flabbergasted.

worlds have a funny tendency to collide when you least expect them to.

this weekend was definite proof that this world isn't as big as it appears to be... in more ways than one.

:o)

stella's got a new groove

after growing my hair to the ends of the earth over past 9 months or so; and having been used to wearing the same pair of glasses for the past couple of years, i decided that it was finally time for a little upgrade.

so after a few quick 2-inch snips off my hair by my new-found friend and hair-god, pasquale; and a mix and mingle of #32 egyptian plum into my once-again-healthy coiffe, i can once again hold my head up high without feeling like my scalp is about to rip off from carrying so much baggage. and with the new frames to complete the package, i once again feel absolutely wonderful, which is definitely something that's been long overdue. :oP


re-vamped: 2 inches off, and new frames - WOOT!

first week in, and things are good... smelly, but good.

so, i'm sitting with my group of regular thursday students at work today; particularly having a slightly difficult time trying to get 6-year-and-soon-to-be-7-year-old justin to simmer down and focus on his sentence writing, and not on his masterful skills of continuously poking his pencil ends into his eraser. i was then interrupted by a slight tug on the arm, gestured by 6-year-old adriana, who wanted some help on her french numbers. all of a sudden, my nose started to pick up a recognizably malodorous stench in the air that seemed to be coming from north of where i was sitting.

... justin had farted.

as the scent lingered in the air, it eventually managed to circulate around the study area and eventually reached everyone else in the room, evident by the wonderous array of confused/disgusted sniffs and pre-pubescent giggles that shortly followed. but little justin, who was completely oblivious to all the commotion, remained calm and undisturbed; and quietly resumed to contentedly poking his pencil ends into his eraser once again.

and all i could do was just smile. :o)

just when i thought i was in the clear

from an earlier conversation on msn...

ate bheng: so, can i show you some pictures?
me: sure. what are they of?
ate bheng: my nephews. i want to introduce you to them. two are 24, and have just finished univeristy; one is 26 and already a professional.
me: oh, that's nice. where are they now?
ate bheng: in the philippines. i saw them while i was there. i want you to decide after you see their pictures.
me: decide on...?
ate bheng: which one you want.
me: what?
ate bheng: they're looking for nice girls to be introduced to right now, so i want you to pick who you like.
me: er.
ate bheng: i'm just joking :o)
me: are you really?
ate bheng: well, no.

... yeesh.

happy september!

2 (almost 3) days into the month - sorry there, september. i almost didn't see you there :oP

once again my schedule is packed with enough healthy craziness to keep me on my toes. and as september gradually unveils a new season, my body welcomes autumn by inviting the cold virus over for a germ-party in its honour and wastes no time in doing the mexican hat dance on my immune system. yep, i'm sick to the point where i'm now on my third box of kleenex and have officially lost my ability to breathe out of both nostrils... ugh.

however, i take partial blame for not taking better care of myself over this past week. spending the past couple of days with 21 overly-energetic girls under the age of 15 on an overnight retreat at the j-sisters' pad in brampton gave way to a number of sleepless nights, various messes and concoctions made in the kitchen, lots of high-pitched screams and giggles, various sing-alongs to avril lavigne and the bangles, a late-night sugar spree with hot chocolate and timbits, few (read: a lot of) reminders that it's not nice to run in the house; and of course, a beautiful array of good times. thankfully, the girls were well-behaved and didn't completely tear up the place, even though the sugar high didn't subside until 4am... :oP


ggn 2005 (thanks for the pic, jasiel!)

our theme this year was "the beauty within", and it was such a blessing how much these kids wanted to participate and learn. what really surprised me was how much they were into the message, profusely writing down notes and freely asking questions, hanging on every word that exited my lips. i was actually pretty taken back at the amount of discussion we had, and at the same time saddened at how most of these girls, especially at such young ages, already had huge insecurities about themselves... and yet, they were still willing to be completely open about them. i guess insecurity doesn't really depend much on an age requirement... perhaps even more so if you're a girl. but what really gave me warm fuzzies was how most of the girls showed so much genuine appreciation for the topic and left the place inspired with an evident sense of hope and feeling a little better about themselves... *sigh* what an amazing feeling to know that you've touched the life of at least one person... to say the least, my heart overflowed.

'twas an amazing 2 days. a lot was said, much was learned, few tears were shed, and all were praised for - enough for me to see that all our blood, sweat, and sacrifice of sleep were definitely all worth it in the end.

He is good, indeed.

here's to a great beginning to a new month...