Zee

I'm getting a bit irritated by it.. Another poor performance by the teammate in the league, cost us our victory. Once again, I'm playing normally, faulting the enemy when possible, only to realise that the other side made a few terrible mistakes. how to cover up like that.. Not being consistent in their play is the thing that's being bogging us. Is there really no chance of doing any better? come on chaps.. work on your game play. I'm sure there's a lot of time available. It's just whether you want to put in the effort.

Haiz.. what more can I say..

OH well.. the results for 2nd sem is out. better than last sem.. But still got room for improvement.. Need to work even harder le.. Sigh.. Was expecting a little better than this.. 2 mods stun me by a bit.. drop a grade. Just like last sem, my core mods reflect that I'm not supposed to be a Life sciences major.. Wth.. rawr~! nvm.. it's over.. don't want to talk abt it liao..

Now going out to meet the uni clique of kakis for dinner.. no time to type further liao..


*Dear is in hk now.. cannot talk to her.. haiz.. miss you dear..

Am I dao or am I beng in my talking ? Some friends told me that the way I talk at times is a bit beng, like courting for fight.. Don't give chance to others. Really ? I know I've been rather critical in the way I talk, didn't realise that it's casting such impressions on some.. Sis has also told me to watch out the way I talk, she feels it's not the same as before.. But what is the change? All along I thought I've been myself.. If there's a difference, pls tell me what is it. I would like to know as well.

Over the past few months, personally, I feel that my PR skill has gone down quite a bit. I feel that it's due to the fact that I've being having much lesser human interaction with others. Mostly keeping to myself and a few around me only.. Reluctance to take up any roles in UNI is part of it.. I don't really want to handle PR related things. Unlike myself.. haiz..

Anyway.. Got to know this youtube video from my student. She was doing a project on STD, specifically Syphilis. So she searched for it and got this.. Decided to share it, and I think it's rather hilarious.

Random post today.. story on big fish and small fish.. courtesy of dear..

Big fish, refering to my smarter kids.. and small fish refering to the new student i take from ECP. It's a totally new experience.. So used to teaching at a different level, now it's a challenge. Need to take a different approach to handle him. But I do see potential in him, just that he's really very playful, don't have a heart to study. only do the bare minimal, not up to standard as well..

Lately have been having a cravings for movies. Just feel like watching shows. so went to get the Lords of the ring to watch. yes, it's very old show liao.. But I didn't catch it when it was on the screens.. it's a bit draggy though.. Almost done with the 2nd one.. Will finish up the final one soon. Hopefully next few days can spare out a bit of time to watch it..

Long long day today... Went to school in the morning for the marine bio lab training, just a bit of introduction regarding the whole project, and showed us how to sort the inverterbrates.. Quite a waste of my time to travel all the way. nvm.. opening myself a possible chance to work there during the second half of the sem break.

Then, went to ECP to cycle with des and dear.. Cycled from ECP mac to Changi Village.. why ? just a suggestion, and we really executed it.. It's a bit far.. My estimated distance is about 20km one way.. so to and fro.. roughly 40km ba. On bike, still reasonable.. but still tiring after not cycling for so long.. after cycling a gruesome distance under the hot weather, rewarded ourselves with some sugarcane drink, and mei qian's Goreng pisang, and tapoica. quite nice.. Oh ya... good thing about it is that the park connector is ready.. so it's totally connected from ecp all the way to changi beach. No need to cycle on the road.. safer and more convenient.

Was a rather fun day.. Enjoyed myself cycling for that 3 hrs. the feeling is good.. =)

It's already the starting of the 3rd week of Hols. It's fast isn't it. Just enjoying myself and nua-ing most of the time at the moment. No job, just relying on the tuitions to survive.. Free up so much more free time... =) Looking at more constructive things that I can do during this hols. Learn blading, diving is the 2 top priority. for both, I've being thinking abt it for quite some time liao.. MUZ fufil it.. So far, this is the 2 thing I've not completed on my to do list..

Finally bought a new phone. After 4 months of delay.. I re-contracted it. Initially didn't get it cos the phone was out of stock.. then nothing catches my eye.. This time round, bought this phone, cos the voucher is expiring le.. and this is one of the closest one that catches my eye. Quite nice.. Like it.. but got feelings with my old Z540 liao.. just 1 yr plus only.. Not trading in.. for memorial.. haha..

Sony Ericsson W910i


Took my IPPT, Surprisingly i cleared my SBJ, 234cm.. All gold standard for the rest of my 4 stations... BUT.. my most trusted 2.4km failed me... only ran a Uber Sloowwww 11.07min.. WTH!!! I've not ran above 11min for 4yrs can.. No matter how long I never train, usually will be below 11. Haiz.. So sad.. only $200,... $400 is a little distance away. Will train hard in the next 1 month. Try to get my extra $200..

A fun filled day today.. First, went to collect my passport, long overdue liao.. no choice, have to collect it, if not no need go HK liao.. one passport also can charge us $70. Sin gov, really know how to make $$. Then dar and me went to Kallang leisure complex to Ice-skate and catch a movie there. First time we've ever ice-skated.. but it was fun!! Took some time to get use to the smoothness, and the balancing of the ice.. It's actually easier than blading I would say.. All in all, it was fun.. with a few bumps and there hor.. =P

Watched Made-of-Honour.. Quite a nice show.. Touching towards the end. a play-boy who never sleeps with the same girl back to back, as one of his policy, finally realised that he fell in love with his teenage known Best friend. Through all the hassle, he planned to snatch the bride back, and some of the things he did was actually rather nice... Sometimes, love is just blind.. you go to the extend of just doing it without much logic..

Dar and me at the Kallang Ice-skating Rink. Fun fUn fuN!! Will definitely come back and play again..


Focusing hard to balance..


After our movie, I just had a crazy idea of eating Crab and Nasi Lemak.. And so, we headed down from Kallang to Changi Village. A bit de far.. Took bus 2, all the way. On the way, we had our own mini game of time prediction, with the " Man tou" as a stake.. Bet was to see who can predict the time we reach there me accurately.. was a case of ups- and downs, swinging towards her favour and my favour at times. Creating Cheap thrill along the long journey there.. In the end.. it was a draw.. it so happen to be in-between the time we both stated.. lolx..

First, we ate the famous Nasi Lemak there.. Always visiting back the same stall, but the auntie there, also inflation liao.. now one chicken wing, $1.50.. *Faintz.. still it's nice to eat.. Then, went to the near-by Seafood stall to eat the Chilli Crab.. Personally chose the fate of that crab.. $40/kg one, and it was really Delicious!! 1 X big big crab.. just over a kg. looking at the size of the pincer, it's just Wow~! dar dar and me shared that and would say it's well worth of time and $$ there..


One whole day of events have run me ragged.. REalLY tired now... YawnZ~!. Time to catch a nap to recharge...

Final day of Relief teaching.. And I flared up at the last class of the day.. Entering one of the worst class in the sec 2 level, they just refuse to do work or listen to instructions. Giving instructions is useless for some, and only when you shout at them, will they listen.. Testing my limits is a bad choice.. cos If you know me, esp in army, the more you test me, the more i'll be resilient to it, and make sure you will call it quit before me..

Just a mere 3 days of exposure to a school life as a teacher, I've learnt so much.. I've definitely gained much more than I would have expected in the first place. Initially thought that I would just be doing relief, just getting a taste about how it feels to be facing a class. But there's so much more to that.. one thing, I know that I'm comfortable with the classes, perhaps cos I'm familiar and confident on the topics I'm teaching.. Though no prior prepartion, I was still able to teach on the spot.. It helps that I'm teaching subjects related to what I'm reading in Uni at the moment. Teachers in schools hang out in cliques, and defend for themselves.. More than they do for the students.. it's the sad truth.. The comments they make for the students, reflects how much they care.. and how much hope they have for the students. especially for the lower end classes. They practically can't be bothered about it. As daniel has said, Education is moulding the future.. how to mould when you have such teachers around? Gossips flying around, Nasty ones.. And so much politics involved. Agree.. Everywhere you go, there'll be this issue that always bothering you.. but i guess, in sch, it's a little bit worst, with the hierachy system breathing down your neck at the same time..

Being a bit used to calling teachers by Sir or Mdm, it's a little odd to hear ppl calling, cher , cher.. yes, it's short form that most ppl use. but I just don't like it.. And something more interesting, I was teaching in a class, with a student with the same name as ME.. ZHIYUAN. SO i keep hearing my name being mentioned while there. couple of times, I heard " hey.. Zhiyuan .. what you want.. " " Zhiyuan, don't be like that lar.. " okay lar.. got use to it after a while.. Thank goodness they didn't know my name.. only know via Mr Lim..

Anyway, the short 3 day stint with JYSS was a fruitful one.. I think I'll be known as one of the more fierce teacher they have ever encountered. doubt I'll want to go back there again. Really want to thank my sis so much for all the help rendered to me. If not for her, I would not be able to get this relief job within such a short time, and seriously, if not because she's there, I dont' think I would try out relief teachign in the first place... not forgetting some of the lessons she help me cover cos she feels it'll be harder for me to handle.. Really appreciate alot sis.. Feels so lucky that I've got a sis who's always lending me a helping hand.. Thanks Sis.. =)

Oh ya.. took a photo of this machine.. The OTAS machine.. When I was a student, keep hearing the teachers complaining abt the problematic machine.. and i finally experience it myself.. It's really a chore.. though it's really much faster IF there isn't any screw ups. Finally, after years.. I get to see this how this machine looks like..


okay, side track.. ate this Hawaiian pork chop at Cafe Cartel with sis just now.. Not bad.. meat was rather soft.. Just give ourselves a small little treat for the few days of hectic work in sch..

2nd day, went well.. still as fierce and stern. Did a few lessons, and an invigilation. First time invigilate a test, interesting encounter, that class is well known for cheating cases, so need to be extra vigilant. But seriously, it's boring to be there watching them for so long.

Just one more day of teaching to go.. 2 more lessons, Would say that so far I've being very lucky.. Reliefing mostly better behaved classes.. a lot of the staffs there were complaining how come like that one.. they just can't use their little brain a little to think about what are the subjects I'm teaching.. I'm teaching pure Bio.. Come on.. it's usually one of the better class most of the time. They rather use that to gossip about the new in-coming teacher who is so pretty, being jealous about her, and make comments such as "need to put so much make up all the time, doll up herself, and give good impressions.. definitely cannot recongnise her if she remove her thick layers of power. " I do realise that there's really quite a bit of bad-mouthing here and there.. Politics definitely play a huge role in that type of situation..

Played in the Inter-club bridge cup.. Finally, my capt, decided to send the strongest team to play and not let some gain exp le.. and so.. we delivered the first victory for this season. after the victory, he finally admitted that he shouldn't have send some teams for suicidal.. now the team's league status is in perail.. Need to help cover the BIG hole left behind.. Played with my pal, after so so so loooonnngg.. last played with him when we got 2nd in the NUS opens.That's like Jan.. 4 months didn't play with him liao.. well, we could still understand each other well, and nothing much went wrong.. I guess it's just the mo qi we have.. Still wondering whether I will change pal, if he doesn't come often.. haiz..

First day in School doing relief.. Better than expected.. Totally no classroom phobia, surprisingly. Thought I would hesistate speaking to them, or have problem conversing..

Honestly, first time experiencing what a neighbourhood school environment would be like. The students are much less motivated, more rowdy, less respect for teachers, and some don't give a damn about you. Coming from a slightly better sch, the min amnt of discipline is a different level, non-comparable. Had heard about many stories regarding discipline problems, but now, first hand experience with it. It reaffirms my belief that I'm not really cut out for teaching in schools. Well, not totally ruling that out, will leave a possible way for myself.

Went to the school, jolly well fending for myself, NO help from the HOD, any other staffs. Just supposed to take over Kenneth Chiow, all his classes, don't know what to do, what is expected of me, or what's there to be done, how is the normal situation in the school like.. ABSOLUTELY nothing.. Thank goodness got help from the bio head there.. which not coincidentally is my beloved sis.. who helped me get into the school.. Really need to thank her so much for guiding me today, helping me with all the preparations, and covering up some of my duties.. It's really not easy to be a teacher.. especially a Normal(A)or Normal(T) teacher. The students are generally not bothered abt work. Failing is a norm. and they are like being forced to come school. So motivational/inspiriations talk to them is rubbish.

Some students commented I look alike Ms Lin, ( my sis ) but my surname is Lim. so managed to conceal out identity/relationships.. haha.. That will not be known in school.

And a side comment from one of the class is " wa laoz.. why got relief teacher so fierce one.. " Yes, I stick by my own set of rules and I'll be firm when I need to.. Scolding and shouting at them, I think it's just normal.. Some of them even gave me attitude.. Seriously, if they are in army now.. and under me.. I'll make sure I whack them till jialat jialat.. Give me the basic respect and I'll give you back.. That's a very simple thing that many ppl can't do...

Today was a day or emotional ups and downs.. Early in the morning, received a call from my mum, telling me that my uncle is in the hospital, cos his liver partially harden, and his small intestine broke.. Lost too much blood, now in a unconscious situation. It was really sad to see such things happening, especially to your relatives, knowing that it's part and parcel of life, it still touches my heart whenever I see someone lying on the bed struggling for life.. I teared..

Then watch Ah long Pte Ltd with dear and my sis. Xiao hee.. with the mix of hokkien, canto jokes, laugh quite a lot.. a twist at the end of the story, not bad ba.. I just like local shows, a familiar lifestyle that we know..

After that, went to teach my Niece.. A one month crash course request from my cousin, cos she wanted her to do better in it.. She's like scoring 85 now.. want to push her further up, so as to offset her weakness in languages.. Kaoz.. another one that I face.. though it's easy to teach, but it's difficult to produce a better result.. Shall just try my best.. Stressful session..

Thereafter, chiong down to Harbour front to meet the SK gang for dinner. To celebrate Edrei's bdae, Teckwei and Yupei's Belated Bdae.. Ate at White dog.. The food was so-so.. a bit too pricey for the food. but the services was not bad.. It's being a long time since I last met up with them. Too busy with our individual things.. At least for me.. So today, had to squeeze out a bit of time. Nice to do some catch up at times.. =)

Tenderloin Steak. ( a bit overcooked.. I wanted medium, it came well done.. )

The 3 " pig leg "

The Sk gang.. minus a few not here today...

Today was really horrible. Things just went wrong wrong and more wrong. Can't exactly pin point what is it, but it was just wrong. Played relatively okay yesterday, only to throw everything down the drain today. I played normally today, without exceptional bids/hands, only to see that we lost so much part scores. Haiz.. Sometimes, it really depends on how the whole team does. One player a bit siao for the day equals gg.. Haiz.. Gained some exp, yes, that's the aim, yes.. Achieved it.. yes.. but still would have thought that it could have been better.. perhaps it's just within me that I'm always gunning for something more.

Without a constant partner, living a nomad life is rather sianz. For one, it trains me to be more vastile, able to play with most players. but I can't find the mutual understanding that's required for a good pair. Losing faith in what I thought could go well. Perhaps I should just drop it and spare up the time for other things..

Went to play Singapore Opens today.. Partnered Gz. Played with him a few times already, so quite comfortable with it.. Just that I still mis-read some of his bids.. Sad.. I should focus more and pay more attention to the conventions. Played 50 boards from 2.30pm till 10.30pm. mentally draining, tomorrow still got a full day. Well, went for this with the thought of just gaining experience and exposure., not expecting much out of it. Will see what I can learn from it.. =)

Will be doing relief teaching next week at Junyuan sec, Sec 4 Bio and lower sec Science. First time going to face a classroom condition. A little nervous though. From the scary stories that my sis had told me, I don't really know what to expect. Would they try to eat me up, seeing me a young new chap taking their class. Don't even know the syllabus well at the moment, need to think on the spot about how to ans those cheeky kids. Just hope they don't put me in a difficult position.

Suddenly my whole hols is full of teaching. Relief teaching, one more tuition kid in East Coast area and adding on to my current 2. Plus a possibility of a Pri 6 cousin. I've like 4 tuitions. Madness. To think that I used to hate teaching so much that I didn't even want to take up any tuition, to the current state. It's just amazing.. how time has transformed me.. Teaching pays well, and it frees up more of my time though. looking at the current state, I don't need to find a part time job le. I'll have enough Tution to keep me busy.

dear, went to collect our rings today from Ps. And it looks really nice.. =) Whee!! The effects of it came out better than I've expected.

Tired today.. Determined to paint my room blue, which was part of my plan last semester break. But as I went to India, it was left only in the dreams.. lolx.. So yeap.. today is DOWN to work.. Begun work at 10am this morning.. Started shifting all the furnitures, went to buy the paint, do all the preparation, and started painting around 2pm. Dear came over to help me with the painting, and it sure was great help and fun. Couldn't have finished in time if not for your help.. thx dear.. =)

Before

After

Dear at work..

Artist at work..

So is this supposed to be a devil or an angel ? hmm...

Dear's master piece on ME!!

Final state of my room.. Neat and nice.. I like the colour... =)


Well... I actually finished everything within a day.. Started at 10am, ended at 11.30pm. 13hr shift. lolx.. I'm tired.. Time to take a break.. Tomorrow still got Singapore teams open. full day..

We are 3 months old le.. =) Time passes so fast.. haha.. Well.. my usual phrase:" kuai le shi guang guo de kuai".



Bought our rings today at Ps.. nice..


Had our dinner at Crystal Jade ( la mian ) one.. I just like the steam dumplings. it just tastes so good..


Kou shui ji.. served cold.. rather spicy but yummy..


Pai ku mian..


Bought this belgium dark chocolate after some hard selling by the person. It does taste very good. a bit pricey though. $1.25 for 10g. Shown here is the choco only, and the golden coated one is with whiskey. reinforces my liking for whiskey.. Whee!!

Oh man ... Petrol now is horribly expensive.. Pumped in $40. but only managed 5/8 full, excluding the reserve tank. And that means over $100 is required for full tank now.. Used to be $1.952 now its $2.116. Well, it may not sound a lot, just 6 cents, but that's per litre. and if you know that the previous petrol price was at $1.70/Litre. It's a HUGE increment. Heard on the news that 1 economist commented that the oil price could have easily gone down to USD$40 per barrel, instead of the current $120. But they are just making the best profit they can at the moment.. Rawr!~ There's nothing we can do, since they are monopolising it.. Just have to reduce the use of it..

Cooked my mum a 4 course dinner for today. Together with My sis, her bf, Darling and me.. It turned out well, and not only does it look good, it tasted Good too.. Hahax.. Usually only got my sis and me cooking the food, today got dear to help out.. Good good..

Tiger Prawn With Stuffings..

Very big prawns..

Fried Pork Ribs with xiao bai chai

The full course.. Pork ribs, Prawns, by all of us. Ma puo dou fu by dear.. Mushroom by me..


This is a dinner you can't even get with money outside.. It's " you xin " one.. haha..

Went to trial run 2.4km this morning, a bit cui-ed.. after not running for such a long time. only managed to scrap through with a 10.45. Horrible timing. Considering I've not ran since 1.5months ago, it's a little bad, hopefully this 2 weeks can pick up in time. If not I'll re-try it again in June.. Sigh..

Went to help Hc move her things in the afternoon.. rather amazed by the amount of things able to be present in the room... haha.. *claps claps* Can't imagine how's she's going to move all those things if me and edwin wasn't there.. anyway, hope that you will be able to rest well at your sis's place.. =)

Supposed to be meeting Cue sports frens, but came back a bit too late.. so decided not to go.. and just nice gopal tell me there's a random meeting... so randomly met up with some of the JC class guys at TM starbucks. Allen, Jianhua, Gopal and Yiyeung.. out of a sudden tell me.. nvm..

Went for ICT briefing at nee soon camp just now.. and yes, in camp is coming in one month's time.. arhz... kinda spoil my plans for the 3 month semester break.. how to work... In between got reservist. Sianz..

Anyway, ate this at Northpoint, Daniel was asking to eat that.. So we just went for it. haha.. Not bad... quite yummy, and the price was okay.. for my garlic squid, it was $8.50.





Yeah... Darling finally finish her exams le. Went to meet her after my ICT briefing.. Ended a bit later then i've expected.. nvm.. still got to meet her and go walk walk carefreely after such a long time.. =)

Wed was a bit of a random day.. Met Des at Taka there, supposed to meet for lunch, followed by search for my slipper.. And we just randomly went into Seoul garden for Lunch.. like how random can.. 2 person just suddenly decide to go for buffet. lolx.. been 8 yrs since I last went to eat seoul garden I think. Thought the variety available isn't exactly a lot. but the chicken tasted not bad..

I've got one Seoul garden within 2mins of walking distance, in the precint of TM, but I've not visited it for ages.. haha.. watever.. I still ate it yesterday..


Des found me this 99% chocolate.. Haha.. Was searching for it lor.. Thought it never existed.. JIN RAN can find it.. must have a taste of it.. Love dark Chocolate... This one should be the ultimate...


That day saw dead bird.. this time round see dead Frog.. aiyoyo... what's next...

First day since I last woke up so late after exam.. erm. 10.30am.. not exactly very late.. but since one month ago, latest I've woke up is like 9.30am. Needed to start the day early.. Now, there's a sleep debt incurred... Sleep how much also still tired.. lolx..

Supposed to be free, but nothing on for today.. Just felt really relax and songg that I can just chill and do nothing much for the day. Ran some errand, some long overdue things to be done and checked.. bought dear Ice-Kacang.. only for a short while though.. cannot disturb her preparations.

Anyway, saw this dead bird along the way. Ants have started eating into it's flesh. There's a rotting smell.. especially under the hot sun.. It's quite bad.



Lately, the weather is like playing tricks on me. a while got rain, a while bright and SUPER hot weather.. kns. make me don't know to swim, or run, or just simply slack at home..

Yeah... It's over.. haha.. Finally. I've already done what I could for this sem. hope it'll come out fine ba.. Shall not comment on it le.. Just Enjoy the time while I still can.. lolx..

One day of speed reading for SSS. The least amt of time I've spent compared to all the rest of the mod. amazingly, I think I may do better for this..

Yipee!! The most feared paper is over.. GEK. was afraid that I would not be able to write anything when I see the qn. Thank goodness, Manage to spot on for some. hopefully it'll be fine.. Now it's just One more to go.. SS paper.. one day left to study for it.. Haven't touch it since March.. Need to perform miracle to finish reading it. Luckily, open book.. Phew..

On fri, studied at Coffee bean at ECP, before transiting over to the HK cafe near-by for lunch. Was just kinda sick of eating BK for the past 1 week plus..

HK fried Yi Mee..

Fu lu Dou Gan

Ninja Studying.. Stress..


Met dear for our early dinner today.. It's been 2 weeks since I last saw her liao. miss her so much.. =) Went to Sushi tei to grab a few bites. Yum yum.. Ordered some of our fav dishes. Some food, you just won't get sick of it..



I just love the sashimi servings..

Yeah.. Happy... =D

Weaver ants at work in an urban landscape.. Appearing in Sengkang neighbour..

Yeap.. the whole ball of thing is the nest that the weaver ants has successfully made out of the leaves.. Wildlife is just next to us all the time. It's just whether we are observant enough to realise it.

I was actually quite gross out for a moment when I saw the whole mess ants. But stil decided to take a closer look at it.


2 tuitions a day is rather a waste of my time. teaching in SK in the morning, then come back, before going to Clementi for another session. effectively 6 hrs is wasted. Luckily I was able to drive to Clementi, if not more time is wasted. Low in spirits along the way back, I took an extra short time to reach home. 21mins to reach home. Since it's low in spirits, I had to top it up with spirits too.. Sigh..