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Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the bright and morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I am yours
who am i
About Me
Name: Gillian Tan
Location: Singapore
A simple girl who appreciates the simple things in life... ...
With my charming nephew, Tyler! I want him all to myself! Love his pout!
Si Yi made prawn mee soup for us and we feasted at Dua Yi's place. Love the soup! The extra hand-made meatballs were a huge bonus!
This is the newest addition to our huge family - Micah! My lovely nephew has a smile for everyone!
Been out with Ash a few times. We had coffee at Starbucks at close to ten one night and I couldn't sleep well after that. Teaching was exhausting the next day! Funny Fairyash strikes a pose here!
Another feast to celebrate my cousin-in-law's - Gor Gor Travis - birthday in the function room at his condominium - Park Infinia.
Celebrated Esther's birthday at Swenson's and the crew sang her a lovely birthday song! We were blessed with free soups, fries and salad. On top of that, 30% discount! All because my aunt knows the main chef...
Esther in a flowery dress... Striking a pose is never too difficult for this little angel.
Wonder what the both of them were talking about... They can giggle non-stop!
Gor Gor Travis and his family - Cousin Cindy, Cheyanne, Chloe, Chelsea and Tyler! They love the Cocoa Exotic we bought for them.
Bro bought this game and we had fun with it! Cooking up stories is addictive? Amanda is not skillful enough though... Hahaha...
Been really busy in school and think my blog is dying. Haha. So, here is a little update on my life... Term 4 is crazy with all the marking and keying in of results, remarks etc. Have to present something on what I have contributed for Library in Learning Circle. Was sent to attend Discipline Seminar and saw my Primary School Discipline Master! Selected (or arrowed?) to be in the planning committee for next year's MOE ExcelFest - an unusual and beneficial learning experience. Read-with-Me Nite program has things to be prepared too. Exhausting but I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank God for planting beautiful colleagues around me. Am so blessed... the best is yet to come!
Thursday, October 01, 2009
-10:14 AM
Blessed Children's Day!Blessed World Vegetarian Day!Blessed Gillian's Rest Day!
Celebrated Grandma's birthday not too long ago with a feast. Took me a long time to upload the pictures on FB. Here is one taken of her with her grand and great-grand children! Notice that Jojo is in it too! Haha...
With two darlings...
Kenneth went prawning and this is just one of his many rewards. It may appear huge but there is sadly, not much flesh. Looks do deceive...
Brought dad out for tze char at Ang Mo Kio. He really enjoyed his food, together with bro, Amanda and me. It's at Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, BLK 202. We waited for around 30 minutes because we got there late - one of the perils of teaching in the afternoon session. Although the stall is famous for its Dong Po Meat (pork cooked for 3 hours with a special sauce, spring onion and ginger, at $12) , we didn't order because all except dad dislike fatty meat!
This is a must-have - Golden Pumpkin Crispy Prawn Balls at $14. The rich pumpkin sauce (made with mashed steamed pumpkin, butter, evaporated milk and curry leaves) reminds me of mustard and melted cheese! The prawn balls were fresh, succulent and simply heavenly!
We also tried Mushrooms with Tofu ($8), one of their specialities. If you love mushrooms or tofu, this dish is a real treat. The tofu cubes are so soft, they simply slide down your throat and perhaps gullet. Hehe.
The Har Cheong Gai is not very satisfying though. Yup, bro agreed because he tasted better ones elsewhere.
Dad chose this - 四大天王! A mixture of four different vegetables fried with dried shrimps. Do not order if you can't stand the smell of celery! We enjoyed this, especially dad!
Gave my form class and Godson lunch boxes with other little treats.
Jojo enjoyed the lollipop in his lunch box! Can't imagine it is his first experience with this stick!
Celebrated Children's Day yesterday. It was a long day because we had to prepare and run the carnival. The weather was terrible too. But we enjoyed ourselves. Be Yourself Day and here go the teachers... Fairy Ashley, Red Indian Gil, Minnie Marga and Red Indian Raudhah.
Here's Fairy Ashley, Red Indian Gil and Little Miss Muffet Kaixin...
Why does it feel like a Saturday already? Tsk tsk tsk...
-10:10 AM
Sorry if this entry doesn't make sense at all but I promised my pupils to post the answers...
Here you go...
31) A
32) D
33) C
34) M
35) G
36) P
37) Q
38) F
39) K
40) H
41) practise
42) could
43) butterflies
44) stomach
45) competing
46) stretching
47) began
48) whistle
49) like
50) touched
51) had
52) first
53) They
54) weeks
55) put / placed
56) taxi / cab
57) airport
58) spent
59) there
60) the
61) on
62) on
63) sea
64) villa / house / cottage
65) of
66) Could you tell me where the greengrocer’s is?
67) I’m having lunch at the hotel in the centre of town where my friends are staying.
68) Tom couldn’t play for the school team because of his injury.
69) The new university was opened by the Prime Minister last week.
70) If I hadn’t looked under the bed, I wouldn’t have found my lost earring.
71) They had to learn to read maps in order to do The Challenge / to find their way home.
72) No, Mac’s teams had never won the competition.
73) The sun was hazy because the mists had no time to clear.
74) ‘You’ refers to Mac’s team / the narrator’s team.
75) The expression ‘the promise of the early morning had disappeared’ tells us so.
76) The team examined the countryside a second time in order to look carefully for any clues about where they are.
77) The expressions ‘gloomy distance’ and ‘only just visible’ tell us so.
78) Turner’s Peak was significant because it told them which direction to walk.
79) The two conditions were : if the team helped each other, and if they did not meet too many obstacles.
Phew...
Monday, September 07, 2009
-8:08 PM
I cannot complain. God is good. Things could be worse and I can only be thankful.
Went KTV with Ashley today after my course. It has been a long time since I enter that dimly lighted room and update myself with new songs. It all started when Ash and I sang a Chinese song on the night of Teachers' Day Dinner. One treat for the September hols.
My beloved godson looks adorable even when he is sleeping. Hee...
Duayi makes delicious rojak and I love the Century Eggs!
Celebrated Krystal's birthday with her friends on Teachers' Day itself. Her mum bought her beautiful cupcakes from Prima Deli. Pricey though.
My next treat is another trip overseas, with my second family.
Benny Prasad's words kept ringing in my ears... "How can I not talk about the God who gives me life?" Whom have I talked to about God today?
Journey
Saturday, July 25, 2009
-4:09 PM
Celebrated Tommy's birthday on different occasions some time ago. Haven't gotten him anything because I don't know what he lacks. With a gorgeous wife and an intelligent son, he is one happy and blessed father.
Sharon's camera took the first 'bite' off Tommy's birthday cake! Haa.
Delicious! I can never resist nice Tiramisu, Chocolate Indulgence from Secret Recipe, as well as Cocoa Exotic from Four Leaves!
My precious Godson again...
Love the sausages at Vines... and the brownie soaked in evaporated milk. Hee...
Young and promising tatto artists at work?
Call it the sacrifices of a grandpa... and grandma, for having to help scrub his back...
One hot babe in her bikini - Esther!
I couldn't bear to part with this mini mangoesteen. Think mum ate it up...
Investiture on 13th July... with lovely Mich and Ching...
With sweet grandgal, Marie...
And motherly Dr Dahl!
Crazy girls... and thank God the photographer missed my brusied leg...
Convo next...
-2:54 PM
It is tough getting used to a rather new lifestyle - one that demands lots of energy and effort. No more meeting up with my second family frequently (say, more than thrice a week?) and less dinners out with dad. And I am trying to remain and remind myself to be thankful...
Had to mark seemingly endless worksheets and books dated April, May and even February! Can't really blame the teacher whom I took over because she must be having a hard time teaching and keeping up with the deadlines with her big tummy. But I have really lovely colleagues such as Mei Cheng, Wai Fun, Ashley and Kai Xin - they made my first two weeks since the end of the June hols easier with their smiles and help. Trust me, it is not exactly enjoyable to be bombarded with questions coming from my mouth. Haa.
The design of the school is in itself, an enormous maze. It is a long walk from where I am sitting to the canteen. Yup, more than 200 metres. Imagine, the Staff Room and Library are in the basement level! We are plagued with rats and geckos in air-conditioned rooms. But I am glad these creatures have yet to appear before my very eyes. And mum has been preparing food for me to consume in school. I'm a little girl in my mummy's world. Yes, sing it to the melody of 'I'm a barbie girl in the barbie world'... Haa...
Probably have this phobia of teaching children in lower primary since my genesis. To be the Form Teacher of a primary one class was a nightmare initially until somehow, I think I got used to seeing their adorable faces. One teacher remarked that I am spoiling them. Really? How? One child even broke into tears when I questioned him for failing to complete the work I gave. And I didn't even raise my voice! Ms Gillian merely looked right into his eyes and asked in a nice gentle voice! Believe me! And there's another boy in primary three... his eyes glistened with tears when he didn't finish the craft work I gave. Alright, I raised my voice in this case. =I
Received another shocking news two weeks into Term 3. My class fared terribly for their first semestral examination so I have much (remediation) to do. I stared at the marksheet for a good fifteen minutes. There are also a few naughty ones in my class, as usual. Been praying for them. Am teaching the other levels Physical Education, Art & Craft, Science and Health Education too. Tsk tsk tsk. Nonetheless, I enjoy going to school mostly from Tuesdays to Fridays.
Am one of the teachers in charge of badminton and I have to be in school by eight on Wednesdays and Fridays. I wonder how long will I continue to stay fascinated watching the coaches and pupils practise for two hours straight! It has been enlightening so far as I get to pick up the techniques involved for this sport. I promise, I will join them one day! Yes, my racket is already in the cupboard. But it will be totally embarassing to lose to these kids. Perhaps I should start to train in secret soon?
Functioning without a laptop in school has been pretty suffocating because I have to be always at the receiving hand in terms of news and information. But then again, my desk is neater with one less item? The H1N1 is killing - temperature taking twice a day for the pupils with duties at the infirmary and school gate (I finally wore the full gear with mask and gloves in Singapore's scorching weather - forgot to take a picture though) are exhausting. But this is to protect our community and safeguard the interests of various stakeholders. I really hope this swine flu will be gone soon...
Week 5 next. Classroom experience, primary one registration, open house, class performances, IPWs, excursions... ... here I come!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
-11:48 PM
Am not really interested in the lyrics but I simply love the melody... The organ and drums... they keep playing in my head... Hauntingly beautiful...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
-9:53 PM
Am going to have escargots tomorrow! And meet one dear angelic buddy on Tuesday! Wednesday's Dance Day. Hopefully I get to cycle on Thursday else am considering doing something again. Friday? Two more weeks to Semester 3...
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign No one's gonna drag you up To get into the light where you belong But where do you belong Under the pale moon
There's a danger in loving somebody too much And it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust There's a reason why people don't stay where they are Baby sometimes love just ain't enough
Clouds filled with stars cover your skies And I hope it rains You’re the perfect lullaby What kinda dream is this
Don't look back Keep your head held high Don't ask them why Because life is short And before you know You're feeling old And your heart is breaking Don't hold on to the past Well that's too much to ask
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
-12:07 PM
Went to Buddy Hoagies Café & Grill in Nee Soon South Community Club with my bro, aunt and cousins last Friday. We had the set lunches which came with soups, garlic breads, main courses and cold or cold beverages. $8.90 per set is quite a deal and we also tried the cheese fries – didn’t enjoy them because I like cheddar cheese – and calamari (Fish & Co’s is definitely better).
Went to JB with TomSumJo before getting home to wash up and attend Jolin’s wedding. She looked really gorgeous in her white gown and chirpy in her yellow one. Also had a great time catching up with Pearlyn and a few others. Got to know through Paula and Cindy that I was referred to as ‘Johore Gillian’ – a hilarious piece of news.
Dreamt that I cut my hair short on Saturday night. Scary!
Discussed with Sum on Boys Before Flowers. If we were to find a female equivalent for each of the F4 characters, she would be Yi Jung, Mich Tong would be Woo Bin and I would be Ji Hoo. Couldn't find a good match for Jun Pyo. The closest was Yvonne and Joash. Ridiculous talk, right? Hoho.
Rev Kay Kiong preached on Sunday – important reminder that I must continue to stand in the gap and intercede. Jo almost made me burst out in laughter when he stealthily made his way to my ear and whispered “Sounds like uncle”. He thought that Rev Kay Kiong was my father on the pulpit! I really miss Joash! My beloved godson!
Met the youths at TomSumJo’s place on Sunday. Haven’t seen them for some time and realised that I do miss them after all. Ah Di was wearing his new glasses. Jerome was still the same. Nicky was as usual our ‘centre of attraction’. Sweet Yvonne bought us a cheesecake from Bakerzin. Kenneth was lying on the sofa – sleeping beau.
Went shopping with Sum and my nose bled. It hasn’t bled for a long time because I used to suffer from frequent nose bleeds. Anyway, Sum was holding me for fear that I faint. Haha. Even Jo asked me in complete sentences if I was okay and needed to see his doctor later on in the evening! Am going to stay away from heaty food for a while, and only for a while. Hee.
Spent almost the entire day with SumJo yesterday. Had brunch, went shopping again and back to her home for Jo’s afternoon nap. This little prince was very well-behaved and Sum rewarded him with a new train! Went to Chong Pang for dinner last night and had the delicious Bak Chor Mee. Was stared at by a woman who was at the same table with us. She thought I was from Philippines. Is there a need for such a gesture? Okay, maybe she was shocked that I was having dinner with my ‘mum’ and ‘dad’. Sigh… Also purchased roses and osmanthus from the medicinal shop - am thinking of cooking them into porridge, rice etc. Try out new concoctions! Guinea pig? Papa!
Dad bought durians and I can’t eat. He was pretty worried too and made Chrysanthemum tea for me last night. Aw…
Going out soon to meet Ching, Marie and Mich…
Thursday, June 04, 2009
-2:56 PM
Celebrated dad's birthday yesterday at Chin Huat Live Seafood along Thomson Road (opposite Novena Church) with bro. Now, there is free flow of drinks and as expected, I screamed when the live prawns jumped out of the bowl. It costs around $22 per pax after service charge and GST. Am very impressed with the BBQ food - the satays, sweet potatoes and chicken wings were tantalising! Love the Tom Yum soup and eclairs. We also had sushi, ice-creams, chocolate fondue and curry chicken. Believe Dad enjoyed his sumptuous dinner. Went to Mustafa after the fulfilling buffet dinner for a walk - always enjoy window-shopping there!
