Salvations

Up tioll today, my mother's family has seen NINE salvations in the last year! This includes six in 2006 alone. Praise God!

Fourth Week of School

Oh no. I'm too into class that I start shouting at people around me. It's not intentional; I just subconsciously do it. Have to separate work and play.

DO teachers have private and public lives? In this case, I hope so.

Week 24 Fantasy Football review

Well done all!

Week 24 has just passed.

Aaron (2056 pts) consolidates 1st place with 68 pts, thanks to Jason Roberts, Robbie Keane, Hernan Crespo and Bruno N'Gotty.

The gap is now 97.5 pts as Chongkiat (1962.5 pts) maintains 2nd place with 59.5 pts, thanks to Stewart Downing, Keane, Crespo and Justin Hoyte.

Gareth (1902.5 pts) consolidates 3rd place with 75 pts, only 46 points ahead of Clarence (1856.5 pts).

Amos (1749 pts) rises one place to 8th with the highest Week 24 score of 95.5 pts, thanks to Roberts, Edwin van der Sar and Stelios Giannakopoulos.

Hingyau (1717.5 pts) consolidates 11th place with the 2nd-highest Week 24 score of 91 pts, thanks to van der Sar and Frank Lampard.

Darrell (1612 pts) rises 1 place to 13th with the 3rd-highest Week 24 score of 83.5 pts, thanks to Yossi Benayoun, Anton Ferdinand and Kevin Nolan.

Jasmine (1750.5 pts) drops 2 places to 8th, just 1.5 points ahead of Amos (1749 pts) with 48.5 pts, no thanks to Nigel Reo-Coker and Chris Riggott.

At the other end, the Magpies have been culled as Kenneth (1227 pts) gets the worst Week 24 score of 16 pts, no thanks to a negative Michael Owen, Robin van Persie, Laurent Robert, Gareth Barry, Charles N'Zogbia, Paul Scholes, John Terry and Franck Queudrue.

See you next week!

Run Lola Run

Which is what I did on Tuesday.

Having got home at 5, which is unheard of so far, I had a serious problem of not knowing what to do.

Then I considered: why not go for a run? So I did.

I decided on a route that was challenging and goal-oriented: home to school and back. The first half went OK and I finished the sub-3km route in about 15 minutes.

I made a crucial mistake of stopping for water, which killed my momentum. The return journey was then doomed to failure. I stopped after about 5 minutes; I couldn't carry on.

I then walked back the (quite considerable) remaining distance, which took me about 20 minutes. After 15 minutes of stretching, I went back home.

The next day, my quadriceps were protesting with dull aches of pain. Too much too soon, apparently.

But it was worth it, as it proved I can still sweat it out and not get a reaction, although it itches during and after exercise. A wet flannel goes some way to alleviating it.

Hope to run whenever I go home early, which I hope will be often!

Fantasy Football Week 24

This is my team for Week 24. (cheers Reina half-heartedly)

Robbie Keane
Finally dropped Rooney.

Jason Roberts
Still a cheap option.

Hernan Crespo
Who's the head honcho with Drogba gone?

Damien Duff
Chelsea's cheapest winger will start with Robben suspended for celebrating.

Joe Cole
Cole's looking to impress in Robben's absence.

Jose Antonio Reyes
Unlucky not to get among the seven.

Jimmy Bullard
Dropped him but reinstated him on gut feel.

Chris Riggott
No other option.

Bruno N'Gotty
Bolton don't condede at the Reebok.

Paul Scharner
Reo-Coker Mark II?

Jose Manuel Reina
I am a traitor.

Projected points: 80.6
Actual points: 68.0

Week 23 Fantasy Football review

Well done all!

Week 23 has just passed.

Aaron (1988 pts) consolidates 1st place with the 2nd-highest Week 23 score of 107 pts, thanks to Bryan Hughes, Hernan Crespo, Jose Manuel Reina and Jimmy Bullard.

The gap is now 85 pts as Chongkiat (1903 pts) maintains 2nd place with 85.5 pts, no thanks to Paul Scholes and Michael Dawson.

Gareth (1827.5 pts) slips in 3rd place with 71 pts, only 19 points ahead of Clarence (1808.5 pts), who had the 3rd-highest Week 23 score of 98.5 pts, thanks to Harry Kewell, Reina, Steven Gerrard and Bullard.

Jasmine (1702 pts) rises 5 places to 6th, just 9.5 points ahead of Edgar (1692.5 pts) with 156.5 pts, thanks to Thierry Henry and Hughes.

At the other end, the Magpies have flown the nest yet again as Kenneth (1229 pts) with the worst Week 23 score of 23.5 pts, no thanks to a scoreless Michael Owen, Robin van Persie, Laurent Robert, Gareth Barry, Paul Scholes and Franck Queudrue.

See you next week!

Third Week of Skool

I'm more settled into a routine now. I roughly know what to do each day but still reliant on lesson plan.
Today was an eventful day. First, my girl went home sick with fever. Then a camera crew decided to film my students and they couldn't really concentrate after that. Fame: it's intoxicating. Then my girl peed in the science lab. Like oh no! Had to get a female teacher to attend to her while I took care of the class. Thank God she's ok. I guess we've all peed in our pants before.

Fantasy Football Week 23

This is my team for Week 23. (cheers Chelsea silently)

Wayne Rooney
Always a threat and is relatively cheap.
@MAC: Very disappointing.

Jason Roberts
Still a cheap option.
WBA: Had a decent game.

Hernan Crespo
Who's the head honcho with Drogba gone?
@SUN: Did well despite Sunderand's efforts.

Damien Duff (replaces Danny Murphy)
Chelsea's cheapest winger.
@SUN: Didn't start.

Frank Lampard
Sunderland are putty in his hands.
@SUN: Didn't really impose himself.

Jimmy Bullard
I'm keeping the faith.
WBA: Did well

Bryan Hughes
Stays with no option in sight.
BRM: Got lucky as he scpres big against Brum.

Chris Riggott
No other option.
@ARS: Despite a 7-0 loss, doubles my investment.

Gary Neville
The lone Red Devil.
@MAC: Nothing he could do.

Stephane Henchoz (replaces Ian Pearce)
Starting for the Latics recently.
WBA: Should've bought Pearce.

Jose Manuel Reina
Hope Liverpool can tighten up.
TOT: The clean sheets return.

Projected points: 81.5
Actual points: 107.0

Have a NKF Christmas!

NKF (sung to the tune of Jingle Bells)

Flying in the air
On a first class plane
Over the clouds we go
Laughing all the way;
Money from public calls
making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A silly song tonight
NKF
NKF
Durai all the way!
O what fun it is to ride
On a first class plane

Now the truth is out
Escape before you're caught
Take the peanuts along
And sing this silly song;
NKF
NKF
Durai all the way!
O what fun it is to ride
On a first class plane

(contributed by an anonymous reader)

1st week of skool

Two days of 7am to 7pm working non-stop, and I still had to go back to school today. And I'm still not done! It's gonna be a long Week 2. =]

My lesson plan's all done up so all that remains is to out it into action. I have to work on being faster and less forgetful.

Week 21 Fantasy Football review

Well done all!

Week 21 has just passed.

Aaron (1881 pts) consolidates 1st place with 140 pts, thanks to Jose Manuel Reina, Frank Lampard, Milan Baros and Sun Jihai.

The gap is now 63.5 pts as Chongkiat (1817.5 pts) maintains 2nd place with 133 pts, thanks to Ahmed Hossam Mido, Michael Dawson and Reina.

Gareth (1756.5 pts) slips in 3rd place with 132 pts, only 46.5 points ahead of Clarence (1710 pts), who had the 3rd-highest Week 21 score of 160.5 pts, thanks to Liverpool quartet Steven Gerrard, Reina, Peter Crouch and Harry Kewell.

Edgar (1615 pts) consolidates 7th place with the highest Week 21 score of 175.5 pts, thanks to Gerrard and Mido.

Keh (1273.5 pts) rises 2 places to 17th place with the 2nd-highest Week 21 score of 162.5 pts, thanks to Mido, Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Reina.

Jasmine (1545.5 pts) falls 1 place to 11th, just 3 points behind Hingyau (1548.5 pts) with 116 pts, no thanks to Joe Cole, Jimmy Bullard, Stephane Henchoz and Jermaine Jenas.

At the other end, the Magpies have flown the nest again as Kenneth (1205.5 pts) with the worst Week 21 score of 70.5 pts, no thanks to Shay Given and Paul Scholes.

See you next week!

Fantasy Football Week 21

This is my team for Week 21. Two game weekend! GO Latics!

Wayne Rooney
BOL: Unlucky not to score.
@ARS: Sigh.

Jason Roberts
BLA: Nothing happened for Wigan.
@BRM: Has the bubble burst?

Milan Baros
ARS: Didn't expect much, but should've done better in a one-on-one.
@WBA: Got lucky with a penalty, as he really wasn't up to scratch.

Henri Camara
BLA: Nothing happened for Wigan.
@BRM: Wigan have come back to earth.

Frank Lampard
BRM: Looked jaded.
@WHU: I recouped my investment at least.

Jimmy Bullard
BLA: Nothing happened for Wigan.
@BRM: Why didn't I hang on to Kewell?

Bryan Hughes
WHU: Budget buy nets a decent return.
@EVE: Outlay recouped.

Chris Riggott
MAC: Bargain buy does well.
@NUF: Did OK.

Gary Neville
BOL: Didn't do much.
@ARS: Improved against the Gunners.

Sun Jihai
@MID: Surprise, surprise.
TOT: Decent.

Jose Manuel Reina
WBA: Did well.
@BOL: The defence leaks alarmingly.

Projected points: 183.2
Actual points: 140.0

Skool begins!

Having completed an invaluable two-day Teacher Preparatory Programme, the Ministry of Education considers me sufficiently educated to begin educating others. While I approach teaching with less trepidation than two days ago, the fear of the unknown still eats me.

The honourable Mr R Sachidanandan, who can count ministers Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Vivian Balakrishnan among his former pupils, can now add me to that list. It was indeed a great honour to learn from him, and even enjoy a private lunch while he allayed my fears.

I leave you now with these words: "Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred." Only now it's just me.

Knight Rider

Sir Jerry: Royal Medical Adviser
Sir John: Royal Doctor
Sir Lee: Royal Bureaucrat
Sir Loin: Royal Butcher
Sir Mise: Royal Detective
Sir Mount: Royal Mountaineer
Sir Plus: Royal Supplies Officer
Sir Press: Royal Censor
Sir Prize: Royal Tactician
Sir Render: Royal Tactician (retired)
Sir Round: Royal Moat Builder
Sir Vey: Royal Surveyor
Sir Vive: Royal Adventurer
Sir Urchin: Royal Search Technician

Week 20 Fantasy Football Review

Well done all!

Week 20 has just passed.

Aaron (1741 pts) consolidates 1st place with the 3rd-highest Week 20 score of 156 pts, thanks to Jason Roberts, Henri Camara, and Jose Manuel Reina.

The gap is now 56.5 pts as Chongkiat (1684.5 pts) takes 2nd place with 143 pts, thanks to Camara, Reina and Paul Scholes.

Gareth (1624.5 pts) slips to 3rd place with 77.5 pts, only 35 points ahead of Benedict (1589.5 pts), no thanks to Laurent Robert and Michael Owen.

Edgar (1439.5 pts) rises 3 places to 7th with the highest Week 20 score of 170 pts, thanks to Steven Gerrard and Joey Barton.

Benjamin (1351.5 pts) consolidates 14th place with the 2nd-highest Week 20 score of 156.5 pts, thanks to Jose Antonio Reyes and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Jasmine (1429 pts) falls 2 places to 10th, just 7 points ahead of Amos (1422 pts) with 118.5 pts, no thanks to Robert, Stephane Henchoz and Gareth Southgate.

At the other end, nthe Magpies have flown the nest again as Kenneth (1135 pts) with the worst Week 20 score of 67 pts. Between them, Yossi Benayoun, Owen, Robin van Persie, Robert, Celestine Babayaro and Franck Queudrue got a negative score.

See you next week!

Fantasy Football Week 20

This is my team for Week 20. Two game weekend! GO Latics!

Wayne Rooney
Rooney will play, even if Ruud is rested. You have to fancy him against West Brom and Birmingham.
vs WBA: Had a rare off day, but should make right against Birmingham.

Jason Roberts
Replaces Peter Crouch, Milan Baros and Robin van Persie. Might score in resilient Wigan displays. That I picked the Wigan front two shows how far they've come.
vs MAC: Continued his fine goalscoring form with a brace.

Ahmed Hossam Mido
Spurs have good matchups identical to United's, and Mido is tipped to start and score.
vs BRM: Only Spurs striker not to score. Could make amends against a poor WBA.

Henri Camara
Will he deliver again?
vs MAC: Delivered the winning goal.

Jimmy Bullard
Set-piece taker.
vs MAC: Did OK. But expected more. Has another chance @WHU.

Kevin Nolan
Good lineup and due a goal.
vs @SUN: Rested.

Park Ji Sung
Tough call. But Ronaldo seems to be on the subs bench most of the time, so this could be Park's time. Encouraged by his Carling Cup goalscoring display.
vs WBA: Did well and if more selfish, he'd be a better scorer.

Michael Dawson
Probably a wrong choice considering I had 1.66 units to spend. But Spurs have a good matchup. Lee might've been a better choice.
vs BRM: Was Man of the Match and did well.

Gary Neville
As long as United's newly-found solidarity manifests itself, Captain Muddle will be in my defence.
vs WBA: Provided good penetration on the right and linked up well with Park.

Tal Ben Haim
Replaces Stephane Henchoz and Lee Young Pyo. Bolton have an excellent defensive record at the Reebok. Didn't research the Israeli enough.
vs @SUN: Got the clean sheet but go booked again. Thankfully he's available for MID.

Jose Manuel Reina
He's back!
vs NUF: 12.5 pts but suffered more because of the Magpies' ineptitude.

Projected points: 171.8
Actual points: 92.5

Composer's Christmas

Make out your Chopin Liszt early before Debussy season, When you have time to check out Verdi good bargains are.
Can still get gifts Faure a good price, not have to Handel large crowds and have time to give Bach things you don't want.

Election Day vs Christmas Day in Singapore

It'll be a blue Christmas for some careless speakers.
All someone wants for Christmas is his election deposit.
Someone will deck the crowds with blasts of dialects.
Some will be dreaming of a white outcome.
Many will sing: Let me vote! Let me vote! Let me vote!
Someone will dash through the polls, laughing all the way.
Some will be naughty and some will be nice.
Some will go tell it at the open field and the faithful will come.
Oh waht fun it is to win in a one-horse open race.

Taken from IS Magazine

Staff Meetings

Ah, yes. My holiday's finally winding down to a close and what a relaxing time it's been! But finally I'll be in school (teaching) mext week, and let's see how it goes.
Have three staff meetings next week alone, and then I go on course for two days, before the real thing starts.
Can't hardly wait.

I am I.N.N.O.C.E.N.T. by TT Durai

I... am not aware of anything.
N...KF pays me peanuts.
N...KF pays all my expenses.
O...ften take 1st class on SIA.
C...ocky is my middle name.
E...ach $ only 10c go to patients.
N...KF backdates my leave and bonus.
T...ap must be golden.