Year end

I was thinking if I were to write a letter to my pupils, how would it sound?

Perhaps...

Dear children,

How do you do this last day of school? We made it, didn't we? I wouldn't say I told you so.
We came so far as a class. It's an honour to teach you and be your form teacher. It has been a tough tough tough year for me, keeping up appearances as your strict mentor. Frankly, I have learnt more than each of you put together. You have taught me tolerance, patience and above all, LOVE.

I love you, children, from the first day I stepped into the class this year and I have not stopped ever since. Yes, I maybe harsh at times, pushing you as you struggle with growing up, growing strong.

We had good times when I felt like hugging each of you for being such a gem, always rooting for me, being by me through the longest days. There were times too when I receive such a bad time in school because of you.

You know whom amongst you I have tried so hard to shelter from harm. How eventually the cane fell on one of you and how my heart cried out for you, although keeping up appearances, I looked on.. not helping to stop the punishment, but caring, all togther, mixed emotions...

Well, this year has been a good kind one for me. I have worked so hard for the sake of your education. I wish we will not part but life is like this. I believe each and everyone of you will be great men and women someday, if not to the world, to your loved ones.

Au revoir

Ms Noraini

Pulau Ubin

Excitement before taking the bumboats to Pulau Ubin. We captured the moment at the entrance of the Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

Prior to this, we met early in the morning for breakfast at the new coffeeshop next to Bedok bus interchange. That was good dhal with potato for dahlin.

We took bus no. 2 right up to the ferry terminal. There were two queues. One for Pengerang Johor and the other for Ubin. I am glad to see they have upgraded that area and the terminal has become rather pretty and sturdy.

We had to wait for ten other passengers and took a bumboat there. The moment we reached the jetty, I felt like stepping into kampung life already. Pulau Ubin reminds me of our visit to Redang, only then the water was clear crystal blue.

The tandem took us as far as Sesame Street.

We had a great time cycling up and down the slopes. The road is tough. I cannot imagine doing the bike tracks that are rougher. We cycled past old road names like Jelutong and Mat Senin. The mangroves around the area was nice to see although some inconsiderate people did litter the swampland with plastic bottles. Not us!

Around 1.45pm on Saturday, 8 Nov.

We took leave of the island. Thanks dahlin, I cherish each weekend with you...

Moses parted the red sea

On 1 Nov, we visited the Marina Barrages. The sight that greeted us was amazing as a cofferdam portioned out water between our new Marina reservoir and the sea. I felt happy and what's more, we had the chance to relive our schooldays as we quenched our thirst with a cup off the milo van. I enjoyed the gallery the most and SP took some pictures of the water-flow process - an engineering challenge!

Coat of Arms

I love history. I did a review on Francois Guizot during my university days. Here, you see a coat of arms of the House of Bourbons from early 14th century. Doesn't it look precious? Love history