Edward's Diary @ 爱德华的日誌

Mingdong @ Seoul

2012-01-28T20:37:00.004+08:00

Now at Mindong of Seoul, waiting for paxs to finish their shopping and then sending them back to hotel.
Flying back to Singapore tomorrow. It is much colder now as compared in Dec.

Snowing @ Jeju

2012-01-25T07:32:00.002+08:00

It was snowing lightly in Jeju Island, South Korea this morning.
Nice view and windy.

This is the 4th time i am celebrating CNY overseas, except not with my friends or family ......
Anyway i am happy becos this is my first time visiting South Korea during CNY.
Koreans also celebrate CNY but i dont see Lion or Dragon dance etc.

HaPpY LuNAr NeW yEAR, everyone !!

Overcome my laziness

2012-01-22T09:15:00.000+08:00

i was a bit tired and thinking of taking the short cut, i.e. easy way.

But i told myself i must send the clothes to Bishan Salvation Army, rather than dump it downstairs of my flat.

Feeling happy that i have overcome my laziness.

Note: these clothes are too big for the children in Cambodia.

My schedule

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000+08:00

Hi Frens

If i didn't answer your call, reply your sms or my phone is switched off, then maybe i am out of town.

You still can try to email me at "edward_msg@hotmail.com"

Below is my schedule:

Tour Leading during the following periods:
Korea, 22 Jan 2012 (Sun) to 29 Jan 2012 (Sun)

Overseas Travel during the following periods:
Thailand/Cambodia, 4 Apr 2012 (Wed) to 20 Apr 2012 (Fri)

Note: more photos are available on my facebook.

Spring cleaning

2012-01-21T23:35:00.002+08:00

Now my house is cleaner after the spring cleaning :-)

A careless driver

2012-01-18T18:48:00.005+08:00

A careless driver.

When i was crossing the road in Toa Payoh estate, i saw a car driving against the traffic flow.
i guessed the driver has made a wrong turn earlier.
Although she (the driver) was careless, but at least she was 'responsible'. This was because she drove slowly looking for an appropriate exit to turn off, unlike the Trans Cab driver that i had reported in my previous blog - drove quickly and continuing to reverse even there were other commuters.

The car plate of this careless driver is SJL 6093 K.

CCA day @ AWWA

2012-01-17T20:31:00.003+08:00

Today is the CCA day @ AWWA.
All students take part in one of the 17 CCAs. (Wow! there is a lot.)
CCA is conducted during the curriculum time, instead of after or before school.

An interesting arrangement.

Part-time salesman

2012-01-14T22:27:00.000+08:00

My friend brings his family to JB to shop and for reunion dinner, thus today i replace him to be a part-time salesman.
There is a lot of shoppers before CNY and my job is to assist the customers, and help to pack the purchased items when there is long queue at the cashier. The cashier has good memory and he is familiar with the goods. He needs to remember the prices and offers of goods, because some items may not have the price tags and the shop does not use bar code to keep track of stock info.

My neighbour (3)

2012-01-13T15:33:00.002+08:00

The uncle next door was admitted to hospital again :-(

Reason: salt level too low.

RT @ AWWA

2012-01-12T19:59:00.003+08:00

Glad to see the familiar faces again, except i cant recall the names of some students.

A call from Cambodia

2012-01-10T12:23:00.004+08:00

The boy called me from Cambodia last night.
He was crying.
He only mentioned a few words and i wasn't sure what was happening over there.

i guess when children leave the orphanage and start working, they will be facing different kind of problems. They need guidance and listening ears.

i am worried.

何者不幸？

2012-01-09T19:36:00.012+08:00

一个是养了二十年的孩子因病逝世，虽然在情感上心里的遗憾无法抹去，但如果用理性的角度去看待它，在某种意义上事情终究有个了断。

一个是养了二十年的孩子自小就有某方面的障碍，生活无法完全独立，而身为父母在年老时还得为孩子的将来操心，并且忧虑到最后一天。

我不晓得谁的人生比较不幸。
还是不管是哪一种人生选择了你，自有它的道理。

My neighbour (2)

2012-01-09T17:24:00.003+08:00

Today i see uncle lying on the sofa watching TV program.
Glad to know that he is back home.

My neighbour

2012-01-06T19:44:00.007+08:00

There is an old couple staying next door. The uncle was absent for the past few days and this morning i found out that he is hospitalised. When i talked to the auntie, i can see tiredness on her face. When i told auntie i would like to offer my help, i can see tears running in her eyes.

i used to see them going out together, but now i only see the old lady leaving her house alone visiting her husband who is still in the hospital. i hope uncle will be discharged before CNY.

Movies --> life values

2012-01-02T08:55:00.006+08:00

Recorded and re-converted some 'good' movies from Cable TV program these few days for the children in Hope Village.

Too much violent movie does not inspire their thoughts on life values.

My past backpacking routes

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000+08:00

When i was browsing through my past blogs, i have the idea to summarise my past backpacking trips, starting from year 2008:

March 2008: Thailand
After i resigned from MINDS special school.
Bangkok --- Sukhothai --- Chiang Mai --- Chiang Rai (+ Chiang Saen, Mae Sai) --- Pattaya --- Kanchanaburi ---Nakhon Pathom --- Bangkok

August 2008: Cambodia
Be a volunteer @ the orphanage, Hope Village.
Phnom Penh --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Phnom Penh

October 2008: Laos
After Cambodia, i began to explore Laos too.
Bangkok --- Nong Khai --- Vientiane --- Van Vieng --- Luang Prabang (intl flight to) --- Bangkok

February 2009: Laos
Being 'jobless' so i decided to explore Northern & Southern Laos.
Bangkok --- Chiang Rai --- Huay Sai --- Luang Prabang --- Phongsali (+ trekking to Akha Tribe) --- Mengla (failed to cross the border) --- Phongsali --- Muang Khoua (slow boat via Nam Ou River) --- Vientiane --- Pakse --- Bolaven Circuit --- Don Det (Si Phan Don) --- Pakse --- Vientiane --- Kuala Lumpur

April 2009: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand
Visited the children @ Hope Village & join the fun of water festival.
Phnom Penh --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Phnom Penh --- Stung Treng --- Pakse --- Vientiane --- Udon Thani --- Khon Kean --- Bangkok

March 2010: Myanmar
Always wanted to visit Myanmar so on the road again.
Bangkok --- Yangon --- Bangkok

April 2010: Cambodia
On behalf of frens, spread love & joy to the children @ Hope Village.
Kuala Lumpur --- Phnom Penh --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Phnom Penh

May 2010: Laos, China, Thailand
Planned 6 mths ago, very cheap airfare offered by AirAsia.
Kuala Lumpur --- Vientiane --- Luang Prabang --- Mengla --- Huay Sai --- Chiang Rai --- Bangkok (domestic flight to) --- Phuket

August 2010: Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia
Explore Yunnan-China via Laos. Also visit the children @ Hope Village during their school holiday.
Kuala Lumpur --- Vientiane --- Yunnan --- Phongsali --- Thailand --- Phnom Penh --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Phnom Penh --- Thailand --- Vientiane --- Kuala Lumpur

February 2011: China (Guangxi/Guangzhou/Hong Kong)
Heard about Guilin (桂林山水甲天下) when i was young, and take the high speed train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.
Guilin --- Yangshuo --- Liuzhou --- Nanning --- Wuzhou --- Guangzhou --- Hong Kong (Lantau Island)

March 2011: Myanmar (Mandalay/Bagan/Inlay/Kyaiktiyo)
Last year only visited Yangon, thus on my way to Myanmar again.
Kuala Lumpur --- Yangon --- Mandalay --- Bagan --- Inlay --- Kyaiktiyo --- Yangon --- Bangkok

April 2011: Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia
On behalf of frens, spread love & joy to the children @ Hope Village.
Bangkok --- Phnom Penh --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Phnom Penh --- Bangkok --- Penang

July 2011: Cambodia
On behalf of frens, bring donated items for the children @ Hope Village.
Phnom Penh --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Phnom Penh

July/August 2011: Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia
Spread love & joy to the children @ Hope Village.
Bali --- Khon Kaen --- Battambang --- Prey Veng (Hope Village) --- Kampot --- Pattaya

An Irresponsible taxi driver

2011-12-31T19:46:00.007+08:00

Yesterday late afternoon, i walked pass the Toa Payoh estate planning to jog along the walkway opposite the SMRT train depot and move on to Bishan parks.

While i was crossing the road, Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, i felt there was a car driving towards me. The strange thing was i have checked the traffic for both directions before i crossed the road, and it puzzled me at that moment was the car was approaching me from my right hand side, instead of left for the oncoming traffic. The speed of the car was not slow and my immediate reaction was to dash forward and land on the pedestrian path.

i turned around and took a look at the car, it was a Taxi, red colour, from Trans Cab. The taxi did not stopped or slowed down when it passed me, in fact the taxi driver stepped on the brake if not it would hit a motorcyclist at the T-junction.

Another 2 cars stopped at the T-junction too, waiting and observing the next move of this taxi driver. The taxi continued to reverse and then turned into the side road and stopped in front of Blk 7.

The car plate of the taxi is SHD670A.
An irresponsible taxi driver.

No deal

2011-12-31T13:14:00.006+08:00

Both OHF and i could not come to an agreement on the terms of employment, so i am not joining OHF.

i am not surprised about the outcome.

Negotiating the salary

2011-12-30T15:59:00.003+08:00

Having hiccups in negotiating the salary.

i dont understand, why pple wants to complicate a simple matter or statement?

Wasting time.

Religious belief

2011-12-28T13:14:00.003+08:00

Religious belief could be an obstacle.

New job opportunity

2011-12-23T19:34:00.003+08:00

Today i meet up with the director of OHF to discuss about their ongoing & future projects, and also job opportunity.

Stay tuned for the outcome .........

Ramen vs Banana Milk

2011-12-21T15:28:00.004+08:00

At the ski resort, the tour guide treated the photographer and me lunch - a bowl of Ramen (noodle) each.

She told the photographer her favourite drink is Banana Milk.

After lunch, she asked me to buy her the banana milk. In the mini-mart, she also took a pack of yogurt from the shelf.

On the next day morning, she has diarrhea. Yes, she said she has diarrhea.
She told me last night the photographer bought her another pack of banana milk, i.e. she had two packs of banana milk and one pack of yogurt in one day.

The moral of the story is ..........

导游说的话

2011-12-21T08:22:00.002+08:00

身为一名导游，他的专长是很会说话，有说服力。因此他所说的话，听听就好，不需要太过感动。

Message from OHF

2011-12-11T10:10:00.009+08:00

Operation Hope Foundation

We need your support this Christmas!

Next year, we will start two large projects. CASE which is Computer, Attitude, Skills and English training program will commence 2 Jan 2012 in Cambodia with an initial intake of 40 students. The program is for three months which means we will be training 120 students for the whole year. Thousands of students after leaving school have no employable skills a nd would either remain with their family to plant rice and catch fish or work as blue collar workers in the city. Their families hoped that education will end the poverty cycle and allow their children to earn more money working in a company. With no computer knowledge, unable to speak English and with little planning, organising, communicating and decision making skills, these young adults often end up in the sex trade and even some other illicit activities like drugs peddling. Yet with just three months training, we believe we can vastly increase their chance of getting a white collar job. Imagine being able to speak and understand English, use Microsoft Office, create flyers and posters, edit videos and insert them into exciting PowerPoint presentations, do basic PC repair and install network and back up drives and printers. They will be taught life skills and learn how to work as part of an organization.

We need to buy 45 computers, UPS, LCD monitors, projectors, tables, chairs, beds for this first batch of CASE students. We need to give these students allowance for food as they will come from poor families. We need to pay for the instructors that we have recruited. We start CASE in faith and believe that we will get the donations needed. Rather than raise the funds and then start CASE, we start and raise the funds at the same time.

2012 will also see the start of our project in Phitsanulok, Thailand. We have waited two years for the Thai Government to approve our registration. It came on 7 November 2011.

We are planning to start CASE in Phitsanulok as well. We will lease the land from YMCA Bangkok and need to renovate and refurbish the five existing buildings. Based in central Thailand, one of the people group that we target is the Isaan people. Living in the northeast of Thailand, the Isaan forms 25% of the Thai population but remained an impoverished group. CASE will empower some of the young adults to get better jobs and break the poverty cycle in their families. Again we are starting the project and raising the funds at the same time. Below are some photos of the existing houses. We save money by renovating rather than having to build from scratch. Christmas is the time of giving and blessing. We hope you will help us spread the word around and help us raise the funds we need. We can provide full details of how the funds will be used. Every single cent will be accounted for. Let us bless the poor, young adults in Cambodia and Thailand who are not given a chance to learn skills that can help them get a good job. Coming from poor families they cannot afford the outside classes in computers or English or these classes may simply be unavailable in their rural provinces. We are excited about these two projects and have worked hard in the past months developing the courseware.

Bon Voyage

2011-11-19T10:30:00.002+08:00

天下无不散之筵席。

About hair

2011-11-16T23:30:00.003+08:00

My P4 pupil asked me why some people lose their hair?
i told him it can be due to genetic, older age, medical reason etc.

Then he asked me why his grandfather has no hair but his grandmother still has a lot?
i told him in general men lose more hair when getting older.

Then he asked me what is genetic?
After listening to my explanation, he touched his hair and said, "Oh my god! Next time i will be like my father."

Any donated items for the children to bring back Cambodia?

2011-11-13T09:13:00.006+08:00

The 7 teens from orphanage will go back to Cambodia on next Sat, 19 Nov 2011, after 8 weeks of short courses and job attachment.

i believe they have learned some skills and also experienced the living & working environment, and the culture in Singapore.

If you have donated items (e.g. thumb drives/external hard disks/hand phones) to give away, kindly contact me. If i am unable to pass these items to the children before they leave, i will pass the items to OHF staff, or bring along the small items with me when i visit Cambodia next year. Thank you.

We have collected enough clothes this round for the children to bring back to Cambodia.
Special thanks to Josephine, Alice, Yvonne, Siew Cheng and Adrian.

“割爱”随想

2011-11-12T11:12:00.003+08:00

刚观赏完电影“割爱”。
心里有许多感想，但不知从何想起？
心里有许多话说，但不知从何说起？

脑海里想到的是：
人总在将要或已经失去某个人，某样东西，才惊觉它的“存在”其实对自己有着某种的“意义”。
人总在过后才开始感到后悔，懊恼，遗憾。

或许父母忙碌的打拚是为了孩子，但孩子要的可能纯粹是父母的陪伴。

随想

2011-11-11T08:05:00.004+08:00

大多数得奖或被推荐的影片，都会有一个主题或碰触敏感的话题。
对人性的刻画和描写。
带出人生的挣扎和无助，或一个简单但埋藏在内心深处的梦想。
暴露社会丑陋和善良，歧视和同理的两面。
还有强调因果报应，让人觉得生命还是有它正义的一面。

经典的话听过许多。
最近有人告诉我：“年轻的时候我们折磨身体，年老的时候轮到身体折磨我们。”
我想我们都明白这道理，只是上面两句话很贴切和简短的重释这道理。

三个男人的约会

2011-11-04T21:59:00.002+08:00

This evening i have dinner cum sharing session with 2 friends.
Feeling happy now :-)

三个男人的约会。

Communication

2011-11-01T09:34:00.003+08:00

Communication is important.

Sometime helping someone quietly may cause more harms. He or she may thought that you did not do anything to help, to contribute, to share ...... and misunderstanding continues, negative feelings bottled up, in the end becomes sour, bitter and out of control ........

原谅他人，其实是放过自己。

2011-10-30T09:19:00.004+08:00

“原谅他人，其实是放过自己。
如果心里有许多的不甘心，又怎能装下快乐呢？”

你说呢？

不过我在想，怎样做才算是“原谅”呢？

Shedding tears

2011-10-29T10:59:00.004+08:00

i attended the 'OHF's 10th Year Anniversary' last night.

One of the girls from the orphanage was shedding tears when she was sharing her past with the guests. The sharing session reminded her of her deceased grandparents before she was sent to the orphanage.

i believe the 7 children have their own past as we do, except all of us have different stories.

Make risk assessment when assigning RT to a class alone @ special school

2011-10-28T21:21:00.004+08:00

While waiting for the bell ring before hall assembly, one boy from another class asked me for permission to go for toileting. Usually student who is verbal and able to make request, teacher may assume that the student is independent, but i didn't take the risk, not to mention that i was not on assembly duty. So i asked another teacher in the hall about the boy and the reply was he would run away if without accompany.

Luckily i asked. In the end the class teacher followed the boy to the toilet. But then the story didn't end here.

Few minutes later, i was informed that the boy has fit (epilepsy). Luckily i didn't allow the boy to go to the toilet by himself.

This happened before assembly and there were teachers around. If i am alone with the boy and his classmates in the classroom, and i wasn't informed of any medical conditions (e.g. fit) or behaviours (e.g. run away) of students, then i believe i would let the boy goes to the toilet alone. Then who will be attending to him when he has fit?

That's why i don't encourage assigning a relief teacher to a class ALONE if he or she is NOT familiar with the students.

Make risk assessment when assigning relief teacher to a class alone @ special school, because the children have special needs and medical conditions.

分手时的痛

2011-10-23T12:06:00.001+08:00

只有真正爱过，才能真正感受分手时的痛。

Our Photo Album 'A Day In JGS ......'

2011-10-17T22:36:00.004+08:00

Feeling relaxed

2011-10-15T02:14:00.004+08:00

Feeling relaxed now, after few months of relief teaching :-)

Sand Art (preview)

2011-10-13T20:00:00.000+08:00

Click on the title to view the video on YouTube.

Rejoining is not a feasible option

2011-10-12T08:57:00.010+08:00

Now i am sure that rejoining the school as a full-time teacher is not a feasible option or plan for me.

i think 10 months of relief teaching is enough for me to observe, and to reconsider the 'request'.

But i may still consider short term relief teaching in the same school next year, maybe .......... who knows .......... anything can happen .......... nothing is impossible .........

i begin to miss Laos

2011-10-10T20:46:00.004+08:00

After seeing photos posted on my Laos friend's facebook, i begin to miss Laos.
Maybe i should start planning a trip after Chinese New Year.

Facing Death (by Steve Jobs, 1955-2011)

2011-10-07T07:14:00.008+08:00

Everyone of us will leave one day.

This video clip was extracted from his speech in year 2005.
www.stanford.edu

Happy Children's Day

2011-10-06T19:30:00.002+08:00

long long long long long long long long long long long long long long weekend :-)

i am meeting the girls and boys on coming Sat :-)

My little positive energy is gone

2011-10-05T21:31:00.038+08:00

My little positive energy is gone.

What happen to the school? What happen to the teachers?

Let me tell you another 'story'.

J2 classroom consists of 2 small rooms, J2A and J2B.
Room J2A has 3 rows of student desks and chairs.
Room J2B has computer and 4 rectangular tables for group activities, it can also be used as a second classroom when the students are split into 2 groups.
In between the 2 rooms there are partitions, not folded type, but individual pieces.

Because my co-tr is out to assist in MINDS concert rehearsal, the first 2 periods i have the Home Econs tr to assist the girls for toileting and also to conduct class activities while i am reading the communication books.

i am lucky to have another tr to witness what is going on.
She shakes her head when she sees what is going on.

***** here is the story .......
After hall assembly and hand-washing, my students sit down and i am about to take the attendance, then one, two, three, four .... five teachers walk in from J2B door.

The first tr is from J2 AM. i call her tr in-charge, IC.
One tr is also from J2 AM and also the senior tr of AM session. i call her ST.
One tr is from J3 AM, an outstanding tr award winner few years ago. i call her OUTST.
One tr is also from J3 AM.
One tr is from ....... i don't know.

They begin to push the 4 rectangular tables to one side, play the song from the computer and start to practice dancing.

None of the 5 trs tells us why they are in our class?
None of the 5 trs makes any request to use the classroom?

Where are the basic respect and courtesy?

i sit down and observe what these 5 trs are doing.
i am waiting for them to tell me what is going on.
After awhile then they realize that the whole class is watching them.

i say: "i do not know what Ms Soo would say when she passes by and sees you all here?"
OUTST replies: "the most get scolded."
Someone says: "never mind."
Someone says: "very fast one, just for a while."
Someone says: "maybe we close the partitions."
(Someone starts to move the partitions, but only few pieces, with wide gaps in between, everyone still can see, everyone still can hear. What is the point of moving only few pieces of partitions?)
IC says: "5 mins only."
They continue to dance.

Do you think the special kids can focus when they know trs are dancing behind them?
We continue to teach since they don't get the message and have no intention to leave.

After awhile, the Senior Assistant of PM session walks in but he doesn't give any comment or advice to me or the 5 trs. Instead he asks me why there are (old?) marks on the forehead of a boy. (???)

5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins ........
They continue to dance ......
We continue to teach ......

i look at the clock, it is 1:30pm, i walk to J2B.
i ask IC: "how long you still need to use?"
OUTST interrupts: "very long."
i turn around and look at OUTST.
OUTST points at IC and says: "you ask her, she is in-charge."
i say: "i need to use the computer for my lesson."
IC says: "i will inform Ms Soo." (Do i hear wrongly? i will inform Ms Soo? Inform Ms Soo that you interrupted my class or tell Ms Soo i don't let you use the classroom?)

They stop the music and prepare to leave the class.
***** end of the story .......

i remember trs from another session or class are not allowed to go into a classroom to chit-chat with the class trs.

i remember trs from another session of the same class are not allowed to stay back in the classroom to do things.

But i don't know trs from another session can come into the classroom to practice dancing while the class trs are conducting lesson.

But i don't know ST & OUTST would say ....... would behave ....... sigh .....

These are the people we call "TEACHERS", "OUTSTANDING TEACHER", "SENIOR TEACHER".
Sigh .....

九九重阳节

2011-10-05T21:13:00.003+08:00

今天是九九重阳节。
我探望了母亲和秉祺。
我带了粘土清除了贴纸遗留在装置灵位和骨灰箱子上的污迹，感觉就好像在清除坟墓前的野草。

Feeling some positive energy

2011-10-03T21:24:00.005+08:00

After reading the email reply from xxx regarding the child ran away incident, i am feeling some positive energy in me.

拥有就是失去的开始？

2011-10-02T14:34:00.003+08:00

Dream

2011-10-02T11:11:00.001+08:00

Last night i dreamt about scenes similar to my scary experience.

Patience

2011-10-01T15:57:00.004+08:00

Today my tuition class student commented that i have a lot of patience. According to his mum, some tutors 'ran away' after 2 or 3 lessons.

Scary experience

2011-09-30T23:34:00.018+08:00

Personally i found the following 'story' scary.
Scary because i was within it.

The boy ran away during hall assembly and i helped to run after him because i was near his class. He ran towards canteen so i tried to block him at the side exit of the canteen thinking that there will be domestic staff in the kitchen or canteen to stop him. But he has no plan to run that direction, instead he ran passed the canteen kitchen (no staff inside?), turned out and ran towards the end of school fence, then passed through 2 opened gates and reached the side of a road.

When i turned out from the kitchen, i wasn't sure he turned left or right. My instinct was turning right. Then i saw the boy and he was almost reaching the 1st gate, our distance was about the length of the hall. i wasn't sure the gate was locked or opened but i told myself do not take risk, so i ran faster. When i was near, i got a shock when i saw 2 gates were opened widely. i saw the domestic staff was outside (clearing rubbish at the rubbish dump?) and i shouted at him, but he didn't hear me.

i was lucky and able to shorten our distance because i jog regularly and i did not presume the gate was locked.

When i reached the 2nd gate, the boy was wandering by the road side with one leg landed on the road and smiling. i stopped and hesitated. i ask myself if i continued to chase him will he dash into middle of the road and hit by a car?

i tried talking to him to attract his attention. i was lucky because i taught and interacted with him before when his teacher was on medical leave, i.e. i am not a stranger to him. When his back was facing me, i dashed forward and grasped his collar to pull him back onto pavement.

i was the only teacher chasing after the boy till the road. No other teachers were there to witness what has happened.

Who will bear the responsibility if accident happens?

My scary experience did not end here.

When i told M that the boy almost ran onto the road, M only gave me a surprised look but did not probe further how that can be happened. i felt uneasy so i went back to M again and suggested that M should go and take a look at the 'route' to understand what has happened, and also take safety measures like reminding the domestic staff not to leave the gates opened when carrying out task outside the school fence. Then M walked out of hall to investigate and look for the domestic staff.

Was i overreacting or .........

From moody to joyful

2011-09-30T22:25:00.024+08:00

i was feeling moody in school.

i was taken aback when i was asked to look after the students from J2 and J3 whom will not be attending the Children's Day celebration @ hotel on next Monday, while the 3 class teachers will bring other students to participate in the event. Initially i was told 2 trs will be staying back, but i felt i was left out when i heard the new arrangement.

i asked myself why should i feel moody as there is no big deal attending a celebration @ hotel? Then i realized it was because yesterday i rejected a temporary job offer from another school (who is willing to pay me a lot more than what i am getting now from xxx), except the school wanted me to start work on next Monday. i didn't compromise so the deal was off. i have given the priority to xxx. Thus i could be feeling 'stupid' by making that decision and in the end i have to stay 'alone' in school.

The other reason that i was taken aback was i am not familiar with the students from J3 (never interact with them before, don't know their names, characters, special needs etc) and i have to look after them without the presence of the class teacher. i guess i will not make this kind of arrangement if i have a say. Moreover i am only a relief teacher, i should work in accordance with what i am paid. This is not the first time that i have to work alone without the presence of a co-teacher (it is enough). Maybe my expectation of a relief teacher is different from the school.

Anyway it was my decision not to accept the new job offer. i am not doing it for the principal, the senior staff nor the current class teacher. i am doing it because i care about the students in J2. i do not wish to 'disappear' suddenly without a proper closure. But who will care why i made this decision? i guess no ones, maybe except the students. i told myself so long i know why and what i am doing, there is no need to feel upset.

i also told myself i have to stay calm because i have tuition class in the evening. My emotions should not affect my performance during the lesson. But i was very happy when i left the house of my students, because they were keen to learn and responsive.

On my way to MRT station, i received an sms from parent of an ex-student. i feel motivated after reading the message. i feel great when i know someone appreciated my effort, even my effort was a simple gesture, but it could meant a lot to an adult or a child :-)

Tuesday Report - I Want to Live (episode 4)

2011-09-30T21:45:00.003+08:00

We don't need to have a PhD and a lot of cash to lead a meaningful life.
We need our Passion and Humility to achieve it.

Skype

2011-09-29T23:53:00.000+08:00

Skype with Kimhong, Phearom and Vibol.

Online chat

2011-09-27T23:17:00.001+08:00

i chatted with Vibol and Srey Nang on facebook just now.

See them again

2011-09-26T22:41:00.000+08:00

i met up with Vibol and Phearom tonight, and passed them some clothes, shoes and bags. It seems that they have a busy schedule from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, the children will spend time with their host family.

i am happy to see them again, especially in my home country.

RT till week 6

2011-09-23T20:54:00.001+08:00

i guess i will teach till end of week 6, 21 Oct.

Preparing 7 youths for their future

2011-09-21T20:04:00.005+08:00

The 7 youths arrived in Singapore today.

They have just completed their grade 12 exam (equivalent to our A level). They are here to attend a variety of courses from English to specific courses of their choices to acquire more skills. The short term job attachment will also help them to gain work experiences and understand our work culture.

clothings/foot wears/handphones

2011-09-11T20:21:00.005+08:00

Five girls and two boys from Cambodia orphanage will arrive in Singapore on 21 Sep 2011, to attend short courses and on job training.

If you have clothings/foot wears/handphones for teens aged 16 to 18 years old, and you wish to give them away, pls contact me. Kindly do not donate torn or stained items.

Thank you.

乐山大佛 Leshan Buddha

2011-09-06T11:17:00.008+08:00

山是一尊佛，佛是一座山。

乐山大佛地处四川省乐山市，岷江、青衣江、大渡河三江汇流之处，与乐山城隔江相望。乐山大佛雕凿在岷江、青衣江、大渡河汇流处的岩壁上，依岷江南岸凌云山栖霞峰临江峭壁凿造而成，又名凌云大佛，为弥勒佛坐像，是唐代摩岩造像中的艺术精品之一，是世界上最大的石刻弥勒佛坐像。

大佛双手抚膝正襟危坐的姿势，造型庄严，排水设施隐而不见，设计巧妙。佛像开凿于唐玄宗开元初年（公元713年），是海通和尚为减杀水势，普渡众生而发起，招集人力，物力修凿的，海通死后，海通的弟子接手修筑。直至唐德宗贞元19年（公元803年）完工，历时90年。被诗人誉为“山是一尊佛，佛是一座山”。乐山大佛景区由凌云山、麻浩岩墓、乌尤山、巨形卧佛景观等组成，面积约8平方公里。古有“上朝峨眉、下朝凌云”之说。

峨眉山 Mt Emei

2011-09-06T11:09:00.007+08:00

四川峨眉山与山西五台山，浙江普陀山，安徽九华山并称为中国佛教四大名山。

峨眉山金顶四面十方普贤金像是世界上最高的金佛，也是第一个十方普贤的艺术造型。金佛系铜铸镏金工艺造像，通高48米，总重量达660吨，由台座和十方普贤像组成。其中，台座高6米，长宽各27米，四面刻有普贤的十种广大行愿，外部采用花岗石浮雕装饰，十方普贤像重350吨。金佛通高48米代表着阿弥陀佛的48个大愿。“十方”一是意喻普贤的十大行愿，二是象征佛教中的东、南、西、北、东南、西南、东北、西北、上、下十个方位，喻普贤菩萨以圆满的无边愿行，广度十方三世一切众生。普贤大士的十个头像分为三层，神态各异，代表了世人的十种心态。

熊猫基地 Panda Base

2011-09-06T11:05:00.001+08:00

九寨沟 Jiuzhai Valley

2011-09-06T10:53:00.006+08:00

从成都东行去九寨沟，途经江油和平武的路上发生土石流，造成塞车。

九寨归来不看水。

九寨沟的山水形成于第四纪古冰川时期，海拔在2000-3200米之间，现保存着大量第四纪古冰川遗迹。九寨沟的地下水富含大量的碳酸钙质，湖底、湖堤、湖畔水边均可见乳白色碳酸钙形成的结晶体，来自雪山、森林。九寨沟的活水泉又异常洁净，加之梯形状的湖泊层层过滤，其水色愈加透明，能见度直达20米。翠海、叠瀑、彩林、雪峰、藏情，被誉为九寨沟“五绝”。

AirAsia counter charge SGD5 per guest

2011-08-18T22:54:00.003+08:00

Counter Charge SGD5 per guest

For all bookings made from 21st September 2011, a fee will apply at the airport for conventional counter check-in.

Self Check-in FREE

Get in on the convenience and Self Check-in for FREE upon booking confirmation.

Away this weekend

2011-08-13T10:37:00.002+08:00

I am going Batu Pahat-Malaysia to attend a funeral wake. Back on Sunday evening.

海角七号

2011-08-07T03:40:00.000+08:00

每次重看‘海角七号’，在结尾前友子翻阅了六十年前的情书，再加上感人的对白和配乐，酝酿许久的情绪都涌上心头，令我有心痛的感觉。

真不敢想像用六十年去思念一个人，去等待一个人，那是怎样的一种折磨，还是一种幸福？

Closure of filming program

2011-08-06T00:26:00.000+08:00

In July, together with the OHF staff, we started the filming program for the children during their school holiday. Although the children are very keen to complete their films, but unfortunately due to other on-going programs, they have to stop the filming.

I was thinking it will be better to have a proper closure for this filming program, thus i am back again to close it with an award presentation.
I named it Golden Film Award @ Hope Village Khmer Film Festival.

During the night, the children were very excited while waiting for the results to be announced. I knew i have made the right decision to plan for this award presenation.

I have uploaded the 3 films onto my facebook, happy viewing.

Golden Film Award @ Hope Village Khmer Film Festival

2011-08-03T22:01:00.002+08:00

GHOST HOUSE
The Best Picture Award
The Best Acting Award
The Best Costume Award
The Best Poster Design Award

SECRET POLICE
The Best Action Award
The Best Sound Editing Award

THE GANGSTERS
The Best Directing Award
The Best Screenplay Award
The Best Film Editing Award
The Most Voted Picture Award

Donated items needed, thanks.

2011-07-22T08:43:00.000+08:00

If you wish to donate any of the following items, kindly contact me, thanks :-)

- white short sleeve shirt with collar (sch uniform, aged 6 to 18)
- children clothes (aged 6 to 10)
- tripod (4 section, eye level)
- video camcorder and digital camera
- thumb drive
- mini hard disk
- laptop/notebook/netbook
- new stationery (or cash and we will purchase items on behalf)

Note: The children are slim and lean.

Summer holiday @ Hope Village

2011-07-22T08:18:00.000+08:00

This poster is designed by the children.

The children apply skills they acquired to make their own film.

Some children make & sell cakes to earn pocket $$.

The elder boys help to make kites for the younger ones.

Some children like to have noodle for their lunch.

Smaller size of sch uniform is needed for younger children.

Not a harmony day for me

2011-07-21T22:45:00.001+08:00

Feeling tired today, partly becos students throw tantrum. Some trs trying to help but in the end made me feeling more tired, mentally.
A lot of times trs think they can manage their ex-student, or a "problematic" student will give in to their "firmness", but this is not always true. Maybe next time trs can help to look after other students while the class tr is managing or trying to calm down a student.
School is celebrating Racial Harmony Day today, but definitely it is not a harmony day for me.

They just want to earn a living

2011-07-20T21:09:00.005+08:00

www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110720-0000063/

They just want to earn a living

Letter from Huang Lifen

Jul 20, 2011

MY INTENT in writing this letter is two-fold: To highlight the financial drag of a transport fare hike on the intellectually disabled and highlight the overall plight of this group of people.

These people join the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) at the same age most people begin primary school and graduate at 18. They are then deployed to various employment development centres which prepare them for integration into society and to earn a living. However, not all of them achieve this as some of their conditions are too serious or there are not enough willing employers.

At the centres, the trainees are paid an allowance that ranges from S$100 to S$140. With the current transport fares, they spend almost all of their allowance on transportation. If fares increase as proposed, they would be forking out more than they are getting.

I am not asking for them to be given a higher allowance. I am asking the public transport companies to consider giving them concessions. They are just trying to lead a normal life and contribute to society. If the cost of travelling to work is higher than what they earn, parents may pull their children out of the employment development centres.

I hope the relevant government agency can look into ways to help the intellectually disabled defray the extra cost of going to work, should the fare increase go ahead. Please help my brother keep his job.

In a society where the cost of living is so high that some people have problems taking care of their aged parents, having intellectually disabled siblings as well is a further drain on the finances.

To make things worse, many insurance companies do not cover the intellectually disabled and these people do not earn enough for sufficient Medisave funds in their CPF to cover a visit to the hospital.

I ask the insurance companies to include this group of people. After all, it is not as if they are highly susceptible to any disease.

Tuition class

2011-07-18T21:45:00.005+08:00

i have my first tuition class this evening.
My students are two siblings - sister and younger brother.
Subjects are Chinese and Maths.

i think i am doing OK :-)

Energy level

2011-07-17T14:03:00.004+08:00

The energy level in the school is low and sometimes negative.
It is unhealthy for the teachers :-(

Khmer Spirit

2011-06-29T22:19:00.009+08:00

i saw the above photos on my Khmer friend's facebook.

A group of young people volunteer their services to help the villagers to rebuild their house.
The Cambodians do not simply wait and rely on the foreigners.

Yes, in the orphanage the children learn IT skills from me.
But, i can also learn something from the children & staff.
Only, if i open my heart and my mind.

Another one

2011-06-27T20:04:00.000+08:00

Another veteran teacher had left the special school. i hope she will continue her service somewhere else.

Olympus XZ-1

2011-06-24T22:49:00.001+08:00

This is my fourth visit to HSBC Treetop Walk @ Macritchie Reservoir. i am glad that the weather is nice, not raining, although it is muddy at few places after a heavy rain yesterday.

The other objective of this trip is to test my new digital camera, Olympus XZ-1.
What's so special about this camera?
It has a large aperture at F1.8.
It allows me to to adjust the aperture size, shutter speed.
It has 6 art filters to enhance the images.

i have reduced the pixel sizes of the following images to 640x360 (16:9). More photos can be viewed at my facebook.

Tasks

2011-06-24T17:31:00.000+08:00

Tasks that i would like to complete within this sch holiday:
- backup desktop's data (done)
- edit & produce movie videos (done)
- visit PC show (done)
- source & purchase digital camera (done)
- visit east coast park (done)
- visit friend in Malaysia (done)
- visit MacRitChie reservoir & Treetop Walk (done)
- read books and magazines
- read blogs (done)
- watch dvds and vcds
- meals with friends (done)
- outdoor photography (done)
- give tuition on IT skills (done)
- finalise itinerary (done)

思恋

2011-06-23T10:22:00.002+08:00

虽然还有两个月才到一周年，不过我已经感觉得到不止我一个人对他的思恋越来越强烈。。。。。

幕前幕后

2011-06-22T21:46:00.006+08:00

今天和朋友外出用餐时，他告诉我他选择了“幕后”资助我上一次的柬埔寨之行（让孩子们有一顿比较丰富的晚餐），而不是选择了和我一起与孩子们有零距离的接触，主要原因并不是他没有时间，而是他受不了刚与孩子们建立了感情之后，伴随而来的却是离别时的依依不舍。。。。。。

原来如此。

犀利人妻最终回

2011-06-19T21:17:00.008+08:00

犀利人妻最终回。
结局是我希望看到的。
谢安真的一句：“可是我回不去了！”非常坚决，潇洒，令人痛快。

The Love Of Siam

2011-06-19T07:17:00.015+08:00

我到泰国时，偶尔也会到电影院观看泰语的影片，不过它必须有英文或中文字幕。
朋友在他的BLOG介绍了一部电影 "The Love Of Siam"，片长约一百五十分钟。它是其中一部我在曼谷所看过的影片。

故事围绕着两个小男生和发生在他们周围的事，以及所衍生出来的各个感情线。年轻的演员们演技自然，歌曲很好听，故事细腻，重要的是它不是无知没有主题，影片探讨了家庭和敏感的青少年问题。

简单的对白诉说了真挚的情感，也带出了我们很容易忽略的亲子问题。
朋友在BLOG里提到了两句对白：“我们还是不要在一起了，但是这并不是说我不爱你。”（不在一起并不等于不相爱）
或许对白让他有很深的感触和领悟。
还有那首“明月千里寄相思”同样令人回味。

花开花谢

2011-06-18T10:35:00.003+08:00

“花开后也会花谢，只要记住花开时的灿烂就行了。”
这是今天我听到的一句话。

A farewell gift

2011-06-07T22:53:00.002+08:00

Edvin reminded me of my class students and this video. The video was my farewell gift for them in year 2009.

An ex-student

2011-06-07T21:46:00.006+08:00

On bus 143, i heard someone calling me "Mr Edward Lim, Mr Edward Lim" from behind.
i turned back and saw a student from Metta School walking towards me. Frankly speaking i couldn't remember his name. He introduced himself without me asking it. His name is Edvin, yes is 'Edvin' and not 'Edwin', according to him. He said he didn't see me for long time and i told him i had left the school.

Edvin was not my class student. He was from the upper senior level when i was teaching the lower senior level in year 2009. i used to chat with students from other classes before the assembly and during the snack time. When i left Metta School, no announcement was made by school to all students in my session and the teachers of the other session. i only informed my class students and their parents, including my CCA students.
i sent out an email 'on behalf of the school' to inform all school staff that i have tendered my resignation - when i reached home on my last day with the school. i guessed it could be the school culture to keep it at very low profile or i was the exception ...........

i am surprised to meet Edvin today and knowing that he is doing well in his studies and industrial attachment. i feel happy that an ex-student still remembers me despite the fact that i was with him and the school for about six months only :-)

Ocean (by BBC)

2011-06-05T17:49:00.005+08:00

Love our Earth & Ocean

End of first semester

2011-05-27T22:48:00.002+08:00

End of first semester.

Followed by four weeks of school holiday.

i have not planned anything for the coming holiday yet.

Weak? Stubborn?

2011-05-26T22:46:00.008+08:00

A lot of times when she approached me for an opinion, she already had an answer in her mind. She may not aware of it. Eventually she may not listen to my "opinion".

Even she knew that it was a lie, but she chose to believe it over and over again, and then got hurt, disappointed .......... she just refused to face the reality.

Shadow of another human being

2011-05-26T17:49:00.000+08:00

Do you want to be a human being, or shadow of another human being?
i want to be a human being.

Beside loving others, we also need to learn to love ourselves, to have our life targets and put aside times for ourselves. If not, you are just a shadow of someone.

Because i am not ready

2011-05-21T00:41:00.004+08:00

i feel sorry for the parents after watching the TV program “前线追踪”.

The parents are worrying because there is no vacancies available in special schools for their kids.

The parents are worrying because who will be taking care of their kids when they are not around?

The parents are worrying because they could not see the future of their kids.

The parents are worrying because the public may not understand and accept their kids.

During the half an hour program, i have the urge to go back teaching sector and teach these kids (i mean full time).

But i know it is not the right time yet.

Because i am not ready.

Note: No vacancy in special school may not be due to shortage of teacher, it could be simply the enrollment has reached the maximum capacity of the school.

Children come to school to be happy

2011-05-21T00:22:00.011+08:00

A full time SPED teacher commented that being a RT, the job is very relaxing and easy. i do not share the same thoughts.

Being a RT, sometimes i felt lost and tired.

When i am doing relief teaching, that means one of the co-teachers is absent and the other teacher has to do most of the jobs and it is not easy because i went through the same thing before. Thus i hope i can be of help to the teacher instead of hindrance.

i remind myself not to change the class routine, children dynamic, teacher managing style ..... etc too much, because the children would have to adapt the RT and later re-adapt again when their teacher returns. But i felt handicapped, then lost and tired sometimes.

i may adopt a different approach but others may not understand me, for example the former teachers of these children. They commented that they know the children well - a lot of teachers like to say that :-) Of course i have no doubts but i cannot simply equate knowing a child with correct approach, not to mention the so called correct or appropriate approach could change over times.

We may be over-confidence of what and how we are doing, thus it is good to listen, to observe and to learn from others - not only from other teachers but also from the caregivers and from our students.
Are we aware of oneself weaknesses and thinking of tapping others' strengths for self improvement?

How to share our teaching methodology, experience and thought with others, in a positive and constructive way?
Especially when one's ego continue to grow over the years.
Or when there is no right or wrong, but only individual's perspective or preference.

Lately i am inspired by these words:

Children come to school to be happy.
Every child must be happy.
If one person is unhappy, everybody will be unhappy.

散场，随想。

2011-05-17T14:47:00.004+08:00

今天重看了两部电影，一部是关于自闭症，第二部是爱情故事。

韩国影片“我的马拉松”是一部很有诚意的社会电影。它是根据真人真事改编，因此对自闭症儿童有非常贴切的描述。它让我在享受娱乐的同时，也温习我曾经所学过的知识，提醒我对自闭症患者要有同理心，耐心和爱心。

很多故事都离不开一个“情”字，但人的情感不应该只是局限在“爱情”。
我们对爱情的基本要求，虽然随着岁月并不会有太大的改变，但我们对爱情的了解和它的意义可能会随着我们的人生经历而有所“进化”，其程度因人而异。

两个人的感情是会改变的，所以不要天真的以为“天长地久，海枯石烂”一定会发生在你身上。
紧抓着不再属于你的东西，是没有幸福的。
有舍才有得。
珍惜眼前人，活得精彩似乎更重要。

大选后传

2011-05-11T08:20:00.002+08:00

大选已经过了几天，但后续的发展令我惊讶。新加坡人不再像以往继续沉默，新媒体的效应也不容忽视。候选人的素质与态度，竞选期间的公平性，人民关心的生活课题，不满大选的结果等等，都一一搬上台面被人们热烈讨论。
这一连串的问题牵动了国人的心，在某个层面把部分的国人团结起来，它也考验执政党的诚信与应对能力，更重要的是国人对执政党的信任，更严重的是可能会分化了国人的团结，以及可能引发的社会问题。。。。。结果令人期待，令人担忧。

7 May 2011

2011-05-07T12:12:00.001+08:00

7 May 2011 marked an important day in the history for Singaporeans.

One month to reach Singapore from Myanmar

2011-05-03T18:52:00.004+08:00

i received the post cards which i sent to myself when i was @ Inlay (Inle Lake), Myanmar. The stamp from Inlay post office was dated 28 March 2011 and it took slightly more than a month to reach me.

How to turn off and disable mobile data connection on Android phone (click this title to view more info)

2011-05-01T22:06:00.005+08:00

Method 1: Disable Data Connection on Android Core

To disable and turn off data connection, do the following steps in Android mobile phone:

Open dialer.
Dial *#*#4636#*#* to open “Testing” screen.
Tap on Phone Information.
Press the Menu key or button.
Tap on More.
Tap on Disable data connection to disconnect and make inactive any data connection immediately.
Tap on Disable data on boot to disable data connection on next boot up.

Note: Both options can be selected concurrently.

Method 2: APNDroid to Turn Off Data Connection

For users who prefer a one-tap widget, there is a free APNDroid available on Android Market. APNDroid prevents the phone from connecting to Internet through cellular data line by modifying the APN names and APN types by adding ‘apndroid’ suffix to them (APN is short of Access Point Name). Best of all, the basic voice call, SMS and MMS capabilities are left intact and working properly.

Method 3: Quick Settings to Disable Data Connection

Quick Settings is an app for Android system that allowing users to manage system settings of the smartphone. And one of its function is to turn off or on the mobile data connection, with ability to set it to be hidden and active in the notification drop down menu. Available for free on Android Market.

Method 4: Adding a fake non-working access point

Visit the website for more info:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-to-turn-off-and-disable-mobile-data-connection-2ggprsedge3g-on-android-phone/

Growth Dividend

2011-04-30T13:36:00.005+08:00

Received few hundred dollars of Growth Dividend yesterday. Now i can use it to offset the cost of my Tibet trip in September :-)

General Election

2011-04-27T22:00:00.003+08:00

Finally i have a chance to vote, to put my thought into action :-)

The Diamond Gate suspension bridge

2011-04-24T00:47:00.000+08:00

Hundreds die in Phnom Penh bridge stampede in Nov 2010.
The pictures shown above is the 50-metre Diamond Gate suspension bridge that connect the Koh Pich (Diamond) Island in the Bassac River to central Phomn Penh. The stampede on the bridge occurred as concerts were ending on both sides of the bridge. Survivors reported being trapped by surges of people pushing in both directions.

人，凡是走过必留下痕迹。

2011-04-21T10:36:00.004+08:00

When the children thank my friends and me for the dinner and donated items, i always tell them we are not asking anything in return. But we hope one day when they are independent and have the abilities, they will help others.

In reality, i do receive something in return - joy, contentment and memory. These have motivated me to move forward.

能为别人送上一丝温情，是一件好事，但需要彼此身体力行。
能让别人心里留下回忆，是一件好事，但必须是美好的回忆。
人，凡是走过必留下痕迹。

Sometimes

2011-04-19T22:50:00.004+08:00

i gave away my seat to an old lady in the train because nobody sat near her did it. Although it was only few steps away, but the lady lost her balance when she was walking towards me and hit her right hand against the wall. i guessed it was painful because i saw her keep on massaging her hand.

Sometimes you want to help but end up create trouble for others.
Sometimes you care but people do not appreciate.
Sometimes you are not aware that you have caused inconvenience to others.
Sometimes you tell the truth but people do not want to hear, know or admit.
Sometimes you have different views and made people unhappy.

Sometimes going for mission trip is not easy.

Singapore is a clean country?

2011-04-16T23:00:00.001+08:00

When i was in Thailand, i chatted with a couple at the Mo Chit bus terminal. They came from Switzerland and had visited Singapore few years ago. They told me Singapore is a very clean country, cleaner than Switzerland.

When i arrived at Singapore, i took the MRT back to Toa Payoh. The moment i walked out the train, i saw something disgusting - few pieces of banana skin and plastic cups were left on a bench.