National Anthem

Someone need to teach Singaporeans the importance of singing our National Anthem correctly and with reverence.

Firstly, I was annoyed when I heard how Singaporeans sing the anthem. Sure, it was loud. Only because it was a great moment and one should sing it loud. But, it was awful. Wrong note aside, I can hear people deliberately not singing it properly. So much for proud moment. Then, how could people forget that you have to sing it twice? I saw the re-telecast of it on Sunday morning and it is so distinctive that Singaporeans have no idea how to sing the anthem. Then did you hear how the lions sang it on TV for Sunday's match? Yuckkks! Someone should teach them how to sing properly!

Already the gamen decided to "improve" on the anthem. They say to make it more singable. Then, we still can't sing it properly. What? Can't even stand straight and sing in a normal voice without the mockery? Must need to Anglicise our anthem to sing properly, meh? Please la, even the Malays don't sing with pride. Stop the excuses, sit down and just learn the words and sing it right!

This is not a school marm thing, I am just embarrassed how Singaporeans behave. Listen to the Thais on both matches, they sang beautifully. They stood with pride and even during our anthem they stood silently. We at the stadium did not even have the thought to do so. Constant cheering and jeering. How uncouth we all are and the gamen so proud we are more developed than our neighbours. Puuiiii ah!

When I was in KL and we watched a play, the Malaysian national anthem was sung before the play started. And they sang with pride. I was bowled over. Singaporeans sing really loud and maybe with pride only at soccer matches and National Day Parades. Other days? forget it. Even in school, students hardly open their mouths to sing the anthem. Aren't u proud of our National Anthem? I am. When was the last time u thought about what it means? The composer really had vision when he wrote it. Do you know who he is?  

When the aunts start to talk

Visited Nadz's mom at the hospital yesterday. She had a lot of visitors, mostly her schoolmates of yore. These aunties are all grandmothers today but listening to their stories, one could tell they had such fun when they were younger. Anyway, they talked animatedly and well, let's just say even without diplomas or degrees they certainly do have a wealth of knowledge. It was very interesting listening in to their conversations. Also, amusing...

There was this one point of their conversation that really puzzled us. They were talking about diseases and illnesses such as cancer and how some people overcome them. Here is an excerpt:

"yeah, her illness very strange. It attacked her eyes and she is sensitive to light now. She can't see. But, someone told her to chew kancing butang (buttonhole) and put them on her eyes. It worked, her eyes are much better now." said Aunt A.

Aunt B interjected "This kancing butang, all you need is to chew it?"

Nadz, yati and myself exchanged puzzled looks. How does one chew a button hole?

Aunt C said "Yes, just chew it and spit it out again."

"Is it like the misai kucing (cat's whiskers)?" asks Aunt B again

"Yes, they are all related." Aunt D replied.

"oh, there is another one good for cancer and your knees. The tujuh jarum (7 needles)."

"How do you use it? We have never heard of it." asks several aunts in unison.

"Oh you just pluck the leaf and eat it." "Oh, is it the one with the red flower?"

Oh yes, they are all talking about plants and herbal medicine. Kancing butang, misai kucing and tujuh jarum are all names of plants. We finally understood what they were talking about. You see, these aunts really have a wealth of knowledge. While it is amusing to listen to them. I do hope that I will one day achieve "auntyhood" like them in my old age. I didn't see old ladies in front of me. I saw honourable and respectable people who have done much in their lives just being daughters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers, wives, girlfriends and so much more. I admire these women, their knowledge, their kindness and their solidarity. I went home and I saw my mother and I appreciated her that much more.  

Anti Vice Squad

His hands never left her waist throughout the match. Even when people stood up to jeer or cheer, they were still seated, his hands encircling her. Once in a while he would kiss her forehead and whispered to her about the intricate details of the match that she did not understand. It got cold and he took off his shirt and put it around her legs and rub her arms. Awww....so sweet. NOT! it is so disgusting because it is not appropriate behaviour. They should also put up alongside the no-smoking sign a NO PDA allowed sign. Everybody around them were uncomfortable by their presence.

So all the time they were right under our noses and PDAing, which were too sweet that it makes us cringe with disgust so we decided to be the anti-vice squad. Heh he. We used the free clappers given to us and clapped around their ears to distract them. I poked them once in a while. "Oops! Sorry!" "Oh no, Accident!" Heh hehe. When he took off the shirt to wrap it around the legs and hugged her to shield her from the cold draft, we rolled our eyes and thought "How silly! U wear a short skirt to watch a match? Duh, of course when u sit, the people in front can see everything!' We turned to one another "Eh, u need another t-shirt or not? Cold ah? U sure u don't need another t-shirt? U need a hug? cos it is quite cold." Yeah, ok, we were quite mean. But they were asking for it. And we had a ball of time giving them a hard time. The funny thing is the guy wore gold chain and bracelet and the girl has not a single piece of jewellery on her. What has the world come to?

Yupps, watching a live match is really fun and exciting. he hehe.  

Where are u? We are wearing red.

Place: National Stadium
Occassion: Singapore vs Thailand (ASEAN cup finals - 1st leg)
Situation: 55 500 Singapore suppporters most of whom wear red. Early birds 'chop' seats for friends arriving later.
Time: 7.45 pm

Overheard: Boy on the handphone "Where are u? U can't see us ah? We are down here lah. We are wearing red!"

Muaha hahahahahahha!!!!!!!!

Pretty pleased

Rather happy with the work my sec 4s did in their class presentations so far. Some of their presentations clearly exceeded my expectations. Very creative work and in depth analysis of the Principles of Governance and also some of the policies. Although I had to correct some misperceptions, it is still allright because they are only teenagers and yet they are discoursing on some issues that I would expect uni students to do. It goes to show that if one pushes them a little bit and give them room to explore, they can come up with pretty amazing things. I did not give them any specific guidelines or specific websites but I keep telling them I want to see creativity and imagination in their presentations and they did not disappoint me. I am pretty pleased with them. Video presentations, skits, poems, songs...they all take effort to do and I am very impressed. While some resort to powerpoint slides but they did in depth analysis of policies and their shortfalls. How could I not be proud of them? Moments like this gives me a warm feeling, I forget the ugly parts and I love teaching.

here is a poem 2 boys from 4A wrote. I am very proud of them. The poem is cynical (normal for the teenagers today) but cute. Enjoy. Please do not copy the poem. Ask permission if you wish to use the poem.

Education
by Edison Neo and Goh Zhong Da (AHS 4A 2007)

The long education
Of this great nation
Takes us to graduation
With a sea of competition.
Mental abrasion
End up in asylum

The weight of the pressure
Goes beyond nature
Homework from my teacher
Scolding and a lecture
Get a degree and become a doctor
Is it so easy? Are you so sure?

Tertiary, divided into three
JC, Poly, ITE
Different levels of study
Immediately judged by society
The curse of this country
Built through hardship
By our dear PM Lee

Then comes Tharman
Changed the system
Upside down our surriculum
Affecting the whole generation
But we could be wrong
Anyway it is education

state of mind

State of mind: a documentary about the people of Communist Korea. President: Kim Jung Il. If you think that Singapore's National Day parades are spectacular, precise and out of this world, you have not seen North Korea's parades. Go to You Tube and try to find North Korea's mass games and you see what I mean. just click on the link above. Watch it and be amazed. Then watch the other video clips about the mas games and be even more amazed. Watch, and you see no one is out of synch. Everything's perfect. They are all smiling and happy. They train twice a day everyday. And the best part is, they think it is an honor to be chosen as part of the regiment. They want to perform in front of their great general. To perform in the mass games is their proudest moment. That, I think is even more amazing. Go, watch.

how quickly things change

I was looking through my uni notes for inspiration. Found some of the papers I wrote during my PS/SEA days and I was happy that I did make good grades. I marveled at some of my work because it has been so long and I am not so sure I can do the same kind of work I did before. It seemed like a lifetime ago and yet uni life was very enlightening and intellectually enriching. I even found my Honours thesis. I still am not proud with what I did. A 12,000 word full of crap. I shoved it back into the cupboard with disgust. I found an assignment I did with 2 other people for module Change and Diaspora in SEA. We did on the changing rituals of Malay weddings. That is one cool assignment. And I am amused when I read the insciption we put for our lecturer. "Laksa is not served at Malay weddings. Maybe food served at weddings will revolutionise in the future." Upon reading it, it struck me that Laksa IS now served at Malay weddings. The food served HAS revolutionised. That project was done 6 years ago. I still remember how much I had learnt during that project. So much I did not know and I still do not know. The thought of this project and how much has changed in such a short space of time and the fact that time just flew by was mind boggling. All I could think about was "WOW". Amazing. By the way, we got an A grade for it. :)

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Tears rolled continously while reading this book. Picture this, Anna, a 13 year old girl asking for medical emancipation from her parents because she refused to donate one of her kidneys to her 16 year old sister. Kate, who is dying of leukemia. Anna, has been her sister's donor since she was born. In fact, she is a designer baby. A baby created especially to match her sister so that she can give blood, bone marrow and platelets to her sister. It seems a clear cut case of a child who yearns for attention because her parents are caught up with Kate's never ending ailments. Yet, it is not so. As the book is written from the perspectives of every main character in the story you get insights into their thoughts and feelings. And from Anna's perspective, there is some great mystery and big secret that she bears. When all is revealed in the court, the truth is so much more sad than speculation and assumptions. It is easier to be angry than to see and accept the truth and letting a loved one go. The ending is cliched, but because of the emotional roller coaster one gets from reading the book, it is totally unexpected. Questions on what Anna would do in the end is answered in one fall sweep of fate.

This is my first Jodi Picoult's book ever and she is a good author. Her style is simple, yet her words brings about emotions of empathy and sympathy. She manages to get you involved as the character and feel their emotions. In this book she sketches simply the lives of children and teenagers who suffer from terminal diseases. A place where the healthy would never thread, much less think about. The world of disease is sad enough but when it happens to innocent young lives, it is tragic. What do children with such a fate do, think and feel? What about their families? If you want to find out and get a glimpse, read the book. It is not a tear jerker kind of book because it is sad....The words make you cry only if you can identify with the emotions they convey.

End of the hols soon

Soon, Christmas will come and my holidays will end. Right after Christmas it is back to work. No rest for the weary. I have not taken any real hols as yet, apart from KL which was more of a discovery and sleep in car session than a holiday. But it was memorable. First time I did such a thing. My parents do not know the truth. Heheh. And those of you who know...Shhh. hee heh.

Ok, greedy me have read and bought at least 20 books this hols. It is like a pay back session for not doing enough reading the rest of the year. I have all the 13 books of the Series of Unfortunate Events and have read all. An intriguing series. Certainly not meant for kids. I have enjoyed The Kite Runner, The Time Traveller's Wife and I am going to devour For One More Day next. After that book, I will take a rest from reading. It is such a luxury to sit and read. It really is. I love Time Traveller's Wife. It is such a sweet and romantic book, full of happiness and sadness and it is such an easy read. The Kite Runner is also an interesting read although it had a one sided version of the Taliban and the atrocities they do. Otherwise, the themes of racism, war, chaos, brotherhood, rites of passage, father and son relationship and elitism are explored and conveyed in ways that a reader could truly emphatise. I do recommend these 2 books. My sister from the sisterhood made me read IT by Stephen King. That is one scary novel. Don't read if you are a scaredy cat. And I am a scaredy cat.

Even though I did not go away at all this hols. This is the best hols I have had. I hope it would remain so. I am happy.

PGL, slowpitch softball and more

I can't believe I got tickets to watch PGL last Friday. Opening night, no less. I jumped for joy when a colleague offered me the tickets 3 days before the event. I can't believe I was so lucky. And category 2 tickets! A magnificient performance. PGL (Puteri Gunung Ledang), the musical was fantastic. The cast and crew did a wonderful job. Indeed, it was a world class performance. I am proud that the Malay theatre can be on par with international theatre standards. Bravo!

It was strange they casted an Ang Moh (Hughes) who speaks not a word of Malay as Hang Tuah. His performance was not too bad but we agreed that he could not convey the emotions that Hang Tuah had. That aside, it was splendid! I would love to catch PGL again if they ever perform at Istana Budaya in KL again. I am sure the Istana would be more fitting than the Esplanade.

Ok, change topic. I must thank my students who had gallantly step up to take part in the Slowpitch Softball tournament. It was tough because they had the baggage of playing fastpitch and our opponents are all adults, mostly expatriates from America and Europe. The brute strength and the mindsets of these adults definitely rattled my students initially. But we gained back what we had lost and came in 3rd. I am sure, my softballers could have clinched the top prize if they had been in their usual groove on the first day. But, it was an achievement and I am proud of them.

Meanwhile, that same weekend, it was the first time I was called a scuba diver. Hmm...I can see the reason why. But that borders on being rude. Especially the way it was delivered. Rather insensitive. Jokes are jokes but some jokes can get too far. I can laugh at myself, but when in a sports meet, you discuss differences in skills and not colour, creed or religion. In the past few years that I have been a softball teacher in charge my wearing the scarf had no bearing whatsoever. I have met almost all the coaches and teachers in charge and I never saw myself different. We only discuss softball matters and there is respect. I have never seen myself different and I am not conscious I am different. Never had anyone made me feel small because of the extra cloth I am wearing. My students joke, but it is to my face and good natured.

I am not angered but I got a glimpse of what other Muslims in other countries face. I had a slice of it and I felt bothered, slightly shocked and puzzled. This is nothing compared to the persecution other Muslims face in other countries. I thank Allah for I am born here in Singapore where there are attempts and efforts made for religious/racial harmony. Discussions and dialogues are most important here. People are more understanding and open. I thank Him for this. I also pray that my fellow Muslim brethrens elsewhere who are not so lucky as I am will be strong and look to Him for guidance.

It'a Ramadhan and all and I am supposed to refrain but....

BITCH!!!!!!!

Peace and love

Peace and love comes with a price? Hmm...

The Devil Wears Prada

I just caught a glimpse of Teacher's Day Rally on the news and one word went through my mind. Suffice to say, it was not something wholesome. Hah haha heh heh. Amusing and sad.

I just finished reading the above mentioned book. Read, mind you, not watched it in the movies. It is a brilliant book! Go read it, I really recommend it. I find it has a satisfying resolution. The big dramatic scene when the protagonist finally made up her mind and did the most sane thing she had ever done was wonderful. I imagined I was her all the time. Hahah haha. powerful stuff. That scene is my fave. :)

I was kind of inspired by the book. It is time for risks and changes. :)

have you ever wondered?

Have you ever wondered...

1. What happened to all the clothes that Superman tears off when he goes into the phone booth to change?
2. How come no one recognises Superman as Clark Kent when all he does is to put a curly lock on his forehead to change his appearance?
3. How come a small piece of mask that covers the eyes of superheroes/villains will make them unrecognisable to the rest of the cartoon world?
4. Why do Superman and Batman wear their underwear outside?
5. How come Hulk's boxer shorts expands and shrinks according to his personality changes? Shouldn't they rip apart?
6. How come all the Superheroes/villain are concentrated in USA (or a country that resembles USA)?
7. How come bad things happen in cities of USA and when it happens in some other countries, these countries are depicted as rural and backward?
8. How is it when Mary Jane got caught by Dr. Octavia's claws her skirt did not flip up? Nothing dirty here, but wind and gravity... go figure...?
9. Why do the Teen Titans get to stay at home and fight crime? Don't they have to go to school?
10. How does Hawk Girl wears her clothes? She wore a white body hugging tank top in one of the Justice League cartoons ... how in the world did she get it on if she has a pair of wings sprouting from her back?
11. Why is it that the Powerpuff girls have no fingers or toes?
12. Who makes Superman's and Spiderman's costumes? If their identities are such a secret, do their alter egos sew their own costumes then? But they never seem to do so in the shows ... the costumes can't appear out of no where...
13. Batman relies on Alfred a lot ... what happens if Alfred dies? Alfred is old ....
14. Super heros never go to the toilet, never.
15. But what happens if they need to?

The affairs of the Stamp

Good news!

My Core History class did very well at the Singpex competition recently.
We sent in 5 entries and we won 1 silver and 4 bronzes. Good work people. I am rather proud of them. They had put in a lot of hard work, effort and I am sure, sweat, tears and blood as well.

I also sent in an entry under the Adult category and I won the silver prize. Heh, didn't expect to win anything. Anyway, cool. So, the prize giving ceremony is this Saturday, 26th August at United Square. Do visit the exhibition which is held there this weekend. My entry is Fantastic Felines and I go by the pseudonym of Queen Z. Heehhe, go figure....

Water spout

Water spout sighted off the coast of Sentosa. Eye witness account said that all the people started running towards the shoreline and started taking photos of it.

Water spout = something like a mini tornado

Think about it, you would think that with all the deaths and tragedy that was caused by natural phenomenons around the world, Singaporeans will be smart enough to take shelter instead of "look, look, tornado! Let's take photos! Yippee!"

Of course, no harm done cos water spouts dissipates quickly. Still, let's be smart about stuff. Singapore is safe - no volcanoes, no hurricanes, no earthquakes - but not totally safe.

Gratitude

I can't control what happen next so I should stop being worried and think so much about this issue. Sensitive issue, can't really blog about it. I am just thankful that I have so many wonderful friends who are so willing to listen and advise me. I feel blessed that they are there to comfort me when I needed someone. The past few days, I just didn't want to work. I wanted to bury my head under my covers, sleep and fall into oblivion and perhaps miraculously when I wake up the problem is solved, the sun is shining and everyone is happy again. But sleep, especially excessive sleep is an enemy - signs of depression. I am glad I stuck to my decision to do my circuit training and meet up with some people at the talk at DA. I felt happy and all charged up after a good workout. My discussion over this issue with 3 worldly wise people had put me in the right direction. I know what to do now. I feel empowered.

I don't think I could have made it through without my friends. TKAmazons who saw me online and immediately picked up my SOS. My DA people and Salem's daughter who kindly advised and listened to me and were patient even though I was in a self pity/self justification mood and did not want to accept advice. But they prevailed and I know what they said was right. My sisterhood of the magnetic chains babes who have their own huge problems but so willing to go out so we can bitch together and make ourselves feel good. Lastly, I am glad I have the support of a very young person who does not even know the details and yet told me that my happiness is most important and I should do what is right to achieve that happiness even if it means sacrificing something. If anything, this young person made me stronger and more determined. I am not going to sacrifice something close to my heart so that I can be free of this problem. The solution is just round the corner, I should just wait and stop agonizing over it. Afterall, Allah will never put me in a test that He knows I can't cope. I am very thankful to Him for I am in a good company.

It's been almost a month since my last blog. The tournaments are all over. Top 8 in Nationals again for my boys. Hopefully, better achievements next year. Spur them on to greater heights.

Saw Peterpan on tv just now. They showed the concert I went to and the interview and then a video clip of my fave song - Langit tak mendengar. For a while, I was in a state of bliss. Forgot all the unhappy thoughts and feelings.

Not been very happy lately. So many things happen. Shocking things. Each time I recall that incident, I still feel shock. I wish it didn't happen, then I wouldn't do what I did. I feel badly. It should be a good moment for me, but I don't feel good about it. Soemtimes, I wish I kept it to myself. No one would know and time would pass and I will eventually forget about it. But then what? The matter could be made worse. If I didn't stand up for my rights, then perhaps it would go on and on and soemone else could get hurt. I wish the words were not said. Perhaps, I could have handled it differently. I could have said something and then drop the matter.

But it already happened. Look forward. Tmr is a new day. It could be a better day. I wish I have a mean streak in me. Then, I would not feel badly over what I did. So many have told me that I did the right thing. I should feel comforted over it, it is not my fault. I know it is not my fault, for goodness sake. I should just not think about it. I did the right thing. I was not in the wrong. It was a serious thing and it demanded a serious course of action. I wish I know what is going to happen next over this matter.

Down and out

I discovered that disappointment is worse than having a broken heart and trust me I had a few broken hearts in my lifetime. I wish I am angry. With anger, I can shout and go for aerobics or kickboxing and feel better after that. Disappointment lingers on and weighs you down. I want to cry yet I can't cry. I am not angry. I don't think I can handle anymore disappointments like this. My hopes for the best is in a precarious position. Funny, my hopes are not even for me. They are for those boys and gals that I care for.

They say the people you care for will disappoint you. I never thought it true until lately. Small waves of disappointment and then today... I can't take it anymore. I have my quota for disappointment filled up already. Please, no more. I got over my disappointment with the B div. Now both C divs.... heart wrenching.... please God, let them win!

Lost in Translation

This is my recent fave song by Peterpan band. Initially I like the song for its music. Later on I scrutinised the lyrics, they are beautiful. Once upon a time a long time ago, this could be my theme music. Sad, but true. Now, I look at the kyrics and the literature buff in me just fell in love with the words. The lyrics are so poetic. Simple language but so profound. It is more than just about a broken heart, the lyrics are positively philosophical. Of course when translated in English most of the deeper and hidden undertones of the lyrics are lost.


Langit Tak Mendengar

Jalan hidup telah memilih
Menurunkan aku ke bumi
Hari berganti dan berganti
Aku diam tak memahami


Mengapa hidup begitu sepi
Apakah hidup seperti ini
Mengapa ku selalu sendiri
Apakah hidupku tak berarti


Coba bertanya pada manusia
Tak ada jawabnya
Aku bertanya pada langit tua
Langit tak mendengar

The sky didn't hear me
The path of life have chosen
To put me here on earth
Days keep on changing
I stood still, failing to grasp the meaning

Why is life so barren?
Is life like this?
Why am I always alone?
Does my life have no meaning?

I try asking mankind
No answer is given
I question the old sky
The sky didn't hear me