This Week

My Boss is away for the week. Not that I really know of as it is already end of the week and she is still not back yet says so! Well, so much for being her assistance coz she didn't even tell me she is going away just overheard her conversation then realize. You thought I would be relax coz boss is not around. Well, pretty much relax but not all that. Still have outstanding job that came during this time to keep me busy. As if my boss have been praying that I would not be idling while she is away. Hhhahhaa

My girl's exams over! Here comes the results of all my struggle with tiredness and still bring myself to teach and nag at her. Her results is not to my expectation but she somehow still pass. I am upset with the results not that she never score good is that she has given away the points just like that to the teacher after I have even spent so much time to go through with her those online exercises which is the same question for the mistakes she make. Sigh... what a failure I am. Her Chinese did well but have yet to see if her Oral and Listening Comprehension for Chinese is as good to prove her tuition at this private school is not a waste.

Popularity of Contract Jobs?

Some time back which is about last year, someone commented in the TODAY newspaper that statistically contract jobs now are very popular.

SMACK the person for saying that! Where did you ever get that statistics from is NOT TRUE at all! Contract jobs should not be classified as being popular as they comes with an expiry date. In addition to that, it doesn't even comes with benefits like the below:

Bad Contract Jobs
1. No Annual Leave
2. No Medical Leave
3. No Hospital Leave
4. No Childcare Leave
5. No Training privilege
6. No 13th month bonus privilege
7. No company share options
8. & many more NO ... NO...

Slightly Better Contract Jobs
1. Annual Leave
2. Medical Leave
3. Medical Claim or See company doctor
4. End of Contract Bonus (for 1 year contract mostly only)

The reason why people take up contract jobs is because they most likely have no other choices. It may be paying well then other non-contract jobs or because they have End of Contract Bonus. Besides that, no one wants to get expired and contract not renewed or even worst to find out one day you are out of a job because economy not doing well and the company you working for is unable to keep you. So your statistically is WRONG!

Junior School Brushing Teeth Session

During the 80s, our junior schools here in Singapore have this brushing teeth session for all children to come along and line up at the small drains with their mugs filled with water, toothbrush and toothpaste during the break time. There is a catchy song in which they will play during this time and when everybody hear that sone would know it is time to brush out teeth. We would all rush to get water at the tap near the place where we brush our teeth.

It sure was fun during that time, watching everybody rush for the tap and brushing the teeth and laughing all at the same time. However, sad to say that today, this sessions seem to be have obmitted from schools. At least I think so coz I don't even hear my girl talking about this going on at her school. I really wonder! Have things like this change so much or kids today their teeth are very well taken care of so no need for this session anymore?Or, are schools forgot there was once a session like this before or even dentist forgot about this too? So what happen to it only the Ministry of Education can answer this question!

Education System

Well, if you have not heard about the Education System here and been thinking that it is all that good coz it is world recognized, then you are sadly mistaken! The good part is that it is world recognized but there is lots of stress on your child and your child may or may not be able to take the pressure.

Mothers today in Singapore are not only stressed up by their work but also by the education system here. Not so educated mothers, they have to depend on the school teachers to educate their child and if you pick a not so good school and your child is not so the bright type, good luck to them coz you have to hire tuition teacher or sent the child to extra classes to buck up in their school work. These cost lots of money.

Those mothers who are slightly a bit educated, and have not much money to send them to lots of extra classes, have to spent time to teach themselves and then teach the child and still have to send them for extra classes in hope that they still do better in school. Like after a day of hard work and HELL from boss in the office is not enough but come home you have to watch what homework your child have and make sure the child does it and have it done correctly. Why? If not, it will come back as correction, it will still reverts back to you to show the correct way of doing it. So ... mothers are also doing part of the teacher's job too these days. Sad but true!

You might think it is transparent that the Education System does not categorize the child, if you really see it deep down, it isn't all that of transparent at all.

Then if your child don't pass and move up to the next level, you are to be BLAME for not making the enough effort to watch over their school work!

So what to do? Knock off early to get home to watch over the school work. Hope you have an understanding boss that allows you to go home on time and not work you to death so that you got the energy left to bring home to teach your child TODAY's Homework. Thus, it isn't enough to just emphasize to kids today that "if you don't study well, you will end being nobody" you must also watch over the school work assigned.

This how the education system here today. Children can no longer be the innocent children who just play, have fun, do their studies and just move on in life. They are perssurize to keep up with their school work and marks to keep the school reputation going.

Bad Feedback Forms

I think I have written this before about bad feedback forms. On the left is an example of bad feedback form. Where is the SUBMIT and CANCEL button? Then the window can't be open bigger nor be adjusted so how can I forward this to my e-mail. Perhaps the webmaster didn't know as there is so much to do for website and could have overlooked this. So I did send in for them to look into the matter; two times in fact I send to highlight and yet until now the problem still not fixed. Sigh ... means the feedback is no use :(. Nobody looking into it at all. MCYS or eCitizen please have this fix other wise it doesn't really serve any purpose to have this feature.

Deepavali

Thanks to the Deepavali Day being moved to Monday at the last moment, I manage to get the extra time to change the outlook of my blog. Have that in plan for the past few days and have not get to it and notice Poor Mommy beat me to it. So I decided to take this time to change it by hook or by crook.

Never thought my salary would come in on Saturday. However, it did! One thing good about this company, they pay salary on time and early especially special days like Deepavali and Hari Raya Haji.

My girl's exams are finally over! Haven't been out shopping for the past few weekends as you may know why if you are a Singaporean mother like me ;)! Look out for my next blog article about the education system here in Singapore and how the mothers here suffer when their children are having their final exams. Nightmare for mothers and not for children! Finally Saturday went out to get some things on my list.

End of October is approaching. Haven't quite plan out for the next year. World Crisis is what is going to happen next year and it have already started. Some companies here are re-trenching staff and I am under a contract. My thoughts are if they do not want me.. I just have an excuse to stay at home and look after the kids. After all I am a bit tired from the rat race out there and would like to take a break. Sometimes my girl tells me about nanny this and that.. I am shocked she does that but no choice have to swallow it and pretend never hear. So also quite tired of hearing this and that and worry about she really cannot cope.

I am hoping that the results about my husband going or not be attached to overseas next year. Have many plans if going and also have plans if not going. Many things come across my mind and sometimes seem to go haywire if you know what I mean. Clashing in both directions as to don't know where or what I should do first.

If news positive to go, no need to think, contract ends where it is and start packing and throwing things I don't need.

If news not as plan, may or may not continue. Depending they renewing or giving me a perm slot in which I doubt going to be perm slot as I have played out too many times to realize that even you are good they still don't give you what you want. So till then, I don't want to think about it nor even ask for it.

So if it really doesn't work out the way I want to, I plan to go upgrade myself or get sponsorship from some company. Anyone want to sponsor me? Heeehhee .... may be a career change.. messy thoughts right now.

Still, hate it when my husband wants me to work full time. I work now and come home still have to cope with the small child and the big child's homework and also the housework. So tired yet still have to pull myself to do. Sick also have to pull the body up with no rest to take care both of their needs.

Think Out of the Box

The term "Think Out of the Box" don't really mean you have to have a box to think out of it. It is just a figure of speech for you create more ideas.

So this Class FM95.0 have a radio advertisement by Vernetta Lopez that is really funny in which this term came out. So how does the ad goes,

1. Vernetta Lopez's colleague tells her that she needs to think out of the box for her show
2. Then Vernetta ask what box?
3. Then she ask did I get a box?
4. Her colleague tries to explain to her the term of "Think Out of the Box". However, Vernetta is still thinking so she didn't quite hear what her colleague have to say
5. So she go find a box.
6. Last when she found a box, what she do? She goes inside the box and yell to her colleague "I am in the box now!" However, her colleague gave up on her and left.

Hahhhhahhaha. This is what I call a good advertisement. One that has creativity and also makes you have a good laugh!

Locksmith

Went to Admiralty MRT yesterday and there was a locksmith. A small push cart equipment on a trolley is what he have with him to make keys for anyone. So I approach him in hope that he does issue receipt for keys done. Was surprise that he says yeah I do issue receipt for keys done. Ok gave him some keys in which I couldn't get it duplicated at the shop and any other locksmith shops. After he duplicate the keys, he wrote a receipt and guess what! My jaw drop when I saw him wrote "keys duplication" on the receipt he was about to issue to me. This man have no good education and making keys yet he can spell the word "duplication". That amazed me! I told him, it is wonderful that you can write this word and he said somemore he is from a Chinese education school. I clap my hands and praise him. See don't look down on people who are just locksmith. They may not have the glamor paper like a degree we may have but yet he can do so much.

Today, went there again. Why? The key he duplicate can't unlock. Hey it is not his fault ok! That type of lock nobody one to duplicate the key for me and he did it. So don't blame him. So he re-make another for me. I feel bad as he is not earning much already and have to re-make another key for me. So what I did was .. I took out a two dollar note and wanted to give him for coffee treat but he refuse it even no matter how I try to give him. This is pride! I admire that! Here's a BIG THANK YOU TO YOU!

Pick who to seat with you

Be it in a bus or the train, one can pick who they want to seat next to with. How?

Try put your bag next to an empty seat or place your butt on the two seats. So when someone come by you like seating with, move your butt over to the one seat and the person will take the seat. Interesting isn't it? That is what most Singaporean here doing. Typical Right? But true! You think only women will do that but you'd be surprise that men also do the same thing. Many Singaporeans like to do that by putting their tiny butts on two seats or place the bag to take the other seat instead of one seat and can even pretend they don't know they are taking up the space of two seats for the one person ticket they pay for the bus or train trip.

And this is how the term UGLY Singaporean came about!

So much for being a COLLEAGUE

Yeah Thank you so much for being a COLLEAGUE!

What happened today was, some DORK colleague brought some food today to work from home so that "speacial"group share their food. As I was eating they came in and sat at the other corner of the table in which I was seating. Never even ask "hey you want some?" Wow not like I want to eat lah at least you could have offer right? So much for being a colleague. YOU JERK! Offer to this manager... or did he just took some from them without permission. Wow liao.. some people hor really buey pai seh one leh. Next time I also can do that... go buy something good and offer to the cleaner and some stranger infront their face. Alternative, I can bring my food and go somewhere else to eat. JERK!

So much for having colleagues like that SUEY!

Food from the Heart (FFTH)

I found this website a year or two ago. Can't really recall when. However, when I found it was by a sudden urge when I saw my ex-company's in-house cafeteria wasting food by throwing it away at the end of the day if it cannot sell. I like wow ... people from other poor country is suffering without food and here we are throwing it away. So I was in urge to find a community that will collect and give out unwanted food to those who are in need. I once came across this Food from the Heart (FFTH) on some where before in which they introduce about how they collect breads and have them given to those in the old folks home or to those who need it, can't recall exactly as it was way back news. So I decided to ask if they collect food as well. Unfortunately, they reply that they don't :(. Seeing much waste sure makes me sad but there is little we all can do about situation like this.

Anway, Food from the Heart (FFTH) has came very far. I noticed that they now even offer to do even more eg. celebrating birthdays and even giving out parishable foods. They certainly have expand after all these years. That is great!

So do spread the news if you have friends that are free to do volunteer work with them. They will train you. If I have ample of time in the day, I would volunteer myself too. Seeing smiles in faces that shows they appreciate your stuff even how little it cost brings you the warmth in which money may never ever can buy. Check their website out for more information.

YUCKS! SUPER YHEW!

If you think that the window is clean to lean your head or your body against, think again.

Just this morning, I was taking the MRT to work, this girl was leaning against the glass next to the door. As she exit the train, there is a patch of "oil"or don't know what is that but I sure won't want to go find out. It is a patch of moisture left behind on the glass. Grose! What happen next was another man go lean against it. I almost PUKE! Thinking about it my hair stands. Yhew!

So next time check where you leaning first before you lean on it!

Exams Month for my girl

This month is busy month!

My girl is having her final exams and she is still playing a fool with doing her practices despite my warning that if FAIL, you will repeat Primary 1 again. Guess they don't really know what is call scared. Anyway, can't help her if she don't help herself but only pray to GOD to guide her through. Sigh .... give up!

She had a few days away from school to practice and catch up with those still don't know. Lucky! But still playing a fool as time ticks.

Next week will be the last week of her exams and last 3 papers to come one after another. After that I am free from stress and can go out and enjoy. This month everyweekend have been at home coaching her with her studies.

Representing Company

Many times people represent their company to go sell their products to other companies always forget that they have an image they must keep. If they don't present themselves properly, it only reflects bad on your company and the service your customer will doubt you could provide to them. However, nobody seem to even take the time to see it this way.

Here are some scenarios in which I came across in which I feel that the other person could have done better when representing their company in other company's area.

Case 1 - Two ladies were waiting at the reception to be escorted to the person who they are to meet up with and one lady says "I think I want a cup of coffee .. so tired... (with an attitude)" and I have not even offer anything to her to drink yet. HELLO .. you here to sell things to us.. mind you if we don't even offer you any to drink.

Case 2 - I requested some people to sign in on the sign in and out log book. But instead of each person sign in and out, one representative sign for all. Excuse me... the reason for sign in and out is to sign personally and I have not heard that you could even send a representative to do that on behalf. This is outright RUDE and no respect for the company's practice. Like that is not bad enough, some of the information required, don't even care to look or fill up.

Next time you represent your company, make sure you have better judgement as to what can do and what cannot do. Constantly remember you are representing your company and watch out for your COMPANY IMAGE!

My handmade Handbag

After pending for quite sometime finally manage to get working on this project on my list. Walah... my first handbag.

My Reward for Hardwork

This is my reward for the hardwork I have put in @ work.

Thank you BOSS! Mean a lot to me

Raffles Medical Group

Here is my feedback for Raffles Medical Group.

Was sick today and went to the click above to see the doctor as it was the recommended company doctor. Went there about 8:30 am. They open at 8:00am. Don't think the seeing patient started yet coz the number board was empty with no number being called. My number was xxxx... some number behind. Many patient is sick on Monday and all waiting in line to outside for turn to see the doctor. Ok ... hope my number is that long of a wait coz I am kind of weak and dieing. Didn't quite take my breakfast this morning before heading to the clinic so thought I go McDonalds to grab a bite and come back my number is still not called yet. So went to have my breakfast and came back. Ha... number still not called yet. Ok ... went and do some errands... and come back again. Sit down to wait as I was going to faint soon... fainting spell... weak... then the number move very fast. Wow... amazing... less then 10 mins later... my number called.. Yippy... and I was done with seeing doctor.

Yeah ... sometimes it is worth paying a bit more to see clinics that provide better and faster service and even better medication then having to revisit again. Thumbs up for Raffles Medical Group Clinic. Keep up the fast pace.

Woodland Regional Library

This is my feedback about Woodlands Regional Library.Their books is all not in order.

Today went to the Woodlands Regional Library to see if I can find anything interesting books off the shelves. Picked some out to read and then put it on the trolley after done reading for the librarian to put it back to the shelves.

Later, I noticed that the book I placed on the trolley is being placed back onto the shelve but into the wrong numbering order. Sigh.. no wonder books are always "lost" or being "tracked" coz they are misplaced by like that. Still, I noticed another comic book which is not meant in that shelve. No wonder everytime I use the online library catalogue to see if the book is there, not on loan, but when I come down to the library to check it out, it is never there coz it is misplaced.

People please be careful about putting the books back into the shelves coz others might want to read the book. If you not sure about the place, please put it on the trolley so a responsible librian will put it back in place for others to read.

Best library I ever been to it the one at Toa Payoh Library and Bukit Panjang Library. I can always find the book on the shelve like the Library Catalogue states "Not on Loan".

JERK Manager!

Yesterday have been a real bad day for me! & there goes my flare! Watch out! I blow out fire and one Jerk Manager got burnt! I can care less about if he go complain to my manager. I have so HAD IT with his crappy remarks! I am not proud to say that I screw him. But I did!

So what happen? This JERK asked me to purchase something so I did but when the thing came and I pass to him, he told me "Hey how come it doesn't come with this thing?" So I say "No it doesn't and don't assume it does." Then some how the conversation came to that he says that I have no initiative! So I got pissed off! What the HELL, you never give proper instructions and I am suppose to assume that you need that thing? If you need it, then tell me! I am not hired to read MINDS, JERK! Then he added another remark later on about how his friends who are or were regulars also have no initiative. I pitty those regulars who is his friend. This friend dump him coz he is a fair weather friend. Wow .. damn such remarks... make me boil. It isn't fair that he should say that remark! Needless to say why becoz he is a jerk for not think before speaking. You have so much initiative then you can go buy it yourself why ask me to?

Then the accountant also pissed me off. Come and ask me a stupid question. So I replied.. I do the work for other people don't mean it is my responsibilty to go chase as well. So much for doing favors for people. Learn from me ... FAVORS doesn't come good and cheap! Stay out of favors and say NO Favors!

There goes my last hope to be a teacher

Just read the MCYS website. Perhaps I am slow and getting update news but I am busy all the time. Anyhow, it reads:
=====================
What are the existing measures to enhance the quality of education in childcare centres?

MOE announced in March 2008 new minimum qualifications for pre-school teachers:

a) For new pre-school teachers and supervisors - five GCE ‘O’ level credits including English Language and a Diploma in Pre-School Teaching from Jan 2009.
b) For incumbent teachers teaching K1 and K2 - a Diploma in Pre-School Teaching, and an ‘O’ level pass in English Language or pass an English Language proficiency test by January 2013.
c) In addition, each pre-school centre should have at least 75% of all its pre-school teachers meeting the requirements to teach K1/K2 classes by January 2013.

MCYS is imposing the same new requirements on teachers in childcare centres.

MOE is also developing a voluntary quality assurance and accreditation framework which will be ready for implementation from 2011. MCYS will be working with MOE to ensure that the framework is applicable to childcare centres.

==============

five GCE ‘O’ level credits including English - like this is not bad enough. I have five credits then I wouldn't be considering doing pre-school teacher, I would be doing something else because I am qualified to go into something higher then that. Like that isn't enough but must add the "and" Diploma in Pre-School Teaching . Sigh .. shake my head. Strike that off my list in thinking a dream will come true. Ok.. can also forget about going for the IELTS. Lucky haven't go sign up yet.

Filled with Anger

Sigh... another day filled with anger.

First, read e-mail and there sat an e-mail saying "....I will do this and revert". I thought I said it very clear that there isn't one? Some people having amnesia and still younger then I am. Didn't you hear me clearly when I said it or is it your instructions not clear again? Argh.. please give clear instructions hor if not I don't understand! Pissed off! So called the manager and clarify. Hate it when people do that!

Ok... then came another e-mail later in the day that says " Welcome so and so for joining the company" Argh... this is so BIAS! You thought working for a foreign company would have better treatment but NO WAY! They don't send out e-mails to say welcome so and so "CONTRACTOR" to the company. That is why I HATE BEING CONTRACTOR!!!! Actually there isn't anything wrong with the company it is always the people BEHIND the company that have the BIG PROBLEM!

& don't tell me permanent and contractor is the same! They don't have same treatment. This is an example. Not bonus ... not benefits ... and most of all definitely not better treatment either. I am no IDIOT to accept they are both the same. But anyhow, I can care less about this liao... Thank you so much for demoralizing me. Now I know where my decision should go!

Still, the managers here are so "inconsiderate". They see you down the road waiting for bus and they don't even offer you a ride! They can even pass by and wave good bye to you at the bus stop.

At least those managers I used to know they see me waiting on the road for my ride would even ask me want a ride. I miss the managers at Chartered esp AS & AH! Although they talk dirty at times ... at least they are HUMAN! The people here I work for are not even human! They are so insensitive ! You can't see the steam coming out of my head but it is steaming HOT

Step Back in Time - Baby Me

This is the "Baby Me". I am stepping in time lately. So much fond memories! That is my mom behind me. She has abandoned this photo. Sob ... sob...

Cousin's Wedding @ Raffles Hotel

Another wedding dinner @ Raffles Hotel! This wedding is my cousin's wedding. Went to help at the reception today as requested by my Aunt. I sat a corner. Fend Shui don't seem very good. Many people never come to me to ask for their table seating. I wonder why but glad too as the music was too loud (musician playing music). Can hardly hear them say their name. I guard the ang pows though. Don't seem to enjoy that joke about "guarding the ang pows even if I go toilet" . Har Har har yeah right!

A dream Wedding Dinner to be in. Always wanted something like that when I was young when at the age of one day going to get married. However, that dream never came true. So hate attending weddings like that coz it always make me jealous why I don't have!

As I understand one table cost about $1,200.oo. Wow that is a bomb to spent on solely one table. Is it all worth it? Thinking ... I ain't that rich to spent my money on this. Guess it wasn't meant to be! Who tell me not to get born in a rich and wealthy and status family. Sigh... story of my life in which I can tell so much already lor. Souvenior is pewter... wow. damn no wonder it cost that much! But VERY NICE HOR though not very practical lah!

Courses

Again am itching to upgrade myself by attending courses. Ok ... after several hunts I thought I would like to settle with this

By British Council

Know it – Teach it: Grammar 20 credits
Explores the major areas of English grammar and typical student error. Helps you build your confidence in presenting language clearly and set up practice activities. Lets you try out a range of interesting student-centred activities.

Thought this would be interesting to attend. Brush up on my grammar also benefit my child too i future. But guess what? Price of course = S$895.00 ... DAMN that is costly man! can I get subsidy for that? I doubt so! Ok... not good sign... what is worst ... 5 weeks to complete... and in night time classes... no full time classes... That is not good! Still, again classes are only held in Napier ... and so does most classes... Sad.. So Sad.... so may not be my choice then. Unless there is subsidy to that and have day classes. Think so highly of British Council and they disappointed me by saying " Sorry no full time classes; with a period "

Look again at the Bristish Council website, there is one class I can also attend, I thought.

Exam Skills – Oral

Analyses the skills and language that students need for oral exams. Looks at some innovative ideas for preparing learners for the three components of primary oral exams.

And it cost $88.00 only. Call and ask them... "Only open to teachers" Sad again... so sad... and when I finally found some cheap course to learn and benefit from it, again being shot down. Is there no classes in which I want can allow me to attend? Is there no longer any flexibilty? I want to perfect my grammar to benefit not only myself but also my children. I can teach them although teachers might not do be able to. But there is no way ! There goes my dream! Thank you so much !

Ok I give up... be STUPID !

Courtesy Cat

If you are a Singaporean, you'd remember this. However, if you don't let me remind you then!


We used to have this Courtesy Cat that goes out not only in school days but if I do remember it correctly, it used to be very popular and every where you can see it. We also have this Courtesy Week. They used to promote so much about it and the Courtesy Cat as the escort. We also have a song for that and it goes


Courtesy is for free .... Courtesy is for you and me.... and I forgot the rest. Can't even locate it over the internet as there isn't any courtesy left in all of us!


So what happen to the cat? I most likely think that it have been amputated! Hahahha... and that is the reason why lots of people have forgotten about it and also lack the "Courtesy"!


And how does the Courtesy Cat look like is below: