Cedar Girls’ Secondary School offered this programme to foreign students since 2005. This year, I volunteered to be a parent guardian. This scheme aims to enable foreign students studying at Cedar to settle down in Singapore with much ease and reduce their home-sickness.Today, I get to meet the scholar from China. Her name is Li Jing. She is 17 and an only child. Her hostel is quite near my place so I would expect frequent visits from her. During this morning’s interaction, we got to know each other better.

Tomorrow, I have invited her to join my family for an outing to Changi Village. That will be the first time she gets to meet my whole family.

Well, will keep you people updated as we progress further . . .

Hi Singapore parents

Day 2 session on 23/3/2007 started at 9 am and ended at around 5 pm. The following areas were covered:

• Getting the results that you want – the magic of rapport
• Eye accessing cues
• Chunking up/down
• The driving force – values and beliefs
• Alignment of your goals, beliefs, values and behaviours

I like the portion on Eye Accessing Cues. By observing one’s eye cues, you will be able to tell if he/she is:

• Vc = Visual Constructed
• Vr = Visual Remembered
• Ac = Auditory Constructed
• Ar = Auditory Remembered
• K = Kinesthetic
• Ad = Auditory Digital
  

Other tips shared by the trainer on Beliefs include:

• What is the key belief that is limiting you?
• What price have you paid for having this belief?
• How does holding on to the belief benefit you?
• Why must you change this belief?
• Why this belief is not true?
• What would be a new alternative belief to help you?
• Why is this new belief TRUE?
  

At the end of the 2-day program, the trainer wished that all participants are able to:

The Neuro aspects include our 5 senses such as:

• Visual (see)
• Auditory (hear)
• Kinesthetic (feel)
• Olfactory (smell)
• Gustatory (taste)

Today is the 4th day of the Bras Basah Complex Book Fair. Usually, I am the consumer, i.e one at the receiving end. For the past 4 days, it had been an entirely different experience, manning the booth and being at the giving end.First, we get to meet all sorts of people, not just Singaporeans but also foreigners:

• Old folks just walking around to pass time;
• Grandparent(s) with their grandchild(ren) while their parents are at work;
• Parents with their children scouting for books and other stuff;
• Adults working nearby dropping by during lunch and after work;
• Tourists who somehow found their way there for sale items;
• Others who are book lovers and are there to catch good bargains.

And guess what, unless they are interested in what we have to offer, they will quickly brush us off and rush off. Nonetheless, I am glad that my team maintained good spirit and always don a smile on their face. The sculpture balloons are popular with kids. Some even came back for more. One Japanese lady even wanted to learn and ask that I teach her. Of course, I gladly did so.

Then, we were also being asked interesting questions by passers-by:

• May I know where is the toilet?
• Do you know where is the post office?
• Where is UOB?
• Do you know which book store sell a particular series of Chinese books?
• Can you tell me where is the National Library?
  
• Can you tell me how to go to Beach Road?
• Do you know where I can get human skeleton model?
• Do I make payment here? (Our booth happens to be next to Popular stalls)

I am sure the remaining 6 days will be equally exciting. Will keep you people posted. . .

Today is the first day of the March school holidays.

Singapore parents, if you and your kids love books, do go down to Bras Basah Complex. It started its English & Chinese Book Fair cum Bonsai Fair yesterday. It will last all the way until 18 Mar 2007.Besides assessment books, there are lots of other items you can pick up. Give yourself and your children a break. Make it a family outing and have fun.

I am manning a booth in front of Popular book stalls. If you do make a trip there, can come and look for me.

Cheers and have a nice weekend.

What graduation and whose graduation nite?

It’s mine!

I signed up for the Certified Professional Trainers course with Quest Group in Sep 2005. Only attended the 3 weekend workshops in Mar and Apr 2006. Completed the last assignment in Nov 2006.

HOORAY to me and all those who make it. We were awarded The International Professional Managers Association (IPMA) certification to be a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT).

The event last nite held at

NUSS Guild House Suntec City saw more than 30 of us going up the stage to get our certificates. The youngest candidate is in the early 20s and the oldest one if beyond 50 years. Whatever age, it goes to show there is no boundary when it comes to learning.

The welcome address was delivered by K C See, CEO of Quest Group. This was followed by a speech by Allan Sensicle, Vice Chairman of IMPM UK. Then, we were treated to a 4 course sumptuous dinner. 3 other CPT graduates also display their presentation skills. Cheng Lin spoke on “Good Things Come in Small Size” and June Tan on “Power Dressing”. The finale was by Doris Hui who led us on line dancing. What fun we had!

And what will the rest of us be training? Well, it’s what we do best or a new-found interest. For me, I want to share parenting tips with parents and their children. This blog that I have started is part of the preparation towards this goal.

Singapore parents and those elsewhere, hope you have enjoyed my articles so far and will continue to support me.

Hi
This afternoon, my husband and I made a trip down to NUS Central Library for the Bazaar Vibranto. 15 junior colleges participated in this fund raising event. All 15 stalls sold different things, including food and games.We were there at around 1 pm. Each of us took a burger (one chicken and one beef), followed by one cup of corn and ginko yam. In support of my little girl, we bought 2 drinks from her stall.

Next, guess what I did? Yes, it’s henna. Isn’t it nice? It costed $3 and I had to wait for 5 hours before brushing off the henna. This is the first time I try this out. Kind of fun. Will see how long it will last.

Although it’s a Sunday, we were glad to see other parents who went there in support of their children or relatives. That’s the Singapore spirit!At closing time at 7 pm, Team Yellow grossed in more than $320 worth of stuff. In fact, their stall had the most number of items on display.

Well, todate, the total collection is close to $900 from yesterday’s bazaar, the first fiesta and online orders. The school is also supporting them in cash donations. Hopefully, they will meet their target of $2,500 to present to Special Olympics Singapore.

Credos to Team Yellow for all the effort and time they have put into this project.

Hi

Remember the Charity Project – Vibrant Colours that the Cedar girls are involved for The Singapore Olympics. Well, here is the update on the event coming up this weekend.

After almost a month of jumping over lots of hoops and dashing through tonnes of red tapes, Pioneer Junior College (PJC) team created Bazaar Vibranto.Within a short month, they handled rejection from various organizations, lobbied NUS for endorsement and support. At the same time, they gathers more than 20 teams involved in PJC to jump into the bazaar. The commitment level they exhibited is extraordinary. Hip Hip Hooray!!! Act now! Call your friends, family, schoolmates and whoever you know. Ask them to visit Bazaar Vibranto. There will be game and food stalls. Teams will also be selling bags, accessories, skin products and lots more. All proceeds raised during the event will be donated to the respective beneficiaries.Location: NUS Central Forum (Central Library)
Date : 7 January 2007 (Sunday)
Time : 1 – 7 pm

Singapore parents, do bring you children down to NUS for this Bazaar Vibranto. Show your support and do your bit for charity.

I read with interest today’s Straits Times “Upfront” article on ‘Young-old interaction mends lives of teenagers’. It related how juvenile offenders (aged 14 and above) were sent by judges to work unpaid at welfare homes. This Community Service Order (CSO) was first introduced in 1996 as punishment for crimes such as drug-taking, shoplifting and rioting.Initially, offenders were assigned menial chores and they did them with resentment. Probation officers and staff at these homes eventually realized that it is more beneficial for these youths to interact with the residents there. Last year, Project Sunshine was launched. It taps on offenders’ talents, interest and resourcefulness to let them serve the less privileged.

This move is showing results. By developing a sense of empathy, the youngsters bring laughter and joy to the residents of the welfare homes. The Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports has found that about 6 in 10 came back after their probation ends. The CSO programme makes them realize that there are people more disadvantaged than themselves. This has inspired them to change for the better. Like one of them said: “The residents may be old and sick but they have pride, so I had to be very careful in the way I behaved. I couldn’t be my former arrogant and rude self.”

I am really glad there is such a programme in Singapore. Parents of these youths would be pleased to know that their children have turned a ‘new’ life by being more responsible and caring. Hopefully, these are long term changes which will benefit them for life. BRAVO to CSO!

CIP – Singapore parents with children in schools should be familiar with this term. It stands for Community Involvement Programme. Whether at primary, secondary or JC levels, school children are given tasks or projects under CIP.

In primary level, students may be assigned tasks such as washing toilets, flag days or visiting charitable homes. At secondary level, examples would be helping out in libraries, fund raising or helping out in other community work. At JC level, students are expected to show more involvement and this can be attachment to any of the charitable organizations.One such example is SANA which stands for Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association. My daughter who is in JC1 was attached to SANA for 7 days (4/12 – 12/12) with 2 of her school mates. After their attachment, this is what they have to share.

The 3 Little ‘Pigs’

Camaraderie (from Lee Yu Mei, Nasirah Mansor and Ttay Pui Boon)

Have you heard of the story of The 3 Little ‘Pigs’? Well, this is not about the Three Little Pigs but Three Little Girls, that is US! And here is our story . . .Once upon a time, there was not a school called Meridian Junior College (MJC). In 2002, MJC was born. Joining MJC in 2006, the three girls did not know each other despite being in the same school for almost a year. We finally crossed paths when we joined the volunteer attachment programme at SANA.

When we first stepped into SANA, we absolutely did not know what to expect. But we were pleasantly surprised when were were warmly welcomed by all the staff at SANA. However, the first few days started slow as we were trying to fit into the surroundings. But special thanks to our mentor, Jean, who made this process much, much easier for us.

So what makes our stay at SANA interesting. Our first duty was to come up with a proposal for fund-raising, which was not exactly exciting and certainly nowhere near fun. Thankfully, Jean decided to mobilize us in designing a mega snake-and-ladder game which we enjoyed through and through. We were given a chance to unleash our childlike creativity which seemed to be missing in our hectic JC lives.

Along the way, we learnt loads about SANA and we also had a taste of what working life is like. Volunteering at SANA is an experience like no other because we were exposed to several teen issues such as smoking, teen pregnancy, hanging out late and most importantly, drug abuse. We realize that nowadays, these issues are very real and that everyone is equally susceptible to such temptations, including us.

We will always miss the times we shared during these 7 days’ attachment, the laughter, the joy and most importantly, each other. As they say, friendship is born at the moment when one says to another, “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” Friendship and teamwork were the two things that made our stay at SANA fruitful. Like the three little pigs, we too, found out that hardwork was the single most important thing during this attachment. If only it had been longer . . .

To all young and robust teenagers out there, trust us, volunteering at SANA is one decision you will never regret. Pick up an application form and be a SANA volunteer, satisfaction guaranteed!

Hi
Just to update what is happening to the Charity Project.

Look at the variety of stuff toys available. If any of them appeal to you or your children, you can place your order, from $5 upwards to $10.

The hand-made items are still going at 2 for $1. So far, online orders for the pebbles are popular.

And look at the joy from these 3 girls. When you do charity, you do it willingly and with a loving heart!

If you want to do your bit for charity, please log on to www.yellow-pvc.blogspot.com or email to:

Abinaya: sourtomyam@yahoo.com.sg
Elyssa: bigflip91@yahoo.com.sg
Sun Meng: inourdream@hotmail.com
Sharron: xueren91@hotmail.com
Jennifer: jennifer_eelingz@hotmail.com
Vicky: virgo_smilez@hotmail.com
Lyana: funky_lyana@hotmail.com
Arica: violetstarz@hotmail.com
Yu Sin: leeyusin@hotmail.com
Wan Ping: blue_clouds_12@hotmail.com

Hi
It’s another week and below is the message from the Charity Project team:

Hello everyone! Due to project vibrant colours, cedar team YELLOW, will be selling things to raise funds for SPECIAL OLYMPICS. If you are interested to buy anything, you can email or contact us (especially Cedarians). We are selling many 2nd hand goods. Below are some things that are hand-made by us. You may know how to make these too, but afterall this is for charity- Special Olympics. Please give us your support(:

Hand made dice.

2 for $1

A ring of 5 hearts. The hearts are folded from paper clips.
3 rings for $1
(Free to choose your own colours)

Pebbles 3 for $1

Colours and words can be choosen.

2 for $1

 

Pegs with decoration.

2 for $1

Interest parties, please log on to www.yellow-pvc.blogspot.com or email to:

Abinaya: sourtomyam@yahoo.com.sg
Elyssa: bigflip91@yahoo.com.sg
Sun Meng: inourdream@hotmail.com
Sharron: xueren91@hotmail.com
Jennifer: jennifer_eelingz@hotmail.com
Vicky: virgo_smilez@hotmail.com
Lyana: funky_lyana@hotmail.com
Arica: violetstarz@hotmail.com
Yu Sin: leeyusin@hotmail.com
Wan Ping: blue_clouds_12@hotmail.com

Hi, it has been a busy week for me. Besides work, I also forked out time to help my youngest girl in her Charity project – Vibrant Colours.

The team of 10 Sec 3 girls have chosen to sell things at flea markets to raise funds for The Singapore Olympics or also known as Special Olympics.

What is Special Olympics?

It is a worldwide sports and physical training programme for all intellectually disabled people above 8 years old with a mission to:

• provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities

• give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy

• participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, fellow athletes and the community.

Special Olympic was established in 1968 by Mrs Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late President John F. Kennedy. Today, more than 140 countries have adopted the program.

Summer Sports include Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian .
Soccer, Gymnastics, Roller Skating, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball.

Winter Sports include Alpine Skiing, Cross – country, Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Poly Hockey, Speed Skating.

Demonstration Sports include Badminton, Golf, Powerlifting, Table Tennis, Team Handball.

The Special Olympics program in

Singapore started in 1983 as a joint committee of the Association of Educationally Sub normally Children and the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore. In 1991, it was registered with the Register of Societies as a independent voluntary welfare organization. In 1994, as a charity with Commission of Charities, it is affiliated to the Singapore National Olympic Council and the National Council of Social Service.

However, it is not a beneficiary of the Community Chest. Therefore, it has to raise funds for its operation. The program provides ongoing sports training and competitions to some 2500 intellectually disabled athletes from 20 centres. To find out more about their activities, you may click on to: http://www.dpa.org.sg/sports/olym.htm

Preparation for this charity event includes collection of saleable and used items from friends and relatives. Besides being their temporary financier, I also look for stuff at home to be ‘disposed’ off or recycled items (bags of all kinds).

The first flea market activity was on today at Blk 329 Bukit Batok. Although only $77.50 was collected, the girls are still in good spirit. They will be selling again from Dec 1 – 3 at SMU.

Friends and parents who have logged in, look out for more details in my next blog. Come on down to SMU during the 3 days. Do your bit for charity. Will also share with you what has been learnt and tips to make such events a success . . .