1. Lesson preparation is killing me. Gone are the days when I can swagger into a classroom with a comprehension passage. But it's nice to be able to show videos and organise mini debates in class. I'm quite impressed with the way today's teens are just so eager to engage in debate.

2. Some colleagues say I look rejuvenated and emit a glow after the Beijing Immersion Programme. Haha.

3. My favourite breakfast is the teh and bread set at Foodcourt 4. I like to order breakfast there, sit at my preferred seat and read Today and My Paper. Pity I could only do this during the term break.

4. It amazes me how some poly kids appear so street smart and wise in the ways of life when they're only 17-18. On a similar note, I think my resume pale in comparison to some of their resumes although they're a decade younger than me. Must buck up!

5. Spent two Saturdays supervising students who went through a workshop on Social Innovation. Must read up more on this framework.

6. I'm formulating my impressions of people who come from different schools. Stereotypes may be a form of sweeping generalisation but I think it's true that there are certain personality traits for students from various schools.

7. My life is compartmentalised into two-hour slots, be it lesson or meeting. Life is starting to fall into a routine and it comforts and depresses me at the same time.

8. I published a handbook for the immersion trip. Took three revisions and precious hours of my youth. Thought it was a good career achievement even if people have thrown away the handbook:)

9. I need to learn the art of giving appropriate fillers/responses when people are briefing me. Think my "Hmmm" sounds a tad forced.

10. My room mate processes information very fast. "Sorry, guys need time to think" is fast becoming my catchphrase. I am learning a lot of things from her. She thinks like a guy actually and always has the big picture in mind--something that I lack because of my lack of exposure? Sigh.

11. Interviewed a student at 11.30pm yesterday to get vital information to carry out a lesson today. Lucky for the fact that I like to do crazy things.

12. Realise that I do have some autonomy and am not a messenger as I thought I was.

13. My colleagues have interesting anecdotes to share! Gamar shared her experiences of reporting news during the Asian tsunami and I was thinking, there's no way I could match this. Another colleague knows Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu Beng personally. Even my students have undergone a dialogue session with Teo Ser Luck.

14. Going for a seminar next Monday that is conducted by Donald Tsang. Woah. Cool!

15. Perpetually wondering if the things I'm experiencing now will make me an engaging conversationalist because I will then have loads of interesting stories to share. Actually, I'm for the opinion that work ennobles one. I like the idea of putting in effort to earn one's keep even if I whine too much that poly lecturers do not lead an easy life. :)

16. Think it's so awesome my Chong Boon kids are studying in SP and we have a common language due to the modules they have to take. Pity I don't get to teach them.