Breaking Free!

AstraZeneca vaccination

2021-05-22T13:29:00.003+08:00

My daughter of 29 years of age just got her first AztraZeneca jab on 19th May 2021. So glad for her. I'm still awaiting my turn, together with my wife and other daughter.

Here's her experience in the video :

https://youtu.be/Xf19RtXpnSE

手紙～拝啓十五の君へ～ "Letter To My 15 Year Old Self"

2017-02-01T20:10:00.001+08:00

Mum: I send my children to Chinese school, so what?

2015-09-22T14:03:00.001+08:00

2015-01-01T13:16:00.003+08:00

Happy New Year 2015 !!

Everything in its time by Corrinne May

2014-09-25T18:21:00.001+08:00

Atitudes, attitudes! MH17 News - National day of mourning

2014-08-02T12:44:00.000+08:00

For the first time, a national day of mourning
Published: Saturday August 2, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM

I read today's news (click the link above) with much disdain and noticed such attitude inbred among many Malaysians.

The Star Online reporter, quoted "In an unprecedented move, Malaysia will observe a day of mourning for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy – and it will be on par or better than the respectful and dignified ceremony by the Dutch."

Skimming through the article to find a reference point linking the phrase to our minister (Datuk Jailani Johari, Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister) but all he reportedly said was: “The standard of recognition for the victims should not be any less than what was accorded by the Dutch government when the remains arrived in the Netherlands,” he said yesterday."

It would seemed like the reporter has been a product of mindless and incessant droning of the "Malaysia Boleh" paranoia. Why the need to be better than the Dutch? Or better than everyone? Why did the reporter assume that we, Malaysians, are like her, having to prove ourselves? Me, I never needed to prove myself in anything - I just do it, if I could. Nobody needed to know if I could - they just wanted to know if I did it.

Such apparent exhibit of constant desire to excel in everything everywhere everytime should be set aside while maintaining professionalism in journalism. News can be "juicy" without having to form your own juicy suggestions!

What about you? Do you also need to prove yourself?

2013-08-13T20:01:00.004+08:00

Our beloved Pope Francis

We Are Here To Praise You

2013-08-01T20:54:00.003+08:00

Sung by the Class of Year 4 from Stella Maris Primary (Ampang) during Bible Knowledge period.

Organist: Tan Zhi Jie

C Dm G

We are here to praise You

Lift our hearts and sing

Dm G

We are here to give You

The best that we can bring

Fmaj7 G

And it is our love

Em Am

Rising from our hearts

Dm G7 F C

Everything within us cries, 'Abba Father'

Fmaj7 G

Help us now to give You

Em Am

Pleasure and delight

Dm G7

Heart and mind and will that say

I love You Lord

Reminiscing

2013-07-27T11:25:00.001+08:00

Once in a while - no, scrap that - very often I indulge myself in memories of my time spent with my ex-colleagues at my previous workplace. I have many good friends there who are more than just colleagues. They're people whom I share, not only my work related problems and frustrations with, but also the fun stuff that was happening around our lives.

Well, I just happened to browse through the photos in my PC and thought I'd just upload some of the photos.

These were taken in Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurant on my last working day on 20th April 2012. I was overcome with a sense of freedom, like every burden lifted up from my chest. Whilst immersing myself in the company of my close friends I pushed away the feeling of sadness that I might not be with them again for quite some time. I wanted that night to last longer.

I know a place where no one ever goes

2013-07-27T08:15:00.001+08:00

I know a place where no one ever goes
There peace and quiet, beauty and repose
It’s hidden in a valley beside the mountain stream
And lying there beside the stream I find that I can dream
Only of things of beauty to the eye;
Snow-peaked mountains tow’ring to the sky.
Now I know that God made this world for me…
(for you, for me, for us, for all)

I can imagine the wonder of the scene
Climbing the mountain and down the small ravine
The beauty of this place and quiet e’er shall stay
To make this place a haven, each and every day
Oh, how I wish I never had to leave
All my life such beauty to receive
Now I know that God had made this world for me,
(for you, for me, for us, for all)

I know a fount, where sins are washed away
I know a place where night is turned to day
The Lord invites you now, why linger and delay
He hears your pleading cry, and every word you say
Only believe, He took the place for you
He will save and guide you safely thro’
Now I know that God sent His Son for me,
(for you, for me, for us, for all)

We Are Here To Praise You

2013-07-08T23:26:00.001+08:00

Teachers Day 2013 - Stella Maris Ampang

2013-07-07T14:44:00.001+08:00

Teachers' Day held on May 18, 2013 at Sekolah Rendah Stella Maris, Ampang, Selangor

Mr Francis and En Jamaluddin belting out Blueberry Hill song :

Canteen Day 2013 - Stella Maris Ampang

2013-07-07T14:37:00.004+08:00

Pictures of foodstuffs sold by students of Sekolah Rendah Stella Maris, Ampang, Selangor, held on July 5, 2013.

IQ Test - You should attempt this

2012-12-22T20:18:00.000+08:00

QuickIQTest.net - IQ Test

Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies

2012-12-14T21:10:00.001+08:00

Here's another cookie to feed sweet-toothed guests this Christmas.

There's chopped cranberries and oats, sweetened with the majestic white chocolate!

Nicely chopped cranberries

A handful of oats (don't ask me what type..)

Cut White Chocolates (careful not give in to temptation while slicing them..)

Mash them into batter

Scoop and dump onto tray

Hot from the oven.. yummy!

Click to enlarge and smell.. (Humour me, okay..)

Disclaimer: I will not be able to guarantee that these will still be available after the 26th of December 2012..

Pineapple Tarts for Christmas

2012-12-13T19:21:00.002+08:00

Ahh.. Don't you just love the smell of Christmas round the corner?

Well, today Christmas smells like pineapple tarts. No, not just any pineapple tarts, but the ones my wife makes are the only ones I love the best!

There's something about the pastries that I just can't stop myself from whacking them. Don't get me wrong, I love the pineapple tart on it too, cos they're made from fresh pineapples, not the ones you find vacuum-packed and kept on some supermarket shelf. Those would taste of commercial crap.. yucks!

Pingates

Made from fresh ripe pineapple.

Just look at it, all cooked and mashed up..

From batter to dough.

Then nicely shaped and molded to fit right into the opening of the mouth..

Scoop the mashed pineapple onto the center of the tarts.

Finish up with egg yolk coating - ready for the oven..

After 30 minutes you can smell it already..

(Please wait till they cool down..)

Close-up view.

Not big enough for you?

Click to view bigger! Smell it!

Next stop - cranberry cookie..

HyperSmash.com

Stella Maris 10th Annual Prize Giving Concert 2012

2012-11-29T23:42:00.000+08:00

All I can say is Wow! My students can really sing! I'm so proud of them all!

Our school - Sekolah Rendah Stella Maris (Ampang) - ended with a school concert in the morning of November 10, 2012 held in Dewan Risda, Jalan Ampang. It is a day of recognition for students who have made some achievements in their academic performances during the year. Parents and friends of students were all invited to a day of prize giving and concert items presented by each class from Years 1 to 6, in addition to the Stella Maris School Band and the Bible Knowledge Choir.

Here's an account of my journey from the inception of the choir to the day of presentation.

.. and (sadly) the aftermath..

Since I was teaching Bible Knowledge classes I was asked to prepare the Years 4, 5 & 6 students to present a concert item, with the help of a good friend/teacher Ms June. We came up with three Christmas carols - One Small Child, Do You Hear What I Hear & Feliz Navidad. I thought what better way to end the school days than by bringing some Christmas cheer to all, since we wouldn't be seeing each other during the holidays. We started the practice first week of September.

We started practicing class by class initially since we were unable to gather all of the students at one time. When I first taught them to sing in parts it was a little chaotic, and I was getting doubtful. Would I be able to pull it off?

I was playing the guitar during the first few sessions but later I played my guitar recordings so I could focus on giving them directions. Furthermore, that way the tempo could be kept consistent. From thereon, I assigned one girl from Year 5 to be the conductor.

In later practices I started recording the singing (discreetly) and I would then review them at home, almost every night. Even before I arrived at school in the mornings I would listen to the recordings and planned the practices. It was all I could ever think of during the last two months before the concert. However, things began to look brighter when we had our practices with the Year 6 students. They were quite a mature bunch. One student offered to play the Bass guitar - it was a great addition to our music. We also included two tambourines and the Triangle.

After much thought and planning I decided to form a backup singers (Year 4 & 6 girls) who would sing the parts for the duration of the presentation, instead of inconsistencies caused by alternating between boys and girls. I even had separate practices with this group to fine-tune their singing and asked them for feedback.

I was so obsessed with our concert item that I bought an additional microphone, a bongo and a Triangle on my own account. Anyway, I had always wanted to buy them, and the timing seemed right.

During the last two weeks before the concert we managed to gather them all together for practices and I was really surprised with their singing. They sang very well indeed, albiet some who were not serious, and some not really singing but wished to remain a part of the choir. Anyway, I welcome them all 2despite certain remarks aimed at them. I just wanted everyone to have a good time and try their best.

I was greatly encouraged after hearing my Headmaster and office staff complimented on their singing several times.

On the Prize Giving day our presentation was slotted last so they could end the concert by singing the National Anthem while still on the stage. How did the choir fare on that day? Well, here's the thing..

I believe the students were all tired after almost three hours when the concert started, without any supply of drinks. When one of the microphones were set up I forgot to switch it on, causing a teeny bit of glitch in the second song. The student who was supposed to play the bongo did not turn up, but that's alright. Overall, the singing was not as good as the practices we've had in school but, considering the circumstances mentioned earlier, they really gave their best, and I'm so very proud of them all. My Headmaster also complimented on their singing.

I thank all the students for their participation and for making the concert and practice sessions a very happy experience for me. Especially the Year 5 girls in the front row with T-shirts and jeans wearing hats - who were not fully focused during practices but gave their best here during the concert.

My appreciation goes to :

- Shiebnaa - solo (One Small Child)

- Chloe - solo (Do You Hear)

- Brian, Nicolas, Komal & Ann (Single Line Solo - Do You Hear)

- Alessandra, Amanda, Shiebnaa, Chloe & Kristen (Backup Singers)

- Alessandra & Amanda (Tambourine)

- Roshini (Triangle)

- Daniel (Bass Guitar)

- Caitlyn (Conductor)

- Ms June (Teacher / Choir Assistant)

- and the rest!

- Thanks to Bryan for helping me video capture.

While waiting for the official video you can watch the singing which I have uploaded via the following links:

One Small Child

Do You Hear

Feliz Navidad

The aftermath..

That concert day was actually a very sad day for me. Not because of the small glitches, oh no. They all sang their best despite being exhausted. It was a sad day for me for the obvious reason that I would not be seeing them until next year when school reopens. Sadder because I won't be seeing my Year 6 friends whom I have worked closely with during the practice sessions. Suddenly, all life in school seem to come to a standstill. So quiet..

Hope I'll see them again..

Sad goodbye to my Year Six friends

2012-11-20T21:21:00.000+08:00

Where's the 'good' in GOODBYE? How does it benefit both parties? Rather, how can saying goodbye help, unless, of course, you really don't want to see that person again..

That is the reason I always bid someone 'bye' without the 'good'.

I've only been working as a teacher in Stella Maris primary school for five months. Just when I was getting to know Year 6 pupils a lot better, they have already gone off on year-end school holiday, and chances of seeing them again appears slim as they will be advancing into secondary school elsewhere. I can only cherish the good times (no bad times, thankfully) I have spent interacting with them and hope to see some of them soon. Good thing I've some encouraging words from some of them written in my journal - will talk about that later.

I don't actually teach Year 6 class but had the opportunity to teach songs to some of them who are enrolled in Bible Knowledge (or BK) classes. You see, we have a yearly concert usually held in November at the end of school term and I was assigned to guide the BK of Years 4-6 in presenting a concert item, with the help of another teacher, Ms June. That was when I got to know them better during the song practice. At first I was a little uncomfortable cos I wasn't sure what they would make of me, a new teacher, and how well they would accept me. But during the practice we did have fun, we laughed at our mistakes, and we did try and improve. After the first practice I was already looking forward to more as most of them were quite a matured bunch and they enjoyed the song practices. Heck, I was also enjoying their company!

Of course I also enjoyed the song practices we've had with Years 4 & 5 as well. But I just want to focus on Year 6 in this blog.

Over time, I have regarded them as friends, not just my pupils. Sure they've learned from me, but I've also learned some things from them too. I've learned that we can have a good time in school. I've learned that friendship means a lot to me as it is to them.

But I've also learned how heart-wrenching it can be to build friendship just to have it distancing from me at year's end and leaving behind the memories of a wonderful time amidst a very quiet and empty school, where I am still working with a skeleton staff till year end.

Well, I guess this is one thing I did not see coming. Thankfully, during the last week of school when Year 6 pupils went around asking friends and teachers to autograph their school magazines, I asked some of the Year 6 pupils to autograph my Starbucks journal. All of them, knowing that I am a new teacher recently out of the corporate working world, wrote very encouraging words and asked me to stay as a teacher in this school.

Sometimes when I feel lonely and a little discouraged in school I would open my Starbucks journal and read what they have written, and my heart would begin to power up once again. That is the stirring I feel in my heart. That's what friends are for - encouraging one another. I wish all my Year 6 friends the best that life has to offer!

Next year 2013 I will miss my Year 5 (going to year 6) friends..

It's A World Record!!

2012-08-28T18:04:00.000+08:00

I just read the headline in today's Google news from Bernama News:
World Record Of One Million Tweets Targeted On Malaysia's 55th Independence Day
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsindex.php?id=690309

and I was like, "Seriously!??"

I'm getting really, like really really irked with people being obsessed with hitting world record for this, world record for that... oh pleeze! Spare me the hot air balooning!

One question is all I ask - WHY do we find the need to prove our capabilities? Did anyone question our capabilities? Does the world undermine us? Have we been wrong countless times for us to decide that we have to prove to the world otherwise?

You know what I believe?
- I think we're in Malaysia have been, and are, doing just fine! In fact, we're doing just Great!!

And that's the real spirit!

Happy Mother's Day

2012-05-14T13:30:00.001+08:00

Tribute to all mothers, esp. my mum, and Mary, Mother of God.

Talk on Autism

2012-02-19T00:15:00.001+08:00

If you are a parent whose child is autistic, or if you know of anyone who has an autistic child, or even if you suspect your child may be autistic, and want to know how to identify the symptoms, then it would be very beneficial for you to attend a 2-day workshop where you can learn how to deal with autism. This workshop is conducted by Ruth S. Arunasalam who has vast experience in teaching students of all ages, from school going children to professional adults, and who is also specialized in autism.

I know Ruth in person as she is my current TESOL teacher whose motive in teaching is purely selfless and goes all out to make sure we all leave this course fully armed with all the training and knowledge to enter into the real world of teaching. In fact, I am already feeling more and more confident after every class, and I daresay I will be fully prepared to start teaching by the end of her class, which would be end February.

Please click on the picture for the advertisement which appeared in The Straits Times, Friday 17.02.2012:

What Season would that be??

2011-12-15T00:09:00.000+08:00

Today our M.D. issued a greeting to all staff via corporate email:

SEASON'S greetings
& Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

I pondered upon the greeting and, I wondered to myself, 'Now what Season would that be..hmm..?'

I know that Christmas is round the corner.. as does everybody; I also know that New Year follows a week later.. but 'Christmas' is not mentioned in the greeting. That the case, then his greeting wouldn't be a Christmas greeting! Cos if it's a Christmas greeting, surely it would be mentioned.

After all, what's in a word.. it's not like the word Christmas would offend anyone, or any group in particular, right? Or that the religious intonations attributed to the word Christmas is so feared and offensive to certain groups of people to cause our M.D. to be senselessly mindful of his choice of words? Nahh.. he is the M.D., mind you! Not any Tom, Dick and Harry can be MDs! It takes 'brain' to be one.. I mean, brain that really can function; not only a functioning one cos any chimpanzee's brain can also do just that, albeit with minimal effort. Really!

Or, could it be possible that our M.D. was politely advised, by his team of 3 corporate wisemen of the east, against using the word 'Christmas' because, in the modern world, 'Season' has been accepted as the appropriate substitute for what was once a religious event? Now I try not to concede to the idea that someone as highly regarded as our M.D. would subject his esteemed reputation to a compromising position and adopt his corporate advisors' recommendation to drop the word 'Christmas' from a 2,000 year old greeting, which the whole world, consisting of all types of races and religions, has known, for a fact, that the Chirstmas celebration is always greeted with "Merry Christmas"!

Naah! He is our M.D.!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

2011-09-05T01:26:00.000+08:00

It's so exciting that we can finally savor the delightful taste of cinnamon rolls, made right from home! I never knew it was that easy to make, and doesn't use so much ingredients. What's really good about it is the simple process of making them, doesn't require great effort or labor.

This is the dough which my wife prepared. It's got yeast in it, and once properly kneaded you've got to keep it covered with cloth for 20 minutes.

This is what 20 minutes yeast produce.

Place the dough on a table with flour spread on it, and start using the rolling pin, then apply butter throughout the surface before sprinkling the brown sugar and cinnamon powder.

Once rolled, start slicing them unto pieces,

and lay them on a baking tray.

After a preset time, Walla!

Start serving yourself a piece before your saliva gland runs out of juice..

Okay, I know I don't have a detailed recipe and instructions laid out, but then again, this is not a "How to make..", rather, "What I've enjoyed on a nice Sunday evening! Yummy!

Festival City

2011-09-05T00:54:00.002+08:00

When will Festival City shopping centre opens?

My guess is before this year-end. Can't wait. It looks more promising than Wangsa Walk which has got no department store, mostly food court and caters mainly to the female gender. The food outlets there are not even serving food worth the money spent.

This Festival City is located at the junction into Danau Kota from Jalan Genting Kelang. Clearly visible from the main road and keeps taunting the Setapak residents each passing moment!

Anchor tenants are Parkson, Econsave Supermarket and MBO Cinema. Other notable stores would be Yamaha Music, Popular Bookstore. You will also find Nando's, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Secret Recipe, Subway and The Chicken Rice Shop among many other food outlets. For the IT savvy there's a neat range of IT & Digital stores. For entertainment you'll have Superstar Karaoke.

For those with so much money to spend, "everyday is a celebration!"

Spykids 4

2011-08-23T00:45:00.000+08:00

It really wasn't my choice of movie but I had nothing else to do in the hot Monday afternoon so I thought I'd give it a shot. What a shot it had been - multiple pellets from a double barrel shotgun straight to my intellect!

I paid RM8 for the movie in Megalong, Dongongon, Sabah, and armed with a popcorn and a drink for another RM6.50 I hastily entered the cineplex hall expecting a good treat. Hey, wouldn't wanna miss Jessica Alba..

Before the actual movie got reeled out onto the screen we were introduced to a purportedly new 'sense'-sation technology - a smell card with 8 smell flavor. We were supposed to scratch on the allotted number when the number start flashing on the screen so we would experience a sense of being immersed in the scene. Well, the cards were not handed to us.

First minute into the movie and my intellect was already on the high speed cruise downhill. I understand the producers wanted the characters to be funny but attempting to be funny and at the same time maintaining the thrill and action seemed to be the missing ingredient throughout the whole movie.

Where are the mind blowing and awesome gadgets and the fast paced action that was what made the previous Spykids movies so successful? And what's with the overuse of the fart scenes? Even the kids characters are seen trying so hard to be adorable.

Even though Jessica Alba's the only reason for my sacrifice of RM14.50 it still doesn't compensate for the agony of having my intellect degrade over the hour and 20 minutes.

However, I would recommend it to all 7 years and below before they realize that they've been duped!