I just saw one of the old teacher recruitment posters... It says:
Your cubicle: 4 m x 4 m
Your classroom: The World
I think the more realistic size of a teacher's cubicle is (1.8 m x 1.8 m) to (2.0 m x 2.0 m). I should know: I was the one measuring the VJC staff room cubicles in 2000 with Johnson Goh.
They were probably trying to attract the corporate MBA types to convert to teaching.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
This is most annoying!
My PC died a week ago. It suddenly died while I was just going online. It was totally dead -- it could not even reach the BIOS start screen. It was probably a display card, power supply or RAM problem. Or perhaps CPU...
Anyway, I carried the box to Sim Lim Square two Friday evenings ago. The PC was left with them over the weekend -- Bliss does not open on Sundays. My brother and my father was most critical and hurtful. They said that I should have stayed there and forced them to repair the PC on the spot. What nonsense! On a Friday evening?! And my father was the one who said to go back to Bliss!
Anyway, I got back on Tuesday and the PC was done. They said that it was the power supply and charged me a total of $69, which was fair enough. The Windows was also corrupted. I asked him to open the box and test it and it worked, except for the fact that Windows could not boot. He did not have my Win XP CD so he could not reinstall for me. Anyway, it was simple enough for me to do.
My brother tried to do the reinstall yesterday as I was too busy these few days. To cut the story short, XP needs a floppy to install the SATA drivers before OS installation. Either the driver floppy disk or the drive does not work now. And my brother and my dad has been using this to attack me day in day out! And they said it was expensive! What nonsense! $69 is fine -- troubleshooting is not FREE!! Normally it costs $30! How much do you think the power supply costs?!
I am sick and tired of this nonsense. I have not been doing hands-on PC work for the past 5 years so they should just shut up. Either be part of the solution or shut up! I'll just have to fix this myself then. I was in IT from 1995 to 2003 so my foundation is there. It's just that I've not been current... No matter -- I'll apply my IT skills once again.
My PC died a week ago. It suddenly died while I was just going online. It was totally dead -- it could not even reach the BIOS start screen. It was probably a display card, power supply or RAM problem. Or perhaps CPU...
Anyway, I carried the box to Sim Lim Square two Friday evenings ago. The PC was left with them over the weekend -- Bliss does not open on Sundays. My brother and my father was most critical and hurtful. They said that I should have stayed there and forced them to repair the PC on the spot. What nonsense! On a Friday evening?! And my father was the one who said to go back to Bliss!
Anyway, I got back on Tuesday and the PC was done. They said that it was the power supply and charged me a total of $69, which was fair enough. The Windows was also corrupted. I asked him to open the box and test it and it worked, except for the fact that Windows could not boot. He did not have my Win XP CD so he could not reinstall for me. Anyway, it was simple enough for me to do.
My brother tried to do the reinstall yesterday as I was too busy these few days. To cut the story short, XP needs a floppy to install the SATA drivers before OS installation. Either the driver floppy disk or the drive does not work now. And my brother and my dad has been using this to attack me day in day out! And they said it was expensive! What nonsense! $69 is fine -- troubleshooting is not FREE!! Normally it costs $30! How much do you think the power supply costs?!
I am sick and tired of this nonsense. I have not been doing hands-on PC work for the past 5 years so they should just shut up. Either be part of the solution or shut up! I'll just have to fix this myself then. I was in IT from 1995 to 2003 so my foundation is there. It's just that I've not been current... No matter -- I'll apply my IT skills once again.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
BBQs
Always maintain a Halal chain (including sauces and cakes!) and no beef. Also, do not hold BBQs on Fridays (Catholics).
Booking a Public Pit
Location should be close to amenities and a toilet. In Pasir Ris, you need to be close to Downtown East. In the East Coast, you need to be close to the McDonalds area, Parkway Parade area or Lagoon Hawker Centre. Refer to the map.
You need to be cheap! Also, getting food from a supplier is easier, but you can marinade yourself if you have access to a house or chalet. (Soya sauce and sesame oil for meat.) (Honey for meat.) (Sambal sauce (bottled) for fish.) (lemon + margarine for fish.)
Cordial is much cheaper than bottled drinks, but we use bottled water for security and hygiene reasons.
Non-Food Items
Plastic disposable forks and spoons
Paper plates
Large disposable cups
Charcoal
Firestarter
Wire mesh (size!)
BBQ torch (bring!)
Tongs (bring!) – 3
Thick and long satay sticks
Serviettes
Aluminium foil
Newspaper (tablecloth)
Fan
Plastic bowl or recycled disposable microwave container (2) (bring)
Plastic knife (recycled) (bring) (2)
Bread knife
Kitchen shears
Water container (small) (10 l)
Food
Chicken satay
Mutton satay
Chicken cheesedogs
Chicken wings
Sambal Stingray / sutchi fillet (frozen)
Sambal sotong
Prawns (frozen)
Sotong ball / fishball
Margarine / garlic spread
Bread (baguette)
Salad bowls (ready)
Cheese prata (frozen)
Marshmallows
Drinks
Ice (triple plastic bag for insulation)
Mineral water (2 l)
Cordial drink (1 l)
Fruits
Water-melon (need to cut!)
Oranges
Grapes
Setting up the BBQ Area
3 workers in total are needed: Table IC (leader), food IC (leader) and fire IC (UG / ODAC student). No clumsiness, please. Wipe down the tables with a rag. Lay out the newpapers. Clean the pit itself.
Table IC sets up the table. Table IC prepares the water container and puts in cordial first before water. The ice station is set up. The food station is set up. The salad and bread station is set up with half the margarine. The bread is cut and then passed to the food IC for toasting. The utensils area is set up. The fruits area is set up. Table IC ensures the table is neat and students follow the rules so that food and utensils are kept clean. Table IC calls the students to eat when one third of the food comes out. He maintains the drinks station.
Fire IC starts the fire in 3 piles. He watches the fire and ensures it is clean and without plastic. He gets sufficient charcoal to burn before spreading them out to cover the entire area. He holds a pair of tongs for charcoal and a fan. When the fire is ready, he puts on the wire mesh. He then assists the food IC with his 2nd pair of tongs.
Food IC prepares the food. He washes his hands and the wire mesh first. He skewers sotong / fish balls and then the chicken, in a straight line with drumlet at the tip. He arranges the food in order and then washes his hands. He then skewers marshmallows. When it is time to cook, the food IC will take out his tongs and with the fire IC, will cook the food and look after it. Food IC loads food and turns food while fire IC turns food and removes food. This ensures fire IC’s tongs are always in contact with hot food. There must be good light to check that the food is cooked. Skewer test the thick part of the food. When ready, fire IC will cut it with kitchen shears if needed and bring it over to the table where the table IC will organize it.
The 3 workers will eat as they do their work. The time taken to prepare is about 40 minutes. A rider may be needed to buy more ice or water. Alternatively, if you are close to a 7-11 or Cheers, you can get the students to buy their own super big gulp drinks so drinks need not be provided.
Always maintain a Halal chain (including sauces and cakes!) and no beef. Also, do not hold BBQs on Fridays (Catholics).
Booking a Public Pit
Location should be close to amenities and a toilet. In Pasir Ris, you need to be close to Downtown East. In the East Coast, you need to be close to the McDonalds area, Parkway Parade area or Lagoon Hawker Centre. Refer to the map.
You need to be cheap! Also, getting food from a supplier is easier, but you can marinade yourself if you have access to a house or chalet. (Soya sauce and sesame oil for meat.) (Honey for meat.) (Sambal sauce (bottled) for fish.) (lemon + margarine for fish.)
Cordial is much cheaper than bottled drinks, but we use bottled water for security and hygiene reasons.
Non-Food Items
Plastic disposable forks and spoons
Paper plates
Large disposable cups
Charcoal
Firestarter
Wire mesh (size!)
BBQ torch (bring!)
Tongs (bring!) – 3
Thick and long satay sticks
Serviettes
Aluminium foil
Newspaper (tablecloth)
Fan
Plastic bowl or recycled disposable microwave container (2) (bring)
Plastic knife (recycled) (bring) (2)
Bread knife
Kitchen shears
Water container (small) (10 l)
Food
Chicken satay
Mutton satay
Chicken cheesedogs
Chicken wings
Sambal Stingray / sutchi fillet (frozen)
Sambal sotong
Prawns (frozen)
Sotong ball / fishball
Margarine / garlic spread
Bread (baguette)
Salad bowls (ready)
Cheese prata (frozen)
Marshmallows
Drinks
Ice (triple plastic bag for insulation)
Mineral water (2 l)
Cordial drink (1 l)
Fruits
Water-melon (need to cut!)
Oranges
Grapes
Setting up the BBQ Area
3 workers in total are needed: Table IC (leader), food IC (leader) and fire IC (UG / ODAC student). No clumsiness, please. Wipe down the tables with a rag. Lay out the newpapers. Clean the pit itself.
Table IC sets up the table. Table IC prepares the water container and puts in cordial first before water. The ice station is set up. The food station is set up. The salad and bread station is set up with half the margarine. The bread is cut and then passed to the food IC for toasting. The utensils area is set up. The fruits area is set up. Table IC ensures the table is neat and students follow the rules so that food and utensils are kept clean. Table IC calls the students to eat when one third of the food comes out. He maintains the drinks station.
Fire IC starts the fire in 3 piles. He watches the fire and ensures it is clean and without plastic. He gets sufficient charcoal to burn before spreading them out to cover the entire area. He holds a pair of tongs for charcoal and a fan. When the fire is ready, he puts on the wire mesh. He then assists the food IC with his 2nd pair of tongs.
Food IC prepares the food. He washes his hands and the wire mesh first. He skewers sotong / fish balls and then the chicken, in a straight line with drumlet at the tip. He arranges the food in order and then washes his hands. He then skewers marshmallows. When it is time to cook, the food IC will take out his tongs and with the fire IC, will cook the food and look after it. Food IC loads food and turns food while fire IC turns food and removes food. This ensures fire IC’s tongs are always in contact with hot food. There must be good light to check that the food is cooked. Skewer test the thick part of the food. When ready, fire IC will cut it with kitchen shears if needed and bring it over to the table where the table IC will organize it.
The 3 workers will eat as they do their work. The time taken to prepare is about 40 minutes. A rider may be needed to buy more ice or water. Alternatively, if you are close to a 7-11 or Cheers, you can get the students to buy their own super big gulp drinks so drinks need not be provided.
Friday, December 05, 2008
I had a class BBQ tonight. The organizing student asked for food to feed 15 but only 6 people stayed for dinner in the end. Moral of the story: You must really organize an event, not just verbally assume.
In any case, those doing the BBQ were not as disciplined as they should be. In a BBQ, we want to minimize accidents, minimize incidents, minimize wastage of food and resources, and keep the place neat and organized.
As usual, no one payed me anything. I have a feeling I wasted my money this time as they did not learn anything, nor felt appreciative. I usually aim to spend >$100 per year on my form class' BBQs, meals and chalets and this is the first year that my investment has failed. It is probably because they are Sec 1s...
Anyway, for the benefit of those who do read my blog, I'll teach you how to organize a BBQ. The package prices for 20 pax at BBQ Wholesale are $178.10 (Basic), $252.69 (Meaty) and $322.40 (Seafood). This is a pricing guide I aimed to beat -- the packages are also not very good, if you see their website.
For 15+ people (2 adults, many kids, more girls), I bought the following items from a BBQ supplier at Marine Cove, NTUC Fairprice and Giant. Always buy from a supermarket whenever possible.
12 bottles of 1.5 litre drinks (including green tea) $18.60
1 pack of 5 kg ice $4.80
2 loaves of bread $3.60
2 packs of BBQ marshmallows $5.00
2 packs of chicken chop (ready-to-cook) $18.40
1 pack of 20 honey 3-joint chicken wings (ready-to-cook) $14.20
20 servings of sambal stingray in foil (ready-to-cook) $32.00
1 large and 1 small pack of cheezy chicken sausages $21.80
50 sticks of mutton satay $17.20
20 sticks of chicken satay $7.20
2 boxes of frozen tiger prawns $29.00
3 assorted salad bowls (ready-to-eat) $10.45
1 pack of frozen cuttlefish balls (700 g) $6.20
15 sweet oranges $5.25
2 kg of seedless black grapes $11.51
1 tub of margarine $2.19
1 basting brush $1.15
50 paper plates $3.30
50 plastic spoons $1.49
50 plastic forks $1.49
15 wooden chopsticks $1.59
40 cups (medium size) $3.60
1 box of aluminium foil $1.50
2 packs of serviettes $1.42
1 pack of firestarter $1.40
1 pack of 4 kg charcoal $5.15
1 large wire mesh $4.50
I wanted to use celery or leek as usual instead of a basting brush, but was afraid it would not stand up to the abuse by the kids... Also, I bought bread instead of buying cooked food as it would be more interesting to toast bread. They could not bring a bread knife so I did not get baguettes.
I also brought along 2 BBQ torches, fully refueled, and a pair of new kitchen shears.
I am glad to say I managed to beat BBQ Wholesale this time, with a package that is much better than the basic one. I deliberately ordered less food to ensure that no food was left. If we finished early with less food, we could always adjourn to to Lagoon Food Centre. Every BBQ previous to this had excess food so I wanted this to be different. Well, it was still the same. The students took back most of what was left of the food.
I'll teach you more in the next post...
In any case, those doing the BBQ were not as disciplined as they should be. In a BBQ, we want to minimize accidents, minimize incidents, minimize wastage of food and resources, and keep the place neat and organized.
As usual, no one payed me anything. I have a feeling I wasted my money this time as they did not learn anything, nor felt appreciative. I usually aim to spend >$100 per year on my form class' BBQs, meals and chalets and this is the first year that my investment has failed. It is probably because they are Sec 1s...
Anyway, for the benefit of those who do read my blog, I'll teach you how to organize a BBQ. The package prices for 20 pax at BBQ Wholesale are $178.10 (Basic), $252.69 (Meaty) and $322.40 (Seafood). This is a pricing guide I aimed to beat -- the packages are also not very good, if you see their website.
For 15+ people (2 adults, many kids, more girls), I bought the following items from a BBQ supplier at Marine Cove, NTUC Fairprice and Giant. Always buy from a supermarket whenever possible.
12 bottles of 1.5 litre drinks (including green tea) $18.60
1 pack of 5 kg ice $4.80
2 loaves of bread $3.60
2 packs of BBQ marshmallows $5.00
2 packs of chicken chop (ready-to-cook) $18.40
1 pack of 20 honey 3-joint chicken wings (ready-to-cook) $14.20
20 servings of sambal stingray in foil (ready-to-cook) $32.00
1 large and 1 small pack of cheezy chicken sausages $21.80
50 sticks of mutton satay $17.20
20 sticks of chicken satay $7.20
2 boxes of frozen tiger prawns $29.00
3 assorted salad bowls (ready-to-eat) $10.45
1 pack of frozen cuttlefish balls (700 g) $6.20
15 sweet oranges $5.25
2 kg of seedless black grapes $11.51
1 tub of margarine $2.19
1 basting brush $1.15
50 paper plates $3.30
50 plastic spoons $1.49
50 plastic forks $1.49
15 wooden chopsticks $1.59
40 cups (medium size) $3.60
1 box of aluminium foil $1.50
2 packs of serviettes $1.42
1 pack of firestarter $1.40
1 pack of 4 kg charcoal $5.15
1 large wire mesh $4.50
I wanted to use celery or leek as usual instead of a basting brush, but was afraid it would not stand up to the abuse by the kids... Also, I bought bread instead of buying cooked food as it would be more interesting to toast bread. They could not bring a bread knife so I did not get baguettes.
I also brought along 2 BBQ torches, fully refueled, and a pair of new kitchen shears.
I am glad to say I managed to beat BBQ Wholesale this time, with a package that is much better than the basic one. I deliberately ordered less food to ensure that no food was left. If we finished early with less food, we could always adjourn to to Lagoon Food Centre. Every BBQ previous to this had excess food so I wanted this to be different. Well, it was still the same. The students took back most of what was left of the food.
I'll teach you more in the next post...
Sunday, November 09, 2008
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
The breakfast was a big western buffet! The best ever.
Some of the girls are scared of strangers -- like me, as I'm not their teacher. Also, when other Singaporeans talk to them at the restaurant, they are very scared and say that it is very strange that people talk to them just like that. Obviously, the kids have no concept that they are in an alien place. When other Singaporeans hear Singlish, they will surely want to talk to you. These kids have no feelings at all.
After breakfast, we left for the Panda Base. The place was very well-done. The enclosures were open like Singapore's. The pandas were very cute! And they allowed visitors to see their nursery via glass windows. We should allow people to see the vet building in our zoo too! They had a movie screening in English, which was good. We went across the road to get "chiong" panda souvenirs and other stuff. Once again, the kids were big spenders! The boy sitting across me on the bus had to borrow from his friend! He had 5 RMB left! I wonder if our kids are like that overseas. Yesterday, one girls' father even came over from Shanghai to Jin Sha Yi Zhi to meet her and he gave her even more money!
After the panda place, we went to Jin Li historic street, which is a shopping street. Again, we must have this in Singapore! Preserved old buildings along the street. I have got to suggest to STB!
We then left for the airport. It was the end of our trip. We had a KFC lunch and then got ready to check-in. Their teacher said that Xiao Long Ren school in Renshou is also as good as the Leshan Art School. Guess the schools they go to are all very good. Immigration had a quality survey! They really value service quality now!
The flight landed slightly early and I reached home at 12.30 pm.
THE END!
The breakfast was a big western buffet! The best ever.
Some of the girls are scared of strangers -- like me, as I'm not their teacher. Also, when other Singaporeans talk to them at the restaurant, they are very scared and say that it is very strange that people talk to them just like that. Obviously, the kids have no concept that they are in an alien place. When other Singaporeans hear Singlish, they will surely want to talk to you. These kids have no feelings at all.
After breakfast, we left for the Panda Base. The place was very well-done. The enclosures were open like Singapore's. The pandas were very cute! And they allowed visitors to see their nursery via glass windows. We should allow people to see the vet building in our zoo too! They had a movie screening in English, which was good. We went across the road to get "chiong" panda souvenirs and other stuff. Once again, the kids were big spenders! The boy sitting across me on the bus had to borrow from his friend! He had 5 RMB left! I wonder if our kids are like that overseas. Yesterday, one girls' father even came over from Shanghai to Jin Sha Yi Zhi to meet her and he gave her even more money!
After the panda place, we went to Jin Li historic street, which is a shopping street. Again, we must have this in Singapore! Preserved old buildings along the street. I have got to suggest to STB!
We then left for the airport. It was the end of our trip. We had a KFC lunch and then got ready to check-in. Their teacher said that Xiao Long Ren school in Renshou is also as good as the Leshan Art School. Guess the schools they go to are all very good. Immigration had a quality survey! They really value service quality now!
The flight landed slightly early and I reached home at 12.30 pm.
THE END!
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Sat)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
We went to Emei Shan by foot. We took a buggy from the entrance to the temple -- quite remarkable that buggies could go uphill! The place was scenic, but it was temple stuff. We went down by foot.
Lunch was at the same restaurant yesterday evening. The kids had catfish (one of the best fish they had) -- and they did not touch it! It was the best fish in the trip -- no bones too. We took over their fish -- we had three! I thought it was because their parents told them not to eat China fish because of the bones (like my parents). But their teacher said that that was not the reason. They are used to their parents preparing servings for them. When it is just one big fish, they don't know how to tackle it. They pick a bit with their chopsticks and that's it!
The group has just 7 boys and the rest are girls. The kids are in general quite cute. But their teachers say they are monsters...
After lunch, we moved back to Chengdu. We visited Jin Sha Yi Zhi Museum. It was very solid, a museum built over an archaeological site. Very well-designed. And you don't think for a second that this is China until you see the Chinese words. A private developer had unearthed some old artifacts and work was terminated. (Poor developer!) The place was excavated and then it was protected by building a museum on top of it. Some of the stuff was reburied to protect them.
Ms Chen said that the Science Centre was also quite good. Dinner was at the same Tian Fang Lou Halal restaurant. We then went to the city shopping area. There were a lot of people in the streets! The weekend, I guess. We were supposed to take a tram ride inside the shopping area but the last tram was at 6 pm and we reached at 5.40 pm. The person probably thought we were not coming and left. Ms Chen was a bit disappointed that she could not fulfil her obligations. We then went to our hotel not far away. The plan tonight was to lock the kids in the hotel with the Singaporean tour leader. The teachers and P would then go out shopping.
I am staying with the AM tonight. The hotel has Internet access. They had net access in Dongpo International too. The AM said that he thought I was a big shot and did not expect that I was only a teacher. Probably because I'm very experienced -- 10 years. Anyway, it is my birthday today, so I thought I should see if there was anything interesting out there. The AM managed to sneak past the P's group which was delayed as he spoke to the children for a while. He also managed to elude the lady teacher group and we were out on our own.
We went to the shopping area by foot. We first went to a department store/supermarket. The AM wanted to buy tea, so we went to try out many varieties. He bought some tea, and we bought green tea cookies. The shopping area closes at 10.30 pm to 11.00 pm, later than in Singapore. We walked around and then eventually tried food at Dico's, which is a big Chinese fast-food chain modelled after KFC but with MosBurger's rice burger as well. One set meal was around 25 RMB. The AM wanted to look for a pub or a bar, but we could not find any.
We went back to our hotel and the AM accessed the net. I was in no hurry to access the net so I let him use it all the way. DBS axed 900 jobs today. And I watched the 2nd part of the documentary TV series on Shenzhou 7's EVA. Very good, this was not a dubbed show. The Chinese can be good when they put their hearts into it.
We went to Emei Shan by foot. We took a buggy from the entrance to the temple -- quite remarkable that buggies could go uphill! The place was scenic, but it was temple stuff. We went down by foot.
Lunch was at the same restaurant yesterday evening. The kids had catfish (one of the best fish they had) -- and they did not touch it! It was the best fish in the trip -- no bones too. We took over their fish -- we had three! I thought it was because their parents told them not to eat China fish because of the bones (like my parents). But their teacher said that that was not the reason. They are used to their parents preparing servings for them. When it is just one big fish, they don't know how to tackle it. They pick a bit with their chopsticks and that's it!
The group has just 7 boys and the rest are girls. The kids are in general quite cute. But their teachers say they are monsters...
After lunch, we moved back to Chengdu. We visited Jin Sha Yi Zhi Museum. It was very solid, a museum built over an archaeological site. Very well-designed. And you don't think for a second that this is China until you see the Chinese words. A private developer had unearthed some old artifacts and work was terminated. (Poor developer!) The place was excavated and then it was protected by building a museum on top of it. Some of the stuff was reburied to protect them.
Ms Chen said that the Science Centre was also quite good. Dinner was at the same Tian Fang Lou Halal restaurant. We then went to the city shopping area. There were a lot of people in the streets! The weekend, I guess. We were supposed to take a tram ride inside the shopping area but the last tram was at 6 pm and we reached at 5.40 pm. The person probably thought we were not coming and left. Ms Chen was a bit disappointed that she could not fulfil her obligations. We then went to our hotel not far away. The plan tonight was to lock the kids in the hotel with the Singaporean tour leader. The teachers and P would then go out shopping.
I am staying with the AM tonight. The hotel has Internet access. They had net access in Dongpo International too. The AM said that he thought I was a big shot and did not expect that I was only a teacher. Probably because I'm very experienced -- 10 years. Anyway, it is my birthday today, so I thought I should see if there was anything interesting out there. The AM managed to sneak past the P's group which was delayed as he spoke to the children for a while. He also managed to elude the lady teacher group and we were out on our own.
We went to the shopping area by foot. We first went to a department store/supermarket. The AM wanted to buy tea, so we went to try out many varieties. He bought some tea, and we bought green tea cookies. The shopping area closes at 10.30 pm to 11.00 pm, later than in Singapore. We walked around and then eventually tried food at Dico's, which is a big Chinese fast-food chain modelled after KFC but with MosBurger's rice burger as well. One set meal was around 25 RMB. The AM wanted to look for a pub or a bar, but we could not find any.
We went back to our hotel and the AM accessed the net. I was in no hurry to access the net so I let him use it all the way. DBS axed 900 jobs today. And I watched the 2nd part of the documentary TV series on Shenzhou 7's EVA. Very good, this was not a dubbed show. The Chinese can be good when they put their hearts into it.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Fri)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
In the morning, we moved out to Leshan and visited the Leshan Art Experimentation School. It was a marvelous school, well-run. Their programme for the visitors was also well-designed. They have small classes, 30 to 35. There is a plasma in each classroom. But they still had small tables. The fees are 10800 RMB a year according to a teacher but I'd say that was money well-spent! They have normal lessons in the morning and focus on the Arts in the afternoon lessons. Every visitor received a gift, teacher or student. The teachers received a hand-made fan with a painting on it.
We went for lunch. It was still the bony fish. After lunch, we went to Leshan Dafo -- a UNESCO site. It was done up pretty fine, except for the English as usual. We walked in, beside the river. Ms Chen chose to walk the site instead of just take a boat because we would get to see more. At the exit, we rode trishaws back to the coach park. Then we left for Emei Shan. We had dinner there at a hotel. The kids are really picky about their food. When they don't touch some dishes, we bring it to our table. When travelling with Huamin Pri (The Happy Learning Place), I eat with the tour guide, Ms Chen and the driver since I'm "extra". But it's good as I get to eat authentic food. After dinner, we had a short ride across the road to a shopping area for a twenty minute shopping session. Not much to buy, but the kids are really shoppers. Their teachers keep reminding them that they must carry everything back in their luggage.
We are at a hotel in Emei Shan. I have a room to myself tonight. That's a bonus! The hotel is all stairs -- no lifts. Luckily Ms Chen got porters to carry the luggage down. And she pushed her weight to get the people consolidated in one block for convenience. She is very dedicated to getting the best outcome in the tour and she is really good.
In the morning, we moved out to Leshan and visited the Leshan Art Experimentation School. It was a marvelous school, well-run. Their programme for the visitors was also well-designed. They have small classes, 30 to 35. There is a plasma in each classroom. But they still had small tables. The fees are 10800 RMB a year according to a teacher but I'd say that was money well-spent! They have normal lessons in the morning and focus on the Arts in the afternoon lessons. Every visitor received a gift, teacher or student. The teachers received a hand-made fan with a painting on it.
We went for lunch. It was still the bony fish. After lunch, we went to Leshan Dafo -- a UNESCO site. It was done up pretty fine, except for the English as usual. We walked in, beside the river. Ms Chen chose to walk the site instead of just take a boat because we would get to see more. At the exit, we rode trishaws back to the coach park. Then we left for Emei Shan. We had dinner there at a hotel. The kids are really picky about their food. When they don't touch some dishes, we bring it to our table. When travelling with Huamin Pri (The Happy Learning Place), I eat with the tour guide, Ms Chen and the driver since I'm "extra". But it's good as I get to eat authentic food. After dinner, we had a short ride across the road to a shopping area for a twenty minute shopping session. Not much to buy, but the kids are really shoppers. Their teachers keep reminding them that they must carry everything back in their luggage.
We are at a hotel in Emei Shan. I have a room to myself tonight. That's a bonus! The hotel is all stairs -- no lifts. Luckily Ms Chen got porters to carry the luggage down. And she pushed her weight to get the people consolidated in one block for convenience. She is very dedicated to getting the best outcome in the tour and she is really good.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Thur)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
I managed to clear the diarrhoea again before I went out today. Miraculous. Mr Zhu came to see me at 10 am and we went out by motorbike to the railway station. The security was very tight and the guard was really on -- no photos and bags. Then we went to the Public Services Building in the outskirts. They are very good! No different from us! We then went out to the other side of the bridge and then along the river again, but this time to the water wheel itself, right beside it. Then we went up on the dike to get a view of the river itself.
We went for lunch at the same place by motorbike. Another lady teacher joined us. She was of strong character and wished that China [CENSORED]. We had one good fish with very little bones. Then it was back to the hotel. Mr Zhu said that [CENSORED].
Mr Zhu came to pick me up at 2.10 pm. When we reached the school, I gave him his gift and Mr Song's, which I brought over from Singapore. I asked if I should also give the VP a small gift. (I had brought over a few.) He suggested that I should not as it was a bit too small, especially in front of others. No matter, I'll follow up with a Singapore gift and get Benjamin to carry it over next week.
The lesson was good and the drama was good, with the audience following and repeating. I expended my prizes too. I went to the VP room after that but they were having a meeting. This was an exception and Mr Zhu said they had very long few meetings. Mr Zhu took me around the school for a while. Many teachers were going for dinner in the cookhouse. Then the meeting ended and I met the VP Mr Bai. He bade farewell. The arrangement was for me to re-join Huamin Primary after their dinner in Meishan tonight. I would return to Renshou with them and move out to Leshan the next day. VP Mr Bai sent his regards to Mr Toh. He asked if Damai Sec could send him the necessary info on the main body attachment programme soon (by the end of the month) so that they could finish the work before the vacation. It would be too late if they did it when school re-opened.
Mr Zhu took me to dinner one more time on his bike. After dinner, we went back to the hotel and I packed up in a record 15 minutes. We took a cab out to the outskirts, and I joined up with Huamin at night. They were surprised to see the mysterious teacher who followed them on the first night and then disappeared reappear tonight.
We went to their hotel near Renshou and I stayed with the driver since I was "extra". (The teachers all had single rooms.) Doesn't matter for me -- I'm infantry. The driver remarked that my luggage was huge -- yes, I packed way too much. I had 2 sets of thermals which were unused. I did not need to bring a towel. And many of my short-sleeved stuff were unused -- I wash clothes each day as a matter of discipline to ensure that I always have clean clothes.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Wed)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
I managed to clear the diarrhoea in the morning. I don't know how. It would have been most inconvenient if I had not. So probably it was just an irritant and not a full-scale microbial food poisoning, which would have been most difficult to fight on my own. HOD Mr Song came to fetch me again. His Spark was being used, so we went on foot around the city again. I recceed what to buy but did not buy anything. He introduced me to things which were Meishan or Sichuan specialities. We went a long way around the city, including the older and newer parts of the city. We basically covered the entire city centre. There was this fruit distribution centre which was just a dirty carpark. We went to the same place to have lunch, then went back to the hotel on foot.
Mr Song came back to fetch me using his Spark. The lesson was OK too, except that only page 1 of the notes was photocopied. They fixed it at once within 10 minutes. The mike died after a while but someone came to fix it and it was done within 10 minutes. I added in prizes for the three participants of the drama. When I gave out prizes for guessing the meaning of words in the Damai PPT (Art Club, Band, etc.) as well, the students all wanted one. In any case, I have only 3 prizes left for tomorrow, so it will be fine. My prizes are mechanical pencils which I brought over from Singapore. Just nice -- they copy with pencils.
I rode back with Mr Zhu to the hotel. He came back later and we rode to the dinner place. After dinner, we went on foot to the malls again. I had suggested to buy wine for the China P and VP but he said there was no need. I thought that maybe he was being polite so I double-checked with him. This time, I bought tea, Long Yan Su (local confectionery) and a thermal flask (not exactly thermos...) for me. Everybody buys tea for me from China so I thought I'd do the same. Box-set Zhu Ye Qing for Mr Toh, and bagged Zhu Ye Qing for Mr Leow and the 3 HODs. Zhu Ye Qing is some branded Sichuan tea, so it is meaningful. Of course, all of it will to the GO pantry.
We went back to the hotel on foot. I had a bit more of diarrhoea at 3 a.m. Not good at all. I must try to fix this.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Tue)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
In the morning, I waited for a while before Mr Zhu came over. We went on foot to walk in the city. We went to some shopping centres to take a look. They are largely similar to ours except for some unique China products. Prices are expectedly cheaper than ours, but for some products, only slightly so. Their branded products are alien to us, but they know what is "China's branded". After a while, we took a bus to the outskirts. Their buses are like our old non-aircon private school buses and the fare is one RMB. We walked for a while until we reached a river-side park. There was water wheel, a small artificial beach and this was the place to be in spring or summer. There were also many good condo developments around the area, and it was a good place to stay. 2008 RMB per square metre for one development. Most of the sharing was done via chatting as there was not much formal sharing arranged by the school. We asked each other what we wanted to know.
We went for lunch at the same place by a shared taxi. It was difficult to get a cab as the roads were quite quiet. After lunch, it was back to the hotel on foot. Mr Zhu then came over later with his motor scooter and I rode pillion with him to school -- without a helmet. This was not my first time as a pillion, so it was OK for me. I've ridden pillion in Singapore before -- but not without a helmet. He had a helmet though.
The lesson was much better -- Food / Restaurant with some videos of 1E3 performing and the Damai PPT, so that they learn something about Singapore. The lesson had vocabulary first, followed by conversation. The students read aloud the words and sentences. I had my own laser / wireless mouse this time so I could walk around and check if they copied. Those who did not quickly started to when I got to them. At the end, I got three of the students to act out the scene. The watching students were excited as expected, and even laughed when the students could not say it properly (which meant that most knew how to say it). But I thought the watching students were a bit noisy. I'll get them to do something tomorrow to occupy their time. The teacher said it was suitable and the kids learnt something useful. It was also covered in their syllabus later, coincidentally. She said I might as well use the same package for the next two days, so I sent them in for printing.
After that, I rested at an admin room and saw some of the teachers working and two people marking. These two girls were very young! I think they are out-sourced markers -- alumni maybe. Or maybe they are beginning teachers -- but they are teenagers for sure! They were marking a CL test. They staple together scripts into a booklet for marking, probably to avoid lost scripts. Then I went back to the hotel on foot with Mr Zhu to put my things before we went on foot for dinner. After dinner, we went on foot back to the hotel.
Later I went out alone to see the night scene. I bought a Sec 3 Physics assessment book at a bookshop near the hotel. The traffic is chaotic in the city but since the vehicular speed is not very high, it is actually not that dangerous for the pedestrians. You need to have a safety distance between the vehicle and you, and then cross boldly. The traffic lights are also one of a kind. They are mobile as the junctions were probably never intended to be installed with lights. One four-sided light in the middle of the junction that operates on timing. In any case, when the lights are red and the traffic is clear, vehicles ignore the lights and beat the red light.
There has been lots of police cars on the roads these few days. I guess this is China after all, a police state. But they don't seem to mind the chaotic traffic or traffic violations. Even they go against the traffic sometimes.
I did not buy anything much as I was recceing first. I saw a supermarket and checked their prices. Actually, their toiletries are of the same price as ours, unless you get China brands. Their cinema tickets are about 25 RMB, with discounts for students and off-peak. Quantum of Solace was coming on -- they are as fast as Singapore when it comes to releases.
I had a bit of diarrhoea in the night. Not very good. It is probably some irritating spice -- maybe that numbing ma jiao.
In the morning, I waited for a while before Mr Zhu came over. We went on foot to walk in the city. We went to some shopping centres to take a look. They are largely similar to ours except for some unique China products. Prices are expectedly cheaper than ours, but for some products, only slightly so. Their branded products are alien to us, but they know what is "China's branded". After a while, we took a bus to the outskirts. Their buses are like our old non-aircon private school buses and the fare is one RMB. We walked for a while until we reached a river-side park. There was water wheel, a small artificial beach and this was the place to be in spring or summer. There were also many good condo developments around the area, and it was a good place to stay. 2008 RMB per square metre for one development. Most of the sharing was done via chatting as there was not much formal sharing arranged by the school. We asked each other what we wanted to know.
We went for lunch at the same place by a shared taxi. It was difficult to get a cab as the roads were quite quiet. After lunch, it was back to the hotel on foot. Mr Zhu then came over later with his motor scooter and I rode pillion with him to school -- without a helmet. This was not my first time as a pillion, so it was OK for me. I've ridden pillion in Singapore before -- but not without a helmet. He had a helmet though.
The lesson was much better -- Food / Restaurant with some videos of 1E3 performing and the Damai PPT, so that they learn something about Singapore. The lesson had vocabulary first, followed by conversation. The students read aloud the words and sentences. I had my own laser / wireless mouse this time so I could walk around and check if they copied. Those who did not quickly started to when I got to them. At the end, I got three of the students to act out the scene. The watching students were excited as expected, and even laughed when the students could not say it properly (which meant that most knew how to say it). But I thought the watching students were a bit noisy. I'll get them to do something tomorrow to occupy their time. The teacher said it was suitable and the kids learnt something useful. It was also covered in their syllabus later, coincidentally. She said I might as well use the same package for the next two days, so I sent them in for printing.
After that, I rested at an admin room and saw some of the teachers working and two people marking. These two girls were very young! I think they are out-sourced markers -- alumni maybe. Or maybe they are beginning teachers -- but they are teenagers for sure! They were marking a CL test. They staple together scripts into a booklet for marking, probably to avoid lost scripts. Then I went back to the hotel on foot with Mr Zhu to put my things before we went on foot for dinner. After dinner, we went on foot back to the hotel.
Later I went out alone to see the night scene. I bought a Sec 3 Physics assessment book at a bookshop near the hotel. The traffic is chaotic in the city but since the vehicular speed is not very high, it is actually not that dangerous for the pedestrians. You need to have a safety distance between the vehicle and you, and then cross boldly. The traffic lights are also one of a kind. They are mobile as the junctions were probably never intended to be installed with lights. One four-sided light in the middle of the junction that operates on timing. In any case, when the lights are red and the traffic is clear, vehicles ignore the lights and beat the red light.
There has been lots of police cars on the roads these few days. I guess this is China after all, a police state. But they don't seem to mind the chaotic traffic or traffic violations. Even they go against the traffic sometimes.
I did not buy anything much as I was recceing first. I saw a supermarket and checked their prices. Actually, their toiletries are of the same price as ours, unless you get China brands. Their cinema tickets are about 25 RMB, with discounts for students and off-peak. Quantum of Solace was coming on -- they are as fast as Singapore when it comes to releases.
I had a bit of diarrhoea in the night. Not very good. It is probably some irritating spice -- maybe that numbing ma jiao.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Mon)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
This morning, I woke up early at 7 am. I forgot to mention that the room does not have a bathtub, only a shower. I popped over for the Chinese buffet breakfast, which was interesting and good. The system here is that you get a breakfast voucher when you check in and use it the next morning. I got tomorrow's one tonight. Some local dishes, and porridge, etc. Fried eggs too. The teacher came to pick me up at 9 am with another teacher who drove. I did not catch what car he drove but he drove fast. First, we had a meeting with the principal (Mr Ge), VP (Mr Bai) and key staff of the programme in the conference room. They gave me a big bouquet of flowers. Then HOD Mr Song took me on a quick walk around the school. Pretty normal exteriorly, just like in Singapore. They have a hostel and a cookhouse. They have their lunch in class after collecting it from the cookhouse, explaining why there were so few seats. The roof apparently was damaged during the earthquake but is fixed already. I peeked at a class and besides the large class size of more than 60 and small tables, it's about the same. Students were well-behaved. No activities seen due to the space and large-size, but there's nothing wrong with that. They have subject notice boards done by students, as well as a board dedicated to Damai Secondary School! They also have a duty system like in SAF camps. They have a duty administrator, duty teachers, etc. every day. They also have motto, values, etc. statements like us.
After that, Mr Song took me to the San Su Museum and San Su Ci using his Chevrolet Spark. The museum focuses on the life and works of Su Dongpo (Su Shi), his father (Su Xun) and brother (Su Zhe). Su Dongpo was an exceptionally talented man who hailed from Meishan. The museum was world-class, what you might expect from any other city. There were English panels too, but they were simpler. I definitely did learn more about these three men. The San Su Ci was Su Dongpo's original villa. It has large garden grounds, but being autumn, the lotus were dying. There is also something about Yin Xing (Gingko) trees that the people like.
Lunch was at a restaurant nearby, with the Principal, and also some of his teacher friends from another school, Su Ci Zhong Xue. Some dishes were spicy, but it was acceptable save for the dish with ma jiao (I think), which numbed my mouth. I had to drink beer, but I did not drink that much, probably two glasses. We talked during the later part of the lunch when most of the others left. Mr Song then took me back to the hotel where we rested for a while. He explained the many TV channels in China. There are many free-to-air channels -- all covering different things! News, Drama, Law and Order, etc. There's even an English International Channel, a competitor to our Channel News Asia!
We went back to school for the lesson via Chevy Spark. Mr Song drove slowly but I think that is good because traffic there is chaotic. When you are slow, you can brake. Pedestrians are everywhere too, as are bicycles. You frequently go against traffic too. He applies the horn very frequently. The idea is to warn the others that you are there and tell them not to make any drastic moves because you are going to.
The first lesson was not good. Their level of English was much lower, so my original plan of using a "tourist English" lesson should have been used. In Singapore, I had been worried that it would be too simple, based on initial feedback by Mr Seetoh. Our English HOD had also said that it might be appropriate to use more English as it was an English lesson, and that we should get them to think up the answers instead of having items that they either know or don't know. But our Chinese HOD was very comfortable and it turned out that she was right and my original plan (lesson packages 1 and 2) was the most appropriate. Mr Seetoh had Sec 3 students while I had Sec 1.
The students were amused at the pairing of boy and girls but basically, they could only understand the Chinese explanations. I also should have the Chinese done up in the PPT and worksheet, but this was the English package -- only packages 1 and 2 were entirely in Chinese. They were not the sort to copy the Chinese explanations that I gave verbally. If I convert this to a Chinese lesson, it would be excellent. But that would be for next year... or for Vietnam.
Hot Food was fine as the vocabulary was simple and the students could elicit the meaning of each sentence from the words. But again, the students were not the sort to take notes. I will probably change the lesson package back in Singapore (no printers accessible to me here) so that they copy words only in Chinese, and maybe they can use it for Vietnam. Since many could not read properly, I got them to look at a PPT on our school.
The English teacher there reflected that proverbs were too difficult. The explanation in English is difficult to understand and since I explained in Mandarin as well, I might as well do away with the English. The topic of proverbs was interesting though as there are Chinese equivalents, which the students knew. The teacher remarked that even she herself did not know the meaning of these English proverbs until today. Hot Food was easily to understand but learning about poetry was probably not what they needed.
So I decided to serve Lesson Package 1 the next day. A good thing I prepared eight packages instead of two, with one difficult, four medium and three simple. I looked at their textbook and it was very simple (P1?), with a word list. I sent in my worksheets for printing. Walking past another EL class, I saw that they recited the phrases that the teacher read. That would be just the thing for Lesson 1.
After that, we talked a bit in the VP's room and then we went back to the hotel. I put back my things and then we went for the welcome dinner, which cost more than RMB1200. They had local dishes. This time I had to drink even more, Chinese "white wine", Dongpo wine -- much stronger. Each one of them toasted me, 13 of them if I recall correctly. I downed almost all those glasses, except for two, which I drank half because the alcohol fumes were getting to me. Also, Mr Zhu and Mr Song did not drink alcohol. Luckily, I made sure I had enough food in the stomach, so strangely, I felt little effect.
After dinner, there was quite a bit of food left, so that was their culture I guess. They left to play mahjong in the games room (qi pai shi) and I went back to rest in my room. Mr Zhu was surprised at how little effect the wine had on me. They thought I could hold my alcohol, but I told them that I seldom drank in Singapore. The secret was food in the stomach. I was very tired and so went to bed at 8.30 pm, no doubt the alcohol doing its depressant thing. I woke up in the middle of the night to write this.
This morning, I woke up early at 7 am. I forgot to mention that the room does not have a bathtub, only a shower. I popped over for the Chinese buffet breakfast, which was interesting and good. The system here is that you get a breakfast voucher when you check in and use it the next morning. I got tomorrow's one tonight. Some local dishes, and porridge, etc. Fried eggs too. The teacher came to pick me up at 9 am with another teacher who drove. I did not catch what car he drove but he drove fast. First, we had a meeting with the principal (Mr Ge), VP (Mr Bai) and key staff of the programme in the conference room. They gave me a big bouquet of flowers. Then HOD Mr Song took me on a quick walk around the school. Pretty normal exteriorly, just like in Singapore. They have a hostel and a cookhouse. They have their lunch in class after collecting it from the cookhouse, explaining why there were so few seats. The roof apparently was damaged during the earthquake but is fixed already. I peeked at a class and besides the large class size of more than 60 and small tables, it's about the same. Students were well-behaved. No activities seen due to the space and large-size, but there's nothing wrong with that. They have subject notice boards done by students, as well as a board dedicated to Damai Secondary School! They also have a duty system like in SAF camps. They have a duty administrator, duty teachers, etc. every day. They also have motto, values, etc. statements like us.
After that, Mr Song took me to the San Su Museum and San Su Ci using his Chevrolet Spark. The museum focuses on the life and works of Su Dongpo (Su Shi), his father (Su Xun) and brother (Su Zhe). Su Dongpo was an exceptionally talented man who hailed from Meishan. The museum was world-class, what you might expect from any other city. There were English panels too, but they were simpler. I definitely did learn more about these three men. The San Su Ci was Su Dongpo's original villa. It has large garden grounds, but being autumn, the lotus were dying. There is also something about Yin Xing (Gingko) trees that the people like.
Lunch was at a restaurant nearby, with the Principal, and also some of his teacher friends from another school, Su Ci Zhong Xue. Some dishes were spicy, but it was acceptable save for the dish with ma jiao (I think), which numbed my mouth. I had to drink beer, but I did not drink that much, probably two glasses. We talked during the later part of the lunch when most of the others left. Mr Song then took me back to the hotel where we rested for a while. He explained the many TV channels in China. There are many free-to-air channels -- all covering different things! News, Drama, Law and Order, etc. There's even an English International Channel, a competitor to our Channel News Asia!
We went back to school for the lesson via Chevy Spark. Mr Song drove slowly but I think that is good because traffic there is chaotic. When you are slow, you can brake. Pedestrians are everywhere too, as are bicycles. You frequently go against traffic too. He applies the horn very frequently. The idea is to warn the others that you are there and tell them not to make any drastic moves because you are going to.
The first lesson was not good. Their level of English was much lower, so my original plan of using a "tourist English" lesson should have been used. In Singapore, I had been worried that it would be too simple, based on initial feedback by Mr Seetoh. Our English HOD had also said that it might be appropriate to use more English as it was an English lesson, and that we should get them to think up the answers instead of having items that they either know or don't know. But our Chinese HOD was very comfortable and it turned out that she was right and my original plan (lesson packages 1 and 2) was the most appropriate. Mr Seetoh had Sec 3 students while I had Sec 1.
The students were amused at the pairing of boy and girls but basically, they could only understand the Chinese explanations. I also should have the Chinese done up in the PPT and worksheet, but this was the English package -- only packages 1 and 2 were entirely in Chinese. They were not the sort to copy the Chinese explanations that I gave verbally. If I convert this to a Chinese lesson, it would be excellent. But that would be for next year... or for Vietnam.
Hot Food was fine as the vocabulary was simple and the students could elicit the meaning of each sentence from the words. But again, the students were not the sort to take notes. I will probably change the lesson package back in Singapore (no printers accessible to me here) so that they copy words only in Chinese, and maybe they can use it for Vietnam. Since many could not read properly, I got them to look at a PPT on our school.
The English teacher there reflected that proverbs were too difficult. The explanation in English is difficult to understand and since I explained in Mandarin as well, I might as well do away with the English. The topic of proverbs was interesting though as there are Chinese equivalents, which the students knew. The teacher remarked that even she herself did not know the meaning of these English proverbs until today. Hot Food was easily to understand but learning about poetry was probably not what they needed.
So I decided to serve Lesson Package 1 the next day. A good thing I prepared eight packages instead of two, with one difficult, four medium and three simple. I looked at their textbook and it was very simple (P1?), with a word list. I sent in my worksheets for printing. Walking past another EL class, I saw that they recited the phrases that the teacher read. That would be just the thing for Lesson 1.
After that, we talked a bit in the VP's room and then we went back to the hotel. I put back my things and then we went for the welcome dinner, which cost more than RMB1200. They had local dishes. This time I had to drink even more, Chinese "white wine", Dongpo wine -- much stronger. Each one of them toasted me, 13 of them if I recall correctly. I downed almost all those glasses, except for two, which I drank half because the alcohol fumes were getting to me. Also, Mr Zhu and Mr Song did not drink alcohol. Luckily, I made sure I had enough food in the stomach, so strangely, I felt little effect.
After dinner, there was quite a bit of food left, so that was their culture I guess. They left to play mahjong in the games room (qi pai shi) and I went back to rest in my room. Mr Zhu was surprised at how little effect the wine had on me. They thought I could hold my alcohol, but I told them that I seldom drank in Singapore. The secret was food in the stomach. I was very tired and so went to bed at 8.30 pm, no doubt the alcohol doing its depressant thing. I woke up in the middle of the night to write this.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Sun)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
I joined up with students and teachers of Huamin Primary who were going on a leisure trip besides visiting their twinning school, a certain Sichuan Xiao Long Ren School. During take-off, once again I marvel at the miracle of heavier-than-air flight, the Physics of flight. The plane was an Airbus A319 -- a narrow bodied, small plane, which meant that this was not a frequently flown route. I had a late lunch on the plane at 1.50 pm -- Ee Fu noodles and triple chocolate ice cream. The flight had only 2 pilots and five stewardesses, surprisingly -- I did not know they made do with so few. One cabin crew leader and 4 stewardesses. And the Huamin kids were always going to the toilet. After lunch, there was a mad rush for the toilet.
After we alighted from the plane, along the long corridor of Shuangliu Airport, the AM (Eugene Tay) and the P's (William Pushpam) curiosity got over them and they chatted with me to investigate who this mysterious teacher travelling with them was. They were quite surprised that I was travelling alone. They thought it was because I was an HOD on some networking trip.
At immigration, I saw that they had immediate service level feedback buttons. Quite good that they are beginning to value service quality. I pressed the best button and the unsmiling officer (as they are the world over) broke into a smile. I think few had bothered to press a button and I was one of the few who did.
We were waved through without clearing customs as we were a school group -- just like how Changi Airport does it. We loaded up a bus to go to a Muslim restaurant to have dinner. There was a problem with the luggage though -- way too much to fit into the cargo hold of the bus! One piece had to go on the passenger compartment. We were in Chengdu. The tour guide was "Xiao Wang", "Jackie", female. We reached the restaurant soon enough. People smoke in the restaurant, which looks slightly Turkish. It is a Halal restaurant, since there were three Muslims in the group -- Aishah (Senior Teacher, Dean of Art), the P and his wife, who was also travelling with us. Was that a shisha pipe smoking corner? Maybe it is for decoration only... The group leader (Chen Jingyu) was most informative and professional, explaining the dishes to me. Not particularly hot -- I was expecting fiery hot stuff from what I learnt on TV and from friends / staff in Singapore. Perhaps they deliberately toned down the chilli.
After that, we went for a cultural show. It had the works -- percussion ensemble, Chinese opera, acrobatics, shadow play, changing faces, puppetry, drama, fire breathing, erhu master, etc. Puppets can change faces too! Very impressive stuff -- I think we should do this in Singapore. It was a teahouse setting and you drink tea while watching the show. I would doubt the quality of the performance in Singapore though. I'll find out if there are indeed such shows in Singapore. If there isn't, I'll get STB to look into it.
After the show, I saw a (propaganda?) poster on the wall which is about civilized society. Quite good that the country actually wants to progress and improve what they are weak at! we went to Huamin's place of stay for the night -- Dongpo International Hotel, which took a long time. We reached at 10.35 pm. After that, they arranged a taxi to take me to my hotel, MeiShan Bin Guan. One Chinese staff from the China tour company accompanied me. The teacher from Dongpo Experimental (Mr Zhu) was there and after sorting out the essentials, it was 11.30 pm. A quick set-up of the room, and I started work on my laptop, writing the day's journal and preparing the work the next day. I had decided to serve up the proverbs game to let them know that frequently, lessons in Singapore have to include games. There are parallel meanings in Mandarin, which is good. This would be followed by Hot Food, which is simple enough. They could watch the video of Damai students doing choral reading and of the author reading his work. If there were still time remaining, they could see the Damai PPT.
I spied what looked like a LAN point but found that the cable could not fit. There were no indications anywhere in the services directory that there was Internet access. I also checked for free WiFi -- there was one commercial one, but it was too weak. This probably meant that free WiFi was available somewhere in the city. It doesn't matter -- I'll be too busy writing daily journals, washing clothes or preparing stuff to surf the net.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Overseas Teacher Attachment in China
I'm going on a teacher attachment to Meishan Dongpo Experimental Middle School in China tomorrow. I'll be back next Sunday night. I'll be there all alone -- I hope everything turns out fine. I'll be teaching English as well as sharing about life as a Physics and English teacher in Singapore.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
School Ranking Tables
The No. 1 school in Bedok is Anglican High. The No. 2 is St Anthony's Canossian and the No. 3 is Damai Sec! None of the other Bedok schools made it into the School Achievement Tables!
Friday, August 29, 2008
My Background
My military background:
I am an Infantry Combat Medic Specialist in an Infantry battalion. I was involved with four severe casualties as a frontline medic and have seen a gunshot wound to the chest. I have received a live Super Puma heli-casevac with that said gunshot wound. (He died.) I have made numerous patient runs too. I did a 2-day SGH A and E attachment and a 2-day CD ambulance attachment. I witnessed three resus deaths during these attachments.
I have served as a platoon medic, company medic and medical centre staff. I have gone on BRC and scouts medic attachment, including spending time supporting my recce team mates in the School of Military Intelligence. I held a Hendon camp pass for four weeks. I was involved in a classified Special Op as part of a 12-man CRT. (That's the most I can say.)
My teaching experience:
I am a Physics and English teacher, having taught the full spectrum and attended many content courses for both subjects. I was the runner-up in the Nov 05 Iron Science Teacher Competition in Singapore. I am thus a Wrought Iron Science Teacher. I taught in VJC from 1999 to 2003. I have been a teacher in Damai Sec since 2004.
I have done EWSS work for a year. I have also done SC and IT work. I attended the 3-day Connected Classroom Conference in 2000 in Anaheim, USA with another teacher from my school.
I have followed ODAC on a Twin Peaks Expedition (Kinabalu and Trus Madi). I was a robotics teacher and instructor, leading robotic and automation engineering projects, some of which were winning SSEF projects. I have led a short film team before -- downgraded to Special Mention in the SVA -- and have attended related workshops at the Substation, etc.
My sports experience:
I was in the volleyball team in secondary school for two years. We even had a coach from China. Hence I am familiar with what sportsgirls and sportsboys have to go through and am familiar with proper sports training. I have done some 10 km road races and two marathons in the past. I was also a recreational air rifle shooter when I was in JC -- not very good in that.
My outdoor education experience:
As a cadet scout in primary school, I was already doing ropes course without safety (1980s, you see...) and hiking in MacRitchie and Pulau Ubin. As a JC student, I took part in an 8-day camp with sea-ex, land-ex, abseiling, ropes course, etc. I went for the 21-day OBS course in 1996. I went for a Topper sailing course with the National Sailing Centre. I went to Mt Ophir twice, and have climbed Mt Trus Madi and Mt Kinabalu, the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia. I also went for the MOE expedition leader course in Australia, which involved training in dissimilar weather -- and a 44 km walk over three days in true wilderness, hours from the nearest road. I have a Kayaking 2-Star certification and have a PPCDL too. I have followed an NCC sea-ex as an NCC (Land) teacher officer.
My music experience:
I was in the String Ensemble in JC for 2 years, learning how to play the violin. I am not very good in that too, but I can play simple pieces with practice and can support as Violin 3 with rote. (Okay, Violin 3 is not normally written for most pieces - must modify from Viola part...) I was a Chinese Orchestra teacher for six months in 1999, so I am slightly familiar with running a music CCA.
I am an Infantry Combat Medic Specialist in an Infantry battalion. I was involved with four severe casualties as a frontline medic and have seen a gunshot wound to the chest. I have received a live Super Puma heli-casevac with that said gunshot wound. (He died.) I have made numerous patient runs too. I did a 2-day SGH A and E attachment and a 2-day CD ambulance attachment. I witnessed three resus deaths during these attachments.
I have served as a platoon medic, company medic and medical centre staff. I have gone on BRC and scouts medic attachment, including spending time supporting my recce team mates in the School of Military Intelligence. I held a Hendon camp pass for four weeks. I was involved in a classified Special Op as part of a 12-man CRT. (That's the most I can say.)
My teaching experience:
I am a Physics and English teacher, having taught the full spectrum and attended many content courses for both subjects. I was the runner-up in the Nov 05 Iron Science Teacher Competition in Singapore. I am thus a Wrought Iron Science Teacher. I taught in VJC from 1999 to 2003. I have been a teacher in Damai Sec since 2004.
I have done EWSS work for a year. I have also done SC and IT work. I attended the 3-day Connected Classroom Conference in 2000 in Anaheim, USA with another teacher from my school.
I have followed ODAC on a Twin Peaks Expedition (Kinabalu and Trus Madi). I was a robotics teacher and instructor, leading robotic and automation engineering projects, some of which were winning SSEF projects. I have led a short film team before -- downgraded to Special Mention in the SVA -- and have attended related workshops at the Substation, etc.
My sports experience:
I was in the volleyball team in secondary school for two years. We even had a coach from China. Hence I am familiar with what sportsgirls and sportsboys have to go through and am familiar with proper sports training. I have done some 10 km road races and two marathons in the past. I was also a recreational air rifle shooter when I was in JC -- not very good in that.
My outdoor education experience:
As a cadet scout in primary school, I was already doing ropes course without safety (1980s, you see...) and hiking in MacRitchie and Pulau Ubin. As a JC student, I took part in an 8-day camp with sea-ex, land-ex, abseiling, ropes course, etc. I went for the 21-day OBS course in 1996. I went for a Topper sailing course with the National Sailing Centre. I went to Mt Ophir twice, and have climbed Mt Trus Madi and Mt Kinabalu, the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia. I also went for the MOE expedition leader course in Australia, which involved training in dissimilar weather -- and a 44 km walk over three days in true wilderness, hours from the nearest road. I have a Kayaking 2-Star certification and have a PPCDL too. I have followed an NCC sea-ex as an NCC (Land) teacher officer.
My music experience:
I was in the String Ensemble in JC for 2 years, learning how to play the violin. I am not very good in that too, but I can play simple pieces with practice and can support as Violin 3 with rote. (Okay, Violin 3 is not normally written for most pieces - must modify from Viola part...) I was a Chinese Orchestra teacher for six months in 1999, so I am slightly familiar with running a music CCA.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Teacher who died of a CVA
Around this time in 1999, I was a new teacher in VJC. I had just returned from a stint in 3 SIR followed by a short vacation in Sydney.
One day, my Bio teacher was a bit ill. She was coughing and taking a lab class, I think. After that, she went back to the staff room. Then she complained of a severe headache. She was moaning loudly.
I had just returned from lunch. When I heard the awful sound, I thought a student had freaked out due to stress or what and was being seen to in the staff room. But when it became worse, I went over to check. It was my Bio teacher!
Then she lost consciousness. They laid her down on the floor and called an ambulance. She was totally unresponsive, but was still breathing. Her symptoms were telling me "Neuro! Neuro!". The ambulance officer came and checked with us if she had hit her head -- they concluded neuro too. They whisked her to CGH.
Then she was stabilized and sent to TTSH, where she was operated on by an ex-student. He pronounced it hopeless and closed her up. She had burst a blood vessel in her brain -- probably sub-arachnoid haemorrage. Maybe she had a weak abnormal blood vessel or an aneurysm. The coughing did her in. She was put on life support.
The next day, school was suspended at 8 am and the entire staff turned out to TTSH to see her. Teachers' Day was suspended.
Her parents did not want to switch her off. She lingered on a few more days before they decided to switch her off. She was buried in CCK Christian Lawn Cemetery.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Information is available on the internet and this is such common sense! The stuff they write is just amazing...
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1850104
To set the record straight: According to Mindef, "Servicemen are to salute officers who are senior in rank. In the course of official duties, National Cadet Corps Officers should also be saluted. Police Officers and military officers from foreign armies are to be accorded the same compliments paid to SAF Officers. The salute can be executed while in any military attire, with or without headdress." NCC students will greet SAF personnel no matter what rank. NCC teacher officers will greet SAF personnel as a matter of courtesy although not stated in rules, and return compliments when paid.
The aim of the NCC? There is no operational role, although they are trained to BMT+ standard at the end of Sec 4, with some notable exceptions... NCC cadets don't dig or do any strenuous stuff. NCC preps boys for NS and makes girls understand what boys go through.
NCC is not NS. You don't expect the NCC child soldiers to go to war and break the Geneva Convention, do you? Then again, if push comes to shove in World War Three, everybody will probably chip in to defend the Lion City -- probably the NCC too since they are well-trained. In WWII, before the fall of Singapore, many NCC cadets saw action by joining the real soldiers.
The "Singapore" chest tag just identifies the cadet/soldier as from Singapore, so there's no problem with NCC putting it on. The epaulette differentiates the NCC from the SAF.
NCC cadets are supposed to be as disciplined as the SAF.
In terms of capability, an NCC Gold unit has scored more than 90% in the BUC, which is just like the SAF. This means that it is proficient in shooting, navigation, fitness, IFC, arms drill, etc. Just like the SAF, but to BMT+ standard. You have to remember that the NCC is a combat-fit unit -- all take the NAPFA test every year. If no "kelong" was involved, I think the unit is well-trained -- probably better than most SAF non-combat logistics units in terms of combat skills.
The again, only a few units are of Gold standard. The Bronze and Silver units are not as good.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1850104
To set the record straight: According to Mindef, "Servicemen are to salute officers who are senior in rank. In the course of official duties, National Cadet Corps Officers should also be saluted. Police Officers and military officers from foreign armies are to be accorded the same compliments paid to SAF Officers. The salute can be executed while in any military attire, with or without headdress." NCC students will greet SAF personnel no matter what rank. NCC teacher officers will greet SAF personnel as a matter of courtesy although not stated in rules, and return compliments when paid.
The aim of the NCC? There is no operational role, although they are trained to BMT+ standard at the end of Sec 4, with some notable exceptions... NCC cadets don't dig or do any strenuous stuff. NCC preps boys for NS and makes girls understand what boys go through.
NCC is not NS. You don't expect the NCC child soldiers to go to war and break the Geneva Convention, do you? Then again, if push comes to shove in World War Three, everybody will probably chip in to defend the Lion City -- probably the NCC too since they are well-trained. In WWII, before the fall of Singapore, many NCC cadets saw action by joining the real soldiers.
The "Singapore" chest tag just identifies the cadet/soldier as from Singapore, so there's no problem with NCC putting it on. The epaulette differentiates the NCC from the SAF.
NCC cadets are supposed to be as disciplined as the SAF.
In terms of capability, an NCC Gold unit has scored more than 90% in the BUC, which is just like the SAF. This means that it is proficient in shooting, navigation, fitness, IFC, arms drill, etc. Just like the SAF, but to BMT+ standard. You have to remember that the NCC is a combat-fit unit -- all take the NAPFA test every year. If no "kelong" was involved, I think the unit is well-trained -- probably better than most SAF non-combat logistics units in terms of combat skills.
The again, only a few units are of Gold standard. The Bronze and Silver units are not as good.
Friday, February 29, 2008
It is unbelievable that a terrorist has escaped from an ISD detention centre! And just like in the movies! Don't the ISD guys watch movies?! How could they let him escape via the toilet?! And with so many CCTV cameras on the island, did they forget to install some around their facility?! It is shameful to say the least. "The Indonesians caught him and we lost him" -- that sounds real embarassing.
He's probably in Indonesia now... He probably had someone helping outside. Or maybe even inside.
On a side note, there are some conspiracy theories coming out. One guy says that he died inside so it was a cover-up. If that were true, at least he's not out there. But he probably IS out there. If he's in Indonesia now, all is lost. You need Humint, operatives, UAVs, troops and vehicles to get him -- if you have a lead.
Most people have probably forgotten the nefarious plans of the JI. Most of them are pretty normal, except for two. One was a plan to hijack an Aeroflot plane in Thailand and crash it into Changi Airport. The other was to attack the water pipeline from Malaysia to Singapore and blame it on Malaysia, thereby starting a war between the two countries. They planned to take advantage of that to overthrow the Malaysian government and take over. That's just like that James Bond movie!
He's probably in Indonesia now... He probably had someone helping outside. Or maybe even inside.
On a side note, there are some conspiracy theories coming out. One guy says that he died inside so it was a cover-up. If that were true, at least he's not out there. But he probably IS out there. If he's in Indonesia now, all is lost. You need Humint, operatives, UAVs, troops and vehicles to get him -- if you have a lead.
Most people have probably forgotten the nefarious plans of the JI. Most of them are pretty normal, except for two. One was a plan to hijack an Aeroflot plane in Thailand and crash it into Changi Airport. The other was to attack the water pipeline from Malaysia to Singapore and blame it on Malaysia, thereby starting a war between the two countries. They planned to take advantage of that to overthrow the Malaysian government and take over. That's just like that James Bond movie!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Here's my review of the recent Singapore Aerospace compared to previous Asian Aerospace sessions...
In the AA, the ticket holder shuttle bus queues moved continuously because buses came continuously. The public bus queues also moved pretty fast. In contrast, the SA bus queues moved like a snail and snaked all around Pasir Ris... I'm not kidding.
One reason is because of the need to scan the tickets. But in fact, when the crowds got too much, it looked like they moved to using offline handheld scanning. Later on at the venue, they apparently gave up on ticket scanning alogether when the crowd was just too big. Tickets were not checked at all and anyone who came in by foot or taxi could go in.
In the first place, the SA tickets were self-printed, hence requiring authentication to ensure they weren't photocopied. Omni Ticketing handled it this year and this is after the F1 ticketing problem. The problem is that even SingPost tickets were on A4 paper. In fact, most tickets needed authentication -- obviously they have no previous experience with the AA! They only needed to ask any aviation buff to know that it is really crowded! Those planners really had no common sense to just ask anyone with experience, preferring to plan using their "helicopter quality". Authentication will not work! Queues must move continuously with buses coming continuously.
Many people were late for the airshow as a result. This year, many people bought tickets rather than watch it free as the venue is not public friendly. In the AA, hordes of people could watch for free close up at Changi beach just outside the venue, and which is quite accessible. The best SA spot is near the ferry terminal, which is not very accessible, what with the traffic jam. And the spot is not very good. The new centre has been designed to discourage freeloaders - just look at the map! Only ticket holders get to watch at the correct angle and at close range.
The content this year in the halls is also not as educational as in the AA. Only 2 exhibits were educational, if you ask me. One Israeli one and the Singapore one. This means that most people were unsatisfied as they missed the airshow or could not get a good spot because of the crowds, and there was nothing else in the SA. In other words, they wasted most of their money.
In the AA, the ticket holder shuttle bus queues moved continuously because buses came continuously. The public bus queues also moved pretty fast. In contrast, the SA bus queues moved like a snail and snaked all around Pasir Ris... I'm not kidding.
One reason is because of the need to scan the tickets. But in fact, when the crowds got too much, it looked like they moved to using offline handheld scanning. Later on at the venue, they apparently gave up on ticket scanning alogether when the crowd was just too big. Tickets were not checked at all and anyone who came in by foot or taxi could go in.
In the first place, the SA tickets were self-printed, hence requiring authentication to ensure they weren't photocopied. Omni Ticketing handled it this year and this is after the F1 ticketing problem. The problem is that even SingPost tickets were on A4 paper. In fact, most tickets needed authentication -- obviously they have no previous experience with the AA! They only needed to ask any aviation buff to know that it is really crowded! Those planners really had no common sense to just ask anyone with experience, preferring to plan using their "helicopter quality". Authentication will not work! Queues must move continuously with buses coming continuously.
Many people were late for the airshow as a result. This year, many people bought tickets rather than watch it free as the venue is not public friendly. In the AA, hordes of people could watch for free close up at Changi beach just outside the venue, and which is quite accessible. The best SA spot is near the ferry terminal, which is not very accessible, what with the traffic jam. And the spot is not very good. The new centre has been designed to discourage freeloaders - just look at the map! Only ticket holders get to watch at the correct angle and at close range.
The content this year in the halls is also not as educational as in the AA. Only 2 exhibits were educational, if you ask me. One Israeli one and the Singapore one. This means that most people were unsatisfied as they missed the airshow or could not get a good spot because of the crowds, and there was nothing else in the SA. In other words, they wasted most of their money.