To The Girlfriends!

I miss my girls. They're the best thing to have ever happened to me. They truly know me and they understand me better than most. I daresay even better than my family. Kudos to Zahara for organising the dinner. It was great seeing them and catching up on lost years.

I didn't have any intention of sharing too much information about my work or personal life but like I said, they know me. They could sense that I was burdened and it only took one simple question and a squeeze of a hand for me to start pouring my heart out. The dams were broken.

I shared about my unhappiness and frustration at work and how I was so close to giving up... for good. They listened to me, without interrupting me - now that's great friendship. I hate it when people interject my stories with stories of their own. I'll be like what's up with that? It's my story now... chill, I'll give you time for yours...

Anyway, I couldn't lie to them and tell them that everything's alright. I tried but they saw right through me. They're amazing - gems... truly gems. It was good though, getting all of that off of my chest. I've been meaning to share my woes with someone but I've lost the one person I could really talk to and everyone else has their own issues to sort out. So Zahara's dinner couldn't have come at a better time.

They gave me the strength and support that I needed and the promise that they'll be there for me whenever I need them. I love you guys so much!

Junior Returns

Ryan informed me that Junior was looking for me today.

I admit, at one point of time, I was really into Junior and loved the attention that he was giving me. Then I realised that things between us were getting a tad too weird for my liking and I decided to stay away from Junior. I deleted his number, blocked him from Google chat etc.

When I did text him months ago, there was no reply so I didn't give much thought to it. Now he's missing me? Hmmm... I admit that I am tempted to contact him... he is so charming... sigh... trust me to get involved in a mess like this.

Perfection

Family Day was wicked as usual! It's my favourite school event in the whole year! It's a great time to chill, let loose and really have a ball with the colleagues and the boys. I did Shift C which pretty much means I'm down the whole day (8:30 - 3:30 pm) but being in the organising com means coming early to help out and leaving late to... help out. Not that I mind of course. I mean, I was exhausted beyond belief but like I said, Family Day's the bomb!

So what was I up to? I went around impressing my colleagues with my bargaining skills. I managed to play loads of free games, get free food and great discounts etc... courtesy of my ex students from the pri and sec side. My form class put up a performance but once that was done, I was free to roam the carnival. It was much smaller and far less appealing than last years' and Them Boys did not drop by but as you know, I'm self entertained...

After the carnival was over, the organising com stayed behind to count coupons. We didn't add up the total of the individual stalls but I really doubt that we hit our target of a quarter mil. It was nearing 7pm once we were done and I was starving so I headed down to Sakae Sushi at J8 for some take away. Only 45 minutes later did I manage to walk out with my order. Geez. I could have just eaten in and would have been done with my meal by then.

But as luck would have it, guess who I saw just as I left J8!! Da Weng, Earnest and Ivan :) Honestly, I was contemplating calling out to them - We hung out twice this week already and it was Saturday night, I didn't want to impose on guy time. Plus, they must be sick and tired of seeing so much of me! And I was smelly, exhausted and hungry. But I did call out and I'm glad I did. It turned out to be the perfect end to an already perfect day :)

We stood by the taxi stand, catching up. Hmmm... Can you call it catching up if we've already met twice that week? Anyway, we were catching up and I kept on mentioning to them that I didn't want to hold them back nor impose on their personal time but being the darlings that they are, they assured me that I was doing no such thing and that they were glad we bumped into each other. The only thing they had planned was to order in and chill at Da Weng's place. Then I had a brilliant idea; I told them that if they didn't mind, we could all chill somewhere and feast on my Sakae take-away. There were grins a plenty :)

They immediately helped to carry my handbag, the food bags and this bag filled with letters / cards / notes from the boys in school. We walked to Bishan Active, sat on the floor and started feasting on our sushi spread. Imagine, they felt guilty about "stealing" my food and they made sure that I had my share before they had seconds and kept on promising me that they'd take me out sometime soon. Come on now, saw awww....

It was a beautiful night and I had delicious food and amazing company. Our conversations ranged from school / office politics, to relationships, to reminiscing our 2 year friendship and even to sharing of crazy-cannot-be-mentioned-here antics. Oh, the 3 of them had a wild time reading the letters from the boys in school. You know how Lower Primary boys can get... Ms Parveen I love you... You are my favourite teacher... You are so pretty... Thank you for teaching me... I want to marry you... I want to buy a house for you... etc etc... True story, even the house-buying one. The kid actually drew me a picture; my house was in between his and his best friend and we were a stone's throw away from Bishan Park.

Time flew by so quickly and I didn't want them staying out so late... turns out it's a normal affair for them. Sometimes they'd be up till 4 in the morning hanging with each other. Once they even ordered McDs' for breakfast at around 5-ish! But I needed my sleep so I took a cab home while they headed to Cheers to quench their thirst. It was a quarter to midnight by the time I reached home. Calling it a great night would be an understatement.

Someone's Looking Out For Me

Chuan Shen visited today :) I'm glad he's taken a keen interest in religion; it's really put him in the right path and he has changed for the better.

After checking out the hall for this Sat's Family Day, I planned to head home and snooze but when CS and Yi Rong dropped by, I decided to hang with them for a wee bit. Little did I know that they decided to call up Avery and Ivan as well. How could I resist not meeting my darlings ;)

So what planned to be a short appearance turned out to be a full 6 hours (4pm - 10pm) hang with Them Boys. Man, time flies when you're having fun. Cliches do have some truth in them after all. It was freaking awesome reminiscing with them and hearing their stories. They've grown up so much - so matured and far-sighted and not forgetting so dashing too. They've really turned into such fine young gentlemen. Speaking of which, the one thing I am thankful for about this place is Them Boys. They've made my stay here bearable and seeing them twice in one week have been the highlight of my week. True story.

Coincidentally, I received a letter that I wrote to myself during a Teachers' Conference some months ago. Before you think I've lost it... we were told to write a note to ourselves, including bits of what we've learnt / seen / heard / shared at the conference. They told us that some time near Teachers' Day, they'd mail the note to us. Here's what I wrote to my future self:

Dearest Parveen,

I want you to remember that Teachers are full of themselves. They say much but act very little. Remember this so that you will not be like them. Remember that you are approachable, kind and compassionate. These are good values to have. Never ever let anyone tell you to change who you are. You can make a difference. You have inspired and you will continue to inspire. Believe in yourself.

Love, Parveen

I swear, this could not have come at a better time. Just when I was on the verge of quitting, Them Boys paid a visit and lifted up my spirits, reminding me why I love my job so much and then to receive this letter... it further reinforces that reminder. Coincidence? I think not.

Teachers' Day Celebrations

The celebrations sucked - 2 hour picnic followed by the boys WATCHING teachers / students / parents play Captain's Ball. But the follow-up to the celebrations was FREAKING awesome. Them Boys came to visit!!!

At first, just very few ex-boys came and we chatted for a wee bit then I thought I'd head home early but they somehow persuaded me to stay on with them a little longer. They even offered to carry my bags of gifts for me... I was won over, obviously. I'm glad too. Them Boys started streaming in bit by bit and I was overjoyed. Many I've not seen since they were P6 while the rest I've lost touch with. They were teasing me because I was grinning like a total retard when I saw them... they know the effect that they have on me and that boosted their ego a tad too much!

In the beginning, we sat, chatted and bonded. I made new acquaintances as they introduced me to some I never took notice of before. Then more streamed in and the group got bigger. I loaned them my soccer ball to play with and that was a big mistake! They reminded me of the times when I used to play soccer with them and we all started laughing hysterically at all those painful memories. "Painful" because they always made me goalie and... well, their aim got better as they were always aiming for me and not to put in the goal *pouts* Needless to say, some reenactments were played out and I kept on using Jaben as my human shield. Shrieking whenever Nicholas got the ball; his kick is painfully deadly accurate...

Bored of sitting around doing nothing... well not exactly nothing... they kept on misplacing my stuff and got me thinking that I was such a scatterbrain that I forgot where I left my stuff... but anyway, they decided to play soccer for real at the plaza. I was nominated as designated cheerleader [self nominated... I didn't want to be goalie again :( ] And more of Them Boys appeared! I was ecstatic so drinks were on me. What made my day was that I got to see Ivan after so long! Gosh. We had such an amazing bond and he really looked up to me but after a disagreement we couldn't really see eye to eye anymore and that particular group and I parted ways. It broke my heart not to be able to hang with them.

But he came today and it was as though he had put all of what had happened between us behind him. Even his friends came up to me and spoke to me. He loves soccer but he chose to sit and chat with me instead. Aaaahhh... it was turning out to be a fantastic day.

Soccer didn't last long. They decided to have lunch while Avery and I chose to chill in the comfort of the staffroom. Oooh... Avery wrote me THE sweetest letter. I literally teared when I read it... he always knows what to say and give to get me all sappy and mushy. That's why I love him so. Oh and guess who decided to join us? Ivan :) The 2 clowns decided to play with my war props and put on a pretty wicked jackass-like demonstration. I have to admit, it was bloody hilarious. But it was nice to know that things were normal between Ivan and I.

Even that got boring after awhile so we decided to join the rest and I'm surprised at their level of energy. They were playing basketball. Shirtless. Them Boys are getting handsome-er and hot-er... am I allowed to say that? :p

The sweet thing is when I decided to leave, they all decided to make a move too. Eh, MP (Ms Parveen) going already. Let's also go... not fun already... It was a total awww moment for me! I followed Avery back because he goes to the church near my place so he suggested we hang till it was time for mass. He was carrying my bags of gifts, so I didn't complain :) He went up his place to bathe and change. He came down looking dashing and we took a bus back to my place. I was starving so we ate at KFC before he walked me home and made his way to church. Here I am now. It was truly a freaking awesome day for me.

Lost in A Control Station... L-O-S-E-R

It's amazing how childish some people can be... nay, annoying. I mean seriously, who gets lost in a control station?! So I gave you the wrong exit, try another. Or ask one of the control station staff; that's what they're there for - to give directions. Wandering aimlessly for thirty minutes in the same location will not make the block appear. Walking by the same bus stop three times will not get you to your destination. Plus, you knew you were on the wrong end when you checked the map and yet you still stood there?

But what really got to me was how you treated me after; like I should be the one apologising to you! Geez... grow up. You're in your mid-20s but you act like an infant! Crying and sobbing because you were frustrated at having to walk so much. HOW BIG CAN A CONTROL STATION BE!?

I'm disgusted at how you behaved that day and your mum took your side and totally gave me the cold shoulder. But hats off to my mum and aunt who stood by me :)

Bittersweet

When I stepped into class today, my boys sang me a birthday song. It took a lot for me not to tear in front of them. I'm such an emotional wreck around my birthday la... Oh, speaking of which, there was drama in the household but to make up for it I FORCED everyone to sing me a birthday song, even my second brother came up with a rendition of his own. Food was fantastic of course - mum cooked.

I'm not looking forward to this week. It's the second last week of Term 3, so it'll be a mad rush to clear our workload. Plus, the holidays are nearing so no one's in the mood to do anything! On top of that, my cousin's getting married on Saturday but it's a 3-day affair starting fron Thursday night. I'll be so SO shagged.