Ending 2008

The year of 2008 is coming to an end! :) I will be having a one-week year-end teaching break starting next Wednesday, 24 December,2008 to Thursday, 1 January, 2009. I will be seeing all my dear piano students again starting Friday, 2 January, 2009. Time does fly when you are having fun. It's always very rewarding for me to see my piano students improving with time and effort, and to see the smiles on their faces and feel the enthusiasm, despite the hard work they have to put into consistent practicing! Yes, yes I might be demanding musically and in discipline, but I believe not unkindly so. ;) A little break from teaching is always good for the soul. ;) However, I do look forward very much to 2009! :)

Below are pictures of Christmas presents and travel souvenirs from my students & their parents, in order of appearance. Thank you very much! :) I truly appreciate and feel the sweet thoughts and efforts! :) Thank you too to all my students & their parents who have been showing kind, warm concern and understanding over my recent heart issues ;) I feel so very lucky to have such warm relationships with my students&parents, as well as such wonderful, caring students&parents. I am sure the upcoming little mending break will make it all better. Yes, yes I am very much human and very feeling. And actually I believe that my playing and interpretations of pieces reflect that aspect of me as well. Thank you to all my students & their parents!!



This Chinese fan is from Ruiyee, who got it for me in her recent school trip to Suzhou/Hangzhou. I miss Shanghai/Suzhou. Thank you Ruiyee! :)




This box of chocolates is from Michelle and her parents, who got it for me during their trip to Hong Kong. Michelle looked so very happy and refreshed after her trip. :) Hong Kong seems to be a very popular destination for my students this year. Thank you Michelle! :)




This cuttlefish snack is from Yue Xin and her parents, who got it for me during their trip to Taiwan. It's a specialty snack from the place they visited in Taiwan. Thank you Yue Xin! :)


This beautiful embroidered silk bag is from Connie and her parents, who got it for me during their trip to Myanmar. Connie's mum has elegant taste, and she says that this bag will be useful for me during Christmas and Chinese New Year. Mrs. Lin is very thoughtful. I would love to visit Myanmar someday! Thank you Connie! :)



This perfume is from Helena and her parents. They are currently having a family holiday in India, and Helena says in her e-mail today that she has ridden a camel, and it's, quote, "FREAKY-FUN"! That's an interesting way to describe the experience, with alliteration device thrown in as well. ;) I would love to visit India someday too. Thank you Helena! :)




These calming incense are from Kelly and her parents. Calmness is always a virtue. ;) Thank you Kelly! :)

These dainty, quaver, Moshi Moshi earrings are from Wende and my friend, Yee Jiun. These must be every piano teacher's dream earrings, with all the blink-blink included. ;) Thank you Wende and Yee Jiun! :)





These soft towels and cute cupid are from Ling Kee and his parents. The cupid reminds me of one of my friends, Thomas Manhart and his recent post on Facebook...hee hee ;) Thank you Ling Kee! :)


Thank you very much once again to all my wonderful students & their parents! :) I very much appreciate all the sweet thoughts, love and concern. :) I love you all! :) Thanks lotsy ;)