Thursday, July 31, 2008

Champion!

It's the season of the year again! Subang Parade and her annual haul of surrounding schools in her Choral Speaking competition. But of course we, non other than the Seafieldians made it!Kudos!
Herein lies the secrets of their success:


  • practise every morning before the school bell goes
  • listen to the leader all the time
  • do not talk when the leader is speaking
  • you have to be there all the time or leave
  • no polarisation - all races included
  • team spirit! team spirit! team spirit!
  • Practise, practise, practise!


  • dedicated teachers ( they even work on Sundays...when duty calls)
  • good scripts (trendy)
  • anxious mothers (ever willing to meet whims and fancies!)

There. So simple. Champion!
( you also need a live wire in the group!)


The Champion Team
Seafield has always been in the forefront where this competition is concerned.
Champion 2008
1st Runner Up 2007
Champion 2006
1st Runner up 2004
Champion 2003

Tell you why they caught the judges' hearts.

"Class! STOP this crazy noise!"
"Back to your places! Sit up straight!"
"Off the tables you devilish boys!"
"Stop this howling, oh WHAT is the matter?"

~"Teacher, teacher, he's pulling my hair! OUCH!
It's more than I can bare!"
"Teacher, teacher! He's copying!'
"I am not!"
"Yes you are!"
No! Yes! No! Yes! No!
"Teacher! I need to go! I can't hold it no more!
Oops...never mind!"
"Teacher, teacher he's run out of the door...
So you see, they chimed, squealed, rattled, hissed and of course screamed and had everyone in stitches. What a bunch of creation!
To all of you out there especially if you had been with us in the past, your school has made another landmark in her history again.
Kudos once again , Seafield.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Super Baker

Any orders?


Brownie


Lemon Cheese Cake


Apple Pie


Peach Tarts


The year is 2007 - Nov? Dec?

Mom : What do you think you are doing?

No.3 : Baking?

Mom : I suggest you keep those ingredients and go back to your books.

No.3 : But why? I want to bake.

Mom : Go away from here. Your As test is just round the corner. Go and read your stuff.

Of course , instruction not taken. No. 3 baked.

Mom : What's that you're pouring into the tin?

No.3 : Cake mixture?

Mom : You've got it right? Looks strange!


Mom gave her that look. And...it was that look that gave No.3 the final punch .


After failing to secure a driving license for the second time, and whilst trying to salvage any ounce of confidence left in her, No. 3 decided that surely she must be good at something. She decided to try her hands in baking. Me, as usual not always able to stand mess and waste would never condone her new venture. But, my not so little girl has grown up. She could actually follow instructions from recipes, understood them and baked all on her own.

To cut it short, she was furious that I looked down upon her , gave her that 'you think you can do it' condescending look and was adamant that I ate my words...

Today, Sara has proven me real wrong. She has taught me a precious lesson; not to curb creativity and I must remember that my girls are capable of more than reading books and 'taking instructions'. They are individuals capable of making fine decisions and I must trust them.

Congratulations Sara ! Good job! Gifted! Mama super proud of you!

Any orders please? Can assure you they taste very good and not forgetting her cinnamon buns too...yummy





Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Childbirth



Right outside my room in school stood a familiar face. Where have I seen her? My old memory actually failed me at that juncture. Can I see the Principal? She enquired. Sure , but she's not in at the moment. Can you wait a while?


Then a call came in. A call from Down Under.

Ma! What is it like to give birth to a baby? I have just watched a video clip on childbirth! Ma...I am supposed to help deliver babies this friday from 10 pm to 6 am! Ma , tell me , tell me what is it like?


Then...it all came back. That's dear Pn Sang! She used to tutor this daughter of mine in Add Maths back in those good old days. Hi...are you...? Oh , Now I (we) remember...oh yes, oh yes...How is Grace?


Then the call came again...here you talk to your teacher. Hi, Pn Sang, Joachim told me you have moved to Shanghai....

For a few minutes they exchanged a short conversation. I was glad that call brought teacher and student together again at the most unexpected time and place. But once you are a teacher, you are forever someone's teacher. A touching moment especially when the teacher went all goo ga ga, delighted to hear from her protegee.


Now back to serious business. Childbirth.


Here girl...I am no expert in the field of childbirth but I can give you a few tips through my experience with the process.

When in labour,

1 the pain gets intensified after the first few pangs (within 2 hours?)

2. do not push unnecessarily

3. each time when that pain comes, relax your muscles and do not push yet

4. when the ultimate excruciating pangs come (the feeling is like not able to pass motion when
down with food poisoning) then it's time for the magic moment...push at the first instruction
of the doc...and there the baby is out (sometimes I wonder how male gynaes ever understood)

Don't worry about the baby's head being big or small or whether the labour pain is more intensive than the pushing out process cos the mother is just as confused about the intensity of pain. Everything and everywhere is PAIN. Never mind about what kind of pain.


The post natal blues are worst. Even more painful...everywhere painful. Post natal blues will be another episode. So, husbands love your wives. You will never ever know that PAIN. Your wives give you children ...treasure them for the labour of love.


Childbirth... birth pangs... God's great plans thwarted by Eve.


Monday, July 28, 2008

Am I Like That Too?


Mama and the girls

Read an article on "The Gap" in The Star dated 27th July 2008 and it set my mind reeling the whole evening.

Here's an excerpt of it:
...she is also the most annoying person on earth, and her nagging seems to come from a bottomless pit. She comments about every little thing - from the way you dress, the way you talk and walk, the way you drive, the way you do everything!..She loves to know what you are doing and who you are going out with...she wants the minutest details...she enjoys invading your personal bubble...you hate arguing with her, because no matter what, she is always right.


Mothers, are you like that too?

Well, the accusation up there sounds so so so familiar. But, girlsssssss.

It's because I love all of you to the max!

That's mama. So what now? How? Any solution in store? Peace.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

To My No. 2

I crept into your bed at 5 am this morn just to touch you cos ' you are leaving me again.
This time for 5 months. What a consolation, only 5 months.
Soon you will be back for Christmas. Yay!

For the time spent at home for the last 5 weeks...thank you for the company and joy.

Mama now once again put you in the hands of Jesus
and
may the God of Esther ever be there for you in times of need and guidance.

I am trying not to be kiasu but be No.1 whenever possible.

Psalms 25:1-3 for you, my child.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Me? Blog?





Ahem.

They say
NOW, it's time to start. To Blog.
OK, I will attempt to say things from my heart... discernment....wisdom?

...but definitely experience.

No more very young but at the same time not giving in to age.
Will try to share from some perspectives of life and if they can enlighten someone, anyone ..why not?

After all, as a mother of 3 charming ladies and a teacher for 29 years - and still up and kicking - perhaps,
just perhaps I have something for you.

So, Blog I shall :)