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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160737312016-10-02T03:33:41.152+08:00voice of a young singaporean firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-73108887905080749112011-01-01T23:50:00.002+08:002011-01-02T00:55:34.049+08:00I ended 2010 with a D in ranking :(For the teachers out there, this news will be as if someone has buried you alive and put a tombstone over.

FOR THE RECORD
My graduating pupils achieved good results during N levels 2009. All of them acheived 100% pass and 50% achived distinction. It was my best result too.

However
RO said that the N levels result is not important. It prepares the pupils for O levels. Hence it will not contribute to my ranking....????? N levels is a national examination and it is not important???? It really baffled me....

FOR THE RECORD
I think I was doing ok at my GEO scale and was promoted to the next GEO scale in 2009.

However
RO said that as the next GEO scale, I cannot compare up to those in the scale. Hence.I was given a 'D'. My question remains unasked by the RO, why am I ranked at the new scale when i have done all my work before OCT at the previous scale??? I was not paid at the new scale through the year, why should I be ranked at the new scale??? It is kind of a strange system. I wonder if there is anyone out there experience this... in schools or private sectors???

Of course, there were other comments like lack of written feedback and lack of rigour marking and giving written feedback (I gave verbal feedback) on EVERY marked assignments. Supposed to give marks for every question and total mark for EVERY marked assignment and fill in the content page.

DEAR RO, YOU MEAN THAT I DID NOT DO ANY WORK OF A TEACHER
Then how did my N levels pupils achieve 100% pass and 50% distinction in 2009????

Consider me emotional, but i still wondered how did I carry on teaching and preparing students for O levels after receiving the news. I can only cry out to GOD. ABBA FATHER, SAVE ME, BLESS THE WORKS OF MY HANDS. LET MY WORKS BE FRUITFUL FOR ALL TO SEE.

I only know my conscious is clear. I have done my best to help the pupils to filfull their dreams.

2010 already looks worse with the work plan from the RO.
I have only one thing to say to this RO:
"To improve results, all he has to do is to win the hearts of the staff.
We are professionals. We too want the results to improve."

Today I have read a wonderful verse which i believe it is timely
forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
see, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

 - Isaiah 43:18-19
email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-59596471468810254852009-11-01T00:04:00.002+08:002009-11-01T00:26:21.042+08:00The Fruits of My Labour 20092009 has been fruitful for my tuition students. They have performed beyond expectation and have made much improvements. I am hopeful that they will do even better as some of them face the 'O' levels next year.

This will sum up some of their performance as the 'O' levels batch will not know their results till next year much, but I believe they should be able to level up because

I managed to spot all (except 2) of the questions in E. Maths paper two.

a) Sec 3 pure physics (Chung Cheng Yishun) scored 83%
b) Sec 3 pure physics (Chung Cheng Yishun) scored 81%
c) Sec 3 pure physics (Chung Cheng Main) scored 76%
d) Sec 3 combined physics scored 61 out of 70 marks (Totally amazing!!!!)
e) Sec 3 combined physics scored 48 out of 70 marks (It is still amazing considering he failed sec 2 science and failed in the beginning of the year. If he continue to stick with me, he should be able to achieve distinction and I will continue to ensure my 100% distinction in Physics.)
f) Sec 1 science 20+ (28) out of 35 (Anglo-Chinese Baker Road) (Equally good improvement considering he was failing in the beginning of the year.

hahahahah

Oh yes. I need to collect data from my maths pupils so that I can update here.

Thus, I want to give the glory to GOD because He provide the victory (good results) as well as enquires for 2010. Haiz, 2010 will be an even more busy year.....

Anyone looking for tuition for pure physics, E maths and Add maths, lower secondary maths and science, do leave a message with your mobile number in the chatbox and I will get back firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-18410457372292306002009-08-07T17:53:00.003+08:002009-08-07T18:29:43.967+08:00The Academic Year is coming to a close!!!!! Bloody Phillip Securities!!!The academic year is coming to a close. Why? The graduating class is about to face their worst nightmare (prelims) within this two months and soon it will be the actual 'O' levels. While the other levels will start their end of year examinations after the prelims are over. Then it will be almost over and time to prepare for the holidays. The year end holidays will be the time that most teachers look forward to as the week breaks and june holidays are usually taken up for extra classes and remedials.

One can never get used to this lifestyle even though I have gone through many cycles. Why do I say that? Because I still struggle to wake up every morning when it is still dark everyday. How I wished that I can sleep till I wake up naturally every morning (or noon) HAHAHA! Soon it will be primary school for my firstborn son. ARGH!! it is the struggle to wake him up and getting him to school, like what all parents face when their children reach school attending age. So no more sleeping in late, but what differences does it make? I am already waking up early now.

I asked myself, "why can't the school start later since most of the schools are single session?" It is becasue of some "selfish" self who will be late for work if school starts at 8am or 8:30am and it will result in school ending late and pupils will need to have lunch.(as if the secondary pupils are not already having lunch in school now.)

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About Pillip Securities

I should have blogged this earlier. What a bunch of irresponsible idiots!!!

In between the last blog till today, I have made a loss of $5k in the stock market. Thanks to the lousy system of Phillip Securities. My email response as below

I believe the company is liable for my loss. The reasons are as per below
1) Phillip Securities as a service provider should have a reasonable duty of care to upkeep and maintain the system to ensure smooth running of the system. No disclaimers can be used to escape liabilty to damages.

2) I have withdrawed the order as normal it is usually done after two to three minutes while still displaying the pending withdrawn message. Least that i expect, the transaction is done after i received the email one hour later. it is not reasonable to receive the confirmation of purchase through email only one hour after the transaction is done in this present time of IT era.

3) I did not receive any confirmation of transaction, hence i presumed that the transaction is not successful so I continue to make a second order and later withdraw the order, resulting a total of 5 lots of OCBC shares at the end of the day. The result of such transaction will not occur if the system is capable to handle the transaction smoothly.

4) To my knowledge, there are other consumers who have experienced such transaction that takes place as a result of the system. It is not reasonable for a broker to receive and take brokerage fee and clearing fee and commission to not take responsibility for the operation of the system.

Thinking that Singapore Investors Association is able to help, I joined them as a member but it is fruitless and there is no reply from them at all. (equally useless)

Hiaz, I am still suffering from the consequences of this loss. My advise to those still using Phillips Securities: they only want your money (bokerage and commision) when they always claim disclaimer when their system is faulty or cannot cope with the high traffic. They are not interested to help you make money (not service-orientated). They forgot Phillip Securities also make money when customers make transactions.They can all go burn in firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-66372629593713612202009-03-14T20:19:00.000+08:002009-03-14T20:20:35.884+08:00Child care leave – a privilege or an entitlement??In this last week of school, I faced an interesting situation. My immediate reporting officer (RO) informed me that I had taken a high number of medical leave (MC) and child sick leave in the last one term, asking me to work on my health and keeping the numbers low.

Due to my bad experience last year, I felt slightly more sensitive about it. Why? Towards the end of the school term last year, the same RO informed me that I have not been given a good appraisal because of the high number of MCs in the year. It is going to affect the promotion timeframe, performance bonus and my annual increment because they are all tied to performance.

Honestly, now I am still quite calm after hearing about it and allowed me to reflect about. I have no queries about medical leave being an entitlement as written in the ministry of manpower website. But what I dislike is do not write in under the umbrella of benefit when it is not a benefit. What do I mean? We are entitled to 30 days of medical leave under the old scheme (the present is 14 days) but we are not expected to take any because it will affect the performance ranking. Obviously, these people do not understand the definition of benefits so let me help them by doing the research.

–noun
1.
something that is advantageous or good; an advantage: He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.
2.
a payment or gift, as one made to help someone or given by a benefit society, insurance company, or public agency: The company offers its employees a pension plan, free health insurance, and other benefits.
3.
a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
4.
Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.

From dicitionary.com

Similar definition in http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefit

1.
a. Something that promotes or enhances well-being; an advantage: The field trip was of great benefit to the students.
b. Help; aid.
2. A payment made or an entitlement available in accordance with a wage agreement, an insurance policy, or a public assistance program.
3. A public entertainment, performance, or social event held to raise funds for a person or cause.
4. Archaic A kindly deed.

From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/benefit

Interestingly, thefreedictionary.com included the word entitlement in the definition of benefit. Further search on entitlement bring up the word of a right granted by law or contract ( a right to benefits)

Apparently, it seems that it is preferred that teachers go to school sickly to clock attendance and teach at lower performance rate. I believe that I own it to my pupils that I give my 101% to my pupils during lesson time, doing it when I am not sufficiently fit is not being fair.

Besides, have we forgotten about the lessons we learned during the SARS period? If we are sick and not well, we should stay at home to rest and go to places that are crowded. (like schools, there are hundreds of pupils) I have seen pupils go to school when they are sick because the parents are not at home to take care of them. These pupils go to school tired and sickly and are not able to concentrate, what is the point of going to school then?

That brings me to the point that I need to take child sick leave because
1) My child needs to rest at home
2) My child may spread the illness to other children in the kindergarten and that is not being gracious (remember SARS)
3) My child needs to be separate from his sibling at least during the day to avoid the illness from spreading within the family.
4) I need to rest from caring for my child at night due to the illness.

Thus, however, child sick leave is also entitlement, as all forms of leaves are entitlement from the ministry of manpower website. And I believed that it is only my right to use my child sick leave if my child is sick and not be penalized as a result of it and having my performance ranking affected as a result of it. So much about the work-life balance – why preach about it when they do not practice it?

I finally awake and understand that working is a necessary evil to take care of my family. I work (I considered it as selling my time for money – "prostituting" myself for money) for the benefit of my family. If I am single, I may not even need to work (oops, that sounds spoilt) but this is one of the ways that the gahmen enslaved and trapped people in this country as I overhear some coffeeshop talk. Hahaha! The gahmen encouraged youths to get married, buy a nice and expensive flat, take as many loans as you like (housing, renovation, car and study loans) and have lots of children and work for the rest of your life, pay lots of tax and retire poor. As a result, we will not be able to migrate overseas.

I resolve today to work towards being rich and being financially free. email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-46206025078064596362007-07-02T09:01:00.000+08:002008-12-09T10:11:06.717+08:00Canon S5 IS, shoot shoot shoot flash flash flash My new "weapon" for me to go around shooting

hahaha, at last, I got a semi SLR for myself. Actually contemplate between canon 400D and this S5 IS. Hmm..... $$$$$ is a important factor, 400D will set me back by $2000 if I get the high end one. And S5 IS has the different modes to select for the more amatuer photographer in me and the latest model available in the market, but of course, not as good as 400D. Check the link below it has very detail reviews of cameras, a most to read before buying camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07050703canons5is.asp

One consideration is the next day is july 1st, ARGH!!!! the 2% GST increase. For your info, the increase in price may ended up be more than 2% of the price I pay because the distributor increase and the retailer increase. Better stretch my dollar.

Another factor is my "AH GONG" (gahmen) money. the $400 dollars given to teachers to buy stuff to enhance their lesson. Oh THANK GOD for the $400 and AH GONG too. Without the $400, I may not buy it after all. :)

So the first event that I am going to use it for the school will be the Inter-school Track and Field Meet. SEE!! AH GONG. your money is well spent........ HAHAHA.

Better submit my claim first thing tomorrow before AH GONG say 'no money' email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-10757292421161556682008-02-03T22:51:00.000+08:002008-12-09T10:11:06.495+08:00Totally blessed DAY Praise GOD for PSP slim and HTC TyTN II
At last, I received my belated birthday present form wife. Heeeeheeee. I got the PSP slim at a bargain, $300 for a PSP slim (mod version 3.71) with 4Gb memory stick. The salesman at the mobile phone shop at FAR EAST PLAZA decided to sell his PSP slim of 1 week old. How true is that?? I do not know, but when i check the condition, it seems new, scratchless. Praise GOD. Anyone interested to get me a screen projector??? or a casing for it??? To top it off, I got myself a new PDA phone that is really top of the line. I have done my homework and think it is best in terms of functions (7.9 out of 10 on cnet review) and most importantly comes with GPS. I will not get lost again (as if i get lost at all). Just to make you people drool, it comes with 3.5G (latest and fastest) 3MP camera with flash, GPS, WIFI-g, keyboard and all the functions of PDA calender calculator and windows mobile 6. Of course, I do not forget to not pay everything. Interest-free installment with a credit card is a must, why pay the whole amount when i can pay bit by bit interest-free, right?? Moveover, I can use the LDS money to subsidise this purchase. Heehee......

Today I will not dwell on it because it is late and I need to sleep to go to school on time tomorrow, three more days before Lunar New Year. Hallejuyah for the long break, I need time to breath, to feel alive and not working all the time. I am tired and there are issues that I have been praying and fasting since the beginning of this year.

To a fellow colleague and new teacher, I know you read this, I am not stopping you from leaving because I am also praying and fasting about it myself. But I want you to know that the Joy of the LOrd is in you, leave when you know it is the will of GOD and not because you are not happy.

The Lord is my shield, my strength, my resting place in time of need, my comforter, my healer, my provider, my LORD, my JOY, my LOVE .......Amen

16But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress.
<l>17Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love. <l>

Psalm 59 (Amplified Bible)

16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
<l>17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.<l>

Psalm 59 (New International Version)

firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-73210360815109540462008-03-31T12:27:00.005+08:002008-12-09T10:11:06.237+08:00Vat refund in thailand situation

<l><l>
truly as it is a truly unforgettable Destinction.

We have crossed the immigation and walked to the vat counter to claim tax refund, unable to do so because the custom check office is outside, tourist supposed allow them to check before passing the immigation then to the vat refund counter to claim the money
<l><l>

01 officer at the vat refund is unhelpfu cannot means cannot. No or not possible is not a reasonable answer for those in the service industry
<l><l>

02 immigation officer cannot help too. Too slack and just indifference to your situation and just busy with their own work while chatting with their fellow colleagues
<l><l>

03 no custom officer at the custom counter after the immigation no wonder it is interesting that on the counter someone wrote VAT refundi is cheating tourist dollars.
<l><l>

04 the relationship officer in blue shirt is helpless, unable to help, not because of lack of ability to help but because they do not understand a single drop of english that i need the stamp and they just direct me to the vat refund counter. They do not understand the problem and just direct me away towards the vat refund counter thinking their job is done what is the point of having so many of them lining the airport when they do not take time to listen and understand the problem.
<l><l>

05 why is the custom check office and the refund not at the same spotThey can have it together and one office outside immigation and one office inside immigation
<l><l>

06 why are custom officers and immigation officer two separated departments or entities by themselves? So that there is avenue for job creation what a way to solve unemployment problems so the custom officers will check goods and the immigation will check people
<l><l>

07 why do they have to place the vat refund counters so far on the two ends? They want to make it inconvenient for us to get our refund the counter should be placed right after immigation so that tourist can use the money immidiately at the airport instead of using it at the ends. Be more proactive to refund wil leave a better impression of the country

<l><l>

08 there are no prominent signboards to remind tourists to go to the customs office before entering immigation. Even though it may be necessary to remind tourists to go to the custom office but it will be nice

<l><l>

09 can you imagine the amount of tax people leave behind? 7% of 5000b is 350b and minus 100b for the admin charges that is at least 250b taking a conservative estimation of 100 people daily forgetting they would have easily leave behind 25,000b a day 9,125,000b a year
<l><l>

After my flight back, thinking how horrible the Suvarnbhumi Airport, I get to see our CAAS staff being rude to 2 black men travelling to London, telling them off that the gate will only open at 2am when it is only 12:15am now. The two men asked if they sit outside, the CASS staff continue to tell them that the gate will only open at 2am. The same situation of not listening and addressing the concerns of the customers just wanting to brushing them off. Then our Changi Airport will fall into the same cycle of complacency that we will forever be number 1.

email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-38677798545555504302008-10-01T10:07:00.002+08:002008-10-01T10:18:06.050+08:00One Laptop Per Childi just received my OLPC from U.S.

 It is really wonderful for a laptop with the cost price of slightly over US$100. It is so small and cute. The pictures taken from another source but it is the same. HEEHEE!!!

The OLPC is working on Linus which i am unfamiliar. Hmm... need some getting used to and have not figure out complately how it works. But according to specification, it has wifi.

For more information check out the OLPC website. By the way, the OLPC version will be out in November 2009 in two months time. Hmm......tempting but the price is US$399. *firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-32024962999948613452008-09-02T22:35:00.002+08:002008-09-02T23:09:34.402+08:00Back from Bangkok today from the protest - different view point from the mediaFirstly, it is good to be back from Bangkok from a four days holiday. I left with the understanding that the protest has started. But we still went ahead as planned.

After we reached there, it is peaceful as usual. (Business as usual) the danger and mess that is protrayed in the media is only restricted to an area of Bangkok. Generally, the people want to continue with their livehood, doing business or work to feed their family.

This turn of event gave me a few thoughts that I will like to record before I add more details.

1) Democracy is political system of the majority. (Define Democracy)
The Thailand government is the elected by the majority of the people. The minority should follow the will of the majority. If the minority is unpleased with the elected government, then they should wait for the next election to elect their desired leadership. If the present government is incompetent, the people who elected will vote for the opposition.

2) Protest is wrong. It is against the Law.
How can we trust the leadership of the protesters when they create unrest and disorderliness, roit against the police and causing damage to public property and private property. Is that the behaviour of good leadership?

3) Protest creates a unsafe environment for the tourism.
As usual, the Singapore Government discourage people to travel the Bangkok for the same reason. Tourists avoid the country and it hurts the tourism business. (I did not check the data, but I believe a good amount of the GDP is from tourism.

4) Protest is not in the interest of the country.
THe protesters claim to do it in the interest of the country but business is hurt, the country economic is hurt. Then how can it be in the interest of the country.

Disruption to the public transport system is not in the interest of the country.

5) Protesters livehood is affected
Just think for a moment, the protesters sit there for days. Where are they going to get the income to support their family? And they claim that times are bad and the economic of the country is bad. (It is time to wake up to WORK for a living, find a job. Money do not drop from the sky or grow on trees. Unless you own an orchard.)

6) Who provide the meals to the protesters??
If we look at the images from the media, we can see people provide meals to the protesters. In order to feed the hundreds and thousands, a good amount of money has to be provided. I wonder where the money come from. I read from the Straits Times that one of the eight leaders of the protest is a media tycoon. The word "tycoon" from dictionary.com means
1.
a businessperson of great wealth and power; magnate.
2.
(often initial capital letter) a title used with reference to the shogun of Japan.

How interesting....

In conclusion, good economic comes from good government with good stablity: political stablity and social stablity for growth and dvelopment.

The people of Thailand should not join the protest because when the opposition feel that they do not have the support of the people, they will not be able to protest any farther. One may not support the government, but go on do a good jobb in the workplace to ensure good economics for oneself and the firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-84387366523614678402008-06-13T00:10:00.002+08:002008-06-13T00:15:22.132+08:00My mr Martens design Please vote for ME

Please vote for my email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-19700598595231843772008-02-09T18:41:00.000+08:002008-02-09T19:05:19.025+08:00Old helper (maid) left and new helper is here.Today, my helper ("kakak" = sister) left for her home.

I believe my son missed her and is really sad that kakak has left. His eyes were red but did not cry loudly. Actually me too, I felt a sense of loss for someone who lived and worked for almost four years here and took over most of the household chores and the task of looking after my son.
When I returned home in the afternoon, suddenly reality sets in. Oh, my helper has gone back with her things, things in the house are abit different from the normal school days. In her short four years, there are ups and downs, but she has been a blessing to this house. ABBA Father in heaven, bless her.

Suddenly I tried to recall the good things she has done and i realised that it is the mundane everyday tasks so that my wife and I do not have to worry about and ensuring that my son is taken cared of and brought to school and back safely. It is nothing extraodinary but when these are not done, it will get on your nerves.

The downs includes conflict with my wife's grandmother and conflict with my mother and of course my wife's sisters. I guess that conflicts are bounded to happen when people are together everyday and every minute, just like our workplace. But we can leave our workplace to go home, but for a helper, she cannot leave the workplace......

She left a Thank You card before she left, saying sorry for everything and to everyone and thanked my wife and I and it is appreciated. It is like losing a family member....

To YaYuk, goodbye, GOd bless you and your family and Thank firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-43152175771186592622007-12-22T01:35:00.000+08:002007-12-22T02:11:55.653+08:00Kingdom minded to love your enemiesI pray as I blog as I needed a title for that blog. An incident happened on my way home and I felt the ex-pupil was rude, lacking in manners (which is normal for him) and felt offended.

I prayed: "Jesus, you have said in your Word that in the old testiment, it is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, but the new testiment holds a greater commendment that if anyone should slap you on your right cheek (And if you are angry) turn your left cheek to be slapped. Lord, I submit and pray that you lift this offend from me and deliver me from this sin."

Incident
I was passing the open area to my block to take the lift with my family and this "joker" will keep calling my surname twice in a single breath many times as I walked past. My thinking is leave me alone for this joker is insignificant and no use having a intelligent conversation with because he acts like an idiot, talks like an idiot and behaves like an idiot. (Edmund, for those who know this, what kind of respectable person plays loud (techno) music from the handphone on a bus with out considering other bus users. I enjoy techno, disco music but please respect public area where not everyone share the same kind of interest in the music.)

Previously
He has grapped me from behind and did some fucking like action. I was offended but unable to do anything as he was a pupil in the school.

If I was younger and before I met Jesus, I would have punched him. I ignored him not because I am scared but because of Jesus. Your kind and gentle looking teacher today used to fight in school. Coming home, I still feel quite bad about it and even thought about going back down to tell him off, but I did not, felt that I needed to pray first.

Matthew 5:38-48
38You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.

40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also.

41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles].

42Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [[ai]at interest] from you.(K)

43You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;(L)

44But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(M)

 45[aj]To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].

46For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

 47And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?

 48You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete [ak]maturity of godliness in mind and character, [al]having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.(N)

LORD, you have ask for a higher order of love (to love the enemy) and I submit, so change my heart, I confess that I do not like him but change my heart and forgive me and I want to pray for Edmund that GOD will do a work in his life and change it for HIS glory. firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-64525444444397187862007-11-27T23:54:00.000+08:002007-11-28T01:24:51.824+08:00Singapore Chinese becoming like Malaysia Malay????I was read some blogs when I came across an article that links to this.

Some rules kids won't learn in school

Text By Charles J. Sykes

Printed in San Diego Union Tribune

September 19, 1996

Unfortunately, there are some things that children should be learning in school, but don't. Not all of them have to do with academics. As a modest back-to-school offering, here are some basic rules that may not have found their way into the standard curriculum.

Rule No. 1: Life is not fair. Get used to it. The average teen-ager uses the phrase, "It's not fair" 8.6 times a day. You got it from your parents, who said it so often you decided they must be the most idealistic generation ever. When they started hearing it from their own kids, they realized RuleNo. 1.

Rule No. 2: The real world won't care as much about your self-esteem as much as your school does. It'll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself. This may come as a shock. Usually, when inflated self-esteem meets reality, kids complain it's not fair. (See Rule No. 1)

Rule No. 3: Sorry, you won't make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won't be a vice president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn't have a Gap label.

Rule No. 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait 'til you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he's not going to ask you how you feel about it.

Rule No. 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grand-parents had a different word of burger flipping. They called it opportunity. They weren't embarrassed making minimum wage either. They would have been embarrassed to sit around talking about Kurt Cobain all weekend.

Rule No. 6: It's not your parents' fault. If you screw up, you are responsible. This is the flip side of "It's my life," and "You're not the boss of me," and other eloquent proclamations of your generation. When you turn 18, it's on your dime. Don't whine about it, or you'll sound like a baby boomer.

Rule No. 7: Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills, cleaning up your room and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are. And by the way, before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your bedroom.

Rule No. 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. In some schools, they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. Failing grades have been abolished and class valedictorians scrapped, lest anyone's feelings be hurt. Effort is as important as results. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblanceto anything in real life. (See Rule No. 1, Rule No. 2 and Rule No. 4)

Rule No. 9: Life is not divided into semesters, and you don't get summers off. Not even Easter break. They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And you don't get a new life every 10 weeks. It just goes on and on. While we're at it, very few jobs are interesting in fostering yourself-expression or helping you find yourself. Fewer still lead to self-realization. (See Rule No. 1 and Rule No. 2.)

Rule No. 10: Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in 30 minutes, minus time for commercials.In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop to go to jobs.Your friends will not be as perky or pliable as Jennifer Aniston.

Rule No. 11: Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for them. We all could.

Rule No. 12: Smoking does not make you look cool. It makes you look moronic. Next time you're out cruising, watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. That's what you look like to anyone over 20. Ditto for "expressing yourself" with purple hair and/or pierced body parts.

Rule No. 13: You are not immortal. (See Rule No. 12.) If you are under the impression that living fast, dying young and leaving a beautiful corpse is romantic, you obviously haven't seen one of your peers at room temperature lately.

Rule No. 14: Enjoy this while you can. Sure parents are a pain, school's a bother, and life is depressing. But someday you'll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start now.

You're welcome.

HAHAHA I had a good laugh because I have done that when I was younger and now as I am slightly older, I see the same in the young today. They are going down the same trended path.

I had just gone through a CCA camp with my track runners and I am really amazed by their "lack of Independence" in them that my colleague (An ex-malaysian) commented that the present Singapore young people are like the Malays in Malaysia, unable to look after themselves, depending on the handouts from the Government and lack of will to strive and work hard (because life is good) They have handphones as if they are BIG businessmen making millions, closing deals using their handphone. They have games consoles at home and now, Playstation Portable, they can even bring out to play wherever they are. They have internet to play games, download mp3 and movies, chat with their friends on MSN, but none productive towards physical, mental and spiritual well-being. They have maids at home so they do not know how to clean up after they have eaten, how to make a cup of Milo for themselves, keeping the living area clean during the camp and basic ration and sharing during community living like a camp (self-centeredness).

Another elderly teacher, passed retirement but choose to teach then to sit at home, commented that it is no wonder the Government needed an influx of "foreign talents" who are willing to work hard and drive the economy so that our local people can be taken care of. I cannot help but agreed that there is some truth in the statement. Just go to the Singapore Custom at Woodlands at 7pm to look at the amount of Malaysians that are returning to Johor after work in Singapore, the motorcycles are so closely packed that there is no space for the motorist to stand while he waits for the quene and he has to rest himself on the bikes beside him. The Malaysian workers would probably reach home about 10pm and have to wake up at 4am to make their way to Singapore to work. How many of us can actually do that? Even I am ashamed to say that I cannot. This is not inclusive of the workers who take bus transportation to Singapore.

I see that same thing happening to someone close (just call him LS for short) LS scapped to go JC but dropped out after first year, failing most subjects, to go poly. Recently, poly teacher called to report to the parent that LS has not been attending classes at poly. all he does at home is to go online, play games and smoke. He even dreams of being a singer, but there is not concrete plans to achieve his dreams, the least would have to attend singing lessons or music classes. (Reminds me of rule number 3)

I want this to be a discussion and to hear balanced views if this is really happening or is it just firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-9764308526877141132007-09-22T00:05:00.000+08:002007-09-22T01:04:19.020+08:00first Accident with my 5 months Car ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I cannot understand how it happened because it is not normal for me to do that but anyway, I was at the Malaysia Custom. I just felt like reversing my car to switch lane. Seeing that there is no car behind, I just reverse and BANG...... I moved my car forward before exiting my car to check the damage. The bumper has two line dents and the a part raised. Then I check the car of the other party (Hyundai Matrix), it looks fine, not damaged. It is later at City Square, I realised my car bumper has came off the clips on the two sides.

Fortunately, the other driver did not seek compensation from me at that point of time. PREW!!! When I look at it again, there might be a possiblity that the driver did not see me reverse to stop the car in time and bang me. So may be the other driver thought it was his fault.

To me, I just want to praise GOD for the grace and mercy. I really thought it was my fault. When I reflect back:" What is GOD trying to teach me in this situation?" Only then, I realised the fragility of our walk with GOD. When we do not walk closely with GOD, we give the enemy (devil) opportunity to inflict and hurt us. It could be an illness or accident or mishaps. However, we should guard our walk zealously, just like the security guard who watches over a property. And most of the time, we need the covering of the Blood of Jesus to protect us and to keep us in the narrow path called the Christian walk. The walk of a Chirstian life is a long bumpy, narrow path that leads us to Mount Zion. Bumpy because of the obstacles placed there by the devil, but with the permission of GOD ( like the story of Job) The obstacles are there to help us grow to be more Christ-like and not to destroy or kill us.

Why do I talk about the walk? I had a wonderful one week (september break) break from work. I rested totally, taking afternoon naps. Rested so totally that my walk with GOD is not so close, so much rest that the physical man do not feel the need to pray continually and "minutely" all the time as I would when I go to school because of the stress that I face in school. I pray when I walk, I pray when I eat, I pray when I teach in class, I pray when I run, I pray when I have to make decision. I thank GOD for the intimacy and pray for MORE. I seek to know the heart of GOD and see the world though the eyes of GOD. I want to walk closely with GOD and fellowship with Him. ( One good example is Noch) I want God to make decisions for me for

to do justice and judgement (obey) is more pleasing (better) to Jehovah than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3 NKJV

Second thing that I have learn is not to hold on dearly to earthly possessions, but to pursue the heavenly rewards and more importantly, the heart of GOD. Just as in the bible, a certain rich man wanted to tear down his barn to build a bigger barn, however he did not realised that his soul will be required of that night.

Thirdly, forget the past to be fruitful in the land of affliction meaning I have to forgive (forget) to be fruitful ( learning from this incident).

51And Joseph called the firstborn Manasseh [making to forget], For God, said he, has made me forget all my toil and hardship and all my father's house.

 52And the second he called Ephraim [to be fruitful], For [he said] God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Genesis 41:51-52 (Amplified Bible)

The same can also be applied in my place of work. There is bound to have people who will tresspass against you, but it is only when we can forgive, then we can fruitful (promotion???) in the land of affliction (school).

It is similar to the last blog where I mentioned jacob who worked seven years for rachel and ended up married leah, then has to work for another seven years for rachel (which is the promised one). Can you imagine what will happen if jacob did not presist for another seven years??? And it is leah who is more fruitful in terms of having children. Hence, it is the 'leah' experience that is most fruitful.

I also want to give glory to GOD and have been blessed (by faith abundantly, exceedingly beyond what I can hold that it goes out for the extension of the kingdom.) Thankfully, I had a tuition relief which made some money for the repair of the bumper, thank GOD for the provision.

Secondly, I have been thinking of getting a PSP (PlayStation Portable) and asked GOD for it either provide the money for it somehow. Thankfully, my brother-in-law got a laptop and not playing with his PSP so he will lend it to me. Thank GOD, I do not even have to fork out a single cent. Today he took it back to have the operating system downgraded to a newer version, hopefully, he will continue to lend me. :} Indeed He is my Jehovah Jireh, my firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-35994546128134626482007-08-16T22:14:00.000+08:002007-08-18T12:37:08.602+08:00Banks Credit Card - The World's legal Loanshark....I came to a point where I think it is only right that the pupils in school should learn about financial management. Just as the author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Robert Kiyosaki and co-author had mentioned in their book, the school do not teach financial management but only knowledge that allow people to only work for other people for the rest of the life, living the rat race, as he has coined it.

An example happened to the people around me. Sister-in-law (B) argued with boyfriend (A) over the buying of car issue. Why? Boyfriend B bought car by using credit card for the first downpayment. Boyfrined B could have paid off the amount own to the credit card, however, he dragged on the payment by paying very minimum (about $100 - $200 per month). With the kind of interest rates that the banks charged at 24% per year, the $100 - $200 will only cover the interest that the bank charge.

Two Issues:

1) $100-$200 will not cover part of the principle that the person own the bank, meaning that the money will go into the pocket of the bank.

2) if the interest is not paid, it will snowball, just think compounded interest, meaning more and more interest needs to be paid. So isn't the bank quite a big loan shark??? and with the backing of the law, they will declare the person a bankrupt when the amount reaches $10,000. Even the laonsharks do not charge so much interest (only 20%interest max), but the loanshark do not bring you to court to make you a bankrupt, only harass you and your family (irritating enough, but that is the price of borrowing). At least, the borrower can call the police to get rid of the loanshark, but the borrower cannot call the police to arrest the bank, right??

A few basic things to do

First, live within your means. With a pay of $2,500, I do not think buying a car is affordable, considering that the monthly expense of a car is about $1,000 (installment, petrol, HDB parking fee), not even considering the repairs of the car. Besides, if the person wants to get married, there must be savings (maybe $500 monthly maybe a good amount). Hence, that leaves a monthly expenses of $1,000, equal to roughly $30 daily. On top of that, there is still the yearly car insurance (roughly $2000+ for people age below 30 yr, age above 30 still need $1,300) and road tax ($600 - $800 depend on the type of car)

Second, pay yourself first as the Robert Kiyosaki had writtened in the book, is the same as savings. Saving allow the person to invest in shares, equity or unit trust or even invest in a business. In this new knowledge economy as the school always preached, I want to say that it is not a knowledge economy. The economy has never changed, it is always the rich getting richer, only money can maked with money. A new product like Windows by Bill Gates will also need some form of capital to start the ball rolling. Virgin Group (Group because of the over 350 companies) by Richard Branson started by selling records that he bought from some discounter store. Stock guru, Warren Buffet bought his first stock at the age of 12 years old. Warren Buffet started with three friends buying three pin ball machines to place outside barber shops to make money. Without money, how can Warren buffet buy pin ball machine???

Third, owning a house is not an asset, same as Robert Kiyosaki had written. Why? Because as most Singaporeans are still paying for the mortage from their CPF. You cannot own things that do not belong to you in the first place. Plus, Robert Kiyosaki re-define asset as properties that help you make money. Hence, the flat that you live in is not making you any money, so not an asset, but a liability, because the flat depreciates with age. Even if property price increase, it is because of inflation, hence, the loss is the oppotunity cost of owning the property. Plus, I have to buy another house at a higher price when I sell my home, so there is no gain in this.

Four, clear all debts. This is the basic and most difficult. One should clear all credit card bills immediately. Flat housing loans, even with HDB, should be cleared as soon as possible to avoid pay the large amount of interest. Some people do not see that for every $100,000, the interest per year is around $1,200. Imagine the amount of interest one has to pay for the 30 years loan ($36,000), that is alot of money. Plus some young couple took renovation loan, usually around $30,000 from the banks. My advise is if possible, it is wise to do the basic renovation, like flooring, kitchen and master bedroom, as basic as possible. It is always possible to do minor renovation when there is spare money. Car, obviously, is a no-no, unless there is spare money. As you know, I just bought an off-peak car for my family transportation during the weekend. After checking with Citibank ("Robber"), the interest (Interest rate @ 2.88%) for my car loan of $28,000 is $7,000+. There is a penalty to pay if I attempt to pay off early: 2% of the principle and 20% of the remaining interest that I own them. So my financial strategy put me in a better position that I will save for the $17,000 (rebate that I get for buying off-peak car) in my bank (earning interest) so that I can convert my off-peak car to normal car. Moreover, the amount to convert is prorated to the remaining months left of the car so I actually do not lose out.

Pray to GOD for wisdom in handling your finances. He is true and living, A GOD with the perfect plan, it takes us nothing to ask, right?? As written in the bible, Matt 7:11, If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts ti your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
The verse came after the following, Matt 7:7-10
7. Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.
8. For each on who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.
9. O what man is there of you, if his son asks a loaf, will he give him a stone?
10. Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake?

Last, be a good steward of your firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-58302260890937140942007-07-14T18:29:00.000+08:002007-07-14T19:50:52.301+08:00fined under section 136a of the custom actGOD give me grace as I blog this. Forgive me and I forgive the tresspassers. I offer the anger to you and my scarifice of my flesh to be crucified in Christ that I will grow in Christ and submit to the authorities. Amen

Today, I had a little misadverture at the Woodlands checkpoint, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth..... Below is a letter that I have writtened and emailed to the Singapore Customs, hoping for a positive reply and not one that is printed from the computer.

To-whom-it-may-concern,

Today (14/07/2007), I had a little misadventure on my part that I have forgotten to check the fuel level before I cross the Singapore Custom. The officers were nice and polite. I was stopped for having a fuel tank less than three quarter. I admitted that it was my overslight because my car is a off-peak car and I do not drive out very often, so can be a little careless about fuel level.

But what frustrates me was I noticed that the officer only stopped me and after he brought me to the office, he did not return to the post to continue to check other vehicles. Throughout the 10 minutes I was waiting in the office, there was no officers checking the fuel level of other vehicle. In this sense, should a person not feel justified? I am not saying that the officer is not performing his duties but I am refering to being fair. Why am I the only few cars that are stopped? It will not be fair to me if the cars in front and behind passed by without meeting the fuel level requirement without being stopping.

To be fair, the officer should have stopped all vehicles to check their fuel level and not at random. I pointed it out to the senior officer inside the office, he justified it by saying that the check was random , just as speed offenders, the police cannot be there all the time. (But is the speed detection machine there all the time???)

It will have been nice if the custom allowed me to return to top up my fuel tank, being this is my first offence. Presently, it will be nice if my fine is returned, the record can remain but it will also be nice if it is omitted because I still feel unfairly treated.

Thank you for your time to read this and hope to hear a reply soon.

This misadverture has brought me a few thoughts:

1) Is it fair to attribute everything to being random?
I understand that many of this police and traffic check are random, BUT should it not be fair too? Meaning as you know there are police road blocks at night, is it fair if the road block is there for an hour, then move to another location for another hour and move another location?? Law should be acted equally on all citizens and not be based on the dfference in timing. A drunk driver, caught at 9pm, will not be justified if a drunk at any other timing is not caught.

Secondly, by what standards do the department measure random or is it up to the whims and fancies of the officers involved?? Should "random" checks be also fair and consistent?

2) What a stupid law to have (three quarter full tank)
Where is our courage to be like the Hong Kongers, who went on strike to protest against a penal code section 23 (I think if I remember correctly)? I seriously questioned, who will benefited from this law? It is definitely not the Malaysia Government as they subsidised the price of petrol in Malaysia, if they are not complaining, why should the Singapore Government stop us consumers from choosing the places where we buy petrol?? It is our consumer right to choose where we use our limited resource under the confines of law. Where is our consumer rights?

With my finite mind, I can only think of three parties that will benefit from this law.

a) The Petrol companies
By keeping the consumers in Singapore, it will keep their profit margin up. But how can a democratic Government, voted by the people of Singapore not protect our interest and helped the foreign petrol companies??

b) The Singapore Government
Firstly, the Inland revenue will be able to collects taxes from the petrol companies from the profits. If the petrol companies made lesser profits, that will mean lesser tax revenue for the Government.
Secondly, The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will suffer a slight decease in the amount of collection. By the way, the law was in place before the GST was suggested.
However, it will not be fair if the law ask for full tank, so they can tell consumers that they still have the choice to choose, but can only top up a quarter tank.

c) The Singapore Customs
One law to fine Singaporeans. In the eyes of law, there is no room for compassion and understanding for other mankind, only punishments for offenders. Singapore is such a FINE city to live in.

3) Please, this is ridiculous, how much can I save to pump petrol there?
I did some rough calculation, my S$20 can pump my car to a quarter of the meter, however, S$20 can pump half a tank there. Hence, I only save $20 everytime I pump. Meaning my weekend car, which I pump a full tank every three to four weeks, will only save me S40 if I pump full tank in Malaysia. However, I only pump a quarter tank, which will mean $10 a month. How much can I save????

It is not as if I buy petrol back to sell.......crazy....plus the traffic jam that I have to endure to go over and back.....

I Pray:
38You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.

40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also.

41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles].

42Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [[a]at interest] from you.

43You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;

44But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45[b]To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].

Matthew 5:38-45 (Amplified Bible)

GOD, change me.......

email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-44372585438945392022007-05-25T17:52:00.000+08:002007-05-25T22:33:49.295+08:00Sports Day Little Irritation19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:19-20

Hallejuyah!! Wow, this verse on the "verse of the day" is so timely for me today.

Incident:

My girl runner fall just before the finishing line to lose her Gold medal. Other than minor scratches, she sprained her left wrist, which swell. First aid is given, ice compression is given.

Then, the first aid teacher came to tell me that she should not run anymore for the inter-cca race for her safety, in case, if she fall again, it may worsen the wrist, stating that they do not know if there is a facture in the wrist. To me, it is my intention for her to run for the track team in the inter CCA relay. If she run, it will give the track team the best chance of winning and it is also her last year in school, she will graduate this year. It is her last chance to run for the team and win the gold medal.

After discussion with her, she wants to run. I spoke to the parent to explain the situation and the parent gave the go ahead and even asked if she use her hands to run or her legs to run?? she only hurted her wrist, but still can use the legs to run. (When the parent said like this, it really feel abit foolish to call her in the first place. But it is a must for teacher to make that courteous call.)

Then I called for the bandage to hold the wrist together so that she can run. Then the same first teacher talked about:

1) Safety - what if there is a fracture inside?? It is not a fracture ( I also have first aid knowledge), if it is a real fracture, she will still be in constant pain and it will not swell. (What kind of first aid team is this??) My girl runner cannot move her fingers, of course, because the tendons, nerves and muscles to move the fingers pass through the wrist. And if the wrist is hurt, the person may not be able to move the fingers.

2) Take responsibility - who is going to take the responsiblity?? Ya Ya, at the end of the day, she do not want to take responsibility, asking if I want to take the responsibility. (I totally understand that she is also trying to protect me) I do not mind taking calculated risk, like what I have done like checking with the parents.

3) What if she falls again and worsen the wrist?? Then what if she walks home, fall and worsen the wrist?? Then it will not be our responsibility, is it?? Accidents will still happen whether you like it or not. If it is the will of GOD for a situation to happen, we, humans, are so weak that we cannot avoid it or prevent it. Why be so pessimistic?? Look on the bright side of things.

4) If the same thing happens on her child, she will not want her child to run. I think it is only a matter of perspective. First, I will not mind if my son (or child) continue, because I also want him to develop a certain amount of resilent. When I played water-polo for my school, our team has a understanding that even if our both legs cramped during a match and no chance for substitution, we will continue to play and swim hard, because if we stop, we will affect our game and let down our team mates. Second, as I have said I lost two national inter school medals, I do not want to disappoint my son (It is his decision, if he decides to do it, he will put his mind to it.) Through my swimming "career", I have seen Kenneth Goh (our national swimmer) cried after a race, which he won gold medal. Later, I found out that he cried because he missed the record timing by spilt seconds. WOW!!! That is the mentality of a champion. Winning is not enough, but to win well.

A HOD (he) was beside us all this while, of course, I did not argue like this, but he noticed that I was about to lose my temper (Yes, I admit I am pretty pissed) I mentioned that I lost two national inter school medals because some doctor said that the troat virus could attack my heart if I swim (compete). I have carried that disappointment for many years and I wished help her to at least a relay gold medal as it is her last year in school and want her to live to regret.

Then he mentioned that my role is not only to be a coach, but also a teacher. Teacher has to think for the well being of the pupil. (To me, it seems more like the well-being of the school, scared complain??) I will not push my runners more than they can bear. I have been with them for four to five years, do I not know them better??

He also mentioned that I could have made that decision based my past experience. Yes, of course, different people have different life experiences, which affect the choices and decisions that we made. Of course, I am not totally without fault too.

But I do not want to disappoint my runners too. That is why they want to run for me. And when they fail, they always say sorry to me, even if I know there is no need to. I know their disappointment to themselves will be greater than their disappointment to me. Reflecting on my way home, have I set a standard too high??

Resolution:

Seeing that I also got a "lecture", she decided not to run. If she does not want (badly enough), there is no point arguing anymore. But in the first place, a senior teacher said before, a pupil is only here for four years, but colleagues are in the same school for time longer than that so try not to argue over a pupil.

Praise GOD that He reminded me to calm down when the feeling comes up.

And of course, the track team still won gold. Hahahaha!!!!

Follow up in the evening:

She got a half cast and she is fine without the medal. (Chay, what for argue in the first place!!!)

A personal thought, has our society gone soft?? Or has our school system become so afraid of parent complain?? What if the parent complain why the school refuse to let her daughter run, causing her to have mental disappointment??

Personally, I will want to live a moment of glory, then to live a life of disappointment and regret. If my life is meant to be short, but meaningful, then so be it, then to live a long life of regret.

Did I mention that I went for water polo training, even with a muscle tear on my email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-12103569124208091212007-05-15T23:06:00.000+08:002007-05-21T22:28:16.385+08:00Please dun legalise Homosexuality by removing Penal Code 377aHomosexuality debate - we are being raped here

Please, people who are against it please raise up and stand against it. I am not only talking to the Christians only, this will affect every single pores of our country. Just look at the so call Land of Freedom (America). Do you know that a person can be put into jail (church burned and people beaten up) just by saying that homosexuality is a sin??? How free can you be when you cannot say what you want??

The word 'gay' has been raped. In the past, gay used to mean happy, light-hearted, but now..... I will not want to be associate with the word.

The homosexuals are attempting to deceive us that adultery is also wrong but not criminlise, so why should homosexuality be criminalise?? Yvonne Lim has written in the Straits Times few weeks back and has put it across in a very nice manner. At least the adulterers know that they are in the wrong and not push to legalise adultery, but homosexuality is different. homosexuals do not think that their act is wrong and even attempt to legalise it.

The homosexuals have an homosexual agenda to push forward, to destroy family values. There are many websites talking about, I just highlight two that may offer some understanding: Wiki and straight-talk. The steps are:

1. Decriminalise homosexuality,
2. Equalise the age of consent,
3. Anit-discrimination legislation e.g. equality in sex education requiring the teaching of
 anal sex to young school children,
4. Same sex marriage or civil union
5. Homosexual parenthood.

This is not a legacy that I want to leave for my children and my children's children. Please understand that I do not hate the sinners (homosexuals) but I hate the sin.

My heart is griefed after reading some posting on the feedback unit forum where there is a gay christian (who is proud to be gay) - please learn the Word of GOD and repent. Even though I do not have the right to judge (for the measure that we pass our judgement, in the Last Days, we are also measure by the same measurement & Jesus said let he without sin cast the first stone), I need to advise you to repent and turn from your wick ways for it is recorded in the bible (the bible that you believe,, unless you do not believe what you believe) that adulterers, murderers, homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of GOD.

There is no hyper grace message and it is not once saved always saved. Thoughout the bible, there are many incidents of GOD sending plagues, wars to wipe out his own people, the Isrealites, people who worship the golden calf, people who complain and wished that they had not left Egypt and, of course, the two classic cities: Sodom and Gomorrah. (The two cities found) The two cities, which are known for their wickedness and homosexuals. The bible story of how two (beautiful) angels entered the house of Lot, they attracted many men, both young and old, who wanted to lie (have sex) with the angels. Even when Lot offered his two daughters, the men will not compromised. Later as we know the cities were totally destroyed by fire from the Heavens. GOD sent the ten plagues on Egypt, not only to release his people, but also to punish Egypt for the sin of the shedding of innocent blood. Incident of the Pharaoh ordered the killing of baby sons aged two and below and the Israelites oppressed and enslaved with many privileges taken away.

Our nation does not need to pursue the pink dollars (as coined by the newspapers) and neither are all creative people gay. Just had this thought: why are we modelling ourselves after a nation of few hundred years history (America) when there are nations of few thousand years of history (China)??? There must be a reason why some nations (civilsations) can endure the test of time, while some are destroyed, like Babylonians (present Iraq), Persian (present Iran), Greeks, Romans Empire, Soviet Union (separated), British (Remember the sun will never set on the Union Jack), civallisations in the Central America where the people are no longer and cannot be found and the largest Empire in History: the Mongolian Genghis Khan, whose Empire stretches to large parts of modern day China, Mongolia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, South Korea, North Korea, and Kuwait. Today, it is only a small piece of China.

1corinthians 1:10
[Divisions in the Church] I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-19394498592672175362007-04-16T16:53:00.000+08:002007-04-24T22:50:15.847+08:00The virtue of waiting & waiting & waiting.........patienceHave you reached a point in life that you feel that you have just about waited for everything???

From birth, you waited in the womb of your mother to give birth to you. As a young, you are wait to learn to walk, talk and waiting to outgrow the ridiculous clothes that people try to fit you into. As a teen, you wait for the beautiful woman or handsome man to "sweep" your feet (to find him or her to be a jerk), for the first time holding hands and first time kiss, then the first degree, first car, first house.(first wife???? just kidding....)

Now, having been there and done that, I still find myself waiting.

1) Waiting to book my first car.
It is interesting that buying a new car is not as easy as it seems. Praise God for wisdom, I manage to book the toyota vios (off-peak) at $28k. It is quite a bargain. Borneo Motors is selling cheap since the new vios is already on the way. There are many times that I could have made a book for a car, but I waited...... and waited..... and waited. Till GOd say YES.

2) Waiting for the Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
In Singapore, having money does not mean that you get your car immediately. I still have to wait for the bidding of the COE. The first two bids for the month of March is about $12k plus, so I did not get the COE, wait again. The last round in April, Borneo Motor did not bid for me. (What an ASS!!!), but the bid went up to $14k. Oops, it looks difficult to get my COE now. Hmm.....The next round of bidding starts today and will end this wednesday. I feel that God is asking me to wait for the best deal that He will give me. But the flesh me wants to send fire from heaven on Borneo Motor if I do not get my COE this wednesday(18/04/2007). ARGH!!!!

3) Just attended another job interview, this time it is with Cornerstone Wine (the old Hock Tong Bee). I am still waiting for a reply from them, but I feel it is not too hopeful. They are the biddest distributor of wine and spirit in Singapore and they have expanded oversea. This is the most professional interview that I have ever been to. A personality test was conducted and a whole series of questions was asked. Prew......

4) Just an update from number two, I have got the COE and now still waiting for the collection of the car. It seems like a LONG process. Hmm..... Five days have passed then they ask me for the cheques and have to wait some more for the road tax. I have made abit of noise to collect my car before labour day. My colleague collected his Hyundai Avante one and a half weeks after getting the COE.

It seems ridiculous that they know that they need the two cheques (insurance and first installment) to start the process of collection, but it took Burneo Motors four days to get down to asking from me. Their reason was they needed to wait for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to issue the COE. But is it not common sense (or foresight) to ask your customers to prepare the money beforehand or at least once the COE is in, they can immediately bank in the cheques to get their money????? Then their reason was some customers prefer not to leave money or cheques with them. COME ON, Burneo Motor did not even ask me, how do they know that I do not wish to leave the cheques with them??? I can always post date the cheques so they cannot bank in the cheque till after a certain date.

My problem with Burneo Motor is they never ask. I do not expect high level of customer service, but they just do things as per NORMAL. Is normal good enough?? Or is it that the sales volume is too high that they do not have to worry about customer service??? (From the newspapers, toyota top the annual car sales with 2100 cars and the second is like in the hundreds.) It makes all that talk about customer service sound quite crappy. PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE .My heart is screaming but my spirit man at peace.

At the end of the day, it is GOD's will.
waiting upon GOD,
Have faith to wait and believe that GOD will provide the open door and for the right timing.
And bearing the fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Patience, Patience.
As it is written in the bible, ALL (as in ALL, everything) things work for the glory of GOD and in His timing, He will bless us and He will test us, but never beyond what we can take? Praise GOd for obstacles in our life.

______________________________________________

This week everything seems to be going well, very well. It felt as if GOd chose this week to bless me so mightly that everything fall in place. I have gotten the COE for the new car, gotten some new tutition assesments and thankful that the extra income will come in handy to pay for the car. In GOD's timing, He is our provider and always provide enough. Pray that He will provide abundantly, according to a book (the relvalation of heaven), in heaven, there are big warehouses of blessings that GOD wants to give to us, but we never ask for it. I will love to have more annointing too. :)

Not forgetting the pay increase and the addition bonus.

_______________________________________________

My heart is abit disheartened today. A pupil was suspended indefinitely. if the pupil acts gangsterly, is it not the duty of educators and teachers to work with him to put him back on the right path of righteousness???

As for the pupil (blog), I think that blogging in vuglarities is not right and all that names calling. I do not know what has happened, but it is how we response to the situation that makes us a man and by responsing in the right manner, people will respect you but in this case, it only shows that you are no better or even proving that the principle and teachers were right in their decision (or judgement).

And sometimes it may just a word of sorry to solve all the problem, but the human flesh (pride, anger) always stands in the way. I am not saying who is right or wrong, but one side has to say sorry and the princple and teachers will not do it so the word has to come from the pupil.

Humble yourself. And when you can do that, I will respect email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-33098279614462942512007-02-17T14:32:00.000+08:002007-02-17T15:34:37.554+08:00Life in a box of ChocolateInteresting life around me seems to be go haywire, but praise GOD, I am calm in the midst of the storm because as the bible quoted:"I look up to the heaven and my help comes from GOD, my father." So in the midst of the storm, I know that GOD, you are there.

1) Pilot Interview
It is not good, just gotten the rejection letter (actually to be specific, it is actually a rejection email. How nice and impersonal???) It seems like it is more "convenient" to send a rejection email - just copy and paste and mass email to all rejected - saving all that 22 cents stamps. (How cheapo can a company get to save $$$???? Hmm.....I might do the same if I own a company.... It is always the BOTTOMLINE.)

2) Job Application
Is there anyone out there???? I have not received any interviews for all the applications that I have sent out, with the exception of the pilot interview (rejected). Is it that difficult for a teacher wanting to change job???? Or teaching experience is considered no relevent experience ??? Actually the job scope of a teacher covers from teaching to managing to marketing to human resource management to administration to accounting. What can a teacher not do??? SOunds like superman, right?

3) Job crisis
I thought my N levels result for my class was not so good, till the O levels result was released last week, I think my N levels result is better. HAHAHA :P

This week, I got news that the principal (P) intents to meet all the teachers ( and instructors) in the department as the subject results have been going down and down (you know like the bear in the stock exchange) ARGH!! What has it got to do with me? I did not teach O levels last year and even if i have things to do with it, I only enter 3 classes for 2 periods each a week to help the pupils with their folio and only during the first half of the year. And whatever I discuss with the pupils still have to be approved by the main teachers teaching them, who make the final decision. So it should not affect me too greatly.

Second thing is the P also wants to find out why the subject teachers want to leave the department??? Personally, I am not surprised. There are 5 teachers in the department.
HOD - wants to leave the department to head other department and to leave the head post for teacher A
Teacher A - was condamned for a period of time and is looking at being senior teacher.
Teacher B - is also subject head of another subject as he vets all exam papers of that subject, not sure if he is looking to not teach this subject.
Teacher C- waiting to collect his pension, so he is not going anywhere. However, like me, he is condamned to teaching and somehow, no matter what he does or how well he does, the management is not going to promote him. (Heard he has not collected performance bonus for years......meaning a low "C" grade, not low enough to have to write report, just not good enough to collect performance bonus.
ME - condamned since day one in this "damn" school. I also intended to leave this department, but it does not seems likely. Seems to be labelled as having poor classroom management (even though my classroom management is so much better now but the label continues. Sadly to think that education is about second chance, but teachers do not get second chances) and i think they hate my guts and ability to change things. I was given a DYING CCA (10 members) to run (They were going to close it down, due to lack of participation) and I ran it well and the CCA is prospering and having smalll achievements in the inter-school arena. Which track and field team in North Zone can boast of a 50 members track team and running on a $3,600 yearly budget????? But the management asked me to concentrate on my core teaching Hmm.......

In the midst of this, I prepared myself for the meeting with P, but I know my help comes from GOD and GOD is doing some good works in me and I surrender to Him because I know in every crisis is an opportunity to GOD to show His Glory. To GOD be the email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-42606700416451497012007-02-10T08:04:00.000+08:002007-02-10T08:02:44.403+08:00Pilot InterviewI have gone for the Singapore Airline Pilot Interview recently, so I would like to share the questions I have been asked, for others as reference. Overall, it can be like an interrogation and the questions just keep coming to test whether you are able to think on your feet. (Being a teaceher for four years, thinking on our feet is what we do everyday. Because some pupils will ask some queer questions out of the blue. hahaha)

Before the interview, it is highly recommended to doing your homework, meaning go read up about the company (SIA) and the fleet (boeing & airbus) that they have and try to rememeber DETAILS about those planes. I had some help from a friend who send me this website to read abit before the interview. It also has records of other interviewees experience, so it should help you being aware of the process and the situation.

Below is the list of questions that I have been asked, be aware that questions may change according to the interviewers

1. Why are you interested in being a pilot?
2. Is that why you did not apply to be a airforce pilot?
3. What is your favourite fighter jet?
4. What are the characteristic of the fighter jet? Which company made it?
5. What is the thrust of the jet engine? What kind of combat is the plane used for?
6.From Singapore to United States, which ocean is crossed?
7. What is the capital of Australia?
8. What are the SIA planes?
9. Why do you think that SIA only have 5 airbus 340?
10. What is the difference between 747 and 777? 4 engines or 2 engines?
11. What is the engine thrust of the 777?
12. What is the company that made the engines?
13. What is PW (engine of 747)?
14. Where is boeing made?
15. Where is airbus made?

At the end of the day, it is wise to be prepared. Hope to get thru to second round then finally get to be pilot. Hahaha To GOD be the email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-1169277609973324622007-01-20T14:58:00.000+08:002007-01-20T15:20:10.010+08:00Norton Internet Security 2006 DOWN!!!What is going with this Norton Internet Security that USED to be good??? I was updating it on my laptop and suddenly, it just expired, even though I just installed it in april last year. I thought it was supposed to be a one year subscription. How can they just expired the software and leave their customers high and dry without any firewall protection???

Hence, I decided to switch back to windows firewall for the moment because I am online in a public area. Protection is very important. (The same message for safe sex, use comdom kind of advertisement. You know the usual "be safe, not sorry" message should be printed on computers too. Hahahaha........)

Af ter switching over, I realised that my internet explorer is running much faster. And no, it is not because the RAM is increased or internet speed has increased. But it is noticable that it takes shorter time to complete downloading a page. With the firwall up, I went online to look for a solution at the discussion forum to get activation code or product key etc to figure a way to get my Norton Internet Security(NIS) 2006 back. Then I realised I am not the only one who noticed this. There are plenty of users denouced Norton and noted increase in speed without NIS. It seems that there is a 46% in Boot delay. WOW!!! REad this!!! the NIS 2007 is not much better too. And this review that NIS 2006 is not totally effective against all spywares.

I have been using NIS 2004 to NIS 2005 without any hitches, but it seems that the NIs 2006 is problematic in installation and has update packages that even cause users who buy original package to be expired too. With the NIS 2007 out now and my NIS 2006 expired, I really got to reconsider whether to switch to other firewalls or other antivirus programs and Norton is considerably expensive for US$69.90 a year.

BYEBYE to norton, which USED to be firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-1168512730614722832007-01-11T18:17:00.000+08:002007-01-11T18:54:04.263+08:00Valuair (Jetstar) Sucks IIAs you may all know that I have gone for a Bangkok trip last month, from my previous blog. The trip was great. But before I left, I received a letter from Jetstar. Below is the content of the letter.

My thinking was like:"Oh, this is the way you are going to treat your customers. Hmm.....I will think twice before I fly with you again or maybe there is no need to think." And off I went for the trip, service on the plane was good, after all, there is actually not much need for service fro the short trip. It is like taking a public transport bus, you board the bus, travel and alight when you are supposed to.

While I was there, I had a very rude shock!! I arrived at Bangkok, thinking that I will leave from the Bangkok International Airport - Don Muang, as shown in the letter from Jetstar.

For your information, if you do not know, the Bangkok International Airport is CLOSED!!!!! Thank God, the staff at the VAT (GST) tax counter and tourist information counter at Siam Paragon informed us before we were supposed to fly off the next day. I cannot imagine a "big" company like this can make such errors, sending all our passengers to an airport that is CLOSED. I have the gut feeling that the first printout about the wrong flight time is also their mistake now and having to pay $60 to correct their error is disgusting. And not admiting to their error, it also disgusted me.

Presently, I have sent out a complain letter and it has been more than a month since I have received a reply. I will advise the general public not to fly with them. Moreover, there are two seperate incidents of them refusing to allow disabled passengers to board their plane, which is unjust. We, consumers, must know our rights that we have the power to choose where and who to spend our money on......

email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-1167750904619912912007-01-02T22:57:00.000+08:002007-01-02T23:15:04.710+08:00First Day of SchoolYeah, tomorrow is first day of school. My fellow comrades would have called me mad, but look on the bright side. First day in school is unavoidable, so why not just rejoice in the LORD. Heehee... For your information, I have been a crouch potato for two months and I can really get used to living like this..

I do not know if the stress of first day is getting into me, even after so many years, but somehow, I broke the tap in my bathroom. HAHAHA!!! I have "accidentally" asserted too much strength. Maybe I should bring the tap to school, saying:" If you dun behave yourself, I will break you like I break this tap" HAHAHA!!!! That will be interesting to see the faces of the pupils. If there is enough popular request, maybe I will consider uploading a picture of the tap.

Still, to one and all, have a blessed 2007 and see you at work for the teachers, as for the rest of the work force, back to work as usual. New year, time to meet some new "clowns"email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16073731.post-1166977485624836372006-12-25T00:15:00.000+08:002006-12-25T00:24:45.633+08:00Merry... Christmas....Merry Christmas to all...

I had a good holiday, spent six days in Bangkok, marvellous place to shop and eat and shop and eat .............

Felt refreshed and recharged to go on for another year. abit nostagic and lethagic because after Christmas, it will be the staff meeting, following by New Year, then it will be back in school. Christmas is like a reminder that holiday is coming to an end. ARGH!! Hate this feeling.

Looking on the bright side, it will be a great year for me, I will hit the big 30, so hope to make some milestone changes in my life.

Carpe Diem - seize the firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
ITworld.com –
Qwest Communications International Inc. will restate about US$950 million of revenue that it booked in 2000 and 2001 from the exchanges of optical capacity assets, the company said in a release Sunday.
These are similar transactions to those the company admitted to in July and which have been the subject of various government investigations in the U.S.
A further $531 million may need to be restated over the same period related to sales of optical capacity assets for cash, according to the statement. The total sum in question amounts to 5.2 percent and 2.8 percent of total reported revenue in 2001 and 2000, respectively, the company said.
Qwest said that the transactions in question had been booked in line with accounting policies approved by its previous auditor Arthur Andersen LLP, which has since ceased its auditing practice.
The transactions, known as swap transactions, consisted of selling capacity to another carrier and simultaneously buying capacity from that carrier for almost the same dollar amount, enabling both parties to book apparent revenue, and show inflated growth, without any money changing hands.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Break in 25 Year Old Case of Missing FSU Student
Detectives have identified a suspect in the 1989 disappearance of a University of Florida student.
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office is set to announce that Paul Rowles is the prime suspect in the case of Tiffany Sessions, who disappeared while going for an evening walk 25 years ago Sunday. She was 20.
Authorities have linked her case to Rowles, a serial killer who died in prison last year. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1976 for a murder in Miami and was paroled in 1985.
Session's father is Patrick Sessions, a prominent South Florida real estate developer. He used his connections with former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and other NFL players to gain attention to the case, but his daughter was never found.
Copyright: AP


text:
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Supports the Emily K Center
Volunteers are the backbone of the Emily K Center. They help support our students and our work, and serve as fabulous role models. That's why we have to give a special 'shout out' to the dedicated volunteers who come to us from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
For the fourth year running, the Emily K Center welcomes more than 15 volunteers from NCSSM who will spend every Monday working with our Pioneer Scholars. These volunteers who attend a premier high school for juniors and seniors come to the Center with their faculty advisor, Amy Sheck. For those Emily K fans who haven't heard of the NCSSM, the school was established in 1978 as a public, residential school for North Carolina students with high intellectual ability and commitment to scholarship. They also happen to be great kids who enjoy sharing their knowledge and learning talents with younger students who hopefully will follow in their path of educational curiosity. Grace Yook and Taylor (Tess) Stohrer, seniors at NCSSM, spearheaded an effort to start the Emily K Club. Fifty students joined the club this year and from that group 15 tutors were selected and trained. The remainder of the club is working to identify ways in which to support the EKC, including fundraising and a potential book drive. Thanks NCSSM and welcome back for year four!


text:
Mr Blair's decisions are in the short term dependent on the fate of the home secretary, Charles Clarke, and his deputy, John Prescott. Mr Blair is reluctant to lose either man, but if one or other were to fall on his sword, it would give him more options. So would a restructuring of the government machinery, possibly by breaking up the Home Office.
Shuffling the pack of existing middle-ranking cabinet posts is hardly likely to refresh or inject competence into a government that badly needs to do the once simple task of good administration again. Labour backbenchers are openly calling for the long-delayed reshuffle to follow the local elections, and to be widespread.
In the past three months, no fewer than seven of Mr Blair's cabinet ministers have been in the political doghouse. Mr Clarke is famously in the mire. There is also John Prescott's admission of an affair, and Patricia Hewitt is in danger of losing the support of NHS staff as she pushes through reforms that will expose troubling financial deficits in NHS trusts at a time of record investment.
The education secretary, Ruth Kelly, has looked more confident recently, but has been criticised for allowing sex offenders into Britain's schools and for failing initially to sell the education bill to her own backbenchers. The party chairman, Ian McCartney, has been attacked for not being abreast of the party's finances in the cash for peerages row. The culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, has separated from her husband, David Mills, following allegations about his business relationship with Silvio Berlusconi, and the chief whip, Hilary Armstrong, was accused of mislaying a large government majority in the Commons. Even the industry secretary, Alan Johnson, is accused of blotting an impressive copybook by mishandling pension negotiations with public-sector workers. To cap it all, the long-serving and normally impressive environment secretary, Margaret Beckett, has a farmers' revolt on her hands due to messing up the new system of rural payments.
The best ministers these days seem to be those who court little publicity, such as the defiantly uncharismatic transport secretary. Alistair Darling, the steady leader of the Commons, Geoff Hoon, or the bright but currently low-profile Europe minister Douglas Alexander. One backbencher claimed the Cabinet Office was proving to be the best-run department - it has not had a cabinet minister for four months.
Many of the other ministers not in trouble have portfolios that require them not to move. David Miliband is currently writing the local government white paper, but may be needed in extremis elsewhere. The work and pension secretary, John Hutton, is in the middle of fraught and detailed talks with the Treasury over the future of pension reform following the recommendations of the Turner commission. If he is to be shifted, possibly back to health where he served for many years as an admired minister, only Mr Johnson, a previous work and pensions secretary, or Mr Hutton's current deputy responsible for pensions, Stephen Timms, would be credible replacements. The Department for Work and Pensions has been through five cabinet ministers in five years, and all in a sphere requiring long-term planning. The only other possible replacements include Ms Hewitt, who understands the technical details of pensions and would impress the pensions industry. Ruth Kelly also knows pensions from her time at the Treasury. But Mr Hutton is also responsible for an important bill on incapacity benefit, an area he has handled well so far by forestalling a potential backbench rebellion.
Equally, Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, has shown competence but is in the middle of make-or-break talks to restore power sharing to the province. John Reid, the firefighting defence secretary, has Afghanistan and Iraq on his plate.
The cabinet minister most likely to be promoted is Hilary Benn, the international development secretary, a man who exudes much-needed moral authority. He has avoided the great Brown-Blair battles, and impressed both camps by his commitment to Africa. Outside the cabinet, there will be a shakeup at health, promotion to cabinet for Hazel Blears, possibly as party chairman, and possibly a step up for the schools minister, Jacqui Smith, and cabinet office minister Jim Murphy. New or further ministerial postings look likely for others of the best and brightest such as Ed Balls, John Healey, David Cairns and Ed Miliband.


text:
Get an overview of this hotelMotel in McKinney with free breakfast and outdoor pool
Popular property highlights
Situated in McKinney, this motel is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Collin College and within 3 mi (5 km) of Heard Craig Center for the Arts and McKinney Repertory Theatre. Collin County History Museum and Chestnut Square Historic Village are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Property Features
An outdoor pool, a fitness center, and coffee/tea in a common area are available at this motel. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a seasonal outdoor pool, a business center, and a meeting room are onsite.
Room Amenities
All 75 rooms provide conveniences like sitting areas and refrigerators, plus free WiFi and TVs with cable channels. Microwaves, coffee makers, and free local calls are among the other amenities available to guests.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Super 8 McKinney Plano
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Super 8 McKinney Plano features an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. This motel offers access to a business center and a meeting room. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Event facilities measure 750 square feet (70 square meters). This business-friendly motel also offers multilingual staff, coffee/tea in a common area, and laundry facilities. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
- 24-hour front desk
- Total number of rooms - 75
- Number of floors - 3
- Business center
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Free breakfast
- Fitness facilities
- Elevator/lift
- Free WiFi
- Free wired Internet
- Laundry facilities
- One meeting room
- Multilingual staff
- RV, bus, truck parking
- Free RV, bus, truck parking
- Conference space size (feet) - 750
- Conference space size (meters) - 70
- Free self parking
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Outdoor pool
- Outdoor seasonal pool
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Free self parking, RV, bus, truck parking, Free RV, bus, truck parking
Room Amenities
- Separate sitting area
- Air conditioning
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- Desk
- Television
- Cable TV service
- In-room safe (surcharge)
- Free WiFi
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
Guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast each morning.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the motel include an outdoor pool and a fitness center.
- Golfing nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.
- Cribs (infant beds) are available for USD 10.
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 10 per pet, per night, plus a one-time cleaning fee of USD 100
- Up to 20 lb
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
Optional extras
- Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per night plus USD 100 one-time cleaning fee
- In-room safe fee: USD 1.63 per night
- Cribs (infant beds) are available for an additional fee
- Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee
Hotel Name
- Super 8 McKinney
- Super 8 McKinney Plano
- Super 8 Plano Motel McKinney
- Super 8 McKinney Plano Motel
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


text:
|Changes to Exercise Science program and concentrations
|Submitting Dean
|Dr. Mark Shermis
|Submitting College
|Education -- Roberta Reese x2114
|Departments Generating the Proposal
|Phys & HE
|Objection Deadline
|June 07, 2010
|Proposal Status
|Final Approval Granted
|Proposal Last Updated
|September 16, 2010 by Karen Greene
|Effective Date
|Fall 2010
|Brief Summary of Proposal
|To articulate with changes recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine and to match curriculum to accreditation standards, course changes are required.
|Type of Proposal
|Program changes
|Graduate School Endorsement Status
|Not required
|Graduate School Endorsement Updated
|May 11, 2010 by GS Heather Blake
|Institutional Research Status
|IR Status Updated
|May 11, 2010 by IR Anu Mahapatra
|Library Status
|Library Status Updated
|May 10, 2010 by UL Steve Aby
|Distance Learning Review Committee Status
|Not required
|DLRC Status Updated
|General Education Advisory Committee Status
|Not required
|GEAC Status Updated
|May 13, 2010 by Karen Greene
|Resource Requirements
|No additional resources
|Resource Requirements Updated
|March 02, 2010 by ED dean's ofc Roberta Reese
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SQL Dev/South Yorkshire/£400-£450
SQL Dev/South Yorkshire/£400-£450
My client, a large financial organisation, are currently on the market for a highly skilled and experienced Database Developer (T-SQL, SQL Server, ETL, SSIS/SSAS/SSRS) to add to their strong and growing Business Intelligence team.
Assisting with all aspects of Database Design, Architecture and Development, this is a hands on role in which you will gain excellent exposure throughout an excellent range of business critical projects. Optimisation of the Microsoft Bi Stack will be a key part of your day to day duties working with large scale databases.
Technical experience within the following is essential:
- Database Design and Development - T-SQL
- SQL Server 2005/2008
- Microsoft Bi Stack - SSIS/SSRS/SSAS
- Implementing ETL Processes
- Understanding of OLAP Methodologies
- Data Warehousing Methodologies and Best Practices
This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a great organisation, that will offer masses within career progression and development.
The daily rate is between £400-£450 depending upon experience
SQL Dev/South Yorkshire/£400-£450