Unprepared

Attending a conference next Thursday and I feel so unprepared. Presentation is still work-in-progress. I have too many slides and trying to cut. 

Preparation

This is going to be one of the high stakes presentation for me. My team and I have been preparing the presentation for a month now. It is now the final cut. 

Preparation

Either I am getting better at this or I am just getting better at this lol. Preparing for tomorrow's workshop doesn't seem to take up too much time now. Only took me half a day to prepare.

Prep at Dental

While waiting to see my dentist, I worked on my slides for a 10 hours course. I can recycle some materials from my previous workshops (3 hours) but I need to expand it substantially.

Getting Ready..

My girls and I got our hair cut. 
We are ready for the new year. :)

Presentation Prep

Preparing for an important presentation on Monday. It is high stakes for me.

Prep for New School Term

In a few more days, the new school term will begin. My mother brought the girls for a hair cut so that they will look neat, tidy and ready for school. The girls seem to be ready for their return to school.

CNY Prep Checklist

Another four more days and it will be Chinese New Year! 

Girls' CNY clothes - checked
My CNY clothes - checked
CNY gifts for my elders - checked
Prepare red packets - checked
Sparkling juice for reunion dinner - checked
Yu sheng ingredients (minus raw fish) - checked

CNY goodies for visitors - unchecked

Almost Exams

The girls' oral examinations will be held this coming week. School has already began oral preparation with the girls. However, I still need to do my part as a parent. I tried my best to revise with the girls on their oral. I don't think English oral would be a problem but Chinese oral may be a problem, especially for Marieann. :(

Preparation for Staff Retreat

In the midst of trying to prepare the handout for my staff retreat this coming Monday. Trying to cut down the number of pages for my discussion group on assessment... 19 pages so far... Only 20 minutes for discussion... So must cut down the number of pages further!

Exam Leave

I took leave this week to supervise my girls while they revise for their examinations. I know it is sad that I am doing this and that their exams are stressing me in a big way, especially when I am in the education profession and assessment is my research interest. :( :( But as a parent, when faced with my girls, the researcher's hat disappeared most quickly into thin air even before I could say the word "exam"! I guess only parents will understand how I feel...

Breather

Decided to give the girls a break from their exam revision and to give myself a break from being a Tiger mom. We watched Ah Boys to Men II! It was hilarious. : D

Ah Boys to Men II Official Trailer (uploaded by AhBOYStoMEN)

Ah Boys to Men II Theme Song Official MV: Recruit's Anthem (uploaded by AhBOYStoMEN)

PS. Yaw Ming, both DVDs will be coming to you in July. Your nieces are asking if you went through similar things in the army.

Flying Soon

In less than two weeks, I will be flying off to Sydney for my conference and thereafter, a visit to my best friend and her family. I realised there is still a fair bit I need to do before I leave - top up my Australian bank account, get travel insurance, get my travel medication, get travel stuff like wet wipes, etc., re-confirm accommodation booking, book airport transfer, get pressies for my best friend and her family, ... 
Ok that's quite a FAIR BIT to do. :P

Last-minute Preparation

For the past 3 years, I faced the same thing. Sigh. The girls decided long ago what they were going to give their teachers which was great. But the making/ preparing the cards were always last minute! The conversation always goes like this:

3 days before

Me: (To the girls) Have you prepared the teachers' day cards?

Girls: There's still time. 

Me: Are you sure?

1 day before

Me: (To the girls) Where are the teachers' day cards? It's tomorrow.
Girls: What?! Oh yar. Ah, no more time. PLEASE help.
Me: I already told you girls. NOT my problem.

But I always ended up helping them. Next year, you girls are REALLY on your own.

Labour Day

It is 1 May, Labour Day. A day of rest for everyone, except for students preparing for their exams. 
Both Marieann and I were glad for the extra day to prepare for her exams. She has Math exam on Thursday 3 May and Science exam on Friday 4 May. 

Presentation Prep

Started working on the slides for my PhD oral defense. I have a maximum of 40 minutes for my presentation. Ideally it should be about 30-40 slides for a 40-minute presentation. However, at the rate I am going, I may exceed 40 slides! Let's see how it goes when I am done.

Prep for CNY II

My mother and I went to Ikea to get new cushions for the living room. The current cushions have served us for a number of years and they kinda look sad lol.
Not sure it is the usual crowd or everyone has the same idea as us, going to Ikea to get new furnishings for the home in preparation for Chinese New Year. There was such a long queue just getting into the car park, just as well we were not parking. The girls' father dropped us off at the entrance. It was really crowded in the store! The queues were long at the check-out cashiers as well as the queues for cabs.
I think the crowd would be much worse next weekend, the Chinese New Year Eve weekend. Not fancy going to Ikea then.

Gearing Up

We are in the midst of gearing up, in preparation for going out to schools soon for our pilot study.

AERA 2010: Day 3

I was trying to take it easy today. I have my paper presentation tomorrow. This being my first AERA presentation, I was quite nervous. :( I stayed indoors most of the day, trying to prepare for my presentation.

My colleague, Luis and I had an early dinner at Dixons Downtown Grill due to my morning presentation tomorrow. We both ordered the Sage Chicken Breast (US$13.99): Sautéed chicken breast with tomatoes and wild mushrooms, finished in a burgundy tomato glaze and topped with a mixture of sage and goat cheese. Served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The chicken was tender and juicy. The goat cheese wasn't too rich and went nicely with the tomato glaze and chicken. :) For once, I was able to finish everything on my plate without having to doggy bag it. :P



After coming back from dinner, I accidentally poked my left eye with my jacket sleeve. It was so painful that I thought I might have poked my eye out! :( The pain, though not as sharp as the initial one, persisted through the rest of the night. I hope it gets better tomorrow.

Denver Checklist

1. Apply ESTA
2. Apply travel insurance
3. Buy US currency
4. Buy warmers (heat packs)
5. Plan daily conference schedule
6. Plan sight-seeing trips
7. Shopping lists from family and friends
8. Upload conference papers

All done except for 2 and 7. Soon. :)