I just felt the ground move under me and my office is on the ground floor, mind you. I felt so giddy for a moment (for quite a long moment). Thought I was having inner ear problems again. Got up, went outside to take a look but nothing out of the ordinary. Went back into the office and the door is banging against the door jam. The blinds are swaying. Yikes. Is there an earthquake somewhere? Gotta go home to catch the news! If I don't make it out of here before I finish my work, you know why.
(Note 1 Oct 2009: Yes, in fact, there was an earthquake in Sumatra yesterday evening, measuring 7.6 on the richter scale. It was felt across some parts of Singapore.)
What started as a blog about hand painted shoes has become an online journal for a simple working mother, in search of Food for the Heart, Body, Soul and Mind.
30 Sept 2009
Last Primary School Report Book Slip of the Year
John came home and showed me his P6 Report Book with what is probably his last report slip of the year. This is sort of what was written in the remarks column (didn't strike me to copy it before returning it back to the teacher) :
"A Vice-Head Prefect in the school. John scored two distinctions in the University of New South Wales' ICAS for Science and Computer Skills. He has made a marked improvement in his mathematics. Well done!"
I cannot recall the exact words. This is the gist of what I remember reading (late at night) and groggy from being woken from lying in bed with John's usual, 'Mum! You didn't sign my report book!'. Of course I went, 'But you didn't show it to me!'
Every year, the primary and secondary school kids get the option to sit for external tests conducted by Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) which is owned by the University of New South Wales. According to the website, "EAA specialises in large-scale assessments including the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). ICAS tests primary and secondary school students in the core curriculum subjects each year nationally and internationally."
Yes, you have to pay for the tests which you wish your child to take. Yes, it is a way to see how you fare against your local and international peers. Yes, it is a way for me to assure myself that though my son may be streamed to the 'Normal Stream' (5 yrs in the Secondary School) because of his sucky Chinese Mother Tongue standard, I think he'll be okay in life.
Yes, I know. This is only the PSLE. Why torment myself over this silly local exam? You have to understand where I'm coming from. This is Singapore. I mean THIS IS SINGAPORE. The island we live in where most of the people judge you by your school exam results!!! Hah! Dumb but true.
Why? Why? Why? Why can't these men-in-white see the light? Just let kids like mine enjoy learning their Mother Tongue. Make it a non-exam subject so that kids will really, really get to enjoy speaking and writing. Groom them to become eloquent speakers and writers. Isn't that the purposes? Do away with including the Mother Tongue grades where streaming or postings are concerned. Concentrate on making us a nation of good English speakers before our English standard goes 'Boomz!' (term coined by infamous 2009 Ms. Singapore/World, Ris Low).
His dad and I told John 2 nights ago, that he should strive to become a Minister and probably that would have to be Education Minister so that he can make changes to this sucky 'Mother-Tongue-marks-included' policy and save the younger generations!
I'm just a typical mum trying not to worry about my son's future. If he gets streamed to the Normal Stream, that would mean 1 extra year in the secondary school while his peers go on to Junior College or Polytechnic. The whole secondary school curriculum standard will be different from those in the Express Stream (4 years). Expectations will be different. It will be a totally different ball game, ya? (why did I just add that 'ya'? it sounds so 'Sarong Party Girl'!).
And why, pray tell will he get streamed to the Normal Stream if he is as smart as his mum thinks he is? Because he isn't good with the Chinese language. He's improving but it's not fast enough and it's going to sabotage his overall PSLE aggregate. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
But you know, funny thing....I took a longer drive back home from work yesterday evening (whoever drives up the opposite direction of where they are going? well, I did!). I needed some time to think while the stereo was blasting 'Praise and Worship' music. Then I passed a traffic junction where a few years ago, John's school mate (who was in P6 then) had been knocked down and killed. I've passed that spot many times. But this time, it just hit me. It has become very clear.
I will accept my son, than no son at all.
I will accept my daughter, than no daughter at all.
I will accept my husband, than no husband at all.
I will accept Jesus and whatever he has in store for me, joy and tears, than no Jesus at all.
"A Vice-Head Prefect in the school. John scored two distinctions in the University of New South Wales' ICAS for Science and Computer Skills. He has made a marked improvement in his mathematics. Well done!"
I cannot recall the exact words. This is the gist of what I remember reading (late at night) and groggy from being woken from lying in bed with John's usual, 'Mum! You didn't sign my report book!'. Of course I went, 'But you didn't show it to me!'
Every year, the primary and secondary school kids get the option to sit for external tests conducted by Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) which is owned by the University of New South Wales. According to the website, "EAA specialises in large-scale assessments including the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). ICAS tests primary and secondary school students in the core curriculum subjects each year nationally and internationally."
Yes, you have to pay for the tests which you wish your child to take. Yes, it is a way to see how you fare against your local and international peers. Yes, it is a way for me to assure myself that though my son may be streamed to the 'Normal Stream' (5 yrs in the Secondary School) because of his sucky Chinese Mother Tongue standard, I think he'll be okay in life.
Yes, I know. This is only the PSLE. Why torment myself over this silly local exam? You have to understand where I'm coming from. This is Singapore. I mean THIS IS SINGAPORE. The island we live in where most of the people judge you by your school exam results!!! Hah! Dumb but true.
Why? Why? Why? Why can't these men-in-white see the light? Just let kids like mine enjoy learning their Mother Tongue. Make it a non-exam subject so that kids will really, really get to enjoy speaking and writing. Groom them to become eloquent speakers and writers. Isn't that the purposes? Do away with including the Mother Tongue grades where streaming or postings are concerned. Concentrate on making us a nation of good English speakers before our English standard goes 'Boomz!' (term coined by infamous 2009 Ms. Singapore/World, Ris Low).
His dad and I told John 2 nights ago, that he should strive to become a Minister and probably that would have to be Education Minister so that he can make changes to this sucky 'Mother-Tongue-marks-included' policy and save the younger generations!
I'm just a typical mum trying not to worry about my son's future. If he gets streamed to the Normal Stream, that would mean 1 extra year in the secondary school while his peers go on to Junior College or Polytechnic. The whole secondary school curriculum standard will be different from those in the Express Stream (4 years). Expectations will be different. It will be a totally different ball game, ya? (why did I just add that 'ya'? it sounds so 'Sarong Party Girl'!).
And why, pray tell will he get streamed to the Normal Stream if he is as smart as his mum thinks he is? Because he isn't good with the Chinese language. He's improving but it's not fast enough and it's going to sabotage his overall PSLE aggregate. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
But you know, funny thing....I took a longer drive back home from work yesterday evening (whoever drives up the opposite direction of where they are going? well, I did!). I needed some time to think while the stereo was blasting 'Praise and Worship' music. Then I passed a traffic junction where a few years ago, John's school mate (who was in P6 then) had been knocked down and killed. I've passed that spot many times. But this time, it just hit me. It has become very clear.
I will accept my son, than no son at all.
I will accept my daughter, than no daughter at all.
I will accept my husband, than no husband at all.
I will accept Jesus and whatever he has in store for me, joy and tears, than no Jesus at all.
24 Sept 2009
PSLE Countdown
Tick Tock! Tick Tock! Approximately 12 days to go before the main PSLE papers.
I'm so excited.....in about 2 weeks, I should be able to calm my nerves (well, until the PSLE results day, that is)!
Can you believe it? Time sure flies! Seems like only yesterday when I'd driven to my boy's school to observe the boys and decide if I should register him there for P1. No regrets. He's had a wonderful time at St. Gabriel's Primary, that's for sure. His teachers and friends have made him feel very at home during school hours. Definitely no regrets.
Hmmph! Next year this time, I'll be biting my nails for my daughter's GCE 'O' Levels......will come to that when I come to that......
Is this what Singaporean mums live for?!?!
I'm so excited.....in about 2 weeks, I should be able to calm my nerves (well, until the PSLE results day, that is)!
Can you believe it? Time sure flies! Seems like only yesterday when I'd driven to my boy's school to observe the boys and decide if I should register him there for P1. No regrets. He's had a wonderful time at St. Gabriel's Primary, that's for sure. His teachers and friends have made him feel very at home during school hours. Definitely no regrets.
Hmmph! Next year this time, I'll be biting my nails for my daughter's GCE 'O' Levels......will come to that when I come to that......
Is this what Singaporean mums live for?!?!
17 Sept 2009
PSLE 2009 - Listening Comprehension
Yep, tomorrow is PSLE 2009 Listening Comprehension. Time to dig your ears, candidates!!
Let me apologise first if you see me blogging only intermittently over the next few weeks. Between fulfilling our shoe orders and observing our son who's taking the PSLE this year (note that I say 'observe' not 'drive him crazy') I may not have much time to write. Those who read my other blog: http://www.cartoonlagoonjoy.blogspot.com
will know that we are also on a journey to strengthen our relationship with God. An urgent journey I must add! We have much to learn and little time left!
Will throw in a line or two every now and then just to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking!
Let me apologise first if you see me blogging only intermittently over the next few weeks. Between fulfilling our shoe orders and observing our son who's taking the PSLE this year (note that I say 'observe' not 'drive him crazy') I may not have much time to write. Those who read my other blog: http://www.cartoonlagoonjoy.blogspot.com
will know that we are also on a journey to strengthen our relationship with God. An urgent journey I must add! We have much to learn and little time left!
Will throw in a line or two every now and then just to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking!
14 Sept 2009
Singaporean Diction
I don't know about poor little Ms Singapore/World, Ris Low (a pretty face who's been ripped apart on Youtube for her bad diction) but I do find the English language complicated sometimes.
Not trying to boast (yes, ok, just a little) but although I used to score As in my English and General Paper exams, I still struggle with good pronounciation and diction.
Bad grammar aside (therefore, I am not talking about Singlish), I am referring to the way words are articulated. There should be no confusion about Singlish and bad diction.
Most of our island's men-in-white (a.k.a. main political party) speak blandly in monotones but that does not mean they speak bad English. They are speaking grammatically correct English with a Singapore accent.
Put it simply, I am able to put on my fake British or American accent easily. I do this when I am speaking during necessary interaction with foreign 'Ang Mohs' who cannot seem to understand if I don't. If I use these accents with locals, they think I'm trying to show off. So I don't. So most of the time, I speak bland English and Singlish so much so that people think I have horrible English. Sigh.
Anyway, my point is I not only switch accents, I switch from Standard English to Singlish. Therefore, at any one time when I speak, I am actually making an unconscious choice to switch. Hey, it's quite a skill we Singaporeans have got going on there.
The danger is when we get too comfortable speaking Singlish in our shortcut manners of expression to our kids. We get so used to it that THEY get used to it too and some, like Ris, just don't have the ability to master good grammar or good diction, much less have the ability to switch.
When I was younger, I struggled to pronounce these words correctly :
VETERINARIAN (quick, say that quickly!)
VETERINARY (say that quickly too)
ITINERARY
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Mike used to laugh and laugh at the way I'd say this)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
I still struggle with the vet word. When people ask me what my brother or his wife do....I just say they are 'Vets'. Hee hee.
There are plenty more added to my list now.......
Once, pertaining to my job, I joined a group of guests to go on a tour conducted by one of our defence forces. Individuals manning their equipment had to speak about the functions of their equipment.
After the tour, we had a meeting to evaluate the tour. Many of the 'Ang Mohs' said they could not understand what was spoken during the tour. One 'Ang Moh' stood up and said that in the first place, Singaporeans DO NOT speak English. They speak another language altogether.
I was burning with fury when he said that. But I looked around the whole room filled with foreigners and thought better than to speak up and out against what he said. Yes, I felt defensive but really, I myself, could NOT understand what those soldiers were saying!!! So Malu!!!
So, we may laugh at poor Ris Low or we may get fed up with the Government for trying to improve our English standards but if we islanders don't do something to speak well now, there will come a time when no one else in the world understands what Singaporeans are saying. As it is, they already don't.
Not trying to boast (yes, ok, just a little) but although I used to score As in my English and General Paper exams, I still struggle with good pronounciation and diction.
Bad grammar aside (therefore, I am not talking about Singlish), I am referring to the way words are articulated. There should be no confusion about Singlish and bad diction.
Most of our island's men-in-white (a.k.a. main political party) speak blandly in monotones but that does not mean they speak bad English. They are speaking grammatically correct English with a Singapore accent.
Put it simply, I am able to put on my fake British or American accent easily. I do this when I am speaking during necessary interaction with foreign 'Ang Mohs' who cannot seem to understand if I don't. If I use these accents with locals, they think I'm trying to show off. So I don't. So most of the time, I speak bland English and Singlish so much so that people think I have horrible English. Sigh.
Anyway, my point is I not only switch accents, I switch from Standard English to Singlish. Therefore, at any one time when I speak, I am actually making an unconscious choice to switch. Hey, it's quite a skill we Singaporeans have got going on there.
The danger is when we get too comfortable speaking Singlish in our shortcut manners of expression to our kids. We get so used to it that THEY get used to it too and some, like Ris, just don't have the ability to master good grammar or good diction, much less have the ability to switch.
When I was younger, I struggled to pronounce these words correctly :
VETERINARIAN (quick, say that quickly!)
VETERINARY (say that quickly too)
ITINERARY
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Mike used to laugh and laugh at the way I'd say this)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
I still struggle with the vet word. When people ask me what my brother or his wife do....I just say they are 'Vets'. Hee hee.
There are plenty more added to my list now.......
Once, pertaining to my job, I joined a group of guests to go on a tour conducted by one of our defence forces. Individuals manning their equipment had to speak about the functions of their equipment.
After the tour, we had a meeting to evaluate the tour. Many of the 'Ang Mohs' said they could not understand what was spoken during the tour. One 'Ang Moh' stood up and said that in the first place, Singaporeans DO NOT speak English. They speak another language altogether.
I was burning with fury when he said that. But I looked around the whole room filled with foreigners and thought better than to speak up and out against what he said. Yes, I felt defensive but really, I myself, could NOT understand what those soldiers were saying!!! So Malu!!!
So, we may laugh at poor Ris Low or we may get fed up with the Government for trying to improve our English standards but if we islanders don't do something to speak well now, there will come a time when no one else in the world understands what Singaporeans are saying. As it is, they already don't.
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