Woke up earlier than planned. But not unexpected since I've been training my body to wake up early to prepare for last weekend's half-marathon. Obviously now my body needs to re-adjust.
I realised I've not blogged for almost 6 months. Gosh. How to even update?
I'll upload more pictures tomorrow or so of my daughter, but for a start, maybe just share how life has been recently.
It's almost the end of the first semester and as always, there are mixed feelings. Of course it's time to reflect on how good or bad I've been in terms of teaching, and I think I've done ok. But sad that I was just getting to know some students better in my lecture groups, and I doubt I'll be lecturing them next semester. Took some photos with them though so when I next see them, I'll ask them to email me and then I'll upload.
Work's been ok. Able to cope now although I see the preparation work during the upcoming holidays (and of course exam marking!) is going to be a bit daunting.
Anyway, I realise I also need some downtime on my own. Away from everything just for maybe a day.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Friday, 13 March 2009
Thoughts on the bus
Lately I've been taking the bus to work, and to avoid the 8am peak-hour traffic, I usually take the 6.15am bus, together with the school-going crowd.
I've observed many things - some troubling / worrying, and some heartwarming.
1) A majority of students are sleeping. Perhaps it's just the early hour but most of them actually look sleep-deprived. A friend of mine lamented recently about how much homework his daughters (in Primary School!) have, and that they only return home just before dinner so they end up doing their homework till almost midnight. And he has to almost scold them to leave their homework unfinished and head to bed.
2) If the students are not sleeping on board the bus, they are studying, or comparing homework with their friends. I think this is common during exam periods, but surely not in the middle of March?
3) Other passengers, especially the 'uncles' and 'aunties' are kind enough to wake the sleeping students when they sense that the students are about to miss their intended bus-stop. This morning, there was a a boy (probably in Lower Secondary) that was practically falling asleep on the 'aunty' next to him and the 'aunty' just had a very sympathetic - almost motherly - look and tapped him on the shoulder when the bus approached his school.
4) Singaporeans do give up their seats to those who need them more. Two days ago, I observed how a lady who looked like she was physically tired nevertheless gave up her seat to a pregnant lady and her young son.
5) Passengers are still not accustomed to "moving to the rear of the bus". Not sure why it constantly requires the bus-driver or a somewhat-frustrated passenger to remind standing passengers.
6) Traffic in Singapore is definitely getting worse. My journey to work if I take the 6.15 / 6.20 am bus takes less than 40 minutes. If I take the 7.15 am bus, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I hope the new Circle Line will alleviate some congestion. From the proposed new Circle Line route, I'll probably use it to travel to work next year.
I've observed many things - some troubling / worrying, and some heartwarming.
1) A majority of students are sleeping. Perhaps it's just the early hour but most of them actually look sleep-deprived. A friend of mine lamented recently about how much homework his daughters (in Primary School!) have, and that they only return home just before dinner so they end up doing their homework till almost midnight. And he has to almost scold them to leave their homework unfinished and head to bed.
2) If the students are not sleeping on board the bus, they are studying, or comparing homework with their friends. I think this is common during exam periods, but surely not in the middle of March?
3) Other passengers, especially the 'uncles' and 'aunties' are kind enough to wake the sleeping students when they sense that the students are about to miss their intended bus-stop. This morning, there was a a boy (probably in Lower Secondary) that was practically falling asleep on the 'aunty' next to him and the 'aunty' just had a very sympathetic - almost motherly - look and tapped him on the shoulder when the bus approached his school.
4) Singaporeans do give up their seats to those who need them more. Two days ago, I observed how a lady who looked like she was physically tired nevertheless gave up her seat to a pregnant lady and her young son.
5) Passengers are still not accustomed to "moving to the rear of the bus". Not sure why it constantly requires the bus-driver or a somewhat-frustrated passenger to remind standing passengers.
6) Traffic in Singapore is definitely getting worse. My journey to work if I take the 6.15 / 6.20 am bus takes less than 40 minutes. If I take the 7.15 am bus, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I hope the new Circle Line will alleviate some congestion. From the proposed new Circle Line route, I'll probably use it to travel to work next year.
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
My daughter, the model
These are the photos in my laptop that never fail to cheer me up no matter how rough my day is. They were taken at a professional photo-shoot just before my daughter's 1st birthday.
I hope these pictures make you smile too! :)
I hope these pictures make you smile too! :)
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Learning to seriously treasure what I have...
Someone I know personally recently died suddenly... won't mention what happened... just that it's very tragic.
He left behind his wife and his very young daughter. Just thinking about his family's loss makes me cry. Can't imagine how distraught his wife is.
Both my wife and I knew him but I know him much better. And we were telling each other that we wouln't know how to cope if something like that happened to either one of us.
So although I don't think I've been taking my family or my friends for granted, I'm going to treasure them even more. And to take my responsibilities, talents and opportunities seriously.
Only one life to live. Going to make it count.
He left behind his wife and his very young daughter. Just thinking about his family's loss makes me cry. Can't imagine how distraught his wife is.
Both my wife and I knew him but I know him much better. And we were telling each other that we wouln't know how to cope if something like that happened to either one of us.
So although I don't think I've been taking my family or my friends for granted, I'm going to treasure them even more. And to take my responsibilities, talents and opportunities seriously.
Only one life to live. Going to make it count.
Friday, 26 September 2008
Hannah swimming!
For the past few weeks, I've been taking half-day leave on Wednesday afternoons to spend time with my daughter. And one of the highlights is her swimming lessons.
One of her swimming buddies' mummy took this video of the babies swimming through rings. It's very cute!
Baby Hannah is the second baby swimming through and I'm waiting for her on the other side of the hoop. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGSdHCZ_7Yk
One of her swimming buddies' mummy took this video of the babies swimming through rings. It's very cute!
Baby Hannah is the second baby swimming through and I'm waiting for her on the other side of the hoop. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGSdHCZ_7Yk
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Favourite ways to spend time
Haven't blogged for a very long time. Partly lazy and partly busy with exam preparation and now exam paper marking.
Just completed the Sheares Bridge Army Half-marathon over the weekend. Manage to finish it relatively injury-free. I didn't really like the route though. And I think the marshals should really direct participants who are walking and not running to walk on either side of the route and not block those who are running.
Anyway, besides running and teaching, my favourite ways to spend time usually involve my family... and since my wife is quite shy about being featured on my blog, here are some moments with my daughter...
1) Spending time with Baby Hannah early in the morning when she wakes up
2) Having breakfast with her on a Saturday morning - this was taken at Simply Bread.
3) Chillin' with Hannah in da hood... in other words, dressing her up in an oversized baseball cap.
4) Reading with her - she actually likes flipping the pages.
I know the government is trying to encourage couples to have babies and more babies. And there is definitely a financial cost to raising kids, especially with medical costs rising. And of course, there is a change in lifestyle. But personally, I think it's all worth it. If anything, I wish I was working less and spending more time at home with Baby Hannah... but then who's going to earn the money to pay for the diapers and milk powder?
Just completed the Sheares Bridge Army Half-marathon over the weekend. Manage to finish it relatively injury-free. I didn't really like the route though. And I think the marshals should really direct participants who are walking and not running to walk on either side of the route and not block those who are running.
Anyway, besides running and teaching, my favourite ways to spend time usually involve my family... and since my wife is quite shy about being featured on my blog, here are some moments with my daughter...
1) Spending time with Baby Hannah early in the morning when she wakes up
2) Having breakfast with her on a Saturday morning - this was taken at Simply Bread.
3) Chillin' with Hannah in da hood... in other words, dressing her up in an oversized baseball cap.
4) Reading with her - she actually likes flipping the pages.
I know the government is trying to encourage couples to have babies and more babies. And there is definitely a financial cost to raising kids, especially with medical costs rising. And of course, there is a change in lifestyle. But personally, I think it's all worth it. If anything, I wish I was working less and spending more time at home with Baby Hannah... but then who's going to earn the money to pay for the diapers and milk powder?
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Recent happenings
I've recently learnt how to prevent my daughter from moving so much. She's very active (often resembling a little worm) so sometimes we like to "chill" with her... but she of course is not always so cooperative. So I've resorted to the "bear-hug" method, as seen in the picture below. She's not exactly very pleased but it does work.
"Daddy, I give you one minute to let me go!!"
On Sunday, we celebrated Hannah's "Kong Kong"'s 60th birthday... a simple family dinner at Roland's Seafood (including yum yum pepper crab and fried mee sua) followed by cake at Swissbake at Parkway Parade.
"I'm so delighted to be with my Kong Kong and Por Por!!"
Today, we're taking Hannah for a photo-shoot with a lot of other babies. Apparently, they'll all be in their diapers and showcased in large rubber flower-pots. A bit of Anne Geddes, I think.
I'm also back to running-training again. Supposed to run just the 10km at the SAFRA Half-Marathon (even though I registered for the 21km) because my ITB band and my knees start to protest after 10km. But my running buddy is such a motivator so we're going to train hard for the next 5 weeks.
"Daddy, I give you one minute to let me go!!"
On Sunday, we celebrated Hannah's "Kong Kong"'s 60th birthday... a simple family dinner at Roland's Seafood (including yum yum pepper crab and fried mee sua) followed by cake at Swissbake at Parkway Parade.
"I'm so delighted to be with my Kong Kong and Por Por!!"
Today, we're taking Hannah for a photo-shoot with a lot of other babies. Apparently, they'll all be in their diapers and showcased in large rubber flower-pots. A bit of Anne Geddes, I think.
I'm also back to running-training again. Supposed to run just the 10km at the SAFRA Half-Marathon (even though I registered for the 21km) because my ITB band and my knees start to protest after 10km. But my running buddy is such a motivator so we're going to train hard for the next 5 weeks.
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