Update

Had intended to update earlier, but somehow time just slipped past....and tires easily too.
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More or less (more more than less) the place has been put to order. That included clearing the store and the kitchen cabinets, and getting plants in, which i didnt expect that I would be able to complete this round. Except for the way the kitchen is, which i cant change unless i am prepared for a massive overhaul (which i am not), things are the way I would want them to be.

I owe much to Mr Soon, who did alot to accommodate my preferences. And, I remained his fan for the way his mind worked to get things done. Honestly, at 81, he is really observant and brilliant, yet so contented. And there is alot of wisdom in his words. I am truly grateful for his genuine care toward my welfare.

Now I get to see my greeneries, and flowers; shells and books and piano; and cats and cats and cats. :) Its not difficult to know what i like.

Many of the shells were handpicked, some 15-20 years ago. Why shells came into my life, there is also a story. But the story cant be told. I can only say, that there had been a time, where picking shells was my sole joy. I saw in them, in their varied shapes, size and specie, the wonders of God's creation. At a time, where my spirit was very very very low, I could only looked down, yet in looking down, I saw simplicity and beauty. And that gave me joy. I am easily contented.

I am glad that I could put them all in display. They have come a long way with me.

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Met up with L two weeks ago, and had a nice chat. Was glad about that cos to me L is not merely my lecturer and supervisor, but a like minded educationist and a warm person who can be a good friend. It was a little rough last year, but we had thrashed it out toward the end of the year, and hopefully, I would be getting down to it soon after cny.

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I had agreed to return to my alma mater for a talk with a sec 1 class about our school days. Cl was the organiser and roped in 8 of us. It was the first time i had gone back since they moved to TP. And yes, i lost my way driving there. :(

I didnt feel I did a good job. I guess, for me, having rapport and that personal touch is important. I am just not a one-off speaker. And more than just telling them about my school days, I really wanted to tell them most about living the motto, Simple in virtue, stedfast in duty. I guess it was not possible somehow. Maybe I have lost the touch of teaching....

I was glad however to meet Mrs M. She managed to recall who I am, and that is more than 30 years ago. She was actually a biology teacher, who taught my class A Math when i was in Sec 3. I remembered quite a few of her lessons, especially teaching differentiation by first principles. I can remember doing it clearly. I also remembered the lessons on permutation and combinations, and the trigo formula she put on the board I never forgot any of them. I thought most of the others would also remember. I realised I may have been the only one.

I was not a student that talked with teachers. But I listened in class, if they made sense. And if they didnt, well, I did my own work.  I did appreciate a few of them, and Mrs M was one of them. We were her first batch, and really she cared. She got me out of class twice to talk to me over what she observed. I was grateful. That motivated me alot. So, it was good to see her, who is now the VP of the school, and probably with retirement not far off.

With Cl being a key person in alumnus, I guess there would be more such occasions....

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Did do the 10km walk last week with cl and kuech, but it is punishing on the aching joints. Then went to nursey with kuech. Headache was bad, but when the bamboo was sent that night, with the bougainvillea and herbal plants, it was really worth the effort.

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Met up with wp and ay for dinner. Good chat. Didnt realise time had passed so quickly that it had been nearly 7 months since I last met up with wp.

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Also caught up with ttk after some months of silence in email comm. Like kuech and cl, there is a high degree of comfort, since this is another more than 3 decade bond. In fact, ttk is one of the very rare few (probably less than a handful) whose advice I will take note and whom i will acknowledge to be superior to me in pereception and insights; in thoughts  in breadth and depth; in reasoning, highly cogent yet tempered with humanity. Actually ttk probably know and understand me most....we dont always agree, but that mutual understanding is always there. In many ways, the bond is deep....we have walked a long way, with more diversions than convergence...and at this latter stage, there is consolation to have good old friends walking together.

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Dinner at ld's place with vl's family was a warm occasion. Its almost like a family, and really i do regard them so.

Its been nearly two months since I had written, 我要振作。 I am thankful that from then on, each day, steps are taken. Some days, more; some days, less. But it has been moving forward.

I am actually looking forward to cooking this cny's eve lunch. Its the first time, since i have always relied on catered food. Partly because, I was just doing so out of duty. But this time, I am doing it, because they are family ties. I have dumped alot of baggage. Its not to say, I dont have reservations. But, what that can be forgiven and forgotten, I think I have made it.

With ls and ky, we also seemed to have overcome barriers, and I hope we will walk stedfastly to the end.

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So the first month ended well, and the second month remained warm and placid.

Looking forward to seeing the kids next week. :)