Private tutors will thrive for several reasons:
1. A number of top teachers are leaving the teaching service to become tutors. Key reasons - no administration nonsense, no useless staff meetings, no need to teach more than one subject, controlled class size, motivated students, better money, fewer working hours.
2. You get who you can afford. Top tutors command top pay but top teachers get the same pay as the worst teacher in school. So, there is no motivation to outperform your peers if you are a teacher. However, as a tutor, you get creative and innovative so you can deliver a better product than your competitors.
3. Public education is subsidized, leading to students to believe that they are taught inferior stuff in school. Tutoring sessions are not subsidized, so students attending these classes tend to give their tutors more attention.
4. Ability-based lessons provided by tutors cannot be replicated in schools. Even in a group of 20, it is easier to provide targeted learning and lessons. But 20 seems to be the magic number. Any more than that and you lose the ability to provide differentiated learning experiences. Class sizes in secondary schools average 40 students per class.
5. Targeted learning happens in tutoring centres. Simply put, the student learns one or at most two related subjects in a span of 2 to 3 hours. In contrast, in a typical school setting where a class period is anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, students would need to flit between a few subjects. And because students spend a protracted amount of time on a subject (or two), they concentrate on the key concepts, practice questions, and learn. In a 1 hour double period setting in schools, teachers can't teach for more than 40 minutes. There is first the 10 - 2 rule (2 minutes rest for every 10 minutes of teaching), discipline issues, admin problems, homework collection, corrections etc due in class that one would be happy to get 40 minutes of teaching time. In fact, some teachers are so hung up over the "Good Morning" and "Good Bye" at the start and end of each lesson they spend precious minutes telling the students to stand straight, show respect, greet aloud... Terrible waste of time. I go in and tell my kids on day 1, I'm going to quote a line from Madonna's Evita, "You must love me. Or if not, my subject." That's enough. The kids don't have to greet me at all but they all show plenty of respect. (I'd like to think it's charisma or terror.) Oh yah, before I forget, what is this thing about CCA and CIP? Teach them morals and values? Wait, I need to get a hanky to muffle my laughter... WASTE OF TIME!
So, you see. There is nothing wrong with the GCE O and A level syllabi or on what you test the students. The problem is very very straightforward. Dump in enough money to reward the top teachers, cut down all the unnecessary admin and useless meetings, teach well and teach clearly, stay on task (teach/learn), and don't sweat the small stuff. Cut down CCA and CIP - our kids are getting GCE O and A levels and NOT GCE CCA/CIP. Get our priorities straight.
In any case, I'd applaud the parents who realise that they are getting a better deal elsewhere. If I were them, I'd employ extremely competent tutors and have my child homeschooled. My tutors will teach my child the key subjects (English, Mother Tongue, Math, Science and whatever else is required for promotion to the A levels) while, as a parent, I'll teach morals and values. Why bother with the school system?
But then, I'm probably alone in this rant.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
I can't decide...
whether you should live or die...
So goes the song by Scissors Sisters. I love that song. So sick and twisted.
But I like this too.
The standard obstacle course (SOC) is now supplemented by a vocational obstacle course (VOC)! So exciting...
So goes the song by Scissors Sisters. I love that song. So sick and twisted.
But I like this too.
The standard obstacle course (SOC) is now supplemented by a vocational obstacle course (VOC)! So exciting...
Monday, September 06, 2010
Logic
The Singapore property "porridge pot" has been searing hot and bubbling vigourously until the government turned down the heat to keep the searing hot temperature but dampen the bubbling.
Essentially, my reading of the policy makers' decision is that they are comfortable with the sky high prices but they are worried about the liquidity situation. In short, the porridge can be kept very hot but "let's not boil the liquid away".
To achieve that, a few measures were put in place. I am not entirely sure that I agree with them but let's have a look. All policies take immediate effect on 30 Aug 2010.
1. Private property owners who buy HDB (government housing) apartments must sell their private properties 6 months after receiving their HDB flats.
I agree with this policy. In effect, if you want to live in subsidized housing, then please give up your private property. People call this an anti-speculative measure. But I find this policy did not go far enough. Whereas "downgraders" (people who move from private housing to public housing) are forced to give up their private properties, "upgraders" (people who move from public housing to private housing) are not required to give up their HDB flat. Why then do we allow subsidized housing dwellers dabble in private property investments but disallow the other way around?
Many netizens have rightly pointed out that subsidized housing should be reserved for Singaporeans - including me - who can ill-afford private housing. Why does the government find it acceptable for people who take a subsidy from it thereafter invest their monies elsewhere instead of paying off the government subsidy?
Some who absolutely adore me will argue that I can well-afford a private apartment. But why should I saddle myself with a mountain of debt when, as a Singaporean, public housing should be a basic right enjoyed by all citizens? Just because I am not married, I am not allowed to buy an HDB flat directly from the government. Yet, if I were to agree to marry - even if it were a bogus marriage just to defraud HDB - I could apply for an HDB flat at a subsidized rate. What logic is there?
2a. Private property owners who flip (sell for a profit) their units within three years of the units becoming "occupiable" will be required to pay sellers' stamp duty (1% for first $180k, 1% for next $180k, and 1% for the rest). Sellers get a third discount for every year they hold on to the property, up to year 3.
2b. HDB flat buyers must now serve a minimum 5 year occupation period in their flat before being allowed to buy a private property.
While these two regulations are actually separate, it does take a genius like me - yes, you did not see wrong! - to place 2(a) and 2(b) together to show the contrastive effect of comparable policies.
Whereas the private property owner is penalised through monetary formats, HDB owners are made to serve time. If we are indeed to discourage speculation, then why do you apply such a light stamp duty for such a short period? Shouldn't the stamp duty penalty stretch over 5 years, just like the way HDB dwellers are "imprisoned" in their flats?
If HDB are indeed public housing, then shouldn't the public be made to make sensible choices for what they want and also for the longer term? One should imagine that HDB dwellers should not be allowed to buy any private properties until they pay off their respective HDB loans. However, make provisions to allow HDB dwellers to "upgrade" or "downgrade" after 5 years. There should not be a penalty from HDB to HDB, since no one is allowed to hoold on to two HDB flats as a matter of government policy.
3. Buyers of a second or subsequent property who have existing loans are now required to pay 10% of the property's price in cash (compared to 5% for those without loans) and 20% from their CPF (Singapore's pension/saving fund) (compared to 15%). In other words, the bank loans extended to first time home owners or those without additional debts will be 80% while for the rest of the population, it will be 70%.
Where is the help promised to the first timers? How about reducing the first timer cost outlay to 5% plus 5%? This was done to spur the housing market when it was in the doldrums. Given the eye popping housing prices now and how singles like me (NOT myself - I wonder why people cannot get this grammar item correct) really don't have that much disposable cash for the downpayment, don't say that by fending off competitors, you are "helping me". If the government is truly genuine in wanting to help me, then show me the money.
Ok, the government cannot do that because the banks are going to be over-exposed? Then how about the government bankrolls me a bridging loan? Cap it at the lower of 5% of the property valuation and 50,000, charge me bank interest rates, and make me repay the entire sum over 5 years. That would help a lot. How about that?
While the housing fiasco has turned every Singaporean with an additional dime to spare into an opportunistic home buyer, there are many a Singaporean out there who are struggling because the pennies they have are shrinking in buying power and they are not accumulating money fast enough to catch up with the property price increases.
There is little logic in "cooling" the magic private property porridge pot. The only time sanity will re-enter the market is when the entire township is covered by porridge and anyone who wanted to get home had to eat his or her way in. But then, it wouldn't be porridge that these people are going to eat.
Logic must prevail and to do so, there must be the political will to correct the imbalances.
Essentially, my reading of the policy makers' decision is that they are comfortable with the sky high prices but they are worried about the liquidity situation. In short, the porridge can be kept very hot but "let's not boil the liquid away".
To achieve that, a few measures were put in place. I am not entirely sure that I agree with them but let's have a look. All policies take immediate effect on 30 Aug 2010.
1. Private property owners who buy HDB (government housing) apartments must sell their private properties 6 months after receiving their HDB flats.
I agree with this policy. In effect, if you want to live in subsidized housing, then please give up your private property. People call this an anti-speculative measure. But I find this policy did not go far enough. Whereas "downgraders" (people who move from private housing to public housing) are forced to give up their private properties, "upgraders" (people who move from public housing to private housing) are not required to give up their HDB flat. Why then do we allow subsidized housing dwellers dabble in private property investments but disallow the other way around?
Many netizens have rightly pointed out that subsidized housing should be reserved for Singaporeans - including me - who can ill-afford private housing. Why does the government find it acceptable for people who take a subsidy from it thereafter invest their monies elsewhere instead of paying off the government subsidy?
Some who absolutely adore me will argue that I can well-afford a private apartment. But why should I saddle myself with a mountain of debt when, as a Singaporean, public housing should be a basic right enjoyed by all citizens? Just because I am not married, I am not allowed to buy an HDB flat directly from the government. Yet, if I were to agree to marry - even if it were a bogus marriage just to defraud HDB - I could apply for an HDB flat at a subsidized rate. What logic is there?
2a. Private property owners who flip (sell for a profit) their units within three years of the units becoming "occupiable" will be required to pay sellers' stamp duty (1% for first $180k, 1% for next $180k, and 1% for the rest). Sellers get a third discount for every year they hold on to the property, up to year 3.
2b. HDB flat buyers must now serve a minimum 5 year occupation period in their flat before being allowed to buy a private property.
While these two regulations are actually separate, it does take a genius like me - yes, you did not see wrong! - to place 2(a) and 2(b) together to show the contrastive effect of comparable policies.
Whereas the private property owner is penalised through monetary formats, HDB owners are made to serve time. If we are indeed to discourage speculation, then why do you apply such a light stamp duty for such a short period? Shouldn't the stamp duty penalty stretch over 5 years, just like the way HDB dwellers are "imprisoned" in their flats?
If HDB are indeed public housing, then shouldn't the public be made to make sensible choices for what they want and also for the longer term? One should imagine that HDB dwellers should not be allowed to buy any private properties until they pay off their respective HDB loans. However, make provisions to allow HDB dwellers to "upgrade" or "downgrade" after 5 years. There should not be a penalty from HDB to HDB, since no one is allowed to hoold on to two HDB flats as a matter of government policy.
3. Buyers of a second or subsequent property who have existing loans are now required to pay 10% of the property's price in cash (compared to 5% for those without loans) and 20% from their CPF (Singapore's pension/saving fund) (compared to 15%). In other words, the bank loans extended to first time home owners or those without additional debts will be 80% while for the rest of the population, it will be 70%.
Where is the help promised to the first timers? How about reducing the first timer cost outlay to 5% plus 5%? This was done to spur the housing market when it was in the doldrums. Given the eye popping housing prices now and how singles like me (NOT myself - I wonder why people cannot get this grammar item correct) really don't have that much disposable cash for the downpayment, don't say that by fending off competitors, you are "helping me". If the government is truly genuine in wanting to help me, then show me the money.
Ok, the government cannot do that because the banks are going to be over-exposed? Then how about the government bankrolls me a bridging loan? Cap it at the lower of 5% of the property valuation and 50,000, charge me bank interest rates, and make me repay the entire sum over 5 years. That would help a lot. How about that?
While the housing fiasco has turned every Singaporean with an additional dime to spare into an opportunistic home buyer, there are many a Singaporean out there who are struggling because the pennies they have are shrinking in buying power and they are not accumulating money fast enough to catch up with the property price increases.
There is little logic in "cooling" the magic private property porridge pot. The only time sanity will re-enter the market is when the entire township is covered by porridge and anyone who wanted to get home had to eat his or her way in. But then, it wouldn't be porridge that these people are going to eat.
Logic must prevail and to do so, there must be the political will to correct the imbalances.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Two Great Sayings
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. - Mike Milligan
Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. - Spanish proverb
Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. - Spanish proverb
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Dandelions!
Oh my god! Quinsy changed her blog background design and right at the top, there are a couple of dandelions. Three white ones against a grey background, to be exact.
The falling seeds from the puffy dandelions is exactly the same image I keep seeing in my mind. It is interesting, because it had been some time I had really read my daily reads and today, I caught it.
I like that image of having dandelions blown apart by the wind. The perfect orb of seeds, ready to take flight and take root where and when they find fertile land. The orb will no longer keep its spherical integrity but it has done its job, whatever the reader takes the job to be.
I do, however, know why images of dandelions are dancing in my head recently. They are just there.
The falling seeds from the puffy dandelions is exactly the same image I keep seeing in my mind. It is interesting, because it had been some time I had really read my daily reads and today, I caught it.
I like that image of having dandelions blown apart by the wind. The perfect orb of seeds, ready to take flight and take root where and when they find fertile land. The orb will no longer keep its spherical integrity but it has done its job, whatever the reader takes the job to be.
I do, however, know why images of dandelions are dancing in my head recently. They are just there.
Monday, August 30, 2010
I'd live in that garage!
Visited a friend. We got to know each other during the time I taught in SMU. We got along fine and we shared many stories about us. However, our schedules never let us sit down for a good chat much.
Last Saturday, he invited Victor and I to tea at his place. (Interesting that I had to write "Victor and I" because the English Language dictates that I must come in at the end of a conjoined list. But you get the drift.) He lived in the outskirts of Newton/Orchard. His house was built in 1927 on a plot of land at the top of a little hill.
There was a main house and a garage. He moved out of the house and lived in the garage after customizing it into a quaint little house. Quite honestly, I've been to the homes of rich people but this friend is so understated about so many things. I never knew how rich he is and I probably will never want to know. It is not in my place or interest.
To preserve my friend's privacy and to cut the long story short, I am given a little glimpse of what it feels like to live in the lap of luxury. Quite honestly, I bet many people wouldn't mind living in that garage. (Actually, he told me that his garage turned house was featured in an architectural magazine some time ago.)
There!
Last Saturday, he invited Victor and I to tea at his place. (Interesting that I had to write "Victor and I" because the English Language dictates that I must come in at the end of a conjoined list. But you get the drift.) He lived in the outskirts of Newton/Orchard. His house was built in 1927 on a plot of land at the top of a little hill.
There was a main house and a garage. He moved out of the house and lived in the garage after customizing it into a quaint little house. Quite honestly, I've been to the homes of rich people but this friend is so understated about so many things. I never knew how rich he is and I probably will never want to know. It is not in my place or interest.
To preserve my friend's privacy and to cut the long story short, I am given a little glimpse of what it feels like to live in the lap of luxury. Quite honestly, I bet many people wouldn't mind living in that garage. (Actually, he told me that his garage turned house was featured in an architectural magazine some time ago.)
There!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sense of Time
Had expected a good end to an otherwise dour week.
The abyss the week began in gave way to semi-heaven as I battled work and then abdominal colic.
Had two crazy days of chasing and chasing after stuff that people owe me and then spent another two days clutching my stomach.
The pain was so bad that I had to go off work midway and make my way to my GP. There, I had to wait in line for 21 patients. My pain got from a 5 out of 10 to 8 out of 10. My long sleeved working shirt got wetter and wetter but I wasn't even feeling warm. It was the pain!
I guess the counter staff saw my misery and probably alerted the doctor. I did not want to tell them about my pain because the last time I tried telling them, I was told that if I could not wait my turn, then I ought to go to the Accident & Emergency Department.
Soon, one patient was not around when his/her number was called. And I was asked to go in instead. Had my jab and my two days' MC. Came home and crashed. Paying off a sleep debt never felt so good.
Then came yesterday. The private transport that I booked to drive me home came 10 minutes late. This is stupid because I delayed getting off work by 45 minutes and paid $5 (instead of the usual $2 thereabouts on public transport) to get home by 7 pm. Of course, by the time I got home, it was 7.15 pm. I am going to try this transport guy once more and if he does not show he is conscious of keeping time, then I might drop him.
In any case, there is this garrulous woman on the mini-van that yaks non-stop. Peace is only restored after she gets off - first, thank God! - at Casa Merah. But that was already more than half the journey done. But if I get driven to the doorstep, I am quite willing to tolerate her showing off and noise.
This transport thingy didn't take the cake.
I had an appointment last night for my hair treatment. I made an 8 pm appointment at 4 pm. As I rushed all the way down from home - no thanks to the stupid transport guy - at 7.42 pm, the hair treatment woman asked if I was ok to go in later, 8.30 pm instead. Ok, I told her.
I went for a quick dinner. The guy selling rice with vegetables was selling gold nuggets instead of vegetables. I hardly had a standard portion of anything!
At 8.10 pm, I stepped into the salon. Shaggy Bitch was there, not even started. So, she must have been the double-booker or the walk-in. Looking at the length of her hair, the treatment is not going to even end by 8.30 pm.
I was right. When the hair treatment lady was done with Shaggy, it was already 8.50 pm. Then instead of letting me begin, she got a waiting customer to wash off the henna on her head.
At 9.05 pm, I stood up and told her, I can't wait any more.
I will do that to her insistently from now on. Make an appointment and if I walk in and she's not ready for me, I will walk off. There is no point in making an appointment if she is not going to keep to her end of the bargain.
She is not running a subsidized medical care facility. At least for those, I am looking at a minimum 50% subsidy from the government. The doctors are beyond overworked and waiting for them while they tend to other more urgent patients and full paying patients is unavoidable. Hey, those people paying $1.05 for a pill while subsidized patients are probably paying $0.10.
Some people just need to be taught a sense of timing and business ethics.
The abyss the week began in gave way to semi-heaven as I battled work and then abdominal colic.
Had two crazy days of chasing and chasing after stuff that people owe me and then spent another two days clutching my stomach.
The pain was so bad that I had to go off work midway and make my way to my GP. There, I had to wait in line for 21 patients. My pain got from a 5 out of 10 to 8 out of 10. My long sleeved working shirt got wetter and wetter but I wasn't even feeling warm. It was the pain!
I guess the counter staff saw my misery and probably alerted the doctor. I did not want to tell them about my pain because the last time I tried telling them, I was told that if I could not wait my turn, then I ought to go to the Accident & Emergency Department.
Soon, one patient was not around when his/her number was called. And I was asked to go in instead. Had my jab and my two days' MC. Came home and crashed. Paying off a sleep debt never felt so good.
Then came yesterday. The private transport that I booked to drive me home came 10 minutes late. This is stupid because I delayed getting off work by 45 minutes and paid $5 (instead of the usual $2 thereabouts on public transport) to get home by 7 pm. Of course, by the time I got home, it was 7.15 pm. I am going to try this transport guy once more and if he does not show he is conscious of keeping time, then I might drop him.
In any case, there is this garrulous woman on the mini-van that yaks non-stop. Peace is only restored after she gets off - first, thank God! - at Casa Merah. But that was already more than half the journey done. But if I get driven to the doorstep, I am quite willing to tolerate her showing off and noise.
This transport thingy didn't take the cake.
I had an appointment last night for my hair treatment. I made an 8 pm appointment at 4 pm. As I rushed all the way down from home - no thanks to the stupid transport guy - at 7.42 pm, the hair treatment woman asked if I was ok to go in later, 8.30 pm instead. Ok, I told her.
I went for a quick dinner. The guy selling rice with vegetables was selling gold nuggets instead of vegetables. I hardly had a standard portion of anything!
At 8.10 pm, I stepped into the salon. Shaggy Bitch was there, not even started. So, she must have been the double-booker or the walk-in. Looking at the length of her hair, the treatment is not going to even end by 8.30 pm.
I was right. When the hair treatment lady was done with Shaggy, it was already 8.50 pm. Then instead of letting me begin, she got a waiting customer to wash off the henna on her head.
At 9.05 pm, I stood up and told her, I can't wait any more.
I will do that to her insistently from now on. Make an appointment and if I walk in and she's not ready for me, I will walk off. There is no point in making an appointment if she is not going to keep to her end of the bargain.
She is not running a subsidized medical care facility. At least for those, I am looking at a minimum 50% subsidy from the government. The doctors are beyond overworked and waiting for them while they tend to other more urgent patients and full paying patients is unavoidable. Hey, those people paying $1.05 for a pill while subsidized patients are probably paying $0.10.
Some people just need to be taught a sense of timing and business ethics.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Death rites...
and death wrongs.
Spotted: Half opened offerings to the ancestors
Explanation: If the dead ancestors want to eat, they can use their "super powers" to get to the food. The flies (or imaginary flies) will eat up all the offerings otherwise.
Spotted: Burning joss paper offerings in little stacks of 5 pieces or so
Explanation: The living folk needs a free face toast from the stash of burning joss papers. And the dead ancestor cannot pick up the burnt offerings fast enough if one burns too many pieces at one go.
Sometimes, I just wonder why they can't let go already!
Spotted: Half opened offerings to the ancestors
Explanation: If the dead ancestors want to eat, they can use their "super powers" to get to the food. The flies (or imaginary flies) will eat up all the offerings otherwise.
Spotted: Burning joss paper offerings in little stacks of 5 pieces or so
Explanation: The living folk needs a free face toast from the stash of burning joss papers. And the dead ancestor cannot pick up the burnt offerings fast enough if one burns too many pieces at one go.
Sometimes, I just wonder why they can't let go already!
Monday, August 09, 2010
Free Lunches
It was a North Indian buffet lunch with a twist.
Food would be delivered to the tables instead of diners having to help themselves from the common food display.
The spiced papadoms came. Spicy!
The sutchi fillet curry, the mung bean dhal, and the pureed spinach with chickpeas came. So did the bryani rice and a stack of quartered naans.
Then something that was terribly burnt arrived at the table - chicken tikka. I rejected the dish. No way would I accept something so burnt. There were enough charred bits for me to discard every single piece of chicken without a second look.
The waiter insisted that the dish is supposed to be burnt. Hello... I'm Chinese but this is not my first Indian meal! I asked for tandoori chicken. The waiter said my dish was "normal." I queried him why the rest of the tables get tandoori chicken while we get burnt chicken tikka. So he said he'll bring the tandoori chicken.
A millennium later, the tandoori chicken came. The first piece I took was more than half uncooked. I'm ok with slight undercooking but uncooked. I rejected the dish. The waiter did not protest this time, since he saw the condition of the food.
Then lamb shish kebab came. Not the best but it was meat. Then I wanted my tandoori chicken. What is a North Indian meal without tandoori chicken?
Yet, two millennia later, another dish of chicken tikka appeared. I rejected the dish, saying that it wasn't what I ordered. I want my tandoori chicken. Alas, it was out. The kitchen ran out of it.
Fine, what about dessert? I wanted dessert to round off the meal.
We have gulab jamun and assorted ice cream. I was told. I asked to have both and the waiter noted the order.
The gulab jamun came, burnt to the core. The ice cream was ok.
Bill time. I called one of the non-uniformed guys and asked if he was the boss. He said he was a partner. So I told him about my meal and told him that if his restaurant went under, he has his wait staff and his kitchen to thank.
He was apologetic. I was measured and courteous.
We got a free meal. There are free lunches after all. All you have to do is to be at the right place at the right time.
Food would be delivered to the tables instead of diners having to help themselves from the common food display.
The spiced papadoms came. Spicy!
The sutchi fillet curry, the mung bean dhal, and the pureed spinach with chickpeas came. So did the bryani rice and a stack of quartered naans.
Then something that was terribly burnt arrived at the table - chicken tikka. I rejected the dish. No way would I accept something so burnt. There were enough charred bits for me to discard every single piece of chicken without a second look.
The waiter insisted that the dish is supposed to be burnt. Hello... I'm Chinese but this is not my first Indian meal! I asked for tandoori chicken. The waiter said my dish was "normal." I queried him why the rest of the tables get tandoori chicken while we get burnt chicken tikka. So he said he'll bring the tandoori chicken.
A millennium later, the tandoori chicken came. The first piece I took was more than half uncooked. I'm ok with slight undercooking but uncooked. I rejected the dish. The waiter did not protest this time, since he saw the condition of the food.
Then lamb shish kebab came. Not the best but it was meat. Then I wanted my tandoori chicken. What is a North Indian meal without tandoori chicken?
Yet, two millennia later, another dish of chicken tikka appeared. I rejected the dish, saying that it wasn't what I ordered. I want my tandoori chicken. Alas, it was out. The kitchen ran out of it.
Fine, what about dessert? I wanted dessert to round off the meal.
We have gulab jamun and assorted ice cream. I was told. I asked to have both and the waiter noted the order.
The gulab jamun came, burnt to the core. The ice cream was ok.
Bill time. I called one of the non-uniformed guys and asked if he was the boss. He said he was a partner. So I told him about my meal and told him that if his restaurant went under, he has his wait staff and his kitchen to thank.
He was apologetic. I was measured and courteous.
We got a free meal. There are free lunches after all. All you have to do is to be at the right place at the right time.
Completing the Squares
There are some things that are hard to square, just like quadratic expressions. But I think I have some of them figured out.
For starters, why do smokers exercise? My explanation is that the exercise strengthens their lung functions and enhance their capacities, and help them absorb the deadly chemicals in the cigarettes better.
Why do people not wash their hands after using the toilet, especially before a meal in some eating place? The food they've ordered are too bland and they could do with additional spices.
Why do people not move to the back of a bus or the middle of the train? That part of the vehicle is not going to where they are going.
Why do people not understand that they should avoid smoking before serving a customer? Good service should not include making me share the stinking air your exhale.
Why do people not shower in the morning, even though they stink? Deodorant is too expensive. In any case, their bodies are already producing environmentally friendly, green "fragrance".
Why do people not add enough washing detergent to their laundry? They want their "eau de naturale" to keep their clothes perfumed.
Why do people not think that maintaining quiet is necessary in public? They are hard of hearing.
This list can go on. And perhaps this way, I just have to secretly despise some people without overtly getting more pissed with the rest of them.
For starters, why do smokers exercise? My explanation is that the exercise strengthens their lung functions and enhance their capacities, and help them absorb the deadly chemicals in the cigarettes better.
Why do people not wash their hands after using the toilet, especially before a meal in some eating place? The food they've ordered are too bland and they could do with additional spices.
Why do people not move to the back of a bus or the middle of the train? That part of the vehicle is not going to where they are going.
Why do people not understand that they should avoid smoking before serving a customer? Good service should not include making me share the stinking air your exhale.
Why do people not shower in the morning, even though they stink? Deodorant is too expensive. In any case, their bodies are already producing environmentally friendly, green "fragrance".
Why do people not add enough washing detergent to their laundry? They want their "eau de naturale" to keep their clothes perfumed.
Why do people not think that maintaining quiet is necessary in public? They are hard of hearing.
This list can go on. And perhaps this way, I just have to secretly despise some people without overtly getting more pissed with the rest of them.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Did I even leave?
To all those who are psychologically imbalanced because of my living it up despite bumming around, I'm back at work.
It was in the offing for the last month or so but I'm now officially - well, except I've not signed the Letter of Appointment - back at work. It is my previous job before I began teaching Academic Writing in the university.
Despite being away for more than 2 years - 2 years, 5 months and 12 (13, really - 2008 was a leap year!) days to be exact - I came back and felt right in my place. It is as if I had never left this place before.
It's quite scary, really, that one can physically leave a job but not really leave it in its entirety. Fortunately, I didn't stuff any skeletons in the work closets during my previous stint.
If you'd ask me, I'll say I fit right in. I'm very comfortable here and I feel I'm already in the deep end of things. I had quite a number of briefings this morning to re-acquaint myself with the stuff I have to do and I think I'm going to be up for it.
It was in the offing for the last month or so but I'm now officially - well, except I've not signed the Letter of Appointment - back at work. It is my previous job before I began teaching Academic Writing in the university.
Despite being away for more than 2 years - 2 years, 5 months and 12 (13, really - 2008 was a leap year!) days to be exact - I came back and felt right in my place. It is as if I had never left this place before.
It's quite scary, really, that one can physically leave a job but not really leave it in its entirety. Fortunately, I didn't stuff any skeletons in the work closets during my previous stint.
If you'd ask me, I'll say I fit right in. I'm very comfortable here and I feel I'm already in the deep end of things. I had quite a number of briefings this morning to re-acquaint myself with the stuff I have to do and I think I'm going to be up for it.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Little Cheer
There's been little to cheer about recently. So rather than rant and rave here, I numb myself watching TV.
It's better. Between trying to kill the earth by blogging about things and by watching TV, I think watching TV is better. After all, there are things that once said cannot be recalled.
Laundry's done. Time for it to go into the dryer.
It's better. Between trying to kill the earth by blogging about things and by watching TV, I think watching TV is better. After all, there are things that once said cannot be recalled.
Laundry's done. Time for it to go into the dryer.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sick again
Caught whatever is going around. But because someone got it first and I have been drinking the herbal drinks that I've been boiling to help with someone's symptoms, I don't seem to be getting it as bad.
But it still feels bad. Sigh.
But it still feels bad. Sigh.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
悲剧...
...女人: 空前绝后。
買內衣
有一天一位先生去幫他太太買內衣，因為他從來沒有幫他太太買過內衣，所以他不知道要買哪一種size！
跟店員扯了半天，店員只好拿水果來形容了！
店員：木瓜？！
先生：no！no！
店員：蘋果？！
先生：不不不！
店員：蓮霧？！
先生:再小一點！
店員：雞蛋？！
先生很高興的說：對！對！對！
當店員瞭解後轉身去拿內衣時，那位突然大叫：小姐等一下！是煎過的。
...后嗣: 前途无亮
父亲查看儿子英语课本,结果昏死
ｙｅｓ－爺死
ｎｉｃｅ－奶死
ｂｕｓ－爸死
ｍｏｕｔｈ－媽死
ｊｅｅｐｓ－姐死
ｇｉｒｌｓ－哥死
ｗａｓ－我死
kｉｓｓ－ 氣死！
ｄｏｅｓ － 都死！
...男人: 精益求精
老謝的醫院新開幕，老王決定去道賀。
踏進門，王先生就對護士小姐說：「我找謝...」
話未說完，護士小姐大叫說：「你早洩？有沒有搞錯？這兒是皮膚科...」
...人生: 回头是暗
心靜自然涼
國小二年丙班上自然課，老師問：「誰知道為什麼人死後身體會冷冰冰的？」
全班都沒人回答…
老師：「都沒人知道嗎？」
這時，教室後面有人說：「心靜自然涼…」
...夫妻: 同床异梦
妻子說：親愛的，我不要你到月台送我，因為我怕你難過，而且還要花二塊錢買。
丈夫笑著說：沒有關係，只花二塊錢就能把你送走，太值得了。
買內衣
有一天一位先生去幫他太太買內衣，因為他從來沒有幫他太太買過內衣，所以他不知道要買哪一種size！
跟店員扯了半天，店員只好拿水果來形容了！
店員：木瓜？！
先生：no！no！
店員：蘋果？！
先生：不不不！
店員：蓮霧？！
先生:再小一點！
店員：雞蛋？！
先生很高興的說：對！對！對！
當店員瞭解後轉身去拿內衣時，那位突然大叫：小姐等一下！是煎過的。
...后嗣: 前途无亮
父亲查看儿子英语课本,结果昏死
ｙｅｓ－爺死
ｎｉｃｅ－奶死
ｂｕｓ－爸死
ｍｏｕｔｈ－媽死
ｊｅｅｐｓ－姐死
ｇｉｒｌｓ－哥死
ｗａｓ－我死
kｉｓｓ－ 氣死！
ｄｏｅｓ － 都死！
...男人: 精益求精
老謝的醫院新開幕，老王決定去道賀。
踏進門，王先生就對護士小姐說：「我找謝...」
話未說完，護士小姐大叫說：「你早洩？有沒有搞錯？這兒是皮膚科...」
...人生: 回头是暗
心靜自然涼
國小二年丙班上自然課，老師問：「誰知道為什麼人死後身體會冷冰冰的？」
全班都沒人回答…
老師：「都沒人知道嗎？」
這時，教室後面有人說：「心靜自然涼…」
...夫妻: 同床异梦
妻子說：親愛的，我不要你到月台送我，因為我怕你難過，而且還要花二塊錢買。
丈夫笑著說：沒有關係，只花二塊錢就能把你送走，太值得了。
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Awesome or what!
"Summer" - From Vivaldi's Four Seasons
This bayan (Russian accodion) player is Ukrain-born Alexander Hrustevich. And I'm blown away.
This bayan (Russian accodion) player is Ukrain-born Alexander Hrustevich. And I'm blown away.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
I wonder...
... if she was wearing a "brack blah" (Inside joke with my former students)
A Singaporean undergraduate was gang-raped last month while on an exchange programme in Hong Kong, Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported on Sunday. The Hong Kong police have arrested a man in connection with the crime, and are looking for two others who are believed to have been involved. The woman, 22, had gone alone to a bar in Lan Kwai Fong, an area in the Central district with many bars and restaurants, and had become drunk. Source: AsiaOne
I cannot be more amused by the report. Apparently, three Nepalese men invited her to a private party on a yacht and she went! On board, she was raped a total of six times! Got to hand it to the Nepalese man. So unpicky and so energetic down there. And a "OMG! How can you be so stupid" for Miss Sarong Party Girl.
... when employers are going to come to terms with the fact that human beings are not machines.
BOSSES in Singapore may be unaware that employees turning up for work when sick could be costing them as much as the 14 days annual paid leave given to staff. 'Presentee-ism' - turning up for work when too ill to do any - could result in hidden losses running to hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses and the national economy, a pioneering study done at Nanyang Business School (NBS) has shown.
[The] study estimated that for an employee below the age of 50 with an annual remuneration of $54,000 (base pay and all benefits), the loss of annual productivity due to presentee-ism is $2,002 for a man, or 13.5 days annually per employee, and $2,255 for a woman, or 15 days annually per employee. Source: AsiaOne
Even machines, like those machines that IBM provided to DBS and POSB decided that enough was enough and took at 7 hour break! Why do people go back to work when they are sick? The bigger problem is Singapore employers' insidious pay practices. A portion of our salaries are held hostage and paid to us in the form of "performance bonuses" if we do well. And if presence at work is a positive measure of my performace, then presentee-ism makes more sense than going on medical leave. After all, no one can fault me for being slower and less productive at work. Don't forget, I'm at work and that's what I am measured against.
We need a radical rethink of the 44.5 hour work week. Do we need to work so much? If I am on call even when I am off work, then surely, the hours that I am needed IN THE OFFICE should be reduced accordingly. HR practices are far from being enlightened and we have ourselves to blame. If we all work to schedule like pilots and air stewards and stewardesses, let's see what happens. But few people have the balls to make this happen.
... if we are using money to buy success
THE budget for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has surpassed original estimates of US$75 million ($104 million) by more than three times. The projected government spending for the 13-day Games in August will now be approximately $387 million.
[H}owever, that the benefits will still continue to outweigh the increased cost. Besides $260 million (or 70 per cent of the budget) worth of contracts that has been awarded to local companies, the YOG is also expected to attract about 40,000 foreign visitors, generating a $57 million boom in tourism receipts. Source: ST
I certainly hope so. Most Olympic cities go into recession right after the Olympics.
A Singaporean undergraduate was gang-raped last month while on an exchange programme in Hong Kong, Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported on Sunday. The Hong Kong police have arrested a man in connection with the crime, and are looking for two others who are believed to have been involved. The woman, 22, had gone alone to a bar in Lan Kwai Fong, an area in the Central district with many bars and restaurants, and had become drunk. Source: AsiaOne
I cannot be more amused by the report. Apparently, three Nepalese men invited her to a private party on a yacht and she went! On board, she was raped a total of six times! Got to hand it to the Nepalese man. So unpicky and so energetic down there. And a "OMG! How can you be so stupid" for Miss Sarong Party Girl.
... when employers are going to come to terms with the fact that human beings are not machines.
BOSSES in Singapore may be unaware that employees turning up for work when sick could be costing them as much as the 14 days annual paid leave given to staff. 'Presentee-ism' - turning up for work when too ill to do any - could result in hidden losses running to hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses and the national economy, a pioneering study done at Nanyang Business School (NBS) has shown.
[The] study estimated that for an employee below the age of 50 with an annual remuneration of $54,000 (base pay and all benefits), the loss of annual productivity due to presentee-ism is $2,002 for a man, or 13.5 days annually per employee, and $2,255 for a woman, or 15 days annually per employee. Source: AsiaOne
Even machines, like those machines that IBM provided to DBS and POSB decided that enough was enough and took at 7 hour break! Why do people go back to work when they are sick? The bigger problem is Singapore employers' insidious pay practices. A portion of our salaries are held hostage and paid to us in the form of "performance bonuses" if we do well. And if presence at work is a positive measure of my performace, then presentee-ism makes more sense than going on medical leave. After all, no one can fault me for being slower and less productive at work. Don't forget, I'm at work and that's what I am measured against.
We need a radical rethink of the 44.5 hour work week. Do we need to work so much? If I am on call even when I am off work, then surely, the hours that I am needed IN THE OFFICE should be reduced accordingly. HR practices are far from being enlightened and we have ourselves to blame. If we all work to schedule like pilots and air stewards and stewardesses, let's see what happens. But few people have the balls to make this happen.
... if we are using money to buy success
THE budget for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has surpassed original estimates of US$75 million ($104 million) by more than three times. The projected government spending for the 13-day Games in August will now be approximately $387 million.
[H}owever, that the benefits will still continue to outweigh the increased cost. Besides $260 million (or 70 per cent of the budget) worth of contracts that has been awarded to local companies, the YOG is also expected to attract about 40,000 foreign visitors, generating a $57 million boom in tourism receipts. Source: ST
I certainly hope so. Most Olympic cities go into recession right after the Olympics.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Directions
If we know where to go, we can ask for directions. Not all of us would do so, even if we are lost, but at least we have an idea where we are going.
What about for those who do not know where to go? Does not knowing where to go mean not knowing the directions?
What about simply not knowing the directions? Does that also mean one does not have a destination in mind?
What about for those who do not know where to go? Does not knowing where to go mean not knowing the directions?
What about simply not knowing the directions? Does that also mean one does not have a destination in mind?
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