What a laugh! I just read my horoscope (at the bottom of this page).
"... you'll probably stir a day of chaos."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
My last hours...
I'm so glad my last day is today.
I started with my 4N1 Maths class. Somehow, they seem to be the last class in which nobody heard any news of my leaving... Anyway, most of them were rather surprised at my announcement that today is my last day. I hope the news will not affect their preparation for the Ns. Besides, I will still try to see them every Sat, either in school or outside (I think they'd prefer the latter).
Just finished with my other Maths class - 1E2. Other than my form class, they have been my favourite class this year. A very energetic bunch but talkative. Then again, which class isn't? Some of them have visited my blog before, so they knew of my leaving. But I guess it's always a shocker when your teacher just finished going through volume and surface area of prisms one minute, and the next, announcing that another teacher will taking over the class the next day. Similarly, I hope their performance for the Common Tests won't be too affected by my departure.
Ok. Have to prepare for my last class of the day, of the year - 3N1. What a perfect end, one would think. It's a sign! *grin*
I started with my 4N1 Maths class. Somehow, they seem to be the last class in which nobody heard any news of my leaving... Anyway, most of them were rather surprised at my announcement that today is my last day. I hope the news will not affect their preparation for the Ns. Besides, I will still try to see them every Sat, either in school or outside (I think they'd prefer the latter).
Just finished with my other Maths class - 1E2. Other than my form class, they have been my favourite class this year. A very energetic bunch but talkative. Then again, which class isn't? Some of them have visited my blog before, so they knew of my leaving. But I guess it's always a shocker when your teacher just finished going through volume and surface area of prisms one minute, and the next, announcing that another teacher will taking over the class the next day. Similarly, I hope their performance for the Common Tests won't be too affected by my departure.
Ok. Have to prepare for my last class of the day, of the year - 3N1. What a perfect end, one would think. It's a sign! *grin*
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My singular existence
Bravo! What a delightful piece of writing!
~~~~~~~~~~
by Sumiko Tan
Okay, so here we go again.
Marriage and making babies are back in the news. It's enough to make a single person weep.
Every couple of years, the problem of Singapore not having enough babies will be resurrected and the nation will plunge into another period of soul-searching.
The Government will then announce a raft of fresh incentives to get Singaporeans to marry and have kids, and the matter will rest for a bit.
But clearly the measures don't really work because the issue will invariably get another airing, as it has in recent weeks. This time, the Government is looking at free childcare and paid paternity leave.
In 1983, the Great Marriage Debate - the one where men were encouraged not to ignore graduate women - took place.
I was in university then and at my reproductive peak, although I wasn't ready for marriage.
Fast forward 25 years and I'm still unmarried, although no longer at my biological best, baby-wise.
Maybe I'm getting querulous as I grow older, but all this talk about incentives to promote procreation makes me see red.
It's not that I don't grasp the big picture and the need for babies. I do.
It's not even that I'm not fond of children. I am. I even wish I had my own.
Neither am I unsympathetic to the heavy load of working parents. As a boss, I've been understanding to colleagues who need time off to tend to kids-related emergencies.
It's just that measures rewarding marriage and parenthood can smack of singlism.
Singlism? Yes, it's a word that's been concocted to depict the negative stereotypes and discrimination against people who are unmarried.
While the term includes folks who are divorced and widowed, it applies mostly to those like me who have never walked down the aisle (or whatever else people do in the name of getting hitched).
Singles are single for different reasons. Some want to be married but can't find a partner. Others genuinely prefer the unmarried lifestyle. There are also those who have a partner (and might be living with him or her, too) but don't see the need to marry, or can't marry - gays and lesbians come to mind.
Unlike other forms of discrimination like racism and sexism, singlism is not overt, which makes it all the more invidious.
Prejudices have in fact become so ingrained that one doesn't bat an eyelid at them. The thinking goes: If singles are slighted, too bad, it's their problem for being ultra-sensitive, not society's fault for being insensitive.
Singlism happens in the way singles are perceived as some alien life form.
A poll of 1,000 undergraduates in the United States found that most of them viewed singles in a negative light: immature, insecure, self-centred, lonely, ugly and prone to envy were words most used to describe people like me. Married people were seen as honest, caring and kind.
Singlism happens when people pass patronising comments about your single status and, worse, think there's nothing wrong with that.
As an article on the Internet notes, how would married people feel if the tables were turned? How would they like it if, upon announcing that they are getting married, they get pitiful looks and remarks like: 'Hey, don't worry, your turn to divorce will come soon.'
But, ah well, we singles have long learnt that names shouldn't hurt us.
But institutionalised forms of singlism do. You see it in the workplace where singles have to cover for married colleagues when they need time off because baby has a fever, the maid's run off or there's a parent-teacher event to attend.
When it comes to taking leave in June and December, parents get priority because we can't deprive them of the school holidays, can we?
In companies with shift, night and weekend work, it's often the singles who are rostered for these slots. After all, the thinking goes, singles don't have much of a life outside the office anyway.
When colleagues go on maternity leave or switch to part-time work, singles pick up the slack - for the same pay.
In one company I know, long-service employees get a paid-for trip as a reward.
Thing is, married employees can take their spouse or child along, with the company footing their bill. But singles aren't allowed to take along a boyfriend, girlfriend or parent. The difference in benefits? About $1,500. Not a great sum but, oh, the unfairness of it all.
Housing perks and tax reliefs remain perennial sticking points.
Yes, the Government has liberalised housing rules by a lot and singles can now buy resale HDB flats of any size when they turn 35.
But singles still can't buy new, subsidised HDB flats, which are way cheaper than resale ones. And this despite how, at one stage, HDB had so many unsold flats to get rid of.
As a single friend put it, it's like the Government is telling you: Even if we can't sell the flats, we don't want you to have them.
How does that make us feel, especially those who can't afford to pay open market prices for resale flats?
Things get even more hurtful when it comes to tax relief for the foreign maid levy.
The relief is open only to married women (note: the rules don't even say they have to be mothers; just married) and women who are separated, divorced or widowed and living with their children.
Singles and males aren't eligible because the scheme is meant to 'encourage married women to remain in the workforce after having children and to encourage procreation'.
This means singles get no respite even if the only reason they hire a maid is to help look after their aged parents.
Do singles matter so little? Don't we perform a family function too? Would it cost the Government much to allow us to claim tax relief in this instance?
Everyone knows that when it comes to looking after aged parents, it's always the unmarried sibling who gets lumped with the heaviest load.
Besides, so many of us are also contributing to the welfare of our nieces and nephews, paying for their 'enrichment' classes and whatnot. We are part of family units too.
So much is already being done to promote procreation that one wonders just what else the Government has in store.
What makes it harder for singles to stomach is how some parents clamour for even more help, whether it is more money from the state or more 'family-friendly' practices at work.
For goodness' sake, parenthood comes with responsibilities and sacrifices. Live with it. And isn't it enough that you have children who should be reward in themselves?
We haven't heard the last of marriage and babies and I doubt we ever will.
It'll just be nice that in the debate to come, singles will get their recognition and due.
The above article was first published in The Sunday Times, Jul 27, 2008.
The author can be contacted at sumiko@sph.com.sg
This article is reproduced from AsiaOne.
by Sumiko Tan
Okay, so here we go again.
Marriage and making babies are back in the news. It's enough to make a single person weep.
Every couple of years, the problem of Singapore not having enough babies will be resurrected and the nation will plunge into another period of soul-searching.
The Government will then announce a raft of fresh incentives to get Singaporeans to marry and have kids, and the matter will rest for a bit.
But clearly the measures don't really work because the issue will invariably get another airing, as it has in recent weeks. This time, the Government is looking at free childcare and paid paternity leave.
In 1983, the Great Marriage Debate - the one where men were encouraged not to ignore graduate women - took place.
I was in university then and at my reproductive peak, although I wasn't ready for marriage.
Fast forward 25 years and I'm still unmarried, although no longer at my biological best, baby-wise.
Maybe I'm getting querulous as I grow older, but all this talk about incentives to promote procreation makes me see red.
It's not that I don't grasp the big picture and the need for babies. I do.
It's not even that I'm not fond of children. I am. I even wish I had my own.
Neither am I unsympathetic to the heavy load of working parents. As a boss, I've been understanding to colleagues who need time off to tend to kids-related emergencies.
It's just that measures rewarding marriage and parenthood can smack of singlism.
Singlism? Yes, it's a word that's been concocted to depict the negative stereotypes and discrimination against people who are unmarried.
While the term includes folks who are divorced and widowed, it applies mostly to those like me who have never walked down the aisle (or whatever else people do in the name of getting hitched).
Singles are single for different reasons. Some want to be married but can't find a partner. Others genuinely prefer the unmarried lifestyle. There are also those who have a partner (and might be living with him or her, too) but don't see the need to marry, or can't marry - gays and lesbians come to mind.
Unlike other forms of discrimination like racism and sexism, singlism is not overt, which makes it all the more invidious.
Prejudices have in fact become so ingrained that one doesn't bat an eyelid at them. The thinking goes: If singles are slighted, too bad, it's their problem for being ultra-sensitive, not society's fault for being insensitive.
Singlism happens in the way singles are perceived as some alien life form.
A poll of 1,000 undergraduates in the United States found that most of them viewed singles in a negative light: immature, insecure, self-centred, lonely, ugly and prone to envy were words most used to describe people like me. Married people were seen as honest, caring and kind.
Singlism happens when people pass patronising comments about your single status and, worse, think there's nothing wrong with that.
As an article on the Internet notes, how would married people feel if the tables were turned? How would they like it if, upon announcing that they are getting married, they get pitiful looks and remarks like: 'Hey, don't worry, your turn to divorce will come soon.'
But, ah well, we singles have long learnt that names shouldn't hurt us.
But institutionalised forms of singlism do. You see it in the workplace where singles have to cover for married colleagues when they need time off because baby has a fever, the maid's run off or there's a parent-teacher event to attend.
When it comes to taking leave in June and December, parents get priority because we can't deprive them of the school holidays, can we?
In companies with shift, night and weekend work, it's often the singles who are rostered for these slots. After all, the thinking goes, singles don't have much of a life outside the office anyway.
When colleagues go on maternity leave or switch to part-time work, singles pick up the slack - for the same pay.
In one company I know, long-service employees get a paid-for trip as a reward.
Thing is, married employees can take their spouse or child along, with the company footing their bill. But singles aren't allowed to take along a boyfriend, girlfriend or parent. The difference in benefits? About $1,500. Not a great sum but, oh, the unfairness of it all.
Housing perks and tax reliefs remain perennial sticking points.
Yes, the Government has liberalised housing rules by a lot and singles can now buy resale HDB flats of any size when they turn 35.
But singles still can't buy new, subsidised HDB flats, which are way cheaper than resale ones. And this despite how, at one stage, HDB had so many unsold flats to get rid of.
As a single friend put it, it's like the Government is telling you: Even if we can't sell the flats, we don't want you to have them.
How does that make us feel, especially those who can't afford to pay open market prices for resale flats?
Things get even more hurtful when it comes to tax relief for the foreign maid levy.
The relief is open only to married women (note: the rules don't even say they have to be mothers; just married) and women who are separated, divorced or widowed and living with their children.
Singles and males aren't eligible because the scheme is meant to 'encourage married women to remain in the workforce after having children and to encourage procreation'.
This means singles get no respite even if the only reason they hire a maid is to help look after their aged parents.
Do singles matter so little? Don't we perform a family function too? Would it cost the Government much to allow us to claim tax relief in this instance?
Everyone knows that when it comes to looking after aged parents, it's always the unmarried sibling who gets lumped with the heaviest load.
Besides, so many of us are also contributing to the welfare of our nieces and nephews, paying for their 'enrichment' classes and whatnot. We are part of family units too.
So much is already being done to promote procreation that one wonders just what else the Government has in store.
What makes it harder for singles to stomach is how some parents clamour for even more help, whether it is more money from the state or more 'family-friendly' practices at work.
For goodness' sake, parenthood comes with responsibilities and sacrifices. Live with it. And isn't it enough that you have children who should be reward in themselves?
We haven't heard the last of marriage and babies and I doubt we ever will.
It'll just be nice that in the debate to come, singles will get their recognition and due.
The above article was first published in The Sunday Times, Jul 27, 2008.
The author can be contacted at sumiko@sph.com.sg
This article is reproduced from AsiaOne.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Great Dover Street Apartments
I didn't get the apartment with the good location. Got one quite a distance from the campus. Hope I can walk over. May have to consider buying a bike if the transport fees are too high...
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
My most late night this year (6 July)
After dinner and drinks with the gals, was supposed to go home coz need to wake up early the next day. AT came to give me a lift, I presumed a lift home.
However, after realising that he waited quite a while to give me the ride out of the Keppel Marina, I suggested that we go for a cup of coffee.
We went first to Hilton but their lounge closes surprisingly early. We walked walked their shopping gallery looking at all the high-class stores and their super-expensive wares. It was late at night, so we can stare closely at all the things that we like without the sales people thinking we were nutcases. Maybe the security guards looking into the cameras will, but who cares? I can't see them.
Then we went to the 24-h TCC outside International Building (or Plaza?). Talked, listened, chit-chat, the usual... After all, both of us can talk on and on one... I was starting to fall asleep in my chair so I had to order some munchies to stay awake.
Goodness, in the end, we finished up our coffee at 5 am in the morning! Sigh... I'm too old for late nights like these... Quickly jumped into bed and boy, was I surprised I could still wake up early for my morning appointment the next day.
Most expensive meal of my life (5 July)
Yup. Treated my mum a few times to some very nice restaurants, but have never reached this kind of a bill. About $70+ per person.
Imagine $42+++ just for a rack of pork. But the place is very nice. The way it is tucked away into the building and that you have to be led by the hostess through a 'secret doorway'... The chef would prepare a little something to open your palate and Linda even got a free cake because she informed the restaurant that the dinner was to celebrate a birthday when she made the reservation. The waitor for our table kept refilling our glasses (we have to pay for the bottles of water that we open). Oh yes, they have one of those special chairs for us ladies to put our bags. Everything spells 'EXCLUSIVE'...
Well, what to expect from a place at a marina? The TCC upstairs does look much more affordable and value-for-money. Even the cafe next door seems to serve more reasonably-priced food. Thankfully, the portions (for mains, sides, desserts, etc) were pretty decent. I was very full after the meal.
In all, it was a nice getaway. It felt great to be able to live the good life. But I would also feel guilty about "squandering" away the money like that when I seriously need to cut back.
Last but not least, this would be one of the last of our gals' dinners. Goodness knows if we can still continue with our New Year's Eve dinners anymore. I have missed so many of them when I used to go London on my holidays. Now, I'm again missing this year's dinner (and hopefully more) because I'd be in London again. This time albeit for a very different reason - I'd be STUDYING there! *grin*
So here's to us girls! Hope we'd stay young and happy and pretty always. I'd be thinking of you gals all the time and especially on New Year's Eve!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Dinner for grandad (May)
Decided to prepare a meal for my grandad and myself when my parents went on their holiday to Sydney.
My omelette was, of course, without fault. But too much oil when frying the fish. And the soup was too much contrasting flavours.
The dishes were fighting each other for attention. All very strong dishes with strong flavours. The egg with its bacon. The fish with its oil. Then the spicy and sour soup with its crab meat, meatballs, etc. Too much distractors.
Dinner with Wensi (May)
Finally met up with Wensi after a long time to pick her brains on my future plans (at that time). She brought me to a very interesting eatery called Colbar. They have a lot of imported beers. We got one with a honey taste - nice and sweet. However, I dun like beer, so couldn't really appreciate it.
I enjoyed more my dinner of curry eggs. 2 hard boiled eggs split into halves. Then a very generous portion of curry sauce over the eggs. Eaten with rice. Simple and simply delicious.
Then, we proceeded on to the Esplanade to watch this performance by her friend on this Japanese musical instrument. Very nice and soothing music. I liked it a lot.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Desserts @ Scoops (April)
Argh... I miss the ice-cream at Scoops. Haven't indulged in their waffles for a long time...
I really like the place. It's not very crowded if you go in the afternoons. It's kinda packed if you go in the evening with the families from the nearby private houses crowding the place. However, because the sitting area is L-shaped, you dun really get all the noise when you are lucky enough to get the tables tucked in the corner away from the ice-cream counter.
I must try to go down for a spot of indulgence next week. Either from Scoops or Ben & Jerry's.
Home-cooked sirloin steak (April)
Garlic sirloin steak. 3 minutes on each side. A little just slightly overcooked from my preferred medium rare.
I have gone a long way from eating only well-done steaks. What a waste of good beef.
Was quite pleasantly surprised by my own cooking. Marinated the steak the night before with oil, sesame oil, pepper, salt, garlic. Made the pan very hot first, then seared the sides of the meat - sealing the juices - and turned down the heat of the fire before grilling the steak on both sides.
And oh boy, what a delicious (and cheap) beef steak. Juicy all by itself. Great meaty flavour highlighted by the sweet tartness of the garlic. Surprisingly, the garlic not very burnt and bitter.
Must have another go at it again next month when I am more free. Go for a thicker slice of steak perhaps. Or more daring seasoning? Hm... Drool...
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Makan with Mother (March)
I think I have posted the photos above in a previous blog.
But never mind. Haven't updated my blogs for a while and I have been meeting a lot of friends for meals out. Gonna blog all the food photos for the next couple entries.
This one was at a small dim-sum stall at Sunshine Plaza (or Building) near Paradiz at Selegie Road. The carrot cake is steamed instead of pan-fried. It was ok. Very flavourful due to the special dark oyster sauce on top. What I really liked was the chee cheong fun. Very soft and gooey. Yum yum!
Friday, July 04, 2008
Youth Day
Wah! Had a really great time during the Youth Day performance.
As usual, the teachers put up fantastic song items and a group song and dance performance. Made me real tempted to come back to school to perform for Teachers' Day.
Should I? Make more problems for myself... *grin*
Have to go for department lunch now at Suntec. Then go home and enjoy my new Starhub Digital Cable! It's real good. Got so many channels to surf and the information display is so helpful.
As usual, the teachers put up fantastic song items and a group song and dance performance. Made me real tempted to come back to school to perform for Teachers' Day.
Should I? Make more problems for myself... *grin*
Have to go for department lunch now at Suntec. Then go home and enjoy my new Starhub Digital Cable! It's real good. Got so many channels to surf and the information display is so helpful.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The news is out! (Part 3)
Anyway, do get my msn if you wish to stay in touch. Or leave a message on my tag board. *smile*
And, I'm still around for another month at least to terrorize all of my students. No skiving of work! Or you'd be punishing yourself because, like I mentioned, I'd be teaching stuff for CA2.
And, I'm still around for another month at least to terrorize all of my students. No skiving of work! Or you'd be punishing yourself because, like I mentioned, I'd be teaching stuff for CA2.
The news is out! (Part 2)
So, the news is out. I'd be teaching till the end of July. I'd finish all the syllabus that is needed for your CA2 in Term 3 (Must be responsible!). I'm sad to leave everyone but hey, some sacrifices have to be made.
In fact, my last blog entry of the 'Gap year' entry is pretty relevant. Usually, the gap year is a period of time between graduation and the next step of work. It gives many youths the chance to get away from jumping straight into the rat race in the work place from the rat race in school.
For me, my year away in London will serve as a period of time between work and more work. *laugh* But it serves the same purpose of being a journey of self-discovery. I hope to be able to reflect on some important decisions that lie ahead regarding my career.
Since I am old enough to work, I have been doing some part-time work. I know what it is like in the service sector, financial sector and, of course, the education sector.
I have travelled, pretty vastly, I must say. I've always had the wander-lust in me. I 'blame' this on my grandparents who brought me around to various parts of Malaysia when I was 4 to 6 years. They were wayang performers and hence, the travels with them had trained me well for my backpacking trips to Asia, Europe, New Zealand (just haven't gone to the States and Australia yet). In fact, my grandfather is still performing wayang and will be going on a trip in 2 weeks' time. I do miss watching wayang and hope there'd be an opportunity for me to follow him on a wayang trip before I leave for London.
Through my overseas service-learning (OSL) trips to Vietnam, India and Cambodia, I hope I have made a difference in the lives of others through community service. I also hope that I have made a diiference in my students' lives when we bring them on the OSL projects.
During the year ahead, I hope that it will provide me not only the chance to further hone my IT skills, but also a chance to challenge myself. The combination of taking classes, managing my LIMITED finances, coping with a totally different weather system and environment, and being alone overseas will be both physically and psychologically exhausting. Will I be able to handle the ups and downs of this experience?
In fact, my last blog entry of the 'Gap year' entry is pretty relevant. Usually, the gap year is a period of time between graduation and the next step of work. It gives many youths the chance to get away from jumping straight into the rat race in the work place from the rat race in school.
For me, my year away in London will serve as a period of time between work and more work. *laugh* But it serves the same purpose of being a journey of self-discovery. I hope to be able to reflect on some important decisions that lie ahead regarding my career.
Since I am old enough to work, I have been doing some part-time work. I know what it is like in the service sector, financial sector and, of course, the education sector.
I have travelled, pretty vastly, I must say. I've always had the wander-lust in me. I 'blame' this on my grandparents who brought me around to various parts of Malaysia when I was 4 to 6 years. They were wayang performers and hence, the travels with them had trained me well for my backpacking trips to Asia, Europe, New Zealand (just haven't gone to the States and Australia yet). In fact, my grandfather is still performing wayang and will be going on a trip in 2 weeks' time. I do miss watching wayang and hope there'd be an opportunity for me to follow him on a wayang trip before I leave for London.
Through my overseas service-learning (OSL) trips to Vietnam, India and Cambodia, I hope I have made a difference in the lives of others through community service. I also hope that I have made a diiference in my students' lives when we bring them on the OSL projects.
During the year ahead, I hope that it will provide me not only the chance to further hone my IT skills, but also a chance to challenge myself. The combination of taking classes, managing my LIMITED finances, coping with a totally different weather system and environment, and being alone overseas will be both physically and psychologically exhausting. Will I be able to handle the ups and downs of this experience?
The news is out! (Part 1)
Some students started asking me if I'm really going UK to study on Monday. So during Homeroom today, I decided to make a formal announcement of my leaving to my class. It was, after all, in line with the focus of the day's Homeroom: Setting Goals.
There wasn't much time, so I didn't really get to tell my full life story. But I hope enough information got through.
(1) I come from a less-than-illustrious background with my mum failing her P6 and my dad passing P6 but coming from a Chinese school, he doesn't know a smack of English. Hence, my dad is still working as a machine operator even now, and my mum is still working as a coffeeshop assistant.
(2) I've always dreamed of going to an overseas university but because of my lousy results in JC, I couldn't secure a scholarship for my further studies. And I blame my lousy results because I spent too much time dating. *grin*
(3) It has been 5 years since I left the university but I still have my dream of furthering my studies. But there were still constraints - $$$.
(4) I try my utmost to save the past few years to save. I was successful the first 2 years but after that, I couldn't take it - and ended up shopping like crazy. Hence, I was distracted from my goal. But that didn't stop me. Looking at my finances last year, I realised I could still go for my further studies if I stop all shopping and save, save, save from last year. And VIOLA! I did it! Saved enough for my school fees and living expenses. Of course, the numbers are for the minimal living expenses - no shopping, no excesses, no holidays... If I want those, will have to do part-time work.
(5) I also shared about my fears of how I am afraid of going over all by myself. That I'd be without friends and family. But it's my dream. I'd have to learn to cope with it. I'm not sure whether I can be a student again. I'd have to work hard and stay focus. Just like they have to, as students. By the way, I'd be a student at King's College London, studying the use of computers and information technology (IT) in education.
There wasn't much time, so I didn't really get to tell my full life story. But I hope enough information got through.
(1) I come from a less-than-illustrious background with my mum failing her P6 and my dad passing P6 but coming from a Chinese school, he doesn't know a smack of English. Hence, my dad is still working as a machine operator even now, and my mum is still working as a coffeeshop assistant.
(2) I've always dreamed of going to an overseas university but because of my lousy results in JC, I couldn't secure a scholarship for my further studies. And I blame my lousy results because I spent too much time dating. *grin*
(3) It has been 5 years since I left the university but I still have my dream of furthering my studies. But there were still constraints - $$$.
(4) I try my utmost to save the past few years to save. I was successful the first 2 years but after that, I couldn't take it - and ended up shopping like crazy. Hence, I was distracted from my goal. But that didn't stop me. Looking at my finances last year, I realised I could still go for my further studies if I stop all shopping and save, save, save from last year. And VIOLA! I did it! Saved enough for my school fees and living expenses. Of course, the numbers are for the minimal living expenses - no shopping, no excesses, no holidays... If I want those, will have to do part-time work.
(5) I also shared about my fears of how I am afraid of going over all by myself. That I'd be without friends and family. But it's my dream. I'd have to learn to cope with it. I'm not sure whether I can be a student again. I'd have to work hard and stay focus. Just like they have to, as students. By the way, I'd be a student at King's College London, studying the use of computers and information technology (IT) in education.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
'Gap year' break a chance to give new things a shot
This article was first published in The Straits Times on June 30, 2008.
By Chew Zhi Wen, 21, to read law and economics at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
THE gap year - that period of time between graduating or completing national service and the next step - presents a rare opportunity for youth to relish the emancipation from the hustle and bustle of school.
It is a time to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflect on the important decisions that lie ahead.
Some of my peers chose to travel; others made a difference in the lives of others through community service.
Most, though, decided on the traditional nine-to-five office grind, through work and internships. They believed that every job made a difference to their resume.
Me? I became a dancer.
I turned my hobby into a part-time job, learning and working as a dancer for the past eight months.
I started dancing at 14, in a secondary school CCA, so I had some experience.
The gap year provided me with a rare opportunity to further hone my skills.
The combination of taking classes, conducting classes and doing shows was physically and psychologically exhausting.
The ups and downs of this experience enlightened me to the differences between a passion and a profession.
Was I good enough to be a career dancer? I think I got my answer.
Secretly, I was relieved that I did not have to do this my whole life.
Nevertheless, I was glad I gave it a shot anyway.
Perhaps I could have gone with the norm and done a few internships to improve my employment prospects.
Or I could have taken up a well-paying, full-time job.
But while we have an entire lifetime to make money, we are young only once.
My priorities lie in making enough to live comfortably, and enjoying my youth while I can - before family and career responsibilities start to dominate my life.
There is a time for everything, and I believe that I have an entire lifetime to climb the corporate ladder.
But will I have the time in the future to do an up-tempo hip-hop dance?
Somehow, I doubt it.
By Chew Zhi Wen, 21, to read law and economics at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
THE gap year - that period of time between graduating or completing national service and the next step - presents a rare opportunity for youth to relish the emancipation from the hustle and bustle of school.
It is a time to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflect on the important decisions that lie ahead.
Some of my peers chose to travel; others made a difference in the lives of others through community service.
Most, though, decided on the traditional nine-to-five office grind, through work and internships. They believed that every job made a difference to their resume.
Me? I became a dancer.
I turned my hobby into a part-time job, learning and working as a dancer for the past eight months.
I started dancing at 14, in a secondary school CCA, so I had some experience.
The gap year provided me with a rare opportunity to further hone my skills.
The combination of taking classes, conducting classes and doing shows was physically and psychologically exhausting.
The ups and downs of this experience enlightened me to the differences between a passion and a profession.
Was I good enough to be a career dancer? I think I got my answer.
Secretly, I was relieved that I did not have to do this my whole life.
Nevertheless, I was glad I gave it a shot anyway.
Perhaps I could have gone with the norm and done a few internships to improve my employment prospects.
Or I could have taken up a well-paying, full-time job.
But while we have an entire lifetime to make money, we are young only once.
My priorities lie in making enough to live comfortably, and enjoying my youth while I can - before family and career responsibilities start to dominate my life.
There is a time for everything, and I believe that I have an entire lifetime to climb the corporate ladder.
But will I have the time in the future to do an up-tempo hip-hop dance?
Somehow, I doubt it.
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