Oh, how heartless! How have you been?

Aiyo ... how can I forget to ask how the rest of you are doing?

For me, my hols have officially ended beginning with today. My only consolation is at least I don't have to report to school for 5 weekdays during the mid-year break ... so I guess no one here should grumble your hols are shorter than mine! (Yes I know i'm showing off!)

For me, 5 days are still better than none.

Enough of that, what have you been up to and how ready are you for Term 3?

Let's hear it ... don't be shy!

We're one week away from Term 3!

Hi boys and girls, I hope your hols so far have been restful as well as productive.

If I'm not wrong, some of us (even your parents) are wondering how the current state of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) infections is going to affect us.

I just want to assure all that we are ready to face any challenges, especially given the experience we have had during the SARS pandemic in 2003 ... so let's not worry too much; we'll do our utmost to keep all of you safe and at the same time ensure your learning will not be compromised.

For now, the same message remains ... look after yourself; eat (don't forget the vegetables and fruit) and sleep well, observe good hygiene practices such as the thorough washing of hands and keep your hands off your face as they (the hands, of course) are dirtier than we think they are, see a doctor when you're ill, especially if you've just returned from one of those affected countries (check out www.moh.gov.sg), seek out your parents immediately; they ought to know what to do!

As for your revision and preparation for PSLE, I still urge you to carry on as H1N1 (I'm referring to the situation of course) or not, you'll still have to sit for PSLE right?

Should you have any queries, do post them here and at the meantime, tune in to the news as often as possible to get the latest updates. We're also doing the same here.

Looking forward to see all of you on next Monday, take care!

Dumplings galore!

School hols are coming so I think I can afford to let my hair down a little, so here's a teaser.

Got home today and came face to face with two large pots of ...

Yummy! It's something which I always look forward during this time of the year. I think my mom made close to 5 dozens of them in one morning. I must add that it's quite a feat for a 69 years-old lady.

I guess she'll be giving some away to our neighbours, her church friends and my younger brother but I believe we'll get to keep most of it.

By the way, I'll let you in on something ... IMO they are tastier than what I can get elsewhere cos it has an extra ingredient which $$ cannot buy ... my mom's pure effort and love put into it!

Woohoo! I'm going to be fatter for while ...

The Climb ...

Hi again.

The results are out; guess some of us are pretty pleased, a number of us are disappointed while the rest of us are having mixed feelings ...

Just wanna remind all of us that the journey which we embark is a long, winding one. Some times things will go our way but many a times, there are many events and incidents (other than tests and exams) which turned out not what we've hoped for ...

So here's a song which I recently came across ... I love it and find the lyrics particularly meangingful and hope it'll spur you to continue to persevere and continue with 'the climbs' of your life ...




Miley Cyrus - The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I’m not breaking

The pain I’m knowing
But these are the moments that
I’m going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

SA1 is here and the complete lowdown of the 5 love languages (by Gary Chapman) ...

First of all, it's the SA1 season. Some more tips for you:

1. Do ensure you do your revision, i.e. go through your work and amke sure you understand why you got them wrong and to a lesser extent why you got them right.
2. Don't burn midnight oil (I know quite a number of you have been very diligent) and ensure you have a good night rest as nothing beats a well-rested and alert mind.
3. Don't be stubborn; skip questions which you think they are tough and only re-visit them once you have ploughed through the paper.
4. Don't spend your free time playing with correction tapes (I know they are very tempting) and doing unproductive things such as starting a inter-galatic war with your stationary but to check your work. You may regain some of the potentially 'lost' points.

Next are the 5 love languages which I've spoke about.

They are:

1. Words - Examples making positive comments such as "Great job!", "I appreciate your efforts!" and "I like the way you handle it!"
2. Time - It's like spending and giving time to your friends and loved ones, when they need it the most and especially when you're super busy!
3. Gifts - PRESENTS! Need I say more?
4. Service - Doing things and favours for friends before they cry for help, i.e. collecting their homework when they're absent, carrying things for your friends and loved ones when you observe they are having difficulties ...
5. Physical touch - No ... it's not the 'dirty' things which some of you are thinking ... aiyo, kids nowadays, sigh ... Anyway, it's like giving a hug to show appreciation, a pat on the shoulder for a job well done and such. Do note that many misunderstanding can result so think carefully before you do it ... in fact, better to consult adults ...

Do remember everyone has a 'receiving' and 'giving' mode and they may be the same or can be very different.

Since Mother's Day is coming, why not you try to practise this on your mom? Try to find out what's her preferred 'receiving' mode and give her a surprise (make sure it's a PLEASANT one) which is unforgettable and memorable for her?

Reminder - Bring a thermometer daily!

Hi people, I hope all of you are well.

Do remind one another that beginning on Monday, you ought to have a thermometer with you whenever you go to school.

Don't forget to observe good personal hygiene such as washing of hands before taking food and exercise social responsibility such as seeking medical help when you're unwell and only return to school after you have recovered.

I know exams are coming but health is always more important, okay?

Stay well people and I'll see you on Monday!

It's cake-baking time!

Hi.

I promised that this posting will make everyone laugh ... or at least amused.

So here I am, baking my cake. What you see above are the ingredients. No joke, I do bake my cakes and I meant the 'edible' ones (I know what some of you are thinking).

Anyway, it'll be a while longer before it's ready and I'll be cutting them into bite sizes and they'll become my breakfast and even snacks over the May Day long weekend. Though I'm quite tempted to take them to school and 'feed' all of you, I just realised it's not been certified Halal and if all of you can still remember my stand ... if I can't get food which the whole class can enjoy, I rather 'sacrifice' and finish all of it.

You may wonder how it tastes ... if you love butter, you'll LOVE it cos it's a butter cake ... speaking of which I can even smell it from where I am as it's being baked. It's super yummy especially when it's chilled and I can recall when I baked two large ones and shared them with the kids at a Before After School Care, i.e. BASC Centre when I was still an undergrad, the kids then really really love it!
So too bad lah, you kids won't have the chance to partake AG's very own butter cake ... unless I get to bake it in a Halal kitchen cos the ingredients which I use do not contain lard ...

Hey, I hear the sweet chime of my oven ... I guess it's ready; sigh, too bad I have no one else to share it with ... muahahaha ...