After blogging about my experience on a mission trip last night, I was chatting with hubs and I did some thinking...
And it dawned on me that IT IS these experiences I had in MY LIFE that moulded me into what I am today.
The love for children and teaching started then.
Thinking forward, I'm reminded that our youths today may not have this opportunity to experience life in poverty.
They take everything for granted, assume that everything must be provided.
I hope that I can restart my engine into mission work again. And hopefully, in time to come, bring my son along to experience what I had experienced so many years back.
I think I'll take some time off in June 2011 and join my mum in Balai, Indonesia where they are doing mission work now, with weekly trips up to conduct lessons and interact with the children. Or Christmas 2011. :D
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Touched
Just last week, a very pretty lady added me on FB.
I had no clue who she was as the name was not familiar.
Then, I checked if we have any common friends and she's my brother's friend.
Weird.... because I know most of my brother's friends and I seriously do not remember this pretty lady!
Anyway, I added her to see who she was.
Browsing through her photos, I still could not figure out who she is.
Then, I came to her album labelled "Friendship Village".
The name was extremely familiar. I took a peek.
The background was awfully familiar.
The people in the photo were somewhat familiar.
Then, I saw a photo of a HOT SPRING. TADAH~!
I knew where it was. And I knew why it looked so familiar.
It's Thailand, Yala, Betong. A small village on the mountains near the borders of Thailand and Malaysia.
My first trip there was when I was 14. I went with my mum and some of her friends & my friends to do mission work. We played with the children, visited families, taught the children English, etc. The first time I was there, I felt like a little girl, tagging along with Mummy.
I remember clearly. The friendly smiles from the villagers, the warm welcomes and the wonderful homecooked food!!!
I was very shy on my first trip, and did not really interact much with the children there.
Then, my mum wanted my brother to go and take a trip there. And we organised another trip the following year. This time, my mum put all YOUTHS in the group and we only had 1 adult (she's actually considered youth cos she was only in her mid-20s). The rest of the group consisted of 15 - 18yos. I was the youngest in the group, but my mum said that they all had to listen to me. Why? I was the only one who went up there before. [Finally! A chance to control all the big boys who always bullied me!]
The journey up to Southern Thailand, Hatyai was not easy. I recall taking a coach from Singapore's Beach Road. Then, we travelled through Msia, stopping atAlor Setar (sorry, there's a mistake!) BUTTERWORTH (near Penang) to change into TAXIs to bring up to Hatyai. But we did stop at Alor Setar for breakfast & fuel. Scary experience with rains and the windy roads.
Once in Hatyai, we had to find our way to the travel agency to wait for our contact person from the village. I was the only person in the entire group that recognised him! Tired and sleepy, I had no choice but to shoo the big boys into the travel agency while I stood outside keeping a lookout for our contact guy. Due to miscommunication, he only found us after 3 hours. He went to the wrong travel agency. -___"-
The journey up in a beat up pickup truck took 6 hours. Along the way, I must have wasted at least a dozen plastic bags from all the puking. The big brothers in the trip were nice and ensured I was hydrated (but I hated them for treating me like a baby).
Once we've reached, the big boys (my brother and his friends) were 'lost'. They did not know what to do and where to go. This little sister had to bring them to the 'house' and show them to their room, teach them how to use the toilet (no flush) and show them how to boil their bath water if they wanted a warm shower.
I remember teasing them about being the big boys but needing their little sister to look after them.
When I brought them out to meet the kids for the first time, they could not communicate with them. After my first trip up, I picked up some basic Thai while staying in the village and took up Thai lessons while in SG. It helped alot. The kids started to warm up and some of the older kids could speak Chinese.
We got very close and attached to the kids in a week, and we cried like mad when we had to leave.
I remember the nights we spent, sitting under the moon with the kids, telling them stories about Singapore.
I remember the yummy local treats the kids bought for us after school, on their way home (can't find them in Thai eateries in SG).
I remember the songs we taught them, and they songs they taught us.
I remember boiling eggs with the kids at the hot spring.
I remember eating half boiled eggs right off the shell.
I remember how the infants and toddlers were simply left in cardboard boxes with a blankie to entertain themselves while their parents were working.
I remember how the kids had motorbikes and brought us out on joyrides.I remember sitting at the only 'restaurant' in the village which was built on a stream and watching waste material go down the stream.
I remember how the kids caught a giant spider in the guy's toilet without bating an eyelid.
Anyway, the funny story about the SPIDER....
One of the guys was taking a shower in the toilet.
Then, suddenly, a HUGE spider (the size of an adult palm with fingers included) appeared on the wall of the toilet.
The poor guy RAN OUT of the toilet (I think he remembered to grab the towel to cover the vital parts) SCREAMING!!!!
And the kids came to 'save us' by catching the spider with their bare hands and simply letting it go outside the house.
What an experience!!
It was really a great experience being there, changing the kids' lives.
And they really changed my life too.
That trip taught the big boys to show me some respect as a leader.
And it showed me that when given the right opportunities, anyone can rise up to be a leader.
Then, when I was 16, I met my hubs and 'went steady' with him.
After my O levels, I decided that I wanted to meet the kids again.
This time, it was more of a family trip.
My mum and dad, my sis and I and my hubs (at tt time - BF).
My hubs loved the kids and cried when we had to leave - THIS MAN IS A KEEPER.
And now, seeing this pretty lady on FB, I went to dig out my old photos.
That small little girl we had so much fun with,
blossoming into a pretty young lady with a bright future.
The kids are mostly in uni now...
And I feel so proud of them!
Breaking the cycle of poverty by studying hard like we told them to...
If only our local kids can understand the hardships other face to even get a chance to study...
They may appreciate what they have even more...
I am really grateful that my mum invited me there...
To experience what it's like to be blessed in a different way...
To understand that what we have in SG is really alot more than we can ask for...
And I'm thankful to the kids who touched our lives...
I wouldn't have known the soft side of my hubs if not for them... :D
Will blog about another trip to an orphanage in another part of Thailand when I was 17yo :D
I had no clue who she was as the name was not familiar.
Then, I checked if we have any common friends and she's my brother's friend.
Weird.... because I know most of my brother's friends and I seriously do not remember this pretty lady!
Anyway, I added her to see who she was.
Browsing through her photos, I still could not figure out who she is.
Then, I came to her album labelled "Friendship Village".
The name was extremely familiar. I took a peek.
The background was awfully familiar.
The people in the photo were somewhat familiar.
Then, I saw a photo of a HOT SPRING. TADAH~!
I knew where it was. And I knew why it looked so familiar.
It's Thailand, Yala, Betong. A small village on the mountains near the borders of Thailand and Malaysia.
My first trip there was when I was 14. I went with my mum and some of her friends & my friends to do mission work. We played with the children, visited families, taught the children English, etc. The first time I was there, I felt like a little girl, tagging along with Mummy.
I remember clearly. The friendly smiles from the villagers, the warm welcomes and the wonderful homecooked food!!!
I was very shy on my first trip, and did not really interact much with the children there.
Then, my mum wanted my brother to go and take a trip there. And we organised another trip the following year. This time, my mum put all YOUTHS in the group and we only had 1 adult (she's actually considered youth cos she was only in her mid-20s). The rest of the group consisted of 15 - 18yos. I was the youngest in the group, but my mum said that they all had to listen to me. Why? I was the only one who went up there before. [Finally! A chance to control all the big boys who always bullied me!]
The journey up to Southern Thailand, Hatyai was not easy. I recall taking a coach from Singapore's Beach Road. Then, we travelled through Msia, stopping at
Once in Hatyai, we had to find our way to the travel agency to wait for our contact person from the village. I was the only person in the entire group that recognised him! Tired and sleepy, I had no choice but to shoo the big boys into the travel agency while I stood outside keeping a lookout for our contact guy. Due to miscommunication, he only found us after 3 hours. He went to the wrong travel agency. -___"-
The journey up in a beat up pickup truck took 6 hours. Along the way, I must have wasted at least a dozen plastic bags from all the puking. The big brothers in the trip were nice and ensured I was hydrated (but I hated them for treating me like a baby).
Once we've reached, the big boys (my brother and his friends) were 'lost'. They did not know what to do and where to go. This little sister had to bring them to the 'house' and show them to their room, teach them how to use the toilet (no flush) and show them how to boil their bath water if they wanted a warm shower.
I remember teasing them about being the big boys but needing their little sister to look after them.
When I brought them out to meet the kids for the first time, they could not communicate with them. After my first trip up, I picked up some basic Thai while staying in the village and took up Thai lessons while in SG. It helped alot. The kids started to warm up and some of the older kids could speak Chinese.
We got very close and attached to the kids in a week, and we cried like mad when we had to leave.
I remember the nights we spent, sitting under the moon with the kids, telling them stories about Singapore.
I remember the yummy local treats the kids bought for us after school, on their way home (can't find them in Thai eateries in SG).
I remember the songs we taught them, and they songs they taught us.
I remember boiling eggs with the kids at the hot spring.
I remember eating half boiled eggs right off the shell.
I remember how the infants and toddlers were simply left in cardboard boxes with a blankie to entertain themselves while their parents were working.
I remember how the kids had motorbikes and brought us out on joyrides.I remember sitting at the only 'restaurant' in the village which was built on a stream and watching waste material go down the stream.
I remember how the kids caught a giant spider in the guy's toilet without bating an eyelid.
Anyway, the funny story about the SPIDER....
One of the guys was taking a shower in the toilet.
Then, suddenly, a HUGE spider (the size of an adult palm with fingers included) appeared on the wall of the toilet.
The poor guy RAN OUT of the toilet (I think he remembered to grab the towel to cover the vital parts) SCREAMING!!!!
And the kids came to 'save us' by catching the spider with their bare hands and simply letting it go outside the house.
What an experience!!
It was really a great experience being there, changing the kids' lives.
And they really changed my life too.
That trip taught the big boys to show me some respect as a leader.
And it showed me that when given the right opportunities, anyone can rise up to be a leader.
Then, when I was 16, I met my hubs and 'went steady' with him.
After my O levels, I decided that I wanted to meet the kids again.
This time, it was more of a family trip.
My mum and dad, my sis and I and my hubs (at tt time - BF).
My hubs loved the kids and cried when we had to leave - THIS MAN IS A KEEPER.
And now, seeing this pretty lady on FB, I went to dig out my old photos.
That small little girl we had so much fun with,
blossoming into a pretty young lady with a bright future.
The kids are mostly in uni now...
And I feel so proud of them!
Breaking the cycle of poverty by studying hard like we told them to...
If only our local kids can understand the hardships other face to even get a chance to study...
They may appreciate what they have even more...
I am really grateful that my mum invited me there...
To experience what it's like to be blessed in a different way...
To understand that what we have in SG is really alot more than we can ask for...
And I'm thankful to the kids who touched our lives...
I wouldn't have known the soft side of my hubs if not for them... :D
Will blog about another trip to an orphanage in another part of Thailand when I was 17yo :D
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
iHerb.com is having FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING this month!!!
For those who have read my posts on supplements, you will know that I'm an ardent fan of http://www.iherb.com/.
Simply because their products are cheaper than in SG or other online stores and they ship direct to SG!
And the best part for November, they have a FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING promo!
There's T&C though...
Don't forget to get US$5 off your order if it's your first time ordering!
Use discount code YAF688.
All you need is your credit card (they accept local credit & debit cards)
More goodies to recommend!
FOR KIDS/STUDENTS:
- American Ginseng pills to increase concentration and mental calmness. Good for students preparing for exams.
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Answer-American-Ginseng-Root-90-Veggie-Caps/8358?at=0
- Black Elderberry (Sambucol). To boost immune system. Prevents children from falling ill easily. Aids in quick recovery for flu. (Adult version available too)
http://www.iherb.com/Sambucol-Black-Elderberry-Immune-System-Support-Liquid-For-Kids-Berry-Flavored-4-fl-oz-120-ml/16697?at=0
- For kids who hate veges/fruits! Power packed nutrients (better than artificial multi vits).
http://www.iherb.com/Amazing-Grass-Kidz-SuperFood-Wild-Berry-Flavor-6-5-oz/18227?at=0
- Chewable BRAIN FOOD (fish oil)
http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-For-Kids-Chewable-DHA-Bursting-Orange-Flavor-120-Soft-Gels/13109?at=0
*** This product is regularly tested (using AOAC international protocols) for freshness, potency and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory and has been determined to be fresh, fully-potent and free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCBs and 28 other contaminants.
- ORGANIC LOLLIPOPS/SWEETS! What can be better than rewarding your children with something they like, made from organic fruit juices?
http://www.iherb.com/Yummy-Earth-Organic-Lollipops-50-Pops/10888?at=0
Links back to the other products I've recommended:
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/11/links-back-to-nutrition-health.html
Simply because their products are cheaper than in SG or other online stores and they ship direct to SG!
And the best part for November, they have a FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING promo!
There's T&C though...
International Airmail: Free for orders over $40.00!
(Make sure your order total is $40.00 or more to see the extra savings. This shipping method is limited to orders with a value of up to $80.00 and 3 pounds (1360 grams) of weight)
Don't forget to get US$5 off your order if it's your first time ordering!
Use discount code YAF688.
All you need is your credit card (they accept local credit & debit cards)
More goodies to recommend!
FOR KIDS/STUDENTS:
- American Ginseng pills to increase concentration and mental calmness. Good for students preparing for exams.
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Answer-American-Ginseng-Root-90-Veggie-Caps/8358?at=0
- Black Elderberry (Sambucol). To boost immune system. Prevents children from falling ill easily. Aids in quick recovery for flu. (Adult version available too)
http://www.iherb.com/Sambucol-Black-Elderberry-Immune-System-Support-Liquid-For-Kids-Berry-Flavored-4-fl-oz-120-ml/16697?at=0
- For kids who hate veges/fruits! Power packed nutrients (better than artificial multi vits).
http://www.iherb.com/Amazing-Grass-Kidz-SuperFood-Wild-Berry-Flavor-6-5-oz/18227?at=0
- Chewable BRAIN FOOD (fish oil)
http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-For-Kids-Chewable-DHA-Bursting-Orange-Flavor-120-Soft-Gels/13109?at=0
*** This product is regularly tested (using AOAC international protocols) for freshness, potency and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory and has been determined to be fresh, fully-potent and free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCBs and 28 other contaminants.
- ORGANIC LOLLIPOPS/SWEETS! What can be better than rewarding your children with something they like, made from organic fruit juices?
http://www.iherb.com/Yummy-Earth-Organic-Lollipops-50-Pops/10888?at=0
Links back to the other products I've recommended:
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/11/links-back-to-nutrition-health.html
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Using Word Games to Create Compos
We did a word association game and got the following words:
banana -> boat -> fishing -> seafood -> eat -> stomach -> pain -> toilet -> waste -> disgusting -> vomit -> doctor -> clinic -> hospital -> sick -> medicine -> recover -> discharge -> home -> rest -> wake up -> sleepy -> wash face -> eat medicine -> water -> television -> boring -> computer -> nothing to play -> read -> shopping -> buy healthy food -> change diet
And we created a compo based on the above key words (P4 class):
Plates of all sizes were on our table. The mouth-watering dishes in front of us excited all at our table, except me. What was supposed to be wafts of hungry-inducing foods created an aching feeling in my stomach. It all happened just a month ago…
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Michelle! Happy birthday to you!” sang my family as we gathered at a seafood restaurant at East Coast Park to celebrate my birthday. My parents brought my cousins and me to East Coast Park earlier in the day to enjoy some water sports. We canoed and took turns to ride on a jet ski. We also played on a ride called the ‘Banana Boat’ which was actually a float that resembled a banana.
With a grin on my face, I blew out the ten candles on my cake and we proceeded to have dinner. My aunts and uncles went fishing while we were enjoying ourselves and the spread of tantalizing food on the table was the product of their trip. The piping hot dishes were too tempting to resist. I tucked into them with gusto and ate till my heart’s content.
After the meal, we took a stroll in the park in the cool evening breeze and pale moonlight. Suddenly, pain gripped me. A sharp pain in my lower abdomen caught me by surprise. I doubled over in pain, and my parents ran to my aid. I started vomiting and felt like I needed the toilet badly. Soon, all I wished for was to stay in the toilet indefinitely.
My parents got worried and rushed me to the nearest clinic. The doctor examined me and advised my parents to bring me to the nearest hospital instead. Within minutes, I found myself on a hospital bed, being wheeled into a consultation room with a kind doctor. I was immediately given an injection and some oral medication. The medicine tasted horribly bitter, I gulped a lot of water to swallow them quickly. I wanted to spit them out but I knew that they were for me to recover. I took the bitter pills and drifted off to sleep.
When I awoke, I felt much better. My parents had spent the night with me at my bedside and looked tired. I gently nudged them to wake them and asked them to freshen up. The doctor came to review my case and declared that it was food poisoning. My cousins also had the runs but they only needed some medication. I was discharged and went home.
Back home, my mum fussed over me like a baby and cooked some healthy food for me. My dad went to the supermarket to shop for healthy food so that my stomach can recover. I was very bored as there was nothing much to do at home except to watch television programs, play computer games and read. I felt bad to fall ill, and it felt worse to be stuck at home while recovering.
Once bitten, twice shy. I got wary of scrumptious meals from then on.
banana -> boat -> fishing -> seafood -> eat -> stomach -> pain -> toilet -> waste -> disgusting -> vomit -> doctor -> clinic -> hospital -> sick -> medicine -> recover -> discharge -> home -> rest -> wake up -> sleepy -> wash face -> eat medicine -> water -> television -> boring -> computer -> nothing to play -> read -> shopping -> buy healthy food -> change diet
And we created a compo based on the above key words (P4 class):
Plates of all sizes were on our table. The mouth-watering dishes in front of us excited all at our table, except me. What was supposed to be wafts of hungry-inducing foods created an aching feeling in my stomach. It all happened just a month ago…
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Michelle! Happy birthday to you!” sang my family as we gathered at a seafood restaurant at East Coast Park to celebrate my birthday. My parents brought my cousins and me to East Coast Park earlier in the day to enjoy some water sports. We canoed and took turns to ride on a jet ski. We also played on a ride called the ‘Banana Boat’ which was actually a float that resembled a banana.
With a grin on my face, I blew out the ten candles on my cake and we proceeded to have dinner. My aunts and uncles went fishing while we were enjoying ourselves and the spread of tantalizing food on the table was the product of their trip. The piping hot dishes were too tempting to resist. I tucked into them with gusto and ate till my heart’s content.
After the meal, we took a stroll in the park in the cool evening breeze and pale moonlight. Suddenly, pain gripped me. A sharp pain in my lower abdomen caught me by surprise. I doubled over in pain, and my parents ran to my aid. I started vomiting and felt like I needed the toilet badly. Soon, all I wished for was to stay in the toilet indefinitely.
My parents got worried and rushed me to the nearest clinic. The doctor examined me and advised my parents to bring me to the nearest hospital instead. Within minutes, I found myself on a hospital bed, being wheeled into a consultation room with a kind doctor. I was immediately given an injection and some oral medication. The medicine tasted horribly bitter, I gulped a lot of water to swallow them quickly. I wanted to spit them out but I knew that they were for me to recover. I took the bitter pills and drifted off to sleep.
When I awoke, I felt much better. My parents had spent the night with me at my bedside and looked tired. I gently nudged them to wake them and asked them to freshen up. The doctor came to review my case and declared that it was food poisoning. My cousins also had the runs but they only needed some medication. I was discharged and went home.
Back home, my mum fussed over me like a baby and cooked some healthy food for me. My dad went to the supermarket to shop for healthy food so that my stomach can recover. I was very bored as there was nothing much to do at home except to watch television programs, play computer games and read. I felt bad to fall ill, and it felt worse to be stuck at home while recovering.
Once bitten, twice shy. I got wary of scrumptious meals from then on.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Links back to Nutrition & Health
Recently received many emails and phone calls/SMSes regarding the above topics. Seems like my old posts got 'lost'.
Reposting the links here:
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/supplements-health-food-healthy-diet.html
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/nature-vs-nurture.html
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/skin-problems-organic-skincare-to.html
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/toothpaste-for-infants-and-toddlers.html
Reposting the links here:
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/supplements-health-food-healthy-diet.html
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/nature-vs-nurture.html
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/skin-problems-organic-skincare-to.html
http://thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/toothpaste-for-infants-and-toddlers.html
For the first time in many many many years...
I was the parent, not the teacher, at a Meet The Parents session.
My son's preschool had a MTP session yesterday. I sort of expected what the teachers might say, but what was told to me was pleasantly surprising.
1. I expected him to be a monkey in class, like he is at home.
The English/Maths teacher said that he behaves very well, sitting quietly and listening attentively to lessons. Likes to join in group activities and has learnt to wait for his turn without fussing.
2. I expected him to not speak or read Chinese.
The Chinese teacher said that he can read many words given the right environment. And when playing games, she deliberately gives him tougher games and he was still able to get the right answers.
Really surprised that he has been a good boy at school. :)
Brought him out for a reward yesterday.
However, the teachers did mention certain things to be improved:
1. He does not like to play/socialise with the other kids his age. He prefers older kids.
2. He can get quite rough with the smaller size kids.
I guess the first point is due to communication. After watching him with some friends yesterday, I realised that he is very advanced in his speech and articulation of his thoughts for his age (never occurred to us before as we seldom have the opportunity to see him with peers his age). As such, he expects his peers to start conversations with him but they don't. However, with his school bus friends who are older, they chat and play like they had known each other since birth. Similarly with my friend's kid who is older than him, they are like best friends when we bring them out together to the zoo or Universal Studios.
Is this the pitfall of being too advanced? Even the English/Maths teacher commented that he speaks better than all the kids his age but he does not like to interact with them. Hopefully this problem will be solved by the time his peers catch up and can start meaningful conversations with him.
Really enjoyed speaking to his teachers because they really know him and understand him. And of course, the Chinese teacher made me rather happy by telling me that she can see that we have put in alot of effort into disciplining him and teaching him at home because he's different from the other preschoolers she has taught all these years. Happy to have a fellow teacher recognise my efforts as a mother. :)
My son's preschool had a MTP session yesterday. I sort of expected what the teachers might say, but what was told to me was pleasantly surprising.
1. I expected him to be a monkey in class, like he is at home.
The English/Maths teacher said that he behaves very well, sitting quietly and listening attentively to lessons. Likes to join in group activities and has learnt to wait for his turn without fussing.
2. I expected him to not speak or read Chinese.
The Chinese teacher said that he can read many words given the right environment. And when playing games, she deliberately gives him tougher games and he was still able to get the right answers.
Really surprised that he has been a good boy at school. :)
Brought him out for a reward yesterday.
However, the teachers did mention certain things to be improved:
1. He does not like to play/socialise with the other kids his age. He prefers older kids.
2. He can get quite rough with the smaller size kids.
I guess the first point is due to communication. After watching him with some friends yesterday, I realised that he is very advanced in his speech and articulation of his thoughts for his age (never occurred to us before as we seldom have the opportunity to see him with peers his age). As such, he expects his peers to start conversations with him but they don't. However, with his school bus friends who are older, they chat and play like they had known each other since birth. Similarly with my friend's kid who is older than him, they are like best friends when we bring them out together to the zoo or Universal Studios.
Is this the pitfall of being too advanced? Even the English/Maths teacher commented that he speaks better than all the kids his age but he does not like to interact with them. Hopefully this problem will be solved by the time his peers catch up and can start meaningful conversations with him.
Really enjoyed speaking to his teachers because they really know him and understand him. And of course, the Chinese teacher made me rather happy by telling me that she can see that we have put in alot of effort into disciplining him and teaching him at home because he's different from the other preschoolers she has taught all these years. Happy to have a fellow teacher recognise my efforts as a mother. :)
Saturday, November 6, 2010
My encounter with another tutor at Popular Bookstore
I was at Popular yesterday to purchase some books for the new classes which are going to start.
Armed with my shopping list, I darted around Popular with ease, taking the books I needed and placing them in a basket on the floor near the cashier (with my maid tending to it).
Then, an old gentleman saw my pile of books and asked my maid,"Wow! So many books? You have many children?"
My maid simply smiled and looked at me for help. I quickly went over and started a polite conversation with this curious old man. He was browsing some P2 Maths assessment books.
Me: I'm a tutor, these are for my students.
Him: Why don't you wait till end of the month when they will have 20% discount?
Me: My classes are starting soon, I can't afford to wait.
Him: Oh, you have many students?
Me: I teach a few group classes, so it adds up to quite a number of them.
Him: Recently the syllabus is very tough, ya? [Proceeds to show me a heuristic question from a P2 Maths books. It is actually a simple number bond question.]
Me: Actually, these are very common questions. Most of my P2 students are able to handle such questions.
Him: So can you tell me how to solve this question? Explain to me. [In a rather demanding tone.]
Me: [Pointing with my finger at the question.] This and this makes this. You need to add these two numbers to get this answer.
Him: Wow! That is how to solve it? And your students can do it? Means they must be very smart. You only teach students from top schools?
Me: No, I have students coming from all sorts of schools.
Him: You mean you don't screen and choose students? You take whoever that comes to you?
Me: Yes, am I suppose to reject students? I thought the purpose of tutoring is to help students?
Him: I thought that since you students are so smart to solve this type of questions, they should be very smart and you accepted the students selectively.
Me: Oh, I don't do that. Anyway, nice chatting with you. I need to go off as my husband is waiting at the carpark.
Him: [Seems to ignore what I just said.] Since you are a tutor too, you should consider these books. Very good. I've been using them for 10 over years. [Points to Problem Solving Processes - which was only released late last year and some of Andrew Er's books - which were only published in 2004.]
Me: Oh, I've tried some of these [referring to Andrew Er's books], it's not very suitable as it does not go topic by topic and students can't finish the books just before exams.
Him: Is it? I've been using these to teach for 10 over years! No problems!
Me: Maybe it's suitable for individual tuition, but not for me.
Him: [Continues to babble on...]
Me: So sorry, sir. I really need to go. Nice chatting with you.
BTW, many parents overheard our conversation and came to ask for namecard from me. Sad to say, I don't carry namecards with me but I gave them my contact number.
Several question came to my mind:
1. This man is really old. He looks like he is in his 70s. I'm not saying that old people can't be tutors, but based on what he said, it seems like he does not know the current syllabus well. And, he could not even solve the number bond question (he was staring at it for very long before he noticed my pile of books). I'm just appalled at how these people can call themselves tutors! No wonder parents are so antsy about hiring tutors because they won't know if they are getting someone who is unable to even solve P2 number bond questions!
2. Reminds me of another tutor who was canvassing for students at an online forum. He actually questioned me on my mathematical workings and explanation (which I helped another mummy with). And he could not understand the model method (it was a P3 question). Then, in another thread which another parent was asking for help on a maths question, he posted that if anyone needed help with maths questions, can email to him. However, in the third related thread, he actually asked me to email him because he got some maths questions for me to solve. So, what is he trying to do? He ask parents to email him questions, then he email them to me for answers, and reply the parents with my answers which he will claim is his? This is highly unprofessional! To make use of others to gain the trust of parents so that they will hire him as their kid's tutor! And when I exposed him, he simply disappeared from the forum.
No wonder parents now are so anxious about tutors. In the past, I've never encountered parents who wanted to meet me before deciding if they wanted trial lessons. When I first encountered it this year, I was quite taken aback. Now, I start to understand how these parents feel (especially after a few unprofessional tutors who came to teach my boy Chinese too).
Now, I welcome parents to come down for a chat. However, due to my busy schedule, time seems like it's never enough. I would love to speak to parents in detail about their child's weaknesses and what parents can do at home to help boost their child's learning. Hopefully, when 2011 starts, I will have more time with the new schedule. :D
Armed with my shopping list, I darted around Popular with ease, taking the books I needed and placing them in a basket on the floor near the cashier (with my maid tending to it).
Then, an old gentleman saw my pile of books and asked my maid,"Wow! So many books? You have many children?"
My maid simply smiled and looked at me for help. I quickly went over and started a polite conversation with this curious old man. He was browsing some P2 Maths assessment books.
Me: I'm a tutor, these are for my students.
Him: Why don't you wait till end of the month when they will have 20% discount?
Me: My classes are starting soon, I can't afford to wait.
Him: Oh, you have many students?
Me: I teach a few group classes, so it adds up to quite a number of them.
Him: Recently the syllabus is very tough, ya? [Proceeds to show me a heuristic question from a P2 Maths books. It is actually a simple number bond question.]
Me: Actually, these are very common questions. Most of my P2 students are able to handle such questions.
Him: So can you tell me how to solve this question? Explain to me. [In a rather demanding tone.]
Me: [Pointing with my finger at the question.] This and this makes this. You need to add these two numbers to get this answer.
Him: Wow! That is how to solve it? And your students can do it? Means they must be very smart. You only teach students from top schools?
Me: No, I have students coming from all sorts of schools.
Him: You mean you don't screen and choose students? You take whoever that comes to you?
Me: Yes, am I suppose to reject students? I thought the purpose of tutoring is to help students?
Him: I thought that since you students are so smart to solve this type of questions, they should be very smart and you accepted the students selectively.
Me: Oh, I don't do that. Anyway, nice chatting with you. I need to go off as my husband is waiting at the carpark.
Him: [Seems to ignore what I just said.] Since you are a tutor too, you should consider these books. Very good. I've been using them for 10 over years. [Points to Problem Solving Processes - which was only released late last year and some of Andrew Er's books - which were only published in 2004.]
Me: Oh, I've tried some of these [referring to Andrew Er's books], it's not very suitable as it does not go topic by topic and students can't finish the books just before exams.
Him: Is it? I've been using these to teach for 10 over years! No problems!
Me: Maybe it's suitable for individual tuition, but not for me.
Him: [Continues to babble on...]
Me: So sorry, sir. I really need to go. Nice chatting with you.
BTW, many parents overheard our conversation and came to ask for namecard from me. Sad to say, I don't carry namecards with me but I gave them my contact number.
Several question came to my mind:
1. This man is really old. He looks like he is in his 70s. I'm not saying that old people can't be tutors, but based on what he said, it seems like he does not know the current syllabus well. And, he could not even solve the number bond question (he was staring at it for very long before he noticed my pile of books). I'm just appalled at how these people can call themselves tutors! No wonder parents are so antsy about hiring tutors because they won't know if they are getting someone who is unable to even solve P2 number bond questions!
2. Reminds me of another tutor who was canvassing for students at an online forum. He actually questioned me on my mathematical workings and explanation (which I helped another mummy with). And he could not understand the model method (it was a P3 question). Then, in another thread which another parent was asking for help on a maths question, he posted that if anyone needed help with maths questions, can email to him. However, in the third related thread, he actually asked me to email him because he got some maths questions for me to solve. So, what is he trying to do? He ask parents to email him questions, then he email them to me for answers, and reply the parents with my answers which he will claim is his? This is highly unprofessional! To make use of others to gain the trust of parents so that they will hire him as their kid's tutor! And when I exposed him, he simply disappeared from the forum.
No wonder parents now are so anxious about tutors. In the past, I've never encountered parents who wanted to meet me before deciding if they wanted trial lessons. When I first encountered it this year, I was quite taken aback. Now, I start to understand how these parents feel (especially after a few unprofessional tutors who came to teach my boy Chinese too).
Now, I welcome parents to come down for a chat. However, due to my busy schedule, time seems like it's never enough. I would love to speak to parents in detail about their child's weaknesses and what parents can do at home to help boost their child's learning. Hopefully, when 2011 starts, I will have more time with the new schedule. :D
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