Somehow got embroiled in one of the things I hate most - EVENTS! It starts on Monday. But I'm feeling very blessed. 9 out of the 10 presentations have arrived in my inbox. The entertainment company managed to reach me - something which dropped off my long list of things to do and so we have that now. Phew! Am also working with an extremely reliable PLUS flexible events company for audio-visual support - used to work with the lady I am liasing with now, back when we were both in the ad agency ( the one that provided us with a 3ft desk space!). She knows my "kwan" and I know hers...so all's good. And then everything that pops up, somehow gets resolved... Speaker wants live voting? Got! Exactly enough sets for the number of delegates we have. Phew! Hit by a stomach bug and had to stay home for 2 days this week? There were people I could 'remote control' from home. Thank God for them! No door gift? Oh - somebody had extra company branded leather passport holders...and enough for me to help myself to! Blessed.
There's still many days and many things can still go wrong but come what may, I should still be thankful for whatever that has been showered on me.
It's been a difficult few weeks. Had to let go of two people in my team in Australia. Not something ever good to do but they made it easy for me. Bless them.
I bought a bottle of mineral water + a Snapple ( Mango Madness flavour) for myself this morning and remember feeling so blessed I can afford those things without even thinking.
Maybe this is the aftermath of not feeling so alive the past few days.
I'm all good now.
Thank you!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Yesterday's Today. Page 28
"Focus on the family by Dr. James Dobson - Compensating for handicaps - In their now classic study called 'Cradles of eminence", Victor and Mildred Goertzel investigated the home backgrounds of 400 highly successful people... to identify the early experiences that may have contributed to greatness... subjects are well known .. Einstein, Freud, Winston Churchill.... three-fourths of them came from troubled childhoods; enduring poverty, broken homes, or parental abuse. One-fourth had physical handicaps and most of the writers and playwrights had watched their parents get embroiled in psychological dramas....concluded that the need to compensate for disadvantages was a major factor in the struggle for personal achievement...."
Losing weight challenge
A stomach bug hit both me and the boy.
> So I'm 2kg lighter thanks to it.
What a way to kickstart a weight loss!
> So I'm 2kg lighter thanks to it.
What a way to kickstart a weight loss!
Uniform...
The boy was 'automatically confirmed' a place next year as a piece of good news #1 in a note he carried home from school last week. I sent them a note today, saying we will be withdrawing him from the school at the end of the year.
Received a long sms from the school director's wife / co-owner / administrator / teacher "Hello Carrie! Got your letter. Aiyo really withdraw because of uniform ah? K2 oredi don't let this affect his sch preparation lah..Actually all gd schs hve uniform right..Other than not implementing the uniform, anything else we do to help as far as the uniform is concerned? We'll do our best to ensure his devt n education nds are not compromised. Afterall, hve know (the big one) since way bck. Let us know how we can help. Tks!"
Actually, we have been toying with the idea for a while to move him to another school for next year. While it's a great place for younger kids, informal, the teachers are nice and it's housed in a semi-detached bungalow with an open play ground in the front, sand pit shaded by a huge mango tree at the side and a water play area in the backyard, we found out that many times this year, they had combined K1 & K2 classes together. Maybe it happens everywhere when teachers for those classes call in sick? Another thing, the layout for the K2 class - it doesn't have it's own room, just a partitioned section in the 'living room' located right after the main entrance. I know the boy will be interested in everything else that is going on rather than what is going on - not really conducive for learning me thinks. Friendly as she is, the school director's wife / co-owner / administrator / teacher is also their K2 English teacher. Her sms scares me even though I know she meant it to be informal.
Sent her an sms back "Hi there, thanks for the note. Appreciate your concern. The uniform is not even an issue. Really. It's just that logistically, we need to move him near my parent's place which is within walking distance. Easier for the folks looking after 3 small kids with different collection times. Hope you understand. Br, Carrie"
Received a long sms from the school director's wife / co-owner / administrator / teacher "Hello Carrie! Got your letter. Aiyo really withdraw because of uniform ah? K2 oredi don't let this affect his sch preparation lah..Actually all gd schs hve uniform right..Other than not implementing the uniform, anything else we do to help as far as the uniform is concerned? We'll do our best to ensure his devt n education nds are not compromised. Afterall, hve know (the big one) since way bck. Let us know how we can help. Tks!"
Actually, we have been toying with the idea for a while to move him to another school for next year. While it's a great place for younger kids, informal, the teachers are nice and it's housed in a semi-detached bungalow with an open play ground in the front, sand pit shaded by a huge mango tree at the side and a water play area in the backyard, we found out that many times this year, they had combined K1 & K2 classes together. Maybe it happens everywhere when teachers for those classes call in sick? Another thing, the layout for the K2 class - it doesn't have it's own room, just a partitioned section in the 'living room' located right after the main entrance. I know the boy will be interested in everything else that is going on rather than what is going on - not really conducive for learning me thinks. Friendly as she is, the school director's wife / co-owner / administrator / teacher is also their K2 English teacher. Her sms scares me even though I know she meant it to be informal.
Sent her an sms back "Hi there, thanks for the note. Appreciate your concern. The uniform is not even an issue. Really. It's just that logistically, we need to move him near my parent's place which is within walking distance. Easier for the folks looking after 3 small kids with different collection times. Hope you understand. Br, Carrie"
Friday, October 23, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Losing weight challenge
4 of the 6 contestants had a chance to do a weigh in yesterday on the same official scales. The one who had been starved by her husband ( because as he said, it was his money, since she's not working and therefore has a stake on it) lost 3kg.
The second person lost 0.5kg... apparently second person had lost 1.5kg but 'accidentally' ate 5 meals the day before, negating 1 kilo in loss.
The third lost 2kg - but that's only less than 0.02% of the third person's original body weight. Not really a threat me thinks.
Then came me... the scale hovered at a 0.5kg change momentarily and then thankfully settled on a zero change. I didn't lose any weight but thankful because it could have been +0.5kg.
The -3KG, declared once again that anyone who gained weight during this challenge will have to be fined!
I looked her up and down and then asked, "You lost 3kg... from where?"
*Sigh*
The second person lost 0.5kg... apparently second person had lost 1.5kg but 'accidentally' ate 5 meals the day before, negating 1 kilo in loss.
The third lost 2kg - but that's only less than 0.02% of the third person's original body weight. Not really a threat me thinks.
Then came me... the scale hovered at a 0.5kg change momentarily and then thankfully settled on a zero change. I didn't lose any weight but thankful because it could have been +0.5kg.
The -3KG, declared once again that anyone who gained weight during this challenge will have to be fined!
I looked her up and down and then asked, "You lost 3kg... from where?"
*Sigh*
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Headline news!
Wah.... the theft below made headline news in The New Paper today! Page 1-3.
>>> Barista's name is ROMEO!!!
>>> and oh, if you see some cowardly bystanders in the backgroud, blured images of people sitting on the chairs outside Spinelli? One of them is me.
>>> Barista's name is ROMEO!!!
>>> and oh, if you see some cowardly bystanders in the backgroud, blured images of people sitting on the chairs outside Spinelli? One of them is me.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Response time
Was having a coffee with my boss when all of a sudden, we hear the glass door behind us SLAM open. Man ran out, followed by the barista, followed by the lady from the pushcart stall. She was screaming "THIEF! CATCH THE THIEF!". Man was cornered by the barista and desperate, threw the loot at him and made a dash for it. Barista caught the man and in the struggle, I saw the man dig something out of his pocket. I went, "Oh Shit!" and the man started making stabs at the barista with that something from his pocket. I went, "Oh Shit! He's stabbing him with a knife!" The world's bravest barista continue to struggle with the man and managed press him down onto the floor. Some bystanders help with holding him down. It was drizzling. A couple of building security guards came by long minutes later and started radio-ing for the police. They examine the man on barrista and the man on the ground. Soon, more building security guards came by, and one, I assume was the 'supervisor', sauntered towards the scene and even made sure he walked under the walkway to avoid the by now heavier drizzle. Man was still struggling some. The barista at one point screamed into his ear, "LIE DOWN! LIE DOWN NOW!!!!!!!!" A photographer started snapping pictures. She took photos from all angles... More minutes passed. She finally had all the photos she needed - and asked for an umbrella for the barista. Barista's colleague came out with the brolly and some cable ties. The barista tried to get it onto the man's hands...he struggled, more groans and screaming and then I saw the photographer asking the barista's colleague to move aside so that she can take more pictures!?! 3 dozen people are now watching. Waiting, for the police to arrive. Where are they? Wow. We continue watching, my boss and I. He muttered, "Fucking useless police!". I had to agree. This is waayyy too long a reasonable response time. More security personnel arrived and even more people gathered to watch. Eventually, some many more long minutes later, the police arrived. One skinny policeman. He handcuffed the guy and then waited some more for backup. Barrista still helping to press down the man. Another skinny policeman came and they led him away. Our brave and very drenched barista quietly went back to his work. People started leaving. The loot, together with the man's glasses and the weapon lay lying on the floor. I asked the barrista what the guy had and whether he was hurt. There were some scratches on his neck. He said, "Screwdriver". *I shuddered*. My boss and I, we left. On the way through the building, we saw paramedics with a stretcher arriving. My boss and I, we looked at each other and started laughing.
I've always imagine myself living in a very safe city and should any one need to call the police, that they would arrive within 3 minutes flat...or 5 minutes at the very most.
That imagination of mine has been totally shattered.
Safety net? Removed.
Thank god for the brave citizens who walk amongst us. They are few and far between and I hope that we are blessed enough to meet these godsent souls at our moment of need.
Other notes:
I have been tested on a few occasions - and it's aways turns up " bystander-positive". My DNA leans towards flight rather than fight. The Big One is more of a fight rather than flight composite. Therefore, whenever we 'quarrel', I tend to leave the scene, leaving him alone to fight with nobody. Frustrating for him I suppose.
I've always imagine myself living in a very safe city and should any one need to call the police, that they would arrive within 3 minutes flat...or 5 minutes at the very most.
That imagination of mine has been totally shattered.
Safety net? Removed.
Thank god for the brave citizens who walk amongst us. They are few and far between and I hope that we are blessed enough to meet these godsent souls at our moment of need.
Other notes:
I have been tested on a few occasions - and it's aways turns up " bystander-positive". My DNA leans towards flight rather than fight. The Big One is more of a fight rather than flight composite. Therefore, whenever we 'quarrel', I tend to leave the scene, leaving him alone to fight with nobody. Frustrating for him I suppose.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Uniform
Definition of UNIFORM
taken from http://www.dictionary.com/
–adjective
1. identical or consistent, as from example to example, place to place, or moment to moment: uniform spelling; a uniform building code.
2. without variations in detail: uniform output; a uniform surface.
3. constant; unvarying; undeviating: uniform kindness; uniform velocity.
4. constituting part of a uniform: to be issued uniform shoes.
5. Mathematics. occurring in a manner independent of some variable, parameter, function, etc.: a uniform bound.
–noun
6. an identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a given profession, organization, or rank.
7. a word used in communications to represent the letter U.
–verb (used with object)
8. to make uniform or standard.
9. to clothe in or furnish with a uniform.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Received a letter from the boy's school, informing us that they were pleased to announce their much anticipated school uniform that from 2010, all kids will be required to wear the uniform to school and that it can be purchased for $25/set and that parents should order by 12th October.
That was yesterday. The teacher called, asking me the status of my order.
I told her I wasn't going to order any. My reasons:
- One of the reasons why I choose this school was because they didn't dress their kids up in uniform.
- That I don't agree that this is training for Primary 1 because nobody needs to learn how to wear uniforms. ( apparently this reason was given to my father)
- That it doesn't help the kid learn better or worse - there is no benefit from being in uniform.
- He has only 1 more year to go. It is a waste for us to get enough sets of uniform just so it can be used for 1 year.
I suggested:
(a) I will get 1 set if it's for the purpose of better identifying the kids when they go out for excursions.
(b) That they consider phasing in this exercise.
The principal/owner called me today, saying that she has received my feedback. She said that there was no benefit to them embarking on this exercise to dress kids up in their school uniform and that it was on requests of parents.
- I told her I have never requested for it, was never ever informed about these requests by other parents, nor ever surveyed about it. Finally, that I do not agree to it, repeated my reasons. ( see above)
She said it was not possible to phase it. They cannot do that and ask that I purchase 1 or 2 sets of uniform.
- I told her I don't do laundry every day, nor every other day.
She said to get 4 sets then.
- Again I told her I do not see a good reason for having uniforms in the first place, that I have been supportive of their initiatives all along over these past years and finally, that she should consider the phasing-in suggestion.
She said it was not possible.
- I told her I see her point and hope she sees mine and then ended the conversation politely.
taken from http://www.dictionary.com/
–adjective
1. identical or consistent, as from example to example, place to place, or moment to moment: uniform spelling; a uniform building code.
2. without variations in detail: uniform output; a uniform surface.
3. constant; unvarying; undeviating: uniform kindness; uniform velocity.
4. constituting part of a uniform: to be issued uniform shoes.
5. Mathematics. occurring in a manner independent of some variable, parameter, function, etc.: a uniform bound.
–noun
6. an identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a given profession, organization, or rank.
7. a word used in communications to represent the letter U.
–verb (used with object)
8. to make uniform or standard.
9. to clothe in or furnish with a uniform.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Received a letter from the boy's school, informing us that they were pleased to announce their much anticipated school uniform that from 2010, all kids will be required to wear the uniform to school and that it can be purchased for $25/set and that parents should order by 12th October.
That was yesterday. The teacher called, asking me the status of my order.
I told her I wasn't going to order any. My reasons:
- One of the reasons why I choose this school was because they didn't dress their kids up in uniform.
- That I don't agree that this is training for Primary 1 because nobody needs to learn how to wear uniforms. ( apparently this reason was given to my father)
- That it doesn't help the kid learn better or worse - there is no benefit from being in uniform.
- He has only 1 more year to go. It is a waste for us to get enough sets of uniform just so it can be used for 1 year.
I suggested:
(a) I will get 1 set if it's for the purpose of better identifying the kids when they go out for excursions.
(b) That they consider phasing in this exercise.
The principal/owner called me today, saying that she has received my feedback. She said that there was no benefit to them embarking on this exercise to dress kids up in their school uniform and that it was on requests of parents.
- I told her I have never requested for it, was never ever informed about these requests by other parents, nor ever surveyed about it. Finally, that I do not agree to it, repeated my reasons. ( see above)
She said it was not possible to phase it. They cannot do that and ask that I purchase 1 or 2 sets of uniform.
- I told her I don't do laundry every day, nor every other day.
She said to get 4 sets then.
- Again I told her I do not see a good reason for having uniforms in the first place, that I have been supportive of their initiatives all along over these past years and finally, that she should consider the phasing-in suggestion.
She said it was not possible.
- I told her I see her point and hope she sees mine and then ended the conversation politely.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Vicious
It's getting vicious...
We were all happily eating and pigging out. Till somebody spotted an old photo and commented on how slim they were before. Big ass me was like, "Wait till you see mine!"
As it ended, 6 of us decided to put our weight behind a wager. The prize? $1,500 for whoever loses the most weight by X'mas day.
M the housewife has decided to spit taunts on us daily with announcements like 'I've swam 100 laps in my pool' ( and no, it's not a bath tub) or 'I've just jogged 5.5km while you gals slog at work"
I announced she's the rabbit and I'm the tortoise in this race. So I will win eventually.
Also tried to counter her spits with some guerrilla tactics, announcing, "I've eaten chips and Norwegian chocolates!" or "The bubble green tea I'm having is delicious!" ( actually they are all true! )
She wouldn't bite. Even suggest that there should be double penalty for NO weight loss.
I had to clamp that!
Sent her an sms "and what? Double your annual salary?"
Her response? "Eat my dust, tortoise!"
Ooooooooo!
We were all happily eating and pigging out. Till somebody spotted an old photo and commented on how slim they were before. Big ass me was like, "Wait till you see mine!"
As it ended, 6 of us decided to put our weight behind a wager. The prize? $1,500 for whoever loses the most weight by X'mas day.
M the housewife has decided to spit taunts on us daily with announcements like 'I've swam 100 laps in my pool' ( and no, it's not a bath tub) or 'I've just jogged 5.5km while you gals slog at work"
I announced she's the rabbit and I'm the tortoise in this race. So I will win eventually.
Also tried to counter her spits with some guerrilla tactics, announcing, "I've eaten chips and Norwegian chocolates!" or "The bubble green tea I'm having is delicious!" ( actually they are all true! )
She wouldn't bite. Even suggest that there should be double penalty for NO weight loss.
I had to clamp that!
Sent her an sms "and what? Double your annual salary?"
Her response? "Eat my dust, tortoise!"
Ooooooooo!
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