Thursday, 20 December 2007
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Well, back to work after the two weeks of hospitalisation leave. Was experiencing some discomfort for the first week at work but has settled down now. Don't even remember that I had an operation lol.
We are now packing at the office to move to new premises. Went to see my new office. My assistant & I have a very nice corner, with a view. At long last a proper office space. I have moved from one office spot to another 3 times in my 3 years plus at this workplace.
Unfortunately our joy was short lived. We were told some changes. There was a store for safes but we were told space not big enough & they will move two of us to the store area & build a store at what was our office. So they will knock down that storage space which is dammed freaking small to see if they can fit two of us in. If can, dunno where our cabinets are going. Very interesting. I dunno. I give up. No mood liao.
Christmas is a coming ! I am done with gifts for the family. Wrapped up too !
Now its the parties...on Chrstmas day when the family comes over to see MIL who is staying with us till end Dec. POssibly a party for the kids' friends on 28 Dec. Dunno if we will have friends over.
Problematic...have not figured out the menu for all the parties.
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Saturday, 6 October 2007
My diva at the office tried to tell me what to do...sigh...like I dun know what I am doing. Deep breathes, be patient. I was told that one afternoon, someone popped in to get something & she was sleeping lol. No wonder she hates it when I drop into the room to physically search for things myself. Break her afternoon nap lolol.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Family dinner last night at tambuah mas for godpa's birthday. Before that, made a trip to donut factory to buy each family a box of donuts lol. The queue was about 20 mins...not too bad. Anything longer & I would have bought bak kwa...no queue maaah.
hmmmm sarah has a christmas wish list....maybe I should have one too !
Lament for the day...if only I could time travel back :p
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Finally watched ratatouille & it was a nice fun movie. Enjoyed it. Have been a little sceptical of animations since Madagascar which was lousy. My fave new animated movies would be Lion King 1, Shrek 1 & Finding Nemo. This is excluding the original disney animations like snow white, cinderella, pinnochio etc etc.
Dinner tonite was at Lavendar street food court....the wanton mee. Shiok ! Today's queue was long as usual but service was really really slow cos there were only two of them today. Usually there are 3 of them. Wonder why they don't get help.
Oh, donut factory & munchy's taste not much different, just diff flavours. I like different flavours from the two...chocolate mint from df & oreo's from munchy's.
Lament for the day...think I will get sick of donuts soon.
Friday, 21 September 2007
Kids out at church studying...well at least I hope they are.
I need to colour my hair...sigh...the whites are showing arrrrghhhhh ! If got time, will go tomorrow.
Haven't used any of the vouchers I changed from my credit card points...some shopping due tomorrow perhaps ?
Another gantry on CTE from town back home. WTF ? If you want to reduce the traffic, don't fucking issue so many COEs lah & make cars so affordable. Go home kena one gantry never mind, now two ! We re going home for goodness sakes ! And wtf timing may be extended some more. Ya lah, the intention is to get us to take public transport and I don't mean taxis, take bus or mrt. So that can faster cover cost for new lines & make more money & oh, not forgetting covering the wage increases.
Didn't surprise me when gst went up after the elections & now all these policies. We have to work until we dieeeeee with the amount of money that we have to fork out. I reckon my generation will barely smell our CPF...sigh. At the last elections, if I remember right, one of the speeches indicated that their win was a clear signal of the citizen's support for the pap. But err...in the last few elections, got more & more people voting for opposition leh.,,,si mi signal hah ?? In this next election, we shall see what sort of signal lor. My parents' generation have always supported the pap because of how they built the country up but this generation is slowly dying off. I was a supporter too. It will hardly be surprising to see support & confidence wane.
Aiya, simply put... don't fuck up what you have taken so long & hard to build.
Lament for the day...dunno can smell or not...sigh. May only be given enough to buy walker, dentures & adult diapers...
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Donut factory is opening up in Novena Square, Munchy's is opening one at cineleisure & when browsing the J Co website, see that its coming here soon.
There are donuts stores sprouting up everywhere. Wonder if this is like the bubble tea or rotiboy or even the strudel fads ? Dunkin Donuts didn't do well but then the donuts are nothing compared to the ones I just mentioned. Not tried DF or Munchy's yet but J Co donuts is, to me, wicked good !
Wonder why Krispy Kreme donuts have not made it here ??? Must be franchise very high.
I had rotiboy in JB long before it made it here. I wondered then why no one brought it in. Lo & behold ! It came & went ! Competitors began to sprout up too. And then they all died a natural death. I guess the difference with rotiboy & the donut shops is that the latter has alot more flavours. Rotiboy is just the one. So the donut fad will last, at least for a longer term than the rotiboys, paparoti, mamaroti & whatever else roti.
The only roti that has lasted for eons & will continue outlast all is the mother of all rotis...Roti Prata lolol ! I also love my yu char kuay, ain't a fad that would fade too...best dipped in coffee !
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Have been having off & on headaches today, even right now. And feeling very tired. Perhaps its the weather.
Army guy with the gun & bullets should be charged & punished accordingly. Lets not spare the rod....I believe it was 18 strokes. And the family kicking the press...well duh...they shoulda known that it would have been caught on at least one camera.
Another colleague is leaving the company...another HOD....sigh. wtf.
Ryan did fairly well for prelims. Quite happy he didn't get a U grade for chinese. Not a bad accomplishment.
Lunch on Sunday with the family, someone kena 4D (sigh...not us leh) & treating. Shaslik here we come !!
Yesterday one of our neighbours gave us a box of deeeeleeeeecious donuts...different toppings on them. Looked online & there isn't a store here. Think they went KL & bought from there. Yummy ! Then today, other neighbour gave us homemade ngoh hiang. Lol...they all returning the favour from the fish we gave. Which really isn't necessary.
Lament for the day...still sux. Lol.
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Its that time of the month & I feel really crappy. So darned tired when this happens. Feel very drained...must be old age also ugggghhhhhh.
Quiet Saturday. Sarah went tanning at Sentosa but dunno what kind tan she got as it was raining this morning & then cloudy all day.
Am now reading Scarlett, sequel to Gone With The Wind. Not sure if I like it. Just a couple of chapters in.
Lament for the day ... it still sux !!
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Yep yep hubby came home with a shitload of fish ! The group caught an estimated 500kg. Got lots of Garoupa lah, coral trout, leather jacket lah. Gave away to our entire floor of neighbours & they were happy. Not the first time we give them fish fresh from the oceans. So much so that one of the neighbours bought us yummy swiss roll cakes from Kandahar Street. Gave each neighbour 2 or 3 fish, gave godparents some & we still got alot for ourselves. There was one 3kg muther kerisi bali & the bladdy head/tail stuck out of our freezer compartment door. This one hubby gave away to a friend, let him de-scale lah, de-gut lah & clean the fish LOL. Too much work lol.
Friday, 24 August 2007
Work is still so-so & I do so want to get out. When opportunities arise & when the time is right, I will. The heart & passion has fizzled out all becos of one person. Oh trust me, it ain't petty. When integrity is questioned especially when one has not done any wrong, it farking sux ! As far as I am concerned, my integrity is intact with all the proof. I now know how others in the same boat feel. Actually the whole situation is ridiculous & smacks of desperation...the other party lah.
What is that phrase ? When you point one finger at someone, don't forget the other 3 fingers point back at yourself. The thumb doesn't work if you are wondering why only 3 fingers point back lol. The thumb is to stick up the ass lololol.
Lament for the day : Dunno who is playing games leh.
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Even more pathetic is that I am re-reading half blood prince & watched the harry potter series all over again today. Just to keep my mind off things.
Work is so-so. It has degenerated to be described in such meagre terms. Sadly all becos of the one.
Lament for the day : Shitty...just that one word.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Thing is her sense of humour hasn't abated. Told us she fell infront of 2 schoolboys who helped her up...said they were quite cute too lol. Well the boys have a story to tell...hey this IJ girl fell for us...right at our feet ! Oh, the boys were very responsible, they covered the drain with the grating. Good going boys ! Offered to stay with sarah for a bit but she told them no need. Think she wanted to cry but not infront of them. If I were her I also dun wan to cry infront of 2 cute guys...or would I ??? Can't even remember being 15 how to remember what I would do bleah !
Doc says its her ligament, thankfully no fracture so no need for x-ray. 2 days MC & then no PE or bowling till end next week. If not better then have to extend the excuse. Ligament is no joke cos I have a ligament problem with my knee. Can't bowl cos its the left balance knee & going down the stairs pull & little sharp pains. Old age also plays a part. bleah !!
Done re-reading HP & the order of the phoenix. No wonder I didn't enjoy the movie. Want to re-read half blood prince. lol must be in this mood for potter. Potty for potter lol.
Meeting was fine, no hitches. Everyone was in a good mood. After that spent too much time answering emails...ugh. Its such a drag but I still do what I am paid to do & do it properly. Whatever it is, I still take pride in doing work well. Perhaps the passion has lessened a tat but oh well. Not gonna give anyone reason to bitch. But it is still a drag.
what did I say before ? I am having a bad day & I'm not even PMsing LOL.
Lament for the day : Go for meeting feel guilty cos of sarah....dun go meeting, may kena poked by some people.
Monday, 13 August 2007
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Watched Robin Hood Men in Tights on cable this afternoon...lame lolol.
Sarah had another article in catholic news, small one on the harry potter series. She mentioned family in the article...sweet.
Meeting evon, simon & my godson for dinner tomorrow ! Gonna try botak jones again. Wonder if we will have to wait an hour again...??? Ohhhh the cheesecake there is gooooood !!
Lament for the day : maybe can start own business selling shepherd's pie & apple crumble instead of dragging my feet ???
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
The latest HP book is good though. And when it is made into the movie, I am wondering how it can be condensed to just a little over two hours. Can't cut stuff out as there are many connections to past books and introduction of new stuff.
Think its the best book...JK keeps the best for last. I was particularly touched by that little humanity in Snape. I always had a feeling he wasn't all bad, just misunderstood or deliberately wanted to be misunderstood. I wonder if there will be a continuation as the ending in the book seems to invite it.
Oh...Die Hard 4.0 wasn't that fantastic also. Fun to watch the action but quite unrealistic. Entertaining but not on my list of must watch.
Bought DVDs of Apocalypto & 300. Seen both on the big screen already but wanted to watch again. Those I would highly recommend !
Lament for the day : drag drag draaaaaaag...
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Sometime ago, I spoke about meeting old friends. And so I did with yin & some others at Matt's. I asked about john whom we used to affectionately call mahjohn. They told me where his shop was & what it was called.
Mahjohn cos some 20 years ago we used to pass time playing mahjong. We started off playing with no money & could do it over night lol. Then we graduated to 5 cents / 10 cents lolol. It was just a friendly game amongst friends rather than to hang out at pubs or clubs. We didn't have much money to go clubbing anyway lol.
Anyway I did a search online fo his shop & called. he recognised my voice...amazing ! Hadn't seen him in about 10 years ! Anyway we have met up a couple of times since two weeks ago. Got re-acquainted with his wife whom I met a couple fo times before long long ago & met his two pretty daughters. One of them ryan's age & the other is just in P1. Meeting up again this Friday.
My godson has started to walk !!!!!!!!! Hubby saw him last night & we will be meeting up with them over the weekend.
Sarah has a tale to tell about her new nokia N76. It sux ! She bought it on a Wednesday & it started to act up. Would go off on its own & would not be able to read memory card, contacts & battery life faded real quick. So off we go to nokia care centre on the saturday. One day later, told to pick it up. After she got home, same problem. So off to nokia again. After one day collected it back. But same shit happened. So daddy goes off to make noise ! Says this is the 4th time they were back & if they had to keep it a week, please go ahead to solve the problem. Keep saying nothing wrong. But who is going to compensate for the time to go there & parking. Why don't they just exchange one for one. Oh cannot, policy. Fine fix it then ! After a week, they call back & say they have to change motherboard. DUH !!!! At first they said it was sarah's memory card BUT when sarah uses it on ryan's samsung phone got no problem leh.
Lament for the day : I am still dragging my feet...
Thursday, 2 August 2007
death & stuff...
Matt's death hit me some. A couple of things...he is a friend my age & yeah we were dating when we were much much younger. Though I was well aware of how ill he was, it was a shock. I cannot imagine how his family feels & I cannot pretend to know. The thing is that our age, we hear of our friends' parents passing away. For me, it is a first friend who died. It hits me greatly that it can happen to anyone, regardless of age.
I have been thinking of writing a list of what I want when I do die. Whether by accident or of a ripe old age. Sounds so morose & grim but death is a reality. I know I don't want mourning & wailing. Sadness is inevitable but I would like that to be over with quick so that those who are alive and left behind do not go through too much turmoil, regrets & unhappiness. Rather, it should be a celebration that when I die, I am no longer in pain or suffering. That I have lived my life to the fullest, the way I want to, with dignity & integrity. The only regret would be leaving loved ones. But we all eventually will have to leave our loved ones. It is the circle of life, to borrow a phrase. I said to Sarah that for my wake (why is it called a wake ??) I want happy music, the songs which I enjoy. I want bright colours, no mourning clothes & if I can get away with it, wine & beer made available. I be dead so the kids will have to figure out how to work the wine & beer in. Think I will write a letter which can be displayed for all to see that it isn't out of disrespect, but rather respect for my last wishes. Otherwise people think my living family are mad. I'm the nutty one. Sure, let there be some crying. But just a little quick cry & a prayer. Then life should go on.
Lament for the day : it ain't fun anymore...so I drag my feet...
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Our friend died last night. Stricken by cancer we knew it would happen sometime. But it is always too soon. We last saw him in Phuket in February, it was a family holiday for both our families. We were supposed to have had makan session again after that but it, regretfully didn't happen. He was a free spirit & did his best to live life to the fullest inspite of being unwell.
To the family, our deepest condolences. We are truly sorry.
Bye Matt, have a good journey.
"Death is not the end
Death can never be the end.
Death is the road.
Life is the traveller.
The Soul is the Guide
Our mind thinks of death.
Our heart thinks of life
Our soul thinks of Immortality."
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Kinda busy at work...stuff keep popping up. But manageable & have met my datelines so that's good. But it is annoying when other folks don't provide us with the info in time or when the info has changed & they forget to tell us. Ahhhh well...
And so my birthday passed uneventfully. I have gotten to the stage and age where its no big deal becos I am a year older. The years just keep piling on & I so do hate the numbers ! Kiddos & hubby got me a nice peranakan style hand held mirror which I have placed in my display case. Sweet ! Plus the new Harry Potter book which will be delivered soon.
My staff got me some gifts though I had said not to. Nice crystal container for my knick knacks, another for my rings and a nice silver brooch. Pretty. Another colleague took me to a nice buffet lunch yesterday at merchant court hotel. Today was another lunch, indonesian. And I bought myself a nice silver bracelet as a treat for myself lol.
Have been doing abit of shopping with sarah...or is it alot ?? lol She has some nice new clothes, plus toiletries & perfume from bodyshop. I bought a couple of tops from esprit & at bodyshop, picked up my powder refill, gloss & a nice rougeberry perfume, light & fruity. My face scents are Happy for men from clinque, DKNY's Delicious & now this from bodyshop.
Watched Transformers last weekend & I was surprised to have enjoyed it. Its entertaining. I liked the transforming sequences, very cool. The storyline was a little bit weak & there was weak acting, like from the FBI guy who was reduced to his underwear. But other than that it was entertaining. I'm not sure if it should make it into my list of definitely watchable. I'll decide at the end of the post.
I am still reading China Wakes. I have been pre-occuppied with Fox crime channel plus other programmes on telly. It is not an easy breezy read but very interesting information about the country, policies, the way they manage the country or mismanage, the oppression, what foreign visitors see or are allowed to see & what they don't see. But to be fair, the book is not entirely negative. Written by two foreign journalists who were based there for a number of years, both of whom speak mandarin. I reckon the chinese government did not receive this book well when it was first published. I should finish this soon to get into Harry Potter when it arrives.
Lament for the day : the demise of the poor angsana tree...now beware of reckless speeding drivers.
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Sarah is taking English express. Somone in the school boo booed big time. I wrote to the principal a couple of days ago to ask why sarah couldn't do express english despite her topping her normal level since sec 1. When she asked her teacher, she was told cannot as she was the only one.
Apparently, since last Nov, she was earmarked to start 2007 doing express english. BUT no one told her. Infact, the class she was supposed to join had scheduled their english lessons to the same timing as her normal class so that she would not miss other subjects.
But when she didn't join the express class, they thought she wasn't interested. No one checked with her. On hindsight, I should have written in earlier as she has lost 6 months. Apparently the HOD told both english teachers of her present class & the express class. Her own teacher did not tell her & actually said that if the HOD did not see her, then cannot lor.
What a mess ! Go figure who screwed up. I told sarah to make it clear to the HOD who went to see her, the conversations which transpired. Her new teacher said she would make every effort to help her catch up. And the teacher said that if she does not do as well, it is not sarah's fault.
At least I feel better that there are efforts to help individual students to excel. It is heartening. As for why the principal did not answer my emails, the person who was manning the generic mailbox probably screwed up & didn't forward my mails from last Nov to her. Another cock-up. Waaah liao !
Today there was a weird incident. A man went to our restaurant for a meal. After he paid up & was taking the lift down, saw a poster that the restaurant would offer a $2 rebate for parking if they dined at the restaurant. So he went up again. Staff said no problem, just give us the receipt so that they could void it & provide him with a new receipt with the $2 taken off. He said no. Just take $2 to give to him. He insisted & made alot of noise despite the manager explaining & being as patient & as nice as possible.
The restaurant didn't ask questions. All the proof they need is flash a carkey, fill in some info on form (so that we can verify if there is a hint of cheating from staff). Don't even check if he parked at the building or elsewhere. Cos if park elsewhere then not entitled lah but gave customer benefit of the doubt. Only $2, don't make it so difficult. But also dun make it easy for staff to cheat.
This is a proper restaurant & we are a large renowned organisation which was listed for a number of years until voluntary delisting recently. Not some two bit corner stall that can easily take $2 from the till. There are procedures to follow. How to explain $2 missing at the end of the day when finance queries ?? Small amount but still it is not conforming to procedures & especially when it involves money. From $2, it can escalate. What if there are 100 customers like this ? $200 missing. How ?
Can afford to eat in a fine restaurant but think like that. So bladdy ugly. But the ugliest part is yet to come...
So he calls HQ & speaks to the lady in charge of marketing for the restaurant. She explains. He refuses to listen & says that to pacify a customer, the manager could have easily taken out $2 from his own pocket. What the fuck ???? No principles, no morals & so fucking cheapskate. He ends by saying that he still wants his $2.
He spent 15 mins at the restaurant arguing. So easy to take out receipt & have it voided & re-issued. Be done in 5 mins. Then take time to call HQ somemore. Unless he is planning to cheat his own company ?? Claim makan as entertainment with the receipt & pocket the $2 ?? Who knows, low enough to suggest that the manager take $2 from his own personal pocket to give to him, then dirty enough to cheat. Or he just got too much time on his hands.
Lament for the day : how low can a person go !
Monday, 9 July 2007
On a more serious note of rumours, some schoolgirls are really quite bitchy these days. The vicious rumour that has been passed around about sarah has me incensed. I intend to take this up with the school. If the school cares at all, they will take it seriously. If not, the topic of verbal bullying will go up to MOE & ST forum. Obviously the person who started the rumour doesn't know how close we are as a family & how our children do talk to us. Of course they don't tell us everything lah. But enough for us to have a strong relationship. So poor thing (read sarcasm) that this person or persons do not have the same relationship with her/their parents. Life must suck (or is it no life??) to have to resort to lies & rumours. Sad sad. Kudos to sarah that she doesn't conform to them just to be popular. She is her own person. But I know all this viciousness does affect her & we worry. We will need to stop this.
In other words, rather crudely; don't fuck with me.
Lament for the day : People who spread rumours have no lives or are cowardly or cruel or perhaps just plain stupid. Yaaaawn.
Saturday, 7 July 2007
So channel 5 televised Exorcist : The Beginning on a weekday night at 10pm. How does that work when the movie was rated NC16 in the cinemas before ??? Are there extra snips for TV ? If there are, then there wouldn't be much of a story. Waste time watching & waste of airtime. Yes they indicated parental guidance cos of the horror theme but it means I can be sitting & watching with my below 16 kids. Plus its televised on national tv so isn't that an open invitation for everyone to watch ?
Why have movie ratings for the cinemas when such movies eventually make it onto tv ? Movies in the cinemas are censored already and have the various ratings which customers and cinema management have to comply with. So I don't get why national tv can screen such NC16 or M18 movies. I can't make sense of it.
I remember when the Da Vinci Code arrived in the cinemas & it was rated NC16. Checks were made at cinemas to ensure that no one below 16 was watching the movie. Some below 16 year olds were caught sneaking into the cinema halls to watch Da Vinci Code when they bought tickets for some PG or G movie. Articles have appeared in the press on how vigilant are such age checks in cinemas. Yet you get this NC16 rated movie on tv. So ironic. So contradictory. Something to ponder over & probably still not be able to make sense of. LOL.
A few nights ago was watching Fox tv crime investigation channel. It was about a man who had hired a hitman to murder his wife & physically disabled 8 year old son. All for their bank account. The wife & son had a 2 million settlement from a hospital which had carelessly & accidentally turned off the boy's oxygen supply when he was hospitalised for some illness. This left him paralysed and also brain damaged. Hence the settlement to provide for the round-the-clock care for the boy. The father who was separated from the wife wanted the money but of course he wasn't getting it. However, the judge did pass that if the wife & son should die before him, the money would go to him.
Anyway, all the evidence pointed to the husband who received a life sentence. The guy he hired was sentenced to death for the murder of the wife, son & also the nurse who was present in the house caring for the boy. In the hitman's home, the police found a book on How to be a Hitman. Its scary that such books are published & sold to the general public. It teaches you to stand how many feet away so that you don't get sprayed by the blood, how to make the gun untraceable etc. The hitman followed the intructions apparently.
Then the families of the wife & nurse decide to take the publisher of the book to court. However american law has the first amendment on freedom of speech which rendered case ineffective. But the families' lawyers persisted & eventually by some other events that happend, they received an out of court settlement.
The publisher's lawyers gave an example of publishing a cookbook. That it doesn't mean that the person who buys or reads it will bake a cake from there. How weak !!! Eventually someone is going to try a recipe otherwise why bother with publishing the book. So if someone somewhere who buys a book in how to be a hitman or how to make a bomb etc will eventually try it. DUH !! So much for laws to protect.
Yesterday was hubby's birthday & we went to shashlik, a russian restaurant that is run by a bunch of rather err matured men & women. Has been around for as long as I can remember & very popular. But don't expect exceptional service. Its the quality of food that makes it so popular. Their borsch soup is excellent as are their shahslik beef & lamb. As I wasn't feeling well, I had a big bowl of the soup & bread. Usually, we'd split the one portion of soup for two to share as we wanted to have enough space for their steaks. Ryan had a whole bowl of soup to himself, two pieces of bread plus a whole steak to himself. He did well to finish every morsel lol. Kids bought hubby a CD on jazz for his birthday.
Lament for the day : my birthday is coming soon too & I hate the number I am hitting. Good thing I don't look or feel it lol.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
arrrgh...the diva !! Dunno how she got around to the big boss, we reckon via email & managed to get her way in some things. She told me not too long ago..."I thought I better check with you, go through the right channel...." Chey ! Say only, bypass me twice already !!!!!!!!!!! Bugger it lah.
Ryan's new guitar ! Last weekend Swee Lee had a sale, up to 50% off for their musical instruments. Ry sold his electric guitar & wanted to get something better. So instead of buying second hand from an online forum, we took him to Swee Lee when he told us of the sale. Loads of nice guitars but soooo pricey, we thought. Till Ry asked the sales person if the prices were before or after discount. It was before & the guitar he wanted was 50% off, brand new. Aiyo ! How not to buy ! Good thing is Ry saved his own money plus he had cash from the sale. We topped up a little & he picked up an Epiphone Les Paul (or something liddat) priced at over $900 before discount. Very good deal compared to a second hand one he was looking at which was going for some $400 odd. For that price, you get it brand new. Ry had already told the dealer not to reserve it for him so no harm done on that end. But now Ry has no money to buy birthday presents for hubby & me lol. Or anything else for himself lololol.
We like the idea that the kids save up to buy an item they desire. They learn the value of money & don't expect us to fork out whenever they want a luxury item. It is a good habit & we strongly encourage it. Both kiddos have been jamming together & have been enjoying it. Their task is to learn Samba Parti or Breezin' by Christmas for us lol.
Work has been fine lor. Sometimes a little bit exasperating. But mainly it is just ok. Not happy doo dah, yet not horrific hell. It fluctuates close to the latter sometimes like all work place, though not often. But heavely bells don't ring either. Garden of Eden perhaps where sometimes the serpent rears its ugly head ? Typical of all workplaces lol.
Another celebrity visit end of the month & this one (whom I dunno but vaguely heard of), I am told, will invite the hordes of adoring & the curious. Uggggh !!
Got the kids new mattresses as their's are at least 10 years old. Had to visit a few places before we made a decision. And I was pretty surprised that they cost quite a bit ! Not the pasar malam type lah but not the high end type either. The better than pasar malam type is averaging $200 per piece. Also ordered a new headboard for Ry's bed. Sarah doesn't need one as her's is nice & still fairly new. One of the shops we went to had all these mattresses brands advertised on the building & happily we went in. The lady asked us what budget & we said $200. She promptly showed us one that was $400. Harloooow ??? Ask budget for what hah ? One of those that don't listen, just out for a quick sale. And when we asked for a certain brand which we knew was in budget, she say dun have. Then why the brand advertised hah ? Asked is anything in our budget, dun have. Wah liao, then dun open mouth & ask what budget lah. Just say, "our mattresses are priced from what-what upwards". So we don't waste each other's time. But maybe she was bored cos there was no one else in the shop & now we know why lol. It is not an obscure furniture shop. Sigh...
Tomorrow is hubby's birthday. Dinner at Shashlik...yum ! Borsch soup here I come ! Ryan's face lit up when we mentioned it. Didn't know what to get for hubby so asked him is I could pay partially for his over $200 case for his reels. Phew ! He said yes. Heng aaah...otherwise sure end up buying a shirt lah or a tee lah or a belt lah or cologne lah. Gifts for men are a little more boring. Women have so much more choices and possibilities lol.
Not posting as much as I would like as am usually tired from facing the comp when I get back home from work. Plus now we have new channels on cable lololol. So yeah...beeeezeeeeeeeee !
I still haven't found a cheap exercise bike. Don't need the fancy type. Simple one that does the job will do. Second hand also can. Went to cash converters but honestly, alot of the stuff quite icky ! Got no exercise bike anyway. I need the exercise bike for exercise lah & also to improve knee condition. Can't do high impact so start slowly on the cycle & shall see how it goes.
Oh I had a dizzy spell this morning. Do not know why. But it did not persist. I don't think it was from hunger as I did have breakfast.
Hmmm cigarettes went up & it is more than the 2% Gst increase. Their calculator must be different from mine. And so I have begun to cut down.
Lament for the day : I think I feel a cold coming on...yuck !
Thursday, 28 June 2007
LOL it was funny & annoying the reaction. "I don't like a camera looking at me ! I don't want a camera pointed at me!!!" Very adamantly. I patiently explained that our entire office except this room hasn't got a camera & it is not to look at her but to ensure that no one fiddles with the server or anything else in the room. And I had to explain that no one is sitting there looking at the TV screens for all the cameras. Its not like in the movies...duh. If anything should happen, we can look at the tapes & then find out what happened.
Let's just say the entire meeting was a little exasperating & I felt like I was dealing with a child though she is older than me. We all work for an organisation which has procedures & policies. It ain't no mum & pop shop. These policies, procedures & even SOPS ensure that all is in place, employees don't take advantage or be taken advantage of. Its not strict rules for goodness sake so why be so resistent. Infact we have been very flexible with her. Guess she doesn't want to be caught sleeping or playing card games on comp lor.
Lament for the day : ughhhhh I am tired of the divas & prima donnas around me.
Monday, 25 June 2007
Her job is simple, she records on comp & stores away items we want to keep for historical record. All she needs to do is cut & paste the information onto the template I created for the weekly report. What is the big deal ? She says when she was hired, it was meant to be a stress-less job, no rush, no datelines, as she pleases. Who is rushing her ? Still stress-less what. I didn't set any datelines, I just want to know progress so that my boss also knows what's happening. As I am custodian of this particular section, it would be ridiculous if I knew naught of what is happening.
And it is not as she pleases. We all work for a boss & it ain't her own hole in the wall shop. I was told that other people have heard her chatting long on the phone, playing card games on comp & worst of all, snoring !!!!
We are all required to give weekly progress reports to our boss. So I need to attach her section to my own report. I need to know her work progress, my boss needs to know our progress & his boss needs to know everyone's. Sheesh ! Imagine me going to the president whom I report to & say the same thing. Wah liao !
Becos she is a contract staff on project basis, she is not entitled to staff benefits as was agreed when she was hired. But she has been bugging people for free movie tix. And not everyone wants to give them to her as they want to take their families. A number of people are tired of her hassling them for tix & other freebies. She has not asked me. One day, she waylays the president, bypassing me, to ask him. Unfortunately for her, I happen to be walking by. Fortunately for him, he knows pretty well she isn't entitled but he says to check with HR. So she calls me & says she had better go through the right channel & check with me first instead of going to hr. Duh...didn't she already go by the wrong channels ? sigh
She tries to buy favours & that is scary. I dun like that. So when she gives me something, usually makan, I will make sure I return the favour so that we are even. My other assistant has also wisened up to this ploy.
Yes physically she is a little hampered as she is a bit heavy & so her legs can't quite take her weight. But she is not handicapped. There are things which we will do for her but there are things which we choose not to as we are well aware she can do it & we do not like being taken advantage of.
These & other things, been accumulative, in just a couple of short months.
I need to draw a bolder line between being friends & work. You can't mix it up. But some folks are blind to it. I need to be less nice, less accommodating & more of a bitch cos I get taken advantage of. So a friendly warning, don't fuck with me.
Lament for the day : I have had a bad day & I am not PMSing grrrrrrrrrr.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
There were weird people at the gala premiere. The general public I mean & it is to be expected. Arggghhhhh ! Everything went well. A couple of disgruntled public who weren't allowed into the private party area but it is a "private party"....sigh. One lady kept peppering us with questions, where is the star, what time she is coming, how old, where she is staying, what movie...then one guy armed with camera wouldn't go away, wants to meet her personally. Though I was taking care of our chairman, I didn't even get to meet her personally. So duh !!! I had my 5 mins of fame on the red carpet lol. Then at the end of the evening when we re-opened to the public, our buffet line was attacked by the public which was no surprise. They happily helped themselves, no invitation needed. I am sure by the next morning, our congratulatory bouquets of flowers would have been stripped naked. Then while we were hanging around waiting for the premiere to end, we saw a very young couple seated at our internet kiosk area smooching like no tomorrow. Gross lah !
Some re-org in our org structure but no shuffling. Just re-defining some sections. Not major. My department remains unchanged.
Took half day off on Friday to help hubby with kids' wall shelving. Fixed up the kiddos' new desks. Very nice. Ryan's wall shelving was done yesterday & it looks good. Moved the furniture in his room a little. Sarah's shelving will be done tomorrow as hubby is involved with NDP thingy today.
School starts on Monday ! Ryan just went off to cut his hair & I re-coloured Sarah's. She had it highlighted during the hols which isn't allowed at school so have re-coloured the whole head a dark mahogany. Turned out okay.
Gonna continue with Roots.
Lament for the day : Slight migraine...aiya that time of the month grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Monday, 18 June 2007
Then there was a new shop which was selling army stuff. Hubby says not genuine army stuff. Then we saw a M-16 rifle on one of the shelves, priced at $318. And get this, PLASTIC !!!! So obvious !! We weren't even close enough to touch but can see its plastic. Wah liao...like something from some toy shop ! Incredulous that would be priced like that.
Headed to ikea, loads of parking space...we like ! But when we got inside the store, it was pretty crowded. Ordered the tables, shelves, drawers & bought some other stuff. The goods arrive on Wednesday. Picked up a pack of swedish meatballs from their market corner, plus the sauce for the meatballs & the jam. Fixed that for dinner. Yummy & quite filling. Got sauce leftover, froze it & will use that for mash. Can have bangers & mash.
Working late tomorrow, gala premiere & official opening. I need to take care of the board & media.
Sarah needs to fix her hair colour back cos school starts on Monday. Her highlights will be too obvious.
On Saturday went to dyran & carol's place for dinner. Dyran's birthday & to celebrate father's day. I brought a yummy mango cake from prima deli...all overlaid with fresh mango. Dinner was simple, chilli dogs, lye chee from cambodia one of the friend's brought, chips with onion sour cream dip. Booze of course.
Then the rain came. So we all went under cover.
After which we lazed & the boys started to jam with their guitars. Ryan brought his amp & electric guitar. For the first time he joined in to jam. And he had fun. Now he knows how fun it can be rather than playing alone. He learnt to follow nick & dyran cos he didn't know alot of songs, cos he only plays rock. Now he knows that to jam & really have fun, must improve on the repertoire, some old songs as well as the new. And the classic evergreen songs which every guitar player must know.
Over the weekend in the newspapers, a bulgarian busker was arrested for immigration charges, not for busking. A blind busker in the same location as the bulgarian complained that the public gave the bulgarian more money than to him. Errrr hubby say...he blind how he can see the other guy got more money ???? So true lolol
SCV kena from me. On Sunday morning I called cos our new package of channels were not activated. I rang on Friday evening & was told would be activated within 24 hours. Long phone call with the customer service who was very helpful in assisting me to tailor our channels. Anyway, I called on Sunday morning before heading out to lunch.
Boo Boo One : The customer service staff asked me what packages I want & I am like HAH ??? You dun have our history meh ?? Dun have. Grrrrrrr so I repeated the convo I had with other customer service on Fri nite.
Boo Boo Two : This girl then says, due to technical problem that's why not activated. Wtf ?? If she doesn't have my record of request for change, how to have technical problem ?? So I tell her exactly that. She says she will get customer care consultant to call me. For what ??? She kena me blurr oredi lor.
Boo Boo Three : Anyway, someone did call & said will activate it by that night "since this is an urgent case". Well hellooooo...I didn't say it is urgent. I asked for it on Friday night & was told 24 hours but it wasn't done. Told her that.
Boo Boo Four : Then she says that they have record of my request for change but the customer care staff's system can't retrieve all the info. HAH ??? I said that is laughable becos SCV is cable tv, broadband & mobile.
So so laughable cos they have all this technology & they can't get simple info. Just say that it was a mistake & overlooked. Why try & slip in those SOP answers here & there. Don't gel maaaah ! Sigh sigh sigh...
Caridee won America's Next Top Model !! Yaaaaayyyy ! I dun like the other girl cos of her personality.
Long post...making up for the days that I haven't been on lol.
Lament for the day : arrrghhh I watched Congo again cos kids never watched it before. Amy is cute though.
Friday, 15 June 2007
It has been a busy week of prepping for opening & press articles. The latter turned out great ! Big official do on Tuesday night & then after that we can breathe. Will pop down to the cineplex tomorrow & check out the sights.
Tomorrow night, a party at Dyran & Carol's to celebrate Dyran's birthday & fathers' day. Its just an excuse for a party lol. Sarah is at church camp & will be back tomorrow night, in time for the party. Got her godpa a nice wine-red tie from zara. And for fathers' day, a nice biege linen shirt from there also.
Sarah got me two packs of sunflower seeds a couple of days ago. Sigh...am hooked on it again, butter flavoured sunflower seeds. Very yum leh.
Changed our package for cable vision & dropped the sports channels cos they have increased it too much. Plus we don't watch it much. Took up the movie & family packages. Paying a little more but getting more channels which are very interesting. It will be activated within 24 hours. Looking forward.
Watching SWAT now with ryan. Hubby is on a boys night out with old army buddies. He didn't drive.
Will probably go to ikea on Sunday to order the desks & drawers. Then to a fathers' day lunch perhaps. Or lunch first then ikea. Our weekends aren't usually planned. We just go with the flow.
I've finished reading The Good Women of China. It is written by a former radio presenter in China. She had a programme which explored the lives of Chinese women and relates tales from women who annonymously left their stories on the phone recording system & through interviews with some women. Sadly none are happy endings...different stories about how the women were oppressed, crushed, used & brutalized. The author no longer lives in China. She wouldn't have been able to pen this book if she did.
Have a friend on holiday in the US. She dropped me an email to ask if I would like anything...told her tar pau Johnny Depp & Gerard Butler lol. Have asked her to look out for the old tv series Roots. Can't get it here, only the audio CDs are available at Borders...duh.
I finally did my hair...its been almost 3 months since I had a nice trim & colour to cover the whites. Didn't realise till my stylist checked the records. Kept it much the same, just neater & no white hair lol.
Is this sentence, which is a signage, wrong & bad English ? "Please do not touch display". I had a discussion with a colleague on this. Her kids & hubby said bad english & that it should be "please do not touch the display". But I think both are acceptable. It is not bad english like something so glaring as "please do not touched display" or "please do not touching display". Straw polled a few other colleagues who agreed with me. Ah well...
Lament for the day : just been too tired & brain dead to blog more frequently.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Then went to visit nephew in the hospital as he is down with dengue. We heard later in the evening when sarah text him that his blood count had improved. Glad for that.
Neighbours' son's wedding was at Legend's. Food was not so good but that's expected of wedding dinners anyway. Enjoyed the video of the day celebrations; the bride & groom had to do funny stuff to get into the in laws' homes. Doesn't happen to the bride usually but she got saboed. Funny ! We heard all the laughter & commotion in the morning.
Sunday was company family movie day. Watched Shrek 3. Think first 2 installments better. It was funny but the "better out than in" joke is getting a little stale. Still watchable & I'd rather Shrek anytime to Mr Bean.
Browsed around gramaphone & then had a light lunch at billy bomber's. Dunno why we were so tired & when we got home, took a nap. Naps don't usually happen for me on weekends. It was only an hour but felt longer so must have been really tired. Was refreshed when we got up.
Met simon, evon & godson for dinner at jalan kayu. This place called jerry's. Pretty good. Clam chowder was yummy & so were the buffalo wings & deepfried mushrooms. Didn't order a main course for myself, just picked & that was enough. Buuurrrrrp....better out than in...lol. Clovis is a cutie pie, happy duckie. Hubby finished his meal first & carried him out for a walk so that his mummy & daddy could eat in peace. When hubby came back, he said his arm numb lol cos clovis is a big baby !! And he is not even one. Takes after his daddy lol. Dessert was tiramisu & they do make a mean one ! Didn't spare on the alcohol. Simon said as good as mine with a hint that he had only tasted mine once lol. ok ok I get the hint lah wah liao.
Lament for the day : dreary mondays !
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Then yesterday I receive an email. The name was familiar but it could have been just someone with the same name. Anyway I ask. Lo & behold, it was someone I knew, an ex-colleague Fiona who was together with Shyam & me.
Coincidence or what with meeting 2 ex-colleagues in a span of a week or 2 !
The new gatsby ad is driving me nuts ! I have the tune in my head which is an old song by the stylistics. It keeps going on & on & on in my head "I will give you gatzebeee, gatzebeeeeee, gaztzebeee..." Wah liao !
Had a farewell lunch for a colleague today. Nice ! Till we were interrupted. Oh bleaaaaah !
Okay I have figured something to wear for wedding dinner this Saturday lol. Haven't dressed formal in a while so didn't know if I could fit in my nice evening dresses. Fortunately, yes. Cos Sarah can't wear them which is a pity as they are by Hayden.
Lament for the day : gatzebeee...gatzebeee...gatzebeee
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Today was busy...back to back meetings in the morning till 1pm & then the last one at 4pm. The last meeting was satisfying, sorted out some grey areas. Plenty of projects to keep me busy & that is good. Would get bored otherwise.
Popped over to neighbour's for a short visit to tell them we are attending their son's wedding this Saturday. They borrowed some of our chairs for their morning celebrations & we told them to ask us for more chairs if they need. We have nice neighbours !
Argggghhh Nets is charging a higher admin fee. Nets claims that it is how the retailers package their offerings. Helloooooo...if you are making things difficult for retailers then the difficulties are passed on to the consumer becos the retailer will include the increases in their prices. Already gst going to increase & now this. Good that Case is looking into it.
When GST goes up to 7% on 1 July, it would be interesting to see how many errant retailers will take advantage by increasing prices & yet not absorb gst.
CSI time !
Lament for the day : chronic upper back ache !
Monday, 4 June 2007
So I tried to talk to sarah just now about what happened. I still have no idea & she doesn't want to say...sigh. Now I will have sleepless night wondering what happened.
Dunno why some people so bladdy rude in their emails. One was sent to a colleague & it was rude. Then an enquiry was sent to me by the same person in a rude tone. Then I heard her complaining when I walked by. LOL. I don't really care. Office politics & bitching...its all quite normal.
Watched Just Follow Law last evening & was pleasantly surprised to be entertained. Not awed but it was quite funny.
We are now watching Royal Wedding starring Fred Astaire & Jane Powell. Sarah is into this old movies phase. This was released in 1951...even I not born yet lol.
Colleague who unfortunately has just resigned, lent me a couple of books The Good Women of China & China Wakes. I'm loaning her Roots (1977 edition) & Peaceful Warrior. I really want my Pearl S Buck books which I think are lurking in some dark corner of a shelf in my mum's store.
Lament for the day : I wonder what' s bothering her...siiiiiigh.
Friday, 1 June 2007
After we dropped my mum off, we went to vivo. Good grief! It was crowded, parking was a bitch & if it were not for some of the stores which I like, I would never bother to go. The place is huge...I got lost for a bit as I couldn't get my bearings. Had left hubby & kids at the bookstore when I wanted to pop into a store. Not many shoppers...alot more browsers.
The signages when we wanted to have dinner were of little help as they don't describe whether it is a makan place or a retail store. Then those which sounded like food places don't tell you what kind of food. It was really annoying having to walk around & around to find something which we wanted to eat. We eventually settled for carl's junior which does have great burgers. Big portions to share. We went to earle swensen's once before & it was just a glorified version of swensen's. The quality of food did not warrant the prices honestly.
Sarah picked up a couple of items from zara & I didn't cos there were no small sizes for the jackets I liked. Picked up a couple of nice tops from S & M as well as knickers for both sarah & myself. Plus their yummy sinful cookies.
Our pet peeve now is the newspaper delivery man. The two dogs go nuts every morning he delivers the newspapers & hubby found out why. The asshole would start slapping the pile of newspapers on his thigh making noise as he comes by our way at 6plus in the morning. You dun need to slap the newspapers on your thigh. Its obviously deliberate to irk the dogs & get them barking & to amuse himself. One morning after hubby found out, he stood at the window & watched. Guy didn't do the slapping routine when he saw hubby.
Its really annoying to have the dogs bark in the early hours. They never used to with the previous delivery person. It has been months with this one. I will either complain to the company's boss or just switch delivery companies. But before that, hubby intends to take bandit out on a leash & stand outside to wait for the guy. Won't sic bandit on him lah but will probably tell the fucker off.
Yes yes by all means do the job. Its an honest job. But don't be a bastard & irritate the dogs. If he continues after hubby tells him off, we may switch delivery companies or he may have to change profession.
Lament for the day : why do people have to amuse themselves in such an inconsiderate manner.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Finally wrote a letter to my friend Lynn in the UK. Have known her since I was 12 & she 15. We started off as penfriends & have kept it up all these years ! Some 30+ years of friendship. She has been to Singapore 3 times & I went to her wedding in Manchester. She knows our entire family & I know her's. It has been an awesome friendship. But she hasn't quite graduated from letter writing to the computer. She occasionally emails when she gets a chance to go on a comp. But I have been rather remiss in writing. We used to do weekly letters. I have been on email with her but not as frequently.
I wrote her an 8 page letter last night & my fingers were cramped ! I didn't type okaaay...handwritten ! And so she will be pleasantly surprised cos she nags (only a little lah) that she doesn't hear enough from me. And I am guilty so she has a right. Am also sending her a CD of photos. Got a few old ones from her trips here in 1983 & 1986 lol. She will be suprised. Her last visit was sometime in 1997/98. Then I went to UK in 2000 for her wedding in August. Matron of honour some more ! I loved the visit !
Cora is going to retire soon & will go home to the Philippines. She has been with us about 8 years. And we will have to look for a new maid as she will go home October next year as that is when her passport expires. I am so not looking forward to a new maid.
Had an Indonesian maid a few years back when Cora went home for an operation & we didn't know if she wanted to come back. That Indonesian was a slut...got Bangladeshi guys calling her within a week. They would pretend to ask for a different person if one of us picked up the phone when we happened to be home. One day I pretended to be her & had a rude shock ! The guys had been passing the number around. And, her name is Lena, not even pretty ! Tomboy looks. She threatened the kids who were young then that cannot tell mummy & daddy about the uncles she would meet downstairs or she would whack them. She stole, lied, her sister got into a bus accident, died & lived within a month she was with us. Fed the kids bread, biscuits, packet noodles for lunch. Sarah said she didn't clean house only on weekends we were home.
Then we rang Cora who said she sent us a letter which we never received. She wanted to come back to work with us thank goodness. So I sent Lena back to the agent & told the agent everything. Just one month & so much crap. From the grapevine, Cora had also heard all about the stuff Lena got into !! Bladdy bitch ! Good thing we didn't keep her longer or she would start inviting men home & I have kids, plus a girl to boot. I hope Lena never gets to work here. If I ever see her with a new employer, I would have no qualms telling the new employer. Better they know than rudely find out ! Yes break her rice bowl but why not when she she lied, stole, threatened my kids, didn't care for them, had boyfriends. Very glowing testimonial meh ?? Yes yes still heated up when I think back about her. Bitch !
Cora is already in her 50s & so she should rightly retire. We will ask her if she has anyone she would recommend. If not, we will need to take on a new maid. Haven't decided what nationality. If they up the salaries of Filipina maids, we will not be able to afford them. May have to stick to Indon or Sri Lankan.
My mother in law has a fantastic Sri Lankan. We were contemplating having MIL stay with us & we also take over her Sri Lankan maid who is very used to us & loves the kids. The kids too like her much. But MIL may not want to cos she may be happy moving around every two months. But she is getting old & the moving is not too good for her. I know my sisters in law would be happy if she stayed with us permanently lol...hubby said that too.
We could do without a maid & get someone part time to clean house but I dun like the idea of leaving kids at home alone while we are at work. Ah well...we shall see.
Tomorrow very busy day...8.30am, 10am, 11am, 12.30pm, 3pm & 5pm meetings...sigh. Lucky migraine today !!! Its the monthly hormonal thing lah so I should be better tomorrow. Every few months, I get the supersized migraine, fortunately not monthly.
Saturday, 26 May 2007
The book...is DONE !! It was an awesome read. Sometimes I had to re-read conversations becos of the manner in which it was written; the same way it was spoken in those days.
Hubby out meeting fishing kakis & then off to fishing pond with dyran. I was contemplating going shopping but the thought of the crowd during GSS seems intimidating.
Godson went for a minor op to remove his extra thumb. The op was sooner than expected cos the surgeon had an available slot. He is doing fine. His mummy sent me a pic in his walker, topless like tarzan sucking other hand while operated hand was bandaged. It is good that he gets the op at this age as he will recover faster & I suppose there will be less pain.
Yesterday took half day leave, went to ryan's school to pick up report book & meet with teachers. He did good in his math, eng & science, scoring above average & doing A's for these. He did not get a U grade for Chinese !!!! Which is a good improvement. So form teacher didn't say much about other subjects, just about chinese & how to target for better when PSLE comes. Bought form teacher & chinese teacher Canelle cakes which I hope they enjoyed. Canelle does awesome cakes. Can't give teachers gifts as they have to declare but perishables are ok so I decided on the cakes & also knowing that they would be busy, may not have time to eat lunch.
Having dinner with godson & his parents tonite. Looking forward to seeing him.
Ahhhhh poor sarah down in the dumps from her blog but she is ok now. Just left for church. Yesterday GPP bought her a bought her a pair of orange pants from M & S lol...what a bright colour but pretty though.
We haven't been stressing her as parents, at least I don't think we have, becos she is sensible & responsible. We trust that she will not get into any messy situations. But we do nag her on keeping up with her studies, spending less time on the comp so that she can sleep early & rest, keeping her room neat... But I dun think its excessive nagging. Most times we allow her out so long as she tells us where & she gets back by curfew. We like that she spends time with church friends, some of whom are alot older & would look out for her. Its sad though that she doesn't get along much with her classmates. Even sadder that normal classes are seen as less capable.
Recently, a mother wrote in ST forum about the elitism attitude of some students in a convent school. She didn't say which & well, it is quite apparent where sarah is at. Though she qualified for express, she decided with our support, to head for normal. Unfortunately the school pays more attention to the express girls. Doesn't this breed elitism ? The normal classes are just left to be & the subjects combination doesn't leave them much room to excel in what they may want to choose to do. For example, sarah would have loved to to Lit but it is not offered for normal classes. Instead forced to do Principle of Accounts. WTF ? I wrote 3 times to the principal...twice on email & one hand-delivered letter to appeal to allow sarah to do Lit. Guess what I got ? ZERO reponse ! This is NOT the convent school that I remember & now I know why must of my ex-classmates chose other schools for their girls. I am totally disillussioned.
Some normal class students may have a bo-chap attitude but there are those who do wish to do well. Ignoring all of them then reduces their chances of doing well. Shouldn't normal classes be given even more attention to be nurtured & encouraged ? But I am delusional. The educational landscape claims equality & nurturing based on capability. I really don't think so. It seeks only to cultivate & develop the cream of the crop. Nevermind those who are in normal or even technical, let them grope & wing it on their own. Screw up then too bad lor. Who ask them to be in normal or technical. Well helloooo...DUH how the hell did the different castes system of education system come about ? Immaculate misconception.
Lament for the day : I think I shall write the principal again...