Category Archives: Other Articles

Kpops, K songs, K drama – anyone?

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Ask me about CN Blue, Super Junior, Lee Min Ho,  … I can have endless chat with you.

Talk to me about k drama – City Hunter, Heartstrings, Secret Garden … I can do a quick recap of the story for you immediately.

Need help which web to visit for the latest kpop news? Ask me – I have a few links in my favourite.

K songs? No problem …. Love Girl, Mr Simple, You Are So Beautiful, JoJo, Gee .. Just to name a few … Need the lyrics? Sure !

Amazing hah… Well, thanks to my 11 year-old Genzkid who is so ” in” to those k dramas, k songs and kpop that I have to keep myself up to-date so I can have common topic with him. Guess what, I am now so into these that I am enjoying myself too. Now, I’m even considering having my own k blog!

But most importantly, I am my Genzkid’s idol cos his mom is so “hip”!

Anyone out there like me to introduce some nice k drama?????

Graceful Society – Teach by Examples

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You were about to get into the lift, the door closed and the people inside just stared at you. It was like they were telling you, “too bad, you are too slow.”. Okay, you waited for the next lift and the lobby was soon crowded with people. The lift finally reached the ground level, zoom… people started rushing in.  The door was about to close before you managed to squeeze in. Phew … You looked around and realized that people were giving you dirty stare. “Why?” You wondered innocently.

The lift reached 4th level and those behind tried to squeeze through you. You gracefully moved aside and looked at the little boy standing in front of you – he didn’t press the “DO” button.  “Maybe he forgot” you thought.  “Would you mind holding on to the “DO” button?” you asked. Blank stare from the little boy, filthy stare from his mother standing next to him.  Most unwilling, the mother stretched out her hand and pressed the button. What’s wrong with my request?

Finally, the lift became less crowded.  The mother held her son’s hand and asked him to move to the back of the lift.  She whispered, “move back, if not the auntie will asked you to be the “door holder man” again”.  Was she referring to me ???

The lift reached the top level.  I being the nearest to the button pressed the “DO” button and suddenly I felt a gush of winds passing by. Oops … was everyone late for his appointment? The mother and son suddenly had supernaturally power – they whom were right at the back became 3rd to exit the lift.  Within seconds, my duty was done and I stepped out of the lift feeling relief.

Parents thinking of teaching your kids to be graceful with their acts? Errr.. think again … I seriously suggest we teach by examples.

Moral Education

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What had happened to the world today? The recent stabbing case, causing the death of a 19 year old Polytechnic student, by 4 youngsters (students & NS men) between the age of 19 and 21 at Downtown East, shocked me. Why are the youngsters so violent these days? Have they thought of the consequences when they did the act?

Two years later, my Z generation son would be officially be “classified” as a teenager and it naturally worried me as a mom, wondering whether he would be leading the right path.

He is following the news on this matter closely and we talked about it. I told him that the whole incident saddened me. For the boy who had died, their parents would be devastated. He was their only son! For the 4 suspects, they are at their prime age and I believe their parents are heartbroken and worried for their children. Which parents wouldn’t?

I wondered what would happen to the 4 suspects? Even if they are not facing the death penalty, they would be in jail. What would become of them after they are released from jail? Who should be responsible for this unfortunate incident? The society, the parents, the teachers or the kids themselves ?????

This incident keeps me pondering. Indeed, academic education is important; however moral education is important too. How we teach our children affect how they behave when they grow up. It would be too difficult to impart them with the right moral education when they reach their “teenage hood”, hence, it’s important for us, as a society, parents and teachers, to cultivate them with the right moral education when they are young.

The Z generation’s future are in our hand and let’s work together to ensure they grow up in the righteous way.

Article : Three men charged for Downtown East murder http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/11/03/three-men-charged-for-downtown-east-murder/

Myopia Control – The Atropine Eye Drops Therapy

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Myopia is getting more and common nowadays.  The eyes of the Z generation are always “working” – reading, watching TV, playing games.  The only time they rest, I suppose, would be when the kids are sleeping.

As such, it is not uncommon to see children (even toddlers) wearing spectacles today.  My son, a typical Z generation, worn his first pair of spectacles when he was 5 and the power just won’t stop going up (like the stock market).

When he was 7, I started actively to look for ways to control his myopia. By chance, his pediatrician introduced me to an optometrist who specialist in myopia prevention and control management.   After detailed examination of his eyes, the optometrist recommended that I tried the Atropine Eye Drops Therapy.  This therapy is commonly used by optometrist safely to treat eye conditions such as lazy eyes and squints; but for use in myopia control, it is still something new in Singapore, I was told then.  

With the optometrist’s advice and after due considerations, we decided to give it a try.  Every night before he sleeps, a single drop of atropine eye drop is instilled in each of his eyes.  His myopia has since stabilized for the past 2 years.   He sees the optometrist half yearly for review and for replenishment of his eye drops.

So far, the only side effect I’ve observed is the glariness from the sun when he is having his outdoor activities.  The solution? I have the optometrist wrote me a letter for the school to allow him wear transition lenses. 

Of course, eye care is still the most important thing; and do consult an optometrist if you are concern with your child’s myopia.

For information:

http://www.eyecare.com.sg/atropine.htm

http://www.eyespecialist.com.sg/mypoia.htm

Is My Child Gifted?

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It is common for parents to wonder if their children are gifted. 

There’s this little boy, aged 4, from my girl’s school.  He can read books that are meant for Primary 4 student.  Is that little boy gifted? I think so.  However, does it mean that he is “gifted“ in everything? I don’t think so.

I believe that all kids are special in their own way.  Even children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia could be “gifted” in their own way.  I know of a little girl who is dyslexic.  She is academically slow but extremely talented in photography.  When she takes photographs, she took them in a very “special” way.  For example, she would take a close snap of the checkers on the handbag instead of the hand bag itself.  The snap was so sharp that you can see even the finest details of the checkers. Is she talented? Yes, I think so too.

Kids may have different talents.  Some children are gifted in music, some in arts and some in sports.  It is important for us, as parents, to encourage them and help them develop these talents. Parents must realize that not all gifted children have the ability to do well academically. One child may show his giftedness in his study while the other might show his in performing arts and music.  

By the way, do you know that Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read?   So next time before you ponder if your child is gifted, remember not to limit yourself in the academic way, your child might have hidden talent you have yet discovered ;-)

Reading on Dyslexia:

http://www.squidoo.com/davisdyslexia

Reading on Theory of Multiple Intelligences:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_multiple_intelligences,

http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.php

Say “I Love You” …

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I was deeply saddened by the sudden news that my girlfriend, who was only 40 years old, passed away recently. There was never a sign of illness and her death due to cancer caught me by surprise. She was a wonderful person and left behind her, her husband and her beloved daughter. Her sudden departure makes me realized that life is so fragile. Indeed, who would know what will happen in the next minute, so to all those people out there, please cherish those around you while you can…. We never know “What’s Next!”

Life is so unpredictable, don’t you think so

You will never know what will happen tomorrow

Cherish your love ones while you can

For you will never know when they will leave you to be with the God

Say “I Love You” to those you love

It’s never a shy thing to do

Stop thoes cold wars and make peace with your love ones

Don’t wait till it’s too late to say “I’m sorry”

So to all my dearest out there

I love you …..

Andrew Matthews – Wisdom of Words

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I enjoyed the talk by Andrew Matthews during the recent Singapore Education Summit 2010.  In case you wondered who he is.  He is the international cartoonist, speaker & best-selling author of motivational and personal development books such as “Happiness Now”, “Follow Your Heart”.

This is what I’ve shared with my Genz Kid:

You can choose to be happy or misery.  Misery is a choice.  

 I took the opportunity to teach my Genz Kid that life is never fair.  You can choice to happy with what you have or misery with what you don’t have.  MISERY is a choice!

You are happier when you accomplished something. 

I asked my Genz Kid whether he felt good after obtaining good results for his mid year results, knowing that he had tried his best and put in his best effort.  He said yes!

Life is a circle of continuous challenges.  

My Genz Kid was bothered that his friend was not finding time to do the project they were supposed to complete during the June school holiday.  I told him that a person grows up when they faces challenges in life.  It’s when you know how to overcome these challenges that you find yourself wiser.  When you thought you have overcome one challenge, before you could rest your feet, you find yourself facing another challenge and this will go on and on ….  AND again, you can choice to face these challenges positively with an open heart or miserably.

Ability + Attitude + Strategy = SUCCESS

I told my Genz Kid that a person could be very smart, but without the right attitude and strategy, he can never be successful.  He may not be the smartest person in his class but if he learn from the mistakes and take failure positively, and with the right strategy, he will be successful.

Fun is when you are involved and participated, not watch

I asked my Genz Kid which is more fun, to watch your friend playing a scoccer game or you participate in the game.  He told me “PARTICIPATE”.  Yes, participate even if you are not the best in the game or even you have lost the game.  The more important thing is you have fun and enjoyed the game!

That’s all I have to share today.  If you have not read his book, I would urge you to read one.  I believe you will feel as enlighten as I do! 

And guess what, I’m going to get his “Being a Happy Tenn” for my Genz Kid.  Although he is not a teenage yet, I believe he will benefit a lot from the book.

Official website : http://www.andrewmatthews.com/

Also on facebook http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Matthews-Author/108867285809877

And this is from Andrew’s “Happiness Now”…. ENJOY!

 

Learn to Ride a Bicycle

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I have been wanting to teach my Genz Kid how to ride a bicycle but never succeed as he was too afraid to ride one without the training wheel. 

Last Sunday, we brought him a bicycle (with training wheels) as an early birthday present for him.  He was thrilled and was having fun with his new “toy” until yesterday, a few aunties laughed at him when they saw him riding the bicycle with training wheels.  He was embarrassed and felt a bit down.  I told him it was okay and the next time if someone makes fun of him because that, just tell them that you will remove the training wheel when you are ready. 

I recalled how I learnt to ride a bicycle when I was young.  In fact, my brothers & I were “trained” to ride a two-wheels bicycle when we were about 5 years old.  I remembered our parents just told us to get on the bikes, then they would push us for a short distance, let go their hands and off we go…  we fell down, cried a bit and then get up and try again ….  

Today, I done some research on the internet and found some useful information on “teaching your kids to ride a bicycle”.    I was surprised to note that our old way of learning to ride a bicycle is difficult and dangerous.  The more “friendly” way is to remove the paddle or put the paddle down a little so that your feet can touch the ground.   Let them go down a gentle slope….  Eventually, with practice, they will still learn how to ride a two-wheels bike but I think we should try to let the learning journey be as pleasant as possible.

Reading materials:

http://www.bikehash.freeservers.com/learn.html

http://www.ibike.org/education/teaching-kids.htm

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/teach-your-child-to-ride-a-bicycle-the-safe-way-to-learn-to-ride-840173.html

Experience is making me a better parent

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Affirmation To Be A Better Parent

Although I read many books in preparation for becoming a parent, experience is making me a better parent every day. The book of reality is my greatest teacher. I embrace my life lessons with humility.

Every day, I am gaining knowledge from the mistakes I make. Sometimes, things turn out differently than I hoped. I learn from those moments and apply their lessons to my future behavior.

I am humble enough to apologize to my children when I react in a manner that is inappropriate. My children are discovering that, although I am not perfect, I am someone worth imitating.

As the kids get older, I look back with clarity and see areas that I can strengthen. I offer my advice to younger parents who seek it. Sharing my experiences with others saves them from making the same mistakes I made.

Over time, I am becoming slower to anger and quicker to forgive. I have such a powerful inner sense of peace that I am able to overlook offenses, exercising patience with others.

I am learning that time goes by so fast that I must hold on to every moment I can. I live in the moment and enjoy my children just the way they are.

With experience comes the clarity to distinguish those things that are worth dwelling over and those which are best forgotten. Experience increases my ability to take life in stride without allowing anything to steal my joy.

Today, I choose to embrace the lessons that life teaches me and apply them to my future behavior.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What lesson have I learned from my children lately?
2. Am I slow to anger and quick to forgive?
3. How can I turn mistakes into powerful lessons?

Newspaper at your Fingertip

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This is brilliant!

Want to know what’s happening in the world? Well, here’s a useful link to the newspapers in the world.  You name it, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, they have it!

Just click on the country / city you wish to read the newspaper on and the newspaper headlines would pop out.

Now you can know what’s happening in other parts of the world at your fingertip.  Enjoy reading !

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/