Learning to Learn Workshops

Dear All

Tiffy's school has engaged this vendor to teach the children how to learn. It's a once a week 55 minutes session that will last, I think, 6 or 8 weeks.

I don't know what they are teaching the girls, but Tiffy is really enjoying the lessons. She's been quite motivated to study. Don't know if it's due to so-so mid year exam results..that may be a contributing factor, or that her new bible sharing youth group are mainly made up of tertiary students from ITE, Poly, the U or young working adults, or perhaps it's this workshop.

Anyway, she's learned it's impt to prioritise work. Procastination is bad because the work has to be done anyway. Do things in small tasks and importance of taking little breaks.

Today, she told me that most humans make use of only 1 - 2% of our brains. Geniuses use 3 - 5% and that include Albert Einstein. They were told by the faciliators that if only people use their brains more, cures could be discovered for lots of diseases.

She also shared with me that we all have 3 brains (and I thought it was 2!). The left, right and BACK brain. She was dismayed she's pro right brain which means she's a procastinator and leaves things to the last minute. Geez, I thought most geniuses were like that ;)

That's what little nibblets of wisdom I've learned from Tiffy today.

Love Theresa

Austere Diet (Today's paper - ST27 Jul 09)

Dear All

Firstly, there's an error in my earlier post on brandname of the Ikea plastic sheet...it's Kolon. Post corrected. Yah...funny name, but don't laugh, it's true...maybe in means something else in Swiss..

Today's Straits Times had an article on aging. It seems if you cut down your calories intake by 30% (from your ideal weight) you'll most like live longer. That's because your internal organs age slower. (But sorry folks, it does not reduce hair fall!!!). Ailments like cancer, and old age associated ailments are reduced. You look younger too. (Some of the summary was taken from another website given by a docter friend).

Anyway this article's writer commented...why do anyone want to live longer if they are living in misery, especially if you live to eat.

My take is, enjoy your food, but in moderation. Have routine exercises. Have a hobby, have some good close friends and go for retail therapy once in a while. Live life, play with your kids, be a teen again with your spouse, and don't be a slave to your house (if you're a SAHM like me) or to your job. After all, life is short, so live it. Don't know what I'm rattling about...must be the late hour...just my rambling thoughts for today.

Love Theresa

Trying out a way to cut noise of dragging chairs

Dear All

The kids are generally "rough". They just don't know how to lift up the chair when they get up from their study tables. The end result....scratched parquet floors and irritating dragging furniture noise, particularly at night when you want to sleep! We tried putting carpets (too much friction), rubber mats (also too much friction and the joined pieces keep coming out or are squashed by the chair legs), felt leg tips (the glue just don't stick well), nailed leg tips (the nail also scratch the floor). The best so far are the tied on leg booties.

Today, we went to Ikea and found this plastic mat brand name "Kolon". We are currently trying it out. It definitely protects the parequet from scratches, but does not dampen the noise. So I remembered the show room had carpets UNDER the "Koton" so we placed a rug under ours. And guess what? The noise is significantly reduced! So now everyone, including the complaining neighbour below us, can now sleep in peace.

The cost is low..just $59 per plastic sheet. But be warned...it's pretty heavy (heavy duty I suppose) and needs some strength to bend it to fit into your car boot.

Just to share something that is useful to us.

Love Theresa & Bert

In GOD I trust and believe...

For all those who happen to stumble upon this blog and happen not to believe in the existence of the Almighty God.......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbg_dhI4XCs

Thanks Cynthia for the sharing!

AlbertY

Compassion & Teamwork - a sharing

Dear All

As all kids know, when they hit primary 4, they have to pass NAFA. It's a battery of tests. Our Tiffy didn't pass her 2.4km run, so she had to do a retest (her second re) yesterday.

I am soooo glad we had made the right decision to place her in a mission school. Although not all teachers are "angels" or "holy", her PE teacher was very wise. She asked those girls who had already passed the 2.4km to also run with those who failed so as to encourage them.

Tiffy is so blessed with very good friends.

One made her a banner that says roughly, "Tiffany you can make it" or something to that effect. Another pulled her arms to drag her on. Another told her a lie that there was only 30 sec left so she ran like mad to the finish line. But actually, it was 1 min left. So she passed with 30 sec to spare!!

I'm so happy that Tiffy has such wonderful friends around her, and such compassionate and wise teachers around.

Love Theresa

My 3 petitions to St Theresa of Calcutta

Mother Theresa has just been declared a saint, according to the e-mail I received... and here are my 3 petitions to St Theresa of Calcutta.

Petition 1

St Theresa of Calcutta, please intercede for me to take the soul of my beloved mum, Alice Elizabeth Mah Kwai Pheng to heaven. She passed away last year on 14 Jan 2008 and I hope the her soul can be in heaven.

Petition 2

St Theresa of Calcutta, please intercede for me to grant me a peaceful and painless death.


Petition 3

St Theresa of Calcutta, please take me to heaven when I die one day.

That's all.

AlbertY

Bro discharged today!

Dear All

My bro was discharged today (21 Jul) 3pm. To tell you the truth, though he's discharged, I still am worried for him. Dr says he needs to think of getting better and nothing else.

I believe in community of prayers...so please, continue to pray for my bro.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love Theresa