The 2 Js

Today Joa told me that she has attained 52.5/60 for her English; and 90/100 for her Chinese. She is waiting for her mathematics results. of course, the final result book has yet to release. As the father, I am relieved that her hardwork really pay off. From the past 1 week, I do see her putting extra effort in doing the assessment paper and listen to my guidance. How let's wait for the remaining results.

She did highlight that something that really strikes my mind today. She claimed that Mr. Lok, her form student has a habitual statement "I do not know, I do not care" when she complained about her issues like someone snatch her pencils from her..; while her mother always say "NO.NO.NO" to her any request; and the father is always very obliging and a "Yes" man! Her exclamation may not be truthful afterall, but, I am glad that she regards me as her closer friend. I was being reminded that the real challenge in the upbringing a girl is to ensure the girl is close to u and always seek your advice when she ecnounters any issues/problems instead to seek advice from her peers.

Moreover, I have find ot something strange is that why my son is interested over Barbie girl? He always behave manly with toys of rifle, cars etc. Yet, out of blue, he is combing hair for his sis's barbie girl. Maybe, I have neglected him and he need a companion to play with.

I will need to spend more time with the little ones.

Joa's exam is OVER!

My girl, little Joaquim got crazy after she has completed her SA2. As the tutor of both English/Mathematics, I finally relieved.

if u want to check it her craziness, check out in her URL: http://joaquim-wish.blogspot.com

Nowsday, the questions are so tought that the parents are complaining. Recently, I saw an article that the parents cried foul when the PSLE mathematics apeared to be more difficult than previous exam. The article even invited ex-teachers & pupils to attempt the questions. Some took 20 min or less to complete the questions. Of course, the authority highlighted that such questions will differentiate the quality of the students and gives the right students the due credits.





I read the book - "The World is FLAT" has highlighted the similar issue in US Education. The parents of the immgrants (happens to belongs to race of Indians/East Europe) complaint the ease of the mathematics syballus and lack of the school homeworks for the kids; while the parents of American complained the overloading of the schoolworks and over difficulties of schoolworks especially mathematics. Such contrasts brought the attention of the author - Thomas L. Friedman. He claimed that this is - "The Education Gap at the Bottom & Ambition Gap" He lamented the lack of Engineering/Science interest within the students (the American students are more keen over more "fun" subjects and not willing to plugged into the abstractions of numbers and alegbra) will eroded American's competitiveness in technologies innovation. This reminds the hard fact that our Singapore leaders kept nailing down the importance of our Education program and always does not fail tp remind us the competitiveness of both Indians/Chinese students.





In the book, Thomas mentioned that 1 n 1 million in China will mean 13,000 students can admit into the top University in US (this will mean only 4-5 students in Sinagpore). Look like, continute to cultivate the learning culture and instil the right learning attitudes will be only way for my little ones to survive in this flatten world.



Nevertheless, it is important to have some fun as well. Hence, I will take some time off to accoumpany my little ones during the coming holiday. Besides a ice-cream cake, I even did not celebrate the little birthday due to clash with SA2's revision.



My little boy, Jouvers, made a shocking statement to me yesterday that "When u have finished with sister, Joaquim, can u play with me". Really during this period, I was busy with the sister with her revision after work, I have leave no time with the boy. I felt so bad. I will make a point to keep him accompany. (let us go to zoo, then).

Let have more fun ...8)

Father-in-Law back to HOME

After 3 stay in General Hospital - High Depency ward (Cardiac), my father-in-law finally discharged. He underwent a surgical interventional operation - to re-correct the blocking veins. After he went for a heart bypass few years ago, he is actively participating sports especially swimming alomost daily. However, the blocking of veins still appear after the scan. Fortunately, the operation goes well and I believed that continuous intake of heart-controlled medicine (like Plavis) will help.

Again, I have to remind myself there is no short cut to maintain healthy body. Regular exercise and eating moderately is the only way to stay in pink.

Exercise and exercise....8)

My little BOY 8)

Hey, this is my another little boy, Jouvers Lum. Don't be fool by this innocent look, he is the most active and mischevious rascal in this hoouse. His utmost powerful weapon - sheding tears and capable to let the tears to roll down his cheeks anytime and any moment! [Remarks: Like the father's before - crying baby lah]

However, his sunshining smile will move u to fulfil his wishes. From the little bits of tidbits to big rifle, he will start to charm u... he did not need to read any books like "How to charm u", his sparking eyes and warmth smile will make u feel that his needs required to be fulfilled. The best trick to avoid punishment is to cry before any scolding rain to him...

He is very boyish and like to act a brave soldier with mighty weapon. His favourite role play is power rangers [BLUE one. He told me that he like blue power ranger as he is the most powerful among the rest]. He always have this invisible button that placed near his heart. Everytime when he pressed such button, he will sould "di-di"and make an explosive scream and expect anyone to lay death except himeself.

The precious moment with him is when I started to tell all the fairies tales [he does not like princess/prince fairy tales, he prefers kung-fu style fighting stories]. U can observe that his misbehaviour halted and paying 100% attention to your stories. His eyes reflecting his attention with heads nodding to ensure that he understands his story... and not forgetting to ask WHY! WHY! WHY!

Btw, he is aged 4 now studying in Tai Pei ChildCare Center @Lavender Street. The journey is long and tedious (but this little boy has no complains about the distance.... hope that this is a good endurance for him...haha)

I am blessed to have both little girl and boy to warmth my heart daily. I love both of them dearly.

Joaquim is STUDYing hard

Joaquim, my little girl, aged 8, is studying hard for her final exam (SA2). She is in Pei Chun Public School. I am her tutor for her English and Mathematics, just like I taught her mum in her exam before. She needs attention and always wanted you to be at her side while she study. Her inattentive nature and always allows her mind to be wandering away making study a little challenging. Such behaviour, hopefully, can be corrected through times... needs a lot of discipline. Of course, today's primary school Mathematics is very challenging whereby the parents need to attend modeling class to teach the juniors. So far, she is alright in her studies... but need more encouraging words from me...8)

Hopefully, she can be grown into an elegant lady and active in sports (and not just computers and games). Recently, she is crazy over Rainbow Magic to the extend that she almost visit the library in alternate day and the librarians recognised her almost instantly. She keep on reading regardless what date and time (even though now she is supposedly to prepare her exams). She exhibits her kind understanding towards parents and always take care of her parents inclusive how I felt. Sometimes, I am really touched especially I was down; she is able to observe and provides comfort to his dad. She is also very careful not to agitated her mum as well. I really very fortunate to have her as my girl.

Hopefully, I can provide her a happy childhood.

魔女的条件 - First Love

I happened to view the video again - 魔女的条件. It is acted by 松岛菜菜子[in 2002], a teacher whom fall in love with her teacher. It is a very touching movie and touched both my wife and myself deeply. Both of us love the song - First Love very much and very surprised that after 5 years later, the music still lingered in my ears..

It also reminded the bonds between my wife and myself. My wife is my first and last love...8)

The World is FLAT

I started reading THE WORLD is FLAT by Thomas L.Friedman. This interesting and readbale book gives me alot of insight how the world has flattened... The impact is great especially even Dailan (a province in China) is offering outsourcing for Japanese company despite of their historical rivarly. A good book to understand how the world has evolved. As the book mentioned, this is the Globalisation 3.0 starting from country fitiing into gloabl competiion (Globalisation 1.0), follows by MNCs and finally individual that fit into this globalisation... Wah! There are alot of opportunities and challenges ahead. The great world will become smaller and flattened.