on having fun...

Have not been blogging for a while, too much happening - at work and
at home. I will talk about work later (probably never). However,
homeschooling's getting very busy - and fun!

We recently had a very enjoyable camping trip and a session with Dato
Lat in Perak. Camping was great, I have not been out camping for a
looooooonnng time. Too long. The rain tried to stop us but we did not
allow it. We had our camp in the open. We also had our campfire. Yes,
the kids burnt (in their attempt to roast) mushy-mellows.

The morning session with Dato Lat was inspiring. It was very great to
hear the simple kampung boy stories of friendship, fun and innovation.
Friendship because there were no politically created barriers, just a
couple people trying hard to have fun. It reminded me that we need to
have fun and it's perfectly OKAY! - One thing I noticed that morning
was, Dato Lat having fun! I (others too) saw sparkle in his eyes when
he spoke and interacted with the kids. There was fun and laughter -
the kids and we adults had lots of fun as well. The best way to have
fun is with friends. Hey, even Lat's dad joined in. Thank you Lat for
reminding us one of our main purpose of life!

Dato's session also reminded that we are by nature innovative and
creative. Read Lat's book, see how the kampung boys (and girls)
device games to entertain themselves. Notice how they use leaves,
stones and whatever they could find to device games. They surely did
not have politicians to remind them that we need to be innovative and
creative *ouch*. We just need to remind ourselves that we are already
creative! Just have fun!

These memories will continue to linger on - well, untill the next
camp. If you like to check out photos, log on to
http://learningbeyondschooling.org

(mobile blogged, mistakes and error blamed on small phone keyboard)

A's & more A's

* Sigh * talking about educational reform - what reform?

Looks like the thinking is how to grade the students better after giving out As like nobody's business. Now we know when the MOE goes and plan this is what comes out.

Check out The Star

New grade of A+ for SPM

By KAREN CHAPMAN

PETALING JAYA: A new grading system for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) will be implemented from this year.

Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the change would provide a detailed breakdown of excellent candidates who obtained grade As in the examination.

“The change means there will now be a new grade of A+. Previously, the highest grade possible in the SPM was 1A,” he said in a statement yesterday.

........

Read on here

One more day in Ipoh. Well, one more day and opportunity to relax and and enjoy what Ipoh has to offer - fresh air and good food.

Hung out at the Polo Ground, jogged and watched the sunset.Later dinner at the Upoh Garden's "Dong Gu Teng" (a hawker center with great local food).

That wraps up our "overstay" in Ipoh. Will be off to see how the car could be fixed the soonest.

Dining in Ipoh (updated)

I always enjoy dining in Ipoh (and other smaller towns and cities for that matter). Why? Firstly, Ipoh food is GOOD and very reasonably priced.

More importantly, I like the family environment. Yes, restaurants may be noisy but I saw something unseen in KL - nil presence of maids. There were no maids to take care of children, yet children were better behaved. No stress, no screaming! Happy, noisy envionment.

I did not see a single maid in the restaurant among the customers. At the table behind us, a mother was even reading to her child while waiting for food to arrive!

Perhaps people in Ipoh and other towns believe that things can work out without a maid. Good to know many still believe in themselves as parents (and grand parents)!

BY the way, some might enjoy the food at SUN MARPOH Restaurant in Ipoh Garden (on same road with the Maybank Ipoh Garden Branch)

Draw & WIN!

JOIN US & SHOW US YOU CREATIVITY

Children's Art Competition

Finally the basketball court is ready

After weeks of waiting, we finally have our basketball in USJ 20 court back. All looks nice and wonderful. Shot a couple of balls this morning and monday will be the start our games again! Thank you MPSJ!

I guess we would not mind that the court is not smooth, the hoops rattles and the size of the court seems somewhat different. Afterall, we are not playing NBA playoffs.

Looking forward to Monday morning.

Do we see opportunities?

It really pains me to read about and watch the whole episode of "cow-head protest". It pains me because after 52 years of independence we seem to be moving backwords. I have read that our nation's founding fathers took great effort to build and to ensure unity amongst Malaysians. With whatever contact or negotiated terms, they had all agree to move forward together as one nation.

I grew up with friends of all races, different cultural background and different religious beliefs and we accepted each other for who we are - we did not have to tolerate - we were sensitive and appreciative of each other. I am sure many of us share this exprience that makes our country such a wonderful place to live in. It pains that my children had to see that and that doubt may arise if I they is the country for them.

It pains me even more especially when I know that our children may have to grow up in an environment of hatred, anger and intolerance. I know that if we continue to speak up and act with kindness and compassion thingswill change. I wonder if our children will have the opportunity to people rise above these murly issues of social relationship to see real social maturity. If the answer is yes, then it will be a golden opportunity for us and especially our children to experience transformation our society.

Where will we head to, do we see opportunities?

I pray we do!

Let's us rise above as Malaysians and let good sense and social maturity prevails.

While we are still in the Merdeka month, Happy Merdeka!

Is there another disease?

I wonder if anyone noticed this or is this just me. I noticed from news articles, almost all the victims who dies in relation to the H1N1 influenza had visited the doctor/hospital before their death. In some cases, it took 2 - 3 visits to the doctor before it was confirmed it was H1N1. During that time, the doctor gave no quarantine instructions, some still move around shopping centers- without masks.

I know of a friend who passed away recently - a young mother. She leaves behind a 5 year old child. We knew her daughter had been sick and after that was her turn. We also knew that she had been to the doctors - more than once. We saw her just 2 weeks before that- healthy and bright.

Last week a relative went to the to the doctor's twice with flu symptoms. No test were done. With fever and cough, she continues to go about with her live, including going to public places. We really hope she will be fine and it is just a normal flu.

I wonder if there is another diseaseof the non-virual type we need to treat.

Can we rise above....

Can we raise about the common hatred and anger? Can we rise above our egos and our insecurities? Can we rise above ourselves?

When we rise above ourselves we will find that we are all on the same planet, going through similar challenges in life. SO why fight?

We have sent Malaysian into space and achieved great things. Yet many a times, we allow our emotions and desires govern us. We let our quest for power and materials things make us look so petty and at times (more often, these times) really stupid.

We need to raise above all these to resolve issues and challenges we face as the society, a nation.

This is my wish for Merdeka 2009.

Happy Merdeka: Celebration of Hope for the future!

What do you feel when the police jumps in super swift action for wearing black, holding up a candle to state you stand on the principles of freedom and human rights while the police stand by entertained by a group of people hurling insults, holding up a cow's head inciting racial tensions and threatening bloodshed over the building of a Hindu temple in a majority Islamic community?

How do you feel when you see legitimately elected state governments being forced out of power - disregarding (almost every) the rule of law? What went through our minds as we see the Speaker of the Perak Assembly being dragged out by a group people reported to be the police like bouncers throwing out unruly customers from a night-joint?

What was the feeling when the saw the Hindraf protests, BERSIH rally and the latest anti-ISA movement quelled by the might of the police, while we see crime rate continues to rise and the often lament they there are not enough resources?

What goes through our minds as we see the continuous decline of the standard of English language and the apparent flip-flopping of education policies driven by political motivation? What do business people here feel as we continue to experience economic decline with no clear strategy moving forward? What about Beng Hock and the hundreds who have died in custody? The list goes on from death relation to H1N1 to road congestions.....

The feeling is of ANGER, FRUSTRATION and a sense of HOPELESSNESS to a certain extent. I bet there are more people thinking of migration now than before. Perhaps that's why migration services continues to be advertised on the front pages of Malaysiakini!

So, what does this all mean for Merdeka (Independence) Celebration on August 31st?

As a nation going beyond 50 years, we need to go beyond anger and frustration. Malaysians of all races needs to respond not react to situation. We need to be level-headed, calm and to respect one another - as this is the place we call our home. Let this Merdeka be a great start to the appreciation of one another and to acknowledge that we all had a role to play in building this nation of ours - no matter how small orbig a role.

Merdeka is also a reminder that we, Malaysians, must transcend beyond politics, political, parties and individuals. Merdeka is a reminder that we can make changes because we are empowered to. It is not just about wearing black, holding candlelight vigil and voice dissatisfaction. It also not mere parades and slogan designs. Merdeka should a celebration of the opportunities.

We must find a way and to go beyond the negativity and look forward to the future - forward to an opportunity for change.

Merdeka is about the celebration of hope. The hope for a better future for our country still exists.

Happy Merdeka everyone!

(2009)

15Malaysia

I am enjoying the movies.....

you try!