Every human being is alike in the basic sense that they have an aim in their live; either a life-long aim or many aims at very other point of their life. In my opinion, I think that many people will have the latter instead of the first-mentioned, especially in these days when kids and children are constantly being bombarded my parents and teachers alike to do goal setting for their PSLE, “O” and “A” levels. That’s already 3 goals in the short life span of 18 years. And this is not mentioning the little target settings for minor tests and C.A.s. And as one proceeds on in life, one will be overwhelmed by the number of goals that the society expects of the individual and what one expects from oneself; achieving financial stability, career advancement, starting a family, bringing up one’s own children in the best possible method, planning for retirement so on and so forth.
The above passage may have a negative tone to it. But I’m definitely not saying that having goals and aims to achieve is a bad thing. Instead, I’m implying that the exact opposite is true. Goals and aims can really spur a person to work hard. Without them, it simply feels like I’m missing something in myself. The something can be the drive to work, or anything else. I know it just too well. I mean, for myself, I’ve always have had goals and aims to work towards to. In secondary school, it was to study hard and score at least 5 distinctions for the “O” levels so that I can have my name up on a star and displayed along the stretch of walls leading to the classrooms. I achieved that goal of my 3years back. Then, the next goal was to study hard to make it to the university of my choice. I achieved that as well. And I find that though I spent the last 4 to 5 years studying very hard for the “O”s and “A”s, I find that period of time very well-spent and I don’t regret not spending as much time with my family so that I can focus on studying. (Well, at least I’m not regretting now, maybe in the future, I don’t really know). It was because of the aims that I had that pushed me to study hard so that I can achieve them. And now, after more than half a year of not studying, I feel that I have lost the momentum and the drive to do anything. I figured that it’s the aimless lifestyle that caused this. Other than preparing for tuitions and tutoring, I’m not looking forward to anything else. One can argue that to lead a relatively free and easy life can be an aim. Yes, this may be the lifestyle that many is looking for, but it’s definitely not the kind of lifestyle I want to lead. I feel the need to be doing something constructively during most of the time. This explains the restlessness in me right now. Hopefully, when school starts, this will change and that I will have a aim to work towards. I guess, that aim will be to balance studies with tuition assignments.

I’ve just watched I Not Stupid 2 on disc last night. All right, I know, I’m sort of outdated…but hey, it’s better late than never. And I didn’t regret staying up till about 2am to finish the two discs. In my opinion, it’s time well spent. And yes, all the media reports about the movie and the comments from movie and independent critics are right; the show really does make even hearts of metal tear. I myself use up four pieces of Kleenex, and I believe I’m not the extreme case. The movie does have its humorous side as well. Such as how Jerry’s mischievous friends tricked Jerry into believing that he got his female classmate pregnant. The scene featuring the adults speaking the lingo of the teenagers brought laughter as well. Just their tone and pronunciation can make one roll on the floor, laughing. But overall, I guess it is the messages that the movie sent to the audience that make it stand out from other mediocre, commercial movies. I don’t know about others; but for myself, I can pick up about three to four points/ messages from the movie.
The most obvious point is about how parents should discipline their children. In the movie, Tom’s parents are busy working to even enjoy dinner with their children, not to even mention teaching and communicating with them. To the parents, Tom is basically a good-for-nothing. Nothing that he does ever pleases them; not even when he won the championship for the national blogging competition. In addition, they often misunderstood his intentions, leading their already sour relation to worsen. I know every parent have their own method of disciplining their children, and it is thus not very fair to comment. But as far as I’m concern, I think that the least parents should do is to spend some time with their children. It’s not about quantity, rather, it is the quality of time that make the difference to the upbringing and behaviour of the child. If parents do not spend time with their children, children may turn to their friends for company. Should they fall prey to bad company, I don’t wish to imagine that scenario. So, that’s the part about disciplining the child as a parent.
Secondly, we shouldn’t blame the parents all the time. I think as children, we should also put ourselves in our parents’ shoes and think from their point of view. We always ask our parents to do and buy things for us and behave as if they owe us a living. But truth of the matter is that they don’t. Why not pause and think about what we can do for them? If we can do them proud by doing well in our exams, I don’t think our parents will be unhappy. If we can grow up and mature and not anger them, I don’t think they will nag and scold us. Take me for instance, I try not to anger my parents by not quarrelling with my brothers. I make them happy by putting my best efforts in every thing I do. Those who know me well will know that my present to mum and dad for Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, their birthdays, Christmas, and what not, is what I work hard every year for; my exam results. So long as I put in my best efforts and do well, they will be happy, which is something that they always wanted from us. I guess, it is not that hard to please parents after all. In a sense, they are easier to please compared to us, don’t you think so?
Thirdly, it is about how schools and teachers should discipline their students? I am rather concerned about this point since I am going to teach in about four to five years time. In my own opinion, I don’t think I will be a teacher who will use violence and corporal punishment to punish the students. I would prefer to punish them constructively and use logic to reason with students. If they do not listen, I’ll have to resort to nagging and in the worst case scenario, I will approach my ‘saviour’; the discipline master. Hey, there is a reason for the existence of discipline masters/ mistresses in schools. But that is in the worst case scenario and I personally hope that I will develop my own methods of dealing with my students. Well, that’s something to worry about in four to five years time.
And lastly, I’ve also thought about how I would teach and discipline my children in the future. I know that future is not so near, but nevertheless, that taught did came to my mind. Would I be very strict with my children? In my opinion, it is very tiring to be strict with children. You’ve got to have loads of energy as you need to monitor and correct their behaviour, actions, speech, school work and other aspects. Would I bring up my children like how my parents brought me up? I always thought that my parents are not those types of strict parents who will force their children to study and study. On the contrary, my parents never force us to study, neither did they force us to learn things we don’t want to learn. In fact, sometimes, when they see me studying for five to six hours consecutively, they would tell me to take a break or something. I guess, how I’m going to bring up my children is something I will have to think about in the future.
All in all, this movie really brings across many points worth pondering over. It’s a movie worth watching and shedding your tears over. The four Kleenex has being put to good use. But seriously, when was the last time you praise someone?

Just got my laptop...Compaq Presario...with white piano finish...that's what caught my attention first...so, this is the first post that I'm using the laptop to type and post. I've always wanted to get a white laptop, but the more common white colour laptop is iBook is more expensve...but the price of compaq is more affordable...so I decided to get this limited edition before it gets sold out...besides, I thought that it would be good to get to know the functions of the laptop and get used to using it. And that's the laptop...
These few days have been tiring for some unknown reason; probably I've been sleeping late and waking up early. And I've been thinking a lot...about school stuff, wondering what's uni is going to be like and other stuff. I don't deny that I'm looking forward to school, but on the other hand, the prospects of school and exams seem to daunt me. The idea of having to manage finances, choosing and bidding for modules and all...I guess there's always challenges for every new beginning and it is always these challenges that make school worthwhile, fun and meaningful. Though I miss those days of wearing the school uniform, the idea of starting a new phase of eduacation process seems exciting. And I really have to pray to God to help me get oriented and used to uni life. Prayer is the best source of strength.

  

Well, I like what I'm doing now; reading the books that I've always wanted to read, surfing the internet, sitting in front of the idiot box, preparing for tuition, giving tuition and so on... it's a reaxing lifestyle, I would say. But not very much fulfilling except for the reading and tuition part as they keep my brain alive. Nevertheless, this long break before uni starts is welcomed. I've never rested like this before.
Anyway, two Saturdays before, I've signed the agreement. I really have to thank Uncle Alex and Auntie Chris who agreed to be my sureties. And so I guess, the next nine years or so will be good and fulfilling. I certainly hope so. And last Friday was SAJC 29th College Day. I'm still secretly excited about it. I got to meet up with people whom I otherwise would not have met. And going back to school sort of bring back the memories of school life. Plus, choir performance was great. I mean, they are much better now...which is the reason why I do not regret buying the concert tickets. Giving tuition is wonderful. It gives me an immense sense of achievement when I see my student improves. And it makes you think; think of how to best explain concepts to the students, and how to plan the lessons and so on...all these, help to keep the brain working in the midst of a long break from school and studies.
To end things off, I'll share a little secret: I'm excited about starting uni. It's no longer a secret.