Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The last Tuesday
End of the day. Happy to be going for music lesson with my music teacher. Life in school is busy and unavoidably full of politics. I just hope 2011 brings me more peace so that I have more time to think of how to better my students 'results. I want to be the second best. Now they are very close to bottom among 11classes. Some people tell not to be too demanding of working because the weak ones will give up. I wonder how I can differentiate teaching to benefit all. This shall be my year end reflection.
Monday, December 27, 2010
2011 I welcome you!
In less than a week, 2010 will be over. I realised I haven't quite accomplished much other than land myself in a decently permanent job of a lecturer.
I am falling in love again. He tease me a lot, so i hope it turns out well.
Next year shall be a even better year.
I am falling in love again. He tease me a lot, so i hope it turns out well.
Next year shall be a even better year.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Another wedding attended
Today I attended a friend's wedding despite having lost my voice since Thurday evening.
As much as I hate to attend wedding alone, I decided to go for it, so much for "gaining experience"
and also to show my friend that I care about her (and her husband of course)
Being in a church, not an official christian, I usually would sing along with the hymns, just to take it as some nice music that the congregation enjoys together.
However, I could not sing today without my voice, and sympathised with how Ariel in the Little Mermaid must have felt.
I felt like a mute, trying to convey my messages across proved to be a joke in office yesterday.
Colleagues say that I am in "Silent mode" and some even said it was the best day they could pick a fight with me without me retaliating. I felt hurt.
Some even asked sarcastically how I managed to still be happy with a smile (with I equate with courtesy) when I am doing a thing as silly as holding a billboard to tell others what I want to say.
Just some thoughts going through my mind while being in church listening to the sermon in two languages, making me remember how I conduct class in school:
in English for the formality of it, then again in mandarin so that those who can't understand can have chance to learn, while those who learnt had the chance to ...(feel bored)
Perhaps I am too immuned to attending weddings that I do not feel anything already. The couple was still like as they were before, wedded or not, still as loving, not much difference.
As much as I hate to attend wedding alone, I decided to go for it, so much for "gaining experience"
and also to show my friend that I care about her (and her husband of course)
Being in a church, not an official christian, I usually would sing along with the hymns, just to take it as some nice music that the congregation enjoys together.
However, I could not sing today without my voice, and sympathised with how Ariel in the Little Mermaid must have felt.
I felt like a mute, trying to convey my messages across proved to be a joke in office yesterday.
Colleagues say that I am in "Silent mode" and some even said it was the best day they could pick a fight with me without me retaliating. I felt hurt.
Some even asked sarcastically how I managed to still be happy with a smile (with I equate with courtesy) when I am doing a thing as silly as holding a billboard to tell others what I want to say.
Just some thoughts going through my mind while being in church listening to the sermon in two languages, making me remember how I conduct class in school:
in English for the formality of it, then again in mandarin so that those who can't understand can have chance to learn, while those who learnt had the chance to ...(feel bored)
Perhaps I am too immuned to attending weddings that I do not feel anything already. The couple was still like as they were before, wedded or not, still as loving, not much difference.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
From my friend, Jenn Chiang
These are called paraprosdokian sentences.
The first half has one meaning and the second half provides a whole new meaning.
I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way.
So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
Do not argue with idiots.
They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
But it's still on the list.
Light travels faster than sound.
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
If I agreed with you,
we'd both be wrong.
We never really grow up,
we only learn how to act in public.
War does not determine who is right,
only who is left.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common.
They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.
The early bird might get the worm
but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening'
and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism.
To steal from man is research.
If God is watching us,
the least we can do is be entertaining.
A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive,
try missing a couple of payments.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire
but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything
but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Dolphins are smart,
within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
I thought I wanted a career;
turns out I just wanted pay cheques.
A bank is a place that will lend you money
if you can prove that you don't need it.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.
I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.
I didn't say it was your fault;
I said I was blaming you.
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars
but check when you say the paint is wet.
Women will never be equal to men
until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president
and 50 for Miss America?
Behind every successful man is his woman.
Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
You do not need a parachute to skydive.
You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
The voices in my head may not be real
but they have some good ideas!
Always borrow money from a pessimist.
He won't expect it back.
Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home
even if you wish they were.
Money can't buy happiness
but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
I discovered I scream the same way
whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.
Change is inevitable,
except from a vending machine.
The first half has one meaning and the second half provides a whole new meaning.
I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way.
So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
Do not argue with idiots.
They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
But it's still on the list.
Light travels faster than sound.
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
If I agreed with you,
we'd both be wrong.
We never really grow up,
we only learn how to act in public.
War does not determine who is right,
only who is left.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common.
They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.
The early bird might get the worm
but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening'
and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism.
To steal from man is research.
If God is watching us,
the least we can do is be entertaining.
A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive,
try missing a couple of payments.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire
but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything
but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Dolphins are smart,
within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
I thought I wanted a career;
turns out I just wanted pay cheques.
A bank is a place that will lend you money
if you can prove that you don't need it.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.
I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.
I didn't say it was your fault;
I said I was blaming you.
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars
but check when you say the paint is wet.
Women will never be equal to men
until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president
and 50 for Miss America?
Behind every successful man is his woman.
Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
You do not need a parachute to skydive.
You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
The voices in my head may not be real
but they have some good ideas!
Always borrow money from a pessimist.
He won't expect it back.
Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home
even if you wish they were.
Money can't buy happiness
but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
I discovered I scream the same way
whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.
Change is inevitable,
except from a vending machine.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A Fresh New Begining
After lofting around for many years since my graduation in 2006, I am finally set to take up a full time permanent job.
Well, I didn't lose much either, for the past years these are what I have been doing:
2006 Aug-Nov: 1st attempt at Relief Teaching in a Secondary School (Neighbourhood one somemore)
2007 Jan-Mar: Still relief teaching but at a school much nearer to my home, was pleased to hear that HOD finds me qualified to teach Add Math even though some perm school teachers aren't (not their fault, just that they didn't do Math up to Uni level, most of these have Math as 2nd teaching subjects, and are usually "stuck" at lower sec classes). Here I met my ex, was covering his class, was impressed by his sense of moral righteousness and hence fell in love and decide to grab him. SIGH
2007 Apr-Aug: Got a GREAT opportunity to relief teach at and independent school, a all-boys school. Met great colleagues who became good friends. Love the place but had to go to make space for prioritised people.
2007 Sep-Nov: Back to the near-to-home school, felt a little weird that they can actually allow relief teachers to invigilate the important end-of-year exam, but didn't think much of it then since I had the chance to get a few more days' pay.
2008 Jan-Oct: Happy that HOD got me to teach longer term, she had plan for me to stay for long and handle the not-so-nice students in hope they will turn good and score a little better for the exams. It did work, a part of these students turned for the better, some naughty ones continued to test waters for room to misbehave but had to give in to my consistency. However, the teaching term had to end. And I still didn't make it into NIE despite several attempts in application.
2009 Jan-Aug: Moved on to yet another school near my home, still with the hope that some form of help from the school principal can help me get into NIE. But here I was asked to teach English. Eventually, clash of conflict when the Maths department wanted me to do some work and English needed me too (not that I am that important or useful, just happen to be in the same time frame), and I ended up dismissed when more trainee came to test out the teaching scene.
2009 Sep-Dec: I was asked to be the in-house musician of a chinese restaurant, decided to give it a try since the pay is not too bad and I knew it is hard to get employed by schools near the end of the year. Unfortunately, the company ran out of funds and decide that it was not very useful to the sales having live music and decided to terminate my service.
2010: Private tutoring still goes on, with tuition centres as well. Even got the chance to teach in school's Chinese Orchestra. But these tend to have messy schedules and have off peak periods when no lesson equals no money. Finally, HOD invited (or rather dug out my application from I can't even remember when) me to join their school. Pay, benefits, work scope quite my cup of tea, far though--- in Kovan. I had to give in a little: some CO in the weekdays, a few tuition (good chance to rid of the less hopeful)
Here I am, with apprehensions to start my new teaching job, on Teachers' Day.
Well, I didn't lose much either, for the past years these are what I have been doing:
2006 Aug-Nov: 1st attempt at Relief Teaching in a Secondary School (Neighbourhood one somemore)
2007 Jan-Mar: Still relief teaching but at a school much nearer to my home, was pleased to hear that HOD finds me qualified to teach Add Math even though some perm school teachers aren't (not their fault, just that they didn't do Math up to Uni level, most of these have Math as 2nd teaching subjects, and are usually "stuck" at lower sec classes). Here I met my ex, was covering his class, was impressed by his sense of moral righteousness and hence fell in love and decide to grab him. SIGH
2007 Apr-Aug: Got a GREAT opportunity to relief teach at and independent school, a all-boys school. Met great colleagues who became good friends. Love the place but had to go to make space for prioritised people.
2007 Sep-Nov: Back to the near-to-home school, felt a little weird that they can actually allow relief teachers to invigilate the important end-of-year exam, but didn't think much of it then since I had the chance to get a few more days' pay.
2008 Jan-Oct: Happy that HOD got me to teach longer term, she had plan for me to stay for long and handle the not-so-nice students in hope they will turn good and score a little better for the exams. It did work, a part of these students turned for the better, some naughty ones continued to test waters for room to misbehave but had to give in to my consistency. However, the teaching term had to end. And I still didn't make it into NIE despite several attempts in application.
2009 Jan-Aug: Moved on to yet another school near my home, still with the hope that some form of help from the school principal can help me get into NIE. But here I was asked to teach English. Eventually, clash of conflict when the Maths department wanted me to do some work and English needed me too (not that I am that important or useful, just happen to be in the same time frame), and I ended up dismissed when more trainee came to test out the teaching scene.
2009 Sep-Dec: I was asked to be the in-house musician of a chinese restaurant, decided to give it a try since the pay is not too bad and I knew it is hard to get employed by schools near the end of the year. Unfortunately, the company ran out of funds and decide that it was not very useful to the sales having live music and decided to terminate my service.
2010: Private tutoring still goes on, with tuition centres as well. Even got the chance to teach in school's Chinese Orchestra. But these tend to have messy schedules and have off peak periods when no lesson equals no money. Finally, HOD invited (or rather dug out my application from I can't even remember when) me to join their school. Pay, benefits, work scope quite my cup of tea, far though--- in Kovan. I had to give in a little: some CO in the weekdays, a few tuition (good chance to rid of the less hopeful)
Here I am, with apprehensions to start my new teaching job, on Teachers' Day.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Japanese Food at Illuma again!
Last Saturday, I was at Illuma for the scan-your-order-from-the-menu japanese food restaurant again!
http://www.ebisboshishotengai.com/
This time we finally tried the Taiyaki, which is the traditional fish-shaped pan cake with red bean filling. There are other flavours to choose from as well.
http://www.ebisboshishotengai.com/
This time we finally tried the Taiyaki, which is the traditional fish-shaped pan cake with red bean filling. There are other flavours to choose from as well.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Pictures of food and Menu
Here are 4 Photos, 2 from Malaysia with my ex-colleague Aida. Chicken from Kenny Rogers and Ice cream from Baskin Robbins.
Another 2 picture shows a menu from a Japanese Restaurant at Illuma top floor. PY and I were excited by the way we have to order using a scanning pen to touch on the menu and make our selection.
Another 2 picture shows a menu from a Japanese Restaurant at Illuma top floor. PY and I were excited by the way we have to order using a scanning pen to touch on the menu and make our selection.
Friday, May 7, 2010
how to stay COOL in this HOT weather-PRELUDE
My inspiration to write this started off when I woke up on Wednesday morning, later than usual (for my weekly harmony class) soaked with perspiration and thus an itchy neck with rash.
Wednesdays has always ben my busiest yet most fulfiling day of the wee. I usual head off to my harmony teacher's place for a morning filled with musical thoughts and quality opinion exchange. Splendissimo!
Then I will go of for a nice (and usually expensive) lunch. Eating alone is always not easy to be cheap, consider the lunch crowd and no lunch buddy to reserve (or "chope) seats for you. I have thus learnt to live with eating at places where I can just stick out a finger and say "table for one, yes I am alone" and get air con and service and hopefully good enough food to match the bill.
After lunch would be a little time out for me to plan (maybe I should learn to just switch off for a while) the day and rest of the week till next wednesday, before heading off to tutor one of my secondary tutee's sister. Following her slot would be a class of Secondary 2 students.
Finally at 8pm, I head home for a unsually late dinner, which I always appreciate. And during this dinner I remorse over feeling angry that my mum scolds me for not puting effort into my cooking, especially when she comes home tired and have to eat my crap. I would better learn and discipline myself to get more organised with household chores and not compromise my own work.
And, before digressing too far, linking back to the topic: Wednesdays are long but it's always a day with all my activities in air conditioned places.
So on wednesday night, I googled options on how to keep cool without air con and was surprised to find HOMEMADE AIR CON! Basically, most posts include ideas of using ice or coolant and blowing air over it thus creating cool breeze. Here's the website:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-12V-Air-Conditioner---Cheap-and-easy!/
Wednesdays has always ben my busiest yet most fulfiling day of the wee. I usual head off to my harmony teacher's place for a morning filled with musical thoughts and quality opinion exchange. Splendissimo!
Then I will go of for a nice (and usually expensive) lunch. Eating alone is always not easy to be cheap, consider the lunch crowd and no lunch buddy to reserve (or "chope) seats for you. I have thus learnt to live with eating at places where I can just stick out a finger and say "table for one, yes I am alone" and get air con and service and hopefully good enough food to match the bill.
After lunch would be a little time out for me to plan (maybe I should learn to just switch off for a while) the day and rest of the week till next wednesday, before heading off to tutor one of my secondary tutee's sister. Following her slot would be a class of Secondary 2 students.
Finally at 8pm, I head home for a unsually late dinner, which I always appreciate. And during this dinner I remorse over feeling angry that my mum scolds me for not puting effort into my cooking, especially when she comes home tired and have to eat my crap. I would better learn and discipline myself to get more organised with household chores and not compromise my own work.
And, before digressing too far, linking back to the topic: Wednesdays are long but it's always a day with all my activities in air conditioned places.
So on wednesday night, I googled options on how to keep cool without air con and was surprised to find HOMEMADE AIR CON! Basically, most posts include ideas of using ice or coolant and blowing air over it thus creating cool breeze. Here's the website:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-12V-Air-Conditioner---Cheap-and-easy!/
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Upcoming performance Events
Here's a list to update readers about my upcoming performances:
16th May 2010 (Sunday)10am
Open Space near Tiong Bahru Market
An event by the Tiong Bahru Community Club
I'll be the accompanist for Mr Guo Peng from Tianjin Conservatory who will solo on his erhu the piece Ah Mei Zu Wu Qu (The Ah Mei Tribe's Dance)
23rd May 2010 (Sunday) 8:30pm
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Grand Ballroom
80th Birthday of Kheng Keng Auto Pte Ltd
45 minutes show with a 3 piece chinese ensemble, playing chinese oldies and traditional pieces.
16th May 2010 (Sunday)10am
Open Space near Tiong Bahru Market
An event by the Tiong Bahru Community Club
I'll be the accompanist for Mr Guo Peng from Tianjin Conservatory who will solo on his erhu the piece Ah Mei Zu Wu Qu (The Ah Mei Tribe's Dance)
23rd May 2010 (Sunday) 8:30pm
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Grand Ballroom
80th Birthday of Kheng Keng Auto Pte Ltd
45 minutes show with a 3 piece chinese ensemble, playing chinese oldies and traditional pieces.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A concert review: NUSSO playing Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique
On 19th March 2010, I was treated to the annual concert of the NUS Symphony Orchestra, compliments of my secondary school senior. My senior and I were both in our school's Chinese Orchestra, I play the yangqin while she plays the double bass which in my opinion as a teenager has a better potential to make music as a career since it has a place in both chinese and western music, in fact, in many genres of western music.
Honestly speaking, I am not a fan of live concerts and I do not usually watch a Symphony Orchestra's concert. However, ever since I took up theory lessons and eventually harmony and composition, I was able to better appreciate music from a broader perspective.
Hector Belioz's Symphony Fantastique is being labelled by my harmony teacher as a "must-know" piece for composition students due to its use of the central motiff with multiple variation techniques applied. Hence, I was keen to hear it played by different orchestras.
My own interpretation of the story of the Symphony Fantastique (hopefully more people will begin to like it or try listening to it)
First Movement: Dream
Berlioz had an idea of what his dream girl would be and always daydreams about her image, which is represented by the motiff that will keep on appearing in later movements.
Second Movement: The Ball
Berlioz attended a ball (party) and there he met a lady very much like the image of his dream girl. He falls in love at first sight but they barely had the chance to interact.
Third Movement: Pastoral
In the fields, Berlioz saw a pair of horn-blowers responding to each other's blowing. He began to think of the lady he met at the ball and the image of the dream girl appears again. Berlioz think it must be a bad feeling to be lonely.
Fourth Movement: March to the Gallows
Upset about being unable to be with his dream girl, Berlioz numbs himself with opium and eventually sees himself taken away to be beheaded. Just before he was beheaded, he still thinks of the dream girl and onces more the familiar music appears. Before the melody could finish, Berlioz was "beheaded" by the suddenly and stark clashing chord and his head fell off.
Final Movement: The Witches' Sabbath
Even in the nether world, Berlioz was still thinking of the dream girl. The melody is now somewhat distorted by many decorations sounding like devils or witches haunting him. I could picture a Halloween scene here, dark and ghostly.
Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique played by the NUSSO is the first I have heard played live in a concert hall, and also the few times I attend a Formal Symphony Orchestra Concert.
Generally, hard work put in to manage the technically difficult parts is worth applauding.
The Singapore National Youth Orchestra also led by the same conductor will be playing the piece as well. I wonder if age and life stage will affect the orchestra's expressiveness on the piece?
Honestly speaking, I am not a fan of live concerts and I do not usually watch a Symphony Orchestra's concert. However, ever since I took up theory lessons and eventually harmony and composition, I was able to better appreciate music from a broader perspective.
Hector Belioz's Symphony Fantastique is being labelled by my harmony teacher as a "must-know" piece for composition students due to its use of the central motiff with multiple variation techniques applied. Hence, I was keen to hear it played by different orchestras.
My own interpretation of the story of the Symphony Fantastique (hopefully more people will begin to like it or try listening to it)
First Movement: Dream
Berlioz had an idea of what his dream girl would be and always daydreams about her image, which is represented by the motiff that will keep on appearing in later movements.
Second Movement: The Ball
Berlioz attended a ball (party) and there he met a lady very much like the image of his dream girl. He falls in love at first sight but they barely had the chance to interact.
Third Movement: Pastoral
In the fields, Berlioz saw a pair of horn-blowers responding to each other's blowing. He began to think of the lady he met at the ball and the image of the dream girl appears again. Berlioz think it must be a bad feeling to be lonely.
Fourth Movement: March to the Gallows
Upset about being unable to be with his dream girl, Berlioz numbs himself with opium and eventually sees himself taken away to be beheaded. Just before he was beheaded, he still thinks of the dream girl and onces more the familiar music appears. Before the melody could finish, Berlioz was "beheaded" by the suddenly and stark clashing chord and his head fell off.
Final Movement: The Witches' Sabbath
Even in the nether world, Berlioz was still thinking of the dream girl. The melody is now somewhat distorted by many decorations sounding like devils or witches haunting him. I could picture a Halloween scene here, dark and ghostly.
Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique played by the NUSSO is the first I have heard played live in a concert hall, and also the few times I attend a Formal Symphony Orchestra Concert.
Generally, hard work put in to manage the technically difficult parts is worth applauding.
The Singapore National Youth Orchestra also led by the same conductor will be playing the piece as well. I wonder if age and life stage will affect the orchestra's expressiveness on the piece?
Friday, March 19, 2010
The true meaning of words
Today I pondered over two pairs of words.
guide/inspire
I used to think that I was "innovative" enough to be able to see teachers as facilitators rather than knowledge-feeders. Being facilitators, a teachers job would be to GUIDE students in their learning. However, today I realise I was not exactly correct; so guide means to already have a planned path chosen by the guider, and to keep an eye on the follower such that he does not go off-track. To inspire leaves the decision to the learner, who will have to choose the path he wants to take and the path that he believes is good for himself and is what he ultimately wants. Then the inspiration comes from the inspirer (teacher) who sparks off this deep passion in the learner, to want to pursue his goal in life. To inspire, we guide in accordance to their passion, not ours.
interest/passion
We all like to do what we are interested to do. Some of us like music; what sort of music? One may like to sing but know nuts about manuscript notation and chords; another may not like music as taught in schools but is a die-hard fan who must catch every season and every episode of American's Idol and has his own version of criticism towards why a contestant should not receive the verdict as on the show; yet another student musician may play the trombone really well, but has never played in an orchestra before, thus the lack of orchestral experience to a very large extent that impedes his progress.
The point is we tend to interchangebly use the words interest and passion. An interest is like a hobby, which means a chosen liking for a particular thing or activity. Passion is being in love with something so deeply that we may get obsessed or may even claim that we will die without it. An interest can die off anytime, anywhere: you may be a coffee drinker, but one day decide you no longer like coffee and you switch to tea or even a totally caffeine-free diet. This is so true when you see the teenage boy's pair of skates chucked away in a corner to collect dust when he used to refuse to put it down at one point in time.
A passion needs nothing to sustain, and in fact fuels our lives and energizes us to perform other mandatory tasks which we may not enjoy. An interest is like a cherished liability that we do not mind spending our excess awake-ness for an exchange of momentary happiness.
guide/inspire
I used to think that I was "innovative" enough to be able to see teachers as facilitators rather than knowledge-feeders. Being facilitators, a teachers job would be to GUIDE students in their learning. However, today I realise I was not exactly correct; so guide means to already have a planned path chosen by the guider, and to keep an eye on the follower such that he does not go off-track. To inspire leaves the decision to the learner, who will have to choose the path he wants to take and the path that he believes is good for himself and is what he ultimately wants. Then the inspiration comes from the inspirer (teacher) who sparks off this deep passion in the learner, to want to pursue his goal in life. To inspire, we guide in accordance to their passion, not ours.
interest/passion
We all like to do what we are interested to do. Some of us like music; what sort of music? One may like to sing but know nuts about manuscript notation and chords; another may not like music as taught in schools but is a die-hard fan who must catch every season and every episode of American's Idol and has his own version of criticism towards why a contestant should not receive the verdict as on the show; yet another student musician may play the trombone really well, but has never played in an orchestra before, thus the lack of orchestral experience to a very large extent that impedes his progress.
The point is we tend to interchangebly use the words interest and passion. An interest is like a hobby, which means a chosen liking for a particular thing or activity. Passion is being in love with something so deeply that we may get obsessed or may even claim that we will die without it. An interest can die off anytime, anywhere: you may be a coffee drinker, but one day decide you no longer like coffee and you switch to tea or even a totally caffeine-free diet. This is so true when you see the teenage boy's pair of skates chucked away in a corner to collect dust when he used to refuse to put it down at one point in time.
A passion needs nothing to sustain, and in fact fuels our lives and energizes us to perform other mandatory tasks which we may not enjoy. An interest is like a cherished liability that we do not mind spending our excess awake-ness for an exchange of momentary happiness.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
An Essay on Improvements (in a serious tone)
One of the guiding principles of my life is to be constantly improving; humbly seeking means for improvement.
After graduation from my first degree, I had the chance to teach. As a greenhorn at work, I fortunately met mentors and colleagues who shared their valuable teaching experiences and successful practices with me. After encounters with these passionate educators, I have come to appreciate the importance of evaluation and reflection, in particular with regards to executing a learning programme. While we plan our learning materials in line with the Bloom’s Taxonomy to equip learners with knowledge, understanding, analysis and synthesis skills, I viewed it from another perspective: the teachers are learners, learning how to teach better. In fact, we are constantly and continuously learning in life. It also helps to set a SMART* goal so as to have a direction. (*Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-scaled)
Personally I consider the purpose of evaluation and reflection to be identifying weaknesses and hence implementing improvements in future attempts. To me, it is a critical step in the cycle Plan-Execute-Assess-Evaluate, before a new one commences. It would be more effective to consider both qualitative and quantitative feedback of make a fair judgement of a situation. I would also like to view the summative assessment of a particular teaching assignment as a formative assessment of my own teaching in the long term, instead of solely a measure of effectiveness as a professional.
In my humble opinion, the well-known Kirk Patrick’s model for Evaluation and the SWOT analysis were more geared towards the corporate world, hence the need to select and adapt relevant portions of these as my relevant tools for evaluating current practices and identifying possible areas for improvement.
Improvement lies in understanding how critical functions are best performed, rather than simply measuring the outcomes. Processes can be planned to be effective and constantly adjusted to optimise performance, while outcomes can only be hoped for and we have rather little control over.
When we compare our practices with others, it is impossible to plagiarise, simply because the situations however similar are still different to a certain extent, adaptations and modifications are necessary. Furthermore, we can perceive comparative benchmarking as a form of peer-mentoring, where both ends learn and benefit from an open exchange of information and experience. Reflection is a necessity, neither a bonus nor luxury.
In conclusion, for improvements to take place, a multi-perspective evaluation is quintessential. Though a tedious process, improvements lead to satisfaction in many aspects of life.
To end, I would like to share two quotes that constantly motivate me:
1) There is no difficult child in this world, but there are numerous children with difficulties. (Hence, I should contribute to my very best to help these fellow mankind overcome their difficulties)
2) Excellence is a habit. (Taking the easy way out is a lazy choice. I need to cultivate a habit of constantly striving to be better.)
After graduation from my first degree, I had the chance to teach. As a greenhorn at work, I fortunately met mentors and colleagues who shared their valuable teaching experiences and successful practices with me. After encounters with these passionate educators, I have come to appreciate the importance of evaluation and reflection, in particular with regards to executing a learning programme. While we plan our learning materials in line with the Bloom’s Taxonomy to equip learners with knowledge, understanding, analysis and synthesis skills, I viewed it from another perspective: the teachers are learners, learning how to teach better. In fact, we are constantly and continuously learning in life. It also helps to set a SMART* goal so as to have a direction. (*Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-scaled)
Personally I consider the purpose of evaluation and reflection to be identifying weaknesses and hence implementing improvements in future attempts. To me, it is a critical step in the cycle Plan-Execute-Assess-Evaluate, before a new one commences. It would be more effective to consider both qualitative and quantitative feedback of make a fair judgement of a situation. I would also like to view the summative assessment of a particular teaching assignment as a formative assessment of my own teaching in the long term, instead of solely a measure of effectiveness as a professional.
In my humble opinion, the well-known Kirk Patrick’s model for Evaluation and the SWOT analysis were more geared towards the corporate world, hence the need to select and adapt relevant portions of these as my relevant tools for evaluating current practices and identifying possible areas for improvement.
Improvement lies in understanding how critical functions are best performed, rather than simply measuring the outcomes. Processes can be planned to be effective and constantly adjusted to optimise performance, while outcomes can only be hoped for and we have rather little control over.
When we compare our practices with others, it is impossible to plagiarise, simply because the situations however similar are still different to a certain extent, adaptations and modifications are necessary. Furthermore, we can perceive comparative benchmarking as a form of peer-mentoring, where both ends learn and benefit from an open exchange of information and experience. Reflection is a necessity, neither a bonus nor luxury.
In conclusion, for improvements to take place, a multi-perspective evaluation is quintessential. Though a tedious process, improvements lead to satisfaction in many aspects of life.
To end, I would like to share two quotes that constantly motivate me:
1) There is no difficult child in this world, but there are numerous children with difficulties. (Hence, I should contribute to my very best to help these fellow mankind overcome their difficulties)
2) Excellence is a habit. (Taking the easy way out is a lazy choice. I need to cultivate a habit of constantly striving to be better.)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
On music thoughts and cultivation of culture
今天，魏老师给我上扬琴课.提到音乐的不同:不同地方的文化和地理造成音乐风格/个性/曲风不一样（例：山区高原唱山歌会用大幅度跳跃音程)；不同时代的作曲方式，乐器/科技局限,技术发展程度等,都影响被流传至今的当代音乐.今天我被点通的是:演奏/录制不同类别的音乐时,需考虑不周演奏姿势与手法，麦克风用哪一种，乐器要不要特别处理过.但最终最重要还是得清楚知道自己在做什么,想要达到什么结果，随之的一些决定都为那个最后结果而服务,才为佳.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Art and Science of Music
Anybody can say that science and art are two completely different phenomena and that there is nothing that can possibly connect them due to the fact that one represents truth and the other one represents beauty. Nevertheless, the endeavors to explain science and art in terms of truth and beauty are completely motivated. The major reason for such a division is that science has always been associated with “accuracy” or it may be even said “mathematical accuracy”, while art has been always been considered free from any objectivism and accuracy but associated with seeing the best in things and people. Art is very subjective - what seems to be gorgeous to a person turns out to be disgusting to another one. Science is super objective and any component of subjectivity can destroy science’s essence, which is accuracy. Accuracy is identical to truth and freedom of individual perception with is identical to beauty. At the same time science and art can be both interpreted as “truth”, though science is “objective truth” and art is “subjective truth”. Science dictates laws and follows them, while art disclaims all the laws and lives its own unpredictable life. Art makes the world more beautiful and science finds the truth to control the world and attempts to predict its development. Any science’s attempt to subordinate art is useless as it destroys art at the core. Art is something science cannot exist without. Science serves for the sake of mankind and art adjusts the inventions to the contemporary world.
Exploration of the world through analysis, comparison, syntheses and calculation in science faces the very same analysis, comparison, and syntheses of the outside world in art.
Art is creativity; it reflects the world and reveals reality from completely different sides. It is connected with the emotional sphere and therefore is completely irrational. Science is absolutely rational is connected with the cognitive process. Science attempts to make the reality fit certain laws creating the truth and art attempts to make the reality function spontaneously creating the beauty of spontaneity and tries to copy this spontaneity in different forms. Science obtains its core through knowledge while art obtains its essence through images formed by the process of perception.
Art and science complement each other on one hand. On the other hand they are extremely different – starting with art’s subjectivity and science’s objectivity and ending with the final product of each of the phenomenon. But what is really important is that it is a man who conducts them both and therefore they both serve humanity and its needs, either esthetic or mathematic.
These two terms are a lot different, but still they do have many common things. The paradox is that often the similarities lie inside the things that make them different. So, the suggestion that science is concerned with truth while art is concerned with beauty is quite convincing. Science and art represent the rational and the irrational, the subjective and objective components of life through truth and beauty.
Exploration of the world through analysis, comparison, syntheses and calculation in science faces the very same analysis, comparison, and syntheses of the outside world in art.
Art is creativity; it reflects the world and reveals reality from completely different sides. It is connected with the emotional sphere and therefore is completely irrational. Science is absolutely rational is connected with the cognitive process. Science attempts to make the reality fit certain laws creating the truth and art attempts to make the reality function spontaneously creating the beauty of spontaneity and tries to copy this spontaneity in different forms. Science obtains its core through knowledge while art obtains its essence through images formed by the process of perception.
Art and science complement each other on one hand. On the other hand they are extremely different – starting with art’s subjectivity and science’s objectivity and ending with the final product of each of the phenomenon. But what is really important is that it is a man who conducts them both and therefore they both serve humanity and its needs, either esthetic or mathematic.
These two terms are a lot different, but still they do have many common things. The paradox is that often the similarities lie inside the things that make them different. So, the suggestion that science is concerned with truth while art is concerned with beauty is quite convincing. Science and art represent the rational and the irrational, the subjective and objective components of life through truth and beauty.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Arithmancy Reading
Hello Lur Khim Tiam, date of birth entered by you is April 28, 1984 based on which your Arithmancy Reading is as below.
Destiny Number 9
This number indicates the general personality of the person.
Great resolve, enthusiasm and dynamism are the keywords in life for number nine people. Upholding some of the archetypal Mars-induced qualities like boldness, courage and vigor, you are never far from their cherished goal. To others, the air of self-confidence and decisiveness may appear to be stubbornness and impudence. These traits spring from a great capability of focusing exactly on the desired goal and great self-assurance. You are very loyal and honest people without any kind of duplicity or capriciousness. Despite the rock-solid, confident exterior, you can be really secure person inside. No matter how well you manage to camouflage others successfully, a deep need for affection and deep love must be fulfilled for your wholesome well-being.
Soul Urge Number 4
This number indicates the inner desires of a person and his hidden fears.
The vibe of number four is reflected through the laboriousness and practicality of the number four person. Infused with sheer determination to complete the work at hand, you leave no stone unturned to achieve your preset goal. Number four persons are no strangers to hard-work. They are capable of handling difficult situations and excess workload without showing much difficulty. You are methodical and systematic in your approach. Wasting time in daydreaming or grand flights of fancy is not in your nature. You are logical, responsible and a great organizer. On the flip side, you can be a stubborn person holding on to outdated beliefs and opinions. Conflicts are possible at several points of your life due to your nasty temper.
Personality Number 5
This number indicates the outer face of a person that is seen by the world.
Under the influence of number five, you will acquire a volatile temperament with time. You will shift your energy and attention from one thing to another within a brief time span. The elements of insecurity and instability are closely associated with your personality. As far as the art of conversation is concerned, you will never fail to imprint an enduring image on others' minds. With exceptional intelligence and wit, you tend to be a high-strung person. Endowed with versatility and flexibility, you can fare really well in the fields of media and communication. Watch out for impatience and a quick temper to get wholesome success in your life.
Destiny Number 9
This number indicates the general personality of the person.
Great resolve, enthusiasm and dynamism are the keywords in life for number nine people. Upholding some of the archetypal Mars-induced qualities like boldness, courage and vigor, you are never far from their cherished goal. To others, the air of self-confidence and decisiveness may appear to be stubbornness and impudence. These traits spring from a great capability of focusing exactly on the desired goal and great self-assurance. You are very loyal and honest people without any kind of duplicity or capriciousness. Despite the rock-solid, confident exterior, you can be really secure person inside. No matter how well you manage to camouflage others successfully, a deep need for affection and deep love must be fulfilled for your wholesome well-being.
Soul Urge Number 4
This number indicates the inner desires of a person and his hidden fears.
The vibe of number four is reflected through the laboriousness and practicality of the number four person. Infused with sheer determination to complete the work at hand, you leave no stone unturned to achieve your preset goal. Number four persons are no strangers to hard-work. They are capable of handling difficult situations and excess workload without showing much difficulty. You are methodical and systematic in your approach. Wasting time in daydreaming or grand flights of fancy is not in your nature. You are logical, responsible and a great organizer. On the flip side, you can be a stubborn person holding on to outdated beliefs and opinions. Conflicts are possible at several points of your life due to your nasty temper.
Personality Number 5
This number indicates the outer face of a person that is seen by the world.
Under the influence of number five, you will acquire a volatile temperament with time. You will shift your energy and attention from one thing to another within a brief time span. The elements of insecurity and instability are closely associated with your personality. As far as the art of conversation is concerned, you will never fail to imprint an enduring image on others' minds. With exceptional intelligence and wit, you tend to be a high-strung person. Endowed with versatility and flexibility, you can fare really well in the fields of media and communication. Watch out for impatience and a quick temper to get wholesome success in your life.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Still spring cleaning during CNY...:(
Today is the 5th day of Chinese New Year, and my house had just inherited my uncle's fish tank with fishes in them.
Now, items dragged aside to make room for the fish tank and its stand now has to be "relocated" in various parts of the house.
How I wish my house can remain neat and tidy and yet not short of resources.
I recall a series of sentence I saw on Jack Neo's movie when it was telecast on TV during the CNY holidays:
If you cannot show (something eg. a piece of junk), you hide;
If you cannot hide, you throw;
If cannot hide and cannot throw, you temporarily put it outside.
That sounds so much like what my family has to be upkeeping with the "culture" of "taking cover" and the bicycles always migrating to the corridors only when we are expecting visitors.
Sorry, not meant to wash dirty linen in public, but more of soliting ideas from all to share with me how you deal with the mess at home, especially if they belong to other members of the family who love hoarding, worst still if they are your seniors.
Now, items dragged aside to make room for the fish tank and its stand now has to be "relocated" in various parts of the house.
How I wish my house can remain neat and tidy and yet not short of resources.
I recall a series of sentence I saw on Jack Neo's movie when it was telecast on TV during the CNY holidays:
If you cannot show (something eg. a piece of junk), you hide;
If you cannot hide, you throw;
If cannot hide and cannot throw, you temporarily put it outside.
That sounds so much like what my family has to be upkeeping with the "culture" of "taking cover" and the bicycles always migrating to the corridors only when we are expecting visitors.
Sorry, not meant to wash dirty linen in public, but more of soliting ideas from all to share with me how you deal with the mess at home, especially if they belong to other members of the family who love hoarding, worst still if they are your seniors.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Divertimento
Divertimento (from the Italian divertire — to amuse) is a musical genre, with most of its examples from the 18th century. The mood of the divertimento is most often lighthearted (as a result of being played at social functions) and it is generally composed for a small ensemble.
bated, abated, baited?
I learnt a new phrase today!
source: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bai1.htm
BATED BREATH
[Q] From Steve Gearhart: Where does the term baited breath come from, as in: ‘I am waiting with baited breath for your answer’?
[A] The correct spelling is actually bated breath but it’s so common these days to see it written as baited breath that there’s every chance that it will soon become the usual form, to the disgust of conservative speakers and the confusion of dictionary writers. Examples in newspapers and magazines are legion; this one appeared in the Daily Mirror on 12 April 2003: “She hasn’t responded yet but Michael is waiting with baited breath”.
It’s easy to mock, but there’s a real problem here. Bated and baited sound the same and we no longer use bated (let alone the verb to bate), outside this one set phrase, which has become an idiom. Confusion is almost inevitable. Bated here is a contraction of abated through loss of the unstressed first vowel (a process called aphesis); it means “reduced, lessened, lowered in force”. So bated breath refers to a state in which you almost stop breathing as a result of some strong emotion, such as terror or awe.
Shakespeare is the first writer known to use it, in The Merchant of Venice, in which Shylock says to Antonio: “Shall I bend low and, in a bondman’s key, / With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness, / Say this ...”. Nearly three centuries later, Mark Twain employed it in Tom Sawyer: “Every eye fixed itself upon him; with parted lips and bated breath the audience hung upon his words, taking no note of time, rapt in the ghastly fascinations of the tale”.
For those who know the older spelling or who stop to consider the matter, baited breath evokes an incongruous image; Geoffrey Taylor humorously (and consciously) captured it in verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat:
Sally, having swallowed cheese,
Directs down holes the scented breeze,
Enticing thus with baited breath
Nice mice to an untimely death.
[I’m indebted to Rainer Thonnes for telling me about this little ditty, which appears in an anthology called Catscript, edited by Marie Angel. However, it was first published in 1933 in a limited edition of Geoffrey Taylor’s poems entitled A Dash of Garlic.]
source: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bai1.htm
BATED BREATH
[Q] From Steve Gearhart: Where does the term baited breath come from, as in: ‘I am waiting with baited breath for your answer’?
[A] The correct spelling is actually bated breath but it’s so common these days to see it written as baited breath that there’s every chance that it will soon become the usual form, to the disgust of conservative speakers and the confusion of dictionary writers. Examples in newspapers and magazines are legion; this one appeared in the Daily Mirror on 12 April 2003: “She hasn’t responded yet but Michael is waiting with baited breath”.
It’s easy to mock, but there’s a real problem here. Bated and baited sound the same and we no longer use bated (let alone the verb to bate), outside this one set phrase, which has become an idiom. Confusion is almost inevitable. Bated here is a contraction of abated through loss of the unstressed first vowel (a process called aphesis); it means “reduced, lessened, lowered in force”. So bated breath refers to a state in which you almost stop breathing as a result of some strong emotion, such as terror or awe.
Shakespeare is the first writer known to use it, in The Merchant of Venice, in which Shylock says to Antonio: “Shall I bend low and, in a bondman’s key, / With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness, / Say this ...”. Nearly three centuries later, Mark Twain employed it in Tom Sawyer: “Every eye fixed itself upon him; with parted lips and bated breath the audience hung upon his words, taking no note of time, rapt in the ghastly fascinations of the tale”.
For those who know the older spelling or who stop to consider the matter, baited breath evokes an incongruous image; Geoffrey Taylor humorously (and consciously) captured it in verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat:
Sally, having swallowed cheese,
Directs down holes the scented breeze,
Enticing thus with baited breath
Nice mice to an untimely death.
[I’m indebted to Rainer Thonnes for telling me about this little ditty, which appears in an anthology called Catscript, edited by Marie Angel. However, it was first published in 1933 in a limited edition of Geoffrey Taylor’s poems entitled A Dash of Garlic.]
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Musical Box
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Love makes one plumper? Practice makes one plumper?
I was told by two separate men on two separate occasions, one day after another that I seem to have become "fatter", in particular my upper arm and cheek.
No, I am still not fat, still slim and hopefully pretty.
Oh man, now I am so self-conscious.
No, I am still not fat, still slim and hopefully pretty.
Oh man, now I am so self-conscious.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Countdown 2010
Some Photos and Videos.
The ships were soundig their whistles and using the SOS signal as a sign of celebrating 2010.
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