This Day

16th May

It is a date associated with the teaching profession.

It is a happy day.

 To all teachers past and present ; to the serving lot and the retired lot.

The best impact created is one that deals with relationships.

You have to be relational and ready to work with and at people. When you strike the string of the heart, even the hardest of character gives in to you. The best memories are those connected to meaningful exchanges, heart to heart talks and trust.

 When a bond is established do not be surprised that it stays for life.

A teacher's success story is reflected and etched when many years later, students call you and say they miss you. When you think you are long forgotten, someone will remind you of the impact you had on them all because you choose to work on them. That will send you on a whirlwind and makes teaching indeed worthwhile. 

Therefore it is not incorrect to conclude that teachers release impact and meaning.

 Continue the good fight and do the rightful act. 

A salute to teachers indeed.

The Goodies

SG Babies 2015

Singapore has a unique way of welcoming babies on her 50th independence anniversary.

Every child born this year besides being rewarded with 6 thousand has also a goodies bag to carry home.

 The Prime Minister signs on a special note for every new born.

Singapore indeed welcomes the new born with open arms.

Every first and second child will receive cash of 6k each.

The third and fourth child will be even more appreciated with 8k each.

Make a good guess of what a fifth child will receive.

It's the theory of the more the merrier concept.

 Some nurses candidly call it the school bag. 

So it is indeed a pleasure to watch happy fathers carrying the bag on discharge.

It is also encouraging to receive words of encouragement and joy at one's birth and be positive in the years to come. It's so nice.

 

 Every new born is blessed with positive affirmation and may they grow up to be responsible individuals to people around them bringing joy and love.

Brave little Emily took the journey from Singapore to Subang Jaya to spend the next months with me and my family. She is a bundle of joy and pleasure albeit the many sessions of cleaning her poo poo . Yes, no amount of fuss is intolerable. After all, she took great effort to go through the many hours of drive and jam.

 Little Emily is joy.

God bless my child.

Rules and Regulations

The Confinement Taboos

To believe or not to believe?

Every experience in life shared must be true to a certain extent; I believe. Culture has it that experiences when worded must be recorded and followed to avoid painful consequences. The Asian confinement practices are not to go unheeded; this, I was told over and over again by my dear mother.
When I was under confinement, I tried to be as obedient as I could. That was because I was my mother's daughter. She would put so much fear into me that I could only do the rightful practices.

What are rightful practices that one should basically observe? But how do you convince a daughter who has gone through medical studies and to remind her of consequences? It's difficult to tell her the following:

• that she cannot wash with water that is not boiled; is water from heaters good enough?
• that she should go under herbal baths; water is to be boiled with the herbs; cooled and used as bathing liquid
• that she should not wash her hair for as long as time permit
• that climbing the stairs is a no no (stay in your room for 40 days without using the stairs; but you can use a lift of course)
• that she should not go under the moving fan

All the above are to prevent arthritis and bone related pains. When you have a cold shoulder, blame it on the disobedient practice. So, my mother used to say if you want to preserve good health make sure you do not disobey.

Basically, it's about the loss of blood, the womb that has served must be replenished and getting all unwanted 'air' out of the system. So, what is the best food? Anything and everything that is ginger-related. Ginger produces much heat in the body that cause you to be warm and sweat; and at the same time you cannot touch your crown with water. That will cause headaches and not worth trying. Replenishing your womb will cancel all 'ill-health' before it and making sure you are ready for the next baby.

My mother is kind and very concerned for her grand daughter. She has got her neighbour to pack all Chinese herbs and confinement related food for me to help Grace go through the period. Now it looks as though I have to make sure she obeys. When I told her about them, she looks at me with doubting eyes. My famous statement hopefully covers her doubts: in obedience you have blessings.

Confinement food is actually comfort food. The most common ones include:

• trotters cooked with ginger, vinegar and black thick soy sauce
• ginger rice wine chicken
• kidneys, liver and lean meat with wine 
• fried fish with ginger
• all forms of meat with ginger
• ginger juice cooked in rice with eggs

Through out the day, you are not supposed to drink plain water but a special herbal drink with ginger, dried dates and grapes. Drink it hot. Grace asked: no plain water? Do not be ridiculous. Sounds ridiculous I know but that was told.

Also, vegetables and fruits are 'cold' food and not to be consumed. That calls for constipation. Oh, I will have a earful session indeed. How did I go through? I have forgotten. Best answer. Well, we will see about it. I think what I have explained are only very common practices. There may be even steeper ones which I hope not to know or I will be plagued further. How do the Westerners handle all these? Someone told me that the Western food include a lot of red meat whereas Asian food is all about white meat. Red meat cover all that there is not in white meat. Oh... the list goes on and on.

At the end of the day, we still need to engage a confinement lady to help us go through the stage and to frighten us further about the taboos. If you do this and don't do that you are going to...

So do wish us a good time.

Of taboos and the confinement practices.

Thanksgiving

Today is filled with joy.

          At the Singapore General Hospital, I become an observer of happy news everywhere. This is a unit where men and women become fathers and mothers. 

Yes, it is the O & G department of the hospital. 

First, most patients come in with well developed wombs; then the agonizing wait ; then the final grin when great news break out. Yes, it is a happy day indeed.

Perhaps, an even greater piece of happy news is to meet an ex-student now helping to hold the fort at the unit. Dr. Lim Sze Wern is an ex-Seafieldian and is now serving at the unit. She has always been an industrious and meticulous learner in school and today confirms her capabilities. It was with a sense of pride to see her serving here. She told me Su Yan and Benjamin both doctors of her batch have also moved here. When you are a teacher you are bound to meet your protegee. This makes your vocation so meaningful. Well done to all of them.

But no news today was greater than this bundle of joy.

Mama Grace went through 13 hours of long labor and the final product is worth everything.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 says There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven...Thank you dear God for heavenly intervention. 

Baby Emily is pink, sweet and super cute.

See, she is indeed a joyful sight.

The Singapore government loves babies too. For every first and second born, the babies receive 6000 dollars each. Even better still if you have a third and fourth baby; they will receive 8000 dollars each. What encouragement ! Yet, the families are getting smaller by the year ! For the year 2015, which coincides with Singapore's 50th anniversary of independence, all new born will get a gift kit. All good news. I witnessed many happy parents today at the unit. Gifts and money for each new born.

The O & G unit of the hospital must be the happiest centre of the place.

But what a day.

A special word of thanks to God for his protection, divine intervention and keeping mother and child safe.
It was indeed a long day of wait.

Thank you dear Jesus.

The Helper

The Cash Register and the Computer

Going around I observe the present business scenario requires a cash register and at times a computer indicating inventory status. Perhaps even more impending is the need to have someone to manage the equipment.

At a local coffee outlet in Muar where I usually frequent with my parents , I noticed that the old couple who used to man the business not there to attend to our order, In place is a new combination; an old man and a young man. The old one did the coffee making while the younger one saw to the taking of order but more importantly registering the sale. It looks as if the business cannot go on without the lad because of the new business requirement on GST. The ill -equipped without computer knowledge has an uphill challenge.

Next, the noodle stall which caters to many for breakfast and lunch which was once manned by an industrious lady is now manned by a refreshing group of younger ones; her sons, daughters and in laws. Now, I have been told she only sees to baby sitting duties. I suspect it could be related to the new regulation too. Every sale of drink and noodles is registered. This would be too much for her to manage. So, the young computer savvy ones will have to take over; other wise it is another closure story.

Back in Subang Jaya, I was delighted to see an ex-student managing the cash register to help his parents. Casually, I mentioned to the parents that they were fortunate to have a son who now helps manage the business. The father looked into my eyes and reiterated that he would quit without him. That is was too much for him to handle stock and register. Another young lad coming to the aid of the older generation.

The reliable abacus

Have you ever seen this? The abacus.

Ha. Stories from ancient days, My father is good with figures chiefly because he has been trained by this equipment. The Chinese back in my father's days were taught to add and multiply with it, It's speed is commendable. But I have never learnt how it is operated. My father is an expert at it but when it comes to the computer, he gave up. Truly his spirit is willing but his flesh is weak. 

At the bottom line, business has to be aided with technology known only to the literate and right language. It's taking a toll on the not so savvy ones and it is quite sad to see small, quaint businesses closing down to avoid going against the law. Well, that's part of progress, I suppose.

It's just a reflection on the changes in life.

 

Little Happenings

The evening walks.

The only form of exercise that I do when in Muar is either walking up flights of stairs or scouring the town on legs. To be honest, I love the latter as it gives me pleasure to see the changes in the town of my childhood. 

I am delighted to notice the names of the streets explained with its history; how the name of the street came about and for what reason. So this is something new I observe. Walking around in the evenings force me to open my eyes and observe.

 It is not uncommon to land up along Jalan Junid and my eyes instantly roved to this little hut. Oh the memories that came with it, I remember how we girls would hang around this place after school for drinks, food, papers and ice cream. The little grocery shop is famous among us and I recalled the funny Indian national that transpired business here. He was a hard worker with no day off. Sometimes he grated coconut for his customers and the many tit bits attracted a lot of us. 

I wonder where that store keeper is at the moment; has he gone back to India or is he still around? How has the GST affected him? How is he handling his business? Maybe he has left?

 My eyes naturally roamed to the gate opposite the store. Yes, that was the famous gate where much transpired. It is the little gateway to freedom from school. No, we girls are not so naughty as boys. We still observe our school rules dutifully unlike some real naughty fellas in school these days. Why do boys so boldly walk out of the school gate without qualms? Parents do teach and admonish I believe; yet the boys are so recalcitrant. I hate to think of whatever is happening in school; the many acts of defiance and ill discipline, Surely sparing the rod is not helping the situation but yet the law protects the minors and cause heartaches among teachers.

My Alma mater , I cannot forget. It was here that values and friendship were developed and retained. Schools are such important institutions; it is there sons and daughters are  nurtured and churned. I have been a good daughter of my Alma mater and have done her proud. I want to say thank her for the learning and guidance that I received throughout my teenage years. I have developed leadership skills through the many activities and opportunities given. 

SMK Sultan Abu Bakar (Per) has given me fond memories that I can cherish for life.

Walking in the evening also saw me looking at the quaint traditional houses dotted along the promontory of the town. The houses are uniquely built and comfortably created. One look at them will cause you to love them. However, many have been pulled down and new ones with modern architecture are constructed in their place. It's a sad thing to see the replacement.

The houses have a ground floor which is airy and cool. 

Families will gather here for round table talks and have fun together.

I believe it is here that babies and children play and grow up.

In the town where trees are as old as ancient times, the price of land has sky rocketed too. A call to an agent shocked me to the core when I was informed that a sq foot fetch a figure as high as RM 200.00 That's a figure for a small town. Perhaps I am behind times too. That my understanding and perception of the place is too naive. Oh, the change that has surely taken place.

Today I finally had the opportunity to taste chicken at this outlet.

Why was  I so delighted? I had a chance to eat at Chicken Delight.

This outlet was known to both dad and I during our dating days more than 3 decades away. Many a time I tried to come here but the doors were not opened.

Back then when KFC was unknown, having a meal at this outlet was heavenly. We wondered if the chicken was as good as before. Honestly, we have forgotten how it tasted so we longed for a re-visitation.

That was the spring chicken presented to us.

Yes, the chicken is small and not fat. Perhaps that's the niche. Small and fatless.

Ask me how it tasted.

It was plain but crunchy. It lacked spices and marination. The crunchiness did the trick. Otherwise, it would have been a futile trip. 

The delight thus was only short-lived. No more craving.

Arriving at mum's condo was nice. The sea breeze is obvious and pleasant. On top of that, the place is clean and makes living comfortable.

 Even potted plants can grow to the size of trees.

Do you notice the mango tree?

At this height, the tree has bore fruits. We have consumed some of them. Some trees on ground do not even fruit. So, thumbs up for my mum's green fingers.

But a greater and more fantastic discovery is the existence of a bee hive on the tree. Quietly, left on its own the bees spindled a hive with honey in it. This is the first time I had such a close look. Amazing. I wonder what is going to happen to the whole story. Can honey be actually harvested? 

I really wonder.

So the story has to end here for the week as I make my way back to Subang Jaya again.