Wonderful!

I am so motivated now!

After listening to the titah just now, I feel that there is a reason for living. If I could get the full transcript of the titah, I will laminate it.

It is wonderful how He has pointed the fingers at all the 'people' who are like robots! I do wonder at the lack of initiative by certain people. Everyone is always waiting for someone to sign a piece of paper to certify something.

Instead of running like chickens without the heads, these people should take the initiative and implement things (of course after thinking it through). Some of them fear their positions and wait for others to ok it. It is also the TOP who do not listen to their staff at times and I mean, seriously listen. So many times, you say or try to show that something that they want done should be looked at from all angles. Not by merely looking at another place and say what they can do, we can do better. I appreciate the input from other places but we have to negotiate and look at the current situation.

There were so many parts where I was applauding and had my eyes and ears glued to the screen. For sure I will catch the 8 oclock and 10 o'clock news. I hope that nothing is left out and the full titah is made available to the public.

Aja Aja Hwaiting! I am too choked up at the moment. Will watch the news again and make notes!

So full!

Last night was dinner at WECAN restaurant, behind Sin Kiew Hin in Gadong.

It was an amazingly quiet night. There was hardly any traffic and plenty of parking. Most likely, many people had come to their senses and are avoiding crowded areas.

As far as I know, my little cousins (kiddy age) have not been to school. I do think that for little kids it is still a bit risky for them to be back.

I just can't believe the amount of Ss who came to school and are obviously sick. Who could miss their teary eyes and sniffling. Plus their attempts at hiding their coughs did not work. Why did they insist on coming? Boring la... were the main responses.

Back to dinner. It was just the three of us this time. I guess we were feeling hungry cos we ordered three dishes and they were huge. [kailan with oyster sauce, Mango Fish and Singapore Tofu ~ YUM!!]

The food was quite good actually and it was an enjoyable dinner. There were lots of other families there and it was a quiet place to eat.

We chatted a bit about work (usual) and about the current situation at work with the virus still floating around. I mentioned that my trip to Japan may be scrapped due to the uncertain situation (leave or no leave) and so I was thinking of either HK or Singapore. Chingus?

MsLexus left earlier and she mentioned she would not be able to make it to MsK's place next week for dinner. I told MsRacer that we would most likely carpool cos MsK's place is far. So I will confirm with MsK later on.

Sigh.... fortunately I am not in a big funk at the moment. At times I felt like I was going to be on a downer but then I have to drag myself up. It is not all from work but the uncertainties in life. I hate uncertainties! Sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball so I can be lazy and look into the future. So what does the future hold for me? I NEED A VACATION!!

Halfway through

It's now Wednesday.

At work, it seems like attendance is still dropping. I was in a class this morning and more than half didn't turn up. I had to scramble to think of something for them to do because I didn't see the point in continuing my lesson when there are so many absentees.

It was amazing what the small amount of Ss could do. I found my reputedly worst class was so attentive and responsive. I didn't have to shout or censure any of them. I think it was actually premium teaching time. If the rate is still down on Saturday when I next see them, I will continue teaching according to the plan.

The workplace has been pretty quiet. Not as many hoo-haa ing around and the Ss seem more subdued.

I had spent the last two days explaining to the Ss the facts about H1N1 using information from the Health Departments around the world. I regularly log on to the WHO website where they have updates about all the countries and what was happening.

I also visit the local MOH websites as well as Singapore MOH's website. There is so much information about the virus and what the MOH is advising the public to do.

Well... last night I slept really early, about 9pm. And I only woke up at 6am so I totally missed MJ's memorial. I do hope that there will be a full repeat on one of the channels or I may have to resort to piracy! I am sure my trusty shop will be stocking copies of the memorial service soon. I have to admit, when I watched what his daughter said at the end, tears started leaking out from my eyes. (How can I miss it with multiple repeats on CNN!) It was simple, yet so moving!

So now we move on from MJ's death and we should try to remember that he brought music into our lives and honestly, we all wonder about all the rumours when he was alive. I hope now, we can remember his legacy to us, his wonderful, memorable songs. "I WANT YOU BACK" ~ I love the Jackson 5 as well!

It's the beginning

Today went more smoothly than I had anticipated.

There was a feeling of calm in the air and no panic situations.

I could see a lot of Ts were wearing masks and some Ss as well. Attendance was as expected with some Ss staying away.

Even though the numbers were as they were, I continued my job. I think I will be asking the Ss who are away whether or not they want make-up classes.

The Ss in the school were relatively healthy as we became hyper sensitive to the coughs and sneezes around us. I think the best thing to do at this stage is to teach proper hygiene and to provide accurate information. Nothing causes chaos as much as misinformation.

Here's hoping for a smooth day tomorrow as well. I haven't checked the updated numbers but I know it is not decreasing any time soon. What I am worried about now is the Sept holidays! Please please, be as usual....

His new hairstyle... Makes him look even younger... SIGH>>

Been around the world...

It hasn't been a break for me.

The last two days I was at a seminar and they were full day workshops. On the bright side, I have an additional 16 hours on my 100 hours..... hehe...I am in the paper. Just play find Noona game..

http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/jul2h12.htm

So now the flu situation has multiplied. 66 cases and counting. I do hope they do not decide to keep the schools closed. I can only see the cases increasing and if so, do we keep the schools closed until the end of the year?

It has just struck a lot of people that if schools remain closed, there will be payback later on. I can see that our holidays later on will be affected.

Plus... please look at other countries. They have not closed schools and just stepped up their precautionary measures. Singapore only closes the schools when the suspected cases have reached a certain level within that school. Everyone focuses on schools but what about Malls and cinemas? We are still breathing the same air in the Malls and the cinemas are enclosed areas. Air conditioning would help spread the virus even more quickly as they circulate the air. Do we see anyone recommending that the Malls and cinemas close for a week?

Something for everyone to ponder...

Just remember the catchphrase "Practice Social Responsibility!"

Now for the positive in my life! ButterflyAngel... check out his necklace... hehe...

Where are the students -_-

Wow...

I have been away the last three days and became too lazy to blog.Let me recap.

Friday nite - Dinner with aunt and uncle. Korean food (yummy) and to top it off, coffee at Fleur.

Sat nite - Dinner with my sonsaengnim. Went to the Thai restaurant at Jerudong. She made the comment that the last time she went there, it was with me as well. LOL. I guess it is a bit far for the usual folks.

Sun - had swimming again but I had the symptoms of me getting sick. Bad sneezing episodes and a slight fever, no cough. I told myself yesterday that I would see a doctor today if my condition became worse. Thankfully, I am slightly better although I have a low voice today.

Today - Studentless for one week. I think I will enjoy it but I must think of something to do the rest of the week or I think I will go mad. Luckily I had some marking to finish but what next? LOL..... don't get me wrong, I feel that I can do a lot of planning stuff this week and I only have myself to blame if I am not ready by next week.

I miss my boy-boy! So today I will post three pictures!

My favourite scene at the swings!!

RIP - MJ and Farah Fawcett

How can one not pay tribute to one of the greatest pop acts of all time as well as the iconic woman who became the poster girl in the 70s with her flipped hair and wide smile.

Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

I woke up to disbelief when I switched on to CNN and the news was that MJ had died. This was at 7am in the morning when there was no official confirmation yet.

No matter what may have occured throughout his life, from his humble beginnings to his rise to pop stardom and his numerous 'scandals' - MJ is an icon.

You will find it difficult to find someone who does not know who MJ is. Go to the wilds of Alaska and I am sure they have heard of him or at least heard his music.

He was such a mysterious figure and that was strange considering the amount of time he was under the limelight.

We were lucky to catch him in concert in Brunei, more than 10 years ago. He was such a superstar and there were fans everywhere. Even as I stood outside the amphitheatre in Jerudong, I could feel the electricity in the air and practically everyone around me knew the lyrics to his songs. It was like I was in a norebang (karaoke room)

I think today's news coverage will be about him and I don't know if it will rival Princess Diana's death coverage.

I want to move on the Farah Fawcett.

She was only 62 when she died and she had been battling anal cancer. She had finally decided to marry her longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal and that was yesterday's news. Today I woke up to the news that she had passed on as well.

I remember her from the original Charlie's Angels, which I used to watch when I was little. I loved the thought that 3 beautiful ladies could use their skills and solve crimes and help people. Farah might have been the overtly sexy one but she used those skills to the maximum. What man could resist her big smile and the blend of innocence and sensuality. Plus when she flipped her hair.. WOW.

I decided that I don't need to write long tributes. There will be tons on the news today. What I hope for is that Farah Fawcett's death is also highlighted. I feel sad for her that MJ's coverage has overpowered her coverage.

RIP - Michael and Farah