The Fourth Day of Birthday New Year

Well, there's no such thing as a 'Birthday New Year' but this year's birthday celebration has felt exactly like Chinese New Year. Funny that my birthday's right before this year's festivities begin, which was also the cause of my grumbling before this week.

Every year, I check the calendar for when Chinese New Year begins and the day my birthday falls on. Whenever my birthday clashes with the New Year dates, I get upset 'cause I know I won't get to celebrate it as all my friends would either be 'balik-ing kampung' or have already 'balik-ed kampung' (don't think anyone would 'ter'-balik kampung' but that's another story!).

So, I was feeling a little less enthusiastic about celebrating it this year but what a celebration it's turned out to be! Starting with Wednesday's surprise party in class and lasting up 'til tonight's clubbing celebration with my Heng Tai and Chi Mui. In a way, it's felt like celebrating the Lunar New Year... with days and days of celebrations! How lucky am I! And how loved am I!

Just this day alone, I celebrated it 3 times with 3 different groups of friends. There was a free TGIF lunch courtesy of my Heng Tai, followed by a session of karaoke with my Class of 2007 Mega Yakin ex-students. This was something I really cherished as we haven't had the chance to meet up often. Everyone's busy with their own lives after graduating and today was the first time so many of us were together in almost a year. So, I'm thankful and truly happy.

(Even after having graduated for 2 years, we're still friends)

(A very creatively wrapped present from my student. Guess what was inside?)

(I would never have guessed this was wrapped up inside. Love it!)

Immediately after that, my best friend picked me up from my house. She'd come back with her husband just this afternoon from Singapore and her presence tonight made a big difference to me. Eversince we became best friends, she's never been around for the whole year, having lived overseas until now. So, to have her celebrate my birthday with me was just awesome. I even got a present!
(Love the new shirt I got from my best friend!)

We reached the newly renovated Zouk a little before midnight and once inside, I immediately loved it. Mambo Jambo used to be a feature only on Wednesdays but now with Zouk, Velvet and Phuture housed under one roof, it's become a feature on Saturdays as well. As much as I love modern-day music, there's just something about the 70's and 80's that gets me grooving on the dance-floor. It's what I like to call 'Happy Music'. Oh, there was also an interesting incident that happened at Velvet tonight but I'm saving this story for my students in class.

To everyone who made my birthday this year such a great experience, thanks once again. It's been one of the best I've had!

Today's Special Thanks goes to:

Srimen
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Candy
Nian Sin
Melody
Seah Ni
Wei Jun
Poh Li
Teong Aik
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Joyce
Jason
Shan
Teej
Chin Seong
Ban Cheong
Pei Ling
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... and here's one special thanks to 'Girl-Who-Dances-In-Black-Cheongsam'. You gave me that simple joy which I'd been looking for but haven't been able to find for so long. My dancing shoes burned the dancefloor tonight thanks to you. Thanks for ending my wait and making my birthday such an enjoyable and memorable one.

A Day of Surprises

Having just experienced a wonderful surprise yesterday, I was showered with not one, not two but three today.

As I arrived for class today, I found the room dark and the door locked. Now, this wasn't a surprising thing 'cause the form 3 kids were always a little mischievous. I really didn't expect anything but the moment I stepped in, they all burst into a birthday song. With a single candle in the middle of a plain chocolate cake, it was simple and sweet. Then, when I thought that was it, somewhere in the middle of class, the lights went out again and another candle-lit cake made its way into the class. I couldn't believe it. I practically made the same wish twice today so I guess I'll get two of what I wished for!

There was even a present for me. I was curious what my students had gotten for me and when I went home after a long day and opened it, I couldn't help but burst out in laughter! What I discovered put such a smile on my face. Proof that I really am like a kid to them!

Thank you so much PTAG F3 Class of 2009.

My hugs and love to:

Joanne

Samantha

Joe Lin

Jing Wuen

Pong

Chang Yih

Eugene

Zheng Zhe

Xiao Bing

Yik Sheng

Heng Jun

Jack

Hui Ping

Zi Hao

Chris

See Yen

Guess what was inside?

. . . . .

Ta da! Hahaha!

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After my last class today at Mega Yakin, I went to fetch two of my students to Station 1, where we would meet up with a few others. I only learnt minutes before the gathering that there were more than just the two or three who I knew were going. I thought it was just another 'yum cha' session with my ex-Form 5 students so I didn't really think anything of it. Afterall, some of these students were supposed to join me for my birthday celebration on Saturday.

Then, in the middle of our get-together, the lights went out. Again, I didn't think too much of it since lots of people celebrate their birthdays at Station 1. In fact, moments later, there was another birthday celebration a few tables away from us. But then, I saw my friends looking behind me and I knew then, they had organised this gathering for me.

The coffee birthday cake placed before me with 3 large candles and 1 small candle (signifying that I was 13 no doubt!) as I listened to them singing 'Happy Birthday', I was so touched once again. And sure enough, I closed my eyes and wished for the same thing for the third time today! But that wasn't all. A black Adidas bag was then passed to me and when I saw what was inside, my eyes popped! On Wednesday, my PTAG F5 students had surprised me by wearing my favourite colour and now, my ex-Mega Yakin F5 students had surprised me with my favourite team T! I was speechless to say the least.

We left the place around 12 and when I got back after sending some of them home, I couldn't wait to put on my new T. I'll leave you guys with a shot of it below.

To my ex-Mega Yakin Form 5 students who are now solely my friends, thank you for making tonight happen. You know how much you guys mean to me and just seeing you tonight is all the present I'll ever need and want.

My hugs and love to:

Stephanie

Beverly

Peng Yin

Hao Jie

Wei Keong

Kelvin

Nicholas

Kay Sern

Chay Ann

Washed Over With Rain

It's been a long time since I last wrote. The reason for my long absence? Well, at times, it felt like I had nothing to write about. At other times, I had much to say but I couldn't find the right person to talk to. And so... I just kept quiet.

My life hasn't been the same since the end of last year. I'm reluctant to say it but the truth is... something is missing in my life. Whether it's the familiar faces I no longer see walking through the door or perhaps that 'Special Someone' who is still to be found, I'm not even sure myself. I've been single for quite some time and it feels like I could go on being single... maybe even forever. But I know my heart yearns for love yet I'm not desperate to look for it. I just let it come if it does and go on if it doesn't. My students keep wishing and hoping I'll find one soon. They're such sweet angels; they care so much for this old fart of an English teacher.

And speaking of 'old', I was taken by surprise by my students today. It seemed like an ordinary day (except for that strange request to wear blue today. Hmmm...) So, I was a little excited and curious about what my creative bunch of geniuses would come up with today.

It was not 'till the end of class when we were suddenly thrown into darkness and a dim light appeared from behind the door. In came my two angels and I realised then what today was all about. The sound of their voices filled the quiet air with wishes of 'Happy Birthday to you' as I steadied myself to remain cool. Inside my heart, it was raining. It was the rain of the sadness and loneliness I'd been feeling since late last year. Now, all those feelings were being washed away by a new cloud of rain. It was the rain of tears from a simple and carefree teacher, touched by a group of sweet angels. Someone, who on the outside was cool and smiling because he didn't want his students to see him cry... and smiling because he was truly happy.

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'I've been carrying this burden of sadness and loneliness for far too long', I kept thinking to myself as I drove home. As the heavy rain poured from the sky and battered the roof above me, I decided it was time to finally let go...

'Let the rain fall from the sky... but never, in my heart'.

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In my 6 years of teaching, I've celebrated my birthday with my students but I've never had students who celebrated my birthday with me. Thank you so much PTAG Class of 2009. You are the first and only group of students who have done this for me and I truly appreciate it. You are the colours of my happiness; you are the rain that washed away my sadness.

My hugs & love to:

Wei Le

Jia Min

Yan Wei

Connie

Tiffany

Xin Hui

Jing Tian

Jia Yin

Ken

Qao Shaun

Edwin

Natalie

Chee Hong

Wee Kiat

Jun Hao

As a teacher, I never ask for anything from my students except to pay attention, participate and enjoy learning. What you have done today is what a teacher can only dream of. Thank you for this sweet dream which has come true.