Conversations @ AJ

This afternoon at the end of dance practice (Yes.. I didn't go hiking as some thought I did... ), I met my JC's 'first-3mths' GP tutor.. Larry.. Yup.. I now call him by name since we are technically colleagues under the same big umbrella called MOE.

The brief conversation went something like that:

L: Huh... Why are you back?

Moi: I never left...

L: Yah.. I noticed.. when were you here since..

Moi: 96.. (chuckle... embarassed)

L: So why are you back?

Moi: Dance concert in March..

L: Wow... (speechless)

Moi: I think AJ ought to give me some long service award. (Eh.. but they did.. on my 8th yr as a dance alumni.. http://sevenyrslater.blogspot.com/2006/05/non-mihi-solum.html)

L: Yar.. I think you should talk to the prinicpal about it...

Yeap.. practice has started but I'm not sure if I can commit. It seems ridiculous to juggle all the stuff that I'm having on my plate.. It's overflowing and I'm wondering if I can cope without shortening my lifespan. But I don't know how to let go (as always) ... so what do I have and how should I prioritise:

1. Padawans whom I'm deeply sorry for not marking your work on time.
2. New portfolio which is not easy to handle and can sometimes be a lonely job. Though I sometimes give others the impression that I would like to be alone, I actually don't and I hate it.
3. Grandma... Sundays with my grandma has become a norm...
4. Close friends.... Have been recently gg to 3 of my gf's homes. They all have wonderful families and adorable kids.. It's really a joy to babysit for them but I do get envious seeing them relax at home as "home-makers" which was actually my 'ambition' when I was in Secondary School... other than Architect and Civil & Structural Engineer.. haha..
5. Yoga which I seem to hv stopped gg.. hence the "excesses" as someone aptly put it across to me.. sobs..
6. Photography... I've rejected a few flickr outings cos of work.. but I so wanna go.. and my hard disk is full of untouched and un-uploaded pics which are just sitting there, taking up space.
7. Dancing... recently, there's this affinity to call it lamsing..
8. Tuition for my cousin who'll be Sec 4 next year. I took her since she was in Sec 2 and I can't just drop her in her final year, can I?
9. School magazine.. I seem to be stuck with that. How do I get out? My first magazine was created in my 4th month in Simpleville. 2002 (idea was taken from a Savannah condo's showhouse advertisement), 2003 (Students' artwork), 2005 (5 series concept - idea taken from VJ's banner), 2006 (Garden concept), 2007 (poster concept - idea taken from Jing) I only had a breather in 2004 when Pinkiemonkie took over that year (close up shot of badge) but I was doing the School Official Opening Ceremony magazine .. hmm it wasn't really a break huh?
10. Something that I look forward to and I'll put aside all things for....
11. Travelling.. which I'll squeeze in by hook or by crook.. even it is for 9 short days this time.
12. 2nd M Ed course all the way till 7 Dec and the 3rd course starting Jan till Mar which means my assignment will be due around the time of the dance concert too.
13. Microsoft Regional Innovative Teachers’ Conference 2008 in Vietnam just 3 days after the dance concert.. which means I have to struggle between dance rehearsals, M Ed course assignment and presentation preparation for the conference... (Yes.. contrary to what was conveyed, I'm not gg there for a holiday but to work and present which is really unnerving for me.. I do fear presenting let alone presenting to foreigners.. )

Arrrgghhh.... 13 things to do! Should I just let go the dance?

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We Could be Together..

A classic song by Debbie Gibson, a singer from my 7 series era...

I'll never forget the first time I heard this song. It was a Primary 5 campfire held at NACTI campsite, South Buona Vista area. My team leader, Zanny taught us this song for our group's campfire performance. I can even remember the dance steps... haha... I'm amazed!!!!
But it's kind of hard to forget... cos our juvenile steps were practically a series of charades to the lyrics... haha..

For example:
"If you say 'Jump', I'll say how high" , the step involved was a series of jumps ..
"If you said "Run!" I'd run and fly", the steps involved were running on the spot followed by a flying action...

Come on .. we were only primary 5. ;p

Why the sudden mention of this song? Was marking a whole stack of Prelim paper 1 (can't take it.. stories are too unrealistic) , got bored... kept fidgeting.. maybe I should go out and mark...

I had the radio switched on in the background. Heard this familar but seldom heard tune and felt nostalgic, coupled with the fact that 796 is approaching.. So apt!

There should be more modern songs like this... clean... happy... cheerful... hopeful...

We Could be Together

by Debbie Gibson

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If I were an only child

I would be a lonely child

But baby we've got nothing to lose

I'm standing tall in my own shoes

I'll take this chance

I'll make this choice

I'll right this wrong

I'll raise my voice

If it means

We'll be together for a while

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I have never had a doubt

But for you I'll take time out

I'll push his love far away from me

And then I'll be completely free

I'll give up my security

For just the possibility

That we could be together for a while

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CHORUS

If you said, "Jump!" I'd say, "How high?"

If you said, "Run!" I'd run and fly

Just for the chance

Just for the moment

Should the moment pass us by

And if you ask once, I'll tell you twice

I'll ignore the world's advice

If we could be together for a while

END OF CHORUS

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I am taken by your strength

I've thought about it at great length

I thought that I was happy now

But there are things that I found out

Happiness means greater things

I'll sit here 'til that telephone rings

Then we could be together for a while.

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CHORUS

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BRIDGE:

Wait'll I tell my guy (wait'll I tell)

Wait'll I tell my other friends

They'll all think I'm crazy-And you know what?

That depends...'cause I'm crazy in love

With you

And everyone's best won't do

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They'll say my hopes

Will not come true

But I'm taking the chance

Because you only live once-Only live once (only live once)

And...If you said, "Jump!" I'd say, "How high?"

If you said, "Run!" You know I'd fly

Just for the chance

Just for the moment

Should the moment pass us by

And if you ask once, I'll tell you twice

I'll ignore the world's advice

If we could be together for a while

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BRIDGE:

There are no guarantees

But if it means

There's even a possibility

Then I'll give up whatever it takes

I know I've made some mistakes before

It may be just another closed door

But we could be together for a while

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If you said, "Jump!" I'd say, "How high?"

If you said, "Run!" I'd run and fly

Just for the chance

Just for the moment

Should the moment pass us by

Ask me once, I'll tell you twice,

You know I'll ignore the world's advice

If we could be together for a while

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CHORUS

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Don't you know that we could be together for a while?

4 days

天堂到地离我多远?

Just finished watching a chinese documentary on Channel U. It's a travelogue on Lhasa... The chinese phrase was said by the host, Guo Liang at the end of the journey. It was a trip that left him pondering on the depth of the devotees' devotions and how far heaven is.

A very compelling travelogue indeed...

Perhaps it's time I plan for my next trip.... some place where I'll ponder this question too...

Perhaps Lhasa.. Perhaps Den Haag.. before it gets sunken..

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Pic by Noregt

Amazing Grace..

An ex-padawan gave me this link... Though I watched the movie (which was free for teachers) I didn't know about this MTV till now.. I did blog about that movie though in a previous entry.
The true story bears great significance but it may not impact us as much as it is remote to us in terms of time and country.

This morning, I watched another free movie meant for teachers. I guess teaching has it's perks in this sense... I've been watching a number of free educational movies this year... Freedom Writers, Amazing Grace, Artic Tale, and Hurricane on the Bayou @ Omni-max theatre (as part of Teachers' Day's goodie.. free offer for teachers last till 4th Sept.. so hurry!!).

Hurricane on the Bayou, is a timely film which shows audience how Louisiana was like before, during and after the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The thing that struck me was that one of the reasons for that strong hurricane was the rapidly disappearing wetlands which served as New Orleans' first line of defence against deadly storms. I didn't know about that at all. It wasn't really emphasised in the papers. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the wetlands are vanishing at an astonishing rate of 4046sq meters every 38 minutes. And why did the wetland disappear?? Need I say it?
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Human's indifference to preserving the envrionment.
Human's convenience & greed at the expense of the environment.
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Again, it is a true story that may seem remote to us in terms of time and country. Frankly, I read about the diaster and seen the footages but other than feeling sorry and uttering a little prayer for them, I don't think I did anything more. Yet, watching the movie this morning stirs up emotions once again and made me wonder what we can do to stop all these environmental disasters from happening when it could have been prevented.
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Perhaps, through education, we can one day convince the current and future generation the importance to put our environment and humanity before other secondary wants such as wealth and convenience.
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Looking at today's article on the latest complaints by house owners of places surrounded by enblocs esates, I felt a little relieved since one of the problem areas, Telok Kurau Lor N, was a place where I briefly stayed. However, all that unhappiness could have been prevented. Don't you think it is senseless to tear down perfectly good houses and condominums just to build new ones and sell. That's such a gross waste of building materials, especially the sand and granite. Couldn't they just find some other place to build it? Yeah yeah.. location is everything. A developer can earn more if the location is right. So I guess it's "ok" to remove more sand from other countries' islands and more granite from quarries.
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What will it take for all to realise that wealth and convenience are not everything?
What will it take for people to be less selfish and more giving?
What will it take for us to be less mean to others?
What will it take for us all to give life rather than take lives?
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Ans: Amazing Grace.
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Grace (noun) fr http://www.dictionary.com/
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1. (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence; "the conception of grace developed alongside the conception of sin"; "it was debated whether saving grace could be obtained outside the membership of the church"; "the Virgin lived in a state of grace"
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2. elegance and beauty of movement or expression; "a beautiful figure which she used in subtle movements of unparalleled grace"

3. a sense of propriety and consideration for others; "a place where the company of others must be accepted with good grace"
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4. a disposition of kindness and compassion; "the victor's grace in treating the vanquished"
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5. (Greek mythology) one of three sisters who were the givers of beauty and charm; a favorite subject for sculptors
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6. a short prayer of thanks before a meal; "their youngest son said grace"

7. (Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God
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