At home on this special day to do some self-reflection!
Since the transfer of workplace in late April, I have been sacrificing my family time on work.
I have conducted 2 courses for both local and foreign participants. I have met representatives from 2 golf courses. I have conducted a visit and more will be in the pipeline. I am involved in a WITS project which evolved into quite a task; sometimes I wonder if it is too huge for me to swallow, even with the efforts from other team members.
There is plenty of work to do but time is such limited. At the back of my mind, the thinking of "why bother since promotion is not guaranteed" continues to haunt me.
The routine work is quite minimal, so that I can have more time to do the above projects. With NDP and YOG round the corner, back-end support is inevitable and thus working during the weekends become a norm for this period.
I have yet to sort out my insurance and investment portfolios which I have been doing yearly on this day.
I have yet to think what I intend to do for the rest of this year.
I have yet to plan what's for the year-end holidays.
I have yet to...
Happy Birthday!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Exam-focused parents leading kids astray
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Jul 26, 2010
Exam-focused parents leading kids astray
YESTERDAY'S editorial ("Parents, don't panic") identified the nub of the problem concerning primary school examinations: Overly concerned parents are the source of exam pressure felt by children.
The move by the Ministry of Education to phase out Primary 1 exams by 2013 is timely. Yet many parents still fail to see the wisdom of this decision, going back to square one by needlessly pressuring their children with mock exams outside of school.
Quite clearly, such parents are not doing their children any favours. This "kiasu" attitude also betrays a distorted view of education - that passing exams is the be all and end all of going to school. This can only impoverish their children's learning.
The claim in certain quarters that Singapore children are only exam-smart will be reinforced by the reluctance of such parents to distance themselves from needless exams in the formative years of schooling.
Incidentally, could this be the reason for the paucity of outstanding thinkers, inventors and innovators in our midst? Is this why the dream of producing our first Nobel Prize laureate seems so remote?
Yes, exams are important, but only up to a point; they also have their place and time. However, parents must remember that education is not the filling up of a vessel but the kindling of a flame - to fall in love with learning; to learn to think, observe, analyse and reason in the search of knowledge and truth.
Parents who keep harping on exams to the exclusion of these raisons d'etre of schooling risk leading their children astray, short-changing them in the process.
Lee Seck Kay
My Comments:
Another timely reminder for myself not to overly stressed on Isa on EXAM.
Jul 26, 2010
Exam-focused parents leading kids astray
YESTERDAY'S editorial ("Parents, don't panic") identified the nub of the problem concerning primary school examinations: Overly concerned parents are the source of exam pressure felt by children.
The move by the Ministry of Education to phase out Primary 1 exams by 2013 is timely. Yet many parents still fail to see the wisdom of this decision, going back to square one by needlessly pressuring their children with mock exams outside of school.
Quite clearly, such parents are not doing their children any favours. This "kiasu" attitude also betrays a distorted view of education - that passing exams is the be all and end all of going to school. This can only impoverish their children's learning.
The claim in certain quarters that Singapore children are only exam-smart will be reinforced by the reluctance of such parents to distance themselves from needless exams in the formative years of schooling.
Incidentally, could this be the reason for the paucity of outstanding thinkers, inventors and innovators in our midst? Is this why the dream of producing our first Nobel Prize laureate seems so remote?
Yes, exams are important, but only up to a point; they also have their place and time. However, parents must remember that education is not the filling up of a vessel but the kindling of a flame - to fall in love with learning; to learn to think, observe, analyse and reason in the search of knowledge and truth.
Parents who keep harping on exams to the exclusion of these raisons d'etre of schooling risk leading their children astray, short-changing them in the process.
Lee Seck Kay
My Comments:
Another timely reminder for myself not to overly stressed on Isa on EXAM.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
CASCO Publisher
Usually around Dec, I will receive a discount coupon from CASCO which allows me to buy assessment or guide books from CASCO or Dolphin. I will always make a trip to the shop located around Bendemeer Road to make my bulk purchase.
Last year, I bought an assessment book "Synthesis Transformation p5" by CASCO. I tore the answer key from the book and put aside. When Isa started doing this book, I realised the answer key was nowhere to be found. I searched for the answer key high and low for days. I started asking around any parents who would have this assessment book, hoping I can get a copy of the answer key. After some weeks, I received nil reply. Of course the last resort would be to buy another copy of this assessment book just to get the answer key but I would be wasting my money as I have no use for it at all.
I decided to try my luck by sending an email to CASCO publisher and below is the reply:
*****************************************************
Dear XX
Kindly provided us you home address or fax number. We will forward the answer key to you
Thanks & regards
Casco
****************************************************
My Comments:
I am touched by its understanding and kind assistance in this money-first society.
Last year, I bought an assessment book "Synthesis Transformation p5" by CASCO. I tore the answer key from the book and put aside. When Isa started doing this book, I realised the answer key was nowhere to be found. I searched for the answer key high and low for days. I started asking around any parents who would have this assessment book, hoping I can get a copy of the answer key. After some weeks, I received nil reply. Of course the last resort would be to buy another copy of this assessment book just to get the answer key but I would be wasting my money as I have no use for it at all.
I decided to try my luck by sending an email to CASCO publisher and below is the reply:
*****************************************************
Dear XX
Kindly provided us you home address or fax number. We will forward the answer key to you
Thanks & regards
Casco
****************************************************
My Comments:
I am touched by its understanding and kind assistance in this money-first society.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
NE Show (17 July 2010)
The first NE Show started on 10 Jul. Jonathan was scheduled to provide on-site support while me and CKW remained station in the office to provide the back-end support.
It has been a rewarding and enriching experience working with CKW, learning from him from to provide back-end support on these major events.
WP was the on-site support officer for the second NE Show on 17 Jul. Isa's school attended this NE Show. All p5 students were to report to the school at 1.30pm for temperature taking. Isa was so excited that she could not even finish her lunch before rushing to her school.
I am pretty sure lots of waiting and head-counting at the school before the whole cohort set off to Padang by MRT. I can imagine how stressful the teachers would be to taking such a large group out of the school.
Anyway, J and I together with mum went to Mouth@Work to have a 1 to 1 (ie buy 1 get 1 free) set meal. There was a promotion using OCBC credit card. Each set meal costs $22.80 plus 10% service charge. Since F was not free, we ordered 2 to 2 set meals. The dim sum was nicely done and tasted delicious. Initially I thought the portion would be small and thus we should have no problem finishing all the dishes. I was wrong and we have to pack some of the fried dim sum back for F.
J and I reached the school at 9.45pm. The kids would returned around 10.30pm to 11pm. The NE Show ended around 8.30pm. I guess they would set off to Raffles Place MRT around 9pm. By 9.30pm, they should board the special train catered for these kids. They should arrive Lakeside MRT around 10pm. At the station, we saw "DO NOT BOARD" train at the sign board. But only kids from Shuqun alighted and no Rulang kids were seen. The station masters specially opened the gates to allow such a large group of students to leave the station.
At about 10.15pm, another "DO NOT BOARD" train arrived and we were pretty sure the Rulang kids were in this special train. Yes, we saw the familiar school uniform and teachers. The kids were so noisy and excited. Then we saw our Isa chatting happily with her classmates.
Each class was looked after by 4 teachers. The kids were led safely back to the school!
Next week's NE show, Jonathan will be the on-site support officer again. I will work again as back-end support on Preview.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Theory and CPR exam
Finally the exam comes.
The instructor has revised the CPR procedure with the class a few times and most of them are already quite familiar what to do and what not to do. He even went through many MCQ which were highly likely to appear in the exam paper.
Somehow I felt butterflies in my stomach despite the instructor said there were seldom any failures. I recalled the anxiety felt by Isa before the exam. It must be unbearable. I felt uncomfortable too even am an adult. I did a few deep breathings to calm myself. I tried to control myself to remain composed.
We had an early lunch and the instructor wanted us to return from lunch around 1.30pm. The exam started around 2pm. So we had half an hour to do final revision or practise.
About 10 minutes before 2pm, the Indian examiner stepped in. Immediately there was a slight confusion and excitement. The instructor told him that the class was still doing the final revision. Soon the class began packing the notes and got ready the stationery.
There were 30 MCQ in the paper and we were required to pass 18 ie a 60% pass is needed before we can enter the Practical session.
The whole class finished the paper in less than 30 min. Quite a few scored full marks and the lowest score was 22/30. I made a mistake (unsure which question as the paper was not returned or discussed) and scored 29/30.
We got ready our triangular bandage and roller bandage. Gan and I worked as partners. She did a head injury bandage for me. This was easy. I have to do a fracture arm bandage. OMG! I was a bit confused where to start. Luckily some course mates were doing the similar bandage. I saw somebody used a book to act as a splint. Immediately I followed. The triangular bandage did not work nicely with my clumsy fingers. Soh helped me to pull tight the bandage when the examiner was busy checking others' work. Ok, the whole class passed the bandaging session.
Only 2 participants were allowed in the room to do CPR. There were 2 dummies and we knew one has quite a small mouth which made blowing air into it quite challenging. Soh told me to take the other one while he handles the one which has a smaller mouth.
After checking for danger and kneeling down, I realised something was not correct. I am so used to use my right hand to do head tilt chin lift but now, I have to use my left hand. I hesitated on the subsequent steps. The examiner spotted my confusion. Instead of using my right hand to track the tip of sternum, I realised I have to use my left hand. Suddenly, I realised that the dummy was facing in an opposite direction and thus my confusion.
Nevertheless, the examiner noted my problem and said that I should be able to do CPR in any direction.
Ok, I have passed my exam!
The instructor has revised the CPR procedure with the class a few times and most of them are already quite familiar what to do and what not to do. He even went through many MCQ which were highly likely to appear in the exam paper.
Somehow I felt butterflies in my stomach despite the instructor said there were seldom any failures. I recalled the anxiety felt by Isa before the exam. It must be unbearable. I felt uncomfortable too even am an adult. I did a few deep breathings to calm myself. I tried to control myself to remain composed.
We had an early lunch and the instructor wanted us to return from lunch around 1.30pm. The exam started around 2pm. So we had half an hour to do final revision or practise.
About 10 minutes before 2pm, the Indian examiner stepped in. Immediately there was a slight confusion and excitement. The instructor told him that the class was still doing the final revision. Soon the class began packing the notes and got ready the stationery.
There were 30 MCQ in the paper and we were required to pass 18 ie a 60% pass is needed before we can enter the Practical session.
The whole class finished the paper in less than 30 min. Quite a few scored full marks and the lowest score was 22/30. I made a mistake (unsure which question as the paper was not returned or discussed) and scored 29/30.
We got ready our triangular bandage and roller bandage. Gan and I worked as partners. She did a head injury bandage for me. This was easy. I have to do a fracture arm bandage. OMG! I was a bit confused where to start. Luckily some course mates were doing the similar bandage. I saw somebody used a book to act as a splint. Immediately I followed. The triangular bandage did not work nicely with my clumsy fingers. Soh helped me to pull tight the bandage when the examiner was busy checking others' work. Ok, the whole class passed the bandaging session.
Only 2 participants were allowed in the room to do CPR. There were 2 dummies and we knew one has quite a small mouth which made blowing air into it quite challenging. Soh told me to take the other one while he handles the one which has a smaller mouth.
After checking for danger and kneeling down, I realised something was not correct. I am so used to use my right hand to do head tilt chin lift but now, I have to use my left hand. I hesitated on the subsequent steps. The examiner spotted my confusion. Instead of using my right hand to track the tip of sternum, I realised I have to use my left hand. Suddenly, I realised that the dummy was facing in an opposite direction and thus my confusion.
Nevertheless, the examiner noted my problem and said that I should be able to do CPR in any direction.
Ok, I have passed my exam!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Learning CPR
The afternoon session of the training course was spent on practising CPR.
A dummy ie victim laid on the floor and Mr Toh simulated the scenario.
D-Danger
R-Response
A-Airway
B-Breathing
C-Compression
Check for any Danger eg any boys playing around the victim or any vehicles near the victim. Seek passerby's help to remove these distractions or danger.
See any Response from the victim eg patting his/her shoulder to see if he/she responded.
If there is no response, head tile chin lift to check its Airway to see if there is any choking or blackage. Remove any visible object in its mouth.
Check for any Breathing by look, listen and feel for 10 seconds.
If there is no breathing, give 2 breaths.
Start 30 Compressions and then follow by 2 breaths.
The CPR has started and can only stop when
(i) medical staff arrives,
(ii) victim resumes breathing or
(iii) first aider was exhausted.
A dummy ie victim laid on the floor and Mr Toh simulated the scenario.
D-Danger
R-Response
A-Airway
B-Breathing
C-Compression
Check for any Danger eg any boys playing around the victim or any vehicles near the victim. Seek passerby's help to remove these distractions or danger.
See any Response from the victim eg patting his/her shoulder to see if he/she responded.
If there is no response, head tile chin lift to check its Airway to see if there is any choking or blackage. Remove any visible object in its mouth.
Check for any Breathing by look, listen and feel for 10 seconds.
If there is no breathing, give 2 breaths.
Start 30 Compressions and then follow by 2 breaths.
The CPR has started and can only stop when
(i) medical staff arrives,
(ii) victim resumes breathing or
(iii) first aider was exhausted.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Standard First Aid & CPR Course
Some colleagues have been nominated to attend the Standard First Aid & CPR Course. They shared that this course has been fun and useful. I hesitated to sign up because there would be a test on theory and practical at the end of the course. If I fail, I have to re-test. Finally, together with a good colleague to accompany, we signed up for this course.
The training was held in a small room on the third floor of Red Cross House located at Penang Lane and our instructor was Mr D Toh. He looked serious and stern. But when the course started, the whole class of about 20 participants enjoyed his teaching very much. The participants came from all walks of life, some are school teachers, some are from Singapore Police Force, there was even a university lecturer who took time to attend this course.
We learnt some basic theory on first aid such as the three aims of First Aid:
Preserve life/save life
Prevent the condition from worsening
Promote recovery.
The most interesting would be the practical session on different ways or methods of bandaging on head or eye injury, dealing with choking etc.
The participants took turn to be the casualty and the First Aider.
We have quite a good laugh on the ways we bandaged on the injured part. We learnt using abdominal thrust and chest thrust to deal with choking.
Mr D Toh has demonstrated the CPR. We will learn to do it on a dummy tomorrow.
For more info, please see
http://www.firstaidtraining.com.sg/web/standard-first-aid.html
The training was held in a small room on the third floor of Red Cross House located at Penang Lane and our instructor was Mr D Toh. He looked serious and stern. But when the course started, the whole class of about 20 participants enjoyed his teaching very much. The participants came from all walks of life, some are school teachers, some are from Singapore Police Force, there was even a university lecturer who took time to attend this course.
We learnt some basic theory on first aid such as the three aims of First Aid:
Preserve life/save life
Prevent the condition from worsening
Promote recovery.
The most interesting would be the practical session on different ways or methods of bandaging on head or eye injury, dealing with choking etc.
The participants took turn to be the casualty and the First Aider.
We have quite a good laugh on the ways we bandaged on the injured part. We learnt using abdominal thrust and chest thrust to deal with choking.
Mr D Toh has demonstrated the CPR. We will learn to do it on a dummy tomorrow.
For more info, please see
http://www.firstaidtraining.com.sg/web/standard-first-aid.html
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Off to Camp
After days of excitement and anxiety on what to bring/pack for the 3 days' camp, Isa is off to camp.
For p5 kids, besides the much anticipating National Education (NE) show in July, the next major event would be the 3 days' camp.
Before the June holidays began, a list of things to bring has beeen given to the p5 kids. This list is pretty long including number of sets for undergarments! Since the term 3 began, Isa has put aside all the things she wants to bring. Her room was so messy with things scattered on the floor. The teacher's words carried more weight than parents'. She insisted on bringing a 1.5 litre water bottle, x sets of long pants which neither too thick nor thin, y sets of shorts, z sets of t-shirts etc. She was not supposed to bring a big luggage but how to pack so many things in a bag.
J spent the whole evening digging out a suitable bag in the store room for Isa. This bag can't be too big else she will not be able to carry it. It can't be too small else all her wanted things can't go in.
In the end, her bag was heavier than the one we brought to KL.
What an interesting experience!
For p5 kids, besides the much anticipating National Education (NE) show in July, the next major event would be the 3 days' camp.
Before the June holidays began, a list of things to bring has beeen given to the p5 kids. This list is pretty long including number of sets for undergarments! Since the term 3 began, Isa has put aside all the things she wants to bring. Her room was so messy with things scattered on the floor. The teacher's words carried more weight than parents'. She insisted on bringing a 1.5 litre water bottle, x sets of long pants which neither too thick nor thin, y sets of shorts, z sets of t-shirts etc. She was not supposed to bring a big luggage but how to pack so many things in a bag.
J spent the whole evening digging out a suitable bag in the store room for Isa. This bag can't be too big else she will not be able to carry it. It can't be too small else all her wanted things can't go in.
In the end, her bag was heavier than the one we brought to KL.
What an interesting experience!
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Second half of year 2010 starts
Unknowingly, first of July arrives and marks the start of the second half of year 2010.
Unknowingly I have been working in my new workplace for about 2 months.
I should say that human beings are easily adaptable and am getting used to the long and tiring travelling journeys.
The weekend becomes precious for me. It is the time I spend with my loved ones. It is also my time to relax and catch up with household chores.
The workload is getting unreasonably heavy, so much that I have to bring work home to do almost daily. Am I selling my life away unknowingly? Have I been robbing away the precious moments that I should have spent with Isa?
Time to reflect!
Unknowingly I have been working in my new workplace for about 2 months.
I should say that human beings are easily adaptable and am getting used to the long and tiring travelling journeys.
The weekend becomes precious for me. It is the time I spend with my loved ones. It is also my time to relax and catch up with household chores.
The workload is getting unreasonably heavy, so much that I have to bring work home to do almost daily. Am I selling my life away unknowingly? Have I been robbing away the precious moments that I should have spent with Isa?
Time to reflect!
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