PTC 2008 was a good wake-up call for many of my pupils. They have done really badly for the past 5 months. I hope they realise that they have to work very hard in order to do well in the 'O'Level exams. Nowadays, pupils from the Express stream are also interested in some of the interesting and popular polytechnic courses. Thus, they are fighting for places with the NA students for places in the polytechnics. As such, NA pupils have to work harder or they would have to head for ITE. Then what about the NT pupils? They too must work if they want to sign up for the popular classes in ITE.
Thus I really hope that 5B will really get serious. Some of them say that they do study. I questioned them about their study habits. I realise they do not have good study habits. As such, there is no improvement in their results. Remember in order to get into a good poly course, you need at least have a L1B4 of 15 points or lower. These are some tips:
- Pay attention during lessons. If you dun understand a topic, ASK ASK ASK. If you dun clarify, it will be too late and you would be heading for a F9.
- Plan a study time-table and revise all topics that would be tested in the exam
- Take every test seriously. If you ace it, at least you have mastered a topic and is one step closer to attaining your dream results.
- What are your time wasters and distractors? If you plan to study for 2 hours, did you really study or did you chat online, play computer games and surf at the same time? Do you spend too much time chatting, sleeping, going out with your pals, playing your psp or computer games. Stop all these time wasters! Concentrate on your exam. Study hard for the next 4 months and get into your dream course. Persevere! It's only 4 months! Imagine if you didn't study, what would your future be like? What would you be doing 10 years down the road? THINK of your FUTURE! Grow up! Do you want a bright future where you can afford nice things and provide for your family? or Do you want to depend on others and struggle just to make ends meet?
- Think of how your spend your 24 hours a day. Do you spend your time wisely?
- Never give up no matter how difficult a task is. Dun expect brilliant results if you have only just started studying. Give it some time and then you will taste success. Remember you reap what you sow.
4 more months.... Think of your future! Your teachers are all behind you!
{ 5:10 PM }
Five Lessons About How To Treat People-- Author Unknown.
Which story did you enjoy the most? I like lesson 5. I admire the courage and self-sacrificial nature of the the young boy.1.First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady"
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade."Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. Second Important Lesson - "Pickup In The Rain"
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3. Third Important Lesson - "Remember Those Who Serve"
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "50¢," replied the waitress.The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it."Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "35¢!" she brusquely replied.The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4. Fourth Important Lesson - "The Obstacles In Our Path"
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition."
5. Fifth Important Lesson - "Giving When It Counts"
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?".Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
{ 11:49 PM }
Bored Bored Bored... Sigh.. I am in a bad mood. I still have 2 more sets of exam scripts to mark. I am so terribly sick of marking! My hubby is away in Belgium and I feel so LONELY! Luckily, my friends met up with me on Fri and we caught 'Made of Honour' together. Really funny. A lot of laugh-out-loud moments.
Today, I stayed at home all day. After I attended a Guide HQ meeting in Bishan, I picked up my grandman and her maid to my place where my grandma chilled at my mum's place while I took an afternoon nap. After waking up from my nap it was back to marking. I dun think I am going out today. I have just too much work. I told myself that if I finshed 30 scripts today, tomorrow I would head for town to do some shopping before heading home for more marking.
I am hungry but I am too lazy to go out to get dinner. I still dun know what I should eat. I hate maggi mee so that option is out for me. I want to eat some vege because I think I have been eating too much carbo and sweets the past few days.
Anyway, Mr Tan and Mdm Tong were really nice. They treated us to a sumptuous buffet yesterday. They each paid about a thousand dollars for the treat. Nice yah! They wanted to reward us for the good results last year.
now what shall I have for Dinner? sigh.
{ 7:09 PM }
I have been asked recently to recommend some good books. I used to read voraciously when I was younger in Secondary and JC. I did not read so much in uni but now I am picking up my first love again. Reading brings me into an imaginary world, a place of fantasy and unknown. Also reading opens up mind and broadens my horizon to things around the world. I love to read. I devour magazines with wide ranging topics such as Health, Women's issue, fashion, sports, cars and even gossip. I love books on romance, relationships, fantasy, and crime. The only books I don't read are books on ghosts. They scare me.
I love Roald Dahl books when I was a teenager. I have read all his books, even books meant for kids. However, what I love most about Roald Dahl is his adults books which are so interesting and hilarious. 'Uncle Oswald' is my favourite. It's a story of RD's uncle who works for the army and all his interesting stories as he travels around the world to defend his country.
These are some of my favourite RD's books:' Witches', 'Matilda', 'Charlie' and the 'Chocolate Factory','Charlie and the Glass elevator', My Uncle Oswald, 'Switch Bitch', 'Over to you', 'Lambs to the Slaughther and 'Kiss kiss'. The last few books are short stories and are meant for adults.
My ex-students love Jodi Picoult. I have not read her books but in the June holidays, I will get myself a copy. She writes passionately on love, family and relationships. You can check out her books on this website.
http://www.jodipicoult.com/Of course my all time favourite author is Catherine Lim, a local writer who bases her stories about Singapore culture and society.I have read most of her books like 'The bondmaid' a tragic tale of a servant girl forced to serve this mean family, 'The Serpeant's tooth, 'The teardrop story woman', 'The song of Silver Frond' (my favourite!!!!) , 'Little Ironies', 'Deadline for love' and 'Or else the Ligthning God'
I am currently reading a fantasy book entitled ' Anansi Boys' written by Neil Gaiman. He is the author of the book 'Stardust' which was made into a movie. The 'Anasi boys' is quite interesting . It is about a loser, Fat Charlie, who has a god for his dad and latter does not know anything about it. When his dad died, Charlie found out that he had a bro names 'Spider' who inherited all his dad's stunning God-like special powers. Charlie is apparently the unlucky 'ordinary' one who gets bullied all the time. Together, they have to complete a task but I have not come to that part yet. I find the story very intriguing and witty.
I will post more about the books I have read. There are so many. I can't recall them now but I have written about the ones which I think are appropriate for pupils your age.
{ 4:02 PM }
Yeah! I have finally got my laptop back. Acer is quite effective. My hubby left it there in the morning and he got it back in the afternoon. However, it is still rather unstable. I must check with hubby once he is free. He is pretty busy these days and he would be flying to Belgium soon next week. BOOO HOOO!!!! I dun like to be alone. Who is going to help me run errands and tuck me to bed every night.. Sigh!
Anyway, I noticed that more and more pupils in my class are getting more serious about their studies. I am so happy to see the fire and determination in their eyes. I can nag and nag but the pupils need to realise for themselves the urgency and importance of being extremely dillgent during this period of time. Today, almost of them were very diligent and on-task. I don't even have to nag at all. I am so happy! If only everyday was like that when all my pupils are on-task and diligent. That will be pretty sweet!!!! I am particularly impressed with Zong Da who has been rather attentive and diligent these past two weeks. Suddenly, he is alert and attentive and less playful. Today, he completed all his work without stopping to chit chat or distract his peers. Also, Melvin is more hardworking nowadays. I can see that he is now more serious about his studies. He reads and does all his work. It's good that he is striving for the best! Azlinah and Aminah are also pulling up their socks. They are attentive and have been doing all their homework. Of course, I have good pupils in my class who don't need to be nagged at. They are Zolene, Kenneth, Roy, Hazim,Irfan and Sok Zhen.
There is a new show 'Contender Asia'. Although I know who is the winner, I am addicted to the show. When it is shown, I just can't peel my eyes off the TV. It is not what you think. I am not drooling over the hot bods. I am captivated by the fights! I am really going to realise my dream in June or Dec. I going to learn martial arts!!!! I want to kick, box and throw!!! I want to be a fighter!!!!!
{ 11:38 PM }
To drop 15kg