Bargaining Skills

If there is only one thing we gained from VIP, it is bargaining skills.

Ask any of our teacher and they would agree. Deadlines, extensions, homework and more.



Happy Teachers Day.

To Go Or Not To Go? There is No Question.

It amuses me when people discuss animatedly whether or not to go for prom. Considering. The conclusion is obvious, no matter how many reasons they consider, no matter how many points or how good the points they exchange are.


Don't feel offended. Amused; I am often. Don't mind me.

One Litre Of Tears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW9b-b1nUZI

Just finished the series today. A beautiful J-drama, sad, touching and heartwarming. In fact, the saddest and most touching I've watched.

It is about a 15 years old girl who contacted an incurable disease that causes her to lose control of her body gradually. How she has to give up all that she loves and how she struggles to keep what she has left.

A disease of despair, yet hope shines on her. She draws strength from those close to her and yet she gives strength to those around her. Ever so optimistic. Ever so determined.

It teaches me to treasure what I have. It inspires me to help others.

About the title, it is most fitting. Sure to tear, if not cry, in every episode. I did. Many times. Even 3 hours after. MUST WATCH!

countdown

The countdown timer in front of me reads 40 days, 0 hours, 11 minutes to final year examination.

quote of encouragement: one reason

Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can.
- Willis Whitney

brown guilt

It is disappointing that students make fun of their teacher's oversized nipples (male, mind you). Disrespect shown. I am ashamed of myself too, for laughing when I know its wrong. Guilty but can't help it. No better than. God forgive me; I tried and I am trying.

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Anyway I was at the golf course when the coach commented on my cap.

"Woah double X (refering to the logo) ... *mumble mumble* "

Think he was saying why not one more (x).

Very happy, got my first bogey and another double bogey (golfing terms, sorry). Great for my standard. Without Him, I am not capable of accomplishing. My Chinese test too, he gave me strength and yet it was a wake up call from him.

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Just came back from the pool. It is nice to have a pool entirely to myself, with the sky not covered by tall condo or flats. Lie back and the whole night sky is in view, the light current relaxing your body, your mind drift away in thought. Freezing cold though.

Can see the pool through my balcony now. It is just there, the same level as my apartment. Just in front. Will miss this place when I shift back.

Psycho

Reading about Psychology, like Quantum Physics, can make you go crazy. Yet, unlike Quantum, things makes much more sense.


Maybe too much of SIP and pure randomness, but here goes:

Insult is subjective like identity. What others see in you, you might not see in yourself; what others deem as an insult, you may not find insulting.

Is it possible then that others can insult you and feel satisfaction, yet you would not feel offended or angry?

No, because the satisfaction comes from offending. Not offended, no satisfaction, is the insult still an insult?

the balloon snatcher

I was selling balloons and cookies with Sihui when a child suddenly snatched the balloons in my han and demanded to his mother, to us, to the whole world that belonged to him, that he WANT.

I always thought that a child like him would be spoilt only because his parents spoilt him. Since he was so spoilt, his mother is sure to buy the balloons to (continue) spoil(ing) him.

Not in this case where the mother refused to get a balloon for charity because "must pay leh".

And so I realised that the real reason a child is so spoilt is that he thinks that everything MUST come free. It could be because parents overindulging their child heads to him thinking that things come cheap and easy. It could also be, as in this case, the parent expecting things to be free, and thus the child wants things free: its free, I want, I snatch.


Sure enough, there are also other cute little kids who come to us and ask politely if they could have a balloon. After telling them that it costs $2, they look disappointed and walk away. It is sad, if only they can work to get the balloon deservingly. Simple "work" such as drawing a picture for the elderly or something for a balloon. This would teach them the importance of working for what you want, and that nothing in this world comes free. Children that are not spoilt might grow up to become parents who are not kiasu.

Maybe such a campaign would be good.

Jap Drama: GTO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hGHcZepaDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwSZxAIKPE8

Some of my favourite scenes in a Japanese drama I watched years ago but was too young to appreciate.

Great Teacher Onizuka is about a teacher who did much more than teach his students in the classroom, showing the true meaning of teaching.

Has some (pervertic) Japanese humour but is actually really touching. Not many dashing actors but has good looking actresses. A great show to watch, (one of the) best J-drama ever.

Lessons From Chinese Drama

Watched Point of No Return today, and learnt a few valuable lessons on business and work from it as highlighted by my father.

1. Be detailed and critical about the small things, and at the same time think about the long term implications. Don’t solve a problem by compensating one to patch up the other (debts in the show, but somehow makes me think of lies).

2. When doing a business, do it for your employees. Do it so that people will have jobs, so that they can make a living. If you do it for personal gain, corruption is likely.

Likewise, politicians should have the people in mind. Doctors should have their patients in mind. Teachers, their students. Cleaners, the residents. Salespeople, not just the product , but the customers too.

With respect comes respect, and your deeds would be purposeful if purpose is right.

Then I think, how about students?

3. Be righteous and stick to your morals in everything you do. Don’t be overly concerned about how people view or badmouth you.

national day songs

I (legally) downloaded 1 hour plus of national day songs, listening over and over again.

The Chinese version of the same songs sounds nicer generally, even though the lyrics do not necessarily fit perfectly since they are probably translated from English. Maybe because songs about our motherland should be in our mother tongue.

The newer ones are quite disappointing; no real nice ones since 2003. Home is an old favourite and Where I Belong brings back fond memories at the national stadium when we were P5. Romantic atmosphere lah, too bad I was not sitting with her. We Will Get There would be pleasant if not for being forced to do the dance every morning during assembly that year.

I also went down to my nearly completed home to watch the fireworks. Beautiful... well almost as much as you. ;P

Fast and Furious

A drunken motocyclist almost killed (one of) my best friend(s). It was after the play when a whole group of us were crossing the traffic light when it was green. Cyclist at full speed, managed to turn away at the last moment.

It reminded me of a month ago when a friend and I were crossing the zebra crossing when a huge container truck was coming at expressway speed and just managed to brake less than meter away from impact.

Safety crossings can be dangerous as well, because of the assumption that it is safe.



Weird that both times the guy was blocking the girl though haha.

Homesick

Homesick was not much about Sars as expected but more of a family being sick of home, home refering to the larger scale Singapore.

Impression that remained were but jokes and complains about the country we were born and grew up in. A family kept together for 10 days with nothing to do but to criticise the local system, after which, it is goodbye Singapore hello rest of the world again.

Then there was the youngest son who reminded that people can complain all they want but not do anything. By leaving, they give up without trying to change. Or they could stay, and try make a difference.

Guess I was quite like the quitters once, criticising without offering an alternative. Glad that people are nice enough to tell me.

precious moment

We sat there, Ye Ye and I, looking through the window, down at the swiming pool, hearing the laughter of children we couldn't see. A peaceful silence; we talked little. My mind was blank, yet in a whirl; it was not thoughts that stirred, but feelings hard to describe. A loneliness in him and a certain sadness in me. Something only the Lord would truly understand.

“这里的游泳池比旧家的大。”
“爷爷，旧家没有游泳池。”
I sounded troubled, he looked confused.

His memory is failing, but I still love him. As much as before, even more so. I love you.