Our evening after airport hassle was spent roaming around Queen's Park. Our plan to have a brisk walk was stopped by an event that ended today -- International Dance Festival. This as I recall happens every year where live dance showcase and other entertainment are performed free on stage for the audience or passer-by to enjoy. Inside Emporium is another story. Jazz, soul entertainment serenade the whole shopping atmosphere and there you go! Shoppers tend to take their time browsing into each item and end up BUYING! Pictures, pictures ladies and gentlemen...
*One of the booths' display
*The 2008 banner
*Sport Xpress display
*Promoter lady asking passer-by to think GREEN *LOL*
*Thai boy band PRINCE singing their well-known ballad - Prince's Hour OST (Thai version)
There were more dances but too lazy to go up front and take pictures. Overall it was good and we enjoyed the breeze since Bangkok is becoming a big oven second after Earth. Stuff happening like this only fills my creative side with much envy and so I have said this many times! Half way through the dances, my tummy started churning. So we headed to Emporium and enjoyed some Indian as well as Mexican dishes. Again BIG eyes SMALL tummies. Ended up tapaoing home. Oh...no paneer this time, rasa mahu muntah makan paneer setiap kali...
It's late now yet both Hobbit and I are still abusing our brains in order to complete our due assignments. Yet again it seemed that I have lots of time updating my blog when I actually am doing it with guilt spying behind my back. Aihhh...sakit pinggang, sakit kepala, sakit mata, etc!!!
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. But if you give it salt, It would be thirsty enough to want to drink!" -- JW Taylor V
Over the week we had 3 days (March 26-28,2008) of TIS/EARCOS mainly for career development and personal growth and the food of thoughts were pretty interesting compared to last school year. Btw, Earcos this year is held in KL. For TIS, I need not introduce the speaker here since he is not a stranger to the educational world. J W Taylor V has outstanding accomplishment both in the areas of education and IT. His wisdom on Integration of Faith and Learning and Motivation has deliberately inspired educators around the globe. I specifically like his enthusiasm and friendly approach in communicating Christ through his passion. Note: No more Hydroxycut for Miss X! So tired!
Happy birthday, you’re not getting old, Stay in the game, it’s not time to fold. Wrinkles and grey hair, are just a new look, Countless experiences, you should write in a book.
A birthday is seldom, a serious occasion, Try not to take it, like the d-day invasion. Laughter and jokes are within sight, Stock up on both, all through the night.
Well, Hope you had a blast and sorry for this (belated) birthday wish. Hey, maybe someday I should show you this shot we took in the dorm long time ago...;)
These cute 3 little pigs are in the Hobbits' clan. They are our kids. It's a long story altogether. Only those who are really close to us know what I mean by 'kids'. Well, this drawing is made in MSPaint and it dated a few years back. Hobbit and I were too bored. So we held a contest as to who can portray the kids better on MSPaint. I won and this was the result! Can't seem to find Hobbit's! Well, current update on the kids? They no longer need baby cribs and servants, they have grown to be independent and always entertaining as ever!
Er you still have this picture ka? Okay okay okay...please don't scream first...You're not the only one in the picture okay, another Ah Lian innocent face is there too, so tie! Remember this picture? Ya...ya...12 years ago in front of the school's chapel. Eeei...I miss our scrawny waist lines and all the conversations that went with it. Oh...wanted to put up our short hair tom-boy picture but no need lah! LOL! Otherwise nothing to post next time...haha!
Well, wish you many more birthdays to come and God bless you heaps. And yes, I am looking forward for you to ring the church bell soon!
Be it that your answer is YES or NO to either one, I think everyone should read this article by CNN. I was taken aback knowing that simple things we do can actually lead to stroke and most of us don't even know or understand what is going on with our body what more diagnose symptoms of stroke. To be in a safer side, lets all learn to be a little more conscious about what we do to or take for our body and our overall health.
Here are some things I found that you can do:
Get your blood pressure checked. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a significiant risk factor. You can reduce your risk of stokes due to hypertension with proper treatment.
Dont’ smoke and eliminate your exposure to secondhand smoke.
If you have diabetes, it is imperative that you maintain tight control of your blood pressure, as well as your cholesterol.
If you already have hypertension reduce you intake of sodium (salt) to no more than 2.3 grams per day and increase your potassium intake to (4.7 gms per day) - eat a diet high in fruit, vegatbles, low-fat dairy products and low in saturated and total fat.
Lower your total cholesterol to acceptable levels.
Be physically active (moderate-intensity) for at least 30 minutes a day. That’s one brisk walk for 30 minutes. -- taken from healthyagingforwomen.com
The dos command line says: "Health is worth more than learning" -- Thomas Jefferson (letter to his cousin John Garland, 1790)
Today is also one of my cousin's birthday and her name is Easter! So she is doubly blessed with lots of colorful eggs LOL! Happy Birthday Easter!
Dear friends, God is god. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. Don't be like the people of this world but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him. --Romans 12: 1-2
The book of Romans is my favorite book in the Bible. Each chapter speaks through my heart and when ever I need a change of heart I would open this book and read it all over again. There are countless times when I wanted myself so much to fit in among the crowds and often times when I do get to and everything seemed overwhelming, I noticed that life is often misled that in no time it is comfortable to forget or put off our Creator. So last night Paul again reminded me to surrender and let God. It is tough to stand up without the Pillar of hope in this life. We need to every second surrender to Him and let Him be in charge.
Note: Had been pumping up on performance management this week and it has been overwhelming!
Ah...I really want to comment on the movie but I might be a spoiler!
Heard of the Children's best selling The Spiderwick Chronicles? Finally the first book is made into a movie and it is showing on cinema! I was so excited that right after picking up Hobbit (from his camping trip), I shoved him to the cinema. It is rare that I suggest on going to movies but this time I just want to. It's Spiderwick! I have heard of this chronicles when the book became a best-seller but couldn't get hold of the set. Since the book is good, I knew it won't bore Hobbit and I and also really wanted Hobbit to relax from his tiring trip.
True enough he enjoyed it and now wants to get hold of the books. I am already looking forward to the next book's movie! So, go watch people because I guarantee you wouldn't be disappointed unless your child in you has left you! LOL! I thought those rows of little Koreans occupying several seats on our row would make so much noise (because they were noisy when they walked in) but not to my surprise that they kept their senses focused throughout the movie. Bring your kids along parents! *_*
After I completed my grading yesterday, a friend and I decided to go and check out some on sale shoes. Apparently Hobbit lend me the wheels so it was quite easy for us to travel.
It was late noon and we were hungry, so we decided to go Indian. Mind you, our eyes were bigger than our tummies and what was expected to be five hundred plus baht turns out to be close to a thousand! Remember, we are not too small eaters but the food looked so delicious (it was indeed) that we couldn't resist.
*plain paratha, biryani rice, beef masala, tandoori shrimp and paneer
I didn't order the shrimp but tasted it and it was good. My current craze is paneer and has learned from dad's friend how to make it. It's super delicious especially when garnished with lemon/lime.
*Enjoying her food *_'
After lunch we quickly employed ourselves to every shoe section we could reach. Well, I had two specific shoes/sandals in mind but everytime I got hold of them they aren't on sale. Bummer! Then when I do get to the actual store and on sale, they don't have them. Argggh!! For my other shoe hunt partner, she either too expensive or no stock! LOL! After hunting through all the shoe corners, both of us finally decided to settle down with plain comfy and adorable Tracy & Belle. Of course we didn't buy similar shoes but we both like each other's choice. I thought of going back to Zen to get another one that I was eyeing for earlier on and she wanted to go back to Nine West but due to our sore feet, we decided to chill at Coffee Bean. Again I had Brownie cheese cake and yes, our eyes were again BIG. Both of us gave up half way through the cakes. Both of us felt nauseated then but come to think of those pieces that went to waste...so sayang...
Rested, we both went our separate ways since I have Hobbit to attend to. Before I knew it he was already in CW. He decided to go around while I tagged along and occupied my mind with my 'want list'. While browsing, Hobbit found himself a shoe and gave me that I AM VERY INTERESTED look! So there we go..another flying moola! Long story put short, I then bought two other pairs of sandals. Last moola flew dashingly like smoke...
Note: Okay, so CW is on 20%-70% summer sale until May. If not, we wouldn't be so covetous. Big sale especially in Zen ranging fromHublot Big Bang watch to jewelry ornaments. *_*
Walking into a pharmacy for charcoal, my eyes caught site of a medium sized bottle with a plant picture labeled as Astragalus. Being fiend of medicinal plants, herbs and natural healing, it made me curious and asked the pharmacy technician what it was for. He then told me that Astragalus can help the body deal with stress and enhances overall immune function and it is highly recommended for preventing and alleviating colds and circulation and heart function. It can treat heart disease and taken as a tonic for the kidneys. So if one suffers from kidney infections or proteinuria which is too much protein in the urine, astragalus is the answer. So just now I remembered about this herb and found out it is actually Huang Qi. The Sin Sang (Chinese doctor) back home use to treat my family with lots tonic herbs back then and I remembered one of it is Huang Qi. It is said to be very effective for treating diarrhea and one with poor health. Now I know that
Huang Qi is actually called astragalus in English! LOL!
My laptop is acting out again. It just landed on the Twinhead customer service's desk early this year and now it gets even worst. I have to hook up to the power supply while using. What is actually wrong with this company? Face it, your Twinhead 12D is not meant for the market! Go sell this in the pasar malam!!! I'm really frustrated with their treatment towards customers --always have excuses or lame explanation to why the laptop is acting out. If it's only mine that has problems then I can understand it really IS me, an avid user, who is causing the damage but friends who have the same lappy experience this problem too. I wouldn't want to pay 3000B for the battery. I can add to my laptop memory for that amount. But memory isn't the problem. I have BIG one. The BIG problem is the lousy battery! Hence people, remember to just walk past if you see TWINHEAD sign anywhere next time.
I thought I could spend Friday catching up with some reading for my studies but heckneck! I still have to enter grades tomorrow! My free time this week were mainly spent on marking/grading students work that I have been suffering neckache and backache for almost a week now due to sitting and stooping too much! I have lots of things to share lately but so little time to blog about it. Holiday come fast!! Look, the time now is already close to midnight and I have just switched on my lappy. Ohh...it's so darn hard to study and work at the same time!
*Note books I have been marking...
*The fast going delicious cookies. Thanks Dee!
*Two of my little students celebrated their birthdays so I ate two big pieces of cheese cake again today *overjoyed sigh*. Everyday cakes...In need of some addiction treatment here..
Because life is sometimes difficult, and because we have understandable fears about the uncertainty of the future, we worry. At times, we may find ourselves fretting over the countless details of everyday life. We may worry about our finances, our relationships, our health, or any number of potential problems, some large and some small. If you are a “worrier” by nature, it’s probably time to rethink the way you think. Perhaps you’ve formed the unfortunate habit of focusing too intently on negative aspects of life while spending too little time counting your blessings. If so, take your worries to God…..and leave them there.
When you do, you’ll learn to worry a little less and to trust God a little more- and that’s as it should be because God is trustworthy, you are protected, and your future can be intensely bright. (Thoughts from A Woman of Prayer Devotional --JanF)
*Enduring Life in a second home is not easy. Thank you Dee for walking me home with a long giggly chat last night! *_*
Lao Shi: "I have given you a second chance which is not fair to other students but you still can't make it..."
Student: "How many points I get?"
Lao Shi: "So you only know how to read the pages that I have asked you to read for the test?"
Student: "Yesssss...."
Lao Shi: "So what is the point of learning Han Yu Pin Yin?"
Student: "...to pass the test!"
***
Last Friday
Student's mom: "How is my son doing in the class now? Is he improving?"
Lao Shi: "Oh...He is still the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever with no single improvement at all! Out of 50, he gets 35."
Student's mom: "35??"
Lao Shi: "Yes. And I gave it out of mercy but I really think he don't deserve it."
Student's mom: "Lao Shi, can you please give him another retest?"
Lao Shi: "A re-what?? retest? I don't normally give students retest and your son don't deserve one either. It would be so unfair to the others."
Student's mom: "Please Lao Shi...I have done my best for him and I know you have done your best too but please give him a second chance..."
Lao Shi: "I know that you are trying hard to help your son and I am trying hard too...but if your son cannot help himself, what can we do?"
Student's mom: "Please...please...please Lao Shi...I cannot afford to see him fail anymore. How about teaching me to read the passages that you assigned them to study for the oral test?"
Lao Shi: "Don't you see I am buying lunch?? Well, actually I don't have time for that and I don't see the point of bla...bla...bla..."
Student's mom: "Please Lao Shi...only the basics...I know I can learn fast..."
Lao Shi: "You think 1 hour is sufficient to learn all the Han Yu Pin Yin there is?? Come on lah...the great wall of China wasn't built in an hour..."
***
Enough said. I ended up giving the basics of HYPY to the student's mom and one teacher refer me as being 'stupid' for doing so! Put me into alcohol rehab please...
Today's retest result: 35/50
Later I found out that this mother is a constant trouble maker towards the son's homeroom teacher, me and also the school as a whole. I am reluctant to explain the son's problem here since it will probably add extra pinches to my headache but hey...the determination of the mom compared to the son as the actual student who is sitting for my oral test...!SSELECIRP
Played The Sims before? Ever noticed the level of satisfaction rise every time you make your characters draw, play the piano, read, etc? With satisfaction being met, the skills level increases thus enabling your characters to get some increment at work.
So the question is to own or not to own a mini oven?
Just like the simulation game mentioned above, I hanker having some sort of culinary pleasure and ameliorable skills rather than money on choice food all the time. After all homemade is always (if not) close to healthy!
I enjoy spending Sabbaths and the rest of the Saturdays like there will only be Sunday for all my tomorrows. Life is too overwhelmed with work that sometimes it forgets the slackened feeling of being on a Precor elliptical.
So in order to have a fulfilling day, I make sure to complement this kind of day with such activities that aggrandized all the spiritual, mental, physical and social.
Friday evening was spent on reminiscing the good old days and experimenting on different types of praise music on the rhyme. Being on a SCL (sabbatical church leave), I had an absolute Singaporean lunch with the guys and later on enjoyed some muffins chat at Starbucks towards the evening.
* The ala Big Ben (Clock Tower) in Central Chid Lom, Bangkok
Big Ben chiming clock,
After ride, muffins and chats,
forgets election!
After a long day and almost spend 1k over a Nine West sandal, it was time to wake up to Malaysia's election result.
When a morsel becomes a meal, expect to outgrow your jeans,skirts and other sexy outfits! Seriously I made myself a drudge in order to enjoy all the swanky comestible there is. However, in all honesty I should cough out my pathetic mea culpa towards my size 24-25cm trousers for terminating their contract with my dainty wardrobe. Now that I am slowly constringing a mini bit, I long for the 'charity garments' to come back and make a pact once again. How silly!!
Espial, I still simply can't stop my addiction towards cheese and cakes!
*A student's birthday cake--S&P cheesecake that challenged my insanity! *_*
Whew! I just had a good long nap! Since the only fillers we had was Indian brunch this noon, we woke up from nap feeling hungry. Driven by intense hunger, it didn't take us long to decide upon what we should cook. So I prepared noodles that we have not had for a long time -- Hokkien Mee! My Hokkien Mee does not consist of pork oil, lard, cracklings and MSG those kind of sickening stuff okay, in fact all the clogging stuff are replaced by the unclogging ones example, instead of using the ready made yellow mee, I use Udon mee and replaced all the oily stuff with olive oil. I didn't expect to finish cooking in less than 25 minutes!
*Mee Goreng Hokkien
Our school celebrated its 50th birthday today. It was a successful event proving that everyone's effort was worth it and well appreciated. Met some old friends, lecturers and acquaintances that I have not seen for quite sometime and it made the event even meaningful. Other than that, I enjoyed the booth's fare although it felt humid and stuffy after awhile. We were home at around three and that was when my nap started. I thought we slept like stiff ink pens. Too tired!
*With forever pretty S. Me--I dislike the pink shirt we had to wear today. Tsk!
I thought the Sabbath's sermon yesterday by Pr. A.Bell was meant for me as though God was speaking to me through the preacher. Ahh...He always knows the right time to keep me in church! *wink*
Ah, after church Hobbit and I visited Cili Padi Restaurant for the third time. CP is another M'sian restaurant we discovered here in Bangkok. It was on business for quite sometime already and hey, the food is more authentic compared to any M'sian restaurant here in Bangkok that we have been to. Of course the price ranged quite high compared to home but how else we can satisfy our cili padi tastebuds? I thought I was a little disappointed with my nasi lemak dish yesterday before knowing that most of the ingredients were out of stock. I felt some ingredients were missing..like the keropok ikan! By the way, the Malaysian owners get their supplies from Malaysia since you know how the curry powders, chillies, pastes and so on here would never give the same effect as to original stuff you get back home. They said Thai chillies are never meant for Malaysian dishes and likewise. Here...enjoy some pictures!
