Whee...the week that was!

Wow ... what a week.

Some weeks pass by quietly, serenely and are less hectic.

It did not only rain; it poured last week.

Teachers were running everywhere from meetings to exhibitions, to competitions and to coaxing children to read, write and behave. It was a tiring week. And even as I am writing now, some teachers are still meeting to overcome the problems of some more challenging children and finding ways to give them the best. Tough job, teachers.

Well. I cannot deny the thrill of seeing students excelling in what they do...in a little Science Exhibition .

In conjunction with the PPSMI week the Science teachers put their heads and hearts together and displayed some indigenous ideas.

Our very own F1 ... a prelude to the one in Sepang this weekend.

See. The students created their own models and the cars ran on compact carbon dioxide and finished a 20 meter runway in 1.19 seconds. They told me it's already too slow...record time is 1.09secs. These minute things created for shape, speed and looks cost a bomb. The little wheels can cost up to a minimum of RM300.00 each and when 4 cars are made...guess the cost. You would not believe it and I won't tell you. The PIBG had to come in to help. However, since the school has been handpicked to set up the F1 club cos there are not many in Selangor, we have to give the children a chance to develop their kinestic skills on top of every other skill including entrepreneurship.

The 'F1' cars completed this runway in a split of a second and before I could even say something they had already reached the stipulated destination ! Impressive. It drew a lot of crowd and attention.

Next, 2 female students persuaded me to cross the runway and see how their versions of cars which ran on solar energy performed. Of course speed wise...it was like the story of the tortoise and the hare. Looks wise, you be the judge. Whatever it may be, it is encouraging to see all aspects of development.

The Science teacher told me the experiment above is a good practice for those who are keen on wine making especially Chinese rice wine. She told me that the wine is concorded based on the same principles of fractional distillation and when one adds some 'wine biscuits' to the concoction ...da da da ...Chinese Rice Wine !

Chinese rice wine is a must during confinement for when cooked with tons of ginger and chicken, the dish is known to have removed excessive 'cold air' from the mother's womb thus keeping it warm and healthy...for the next baby! It is really tasty and I remembered taking in no less than 20 bottles in a span of 30 days after the birth of each child. That's for good health, ladies!

This demonstration below thrilled me a lot as I witnessed the student putting in and taking the egg out of the beaker.

Heating the beaker over a bunsen burner so that hot air produces a vacuum...I think so.

Since the vacuum is created, the egg on top could be pushed in quite easily...

There, the egg is safely in the beaker.

Next, the beaker is put under cold running water...making the pressure outside higher, which means lower pressure...oh I hope I am right...so the egg is able to slide out!

Basically, geographically, high temperatures produce low pressure and low temperatures produce high pressure ...winds blow from high pressure to low pressure zones...oh..oh geography days ! But I was most amused by the student carrying out the process. He was enjoying every moment ; confirmed by the teacher.

I could not leave this out. It haunted me when I forgot to add in earlier. Standing on the principle of water pressure...mesmerising !

Not only were the students who were trying out this procedure of poking a skewer into the balloon and at the same time making sure it would not burst enjoying themselves, the EST teacher was just as thrilled. I thought she made more noise than all the students combined! One more balloon for sale...she seemed to say.

The students enjoyed themselves and if given a chance, they would want the exhibition to go on forever! But only for 2 days...and that also exhausted the poor teachers. But we had clean fun.

Now, something else.

We hosted the inter school choir competitions for the primary and secondary schools and it was fun to see and hear them sing their hearts out.

Purple must be the in thing and colour. Enthusiastic children all waiting for their turns to belt out.

This is a very young team...you can see from here. This boy in the centre is so cute. His voice is not broken yet and he would be a potential pick for the Vienna Boys' Choir...he sang a solo partially in ...Josh Groban's ...when I am down, oh my soul, so weary...You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains...and received an applause from the audience.

A good combination of economics and looks...school uniform with a creative twist. The judges commented that a good team will have to have an impressive first appearance. Smart.

But just look at our very team. Baju kurung and baju Melayu and songkok! Who can compare? As far as my memory can stretch, this choir uniform has been with us since the year 2000 and look how well they have been taken care of! To the professional launderette they go after each wear...expensive but worth it. It pays to keep a good set and to keep them well.

Ann Gee, do you see your little bro? You and your siblings have a history with the school choir. A disciplined group, the choir members have an ownership and identity of their own striving to be at their best whenever possible.

Their renditions of Tanah Pusaka and Barry Manilow's One Voice saw them singing in unison and harmony which the judges said was mandatory for a good grading. They were different ...distinctly so. They were the first to sing for the day...not very advantageous but the winner will take it all.

The anxious crowd waiting for the results but at the same time was entertained by our boys. Versatile Samuel Tee, only in Form 1 got the audience to sing with his playing on Getaran Jiwa and set the ethos so very appropriate. Next we had Joshua Wong playing to the tune of a chinese song which also got the students of SMKSJ rendering away in joy. It was a sweet occasion and the students were at their best behaviour...from all schools in the neighbourhood.

The distinguished judges are super qualified with the chief judge holding a PHD and American -trained. A lecturer in UITM, she told me students in music do not aspire to go higher than the diploma level. It is quite a challenge to persuade them to hit the degree level as they are all too keen to go into the job market and be independent financially. The other judges are also from local institutions of higher learning and know what they are doing. So when they judge you as the winner, you are the winner.

And of course, the hard work paid off. SMK Seafield ...the winner, undoubtedly. They were so sincere and their humble beginnings but scores of training saw them tasting the sweet victory. Congratulations. Another feather in the cap for the school. We are proud of you.

The victory gave us sweet memories for a good weekend.