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I'm posting this an hour or so before leaving the hotel to the airport... just had my last breakfast at the bistro.

Initially wanted to type this on the plane and have it posted when I get back to Singapore... then when we're (Guan Chye and I shared a room) about to head for breakfast, Wen Chee called and notified us of the daylight savings change of time - minus an hour off present time - so the difference between Singapore and Australian time shortens from three to two hours. And so, somehow, we suddenly have an hour to spare since the departure times remain unchanged.

The week in Sydney has been great. It's been a really good experience for me, having the opportunity to travel, to interact with the people, to look at the work processes of another school, etc... was pretty much many things rolled into one for me. Though it was physically tiring for me (long hours everyday), I'm really thankful for the opportunity given to me - I'm after all not in the initial list of staff slated for this trip. And it's quite amazing in itself, since I'm kind of officially only three to four months into my job.

Thankful and appreciative of the interactions amongst the staff - it hasn't been easy being for me, being an introvert and all - coupled with the fact that I do not sit with the rest of the teachers in my normal course of work. At least now I get to know the few of them. :) But I'm really most thankful of the communication that goes between my direct boss and myself - ready to vote him as best boss of the year anytime, any year. Doesn't discount the fact that he's a workaholic though. Hahaha...

Don't think I'll do a day to day recount, just bits and pieces of things that are memorable. Transportation wise, we got to sit on ferries, buses, etc. The first time we took the ferry to this place called Abbotsford (where we later got on a bus to the school), we were gungho and sat in the open at the front. And we all got blasted by the icy winds. Hahaha... It was a literally cool experience.

We arrived at about noon time on Wednesday; dropped our stuff in our hotel rooms (stayed at Radisson Plaza Hotel) and headed off for some city exploration. We went together as a group and subsequently dispersed for some individual exploration before meeting up for dinner. Wen Chee and I ventured out and did some walking - was a pretty cooling walk. Took photos of the Town Hall, St Andrews Cathedral, Hyde Park, etc...

The school visit started on the second day. I must say that I'm awed at the sight of students carrying their macbooks and using them everywhere - even year fives (primary fives) are using them in their classrooms! And their entire campus is wired up! Haha... but I'm even more amazed at the quality and confidence presented by the girls whom we met - their excitement in meeting us and in promoting themselves and their school didn't have to be verbalised directly - they simply brought them out in the way they held their conversations.

We chatted with the principal and the various staff - it's very much evident that our school and theirs share very much the same vision and values - I guess that's what drew us to have this trip in the first place. It was very much a confirmation hearing straigt from the principal the values, vision and processes that the school undertakes, and seeing for ourselves how they're being met out in the school.

I must say that this trip will be playing a very huge role in our future implementation of the things to come in school... and personally I really am very thankful to be part of the delegation - at least I know what I can be pushing for my boys.

Work aside, we had a really good time at Bondi Beach on the last day of our stay, courtesy of Westley Fields, our really wonderful host from MLC School. I've never felt such cooling sand... and the waters... whoa. There were many pictureseque moments - I hope I've done the scenaries justice in the way I capture them (albums below)... it'll be great if Sentosa has the kind of atmosphere... but I guess it'll require artificial air conditioning for it to happen. Oh well. Haha...

Spent the bulk of the cash I exchanged on chocolates and nougats. I entred Sydney with a relatively light luggage bag... and I'm returning home with a completely full and heavy one... and an empty wallet. :| Spent such a long time lingering in the chocolate shop wondering if I should buy... bought them anyways. The rest say I spoil market. Lol. Well yeah, I figured out that in the end it really doesn't matter if I get the boys the stuff or not - I'll still not be close to most of them since I don't get to interact with them as much as their teaching teachers or their mentors do... then I rested my heart and concluded that that doesn't matter - if that's the way my position has been crafted, I'll have to take it as it is and relate to them as I am. But yeah. Expensive la. :(

Haha... alright. Time to do some final packing up (including this laptop) before we leave for home. Till then!

Click on the links below to view photos (on Facebook):