if a child ....

Something to share =)

If a child lives with critism, he learns to condemn
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself
If a child lives with acceptance & friendship, he learns to find love in the world

~~ Dororthy Nolte ~~

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and poin the finger less.
I would do less corrrecting and make more connecting.
I'd take my eyes of my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes &fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more huggung and less tugging
I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more
I'd teach less about the love of power,
and more about the power of love.

~~ Diane Loomans~~

one frenzy shopper at KL International Book Fair 2010 PWTC

Visitors at the KL International Book Fair 2010 at PWTC must have caught a glimpse of a crazy shopper these 2 days (yesterday & today).

She has been walking around lugging bags & bags of books with her ... with her dishelved hair. She's walking around scanning for best deals.

I managed to get hold of her and got a 1st hand info on her purchases ...

imagine she managed to grab these amount of books over a span of 2 days ... 2nd day with the help of a colleague (thanks Yong!)

plastic bag 1 : 24 x RM1 each storybook (including Lady Bird series and other hardcover series)

Total bag 1: RM24

plastic bag 2 : 1 pack of 'colour me with science' & 'I love science' series books - RM10 per pack of 10 books.

total bag 2 : RM10 x 2 = RM20

Plastic bag 3 : from left, the 4 chemistry, bio, physic & science illustrated = RM6.

What to expect series = RM24.90 x 2 =RM49.80. (actual price about RM50 per book)

Element of Education Success, Picking cherries from stock market, The burning desire in life & Chinese Festivals cost RM2 each = RM2 x 4 = RM8

the english & science preschool workbook cost RM0.50 each = RM0.50 x 5 = RM2.50

the remaining 3 books next to what to expect = RM10 + RM8 + free = RM18

plastic bag 4 : flash cards. mostly is RM20 for 3 boxes. So altogether about RM90

plastic bag 5 : past issues of 'Pa & Ma' .... a magazine I grow to like & has been waiting for chance to buy past issues. RM4.50 x 10 = RM45

So her total spending = RM24 + RM20 + RM49.80 + RM8 + RM2.50 + RM18 + RM90 + RM45 = RM257.30

But she seem to be beaming with happy smile ... she says she has no regret.

In fact she has got herself very great deals ... value for money ... imagine RM1 for a hardcover story book?

at the same time can use for income tax deduction too! she added

**********************************************************************************************

ps. oh! remember those 'Siri tiga penyiasat' / ' Lima sekawan' / 'Siri Hadi Boys' / 'Nancy Drew' which we used to like during primary school .... they are selling these at RM0.50 per book.

I've thought of buying some for the children at orphanage but I can't carry anymore weight than I'm able to so I forego the idea .... unless any of you can offer to come along to help carry?

**********************************************************************************************

doesn't mean ...

there's something I see today that I think I need to write about because I 'boh song'.

I was at the KL International Book Fair at PWTC this evening after work. Can get some very good deals (but that's beside the point).
At one of the booth, I saw a Malay lady (a mother I suppose) browsing through collection of Peter & Jane (hardcover story books like Ladybird series) ---> you know those collection with different level from level 1 - level 10.
It was written very clearly on the rack that there will be 30% discount on all Peter & Jane series and the price shown is before discount. The price tag shows RM9.90. A simple calculation will show that the book cost about RM7 each after discount.

This lady took a book, walk up to an Indian man (not sure a temporary worker/permanent worker who's neatly dressed) and tidying up books and asked him "how much is this?" in a very rude manner.
The worker didn't reply (as in speak) but point to the discount tag on the rack instead.
The lady got angry and raise her voice "you don't know is it? no use".
She then took the book and stormed to the counter & I presume to check the price with a manager (perhaps).

Seeing that I was dumbfounded by the whole episode, the worker looked at me & signalled to me that he couldn't speak.
At that point of time, I feel bad.
I just smile and nodded my head to acknowledge him.

All I want to say with this incident is :

1. I applaud this company who is not biased towards less privileged people - at least this company give them a chance to earn a living.

2. I do not agree with the lady's attitude.
Firstly, it was very clear on the discount given & that the prices shown are before discount. Secondly, even if the worker doesn't tell you verbally the price, he did attempt to show you. Thirdly, even if the worker doesn't reply to you, you have no rights to raise your voice and call another person no use (what more a less privilege person).
Forthly, you maybe a more educated person whose children read 'Peter & Jane' series but that doesn't mean you have rights to be rude, to judge people or do whatever you like to whoever you want.

Really makes me wonder what's the use of the so good 'Peter & Jane' series (no offense to Peter & Jane series) when you doesn't even able to potray a good example of basic courtesy & morale for your children.

I'm supposed to go sleep but I just have to let go of this 'boh song'ness. Now I think I can sleep better.

in support of earth hour 2010

in support of CY's earth 2010 effort, I've created a little lantern too =)
come show your support too!

doing things I've not done for quite a while

so here I am ...

listening to songs while fine tuning my resume
actually it's more like sing-along session ... having a one-(wo)man show concert eh =p
and I've got a list of my fav songs lining up (some back to 70s, 80s, 90s) ... and yes I'm that old =p

ps. finding for today : songs lyrics & melodies - once learnt very hard to forget. You will automatically know how to sing even after a few years lapse of not singing the song at all.
Music is amazing, isn't it?

and music can make us want to sleep, isn't it?
cause I'm very sleepy now....Zzzzzzz

those were the days

Today on the train (lrt) home, in a state between sleepiness & awakeness, something came to my mind.

I remember during my primary school & secondary school, how I 'ngak sek ngak sek' also can managed through.
It was still manageable during primary school ... at least if I don't know how to do homework, can still ask parents, they still able to guide on primary school stuffs.
Come secondary school ... my parents favourite line 'try asking your teacher / friends'
Come upper secondary ... my parents added another line to their favourite line 'try asking your teacher / friend. why never pay attention in class & why your friend know how to do but not you.'

So I did what I was told ----> I asked friends (a few that are top in their subjects of expertise) but when time is limited, I remembered doing 'manual photostat' of the entire answer. In fact I've been doing it most of the time =p
There were times when I did try to understand but some things were just way beyond my understanding at that point of time. Experts are human too ... they too may be irritated when I still don't get it despite their very patient and detailed explaination.
Of course I told my parents I asked my friends and got the answer (which I really did...haha)

Then I remembered last time for projek ERT (Ekonomi Rumah Tangga), we have only got like 1 hour each week to use the limited no. of sewing machine (which also has to be shared, i think ratio is 1:3). Usually, when it's time to use, it's the end of lesson time.
The thing is, not everyone has a sewing machine at home and I happened to be one of them. In order to complete the project on a tight timeline, I had to go around friends & neighbours house to use their sewing machines.
I almost spoilt a neighbour sewing machine due to my inefficiency. Only god knows how may I've been unwelcome and troublesome.
but I guess that's how i learnt to be so 'thick faced' .... haha

actually, there's a point that I want to deliver when I begin, but when I reach here i suddenly forgot why I started writing about this in 1st place...

maybe I'm wondering how I 'ngak sek ngak sek' also can pull through secondary school till today?
maybe I'm wondering whether has our schooling system done us any good?
maybe I'm wondering about what influence our family & friends can have on us?
maybe I'm wondering whether it's the destination that matters or the journey that matters?'
there are just too many possibilities...

Do you have something during your school years that you would like to share? please do so =) and let us immerse ourselves in the joy of yesteryears =)

alot done

over the past few days, I feel accomplished ... I've done alot

1. I can multitask better at work.

2. At last I make the effort to join colleagues for lunch... after the absence for the past few months.

3. organise a small gathering of some close colleagues .... watch a very entertaining movie and had a great dinner at 'food court'.

4. found the courage to voice my opinion & concern to management.

5. bought a high chair & mattress for ah bi at warehouse sales.

6. getting advice on feeding solids from friends & colleagues.

7. drove after being a passenger for so long.

8. make a little more improvement to my portfolio

9. remove 60% of the weeds from my home garden

10. clear the stack of newspapers that have been on my dining table since beginning of this year.

11. manage to read a chinese book to ah bi and go through 4 box of flash cards with him.

12. grabbed the best deal from tesco
(a) flash cards (buy 1 box free 1 box at RM3.95 each) - we bought 8 box for RM15.80 (effectively about RM2.00 per box)
(b) Playskool stacking cups - square and round (at RM3.22 each box) - each box contain 8 cups in varying descending sizes.
(c) 10-piece rubber mat - those where you combine the square to form a mat for baby tummy time (at RM7.90 for a set of 10) - bought 2 sets.

- don't ask me how I remember all the prices in detail .... I always can remember the prices I see on promotion leaflets and in hypermarkets very well (the prices can not escape from my eyes and my mind) ... must be occupational hazards =p keke

have a good week ahead everyone!!!