Tracy's Nest

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Pissed off

After coming back to the office to work, I seldom cook and I really miss cooking. As usual, yesterday, after work, Pappy asked me what to have for dinner. I told him 'let's go and eat fried beef noodles'. So, off we went to Restaurant Soo Kee in Medan Imbi which is famous for its Fried Beef Noodles. Too bad, upon reaching only realised dat it was closed on Mondays. Okay, no choice, we had to make do with the shop just across which serves the same food (said to be the son who 'branched' out).
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We seldom patronise this shop but what to do, I was drooling for fried beef noodles.
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What is the title of my post to do with this shop? I tell u, this shop's people really pissed me off with their attitude. We ordered fried beef noodles and a plate of fried rice for Destinee. I told the girl who took our orders dat I only need eggs for the fried rice cos my girl doesn't like other ingredients. The girl told me they don't have this type of fried rice and kept asking us whether to add prawns, beans or not. We told her again and again dat we need eggs and rice only. She said it was difficult for them to charge us but I told her we didn't mind her charging us accordingly to how much they charge for a normal plate of fried rice.
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She went to her boss (a man when u see his stuck-up face oso u 'want-to-spit-saliva-on-him' type) and enquired. She came back and told us dat her boss said they don't have such kind of food in their menu (or in my words they don't serve such kind of simple food). Seeing dat it was of no use, I told the girl to forget it. I've been to so many shops and there was no problem ordering fried rice with only eggs. Or they thought we could only afford for fried rice with eggs. If we were to order crabs, prawns or other expensive food, that might be a different story, the boss will run to take our order? *tns*
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We expected the boss, to, at least have the courtesy, come over and tell us dat they were sorry dat they don't serve such kind of food. @*%# NO, HE CHANGED HIS SHIRT AND WENT TO HIS LAZY CHAIR TO SLEEP/NAP. I asked the girl: "Need I teach your boss how to fry rice with eggs only"? She just went off and didn't even ask us what else we wanted to order. She didn't even bother to ask us if we wanted to order drinks *tns again*. If it wasn't for cranky Destinee who was hungry and wouldn't budge, we would have walked off. So, we had to substitue the 'fried rice with eggs' for a plate of hokkien mee which Des likes too and drinks from a 'kakak' who was a lot more friendly and courteous.
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What's the name of this shop? I'm sure many have heard and patronised this shop. The name's SOO KEE'S SON (MENG CHUAN) PRAWN AND BEEF NOODLES in Medan Imbi. With dat kind of attitude, no wonder there were so few patrons eventhough Restaurant Soo Kee was closed. Maybe it was my unlucky day or maybe the boss wasn't in a good mood. ''NO FRIED RICE WITH ONLY EGGS" (n****h).
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Okay, finished ranting.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Remembering HIM

*boo hoo hoo* *sob sob sob*

He's gone forever - 29th August, 1958 - 25th June, 2009







Ticket - when he performed in S'pore's National Stadium on
29th August (his birthday), 1993


Ticket - when he performed in KL's Stadium Merdeka on
27th October, 1996









ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE
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One day in your life
you'll remember a place
Someone's touching your face
You'll come back and you'll look around you

One day in your life
You'll remember the love you found here
You'll remember me somehow
Though you don't need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You'll remember one day...

One day in your life
When you find that you're always waiting
For the love we used to share
Just call my name
And I'll be there

(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh...)

You'll remember me somehow
Though you don't need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You'll remember one day...

One day in your life
When you find that you're always longing
for the love we used to share
Just call my name
And I'll be there

(Ohh...)
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*boo hoo hoo* *sob sob sob*

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Why did they choose Chinese Primary schools?

I accidentally stumbled into this United Subang Jaya Web forum, while searching for some articles, which I would like to share. The subject was:

Why Did They Choose Chinese Primary Schools?
Updated:2005-09-05 19:48:00 MYT

If there is really anything which can never be defeated, it must be the Chinese education in Malaysia.

Indeed, because of its hardiness, it has waded past the loneliness of the colonial days and the brutality of the Japanese Imperial Army, to give rise to 1,288 Chinese primary schools, 60 independent Chinese secondary schools and three private institutions of tertiary education in this country.

That is a journey quite unlike others, a long and winding road. Because of the countless uncertainties ahead of it, it forges ahead without looking back. Because of the towering hills blocking its way, it is clad in soothing verdure. Because of the rocks standing on its way, it has created glorious waves. And because of the persistence and selfless contributions of some, it has flourished into something of a legendary magnitude in the country's education history.

Today, there are some 640,000 students enrolled in the country's Chinese primary schools, 60,000 or about a tenth of whom non-Chinese. If not because Chinese primary schools across Malaysia have been packed to the seams, more non-Chinese parents are expected to enrol their kids there.

Why do these non-Chinese parents send their kids to Chinese primary schools instead of national primarys schools which are more superior in teaching facilities?

That, is indeed a question which our former prime minster Tun Dr Mahathir finds it hard to understand. As such, he proposed recently that an academic investigation be carried out to find out why more and more non-Chinese parents have sent their children to Chinese primary schools. He wants to know whether these parents do so purely to make their kids learn the Chinese language, or simply because Chinese primary schools are actually better run.

I sincerely hope that the leaders of this country will break through the limitations of ethnically oriented education to inspect the country's education system from a more objective and macroscopic perspective. Undeniably, there is a huge gap between what the leaders and what the Chinese community thinks about the country's education issues. Chinese primary schools have often been conveniently labelled as stumbling blocks of the nation's progress and solidarity, which is hardly a secret at all. And because of that, Chinese primary schools have been continuously marginalised and their development neglected, resulting in perennial shortage of qualified teachers.

Some of our leaders believe that as long as we run the national primary schools properly, allowing them to have the best teachers and facilites, Chinese parents would naturally send their kids there to study. But things don't always go that way. Today, not only do Chinese parents send their children to Chinese primary schools, an increasing number of non-Chinese parents are also doing the same.

The reason for Chinese parents to send their children to Chinese primary schools cannot be simpler than passing down the cultural heritage. And because of that, the Chinese community remains unwavering on the issue of Chinese education and will never compromise on it.

As for non-Chinese parents sending their children to Chinese primary schools, their motive is largely profit-oriented. If you don't believe me, you can always find out yourself. Chances are that you will be told that they believe their future is brighter if they get some knowledge of the Chinese language. Simple enough.

As a matter of fact, the increasing enrolment of non-Chinese students at Chinese primary schools pose a very serious question to the schools themselves. Some schools even take the initiative to remind non-Chinese parents that sending their children to Chinese primary schools might not be the right option for them, as their children may encounter communication problems there.

Nevertheless, few parents change their minds. I still remember an Indian parent said, "This is my youngest son. He has three elder brothers, two graduating from national primary schools, and one from a Chinese primary school. They have all started working now. The two brothers from national schools never take home a single cent, only the one graduating from Chinese primary school cares for the family and sends home money every month. So, that's it!" Perhaps the Indian parent did not have much idea what the Chinese culture was all about, however he knew very well how different the son in Chinese school was.

If Dr Mahathir has ever heard what he said, perhaps he could have a clearer understanding of the unique features of Chinese education.

Sin Chew Daily

So much has been heard about National schools whereby the teachers are 'half baked' and lazy and they simply correct the books and seldom or never bother whether the students do their homework or not. I'm not trying to say dat teachers in National schools are no good, I'm sure there are some very good teachers but I do find dat the teachers in Chinese schools are more dedicated and committed.

I've been wondering and am still wondering whether I've made the right decision by sending Des to a Chinese primary school. She's, at present, okay with her homework, not so much as compared with her friends in other schools where there are a lot of writings.

I've been asked on how's Des coping with her studies in a Chinese school since I read little Chinese, speak 'half bucket' Chinese and can't even write Chinese (oops, sorry to say I can't even write Des's name in Chinese and don't expect Pappy to guide her all the time, he just doesn't have the time).

Des's subjects are Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese, Science in English and Chinese, Maths in Engish and Chinese, Moral in Chinese, PJ (Pendidikan Jasmani dan Pendidikan Kesihatan) in Chinese, Art in Chinese and Music in Chinese. As until now, she's okay, I'm learning Chinese from her (heehee). Her exam ended before the holidays and surprisingly her results in the Chinese subjects were better than English and BM, she even had full marks in some of the subjects in Chinese.

My criterion is to send Des to a primary Chinese school and later to a National secondary school. If she's good, she'll be able to master the 3 languages, if not, at least she knows the basics of the Chinese language as in conversing, reading and writing. Pappy always says "Chinese educated ppl are better mannered and cares more for the family." Hmmmm ......

I'm sure many of you who are 'bananas' in Chinese (like me) will still send your kids to Chinese schools, rite? Any regrets for not studying in a Chinese school?

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Orientation day and 1st day of school

Destinee was registered into one of the Chinese school in Cheras but so unluckily dat she was rejected by the *duh* Ministry. Pappy wanted to appeal but the principal told him it was not advisable as there were already 9 (NINE) Primary 1 classes and there were about 50 students in a class. Wuah seh! I told Pappy to forget about it.

Destinee was placed in a school which was not to my liking and I was quite worried where to register her. My friend, Ah Nee, came to my rescue. She recommended me to the school where her kids are attending. This school is semi-government and is 48 years old situated in Persiaran Chulan, behind the Chinese Maternity Hospital. She told me I wouldn't have problem registering Destinee in this school as there were not many students. The school is small compared to other schools in KL and there are only 200+ students. Yes, u read rite, 200+ students in the school (from primary 1 to primary 6).

The procedures were: We brought the rejected letter (posted to us) and Des to the school (where she was placed) to be stamped to show dat Des's name was 'cancelled' off. A note was handed to us from this school and we brought this note to the school recommended by Ah Nee. We showed the letter to the new school and was informed there wasn't any problem. *phew*

We were shown around by one of the teachers (very friendly and courteous) and after some 'surveying' around, we were satisfied with the surroundings and environment (could hear birds chirping every now and then). Des told us she liked the school and without hesitation, we filled up a form (transferring Des from one school to another) and the rest of the procedures were done by the school. So, behind her BC, she has a record of 4 different school stamps (heehee).

Orientation day (29th December, 2008) was a week before the actual day (5th January, 2009) of school. There were only 19 students (10 boys and 9 girls) in Des's class and was the one and only Primary 1 class in the school (kekeke). Dat means not much comparison, wonder whether it is good or bad? To me, it's good cos the teachers will be able to control and will be more responsible.

A teacher led the kids to a classroom and I didn't exactly know what happened cos I was busy filling up lots of forms and making payments (RM88 for school fees, RM150 for donation and summed upn to about RM200+). Luckily Ah Nee was around to help me take some pics of Des. I supposed the girls and boys were introduced to each other and later were made to line up and brought around the school. Des was one of the small pint size (if not the smallest size) pupil of the class ... sigh ...

Gee, she held hands ... with the one of the biggest size boy. Hahaha.

Shown around the school by a teacher.

Des in her classroom.

Her new friend, cute smiley faced, Yap Hoi Sei (Chinese and Indon. parentage).

Happy moment -- gift from her teacher.




One moment she was happy going around the school with her new friends but the next she was like dat:


A sad face

She asked me why her friends from kindy were not around and she started to have tears in her eyes ... sigh ...



FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (6th January, 2009)

Pics below were courtesy of Ah Nee.



During the very first assembly. Primary 1 were without stools so were made sit on the ground.

I could see a lot of 'yawinings'

The 9 girls.

Her new shoes.

I found out dat Des was not only the smallest size, she was oso the shortest, thinnest and the cry baby of the class *slaps head* ... sigh ... sigh ... sigh ...

Des's school textbooks:



Most of the books were borrowed and has to returned at the end of the year. Took pics of the books as proof of evidence dat the books were old books esp. the Chinese book which is quite worn out.
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p/s: A big Thank You to Ah Nee for helping me out.