Its not the end but simply the catalyst to a bigger goal.

±2℃ part II

I showed parts of the show to the class of students where I am doing volunteering teaching. Considering the young age of the students, I was surprised that they seemed to be engaged in it. One of the parents came forward to ask where the video can be obtained. Next week, I will be doing follow-up to the video.

When I did an environmental lesson with my students about 2 years ago, their reaction was positive and encouraging. Right after the lesson, many of them wanted to continue the lessons without the fans.

However, the lesson itself is only a catalyst, igniting awareness and hopefully further action .
Effort is needed by both the teacher and most importantly, the parents to ensure that the initial enthusiasm can be sustained.

Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour 2010 will occur on 27th March 2010.

To quote loosely ,it's set to be the best yet but only works best when all of us are involved.

弟子规

Caught this performance on the recent charity show.

I tried to upload my copy from the dvd but I still haven't found a way to do it. This copy is extracted from Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khl4Y7UFRO0


My "moral education" lessons in class are actually based on 弟子规, one can imagine my excitement when I caught this on television. I wonder if 弟子规 is now taught in Shuqun Primary School?

Some miscellaneous information:

1.The students performing are from Shuqun Primary School, the alma mater of a Nus Wushu Alumni.

2. I mentioned 弟子规 briefly to her when we were attending another wushu girl's wedding (the school which she is teaching at is teaching 弟子规though) although I wonder if she still remembers the conversation or if she had caught the show.

Earth Hour

Its Earth Hour today.
2030-2130.
Are you ready?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIu2G3JTOk0&feature=related

http://www.earthhour.org/about/sg:en
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour

Caning Kids

Some readers are arguing that kids should not be caned and that it will injure their self esteem etc...while others felt that it was acceptable when it was meted with a calm and reasoned state of mind...

If people can accept that individual personalities exist.
If people can accept that differentiated teaching must be implemented.
I don't see why people cannot accept differentiated disciplinary actions.

I had a student
I used the soft approach
I used the hard approach
Yet everytime I asked him whether he knows his mistakes
He will say he doesn't know what was his mistakes and kept on repeating his mistakes

Yet when I said I was going to bring him down to see the person who has the authority to cane him...Miraculously he could list out the mistakes he has commited . He went crying and begging for a second chance...

There are children where reasonings and a stern look or scolding will make them understand and deter them from mistakes...while..ahem...then there are Others.

If the child can be taught proper behaviours just by reasoning with him or her, well that's great. If not, well, you just have to resort to alternate ways. If you know that your child will become more rebellious if you beat him/her ,stop it then !

I just can't see why people cannot understand the fact that each child is different and that there must be a one for all method. Each child has his/her unique personality that may be further shaped by the environment. Don't assume what works for your child will work for others too.

There was once an old lady who was asked how was she able to discipline her grandchild(or was it her child) so well..she said she simply beat him and added
自己打懂得轻重
别人打不知死活

Meaning when you discipline the child , you are able to control the severity of the punishment.

If the child is left undisciplined , he may just end up beaten to death by others.

Life Transformers is back

The lovely show is back for a re run on every Sunday at 1.30p.m on Channel 8.

(I would advertise this show when I was teaching and would discuss the show with my kids on the following day. Don't worry, it has English subtitles.)

Go Watch This

I seldom rave about films and few make an impression on me (There's this show which has garnered numerous nominations in the recent goldern horse award...and guess what I only vaguely remember it).

But....I really feel the need to advertise for this film "Merry Christmas" (or "Joyeux Noel")...so enamoured was I with this film that I bought the vcd once it was released. My friends have raved about my recommendations in movies so please trust me on this.

Ignore the review below if it makes the movie seems boring(what with the seemingly dull history background to those who dislike history) because the movie is anything but that.

I think I first watched this film in 2005 and now its showing in Aillance Francaise Theatre. (Its at 1 Sarkies Road) Tickets are selling at $7.20 from Sistic.

A review from http://www.ericdsnider.com/movies/merry-christmas/

In "Merry Christmas" (or "Joyeux Noel" as it's known in its native France), German, Scottish and French soldiers lay down their arms in the middle of World War I to celebrate Christmas together. It's a stunning act of pacifism and humanity, made all the more moving because it really happened, on a battlefield in France in 1914.