Something must have hit me such that even though I haven't been running for more than a year, I nevertheless decided to plunge into the 4.2km run round Bedok Reservoir on Wednesday during the school cross country event. I didn't plan on winning anything, but just gain that extra 20 points for the Blue Eagles with my participation. Plus, the thought of a run equates to some "me" time I so lack these days.
Armed with my ipod, handphone (just in case there were some casualties along the way) and my newly-glued up track shoes (the soles were flapping off when I was in India), I paced myself to a slow but steady run. I hadn't hydrated myself well when I started. I thought we'd be provided with the HI Spirit, but nope.
Down at the 3km mark, the sun was shining strong on me and I began to feel dehydrated. I felt my heart pounding in my brain. Pain. I knew I had to slow down and get hydrated, and thankfully I managed to get some from some students stationed in between the route. But it was too late. The pounding continued with every step I took. But I persevered. I just had one thing in mind - finish the race.
I was proud when I reached the finishing line in 30 minutes, third in position in the Women's category of the teacher's race. Not too bad considering I didn't train nor exercise for the past year! Plus I'm 31 years old!
The next few days saw me enduring the pain on my lower body - legs, hamstrings, calves, thighs. It hurt when I walked up or down the stairs, but I endured it all. This may sound masochistic but the pain reflected some form of achievement only I could fully understand.
I guess that's a reflection of my life right now too. Hidden pain.
31 March 2007
23 March 2007
Starbucks Surprise
It was almost getting to be a bad day in school as my computer crashed on me and was pronounced officially dead. The work I was working on halfway was lost and almost all my documents in the hard drive of the laptop. Still I was thankful that most of my files were stored in my external hard drive.
I met up with Wendy in the evening at the Conrad. She had a room night booked at the hotel as she was having her company D&D tonight, and her wedding anniversary tomorrow. I decided to bunk in with her for the night since she'd be alone. I could take the opportunity of having a really nice room to work in while she went for dinner too.
I was getting hungry and was craving for my favourite Starbucks All Original Bagel, and decided to take a walk to Millenia Walk. After dropping by Candy Empire to pick up a pack of chips and chocolate chip cookies - fuel to burn the midnight oil - I headed to Starbucks in all excitedness to pick up my warm toasted bagel.. But when I went there, I was disappointed to learn that it had sold out. The man at the counter was apologetic and offered other savouries, but none could satisfy the craving for the bagel.
I told the man I was craving for it and was kinda disappointed not to have it but it's ok.. I'll probably walk around to pick up something else. As I walked away, I remembered I needed to pick up a warm drink to keep me warm in the freezing cold room. I walked back and asked for my usual Hot Cocoa with Skim Milk. Just as I was choosing the size I wanted, the man at the counter smiled and told me he'd make me a big cup - just what I had in mind. When I took out money to pay for it, he waved it away and smiled, "It's OK. It's on us." I was sincerely surprised and asked why. "Oh, it's to make up for not being able to give you the bagel you wanted."
In all my years, I don't think I've come across such wonderful hospitality, and I must say I was so proud I'm a consumer of Starbucks products! For such a company that empower its staff to brighten their customers' day with such a surprise, well, i must say I AM impressed.
Talk about customer service - we sure can learn from this Starbucks experience! A little gesture goes a long way!
As for me - hot chocolate never tasted so good. I feel pampered in some way...
Thanks, Starbucks, my favourite coffee joint... :)
I met up with Wendy in the evening at the Conrad. She had a room night booked at the hotel as she was having her company D&D tonight, and her wedding anniversary tomorrow. I decided to bunk in with her for the night since she'd be alone. I could take the opportunity of having a really nice room to work in while she went for dinner too.
I was getting hungry and was craving for my favourite Starbucks All Original Bagel, and decided to take a walk to Millenia Walk. After dropping by Candy Empire to pick up a pack of chips and chocolate chip cookies - fuel to burn the midnight oil - I headed to Starbucks in all excitedness to pick up my warm toasted bagel.. But when I went there, I was disappointed to learn that it had sold out. The man at the counter was apologetic and offered other savouries, but none could satisfy the craving for the bagel.
I told the man I was craving for it and was kinda disappointed not to have it but it's ok.. I'll probably walk around to pick up something else. As I walked away, I remembered I needed to pick up a warm drink to keep me warm in the freezing cold room. I walked back and asked for my usual Hot Cocoa with Skim Milk. Just as I was choosing the size I wanted, the man at the counter smiled and told me he'd make me a big cup - just what I had in mind. When I took out money to pay for it, he waved it away and smiled, "It's OK. It's on us." I was sincerely surprised and asked why. "Oh, it's to make up for not being able to give you the bagel you wanted."
In all my years, I don't think I've come across such wonderful hospitality, and I must say I was so proud I'm a consumer of Starbucks products! For such a company that empower its staff to brighten their customers' day with such a surprise, well, i must say I AM impressed.
Talk about customer service - we sure can learn from this Starbucks experience! A little gesture goes a long way!
As for me - hot chocolate never tasted so good. I feel pampered in some way...
Thanks, Starbucks, my favourite coffee joint... :)
18 March 2007
Back from India
I came back from my one-week trip to India yesterday morning. Yes. I survived.
Now, the next 10 weeks to survive in school...
Now, the next 10 weeks to survive in school...
08 March 2007
A blog from heaven
My ex-student Alfred dropped me an sms past midnight. It read "Go check your email Miss Chewie". He's been calling me that for as long as I remember. I didn't check it til this morning and it pointed me to a hyperlink to a blog entry.
Not that it was sad, but it touched me at a point in my life whereby I am questioned of my capability, of "not coping" and "being very absent from school". I for a moment kept wondering if it were really true that "my heart is not with the kids". And I thought I had lost my focus of what I had wanted to do deep in my heart years back.
I think God sent Alfred to write that blog entry for a reason. I think God knew that this would be a bad time for me, and only he knew the perfect way to bring my spirits up again. What he wrote reminded me of my mission of throwing starfishes into the sea. And although all may not see how many I've thrown (who's keeping count anyway?!), I know that I've made a difference to at least one.
To Alfred - thanks for the entry. It has encouraged me to pick myself up, and to realise that I may be at a point of a burn out - and that it's not about me or my capability that measures, but who I am and how I can touch others in my own way.
I guess that's me and I'm pretty at peace with it.
Not that it was sad, but it touched me at a point in my life whereby I am questioned of my capability, of "not coping" and "being very absent from school". I for a moment kept wondering if it were really true that "my heart is not with the kids". And I thought I had lost my focus of what I had wanted to do deep in my heart years back.
I think God sent Alfred to write that blog entry for a reason. I think God knew that this would be a bad time for me, and only he knew the perfect way to bring my spirits up again. What he wrote reminded me of my mission of throwing starfishes into the sea. And although all may not see how many I've thrown (who's keeping count anyway?!), I know that I've made a difference to at least one.
To Alfred - thanks for the entry. It has encouraged me to pick myself up, and to realise that I may be at a point of a burn out - and that it's not about me or my capability that measures, but who I am and how I can touch others in my own way.
I guess that's me and I'm pretty at peace with it.
03 March 2007
Falling Sick
This year has been a not so good year so far - healthwise. I find it hard to believe that within a span of two months, I've taken 10 days' medical leave. There seems to be a bad bug going about, especially in school and it's not making catching up with teaching any easier.
I came down with a fever last Friday. Left school early to head home to rest since I had a full weekend at SJI for a seminar on religious education. My Principal signed us all Catholic teachers up for it and made sure we went for it. I was feeling better though not entirely well on Saturday. The fever subsided but the throat was sore and the nose congested with thick mucus. I gulped down my medication for the nose and throat and headed down to SJI with my brother.
The air-conditioned lecture theatre didn't make my condition any better and so come Sunday, the fever came back on and the nose started to get runny. I decided not to go for the seminar and headed to the doctor instead. Slapped with a whole load of tablets and 2 days' medical leave, I did nothing but sleep and sleep and sleep.
I guess what I missed most was the opportunity to be there with my students during their Sec 2 camp and shout and scream together with them. When I was well enough to get back to school, they broke camp and news came that they emerged Best Class for the camp! Naturally, I was proud of them and when I met them at the canteen, it was heartwarming to see them in high spirits, filling the canteen with their cheers and spirit of camaradarie.
I came down with a sore and inflamed throat again on Wednesday night, and all I could do was to down the tablets that would bring down the swell. Occupational hazard. I'm glad that the holidays are coming so it gives me a break, hopefully to recuperate. I'm heading for New Delhi for a week during the break and I hope I don't fall ill then! It'd be the first time I'd be travelling alone and I'm crossing my fingers I come back in one piece! I joke with my friends that the guide bringing me around may find me an investment to be sold off for a handsome price!
One more week to that. I hope I survive in between.
I came down with a fever last Friday. Left school early to head home to rest since I had a full weekend at SJI for a seminar on religious education. My Principal signed us all Catholic teachers up for it and made sure we went for it. I was feeling better though not entirely well on Saturday. The fever subsided but the throat was sore and the nose congested with thick mucus. I gulped down my medication for the nose and throat and headed down to SJI with my brother.
The air-conditioned lecture theatre didn't make my condition any better and so come Sunday, the fever came back on and the nose started to get runny. I decided not to go for the seminar and headed to the doctor instead. Slapped with a whole load of tablets and 2 days' medical leave, I did nothing but sleep and sleep and sleep.
I guess what I missed most was the opportunity to be there with my students during their Sec 2 camp and shout and scream together with them. When I was well enough to get back to school, they broke camp and news came that they emerged Best Class for the camp! Naturally, I was proud of them and when I met them at the canteen, it was heartwarming to see them in high spirits, filling the canteen with their cheers and spirit of camaradarie.
I came down with a sore and inflamed throat again on Wednesday night, and all I could do was to down the tablets that would bring down the swell. Occupational hazard. I'm glad that the holidays are coming so it gives me a break, hopefully to recuperate. I'm heading for New Delhi for a week during the break and I hope I don't fall ill then! It'd be the first time I'd be travelling alone and I'm crossing my fingers I come back in one piece! I joke with my friends that the guide bringing me around may find me an investment to be sold off for a handsome price!
One more week to that. I hope I survive in between.