Nor Amelia Turns 14

Today is actually Amelia's (my niece) birthday but we celebrated it earlier over the weekend. It was such a headache to figure out what to get her. We (Kak Ngah and me) settled on a watch. We got a Solvil for quite a bargain. It was quite pretty, so tempted to get one myself but I haven’t been wearing a watch since the 90s. Din and Nisha gave her a dress. Here’s a couple of pictures of my beautiful babe niece.

Falling in Love vs You Are The One

Yesterday was the last episode of the Mandarin drama on 8, “Falling in Love” that I have been watching for the past couple of weeks. It’s actually a remake of the Mediacorp drama “You Are The One” shown here a few years back. A tale of three sisters and their single father who raised them himself, with the help of a widowed neighbour. The main plot is the sisters finding love in their lives.

Out of the three, the middle sister’s story was the focus of my attention. You know, the stereotypical, nerdy i.e. ugly woman with a beautiful heart if only the guys took the time to notice. Of course, anybody would root for her to get the shuai ge in the show, which she did eventually when he finally admits to himself that he has feelings for her, as she was about to go overseas for training. Ah the stuff my dreams are made of.

In the original the couple was Jaclyn Tay, who was really made ugly (hence the Star Awards nomination ha ha) and Christopher Lee.

(Photo from http://www.mediacorptv.com/)

In this version, it was Jessica Liu (I like her!!)and Zhang Yao Dong (who has become gradually dishy over the years I must say!!) They're the ones on the far right.


It’s a bit difficult to compare them though; both have their own merits I guess. I enjoyed watching both. They both got me hooked. And as always, I get a high from watching this kind of romantic dramas. For the few days that follow after, I will float in a fluffy cloud of hope and hazy optimism, replaying scenes in my mind (most probably with a silly grin plastered on my face) and seeing them in my dreams. But then I will come crashing down again. A normal affair.

But this time I think I will keep afloat a little while longer. The credit goes to the beautiful theme song “Dan Shen Qian Tao” It’s by Penny Dai, a Malaysian singer who has a wonderful sweet voice. I’ve been doing work and falling asleep to it on repeat. Have a short listen.

CD Binge

Didn't have sessions today but I went to the library to borrow some books for Week 3 - 5. Must prepare beforehand in lieu of my heavy baking schedule. Gosh...didn't think 8 hardback childrens' books could weigh a ton.

I went to TS on my back and yes, I will admit it... I went on a CD binge!!! Macam balas dendam gitu. Bought a couple of Andy Lau and Jay Chou CDs, those that I have not gotten yet and also 'Secret", Jay's latest movie. Didn't quite catch it at the cinemas.

Sigh miss Andy's voice so I have been listening to him these past few days.

Ok gotta listen to my new CDs and make sure there's nothing wrong with them.

Laterz!!

Baking Biz 2007

Okie...orders are coming in already. This year I need to limit the numbers cos of my current job project. That leaves me only weekends and weekday nights! Need to prioritise customers.

Tough one.

So I guess I'll have my hands full these couple of weeks.

An ever useful distraction.

Drama Queen? Me?

Went for a speech and drama workshop this morning run by THE Julia Gabriel. She is such a lovely woman. I felt so at ease. I was at first, apprehensive, wondering what the session was going to be about. But what she shared was not at all alien or something totally bizarre. I always used to have this idea that ,"Ooooh...speech and drama. Something lofty, something I don't or can't do, something to only watch." But she made it quite practical and fun.

I do so want to incorporate that in my sessions. To excite the kids, engage them more in the activities. I need to throw away all inhibitions and self-consciousness and just do it. Tried it a bit a few weeks back when I did an Animal Action ABC Book. I got down and growled like a bear, charged like a jaguar, flapped like a macaw and howled like a wolf pup. (Heh can you imagine that?) The children enjoyed themselves and we sweated it out.

Kay, need to see where I can slot this in my lesson plans.

"Drama - is heightened emotions." - Julia Gabriel

Jane Eyre

While waiting for Saz last night, I browsed at MJ Tampines Mall. And there nestled on the sale shelves was Franco Zeffirelli's 1996 version of Jane Eyre. I was exhilarated to say the least. I have it on VCD but the years have not been kind to it. It skips a lot now so I did intend to look for the DVD.

This is a wonderful romantic adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's literary masterpiece. The story of a plain girl governess who won the heart of the eccentric yet tragic Mr. Rochester. William Hurt played him very well here and Charlotte Gainsbourg was subtle in her portrayal of Jane. Although some aspects of the book were omitted (as most adaptations are) on the whole it was well crafted. I guess it's time for my occasional dose of Brit classics.

My most loved quote - Mr. Rochester's confession to Jane

"I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you - especially when you are near to me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if that boisterous Channel, and two hundred miles or so of land, come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapped; and then I've a nervous notion I should take to bleeding inwardly. As for you - you'd forget me."

Junk Cruise

The teachers had a celebration on a junk cruise and I was invited. When I saw the junk, I almost giggled, well it was a modified junk, good enough I guess. I had a nice time. The food was alright, quite tasty though I wished I had taken a bit more. Played Bingo (my first time) and there was charades as well (seemed I was the only one who knew 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' - geek alert or what). Got some Pyrex dishware for the lucky dip.

The best moment for me was at dusk, I stood at the front of the junk (whatever its called) and looked down at the water, smelling in the salt air and feeling the breeze. Even the partially blocked sunset could not disappoint me.

I am not a social creature and these events I mostly avoid but it's been a long time since I went for a 'staff get together' so it was a nice change to be in a collective once in a while.

New Toy

Yes...I finally got my own digital camera. A decent enough one, what with the tiny budget I had. Syed advised me to go down to Comex but I was tired and did not relish to be in the middle of a huge crowd.



It's a Kodak C613. Mine's not white but more of a pearly colour. Linda was kinda appalled that I was buying a 'bulky' cam and not the slim one. But I've always had an issue with holding something that might just slip out of my hands. Same goes for handphones as well.

Haven't had a chance to really tinker with it. Bought it cos of work mostly, to document my lessons etc. Hope I will get into it soon!