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2 Jun 2013, 0530
I arrived safely at Taoyuan International Airport.
As it was still early, I decided to wait at the newly renovated airport and in the meantime to wait for “Big Brother” to open to purchase local sim card which apparently offers better and more-worth-it package in airport.
I had my very first breakfast in the airport which really amazing as I remembered when I was there 2years ago, the airport was in renovation state thus don’t really has many eatery place.
Straight after I purchased the “Big Brother“, I went to find the way/transport to leave the airport. FIRST TIME as it was my Taiwan friend who picked us up 2yrs ago.
With the signs and directions, I managed to purchase a bus ticket and boarded one that got me to Taipei Main Station.
I miscalculated my time in purchasing train ticket thus was another time of waiting. It was really a morning of waiting and waiting. Haha!
And for the FIRST TIME, on my own - I purchased a local train ticket to bring me to Hualian., a city I’m going for the FIRST TIME.
Though I took the longer route as there were actually faster local trains available, I still thank God that I reached Hualian - being my first time.
I made a mistake to think that shuttle bus provided by the Homestay I‘m staying. Plus my phone and portable charger were down so I couldn’t call the Boss to pick me up. On top of that, the public phone was way too complicated and so I decided to hail a cab, with just address printed on paper (thank God!!!).
The Homestay is just probably 10mins away thus cab fare wasn’t that ex.
I had a smile when I reached the Homestay.
Not cause “Finally~~~~~” but rather “Weeeee! I’m so proud of myself!”
From Changi Airport to Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station to Hualian and to the Homestay… I accomplished it independently.
to be continued...
My first-ever overseas trip ALONE!!!
Actually I don’t really have a dream of traveling alone, just that this time I badly needed a holiday.
Guess is just to be away from work and the commitment.
It also happened that my available-free-period didn’t meet my friend, Em and I wasn’t prepared to go with others. Opps!
And so… I decided to go ahead, alone.
Two months before, I settled air tickets + insurance.
One month before, I settle all lodging in Taiwan.
Two weeks before, I settled the logistic and rough itinerary.
Solo-ly.
*pat on my shoulder*
Unlike the previous Taiwan trip two years ago where I had two friends to discuss with and I also did seek consultation for hotels and itinerary from friends in Taiwan, this time I didn’t really want to disturb them so I did everything on my own secretly.
Beside excitement a week before the trip, there was also fear as I don’t know what to expect from being alone right from the start in boarding plane at airport to the days I be alone in Taiwan.
And so on 2 Jun 2013, off I went~~~~
For the first time.. I checked in, waited, boarded the plane all alone.
to be continued, continued..
The day I was born. My birthday.
I used to get very excited with the day.
A year I can be counting down a month before.
A year I will be counting down on the eve.
A years I can celebrate for weeks.
A year I can be planning how and who I want to celebrate.
Just like for my 21st.
Couple of years before “the day”, I was wishing it will be very grand and to have it in chalet (that was the “in” thing during that era).
But when I officially reached 21, I didn’t want it to be grand but just simple celebration with close friends and family.
In my mid 20s, my wish of how-I-want-to-celebrate remained as simple celebration over fellowship with friends and family.
Some years I can be so blessed to have quite many celebrations. All these I really thank God for the different groups of friends He placed in my life. Always appreciate their love, time and generosity.
But towards the late 20s (ouch!!!), especially this year, my wish of how-I-want-to-celebrate changed.
Super simple or even no celebration. Want it to be super low-profile.
Being very selective in the friends to meet.
Prefer no cake, no birthday song, no card. Didn't want the attention.
Is this common? Or is it just me?
Hmmm… Anyway still, thank God for a nice one this year.
Though all were almost belated but I thank God, really thank God for all my friends!
Touched by their effort to want to date me!
Appreciate their time and presence!
Overwhelmed by their love and generosity!
The very first was with friends from CHEC, together with Aaron's birthday.
From part1 dinner to part2 drinks to part3 cake-cutting, really appreciate all their effort and love.
Applied leave from JAMs and went on self-pampering on actual day.
Started the day with my favourite cuppa from Starbucks then movie then chill again at TeaDot.
Just when I thought my day is over, Mr and Mrs Cher made a surprise appearance with yummy (ex) cake and prezzie at my place.
They don't have to but they did.
They think is a way but I think is big effort and time required.
THey said I made a difference in their lives but I say they left footprints in mine.
With Pst Lily's zone, together with Ivan's birthday.
Overwhelmed by their love, presence and generosity.
With the kakis, together with Zhi's birthday.
Simple but great fellowship time. Love and appreciate all of them.
ps: Cheers to our "retirement plan"~~
High-tea with Nicole Jie, May Jie & Zhen Jie.
Thanks ladies for your love!
Blessing from Jm2.
Blessing from ZenZen.
Had a great time fellowship with her over dinner too.
Sooooooo yummy treat from the Loos..
a big THANK YOU for your love, blessing and most of all, your friendship!
This year I felt that my patience is being tested, seriously.
First, the class of children.
Had always been given the older-aged group of children for the last many years. It been a while since I had the five-years-old.
I must say that this year’s batch of children (more so for morning class) are pretty “unique” cause I don’t recalled any challenging moments when I took the similar aged-group children years back or even when I was helping out in in xSs.
Either due to their age or their overly-loving and overly-strong-bond that made them quarrel almost EVERYDAY - anytime and anywhere. Though this can be “common” among children but felt that theirs can be quite extreme.
To be honest, sometimes it can really drives me up when all their quarrels and their complains reach what I can take for the day.
And worse is when one cried because of I-don’t-friend-you or I-don’t-love-you.
Most of the time, I chose to ignore all the tiny winy issues.
Occasionally or when it went too much, I will address the issue to the whole class.
I will nag, nag, nag and nag!!! Haha!
Beside all
these friend-friend issues, this class has a couple of children where
I need to CONSTANTLY talk to them and remind them.
There were days where my mood can be affected by them but thank God for the “balance” as afternoon class is so much more peaceful. There were days when after I dismissed them, not only will I feel peace in my ears but also half of my energy gone. Haha!
Still, I thank God that as the months goes by and entering in to the end of Term 2, things are improving. I thank God I didn’t “lose” them as they still respect and accept my authority.
There were also feedback from Principal that she can see this class toning down
and “disciplined”. Haha! All these doesn’t come easy.
Thank God my
3months didn’t go into waste. And also despite being “disciplined”, they
are happy children who never fail to surprise me with their actions
and words.
To be continued...
Recently one of my friends dropped me a msg “Was just thinking about you. How are you?”
Without any hesitation, I replied with a good sign and that I’m fine!
As I slow myself down, I started to think “Am I really ok?”
Guess there are just certain things that I choose to keep it to myself?
Or probably not everyone I’m comfortable to share with?
At least once or twice a week, I will make time to go for coffee.
Guess more than the coffee, I simply enjoy the doing nothing and just watch people walk by - especially after a tiring day at work.
But of course the coffee taste sweeter when have it with friends.
Times flies!!! A quarter of the year just ended!
Here some highlights of the month of March:
2 Mar
Wedding of my “grandson”, Ah Guo & Peijing.
9 Mar
Wedding of Jianwei & Chloe..
He is my CHEC classmate and she used to be a JAMs worker.
17 Mar
Wedding of Rono & Venny.
A big CONGRATULATION to all the newly-wed!!!
Have a blissful marriage!
10 Mar
Princess Annabelle’s baby shower.
Happy 1st Month little princess!
There was also one week of holiday where out of 5days, we were activated for 4days. Actually almost all 5days were needed till “someone” voiced out. Hehe!
Jill Jill was also in Singapore during that period.
We met up for casual meals and also celebrated her belated birthday.
Not forgetting ended it with a lovely prezzie from Em and I.
23 & 24 Mar
“I am a Giver” @ JAMs
24 Mar
Hensa’s bdae celebration @ Spanish restaurant
Side-track. Probably due to the increase of people, personally feel fellowship with kakis feels different now.
Whether is it the addition of two being the partner of the “original” kakis or the addition of another. Group is bigger, table is longer, the arrival of the different ones getting later and leaving earlier too.
More celebrations now too as month-break in Feb has filled with not one but two birthdays.
30 & 31 Mar
“Because You Give” Easter weekend
It has not been easy, especially the first few weeks but thank God I managed to complete the 10 weeks of school in the first term.
Now “a break” for 1 week before going for another 10 weeks.
Jan in 2013 kicked off with me starting work in a new kindergarten.
The first three days were “interesting”.
I had to welcome the children despite not having a fully-ready classroom or even a complete name list. This will never happen in xSs… Opps, cannot compare! =p
A small kindergarten. Class size small too.
Different culture. Different environment.
Different style of doing things. A little relax in certain way.
Really grateful that throughout the transition, God was with me.
Not forgetting friends and my ex colleagues who were there for me too!
JAMs kicked off with the very first service of the year!
Cheers to many greater works and breakthroughs in 2013!
Not forgetting “JAMs Appreciation”!
Feb in 2013 kicked of with the birth of long-awaited Baby Annabelle.
Sooooooo happy for Papa Sa & Mama Na!!!
I witnessed the many stages of their lives - from being just BC & BH to getting into potential BGR to official in relationship to facing many challenges to getting married and to now promoted to daddy and mummy. Enjoy parenthood, guys!
And the month ended with Pst Lily’s birthday celebration!
Seem like a “trend” for me to fall sick during last few weeks of the school term?
Activated my first MC of the year today… with fever and sore throat.
Seriously, for a moment I was so afraid the fever is caused by the impact on my back.
Actually it started last Friday after our school excursion to Marine Life Park (beautiful place), may be due to tiredness and lack of water, I had a bad headache and was feeling feverish.
The feverish didn't really go off on Saturday, despite of the early rest I had but still I went ahead to attend friends' wedding and service before I headed home to rest.
Was ok on Sunday.
Likewise for Monday morning but in the afternoon, I just felt feverish and my temperature showed I'm running slight fever.
But thank God with rest and medication, I felt much better.
Fully understand this idiom after an incident on Sunday.
At the last stop during JAMs fetching, as usually, I went down to carry Little M who was on his wheelchair.
Was stretched a little but I still managed to lift him off his wheelchair.
Unlike the past few times where our driver will stop his bus very near to the bus-stop where Little M and his granny will board, this time he happened to stop a distance away.
Hence the step I got to take increased, from bus stop ground, it became road-floor up to bus so with the height increased = more strength
And the nightmare that I always fear the most HAPPENED!
I lost my strength while going up the first step and there… I fell on the bus stairs, with Little M still in my hands.
At the point of time, more than worrying about the pain on my leg and thigh, I was more worried “what if I don’t have strength to pick ourselves up?!” And of course to make sure I cling on Little M and not let him go.
Thank God with the use of ALL my energy, I picked myself up and placed him on the bus seat.
Whew~~~ Thank God he didn't hurt himself.
With this fall, I found three bruises on my leg and worse of all, my lower back hurt. Friends suggested going to Chinese physician but seriously, I was afraid so decided to monitor and rest first.
After consulting a friend-therapist and looking through website, felt it was ok to monitor first and may not be a serious problem unless… …
And for the next two days, I put on “salonpas” and was very cautious in my movements and sleeping posture etc. I also refrained myself from carrying heavy stuff.
Thank God the pain went off, just left a little "sour sour" feeling.
Little M seriously has gained a lot of weight.
Unlike probably some others, Little M totally has no strength on his legs, that's why he cant walk even with support but need to be fully carried.
Because of this, I'm so fearful if I ever let go him and he fall totally.
With all these in mind and the fear of making worse to my back, spoken to Pst to go ahead with Plan B.
Till I find myself a male helper, this got to be the best arrangement.
Personally, I really dont dare to carry him anymore.
-_-
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