Wednesday, October 31, 2007
 Aidilfitri celebration is still ongoing for the young & energetic. I received such group last nite.
Alas it was a nite to remember. One of them, pictured above, in the midst of exhilaration of photo taking, unfortunately broke one of the 20 bulbs from my pricey ceiling lamps.
Now its 'cacat' or handicapped!
Labels: Home, Syawal 07
11:15 PM
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
 Inilah wajah2 keluarga angkat ku sewaktu aku berada di kampung Peleggong, Negeri Sembilan bersama-sama teman2 guru2 ku. Terima kasih atas kemesraan serta layanan Che Om sekeluarga. Insya Allah sekiranya Che Om singgah ke Singapura, akan kami berikan layanan yg serupa.
I am positively sure that the students enjoyed themselves too. Staying with a foster family for 3 days, enjoying home cooked meals 3 times a day was definitely a great change from eating fast food in Singapore.
This immersion programme was definitely a success. The closeness forged between the families and the students in a short 3 days was unbelievable.
One of the highlights of the trip was the mock-wedding ceremony, when 2 of our students became the king & queen of the day. It started with sparklers performance, followed by a procession where the 'bride& groom' were being lifted and carried by at least 12 abled bodied men, who were really our own boys. It was followed by a dance and gamelan performance by the villagers and ended with a mass performance by everyone including our students led by 2 very talented little girls who were barely 8 years old.
However, the highest in my mood chart was when we were caught in the rain while on our back from JERAM, a little waterfall area at the end of the village. I cant remember the last time i enjoyed myself playing in the rain..
The final day was definitely emotional. The send off was really sincere and poignant, there were hugs and tears made the goodbyes onerous.
KAMPUNG PELEGONG will be sadly missed..already
Labels: School
10:57 PM
Monday, October 29, 2007
Hujung minggu ku telah dihabiskan di Negeri Sembilan bersama 64 orang pelajar serta teman-teman guru ku di Kampung Pelegong Homestay. Pengalaman memperkayakan minda para pelajar dan membuat mereka lebih menghargai kehidupan mereka di kota Singapura.
AKAN BERSAMBUNG....Labels: School
9:12 PM
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Invited my NPCC cadets this evening...i guess they are my last invited guests..hehe
 SBS, Zu & HY looked like grooms waiting to be solemnised, with the 'samping' i rumaged from my wardrobe, collected over the years. They looked different from the blue uniform they usually don during parades.
 No gerls were present, but for the guys, thank you for ur presence.Labels: Syawal 07
10:54 PM
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
"Has anyone pissed u off before?" my neighbour asked me thru msn a few days ago.
The usually reticent MTSS caught me by surprised.
"Did someone just pissed u off ?" i retorted
...apparently yes!
I told him to just tell the person to
1) stop irritating him
2) stop getting on his nerve...& everyone's else around
3) stop being a pest
BUT how do u do that, especially to a young lady...??
Labels: School
10:40 PM
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
 Hiking was one of the itinerary during the trip..
"How intense was the hike?" Mr H asked
"Not as intense as Shamkahlo's shopping..."..Sher answered..hehe
Well, shopping was also in the intinerary...& i guess that was the highest in my mood chart, especially when there was a good buy.
BUY ONE GET TWO FREE! The signage just screamed at us..
I had a rough time trying to explain to the students how the promotions worked. After repeated attempts i gave up.
I bought this bermudas which was priced at RM$249 originally and had a difficult decision picking 2 other similar priced items. Mr H picked another surf short and i chose this medium duffle bag, priced at RM$219 originally. The total tally is RM$249 as it was the most expensive item among the 3 items. Well at the end. we only paid approximately SD$45 per item
GOOD buys definitely..Labels: Syawal 07
1:22 AM
Monday, October 22, 2007
Was away over the weekend to Desaru with a special group of students and equally special group of collegues. It wasnt for a holiday, wasnt a getaway but a retreat for self-reflections, after action review and self improvement.
Well, I've learnt many new things too..
1) Special Friend
2) Postive and negative pointers
3) Auto replay
4) Mood check
Heres a sample of a mood check which i tot was really riotous..
Labels: Syawal 07
11:15 PM
Friday, October 19, 2007
 Just visited my HC neighbour's blog. She talked about never judging a book by its cover. Well i I guess, sometimes its just inevitable to judge...If only we could sustain the innocence of a child. The carefree outlook. The Blasé attitude. The blithe spirit. The amiable disposition.
Just look at my nephews and nieces...simple adores all of them Labels: Famili, Syawal 07
2:30 AM
Thursday, October 18, 2007
 "...around 5.30 can?""..cher latest 10.15..." another change of timing..so i waited some more..finally at 11.27pm they arrived.
Last nite, my form class of last year made their annual Aidilfitri visit to my place. Thank you for ur presence.We had Italian, what was supposed to be for dinner, became supper followed by Ben & Jerry for dessert.
I was updated on latest happenings in the class, hormonal behavioral changes of fellow classmates and other pet peeves..scandalous even..hehe..
They left at 1.13am. As it was late i provided them with cab fare so that they could arrive home safely. Promised to meet up again soon, & not to wait for another Aidilfitri 2008.
Till our next meet...
Labels: School, Syawal 07
1:32 PM
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Received this card (below) from my neighbour, MTSS, when he visited me for Aidilfitri the other day. You're most welcome Sir!
Appreciated the content but I was really captivated by the visual on this card. Forlorn and enthrall. It was a painting by MacKenzie Thorpe.
As usual, i googled him.
His works express an entire range of human emotion, from the special bond of love and friendship, to the importance of self-reflection and individual triumphs. His works are a tribute to the creativity within us all and are a vivid expression of hope and human spirit. Throughout all his work there is a wonderful sense of 'love and truth'.He conveys his own messages of compassion, friendship and truth which resonates throughout his body of work.
Thorpe writes, "When people view my work, they will tap into their own hearts and souls, giving my work their own emotional interpretation.I left out many details in my work, details that can be obstacles to looking beyond the surface...I want people to look beyond with me"
Thank you MTSS for introducing this artist to me.
Now lets all look at this picture and give our own emotional interpretation, shall we?
Labels: School
12:03 PM
Invited a few close friends to celebrate Aidilfitri at my humble abode the nite before. Its an annual affair where they would be good food, altho high in calories some may argued, still they were feel-good festive goodies.
Thank you for ur presence, all of you! Many brought ice creams. thank you again. Ben & Jerry ice cream of coz! Nothing less! They all knew my taste...acquired and unsurpassed...hehe. The ice cream can last me all thru summer
When LL and WQ called i requested for fruits cos we gonna have fondue for dessert. The term "fondue" comes from the French "fondre" meaning 'to melt' .Originally Swiss , fondue became very popular in the USA in the 1970s.During the 18th and 19th centuries fondue was very much a delicacy enjoyed by wealthier people in urban settings.
Very HC information..hehe.
 However my HC neighbour toted a little pink book (above) & presented it to me. I lurve it so much because
1)Its supposedly written by Madonna
2)The illustrations were fabulous
3)Its about FRIENDS for Life
4)It was from my HC neighbours and gang.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Labels: Syawal 07
8:58 AM
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Met a long-lost ex-student last week during the Ramadhan month. Exchanged contact and promised to meet up.
He visited me last nite for Hari Raya, so much has happened in his life since i last met him in school 4 years ago. Loads of regrets in his life. Wrong choice of paths taken. Poor judgements in friendship..his life reads like a novellete .. Now older and wiser, he wants a better and meaningful life, especially for his future. Realised his folly from his'previous life' .Now he volunteers as camp instructor with a non-profit organisation. Attend religious class-Alhamdullilah. Spends more quality and constructive life wiith his family now. Sincerely prays that he will succeed in finding the correct route.
Hopefully his change is permanent. Insya Allah. Labels: Syawal 07
2:21 AM
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Eid mubarak is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The phrase translates into English as "blessed festival", and can be paraphrased as "may you enjoy a blessed festival".
However children just love such occassion. Jusk look at the happy faces of my nieces and my nephews on the 1st day of Syawal yesterday.Labels: Syawal 08
8:00 PM
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Today, I am celebrating the arrival of Aidilfitri after a month of Ramadhan. Alhamdulillah. Hopefully I would have the opportunity to meet Ramadhan again next year, Insya Allah.
Yesterday i managed to rush to get the required curtains to complete my home deco. However i realised that the curtains were too short for my windows..so guess wat i did? I decided to paint the lower exposed wall..till almost 4am again..on Hari Raya Eve.
Fortunately, i woke up just in time for my Aidilfitri prayers but due to the overwhelming attendance , i have to perform my prayers up on the roof , with thousands others.
A breathtaking experience.
A sumptuous breakfast followed at my sis, where i met my beautiful nieces (below). Will be meeting my other nieces and nephews a little later, maybe in the afternoon. Well i have a total of 19 nephews and nieces...hehe.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Muslims,
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan BatinLabels: Famili, Syawal 07
5:50 PM
Friday, October 12, 2007
 Stayed till 3am the nite before touching up on the newly painted walls. It would not be completed in the shortest possible time without the help of my soldiers.
Thank You SBS. Xie xie PXY.Terima kasih Zu.
Well, I thot I'll put up my curtains tonite, so that i'll have time to do other last minutes errands on Hari Raya eve tomorrow, but alas...the ready-made curtains i bought last week were insufficient!
ARGGGHHHHH... i need to get some more tomorrow!
LIST OF THINGS TO DO BEFORE HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI 1)Buy curtain 2)Buy pillow case. 3)Put up those frames. 4)Make cash envelopes 5)Make invites 6)Tidy up my room
Labels: Ramadhan 07
12:13 AM
Thursday, October 11, 2007
 Markings carry on today, but i just have no mood to do. There are still sooo many errands to do at home before the arrival of Aidilfitri. Nevertheless i have inserted some potentially good pieces here. The final pieces always evokes different feelings, usually frustration and boredom...hehe..excuse me while i go & wash my face before i continue...
Labels: Ramadhan 07, School
8:22 AM
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
 It was marking day today, but instead of marking ,I ended up in the kitchen helping Di baking Hari Raya cookies. Using the same dough, i've created a heart shaped cookie (above). Unflappably , I've mentioned that whoever eats my cookie will fall over hills for me...hehe. When i showed it to MT and SS, they said it would probably be more potent than love potion no.9.
I wish!
 Unlike previous years, my ex neighbour LLS and my HC neighbour couldnt accompany me to JB this time round for those Hari Raya cookies,due to our conflicting schedule. Disconsolated, i've got to head elsewhere since JB's are unattainable.. Surprised! Surprised! I went to IKEA for some new frames but bought myself some scrumptious cookies instead. Yes, IKEA the last place i would associate Hari Raya cookies with. My Hari Raya shopping is accomplished!.
Labels: Ramadhan 07
4:42 PM
 Visited the Hari Raya Bazaar at Geylang Serai again last nite. Well the 1st visit was my annual one with my HC neighbour & LLS. Last nite was different coz i went with my soldiers Zu and SBS, plus first timers, PXY, XA and ZY.
On our way there, SBS and myself were salivating on whether to have 'ayam percik' or 'ayam madu', came Zy the ever so mirthful jester, he asked whether 'ayam tetek' is available instead...hehe...Well, we forgotten to ask , anyway we didnt get to taste any of the chicken. We were so busy filling overselves up with variety of delicacies instead, lips-smacking kebabs, delectable and aromatic 'wadeh', moist and succulent 'deng-deng' and the list goes on. ZY almost became breathless by overeating and XA nearly forced feed himself as not to succumb to wastage
After we've been sated with satisfaction, we decided to head home. It was then the shouting game began, everytime we passed a store with vendors shouting their wares for attention and business, SBS and Zy will joined in too.
'BURGER! BURGER! ONLY RAMLIE..shouted SBS, the unsurprisingly puckish guy.We joined in the laughter cos we knew who SBS was insinuating.
BAJU KURUNG! was intercepted by ZY with his, 'BAJU TIDUR! BAJU TIDUR!' instead (pyjamas in malay), it was such a side-splitting moment.
Sticky and clamy, tho a little exhausted, be assured that we will be back again next year. Labels: Ramadhan 07
12:03 AM
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
 Tribute to Jane Goodall ( Oil on Linen)
'JANE GOODALL will be in town and she is giving a talk ', my lecturer announced!
Jane is a well-known primatologist, enthologist and enthropologist. She is best-known for her study of chimpanzee social and family life.
I think her talk will be rather relevant for artist and art educators alike . Goodall was instrumental in the study of social learning, primate cognition, thinking and culture in wild chimpanzees. Theres a similarity here as in creating contemporary art, because hand movements are more authentic for there is no involvement of the brain. The outcome is rather Surrealist. A style in which fantastic visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the artwork logically comprehensible.
Anyone interested? Labels: ART, Ramadhan 07
9:52 AM
Monday, October 8, 2007
 Nude Painting by a Vietnamese artist , Bich Ngoc
 Stylised Painting of a lady in nude'List several reasons why women were excluded from making 'great art'. Thats the topic to be presented for my next assignment which is due today. Points to look out for, 1) What are they? 2) How are they related to the idea of 'feminity'?
Well, according to my research, the answers to the the questions raised have so much to do with the theme of the paintings i've included in this posting. YES! NUDES! Labels: NIE, Ramadhan 07
1:26 PM
Sunday, October 7, 2007
7th October 2007, Sunday
 Saw this pair of interestingly outlandish sandal, DOPIES, in a men's magazine. The magazine stated that 'Dopies offers a fashion alternative to the conventional sandal without compromising on comfort & style'...so down the store i went & got myself a pair.i went After a few other purchases of need, i met up with my HC neighbour and LLS to break my fast. The first comment my neighbour gave was that my new footwear resembled the infamous Xi Bi leaf!! Ludicrous i thot...LLS said otherwise but his reply is unprintable!...hilarious tho'
Met up with ZY & gang thereafter to The evening prolonged as I met ZY & gang thereafter to catch a midnite movie, The Detective. Worth watching, a mystery-thriller that might send chills down your spine. However, I really missed those days when my HC neighbour was game enuf to watch similar movies but only behind her popcorn cup or through her designer cardigan. Must set a date for a movie soon. Mandatory! Labels: Me, Ramadhan 07
3:09 AM
Saturday, October 6, 2007
6th October 2007, Saturday
 PXY by shamkahlo
Woken up by an SMS that read, Good morning, ur blog is done!
Pleasantly surprised, my blog has a new skin now. I've chosen it the nite before but didnt expect PXY to be proficiently adroit to have complete it in the shortest time. I think i make a very difficulty client..hehe..but he was patient and adept. Thank very much.
But of coz i cannot ignore the contributions of my talented artists, Jews, Jyo and Eewin, who have helped me started this blog, and my dexterous technical hand, Eudy. Thank u all.
My first compliment was from Shaggyfish, who agrees that my new blog is more befitting to my personality. I concur! Labels: ART, npcc
12:37 PM
6 October 2007, Saturday
Finally my nasi lemak craving was satiated yesterday, only Boon Lay nasi lemak for me. Twice thwarted by my neighour due to her busy schedule. I told her, i wouldnt want to wait a year for another Ramadhan to satisfy my craving..hehe
However, her craving for those non-spicy white otak-otak has not been sated yet. Promised her will inform her immediately once i detected them. Labels: Ramadhan 07
10:10 AM
Friday, October 5, 2007
5th October..still
 MUSIC- BLUE & GREEN by Georgia O'Keffee
After SBS, OPS came and asked me to translate a Malay song entitled, CERITAKA CINTA. A non-malay speaker & a malay love song. Looking at the lyrics, speculating on the request... Uproarious!
Its a perculiarly pessimistic song, if u asked me
The chorus goes
Hentikan lah saja Jenaka bermadah-STOP this comic praises
Biasa terlalu sering ku dengar - Heard it too often
Ceritera cinta tiada berubah - Love Stories never change
Hanya mimpi yang indah- Only sweet fantasies
Akhirnya nanti kecewa - Disappointment eventually...
A plead to be left alone? Lackadaisical attitude towards a relationship?...Beats me! Labels: TV
5:35 PM
5th October 2007 Friday MUSIC- PINK & BLUE by Georgia O'keffee
SBS sent me a Mandarin song entitled XIANG TING DE HUA over MSN. He said a friend sent it to him, altho he refused to reveal who the sender was. He thought the melody was haunting and wanted me to translate the song for him. A malay guy appreciating a Mandarin song..suspicious! The song is rather apt to his present situation, the friend assured...fishy!
My neighbours were speculating abt the sender , as multi-racial relationship always makes a good novelette.
I sought SBK's help to translate the whole song, also the hanyin pinyin for easy sing-a-long session. She was almost too keen to help, i think she likes the song too..hehe. Well, OMY sang along too when i was listening to it later in the afternoon. My HC neighour was humming to the song when i left the office..i have helped to promote the song unwittingly.
PART OF THE SONG
想听的话你说给了他
Words that I want to hear was not told to her
我的快乐从此蒸发
My happiness evaporated ( from this earth)
如果同时爱的代价哪 相信
How can one believe the price of love @ the same time
想撒个什么谎
Wanted to lie
Labels: Ramadhan 07, School
5:28 PM
Thursday, October 4, 2007
4th October 2007, Thursday
 Mangled phone (artis unknown)
I am uncontactable for 2 days now.
Line was cut off due to unpayment..hehe
My neighbour asked me,
Dont you feel lost that no one can contact u now? Pay up lah!...she added.
Well... i feel peaceful i cant be disturbed incessantly by inconsequential SMSs.
However, 2 assignments are due next week, & both are group work and my group members are unable to contact me. I am afterall unreacheable.
I am feeling the need now.
I am feeling the compel to reconnect my line... so that my alarm clock can ring again at 5am for sahur too.. Labels: Ramadhan 07
2:34 PM
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
3 October 2007, Wednesday
 First Hand Studies
The Paper is finally over. Jubilation ! Elated!..not the students' but those are all mine.
Finally...no more nite classes, btw cooped up in the art room till 12.30am last nite with my artists. I thought the last time we stayed till 1am, was the last, but I was wrong.
No more killer bees, enough of those pitcher plants, no more uprooted roots..no more SMSs at 3am, and yes no more mundane questions.
Hopefully no more 1st hand studies of nasi lemaks, BUT the real thing..still craving for that Boon Lay Nasi Lemak my neighbour promised tho.
Alas, all good things must come to an end
Labels: ART, Ramadhan 07
11:27 AM
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
2 October 2007, Tuesday
 My neighbour always has fascinating tale to tell. When she asked, Do u wanna the edited version or the extended version? My answers have never change- Of course the extended version lah.
She has her way of telling stories, of coz with species added, oregano, saffron, onycha, Ashanti peppers..only HC spices for her...definitely
This morning, she asked the same question,and again she was intercepted by the same answers.
Hilarious..rather juicy..unfortunately the story cannot be repeated here..hehe
Labels: Ramadhan 07, School
11:54 AM
Monday, October 1, 2007
1st October 2007, Monday
My 1st assignment for my class( Understanding Visual Literacy) is due today. Still considering between 2 paintings, Chua Mia Tee's Road Construction Worker and Liu Kang's After Fire. Both have their own beauty but i do not have their paintings here.
 Unfortunately Mia Tee's Workers in a Canteen (below) and Liu Kang's Seaside (above) , their more popular pieces, were not one of the exhibited pieces in SAM, so i could not write on them
 Now back to my assignment...3 pages only..heheLabels: NIE, Ramadhan 07
10:26 AM
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