of volunteerism and some shopping

i have been lagging a lot in updating this blog.

this is because work has been really really busy. it is the exam season now and there was just so much to do to prepare the kids for the exam. that means, giving them practices and having to mark them and return them before they sit for their papers. then there are all the computer work we have to key in for some new programmes. haiz....turning everything into 'e' something is more work for teachers.

next week should be a freer week but there will be papers to mark and i want to finish everything before the holidays....if i can.

talking about holidays....i am so happy to announce that i will be taking on my first volunteer post as a facilitator in a youth camp in the first week of june. yup, i am not getting paid and i have to guide some teens in achieving some leadership skills. volunteering for a good cause has been something i have been wanting to do for a while and when the star newspaper started one special segment on volunteerism, i caught something which i can participate in and i mailed them.

so today, i went to the briefing session regarding the kind of job i am supposed to do and some logistics briefing in pj old town (my first time in this area). so in the first week of this mid-year break, i will be taking all the rest i want and laze around at home. then come the second week, i will have to slog it out in a camp in tapah with 70 indigenous kids. there will not be much rest i think as we have to wake up earlier than the participants and to sleep after their bedtime. accomodation is not even 3-star.....and we might even have to sleep in the hall in our sleeping bags.

this will be totally out of my comfort zone but i am not complaining. i have to get out and do something different in order to gain more experiences and insights. it is a time to reflect about myself too. instead of being the strict disciplinarian and authoritarian me at work, now i have to take a step back and guide and not interfere too much in kids work. sometimes i do get too much involved in order to get things done fast at work. this will be a good time to control that urge to do everything myself. but i guess i will be thrown in a different situatioin compared to work.

most of the facilitators are really young adults....i think i am the oldest in the group who will be going to tapah. gosh.....i will kill anyone who calls me 'auntie' for sure. i hope i get to contribute to the development of the participants and make a little change if not much in someone's life.

oh....and i have to conduct a workshop session which will last 45 minutes in one of the days of the camp. the facis can choose to teach the kids some skills in that session. gosh, i have to give an answer in 2 days' time. anyone want to tell me what i can teach?? i don't think i want to teach english here. i will be bored with myself. remember, i am dealing with indigenous kids (orang asli). so what am i good at?? sports? teaching warm up and stuff? aiyoh...how to sustain for 45 minutes.
ok....i have got one...can i teach them how to use sequins and beads to decorate clothes?? embroidery will need too much preparation....but stitching sequins and teaching it should be less tedious. well, i am not really an expert but unfortunately it is the only thing i can think of. i can even bring some examples from my closet.....

well, this is one example which is not with me....you know who it is with ;). do you think i can do the workshop? will the kids be interested to take part in it?? there will be 10 workshops running simultaneously at they are to choose 3 workshops they want to take part in. i don't have to buy the things needed, i only have to mail the list to the organiser and they will prepare them. i can even tell the kids to bring their own tee and work on it on the spot. i plan to bring stencils too so they can trace the patterns on their shirts and stitch on the spot.

so how how?? workable?? good enough? or do you think i should do something else....i dunno what i can do. help!!!

on to something else......

the finger itched today and ordered something from metropolitan museum of art, usa. i would never imagine getting a fashion collectible from there. gosh, this is one museum i have to visit if i ever go to new york. so now i am anticipating the postman.....will share it here when i get it.

and my brother brought me a new digital watch for when i do sports. he got this from one of the running races he went for. he just paid a little extra to get the watch and made his sister happy. hahaa...

i did not try the heart rate calculation function of the watch yet. it is still in the box actually. no time to test. dad asked about the watch because he also wanted one digital watch to wear when he goes jogging. and he finally got the latest bonuslink reward booklet and used his points to exchange for one timex marathon watch. if he didn't get that, it would be a perfect gift to buy for father's day right. and now it is time to crack the head on what to buy.

as for mother's day....well, we have pooled all the money and are getting facial stuff for mom because she seldom buys any. don't tell her yet....i am only getting it end of this month when biotherm has double points promotion. the sales assistant has reserved the set for me....i called the counter in isetan to make enquiries because i am more familiar with her. and she promises me goodies too with my purchase. nice. so be good to sales assistant. they are the ones who know where things are kept, when promotions are coming and what extras they have in the drawers.