Bloody shit. After watching these youtube videos I really don't think a teacher has any future.
A 老千 has more future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgDTNC010fo&NR=1
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A Mystery Revealed...
A lot of people have told me that when I smile, it is rather disturbing. One girl even told me that she felt "violated" when I am piercing her eyes with my "trademark" smile.
Then where on earth did I learn how to smile like that???
The answer is very simple.
From him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2puaI9V8Osc
Then where on earth did I learn how to smile like that???
The answer is very simple.
From him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2puaI9V8Osc
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Emphatic!
I think it's pretty obvious by now - that I don't post entries that often, unless something significant had happened.
Today was no different from other matches. My team won a corner at the very last moment of the game. Most likely the final whistle will sound after the corner. We were losing 1-2, and Bollocks asked me whether I wanted to go up for it. Usually I would be contented not to go up, espcially when my team was winning.
But I had to go up for this one, because I felt responsible for conceding a goal less than 5 minutes ago. I had to redeem myself, and so I ran the customary 20m to the edge of the penalty box.
As I approached the box, Ken saw me and volunteered to stay back. I should have told him not to, because that was most likely the last corner of the game. Should have stayed to pack more bodies in the box.
Somehow I knew that the corner will come to me. CK and John have the tendency to aim their corners at me whenever I go up because I seldom attack corners.
And so, I occupied Ken's position at the edge of the box, and waited for the corner to come.
The whistle came, and John took a very sharp and direct corner. I was too eager and took one early step. By the time I reached the ball I no longer could use my forehead to make contact. But I compromised on the spot and used the side of my head instead. The contact was decent and the ball firmly aimed towards the near post. Everyone was shocked that i made such a good connection. The spontaneous "wow" betrayed their throughts. unfortunately it did not go in, but it bounced off a defender for another corner.
This time I was paid more attention. The opponent team assigned a marker to me. I had to beat him. And so I took cover just behind CK, so that the marker had no physical proximity to me.
I gave him the indifferent expression on my face, as if I was hinting to him that "I give up. Your marking has totally subdued me. You have control of the situation."
When the whistle went I took one step to CK's left, and the marker followed in the same direction. Immediately I shimmied to the right, and the poor fella was half a pace behind me. In corners, half a pace behind is considered beaten already, due to the lack of space for recovery.
As my poor marker was left biting my dust, I just kept looking at the ball and ran towards it, all the while hoping that it would be the same sharp delivery like the previous corner. Usually by this time I would know whether there was anymore motivation left in running for the ball, because the trajectory of the ball would be obvious by now. No point running forward if the ball was not coming to your attacking radius.
John did not disappoint. The ball was even better delivered than the previous corner. I realised that I had at least 0.5m radius of space around me when I approached the penalty spot, and the ball would be in front of me within a second.
From that moment I knew nothing else mattered, and no one else existed in the box. It was me and the ball alone. One firm header was all that was needed.
So many times I had practiced my headers at the RH hardcourt and at home. Just aiming for that perfect placement, aiming for that perfect contact, aiming for that perfect power...
When that moment in time came, my neck naturally arched back and snapped forward, slamming the ball forward in the process.
There were no obstacles to the ball in front of goal. I just smashed the ball home from point blank range.
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GAOL GAOL! GOALGOALLL GOAL GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went crazy. Everyone went crazy. I was a bastard. Instead of running towards John for that well taken corner, I went for the sexy bodies of Ken and Bollocks instead. That was because Ken ripped off his shirt and was expecting me to give him a hug, while John watched in disgust and envy. Those two fuckers (Ken and Bollocks) were just exclaiming "song bo song bo?" all the way.
Little did I realise that my run to the centre circle was fruitless. The ref had blown the final whistle the moment I left the penalty box. I might as well run back to where I put my bag.
All these was possible because of one simple idea: "If you want the ball, you will get it."
And today is definitely a memorable day.
Not only because Ah Lang scored a glorious header.
But because he charged into the enemy's box and conquered them all.
Today was no different from other matches. My team won a corner at the very last moment of the game. Most likely the final whistle will sound after the corner. We were losing 1-2, and Bollocks asked me whether I wanted to go up for it. Usually I would be contented not to go up, espcially when my team was winning.
But I had to go up for this one, because I felt responsible for conceding a goal less than 5 minutes ago. I had to redeem myself, and so I ran the customary 20m to the edge of the penalty box.
As I approached the box, Ken saw me and volunteered to stay back. I should have told him not to, because that was most likely the last corner of the game. Should have stayed to pack more bodies in the box.
Somehow I knew that the corner will come to me. CK and John have the tendency to aim their corners at me whenever I go up because I seldom attack corners.
And so, I occupied Ken's position at the edge of the box, and waited for the corner to come.
The whistle came, and John took a very sharp and direct corner. I was too eager and took one early step. By the time I reached the ball I no longer could use my forehead to make contact. But I compromised on the spot and used the side of my head instead. The contact was decent and the ball firmly aimed towards the near post. Everyone was shocked that i made such a good connection. The spontaneous "wow" betrayed their throughts. unfortunately it did not go in, but it bounced off a defender for another corner.
This time I was paid more attention. The opponent team assigned a marker to me. I had to beat him. And so I took cover just behind CK, so that the marker had no physical proximity to me.
I gave him the indifferent expression on my face, as if I was hinting to him that "I give up. Your marking has totally subdued me. You have control of the situation."
When the whistle went I took one step to CK's left, and the marker followed in the same direction. Immediately I shimmied to the right, and the poor fella was half a pace behind me. In corners, half a pace behind is considered beaten already, due to the lack of space for recovery.
As my poor marker was left biting my dust, I just kept looking at the ball and ran towards it, all the while hoping that it would be the same sharp delivery like the previous corner. Usually by this time I would know whether there was anymore motivation left in running for the ball, because the trajectory of the ball would be obvious by now. No point running forward if the ball was not coming to your attacking radius.
John did not disappoint. The ball was even better delivered than the previous corner. I realised that I had at least 0.5m radius of space around me when I approached the penalty spot, and the ball would be in front of me within a second.
From that moment I knew nothing else mattered, and no one else existed in the box. It was me and the ball alone. One firm header was all that was needed.
So many times I had practiced my headers at the RH hardcourt and at home. Just aiming for that perfect placement, aiming for that perfect contact, aiming for that perfect power...
When that moment in time came, my neck naturally arched back and snapped forward, slamming the ball forward in the process.
There were no obstacles to the ball in front of goal. I just smashed the ball home from point blank range.
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GAOL GAOL! GOALGOALLL GOAL GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went crazy. Everyone went crazy. I was a bastard. Instead of running towards John for that well taken corner, I went for the sexy bodies of Ken and Bollocks instead. That was because Ken ripped off his shirt and was expecting me to give him a hug, while John watched in disgust and envy. Those two fuckers (Ken and Bollocks) were just exclaiming "song bo song bo?" all the way.
Little did I realise that my run to the centre circle was fruitless. The ref had blown the final whistle the moment I left the penalty box. I might as well run back to where I put my bag.
All these was possible because of one simple idea: "If you want the ball, you will get it."
And today is definitely a memorable day.
Not only because Ah Lang scored a glorious header.
But because he charged into the enemy's box and conquered them all.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ah Lang the Striker
Haven't played striker in years.
Today managed to make a cameo appearance as striker. Wonder how I got the chance to go there. Must be because there are too many defenders today, so I got a chance to have a crack for about 10 mins.
My passing was not bad, no stray passes, no stray touches, no stray runs. My play was effective. muahahahha
I must say, I am good!
Today managed to make a cameo appearance as striker. Wonder how I got the chance to go there. Must be because there are too many defenders today, so I got a chance to have a crack for about 10 mins.
My passing was not bad, no stray passes, no stray touches, no stray runs. My play was effective. muahahahha
I must say, I am good!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Titanic
It was pitch darkness all around me. I couldn't find my footing.
And it was cold.
I was floating, drifting aimlessly in the void. Existence was simply miserable. There was no light, no support, no direction.
No hope.
I simply wanted to end it there.
Suddenly, light appeared from far, and I realised why I was put in such a miserable situation.
Without experiencing darkness, one will not be able to appreciate the beauty of light.
Sounds like dream land?
Too abstract?
It can happen in reality.
Cos I dreamt that I was floating in the ocean in the middle of the night, only to live to see the daylight at the horizon.
And it was cold.
I was floating, drifting aimlessly in the void. Existence was simply miserable. There was no light, no support, no direction.
No hope.
I simply wanted to end it there.
Suddenly, light appeared from far, and I realised why I was put in such a miserable situation.
Without experiencing darkness, one will not be able to appreciate the beauty of light.
Sounds like dream land?
Too abstract?
It can happen in reality.
Cos I dreamt that I was floating in the ocean in the middle of the night, only to live to see the daylight at the horizon.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Trip to Malacca
I went up to Malacca with my school football team for the past few days. The trip was as great as expected. Fully paid for holiday in the name of work, of course there is a give and take, with responsibilities of taking care of students.
The boys did themselves credit by playing their best against better opposition. I'm sure they'll get somewhere in the Nationals.
I spent my last tired awake moments at night watching HK dramas (undubbed!) on channel 7. (Jing Yan Yi Qiang).
I also spent a lot of time talking to people not of my age group and not of my language. The people I spoke most often to are in their 40s. (Coach and the tour guide). People at that age I find, work very hard, and yet are down to earth. More importantly, they take it easy when they deal with relationships with other people. Not that they are superficial, but they don't expect a lot from others and hold things against others.
Which I find is something acquired over years of experience.
Coach is very good at making witty humour befitting of his age. E.g. "Player X, you kept on insisting that you are not offside in that incident, we will take a look at the video after the game."
The fact was we didn't bring any video cam for the trip.
Peck Choo (the tour guide) is a street smart woman. She is very friendly and sincere to others, someone who fits my impression of a typical warm-hearted malaysian. She knows about lots of things. From politics to agriculture, there was never a dull moment talking to her. The anger in her when she talked about the fools in power, the uneccesary reclaiming of the sea off Klebang (which is near her home btw). The sparkle in her eyes when she talked about how bats pollinate rubber trees, and fresh water prawns hang out together with crocodiles in river muar. The sadness when she talked about her lost uncle due to the 2nd world war and the fear of fighting the communists. Her favourite phrase whenever she is upset with another person was:
"Send them into the malaysian jungle and see how they survive." Esp for tai tais who live in a world of their own. haha.
The two flowers (pretty girls) at the hotel reception were exceptionally nice to me. I seem to find them smile more demurely at me whenever I speak to them. The other one who couldn't speak English looked down most of the time when I was talking to her.
Should had told her that I like her and bring her over to Singapore. haha.
Before we returned to Singapore we went to a local products shop in JB. There was some interesting drink with Tongkat Ali inside. The salesgirl actually told me I might need it. haha.
Will try to take things easy from now on. Just as what Choo said.
"Malacca is a small town. People here are very simple and trusting. "
Shouldn't all people on Earth try to live like Choo and the Malaccans that she described?
The boys did themselves credit by playing their best against better opposition. I'm sure they'll get somewhere in the Nationals.
I spent my last tired awake moments at night watching HK dramas (undubbed!) on channel 7. (Jing Yan Yi Qiang).
I also spent a lot of time talking to people not of my age group and not of my language. The people I spoke most often to are in their 40s. (Coach and the tour guide). People at that age I find, work very hard, and yet are down to earth. More importantly, they take it easy when they deal with relationships with other people. Not that they are superficial, but they don't expect a lot from others and hold things against others.
Which I find is something acquired over years of experience.
Coach is very good at making witty humour befitting of his age. E.g. "Player X, you kept on insisting that you are not offside in that incident, we will take a look at the video after the game."
The fact was we didn't bring any video cam for the trip.
Peck Choo (the tour guide) is a street smart woman. She is very friendly and sincere to others, someone who fits my impression of a typical warm-hearted malaysian. She knows about lots of things. From politics to agriculture, there was never a dull moment talking to her. The anger in her when she talked about the fools in power, the uneccesary reclaiming of the sea off Klebang (which is near her home btw). The sparkle in her eyes when she talked about how bats pollinate rubber trees, and fresh water prawns hang out together with crocodiles in river muar. The sadness when she talked about her lost uncle due to the 2nd world war and the fear of fighting the communists. Her favourite phrase whenever she is upset with another person was:
"Send them into the malaysian jungle and see how they survive." Esp for tai tais who live in a world of their own. haha.
The two flowers (pretty girls) at the hotel reception were exceptionally nice to me. I seem to find them smile more demurely at me whenever I speak to them. The other one who couldn't speak English looked down most of the time when I was talking to her.
Should had told her that I like her and bring her over to Singapore. haha.
Before we returned to Singapore we went to a local products shop in JB. There was some interesting drink with Tongkat Ali inside. The salesgirl actually told me I might need it. haha.
Will try to take things easy from now on. Just as what Choo said.
"Malacca is a small town. People here are very simple and trusting. "
Shouldn't all people on Earth try to live like Choo and the Malaccans that she described?
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Runner's High
I used to think I was happy from running because I liked the feeling of fatigue and sweating. I felt happier if I could ran to the seaside because there is a sense of accomplishment of getting there. (ECP mac not very near to my house). Moreover I kinda liked the scenary and the place.
Then I stumbled upon a scientific explanatino for all these. Enjoy.
"Most people claim that runners high is a feeling of invincibility and superior performance that can be brought on by certain environmental surroundings. Environmental stimuli affects everybody in positive and negative ways. Divers swimming in clear, warm water seem to experience pleasant sensations, while those in dark, cold water seem to encounter panic, fear, anxiety, and depression.5 These feelings can also be associated with running. When running on a beautiful, sunny day in a place where the scenery pleases the runner, he or she is more likely to experience happiness or even a high, versus when running on a cold, rainy day, along dark, unknown scenery. When a runner is able to take in the scenery that is around them and almost become one with it, then the run will be enhanced. One runner, Jamie Hurley, wrote that "I feel wonderful and have no desire to hide it. I look around me and can breathe in the fullness of my natural surroundings - the trees, the dirt, the birds, the little critters, the sun, the terrain, the wind". When looking at the different aspects of runner's high, the environmental surroundings play an important role."
Don't understand? Nevermind. Everything can be explained in two simple words,
Runner's High.
Then I stumbled upon a scientific explanatino for all these. Enjoy.
"Most people claim that runners high is a feeling of invincibility and superior performance that can be brought on by certain environmental surroundings. Environmental stimuli affects everybody in positive and negative ways. Divers swimming in clear, warm water seem to experience pleasant sensations, while those in dark, cold water seem to encounter panic, fear, anxiety, and depression.5 These feelings can also be associated with running. When running on a beautiful, sunny day in a place where the scenery pleases the runner, he or she is more likely to experience happiness or even a high, versus when running on a cold, rainy day, along dark, unknown scenery. When a runner is able to take in the scenery that is around them and almost become one with it, then the run will be enhanced. One runner, Jamie Hurley, wrote that "I feel wonderful and have no desire to hide it. I look around me and can breathe in the fullness of my natural surroundings - the trees, the dirt, the birds, the little critters, the sun, the terrain, the wind". When looking at the different aspects of runner's high, the environmental surroundings play an important role."
Don't understand? Nevermind. Everything can be explained in two simple words,
Runner's High.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Owned
Today got whacked by a good team 9-2. Instead of feeling disgusted with myself, somehow I felt quite happy to lose by such a margin.
The opponents demonstrated what ought to be done should a team be a genuine weekend league team.
1) Commitment. (All their players were ready and running by kickoff. i.e. 9 am)
2) Spirit. (They did their warm up together, with a bit of fun.)
3) Discipline. (They did what their manager/captain told them to do.)
4) Physique, fitness, technique, teamwork.
They also had one winger whom I known since my uni days. He was the nemesis of my team. Today he ran circles round me again. When I was younger I would definitely be angered by that and probably kick his foot.
But today I grew to respect him. At this age when my body are showing signs of degradation (because I didn't take care of them well), he was still as good as ever, if not better. He really served as a motivation for me. Somehow there is still hope at my age to play better.
What is the point of playing against weak opponents week in week out, beating them flat and boost our inflated egos?
Today I got brought down to earth again, by such an overwhelming defeat. At times we must reflect and think of the things that we are lacking. Lack pace, lack strength, lack aerial ability.
I was happy, because I know I have a lot of to work on.
If we are happy with ourselves, then we will stagnant. Was quite unhappy with work recently. Spoke to a few people about it. One friend of mine really lifted my spirits.
"At least what you are doing needs brains to do. They still are helping students in some way or another. Those that I am doing do not need brains! Anyone can do them. Isn't that more frustrating?"
and she continued her "consoling"...
"Maybe the reason why you are given so much responsibilities is because you are not ambitious. Supposing if I am your boss and I know you are the ambitious type, I won't considering giving you much work to do because I know you will only do them to prove yourself, and not genuinely helping the students."
Wth... So does that mean I must act ambitious so as to reduce my workload?
Really appreciated talking to her. She understood most of the things that I said, because we are in the same profession.
And I talked to more people. One friend of mine is an auditor. She works 6 days a week, stays in the office for 18 hours, and sleeps only 3+ hours a day.
And I complained about leaving home at 8.
Another friend just returned to office to fetch her laptop home to do work, and mine you, now is already 3:19 in the afternoon on a Sunday.
I think I should just shut up and do my work properly.
It's quite irrational to force things in life, for example to force my team to beat the team which whacked us 9-2 today.
But for things which are within our control, we must try our best. Because if we don't want to end up in the following situation,
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
then we must
进化成更好的人
The opponents demonstrated what ought to be done should a team be a genuine weekend league team.
1) Commitment. (All their players were ready and running by kickoff. i.e. 9 am)
2) Spirit. (They did their warm up together, with a bit of fun.)
3) Discipline. (They did what their manager/captain told them to do.)
4) Physique, fitness, technique, teamwork.
They also had one winger whom I known since my uni days. He was the nemesis of my team. Today he ran circles round me again. When I was younger I would definitely be angered by that and probably kick his foot.
But today I grew to respect him. At this age when my body are showing signs of degradation (because I didn't take care of them well), he was still as good as ever, if not better. He really served as a motivation for me. Somehow there is still hope at my age to play better.
What is the point of playing against weak opponents week in week out, beating them flat and boost our inflated egos?
Today I got brought down to earth again, by such an overwhelming defeat. At times we must reflect and think of the things that we are lacking. Lack pace, lack strength, lack aerial ability.
I was happy, because I know I have a lot of to work on.
If we are happy with ourselves, then we will stagnant. Was quite unhappy with work recently. Spoke to a few people about it. One friend of mine really lifted my spirits.
"At least what you are doing needs brains to do. They still are helping students in some way or another. Those that I am doing do not need brains! Anyone can do them. Isn't that more frustrating?"
and she continued her "consoling"...
"Maybe the reason why you are given so much responsibilities is because you are not ambitious. Supposing if I am your boss and I know you are the ambitious type, I won't considering giving you much work to do because I know you will only do them to prove yourself, and not genuinely helping the students."
Wth... So does that mean I must act ambitious so as to reduce my workload?
Really appreciated talking to her. She understood most of the things that I said, because we are in the same profession.
And I talked to more people. One friend of mine is an auditor. She works 6 days a week, stays in the office for 18 hours, and sleeps only 3+ hours a day.
And I complained about leaving home at 8.
Another friend just returned to office to fetch her laptop home to do work, and mine you, now is already 3:19 in the afternoon on a Sunday.
I think I should just shut up and do my work properly.
It's quite irrational to force things in life, for example to force my team to beat the team which whacked us 9-2 today.
But for things which are within our control, we must try our best. Because if we don't want to end up in the following situation,
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
then we must
进化成更好的人
Friday, February 22, 2008
分享快乐 享受生活
我只能低著頭發呆
讓回憶滲透腦袋
漸漸變空白
我把它當作個意外
但內心還想不開
以爲我明白
其實你都還在
我想起了遇見你的時候
想起你眼神中的溫柔
我想起了我們第一次牽手
我閉上眼
想起當時你懷裡的顫抖
似乎那麽害怕失去我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
當你離開的時候
我可以裝作已釋懷
他對我也算關懷
他看不出來
我知道這樣不應該
在他身上找依賴
算不算是種出賣
因爲你一直在
我想起了遇見你的時候
想起你眼神中的溫柔
我想起了我們第一次牽手
我閉上眼想起當時你懷裡的顫抖
似乎那麽害怕失去我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
當你離開的時候
我想起你親吻我的時候
想起你眼神中的沉默
我想起了我們平靜的分手
我閉上眼
想起當時你美麗的承諾
把你整個心都交給我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
越是沒有你越是心痛
我想起了遇見你的時候
想起你眼神中的溫柔
我想起了我們第一次牽手
我閉上眼
想起當時你懷裡的顫抖
似乎那麽害怕失去我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
當你離開的時候
Tried too hard?
Too much pressure?
Wishful thinking?
Assume too much?
No patience?
In a rush?
No confidence?
Said too much?
No experience?
Too pessimistic?
No time?
One way traffic?
Or worst case scenario...
Had never been significant?
I think too much already. Time to sleep.
All that I needed in a quiet room at night with a mug of nice luke warm coffee.
讓回憶滲透腦袋
漸漸變空白
我把它當作個意外
但內心還想不開
以爲我明白
其實你都還在
我想起了遇見你的時候
想起你眼神中的溫柔
我想起了我們第一次牽手
我閉上眼
想起當時你懷裡的顫抖
似乎那麽害怕失去我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
當你離開的時候
我可以裝作已釋懷
他對我也算關懷
他看不出來
我知道這樣不應該
在他身上找依賴
算不算是種出賣
因爲你一直在
我想起了遇見你的時候
想起你眼神中的溫柔
我想起了我們第一次牽手
我閉上眼想起當時你懷裡的顫抖
似乎那麽害怕失去我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
當你離開的時候
我想起你親吻我的時候
想起你眼神中的沉默
我想起了我們平靜的分手
我閉上眼
想起當時你美麗的承諾
把你整個心都交給我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
越是沒有你越是心痛
我想起了遇見你的時候
想起你眼神中的溫柔
我想起了我們第一次牽手
我閉上眼
想起當時你懷裡的顫抖
似乎那麽害怕失去我
然而到後來我什麼都沒有
當你離開的時候
Tried too hard?
Too much pressure?
Wishful thinking?
Assume too much?
No patience?
In a rush?
No confidence?
Said too much?
No experience?
Too pessimistic?
No time?
One way traffic?
Or worst case scenario...
Had never been significant?
I think too much already. Time to sleep.
All that I needed in a quiet room at night with a mug of nice luke warm coffee.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
It has been a while since Eason Chan's "Shall We Talk" that I had gone bonkers over a song.
I could sense the experiences and maturity of the lyricist, who also happened to be the singer of the song. There is flavour and pedigree in the lyrics. They not only reflect my past and present experiences, and also the people I had met in who either stabilised or destabilised (my life).
The message behind the lyrics tally with the governing life principle of mine now. i.e. I want to be a good man, I want to be a better man.
Was sheer enjoyment listening to the song. Guess I will be listening to it consistently over the next few years just like "Shall We Talk".
我的青春也不是没伤痕
是明白爱是信仰的延伸
什么特征人缘还是眼神
也不会预知爱不爱的可能
保持单身忍不住又沉沦
兜着圈子来去有时苦等
人的一生感情是旋转门
转到了最后真心的就不分
有过竞争
有过牺牲
被爱筛选过程
学会认真
学会忠诚
适者才能生存
懂得永恒
得要我们
进化成更好的人
我的青春有时还蛮单纯
相信幸福取决于爱得深
读进化论我赞成达尔文
没实力的就有淘汰的可能
我的替身已换过多少轮
记忆在旧情人心中变冷
我的一生有几道旋转门
转到了最后只剩你我没分
有过竞争
有过牺牲
被爱筛选过程
学会认真
学会忠诚
适者才能生存
懂得永恒得要我们
进化成更好的人
有过竞争
有过牺牲
被爱筛选过程
学会认真
学会忠诚
适者才能生存
懂得永恒得要我们
进化成更好的人
懂得永恒得要我们
进化成更好的人
进化成更好的人
I could sense the experiences and maturity of the lyricist, who also happened to be the singer of the song. There is flavour and pedigree in the lyrics. They not only reflect my past and present experiences, and also the people I had met in who either stabilised or destabilised (my life).
The message behind the lyrics tally with the governing life principle of mine now. i.e. I want to be a good man, I want to be a better man.
Was sheer enjoyment listening to the song. Guess I will be listening to it consistently over the next few years just like "Shall We Talk".
我的青春也不是没伤痕
是明白爱是信仰的延伸
什么特征人缘还是眼神
也不会预知爱不爱的可能
保持单身忍不住又沉沦
兜着圈子来去有时苦等
人的一生感情是旋转门
转到了最后真心的就不分
有过竞争
有过牺牲
被爱筛选过程
学会认真
学会忠诚
适者才能生存
懂得永恒
得要我们
进化成更好的人
我的青春有时还蛮单纯
相信幸福取决于爱得深
读进化论我赞成达尔文
没实力的就有淘汰的可能
我的替身已换过多少轮
记忆在旧情人心中变冷
我的一生有几道旋转门
转到了最后只剩你我没分
有过竞争
有过牺牲
被爱筛选过程
学会认真
学会忠诚
适者才能生存
懂得永恒得要我们
进化成更好的人
有过竞争
有过牺牲
被爱筛选过程
学会认真
学会忠诚
适者才能生存
懂得永恒得要我们
进化成更好的人
懂得永恒得要我们
进化成更好的人
进化成更好的人
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Last Day at RJ
Today I was at the RI/RJC campus again. Met up with an old friend of mine. He was my batch mate from RI, although I didn't know him very well then. He was from my neighbour class. I got to know him better in the first few years of my university because we disrupted from army at the same time.
I could safely say during the period of time after my disruption to the end of my first year in uni, he was my best friend.
Unfortunately as the years went by, I gradually took less and less modules in FASS and gradually lost contact with him. Fortunately I still have his phone number with me.
And I really appreciated him making an effort to meet up for a drink at his canteen. At 11+ he msg that he was free from now till 1230. I told him I can't, and he offered to come down at 1330. He was at his usual self. Cold and uncaring exteriorly, but actually he's quite a nice person inside.
Then we started talking and lamenting. Lamented about the falling standards of RJ. About how the school wasn't as formidable as during our time. Lamented about the lack of time, and how his days ended at 9 am in the night. He is also the soccer teacher in charge of RJ, I'm his counterpart at NJ. But I do less work than him bah. He actually coaches his students. I am only the team medic. Looks like certain things are universal.
Young teachers do not have time. Young teachers do not have life. Young teachers work very hard.
But his personality is more rugged I guess, despite his small frame. He took things in his stride and moved on.
"Just do sui sui while the bond lasts!"
haha. That was very true. Do everything well and then leave with our heads held high. Complain also no use.
Then we started to reminisice about the past. Which teachers are still around, which stalls are still around, etc.
And then we started talking about job prospects.
He was saying that RJ has an option called "direct staff". Which means that teachers do not have to take on leadership roles and have no cca commitments. Direct staff just concentrate on teaching. Sounds very attractive. Taking a pay cut to have a life.
But I'm not so naive to think that grasses are greener over the other side. RJ and RI are going to merge sooner or later, and when that happens the new RIJ will be the same as NJ going 6 years. There will be no difference being there or here. Staying at NJ might be better because I have already established myself and my teaching resources. (No doubt working with my ex-teachers at RJ as colleagues will be a huge draw for me).
Then at the course, I saw some of the older teachers who were very senior. Would I still be able to engage or teach effectively/passionately at that age? Would I still be as stubborn as I am now trying to be a teacher who is only concerned with teaching properly instead of manage all the admin work? I am not sure though, but in anycase, I do not want to shortchange my students in case any of the above were to come true.
I am not tempted or seduced to move. I am not even thinking of moving to anywhere other than NJ. But I do know that I will leave the service after 3 good years.
So might as well live the last 3 years of my teaching life to the fullest before rethinking my life options.
I could safely say during the period of time after my disruption to the end of my first year in uni, he was my best friend.
Unfortunately as the years went by, I gradually took less and less modules in FASS and gradually lost contact with him. Fortunately I still have his phone number with me.
And I really appreciated him making an effort to meet up for a drink at his canteen. At 11+ he msg that he was free from now till 1230. I told him I can't, and he offered to come down at 1330. He was at his usual self. Cold and uncaring exteriorly, but actually he's quite a nice person inside.
Then we started talking and lamenting. Lamented about the falling standards of RJ. About how the school wasn't as formidable as during our time. Lamented about the lack of time, and how his days ended at 9 am in the night. He is also the soccer teacher in charge of RJ, I'm his counterpart at NJ. But I do less work than him bah. He actually coaches his students. I am only the team medic. Looks like certain things are universal.
Young teachers do not have time. Young teachers do not have life. Young teachers work very hard.
But his personality is more rugged I guess, despite his small frame. He took things in his stride and moved on.
"Just do sui sui while the bond lasts!"
haha. That was very true. Do everything well and then leave with our heads held high. Complain also no use.
Then we started to reminisice about the past. Which teachers are still around, which stalls are still around, etc.
And then we started talking about job prospects.
He was saying that RJ has an option called "direct staff". Which means that teachers do not have to take on leadership roles and have no cca commitments. Direct staff just concentrate on teaching. Sounds very attractive. Taking a pay cut to have a life.
But I'm not so naive to think that grasses are greener over the other side. RJ and RI are going to merge sooner or later, and when that happens the new RIJ will be the same as NJ going 6 years. There will be no difference being there or here. Staying at NJ might be better because I have already established myself and my teaching resources. (No doubt working with my ex-teachers at RJ as colleagues will be a huge draw for me).
Then at the course, I saw some of the older teachers who were very senior. Would I still be able to engage or teach effectively/passionately at that age? Would I still be as stubborn as I am now trying to be a teacher who is only concerned with teaching properly instead of manage all the admin work? I am not sure though, but in anycase, I do not want to shortchange my students in case any of the above were to come true.
I am not tempted or seduced to move. I am not even thinking of moving to anywhere other than NJ. But I do know that I will leave the service after 3 good years.
So might as well live the last 3 years of my teaching life to the fullest before rethinking my life options.
Back to RJC
Today I was lingering around RJC. Quite fortuitously saw my ex-chem tutor eating at the canteen. Was so happy that she recognised me, remembered my name, and my class.
The first thing she asked me after finding out I'm a teacher was...
"Did you check your open posting? We need maths teachers!"
haha. Looks like she had a good impression of me after all. Was so flattered by that. I'm quite happy at NJ now. Don't feel like moving, unless I want a change of environment.
"Shun Chih do you know, Mr I mean, Dr Ho is coming back to RJ in April! Come back and join him."
Mr Ho was my math tutor cum civics tutor when I was still a student. Now he is already a Dr. heh. Would love to work with him as a colleague. Maybe that's the allure of RJ. There is a human touch here.
RJ certainly felt a lot warmer than RI.
The first thing she asked me after finding out I'm a teacher was...
"Did you check your open posting? We need maths teachers!"
haha. Looks like she had a good impression of me after all. Was so flattered by that. I'm quite happy at NJ now. Don't feel like moving, unless I want a change of environment.
"Shun Chih do you know, Mr I mean, Dr Ho is coming back to RJ in April! Come back and join him."
Mr Ho was my math tutor cum civics tutor when I was still a student. Now he is already a Dr. heh. Would love to work with him as a colleague. Maybe that's the allure of RJ. There is a human touch here.
RJ certainly felt a lot warmer than RI.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Back to RI
Today I returned to RI for the first time since graduating at 1997. Was there for a course. Physically a lot of things had changed. The campus and facilities got a lot larger and better.
I saw a couple of teachers who taught me before. I don't think they recognised me anymore. Anyway he didn't even know my name when he was teaching me.
Somehow I always felt RI as an intimidating place. Even as a student there. Don't know why. But I never felt at home in that school. I was all the more thankful that I am now not teaching there. I have nothing against RI boys. In fact, I was very impressed by the manners that they have. One boy even took the trouble to show me where I should dispose my plate after lunch. Another boy even bowed to me in front my car after I gave way to them at the school gate.
Still, that didn't help in the intimidation.
I took a short stroll into the RJ campus nearby. I had never been in the new RJ campus before. I spent my JC days at mount Sinai. The new RJ campus is indeed new and large. I got lost trying to get to the staffroom to look for my friends working there. Still, everything felt alien.
Maybe because RI/RJ is an elitist institution in nature. For all 6 years that I spent there, I couldn't help but feel that way.
It certainly felt weird returning to my alma mater. There is a lot of mixed feelings. On one hand RI/RJ are close to heart because they are no doubt places which I spent 6 years of my life, yet on the other hand, I don't really know anyone or anything about the schools now. Yes I may feel very demoralised and jaded by the workload given to me at my current school,
but I still feel at home at National Junior College.
I saw a couple of teachers who taught me before. I don't think they recognised me anymore. Anyway he didn't even know my name when he was teaching me.
Somehow I always felt RI as an intimidating place. Even as a student there. Don't know why. But I never felt at home in that school. I was all the more thankful that I am now not teaching there. I have nothing against RI boys. In fact, I was very impressed by the manners that they have. One boy even took the trouble to show me where I should dispose my plate after lunch. Another boy even bowed to me in front my car after I gave way to them at the school gate.
Still, that didn't help in the intimidation.
I took a short stroll into the RJ campus nearby. I had never been in the new RJ campus before. I spent my JC days at mount Sinai. The new RJ campus is indeed new and large. I got lost trying to get to the staffroom to look for my friends working there. Still, everything felt alien.
Maybe because RI/RJ is an elitist institution in nature. For all 6 years that I spent there, I couldn't help but feel that way.
It certainly felt weird returning to my alma mater. There is a lot of mixed feelings. On one hand RI/RJ are close to heart because they are no doubt places which I spent 6 years of my life, yet on the other hand, I don't really know anyone or anything about the schools now. Yes I may feel very demoralised and jaded by the workload given to me at my current school,
but I still feel at home at National Junior College.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Eat Snake
I think I gave myself too much pressure already. Pressure to do well.
Play soccer too stressed. Cannot concede. Cannot express myself. Yes even if I managed to keep a clean sheet forever I will not be happy either. Satisfaction yes, but enjoyment no. Because it is just too stressful to concentrate every game.
Legs are aching. Don't have much time left in my legs. Must enjoy every game. Concede a few goals is ok. Just enjoy the game, play to my true standard and nothing else matters. Besides,
taking that 30 metre blaster was so gratifying.
Too stressed over the workload at school too. Need to do this, need to do that. Sigh. If all in my mind is just trying to cover whatever work that is to be done in the future, when will this cycle ever stop? Hols? When I retire? Or when I die?
I think I should just concentrate on thinking of how to eat snake. At least when I had enjoyed myself to the extent, the guilt of not doing work will provide enough momentum to sustain me through the task. And eating snake is less taxing on the mind.
Eating snake does not mean I am no longer concerned about her. Just that I don't see the need to contact her so often that I felt is becoming harassment. No space to breathe. Not fresh topics to talk about. No element of surprise. Nothing refreshing. Things become stale when there is too much contact maybe? At least at this stage when we are only friends, just let things take its course. Sometimes trying too hard only adds to the pressure, and things backfire.
I had learnt for myself the lessons of trying too hard. I saw a young pe teacher trying very hard to conduct an enjoyable training session for the girls team. At the end the students appreciated his efforts but still kept a polite distance due to his over-eagerness.
I wasn't very friendly towards my hockey team throughout last sem. But I just did whatever that has to be done at the right time for them. And they appreciated them too. Even though I am not their T/IC now, at least the exco will still say hello to me whenever they see me around, cos they are the ones whom I had interacted most with, and knows what I had done.
So I should just do the appropriate things at the right time and let things develop naturally? :)
And what should I do in the meantime to occupy my thoughts when I don't contact her so often?
To think of ways to east snake of course, as a form to constantly rejuvenate the brain.
And this entry will never be possible if I am not eating snake now.
Play soccer too stressed. Cannot concede. Cannot express myself. Yes even if I managed to keep a clean sheet forever I will not be happy either. Satisfaction yes, but enjoyment no. Because it is just too stressful to concentrate every game.
Legs are aching. Don't have much time left in my legs. Must enjoy every game. Concede a few goals is ok. Just enjoy the game, play to my true standard and nothing else matters. Besides,
taking that 30 metre blaster was so gratifying.
Too stressed over the workload at school too. Need to do this, need to do that. Sigh. If all in my mind is just trying to cover whatever work that is to be done in the future, when will this cycle ever stop? Hols? When I retire? Or when I die?
I think I should just concentrate on thinking of how to eat snake. At least when I had enjoyed myself to the extent, the guilt of not doing work will provide enough momentum to sustain me through the task. And eating snake is less taxing on the mind.
Eating snake does not mean I am no longer concerned about her. Just that I don't see the need to contact her so often that I felt is becoming harassment. No space to breathe. Not fresh topics to talk about. No element of surprise. Nothing refreshing. Things become stale when there is too much contact maybe? At least at this stage when we are only friends, just let things take its course. Sometimes trying too hard only adds to the pressure, and things backfire.
I had learnt for myself the lessons of trying too hard. I saw a young pe teacher trying very hard to conduct an enjoyable training session for the girls team. At the end the students appreciated his efforts but still kept a polite distance due to his over-eagerness.
I wasn't very friendly towards my hockey team throughout last sem. But I just did whatever that has to be done at the right time for them. And they appreciated them too. Even though I am not their T/IC now, at least the exco will still say hello to me whenever they see me around, cos they are the ones whom I had interacted most with, and knows what I had done.
So I should just do the appropriate things at the right time and let things develop naturally? :)
And what should I do in the meantime to occupy my thoughts when I don't contact her so often?
To think of ways to east snake of course, as a form to constantly rejuvenate the brain.
And this entry will never be possible if I am not eating snake now.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Goal
Today my team won a penalty.
I walked up without invitation, took (more like snatched) the ball from the strikers.
Missing two penalties in a game sometime in 2006 did do me some good. I never felt pressure again from taking penalties.
I placed the ball on the spot, walked back a few measured steps, and smashed it without much aiming.
But the shot didn't need much aiming. It was too powerful for the keeper to handle. The ball ricocheted off his gloves and went it.
This kind of penalty was the most satisfying, because even if the keeper managed to guess the right way, he will have no hope at saving it. No hope. Totally fulfilling the old school thought of taking penalties. The 100% sure way to score from a penalty.
"Just lap the ball hard. Sure go in one."
What a way to start a new year.
I walked up without invitation, took (more like snatched) the ball from the strikers.
Missing two penalties in a game sometime in 2006 did do me some good. I never felt pressure again from taking penalties.
I placed the ball on the spot, walked back a few measured steps, and smashed it without much aiming.
But the shot didn't need much aiming. It was too powerful for the keeper to handle. The ball ricocheted off his gloves and went it.
This kind of penalty was the most satisfying, because even if the keeper managed to guess the right way, he will have no hope at saving it. No hope. Totally fulfilling the old school thought of taking penalties. The 100% sure way to score from a penalty.
"Just lap the ball hard. Sure go in one."
What a way to start a new year.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Post Match Analysis 21/10/07 - Just do the simple things
Finally had a satisfying game today. 4-1. Totally snuffed out the opponents. The match wasn't easy. Had to weather out the early pressure. But once the opponents lost hope, the game became much easier.
Last week's game was too traumatising for most of us.
Finally, the way 77 played was so reminiscent of the Ah Lang of old. Simple and no nonsense. No need to pretend to be sophisticated when I am not. No need to play possession football when my skills are not there yet.
Just do the simple things.
1) ffb style.
First 15 mins of the game or so, all defenders safety first. Got ball just clear. Don't even think of playing the ball. Don't give the attackers any incentive or motivation to run at the defence. Start passing only when their attackers are not aggressive.
2) talk.
Sweeper must talk, whether like it or not. It will help the DMs and defenders and make them more confident if they are reminded what to do throughout the game. If not during tua zong situation then I finally open my mouth the defenders will gabra.
Also remind the DMs whether they can turn or not.
3) No half fuck.
If don't want to challenge, hold ground all the way. If want to go in, either the ball or the man. Think of Moga. The snapping tackle.
4) Hot.
We can talk about how best to play soccer all our lives. But if there is no fire, there is no football.
Last week's game was too traumatising for most of us.
Finally, the way 77 played was so reminiscent of the Ah Lang of old. Simple and no nonsense. No need to pretend to be sophisticated when I am not. No need to play possession football when my skills are not there yet.
Just do the simple things.
1) ffb style.
First 15 mins of the game or so, all defenders safety first. Got ball just clear. Don't even think of playing the ball. Don't give the attackers any incentive or motivation to run at the defence. Start passing only when their attackers are not aggressive.
2) talk.
Sweeper must talk, whether like it or not. It will help the DMs and defenders and make them more confident if they are reminded what to do throughout the game. If not during tua zong situation then I finally open my mouth the defenders will gabra.
Also remind the DMs whether they can turn or not.
3) No half fuck.
If don't want to challenge, hold ground all the way. If want to go in, either the ball or the man. Think of Moga. The snapping tackle.
4) Hot.
We can talk about how best to play soccer all our lives. But if there is no fire, there is no football.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
01:21 in the morning
I wonder how much of my life had I lost to not recording them in this blog. A lot of things had passed since I last blogged satisfactorily.
Just set a 8 mark trigo identity question for the end of module test for a trigo module. I think that question will murder the whole cohort, including some of the foreign scholars. ^^
Now I know the power of capsizing a boat with a point of the finger.
What had happened to the affable, amiable, friendly, and nice Mr Khoo in his ESE and practicum days? What caused Mr Khoo to transform into the monster that he is now?
Fierce, unfriendly, sadistic (in a sense that the exam questions he set are murderous), and extremely loves to scold students?
Isn't that simple? A nice man may not necessarily be a good man. A good teacher may not necessarily be a nice teacher.
Between nice and good, I chose the latter.
This, I learnt from another teacher. Four words from her made me realise what teaching is all about.
"I am pro-student."
Just set a 8 mark trigo identity question for the end of module test for a trigo module. I think that question will murder the whole cohort, including some of the foreign scholars. ^^
Now I know the power of capsizing a boat with a point of the finger.
What had happened to the affable, amiable, friendly, and nice Mr Khoo in his ESE and practicum days? What caused Mr Khoo to transform into the monster that he is now?
Fierce, unfriendly, sadistic (in a sense that the exam questions he set are murderous), and extremely loves to scold students?
Isn't that simple? A nice man may not necessarily be a good man. A good teacher may not necessarily be a nice teacher.
Between nice and good, I chose the latter.
This, I learnt from another teacher. Four words from her made me realise what teaching is all about.
"I am pro-student."
Saturday, June 16, 2007
牛车水人家
今天不经意的从收音机听到一首非常怀念的歌，一首总能勾起我成长岁月美丽回忆的歌。
听着听着，一丝丝脆片般般的回忆渐渐地涌上心头。
年幼时的我住在牛车水一带。由于父母双职，所以外婆便成为了我的兼顾人。外婆的朋友大多都住在牛车水，所以牛车岁便成了我追随外婆脚步的地方。她时常到牛车水做凛凛种种的生活琐碎事。吃饭，打麻将，喝凉茶，买疼条，逛街，荡秋千。。。那时候的我只觉得牛车水是一个很杂吵，充满着威胁的地方。为何威胁？
你爱到一个天天都有七老八十的阿公阿婆围着你来调戏的地方吗？
然而，外婆过世已有十六年了。现在的我虽然还是住在牛车水附近，但到那里的次数却一点也不及年幼时的频率. 以前可是几乎每天都到那里。现在可能几年才去一次。
听着听着，埋在下意识里的片断一个个地浮现在眼前。
那时的人潮与繁华，坐三轮车回家的经验，熟食中心的食物，巷口的凉茶店，祖屋里的“赌档”，外婆似乎几十年前的打扮。。。
真想回到那时！
现在的我是否也在想着，讨厌过着现在的生活？白天忙忙碌碌分秒必争。晚上夜深人静时，脆弱的心灵被寂寞侵蚀。。。以前无忧无虑的生活，天天向外婆撒娇的日子可真令人向往！
想归想，但人总要活在现实。现在的牛车水也已面目全非，和当年的完全判若两人。但还好还有这首歌给与心灵上的寄托。
那这首歌到底是什么？
《情谊藏心底》-巫启贤
夜已深，我仿佛听到风雨声
一阵阵，洒落在路中寂寞人
在风里，在雨里，走过的路程
已经随着岁月的声音消失在黄昏
情不归，一个人空巷独徘徊
找不回，往日的情谊藏心底
有你的，有我的，成长的痕迹
这里埋藏过去的感情，教人心碎
生命就像流水，像轻烟慢慢延续
我的记忆却渐渐蒙上尘埃
回来的路上，不断回头望
在那依然成长的地方，以往成长的地方
从今以后，风雨有谁相伴？
从今以后，风雨有我相伴
听着听着，一丝丝脆片般般的回忆渐渐地涌上心头。
年幼时的我住在牛车水一带。由于父母双职，所以外婆便成为了我的兼顾人。外婆的朋友大多都住在牛车水，所以牛车岁便成了我追随外婆脚步的地方。她时常到牛车水做凛凛种种的生活琐碎事。吃饭，打麻将，喝凉茶，买疼条，逛街，荡秋千。。。那时候的我只觉得牛车水是一个很杂吵，充满着威胁的地方。为何威胁？
你爱到一个天天都有七老八十的阿公阿婆围着你来调戏的地方吗？
然而，外婆过世已有十六年了。现在的我虽然还是住在牛车水附近，但到那里的次数却一点也不及年幼时的频率. 以前可是几乎每天都到那里。现在可能几年才去一次。
听着听着，埋在下意识里的片断一个个地浮现在眼前。
那时的人潮与繁华，坐三轮车回家的经验，熟食中心的食物，巷口的凉茶店，祖屋里的“赌档”，外婆似乎几十年前的打扮。。。
真想回到那时！
现在的我是否也在想着，讨厌过着现在的生活？白天忙忙碌碌分秒必争。晚上夜深人静时，脆弱的心灵被寂寞侵蚀。。。以前无忧无虑的生活，天天向外婆撒娇的日子可真令人向往！
想归想，但人总要活在现实。现在的牛车水也已面目全非，和当年的完全判若两人。但还好还有这首歌给与心灵上的寄托。
那这首歌到底是什么？
《情谊藏心底》-巫启贤
夜已深，我仿佛听到风雨声
一阵阵，洒落在路中寂寞人
在风里，在雨里，走过的路程
已经随着岁月的声音消失在黄昏
情不归，一个人空巷独徘徊
找不回，往日的情谊藏心底
有你的，有我的，成长的痕迹
这里埋藏过去的感情，教人心碎
生命就像流水，像轻烟慢慢延续
我的记忆却渐渐蒙上尘埃
回来的路上，不断回头望
在那依然成长的地方，以往成长的地方
从今以后，风雨有谁相伴？
从今以后，风雨有我相伴
Ah Bee
This entry is about my brother, and this entry is meant for him.
His school sent him a letter today. It was more like a threat to be honest.
"We regret to inform you that your son is performing under expectations. He may be retained or even be transferred to the Normal Technical stream if he continues to perform badly at the year end exams." Signed by the VP of the school.
What would be anyone's first impression of him? A poor student? Poor attitude towards studies? No interest? Lazy? Stupid? Couldn't be bothered? Truancy?
I can tell you, none of the above is correct. My brother is a good boy. But he had been very much maligned, and very deprived of opportunities.
Of course as his family members we made mistakes in the choice of education so far.
Mistake 1: Choice of Primay School
We should have sent him to a better primary school. I wonder why my mum sent him to the NEAREST primary school from our house instead of much better one a few bus-stops down the road. If they could afford to send me and my sister to good primary schools so much further away from our house years ago, why the double standard for my brother?
Mistake 2: Choice of academic stream in Sec School
This one was my sole responsibility. I thought that he would benefit more by doing N(A) stream in a good neighbourhood school somewhere near our place. This would be like righting the wrongs of his primary school, because
a) Time could be saved on travelling. The extra time could be used for revision.
b) His foundations were weak. The extra year would help him a lot.
c) Why do express stream in a lousy school faraway from our house?
The initial results were rewarding. He was one of the top few students in his stream for sec 1. Unfortunately things had nosedived during his upper sec. The school inexplicably grouped students in his stream according to subject combination instead of by calibre. Thus he ended up with some of the most disruptive company in his class. He still tried his best though, but while he persevered, many of his teachers gave up. How did I know about this? I was teaching in his school before. His class was notorious. After a while, he resigned to his fate.
Then came his ECA. Inexplicably he joined a very demanding eca that took up a lot of his time. Sometimes he even came home at night.
I just got this very bad feeling that his grades will suffer. The letter we got today just confirmed it.
It wasn't fair to him really. History had shown that if he was placed in the right environment, he had the ability to do well. His sec 1 grades don't lie. Yet to put the blame of his slip solely on his class, or soley on his eca is not fair too.
The way my parents talk to him is not encouraging either. They always talk to him in a manner that he is not good enough, or he cannot do things right. They never gave him the encouragement he needed, even if it meant backing down a bit at times. Their old fashioned way of lecturing kids will not work these days. Handling kids in the 90s is different from handling kids in the 80s.
Look, given his current situation what he needs is alot more encouragement than criticism.
It is not hard to tell that he has already resigned to fate and conformed to his belief that he is just another normal stream boy not good in his studies.
Which is rubbish of course.
He can do it. Just that he fell prey to one of the fallacies of our education system - That it favours early performers than late bloomers.
All he needs is just that courage to stand up against the deprivations thrown at him since he was a boy, and give himself a try deserving of his conscience.
Why allow your selfish classmates to ruin your future for you? Yes I agree that you can't stop them from disrupting the lessons. Yes I agree that most of the precious curriculum time in class was wasted. Yes I agree that most of the teachers do not really like teaching your class.
It is a tough environment to study in compared to your sec 1 and 2 days, but if you are willing to be brave and stand up to them, you can do it, because I know you can. No one can be more qualified than me in saying those words.
Because I know you best, being your brother who grew up with you.
I also admit that I was not around in the important days of his education. I had been away from home for 6 years due to NS and uni. (Since he was primary 4 to sec 3). I had never been much of a help anyway. I always turn him away while playing my computer games. As time goes by he also stopped approaching me for help.
But,
Can you take it lying down that your selfish classmates had ruined your future for you? Can you take it lying down that you denied yourself a better future by sticking to your beliefs that you are not good enough?
Can you take it lying down or not?
I was useless, but at least I am back for the most important year. Time may not be enough, since there is only a couple of months left before the N levels start.
But I know you just need that courage to try and turn things around in such unfavourable conditions. I am not telling you to get straight As, but I know you have what it takes to get what you want.
Because you have the ability and you can do it.
All you need is just the courage to try for a better future.
His school sent him a letter today. It was more like a threat to be honest.
"We regret to inform you that your son is performing under expectations. He may be retained or even be transferred to the Normal Technical stream if he continues to perform badly at the year end exams." Signed by the VP of the school.
What would be anyone's first impression of him? A poor student? Poor attitude towards studies? No interest? Lazy? Stupid? Couldn't be bothered? Truancy?
I can tell you, none of the above is correct. My brother is a good boy. But he had been very much maligned, and very deprived of opportunities.
Of course as his family members we made mistakes in the choice of education so far.
Mistake 1: Choice of Primay School
We should have sent him to a better primary school. I wonder why my mum sent him to the NEAREST primary school from our house instead of much better one a few bus-stops down the road. If they could afford to send me and my sister to good primary schools so much further away from our house years ago, why the double standard for my brother?
Mistake 2: Choice of academic stream in Sec School
This one was my sole responsibility. I thought that he would benefit more by doing N(A) stream in a good neighbourhood school somewhere near our place. This would be like righting the wrongs of his primary school, because
a) Time could be saved on travelling. The extra time could be used for revision.
b) His foundations were weak. The extra year would help him a lot.
c) Why do express stream in a lousy school faraway from our house?
The initial results were rewarding. He was one of the top few students in his stream for sec 1. Unfortunately things had nosedived during his upper sec. The school inexplicably grouped students in his stream according to subject combination instead of by calibre. Thus he ended up with some of the most disruptive company in his class. He still tried his best though, but while he persevered, many of his teachers gave up. How did I know about this? I was teaching in his school before. His class was notorious. After a while, he resigned to his fate.
Then came his ECA. Inexplicably he joined a very demanding eca that took up a lot of his time. Sometimes he even came home at night.
I just got this very bad feeling that his grades will suffer. The letter we got today just confirmed it.
It wasn't fair to him really. History had shown that if he was placed in the right environment, he had the ability to do well. His sec 1 grades don't lie. Yet to put the blame of his slip solely on his class, or soley on his eca is not fair too.
The way my parents talk to him is not encouraging either. They always talk to him in a manner that he is not good enough, or he cannot do things right. They never gave him the encouragement he needed, even if it meant backing down a bit at times. Their old fashioned way of lecturing kids will not work these days. Handling kids in the 90s is different from handling kids in the 80s.
Look, given his current situation what he needs is alot more encouragement than criticism.
It is not hard to tell that he has already resigned to fate and conformed to his belief that he is just another normal stream boy not good in his studies.
Which is rubbish of course.
He can do it. Just that he fell prey to one of the fallacies of our education system - That it favours early performers than late bloomers.
All he needs is just that courage to stand up against the deprivations thrown at him since he was a boy, and give himself a try deserving of his conscience.
Why allow your selfish classmates to ruin your future for you? Yes I agree that you can't stop them from disrupting the lessons. Yes I agree that most of the precious curriculum time in class was wasted. Yes I agree that most of the teachers do not really like teaching your class.
It is a tough environment to study in compared to your sec 1 and 2 days, but if you are willing to be brave and stand up to them, you can do it, because I know you can. No one can be more qualified than me in saying those words.
Because I know you best, being your brother who grew up with you.
I also admit that I was not around in the important days of his education. I had been away from home for 6 years due to NS and uni. (Since he was primary 4 to sec 3). I had never been much of a help anyway. I always turn him away while playing my computer games. As time goes by he also stopped approaching me for help.
But,
Can you take it lying down that your selfish classmates had ruined your future for you? Can you take it lying down that you denied yourself a better future by sticking to your beliefs that you are not good enough?
Can you take it lying down or not?
I was useless, but at least I am back for the most important year. Time may not be enough, since there is only a couple of months left before the N levels start.
But I know you just need that courage to try and turn things around in such unfavourable conditions. I am not telling you to get straight As, but I know you have what it takes to get what you want.
Because you have the ability and you can do it.
All you need is just the courage to try for a better future.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
The Promised Land
Today I was at my weekly madness again - Run from my house to ECP Mac. I even had to firmly turn down a dinner invitation by Bollocks and Chioh to persist with my madness, much to their disappointment.
Retribution did strike me later.
I arrived at my destination in good time. I.e. It took me just around an hour to get there. Once there I got down to my usual business.
1. Buy a can of H2O from the 7 eleven.
2. Sit on one of the saloms by the beach and enjoy the well-deserved can of H2O.
3. Listen to the sound of the waves.
4. Sort out/Forget all my troubles.
5. Go to macdonald and buy chicken foldover and green tea.
6. Go home.
Usually the cabs would be waiting for me by the road. But today... today... there was a rumble for cabs. There were couples everywhere waiting for cabs. Along the same stretch of road, some pairs were ahead of me, some after me, there was even a pair hugging each other beside me! lol. Being in pairs help. Can hug to kill time while waiting for cab.
Is today Valentine's Day at ECP?
Determined not to be outdone by the hordes of couples straying further upstream to intercept my cab, I overtook them and stood in a supposedly good position.
15 mins had passed. No vacant cab came.
I wandered back to mac, and went further downstream. Another 15 mins had passed. Again no vacant cab came.
Today business was really good at ECP. I thought the crowd would usually be present only on friday and weekend nights. Maybe there could be another way to explain this phenomenum. On friday nights (which I usually do my runs), people don't have to work the next day, so they could afford to stay up and hang around at ECP. That's why I had all the cabs I wanted at around 9 plus. On thursday night, everyone had to go back early for work next day. So I had to compete with the world for cabs at around 9 plus.
I swear I will never do my runs again on anyday other than a friday night!
So how on earth am I going to get home with all these competition? If I were to faithfully just follow law and wait for a taxi to come my way with all these people around,
I will never make it back.
And I had already wasted 1 hour trying to get a cab. Time check: 2215. Usually I would have been home by 2130. Sigh.
I must get out of this place if I were to have any chance of getting a vacant cab. But without vacant cabs how am I going to get out of this place? Chicken and egg question. Lucky I am a rather unorthodox person.
Just be shameless and hitch a ride from someone and get out of this place first.
Thus I stood hawkishly at the taxi queue. The next cab that comes along I will pounce on it irregardless of whoever approaches it first.
A few minutes later, a cab came true to my expectations. A rather hostile couple went into it. The guy was clearly pissed off at having to wait so long for a cab.
Ok better not be a light bulb and antagonise a fire boar. I shall wait for the next cab to come.
My heart sank when another hostile looking couple went up to the next cab. The guy got ang kongs all over his arms. The girl smoked until she looked like a chimmey. Would I be kidnapped and sold to Desker Road if I got into this cab? But inexplicably, they got out.
The cab was not going in their direction.
A young lady reacted swiftly and pounced on the cab before me. This might be my only chance to get out of this cursed place. I better act fast. I put on my most pitiful and desperate face and opened front door of the cab.
"Miss, may I hitch a ride to wherever you are going? I desperately need to get out of here because it's so hard to get a cab!"
他妈的... Sounded so 琼瑶。It's like I will 陪你走到天涯海角like that. So mushy. I think she must be super chua dio lah.
But somehow it worked! She agreed to let me tag along free of charge! Must have been the tears (of desperation) that sparkled in my eyes which did the trick.
I triumphantly rode my way out towards Bedok. Yes I was clearly embarassed with my bold behavior, and yet grateful to the generosity of the young lady. The cab driver let me off somewhere near Tweety's house.
Now comes the key question. Was my reasoning right? i.e. It would be easier to get a vacant cab as long as I am out of ECP.
I wouldn't know for sure. My previous experience of getting vacant cabs at this area was pretty good because I used to take cabs home from my camp (which also happened to be around here).
Would I be rewarded again tonight?
Let's just cross the road, then wait and see. 5 seconds later, not 1 but 3 vacant cabs appeared out of the slip road and sped towards me! I even had the luxury of choosing which brand I wanted. Comfort, Citycab, or SMRT.
I knew I had reached the promised land.
I took the Citycab taxi home because my dad also drives for Citycab.
So here I am, drinking my brother's heartwarming campbell soup and writing all these happening stuff online. I wonder what would happen if I did not shamelessly approach that lady for help. I wonder what time would I reach home if I just followed law. In any case,
If not for that cab, I will still be drinking tears at ECP.
Retribution did strike me later.
I arrived at my destination in good time. I.e. It took me just around an hour to get there. Once there I got down to my usual business.
1. Buy a can of H2O from the 7 eleven.
2. Sit on one of the saloms by the beach and enjoy the well-deserved can of H2O.
3. Listen to the sound of the waves.
4. Sort out/Forget all my troubles.
5. Go to macdonald and buy chicken foldover and green tea.
6. Go home.
Usually the cabs would be waiting for me by the road. But today... today... there was a rumble for cabs. There were couples everywhere waiting for cabs. Along the same stretch of road, some pairs were ahead of me, some after me, there was even a pair hugging each other beside me! lol. Being in pairs help. Can hug to kill time while waiting for cab.
Is today Valentine's Day at ECP?
Determined not to be outdone by the hordes of couples straying further upstream to intercept my cab, I overtook them and stood in a supposedly good position.
15 mins had passed. No vacant cab came.
I wandered back to mac, and went further downstream. Another 15 mins had passed. Again no vacant cab came.
Today business was really good at ECP. I thought the crowd would usually be present only on friday and weekend nights. Maybe there could be another way to explain this phenomenum. On friday nights (which I usually do my runs), people don't have to work the next day, so they could afford to stay up and hang around at ECP. That's why I had all the cabs I wanted at around 9 plus. On thursday night, everyone had to go back early for work next day. So I had to compete with the world for cabs at around 9 plus.
I swear I will never do my runs again on anyday other than a friday night!
So how on earth am I going to get home with all these competition? If I were to faithfully just follow law and wait for a taxi to come my way with all these people around,
I will never make it back.
And I had already wasted 1 hour trying to get a cab. Time check: 2215. Usually I would have been home by 2130. Sigh.
I must get out of this place if I were to have any chance of getting a vacant cab. But without vacant cabs how am I going to get out of this place? Chicken and egg question. Lucky I am a rather unorthodox person.
Just be shameless and hitch a ride from someone and get out of this place first.
Thus I stood hawkishly at the taxi queue. The next cab that comes along I will pounce on it irregardless of whoever approaches it first.
A few minutes later, a cab came true to my expectations. A rather hostile couple went into it. The guy was clearly pissed off at having to wait so long for a cab.
Ok better not be a light bulb and antagonise a fire boar. I shall wait for the next cab to come.
My heart sank when another hostile looking couple went up to the next cab. The guy got ang kongs all over his arms. The girl smoked until she looked like a chimmey. Would I be kidnapped and sold to Desker Road if I got into this cab? But inexplicably, they got out.
The cab was not going in their direction.
A young lady reacted swiftly and pounced on the cab before me. This might be my only chance to get out of this cursed place. I better act fast. I put on my most pitiful and desperate face and opened front door of the cab.
"Miss, may I hitch a ride to wherever you are going? I desperately need to get out of here because it's so hard to get a cab!"
他妈的... Sounded so 琼瑶。It's like I will 陪你走到天涯海角like that. So mushy. I think she must be super chua dio lah.
But somehow it worked! She agreed to let me tag along free of charge! Must have been the tears (of desperation) that sparkled in my eyes which did the trick.
I triumphantly rode my way out towards Bedok. Yes I was clearly embarassed with my bold behavior, and yet grateful to the generosity of the young lady. The cab driver let me off somewhere near Tweety's house.
Now comes the key question. Was my reasoning right? i.e. It would be easier to get a vacant cab as long as I am out of ECP.
I wouldn't know for sure. My previous experience of getting vacant cabs at this area was pretty good because I used to take cabs home from my camp (which also happened to be around here).
Would I be rewarded again tonight?
Let's just cross the road, then wait and see. 5 seconds later, not 1 but 3 vacant cabs appeared out of the slip road and sped towards me! I even had the luxury of choosing which brand I wanted. Comfort, Citycab, or SMRT.
I knew I had reached the promised land.
I took the Citycab taxi home because my dad also drives for Citycab.
So here I am, drinking my brother's heartwarming campbell soup and writing all these happening stuff online. I wonder what would happen if I did not shamelessly approach that lady for help. I wonder what time would I reach home if I just followed law. In any case,
If not for that cab, I will still be drinking tears at ECP.
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