Last day of Feb 2009...

Last day of Feb 2009. 1/6 of the year is gone... O_o
It never fails to amaze me just how fast time goes by most of the time.

The cold has finally caught up with me. That explains a little why I couldn't think straight and wasn't making too much of a sense in class yesterday. But well, the kids were forgiving in that it was afterall the last lesson of the day anyway. Woke up this morning with a husky voice and stuffy nose. Thank goodness that the sore throat decided not to visit. It was straight to cough. :)

Thank goodness also that this has been pretty mild.

Hopped back to Singapore for less than 24hours last Tuesday and Wednesday. Stocked up on the 'blander' tasting foods and veggies before flying back. If I could teleport a hawker centre over to Jkt I would have. Haha, but too bad I couldn't and there was limited space in my tummy. Mum had to stop dad from over ordering for me. Awww... :P

Was tasked to bring back to Jkt some chao sao and kokok meats, which were very much appreciated by salivating friends. Finally saw the pood, and yes, there are now 4 undoglike dogs back in my house. One walking brown teddy bear and 3 tissue box covers in the house. Haha. But I finally have some dog like dogs to play fetch with in Jkt in the hostel where I am staying for now. Nice! That is when they do not pounce all over me. Hehe...

Indonesians love to talk and take life less seriously than the usual uptight Singaporeans. Of course that on the flip side one can say that they are less professional as the lines between work and personal stuffs are usually very much blurred. But as an expat, I will like to have people, especially locals to talk to at work. We learn more this way. The professionalism can be worried by the other higher position holders. I just do my part and enjoy the mix matching. Heheeheee... To take what is good of the Singapore system and infuse it into the the good of the Indonesian culture.

Can be mindboogling and frustrating at times, but wells I suppose this should be the way of the expats, as there will always be the flip side that is less desirable in any mode of doing stuffs. Time again to hunt that elusive balance point.

The theme is also recurring in my MT trainings... they are more lax, yes but more sociable... and wells it seems that they are upping the heat now that I showed that I wanted it to be. >:P Nice interaction... see how la...

(Hmmm, just realised how the recurring themes of my blog entries have shifted from angst to the search for balance... I guess it is a personal evolution to some sense...) Hohohohoho.

Cook cooked?

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Therefore most associations prefer people who do not have a mind of their own, people who just follow the instructions and do. That is the way, or is it?

Too many cooks do spoil the broth, as it is so evident that it becomes a saying. But it does not hurt to have second or third opinions, then have some compromises as to how some things could be done better and improve from there. The problem will then be, is the cook receptive to other ways of cooking or not.

If not, why is that so. Is it because he is a genius, brillant chef, seen all done all and formulated the best recipe in the world that have taken all others into consideration and made improvements on it? Is he the one? The world need such a person! But if he is, then why is he in a cafe and not out in a 5 star rated resturant?

So then, why? Is he insecure about changes and that if his authority will be undermined if he admits that there are better ways to do it and then implements it? Easier to just dismiss the suggestions of other cooks and stick to his own recipes.

The diners will complain, but it is never the cook's fault. Too salty? The waiter should have given more water. The diner should have told the waiter to tell the cook to add less salt. How should the cook know how much salt would please the diner...

Incompetency is compounded by the reluctance to listen and change, and the reluctance to change is compounded by the fear of being deemed incompetent.

So, drop the magic stone not into the pot of broth but onto the foot of the cook please.

Revelations?

The art of 'taiji' is universal, and is an insult to the real taiji...

Oh wells, I suppose it happens everywhere where there are people. Politics and human dynamics. So simple yet so complicated.

Anyway on second thoughts, had a revelation that I am now working under a pretty good experienced big boss. So all's not lost. :)

Shadow play.

Shadows have fascinated the humankind since time immemorable. I suppose I am only human to have fallen under the spell of the shadows...

Blow Wind Blow!!!

I thought the recent strong winds in Jakarta was normal, apparently it was not. There's currently a low pressure system forming south of Java and west of Sumatra and a high pressure system in the South China Sea... Air moves from high pressure to low pressure area and Jakarta is smack right in the path. So strong winds will blow for the next couple of days. People were warned by the papers not to stand too close to the billboards in case they get blown off, which happened before.

Think I shall try to take some pictures seriously swaying trees and post it here. And this is a good learning point for my students, who are currently learning about weather studies... talk about timing. :P

Haiz, where is the sailboat when you need one?

Friday the 13th!

Wells, 2009 will be a year with 2 Friday the 13th in 2 consecutive months. Yerp, Feb and March. Haha... so far it has been like any other Fridays for me, thank goodness.

It has been an eventful week that seems to be on steriods. Time just seems to have sped up even more this week and before I know it, it is Friday! Again! :O

Anyways, some updates. I have moved to a nicer, cleaner but smaller homestay/hotel, and the move was sudden and adrupt. My lungs are at least functioning properly now, as there are no more chimmey neighbours as what I had in the previous place. That results to better sleep. :) It is really hard to find good and affordable living area in Jakarta that is accessible as well. But for now all is good, abiet for the lack of space. At least for now I do not need to do my laundry or even ironing! Lalalalala...

Am now settling down more to the rythmns of school worklife. Yes, there is more work to be done now but it is still pretty much minimal and 'honey-moony'. Am beginning to see life without the rose-tinted lenses too though. But overall, it is still good. It is like an exchange program, I will have to adapt to the situation here but at the same time bring along what I have and add into the equation. One is also amazed how things can be done with so much less quality control.

It makes one think of how things are back in Singapore. Singaporeans complain too much, that is the bad thing. But in comparison, Singaporeans in general are much more systematic and organised, and that is pervasive. From work to leisure. (Friends back home who start to exclaim 'No leh! Things are still really messy and last minute and not planned out etc etc etc' ... hop over and live here for a while and you will know what I mean. :P) Oh and the jams..... goodness, there is no such thing as peak, it's 24/7. haha.

It's the weekend again! Though I have a Vday date with 16 other 16 year olds tomorrow morning. Hahahahaha... Have a good weekend again all!

25 RanDoM ThInGs...

Yes, finally succumbed to the new facebook chain letter or rather chain tagged notes craze, but can't be bothered to add in the notes application and go on tagging people. So this is my version of the game, no strings attached, read it on your own free will and if you decide to post your own, be my guest. :D

1) I am feeling a little hungry now but I shall preservere and not munch; am on a maintanence diet. Heheheee...

2) Just had my second MT session in Jakarta. Really need to improve on my kicks... Oh, btw the MT instructors in Jakarta are meatier but still kind of cute. :D

3) I am pretty 'cheena' and went to a 'cheena' school, but now I am at teaching in a traditionally 'English' school. IRONIES!!!!

4) I am fading in colour again...

5) I miss sailing, wakeboarding and diving!!!

6) I get bored easily and yet I can be absorbed in a room all by myself the whole day, just thinking and surfing the net.

7) My new camera is HIGHLY under-utilised. My underwater casing EVEN MORE!!! :(

8) I miss disturbing my dogs and my sis back home.

9) I am a southpaw!!! WOOHOOOO!!!

10) I got to sing infront of the school tomorrow because I they need Chinese teachers to sing for the Imlek (CNY) celebrations...

11) I am not a lesbian. Looks deceive. Ray don't laugh and roll your eyes!

12) I miss a good bowl of authentic, hot steaming pho bo with tons of mint leaves and bean sprouts in it.

13) I miss my Vietnamese scooter, but I will not ride on the roads of Jakarta. SCARY! That said, I miss my Ah Ying back in Sg too!!!

14) I was asked about my views on marriage this morning. Hmmm hmmm.... Yeah, V-day round the corner, some friends feeling insecure again.

15) I am a quiet, shy person, though there are spurts of spontaniety. Think I have more than one personality living inside of me.

16) I hate long lost friends who suddenly call up to ask if I will be attending their weddings or not. Of course not la, I don't even know you anymore.

17) I also dislike inconsiderate, conceited friends.

18) Ok, more positive stuffs; I am glad and very blessed that I have my current set of parents and family.

19) I actually become more spiritual and thankful for all the nice good people I meet along the way in the junctions and turning points of my life.

20) I used to be overweight and was laughed at for my lack of sporting abilities. My coordination is still not the best in the world, but with experience and practise and age, it is easier to hide. :P

21) I am still battling with an acne problem and look and act way under my age. :P

22) I like to talk to animals and also give personalities and voices to pets and inanimate objects alike. O.o

23) I used to feel that I don't belong to anywhere. Now I sometimes still feel this way, but am more comfortable just being myself. Hee.

24) I am such an urban pumpkin that I only finally knew that donkey brays really sound like hee hor hee hor when I was in Turkey at the age of 22...

25) I once said that I will never ever be a teacher; over my dead body... I am therefore now dead 3 times over.

Wells 25 randoms of me, most of which most of you already know about. Thank you for reading! ZZzzZZzzzzzzZz Now, let me read yours.... Hehehehe.