Counting Down

Can't believe the Redesigning Pedagogy Conference 2015 will happen in two days' time. I am part of the organising committee. All the preparation which started more than a year ago for the conference will come to fruition on 2 June 2015. Must rest well this weekend. The next few days will be very hectic for us, the organisers.

Waiting for Love by Avicii

I am captivated by the animation used for the song, Waiting for Love by Avicii. A touching animation. 

Waiting for Love by Avicii(uploaded by AviciiOfficialVEVO)

60th Anniversary!

I was invited to my counselling school's 60th Anniversary dinner cum fundraising held at TeamNS@Bukit Batok. When I was queuing to register, I was led away to register at another table labelled "Guest-of-Honour, VIPs, Ps, VPs". I was really surprised! Lol. I am "important" tonight. :P

The dinner started after the speeches by the Principal and Guest-of-Honour. Dinner was delicious and plenty to go round as there were only 6 of us at the table and all ladies. :) There was a table game: "Guess the place" where there were nine photos of old landmarks in Singapore and each table had to fill in their names. I gave my age away when I excitedly called out one of the old landmarks - Van Kleef Aquarium to blank looks around the table of 6. :O Sigh. There were performances throughout the dinner - a play, Chinese cross-talk, choir, tap dance, etc. by the students as well as lucky draws. There was a silent auction that went on at the back of the banquet room for us to bid on pottery/ art items (by students) that we like. The school also launched a cookbook to raise funds which has recipes contributed by the staff, students, alumni and parents. Half-way through dinner, there was The Vintage Lace Collection Auction on the stage. 6 beautiful handmade vintage lace handbags were auctioned to raise funds for the school to build another building. 5 bags were successfully auctioned off except for one. Feeling that I should do my part for the school, I offered to buy the last handbag. I am now the proud owner of a red vintage lace handbag! :)

The dinner ended around 10pm. I left most happily with a cookbook, a vintage lace handbag and knowing that I have done my part to support the school which has looked upon me as part of the IJ family. :)

Seaweed Snack

Recently, my family is into eating seaweed snack. So far, they found this particular brand really nice, not too salty and not too oily. When I go to Seoul this June, I will buy some back lol. :)

PTM

I went to Juliane's school for the parent-teacher meetings. I scheduled my meetings with the teachers during the late afternoon slots. I managed to see Juliane's form teacher and received some good feedback. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see her Chinese langauge teacher as there were still a few parents in front of me despite my scheduled time has already past. It's okay. I will email the teacher for a phone appointment and perhaps just chat over the phone if the teacher has feedback about Juliane. No fuss. :)

Financial Planning

Last Saturday, I met for the first time with a DBS relationship manager. I felt so grown up haha. 
I have never been interested in financial planning. I save my money in my bank account and I am more than contented. I don't care too much about growing my wealth. I just want to keep things as simple as possible and I am possibly the most risk adverse person there is when it comes to financial planning. :P

What Famous Landmark should I Visit?

Since young, I have been fascinated by the ancient worlds and civilisations such as that of Greece, Rome, Egypt, Peru, Mexico, etc. To see the pyramids is actually Number 1 on my travel bucket list! One day I shall go. :)

You Are the Pyramids

You are drawn toward the ancient world and all the mysteries it holds. You find very old cultures and beliefs fascinating. You crave an otherworldly experience. And while ancient Egypt is not another world, it's as close as you're going to get without leaving this planet. You're not the type of person who likes having all the answers handed to you. In fact, you're pretty sure that no one even has all the answers anyway. You think that life's primary joy comes from discovery. You love a good puzzle, and it's fun to put things together on your own.

What Famous Landmark Should You Visit?

Nature in the Rain

Nature looks different in the rain. Nature seems more alive, colours seem enhanced and brighter, and everything seems more beautiful and romantic. :)

Life's Simple Pleasures IV

I was initially going for a walk at the former railway tracks with my neighbour. However as it rained really heavily the night before which made the tracks muddy, the plan was abandoned. I decided to just go to Botanic Gardens instead. Just after 9am, it started raining again after I had my breakfast at the gardens. But what a pleasure it was, walking at the Botanic Gardens in the rain. It was refreshingly cool and uplifting of the spirit. :)

Life's Simple Pleasures III

Drinking a cup of hot Milo to "defrost" after being stuck in a freezing cold room conducting literacy testing - a simple pleasure of life! :)

Glimpse of a Former Life

I have been in school this week conducting literacy tests. It was grueling because I had to test one child after one child, each taking no less than an hour. However, I realised that I was actually enjoying the testing. :P It brings back fond memories of my past "life" as an educational psychologist. :)

Life's Simple Pleasures II

There is a sunbird's nest at my counselling school. Today, I was surprised to discover there's a sunbird in it. I spent several moments watching it in its nest and enjoying this simple pleasure of life. 

I also pointed this simple pleasure out to each of my counsellees and it is also a delight to see each of their faces lighting up upon seeing the little sunbird in its nest. :)

Meeting@AST

I had my first meeting at Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST) yesterday. It is a cosy place. :)  

From a poster at AST

At the meeting, I also met my former student from SCGS. Actually she recognised me. :P

Life's Simple Pleasures

Simple pleasures of life - listening to Bananarama on the radio in the taxi while going to school for data collection. :) Yes, my age is showing lol. :P

What Are Words ft Peter & Evynne Hollens by ThePianoGuys

Beautiful song and scenery.

What are Words ft Peter & Evynne Hollens by ThePianoGuys

Afternoon Tea cum Cat Therapy

Always happy to be invited by my neighbour, Vanessa for afternoon tea. Not just because her afternoon tea is delicious, it is also cat therapy time for me. :) We had Queen's cake, cheese scones and almond biscuits and of course, tea. :) 
Part of the afternoon tea ritual for me is spending some time with the cats and taking photos of them. :) 

Sweet Donut

I seldom eat donuts as I find them way too sweet for my liking. But I decided to try this Blogthings quiz on my donut personality. Sweet is what I got lol.

Your Donut Personality is Sweet

You are a very kind and caring person. You're not one to deprive anyone of a treat, especially yourself. You try to live a guilt free life with plenty of room for fun. You refuse to punish yourself for having a good time. You are optimistic about others, and you are easy on people you know. You are big on fresh starts. You love to share, and you make sure that no one is left out. You tend to notice the people that others forget about.

What's Your Donut Personality?

Belated Mother's Day Celebration

My mother came back from Taiwan during the early hours of this morning. 
I bought a cake for her and the two mothers in my family had a belated Mother's Day celebration. :) 

Lucky to find a cake with Carnation decoration lol

Examinations!

Juliane has completed her examinations last week. Marieann is having hers this week. I used to make them sit down and do their revision in my presence. This year I decided to see if they can do it on their own without so much monitoring on my part. However, it is also the transition year for both the girls - from P4 to P5 and from P6 to Sec 1 which usually sees a dip in the results because of the increase in content and in subjects. We shall see...  

Best "Work In Progress" Signs by Ikea

Ikea has always been my favourite furniture shop. I just found another reason to love Ikea even more! Ikea has the best "Work In Progress" signs ever! See for yourself. :) 
(I didn't manage to get everyone as my phone battery was running low). 

This one got me running to look inside haha. 

Looked into this one too :)

Looked in and scared the workers working in there but they were not muscular :(

Hoping to see Thor, Captain America, Wolverine, ... :) :)

Guys are not left out too lol

Always wanted to see mermaids! 

I grew up listening to ABBA! :P

A Message to Coke

I just couldn't resist when I saw the opportunity that I have been presented with. I just had to get my message across!

To Coke:

Hahaha :D

Happy Mother's Day 2015

Here's wishing everyone who is a mother, in all ways and manners, 

A Happy Mother's Day 2015!

(Source: http://revitfactory.com/happy-mothers-day-religious-greetings/)

To my mother who is now in Taiwan visiting her family:

I am thankful for your unconditional love. 

Without you, there would be no me!

Though I may not say it aloud or often enough, 

I truly appreciate and value all that you have done for me while I was growing up

and continues to do so while I am growing older now, including looking after my daughters.

Thank you very much. I love you. 

Hope you have a wonderful day full of smiles, happiness and love. 

To my sister-in-law in UK:

Happy Mother's Day. 

Hope the boys give you the best surprise ever today!

Here are my girls and I on Mother's Day 2015. 

Thank you, Marieann and Juliane for your Mother's Day wishes. I love you both very much.

The girls monkeying around with my phone

Card and Carnation from my girls