Your Expressions!!!

The Three S ie Suicide = Stupidty + Suffering

2009-07-10T13:13:00.001+08:00

I would like o blog about three S ie Suicide, Stupidity & Suffering. Something happen this week but I will not use real name and relation as this would reveals who I am writing about.
More than 6 months back, my sis-in-law was fighting a battle against cancer. I was there when she spoke of how she wanted to live on and do not want to die so soon, but unfortunately she lost the battle and succumb o the cancerous cell and finally passed away late last year. And only this week, someone I know tried to commit suicide, the 1st S - Suicide. No, it is not hearsay, but this person actually did it. I was there to witness the destruction of the whole house. This person tried to kill himself by turning on the gas and hoping to die an easy death but somehow something struck and there was an explosion. Imagine the force of the blast, the door to the kitchen was blown more than 10m away and all the windows panes were shattered, the false ceiling collapsed and thankfully the fire was put out before it could turn into a great flame. The victim did not die and SCDF and the police came and the victim was send to the hospital.

The second S is Stupidity. As I had written, my sister-in-law was longing to live longer and was treasuring the little time that she had before she passed away and this person, just tried to take his own life. Life is so precious and this person is so STUPID to try taking his own life. So money was a problem, but if this person would just learn to live a simple life, then I really see no issue at all, unless he wants a luxurious life which could never happen as he is already above 60 yrs old. Why is a person so stupid trying to take one of the most precious things in life, life itself? To me, it is STUPIDITY trying to evade life issue by taking the so called “simple” way out!!!

Lastly the 3rd S is for Suffering. Due to his own stupidity, now he is suffering from 10 percent burn. This must be causing him a great suffering. Not only is he suffering, he had also caused others to suffer along with him. His related one now had to be in agony too. By trying to commit suicide, others close to him are now also suffering and worst still suffering emotionally. My daughter, a Counselor, said that the victim’s sibling will probably undergo a traumatic period before she can recover from this incident, she will probably need some counseling session to help her overcome the trauma. So you see S = S + S, ie Suicide = Stupidity + Suffering. If ever one of you, my young reader harbors such thoughts, I pray that you think over and over again. Call me if you really need someone to talk over if you are unable to overcome whatever problem you may be facing. Don’t ever harbor such thoughts.

A Blessed Life

2009-06-23T16:48:00.002+08:00

Time to blog. Was just wondering and doing some reflection on my life. I believed I had been much blessed throughout my life.

If you know me, you will know that I am just a small fly with a small qualification, just a diploma holder from Singapore Poly. Yet through the many years in my working life, my God (pardon me for those who are not Christian) had been so good to me that I had been promoted far beyond many diploma holder and I am now in a position that some of my degree holder (some even are master degree) colleagues may have been envy of. I am not boasting, but as I was reflecting on my many colleagues who had joined ITE as a lecturer and holding just a diploma, none of them had ever progress so far in term of financial rewards. Most had been in “static” mode, ie they have already reach their maximum pay for many years and had no pay increase. Even for those who were promoted earlier than me, many, if not all had been unable to cross a bar for increment and yet I had been much bless with a continual increment. Praise to my God!!!

So what am I trying to tell my readers, or as what one local show always says “What is the moral of the story!!!” hahah, for those who are in Singapore will probably know who was it.
Let me share with you the “moral” of the story. In all my working life, (hahaha… sound so philosophical) I had learnt never ever to backstab anyone. I am not the ambitious type and had never seek for promotion and I make it a point to give others credit as much as I can. Once you learnt not to focus on yourself, then you will be able achieve much as it is written, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. So I had always abided by this principal, giving others instead of trying to “fight” all the way for your own benefits. If my young readers can adopt this principal then I can assure you that one day, as you reflect back, you will notice how much you have received in return even without you fighting for it.

This, I would like my young readers to really ponder on as most of you will start working very soon. I had never believed that a working place should be a battlefield, even though many other think so. Once you adopt this attitude that a working place is a battlefield then you will surely end up overstress and in the end, you may actually found that you had gained nothing, nothing in your life had been a living example to your next generation, nothing in your life that you can proudly shared with your kids.

So may this “moral” start building within each of us so that you can start your next phase of life in the right steps!!!

Life Is Unpredictable!!!

2009-05-20T13:40:00.000+08:00

Guess, about time to blog. So many things had happened.
First about myself. Happen 2 week ago when I was trying to shift my 29” CRT TV when it fell on me and I hit my head on the floor that it knock me out, don’t even know for how long as no one was at home. When I awoke, I found myself lying on the floor with the heavy TV pressing on my head. Slowly I inch the TV away to get myself up.

Can you imagine, when I awoke, I don’t know where I was and then don’t even recall whether it was a school holiday or during school term so much so that I had to call my wife to enquire. I had a loss of memory for the whole night and cannot even remember how happen. So scary, but I must thank my God that He had protected me and now I am recovering though I still seems to have some loss of memory.

To all my readers, I could have died without anyone knowing and this goes to show that life is very much unpredictable. So each one of you must treasure your life and treasure those around you. Our life could be extinguished just like that. Don’t ever think that you are young and nothing could happen to you.
Then you know what? The same thing happens to one of the students yesterday. She was sitting on her chair and was leaning backwards when she toppled over hitting her head against the floor and she was totally knocked out!!! It took almost a minute before she awakens. When I was informed, I went to see her and she cannot even stand up for a moment. Thankfully there were no concussion, but she was so dazed and frightened that she cried and was unable to compose herself. See, she is just 18 years old but things just happen beyond our control. Never ever think that your life is in control by you and you can determine what can happen to you. We are not God and we cannot predict the future. So let each of us learn to live life meaningfully and live a live without regrets.

Changing Lives!!!

2009-04-13T10:27:00.000+08:00

Received an SMS about a week ago. It goes “ Hi Mr Chu, I got into NYP Business Enterprise IT…” It was a message that brings me much joy. It is such success of my students that gave me great joy.

I am not interested in receiving gifts, not I interested in getting praises from my bosses, not interested in people telling me “flowery words”, if you know what I meant! My ultimate goal as a teacher is to touch lives and hopefully change lives which thankfully had been happening, if not, then I would consider myself a failure as an educator.

This was the same student who had sms me about her demoralize spirit when she thought that after one and the half year of studying in higher NITEC seems to bear no fruits and leads to nowhere . For those who don’t know what I am saying, let me elaborate a little of the education system in Singapore. When you are in the normal Technical stream in secondary school you can only go to ITE for further study, you will not be eligible for JC or Polys. So after 2 years of studying in ITE, if you do very well, you have a good chances of progressing to Poly if not then you may try to apply for another 2 years of study in Higher NITEC in ITE. You again, need to score a certain points to be considered for Poly and this what happen to this girl She did not do very well in NITEC and I had advice her to go Higher NITEC and then try to do better so that she can have a chance to progress to Poly. But after one and the half year, it seems that her grade may not permit her to apply to Poly and I encourage her to continue and not to give up. Thankfully she had persisted and after her completion, she applied for Poly and she was accepted and that is how I came about in receiving this SMS.

I was so happy for her that I seem to be as joyful as her. This should be what makes a teacher life satisfying and glad that he/she is in the education line. IT IS NOT A CAREER, IT IS LIFE CHANGING OPPORTUNITY!!!

If you had read me tag box, you will also notice that one of the “tagger” wrote this : lobert: ok i will. rememeber u telling me never give up easily. try my best :d

That is why an educator words and action will mould the lives of the students they cam in contact with. I pray that my words and action as an educator will always be a blessing and have a positive impact on all my students.

Life Is Short!!!

2009-03-18T09:40:00.000+08:00

Quite a while since I blog. Actually was wondering whether to blog what I had in mind and finally decides to share what happen.

A few months back, I had went for an ultrasound scan and to my shock; I was informed by the doctor that they had found 4 lesions (or what we called small lumps). Was told that it could be anything, anything means, it can be cancer. So I was told to go for a CTScan at TanTock Seng Hospital in Feb. Thankfully and thanks to my God (sorry for those who are not Christian, got to bear with me for being “churchy”) it was found to be just cyst and not cancerous.

From this incident, I would like to encourage my readers, especially my young readers, to value life. Our life can “expire” any moment, it is something that none of us are in control. You may think you are very fit, you may think that you are still young but death is no “respecter” of anyone. It comes when you are not prepared. So it is time that all of us learn to live a life of no regrets. Only 2 days back, I got a sms informing me that a former colleague who had left ITE a few years ago had passed away. So you see, it could happen to any of us. Even my youngest daughter shared that one of her classmate just passed away recently. Imagine, only 19 years old and not it is all over.

Come on, my young readers; don’t assume that you may live for very long. Take opportunity to do good and live a life that is meaningful. Do whatever good that you can, don’t go doing things that will destroy your life, such as drinking, smoking etc. Knowing that life is short why do you want to make it shorter by indulging in things that you know will shorten your life?
Life is precious and life is short. So take care everyone

Take Time....

2009-02-24T15:12:00.001+08:00

Saw something very touching while on the way to school this morning. There was elderly man, not very old about 6o plus. He was with his mother who was wheelchaired and was on drip; probably she cannot take solid meal anymore waiting for a cab. Finally the cab came and the way he lifts and carries his mother into the taxi was so touching. You can see how gentle he in moving his mother into the cab. Mine you, he was quite a big size man and for his to slowly and gently place his mother into the cab was a sight. He makes sure that his mother will not be hit by any part of the taxi. It was so touching that the scene keeps replaying in my mind over and over again when I was walking to school.

How many of us can says that this is the way we treat our parent? Even though I am an educator, I am not at all proud at the way I had taken care of my mother who had passed away many years ago. No, I did not ill treat her, but I only visited her at my convenience. This does not bode well as a filial person. I am ashamed of myself when I see how this man treated his mother.

Hopefully, my young readers will learn to appreciate the hard work of their parents. Many of you are enjoying the fruit of the hard labour of your parent. Many had not seen how their parent had toil and sweat so that all of you are having a good time. You may not agree that you are having an easy life. Let me ask my young reader. How may had ever went to school with just 1 set of uniform for a whole year? How many had only enough money for just a cup of drink only for recess for your school life? How many of you ever wear just a pair of school for a whole year? How many of you had gone to a movie school only once for a whole year? I can go on with many many how many. But I guess I will stop here. Take time to honour your parent. Take time to appreciate your elderly.

Do realize that what you are enjoying now is all because of the many sacrifices that your parent had made so that you could enjoy the good life you are now having.

Don't Even Try!!!

2009-02-10T16:31:00.001+08:00

Would like to take a few minutes to pen my feelings. Was feeling a little down due to many things that seem to be happening to my dept, though I was not directly involved in it, but somehow can feel that my fellow colleagues are very stressed.

Why? I would rather not speculate here as it may be due to other issues rather than what I thought, but somehow, the “unhappiness” seems to be cascading down to me and I am also feeling it.

Been a long time seem I really had real contact with my students. I remember when the dept was started, I was so closed to my students that they will approach me for chatting, for help, or just looking for a listening ears but now, it looks like lecturer are more concerned with projects, with trying to make an impact to higher authority so that they will be duly rewarded. Where is the basis of being a teacher? Where is that so called passion when they first join the teaching line?

I was commenting to my daughter that we should never allow people to go into teaching, just to try it out. Their “trying” may sometimes kill the interest of the students and would destroy him for life.

I remember that one of the main reasons why I had never ever able to pick up Chinese was because when I was in primary school, my Chinese teacher saw one toy protruding out of my pocket, cannot remember what it was, and snatch it then smack my head with it!!! It left me with a great fear for Chinese teachers and I can never recover from this fail and had never ever passed my Chinese all the way to “O” level.

Can you imagine what damages can a “trying” teacher left behind before he/she quit the teaching line? It may be too late for some of these kids. So, to my readers, unless you really have a passion for teaching, don’t even try going in just to have a taste of teaching life. By not “trying” you may have “saved” some of these kids life.

A Teacher

2009-01-23T10:54:00.000+08:00

About time for me to put up a second post. Though the year doesn’t seem to start well for me, got a fine for parking along a double yellow line and another fine for speeding all within one hour, never mind, I will still thank my God for everything.

I would like to share with my readers an incident that show why I am still a teacher. It had been for more than half a year since I stepped into a class as I was busy helping my school to make the big move to a new campus in 2010. Last week, I was told to help out as there was no lecturer available and when I step in, I gave a pep talk to the students graduating soon. I could once again feel the joy of talking to students. Just that 10 or 15 mins of talk gave me such joy as I began to exhort them to out in their best for their final lap of their studies and I could sense that they were absorbing it and were prepared to burst forth in their last race.

It was so joyful and this is the reason why I am a teacher. Just 2 days back, one of my colleagues was given a grade that he/she was not happy with and ‘blew up’. Commented that the students better don’t step on his/her toes and he/she is in a bad mood. To me, this should not be the way a teacher behaves. Students are there for us to “shape”, to guide, and to be a source of encouragement and not for us to vent our anger.

Worst still, today I read in My Paper a comment from a Poly undergrad and this is exactly what she wrote. “My first option would be to continue studying and get a degree. If that doesn’t work out, I don’t mind applying for a teaching job with the Ministry of Education” Huh, I got a shock. Just because you cannot further your study, so just go and teach. Hey, teaching is a passion and must be accompanied with compassion for our students. It is not something like, since I can’t get my choice and recession is here, I just join the teaching force.

Hopefully, our MOE will never employ such people. They will only “rot” the next generation. I hope my readers who intent to be a teacher, will never adopt such an attitude.

So, a very Happy Chinese New Year to all my readers!!!

A New Year, A New Start

2009-01-02T13:16:00.001+08:00

2008 had been a year that is best forgotten. Many things had happened in this past year. To the world, it was a financial “tsumani” that we had seen many big companies going bust and many people all over the whole began to lose their jobs and are having difficulties trying to make ends meet.
Not only in material lost but many lives were also lost through the Siquan earthquake. There were stories of how some sacrifice their lives to save others during this great earthquake and there was also story of how selfish man can be, where he did care only for himself and ran for his own life and leave his young students all alone and how they had perished because of his selfish nature.
As for my personal life, things were not too good as compared to the previous year. My uncle passed away in, I think, in Nov and then follow by my sister in law. Things were bad for my uncle family, where again the “beastful” nature of the human being was revealed as the son beat up his sister and his mother over the inheritance. The ugly part of the human being will always be reveal, especially when it comes to money. It is such a sad thing that man always had such a greedy nature.
But one good thing comes forth from the death of my sister in law. The family began to close rank and the family began to show signs of reconciliation and is getting closer to one another as they began to see the fragile life that we living.
But still, I give thanks to my God who had taken good care of me for year 2008 and I am still doing fine, finding favour with all my bosses.
To all my young readers, things may look bleak in the coming months, but be strong and I believe all of you will sail through 2009 and coming out as a stringer person.
To start of the year, may I encourage all my readers to make their life more meaningful. As I had written earlier, the demised on my sister in law was came as a shock as she is still considered young. So do spend the days of your life wisely and meaningfully as we do not know when it will “expire”. Do something that will leave a legacy so that other will remember you for the good that you had done, and that you will have no regrets if you are to move on to the other realm!!!

Taking A Break

2008-10-30T20:41:00.002+08:00

To all my readers, my apologies but need a break as I am a little overwhelmed with my school work due to a new assignment. Will be back in 2009....

Signing off with this quote (can't remember who wrote this)

We evaluate others with a godlike justice, but we want them to evaluate us with a godlike compassion.

Let not evalaute others with such godlike justice as we may one day need others to evalute us with a godlike compassion.

Take care and see you again in 2009!!!

What A Wonderful Person!!!

2008-09-10T20:30:00.001+08:00

Was very touch last week when I came across an article which I would like to share with all my readers.

There was a report of a young girl who quietly adopted 3 kids through an organization. All the while her parent was scolding her about how she was using her money, They thought that she had spent it all on computer games, but she had actually used her allowance and her “hong boa”, a Chinese red packet with money given to kids during our Chinese new year celebration, to support 3 kids in a poor country.

It was so touching, not only in her giving but more importantly, in giving without “blowing your own trumpet”. Giving to charity, I had seen a lot, but very often it was giving with the intention of making oneself known. But with this 16 years old girl, she knows what is called humility which many of us lack.

My wished for all of my readers is that they will learn to show a little more compassion for the unfortunate and through a humble spirit not in a way that we would be trying to tell others what we are doing.

Life is short. What’s the point of trying to gain popularity when one’s heart is not right!!! When your intention is just to help another unfortunate person, even a small amount given will meant a lot.

So to all my young readers, make use of your life to touch others and you will surely find such joy beyond words

To this young wonderful lady I send you my tribute with this bouquet of flower.

It's A Sad Sad World!

2008-09-05T09:17:00.000+08:00

Hey, before I proceed to blog my thoughts, did any of you did what I suggested; send a sms to your parent to tell them that you appreciate them. Come on, it is not that difficult, right? If you had done so, please drop a note in my tag box, so that at least I know I am not blogging to four walls.

OK, going back to what I wanted to blog. Last Monday was Teacher’s Day. Received a few sms greeting me happy teacher’s day. One particular sms was something like that, “…. even until I die, I will not forget Mr Chu…” How true it is, I’m not too sure. But it always make my day when I received note, mails, sms etc from students remembering me. I do not need to receive gifts from students, although I did receive, but it was their thoughts that counts, that spurs me on as a teacher, especially so in these years where to me, the direction of the school is to score points instead of touching life!!!

Very sad indeed. Was just having a chat with one of my colleague and he was also relating that nowadays, teaching was no longer same as years before. I was telling him of how in the past, my ex-colleagues were all so focus on helping our students to succeed in life, to impart skills so that they will be able to make a living, but unfortunately now teachers are so engrossed in projects so that they can be recognized and be promoted. Where then is their passion for teaching? Where is their desire to touch life, to change life, to make an impact on their students? So sad, that teachers are like that, although I want to believe that not all are like that, but unfortunately to my personal view, a majority of them are.

To all my young readers, as you grow up and enter into the working world, do spare a thought on your life? Even if you are not going to a teaching line, in whatever you will b doing, you can still make an impact. Just try to live a life that shows others that life is not about just trying to stab on others so that you will reach the top, but rather we can be an influence to another person but the way we live!!!

Be a Role Model

2008-08-26T08:46:00.000+08:00

Nowadays many teachers are so different from the days when I first started teaching. Please note that I say many and not ALL.

Just let me share with you what happen recently. No, I will not tell you whether it happens in my department or in another department.

It started with one teacher from other department complaining about a dirty classroom. Shockingly, one of the teacher asks this teacher to send a complaint to the manager!!! How can a teacher reacts like that? You are trying to play office politics and trying to get your fellow colleagues into problem. No I don’t condone teachers who does not do their parts in keeping the classroom clean, but surely there is no need to instigated other department teacher to complaint to your manager about your own friends, or do I interpret it as these colleagues of your are “hindrances” your promotion”? Very sad, as I expect teachers to have great integrity and be a role model to their students. But if they exhibits such characters, then I can only expect them to inculcate wrong values to their students. They will be telling their students that it is OK to “stab” your friends just so that you can reach the top!

Office politics in the commercial world is like that, and there is no control over such behaviour, but in school? This should never happen as teachers must have high moral values. If not, then I fear for the future of our next generation. Already I had seen how the next generation had begun to “degrade” through their bahaviours and through their lifestyles. Even in today newspaper, I read of how the son of the former President of Taiwan says that it was his mother who told him to do the wrongdoing. I am not sure who is in the wrong, but seriously, I doubt that his mother will ask him to do it as she was an invalid, and why would she wants to launder the money that she will eventually be not able to enjoy much? Even in Singapore, I had often seen how youngster treats their parents. Respect is something that my generation had always practice, but in this generation, our youngster seems to have no respect for the elders. They take it that it is their rights to shout, to scream, to demand etc from their parents. Please lah!!! My young people, if not for the hardship of your parents, do you think that you can have what you are having now?

So to all my young readers, maybe it is time for you to drop an sms to your parents, just to tell them that you appreciate all that they had done. Is it too much of me to ask of all my young readers to do it? Smsing your friends is a norm, but why not just drop an sms to your parent and tell them you are thankful for them. Come, surely you can do it and why not do it NOW!!! Spread the words to your friend and ask them also to send a simple sms to their parents to show their appreciation!!!

Youth With Attitude Problem!!!

2008-08-12T12:52:00.000+08:00

Finally I am back!!! Hopefully, I will be able to blog more often.

I would like to blog about youth with attitude problem? At times, I just really don’t understand our youngster. Let me share with you a true incident that happens recently.

There was a boy caught for stealing and was we were ask to provide some information for the judge to pass his sentence. We tried to help the boy by giving him a good report as much as we can. When we were writing the report, he put on a good “show” trying to get us to write something good about him. So we gave him the benefit of doubt and submitted a “generous” report for him.

So finally he was sentenced and was placed in the boys’ home. He was there for one week without home leave and finally, the school accepted him so that he could continue to study. As such, he was given leave to come to school and then to return to the boy’s home after that.

But it looks like he never learnt!!! First, he tried to con me by saying that he needs to go home to help his brother to sort out some handphone problem. The way he asked was as though he had every right to go. So, I say that I will call his probation officer and inform them about it, and he immediately says that he does not want to go off anymore.

A few days later, I heard that he was caught stealing in the boys’ home and was punished by not being allowed to leave the home. This boy then tells a lie to his probation office and says that he had an exam, but there was no exam. He conned one of my colleagues to inform the probation officer that there was an exam. I simply give up on him.

So many chances were given to him but still he never learns. No that I am a hard hearted person, but I believed that he need to be put in prison, then will he learn. To me, at least if he is imprisoned now, it will hopefully change his life instead of him getting worst and eventually may cause him his life.

To me, when a person says that he had a changed of heart, then it must be reflected through his action!!! Not simply just plain words. It is so easy to say something but doing otherwise. To all my young readers, when you are given a chance, please do not abuse this chance given. I had seen too many young people abusing the chances given to them and they end up in a whole mess!!!

A Sad Day For Humanity

2008-05-16T09:38:00.001+08:00

What happens in China is a very sad disaster. Thousands of people died and worst still, many school children perish while they are in the school.

Let us we observed a minute of silence in respect to those who had perished in this earthquake. To these people, I attached a white chrysanthemum as a symbol o my grief.

But out of this incident, I read some incredible report. There was a report of how a teacher sheltered the student with his/her own body and this teacher perished but that student survived. To this teacher, I salute him/her for the unselfish sacrifice. This is a lesson of what humanity is all about.

To my readers, it is not about gaining fame, it is not about social status, it is not about being a millionaire, and it is not about recognition, IT IS ABOUT HUMAN LOVE. A love for your fellow human being, a willingness to sacrifice for another, a heart of being compassionate, going beyond what is required of us.

Too often, we think only about ourselves. When danger arises, it is about my own survival. Sometimes it is so sad to see us “fighting”against one another.

I had seen too many of such incidents. Even in a school environment, I had seen one “camp” trying to tear down another “camp”, always passing bad comments about the other “camp” etc. It is so sad. At times, I wonder, how can they call themselves teachers? To teachers reading this blog, it is time to be an example and a role model to our youngster. Not just outwardly but genuinely be a real role model, especially in term of our characters.

Can we be like that teacher who willing sacrifice for his/her students? It is always easy to say than to actually doing it. Teachers, take time to reflect on our own calling, as teaching is not about a job, but rather about influencing lives that are easily influence.

With this, I would end my blogging.

Thanks for the Encouragement!!!

2008-04-22T18:42:00.001+08:00

So many things happen this week. Will not elaborate too much, but it had done some harm to our department. Hopefully, it is all over and we can move on.

But thankfully, when I read the post on my tag board, it brings much joy. When student like Danial says the following comments, it really brightens my day.

21 Apr 08, 15:23
Danial: the poly teacher explanation is worst then ITE students. i still prefer ITE lecturers ^.^ like Vincent , YOU mR CHU, NG, MR ONG , RAJIS!

21 Apr 08, 15:18
Danial: don't even know how to create simple webpage using HTML hehe

It is not so much that he prefer lecturer like us, but rather that he was able to create webpage, when the others does not even know how to, when they should have learnt in their studies. It shows that our students had learnt. Their time spent in ITE Balestier was never wasted.

I had taken the liberty to copy the tag comments to my fellow colleagues so that they can be encourage and that the time spent in teaching the “NT” students are never wasted. This is what makes teaching so satisfying, it is when our students had learnt and are able to move on to “higher plains”.

I was just chatting with a group of students this afternoon from the Jan Intake, trying to show them that they could progress on to Poly if only they were willing to learn as I believe my fellow colleagues will never shortchange them in their teaching. Hopefully, what I had shred will take roots in their heart and that it will spur them to do well, while they are with us.

To all my young readers, never give up hope, if you are willing to learn, then I believe that your teachers, be it a secondary sch, a JC, an ITE or whatever, will definitely try to help you progress as far as you are willing!!!

A True Story!!!

2008-03-18T09:26:00.000+08:00

Was actually wondering whether I should blog what happened yesterday. Finally, decides to blog the incident. Hopefully, it will be taken in the correct spirit that we could learn from the incident.

Yesterday, I called al parent who had left message for us to call her back. It was saddening to hear what she had requested. So this is what transpired.

The mother was requesting that we help her to “handle” her son. Her son was playing computer games every night and at times, goes without any sleep. She says that she is afraid that her son health may be harmed. Then she continues to add that her son had no respect for her and at times raised his voice at her. She also claimed that he despised her for not being rich. It goes on and on… and something she added later raise an “alarm” bell I me. She ask me to ask her son to work part time so that he could give her some money, instead of she having to always provide for her son.

The only thing I promised her is that I will have a talk with her son and see what is the outcome and if I failed then I will refer her son to the school counselor.

2 things strike me in this incident. First, if what she says is true, then this son ought to be smack!!! No matter what, no child should show any disrespect to their parent. Although, at times, kids temper cannot be control, but it should never be a common incident. Even if you do not come from a rich family, there is no shame at all being poor. As long as you have the basic need met, then all the extras are what I called “bonus”. Do learn to be contented with what you have. Try not comparing with your friends, classmates etc as it will only make you more miserable. Too many of today youngster is living way beyond their means.

The second issue is the call of the mother for us to ask her son to work so that he will provide her with some money. To me, this sound terrible and unacceptable. How could a mother ask the son to work so that she could get some money from him and while the son is still in school? As a parent myself, I would like my kids to concentrate fully on their studies. The parent is both working and I see no reason why they need their son to be working so that she could get some money. From her conversation, their family is in no need of money, even though they are not rich. But sad to says, this mother was more keen on her son making money instead of seeing her son progress in his studies.

Coming to conclusion, the son is too influence by his peers that he sees the need to be on par with his friends. To all my young readers, please do not fall into the same trap. Learn to be contended with what you have and who you are and you will not be so miserable. Secondly, if you ever be a parent, do not be so materialistic. Do not seek “benefits” from your children. Children are meant to be a source of joy, not a source of your “need”. So with this I will end my blog.

Are You A Positive Influence?

2008-02-26T10:16:00.001+08:00

A few days ago, was getting “sentimental”. Was asking myself, ever since I started teaching, can I recall any “string” impression of students being affect by me.

One incident strikes me very clearly as it seems to have embedded in my mind, even though it happen more that 20 years ago. I remember that I had started my teaching, probably only a year or two, that there was this Malay boy who seems to be unable to cope with his studies. I had never given up on him and took my time to explain slowly over and over again to him about the subjects. Thereafter, he manages to pull through and this was what he said to me, “I will never forget you as mine teacher. When I am successful in life, I will always remember that it was you who had helped me in times of difficulties”, not the exact words but very close to what he said. Ok, I don’t think he will remember me in years to come, but at least, I knew he was sincere in his appreciation for having me as a teacher.

No, I am not trying to boast, but would like to share that as we live, we should try to have a positive impact on those around me. Only a few days ago, one of my colleagues came to see me about setting a web site where we can put questions and the students could do some revision. It was after seeing my site where I had question put up for my students that spurs him to come up with another solution as I told him that I had to pull out all my site as it might infringe some copyright laws. I was so glad to see that my desire to help my student is rubbing into him. So it is important that we leave a positive effect to those around us.

Unfortunately, too often life is not like that. I had another colleague, who always seems to be complaining, complaining about this, complaining about that. At times, I just simply try not to join this colleague for meals. I had seem how another colleague of mine seems to develop the same negative attitude. Hopefully, it is not deeply implanted.

That is why, for you, mine readers, learn to project a positive attitude and it will do marvels to all those around you. There are things that beyond our control, things like why this person got the promotion, why this person getting lesser work to do etc. Life is never fair. To those who are about to join the working life, I can tell you strongly, LIFE WILL NEVER BE FAIR!!! It is Ok, as long as we learn to be contended, then we will not be so sulky and unhappy. So when we are more joyful, this will affects those around you. So, REJOICE!!!

Results Or Values???

2008-02-12T10:34:00.000+08:00

The recent arcticles about the principal who “persuade” some of her NT students to go to ITE instead of allowing them a chance to try taking their “O” level again. She may says that she is trying to get them to be realisitic, but I think otherwise, hopefully I am wrong.

First of all, if one of them was her own daughter, she will definitely encourage her own daughter to try for the “O” level and if they happen not to make it, then they can go to ITE. This is my sincere believe, that we should always give everyone a chance, if they qualify. To me, probably the principal is more concern that should they failed, it might not gives the school a 100% pass rate. That is the problem with our school system. We are too preoccupied with result, ranking, etc rather than to bring the best out of our students.

I had been teaching for over 25 years, and yet I try very hard not too be too concern with just academic results. Not that I am trying to boast, but I try to always get my students to involve in activities that will bring some joy to the underpriviledged. To me this can shape the character of our students. Instead of just striving to beat everyone academically, our youngster must also realize that there many that need the assistance of those better off. We must learn to show a little more concern for others rather than to just think only for ourselves.

With this recent uproar, it is a good opportunity for my young readers to learn to appreciate life, instead of just becoming to engross in ourselves over results. Learn to look around you, gives when you need to give instead of always thinking of taking from others or trying to score points by using others

A New Beginning!!!

2008-01-23T13:42:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I was going to HQ with some of my colleagues and one of them commented that I had a “lucky” life. A “lucky” life? No I don’t believe in luck but rather I think I had been much blessed throughout my life.

Life did not start on a bed of roses for me. I came from a very large and poor family. During festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, I would always envy those with lots of new clothing, lots of makan etc. For me, it would be probably only the new piece of cloth that I will have for the whole year.

So, do I begrudge others? No, never. I learn to accept that life was like that, some may be born rich, some may be born poor, some may have plentiful and some may have nothing. I thank my God that through Him, I had learnt to be contented with whatever I have. That is the reason why I had never been an ambitious person. To me as long as I have a clear conscience, never seek to harm others, never stabbed others behind the back, and then I am quite satisfied with my life.

Unfortunately, the world is not like that. My daughter was just telling me how frightening the world looks like as she began to grow older and see how people react. My reply was simple. Just stand by your principles in all that you do, then let others do what they want. If we could influence them, then it will be so much better.

To all my readers, as we start a new year, do pause in your busy life and ask yourselves, “Had I added to mess up world from my actions, speech and characters?” If you had, then make a conscious effort to change and it will do both your body and soul much good.

So to a new year, let there be a new beginning!!!

Looking To A Great Year in 2008!!!

2008-01-08T14:27:00.000+08:00

It had been a loooooong time since I blog. The year of 2007 had come and gone. As I had send sms to some of my friends, In would also like to dedicate the greetings to all my readers.

An old year gone by
A new year coming soon
To a year of disappointment,
We say Goodbye
To a year of success
We say Welcome
Wishing you a great year ahead

Indeed as we paused to think of the past year, we may have many hurts, many disappointment, many fears etc. Just to share one bit of my personal life, just one bit!!!

I remember that on a particular period when I had to face a meeting, great fear was overwhelming me. This management staff was one knows to “whack” those who are in the meeting. Unfortunately I was “assigned” to go for this meeting and there were lots of information that I did not have as I was not provided with. I remembered very clearly that particular Sunday when I went for my church service, I was so much in fright (hey, even an old man can have fright, you know!!!) but thankfully on that day one song which had never been sang before was sang that morning. For those who are not Christian, the song was Amazing Grace and the lyrics go…

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
….

It was that stencil of how the grace of God had relieved me of my fear, and at that moment, I could sense my fear dissipates. And thankfully, during that meeting, I was not one of those that were “slaughtered”, a little exaggerated but really nothing happens to me that day which was a surprise.

With this, I would like to end my blogging today and thank my God for being so real to me when I was in dire and to all my readers, Wishinging You a great year in2008!!!

Live A Life Of No Regret

2007-11-30T14:42:00.000+08:00

Would like to put up a short note on the recent

Cambodia tragedy. Before you read further, can you please join me in a minute of silence, in memory to the 5 young wonderful men who had lost their life?

Life is short, so let us treasure this life that we have. All of us will never know what will happen next, so if you can, express your love to your love ones, says a word of gratitude to those who had done us good, thank those around you, while we are still alive.

A short poem to these young men.

Life come and goes,
Never can we know when we will go.
For your dream, you had pursued,
With a commitment that dearly cost you,
But without regret, I believe
To all of you, I salute
May your soul be forever blessed

Hopefully, this poem will all spurred all my young reader to live a life of no regret.

Salute Such Teachers!!!

2007-11-23T13:16:00.000+08:00

Ya, it’s time to update my blog. Can see lots of cobwebs all over. Anyway would like to share with my readers something that I saw last week that touches my heart.

Last week we had a handover ceremony for a software done for Rainbow Center. If you do not know what this center do, let me give you a short description. This center caters for kids that are a “little” different from normal kids. Some of the kids are autistics; some are with Down syndrome, some with muscular problem. Anyway, it was their graduation ceremony and we too the opportunity to do the handover. This graduation ceremony was one that I had never seemed before. It was so different from any graduation ceremony that I had attended. You can take a look at the photos. The kids were running all over, and teachers were trying to restrain them.

When it was time for some of them to go on stage to perform, teachers were also on stage to assist. Each teacher were looking after a few kids, you could see that the kids were all going a little haywire in their performance. No, I am not trying to laugh at them!!!

What touches me, were the teachers. I could see that they were really one with lots of compassion and patience. Unless you have such characteristic, you can never be a teacher in such school. To these teachers, I take my hat off and salute them. I doubt I will have such compassion and patience to handle such kids. The teachers were really such wonderful teachers, and though at times they are firm with their students, but yet you can see that their love were so evident. How I wish our teachers have such a passion for teaching our students. Too often, I had seen too much of office politics, even in school, that nowadays, teachers are no longer what they used to be. Let’s hope that things will change for the better!!!

Beware Of Repercussion!!!

2007-11-02T13:39:00.000+08:00

My colleague sent me a link about ang mo who bullied an elderly man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB_GoQ-h9Zg Go ahead have a look.

When I first view the video, it tugged at my heart strongly. Not so much on the bullying but rather to see such an old man who was toiling to make a living. Can you see how he strained himself? It was so heart wrenching to see such an old man to be toiling in his twilight of his life. Where is our respect for the elderly? Where is our filial piety? Are all these now just a dying “attitude”? What is happening to our humanity?

Firstly, will we come to a stage where we leave the elderly to fend for themselves while we who had been brought up by them, choose to enjoy our own life without a pang of guilty conscience when we see our parents etc working like that? Let me tell you that I believe in repercussion. For all the evil that we did, we will one day reap the outcome of it. For abandoning the elderly, you may one day be abandon by your own kids!!! Please spare a thought for your elders

Secondly, will the younger generation come to such a deplorable state that we enjoy taunting the elderly, showing no respect at all? So what if you had tones of money? So what if you are filthy rich? So what if you are so influential? To me, you deserve to go to HELL for adopting such an attitude!!! For those who enjoy bullying the elderly, I hope that one day, all your wealth, all your health will be removed from you!!! Sound evil, but I can’t help it when ever I see such incidents. Pardon me

That is the reason why I am so against the policy of having the elderly working to an old age. Hey, give them time to enjoy some life after toiling for so many years, laboring to bring up the family. That’s all for today

I Will Be There!!!

2007-10-29T14:02:00.000+08:00

Saturday newspaper features quite a few articles of ITE students. As I was reading about those articles, it strikes a cord within me. No, I am not boasting about what I had done, but I just want to let all my readers, whether present, past or future students, if you really need help, do drop me a note and I will see what I can do for you.

Helping students to succeed is part and parcel of a teacher job. I still remember very clearly how a young mother was help all the way through her studies in ITE. I had ensure that whatever assistance was available, I will push all the way through so that she can get that extra allowances. I had also help her with some financial assistance from my own pocket, and if I have to do it again, I will!!! At the end after she graduate she sms me and I still keep her sms and this is exactly what her sms was “ Cher, thx 4 supporting me s a student n showing me d route of becoming a better person. Appreciate it.. thx” Such message touches my heart, which counts more that any award ITE gives.

Another case was about this student whose family was living with the uncle who is the bread winner. Unfortunately his uncle was arrested for an offence and the whole family was wrecked. He wanted to stop studying and together with another colleague, we encourage him to continue and suggested that he may want to consider signing on with the navy so that they can pay him an allowance while he was studying, He did apply and was accepted, but it was during this transition time that he desperately needed some cash to help the family to pull through. I know that I was not the only one who gave him some money, there was another 2 staff that did so and we did not pressure him to return us the money. But he was matured enough to pay us when the navy pays him a lump sum for the training he undergone in ITE for the last one year. Now he had also graduated.

I can go on and on with more stories, but I will stop here. What is my purpose of sharing such stories?No, I am not trying to boast. I am trying to tell all my young readers, if ever you fall in situation where you find it hard to continue your studies, drop me a note and I will sit through with you and see what can be done. Never mind if you do not know me very well, I will still try to help you through. Even to those who had left ITE and are pursuing studies at other institution, you can still look for me if ever you need help!!! I will not turn you down. Only not too long ago, one of the student who is studying in Poly, call me almost at mid night and was desperately needing some help and I was glad that I could offer him some suggestion and thankfully the problem was solved even before he need to do what I suggested.

A teachers’ job is not only to mould those who are still with them in school. If we could be an influence to the young people in their future lives to be a better person, then we will!!!

Don't Be Too Gullible!!!

2007-10-22T13:36:00.000+08:00

A week had gone by since school started. It had actually started on the wrong “manner”, but will not elaborate as I do not want to hurt that teacher feeling. But I can tell you that it was a great disappointment on the way the class was conducted.

Back to what I would like to blog. This world is made of all sorts of people. There are some that we seem unable to understand why they react in a certain way. Just as reported in the newpaper about a tuition teacher who claimed that a young girl was offering herself for money so that she can buy some branded goods. On the same day, her parent made a police report, he also make a report later on the same day. Not only this, he also called her school vice principal that some of her classmates were seem passing some white “substances” and called the school claiming that he is from HSA. Later, it was found that he is not from HSA and now he denies saying that he said that. I tend to believe the vice-principal. Why should the vice principal make up such a claim? To me, more likely it was his way in taking “vengeance” against this girl who had made a police report. Worst still, it was reported that he is a counselor who is helping wayward students!!!

I can tell you that indeed there are many such wolves in sheep skins. I had seemed too many who claimed that they are trying to help such innocent youngsters, but there is always a motive behind such “help”.

So to all my young readers, you must not always be too gullible to accept and trust those that whom profess to want to help you. Do make a subtle check on such people. Too often our youngster are so easily swayed by sweets words, some “kind” gestures etc and they easily fall for such tricks.

No I am not saying that all who offered to help such wayward youngster are wolves!!! But I would just like to caution, especially all the young ladies out there, to be a little cautious when accepting help especially from a stranger, worst still from a “stranger man”.

Unselfish Spirit!!!

2007-10-03T20:31:00.000+08:00

Wow, this must be my longest absent from blogging. Somehow, just too lazy to write. So anyway, here I am, wondering what should I write.

Anyway was having a chat with my youngest daughter and commented that nowadays, youngster is too much into themselves. Surprisingly, she agreed wholehearted with me. So what was the problem? She shared that it had very much to do with our education system. When she was in school, she remarked that too often her former school classmates would be very unwilling to share their notes as they wants to top the class. Nothing wrong with wanting to top a class, but if you were to go to this extend, a selfish nature, then what is the use of topping the class? The school system had seemed to mould our youngster into thinking of themselves and not wanting to be a source of blessing or a source of help to the others.

I hope that if any teachers are reading this blog, do highlight this very bad “nature”. Try encouraging them to be a selfless person, to develop an attitude to help others. In my days, there were no such things as my notes only, we shared with one another what we have, though there may be one or two who are unwilling, but I can tell you that this is only a very very small minority.

I don’t know, but I really hope to see more youngsters showing a little more compassionate spirit, rather than they are too much “into themselves”. To all my young readers, do make a conscious effort to start showing an unselfish spirit. Do not think that I may be the only one doing it, so it will not make any difference. NO!!!! As the Chinese saying goes, the whole mile journey begins with the first step. So if you start making a conscious effort to change, the effect will soon snowballed to a movement that may eventually change the world we are living in. Your first effort may touch another youngster and thereby, it will soon have a great effect on the whole human being. SO START BEING THE FIRST PERSON TO SHOW AN UNSELFISH SPIRIT!!!

Was So Glad!!!

2007-09-03T12:54:00.001+08:00

Receive a call from one of my previous student who sends me greetings for the Teacher’s Day. Then be begun to share with me of how he was coping with his studies in the Poly. I was very pleased when I hear from him. No, not because he remembers me for Teacher’s Day, but because of what he did in Poly. So what was it that he did that caused me to be so pleased?

Here, he relate how because he was an ex-ITE students in Info-comms and with the knowledge he acquired in ITE, he was one of the better one who knows the subject, as compared with those who just came from “O” level. The best thing was that when he was asked by his lecturer to help the other, he did not refrain from helping them.

This was something that I had always been hoping to see in my students. A desire to be a blessing to other, never a selfish type, one who is willing to share what he or she has. To me, I would have considered that I had done justice to my calling as a teacher. No, I do not hope for gifts from students during such occasion such as Teacher’s Day, as long as I know that each and everyone is turning out to be good citizens, I would be very glad!!!

I would deemed myself as a failure, if my students had grown up to be selfish person or one who only cares for himself. All that I had done as a teacher, whether it is through my actions, my speech or even as in this blog, I just hope that it will have an impact on my students and that they will be changed to be a better person, a compassionate human being, always prepared to help others instead of just thinking of themselves!!!

With this note, I will end my blog and hopes that all who read will make a conscious effort to be a source of blessing to others

Take Every Opportunity!!!

2007-08-27T14:45:00.000+08:00

Last week, went to the hospital to visit one of my students who graduated more than 10 years ago. Unfortunately, though she was only 37, she was stricken down with stroke. Thankfully she is recovering well, though abit slow in her speech.

As I was talking with her, she relates how she had not taken the opportunity to further her studies and even after so many years she is just a draftswoman. There were numerous occasion when she was asked to join her classmates to further her studies but she declined due to some reasons. I could sense a pinch of regret from her tone. Now she is working in one of the MNC and her classmate is an architect there but she is just a draftswoman.

It dawn to me that for all my young readers, if you ever had a chance to further your studies, please do so. Do not missed out any opportunities that you could have if you are ever given a chance to further your studies, That is why I was so glad, if you had read my past post, when I heard of one student looking for ways to further his studies while he is still in National Service. This student was one who never believes in studying. The student was one who always will tell you that money can be earned easily without a qualification. Now I am so glad that he had seen the “light” and realize that to survive in Singapore, you will somehow need some qualification.

Yes, take every opportunity to move ahead. Do not missed the boat. Just like this young lady, it may be too late to progress any further especially so when she is now down with stroke.

The other issue is that please take good care of your health. I had noticed that nowadays, too many of our youngster is indulge in unwholesome habits, such as drinking. You will never believe that I had once seem a photo of my ex-students who was so drunk that he looks so horrible in that photo!!! Smoking and drinking will definitely harm your health. You may not know, but one day, you will soon face the consequences of what you had sowed!!! So take care everyone!!!

A Second Chance!!!

2007-08-06T14:05:00.000+08:00

Terrible!!! Terrible!!! Terrible!!! Are we really seeing the end of a real education system? To the puzzled, let me tell you what happened last week. Will not mention names.

Last week, I met one of the student parents. Their child was in some problem and was not able to come to school for a period. Don’t ask me what problem, if I tell you what the problem, then the all those involved will be easily identified. And as I say, I will not seek to identify them so as not to jeopardize their career. Back to the story. So a solution was suggested. The father seeks a second chance for his kid to continue studying with us.
But I got a shock, when the management came back to the class advisor saying that unless we can guarantee that this kid can complete the full studies with us, then we should attrite ( a better word for sacked) this kid. When I heard this, I was fully taken aback!!! Huh? How can an educational institution reacts in such manner. Don’t they know what is compassion? Don’t they know what is giving a person a second chance, even if there only a slim hope? Do they believe in “once a thief, always a thief”?

How can? I was boiling inside when I heard this. I told the class advisor to write to the management, that we ought to give this kid a second chance. I just don’t understand how could Singapore School system comes to this stage? You may says that I am a little too generalize as this happens only for this case. No, I had seen how the management are so keen in what they called KPI ie Key performance Indicators, adopted from the west. To me, how can a school adopt this? Can anyone says that I can achieve 100% pass for my students? Bullshit!!! Every child is made differently. Some will learn fast and some will learn slowly. Some are academically inclined and do well and yet some will fail. This is especially true for a technical institution where the lowest 20% of each cohort comes to us. Are we really miracle maker that we can transformed this lowest cohort of students to be ALL so successful and will all pass? Sad to says, I find our management too engrossed in scoring points, that we fails to see the basic of an education center. Just like the kid I mentioned above, even if this kid will finally drop out and leave the school, at least if we had provided this kid with a second chance, our conscience is cleared and I can proudly lift my head and says that I had done our best. Hopefully, my young readers will catch this spirit of a true education, that should they be teachers in days to come, they will never, never write off any students and be always prepare to give them a second chance

A Little Kindness

2007-07-26T09:05:00.000+08:00

It had been almost a month that I had updated my blog. Feeling very lethargic and seems to have run out of energy to press on. Not sure why but somehow within me, seems “lost in space”. Hopefully this feeling will soon go away. One of the main reasons affecting my mood is the recent hostage case in Taliban.

Just for info, incase you have not been reading the newspaper; a group of 23 humanitarian Koreans went to Taliban to help those affect by the war. Their cause was a noble cause. How many of us are really willing to go to a foreign country to help those in need without a thought of our own safety and comfort? Too many of us are enjoying our comfort zone; this is especially true for Singaporean!!!

But instead of appreciating these Koreans who had given up of their own comfort zone, they were instead held hostage by these rebels. And worst still, today paper reported that one of them was already executed with more than 10 bullets shot through him. I really cannot accept this fact!!! How can a human being be so cruel and unappreciative of what others are trying to do for them? These Koreans were here to help, not to be politically involved and for their kindness they were repaid with evil. I pray that whoever is reading this blog will spend a moment to whisper a prayer for these Koreans.

So back to we, in Singapore. No I am not asking my readers to volunteer themselves for such humanitarian cause, though it will be good if you do, but I would like to remind all who are reading, to learn to show kindness to those who had shown kindness to us. Better still if you could show kindness to those who had not even shown any kindness to us. As you learn to sow kindness, you will cultivate in you a loving spirit that will glow within you and will definitely be shown outwardly without you knowing it.

Remember, a little kindness will sure do good to our human race, if only everyone of us show a little kindness!!!

Never Give Up!!!

2007-07-07T09:43:00.000+08:00

I was very encouraged when one of my ex-student called me a few days ago. Here was a student who had been “challenging” me that he does not need a certificate to survive in Singapore. During his days in ITE, he would often come up to me to have a chat and keep telling me that he could make a sum of money without having to study so hard. No matter how much I tried to encourage him to do better in his study so that he could progress further, it always falls into a deaf ear. No, do not be mistaken. To other teacher, he may seem like a “Ah Beng”, but I always believe that deep within him, he is a nice person, but he just does not want to show it as it may “tarnish” his “cool Image”

Anyway, he called me late one night and he began to seek my advice of whether he should go to a night class while he is still in the police or should he starts schooling again after he finish serving his national service. He was so keen to catch back all those “lost” time during his 2 years of studies in my institute. He was even prepared to study as many nights as possible so that when he finished serving his national service, he could leap frog into the 2nd year and move forward to the Poly.

I tell you, I was so moved by his desire to progress in his studies. I was very glad that the “seed” that I had sowed in his heart had begun to bear fruit. I had always told all my students that they need to do well as this maybe their only chance to go for further studies. This is especially true for those with GCE “NT” certificate. After their GCE, the only place they can go to is ITE and no where else. If they were to put in extra effort, then they may have a hope of going straight to the Poly. I had seen many of my ex-student going to the Poly and had even shared their “feeling” of a great future ahead of them!!! To this student, I say “Keep Pressing On, Keep Seeking Ways To Further Your Studies, Never Give UP!!!”

Unfortunately, this is true in our country. We need a certificate to survive as shown by this student who is trying hard to make up for his lost time. That is why in this journal, I had tried to send words that encourages, that will change life, that will make some impact to my young readers. It may not show now, but I never give up hope that one day, what I had written will began to bear fruits in the lives of all my readers!!! So do keep coming back and read what I will write.

To all my young readers, feel my heartbeat and do something with your life so that it will be a blessings to others instead of always sulking away, saying that others do not understand you

The Heart Of A Human, GREED!!!

2007-07-01T16:02:00.000+08:00

The heart of man is something that is very difficult to understand. It happens again and again. What I am referring to is that the greed of a human can never be under estimated. First it was the Kidney Foundation where millions of dollars were siphon to other purposes instead of helping those in needs. Then it happen to St John Home for the Elderly, where the supervisor of the home gone missing with almost all of its reserves.

I really cannot understand human being. These oganisations were founded with the purpose of helping the needy. And yet, the very people entrusted to run it ended with greed in their heart and instead of helping these needy, they end up on the wrong side of these organization noble purposes.

To all my young reader, as you grow older and began to see the value of money, do not be too engrossed with it. As the saying goes, “Money is the root of all evil”. No, money itself is required for our daily living, but if all our focus is on making more money, with no compassion in our heart, then you may end up being a servant to money and will eventually be so caught up in making more and more money until you will be filled with greed as happen to these 2 man.

That is why it is so important that we learn to be compassionate as when we have a heart of compassion then will we be able to free from the greed of money. As you start making money when you work, may I suggest that you give a little to the society, and as you learn to give, you will definitely feel the joy of seeing others being helped from your generosity. The world will be a better to place to live if all of us start to be more generous in offering ourselves instead of always looking to what we can gain from the others.

So, to all my young readers, HAVE A HEART FULL OF COMPASSION AND GREED WILL NOT TAKES HOLD OF YOU!!!

A Life Of Vengence???

2007-06-22T12:34:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, student never failed to shock me with their behaviour and attitude. Let me relate a recent incident. There was this student who was given exemption for certain module due to some reason, so this student had been enjoying the free days as this student does not have to turn up for classes during those period. YA, when enjoying those free days and hours, no complaint!!! So when the result came out, this student was rejected by the few Polys as this student GPA score was way below the minimum requirement.

Here goes the interesting part. First, this student claims that if he/she had taken the module that was exempted, this student will be able to do very well, to score an “A”. Hello, what make you think you will score an “A”. In fact the results reflected in the transcript shows a few “C”s. So, this student together with the parents came to see us. We were even threatened that they will write all the way to MOE to complaint about this issue. Out of a good heart, we told the parent that we will seek the help of our friends from the Poly to see whether he can be admitted. We NEVER promise that he/she will get a place. There was a mini “outroar” over this issue. Finally in frustration, I worked out this student GPA score, showing that even if this student was to be awarded and “A” for the exempted module, he/she will still be far short of the min entry requirement to Poly. After seeing that, they “toned” down a little and ask us to try our best to get a place in Poly for this student. We actually did our very best. One of my colleagues even drove this student down personally to one of the Poly, trying to make an appointment for this student to talk directly with the admission dept from Poly. Unfortunately, this student was not accepted.

A few days earlier, we were shocked to hear that they was a letter written to MOE and we were asked to answer the complaint!!! My goodness, after all that we had done, and even showing that if this student was to get an “A”, there was no way this student can get into Poly. This is the “gratitude” shown to us for going the extra mile. Just because this student cannot get into Poly, this student seems to be taking “revenge” by shootings letters all over!!! Is this what will comes out of the next generation? I hope that this is just a special case and does not reflect the attitude of the future generation.

It will be a sad day for the human races if we human were to reacts in such a way. If we do not get what we want, then, I will make sure life will be miserable for all others!!! If our youngster have such an attitude, then we will be what the Chinese says “You are a BEAST!!!” Yes, we will then degenerate to no more better than a BEAST!!!

So to all who reads, please do not build within you, a life of vengeance. Do learn to appreciate what others had done for you; learn to live a life of gratitude.

To A Better Future!!!

2007-06-13T11:46:00.000+08:00

I had a discussion with my elder daughter these few days. As she was attached to the SAGE (for those who don’t know, it stands for Singapore Action Group of Elders), she had began to realize how bad the situation for the lowly income people.

She relate to me how an elderly man called the SAGE and was asking whether there are any free wheel chair for him as he had just been discharged from the hospital. My daughter try calling all over, the many non profit organizations, but none offer any free wheel chair, either he had to buy one or rent one. Imagine, he already had problem with surviving and where will he find the means to buy one!!! When my daughter relates the incident to me, I tried looking for a cheap one and was prepared to buy one for him, but then it seems that the case was closed and no further action was needed. No, I am not trying to say that I am so rich or so charitable, but it pulls in my heart to see that no organizations, homes charity etc can offer a free wheel chairs? AS my daughter had pointed out correctly, in the coming years, there will be more aged citizen in Singapore. I can safely say that not all these aged citizen are well to do and in fact there will be a big chunk who will find difficulties in getting such help. I can foresee many elderly who will “waste” their life always in agony and in sorrow as there are many who are “single aged”. So how?

This is something that will depend a lot on the young generation. If the younger generation does not have a compassionate heart then I see a gloomy future for this aged citizen. To all my young reader, I hope and pray that your eye will be “opened” to the need of these people. I do come across a few of the youngster with a golden heart, but these are just only a handful. Unless our youngster start developing a caring heart when they are young, then it may be too late. A CARING PERSON DOES NOT APPEAR OVERNIGHT!!! Characters need to be developed, need to be shaped, need to be moulded!!! It takes time and it takes a conscious effort to be a more compassionate person.

It things does not change, then it will become a vicious circle. Today youngster will become tomorrow aged citizen, and if today youngster does not have a compassionate heart, then they will never be able to impart such values to their next generation.

With this, I will end my blog here; hopefully it will spark some fire in some of my young readers.

Learn From Your Past!!!

2007-05-28T16:07:00.001+08:00

Almost half a year had gone by. So how is our life going on? Like my daughter says “JC life is tough!!!” So say I the same thing. Life is always tough. When young, we think of how we can grow up faster so that we can be more self reliance and have our own money and do what we like. But when you start working like me, after sometime, you wished you were a student with no worry of making a living and living a comfortable lifestyle.

Let me tell you, life is never ever going to be what we want it to be, a life with no worry, a life with no regrets, a life with no heartaches, a life with no rejection etc. Life will always be a challenge to all of us, as long as we are a living person. The main issue is that, do we learn from all these experiences and move on to be a better person. Sad to says, many of us do not reflect back on what happen but keep doing the wrong things over and over again. It is easier said than done, but if only we learn from our past experience and makes a change for the better, and then we will always be in a “slump”

Let me share with you a true happening only this week. If you had recalled a very early entry of how a student kept a school asset claiming that she had returned it and then when a reward was announced, she miraculous found it. This same student now seems to be facing another main problem from another school she is attending now. The head is asking us for some details. She NEVER LEARNS!!! To be frank, she had in fact commit an offence earlier before the lost item and I and another staff had personally help her as she was crying so badly when caught. Hoping that she will learn, but instead she still takes us for a ride and claim the reward for the “lost” item. So it began to “pile” up and she had develop a character that is found wanting!!! Now she is in deep shit!!!

So, to all my young reader, do learn from your mistake and try not to repeat the same mistake, hoping that you will get away with it. Sorry, I believe strong in this verse. “You will reap what you sowed!!!” Indeed, what you had done and being refused to make a change, sooner or later, your wrong doing will catch up with you and you will have to pay for it.

So take time to reflect and let us all learn from our mistakes and from our past!!!

What Went Wrong In Our School System?

2007-05-22T14:07:00.000+08:00

Is our school system really developing the desired students that society is looking for? Before I answer, I must make it clear that I am not in any political party trying to denounce our government, No, our government had done well and I am one of those that had benefited from its policy. From poverty, I am now Ok, not rich, though, can survive without much of a problem.

Back to what I want to write. Somehow, I feel that our education system is moving on the wrong track. You read of how a JC student who whacks a bus driver and the father had to beg for forgiveness on his behalf. Will not relate the story. But the issue is, that from one of the top school in Singapore, out comes such behavior. Surely, we expect better characters from such top school. So where went wrong? No, I don’t blame the boy too much, although he must also be responsible for what he did. I sincerely believe that it is what is happening in the school system that is causes such problem. It is what we in the education call KPI, or Key Performance Indicator. We are so consumed with such performance indicator, such as percentage of passing rate, percentage of drop out, etc that at times, our full concentration is on meeting these targets that we fail to groom our students to a person of good moral value.

If only we will return to old days of educating our youngster, where we do not have to worry of punishing our students, where we do not have to keep ensuring that they will score very well in exam only, then things will look much better.

When I first started teaching, if a student is really not behaving, we will definitely discipline them without fear of having their parents complaining. Nowadays, I see too many teachers who worry too much of having parents complaining about them, that they will tends to give too much leeway to our youngster. That is why; our students are getting bolder and react without much restraint!!! I can tell you that I missed the old days of a teaching life. I now tend to be losing my passion for teaching as we become more and more incline to meet all those key performance indicators!!! Hopefully things will be better and changes will take place in the education sector, if not I dread the out come of our future youngster

Cheers!!! A Salute To This Youngster!!!

2007-05-11T08:54:00.000+08:00

It is time for me to write something less gloomy. If I keep “harping” on our youngster, one day they will throw a chair at me. So must write something different. To “save” my own skin lah!!! Hahaha

Anyway, back to what I want to write. Was very glad to read an article recently about a young undergrad (youngster again!!! Arghh!!!). No, this is different. It was reported that she had been doing volunteering work since at a young age and when given a choice for her university studies, she choose to major in Social Work as she wanted to continue her passion in helping others. It was so refreshing to me when I read the write out about her. This is a true story of someone who wants to help others without any string attached, without seeking some fame or glory. And to better prepared herself to help others; she had chosen to major in something that will be of great help to her, in assisting and helping others.

It touches my heart to see someone some passionate in social work. Let me tell you, social work is not an easy career. If you are going to take social work as a career then probably, you will fall along the way, giving up your work. Not only is it a demanding job, but sometimes it is very heart wrenching. I know as I had personally experience this in one of the survey that I had conducted for the CDC.

I was assigned to do a simple survey at Bukit Merah one room flat. And as I was going from house to house, the sight that “welcomes” me was very painful. I see a room that was filled with junks as the old lady was hoping that she could sell some of them for a little money. Another house was smelt with urine. The stench was so overwhelming when the old lady opens the door. She had no one to help her cleaned her house as she was frail and old. At another home, the lady simply refuses to let me go as she had no one to talk to. Then another family was almost “begging” me to help them to get assistance for their utilities bills as they fear that it will be cut off soon due to non payment for almost 6 months. I can go on and on sharing with all of you what I saw that night, but I will stop here. (hey supposed to write something happy, but how did I side track)

Anyway, for this young lady, who had so much compassion for the underprivileged, I salute her. I do wish that all my young reader as they grow up, they will spare some thoughts for these people. Many of our youngsters probably had not seen any poor people, really poor, as they are very often shelter by their families. But let me tell you, such people do exist even in our affluent society, even in this well develop country!!!

So, le us cheer for this young lady and hopefully for the many others we do not come across!!!

CHEERS!!!!

What Is Happening To Our Youngster?

2007-05-02T11:44:00.000+08:00

It was very disturbing when I read last Sunday New Paper. Shocking, disbelief, saddening, chill running down my spine, etc I can go on and on about how I feel. As I was telling my daughter, I am not out to “degrade” our youngster, but somehow, reports from the newspaper are “confirming” how I feel about our youth. Maybe as I had always says, I somehow can read people, so I guess I am probably right in my views of the youngsters.

For those who did not read the article. Briefly this is what was reported. Headline … “She deserves it…” The story was about the death of a young girl who was drowned in the canal, while playing with her friends. There was this girl who was either the deceased classmates or school mates. When she knew that this girl was drowned, she wrote in her blog that the deceased deserved to die!!!. My goodness, this comes from a girl of only 14 years old. How revengeful she must be. No matter what others did to us, we should never be cursing the other person to be dead!!! Her heart must be made of STONE!!! I can’t imagine how she will eventually grow up to be. One who is always out for revenge? One who delights in the misfortunes of the others? One who is always unforgiving? One who gloat over others misery? If at this young age, she is like that, then I can expect her to grow up worst, unless she makes a change in her life.

This is not the only article about how terrible our youth are. The following day, it was reported that a group of about 50 other students whack her for what she wrote in her blog. My goodness, now, a group of our so called, future generation, are acting like hooligans!!! The girl may be wrong, but what give this group of student the right to “execute” judgment that they think is correct? Is our future youngster going to grow up to be like that? I really worry very much for our future generations. I hope all my young readers who are reading this blog will make a conscious effort to change for the better before the future turns bleak for them. Do something today!!! Do something that is compassionate!!! Show a little kindness. Have a little more patience with others.

I guess that’s all I have to blog for today.

Do Not LIve To Regret!!!

2007-04-22T19:18:00.000+08:00

Yesterday my eldest daughter went to a wake of his friends’ late mother. The mother was involved in a terrible accident and died on the spot. My daughter told me that her former classmate was so heart broken. It causes me ponder that too often our youngster tends to regret too late. Not that I am always trying to pick on our youngster, but unfortunately, I am a little pessimistic about our youth this day. I read too often in my student’s blog about how they are very much unhappy with their parents. At times, they even used harsh words about their parents. It is only when their parents are not around then they start lamenting. You would notice that in many of my blogging, I am trying to steer our youngster to a path that they will learn to be good person, not just academically but more important, morally!!! But as a parent, what is the use of lamenting for them when they are no longer around? Youngster should learn to show their parents due respect and appreciation. But instead of these, I had too often heard of them raising their voices to their parents, slamming the doors at the parent when they are not happy.

Let me tell you, in my days, if we ever do such things, you can expect a good spanking from our parents. No questions asked, a good spanking then they let you know why? Answer? Very simple!!! No matter what, you have to show respect to the elders!!! So I would encourage all my young readers to show love and appreciate to their parents while they are still around.

The other thing is that the deceased was only about early 50s. Life is very uncertain. Any thing can happen without even us realizing it. So, may I encourage all my young reader to value their lives while they are still living. Do things that you will not destroy your life. That which is of good value, do not refrain from doing them. As many of you have been blessed with a comfortable life, do not forget those that are less privilege. As each and every one of you venture into a working life soon, do spare a thought for the many elderly who might be struggling to life a simple life. It is heart breaking to see old ladies collecting empty drinks cans at the hawker center, just so that they could have a simple meal. Please do not be too materialistic and too individualist, caring only for yourself. I guess that all I have to blog for today, hopefully, it will not depress you after reading but rather make you change your whole lifestyle, a lifestyle that will bless others.

Think Before You Spent!!!

2007-04-06T11:09:00.000+08:00

It happens again. No, I don’t purposely look out for youngster doing wrong things and harp on them, taking every opportunity to “shoot” them down. Well this is what happens yesterday. I was taking the MRT at Clementi and was looking out of the glass door. Then at a later station, a school girl came in and she was on her handphone. You know what was she saying. No, I don’t eavesdrop, but she was talking a little loud so I heard her phrase. This is what she says. “Hey, call me leh. talk to me leh” She was trying all the time to get have a chat with some one. Is there nothing better to do than to try asking people chat with her? Even if hers is a free incoming call what about the other party? Do they not value the hard earned money their parents had to pay for such nonsensical usage?

This situation was even more glaring when later, I saw my niece. Hey, my niece is a reporter from Today and she writes very good reports. Her name is Jasmine Yin, so the next time you pick up the Today, lookout for her articles. Anyway, she recently reported on the public assistance, the issue about how the poor received only $270 a month, to pay for their daily meals, utilities, rents, medical cots etc. Imagine living on $270 a month and to pay for all these basic essentials!!! She related to me, how she was interviewing an old elderly lady who was having her lunch and she had a fish that she would only eat a little and the other portion will be kept for dinner and for another day. “It was so heartbreaking” she said.

Too many of our young people had never lived in such condition before. They never appreciate what they had. Just as I had mentioned earlier, this school girl, probably, only 14 years old, spend her time calling for others to just chat with her, even though she had nothing to chat. It was simply out of boredom and she just MUST CHAT with someone. It is ok, if you do it once in a while. But they way she keep calling, it shows that she had been doing this very often and it sounded like desperation!!! IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SHE WILL DIE IF NO ONE CHAT WITH HER!!! No, she does not look like she need help, she was cheerfully calling one after another, just trying her luck to have someone to chat with.

Hello, my young reader, do value the money that you are having now. You will probably feel it when you start working. Making a living is never easy. The poor old lady who eat her fish portion by portion shows how valuable it was. So do think about this old lady before you start splurging on something so expensive just for its brand.

Prove Me Wrong!!!

2007-03-29T15:59:00.000+08:00

I am going to blog about something that I think will create an uproar from my young reader. So before you proceed to read further, please be tolerant and let us learn to accept different views as this is a real world and each of us may see things in a different perspective.

So this is what happens. I was at Suntec and did not drive there. As it was raining cats and dogs, so I decided to take the free shuttle bus from Suntec. As I board the bus, there were not many seats left as it was raining. At the back, there was a row of seats, about 6 seats in a row. And here was a young man, seated in the middle of the row with his legs wide open, thus blocking the way for others to take the inside seat. Not only that, he pretended to be asleep, with his eyes closed and even if you are standing in front of him, he pretend not to see anything, but keep his “golden” eyes shut!!! As though someone is going to gorge out his eye balls, so must protect them with his eyes tightly shut.

I felt so disturbed with this young man attitude. Is this how our youngster is being brought up? He was a decent looking man, not those Ah Beng type. Yet, his behaviour speaks worst than a Ah Beng!!! With more that 10 years of education and yet this is the outcome! Maybe, my young reader will jump up in protest of me singling out the youngster. No, I agreed that there are many older people who are like that, but many of such older generation do not have the privilege of going through more than 10 years of education. So I tend to give them a little leeway in their behaviour. But our youngster? How can they behave like that? I can’t imagine what values they are going to impart to their children. I mean, you will have the courtesy to at least give some space for others to take the inner seat or if you ARE REALLY THAT TIRED, which I doubt so, as when his phone rings, immediately it was answered, then move your ASS and take the inner seat!!!

To me, youngster now adays are too much into themselves. All they care about is as long as their needs are met, then, to hell with the rest of the world!!! I may sound too harsh, but this is what I had been seeing so often with the way our youngster had behaves. Sure, my daughters will always say that I am always stereotyping the youth, but unless the majority shows otherwise, I doubt I am very wrong. I had seen too often how our youth behaves and it really disturbs me, they don’t give me the assurance that things will be better when they take over in the near future. Hey, prove me wrong, and I will be very glad and happy!!!

Persevere, Persevere, Persevere!!!

2007-03-21T18:47:00.000+08:00

Last week received a sms from one of my student who had just completed her studies in Mar this year. Would like to share with you all this sms, and it goes “Cher, thx 4 supporting me as a student n showing me the route of becoming a better person. Appreciate it.. Thx”

It touches my heart to read this sms and would like to share with all of you about this student (hey, I am trying to boast but to encourage all to persevere). You may have read about her in my very earlier post, but for the benefits of all who had not read, here it goes.

She is just only about 18 years and already a mother of one and when she was in ITE during her 1st year, she was expecting her second baby and she is a single mother. Life was hard for her as her then husband was in jail and she was trying to cope with the help of her aged mother. When the school fees were for the second semester, she had no money to pay and she was very keen to continue her studies. So I help her to apply for a bursary but she need to make payment earlier, but she approach me to her to pays 1st and says that she will pay me when she gets the bursary. It was Ok with me , so I paid her school fees for her 1st. When she got her bursary, unfortunately she needs the money as the baby was already born. So she told me that she will pay me in installment when she starts working part time. I told her that I could write off the money but she insisted that as she had promised to pay me back, she will. Finally she had repaid me what she loan. Now she is hoping that her result will be good enough to get a place in poly. To her, I wished her all the best.

To all my young readers. I doubt many of you will face a situation like her. A single mother with 2 kids, an aged mother to look after, need to study full time, still need to work after school to make a living and yet able to survive through two years and will be graduating soon!!! I she can survive in such a harsh condition, I see no reason why the rest of you cannot.

If ever you need help, you can rest assured that I will be there for my students, juts as long as you are genuinely in need, whether financially, mentally or emotionally, I will offer you a listening ear, just don’t give up!!!

Not many of us are born with a silver spoon, i.e. born into a rich family, so we have not worries at all. Many of us are born into a family that will need us to work hard to survive. Unfortunately, in Singapore, no one can survive, if you just laze around and hope for things to happen. This is so especially true for my students. Out of the many students graduated in Dec, I heard of many who sighed and was discourage as they cannot progress on to Poly. If you had not put in some hard work during your 2 years of studies in ITE, then how can you expect to progress further in your studies? So, BUCK UP AND STUDY!!!

What Bless My Heart?

2007-03-13T19:35:00.000+08:00

Just received a call from one of my former student. He told me that he was accepted into Republic Poly and from his voice; I could sense that he was overjoyed with the acceptance. He keeps telling me that he wants to give me a treat which I doubt I will accept.

This is what keeps me going as a teacher. Every time I hear from a student that he had made progress and he is moving forward, it blessed my heart. It is not the increment that I get for my salary or a promotion that makes me joyful. These are just plus point to me that do not affect me very much. If it ever comes along, then good, if not, then it will still make no difference to me. Let me tell you that this student was from a “Normal Tech” stream, not the express students. I had always says that as long as you are willing to put effort into your study, you can make it to Poly. So to all my “NT” students, never loose heart, never let others says you are hopeless, just put in your best and there will always be an opening for you, either to Poly or to Higher Nitec that provides an opportunity to Poly.

Sad to says, too many of ITE students do not see the importance of putting in their best in their studies. In actual fact, I just received an email from another student who does not qualify for even higher Nitec and was asking me for assistance. Unfortunately, it is too late to do anything now. This student had not been putting much effort during his/her studies in ITE and now hope to find ways and means to be accepted into higher Nitec. Unfortunately, this is REAL LIFE!!! If no effort in put in, then you can never expect to be able to move on in your studies. I had seen this being repeated over and over again. When they are in ITE, they don’t have too much foresight, and when everything is over, then they start looking for ways and means to move on. So if you are reading my blog and are still studying in ITE, then please start putting some effort into your studies as it is never too late to start now!!

I hope to hear from more of my students who have managed to go into Poly to drop me a note, so that at least I know that you are doing fine and are moving on well in life. So all the best to all my former students!!!

Never Be Ashamed!!!

2007-03-05T10:58:00.000+08:00

Last week was a week where we read of how well our students had been doing for their “A” level results. There were reports of students achieving fantastic results and my daughter also casually mention that she also wants such result for her “A” level.

Here I want to comment, “are we too result orientated? Can’t we see beyond results?”
Let me share what “strike” me last Friday, I went to Ngee Ann Poly to see how our students were doing in their enrichment course, They were to add audio to some music and clip art for the audio broadcasting. There was one group who had students who are not able to speak very well compared to the rest. But to me, it was one of the best broadcasting, not because they were good or either that their work was fantastic. It was simply because, they group that consist of not very eloquent speaker, had put in their best!!! They were not ashamed that they cannot speak well, they were not afraid of others laughing at them compared to others who had put up an eloquent audio. To me these are students who had done their best and even though they may not be “A”s or excellent in their work, they are the people who DARES TO PUT UP THEIR AUDIO CLIP EVEN IF OTHERS WERE TO LAUGHT AT THEM!!!!

Too often, who are too engrossed with people who had scored “A”s in their exam or who can go up on stage and speak without stage fright or student who are exceptional in certain areas. But we failed to see those that had put in their best effort and still does not shine. So what? To all my readers and students, take heart, as long as you had done your best and not shortchange yourselves, then there is nothing to be ashamed of.

At times, it is up to us to make life much easier and more accommodating. We at times, put too much pressure on ourselves and make ourselves miserable. Come on, take a break, relax a little, go enjoy yourself once in a while. Do not be too tense up or try to keep up with the “Jones”. As the Chinese saying goes, “ there is always a mountain higher than a high mountain” something like that lah! I must be getting “cheena”, been using Chinese saying in so many of my recent blog. Anyway, hopefully this will help my readers to life a life more satisfying and less pressuring.

Don't Burn The Bridges!!!

2007-03-01T14:21:00.000+08:00

Had not updated my blog for quite sometime. No excuses, just laziness!!! Hahaha.

Let me take sometime to reflect on the recent festive season. To me it was just another holiday, but it does reveals something that we all must practice.

We as human being have different nature; different characters and at times it will cause unnecessary friction between one another. No one is perfect, no one can claim that he or she is always in the right and all the others are in the wrong. Chinese New Year is a time that we take the opportunity to visit our relatives and to connect with one another.

This is something that we oriental do every year. This is something that I would like to encourage all my young readers to do. Irregardless of whether you like or dislike your relatives, it is an opportunity for us to build bridges with one another. Too often I had seen how when we were young, we always think that there is no need for bridges to be built with our relatives but as we grow older you will find the need of having the support of your closed one. No, I am not advocating that we are trying to make use of one another, but as the saying goes, no man is an island, there is no way that we will ever be able to survive by our own, especially when you grow old. Many of my young readers may not agree to this, but unfortunately this is life and is a reality that will come to everyone of us.

It is so sad to read of how a mother support her son to be a doctor through her “dirty” work as a cleaner, as claimed by her son, and finally being thrown out of the house and had to survive alone. One day, this young man will definitely have his retribution for what he did. And then what happen to this old lady, if only she had other relatives to be with her to give her support, life would be much easier than having to have a packet of Maggie noodles for her meal. It is so sad to see how human can degrade themselves to do such a thing!!!

Whether you like it or not, your friends will not be with you always!!! Friends come and go, and when they have their own family, sooner or later, you will be drifted apart. But your relatives and closed one will always be there, as the Chinese saying goes, blood is thicker than water!!! So do learn to be tolerant of your relatives and DO NOT BURN SUCH BRIDGES DOWN!!!

Hopefully this will spur my young reader to start pondering and prepare themselves to mend whatever broken bridges next year.

So a HAPPY CHINESE NEW TEAR TO ALL MY READERS!!!!

Be An Impact To Others!!!

2007-02-15T11:22:00.001+08:00

Seem to be at lost on what to write. Time passes by without you knowing. It is coming to 2 years since I started this blog. Although most of the time, it was me blogging, but still the few comments that came in was enough to brighten my life. Hopefully this blog will continue to be a blessing to all who reads.

It was so touching when I read the article of a teacher who taught all the way to just a month before she passed away. She was down with cancer but she continues to teach even though she was in great pain. To such a teacher, I salute them with all my hearts. It is soooooooooooooo difficult to find such teacher nowadays.

Was just chatting with one of me ex-colleague and the many issues that he mentioned and shared with me, only goes to show that something is so wrong with many of the new teachers employed. No, I am not condemning all the new teachers, but unfortunately, many of the new teachers are like that. Teaching becomes more of an income that rather an impact that they can make.

Probably, it may not be the teachers’ fault. It is with the system that seeks what they called, “key indicators”. This is something that I had never believed that an educational system should implement. If the system seeks to have teachers making sure that they have a fantastic success rate, what else do you expect from the teacher? They are forced to pass as many as they can, even though some may not deserve to pass. Too often, teachers’ hands are tied. But to be fair to the system, sadly to says, I could see very few teachers that have a passion for teaching. They seem not to have a genuine care and concern for their students, they do not take their teaching as a moulding of the future generation.. Teaching seems to be more of getting results, such as how many As my student achieved, making sure that none of them fail their exam, if not the teachers will have to answer for it. WHAT??? You mean ITE is a miracle making place? The teachers at ITE are all miracle maker, such that whoever comes in, will suddenly become so smart that they will all succeed and passed in their exam? NO, I don’t mean to say that ITE is the end, but surely to a reasonable person, they know that there are no such things as a 100% success rate!

I do hope that if ever any of my students becomes teachers in ITE, they will learn to true to themselves and be able to make an impact on these students’ lives. I was just counseling a student who is a single mother, trying to help her see that she must try to do well in her studies so that she can break out of the poverty circle that she is in. Hopefully she can do it for her sake and her children sake. No, I am not boasting, but this is what we as teacher should be doing, trying to help our students as much as we can.

With this I will end my blogging

What A Teacher!!!

2007-02-05T14:41:00.000+08:00

It never fails to surprise me whenever I read articles of teachers caught in some unhealthy acts. Did you read last Sunday Newpaper? The headline screams something like this. “Teacher made me pregnant and makes me go for abortion…”

It seems that nowadays teachers are employed based on their qualification with no measure of their characters or moral values. I know, it is difficult to gauge a person from the interview, but I believe that MOE should stress across very clearly to any prospective teacher the consequences of any immoral acts.

To me this teacher had fallen badly, so badly that if I am in MOE shoe, I will give an immediate termination, no investigation needed.

First, here was a teacher, 27 years old having an affair with a 16 years old girl from his school. As teacher, it is very easy to influence a student from the same school. Whether he is teaching that class or not, as long as you have certain contact with the class, then your influence is strongly felt by the students. So it is no excuse to say that since I am not teaching the class, then it is OK. Sorry, it is not OK!!!

Secondly, how can you be having sex with a girl of such age? You are telling the world that is it Ok to have pre marital sex. How powerful can this message be, especially if it comes from the mouth and the action if such a teacher? Hello, I am not asking you to be an angel? But how can you do it with your student? Such student are so easily impressionable and by doing so, you are telling the whole school, that it is OK to sleep around, there is nothing wrong with it. What sort of values are you imparting?

Thirdly, by asking the girl to go for abortion, you are inculcating a very wrong moral values. You are not teaching our youngster the value and the preciousness of a life. You are telling them that it is not wrong to take away a life, as long as it does not hinder your life. My goodness, don’t you know that life is precious? As a Chinese saying that I heard very often from my parent, “We as living things, ought to preserve our lives and not to seek to destroy oneself” We as teachers ought to teach our students to learn to treasure life and not to kill life through such means.

Lastly, we must learn to take responsibilities of our actions and should never equate it with what others did. It was in the report that he says, I too see other teacher smoking and go clubbing…, so what is wrong with what I did? No I am not condoning such acts, but what other had been doing does not mean that the wrong he does is OK. It does not mean that since other rob, so it is OK for me to steal!!!

I can go on and on, on what he did is immoral, but I will stop here and allows my students to ponder over what I wrote and hopefully, they will learn from this incident and grow to be a better person.

Don't Lose Sight Of Your Goal!!!

2007-01-29T16:13:00.000+08:00

Was pretty busy the last of whole week and down with gastric flu yesterday and today. So given 1 day MC which provides me the breathing space and time to update my blog.

First I would like to put on record, that though I had offered to pay half the cost of the lost item( my last blog) but my colleague insisted that since it was his/her fault, the full amount was borne by my colleague. Must give credit when credit is due lah!!! Don’t want anyone to think that I am that great and was paying for amount. No lah, it was finally not me but my colleague.

The last week of the newspaper was featuring heavily on the Youth Challenge problem. Just for you info, Youth Challenge was started during the time that I was also fully involve in youth activities. So I know of this guy (though not personally) who started YC. He had started it with a noble goal, wanting to help those youngsters loitering around Orchard Rd. But sad to say as times goes by, he lost sight of what he wants to do and end up in today mess. That is why I would like my young reader to be focus on their goal. What is your goal in life? Want to go as far as you can in your studies? Want to be a millionaire before you reach 35? Want to be teacher etc?

Whatever goal you have, first it must be no illegal or immoral value. You may want to be a millionaire, good, as long as you are trying to achieve it by legal means, then it is a good goal. Secondly, you must never lost sight of your goal. Just like this man who started YC, along the way, he lost sight of a noble goal and was accumulating wealth through wrongly means. Let me tell you, I had received very often through email, asking me to get a degree from a prestigious university from other country, by just paying a sum of money. Easy for me to get this degree but it is an immoral way to get it. What is the point of having all this titles if it is not achieved by your own effort?

Along my life journey, I was much tempted by such offers but I had always resisted the offer. No I am not a perfect person, I had done many wrongs (sorry lah, not going to mention what) but I tried my best not to succumb to illegal means or unethical means to reach where I am. I am now a senior lecture for quite a number of years, but I had never achieve it though trying to please my boss, trying to “lick the foot” of my superior. I always tell myself, if I am ever promoted, then it is a plus point to me, I do not go all out to be where I am, it is through the blessings of my God..

So I hope that my young readers will learn along the way as they live their lives, always seeking to achieve your goal never by any unethical means!!!

Sorry No More Posting.

2007-01-23T20:20:00.000+08:00

Hi all, as I had noticed that nowadays, only I do the posting and you all do the reading. So I decides that I will no longer allow anyone to do any posting on my blog, so the access in now being remove with immediately effect. If you have anything to says, pls do so in the comment or can tag the tag box.

But do refrain from unwholesome remarks. I do not want my blog to be a place where it does not edify anyone. I seek to use this blog to encourage and to enlighten my young readers

Thanks for your understanding

Mr Chu

What Sort Of Student Are We Having & Do Says Sorry

2007-01-21T19:34:00.000+08:00

Would like to take this opportunity to share with my readers 2 happening these 2 weeks. Sad to say the first issue is rather saddening to me.

I will not use names and will not state the item openly as it could be detrimental to my fellow colleagues.

It so happen that one of my new colleague, let us call him colleague A, signed out a certain expensive item from my lad for the student council used. I personally handed it to colleague A and he/she in turn passed it to student B. Two weeks ago, I asked this colleague A back for this expensive item as an audit check is due. Unfortunately it cannot be found and student B claimed that it was returned. If it cannot be found, then colleague A will be facing a disciplinary action that could end up in termination. Though I will never be implicated as I had the item duly signed out by my colleague, but I feel so bad for this colleague, so I tried asking around hoping that this item could be found. The graduated student council all claimed that they do not have it. So I ask my God for a miracle and then I was inspired to do something that some of you may think I should not do. So what did I do? I took the liberty and called up student A and told student A that I will give cash reward of $500 and no questions will be asked when that item is returned!!! Not that I am rich, ($500 is a lot) but I do feel sorry for my colleague who had his/her trust misplaced. He/she is a new staff, not knowing that such things could happen. To some it is not right, but I see that this is the only way as that item is probably held by one of the students who had graduated. Viola!!! On the same day, this student A called me in the night that the missing item was with him/her. And thankfully, my colleague A was willing to put up $250 and I will foot the rest.

The sad thing is that how come our youngster is like that? Worst still, the group that is holding to this item are from the student council. Hello!!! Student council is suppose to be the epitome of the whole cohort of students and yet they can do such thing. By keeping it and not returning it, they are actually stealing it. Had they never thought for this colleague who might be SACKED all because he/she trust that they will returned it after used? He/she seek to help the students and in returned for this kindness, it was repaid with ungratefulness. What are happening to our students? If you had read my last blog, I had also shared an incident of new student threatening the lecturer. To me, these students had failed miserably in the lifestyle. It takes money to make them change their view. Money will eventually be their final downfall if they continue to be motivated by money in all that they do. Because of money, they may commit fraud; they may be involve in illegal activities etc. I hope they will change!!!

The second incident may sound a little “preachy” But I believe that I had to give thanks for the miracles that happen. Must thank my God for the first miracle as describe above. The second miracle was actually a small incident. It so happen that I loan a thumb drive to another of my colleague, Mr Ong. When he finished, he returned it back to me but I have no recollection of him returning it back to me. I search all over but it cannot be found. So I told him that I don’t think he returned it to me. Later I saw yahoo auction website that is selling an exact thumb drive, so I bid for it. 2 days later someone bid a dollar more than me. I was about to bid higher, but before I do, I wisher a word of prayer asking my God to somehow help me find it if it was with me. Imagine, the very place that I put my things and I had already searched it before, the thumb drive was there! Happy to find this thumb drive, but there is still something that I need to do. What do you think it was?

I owed Mr Ong an apology. I had unintentionally blamed him for losing it as I had no recollection of him returning it back to me. So the next day, I went to him personally and told him that I am sorry for blaming him.

I do hope that my students will learn to admit their mistakes and apologies for it. You think it was easy for me, NO WAY MAN!!! I am about 20 yrs older than him, which make me an “elder” to him, and I could easily just brush the whole issue aside, and let the whole things just “dies” off as I said that it was a small thumb drive costing me only $25 to replace it. No big deal, but a mistake is a mistake, which I had done and I need to apologies for it. We must learn to acknowledge and learn to ask forgives for wrong that we did. As we do it, we are actually forging our character as a human being. There is no shame to says “I am sorry”

Don't Blame ITE!!!

2007-01-17T21:12:00.000+08:00

I had always been tolerant with our students understanding that they may feel a little lousy for not making it to JC or Poly. But I tell you, this new group of students joining us seems to be getting worst!

Let me elaborate a little. I had taken the effort to ensure that the number of different races is equally spread among the 3 classes so as to ensure racial harmony. Do you know what happen next?

First, when one the student approach his class advisor for a transfer to another class where his friends are and was told that it is likely not possible, guess what he said, “You watch up, ….” He was actually threatening his teacher! Just started class and reacting in such a way. I told my colleague that if he ever says that again, my colleague should bring him to see me immediately. I wonder what had they learn in their secondary school. Too often, I had heard of people saying that it was because of ITE, they are like that. NONSENCE!!! From this 1st incident, we could see how they were even before starting their lives in ITE.

Next, come another incident more appalling!!! A group of students from different classes went to see the section head and CLAIM THAT A PARTICULAR TEACHER CANNOT TEACH AND THEY ALL WANTED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CLASS TOGETHER. Hello, class had not even started and yet they claim that this teacher cannot teach. Just because the whole group wants to be together in one class, they start coming up with all sorts of reasons. To me they are actually telling LIES!!! So was it because they are in ITE and that is why they are like that? Whoever said this, must be BLIND!!! They must have been like that since their secondary school day.

It is saddening to see that our youth are getting from bad to worst, in term of their characters. I do hope that while they are with us in ITE, we could try, or should I say that I would try to make a change in them, hoping that they will eventually be a much better person. This is just the beginning for this new group of students and already, I could see some of the staff is already stressed out by them through their unfounded accusation.

Don't Regret!!!

2007-01-09T10:39:00.000+08:00

It happens every year without fail!!! So what was it that keeps repeating itself? Students who failed to grasp the chances of progressing in their studies.

For the past week, I had been send numerous sms asking for help or recommendation letter for students who failed to qualify for further studies due to their low GPA score. So how?

Students don’t realize that even if a teacher were to write a recommendation letter for them it will not serve much of a purpose, unless they are short by a negligible points and unless the letter is written by a head of department. Come on, be realistic!!! If your GPA score is too low, the best alternative is to approach the polytechnic and submit your application with an appeal.

In the first place, why put yourselves in such situation? I read an msn tagline that says, “OMG, my GPA is only 3…., how to go poly?” That is the problem, my young reader or more specifically, my students, realize their situation and it is too late! Now, then they realize that they want to go poly but fail to meet its minimum requirement. For this particular student, it is rather sad. I know that this student can actually do better than what he/she had obtained. But unfortunately, during the last semester, I had seen this students spending his/her time playing computer games. This student may denied it, (probably due to the fact that when you are doing something, you may not realize that you are spending too much time on that) but I can see it with my own eyes that this student was indeed spending too much time, playing computer games. So don’t you think it is a little too late to regret.

To all my other young readers, who are still studying now, please spare a little thought for your future. When everything is over, then you start asking for help all over, hoping that you could scrape through and be admitted for further study, but unfortunately, this cannot be done.

It sadden me to see that those who have the potential to further their studies but due to their lack of foresight, they do things that will cause them from furthering their studies. Helloooooooo, don’t you think it is time to be awaken from your slumber and put a little more thoughts to your future? Don’t wait until it is too late, and hopefully I would not be receiving such calls or sms again in the future.

A New Year, A New Beginning

2007-01-03T10:57:00.000+08:00

Ended 2006 with a thanksgiving note and never realize that I will start 2007 also with thanksgiving!!!

Did my young reader read of the news about Bangkok blast the past few days? According to the Straits Times report yesterday, there was a bomb that was defused on the 2nd floor of Asia Hotel Bangkok. It was the same hotel that I stay only less than 2 weeks ago. Cannot imagine what will happen to me and my family if the bomb event happen during my holiday in Bangkok!!! Imagine the damage that will be caused by the bomb or the stampede that will occur to a fully booked hotel if the bomb goes off!!!

That is why I am starting the year with a word of thanksgiving to my God who is ever watching over me and my family!!!

This bombing event ought to teach us to be thankful for all those around us. Imagine if we ever lost a loved one. It will be too late for us to say we loved them? Especially so for my young readers. Had any of you ever stop in your “full of complaint” life, to tell your parents that you loved them or to your sibling that you appreciate them for the help they had offered to you in the past or to your friends that you are thankful that they are around to lend you a shoulder when you are sad? There are so many around us that we ought to be thankful for, but had we ever stop for a moment to thank them. If you had never done before to your parents, to your siblings, to your relatives, to your friends, then maybe it is a good beginning for this year to drop them a note, an email or a small token, to tell those around you that you are thankful for them.

Especially so for this generation. I had seen too many of our young people too concern about their own life, about what they are going to have, about what people think about them, about all the expensive brands etc. Many of my young readers may dispute my observation. It is OK. But unfortunately I still hold on to my belief that this is how our next generation are.

To me, whether you agreed to my views about the younger generation or not, I still hope that this blog will spurs you to show a little thanks to those around you and also to take treasure your life and not do things that will hurt yourselves or those around you!!!

Cheers!!! To a new year, to a new beginning!!!

Thank God For 2006!!!

2006-12-31T17:00:00.000+08:00

Today is the last day of 2006. I guess what I had to write may sound a little religious but it is something that I had to do. So pardon me, if it “offends” you.

To end a year, I had to give thanks to my Lord Jesus for what happen in the past year. I would like to list what I am thankful for, in the year 2006.

First, to many who do not know, my background of specialty is in civil engineering. So it takes a little more effort to make changes to the IT line. But I have to thank God that for 2 years, He had seen me through even though I maybe new to many subjects, but I had managed to pick up along the way and am able to impart the necessary knowledge to my students

Secondly, I am thankful to God for the graduating students (the 1st batch of ICT student from college west). Thank God that the class I am closer with (EL0501A) are able to graduate with so little attrition. God had kept them for 2 years and they are all able to pass all the modules and are leaving me. (whahaha, so sad to see them going off).

Thirdly, I would like to thank God that He had been faithful to me even though I had gone astray every now and then. Still, He is able to make me a testimony to both my colleagues and my students. I can safely says (not that I am boastful) that none of my students will says that I had discriminate them, or shortchange them in their studies, or that I had been a bad example to them. (Hello, if I had indirectly offended any one or wrong anyone, do forgive me and drop me a mail to say so, at least I will know what wrong I had done). Though this site, I had strived to encourage, to enlighten my young readers to a wholesome life and hopefully it had worked. So do continue coming back to this blog even if you had left ITE.

Fourthly, I would like to thank God for my colleagues. So far God had gave me colleagues who are very supportive of me and in all that I do. I had noted that I seem to be a binding factor to the various “cliques” in my department. As I had written in my earlier blog, I tried not to take side and to be as fair to all as possible, and that is the reason why they had been so supportive of me.

Lastly I had to thank God for keeping my family together. This year was a tough year for my family as we had to adjust to new circumstance (will not elaborate). There were unhappy moments among my family members, but somehow, through God’s love, we are able to stay together without “tearing each other apart”, a little exaggeration!!!

There are too many things to thank God for, but I will stop here. As I was telling my youngest daughter, I seldom make resolution as I find that in those past years that I made, I will long forgotten them before the year end, so that is the reason that I do not make any resolution. The only thing that I longed for everyone, is that they will be filled with the love of God as with God’s love, all of us will be transformed and we will be able to be more tolerant of each other faults, be able to forgive one another for any wrong that others did to us and never seek to destroy others through our deeds.

So to 2007, MAY EVERYONE BE FILLED WITH GOD’S LOVE!!!

Take "Stock" As We End The Year!!

2006-12-26T15:46:00.000+08:00

As we are coming to the close of the year and also the closing chapter of the 1st ICT graduating classes, it had to be time for us to take “stock” of the past. Many say that the past is history and ought to be forgotten. To me, it half right and half wrong. Yes, indeed, we have to move on and forget the past hurts, the past failure, the past wrong that other did to us, but we also ought to reflect on the past to see what we could learn from them.

As you venture into the working world, there will be lots of back stabbing, there will be lots of gossiping and there will be lots of unhappiness etc. This is the real world. But my advice to you is that you hold on to your moral values, hold on to your principles, never allow yourselves to be swayed to be like the others, learn to be more forgiving as you will find yourself being blamed for things you did not do. To many others, this may seem stupid, especially in this “dog eats dog world”. If you can do just this then you will be able to be a much happier person. I had seem those in higher position, how so frighten they were of others, worrying that they will be overtaken, worrying that they might be demoted etc. There will be no end to such worrying, if you had gotten to the top through unfair means, through tearing down of others. I once meet a head of department, who told me that in order to rise in position; the only way is to make use of people and to step over them. Sure, he/she did rise but it last not too long before he/she was “dethrone”

But I am a little worry for some of them. I am somehow “gifted” with reading people, 90% correct! Not bluffing, somehow it is a gift from God. I could see that some will end up on the wrong side of the law unless they make a change in their lives. Already, it had happen to one of them, unfortunately, I cannot mentioned who is was and what he/she did, but the case is due for a police recommendation to be charge or not. Some of these graduating students always think that they are much cleverer than the law; they could somehow find ways to bypass and not be caught. Too bad, it will be a matter of time before the law catches up with you. Do change your thinking or your attitude before it is too late and you end up in a world of crime.

Enough of “doomsday” forecasting! As I said earlier, it is time that we reflect on what had happen in the past so that we could learn from them. Were you too petty, that you “exploded” so easily? Were you too fast to blame others for thing that happened? Were you too self righteous that you see all others in the wrong and only you were right? Were you too selfish, that you refused to give a little to others? I was just telling my daughter yesterday during dinner, that we ought to show more of what I called “unconditional” love. At times, we need to show love to those that may not deserve it, show love to those who may have wrong us! This is especially true during this period; it is TIME FOR US TO SHOW LOVE WITHOUT CONDITIONS, WITHOUT THINKING OF WHETHER THE OTHER PARTY DESEVRE IT OR NOT!

Stop Complaining And Be Thankful!!!

2006-12-21T15:57:00.000+08:00

It’s been a while that I blogged. Was away for a short trip to Bangkok. For those who had not been there, it is a shopper paradise as long as you are not looking for genuine branded goods. But I was there not to shop but rather to b with my family as my kids wanted to shop over there.

3 days and 2 nights at Bangkok, there was something that strike me strongly, something that probably you will not see it so opened in Singapore. So what was it? It is the number of beggars around the town. They simply stretch themselves waiting for alms. At one of the overhead bridge, I was so overwhelmed that I cannot but have to give a little. Even the little money that I gave, I saw it was among the largest amount in the container. Here was a man prostrating himself on the walkway of the bridge and with him was a small boy about probably 2 or 3 years old playing by himself beside this man. The boy was so dirtied and his clothing black from the soot of the endless traffic. It was so heart wrenching.

Probably, the next time I am there, I will take lots and lots of photos of such case, which unfortunately I did not this time, so that our youngster will know how fortunately they are. Here our youngster is so often comparing with their friends on what they have, it had to be branded or not it had to be exclusive. I would say that 99% of our youngster had never experience poverty. They may say that they had, but I can tell you, the so called “poverty” is nothing compared to what these kids in Thailand are facing. To my young readers, it is so saddening to see that we are so unappreciative of what we have. Food not to our taste or liking, we chuck them aside. Clothing a little old, we throw them away. Shoes a little torn, we dumped them for a new pair. I can go on and on with the list, but it is useless, if my young readers does not come to their sense of being thankful for what they have. So I will stop here and let my readers have a moment of reflection of their lives. About time to stop complaining and time to be thankful especially in this season of Christmas.

Anyway, have a blessed Christmas and more blessed years to come for all my readers!!!

Be Contented!!!

2006-12-12T17:46:00.000+08:00

How “low” can a man go? How cruel can a man be? How inhuman can a man be? These were the thoughts that struck me from an article in the Straits Times. Probably most of you would not have noticed about that article.

The article was about a young man who was poisoning his grandmother slowly hoping that she will die and he could inherit her wealth. Unfortunately, this evil scheme was discovered but a little too late as the grandmother was already half poison and is now wheeled chair bound. Can you imagine, the grandmother was providing for him and supporting him as he was not working!!! Instead of showing gratitude, instead of showing kindness, instead of showing appreciation, he repays his grandmother’s kindness with evil!!!

It causes me to think back in my life. Only a month ago, I met an old poly classmates and he was enquiring why I did not pursue a further study so as to be able to achieve better position in my workplace. I simply told him that I am a contented man, not an ambitious person and he commented that, that was how he had always remembered me, a contented person.

So what does it had to do with what I wrote above? Simple. If this young man had been contented with what he had, then he will not be plotting such evil against his grandmother. Imagine, it was his only grandmother and yet he can do such evil. All because of his greed for more money. To my young reader, especially those graduating soon. As you ventured out into the working world, there will be lots of contention. Try not to be overly ambitious that you will stab the back of your colleagues so that you could progress in your career. Learn a little contentment and you will be able to have a more happy life. I had seen too often of how colleagues tried to turn their fellow colleagues against the others. It was so sickening. I had learnt not to take side and be fair in my dealing with all parties so that I will not add on to their bickering.

Take time to be contented with what you have and you will not find life so pressuring trying to keep up with the “Jones”.

Are You On The Wrong Path?

2006-11-30T19:52:00.000+08:00

An article in the Straits Times reported that more and more of our youth are taking the wrong path, in simple words, meaning they are getting from bad to worst! Agreed or not, I will leave the decision to you.

To me this is a very truth that we must accept. I had the privilege of having 25 years of teaching and able to see how our youth are turning out to be. I remember very clearly that when I first started teaching, the students, just as old as those that joins us now, 16 years old, but unfortunately that is where the similarity ends. In those days, the students were so keen to learn that some had even stayed overnight to complete their assignment or projects. Now, I see students all ready to leave even long before the lesson ends. Especially those from my present department, too many are too engrossed in playing games instead of wanting to learn. Technology was supposed to be a tool for us but I see that technology had become a “master” to many youngsters. They simply cannot pull themselves away from computer games. Very often I had to forcibly turn the switch off to stop them from continuing. So you see, many are enslaved to computer games. I had written before on the evil of computer gaming if we allowed ourselves to be too engrossed in it. I will not keep repeat on this issue if not it will only make me a “naggy” person.

Next is that students are so irresponsible. I had seem and heard with my own eyes and ears, of how when given 6 months to finish a project, they simply spent the last few days or at most the last month to start doing their project. Imagine in your working life. Your boss gives you an assignment with a 2 weeks deadline. All you do is laze around and on the last day or the last 2 days; you just dished out something and called it done. Hellooooo!!!! We are not dumb!!! Don’t try to pull a fast one on us. I even had students who showed us a fantastic project but it was actually done by someone. You cannot be bluffing all the way through in your life! You may fool other once, but you cannot fool them forever.

To my young readers, it is about time for you all to grow up. All my students are already above the age of 16. They should be able to THINK!!! Some of them are even dating and yet they acted the way that I describe above. It is very sad to see that more and more of our youngster are taking the wrong path. No don’t blame your teacher, don’t blame your parent and don’t even blame your friends. Each of us has our own mind, a mind to THINK for ourselves. Each of us has to determine what will be our future destiny through our present action and lifestyles. What ever you sowed now, you will reap the fruit of it. If you sowed in a life of lies, a life of playing computer games then be prepared for the worst that is to come SOON!!!

With this, I will and does hope that it will spur my young reader t start THINKING!!!

What Pervet Mind Is That!!!

2006-11-29T11:21:00.000+08:00

My jaws drop when I saw the headline on Sunday NewPaper. It reads “I LOVE YOU” which was a sms to his student. The story goes that there was this teacher who had a close relationship (no intimate relation) with a student and it started when she was in Sec 1 until now she is now in Sec 3. The worst thing is that the teacher denied that he had ever hold hands with this girl but the girl says they did. I tend to believe this girl. Not only this, this teacher still got the cheek to claim that there is nothing wrong with sending this sms as he claim that it was a way to show concern for her. Showing concern with “I love you” sms? My foot!!! My goodness, what sort of pervert mind is?

And then yesterday there was another article of a teacher molesting his young student. So what is going on in the educational sector? What I am writing is just a personal view, not intended to be a broad view of what is going on in the educational. To me, during the past years when the economy was down, many people seek the refuge of the educational sector to make a living. They may claimed that they have a passion for teaching during an interview, but unfortunately I had seem many who are just waiting for an opportunity to move out once the economy does well and it seems that my perception is true as there was a report yesterday that the education sector are seeing many leaving their service to join the private world. I had seen teachers who constantly come late for classes, who can tell students that he/she is in a bad mood so don’t antagonize him/her, give all sort of excuses for not going to the classes etc. These are real life happening and not is not made up!!!

To my young readers, as you will journey to the working world soon, do spare a thought before you commit yourselves if you ever want to be a teacher. By taking teaching as a livelihood, you will actually be “killing” some of the next generation by your unthoughtful acts and your “immoral” value like the 2 teachers mention.

But there are still some who had really a passion for teaching who had joined the educational service. Just like my daughter, she is very critical of teachers and yet she can still tell me that there was certain teacher that she will remember as she finished her “O” level. So to my students, for those teachers who had touched your life or had made impact on you, do show a little appreciation to them. I can tell you that it will touch them. No need to send gifts, etc, just a simple note now and then, will encourage them as I say such passionate teachers take pleasure in seeing their students growing up to be wonderful. So with this blog, I will leave it to my students to ponder over.

Did You Leave A Lasting Legacy?

2006-11-24T16:26:00.000+08:00

Leaving a lasting legacy! Probably many of my students may not know what it means. In simple words, it means that if you had breath your last breadth, what would people says of you. After you had died, will many people say that you are such a wonderful person and they will always remember you?

Only last week, there was a report of a young doctor, I think only 37, and had died in his sleep for no apparent reason. A few days later, there were reports of how caring he was towards his patient. He even went to the extend of visiting a patient’s wife when she was unable to go to the clinic.

And to my young reader, what about you? Can your classmates say that you had been such a helpful person, that your lifestyle had affected them, and you had left a lasting impact on them? Not to judge, but unfortunately, I can rarely see many that had made an impact on their classmates. Even as I write this blog, I know of a class that is just waiting for everything to be over. Why? They were greatly disappointed with each other! If you belong to this class, then maybe, it is time for you to do something before these few weeks is over, so that others will says that you had left a lasting legacy which they will always remember. No I am not trying to advocate putting on a show, but as I had shared in my earlier blog, with a small act of kindness, a little appreciation, a short email of thanks, can do wonder. Though it may not change another person life, but at least, such action, will definitely make them remember that someone had shown a little kindness to them.

So to all my young reader. You may think that it is too young to talk about such things. No, no, no. He was just 37 and was fit as a bull, and yet his life just goes off like that. As for me, I had always wanted my students to remember me that I had done something that touches their life. I had tried my best to influence my students to a better lifestyle, and if only my students can provide me with some comments, then I will never know, if I had achieved what I wanted as a teacher. To all my young readers, especially my students, sometime it is very lonely as a teacher. We do not know what is going on in the mind of the students. Had we made an impact in their lives? Had we “mould” them to be a better person? Had we caused them to change for a better? I do hope to hear from my students, especially those who are leaving soon. So with these thought, I would like to end my blog for today and it is time for you, my young reader, to start thinking about what you had done to at least make people remember you, should you breath your last breadth.

Release A Little Love, Release A Little Forgiveness...

2006-11-19T17:32:00.000+08:00

As I read the previous blog (written by one of my students as I had given them the password so that they could write whatever they want when they feel frustrated etc), it gives me a strong feeling that he or she must have felt a strong sense of injustice done on the exam marks given. I could also feel the strong feeling of anger in this person.

I understand how you feel and let me assure you that whatever marks I give; it is given in all fairness, though unfortunately I cannot says that for the other teachers. Don’t be mistaken, I don’t condemned any of my colleagues; they may have a reason or so why this person deserve better marks than the other. I will leave it to them to justify it.

This is not the issue that I want to comment on in this blog. But rather, I would like whoever that student is and also to my daughters who also reads my blog, learn to release forgiveness and do not hold on to any grudges. If we allow our anger, our unhappiness, our dissatisfaction etc to be buried in our heart, it can only destroy our own life and makes life very unpleasant for ourselves. It is time to let go, let go of all our past hurt, let go of all our past unhappiness, let go of all out past hatred, let go of all our past grudges, etc then can we moved on in life feeling much better. By releasing forgiveness and releasing love, it will make the world a better place to live and make you life much more pleasant. Remember I wrote a week ago that I will write a note to all my colleagues on the Good Neighbour Day? I did not give them a small gift though I would like to, but I wrote a simple and short note individually to all my colleague, except my head, don’t want to give them an impression that I am trying to “curry favour” them. Let me tell you, some of them had made me unhappy, either knowingly or unknowingly, some had unintentionally irritated me etc, but I didn’t take to heart and to everyone, I gave the card. Not every showed their appreciation, it is OK, but some did and was thankful for the short note and one of them even says, it was a very nice gesture and was touched by it. So to all my young readers and even to my daughters, release a little love and release a little forgiveness, it will do wonders!!!

Finally to that student who felt very unjust over the marks given, there isn’t much that can be done but to accept it and to move on. Though you may be sad that the grade you got may not pave the way for you to Poly or further study, but it is not the end of the world!!! In every circumstance there is always a solution, fear not!

MY REFLECTION!!

2006-11-15T23:04:00.000+08:00

WARNING!!! Before you read,

I want to make this clear that I AM NOT writing this to pin point who's ever fault. Don't be over sensitive after reading it.
This have been kept in my heart for a very long time, so it's time that I would like to share it out with you guys.

I get inspired by the skills, knowledge and values that I've learn.
3 more weeks to go before leaving this school. And this is also the first batch of graduating ICT students. Being a student,

I really hope readers (including teachers) reflect on what you have done for these years?

Example; What have you done for the class ?
What experiences/knowledge have you gain ?
What kind of friend you are?
Are you a good/responsible lecturer?
Do you really appreciate what others have done for you ?
etc

First story :

I was so shock to hear someone telling me when he/she is doing group project, one of their team member did nothing much
while the rest was so hardworking, rushing for their project. In the final semester, when they compared results between
each other, that person who did nothing much on the project gotten an A while the one who did most of the work gotten a B!
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!!?? Well, not only that person, some classmates have the same thing happened too!

CAN U TELL ME YYYY? YY is it so unfair??

YES u can said i damn bo liao write all this rubblish in ur blog u are wrong man !! actually watever u ******** do will affect we student in our future
for example our result etc i really hope u all will reflect on each and every point u do and treat every1 equally.

to be continued... (By one of the student and not Mr Chu)

Accept People As They Are!!!

2006-11-15T09:37:00.000+08:00

As I read the tag in the blog, it brings me no cheer. In actual fact, it saddens me to see how a class can be so split. Before I continue, I would like to state strongly that I am not writing to rebuke whoever tags, as I had said in my earlier blog, I welcome tagging that is true and sincere. If you are not happy with any issue, then feel to write what is in your mind, no need to worry if Mr Chu is offended. As you expressed your feeling, it is a means of realizing your frustration, your sadness etc which can actually be good for you instead of keeping everything inside you and one day it may “explode” and is being release through other forms such as mental breakdown, self destruction etc

Coming back to what I observed through the tagging, it causes me to wonder why is that person feeling so strongly about the class? In this world, nothing is fair, nothing is perfect!!! Why is it that some have tons of money without working, and there are many who struggle through life just to have 3 meals? Why is it that others have so many branded things and yet, some can’t even afford a cheap and simple shoe to protect their feet? Why is it that others can a room to themselves, with all the luxuries and yet some have to live with 5 or 6 people in a room? Too many whys!!! So to me tagger, I am trying to tell you that not everyone will behave as you would like to. I would like to see many changes in my student’s life, but does it comes to reality yet? No! I still see so many not changing to what I would like, so how? I just have to accept it. THIS IS REAL LIFE!!! I can’t expect to see them changing to what I want and demand it.

So to my tagger, cheap sake is always there, we just need to accept this and cannot expect them to change. It is OK to contribute a little if it will help in makings things better, which I am glad you are doing. Let me tell my reader a secret. We do not normally pay the school fees for a student, no matter what happen. But I had a student, a young married girl, and she was about to give birth in Apr this year. As she was in financial difficulties, I made an effort to assist her to apply for some financial scheme from the school. Thankfully she got the $600 which was supposed to pay for her $146 school fees. That is not the end of the story. Unfortunately as she needs the money for her newborn baby, she used the money to buy milk powder, diapers etc and there was no money left for her school fees. Now she cannot pay her school fee and she cannot apply for another financial aids. She came to see me asking for help. I willingly loan her $150 to pay for the school fees as I saw that she is really interested to continue her studies. It took her more that 6 months before she repaid me the money. And I am thankful that my little help had motivated her to continue studying and she will be graduating in 6 months time.

So, to my tagger, what you had sowed (your willingness to pay for the BBQ etc) will not be in vain! One day, it will reap some goodness that you had not expected. To all my young readers, learn to accept the different people around you. There will always be some that irritates you, some that will cause your temper to blow, and some that will tear you down. It is OK!!! God had never promise us a life of roses but he promises us that he will see us through in this life. So to my young reader, accept what others are and you will be much much happier!!!

Will Your Name Appears In The Newpaper For The Wrong Reason?

2006-11-08T20:14:00.000+08:00

I am a little troubled over these few days by a few incidents. Let me relate the first incident. There was this group of boys, always out to create trouble for the others. One of them was one that I helped financially. A few months ago, he approached me with a police report of how he was conned by someone and now the telco is chasing him for payment. Will not divulge too much of that case. Anyway, it goes that he approached quite a few teacher for help but none willing to, not that the teacher were hard hearted but rather they were a little suspicious of him as they do not know him well. I knew this guy and I can tell you that he is not a goody goody type but rather as I say, he is a trouble maker. Anyway, I made him promise me 2 thing if I were to offer him the financial help, one, he is to stop making trouble for the others and the other; he must persevere till he finish the course. Looks like he will fulfill the 2nd condition, but for the 1st condition, he ”threw it out of the window” as the Chinese saying goes. He makes himself to be such a nuisance that I blew my top yesterday and raised my voice at him, until my colleague who was around was shocked to see me so angry.

To my young reader, this is one lesson that you must learn. Always be grateful for help that was rendered to you when you are in need of it. No, I am not asking that this guy must thank me like I am I had done a great thing. But rather, at least remember that I had once helped him and will try to refrain from turning round and creating trouble for me. As human being, we ought to have a sense of humane spirit, at least be thankful that people had helped you and not showing ingratitude. It saddens me to see how this group of guys is behaving, I am so afraid that one day I will see them in the newspaper for the wrong reason! I am thankful that for my last 24 years of teaching, I had not read of any of my students who were featured in any newspaper for some crimes that they did, but rather I had met a few who are so successful that they are boss of their own company. ICT is my second dept in my teaching life and I hope to see some success coming out of the students graduating soon.

And now for the second incident, it happened this morning. I was having a chat with one of the boy and I can conclude that he is doing something illegal (sorry will not mentioned what it is). He keep telling me of the “good” money that he can make form doing what he was doing. I keep emphasizing to him that you do not need a lot of money to live a decent life. He keep emphazing that he will never be caught for what he did, but I think otherwise, as it is a matter of time before he will be caught and it is gonna be a sad day for me. He may look like a tough and rough guy, but I could sense that there are still some good in him and hopefully if you are reading this blog, it will prompt you to stop doing that which is wrong!

With this, I will end my blogging and hopefully all my young reader will take note of what I wrote today and doing something about their life!!!

Appreciate Your "Neighbour"

2006-11-06T15:13:00.000+08:00

Next week is Good Neighbour Day. I was hearing a speaker sharing o how we ought to show more appreciation to our neighbours and it strike me that this is something that EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE CAN DO!!! Our fellow colleagues, your classmates etc are all your neighbour.

After hearing hi, I decided to collect a set of post card that I will drop into every of my colleague’s table next week, with a short note of appreciation. Now what about my young reader? Do send a note to your classmate, no that they have done something for you, but at least they are your “neigbour”

In life, we must never try to equate things with tangible. Too often, we always thank or appreciate a person only when the or she had done something for us. This is not how life is supposed to be. Every human being need to be loved but also need to love. In simple words, every human being always like to be appreciated for, but we also must learn to show appreciation to others. No, I am not asking for credits, but how many of you as students, ever went up to a teacher to tell him or her that you are thankful for their effort in teaching you. Hellooooooo! Many of you think that teaching is so easy, just step into a class and bla, bla , bla…. Hey, it is not that easy, you know. We need not just the knowledge of that subject, but how to deliver it so that the student can learn, we also need to be able to pace the lesson so that even the slow learner will be able to pick up some skills. Not only in term of technical knowledge, but also in social skills. How do you handle students who just walk in like no body business? How do you tell a student off with long hair and yet making sure that he will turned up for school the next day? So many hows!!!! So if you can drop them a note or an email to says that you appreciate all their effort. You don’t need a teachers’ day to do it. Dropping an email does not cost you even a single cents, but I will have great impact to them. If you want some of those cards to write personalize note, you can get from me any time!

So start dropping a note to your classmate, at least thanking them for being your classmates if you have not much to say!!

Don't Be A Hero!!!

2006-11-03T12:03:00.000+08:00

Students are not what they look like. Yesterday one of our students was caught due to some disciplinary issue. This student had been showing a strong character when previously when caught. But somehow yesterday this student broke down when question by the disciplinary master. Too often I had seen this in my students. Too many of them always try to show themselves as “heroes” or as one that cannot be broken. Let me tell you, I had seen this too often and when they are really being caught and question, they WILL TURNED WHITE WITH FEAR!!!.

I remember reading the paper a week or two ago. There was this young boy, only 10 years old and had a gang working under him. This boy brought along his gang and whacked up another boy of 14 years old, who was bigger size than him. Sound as though this 10 years old boy is a “hero”, right? Do you know what happen next? When the 14 years old boy reported the case to the police and the police went looking for this 10yaer old boy and finally apprehended him, guess what was the following report? It reported that this boy was CRYING FOR HIS MOTHER while in the police station!!! So you see, to all my young readers, you may think that you act tough in front of your classmates, or act as though you don’t bother when question by your teacher. Let me tell you this, when you are caught alone, then you will turn white with fear, trembling there.

I still remember clearly in my previous department, when a group of boys were caught fighting and the CID came over to interview this group of boys. The boys were told to line up outside the room while waiting to be called in individually, I could see that ALL OF THEM, were trembling with fear, their faces turned white, while waiting for their turned to be called in. This is an actual incident that I had seen with my own eyes.

So don’t try to be a “hero” in front of your classmates. It is always better to be yourselves, than trying to be somebody and end up circumstances where you cannot get out of it.

I wrote this blog so that my students will learn to be true to themselves and that they will not try to be “hero” and act nonchalantly when advice by their teacher to change in their character.

Let Us Stop And Relect!

2006-11-01T09:48:00.000+08:00

Wow, never expect my last blog to generate such intense response from one of my student. No, please do not be mistaken that I am singling out that particular student, but it was meant to be a general observation from me. I am here not to condemn any student but to “stir” my student from their slackening in their studies which unfortunately seem to be the case at this present situation.

This particular student and another student were online with me on msn yesterday and their frustration and unhappiness was evident from the tone of their speech. Hey, don’t take me wrong, I, in actual, appreciate their true expression of their feelings. I really would like to hear from students how they feel about their stay in ITE and what their concern were. If I could, I will try to change whatever system that is in place, though often my hands are tied. But I will see what can be done.

One of the issues was that some students do not deserve their GPA score and I fully agreed. In actual fact, I had been trying to push one of the students who showed great potential for an award but unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the attitude of this student. So I do agree that not all who are top scorer deserve that grade.

Coming back to my students’ frustration. I sincerely believe that you would be able to learn some skills no matter how boring a lesson is. I still remember when some of them that first joined us, how they were so keen to strip the computer and reassemble them to working condition, even the girls were doing it!!! So, as I says, you will be able to learn if you want to.

On the issue of friendship and cohesiveness of a class, this is probably something that I wished will happen and continue even after their studies in ITE, though unfortunately, it does not seem so. It is really sad to see that students were so keen to have the course ended and going their own separate way. In life, no man is an island, no matter how strong you are. You will always need friends to be around you as you will face circumstances where you will need some advice or just a listening ear.

My elder daughter had chosen to major in social work, a decision that she decide herself and I am very glad of. This is a path where she can be a blessing to those underprivileged or who are in need of help, either emotionally or whatever.

My youngest daughter, had always says she wants to be teacher, not through my influence but on her own decision. This is another path that I am please with, and because as a teacher, you can be an influence to the next generation before they, as she wrote in my tag, “degrade”.

So you see, my young reader, every human being cannot live a life of their own. We need friends to “influence” us, to give us a shoulder to cry on, and in turn, we need to be a source of encouragement or a “guiding” path to those who went astray.

Today, I had wrote some deep feelings in this blog, as I feel that all of us, really need time to reflect on how are we to move on with our lives from now onwards.

Whose Fault?

2006-10-30T13:28:00.000+08:00

Student can be a motivational factor or could also be a demoralizing factor. I still remember how surprise I was when I saw some students coming back during the holiday to attend extra lesson conducted by one of my colleague. It was not a compulsory lesson and it was meant to be an enriching lesson and yet, I saw a group turning up. It encourages me as I could see their desire to learn.

But on the direct opposite direction, I see students coming to school and not doing anything. Only last week, when I went to a class, not my lesson, and hidden behind was one students so bored that he does not know what to do. Whose fault? The teacher or the student? (I am sure my daughter will say “teacher’s fault!!!”) Neh, neh, not necessary the teacher’s fault. I could see that the teacher was teaching and was busy with one group of students. It was this student who wasn’t interested to do what was instructed, so whose fault? I believe that the teacher was teaching something useful as the rest of the students were doing what was instructed. But this particular student only compliant if being bored, not knowing what to do, claiming that he had nothing to do etc?

Hello, if you do not follow what is being instructed by your lecturer, then do blame the school or the teacher. What do you want the teacher to do? You want the teacher to teach you all how to play counter strike, warcraft? You want to teacher to allow you to go msn the whole day? Then this is what you call interesting? Helloooooooo, get a life lah! As student, you may want to do all these, but once you enter into the workforce, then you will understand the good intention of your teacher who tried to stop you from playing computer games the whole day, or to laze around in the class the whole day.

I may sound harsh in this blog. But for the sake of my young reader, mostly my students, what is being done had always been with the good intent for our students. Teachers ARE NOT SADIST, enjoying seeing what our students are being punished for. Sometime, I wished that I do not need to lecture our student, but unfortunately I had to do so. So I hope that from this blog, my young reader will learn to

Show A Little Care For Your Elder

2006-10-27T17:27:00.000+08:00

Today, I witness a very touching scene. Late in the afternoon, I was in the car waiting to pick up my father-in-law from the elderly home where he went 3 times a week. There was a young adult, probably about 40 years old, and on one hand was holding to an very aged old man and with the other hand holding on to a very old lady. The elderly couple had difficulties in walking and I could see that he really have a heart for them as he was walking so slowly to accommodate these elderly couple. At first, I was thinking, “What a filial son, putting his heart for his elderly parent” Then later I realize that he was just the driver for the aged home. This makes it more touching. Even though he is not related to them, yet he is willing to treat them just like his own.

As I reflect on our youth, it saddens me a lot. At the age of 40 plus, this young man, probably had undergone the age where life is a struggle. As I had shared in my previous blog, I too had experience many struggle in my life. Had any of you ever lived in a one room flat, hey, it is a one room flat, i.e. to says, only one room, the hall and the bedroom are the same one, with 10 people squeezing in it. I remember that at times, I had pig’s ear, just as food for my porridge. Hello, pig’s ear, any of you eaten that before, actually it is yummy!!! Hahaha.

Back to what sadden me. I really dreaded to think how our present youth will, treat their elders. Singapore will have an aged pollution in just probably 10 to 15 years time. I hope I am wrong, but I had a bad feelings that I will soon see many elderly home mushrooming. As I mingled with my students, I seldom seem to detect their concerned for their parents, more often; I hear of them complaining, wanting their own life and have their parent out of their lives. So my young reader, if you are reading this blog, do learn to show a little more care for your parent who had slogged for years to provide for your comfort!!!

Change Before It Is Too Late!!!

2006-10-25T20:11:00.000+08:00

34 years old, still asking for money from parent and refusing to work where he is fit? Worst still, imagine if the father was on a wheelchair with both legs amputated? What is going on in this man’s mind?

This is the true story report on today new paper. It report about this young, fir and able bodied man, lazing around daily and not working for the past 3 years and asking his parent for money. Even when the parent are no longer working and living from the meager sump of money. The father had both legs amputated and still it does not move this lazy bun to look for a job. The new paper reported that when the reporter asks this young man for the reason, he just shrugged and walks away. Do you know what does this reminds me of? It reminds me of some of our students. This was exactly how they reacts when we, the lecturer tries to counsel them.

It just happens to me this morning! Here I was telling the students about the evil of being too engrossed in computer game and how it could lead to mental illness as reported in the newspaper. And a little later, I saw one of them, always playing computer game, and went over to have a talk with him, trying to emphasize the importance of not being too engrossed in computer game. He simply seems to, as the saying goes, words going in from one ear and immediately going out from the other ear!!! They may realize that they could be shaping their character to be just like this lazy bun reported in the newspaper. Sooner or later, they will be like him, shrugging off advices from people and falling into a state of “tidak apa” attitude that could soon destroy their whole life!!! You know what tidak apa mean? It means, dun care attitude!!!

I believe that this young man reported in the newspaper, he was not born like that. As reported, it started 3 years ago. So likewise, to all my young reader, you do not change overnight! What you are today, the “tidak apa” attitude, if being persistently done everyday, will be part of you and then it may be too late to change!!! So, please change now when there are people around you, advising you, counseling you, before it is too late!!

Appreciate What You Have!!!

2006-10-22T16:59:00.000+08:00

A plate of chicken rice is a luxury? I believe none of my reader will ever think that a plate of chicken rice is a luxury. Bur unfortunately this was true in article that was reported in the new paper.

I winder how many have read that article of a man committing suicide leaving behind his wife and 2 kids, one 13 or the 15 years old. Before he took his own life, he gave one of his sons $10 and ask him to buy chicken rice for the family, which is very rare. Normally, all they have were just simple plain porridge or if better a little vegetables. Birthday celebration? It was non existence for this family.

As I read this article, it pulls my heart string. Why? Probably many of my young reader had never known what is poverty? I had grown up in poverty and life was hard for me. I can vividly remember an incident to show how bad it was.

Once I went to our national library (now already demolished) with some of my classmates. I was so poor that when my classmate went to buy a cup of drinks (costing 5 cents, in those days, 5 cents can buy you a drink, take a bus home) and I was too shameful to tell them that I had no money and just claimed that I was not thirsty. So all of them had a nice drink in that hot weather except me. After borrowing the books, it was time to go home. But unfortunately, I had no money for the bus fare, so how. Can you imagine what I did? Too shameful to ask for money ( 5 cents also don’t have, they will probably ask, “how can?), so I walked behind them slowly and as they move further ahead of me, I simply vanish into the crowd and hide myself somewhere until all of them went up the bus, probably wondering where I was. After they had taken the bus, I remember that I walked all the way home. Can you imagine walking all the way from the former national library (near to the present city hall mrt to Whampoa, that was where I was living in the past). Those days the road was not as well paved as now, potholes all over, muddy road etc. It took me almost an hour before I reached home and I was dead tired!!

This was life for me in my young days. And let me tell you that there are still some very poor people in Singapore. I had gone for house visit in Bukit Merah one room flat. You can never how some of the flats were. One of the houses was full of rubbish piling up; the poor old lady was hoping to see what could be salvage for her use, she just simply collect whatever she can.

Why am I writing this blog? Hopefully all my young reader who had never experience poverty will spare a thought for those who had little. Sometimes it is sad to hear of youngster wanting only branded things. It is time for my young reader to learn to appreciate life as you have. Appreciate what you are having now as I believe that none of you are in the situation of the family reported. Their mattress, so thin, with the foam exposing, new clothes, only when there is bonus for their parent’s salary. Time to appreciate your parents, time to appreciate what you have, your clothing, your weekly allowances, simple things in life that most of you have taken for granted!!!

Such A Distrubing Sight

2006-10-17T13:55:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday, I witness a very disturbing sight. It may probably meant nothing to most of you, but it had such an impact on me that till today, I can still visualize it so clearly in my mind. So what was that, that was so disturbing to me.

Here it goes. I was at Kallang MRT station waiting to pick my youngest daughter home from her visit to some of the JC Open House. As I was standing by the road path, there cam a young mother coming out of the station. She was a young mother, probably about 20 or 21 year old. With her were 3 very young children. One was probably about a year old and she was carrying him on her arm. The second one was about 2 to 3 years old and the oldest was not more than 5, most likely 4 years old. There she was struggling with one on her arm, the second one was crying to be carried. She must be very tired from all the walking. I could see that every step the mother takes, the second daughter had to take 3 steps to match her mother one step, it must be so tiring for this kid. The frustrated mother was scolding her all the time. The elder one was trying to hold the second kid’s hand, trying to play the role of a big sister. So what was it that was so disturbing?

One, the mother was so young and already with 3 kids. They were walking towards those 2 room flats, probably living in a rented flat. So young and with so little means for survivor. At least if she had more money, she could probably catch a cab and they will not be so frustrated. My heart goes out for the young kid, at such a small age, they already had to struggle in their daily living. Can you imagine what their future will be?

I believe that if she had a higher education, she may have work for a period before settling down and then life would not be so tough for her and most of all, for her kids. That’s why I had been trying to extol all my young reader to put a little more effort in their studies. Even after I wrote the previous article about playing computer games, I still see many were playing this morning. It seems that my blog had fallen on deaf ears. If only my readers will awake from their “foolish behaviour”. I could see that many were having the thoughts that since they are earning a “living” now, so what’s the big deal. I am working in NTUC as a delivery man, as a waitress in a restaurant, as a temporary salesman in a shopping center, etc, so what is there to worry about? Please lah!!! Try imagining that this young lady was your wife, the 3 children were your kids, can you bear to see them in such a struggling circumstances? Let me tell you, that this is the HARSH REALITY in life. What you are “enjoying” now (the money that you are earning) will be suffice for a better future!!! Do “pick up” before it is too late!!!

I do hope that I will never see such a sight about my students. I sincerely hope that all of you will be able to make a decent living to support your future family and such scene will not materialize in any of your life.

Appreciate Your Teacher And Live A Moral Life

2006-10-13T19:59:00.000+08:00

2 days ago, one of the students called me up and says that some of them were in school waiting for a teacher to open the lab for them, and as no teacher were around, he called me and ask me to go to school to open the lab for them. Hellooooooo!!! Your teacher is also a human being. They need a break too. Even when it is a holiday period, many of them were in school, preparing for the next term or getting the lab ready for the students when the new term starts. Please show a little more appreciation for your teacher, don’t expect them to be on 24 hours stand by for you. We may try to be as available as possible, and if need be, we can attend to you even in the late of the night, but do give us a break and don’t expect us to be at your call whenever you want even if it is of no urgency!!!

Do you know that we teachers had even visited students in the night, trying to get them and encourage them to report for class and not to attrite so that they can have a better future? I know of many teachers who had spent a fortune in their handphone bill, just to call up students. So you see, please do give your teacher a break, especially during the holidays and you can be sure that they are not having a “full blown” holiday like all of you. As I say, out of the three week of holidays, they probably enjoy, like one week of it only!!!

Coming back to the graduating students, please do take good care of how you spend your life. In today New Paper, it is saddening to read of how an unwed mother was trying to give up her soon to be born baby for adoption. She had stayed away from her family for the last 5 months, trying not to break her parent hearts, so that they will not know of her pregnancy. But in the 1st place, why had she gotten into such situation, If only she had learnt to live a more wholesome life, then thus this will not happen. No I am not condemning her, in fact, I appreciate her value of a life. She decides not to go for an abortion as she does not want to take away a life. This, I salute her and it is a correct thing to do, as every unborn child, is a LIVING PERSON!!! If she had only learnt to live a life of better moral value, then this issue will not have happen in the first place.

So to all my readers, do understand that the way you live your life, does not only affect you but also your parent, your friends and even your teacher, as we also feel for our students, even after they graduate. I was so happy when I met one of my former students 1 month ago, and he is now running his own company. He was my student 20 years ago and yet I feel so happy to see him so successful. So you see, how you live will also affect us, your teacher.

Do Not Destroy Your Own Life!!!

2006-10-09T09:47:00.000+08:00

As I read yesterday New Paper, it sends a chill down my spine. So what was it that I read, gives me such terrifying fear. It was an article about computer gaming. There article wrote of how a boy was so hook to computer gaming that he rarely left his home and had even sat on the ledge of his room’s window, with his legs dangling. It had happen 3 times and it was during his last “stupid” act that someone called the police. Imaging how shock his parents were when the police came knocking on their doors. They didn’t even know what was going on as their son had locked his room door. As the paper reports, they had tried stopping their son from playing and he flew into such rage that he even pull down the whole window grilles!!! Such “possession” by the computer games!

You may ask, why should Mr Chu bother as he doesn’t play computer games? I worry for my students!!! In every class that I went to, I can see that many, though not all, of the students came to school to play games only! As soon as they step into the lab, they will switch on the computer and start playing Lan games with one another. They were oblivion to what was going on, don’t even bother to listen to their lecturer. It will be a matter of time before they end up like this boy!

It is time to put a stop to such action! To all who reads this blog, if you are one of those that does nothing but play computer games day in and day out, then please put a stop to it before you are “possess” by such computer games. Hey, I am not against playing games. I had even told my students that if they lend me their ears and finished their assignment, I would permit them to play computer games. It is to those who come to school and start playing from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, that I am asking them to put a stop to it. You, my students, must know what is the purpose of being in ITE. This is your chance to move ahead and as I had repeatedly says, if you will not harness such an opportunity to move ahead, then you will indeed be FINISHED!!! Do take a deep thought of what I wrote as I sincerely do not hope to read about one of you in the newpaper on how you are so hooked to computer games and it is destroying your life!!

Mr Chu

What Sort Of Teacher Is This?

2006-09-30T14:12:00.000+08:00

My jaws drop when I read in the front page of the New Paper today. It goes “Teacher who ordered deaf kids to slap each other says ‘What’s the big deal?’” I cannot believe what I read. Worst still it comes from a teacher.

What is the world coming to? A teacher would say such a thing after the incident? What sort of students is this teacher trying to shape? Students who think and accept that violence is acceptable? Are we trying to tell our future generation that using violence is an acceptable way of life? Are we trying to say that it is OK to whack another person?

Here is a classic example of what I would called, an “immoral teacher”. How can a teacher after doing t and still says “What’s the big deal?” Doesn’t she show any remorse? By asking the kids, and especially such young kids, to slap one another, is already a wrong message that this teacher is sending across and yet still says that it is no big deal? This is terrible!!!

As I hear of more stories about teachers, it saddens me, especially for me as an educator myself. Did I relate the incident that happen to my daughter in her school? If I had repeated, pardon me. Anyway the story goes like this. She brought her handphone to school and somehow was with her when she went to the class. Yes, it was her mistake for bringing the handphone to the class when told not to. Then one of the teacher came to the class, can’t remember whether it was the disciplinary mistress or not. This teacher asks the class who had bought the handphone to the class. She asks them to own up and she will keep it for them till the end of the lesson. So my daughter honestly owned up, though many did not. Shocking!!! When she owned up the teacher instead of keeping it for her, told her that it will be confiscated! Instead of keeping to her words, she made a 180 degree changed to her words! Definitely my daughter was furious, here she is trying to be honest but the teacher acted in a very dishonorable way. What was she trying to teach the youngster? Is she trying to tell them that they should not be honest and honesty does not pay? Sometimes, educators need to be weary of their action and speech. What they sowed will eventually be reaped in this youngster

Just like the teacher featured in the newspaper. She is definitely sending all the wrong message to our youngster. I hope that my readers will also see to the fact that how you act and your speech does convey a strong message to all those around you.

Build Good Character!!!

2006-09-24T16:04:00.000+08:00

Students, students, students!!! When will our youngster learn to appreciate what others were doing for them?

Just yesterday, I represented my SH to attend a bursary award from the Singapore Buddhist Lodge Education Foundation. This foundation was kind enough to give bursary to students regardless of race and religion. But this is not the main point. The main point I wanted to bring out was the attitude of some who went up on stage to receive their bursary award. They were given a sum of money for this award so that it could help them to pursue their studies with lesser burden to them financially.

The way some of them who went up to accept the award, I cannot explain in words! Their attitude was, I deserved it, it is rightfully mine, just give it to me, not interested to show thanks or appreciation etc, One of the even come in those 3/4 pants (it is a boy!!!) or what you may call a Bermuda!!! Come on man, show some respect to these people who had work hard to raise money for such people!!! At that moment I wished I could give that boy a tight SLAP!!! No it wasn’t that he cannot afford a pant, in fact many came in school uniform, it was just his attitude, you could even see it from his facial expression.

And sad to add on, most of those who expressed such attitude are ITE students (from all over the colleges). It is saddening to see our students like that. As one of my students requested me to write something about her class, so I am going to make some comments and hopefully they will not be hurt by this writing. To the students of this class, you may have noticed that I no longer leave my sweets on my table. You may think that I am a little stingy as how much does a sweet cost? No it is not about cots but rather about character building. In the beginning, these students will ask for permission before taking the sweets, but somehow, they began to develop a bad character, they just come over to my table and take without permission. Even when I am not around, they assume that it is theirs to take. So they just take and walk away!!! Hello, I don’t owe you anything! What is mine is mine; it does not belong to you. It is ok to take if you had asked my permission! The sweets were, after all, meant for my students. But when I began to notice that they start developing such bad characters, I decides to put a stop! No longer do I leave my sweets on my table. If you want one, KINDLY ASK!!! Don’t make it a habit that you can take from others as you wished, without asking. Show respect for other people belonging!!!

I hope the class that is reading this blog, will understand my action. As I says, how much is a sweets? It is peanuts man!!! But if ever I see that something is shaping you in the wrong path, I will take action, whether you like it or not! If you are offended with today’s blog, too bad! No, seriously, I had meant for good that you will learn from things that I do.

So that’s all for today, rather long.

Beware Of How You Speak And How You Act!

2006-09-20T17:39:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I was very moved by an article about the boy who died of dengue fever? It was not about he dying of dengue fever but rather about his lifestyle in school that even his parent did not know about. The new paper wrote about how he had led a selfless life while in school. He would stay back to help his fellow classmates who were slow or had difficulties understanding their studies. Not only helping his fellow students, he set the example of a role model by encouraging them to try to do well in their studies. Did you read that at times he would stay until late in the night just to help his fellow classmates?

Let me tell you this. In my many years of teaching, I had yet to see such a selfless student. Most of the time, it is about students who would “break” my heart. Just a few days ago, probably most of you may not know of an incident that happen in one of our lab. There was a class going on in one of the lab and because there were some spare computers, so a group from another class was given the permission to use the spare computer. No I wasn’t there, but I was told of what happen in there. Somehow there was some raising of voices in the beginning between the 2 classes. And all of a sudden, one group of boys just dash to one of the boy from the other class and start whacking him, literally whack! Worst still, one of the boys tried taking a chair and wanted to whack the boy and thankfully, my colleagues were there and quickly pull the group apart. This is how students are reacting without much thought of the consequences. Imagine, if that boy was badly injured, it will be a police case and the record will go with them for life. Why are our youngsters reacting like that? This also happen to the class that I am taking over temporary. They had a bad habit of insulting one another with words, though making it sound like a joke. But I can tell you, that such words at times will just push the whole scenario to a situation where fight will just break up.

To all my young readers, learn to have a little tolerance in both words that are uttered and in the way you carry yourself. To you it may sound cool, but I can tell you, it may one day cause great harm not only to yourself, but also to your friends, and even to your family. Spare a thought for them!!!

Feel For Your Parent!!!

2006-09-15T08:55:00.000+08:00

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Yesterday, was the first time that ICT dept had a parent's day where we meet parents for a dialogue. As I mingle with parents from our dept, I can feel a strong vibe from them, that they were very concerned about their child's future. Questions were flowing fast and quick about their child future such as, after ITE then what?, what are the chances of going to poly? if not poly then what about higher nitec? will they have to be enlisted to NS before furthering their studies? any possibililties of getting a degree? etc. I was indeed very glad to see that the parents were all anxious about their child. But sad to says, I feel that the children react in the opposite manner.

Let me relate an incident last night. It wasn't from my class but I happen to listen to the heartbeat of this parent. He was relating about his work. Every project undertaken by his company, he had to undergo 3 test before he is allowed to be part of the tem in the project. This was due to the fact that he lacks "paper" qualification. Can you imagine, the agony he had to go through every time his company get a project? He will not be able to earn a living and his family will falls in financial problem. Everytime, he can only keep trying until he pass, then he would be able to work!!! But his son shows no concern about it, he just adopt a "I don't care attitude" while his father was pouring out his heart to that teacher! His father was trying to tell him to put his heart into his studies so that he would not end up like him. But instead of being touched by his father, he simply doesn't bother!!!

Hellooooo!!!!!!! One day you all will be father or mother. You will fell that agony if you have such a child. It is so easy not to bother about your future as most of you have almost everything provided for. A roof over your head, clothes to keep you warm, money to spend as you like, food to fill your stomach etc. But what will happen one day when you need to fend for yourself? Can you earn enough money to buy a house or simply to rent a house? Will there be food on the table for your future famliy? Will they go hungry for days without food to eat? This is the reality! How often we had read in newspaper about family going without light and water because they have no money to pay their utilities bill, or kid just surviving on water and some moldy bread for their meals? Maybe one day I should bring our students to visit the one "roomers", those living in a one room flat. I had seem from my own eyes how a lady was surviving on packet food from her neighbour and cockroaches running all over, ants crawling on those empty foam boxes.

To all my young reader. It is time to pull up your socks and starts thinking about your future! You all may be young but not too young to start making plans so that you will at least pass and have a NITEC cert. Please do listen as you finish reading this blog.

Mr Chu

Class EL0601G Birthday Celebration

2006-09-13T14:46:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday to Alvin, Darren & Jeremy

Clocks

2006-09-10T17:42:00.000+08:00

Will not be writting today, but will do so the next time. Would like to share my collections of clocks for all to see. hope you enjoy!

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2006-08-31T20:50:00.000+08:00

HAPPY TEACHERS'DAY!

EL0501A

IT IS NOT OK

2006-08-27T21:03:00.000+08:00

How come every week, there seems to be an article that never fails to shock me. Today, if you have read the New Paper headlines, you will come across an article about a girl called Clara. The article was about AIDS and how the youngster is getting it nowadays. No I am not going to talk about AIDS but rather what she says about pre martial sex. Let me quote her exactly from the newspaper. The paper asks whether she regrets sleeping with her ex-boyfriend. And this was her reply “I am not sorry. I don’t think a woman need s to be sorry for being with a man she loves” Let me rephrase it in simple words. What she is saying is that, “No I am not sorry for having sex with my boyfriend. It is OK as long as we love one another; there is nothing to be sorry about having sex with my boy friend”

It shocked me to read this. She is not sorry for having premarital sex and claims that as long as they love one another, it is OK. But what happen to this love? 2 years later they went their separate ways. Is this so called “LOVE”? They claim they love one another so they can sleep with each other, but what happen after 2 years? Where is this so called love? Do it means that every opposite sex that you meet and you have feelings for the other party, so it must be love, then it equates that you can sleep with each other?

Come on, have a little more conscience! To all my young readers. THIS IS YOUR LIFE!!! Do not go about throwing yourself at the other party, every time you start “falling in love”. Do give yourself some respect. Don’t bluff yourself by saying it is OK. IT IS NOT OK!!!. Every human being must preserve some dignity. My young readers, all of you belong to the next generation. If this is the moral value that you hold? Can you imagine, how much worst will it be for the generation after yours, if theirs is much lesser than yours? I would like all of you to spend some time thinking over what I wrote today and try to understand my fears for your future. I pray that the future will not be as bleak as I fear.

EL0501A

2006-08-25T21:20:00.000+08:00

We are the Angels...

Prove Me Wrong!

2006-08-21T15:24:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was reading the newspaper when 2 articles “slam” right into my face.

First was the article about the girl who hide a fetus inside a NTUC locker. And yet when she was arrested and question, it was reported that she simply smile over the whole issue. No regrets, no remorse!!! My goodness, whatever happen to a human emotion called “conscience”. How can one do such a thing and yet can go and have a peaceful sleep? Are we now coming to a stage where we emotions, our conscience, does not exist at all? Especially for this young girl, carrying the fetus for a few months and yet have no feelings to the fetus? Are we going to be so detach from our conscience that in days to come, we will not have qualms about doing evil? I pray that we will not come to such a stage!

But it was heartening to read in the Sunday New Paper about how a millionaire end up almost bankrupt due to the fact that he had overstretch himself for helping the orphans? Did you read of how he became rich through his hardwork and one day saw an orphan with some handicapped begging and decide to adopt him? Then as days and years go by, how he adopted 200 over orphans, almost all with some sort of physical handicapped, providing for them and eventually started a school for such students and drains all his monies until he was almost declare bankrupt? Thankfully an article was written about his work and the government and humanitarian group came in to provide fresh finance.

I doubt that I could be as generous as him, but I do hope to play my part in helping the underprivileged as much as I can. I do hope to contribute to the society in reaching out to such underprivileged.

But back to my blogging. Unfortunately people like this man are rare. My only wish for my readers is that they could contribute a little to the underprivileged so that their life would be a little better due to your contribution, not necessary money, could be any other means. So with this, I would like to end my thoughts for today, even though deep within, I know little will come out of this writing and I sincerely do hope that I am proven wrong for my thoughts.

Do Make Plans!!!

2006-08-14T18:23:00.000+08:00

As stated in my earlier blog, the 1st batch of the ICT students will be graduating soon. I am a little worried for them, even though most of them shown not much concern for their future. To me, I worry about where they will proceed after completing their 2 years of studies. Sad to say, from the result that I had seen, many will not be able to progress to Poly. Then what? Will they be able to move on to Higher Nitec? I am not sure of that either. So, is this going to be the end of the road for them?

To me, if they stop here and enter the workforce, it is not to their benefits, as what they have is not sufficient to help them to survive in this world. How then?

The following are a few alternatives which I hope will help all those who read. May or may not work, will depends very much on each individual.

Firstly, if you can go Poly, DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE IF YOU QUALIFY!

Secondly, apply for Higher Nitec, if you cannot go to poly. Though you may spend another year studying, but at least you may have an opportunity to progress to poly if you do well in your studies.

If not, then try doing taking private “O” level, this may give you the chance to proceed to poly.

A final alternative is to take commercial school certification. Try taking diploma from reputable commercial schools such as MDIS, Informatics etc

The above are just suggestions and you may probably come up with more alternatives. Do share them if you have any other so that all can benefits.

My sincere desire is that all of you will move on further in life and not stop just with a Nitec Cert. Hopefully one day I will see one of you as famous as Sim Wong Hoo, you know who he is? If not then go check out about him!

Time to take stock

2006-08-08T20:59:00.000+08:00

Felt the great need to blog. The ist intake of ICT will be graduating soon, in just a few months from now. But somehow, the class that I thought very highly of seem to be changing, just like those that i thot were once very concerned with their studies seem to be losing interest and surprising those that were the so called "worser" lot are picking up.

Just to illustrated thsi point. Let me relate what happened. Just about 2 weeks ago, one of the staff shouted at the class for being not serious about btheir work and also because a few "answered back" when advised. To me this staff did right as the students were not doing their work. Excuses given was that, we had done it at home so i can play game now. Hello! Just because you did some work at home, does not mean that you come all the way to school to play games. Even if you had done some of your work at home, i don't expect you to come to school and start playing games! When one start going online and play online games, don;t you know that others will follow suit? At least spend some time doing some more of your work before playing! Don't come to school and start playing game, you might as well not come at all!

Surprisingly, the few so called "worser" lot were researching and trying to come up with something for their project. Surprise! surprise! The good one playing games and the "bad" one doing their work. One of them was actually doing her dreamweaver design after I gave her a 10 mins of how to use dreamweaver. No, I am not boasting but actually it stunned me when I saw her coming up with her simple designed. all the while she was one who seldom bother to listen to lesson and normally go on the net to read blog etc. And yet from the back of the room, I could see her trying out and working on her design but the rest, as far as my eyes could see, were playing games or watching shows from either youtube or VCD.

Again, I says, pls do not tell me that I do mine work at home what! So I can play game lah! NO MAN! When in school, this is the best time for you to ask your teacher to help resolved you school project's problems. Dont't says that the teacher don't understand you. No if all you do is to play game in school, pls do not expect your teacher to undertsand that you had done your work at home and it is OK to play game once in school!

It is sad for me to see this happening in the class. I always had high hope that many will make it to further their studies either in higher nitec or in poly. As for me, I believe I had done all I could for all the students. Really cannot think of what else I could do to help them. Two years with us and coming to an end soon, where will each go? What is the next "destination" after ITE? Everyone of you must decide on your own path. Hopefully, this last term and this blog will spur you further and "awaken" your spirit to do better in your final modules!!! All the best

Mr Chu

Such Viciousness

2006-07-07T10:23:00.000+08:00

A long long time since I last blogged. Let me relate the latest feeling. One of my students sends me the video clip of a few girls walloping another girl. Note, I used the word WALLOP. If you had seen the video, it will shock you out of your life! I had never imagined that I will see such actions from especially Singaporean girls. The way they wallop that pitiful girl, it was with such intense viciousness and if you had seen how they kick the girl, you will never believe that such vicious violent existed.

Singapore had always been seen as a country with people fully educated, with all that streaming and post secondary education that all students must go through and yet this is the outcome of educating our youngster. Where had they learned such values? I myself am an educator but unfortunately these few years I had seen the “decline” of the values of those recently employed. No, I am not berating every newly employed educator or teachers. I had the privilege of seeing one or two who shows passion for teaching, but unfortunately, the majority of those employed are people who see teaching as a means of “safe” career. I had personally heard of teachers that used four letters words on students infront of the class! (It was true as a few teachers had witness the incidents) I personally had seen teacher who preach the virtue of punctuality, of not playing truancy, but they themselves were late for classes, play truancy by not turning up for classes etc. What sort of teachers is the educational system is employing? Worst still, only recently, one student took a video clips of a teacher doing a very “unwholesome” act in the school and it was recorded without his knowledge! (Note, I used unwholesome, too vulgar to even write it in the blog). Imagine teachers doing such an act in an institution!!!

With such people as educator, what do you expect of the students. This is the one of the main reason why our youngster are going astray! Though the educator is not their parent, but they are the role model, if they cannot be a positive influence to their students then they will definitely make a negative impact on their students. There’s no such things that a teacher will never leave an in print in their students. It is either good or bad values that educator will leave in their students.

It takes two to clap. Educator are failing in their duties but youngster are also loosing their moral values. Youngster are so much into themselves that they no longer regards others as fellow human being. All they see is someone to be used for their advancement! Like that video where a few students wallop the other student, it build up their “advancement” as others will view them as their “Lao Ta”. What can be done? This is a question that I will leave it to my reader to reflect and to search their own soul to see if they could change and grow up to be a better person!

Mr Chu

Breaking my heart!

2006-03-31T14:24:00.000+08:00

Last posting, was so happy to see changes in student and this posting, breaks my heart.

Today, 2 things happen. Shall not and not elaborate too much. There was this student that a few of us were trying to help, explaining to her why we were doing such a thing (even though it was not right). But surprisingly, instead of being appreciative of we bending our backs to help her, she turn round as says that she does not need our pity. Hello, for sure, I am not pitying her, I was just trying to help her as I saw the fact that she was trying and doing her part! Tried explaining to her that what we are doing is trying to ensure that her life will not be shattered if she cannot continue in her studies as she had only a "N" level and this is not sufficient for her to survive in a country like singapore where it seems that you need a paper, not just a paper, but a good paper to survive! Somehow, I could see how strong her ego was. Even when we tell her the case had been and she is free to go, she refused to bulge from her seat, maintaining that she does not need our "pity" and we can sack her if we want to! Arggggg!!!! I felt sorry for her (not pity her), that after all that was done, she still cannot see that we are here to help students and do all we can to ensure that they will get a NITEC cert! Anyway, finally she left still crying and not accepting this fact.

Then later in the afternoon, the 2nd case happen. Again cannot elaborate and it might harm the students. 3 students foolishly did some stupid thing. I hope I had not handled it wrongly as I seek not to report it to higher authority or the police. Angrily, I get them to undo what they had done by the afternoon and if not I told them that I will call the police. Thankfully, though they had already left the Institute, they cam back and undo that which they had done. I sincerely hope that they have learnt their mistakes and will not do it again.

Don't really understand students why they have to do such thing. As I had always says, ITE is the last chance and only chance for them to pursue higher education if they want to progress, but it seems that my words are falling on deaf ears. Hello, will all my reader be awaken, especially my students? Take this place as a stepping stone for higher ground!!!

Mr Chu

What Makes Me Glad

2006-03-28T19:20:00.000+08:00

Today was having a chat with 2 of my students in one of the computer lab. A pleasant surprise for me. These two were one of those that had some problem between themselves and I remember how one of them says that the misunderstanding was too hard to be forgotten. But it pleases me to see that both were in talking terms and were as before, laughing and being friends with one another.

This is what I look for in my students. It was my desire to see them developing a character that is forgiving. Thankfully they had a forgiving heart, not holding grudges against one another. Can you imagine them carrying and holding grudges against one another? It will make life miserable for others and even for themselves. They have to see one another everyday and can you imagine what their days will be like? Every time they see one another, it will spoil their days. But thankfully they had each a forgiving heart, willing to forgive and forget what misunderstanding they have for each other. Though they may not be perfect at least, they are cultivating a good character and attitude. To both of them, I applaud your forgiving heart!!! Keep it up!

But unfortunately, this class has only about half a year more to go with me and there are still some whom I sincerely wished will changed. Their changing is what makes me happy. Their change in life will not give me a promotion, will not ensure I get a pay increase, will not get me a pat of the shoulder by the principal etc, but it had gladden my heart. This is what makes me a teacher! It is the change that I could make, whether small or great that gives me great satisfaction as a teacher. Hopefully, I could see more changes in the lives of everyone before they graduate from the school.

SAD! SAD! SAD!

2006-03-24T12:24:00.000+08:00

This week had been a dazed for me. Was very shattered by a comment from one of my student (though that student may have apologized) but I am still trying to recover from that comment. It was a small comment but that comment had such deep piercing effect on my heart that I am still having trouble getting over it.

I had never ever realized that things which I tried to do for my students could be so badly interpreted. Never had I any intention of claiming credits or gaining glory for the work of my students and surprising, some of them think so. All I had ever wanted was that my students could find ways and means to progress in their studies and their studies in ITE will not be sufficient for them to survive in this harsh world, especially in Singapore, where they need a good certificate to achieve a better lifestyle. All the opportunities and all the competitions that I had encourage my students to participate were meant for their good so that it will better portray their position when they seek to progress on in their studies.

SAD! SAD! SAD! It caused me to wonder what was that that I do to make them think otherwise, thinking that I want their credit. I am already on my last lap of teaching life (retiring in less than 10 years) and I am not seeking for promotion, nor am I seeking to use my students to score points for myself. If ever I am doing it, then I DO NOT DESERVE TO BE A TEACHER!!! I do hope that if ever any of you grow up to be a teacher, you must always bear this in mind, students are there for you to mold, to shape, to challenge, never to be used as a tool for your advancement in your career!

With this, I would like to end this blog.

Mr Chu

Inane Insecurity

2006-03-12T21:29:00.000+08:00

The serenity of having the fountain of peace flow from within has definitely taken me by surprise.

Being human, I would be agitated at being misunderstood, probably would like to wrestle the problems and try to pin and nab down everyone. But like I said, WERID as it does sound. Its funny how some people would like to waste their time and life fighting or judging other people and trying to sum up the lives of others, probably even going to an extent of sketching out a whole lifestyle of another with their own imagination or supposed hear say. These people certainly put the writers of "Days of our Lives" to shame and I feel sorry that these people are not investing good quality time trying to build friendships and relationships with people they love and treasure instead of withering away, trying to slain, slander and burn...

Oh well, the truth will see the light of day. All in due time and I pray that there will be a veil of protection over our tongues and our hearts. That we should guard it and not fight back or judge other people in our own lives. I know many of you have problems with your friendships at school or people that disappoint you. Life certainly isn't easy!!!! But we can choose how we want to deal with things. Our focus, our perspectives and what controls our lives. If we govern our lives trying to fend off the world and trying so hard to please everyone and make a good impression, we'd be burnt out! That inner circle of friends and family, that circle of trust, integrity, love and peace is so important and integral in our lives.

A saying goes, “Those who matter don't care and those who care don't matter.”I pray you'd find the strength, within your family and close knit friends to lead the "Let Go" life. That you'd let go of things beyond your control. But to control your own mind and your own judgment of people, your own ways and to open up that door of understanding to love and to be greatly blessed coz you are special and no one can ever take that away from you ; )

Posted by: "Grand daughter"

What Are Young People Upto Nowadays (III)

2006-03-09T21:13:00.000+08:00

Never had the intention to do so many parts. This is the 3rd part of my blog title. Will it never end? I hope that this will be the last time I will write my blog based on the above title.

It worries me and it also frightened me to see where our students are heading. Let’s not kid ourselves. ITE students are no angels. Though there may be some who are really “angels” but sad to says, most are not. The students are too easily agitated, always ready for a fight, trying to be a hero in front of their friends, seldom think before they act.

I had been teaching for years, but it seems that our students are getting worst. I had been penning in this blog, hoping that it will challenge or at least makes an impact on my students, thereafter; I could at least see some changes in them. But it does not seem to be happening. Had I failed in my duty as a teacher, to shape life for the better? Had I not been an influence to my students?

Maybe it’s time for me to send some of the students to see our counselors so that they can learn to handle anger in the proper manner. To all my students who are reading this blog, learn to be more self restrained. It may seem that you are like a hero in front of your friends, but let me tell you, if this continue, if will slowly become a part of our and when you grow older, it may be too late for you to changes and you may one day end up lying on the streets, with blood flowing all over from out of you. No kidding!!! It could happen if you do not start changing now.

I seem to have come to a point where I am slowly losing faith in myself as a teacher. Maybe, my calling as a teacher seem to be coming to an end, as I feel that I had not been effective enough to be an impact to my students.

Well, I will end here and hopefully my next entry would no longer need to be a continuation of this blog title, no more part IV!!!

What Sort Of Human Being Are We?

2006-03-06T12:09:00.000+08:00

I write with a sad heart. It breaks my heart to hear of a girl, only 2 years old, and how her life was “cut” short. It’s amazing what human being can do. For those in the unknown, yesterday Sunday Times headline as “Found dead, 2yrs old Nol, Step father arrested…”

A few issues that I would like to share with my young reader. First, if you had read the newspaper, it reported of this 2 year old girl gone missing for the last 3 days and how all the family members spend almost overnight searching for her and the search group include even this step father. Then on Sunday, splashing across the front page was the abovementioned headline. I cannot imagine what human being will do to such an innocent 2 year old girl. How cruel can human being be. I pray that none of you, my young reader, will ever do such a thing. We are talking about a human life, not a toy!!! Life is very precious and should be valued above all, so we must never cause our life to “expire” prematurely either by harming others or by doing harm to ourselves.

Secondly, if you had read the whole report, you will note that nothing bad was mentioned about this step father. It was reported that he loves the child very much and that he had no problem with the family. Sadly to says, this is what I call, a wolf in sheep’s skin. Outwardly such a nice person, but inwardly a pervert, a killer, an insane person etc. Unfortunately, how true is this, in all of us, even myself! Very often, outwardly we look perfectly well, perfectly a nice person, but often, we are otherwise. This is why we need to build a character with true moral values. We may not attain such perfection, but if we have started developing since young, it will definitely be embedded in us. This is the reason, why I had started this blog, hoping that I could at least share with all of you some values that could mold you to be a good person. Hopefully, it had done so (do drop me a comment, if this blog had been beneficial to you.) I am not perfect, but I strived to be a good person, at least not doing any harm to my fellow human being. At times, I may be a hypocrite, doing things that I ought not to do or saying things that I should not, but I had always try to be remorseful whenever it happen. Being remorse is one of the best ways that we can cultivate a good character, as this will help us in taking the 1st step in acknowledging our wrong doing.

With this, I would like to conclude and hopefully, all my young readers will be moved so that they will think twice before doing any harm to others!

What are Young People Up To Nowadys (Part II)?

2006-03-02T15:18:00.000+08:00

Never had the intention of continuing from where I stop in my last blog. But can’t help, feel the great need to write a 2nd part.

Been teaching for over 20 years and had never ever experience a situation where a student threaten to beat up a teacher. It happened yesterday (I was only told, was not actually there when it happen). The incident is as follows. Look like one of the student from another dept was interested in one of our girls. So he came over, peeping into the class. So one the girl’s classmate was trying to “shoo” them away by putting a note stating that this girl is not interested in any of them. This anger that particular student and he called his friends over, wanting to whack the student who puts up the note. When my colleagues saw the incident, they went over trying to ease that tense moment. Anyway, the story goes that, at that moment one of the student started to threaten one of the staff. So to keep the story short, my colleagues managed to take the names of most of the student involved and told them that should anything happen, their names will be submitted to the police. So that’s the end of the story.

My question is, how can a 17 or 18 year old kid point a finger at the staff and threaten a teacher? In my days, it will be immediate dismissal. But sad to say, due to some unspoken “guide”, such action cannot be taken. How I wished that it was otherwise. If these youngsters will not know what is right from wrong now, I cannot imagine what will happen when they grow up. Will they simply flash out a knife and stab someone whenever they are not happy? Or will they pick a chair and smashed it in the other person head (as is always shown on TV), irregardless of whether it will kill that person?

I sincerely pray that I will never ever read in the newspaper one day, that the police are looking for a killer and that killer is one of my students. To all my young readers, you may never grow up to be as successfully as Sim Kwong Hoo (CEO of Creative Tech), but at least I hope that all of you will grow up to be responsible citizens, someone with a heart for the underprivileged, someone who cares and show concern for their fellow human being.

That’s all I have to write. Happy reading

Mr Chu

What are the Young People Up To Nowadays?

2006-02-28T19:27:00.000+08:00

What can I say about today’s youth? You can use almost all adjectives to describe them. Rebellious, shocking, disrespectful, no sense of moral value, cunning, selfish etc can go on and on and on.

I guess most of you are now aware of the famous NY Poly issue. The fact that not only was she regretful, I remember that she even says that it is Ok to do it as many are also doing it. And many youth surveyed says the same thing also!!! How shocking!!! I always says, “When other do it, it does not mean that you should also do it and as everyone is doing it, then it is OK” NO, NO, NO, others may do it but it had never meant that since many are doing it then it is Ok to do it. Where is your sense of moral value? Where are your own principles?

And for today, it shocks me to be told that one of the students challenged a teacher! In my days as a student, I can tell you what is the immediate outcome. Off to the principal office to “receive” your stroke of rattan!!! Immediate caning without questioning! Thankfully, this student had realized his wrong and the issue were settled between him and the teacher, though I am not sure what had transpired between them. Hopefully, it will not happen again.

Don’t test my patience, my young student. Was actually very mad this afternoon. Students were playing all over the class, not realizing the danger of what they are doing. Put my foot down and told them to go out of the class if they want to play. Sad to says, when I see some of them again later, they were trying to make water bomb. It may be fun, but if that water bomb is to accidentally hit somebody eyes and if that person is wearing contact lens, can you imagine the harm done!!! Hello, can you stop for a minute before having such fun? Unfortunately, I am seeing a decline in behaviour in one of the class that I am quite close to. It saddens me to see it happening. At times, I feel like giving some of them a good SLAP (wow, so cruel of me), so that at least they will learn now then in the future where it might be too late.

Well that’s all I have to blog for today

AWAKE My Young People

2006-02-24T19:48:00.000+08:00

Continuing from where I stop in my last entry. Incase you do not know what I was talking about, pls refer to the posting below. In that posting, I wrote of how come so many of our old folks seems to be toiling in their twilight life.

It is not that our country economy had collapse such that all of us must do such manual work. Neither is Singapore a third world country, in fact, we are a develop country that is supposed to be a prosperous country. Then how come we still so old folks collecting cartons, clearing rubbish, etc, working in such a bad state. No I am not saying that such work are low class etc, but rather why is it that our old folks cannot live a more comfortable and enjoyable life in their final stage of life on earth?

I believe that one reason is because of this word “FAMILY” Huh? I guess many of you will have this immediate reaction. Huh? what is Mr Cchu talking about. Let me elaborate. Too often when a man or woman get married, to them, their family is about they and their children. Such family is too preoccupied with their own “family” and began to neglect their parents, grandparents. When the parent set such example, their kids follow likewise. So when the kids grow up and get married, they start their “own” family, that exclude their parent, so such old folks are left to fend for themselves. This vicious cycle seems to have no end! It is also because of the small family unit, that parents began to pamper too much on their kids, such that these kids become too self centered. I had seen kids who think of themselves only, everything is centered around themselves.

Let me add another example. In my school I had seem students coming in expensive handphone, accessories etc, and yet when their school fees are due, there is no money in the account. Had such students thought about lightening their parent burden, by spending less and use such money to pay school fee? Sad to say, instead they continue in their lifestyle and spare no thoughts of helping their parent. If they are like that now, can you imagine, how they will treat their parent when their parent grow old? I sincerely pray that our youth will be awaken to see that it is time to be more conscious of such things that are happening around them. AWAKE! AWAKE! AWAKE!!!

Mr Chu

WHY, WHY, WHY?

2006-02-22T19:58:00.000+08:00

Did you read the forum page today (22 Feb 06) in the Straits Times? If not, I had extracted the article as I find it speaks of something our youth ought to ponder on. The article is as copied …

“ ON FEB 11 at around 7.30pm, I saw an old woman with a crooked back dragging a cart full of cardboard boxes and old newspapers while I was walking along South Bridge Road near Chinatown. Apparently she was going to sell them to earn some income further down the road. When her load fell off the cart near Cross Street, a young Singaporean man assisted her and helped to push the cart to her destination. He also gave her some money out of his kind-heartedness.

As a visitor to Singapore, I did not expect to see this in a First World country. Isn't there a pension fund so that the aged do not have to survive in this condition? Has Singapore become so selfish in its quest for economic prosperity that the poor and the aged get discarded along the way? The sight of the old woman pushing a heavy cart on a busy Saturday night is something that I will not forget for a long time. It has certainly changed my impression of Singapore.

And to that young Singaporean man, I salute you for your compassion and generosity.

Richard Tan
New South Wales, Australia”

Some people believe that such old folks were doing it because they are a little bored with nothing to do!!! Sincerely I never believe anyone would like to do such manual work. My father in law once tried to occupy himself by trying to work as a cleaner in the toilet (he does not need to work, as he is well provided for) but this job lasted not more than 2 hrs before he gave up. No, I don’t believe that any old folks will want to occupy themselves in such work, but rather they need to survive. In such a country like Singapore, why are there so many old folks seem to be working for a living even when they are so frail or fragile. WHY, WHY, WHY!!! To me it is so saddening. What had happen to our generation? I may not have the perfect answer, but I believe I may have one of the answers to this sad predicament. So what is it? I will post my thoughts on this issue the next time I blog! So keep Reading!!!

Mr Chu

Be Forgiving!!!

2006-02-17T13:45:00.000+08:00

It disturb me when I see how students hold grudges against one another. I was handling a case (too confidential to mention) when I could see the hatredof this student towrds his/her classmates. Looks like nothing can put the fire out of this student. This particular student was all out to make sure his/her classmates will "die" no matter what!!! It is saddening to see our youngster falling to this stage. Will our society be a place where there's no such thing as compasssion, understanding, giving others a chance, tolerance, etc?

I remember years ago, when I was in poly, there was some misunderstanding between me and another student. That student was so adament not to patch up, so determine not to have anything to do with me. I was angry at first, as I recall that I did no wrong, but one day, I simply approached him and says that "I am sorry for whatever happen". I extended my handshake as a token of "peacemaking". Even to this day, I can still remember the expression on his face. He was shocked! He was taken aback and was stunned for word for quite a while. Finally the ice, the unspoken wall was shattered and we became classmate again. Though we may not be best of friend, but still we are friends.

But as I reflect now, over what happen to this student, I can feel that there will be no forgiviness towards his/her classmates. The hatred that is embedded deep in this student heart, looks "unresolvable". Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done now, (a little inconvenient for me to say why) but can only pray that in days to come, this student will be transformmed and will not have a hardened heart.

With this, I will end my blogging for today.

Be forgiving and the world will be a much better place to live in.

Mr Chu

Thanks for all your concern!!!

2006-02-14T09:58:00.000+08:00

Continuing from my last entry, I said that there are some good that comes out from our student. Last week due to some unfortunate circumstances, I sprained my ankle and the number of student who called and sms me, showing the concerned actually touches me. This is why I am a lecturer. I get satisfaction of being a lecturer not because of promotion, not to impress my bosses, not to score points so that I could move higher in ranking etc, but because I want to touch lives!!! Sound so great, as though I am such a noble person!!!. No lah! I am not a noble person, but it always troubled me when I see how our youth fell along the way and are led astray. I always tell myself that if I can just touch even 1 student to “reform” I will be very happy.

Imagine, that one of the student who sms me had just been scolded by me for not coming to school in the proper attire on the same morning!!! After scolded and in the night can still sms me asking me to take care, this goes to show that lives can be touched even if that person sounded or looked unchangeable. Mine time is running out soon as I had been teaching for over 20 years and I am on my last lap of teaching career. Hopefully I can still move and change lives during these last few years of my teaching life.

To all my “grandchildren”, that is what I called some of them and they me “ah gong”, thanks for all your concerned and care. Hopefully, all of you will grow up and even as you embarked on adulthood, you will still and always be a caring person. This is my wish for all of you, though I may nag, I may scold, but I can tell all of you that I never do it to vent my anger but rather hopefully it will have an impact on your lives so that you could be a better person.