The Fate of AY2009/2010 CEM students

It's over.

I've marked and moderated the exam scripts, keyed in the results into the system, churned out the statistics and written the examination report.

The fates of 92 students now hang in limbo, waiting for the final outcome which will be determined during the Examiners' Board this Friday.

Puppies At Play

I've been dabbling with iMovie for fun and decided to experiment with videos and pictures of my 6 puppies. Due to my hectic schedule and time constrains, I only completed "post production" on Thursday morning!

The vid and pix were shot on 27 June 2009, Saturday when they were about one month old.

Here are Jackson, Megan, Mikey, Layla, Whiskey and Savi in their finest (cutest) moments:

How I miss them!

Now Generation

I am a Samurai Warrior wielding my red-tipped sword.

Translation: it's the marking season. Tests, assessments, reports etc. Next week there'll be another round of exam scripts to grade.

Anyway, I'm taking a quick break to document this. I was plugged into my iPod Nano while furiously slashing away on the students' work when this Black Eyed Peas song came on:

I literally stopped to listen carefully to the lyrics. I marvel at how TRUE the words are!

[Intro: Fergie]
We are the now generation
We are the generation now
This is the now generation
This is the generation now
I want money!!

[Verse One: will.i.am]
I want it, want it, want it
Fast internet, stay connected in a jet
Wi-Fi, podcast, blastin out a SMS
Text me and I'll text you back, check me on the iChat
I'm all about that H-T-T-P you're a PC I'm a Mac
I, waaaant, it
MySpace and yo' space, Facebook is a new place
Dip divin, socializin, I'll be out in cyber space
Google is my professor, Wikipedia checker
Checkin my account, loggin in and loggin out
Baby I, waaaant, it - NOW!!

[Interlude: will.i.am]
This is the now generation
This is the generation now
We are the now generation
I want, I want, I want it now
I want the... cold hard cash
I want, I want, I want it NOW!!

[Chorus: Black Eyed Peas]
And I just can't wait
I need it immediately
And I just can't wait
I want it immediately
Cause the time can't wait and I sure can't wait
I ain't got no patience, nah I sure can't wait
Not today

[Verse Two: Fergie]
We are the now generation
We are the generation now
This is the now generation
This is the generation now
I want money, I want cold hard cash
I'll take your dollar and your euro
And you'll have a blast
So take your day and your credit and stick it up your ass
And do it NOW! I want it NOW!

[Verse Three: Black Eyed Peas]
Big money, give me my money (Yeah I want it now!)
I need cash, girl I need it fast (I want it now!)
Quick in a hurry like yo' name was Flash (I want it now!)
You make me wait and I'ma whip yo' ass (I want it now!)
I want it now baby! (Now!)
I want it (Now!)
I want it (Now!)
Now!

[Verse Four: Apl.de.ap]
Fast, rapido
Really quick like torpedo
Need for speed is my creedo
You need to feed this negrito
Sender, buyer, brother boat
Rapid like a thunderbolt
Activated, rock the boat
Just ask Barack who brought the hope to NOW!
It was a now generation

[Chorus]

Expediate... no time for procrastination
Expediate... improve my situation

Black Eyed Peas Now Generation lyrics

That's one of the reasons why I absolutely love the Peas. Their lyrics are always real and raw. Doesn't apply to me though. I'm a Gen-Xer. Old. Heh.

Break over. The red pen is mightier than the sword.

Good Luck Pooh!

Last Friday was Pooh's final day of work at the polytechnic.

We've been colleagues turned-good-friends for almost 3 years, and much as I was happy for her that she'd managed to secure a job in the midst of the gloomy economy, I was a little sad to see her go. But deep down inside, I know she's been dragging her feet to work and yearning to head back to the industry.

Although she'd given a 3 month notice period, it was only during the last few weeks when it really dawned on me that I'll be losing the occasional breakfast/lunch buddy. Besides, I'm lousy at farewells and I hadn't given it much thought because I figured that with MSN, Facebook, emails and SMS there's no reason why we can't keep in touch.

Strangely, it's been barely a week since she's left the workplace and I'm already reeling from her absence. We didn't share the same office room, so there were days we didn't meet each other (especially during term time when our teaching schedules clash). But now that she's physically moved away, I miss her infectious laugh and morning-coffee-deprived sullenness.

Pooh's been a wonderful friend and confidante, and she was truly supportive during my 3rd pregnancy when I was my worst enemy and she provided the much-needed listening ear as I moaned and groaned about the wretched state I was in etc. I was terrible company then - I know, because I didn't like being around myself either.

But she was super patient and allowed me to grumble and complain about everything that irked me. Having endured 2 pregnancies herself, she must have remembered what it was like to be hormonally imbalanced, emotionally drained and physically exhausted! Not to mention the covert "Operation Chocolate" which she devised to keep me from going insane during my confinement period. :)

I've always admired her for her astonishing mental strength to put on a brave front even when her world was crumbling. I don't think I'd have the courage to withstand the pressure and agony of what she's been through all these years, and I applaud her for her determination to fight fiercely for what she passionately believes in. It takes a strong person to survive such challenges and in that, I salute her.

Before she left, she handed me a card and a "goody bag" which contained chocolates (all consumed, of course) and these two gifts:

The gifts weren't fancy, but they reflect her personality and sense of humour. And they're perfect for me!

I will miss her.

While writing this, I realised that I don't even have a photo of us! The only picture in my possession was sent by Miss Ene, and it's a really funny one of us (our backs, actually) looking through Miss Ene's wedding photos during the dinner banquet:

Hilarious, eh? Such a classic shot of "busybody aunties" ;)

"A friend is a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, and a heart to comfort" - that's Pooh for you.

Good luck, my friend!

In the Driver's Seat

After weeks of deliberation, I woke up one day and decided that I should get a car.

Yes, you heard it right. Me. driving.

I took a refresher driving course a few months back and have driven on an irregular basis, usually with the hub sitting next to me. I even attempted to drive to work one day alone but I took a long time to park! Luckily for me it was during the term break and many of my colleagues were on leave, so there were plenty of parking spaces (and no-one to witness how I reversed in-and-out of the lot about 10 times!)

Still, I'm not ashamed to admit that I do lack confidence and practice, and my driving skills are pathetic. A few of my friends and colleagues like Pooh and Miss Ene believe that I'll improve once I get on the road more regularly. For the sake of everyone's safety, I hope they're right!

Honestly, I'm happy commuting via public transport and my rationale is that I prefer to be driven rather than drive. But the main reason why I'm forcing myself to pick up driving is because of the kids as they need to be ferried about for classes and other activities.

So. Now that I've agreed to drive, the next question is what should I drive?

I just need a vehicle that'll take me from Point A to B. Nothing fancy or showy, just practical and functional. I don't even mind driving a van (though I'd much prefer an auto vehicle as it's so much easier to handle than a manual one.)

Problem is, with my horrendous driving skills, the hub's worried that I'll literally "crash and burn" so he's insistent about me driving our Opel Zafira, the 7-seater MPV (either that or an armoured tank) while he buys another sedan car for himself.

I want a smaller (and cheaper) car so that it's easier to manoeuver and park. Much like a Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz or Fit. The hub's reply to my request? "I still want my kids to have their mother. I still want my wife."

Oh, him of little faith!

There's no real rush to get a second car immediately, and we're just scouting around and planning our finances. Perhaps we'll be able to get one by the end of the year. No matter. I've been relying on public transport all these years. A few more months won't make much of a difference.

And...it's a wrap, folks!

It's finally over!

Both my classes successfully planned, organised and staged their respective events (T02: The Green Secrets @ Gardenasia and T04: Zero to Hero Entrepreneurship Forum) with admirable results. And considering the fact that they had less than 3 months to pull the shows together, I think they fared rather well.

I'm proud of them. Really, really, really proud. Here're some photos of the students at work:

T02: Preparing snacks for sale

T02: Class Clown and Muscleman

T02: It's Show Time!

T02: Beat Boxer JK47 with emcee

T02: Eco Project Runway models strut across the stage

T02: Singing Duo

T02: Hip Hop Dancers

Winners of Project Eco Runway with Guest Judge Fashion Designer San Oo

T02: the class with Kenny, Director of Gardenasia

T04: event registration

T04: Donuts, anyone?

T04: Last minute preparations

T04: Dato Steven Chiew, one of the guest speakers, addressing the crowd

T04: Another speaker, Donnie Seet

T04: One of the Business Proposal Competition contestants pitching his idea

T04: Entrepreneurs selling their ware

T04: Winners of the Business Proposal competition

T04: Group shot

Both classes had their fair share of ups and downs: squabbles, communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, broken spirits, angry accusations and the handful of missing-in-action individuals (who eventually turned up and pitched in at the last minute.) So it's heartening to see them put aside personal differences as they worked their butts off and slogged through the final hours to prepare for their events.

Although the two classes were hoping for a larger visitor turnout, I was contented with the outcome. It's not easy to organise events with a limited budget, short lead time, fussy/difficult clients and little (or in the case of some students, zero) experience in event management.

My take on this matter is that the learning process is as important (if not, more so) than the actual day's happening itself. Sadly, many of the students didn't realise this and a few hardly contributed until they had no choice but to roll up their sleeves or be smacked with a FAIL grade.

What I learnt about event management was through trial, error and baptism of fire. I didn't have anyone to watch my back when things didn't fall into place and I had to bear the wrath of clients and bosses screaming when Murphy came a-knocking on the doors.

In many ways, the students' experiences mirrored my own. The only difference? They could still take comfort that all their is part of their school project whereas my career (back then) was at stake!

For now, they can chill out just a wee bit before they start cramming for the exams. My paper's on 24 August 2009, so they have about a little over 2 weeks more to study. And then I'll be stressed over the marking! ;)