CIPLAK!!!!

sucess in life?

Success in life is not measured by how big a house I could live in
Success in life is not measured by the fancy sports car I might own
Success in life in not by how much I earn a year
Success in life is not how many times I travel around the world
Success in life is how Happy I am with my life, how I have strive to make my life happier and people around me happy.


The seven deadly sins makes people unhappy!


Life is short BUT is a long journey...we live and learn and grow.
Life is about taking risk to be a better person and a happier one.
Life is about giving and sharing.....
and sometimes life is very cruel and we have to be strong!


Strive to be happy and smile!

The trials of teen mothers

The trials of teen mothers

This is a good article I read this morning. I pray that when it ever happens to any of my "children", I'll be strong and able to face the challenge.

Fasting Month

We have classes on Saturday only in the month of Ramadhan. This is because we close at 5 every day, during the weekday.

Working 5 days a week at the centre is not a norm for me. Working till 5pm feels nice though.

Some muslim students would fast and attend classes. It's nice to see how these young people train themselves. Sometimes, my non muslim students would ask me how it is like to fast. I tell them, fasting is like training ourselves to be patient. Not allowing ourselves to eat when we're hungry, not allowing ourselves to drink when we're thirsty and not allowing ourselves to get angry when we feel agitated. They'd march out of my room saying "I can never do that!!!"

Conversation with Kushi

Kushi : How old are you Teacher?
Me : guess
Kushi : 33?
Me: I'll let you guess 2 more times
Kushi: 32?
Me: No
Kushi: 31??????

Me: No. I'm 38
Kushi : Oh! you're older than my mom. She's 34, and my dad is 35 (talk about giving it all out...children are children)
Me : really?
Kushi : do you have children?
Me: No

Kushi: How come? my parents are younger than you, but they have me and my brother
Me: different people have different Life dearie.
Kushi: Why?
Me: that's what we call life. You cannot have the same kind of life as other people. You have to be happy with what you have. You'll grow up and will have your kind of life ok? But you must always be happy with your surroundings. Then you'll always be a happy person.

Kushi : silent.

Kushi means Happiness...and that's what I believe she will always have. As for me, it's Kabhi Kushi, Kabhi Gum. (that's in Hindi!)

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I am in the middle of getting good videos for my presentation. This afternoon, I had the opportunity to mingle around in the library a little bit more. When Little Miss Nanako finished her Maths and English, she had to wait for a little while more for her brother. I decided to pick up a Japanese book to read to her. A book called "Ton  Kotori". The video would tell all. (that little time with Nanako made my day!!!!)

Quarterly Report

I received a quarterly report from my Area Manager today. I know we've worked hard this year. So, when I received positive comments from her, it made me feel like what we've done for the last 6 months, was worth it.

I work all day, I work all night.....

It's that time of the year again, where students from International Schools go on Summer Break, and I'm left with bills to pay, as usual. Nothing new, about bills to pay.....just during this time, the pressure feels more.

Even though we did a record breaking performance in July, August drop is not helping much. I'm hoping for September to be better again, and not like last year where it dragged on till end of the year.

A lot of communication has been done this year, between students and parents. I'm hoping I've somehow drilled in the concept and aim upon joining this program, more and more.

IN the middle of doing my accounts now, and I feel like getting a heart attack (kidding of course!)

Dumping Babies and Irresponsible Dumb Adults.

I don't usually write about the general issues that appear in the newspaper, but it's been bothering me lately. Everyday, I read about dead babies found at the dump sites or at the river. How can people do such act.

Was discussing about this issue with my mom tonight. As an old timer, she has set her mind to condemn the couples. Not only  for dumping their babies, but also for getting themselves pregnant. My argument here is, if they were accepted by their family and public for the wrongdoings they have done, they would not be forced to do such thing.

Sex education is still taboo in my country. Many groups try to promote it. Many school children are aware of it and are exposed to it in some ways. However, people of my generation or older were not exposed to "sex education" therefore, it's not that easy for us to openly accept that children need to be exposed to it.

What is in "sex education"?  It's about safe sex and getting help  when they're in trouble.

I will not go too deep into this as I feel sick thinking of a little lifeless body lying or dying by the roadside. The only positive thought I can think of is, I know for a fact, these babies will go straight to heaven.

Draft of presentation

I have been honored by the head office to do a solo presentation. They want me to share with the other instructors my "Mini Library". The presentation dates were always changed because of the problem they're having at the head office. I have a feeling they're trying to re-organize the English team.

I have a rough idea on how I'm going to start. I'm thinking of getting all the old pictures I have from my old albums. Pictures of all my centres, from the very beginning. How i started the mini library. When I only had one row of books from my own collection to two rows of books, donated books from the students, to right now, around 500 books.

I'm excited to also share the pictures of my students reading. While lying down on the carpet, or sitting in a circle or just relaxing on the chair while reading.

The introduction song.....

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Parents' meeting

At my centre, We're open for meetings with parents during our non operating hours. Parents would make an appointment and we'd discuss about the child/children's performance for 45 to 60 mins. 

From these meetings, I personally feel rejuvenated. I say that because the sharing and the communication done made me feel very happy. Not that it always goes as I'd want it to be, but I always welcome questions and doubts they may have. 

I also share about the small details about the method with them.

Perfect Team

I'm part of a dynamic and positive team. Just being in this team uplifted my spirits all over again. Funny how positive energy can be felt when we're all together. All of us came from different background and beliefs, but are all working towards the same goals.

I'm talking about my Perfect Fit team. I've spent 12 years teaching children Maths and English. It's such a fulfilling job. With Perfect Fit (my 2nd job) I'm also educating people how a change of lifestyle can lead to better health. It's pretty exciting to see students losing fats and weight right before your eyes within 45 days. Amazingly enough, when one of the coach tried doing this correspondingly with a student abroad, the method worked just as well. 

I'm here to share the positive vibes I get from the team...through a video prepared by our Head Coach!!!!

 http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=sxzGrI2YOT4 (still in the workshop)

Japan 2008-I long for memory like this.

click on the pic to see more then click on SLIDESHOW.

I've kept these pictures to myself but would like to share it here now. Everytime I look at the pictures, it brings back all the happy memory I had during our last trip to Japan. I know my friendship with some of the instructors will always be there, and pictures tell all.

Today, I have the luxury of staying at home. I am not feeling well. Tried to google what it's all about and found out it's Strep Throat.Been down with sore throat from last week, but usually it would subside. Yesterday, used a torchlight and made my own investigation to see why I'm not feeling all that good. I was feeling weak and suspected it's my throat.

It's raining outside and my idea of being in bed while being sick is reading a good book. Today, it's Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert.  Lovely book.

Asia and Oceania Conference in Singapore-2010

I was in Singapore recently for a yearly conference. After attending the conference in Cebu last year, Singapore was a real boring trip. The hotel was extremely nice though because from my bed, I could see what Singaporeans are now proud of; the Singapore Flyer and the Marina Bay Sands Casino. The scenery was to die for.

from the balcony

from my bed. through the glass window

I think throughout the conference....I only enjoyed the hotel room. (unusual!!!)

Fan Club?

I am willing to open my blog again to the world. I knew a few instructor friends who used to follow the blog on a daily basis. When I blasted a mass email sharing about the blog again, I received replies from my "ardent fans". Thanks Jennifer and Ogawa Sensei. I know I've not been as upbeat as I used to be, but I promise to improve from now on.

Thanks for your support for this blog.

During the 50th Anniversary in year 2008. (nice memory)

Friendship

Since the discovery of facebook, I met a lot of my old friends. I'm so grateful.

Coming from 2 different schools (in secondary levels), I am blessed with many friends. In year 2008, I got in touch with a few friends that I was not even close to when we were back in school. Our friendship has blossomed. We're more like sisters now. We'll make it a point to meet up every now and again.  It's always nice to feel belong to a group of strong character women. It's always about motivating each other.

We all go through ups and downs. We've been through death in the family , divorce, marriage problem, financial problem and many more things together. It cemented our conviction that we did meet for a reason.

I pray that this friendship will grow to our golden age together.

Diet Program

I put on so much weight over the last 3 years. Early this year, I made up my mind to find a solution. I was amazed by the result of one of my student's mom, She introduced me to Perfect Fit. I started following the program since February and lost 6 kg within 4 weeks. I was just very happy that I can now fit in my old clothes and look better in them.

I was even asked to share my everyday journal while going through this program. http://perfectfit-hp.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-goes-on-in-students-head.html

Because of the success rate, I've decided to take up the coaching course and make it my second business. It is quite tiring, but I have a dream and goals to why I want to do this. I would like to help my friends who are in need to loose weight. At my age, health problem will start and it's not a nice feeling to not being able to enjoy life, just because of health.

 Before (CNY 2010-Laos)

After (June 2010-Singapore)

Theatre

I have taken the liking of watching a theatre show. Last year I went with Rini to Cuci the Musical. Enjoyed it tremendously. Early this year there was an international production of West Side Story. I used to watch the movie with my late father and wanted to go to this show badly cos I can still remember the songs.

Last Sunday, I was invited by my cousin to watch Cuci 2-the musical. It was an opportunity to watch it with new castings and a little bit of difference in a few scenes.

grey hair and being matured

Drying my hair this morning, brought my attention to my grey hair. I've started having them about 3 years ago. I think I have more now.

That reminds me of an incident I had with an 8 year old at the centre. She asked me how old I am and I told her that I'm very old. She guessed...."50????"  then I decided to say "yes". Later she commented, "no wonder you have grey hair. my mom is 40 and she doesn't have grey hair" (uuurghhh!!!)