Party Planner

Ian's birthday party is coming up this Saturday and yours truly has volunteered to include a game or two into the itinerary--right there between eating, video games and cake--just so the lot does not spend four hours glued in front of the telly. 

This isn't my first time coming up with games for a kids party, although technically all those previous years doesn't count as it doesn't take two seconds to throw musical chairs and hide and seek into the mesh. And since now that I'm teaching, hey, who better than to direct those skills into contributing something to this party?

I spent the past week experimenting with a game or two with my classes, whenever I was able to sneak some time. I basically suck at coming up with creative games, so I did what I know best--a general knowledge game. The very mention of the name made my kids literally groan at the possible dullness by the sound of it.

However, they soon changed their minds. Here's how the game works;

1. Divide kids into smaller groups

2. Distribute sheets of paper and pencils to one elected member of each group 

3. Ask questions

4. Kids get 60 seconds to write down as many answers as they can come up with

5. Points are awarded based on how many correct answers they give

6. Winner gets bragging rights for the day

This is a list of questions I've been able to come up with so far and have tested;

Name as many...

1. Countries which names end with -land

2. Animals which live on both land and in water

3. Insects which do not have any color of the rainbow

4. Countries which names end with -a

5. Animals which names start with the letter C

The kids really enjoyed these games, but I'm running out of ideas. I try not to ask easy questions like no.5 and prefer those which require a little more thinking (no.1-4). Any ideas? I would appreciate it!

It's scary what we choose to sacrifice

Today, I scared myself.

I've always been one to put loved ones first; family, boyfriend. Whether it be a simple outing to a major decision, it was clear and simple. No need for second thoughts. 

Then I got this job--my first job--which has been causing me to sacrifice time to be with subjects of matter. At first it was missing two dinners a week with the family. Shortly after, I was cutting down on quality time with Phil on two days.

Now, this job--this, highly unstable job, is giving me back my two missing dinners but taking away five days of substantial quality time with Phil.

And I'm accepting as of tomorrow.

It's a bittersweet thing.

I'm happy to be able to no longer work nights...but, how could I have said Yes, to lean towards agreeing to something which would take away more of what little I have with him? Do I have to sacrifice even more sleep five days a week? Would I sacrifice it?

Yes, I would.

Knowing eventually, it would take its toll on me. I'd grow old faster, die younger and eye bags so big I'd be mistaken for a panda.

But who am I? Sacrificing all these for what? Money? It's sad.

It's just a job!

Loved ones are loved ones.

I just hope I'll only need to keep on doing this for not that much longer.

I don't want to be forced to give up more and more.

Accidental Handiwork

So, I was bored at work today. That is, after finishing all the marking I had to do and getting out of my I-still-feel-too-sick-to-be-working-today funk, I looked around (i.e my desk) for something to do. We have a mini mini play coming up next week and I wanted to kick up the excitement gears in my kids. Now, to those who know me much too well, I can't do anything productive with my hands...well, almost. ;) 

Handiwork, handicraft, whichever it is though I assume both carry more or less the same definition, has never been my forte. Also, I have no patience for that kind of stuff and habitually shun it. I brought an empty tissue box as a makeshift jewelry box, an empty stapler box as a cigarette box and tissue as hankies. Yeah, I am that dull in the creative department.

Then boredom, as I said, kicked in. I hoped to find some sort of colored paper to make it look not like such an obvious tissue box but didn't find any. Ugly, white, boring foolscap paper had to do. When that was done, my box was a white fugly box. So, hoping to jazz it up a bit, I searched for some sort of glitter pen or at least a colored gel pen that I may have lying around. Nada. Had a fine tip blue whiteboard marker pen. Not exactly your preferred choice but it was good enough to draw stars on the box. It was a jewelry box, after all. Had to make it look sparkly-ish. And of course, I had to label it "JEWELS" as a personal in-joke of obviousness. This was the product of said handiwork attempt...

The so called treasures in the jewelry box. Notice my three abysmal police badges.

Once I was done with that, I must admit I was feeling rather proud of my handiwork achievement. I haven't done something like this in...well, many freaking years. So I thought of making something else my play needed but of which was missing; handcuffs. After many pathetic thoughts including one of stapling two long thin pieces of paper together as makeshift handcuffs, I noticed I had some paper cups left from the mini class party from the other day. 

This, I'm particularly proud of...

You people in handicraft organizations, don't fret...I'm not planning to join your handicraft societies and all. This is one of those once-in-a-blue-moon sort of thing...despite it being much more fun than I would have thought it to be.

When You've Had a Bad Day...

...don't pig out.

And I'm sorry I did. With that carton of chocolate milk...and that deliciously irresistable homemade macaroni and cheese...and the two dates I snuck in after that. 

I haven't emotionally ate in a very long time so I suppose you can tell that today was just not my day. Why am I sugar(yum!)coating it? 

My day sucked.

First, I woke up late. You can imagine all the scrambling around the house that followed.

Then, I got stuck in the most annoying traffic jam ever.

Halfway through my 9am class, I got my period and it was this close for it to show for all to see. My energy levels started to drain because of this.

Then I received a rejection after gathering whatever ounce of courage I had. Though not of anybody's fault, it was the way it was presented that bothered me. By close proximity, it was (unawarely) rubbed in. But I suppose hormones were just making me all the more sensitive.

Lunch. Still can't bring myself to subject my tastebuds to organic food despite having really looked forward to trying the organic food restaurant near my workplace. I settled for curry mee, totally forgetting about my sore throat.

Next class. Power levels dwindled by then. It happened to be a particularly exhausting class, despite all the planning I did for it beforehand. Can you imagine my energy going *zap!* *zap!* *zap!* ? Involved a lot of squatting, not something that goes well with cramps.

It was raining during dinnertime, although that didn't make the day worse as I had already gotten used to it raining everyday. It started out as a nice dinner between colleagues when a fourth one joined us, imho, totally ruining it for me as I was not fond of her. Or maybe just rather intimidated. Or both.

More bad news came. Not chosen...and I couldn't figure out why. Not that I'd ask. I am somewhat surprised at my reaction towards this because I haven't been looking forward to being picked nor having bothered about this event at all...but ever since my leave to go to Italy got rejected, I had started looking forward to it a little so it would take my mind off things. Plus, it looked interesting.

But I didn't get it and I am disappointed.

Last class of the day was particularly easy to handle thank goodness, but I was drained emotionally, physically and well, something else (if you can guess...). I wished I had given it my all as I normally did for this class as I have had trouble with this class in the past in giving and receiving respect on so many levels. 

The kids had remembered my birthday and wished me happy birthday and brought a present.

But I was just so...zapped that I could barely force an enthusiastic smile for them. Plus, my throat was acting up from the curry I foolishly ate.

I guess my hormones is doing a lot of the talking for this post. I know I'd get over it and there's always another chance next year...I don't think I've gone so far off the cliff of hope. 

I know I've got paranoid issues. I know I've got self-confidence issues. I know I'm quite retarded at doing anything socially.

But things are starting to become how they've always been...in school and in uni.

I'm being overlooked.

Hoping

I hope I get it...

I want it really, really badly.

*prays*

EDIT : I got waaaaay too many calls and texts from people asking if I'm pregnant after reading this post. HELLLOOOOO! Can't a person put up a picture of babies without talking about pregnancy? Still, thanks for the concern (or maybe you guys were just being plain busybody :P) but really, why the heck would I be hoping to be pregnant?! XD

...I wouldn't be. At least, not for a very, very, very looong time.

And when I do, of course lah you'll get the news ;)

Starting Young

Ever had an amused smile on your face and said to another...

"they're starting young!"

Babies and toddlers who kiss each other. Children who takes a fancy in high heels. The little girl next door who has her dream wedding all planned out to the very last detail by the time she's ten. Teenagers, not so much.

What do we do when we see children engage in adult fancies? We smirk to one another, we coo, we laugh and generally we think it's cute.

I used to think so too. Actually, come to think of it, I still do. Being surrounded by young children all day at work, I still find it incredibly adorable when I see a young boy holding a young girl's hand...though not an ounce of romance but dripped in every bit of cute.

Then today, as I sat talking to two of my most talkative girls during free period in class, they changed my mind. Girl A, six, told me all about her boyfriend. She eagerly showed me a birthday card she made for him which had little red hearts spewed all over it. She drew themselves hand in hand. Then she said this...

"I love him"

"I love him very much"

"I never want to leave him"

"We will be together forever and ever and ever"

She chanted this no less than six times. 

Girl B, eight, then started going off on how she's had four ex-boyfriends and oh, how she loves her boyfriend so very much but he has only just dumped her for another girl because he told her in advance if he finds another, she gets the boot. And she did.

Freaky. O_o

Am I the only one who think this has crossed over the border of cuteness into plain scary? Here we have two very young girls who although perfectly normal to be boy crazy, are engaging in adolescent obsession (Girl A) and female submission (Girl B).

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people who think these two girls are cute engaging in their little girl fantasies.

...but I was seriously freaked out. 

Shi(t)n!!!

I found out this is what I use to discover unavoidable shin-height chairs in class :(

Meh

I've got nothing interesting to blog about.

I guess you've noticed too, huh? Do I blame my job? Nah, not really but it does play its part a little. Spending so much time at the work place, you probably wouldn't like the idea of coming home only to blog about your day and all you can talk about is...well, work! Work is still going fine, btw :P

Next month should draw for better and more interesting posts, however. Not only does yours truly have a graduation to attend but will also be going on a (very, long overdue) trip to Florida *woot woot!* With an entire month off work, I'm pretty sure I'll have some other things to talk about--and much more interesting, at that! 

Oh and of course, a trip means a heaping sack of pictures!

Yesh, I am soooo going to look like a tourist.

Not gone yet

Now Playing : "10,000 Promises" - Backstreet Boys

Hi everyone!!

Sorry for the mega long absence, I hope you guys aren't too bored waiting for a new post to come up heh! As you may have guessed, I have been really busy with work--and yes, I'm still enjoying it immensely--and almost always fall unconscious in front of the computer before you can count to ten!

But, as every working drone can rejoice about, it's the WEEKEND!!!

Ahh, bliss!

I am definitely not going to open my eyes until noon tomorrow, I am going to catch up on my shows and I am going to give my vocal chords a good rest from talking very loudly with children! Wheee!

Oh, and how could I forget? Have to catch up on my blogging as well! Although, there isn't that much to say, unless you want to read about my work, work, work and more work. But I can tell you this much though, the children at the center where I work are FREAKING adorable!! One of these days, I am going to give in and pinch some little boy's cheeks! Wahahahah!!

Justina, AWESOME dinner-dessert-coffee combo tonight! I loved it and I can't wait to see you next week! What more could we possibly catch up on I wonder?? Have we covered three years of being apart in one night? ;)