Great News

Number 1.

The school is pleased to announce the results of the Lower Secondary School Robotics Competition 2011... Champions again ! It's a big feather in the cap this time. The boys capped the top prize at the National Level beating premier schools like Chung Ling and the big jargons.
Yessssss. They will represent Malaysia at Dubai later this month. What an achievement; it has been a long while that we have hit anything like this.

The principal is all smiles at the achievement of the boys.

En Ardi accompanied them but really the lady behind the great show is Grace Ong. Some things just work with certain people. She is one of them. When she puts her heart and mind on a project it's almost always an A+ effort. So the boys who took the show including Neoh Jia Foo, Naik Hsian Jun and Muhad Iskandar must have received thorough guidance from her. Hsian Jun is not in the pic; he must be exhausted.

On weekends, while some are resting at home, I have seen her cleaning the computer store room with a mask over her mouth. Her house help would tag along and together they wiped and cleaned the computers. She is a dedicated teacher who works hard for the benefit of others.

Thank you Grace Ong.

The boys are worth praising. They related that they were sabotaged at the first round when competitors disconnected a gadget and the robot did not respond effectively. Later, they emerged superior as they won round after round . I asked them what the winning streak was. Jia Foo said that it was a marathon effort with plenty of mental strength. Yes that's it. Mental strength. Most competitions are competed with the best in the game but the real trick lies in the mental strength. The stronger you are mentally, the more likely you will win. So, the boys have gained, grit, determination, perseverance and positivity in this competition.

On top of everything else, they will be facing the public exam PMR next week. They have sacrificed time, effort and while their other friends were immersed in their revision, they were fighting for a cause. They have learnt an experience which cannot be bought. It will bring them far in the future. A special mention to the parents of the boys. They also rose up to the occasion by releasing their children for the run; commendable.

To the boys, I say you will make it fine at PMR.

You are achievers.

Thank you for bringing the great news to the school.

Kudos.

Bravo !

The Communicating Tool
Face book

Yesterday, I looked into the affairs of many but one event caught my attention. After reading the news, a sense of pride overwhelmed me as I see the work of some students. Let me share it; meant to be spread around.

You see the parents in the photo? The school holds appreciation days for the hard work of teachers and students especially in the field of curriculum and co-curriculum. During such occasions parents give their full support to their children by being present and taking shots for keeps.
I do that too. When my children were younger, I got excited when they were named best student for this and that and then I would make it a point to be present for the award ceremony. We hope to give encouragement so that the children will be affirmed in the right directions and hopefully will grow up to be useful citizens, good daughters and sons and a good influence to society. We teach them right attitudes and values.
The school is an effective platform to vent out their talents, skills, energy and right behaviour.
I am glad to see a glimpse of it in the works of the interactors of SMK Seafield.


I have been informed through the facebook that the Interactors have adopted a corner of the children's unit in the Sungei Buluh Hospital and have taken effort to brighten up the spot. Look at their great work. Bright and beautiful; fit for all the princes and princesses of the hospital.

I am proud that they spent hours for a cause worth mentioning. The leader Kaelan and committee members have made it a point to see to the fruition of their vision for the club. Well done and Kudos.



This group of energetic youths are a privilege to have in school. They look humble and simple but their mission is tall and they achieved it. Hopefully, the next committee will continue this great effort and accomplish more. I used to remember their seniors creating a garden and later painted the hard landscape during weekends. So they learn responsibility, commitment, sacrifice of time and energy and hopefully these values will carry them through in life.
Rome was never built in a day; much has to be learnt from young and really these values will be the life posts in the future.

To the Interactors of the school, may your good work continue to create greater legacies and be a good example to others.

Congratulations for a job well done.

Learning and Relearning

Today the teachers gathered again for another session of learning and relearning. Strange that when you think you have learnt much, you find that you have more to learn and on top of that to change what you once thought was right and to find that it is no more relevant . The process of relearning begins.

The staff of SMK Seafield is a matured lot. Trained for many years right from the days of the ex-principal; Mrs. Wang till today under the leading of the present principal, Puan Zaleha, they are ready to learn when the occasion arises. Much as they want to have a free Saturday, they came to fulfill their duty calls and spent their moments together reflecting on the past and present for the future.

KDU obliged us with the presence of her 2 lecturers in the field of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) for Teaching and Stress Management.

Mr. Leong Kuan Yew is into the field of NLP and gave tips on classroom management by relating to our conscious and unconscious competency and incompetency in situations. One particular understanding on our response to processes is when we respond to our map of reality ; not reality. In short, when we think a task cannot be achieved, it is actually achievable...


My dear teachers are responsive; when called to blow the balloons they came up willingly without much persuasion. But I was a little afraid; what if one of them blew and went breathless? Look at Puan Thilaham; cause for worry. But no, no, no...she did it and blew it big she did!

Next our map of reality says it's impossible to push that stick into the balloon and not burst it... Mr. Gan chose not to believe it and so it burst...

Not with this Biology specialist; she will respond to reality... the balloon will not burst when she pushes the stick into it...

You see; Mr. Leong says we all respond to our map of reality, not reality. Puan Shanta has responded to reality well. The balloon did not burst. So the mind is a powerful tool. You can do it.

And so the rhyme goes...
If I can imagine it, I can have it
If I can focus, I can have it
Unlimited influence...

To the reluctant learners; this will be a good gimmick. When they respond to their map of reality and not reality, they will not achieve. They must be reminded that they can do it. Maybe we will ask them to do the same trick in class.




Dr. Todd Nelson is a robust, friendly and approachable man. He came as a pastor to the country more than 10 years ago but today is tent making ? A lovely wife he has who is attached to a private school, they are both parents to 2 lovely girls who are studying in the States; one in masters in education and the other into History and Spanish.

How do you manage stresssssssss...

1. Avoid unnecessary stress by saying 'no' when appropriate; keeping yourself away from toxic people and a better self management method. His good quotation: bad company corrupts good people. We must not be TOXIC.

2. Alter the situation by being more assertive, express better and be willing to compromise.

3. Adapt to the stressor by adjusting your own expectation, look at the picture and not your own picture and focus on the positive. A good advice is to send out powerful praise words each day before you start work and spend a moment to review the day and look out for 3 things to be grateful about each day just before you close your eyes for the day.

4.Accept things you can't change by surrendering control and learn to forgive. When you say sorry name the mistakes one by one ...

So to some stressed out teachers and especially if I had been one of the factors; here's the song for you...

When I was just a little girl
I ask my mother
What will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich?
Here's what she said to me

Que Sera Sera
What will be, will be

The future's not ours to see
Que Sera Sera...

Thank you dear teachers for great team work.

The New Corner

Something new again.
The school never rests on her laurels.
It's again time for improvement.

This time we created a mini Historical Gallery to remember the past and evoke a keener interest in history. The History Society and the Resource Centre of the school took the bull by its horn and created a nook worth mentioning.

Pictures of the past are collected and displayed for information and knowledge.

A TV and PA system are concurrently set up for recording of the present and past.

More information to be based on themes will be seasonally changed.

Another special corner for books that contained much information.

Outside and along the walkway are reminders and information of both current and past events; hopefully instilling more interest among the students and teachers. Visitors to the school will be attracted to the corner.

A new gazebo to inculcate local taste.

Games and articles displayed for cultural enhancements.

A photo for keeps.


To the ex-students of the school, you will be glad that your school is in good hands and never short of betterment.

Watch It

Learn to forgive.
Wonderful things happen in the name of forgiveness.
Practise it.

Hope you have enjoyed the clip.

The Beef Seller

The Man

If you are familiar with the wet market in SS15 Subang Jaya you are bound to meet this beef vendor who has been in the scene for quite a while. Whenever I need beef, I will go to him. He gives generous portions and is ever ready with a big plastic bag to help me with the rest of my goods. He is so kind and helpful. He is polite and has a heart for cats. Very often you will find a cat purring closely beside him for a feed. He will oblige.
Last weekend at my usual wet market shopping, I told him I want a small portion of fillet but he gave me more than I paid. I was embarrassed at his generosity and offered to pay more to which he vehemently refused.

The beef seller : Cik gu saya sangat bersyukur kerana anak-anak saya semua sudah berjaya dan itu sebab sekolah memberi panduan. ( I am grateful for what he school has done for my children.)
Teacher : If I remember well, you have 3 children. Where are they now?
The beef seller: Oh Syaref is now an engineer, Syazawan is in the business line and Syahir will be graduating with a diploma in engineering soon.
The Teacher: UITM?
The beef seller: Where else ? That's all I can afford.
The Teacher: Oh but that is already so wonderful. I am so happy for you.
The beef seller: Yes I am grateful that they are not into vices. Thank you teacher.

Each time I meet him, he will politely acknowledge and says the school has done his children good. I am also very happy to meet him.
The beef seller and his children.
Hard not to remember them.

Memoirs

Stories from my father.

My father though 94, has a memory that is as clear as the sky. Today I heard more stories from him as we took a ride to Bakri to see the countryside.

Kong Kong loves to tell stories so now you know where I inherit my narrative skills from. For keeps' sake I want to hear them and remember his past. These are precious moments to me for every day is a bonus to all of us. It is also very seldom that we are in the mood to travel into the countryside and recount days of the past.

Johor is a resource rich state and oil palm and rubber trees are a common sight as you scour pass the highways and byways.

He recountered that this was the very spot that soldiers from Australia, UK and India set up army barracks to confront the Japanese in the early 40s'. Strange that the barracks are still in tact now being the abodes of local village folks. He recalled the soldiers were meek compared to the Japanese and he had witnessed them abandoning their weapons in surrender.

When he saw this torn down building he quickly told us that he knew the boss. He recalled that he had to plead with the boss to allow him to drive a lorry to pick his employer and family and also his then colleagues to this village to find shelter against the Japanese soldiers who had landed in the town. In exchange for the favour, he traded in 8 cans of petrol. Petrol was a scarce commodity then so the exchange took off.
With pride he said that he was a loyal and spirit-filled employee always ready to help out and provide protection whenever the occasion demanded of him. Smilingly, he said that 'sook kung' (granduncle) really had a soft spot for him for he could drive, cook, and was a great negotiator in business.
Sook Kung suffered badly from cancer later and it was my dad who ferried him everywhere from Malacca to Johor Bahru and even Singapore for treatment and care. He was like a son to him.



He insisted on alighting from the car and started recalling how they escaped from the Japanese, set up temporary shelter and kept away from their enemies for months before they moved back to town. Look at him. I just gazed from inside the car; refused to come down.




My father is very wise. He says he is very keen to plant these trees too. They will be a good source of income. But he admits that he has no in-depth knowledge of the trade and he may lose more instead of a win. He concludes that one must not be greedy and join in any wagon that one may think will bring in rewards. He says it is better to focus on a trade, be careful, frugal and not dabble in too many trades and agrees that one man's meat may be another man's poison. My father's business acumen; I must learn more intently. He adds that to survive well in a trade, you need to learn the tricks of the trade and stay focus. He doesn't condone switching camps.



Then he remembered his client who mans a food stall and paid her a visit. Kak Roby was delighted to see them and kept calling them 'Nyonya and Taukeh' an endearing address. In small villages, there is joy when people meet one another and they seem to be friends forever. Simple people, genuine concern. Nyonya and Taukeh however were sad to see Kak Roby's husband in pain sitting around in the stall. He has not been feeling well. After a brief exchange, friends depart and they promise to see one another in town soon.

The morning was spent ferrying Kong Kong to the suburban areas to his delight. It is always during such moments that we get to discover more of their past. Kong Kong told me this :
"I am going to take you back to China to see the village where I was born and brought up."

Yes Sir, my pleasure.

Bye Again

God Bless My Child

This morning we had to say another goodbye; this time it is Sara.
However strong one can be, goodbyes are difficult to handle.

But last evening, we took her out for a treat. She loves 'kam heong lala' and crabs. She's always talking about them. We made our way to Fatty Crab but switched camp over to Pangkor Crab instead. The queue was just too long; so we compromised. Talk about compromise; unless very necessary don't try it.
Compromises don't give you the best. We try to accommodate but it still doesn't give you the after taste. Yes, if only we did not have to rush back for the fellowship meeting. The best things in life when proven must be preserved. Any other compromise is a compromise. Not the best.

So, we indeed did not have the best.

Here's the kam heong lala; the one in town in Jalan Imbi beats it flat.

Fried rice served is no big deal ; I can cook better.

Sweet sour crab is a so-so; not hot because she doesn't like hot stuff.

This they say is 'chiew pai' culinary; meaning that which is authentic to the store. Crab cooked and stuffed with salted egg. It's 'eggy' to the buds ; not very to our taste. However, it is bad to say nothing good out of everything; the crabs were really fresh said Garrett.

So she had a whale of a time filling herself up with her favourites; not easy to get them in the UK especially when she goes around converting and ranting on how many more clothes she could get if she thrifts on indulgences. But beggars are not choosers so we had to be happy even though we did not get our first choice. While strolling back to our car for home, taking in the aroma of the special sauce that can only exit from the Fatty Crab store, I told myself the next time we make an attempt to come here; by hook or by crook it will only be Fatty Crab.

No more compromise.

Oh the boyfriend is fully responsible for the luggage; making sure things are in order. Thank you Garrett for care and concern. Thank you for effort and patience. LDRs are hard to handle but it is also the true test of the game. What is hardest to handle will be worth waiting for as relationships are meant to last and be cherished. Why do think old wine tastes best?
A couple of days ago while teaching idiomatic expressions in class, Bethany quickly confirmed that "Out of sight , out of mind," is more practical than "Absence Makes The heart Fonder" ...haha... what a clever girl. Trendy; but not good for old hearts.

Goodbyes are difficult and each time I see daddy hugs his girls; it is comforting to know they will be back with us soon. When duty calls, things need to be done as Ecclesiastes 3: 4 says

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

I hope the dancing days will arrive in the blink of an eye.

To my dear Sara, John 14: 27 is for you.
Peace I leave with you.

Selamat Hari Malaysia

Yes. It's her birthday...the Malaysia Day.
16th September of each year since 1963.

So we commemorate her day each year in school. Yesterday was no different. We reminded and affirmed one another of our love for the nation. This love you must instill and teach ; whatever man may say.

The teachers are a great crowd. They love the children and the more veteran the teachers are, the greater their love for the children in school. When you may think that they are old and less energetic, you will be surprised how the ups and downs in life lead them all the more to dispense their responsibilities in their best. So they too remember this day well. They have also known that the nation has been with them all the days and are grateful for the lot given to them.

The children are led to sing some all time favourites like "Kerana Mu Malaysia and Jalur Gemilang". You know the lyrics and tempo of both these tunes evoke gratitude, love, appreciation for Malaysia. We teach them patriotism but they think otherwise sometimes. They don't know that they have to be away to know how good their homeland is.

Sharing with a friend when reminisces of the past were played over the video, I told her that Malaysians were meant for one another; to live harmoniously and favorably together and that we were a polished lot always having well-meaning gestures. Warm and loving, we house friends and display food generously. But things got in the way and we forget to be kind at times. Yet, love we must for our homeland, the place where we were brought up, live, nurtured and educated. We must not forget that we belong to the country.

One Malaysia.
How we need to remind one another all the time.
That is reason to worry because we forget that we all belong to the same country.

So we need to celebrate because we have a nation where we belong to.

Jalur Gemilang...Di bawah naugan mu
Jalur Gemilang... Kami semua bersatu
Perpaduan, Ketaatan
Amalan murni rakyat Malaysia...
Berkibarlah... Berkibarlah... Berkibarlah Jalur Gemilang

Thank you Malaysia.