After careful considerations and many sleepless nights of thinking thinking and thinking – I have decided to stick to the path of the lesser risk.

Decisions Decisions Decisions

During special occasions,I would make sure that I’ll be the first person at midnight to wish my family and friends. I love it when I am the first to give wishes on Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Anniversaries, Christmas, New Year’s  etc. Now that I’m middle age – nothing much has change I’m still the same (tho’ the number of wishes sent out on midnight has somewhat reduced)

I would stay up till midnight to be the first to give wishes and blessings. Don’t ask me why I did it but I simply like it. It is just important to me, that’s all.

I appreciate a great deal if my friends do the same (tho’ I do not expect it, honestly). During younger days,I used to compete with my best friend on who will be the first to send wishes to each other!! Silly eh?  My other half knows how important it is to me and would always make sure he stays up with me – wish me at midnight, give me a kiss and then go straight to bed!! Bearing in mind, he is not really a ‘night’ guy and sleep is very important to him. This just show what a great guy he is!!! <3

Now you know alittle something (quirk) about me…..pretty silly but that’s just me

Let go of the ills of 2011 and look ahead.

The motto for the year is… LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE

LIVE every moment,

LAUGH every day, and

LOVE beyond words.

Goals

Be more Patient, more Understanding and more Loving.

Be more Organised, more Discipline and be more Environmental Friendly,

Be less Stubborn, and procrastinate lesser.

Here are my New Year’s resolutions ………and hopefully they are measurable too!!! Will have to try to adhere with them as much as possible this year!!

Resolutions for 2012.

(1) Continue to set aside time weekly to play the ukulele and piano (learn to play at least 6 songs in a year on the piano)

(2) Do some form of charitable work (I still need to work out the details for this one)

(3) Be more organised – pack my study area and categorize my library books

(4) Keep the apartment clutter-free (This will the most challenging resolution besides the procrastination)

(5) To start drawing and painting (watercolour) again (I’m still thinking about how to make this measurable!!! lol!!)

(6) To read and finish at least 5 novels in a year.

(7) To set aside time for all 3 children – undivided attention to each one at least 30 mins a week

(8) To start dating my husband – at least on special occasions e.g Valentine’s, Birthdays, Anniversary

(9) To start exercising ….hmmmm….at least jog/ swim once every week (should it be every fortnight instead?)

(10) PROCRASTINATE less – Need to ensure that I do not just meet deadlines but must try to meet it EARLIER!!!!

(11) Learn to ride the motorbike (I would love to ride a VESPA to work!!!)

(12) Ride the bicycle to NP some time

there….these are my 2012 resolutions. Have you work on yours yet?

May 2012 bring you lots of adventures, joy, fun and definitely love! Have a happy 2012 everyone!!!!

Here is my scorecard : 4 DONE, 3 SOMEWHAT and 3 NOT DONE

(1) Set aside time to play the ukulele. (15 mins a week to begin with) – DONE

(2) Get the piano tuned and start playing again. (15 mins a week to begin with) – DONE (tho’ i started very late…but nevertheless…been playing)

(3) Be more organised – pack my study area – SOMEWHAT :( (this is a constant struggle for me!! I have been slightly organized but could have done better)

(4) Try to reduce clutter – keep the dining table & piano free from my books and papers and what nots – SOMEWHAT 

(5) To finish working on our Melbourne Holiday Album (since June 2009) + organise all our digital photos – NOT DONE AT ALL!!!!!

(6) To read and finish at least 10 books in 2011. – DONE if includes textbooks!!! lol!

(7) To set aside time for all 3 children – undivided attention to each one at least 30 mins a week. – NOT DONE (I didnt do this weekly!!!)

(8) To start dating my husband – once a month (for a start) <3 – NOT DONE (will have to wait for Lucas to be slightly older so that we can engage a sitter)

(9) To start exercising (this is a tough one …..hmmmm….at least jog/ swim once every forthnight / month?????) – will likely revise this as I go along. -DONE 

(10) To be more discipline in skincare routine – SOMEWHAT

I barely passed

For me, 2011 was filled with many ups and downs.

FAMILY :

For the past one year, the most trying period was the first 3 months when my sister was first diagnosed with liver cancer. It was an emotional roller coaster ride. Me, being there for everyone to lean and count one. I was emotionally drained. It’s been 9 months and I am still coming to terms with her passing. I miss her terribly

My sister in law was diagnosed with cancer too and is presently receiving treatment.

My uncle was recently diagnosed with colon cancer too. Sigh.

A very trying and emotional year for us all. Let’s pray real hard and pray for good health and speedy recovery. I WANT TO KILL ALL CANCER CELLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ME :

I shaved my head for Hair for Hope 2011 to raise funds for cancer patients and also in honour of my only sister. I raised $15,641. Thank you my dearest friends for your support. I am blessed to have known all of you. What will I do without friends?? You are so so so so important to me!!!

I renewed my interest in piano. Bet my mum is pleased with this. I gave up cos’ I was totally put off by the piano exams. I knew she was disappointed when I gave it all up at Grade 7. I have not been playing the piano for more than 20 years now. Maybe I’m having midlife crisis now!!! lol!!! But I’ve decided to pick it up again and to show my children that when you put your mind to something – you can do it. I think I did it

WORK :

2011 also saw me having a mentor. I still can’t believe I have a mentor – someone who is willing to guide me in my career. I am indeed blessed (Tho’ I do wish we could communicate more)

I’ve been working alot in 2011. Way too much but it’s good for me cos’ it keeps my mind off sad thoughts. It helps that I love my work also way too much!!!

Had really AWESOME students this year too (but all my students are always the BEST). Makes teaching all so worth while. I love my vocation.

FRIENDS :

Old and New friends I have maintained and gained. Never felt so blessed in my life before with the wonderful and generous support of all my friends, old and new.

I LOVE my friends and wished I could tell them more often how important they are to me and how I really do appreciate to have them in my life.

VERDICT : 

Many highs and lows. I became a stronger and bigger person with the experiences experienced in the past 12 months.

Most importantly, I felt truly blessed and loved.

I love giving presents. I like to give surprises too (but good ones!)

I love it when I put together a present that meant to me as much as to the receiver. That’s my ‘Awwwwwwww’ moment. Honestly, it feels really GOOD when the receiver likes it as much as I do.

It’s something about the act of giving that makes one feel so special and good. I don’t expect anything in return….maybe … I just hope my act matters to some people. I love to watch their response to the gift. I don’t get it right all the time – I mean I’m not always good at getting people gifts that they want! Sometimes I am at a loss too. That’s the worse kind of feeling – getting presents for people for the sake of a special occasion.

Aha! …I had my ‘feel good’ moment today. Someone felt special because of a gift I gave. That makes me happy and I hope she is happy too cos’ she deserves it.

Have you had your ‘awwwwwww’ moment lately?

85% children’s books, 10% teaching resource books, 5% novels or self-help books.

I do not know how many books I have collected over the years but I have a HUGE collection.

I love books esp. children’s books. I have a soft spot for these books.

So yesterday was PROJECT LIBRARY MAKEOVER. Initially the book shelves were placed against the wall. I move them out so that now the shelves are open both sides and I can put books both ways (means I can shelf more books – initially I have books lying all over the floor). I am pleased with the makeover tho’ there are still books and notes lying all over the floor. It’s about 70% complete.

My dear husband of mine always commented that I have way too many books and it feels like living in a warehouse. Sigh! When he came back from work last night, the initial comment to the makeover was ‘This is not the way to do it, you need to give  some of your books away!” – My heart just broke to pieces as I literally spent the entire day working on it.. As much as I know there is some truth is his words, it still sad to hear his first response. I was hoping for  - ‘Wow! not bad!” or “Mmmm…there’s improvement”, or maybe “looks nicer than before”. Needless to say…I did not get positive feedback.

The next couple of weeks will be tedious as I will need to sort the books, catalogue them and then decide which book stays and which book will have to go. It will be a sad couple of weeks as it means that I will likely have to give away some pre-loved books. As much as I do not want to give away any books – I know I have to. Sigh….Why am I so sentimental????? If only I’m a ‘thrower’. Big Sigh.

I started playing piano when I was 10 years old. My mum wanted me to learn Ballet and could not find a ballet school (THANK GOODNESS!!!!) and settled for piano classes. No regrets

I progressed pretty quickly but soon lost interest due to the tedious examination process. I had a hard time with aurals and thus decided to call it quits after finishing grade 7. Since then, I hardly touch the piano. I played every once in a blue moon….

I never gave my piano away. It was a piano that my parents paid good money for and it’s shared between my sister and I. After my sister moved the to USA, I inherited it. Due to sentimental reasons, I decided to overhaul it 3 years ago – very expensive (to me)!!!!. Still after the overhaul, it was hardly used. Poor piano – must have felt neglected and unloved.

One of my 2011 resolution was to pick it up again. I didn’t do much for the past 11 months. hahahahhahaah…..finally last month of the year – I felt that I owe it to myself to play the piano. My fingers were stiff and the notes played were awkward – nonetheless I think I still have it!!! So….I started playing again. Usually TIME is a factor for me but suppose if I better organise my time  - I’m sure I can squeeze in 15 mins a day right? it’s all about priorities!!!

Maybe it’s also about time to start my kids on some form of instrument playing……..

Sometimes I wonder if I need to draw the line between work and personal emotions!!!! Sigh!!!! Big Sigh!!!!! It can really be so draining at times cos’ my emotions go up and down everytime. Just when you start having loads of fun – the class ends. Just when you get to know the students better – the class ends. Just when you start to have momentum – the class ends!!!! Sometimes it is just so hard to let go…………

That’s the price of being a teacher at times. It is to learn to let go and let your charges fly independently. And it makes it all worthwhile when you see the groups come together to present an item for you. The cohesiveness, the camaraderie and the love they share. You know you did something right when you see them working as ONE. Certainly very very heartwarming.

Though the departure was heart wrenching, it’s not a total goodbye as I will still see them in school or maybe at the malls!!!

Dear students,

THANK YOU my dears for making my work so enjoyable and fun!!!!

THANK YOU for all the performances and the love you have showered upon me!!!!!

THANK YOU for giving me wonderful and cherished moments and memories!!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

XOXOXOXOX, your teacher