Happy Birthday to all celebrating their birthdays today!
After all, you only get to celebrate it once every 4 years... hehee... :)
Friday, February 29
Thursday, February 28
Wednesday, February 20
What does happiness means?
According to Wikipedia, Happiness is emotion in which one experiences feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy. This definition is, however, a synonymous one. A more clarified one is almost impossible to conceive due to the capacity by which a human can allocate the correct words into an appropriate and meritable sentence that would describe happiness.
Haha... such a 'cheem' definition for a simple emotion. Indeed, happiness means different things to different people.
Today, I had dinner with my girlfriends from secondary school. We have all left school for over 10 years already and we are all at different stages of life. One of them is awaiting the birth of her baby girl, another two are in relationships and me, the happy single. Looking at how far we have come, I feel happy for my friends that they are contented with where Life has led them to.
On the way home, I can't help musing about what happiness could mean to different people. For some, it can be being happily settled in their roles as mothers, wives and daughters. They may define their identity in their relationship with others (people around them).
For some, the fear of loneliness may drive them to find happiness in being in a relationship, even if it seems so clear to others that there is clearly no future in the relationship.
Seriously, I think the key to happiness in really contentment. As long as we are contented in what we have, it's happiness.
However, there are many unhappy people around because they are all chasing elusive dreams like waiting to find Mr 'Right' (which seems more like Mr 'Perfect'), chasing their millions, chasing after promotions etc.
After observing many married and attached friends (happily so or otherwise!), I've learnt that there is really no Mr 'Right'. There is only Mr 'Right' for you. Afterall, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, if we waste too much time looking out for Mr 'Perfect', we may actually miss Mr 'Right For Us'. While it's true that tall, dark, handsome, rich and spiffy dresser are very attractive qualities, they are also not qualities that build foundations for marriage. There are more important qualities to build a marriage like being generous, giving, caring, gentle etc.
Chasing millions and promotions are also not a way to be happy. I've been through the stage of chasing for promotions and higher salaries only to find myself extremely fatigued by that experience. Now, I just want to do my best at my work cos I want to put the pupils' interest first. If promotions, increments and bonus come, then praise God for more money.
In fact, I don't even wish to to have a responsibility at work if I can help it. I think I've been pushing myself too hard the last 5 years and now, I just wanna take a back seat a little. To me, happiness now is finding time to do the things I like such as planning quality lessons I can be proud of, completing my marking on time, going to the gym, giving tuitions (allows me to teach subjects I otherwise have no chance to do so in school), watching my favourite Korean dramas, go dancing when I feel like it, watch movie marathons when the mood strikes, go on holidays when I can afford to... most important of all, being paid a salary that matches the kind of work that I do.
Realistically speaking, while we cannot worship money, I'd rather be miserable and rich than miserable and poor. After all, with money, there is a certain level of happiness we can buy. Not worrying about where your next meal comes from is a very great happiness already!
Happiness can really be very simple. The key: Contentment.
Haha... such a 'cheem' definition for a simple emotion. Indeed, happiness means different things to different people.
Today, I had dinner with my girlfriends from secondary school. We have all left school for over 10 years already and we are all at different stages of life. One of them is awaiting the birth of her baby girl, another two are in relationships and me, the happy single. Looking at how far we have come, I feel happy for my friends that they are contented with where Life has led them to.
On the way home, I can't help musing about what happiness could mean to different people. For some, it can be being happily settled in their roles as mothers, wives and daughters. They may define their identity in their relationship with others (people around them).
For some, the fear of loneliness may drive them to find happiness in being in a relationship, even if it seems so clear to others that there is clearly no future in the relationship.
Seriously, I think the key to happiness in really contentment. As long as we are contented in what we have, it's happiness.
However, there are many unhappy people around because they are all chasing elusive dreams like waiting to find Mr 'Right' (which seems more like Mr 'Perfect'), chasing their millions, chasing after promotions etc.
After observing many married and attached friends (happily so or otherwise!), I've learnt that there is really no Mr 'Right'. There is only Mr 'Right' for you. Afterall, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, if we waste too much time looking out for Mr 'Perfect', we may actually miss Mr 'Right For Us'. While it's true that tall, dark, handsome, rich and spiffy dresser are very attractive qualities, they are also not qualities that build foundations for marriage. There are more important qualities to build a marriage like being generous, giving, caring, gentle etc.
Chasing millions and promotions are also not a way to be happy. I've been through the stage of chasing for promotions and higher salaries only to find myself extremely fatigued by that experience. Now, I just want to do my best at my work cos I want to put the pupils' interest first. If promotions, increments and bonus come, then praise God for more money.
In fact, I don't even wish to to have a responsibility at work if I can help it. I think I've been pushing myself too hard the last 5 years and now, I just wanna take a back seat a little. To me, happiness now is finding time to do the things I like such as planning quality lessons I can be proud of, completing my marking on time, going to the gym, giving tuitions (allows me to teach subjects I otherwise have no chance to do so in school), watching my favourite Korean dramas, go dancing when I feel like it, watch movie marathons when the mood strikes, go on holidays when I can afford to... most important of all, being paid a salary that matches the kind of work that I do.
Realistically speaking, while we cannot worship money, I'd rather be miserable and rich than miserable and poor. After all, with money, there is a certain level of happiness we can buy. Not worrying about where your next meal comes from is a very great happiness already!
Happiness can really be very simple. The key: Contentment.
Monday, February 18
Teacher mocks 'poor' essays by pupils in blog
fron http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080218-50182.html
A teacher has come under fire after his blog entry mocking his Primary 3 pupils was discovered and its URL passed to other netizens. The relief teacher had posted online four excerpts from different compositions written by his pupils and accompanying them, he had commented: "I have three terribly ridiculous compositions... a source of entertainment, I should say... I will type it out... no corrections or whatsoever... enjoy!" He later added a fourth composition.
A primary school teacher who only wanted to be known as Ms Wong, 28, felt the blogger was not professional. "If he puts it on his blog such that the children can improve, it's okay. If it's to amuse himself, then it's not," she said.
Parents my paper spoke to also had harsh words for the teacher. Madam Jearina Champion, a 36-year-old homemaker whose son is in Primary 6, said: "As a teacher, he has forgotten his role. If he thinks the compositions are bad, he should keep it within the boundaries of the classroom. As a teacher, he should care for the emotional well-being of the child." If her son had been one of the pupils whose compositions were criticised on the blog, she would "have a word quietly with him", if she is close to and respects the teacher. If not, she would "write to the teacher and send a copy (the e-mail) to the principal".
Madam Pee Hian Hwe, a 48-year-old mother of a Primary 5 pupil, agreed. "It's not up to me to say whether teachers have a right to do this on their personal blogs, but I guess the school should have rules as to what teachers can or cannot put online," she said.
Technology... love it or hate it but you never know how many people read your blog until something happens. I always thought of my blog was my outlet for my intellectual ramblings and doubted anyone would be interested in my otherwise mundane life. Until the day I posted an emotional problem I was overcoming...
For me, I had my problem worked out already and it was merely airing of my thoughts. Suddenly, all my friends started asking me if I was ok and it got me puzzled. I was wondering what they were refering to... turns out it was the blog entry. I was touched by the sudden outpouring of concerns. =)
I believe that as adults, you have to use your digression to decide what to blog and what not to blog. As a teacher, I do share about my life as a teacher, sometime good and bad. However, I'm not so insensible to post my kid's names, put up their personal information or their writings. Like doctors have code of ethics, so do teachers!
A teacher has come under fire after his blog entry mocking his Primary 3 pupils was discovered and its URL passed to other netizens. The relief teacher had posted online four excerpts from different compositions written by his pupils and accompanying them, he had commented: "I have three terribly ridiculous compositions... a source of entertainment, I should say... I will type it out... no corrections or whatsoever... enjoy!" He later added a fourth composition.
A primary school teacher who only wanted to be known as Ms Wong, 28, felt the blogger was not professional. "If he puts it on his blog such that the children can improve, it's okay. If it's to amuse himself, then it's not," she said.
Parents my paper spoke to also had harsh words for the teacher. Madam Jearina Champion, a 36-year-old homemaker whose son is in Primary 6, said: "As a teacher, he has forgotten his role. If he thinks the compositions are bad, he should keep it within the boundaries of the classroom. As a teacher, he should care for the emotional well-being of the child." If her son had been one of the pupils whose compositions were criticised on the blog, she would "have a word quietly with him", if she is close to and respects the teacher. If not, she would "write to the teacher and send a copy (the e-mail) to the principal".
Madam Pee Hian Hwe, a 48-year-old mother of a Primary 5 pupil, agreed. "It's not up to me to say whether teachers have a right to do this on their personal blogs, but I guess the school should have rules as to what teachers can or cannot put online," she said.
Technology... love it or hate it but you never know how many people read your blog until something happens. I always thought of my blog was my outlet for my intellectual ramblings and doubted anyone would be interested in my otherwise mundane life. Until the day I posted an emotional problem I was overcoming...
For me, I had my problem worked out already and it was merely airing of my thoughts. Suddenly, all my friends started asking me if I was ok and it got me puzzled. I was wondering what they were refering to... turns out it was the blog entry. I was touched by the sudden outpouring of concerns. =)
I believe that as adults, you have to use your digression to decide what to blog and what not to blog. As a teacher, I do share about my life as a teacher, sometime good and bad. However, I'm not so insensible to post my kid's names, put up their personal information or their writings. Like doctors have code of ethics, so do teachers!
Sunday, February 17
Death Note Marathon
Yay! It's finally here! Finally get to catch a Death Note Marathon... Wanted to catch the last one Golden Village organised but couldn't get tickets. Finally able to get tickets for this one!
I'll be catching it at GV Plaza with 2 other friends.
Date: Friday, 22 February
Time: 8.30 pm
Ticket Price: $29 per pair (includes free flow of popcorn & drinks)
Programme:
2030hrs - DEATH NOTE (130 mins)
2240hrs - 20 mins break
2300hrs - DEATH NOTE 2: THE LAST NAME (140 mins)
0120hrs - 20 mins break
0140hrs - DEATH NOTE SPIN OFF - L CHANGE THE WORLD (130 mins)
Hope I survive my first movie marathon... hehee...
I'll be catching it at GV Plaza with 2 other friends.
Date: Friday, 22 February
Time: 8.30 pm
Ticket Price: $29 per pair (includes free flow of popcorn & drinks)
Programme:
2030hrs - DEATH NOTE (130 mins)
2240hrs - 20 mins break
2300hrs - DEATH NOTE 2: THE LAST NAME (140 mins)
0120hrs - 20 mins break
0140hrs - DEATH NOTE SPIN OFF - L CHANGE THE WORLD (130 mins)
Hope I survive my first movie marathon... hehee...
Wednesday, February 13
Tis a great news indeed!
I've been finally emplaced... which means that I have been placed on the graduate scale and receiving graduate pay! Yay!
Although the increment isn't much (only $100 plus more), it's still more moolah... definitely worth my last 4 years of pain, stress and sleepness nites.
This also means I can start to think carefully about making plans to achieve my dreams! That's good news coming in pairs for me today!
Praise God!
Hopefully, I'm able to find great teaching opportunities so I can spread my wings a lil! =)
Although the increment isn't much (only $100 plus more), it's still more moolah... definitely worth my last 4 years of pain, stress and sleepness nites.
This also means I can start to think carefully about making plans to achieve my dreams! That's good news coming in pairs for me today!
Praise God!
Hopefully, I'm able to find great teaching opportunities so I can spread my wings a lil! =)
Sunday, February 10
Chinese New Year!
Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!
I like Chinese New Year... It's a great time to catch up with family and friends plus feast on goodies. (diet starts on Monday! haha...) Had a great time honing my mahjong playing skills (but lost out on luck this year!) and playing with friends' babies. I helped to carry baby Chloe and feed her. Chloe even fell asleep in my arms! Passed Mommyhood 1.01 already! =)
However, it can also feel a lil depressing at times... like going to my paternal side of the family. Whenever I go to my paternal grandma's house on the first day, it feels very weird cos we're supposed to be family (same surname, same blood running through our veins) but somehow, they dun feel so family either. My bro and I are the only kids without parents there plus I haven't seen my dad in 4 years either. Only the occasional phonecalls on my birthday. How depressing can it get...
Maybe I should travel next CNY... my spirits needs rejuvenation already....
I like Chinese New Year... It's a great time to catch up with family and friends plus feast on goodies. (diet starts on Monday! haha...) Had a great time honing my mahjong playing skills (but lost out on luck this year!) and playing with friends' babies. I helped to carry baby Chloe and feed her. Chloe even fell asleep in my arms! Passed Mommyhood 1.01 already! =)
However, it can also feel a lil depressing at times... like going to my paternal side of the family. Whenever I go to my paternal grandma's house on the first day, it feels very weird cos we're supposed to be family (same surname, same blood running through our veins) but somehow, they dun feel so family either. My bro and I are the only kids without parents there plus I haven't seen my dad in 4 years either. Only the occasional phonecalls on my birthday. How depressing can it get...
Maybe I should travel next CNY... my spirits needs rejuvenation already....
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