An Opinion for Everything

Blogs and forums- good or bad?

A suggestion was given in our online forum for a virtual debate. I wonder how that will go? Is there a point for it anyways? The online forum has become rather dreary. It's bound to happen when people say things for the sake of saying it, and when they act purely for self interest, not for the greater good. I see postings for favours- answer this questionnaire, give me project ideas, do this for me. It's all me, me, me. And there are smart alecs who simply has an opinion for EVERY new thread. It's getting old- don't you have to go do something?

As for me, I drop in once in a while, to see the pulse of the student life. Maybe it can be a topic for my MSc dissertation. Which brings to mind- I have to go work on my assignment. I have to embrace the very idea of going through the process of reading, researching, analysing, evaluating, writing and eventually getting it done. The subject is really interesting- Managing Multimedia Systems, no denying that. How I wish that we can do away with assessments. Interview me on what I've learnt and I'll tell you, happily. How about that?

Bored Teachers & Sexy Titles

We're expecting some visitors from a local secondary school next weekend. While the students are being taken on a tour of our premises, the teachers are to be 'entertained' for a period of 3 hours. A colleague of ours was kind enough to conduct the session- she mentioned to our marketing people that the session will be something along the lines of 'effective teaching methods', which in turn was communicated to the teachers.

The reply came back from the teachers' spokesperson that the title is not 'sexy' enough. And they don't need any talk about teaching methods since most of them are teacher trainers themselves. Since when have they become so demanding? It's a free session, they get free lunch, they won't be asked to lift a finger, they'll be allocated a cosy, air-conditioned room and did I mention that it's FREE? And to think I was the first choice as the presenter! That's going to be a tough crowd, I'd say. I suppose after my exams on that day I'll drop in and volunteer my services as a facilitator. It's definitely a consumers' market now, and the chaperones get the fringe benefits for the mere enticement of student enrolment at our college.

Wall of Silence

Hubby's phone is busted. Its motherboard crashed and it failed to work. Due to this, I don't get any type of communication from him while at work. I'm so used receiving his SMS-es at work that it felt strange not hearing from him this whole week. The office e-mail is not our favourite mode of communication, for obvious reasons. It's interesting how we have grown so used to this particular technology when ten years ago personal handphones are a rare thing.

Anyway, he bought himself a new toy- a new sleek & slim model. And we're back in business :-)

Measure of a Man

We had an event at the college a few weeks back. One of the invited speakers was someone whom I went to college with, way back in 1992. He had an impressive CV- member of the board of directors for a few companies, owns different sorts of businesses yada yada yada...

What struck me most was how I reacted to it. Initially I was a bit insecure, asking myself what have I done all these years when he was busy starting all those businesses? But then I asked myself- is it fair to measure or match what we term as "success" when we don't have the same playing field? Anyway, long story short (you wouldn't want to get me started on the debates that I had going on) I came to terms with it. Faced it, like a mature, grown woman.

That's life. Some people make more money than I do, many drive better cars, some have huge mansions they call home and whatever else. Good. I'm happy for them. I honestly am. I kinda like this feeling. I like being happy for me. It's fulfilling and liberating.

Till then, my great future beckons!

My "Ais Kacang' Dream

Currently nursing a fever- not fun. Everytime I get a fever I get this strange craving for Ais Kacang. Not just any Ais Kacang. It's not a likely dream anyway.. the ais kacang that I want is sold by a particular street vendor in Pantai Lido, JB. Whoa! What are the chances of me tasting it again? The street peddler may not even be around anymore.. but then he may be..

I know from Hubby that the guy who sells the special mee rebus (with the crunchy fritters) is still around, selling not far from the original location. Hubby had a taste of the mee rebus on his way back from Singapore. His first time, he says.. and he was impressed. I TOLD you there are tasty foods outside of Penang!

Tomorrow is a big day for us- everyone have worked so hard. We have considered pretty much all possible worst case scenarios. We have taken action to pre-empt and avoid any disastrous incidents. We have almost every base covered, with our checklists and such. So I pray that Murphy and his law would not pay us a visit. It is very important that we make a good impression, because we would like the industry people to come back. Once this is over, I'll run back to my corner and be unnoticeable again. Good luck to me (and 1 ais kacang please)!

Close Brushes

Raising small children requires a strong heart and a sharp mind, one that pre-empts almost all possibilities. When my eldest son was was 5, he followed us to the bus terminal and was holding on to my sister's shirt. He let go because he saw some Power Rangers toys on display and we lost him for a brief while. Once last year, he tried to walk home because the bus left him behind. He had forgotten my advice to go to the school's admin office for the teachers to call me.

Just today (minutes ago, in fact) my second son was sent home by a good samaritan who found him trying to cross the road at a traffic light close to our house. Because I was 15 minutes late.

I have to re-look and assess my effectiveness and responsibility as a mother. These incidents cannot happen again, ever. God, please help me be a good parent!

Young and Disillusioned

I remembered a time when I was fresh out of university and everything was possible. It was "the world is my oyster" moment: walking down Havelock Lane in summer, almost running, to hubby's (then boyfriend's) house.. almost bursting with the news of my exam results. It was a time of great personal achievement: to have done (reasonably) well academically. Yet it was also a time of great confusion. All my life I had thought of going to UK to study, did it. I worked hard to get a 2:1 for my law degree, got it. I wanted so much to be a lawyer, hmm.. more of that later. Then, I came upon a stumbling block. What next? By then, I've read quite a number of self-help books about goal-setting and such. Yet I was confused as to my direction in life.

I met a student today who reminded me of where I was. She shared with me that working for her final year studies was such a great challenge that she has now lost the passion to 'fight'. I sat and listened to her, mostly. I hoped in my heart that she will find her way in her own time. I know that that is true, no matter what I say or how much advice I give her.

Now I am a bit more realistic on what I aim for. I know now that I need to keep setting my eyes on new prizes every now and then. Everything still IS possible, I know my strengths and where I need to improve. I am ever-ready to embrace change. I have also realised something quite simple yet profound: decisions and outcomes in life are never absolute.

By the way, I've stumbled upon something interesting online: www.movie.com. Since I have very little time nowadays I can watch the trailers, read the complete review/ synopsis from another site and form my own conclusion. I'll save a whole lot of time, won't I? Please excuse me while I sneak a peek into Memoirs of Geisha... hehe.. and maybe Brokeback Mountain later.