Hong Kong Trip 2015 Updated! Finally

I have finally updated and uploaded all the blog posts on our Hong Kong Trip 2015. It took really a while. So sorry. Really appreciate all your patience. 

For the ease and convenience of your reading, here are the links for each day of our Hong Kong Trip 2015. Enjoy! 

Hong Kong Trip 2015 4-9 December 2015

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 1 4 Dec 2015 Fri

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 2 Part 1 5 Dec 2015 Sat

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 2 Part 2 5 Dec 2015 Sat

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 3 6 Dec 2015 Sun

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 4 Part 1 7 Dec 2015 Mon

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 4 Part 2 7 Dec 2015 Mon

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 5 Part 1 8 Dec 2015 Tues

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 5 Part 2 8 Dec 2015 Tues

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Day 6 9 Dec 2015 Wed

Hong Kong Trip 2015 Home Sweet Home 10 Dec 2015 Thurs

SCGS Parents' Briefing 2016

I was at SCGS's P5 & P6 Parents' Briefing 2016 this morning. It started at 8am and was followed by Form and Co-Form Teachers's Address, Science and Chinese Language Workshops. It ended just after 12:30pm. 
Juliane followed me to school and managed to finish her homework when I was attending the Parents' briefing. I made her sit in at the workshops at the suggestion of my former SCGS colleague who is now HOD haha. It makes good sense, Juliane will be the one going through PSLE so it will help her to understand what's required of her. It was also good practice for her to take notes during the workshops. :) 
For today, I am really happy to be a parent and put down my hat of an educator.    

Work

I see changes coming at work... 

Pretty Rainbow

As pretty as a RAINBOW  

Red Packets

Another 1.5 weeks and it will be Chinese New Year 2016. 
To date, I haven't seen a lot of red packets around, except for Starbucks (because I bought something for someone for her March birthday) and DBS. I have also yet to see the red packets from my work place, always thought they would have been given out to staff by now... 

Pain

My migraine is really bad tonight. Couldn't bear loud noises, couldn't bear food, ... :( 

The X-Files 2016

I was in Australia when The X-Files was first aired in 1993 and I have been a fan girl ever since. :) 
I am so happy that Fox decided to revive the series. The first episode of The X-Files 2016 was aired tonight! Hope it will gain traction with the younger generation. 

If you are new to The X-Files, here is a good beginner's guide to The X-Files by Matthew Dunn with regards to the events that happened in series: The X-Files 2016: The Beginner's Guide

My Favourite Fantasy

What are you thinking?! Haha. :P
My favourite fantasy novels are The Elenium trilogy and the sequel, The Tamuli trilogy by David Eddings. Plenty of action, excitement and humour. 
I rediscovered the happiness of reading these two fantasy series after finding them stashed deep within my cupboard when I was doing the "spring cleaning" during Christmas last year. 

Spring Cleaning

Chinese New Year is just two weeks away! Need to do spring cleaning. 
Wait, hang on, I have already done my spring cleaning during Christmas! Haha. :D 

Stand By You by Rachel Platten

A nice song by Rachel Platten, Stand by You. To me, I think it is about what true friends are and will do for each other without having to ask. :)

Stand by You (Uploaded by RachelPlattenVEVO)

Health Tracker

I got my mother a Fitbit Charge HR since her Xiao Mi that she was using died on her. 
Now I really know how FIT my mother is!!! On average, she walks between 12,000 to 14,000 steps and she climbs an average of 20 stairs per day!! 
I really have to get fit. :( 

My Address

This is what my address reveals about me.

Your Address Says You're Brainy

Right now, you have so many interests and hobbies that you hardly have time for anything else. You live a rich life, and you find the world to be very fascinating. At your best, you're discovering new literature, art, music, and food that you love. At your worst, you are a bit picky. Sometimes you find it hard to be open to new things.

What Does Your Address Say About You?

Hmm, doesn't that mean everyone who stays at my address is also brainy?! Haha

New Addiction

I think I am addicted to Animal Crossing: New Leaf. :P

Meetings

Today is just meeting after meeting after meeting. At the end of the day, I cannot remember what happened for each meeting. Getting old. :(

First Female President in Taiwan

Ms  蔡英文 of Democratic Progressive Party is Taiwan's first female president!! Yes, I love green haha. :) This is also the first time seeing DDP taking control of Taiwan's legislature! The people of Taiwan have spoken! :P 
By the way, Taiwanese election was so much more exciting. It was really heartening to see how the people spoke with their votes. KMT has lots of reflection to do.

Mother-Daughter Time

Had some mother-daughter bonding time today. It's the first in years since we went shopping together. We are extremely practical people and our shopping is always done within an hour. But today it was kind of relaxingly nice to shop semi-aimlessly for 3 hours at Isetan before going home to watch the Presidential election in Taiwan on TV. 
I am referring to my mother and I. I really should spend more quality time with my mother since she is away from Singapore for as long as 4-6 months in a year. 

Request

A top assessment journal asked me to be the reviewer for one of their manuscripts. I feel very honoured. :) 

Citation

I just found out that my sole-authored article has been cited by someone! Happiness. :) 

Home-made XO Sauce

My mother spent the whole morning cooking her home-made XO sauce which she will give away as Chinese New Year gifts. It is a highly sought after food item by family and friends lol. She had to prep the dried goods - chilli, shrimps, scallops, anchovies (ikan billis) at least a day before she started cooking them. 

Bring On The Night by The Corrs

I watched The Corrs concert in Singapore when I was heavily pregnant with Marieann back in late October 2001 and it was pure magic for me. I am so happy that The Corrs have decided to make a comeback. They are a talented bunch of siblings and have great voices.

Bring On The Night (uploaded by The Corrs (official))

Week 2

It's the start of Week 2. Schools will be trying out the time-tables and making sure nothing clashes. 

Reggae Cover of Hello by Adele

This is an amazing alternative cover of Hello by Adele in Reggae style. A really talented young singer, Rosie Delmah.

Reggae cover of Hello by Adele (uploaded by ConkarahMusic)

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

I am playing a new game - Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It is really addictive. :) 
My girls don't understand the appeal of ACNL and kept asking me what's the purpose of the game. In return, I asked them what's the purpose of Minecraft! Haha. :D

Week 1 Down

Week 1 is over. Everything went well. Phew. :)
Another 39 weeks to go. 

Pet Time?

My daughters have been pestering me to adopt a cat or a kitten as a pet for the longest time. I know and experienced first hand the benefits of having a pet, having had two dogs and a cat as pets before. However, we are faced with the following challenges, starting with the simplest to the most difficult:
1. we are living on a high floor but not a problem, can get invisible grille for the windows.
2. the flat is full of breakable stuff, including my mother's antiques but can re-organise them into display cupboards or can adopt a senior cat which is less likely to jump up and down(?)
3. the girls have never looked after anything before, not sure if they will step up to the challenge or just throw the responsibility back to me or worse, to my mother (their maternal grandmother) after a while.
4. their father hates animals and has often told the girls that animals are dirty and dangerous. That is the most difficult challenge for me, an animal hater (and a potential abuser?) if we ever decide to have a pet. 

Mid-Week

It's mid-week, still surviving. I wonder for who, the girls or me?

The Zen Rock Test

You Are Intuitive

You are in touch with your "six sense." You don't try to understand the world around you... it just comes naturally. You are highly sensitive to the point of needing to protect yourself from pain and suffering. The world can overwhelm you at times. You let yourself escape whenever you need to. You are selfless and extremely giving. You only want to help those around you.

The Zen Rock Test

This quiz is quite intuitive lol. 

"Twins" on 1st Day of School 2016

Today is the first day of school on Monday 4 January 2016. 
I sent both my girls off at the door as they left for school, Juliane in Primary 6 and Marieann in Secondary 2. I took their photos and posted on Facebook. Many friends and colleagues commented that they look so much alike, like twins! Haha.

What do you think? 
When I told the girls about them looking like twins, they both went, "Eww, I don't want to look like Jie Jie/ Mei Mei" in unison. Lol :D

I wish them both a wonderful start to the new school year in 2016!

Tteokbokki

For Marieann's birthday lunch, she requested for Korean food. Her current favourite Korean food is tteokbokki! Spicy rice cake! I am surprised that she could take all that spiciness. :O

Happy 14th Birthday, Marieann!

14 years ago, you were born. You remain a precious gift to me. I see part of me in you and I also see you growing into your own person.

Happy 14th Birthday, Marieann!

Be yourself and reach for your dreams! 

PS. Finally, her birthday is not the first day of school again. :)

Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year to everyone I know and care about - my family, my friends, my students, my colleagues (both overseas and in Singapore). Make 2016 a good one!