Looking after the overlooked
The overlooked are often forgotten. I agree that there is just so much we can do to help them but I also think that if everyone can do just so much, it will become that much we can do to look after the overlooked. The cure for the common life involves loving the overlooked. "If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody" (Gal 6:3)
Perhaps, that's the reason why they lost convincingly.
Really…so much to do you know
It just dawned on me that the kids' final-year examinations is just five days away. It will be Ann's very first examination. I have to teach her so that she will have no fear for it. Yet still disciplined enough to do what is needed. This being her first, I have to help her to see that exams isn't the only reason for her to study. It isn't a monster waiting to devour her. So far, she has been pretty cool about it. That's good. I want to start it right for her. I don't want her to live a life of stress. I surely do not want her to fear exams. I have been telling her that as long as she has done her part, come what may and she will still overcome it.
I believe most children have no stress nor fear. Often these factors are caused by parents, teachers and the environment. Two days ago, she had a mock exams in class. She came home and said that it was like a worksheet. Yes, that's exactly what exams is all about – a worksheet.
Kai has been very disciplined with his revision, that's good. He has a few laps to go – SA2, DSA and iPSLE. Sometimes, I wonder if I have given him too much but looking at him, he is pretty relax. SA2 is something he has to go through. He has long accepted that as part and parcel of school life. DSA, he requested for it. How can I deny him? iPSLE, he knows he has to do it to put a closure to his primary school education. It is a great exposure and experience to a major exams.
Then there is a farewell party coming up. The spouse and I feel that it is good to have one to wrap up their time here in SH and also good to have some fun and relaxing time with their friends and teachers.
Packing to be done as mentioned earlier. I am just so glad that I started last year. Renovation work will be starting soon for our home, yes, our very own home. Last but not least, a joyous occasion waiting to take place back home.
Thank God for all the blessings. Truly, when He gives, He gives abundantly above all that I can hold!
It just dawned on me that the kids' final-year examinations is just five days away. It will be Ann's very first examination. I have to teach her so that she will have no fear for it. Yet still disciplined enough to do what is needed. This being her first, I have to help her to see that exams isn't the only reason for her to study. It isn't a monster waiting to devour her. So far, she has been pretty cool about it. That's good. I want to start it right for her. I don't want her to live a life of stress. I surely do not want her to fear exams. I have been telling her that as long as she has done her part, come what may and she will still overcome it.
I believe most children have no stress nor fear. Often these factors are caused by parents, teachers and the environment. Two days ago, she had a mock exams in class. She came home and said that it was like a worksheet. Yes, that's exactly what exams is all about – a worksheet.
Kai has been very disciplined with his revision, that's good. He has a few laps to go – SA2, DSA and iPSLE. Sometimes, I wonder if I have given him too much but looking at him, he is pretty relax. SA2 is something he has to go through. He has long accepted that as part and parcel of school life. DSA, he requested for it. How can I deny him? iPSLE, he knows he has to do it to put a closure to his primary school education. It is a great exposure and experience to a major exams.
Then there is a farewell party coming up. The spouse and I feel that it is good to have one to wrap up their time here in SH and also good to have some fun and relaxing time with their friends and teachers.
Packing to be done as mentioned earlier. I am just so glad that I started last year. Renovation work will be starting soon for our home, yes, our very own home. Last but not least, a joyous occasion waiting to take place back home.
Thank God for all the blessings. Truly, when He gives, He gives abundantly above all that I can hold!
So much to do…
Haven't been updating my blog cos' I was once again busy following the political scene back home. It was such a nail-biting election. I was nervous, I was anxious until the spouse thought I have gone wacky. It was an important one because it did not just represent one area, it represented a voice to speak, a desire to be heard. At the end of the day, victory went to the one who mattered most.
Haven't been updating my blog cos' I was once again busy following the political scene back home. It was such a nail-biting election. I was nervous, I was anxious until the spouse thought I have gone wacky. It was an important one because it did not just represent one area, it represented a voice to speak, a desire to be heard. At the end of the day, victory went to the one who mattered most.
International Friendship Day
I was helping out at the school International Friendship Day. There were traditional games from various countries and parents, teachers and students all dressed in their respective country's costume on that day. I was dressed in a Punjabi suit. Sorry, no picture, completely forgotten all about it. I was so busy.
Together with another mother from Singapore, we managed the 'guti guti' and 'five stones' stall. Remember? My memory is still pretty good on how to play 'five stones'. It was a great day.
Ann and Kai in their Japanese costumes which they bought when we went to Hokkaido
Children in various coustumes
Nice or not?
Very international indeed
Battle of the 'kuti kuti'
Teachers and students trying out the 'five stones'. It brought back fond memories to the Singapore teachers
Little girl from Japan doing the traditional Japanese dance
Teacher from Greece singing “the moon represent my heart" 月亮代表我的心. Her Chinese - two thumbs up!
If you look at the surrounding, we are not exactly situated in a glamorous expat area but the spirit of the school make this place very glam indeed.
The mamas did a Rasa Sayang dance, an Indian dance and a Japanese dance. Mums rock! No, yours truly can only do Zumba. *Grin*
I was helping out at the school International Friendship Day. There were traditional games from various countries and parents, teachers and students all dressed in their respective country's costume on that day. I was dressed in a Punjabi suit. Sorry, no picture, completely forgotten all about it. I was so busy.
Together with another mother from Singapore, we managed the 'guti guti' and 'five stones' stall. Remember? My memory is still pretty good on how to play 'five stones'. It was a great day.
Ann and Kai in their Japanese costumes which they bought when we went to Hokkaido
Children in various coustumes
Nice or not?
Very international indeed
Battle of the 'kuti kuti'
Teachers and students trying out the 'five stones'. It brought back fond memories to the Singapore teachers
Little girl from Japan doing the traditional Japanese dance
Teacher from Greece singing “the moon represent my heart" 月亮代表我的心. Her Chinese - two thumbs up!
If you look at the surrounding, we are not exactly situated in a glamorous expat area but the spirit of the school make this place very glam indeed.
The mamas did a Rasa Sayang dance, an Indian dance and a Japanese dance. Mums rock! No, yours truly can only do Zumba. *Grin*
Never give up
Kai came to me and ask me how to read a Chinese character. The word was wen （温）. A conversation started..
me : you don't know wen xi （温习）(revision) meh?
ds : I don't know, really don't know
me : that means revision
ds : Orrr
me : ok, tell me how you say revision in Chinese
ds : fu xi （复习）
me : woa….
When Kai first came here, he was a Chinese borderline case. Can't speak, can't write Chinese fluently. Three years later, he is an above average Chinese student. Higher Chinese, not normal Chinese. I thank the teachers' hard work, his very patient and heaven-sent Chinese tutor and above all, Kai's hard work and discipline.
Kai came to me and ask me how to read a Chinese character. The word was wen （温）. A conversation started..
me : you don't know wen xi （温习）(revision) meh?
ds : I don't know, really don't know
me : that means revision
ds : Orrr
me : ok, tell me how you say revision in Chinese
ds : fu xi （复习）
me : woa….
When Kai first came here, he was a Chinese borderline case. Can't speak, can't write Chinese fluently. Three years later, he is an above average Chinese student. Higher Chinese, not normal Chinese. I thank the teachers' hard work, his very patient and heaven-sent Chinese tutor and above all, Kai's hard work and discipline.
A new revelation and all about giving
Having been a Christian for many decades doesn't make me a professor of the Bible. The Bible is one book where new things are often revealed in old passages.
Not too long ago, a speaker spoke about God being someone who felt for the lowly, the underprivileged, the special people in society. One very profound question he asked.
"Why were shepherds chosen to be the first to receive the good news from the angel". Everything that is recorded in the Bible has its significance. When God uses someone for great things, He often choose the lowly ones.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:8 – 15)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress... (James 1: 27)
I have often said, "you may be doing well but other are not." If change has to take place so that those who are less privileged than us can have a better life, why not even if the change is painful. Sadly, many do not see it that way. To them, "why rock the boat ?"
God loves the underprivileged so much that He considers Himself one of them...
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
(Matt 25:44 - 45)
Not long ago, I read this in facebook...
"This Labour Day, I hope to bless 12 ladies from low income families who have the desire and interest to bake but cannot afford to go for any kind of classes. Its not always about the profit I would make from them. But more to see the smiles on their faces and the joy they give me as an inspiration for me to carry on teaching. So tomorrow comes, I put aside my chef uniform and join the ladies in laughter and smiles to bake donuts and fill it up with love and lots of it. Happy a Blessed Labour Day 2012..!"
I am very inspired by this lady. God has indeed bless her richly and she is not hoarding these blessings. You know why she is so willing to share? She saw her mum did it. You know why her mum did it? She saw her own mum (the lady's granny) did it. So you see, it is really important to leave behind a legacy for your children, your children's children.
I also happen to know of a lady who runs a beauty salon. She gives free massage and facial to missionaries.
I hope, my dream of giving back to society will come true one day too. Never too old, never too late.
Having been a Christian for many decades doesn't make me a professor of the Bible. The Bible is one book where new things are often revealed in old passages.
Not too long ago, a speaker spoke about God being someone who felt for the lowly, the underprivileged, the special people in society. One very profound question he asked.
"Why were shepherds chosen to be the first to receive the good news from the angel". Everything that is recorded in the Bible has its significance. When God uses someone for great things, He often choose the lowly ones.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:8 – 15)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress... (James 1: 27)
I have often said, "you may be doing well but other are not." If change has to take place so that those who are less privileged than us can have a better life, why not even if the change is painful. Sadly, many do not see it that way. To them, "why rock the boat ?"
God loves the underprivileged so much that He considers Himself one of them...
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
(Matt 25:44 - 45)
Not long ago, I read this in facebook...
"This Labour Day, I hope to bless 12 ladies from low income families who have the desire and interest to bake but cannot afford to go for any kind of classes. Its not always about the profit I would make from them. But more to see the smiles on their faces and the joy they give me as an inspiration for me to carry on teaching. So tomorrow comes, I put aside my chef uniform and join the ladies in laughter and smiles to bake donuts and fill it up with love and lots of it. Happy a Blessed Labour Day 2012..!"
I am very inspired by this lady. God has indeed bless her richly and she is not hoarding these blessings. You know why she is so willing to share? She saw her mum did it. You know why her mum did it? She saw her own mum (the lady's granny) did it. So you see, it is really important to leave behind a legacy for your children, your children's children.
I also happen to know of a lady who runs a beauty salon. She gives free massage and facial to missionaries.
I hope, my dream of giving back to society will come true one day too. Never too old, never too late.
Who needs Mac…
Homemade burger. More nutritious than Mac. Avocado spread (mashed avocado with lemon) jalapeño, rocket, cucumber on a beef cum pork patty. Just a little effort and the family can have good healthy meal. Remember it is not about expensive food, it is about fresh, natural food minus all additives, preservatives, chemicals and all things fake.
Homemade burger. More nutritious than Mac. Avocado spread (mashed avocado with lemon) jalapeño, rocket, cucumber on a beef cum pork patty. Just a little effort and the family can have good healthy meal. Remember it is not about expensive food, it is about fresh, natural food minus all additives, preservatives, chemicals and all things fake.
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