AQ

I can't help but notice how disappointed some of you were upon receiving your ICT and Feature Article marks today. Hey, it's all right you know. I want you all to understand that most of you tried your very best. I am grateful and commend you for that. So, you didn't quite reach the set benchmarks. But that doesn't mean that you wouldn't for future assignments. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and seek help if necessary to gain improvements. Of course you will succeed if you put your minds to it! And yours truly here will try to help you and hold your hands for as long as is necessary.

You may argue that it's easier said than done when I advise here that we all need to have Adversity Quotient (AQ) in life. The paths to most things in this existence unfortunately do not run smooth all the time, and we have to come to terms with this state of affairs. Let's learn to bounce back from setbacks and not say-die so easily. OMG . . .What am I saying? . . . Moping and dying over isolated poor academic grades? . . . Aren't we being a little over-dramatic? Haha! You know what I mean. Chin up, people. And onward march to the "O" levels with greater preparedness and confidence!

Long Live Happiness

The verdict is out ---there are happy people in Singapore! Their common denominator? They are all comfortable about themselves. How true this is! Of course money matters. Health is important too. Beyond these, we actually hold the steering wheels and control the pedals in our passage through life. Be it riding in Lamborghinis, Mercedes, Toyotas, Kias, Protons, Cherys, motorbikes, bicycles or trishaws, we all want to reach our destinations and most will eventually do so. But how many of us will actually take notice of the sights along the way, the fresh air, the sounds and the passengers who are riding with us? Do we sometimes smile and wave on a pedestrian at a walk crossing or flash our middle fingers readily when others cut into our lanes? How do we really feel under our skin each day as we go about our lives? Do we choose to see the sunshine or that faraway dark cloud? What is your happiness quotient?

Last night, the happiness quotient at our home was high. The 3 boys had royal treatments from the Significant Other ---- full body massages , all 10 minutes each! The girls had a brief respite from their academic tests, so they caught up with their YouTube soap operas and MSN-ings. Me? . . . I was contented . It was enough.

The medical saga continues

That's it. Today marks the end of a whole lot of medical tests that I had to undergo to see to the old body. Managed to hold back biting or kicking the doctor as he drew all 10 ml of my blood. Just kidding. . . .I don't kick handsome doctors! Bite, . . . I wish. Haha!

The Significant Other must be quite worried about me. Brought me to a spiritual meeting last night. Hmm . . . As usual, we got into philosophical arguments about religions. After having gone through my long session at the National Heart Centre earlier on, I "gave him chance". Some other day, I'll pick his brains.

Yo, what's with the paper aeroplanes during today's English class? People, people, I wish that you'll respect yourself and your classmates more. Time is precious and we all do want to get the best out of our lessons, right?

Whither the singing?

I attended morning assembly in school for the first time today. Can't help but notice that singing of our National Anthem and school song was pathetically inaudible. The same goes for our pledge taking. Where's the enthusiasm? I remembered what my youngest son said of teachers --- that we often expect our students to sing and say the pledge with gusto, but we do not set the example. Erhem! Could you hear my sweet and patriotic singing, and recitation from the back of the hall? Next time, people, inject some life during morning assembly. Okay?

Watch out, Steven Spielberg!

After 3 weeks of ICT presentations, I have nothing but praises for the impressive efforts put in and final products delivered by all 9 groups. My dear Integrity-ians, you have shown that you have vast potentials in you. Yes, everyone of you has special talents. I am fond of your maiden video clips --- the shots were well-thought out and taken, the acting superb, the script delivery a little unpolished but so endearing, and the camaderie displayed most touching! I hope that you all had fun and learnt a thing or too while completing this project. The pleasure was mine in viewing and assessing your work.

I always say that we should give nothing short of the best in all that we do. I hope that you will remember to uphold this attitude as you journey towards the 'O' levels this October.

ER drama

Wah, didn't think that immediately after I blogged about taking my Mum to the hospital, I landed up in one MYSELF. Got myself warded for observation --- blood pressure dangerously high! Hmm.... I wonder what led to it. It certainly wasn't over the marking of your Compre- summaries. You all wrote fairly good pieces. I guess the old body is just acting up, a reminder that it is no more young and fit . . . Sigh!. . .

It was an interesting 5 hours at the Accident & Emergency (ER, to you TV series buffs) last night. I met a drunkard who systematically "checked into" the A & E for its free meals and then bolted, one who is a regular there for hand-holding by the nurses and doctors, a handsome foreign male nurse out to woo a same nationality female patient (tsk tsk . . .) and the amazing endless stream of patients brought in by ambulances. Wow, was Singapore just sick last night!

Reflections from the hospital

Just came back from a trip to the hospital with my Mum. Such trips never fail to stir up strong feelings in me. I saw sick people -- young and old; those accompanied and fussed over by loved ones; those alone and looking so forlorn; those who faced their conditions with a cheerful outlook; and those who looked resigned to their fates. Everyone patient needs spend at least a whole morning at the hospital --- queuing up for blood tests, consulting the doctors and thence waiting for medicines to be dispensed. Then there is the mammoth bill to contend with! Overall, any hospital visit is quite intimidating and depressing. Especially when you have to face it all by yourself and with not enough funds to spare! I am glad that my siblings and I have always made it a point to make such visits to the doctors a comfortable and personalised one for Mum. At least one of us will always be there to see her through everything.

I am humbled again today. I am reminded once more about the importance of taking care of one's health, and the importance of nurturing a caring family.