tell me about it

Is it just so difficult to accept that my name is spelt with a capital ‘B’ in the middle, without any space separating the two components of my name despite the capital letter?

Is it so difficult to NOT pronounce my name as ‘Jawbuth’?

Urgh!

Was surprisingly alert and awake this morning as I got out of bed at 3am to watch the Euro ‘08 final – despite knowing I’d have to wake up again at 6am to go to school and teach a full day of classes.

Went out into the living room in the dark and promptly walked into and knocked over a wooden chair with a humongous clatter.

Managed to catch the beautiful goal in the first half, typically Torresian. Did a little dance in the dark and banged my knee on the coffee table. Flopped back on the couch sheepishly grinning and pumping my fist in the air, whispering, “Yes! Yes!”

Fell asleep during second half, waking up every ten minutes or so to ensure I hadn’t missed another goal. Dad came out at the 60th minute to check on the score. I gloated sleepily over the 1-0 scoreline and then flapped my hands at him dismissively – he was supporting Germany, God only knows why.

The last time I woke up it was to the beautiful scene of Torres brandishing the trophy. Drifted off to sleep on the couch with a grin on my face. Woke up at 6am, stumbled blearily back into my room to get my towel, and stubbed my toe right into my heavy cast-iron doorstop.

I think I might have absorbed all of Spain’s bad luck.

Viva España!

Back by popular demand (who knew people were so interested in giving me presents?), my birthday wishlist.

Those who would like to buy me pressies (yay for you!) please indicate interest and chope your item in the comments box, I promise not to look! So shameless but heh. :P Realized that as I get older my wishlist dwindles to small things. Hmm.

1. ‘The Wicked Tricks of Till Owlyglass’ by Michael Rosen
2. ‘Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter’ by Astrid Lindgren
3. ‘Making Money’ by Terry Pratchett
4. The Wedding Officer’ by Anthony Capella
5. ‘The Discworld Graphic Novels’ by Terry Pratchett
6. A cheerful red mug (mostly red, with orange and yellow stripes or polka dots would also be nice)
7. A new aromatherapy burner – the igloo style kind, one that looks appropriately zen, with clean lines and a deep well for enough water. Body Shop has some nice ones, and that top-floor shop in Raffles City near the teenage clothes section. Like this one.
8. A bottle of Tea Tree oil for vaporising
9. Little elephant statuettes, small enough to hide if you cupped both hands over it

That’s all :)

Yes I love books :)

I wish God had made Friday on a Wednesday.

I got a HP tablet laptop from school – the TC4400.

I used it for about ten minutes before I disgustedly shut it down, muttering angrily, “I hate PCs, I hate PCs, I HATE PCs.”

I was initially quite excited about tablet function but whenever I flip the screen over, I get…THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH.

And then it restarts.

GNARLY.

Wasabi cuttlefish strips with white sesame seeds in the middle.

Freaking addictive.

It’s wasabi green and some strips are mild while others actually pack a real punch. Terribly delicious. I hope it’s low in calories.

I bought 100grams for about $6.50 at Umeya and it is possibly one of the most addictive snacks ever. I keep trying to close the packet and hiding it in various places but eventually the urge returns and I fish it out and resume snacking. I’ve been offering it around the staffroom and one of my colleagues proclaims that she is going to buy 500grams after this.

I will probably raid her stash when mine is done.

And then I will go out and buy some more.

Mmmm, wasabi cuttlefish strips. Yummm.

Today I spent my afternoon at MOE learning how to assess candidates for the GCE N level oral examination, so that there would be continuity across all schools and examiners.

I also spent my afternoon at MOE discovering that many of their tips were phrased in such a way as to be useful in other life applications.

*ahem*

“When you’re giving oral, and you’re faced with a very pregnant pause, sometimes the candidate just needs a bit of time. Try not to laugh because if you snigger or smile, the candidate can get flustered or embarrassed and then won’t be able to perform.”

“Please conduct the oral examination professionally. Make sure your mobile phone is switched off or on silent mode. If your phone rings, the ring tone may traumatize the candidate and disrupt his or her rhythm.”

Noted.

Retreat was okay – pictures on Facebook.

First day of school okay – nice to be back, exhausted already.

Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties. Rocks.

Worst headline. Evar.

Me looking very tak glam with huge-ass durian.

I want durian buffet. When. :/

Oh.

And I rebonded my hair.

:)

Nothing makes one yearn for love more than the recognition of the fruit of its fulfillment in another.

It’s heartwarming to see the way he is so careful and solicitous of his wife, who’s now pregnant with their first child. To see the way his arm comfortably settles around the curve of her hip when they sit, the way their bodies naturally gravitate towards each other in states of repose. The way his eyes light up when she enters the room, and the way she sparkles back at him. He becomes more lively, more cheerful, his humor warm and inclusive. She’s quiet and sweet – you can see she thinks the world of him in the way her chin tilts up so as to gain a better view of his visage.

The kind of love that keeps them warm at night and makes the world go round.

That kind of love.