wet...
Everytime I return home I see the foldable boat bags propped up there against the wall, just waiting to be used and assembled. It always remind me of how great the last trip was, and how long I'll probably have to wait before I can use it again.Maybe when my new place's up I can assemble the frame and hang it up or something, that'll make a nice display piece! It'll be a fantastic dust-trap though, and maybe we'll eventually start hanging up clothes on the frame even...
Man I miss paddling. It's terrible to do it like once every half year!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Should you depend on the external for happiness?
I had 2 great PE lessons today!
I took the pain to split them my class into their groups and brief them about all the routines that they will be doing for all lessons last week, so as to make sure this week's lessons will go smoothly. In the morning, I took time to sort them out again, make sure they go for their warmup lap orderly, and start all activities briefings only after everyone is settled. They had fun trying out different things and I didn't had to waste their time organising them and slowing down the flow and momentum of the lesson. All that made my day.
And I wonder if it's a good thing to be excited by the success of my lessons, because it also means I'll be negatively affected if I don't have a successful lesson (and I have pretty high standards for myself). The alternative is to be the cool/cold teacher who is detached and unaffected by his performance at work, which probably translate to a lack of enthusiasm in teaching. Sometimes I wish to be the latter, but I'm plainly too excitable and emotionally involved really, which makes it really draining when things don't go the way I want.
I love to be the involved teacher, but it drains so much from me. That's why I think good teachers that lasts like that for long are really really rare.
Postscript - 5th Feb
Things didn't go as smoothly today, it took a long time for me to get them organised, even though I improved on my 'script' and clarified my instructions. Things still work but just not efficiently. So that's how it is, ups and downs, and one just have to take it all I guess. Just wondering sometimes when I'll take it until...
I took the pain to split them my class into their groups and brief them about all the routines that they will be doing for all lessons last week, so as to make sure this week's lessons will go smoothly. In the morning, I took time to sort them out again, make sure they go for their warmup lap orderly, and start all activities briefings only after everyone is settled. They had fun trying out different things and I didn't had to waste their time organising them and slowing down the flow and momentum of the lesson. All that made my day.
And I wonder if it's a good thing to be excited by the success of my lessons, because it also means I'll be negatively affected if I don't have a successful lesson (and I have pretty high standards for myself). The alternative is to be the cool/cold teacher who is detached and unaffected by his performance at work, which probably translate to a lack of enthusiasm in teaching. Sometimes I wish to be the latter, but I'm plainly too excitable and emotionally involved really, which makes it really draining when things don't go the way I want.
I love to be the involved teacher, but it drains so much from me. That's why I think good teachers that lasts like that for long are really really rare.
Postscript - 5th Feb
Things didn't go as smoothly today, it took a long time for me to get them organised, even though I improved on my 'script' and clarified my instructions. Things still work but just not efficiently. So that's how it is, ups and downs, and one just have to take it all I guess. Just wondering sometimes when I'll take it until...
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