The latest I gathered from reading The Star (5 March 2011) is that the two kids are now in the midst of writing a book about their experiences and success story! I can't wait to get my hand on it.....to hear from the horses' mouths, so to speak....
So, you have heard enough about the US “tiger mom”! Scary…..to some.
Now that you have also read about the HK's version, You can compare the two “tiger moms” and draw your own conclusions. But, here are my recommendations to all young mothers with kids:
First and most important of all, discipline your kids, so that they not only learn to be smart, they also learn to be good human beings. I leave it to you to list all the criteria for a “good” human being. (If you are NOT sure, read the Malaysian Educational Philosophy at the end of this posting. I am usually quite critical of our education system, but this philosophy is very well-stated, implementation is, of course, another matter....)
2) Yes, discipline your kids, but make sure they enjoy what they are doing, be it learning or playing. I leave it to you to be creative and innovative, in making learning fun and enjoyable.
3) Yes, discipline your kids, but NOT at the expense of their emotional and physical health. Give them plenty of love, enough sleep and rest, nutritious food and lots of good exercise and games which they enjoy. I leave it to you to draw up your own “sensible” plan.
4) Last but not least, discipline your kids, so that they learn and master at least two languages. Research findings have consistently shown that bilingualism enhances cognitive development.
BTW, if you are a grand parent, research has also shown that learning a second or new language at this ripe old age can defer the onset of Alzheimer disease and dementia! :-)
And, BTW, there are lots of "tiger moms" here in Malaysia, too. Look around...and you will spot them...
Here's the Malaysian Education philosophy for your reference:
Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, society and the nation at large.
[Curriculum Development Centre, Ministry of Education Malaysia, 1988]
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hong Kong's "tiger mom" is Malaysian (Part 1 of 3)
So, you have heard enough about the US “tiger mom”! Scary…..to some.
Here’s a bit of news about the Hong Kong “tiger mom” who may be a tad different. BTW, she is Chinese-Malaysian, daughter of my friend Sylvia Wong. The HK papers either did not get their facts right, or they were just ignorant!
Click on the image to read:
Here’s a bit of news about the Hong Kong “tiger mom” who may be a tad different. BTW, she is Chinese-Malaysian, daughter of my friend Sylvia Wong. The HK papers either did not get their facts right, or they were just ignorant!
Click on the image to read:
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Inspirational Movies for Young People
The Nan Yang Siang Pau carries an education supplement every Tuesday. The following is an interesting article from the supplement on 15 February 2011. It is NOT a literal translation as I have modified it and added in my own comments:
Good Movies for our Unemployed or Disillusioned University Graduates, or Newbies to the world of work
Young people who are seeking employment, feel depressed or lost in their new jobs, should watch these inspirational movies:
The Pursuit of Happiness
You will get your recognition ONE day
The protagonist --Will Smith – ventured into unchartered waters under the most adverse of circumstances, and his tenacity eventually earned him recognition from the top dogs. Believe in yourself, if he can, you can too!
Billy Elliot
Persist, and your dreams will come true
Do you have problems like not getting a job that you like, or a job that has nothing to do with your filed of study in the university, or a job of zero interest to you? Do you compromise? Go watch this movie for inspiration.........
The Shawshank Redemption
Do NOT just give up!
This movie is for everyone who fights for his/her future. The story tells us NEVER to give up!
Forrest Gump
Ability is NOT the sole ingredient for Success
Perhaps you feel inferior when you encounter so many people who are in many ways, more capable than you are. Oh, you feel so small and insignificant! But, please remember, you are surely better than Forest Gump with an IQ of 75?
Success is not solely dependent on ability. That’s why Forest Gump is the American legend. If you know how to capitalize on opportunities, you can be your own success story like Forest Gump!
A Beautiful Mind
Do not despair!
Maybe you are talented in your profession or career, much like the protagonist in this movie who is a Maths wizard. But, like him, you too encounter insurmountable difficulties, both from within yourself or without. Get inspiration from this movie, do not despair!
The Devil Wears Prada
You can let go…
As a new guy or gal, you may encounter devil-like bosses. What to do? Learn a lesson or two from the young naïve Andy Sachs in this movie.
Facing the Giants
Use religious faith to fight fear
When your career faces harsh challenges, when you are in the ebb, just like the football coach being fired by the parents in this movie, try to change your mind set. Evaluate your career from another perspective, and you will see new light!
Les Choristes
Enjoy your work!
Forget about fame, wealth, power and other worldly things, simply enjoy the happiness associated with your work. Just like the teacher in this movie, he is not rich, he is not famous, but his nobility of spirit surpasses all worldly possessions!
Amelia
Take initiative to show your concern for others
As a newcomer in the office, in a new environment, you may feel slighted or even ostracized. To improve relationships with your co-workers, maybe you can try to emulate Emily: Show your concern for people around you, put in your efforts, even if it’s just to get a smile or a “thank you” in return. Building up rapport this way will multiply your success by many folds!
My final comments: Er? Why all Western movies? None of the thousands of Chinese movies fits this bill?
Good Movies for our Unemployed or Disillusioned University Graduates, or Newbies to the world of work
Young people who are seeking employment, feel depressed or lost in their new jobs, should watch these inspirational movies:
The Pursuit of Happiness
You will get your recognition ONE day
The protagonist --Will Smith – ventured into unchartered waters under the most adverse of circumstances, and his tenacity eventually earned him recognition from the top dogs. Believe in yourself, if he can, you can too!
Billy Elliot
Persist, and your dreams will come true
Do you have problems like not getting a job that you like, or a job that has nothing to do with your filed of study in the university, or a job of zero interest to you? Do you compromise? Go watch this movie for inspiration.........
The Shawshank Redemption
Do NOT just give up!
This movie is for everyone who fights for his/her future. The story tells us NEVER to give up!
Forrest Gump
Ability is NOT the sole ingredient for Success
Perhaps you feel inferior when you encounter so many people who are in many ways, more capable than you are. Oh, you feel so small and insignificant! But, please remember, you are surely better than Forest Gump with an IQ of 75?
Success is not solely dependent on ability. That’s why Forest Gump is the American legend. If you know how to capitalize on opportunities, you can be your own success story like Forest Gump!
A Beautiful Mind
Do not despair!
Maybe you are talented in your profession or career, much like the protagonist in this movie who is a Maths wizard. But, like him, you too encounter insurmountable difficulties, both from within yourself or without. Get inspiration from this movie, do not despair!
The Devil Wears Prada
You can let go…
As a new guy or gal, you may encounter devil-like bosses. What to do? Learn a lesson or two from the young naïve Andy Sachs in this movie.
Facing the Giants
Use religious faith to fight fear
When your career faces harsh challenges, when you are in the ebb, just like the football coach being fired by the parents in this movie, try to change your mind set. Evaluate your career from another perspective, and you will see new light!
Les Choristes
Enjoy your work!
Forget about fame, wealth, power and other worldly things, simply enjoy the happiness associated with your work. Just like the teacher in this movie, he is not rich, he is not famous, but his nobility of spirit surpasses all worldly possessions!
Amelia
Take initiative to show your concern for others
As a newcomer in the office, in a new environment, you may feel slighted or even ostracized. To improve relationships with your co-workers, maybe you can try to emulate Emily: Show your concern for people around you, put in your efforts, even if it’s just to get a smile or a “thank you” in return. Building up rapport this way will multiply your success by many folds!
My final comments: Er? Why all Western movies? None of the thousands of Chinese movies fits this bill?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Everyday is Valentine's Day
This morning I received a heart-warming sms from a dear old friend of MU days : "Altho XX n above oledi, today is Valentine's Day. Lets express our luv. I think abt all the ppl dear to me n so i say to u -- Happy Valentine's!" To all my family members, relatives and friends, who are reading this blog, this is also my message to you! :-)
Actually, I don't buy into all this Western Valentine commercialism. But, a warm message is always appreciated. Thus my reply to this old friend: "May everyday b a Valantine's Day! "
Yes, everyday is a Valantine's Day if we express and show our love for dear ones around us, in whatever small ways we can. :-)
Even though this day is no big deal to me, I do remember one very special Valentine's Day. And, that was the year after I came back from my study in the US. On that Valentine's Day, I received a beautiful flower arrangement from a friend in Honolulu, via interflora! To this day, I still keep the shell-shaped vase, and the bright red styrofoam heart marked " Happy Valentine's Day". The flowers are long gone and dead, but the memory remains....BTW, I have since used the vase for a different arrangement, with artificial flowers! :-)
Actually, I don't buy into all this Western Valentine commercialism. But, a warm message is always appreciated. Thus my reply to this old friend: "May everyday b a Valantine's Day! "
Yes, everyday is a Valantine's Day if we express and show our love for dear ones around us, in whatever small ways we can. :-)
Even though this day is no big deal to me, I do remember one very special Valentine's Day. And, that was the year after I came back from my study in the US. On that Valentine's Day, I received a beautiful flower arrangement from a friend in Honolulu, via interflora! To this day, I still keep the shell-shaped vase, and the bright red styrofoam heart marked " Happy Valentine's Day". The flowers are long gone and dead, but the memory remains....BTW, I have since used the vase for a different arrangement, with artificial flowers! :-)
Sin Chew Daily's Jing Ma Awards (Part 2)
A Shocking Sunday Special (Part 2)
(the Happy Sunday supplement of Sin Chew, differently titled on 1/1/2011)
Best producer: Tun Dr. Mahathir
Giving out the award is Steven Spielberg of Hollywood fame
Our esteemed former PM was one of the most vocal against “The Big Capitalist” cum “World Policeman” during his tenure as PM of Malaysia. After retirement, he has not forgotten his prior pre-occupation. So, while watching “Avantar” one day, it suddenly dawned on him that “if the US has the ability to produce “Avantar”, they must be capable of orchestrating “911”!!!”
We hereby assume that if Tun Mahathir has watched “2012”, he must surely think that the Americans are now planning the destruction of planet earth!
Dear Tun, you must really take care of yourself. When you are free, why not just visit your office at the twin tower, or go to your bakery to taste some oven-fresh bread? Please don’t watch too many exciting Hollywood movies, it’s not good for your heart. If you really wish to produce BIG movie, why not have a serious discussion with Najib? You should continue to be the producer of the movie “2020” which you have neglected for a while, but has since been taken over by Najib.
And if you so wish, based on your close association with Petronas and the oil-rich Gulf countries, you won’t have a problem getting the necessary investment to produce “Mavantar”. Rest assured that the 20% entertainment tax will be exempted! BTW, Ah Niu has yet to be reimbursed the 20% tax rebate for his Ice Kacang Puppy Love.)
Best screen dialogue: “Balik Cina!”
Giving out the award is Hongkong’s Steven Chow
Everyone who respects history is grateful to those pioneers and early immigrants who had made great contributions to the nation and country. It is common knowledge that many of the pioneers who landed in Australia were convicts from the then Great Britain. After a few centuries, mind you, the present day Australians are not thinking of buying cheap plane tickets to go back to jails in England, just because they have learnt of this not so glorious past. Neither do they think of themselves as squatters or even “penumpang” in Australia.
Respecting your country’s history means respecting yourself. So, after Nasir from the PM’s Dept. uttered monumental words like “Chinese came to sell their bodies, Indians came to beg”, he had to resign. Likewise, the principals from a school in Kulai and another one in Sungai Petani were both “transferred” for using words like “penumpang” and “balik Cina” on fellow Malaysians.
These interesting utterances would not have a chance to rise to such prominence if not for the relentless and overt support from PERKASA. To stop Malaysians who lack creativity and persist on using these utterances frequently and indiscriminately, Nasri from the PM’s department has issued stern warning: Those born in Malaysia are Malaysians, talks of “balik Cina” and “balik India” will not be tolerated!
Best science fiction: Space Travel Extravaganza
Giving out the award is none other than ET!
Our first “astronaut” has not succeeded in engraving the word “Malaysia” in the minds of all world citizens. So….we now must send a second “astronaut” to space. According to the director of our National Space Center, the value of this “second astronaut project” cannot be measured in monetary terms. (Er? Are we in the Stone Age of measuring value with quantities of rice or domestic animals?) This is because all developed nations must have astronauts.
Oh, is that so? But we heard developed nations all have nuclear power plants, impeccable MRT systems, lots of facilities for environmental protection…….and their city streets are clean and well maintained, security is tip-top, they have many cultural/ performance centers, WIFI and broadband coverage for almost the whole city……plus they have excellent health care plans, welfare plans for senior citizens…..
Even our first “astronaut” opined that our National Space Center has lost its direction in wanting to send a second “astronaut” into space. Don’t they know that sending up one “astronaut” costs as much as MYR 92,680,000?
“To carry out more large scale experiments, we will definitely send another man into space,” so said this director of our National Space Center in reply to dissenting voices of the rakyat and the ungrateful first “astronaut”. He knows jolly well that in this age of high tech, there is no need for small talks or niceties. However, for us citizens who have the right to information, we can’t help but venture to ask: what are these large scale experiments? To prove that we can eat satay, fish head curry or whatever else in space?
(the Happy Sunday supplement of Sin Chew, differently titled on 1/1/2011)
Best producer: Tun Dr. Mahathir
Giving out the award is Steven Spielberg of Hollywood fame
Our esteemed former PM was one of the most vocal against “The Big Capitalist” cum “World Policeman” during his tenure as PM of Malaysia. After retirement, he has not forgotten his prior pre-occupation. So, while watching “Avantar” one day, it suddenly dawned on him that “if the US has the ability to produce “Avantar”, they must be capable of orchestrating “911”!!!”
We hereby assume that if Tun Mahathir has watched “2012”, he must surely think that the Americans are now planning the destruction of planet earth!
Dear Tun, you must really take care of yourself. When you are free, why not just visit your office at the twin tower, or go to your bakery to taste some oven-fresh bread? Please don’t watch too many exciting Hollywood movies, it’s not good for your heart. If you really wish to produce BIG movie, why not have a serious discussion with Najib? You should continue to be the producer of the movie “2020” which you have neglected for a while, but has since been taken over by Najib.
And if you so wish, based on your close association with Petronas and the oil-rich Gulf countries, you won’t have a problem getting the necessary investment to produce “Mavantar”. Rest assured that the 20% entertainment tax will be exempted! BTW, Ah Niu has yet to be reimbursed the 20% tax rebate for his Ice Kacang Puppy Love.)
Best screen dialogue: “Balik Cina!”
Giving out the award is Hongkong’s Steven Chow
Everyone who respects history is grateful to those pioneers and early immigrants who had made great contributions to the nation and country. It is common knowledge that many of the pioneers who landed in Australia were convicts from the then Great Britain. After a few centuries, mind you, the present day Australians are not thinking of buying cheap plane tickets to go back to jails in England, just because they have learnt of this not so glorious past. Neither do they think of themselves as squatters or even “penumpang” in Australia.
Respecting your country’s history means respecting yourself. So, after Nasir from the PM’s Dept. uttered monumental words like “Chinese came to sell their bodies, Indians came to beg”, he had to resign. Likewise, the principals from a school in Kulai and another one in Sungai Petani were both “transferred” for using words like “penumpang” and “balik Cina” on fellow Malaysians.
These interesting utterances would not have a chance to rise to such prominence if not for the relentless and overt support from PERKASA. To stop Malaysians who lack creativity and persist on using these utterances frequently and indiscriminately, Nasri from the PM’s department has issued stern warning: Those born in Malaysia are Malaysians, talks of “balik Cina” and “balik India” will not be tolerated!
Best science fiction: Space Travel Extravaganza
Giving out the award is none other than ET!
Our first “astronaut” has not succeeded in engraving the word “Malaysia” in the minds of all world citizens. So….we now must send a second “astronaut” to space. According to the director of our National Space Center, the value of this “second astronaut project” cannot be measured in monetary terms. (Er? Are we in the Stone Age of measuring value with quantities of rice or domestic animals?) This is because all developed nations must have astronauts.
Oh, is that so? But we heard developed nations all have nuclear power plants, impeccable MRT systems, lots of facilities for environmental protection…….and their city streets are clean and well maintained, security is tip-top, they have many cultural/ performance centers, WIFI and broadband coverage for almost the whole city……plus they have excellent health care plans, welfare plans for senior citizens…..
Even our first “astronaut” opined that our National Space Center has lost its direction in wanting to send a second “astronaut” into space. Don’t they know that sending up one “astronaut” costs as much as MYR 92,680,000?
“To carry out more large scale experiments, we will definitely send another man into space,” so said this director of our National Space Center in reply to dissenting voices of the rakyat and the ungrateful first “astronaut”. He knows jolly well that in this age of high tech, there is no need for small talks or niceties. However, for us citizens who have the right to information, we can’t help but venture to ask: what are these large scale experiments? To prove that we can eat satay, fish head curry or whatever else in space?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Malaysians must learn sign language!
Why ? Why? Why?
For a clearer and more readable picture, double click on image, and press [F11] for a full screen display.....Enjoy!
For a clearer and more readable picture, double click on image, and press [F11] for a full screen display.....Enjoy!
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