Man, it rhymes!

Just got back from a 3D2N adventure trip to Perak. When I said adventure trip, it really meant – the heart-thumping, adrenaline-rushed and thrilling trip.

All the pictures below are taken by Nat. I was too lazy to take any.

Hot!! spring – note: most of the feet are above the water.

Nah..that wasn’t very adventurous I know. It was “the-only-relaxing” and “the ultimate reward” of the trip.

Since the trip was mainly “water” activities, we couldn’t bring our cameras along. Imagine, bringing a camera while rafting and fighting the rapid, crawling in and out of a 400 million years old cave. Mmmm…

But thankfully, one of my students, Alastair bought a few disposable and waterproof cameras. He has taken many shots on our rafting and caving action! He even hooked the camera onto his life jacket! Now, just have to wait patiently for his photos to be developed.

You know, it is not an easy task to take the students out on a field trip, especially the “adventurous” kind. Natasha and I felt pretty worried for the students. After all, we both were accountable for their safety.

Before departure (9:20pm)

But at the end of the day, it was worth it when we saw our students chatting and laughing hysterically about their experiences. It was indeed an unforgettable journey and memories for all of us.

Karaoke and dancers-on-the-go

It is great to see my students outside the classroom. I see them in different light now – more adorable, responsible, helpful and mature than being in the classroom. I see them helping and saving their peers at the very moment. I see them acting cool and calm though they were being washed down the river.

Just today, a few of my students conducted a photoshop workshop for 100 secondary school students. When I dropped by at the labs, the first thing they said to me was:“Cher, now I know how hard it is to teach!”

I asked:“So? How’s like to take my seat in front of the lab?”

They grinned. “Yeah, it is nice but it is also very tedious.”

Seeing them all dressed up, teaching and motivating the students, my heart grinned. One of them even tapped lightly on a student’s shoulder and said:”That’s very nice! Well done!”

These are the faces that I wouldn’t be able to see when they are in my class. I guess I would be all “teary” and touched when I see them again 10 years later.

Update: My student’s super brief and hilarious summary of the trip – here.

Benneth’s super detailed “report” is here.

More updates on the trip when I get the photos. To me, the best moment was when all of us standing at the back of the lorry while travelling through a bumpy terrain. *grin*

Posted under Travel , Work | [6] Comments 

I have been looking forward to a beach-y holiday since last month. I even set my desktop background to a Rottnest Island picture that I have taken a few years back. -_- Anyway….

I went to watch The Chronicle of Narnia last night with my mom. (I could have enjoyed movies like this more but I tend to over-analyse everything single technical details. Compositing, green screen, modeling….-_-)

The only scene which I truly “immersed” into was the beach scene where they were “transported” to Narnia. The water was crystal clear and blue at the same. It looked almost like a painting!

So I did some research to look for the shooting scene. It is called Cathedral Cove. The good news is, IT IS LOCATED IN NEW ZEALAND!!! Only a few hours flight away!!!!I have to go there!

Picture from here

Picture from here

See! Tell me, how NOT to be still when seeing a “paradise” like this??

More info about cathedral cove is here.

I am planning for a beach-y holiday in September. People often asked me what I will do there. Frankly, I don’t even want to think about it. I just want to sit back, and listen to the wind rustling through trees and waves hitting the shore. Best if I could get a hammock and indulge totally in the feeling of engulfed in the hammock. Ahhhhh….

Browsing through my pictures folders is very therapeutic. Let me share with you some of my favourite pictures taken in Perth.

Mandurah – My favourite crabbing place.

CRABBING!! A big fan indeed…Too bad that I can’t crab in Singapore with a scoop. That’s me driving a boat. Don’t remember me having coloured hair though..Mmmm…

Ahh..cottesloe beach. Many tanned hunks and babes..

Shark Bay. Check out the surfers man….^_^

Last but not least, ROTTNEST ISLAND!

Fly me to New Zealand, pleeeaaaassee….

Posted under Travel | [11] Comments 

Part 1 – here

Have you ever had your sister asked you this:

“Are you an outdoor person??”

………………………..

That was what my sister asked me in front of my friends. Just a split second before I would answer anyone who would ask me this question, I paused.

“Where got sister asked sister this kind of question one?!!!?”

We both chuckled. But we understood that how little we know of each other. If we are lucky, we could meet maximum 3 times a year. Otherwise it is during Chinese new year and Christmas.

It was challenging to meet her, if it wasn’t because of my cousin’s wedding. Though she was here for less than a week, we had fun! Especially on Sunday when we attended church service together.

I miss the time we had breakfast together before going to church. After all, it was tough to have breakfast with her while I work most of the days when she was here.

She ordered a cup of black coffee for breakfast. I asked:“I didn’t know you drink coffee??”

“Yeah, just started recently…”

“I thought you couldn’t take coffee?”

“Not a strong one. I get palpitation if I have a strong coffee…”

Well, I am glad. At least there is something about her that I still know. But I am extremely proud of her because finally, she gets to do something that she is passionate about, and GETS PAID for it! How cool is that!!

Guess what, she is now a real cool hip-hop dance instructor who touches many souls (who claim that they have 2 left feet) with her cheeky, bubbly and inspiring passion for dance.

Like what she always says:”My students come to me saying that they have 2 left feet (or a nerd). Now they dance well and most importantly, are loving it!”

To me, that sounds like a good teacher who love her job very much!

Posted under Family | [10] Comments