Sunday, March 27, 2011
parental interference
She smiled to me broadly and exclaimed....'You must be Pn Ting.....just as my daughter described, sweet-looking.' For a moment I was flattered; but having been a teacher for almost 20 years, I know there must be a 'prawn behind the stone/or noodle'. I couldn't even recall her daughter when she mentioned the name...total blank...was a bit embarrassed as I searched my brains for a face to match the name. Then came the magic words that connected the whole scene....the dance is good. You must see for yourself. The girls are so disappointed that you cancelled it blah blah blah. The girls are to perform this May for English Day (every Wednesday). I assigned A to be in charge. B came up with the idea to dance. I told her to work it out with A. Unfortunately after the holiday, A complained to me about some friction between herself and B. It was a busy week for me....petty issues like this has no place on my overpacked schedule. I told the girls if they can't come to an agreement; forget about it....do it as I suggested in the beginning a quiz or whatever with A in charge. Well...looks like B was unhappy with my decision and poured it out to her mum. Her mum came for PTA meeting dressed like a 'datin' and acted like one too (she's not...she's just a Puan...so she claimed) and hoped that through her divine intervention and with the mention of a big name in the administration who is looking forward to see the dance, I will allow her daughter to show off her amazing dancing skills. WHAT THE........ I hate it when people manipulate me like this. Hate it.....happens over and over and over..... Anyway....I will watch the dance and decide if it is suitable for English Day or not....Sigh. This is not the first and will not be the last experience that I will have with over-protective, busybody parents who love using the PTA to control the school and teachers. I remember another incident when I was the discipline head teacher. I called the prefects together and voiced my disappointment over their performance and commitment etc. Randomly I called out a name as example and my eyes fell upon this real familiar face who from my History class. I just mentioned her name as an example. That evening, a couple came by my house to talk about their daughter who was harrassed and teased by friends because Pn Ting picked on her. I was......what is this? It was not meant that way.......how did this thing get so complicated and complex? She cried and said she was humiliated etc etc...her enemy (who was a prefect too) laughed at her and made fun of her. Not sure how true it was. I just remembered I was totally confused and felt real bad that I had damaged the girl emotionally. I was asked to apologize to the girl in front of all my prefects which I graciously did. That was not the end of the story....the parent used his power to find out about me and I received letters from the tax department concerning certain properties etc. Infact he knew all about me as to which schools I had taught before, properties I had owned etc. Such abuse of power....I was most relieved when the girl finally left school. Basically she had other issues with her enemy (from primary days) and it went a bit overboard in the last two years of her schooling days. A brilliant girl with low EQ and totally under the protection of her parents. She was to study medicine (probably a doctor now). I wonder if her parents still follow her around and harrass anybody who dare to say a word against her.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
paper chase
Ing and Amelia had blogged on SPM....thought I want to put in my cent's worth of thot too.
History teacher just talks history. The result was really good. 47% students achieved A for that subject. That is more than 100As!!!! (We had about 290 candidates I think). Well, that's beside the point. What I'm interested here is to boast about a very special girl.
She comes from a broken home. The father left the family when she was still young. Her mother teaches in a kindergarten. She has a sister who is a slow learner.
Very soft spoken and shy girl. She was never in the limelight. I think teachers hardly noticed her because she is so quiet that she is almost invisible.
She was one of the seven students who scored 9A+....maximum A!!!! I noticed her when she entered my school and found out she was also a top scorer for UPSR. Due to her timidity, nobody took notice of her and gave her much opportuinity for anything. I was guilty of it myself...wanted to forward her name for the prefect board but remembered only when she was in Form 4. Unfortunately that year, the school only wanted candidates from the lower secondary.
In her PMR, she scored straight As again. I quickly took her under my wings...felt I need to take her up seriously and guide her through her last two years. She reported to me after every exam....consistently scoring distinctions for every subject. Her results were simply awesome.
I had never got the chance to teach her so not sure how she studies and what her academic ability is like. According to her Chemistry teacher...she is intelligent...it's not just diligence; she is blessed with good brains.
When she showed me her results yesterday...I was overjoyed. Amazing...the slip was so beautiful. I was so proud of her that I had to call out to teachers who don't know her to show them how excellent she is.
Every other person is busy going online to apply for this and that scholarship whether they qualify or not. When I called her last night, she had not applied for anything because she she has no access to the internet in her home. As she is working, she can't go to the internet cafe. So again...I felt I needed to bulldoze her into action. Here is a totally qualified candidate for a full scholarship...one who has the brains....great attitude...humble....she only lacks in PR and no ability to do any buttering.....who has not done any application but asked her friend to help her apply. Oh my....
To cut the story short, she has taken leave from work tomorrow to meet the counsellor. I mentioned her personally to the counsellor and intend to make sure she is given the attention needed.
Knowing her in a town school where majority of the students are brats is a totally refreshing and encouraging experience.
Congratulations Thivya...God will continue to bless you as you continue to honour Him in your life.
History teacher just talks history. The result was really good. 47% students achieved A for that subject. That is more than 100As!!!! (We had about 290 candidates I think). Well, that's beside the point. What I'm interested here is to boast about a very special girl.
She comes from a broken home. The father left the family when she was still young. Her mother teaches in a kindergarten. She has a sister who is a slow learner.
Very soft spoken and shy girl. She was never in the limelight. I think teachers hardly noticed her because she is so quiet that she is almost invisible.
She was one of the seven students who scored 9A+....maximum A!!!! I noticed her when she entered my school and found out she was also a top scorer for UPSR. Due to her timidity, nobody took notice of her and gave her much opportuinity for anything. I was guilty of it myself...wanted to forward her name for the prefect board but remembered only when she was in Form 4. Unfortunately that year, the school only wanted candidates from the lower secondary.
In her PMR, she scored straight As again. I quickly took her under my wings...felt I need to take her up seriously and guide her through her last two years. She reported to me after every exam....consistently scoring distinctions for every subject. Her results were simply awesome.
I had never got the chance to teach her so not sure how she studies and what her academic ability is like. According to her Chemistry teacher...she is intelligent...it's not just diligence; she is blessed with good brains.
When she showed me her results yesterday...I was overjoyed. Amazing...the slip was so beautiful. I was so proud of her that I had to call out to teachers who don't know her to show them how excellent she is.
Every other person is busy going online to apply for this and that scholarship whether they qualify or not. When I called her last night, she had not applied for anything because she she has no access to the internet in her home. As she is working, she can't go to the internet cafe. So again...I felt I needed to bulldoze her into action. Here is a totally qualified candidate for a full scholarship...one who has the brains....great attitude...humble....she only lacks in PR and no ability to do any buttering.....who has not done any application but asked her friend to help her apply. Oh my....
To cut the story short, she has taken leave from work tomorrow to meet the counsellor. I mentioned her personally to the counsellor and intend to make sure she is given the attention needed.
Knowing her in a town school where majority of the students are brats is a totally refreshing and encouraging experience.
Congratulations Thivya...God will continue to bless you as you continue to honour Him in your life.
Monday, March 21, 2011
to cover or not to cover
We were eating at KLCC when a whole group of ladies in black walked in and sat at the table next to us. They were covered from head to toe and all that could be seen were the eyes. I'm sure you know what kind of people I'm talking about.
I looked or rather stared at them and discovered quite a few things. They are not local. Rather fair looking and narrow eyes. Very young...probably in their early twenties. Most of them are very slim as most yuppies are nowadays. I think many of them are quite good looking; which made me even more curious to get a closer look at them. The closest I could see was when one of them lifted the veil to shove some food into her mouth. I looked at them from top to bottom; trying to see if they wear anything else beneath the black outfit. Think did see something colourful jutting from the bottom of one of the gowns. Lovely walking shoes.
On my left were a few ladies in their normal outfit...scarf, baju kurung etc. Nothing unusual. Seen everything and all the same. Didn't even give them a second look.
But.....the other group....really made me curious. Now if a woman like me can be so curious by such a covered -up dressing; what more of the opposite sex?
So to cover or not to cover???
I looked or rather stared at them and discovered quite a few things. They are not local. Rather fair looking and narrow eyes. Very young...probably in their early twenties. Most of them are very slim as most yuppies are nowadays. I think many of them are quite good looking; which made me even more curious to get a closer look at them. The closest I could see was when one of them lifted the veil to shove some food into her mouth. I looked at them from top to bottom; trying to see if they wear anything else beneath the black outfit. Think did see something colourful jutting from the bottom of one of the gowns. Lovely walking shoes.
On my left were a few ladies in their normal outfit...scarf, baju kurung etc. Nothing unusual. Seen everything and all the same. Didn't even give them a second look.
But.....the other group....really made me curious. Now if a woman like me can be so curious by such a covered -up dressing; what more of the opposite sex?
So to cover or not to cover???
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tony Roma's
We were in KL for the usual books hunt (we do this every holiday....the kids hunt for new books to read). Decided to have a belated anniversary celebration with the kids. So we tried a new restaurant...Tony Roma's. Seen it but never been into one before.
17 years of marriage to this clown. He is holding an imaginery balloon. We saw some balloons in the restaurant. Somebody was having a birthday bash. He is like a clown in a way...his mouth is always tilted up like a smile unless he is angry (which rarely happens). His disposition complements mine as I'm a rather serious and grim faced person and I'm real grateful that God has blessed me with him who is not like me....(can't imagine having two sour-faced and hot-tempered character at home....war everyday!!!)
A bib....this was meant to be Dan's. The waitress took a look at Dan and decided he is still a junior; gave him kids menu (which offended him) and later came with a bib (he was TOTALLY offended and upset). KC, as usual, sporting, put it on and had his picture taken.
The tomato juice which he alone drinks. All of us dislike tomato juice...it's like diluting tomato sauce in water. He never fails to order tomato juice if he remembers!!!!
The waiter showed us the four different type of sauces they have. Quite good service.
Seafood pasta....Lyn likes pasta.
Fish and fries for the only person in the family who takes only fish and fries at a western food restaurant.
They are famous for ribs. So KC ordered ribs. Very good.
Atlantic cod with rice. The fish alone would be enough....the rice was just too much. Both fish and rice was delicious.
17 years of marriage to this clown. He is holding an imaginery balloon. We saw some balloons in the restaurant. Somebody was having a birthday bash. He is like a clown in a way...his mouth is always tilted up like a smile unless he is angry (which rarely happens). His disposition complements mine as I'm a rather serious and grim faced person and I'm real grateful that God has blessed me with him who is not like me....(can't imagine having two sour-faced and hot-tempered character at home....war everyday!!!)
A bib....this was meant to be Dan's. The waitress took a look at Dan and decided he is still a junior; gave him kids menu (which offended him) and later came with a bib (he was TOTALLY offended and upset). KC, as usual, sporting, put it on and had his picture taken.
The tomato juice which he alone drinks. All of us dislike tomato juice...it's like diluting tomato sauce in water. He never fails to order tomato juice if he remembers!!!!
The waiter showed us the four different type of sauces they have. Quite good service.
Seafood pasta....Lyn likes pasta.
Fish and fries for the only person in the family who takes only fish and fries at a western food restaurant.
They are famous for ribs. So KC ordered ribs. Very good.
Atlantic cod with rice. The fish alone would be enough....the rice was just too much. Both fish and rice was delicious.
Our conclusion......the serving was too big. The first few bites were delicious. The food was definitely good. But towards the end, we were struggling to finish it. We must remember to share our food the next time we visit such a restaurant. Normally, we eat very little...thus we get real 'jelak' when there is too much food.
Trapped
An unwanted guest came to the house before the holidays. I walked in my room and heard something dropped. Turned and saw my table calendar on the floor. When I came out of the bathroom, heard the sound again and something black/furry dashed across the room. Took a closer look and saw what resembled a squirrel. As usual, in instances like this, I go hysterical and started screaming. My knight in shining armour ran up to my rescue. He got the trap and set it in my room and closed the door. Well, this is what he trapped.....a squirrel. Jackie sniffed and barked at it. Later when KC returned from work, the squirrel was released 2km away from home.
This is his second time using the trap sucessfully. One day he decided to set it in the garden. He thought he could trap a bird. Indeed he did trap a bird. The next day, I saw this black thing in the cage, desperately trying to get out. It hit the head so much that it bled. When Dan returned he released the bird immediately. He felt bad for trapping it because there was blood at the top of the trap. Interestingly, Jackie didn't bark at the bird or bother it. The birds were his friends, they shared his water and food.
The miserable bird....silly bird for being caught in a rat trap.
This is his second time using the trap sucessfully. One day he decided to set it in the garden. He thought he could trap a bird. Indeed he did trap a bird. The next day, I saw this black thing in the cage, desperately trying to get out. It hit the head so much that it bled. When Dan returned he released the bird immediately. He felt bad for trapping it because there was blood at the top of the trap. Interestingly, Jackie didn't bark at the bird or bother it. The birds were his friends, they shared his water and food.
The miserable bird....silly bird for being caught in a rat trap.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Missing you
I miss seeing him galloping across the garden from the front yard to the back and sliding across the slippery back porch tiles.
I miss seeing him perched over the ledge with his two front legs; looking over the fence....looking out for his nemesis.
I miss seeing him going into a frenzy when his nemesis walk by below. He would turn round and round and up to the ledge again, barking in frustration because he couldn't go out to pick a fight.
I miss seeing his ears perk up when I call Jackie....
I miss hearing him outside the back door when I come down in the morning; waiting for me to open the door and throw him a slice of bread.
I miss seeing him rushing to the back door when he hears the microwave door opens and gets excited when he hears it goes 'ting'....dinner is ready.
I miss seeing him lying under his table and giving me the lazy look.
I miss hearing him whining to be unleashed when I get out of the car.
I miss hearing him barking in the middle of the night ... giving me assurance that he is guarding the house.
I miss him nudging my feet and tickling his tummy with my toes.
I didn't even give him a hug or check him for fleas that day....
Farewell my dearest dearest pet....I didn't expect you to leave me so soon.
My dearest Jackie...ever smiling; died on 15th March; maybe 11am...in an accident at the corner in front of the house. I'm thankful for the 6 years we had together.
I miss seeing him perched over the ledge with his two front legs; looking over the fence....looking out for his nemesis.
I miss seeing him going into a frenzy when his nemesis walk by below. He would turn round and round and up to the ledge again, barking in frustration because he couldn't go out to pick a fight.
I miss seeing his ears perk up when I call Jackie....
I miss hearing him outside the back door when I come down in the morning; waiting for me to open the door and throw him a slice of bread.
I miss seeing him rushing to the back door when he hears the microwave door opens and gets excited when he hears it goes 'ting'....dinner is ready.
I miss seeing him lying under his table and giving me the lazy look.
I miss hearing him whining to be unleashed when I get out of the car.
I miss hearing him barking in the middle of the night ... giving me assurance that he is guarding the house.
I miss him nudging my feet and tickling his tummy with my toes.
I didn't even give him a hug or check him for fleas that day....
Farewell my dearest dearest pet....I didn't expect you to leave me so soon.
My dearest Jackie...ever smiling; died on 15th March; maybe 11am...in an accident at the corner in front of the house. I'm thankful for the 6 years we had together.
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