Meanings of a place can be determined by several things: activities of people, human movements, present and past experience and interpretation.

Interpretation
Library, to me is a SERIOUS place. A place for reflection of subject, learning materials, ideas and inspiration. It is a very PERSONAL space for communing with the new and old knowledge.

Past Experience
Since young, before I go to a library, I would take a few minutes to think what I need to look for in the library, the missing piece of information that I need. When I look for inspiration and idea, I would write a mind map so that I could start my treasure hunt when I go to the library.

It is fun and exciting because each section unveils a “clue”, a step closer to my “big idea”.

Activities of people
The libraries that I have visited so far were VERY VERY quiet. I always found patrons who were very quiet and in deep reflecting mode. Sometimes it was so dead quiet that a small sneeze would seem to be able to knock down the whole library.

Human movements
Patrons walked very very quietly, often seated nearest to the section he was interested in.

The keyword: QUIET.

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Present experience

Today, the school library that I have been visiting is like a big market place. Before the lift door opens, I could hear the chatters and noises beyond the door. It was that “MARKET PLACE”!

“Patrons” no longer treat the library as it was. In fact, it has become a place for afternoon nap, gossip place, playing LAN games, playing poker cards, skipping ground, dating corner, enjoying air-con and a concert hall.

These girls can’t stop gossiping while pretending to flip the books at 2 pages/second and were totally “oblivious “to people who needed to go through the aisle.

“Market place”

Despite of the “Shhh” warning signs everywhere and the reminder of possibly being chased out of the library, the noise continues on.

I wonder what library is to these “patrons” today. Do we need signs to tell us to “shut up” in a library?? Common sense is not THAT COMMON to people after all.

What kind of generation are we becoming to?

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Monday marked the last day of them calling me “CHER!” and “Ms CHERRY!”. Frankly, I kinda miss them calling me that.

For 3 years…I had been seeing them through. They are my very special cohort, whom I have shared my ups and downs and travelled to many places with. They were the “shy and quiet” monkeys when I first met them during the first day. Now they are LOUD, BOLD and CONFIDENT. So confident that they called themselves monkeys. Will so miss their lame jokes..-_-

My “monkeys”..

My girls..

I was the usher standing beside the podium throughout the ceremony but I also had the chance to “send them off” one by one.

(picture taken by guiwen)

This year, the graduation ceremony was also very special to all of us, especially for Kevin and his mom. Kevin was my student for these 3 years and unlike other students, he had muscular dystrophy syndrome since 10 years old and was told that he can’t live past 17 years old.

I met Kevin during his O level result presentation. That time, I was only visited the secondary school for course counseling. There, I saw him receiving his O level certificate from the headmaster and I was impressed. Never did I expect to see him joining the school later on and chose to study my course.

Today, he received his diploma in front of thousand standing and clapping audience. I broke to tears on the stage (though I kept telling myself to stay cool since the rehearsal and even prepared tissue in my pocket). Millions of memories flashed before my eyes. That 2 minutes seemed like 3 years to me. I secretly wiped my tears on the stage and really hoped no one saw me in that awkward state.

After the ceremony, my boss came to me and said:“Wow lady, you got some tears going on there huh?” I spotted the tears!!

Gosh I was so embarrassed.

I went to congratulate both of them after the ceremony and gave the mom a hug. She thanked me and started to tear. I also cried again.

It was exactly how we met 3 years ago, his first semester at school. I wasn’t his lecturer during the first semester yet. I met his mom when I was queuing for food at the canteen. While both of us were waiting for our food, I turned and greeted her:“Hi auntie, how are you?”

In return, she greeted me with tears. I was dumbfounded. I didn’t mean to upset her by a simple “how-are-you”.

There and then, she told me her stories and I was speechless. She is one of the greatest mom I have met in my life!

Subsequently, I taught him several subjects. He loves 3D animation very much and I was very impressed with his will and passion to learn. From able to move both hands slowly down to 3 fingers, yet, he persevered. In fact, he completed his work way before his peers did.

During his final year of studies, he was not able to travel to school as frequent. Home visit and tuition became an alternative for us. Seeing how strong-willed he was to get up from the bed and struggled to sit and clicking up in front of the computer really broke my heart and encouraged. I always went home with many many thoughts.

After searching my entries in these 3 years, I realised that I did blog about him on several occasions. Time flies…

Angels in Disguise

My job

The “Make-a-wish” charity event

Several news articles also featured his stories. Click here to view.

Some people said teachers impacted lives. But I must say, all my students impacted my life in every way. Who I am today partly also because of them. My students changed me.

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After 3 months of intensive “books-digging-and-reading” and “writing-endless-essays”, my body is starting to protest. 3 more essays to go till end of June before next semester begins. -_-

The super short trip to Bangkok was a good getaway before someone finds me lying flat on the ground. -_-

What I really want now…
1) Going to Bintan for a day of golf at Jack Nicklaus Sea View Course. I don’t care if I can’t finish the 18 holes. It has been 2 years since I last played on a golf green. I just want to “submerge” in the green. Then followed by a good massage and seafood.

2) Buying a sewing machine. I want to experiment with designing and making my own clothes. Both my grandma and mom can design and sew very well. 3 of us used to sit down with my draft, mom to translate my drawing and grandma to cut and sew my “invention”. It was fun!

3) Preparing for friend’s wedding. I was asked to be the MC of the wedding. Have never been one for wedding before.

4) Planning a trip to Lombok.

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A few days ago, my friends asked if I would go back to Perth to live. I must say that I do miss Perth very much. But what I really miss are the good times and memories with my good friends. I am not sure if I would leave my friends in Singapore now to move back to Perth. After all, most of my good friends have left Perth.

Poom – my good friend in Perth. Managed to catch her in Bangkok after 3 years

I do miss the driving trips and frenzy crabbing nights in Perth. But what I love more now is the hawker food at night. No matter how late it is, there is always FOOD! And shops don’t close at 5pm. -_-

I love the heat and humidity. I know I am nuts but it is still not as bad as the heat wave in summer.

I missed driving and used to be upset for not being able to drive and move around. Now, an occasional of cab and train ride seems equally enjoyable.

I love travelling around South East Asia. There are always so much to see and experience. Though Singapore is small, travelling is convenient and affordable (just by looking at the number of budget airlines operating in Singapore).

Yes, I have changed. Looking back when I first arrived in Singapore, I have taken two steps closer to being adapted here. For the very same reason – FRIENDS.

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As I was demonstrating 3D modeling in class yesterday, one of the students asked:“Cher! You’re so pro, how come you never work for game company?”

Then I answered,“Not pro lah…but it is not my calling to work for game company. You know..students make me sane.” *grin*

Some of them looked up and gave me the “huh” look. “Cher, you’re the first teacher who said that…”

“Well, if you’ve been to the other side, you’ll know what keeps you insane and sane.” *grin*

In the evening, Don and I were discussing whether our jobs were fulfilling. He said that being a travel host for the TV should be fun. I agreed.

But then, I suddenly realised that it is actually up to us to think if the job is fulfilling or not. In another word, it is how we make our jobs fulfilling, not the other way round.

If we only expects the job to fulfill us, then no matter what job we are doing, the outcome is still going to be the same.

Most people told me that the teaching profession is a highly inspired and fulfilling job because it “impacts lives”. One could choose to embrace it this way. The other could see it as “just another 8-6 job”. Similarly, who would say that the road sweeper’s job is less fulfilling than any other jobs on earth?

It is easy to be shaken by the world. Our values, our purpose in lives which we once believed in and perceptions. One discouragement could shake us but it takes more than one encouragements to build us. Of course, we always have a choice to reverse the statement, don’t we?

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The Thai sure LOVES Cherry a lot!

Over the long weekend, 9 of us took a flight (as early as 6.30am) to Bangkok (yeah..we were that desperate!). It is my 4th time in Bangkok since 2003 and I am still in love with Bangkok. My usual activities were always eating (x2), spa and shopping.

This time was slightly different.
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WE FISHED!

And it was not just an ordinary fishing…we fished giants!!

We headed to Bungsamran fishing village after we touched down.

I did have some reservation about fishing because my idea of fishing was just sit-and-wait kind of activity (it still is). So I brought some books to read.

While Daniel went to sort out our rods, I went around looking at some “hall of fame” photos on the wall..at least to get an idea what we were expecting…

And I saw THIS!!!

I was excited and worried at the same time – “You mean we have to jump into the water to fight the fish??!?!!!”

Since we were to fish for almost 6 hours, we booked a “chalet” for our comfort.

Our “chalet”..introduced by miss nilnaw.

Well, at least that was what the guide bluffed us.. -_-

And THIS, was the “chalet”. TA-DA!

The entrance to the chalet

It has a long corridor, 2 wooden beds, a TV, a fridge and a few fans.

Of course, it comes with a private toilet and shower too, right above the water. Mmmm…

(You can see from my outfit that I was totally unprepared to fish)

One of the many types of chalet available there

The fish bait – some sort of soy-blended product which used to feed the chicken. It was compressed into a huge ball before casting.

The first 2 hours were pretty boring. The fish came and go. My first fish swam so fast that it snapped my string. (also because of my poor fishing skill) We didn’t get to see the size of the fish and totally underestimated its strength. The last time I fished years ago, the size was the ordinary size which we served for dinner. -_-

I was more prepared the second time. The fishing guide, John taught me a “system” to fight the fish. It was like doing cha-cha – relax when the fish was swimming its heart out; and crank only when the fish stopped.

His words of wisdom:

“Do not fear the fish, fight it!”

“Do not let the fish lead you, lead the fish”

My second shot, I was more prepared.

The first 5 minutes fighting the fish – I “looked” steady right…

The next 5 minutes – struggling..losing my cool..

Almost there…

The last 2 minutes…I can’t feel my arms anymore, burnt and drenched.

And after fighting for 10 minutes, finally “it was out”. At this point, I can’t even hold the fish anymore. I had to support its 20kg weight on my thigh. My hands were trembling.

My friend took a video with me screaming and groaning. They said I looked like I was in labour. -_-

After fighting it twice, I decided to take a shower and took a nap in the room with my sore arms. However, all the screaming and and excitement happening outside “lured” me to go back to fish!

See..I changed to my comfort clothes already…in skirt. -_-

My last one. I didn’t want to hold the fish on my clean clothes.

All of us had muscle ache for the next few days but it was WORTH it!! My bicep on my right arm is now bigger than my left arm now.

I should end this entry with my favourite picture of the trip.

And by the way, I was “slapped” by the fish with its giant tail on my chest. If I was shorter by 10 cm, it would have “slapped” my face instead. HAH!

Yes, to answer your questions…1) We didn’t eat the fish. 2) I didn’t superimpose the fish on my picture

My colleagues and students didn’t believe that I caught these giants until I showed them pictures. Some joked that I superimposed the fish on my photos. Hahaha…

Thanks Daniel for all the pictures!

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