Friday, November 24, 2006
Listening to: "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti" by Christina AguileraMood: Blissful
Savouring: Dafa Cod Fish Fillet: : [ [ MU GONG AKA BATTLE OF WITS] ] : :
Dear & I went to watch "Battle of Wits" starring Andy Lau. I've never quite liked war movies, though it does seem I've been watching more of these than I would expect - the last one being "Brothers" - a Korean war movie recommended by a colleague.
The warring states of Ancient China serve as a backdrop for this pan-Asian war epic, starring the charismatic Andy Lau. Going by the literal translation of the Chinese title, it's "Ink War", alluding to the fact that much of the battles in this movie relies a lot more on superior strategy in order to overcome a mammoth battle against a Goliath, with a 4,000 population up against the might of a 100,000 strong well-trained army.
Based on a Japanese novel/manga Bokkou, Battle of Wits fictionalizes one of the episodes during 370BC, where China was still divided, and each nation seizing opportunities to usurp the other. Those familiar with history will know that eventually, the kingdom of Qin will ultimately unite the Middle Kingdom for the first time. However, the story sets its sights on the Kingdom of Zhao leading an attack on the smaller state of Liang. In its defence lies a mysterious man from the Mozhi tribe known as Ge Li (Andy Lau of course), who galvanizes Liang's population to stage a stand against what seemingly looks like impossible odds.
There is a strong anti-war message that got worn on the sleeves Ge Li, as smart and cunning as he is, he's the reluctant hero, willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. He finds no pleasure in war, nor killings, but in order to save the masses, he must do what he has to thwart efforts of bloodthirsty kingdoms. He's is the message of "loving thy enemy", naturally not shared by the incompetent leadership in Liang.And since time immemorial, you always have the incompetents possessing the heart of insolence, with characters of sloth and ill intentions, straddling from a high horse. Inept leaders silencing their opposition through calls of treason is a tactic all too familiar, which makes it all the more despondent as you ponder about that aged old Chinese proverb about there being nothing wrong in looking after your personal interests first, instead of bothering with the affairs of others. Ge Li faces both the task of winning over the people's trust (since they're committing the state's defences to his organization), and the inevitable unappreciative, thankless task of having to do just that.
I rate this show 3 & a half stars our of 5! :)
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11:09 PM
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Listening to: "With you" by Rain/BiMood: Blissful
Savouring: Swiss Bakery Chocolate Cake
: : [ [ A CONGRATULATORY TOAST TO MY GOOD FRIEND YUEPING] ] : :
I just receieved an email with a piece of joyous news from a dear friend of mine,Yueping, who is currently located in New York with her hubby that ... she is pregnant! (",) Our friendship has seen us through .. *counting* .. 15 yrs!! Woah ... but sadly, even before she left, our working schedules & now the geographical distance has kinda of caused us to drift apart. Nevertheless, quoting Michael W. Smith: "Friends are friends 4eva, if the Lord is the Lord of them." Anywaz, Yongsiang & Ping ping, Happy 1st wedding anniversary & congrats for the young one! Take care & God bless!
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+ : : [ [ BEAUTY ] ] : : +
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."
"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others."
"It's that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up. Others matter more than you do, so 'don't fuss, dear; get on with it.'"
I first heard the above quotes by the late Audrey Hepburn during a recent commercial starring our local Singapore Idol finalist. I luv these quotes! I think it captures the true essence of beauty - an autruistic inner beauty that is not self seeking or self-glorifying. Some time ago, I mentioned in one of my previous blogs about the idea of beauty & here I found that Audrey Hepburn has expressed my thoughts so aptly & beautifully. Beautiful words from a beauty.
10:56 PM
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Listening to: "Free Way" by Rain/BiMood: Yummy
Savouring: Baileys Ice-cream
: : [ [ A TOAST TO THE BEST DRINK IN THE WORLD ] ] : :
When the chocolate flavour ( a unique combination of cocoa nibs & vanilla pods), caramel & sugar is mixed with whiskey and cream, only then will it result in the authentic taste of BAILEYS - the Original Irish Cream enjoyed world over.
When one takes a sip of Baileys, the pleasure comes in waves. The cream melts releasing the whiskey, which slips down to warm you from the inside, the chocolate delights one's tongue, whilst the cream coats one's mouth. It's truely a memorable experience!
adapted from "Baileys | The Story" htttp://www.baileys.com
For a totally mouthwatering & yummy website... be prepared to salivate ... check out:
http://icecreamireland.com/
And ... finally... a toast .. to a more sensible blogskin!
7:10 PM
Friday, November 17, 2006
Listening to: "Sax 4/2" by LA Jazz Quintet
Mood: Delighted
Savouring: Anlene Chocolate Milk: : [ [ My Final Week In Henderson ] ] : :
It's my final working week in the place I've called my "2nd home" for the past four years ... a place of much joy & sorrow. While in the midst of imparting both life & academic skills, it was a journey of learning & growth as well. But I will relish the most fondly at my departure is the friendships forged with students, colleagues - both teaching & non-teaching staff!! Ha! Which reminds me I muz catch hold of some other staff to take picz wif them next week! :)
I think people are precious ... them as individuals with all their quirks & all. Working life hides people behind terminals relinquishing communication often to faceless & souless emails & reduce the value of fellow humans to mediums to get tasks accomplished. What troubles & perplexes me is why, in the working world, its a norm that fellow colleagues whom you spend the most amount of time with each day, can never really be your friends because walls of personal agenda, conflicts of interests & personalities, judgemental & critical attitudes drives us all apart. So at the end of day, most people strive only for recognition & wealth .. is it that valuable? Understanding, accepting & appreciating people is even more valuable isn't it? But I think, this in itself, is harder than getting projects & tasks done!
The other medium I've discovered that de-humanize people is .... driving! People hide behind their human tanks & view the other person in front, beside, behind them as .... mere metal tanks who obstruct them from moving faster or changing lane? Notice the parallel of hiding beind the steering wheel & the computer? But ... the other party ... could be ... a loving grandfather? A doting mother? A dilligent undergrad? Maybe if we could see the person in the vehicle, we would be more considerate .. if we care enough .. for the living .. cliche eh? (",)
I've recently used a new blogskin for my darling blog ... its my 3rd one! Though I reallly love the design tons ... but I hate the tiny wheeny little text box!! I'm on my hunt for the next blogskin .. but haven't been able to find one as nice as the current one ... sigh! :):) Press on Ruffie!! :)
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: : [ [ Taken with Christine & Dennis - NIE Researchers attached to Henderson ] ] : :
: : [ [ Taken with Robin - one of the most wonderful teachers & friends in Henderson! ] ] : :
: : [ [ I call her my "Da Jie"! - Photostating Lady of Henderson! :) ] ] : :
: : [ [ Met up with my secondary school pals @ CHIJMES] ] : :
: : [ [ One of the bravest & strongest girl I know ... Xinyan .. I'm so proud of u! ] ] : :
5:56 PM
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Listening to: "Sad Tango" by Rain/BiMood: SassyRecently, been busy packing up my table in school, packing luggage, settle visa stuff, health checks .. etc ..etc .. took time to create some nice posters for GB ... :) Hee ...
12:49 PM
Monday, November 06, 2006
Listening to: "I do" by RainMood: Happy::: == The Tale of Two Buffets & One Wonderful Chalet == :::
^+^ Chap 1: EL Department Dinner 31 Oct 06 - Japanese Buffet! ^+^
On this fateful day, we had both our annual super long department meeting (which lasted from 8am to 5 pm!!) & our department dinner on the same day. I always detested meetings ... especially those long long ones & very soon I'll lose my concentration & start doodling on my papers ... hee. But it was, well, after all the last EL department meeting I'll ever attend again & no duties assigned somemore ... lol. :) We headed to a Japanese restaurant at Mirammar Hotel for dinner which was recommended by Jo & even Michelle mentioned it before. It was famed for its sashimi buffet. Actually i never appreciated Japanese food, least of all, raw fish! :) But I really relished the rare occasion I get to hang out with my colleagues .. I actualll laid a rule that anyone who spoke about work would be punished! :) My department is made up of pure workaholics!! Trust me! :) Though it was a pity Jo fell ill & had to leave early, I still enjoyed the food (i ate like a pig!! chomp chomp!) & the company!!! :) It was actually both a happy & sad occasion coz it also marked the farewell for both Cher & myself ... but I am certain my department will continue to survive well!! Press on ladies!!! :)
^+^ Chap 2: Sweethearts' Anniversary 3 Nov 06 - Brazilian Buffet! ^+^
Since we've been together, dear always remembered our anniversary monthly ... which made this relationship & him really special to me! So this month, dear wanted to celebrate our anniversary by treating both of us to a Brazilian buffet acclaimed for their generous & delicious meat servings. It was a wonderful evening spent together though we wouldn't exactly say the food was as fantastic as raved about in the news & forums. We found the meat selections really limited & overly salty. The waiters were not as warm & friendly as we had expected. I was quite astonished though, upon seeing the waiters swaggering around with swords (which held the portions of meat which were sliced at our tables) & when they served a sword full of ... gulp ... chicken hearts... call that wierd or what!
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^+^ Chap 3: 2E2 Class Chalet 4 Nov 06 - ECP ^+^
The long awaited class chalet finally arrived! I was looking forward to attending & getting to spend some relaxed time with my form class outside the school setting. On that day, dear & I went to purchase some gifts I wanted to give to them, as well as lots of snacks to share. When we made our way there, it was almost around 4pm. It was a joy to see them when we arrived at the chalet ... the TV was on & the chatting was ongoing so dear & I made ourselves comfy while snacking away. Afterwards, dear & I was walking around when we chanced around a shop selling inline skates. As dear has been wanting to replace his previous pair of inline skates for a while now, we went in to take a look. When the shop owners realised dear was an avid inline skater enthusiast, they immediately grabbed the chance to ask him to sign on as a part time instructor with them. Initially I thought it was a great idea as dear was really good at skating & that I'm sure he'd enjoy himself ... but he couldn't help teasing me that even more girls would throwing themselves at him, on top of the plenty who have already done so ... gosh ... :( Hee ... Anywaz, we made our way back to the chalet & after dinner, I was really pleasantly surprised & touched when my students threw a surprise for me with a yummy yummy chocolate cake, a present from the loveable mushroom family, as well as a scrapbook from the class. Thanks gals! You are a gem to me!! :) The cake was even more delicious than the ones from "Awfully Chocolate" ... serious!!After that, the kids persuaded dear & I to go along for night cycling... I was looking forward to it actually coz I wanted to spend more time with them... but actually before the ride I was already having slight tummy upset. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the ride we took from ECP to Changi .. though it was a pity we couldn't make it all the way to Changi Village, but I guess we had to take into consideration Ryan who was really upset about the night ride! I thought Eliza was really brave when she took a bad fall in her stride although it was Marcus who had caused her to fall.
On our way back, dear & I stopped at the hawker center while the rest headed back to the chalet. I developed diarrhea then & while we were resting, I was really upset when dear related to me how Marcus & the other boys told him bad things about me. It spoilt my mood somewhat to know that despite me making the extra effort to turn up for the event, some students can still be so unthinking & thoughtless. Dear & I decided not to stay as I wasn't feeling well.
I was shocked when I heard from the students the next day that their things had been stolen. It was deja vu for me because 2 yrs back while we were having a GB camp, the girls' things were also stolen & some money left behind as well... I was greatly sadden to hear that it spoilt their chalet. I hope whoever did it, for their own sake, would realise their folly!
At the end of it, I still remember the chalet overall with great fondness because of the love & affection of the students. THANK YOU DEARS!!! I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!! Muakz! :) Thank you Mushroom family & Larry! :)
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3:46 PM
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Listening to: Southful Smooth Jazz.com
Reading: My blog
Mood: Contented+::"I.M.Possible" GB Annual Camp (26th - 29th Oct 06)::+
"I.M.Possible" is the name coined by the camp planning committee for this years' annual GB camp held last weekend from Thurs to Sunday. It means to turn an attitude of "impossible-ness" to that of self-confidence - I AM Possible! Cool huh?
I think this years' camp is really special .. in many ways. I feel the company growing much closer & stronger... also, the leaders in the company are gaining a sense of ownership & independence... It really makes me feel so gratified & want to worship our Father. At least all the past 4 yrs of labour, heartache & prayer has been worth it! Thank you Father!
I relish this camp because it will most likely be my last camp with my GB officers & sisters in christ, as well as my girls. I really enjoyed the Pulau Ubin trip where we went cycling, the very special special night & the chit chats with my fellow sisters.
I treasure the friendship I gained with my sisters from FCBC .. it's been such a priviledge & joy working & labouring together in Christ with them. Many times of loneliness & frustrastions when I felt misunderstood or taken for granted for by my students & colleagues, they have been the one who have given me the support & understanding. This journey would have been doubly difficult without their love & friendship! In fact, two GBHQ came to visit during our camp & one of them, Pearl, was sharing that it is very unusual that teachers in charge & volunteers get along so well. :)
I was really touched on the last day when Cindy said a prayer for me with the girls of blessings & thanksgiving ... after which a couple of girls hugged me & cried because I was leaving ... I will never never forget that moment & how loved they made me feel!!
I will miss my girls & I will always pray that the girls from 61st will grow to be women after the heart of God, who love Him & experience His love deeply! I always felt proud that the GB NCOs from my batch of GB from Nanyang have all grown to be women serving God in various ways ... & I hope in some way I would have left a legacy enough in Henderson to inspire the girls to be so too...
5:01 PM
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