The Ordeal (29 May - 11 July 2009)

29 May 2009, 5.45 pm @ Boon Lay MRT Station - received a call from mum

"Your dad has fainted, waiting for the ambulance. Going to the hospital soon. Come to the hospital direct."

SMSes tell...

• Me to YK: At hospital already. Doc doing checking. Will let u know when there's update.
• YK to Me: OK. Can he talk? Is any of his limbs immobilised?
• Me to YK: Don't know yet. Still checking. Not gotten the chance to ask doc. Mum inside the waiting area. Only 1 visitor allowed.
• YK to Me: Ok
• Me to YH: Just to let u know, dad has been admitted to Changi hospital. I'm with mum. U cook dinner yourself. Will let u know after doc has checked.
• YH to Me: Yes. A neighbour just told me that our father has fainted and mother taken to hospital. I have finished my dinner. Thanks.
• Me to YH & YK: Update: According to doc, generally he looks ok, no symptom of stroke. However scan shows a brain blood vessel bursted. Cld be due to overly high blood pressure or some swell. They asking neurosurgeon to come & chk
• YH to Me: OK. Thanks for ur information about our dad. Hope that he feels very well.
• YK to Me: Phew! Pls share with me your observation after you see him. Thanks.
• Me to YK: Noted.
• Me to YH & YK: Saw dad, in a daze. Neurosurgeon commented there's fluid & blood in head. Need surgery to remove. 5% danger if infection. If don't operate, wld become dangerous. Mum signed doc already. Doc will chk further to see if he cld proceed for surgery.
• YH to Me: OK. Shocked that dad is very weak and daze. Hope to better operate. Do you know brother about dad?

30 May 2009:

• Me to YK: For info, dad looks ok... He wasn't aware went thro' op. Anyway, mum explained to him. She is keeping him company. Still in the surgical ICU. Ward 33 Bed 12A.
• YK to Me: OK. Thanks.
• Me to YH: You at home? We are buying dinner home.
• YH to Me: Yes. I am at home. OK.

31 May 2009:

• Me to YK: U on the way home?
• YK to Me: Yes.
• Me to YK: In S'pore?
• YK to Me: Anything?
• YK to Me: Eta 6 pm
• Me to YK: No lah...
• Me to YK: Ok... We r at hospital reception area.
• YK to Me: I will go there directly after i clear custom.. Ard 6.
• Me to YK: OK. We'll meet u at the hospital.
• YK to Me: K.
• YK to Me: Cleared custom. Will reach at 7.
• Me to YK: OK.

1 June 2009:

• Me to YH: We are coming home first then see dad.
• YH to Me: I am on the way by my colleague car to my home now
• Me to YH: OK. Mum & I in brother's car, on the way home. We come home then go to see dad together.
• YK to Me: We wait for u at the foodcourt.
• Me to YK: ok
• YK to Me: Call me when coming down. The foodcourt is closing.
• Me to YK: OK
• Me to YK: Am coming down...

2 June 2009:

• YH to Me: I'm back at home after 7 pm and also dinner at home.
• Me to YH: OK.
• Me to YH & YK: Father is now at woard 26 Bed 19 Level 6 - lift B

6 June 2009:

• YK to Me: We go hospital at 8am tomorrow? best timing to catch doctor.
• Me to YK: OK, u come to pick us up.
• YK to Me: OK. I call u when reach.

7 June 2009:

• Me to YH: U still at home? Want us to get lunch for you?
• YH to Me: Yes. I am at home now. Ok. U'll buy for lunch me?
• Me to YH: ok
• YH to Me: Are u still way to home? I am hungry now.

8 June 2009:

• Me to YK: Just to let you know, we r downstairs.
• YK to Me: Me still at the 3rd floor waiting area.
• Me to YH: Just to let you know, dad has been transferred to the ICU again (Ward 33, Bed 15), because of lung infection.
• YH to Me: OK. Thanks. I'll be there tonight.
• Me to YH: OK
• Me to YH: Brother has gone back to rest. He has left the visitor pass with me. U sms me when here. I'll bring the pass down.
• YH to Me: I'm reaching there about 6.30 pm. See u later. Ok.
• Me to YH: OK
• Me to YH: After you registered, come to food court where we had lunch that afternoon. Mum & me at the foodcourt.
• YH to Me: Is mum at home for cooking dinner tonight. If she is not.

9 June 2009:

• YK to Me: What time r u going to the hospital?
• Me to YK: U on the way here?
• YK to Me: Yes. 10 min.
• Me to YK: OK
• Me to YH: She's not cooking. We are still at hospital. U want to eat outside? Father's condition is stable.
• YH to Me: Ok. No plm. Thanks. I'll going to hospital there later.
• Me to YH: Ok
• YH to Me: Is dad same ward 33 bed 15?
• Me to YH: Yes, same place.
• YH to Me: I am in food court. Where are they now?
• Me to YH: U eat first. We r upstairs at level 3 lobby.
• Me to YH: After eating, you can get the pass. There is 1 more pass at counter.
• YH to Me: I just here level 3. Where are you now?

13 June 2009:

• YH to Me: I am going out for my own lunch now
• Me to YH: Father has moved to Ward 39 Bed 11
• YH to Me: Ok. Thank u.
• Me to YK: Hi, mum & me go home first. Dad sleeping soundly :D Ward 39, Bed 11
• YK to Me: Good. Thanks.

15 June 2009:

• YH to Me: I am going to dad in hospital now.
• Me to YH: OK
• Me to YH: I went this afternoon already. Am on my way home after some shopping.
• YH to Me: Ok. I am going to hospital and get register for visitor pass later. Is mum still around?
• YH to Me: Is mother cooking at home tonight?
• Me to YH: Yes
• YK to Me: U at the hospital?

16 June 2009:

• YK to Me: Fatther has been transferred to ward 25 bed 27
• Me to YK: Noted. U at hospital? Am quite exhausted. Not going this evening.
• YK to Me: Me went there this pm. Will go again if I finish my work early.
• Me to YK: OK. Am on leave tomorrow. Will go then.

17 June 2009:

• YH to Me: Is dad still in hospital now?
• Me to YH: Yes. He's in new ward. Ward 25, Bed 27. Went to see him this afternoon. Think brother going tonight.
• YH to Me: Ok. I am going to dad in hospital now.
• Me to YH: Ok. We are cooking dinner.

18 June 2009:

• YK to Me: Have U applied for the maid lesson?
• Me to YK: Applied for Singpass yesterday.
• Me to YK: Where r u? At hospital?
• YK to Me: OK.
• YK to Me: Just left hospital. Now at the maid agency at eastpoint.
• Me to YK: Everything should be ready by end next wk. In shuttle to hospital.
• YK to Me: Ok. Me now selecting a maid who seems to be too good to be true.
• Me to YK: Haha...
• Me to YK: Want me to hop by. M done :D

19 June 2009:

• YK to Me: U coming to hospital?
• Me to YK: Yes. Waiting for shuttle now
• YK to Me: K. Call me when u reach. I pass the pass to u.
• Me to YK: OK

23 June 2009:

• Me to YK: U saw dad today already? Just reached hospital. He's sleeping quite soundly.
• YK to Me: Ya. Seems to be good. Can check w staff nurse - Jasmine how is his test today
• YK to Me: Did u manage to find out anything from the nurse?
• Me to YK: Another nurse updated tt he'll still tube feed, but can introduce thickened fluid. Today he walked along the corridor without any supporting equipm., with the OT & PT beside him. Tomorrow 3.30 pm mum will be there to learn how to bathe him.

27 June 2009:

• Me to YK: FYI, speech therapist called after scan. said dad could eat already. Mum had cooked porridge :D As usu, We r at hospital now.
• YK to Me: Great. Will see him tonight.
• Me to YK: OK

29 June 2009:

• Me to YK: U coming over to hospital tonight?
• YK to Me: On e way.
• Me to YK: Dad at St Andrew Bed 814
• YK to Me: K.

3 July 2009:

• YK to Me: R u visiting dad?
• Me to YK: No. On my way home.
• YK to Me: K.
• Me to YK: Today's a bit late. U there?
• YK to Me: No. On my way.

10 July 2009: Finally, discharged from hospital.

Early Bird Twittering...

What am I doing under the tree? Hahaha... Indulged in tweeting and tweeting... OK, first time performing the role of "Twittering on the Move" for the Parents' Seminar yesterday morning. Pretty exciting... to provide 'live' updates throughout the session, one after another non-stop. Thanks to mobile technology!

It's been the "IN" thing in the school these few weeks, since the Open House when we find a differentiator, alternative means to reach out to our potential students!

Actually, twittering has not really made a big wave in Singapore yet, that's my sense. It was first mentioned in the Straits Times earlier this year when there's warm reactions on its potential to replace blogging. Well, well, I was sceptical then... till now, I'm quite sure, it can't replace blogs!!! However, we've discovered another new tool, new means to engage learners - in both formal and informal contexts...

Thanks to Adrian who showed us how to do the tagging for tweets! Well, it has enlarged its potential for T&L!

Cheers!

Using the MacBook

These couple of days, the staff room is filled with lots of excitement! All because of the arrival of the long-awaited Macbooks. Yes, we have been waiting and waiting, to be exact, exactly for 6 months before the first batch of school devices arrived!

Lots of talks & tweets about the Macbooks. About getting the accessories. About discovering new features... especially for those of us who are really new to it.... 4 fingers sweep, 3 fingers wipe, 2 fingers click and 1 finger move... hahaha... lots of things to learn... no, should say the fingers now get busier... more comments to remember!

This is the very first blog post created using the Macbook. Ha!

Well, well... like the keyboard, very soft... but my Fujitsu tablet's is equally comfortable to the fingers :D Well, both have their own plus and minus.

OK... that much for the time being... more time to explore, to continue to be excited... Bought a few books (oh yes, am a digital Immigrant). So? refer to the book while exploring... well, quite sure these books will have more 'air' time :D

Cheers!

Duck eggs

Had an interesting chat with the cab driver, Mr Ali, on my way home (after half-a-day of shopping when I was loaded with bags of goodies - books and food... ).

He was sharing about how he would take time off to return to Tenggaru, where his dad gave him a piece of land that's about 30 hectares! Wah! 30 hectares??? How much do we have for the school's permanent site? er... that miserable 3 hectares!!! He spoke about having an area where the family rears ducks. Then he went on... oh, I learn something new! Hahah... Ducks lay eggs twice a day. After feeding, they lay eggs and immediately will go for a swim... each time they lay one egg. Then the cycle repeats... they eat again and lay eggs again... and at night, they rest near the pond!

Yes, duck eggs is the choice for "salted" eggs - a delicacy of the locals (er... Southeast Asians?). He explained that duck eggs come with a not so pleasant smell and therefore people don't consume them like chicken eggs... asked him about the 'black coat' that comes with all duck eggs. So, that's soil mixed with salt and charcoal to prevent the eggs from exposure to air, he enlightened.

Though tired, the 20-odd minute journey seems so short :D

In the school, there is no bad boy

Received this little card in a sharing session... Wow! There is no bad boy in a school?
First thing first, have I ever label any of my students 'bad boy' in my teaching career to-date... especially all the normal technical and few N(A) classes I had (bascially throughout my years of teaching)...

There are those who really made me literary vomit blood!!! Yes, hated to hear their voice, hated to see them... just hated to even to get into those classes... Yes, indeed, those 6 months, I really dragged my feet those classes... I thought, with my forgiving nature and optimism, I could fight back the 'setback'... no, I lost those 6 months... the regretful 6 months... It has done enough damage on the good things I saw among my students since it started day 1... nevertheless, I must say, I've never label anyone of them being "BAD". Things didn't work out because of many reasons and factors... anyway, they were just there to toughen me, I guess. There isn't enough time and effort to establish the kind of chemistry with them, I need more time to 'tune' to the right channel... perhaps, the biggest excuse I could have, I took over the classes in the middle of the year and have not had enough time to re-adapt the N(T), N(A) environment...

So, what really defines "BAD"? Very subjective! No child is bad, by choice, by nature.
Lots of these are shaped by the environment, the kind of influences the child has been subjected to. So, what he is, is really what he had gone through, what the external environment has done to him. Back to the school of thought that says, all are born like a blank slate. So, how it turns out... depends what's next, and next, and next... as Jen commented, 人之初，性本善。

What seems to be bad in our eyes may not necessary bad from other perspectives. It's bad because there is a misalignment in values, in perspectives! What's not right in one community might not appear right in another. Similarly, for people! There's where we should step back to think... put ourselves in others' shoes and see from their perspectives. Perhaps, that helps us to understand better why that particular person is "BAD" or the action/choice is inappropriate. Background story tells alot... and it may just change our perspective. Be less judgemental. Of course, if it is necessar, then help one to re-align its values/perspectives to those of the organisation/community. If not, perhaps the person shoud 'get off the bus'?

As Mrs Chew summarised nicely, Habit #5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood: Principles of Mutual Understanding (Stephen R. Covey).

Don't let the boss wait...

This caught my attention... while immersed in crafting another email.

My reaction? Hahaha...
a change in one's attitude? an attempt to create some kind of impression?
so, don't let the “someone” wait if and only if it's the boss? Ha!
这种“待遇”是因人而异？此地无银三百两！

The frog in the well says...

Was just letting out some steam the other day... No not letting out steam, but reflecting... no, not reflecting, but sharing... hahaha.... so confusing, right? That's part of the pscycho-ing process... to move from negative to positive thinking (my LKY-way, hahaha!!! Oh yes, sometimes rather Ah-Q, too!)
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Nobody likes to be 'slighted' in front of anyone... I'm very sure... especially in a mixed group (that involves both internally & externally). It's not a pleasant experience when a fellow colleague puts you down (be it intentional or unintentional; be it direct or indirect)!!!!!


OK, to think positive, it's because of one's insensitivity - due to lack of self-awareness? lack of EQ? which I mentioned to a number of friends previously. Or of course, to put it across in a less positive manner, it's because of one's selfishness!!!!!

Why did I tie these 2 words together? Of course, it's based on some established patterns...


Well, the basic operating principle of a team is to contribute and collaborate to bring out the best output of the team! Mentioned in the book, "The 17 Esential Qualities of a Team Player" (by John C Maxwell), there's a paragraph on the 2nd quality - Collaborative:

Collaborative teammates do more than just work with one another. Each person brings something to the table that adds value to the relationship and synergy to the team.


Sometimes, I just wonder, while one possesses the right skills, knowledge and experience and there exists a situation when one could contribute to better the outcome of the situation, however, disappointingly, one just kept quiet! Why? Is it because it's not one's "offical baby"? So, does that mean that one would just leave it to continue to go wrong? So, is it because of ownership? or it's because one waits for others to ask? Then comes the what if... if others not aware that one has the experience, then how on earth will we know that is all over the place?


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How does the "Frog" thingy comes about?

Well, it all arises from a casual talk/reflection with some friends one evening... sharing about the frustration described above. Oh yes, sometimes I just felt that I was the frog in the well... hahaha... realising that I know so little when having discussion with external parties... and sometimes more worse still, not knowing my peer(s) possesses the necessary knowledge/skills till the latter spoke about it in such discussions. The 'wall' of the well 'grows' (trapping me in!!!) as the discussion continues...

Of course, needless to say, the peer(s) is like the chirpy bird that talks while I was that 'frog' quietly listening to what the wise bird rattles... my reaction? one could guess, needless to say...


Well, don't presume the frog is really a frog that lives in the well.... sometimes, the frog might have made its world tour and brings with it wisdom and knowledge to be applied when appropriate... Has the bird above well really seen the world? The sky's the limit? Well, it might not be aware that it's enjoying the good weather sheltered by the coconut tree that limits its vision...

Migration

4 May 2009 (Monday)

It's morning. My table was empty 'cos I already got everything nicely packed into the boxes last Thursday! So, only my 'portable' stuff here. Indeed, the workers came in the morning and started dismantling the tables for the next day's moving. Made my last call to the vendor and packed my things.


We were among the 1st immigrants to arrive at the holding site. There were 4 of us... KH, Jo and Lam. Though we left the boxes for the movers to ferry over, each of us carried a few bags with us. Thanks to KH, we came direct after lunch. For a moment, it's like one of those trips that we finally reached the destination and about to check in to our hotel room! hahaha.... Unfortunately, the lobby (the office) was locked, and we ended up in the canteen - which we settled down pretty quickly, happily charging and booting up our computers!




Everything has been rather disorientated... anyway, thanks to HK, who advised us to find one of those air-conditioned rooms where we were there for the rest of the day. Oh yes, the Multi-purpose room was the home for 6 of us! (Richie & CY joined us after lunch)


6 May 2009 (Tuesday)

It's THE day... when we officially started work at the holding site. In fact, our furniture were still at the office in NP. Anyway, there were already tables and chairs in the staff room and of course, it looked bare.

Set up the workstation at the corner near where I would be sitting. It's a pretty quiet corner... hahaha... when some colleagues suggested sitting away from this area, anticipating the noise. Ironically, it's the quietest area this morning.




Towards the later part of the morning, we welcome the very first load of goodies :D and one by one, our goodies arrived. Yes, my 2 boxes arrived safely! Nevertheless, no time to unpack 'cos have to go to LSL for meeting.

Well, well, well... though the place is bare, though things seem older... nevertheless, it's really where home is, for the school :D Yes, it's the place we call HOME in the next 2 years.

School Daze 书包太重 - 观后感

Heard so much about it... It's been almost everyday since last week... ok... it's a new TV drama (by MediaCorp)... Hm... it's another one of those dramas that focus on schools, teachers and students! I guess, my curiosity is really about one of the artistes - Rui En, who seems to be the hottest heart-throb in town? So, labour day is also 'school daze'... was sitting in front to the TV having a drama-marathon! 9-episodes at one go!!! (well, that's what's all available at the video-on-demand at MioTV 312).

Have not watched local dramas for a long long time... not even the Little Nonya (though it whipped up any wave in this sunny island!).

Yes, there's always some 'star' teachers in such drama - of course, in schools too... a few segments of the stories really my cord... it already painted some really good or real situations in some schools today! Up to the 9th episode, I could draw the sadder side of today's educational scene here...
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书包太重 - 剧名，也许就有两个含义罢！
第一，是指重量吧！不单单有电子辞典，还有一本重重厚厚的辞典。天啊！那是“怕输”？还是，我们的新一代还没走入“电子”时代？还不是Digital Native？还是，编剧在暗示我们，学生已经“准备”好了！但，因为老师仍是Dinosaur（？）因此，苦了今日学子，得扛着两个时代，但相同性能的“道具”上学去。那是一种讽刺吗？
第二，该是指负担吧！这负担不单单指孩子在学校里头面对的种种压力，竞争；同时，也指父母所面对的种种压力，而把这股压力，都转移到孩子的身上，成了他们的“重望”。当然，“怕输”的心态更是表达得分外明显！所以，那个“重”，是社会的“重”。
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剧的开始不久，就有跑车奔驰的画面！噢! 那是“新人类”老师出场了！用有机会够享受跑车奔驰的感觉来作为奖赏？天啊！那是我们要吹鼓的吗？当然，那也是一种投资吧！用物质去“收买”人心也是一种途径。但，能持久吗？若是“红萝卜”不见了，那些只“认货不认人”的家伙还会那么的合作吗？

当然，这也带出了另一个问题，我们的学子，念书的目的是什么？念书是为了什么？念书是为了谁？当然，从剧里，很明显的，这种问题，主要是出现在中学，小学？是父母的天下，小朋友们，似乎都由父母摆布的。。。
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当然，剧中的“新人类”老师提到了另一要点，就是与学生“打成一片”。如何“如何与学生打成一片”？剧中表达的，是利用物质，是其中一种方法。那是最直接的方法。但，指标不治本。可是，当“打成一片”时，学生们知道那是一种沟通的桥梁吗？他们可知道，老师与学生之间仍然得划清界线？同时，老师，又知不知道，他们也需与学生之间仍然得划清界线呢？
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可悲的一幕，时看到尽忠职守的老师，被面目可憎的学生凌辱。那张可憎的脸孔，真的恨不得给他一记耳光！败类！可是，真的，学校里，就是有这种恶兽！当然，这种恶兽就是有那种“样子”，很容易认得出的。一眼就看得出！
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当然，另一“特色”，就是“补习”。。。见解，是表达父母的“焦虑”。。。不是“望子成龙，望女成凤”的心态，而是“怕输”的心态！人人都有，我若没有，那岂不是落在人后？补习，排满了所有的课余时间。那，还有童年吗？也许，这个年代，这两个字已经成了“经典”！？
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It's moving time!

It's the 2nd time 'packing and moving' in less than 6 months! The last time I had was at level 14 (http://lohky01.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-work-station-ii.html). Oh! Looking at the photos... realised that I was in the same 'packing gear' for both occasions! hahaha!

Well, it's messy... though not massive... not too much concrete items were generated during this period. Well, it's also the time where we start throwing and shredding... it's 'springcleaning', in a way. Everybody's given 3 boxes to pack...

Well, it took me a long time to pack most of the things in the first box! Yes, all neatly slotted in... afterwhich, fearing the box will give way when moved. That's the biggest nightmare!!! Anyway, managed to pack everything in... all in all, 1.5 boxes! Hurray!

Here are my 2 boxes of barang barang!