Change a Life

Living in a third world nation keeps you down to earth. Try it. No more living a sheltered life thinking everything is hunkydory. I believe that we are all here to help each other, in anyway possible at least. Sometimes you think your world is crumbling around you but that fact is that its all in your mind, the very next day you realise that it wasn't that big a deal anyway.

After living in Jakarta, I have become a better christian, as I focus on the Lord Jesus Christ more and I finally understand chrisitianity better. Sometimes, I find it really difficult to fathom the reality of the world but I suppose I will never reach that state.

Recently I gave loafs of bread to a poor village in Jakarta and some were disgruntled that it was just bread, some snatched, some smiled, some came for seconds, some thanked, some waved us away initially but came around when they found out it was free. I was reminded by the holy spirit that these people have been through hardship and its difficult for most to smile and appreciate anything else. Now that is sad. But, all we can do is pray for them to turn to Christ and find their place in the Lord's house.

I came across these sites; http://www.kiva.org/

https://secure.oneplace.com/OpenDoors/default_m.aspx and wish to share them with you. I believe in doing our part for the poor and needy. There is always some soul to feed.

FLOOD!

Its been awhile since I felt like yabbering. The time has come for me to share my wonderful switch to the Indonesian life. I've been here for almost a month now, love it here. It's nothing like Singapore yet it is similar. More about that later but now my flood experience. On Friday, Feb 2, school was closed cause of the then impending flood. We had a short meeting and it was decided that school will be closed until the flood subsides. By Sunday, Feb 4, the flood was getting higher and higher and electricity and water was affected. So, on Monday, Feb 5, we were evacuated from our apartment as the school's management felt that was the best for its staff just in case the electricity supplied by the generator ran out and we would be stuck in the dark. Also water by the galon was getting too expensive; one galon was going at 50,000 rupiahs, before the flood it was 9,000 rupiahs. Anyway, getting back to our evacuation, we packed about 2 luggages of stuff (hey! I have kids!) We then took this dirty old truck on a really bumpy and flooded pathway. This led us to a lowland which had turned into a lake overnight! We had to wait for raffles, business and economy class rafts to waddle us for about 10 mins (4 guys pushed the raft) to dry land.

Once we got there we waited through the scorching sun getting ourselves hydrated while we waited for the rest of our colleagues and bags. We then hopped on rubbish-pulleys!! It was a sight most of the passers-by enjoyed I am sure! Anyway we then went to another area of dry land near the highway and some of us managed to have lunch, thanks to my buddy Mus who had brilliantly ordered lunch from his ever so wonderful local friend John who had gone on a mission to get us food. I on the other had decided that my stomach might not be able to handle the food and had a steaming corn on the cob instead. Still burning under the sweltering heat, we waited for the bus to pick us up to our final destination. Not surprisingly, the bus had taken the wrong route and was stuck in traffic. Jakarta traffic jams are no joke. Only if you are Thai would you REALLY understand what I mean! So then our CEO Pak Tony hired another truck to lug us to Kebun Jeruk where our other campus is. We had finally reached our destination, sun burnt, hip ache, leg cramps and all. Most importantly we were safe and back to dry ground. :)

Free Hugs

I came across this link through a friend of mine. She had it linked to her MSN (thanks Clarisse!), anyway do take a look at it, if you havent already. When I first saw it I thought what a brilliant idea! It's perfect to break through the faux pas of our society. But then again... am I comfortable hugging a stranger? What if they turned out to be a perv or haven't had a bath for days and have soiled clothes on, worst still what if they stink? BTW Aren't hugs personal? Doesn't someone hug another because they care for that person?

It dawned on me that my soul has reached a plateau, its time to move on.

Marking

Its that time of the year again. Happens twice a year, my hair gets sparse. Its marking time. I get irate when students come up to me and say "cher how'd I do?" and the day after they finish their paper they run up to me in excitement "cher finish marking already?" (Nausea sets in)

Get this
1. I havent finished marking. (Especially not after the day you had sat for it)
2. How in the world can I remember ONE particular script's grade over hundreds of others?
3. Don't harass me.
4. Marking is no joke, especially when students seem to insist on using webdings as font.

History Is Indeed Fun :)

I received an email today from my beautiful pal of 21 years, Pauline. I would like to share the information with the rest of you people who think you know everything! (hint, hint)

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the Renowned English longbow and therefore be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew" (or "pluck yew").Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, "See, we can still pluck yew! "PLUCK YEW!" Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodental fricative 'F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the ne-finger-salute are mistakenly thought to have something to do with an intimate encounter. It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird." And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing.

Audrey

Looks like I have pissed a student off. Surprise Surprise :O This is where my friends will tell me "retribution Regina retribution" hahaha. I must relate some of my wonderful secondary school experiences. I remember hating each and every teacher I had cause they never allowed me to speak my mind. From my first year to the last year of my secondary school days I remember spending at least 4 out of 5 days at the principal's office. I would sit there comfortably explaining to her how this teacher purposely picked on me for nothing. Mind you back then coming from a girls school we were expected to be demure. I was anything but. I wasn't rude nor vulgar but I had strong opinions, just like Audrey. I had supportive parents who let me do (almost)anything I had wanted, cause I did well in my studies. I was sent for counselling and after one session refused to go cause I knew what needed changing wasn't me. I'm still a non-conformist, if you know me well you know my ways. It's not that I don't understand Audrey, I might have for a moment forgotten what it was like being a teen with strong opinions.

Down Ain't Out

I have been away for a few days, went for an operation to remove an abscess. Its like a few boils coming together to form one huge one. It hurt like crazy. I'm supposed to be on MC for a week but I'm back to work now after taking 3 days rest, as the students need me since the examinations are around the corner.

My dad had a stroke a week ago, he is better now but he can't swallow nor walk. The doctors said with rehab he will be able to be back to normal but it all depends on his mindpower. I truely believe that if you say you can do it, you will be able to do it, no matter how difficult it may seem. My dad's a strong man he will be up and about in about a month.

Take good care everyone!

Finally!

Well I've finally come around to creating my blogsite! yippeee
Now that I have a place to put down all my swirling thoughts, I am quite excited :)
Last night I watched Singapore Idol and was smsing like a crazy woman for Jonathan to win, so obviously I am not too happy at the moment :(

Why can't people appreciate Jonathan's unique voice? I think Singapore needs a change. Taufik did a great job, winning all those awards!! Proved himself to be versatile. I think Jonathan would have brought some edge to the Singaporean image. I read his bio data on www.singaporeidol.com and was a little disappointed that he said "I don’t think I deserve to be the next idol." If he doesn't believe in himself then who will believe in him? Now, Hady is of course very talented with strong vocals but he is going to emulate Taufik, as in his bio data on www.singaporeidol.com he mentioned Taufik as his idol. So my dear Singaporeans I believe we are gonna get another 2 years of the same thing. Sighs. Do not fear the extraordinary.