Milestones

Mothers remember milestones in their children's achievements and chapters in life.

Standard 1

UPSR

PMR

SPM

Pre U

Tertiary

Post Graduation

And...marriages, childbirths...

Being a teacher, one gets used to the many ceremonies in appreciation of achievements in a student's career and it's thrilling somehow to see the excitement of parents when they attend such occasions. I have my share of pride and excitement too when mine went up on stage during some years of their school life and tertiary ones too.

Last week saw me witnessing the school's annual Speech Day and another one for Grace again.

The Speech Day was a simple and memorable one for some students and parents and it was good to see your protege doing fine and be ready for the many challenges ahead. I told Sara last week that perhaps the most challenging exam in terms of number of subjects and time frame is the SPM exam. It's a marathon of stamina, determination and mental strength. After successfully going through the exam, one is ready for the many more ahead of them.

The dedicated teachers pouring in their best for the children and do you notice the background of the stage backdrop and the attire of the staff? Even the backdrop artist is of supreme quality.

The hopefuls receiving their hard-earned awards and looking forward to many more ahead of them.

I attended another one over the weekend ; this time in Singapore.

The Singapore Physicians' Pledge Affirmation Ceremony is an annual affair for those who have completed their houseman ship and before being registered as a Medical Officer; they must pledge to stand up to their cause in the right manner and spirit. The Guest-Of-Honour Prof John Wong in his speech put forward 4 practical questions :

• What do patients want?


• How do doctors rate other doctors?


• What does society want from doctors?


• What does being professional mean?

In summary, doctors need to be empathetic, respectful, humane, conscientious, confident, honest, approachable, truthful, knowledgeable , courteous, accessible, up to date, be affordable and not charging exorbitant rates and always having the patients' well-being at heart. A mouthful eh?

Grace...did you hear?

The hopeful doctors all listening attentively ( I hope) and deciphering whether they have entered the right profession... hahahaha.

Ms Grace signing her life away...



Dr. Grace shaking her hand with the Secretary? President ? of SMC in celebration of the pledge!


Meeting colleagues and smiling away ... completed houseman ship...congratulations Dr. Grace.

Congratulations to the mother too...completed homework.

In the midst of the celebration, dad met his cousin, a member of SMC and he told dad that the ceremony was necessary to ensure quality and integrity among the doctors. Dad told Grace that cousin Hong Choon used to be his closest play mate in his school days and when they used to serve in the youth ministry of the local church. Now Dr. Lau Hong Choon has nieces and nephews all over in Singapore serving SMC too... lineage.

A good day and indeed another milestone.

All glory to God.