State of Mind

me get artsy

2011-12-20T12:28:00.000+08:00

My latest art subject: Ruthnetta. Made her make up and hair for her Maybank annual dinner last Saturday, 17th December, at Starcity Kota Kinabalu.

Prrrrretty Grrrrrrr-irl.

If you don't mind being my 'subject' and like my work, pm me in facebook or direct message me in twitter, @DazereeJ. I do weddings and engagements as well. :)

Can I paint on your face?

2011-12-13T10:25:00.001+08:00

Brand new toy. Yeehaa!

Okay. Now... all I need is a canvas to work on. Anyone? ;D

Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-01T22:22:00.001+08:00

This Christmas tree has been with my family 14 Christmases. I remember ever so vividly the day, Mom and I went out to KK to buy us a Christmas tree. ;') I was twelve back then, it was in 1997. Dad has left us almost a year at the time. Mom hasn't got her driving license yet or (was it) haven't bought a car yet. So, we hopped on the mini bus from Tamparuli to KK. Back then, the bus station stops was exactly where Warisan Square is now. Just behind Centre Point. So, that was were we shopped for a tree.

I remember.. it was a rainy day.. and I remember Mom choosing a medium size tree. Not too big. Not too small. Just nice. I remember the tauke packing up the tree in a long card board box the length of the tree. And most of all I remember Mom carrying the curiosity-attracting-package from Centre Point all the way back to the muddy bus station and twelve-year-old me tagging along behind... in the rain.

Those were the times. But we managed. ;')

Just a Christmas story.

Stupid dust in my eyes. (deylang adik saya)

November Birthdays

2011-11-30T11:29:00.002+08:00

Happy Birthday November Babies!

Alvin is 30. <3

Lovable hubby, turns hot 30 years old. Pewit!

I baked hubby a 3 kg durian fresh cream cake.

The durian cake is the one on the far left corner in the picture.

Just look at them greedy fast hands. =)

You can roughly judge that I'm no pro at icing the cake.

My uncle commented:

Kenapa ni cake ni? (referring to the durian cake) Tidak jadi kah??

But my-tidak-jadi-looking-cake, after the birthday boy blew the candle, is gone in no more than 3 minutes. WORLD RECORD. LEGEND... wait for it.. DARY!

Chocolate Cupcake

Then, there was the supposedly 200 cupcake birthday project for a friend's son's first birthday. First time baking cupcakes in a large batch..solo.

Oreo Cupcake iced with Vanilla Buttercream

Supposedly 200 cupcakes? Something awful happened to the 4 other cups. hehehe

And 3-year-old Amanda's pink birthday cupcakes.

Of course, I didn't make the barbie printed apple cheesecake in the middle. But planning to bake one soon and polish my decorating skills.

And the birthday siblings. Amanda and lil brother Demichelis. Lovely darlings.

That's a wrap for November!

One bite at a time.

2011-10-16T14:35:00.000+08:00

I haven't been blogging since forever. I've been so caught up in being a mother and wife.

Being a (working) mom is hard. Don't get me wrong, I'm truly grateful and blessed of this wonderful experience.

Well, I'm back and hopefully my little Adelise will give mommy some time for herself. (Adelise --she manages my time now.)

I'm learning to enjoy life.. one bite at a time... ^_^

answers to why you are bitter, lonely existence

2010-12-16T09:01:00.000+08:00

I suck at drawing

2010-09-24T14:51:00.000+08:00

The most embarrassing part of teaching in class is when I have to draw something to make a point. Well, I use to feel embarrassed but now I casually admit to my audience how I suck at it. ^_^

I remember when I was in primary school, I always got so upset for not being able to draw a line WITH A RULER properly. I either failed at drawing parallel lines or lines parallel to the paper I'm drawing on.

There was this one time, I got homework to draw the jata negara which consists of more than just lines. It was hell-ish.

I drew. I erased. I drew. I cried. I erased. I drew. I cried <-- Well, I think the actions I did was drawing. huhuhu

Oh, come one! Drawing tigers is really an impossible task for me. Mom helped me finish the jata negara. But only to hand in the jata negara the next day and get a "D". The teacher was harsh, if she knew my handicap. And I admitted to the teacher that I didn't draw it.

Shandy drew this. Using the computer. And the pen tablet I gave her.

My 10 year old sister is an exact opposite of my artistic incapability. She can really draw. I can't draw a proper circle on paper. She masters at shading using whatever application she's using in the computer.

In short, I suck at drawing.

ps/ btw, I got a "D" for handing in the homework late. lol

Laugh with me. And let the past dissolve into mere past events that made us better people.

2010-09-09T15:18:00.002+08:00

Why do people don't get tired of getting mad at each other or staying mad or worst... holding grudges at each other?

Well, I'm tired.

I'm exhausted of keeping the hatred and bitterness that so far... is only holding me/ us back from anything good. Like being happy with the people you love and care about.

So hear me, I forgive you (friends and family). I have long forgiven you.

& they say that you can't be mad when you're laughing. So, I'm posting these just for you (especially those who were/are mad at me):

Ctrl Z, anyone?

Bila saya nda paham nenek saya cakap dusun...

Let's not go to the zoo.

Oh well.

LOL!

And last but not least,

Tell them before it's too late. But minus the hitting and slapping. ^_^

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin.

I am not mad.

2010-08-23T16:56:00.001+08:00

I've not been blogging a lot lately. My teaching periods have increased... bla bla bla... I'm complaining again, huh? And making up more and more excuses. I guess I have picked up the excuse-making-habits from my students.

Guess I've been taking life a bit too seriously these days.

(And besides that, I've perfected the art of nagging. Thanks to the students who are the prefect subjects of my nagging. And please, God forbid, palis-palis, I do not want to become a mommy who nags.)

(WHY AM I TYPING IN BRACKETS?) Entahlah.

That's why I need a break:

I just love them.

ps/ Life is wonderful these days. I just have to get rid of the nagging and my split ends (my hair).

Happy Ramadhan

2010-08-12T15:16:00.000+08:00

This will be my first raya as a wife. There are yet still lots to learn. And I am opening my heart and soul to the learning process. Happy fasting to all my Muslim friends and relatives!

Mo kurik otak budak2 skrang. Entah apa di dalam.

2010-07-23T16:17:00.000+08:00

Kemarin ada drama pendek berlaku di kelas.

I was in class. Writing exercises on the board for the students to copy.

I was interrupted by a loud thud near the door. Secara otomatiknya saya terus berpaling at the source of the commotion.

A pile of books bertaburan on the students' desks sitting nearest to the classroom door. And at the same moment, I had a glimpse of the 'criminals'.

They are students in the class next door-- that I happen to teach.

The whole class looked at me waiting for my reaction. I simply said,

"Whatever that's about, mind your manners." And continued writing on the board.

I thought that was the end of it. Tapi tiba-tiba ada knock on the door and...

"Cikgu... kami minta maaf cikgu. Yang tadi tu kami tidak sengaja... Kami marah sama cikgu X ba..."
said the representative @ ketua kumpulan.

Apa peranan ahli kumpulan yang lain?

Buat muka sedih. And cry crocodile tears.

Punyalah!

Reaksi cikgu: I just shrugged. I couldn't care less for bad mannered students (who can't even fake an apology properly).

Kalo mo buat drama/ minta puji pigi tempat lain. Memang ada masalah.

Cupcakes, etc.

2010-07-20T12:53:00.000+08:00

Honestly. I REALLY wanna barf at the thoughts of cupcakes right now. Totally not in the mood to talk about anything creamy.

Ugh.

Oh. No.

*BARF*

I'll upload the pics at the end of the post. *barf*

OMIGOD. This is bad.

I was part of the 5000 cupcakes in 48 hours Boutique Cupcakes team which started at 9am-9pm last Friday and continued the next day. It was fun but really exhausting!

And no, it's not any business I'm starting. Just getting some experience out of it.

But Mom had the best theory for the 5000 cupcakes thingy:
During the 5000 cupcake mission, I updated my status regularly -- mostly about the progress the team was doing. Something like,

‎3000+/- cupcakes to go!

Baking Day 2! Semangat!

Mom received my daily facebook updates via mobile phone. So, I called her up one day (after the cupcake missions), she was like,

"Apa bah tu cupcakes ko tu? Game ka tu?" and I said in between laughters,

"Betul2 baitu! Sa bukan mcm virtual farming."

Mom was an avid virtual farmer in the infamously Facebook game Farmville. I guess my status updates sounded game-like to her. LOL.

Anyhow, here are the pics.

*barf*

To read more about the mission, check out Boutique Cupcakes.

ps/ too much cupcakes for the year *barf*

Sometimes life makes me wish I was an amoeba.

2010-07-01T15:25:00.004+08:00

It has been hectic since May. Hectic but awesome. *grin*

These days I'm thinking why am I not getting important things done? Seems like 24 hours a day isn't enough. Piles of unfinished, untouched school work. Lots of packing to do at home.Ugh. I guess I'm pathetic at prioritizing and can't help but procrastinate. I'M SCREAMING IN BOLD LETTERS TO MYSELF: FIGURE THIS OUT ASAP!!!

I have a feeling this July will be gone in a blink of an eye. If I'm in a movie and you are watching me now, press the slow mo button, purrrleasse?

ps/ This weekend's plan -- hubby and I are moving into an apartment somewhere in Sepangar. I'm excited to finally have a place of our own but yeah, another busy weekend.

Featured Photographer: Pye FS

2010-05-13T21:28:00.006+08:00

If I could fall in love with a picture, it would definitely be this photo taken by Pye FS.

Taken at the spur of the moment,
I can create dozens of stories behind this single photo.

This is life imitating art for you!

in facebook Pye describes himself ---

i am pye fs. pye is my nickname, while 'FS' is the short form of my real name :)

i'm a passionate, self-taught photography enthusiast.

i'm a musician.

i'm ordinary & low profile.

Well, I find nothing ordinary in his photos.

Loving Pye's 'special eye' on life, Pye is officially my wedding photographer.

Yiiihaa! ^^V

because i am awesome?

2010-05-06T13:11:00.002+08:00

ding dong!

calling all awesome people...

let's read!!

^^V

April Closure

2010-04-30T15:54:00.003+08:00

April was a roller coaster ride.

But what doesn't kill you,

only

makes

you

stronger.

anak-anak didik sekarang

2010-03-19T08:08:00.003+08:00

This is the reason why teachers get longer holidays than most professions.

& mind you that doesn't make the job of a teacher a luxury.

If you're not in the teaching profession, it is best that you keep your mouth shut as if you know what's it like (oh macam saya marah la pla kan.. tidak lah... hehe).

Cause you can't imagine what teachers go through day in and day out. We are in dire danger of going mental if not, thank God, for the long holidays (which sometimes can be taken away-- on call. Jangan kau macam kerja doktor juga.)

Mari kita lihat...

If you wanna learn, ask questions...

Teacher --- So why do we put the article "a" instead of "an"? Because of blah... blah.. blah....

(abis sudah air liur sa)

If you have any questions on this, please ask now...

Student--- Cikgu, pukul berapa rehat?**

**nda bikin panas ka tu?

Greet your teacher with respect...

It's Tuesday. Baju korporat day. So, I can wear slacks. Yay!

So I enter the class...

Student--- Cikgu, seksi oh!

Teacher--- (facepalm)

Always seek your teachers for help...

One student (kici-kici, tudung ada miring2 skit, student form 1 kan) came running towards me.

Student--- Cikgu... c anu bin c anu ijik nama bapa saya...

Teacher--- Err..... mmm... bah... nanti kita fikir macam mana...
(blank. berabis recall balik mcmna cigu sy dulu2 handle ni perkara.. memory fail!)

Get to know your teachers...

In the teachers' room...

Students--- Cikgu... mana tu kunci bilik recording? <-bingung2 budak form 1

Teacher--- Bilik siaraya?

Students--- Oh iya... Teacher--- Bukan cikgu yang simpan tu.. Kenapa tanya cikgu?

Students--- Sebab cikgu saja yang kami kenal.**

**Doi sian....hehe

***********

Okey. Setakat ini saja.

Selamat bercuti, cikgu-cikgu semua.

Raja Lawak

2010-03-09T01:29:00.002+08:00

ps/ i personally thought that Alex was funny in the finals.

Modern Family punya kes

2010-03-08T23:59:00.005+08:00

Part 1

Little Sister -- Ko pernah kasi patah papan ka?

Big Sister -- Kenapa?

Little Sister -- Pernah ka tidak?

Big Sister -- Pernah bah.

Little Sister -- Yang bila tu?

Big Sister -- Yang duuuuuuuuuuulu. Time sy taekwondo lagi...

Little Sister -- Sekarang?

Big Sister -- Nda tau la tu...

Little Sister -- Kuat juga.

Big Sister -- Ko ingat?

Little Sister -- Patut pun n*n*n ko kici.

(laughter di belakang cerita)

Part 2

Big Sister -- Ko tia pcaya saya kasi patah papan?

Little Sister -- Butul ka tu?

Big Sister -- Betul la ba...

Little Sister -- Macam mana ko buat tu?

Big Sister -- Pakai kaki.

Little Sister -- Kuat juga ko. Kenapa ko dapat?

Big Sister -- Sebab n*n*n saya kici kan.

(laughter di belakang cerita)

ps/ this is stupid.

Memories

2010-03-07T12:24:00.003+08:00

siap sedia

2010-02-24T17:26:00.004+08:00

Dazeree shouts to life,

"BRING IT ON!"

i have a thing for memo pads.

2010-02-23T07:53:00.002+08:00

But this is just too cute!

i change my mind.

2010-02-23T07:36:00.002+08:00

prince charming?

2010-02-22T19:43:00.006+08:00

Part of the joy of being a teacher is you encounter real life bone ticklers that make your day.

Well this particular one, left me smiling amused and while at it got me thinking:

who I am - my personal beliefs as an individual,
what is it that I'm unconsciously or in-explicitly teaching my students, and
the ideal teacher that I envision to be versus the teacher I am becoming to be.

The lesson was on adjectives which is followed by the usual grammar exercises. The exercise asked the students to fill in the blanks with suitable adjectives in the sentences given.
Now, help me classify these types of answers (student's answers in bold):

Student A

The charming prince rode on a white horse.

Category: fairytale? <- untuk tontonan Umum

Student B - This is exactly what Student B did:

The ~~sweet~~ hot prince rode on a funny horse.

Category: romantic comedy? <- PG13 I ticked correct to both students' answers. Well, the exercise did say 'suitable adjectives'. And if you ask me, I'd love to watch a ~~sweet~~ hot prince (wow) riding on a funny horse. Imagination running wild. LOL.

Now, let's check out another one...

Student C

Zoom in to the comments I wrote to my student's answers.

Ok lah. Jawapan 'colourful witch' boleh dipertikaikan.

But 'beautiful witch' is considered a suitable answer.

My point is...

I stereotype!

In my subconscious mind:
Witches are evil, ugly and full of warts and all.
Princes and princesses are charming, handsome, and young.

By leaving that comment on my student's work proved that, that is just what I intend to pass on to students that everything good is beautiful and everything bad is ugly.

Simple black and white stereotyping. When in real life, good looks can be as deceiving.

I personally believe that people should not stereotype cause it's simply unfair. Here I am, re-evaluating my own values and most importantly the attitudes and decisions I portray to the world --the students, especially.

ps/ I respect individualism.

But it feels like yesterday.

2010-02-21T23:10:00.005+08:00

I think I still keep a few cassettes somewhere in my treasure-box where I keep old Christmas cards, letters from old friends and ex-boyfriends (wow), pins yang sudah betagar - oh well, i'm a pack rat, and other antiques mostly from my high school years.

We... I mean, I used to have a lot of patience. These days, everything must be fast-paced. One or two click should get you wherever you want to go. Time dulu-dulu kan... Haha! I feel old cakap begini. For instance lah kan, time lagu-lagu semua masih lagi dalam cassette, if you want to listen to track 3 you'll have to push the forward button on your cassette player and then, main agak-agak bila time to stop yang ngam-ngam lagu yang ko mo dengar. Kadang-kadang telimpas lagi tu lagu yang ko mo dengar, tepaksa rewind lagi.

Telebih. Forward lagi.

Telimpas. Rewind lagi.

Telebih. Forward lagi.

Telimpas. Rewind lagi.

I think you get the idea, kan?

So, bila fikir-fikir, panjang sungguh kesabaran kita dulu-dulu. But now, if your ipod/ laptop/ mobile phone/ any other time-saving-gadget refuses to respond to you in less than a millisecond, keluar sudah bahang-bahang dari hidung.

In a nutshell,

Macam nda betul ni graf. Oh well.

Have a great 4-day working day
for Thursday is the new Friday
this week!

ps/ pardon my language. malas lah i.