Farewell, specky

If you are wondering why I am writing so little recently, that’s because I just did lasik on one eye. You see, my eyesight has been getting really bad, so bad that even food right in front of me is blurred. Went to see an ophthalmologist and he said that I just need lasik for one eye. Now, my left eye is long sighted. My right eye which was short sighted has now been corrected. If I shut my right eye, I can see near objects. If I shut my left eye, I can see far objects. If I open both eyes…ta-da, I can see everything, a perfect vision. Amazing hor…

To protect my eyes, I am limiting my time spent in front of the computer. I will be back soon, as good as normal. *Wink*


Fare thee well, my specky

Army letter

(Scream………) Kai received his first army letter. Aiyo, so fast. My son will soon be enlisted in a twinkle of an eye.

That little Miss Perfect

I am beginning to realise that Ann is the little Miss Perfect. She came home with 49/53 for her 听写 (Chinese spelling) and she said she was sad. I told her it was a superb job done. Stressed to her that it is not about the marks but about doing her very best. Period.

Beautiful

Kai came home with his first poem done in class for the year. Very beautifully written.

Windows tell stories of the world outside.
Windows give freedom to those trapped inside.
Windows are square. Windows are round.
Windows are black. Windows are brown.   

Windows can let in the light and keep out the dark things of the night.
Windows allow in enchanting moonlight.
Windows let robbers jump out and take flight.  
And although humans of blood, flesh and bone,
along with windows made of stone and glass
may meet their fate,
memories of time spent in the sun will always last,
never to fade. (copyright 2013 SHIA Kai)

It is an open topic and he chose to write about 'windows'. I mean what is there to wrote about? I would be clueless. He did such a great job in describing something so simple and so poetic. Great job my son!

The sun is out…

After days of rain, the sun is finally out which means time for some good old traditional ice-cream!


Girls just want to eat ice-cream

Ok, now that my clothes are dry and ice-cream eaten, tonight can rain already and maybe ponding…*smile*

Who is the culprit?

So much have been said about our education system giving so much stress to our children but I think it is the parents giving the stress because of the FEAR factor. Where does the FEAR factor come from? Yes, teachers and parents.

I attended a ‘teacher meet parents’ session last week. Not one of the teachers present said anything about helping children to enjoy school, to have fun at learning. They talked about helping the children to get to the top class when they move on to the next standard. Parents were asking about the Gifted programme, the Math Olympiad, doing the Higher Mother Tongue…I wonder do they even consult their children for their views after all, the kids are the ones who will be studying and not the parents.

Ann was placed in the highest level of her Chinese class. The spouse and I wanted to give her lesser stress. We  spoke to the Chinese teacher that we would prefer Ann to start at a more manageable level. Her response was, would Ann feel inferior going to a “lower” class. Wrong, so very wrong. Children should never be made to feel this way and teachers must show an example.
We have put across to the teachers a very strong and clear message…that we are not their typical parents who are result-oriented. That’s why I said right from the beginning, I will do my darnest to keep my children away from the pressure cooker.

You know who are the happiest group of people? Yes, tutors and all tuition centers.

The meeting with the teachers was held at a P6 classroom and on my table, these words were scribbled…”Life is tough”. Very sad, this coming from just a 12 year old. Parents and teachers, I hope you hear their cries!

When friends gather...

Nothing is more fun than celebrating an old friend’s birthday…all of us have known each other for more than 3 decades. It is hard to find a friend, even harder to find one and still remain as friends 30 years later.