Benjamin's Fish Tank

Thoughts from a third party...

2007-05-30T10:18:00.000+08:00

This morning, a friend said to me that a man also contributed equally into a relationship or in some cases maybe even more than a woman.

Well, I agree.

But the thing that struck me is why did he say that? Is he speaking from experience? If he is, what actually did he go through?

Think at this moment, he is still not ready to share. Or maybe he is not comfortable in sharing this part of his history with a mere colleague of less than a year.

I pray that God will hear his prayers and heal him. I pray that God will heal both both his physical and emotional spirit.

Concern? ... Or is it something else?

2007-05-22T23:08:00.000+08:00

Sometimes when you need someone to shower care and concern to you, you will never get it. But when you don't need it at all, you got people so interest in you! Hahaha...

Sometimes I also wonder when people show concern, are they really showing concern as they are really concerned or they do it as it is a duty to do so. This type of feeling is unusually strong when you realise that people suddenly asking whether you are ok, when they knew about the problem in the first place or when there are signs of depression but they do not ask.

Haha... personal view!

Why can't these people listen!?!?

2007-05-22T22:47:00.000+08:00

Yesterday a parent called the school and ask why is his child having a CCA meeting at 7pm! Is the person in the right frame of mind? Will a teacher call for a meeting outside school at 7pm to discuss about CCA matters with students? Well I don't know whether such teacher(s) exist. One thing for sure is I WILL NOT DO THAT!

One - I got a life. Work is not my everything!

Two - I am a sensible adult who will not call for a meeting at 7pm with students outside school! Knowing that I will get into "trouble" by meeting students at that time and place, will I still insist on doing it?

Three - Why should I meet them outside where I could do it in the afternoon and in SCHOOL?

Well, from what I know. It is the volunteers who called for it! This is not the first time that they are doing it. AND it is not the first time that we tell them not to do it. Why are they still doing it?!? Why are they so stubborn?!?! Why do they want to get me into trouble?!?

This is only one of the things in life that you can never control...

For you or against you?

2007-05-22T22:29:00.000+08:00

You will never know whether one is for you or against you until something happen to you because of that person. However, I trust that God is for you and never against you.

But wait a minute! Er... when I am writing the above, the following made me stop and ponder for a while.

Do I really trust that in my heart? Or am I only trusting Him in my speech and writing?

No one can discern that! Only Him! Is that why there are times that I am not sure of that as well? Haha... what an irony?

Dream

2007-04-22T19:22:00.000+08:00

Last night, I dreamt. I dreamt that Lionel and Teresa had a child, and I was playing with their boy!

Chain of Leadership

2007-04-22T09:42:00.000+08:00

Good leaders foster good leadership at other levels. Leadership at other levels produces a steady stream of future leaders for the system as a whole.

- Michael Fullan

Gender's View of Promotion

2007-04-21T10:42:00.000+08:00

"Lack of promotion probably means something different for women than men."

Any thoughts from any one?

Leadership Feedback

2007-04-21T10:29:00.000+08:00

".... upper echelons of an organisation limits managers' access to negative leadership feedback, and even limits their openness to receiving it."

Agree?

Scream

2007-03-27T15:25:00.000+08:00

I want to scream!!!

I am Crying!!!

Crying from the heart!!!

Does anyone know what's that suppose to mean?

Coincidental excuse??

2006-12-21T12:43:00.000+08:00

This morning, I slipped out for a morning exercise after seeing that the rain had stopped. After warming up and half an hour into it, I began to feel lazy and wanted to stop and go home. However, my fat physical body is ruling over my mind. That is to say my physical body wanted to go on but my mind wanted to go home. Then at this moment, it started to rain lightly. Hahaha... I thought God must have heard me and given me "an excuse" to go home. For those who have yet to know God, you might think that it is only coincidental that it began to rain then. Whether it was God's love or coincidental, I still went home. Hahaha... To me, it is always God's love but never coincidental.

Dreams

2006-12-20T12:37:00.000+08:00

This morning I had a bad dream. I dreamt about my form class kids becoming more and more attitude. They are behaving very badly. In Jesus name, I rebuke this dream. I really hope that they will remain pure, innocent and grow into more responsible citizen of the world and, of course, in God's kingdom as well.

School Leadership

2006-12-19T08:54:00.000+08:00

This is another one.

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In this short written dissertation, I would like to focus on the relationship between principal, in effect the leader of the school, and teachers. I will not take into consideration of the physical environment, and the demographic of both the students and the community.

Personally, I feel that school leadership is about fostering a safe learning environment for the students and a conclusive working environment for teachers. The only person that is able to revolutionise this will be the principal. The principal set the tone for the school. The principal is the instructional leader of the school.

Often, relationship is used as a vehicle to bring about changes. To strengthen the relationship between the principal and teachers, principal should first and foremost recognise the value of people. They should value teachers as individuals and not collectively. They should also realise the challenging and diverse demands of the job, and support teachers with facilities and resources needed to do their job effectively. Sometimes, being visible present throughout the school, without judgement, is also about being supportive of teachers. Principal could also arrange teachers to observe each others’ lesson to gain new strategies.

Principals should make an effort to have daily interpersonal interactions with teachers. More often than not, it is that small little concern that principals shower over the teachers that improve the relationship between them. In other words, the principal should attend to the fundamental components that are inherent in a quality relationship. The principal is also responsible for creating a collaborative, open, friendly, mutually respectful and supportive climate. This social environment will clearly make a difference in creating a trusting atmosphere.

With such an environment, principal are able to provide continual feedback to the teachers without them fearing of being label incompetent. Opportunities for teachers to develop professionally could also be created, whether it is in-house or off school. Collaborative work between teachers can also be arranged easily so as to improve teachers’ social and leadership skills.

This supportive and trusting relationship between the principal and teachers has a rippling effect on the students. As teachers begin to feel better about themselves, they are more effectively in class.

In wrapping up, teachers’ quality of work life is largely determined by the leadership style adopted by the principal.

School Vision

2006-12-19T08:44:00.000+08:00

The following is an assignment I did.

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For a driver to get from one location to another, driving directions are needed. Similarly, for a school to initiate change in order to move forward, some sorts of directions are needed. And this form of direction is what I will call the ‘school vision’. School vision should essentially be the focus of school leadership. A vision expresses the values and beliefs that educators (in that particular school) have for their students, themselves and the community at large, taking into consideration of its own demographics.

The school vision provided the school a platform for it to have a shared purpose and a clear laser-like focused on student teaching and learning. Besides identifying direction and purpose, the existence of a vision will also provides continuity and avoids the falter effect of planning fits and starts. This will greatly increase the efficacy, efficiency and productivity of the school.

Another ripple effect of this clear sense of direction is that school is able to priories their resources. The school will know exactly how much funding should be allocated to programs that have learning objectives tuning towards the school vision. This will enable to keep the school and the improvement efforts of its staff and students on task.

A school’s vision needs to be generated, owned and supported by the whole school community including the pupils, parents and the local community. In other words, there is not a signature attached to the vision. The vision belongs to everyone in the school. However, before this could happen, two things would have to come first. One, the school vision is the result of an authentic exchange of views among all the parties involved (principals, teachers and stakeholders). Two, in order to enable the vision to be visible to everyone in the school, school leaders have to communicate and express (in the form of both speech and behaviour) the vision regularly and consistently.

In conclusion, I would like to draw an analogy. Having a school vision is like an athlete competing. Athletes compete with a clear objective in mind, that is, the aspiration to win. However, often, winning comes after hard work, sacrifices and commitment. Or worse, even after all these, winning never come. But with winning, it also brings sweetness and satisfaction.

In the same way, commitment to the vision only comes after conviction of the vision. And conviction of the vision only comes after painfully talking and walking the vision. Celebration will only come after a long period of commitment, conviction and talking the vision. However, there are also times that celebration seems to be far fetch.

The following is a model which I drew in view of what I had written above.

Cool 3D Website Part 2

2006-11-21T11:03:00.001+08:00

Another 2 to the collection.

http://www.cgsociety.org
http://www.archeidos.com/index.php?section=gallery.php

Cool 3D Website

2006-11-21T10:04:00.000+08:00

Someone told me about this website where it has a lot of high quality 3D images. Check it out!!!

http://www.3dtotal.com

Some of the pictures...

Accusation

2006-11-19T18:47:00.000+08:00

This morning...

B: Is XXX going for baptism?
G: No. But you still have to go to East Coast Park.
(Turn over and talk to her husband.)
G: Your mentor said so.

My question: Did B mention that he is not going to East Coast Park?

G based her replies on what happened in the past and assumed that when B asked that question B was referring to that he could absent himself from the event.

Morale of story: Perception stays with a person regardless of good or bad. It is better not to make mistake in this world. This world is unforgiving towards wrongful acts.

Rise to the Occasion

2006-11-16T21:01:00.000+08:00

I received a message on my handphone this morning, and the message went, “Good Morning! I am now in a mist of a lecture given by my students in NTU. It is boring!”

The message was from a fellow teacher from a very good school. It made me think whether I should reply, “Oh yeah! They can be boring!” or “Be thankful that you are there and not in school.” However, I replied “Oh. Enjoy! Hahaha… Not many teachers have the privilege to listen to their students attached to some researchers. Take pride in your privilege! Hahaha…”

You see. I am in a typical neighbourhood school. Most of the time, my students are not able to express themselves eloquently and politely. The majority of them have problem coping with their own curriculum, not to mention anything extra. At the end of the day, I am really very thankful if they could do well for their exams. It is not that I am looking down on my students but I feel that we should strive to believe and support our students regardless of what they are and take pride that we are able to be there to witness it.

On closing note, I really hope that one day my students are able to rise up to the occasion wherever they are and be thankful for the teaching and support given to them.

Learning Process

2006-11-16T21:00:00.000+08:00

My feel of most of the students in this modern and fast paced society is that they are not interested in the process anymore. They are what I called instant noodles generation. They want almost everything instantly. They are also interested in the results but not the process of getting the results. If they are not able to get the results they wanted, they will not be bothered in finding out what went wrong. Instead, more often than not, they just give up.

Similarly, when you want to eat a packet/ bowl/ cup of instant noodle, you are not interested in whether the hot water comes from the dispenser, water cooler or own boiled water, you are just interested in getting the noodle cooked. Normally you are not bothered with also the taste of the noodles but only getting your hungry stomach filled.

Am I correct to say that? Or am I justified saying that? I do not know. I only know that kids nowadays are very much different from my times. This can be a good thing as if we are the same is the nation progressing? A food for thought.

Studies part or soul of students' life?

2006-11-16T20:56:00.000+08:00

"Studies used to be our body, soul and life when we are young; it used to be the only thing in our life. However, now studies is only part of the students' life."

Do you have any thoughts after reading the above statement?

This statement came from a colleague of mine when we are having a chat. Personally, I agree with this statement to a certain extend. Thinking aloud, you might already begin to wonder why do I only agree to a certain extend. The main factor that attribute to that will be the fact that some students do have to worry about putting bread and butter on the table though they are not the majority. To this group of students, can we blame them that studies is not their body, soul and life?

To those whom do not have to do that (putting food on the table), studies still might not be their highest priority and biggest concern. Having fun and freedom could be their main agent for them to move their body and mind. Studying can almost never be associated with an element of fun and freedom. Shopping, catching a movie, playing computer games, or just hanging out with their friends could also be fun.

To me, yes! Studying can be boring but I am quite sure that there are ways to make it interesting. Although I really do not know how at this moment, I am almost 100% sure that it can be. So to this, I just have to keep searching and seeking for one or two or even more.

Dreams

2006-04-27T05:50:00.000+08:00

Today I had dreamed about two things. One, I dreamed that Ivy is going to fail her practicum. In Jesus's name, I rebuked it. The other is that I will be posted back to my contract school. We shall see what happen next.

Threaten

2006-04-11T16:52:00.000+08:00

I was make to feel threaten by 2 people today!!!

Thoughts after 2 periods of relief...

2006-03-31T17:11:00.000+08:00

It is amazing that despite the difference in race, language, learning style and habits, students in the same class can live through them in harmony. Is it the basis for our multi-racial society? Have one ever wonder how is it possible for oneself to live in harmony with others?

Well, two guess. One, all of us is born with this special gift to tolerate and accept the differences. Two, maybe we learn this while we are growing up. However, regardless of which, I think it is the final destination and of course the process of getting there that are more important.

So what are your dreams? My dream is simple. It is just to make sure that my life is not wasted. But what does the word “wasted” mean? It can have different meaning to different people. I think it voices down to what you want in life, and what you want to achieve in life. We grow everyday, we change everyday. People always say “change is the only constant in life”. Yes I agree, but I think it’s how you want it to be changed that’s more important.

Learning Points (Day 1 of TP)

2006-02-20T21:07:00.000+08:00

There are a few things that I noticed today, and they can be summarised as follow:

(1) Another way of marking attendance could be calling out the register no. and getting them to response with their name.

Reflection: Hmm... Is this way reliable? What if a student could call out another person's name? To put this on check, is the teacher able to recognize the difference in their voice and pitch?

(2) Be flexible in the teaching approach and ways of interacting with the kids.

Reflection: I also believe that we should be flexible not only in dealing with people but also the approach in reaching out to them.

(3) Give the students a time frame of their work.

(4) The design process is taught together with the making processes at lower secondary level.

Reflection: I think this is a good approach rather than doing one after the other. I thought this might give the students a glimpse of what they are going to do if they choose to do D & T at upper secondary. This approach also give them a complete feeling of D & T, rather than just doing a project.

(5) Do not pin-point any students. We should learn to forgive and forget.

Reflection: I think not only with students should we do that, but to anyone who harm us in one or other way.

(6) Do not shout at them, just wait.

Long awaited post...

2006-02-20T20:41:00.000+08:00

Wah, the last post was posted last sept. Hmm... That means that it has been almost 5 months that this tank had not have any fishy acivity. Hahaha... Well, today is the first day of my teaching practice. I was posted to this XXX Secondary, and this school provided me with an eventful day.

First Culture Shock
They dun sing the Naional Anthem!!! I can only hear myself singing with the music playing in the background. It was like they are observing a minute of silence, mourning the death of someone important. And you know what!?! The students need someone to lead them in saying the pledge as well!! Sigh, I was thinking to myself, 'they had been doing that for at least the past 6 years of their life and they still need someone to recite line by line for them???'

Second Culture Shock
All staff toilets are locked. Going to them require one to get the keys to unlock them. What's the reason behind this? I also dun know. And I have yet to find out!!!

Third Culture Shock
This one not really a culture shock but a pleasing surprise!! I saw two of my secondary schoolmates!!! How nice to be able to see after so long... Ops, did I say long? Actually, I am still very young lah... ok?

Finally...

2005-09-15T22:07:00.000+08:00

Today 15 September marks the second last day of my term break. Oh no forgot! It's not a term break. It's a Reading Week. And YES! I literally spent the whole week searching and reading material to do my Psychology Term Paper. Finally got it done this early afternoon! Hurray!!! Let's Celebrate!!! Hahaha... Well after slogging for the whole week, I am thinking where should I go this year end. Some friends suggested Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bangkok... I am thinking maybe I should go backpacking in Australia. So spent the whole lazy and slow (time passed faster when I was doing the assignment) afternoon surfing the net to see which part of Australia should I go. Anyone interested to join me or suggest where should I go? Please drop me a mail!!

And finally I got the chance to pick up my FICTION book to read leisurely now!!! Hahaha...

(the picture is taken with my handphone when I was getting too bored doing the assignment)

Focus of Life

2005-09-07T18:24:00.000+08:00

Matt 24-34 (NIV)

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

After reading the above, what are your thoughts? Recently, I am very busy with my school work. There are two presentations this week.And there are tons of homework to be done. There is one term paper due next week. I am tired, worn-out and "dried". Then a few days ago, I was listening to one of Paster Benny Ho's CD series on Discipline (courtesy of a few good people), the above passage was being preached. Then I began to wonder whether I had been too busy to "miss" out the good things in life. One of which, the nature! One of God's most wonderful and beautiful creations. Of course beside being magnificent, they serve to remind us of always putting Chirst first. Nothing should come before Him. For the passed week, the focus seems to have swayed. And I pray, right now, that all man and woman of faith (inclusive of myself will always keep Matt 6:33-35 close to their heart. Amen.

A Monday Morning

2005-08-29T20:54:00.000+08:00

This is the place where I wait for one good man to give me a lift to NIE [he's not the only good (wo)man around!]. Took this picture while waiting and obviously there's nothing much for me to do except waiting. Maybe there is!!! Staring into empty spaces. Hahaha... :-p I must explain that I was early before you all start thinking that the Good Man is late. Anyone would want to guess where is this place? You can send me the answer if you do BUT there's no prize!!! Hahaha... :-o

A Typical Day at the Dental Clinic

2005-08-27T20:45:00.000+08:00

Today is yet another day at the dental clinic. I have always been scare of going to a dentist!!! Whenever he is "doing" stuff to my teeth, it's SCARY!!! It probably because one can never be sure what's he doing. Or should I say not knowing what to expect?? No sense of security???? Hahaha...

Bullying (Name Calling)

2005-07-08T05:22:00.000+08:00

According to Dictionary.com, "bullying" is "To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner" and "overbearing" is "Overwhelming in power or significance". Given such a definition, is name calling considered an act of bullying?

The name "invented" will stay with the person (victim) for as long as the "fun" of such name calling activity stay in others' memories. Is this fair to the victim? Is this being respectful to the victim? Has it ever occur to the "predator(s)" how much emotional hurt and damage will such an activity caused to the victim? I seriouly hope that those guilty of such act(s) will reflect on their own behaviour and think in others shoe. Be responsible for your own act and apologise if there's a need to.

Even though name calling is sometimes labelled as an act of amusement or just for laughter, when it's becoming too "over" then it will not be just for fun. And this thin line of between "fun" and "victimise" is offen difficult to gauge. As such, I appeal to all those out there. Be sensitive to others!! And predator(s), discretion can never be found in such an act. PLEASE BEAR THAT IN MIND.

2005-07-07T06:45:00.000+08:00

some of the STARS iv

2005-07-07T06:18:00.000+08:00

some of the STARS iii

2005-07-07T06:14:00.000+08:00

some of the STARS ii

2005-07-07T06:13:00.000+08:00

some of the STARS i

2005-07-07T06:08:00.000+08:00

see how shy the guys can be!!?!?!

2005-07-07T06:07:00.000+08:00

with CURRENT form teachers

2005-07-07T05:34:00.000+08:00

My ex-form Class 1E2

O Lord

2005-07-04T07:18:00.000+08:00

O Lord O Lord

With desperation, I cried for You
With loneliness, I cried for You

O Lord O Lord

Please fill me with Your LOVE
Please fill me with Your STRENGTH
Please fill me with Your FAITH
Fill me, Fill me

O Lord O Lord

Please let me know that You are always there when everyone deserted me
Please let me know that You are always there when nobody love me
Please let me know that You are always there when I needed you most

O Lord O Lord

Forgive me of all my sins
Draw me near to You
I want to walk with You

O Lord O Lord

Please don't leave me alone
Please hear my cry for You

The Rain

2005-06-24T06:12:00.000+08:00

I got this through my email and find it meaningful.

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One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my daughter, Aspen, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something."

This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear. "What are you thinking?" I asked.

"The rain!;" she began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."

After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That's really good, Aspen."

Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked. "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"

Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer:"We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."

I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.

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Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

In order to see the Rainbow, you must first endure some Rain.

19 June 2005

2005-06-19T22:49:00.000+08:00

Today (19 June 2005) marks the last day of me being a Contract Teacher in Coral Secondary School. It was quite an experience for me for the past 9 months that I were in this school and it's also an unforgettable one. Colleagues are supportive, friendly and helpful.

With the ending of this short life chapter,I would like to take
this opportunity to thank everyone in Coral Secondary, from the top of the command chain (Principal) right to the bottom (the cleaners) for your guidance, concerns, support and lastly friendship. Not forgetting the students of course. Thank you for the wonderful time in Coral.

2005-06-02T22:39:00.000+08:00

Nice?!?!? Anyone out there collect these "things" also?
Posted by Benjamin

2005-06-02T22:33:00.001+08:00

My NCC Boys (Part 2)
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T22:33:00.000+08:00

My NCC Boys (Part 1)
Posted by Hello

Thank You

2005-06-02T22:28:00.000+08:00

As a Contract Teacher, these students had and will continue to make my life meaningful and fulfilling. Just would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of them! (How is this piece of work? I did it!)
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T22:08:00.000+08:00

OnE of my CutIEST StudeNTs
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T22:04:00.000+08:00

one of my CRAZIEST students!!!!
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T21:58:00.000+08:00

wow... HoW HardWOrkINg thEY ARe!!!
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T21:55:00.000+08:00

aNOther TEAchER @ work!! sPOt Him...
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T21:54:00.000+08:00

HiS DraWINg NIce???
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T21:52:00.001+08:00

See!!! HoW HardWorKing ThEY ArE!!
Posted by Hello

2005-06-02T21:52:00.000+08:00

HaRd @ WOrk?!?!?
Posted by Hello

Holidays

2005-06-02T21:16:00.000+08:00

This week is the start of school holidays!! Hurray!! Finally got some time to breath!! Finally got a chance to catch up on things that are important beside work!!! hahaha.... Like some friends (who are teachers) are preparing for their wedding this YEAR END or even IN LATE JUNE!!! hahaha...

Any teacher(s) out there that share the same sentiment??? hahaha...

School holidays are not always holidays for both students and teachers. Like my students who are taking 'O' Level D&T. They need to complete their course work during this holiday as once the school re-open, they would not have time to do such massive course work... Lucky for me, these students know the importance of this course work and they diligently come to school almost everyday from 9 to 5 to do their work. Having such sensible students really made sacrificing precious time for them worthwhile. And hopefully they are able to do very well for this subject as I can see that they really love this subject!!!

2005-05-16T06:23:00.000+08:00

-@# ME #@-

2005-05-16T05:58:00.000+08:00

hahaha... this is my first attempt at blogging!! what should i write? maybe just something about myself... i am Responsible, Hardworking, Caring, Independent, Organised, Neat, Friendly. Sometimes a leader sometimes a follower; i.e. sometimes have own ideas, sometimes just follow instructions. In need of a spiritual world... hahaha... that's quite a list!! and why am I writing all that? am i looking for the perfect girl??? or is there such thing as perfect girl?? anyone out there can tell me?? hahaha... :-)

yes, it's mon morning.
yes, i just got out of bed.
yes i'm still in that blur blur state.
yes, today has to go to work.
and yes, it's time for me to get ready for work!!!