Many companies due to the financial crisis, started to downsize everything. Be it their business or number of employees, it is always the employees who suffer most. They are the first to take the pay cut, the first to work less hours and the first to lose their jobs. And when the economy recovers, they are not the ones who can easily get another job. With mouths to feed and loans to pay, life is not easy for them. Like it or not, we too have to downsize in our own ways. The same goes to those who are about to retire, since the monthly income will be reduced to half [for those civil servant] or nothing except some EPF money [for those in private sectors].
It is easier for the civil servants since they more or less get their pension every month without fail. For those who depends on the EPF will have to make their money work for them and it is not an easy thing to do.With the poor interest rates offered by the banks and the long life span after retirement age, these retirees have nothing to shout about.
I can only think some of the ways to make retirement easier for the retirees. DOWNSIZE. Downsize your house, your car and expenses. If you stay in a big house, sell it. Buy a small one. after all, there's only the two of you {in most cases}. With the extra money left after selling and buying, it can make life a bit easier. Sell your big car, buy a smaller one... after all your children wouldn't tag along , now that they are bigger. You will be paying a smaller loan installment for a smaller car. You save money again. Take care of your health, exercise more and pray that you will not get serious illness. That will save money.
If you are used to travelling first class, now it is the time to switch to economy class. And when your previous travelling involved the economy class, you should be thinking of travelling with AirAsia or RyanAir. Downsize you hotel room from 5 star to 3 or 4 stars. I know it is easier said than done. Especially when we got caught up with status and egos. But think of your survival for the next 20 to 30 years, then you'll think twice about spending your money freely. Do not care what others will say, it's your life. Nobody know better than you whether you can afford your lifestyle. I for one will be trading my bigger car for a smaller one next month. Happy downsizing.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
good advice to pass on
Have you had any advices given to you? Those that you hold close to your heart and try to give your best to follow them? These are advices that you want your children to heed as they go through life. I had a few of them. Some were given to me by my parents, my teachers, friends and I have one that was given by someone I hardly knew.
When I was growing up, my abah told me, 'You have only one chance in your life, so you better make full use of it'. Only one chance, either you make it or you break it. That simple advice made me what I am today. With that advice, I know if I screwed up, there's no way of turning back. So I made sure that I passed my exams with flying colours at one sitting. I failed once but I picked up the pieces and learned from my mistake. It saddened me when some students did not study hard after given the opportunity to study overseas or locally. They have this chance in their hands and they blew it.
After I got married, my abah said this to me, ' The minute your husband walks out of the house to go to work, he is no longer your husband'. Imagine that! I'm his daughter and he said that to me. This is one tough advice to follow. Little did I know the real meaning behind it at that time. Over the years I understood what my father was trying to say to me. It was of no surprise when my daughter, Nadia, got married, I gave her the same advice. Well, my sons, I have this to say when you get married. 'The minute you get out of the house to go to work, please remember that you still have one foot left behind'.
Never ever expect anything from anyone. This advice almost always keep me on my toes. It tells me that bribery is a sin. I am to work hard for things that I want. Do not expect a thank you after you have done something or give anything. This way you know that what you have done is 'ikhlas'. There's no need to tell the world that you have done this and that. At the end of the day you know that you don't owe anyone and nobody owes you anything.
I still have a lot more advices that I want to pass on. Not only to my children but to those who are reading my blog. I will only be too happy if any of the advices will help you in any small way. I'll be writing more on this in my future blog. In the meantime, pass it on.. that's what we do to good advice..pass it on.
When I was growing up, my abah told me, 'You have only one chance in your life, so you better make full use of it'. Only one chance, either you make it or you break it. That simple advice made me what I am today. With that advice, I know if I screwed up, there's no way of turning back. So I made sure that I passed my exams with flying colours at one sitting. I failed once but I picked up the pieces and learned from my mistake. It saddened me when some students did not study hard after given the opportunity to study overseas or locally. They have this chance in their hands and they blew it.
After I got married, my abah said this to me, ' The minute your husband walks out of the house to go to work, he is no longer your husband'. Imagine that! I'm his daughter and he said that to me. This is one tough advice to follow. Little did I know the real meaning behind it at that time. Over the years I understood what my father was trying to say to me. It was of no surprise when my daughter, Nadia, got married, I gave her the same advice. Well, my sons, I have this to say when you get married. 'The minute you get out of the house to go to work, please remember that you still have one foot left behind'.
Never ever expect anything from anyone. This advice almost always keep me on my toes. It tells me that bribery is a sin. I am to work hard for things that I want. Do not expect a thank you after you have done something or give anything. This way you know that what you have done is 'ikhlas'. There's no need to tell the world that you have done this and that. At the end of the day you know that you don't owe anyone and nobody owes you anything.
I still have a lot more advices that I want to pass on. Not only to my children but to those who are reading my blog. I will only be too happy if any of the advices will help you in any small way. I'll be writing more on this in my future blog. In the meantime, pass it on.. that's what we do to good advice..pass it on.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Kita Lupa
I've been trying to write something in Malay. My Bahasa Melayu was so poor that I can't even teach my son. The last time I wrote something meaningful was in 1974 - my SPM exam. Well I got an A2 for it. Since then I have not practised it much except for the daily conversations that I have with my children. Even that , it will be intersperse with English. I am more comfortable
with the English Language. So, I'll try writing this next topic in Malay.
Kemanakah hilangnya kesopanan orang Melayu?. Sejak kecil kita di ajar untuk menghormati satu sama lain. This value amongst others were taught to us when we were small. We were asked to bend our body whenever we walked in front of those older than us. We waited for our parent to eat dinner first before we start eating ours. We never finish whatever on the plate so that others after us have something to eat. We were taught never to interupt the conversations of others. We were told to wait for our turn. We were told not to raise our voice, to speak softly when voicing our opinion. We were told not to humiliate others in public, scold them if you want but never to humiliate.
What has happened to all these values? Please do not tell me, you have forgotten it all. It disgusts me when I saw what had happened in Perak. Only the Malays were seen lying on the roads blocking the cars. Only the Malays were shouting refusing the orders of the police. And to add insult to all these, it was done after a Friday prayer. Se elok-eloknya selepas solat, kita keluar mencari rezeki, selepas solat kita sepatutnya lebih tenang tidak marah-marah. Jadi kemanakah hilangnya ..kesopanan kita pada waktu itu? Is this the legacy we want our children to follow? Are we weak if we do not demonstrate against the rulers? Our prophet would never condone to such behaviour. Menang sorak tapi kampung tergadai. And the best thing was none of the leaders were there.
Memang betul kata Dr. Mahathir, Melayu mudah lupa. Kita mudah lupa pada segala-galanya. Kita lupa apa yang telah diajar oleh ibubapa kita apatah lagi perkara yang di ajar oleh guru, kawan dan saudara kita. Kita mudah sangat lupa. Apabila kita menjadi kaya dan ternama kita lupa yang satu masa dulu kita pernah miskin, tidak punya apa-apa. Terlalu susahkah kita menghormati orang lain, yang kurang dari kita? Terlalu payahkah kita merendahkan suara kita apabila memarahi pekerja-pekerja kita? Terlalu tinggikah mertabat kita sehingga tidak dapat menerima pendapat-pendapat orang lain? Kita lupa yang dunia ini sentiasa berputar. Hari ini kita di atas, hari esok kita belum tahu lagi. Orang yang kita hina hari ini mungkin akan jadi seseorang yang kita perlukan di hari muka. Pernah dulu bangsa kita di anggap bangsa yang malas. Sanggupkah kita sekarang ini menjadi bangsa yang mudah lupa?
with the English Language. So, I'll try writing this next topic in Malay.
Kemanakah hilangnya kesopanan orang Melayu?. Sejak kecil kita di ajar untuk menghormati satu sama lain. This value amongst others were taught to us when we were small. We were asked to bend our body whenever we walked in front of those older than us. We waited for our parent to eat dinner first before we start eating ours. We never finish whatever on the plate so that others after us have something to eat. We were taught never to interupt the conversations of others. We were told to wait for our turn. We were told not to raise our voice, to speak softly when voicing our opinion. We were told not to humiliate others in public, scold them if you want but never to humiliate.
What has happened to all these values? Please do not tell me, you have forgotten it all. It disgusts me when I saw what had happened in Perak. Only the Malays were seen lying on the roads blocking the cars. Only the Malays were shouting refusing the orders of the police. And to add insult to all these, it was done after a Friday prayer. Se elok-eloknya selepas solat, kita keluar mencari rezeki, selepas solat kita sepatutnya lebih tenang tidak marah-marah. Jadi kemanakah hilangnya ..kesopanan kita pada waktu itu? Is this the legacy we want our children to follow? Are we weak if we do not demonstrate against the rulers? Our prophet would never condone to such behaviour. Menang sorak tapi kampung tergadai. And the best thing was none of the leaders were there.
Memang betul kata Dr. Mahathir, Melayu mudah lupa. Kita mudah lupa pada segala-galanya. Kita lupa apa yang telah diajar oleh ibubapa kita apatah lagi perkara yang di ajar oleh guru, kawan dan saudara kita. Kita mudah sangat lupa. Apabila kita menjadi kaya dan ternama kita lupa yang satu masa dulu kita pernah miskin, tidak punya apa-apa. Terlalu susahkah kita menghormati orang lain, yang kurang dari kita? Terlalu payahkah kita merendahkan suara kita apabila memarahi pekerja-pekerja kita? Terlalu tinggikah mertabat kita sehingga tidak dapat menerima pendapat-pendapat orang lain? Kita lupa yang dunia ini sentiasa berputar. Hari ini kita di atas, hari esok kita belum tahu lagi. Orang yang kita hina hari ini mungkin akan jadi seseorang yang kita perlukan di hari muka. Pernah dulu bangsa kita di anggap bangsa yang malas. Sanggupkah kita sekarang ini menjadi bangsa yang mudah lupa?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sex Education is never an easy subject to teach our children. Wow, here I am , writing a subject that was considered a taboo many years ago. Frankly, there's no other way of teaching this except to go straight to the point. When my daughters reached the age of 11, I told them about puberty and the birds and the bees. No, no, no. I told you. It's not an easy subject to teach our children. I told my two girls about monthly menstruation and told them that under no circumtances anyone should touch their private parts. How's that? Of course they started laughing at me. Nobody can blame them, they were only 11 when I told them separately. The 'no touching' part goes on and on until they were 15 to 16 years old.
I took for granted that my husband will teach the boys.. So when Nabil was eleven, I asked my husband that part of education was due. He took Nabil for supper at the mamak's stall for his sex education. When they came home, I asked my husband about it. He told me there was nothing said during supper. He just didn't know how to start, so they just ate their supper quitely. I had to take over, my husband said. In Nabil's case it was easier since his ustaz had started the education in school.
So during my children's teenage years, I included other things like moral values, pre=marital sex, etc as part and parcel of their sex education. I even included the functions of condoms to one of my children. Call me modern but I'm not. I am still very conservative about certain things in life. There should never be any pre-marital sex, no extra-marital sex, no homosexualism. Not only those activities are against most of the religions in the world, but the bottom line is these activities will disintegrate the family institution.
So when Miss Elizabeth Wong was caught with 'compromising photos', it is not her privacy that is in question here. What she does in her bedroom is her business, no question about it. But once it become public knowledge, she has a responsibilty to take. I for one would not want a leader who takes moral responsibility so lightly. We are Asians so full of culture and traditions. Her actions promote pre-marital sex to the youngters. As a parent I do not condone that. I think most parents do not either. So she made the right decision to let go her position. Nobody should stop her not even in the name of politics.
The saddest thing was that even her Muslim friends backed her up, knowing fully well that her actions are punishable by the Islamic Laws. Where are your principles, people?
I took for granted that my husband will teach the boys.. So when Nabil was eleven, I asked my husband that part of education was due. He took Nabil for supper at the mamak's stall for his sex education. When they came home, I asked my husband about it. He told me there was nothing said during supper. He just didn't know how to start, so they just ate their supper quitely. I had to take over, my husband said. In Nabil's case it was easier since his ustaz had started the education in school.
So during my children's teenage years, I included other things like moral values, pre=marital sex, etc as part and parcel of their sex education. I even included the functions of condoms to one of my children. Call me modern but I'm not. I am still very conservative about certain things in life. There should never be any pre-marital sex, no extra-marital sex, no homosexualism. Not only those activities are against most of the religions in the world, but the bottom line is these activities will disintegrate the family institution.
So when Miss Elizabeth Wong was caught with 'compromising photos', it is not her privacy that is in question here. What she does in her bedroom is her business, no question about it. But once it become public knowledge, she has a responsibilty to take. I for one would not want a leader who takes moral responsibility so lightly. We are Asians so full of culture and traditions. Her actions promote pre-marital sex to the youngters. As a parent I do not condone that. I think most parents do not either. So she made the right decision to let go her position. Nobody should stop her not even in the name of politics.
The saddest thing was that even her Muslim friends backed her up, knowing fully well that her actions are punishable by the Islamic Laws. Where are your principles, people?
Monday, February 16, 2009
money money money
According to Suze Orman in one of her shows, if you can't pay your credit card in full at the end of the month, that means you cannot afford to buy anything. Think for a moment.. how true it is.Decades ago, only a person with high income will be granted a credit card. It is not the same today. Fresh graduates can easily get credit cards once they started working. It is okay if you can control your spending and pay all your purchases at the end of the month. But how many young people can control the temptations of making purchases on the things that they want? Not many I'm afraid.
So, how do you teach your children the value of money? It is easy if you come from a poor family. Parents can easily teach their children that they have to be careful with their spending since they have little money to spend. But not so easy if you have money to spend. Nowadays children are so lucky. Some if not most, were born when their parents could already afford to have a house and a car. What the parents could not have during their time, they tend to make it up with their chilldren. Our children nowadays have monthly allowances, without having to do any chores. Money is easy to come by. This lead to them not respecting the value of money. So the credit cards problems crop up.
My youngest son said to me on his first day to school, ' mama, you do not have to give me any pocket money. I already have a million dollars', showing me his one dollar note. At his age I never thought that I have that much money, so how could he? I took it that children says the darnest thing less he thought that I have a lot of money. My eldest daughter used to be spendthrift during her school days, but that changed when she left home for her university studies. I told her to always save some of her allowances for rainy days. This habit of saving continues even after she started working 3 years ago. A wise man once told me,' A rich man is someone who has a lot of saving, not someone who earns a lot'. This culture of saving should be inculcated in our children since they are young. Let them use their own money to buy things.
Let them know the value of money when they are young than to have no respect for money when they are older.
So, how do you teach your children the value of money? It is easy if you come from a poor family. Parents can easily teach their children that they have to be careful with their spending since they have little money to spend. But not so easy if you have money to spend. Nowadays children are so lucky. Some if not most, were born when their parents could already afford to have a house and a car. What the parents could not have during their time, they tend to make it up with their chilldren. Our children nowadays have monthly allowances, without having to do any chores. Money is easy to come by. This lead to them not respecting the value of money. So the credit cards problems crop up.
My youngest son said to me on his first day to school, ' mama, you do not have to give me any pocket money. I already have a million dollars', showing me his one dollar note. At his age I never thought that I have that much money, so how could he? I took it that children says the darnest thing less he thought that I have a lot of money. My eldest daughter used to be spendthrift during her school days, but that changed when she left home for her university studies. I told her to always save some of her allowances for rainy days. This habit of saving continues even after she started working 3 years ago. A wise man once told me,' A rich man is someone who has a lot of saving, not someone who earns a lot'. This culture of saving should be inculcated in our children since they are young. Let them use their own money to buy things.
Let them know the value of money when they are young than to have no respect for money when they are older.
To give your children the best
Every parent wants to give the best to their children. They want to give the best education, material things, spouse and everything else. Who can blame them? Sometimes, what is best to the parents, might not be the best for the children. I have a friend who has everything, so to speak, but he told me that he loves his maid more than he loves his mother. Of course the mother doesn't know this. He was in his early twenties when he told me almost 30 years ago. As far as I can remember, at that time it is not often to find a mother who is working fulltime.
. My late sister-in-law had a friend who insisted that her son took up medicine. When he graduated from Med School, he handed his degree to his parents saying this, "This is for you. Now I'm going to do what I want". The parents were speechless. Children nowadays have their own plans and dreams. We as parents only have to be there to encourage and lead them. Let them make their own mistakes in their lives. Help put their lives back together after failures.
As a parent , I know it's hard to watch your children make the same mistakes that you made years ago. You cannot be too protective over your children. Otherwise your children will not be resilient when they face hard times. What you can do is to provide your children the necessary advice, words of wisdom and guidance to face whatever challenges that lie ahead. When any untoward event happens, we can only pray that our children have the strength and courage to face the obstacles and come out strong and wiser. Then you know you have given the best to your children.
. My late sister-in-law had a friend who insisted that her son took up medicine. When he graduated from Med School, he handed his degree to his parents saying this, "This is for you. Now I'm going to do what I want". The parents were speechless. Children nowadays have their own plans and dreams. We as parents only have to be there to encourage and lead them. Let them make their own mistakes in their lives. Help put their lives back together after failures.
As a parent , I know it's hard to watch your children make the same mistakes that you made years ago. You cannot be too protective over your children. Otherwise your children will not be resilient when they face hard times. What you can do is to provide your children the necessary advice, words of wisdom and guidance to face whatever challenges that lie ahead. When any untoward event happens, we can only pray that our children have the strength and courage to face the obstacles and come out strong and wiser. Then you know you have given the best to your children.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Rule of Thumb
As a rule of thumb, if you can't pay your car loan within 3 years [ yes 3 years], you can't afford to have a car. How many of us have car loans for more than 5 years? I'm sure most of us have 5 years to pay for our vehicle loans. When I first have my car, the loan was for 5 years, then it was extended to 7 years. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to have it for 9 years. I would think most of us Malaysians cannot afford to have cars. It's amazing that we have so many cars on the road and most of us cannot afford them.
I do not know the rule for having housing loans. I'm sure I can't afford a house if the same rule applies. Of course, for a housing loan it can't be for 3 years, but nevertheless it can't be for 25 years either. The rule is there for us to follow so that we will not be caught in a financial mess. The banks give us easy loans so that they can make money out of us. Just imagine how much money they make from us for the extra 2, 4 and 6 years loan?
The next thing that came to my mind is.. if we can't afford to buy a car, don't buy it. With a low or zero down payment, we are so tempted to buy something that we can't afford. Well, if you must buy a car, then you have to save and have at least 50% deposit before you can afford it. The same goes for houses. The banks would not like it and certainly most of us too. Who are you to tell me that I can't buy a car or a house? Well, as I have said earlier, it's a rule of thumb but as always rules are meant to be broken. It's okay if you are not caught.. if you are caught then you have to face the music..
I do not know the rule for having housing loans. I'm sure I can't afford a house if the same rule applies. Of course, for a housing loan it can't be for 3 years, but nevertheless it can't be for 25 years either. The rule is there for us to follow so that we will not be caught in a financial mess. The banks give us easy loans so that they can make money out of us. Just imagine how much money they make from us for the extra 2, 4 and 6 years loan?
The next thing that came to my mind is.. if we can't afford to buy a car, don't buy it. With a low or zero down payment, we are so tempted to buy something that we can't afford. Well, if you must buy a car, then you have to save and have at least 50% deposit before you can afford it. The same goes for houses. The banks would not like it and certainly most of us too. Who are you to tell me that I can't buy a car or a house? Well, as I have said earlier, it's a rule of thumb but as always rules are meant to be broken. It's okay if you are not caught.. if you are caught then you have to face the music..
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Quality versus Quantity
A lot has been said about parenting. To bring up a child in this world is not an easy thing. A working mom knows the challenges ahead are far from easy. The stay-at-home mom too faces the same challenges. How do you be a good parent? There is no easy answer to this simple question. Then came the verse above... Quality versus Quantity, that's how we should do it.
There is no one single phrase that can justify how we should bring up our kids. We are talking about someone with thoughts and feelings here, not just some products created in some factories. Quality time is always good, there's no denying about it. Quality time is good when everything else is constant. We spend time reading to our children, do homework together, shopping and holidaying together. We talk to our children, maybe solve a problem or two.... within an hour or a few minutes a day. Tell me frankly, how much time do you spent with your child after coming back from your work? We must remember the negative elements that are lurking around to influence your child. So here comes the quantity part. The more time you spend with your children, the less negative elements will influence your children.
How this is so? Well, you get to control what programme your children watch, the books that are read, their whereabouts and who their friends are. You are there when they need you the most. This is what I really call the quality time. And it can only be done when you have the quantity.
When your child fell in the school bus, the only face that he wants to see is yours. You are there to comfort him once he get off the bus. When bad things happened in school, playground and the fields, you are there to comfort them when they get home. So are the happier moments. When your child takes his first step, you can call your husband or wife at the exact moment to let them know and share the moment. No maid will do that for you. When your child is excited about some tv programmes , you are there to share it with him. You are there to explain things to him without having to wait for you coming back from the office. Of course, there are always telephones/mobile to call you if you are not around. But is it the same? It's not the same but close enough.
Do we as parent have the choice between quality and quantity? Lucky for those who have both the quantity time and the quality time to spend with their children. For those who do not have the quantity, its good enough that you spend quality time with children rather than nothing at all. Just hope that those negative influences have less effect on your children.
There is no one single phrase that can justify how we should bring up our kids. We are talking about someone with thoughts and feelings here, not just some products created in some factories. Quality time is always good, there's no denying about it. Quality time is good when everything else is constant. We spend time reading to our children, do homework together, shopping and holidaying together. We talk to our children, maybe solve a problem or two.... within an hour or a few minutes a day. Tell me frankly, how much time do you spent with your child after coming back from your work? We must remember the negative elements that are lurking around to influence your child. So here comes the quantity part. The more time you spend with your children, the less negative elements will influence your children.
How this is so? Well, you get to control what programme your children watch, the books that are read, their whereabouts and who their friends are. You are there when they need you the most. This is what I really call the quality time. And it can only be done when you have the quantity.
When your child fell in the school bus, the only face that he wants to see is yours. You are there to comfort him once he get off the bus. When bad things happened in school, playground and the fields, you are there to comfort them when they get home. So are the happier moments. When your child takes his first step, you can call your husband or wife at the exact moment to let them know and share the moment. No maid will do that for you. When your child is excited about some tv programmes , you are there to share it with him. You are there to explain things to him without having to wait for you coming back from the office. Of course, there are always telephones/mobile to call you if you are not around. But is it the same? It's not the same but close enough.
Do we as parent have the choice between quality and quantity? Lucky for those who have both the quantity time and the quality time to spend with their children. For those who do not have the quantity, its good enough that you spend quality time with children rather than nothing at all. Just hope that those negative influences have less effect on your children.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A trip to Singapore, CIQ and all
The last time I went to Singapore was ages ago. So when my husband suggested that we go there for the long weekend, everybody was excited. It was a first trip abroad to some members of the family. We planned to spend the nights in JB and daytime in S'pore. The journey to JB was uneventful. As we reached JB, I can't believe my eyes....how it had changed. Before reaching our hotel, my husband commented that the old railway station has changed. I used to ride the train here for six years during my school years.
After checking-in, we headed to the new CIQ. Oh, by the way, the new railway station is actually the new CIQ. Imagine my children excitement when passing by a traffic light there. Another way of showing your lane. After a breeze check up by the immigration and customs officers, we made our way towards the causeway. Well, the first impression of the CIQ was great. In place of a crooked bridge, we have a crooked road instead.But the nightmare began after we passed the old CIQ. For almost 2 hours, we were stucked in a traffic jam going into S'pore. After all the necessary security checks, from eight lanes converging to only two, we finally made it to S'pore.
S'pore hasn't changed much. Except for some road improvements, it's as though time has stood still. The last time I was in S'pore was 17 years ago. We managed to find our way around. Showed my daughter the hospital where she was born, the condominium we stayed and the office where my husband used to work.Over the span of three days, we went to the zoo, science centre and of course did a little bit of shopping.
The second day, on our way back from S'pore, we faced a massive traffic jam [by my own standard]. It was a working day and it was 5.30 in the evening. I saw thousands and thousands of motorcycles braved their way towards Woodlands checkpoint. As I saw it, everybody was waiting patiently, some even had the time to read newspaper. The way I saw it, it must be the norm everyday.The picture above says it all. I'm sorry I am still in the learning process that's why the pictures are all over the place. I'll try to do better next time.
After so much hue and cry in the local newspaper about how inefficient the new CIQis, this is what I have to say. If we can be patient when entering and leaving the Woodlands checkpoint, why can't we do the same on Malaysian side? After all the security of the country is utmost important here. When it involves thousands and thousands of people everyday, thats the least we can do to our country.. wait and wait again. Of course I had not experienced the frustrations of those using the public buses. Think positively. Walking an extra mile do a lot of good to you. How I envy all of you, for staying slim by all the walking you have to do. If there is any consolation, my husband is stuck in a traffic jam everyday too , here in Kuala Lumpur. It takes him around one hour to reach his place of work, without shedding a single gramme of fat because he is driving.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
As I am writing, the Perak state government [PR] is fighting for its life. The federal government[BN] is waiting to been given another lease of life. It's irony that almost a year ago, the political
scene in Perak was the other way round. I'm not a political person but I read the newspaper everyday and thats how I am interested in any development thats happening in this country.
The hopping around [pardon me for using the word ] of politicians does not inthe least amused me.Both the PR and BN do not have any respect towards the wishes of the rakyat. But to be fair, I must say that all this started with the aspiration of one person. Can I be sued for writing what I feel? I hope not. I used to admire this one person but as time passes, the less respect I have for him. If only he is patient enough to wait for his turn in the next general election, this chaos would not have happen. Why is he so desperate to take over the government? This question keeps ringing in my mind over and over again. The Perak people have been patient and waited for years to have a different set of government but to have it all crumbles in just 11 months.
If this one person had played his card right instead of being so arrogant, this would not have happen. One thing came to my mind, if its alright for PR to have a BN to cross over then I'm sure there's nothing wrong if a PR crossover to be an independent.Hey! it makes sense right?.Otherwise it's just like a pot calling the kettle black. Please do not have a double standard.
It works both ways.
For politicians who like to hop around, it beats me to understand the reasons for doing it. Pardon me for saying this [btw why should I ask for forgiveness] all I can say is that all of you have no principle in life. It's okay if you become an independent but to hop back and forth just don't get me. You would be lucky, very lucky if you win the next election. I for one will not be voting for you.
To all the political leaders out there please remember that you are up there because we chose you. Do not make the same mistake time and time again. You must be seen fair and clean to all of us. The PAS government in Trengganu failed to make a comeback for some small reasons like giving scholarship to their kin and relatives. The PR government in Perak [according to my opinion] would lose too for giving land to some quarters of people only. Please be fair. If you want to give something, give to all level otherwise don't give at all. Be fair, that's all we ask. If you can't, give your position to someone else who can make a difference.
I have to go now and watch the evening news . Remember the best always win.. whoever the best is.
scene in Perak was the other way round. I'm not a political person but I read the newspaper everyday and thats how I am interested in any development thats happening in this country.
The hopping around [pardon me for using the word ] of politicians does not inthe least amused me.Both the PR and BN do not have any respect towards the wishes of the rakyat. But to be fair, I must say that all this started with the aspiration of one person. Can I be sued for writing what I feel? I hope not. I used to admire this one person but as time passes, the less respect I have for him. If only he is patient enough to wait for his turn in the next general election, this chaos would not have happen. Why is he so desperate to take over the government? This question keeps ringing in my mind over and over again. The Perak people have been patient and waited for years to have a different set of government but to have it all crumbles in just 11 months.
If this one person had played his card right instead of being so arrogant, this would not have happen. One thing came to my mind, if its alright for PR to have a BN to cross over then I'm sure there's nothing wrong if a PR crossover to be an independent.Hey! it makes sense right?.Otherwise it's just like a pot calling the kettle black. Please do not have a double standard.
It works both ways.
For politicians who like to hop around, it beats me to understand the reasons for doing it. Pardon me for saying this [btw why should I ask for forgiveness] all I can say is that all of you have no principle in life. It's okay if you become an independent but to hop back and forth just don't get me. You would be lucky, very lucky if you win the next election. I for one will not be voting for you.
To all the political leaders out there please remember that you are up there because we chose you. Do not make the same mistake time and time again. You must be seen fair and clean to all of us. The PAS government in Trengganu failed to make a comeback for some small reasons like giving scholarship to their kin and relatives. The PR government in Perak [according to my opinion] would lose too for giving land to some quarters of people only. Please be fair. If you want to give something, give to all level otherwise don't give at all. Be fair, that's all we ask. If you can't, give your position to someone else who can make a difference.
I have to go now and watch the evening news . Remember the best always win.. whoever the best is.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
English Everyone?
Here I am again trying to make sense of the blogging world. What do I want to write about? What else but something close to my heart. For those who have school-going children, the current debate about teaching science and mathematics in English seems one of the most important topics nowadays.
I was one of those products where English was the medium of instruction. You may say that I'm biased towards the language. Don't get me wrong. To me it doesn't matter whether both subjects are taught in English or Malay. It pained me to watch my 2 elder children struggling with the language during their school years. It hasn't stop since I still have 3 more school going
children.
English is a world knowned language. Like it or not, you have to master it in order to be successful in life. Not just successful but to get by in this world too. So, how do we go about it. Read, read and read more English. Here's how we can do it.
1. Have at least one hour a week to read stories. Bring the students out in the open [ preferably under the cool shade of a big tree], sit in a circle and read a short story aloud. Make sure the
pronounciation is clear and correct, and make sure the students understand every meaning of the words.
2. Then let each and every student tells those stories in their own words. This is to make sure
that the student understand the storyline. This too will make the student more confident of having English conversations.
3. Collect some fund for buying story books. I know it's expensive but hear me first. A RM10 is
collected from each student. A class of 35 will have RM350. Buy 35 books from this fund. If more money is needed, I'm sure some generous parent will contribute. All the teacher has to do is ask. Ask each student to read a book a week. He or she has 35 books to read and for just RM10 a year. Elect a class librarian to handle the the lending and returning of books. To make sure the students read their books, pick at random 3 or 4 students each week to tell the class on
their stories. Just imagine, at the end of their school year [ 11 years ] the students have read 385 books in total. At the end of school year the student has the option of giving his book to the school library or take it home. Thank you Mrs. Chai for doing this in 1969. What a very brilliant idea.
4. Have an English dictionary in the classroom for everybody to use.
And then the English teacher can teach the students Grammar. Piece of cake.
I was one of those products where English was the medium of instruction. You may say that I'm biased towards the language. Don't get me wrong. To me it doesn't matter whether both subjects are taught in English or Malay. It pained me to watch my 2 elder children struggling with the language during their school years. It hasn't stop since I still have 3 more school going
children.
English is a world knowned language. Like it or not, you have to master it in order to be successful in life. Not just successful but to get by in this world too. So, how do we go about it. Read, read and read more English. Here's how we can do it.
1. Have at least one hour a week to read stories. Bring the students out in the open [ preferably under the cool shade of a big tree], sit in a circle and read a short story aloud. Make sure the
pronounciation is clear and correct, and make sure the students understand every meaning of the words.
2. Then let each and every student tells those stories in their own words. This is to make sure
that the student understand the storyline. This too will make the student more confident of having English conversations.
3. Collect some fund for buying story books. I know it's expensive but hear me first. A RM10 is
collected from each student. A class of 35 will have RM350. Buy 35 books from this fund. If more money is needed, I'm sure some generous parent will contribute. All the teacher has to do is ask. Ask each student to read a book a week. He or she has 35 books to read and for just RM10 a year. Elect a class librarian to handle the the lending and returning of books. To make sure the students read their books, pick at random 3 or 4 students each week to tell the class on
their stories. Just imagine, at the end of their school year [ 11 years ] the students have read 385 books in total. At the end of school year the student has the option of giving his book to the school library or take it home. Thank you Mrs. Chai for doing this in 1969. What a very brilliant idea.
4. Have an English dictionary in the classroom for everybody to use.
And then the English teacher can teach the students Grammar. Piece of cake.
What a disaster
How hard can it be?? It's just a writing.. But at a push of a button, everything that I wrote went off. Not off to the posting but off from the screen. That's how hard it is. I had written a nice article[to my knowledge], took me almost an hour. Not too bad for an old [ I dislike using the word 'old' but do I have any choice here] person like me. I was admiring the article.. I had not written any intelligent thing for a long time. To be precise, since 1987. I was smiling, perfectly happy with what I had written Then I pushed a button. Voila! it's done. I pushed another button to view the newly posted blog.. Nothing.. nothing came out. I pushed another button to view the original writing. Still.. Nothing. I knew I messed up. Gone.. my beautiful writing. What a disaster, Imagine my horror. I called my husband and vented my frustration. What did he say? Learn and know your computer first. Okay, I'm learning.. It's not button but KEY
At this age, I'm surprised I have my own blog. What surprises me more is that I let everyone read my blog. I have millions of things to write. Thanks to my youngest daughter for helping me create this blog. Guess, I'll have to start with introducing myself. I'm a mother with five [yes,
five] children, the eldest being 25 and the youngest 10. At my age I supposed I am allowed to write whatever I feel and think is right. Anyone can comment on my writing provided the words used are proper.. otherwise I will think that you had a bad upbringing. My opinions are mine, so please respect them as I will respect yours. I'll appreciate all the constructive criticism and I thank you in advance. Welcome to my blog.
five] children, the eldest being 25 and the youngest 10. At my age I supposed I am allowed to write whatever I feel and think is right. Anyone can comment on my writing provided the words used are proper.. otherwise I will think that you had a bad upbringing. My opinions are mine, so please respect them as I will respect yours. I'll appreciate all the constructive criticism and I thank you in advance. Welcome to my blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)