2 balls to start the year with

What have I got myself into? By day a denizen of the classroom, by night and weekends a production advisor to campus theatrical performances. Self-inflicted, too, so this isn't a complaint about increasing workload or anything. It's wonderful to work with such obedient and appreciative kids, and the improvements they're making is visible, almost instantaneous. All they need is a little specific direction and lots of encouragement, and little else.

Currently looking after NYeDC's CNY performance -- Elim and 3L have been terrific co-workers, staying evenings with me working with the kids -- and I'm also helping Mengs with her piano kids' upcoming R+J adaptation.

It's only the beginning of the year, and we're barely getting warmed up. It'll be really interesting to juggle everything else when the J1 timetable kicks into full gear real soon.

Chocolate blocked

The J1 crowd got bussed to Sentosa for a day of fun and games. Me, I wanted to use this opportunity to try out the Megazip Adventure Park. Sadly, the rain washed out my ambitions of flying through the air with the greatest of ease, so I went to join these guys instead for a caffeine fix at the Hard Rock Cafe... and a quick snapshot with this rather animated Hershey's bar. As for the title of today's post: sorry, Chris -- didn't notice you back there!

Error not in banker's favour

Ooh, look! A guy gets beaten up because some people think he's a loan shark when he's actually a bank manager. Wait... there's a difference?

Why Cookie Monster is blue

Beware of 'bust-boosting' cookies

'B' is for 'boobies'
Dat's big enuff for me...! ¯

East meets West

In the recent flurry to compare "Eastern" and "Western (i.e., American) teaching models, there is no perfect system. Eastern students yearn for a more creative, independent-thinking, even fun approach, while the West wants more school discipline and a stronger emphasis on hard science and math.

Here, we're pulled in both directions. We're building an educational superstructure of Western cool on a foundation of Eastern geek. No wonder we're all running confused; kids, teachers, management, all. But maybe we've been doing something right all along without knowing it...? CNN seems to think so. :P