voice of a young singaporean teacher

I ended 2010 with a D in ranking :(

2011-01-01T23:50:00.002+08:00

For the teachers out there, this news will be as if someone has buried you alive and put a tombstone over.

FOR THE RECORD
My graduating pupils achieved good results during N levels 2009. All of them acheived 100% pass and 50% achived distinction. It was my best result too.

However
RO said that the N levels result is not important. It prepares the pupils for O levels. Hence it will not contribute to my ranking....????? N levels is a national examination and it is not important???? It really baffled me....

FOR THE RECORD
I think I was doing ok at my GEO scale and was promoted to the next GEO scale in 2009.

However
RO said that as the next GEO scale, I cannot compare up to those in the scale. Hence.I was given a 'D'. My question remains unasked by the RO, why am I ranked at the new scale when i have done all my work before OCT at the previous scale??? I was not paid at the new scale through the year, why should I be ranked at the new scale??? It is kind of a strange system. I wonder if there is anyone out there experience this... in schools or private sectors???

Of course, there were other comments like lack of written feedback and lack of rigour marking and giving written feedback (I gave verbal feedback) on EVERY marked assignments. Supposed to give marks for every question and total mark for EVERY marked assignment and fill in the content page.

DEAR RO, YOU MEAN THAT I DID NOT DO ANY WORK OF A TEACHER
Then how did my N levels pupils achieve 100% pass and 50% distinction in 2009????

Consider me emotional, but i still wondered how did I carry on teaching and preparing students for O levels after receiving the news. I can only cry out to GOD. ABBA FATHER, SAVE ME, BLESS THE WORKS OF MY HANDS. LET MY WORKS BE FRUITFUL FOR ALL TO SEE.

I only know my conscious is clear. I have done my best to help the pupils to filfull their dreams.

2010 already looks worse with the work plan from the RO.
I have only one thing to say to this RO:
"To improve results, all he has to do is to win the hearts of the staff.
We are professionals. We too want the results to improve."

Today I have read a wonderful verse which i believe it is timely
forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
see, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

- Isaiah 43:18-19
AMEN

The Fruits of My Labour 2009

2009-11-01T00:04:00.002+08:00

2009 has been fruitful for my tuition students. They have performed beyond expectation and have made much improvements. I am hopeful that they will do even better as some of them face the 'O' levels next year.

This will sum up some of their performance as the 'O' levels batch will not know their results till next year much, but I believe they should be able to level up because

I managed to spot all (except 2) of the questions in E. Maths paper two.

a) Sec 3 pure physics (Chung Cheng Yishun) scored 83%
b) Sec 3 pure physics (Chung Cheng Yishun) scored 81%
c) Sec 3 pure physics (Chung Cheng Main) scored 76%
d) Sec 3 combined physics scored 61 out of 70 marks (Totally amazing!!!!)
e) Sec 3 combined physics scored 48 out of 70 marks (It is still amazing considering he failed sec 2 science and failed in the beginning of the year. If he continue to stick with me, he should be able to achieve distinction and I will continue to ensure my 100% distinction in Physics.)
f) Sec 1 science 20+ (28) out of 35 (Anglo-Chinese Baker Road) (Equally good improvement considering he was failing in the beginning of the year.

hahahahah

Oh yes. I need to collect data from my maths pupils so that I can update here.

Thus, I want to give the glory to GOD because He provide the victory (good results) as well as enquires for 2010. Haiz, 2010 will be an even more busy year.....

Anyone looking for tuition for pure physics, E maths and Add maths, lower secondary maths and science, do leave a message with your mobile number in the chatbox and I will get back asap.

The Academic Year is coming to a close!!!!! Bloody Phillip Securities!!!

2009-08-07T17:53:00.003+08:00

The academic year is coming to a close. Why? The graduating class is about to face their worst nightmare (prelims) within this two months and soon it will be the actual 'O' levels. While the other levels will start their end of year examinations after the prelims are over. Then it will be almost over and time to prepare for the holidays. The year end holidays will be the time that most teachers look forward to as the week breaks and june holidays are usually taken up for extra classes and remedials.

One can never get used to this lifestyle even though I have gone through many cycles. Why do I say that? Because I still struggle to wake up every morning when it is still dark everyday. How I wished that I can sleep till I wake up naturally every morning (or noon) HAHAHA! Soon it will be primary school for my firstborn son. ARGH!! it is the struggle to wake him up and getting him to school, like what all parents face when their children reach school attending age. So no more sleeping in late, but what differences does it make? I am already waking up early now.

I asked myself, "why can't the school start later since most of the schools are single session?" It is becasue of some "selfish" self who will be late for work if school starts at 8am or 8:30am and it will result in school ending late and pupils will need to have lunch.(as if the secondary pupils are not already having lunch in school now.)

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About Pillip Securities

I should have blogged this earlier. What a bunch of irresponsible idiots!!!

In between the last blog till today, I have made a loss of $5k in the stock market. Thanks to the lousy system of Phillip Securities. My email response as below

I believe the company is liable for my loss. The reasons are as per below
1) Phillip Securities as a service provider should have a reasonable duty of care to upkeep and maintain the system to ensure smooth running of the system. No disclaimers can be used to escape liabilty to damages.

2) I have withdrawed the order as normal it is usually done after two to three minutes while still displaying the pending withdrawn message. Least that i expect, the transaction is done after i received the email one hour later. it is not reasonable to receive the confirmation of purchase through email only one hour after the transaction is done in this present time of IT era.

3) I did not receive any confirmation of transaction, hence i presumed that the transaction is not successful so I continue to make a second order and later withdraw the order, resulting a total of 5 lots of OCBC shares at the end of the day. The result of such transaction will not occur if the system is capable to handle the transaction smoothly.

4) To my knowledge, there are other consumers who have experienced such transaction that takes place as a result of the system. It is not reasonable for a broker to receive and take brokerage fee and clearing fee and commission to not take responsibility for the operation of the system.

Thinking that Singapore Investors Association is able to help, I joined them as a member but it is fruitless and there is no reply from them at all. (equally useless)

Hiaz, I am still suffering from the consequences of this loss. My advise to those still using Phillips Securities: they only want your money (bokerage and commision) when they always claim disclaimer when their system is faulty or cannot cope with the high traffic. They are not interested to help you make money (not service-orientated). They forgot Phillip Securities also make money when customers make transactions.They can all go burn in hell.

Child care leave – a privilege or an entitlement??

2009-03-14T20:19:00.000+08:00

In this last week of school, I faced an interesting situation. My immediate reporting officer (RO) informed me that I had taken a high number of medical leave (MC) and child sick leave in the last one term, asking me to work on my health and keeping the numbers low.

Due to my bad experience last year, I felt slightly more sensitive about it. Why? Towards the end of the school term last year, the same RO informed me that I have not been given a good appraisal because of the high number of MCs in the year. It is going to affect the promotion timeframe, performance bonus and my annual increment because they are all tied to performance.

Honestly, now I am still quite calm after hearing about it and allowed me to reflect about. I have no queries about medical leave being an entitlement as written in the ministry of manpower website. But what I dislike is do not write in under the umbrella of benefit when it is not a benefit. What do I mean? We are entitled to 30 days of medical leave under the old scheme (the present is 14 days) but we are not expected to take any because it will affect the performance ranking. Obviously, these people do not understand the definition of benefits so let me help them by doing the research.

–noun
1.
something that is advantageous or good; an advantage: He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.
2.
a payment or gift, as one made to help someone or given by a benefit society, insurance company, or public agency: The company offers its employees a pension plan, free health insurance, and other benefits.
3.
a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
4.
Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.

From dicitionary.com

Similar definition in http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefit

1.
a. Something that promotes or enhances well-being; an advantage: The field trip was of great benefit to the students.
b. Help; aid.
2. A payment made or an entitlement available in accordance with a wage agreement, an insurance policy, or a public assistance program.
3. A public entertainment, performance, or social event held to raise funds for a person or cause.
4. Archaic A kindly deed.

From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/benefit

Interestingly, thefreedictionary.com included the word entitlement in the definition of benefit. Further search on entitlement bring up the word of a right granted by law or contract ( a right to benefits)

Apparently, it seems that it is preferred that teachers go to school sickly to clock attendance and teach at lower performance rate. I believe that I own it to my pupils that I give my 101% to my pupils during lesson time, doing it when I am not sufficiently fit is not being fair.

Besides, have we forgotten about the lessons we learned during the SARS period? If we are sick and not well, we should stay at home to rest and go to places that are crowded. (like schools, there are hundreds of pupils) I have seen pupils go to school when they are sick because the parents are not at home to take care of them. These pupils go to school tired and sickly and are not able to concentrate, what is the point of going to school then?

That brings me to the point that I need to take child sick leave because
1) My child needs to rest at home
2) My child may spread the illness to other children in the kindergarten and that is not being gracious (remember SARS)
3) My child needs to be separate from his sibling at least during the day to avoid the illness from spreading within the family.
4) I need to rest from caring for my child at night due to the illness.

Thus, however, child sick leave is also entitlement, as all forms of leaves are entitlement from the ministry of manpower website. And I believed that it is only my right to use my child sick leave if my child is sick and not be penalized as a result of it and having my performance ranking affected as a result of it. So much about the work-life balance – why preach about it when they do not practice it?

I finally awake and understand that working is a necessary evil to take care of my family. I work (I considered it as selling my time for money – “prostituting” myself for money) for the benefit of my family. If I am single, I may not even need to work (oops, that sounds spoilt) but this is one of the ways that the gahmen enslaved and trapped people in this country as I overhear some coffeeshop talk. Hahaha! The gahmen encouraged youths to get married, buy a nice and expensive flat, take as many loans as you like (housing, renovation, car and study loans) and have lots of children and work for the rest of your life, pay lots of tax and retire poor. As a result, we will not be able to migrate overseas.

I resolve today to work towards being rich and being financially free. Amen

One Laptop Per Child

2008-10-01T10:07:00.002+08:00

i just received my OLPC from U.S.

It is really wonderful for a laptop with the cost price of slightly over US$100. It is so small and cute. The pictures taken from another source but it is the same. HEEHEE!!!

The OLPC is working on Linus which i am unfamiliar. Hmm... need some getting used to and have not figure out complately how it works. But according to specification, it has wifi.

For more information check out the OLPC website. By the way, the OLPC version will be out in November 2009 in two months time. Hmm......tempting but the price is US$399. *FAINT*

Back from Bangkok today from the protest - different view point from the media

2008-09-02T22:35:00.002+08:00

Firstly, it is good to be back from Bangkok from a four days holiday. I left with the understanding that the protest has started. But we still went ahead as planned.

After we reached there, it is peaceful as usual. (Business as usual) the danger and mess that is protrayed in the media is only restricted to an area of Bangkok. Generally, the people want to continue with their livehood, doing business or work to feed their family.

This turn of event gave me a few thoughts that I will like to record before I add more details.

1) Democracy is political system of the majority. (Define Democracy)
The Thailand government is the elected by the majority of the people. The minority should follow the will of the majority. If the minority is unpleased with the elected government, then they should wait for the next election to elect their desired leadership. If the present government is incompetent, the people who elected will vote for the opposition.

2) Protest is wrong. It is against the Law.
How can we trust the leadership of the protesters when they create unrest and disorderliness, roit against the police and causing damage to public property and private property. Is that the behaviour of good leadership?

3) Protest creates a unsafe environment for the tourism.
As usual, the Singapore Government discourage people to travel the Bangkok for the same reason. Tourists avoid the country and it hurts the tourism business. (I did not check the data, but I believe a good amount of the GDP is from tourism.

4) Protest is not in the interest of the country.
THe protesters claim to do it in the interest of the country but business is hurt, the country economic is hurt. Then how can it be in the interest of the country.

Disruption to the public transport system is not in the interest of the country.

5) Protesters livehood is affected
Just think for a moment, the protesters sit there for days. Where are they going to get the income to support their family? And they claim that times are bad and the economic of the country is bad. (It is time to wake up to WORK for a living, find a job. Money do not drop from the sky or grow on trees. Unless you own an orchard.)

6) Who provide the meals to the protesters??
If we look at the images from the media, we can see people provide meals to the protesters. In order to feed the hundreds and thousands, a good amount of money has to be provided. I wonder where the money come from. I read from the Straits Times that one of the eight leaders of the protest is a media tycoon. The word "tycoon" from dictionary.com means
1.
a businessperson of great wealth and power; magnate.
2.
(often initial capital letter) a title used with reference to the shogun of Japan.

How interesting....

In conclusion, good economic comes from good government with good stablity: political stablity and social stablity for growth and dvelopment.

The people of Thailand should not join the protest because when the opposition feel that they do not have the support of the people, they will not be able to protest any farther. One may not support the government, but go on do a good jobb in the workplace to ensure good economics for oneself and the country.

My mr Martens design Please vote for ME

2008-06-13T00:10:00.002+08:00

Please vote for my designs

Vat refund in thailand situation

2008-03-31T12:27:00.005+08:00

truly as it is a truly unforgettable Destinction.

We have crossed the immigation and walked to the vat counter to claim tax refund, unable to do so because the custom check office is outside, tourist supposed allow them to check before passing the immigation then to the vat refund counter to claim the money

01 officer at the vat refund is unhelpfu cannot means cannot. No or not possible is not a reasonable answer for those in the service industry

02 immigation officer cannot help too. Too slack and just indifference to your situation and just busy with their own work while chatting with their fellow colleagues

03 no custom officer at the custom counter after the immigation no wonder it is interesting that on the counter someone wrote VAT refundi is cheating tourist dollars.

04 the relationship officer in blue shirt is helpless, unable to help, not because of lack of ability to help but because they do not understand a single drop of english that i need the stamp and they just direct me to the vat refund counter. They do not understand the problem and just direct me away towards the vat refund counter thinking their job is done what is the point of having so many of them lining the airport when they do not take time to listen and understand the problem.

05 why is the custom check office and the refund not at the same spotThey can have it together and one office outside immigation and one office inside immigation

06 why are custom officers and immigation officer two separated departments or entities by themselves? So that there is avenue for job creation what a way to solve unemployment problems so the custom officers will check goods and the immigation will check people

07 why do they have to place the vat refund counters so far on the two ends? They want to make it inconvenient for us to get our refund the counter should be placed right after immigation so that tourist can use the money immidiately at the airport instead of using it at the ends. Be more proactive to refund wil leave a better impression of the country

08 there are no prominent signboards to remind tourists to go to the customs office before entering immigation. Even though it may be necessary to remind tourists to go to the custom office but it will be nice

09 can you imagine the amount of tax people leave behind? 7% of 5000b is 350b and minus 100b for the admin charges that is at least 250b taking a conservative estimation of 100 people daily forgetting they would have easily leave behind 25,000b a day 9,125,000b a year

After my flight back, thinking how horrible the Suvarnbhumi Airport, I get to see our CAAS staff being rude to 2 black men travelling to London, telling them off that the gate will only open at 2am when it is only 12:15am now. The two men asked if they sit outside, the CASS staff continue to tell them that the gate will only open at 2am. The same situation of not listening and addressing the concerns of the customers just wanting to brushing them off. Then our Changi Airport will fall into the same cycle of complacency that we will forever be number 1.

Old helper (maid) left and new helper is here.

2008-02-09T18:41:00.000+08:00

Today, my helper ("kakak" = sister) left for her home.

I believe my son missed her and is really sad that kakak has left. His eyes were red but did not cry loudly. Actually me too, I felt a sense of loss for someone who lived and worked for almost four years here and took over most of the household chores and the task of looking after my son.
When I returned home in the afternoon, suddenly reality sets in. Oh, my helper has gone back with her things, things in the house are abit different from the normal school days. In her short four years, there are ups and downs, but she has been a blessing to this house. ABBA Father in heaven, bless her.

Suddenly I tried to recall the good things she has done and i realised that it is the mundane everyday tasks so that my wife and I do not have to worry about and ensuring that my son is taken cared of and brought to school and back safely. It is nothing extraodinary but when these are not done, it will get on your nerves.

The downs includes conflict with my wife's grandmother and conflict with my mother and of course my wife's sisters. I guess that conflicts are bounded to happen when people are together everyday and every minute, just like our workplace. But we can leave our workplace to go home, but for a helper, she cannot leave the workplace......

She left a Thank You card before she left, saying sorry for everything and to everyone and thanked my wife and I and it is appreciated. It is like losing a family member....

To YaYuk, goodbye, GOd bless you and your family and Thank you

Totally blessed DAY Praise GOD for PSP slim and HTC TyTN II

2008-02-03T22:51:00.000+08:00

At last, I received my belated birthday present form wife. Heeeeheeee. I got the PSP slim at a bargain, $300 for a PSP slim (mod version 3.71) with 4Gb memory stick. The salesman at the mobile phone shop at FAR EAST PLAZA decided to sell his PSP slim of 1 week old. How true is that?? I do not know, but when i check the condition, it seems new, scratchless. Praise GOD. Anyone interested to get me a screen projector??? or a casing for it??? To top it off, I got myself a new PDA phone that is really top of the line. I have done my homework and think it is best in terms of functions (7.9 out of 10 on cnet review) and most importantly comes with GPS. I will not get lost again (as if i get lost at all). Just to make you people drool, it comes with 3.5G (latest and fastest) 3MP camera with flash, GPS, WIFI-g, keyboard and all the functions of PDA calender calculator and windows mobile 6. Of course, I do not forget to not pay everything. Interest-free installment with a credit card is a must, why pay the whole amount when i can pay bit by bit interest-free, right?? Moveover, I can use the LDS money to subsidise this purchase. Heehee......

Today I will not dwell on it because it is late and I need to sleep to go to school on time tomorrow, three more days before Lunar New Year. Hallejuyah for the long break, I need time to breath, to feel alive and not working all the time. I am tired and there are issues that I have been praying and fasting since the beginning of this year.

To a fellow colleague and new teacher, I know you read this, I am not stopping you from leaving because I am also praying and fasting about it myself. But I want you to know that the Joy of the LOrd is in you, leave when you know it is the will of GOD and not because you are not happy.

The Lord is my shield, my strength, my resting place in time of need, my comforter, my healer, my provider, my LORD, my JOY, my LOVE .......Amen

16But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love.

Psalm 59 (Amplified Bible)

16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

Psalm 59 (New International Version)

Kingdom minded to love your enemies

2007-12-22T01:35:00.000+08:00

I pray as I blog as I needed a title for that blog. An incident happened on my way home and I felt the ex-pupil was rude, lacking in manners (which is normal for him) and felt offended.

I prayed: "Jesus, you have said in your Word that in the old testiment, it is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, but the new testiment holds a greater commendment that if anyone should slap you on your right cheek (And if you are angry) turn your left cheek to be slapped. Lord, I submit and pray that you lift this offend from me and deliver me from this sin."

Incident
I was passing the open area to my block to take the lift with my family and this "joker" will keep calling my surname twice in a single breath many times as I walked past. My thinking is leave me alone for this joker is insignificant and no use having a intelligent conversation with because he acts like an idiot, talks like an idiot and behaves like an idiot. (Edmund, for those who know this, what kind of respectable person plays loud (techno) music from the handphone on a bus with out considering other bus users. I enjoy techno, disco music but please respect public area where not everyone share the same kind of interest in the music.)

Previously
He has grapped me from behind and did some fucking like action. I was offended but unable to do anything as he was a pupil in the school.

If I was younger and before I met Jesus, I would have punched him. I ignored him not because I am scared but because of Jesus. Your kind and gentle looking teacher today used to fight in school. Coming home, I still feel quite bad about it and even thought about going back down to tell him off, but I did not, felt that I needed to pray first.

Matthew 5:38-48
38You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.

40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also.

41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles].

42Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [[ai]at interest] from you.(K)

43You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;(L)

44But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(M)

45[aj]To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].

46For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

47And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?

48You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete [ak]maturity of godliness in mind and character, [al]having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.(N)

LORD, you have ask for a higher order of love (to love the enemy) and I submit, so change my heart, I confess that I do not like him but change my heart and forgive me and I want to pray for Edmund that GOD will do a work in his life and change it for HIS glory. Amen.

Singapore Chinese becoming like Malaysia Malay????

2007-11-27T23:54:00.000+08:00

I was read some blogs when I came across an article that links to this.

Some rules kids won't learn in school

Text By Charles J. Sykes

Printed in San Diego Union Tribune

September 19, 1996

Unfortunately, there are some things that children should be learning in school, but don't. Not all of them have to do with academics. As a modest back-to-school offering, here are some basic rules that may not have found their way into the standard curriculum.

Rule No. 1: Life is not fair. Get used to it. The average teen-ager uses the phrase, "It's not fair" 8.6 times a day. You got it from your parents, who said it so often you decided they must be the most idealistic generation ever. When they started hearing it from their own kids, they realized RuleNo. 1.

Rule No. 2: The real world won't care as much about your self-esteem as much as your school does. It'll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself. This may come as a shock. Usually, when inflated self-esteem meets reality, kids complain it's not fair. (See Rule No. 1)

Rule No. 3: Sorry, you won't make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won't be a vice president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn't have a Gap label.

Rule No. 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait 'til you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he's not going to ask you how you feel about it.

Rule No. 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grand-parents had a different word of burger flipping. They called it opportunity. They weren't embarrassed making minimum wage either. They would have been embarrassed to sit around talking about Kurt Cobain all weekend.

Rule No. 6: It's not your parents' fault. If you screw up, you are responsible. This is the flip side of "It's my life," and "You're not the boss of me," and other eloquent proclamations of your generation. When you turn 18, it's on your dime. Don't whine about it, or you'll sound like a baby boomer.

Rule No. 7: Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills, cleaning up your room and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are. And by the way, before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your bedroom.

Rule No. 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. In some schools, they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. Failing grades have been abolished and class valedictorians scrapped, lest anyone's feelings be hurt. Effort is as important as results. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblanceto anything in real life. (See Rule No. 1, Rule No. 2 and Rule No. 4)

Rule No. 9: Life is not divided into semesters, and you don't get summers off. Not even Easter break. They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And you don't get a new life every 10 weeks. It just goes on and on. While we're at it, very few jobs are interesting in fostering yourself-expression or helping you find yourself. Fewer still lead to self-realization. (See Rule No. 1 and Rule No. 2.)

Rule No. 10: Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in 30 minutes, minus time for commercials.In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop to go to jobs.Your friends will not be as perky or pliable as Jennifer Aniston.

Rule No. 11: Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for them. We all could.

Rule No. 12: Smoking does not make you look cool. It makes you look moronic. Next time you're out cruising, watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. That's what you look like to anyone over 20. Ditto for "expressing yourself" with purple hair and/or pierced body parts.

Rule No. 13: You are not immortal. (See Rule No. 12.) If you are under the impression that living fast, dying young and leaving a beautiful corpse is romantic, you obviously haven't seen one of your peers at room temperature lately.

Rule No. 14: Enjoy this while you can. Sure parents are a pain, school's a bother, and life is depressing. But someday you'll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start now.

You're welcome.

HAHAHA I had a good laugh because I have done that when I was younger and now as I am slightly older, I see the same in the young today. They are going down the same trended path.

I had just gone through a CCA camp with my track runners and I am really amazed by their "lack of Independence" in them that my colleague (An ex-malaysian) commented that the present Singapore young people are like the Malays in Malaysia, unable to look after themselves, depending on the handouts from the Government and lack of will to strive and work hard (because life is good) They have handphones as if they are BIG businessmen making millions, closing deals using their handphone. They have games consoles at home and now, Playstation Portable, they can even bring out to play wherever they are. They have internet to play games, download mp3 and movies, chat with their friends on MSN, but none productive towards physical, mental and spiritual well-being. They have maids at home so they do not know how to clean up after they have eaten, how to make a cup of Milo for themselves, keeping the living area clean during the camp and basic ration and sharing during community living like a camp (self-centeredness).

Another elderly teacher, passed retirement but choose to teach then to sit at home, commented that it is no wonder the Government needed an influx of "foreign talents" who are willing to work hard and drive the economy so that our local people can be taken care of. I cannot help but agreed that there is some truth in the statement. Just go to the Singapore Custom at Woodlands at 7pm to look at the amount of Malaysians that are returning to Johor after work in Singapore, the motorcycles are so closely packed that there is no space for the motorist to stand while he waits for the quene and he has to rest himself on the bikes beside him. The Malaysian workers would probably reach home about 10pm and have to wake up at 4am to make their way to Singapore to work. How many of us can actually do that? Even I am ashamed to say that I cannot. This is not inclusive of the workers who take bus transportation to Singapore.

I see that same thing happening to someone close (just call him LS for short) LS scapped to go JC but dropped out after first year, failing most subjects, to go poly. Recently, poly teacher called to report to the parent that LS has not been attending classes at poly. all he does at home is to go online, play games and smoke. He even dreams of being a singer, but there is not concrete plans to achieve his dreams, the least would have to attend singing lessons or music classes. (Reminds me of rule number 3)

I want this to be a discussion and to hear balanced views if this is really happening or is it just me???

first Accident with my 5 months Car ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-22T00:05:00.000+08:00

I cannot understand how it happened because it is not normal for me to do that but anyway, I was at the Malaysia Custom. I just felt like reversing my car to switch lane. Seeing that there is no car behind, I just reverse and BANG...... I moved my car forward before exiting my car to check the damage. The bumper has two line dents and the a part raised. Then I check the car of the other party (Hyundai Matrix), it looks fine, not damaged. It is later at City Square, I realised my car bumper has came off the clips on the two sides.

Fortunately, the other driver did not seek compensation from me at that point of time. PREW!!! When I look at it again, there might be a possiblity that the driver did not see me reverse to stop the car in time and bang me. So may be the other driver thought it was his fault.

To me, I just want to praise GOD for the grace and mercy. I really thought it was my fault. When I reflect back:" What is GOD trying to teach me in this situation?" Only then, I realised the fragility of our walk with GOD. When we do not walk closely with GOD, we give the enemy (devil) opportunity to inflict and hurt us. It could be an illness or accident or mishaps. However, we should guard our walk zealously, just like the security guard who watches over a property. And most of the time, we need the covering of the Blood of Jesus to protect us and to keep us in the narrow path called the Christian walk. The walk of a Chirstian life is a long bumpy, narrow path that leads us to Mount Zion. Bumpy because of the obstacles placed there by the devil, but with the permission of GOD ( like the story of Job) The obstacles are there to help us grow to be more Christ-like and not to destroy or kill us.

Why do I talk about the walk? I had a wonderful one week (september break) break from work. I rested totally, taking afternoon naps. Rested so totally that my walk with GOD is not so close, so much rest that the physical man do not feel the need to pray continually and "minutely" all the time as I would when I go to school because of the stress that I face in school. I pray when I walk, I pray when I eat, I pray when I teach in class, I pray when I run, I pray when I have to make decision. I thank GOD for the intimacy and pray for MORE. I seek to know the heart of GOD and see the world though the eyes of GOD. I want to walk closely with GOD and fellowship with Him. ( One good example is Noch) I want God to make decisions for me for

to do justice and judgement (obey) is more pleasing (better) to Jehovah than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3 NKJV

Second thing that I have learn is not to hold on dearly to earthly possessions, but to pursue the heavenly rewards and more importantly, the heart of GOD. Just as in the bible, a certain rich man wanted to tear down his barn to build a bigger barn, however he did not realised that his soul will be required of that night.

Thirdly, forget the past to be fruitful in the land of affliction meaning I have to forgive (forget) to be fruitful ( learning from this incident).

51And Joseph called the firstborn Manasseh [making to forget], For God, said he, has made me forget all my toil and hardship and all my father's house.

52And the second he called Ephraim [to be fruitful], For [he said] God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Genesis 41:51-52 (Amplified Bible)

The same can also be applied in my place of work. There is bound to have people who will tresspass against you, but it is only when we can forgive, then we can fruitful (promotion???) in the land of affliction (school).

It is similar to the last blog where I mentioned jacob who worked seven years for rachel and ended up married leah, then has to work for another seven years for rachel (which is the promised one). Can you imagine what will happen if jacob did not presist for another seven years??? And it is leah who is more fruitful in terms of having children. Hence, it is the 'leah' experience that is most fruitful.

I also want to give glory to GOD and have been blessed (by faith abundantly, exceedingly beyond what I can hold that it goes out for the extension of the kingdom.) Thankfully, I had a tuition relief which made some money for the repair of the bumper, thank GOD for the provision.

Secondly, I have been thinking of getting a PSP (PlayStation Portable) and asked GOD for it either provide the money for it somehow. Thankfully, my brother-in-law got a laptop and not playing with his PSP so he will lend it to me. Thank GOD, I do not even have to fork out a single cent. Today he took it back to have the operating system downgraded to a newer version, hopefully, he will continue to lend me. :} Indeed He is my Jehovah Jireh, my provider.

Banks Credit Card - The World's legal Loanshark....

2007-08-16T22:14:00.000+08:00

I came to a point where I think it is only right that the pupils in school should learn about financial management. Just as the author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Robert Kiyosaki and co-author had mentioned in their book, the school do not teach financial management but only knowledge that allow people to only work for other people for the rest of the life, living the rat race, as he has coined it.

An example happened to the people around me. Sister-in-law (B) argued with boyfriend (A) over the buying of car issue. Why? Boyfriend B bought car by using credit card for the first downpayment. Boyfrined B could have paid off the amount own to the credit card, however, he dragged on the payment by paying very minimum (about $100 - $200 per month). With the kind of interest rates that the banks charged at 24% per year, the $100 - $200 will only cover the interest that the bank charge.

Two Issues:

1) $100-$200 will not cover part of the principle that the person own the bank, meaning that the money will go into the pocket of the bank.

2) if the interest is not paid, it will snowball, just think compounded interest, meaning more and more interest needs to be paid. So isn't the bank quite a big loan shark??? and with the backing of the law, they will declare the person a bankrupt when the amount reaches $10,000. Even the laonsharks do not charge so much interest (only 20%interest max), but the loanshark do not bring you to court to make you a bankrupt, only harass you and your family (irritating enough, but that is the price of borrowing). At least, the borrower can call the police to get rid of the loanshark, but the borrower cannot call the police to arrest the bank, right??

A few basic things to do

First, live within your means. With a pay of $2,500, I do not think buying a car is affordable, considering that the monthly expense of a car is about $1,000 (installment, petrol, HDB parking fee), not even considering the repairs of the car. Besides, if the person wants to get married, there must be savings (maybe $500 monthly maybe a good amount). Hence, that leaves a monthly expenses of $1,000, equal to roughly $30 daily. On top of that, there is still the yearly car insurance (roughly $2000+ for people age below 30 yr, age above 30 still need $1,300) and road tax ($600 - $800 depend on the type of car)

Second, pay yourself first as the Robert Kiyosaki had writtened in the book, is the same as savings. Saving allow the person to invest in shares, equity or unit trust or even invest in a business. In this new knowledge economy as the school always preached, I want to say that it is not a knowledge economy. The economy has never changed, it is always the rich getting richer, only money can maked with money. A new product like Windows by Bill Gates will also need some form of capital to start the ball rolling. Virgin Group (Group because of the over 350 companies) by Richard Branson started by selling records that he bought from some discounter store. Stock guru, Warren Buffet bought his first stock at the age of 12 years old. Warren Buffet started with three friends buying three pin ball machines to place outside barber shops to make money. Without money, how can Warren buffet buy pin ball machine???

Third, owning a house is not an asset, same as Robert Kiyosaki had written. Why? Because as most Singaporeans are still paying for the mortage from their CPF. You cannot own things that do not belong to you in the first place. Plus, Robert Kiyosaki re-define asset as properties that help you make money. Hence, the flat that you live in is not making you any money, so not an asset, but a liability, because the flat depreciates with age. Even if property price increase, it is because of inflation, hence, the loss is the oppotunity cost of owning the property. Plus, I have to buy another house at a higher price when I sell my home, so there is no gain in this.

Four, clear all debts. This is the basic and most difficult. One should clear all credit card bills immediately. Flat housing loans, even with HDB, should be cleared as soon as possible to avoid pay the large amount of interest. Some people do not see that for every $100,000, the interest per year is around $1,200. Imagine the amount of interest one has to pay for the 30 years loan ($36,000), that is alot of money. Plus some young couple took renovation loan, usually around $30,000 from the banks. My advise is if possible, it is wise to do the basic renovation, like flooring, kitchen and master bedroom, as basic as possible. It is always possible to do minor renovation when there is spare money. Car, obviously, is a no-no, unless there is spare money. As you know, I just bought an off-peak car for my family transportation during the weekend. After checking with Citibank ("Robber"), the interest (Interest rate @ 2.88%) for my car loan of $28,000 is $7,000+. There is a penalty to pay if I attempt to pay off early: 2% of the principle and 20% of the remaining interest that I own them. So my financial strategy put me in a better position that I will save for the $17,000 (rebate that I get for buying off-peak car) in my bank (earning interest) so that I can convert my off-peak car to normal car. Moreover, the amount to convert is prorated to the remaining months left of the car so I actually do not lose out.

Pray to GOD for wisdom in handling your finances. He is true and living, A GOD with the perfect plan, it takes us nothing to ask, right?? As written in the bible, Matt 7:11, If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts ti your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
The verse came after the following, Matt 7:7-10
7. Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.
8. For each on who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.
9. O what man is there of you, if his son asks a loaf, will he give him a stone?
10. Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake?

Last, be a good steward of your finances.

fined under section 136a of the custom act

2007-07-14T18:29:00.000+08:00

GOD give me grace as I blog this. Forgive me and I forgive the tresspassers. I offer the anger to you and my scarifice of my flesh to be crucified in Christ that I will grow in Christ and submit to the authorities. Amen

Today, I had a little misadverture at the Woodlands checkpoint, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth..... Below is a letter that I have writtened and emailed to the Singapore Customs, hoping for a positive reply and not one that is printed from the computer.

To-whom-it-may-concern,

Today (14/07/2007), I had a little misadventure on my part that I have forgotten to check the fuel level before I cross the Singapore Custom. The officers were nice and polite. I was stopped for having a fuel tank less than three quarter. I admitted that it was my overslight because my car is a off-peak car and I do not drive out very often, so can be a little careless about fuel level.

But what frustrates me was I noticed that the officer only stopped me and after he brought me to the office, he did not return to the post to continue to check other vehicles. Throughout the 10 minutes I was waiting in the office, there was no officers checking the fuel level of other vehicle. In this sense, should a person not feel justified? I am not saying that the officer is not performing his duties but I am refering to being fair. Why am I the only few cars that are stopped? It will not be fair to me if the cars in front and behind passed by without meeting the fuel level requirement without being stopping.

To be fair, the officer should have stopped all vehicles to check their fuel level and not at random. I pointed it out to the senior officer inside the office, he justified it by saying that the check was random , just as speed offenders, the police cannot be there all the time. (But is the speed detection machine there all the time???)

It will have been nice if the custom allowed me to return to top up my fuel tank, being this is my first offence. Presently, it will be nice if my fine is returned, the record can remain but it will also be nice if it is omitted because I still feel unfairly treated.

Thank you for your time to read this and hope to hear a reply soon.

This misadverture has brought me a few thoughts:

1) Is it fair to attribute everything to being random?
I understand that many of this police and traffic check are random, BUT should it not be fair too? Meaning as you know there are police road blocks at night, is it fair if the road block is there for an hour, then move to another location for another hour and move another location?? Law should be acted equally on all citizens and not be based on the dfference in timing. A drunk driver, caught at 9pm, will not be justified if a drunk at any other timing is not caught.

Secondly, by what standards do the department measure random or is it up to the whims and fancies of the officers involved?? Should "random" checks be also fair and consistent?

2) What a stupid law to have (three quarter full tank)
Where is our courage to be like the Hong Kongers, who went on strike to protest against a penal code section 23 (I think if I remember correctly)? I seriously questioned, who will benefited from this law? It is definitely not the Malaysia Government as they subsidised the price of petrol in Malaysia, if they are not complaining, why should the Singapore Government stop us consumers from choosing the places where we buy petrol?? It is our consumer right to choose where we use our limited resource under the confines of law. Where is our consumer rights?

With my finite mind, I can only think of three parties that will benefit from this law.

a) The Petrol companies
By keeping the consumers in Singapore, it will keep their profit margin up. But how can a democratic Government, voted by the people of Singapore not protect our interest and helped the foreign petrol companies??

b) The Singapore Government
Firstly, the Inland revenue will be able to collects taxes from the petrol companies from the profits. If the petrol companies made lesser profits, that will mean lesser tax revenue for the Government.
Secondly, The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will suffer a slight decease in the amount of collection. By the way, the law was in place before the GST was suggested.
However, it will not be fair if the law ask for full tank, so they can tell consumers that they still have the choice to choose, but can only top up a quarter tank.

c) The Singapore Customs
One law to fine Singaporeans. In the eyes of law, there is no room for compassion and understanding for other mankind, only punishments for offenders. Singapore is such a FINE city to live in.

3) Please, this is ridiculous, how much can I save to pump petrol there?
I did some rough calculation, my S$20 can pump my car to a quarter of the meter, however, S$20 can pump half a tank there. Hence, I only save $20 everytime I pump. Meaning my weekend car, which I pump a full tank every three to four weeks, will only save me S40 if I pump full tank in Malaysia. However, I only pump a quarter tank, which will mean $10 a month. How much can I save????

It is not as if I buy petrol back to sell.......crazy....plus the traffic jam that I have to endure to go over and back.....

I Pray:
38You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.

40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also.

41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles].

42Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [[a]at interest] from you.

43You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;

44But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45[b]To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].

Matthew 5:38-45 (Amplified Bible)

GOD, change me.......

Canon S5 IS, shoot shoot shoot flash flash flash

2007-07-02T09:01:00.000+08:00

My new "weapon" for me to go around shooting

hahaha, at last, I got a semi SLR for myself. Actually contemplate between canon 400D and this S5 IS. Hmm..... $$$$$ is a important factor, 400D will set me back by $2000 if I get the high end one. And S5 IS has the different modes to select for the more amatuer photographer in me and the latest model available in the market, but of course, not as good as 400D. Check the link below it has very detail reviews of cameras, a most to read before buying camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07050703canons5is.asp

One consideration is the next day is july 1st, ARGH!!!! the 2% GST increase. For your info, the increase in price may ended up be more than 2% of the price I pay because the distributor increase and the retailer increase. Better stretch my dollar.

Another factor is my "AH GONG" (gahmen) money. the $400 dollars given to teachers to buy stuff to enhance their lesson. Oh THANK GOD for the $400 and AH GONG too. Without the $400, I may not buy it after all. :)

So the first event that I am going to use it for the school will be the Inter-school Track and Field Meet. SEE!! AH GONG. your money is well spent........ HAHAHA.

Better submit my claim first thing tomorrow before AH GONG say 'no money' again.

Sports Day Little Irritation

2007-05-25T17:52:00.000+08:00

19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:19-20

Hallejuyah!! Wow, this verse on the "verse of the day" is so timely for me today.

Incident:

My girl runner fall just before the finishing line to lose her Gold medal. Other than minor scratches, she sprained her left wrist, which swell. First aid is given, ice compression is given.

Then, the first aid teacher came to tell me that she should not run anymore for the inter-cca race for her safety, in case, if she fall again, it may worsen the wrist, stating that they do not know if there is a facture in the wrist. To me, it is my intention for her to run for the track team in the inter CCA relay. If she run, it will give the track team the best chance of winning and it is also her last year in school, she will graduate this year. It is her last chance to run for the team and win the gold medal.

After discussion with her, she wants to run. I spoke to the parent to explain the situation and the parent gave the go ahead and even asked if she use her hands to run or her legs to run?? she only hurted her wrist, but still can use the legs to run. (When the parent said like this, it really feel abit foolish to call her in the first place. But it is a must for teacher to make that courteous call.)

Then I called for the bandage to hold the wrist together so that she can run. Then the same first teacher talked about:

1) Safety - what if there is a fracture inside?? It is not a fracture ( I also have first aid knowledge), if it is a real fracture, she will still be in constant pain and it will not swell. (What kind of first aid team is this??) My girl runner cannot move her fingers, of course, because the tendons, nerves and muscles to move the fingers pass through the wrist. And if the wrist is hurt, the person may not be able to move the fingers.

2) Take responsibility - who is going to take the responsiblity?? Ya Ya, at the end of the day, she do not want to take responsibility, asking if I want to take the responsibility. (I totally understand that she is also trying to protect me) I do not mind taking calculated risk, like what I have done like checking with the parents.

3) What if she falls again and worsen the wrist?? Then what if she walks home, fall and worsen the wrist?? Then it will not be our responsibility, is it?? Accidents will still happen whether you like it or not. If it is the will of GOD for a situation to happen, we, humans, are so weak that we cannot avoid it or prevent it. Why be so pessimistic?? Look on the bright side of things.

4) If the same thing happens on her child, she will not want her child to run. I think it is only a matter of perspective. First, I will not mind if my son (or child) continue, because I also want him to develop a certain amount of resilent. When I played water-polo for my school, our team has a understanding that even if our both legs cramped during a match and no chance for substitution, we will continue to play and swim hard, because if we stop, we will affect our game and let down our team mates. Second, as I have said I lost two national inter school medals, I do not want to disappoint my son (It is his decision, if he decides to do it, he will put his mind to it.) Through my swimming "career", I have seen Kenneth Goh (our national swimmer) cried after a race, which he won gold medal. Later, I found out that he cried because he missed the record timing by spilt seconds. WOW!!! That is the mentality of a champion. Winning is not enough, but to win well.

A HOD (he) was beside us all this while, of course, I did not argue like this, but he noticed that I was about to lose my temper (Yes, I admit I am pretty pissed) I mentioned that I lost two national inter school medals because some doctor said that the troat virus could attack my heart if I swim (compete). I have carried that disappointment for many years and I wished help her to at least a relay gold medal as it is her last year in school and want her to live to regret.

Then he mentioned that my role is not only to be a coach, but also a teacher. Teacher has to think for the well being of the pupil. (To me, it seems more like the well-being of the school, scared complain??) I will not push my runners more than they can bear. I have been with them for four to five years, do I not know them better??

He also mentioned that I could have made that decision based my past experience. Yes, of course, different people have different life experiences, which affect the choices and decisions that we made. Of course, I am not totally without fault too.

But I do not want to disappoint my runners too. That is why they want to run for me. And when they fail, they always say sorry to me, even if I know there is no need to. I know their disappointment to themselves will be greater than their disappointment to me. Reflecting on my way home, have I set a standard too high??

Resolution:

Seeing that I also got a "lecture", she decided not to run. If she does not want (badly enough), there is no point arguing anymore. But in the first place, a senior teacher said before, a pupil is only here for four years, but colleagues are in the same school for time longer than that so try not to argue over a pupil.

Praise GOD that He reminded me to calm down when the feeling comes up.

And of course, the track team still won gold. Hahahaha!!!!

Follow up in the evening:

She got a half cast and she is fine without the medal. (Chay, what for argue in the first place!!!)

A personal thought, has our society gone soft?? Or has our school system become so afraid of parent complain?? What if the parent complain why the school refuse to let her daughter run, causing her to have mental disappointment??

Personally, I will want to live a moment of glory, then to live a life of disappointment and regret. If my life is meant to be short, but meaningful, then so be it, then to live a long life of regret.

Did I mention that I went for water polo training, even with a muscle tear on my shoulder???

Please dun legalise Homosexuality by removing Penal Code 377a

2007-05-15T23:06:00.000+08:00

Homosexuality debate - we are being raped here

Please, people who are against it please raise up and stand against it. I am not only talking to the Christians only, this will affect every single pores of our country. Just look at the so call Land of Freedom (America). Do you know that a person can be put into jail (church burned and people beaten up) just by saying that homosexuality is a sin??? How free can you be when you cannot say what you want??

The word 'gay' has been raped. In the past, gay used to mean happy, light-hearted, but now..... I will not want to be associate with the word.

The homosexuals are attempting to deceive us that adultery is also wrong but not criminlise, so why should homosexuality be criminalise?? Yvonne Lim has written in the Straits Times few weeks back and has put it across in a very nice manner. At least the adulterers know that they are in the wrong and not push to legalise adultery, but homosexuality is different. homosexuals do not think that their act is wrong and even attempt to legalise it.

The homosexuals have an homosexual agenda to push forward, to destroy family values. There are many websites talking about, I just highlight two that may offer some understanding: Wiki and straight-talk. The steps are:

1. Decriminalise homosexuality,
2. Equalise the age of consent,
3. Anit-discrimination legislation e.g. equality in sex education requiring the teaching of
anal sex to young school children,
4. Same sex marriage or civil union
5. Homosexual parenthood.

This is not a legacy that I want to leave for my children and my children's children. Please understand that I do not hate the sinners (homosexuals) but I hate the sin.

My heart is griefed after reading some posting on the feedback unit forum where there is a gay christian (who is proud to be gay) - please learn the Word of GOD and repent. Even though I do not have the right to judge (for the measure that we pass our judgement, in the Last Days, we are also measure by the same measurement & Jesus said let he without sin cast the first stone), I need to advise you to repent and turn from your wick ways for it is recorded in the bible (the bible that you believe,, unless you do not believe what you believe) that adulterers, murderers, homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of GOD.

There is no hyper grace message and it is not once saved always saved. Thoughout the bible, there are many incidents of GOD sending plagues, wars to wipe out his own people, the Isrealites, people who worship the golden calf, people who complain and wished that they had not left Egypt and, of course, the two classic cities: Sodom and Gomorrah. (The two cities found) The two cities, which are known for their wickedness and homosexuals. The bible story of how two (beautiful) angels entered the house of Lot, they attracted many men, both young and old, who wanted to lie (have sex) with the angels. Even when Lot offered his two daughters, the men will not compromised. Later as we know the cities were totally destroyed by fire from the Heavens. GOD sent the ten plagues on Egypt, not only to release his people, but also to punish Egypt for the sin of the shedding of innocent blood. Incident of the Pharaoh ordered the killing of baby sons aged two and below and the Israelites oppressed and enslaved with many privileges taken away.

Our nation does not need to pursue the pink dollars (as coined by the newspapers) and neither are all creative people gay. Just had this thought: why are we modelling ourselves after a nation of few hundred years history (America) when there are nations of few thousand years of history (China)??? There must be a reason why some nations (civilsations) can endure the test of time, while some are destroyed, like Babylonians (present Iraq), Persian (present Iran), Greeks, Romans Empire, Soviet Union (separated), British (Remember the sun will never set on the Union Jack), civallisations in the Central America where the people are no longer and cannot be found and the largest Empire in History: the Mongolian Genghis Khan, whose Empire stretches to large parts of modern day China, Mongolia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, South Korea, North Korea, and Kuwait. Today, it is only a small piece of China.

1corinthians 1:10
[Divisions in the Church] I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

The virtue of waiting & waiting & waiting.........patience

2007-04-16T16:53:00.000+08:00

Have you reached a point in life that you feel that you have just about waited for everything???

From birth, you waited in the womb of your mother to give birth to you. As a young, you are wait to learn to walk, talk and waiting to outgrow the ridiculous clothes that people try to fit you into. As a teen, you wait for the beautiful woman or handsome man to "sweep" your feet (to find him or her to be a jerk), for the first time holding hands and first time kiss, then the first degree, first car, first house.(first wife???? just kidding....)

Now, having been there and done that, I still find myself waiting.

1) Waiting to book my first car.
It is interesting that buying a new car is not as easy as it seems. Praise God for wisdom, I manage to book the toyota vios (off-peak) at $28k. It is quite a bargain. Borneo Motors is selling cheap since the new vios is already on the way. There are many times that I could have made a book for a car, but I waited...... and waited..... and waited. Till GOd say YES.

2) Waiting for the Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
In Singapore, having money does not mean that you get your car immediately. I still have to wait for the bidding of the COE. The first two bids for the month of March is about $12k plus, so I did not get the COE, wait again. The last round in April, Borneo Motor did not bid for me. (What an ASS!!!), but the bid went up to $14k. Oops, it looks difficult to get my COE now. Hmm.....The next round of bidding starts today and will end this wednesday. I feel that God is asking me to wait for the best deal that He will give me. But the flesh me wants to send fire from heaven on Borneo Motor if I do not get my COE this wednesday(18/04/2007). ARGH!!!!

3) Just attended another job interview, this time it is with Cornerstone Wine (the old Hock Tong Bee). I am still waiting for a reply from them, but I feel it is not too hopeful. They are the biddest distributor of wine and spirit in Singapore and they have expanded oversea. This is the most professional interview that I have ever been to. A personality test was conducted and a whole series of questions was asked. Prew......

4) Just an update from number two, I have got the COE and now still waiting for the collection of the car. It seems like a LONG process. Hmm..... Five days have passed then they ask me for the cheques and have to wait some more for the road tax. I have made abit of noise to collect my car before labour day. My colleague collected his Hyundai Avante one and a half weeks after getting the COE.

It seems ridiculous that they know that they need the two cheques (insurance and first installment) to start the process of collection, but it took Burneo Motors four days to get down to asking from me. Their reason was they needed to wait for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to issue the COE. But is it not common sense (or foresight) to ask your customers to prepare the money beforehand or at least once the COE is in, they can immediately bank in the cheques to get their money????? Then their reason was some customers prefer not to leave money or cheques with them. COME ON, Burneo Motor did not even ask me, how do they know that I do not wish to leave the cheques with them??? I can always post date the cheques so they cannot bank in the cheque till after a certain date.

My problem with Burneo Motor is they never ask. I do not expect high level of customer service, but they just do things as per NORMAL. Is normal good enough?? Or is it that the sales volume is too high that they do not have to worry about customer service??? (From the newspapers, toyota top the annual car sales with 2100 cars and the second is like in the hundreds.) It makes all that talk about customer service sound quite crappy. PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE .My heart is screaming but my spirit man at peace.

At the end of the day, it is GOD's will.
waiting upon GOD,
Have faith to wait and believe that GOD will provide the open door and for the right timing.
And bearing the fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Patience, Patience.
As it is written in the bible, ALL (as in ALL, everything) things work for the glory of GOD and in His timing, He will bless us and He will test us, but never beyond what we can take? Praise GOd for obstacles in our life.

______________________________________________

This week everything seems to be going well, very well. It felt as if GOd chose this week to bless me so mightly that everything fall in place. I have gotten the COE for the new car, gotten some new tutition assesments and thankful that the extra income will come in handy to pay for the car. In GOD's timing, He is our provider and always provide enough. Pray that He will provide abundantly, according to a book (the relvalation of heaven), in heaven, there are big warehouses of blessings that GOD wants to give to us, but we never ask for it. I will love to have more annointing too. :)

Not forgetting the pay increase and the addition bonus.

_______________________________________________

My heart is abit disheartened today. A pupil was suspended indefinitely. if the pupil acts gangsterly, is it not the duty of educators and teachers to work with him to put him back on the right path of righteousness???

As for the pupil (blog), I think that blogging in vuglarities is not right and all that names calling. I do not know what has happened, but it is how we response to the situation that makes us a man and by responsing in the right manner, people will respect you but in this case, it only shows that you are no better or even proving that the principle and teachers were right in their decision (or judgement).

And sometimes it may just a word of sorry to solve all the problem, but the human flesh (pride, anger) always stands in the way. I am not saying who is right or wrong, but one side has to say sorry and the princple and teachers will not do it so the word has to come from the pupil.

Humble yourself. And when you can do that, I will respect you.

Life in a box of Chocolate

2007-02-17T14:32:00.000+08:00

Interesting life around me seems to be go haywire, but praise GOD, I am calm in the midst of the storm because as the bible quoted:"I look up to the heaven and my help comes from GOD, my father." So in the midst of the storm, I know that GOD, you are there.

1) Pilot Interview
It is not good, just gotten the rejection letter (actually to be specific, it is actually a rejection email. How nice and impersonal???) It seems like it is more "convenient" to send a rejection email - just copy and paste and mass email to all rejected - saving all that 22 cents stamps. (How cheapo can a company get to save $$$???? Hmm.....I might do the same if I own a company.... It is always the BOTTOMLINE.)

2) Job Application
Is there anyone out there???? I have not received any interviews for all the applications that I have sent out, with the exception of the pilot interview (rejected). Is it that difficult for a teacher wanting to change job???? Or teaching experience is considered no relevent experience ??? Actually the job scope of a teacher covers from teaching to managing to marketing to human resource management to administration to accounting. What can a teacher not do??? SOunds like superman, right?

3) Job crisis
I thought my N levels result for my class was not so good, till the O levels result was released last week, I think my N levels result is better. HAHAHA :P

This week, I got news that the principal (P) intents to meet all the teachers ( and instructors) in the department as the subject results have been going down and down (you know like the bear in the stock exchange) ARGH!! What has it got to do with me? I did not teach O levels last year and even if i have things to do with it, I only enter 3 classes for 2 periods each a week to help the pupils with their folio and only during the first half of the year. And whatever I discuss with the pupils still have to be approved by the main teachers teaching them, who make the final decision. So it should not affect me too greatly.

Second thing is the P also wants to find out why the subject teachers want to leave the department??? Personally, I am not surprised. There are 5 teachers in the department.
HOD - wants to leave the department to head other department and to leave the head post for teacher A
Teacher A - was condamned for a period of time and is looking at being senior teacher.
Teacher B - is also subject head of another subject as he vets all exam papers of that subject, not sure if he is looking to not teach this subject.
Teacher C- waiting to collect his pension, so he is not going anywhere. However, like me, he is condamned to teaching and somehow, no matter what he does or how well he does, the management is not going to promote him. (Heard he has not collected performance bonus for years......meaning a low "C" grade, not low enough to have to write report, just not good enough to collect performance bonus.
ME - condamned since day one in this "damn" school. I also intended to leave this department, but it does not seems likely. Seems to be labelled as having poor classroom management (even though my classroom management is so much better now but the label continues. Sadly to think that education is about second chance, but teachers do not get second chances) and i think they hate my guts and ability to change things. I was given a DYING CCA (10 members) to run (They were going to close it down, due to lack of participation) and I ran it well and the CCA is prospering and having smalll achievements in the inter-school arena. Which track and field team in North Zone can boast of a 50 members track team and running on a $3,600 yearly budget????? But the management asked me to concentrate on my core teaching Hmm.......

In the midst of this, I prepared myself for the meeting with P, but I know my help comes from GOD and GOD is doing some good works in me and I surrender to Him because I know in every crisis is an opportunity to GOD to show His Glory. To GOD be the glory.

Pilot Interview

2007-02-10T08:04:00.000+08:00

I have gone for the Singapore Airline Pilot Interview recently, so I would like to share the questions I have been asked, for others as reference. Overall, it can be like an interrogation and the questions just keep coming to test whether you are able to think on your feet. (Being a teaceher for four years, thinking on our feet is what we do everyday. Because some pupils will ask some queer questions out of the blue. hahaha)

Before the interview, it is highly recommended to doing your homework, meaning go read up about the company (SIA) and the fleet (boeing & airbus) that they have and try to rememeber DETAILS about those planes. I had some help from a friend who send me this website to read abit before the interview. It also has records of other interviewees experience, so it should help you being aware of the process and the situation.

Below is the list of questions that I have been asked, be aware that questions may change according to the interviewers

1. Why are you interested in being a pilot?
2. Is that why you did not apply to be a airforce pilot?
3. What is your favourite fighter jet?
4. What are the characteristic of the fighter jet? Which company made it?
5. What is the thrust of the jet engine? What kind of combat is the plane used for?
6.From Singapore to United States, which ocean is crossed?
7. What is the capital of Australia?
8. What are the SIA planes?
9. Why do you think that SIA only have 5 airbus 340?
10. What is the difference between 747 and 777? 4 engines or 2 engines?
11. What is the engine thrust of the 777?
12. What is the company that made the engines?
13. What is PW (engine of 747)?
14. Where is boeing made?
15. Where is airbus made?

At the end of the day, it is wise to be prepared. Hope to get thru to second round then finally get to be pilot. Hahaha To GOD be the glory.

Norton Internet Security 2006 DOWN!!!

2007-01-20T14:58:00.000+08:00

What is going with this Norton Internet Security that USED to be good??? I was updating it on my laptop and suddenly, it just expired, even though I just installed it in april last year. I thought it was supposed to be a one year subscription. How can they just expired the software and leave their customers high and dry without any firewall protection???

Hence, I decided to switch back to windows firewall for the moment because I am online in a public area. Protection is very important. (The same message for safe sex, use comdom kind of advertisement. You know the usual "be safe, not sorry" message should be printed on computers too. Hahahaha........)

Af ter switching over, I realised that my internet explorer is running much faster. And no, it is not because the RAM is increased or internet speed has increased. But it is noticable that it takes shorter time to complete downloading a page. With the firwall up, I went online to look for a solution at the discussion forum to get activation code or product key etc to figure a way to get my Norton Internet Security(NIS) 2006 back. Then I realised I am not the only one who noticed this. There are plenty of users denouced Norton and noted increase in speed without NIS. It seems that there is a 46% in Boot delay. WOW!!! REad this!!! the NIS 2007 is not much better too. And this review that NIS 2006 is not totally effective against all spywares.

I have been using NIS 2004 to NIS 2005 without any hitches, but it seems that the NIs 2006 is problematic in installation and has update packages that even cause users who buy original package to be expired too. With the NIS 2007 out now and my NIS 2006 expired, I really got to reconsider whether to switch to other firewalls or other antivirus programs and Norton is considerably expensive for US$69.90 a year.

BYEBYE to norton, which USED to be good.

Valuair (Jetstar) Sucks II

2007-01-11T18:17:00.000+08:00

As you may all know that I have gone for a Bangkok trip last month, from my previous blog. The trip was great. But before I left, I received a letter from Jetstar. Below is the content of the letter.

My thinking was like:"Oh, this is the way you are going to treat your customers. Hmm.....I will think twice before I fly with you again or maybe there is no need to think." And off I went for the trip, service on the plane was good, after all, there is actually not much need for service fro the short trip. It is like taking a public transport bus, you board the bus, travel and alight when you are supposed to.

While I was there, I had a very rude shock!! I arrived at Bangkok, thinking that I will leave from the Bangkok International Airport - Don Muang, as shown in the letter from Jetstar.

For your information, if you do not know, the Bangkok International Airport is CLOSED!!!!! Thank God, the staff at the VAT (GST) tax counter and tourist information counter at Siam Paragon informed us before we were supposed to fly off the next day. I cannot imagine a "big" company like this can make such errors, sending all our passengers to an airport that is CLOSED. I have the gut feeling that the first printout about the wrong flight time is also their mistake now and having to pay $60 to correct their error is disgusting. And not admiting to their error, it also disgusted me.

Presently, I have sent out a complain letter and it has been more than a month since I have received a reply. I will advise the general public not to fly with them. Moreover, there are two seperate incidents of them refusing to allow disabled passengers to board their plane, which is unjust. We, consumers, must know our rights that we have the power to choose where and who to spend our money on......

First Day of School

2007-01-02T22:57:00.000+08:00

Yeah, tomorrow is first day of school. My fellow comrades would have called me mad, but look on the bright side. First day in school is unavoidable, so why not just rejoice in the LORD. Heehee... For your information, I have been a crouch potato for two months and I can really get used to living like this..

I do not know if the stress of first day is getting into me, even after so many years, but somehow, I broke the tap in my bathroom. HAHAHA!!! I have "accidentally" asserted too much strength. Maybe I should bring the tap to school, saying:" If you dun behave yourself, I will break you like I break this tap" HAHAHA!!!! That will be interesting to see the faces of the pupils. If there is enough popular request, maybe I will consider uploading a picture of the tap.

Still, to one and all, have a blessed 2007 and see you at work for the teachers, as for the rest of the work force, back to work as usual. New year, time to meet some new "clowns"Hallejuyah!!!!

Merry... Christmas....

2006-12-25T00:15:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas to all...

I had a good holiday, spent six days in Bangkok, marvellous place to shop and eat and shop and eat .............

Felt refreshed and recharged to go on for another year. abit nostagic and lethagic because after Christmas, it will be the staff meeting, following by New Year, then it will be back in school. Christmas is like a reminder that holiday is coming to an end. ARGH!! Hate this feeling.

Looking on the bright side, it will be a great year for me, I will hit the big 30, so hope to make some milestone changes in my life.

Carpe Diem - seize the day

THE subject briefing and THE Work Review ^$%&%&*$%&#&$%

2006-11-28T23:43:00.000+08:00

Two "important" events in ONE day, not for the faint-hearted.

Due to work in school in the morning, I went there with an empty stomache (without lunch, what is this??!! slavery???) to know about the new syllabus for the subject. Is there really a need to change syllabus every few years?? Or it is just for the benefit of those &%^&$ at curriculum planning people (if they are people at all??) because if they do not plan curriculum and syllabus, then they got nothing to do. It is just a shift of focus, more emphasis on some areas. But has anyone considered that are we producing more able people or the pupils have benefited (it must be backed by statistics and data.) by shifting the focus?? Even my Uni course in design puts a good amount of emphasis on understanding materials and technology when we are designing.

From my point of view, designing is like climbing a mountain, example Mount Everest. Of course different design problems are like different mountain heights. Some mountains are tall, the problems are difficult to solve, while some mountains are low, problems are easily solved. But the question is what do you carry during the climb??? if the mountain is low, maybe all you need is a trekking shoes, climbing shoes or running shoes and comfortable attire; these are the equipment that you need. And high mountains like Mount Everest, you will need oxygen, warm clothings, fuel to boil snow to water, sleeping bag and tent for shelter from the harsh weather. Same, designing will require knowledge of how things works, how materials behave in different conditions and technology. Many advancements in product design is a result of advancement in materials and technology. Just comparing, previously most products are made from wood and metal, but the creation of plastic revolutionise many of the products we use. I still remember when I was young, the containers for food are usually made from metal. Presently, we eat our food from plastic plates and drink from plastic cups. But that is not my point. My point is designing without knowledge, just on appearance and aesthetics is like climbing Mount Everest without equipment. The climber maybe able to climb halfway, but to reach the top, that is another thing. (Oh, for your information, people have reached the top of Everest without oxygen.)

Show u some works of teachers and the pupils are expected to produce this???

WoW, this is amazing!! Pupils at secondary level is expected to produce this??? That will be great. We will have a whole bunch of designers in no time, but not a very big industry. MNC still station most of their product designers at their home base. And pupils, i assume, are to know 3D studio max when i assume most teachers presently have not used before.

My suggestion:
Why make the present teachers' life so difficult? Why not just hire all the design students from Nanyang poly to teach design and sack all the teachers??? It is part of their course work in poly to use 3D studio max to do some work so the present teachers do not have to go for course to learn how to use the program. Even the industrial designers from ITE can do this job.

A short reflection from learning to use Solidedge during Uni.
It is suppose to be a 8 weeks project to breakdown a product into parts, draw the parts in Solidedge and assemble in Solidedge, to be printed for submission. Not much was taught to us about the program, even the instructors are quite new to it, only one attended the course for it. So my buddy and I spend about 3 weeks going through the tutorials in the program to learn about the program and the next 4 weeks everday afternoon drawing the parts of a compass into Solidedge and 1 week to get all the necessary views for printing. It was interesting for me.

BUT does it make sense to 10 weeks for the pupils to learn a program to only produce a few pages of the work(which is not even 10% of the overall marks), when the rest can be drawn?

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The next thing (work review) really blows my mind.

I never thought i was doing great because I think I still like to have abit of "free" time to relax, read papers and play PC games etc. I work to live, not live to work, ok??!! But some of the points from the review really frustrates me, I try not to complain, but look at it as areas to work on. BUT i still love my "free" time. HAHAHA! Why do so much just for that 1 miserable month of performance bonus, when I got 12 months of salary, 13th month plus 2 months of variable component, just as other civil service??? Think WIN-WIN??? (7 habits of Effective people[teachers], which they are trying to push for in myschool.)

I got "ok" feedback, but prefer to list the not so good ones, just for laughs.

A) The criteria for promotion (leadership) is Intellectual Capacity, PGS (Dun know what it means but in simple, Stamina to see things through) and Ability to movtivate.

1) Intellectual capacity....Hmm....Maybe I am not smart enough for this system, I am an idiot to join it in the first place. Hahahahaha! Or not smart enough to carry "balls".

2) Stamina...Oh.....too much Medical Certificates (MC)....Oh. So our medical benefit stated that we "can" have 30 days of medical leave, but cannot take too many??? Then our dear friend said that not saying that I come to work sick...blab...blab...blab. SO a leader has to be superman??

3) Ability to movtivate...Hmm....I dun see my supervisors movtivating me leh, how???? Always give critical review.

B) Must have stamina to see things through.

Oh so I teach the pupils halfway??? Or i book bus to bring the pupils halfway then they walk for the rest of the journey?? Or do project halfway???

C) Track team to contribute more to the school.

More runners are already training 3 times a week and some of them have 2 CCAs in order to better CCA grades, according to the LEAP criteria. Then must produce results, how to produce results for track when we do not have a coach, other top running schools are training 6 days a week, without the school asking them to contribute more to the school?? And meeting the criteria of achieveing NYAA?? Service Learning, Coummunity Involvement Project(6hours)?? The whole development of a pupil?? After all that, do the pupils got time to study at all???

D) If I want to promote so badly, then fight for it. Look for gap to fill.

Hmm.....What kind of Gap???

Must be proactive, look for oppotunity to do jobs for the "boss" - hmm..either it means to carry balls or I do his job, then he does his sup's job, then his sup does his sup's job, then one on top has nothing much to do, except to come up with so "new" ideas or philosophy. So might as well sack all of them and I do everything. Pay them so much for what??? Do not forget their pay comes from taxpayers' pocket.

E) Cockpit - which area I want to take?

Bro, I am already doing almost everything, from coverpage (when the pupils come in at secondary one), the 4-5 times a year printing result slips, class allocation, curriculum setup, class list and supporting the promotion exercise. Which area????

F) Ability - developing, not competent, not exceeding.

Parents, can you imagine all the teachers teaching your child in school only have developing abililties?? They are not competent enough. You are being ROBBED! You are not getting your money worth of school fee. BUT what can you expect from the meague school fees that you pay ($17 per month?)? AS the saying goes, WHEN YOU PAY PEANUTS, YOU GET MONKEYS.

G) Form class - both two teachers, what have I done?

I did not know form teachers also have to fight for "oppotunity" jobs. I thought we just cover each other is good enough. And during the discussion about my class in the beginning of the year, by saying that I only co-teaching this class and still new to the class is also not politically right. It seems to "show" that I do not have rapport with the pupils. By not reserving my comments politely is also not right, but do they really want to hear the harsh truth???

H) What kind of boss is this?

Work for him in the morning, then go to briefing above without lunch, did not even ask if we had lunch, where got welfare?? Fortunately, my gastric did not act up or else I will be going to the hospital and not the briefing.

I) Taking a risk by giving me the whole level to teach next year.

Why not you dun take the risk if it is so difficult to trust??? And that is very movtivational for a supervisor to say this to his sub, considering he fulfill the criteria (ability to movtivate) for promotion???? Can you imagine the officers say this to the army before they attempt the Normandy:" I am taking a RISK to sent you to NOrmandy? I hope you can survive and not die at the shores of Normandy???" Or is our country taking a RISK to let our army defend our country??? Hmm......................

In conclusion, it boils down to job satisfaction. It is not the money. If the pay is low, boss is good and got commission. Because I come to realise that work hard do equal to promotion or more pay. It is abit like communism, no matter how much I work, I still get the same pay, same increment every year.

The sky here is too small for my talent.

Martial Eunuch

2006-11-19T23:23:00.000+08:00

I know when I write this article it will thread along a thin fine line and may get bombarded for it, but please understand that I am only bring out a point for discussion and not condamning anyone.

Situation:
I came across this headline in the local paper (NEWpaper): "MArtial Rape! I love my hubby but I hate sex because it made me feel filthy."

I have not read the article but I guess this article came out because of the recent changes in martial rape. So I will only discuss based on the headline. Before I go on, I will like to state my stand that rape is wrong or all rape is wrong and it is like steal, taking another person property without permission is a criminal offence.

But the two points I want to bring up is:
1) Her love for her husband has reduced the man to a eunuch.
2) Either the sex education in her school is doing a fantistic job or there could be a emotional scar in her past that left her feeling that sex is filthy.

1) Her love for her husband has reduced the man to a eunuch.
Why do I say this? Let us find out the meaning of a eunuch from a dictionary (dictionary.com)

eu‧nuch / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[yoo-nuhk] Pronunciation Key noun i) a castrated man
ii) A man or boy whose testes are nonfunctioning or have been removed
iii) An ineffectual, powerless, or unmasculine man
iv) a man who has been castrated and is incapable of reproduction

Now I will like to say that sex between a MARRIED (I mean married under the law or under the covering of GOD) couple is a wonderful thing under the grace of GOD. The bible also records that it is a good thing that a man takes a wife, excepts for man chosen for celibracy.

So What happens if a wife refuse sex with husband?
a) Husband can masterbate, which is wrong in the eyes of GOD so he will be shooting his own feet. If caught by wife, then she will ask:" Am I not attractive enough for you? then why do you masterbate? You must be thinking of other women." Not a very good position to be in.
b) Husband can find a mistress. This is also wrong because this will make him a adulter, which is one of the unforgivable sin in the eye of GOD. If caught by wife, husband will be in a more difficult position then situation a, except this may end up in divorce with a settlement that cost you half of whatever property you own, even though it was the wife, who refuse to have sex in the first place.
c) Husband can go pay for sexual "services". The result is usually the same as situation b, except there are other health risks like sexually transmitted diseases or HIV or AIDS due to the various partners. But of course, it will not mean that situation b can avoid such health risks. And of course, it is not GODly.

SO in this sense, has it not reduced the husband to a eunuch? Even though he is not castrated physically, he, being refused of sex, has been "castrated" mentally and no sex means the testes need not function or serve its function, with or without testes, it does not matter. I do not know whether the husband is ineffectual, powerless, or unmasculine, but does it matters???? And of course, without intercourse, there is no reproduction. Hence husband becomes eunuch, true????

I will not be looking into the reasons why wife do not want to have sex with husband, but the incapacity of the law to be equal, but only protecting women in the women's chapter. Can a husband divorce his wife without losing half his property in this situation? or divorce is always considered the fault of the husband or it is duty of husband to maintain his wife, but what is the duty of the wife then?

2) Either the sex education in her school is doing a fantistic job or there could be a emotional scar in her past that left her feeling that sex is filthy.

I will not comment on this because people will have different life experiences that form their views on different matters and their discussion making.

I will still like to say that martial rape is still wrong but wives, stand in the shoes of your husbands before refusing him. GOD bless!!!!!

Annual School Dinner politicalised

2006-11-10T14:41:00.000+08:00

I pray for peace when I made the decision not to attend this year's Annual School Dinner (ASD - Of course as usual, cannot tell you what school.)

Situation:
Cell group (CG) intend to go to the Mandai Zoo on Saturday, so no CG on friday night, GREAT, so I will attend the ASD without any problem. Of course, it is sian (meaning boring, lethargic.), been being politically right for the last three years, attending the event, but it never crash with CG before.

During Mid week, there is a change of plan, CG as usual on friday, as some CG mates cannot make it on Saturday. Oops! ( Actually I was also praying for a reason not to go for the ASD.) Praise GOD!!!! NOw I got a reason, not a very good reason, but still quite valid i guess. Because you do not tell a muslim not to go for friday prayer because of work or event, right????

Present:
I have made the decision to honour my GOD to attend CG, but I just pray for peace. Because I may have killed my chance for advancement in my career or whatever.

"Abba,[a] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Mark 14:36

Next step is to inform my HOD (Head of Department), thinking he is christain, he might understand...

Me said: " I cannot attend the ASD because I have to attend CG."
Reply: "You should have arrange for a makeup CG (Hey, make up CG, why dun you have makeup church service too?)"
Me said: "HUH, but this is my situation, ....."
Reply: "You know I cannot say yes to this, so you are not asking for permission not to attend ASD, right? You are just telling me that you cannot attending."
Me said: "Yes."

Yes, as you would have said that I got a submission problem (Attitude problem). But why do we have to play politics? Are the rest of the teachers going because they want to go or if they are given a choice, will they choosen not to attend??? Are the "bosses" promoting the right people based on ability and knowledge or just promoting those who are willing to sway with the wind (without back bones and "Yes"men)???

It came into remembrance that My GOD promotes who He wishes to promote, just as my boss is promoted to put over me. I submit to him but when a choice needs to be made, I submit to the greater Him. Just as "Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel" in Daniel 1:8-9 Later Daniel was promoted. Priase GOD.

Rosenthal Effect

2006-11-09T18:45:00.000+08:00

For all our perceived intelligence of banding pupils according to their ability and teaching them at their level, at last someone who proved that by doing so, we, teachers, are indirectly "killing" them. WOW!!! This is powerful!!!

No wonder, pupils in EM3 (in primary schools) and Normal Technical (in secondary schools) are so difficult to teach because the pupils are being viewed to be less able, so they sub-consciencely prove to be less able and tend to be less motivated. During my first three years of teaching, I was assigned to teach Normal Technical Mathematics ( two classes). I want to set higher expectation, slightly more difficult questions to challenge them and bring teaching aids into class to interest them in Mathematics and relate it to real life applications. After a while, the pupils mentally switched off and started my "nightmare" in classroom management. While the so called "better" class react better. I am not saying that all are interested, but the few who have a better in Mathematics, raise up to the challenge, one of them even achieved a "1" in Mathematics which is rarely achievable in Normal Technical Steam. The rest become less motivated because they have little successes in Mathematics. After some self-reflection, I had to teach at a simpler level and greater depth and detail steps because previous knowledge will have been forgotten.

So my thinking: "since EM3 is now defunct, what happens if Normal Technical is "eliminated" and merge (We like the merger word in the private sector, with so many companies merging to be more cost efficient.) with the Normal Academic. So all have the oppotunity to fight for chance to take 'O' Levels and for those, who cannot will continue in the ITE ( Insitute of Technical Education)."

However, the meritocracy system that we have, will still like to band them into the last class, which also indirectly telling them that they are less able again. My take? Why not distribute them between the Normal Academic classes? Reseach has shown that when less able pupils are put in the same class as the more academic able pupils, these less able pupils show improvement in their results. Of course, this can happen if the more academic able pupils are still the majority, because the reverse is also true. It is very difficult for an academic able pupil in a less able classroom because the teacher will still preach at lower level, so learning is impeded.

I am not a principal of a school (yet) so my influence is limited, but hopeful this gives our teachers food for thought and slowly we can effect more positive changes to our school environment.

Teacher is to teach, and not spend time doing committee work, CCA (I love my CCA even though), EPMS (to show that I do lots of work), SEM (strategic thrust), meet parents (handle discipline matters, even though values should be taught by parents), submit suggestions to "improve" the school and working environment and lesson plans for the weekly submission to the HODs and Principals. Not forgetting the crappy stuffs like pupils allocation to their classes yearly, keying and submission of Edusave and EAGLES and in short, the tons of paperwork. Even form teachers have to key in the reason why the pupils is absent from school and collect Medical Certificates (MCs) and mark attendance. (Can we not put a ezlink machine at the school gate for the pupils to scan when they rach school in the morning to mark attendance? Or thumb print scan or iris scan? then pupils cannot mark attendance for each other.) HAHAHA.

Teacher, at the end of the year, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. AYE!!!

Valuair SUCKS!!!

2006-11-01T17:05:00.000+08:00

To be more precise, it should be the customer service sucks big time!!!

Situation:
I booked tickets for bangkok, going next month. The webpage is idiot-proof i think because i need to "dot" the going time and the return time. So my poor wife clicked the earliest time leaving Singapore and the latest time(7:45pm) returning from Bangkok and she just click confirm, presumming that she has clicked correctly. Least that we know, when we checked the confirmation slip, the return time from Bangkok is 9:25am. What happened!!!

Hence, I immediately called Valuair and i got a recorded message:
" Our office is closed at the present moment. Our office will be open from 9-6 from monday to friday......."
On my hind sight, I hang up when I heard it, without finish hearing the whole message.

So waited till monday to call, the operator gave a whole load of bullshit about changes can be made within 24hours of the booking, sat and sun they are able to take calls from 8-5 and the change fee ($60) cannot be waive.

What piss me off is the operator is not answering the questions and solving my problem and giving standard answers as if she is a computer (What a moron!!!). Their confirmation slip gave me a wrong time and expect me to pay $60 to change (Is that how they make their money by conning their customers to pay changing fees????)

The operator further irritates me when i asked to speak to her supervisor or manager. She tells me to write in through the PO box. (Another moron answer!!!! You are not answering the question!!!!!) By the time, I write in through the PO box, I would already come back from Bangkok.

Personally, I have no problems changing flight time with other airlines (garuda, airasia etc.) and they usually waive the change fee.

This is the first time trying Valuair and I have to suffer for making the choice, then I will take my business else where. Maybe I am just a "small" customer, but with the aid of internet, through blogs, such bad customer service news travel fast. Companies like this got to wake up and take care of their customer service. What happened to basic marketing theory that it is easier to keep a customer than to win a new customer????

Now only two solutions

1) just make the changes, maybe can stay one more day to make my time worth.

2) leave at 9:25am. I will check out from the hotel the day before, leave my bags at the hotel, go do shopping till the shops closes, go back to the hotel, pick up the bags and go to the airport and spend the night at the airport. (That will be interesting- I have not overnight in a airport. hahaha)

Valuair, you are over. Budget airline so what!!?? Does that mean you can give budget customer service?????

DO I look at a Saleman???

2006-10-29T23:17:00.000+08:00

I will consider myself one of the most hip teacher around in this "business". Why do I say so?? I am unlike other male teachers, wearing formal shirt, pants and leather shoes to school. I am kind of like smart casual clothes, with sneakers. (My pupils actually asked me,"how many pairs of shoes do I have?" I replied:" about 10, not counting slippers and sandals." hahaha How many shoes do you have, ladies????) I have actually read this in a female magazine (I think it is CLEO) that wearing a pair of shoes everyday actually spoilts the shoes faster. Shoes should be wore on alternate days because we expand the shoes when we wear them, by not wearing them, we allow the shoes to rest. Another reason is my shoes must match my clothes, right??? You do not wear pink clothes with blue shoes, right??? Anyway, I am not too keen on pink. Another reason is black leather shoes are boring and very sad to wear that to work everyday.

Today, the most interesting thing happened to me at Far East Plaza, you know the favourite hangout of many youngsters, also for me too. Standing the shop, waiting for my wife to try the outfit, I have female customers asking me if they can try the outfit or asking me for the price. I admit I do get asked this, maybe once every few shopping trips, but I got asked today four times in four different shops in a short span of two hours. (From Future State to the shops inside) hahahaha. I am not angry, felt funny, teased and alittle flattered.

There can only be a few reasons for this
1) I look young. heehee
Young enough to look like one of the sale staff or the sale assistants working in Far East Plaza. If you have not noticed, the sales assistants working in the many shops in Far East Plaza are usually young, maybe 16 (upper secondary and above). TO look like them, wow, I am totally flattered. hahahaha.

2) My dressing is so hip that I looked totally blend into the environment.
Of course, I was not wearing my working clothes. I wore jeans, sneakers and long sleeve t-shirt (and the long sleeves is connected to the t-shirt, looking as if I was wearing two pieces of clothing.) Hair gel to look hip, of course, not like the stoner hair style i wear to school.

Thinking of it, I also feel totally at ease at Far East Plaza, kind of grow up there. My mum goes there for facial when I was in primary school, which sometimes may take two to three hours. During secondary and JC times, I hangout there with my friends, witnessing first hand the changes of Far East Plaza. I still remember there is a CD shop, that sells banned magazines like SKY (from UK) and COSMO behind the counter, but it is gone now. I am sure there are other shops out there still doing it, anyone knows which ones??

3) I hangout too often that I look and talk like the people there.
See above.

Going there looking like a stoner, will be like Mr. Bean trying to blend into the army, it will stick out like a sore thumb.

4) I got the look of a boss.
Hahaha, maybe i do look like a boss there and if only I am really a boss. However, one day, I hope to have a shop there selling clothes, running my own business. I have put it as my five years plan and making steps to achieve it. (oops, by writing it down now, I really got to work on it. heehee. Wish me all the best!!!!) Anyone has any good contracts to get clothes or accessories at wholesale price??? so that I can fulfill my dream earlier.

That is also why I want to be an air steward. Then I am able to travel the world to buy interesting stuff to sell. The only problem is I am not a steward. Hahaha.

In conclusion, why must male teachers wear shirt and pants? Why do people like to sterotype teachers to come from a certain mould to look professional??? Why do MOE require us to teach the pupils to be creative and do not allow teachers to be creative, especially in their dressing??? How can creative juicy flow when I am feeling so uncomfortable in that shirt and pants??? So much WHY, but who will answer them???

A Happy Sad Promotion Day

2006-10-21T09:29:00.000+08:00

Least anyone do not know, teachers can actually decide if a pupil promote to the next level of his/her studies. It is done on Promotion Day, when we decide to play "GOD" with the future of the pupils. Two main situations will occur: first - the failures of the Express stream will either be given some "help" to be promoted or retain at the same level for another year. Second, the top pupils of the Normal Academic will be pushed to Express. (These Normal Academic pupils usually do very well in the Express stream, better than most existing Express stream pupils.)

So I am very happy for my track runner, who top the Normal Academic and will be promoted to the Express stream next year.

The former situation is abit sad. Why I say this? Two pupils: A and B failed and have to decide what to do with them.

Pupil A passed English and Mother tongue, failed the rest of the four subjects at 30%, only Geography at 46%.

Pupil B failed everything at 40+ %.

At the end of the day, pupil A gets the 4% to promote to the next level, because the promotion criteria is to pass english and two other subjects. Pupil A only needs 4% to pass Geography, but Pupil B need maybe 4% in three subjects to promote him (total = 12% rough).

Let's re-look this. Pupil B failed at broadline for all his subjects and have one more year to work on him before 'O' levels, most likely he will be able to pass all subjects after working with him for a year. However, Pupil A failed his subjects at 30%, meaning the he failed to understand the fundementals of the subjects and from past experiences, these pupils cannot cope at 'O' levels because at secondary four, they need to learn new topics (They do not understand the old topics, how to move on with the new topics?) and re-learn the old topics that he did not do well. At the end of the day, they will still fail the same subjects at 'O' levels.

I wondered if this is going on in other schools, are we really promoting pupils who really deserved to be promoted or just for our convenience, we retain a pupil who is more able to cope at higher level???

Goong Princess Hour

2006-09-30T08:49:00.000+08:00

Wooh! Just finished the korea drama Goong Princess Hour, all 24 episodes in 3 days and 2 nights, very tired now. Heehee. It is quite a good series, as it arouses your emotions, especially the last few episodes when the situation between the crown prince and princess are quarrelling so badly. Check this blog out, it has quite a informative blog about the drama.

In the drama, I just felt that as a learning point, couple should communicate with each other. Actually, all it takes is for the crown prince to tell her he loves her, then she will not have to second guess his feeling, even when he has returned all the gifts and photos of Hyo Rin. Just like all girls, they have their insecurities, even married women, just got to tell them, they are loved. As the drama progresses, things start to change when he tells her that he want to be with her and love her.

Oh yes and one more: " Be at the RIGHT place, at the RIGHT time, with the RIGHT people, doing the RIGHT thing, saying the RIGHT thing." This show is like a roller coaster ride (prepare some tissue after episode 6, everytime things start to get better between the couple, the crown prince or princess will do something to cause hurt the other party unknowingly and strangely, neither party want to explain to each other or listen to each other.

Below a review from another website (quite interesting)

http://www.koreanfilm.org/tvdramas/index.htm#palace

Palace (2006, MBC miniseries)
Imagine being a happy-go-lucky high school student and finding out one day that your commoner grandfather and the King of the country had made a pact that you would marry the Crown Prince.

This is Chae-kyung's predicament as she is quickly thrust into a royal marriage to a complete stranger. (Oh, and did I mention that Korea is a country that doesn't even have a monarchy in the real world?). For some, it's a true alternate reality Cinderella story, but for Chae-kyung, her Prince, named Shin, turns out to be mean and selfish with little intent of breaking up with his previous girlfriend and every intention of divorcing her in a couple years.

But the bubbly and good natured Chae-kyung finds solace in the Crown Prince's cousin, Prince Yool. He is the true Prince Charming, a kind and understanding soul who quickly falls in love with her (his cousin-in-law). Complicating the situation is the fact that prince Yool used to be the Crown Prince and she was originally betrothed to him. And as it turns out, the parents of the Princes have a complicated past and love triangles all their own.

Sound like a soap opera? Well, obviously it is. And a good one. Chae-kyung must navigate the difficult worlds of the palace and high school and marriage. The mixture of three situations that are difficult enough on their own creates all kinds of interesting difficulties for our girl next door.
Yoon Eun-hye (second from right) is perfectly charming as Chae-kyung. She is the most delightful part of the show -- goofy and cute without ever being too annoying. She cries a lot but never comes off as weak. The performance really brings a lot to a character that's hard to dislike and easy to care for. Joo Ji-hoon (far left) is also great as Shin, the troubled monarch to be (he does great even though he's almost always dressed in questionable pink frocks). At first Shin seems somewhat one dimensional, but over time his complexities and insecurities come to the fore and are portrayed very effectively. Former boy band idol Kim Jung-hoon (far right) debuts well here, portraying the complicated and tortured character Yool. Along with the three leads are a great cast of supporting characters. Particularly of note are Chae-kyung's bumpkin family and her wacky trio of friends -- the characters that add the greatest comic effect to the show.
And the show balances the comedy and the drama very well. It never gets too sad or too silly for too long. A scene where the elders try to get Crown Prince Shin and Chae-kyung to consummate their marriage had me practically rolling on the floor in laughter, while a simple shot of Chae-kyung waiting by the phone and never receiving a call from her absent husband required a box of tissues. The show is full of tender moments, and really works best when it focuses on the love triangle of the younger characters, and tends to lose steam when a lot of attention is paid to the Elders.

Prince Shin does eventually begin to warm to Chae-kyung's utter adorableness, and a love triangle full of joy and pain plays out over the show's 24 episodes (It was originally slated for 20, but the show became so popular that they extended it for 4 more episodes of misunderstandings and tears). In fact, the extra 4 episodes might be a bit too much, because it does seem like there's maybe one misunderstanding too many by the end. As for the end, it's a bit strange and not the most satisfying I've seen, but it certainly gets the job done, and in no way should be a deterrent from watching the rest of this truly enjoyable show.

But right up to the last couple episodes, I didn't know which guy to root for. Sometimes I wanted her to end up with Shin, and sometimes with Yool. And it's not only a question of who will get the girl, there's also a question of which Prince will become the next ruler. Because as the Princes struggle for Chae-kyung's affection, their mothers connive to grasp the throne for them. Once again, the court politics mixed in with high school politics add a great twist to this drama.
A lot of the success of the show is credited to the top notch production values. The three main characters wear an array of designer outfits, and seem to be in a different one every time they appear on screen. The crown prince and princess' quarters are stunningly beautiful. The production was denied when they asked to shoot in a real castle, but it's all for the best, because what was created was perfect for the series.

The show's surprise success in Korea (which shouldn't have been surprising, due to how great it looked and how good the main trio of actors are) has caused it to be dubbed the next big thing in the Korean wave. There are high hopes that the show will catch on in other Asian countries. Even Variety has called it the "future of Korea's TV drama industry". And it could easily gain a following as loyal as Dae Jang Geum or Winter Sonata. (Review by Alison Veneto)

In conclusion, just enjoy it. Heehee.

Akeelah and The Bee

2006-09-28T18:28:00.000+08:00

Just got some time at hand to watch the movie "Akeelah and The Bee" on DVD.

I was not able to catch it in the cinema. Wow! It really blew my mind away with all that bomblastic words: Xanthesis, Gabbro, pulcher?????? It deserves 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. It is entertaining even with a simple story plot: just a girl overcoming all odds (in terms of skin colour, rich and poor, parental objection) to become the national spelling bee champion. As the movie moves, it draws you and connect with you and the emotions you feel when the character wins or loses. It can be quite touching. That is what a good movie does: connect with the audience.

There is a little quote in the movie, which is also used in another of my favourite movie: Coach Carter. At the end of "Coach Carter", the naughtiest student, who turned over a new leaf after the death of a cousin said the same quote.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure

We ask ourselves

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us

And as we let our light shine,

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

United 93 - Crisis Management

2006-09-14T16:19:00.000+08:00

Wow, I have being really busy for months, trying to get the pupils to finish their portfolio and artefacts for the 'N' levels exams and now with a bit of time I have (still setting questions for the end of year exams), I manage to watched united 93 on dvd. I had it for quite long since june 06 but just did not get down to watching.

Today might be a interesting day to watch it, just three days after september 11. HAHA. And of course, I went onine to see if there is any conspiracy theories, concerning the crash, and just as I expect, check this out.

As a singaporean watching the movie, I watched it from another aspect. I felt that at the end of the day, it is the families of the victims AND the perpretrators that suffer from the loss. Fathers and mothers lost their sons and daughters, children lost their parents., even the perpretrators are sons to a father and fathers to their children. There is no gain in terrorist activities and likewise, there is no gain for the old men on top of the military to sent the young men to a warfront.

I also have another thought: if I was on the plane, what will I do? If you are on the plane, would you have done the same? or what will you do? From a macro aspect, are we (Singaporeans) prepared to handle crisis?

As in the movie, ( Some people say real life is reel life and reel life is also real life) I saw characters just break down and weep and weep as if there is no tomorrow or running around like headless chicken, same as many movies dealing with crisis. Being in a school environment allowed me to see the same characters in real life, not only pupils, but teachers also. I thank GOD for national service to prepare us, but I do see the same characters in the army too when we are stressed beyond what we normally as civilians will do, going for exercise for four to five days without much sleep and dealing with difficult situations. JUST CALM DOWN AND USE THE BRAIN: THINK!!!!

Am I being too logical and rational? Just as the movie progresses, some people get over the initial shock and calm down enough to plan a retaliation. I will have done the same as the people on board, used the trolley as a battle ram to knock down some perpretrators and the cockpit door, but may do something differently. While raming the door, someone has to disarm the bomber, pouring hot water on him will only blind him and hurt him but will not stop him from detonate the bomb. Secondly, spray the fire extinguisher into the cockpit, charging in blindly will only cause confusion. Fire extinguisher ( hopefully, it contains carbon dioxide, even foam is fine.) will blind the perpretrators and carbon dioxide will cause them to rush out for oxygen, only then deal with them. It is smart of the passengers to use the seat as shields in the movie, but what happened in the actual situation, I would not know.

Another question is if you are the pilot, will you open the door even if you receive a message not to allow cabin intrusion and the life of a flight attendant is at stake? I think this is a interesting question to ponder over? Will you sacrifice the life of one (or few) to save the lifes of many?

In the movie, the air traffic control or the 911 response is really lacking in brains, to the extent of stupid. The terrorist pilot accidentally went on air to say that there is a bomb on board and the air traffic controller calmly say:" United 93, can you repeat again that you have a bomb on board?" and through out the movie the same air traffic controller is just asking for the pilot to response to the calling. The 911 response conversation is even funnier asking the caller to please hang the line, while he transfer the line.

Overall, the movie is ok, maybe 3 out if 5 stars. Interesting, but pace is abit slow, gets a little boring when they feature on four or five passengers calling their families ( the same message again and again) but this is also the most touching part, especially a mother reconciles with her daugther who is on the plane.

In conclusion, to the 911 situation, get over it. Dun every year take it up and rake up the past, just let the dead men die. Just as every historical events, few hundred years down the road, no one can be bothered about it.

Live today, hope for tomorrow and let the past pass.(Said by me yours truely)

Sad for columnlist Mr. Brown because of .......

2006-07-08T00:28:00.000+08:00

Sad for columnlist Mr. Brown because of a article, he got a letter from MICA, calling him a partisan player in politics. HAHA! What a joke! I realised today I din read his friday column so I checked his blog and realised that he has been suspended.

Here again we see another paper submitting to the gahman. Sad, sad day for citizen voice. Yes, I agree it is right to correct the mistakes that a newspaper put out, but are the points that Mr. Brown put out really mistakes? It is worth considering.

1) Singaporeans are fed up with progress???? True??? Is there evidence (whether survey or voting???) that show otherwise? Are we trying to say that singaporeans are really happy with the increase in prices???? I doubt so.

2) Progress Package is for the lower income family cope with the higher cost of life, how?? And paraphasing from what I read in "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kawasaki, most winners of lottery winners in United States ended poorer than the times before they won the lottery, due to poor management of sudden wealth. One reason why the lower income remains so is because they have no knowledge of acquiring and keeping wealth. As a teacher, I promise you that this is no taught in schools, even if there is a subject called "Principles of Accounts", which only teaches the pupils to balance the accounts.

3) By the way, how many families actually use to money to cope with the increase price of oil and not pamper themselves, children or ...... with gifts or whatever????? Any statistics available??? Personally my income tax is even higher than the progress package I receive. Why not just cancel my income tax and you can give my progress package to the lower-income??

4) Household income increases, the lower income (wages) shrink, true??? Why not?? Cost of world cup has a price tag on it, the last world cup free (Thanks to channel i, i believe). Price of coffee up, then same goes for the price of tea, milo........ Every economics students will tell you, price of goods go up, inflation takes place, the disposable income (lower income) shrinks, dun worry the progress package is expected to take care of the increase, but did not account that you have 10 mouths to feed. The other way of coping with the increase in price is to increase wages, which suits the upper income. Middle income how??? no big progress package, no wage increase, die lah!!!

5) "I am happy for progress, of course but I would be just as happy to make ends meet and to see my autistic first-born grow up able to talk and fend for herself in this society when I am gone. " quoted. I absolutely agrees. I guess I am quite a rational and logical person, maybe due to the subject I major in. What truely concerns us is not whether we have a card system that can be used to pay everything from top to bottom, we are concerned about our livelyhood. Example, when eazlink was inplemented, the trains and bus fares increased by 10 cents. Can you imagine during that time I had to travel from the top north of Singapore to NIE in the far west, my journey requires 2 bus trips and 1 mrt trip to go to NIE, meaning extra 30 cents to go and extra 30 cents to return home????? Meaning I spent extra 60 cents everyday to pay for the so-called new system. Why not they can keep their card system and let me save 60 cents everyday? And they say our fare is one of the cheapest in the world? People in England earn pounds and most have cars, so their fare maybe abit higher during the volume of travellers. And it is not fair to compare the value of the number. It maybe fairer to compare in ratio to the average income??? GNP or GDP?????

6) I will also like to child to be able to fend for himself when I am gone. Mr. Brown quoted the mean testing. Personally, as you may know that my son had wilm's tumour. I had to seek private treatment for my son. If you do not know, government hospitals charge the same amount as private hospitals for most treatments if you are a private paying patient. Most of the subsidies goes to the 'C' wards patients. Hence, as a private paying patient, $100 for an x-ray is the same whether you go to a private hospital or a government hospital. Even though medisave can be used, do you realised that medisave is actually taken from your pay?? So you still pay for your own medical bills. And deduction of medisave is limited. I ended up paying $10, 000 (50%) after medisave deduction. Thank God for family support, or else as a young family, where to find $10, 000 to pay for the medical bill. After the surgery, my boy still has to go for chemo (only $200 medisave deductible, when the bill is $400+) and flushing of his port-a-cathe after the chemo is over (which is non-medisave deductible, my money but i cannot use it)

7) If the government I voted in cannot take care of its citizens, then why should I continue to vote for the government ?????

It is regretable that Mr. Brown is suspended. Hope it is a short one so meanwhile can check out his blog. It is also regretable that the TODAY paper is now inline with the main papers, when it started out to be an alternative voice. other than encouraging constructive critic (I agrees to constructive critic), we also need constructive reply, instead of just slamming Mr. Brown, claiming that he distort the truth, which is very serious. Are you saying that Mr. Brown has intregity problem or he is a liar or which is all very serious accusation leading to slander, defamation????

SIA Steward The Mission Impossible DREAM

2006-07-02T22:36:00.000+08:00

While teachers are to encourage the pupils to dream the impossible, go realise their dreams and spread their wings and soar to the high heaven, i did the "undreamable" thing yesterday (01/07/06). I went for the Singapore Airline (SIA) flight steward and stewardess recruitment. :) Teacher must also do what they preach, right?? We always tell our pupils to do their best, reach for the stars and fulfill their dreams, but teacher cannot be a living example for them.

So I accidently (I promise you it is really accidently) so happened to check the SIA website to see if they have any recruitment drive on friday. And "wah kao" the next day is the recruitment. It really got me pretty excited, imagine the oppotunity to meet the rich businessmen (for business oppotunites when i retires from SIA), to fly to places where in this life time, I may never afford TIME and money $$$ to go, work with some of the beautiful people and in one of the best company in Singapore and widen my scope of life. I still believe that there is more to life than teaching, marking, scolding and meeting.

When I arrived at the convection center, I cannot believe it. There is long quene for the application form. (Just a shorter version of quene compared to the Singapore idol. Side-track abit, Project Superstar is coming, maybe I should also try. Hmm........ Dun laugh please.) I felt kind of under-dressed for the occasion. These people (men) are coming in long-sleeved shirts, pants and tie, well styled hair (every strand in their proper place, not one is out of place) and I just worn a short-sleeved shirt and jeans. HAHAHAHA............................. As for the ladies, they are REALLY, REALLY well-dressed, some in office attire, dresses and full make-up. Prew, luckily I am a male, believe me the ladies really enjoy this make-up stuff.

Praise God! I was able to clear the 1st round, but got knocked out in the 2nd round. I was pretty disappointed. The interviewer told me that I will receive a notification letter if I am selected but I see those cleared to the 3rd round will receive a slip to go for the water test on another day. Hiaz (sigh!) After reflecting, (teachers are very good at this. we ask pupils to do reflection for success, mistakes etc. Teachers are also to do reflective teaching. PUKE! What a load of bullshit!) I came to a few conclusions why I am not selected (Any SIA interviewers may correct me if I am wrong. HAHAHA)

1) I am too good for them. Teachers are to be worshipped (You know, a life-changing career, change the pupils' life and shorten my life, hahahahahaha)

2) I am still too good for them. The interviewer noted that I have not worked in a service industry even though I have sales experience in a wine shop. but looking on the other hand, the school is also a service industry as some of the principles have put it that the students are our customers ( but i cannot agreed with this, because we do not shout and scold our customers, do we?) He continued to ask me how I will handle difficult parents or pupils. We, teachers, just explain to the parents our position and point of view if they are reasonable, they will also agree with us. It is for the common good of the pupils, their children. What is so difficult?!

3) I think I may have "cocked up" the question portion. The interviewer asked me if I see a fellow stewardess is molested by a passenger, what will I do? How the hell am I supposed to know what is the SOP (standard operating procedure) of the company without training? Am I supposed to slap his face, ask him not to molest my fellow colleague and embarrass him in front of all the passengers or tie his hands up?

4) Read a passage. What interview is this? English teacher? Even the MOE interview also did not ask me to read a passage. Not prepared for this, of course, my reading is crap, compared to what I can do during the phonetics class during NIE. How the hell on earth do you pronouns this word "carousel"? Am I supposed to read the safety regulation before the taking off of the plane? From the last time, I took a flight of another airplane, the safety regulation is video recorded before hand so they just broadcast on the tele screen. Reading is SO, SO old school. The interview do not change with the times.

5) Sad, but I admit there is a gap between my two front teeth. Hey, with money, nothing cannot be corrected. All I need is a thousand dollars to get the braces. The last time I did braces, the dentist did a good job but the teeth started to shift. :)

6) The interviewer ended the interview by asking:" Oh, you are married?" Of course I am are you blind or what? Can't you read that in the application form or see the ring in my finger? "With child." Yes, what is wrong with that? you mean I cannot have children???? Maybe SIA cannot accept married people applying for the job. DISCRIMINATION!!!!!!!! Talk about a equal opppotunity employer...... or they imply that stewards and stewardesses cannot get married and have children???? ........ leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Disappointed, yes, I am. But I am try again, not before I go back to lick my wounds. :P

I tried I failed but at least I tried to fulfill my dreams, have you?

The Return OF ....The..................Je.......

2006-06-26T22:28:00.000+08:00

My apologises for not updating the blog for so long, but forgive me, been really busy only have time to breathe. HAHAHA.

School re-opens today, so must blog. Because from this term on, I am a "freeman", free from the 3 years bond that every teacher has to put up with for the 3 years of his or her career. Yeah!!!

My form class (5Normal Academic) will graduate this year after their 'O' levels. My 4 Normal Academic class will be taking their 'N' levels this coming September. Time flies! I can still remember this secondary four class was secondary one when I first joined this school after NIE (National Institute of Education). Blur Heads to young punks to almost gentlemen(and ladies). But hope many if not all will return for their secondary five education.

The quote of the week for my form class is
" He who spares the rod, hates the child. But he who loves his child, disciplines him."

I met a pupil (Ja) of mine, graduated last year from Normal technical stream. I have taught him for 3 years since he was secondary two. He was rebelious, refuse to do his homework, sleeps in class, simply not motivated to study and quarelled with me once (Part of the NT pupils that drives me up the wall to the point, I nearly want to break bond and quit, forget the whole thing). But when i met him on 23 Jun, he told me that he regret not listening during my maths lesson, is sorry and he missed me. At that moment, I was truely touched. (No, i did not cry, but something in me broke). This truely is the moment that all teachers live for. Just when I thought I cannot go on anymore, GOD sent a messenger timely to bless me. He promised to visit me in the school during Teacher's Day and I looked forwarded to that day. I must remember to bring my camera to take a picture with him. :)

No wonder, the "older" teachers will tell the new teachers that the children know whether we truely care for them, even when we scold them, they may not accept it at that moment, but deep down they know that we care for them to scold them. What a true reflection of the verse above! (It is from the book of truths: The Bible)

Next blog: Teacher = Admin clerk? Accounts Exective? Interior Designer? Librarian?PR officer? or all of the above and more?

Election Duties, then MARKING EXAMS

2006-05-13T11:55:00.000+08:00

Election buzz is over and pass. Some Singaporeans (young and old) were happy that they got to vote, GRC, MPs won and lost etc. All that amount of media bombament on election and the aftermath on Gomez makes me sick. After all, I had to do election duties, spending one good saturaday in some school, entertaining jokers, as if I have nothing to do. I have stacks of exams papers to mark. even if i did not mark, I could have spend time with my family, like the voters after all it is considered a public holiday. #%#!@!%#&$#&$#&#$@@!$

On top of that, the amount of manpower is so poorly planned. There is 1 person for every roles and the person is expected to be there to collect the ballot box at 6am and return the ballot box after 8pm. PLEASE count the number of hours!! that is like 15 hours of work and no one to relief or do shift. Who cares about the extra pay and extra off???!!! Accountants will talk about the oppotunity cost between the two situations. DO you think that time for yourself and family is worth more than the meagre $200+ and 1 day that they give you????

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MArking exam scripts can be a pain in the ____________. So many scripts, so little time. Having the mark the exam scripts during this long weekend is low morale. If i am a office worker, I will be out enjoying myself, do shopping, karaoke etc, then facing the scripts. ARGH!!!

Teaching is a noble job. HAHAHAHA. Please excuse my grammer. After reading so many scripts with terrible language and the tiredness from the election duties, I can hardly think straight anymore. HAHAHAHA.

Classroom Management

2006-05-03T23:09:00.000+08:00

It seems like a fellow blogger is finding difficulty managing his class. It makes me realised that I am not alone in this. I wondered how many teachers out there can amazingly manage the class. I know some really can. I can manage the trainees during NS, but in school(class) it is a different ball game.

But in any case, i advised as follows
"Be encouraged, u r not the only one in this. All other teachers have gone thru this difficult class thing. Your CT is also human and he or she will have gone thru this same learning curve of managing a class.

Management begins from the minute you step into the class. Make sure all pupils stand up first. Let them know that you "mean business", put up a black face if necessary, dun let them greet you till they make sure the floor is clean, tables are straight, uniform neatly tucked in and for your case, they are in their own seat, textbook on the table (so the ones who din bring will remain standing after the greeting) and lastly QUIET. If not achieved you can off the fans, raise the voice slightly but dun scream or shout, they like to make u do that.

Do this every lesson and every class you go even relief classes. Because relief classes can be your future classes so let them know not to mess with you.

Oh yes! Do take time to talk to some of them after school if you do see them around, get to know them, let them know that you care for them and know their background if possible. Sometimes they just lack love and attention.

LAst, yes classroom management does get easier once you are able to set your own set of rules and regulation and style.

So celebrate your successes no matter how small. "

Rejected letter by TODAY. Hiaz!!!

2006-04-22T00:18:00.000+08:00

Below is the message i emailed to TODAY, in reply to the article"Play's the thing"

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your contribution to our VOICES section, but I'm afraid we aren't able to use your letter.

Please however continue to send your views to TODAY. We try to use as many letters as possible, space permitting.

Once again, thank you for your interest in TODAY.

Best Regards,

Subject: the play's the thing

as a educator, I believe the things parents mention about teachers being draconian is unfair and not right. The new batches of teachers believe that classroom environment can be fun and interesting and of course, a bit of noise is harmless.

However, what the parents do not see is the ranking system of the teacher(EPMS). One of the critieria is the ability to manage a class or termed classroom management. To some superviors, a teacher's ability to manage a class is relative to the amount of noise that comes out from a class, resulting in a 'D' ranking.Considering the teacher's family commitment, he or she has no choice but choose to be hard handed at times.

Secondly, classroom management is the basis for learning. If the class (many times it is 40 pupils) is noisy, the teacher cannot transmit important points for learning. But of course a bit noise is acceptable in group activities or certain activities but when the teacher need to highlight important points, quietness is appreciated. looking at the other point of view,the best curriculum and physical environment are rendered ineffective if the message (the important points of lesson) cannot be effective transmitted to the pupils if they are more busy talking to their fellow classmates.

Other than classroom management creating a condusive environment for learning, the pupils well being is important. How can the sweaty pupils learn after theyhad played ball games before the supplementary lesson?Those pupils will be hot and more busy wiping their sweat, instead of concentrating on the extra lesson that teachers have spend extra time and effort to prepare, just because of some pupils who are unable to concentrate during lesson time and now have to attend the extra class.

Parents, be gracious. You only have one or few children to handle at home. Sun Tsu said:" the management of many is the same as the management of few." Will you be able to get your message across to your child(ren) if he or she is more busy talking?Then think about getting the message across to 40 pupils at the same time.

Hmm...maybe it is the english. The learning environment is important, but the physical well-being of the pupils in class is equally important. I believe most teachers will not want to conduct lesson after the class just had a PE (physical education) lesson. Agree???

Firstly, the pupils come back to class late. Usually it takes the 40 pupils sometime to walk back to class. They tend to stop by the water cooler or toilet to get a drink or cool off.

Secondly, the pupils tends to be sweaty and usually uncomfortable in the PE attire and take one period to settle down after being energise by all the physical ativities.

Thirdly, can you imagine the smell from 40 sweaty pupils???? All the talk about good learning environment is bullshit, the smell in the air is already not good. How can the pupils concentrate, when the teacher is also distracted by the smell?????

Loving the Unlovables

2006-04-12T21:58:00.000+08:00

Today is the Nationals inter-school Cross Country.

Even though my runners din win, I am proud of them till one incident spoilt the day for me over the free cross country t-shirt given out by the organisers. Flo, a pupil who graduated last year, ask me for the free t-shirt when she came down to support, but i refused by saying that she is no longer a pupil of the school so she got upset.

Later at the end of the day I received a sms from her reading:" Fuck you!.."

Wow! I realised sometimes a leader has to make decisions that sometimes cannot please everyone. Praise GOD, I did not feel that angry but frustrated. Have we, teachers, taught the pupils the right values and manners when they pass through our hands??????

I replied through her boyfriend, who is my existing track runner," Attached the message, if you think this is right, I have nothing to say."

And this is her reply
"Just to inform u.. i'm the one who send u the fuck u..cux i think tat u r really unfair..have u eva think of my feeling?i came to support for almost every cross country.. i'm not really tat free actually..but i still bother to go down n give my support n encouragement..although i did my part..wad did i get?ur unfairness?u say that i'm not from [censored school name] anymore..but am i once a [censored school name]gian? i had graduated but doesnt mean i'm not..since u dun appreciate wad i had done..i dun think tat i have the need to respect u..u dun deserve any respect if u dun respect the others.."

GOD, have grace n mercy on me. It is difficult to love the unlovable!!!.....hiaz........

2006-03-29T18:11:00.000+08:00

Extracts from the TODAY papers 28/03/2006 comments by Vincent Chia

"No one can go on working for long hours forever. Work quality and personal well-being suffers without a balance of work and life outside work."

" It is important to recognise that workers who work late regularly really have little capacity for more responsibility. So there is no point promoting these workers. Instead, bosses should promote those who work smart and thus have the spare capacity to take on more responsibility."

Extracts from the TODAY papers 29/03/2006 by a doctor

"I saw many people at their deathbed and I never heard one of them say they wish they had spend more time at the office."

How True!!! Especially for teachers who are always running around doing admin, marking and lesson preparations etc.

Just for Laughs
From the TODAY papers 11/04/2006

"A Malaysian nearly fainted when he received a RM806trillion (S$350 trillion) phone bill and ordered to pay up within 10 days or face prosecution.

Mr Yahaya Wahab said he disconnected his late father's telephone line in January after he died and settled the RM84 (S$37) bill, the New Straits Times reported yesterday.

But Telekom Malaysia later sent him the S$350 trillion bill for recent telephone calls along with orders to settle the bill within 10 days or face legal action."

Today I decided to report sick, the cough is not going away since two weeks ago I saw the doctor and took two days 'MC' and last week due to the mad rush in school to get the exams papers ready and all the crap preparation for the "HONOUR'S DAY" (Must it be on a saturaday???!!!!!), I only got to see the doctor but din take any MC. Recently, I am developing a headache (Developing??? HMm... More like the headache is growing.) and not been sleeping well, ARGH!!! I am going thru a mid-life crisis!!!! and I am not "mid-life" yet.

STRESSSSSS........

Gloomy News

2006-03-07T18:36:00.000+08:00

First welcome back to myself after going missing for days, and I mean weeks, being really busy with school, CCA, pupils, 'O' & 'N' levels (as if I am the one taking the exams.) and marking (Eeeee, leaves a bad taste in the mouth).

What really frightens me about the Singapore community is the continuous murders in the papers. What is happening to our society???? Have we reached the decline of our society???
First, we have the murder of Huang Na,young girl murdered in cold blood, then we have a man shot five times at point blank and over the weekend, we have a stepfather murdering his step daugther. I fear for our country, have we became a proud nation, thinking that there is no GOD?

There are many incidents in the Bible and history, where moral decay and the decline of the society leads to the down fall of the country or empire, sin and immorality is so rampant that GOD destoryed the whole city.

We talk about the bible first.

In Genesis, Sodom and Gomorrah, where homosexuality is so terrible that men are banging at Lot's door to have sex with the two angels, that even Lot offered his two daughters in place of the two angels, but they refused and insisted to have the angels. In the end, GOD came down and destroyed the whole city, only Lot and his family, except the wife who looked back, then turned into a pillar of salt. (God instructed Lot and his family not to look back, so result of disobedience is death.)

Same in Gensis, during the days of Noah (when we get Noah's ark), sin (immorality) is rampant and only Noah know the heart of God and built the ark, despite the mocking of other people. In the end, GOD sent the rain and flooded the land and only 8 people survived with the pairs of animals.

Throughout the bible, there are many times when Israelites turn away from GOD and punishments fell on them.
1) A whole generation is lost in the wildness, when they could not believe that GOD will deliver the giants in the land to them. (disbelieve in God is a sin.)

2) Israel bow to other gods and GOD allowed the Babylonians to take them as slaves for 70 years.

3) During the invasion on Jericho, the Israelites were instructed not to plunder or covert or take anything from the city as first fruits to GOD, some Israelites took some gold and silver for themselves(disobey the instructions of GOD) and the next battle was lost.

In history, Rome was a great empire that stretches from England to Middle East. But with success came human pride and they started to have immorality like casual sex, homosexuality gradiators, social decay came in and the Rome empire fell to now Italy. It is also the same for the Greeks, Alexander the Great is suggested to have homosexual too.

GOD blessed Spain(GOD fearing nation in the past) to bring the word to the world, even in Asia, some countries used to be Spainish colonies. Same goes for British and then United States(US). US has allowed porn, homosexuality, brute murders, grambling(Las Vegas) into their society that they do not sent out as much missionaries as in the past.

GOD has said,
9Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
10Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6: 9-10

Have our Singapore gone down the same road as the United States? you decide for yourself. In recent years, news of adulterers surfaced, remember Constance, air stewardess and a rag and bone man, then brute murders and allowing Casinos to open and soft porn magzines like FHM, STUFF, MAXIM to be sold in Singapore and T.V. series like desperate housewives(also sex and the city) that does not teach the right moral standards to our young child, even some of the taiwanese programmes do not teach the right moral standards. Prime time programmes on Sunday show scantily dressed women dancing or "performing" in front of old breaded man who droop over them. And ridiculous things like gays fight for their rights to have their gay party.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is not a worse time than this to rise up and pray for our country for what is right and just in the eyes of GOD. GOD has blessed our country richly to bring the Gospel to the nations. Shalom

Some points that I have forgotten to add:
1) The "TODAY" paper has also brought to my remembrance about the Nanyang Poly sex video, morality????
2) Many dynasties in China came up because of the righteous king or ruler, but the end of dynasties is always because of unrighteous king who has many corrupted officals and people are suffering, till someone righteous and GOD fearing rises up to overturn the unrighteous king.

Sya Sorry and mean it

2006-02-23T22:14:00.000+08:00

Taken from "TODAY" 22 FEb 2006

Wow! What a powerful message! How many times we have said sorry when we did not mean it from our heart? Since when did the word "sorry" has became a casual phrase, that it is like passing motion or waste from our body. From my obseravation of my son, passing out waste is so natural. No one taught him how to do it, but he has been do that from birth. HAHAHA!.

In the article, there is a situation where students have to apologise to the author and when asked if they mean it, the students have to cheek to say "NO." Thinking back, it is also the same for me in the classroom. My students are asked to keep quiet in order to facilitate learning and they just casually say:" sorry, sorry." as if it is natural reflex and then continue with their conversation. It really frustrates me. If the future of Singapore is like this, I think I got to reconsider my options. I dun need to take this shit. No wonder, the bible is full of words of wisedom.

I paraphrase because I could not find the verse. ( Anyone find the verse please let me know so that I can update. Thanks

"Food that enter our mouth is neither good nor bad, but words that come out of our mouth comes from the mouth."

"Let your yes be yes and your no be no, any other things come from the devil himself."

I pray that I can hold my tongue, be firm with what I say and GOD will put the right word in my mouth. With this tongue, we can build up the students (with encouragements) or destroy them. Teachers have such a powerful weapon.

2nd situation in the article
"There are others who expect their "sorry" to be accepted on the spot all the time - as if it is their right." The author questioned: " Can I slap you, say sorry and expect you to forgive and forget?"

I guess it also boils down to sincerity, how to treat a friend. If my friend hits me everytime I see him, I will not go out with him after some time. I know as a christian, we are to forgive adn forget and yes, we are able to do that, but I will keep away, true? Nevertheless, I also observed how pupils treat their friends and each other. Being in a school environment can be really interesting in observing human behaviour. You have classmates teasing someone, who tends to be a little nerdy, even though they are secondary 5, between 17 to 19 years old, but still thinks like a child and acts like a child. They act and think as if the world own them a living. The world is bigger than what they think. Grow up!

I have learned from this article to teach the pupils well and remind them to treat other with sincerity and repect and always to speak in love.

Prew! Blood, Sweat and Foam in the Mouth

2006-02-15T21:59:00.000+08:00

My gooh!!!!! 3 weeks have passed since the last blog. Time flies. It fly even faster when we are rushing all over the place with endless deadlines to meet. This is week 7 and in 2 weeks time, it will be common tests and term reports and then the long awaited 1 week break, which i guess will be used on my track team and my graduating classes. Taking stock of the situtation, this secondary four batch is my first batch i see from the time they were secondary pupils, fresh from primary school and I have just graduated from NIE. And few i have close encounters with during Track training, through the thick and thin of tough training and growing the track till today, we are a credible track team, with 2 finalists last year (Mind you, it is without a coach and I am not PE trained. :D)

And in few months, I have to let them go (graduate) to the world. *Sound of hearts break n sniff sniff* I do not think i am such a sentimental person. :D Just really hope they do well and above their expectations, best if all can achieve 100% distinction :P Is it too much to ask for?

Doing Honest Business

2006-01-31T21:44:00.000+08:00

Hmm. As the previous thread (comments) goes on, it may sound as if I am pretty stringy about paying the extra. HAHAHA :) But I am all for consumer benefit, of course I dun mean for businesses to lose money and close down. I just dun like businesses that is out to take advantage of the situation of festive season to raise price. I like to bring my business ($$$) to honest businesses.

Sorry, but i decided to reply the comments of the previous blog here, rather than at the comments because this may ended up long. :P I have reflected on qa' comments and I try not to justify my arguement and am pleased to have feedback.

qa mentioned:
"Why don't you complain about others who reduce the price of their goods sharply hours before the new year - it is not fair to others who have bought earlier or doesn't it means that the earlier prices are too high."

I do complain - What does it shows here? It is a sign of consumers reaction to the unhealthy practice of the businessmen at Chinatown by not buying and wait till the eve night to make their purchase when the price drops. Those who bought earlier I felt unjust for you but they have made their decision and choice so there is nothing to say.

Let's have a positive example here. I have found it in this malaysia shop call SEASONS. (I do not get any benefit out of this, just making comparsion and learning from each other. I only benefit from the cookies I bought from them. HAHAHA.) They launched their cookies more than a month ago (end dec 2005), selling at RM24.80 per tin. However, I made a trip to SEASONS on the eve, thinking they may drop price, but I was wrong again.(I did this twice, last year and this) Even though they left a few tins left but the price still hold at RM24.80, they were starting to pack those leftovers. My salute to them. They have kept true to their consumers by refusing to drop price even if they have to discard tins of good food, but anyway it is really abit left like 6 pieces of 1kilograms of "thousand layer" cakes and a few cartons of tins of cookies.

What can we learn from this? If I can sell 1 tin at $11 to make profit, why should I price it at $20, then wait till eve to drop price? Then I have betrayed (cheated) my consumers, who believe that they have bought $20 value of goods when it is only $11. I want to build consumer loyalty, as the marketing theory says:" It is more expensive to win a customer, then to keep a customer." which is proved true many times. I will end up spending more money doing a marketing strategy like advertising, to win customers, then evaluate my ROI (Returns On Investment) to see if the marketing strategy is successful.

Let me sidetrack a little. I have friends, who have stalls in Chinatown last time. They all complained that they do not make much, because of high stall rental and high competition. One of the reason why they drop price is because packing up also cost money, so they will rather drop price to sell (sad to say sometimes at a loss) They have to spend money to transport the food stuff away to warehouse or to dispose, which also cost money.

So like SEASONS, they have priced their cookies correctly and sold most of their goods, made the profit and on the eve, they are not even desperate to make sales. Workers are happy that they can pack up and go home early too.

qa said:
"Why begrudge the workers or MZX for earning a little more bonus during this period. "

Now, I have nothing against workers making extra money during this period. I am happy that they get their extra money because they really deserved it and work hard for it. I am just upset that the extra cost to the company have been passed to consumers like you and me, who only make a meagre living. Sad hah?

MEI ZHEN XIANG SUCKS!!!!! BIG TIME!!!!

2006-01-28T08:17:00.000+08:00

Can you believe that a company ( MEI ZHEN XIANG) with business in two countries sell the same stuff at different price??????!!!!!!!!

Sorry to those who do not know what is MEI ZEHN XIANG, I could find the company website to get a picture of its logo. But it is the one sell BBQ slice pork(refered to as bakua at times).

Trying my luck in JB, sad to say it is more affordable there, rm60 per kilograms of slice pork. That works out to about S$27 per kilograms. :) (Sly smile) I decided to try my luck. Well done to the Immigration people, I was discovered on my little smuggling bakua mission. ARGH!!!!! And there goes my 1.6 kilograms of bakua into the dustbin. Wife felt heartache coz about S$42 goes to waste because she could have bought two FUTURE STATE tops with that kind of money. LOL HAHAHA!!! I just felt too bad. But strange that the officer will throw the confiscated stuff in a dustbin outside the custom. SO am I suppose to sneak back to pick up my stuff after he is gone?????? ANyone, please advise?????? I heard the dustbin is really empty because it hit the bottom so either Singaporeans are really good and not test the system, or they really went back to pick it up. HMM.......... But the dustbin is really high and impossible to just bend over to pick it up. One will have to overturn the dustbin to get it out. HMM........... Wonder if the cleaners will feast on the food stuff. HMM....... Maybe should have called my cousin in the Immigration. :P

AS the BBQ pork is suppose to be New Year gifts for my in-laws, so no choice I am subjected to slaughter by the MEI ZHEN XIANG here. So we rushed to the MEI ZHEN XIANG at Causeway point. WHAT THE HELL!!!!! Can you imagine how ridicious the price is? LAst week was $38 per kilograms and last night was $44 per kilograms!!!!! Can we complain to CASE? I am a member of CASE. How can a company raise price like this!!!!! And on what basis do they raise price!!!! Then they will argue the demand and supply curve, like in the Economics class. And we, poor consumers, are suppose to accept the shit that they impose on us? ARGH!! as it is for the in-laws, no choice.

Just as my previous blog on other companies and their silly system, joining the 40 people long quene made me realise that the quene is not moving. And there is this silly staff going to everyone, asking:" What will you like to order? The price is (so ridiciously high, sorry I added this. LOL) $44 per kilograms, blar blar blar" Then hand out a slip of the order form, please take note that all order forms have a number and a part which we hang on after we give our order form. Then I think wow what if they can take the order, I pay first, they can take their own sweet time to pack the stuff, I can come back like 1 or 2 hours later to collect, wouldn't it be great? Then the staff gave bullshit like "oh, there is no such a system. We cannot have the foodstuff stack up." Then what is the point of giving the order form when at the end of the day, I still have to quene all the way to the counter to tell the joker at the counter what I want and stupidly quene to the cashier to pay while they struggle to pack??????

First, They are wasting my time standing there like a dumb fool.

Second, They are wasting paper giving out order form when I can just tell the fellow at the counter.

Third, if I pay for the goods and I did not go and collect my stuff, then it is my loss, not their loss, because the goods are already being paid for.

Fourth, There is no consideration for the elderly and children at the quene, making them stand there for hours to quene. Talk about customer service??? It has gone down the drain. Oh I forgot there is no drain in the shopping centre. LOL

Fifth, they are not a fast food chain, it is not as if I can collect my stuff immediately after I made my order. They need time to pack the BBQ pork in some oil absorbing paper etc.

Same again, companies fail to learn good practices from other companies, so ended up having to re-invent the wheel. They could have a counter to take orders and at the same time, customers can make payment. Due to the crowd, they could have asked the customer to return mayb 30 minutes later to collect the goods, which is time better spend doing other shopping, then waiting. Then orders that are prepared, the staff can just the number on a whiteboard (because investing in a electronic board is not cost effective if this is one of the few period when there is large consumer demand. And the order number is already existing, printed on the order form, so no major reforms needed.) Customers can collect their goods at another counter quickly once they see their number on the whiteboard, which is easily erased once goods are collected.

I heard this in this movie called Emperor's Club :" The drunk can be sober. The grambler can stop grambling...... But there is no cure for stupidity." True.

Couple Problem Management

2006-01-15T22:34:00.000+08:00

"There is a million reasons to break up, but only one reason is stay together: LOVE."

It has been years since I said that to my wife, who was my girlfriend then, during a rough patch. All that talk about person A has reminded me about it. How true it is. During an arguement, we are always looking at the problem, but not looking at the big picture that we have loved each other. In a christian dating book, it describe the relationship between GOD, man and wife as a triangle. If man can seek GOD and move towards GOD and wife does the same, then the distance between man and wife will be closer. Few things I learned from another book called, " Power of a praying husband" is dun try to tolerated each other, sometimes we have to say it out early to avoid the heated situation, where "I cannot stand it anymore". Does that sound familar? Another thing is instead of keep saying "I cannot stand this about you or I cannot stand that about you or Why can't you ______?", PRAY and ask GOD to change me first to overlook this, then change the other party. Always speak in love to each other, never in anger. If angry, go to the secret place (meaning your prayer room, not shopping centre) to pray and ask GOD to take away the anger first, change me, then change him. Only talk to my wife when the peace of GOD is with me.

Recently, a friend mentioned that love is an emotion thing. My point of view? Love is not an emotion thing, why?

God said:"If you love me, you will keep my commendments." meaning work or action must be taken when we love God. Another way of looking at it is because of love, we act inline with our love.

Another common used verse below shows God acting out of His love.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son....." God's love has caused Him to give His Son to pay for own sins with His blood.

It is like the faith and works issue that many Christians have argued over.(whether we are saved by faith or works.)

Those who say we are saved by faith, will quote:

27Then what becomes of [our] pride and [our] boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely). On what principle? [On the principle] of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith.
28For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). [The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification.]

Romans 3:27-29 (Amplified Bible)

5But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God).

Romans 4:5 (Amplified Bible)

There are other verses too. :)

The other party saying saved by works say:

15If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,

16And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?

17So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

James 2:15-17 (Amplified Bible)

18But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.

James 2:18 (Amplified Bible)

My conclusion? both faith and works.

24You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].

James 2:24 (Amplified Bible)

These two verses will tell us that by faith, we are justified, and because of my faith in GOD, I do good work so that others can see my faith, be blessed and believe that my GOD is good and can change me to be a better person.

Christianity is not a religion, but a life changing experience, a relation with GOD, Abba Father, a soldier for Christ and a humble servant. Have a blessed day.

Love and Faithfulness

2006-01-13T23:44:00.000+08:00

Just to update on the JB trip. HEEHEE! Wife bought 3 PAIRS OF SHOES!!!!!! I admit I also have many pairs of shoes, but to buy 3 pairs at one go is abit too much for me. I probably buy 3 pairs of shoes a year. Actually, I think I bought 4 pairs last year, HEEHEE. Sorry, I am also quite vain, but hey, if a guy does not dress nicely, girls, will you date him? I saw this book at a bookstore, title written in chinese, "Guys dun dress, Girls dun love. To some extent, I will agree with this, actually not to some extent, I totally agree. If my daugther dates a sloppy guy, I will kick his butt, because this guy is not serious and sincere about the date enough to dress up, then how can I trust my daugther in his hands? Sorry, Guys, but ladies, agree?

Updates on person A from last story. Person A ended up dumping long-time boyfriend for another guy. What the hell! I have my own feelings about this, not because of person A, but becasue my first girlfriend left me for another guy. It was also my own doing, because of swimming training everyday (only sunday is rest.) and maybe immature in handling relationships. I must say this some guys are really ASSHOLES!!!! (pardon my language, but I am straight forward and do not like to beat about the bushes.) Some girls have boyfriends, but they just have to "tackle" (meaning date, win the heart of) the girl and tell them he loves her. Within such a short time, how you know it is love? Undeniable, I have dated girls with boyfriends before, but sometimes just have to draw the line. I also understand person A is an adult and I have no right to comment whether she is right or wrong. But I want to say love is not the fuppy,dovey,lovey like in the movie.

4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail

7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Amplified Bible)

One of the things I like about my wife is her faithfulness.

She shared with me a story in the past that a guy in the office was trying to "tackle" her during her uni job attachment to the company and she just told him off that she has a boyfriend. Saying "I love you" is simple and cheap if not followed by action.

Person A said got problems with old boyfriend, but which couples do not have problems? It is the love that keep us together and gives us the strength to work out the problem together to come to a compromise, meet at the middle, sometimes lose the arguement in order to be together. (Sun Tzu said sometimes have to lose the battle to win the war. HAHAHA!!!) My wife and I have our fair share of arguements, by GOD's grace, we are able to work it out. Hallelujah! Praise and glorry to GOD.

Out of the Routine!!!!!

2006-01-09T17:06:00.000+08:00

Thanks Domestic Rat, dun mind if I add a link to your blog.

At least, I know I am not alone in this routine, or should I say my friend? But I guess it is still important sometimes to do something out of the routine and enjoy the company of each other. It may not be something extreme like extreme sport or do base jumping, but it can be a half-day trip to JB after school to do some shopping, instead of the usual school stuff, you know teachers have tons of things to do. And they try to make you do stupid things like filing, type worksheets, workplan, budget planning, weekly lesson plans etc. HEEHEE, :) my wife and I plan to go over JB soon to get some Chinese New Year goodies. It is our little getaway from the routine, just for fun and the goodies taste better. LOL Yummy!

I read an article in the papers that some couples divorce after their children grow up and leave home. Suddenly, the couples find that they do not know each other due to the lack of communication and alone at home, they start to quarrel. Wow! They are so struck in their life routine of work-home-work-home (not forgetting children) that they do not know each other and forget the passion they have for each other when they are dating. Let'us not be careless in this with our life partners.

My fellow colleague met a Christian guy, who is busy with work in school also, she "complains" that the guy so busy always works till 6pm, which is pretty amazing considering teachers have to reach school around 7am so this fellow can work for 11 hours, almost like a factory worker. I admit I also leave school or track stadium at 6, but it is due to CCA training. What I want to question is where is GOD in this?

Yes, as Christian, we are to work as if we are working for the Lord, not for man and submit to the authorities, but be careful where to draw the line. Sometimes, overly passion for working, then work can become an IDOL, without us realising it. Remember? There can be only one GOD and to love HIM with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. Amen.

Just a note: Couples, whether christian or not, have to work on their marriage, dun wait till we are old and find we dun know the person we have been sharing our bed with. The great difference is GOD in the middle.

Love Marathon - Who can survive?

2006-01-07T13:04:00.000+08:00

Overheard a conversation (NO! I do not eavedrop but the names of people involve have to be changed.),

"Person A is going through tough times with boyfriend of many years, but no plans for marriage yet because the guy still studying in uni and no job. After so long, the relationship become like a routine."

"But isn't marriage also a long-term relationship? Of course for christian couple, marriage has greater significance, but for non-christian couple, marriage is just getting a piece of paper, right? But it is the Love that keep us going."

The million dollar question is "Do couple actually fall into a certain routine or is it only person A realtionship only?" I will not answer the "What is Love?" question here because it has been answered in previous blog. To me, GOD is love and with GOD in the relationship, that keeps us going. Hence, that is why for non-christian couples after being married for many years, they find that the so called "magic" is not there and start to stray, which we know leads to divorce and broken family etc.

However, the question here is whether couples, be it married or not, have a routine. Personally, I know my marriage do have certain routines. It is an understanding with my wife that we visit my parents on the weekends and may stay over. Even through it can be quite a major affair of bring clothes and my boy's "barang barang" (meaning clothe stuff, bag and pram), it is also my duty to GOD to honour my parents and it will give my son good influence that Dad respect his parents so he should give me the neccessary respect.

And Sunday is time for GOD, but after the service, we go out shopping or watch movie, just being with each other without boy. Time alone with each other is important, especially for married couples with children. (The "experts" in reseach also agree with this and back by data and statistics.) And sometimes, we go over to JB city square to eat and shop after school, not totally planned or fixed on a day but just as and when we feel like, doing some thing out of the routine once in while to make life interesting. (Those same experts also recommend this.)

Someone mentioned that routine for non-married couple may be boring because there is nothing to look forward to, it is just day in day out. I just want to say even as a couple you have to plan because when the couple fail to plan, they actually plan to fail, it is the same as other matters in life. Plan when to get married, if a couple date each other just for the sake of dating, then the relationship leads to no where.

Last but not least, LOVE. Observe all the old couples. It is not the initial puppy love or romance that keep them together for 30 years, it is love, to be patient with each other, self-sacrifical, trust and faith. Agree?

12This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.

John 15:12 (Amplified Bible)

12And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you,

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (Amplified Bible)

8Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and [a]disregards the offenses of others].(A)

1 Peter 4:8 (Amplified Bible)

7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].

1 John 4:7 (Amplified Bible)

SPG 2

2006-01-04T21:40:00.000+08:00

This is the continuation of the SPG blog.

REading the Single Picky Girl (SPG) reminded me of my dream, which was intentionally (or un-intentionally) put aside for another bigger dream. She got a great job at SPH, then quit to be air stewardess, then journalist, followed by columnist with another full-time job.

Wow! It was my dream to see the world and I wanted to achieve this by being a air steward, with my job taking me to places, which I may not afford even if I work my ass out. With marriage immediately after I graduated, I had to secure a job to ensure income. Sigh! Today, with five month left of my bond to the service and overage for the (air steward) job, I also do not know what else can I do. My past working experience during uni holidays left me with lots of sales experience, include knowledge in wine and wine tasting. But I have consecrated wine (alcohol) drinking to GOD, so now I try my best not to drink. This is not a pleasant situation that I like to get myself into, after seeing my mum in this career for 30 long years, I feel that it is more like a prison to her than career because of her fear of the unknown outside. What a shit hole!!!!

I always thought I can just pack my stuff and leave, but now.............. I am in comfort zone in life, income, family and "career". I always hate to be in my comfort zone, I seek challenge and live to fight (not fight to live). Perhaps, I am feeling low because of the school re-opening and the amount of work that is starting to stack up. ARGH!!!! If anyone in SIA (or Cathay) or any other airline read this , PLEASE give me a chance to fly with you!!!!!!! I promise to work hard, everyday also can (prefer not sunday, got to set aside 4 GOD. He is very important, you know.) and will not complain (hmmmmm, complain a little, can? or else cannot bear with it.) :)

Single Picky Girl by Janice Wong

2006-01-02T22:41:00.000+08:00

Today, the last day of school holiday, marks the end before the begining of the school year. And after all that sales and runnning around, I choose to stay home to read this new book that I got on New Year Eve, finished it in one sit. I found it easy to read, interesting, funny and found it pretty similar to Carrie (acted by Sarah Jessica Parker) in Sex and the City.

I found some articles interesting and thought provoking enough to blog over the next few blogs or few weeks or (ARGH!) few months. HAHAHA!!!!! Dun worry, I will not bored you. :)

I do not read as much as I will like to so this becomes the first book for this year. HAHAHA. Better than last year already. I also gotten the Chronicles of Narnia all seven books, which are sitting on my desk, waiting impatiently to be read.

Sign off to get some sleep before school. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!! Cannot believe this from a teacher, right? OEI Teacher is also human, ok?? To the monsters and monsters-to-be in school, dun mess with ME!!!

Isetan Sales Paradox

2005-12-29T01:53:00.000+08:00

Strangely, after the last blog of praising Isetan for a job well done, today I went to the Isetan private sales. Surprising,I find myself in a quene about 15 people long and most quenes are pretty long (meaning more than 15 person). However, I still find the quene moving pretty fast.

I found the place really crowded, maybe it is the year end bonus, making people feeling really rich (like myself hahaha!!!). Disappointed that I did not find anything nice at the sales, but manage to find polo T at TOPMAN at Wisma, fortunately I got 20% discount coupon. I still find the polo T pretty expensive at $42 for a cotton top, but I really like the bulldog print on the polo T, looks fierce, maybe try wear to school. HAHAHA!!!! Imagine the eyes of P, VPs popping out with this "Ah Beng" teacher. It will worth the expensive price tag of $42. :)

Cheers!

Robinsons Sales ESP II

2005-12-27T22:33:00.000+08:00

I am pleasantly surprised that someone actually wants to know why Robinsons sales is terrible. HAHAHA. To me, it was terrible not because the discount is poor or I was unable to get the stuff I wanted. But it was terrible because the whole system of payment is terrible.

For the benefit of those, who "fortunately" missed the sales, you need to imagine finding the cashier counter in the mist of the crowd. Upon finding the counter, you have to wriggle your way to the back of the quene which is like 100metres long among all the racks of clothes and all five storeys of the store are the same, lots of people queneing up just to pay. This does not make any sense to me. If I am a store owner, I want my customers to pay me as soon as possible and as much as possible, then I will be laughing all the way to the bank. I do not want my customers to waste time lining up, I want them to spend more time shopping and spending more money. It took me 45 minutes to move through a quene that is about 10metres, so much for the efficient and good service that we peach about. Personally, this is the worst payment system I have come across, compared to Isetan(Sorry another japanese company, but they have really improved much and the Robinsons management staff should pay Isetan a visit this wednesday, which is tomorrow, because it is Isetan private sales.

Just some pointers to take note

1.
In Isetan, there is one quene to 2 to sometimes 6 cashiers, meaning customers just have to join 1 quene, which will be quickly cleared by 6 cashiers. No problem about quene jumpers and customers having to look for the shortest quene. The longest quene I have seen is probably 5 persons in the quene.

2.
Extra cashier counters are setup. Besides the extra cashier couters, the cashier is also important. Some of the cashiers at Robinsons look really young (part-timers, I believe), I have nothing against being young, but experienced cashiers will be more helpful. These young cashiers are really slow and took time to find the buttons and if they do not know how to handle, they will refer to the supervisor at the counter, who will be busy answering questions from customers from 3 counters. Of course, there is lots of frustration from the customers because supervisor was unable to handle amount of enquiry.

Isetan got a upper hand because they can deploy experienced cashiers from other stores to the shaw store for this day. Hence, happy customers equal more money $$$$$$$$$$$

3.
Because of the single quene and fast cashiers, less space is needed for people to quene. Even thought the store is pretty crowded, it is not as packed and uncomfortable as Robinsons. There is more breathing space. Another plus point is the additional cashier counters are strategically positioned at the exit, so that customers can left immediately after making payment.

Sign off got meeting tomorrow ARGH!!!!!!!

Sales Bonaza

2005-12-26T22:38:00.000+08:00

Last few weeks since my last blog, I have been rushing to different sales from Espirt to Mango to Adidas and today Robinsons, Metro and Topman and the next one Isetan. HAHAHA and BROKE. "When is the next pay?" I am fiancially unhealthy at the moment. OK OK! Teacher is also human and like to shop.

Three interesting incidents, concerning three companies, happened that really frustrates me a lot.
1) Citibank Singapore SUCKS (Excuse me for the language, but it is true.)
2) C-Jade Express at Wisma is not EXPRESS enough.
3) Robinsons sales is TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!

1. Why

sucks?

Citibank sent out sms and email that if we spend $1000 between this period, we can get a $50 Tangs voucher. WOW! What a good deal! But it did not come true. Why? The first time i went to the citibank counter at Lido, the counter staff told me the vouchers are only only limited to weekends, Saturday and Sunday only. Fine, that weekend, I went again at 12pm (The time which the counter opens) and that same counter staff told me that the vouchers are all distributed already and limited to only 100 customers per day and have to quene before 10 to get the vouchers. RATS!!!! And the following Sat, I reached the counter at 10am and guess what I saw? WAH KAO!!!! The quene extends all the way beyond Lido 3, up the steps outside Lido 4 and back down the slope. The smae Joker Counter staff have counted the number of people and told me not to quene anymore, coz the 100 vouchers have their owners oready. Frustrated, I went to buy movie tickets for a show later that day and spoke to the ticket lady. She said that some CLOWNS actually start to quene at 7 o'clock in the morning and on the first day, some people actually fought.

Among all the credit cards I have, Citibank is the WORST!!! I can say this coz I have credit cards from no less than 5 banks. If I know that this promotion is so crappy, I will have sign on my son medical bill on the Espirt Standard Chartered Card, at least, I got Espirt dollars to spend. My wife too faces lots of problem with the Citibank credit card, so much for all the brainless first class honours people that they hire.

2. C-Jade Express is not express.

First, I have to define what is Express to me, to be fair. If a eatery states that they are express, obviously they have to take orders and serve the food fast. This idea is taken from fast food. After my failure in getting a voucher(Thanks to Citibank), my wife and I decided to try the new C-Jade (Not so Express) EXPRESS. After making my order, I waited for 15 minutes for the food to come before I make noise. We are rushing for a show too, being EXPRESS, we thought everything will be fast. Waiting 15 minutes for fast food is way out of my idea of fast food. Hence, I took the time to analyse the system and compared it to YOSHINOYA and PEPPER STEAK, both japanese fast food.

C-Jade should be like YOSHINOYA by serving food to customers immediately after customers make their order. If not able to do so, then C-Jade is just merely a eatery, should not used EXPRESS, giving customers false promises.

If C-Jade insist on using the number tags, then they could learn from PEPPER STEAK. All customers are required to quene at the counter. When the customers make order, the staff will plan where the customers will sit, which is a plus. Because only customers who have made order will have a seat and they do not have to find their own seat. At C-jade, any customers can just go in and sit there, leaving these who have ordered without a seat. Another plus point is the staff knows where are the numbers and able to serve the food quickly, unlike C-jade, staff waste time looking for number tags.

Another thing to learn from both fast food resturants is serve the customer their drinks immediately when they make the order and with their food. Why? What to they expect me to do when I wait for my food? play with my toes? With a drink, time do not seem to fly so fast.

Thirdly, I believe all the food can be pre-prepared. You do not have to wait for the customer to order chicken rice to chop the chicken. My school canteen aunty can serve more customers in 30 minutes than C-jade in 1 hour, can you believe this? The food is chopped and in their proportion before recess. After all C-jade serve similar stuff steamed chicken and roasted duck, right? It took them 20 minutes to serve chicken rice and roasted duck rice, they must be out of their mind.

Let's leave Robinsons for the next blog while this gets a bit long.

Smile and have a great DAy!!!!1

Just a note, SIX MORE DAYS to school re-open ARGH!!!!!!! SO HORRIBLE!!!!

Son on Track to Recovery

2005-12-09T12:14:00.000+08:00

07/12/2005, Son just finished go through the operation to remove his port-a-cath, so still a bit drowsy ("blur") , but refused to lie down to sleep. Poor Mum has to carry him while he rest and sleep in this position----------->

Praise GOD!!!

This operation was fast, about 20 minutes, boy is out of the threatre. Since, it is a day surgery so just a bed for him to rest before going home.

<---About 2 hours later...... The sedating drug wears off, the cheerful boy is back and allowed to drink milk. He is really hungry, din drink or eat still 11:00pm the night before till now about 10:15am. Mum and Dad really happy that he is fine. Praise GOD! After milk, boy is going around to explore the place, find food.

EATING CHEEZELS!!!!!!! ARGH......!!!

Dun tell the nurse. HAHAHA!!!!

He is not allowed to eat till at least an hour after milk and here he is eating tibits.

Sign off and leave you with a picture of the port-a-cath below.

Good DAY and GOD bless...........

MY Son's Operation in 2 Days time

2005-12-05T22:22:00.000+08:00

Holiday is great!!! Counting down to the last week which is after Christmas, when work and meeting began to come in. ARGHHHHHHHH........!!!!!!!!!!

But in two days time, my son will be going for a minor operation to remove his port-a-cathe in his right shoulder, about one and a half years since he was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor when he was only three months old. PRAISE GOD!! HALLELUIAH!!!!

On 09/06/2004, my son went to KK hospital to be treated for diarrhoea, but a x-ray discovered a mass in his stomacke, which was diagnosed to be Wilm's Tumor (a childhood cancer that affects children from 0 to 14years with no known cause. Worse, it is a maglinant cancer, which will spread of not discovered early.) Thank GOD that the KK hospital was so inefficient about it that we took him out of the KK hospital and found a really wonderful paediatric oncologist and surgeon in private practise for our son. The paediatric oncologist really put us to ease by explaining to us about the cancer and the treatment process. Praise GOD!!! And from the x-ray film, it seems to affect only the right kidney, which has become a tumor becasuse the cells were unable to differentiate to form the kidney, so became a lump mass.

Within 2 weeks, our three month old boy was scheduled an operation to remove the tumor and was in ICU for two days. MY wife and I prayed. As a father, my heart cry for my child. It has to be the will of GOD to allow this to happen for His purpose as GOD is a good GOD. The histogram (meaning the report after they slice up the tumor in the Lab to diagnose the tumor further) came back with good report that it is stage1, meaning cancer cells only found in the right kidney. (Higher stage , max,5, will mean the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body) PRAISE GOD!!! HE is merciful to allow us to discover it early. on our part, we also did some research and read stories of other children of different stages and the trials that they go through and the strong chemo drugs that was injected into the children.

By the way, the surgeon was good enough to also place the port-a-cathe (cost S$1000) under the skin at the right shoulder during the operation too, so that only operate once. This port-a-cathe is where the chemo drugs will be injected into the body through the port-a-cathe because the veins of baby is small and difficult to find when need to administrate the chemo drugs, which can be so strong that it will burn the skin. My son went for chemotherapy till Nov 2004, but the port-a-cathe is not taken out, in case of relapses, so throughout the one year, my boy has to go for regular flushing of the port so that it does not clog and regular utlrasound scans to ensure no relapses.

In two days, my son will clear the next hurdle, removal of the port-a-cathe from under the skin. After this, it will be ultrasound scan for the next four years, then my son is free.

I thank GOD for His grace and mercy over my son and his provision in terms of finances. It is when I am weak, then GOD can show that He is GOD to give strength.

Son, I am proud of you. You have been tough and resilent by going through things, which I may not be able to go through myself. I hope that you can be a living testimony for GOD, a disciple of GOD and carry the gospel to the ends of world. Amen.

To my students, appreciate the good life that GOD has given you, do good works and don't waste your life away. Health is a gift from GOD.

After I have seen the children in ward 76 in KK hospital, which is the ward for all the children suffering from cancer, I count my blessing that I am healthy. As for the children of ward 76,

24The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;

25The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;

26The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually)

Numbers 6:24-26

Amen.

National Service @ S$5000

2005-12-01T21:39:00.000+08:00

Read an article on TODAY "Dodging National Service - Confusing Signal". The arguement has been ongoing for the past few days, about this Singaporean pianist, who did not served his National Service (NS) by going oversea, then decided to return and was fined S$5,000.

What interested me was the law in Singapore is common law, which we have adopted from our past colonial rulers, of course, there are slight variation due to the passing of time. Hence, it means future judgement can be based on present or past judgement and can be used as a case study in court. Quoting from the article:"....justice is a servant of precedent." In this case, if anyone of our male citizen decided to skip NS and go oversea, when he reaches the age of 40 (same age as the pianist) and decided to return, he could just be fined S$5,000, which he could easily afforded. Imagine if he lives in England, S$5,000 is only £1515, with a conservative exchange rate of S$3.3 to £1, a amount he could have easily saved if he lived in England for 10 to 20 years, which works out to £160 every year, £14 every month (for 10 years). Wow! I am amazed and think that it is an awful cheap price to pay for skipping the two years (two and a half for me).

Let's try another method of calculation. In business, we always talk about oppotunity cost, meaning the loss of income by doing or not doing something. Since, in the calculation in previous paragraph, I have used pounds. To give it a common ground to compare, I will also used pounds again.

Say if I skip two years of NS and the cost of this is S$5,000 = £1515. That works out to £757.50 per year and £64 per month. If I take up a job within this two year that pays me conservatively £100 a week (actually more from the word of my friend), then that put me £400 a month, which is actually very low and working only part-time., but minus the £64 per month, it still leaves me with £336 per month in revenue. Why i use revenue? Because there are still other costs like living expenditures etc. But the oppotunity cost of serving NS is the £336 (S$1,108) every month and more if the pay becomes better.

Of course, many times, we cannot measure the serving of NS in monetary terms, but still the pianist is fined, then it should have being a reasonably calculated sum. Presently, I do have a son, unfortunately (or fortunately) I believe he will not need to serve his NS in 17 years time, due to some illness, but if I do have another son, I may consider this option because S$5,000 is not a hefty sum to pay for missing the two years of NS.

On the hind side, I must say that I am glad that I have serve my NS, I will not forget the tough, but happy times that I share with my army buddies. I have to admit that this is the time when boys become MEN and prefer my son to serve his NS. Hmm....S$5,000 in savings, but ........ in oppotunity cost (losses). HAHAHA!

Olay Total Effect

2005-11-29T20:37:00.000+08:00

Hahaha!

As I say, I got thte Olay Total Effect, it better does what it promises to do. Or this for a record is going to be bad publicity. LOL.

Does this stuff actually works? Maybe, you can add your comments. Hmm...........

The Big 30s in 2 years Time

2005-11-28T22:15:00.000+08:00

Colleagues getting married and friends also getting married.

Friend's son celebrating 1st birthday and my own son celebrating his in few months time.

And in few years' time, I will hit the big 30, half way through my life and if GOD is willing, I may live another few more years and pass 80, I realised that I have not achieved much in life. People say that time really flies for a guy and he matures when he pas 30.(By the way, ladies, actually guys never grow up and mature, I still hide in my little corner to play pc games. LOL)

Check myself in the mirror. Visually no receding hair, it is a big worry to lose hair on the top, but suspect the forehead getting higher. ARGH! No primples, prew, it can be quite a nusiance during the teenage years. Wrinkles starting to form, ARGHH.....!!!!!!! (anyone out there wants to sponsor some SK2, but willing to set for Olay Total Effect???) Sigh! Think cannot save the $20 anymore, must get Olay Total Effect tomorrow!!!

Next Stop THE TUMMY!!!! Hate it sia!!! What used to be 6 has united to form 1!!!! :) LOL Honestly, I eat only 2 meals a day: "branch" and dinner and have lost weight (4kg) since I stop training. Actually, I feel the slimming centres are scam to cheat money. The truth is fats actually are very light in weight, muscles are heavier. So when they say to lose weight you have to exercise, you are losing fats to gain muscles, hence, there is weight gain. And in the slimming centres, the "consultants" will weight the customers before and after to show the customer that weight loss actually take place. But what the customers dun know is during the seesions, the "consultants" will "cook" the customers. They use a hot branket and cause the customers to sweat like a pig. Hence, the weight loss is actually the water loss in the body, which is easily regain by just drinking a glass of water after leaving the centre.

Fortunately, I still look young, people still thought I still studying (Heehee, I also tell people I am 18. LOL :P) I am in the business of creative thinking, so got to feel the energy and release the energy to think out of the box and break through convention thinking. I try to show and relfect that by my dressing in school, of course, school has its boundaries, which sometimes is silly, I am supposed to look profession. I supposed my professionalism is affected by not wearing a tie or wearing polo T-shirts or wearing sneakers, instead of leather shoes to teach in front of the pupils. It does not make sense that I wear a black and white suit in a business of creative thinking, right? Just as the funeral palour manager dun wear bright red and colours to a funeral?

Y talk about appearance? I think appearance is important. Being well-groomed gives the person alot more confidences. Even though we talk about when we look for life partner and say that appearance is not important and the crap that character is more important, actually it is the first impression (appearance) that makes us want to go out the second time, third time and fourth time.

I want to be.....forever young. I want to be .......forever young. :)

Submit To The Authorities

2005-11-23T22:04:00.000+08:00

Being reading this book" GOD and Ancient Chinese" during the holiday alone at home. I started on this book last year but was unable to finish. The book compares ancient Chinese (Confucius and "wu jing shi shu") with the Bible writings and through the book they attempt to bridge the
reality that the GOD (Shangdi in the book) whom the Chinese worship is also the Christian GOD, so Christ is not a western concept, but something also very close to the Chinese. Basically, it is good reading material for new Chinese Christians.

Just want to blog about authority.

1LET EVERY person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment.(A)

2Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them].

3For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.

4For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.

-Romans 13:1 - 4

So our bosses are the also people, whom GOD has placed over us ,just as our Government and our pastors and cell group leaders. It does not matter whether they are Christians, for it is the will of the Father that they have authority (sword is the symbol of authority) over us and they are accountable to GOD. So if they treat us unjustly, then let GOD punish him or her, but on our part, we are to submit. Just as we work for man, we are actually working on to the LORD. So go and serve with joy.

Amen.

Is Education on the right track? Or into a wall?

2005-11-17T22:38:00.000+08:00

Overheard (actually from a friend)

Teacher A released exam papers to the pupils and has gone through the answers, there was no feedback from any pupils that there is marking errors. However, the next day, pupil B came running to her that there is a mistake in the marking, saying that the teacher has missed out marking the answer. When Teacher A look at the question, beside the original cross was the model answer prefectly written neatly. Teacher A took the paper to the marker (in case, you do not know, sometimes the marker of the paper can be a teacher of another class.) The marker said that he cannot have missed the answer as there is no other feedback in marking error. Hence, pupil B was denied 2 marks. (In this situation, I will also suspect that either the pupil or the parents wrote the model answer.)

The next day, the parents of pupil B complained to the principle. Worse, instead of investigating the case, the principle gave the pupil 2 marks and repremanded Teacher A that she should not doubt the pupil.

As educators, what are we trying to teach in this situation?
a) Parents are always right?????
b) Pupils are always right?????
c) Teachers are always wrong??????
d) What happens if the principle rejects the complain and the parents goes to M.O.E.?

Disappointed? Yes. What kind of messenge are we educators trying to bring across? Pupil will learn that she can get away with anything as long as the parents complain. Worse, the principle din even investigate with Teacher A and marker before giving the 2 marks. Sad for the teachers, because principle scared of parents. (During my youthful days, I would have told to the principle to go fly kite and I will quit right there because I have no respect and will not work for a person with shit character.)

During the army days, we are taught to also earn the respect of our men because in time war, we depend on them to fight and the men have to trust us with their life. Leaders, they dun like, may get shot by friendly fire. Do we have the kind of leaders in the school that we are willing to go all the way for? and will fight for us (with us) in difficult times? We can only let the future reveal to us the kind of people we have educated today, for good or bad, only our Father in heaven knows.

Singapore political apathy

2005-11-15T09:24:00.000+08:00

Taken from the TODAY papers

Singaporeans are infamous for their political apathy and indifference - why would any individual take the risk of censure, if not more, to be outspoken on issues that might be viewed as offensive to the establishment? Singaporeans read between the lines in the local press and take their cues accordingly - those who do not pay the price. It is a matter of survival.

-Margaret Louis, on Dharmendra Yadav's assertion that voters must take on the burden of checking the Government where the media does not.

True?

I think so. Young Singaporeans (friends around myself and the students that I work with) are usually not concerned about politics and may not even know who is their ministers and maybe not even the MP who represent them from their district. They are more concerned about their pop idols, income, fashion, holiday and having fun.

How can we be a democratic country when the citizens do not know who they have voted to represent them in the Parliament?The newspaper talked about the media checking the Government, isn't it also the responsiblity of the citizens to check the Government? I happen to know the MP of my district, but for all the years that I have lived here (3 years to be exact), I have never seen him around my area. Wonder what he is doing?

Finish First Book This Year *prew

2005-11-14T23:03:00.000+08:00

Just finished my first book " Sun Tzu's Art of War for managers" this year. I have being reading it in seperate occasions and manage to finish it today. The content is good and interesting with many examples and cases related to the sayings of Sun Tzu. But time is not a commodity that I have in large volume, so I only finish it late in the year. Reading a book is just reading a book, just a skill, but to be able to apply and use the content, that is art at the highest level.

Blogging in Singapore and US

2005-11-14T22:15:00.000+08:00

Read an interesting article in the "TODAY" papers about the students blogging about school and the different treatment they received.

In Singapore
Boy blog about school.( Must be something negative) School punish student and force student to remove the blog.

In US
Pupil blog about school (must be something negative) School punish pupil and force pupil to remove blog. Pupil sue school in a civil case on infringement of freedom of speach and awarded by court US$117,000.

My views? In order to create a creative environment, people need more space to throw ideas out and critics things and situation, in order for things to improve. If people get hammered down everytime, then creative(thinking) people are forced to conform. Edward de Bono suggests that creative people tend to question things and situation around to break it down before creating something new.

Love Turmoil

2005-11-10T08:38:00.000+08:00

Wow! What a week for love. Our local singer announced break up with boyfriend because she is more successful in her career than him.

Read a blogger friend's blog and found her counselling her friend going through seperation and below is my comments on her blog:" My friend, I will pray that GOD will work between both party for the marriage to work because divorce is not permitted by GOD. There can be many reasons for the breakdown, pray that GOD will reveal to them and start the healing process if there is past hurt. Ask for forgiveness in Christ because if GOD can forgive me by sending HIS SON to die on the Cross, I can forgive others. AMEN."

Heard from another friend(A) that her friend(B) was involved with a married man and got found out by the wife, because man did not clear the sent items outbox.

So WHAT IS LOVE? Another friend asked me. GOD is love. GOD loved the world that HE gave his only BEGOTTEN son.... Because GOD love the world, He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the redemption of sin so that we can receive eternal life. And many times in the bible, it talked about GOD's steadfast love for His people.

1 Chronicles 17:13I will be his father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy and steadfast love away from him, as I took it from him [King Saul] who was before you

Nehemiah 9:17They refused to obey, nor were they mindful of Your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them.

Luke 6:32If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).

Jude 1:21Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal.

In conclusion, it is GOD giving us love that we are able to love someone and we should give GOD our first love. Pray that GOD will work in the above situations because those are earthly love and guard our hearts. I leave you with the verse below.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. ”- 1 John 2:15-16

Acronymsland in School

2005-11-05T10:57:00.000+08:00

I came to this awareness that suddenly it seems that in the school environment, we are using so much acronyms that it seems that a coded way teachers used with each other, like in the military. Here it goes some of the acronyms: EPMS, SEM, LNA, PPR, EASA, EASS, NE to subjects example, F & N, D & T, to the CCAs like NPCC, NCC, and the new NCDCC. Confusing?

Any teacher will know what EPMS stands for and will know how painful it is to get through it as it is a record of what a teacher has done throughout the year, unless a person has mega memory, the rest are actually struggling to recall. Worse, it ask for actual date for the event. Maybe the acronym EPMS can stay, but change the name to Extraordinary Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, no offence to the women community, but the EPMS is like PMS, painful, makes you feel sick and bleed the brain cells to death from all that amount of recall. E for extraordinary as it is not the usual PMS.

Why I blog about this is because even the school is closed, but teachers are still clearing this stuff (EPMS, LNA, PPR, SEM) before holiday actually begins in 18 nov. 13 more days to go. Hurry!!!

Jail or Fine For Bus Fare Cheat

2005-10-28T22:36:00.000+08:00

First, I want to say that cheating is wrong, just like cheating in exams. Because i do not want to send out the wrong messenge that i support the fare cheats. As a teacher, what kind of messenge am I sending to my pupils encouraging them to cheat?

However, we should take a step back to consider the situation.
i) The bus operators are saying that they are losing money to the fare cheats. Some articles say $9million a year and other say $9million a month.
ii) Despite the loss, the bus operators declare profits before tax in their annual report.
iii) Due to rising cost, the bus operators have to rise the fare price to cover the cost.

All this are brief extracts from the newspaper. It seems a 'little' confused. Either the papers are lying or the bus operators are lying or both are lying.

Situation 1: (i) & (ii) are true
If (i) is true, then the company accounts should be greatly affected but the bus operators continue to profit. Hence, it shows that the fare is too much. If the fare is fair and reasonable, the number of fare cheats should decrease. However, the bus operators are public-listed companies, they have a duty towards the shareholders to profit so that they can pay out better dividends to the shareholders, resulting in better share prices. So consumers like myself gets ripped off.

Situation 2: (ii) & (iii) are true
I have always disagreed with the bus operators raising fare, because it adds more burden to my pocket. But beside that, I do not see the valid reason why they should raise fare, because rising bus fare could be due to their inefficient usage of resources, leading to wastage. So why should comsumers pay for their incompetency. Bus operators have a social responsibilty to provide value for money transportation and service, just by raising bus fare to maintain their profits is low-down. They could improve their company image by not raising fare, out of good will to the public, and lower their profits.

Situation 3: (i) & (iii) are true
If both are true, then the majority of the consumers are paying for the fare cheats. Of course! It is not fair and with the rising cost, the same majority still paying. Hence, the fare cheats should pay double or triple the fare, rather then contribute to the government coffer. when easylink was to replace translink, it claim to reduce fare cheats, it seems like it is not working. I suggest the system should be changed to a gate-like entrance like the MRT. So bus consumers have to tap their easylink before the gates open to allow the person to board. Hence, in order to tackle the fare cheats, the bus operators should think of improving thier system, instead of taking the easy way out by pushing the blame to the consumers and raising fares.

We have our consumer rights too.

o2 IIi at last!!!

2005-10-23T23:29:00.000+08:00

It is late so I got to keep this really short. :)

At last, today I finally got my O2 xda 2i after thinking and salivating for six months, not forgetting to count my money. Unfortunately(or fortunately), my old palm m100 finally died (and di-commissioned) after 4 years of faithful service. If the m100 did not died, I will not be able to convince my wife to get this pda phone. prew!

I will be playing with it for sometime and will blog the review soon, once i get the hang of the complicated window os that comes with it. Basically, I must know how to make a phone call first. HAhaha.

Killers in office

2005-10-19T19:18:00.000+08:00

Before getting into the topic, I want to thank trisha for the comments, really appreciate that someone actually reads what I thinks (my wife thinks it is crap) and one more thing, english teacher, please dun mark me for my grammer and tenses. :P (hahaha, but correct me if needed). After reading her blog about private sector, it gave me some thoughts about office politics in teaching and have discussed with some colleagues and came to an agreement. There are basically three types of killers among the teaching staff.

1st: Ninja
The ninja hides in the shadow, waiting for oppotunity to strike, kind of like a cheetah hunting for its prey. Then it will sudden come out and strike a heavy blow that will knock the victim out and disappear. Examples are those who make little reports to the supervisors like so-so said this about the supervisor or this teacher's class very noise, no classroom management. Beware! Like real ninja, they have other different methods of striking.

2nd: Assassin
Hunting method is similar to ninja, differ in the killing method. Assassin will prowl in from the back of the victim silently and stab hard at the back of the victim. Sometimes, assassin may choose to cover the mouth of victim before silting the throat to silence the victim. Also nicknamed backstabber. Example: Teacher A and Teacher B co-teach in the same class, however, Teacher A reports to the supervisor that he did alot of work for the class when in fact, it is Teacher B who did most of the work, all done without the knowing of Teacher B.

3rd: Murderer
The killing method of murderer is much simpler, reflecting the lack of intelligences of the murderer. There is less planning involved and less prowling and hunting. The murderer will move in from the front of the victim, draws the weapon and stab right into the vitals of the vicitm. Victim can see the heartless eyes of the murderer before losing breathe. Example of this will be the person may mention something unkind over what you have said in the past, all in the presence of a H.O.D. or some supervisor.

I guess these killers are found everywhere else too. There is nothing much we can do to defend ourselves, except by praying for GOD' protection around us, and keep us from falling into the sin of killing others. Amen.

Sorry, must side-track a little. Time are getting better and more relax after the exam and marking and marks calculation period. Like the rest of the teachers, we are all preparing to go into the holiday break in two weeks time. YAHOO! Actually, three weeks of 'O' levels invigilation first, then holiday. CARPE DIEM

To Stress Or Not To Stress?? That Is The Question.

2005-10-15T10:39:00.000+08:00

It is interesting to read in the MOE forum about all the teachers feeling stress, tired and burnoutand data like 5 out 10 patients in IMH are teachers with anxiety disorder. But none has actually question the system in place. As a teacher, I am not bother about teaching and marking and CCA. It is not really that tough. What is stressful is the EPMS and ranking? Why stress? B'coz just doing teaching, marking and CCA will rank me a 'D' grade only, just performing my duties. Hence, some teachers go their way out to do "additional" jobs like organising cluster sharing (total waste of time as some speakers are unprepared and no proven results or evidences).:angry:

I think all this bull shit should be cut away like an unwanted piece of tumor.:D: Be'coz the primary purpose of joining teaching is to teaching and the love of teaching keeps us going. i have questioned myself: Does all this additional jobs contribute to improvements in pupils grades? if not, don't do. It is a waste of time. Be practical.:DY:

On the same note, pupils (colleagues too) asked me why I am so cheerful everyday. First, becasue I have GOD, father in heaven, His perfect will for my life, nothing will bother me unless He allows it to happen. Second, I choose to be happy. By staying happy, it keeps me positive, so pressimistic thoughts will not come in. There is alot of negative "energy"in the environment, where teachers gets scolded for nothing, no or lack classroom management. Third, it is no big deal, the most I quit. With a degree, a willing to try, good attitude and my talents, it will take me farther then I can possibly imagine, unlike some of the old croaks up there, who think teaching is everything in their life, because they will not be able to survive outside if they leave the service. No wonder, people outside still do not consider teachers as a professionals. *sigh.

Good Times Ahead

2005-10-14T22:48:00.000+08:00

Just read the Today papers (13/10/2005), an article "Hey boss, you read this?" yesterday caught my eye. It says that companies here face high turnover, staff poaching problems and higher pay expectation. Sounds good. It seems like good oppotunity and timing to leave teaching to go private sector, where talented people are truely appreciated. The article also stated the reasons why people leave the company: Limited career progression (18%), personal reason (16%) and being unhappy with pay and bonus (11%).

The people on top have not realised that times have changed, job hopping is fine and according to the article, everytime a person job hop, he gets up to 20% increase in pay. Employers have to position themselves as "an employer of the choice", appreciate and reward good people, but.......sigh. Anyone up there reading this!!! I want a promotion and a pay raise!!!

Breathe Easy

2005-10-13T22:23:00.000+08:00

After spending days and nights marking exam scripts, I am physically and mentally exhausted, can sure use a holiday. Sometimes I really cannot understand the crap shit that some students have produce in their script. Obviously they have not prepared for the exam by reading the answers they gave. Shit! Reading all that rubbish gives me a headache and eye bags and not forgetting nightmares and sleepless nights. The marking load for this exam is very high, took me seven days to finish.

Just few pointers to what teachers look for when marking a script.
a) correct answer - obvious. Answer the question and not talk about some grandfather story. So pupils need to know their facts well.

b) details - for example in D&T, details like sawing with scroll saw or mark out with pencil or sand with wet and dry paper and not just write "sand".

c) if possible draw the diagram to illustrate. Two reasons - help pupils to explain their answer second, marker will know that you know your stuff, so translate to more marks.

d) complete answer - meaning when asking about safety, state the answer and the reasoning behind it.

In conclusion, teachers are not monsters. we want to give pupils full marks, but provided pupils are able to produce good answers and know the stuff well.

To all teachers marking scripts now, carpe diem.

to MC or not to MC? that is the question.

2005-10-06T22:57:00.000+08:00

This is the period of crazy rush. rush to finish syllabus, rush to revise for exams, rush to conduct examinations, rush to mark papers (imagine 100 scripts in two to three afternoon), rush to check papers, rush to key in results and rush to print report cards. All in the confines of four weeks, no wonder teachers must have eight hands, three pairs of eyes and four legs.

Why eight hands?
A pair of hands to set examination questions, one pair of hands to set worksheets, another pair of hand s to hold a cup of coffee and sandwich (meals) and the last pair of hands to mark workbooks.

Why three pairs of eyes?
A pair of eyes to see what I am writting on the board, one pair of eyes to make sure the pupils are copying the answer and not fighting and the last pairs of eyes to keep an eye if another principal, VP or HOD walks past, keeping me on the toes.

Why four legs?
With the amount of walking (or running) around the school and up and down the different floors of the school, the extra pair of legs comes in when the first pair is tired. No wonder, I have artheritis in my both knees. The extra pair of legs may help to move faster too as teachers are always running all over. The SAAA should consider senting their runners to be teachers, it will certainly help them in their training.

On top of that, I am recovering from flu for the past two days, physically and mentally tired. *sigh. Got to get back to my marking before my butt catch fire.

Joshua and Israel

2005-10-02T21:59:00.000+08:00

It is interesting that for the last few day, I kept hearing about Joshua in cell group, church and in the blog of a friend. From a simple story of the fall of Jericho to Ai fall, there are few things we can learn from Joshua (Joshua 5:13 to 7).

First, OBEDIENCE. In Joshua 6, GOD gave Joshua the strategy to defeat Jericho, asking him to march around the city once with his army and do it for six days. On the seventh day, march with the priests carrying the ark of the covenent and trumpets around the sity for seven times and after the seventh round, give a long blast and the wall of Jericho will collapse. Can you imagine if Joshua did not follow the instructions of GOD, even if the strategy sounded so ridiculous? Any military person will tell you that it is not possible to take a city like this especially Jericho has tall stone walls. But GOD require our pure obedience to seek His counsel and follow it.

Second, SIN. the Israelites completely destroyed Jericho and every living thing in it as stated in the Bible, however, GOD instructed that they are keep away from devoted things, or any silver and gold and the articles of bronzes and iron as these are scared to GOD and must go into His treasury. Jericho was the first city they destroy after Israel crossed the Jordan river, so they are not to plunder the city as the things in Jericho are considered the first fruit to GOD. The truth came out only when Israel went up against Ai and lost thirty-six men. It was the sin of Achan and some men, who have taken silver and devoted things (I believe they are idols) from Jericho, that had caused the defeat. Because sin was in the camp, so the people of Israel could not defeat Ai and moved on. In conclusion, sin in the camp affects not only the sinner, but everyone in the church; in bigger perspective, the body of Christ, every christian.

Third, LEADERSHIP. Moses trained Joshua to be the leader of Israel and before Moses died, he laid hands on Joshua and Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisedom and it is written that the Lord known Joshua face to face. Dr Brain Bailey mentioned in church that the training of leadership in the church must be continuous because after Joshua died, the conquest of the land that GOD promised is incomplete till King David and lack of leadership has brought confusion. It is interesting that he pointed out that Joshua has seen Jesus in Joshua 5:13-15, where Joshua called the man "my Lord", who is the commander of the Lord's army. He told Joshua to take off his sandals, for the place where he stands is holy. Dr Brain Bailey also pointed out that we should always seek the direction of GOD as Joshua did not enquire of GOD whether GOD will deliver Ai into their hands before Israel carried out the attack. Hence, as a leader, we should always enquire of the perfect will (strategy) of GOD before making any decisions.

Wow! What a powerful messenge! I pray that I will straighten my life and seeking GOD's perfect will in my life. Amen.

Sleep more to slim

2005-09-29T23:33:00.000+08:00

Read a newspaper article that the more a person sleeps, the slimmer the person gets. WOW! It states that a person's awake hours will be reduced so the body do not need to function (move around) that much and hence, reduce the need for food (or junk food). It sounds logical and I have read similiar articles concerning this. By sleeping, the body goes into rest mode and do not need that much energy.

Even though many times it has to do with personal discipline, I have also read it somewhere that when a person feels hungry, it may not be hunger, it could be thristy. Hence, try to take a glass of water and if 10 to 20 minutes later the person still feels hungry, then feel free to eat. Hence, we do have any extra food intake.

Another article suggest that if we want to slim down, we can take a glass of water before meals. Because the water will fill some capacity in the stomache, then let food fill the rest. This way we can prevent ourselves from overeating.

Weary........... after two weddings in three days!!!!!

2005-09-28T22:29:00.000+08:00

Wah sia! I just attended two weddings in three days, one on sunday and another on tuesday. Some people can be really unforgiving, someone here leaves the wedding at 11 plus, sleeps at 12 plus, then wakes up at 6:30am to go to work. For goodness sake, put the wedding on a saturaday. Supersititious stuff like aspicious dates do not work. The success of a marriage depneds whether GOD is in the relationship.

I have read a report in the papers that if a perosn goes with less five hours of sleep on Monday for a series of 5 days, by friday, the person will have an IQ of a 70 (equivilent to Mr Forest Gump with sleep). No wonder, I feel abit slow playing my guitar today.

Well, time to go fight the Z monster. cheers

sino-american relationship

2005-09-23T23:44:00.000+08:00

Well, I had dinner tonight with my cg, with two guests, an American guy (AG) and a China chinese girl (CC). It is a really interesting situation. Dinner was going fine, you know the usual stuff like how are you? what do you do? Then AG asked," What will happen if China invades Taiwan?" Being chinese CC, she has her point of view and I must say I respect that. However for me, being direct, I let out that US will fight with Taiwan against China. OOPS! I guess most china chinese will stand for the same stand that taiwan and china is 1 china, so does CC.

My stand? I guess I respect that Taiwan is or can be called a state on its own. Why? Because there are many times in the history of China, when even though 1 China, but it has being seperated into many states (calling country on its own).

Example 1: During the time of Qin Dynasty, there were seven countries (if it is called seven states, then the seven states will have one central government, but No...... It has seven emperors, seven courts. court officals do not serve one emperor.) Secondly, in chinese, it is called "qi guo" (meaning seven countries). Thirdly, because of the ambition of Qin emperor, he started to conquer the other six countries, so there is a saying "qi guo chen yi guo" (meaning seven countries to one country) why do they use "guo"?

Example 2: During the warring states, it is seperated in "san gou" (three countries), with Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Cao Cao was just a prime minister to the emperor, who was being controlled by the prime minister. Liu Bei is just the royalty, the uncle of the emperor, who later set up his own "country" Dong Wu with he being the emperor. Sun Quan comes from a family of Lords over the some land and during chaos, called himself emperor and declare the soverign of his kingdom.

Even though there is evidences of different countries within China, there has never being reconcilation without a war. But if US is involved, I believe it will lose. Why? US has fought two wars indirectly against China.

First, in the Korean War, the US army was pushed back (till they were about to fall off the island), then General McAurthor brought his army into Korea at the thirty-eight degree latitude, cutting off the communist (Koreans and Chinese) army. Hence, it resulted in North Korea and South Korea at the thirty-eight degree line, which is never resolved even now, so the two countries are still offically at war.

Second, in the Vietnam War, the vietnamese took up arms to drive out the French Amry, resulting in two countries, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam enlist the help of China, while South Vietnam had the help of US. US army lost 50,000+ soldiers and 300,000+ wounded and defeated by the communist army and driven out of Vietnam.

So it is a sticky situation for me to say this to AG and CC, whom I may have unwittedly offended but hey! it is not my style to flatter. HaHa..............

Time flies, really fast!

2005-09-20T16:30:00.000+08:00

Wow! I did not realised that it has been more than a week since I blog. Or roughly since the first week of term 4. The rush has been ridiculously mad, like a headless chricken. I have seen it before during a holiday trip to China. The chicken was running around banging everything around with its head hanging by the side.ARGhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Time really flies! During the time I did not blog, we have maid chopping maid and dumping body in orchard road, Katina running through New Orlean (causing man to act like animals) and three bloggers to get arrested for Sedition Act(What on earth is that? Is it a play?) repeated on the papers for the last few days running.

Thinking of it makes me think my three years bond is ending in may next year (few months time) Yahoo! I survived. I am a survivor. But got to plan my next step, whether to stay or move: move to another school, move to HQ or move out. GOD show me your ways and your perfect will for my life, show me the open doors and I will follow. Amen.

To the new trainees in NIE, good luck, you will finish your three year bond, not before you learn to multi-task (handle two to three projects concurrently), be at two place at the same time (two courses or meetings occuring at the same time), digging ( dig yourself from the mountain of papers stracked on you especially at mid-year and end of year. Imagine seven classes of fourty answer script), drink dark thick coffee ( so that you can stay up for three days two nights in order to key in marks on the fourth day), running ( of your CCA involved running. If your CCA involved diving, you must also learn to diving), sing soprano (strenghten your diphagram so you can sing karaoke better and longer breath from all the shouting in the classroom), forture telling (coz you are expected to be able to foresee problems like pupils bashing each other up) and tai-chi (to avoid flying eyeless arrows, if dun know then learn qing gong). There are the basic skills needed, other specialised skills required the great master to teach ( I haven reach there yet).

We make fun of these stuff, but I think at the end of the day, it is important to have FUN. (especially holiday is coming) Hurrah!

Copyright theft

2005-09-13T21:45:00.000+08:00

Recently, my school play host to the beginning teachers in the cluster for a tea session. I got to learn that the beginning teachers received a booklet with my design on it. They have made amendments to the words layout and some words. WOW! When did I give the permission to use the background? ROBBERY!!!!!

It all started two years ago when I just joined the school and tasked to design a reflection booklet for the beginning teachers. It was quite a success till all the teachers in the school received a copy. Last semester, I got news that I have to amend and alter some design again and so using the same background, I produced a improved version. However, It was KIV, because colleague P said why not use the batik design on the booklet? Hence, I was no longer involved.

So with the new version out to the cluster with my design, I am pleased that my design was used, even without my permission, but upset because I was being robbed in broad daylight of the recognition I deserved. When a designer produce a work for someone, does it give the owner permission to change it and use it? I design it for the school so is it the school property? One occassion, another H.O.D. wanted to use my design on the school teacher file and he was generous enough to ask me first. But in this case, *sigh* ......................

To pray in the Spirit or not

2005-09-09T23:24:00.000+08:00

Just had cell group and we talked about people from different dinominations, coming together to worship and pray. So some are uncomfortable with others praying in tongue. Hence, this is the discussion. Should we continue to pray in tongue when we know that some people are uncomfortable or continue to be lead by the Holy Spirit?

One reasons that if one should stumble another christain(who do not believe in speaking in tongue) because of the speaking in tongue, then we should not do it. And Paul says in 1 corinthians 14:6-9 that unless the speaker speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will just be speaking to the air.

Another mention about verse 13 that anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he say.

My stand? We are missing the big picture here. What is the primary objective of coming together in our work place to worship? It is to praise GOD and to worship him. I am not interested how the person on my right or on my left prays whether in tongue or not. I am concern whether I meet GOD here, I want to connect with my Father in heaven and be in His presence. It is my relation with my Father, whether I am pleasing Him, which is more important than the person next to me.

Second point, if they are unsure or uncomfortable with spirit behind the tongue, read 1 John 4:1-4. Do not believe every spirit, but TEST the spirits to see whether they are from GOD,.......This is how you can recognise the Spirit of GOD: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from GOD, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from GOD.

Third point, when we come together in our workplace to pray, we come with the understanding that we come from different dinominations and pray to GOD differently. So if we are children of GOD, SHOW love to each other. 1 John 4:16 to 1 John 5:4. GOD is love. Whoever lives in love lives in GOD, and GOD in him. In the same way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgeent, because in this world we are like Him. there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out the fear, because fear has to do with punishment. the one who fears is not made perfect in love. WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US. If anyone says, "I love GOD," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. for anyone who does not love his brother , whom he has seen, cannot love GOD, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves GOD must also love his brother..........This is how we know that we love the children of GOD: by loving GOD and carring out his commands.

This is one of the reason why I am a chirstain. Coz GOD loves me and sent His only begotten Son to die for my sins so that I can enter the gates of heaven. What a wonderful GOD we have. Amen.

"Old" teacher Mr Toh Thank You

2005-09-06T21:56:00.000+08:00

Wah! I was attending the IT Symposium today and I met a old teacher of mine. He is not really old as in 50 plus in age, but it has been just over ten years since I left JC, where he just started his teaching career as a begining teacher. Today he is already a H.O.D. and I am just beginning in my career in teaching.

I recognised him as someone familiar, however, he came over and called me by name. My goodness, who is this man? After he introduced himself, I remembered him. My teacher remembered me as the one who is always in the swimming pool. (used to be in the school swimming and water polo team.) Hahaha. What a pleasant surprise! Thank you Mr Toh.

To my music teacher with love

2005-09-05T22:52:00.000+08:00

Well, it is the one week break. It is a good time to rest, even though it is not total rest, it is time to do some reflection. ( this is the latest word in the business of teaching, same for reflective teaching)

I must say that i do not think that I have any teachers, who have impacted my life, let alone change my life. I have some bad experiences with them, which i have carried in my life. I must admit that i am an idiot to music. My music teacher also picked me to answer question every music lesson and as expected, i look foolish and unable to answer. the notes and chords looked like black spots to me and they did not mean anything to me, I could not understand what is the difference between A, B, C, G. This had left a scar, which i carried for many years through secondary school education. I comforted myself by saying my musical intelligience is not developed (Howard Gardener's Multiple Intelligences). It did not helped that my music teacher always picked on me, making me look stupid.

Thank GOD! He has brought healing in this area. I always have a guitar at my house, which the previous cell leader left behind so that he need not carry the guitar to my place for cell group meetings. Even though the guitar was in my house, I have never taken it out to play. I always thought I can never play it (remember my scar above). My Merciful Father in Heaven brought into cell group a fellow brother, who encouraged(arrowed) me to lead worship and he will play guitar. During the practice, he encouraged me to learn. The second person is a fellow colleague in the school. She is middle aged, but she has just picked up the guitar and could understand the struggle. She provided the chords and taught me how to place my fingers.

Through prayers and few weeks of practice, I can say that I can play a few worship songs and may move on to play during cell group. Praises to GOD!

Teachers, we have a great task. Even if our students cannot understand the lesson and always fail, it is ok, it is more important to keep encouraging them. My teacher failed me, I am a teacher of Normal Technical pupils, I cannot fail my pupils. It is important to celebrate their little success in their learning.

Superstar, not superstar

2005-09-03T07:51:00.000+08:00

It has been days since the finals of the superstar. It only goes to show that some singaporeans are really fools for charity. Not wanting to bring in the NKF saga, I have to say that it is a superstar programme, not a charity event, where some supporters call in so that some blind man can become the first superstar. It is as if saying that Singapore has no talented 'handsome' or pretty men or women to represent Singapore that we must have the Singapore first Stevie Wonder (as labeled in the Today papers). *sigh*

I believe, the oversea audience will be laughing till their jaws are sore when they hear of this Singapore Stevie Wonder, whom we have voted to be our superstar. We should have a more globe vision, as the Singapore market for local singers is small, so these singers must going oversea to develop their career farther in Taiwan and Hong Kong, just as what their singers have done by coming over here, if they want to see their superstar succeed. Support with heart, not with the mind, have a farther vision. But who knows? If William Hung can creat a career out of nothing, our Stevie Wonder may succeed. All the best.

I am just a by-stander when i make my comments, as I do not support any other superstars or watch the senseless programme. Do you know that the total three hours plus finals programme has advertisement time of an hour plus? Imagine the amount of advertising dollar put in to attract your attention and watching one hour plus of what the advertisers want you to see and not what you want to see. Cheers

A Teacher's cries

2005-09-02T23:51:00.000+08:00

My moody today is like the weather today, dark, cloudy with a little dizzle.

Bad news for me, a guy same batch is getting a promotion to 1a2. Even though everyone will get to 1a2 only a mean of time, but we just got promoted to 1a1 last october. Of course, they can say he does school wide activity, but what a shit hole, he was given the oppotunity run the activity. It is a sign that no matter how much you put in, if a person is not given the oppotunity, there is no chance of proving yourself. MY GOD, what is your will in my life? What is your purpose for putting me in this place? What are the lessons i should learn from this? ABBA FATHER, you said that if your people would humble themselves and pray, you will come from heaven and not turn your face away and heal our land. I am truely humbled, LORD and turn to you to find comfort. I lift my burden to you, LORD.

The "gahmen" (word taken form the Today paper, refering to government) says that they want teachers to have a lighter work load so thay implement TLLM (meaning teach less, learn more). Why are they so sure that teahcers want a lighter work load? Why not try take away EPMS( Enhanced Performance Management System)? Which part of it is enhanced i realy dun see it, except enhanced in the amount of working on it. But that aside, why i suggest EPMS. Because the teacher's yearly ranking is dependent on the amount of work he or she accomplishes. And all the work is recorded in this EPMS, hence, TLLM = less work = lower ranking among the teachers = less (sometimes ever no) performance bonus next march. So why would a teacher want to do less work? By the way, TLLM or classroom teaching is considered normal duties, which warrants only a 'D' grade, meaning teacher only does what is expected, 'normal', so no performance bonus, but got a report to explain why teacher only get 'D' and what teacher plan to do next year to achieve a 'C'.

Secondly, in order to teach less, we cannot use the existing workbooks coz not student-centered. so poor teacher has to find resources, plan activity(or activities), create new worksheets before the lesson. And during the lesson, teacher has to split pupils to groups, give specific instructions(or else pupils will go around like headless chicken and nothing is accomplished), set timings for each activity. After all the running around activity, teacher has to gather the pupils, lead them back to the theory to conclude the lesson. This is not inclusive of the normal duty of marking ALL the worksheets. Or else parents complain that thay have no confidence in the teacher to help their children do well for the exams, because no homework. Ever wonder if any teacher complain that thay have no confidence in the parents because parents bring up children who cannot think for nuts, dun want to do homework to school so that teachers can teach them. Hence, TLLM not = less work, but 2 X work.

Newbie to blogging but not new to teaching

2005-08-31T23:29:00.000+08:00

Today is a good day to start this blogging stuff because it is eve of Teacher's Day. it has been some time since i joined and for the first time i was really touched by some students. i did not teach them but in my form class and through my contact with them, i may have touched them and showed them love and guidance. Teaching is indeed a life changing job. the future leaders of Singapore could be in my class today, teachers have a great responsiblity.