Congratulations to Muizzah & Nasir <3

Wow.. what a weekend.

Congrats to one of the latest couples to get married. =D We wish u guys a lifetime of happiness and kids! hehe Much love.

So many of my friends are getting married this summer. Plus one of my cousins. And not to forget those who are talking abt getting married. All this talk of marriage.. most times i cant decide if i wanna get married at all. Then again, i think.. of course i want to, but it's not happening anytime soon. And with so many of my friends getting married, i shouldnt steal anyone's thunder. hehe

My best friend's finally gonna get married as well. =) So many things to do and prepare. But i tell myself, one thing at a time. If i'm panicky, i'll get her stressed out too. But in all honesty... i cant wait!! It's gonna be perfect. =D

One of Ducky's friends from school flew in from KL for Mui's wedding, with his gf in tow. First time i met either one of them, and i can honestly say i enjoy their company. They're those type of ppl who can get along with anyone, so it made our job alot easier. My friends were very hospitable as well.

And and and the highlight of my wkend!! My darling friend Fahmina, came out for the wkend to see us. =D There i was sitting at the table, waiting for my dinner and chatting with a couple ppl.. suddenly i get a "hi" in my ear so i turn. Took me a split second to realise the thin, shaven guy next to me was the dear friend i gave up to the Force and hadnt seen in 2mths. He got me smiling for ages. =)

Turns out he'd surprised the rest already the day before but i couldnt make it cos i had to make the airport run to pick up our visitors. I cant believe they kept it from me for a whole day.. actually no, i cant believe they MANAGED to keep it from me. hehe

Welcome back to the World, Mi. It's so good to have u back. Love aplenty from the Crew

Happy Father's Day

Just a few days after my parents both celebrated their birthdays, it's Father's Day.

I can't imagine what I'd do without my dad.. he's one of the very few men in my life who have this overwhelming level of confidence in me. He's a workaholic, a great influence in my life. Whenever i need some advice, he's there. And like most fathers, he expects the best for me. Whatever he's capable of providing for me, be it an impromptu txt msg, or time to have dinner with me, he does it. And he spoils me.

I remember the first time he came with me to London before i started my first year in uni. Saying bye was hard.. but nothing brought more tears than the last txt he sent me before his plane took off for home. Something along the lines of "Take care of yourself, study hard. Be my proud girl. We love you".

And then there was the time I just started my 3rd year when he came over to visit while on transit from Washington. He said Just watching you these past 3 days, I can see how much you've grown up. I know you can take care of yourself. I'm so proud of you..

And so, the tears started again. Im a very emotional person, i get triggered off just like that. Apatah lagi if it comes from my dad. The one man whose opinion matters the most to me.

If i were asked to put down in words everything i want to say to my dad, i wouldnt be able to do it. There are too many ways to say it, yet at the same time, never enough.

So in the simplest possible way, which says the most.. Daddy, I love you. Happy Father's Day. <3

I ♥ LEAPS

For 4 days, I became a 'teacher'. Working alongside Teachers Meow and Bubu, we managed to keep these kids entertained. Combining education with fun while keeping them entertained for long enough took alot out of us. We called ourselves Educational Facilitators, RZD called us Babysitters. lol He had a point...

First day on the job.. Meow couldnt have picked a more perfect stay-in-bed morning for me to start. It was pouring out but i still dragged myself out of bed. It was worth it. =) I walked in on Bubu teaching the kids a few basics of MS Word before the morning properly started. We began with Introductions.. where the kids tell everyone their names and ages. Was fun.. till i told them my age and they looked at me in awe. hehehe

Getting the kids settled for Song and Dance after that, wasnt so easy. New song, new steps. This time it was 'Under the Sea'. =D One of my all-time favourite Disney classics. We moved onto Tangrams (where even the grownups had problems.. "Teacher, how to do this?" "...I have no idea.") and then Plastecine animals (I made a ladybug. hehe) before the final task of the day, 'Reflection", where the kids had to write down what they did that day as a Dear Diary.

Day 2. There was Origami, which most of the kids enjoyed.. Song and Dance, Fun with Words and Pictures, making Father's Day cards, and 'Reflection'. At this point, i'm amazed at the creativity of these kids.. how artistic they can be. Then u start to realise these little people have SUCH different personalities.

Day 3. Prolly the worst out of the 4 days. We got thru playing BasketBall, and then the kids started acting up. It was prolly somewhere after the first 3 mins of Song and Dance. It seemed like almost none of them were willing to do as they were told. So after snacks and a break, we put them down for Colouring while Meow and i tried to get some more dance steps perfected. By this time, we were bursting into song at the randomest times, anywhere.

I also joined the afternoon session cos Meow needed some help. Wow.. pre-teens have grown up alot since my time. I thought they'd be easier to handle.. not so. Seemingly carried over from the morning, these young people were quite stubborn as well. It was the distraction of the Internet. Which we needed to teach them abt Internet Safety. But when threats dint work, we actually had to turn off the modem. Finally got them settled down in giving ideas for their skit for Open Day.. and we were pleasantly surprised. They had good ideas. And after Teacher Bubu suggested that they incorporate what they learned into that, the story of "Little Red Surfing Hood" was born. All in all, one of the most trying days ever.

Day 4. Last day of Fun School. Simon Says, Song and Dance, Under the Sea poster projects, and 'Reflection'. Teachers Meow and Rachel perfected their dance steps, which in turn seemed to boost the kids' confidence. =) I had such mixed emotions abt this day. Happy to be able to get some rest when it all ends, yet i know how much i'll miss the kids. Their innocence and open trust is incredibly touching.

In the afternoon, we got a couple of the tweens to finish the write up of the storyline of "Little Red Surfing Hood" while the rest made MSN windows out of cardboard for the skit. They're really quite creative once they're actually willing to do something. And after a couple of rehearsals, the Teachers were satisfied enough to say that MAYBE they were ready for Open Day.

After 4 days of Fun School, came Open Day. For a few hrs the Teachers get nervous for once and try to keep everyone in line, and meet parents, all at the same time. But after it all, i must say it went very well, save for some minor glitches. =) Some of the girls did an Origami demo, followed by Little Red Surfing Hood, and lastly we had the dance performance of Under the Sea by the younger ones. Meow was right.. when u see everything come together like that, u cant help but feel the butterflies and an overwhelming sense of pride for the kids.

It was certainly an experience for me. Despite the exhaustion (in bed by 9pm on the first day!) and the testing of patience at times, it was so rewarding. Meow says she'll hire me again, and Bubu said that i'll make a good mom one day and he'll send his kids to me. O_O Good thing or bad? I cant decide... Lol.

Was an eventful week tho.. topped off with dinner with the Gang, a belated bday dinner for PinkBoxers. Noise, good food, laughs, crazy people. Always a failsafe recipe for good times.

"Teacher Rachel"

What a perfect end to a somewhat turbulent week.

We spent yesterday evening with the best people in the world. Part of the gang from BH, and Pak Abu, Bang Din and their wives. They're in town for the Royal Wedding so of course we saw it only fitting that we should take them out for dinner.

It's a little surreal to think of how much time has passed and how far along we've come since we first entered BH and came to see Pak Abu and Bang Din as part of our families. From "Good Mornings" to asking for our mail, to paying our rent, to buying food vouchers, to just chatting when we had nothing better to do.. these ppl made each day memorable.

Pak Abu was saying how nice it was to see all his 'anak-anak' grow up and to see how far they've come. He used to treat me to dinner alot.. he'd refuse my money if i tried to pay, or he'd just press one of those yellow tickets into my hand even when i'd already decided i wasnt hungry or i'd rather eat out. Who could refuse such a sweet gesture?

And who would ever forget his trademark announcements over the PA system of food served at mealtimes. It's one of the things u learn to expect and anticipate everyday. =D

Bang Din would always be around to let us in if we were out late catching a movie or just doing what we do. I remember him sharing his internet access with us back when we dint have wireless in the area. Sharing jokes and stories was always something to look fwd to.

And seeing all those ppl i havent seen in ages!! All my 'family' who lived under the same roof as i did for a couple yrs. I cant remember the last time i got to sit down with Minggg. We've come a long way, havent we? =) Started out with hair-tugging, u turned out to be the best confidante and coffee partner ever. hehe

All of us eating together brought back many fond memories of spending mealtimes together in the Dining Hall. The laughter, the chats, the constant bickering. And of course, it wouldnt be the same without having Mr President at the table too.. it's been so long since i've called him that. ;)
And Bubu, we were VERY happy to see u too. Lion did say we miss that laugh. =D

I so needed last nite..

Cos today i started work with Meow to help out for the School Holiday Activities at LEAPS. We have 10 kids this wk.. and they've got SO MUCH energy. They completely tired me out, but i loved every minute of it. I even got to play with modelling clay! hehe I was just as excited as the kids were.

As the week progresses, i'll talk more abt the kinds of activities they offer. If i enjoy it this much, i'm sure the children do/will too. Also, I get just a little bit amused when they start calling me 'Teacher'. hehe

I'm exhausted tho.. spent the afternoon driving Hippo arnd for errands. It's so hot out that it's made my head spin. I might go for a swim later just to unwind a bit... but what i really wanna do tonite is take a long hot shower, have dinner, and go to bed. Sounds like a perfect plan. =)

Tomorrow we're doing origami!! =D

New to the Family

Congratulations to Abg Adek and Gail on the birth of their son. =)

Dint expect it to be so soon but i shouldnt be surprised. Born the 4th of June, 2007.. I now have a new anak buah, Ak Amirul Umar.

He should be home today.. I cant wait to meet him!

Sleeping too much

It hurts when u start out with purely good intentions.. Nothing but good intentions, and those get shot down like an olive-branch-carrying-dove-flying-through-the-clouds-and-happy-to-be-alive during game season. What's the world coming to when u cant even be sincerely happy and thankful for the ppl/things around u without having to worry abt how they'll interpret it?

It hurts, damn it.

*deep deep breath*

Dear Buttercup,

She...forgot?

*blink blink*

How is that possible??

Oh gosh.. There is, indeed, something wrong with The Fox.

It is now up to you to fulfill what she has failed to do. I have every confidence in you. Good luck.

Love,
Blossom

I was catching up on my newspaper readings yesterday. I say catching up because my mum seems to have a reason for hoarding a whole week's share before passing them along to me.

So i noticed this one article "Man Shot Dead For Singing Out Of Tune At Karaoke Bar". O_O

Happened in Manila, it turns out. This guy is up there singing his little heart out when it's pointed out to him very loudly by a security guard that he was singing out of tune. The little guy proceeded to ignore said insult-flinging guard. And ended up with a new bullet hole to wear. Which is very sad because it killed him.

I guess i've learned my lesson. Never sing in public when u know u cant. Sometimes people might just have run out of rotten fruit.

And on a much lighter note, they're gonna open up a HARRY POTTER THEME PARK in Orlando, Florida! I would love to drag my cousins along. Specially Sheena and Ollie koko. The 2 who got me crazy head over HP and his World of Wizardry and Witchcraft. =)

Well, i'm off. Need to go junk-food shopping.

P.S.: You really ought to check out Meow's blog for that edible car video. I bet it'll make Hippo water at the mouth.