SYF

Band won GOLD award in the SYF central judging. It's fantastic and everyone cheered for them. Choir's turn on 23 Apr. I'm worried. We had bronze 2 years back, and bronze for the last few judgings. Don't know if we can have any breakthrough this year.
Spoke to the person in charge of the band for advice and the secret to their gold. She says
(1) pamper them, spoil them, treat them like kings and queens. She brought food, flowers, snacks for them.
(2) write notes of encouragement to them, including conductor
(3) Wear red, including the intimates.
(4) Don't give the choir too much pressure. Don't say things like "if band can get gold......"

I agree with her pampering part. Shall feed the kids well these few practices, except they can't have chocolates or junk food, otherwise they voices will get affected. So that limits my choice of food quite alot. I have seen some pretty stationery at Yamaha, not too expensive. Maybe get those for the kids next week.

Cards

Always hear about bribery cases overseas, but it was always hearsay and never really know anyone who had done that. But today i saw it happening at the JB immigration checkpoint.
I often had to take extra and stock up on immigration cards for Ed who frequent JB. The immigration officers were always stingy and will only give 3 or 4 at a time. They even put up a notice at the old checkpoint that each person can only take 4 and they will always languidly point to it whenever I ask for more.
However, the guy getting the cards before me was given a stack 2 inch thick. He had discreetly gave the staff something which the latter quickly pocketed. No wonder they had been so strict about 4 per person. There is benefits to be reap from those who want more.

Results

O level results will be out in 30 mins time. In 30 mins, I will know if my teaching strategies have been successful or a total flop.
Terrible headache now cos couldn't sleep well last night. Keep having dreams about the results. I think I am as jittery as the students themselves.

Flower girl

Cousin SY and Ad married on 3 Jan. QY and one of SY's niece were the flower girls at the wedding. Getting QY to be the flower girl had not been easy. Since early 2008, we already sounded her out if she is up to it. She said NO then, being afraid of the smoky effect (from the dry ice). Then she agreed when we promised/swear "no smoke".

By June 08, she asked to cut her hair short. She didn't like tying up her hair for school which my mom absolutely insisted on. So we snipped off her long tresses, giving her a bobbed look. Her short hair became a concern as I can't imagine a flower girl sporting short hair.

And I had a little crisis with their gowns. These party dresses can be rather outlandish or overly flashy with too much lace, sequins and beads. The actually gowns from bridal studio cost a bomb. After checking several places, I finally found a suitable piece that I thought was good. Only Winnie's size was available then and I bought it. QY's piece was slightly stained and the store offer to hunt for another piece for me. A few days later, and 1 day before I go overseas for my holiday, the store called to say QY's size is out of stock islandwide. Panic. Only 2 weeks left before the wedding. Left instructions to call once they find a piece, even if I'm overseas. I can arrange for someone to pick it up, but no news for an entire week while i was away. Somehow by a stroke of luck, the same day that i return, I found the piece in the store. Can't be bother to question the sales staff why nobody call. I am just plain relieved that I found it, paid and get out of that place.

Then we're told that she is not to scatter/toss petals. Church rules. I worry once more. What is she going to do while walking down the isle? If she doesn't do something, she would just have to walk down the isle with everyone's attention on her, she'll surely get cold feet.

A week before the wedding, we had a rehearsal at the church. QY got so overwhelmed by the thought of walking down the isle unaccompanied, with a crowd watching her, she bursted into tears. Exclaimed that she doesn't want to be flower girl anymore. We tried using the gown, appeal to her vanity of wearing earrings and having make up, which all she loved and was looking forward to to entice her but nothing works. I was so upset with her. I had to warn everyone in the family NOT to discuss this crying episode again so as not to scare her further.
Thankfully, subtle hints and gradual brainwashing by the entire village of aunts and cousins eventually worked. We also let the girls walk hand-in-hand. She was all bright and chirpy on the wedding day. Photographer actually came to tell me not to affect the kids unless it's life threatening. Otherwise, just let them be their natural self. They will still look cute even if they get cold feet and ran off halfway down the isle, or burst into tears in front of everyone. Photographer probably sensed that I am more nervous than the kids or the bride herself.
All turned out well. They had some kiddish whispering at the entrance "you must walk now", "walk faster, hurry!!".... that sort of things, which everyone heard, thanks to the great acoustics of the church.
And to substitute the throwing petals part, I tried looking for a teddy bear or soft toy from the bride for QY to hug but she had none. Personally, I had always love floral posie so decided to get one for QY to hold. A florist quoted me an exorbitant price for one, suppose to be the cheapest, using the cheapest variety of fresh flowers. Said its hard to make and alot of work involved. If use roses which I wanted, will be even more expensive and won't last long too. Decided to DIY, which cost around $35, using roses made from soft foam. And no hard work at all for me. An hour to source for material, and an hour to make while watching TV serial Little Nyonya. Happy with the result, got a few comments that it's beautiful. Most important, QY likes it and was playing with it, swinging the ball of flower around whole day.

Holiday Activities

Sent domestic helper home on 28th last month. Shall not engage any helper in Dec since it's my school holidays and I can become the full time maid. I love my holidays, get to spent the best of all quality time with QY. And also learnt alot more about her. I must record this down, it's as good as my achievement for this Dec holidays.
(1) She finally allowed me to bathe her. Previously she didn't as I was impatient and splashed water into her eyes. As of today, she learnt to bathe entirely by herself.

(2) Made a number of christmas greeting cards with her. She has mastered the use of scissors and is cutting very well. Still can't write well, I have to write in pencil and she is happy enough tracing them out. Also painted a few clay pieces and made into magnets.

(3) Went for numerous playdates and swim at Mel's place. Girl managed to do some artwork there. Painted a T-shirt, made chocolates, paper motif cutting. (4) attended Disney Princess show @ indoor stadium. She was so well behaved, I rewarded her with a magic wand which thrills her so much.

(5) attended shopping mall christmas performances. Dora at parkway(2x), Strawberry shortcake at Whitesands, Winx club at United Square. She loved this pink skirt so much. but it's borrowed from Ath.

(6) Borrowed a "scooter" for her to play with. She is proficient at it now, but suffered 2 cuts on her legs while learning it.
(7) Set up christmas tree at my mom's place.
(8) Visited the zoo new water play area. Took loads of photos.
(9) looking forward to a family holiday at Genting highlands with Mel and Siew's family.
(10) Borrowed Grandma's sewing machine and mended every torn clothes in the house.
(11) Been reading to her more often at bedtime.
(12) Negative: Introduced her to the playing computer games. She is currently going to the disneyplayhouse website alot.
Back to work next year, hope I won't be too tired out. I have learnt from previous holidays that if I don't have enough ME-time, I will burn out. So now eyeing my own short little holidays over the CNY long weekend. And must thank my dear cousin JM for chipping in every now and then, to be my part-time, highly dedicated and engaging babysitter.

Natasha's BBQ

The 5N girls organised a class gathering yesterday. They invited a few of us to the gathering at Pasir Ris Costa Sands Chalet. Ed was kind of grumpy about going to this gathering with me, yet he follows knowing that I can't manage QY, carry 90 packets of packet drinks, and 3 bags of Satay all on my own. At the Chalet, he just ate, fed QY and then read newspapers. Poor guy, so left out. Qy was more eager and looking forward to this BBQ. She even wanted to know all the names of the people there.

The boys were sweet. They met me at the car park and hauled the food to the chalet. It's really nice to see all of them get together in a non-classroom setting. The girls have even painted 2 pretty butterflies motif at the bottom of their right eyes. This group of kids have journeyed with me since the beginning of my career as a teacher. While I teach them geog, they taught me to be a better teacher. Can still remember vividly some of them at sec 1. At least 3 hrs a week with them, sometimes up to 6 hrs. Pls a few overseas trips with them. I think I have grown rather attached to them, I am so going to miss them.

I left an hour plus. QY was eating too much Nachos chips from Natasha. And it was my wedding anniversary. Only fair to spend the rest of the evening with Ed.

Overheard

".... forgot the number.... cannot go toilet..."
"Check your email for password before going toilet"
"Ladies' toilet not lock leh, we don't mind you using it. Aim properly pls."