HCFoo's Blogyard

I have been busy throughout the week and couldn't wait to sit down and type something about the American Idol. I was never impressed with the audition part (I find it utterly annoying). What I have been waiting all this while is to listen to the real talents.

From the beginning, all I want to see is Lisa Tucker and Ace Young. Man, they have the face of a star and they can sing really well! Both of them did really well this week. I am really impressed with Ace when he sang one of my favourite song, Father Figure, originally sang by George Micheal. Ace definitely knows how to choose a song that suits her voice. And Lisa, she's just so young but her talent simply shines.

I always find Taylor 'Grey-haired Guy' Hicks weird. But when he performed the song, Levon, I was impressed by the way he moves and sing the song. I felt as if he was singing a winning song at the final! As the judges said, he is Original (with a capital 'O'). If you have watched American Idol the previous week, you will be amazed to see him blowing the harmonica while walking in for his final audition. I had goose bumps just watching that.

There are so much talents this season. I have other favourites too like Ayla, Katharine, Elliot and Chris. However, I believe no rockers will be able to compare to Bo Bice, no black singers will be able to take the place of Fantasia and finally, no country singers since Carrie Underwood.

The winner of this season? I think it is quite obvious. I think American Idol needs a new pop singer since Kelly Clarkson.

My crossword construction workshop ran smoothly this morning. Although some of the participants cannot make it due to the changes of time and date, I'm still glad that I'm able to proceed with this first workshop at my faculty.

Throughout the workshop, I was able to understand more about the teachers need and things that I can improve in my presentation. I must say that I have a great group of teachers/educators yesterday. They are very proactive, knowledgeable and respectable teachers.

It's definitely not easy when it's a one-man show. There's a lot of preparation work, marketing and coordinating job. However, I couldn't wait to organize another one in this near future.

I am an ex-user of Bausch & Lomb's Renu Multi-Purpose Solution. I am not surprise when I read in The Star that this multi-purpose solution is causing fungal eye infection.

In December, I started facing problems with my contact lens. At first I thought it was the lens. I have been using Acuvue disposable lens (1-month) for many years and never have such problem until I started using the multi-purpose solution in that month. I have to change the lens just after two days of using them because I felt sharp pain in my eyes. Then I decided to stop using the solution to see if that's the cause to my problem. I was right.

I thought it was my eyes that were sensitive and not suitable in using the Renu brand. Now I know I was not alone. Hopefully our Ministry of Health will investigate and stop users from using them until they can prove the solution is safe for usage.

The Star published an incorrect title for my workshop. It is a workshop to help teachers to "construct" classroom crosswords and not learning how to "solve" them. Anyway, thank you The Star (Education) for their support.

The crossword construction workshop is strictly for teachers, tutors and anyone in the educational line.

As an educator who is using classroom crosswords in teaching, I see tremendous changes in my students. They are not only able to pick up terms and vocabulary but also understand its usage. For example, in Bahasa Melayu PMR level, my students are able to identify the different types of gaya bahasa in the anthologies and novels they read, thanks to their effort in solving crosswords I've created.

My latest workbook co-written with another two authors is finally in the market. It is published under Marshall Cavendish (or better known as Federal Publications).

Practise 'n' Excel Science Form 4 is based on the latest KBSM syllabus in English language.

Pros: SPM-type questions, reasonable price, reliable publisher, good looking cover (different from the typical workbooks you normally see in the bookshops).

Cons: Quality of the paper used, the key points are too wordy (preferably add in more pictures or diagrams).

I should say that I've done my best to make sure this year is a better year for my family and I. Last year was quite a disaster although the Dragon (now I reveal my age) was supposed to have a great year.

I've tried to comply to the chinese tradition and pantang larang during this fifteen days of Chinese New Year (which I normally don't or seldom do in previous years). Here is the list of what I have done:

1. Eat a lof of mandarin oranges. I didn't eat it at all last year. Honestly, I hate fruits but I've decided that I'll learn to love it this year to improve my luck.

2. Had a long conversation and enjoy a slow meal during reunion dinner on Chinese New Year eve with family members. Usually we ate very fast but this year we had a 1-hour dinner which is a miracle for us.

3. Must have leftovers from reunion dinner on Chinese New Year eve. Last year we tried not to cook that much with the intention of not to waste food. And it turns out that last year wasn't a good year for the family.

4. Gamble! This year, my siblings and I enjoyed our mahjong game a lot. It was the first time we played mahjong in the house. Although I did not win, I believe mahjong game is a good game to bring ong (luck) to the family because it creates a fun and happy atmosphere to the family. We played cards as well. We didn't even play a single game last year.

5. Did not wash my hair until after the 3rd day.

6. Wear red.

7. Woke up early on the first day of Chinese New Year, pray and greet my parents. Then eat only vegetarian food for the whole day.

8. Also as soon as I woke up during the first day of Chinese New Year, I had a cup of Nescafe. I've heard that it was a good way to ensure that you will be staying alert throughout the year.

9. Avoided taking a nap on the first day of Chinese New Year.

10. Saying nice words on Chinese New Year and avoid negative thinking.

11. To celebrate Chap Goh Mei like the first day of Chinese New Year.

12. Eat lotsa chinese dumplings especially on the first day of Chinese New Year and on Chap Goh Mei. The dumplings symbolize wealth because their shapes resembles ancient chinese gold nuggets.

Overall, I did enjoy the food, the game and the fun with family members as well as friends. I should say that this is the first year I really feel the spirit of Chinese New Year. Perhaps it is because I didn't really bother about the chinese tradition in the previous years. This is also the first year I had a small winning from Sportstoto on Chinese New Year. Not bad, huh?!