Not that I mind seriously, because the kids are absolutely adorable to photograph; they are such a gorgeous bunch! But they should drop a memo and check with my Personal Assistant first next time. Haha. I wouldnt have known if it wasnt for the other teacher who told me.

Only after a few hours in the shade, I still managed to get a slight tan. It’s pretty awkward at times going around shooting in these situations. My almost black hair makes me stand out amongst the natural blondes, brunettes and redheads. Furthermore, without the official STAFF tee-shirts the other teachers were wearing, I looked like some random person going around pointing a camera at their kids. But this being the second time I was the “outsider” poking my camera lens into their faces, I think the parents present pretty much recognised me as one of the teachers helping out with the event.

There were several races – Pre-school race, Kindy race, Year 1 to 6s. The pre-school and Kindy has the shortest races of course: 250m. Hahaha. Imagine those tiny 3, 5 and 6 year olds running along gravel at MacRitchie Reservoir. So cute!

Okay. I’ll tell you at this point that the view at that part of the MacRitchie Reservoir took my breath away. I didnt know that the area was SO gorgeous! That probably explained why so many other local school children from track and field teams were there training in their respective teams.

So, it was thus a sight to see the big bunch of little ang mohs trudging down the gravely path of MacRitchie in their trekkers and coloured house tees.

I like this picture – brotherly love. Awwwww.

The kiddos had a walk through the dark forested area before the actual race started.

Along the way, deep in the forest trails, were the checkpoints where the teachers were stationed with spray bottles to cool them off.

When we finally got back from our recce, the race, starting with pre-school, commenced before proceeding to the Kindys, Year 1, 2 all the way up to the Year 5/6.

Run Forrest run!

“I see the finish line!”

As the other kids waited their turn to run, they cheered their respective house teams on.

Once the races by 12 noon, we were done just in time to avoid the strongest sun of the day. Not that the sun wasnt already bright enough during the morning.

Here are some other pictures I particularly like, captured as I was trigger-happy on that bright sunny day.

My absolute favourite: it almost looks like some family ad. Hahaha!

OH did I forget to mention that there were monkeys in the area? As we were recce-ing the place, we saw the monkeys jump from tree to tree. But we never thought they would attack anyone.

Lo and behold, at the end as we were packing up, we heard news that a group of TEN monkeys came and charged at one of the teachers, in particular the one who had the First Aid box. They must have thought that the box contained food for they ransacked and scattered the contents all over the place. What the hell.

Here’s the pictorial evidence by the other teacher. She got really good pictures of them. Hahaha.

Look at the scary teeth! It’s yellow. I dont think they have monkey dentists.

“Oei come down now! Here got food!

They ransacked the cotton buds. Lol. Maybe they need to clean their ears too.

“Ooooo… What’s this? White and fluffy! Maybe it’s cotton candy.”

“Let me taste it”.

“Nommm nommm nommm…

“I think I might be able to use this for lining the garbage bin.”

“Ooooo.. That white stuff didnt go down very well. I think I have a headache.”

“I think some Panadol will do the trick. One might not be enough, I better take the whole pack.”

Let me play some music on my straw flute for you. Doooo.. dooo.. dooooo.. DOOOOOO!

“WAH! Who’s making such a ruckus? I need my Tiger Balm.”

“Ahhhh.. I feel much better now after downing some water and using the Tiger Balm. Whaaa… What? What do you mean this is the end of the post? Fine.”

BYE!

The End

The workload is picking up and there’s always tonnes to do; nitty gritty details to plan for and loopholes to patch.

But I have made a very important decision.

Come 2009 maybe when I turn a year older or when 2010 strikes, I will………………………..

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Cut my hair short like hot mama Heidi Klum! Me likey this new hair!

The past 2 weeks have been exhausting although my temporary workload didnt require me to be on my feet as I normally would. Im actually glad that post Chinese New Year festivities, I resume duties back in school. Under-stimulated is an understatement. The 6 week break off from school, however, gave me the chance to bond very well with my colleagues over buffet lunches in the office. Anyhoos, with a new classroom structure for school next week, but retaining the same teacher with the same routines, Im looking forward to working closely with the team and ensuring a positive and fluent environment in the classroom.

On to a less boring topic, our superb project is really manifesting itself, though of course, there are the little nitty bitty details that need to be ironed out. And the impending long weekend is certainly a welcome relief from the whirlwind madness of everything, although I seriously doubt many of us will be getting much rest during the first 2 days of the Lunar New Year.

The opportunity to go out despite all that, means I get to experiment with make up again as I have been recently! YAY! My most recent attempt was for the vPost Nuffnang Christmas Party. I did kinda do my makeup for it in a bit of a rush, but was nonetheless pretty satisfied with the final results. I might need a stronger mid-colour. Oh and did I mention I won an OSIM uSurf for my scrapbooking efforts in the Most Promising Blog Journalist contest.

FIRST PRIZE BABY!

Anyway, as I was saying, the Soccer Player makeup I put on for the night.

Eyes
Inner colour: Artistry Eye Colour Palette in Discreet
Outer colour: Victoria Secret Beauty Rush Luminous Shadow in In the Mink
Kate Gel Eyeliner in Black

Do up the rest of your face the usual way and viola!

The face of a real soccer player may not necessarily always look like that. Haha.

The workload is picking up and there’s always tonnes to do; nitty gritty details to plan for and loopholes to patch, materials to always make. Thank goodness my clinic for this month is over. Amidst having to finish the report, I had to squeeze in a shoot, a facial and order 2 batches of Victoria Secret stuff. MUAHAHAHA. I’ve been doing a couple of “shoots” this month. Thus is the life of a workaholic. Oh did I forget to mention meetings for an awesome new project that the girls and I are starting? The ground work has already been laid and we’re building the skeleton now. Now just be prepared for a superb unveiling next month.

Milking the creative juices saps practically all my energy. And that’s why this is a very short post, because I have more stuff to plan.

For tomorrow.

I am a one kid classroom. Haha!

photographer: dweam
model: brenda

But we dont get techy stuff all the time. Sometimes we get to play really cool board games. Like Blokus. Or even this!

DEAL OR NO DEAL!

Your 26 brief cases. In which one does the prized one million dollars lie?
Pick carefully!

Will you climb up the money tree to the top?

Whoooo! One million dollars!

And sometimes this is what I do at work: draw cartoons.
Free-draw! Not traced.

I am quite talented arent I? Haha.

Although I have been dead tired the past few days and acquired some new found stress. I churned out a three month lesson plan in 2 over hours. That’s pretty amazing considering the fact that I planned almost 2 months worth of activities ON THE SPOT.

*pats self on the back*

By the end of the day, my brain was squeezed dry and wrung like a table cloth.

So far, 2009 has been off to a good start. I have bucked up and decided to start using at least some part of my cosmetic stash. And I must say my eye makeup technique is getting better. Haha.

Make up for my cousin’s recent wedding almost a month ago.

Face
Anna Sui Fluid Foundation
Everyday Minerals Medium Beige – Olive foundation (my must-have!)
M.A.C Pinch-o-Peach Blusher

Eyes
M.A.C Royal Assets Smokey Eye Palette
Kate Gel Eyeliner
False Eyelashes

Not that I didnt already know I had a part to play in the Group because schedules were already released last year. But now the new year has come round, and the position has been left wide open owing to a promotion, I apparently have been “earmarked” to fill the gap and eventually be able to run the Group in a couple of months time ON MY OWN.

ZOMG.

Tis an exciting yet fearful thought. I mean, what if I cant fill the shoes from the previous owner?! But I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to grow, learn and expand my repertoire of skills at the same time; I am humbled they see potential in me. Tis a new challenge which I gladly will take up. Of course, not without the help of my seniors for the first few months. I figure I know myself well enough to trust that I will pick up the ropes soon enough.

I did feel as though I were thrown into the deep end when she told me what had been planned for me/the year. But Im glad that they’ll be there offering guidance and assistance, because after all, I am relatively new.

Despite that, I’ve already been assigned a task which is actually harder than it looks. And it it’s off the do the important research. In the Toy Department. Hoorah!

Whilst the adults are playing Secret Santa, overheard in a classroom conversation.

Girl 1: “Who do you think gives you your presents? Santa of course.”

SANTA IS DEAD!”

HAHAHAHA! I love her conviction and the fire in her eyes when saying that Santa has already graced the pages of the obituary. And that it’s really your parents who buy you the wonderful gifts you open your eyes to on Christmas Day.

An 8-year-old who knows what she stands for, what she believes in and is not afraid to fight for it. That’s my kinda girl.

So now, have you been naughty or nice? Will you get the present you asked Santa for this time around? I dont think Im getting any presents this year from Santa though.

BAH HUMBUG! Look! It’s an Italian Santa!

Spotted today on a kid’s grammar review test paper today. I guess it doesnt really matter what the answer to the question is as long as you answer with a proper sentence? Hahaha.

So next time someone asks, “How does your cat look like? Is he cute?”

You say, “I am seven years old.”

Haha!

I totally need to get my hair dyed again. HAHAHAHA. Look at those roots!

Her concentration at trying to detail my features and capture my clothes detail was apparent, as was colouring in my hair, which I thought was the funniest part.

“Your hair is black at the top *grabs black color pencil* and brown at the bottom”
*grabs brown colour pencil*