Afterthought for January

Year 2008 January was much better to me..

I remember really hugging my mum as I handed her an Hong bao for her birthday.... ironically she gave one back to me in the same month. You see.... we are both January babies. But after what has happened, somehow my bond with my parents never felt stronger, now its definitely much stronger! I guess young people like us tend to forget about our parents and only 'run back crying' when we come across difficulties outside of our life. I'm actually quite glad that I was the one betrayed in the relationship so I do not have qualms about anything. I'm still trying to be wiser and less kind-hearted cuz I know it just doesn't pay to be a nicez guy all the time.

Had to bring students of ACS (I) overseas for our Overseas Education Programme. Have to admit we got closer in bond but I did warn the kids never to overstep the line. But lower secondary kids have always been adorable and once you've taught them at that level they just get acquainted with you easily when the proceed on to upper secondary. Anyway for our time spent at OEP the school granted us a day off on Friday -18th Jan which was my birthday! haha! That day went for 'tui na' to deal with the problem with my injured ankle and toes and blood that could've clot was extracted out - not very painful. Alice went along to see to her problems too and after that treated me to lunch as form of my birthday treat.

So the next touching thing that happened was my JWSS kids who booked a chalet for their last gathering before obtaining their O level results and also inviting me to celebrate my birthday. It was a Rasa Sentosa so it was easy for me to pop out of there to Vivo City to celebrate my birthday there with the Bukit Panjang gang before I went back to the chalet. Got a heart attack - dint happen to me just a statement - when my dearest Godaughter Tinglei had an asthma attack. Wilson carried her from the beach while I carried her the rest of the way up and got help. So fearful something would happen to her but it was ok so far. Then again left at 5am to prepare for Dedication day of all ACS schools.

Snapshots of me and JWSS kids who've graduated this year since at Rasa Sentosa.
Kuofeng caught in the act.
Mardiyah - probably she took this herself
Amanda. so xian su.
I was watching Coffee Prince with Andy.
Mard with Yanting. Mard can u explain y u r everywhere?
2 of my darling god daughters who were at the chalet

Photo I missed out 1 Wilson!

Dedication Day with a number of ex-colleauges (Susan was there but I only said hi to her, a pity Yappy Yap has left) in the AC family. Hilda and Zuomin treated me to ice cream for my birthday. After that it was back home repack and back to Rasa sentosa for the last time. Watched the rest of the 'Coffee Prince' discs there and slept around the place cuz there were too many kids around. Finally all had food at the nearby hawker centre opposite Harbour Front and went home.

The next big thing was the kids' results and I was glad that the group closest to me made it. Cept Mardiyah has a small problem with Maths D and she plans to retake it next year loh. Overall my prayers were answered and all my Godaugthers made it! Even the most worrisome girl of mine Tinglei! Thank goodness. Now I just want to wait for the next batch who are currently Sec 5 and 4 to finish with this school and I'll not go JWSS to see anybody again... maybe except for Aziz and gang if they are still around.

Finally Gavin gave me a treat along with Alice at Concourse, quite sad to hear that place will close down soon but most of the shops are shifting to somewhere else and its not much diff. Well think thats about all that happened this month and shall sign off now. I do hope to get use to the busy start of school and start exercising again!

Finishing up

Think I've been too busy and dragged for too long,

The last day in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh city area again was our visit to the Cao Dai Temple, Chu Chi Tunnels and some handicraft factory. Although we went on two different buses, we still ran into our German friends at the handicraft factory.

Below are some pictures of the handicraft factory, its suppose to be our 1st stop. But it feels almost like those places we visit in Thailand, just that they have a unique way of putting these pieces of art together using shells and eggshells. Really beautiful.

Cao Dai Temple:

We visit this place almost close to noon under the really blazing hot sun. The Cao Dai religion is a mixture of Catholic, Taoist and Buddhist religion which is too complicated for me to understand. Most of the believers are in white and the seniors seem to be in red, yellow and blue. We were there to witness a ceremony which after some time I got a bit 'sian' with it and just went off to find their toilet which is located far away.

I really liked teh Chu Chi Tunnels most, being the history teacher that I am. I went through the already lengthened tunnel in terms of its width and height and it feels so cramped still! It was originally 0.8 by 1.2, they've actually increased it to 1.2 by 1.6metres and still it feels so cramped. I knocked my head once only but think the girls got their head knocked more than once. Maybe except for Hilda cuz she's so small in stature. We did a 'Blare Witch Project' of our own as we huffed and puffed. Halfway through Alice lost sight of the people in front and she got quite scared. So fortunately I had my torch and I just passed it up to the front. After leaving the tunnels with a few photos taken, we went to their shop by the live firing range and I ate another ice cream. So cheap! Then I took pictures of the Ang-Mohs there firing the weapons. I was quite impressed with the Russian AK 47 Assault rifle as it was actually shorter than I thought!!

That night I went around the places I visited the previous night and started buying. I bought lots of Tee shirts and 4 Vietnamnese helmets and went around, running into the girls and our German friends ( oh ya I separated from them to do my own shopping).

13th morning our very last day was spent at the Museum.We paid a small fee and entered and I must say I was quite disappointed with what I saw. There weren't many things to look at except for some display and stuff related to Vietnam's way of life and the war. I came back to Singapore to realise that I missed out on the War Crimes Museum. I think the next time I go back to Vietnam I must visit that place.

Ok very rushed but I think I cannot be too detailed because I need to include other things about my life too especially since the month of January was special for me.