The Road Run

 A good day.

Strange, when you are not too anxious about things, they normally turn out superb. Like today. No floods, no haze, no rain, only sunshine. So, the hot morning was perfect for the children to run and score well. So they did. The turn out was encouraging and the positive response made us happy as it was a cooperation that we love.

 The run was around the neighbourhood but the children were eager to complete it in full force.

Look at the red lanterns; it says the Lunar New Year is sure round the corner. 

The festive mood added an extra boost to the ethos of the day.

See; the children were ready to give their support; yellow, red, green and blue. This is a perfect depiction of  " 1 Murid, 1 Sukan", the Ministry of Education's call of sports for everyone.

 The take off was done in perfect timing and pace. All who took part did it heartily.

Very good children.

When there are so many around, you tend to observe some behaviours.

 This young lad actually read. What a pleasure to see the good habit instilled. 

Who would imagine one bringing a book to read while waiting for instruction ?

The reading programme has seen fabulous results. Keep it up, young man.

Who also would ever imagine good old Khoo joining in the race? The dark horse of the school has many potentials yet to be seen by many but alas he's calling it a day in weeks. Dear old Khoo reiterated that the girls were pacing him to give him moral support . A good run, Mr. Khoo.

Dear faithful Paul is always around to give the moral support for an occasion like this. He's at our beck and call whenever we are in trouble; a most reliable member of the PTA of the school.

Yellow house winners are given the royal path to tread at every win; the captain is sure there to boost up the morale of the house. Green house flies its flag high to show gladness and support.

 Blue house wears a helmet and carries the winner.

All done in a spirit of joy and good fun.

 Guess who won for the teacher's category? Good old Khoo.

 Lee Ling is the only gutsy lady to make it ! Kudos.

 Dinesh is the overall winner for the boys' category. Glad for him.

Lim Lee Yen took home the girls' crown. Congratulations.

So we were all happy and grateful the run went well and no one was hurt; everyone happy indeed.

Thank you boys and girls and teachers too.

A good job done; one to be etched in my memory for the years to come.

Fun in Learning

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Saturday last was a day of pleasant surprise for my teachers and I.

Visiting a vocational college was perhaps a best decision to make before I retire as I was exposed to some realities of life.

Having mingled with students of the main line stream, it was an eye-opener to know about those who did not make it academically but vocationally. As I have often told others especially reluctant parents, the skill-based manpower is taking over the nation and that it is a precise decision to develop vocational capabilities among our charges and lead them to independent living.

The teachers were eager and wondered at the outcome of the day.

What was in store and what was there to learn?

The principal briefed us on her passion to help the hyperactive ones and channeling them into vessels of positivity in the local industries and making a good , sustainable living. She is focused and her deep desire to shape the youths was clearly depicted in her speech and disposition. She is inspiring and contagious. It was indeed a privilege to meet her and her success story is proof that a job was well done. 

Similarly, her staff was a representation of discipline and quality.

It proves the fact that behind every success story is a figure of integrity.

I was truly impressed and grateful to have met her.
 It's no wonder her collaboration with the MOE works.

Divided into 4 groups we were quickly ushered into different departments to see staff and students in action.

The fruits are ordinary looking but we were told some tricks about their versatility.

The secret to carving and art is the set of knives.
 If you don't have them; get them.
 It doesn't work otherwise.

See, the male and female had a go at the fruits .

The tomato skin is useful as a rose is carved out of it.

The apple is artistically sliced and shaped into a swan.

The water melon or any other melon is a decorative item at weddings.

The carvers told me that patience is the essence of the vocation. If you do not have it; don't try it. But if you persevere and has a natural flair for art, go for it. In fact some students and teachers moonlight when they are called in by hotel managements to create and display during weddings, company parties and gatherings. A good call can fetch as high as RM400-500 per display. Skills can be acquired but patience is essential. So if a child is apt at carvings and paper cuttings, encourage them for surely they have innate qualities to see them through a particular vocation.
This reminded me of my second daughter for she was also very patient and carefully concorded plastic flowers and special paper cuttings while her sisters were reading away. Today she is in an industry related to patience, long hours and designs. I also shocked everyone when I enrolled her in a diploma course while her contemporaries took up academic lines. It was an appropriate decision; I believe though she sometimes jokingly tells her sisters she wants to be a doctor !

Next, we were ushered into another vocational component; this time "Fine Western Dining" where we were told

 of the etiquette needed when you dine formally. 

There was this need to use the right plate, spoon, fork and knife. 

Many rules to dine formally.

 It reminded me of the fine dining that I had to go through when Sara was called to the English Bar. 

You bet it was formal.

The teachers had a jolly time asking possible dinner fumbles and what to do and what not to do.

At the end of the day, I know you must leave your cutlery turned up this way to say you are done.

We were shown how to fold the napkins; Yoke Shu did it just as well with one lesson.

Chinese dining is simple with fewer crockery but the chopsticks are compulsory.

No Chinese dine without them.

While some find food and beverage tedious and difficult, others find their niche in hands-on vocations like electrical fixations.

The lecturer gave us a comprehensive exposure of the electrical industry and many guys love this vocation. The college boasts of an invention by an intern when a portable air conditioner was invented. Mush was explained but it did not interest me for it is surely a man's domain.

 The 4 male contemporaries could have found it interesting.

The Japanese are known for their neatness. The 5S instructions are clear and practical. If you follow closely, your life will surely be in order. This notice was posted everywhere around the college.

 It is a good set of rules.

Next we were again given another exhibition related to a man's domain.

Computer repairs.

The principal was very pleased with this charge of hers. Having left school after PMR, he enrolled into a computer system repair vocation. To many of us it was like back to school and those who found it boring suddenly realised how it feels when our students found it difficult to comprehend in class when we are teaching. This is simply so true. Now, we must remember not to jump to conclusions when we find our charges refusing to learn. Is it because we have failed to explain well?

While we may find academics our cup of tea others may consider them poison.

Finally, we were given a chance to cook !

The teachers were happy indeed.

Free food for taste and free, simple instructions for healthy cooking.

What a privilege.

Tasty cooking is never void of spices.

 Tomatoes are a must for thickening and taste.

When you cook the briayani rice, ghee is mandatory.

No ghee, no nasi briayani. Stir fry spices, onions, garlic, bay leaves and the like. 

Now you know why the early explorers trade for spices. 

They simply make everything tasty and unforgettable.

Pour in uncooked rice, and in 8 minutes it's bingo !

Yogurt is a must to make sure the rice doesn't stick together and adds the extra taste.

Pop corns. 

How easily prepared. Tasty too. All you have to do is to put in spoonfuls of uncooked corn and in 2 minutes the pop corn is ready for consumption. How easier can it get ?

For such easy cooking the magic word is - the pressure cooker. It's about minutes and buttons. All forms of hot sweets like the green bean, black glutinous rice, red beans are easily managed and prepared through teh fantastic pot. It's mandatory that every household has one for it saves time and energy and all in the name of modern cooking. Easy indeed.

Lady chocolate gave a short briefing but no demonstration. What a shame. All I remembered was the earning margin is super high. So if you want to make money from chocolate making enroll for a course!

Only RM500.00 we were told.

Then you can gain back by selling your product.

What a day to absorb all the learning.

At the end of the day, it was thumbs up from all of us.

Thank you CQ-Tec for the wonderful day.

The teachers now can spread the good news and educated reluctant parents of the chance a tvocational studies and careers.

Go to a tailor and see how much they charge you.

If you visit a sough-after tailor be prepard to pay through your nose.

The vocational studies verses the academic studies.

Go for the one where you have the innate flair.

Either way is a success story if you have the right values.

 

I came home to another great pleasant surprise.

Sara was busy preparing cup cakes for a special occasion.

She did not attend special classes; she picked up through books and trial and error.

This is the beautiful part when you have the interest.

You can pick it up yourself.

Fun-filled day.