Celebration of 10th Month Anniversary

Celebrating Xue Ling and Wenbin's 10th Month Anniversary

Hello, to all readers of Xue Ling's blog. Its the 23rd of Aug 2008, which means that we're celebrating our 10th month anniversary today!!! Yay!!!

Lets celebrate by looking back at photos of Xue Ling and Wenbin at the Singapore Flyer taken in the first week of August 2008

Firstly, here are photos of us having dinner at the Flyer...



Xue Ling posing in the Flyer...


She looks really happy...


Raindrops on the window really look like fireworks...

And finally, the happy couple...

Stay tuned for more interesting posts from Catlooi.... :)

Xue Ling, Care Bears and Amigo Bear

Xue Ling with her Care Bears!!!

Amigo Bear is the first multilingual Care Bear and can speak every language in the world, with a preference for Spanish. He is orange with an Aztec-style sun and hearts as his tummy symbol.

Here is Xue Ling playing with Amigo Bear...



Comments??

Back to school…AGAIN!!!

Graduation’s been a week ago, and less than exactly a week, I am BACK TO SCHOOL again!! Well this time I went back to school as a new identity – no longer a student, but as a teacher who’s on contract teaching. (:

Details of my new school:
Posted to Chung Cheng High Yishun
Subjects to teach are math (any levels) and physics (well I got Sec 2 modular physics)

Summary of my 1st week in school:
Day 1-- I observed and went round answering questions in math classes that my supervisor is teaching. They are namely two Sec 1 (both NA and NT), one Sec 3 NA and one Sec 4 NT. (Oh yes, they are very “special” classes indeed.)

Day 2 – I was actually very overwhelmed by the amount of work that I was assigned because I heard that my supervisor is going to retire soon by the end of August. Which means that by then I AM suppose to take over all the four classes and TEACH!! I doubt myself is going to be prepared and teach effectively in all the four classes. So I was given my first task of setting both revision and test papers for one of the class. That was kinda challenging as I have to make sure what I set is in accordance to the syllabus and that the normal streams kids can understand and do without much difficulty. Still it was a fun process.

Day 3 and 4 – All the contract teachers in Singapore were sent for this programme, teaching preparatory programme (TPP). At the course, I got to understand that I am not alone left to face the very “special” kids from the normal streams. In fact nearly 90% of the teachers are in the same situation as me. The course instructor advised us to deal with classroom management first before staring on any teaching in class. This is because once a new teacher has built a certain degree of rapport and established connection with his students that he can successfully deliver his lessons without having to deal with class room discipline every other minute. This is certainly a must take course for all new teachers, whether untrained or not. Lastly, the programme gave me a lasting impression on the teaching profession, a teacher is someone who truly inspires and cares for the well being of his students.

Day 5 – Today I went to school with a totally feeling that I had in Day 1 and 2. I was quite surprised myself for the fact that I could face the class this time round, without much fear. In fact, I even sounded firm yet fair to the kids. There was a moment that I screamed at a boy in the class. I know being firm yet friendly to them in the long run isn’t easy, but as long as I am still a teacher, I am not going to let my kids give up. I sincerely hope that I will learn to love my job, the school and most importantly my kids asap.

Before I went back, I received an updated version of my time table, I am assigned to two Sec 2 express science and two normal academic math. The plan for next week is just to observe all the classes again, and start to write and prepare lessons to teach one of the math classes.

Whether I am going to remain teaching in this CCHY for 6 months or one year, I wish to learn as much as I can while I am a young teacher. Also I hope teaching shall remain my passion so I don’t need to consider a job switch in my near future. I enjoyed my stay thus far. Jia you to my fellow new teachers as well!!

Wenbin and Xue Ling in Beijing

Where is he??

Ok, the purpose of writing this post is simply just to complain; perhaps I'm so love sick. (Come on la XL, it's just a few days or at most one week only.)

Yes, Wenbin flew to KL to receive work training just on the same day as his graduation day, 13 July 2008. Things just don’t work out the way I planned. I thought we could contact each other at night on msn or Skpe. But the stupid hotel in Malaysia doesn’t have any internet connection in the hotel rooms, though it IS a 5-star hotel. (ok, I shan’t name the hotel’s name for the sake of my poor uncontactable Wenbin is there, argh!!)

Another thing, recently the Anwar news is making me very annoyed. Why cos it’s happening in KL, place where Wenbin is in now!! Chaos, mess everywhere, yet I can’t hear Wenbin’s voice. In addition, Wenbin’s phone has not autoRom. I, being the more impatient person in our relationship feel more empty and lonely without hearing his voice. At least back in Spore, we will chat at night on phone.

I should be thankful that we manage to contact each other through internet msn (though only limit to 20 sms per person a day) and emails. But I find it not at all enough.

After Wenbin left for KL on 13 July 2008, I had my final last day in NUS working as the commencement video crew (refer to previous 2nd post). This was on 14 July 2008. It was a very long day, 8.30am to 9.30pm. being last day at work, or rather in school, made me wanna cherish more the time I spend with my friends.

After each commencement session, the whole video crew student helpers would run downstairs to eat, thereby jamming the buffet queues =p Occasionally, we would take pictures with friends who were graduating on that particular day (for more pics, please see my facebook photos). The “finale” was to wait for the VIPS to finish eating and see that the coast is clear, before making our way upstairs to the 2nd floor of UCC to grab more VIP food, were not served downstairs, which they referred to food catered for the masses. How sincere =)))

To sum up:
3 most memorable things I had about working here are:

1. I can get to understand better the different academic dresses for different degrees and faculties.
2. The freedom to EAT free food everyday with my working crew, sorry to the VIP.
3. Finally, I had a wonderful chance of being interviewed on air, together with Wenbin during his graduation afternoon. Well I was there more to have fun, not to gain the experience of being interviewed.

3 things I found most amusing during my course of work:

1. The video crew student helpers used raisins, sun-maid brand ones as tokens to play poker during breaks. Lol
2. Some professors or deans are dressed in damn weird academic gowns, especially Prof Chan Eng Soon, new dean of FoE. He simply looked like Popeye the sailorman, with his combination of grey, red and yellow colors.
3.Hunting for balloons all over UCC during breaks, and bringing them home. Once I took home with me 6 big balloons, which made my way into the MRT so difficult.

Well everything is coming to an end soon. Good bye to my student life, NUS days, days of rushing tutorials and projects. I would certainly miss my friends from NUS, no question about it. Yes, yet another chapter is starting soon. In 3 days time, I will be entering the teaching industry. But when's my dear coming back?? Sigh…

Who is the Superhero??

I finally had the chance to take a break from the hectic week I had as part of the commencement video crew. Yes, there’s nothing like a hot date with Wenbin dear to chill me out. =))) On 11 July 2008 evening, we went to watch “Hancock”.

Hancock is a 20088 superhero film directed by Peter Berg and starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize Theron. It tells the story of a superhero, John Hancock (Smith), from Los Angeles whose reckless actions routinely cost the city millions of dollars. Eventually one person he saves, Ray Embrey (Bateman), makes it his mission to change Hancock's public image for the better.(with reference from Wikipedia)

Some interesting points to look out for in this movie:

1. Unlike any heros or superheros, Hancock just have the problem of being “hated” by the citizens of Los Angeles, despite his efforts for saving the people. I particularly like this entertaining part of the movie as Hancock is a well-known alcoholic superhero afflicted with amnesia. His powers include flight, invulnerability, fantastic physical strength and extreme longetivity (basically he doesn't age). He regularly saves lives and catches criminals. Hancock's ineptly-executed rescues, however, routinely cost the city millions of dollars in collateral property damage as he is nearly always intoxicated. This particular hero, however, could not care less what anybody thinks and routinely ignores court subpoenas and loudly disrespects anyone who gives him attitude. One instance will be, he would use brute force on anyone, and I mean anyone who calls him an “asshole”. =P

2. As a result of being unwelcome by the people, Hancock shows that he does have a vulnerable side as well. In this case, just like any ordinary human being, Hancock faces the problem of being rejected by the people around him. Hancock is often found in an untidy and dirty look, drinking excessively in a corner of a bar himself. However being his savior, Ray Embrey manages to turn Hancock’s life around by changing Hancock’s tarnished image for a confounded so-called superhero, to one true superhero.

What I gathered from here is: No matter how great a person one is, like Hancock, human attributes and relationships are far more important in order for one to be successful in the long run. With increasing acceptance by the public, Hancock slowly realizes his worth and is thus able to serve the public better. Hancock achieves this by understanding that in order to be accepted by people, he MUST first accept others. Hence he took his first step by portraying a clean and positive image. Good job Hancock (:

3. Lastly, I personally find the relationship between Hancock and Ray’s wife Mary kinda weird. Initially I though Mary fears Hancock’s visit might be a bad influence to her son. She constantly gives an annoyed face whenever Hancock is around. The truth is there is a special relationship between the hero and this beautiful female leading character. I shan’t reveal more. (Watch the show yourself la =P)

However I DON’T quite like the story buildup, as some parts especially on the relationship between the characters are neither well explained nor relevant to the plot. It is a satire in a superhero movie!! The show is great minus this “extra” effect.

After the show, we roamed freely at The Cathay Cineplex and took some real silly photographs. Do enjoy them and catch “Hancock” in the cinemas soon. Cya again.



THE END...(:

Commencement starts!!

Yes, commencement or convocation for the batch of '08 started yesterday. Heartiest congratulations to all my fellow graduates friends, Wenbin dear and of course me as well =))

7 July 2008 was the NUS commencement main ceremony hence 1st ceremony. This day was meant to celebrate the graduates who have excellent achievements in their CCAs, sports and leadership positions. It was a huge and eventful day for all especially to the graduates as the chancellor was His Excellency Mr S R Nathan!! What a great honor to shake hands and be in the shot with His Excellency (:

Why on earth I was at UCC? Well, I am part of the video crew for the ceremonies, my position is Scala Operator – Live automation of name graphics for students who are receiving scrolls on stage, in control room during ceremony proper. That's not a brainless job you see, one got to make sure that the name of the graduate is spelt correctly before displaying it to the show live. Sounds easy? Not at all, well at least for me. I am very "famous" for making careless mistakes. For instance, clicking the mouse accidentally, so as a result the name get dispayed before the announcer called upon the graduate's name. I remembered being "scolded" by my scala buddy (kk, don't want to name him or her here) for being so slow and not paying attention =(

Though it's the 1st day of my work, I believe I am going to do a perfect job for the remaining ceremonies. It shows my pride in doing my job well, as well as a sign of respect of the graduates on stage on their big day. So dear Lord, please guide me through this job! Amen (:

The best part of the job is that you got to eat FREE buffet meals for all ceremonies that you are doing and to take pictures with your fellow graduates. Here's a couple of them during the 1st ceremony.


With Wilson (TM)















With Meng Chuan (TM)











That's all for now, more will be coming soon. Do watch the Livecast of other ceremonies as well. Till the next blog, miss you all.