I am so overwhelmed with work these past few weeks. Term 3 started off pretty slowly, and I had a lot of time to myself. My teaching was good, lesson prep was on task, marking was great, and everything was falling into place nicely. And I even had time to exercise, run, dance, go out, etc etc etc.

Then I don't know what happened, but 4 weeks into school, and the craziness kicks in.I have never done so much work before!! The 4As prelim markings are in, markers report has to be done, my common test papers are coming in next week, my 4E prelim marking, setting of my year end exam papers, my portfolio work, my band, my student leaders, school commitments, meetings....urgh..The list goes on.

And it doesn't help that I am fasting, which means that by 4pm, my brains start to shut down. I am on adrenalin mode all morning, and then the engine slows down by 2pm...But I usually push it a little bit more and stay on till 430-5pm and that's when I give up and go home. Then I will vegetate in front of the tv and just wait for dusk to break my fast. And I am usually half concussed by then.

Teaching when you are fasting is one of the hardest thing you can do. You have to have the same amount of energy when you teach, you are still running up and down, you are perpetually talking, but....you can't drink or eat. The non eating part is bearable but the non drinking....Kills me. So I am pretty drained and wasted by the time I start eating at 7pm-ish.

But but but but but.....on a more positive note, I only have 3 more weeks of school left, and another 2 weeks of fasting. Which means, my trip to Bali is looming closer, and I am going to be THIN when I prance around in Bali!! LOL!!! I am so shallow, I know. I haven't been exercising for obvious reasons, but am losing weight cos of the non eating! So far, it has been -2kg for me! I hope to lose another 1-2kg, and keep it like that. Everyone tells me that weight lost during fasting month doesn't last as you will gain it all back after that, with all the feasting you do during Hari Raya. Well, I am going to try my dardnest to keep it off, thank you very much! :) Then I will be at my ideal weight, at least ideal to me, though my friends think I am psycho. lol!!!

Until next time, tata people! I will try and keep my head above water during this time!

For some reason, I am feeling nostalgic all of a sudden. I was looking through my old pictures which I put up on Facebook, when I was in Australia yesterday night before I slept. Australia seemed so long ago, when it has actually only been 2 1/2 years. But I have been so busy and occupied with work, family, friends and travelling that the time has just flown by. Yesterday, being a Friday, I had some time to kind of relax and unwind and I started flipping through my old pictures and a whole flood of memories came crashing in. Made me kind of sad, cos those were such happy times for me.

Change happens all the time, and as cliche and overused as this phrase is, change is indeed the only constant. But sometimes, you don't want things to change cos it was so much simpler and uncomplicated. And Australia was just that for me. Life was simple. I didn't have much money with me cos I was a student but I was deliriously happy.

I studied hard and played hard. I loved waking up in the morning, and having long leisurely breakfasts with Mark. I loved what I was studying and school was so much fun. I loved meeting up friends and having lunches by the park. I loved my weekly Mon and Fri shopping trips with my gfs. I loved grocery shopping after a morning of household cleaning. I loved snuggling in my room, reading a book under the blanket with a cup of green tea, and enjoying the winter cold. I loved the long runs that I took by the Swan River. I loved the random flea markets which we would go to every now and then. I loved inviting people to my place and hosting my house parties. I loved dancing the night away with my friends on weekends. I loved the movie night marathons which we used to have on weekends with my girls.

But most importantly, I loved all my friends whom I made there. They were the reason why I was so happy and I love them to bits. And even though they are all over the world now, from Perth to Melbourne to Sri Lanka to Indonesia to Canada to Vietnam, I still keep each and everyone of them close to my heart.

One of my last few days in Perth, taking pictures at my university grounds with Anri and Foize.

Swan River with Rush

One of my many house parties. I had these like once a month.

NorthBridge, to party.

 Another round of partying!

 After school, cam whoring by the river.

 Ramadhan, sleep over @ Foize's new place and doing rubbish.

More partying! We celebrated so many birthdays that year so partying was what we did a lot!

 My last day in Perth, having breakfast with the girls.

Road trip to Margaret River, Fatima and me

 After a hard night of dancing, hanging out at my place. This was at 5 in the morning!

The party before the party...

 BBQ at Kings Park

After a hard night of partying, the routine was sleep over at my place, dim sum in the morning, and vege out at my place till 3 pm in the afternoon! With my darling Ryan.

 Hari Raya in Oz with the whole gang.

South Perth

 Pinnacles

 Lunch by the river

Cottlesloe Beach

 Freo!

Mark's Bday Bash!

I am thankful for all these wonderful memories, and that the friendship I made with these wonderful people remain so very strong...Love all of you!!!!!!!

Yes, that's me and Hannah, upon completion of our SHAPE RUN. I went for my 2nd Shape Run 2 Sundays ago. Signed for it very early and was aiming for a much better timing this time round. My first 10km run was the Great Eastern Women's Run last year. That was a terrible run. The route was tough, the weather was cruel, and I was lousy. I clocked in 1hr 11 mins. Bleah. Then 2 mths later, I did the Shape Run 2010. Slightly better timing of 1 hr 9 mins.

So this year, I told myself that I would do a lot better, since I am supposed to be fitter with all the exercising that I am doing. I ran the race with darling Hannah, who was doing her first ever 10km run. It was a good run. Weather was less dreary and hot, route was scenic, and I felt good while running. And I clocked a time of 1hr 3mins! YAY! Ok, for some of you it might not be that big a deal but I am so damn proud of the timing cos I was on a running sabbatical for a mth and only started running a mth or so before the event itself. So yes, I am happy and am already looking forward to the next long distance run!

On another note altogether, I am going off again for a vacation!! Where to this time?

YES!! BALI!!! :) This was one of the most impromptu decision I have made with regards to a trip! I was in a damn long meeting few weeks ago, and was having the worst back ache, and suddenly thought of going for a spa retreat. So I messaged Angela and asked if she wanted to go away during the 1 week break. And her response was a resounding 'YES!' so within two weeks, we booked both our air tickets and accommodation! We initially thought of going to Vietnam but decided aganist it as it was too complicated!! So Bali it was!

This is going to be a very luxurious spa retreat, where we do nothing but laze around in a private villa with a personal butler and breakfast cooked and served in your villa, with a private pool and a 120mins spa session every day that I am there. I am going to lead the life of a rich tai tai at elast for the 4 days that I am there. I have been to Bali and I love it there. I am so looking forward to doing nothing, being pampered on, get driven around, check out the bars and restaurants there...Arrgghh!!! I can't wait!!!

In the meantime, I am going to trudge through another 4 more weeks of school before I say Adios Singapore! YAY!!!